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R Howie

Publications and source records attributed to R Howie.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

A new approach to immunological sexing of sperm.

A non-invasive, immunological method for sexing mammalian sperm would be of benefit to agricultural industries. This paper presents a new approach, based on the hypothesis that sex-specific proteins (SSPs) are evolutionarily more highly conserved than non-SSPs. Antibodies to non-SSPs were raised and used in an affinity procedure to remove non-SSPs and enrich for SSPs. Thereafter, using column chromatography, purified SSPs were obtained. Sex-specific antibodies (SSAbs) raised against these SSPs appear to bind to sex-chromosome-specific proteins (SCSPs) on the sperm membrane and make possible a sperm-sexing procedure. Antibodies to SCSPs were raised and used to identify putative SCSPs by affinity chromatography. The preliminary results presented here suggest that a viable immunological sperm sexing procedure can be developed.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

An investigation of nonhemolytic transfusion reactions.

This study was undertaken to document the incidence of immediate, nonhemolytic transfusion reactions and to identify a technique or set of techniques that would best identify the different causes of these reactions. A variety of tests were employed to detect lymphocyte, granulocyte, platelet and anti-IgA antibodies. During this study 26,318 units of blood components were transfused on 5,030 occasions. 191 immediate, nonhemolytic reactions were experienced giving an incidence per unit of 0.73%. Blood specimens from 101 of these patients were investigated along with serum from 57 patients who showed no reaction to transfusion as controls. We show that standard B cell lymphocytotoxicity testing is the technique with which most antibodies can be detected (64% of reactors positive vs. 30% of controls, p less than 0.001). Additional tests did not significantly increase the level of antibody detection.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗
PubMed1981

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for infectious bursal disease virus.

The application of the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of infectious bursal disease virus antibodies in chicken serum was investigated. The test procedure involved the coating of concentrated infectious bursal disease virus antigen onto polystyrene tubes, followed by the addition of chicken anti-infectious bursal disease virus serum and horseradish peroxidase labeled rabbit anti-chicken globulin. As an indicator substrate, 5-aminosalicylic acid, with the oxidant H2O2 was added. The reaction was stopped by 3M NaOH and the colour intensity of the reaction mixtures read in a spectrophotometer at 449 nm. The ELISA test was found to be a precise, sensitive and reproducible means of measuring infectious bursal disease virus antibodies in chicken and turkey sera.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perinatal care crucial for very premature babies' later development.

Thanks to improved medical technology, babies born very prematurely now have a much greater chance of surviving than they used to. A research team from the University of Auckland and National Women's Hospital is examining the long-term effects of perinatal difficulties on children weighing under 1500g at birth. One major aim is to discover whether the increasing number of immature infants who survive has led to a greater proportion of children with problems. The group's findings indicate that this is not so. Dr Barton MacArthur (Education), Associate-Professor Ross Howie (Paediatrics and National Women's Hospital) and Dr Anne Dezoete (MNational Women's Hospital, Child Development Unit) prepared this report on their cooperative research association.

Female↗