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Biomedical subjects

D O'Brien

Publications and source records attributed to D O'Brien.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

The roles of cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the regulation of adrenocortical functions: analysis using DNA-mediated gene transfer.

DNA-mediated gene transfer was used to evaluate the cause and effect relationship between mutations in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity and cellular resistance of adrenocortical tumor cells to ACTH and cAMP. Protein kinase defective, Kin 8 adrenocortical tumor cells were transformed with genomic DNA from an ACTH- and cAMP-responsive adrenocortical cell line and screened for the recovery of morphological responses to the cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP (8BrcAMP). 8BrcAMP-responsive transformants were recovered with a frequency of approximately 0.5 per 10(3) transformation-competent cells. These transformants recovered the ability to round up in the presence of ACTH and were able to respond to both ACTH and 8BrcAMP with increased steroidogenesis. They also recovered cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. The transformants, however, were unstable and concomitantly lost cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity and steroidogenic and morphological responses to ACTH and 8BrcAMP. These observations suggest that a single gene, probably the gene encoding the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, is responsible for the resistance of the Kin 8 mutant to ACTH and cAMP.

Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms↗
PubMed1985

Expression of the cloned subunits of bacterial luciferase from separate replicons.

The lux A and lux B genes of Vibrio harveyi, encoding the alpha and beta subunits of bacterial luciferase, were cloned individually into Escherichia coli in two different compatible plasmids. Active luciferase was formed in an amount equal to that produced in cells carrying a plasmid with the cloned genes on a single fragment.

DNA, Recombinant↗
PubMed1985

Fibre-optic assessment of tracheal tube position. A comparison of tracheal tube position as estimated by fibre-optic bronchoscopy and by chest X-ray.

The distance between the tip of a tracheal tube and the carina was measured in twenty five patients who required tracheal intubation and artificial ventilation of the lungs. Two methods of evaluation of this distance--limited-optic bronchoscopy and chest X-ray--were compared. There was no significant difference between the distance measured by either method. The advantages of checking tracheal tube placement by fibre-optic bronchoscopy are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Evaluation of an undergraduate nursing course.

During the past two decades there has been a substantial growth in the number of British universities and polytechnics offering undergraduate nursing degree programmes. However, little attempt has been made to evaluate these courses systematically or to assess the potential impact of graduates on the provision of patient care. This study is concerned with the opinions of former undergraduates and ward sisters with experience of supervising the undergraduate nursing students. It also gives an account of the career progression of the students since graduation. The results indicate that the high academic and clinical demands made upon the students are a major problem and that a number of students encounter serious problems of adjustment during clinical placements. The ward sisters consistently rated the students' clinical abilities as high and the vast majority would like undergraduates allocated to their wards if a similar course was run again in the future. The career progression of the graduates demonstrates that the majority opt for clinical nursing posts.

Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate↗
PubMed1983

Epidural buprenorphine for pain relief after major abdominal surgery. A controlled comparison with epidural morphine.

In a controlled trial epidural buprenorphine was compared with epidural morphine as the sole means of analgesia after major abdominal surgery. Bolus injections of buprenorphine 60 micrograms in 10 ml or morphine 2 mg in 10 ml of normal saline were given on demand for the first 48 hours postoperatively. Both drugs produced significant reduction in pain scores as assessed by the linear visual analogue scale and both produced prolonged analgesia at this dosage, which could be extended by further 'top-ups'. The authors conclude that, for postoperative epidural analgesia, buprenorphine may be the opiate of choice and the reasons for this are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Light-enhanced cross-linking of rhodopsin in rod outer segment membranes as detected by chemical probes.

Bovine rod outer segment membranes were treated with cross-linking reagents before and after light exposure. Bleached membranes showed enhanced cross-linking with difluorodinitrobenzene or methyl acetimidate compared to dark-adapted membranes. The light-induced enhancement of cross-linking may be due to increased association of rhodopsin monomers in the light and/or due to increased reactivity of amino and sulfhydryl groups of bleached rhodopsin. In some instances, the band ascribed to the rhodopsin monomer in gel electrophoresis appears as a partially resolved doublet. Treatment of bleached rod outer segment membranes with methyl acetimidate improved the resolution of the doublet into two closely migrating bands.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Kwashiorkor in the United States.

Kwashiorkor, with typical edema and skin rash is occasionally seen in affluent countries as a result of severe protein restriction. Treatment is with a lactose-free formula after rehydration and sometimes after a period of parenteral alimentation. Complications of therapy included: diarrhea, congestive heart failure, infections, a bleeding tendency, and seizures. Two of the 14 children in this series died.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Dietary management of inborn errors of amino acid metabolism.

Individually, inborn errors of amino acid metabolism are rare. Collectively, however, they constitute a significant group of diseases whose number is constantly increasing. Their recognition is important, especially in childhood, because many of these diseases respond well to diet therapy.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗