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Biomedical subjects

J Harris

Publications and source records attributed to J Harris.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

A comparison of two methods for isolation of Salmonella from poultry litter samples.

Two methods were compared to determine their ability and efficiency in detecting Salmonella in poultry litter samples. Method 1 consisted of pre-enrichment in buffered peptone water (BPW), selective motility enrichment in Modified Semisolid Rappaport Vassiliadis (MSRV) agar, and plating onto MacConkey (MC) agar. Method 2 employed tetrathionate brilliant green (TBG) broth and plating on brilliant green agar with novobiocin (BGAN) and on xylose lysine tergitol 4 (XLT4) agar. Method 1 resulted in a significantly higher isolation rate, was cheaper, and was less labor intensive.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Adding nursing facility beds: impact on hospital nonacute care.

The study evaluated the impact of admitting 235 nonacute patients who had been backed up in hospitals to new nursing facility beds in the metropolitan area of Syracuse, New York, during a 12-month period. The data indicated that these admissions reduced the hospital nonacute census by 53 percent and produced substantial declines in numbers of nonacute patients with postacute stays longer than one month and with Medicaid as principal payer. Numbers of patients waiting for Medicaid eligibility were not affected by admissions to the new beds. The data also indicated that substantial numbers of new admissions were required to generate these changes.

Bed Occupancy↗
PubMed1994

User-friendly CQI for the mental health care team.

Past efforts in continuous quality improvement (CQI) have focused on the rigor of CQI indicators and the reliability of data collection, with little consideration about organizational characteristics of the team required to carry out the CQI plan. It is crucial that evaluators who set up CQI procedures for inpatient mental health care consider characteristics of the treatment team responsible for carrying out CQI recommendations. In this article, the authors discuss a paradigm for user-friendly CQI based on program development efforts made in Illinois State Hospitals.

Forms and Records Control↗
PubMed1994

Defined chromosomal assignment of CLN5 demonstrates that at least four genetic loci are involved in the pathogenesis of human ceroid lipofuscinoses.

We demonstrate here that at least four genetically separate loci are involved in the pathogenesis of human neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), fatal brain disorders of children. Earlier the assignments of the infantile and juvenile subtypes of NCL to 1p32 and 16p12 had revealed two loci; and here a variant subtype of the late-infantile form of NCL is mapped to a well-defined region on 13q21.1-q32, whereas the clinically similar, classical form of late-infantile NCL was found to represent the fourth, yet-unidentified NCL locus. The linkage disequilibrium was crucial for locus assignment in our highly limited family material, and the data exemplify the significance of this phenomenon in the random mapping of rare human diseases.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Nonlinear approaches for separation of slow and fast phase nystagmus signals.

Central nervous system (CNS) disorders and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) degradation contribute to the loss of orientation and balance, typically causing the illusion of motion. VOR degradation may be caused by illnesses or common prescription medications, and this degradation may have serious repercussions in affecting one's ability to walk, maintain balance, or track moving objects. The two current VOR analysis techniques are applied to nystagmus signals (recordings of eye position during standardized tests) to isolate the two neuronal pathways used. These techniques are only partially successful because the VOR signal is passed through several filtering layers, to isolate the nystagmus signal, leaving it severely altered. In this paper, several alternate approaches are introduced: nonlinear robust ordering procedures, mathematical morphology, and wavelet filtering techniques are demonstrated. All approaches were as successful as the current techniques in isolating data from one neuronal pathway. Techniques for each of the three were also developed which would identify data from the second neuronal pathway as well. The nonlinear approach, which works using raw position data, bypasses layers of filtering. A robust technique is used to identify the points at which the data changes from that due to one neuronal pathway to the other, and the end result is obtained by concatenating the respective segments. The other two approaches work with velocity data obtained by differentiation, and because they are applied to non-original data, their results may be open to the possibility of error. Additionally, the two most recent approaches in the literature (using order statistic filters and fuzzy logic) have been implemented for a comparison of results.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

Educational interventions and the use of parenteral nutrition.

The Georgetown Total Parenteral Nutrition Forum generated consensus statements about the need for nutrition support. The main concern is that the excessive use of parenteral nutritional is both dangerous and expensive. We performed confidential audits using these criteria before and after educational interventions. The incidence of doubtful usage decreased from 29% (8/28) in mid-1991 to 3% (1/30) in mid-1992 (Fisher Exact Probability = 0.01): A post-audit review one year later in mid-1993 revealed an incidence of doubtful usage of 0% (0/19). It is concluded that the consensus document from the Georgetown Parenteral Nutrition Forum is a useful tool for deriving usage guidelines, educating staff and performing criterion audits. In this way, it is possible to generate cost savings and improve the quality of care.

Australia↗
PubMed1994

Detection of deep venous thrombi and pulmonary embolus with technetium-99m-DD-3B6/22 anti-fibrin monoclonal antibody Fab' fragment.

UNLABELLED: Technetium-99m-labeled anti-fibrin DD-3B6/22 Fab' monoclonal antibody fragments, which specifically target human cross-linked fibrin with high affinity, were evaluated in humans for safety and their capacity to detect deep vein thrombi and pulmonary embolism. METHODS: Twenty patients with proven deep-vein thrombosis, documented by contrast venography, or venous duplex scan, were injected with a 600 MBq (0.5 mg) dose of antibody. Planar images of the lower limbs were recorded at 0, 2, 6 and 24 hr and chest scintigrams were recorded at 6 and 24 hr. RESULTS: All venography documented thrombus sites, calves, popliteal and femoral, were detected with the radioimmunoconjugate. For the venous duplex scan-proven thrombus sites, all except two calf thrombi in two patients with bilateral disease and other positive sites were detected. Five patients had bilateral deep-vein thrombosis with multiple sites being visualized with the radioimmunoconjugate in the calf, popliteal and femoral regions. One case of pulmonary embolus was also definitively demonstrated. Documented thrombus sites were detected at 2 and 6 hr postinjection. Nineteen patients were on heparin. No adverse reactions to the injected dose were observed and one low titer human anti-mouse antibody response may have occurred. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that 99mTc-DD-3B6/22 Fab' has potential for noninvasive detection of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding ZP3 alpha, a sperm-binding glycoprotein from zona pellucida of pig oocyte.

We isolated a cDNA encoding the pig oocyte zona pellucida protein ZP3 alpha from a pig ovary lambda gt11 cDNA library. The 1699 bp cDNA contains a short 3' untranslated region characteristic of cDNAs encoding zona proteins. The deduced amino acid sequence for ZP3 alpha consists of 536 amino acid residues and shares 66% overall identity with a 55 kDa rabbit zona protein. Important features of the ZP3 alpha polypeptide include a predicted N-terminal signal sequence, twenty-two cysteine residues, an O-glycosylated domain and potential attachment sites for five N-linked sugar chains. A multibasic tetrapeptide occurs upstream of a predicted C-terminal transmembrane sequence; this suggests proteolytic processing of an integral membrane precursor within the constitutive secretory pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Motor and cardiovascular effects of selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists in the decerebrated rabbit.

In the decerebrated rabbit, intrathecal administration of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan and yohimbine increases reflex responses of gastrocnemius motoneurones to electrical stimulation of the sural nerve. The maximum effect of idazoxan is about twice that of yohimbine, suggesting that part of the effect of idazoxan may be due to an action at non-adrenergic idazoxan or imidazoline binding sites. RX811059 and RX821002 are selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists with minimal affinity for imidazoline binding sites. In the present study it was found that intrathecal administration of these compounds in doses of 5-200 micrograms increased the sural-gastrocnemius reflex to the same level as idazoxan, confirming that this reflex is subject to powerful adrenergic inhibition mediated through spinal alpha 2-adrenoceptors. RX811059 and RX821002 also increased arterial blood pressure and heart rate. A retrospective analysis of data from earlier studies showed that whereas intrathecal yohimbine had increased blood pressure, idazoxan had not. It is possible that idazoxan acts at non-adrenergic idazoxan binding sites to cancel out the hypertensive effects which are associated with alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockade.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1993

Investigations into the biochemical basis of neuromodulation by 2-phenylethylamine: effect on microtubule protein.

In order to understand the role of 2-phenylethylamine (PE) on neuronal responses, membrane changes have been studied using ESR probes. We report that the anticipated change in lipid membrane fluidity generally implicated in signal transduction has not been observed when PE is added to synaptosomes. As cytoskeletal architecture of presynaptic terminals appears to be involved in synaptic transmission, we non-specifically labeled synaptosomal membrane proteins with the sulfhydryl spin probe N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl-4-yl) maleimide (4-MAL-TEMPO). The addition of 2-phenylethylamine was found to induce conformational changes, in decreasing the ratio of weakly to strongly immobilized spin label (W/S) to 65% of the control. Of the membrane proteins labeled, 70-90% of the 4-MAL-TEMPO is covalently incorporated into cytoskeletal proteins. In isolated synaptosomes, incorporated with spin-labeled tubulin, the addition of PE reduced the W/S ratio to 51.6% of that obtained for polymerized microtubules. In vitro, PE reduced tau R of polymerized microtubules by 37%. We propose that the PE interaction with tubulin changes microtubule dynamics which may lead to its neuromodulatory action. The state of microtubular assembly can modulate the responsiveness of second messengers in the cell to the effect of stimulatory agents. The nature and physiological significance of PE interaction with tubulin is currently under investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Unusual neurofilament composition in cerebellar unipolar brush neurons.

During antibody screening on sections of rat cerebellum, we noticed a group of small neurons which exhibited unusual staining properties. They were robustly immunopositive for the high molecular weight neurofilament protein, moderately immunostained with antibodies to the low molecular weight neurofilament protein and alpha-internexin, but only faintly immunoreactive (in PAP sections) or essentially immunonegative (in immunofluorescent sections) with all members of a panel of antibodies directed against the middle molecular weight neurofilament protein. Since neurons generally react equally well with phosphate-independent, (antibodies to) low, middle and high molecular weight neurofilament protein, we conclude that middle molecular weight neurofilament protein is present in these cells in an unusually low relative amount. These cells are found in the granular layer and appear concentrated in the flocculus, ventral paraflocculus, and vermis, particularly in the ventral uvula and nodulus (lobules IXd and X). Previous studies performed by Hockfield defined a population of neurons of similar appearance and distribution using the monoclonal antibody Rat-302, which recognized an uncharacterized 160 kDa protein. We show here that the cells described by Hockfield are identical to those we have found and furthermore that the Rat-302 antibody specifically recognizes the dephosphorylated form of the lysine-serine-proline repeated sequences of high molecular weight neurofilament protein. These cells were studied by pre-embedding immunoelectron microscopy. The nucleus is deeply indented and shows little condensed chromatin. The cytoplasm contains scattered microtubules and a larger number of neurofilaments than expected in a small cell. There are numerous large dense core vesicles, an unusual organelle consisting of ringlet subunits, and relatively little granular endoplasmic reticulum. A thin axon and a single stout dendritic trunk emanate from the perikaryon. Although the cell body and the dendritic shaft may form either complex contacts with mossy fibres (resembling those previously termed en marron synapses) or simple symmetric synapses with small boutons containing pleomorphic vesicles, most of the synaptic relations are established on the shafts of brush-like branchlets that form at the tip of the dendrite and enter one or two glomeruli. Each branchlet forms an extraordinarily extensive asymmetric synapse with the mossy fibre rosette and the subsynaptic region shows a microfibrillar web connected to the postsynaptic density. In addition to other organelles, the branchlets contain numerous mitochondria and large dense core vesicles. Short, non-synaptic appendages with few cytoplasmic organelles emanated from the cell body, dendritic shaft and branchlets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1993

Combining traditional and nontraditional approaches to nutrition counseling.

Nutritionists facilitate clients' quests for healthier lives. Traditional approaches to nutrition counseling incorporate a two-part process: establish rapport and implement behavioral changes directed at the client's problem. Nontraditional techniques--such as centering, guided imagery, biofeedback, and meditation--offer dietitians additional tools for counseling. These techniques enhance the goals of building relationships and changing behavior and promote greater progress by allowing inner healing and whole-self participation in the efforts toward behavioral change. A holistic view of nutrition therapy incorporates nontraditional approaches to nutrition counseling. The field of mind-body awareness can help clients with a wide range of nutrition-related behavioral change. In offering nutrition care plans, dietitians need not only look at laboratory tests, diet sheets, and daily food-related habits. To teach clients greater self-awareness they should consider physical, emotional, and spiritual influences as well as family dynamics and stress-reduction techniques. Nontraditional approaches help clients understand that they can influence their behavior by connecting to their inner self. Our experience and findings show that this sense of internal control is a potent factor in enhancing health and dietary compliance for the patient and renewed job satisfaction for the nutrition counselor.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗