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Biomedical subjects

T K Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to T K Taylor.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

A longitudinal study of the matrix changes induced in the intervertebral disc by surgical damage to the annulus fibrosus.

A 5 x 5-mm anterolateral incision was made in the annulus fibrosus (AF) of lumbar discs of 16 sheep; four animals of similar age not operated on were used as controls. The experimental animals were sacrificed 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 18 months postoperatively (PO), and the incised and adjacent lumbar discs were collected. Discs were dissected into four zones: AF (zones 1 and 2) and nucleus pulposus (NP) (zones 3 and 4) corresponding to the half of the AF in which the cut was made and its opposite half, and the complementary halves of the NP. Each zone was analyzed for moisture, proteoglycan (PG), collagen, and noncollagenous protein (NCP) content. The PG extractability, aggregation, and hydrodynamic size were also examined. The NP of injured discs showed a significant loss of PGs and collagen 8 months PO, but NCP levels increased. In the incised discs, PG aggregation initially declined but recovered to within control values 6-8 months PO. The NP of discs adjacent to the incised disc also showed time-dependent changes in matrix components that included loss of collagen and PG; however, the AF matrix remained essentially uneffected. Double immunodiffusion studies indicated that a sizeable proportion of the NCPs present in the injured discs (but not the adjacent lumbar discs) were derived from serum.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Application of a diagnostic DNA probe for the differentiation of the two types of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides.

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), which is caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides, is still a serious disease in some parts of the world. There is also a commonly occurring mycoplasma which is sufficiently related to the CBPP organism to bear the same name, even though this organism does not cause CBPP. Thus it is very important to be able to distinguish between these organisms and identify either with certainty. Fragments derived from M mycoides subspecies capri by restriction enzyme digestion of genomic DNA were cloned into the vector M13mp8. One resulting clone CAP-21, with a 1.5 kb insert was used as a probe in Southern hybridisation assays where genomic DNA was digested with the restriction endonuclease TaqI. This probe could differentiate a strain of M mycoides subspecies mycoides which does not cause CBPP. Subsequent tests on 14 other strains from cattle and goats showed that although they were isolated from diverse geographical areas, CAP-21 could clearly differentiate between these two types of M mycoides subspecies mycoides.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The serine proteinase inhibitory proteins of the human intervertebral disc: their isolation, characterization and variation with ageing and degeneration.

Serine proteinase inhibitory proteins (SPIs) were extracted from human disc tissues using 2 M GuHCl and subjected to CsCl density gradient ultracentrifugation. The SPIs recovered in the low buoyant density fractions (rho < or = 1.35 g/ml) were purified by a combination of gel-permeation, ion-exchange, trypsin affinity, and reverse-phase high performance chromatographies. Characterisation of the major disc SPI by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focussing, enzyme inhibition and pH stability studies indicated that this small molecular weight (12-14 kDa), highly basic (pI > 9.5), acid-stable but alkaline-labile protein possessed potent inhibitory activity against bovine pancreatic trypsin and chymotrypsin, and human leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G. Two-major and two-minor low molecular weight cationic SPI species were identified by reverse-phase HPLC. The predominant species was identical to a human articular cartilage SPI sharing amino terminal sequence homology with the mucus proteinase inhibitors (MPIs). It also cross-reacted with an antiserum to the MPIs and behaved identically to secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) when examined by reverse phase HPLC, and SDS PAGE. A higher molecular weight (54 kDa), anionic (pI approximately 4.6) SPI was also purified and identified as alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI). Quantification of alpha 1-PI and the small molecular weight cationic disc inhibitors indicated that the latter were depleted in morphologically degenerate disc tissues while levels of alpha 1-PI were somewhat higher although a large proportion of the alpha 1-PI was inactive. A depletion of total SPI levels was evident overall in degenerate discs suggesting a functional role for these inhibitory proteins in the maintenance of IVD matrix homeostasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Relationships between members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster as shown by DNA probes and sequence analysis.

A gene probe, CAP-21, which demonstrated interrelationships between the members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster was developed. The probe easily differentiated mycoplasmas in this cluster by clear and predictable hybridization patterns in Southern blots and separated the cluster into four groups. Strains of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides which were capable of causing contagious bovine pleuropneumonia composed one group. Strains of M. mycoides subsp. mycoides which did not cause contagious bovine pleuropneumonia together with strains of M. mycoides subsp. capri composed the second group. Mycoplasma capricolum and the F38 mycoplasmas formed a third group, while the bovine group 7 mycoplasmas composed a separate, fourth group. Further support for the above grouping of the cluster was obtained when amplified DNA analogous to the probe from one representative strain of each of the cluster members was sequenced and these data were used to construct a phylogenic tree. Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia is recognized as an important disease, and the etiological agent of this disease is now known to be the F38 mycoplasma. The CAP-21 probe did not differentiate between M. capricolum and the closely related F38 mycoplasma. A second probe, F38-12, which was capable of distinguishing these two mycoplasmas was made.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Spinal manifestations of Paget's disease.

This paper reviews the syndromes which affect the spinal column as a result of Paget's disease. These are back pain, spinal canal stenosis, paraplegia or paraparesis, sarcomatous transformation, intradiscal invasion, and extramedullary haemopoesis.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1991

The influence of scoliosis and ageing on proteoglycan heterogeneity in the human intervertebral disc.

Proteoglycans (PGs) purified from 19-year-old male (19M), 53-year-old female (53F), and 15-16-year-old adolescent idiopathic scoliotic (AIS) disc tissues were characterised by their aggregation properties with hyaluronic acid (HA), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and amino acid composition, electrophoretic mobilities by composite agarose polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (CAPGE), and hydrodynamic size by Sepharose CL2B gel permeation chromatography. Proteoglycan levels were similar in the AIS and 53F discs, but considerably higher levels were found in the 19M discs. Proteoglycan populations assessed by the aforementioned criteria demonstrated a similar level of heterogeneity in the AIS and 53F discs but this differed with the 19M sample. Two small Mr, low buoyant density PG species were particularly prominent in AIS and 53F discs: these were similar to two nonaggregating PG species formerly reported by di Fabio et al.; however, the corresponding PG species in 19M discs were of somewhat different composition. Collectively, these data suggest similar processing of PGs in the AIS and 53F discs. Furthermore, the pattern of normal age changes in the PGs from AIS discs appears to be disturbed, most likely arising as a consequence of the abnormal biomechanical forces intrinsic to the deformity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Legislative change to permit direct access to physical therapy services: a study of process and content issues.

The purpose of this study was to examine process and content issues related to legislative change to permit direct access to physical therapy services. Data sources were survey questionnaires sent to the presidents of the 52 chapters of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), APTA publications, state statutes, and personal contacts. Results were based on the experiences of 35 chapters, 17 in direct-access states and 18 in non-direct-access states. The majority of direct-access states obtained their status in a single legislative campaign; the majority of non-direct-access jurisdictions attempting legislative change have been unsuccessful for 2 or more years. Over 80% of the chapters reported using legislative lobbyists. Opposing forces varied from state to state and included hospital and medical associations, physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists. The following limitations on practice in a direct-access mode are found in the various practice acts: diagnosis requirements, eventual referral requirements, physical therapist qualifications, patient consent requirements, and practice setting restrictions.

Health Occupations↗
PubMed1989

Lysozyme, a major low-molecular-weight cationic protein of the intervertebral disc, which increases with ageing and degeneration.

Lysozyme was demonstrated to increase in content in the human intervertebral disc in a significant age-dependent manner. In young discs (less than 20 years) the levels were 440 U/g wet weight, whereas in older discs (greater than 65 years) the concentration was 3,460 U/g wet weight. These findings contrasted with the hexuronate level (as a marker of proteoglycans) and neutral sugar content of the tissues which decreased with age. The level of lysozyme determined in the disc tissue also correlated with the morphological grade of disc degeneration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Injuries of the conus medullaris.

Eighteen patients with traumatic lesions of the conus medullaris were reviewed with particular reference to bowel, bladder and sexual functions. The average follow-up was 4 years. The injury most frequently occurred with a burst fracture of the first lumbar vertebra. All patients could walk on discharge but 4 required some form of external support. Regular bladder habit was regained in all patients but none had normal bladder sensation. Urinary tract infections were quite uncommon and there was good correlation between the incidence of infections and the degree of bladder control. No patient had developed chronic renal failure or chronic urinary tract infection. Bowel control was similarly preserved but at a somewhat lower level of competence. Eleven of 16 males had been able to undertake intercourse though with variable adequacy. Potency was linked with the degree of preservation of genital sensation. The conclusion is that the prognosis for conus lesions is somewhat better than is widely appreciated.

Adolescent↗