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Biomedical subjects

I Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to I Thomas.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Oestrus during pregnancy in the cow.

Forty-three oestruses were observed in 35 pregnant cows in one beef suckler herd and 17 dairy herds; at each oestrus the pregnant cow stood willingly to be mounted by another cow or bull. Such oestruses were observed at all stages of pregnancy, although more often between 121 and 240 days, occurred more than once per pregnancy and were also seen in successive pregnancies. On one farm where the dairy cows were observed for four 30 minute periods daily, oestrus was recorded in 5.7 per cent of pregnant cows. The behavioural signs associated with oestrus during pregnancy were indistinguishable from those of true oestrus in non-pregnant animals and although its duration was shorter (mean 5.6 hours), its intensity was comparable to that of the true oestrus. Pregnant cows showing oestrus were usually seen interacting with other oestrous cows in the sexually active group. Pregnant cows showing oestrus had a higher mean condition score (3.9 +/- 0.64) than control pregnant cows (3.0 +/- 0.36). Physiological changes in the genital tract normally associated with true oestrus were not observed in pregnant cows showing oestrus. There was no ovulation or metoestrous bleeding. The characteristics of cervical mucus, including ferning patterns, were similar to those of pregnant cows at the same stage of pregnancy. Hormonal changes associated with oestrus in non-pregnant cows were not observed in the pregnant cows exhibiting oestrus. Seven of nine pregnant cows at oestrus stood willingly to be mounted by a bull. On seven occasions, bulls exposed only to cervical mucus from pregnant cows showing oestrus did not display flehmen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Quantification of extracorporeal platelet deposition in cardiopulmonary bypass: effects of ZK 36374, a prostacyclin analogue.

The degree of extracorporeal platelet sequestration in 32 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass has been assessed using 111In labelled platelets and both a shadow shield whole body monitor and a standard gamma camera. The effects of ZK 36374, a prostacyclin analogue, on deposition of platelets in the oxygenator and atrial line filter were also investigated. Total platelet deposition in the placebo group ranged from 2.2% to 31.7%, mean 13.9 +/- 7.8%; n = 15, and was significantly higher than the deposition in the treatment group, range 0.7% to 9.4%, mean 3.9 +/- 2.6%; n = 16, P less than 0.001. There was also a highly significant correlation between the gamma camera and whole body monitor measurements, r = 0.99, P less than 0.001, with no systematic difference between the techniques. This study demonstrates that accurate quantitative assessment of platelet deposition can be achieved with either the gamma camera or whole body monitor. In addition, significant reduction in platelet sequestration in the extracorporeal circuit can be achieved by using ZK 36374 during the bypass operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Experimental infection of bulls with a genital isolate of bovine herpesvirus-4 and reactivation of latent virus with dexamethasone.

Five 13- to 18-month old Belgian Blue bulls were used in this experiment. Four bulls (Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5) were inoculated intratesticularly with 10(5) plaque-forming units of bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) in each testicle (Day 0). The challenge BHV-4 strain was previously isolated from testicle cells of a bull exhibiting orchitis and azoospermia. The fifth bull (No. 1) was used as a control and received the same volume of uninfected cell culture supernatant. For 5 days, beginning on Day 51 post-infection, two bulls (Nos. 4 and 5) and the control bull (No. 1) received 0.1 mg kg-1 of dexamethasone. Unilateral castrations were then performed at regular intervals for viral examination. Treatment with dexamethasone reactivated latent BHV-4, but no clinical signs were observed in treated bulls until the end of the experiment (Day 93). Only Bull 3 showed conjunctivitis and temporary azoospermia. The virus was recovered from various samples showing that: (i) BHV-4 can be present in a latent state in the testicles and mononuclear blood cells; (ii) dexamethasone reactivates the virus; (iii) the virus is excreted by nasal and ocular routes. Each infected bull seroconverted and a booster antibody response appeared after dexamethasone treatment as shown by immunofluorescence. Neutralizing antibodies were detected in each bull by complement-dependent neutralization test with titres higher than those obtained by a classical neutralization test. No booster response of neutralizing antibodies was observed after dexamethasone treatment. The antigenically relevant envelope BHV-4 proteins were identified by Western blotting using sera samples from the animals. DNA restriction endonuclease profiles of viruses reisolated after primary infection and reactivation showed only small differences.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Use of recombinant vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein virus for oral vaccination of wildlife against rabies: innocuity to several non-target bait consuming species.

The pathogenicity of a vaccinia recombinant virus expressing the rabies glycoprotein (VVTGgRAB) was tested in several wild animal species which could compete with the natural rabies host, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in consuming vaccine baits in Europe. The following species were included in this study: wild boar (Sus scrofa), Eurasian badger (Meles meles), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), common vole (Microtus arvalis), field vole (Microtus agrestis), water vole (Arvicola terrestris), common buzzard (Buteo buteo), kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), carrion crow (Corvus corone), magpie (Pica pica) and jay (Garrulus glandarius). During the observation period, the 107 animals given the VVTGgRAB vaccine orally did not show any clinical signs. Daily monitoring for 28 days and postmortem examination did not result in the detection of pox lesions in the oral mucosa or the skin in mammals or the unfeathered portions of birds. VVTGgRAB seems to multiply in the mammalian species tested, since rabies seroconversion was observed in all of them. Birds failed to develop demonstrable rabies virus-neutralizing antibody. A seroconversion against vaccinia virus was observed in two of four wild boars. Serological results obtained in badgers and wild boars also demonstrates the absence of direct or indirect horizontal transmission of the recombinant virus. The potential of the recombinant virus for the immunization of badgers against rabies also was investigated. Only 50% of the badgers orally administered with 1 x 10(8.3) TCID50 of this vaccine were protected against rabies.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

[Safety and efficacy of an antirabies vaccine consisting of recombinant vaccinia-rabies virus administered orally to the fox, dog and cat].

One of the most promising ways to control rabies in wildlife seems to be the distribution of bait containing an anti-rabies vaccine. So far, the most widely used vaccines were modified live viruses (SAD strain or derivatives). Nevertheless, these strains retain some pathogenicity for non-target species. A novel vaccine was proposed consisting of genetically modified vaccinia virus (strain Copenhagen, thermosensitive ts 26) expressing the foreign glycoprotein G for the rabies virus (strain ERA). Different doses of this recombinant virus were administered orally to 59 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and their antibodies were titrated before challenge. Foxes (8/8) resisted 1 month after vaccination with 10(7) plaque forming units (PFU), or 4/4 after 18 months. Seroconversion among dogs was 4/4 after vaccination with 10(9,6) PFU and 4/4 among cats after vaccination with 10(8) PFU. These dogs (4/4) and cats (3/4) resisted the challenge 2-3 months after vaccination. This vaccine thus appears to be potent and safe in these species. Its properties are discussed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

A field trial in Belgium to control fox rabies by oral immunisation.

Campaigns of fox vaccination against rabies were carried out in Belgium in September 1986 and June and September 1987. The SAD B19 attenuated strain of rabies virus was inserted into baits which were distributed over an area of 2100 km2 at a density of 11 baits/km2. As recommended by the World Health Organisation, the efficacy and the innocuity of the method were controlled in the field and in the laboratory. Samples of blood and brain and jaw were taken from foxes which were shot or found dead in the vaccination area, for the diagnosis of rabies, the titration of antirabies antibody and the detection of tetracycline marker. In rabid animals, the virus strain was characterised by immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies. In September 1987, the uptake of the baits had reached 72 per cent by 14 days after distribution. Several wild species competed with foxes in taking the baits. After the last campaign, tetracycline was found in 65 per cent of the healthy foxes collected and rabies virus neutralising antibodies were detected in 77 per cent of them. In 1987, the incidence of rabies decreased markedly in the vaccination area compared with the untreated areas. No vaccine virus was isolated either from rabid animals or from 228 small mammals trapped in the vaccination area.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1988

First field trial of fox vaccination against rabies using a vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus.

A field trial of fox vaccination against rabies using a vaccinia-rabies recombinant virus was carried out in Belgium on October 24, 1987. Each vaccine capsule contained a suspension of 10(8) TCID50 of the recombinant virus and was introduced into a chicken head. Each chicken head contained 150 mg of tetracycline as a marker of uptake. Two hundred and fifty heads were distributed in an area of 6 km2 situated within a military zone. The bait uptake was monitored for 15 days after the distribution. Sixty-three per cent of the chicken heads were taken by wild animals within that period. The trial was controlled according to the rules defined by the World Health Organisation.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

JAMA, India.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

American Medical Association↗
PubMed1987

Gold therapy and its indications in dermatology. A review.

Gold compounds have long been known as therapeutic agents and have been used extensively in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Their mechanisms of action in vivo, however, remain unclear. In comparison to parenteral gold, the pharmacokinetics of a newly available oral compound, auranofin, differ greatly. Auranofin also appears to have specific immunomodulatory actions and to be associated with fewer and milder toxic effects. The role of chrysotherapy in dermatology has been reemphasized recently. It may be used as an adjuvant in pemphigus or other steroid-responsive diseases to help control disease activity and to taper or eliminate corticosteroid therapy more rapidly. Reports on the use of gold in dermatology are otherwise limited. They include one case of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita and psoriatic arthritis. The benefits of gold treatment have to be weighed against the risks inherent in its adverse reactions, some of which are serious and unpredictable.

Gold↗
PubMed1986

Serum lipids of Indian physicians living in the U.S. compared to U.S.-born physicians.

Reports of increased susceptibility of persons from the Indian subcontinent to coronary heart disease led us to examine serum lipids and apolipoproteins in a group of physicians born in India now living in the U.S. A matched sample of U.S.-born physicians working at the same institution was recruited as controls. Fasting triglyceride (TG) levels were twice as high among the Indians (174 vs 86 mg/dl, P = 0.002), total cholesterol modestly increased (193 vs 177 mg/dl, P less than or equal to 0.01) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) fraction depressed 36 vs 40 mg/dl, P = 0.006). Both TG and HDL-C were strongly determined by relative obesity in the Americans, but not among the immigrants. Calculated values of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were similar in the two groups. Apolipoprotein A-I was significantly lower in a subsample of the Indians, while Apo B was higher. Minor differences between the groups in body mass index, food frequency intake, smoking patterns, alcohol intake and exercise did not significantly influence the results. Hereditary differences in lipid metabolism may have a role in these findings, however, the delayed effects of adaptation to U.S. lifestyle cannot be ruled out.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Eugenol modulation of the immune response in mice.

The effect of eugenol on selected parameters of the immune response of C57BL/6 mice was studied. In a dose-response study, eugenol at high doses completely inhibited the plaque-forming cell responses of splenocytes to the T-dependent antigen (sheep erythrocytes) both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, at concentrations higher than 1.0 mM, eugenol was found to be cytotoxic. In vivo, however, at very low doses there appeared to be a suppression of the plaque-forming cell response to sheep erythrocytes, reaching maximal suppression at 0.1 mumol eugenol/kg mouse body weight. This was followed by enhancement of the response, peaking at 0.25 mumol eugenol/kg mouse body weight. These changes correlated fairly well with body weight changes. Thymic weights appeared to remain unchanged for all doses except the 1.0 mumol eugenol/kg body weight, which was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than the rest of the groups. Natural killer activity at all effector:target ratios (100:1, 50:1, 25:1) was significantly (p less than 0.05) enhanced at both 0.25 and 2.5 mumol eugenol/kg body weight. Overall, eugenol seems to have dose-dependent suppressive and enhancing effects on the immune response. These effects represent an atypical multiphasic response in which an inversed dose-response relationship is observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

City-size distribution and the size of urban systems.

"This paper is an analysis of the city-size distribution for thirty-five countries of the world in 1975; the purpose is to explain statistically the regularity of the rank-size distribution by the number of cities included in the urban systems. The rank-size parameters have been computed for each country and also for four large urban systems in which several population thresholds have been defined. These thresholds seem to have more influence than the number of cities included in the urban system on the regularity of the distribution." The data are from the U.N. Demographic Yearbook.

Demography↗
PubMed1984

[Livedo reticularis and cerebrovascular accidents].

The authors report the case of three middle-aged women admitted to the hospital because of cerebro-vascular accidents, in whom examination disclosed idiopathic livedo reticularis. This association has only been described recently, but does not seem fortuitous; some of the clinical manifestations are characteristic, but the histology is usually nonspecific and the basic abnormality remains unknown. The main problem is prognostic and therapeutic. In an attempt to prevent the neurological defects, tobacco and contraception should not be permitted to female patients showing widespread acquired livedo reticularis; high blood-pressure should be treated systematically.

Adult↗