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Biomedical subjects

S E Morgan

Publications and source records attributed to S E Morgan.

117 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Gossypol as a toxicant in livestock.

Many cases of gossypol toxicity have been misdiagnosed. The long-held belief that gossypol toxicity did not occur in ruminants has been a major hurdle to overcome. Field necropsies in which pulmonary congestion and edema were attributed to shipping-fever pneumonia, failure to examine the heart either grossly or microscopically, failure to believe that 200 ppm free gossypol could kill a calf, failure to believe that any age of sheep could suffer gossypol toxicity, and failure to believe that just because you fed the same thing last year, it will not cause a problem this year, all were factors in causing the misdiagnosis of this toxicity. Gossypol toxicity cases diagnosed will increase each year because of increased awareness among veterinarians. Continued research will help to increase our understanding of this multifactored toxin and, possibly, devise ways to detoxify it before it is utilized in a feed. Until then, it will have to be considered because it will continue to be present as a potential toxicant in the feed.

Animal Feed↗

Response of normal infants to inhaled histamine.

The age at which nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is first seen in humans is unknown, though both genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in its development. The current study aimed to establish whether BHR to histamine can be demonstrated in normal infants. Twelve infants, mean age of 7.8 months (range, 3 to 18 months), were studied. None had any history of a previous significant respiratory illness. Respiratory function was monitored using the maximal flow at function residual capacity (VmaxFRC) obtained with the forced expiratory flow-volume technique. Histamine was inhaled in doubling concentrations from 0.125 to 8 g.L-1. A greater than 30% fall in VmaxFRC was considered a response. All infants responded to histamine, the geometric mean concentration for their response being 1.4 g.L-1. Associated transient changes for the group were an increase in respiratory rate (p less than 0.02) and a fall in SaO2 (p less than 0.001). Forced expiratory flow-volume curves were concave in all infants after the last dose of histamine. We speculate that humans are born with "bronchial hyperresponsiveness" and that genetic or environmental factors determine which infants lose it thereafter.

Bronchi↗

Pilot studies in cattle and mice to determine the presence of 4-methylimidazole in milk after oral ingestion.

4-methylimidazole (4-MI) was given orally to a cow in increased dosages to determine if it could be detected in her milk and be present at a concentration high enough to affect her nursing calf. 4-MI was found in the milk, but the calf remained clinically normal throughout the experiment. The cow died after the fourth dose of 20 g 4-MI. Four groups of 10 mice each were given oral doses of water, normal milk, cow's milk after low doses of 4-MI, or cow's milk after high doses of 4-MI. All mice remained healthy after a 2-week feeding trial. Six 3-day-old calves were given 4-MI directly in their bottles of milk up to 2 times the highest level found in toxic feed with only mild depression noted in one calf. Two pregnant cows were given 4-MI pre-partum to determine if it would get into the colostrum at higher levels. Both cows received 4-MI 3 days before they calved and for 2 weeks afterward. Cow A exhibited trembling, excessive salivation and incoordination after the initial dose. Cow B and the newborn calves were never affected throughout the experiment. Each time the dose of 4-MI reached 1.5 g or more, Cow A would exhibit the previously described signs. 4-MI was detected in the colostrum but not in higher concentrations than in the other milk samples.

Animal Feed↗

Effects of conformationally restricted 4-piperazinyl-10H-thienobenzodiazepine neuroleptics on central dopaminergic and cholinergic systems.

The levels of antidopaminergic and anticholinergic activities of neuroleptics, 4-piperazinyl-10H-thienobenzodiazepines, are modulated by imposing steric impedence to the piperazine ring. The optimum situation in favor of the anticholinergic action is reached in compound 5, 2,3-dimethyl-7-fluoro-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-10H-thieno[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepine, where a maximum activity (equivalent to hyoscine), as measured by the [3H]QNB receptor binding assay, is obtained. The structure-activity relationships found highlight the importance of certain spatial dispositions of the distal piperazine nitrogen (electron lone pair) with respect to the tricyclic system. The evidence for molecular topography of these compounds is presented from X-ray, NMR, and other physical data. The conformational aspects for correspondence to the relevant receptors are discussed.

Animals↗

Sevoflurane degradation product concentrations with soda lime during prolonged anesthesia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the decomposition of sevoflurane in soda lime during prolonged sevoflurane anesthesia in humans. To evaluate for evidence of renal or hepatotoxicity as a result of exposure to these sevoflurane degradation compounds. DESIGN: Prospective evaluation in healthy volunteers. SETTING: Clinical research unit and postanesthesia care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Six healthy male volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were anesthetized with sevoflurane 1 to 1.2 minimum alveolar concentration for greater than 9 hours with a semiclosed circuit anesthetic technique (5-liter total flow) with fresh soda lime as the absorbent. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Laboratory tests of renal and hepatic function were performed before anesthesia and 1 and 5 days after anesthesia. During sevoflurane anesthesia, inhalation and exhalation circuit limb gas samples were obtained for degradation compound analysis. Only one degradation product, fluoromethyl-2,2-difluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) vinyl ether (compound A), was detected. Inhalation concentration was maximal (7.6 +/- 1.0 ppm) at 2 hours and did not increase further after this time point. There were no differences in preanesthesia and postanesthesia tests of hepatic and renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of the degradation compound (compound A) produced in semiclosed circuit sevoflurane anesthesia with soda lime are well below potential toxic levels and thus appear safe. When sevoflurane is administered under these conditions for prolonged anesthesia, concentrations of compound A do not continue to increase throughout anesthesia.

Adsorption↗

The effect of stimulatory electrode placement on F-wave latency measurements.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two commonly used stimulating electrode placements on F-wave latency. SUBJECTS: Fifty healthy subjects aged 20 to 47 years were tested. METHODS: F-waves were obtained from median and ulnar nerves bilaterally. A total of 200 nerves were tested. RESULTS: A paired t-test indicated a statistically significant difference in F-wave latency between the two stimulating electrode placements. Stepwise linear regression equations demonstrated that our results were consistent with previously published studies. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: Although a statistically significant difference exists between the two techniques, the magnitude of the difference is not likely to be clinically important. Therefore, the most important factor may be to use a consistent technique when investigating potential neuropathies.

Adult↗