Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Martin

Publications and source records attributed to C Martin.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Effect of wheat and corn variety on fiber digestion in beef steers fed high-grain diets.

Six Salers steers, fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas, were used in a double 3x3 Latin square design to assess the depressive effect of the nature of wheat, flint corn, and dent corn on fiber digestion in animals fed high-concentrate diets, and to determine the mechanisms involved in these negative digestive effects. Diets were balanced to be equal in starch content (47.7+/-2.3%). The three cereals were characterized by ruminal starch digestibilities of 86.6, 60.8, and 34.8% for the wheat, dent corn, and flint corn, respectively. Ruminal digestion of NDF was lower with wheat- than with corn-based diets (49.4 vs. 55.2%; P<.001), and with dent corn than with flint corn (53 vs. 57.3%; P<.01). Degradability of hay in nylon bags was not affected by the grain source in the diet (P>.1). The mean retention time of forage particles in the rumen was similar between wheat and corn diets (P>.1), but it was lower for steers fed dent corn than for those fed flint corn (P<.05). Most fibrolytic activities of the solid-associated microorganisms were lower (P<.05) in animals fed wheat than in those fed corn. Differences in fibrolytic activities of the solid-associated microorganisms between the two corn genotypes were not statistically significant (P>.1), but activities of all fibrolytic enzymes were lower (P<.05) with the dent than with the flint corn diet. Protozoal number in ruminal fluid was lower in animals receiving wheat than in those fed corn (177 vs. 789x10(3)/mL; P<.001) and was related to the high ruminal acidity (P<.01) of the wheat diet. Large modifications in the rumen microbial ecosystem between the two corn genotypes were not visible in protozoal numbers or pH. Total-tract digestion of NDF was the same for wheat and for corn diets, averaging 55% for the three diets. A postruminal compensation of NDF digestion (14% of the total tract NDF digestion) seemed to occur with the wheat diet. The lack of any postruminal NDF digestion (0%) with the two corn diets may suggest negative digestive interactions in the hindgut similar to those in the rumen.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1999

[Phare study. Comparative study of combined cefepime-amikacin versus ceftazidime combined with amikacin in the treatment of nosocomial pneumonias in ventilated patients. Multicenter group study].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the associations of cefepime (2 g x 2/day) + amikacin (7.5 mg.kg-1 x 2/day) (= cefe-ami) and ceftazidime (2 g x 3/day) + amikacin (7.5 mg.kg-1 x 2/day) (= cefta-ami) in patients under mechanical ventilation suffering from a nosocomial pneumonia. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-centre, open, comparative, randomised study. PATIENTS: The study included 275 ICU patients enrolled either in the cefe-ami group (n = 141) or in the cefta-ami group (n = 134). METHODS: All cases were reviewed in a blinded fashion by the steering committee. RESULTS: Microbiology laboratory tests were positive in 74% of patients of the cefe-ami group and in 63% of the cefta-ami group respectively; 319 presumed causative strains of bacteria were isolated. The mean duration of treatment was 12 days for cefepime, 11 days for ceftazidime and 8 days for amikacin. In intention to treat, the clinical recovery rate was 48.2% in the cefe-ami group and 44.8% in the cefta-ami group respectively. In the population with a documented pneumonia, the clinical recovery was significantly better in the cefe-ami group (53.3%), than in the cefta-ami group (39.3%) (P = 0.05). In per protocol analysis, these rates reached 67.7% in the cefe-ami group and 68.2% in the cefta-ami group respectively. In the bacteriologically documented cases the eradication rates were 86.5% and 89.3% respectively. CONCLUSION: The efficacy rates of cefe-ami and cefta-ami combinations were similar in ICU patients under mechanical ventilation with a nosocomial pneumonia. However the cefe-ami association was significantly more efficient in the population with a bacteriologically documented pneumonia.

Amikacin↗
PubMed1999

Selective detection of inactivating mutations of the tumor suppressor gene p53 in bladder tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations in the p53 gene are implicated in the pathogenesis of half of all human tumors. In bladder tumors they are usually detected by immunohistochemistry. The assumption underlying protein analysis is that high level p53 expression is a consequence of mutations, but numerous exceptions have been reported. We describe the detection of p53 mutations in bladder cancer using a functional assay in yeast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study consisted of 60 consecutive patients with bladder tumors (7 pT0, 2 CIS, 23 pTa, 24 pT1 and 4 pT2). High grade 3 was observed in primary carcinoma in situ, in 75% of pT1 tumors and in all pT2 tumors. The p53 mRNA extracted from endoscopic resection tissue was reverse transcribed and PCR-amplified. The transcriptional competence of the p53 cDNA was then tested in a yeast reporter strain. A simple functional assay was developed for p53 mutation in which human p53 is expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae which activates transcription of the ADE2 gene. Colonies containing wild type p53 are white and colonies containing mutant p53 are red. RESULTS: As this assay evaluates the critical biological function of p53, it can distinguish inactivating mutations from functionally silent mutations. In pTo and pTa bladder tumors, no p53 mutations were detected. In contrast, the functional assay permitted us to detect p53 mutations in 66% of patients with stage T1 tumors (72% of case of high grade 3) and in all cases with primary carcinoma in situ and in 4 cases of stage T2 tumors. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study demonstrates that this functional assay method is a simple and efficient procedure to detect p53 mutations in bladder cancers and suggests that p53 mutations seem to be associated with invasive bladder tumors.

Chromosomes, Artificial, Yeast↗
PubMed1999

Human sexuality in long-term care.

Sexual expression is a basic human need, a normal part of life that is integral to who we are as human beings. As we age, we continue to be challenged to grow in every area of our lives, including our sexuality. In institutionalized settings, however, human sexuality can be an area in which growth is not fostered, but restrained. Challenges leading to restraint include limited privacy, concerns about the consent of cognitively impaired sexual partners and conflicts with the personal values of institutional staff. Challenges exist in many areas, including inappropriate sexual expression toward a staff member or other residents.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

UFT plus calcium folinate plus radiotherapy for recurrent rectal cancer.

Uracil and tegafur (in a molar ratio of 4:1 [UFT]) plus calcium folinate comprise the components of the oral agent, Orzel, which appears to have activity comparable to intravenously administered 5-fluorouracil. This article describes the design of an open-label, disease-oriented, phase I trial of UFT plus calcium folinate in combination with simultaneous pelvic radiation for recurrent rectal cancer. This trial is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity of this regimen.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1999

Posttraumatic subgaleal hematoma: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: A subgaleal hematoma or subaponeurotic hemorrhage occurs infrequently and is usually seen in pediatric patients, especially in the neonatal period. It may be associated with coagulation disorders. CASE REPORT: We report on a previously healthy 19-month-old patient who presented with an extensive subgaleal hematoma and significant anemia secondary to a fall. DISCUSSION: A literature review was conducted, and the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the subgaleal hematoma are discussed. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment, except in select severe cases, is recommended for this condition.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1999

[Imaging and pathology of the ear and temporal bone (except for the skull base)].

Imaging occupies and increasing place in the investigation of pathological processes of the ear and temporal bone. For some of them (malformations, inflammatory conditions and tumours) the authors detail their indications and results. They conclude that imaging has become increasingly necessary in these conditions, and indispensable not only for choosing the method of treatment but also for medico-legal reasons.

Ear↗
PubMed1999

Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient.

Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum is a coryneform and diphtheromorphic bacteria rarely found as a cause of pneumonia in immunocompetent hosts. A case of an immunocompetent patient with C. pseudodiphtheriticum pneumonia is presented. This infection responded well to initial empirical treatment with cefotaxime. Very few cases of pneumonia associated with C. pseudodiphtheriticum have been described in the medical literature, this organism mainly being found in immunocompromised hosts. We report a case of pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient in which C. pseudodiphtheriticum was the only micro-organism isolated.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Office ergonomics. Measurements for success.

The successful implementation of an ergonomics program requires collecting data on worksite history repetitive motion injuries and assessing the corporate ergonomic needs. It is important to solicit management, department, and employee support. Program success depends on creating process, training program, skilled assessors, and an accountability method. A thorough understanding and application of neutral posture and the three seated chair positions is essential. Evaluation of the entire individual work-space is essential. Precise measurements of the individual, the office chair, and the work surfaces should be completed, and heights adjusted to meet individual needs. Functional, totally adjustable office chairs are a necessity. Vendor selection criteria and vendor contracts for chairs and office equipment assure consistent specifications and cost control.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1998

Sulphoxidation reaction catalysed by myeloperoxidase from human leucocytes.

The oxidation of alkyl aryl sulphides by myeloperoxidase (MPO) at the expense of hydrogen peroxide was investigated under steady-state conditions. The sulphide concentration effect was studied under saturating H2O2 concentrations at pH 5.0 and 20 degreesC. The kinetic constants, kcat and Km, of the different substrates were determined and the values were in the 1-10 s-1 range and around 43+/-26 microM respectively, whatever the sulphide considered. In the case of p-substituted thioanisoles, the oxidation rate was dependent upon the substituent effect. The correlation of log(kcat) with the substituent constants (sigma+ values) (Hammett equation) could be explained by a reaction mechanism involving the enzyme compound II and a sulphenium radical cation. This conclusion was also supported by spectrophotometric analysis of catalytic intermediates of the enzyme, showing the accumulation of compound II. Moreover, chiral HPLC analyses showed that MPO oxidation of alkyl aryl sulphides produced the corresponding (R)-sulphoxides with a low enantioselectivity (4-8%). Chloride ion effects on the MPO-catalysed oxygenation of sulphides were also studied. Chloride acted as a substrate for MPO and as an activator in MPO-catalysed sulphoxidation. Inhibition occurred at chloride concentrations above 120 mM, whereas below 120 mM, chloride increased the reaction rate when using p-tolyl methyl sulphide as the substrate. In the presence of 100 mM chloride the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of MPO increased 3-4-fold, whatever the sulphide considered, but racemic products were obtained. These data have been interpreted in the light of known structural information on the accessibility of the distal haem cavity.

Catalysis↗
PubMed1998

On the use of strong Patterson function signals in many-body molecular replacement.

The symmetry elements detected by the self-rotation and the Patterson functions, associated to strong correlations between the positions of the molecules in the asymmetric unit, are used to reduce the effective number of independent bodies to be located by the molecular replacement method. A distinction is made between 'frustrated' crystallographic symmetries, i.e. those that are almost crystallographic ones, and 'standard' non-crystallographic symmetries, which are taken into account by specific techniques. These have been successfully applied to many-body macromolecular crystal structures, with important savings in time and computational effort.

Bacillus↗
PubMed1998

Identification of a gene selectively expressed in the brain, which encodes a putative transmembrane protein and a soluble cytoplasmic isoform.

Subtractive cloning procedures led to the identification of a variety of transcripts expressed in mammalian brain. However, little is known about the encoded proteins and the regulation of gene expression. Here, we describe the isolation and characterisation of a single-copy gene (83.5) of 21.7 kb which is specifically expressed in porcine brain. In situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry experiments showed a distinct pattern of gene expression in neuronal cell types in different parts of the brain. The gene contains two mini exons, confirming neural-specific expression. cDNA cloning experiments revealed two species of mRNA differing in their 5'-regions. These transcripts are generated by two distinct transcription start sites that are under the control of different potential promoter regions as shown by primer-extension experiments. The amino acid sequences of the deduced proteins predict that one mRNA species encodes a novel type-I transmembrane protein, whereas the other transcript encodes only a part of its cytoplasmic domain. In Western-blot experiments, we detected two proteins of the predicted size and cellular localisation in porcine brain. The precise function of these proteins remains to be determined. However, our findings suggest that they may be generated by alternative promoter usage, leading to the expression of a membrane protein and its truncated cytoplasmic isoform.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

A large sample of finnish diabetic sib-pairs reveals no evidence for a non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus susceptibility locus at 2qter.

In the first reported positive result from a genome scan for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), Hanis et al. found significant evidence of linkage for NIDDM on chromosome 2q37 and named the putative disease locus NIDDM1 (Hanis et al. 1996. Nat. Genet. 13:161-166). Their total sample was comprised of 440 Mexican-American affected sib-pairs from 246 sibships. The strongest evidence for linkage was at marker D2S125 and best estimates of lambdas (risk to siblings of probands/population prevalence) using this marker were 1.37 under an additive model and 1.36 under a multiplicative model. We examined this chromosomal region using linkage analysis in a Finnish sample comprised of 709 affected sib-pairs from 472 sibships. We excluded this region in our sample (multipoint logarithm of odds score </= -2) for lambdas >/= 1.37. We discuss possible reasons why linkage to 2q37 was not found and conclude that this region is unlikely to be playing a major role in NIDDM susceptibility in the Finnish Caucasian population.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Chiral chromatographic method to determine the enantiomers of halofantrine and its main chiral desbutyl metabolite in erythrocytes.

We describe a direct liquid chromatographic method with spectrofluorimetric detection to quantify the two enantiomers of halofantrine and the two enantiomers of its main chiral N-monodesbutylated metabolite in erythrocyte pellets. The method involves a Chiralpak AD column and a rapid one-step extraction procedure with acetonitrile. The method was validated for the four enantiomers within the range 0-1000 ng/ml. The absence of stereoconversion was studied in samples stored frozen for up to eight months. The optical rotation of the halofantrine and metabolite enantiomers was determined after separation on a semi-preparative Chiralcel OD column with polarimetric detection.

Administration, Oral↗