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Biomedical subjects

D Young

Publications and source records attributed to D Young.

At least 595 records · Page 33Linked to original sources

A specific antibody for cells with acquired B antigen.

An acquired B antigen, present on the red blood cells of a healthy male blood donor, was investigated. An anti-B typing serum which initially detected the weak antigen on the donor cells contained a separable antibody that was specific for cells with the acquired B antigen and did not react with normal group B cells. A similar, specific, immune antibody was produced in a rabbit by the injection of red blood cells with an acquired B antigen.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Validating the probability of paternity.

In cases of disputed parentage, it is commonly thought that the probability of paternity (P) represents the probability that the tested man is the biologic father of the child whose parentage is in doubt and that the paternity index (PI) is the likelihood ratio that enters into this probability. Using the results of HLA typing in a sample of disputed parentage cases, the distribution of P was examined within two groups: actual mother-alleged father-child trios, and simulated mother-unrelated man-child trios. These distributions were found to be roughly consistent with the usual understanding of P.

Female↗

Do plasma norepinephrine levels reflect behavioral stress?

The interpretation of plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels is not straightforward because such levels represent a complex of synaptic discharge, metabolism, uptake, and regional blood flow. Some investigators have argued that peripheral NE levels bear little semblance to sympathetic nervous system activity affecting the cardiovascular system. This study examines this question in further detail. Eleven men (average age = 29) were studied. Plasma NE levels were obtained through continuous blood withdrawal from an antecubital vein, and simultaneous blood pressures were also monitored. Each subject was studied during four 4-min intervals of rest and during four 4-min intervals of a psychiatric stress interview. The interview was a friendly, intense discussion about upsetting situations the subject faced. The interview was a powerful and consistent tool for evoking physiologic responses. It led to an 83% increase in NE levels across all time intervals (p less than 0.001). During these same intervals, systolic pressure increased by 16 mm (p less than 0.0003) and diastolic by 13 mm (p less than 0.0001); furthermore, systolic and diastolic pressures were correlated with peripheral NE levels. This implies that the increased peripheral NE level was not merely a local phenomenon but reflected a signal affecting the entire vascular system.

Adult↗

Prevalence of lower genital tract infections in pregnancy.

A descriptive profile of 106 pregnant women with various forms of cervicitis and vaginitis is provided. Fifty women attending individual physicians' private offices are compared with 56 clinic patients: 34 attending a university prenatal teaching clinic and 22 attending a pregnancy termination unit. Univariate analysis showed that single women were significantly more likely to be infected by mycoplasmas, yeasts, trichomonads, and Gardnerella vaginalis than were married women. Teenagers were more frequently infected by Mycoplasma hominis, yeasts, and Trichomonas vaginalis than were women older than 20 years. After stepwise logistic regression analysis, the most significant predictor of infection with M. hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, or yeasts was being a clinic patient; for G. vaginalis, the most significant variable was being unmarried. These data suggest that teenaged and single women who are pregnant will benefit most from routine screening for vaginitis/cervicitis-producing microorganisms.

Adolescent↗

Blood-brain barrier penetration of felbamate.

The brain uptake index (BUI) method of Oldendorf was used to examine blood-brain barrier (BBB) drug transport in mice, rats, and rabbits; felbamate (FBM) extraction (E) in a single transcapillary passage was 5-20%, and drug uptake in rat brain was not concentration-dependent. Like diazepam, FBM was retained in mouse brain. To ensure that radioactivity measurements reflected the disposition of parent drug and not some metabolite, extracts of mouse brain were prepared for further analysis. No FBM metabolites were detected in brain 5 min after administration: In silica gel thin-layer chromatography (TLC), a single [14C]FBM peak was detected--Rf = 0.504 (70:30 acetone:hexane). Confirmatory high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separations [30% methanol, 1.3 ml/min, C18 column, ultraviolet (UV) detection 254 nm] indicated a single peak containing greater than 93% of the radioactivity in the FBM fraction (12-min retention time). In a single transit through the liver (a nonbarrier tissue with fenestrated capillaries), FBM E was 82%. The octanol:buffered saline partition coefficient of FBM was (log PFBM =) 0.54 +/- 0.01. Thus, lipid-mediated BBB penetration of FBM is similar to that of phenytoin (PHT) and phenobarbital (PB). Plasma proteins do not affect FBM entry to the brain: neither human serum, nor bovine or human serum albumin (BSA, HSA), nor human alpha 1 acid glycoprotein (orosomucoid) significantly modified BBB FBM extraction. Erythrocyte-borne FBM may also dissociate and gain access to the brain in a single transcapillary passage. Differences between newborn and adult rabbit BBB FBM extraction and between different anesthetic agents are attributable to cerebral blood flow (CBF) rates. The permeability-surface area products (PS = [CBF].[E]) for FBM in rats, rabbits, and mice were 0.09, 0.16 and 0.30 ml/min/g, respectively. Preliminary autoradiographic analyses of frozen brain sections suggest that [14C]FBM distributes relatively uniformly throughout the brain and that minor variations apparently are a function of differing CBF rates.

Animals↗

Partial genetic characterization of West Nile virus strains, New York State, 2000.

We analyzed nucleotide sequences from the envelope gene of 11 West Nile (WN) virus strains collected in New York State during the 2000 transmission season to determine whether they differed genetically from each other and from the initial strain isolated in 1999. The complete envelope genes of these strains were amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The resulting sequences were aligned, the genetic distances were computed, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Ten (0.7%) of 1,503 positions in the envelope gene were polymorphic in one or more sequences. The genetic distances were 0.003 or less. WN virus strains circulating in 2000 were homogeneous with respect to one another and to a strain isolated in 1999.

Animals↗

Transduction of CD34+ cells by a vesicular stomach virus protein G (VSV-G) pseudotyped HIV-1 vector. Stable gene expression in progeny cells, including dendritic cells.

OBJECTIVE: To use HIV-1 vectors to mediate stable gene transfer into hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: Purified human CD34+ cells were transduced with HIV-1 vectors pseudotyped with VSV-G and subjected to colony-forming assays and differentiation in liquid culture. Transduction was determined by DNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the transgene. GFP reporter gene expression and phenotypes of progeny cells were assessed by microscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The HIV-1 vector transduced CD34+ cells with high efficiency. Transduction did not interfere with CD34+ cells differentiation in vitro. Transduced genes are expressed in different subsets of progeny cells, including those with normal dendritic cells (DC) morphology and phenotypes (HLADR+/CD1a+/CD86+/CD14-). CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated efficient transduction of hematopoietic progenitor cells by HIV-1 vectors. The transgenes are expressed in different subsets of progeny cells, which suggests stable integration. The generation of DCs stably expressing HIV antigens provides a new approach for vaccine development.

Animals↗

Evaluation of biodegradable microspheres as vaccine adjuvant for hepatitis B surface antigen.

Biodegradable microspheres were evaluated as vaccine adjuvants based on their ability to provide prolonged release of incorporated agents. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSA) prepared by recombinant DNA technology was chosen as a model antigen and encapsulated into polyglycolic acid (PGA) by solvent extraction and solvent evaporation techniques. Five microsphere formulations were prepared to evaluate effect of microsphere size and the presence of immunostimulants such as muramyl dipeptide (MDP) or aluminum hydroxide. The microspheres were characterized for size distribution, surface morphology and antigenicity. Guinea pigs were chosen as the animal model for evaluation of antigenicity of the formulations. The animals were divided into seven groups of four animals each and the microsphere formulations were injected intraperitoneally, using alum adsorbed HBSA as positive control and placebo microspheres as negative control. Blood samples were withdrawn from the animals by toe clipping at two, four, six and sixteen weeks and plasma was analyzed for antibodies against hepatitis B by an enzyme linked immunoassay. At sixteen weeks, the animals were reinjected and evaluated for antibody response at two, four and six weeks post second injection. Antibody response to the microspheres was higher than control. Smaller size microspheres elicited earlier antibody response while the larger size microspheres provided delayed and longer duration of antibody production. Microspheres with MDP potentiated the antibody response. The results demonstrate the applicability of biodegradable microspheres for immunization against hepatitis B.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Changing the start of the hospital workweek.

Essential to the success of a project of this magnitude were: (a) having the support and input of both management and staff; (b) clarifying federal wage and hour issues; (c) allowing adequate time for the change process; (d) determining impact of change on every hospital department; (e) providing hospital departments with necessary information, resources, and support to accommodate the change; and (f) communicating the change to each hospital employee in a timely manner. Can a hospital provide budget-neutral, flexible nurse schedules necessary to recruit and retain registered nurses? Yes, they can if they know how to do it. By redefining the workweek, Saint Marys realized an annual decrease of almost $750,000 in scheduled overtime expense for full-time nurses working 12-hour weekends, every third weekend. If health care institutions want the competitive edge in recruiting nurses, they will need to provide work schedules that are not only attractive, but also help ensure a positive "bottom line."

Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over↗

Emergency intervention in traumatic amputation.

This article focuses on emergency management of traumatic amputation. Emphasis is given to the initial intervention and treatment of the victim and care of the amputated part.

Amputation, Traumatic↗