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Biomedical subjects

M P Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to M P Robinson.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

A species-specific oligonucleotide DNA probe for the identification of Meloidogyne incognita.

A genomic library of Meloidogyne incognita Race 1 has been prepared in the bacteriophage lambda gt10 and screened for specific DNA sequences by hybridization with radio-isotope labelled total genomic DNA from a number of Meloidogyne species. One clone isolated (MR1 #15), although not totally species specific, clearly showed preferential hybridization to M. incognita. Following subcloning and sequencing of the 255 bp insert, four stretches of the sequence corresponding to oligonucleotides of approximately equal length (approximately 70 bp) were synthesized and examined for specificity. One of them, MR1 #15.2, showed the necessary specificity to be used as a diagnostic tool.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

New materials for dielectric simulation of tissues.

Two novel materials have been developed to simulate the dielectric properties of human muscle and fat at 1000 MHz. These materials, which are based on ethanediol set with gelatine, are easily made and have good mechanical properties. The complex permittivity, epsilon *, of each material was measured with an open-ended coaxial sensor in conjunction with an automatic network analyser. Values of epsilon * at 1000 MHz and room temperature (49.4-24.4j for the muscle-equivalent material, 8.2-3.6j for the fat-equivalent) compared well with literature values for tissue at body temperature. Thermal properties were also considered. Specific heat capacities of the materials at room temperature were measured by differential scanning calorimetry and found to be very close to values predicted by theory. Densities were also measured and the thermal conductivities estimated. For comparison, new measurements were made of the specific heat and density of human muscle and fat at body temperature.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1978

Does adipocyte hypercellularity in obesity exist?

Adipose tissue samples were biopsied from three subcutaneous sites in 80 obese and 27 non-obese patients. Additional samples were taken from intra-abdominal sites in 44 of the patients. There was a small increase in the calculated number of fat cells in the more obese patients, but there was no relation between fat-cell number and obesity of childhood onset. Omental fat cells were one-third the size of subcutaneous cells. Thus the calculated number of fat cells, usually based solely on subcutaneous samples, is an underestimate of the true number, and most obese patients can accommodate their fat without needing to recruit new cells. The diagnosis of "hyperplastic" obesity--that is, an excess number of fat cells--is unreliable and its relation to infantile obesity doubtful.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1978

A useful procedure in the treatment of chronic olecranon bursitis.

An operation for chronic olecranon bursitis is described and the results of 11 cases reviewed. It is suggested that a number of patients with this condition have a prominent olecranon process or spur. The technique involves excision of the olecranon process only, the bursa itself is preserved. The overlying skin remains undamaged and this manoeuvre avoids the unpleasant sequelae that may follow its removal. The operation appears to give satisfactory results.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The consequences of early overnutrition for fat cell size and number: the pig as an experimental model for human obesity.

(1) The objectives of these studies were: (a) to determine the period during which fat cells were being formed in different fat depots in the pig; (b) to discover whether total fat cell number could be affected by overfeeding from weaning or later in life, and (c) to examine the domestic pig as a model for human obesity studies especially as to the influence of the energy intake at different stages in life on fat cell size and number. (2) Pigs were weaned at six weeks of age and allocated to one of four diets. Group H was fed to appetite on a high carbohydrate diet and became extremely obese. Group L was fed at half the energy intake of group H; these animals grew steadily but deposited little adipose tissue. Group L-H was fed as group L for 40 weeks and then as group H for the rest of the experiment, while group H-L was fed as group H for 40 weeks and then placed on a very restricted ("slimming") diet for the remainder of the experiment. (3) The volume of fat cells in group H was about four-fold greater than in group L at the end of the experiment. Cell volume increased rapidly when group L was fattened after 40 weeks and could be reduced significantly, albeit slowly, when group H was "slimmed". (4) There was a significant increase in the apparent number of fat cells in the depots of overfed pigs that did not diminish when the animals were "slimmed". However, in restricted pigs subsequently fattened, there was an apparent steady increase in fat cell number that eventually reached the same figure as in pigs overfed from weaning. (5) The standard methodology is inadequate to make broad generalizations about the influence of diet on cellularity. First, the development of fat cell size and number follows different time scales in different depots. It is essential to monitor several sites before attempting to estimate cell number. Secondly, since cells with diameters less than about 15 micrometer are not detected, "empty" cells, containing no fat, may be present from birth: subsequently they may be filled when energy intake is appropriate so that later they become visible, and are recorded as fat cells. In these cases there will be an "apparent" but not a real increase in cell number.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

Body lipids of guinea pigs exposed to different dietary fats from mid-gestation to 3 months of age. II. The fatty acid composition of the lipids of liver, plasma, adipose tissue, muscle and red cell membranes at birth.

Pregnant guinea pigs were fed one of three diets: a commercial low-fat diet, or a high-fat diet containing maize oil or beef dripping. The young were killed at birth and the fatty acid composition of the lipids of the liver, plasma, adipose tissue, quadriceps muscle and red cell membranes was determined. Compared with those fed the commercial diet the tissue of the young of mothers fed maize oil had an increased percentage of linoleic acid whereas in those of the young of mothers fed beef dripping, the percentage of oleic acid was significantly higher. These changes occurred both in the triglycerides and in the membrane phospholipids (with the exceptin of sphingomyelins) of all tissues examined. These results demonstrate that the fatty acid composition of the tissue lipids of the newborn guinea pig can be influenced by the fatty acid composition of the maternal diet. Changes in the fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids can be as great as those in storage lipids. This raises the question of long-term physiological significance for the animal.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

Body lipids of guinea pigs exposed to different dietary fats from mid-gestation to 3 months of age. III. The fatty acid composition of the lipids of plasma, adipose tissue, liver and muscle at 3 months of age.

Pregnant guinea pigs were fed one of three diets: a 'control' low-fat diet, or a high-fat diet containing maize oil or beef dripping. Offspring were reared on the same diet as their mothers and when they were 3 months old, fatty acid compositions of the lipids of the adipose tissue, blood plasma, liver and muscle were analysed. The proportion of linoleic acid was elevated in both the storage triglycerides and the tissue phosphoglycerides of animals fed 'maize' diet whereas in the 'beef' group the proportion of oleic acid was significantly elevated compared with controls. A substantial part of these diet-induced changes in tissue fatty acid composition had occurred by the time animal was born; only minor changes took place in the subsequent 3 months of feeding.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1976

An operation for chronic prepatellar bursitis.

An operation for chronic prepatellar bursitis is described in which only the posterior wall of the bursa is excised, thus preserving, undamaged, healthy and normally sensitive skin. This procedure is easier and less traumatic than complete excision of the bursa and results in fewer complications. It is suggested that removal of tha anterior wall of the bursa results in unnecessary and harmful interference with the underlying skin. The operation described gives a good functional and structural result; leaving the anterior wall of the bursa does not predispose to recurrence.

Adult↗