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Biomedical subjects

G S Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to G S Taylor.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

CT prognostic factors in acute subdural haematomas: the value of the 'worst' CT scan.

The relationship between radiological findings and outcome in patients with acute posttraumatic subdural haematomas (SDH) has been based on CT obtained upon hospital admission. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects on prognosis of SDH patients of lesions not present on admission, but detected by subsequent CT. We have also studied those findings present on admission CT that could predict worsening of the associated lesions. From 1 May 1989 to 30 April 1996, we admitted 206 patients harbouring acute SDH of thickness 5 mm or more. The admission GCS score ranged from 3 to 15. Each patient underwent CT on admission (always within 3 h from injury). Follow-up CT was performed within 12-24 h after injury and in the following days (an average of 4.3 examinations for each patient). These examinations were reviewed by a neuroradiologist and the 'worst' CT was determined. We defined the 'worst' examination as that showing the largest haematoma thickness/midline shift and/or with the most extensive degree of parenchymal damage. Clinical factors related to prognosis in this series are age, hypoxia/hypotension, GCS motor score and pupillary abnormalities. Time from injury to treatment was found relevant only in patients with isolated SDH. CT findings on admission that correlated with outcome were haematoma thickness, midline shift and status of the basal cisterns. Prognosis was also worsened by the presence of associated lesions; SAH alone or associated with brain contusions. The last of these was the single most powerful predictor of worse outcomes (Odds ratio 0.37, p < 0.004). Whereas the first CT showed parenchymal associated damage in 56 patients, the 'worst CT' showed such damage in 105 patients. Presence of SAH on admission was found significant (p < 0.02) in predicting evolving parenchymal damage. Haematoma thickness, midline shift, status of the basal cisterns and presence of SAH are related to outcome when identified on the initial (early) CT examination. However, early (within 3 h from injury) CT under-estimates the ultimate size of parenchymal contusions. Patients with SAH on early CT are those at highest risk for associated evolving contusions. The use of sequential CT should be included in the routine management of head-injured patients.

Adolescent↗

Medical complications after stroke: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This prospective, multicenter study was performed to determine the frequency of symptomatic complications up to 30 months after stroke using prespecified definitions of complications. METHODS: We recruited 311 consecutive stroke patients admitted to hospital. Research nurses reviewed their progress on a weekly basis until hospital discharge and again at 6, 18, and 30 months after stroke. RESULTS: Complications during hospital admission were recorded in 265 (85%) of stroke patients. Specific complications were as follows: neurological-recurrent stroke (9% of patients), epileptic seizure (3%); infections-urinary tract infection (24%), chest infection (22%), others (19%); mobility related-falls (25%), falls with serious injury (5%), pressure sores (21%); thromboembolism-deep venous thrombosis (2%), pulmonary embolism (1%); pain-shoulder pain (9%), other pain (34%); and psychological-depression (16%), anxiety (14%), emotionalism (12%), and confusion (56%). During follow-up, infections, falls, "blackouts, " pain, and symptoms of depression and anxiety remained common. Complications were observed across all 3 hospital sites, and their frequency was related to patient dependency and duration after stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective cohort study has confirmed that poststroke complications, particularly infections and falls, are common. However, we have also identified complications relating to pain and cognitive or affective symptoms that are potentially preventable and may previously have been underestimated.

Accidental Falls↗

The outcome of 26 patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection following allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is known to cause acute lung injury in the immunocompromised host, especially recipients of bone marrow allografts. Specific prognostic factors for the development of severe life-threatening disease remain to be identified as does the optimum treatment of established disease. Over a 5-year period the incidence and outcome of RSV in BMT recipients was analysed retrospectively. Prognostic factors assessed included type of transplant, engraftment status at the time of infection, the presence of lower respiratory tract disease, viral genotype and treatment received. During the study period, 26 of 336 (6.3%) allogeneic stem-cell recipients were identified as having RSV. Five patients (19.2%) died as a direct result of RSV. One patient died secondary to an intracranial bleed with concomitant RSV. There were four patients with graft failure (two primary and two secondary) attributable to the presence of RSV, two of whom subsequently died of infections related to prolonged myelosuppression. The presence of lower respiratory tract infection and a poor overall outcome was the only statistically significant association. Unrelated donor transplants and AML as the underlying disease appeared to be associated with a poorer outcome. Engraftment status, viral genotype and RSV treatment received did not correlate with outcome. We conclude that future studies are required to identify early sensitive and reproducible prognostic factors of RSV in the immunocompromised host. The roles of intravenous and nebulised ribavirin need to be clarified by prospective controlled trials.

Adolescent↗

Essential fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: the Edinburgh Artery Study.

The aim of this study was to determine whether plasma and red cell fatty acid levels were associated with cardiovascular disease, and whether any association was independent of other major risk factors. Over 1100 subjects were examined in a random sample survey of the general population (the Edinburgh Artery Study). Fatty acids were measured in three plasma fractions (triglyceride, cholesteryl ester and phospholipid) and in red cell phospholipids. Fatty acid levels in groups with cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction (MI), angina and lower limb disease) were compared with a no disease group. In the cholesteryl ester and phospholipid fractions there were significantly lower levels of eicosapentaenoic acid in the MI group on univariate analysis (p<0.05), but not when adjusted for age, sex, smoking and systolic blood pressure using logistic regression. In the red cell fraction, alpha-linolenic acid was significantly lower in those with stroke (p<0.01) and lower limb disease (p<0.05). Linoleic acid was significantly raised in the triglyceride fraction in those with MI, probably reflecting recent dietary changes. There were significant increases in dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid in the phospholipid and red cell fractions in those with MI, and in the phospholipid fraction in the stroke group. These results do not support the hypothesis that n-6 fatty acids are protective against cardiovascular disease, although there may be some beneficial effects of the n-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid. Results from cross-sectional surveys must, however, be interpreted with caution because the presence of disease may affect dietary intake.

Aged↗

A protein tyrosine phosphatase-like protein from baculovirus has RNA 5'-triphosphatase and diphosphatase activities.

The superfamily of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) includes at least one enzyme with an RNA substrate. We recently showed that the RNA triphosphatase domain of the Caenorhabditis elegans mRNA capping enzyme is related to the PTP enzyme family by sequence similarity and mechanism. The PTP most similar in sequence to the capping enzyme triphosphatase is BVP, a dual-specificity PTP encoded by the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Although BVP previously has been shown to have modest tyrosine and serine/threonine phosphatase activity, we find that it is much more potent as an RNA 5'-phosphatase. BVP sequentially removes gamma and beta phosphates from the 5' end of triphosphate-terminated RNA, leaving a 5'-monophosphate end. The activity was specific for polynucleotides; nucleotide triphosphates were not hydrolyzed. A mutant protein in which the active site cysteine was replaced with serine was inactive. Three other dual-specificity PTPs (VH1, VHR, and Cdc14) did not exhibit detectable RNA phosphatase activity. Therefore, capping enzyme and BVP are members of a distinct PTP-like subfamily that can remove phosphates from RNA.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

Evidence that myoelectric complexes in the isolated mouse colon may not be of myogenic origin.

The hypothesis that spontaneous depolarisations (myoelectric complexes, MCs) can occur in the absence of neuronal activity, depending on the level of the membrane potential, was systematically studied. In control Krebs' solution, MCs were recorded approximately every 5 min and were abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1.6 microM). However, TTX also induced sustained membrane depolarisation (19 mV) in the circular muscle. To test whether MCs were blocked by the depolarisation induced by TTX, graded membrane repolarisations were generated, in the continuing presence of TTX, using sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10 nM-1 microM). Under these conditions, MC activity was not restored. The addition of SNP (1 microM) to control preparations, in normal Krebs' solution, hyperpolarised the membrane of the circular muscle cells, but did not inhibit ongoing MC activity. It is suggested that the underlying mechanisms involved in MC generation are unlikely to be dependent upon the level of membrane potential in circular smooth muscle.

Animals↗

Disinhibition during myoelectric complexes in the mouse colon.

Intracellular microelectrodes were used to record electrically evoked inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) and electrotonic potentials during spontaneous cyclical depolarisations (myoelectric complexes, MCs) in the circular muscle layer of mouse colon in vitro. In the presence of nifedipine (1-2 microM) and atropine (1 microM), MCs were recorded every 264 +/- 18 s. Between MCs, single electrical stimuli (15 V, 0.6 ms, every 8 s) elicited IJPs whose amplitudes remained constant. In comparison, during the depolarising phase of MCs, the mean IJP amplitude was reduced by 61 +/- 7%, while during the late plateau and early repolarising phase of MCs, IJP amplitude was increased (up to 20%). NG-nitro-L-arginine (NOLA, 100 microM) abolished the repolarisation phase between MCs, so that the circular muscle remained depolarised and the amplitude of MCs was reduced by 73 +/- 6%. However, the amplitude of evoked IJPs was unaffected, as was the decrease in their amplitude during the depolarising phase of the residual MCs. In the presence of NOLA (100 microM), the further addition of apamin (250 nM) reduced the amplitude of evoked IJPs by approximately half. However, the amplitudes of NOLA- and apamin-resistant IJPs were also attenuated by 82 +/- 5% during the depolarising phase of residual MCs (amplitude: 1.9 +/- 1 mV). However, during this phase, the amplitude of an electrotonic potential (evoked by extracellular current application) was not attenuated. Addition of hexamethonium (500 microM), or tetrodotoxin (TTX) (1.6 microM) to solutions containing NOLA and apamin were without effect on membrane potential, but the residual MCs and the cyclical attenuation in IJP amplitude were abolished. During the intervals between MCs, membrane potential is maintained under tonic inhibition, via spontaneous release of inhibitory neurotransmitter(s), predominantly through nitrergic mechanisms. The cyclical attenuation in the amplitude of the non-nitrergic IJP does not arise from cyclical postjunctional changes in membrane resistance or potential. Moreover, the generation of the depolarising phase of MCs involves the simultaneous suppression of both nitrergic and non-nitrergic inhibitory neurotransmission. It is suggested that MCs arise from presynaptic suppression of ongoing inhibitory neurotransmitter release.

Animals↗

Inhibitory neurotransmission in the circular muscle layer of mouse colon.

Intracellular electrophysiological techniques were used to record the spontaneous myoelectric activity in the circular muscle layer of an in vitro preparation of whole mouse colon. In 34 out of 58 preparations, spontaneous depolarisations (myoelectric complexes, MCs) were recorded cyclically, about every 4 min. In these preparations, apamin (250 nM) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (NOLA, 100 microM) depolarised the membrane potential between MCs by 8 mV or 13 mV, respectively. Tetrodotoxin (1.6 microM) abolished MCs and also induced depolarisation (17 mV). In the remaining 24 preparations, MCs were not recorded and the membrane potential was significantly depolarised compared to the membrane potential between MCs. NOLA (100 microM), apamin (250 nM) and tetrodotoxin (1.6 microM) were without significant effect on membrane potential. It is suggested that in preparations that exhibit MC cycling, membrane potential between MCs is maintained in a state of tonic inhibition, predominantly mediated by nitrergic mechanisms generated via spontaneously active inhibitory neurons. Apamin-sensitive channels may also be involved in the inhibition.

Animals↗

Spontaneous and evoked inhibitory junction potentials in the circular muscle layer of mouse colon.

Intracellular microelectrodes were used to record spontaneous and evoked inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) from the circular muscle layer of an in vitro preparation of whole mouse colon. Membrane potential recordings were made from cells of the mid to distal region of colon at 36 +/- 1 degrees C in a modified Krebs' solution that contained atropine (1 microM) and nifedipine (1-2 microM). Spontaneously occurring hyperpolarisations of irregular amplitude and frequency (range: up to 20 mV and 2 Hz) were recorded that were resistant to N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (NOLA, 100 microM), but were abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1.6 microM) or apamin (250 nM). These were considered to be spontaneous IJPs as a consequence of activity in inhibitory motor neurons. Single electrical stimuli (0.6 ms, 15 V), elicited a fast IJP, whose time course could be superimposed on spontaneous IJPs of similar amplitude. The amplitude of evoked IJPs was not depressed by NOLA (100 microM). However, in NOLA (100 microM), further addition of apamin (250 nM) significantly depressed the amplitudes of the evoked IJPs by 44%. NOLA- and apamin-resistant evoked IJPs were abolished by TTX (1.6 microM). It is suggested, that in the circular muscle layer of mouse colon, NO does not mediate the fast hyperpolarisations associated with spontaneous or evoked IJPs. Apamin abolished spontaneous IJPs, but electrical stimuli evoked an IJP with apamin-sensitive and resistant components both of which were non-nitrergic in origin.

Animals↗

Implementation of a computerized cardiovascular information system in a private hospital setting.

BACKGROUND: The use of clinical databases improves quality of care, reduces operating costs, helps secure managed care contracts, and assists in clinical research. Because of the large physician input required to maintain these systems, private institutions have often found them difficult to implement. At LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, we developed a cardiovascular information system (LDS-CIS) patterned after the Duke University Cardiovascular Database and designed for ease of use in a private hospital setting. METHODS: Features of the LDS-CIS include concise single-page report forms, a relational database engine that is easily queried, automatic generation of final procedure reports, and merging of all data with the hospital's existing information system. So far, data from more than 14,000 patients have been entered. RESULTS: LDS-CIS provides access to data for research to improve patient care. For example, by using data generated by LDS-CIS, the policy requiring surgical backup during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was eliminated, resulting in no increased patient risk while saving nearly $1 million in 1 year. LDS-CIS generates physician feedback reports documenting performance compared with peers. This physician self-evaluation has standardized and improved care. Information from LDS-CIS has been instrumental in securing and maintaining managed care contracts. LDS-CIS risk analysis provides physicians with outcomes data specific to their current patient's demographics and level of disease to assist in point of care decisions. CONCLUSION: The use of LDS-CIS in the routine operations of LDS Hospital heart services has been found to be feasible, beneficial, and cost-effective.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

Inhibition of voltage-activated K+ currents in smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig proximal colon by noradrenergic agonists.

1. The effects of noradrenaline and isoprenaline on the Ca2+i-insensitive, voltage-activated K+ current in smooth muscle cells from the circular muscle layer of the guinea pig proximal colon were investigated by using standard whole-cell patch-clamp techniques at room temperature (22-24 degrees C). 2. The Ca2+-activated K+ current was eliminated by bathing cells in tetraethylammonium (TEA;2-5 mM) and a Ca2+-entry blocker (Cd2+, 0.1 mM) or nifedipine, 2-10 microM) and by internally perfusing cells with 3 mM EGTA. 3. Two Ca2+i-insensitive, voltage-activated K+ currents were recorded at potentials positive to -50 mV: (a) a transient K+ current (IKto) that was blocked by 4-aminopyridine (5 mM) and (b) a delayed rectifier-type K+ current (IKdel) that was blocked by TEA (>10 mM). 4. Both noradrenaline (10-50 microM) and isoprenaline (5-50 microM) reduced the amplitudes of IKto and IKdel irreversibly after a slow onset (2-5 min). This reduction was mimicked by forskolin (50-100 microM) and by 8 bromo-c-AMP (500 microM). 5. The voltage of half-maximal availability (V0.5) of IKto (-74.6+/-2.3 mV) was unaffected by isoprenaline (10 microM) (-76.7+/-3.6 mV, n=4), but the background "leak" current (Ileak) was increased from -48+/-9 to -70+/-20 pA. 6. Our data suggest that stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors in the circular muscle layer of the guinea pig proximal colon inhibits voltage-activated Ca2+i-insensitive K+ currents.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Second-, minute- and hour-metronomes of intestinal pacemakers.

1. Movements of the gastrointestinal tract are required for the digestion of food and the expulsion of waste products. 2. The present paper will discuss the nature of electrical rhythms underlying some intestinal motility patterns. 3. The rhythms are generated by pacemakers with cycle rates appropriate to controlling individual contractions, motor patternings or switching between different motor programmes. 4. Electrical rhythms are discussed with periods of the order of seconds, minutes and hours. 5. Particular discussion is centred on rhythms recorded from the small and large intestine of the mouse.

Animals↗

The activity of Cdc14p, an oligomeric dual specificity protein phosphatase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is required for cell cycle progression.

The essential CDC14 gene of the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, encodes a 62-kDa protein containing a sequence that conforms to the active site motif found in all enzymes of the protein tyrosine phosphatase superfamily. Genetic studies suggest that Cdc14p may be involved in the initiation of DNA replication, but its precise cell cycle function is unknown. Recombinant Cdc14p was produced in bacteria, characterized, and shown to be a dual specificity protein phosphatase. Polyanions such as polyglutamate and double-stranded and single-stranded DNA bind to Cdc14p and affect its activity. Native molecular weights of 131,000 and 169,000 determined by two independent methods indicate that recombinant Cdc14p self-associates in vitro to form active oligomers. The catalytically inactive Cdc14p C283S/R289A mutant is not able to suppress the temperature sensitivity of a cdc14-1(ts) mutant nor replace the wild type gene in vivo, demonstrating that phosphatase activity is required for the cell cycle function of Cdc14p. A distinctive COOH-terminal segment (residues 375-551) is rich in Asn and Ser residues, carries a net positive charge, and contains two tandem 21-residue repeats. This COOH-terminal segment is not required for activity, for oligomerization, or for the critical cell cycle function of Cdc14p.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs) in the isolated mouse colon.

Spontaneous contractions were recorded from the circular muscle layer at three sites along the isolated mouse colon. The interval between contractions was approximately 4.5 min. The mean duration of the contractions ranged from 26 sec in the distal colon to 45 sec in the proximal colon. Contractions migrating more than half the length of the colon were termed colonic migrating motor complexes (CMMCs). Over 90% of tissues demonstrated migration predominantly in an aboral direction. Hyoscine (10(-6) M) decreased the amplitude of the CMMCs by at least 40% but had no significant effect on the interval or duration of the CMMCs. Nifedipine (10(-6) M) significantly decreased the amplitude of the CMMCs by 95% but did not alter the duration or the interval between the CMMCs. Hexamethonium (5 x 10(-4) M) and tetrodotoxin (TTX; 2 x 10(-6) M) abolished all CMMC activity. TTX increased the resting tone of the preparations. Nitro-L-arginine (10(-4) M) increased the resting tone of the preparations and significantly decreased the interval between the CMMCs by approximately 80% but had no significant effect on the duration of the CMMCs. The results suggest CMMCs migrate predominantly in an aboral direction and are neurogenic in origin. Nitric oxide may be involved in maintaining inhibition of the muscle between CMMCs.

Animals↗

Characterization of the membrane conductance changes underlying the apamin-resistant NANC inhibitory junction potential in the guinea-pig proximal and distal colon.

The nature of the electrically- or stretch-evoked nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) in circular smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig proximal and distal colon were investigated using standard intracellular microelectrode recording techniques. We have confirmed that the NANC IJP, recorded in the presence of hyoscine (1 microM) and nifedipine (1 microM), can be divided into two components with apamin (250 nM), a blocker of the small conductance Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels. Both the apamin-sensitive and the apamin-resistant components of the IJP were blocked by tetrodotoxin (1.6 microM) or by lowering the external Ca2+ concentration (to 0.25 mM). The apamin-sensitive IJP was also blocked by omega-conotoxin GVIA (100 nM), a blocker of 'N-type' Ca2+ channels. The apamin-resistant IJP and rebound post-stimulus depolarization (PSD) were reduced upon exposure to either NG-L-arginine (NOLA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), or the nitric oxide (NO) scavenger, haemoglobin. The effects of NOLA were partially reversed in the presence of excess L-arginine, a substrate for NOS, suggesting that NO, or a related NO-donor compound, is likely to be the apamin-resistant inhibitory transmitter. Blockade of either the apamin-sensitive or apamin-resistant IJP was associated with membrane depolarization and a decrease in the membrane conductance in the absence of nerve stimulation. In the proximal colon, the apamin-resistant IJP and PSD could both be demonstrated to arise from an increase in the membrane conductance after subtraction of a non-linear background conductance. The hyperpolarization upon repetitive NANC nerve stimulation was mimicked by the NO donor, S-nitroso-L-cysteine (2.5-25 microM), which evoked a transient apamin-sensitive, but omega-conotoxin GVIA resistant, component followed by a slower apamin-resistant component. These results suggest that neurally-released NO has a number of actions in the guinea-pig colon, causing apamin-resistant hyperpolarization and depolarization, as well as directly opening apamin-sensitive K+ channels.

Animals↗

Effects of nitric oxide (NO) and NO donors on the membrane conductance of circular smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig proximal colon.

1. The membrane conductance changes underlying the membrane hyperpolarizations induced by nitric oxide (NO), S-nitroso-L-cysteine (NC) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were investigated in the circular smooth muscle cells of the guinea-pig proximal colon, by use of standard intracellular microelectrode recording techniques. 2. NO (1%), NC (2.5-25 microM) and SNP (1-1000 microM) induced membrane hyperpolarization in a concentration-dependent manner, the hyperpolarizations to NO and NC developing more rapidly than those to SNP. The slower-developing responses to SNP were mimicked by the membrane permeable analogue of guanosine 3':5' cyclic-monophosphate (cyclic GMP), 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (500 microM), and by isoprenaline (10 microM). 3. The hyperpolarizations to NC and SNP were reduced in a low Ca2+ (0.25 mM) saline and upon the addition of haemoglobin (20 microM), but were not effected by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) (100 microM) or omega-conotoxin GVIA (100 nM). the hyperpolarizations to SNP were also significantly reduced by methylene blue (50 microM). 4. Apamin (250 nM) depolarized the membrane potential approximately 10 mV and reduced the initial transient component of the hyperpolarization to NO (1%) and NC (25 microM), but had no effects on the hyperpolarizations to SNP and cyclic GMP. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) (5-15 mM), had little effect on the membrane responses to NO(1%), NC(2.5-25 microM), SNP(100(-1000) microM) or cyclic GMP(500 microM). However, TEA (5-15 mM) reduced the membrane hyperpolarizations to SNP (10 microM) and isoprenaline (10 microM) in a concentration-dependent manner. The hyperpolarization to isoprenaline (10 microM) remaining in the presence of 15 mM TEA was blocked by ouabain (10 microM). 5. The amplitude of electronic potentials (1 s duration) elicited during NO donor hyperpolarizations were little changed or only slightly reduced (5-25%). However, the amplitude of the electrotonic potentials elicited during maintained electrically-induced hyperpolarizations of similar amplitude were significantly increased (30-150%), suggesting that the non-linear membrane properties of the proximal colon partially mask an increase in membrane conductance elicited during the NO donor hyperpolarizations. 6. Membrane hyperpolarization in the presence of an NO donor, 8-bromo-cyclic GMP, isoprenaline, or upon application of a maintained hyperpolarizing electrical current, often evoked oscillations of the membrane potential. These oscillations were prevented by Cs+ (1 mM). 7. These results indicate that NO and NC hyperpolarize the circular muscle of the proximal colon by activating at least two TEA-resistant membrane K+ conductances, one of which is sensitive to apamin blockade. The K+ conductance increases activated by SNP or 8-bromo-cyclic GMP were little effected by apamin, perhaps suggesting a common mechanism. In contrast, the hyperpolarization to isoprenaline appears to involve the activation of TEA-sensitive Ca2(+)-activated K+ ('BK') channels, as well as a Na:K ATPase. Finally, the 'background' membrane conductance of the circular muscle cells of the proximal colon decreased upon membrane hyperpolarization to reveal oscillations of the membrane potential which may well represent 'pacemaker' or 'slow wave' activity.

Animals↗

A clinical and laboratory evaluation of three types of operating gloves for use in orthodontic practice.

This prospective study examined the durability and user acceptability of three types of operating glove for use in orthodontic practice. The glove types studied were a lightweight examination glove (Microtouch, Johnson and Johnson), a dedicated dental procedure glove (Biogel D, Regent Hospital Products) and a non-latex, nitrile glove (N-Dex, Best Manufacturing Europe N.V.). A water-leak test was used to examine 50 pairs of unused gloves of each type for manufacturing defects. Subsequently, six operators of varying experience were asked to use 20 pairs of each type of glove for fixed appliance treatment sessions and record their suitability for different clinical procedures. The used gloves were collected and tested in the laboratory for punctures. At the end of the study the six operators completed a detailed questionnaire recording their preferences for each glove type.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗