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Biomedical subjects

M S McDonald

Publications and source records attributed to M S McDonald.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Binding of nascent glucuronoxylan to the cell walls of pea seedlings.

Glucuronoxylan synthesised in vitro by membrane-bound enzymes from etiolated pea epicotyls was found to bind to isolated cell walls from the same tissue in a pH-dependant manner. The binding was maximum at pH 3.5-4.0, and decreased to zero at pH 6. The bound glucuronoxylan could be dissociated from the cell walls by washing at pH 6, and the binding appeared to be non-covalent. Extraction experiments indicated that the glucuronoxylan was binding to hemicellulose in the cell-wall. The observed binding may be significant in the process of cell-wall assembly in vivo.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗

Aerobiological studies based in Galway. A comparison of pollen and spore counts over two seasons of widely differing weather conditions.

A comparison was made of the pollen and spore counts at Galway in relation to the varying weather conditions of the summers of 1977 and 1978 in an attempt to explain the low incidence of allergies in that area during the summer of 1978. The phenomenon was attributed to the change in the dominant wind direction, which, from May to September 1978 was mainly over sea. Correlations were made between changes in pollen and spore catches and variations in particular meteorological factors for both seasons investigated.

Ireland↗

Levels of lipid peroxidation products in a chronic inflammatory disorder.

We have examined the plasma levels of the lipid peroxidation products 4-hydroxy-nonenal and malondialdehyde in a carefully controlled study of age and sex-matched subjects with rheumatoid arthritis in whom potentially confounding influences such as disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), self-medication and vitamin supplements were eliminated. The plasma concentrations of the antioxidants uric acid and vitamin E were also measured. The results reveal a strong and consistent inverse correlation between the levels of lipid peroxidation products in the plasma and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). There is no indication that vitamin E or urate function as the major antioxidant agent in arthritis, as has been suggested in more seriously affected patients. It is concluded that there is no evidence that vitamin E is more important, and urate less important as an antioxidant in mild arthritis. The correlation between lipid peroxidation and ESR suggests a more complex relationship than has been assumed.

Adult↗