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Biomedical subjects

D Jamieson

Publications and source records attributed to D Jamieson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Acute effects of kava on measures of cognitive performance, physiological function and mood.

Volunteer subjects were assigned to receive a mixture of the intoxicating substance, kava, in a mixture with fruit juice, or juice alone. Subjects then undertook tasks of acute cognitive functioning, including reaction time and tracking tasks, and a measure of body sway. Heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure were recorded and subjects were asked to rate their degree of intoxication and complete a stress/arousal check list. Subjects receiving kava reported feelings of intoxication which peaked approximately one hour after kava ingestion. Compared to the group receiving juice alone, the group receiving kava also had increased body sway. There were no other statistically significant differences between groups, although the mean cognitive performance of the group receiving kava was generally poorer.

Journal Article↗

Effect of humidity on hyperoxic toxicity.

Time to onset of hyperbaric oxygen-induced convulsions was measured in mice and rats exposed to hyperbaric oxygen (515-585 kPa) under conditions of low humidity (dry gas, < 10% relative humidity) or in a humidified environment (60% relative humidity). At all pressures tested, the duration of convulsive activity was markedly increased (P < 0.001), because of the earlier onset of severe generalized convulsions, in the groups of rodents exposed to the higher humidity. Pulmonary oxygen poisoning was determined by increases in lung wet and dry weights. Such pulmonary damage was also significantly (P < 0.001) increased in the humidified groups. Hyperoxic toxicity was also measured in rats and mice exposed to approximately 100% oxygen (normobaric hyperoxia) under conditions of 30 or 62% relative humidity. In contrast to the results obtained with hyperbaric oxygen exposure, there was slightly less toxicity in the rodents maintained at 62% compared with 30% humidity in normobaric hyperoxia.

Animals↗

Effects of antioxidants on oxygen toxicity in vivo and lipid peroxidation in vitro.

Convulsions and pulmonary damage result when animals are exposed to hyperbaric oxygen at pressures above about 300 kPa. Several hydroxyl radical scavengers (namely dimethylsulphoxide, dimethylthiourea and mannitol), the iron chelator desferrioxamine and the lipid antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene were tested for possible protection against such hyperbaric oxygen toxicity. Dimethylthiourea and dimethylsulphoxide prolonged the latency to the first convulsion, but, surprisingly, dimethylthiourea very significantly increased pulmonary damage at both pressures used (515 and 585 kPa). Desferrioxamine also slightly increased lung damage at 585 kPa. Other antioxidants did not alter neurotoxicity or pulmonary toxicity induced by hyperbaric oxygen at 515 or 585 kPa. The antioxidants were also tested for their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation (TBARS formation) in vitro. Desferrioxamine (5 and 50 microM), and butylated hydroxytoluene (0.1 mM and 1 mM) greatly inhibited TBARS formation in brain and lung homogenates incubated at 37 degrees. None of the hydroxyl radical scavengers affected TBARS levels in homogenates. There was no correlation between in vitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation and in vivo protection against oxygen toxicity.

Animals↗

The effect of a fish oil enriched diet on oxygen toxicity and lipid peroxidation in mice.

Mice were fed a chow diet or diets enriched in fish oil, sunflower oil or beef tallow for 3 weeks. Fatty acid analysis was carried out in samples of plasma, brain and lungs from these animals and large changes were found in plasma and lungs with relatively small dietary-induced changes in brain tissue. Bleeding times were increased very significantly in the fish oil group, and slightly increased in the sunflower oil group. Endogenous lipid peroxidation (measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) was unchanged in lung and brain, but lung tissue from fish oil fed mice produced more lipid peroxides in vitro during incubation at 37 degrees than those of other dietary groups. Mice fed the four different diets were exposed to hyperbaric oxygen at 618, 585 and 515 kPa and convulsive activity and lung damage was recorded. No dietary-induced alterations in susceptibility to oxygen toxicity were found.

Animals↗

Development of tolerance to kava in mice.

1. The development of tolerance to the aqueous extract of kava, and to the lipid soluble extract (kava resin) was tested in mice. 2. Tolerance to the unknown pharmacologically active ingredient(s) developed very rapidly, given parenterally, in the aqueous extract. A minimally effective daily dose (50 mg/kg) of the aqueous extract for 3 days was sufficient to produce tolerance to a test dose of 150 mg/kg, which is close to the ED50. As tolerance was evident at the first test period it can be assumed to be physiological tolerance. 3. Kava resin decreased spontaneous motility and caused a loss of muscle control. A minimally effective daily dose of kava resin (100 mg/kg) did not produce tolerance to the above effects of a weekly test dose of kava resin (166 mg/kg) within 7 weeks. In a further experiment the dose was raised to 150 mg/kg twice daily and this schedule caused partial tolerance to occur within 3 weeks, but very little further tolerance developed over the ensuing 2-week period. 4. To try to induce learned (behaviourally acquired) tolerance a dose of 166 mg/kg kava resin was injected daily and animals were tested each day while under the influence of the drug. However, even under these conditions, there was no tolerance evident within 3 weeks, when the experiment was terminated. 5. It appears difficult to induce the development of physiological or learned tolerance to kava resin in mice.

Animals↗

Relation of hyperglycemia early in ischemic brain infarction to cerebral anatomy, metabolism, and clinical outcome.

We studied the relation of serum glucose level measured in the first 12 hours of symptoms to the clinical findings, results of computed tomography (CT), and patterns of cerebral metabolism in 39 patients who had acute ischemic cerebral infarction. Structural damage was assessed by CT. Metabolic disruption was assessed using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography (PET). Median initial serum glucose concentration was 155 mg/dl (6.7 mM). Clinical recovery was significantly poorer in patients with initial serum glucose levels higher than the median (p less than 0.05, chi square). PET tended to show normal results or minor abnormalities in patients with initial glucose levels less than the median, as opposed to lobar or multilobe abnormalities in patients with levels that were higher than the median (p less than 0.05, Kendall's Tau b). The severity of hypometabolism in the ischemic region, expressed as the percent asymmetry of local cerebral glucose metabolism between homologous brain regions, was greater in patients with initial glycemia concentrations higher than the median (p less than 0.001, t test). Relationships of serum glucose level with metabolic derangement and structural damage, but not outcome, held true in patients without a history of diabetes mellitus.

Aged↗

Middle cerebral artery strokes causing homonymous hemianopia: positron emission tomography.

Eight patients were evaluated with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography between 3 and 30 days after isolated stroke involving the middle cerebral artery territory that caused homonymous hemianopia. Diffuse hypometabolism was present throughout the damaged cerebral hemisphere, even in cortical areas not obviously ischemic by clinical examination or neuro-imaging. Glucose metabolism in primary and association visual cortex of the damaged hemisphere was decreased by more than 47% (p less than 0.01). Metabolism in the undamaged hemisphere was less profoundly affected, but significant decrements were found in calcarine (40%; p less than 0.01) and lateral occipital cortex (35%; p less than 0.05).

Brain Ischemia↗

Cerebral blood flow variations in CNS lupus.

We studied the patterns of cerebral blood flow (CBF), over time, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and varying neurologic manifestations including headache, stroke, psychosis, and encephalopathy. For 20 paired xenon-133 CBF measurements, CBF was normal during CNS remissions, regardless of the symptoms. CBF was significantly depressed during CNS exacerbations. The magnitude of change in CBF varied with the neurologic syndrome. CBF was least affected in patients with nonspecific symptoms such as headache or malaise, whereas patients with encephalopathy or psychosis exhibited the greatest reductions in CBF. In 1 patient with affective psychosis, without clinical or CT evidence of cerebral ischemia, serial SPECT studies showed resolution of multifocal cerebral perfusion defects which paralleled clinical recovery.

Adult↗

Positron emission tomography to study the effect of eye closure and optic nerve damage on human cerebral glucose metabolism.

We used 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose and positron emission tomography to evaluate the effect of visual deprivation on brain glucose metabolism. In experiment 1, we compared local cerebral metabolic rates for glucose in seven normal volunteers studied with eyes closed to 11 age- and sex-matched normal volunteers studied with eyes open. Whole brain metabolism was similar in the two groups, and region/whole brain analysis of metabolic data showed that metabolism in the calcarine posterior cortex was decreased by 14% (P less than .05) with eye closure. Glucose metabolism in other regions was not different between the two groups. In experiment 2, we compared glucose metabolism in six patients with severe bilateral optic neuropathies to 12 age- and sex-matched normal controls. Whole brain glucose metabolism was unchanged in the optic neuropathy group compared to controls. However, statistically significant reductions in glucose metabolism in the optic neuropathy group were found in anterior calcarine cortex (17%), posterior calcarine cortex (27%), peristriate cortex (27%), and lateral occipital cortex (15%). The metabolic effects of damage to the pregeniculate visual system went well beyond those of simple eye closure.

Adolescent↗

Oxygen toxicity and reactive oxygen metabolites in mammals.

The current hypothesis for the damage caused to mammalian tissues by hyperoxia is that oxygen radicals and related reactive oxygen metabolites are formed at rates which exceed the ability of the cells' natural antioxidant defense mechanisms to detoxify these deleterious products. In this review a very brief description of oxygen pathology is given together with data on the relevance of in vivo tissue pO2 levels. After a short historical account of the biochemistry of oxygen toxicity in the pre-radical days. the evidence for the current status of the radical theory is reviewed. This covers the probable sources of excess reactive oxygen metabolite generation under conditions of increased oxygen tension, and the measurement of the reactive species thought to be important in causing this damage. The large volume of circumstantial evidence, including the production of tolerance, raising or lowering antioxidant defenses and the administration of exogenously produced radicals is considered.

Animals↗

Alzheimer's disease with prominent visual symptoms. Clinical and metabolic evaluation.

The authors examined eight patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT), five with prominent visual symptoms early in the illness (VS) and three with no visual symptoms (NVS). Results of neuro-ophthalmologic examinations on VS patients showed relatively consistent abnormalities in figure copying, color vision tested by isochromatic plates, and stereopsis. Cerebral glucose metabolism determined by 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) was unchanged in primary visual cortex of VS and NVS patients compared with 12 normal volunteers of similar age and sex. Glucose metabolism in VS patients was decreased by 45 and 34% in left and right visual association cortex (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05, respectively) and 34 and 37% in left and right inferior parietal cortex (P less than 0.05) compared with controls; NVS patients had no significant metabolic alteration in these areas. Symptoms, physical examination, and metabolic imaging imply that these patients are a heterogenous but distinct clinical subgroup of DAT often with mild dementia who have visual symptoms due primarily to visual agnosia.

Aged↗

Temporal resolution in children.

The auditory temporal resolving power of young children was measured using an adaptive forced-choice psychophysical paradigm that was disguised as a video game. 20 children between 3 and 7 years of age and 5 adults were asked to detect the presence of a temporal gap in a burst of half-octave-band noise at band center frequencies of 400 and 2,000 Hz. The minimum detectable gap (gap threshold) was estimated adaptively in 20-trial runs. The mean gap thresholds in the 400-Hz condition were higher for the younger children than for the adults, with the 3-year-old children producing the highest thresholds. Gap thresholds in the 2,000-Hz condition were generally lower than in the 400-Hz condition and showed a similar age effect. All the individual adaptive runs were "adult-like," suggesting that the children were generally attentive to the task during each run. However, the variability of threshold estimates from run to run was substantial, especially in the 3-5-year-old children. Computer simulations suggested that this large within-subjects variability could have resulted from frequent, momentary lapses of attention, which would lead to "guessing" on a substantial portion of the trials.

Attention↗

Low temperature worsens mammalian oxygen toxicity.

Oxygen toxicity was assessed in mice exposed to 5 ATA of oxygen. Central nervous system toxicity was measured as the latent period before convulsions, and lung damage estimated by wet and dry weight measurements. Our results confirmed previous findings that hyperbaric oxygen induces hypothermia in animals, and this effect is profound in mice exposed to 5 ATA of oxygen at ambient temperatures of 15 degrees C and 5 degrees C. However, even marked hypothermia had very little effect on the latent times to convulsions in mice. Unexpectedly, the combination of hypothermia and hyperbaric oxygen produced much more severe lung damage than either treatment alone, with a 2.7-fold increase in weight in the 5 degrees C group (average rectal temperature of 16.1 degrees C). These results indicate that hyperoxic-induced hypothermia cannot be considered a protective mechanism against oxygen toxicity and indeed hypothermia can markedly potentiate hyperbaric oxygen toxicity.

Animals↗

Positron emission tomography in the investigation of central nervous system disorders.

Positron emission tomography is a noninvasive tomographic technique for measuring regional tissue concentrations of labeled radionuclides in man. Detection of two photons emitted from the annihilation of a positron and an electron is used to reconstruct the distribution of a positron-emitting isotope within an organ. PET provides the capacity to measure quantitatively the local tissue distribution of a variety of radionuclides that are attached to compounds that distribute according to function. Commonly measured functions include local cerebral metabolism using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose or 11C-deoxyglucose, cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen utilization, and cerebral blood volume. Clinical applications of PET are multiple, involving normal and disease states. By demonstrating the metabolic alterations, PET adds another dimension to our understanding of the brain, which up until recently has been based on the structural changes seen on CT and MRI.

Aging↗

Mapping the testis determinants by an analysis of Y-specific sequences in males with apparent XX and XO karyotypes and females with XY karyotypes.

A number of patients with paradoxical sex chromosome complements (so-called XY females, XX and XO males) have been investigated with a series of 19 Yp and 4 Yq DNA probes to establish which region of the Y is essential for male sexual differentiation. Of the 23 XX males, 18 possessed one or more Yp probe sequences with only 5 lacking such sequences. Of 9 XY females examined, only one showed evidence of a deletion in Yp occurring either as a result of X-Y interchange or interstitial deletion. This suggests that the majority of XY females are not commonly deleted for those Y sequences which are found to be transferred to the X in XX males. The DNA of two XO males both contained different portions of the Y. From a comparison of the patterns of Yp sequences in these patients, it has been possible to elaborate a model of Yp in terms of the order of probe sequences and to suggest a location for the testis determining region in distal Yp.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Endogenous opioids are not involved in the pathology induced by hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

In mice, oxygen at hyperbaric pressures (515 kPa; 5 ATA) induces convulsions and lung damage (edema and hemorrhage). Morphine treatment (15 mg X kg-1, i.p.) significantly protects against the development of this pathology. The protection is abolished by naloxone (1 mg X kg-1, i.p.). Electric footshock, which induces diverse opioid effects, affords no protection against hyperbaric oxygen damage. Possible mechanisms of the morphine action are discussed.

Animals↗

Regional assignment of Y-linked DNA probes by deletion mapping and their homology with X-chromosome and autosomal sequences.

A series of Y recombinants have been isolated from Y-specific DNA libraries and regionally located on the Y chromosome using a Y deletion panel constructed from individuals carrying structural abnormalities of the Y chromosome. Of twenty recombinants examined twelve have been assigned to Yp and eight to Yq. Five of the Yp recombinants map between Yp11.2 and Ypter and one can only be assigned to Yp. Of the former, four detect homologies on the X chromosome between Xq13 and Xq24 and the latter one between Xp22.3 and Xpter. The sixth recombinant detects autosomal homologous sequences. The six remaining Yp probes are located between Ycen and Yp11.2. One of these detects a homology on the X chromosome at Xq13-Xq24 and a series of autosomal sequences, two detect uniquely Y-specific sequences and three a complex pattern of autosomal homologies. The remaining eight recombinants have been assigned to three intervals on Yq. Of three recombinants located between Ycen and Yq11.21 two detect only Y sequences and one additional autosomal homologies. Two recombinants lie in the interval Yq11.21-Yq11-22, one of which detects only Y sequences and the other an Xp homology between Xp22.3 and Xpter. Finally, the three remaining Yq recombinants all detect autosomal homologies and are located between Yq11.22 and Yq12. The divergence between homologies on different chromosomes has been examined for three recombinants by washing Southern Blots at different levels of stringency. Additionally, Southern analysis of DNA from flow sorted chromosomes has been used to identify autosomes carrying homologies to two of the Y recombinants.

Chromosome Deletion↗