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Biomedical subjects

J E Moore

Publications and source records attributed to J E Moore.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Urease-positive thermophilic strains of Campylobacter isolated from seagulls (Larus spp.).

Three strains of urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter (UPTC), designated A1, A2 and A3, were identified by biochemical characterization after isolation from faeces of seagulls in Northern Ireland in 1996. The biochemical characteristics of the strains were identical to those of strains described previously. Analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) after separate digestion with ApaI and SmaI demonstrated that the respective PFGE profiles were indistinguishable. The PFGE analysis also suggested that the genomes were approximately 1810 kb in length. This is the first example of the isolation of UPTC from flying homoiothermal animals, i.e. from seagulls (Larus spp.).

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Effects of supplementation on voluntary forage intake, diet digestibility, and animal performance.

A data base was constructed to describe and estimate supplementation effects in nonlactating cattle consuming forage ad libitum. The data base included 66 publications on 126 forages (73 harvested and 53 grazed) and a total of 444 comparisons between a control, unsupplemented treatment and a supplemented treatment. Daily gains were reported for 301 comparisons and voluntary intake for 258. Direct measures of forage digestibility were reported for 202 comparisons, and total diet digestibility for 150. Supplements did not increase gain in all cases. Change in ADG due to supplement was not related closely to intake of supplemental TDN. Lowest increases in ADG were with native forages supplemented with molasses alone or with low intakes of molasses containing high levels of NPN. Greatest increases in gain were with improved forages, supplements with > 60% TDN, and supplemental CP intake > .05% of BW. Supplements decreased voluntary forage intake (VFI) when supplemental TDN intake was > .7% of BW, forage TDN:CP ratio was < 7 (adequate N), or VFI when fed alone was > 1.75% of BW. When supplements increased VFI, forage TDN: CP ratio was > 7 (N deficit), and VFI when fed alone was often low. There was little relationship between change in VFI and sources of supplemental CP and TDN. Supplements caused total diet TDN concentration to deviate from expected values by -10 to +5% of OM. When supplemental TDN intake was > .7% of BW, diet TDN concentration was always less than expected. There was little relationship between deviation from expected total diet TDN and type or composition of forages or supplements. Empirical multiple regression equations were developed to estimate effects of supplements on VFI and total diet TDN concentration. The most acceptable intake equation estimated VFI when fed with supplement (r2 = .84) That equation included VFI when fed alone, supplement intake, CP and TDN concentrations in forage and supplement, and classification codes describing forages and supplemental energy. The most acceptable equation for estimating total diet TDN concentration included only the expected total diet TDN concentration (r2 = .87). These equations may be used in nutritional models to account for associative effects.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1998

A randomized trial of a lay person-led self-management group intervention for back pain patients in primary care.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a four-session self-management group intervention for patients with pain in primary care, led by trained lay persons with back pain. The intervention was designed to reduce patient worries, encourage self-care, and reduce activity limitations. BACKGROUND DATA: Randomized trials of educational interventions suggest that activating interventions may improve back pain outcomes. Expert opinion increasingly regards effective self-management of back pain as important in achieving good outcomes. In this study, an educational intervention designed to activate patients and support effective self-management was evaluated. METHODS: Six to 8 weeks after a primary care visit for back pain, patients were invited to participate in an educational program to improve back pain self-management. Those showing interest by returning a brief questionnaire became eligible for the study. Participants (n = 255) randomly were assigned to either a self-management group intervention or to a usual care control group. The effect of the intervention, relative to usual care, was assessed 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization, controlling for baseline values. The intervention consisted of a four-session group applying problem-solving techniques to back pain self-management, supplemented by educational materials (book and videos) supporting active management of back pain. The groups were led by lay persons trained to implement a fully structured group protocol. The control group received usual care, supplemented by a book on back pain care. RESULTS: Participants randomly assigned to the self-management groups reported significantly less worry about back pain and expressed more confidence in self-care. Roland Disability Questionnaire Scores were significantly lower among participants in the self-management groups relative to the usual care controls at 6 months (P = 0.007), and this difference was sustained at 12 months at borderline significance levels (P = 0.09). Among self-management group participants, 48% showed a 50% or greater reduction in Roland Disability Questionnaire Score at 6 months, compared with 33% among the usual care controls. CONCLUSIONS: Self-management groups led by trained lay persons following a structured protocol were more effective than usual care in reducing worries, producing positive attitudes toward self-care, and reducing activity limitations among patients with back pain in primary care.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

Genomic evidence for two functionally distinct gene classes.

Analyses of complete genomes indicate that a massive prokaryotic gene transfer (or transfers) preceded the formation of the eukaryotic cell. In comparisons of the entire set of Methanococcus jannaschii genes with their orthologs from Escherichia coli, Synechocystis 6803, and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it is shown that prokaryotic genomes consist of two different groups of genes. The deeper, diverging informational lineage codes for genes which function in translation, transcription, and replication, and also includes GTPases, vacuolar ATPase homologs, and most tRNA synthetases. The more recently diverging operational lineage codes for amino acid synthesis, the biosynthesis of cofactors, the cell envelope, energy metabolism, intermediary metabolism, fatty acid and phospholipid biosynthesis, nucleotide biosynthesis, and regulatory functions. In eukaryotes, the informational genes are most closely related to those of Methanococcus, whereas the majority of operational genes are most closely related to those of Escherichia, but some are closest to Methanococcus or to Synechocystis.

Genes, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

Molecular genotyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of restricted genomic DNA of strains of Taylorella equigenitalis isolated in Ireland and in the United States.

The profiles, after digestion with ApaI or NotI and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), of genomic DNA from 18 strains of Taylorella equigenitalis isolated in Ireland were of three different types. The 13 strains in one of these types gave PFGE profiles identical to that of an American prototype strain, Kentucky 188, but different from strain NCTC11184T and from a strain isolated in Japan. Eight additional strains isolated in the United States gave four distinct types of genomic PFGE profiles. All four types were different from that of T. equigenitalis NCTC11184T or that of the Japanese strain. The profile of three strains of one type was identical to that of Kentucky 188.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cross-sectional deformation of the aorta as measured with magnetic resonance imaging.

Vessel geometry is commonly accepted as one of the primary factors influencing blood flow patterns. The vessels near the heart present a particular challenge because myocardial contraction creates dynamic changes in vessel geometry due to the movement created by the contraction of the myocardial muscle. The importance of vessel movement and deformation on blood flow patterns in the coronary arteries has been previously demonstrated. For larger vessels such as the aorta, the effects are less well understood, partially because no estimates of the dynamic variations in vessel cross section shape geometry have been reported. This study was undertaken to provide an estimate of the amount of dynamic variation in cross-sectional shape present in the aorta. Two young healthy male subjects were used, with measurements taken in the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and descending thoracic aorta using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The magnitude of elliptical deformation was measured throughout the cardiac cycle by taking a discrete Fourier transform of the radius versus angle plot. Deformations of more than 7 percent of the mean vessel radius were noted. This level of deformation may be enough to influence flow patterns in the aorta significantly, and thus should be included in future flow studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Predicting forage indigestible NDF from lignin concentration.

We used chemical composition and in vitro digestibility data from temperate and tropical forages to develop relationships between indices of lignification and forage indigestible NDF. Neutral detergent fiber indigestibility increased nonlinearly as the lignin concentration of the NDF increased. Differences in estimated indigestible NDF using equations developed for a specific forage class (C3 and C4 grasses and legumes) were small and are probably not biologically significant when compared to those estimated from a common equation. Selected equations were compared with the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) for the prediction of ADG. The linear equation (2.4 times NDF lignin content) used by the CNCPS and the Beef NRC had some of the largest errors due to mean bias. A log-log model [4.37 x (lignin/NDF)(.84)] provided the best combination of low total prediction error, low mean bias, and minimal error due to regression bias when permanganate lignin was used. A similar equation based on sulfuric acid lignin [6.17 x (lignin/NDF)(.77)] also met the above criteria. These equations then were evaluated with the CNCPS model against animal growth data from diets ranging in forage quality. Regardless of the equation used for predicting unavailable fiber, the CNCPS underpredicted daily gain, with mean biases ranging from -.10 to -.22 kg/d. Regression bias ranged from .13 to .14 kg/d and the coefficients differed from unity (P = .0001). The new equations gave numerically lower energy allowable ADG by steers compared to the linear equation currently used by the CNCPS model. The estimates were lower due to a higher predicted indigestible NDF, which resulted in a lower estimated forage energy value.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1998

Occurrence of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in porcine liver in Northern Ireland.

Pork liver (400) from bacon pigs (37 herds) obtained at six pork-processing in Northern Ireland were studied to assess the rate of contamination with Campylobacter spp. These animals average 95 to 100 kg live weight. Deep tissue areas were sampled immediately postevisceration and revealed that ca. 6% of livers were infected with Campylobacter spp., consisting of C. coli (67%), C. jejuni (30%) and C. lari (3%). Mean log10 CFU g(-1) for aerobic plate count and coliforms were 3.60 and 2.94 respectively, indicating reasonable maintenance of slaughter-house hygiene procedures. A combination of direct swabbing of liver coupled with plating on both Skirrow and Blaser-Wang selective media was the most efficient combination of selective media employed. These data confirm the presence of Campylobacter spp. in porcine liver, thereby emphasizing the need to define safe processing parameters in the manufacture of liver-based products that are subjected to mild thermal processes, in order to eliminate the risk of disease to man.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Increased levels of advanced glycation endproducts in the lenses and blood vessels of cigarette smokers.

BACKGROUND: Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) arise from the spontaneous reaction of reducing sugars with the amino groups of macromolecules. AGEs accumulate in tissue as a consequence of diabetes and aging and have been causally implicated in the pathogenesis of several of the end-organ complications of diabetes and aging, including cataract, atherosclerosis, and renal insufficiency. It has been recently proposed that components in mainstream cigarette smoke can react with plasma and extracellular matrix proteins to form covalent adducts with many of the properties of AGEs. We wished to ascertain whether AGEs or immunochemically related molecules are present at higher levels in the tissues of smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lens and coronary artery specimens from nondiabetic smokers and nondiabetic nonsmokers were examined by immunohistochemistry, immunoelectron microscopy, and ELISA employing several distinct anti-AGE antibodies. In addition, lenticular extracts were tested for AGE-associated fluorescence by fluorescence spectroscopy. RESULTS: Immunoreactive AGEs were present at significantly higher levels in the lenses and lenticular extracts of nondiabetic smokers (p < 0.003). Anti-AGE immunogold staining was diffusely distributed throughout lens fiber cells. AGE-associated fluorescence was significantly increased in the lenticular extracts of nondiabetic smokers (p = 0.005). AGE-immunoreactivity was significantly elevated in coronary arteries from nondiabetic smokers compared with nondiabetic nonsmokers (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: AGEs or immunochemically related molecules are present at higher levels in the tissues of smokers than in nonsmokers, irrespective of diabetes. In view of previous reports implicating AGEs in a causal association with numerous pathologies, these findings have significant ramifications for understanding the etiopathology of diseases associated with smoking, the single greatest preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Advanced glycation end products in vitreous: Structural and functional implications for diabetic vitreopathy.

PURPOSE: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) form irreversible cross-links with many macromolecules and have been shown to accumulate in tissues at an accelerated rate in diabetes. In the present study, AGE formation in vitreous was examined in patients of various ages and in patients with diabetes. Ex vivo investigations were performed on bovine vitreous incubated in glucose to determine AGE formation and cross-linking of vitreous collagen. METHODS: By means of an AGE-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), AGE formation was investigated in vitreous samples obtained after pars plana vitrectomy in patients with and without diabetes. In addition, vitreous AGEs were investigated in bovine vitreous collagen after incubation in high glucose, high glucose with aminoguanidine, or normal saline for as long as 8 weeks. AGEs and AGE cross-linking was subsequently determined by quantitative and qualitative assays. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between AGEs and increasing age in patients without diabetes (r = 0.74). Furthermore, a comparison between age-matched diabetic and nondiabetic vitreous showed a significantly higher level of AGEs in the patients with diabetes (P < 0.005). Collagen purified from bovine vitreous incubated in 0.5 M glucose showed an increase in AGE formation when observed in dot blot analysis, immunogold labeling, and AGE ELISA. Furthermore, there was increased cross-linking of collagen in the glucose-incubated vitreous, when observed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein separation. This cross-linking was effectively inhibited by coincubation with 10 mM aminoguanidine. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that AGEs may form in vitreous with increasing age. This process seems to be accelerated in the presence of diabetes and as a consequence of exposure to high glucose. Advanced glycation and AGE cross-linking of the vitreous collagen network may help to explain the vitreous abnormalities characteristic of diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Residual strain effects on the stress field in a thick wall finite element model of the human carotid bifurcation.

A three-dimensional finite element model of the carotid artery bifurcation was constructed in order to determine the stress field and assess the modification of the stress field when residual strain is taken into account. Residual strain in the carotid bifurcation was characterized by experimental observations. According to these observations, a geometrical model of the carotid artery was constructed to exhibit a state free of strain. Appropriate boundary conditions were applied to yield the correct geometry in the unloaded state, and physiological levels of pressure and axial stretching were applied. The model took into account the varying thickness of the arterial wall along the bifurcation. For modeling purposes, the material was considered to be hyperelastic, incompressible, homogenous and isotropic. For comparison, a similar model of the carotid artery which does not include the effects of residual strain was also created. The results demonstrate that in the model of the carotid artery bifurcation with residual strain, the distribution of maximum principal stress along the inner wall and the circumferential stress throughout the wall is much more uniform than in the model without residual strain. The ratio between the stress at the inner and the outer walls is highest at the lateral wall of the carotid sinus; this is the same location known to be a site of low and oscillatory fluid wall shear stress, and the principal location of early intimal thickening. These results suggest that the localization of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery may be due to local variations in both fluid wall shear stress and solid wall stress.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Profiles of fragments after pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of cleaved genomic DNA from strains of Taylorella equigenitalis isolated from horses in Norway.

The genomic DNA of eight strains of Taylorella equigenitalis, isolated from seven Norwegian Trotters and a Norwegian pony with contagious equine metritis in Norway, was examined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis after separate digestions with two restriction enzymes, namely, ApaI and NotI. The respective electrophoretic profiles of the fragments were essentially identical but differed from those of T. equigenitalis NCTC11184T and Kentucky 188. They also exhibited slight differences from profiles obtained from Japanese isolates. These results may possibly suggest a common genotype and a common source of infection for all these eight isolates in Norway.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Mutations in cornea-specific keratin K3 or K12 genes cause Meesmann's corneal dystrophy.

The intermediate filament cytoskeleton of corneal epithelial cells is composed of cornea-specific keratins K3 and K12 (refs 1,2). Meesmann's corneal dystrophy (MCD) is an autosomal dominant disorder causing fragility of the anterior corneal epithelium, where K3 and K12 are specifically expressed. We postulated that dominant-negative mutations in these keratins might be the cause of MCD. K3 was mapped to the type-II keratin gene cluster on 12q; and K12 to the type-I keratin cluster on 17q using radiation hybrids. We obtained linkage to the K12 locus in Meesmann's original German kindred (Zmax = 7.53; theta = 0) and we also showed that the phenotype segregated with either the K12 or the K3 locus in two Northern Irish pedigrees. Heterozygous missense mutations in K3 (E509K) and in K12 (V143L; R135T) completely co-segregated with MCD in the families and were not found in 100 normal unrelated chromosomes. All mutations occur in the highly conserved keratin helix boundary motifs, where dominant mutations in other keratins have been found to severely compromise cytoskeletal function, leading to keratinocyte fragility phenotypes. Our results demonstrate for the first time the molecular basis of Meesmann's corneal dystrophy.

Cornea↗
PubMed1997

Pneumococcal resistance in the UK.

The first case reports of infection with penicillin-resistant pneumococci (PRP, MIC > 0.1 mg/L) and multidrug-resistant pneumococci were made in Australia in 1967 and South Africa in 1977, respectively. Since this time these organisms have spread to become a worldwide problem. In Europe PRP prevalence rates of up to 40% have been reported from Spain and 58% from Hungary, although there has been considerable national, regional and local variation in these figures. Until recently the UK was considered to have low prevalence of PRP. As recently as 1990, 100% of 7255 strains of pneumococci from 61 centres across the UK were found to be penicillin sensitive. However, there have now been several reports of significant and rising levels of resistance nationwide. Erythromycin resistance has also risen from 2.8% to 8.6% between 1990 and 1995 in England and Wales. At the Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory (NIPHL) 3171 strains of pneumococci were examined using the oxacillin screening test between 1988 and 1995, during which time the annual rate of penicillin resistance was found to increase from <1% to 10.6%. The proportion of PRP with high-level resistance (MIC > 1 mg/L) increased from 0% to 36% and levels of PRP cross-resistance to cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin were 89% and 78%, respectively, which are amongst the highest in the UK. Similar rates of penicillin resistance have now been reported from several geographically disparate regions in the UK including Liverpool, Manchester and London. The number of laboratories in England and Wales reporting the isolation of PRPs to the Central Public Health Laboratory increased from 23 (3%) in 1987 to 72 (21%) in 1991 and a recent study from this reference laboratory showed that the prevalence of pneumococcal resistance to penicillin had increased 2.5-fold between 1990 and 1995. Clearly both PRP and multidrug-resistant pneumococci are increasing in prevalence in the UK, and this increase is likely to continue. A recent model of the evolution of national PRP prevalence rates describes a slow emergence phase, followed by an exponential growth phase of around 10 years reaching a stationary phase when the proportion of PRP reaches 50%. It is possible that the UK is currently at the beginning of the exponential growth phase of PRP. This has implications for the future treatment of pneumococcal infections in this country and emphasizes the need for new anti-pneumococcal agents. The new quinolone grepafloxacin, which has an MIC90 of 0.25 mg/L for pneumococci, may represent a future alternative oral treatment for multidrug-resistant strains. The activity of this antibiotic against 70 PRPs is compared with that of two other quinolones and macrolides.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1997

Experimental investigation of the distribution of residual strains in the artery wall.

Arterial wall stresses are thought to be a major determinant of vascular remodeling both during normal growth and throughout the development of occlusive vascular disease. A completely physiologic mechanical model of the arterial wall should account not only for its residual strains but also for its structural nonhomogeneity. It is known that each layer of the artery wall possesses different mechanical properties, but the distribution of residual strain among the different mechanical components, and thus the true zero stress state, remain unknown. In this study, two different sets of experiments were carried out in order to determine the distribution of residual strains in artery walls, and thus the true zero stress state. In the first, collagen and elastin were selectively eliminated by chemical methods and smooth muscle cells were destroyed by freezing. Dissolving elastin provoked a decrease in the opening angle, while dissolving collagen and destroying smooth muscle cells had no effect. In the second, different wall layers of bovine carotid arteries were removed from the exterior or luminal surfaces by lathing or drilling frozen specimens, and then allowing the frozen material to thaw before measuring residual strain. Lathing material away from the outer surface caused the opening angle of the remaining inner layers to increase. Drilling material from the inside caused the opening angle of the remaining outer layers to decrease. Mechanical nonhomogeneity, including the distribution of residual strains, should thus be considered as an important factor in determining the distribution of stress in the artery wall and the configuration of the true zero stress state.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Effects of supplemental energy source and amount on forage intake and performance by steers and intake and diet digestibility by sheep.

Two levels of concentrate supplements containing different types of carbohydrates (corn-soybean meal, CSBM; wheat middlings, WM; and soybean hulls, SBH) were evaluated for effects on forage intake and performance in growing steers and total diet digestibility in sheep. In Exp. 1, 63 crossbred yearling cattle (298 and 377 kg initial BW for yr 1 and 2, respectively) were given ad libitum access to chopped bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.]) hay with no supplementation (CONTROL) or with 25 or 50% of projected total TDN intake from CSBM, WM, or SBH. In Exp. 2, digestibilities of organic matter (OMD) and neutral detergent fiber (NDFD) were determined with sheep fed levels of hay and concentrates similar to those used in the growth trials. Hay intake was 1.99% of BW for steers fed hay alone and averaged 1.93% of BW in steers fed supplements at the low level. At the high level of concentrate supplementation, hay intake was depressed (P < .001) to a similar extent (1.63% of BW) in steers supplemented with CSBM, WM, or SBH. AT the low concentrate level, shrunk ADG was similar (.63 kg/d) among supplements, but at the high concentrate level steers fed SBH had higher (P = .06) shrunk ADG (.95 kg/d) than steers fed CSBM (.76 kg/d). Body condition score (BCS) increased more (P = .06) for CSBM- and SBH- than for WM-supplemented steers. Total tract OMD was lower (P < .001) in sheep fed WM (54.8% for low and 56.9% for high supplementation levels) than in sheep fed CSBM (57.4 and 62.6%) or SBH (57.2 and 62.5%). Total tract NDFD was higher (P < .001) for the SBH (58.9% for low and 63.3% for high levels) diets than for CSBM (54.6 and 51.0%) or WM (54.6 and 51.8%) diets. Supplements containing highly digestible fiber (SBH) produced less negative associative effects than high-starch supplements (CSBM) when fed with bermudagrass hay at the high level (.8 to 1% of BW), but no differences were found at the low feeding level (.4 to .5% of BW).

Animal Feed↗