PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T G Maguire

Publications and source records attributed to T G Maguire.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) can replace patient serum as a protein source in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.

Alternate protein sources have been suggested to replace the commonly used cord or patient serum for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. During an 11-month period 127 patients treated for in vitro fertilization had either their serum (N = 71) or bovine serum albumin (BSA; N = 56) used as the protein source in the insemination and growth media. Ham's F-10 + 0.5% BSA was used for sperm swim-up and insemination media and 1% BSA was used for the growth media. Patient's serum was added to Ham's F-10 culture media at concentrations of 7.5 and 15% for insemination and growth, respectively. Embryo transfer was performed with Ham's F-10 containing 90% maternal serum in both groups. Fertilization rate of 259 oocytes inseminated in medium containing patient's serum did not differ when compared with 200 oocytes inseminated in medium containing BSA. Likewise, rates of abnormal fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy were similar in both groups. In a second experiment, 148 normally fertilized oocytes were transferred after 24 hr in culture to growth media containing two different concentrations of BSA (0.5 or 1%). Cleavage rates for the two groups were similar and the percentage of embryos developed to greater than or equal to 4 cells did not differ significantly. We conclude that a single concentration of BSA can safely be used to supplement culture media in human IVF with several practical and economical benefits.

Female↗

Direct extracellular electrical stimulation influences density dependent aggregation of fetal rat cerebrocortical neurons in vitro.

Cells isolated from fetal (E17) rat cerebral cortex form aggregates in a density-dependent manner. Direct current electrical stimulation influences the formation of neuronal aggregates by promoting neuronal survival at a calculated current density of 15 nA/cm2 (with an average calculated field strength of 1 microV/cm), and inhibiting neuronal survival at calculated current densities of both 1 nA/cm2 and 150 nA/cm2. Electrical stimulation had no observable effect on neuronal aggregation independent of its effect on cell survival.

Animals↗

Simultaneous administration of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine with booster doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and poliovirus vaccines.

The safety and efficacy of simultaneous administration of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), and trivalent oral poliovirus (OPV) vaccines in a test group of 405 children were compared with the safety and efficacy of sequential administration of the same vaccines in a control group of 410 children given MMR followed by booster doses of DTP and OPV 2 months later. The study was double blind and placebo controlled with respect to DTP and OPV. Seroconversion rates to measles, mumps, and rubella exceeded 96% in both groups. Geometric mean titers to measles (P = .05) and rubella (P = .004) were higher in the test group, and titers of antibodies to the other seven antigens were similar in both groups. Clinical reaction data were analyzed in 248 of 405 test children and 249 of 410 control children. The rates of serious vaccine-associated reactions were low and similar in the two groups. Some minor side effects were reported more frequently in the test group, but these differences were judged to be related to study design rather than to differences in the safety of the two vaccine schedules. The results indicate that the safety and serologic efficacy of administering MMR simultaneously with reinforcing doses of DTP and OPV in the second year of life is equivalent to the safety and efficacy observed after administering these antigens separately.

Antibodies↗

Mesothelioma in pet dogs associated with exposure of their owners to asbestos.

Pet dogs with spontaneous mesothelioma were used to identify environmental exposures that might increase their owner's risk of asbestos-related disease. These animals share man's domicile environment, yet do not indulge in activities (e.g., smoking, working) which confound interpretation of epidemiologic studies. Eighteen histologically confirmed canine mesotheliomas were diagnosed at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, from April 1977 to December 1981. Sixteen owners of cases and 32 owners of age, breed, and sex-matched controls were interviewed to determine their occupation and medical history and their dog's medical history, life style, diet, and exposure to asbestos. An asbestos-related occupation or hobby of a household member and use of flea repellents on the dog were significantly associated with mesothelioma. In addition, there was a trend indicating an increased risk of mesothelioma with an urban residence. Lung tissue from three dogs with mesothelioma and one dog with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung had higher levels of chrysotile asbestos fibers than lung tissue from control dogs. These findings indicate that well-designed epidemiological studies of spontaneous tumors in pet animals may provide insight into the role of environmental factors in human cancers and serve as a valuable sentinel model to identify environmental health hazards for humans.

Animals↗

A cohort study of canine testicular neoplasia.

A prospective epidemiologic study of canine testicular neoplasia was undertaken in the Philadelphia area in 1971, with the cooperation of private veterinary practitioners. By the end of 1975, 938 dogs had been monitored for an average of 2 years. The cohort consisted of 609 cryptorchid and 329 age- and breed-matched controls. The incidence of testicular neoplasia in the cryptorchid subcohort was 12.7/1,000 dog-years at risk. Testicular neoplasms did not develop in controls. A large proportion of the dogs were below the average age at onset for this neoplasm. Among dogs over 6 years of age, the incidence was 68.1/1,000 dog-years at risk. The incidence of Sertoli cell tumors and seminoma was approximately twice as high in dogs with unilaterally retained inguinal testicles as in abdominal cryptorchids. Sertoli cell tumors developed in 10 dogs and seminoma developed in 6. One half of the testicular neoplasms that developed did so within the first year of observation. This study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting prospective epidemiologic studies of canine diseases with the assistance of practicing veterinarians.

Animals↗