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Biomedical subjects

J F Smith

Publications and source records attributed to J F Smith.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Antigenic analysis of Punta Toro virus and identification of protective determinants with monoclonal antibodies.

Hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies to the three major structural proteins of Punta Toro virus (PTV) were established by fusion of spleen cells with Sp2/0-Ag-14 mouse plasmacytoma cells. Thirty-six independently derived monoclonal antibodies were evaluated in neutralization, hemagglutination inhibition, and ELISA assays and the isotype, antigen specificities, and cross-reactivities were determined. These antibodies were also assessed for their ability to provide protection in a murine model. Both G1- and G2-specific antibodies were obtained which neutralized virus infectivity in vitro and inhibited hemagglutination, whereas nucleocapsid-specific antibodies exhibited neither activity. All of the anti-G1 antibodies were PTV-specific, whereas anti-G2 and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies exhibited varying patterns of cross-reactivity with heterologous phleboviruses. All of the G1-reactive monoclonal antibodies, which bound to epitopes in two distinct topological sites as determined by competitive binding assays, provided efficient protection to both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice. In contrast, of the 23 G2-reactive antibodies, only 8 were able to protect immunocompetent mice and only one was able to protect immunosuppressed animals. The degree of protection achieved in vivo did not correlate directly with the neutralization titers determined in vitro.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Influence of nutrition on ovulation rate in the ewe.

The effect of nutrition on ovulation rate in the ewe is reviewed with particular reference to the role of protein and energy and the time of effect during the cycle. Ovulation rate is increased by both protein and energy. In the case of protein this was shown to be accompanied by increased plasma levels of FSH and androstenedione at about the time of luteolysis, while levels of LH were unaffected. Increased hepatic oxidative enzyme activity is proposed as a mechanism by which nutrient intake may influence ovulation rate.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

Immunoelectron microscopy of Rift Valley fever viral morphogenesis in primary rat hepatocytes.

The morphogenesis of the hepatotropic phlebovirus Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) has been examined by immuno-electron microscopy in primary hepatocyte cultures derived from genetically susceptible and resistant rat strains. RVFV replicates in both cell types with growth kinetics comparable with those seen in other permissive cells. However, in contrast to that has been observed in other cell types, RVFV replication in hepatocytes is associated with maturation at cellular surface membranes in addition to the smooth internal membranes of the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum. Envelope acquisition at surface membranes occurred primarily on basolateral membranes. The events occurring in RVFV morphogenesis were indistinguishable in hepatocytes from resistant and susceptible animals; however, hepatocytes from susceptible animals produced significantly higher titers of virus.

Animals↗

Performance of disposable needle syringe systems for local anesthesia.

The performance of different disposable needle syringe systems was determined by measuring needle-puncture pain, needle-bending forces, and the fluid dynamics of the systems. Thirty-gauge needles cause less needle-puncture pain than any other needle. The force required to bend the 30-gauge needle irreversibly was lower than that for the other needles. Studies of the fluid dynamics of different needle syringe assemblies demonstrated that the flow rate can be limited by using large-size syringes (30 mL) and needles with the smallest internal diameter. On the basis of the results of this study, 30-gauge needles attached to 10-mL syringes are recommended for infiltration anesthesia, and 25-gauge needles with 10-mL syringes are advocated for regional nerve blocks. In infiltration anesthesia, the local anesthetic agent should be injected slowly into the subdermal tissue over a 10-second period. When performing regional nerve blocks, it is also advisable to inject the local anesthetic agent over a 10-second time interval.

Anesthesia, Local↗

Punta Toro virus infection of C57BL/6J mice: a model for phlebovirus-induced disease.

Punta Toro virus infections of inbred strains of mice have been characterized and evaluated as a model in which to study various aspects of the host response to phlebovirus infections and the requirements for protective immunity. The Adames strain of Punta Toro virus was found to be strongly hepatotropic and lymphotropic and the outcome of infection was largely a function of age. C57BL/6J mice of less than 5 weeks of age uniformly developed fulminant hepatocellular necrosis with mean survival times of 4.2 days. Resistance to lethal infection increased with age such that greater than 95% of 8-week-old mice survived challenge. The kinetics of viremia, antibody production, and hematological changes in 4- and 8-week animals indicated that the survival of the older animals is related to their ability to delay virus replication and the development of hepatic lesions during the initial 48 h of infection and their ability to terminate virus replication and clear virus from the circulation 4 to 5 days after infection. The mechanisms responsible for this resistance were studied using anti-interferon serum, immunosuppression, and passive immunization.

Age Factors↗

Induction of oestrus and ovulation in farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) by using progesterone and PMSG treatment.

Twenty non-lactating fallow does were each treated with an intravaginal progesterone device (CIDR) for 14 days followed by an i.m. injection of 500 i.u. PMSG, 3-4 weeks before the expected start of the natural rut. An additional 7 does received no treatments and were used as controls. Induced oestrus was observed for 19 (95%) of the treated does, the onset occurring between 48 and 76 h after CIDR removal/PMSG administration. Laparoscopic examination 12 days after CIDR removal revealed ovulation rates ranging from 1 to 4 in treated does. Non-ovulating luteinized follicles were also a feature of PMSG treatment and there was a significant inverse relationship between ovulation rate and numbers of luteinized follicles. Only 3 (14.3%) of the treated does conceived at or near the induced oestrus, the remainder returning to oestrus 21-27 days later. Mid-cycle progesterone concentrations were positively related to ovulation rate. All control does showed evidence of a recent single ovulation at laparoscopy, although first oestrus did not occur until 7-15 days later, indicating the occurrence of silent ovulations before the natural breeding season.

Animals↗

Talotibial exostoses with entrapment of the deep peroneal nerve.

An athlete with talotibial exostoses with entrapment of the deep peroneal nerve is presented. This diagnosis was made by history, physical and roentgenographic examinations, bone scan, and isokinetic exercising. Treatment of this condition involved surgical excision of the boney exostoses.

Adult↗

Mechanism studies of coomassie blue and silver staining of proteins.

A relatively high complexation affinity has been found for coomassie blue G-250 and the following amino acids: arginine; tyrosine; lysine; and histidine. A linear relationship was observed between log molar absorptivity and log molecular weight of 52 of 69 proteins, polypeptides, and di- and tripeptides that were allowed to react with coomassie blue G-250 in solution. The solution complexation results were used in a study of the detection of the following model proteins: bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, recombinant DNA derived human insulin, and calmodulin. Interactions between coomassie blue stained gels and silver detection reagents were determined and used as the basis for studies of enhanced sensitivity of detection of electrophoretically developed proteins. Sensitivity enhancements of up to eight-fold were observed when various sulfonic acid dye complexed proteins were detected with silver reagents versus the use of silver reagents alone. A site-directed nucleation of silver caused by the protein complexed sulfonic acid dyes is proposed as a mechanism for the observed enhancements.

Animals↗

Nuclear diameter in parathyroid carcinomas.

Nuclear diameter was measured and mean nuclear diameter calculated in 18 parathyroid carcinomas. In 11 of the 18 tumours mean nuclear diameter was above the range previously reported for 55 parathyroid chief cell adenomas and provides a useful discriminant in histological diagnosis.

Adenoma↗

Validation of body composition models for high school wrestlers.

This study investigates the utility of two equations for predicting minimum wrestling weight and three equations for predicting body density for the population of high school wrestlers. A sample of 54 wrestlers was assessed for body density by underwater weighing, residual volume by helium dilution, and selected anthropometric measures. The differences between observed and predicted responses were analyzed for the five models. Four statistical tests were used to validate the equations, including tests for the mean of differences, proportion of positive differences, equality of standard errors from regression, and equivalence of regression coefficients between original and second sample data. The Michael and Katch equation and two Forsyth and Sinning equations (FS1 and FS21) for body density did not predict as well as expected. The Michael and Katch equation tends to overpredict body density while FS1 underpredicts. The FS2 equation, consisting of a constant adjustment to FS1, predicts well near the mean but not at the ends of the sample range. The two Tcheng and Tipton equations produce estimates which slightly but consistently overpredict minimum wrestling weight, the long form equation by 2.5 pounds and the short form by 3.8 pounds. As a result the proportion of positive differences is less than would be expected. But based on the tests for the standard errors and regression coefficients, the evidence does not uniformly reject these two equations.

Adolescent↗

Silver staining of proteins in polyacrylamide gels: increased sensitivity through a combined Coomassie blue-silver stain procedure.

A combined Coomassie blue-silver stain method has been developed in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels for the detection of proteins using the model compounds bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, and recombinant DNA-derived human insulin. Sensitivity was enhanced 2.2 to 8.6 times by the new method relative to that of silver staining alone. The new method may also be useful in enhancing detection sensitivities of other proteins.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗

The rapid separation and assay of previously unreported plasminogen activators in human euglobulin fractions. The effect of venous occlusion.

Euglobulins were prepared from pre and post venous occlusion plasma by acidification and dilution at pH 5.9. It is shown by isoelectrofocussing that there are several plasminogen activators with differing pI's in euglobulin fractions. Activators with pI's 8.9/9.0, and 9.4 are the major activators responsible for the increase in post occlusion plasminogen activator activity. Fibrin was necessary for the induction of the vascular occlusion response.

Constriction↗