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Biomedical subjects

C A Ryan

Publications and source records attributed to C A Ryan.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1968

Synthesis of chymotrypsin inhibitor I protein in potato leaflets induced by detachment.

Chymotrypsin inhibitor I is a protein that can be induced to accumulate in potato leaflets within hr in the light when leaflets are detached from intact plants and supplied with water. This increase in inhibitor I is not accompanied by an increase in all proteins in the detached leaflets. The accumulation is polar, proceeding from the base of the leaflets toward the tip. Low inhibitor I levels can be effectively maintained in detached leaflets by supplying them either water in the dark or solutions of indole acetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid in the light. Inhibitor I from leaflets is not identical to inhibitor I isolated from potato tubers as determined by immunochemical analyses.

Chymotrypsin↗
PubMed1968

Transitory Aspects of a Single Protein in Tissues of Solanum tuberosum and Its Coincidence With the Establishment of New Growth.

Qualitative and quantitative estimation of a proteinaceous chymotrypsin inhibitor in tissues of potato plants has revealed a transitory existence in all tissues except xylem, flowers, and seeds, where the inhibitor was not found. The distribution pattern in both aerial tissues and in tubers during development and senescence suggests that the concentrations of this protein in all tissues are influenced by meristematic regions of the plants. The transitory existence coinciding with breaking of apical dominance suggests that in the potato plant the protein may have some role in the process of establishing and maintaining meristematic tissue. A search for the protein in other Solanaceae species and in plants from non-related species has proven unsuccessful.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of cytokine mRNA expression following repeated exposure of mice to chemical contact and respiratory allergens.

It has been shown previously that cytokine secretion patterns characteristic of the activation of discrete responses by functional subsets of T cells of type 1 and type 2, respectively, are elicited following topical exposure of BALB/c strain mice to chemical contact and respiratory allergens. In order to investigate if the differences in protein profiles are paralleled by changes in steady-state mRNA levels we have now investigated cultured draining lymph node cell (LNC) cytokine mRNA expression profiles by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) under conditions where divergent cytokine secretion is observed. Mice were exposed topically by repeated application of the respiratory allergen trimellitic anhydride (TMA) or of the contact allergen 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). An elevation in the expression of mRNA for interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) by LNC from both TMA- and DNCB-treated animals was observed within 6 h of culture, reaching maximal levels after 72 h. Relative mRNA levels for both of these type 2 cytokines were considerably higher in cultured cells derived from TMA-exposed mice, compared with those from DNCB-treated animals. Transient low levels of the type 1 cytokine interferon y (IFN-gamma) were observed in response to treatment with TMA, whereas a substantial upregulation of IFN-gamma gene expression was seen from 24 h onwards in cultured LNC derived from DNCB-exposed mice. Changes in cytokine mRNA in allergen-activated LNC preceded protein production, although the kinetic profiles were similar. These data suggest that the divergent cytokine secretion profiles exhibited by mice treated by repeated topical exposure to contact and respiratory allergens are controlled primarily at the level of transcription. The RT-PCR methodology described herein may be more sensitive for the detection of cytokines expressed in low copy number, such as IL-4, where previously it has been found necessary to stimulate LNC with mitogen to elicit measurable levels of protein secretion. However, this technique was not found to offer major practical advantages when compared with protein detection methods (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) for the routine predictive characterization of chemicals as a function of cytokine 'fingerprinting'.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Decline in the incidence of late diagnosed congenital dislocation of the hip.

INTRODUCTION: We reviewed the incidence of early and late diagnosed CDH over a 13 yr period in a single maternity with a well established follow-up program and a stable population base. In March 1991, all newborn infants were nursed in the lateral or supine position, having previously been nursed prone. In addition, a dedicated hip screener was appointed in October 1992. We wished to determine whether these changes could have led to a reduction in late diagnosed CDH. METHODS: Babies with suspected CDH were seen by a single consultant orthopaedic surgeon within 1 week of birth. Splints were not applied until diagnosis was confirmed by the orthopaedic surgeon. The study period was from January 1983 to December 1995, inclusive. RESULTS: 37,383 babies were born during the study period, an average of 2,876 births per annum. The average rate of babies referred to the orthopaedic surgeon was 12.8 per 1,000 (range 5.5-28.2 per 1,000). The average incidence of babies splinted early was 7.19 per 1,000 (range 4.0-14.1 per 1,000) with no discernible increase or decrease over the yrs. In contrast, there was a clear reduction in the incidence of late diagnosed CDH; 42/24,713 births (January 1983-February 1992) compared to only 2/12,673 births (March 1992-December 1995; p < 0.0001. Twelve of the 44 infants (27 per cent) diagnosed with late diagnosed CDH were discovered by the policy of routine hip radiographs at 6 months of age of all babies born by breech presentation (2/12) or those with a positive family history of CDH in a first degree relative (10/12). Six others had a diagnosis of CDH confirmed by X-rays done at 6 months of age because of doubts about their examination in the newborn period. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing infants in the supine or lateral position and the introduction of a single hip screener were associated with a reduction in the incidence of late diagnosed CDH. Routine hip radiographs of high risk infants at 6 months of age proved to be a valuable safety net in detecting a significant proportion of previously undetected infants with CDH.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Avoiding painful blood sampling in neonates by transcutaneous bilirubinometry.

BACKGROUND: Transcutaneous bilirubinometry, Bilicheck (kindly provided by Oxygen Care Company, Dublin) is a non-invasive, screening method for determining bilirubin levels in neonates. It has not previously been validated in Irish babies. AIMS: To determine the clinical accuracy and precision of Bilicheck measurements in comparison to total serum bilirubin (TSB) measurements in Irish neonates, and to determine whether Bilicheck is a useful non-invasive screening method of avoiding blood tests in neonates. METHODS: Correlation data were obtained from 53 neonates between simultaneous TSB and Bilicheck readings. Bilicheck was used to screen 100 neonates who were assessed as requiring serum bilirubin measurement. TSB was only performed on neonates whose Bilicheck was above the phototherapy line of a recognised serum bilirubin chart. RESULTS: Bilicheck and TSB were significantly correlated (r=0.890). Bland and Altman analysis showed that on average, Bilicheck read 30 micromol/l lower than TSB. Of 100 jaundiced neonates screened by Bilicheck, blood sampling was avoided in 70 because Bilicheck did not meet phototherapy guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: There is a good correlation between TSB and Bilicheck, although the latter tends to under-read by 30 micromol/l. Bilicheck may be a useful screening device to decrease the risks and discomfort associated with blood sampling in neonates.

Bilirubin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sex work, drug use, HIV infection, and spread of sexually transmitted infections in Moscow, Russian Federation.

Rates of HIV-1 infection are growing rapidly, and the epidemic of sexually transmitted infections is continuing at an alarming rate, in the Russian Federation. We did a cross-sectional study of sexually transmitted infections, HIV infection, and drug use in street youth at a juvenile detention facility, adults at homeless detention centres, and women and men at a remand centre in Moscow. 160 (79%) women at the remand centre were sex workers. 91 (51%) homeless women had syphilis. At least one bacterial sexually transmitted infection was present in 97 (58%) female juvenile detainees, 120 (64%) women at the remand centre, and 133 (75%) homeless women. HIV seroprevalence was high in women at the remand centre (n=7 [4%]), adolescent male detainees (5 [3%]), and homeless women (4 [2%]). In view of the interaction between sexually transmitted infections and HIV infection, these findings of high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections show that these disenfranchised populations have the potential to make a disproportionately high contribution to the explosive growth of the HIV epidemic unless interventions targeting these groups are implemented in the Russian Federation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using tasks to measure consumers' ability to apply food guide recommendations: lessons learned.

This article reports on lessons learned from using comparison and substitution tasks to assess consumers' ability to apply food guide messages. The study evaluated the usability of the Northeast Regional Food Guide (NERFG), which provides instruction on healthful diets of local foods in season. The tasks showed that the NERFG is useful for daily life decisions. Lessons learned were that the scores on tasks need to better differentiate between groups. The validity and reliability of the tasks should be established in future research. The use of tasks may also be appropriate for educational purposes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Salmonella typhi infections in the United States, 1975-1984: increasing role of foreign travel.

To explore changes in the epidemiology of typhoid fever in the United States, cases reported to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and typhoid case report forms submitted by state and local governments are reviewed. The incidence of typhoid fever in the United States fell from one case per 100,000 population in 1955 to 0.2 cases per 100,000 in 1966 and has since remained fairly stable. Review of case report forms for 2,666 cases of acute typhoid fever that occurred between 1975 and 1984 showed that 62% were imported, in contrast to only 33% during 1967-1972. The proportion of cases imported has continued to rise, reaching 69% in 1984. The major sources of the 1975-1984 cases were Mexico (39%) and India (14%). The case-fatality rate was 1.3%. Antimicrobial resistance was a minor problem, and large outbreaks were unusual. Further decline in the incidence of typhoid fever in the United States probably must await the advent of an effective vaccine with minimal adverse effects for use by travelers.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Growth of Staphylococcus aureus and synthesis of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 in different in vitro systems.

Various complex and synthetic bacterial growth media have been used to study the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and the production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) under certain in vitro culture conditions. Because of the biochemical and nutritional differences between these media and human menses, a program was designed to determine the growth and metabolism of S. aureus under conditions that more closely approximate in vivo conditions. Human menses, an artificial menses developed to match human menses, whole human blood, and complex bacterial culture media (with and without added whole human blood) were tested for the ability to support the growth of S. aureus and the production of TSST-1 in vitro. In addition, the impact of other organisms, commonly isolated from the human vagina, on the growth of S. aureus and the production of TSST-1 was evaluated. Results show that the environmental conditions provided by human menses are more closely approximated by the artificial menses and that neither commercial bacterial growth media alone nor complex media plus 25% or 50% human blood provide a menses-like environment for the growth of S. aureus and the production of TSST-1. Furthermore, the addition of a second organism to the S. aureus culture resulted in significant suppression of TSST-1 production, even when in vitro conditions were optimized for the production of TSST-1.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Therapeutic uses of human figure drawings by the pregnant couple.

The woman's experience of her body during pregnancy is an important aspect of her psychological state and may be related to physiological functioning. How her husband perceives her pregnant body is important in terms of the marital relationship. Human figure drawings were collected from 39 couples during their third trimester of pregnancy. Clinical observations are made on selected figure drawings demonstrating how they reflect the subjects' feelings regarding the pregnancy, the child, and their marriage. Human figure drawings can be used as a diagnostic instrument as well as a method for therpeutic intervention, e.g., as a catalyst for group discussions.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intact PTH study: shipping frozen vs. unfrozen samples.

DCI Laboratory, Nashville TN compared INCSTAR N-tact PTH SP Kit (INCSTAR Corp., Stillwater, MN, USA) results from renal dialysis patients analyzed on frozen versus unfrozen samples; unfrozen samples were analyzed at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-collection. There was no statistical or clinical difference in the results of the frozen samples and unfrozen samples analyzed at 24 hours. Clinics may now ship unfrozen samples if they arrive within 24 hours.

Biomarkers↗