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Biomedical subjects

D J Allen

Publications and source records attributed to D J Allen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Reinforcing effects of prerecorded words and delayed speech feedback on the verbal behavior of a neologistic schizophrenic.

The possibility of using prerecorded words and 2-sec. delayed speech feedback as reinforcement in the reconditioning of intelligible verbal responses in a chronic, neologistic schizophrenic patient was investigated. A test situation was devised which involved daily presentation of 100 stimulus word-picture cards to elicit verbal responses. The results indicated that both singly presented prerecorded words and delayed speech feedback apparently strengthened correct and intelligible verbal responding.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Surface topography of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni extracted from cerebrospinal fluid.

An axenic culture of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, strain A-1, was obtained from the American Type Culture collection and injected, via the cisterna magna, into the subarachnoid space of dogs. Attention was focused on the pleomorphic surface specialization of the pathogens suspended in cerebrospinal fluid and compared with those from trypticase soy broth suspensions. Light and scanning electron microscopic comparisons of both inoculated and stock (control) specimens demonstrated similar surface features such as microvillous-like to bleb-like microappendages projecting from variably smooth to undulating membranous exteriors. This study introduces a potentially useful morphological technique that could possibly be of assistance in the more rapid diagnosis of these infections facilitated by SEM screening of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed1977

Scanning electron microscopy of Acanthamoeba culbertsoni as observed in the subarachnoid space.

Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the pathogenic protozoan, Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, in the leptomeningeal subarachnoid space surrounding the spinal cord of the experimentally inoculated dog. Know to inhabit such areas as moist soils, stagnant waters, and sewage around the world, these protozoans have been identified as etiologic agents in numerous cases of meningoencephalitis. Infection occurs via a nasopharyngeal inoculation, through penetration of the olfactory mucosal epithelium and cribriform plate, into the subarachnoid space, whence it gains access to the central nervous system. Stock preparations of these amebae extracted directly from their culture medium for scanning microscopic study provided an index for their identification within the subarachnoid space and also permitted a heretofore unobserved survey of their pleomorphic surface features. From the observations of others, it had appeared that the ultimate portal of entry into the central nervous system involved some type of cytolytic process; however, this study illustrates an action of simple diapedesis in which the organisms seek a pathway of least resistance; namely the naturally-occurring pial fenestrations.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Scanning electron microscopy of the subarachnoid space in the dog. III. Cranial levels.

Young dogs were anesthetized by intrathoracic injection of sodium pentobarbital and perfused with buffered aldehydes. Lining tissue samples from the cranial subarachnoid space were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) by postfixing in buffered OSO4. Samples were then dehydrated, dried in a Critical Point Drying System, and coated with carbon and palladium-gold. Specimens were viewed in a Cambridge S4 scanning electron microscope. After thorough scanning, selected samples were routinely prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and viewed in a Philips EM-200 transmission electron microscope. This study depicts the surface morphology of the meningeal linings of the cranial subarachnoid space. The cranial pia mater possesses natural gaps or fenestrations between cells. SEM reveals a more complex morphology of arachnoid trabeculae than previously interpreted from light and transmission electron microscopy. Many free cells are observed on the meningeal linings of the subarachnoid space. The present study establishes that these free cells are macrophages by means of definitive TEM correlates. Microvillous-like processes extending between macrophages and the pial surface are present. The frequency and the nature of these thin processes suggest the possibility of a plasmalemma-mediated system of communication.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Scanning electron microscopy of epiplexus macrophages (Kolmer cells) in the dog.

Young dogs (6-14 weeks) were perfused with buffered aldehydes by standard techniques. The inferior medullary velum and tela choroidea were removed intact from the fourth ventricle, post-osmicated, dehydrated, critical point dried, coated with palladium-gold and examined in a Cambridge Stereoscan S4 scanning electron microscope. Selected samples after thorough scanning were routinely prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This study depicts numerous epiplexus (Kolmer cell) macrophages that exhibit extreme polymorphism. Because of the pleomorphic nature of these cells and their processes, classification based on external morphology is not practical. TEM shows their internal structure to be that of a macrophage. Bleb-like structures and bulbous projections appear to emerge from certain ependymal cell surfaces which seem to be completely or partially devoid of cilia.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Transport and storage of serotonin by thrombin-treated platelets.

Repeated thrombin treatment of washed platelets prepared from rabbits can decrease the serotonin content of the platelets by about 80%. When these platelets are deaggregated they reaccumulate serotonin but their storage capacity for serotonin is reduced by about 60%. If thrombin-pretreated platelets are allowed to equilibrate with a high concentration of serotonin (123 mu M), they release a smaller percentage of their total serotonin upon further thrombin treatment, in comparison with the percentage of serotonin released from control platelets equilibrated with the same concentration of serotonin calculations indicate that in thrombin-treated platelets reequilibrated with serotonin, two-thirds of the serotonin is in the granule compartment and one-third is in the extragranular compartment, presumably the cytoplasm. Analysis of the exchange of serotonin between the suspending fluid and the platelets showed that thrombin treatment does not alter the transport rate of serotonin across the platelet membrane and does not cause increased diffusion of serotonin from the platelets into the suspending fluid. The primary reason for the reduced serotonin accumulation by the thrombin-treated platelets appears to be loss of amine storage granules or of the storage capacity within the granules.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

The use and analysis of multiple responses in multicompartment cellular systems.

Within multicompartment cellular systems in the steady state the distrubution of tracer as a function of time is described by sums of exponentials. A design for data collection and analysis is set forward to deal with the problems of lumping and ill-conditioning inherent in such a mathematical description. This design requires the provision of multiple responses and can be analyzed by a Bayesian multivariate technique. Although only one response may be capable of completely characterizing the system, there is much to be gained from additional responses in terms of precision in parameter estimation. A time series is used to account for autocorrelated error in the responses. The design is compared to other least squares approaches and is demonstrated in an investigation of the transport and storage of serotonin in blood platelets. The kinetic parameters describing serotinin movement are estimated and their joint confidnece regions plotted.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1970

Mode of action of alpha-methylnoradrenaline on temperature and oxygen consumption in young chickens.

1. Temperature, oxygen consumption, electromyographic activity, plasma non-esterified fatty acids and blood sugar were estimated in conscious unrestrained young chickens under conditions of thermoneutrality (31 degrees C) and below thermoneutrality (16 degrees C). In some chickens carotid arterial pressure was also recorded.2. At thermoneutrality, alpha-methylnoradrenaline lowered temperature and oxygen consumption in intact or chronically vagotomized chicks. alpha-Methylnoradrenaline was ineffective on temperature in chicks with transection of the brain-stem posterior to the hypothalamus but anterior to the respiratory centre. Hypothermia due to alpha-methylnoradrenaline was associated with a significant reduction of plasma non-esterified fatty acids but blood sugar was not significantly altered. Lowering of temperature by alpha-methylnoradrenaline occurred despite vasoconstriction which would hinder heat loss.3. Temperature and oxygen consumption were reduced by alpha-methylnoradrenaline in chronically thyroidectomized chicks to the same extent as in intact chicks but recovery did not occur unless the chicks were taken from the metabolism chamber and warmed artificially. In contrast, chronically thyroidectomized chicks given replacement thyroxine were relatively resistant to alpha-methylnoradrenaline.4. Oxygen consumption of tissue slices from different parts of the chick's brain, including the diencephalon, was not altered by alpha-methylnoradrenaline over an extensive dose range. The effects of alpha-methylnoradrenaline on temperature and oxygen consumption in intact chickens were unlikely, therefore, to be due to depressed metabolism of neurones.5. In an environment below thermoneutrality (16 degrees C) temperature was considerably reduced and carotid arterial pressure fell 40-50 mmHg. In contrast, electromyographic activity, oxygen consumption and plasma non-esterified fatty acids were markedly raised whereas blood sugar was insignificantly elevated.6. In experiments at 16 degrees C, alpha-methylnoradrenaline markedly reduced oxygen consumption although values were still higher than those at thermoneutrality. Temperature fell further, but whereas the reductions in oxygen consumption and temperature were long-lasting, electromyographic activity (shivering) was only transiently diminished. Plasma non-esterified fatty acids were reduced after alpha-methylnoradrenaline but not significantly so; blood sugar was not significantly altered. The time-course for recovery of oxygen consumption following a-methylnoradrenaline paralleled recovery from its blood pressure effects but the effect on oxygen consumption was not a consequence of the blood pressure changes. The effects of a-methylnoradrenaline on temperature, oxygen consumption and electromyographic activity were similar to those of another central depressant, pentobarbitone.

Animals↗