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Biomedical subjects

J J Taljaard

Publications and source records attributed to J J Taljaard.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

gamma-Aminobutyric acid concentration in cerebrospinal fluid in schizophrenia.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration was determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of acute and chronic schizophrenic patients, in persons with psycho-organic or personality disorders, and in nonpsychiatric controls. The mean CSF GABA level in the chronic schizophrenic patients was found to be significantly higher than in any of the other groups. No other statistically significant differences were found. Statistical analysis revealed that the elevated CSF GABA concentration in the chronic schizophrenic patients was unlikely to be caused by medication. These results are interpreted as evidence for possible primary or secondary GABAergic overactivity in the brain in chronic schizophrenia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1981

delta-Aminolaevulinic acid uptake, toxicity, and effect on [14C]gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake into neurons and glia in culture.

delta-Aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) uptake into neurons and glia in primary culture as well as ALA toxicity and its effects on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake were examined. [4-14C]ALA uptake into neurons and glia was nonsaturable, partially Na+- and temperature-dependent, and appeared to comprise mainly diffusion into the cell. 2,4-Dinitrophenol caused some inhibition of [4-14C]ALA uptake whereas ouabain, KCN, or amino acids at 1 mM concentration were without effect. ALA (1 mM) caused a slight inhibition of [U-14C]GABA uptake into neurons (14%) and glia (9%), but was without effect at lower concentrations. It is unlikely that, in acute porphyria, ALA reaches sufficiently high levels in nervous tissue to interfere with the reuptake of GABA into neurons or glia. ALA was shown to be toxic, judged by the loss of cells, to both neurons and glia at concentrations as low as 10 microM. Such a concentration of ALA may be expected to occur in the CSF of porphyric patients in the acute attack. However, results obtained with dispersed cells in culture may not necessarily reflect the situation in vivo where the cell may have a far greater resistance to the effects of toxic agents.

Aminolevulinic Acid↗
PubMed1980

[Catechol estrogens].

Hydroxylation of oestrogens in the 2 or 4 positions leads to the formation of catechol oestrogens. These compounds are physiologically active in animals, especially in the control of gonadotropin secretion. Physiological activity can be ascribed to either an oestrogenic action or interaction with the catecholaminergic systems. These compounds are also formed in human subjects. Surprisingly high levels are found in the urine. The peri-ovulatory peak in urinary catechol oestrogen excretion is compatible with a role for these compounds in the control of gonadotropin secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Alcohol and road traffic injury.

Blood alcohol concentrations were determined in 115 patients who were involved in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) and admitted to the Johannesburg General Hospital over a 1-month period in April and May 1976. Seventy-eight per cent of the patients who had alcohol in their blood were seen on Friday and Saturday nights and approximately one-third of all victims had blood alcohol values which exceeded the legal limit of 0,08 g/100 ml. Alcohol appears to play a larger role in causing accidents and injuries than has been previously presumed. It is recommended that all casualty department doctors liaise more closely with the police authorities in the matter of blood sampling.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1977

Blood alcohol and fat embolism syndrome.

In an analysis of the cases of 100 consecutive patients with diaphyseal fractures in the major bones of the lower limb, the incidence of fat embolism syndrome was 17 per cent. The blood alcohol level was determined at the time of admission. A raised level of alcohol in the blood was associated with a lower incidence of fat embolism.

Adolescent↗