Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D D Johnson.
Two immunogens (5,6) and two probes (fluorescent 7 and chemiluminescent 8) were prepared from benzyl ester (-)-10. These immunoreagents (5,6 and 7,8) are useful for detection of collagen cross-link (+)-deoxypyrrololine (Dpl, 4), and for development of assays for osteoporosis.
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To establish a neonatal animal model of multiorgan failure (MOF) for the histological study of the sequence and severity of neonatal MOF in comparison to a model of adult MOF. METHODS: Neonatal and adult Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of the inflammatory agent Zymosan. Rats were weighed; randomly killed on days 1 through 6; and heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, and ileocecum harvested for histological examination. RESULTS: Neonatal animals receiving Zymosan showed a significant increase in total body weight not seen in adults. The sequence and severity of MOF-induced organ damage were strikingly different in adult and neonatal animals. Mild lung damage was seen as early as day 1 in adult rats receiving Zymosan. This progressed to moderate damage by day 2 and severe damage by day 6. Lungs of neonatal rats receiving Zymosan showed only mild damage by day 4, which had progressed no further by day 6. Mortality rate was not significantly different between adult and neonatal animals receiving Zymosan. CONCLUSIONS: Zymosan can be used in a neonatal animal model to incite MOF. In the neonatal animal model of MOF there is (1) substantial early capillary leak as shown by increased body weight; (2) a unique progression of organ involvement-liver, kidney, lung compared with adult animals with MOF-lung, liver, kidney; and (3) relative sparing of the lung from injury. These findings are consistent with previous clinical observations of a difference in neonatal and adult MOF.
A series of chemiluminescent 17beta-estradiol probes were synthesized. Relative equilibrium dissociation constants (K(D)) for the interaction of an anti-E(2) Fab fragment for the probes in solution were evaluated using a single E(2)-analog biosensor surface on a BIAcore surface plasmon resonance instrument. The results show the antibody fragment binds all chemiluminescent conjugates tested with high affinity showing only minor preferences for site of substitution (C6 versus C7), stereochemistry (alpha versus beta), or linker moiety.
Representative glucocorticosteroids (GCS) and phosphodiesterase IV (PDE4) inhibitors were compared in several models of pulmonary inflammation ranging in severity. Lung tissue eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) levels rather than bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) EPO or eosinophil percentages were used to indicate eosinophil recruitment after intratracheal instillation of sephadex beads in rats or nebulized ovalbumin in sensitized guinea pigs. A single oral or intratracheal administration of a GCS was effective against mild and robust sephadex-induced eosinophilia whereas the PDE4 inhibitors evaluated appeared more effective in the milder sephadex models. The GCS were also more effective against sephadex-induced than ovalbumin-induced eosinophilia. The effectiveness of the GCS and PDE4 inhibitors improved when the severity of the ovalbumin-induced eosinophilia was decreased. Multiple day dosing also improved activity. These studies indicated that activity was influenced greatly by administration protocols, the severity of the inflammatory response and possibly the method used for estimating eosinophil recruitment.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the additional information and clinical impact provided by three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) imaging of fetal anomalies compared to conventional 2-dimensional ultrasound (2D US). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients with 103 anomalies were scanned prospectively with both 2D and 3D US. Each anomaly was reviewed by one or more fetal imaging specialists to determine whether the 3D US data were advantageous, equivalent, or disadvantageous when compared with 2D US images. Clinical impact and pathologic or clinical outcome were determined in all cases. RESULTS: The 3D US images provided additional information in 53 anomalies (51%), were equivalent to 2D US images in 46 anomalies (45%), and were disadvantageous in four anomalies (4%). The 3D US was most helpful in evaluating fetuses with facial anomalies, hand and foot abnormalities and axial spine and neural tube defects. Planar images derived from 3D US volume data sets generally were more helpful for diagnostic purposes, whereas rendered 3D US images were more useful as a point of reference and were better appreciated by patients in understanding fetal abnormalities. Additional information provided by 3D US images impacted clinical management in 5% of patients. The 3D US images were disadvantageous in two fetuses with multiple anomalies and two with cardiac anomalies. CONCLUSION: The 3D US offered diagnostic advantages in about one-half of the selected cases studied and had effect on patient management in 5% of cases. This modality can be a powerful adjunctive tool to 2D US in providing a more comprehensible, 3D US impression of congenital anomalies. Thus, 3D US is currently most helpful as a targeted study complementing 2D US.
PURPOSE: To compare the prenatal ultrasonographic (US) features of skeletal dysplasia by using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) US to determine whether 3D US can reveal additional diagnostic information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven pregnant women suspected of having skeletal dysplasia were examined by using 2D US and 3D US. Data regarding the thorax, spine, face, limbs, hands, and feet were compared. Multiplanar and volume-rendered US images were evaluated. RESULTS: The skeletal dysplasias studied included camptomelic dysplasia (n = 2), thanatophoric dysplasia (n = 1), osteogenesis imperfecta (n = 1), arthrogryposis (n = 2), and short-limbed dysplasia (n = 1). Three-dimensional US, by allowing review in a standard anatomic orientation, was better than 2D US in depicting abnormal spatial relationships such as short ribs, splayed digits, and absent bones. Three-dimensional US enabled the acquisition of additional information in two fetuses with facial abnormalities and in two fetuses with scapular aplasia or hypoplasia (one fetus had both facial and scapular anomalies); it enabled a specific diagnosis in one fetus. The archiving capabilities of 3D US allow the review and manipulation of data after the patient has left the clinic. CONCLUSION: In three of seven patients, 3D US provided additional information in the evaluation of skeletal dysplasias, as compared with 2D US.
PURPOSE: To determine if three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) improves the ability to define the location and extent of facial clefting prenatally compared with two-dimensional (2D) US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one fetuses suspected of having a facial cleft were examined prospectively with 2D and 3D US. Follow-up was performed in all fetuses. RESULTS: Twenty-eight fetuses had a cleft lip at birth. The location of the cleft lip was correctly identified in all fetuses with 3D US and in 26 of 28 with 2D US. Twenty-two fetuses had a cleft primary palate. Nineteen and nine of 22 cleft palates were identified by using 3D and 2D US, respectively. Three fetuses suspected of having a facial cleft at 2D US had a normal palate at 3D US and at birth. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional US is useful to identify the location and extent of facial clefting. The advantages of 3D US are the following: (a) The face may be viewed in a standard orientation, (b) the defect may be viewed systematically by using an interactive display, and (c) the rendered image provides landmarks for the planar images. Patient decisions may be affected, since they can view the abnormality on a recognizable 3D rendered image.
Fifty-six retail stores representing 15 retail chains and 14 foodservice facilities in eight U.S. cities were sampled to determine the tenderness of beef steaks at retail and foodservice levels based on Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values and consumer evaluation panels. Retail consumer panels were conducted at five universities. Each retail and foodservice steak was evaluated using 10-point scales. Steaks were divided into the following quality groups for statistical analysis: Prime, Top Choice, Choice, Select, and Lean or No Roll. Quality group had no effect on WBS values of retail clod, chuck roll, top round, bottom round, eye of round, top loin, top sirloin, or ribeye steaks but did (P < .05) affect values for the T-bone/porterhouse. The percentages of retail top round, eye of round, and bottom round steaks with a WBS force > 3.9 kg were 39.6, 55.9, and 68.0, respectively. Foodservice ribeye, top loin, and top sirloin steaks had WBS values less than 3.4 kg for all quality groups, with Prime ribeye steaks having lower (P < .05) WBS values than ribeyes from the other quality groups. With the exception of the retail ribeye steak, quality group did not affect consumer sensory ratings of retail and foodservice steaks. Average postfabrication aging times were 32 d for foodservice subprimals and 19 d for retail cut subprimals. These data indicate that improvements in the tenderness of retail cuts from the round are needed. Finally, quality group had little or no effect on consumer sensory evaluations and WBS values of retail and foodservice steaks used in this study.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Steers of known percentage Brahman (B) and Angus (A) breeding (100% A, n = 6; F1 B x A, n = 6; and 100% B, n = 6) were used to determine the effect of calcium chloride injection on the calpain proteinase system and meat tenderness. The steers were slaughtered in six replications (at either 9 or 14 mm of backfat, determined ultrasonically), with each breed type represented. Calpains and calpastatin activities were measured on fresh, prerigor longissimus muscle samples. Carcass data were collected after a 24-h chill, and the short loin (IMPS #180), top sirloin (IMPS #184), and top round (IMPS #168) were removed from both sides of each carcass. The cuts from the right side were then injected at 5% (wt/wt) with CaCl2 solution (2.2%). Longissimus muscle calpain and calpastatin activities were also measured at 48 h postmortem from the injected and control sides of each carcass. Warner-Bratzler shear force was measured on steaks from the three subprimals aged 1, 2, 5, 15, or 31 d. Marbling scores and USDA quality grades were higher (P<.05) in A than in F1 B x A and B carcasses. Calpastatin activity was higher (P<.05) in muscle from B than in muscle from A and F1 B x A steers, and postmortem storage (O vs 48 h) and CaCl2 injection reduced (P<.05) the activity of the calpains and calpastatin. Strip loin and top sirloin steaks from A and F1 B x A steers were more tender (P<.05) than steaks from B steers; however, top round steak tenderness did not differ (P>.05) across breed type. Calcium injection improved strip loin and top sirloin steak tenderness, but it did not affect top round steak tenderness. Collectively, these data show that CaC12 injection can be used to improve meat tenderness, with similar responses shown in cattle containing 0, 50, and 100% B inheritance. However, even with CaCl2 injection, B steaks are less tender than their A and F1 B x A counterparts.
Two dehydrated restaurant food waste (DFW) products were evaluated as potential feedstuffs for finishing pigs. For each product, fresh food wastes were obtained from food service operations at a resort complex in central Florida. The wastes were mostly leftover food and plate scrapings. The wastes were minced, blended with a feed stock (soy hulls and wheat flour [DFW1] or soy hulls and ground corn [DFW2]), pelleted, and dried. The dried product was then blended with additional minced fresh food wastes and dried; this process was then repeated. The final DFW products contained approximately 60% dried food wastes. The DFW1 and DFW2 products contained 11.4 and 8.4% moisture, 15.0 and 14.4% CP, 13.8 and 16.0% crude fat, 10.4 and 14.5% crude fiber, 5.8 and 4.7% ash, .63 and .64% lysine, .54 and .63% Ca, .34 and .38% P, .69 and .86% Cl, and .35 and .47% Na, respectively. Two feeding trials with 48 and 72 finishing pigs (56 to 112 kg), respectively, were conducted comparing diets without (control) or with the DFW product included at 40% of the diet (DFW1) for Trial 1 and 40 or 80% of the diet (DFW2) for Trial 2. Pigs fed the DFW diets in both trials had ADG that were similar (P > . 10) to and average gain:feed ratios that were superior (P = .06, Trial 1; P < .01; linear, Trial 2) to those for control pigs. Carcass lean content and lean quality scores were not reduced (P > . 10) by feeding pigs the DFW diets in either trial. Carcass fat became softer (P < .01; linear) with increasing amount of DFW2 in the diet in Trial 2. Thus, dehydrated restaurant food wastes have the potential to produce a nutritious feedstuff for pigs while offering a viable solid waste disposal option.
Cost reduction in the management of common surgical diseases such as appendicitis has become paramount for the survival of children's hospitals. We designed a clinical pathway to treat appendicitis with the goal of reducing cost and hospital length of stay (LOS) while maintaining quality of care. From September 1995 through December 1996, patients with nonperforated appendicitis (NPApp) and perforated appendicitis with peritonitis (PApp) were enrolled into a clinical pathway. NPApp patients were discharged when tolerating a regular diet. PApp patients were discharged if the following criteria were met: temperature < 38.5 degrees C for 24 hours, WBC < 14,000 on postoperative day 3, tolerating diet, and transition to oral analgesics accomplished. Hospital LOS and actual hospital costs in pathway patients were compared with those of historic controls. Patients with appendicitis from the Pediatric Health Information Systems (PHIS) database, a consortium of 20 children's hospitals in the United States, served as concurrent controls. Hospital LOS and hospital charges in PHIS NPApp and PApp patients from our institution were compared with national PHIS database patients. Mean LOS and hospital costs for both NPApp and PApp pathway patients were significantly decreased compared with historic controls (P < 0.05). Mean LOS and hospital charges in our institution's PHIS NPApp and PApp patients were also significantly decreased compared with the national PHIS database (P < 0.05). Innovative approaches such as these are necessary for the survival of children's hospitals in an increasingly cost competitive healthcare market.
PURPOSE: To assess particular features of fetal hand evaluation using three-dimensional ultrasound, and to determine whether any advantage is offered by three-dimensional over two-dimensional ultrasound in fetal hand evaluation. METHODS: Three-dimensional fetal data were collected prospectively from 44 hands in 40 fetuses from a predominantly high-risk patient population. All had a concurrent two-dimensional ultrasound examination of the hands. Diagnoses from two- and three-dimensional ultrasound examinations were compared and additional information from the three-dimensional volume assessment was noted. Three-dimensional assessment of distal forearm bones, wrist position, finger configuration and number of metacarpals and digits was recorded. RESULTS: Hands were appropriately identified as normal (32/32) or abnormal (12/12) by both two- and three-dimensional ultrasound. Three-dimensional ultrasound provided additional information when compared to two-dimensional ultrasound in both normal and abnormal hands, including the provision of three orthogonal planes with one volume acquisition, allowing rotation of the volume so that hands could be evaluated in planes not possible during two-dimensional imaging, assessment of a hand with loosely curled fingers as normal, the ability to evaluate thumb and fingers simultaneously, and improved assessment of abnormal hands. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional ultrasound offers the potential to provide greater information in fetal hand evaluation for both normal and abnormal hands.
Peritoneal dialysis is widely accepted for the chronic management of end-stage renal disease but is associated with as high as a 70% complication rate including a significant problem with peritoneal dialysis catheter flow obstruction. The application of laparoscopic surgical techniques has revolutionized the surgical approach to peritoneal dialysis catheter-related dysfunction. However, the specific laparoscopic surgical technique varied among the reported literature. This lack of a standard laparoscopic surgical approach to obstructed peritoneal dialysis catheters prompted us to review and compare our specific technique and experience in 17 patients with 10 recent reported series. We specifically examined for insufflation techniques, access port placements and closures, timing postoperatively for reinstituting peritoneal dialysis, wound complications, and overall long-term success rates for peritoneal dialysis catheter salvage.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to expand our knowledge of the general population frequency of two mutations, C282Y and H63D, identified in the candidate gene for hereditary haemochromatosis, and to determine whether the testing can be performed using routinely obtained cheek-brush (buccal) samples. SETTING: Banked buccal lysate samples, randomised and coded for anonymity, from a cohort of couples who underwent prenatal cystic fibrosis screening in Maine. METHODS: A multiplex ARMS test was performed on buccal cell lysates to identify the two mutations. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies found among the 1001 subjects studied (502 women, 499 men) were: seven C282Y homozygotes, 22 C282Y/H63D compound heterozygotes, 97 C282Y heterozygotes, 17 H63D homozygotes, 246 H63D heterozygotes, and 612 individuals with no detectable mutation. The allele frequencies for C282Y and H63D were 0.066 and 0.151, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Observed genotype frequencies in Maine are consistent with expectations and with consensus data from five smaller studies. Combined mutational analysis data indicate that homozygosity for C282Y (the genotype found in about 85% of subjects with diagnosed hereditary haemochromatosis) occurs in 51 per 10,000 white subjects of northern European heritage; the corresponding total hereditary haemochromatosis prevalence of about 60 per 10,000 is consistent with previous estimates. The study also confirms that H63D would not be useful in general population screening for hereditary haemochromatosis.
We conducted a 4 x 3 factorial experiment with finishing pigs for 6 wk to evaluate effects of dietary canola oil and vitamin E on vitamin E status and liver fatty acid profile. Treatments consisted of four supplemental levels of vitamin E (0, 50, 125, and 200 mg/kg) and three of canola oil (0, 5, and 10% of the diet). Serum was collected each week and tissue samples at d 42. Dietary canola oil (P = .02) and vitamin E (P < .001) increased serum alpha-tocopherol. Serum alpha-tocopherol reached a plateau at d 35 of vitamin E and canola oil supplementation. An interaction was observed between canola oil and vitamin E (P = .02) for liver alpha-tocopherol. Liver alpha-tocopherol was greater in pigs fed diets with 10% canola oil and supplemented with 125 or 200 mg/kg of vitamin E than in pigs fed diets with 0 and 5% canola oil. An interaction also occurred between canola oil and vitamin E (P = .01) for alpha-tocopherol in the gluteus medius and obliquus capitis caudalis muscles. A greater magnitude of increase in muscle alpha-tocopherol was observed in pigs fed diets with no canola oil than in pigs fed diets with 5 and 10% canola oil. Highest alpha-tocopherol was in liver, followed by obliquus capitis caudalis and then gluteus medius. Inclusion of 5 or 10% dietary canola oil decreased the amount of saturated fatty acids by 4.1 and 13.5%, increased monounsaturated fatty acids by 10.9 and 39.3%, respectively, and had no effect (P > .10) on total polyunsaturated fatty acids. Canola oil increased linoleic acid [18:2(n-6)] (quadratic, P = .05) and linolenic acid [18:3(n-3)] (linear, P < .001) while decreasing arachidonic acid [20:4(n-6)] and docosadienoic acid (20:2) linearly (P < .001 and P = .02, respectively). Dietary canola oil and vitamin E increased serum and tissue alpha-tocopherol; canola oil increased monounsaturated and decreased saturated fatty acids in liver.
We conducted a multiyear study in two phases to determine preweaning performance traits of Senepol (S x S), Hereford (H x H), and reciprocal (S x H and H x S) F1 crossbred calves and feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of steers. In Phase I, from 1985 to 1989, data from S x S (n = 194), H x H (n = 383), and S x H (n = 120) calves were used. Numbers of S x S cows were increased during Phase I so that data from H x S (n = 74) calves could be included in Phase II (1990 to 1992) in addition to S x S (n = 118), H x H (n = 130), and S x H (n = 56) calves. Also during Phase II, feedlot performance and carcass characteristics were determined for S x S (n = 30), H x H (n = 26), H x S (n = 36), and S x H (n = 26) steers. In Phase I, S x S calves had heavier (P < .01) birth weights and heavier (P < .01) 205-d adjusted weaning weights than H x H calves. Birth weights of S x H calves were heavier (P < .01) than the mean of the purebred calves, but 205-d adjusted weaning weights did not differ (P > .10). In phase II, direct heterosis was 3.5% for birth weight (P < .05) and 5.1% for 205-d adjusted weaning weight (P < .01). Senepol maternal breed effects were 1.9 kg for birth weight (P < .10) and 37.9 kg for 205-d adjusted weaning weight (P < .01). Levels of direct heterosis, Senepol maternal breed effects, and Hereford direct breed effects were significant for most feedlot performance traits of steer calves that were fed to a common end point. Breeds did not differ (P > .10) for USDA yield and quality grades, and direct heterosis was not significant for Warner-Bratzler shear force. These results demonstrate significant levels of heterosis in preweaning performance between S x S and H x H calves and in feedlot performance of steers. Levels of heterosis were smaller and nonsignificant for most carcass traits including meat tenderness, which did not differ between S x S and H x H steers in this study.
Estimates of covariances and sire expected progeny differences of additive and nonadditive genetic effects for six carcass traits were obtained using records from 486 straightbred and crossbred steers from 121 sires born between 1989 and 1995 in the Angus-Brahman multibreed herd of the University of Florida. Steers were slaughtered at a similar carcass composition end point. Covariances were estimated by REML procedures, using a generalized expectation-maximization algorithm applied to multibreed populations. Straightbred and crossbred estimates of heritabilities and additive genetic correlations were within ranges found in the literature for steers slaughtered on an age- or weight-constant basis for hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, and shear force but equal to or less than the lower bound of these ranges for fat-related traits. Maximum values of interactibilities (i.e., ratios of nonadditive variances to phenotypic variances in the F1) and nonadditive genetic correlations were smaller than heritabilities and additive genetic correlations in straightbreds and crossbred groups. Sire additive and total direct genetic predictions for longissimus muscle area, marbling, and shear force tended to decrease with the fraction of Brahman alleles, whereas those for hot carcass weight and fat thickness over the longissimus were higher, and those for kidney fat were lower in straightbreds and F1 than in other crossbred groups. Nonadditive genetic predictions were similar across sire groups of all Angus and Brahman fractions. These results suggest that slaughtering steers on a similar carcass composition basis reduces variability of fat-related traits while retaining variability for non-fat-related traits comparable to slaughtering steers on a similar age or weight basis. Selection for carcass traits within desirable (narrow) ranges and slaughter of steers at similar compositional end point seems to be a good combination to help produce meat products of consistent quality.