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Biomedical subjects

A Martin

Publications and source records attributed to A Martin.

At least 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Construction of a chimaeric type 1/type 2 poliovirus by genetic recombination.

A chimaeric poliovirus carrying a type-2-specific neutralization epitope on a type 1 capsid was created by site-directed mutagenesis of the Mahoney strain of poliovirus type 1. An EcoRV and a HindIII restriction sites were first constructed in the cDNA of poliovirus type 1 at nucleotide positions 2756 and 2786, respectively, i.e. on either side of the sequence encoding neutralization epitope C3 (VP1 amino acids 93-103), which is part of neutralization site NImI. The cDNA sequence framed by the two sites was next taken out and replaced by custom-made oligonucleotides encoding the equivalent region of VP1 from the Lansing strain of poliovirus type 2. The DNA from the plasmid carrying such a hybrid construct was transfected onto CV1 cells generating a chimaeric virus, v510. Neutralization of v510 with a panel of monoclonal antibodies showed that v510 has lost the poliovirus type 1 C3 epitope but acquired a new, poliovirus type-2-specific neutralization epitope. Preliminary results indicate that v510 also shows neurovirulence for mice, which is a specific trait of the Lansing strain of poliovirus type 2.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Qualitative analysis: a guide to best practice--forensic science extension.

Qualitative analysis is arguably the cornerstone of analysis since what cannot be recognised cannot be quantified. This is especially true in the case of the forensic sciences where, for example, the mere presence of a prohibited, or controlled, substance in an unauthorized setting is indicative of a potential offence. This paper presents a set of principles of good practice in qualitative analysis. The principles are placed in the context of forensic science and extend earlier published guidance.

Forensic Medicine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Activation of mouse macrophages by muramyl dipeptide coupled with an anti-macrophage monoclonal antibody.

A rat IgG2a monoclonal antibody (mAb3A33) directed against the mouse Mac-1 antigen was conjugated with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) by using an intermediate polymer; under such conditions 75 MDP molecules were bound to one antibody molecule. A poly(L-lysine) polymer substituted with muramyl dipeptide and 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionyl residues were prepared, the remaining lysine epsilon-amino groups were acylated with D-gluconolactone, leading to a neutral polymer; then a few polymer conjugates were coupled to mAb3A33 via a disulfide bridge. The binding capacity of the monoclonal antibody was preserved after conjugation with MDP-polymer molecules. Mouse peritoneal macrophages, incubated for 24 h with MDP-mAb3A33 conjugate became cytostatic against P815 mastocytoma cells, whereas unconjugated mAb3A33 and MDP-bound to a nonspecific rat IgG2a were ineffective. An enhancement of the cytostatic activity induced by MDP-mAb3A33 conjugate was obtained in the presence of gamma-IFN. These results show that several tens of MDP molecules can be linked to a macrophage-specific monoclonal antibody by using a neutral intermediate polymer without impairing the binding antibody capacity and that this type of MDP conjugate can efficiently activate macrophages and therefore could be the basis of the development of new antitumor therapy.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Studies on Aristolochia III. Isolation and biological evaluation of constituents of Aristolochia indica roots for fertility-regulating activity.

An ethanol extract of Aristolochia indica roots decreased fertility in both rats and hamsters when administered postcoitally (days 1-10 and 1-6, respectively). Petroleum ether (A), CHCl3 (B), and aqueous (C) fractions, tested similarly in rats, were inactive and/or toxic. Partition of fraction B afforded non-acidic (D) and acidic (E) fractions. Savinin (1), isolated from fraction D and not previously reported from the Aristolochiaceae , was inactive when administered postcoitally to rats. Aristolochic acid-I (2), reported previously from A. indica and isolated from fraction E, was inactive when administered postcoitally to rats and toxic when administered postcoitally to hamsters. (12S)-7,12- Secoishwaran -12-ol (3), previously reported from A. indica and isolated from fraction A, did not interrupt pregnancy when administered to mice on day 6 of pregnancy. Four additional compounds, aristolic acid (4) [prepared from aristolochic acid-I (2)], methyl aristolate (5) [prepared by methylating aristolic acid (4)], and cis- and trans-p-coumaric acid (both oblate commercially), were similarly tested in mice and found to be inactive. Aristolic acid (4), and the cis- and trans-p-coumaric acids also were inactive when administered postcoitally (days 1-10) to rats. Seven compounds reported previously from A. indica were also isolated, as were a new naphthoquinone, aristolindiquinone (6) (fraction E), and magnoflorine (fraction C).

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of soy protein diet on digestive lumenal polyamines and colonic cell proliferation in pigs.

This study was performed to determine whether erythrocyte and digestive lumenal polyamine concentrations are affected by a soy protein diet when compared to a casein diet. We also determined the effects of these diets on colonic cell proliferation. Sixteen pigs received either a 16% soy protein or casein diet for 25 days. The erythrocyte putrescine was higher in pigs fed the soy protein diet. Significant levels of polyamines were observed in the digestive lumen on both diets. Lumenal putrescine and cadaverine were higher in the proximal colon in the casein group. Lumenal spermidine was higher in the caecum and colon in the soy protein group. No significant differences in the ornithine decarboxylase activity nor in the proliferative cell nuclear antigen labelling index were observed in the colonic mucosa regardless of the regimen. These results indicate that the dietary source of protein induces significant changes in lumenal polyamines in the colon. The physiological effects of these changes need to be further investigated.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The "apports nutritionnels conseillés (ANC)" for the French population.

The apports nutritionnels conseillés (ANC) for the French population are the reference which are used in France to assess the nutritional status of the population. These references have been elaborated by a transparent and collective expert process, conferring on them an official reference. The originality of the French method was to add to the classical analysis of each nutrient an analysis concerning both a global approach to specific groups (children, pregnant women, elderly people, sportsmen) and the links between nutrients and foods. Many original works, which have been specifically performed for this revision, highlight the absolute need for rigorous evaluation of food consumption patterns and for valuable food composition tables.

Food Analysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Relevance of wound drainage in total knee arthroplasty--a prospective comparative study].

AIM: The benefits of postoperative wound drainage in patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with regards to mobilisation and wound healing were studied. We wanted to determine the efficacy of an autologous blood retransfusion system. METHOD: 150 patients with TKA were divided into three groups of 50 patients: A) three wound drainages with an autotransfusion system and suction; B) no wound drainage; C) one intraarticular wound drainage without suction. Hemoglobin values, blood transfusion requirements, blood loss, postoperative range of motion, Insall knee score and rate of complications were observed and recorded. All patients were operated without tourniquets for lower blood loss. RESULTS: In the group of patients with wound drainage and a retransfusion system the requirement of postoperative additional blood transfusion was not significantly less than in the group without wound drainage. Group A had the highest blood loss of all. The group without wound drainage had more hematomas and wound healing complications. Best results were observed within the group with one intraarticular drainage without suction. The rate of complications was not increased and the blood transfusion requirements were the lowest. CONCLUSION: This study shows that total knee replacement involving one intraarticular wound drainage without suction attains the best results.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[CT-based and CT-free navigation in total knee arthroplasty--a prospective comparative study with respects to clinical and radiological results].

AIM: Optimal component position in all planes and well-balanced soft tissues are factors for clinical outcome and survival time after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). With regard to clinical and radiological parameters, a comparative study between CT-based and CT-free navigation techniques was performed. METHOD: In this prospective study 44 patients (44 surgeries) were enrolled. One half of the surgeries were performed using a CT-based navigation system (group A), the other half using a CT-free system (group B). Pre-operatively and three months post-operatively the patients were physically examined (Insall score, step test, anterior knee pain, subjective feeling of instability and patient satisfaction) and limb alignment was measured by radiographs (mechanical axis, tibial slope, lateral distal femur angle [LDFA], medial proximal tibia angle [MPTA]). The tolerable inaccuracy range for all radiological measurements was +/- 3 degrees. RESULTS: The radiological measurements showed a high accuracy but no significant differences (patients within tolerable range group A/B: mechanical axis 85.7/81.0 %, tibial slope 95.2/90.5 %, LDFA 100/95.2 %, MPTA 90.5/95.2 %). For physical parameters we found a better ligament balancing in group B. CONCLUSION: The CT-based module has an optimal planning procedure but costs more. The CT-free system provides equal radiological results and the availability of a useful ligament balancing module.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Essential elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn) in pork and duck liver paste produced in Spain.

The contents of four essential elements, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, were determined in 152 samples of pork and duck liver paste produced in Spain. The average concentration levels that were measured are 1.2 micrograms/g for Mn, 51.6 micrograms/g for Fe, 6.1 micrograms/g for Cu and 22.2 micrograms/g for Zn in pork liver pastes and 0.8 micrograms/g for Mn, 32.3 micrograms/g for Fe, 2.7 micrograms/g for Cu and 12.9 micrograms/g for Zn in duck liver pastes. The possible sources of these trace elements were investigated: product formulation, technological processing and packaging. Liver, the basic raw material, is the main source of trace elements in the final product; significantly high concentrations have been observed for all of the elements that were analysed in the pork liver pastes compared with the duck liver pastes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

IgG and IgM responses in high and low antibody-selected lines of chickens.

Kinetics of IgG and IgM as measured by 2-mercaptoethanol-resistant (MER) and susceptible (MES) antibodies to sheep erythrocytes, respectively, were determined as correlated responses in lines of chickens selected for high (HA) and low (LA) antibody response to sheep erythrocytes. Primary response patterns for total, MER, and MES antibody differed according to the genetic line. Total antibody increased rapidly, peaked, and persisted at moderate levels in line HA, whereas both peak and persistency were lower in line LA. Levels of MES peaked and then declined in line HA chickens but persisted at low levels throughout in line LA. Titers of MER antibody were considerably greater in line HA than in line LA both on an absolute basis and as a proportion of total antibody titer. Secondary total titers were greater at five days after injection than at three days and greater for line HA than for line LA chicks. The pattern observed for MER and MES in line LA was similar to that for total antibody, as was MER in line HA. For MES the pattern was reversed in line HA.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of teaching strategies for integrating information technology into clinical nursing education.

As health care becomes more information-intensive and diverse, there is a need to integrate information technology (IT) into clinical education. Little is known, however, about how to design instructional strategies for integrating information technology into clinical nursing education. This article outlines the instructional strategies used by faculty in five nursing programs who taught students to use a point-of-care information technology system. The article also reports students' computer acceptance and summarizes IT clinical teaching recommendations.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A controlled trial of a behavioral and educational intervention following coronary artery bypass surgery.

PURPOSE: Patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) are obvious candidates for rehabilitation programs because of the potential for progression of disease. Such programs have been shown to foster risk-factor modification, improve quality of life, and prolong survival among post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. However, the efficacy of these programs has not been established among patients who have undergone CABG. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was employed to evaluate whether a behavioral and educational cardiac rehabilitation program was effective in modifying cardiovascular disease risk factors and improving quality of life in a cohort of 86 patients after CABG. Patients were recruited from the cardiac ward of a large teaching hospital and were block-randomized to either an intervention group or routine care. Subjects in the intervention group attended 6 weekly group sessions following hospital discharge, and booster sessions at 8 months and 1 year. They also received a personalized behavior modification program based on their baseline risk factors. Risk factor and quality of life measures were recorded at baseline (6 weeks after surgery), 4 months, 8 months, and 1 year. RESULTS: The results indicated few differences between the study groups. However, the intervention group's aerobic capacity (VO2max) improved over that of the routine care group. With regard to the quality of life variables, all patients tended to improve steadily over time. CONCLUSIONS: The relatively moderate success of this intervention program compared with various post-MI studies may be indicative of differences between the treatment needs of patients after acute myocardial infarction or CABG. Future post-CABG rehabilitation research should explore these patients' unique treatment needs, and investigate a variety of program strategies.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

DNA ploidy and proliferating cell nuclear antigen image analysis of peritoneal and pleural effusions. A possible diagnostic role.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of DNA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) image analysis (IA) in enhancing the diagnostic sensitivity of conventional cytology (CC). STUDY DESIGN: The histopathologic and clinical data on 87 consecutive pleural and peritoneal effusions were used to evaluate the accuracy of CC and DNA IA results. RESULTS: CC showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 65%, 100%, 100% and 62%, respectively. Aneuploidy peaks were seen in 49 cases; 47 of them were true positives. Thirty of 38 diploid cases were true negatives. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 85%, 94%, 96% and 80%, respectively. There were positive correlations between DNA ploidy profile and PCNA proliferative index (PI), (R = .697) and significant differences in PCNA PI between malignant and benign effusions (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The DNA IA PI by PCNA can be used as a complementary diagnostic tool with CC in cytologically inconclusive cases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pruritus in diabetes mellitus: investigation of prevalence and correlation with diabetes control.

Three hundred diabetic and 100 nondiabetic hospital outpatients (both groups of comparable age and sex distribution) were assessed for the presence of generalized and localized pruritus. Pruritus vulvae was significantly more common in diabetic women (18.4%) than in controls (5.6%) and was significantly associated with poor diabetes control (mean glycosylated hemoglobin level less than 12%). Other forms of localized pruritus were equally common in diabetic and nondiabetic patients, regardless of glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Generalized pruritus was present in 14 diabetic patients, but in 5 cases the symptom was ascribed to intercurrent illness or drug administration. Thus, generalized pruritus without apparent cause was present in only 8 diabetic patients (2.7%) and was not significantly more common than in nondiabetic patients. It is doubtful if diabetes mellitus per se should be regarded as a cause of generalized or localized pruritus, other than pruritus vulvae.

Adolescent↗