PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R G MacFarlane

Publications and source records attributed to R G MacFarlane.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Biogenic amines: their occurrence, biosynthesis and metabolism in the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, by gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry.

Extraction-derivatisation techniques have been developed for the unambiguous identification of biogenic amines, and their putative amino acid precursors and metabolites (both major and minor), in single ventral thoracic nerve cords of the locust. Schistocerca gregaria, by the use of gas chromatography-negative-ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. In addition the configuration of that enantiomer of p-octopamine present in the thoracid nervous system of the locust was established as R using the chiral derivatisation reagent, (-)-heptafluorobutyrylphenylalanyl chloride.

Acetylation↗

Analysis of biogenic amines in the brain of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry.

Biogenic amines in the brain of the American cockroach have been identified and quantified by an extraction-derivatisation procedure involving their reaction with ditrifluoromethylbenzoyl chloride (DTFMB) in the aqueous phase followed by extraction into an organic solvent, hydrolysis of phenolic esters and conversion of free hydroxyl groups to trimethylsilyl (TMS) ethers and subsequent analysis by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionisation mass spectrometry. The molecular ion of these DTFMB-TMS derivatives carried most of the ion current which made the method highly specific and gave a potential limit of detection below the picogram level. This method establishes unequivocally that the principal amines in cockroach brain are tyramine, p-octopamine, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and noradrenaline. In contrast to mammalian nervous tissue, the other positional isomers of octopamine, together with the isomeric synephrines, are absent.

Animals↗

An extended course in general practice.

An extended course in general practice sponsored by regional advisers and university departments of general practice in Scotland, consisting of six sessions lasting two to four days interspersed with group discussion meetings and spread over a period of 18 months, is described and evaluated. Participants developed skills in teaching, confidence in group learning and insight into their abilities as teachers and organizers of training in general practice.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗

Education in terminal care.

A survey of the education in terminal care received by a wide range of doctors in Scotland showed that clinical instruction in the physical and emotional aspects of the care of the dying had been generally inadequate, and that the educational influence of a special unit or hospice could be significant. Doctors who had undertaken traineeships in general practice tended to have had more comprehensive training in terminal care-and to be more enthusiastic about further education-than others. We conclude that planned vocational training schemes in all disciplines need to be re-examined for the provision they make for education in terminal care, and that continuing education in the subject may need to be improved for all doctors.

Consultants↗