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Biomedical subjects

R McLaughlin

Publications and source records attributed to R McLaughlin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Factors affecting the formation of spherical bodies in the spirochete Treponema denticola.

The oral spirochete Treponema denticola typically is a helically shaped, motile bacterial cell. However, morphological variations of T. denticola cells in the form of "spherical bodies" are sometimes seen. Little is known about the environmental factors that cause their formation. The effects of oxygen, growth temperature, nutrient depletion and the addition of metabolic end-products were tested to determine their role in the morphogenesis of the spherical bodies. It was found that the age of the culture, the omission of individual components (yeast extract, rabbit serum, volatile fatty acids or thiamine pyrophosphate) from the medium and the addition of the metabolic end product lactic acid enhanced the formation of these bodies. However, their formation was decreased upon omission of the medium components asparagine and sodium bicarbonate.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1999

Recombinant human manganese superoxide dismutase attenuates early but not delayed skeletal muscle dysfunction following reperfusion injury.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the efficacy of recombinant human manganese superoxide dismutase (rhMnSOD) in prevention of early and late skeletal muscle ischaemia-reperfusion injury mediated by superoxide (O2-). Design : randomised controlled trial. MATERIALS: seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350 g) randomised to receive either 7.5 mg/kg of rhMnSOD or saline. Four hours of ischaemia was induced in the cremaster muscle by dissecting free and clamping its vascular supply. Cremaster muscle contractile function was assessed following 90 minutes, 24, 48 hours and one week of reperfusion. Electrophysiological muscle function was assessed using electrical field stimulation in an organ bath system. RESULTS: muscle function in the untreated groups following ischaemia reperfusion was significantly reduced at 90 minutes, 24, 48 hours and one week of reperfusion (p <0.05). rhMnSOD significantly protected and maintained normal muscle function at 24 and 48 hours (p <0.001). However at one week of reperfusion there was a reduction in function of the treated muscle, such that there was no significant difference between treated and untreated muscle at this point in time. CONCLUSIONS: these data demonstrate that skeletal muscle dysfunction after ischaemia reperfusion injury is attenuated at 24 and 48 hrs of reperfusion by the superoxide scavenger rhMnSOD. This protective effect is not maintained after seven days of reperfusion.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

6-Hydroxydopamine induced cardiac malformations and alterations of the autonomic nervous system in the developing chicken embryo.

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was injected into the air sac of developing chicken embryos on day E3 in order to study its effects on cardiac development both morphologically and biochemically. A dose-dependent teratogenic effect and fetotoxicity were observed in the 6-OHDA-treated embryos. Cardiac malformations, including ventricular septal lesions, detachment of the apical portions of the ventricles, cardiac hypertrophy, areas of coagulative necrosis with pyknotic nuclei and broken nuclear membranes, and swollen mitochondria were evident from gross histologic and ultrastructural examinations. A LD50 of 0.3 mg/egg on day E11 was obtained. Biochemically, 6-OHDA induced a significant dose-dependent reduction in the total cardiac choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities on days E8 and E11, followed by a recovery on days E15 and E20. The effects on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) were less marked than on ChAT, indicating the effects on the cholinergic nervous system development are primarily presynaptic. There was a significant decrease in the level of norepinephrine (NE) and a delay in the appearance of detectable cardiac NE. It is suggested that 6-OHDA-induced cardiac malformation can be a useful model to study the mechanisms of cardiovascular development.

Adrenergic Agents↗
PubMed1998

Streptococcal histone-like protein: primary structure of hlpA and protein binding to lipoteichoic acid and epithelial cells.

In addition to its role in the nucleoid, the histone-like protein (HlpA) of Streptococcus pyogenes is believed to act as a fortuitous virulence factor in delayed sequelae by binding to heparan sulfate-proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix of target organs and acting as a nidus for in situ immune complex formation. To further characterize this protein, the hlpA genes were cloned from S. pyogenes, S. gordonii, S. mutans, and S. sobrinus, using PCR amplification, and sequenced. The encoded HlpA protein of S. pyogenes has 91 amino acids, a predicted molecular mass of 9,647 Da, an isoelectric point of 9.81, and 90% to 95% sequence identity with HlpA of several oral streptococci. The consensus sequence of streptococcal HlpA has 69% identity with the consensus sequence of the histone-like HB protein of Bacillus species. Oral viridans group streptococci, growing in chemically defined medium at pH 6.8, released HlpA into the milieu during stationary phase as a result of limited cell lysis. HlpA was not released by these bacteria when grown at pH 6.0 or below. S. pyogenes did not release HlpA during growth in vitro; however, analyses of sera from 155 pharyngitis patients revealed a strong correlation (P < 0.0017) between the production of antibodies to HlpA and antibodies to streptolysin O, indicating that the histone-like protein is released by group A streptococci growing in vivo. Extracellular HlpA formed soluble complexes with lipoteichoic acid in vitro and bound readily to heparan sulfate on HEp-2 cell surfaces. These results support a potential role for HlpA in the pathogenesis of streptococcus-induced tissue inflammation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Effect of stanozolol on body composition, nitrogen balance, and food consumption in castrated dogs with chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of stanozolol on body composition, nitrogen balance, and food consumption in castrated dogs with chronic renal failure. DESIGN: Blinded crossover trial. ANIMALS: 22 castrated Beagles with experimentally induced chronic renal failure. PROCEDURE: Dogs were divided into 2 groups of 11 dogs each. During each of two 6-week treatment periods, dogs in 1 group received stanozolol, and those in the other group received a control agent. Nitrogen balance, body composition, and food consumption were determined. RESULTS: During administration of stanozolol, the amount of food consumed per dog, lean body mass, and nitrogen balance increased. Stanozolol did not have a significant effect on body fat, bone mineral content, or food consumption per kilogram of body weight. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: For dogs with mild-to-moderate, nonuremic, experimentally induced, chronic renal failure, stanozolol had positive effects on nitrogen balance and lean body mass.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed1997

An inexpensive solid medium for obtaining colony-forming units of oral spirochetes.

A method for the enumeration of colony-forming units of oral anaerobic spirochetes in new oral spirochete agarose (NOS-A) medium was described recently. However, the high cost of agarose limits the extent to which large assays can be carried out. Accordingly, a search for an inexpensive gelling agent that remains molten at 37 degrees C and gels at 25 degrees C was undertaken. Varying amounts of Noble agar or Bacto agar (0.5 to 1.5%, w/v) were mixed with varying amounts of gelatin (0.5 to 1.0%, w/v) in NOS medium. NOS medium containing 0.5% gelatin-0.5% Noble agar (NOS-GN) or 0.5% gelatin-0.5% Bacto agar (NOS-GB) met the above criteria. NOS-GN and NOS-GB media yielded higher colony-forming units with Treponema denticola than NOS-A medium in that order. However, all three media, NOS-GN, NOS-GB and NOS-A, performed equally well in the recovery of viable counts of T. vincentii. The NOS-GN medium was not liquefied by subgingival bacteria or two gelatinase-producing species of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Thus NOS-GN medium is the recommended medium both in cost and performance for obtaining colony counts of spirochetes.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of two transposon mutants from Haemophilus influenzae type b with altered lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis.

Two isogenic mutants of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) strain A2 were prepared by random m-Tn3(Cm) insertions into the 7.4-kb lsg (lipooligosaccharide synthesis genes) region of Hib DNA, which consists of seven complete and one partial open reading frame (orfs). Compared to the parent A2 strain which produces a complex mixture of lipooligosaccharides (LOS), the mutant strains 281.25 and 276.4 produced only a few LOS species. The precise locations of transposon insertions into the lsg loci of these mutants were determined (base 3546 in orf 4 for strain 281.25 and base 4402 in orf 5 for strain 276.4), and the effects of these mutations on LOS biosynthesis and epitope expression were evaluated. When the O-deacylated LOS were analyzed by mass spectrometry, both strains contained major LOS species of M(r) 2601, 2439, and 2277, which consisted of a common heptose trisaccharide core structure [Hep3(PEA)Kdo(P)-lipid A, where Hep is L-glycero-D-manno-heptose, Kdo is 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid, and PEA is phosphoethanolamine] and four, three, or two hexoses, respectively. These species represent the smallest components of the wild-type LOS mixture. The major LOS oligosaccharide obtained from the strain 281.25 by mild acid hydrolysis was dephosphorylated and shown by composition analysis, methylation analysis, mass spectrometry, and 2D NMR studies to be a triantennary structure consisting of a heptose trisaccharide core with two glucose disaccharide branches: Hep alpha 1 --> (Glc beta 1 --> 4Glc alpha 1 --> 3) 2Hep alpha 1 --> (Glc beta 1 --> 4Glc beta 1 --> 4)3Hep alpha 1 --> anhydroKdo. Unlike the parent A2 strain, mutant strain 281.25 cannot add galactoses to the branches of this octasaccharide. Strain 276.4 is similarly deficient, except that it can still utilize a minor biosynthetic pathway leading to the addition of sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1995

Effects of increasing velocity on braking and propulsion times during force plate gait analysis in greyhounds.

The percentage of limb contact time spent in braking and propulsion was determined for the forelimbs and hind limbs of Greyhounds at 2 walk speeds and 3 trot speeds. Limb contact times decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as velocity increased between each velocity range. At a slow walk (0.92 to 1.03 m/s), braking and propulsion were 56.1 and 43.6% of contact time in the forelimbs and 41.6 and 58.1% of contact time in the hind limbs, respectively. At a fast walk (1.06 to 1.17 m/s), braking and propulsion were 56.7 and 43.5% of contact time in the forelimbs and 41.5 and 58.4% of contact time in the hind limbs, respectively. There was no significant difference in the percentage of contact time that the forelimbs and hind limbs spent in braking and propulsion between the 2 walk velocities. At the slow trot (1.5 to 1.8 m/s), braking and propulsion were 56.8 and 43% of contact time in the forelimbs and 30.1 and 67.6% of contact time in the hind limbs, respectively. At the medium trot (2.1 to 2.4 m/s), braking and propulsion were 55.9 and 43.5% of contact time in the forelimbs and 33.8 and 63.2% of contact time in the hind limbs, respectively. At the fast trot (2.7 to 3.0 m/s), braking and propulsion were 57.2 and 43% of contact time in the forelimbs and 37.5 and 61.1% of contact time in the hind limbs, respectively. Braking percentage increased and propulsive percentage decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the hind limbs between the slow and fast trot speeds.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acceleration↗
PubMed1994

Correlation of venous noninvasive tests with the Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery clinical classification of chronic venous insufficiency.

PURPOSE: Noninvasive tests for the evaluation of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) include quantitative photoplethysmography (QPG), air plethysmography, and duplex ultrasonography measurement of valve closure time (VCT). These tests have been shown to accurately identify the presence of CVI, define the disease, and locate the involved segments. However, the correlation of noninvasive assessment of CVI with the clinical severity (Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery staging) has not been addressed critically. METHOD: During an 18-month period, 74 limbs were prospectively evaluated with clinical examination, air plethysmography, QPG and duplex ultrasonography. RESULTS: We studied 52 patients with a mean age of 46 years. There were 14 stage 0 limbs, 14 stage 1, 15 stage 2, and 31 stage 3. We found significant differences (p < 0.05) between normal limbs and those with CVI only by VCT and QPG. There were also marked trends toward worsening mean values for reflux (VCT, QPG, and venous filling index) and venous hypertension (residual volume fraction) between stages 0 to 1, and 1 to 2; however, there was a large degree of overlap between all groups. No test discriminated stage 2 from 3. Assessment of calf muscle pump function with ejection fraction showed no difference between any groups. CONCLUSION: The Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery criteria for CVI staging distinguishes ulcerated limbs (stage 3) from those with nonulcerating skin changes (hyperpigmentation, brawny edema, and subcutaneous fibrosis) (stage 2). However, we were not able to distinguish these groups by available noninvasive methods. This may imply that these tests are not accurate enough or that the progression from lipodermatosclerosis to frank ulceration is not accounted for by large-vessel hemodynamic changes, but rather by microcirculatory alterations.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Intra-articular stifle fractures and arthrodesis.

This article presents the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of fractures involving the stifle joint, including distal femoral, proximal tibial, and patellar fractures. Traditional and innovative diagnostic and surgical techniques are discussed. The indications and techniques for stifle arthrodesis are presented.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The variation in vein graft flow velocity with luminal diameter and outflow level.

Duplex scanning has recently been used to monitor the patency of infrainguinal vein grafts. Empirically derived criteria that have been used for identifying the failing graft have never accounted for the effect of vein graft diameter or varying outflow resistance, despite the fact that they are major determinants of flow. We prospectively examined the variation in graft peak systolic flow velocity with graft diameter and outflow level in a consecutive series of 68 patients with 72 normally functioning vein grafts returning for routine follow-up. Images were obtained of vein grafts with a duplex scanner throughout their lengths, and the distal peak systolic flow velocity and intraluminal diameters were recorded. There were 15 popliteal, 26 tibial, and 21 inframalleolar grafts. The mean ankle-brachial index of inframalleolar grafts was 1.01 +/- 0.04 and did not differ significantly from tibial (0.96 +/- 0.03) or popliteal (0.93 +/- 0.06) grafts (p = 0.32). Grafts to the three outflow levels differed significantly in diameter, with inframalleolar grafts measuring 3.95 +/- 0.17 mm, tibial grafts 4.78 +/- 0.21 mm, and popliteal grafts 5.65 +/- 0.38 mm (p = 0.0001). In a similar manner inframalleolar grafts had significantly lower peak systolic flow velocities (59.1 +/- 3.4 cm/sec) than tibial (77.2 +/- 5.6 cm/sec) or popliteal (71.0 +/- 7.6 cm/sec) grafts (p = 0.04). Inframalleolar grafts did not demonstrate a significant correlation (r = -0.21, p = 0.29) between peak systolic flow velocity and graft diameter. Conversely, both tibial (r = -0.49, p = 0.005) and popliteal (r = -0.73, p = 0.002) grafts demonstrated significant inverse correlations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Lipooligosaccharides (LOS) of some Haemophilus species mimic human glycosphingolipids, and some LOS are sialylated.

The lipooligosaccharides (LOS) of strains of Haemophilus ducreyi, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Neisseria lactamica contain epitopes that are antigenically and structurally similar to carbohydrates present in human glycosphingolipids. LOS from strains of Haemophilus influenzae and H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius were tested for the binding of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that bind to human glycosphingolipids possessing Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc (MAb 3F11) and Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta 1-4Glc (MAb anti-Pk). In solid-phase radioimmunoassays, the LOS of 18 of 19 H. influenzae type b (Hib), 8 of 19 nontypeable H. influenzae, and 10 of 20 H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius strains bound MAb anti-Pk. The LOS of 13 of 19 Hib, 10 of 16 nontypeable H. influenzae, and 2 of 18 H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius strains bound MAb 3F11. Neuraminidase treatment of the strains increased the binding of MAb 3F11 by more than twofold in 47% of the H. influenzae strains, suggesting that sialic acid occluded the LOS structure recognized by MAb 3F11. The material released from neuraminidase-treated Hib LOS was confirmed to be sialic acid by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography. A recombinant plasmid containing genes involved in Hib LOS biosynthesis directed the expression (assembly) of the 3F11 epitope in Escherichia coli. These studies demonstrate that H. influenzae and H. influenzae biogroup aegyptius express at least two LOS epitopes that are similar to those present in human glycosphingolipids. Sialic acid was present on the LOS of some H. influenzae strains and prevented the binding of MAb 3F11 to its epitope. The oligosaccharide portion of sialylated LOS may also resemble sialylated oligosaccharides present in human glycosphingolipids (gangliosides).

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

Generation of lipooligosaccharide mutants of Haemophilus influenzae type b.

We previously reported the analysis of recombinant plasmids from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) that lead to modifications of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Y. Abu Kwaik, R. E. McLaughlin, M. A. Apicella, and S. M. Spinola, Mol. Microbiol. 5:2475-2480, 1991). The modified LPS species are recognized by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 6E4 and 3F11. MAb 6E4 binds to a stable 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid epitope, while MAb 3F11 binds to a Gal beta 1-4GlcNac epitope that phase varies in Hib at a frequency of 2 to 5%. The internal EcoRI fragment containing most of the DNA required for LPS modification in E. coli was used as the target for transposon mutagenesis. Plasmids containing minitransposon m-Tn3(Cm) randomly inserted into the target fragment were transformed into the isogenic Hib strain, and transposon integration into the Hib chromosome was verified by colony hybridization. The lipooligosaccharides of 36 transformants were phenotypically and antigenically characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reactivity with a variety of MAbs that recognize both stable and phase-varying lipooligosaccharide epitopes. The majority of the mutants had altered reactivity with MAb 6E4. With one exception, these mutants retained the ability to express phase-varying epitopes. Analysis of the transformants suggested that the 6E4 epitope was contained on an oligosaccharide chain separate from that of phase-varying epitopes and appeared to be assembled in at least three separate steps.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1992

The impact of mailing psychoeducational materials to women with abnormal mammograms.

A randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of mailed psychoeducational materials on adherence to subsequent annual mammography among women with prior abnormal mammograms. The results showed a 13% increment in adherence among women who received this intervention. This effect was independent of all sociodemographic and medical variables examined. We conclude that mailed psychoeducational materials may be an effective mechanism to improve adherence among women with abnormal mammogram results.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The association between hemoglobin and behavior problems in a sample of low-income Hispanic preschool children.

This cross-sectional study, conducted in 1988, examines the association between hemoglobin level and behavior problems in 236 Hispanic children, ages 2 to 5 years, residing in low-income census tracts in the Los Angeles area. Venous blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, and lead. Family and child data were obtained through a home interview with the child's mother or guardian. Behavior problems were assessed using questionnaires modeled after Child Behavior Checklists for children ages 2 to 3 and 4 to 5 years. A significant correlation between decreasing hemoglobin values and increasing total behavior problems scores was found for girls, 2 to 3 and 4 to 5 years old. These associations remained significant in both age groups after adjusting for maternal education and marital status. Statistically significant inverse correlations also were found between hemoglobin and social withdrawal, sleep problems, and depression (internalizing subscale behaviors) in 2- to 3-year-old girls, and between hemoglobin and aggression and hyperactivity (externalizing subscale behaviors) in 4- to 5-year-old girls. The potentially negative consequences of these anemia-related behavior problems on children's development, learning ability, and parent-child relationships warrant further investigation.

California↗
PubMed1991

Intestinal strangulation caused by intra-abdominal lipomas in a dog.

Pedunculated, intra-abdominal lipomas caused intestinal strangulation in a Doberman Pinscher. The dog was treated surgically to remove the lipomas and the devitalized intestine but died soon after surgery. Histologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗