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Biomedical subjects

C Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to C Thomas.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Hypochlorous acid disrupts the adhesive properties of subendothelial matrix.

We have investigated whether the cell adhesion-promoting properties of the subendothelial matrix are affected by exposure to neutrophil-derived oxidants. Native subendothelial matrix was exposed to increasing doses of H2O2 in the presence of myeloperoxidase and Cl- or to reagent hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Increasing doses of either oxidant system resulted in progressive loss in the adhesive properties of the matrix, and phase contrast microscopy showed that the cells failed to attach to and spread on the oxidant-treated surface. When cells were replated on the treated matrix in the presence of 20% serum, they did attach, but showed abnormal spreading and morphology in longer-term culture. In a modified ELISA system, binding of antibodies specific to fibronectin, thrombospondin and laminin was also disrupted by prior exposure of the matrix to HOCl. Of these components, the cell-binding region of fibronectin was most affected by HOCl, thrombospondin and laminin were less sensitive, and the collagen-binding region of fibronectin was the most resistant. SDS-PAGE of 35S-labelled subendothelial matrix proteins indicated that there was no major irreversible crosslink formation or fragmentation after exposure to HOCl or the myeloperoxidase system, although formation of disulfides is quite likely.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1997

Language processing in aphasia: changes in lateralization patterns during recovery reflect cerebral plasticity in adults.

During single word processing the negative cortical DC-potential reveals a left frontal preponderance in normal right-handers as well as in patients with a history of transient aphasia. Lateralization of DC-negativity therefore provides a reliable and robust method for the assessment of language dominance. In 11 stroke patients with permanent aphasia this physiological pattern changed to bilateral activation reflecting an additional right-hemispheric involvement in compensatory mechanisms in aphasia. Along with complete clinical recovery the classical aphasic syndromes revealed specific differences in changes of their lateralization patterns. In Broca's aphasia the initial right-hemispheric preponderance changed to a left frontal lateralization while in Wernicke's aphasia a presumably permanent shift towards the right hemisphere occurred. Differences in lateralization patterns might reflect different mechanisms of recovery such as the initial disinhibition of homologous areas contralaterally and subsequent collateral sprouting and synaptic modulation. The assessment of changes in lateralization of the cortical DC-potential during language tasks in a non-invasive, safe method with excellent time resolution that might provide further insights in the neural basis of recovery from aphasia.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1997

Histological evidence of fetal pig neural cell survival after transplantation into a patient with Parkinson's disease.

The movement disorder in Parkinson's disease results from the selective degeneration of a small group of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the brain. A number of exploratory studies using human fetal tissue allografts have suggested that transplantation of dopaminergic neurons may become an effective treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease and the difficulty in obtaining human fetal tissue has generated interest in finding corresponding non-human donor cells. Here we report a post-mortem histological analysis of fetal pig neural cells that were placed unilaterally into the caudate-putamen brain region of a patient suffering from Parkinson's disease. Long-term (over seven months) graft survival was found and the presence of pig dopaminergic neurons and other pig neural and glial cells is documented. Pig neurons extended axons from the graft sites into the host brain. Furthermore, other graft derived cells were observed several millimeters from the implantation sites. Markers for human microglia and T-cells showed only low reactivity in direct proximity to the grafts. This is the first documentation of neural xenograft survival in the human brain and of appropriate growth of non-human dopaminergic neurons for a potential therapeutic response in Parkinson's disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Immunohistochemical processing of tissue which allows for embedding in Araldite, and orientation and correlation between light and electron microscopic staining.

This paper describes a simple and efficient method for the immunohistochemical processing of tissue sections on glass slides and the subsequent transfer of the entire section to an Araldite medium. These sections present in one plane can then be orientated and when cut provide the user with whole tissue, free from gaps due to folding. This procedure therefore enables the changes in protein concentration and distribution to be assessed and correlated within and between different cells at the light and electron microscopic level. This procedure may be of use in other microscopic techniques studies.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effect of attitudes and subjective norms on intention to provide oral care to patients receiving antineoplastic chemotherapy.

The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) served as the conceptual framework for this study, which was designed to examine the effect of attitudes and subjective norms on intention to provide oral care for patients receiving chemotherapy. The sample, stratified by type of health care facility, consisted of staff nurses (N = 85) who work in oncology settings in New York State. Data were collected by sending 10 questionnaires to a designee at the randomly chosen facility. Both attitudes and subjective norms were significant predictors of behavioral intention, predicting 39% of the variance. Using the strategy devised by Laschinger and Goldenberg, the sample was divided into two groups: those that scored below the mean on behavioral intention (nonintenders) and those above the mean (intenders). Nonintenders scored significantly lower on attitudes and subjective norms than intenders. The TRA was not supported when examining the data of the nonintenders, whereas for the intenders the theory did operate as designed, predicting 23% of the variance in behavioral intention.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Pyrophosphorylases in potato. V. Allelic polymorphism of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in potato cultivars and its association with tuber resistance to sweetening in the cold.

UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) was cloned from six American and nine European potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars. Restriction mapping of the different UGPase-cDNAs with BamHI, HindIII, and EcoRI revealed that at least two mRNA populations were present in most cultivars. Staining for UGPase activity in nondenaturing gels of proteins extracted from developing potato tubers yielded two major isozymes that were highly active and appeared to be dimeric in nature. Following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, all isozymes were disassociated into a single subunit with a molecular mass of 53 kD. Since UGPase has been demonstrated to be a single-copy gene in the haploid genome of potato (A.Y. Borovkov, P.E. McClean, J.R. Sowokinos, S.H. Ruud, G.A. Secor [1995] J Plant Physiol 147: 644-652), there must be allelic differences at the UGPase locus (chromosome 11). The two alleles, designated ugpA and ugpB, were identified by the absence and presence of a BamHI site, respectively. The relative band intensities of the two cDNA populations following polymerase chain reaction amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis were related to a potato cultivar's ability to resist sweetening when exposed to cold temperatures.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

Characterization of isolated duodenal epithelial cells along a crypt-villus axis in rats fed diets with different iron content.

The intestinal mucosa is characterized by cell proliferation, commitment, differentiation, digestion and absorption. These processes occur at specified locations along the crypt to villus axis. A technique is reported for the isolation of cells along this axis which allows the study of any one of these processes in an enriched population of cells. As an example, the uptake of transferrin-bound iron by enterocytes was studied. Rats were fed diets normal, high (30% carbonyl iron) or low in iron for 12 days. Cells from either the duodenum or ileum were isolated by incubating in a Ca(2+)-, Mg2+-free, cation chelating solution for varying periods. The incorporation of thymidine into DNA was measured in these cells as a marker of the crypt region, while alkaline phosphatase and sucrase activities marked mature enterocytes. The in vivo uptake of transferrin-bound 59Fe was measured in cells isolated either 2 or 4 h after intravenous injection. This procedure resulted in the isolation of 10 fractions of viable cells. Earlier fractions were enriched at least 10-fold in villus cells and the last fractions in crypt cells. Cells in intermediate fractions were at various stages of development. Uptake of transferrin-bound iron into enterocytes was highest with feeding an iron-loaded diet compared with control or iron-deficient diets. However, with all diets uptake was highest in crypt cells and this fell at the crypt-villus junction to be only 25%, as high at the villus tip as the crypt. A technique for the reproducible isolation of viable enterocytes along a crypt-villus axis is described. Transferrin receptor activity changes with maturation of the enterocyte.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1997

Microsporidia (Encephalitozoon cuniculi) in wild rabbits in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of infection with Encephalitozoon cuniculi in wild rabbit populations in Western Australia, and to isolate the organism from seropositive rabbits. DESIGN: Serological screening of wild and clinically affected domestic rabbit populations. SAMPLE POPULATION: Eighty-one wild rabbits from south-western Western Australia and 29 laboratory rabbits. PROCEDURE: Indirect immunofluorescence antibody technique and in-vitro amplification of parasite isolates in fibroblast cultures. RESULTS: Of the 81 wild rabbits and 29 laboratory rabbits, 20 and 22 respectively, had antibodies to E cuniculi. E cuniculi from the urine of one seropositive laboratory rabbit and from brain and kidney tissues of eight and five seropositive laboratory and wild rabbits respectively were isolated in fibroblast cultures. CONCLUSION: E cuniculi infection has been shown for the first time to be prevalent in wild rabbits in Australia. Techniques have been developed for the isolation and culture of the causative agent. Comparative studies can now be undertaken to determine risk factors for clinical disease in domestic rabbits and the relationship among E cuniculi isolates from wild and domestic rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Sex dependency of cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity in normal subjects.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebrovascular CO2 reactivity can be assessed easily and reliably by transcranial Doppler sonography. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate sex differences in cerebral CO2 reactivity and to specify the relation between CO2 and cerebral blood flow velocity. METHODS: CO2 reactivity of the circulation of both middle cerebral arteries was measured by bilateral transcranial Doppler sonography in 60 healthy volunteers (30 men, 30 women) aged 21 to 58 years. End-tidal carbon dioxide tensions (PETCO2) were elevated with the use of carbogene gas (95% O2, 5% CO2). In each subject the mean blood flow velocity (Vmean) was plotted as a function of PETCO2. RESULTS: The best-fit curves for the relation of Vmean/PETCO2 were exponential functions, with the following basic equation: Vmean (cm/s) = aebx, where a is a theoretical quantity representing Vmean at a PCO2 of 0 mm Hg, b is the relative slope of the curve (slope divided by the value of the function) corresponding to the definition of reactivity, and x is the PETCO2 (mm Hg). The mean value of b was 0.037 +/- 0.008 in women and 0.030 +/- 0.010 in men. ANOVA demonstrated a significant difference between men and women (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a highly significant sex-related difference in CO2-induced cerebral vasomotor reactivity. The relation between altered carbon dioxide tensions and blood flow velocities of both middle cerebral arteries in 60 healthy volunteers was found to be exponential.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Report on primate supply for biomedical scientific work in the UK. EUPREN UK Working Party.

A Working Party of the UK group of European Primate Resources Network (EUPREN) considered primate supply for scientific work in the UK. Through a questionnaire, which achieved a very good response, it obtained details of primate use, sources and breeding in the UK and it put forward options to ensure that animal welfare is the best possible whilst ensuring continued supply. The questionnaire showed that contract research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies use about 80% of the 4233 primates used annually at the moment, with the rest accounted for by academic establishments and public sector laboratories. Fifty-four per cent are cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), of which nearly 90% are captive-bred outside the European Union (EU), the remainder being bred in the UK. Nearly 90% of cynomolgus macaques are used by only five institutions. Thirty-seven per cent of primates used are marmosets (Callithrix jacchus jacchus), all of which are bred in the UK. Most of the rest are rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), about half of which are captive-bred outside the EU, the other half being bred in the UK. Overall primate use has increased from about 3000 per year in 1990 and users predict that requirements for all species except baboons (Papio sp.) will be maintained or increase. Marmoset breeding in the UK is already closely matched to use, and it could be increased reasonably easily if necessary. Some of the existing breeding centres of macaques in the UK would be prepared to consider expanding to supply others, although investment and imported breeding stock would be needed and it is likely that a large investment would be needed to breed a significant fraction of the macaque use in the UK. A further problem is that the users of only about 10% of the cynomolgus macaques said that they could replace this species by rhesus macaques, which are easier to breed in the UK. The questionnaire showed that much of the use of macaques would be transferred to other countries equally remote from the natural source countries of the animals, if constraints on primate use became more severe in the UK. Users felt that it is unlikely that much of the work could be transferred to the natural source countries themselves. A review of the literature revealed a paucity of information on the effects of transport on primate welfare. The importance of obtaining this information before making decisions about alternative means of supply is stressed. Current schemes for the accreditation of primate breeders were reviewed. A list of options is presented for discussion. Users vary so much in their requirements that it is unlikely that one means of supply will be applicable to all. Animal welfare will benefit and supply will be more certain if cooperation between those concerned (preferably through the UK group of EUPREN) is maintained.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1997

The effect of an absorbable collagen membrane on the subgingival microflora.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of use of an absorbable collagen membrane in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy upon the subgingival microflora. The study group consisted of 12 systemically healthy patients with bilateral mandibular furcation defects with attachment loss > or = 6 mm; one site was randomly assigned for GTR treatment while the contralateral site received surgical flap debridement only. Subgingival plaque samples were collected by paper point on the day of surgery and at 2, 4 and 6 months post-surgery. Three sites were sampled in each patient: a collagen membrane site, a control surgical site, and an unoperated control site. Plaque samples were transported in a non-phosphated buffer solution and examined by phase-contrast microscopy. Cocci, rods, spirochetes, fusiforms, curved rods, and total bacteria were recorded per 10 high-power fields. Following statistical analysis utilizing the Bonferroni (Dunn) t test, no differences in total bacterial counts were found among the sites at any of the time intervals examined. Total bacterial counts were found lower at both the collagen membrane and control surgical sites post-surgery as compared to unoperated control sites, but these differences were not statistically significant (P > .05). In addition, no significant differences were detected in bacterial profiles between sites or individual time points. Results from this 6-month limited clinical trial suggest that the placement of an absorbable collagen membrane as part of a standard surgical regimen for GTR therapy does not alter the local microflora.

Absorption↗
PubMed1996

The effectiveness of right heart catheterization in the initial care of critically ill patients. SUPPORT Investigators.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the use of right heart catheterization (RHC) during the first 24 hours of care in the intensive care unit (ICU) and subsequent survival, length of stay, intensity of care, and cost of care. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Five US teaching hospitals between 1989 and 1994. SUBJECTS: A total of 5735 critically ill adult patients receiving care in an ICU for 1 of 9 prespecified disease categories. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival time, cost of care, intensity of care, and length of stay in the ICU and hospital, determined from the clinical record and from the National Death Index. A propensity score for RHC was constructed using multivariable logistic regression. Case-matching and multivariable regression modeling techniques were used to estimate the association of RHC with specific outcomes after adjusting for treatment selection using the propensity score. Sensitivity analysis was used to estimate the potential effect of an unidentified or missing covariate on the results. RESULTS: By case-matching analysis, patients with RHC had an increased 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.49). The mean cost (25th, 50th, 75th percentiles) per hospital stay was $49 300 ($17 000, $30 500, $56 600) with RHC and $35 700 ($11 300, $20 600, $39 200) without RHC. Mean length of stay in the ICU was 14.8 (5, 9, 17) days with RHC and 13.0 (4, 7, 14) days without RHC. These findings were all confirmed by multivariable modeling techniques. Subgroup analysis did not reveal any patient group or site for which RHC was associated with improved outcomes. Patients with higher baseline probability of surviving 2 months had the highest relative risk of death following RHC. Sensitivity analysis suggested that a missing covariate would have to increase the risk of death 6-fold and the risk of RHC 6-fold for a true beneficial effect of RHC to be misrepresented as harmful. CONCLUSION: In this observational study of critically ill patients, after adjustment for treatment selection bias, RHC was associated with increased mortality and increased utilization of resources. The cause of this apparent lack of benefit is unclear. The results of this analysis should be confirmed in other observational studies. These findings justify reconsideration of a randomized controlled trial of RHC and may guide patient selection for such a study.

APACHE↗
PubMed1996

Four-dimensional imaging: computer visualization of 3D movements in living specimens.

The study of many biological processes requires the analysis of three-dimensional (3D) structures that change over time. Optical sectioning techniques can provide 3D data from living specimens; however, when 3D data are collected over a period of time, the quantity of image information produced leads to difficulties in interpretation. A computer-based system is described that permits the analysis and archiving of 3D image data taken over time. The system allows a user to roam through the full range of time points and focal planes in the data set. The user can animate images as an aid to visualization and can append multicolored labels and text notes to identified structures during data analysis. The system provides a valuable tool for the study of embryogenesis and cytoplasmic movements within cells and has considerable potential as an educational tool.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Light-modulated abundance of an mRNA encoding a calmodulin-regulated, chromatin-associated NTPase in pea.

A CDNA encoding a 47 kDa nucleoside triphosphatase (NTPase) that is associated with the chromatin of pea nuclei has been cloned and sequenced. The translated sequence of the cDNA includes several domains predicted by known biochemical properties of the enzyme, including five motifs characteristic of the ATP-binding domain of many proteins, several potential casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, a helix-turn-helix region characteristic of DNA-binding proteins, and a potential calmodulin-binding domain. The deduced primary structure also includes an N-terminal sequence that is a predicted signal peptide and an internal sequence that could serve as a bipartite-type nuclear localization signal. Both in situ immunocytochemistry of pea plumules and immunoblots of purified cell fractions indicate that most of the immunodetectable NTPase is within the nucleus, a compartment proteins typically reach through nuclear pores rather than through the endoplasmic reticulum pathway. The translated sequence has some similarity to that of human lamin C, but not high enough to account for the earlier observation that IgG against human lamin C binds to the NTPase in immunoblots. Northern blot analysis shows that the NTPase MRNA is strongly expressed in etiolated plumules, but only poorly or not at all in the leaf and stem tissues of light-grown plants. Accumulation of NTPase mRNA in etiolated seedlings is stimulated by brief treatments with both red and far-red light, as is characteristic of very low-fluence phytochrome responses. Southern blotting with pea genomic DNA indicates the NTPase is likely to be encoded by a single gene.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1996

Polyclonal lymphoid tumor of the choroid plexus presenting as an intraventricular mass in a young gorilla.

An unusual lymphoid lesion with reactive germinal centers, occurring in the choroid plexus of a young gorilla, is reported. It presented as a large mass in the lateral ventricle with hydrocephalus and neurological symptoms. A work-up did not reveal any underlying cause for this lesion. No similar lesion of the choroid plexus has been reported in either human or veterinary literature. Histological work-up, including flow cytometry, gene rearrangement studies and T and B cell markers, favored the lesion being a non-neoplastic lymphoid proliferation of unknown etiology. The prognosis is unknown, although, following complete removal, the animal is well and free of tumor at the time of this report.

Animals↗