Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J J Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to J J Murphy.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The amino acid composition of protein feedstuffs before and after ruminal incubation and after subsequent passage through the intestines of dairy cows.

The amino (AA) profile of eight feedstuffs (two samples of fishmeal, soybean meal [SBM], formaldehyde-treated SBM, sopralin, cotton-seed meal [CSM], rapeseed meal [RSM], corn distillers grains [CDG], and corn gluten feed [CGF]) was determined before and after ruminal incubation for 8 and 12 h in three lactating Friesian cows using nylon bags. The profile of AA disappearing during intestinal passage was also measured by inserting the bags into the duodenum through T-piece cannulas after ruminal incubation and recovering them in the feces. The AA profile changed for all feedstuffs, except sopralin, following ruminal incubation. Changes were greater for the more degradable feedstuffs. The profile of AA disappearing during intestinal passage was generally similar to the profile after ruminal incubation, but some differences were found with feedstuffs that had low (< 84%) intestinal disappearance of AA (RSM, CDG, CGF). For the other feedstuffs, intestinal disappearance of AA was greater than 93%. The two fishmeal samples had the highest concentrations of methionine and lysine in their residues after ruminal incubation, whereas CDG and CGF had low lysine concentrations. Residues of these latter two and RSM were quite high in methionine concentration, whereas residues of SBM, sopralin, and CSM had the lowest concentrations. Corn distillers grains had 13% of its AA remaining after ruminal incubation followed by intestinal passage. These results show that feedstuffs vary in the proportion of their AA that escape ruminal degradation, in the profile of those AA, and in their intestinal digestibility. These factors should be considered in protein evaluation systems and in assessment of the protein quality of feedstuffs.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1997

The effect of replacing dietary beet pulp with wheat treated with sodium hydroxide, ground wheat, or ground corn in lactating cows.

This experiment examined the effect of complete diets composed of 60% grass silage and 40% concentrate based mainly on beet pulp, ground wheat, wheat treated with NaOH, or ground corn on milk production and ruminal fermentation of dairy cows. Milk production and fat yield were 19.8, 20.7, 20.1, and 21.2 kg/d and 0.71, 0.76, 0.72, and 0.78 kg/d, respectively (18 cows per treatment). Cows fed the diet based on ground corn had higher milk production and fat yield, but lower milk protein concentration, than did cows fed the diet based on beet pulp. Cows fed the diet based on ground corn also had higher fat yields than did cows fed the diet based on wheat treated with NaOH. Cows fed the diet based on ground wheat had lower ruminal pH than did cows fed the diet based on beet pulp (6.34 vs. 6.59) and higher ruminal NH3 concentrations (6.2 vs. 5.2 mmol/L) than did cows fed the diet based on ground corn. These results showed little difference in milk production based on wheat processing method and little advantage to replacing beet pulp with either wheat type in a high forage diet. However, milk production and fat yield were increased by replacing beet pulp with ground corn.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1997

Rumen fermentation and nutrient flows for cows fed grass and grass supplemented with molassed beet pulp pellets.

An experiment was carried out to determine the effect of a grass diet and a concentrate supplement on rumen fermentation and nutrient flows to the duodenum. Perennial ryegrass was cut and fed indoors to eight rumen- and duodenum-cannulated Friesian cows with or without 3 kg/d of molassed beet pulp in a randomized design experiment. The dry matter intake of grass was significantly lower for cows fed the concentrate supplement (13.6 vs. 11.5 kg of dry matter/d), but total dry matter and organic matter (OM) intakes were similar for cows fed both diets. Cows fed the supplement had higher mean concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (108 vs. 89 mmol/L) and a higher percentage of butyrate in total volatile fatty acids (13.5 vs. 11.6 mol/100 mol). There were no differences between the diets in the flow of OM to the duodenum or in the extent of OM digestion in the rumen. Flows of nonammonia N, microbial N, and amino acids to the duodenum tended to be higher for cows fed the supplemented diet than for those fed ryegrass only. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis also tended to be higher for cows fed the supplemented diet (42 vs. 37.7 g/kg of OM apparently digested in the rumen and 28.2 vs. 26 g/kg of OM truly digested in the rumen). Overall, there were indications that the supplement caused better capture of N in the rumen and increased the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1997

Impact of infection by verotoxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 on the use of surgical services in a children's hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection in children on the need for surgical assessment in a pediatric surgical practice and whether clinical and bacteriologic variables might contribute to that need. DESIGN: Examination of a case series. SETTING: A tertiary-care pediatric hospital. PATIENTS: Between 1990 and 1994, E. coli O157:H7 gastrointestinal infections were documented among 85 children, 29 of whom suffered from hemolytic-uremic syndrome. INTERVENTION: Surgical consultation for presumed or proven complications of the infection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequency of and reasons for surgical consultation, clinical and bacteriologic variables between patients who did or did not require surgical assessment. RESULTS: Of the 85 children, 17 (20%) were assessed by the surgical service. The majority of these children were inpatients. Two required abdominal surgery. Female gender, older age and progression to hemolytic-uremic syndrome were factors associated in univariate analyses with a likelihood of need for surgical assessment; variation in bacterial genotype was not. CONCLUSION: There is the potential for verotoxigenic E. coli O157:H7 infection to have a considerable impact on the utilization of pediatric surgical services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Early response gene signalling in bryostatin-stimulated primary B chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells in vitro.

The protein kinase C activator bryostatin induces differentiation and antagonizes the effects of tumour-promoting phorbol esters in a number of different cell types. We show here that bryostatin preferentially inhibits phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced proliferation compared with differentiation in a number of different B chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (BCLL) cell populations examined. By using a panel of 11 early-response gene probes in Northern hybridization analysis, we found that the profile of genes induced in response to bryostatin and PMA was qualitatively similar and displayed comparable sensitivities to inhibition with the serine-threonine kinase inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine hydrochloride (H7), consistent with common signalling through protein kinase C. However, the nuclear oncogene. c-myc, which was induced strongly in response to PMA treatment, was only marginally up-regulated by bryostatin. In addition, bryostatin selectively inhibited the magnitude of PMA-responsive induction of c-myc, to a degree commensurate with its antagonistic effects seen at the biological level. Finally, an anti-sense oligonucleotide blockade of c-myc inhibited PMA-induced proliferation but not the differentiation of BCLL cells, implicating this nuclear oncogene as an important determinant distinguishing PMA from bryostatin-coupled biological responses and also as a candidate third-messenger effector target for the anti-tumour effects of bryostatin.

Bryostatins↗
PubMed1996

B cell early response gene expression coupled to B cell receptor, CD40 and interleukin-4 receptor co-stimulation: evidence for a role of the egr-2/krox 20 transcription factor in B cell proliferation.

B lymphocytes are activated following antigen stimulation of the B cell receptor but require co-stimulation with accessory molecules provided by interleukin (IL)-4/CD40 ligand for cell cycle progression and proliferation. By analyzing a panel of 11 early response genes induced by cross-linking of surface immunoglobulin, we show that CD40 signaling alone induces only 2 genes, c-myc together with an anonymous gene, 3L3, and that these are distinct from the set of genes induced in response to IL-4. Co-stimulation with the proliferative combination of anti-mu, IL-4 + CD40 signaling led to a fourfold enhancement of egr-2/krox 20 expression over that seen with anti-mu alone. Egr-2 expression/activity was selectively inhibited by the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A, and antisense oligonucleotide blockade of Egr-2 activity elicited a dose-dependent inhibition of B cell proliferation. Taken together, these observations show that the early gene regulatory programs coupled to different surface receptors on B cells are largely distinct from each other, but that certain genes, exemplified by egr-2, may represent a point of convergence in the integration of different signaling pathways into the B cell proliferative response.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1996

Distinct mechanisms for rescue from apoptosis in Ramos human B cells by signaling through CD40 and interleukin-4 receptor: role for inhibition of an early response gene, Berg36.

The role of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and CD40 signaling in negative regulation of apoptosis in human Ramos B cells induced in response to different agents was investigated. CD40 ligation protected cells from apoptosis induced by calcium ionophore through an initial, rapid and apparently Bcl-2-independent mechanism, associated with up-regulation of Bcl-XL. However, rescue from apoptosis induced by inhibition of macromolecular synthesis required several hours of prior stimulation with CD40 ligand/antibody and was accompanied by up-regulation of Bcl-2. In contrast, IL-4 did not up-regulate Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL and did not inhibit apoptosis induced by inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis. However, IL-4 did protect Ramos cells from apoptosis induced by calcium ionophore and this effect was accompanied by inhibition of ionophore-induced expression of an immediate early gene encoding a 36-kDa zinc-finger protein, Berg36. Antisense blockade of Berg36 expression partially inhibited ionophore-induced apoptosis to an extent commensurate with the level of IL-4 protection, implicating Berg36 function as a requirement for apoptosis induced through calcium signaling and as a target for IL-4 through which this cytokine inhibits apoptosis in Ramos B cells. These distinct mechanisms for rescue from apoptosis by CD40 and IL-4 may help explain the co-operative roles of these T cell-derived signals for B cell survival.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Multiple entero-entero fistulae: an unusual complication of Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an immunologically mediated systemic vasculitis of small blood vessels that frequently involves the gastrointestinal tract. Surgeons often are asked to assess patients with HSP for abdominal pain. Common complications that lead to surgical intervention include intussusception, perforation, necrosis, and massive gastrointestinal bleeding. However, the development of multiple entero-entero fistulae has not been described previously. Herein the authors describe the case of a 10-year-old girl with HSP who had a typical rash, seizures secondary to central nervous vasculitis, and gastrointestinal involvement. The abdominal pain persisted for several days until marked fever and hypotension developed, which necessitated surgical intervention. During laparotomy, multiple entero-entero fistulae of the ileum were found, which required resection and primary anastomosis. Histological examination of the ileum was consistent with HSP vasculitis. The patient made an unremarkable recovery and has had no recurrence of symptoms.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1996

Splanchnic artery pseudo-aneurysms secondary to blunt abdominal trauma in children.

Traumatic splanchnic artery pseudo-aneurysms are uncommon; only two cases have been reported among the pediatric population. The authors describe their experience with four patients in whom splanchnic artery pseudoaneurysms developed after blunt abdominal trauma. Splenic artery pseudo-aneurysms were found in a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl after blunt splenic injuries. In both cases, spontaneous thrombosis of the pseudo-aneurysms occurred after a period of observation. Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms were found in a 7-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl after major liver lacerations. The boy had successful angiographic embolization of the lesion, but the girl required direct ligation of the pseudo-aneurysm after nearly exsanguinating from acute hemorrhage. All four children have recovered completely, with no long-term sequelae. Traumatic splanchnic artery pseudo-aneurysms are potentially life-threatening complications that can occur after blunt abdominal trauma. The investigation and management of these lesions must be individualized according to the clinical scenario.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1996

Internal sphincterotomy in post-pull-through Hirschsprung's disease.

Despite proper technique, pull-through operations for Hirschsprung's disease sometimes fail to deliver normal or effective bowel evacuation. Ten patients, described herein, had had a pull-through procedures. The procedures had been performed by various pediatric surgeons. Five cases had been diagnosed in the newborn period and had undergone colostomies. The remainder had been diagnosed later (at 2 months to 2 years of age). They too had undergone colostomy initially, and all had an elective pull-through procedure. The techniques varied; two had Soave procedures, seven had Duhamel procedures, and one had a Kimura-Soave procedure (the only case of total colonic Hirschsprung's disease in the series). All the patients had manifested difficulty in passing stools after the pull-throughs. The problem was described as "severe constipation," "obstipation," or "fecal retention." Four patients had been treated with many laxatives, suppositories, enema routines, and diet regimens for years, with no success. All had been examined radiographically to detect megarectum or megacolon. All had additional biopsies to confirm the presence of ganglia in the pulled-through segments. At 21 months to 12 years of age, these patients underwent full posterior internal sphincterotomies. Nine of the 10 had a good or excellent outcome, with resolution of the megarectum or megacolon. Three patients still require small doses of senna compound, which are being decreased continuously. Therapy failed for a patient with Down's syndrome and a, Duhamel pull-through, and a stoma was required.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1996

Diagnostic laparoscopy in childhood Crohn's disease.

In some children, contrast radiography and endoscopy fail to confirm suspected Crohn's disease, or fail to evaluate the extent of disease. This report documents seven cases in which laparoscopy was used to look for creeping mesenteric fat involving the small intestine, a pathological finding reported only for Crohn's disease. One child had extensive Crohn's colitis and possible terminal ileitis that remained clinically disabling despite intensive immunosuppression therapy. The lack of creeping fat in the small intestine was used to justify colon resection and forego further aggressive medical therapy. The patient had complete resolution of her symptoms after the colectomy. Six children had suspected Crohn's disease and underwent diagnostic laparoscopy after other studies were inconclusive. In three, creeping mesenteric fat of the small intestine was found, and all three responded to treatment for Crohn's disease, with resolution of symptoms. The other three children had Crohn's disease excluded based on the absence of creeping mesenteric fat, and subsequently other pathological conditions were identified. The usual radiographic and endoscopic studies will diagnose most cases of Crohn's disease, but this report emphasizes that, in select cases in which other investigations are inconclusive, laparoscopy can be useful to search for creeping mesenteric fat, a finding characteristic of Crohn's disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Open-access echocardiography to general practitioners for suspected heart failure.

Echocardiography is now considered to be the key investigation when heart failure is suspected, and should improve clinical management. An open-access echocardiography service was piloted to 24 general practitioners and the service was audited after 250 cases. The impact on clinical management was assessed by reviewing general practice notes 2 months after the echocardiogram. Significant impairment of left ventricular function was found in 49 patients (20%). Out of these subjects, 38 had been started on an ACE inhibitor. Twenty patients were considered to have a significant valve lesion by echocritiera, of whom 14 had been referred for a cardiological opinion. The provision of an open-access echocardiography service was popular with general practitioners and the information resulted in appropriate management decisions being made.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Early gene signalling-dependent and -independent induction of apoptosis in Ramos human B cells can be inhibited by over-expression of Bcl-2.

We have previously shown that calcium ionophore-induced apoptosis of Ramos human B cells is preceded by the induced expression of early response genes, implying a requirement for new gene expression in this mode of programmed cell death. We have found in the present studies that inhibitors of macromolecular synthesis, cycloheximide and actinomycin D, are also potent inducers of apoptosis in the same Ramos cell model. These drugs trigger apoptosis through apparently early gene signalling-independent pathways. Although different mechanisms for induction of apoptosis exist in Ramos cells, enforced over-expression of Bcl-2 protects cells from apoptosis induced in response to different agents, demonstrating that Bcl-2 blocks a final common pathway for programmed cell death in the Ramos cell model.

Apoptosis↗