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D Galbraith

Publications and source records attributed to D Galbraith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Methods for the exclusion of circoviruses and gammaherpesviruses from pigs.

The use of porcine tissues is being developed as a means to alleviate the shortage of allogeneic tissues and organs available for transplantation. To reduce the possibility of a microorganism of pigs being inadvertently transferred to the recipient of the xenograft, recommendations have been published on the microbiological specifications for organ source pigs. The porcine circoviruses (PCV1 and PCV2) and porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV1 and PLHV2) are two infectious agents of pigs which are considered to be of significance for the microbiological safety of xenotransplantation. To ensure the exclusion of these microorganisms from animals destined for use under clinical conditions, reliable breeding methodologies are required. We investigated the efficiency of established derivation procedures for the removal of PCV and PLHV. In comparison with conventionally reared pigs, caesarian and barrier derived animals showed a markedly reduced prevalence of PCVs and PLHVs. Our results indicate that the derivation of animals free of both of these microorganisms is achievable and will enhance the microbiological safety of xenotransplantation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

In vivo analysis of porcine endogenous retrovirus expression in transgenic pigs.

Xenotransplantation offers a potential solution to the shortage of donor organs for allotransplantation. In vitro studies that demonstrate the transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV) from porcine cells to human cells and cell lines have raised concerns regarding the potential transmission of PERV to both xenograft recipients and their contacts (1-4). While no evidence of infection has been detected in any patients who have been treated with a variety of different porcine tissues (5-8), two studies have shown that severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice can be infected by PERV after the transplantation of porcine islets (9-10). To further address the concerns of PERV, expression of this virus in tissues and serum from transgenic pigs that express human decay accelerating factor was investigated. Although viral mRNA expression was detected in a variety of tissues, no evidence of viral release was observed in any of the porcine tissues analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Analysis of porcine serum using the product-based reverse transcriptase assay suggested that virions may be present in porcine serum from large white pigs. However, using methods based on those previously described by Wilson et al. (4), infectious virus was not detected when activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these pigs were cocultivated with human cells known to be permissive for PERV.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Modulation of abscisic acid signal transduction and biosynthesis by an Sm-like protein in Arabidopsis.

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) regulates plant growth and development as well as stress tolerance. The Arabidopsis sad1 (supersensitive to ABA and drought) mutation increases plant sensitivity to drought stress and ABA in seed germination, root growth, and the expression of some stress-responsive genes. sad1 plants are also defective in the positive feedback regulation of ABA biosynthesis genes by ABA and are impaired in drought stress induction of ABA biosynthesis. SAD1 encodes a polypeptide similar to multifunctional Sm-like snRNP proteins that are required for mRNA splicing, export, and degradation. These results suggest a critical role for mRNA metabolism in the control of ABA signaling as well as in the regulation of ABA homeostasis.

Abscisic Acid↗
PubMed2001

Gene expression profiles during the initial phase of salt stress in rice.

Transcript regulation in response to high salinity was investigated for salt-tolerant rice (var Pokkali) with microarrays including 1728 cDNAs from libraries of salt-stressed roots. NaCl at 150 mM reduced photosynthesis to one tenth of the prestress value within minutes. Hybridizations of RNA to microarray slides probed for changes in transcripts from 15 min to 1 week after salt shock. Beginning 15 min after the shock, Pokkali showed upregulation of transcripts. Approximately 10% of the transcripts in Pokkali were significantly upregulated or downregulated within 1 hr of salt stress. The initial differences between control and stressed plants continued for hours but became less pronounced as the plants adapted over time. The interpretation of an adaptive process was supported by the similar analysis of salinity-sensitive rice (var IR29), in which the immediate response exhibited by Pokkali was delayed and later resulted in downregulation of transcription and death. The upregulated functions observed with Pokkali at different time points during stress adaptation changed over time. Increased protein synthesis and protein turnover were observed at early time points, followed by the induction of known stress-responsive transcripts within hours, and the induction of transcripts for defense-related functions later. After 1 week, the nature of upregulated transcripts (e.g., aquaporins) indicated recovery.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1999

High throughput detection of retrovirus-associated reverse transcriptase using an improved fluorescent product enhanced reverse transcriptase assay and its comparison to conventional detection methods.

The development and application of a novel, sensitive TaqMan fluorescent probe-based product enhanced RT test (F-PERT) for the detection of retrovirus are described. The assay allows discrimination between the amplification signals generated by genuine positive signals that result from retroviral RT activity and the RT-like activity from DNA polymerases. The RT-like activity from DNA polymerases was suppressed by the addition of activated calf-thymus DNA with no reduction in the RT activity. A linear relationship between threshold cycle (C(T)) and the number of virus particles was demonstrated, allowing quantification of retroviruses in unknown samples. The F-PERT assay was able to detect a wide range of retroviral RT activities, including that from porcine endogenous retrovirus (PoERV), murine leukaemia virus (MLV), simian foamy virus (SFV), simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) and squirrel monkey retrovirus (SMRV). The detection limit of SMRV, MLV and PoERV was approximately 100 virion particles and the test was able to detect at least 10(2) molecules of purified RT enzyme. RT activity was not detected in cellular lysates and supernatants from MRC-5, BT, VERO, or Raji cells, whereas RT activity was detected in C1271, Mus dunni, K-Balb, BHK-21, CHO-K1, SP2/0-Ag14 and NSO cell supernatants. RT activity was also detected in the Spodoptera cell line Sf9.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

'Primary intention' intracoronary stenting guided by angiography alone: a safe approach.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcome of intracoronary stent placement by 'primary intention', guided by angiography alone, and without the use of postprocedural anticoagulation. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Canadian university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Patients (n=559) undergoing urgent or elective percutaneous revascularization procedures (n=616) in whom a preprocedural decision to employ coronary stent placement was made. Emergency and bailout stent procedures were excluded. INTERVENTION: Stents were delivered at high pressure (1616 to 1818 kPa) on balloons matched to the proximal reference segment diameter. Adequacy of stent deployment was judged by angiographic criteria alone. Postprocedural medication included acetylsalicylic acid and ticlopidine. Quantitative coronary angiographic analysis was independently performed. Acute procedural outcomes were prospectively collected. Patients were followed for one year. RESULTS: All but one patient had a successful angiographic result. Periprocedural death (0.3%), Q wave myocardial infarction (MI) (0%), non-Q MI (1.6%) and stent thrombosis (0.6%) were uncommon events. At one year, 96% of patients were alive and free of MI, while 12% of patients required repeat target lesion revascularization. CONCLUSION: A primary intention strategy of intracoronary stenting, guided by angiography alone, is a safe and effective approach to percutaneous coronary revascularization.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Garlic breath.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1992

Recidivism among individuals detained under a warrant of the Lieutenant-Governor living in the community.

This paper reports the findings of a follow-up study of individuals on a warrant of the Lieutenant-Governor in community placement. Of the 32 individuals who had 8.5 years on average of community access, 6.3% had subsequent convictions. A comparison is made between the risk to the community posed by those on warrants and individuals in the general population. The results suggest that those on warrants have functioned relatively well in the community.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Physician recruitment in Ontario Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals.

Recruitment of Physicians/Psychiatrists to staff the Ontario Provincial Psychiatric Hospitals remains an ongoing problem despite the introduction of measures such as University Affiliation and Incentive Grants. Historically there has been heavy reliance upon Foreign Medical Graduates (GOFM's) who have been denied the possibility of professional mobility and advancement because of restrictive licences. Recent changes in regulations have severely restricted the recruitment of GOFM's. During 1987, details of all physicians employed in the provincial hospitals during the preceeding five years were entered into a computerized data base. This paper presents some initial analyses which indicate that Canadian graduates have provided low levels of service, especially outside major urban centres, quite insufficient to replace the GOFM's. These findings raise urgent social and professional concerns.

Forecasting↗