The collaborative roles of universities and hospitals in addressing the allied health manpower shortage.
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Allied Health Personnel↗
Biomedical subjects
D Shepherd
Publications and source records attributed to D Shepherd.
Leukocytes and mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage during allergen-induced late-phase asthmatic reactions.
We have measured the total and differential cell counts, histamine, leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4, immunoglobulins, complement (C3), eosinophil-derived basic proteins, and monocyte complement rosettes in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) 6 h after challenge with either antigen or diluent control in seven patients with antigen-induced single early reactions, and seven with dual (early and late phase) reactions. In both groups, the total cell counts in BAL were similar, irrespective of whether they were challenged with antigen or diluent. However, in the late-phase responders (LPR), there were significant increases in lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils (p less than 0.05), and significant decreases in the percentage of lung mast cells (p less than 0.05). The eosinophil major basic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin increased in four of five subjects with dual responses and in the majority of single early responders (SER). BAL histamine concentrations increased in five of seven patients with dual responses. There were no consistent changes in LTB4 concentrations in either the LPR or the SER between diluent and antigen days, but a small but significant increase in LTC4 was observed in the LPR. Concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, C3, and albumin did not differ significantly. The percentage of monocyte complement rosettes also increased significantly (p less than 0.05) in LPR, but not in SER. These findings support the hypothesis that eosinophils and their products play a role in tissue injury in LPR and that eosinophil infiltration may be associated with macrophage activation.
Adolescent↗
Synaptic rearrangement during postembryonic development in the cricket.
Synaptic rearrangement during development is a characteristic of the vertebrate nervous system and was thought to distinguish vertebrates from the invertebrates. However, examination of the wind-sensitive cercal sensory system of the cricket demonstrates that some identified synaptic connections systematically decrease in strength as an animal matures, while others increase in strength over the same period. Moreover, a single sensory neuron could increase the strength of its synaptic connection with one interneuron while decreasing the strength of its connection with another interneuron. Thus, rather than being a hallmark of the vertebrate nervous system, synaptic rearrangement is probably characteristic of the development of many if not all nervous systems.
Action Potentials↗
Competition regulates the efficacy of an identified synapse in crickets.
The efficacy of the synaptic contact between an identified sensory neuron and an identified interneuron in crickets is increased when neighboring afferent synapses are removed early in postembryonic life. The physiological changes are correlated with changes in the structure of the presynaptic neuron's axonal arborizations: When neighboring axons are destroyed, there is a shift of the remaining axonal arbors into deafferented regions and an increase in the number of putative contacts with the postsynaptic neuron. Changes in the structure of the presynaptic neuron also directly affect the probability of formation of this synaptic connection. The connection was found in 67% of the control specimens, but it was present in 100% of the partially deafferented specimens. The results demonstrate that interactions between growing sensory neurons can influence both the probability of synapse formation and the strength of those connections. This is the first case in which the effects of competition on the structure of a single, identified, presynaptic neuron can be directly related to its synaptic efficacy.
Female↗
Inhibition of GABA uptake potentiates the effects of exogenous GABA on locust skeletal muscle.
Insect skeletal muscle is relatively insensitive to applied GABA, responses are elicited only when relatively high concentrations of GABA are used (greater than 10(-6) M). Pretreatment of the muscle with the GABA uptake inhibitors nipecotic acid, beta-aminobutyric acid or beta-alanine increases the sensitivity of the muscle to GABA by as much as 1000-fold. The evidence suggests the existence of a GABA uptake mechanism in the insect neuromuscular system which could reside in glial cells.
Aminobutyrates↗
Regulation of natural killer cell activity by anti-I-region monoclonal antibodies.
The effects of a monoclonal antibody directed against immune response gene products on mouse NK activity were examined. In vivo administration of an anti-I-Ak antibody to C3H/He (H-2k) mice modulated their peritoneal cell (PC) and spleen cell (SC) natural killer (NK) activity against YAC-1 lymphoma target cells in vitro. No such effect was observed when BALB/c (H-2d) mice were treated with this antibody. Administration of anti-I-Ak antibody to mice before and after infection with Toxoplasma or treatment with poly(I:C) leads to suppression of NK activity in comparison to NK activity of mice infected with Toxoplasma or injected with poly(I:C) alone. A similar treatment regimen with M5/114 antibody which reacts with I-Ab, I-Ad, I-Ed, and I-Ek molecules resulted in decreased NK activity in B10.D2 (H-2d) but not in B10.BR (H-2k) mice. Serum and cell culture supernatant interferon (IFN) concentrations were not altered as a result of anti-I-Ak treatment. Removal of adherent cells did not restore NK activity of anti-I-Ak-treated Toxoplasma-infected mice to levels obtained with mice infected with Toxoplasma. In contrast, depletion of Ly 2.1+ cells from nylon-wool nonadherent SC of mice treated with anti-I-Ak antibody, before and after infection with Toxoplasma, resulted in restoration of NK activity to the same level as that observed in Toxoplasma-infected mice.
Animals↗
Self-assessment of specific interpersonal skills of medical undergraduates using immediate feedback through closed-circuit television.
For a 2-week period, fifth-year medical students of the University of Melbourne are attached to a general practice to obtain experience in primary medical care. During this time they also attend a number of seminars in the Department of Community Medicine. In one session of 45 minutes duration, pairs of students are videotaped, each role-playing a diagnostic and a management interview. To determine the value of this session in improving clinical history-taking specific interpersonal skills by self-assessment and discussion, a questionnaire was administered consecutively to three groups, each of twenty-six students. It was found that being videotaped in a role-playing situation was an acceptable procedure to most students. An analysis of the results shows that the method outlined is a practical form of immediate self-assessment, and that the technique could be used to reinforce clinical history-taking, and specific interpersonal skills of students.
Australia↗
The effect of changes in pH on phosphate and potassium uptake by Monascus rubiginosus ATCC 16367 in submerged shaken culture.
Monascus rubiginosus ATCC 16367 was cultivated aerobically in media containing ammonium and nitrate as nitrogen source. The pH of the medium was adjusted at different times, the pH of the nitrate medium being lowered to the pH of the ammonium medium and the pH of the ammonium medium raised to that of the nitrate. More phosphate was taken up on the nitrate medium, but potassium uptake did not start until 24h. On the ammonium medium, both were taken up in parallel from the beginning, but the amount of phosphate taken up never reached the same level as on nitrate medium. When the pH was adjusted, the uptakes changed, especially on the ammonium medium where a great increase in phosphate uptake was observed. More conidia were formed on the nitrate medium and more pigment on the ammonium medium. When the pH of either media was adjusted, the development of conidia and pigment production changed to that of the other control medium where the pH evolved normally in the direction of the change, regardless of the source of nitrogen. The reasons for the development of conidia on nitrate medium or where the pH is high, and the production of pigment on ammonium medium or at low pH is discussed.
Ascomycota↗
The effect of pH and amino acids on conidiation and pigment production of Monascus major ATCC 16362 and Monascus rubiginosus ATCC 16367 in submerged shaken culture.
Monascus major ATCC 16362 and Monascus rubiginosus ATCC 16367 were cultivated aerobically on media containing nitrate or ammonium as nitrogen source to which the following modifications were made: (1) pH adjusted to 2.5 before sterilization; (2) addition of yeast extract; (3) addition of amino acids in identical proportions and concentrations to those found in yeast extract; (4) adjustment of pH to 2.5 after addition of amino acids. The addition of amino acids in the form of yeast extract increased mycelium formation and reduced conidiation and pigment production. The addition of an amino acid mixture did not increase mycelium formation to the same extent as yeast extract but increased the number of conidia, while pigment production was reduced, especially when nitrate was the nitrogen source. As the amino acids are taken up after conidial formation has started, it would appear that it is not the amino acids themselves which are directly responsible for the induction of conidiation. The addition of amino acids inhibits nitrate and ammonium uptake suggesting the need for an early intracellular nitrogen limitation to induce conidiation. Lowering the pH inhibits the formation of conidia and increases pigment production; also the effect of amino acid addition is totally annulled. The pH of the medium is all important in regulating the formation of conidia and pigment production. The possible effects of the pH on the uptake of certain medium components is discussed, as well as their possible control of certain metabolic pathways which ultimately determines the availability of intermediates for conidiation and pigment production.
Aerobiosis↗
The effect of different nitrogen sources on pigment production and sporulation of Monascus species in submerged, shaken culture.
Thirty-nine strains from the genus Monascus were cultivated aerobically to study the relation between nitrogen nutrition and sporulation and pigment production. The effects of yeast extract, nitrate, ammonium, and ammonium nitrate have been compared. During cultivation the pHs of the different media are not the same, resulting in the formation of different coloured pigments. When the source of nitrogen is yeast extract or nitrate the pH is around 6.5 and red pigments are formed, whereas with ammonium or ammonium nitrate the pH is around 2.5 and the pigments are orange. It is proposed that only the orange pigments, monascorubrin and rubropunctatin, are produced biosynthetically and that the other pigments are formed from these by chemical transformations depending on the cultural conditions. The presence of organic nitrogen is optimal for growth and unfavourable for pigment production. Reduced growth and best pigment formation occurs with the three other nitrogen sources. Nitrate stimulates conidiation and sexual reproduction, while ammonium is inhibitory. Pigment production is better when conidiation is reduced. A mechanism is proposed for the control of sporulation and pigment production.
Ascomycota↗
Do newspaper reports of coroners' inquests incite people to commit suicide?
A statistical association has been found between reports of suicide inquests in a local paper and the subsequent suicide of men under 45 years.
Adult↗
Sexal reproductive cycle of Monascus in submerged shaken culture.
A strain of Monascus was grown in submerged, shaken culture using a glucose-salts mediumn. The formation of ascospores was studied by microscopic examination of samples taken at regular intervals for 6 days. All the stages of sexual reproduction previously described for Monascus were observed. The unusual feature of the strain studied was that it produced sexual structures and cliestothecia of greatly varying sizes.
Ascomycota↗
The aftermath of suicide.
Forty-four spouses of suicides followed up after five years showed no significant differences from the widowed by other causes in respect of mortality and remarriage rates. A minority were stigmatized and most found the inquest unpleasant. Outcome was evenly polarized into better off and worse off.
Adult↗
Osmiophilic structure in pigment-producing Flavobacterium mutants.
A highly osmiophilic structure observed in all pigment-producing mutants of Flavobacterium examined is described. Several factors favor the possibility that this structure might be related to pigment synthesis or pigment accumulation.
Carotenoids↗
Glycogen phosphorylase of Neurospora crassa.
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Adenine Nucleotides↗
Neurospora crassa glycogen phosphorylase: characterization and kinetics via a new radiochemical assay for phosphorolysis.
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Animals↗
The kinetic properties of citrate synthase from rat liver mitochondria.
1. Citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7) was purified 750-fold from rat liver. 2. Measurements of the Michaelis constants for the substrates of citrate synthase gave values of 16mum for acetyl-CoA and 2mum for oxaloacetate. Each value is independent of the concentration of the other substrate. 3. The inhibition of citrate synthase by ATP, ADP and AMP is competitive with respect to acetyl-CoA. With respect to oxaloacetate the inhibition by AMP is competitive, but the inhibition by ADP and ATP is mixed, being partially competitive. 4. At low concentrations of both substrates the inhibition by ATP is sigmoidal and a Hill plot exhibits a slope of 2.5. 5. The pH optimum of the enzyme is 8.7, and is not significantly affected by ATP. 6. Mg(2+) inhibits citrate synthase slightly, but relieves the inhibition caused by ATP in a complex manner. 7. At constant total adenine nucleotide concentration made up of various proportions of ATP, ADP and AMP, the activity of citrate synthase is governed by the concentration of the sum of the energy-rich phosphate bonds of ADP and ATP. 8. The sedimentation coefficient of the enzyme, as measured by activity sedimentation, is 6.3s, equivalent to molecular weight 95000.
Adenine Nucleotides↗