Biomedical subjects

A McNamara

Publications and source records attributed to A McNamara.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1989

Plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and preschool behavior in children with conduct disorder.

The preschool behavior history and a history of abuse or neglect were compared between emotionally disturbed boys with and without conduct disorder (CD), and between boys with high and low plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) activities and CD. Boys with CD had the expected increase in preschool behaviors associated with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and CD as well as more reports of abuse or neglect. A higher percentage of boys with low D beta H were reported to have preschool behaviors associated with ADD. In contrast, more high D beta H subjects were reported as abused or neglected.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

PubMed1985

Fibroblasts acquire beta-glucuronidase by direct and indirect transfer during co-culture with macrophages.

Macrophages can transfer beta-glucuronidase directly to co-cultured fibroblasts during cell-to-cell contact as well as indirectly via receptor-mediated endocytosis. The degree of enzyme activity acquired by the deficient fibroblasts was determined by the ratio of donor to recipient cells and by the length of time for which cells were allowed to interact. Both mechanisms of transfer were efficient so that 70% of normal enzyme activity was restored to deficient fibroblasts after 24 h of co-culture. These observations show that macrophages have great potential as donor cells in replacement therapy for the treatment of inherited lysosomal enzyme deficiency diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Direct transfer of beta-glucuronidase from mouse macrophages to other types of cell.

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies were raised against beta-glucuronidase purified from mouse liver. This antiserum immunoprecipitated the beta-glucuronidase secreted by mouse fibroblasts but did not cross-react with the same enzyme isolated from human tissue. The beta-glucuronidase present in mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and mouse peritoneal macrophages was clearly identified by indirect immunofluorescence, using the antiserum and an FITC-conjugated second antibody, while human fibroblasts with normal levels of beta-glucuronidase activity did not fluoresce when tested with the same reagents. A range of human fibroblasts, human neuroblastoma and rat glioma cells did not fluoresce when incubated with the antibody but did fluoresce after they had been co-cultured for 24 h with mouse macrophages, showing that mouse beta-glucuronidase had been transferred from adherent macrophages into adjacent recipient cells. Transfer took place even when receptor-mediated endocytosis was blocked with a suitable competitive ligand, the transferred enzyme being visible mainly as a bright punctate fluorescence with a lysosome-like distribution. Macrophages thus have the potential to act as donors of lysosomal enzymes to a wide range of recipient cells and to transfer enzymes to them during direct cell-to-cell contact.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Scanning electron microscopy of the metal-tissue interface. I. Fixation methods and interpretation of results.

Scanning electron microscopy has been used to study the interface between implants of pure metals and the muscular tissue of rats. Several problems arise in the interpretation of the observations made, due to the potential for disruption to the tissue and the exacerbation of any corrosion that may have occurred in vivo during the fixation periods. Details are given of the control experiments performed in order to ascertain the nature of potential artefacts and of the techniques eventually determined to be optimal for these purposes.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Scanning electron microscopy of the metal-tissue interface. II. Observations with lead, copper, nickel, aluminium, and cobalt.

The nature of the metal-tissue interface following the implantation of five pure metals, lead, copper, nickel, aluminium and cobalt, in rats has been observed by scanning electron microscopy. The general conclusion, derived from light microscopy that the tissue response to pure metals is characteristic of and specific to individual pure metals has been confirmed in this study. However, far more detailed observations of factors such as the extent of metallic corrosion, the distribution of red blood cells, platelets and other cells in the capsule and adherent to the metal surface, have been possible with SEM.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

The response to the intramuscular implantation of pure metals.

Discs of five high-purity metals, cobalt, nickel, copper, aluminium and lead have been implanted intramuscularly in rats and the response observed histologically for period up to 52 weeks. A reproducible but different response was observed with each metal. Whenever corrosion occurred, as with copper, nickel and some cobalt specimens, the implants became loose. In the absence of corrosion, the implants were firmly held within a more confined capsule. A minimal response was seen with lead, implying normally toxic metals do elicit an immune response whilst some, especially copper and nickel appear to render the host more susceptible to disease. The implants appear to have a profound effect on the immediate vasculature, are able to cause a prolonged polymorphonuclear response in the same way as bacteria, are associated with varying amounts of haemosiderin laden macrophages but not with giant cells. The animals appear to be able to deal with bacteria introduced at surgery without hindrance from the metal.

Aluminum↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The development of a comprehensive stroke programme in the acute hospital.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and an important cause of hospital admissions and long term disability. The incidence of stroke is estimated at 200 per 100,000 of the population, Dublin has approximately 2,400 new strokes per annum. In 1989 a comprehensive stroke programme was introduced in St Vincent's Hospital. The aim was to provide patients with a coordinated approach to rehabilitation. A study of the programme was conducted in 1993 by detailed chart review. 129 patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke were referred to the programme during a 12 month period. 27.13% were under age 65 and 72.87% were over 65 years, 18% died and 44.2% were discharged home, independently mobile. The study findings suggest that the comprehensive stroke programme in St Vincent's Hospital represents a feasible model of care in the acute general hospital setting.

Acute Disease↗