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Biomedical subjects

J M Kelly

Publications and source records attributed to J M Kelly.

212 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Implementing a patient self-medication program.

The ultimate goal of any rehabilitation program is to discharge patients into the community with the preparation they need to meet their healthcare requirements as independently as possible (White & Holloway, 1990). Rehabilitation patients actively participate in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and, if needed, speech therapy. They should also be actively involved in their medication programs. When patients leave the hospital setting, they will be expected to be independent in their medication management. A program in which patients receive instruction on medications and are permitted to self-administer their medications would better prepare them for this role after discharge. A self-medication program increases patients' independence, knowledge, and compliance and is congruent with the philosophy of rehabilitation.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stage-regulated expression of cruzipain, the major cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi is independent of the level of RNA1.

The genes that encode cruzipain, the major cysteine protease of Trypanosoma cruzi are known to be arranged in tandem arrays. To gain a detailed insight into how these arrays are organised at the chromosomal level we have isolated clones from a cosmid library constructed with DNA from the X10.6 strain. In this strain we found that cruzipain is encoded by two allelic clusters composed of approximately 14 and 23 tandemly repeated genes which are located on homologous chromosomes of 650 and 670 kb. With the exception of the 3'-proximal genes, the cruzipain genes were all of identical or very similar sequence. An unusual feature of the 3'-proximal genes is that they lack the sequences that encode the 130 amino acid carboxyl terminal extension which is characteristic of cruzipain. Both gene clusters are situated in a similar chromosomal environment and are flanked by sequences which have the potential to form Z-DNA. In other eukaryotes, these motifs have been associated with recombinational hotspots and have been demonstrated to enhance gene conversion. The cruzipain genes are transcribed to produce a 1.8-kb transcript which is present at the same steady-state level in each of the parasite life cycle stages. However, protein levels and activity are 4-5-times higher in the insect epimastigote stage than in the trypomastigote and amastigote stages. By implication developmental regulation of cruzipain expression occurs predominantly at the translational and/or post-translational levels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vasopressin antisense peptide interactions with the V1 receptor.

The molecular recognition hypothesis, that peptide ligands and their receptor binding sites are encoded by complementary nucleotide sequences, was tested for arginine vasopressin (AVP) and its V1 receptor. Binding of [125I] [d(CH2)5,Sar7]AVP (a selective V1 vasopressin antagonist radioligand) or [3H]AVP to rat liver plasma membranes was inhibited by peptides known to bind to V1 receptors but not by the AVP complementary peptide (Ser-Ser-Trp-Ala-Val-Leu-Glu-Val-Ala) (PVA). Rabbit anti-PVA antibodies were nonimmunoreactive with any protein in rat liver membranes or in a partially purified preparation from rat liver containing reconstitutable vasopressin binding activity. Furthermore, there was no suppression of the AVP pressor effect by PVA in vivo using a rat blood pressure bioassay. These findings do not support the hypothesis that the V1 receptor binding site is encoded by the antisense DNA strand to AVP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma enzymes and metabolites as potential prognostic indices of ovine pregnancy toxaemia--a preliminary study.

Three ewes with naturally occurring pregnancy toxaemia and increased plasma glucose concentrations within 24 h of the onset of clinical signs, made a complete recovery following treatment with a concentrated oral rehydration solution. Four ewes in which plasma glucose concentrations fell did not recover. Ewes with elevated plasma alkaline phosphatase concentrations were slower to recover than ewes with normal plasma alkaline phosphatase concentrations. These findings suggest that plasma alkaline phosphatase concentration and change in plasma glucose concentration might offer useful prognostic indices in cases of ovine pregnancy toxaemia, and influence a decision to perform an elective caesarean operation. Further studies using a larger number of ketotic ewes are necessary before firm conclusions can be made.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma glucose concentrations of ovine pregnancy toxaemia cases, inappetant ewes and normal ewes during late gestation.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma glucose concentrations of spontaneous ovine pregnancy toxaemia cases, determined within 24 h of the onset of clinical signs, were significantly lower (P < 0.01) compared to inappetant ewes and healthy ewes at a similar stage of gestation. A highly significant correlation (P < 0.001, r = 0.91) was present between the plasma and CSF glucose concentrations when the data from the three groups were combined. The data suggest that plasma glucose concentration accurately reflects CSF glucose concentration across the range of energy states in pregnant ewes and may provide support for the postulate that the neurological signs of ovine pregnancy toxaemia result from cerebral hypoglycaemia, as reflected by CSF glucose concentration. No cerebral glucose estimations were undertaken in this series.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Covalent linkage of ruthenium polypyridyl compounds to poly(L-lysine), albumins, and immunoglobulin G.

A series of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes has been covalently bound to poly(L-lysine), bovine serum albumin, human serum albumin, ovalbumin, and immunoglobulin G using different binding methods. The conjugation ratios and the luminescence properties of the bioconjugates are reported. All conjugates show nonsingle-exponential decay curves. Quenching of the emission by oxygen has been studied.

Albumins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Heterologous expression of a Trypanosoma cruzi surface glycoprotein (gp82) in mammalian cells indicates the existence of different signal sequence requirements and processing.

Metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi express a developmentally regulated 82 kDa surface glycoprotein (gp82) that has been implicated in the mammalian cell invasion. When the non-infective epimastigote stage of the parasite was transfected with a vector containing the gp82 gene, an 82 kDa surface glycoprotein, which was indistinguishable from the metacyclic stage protein, was expressed. In contrast, when the same gene was expressed in transfected mammalian cells, although a large amount of protein was produced, it was not imported into the endoplasmic reticulum and glycosylated. This blockage in targeting and processing could be partially compensated for by the addition of a virus haemagglutinin signal peptide to the amino terminus of gp82. Thus, the requirements for membrane protein processing are distinct in mammals and T. cruzi, and an intrinsic feature of the gp82 prevents subsequent sorting to the mammalian cell surface. These results could be useful in the development of new DNA vaccines against T. cruzi employing parasite genes encoding immunodominant surface glycoproteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hardwood seeding root and nutrient parameters for a model of nutrient uptake.

Use of mechanistic models is an increasingly accepted way to evaluate complex processes. The Barber-Cushman model provides a means to simulate nutrient uptake once information on root system characteristics, nutrient uptake, and soil nutrient supply are developed. Objectives of this study were to determine during a growing season: (i) root growth for 1-yr-old black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) seedlings; (ii) net plant increase in N, P, K, Ca, and Mg; (iii) soil solution and solid phase nutrient concentrations; and (iv) the influence of root growth and soil nutrient supply changes on nutrient uptake using the Barber-Cushman model. Seedlings were grown in pots containing A horizon soil from two forest sites. Measurements were made on five occasions during the growing season. Root growth averaged 41.5 cm d-1 for red maple compared with 28.0 and 16.7 cm d-1 for cherry and oak, respectively. Seventy-five percent of root growth occurred at the end of the growing season. Total plant N showed the greatest change (25-58%) due to soil source. Model simulations underestimated observed uptake by 31 to 99%. A clear relationship between soil solution nutrient concentration and plant uptake, an important assumption of the model, was not observed. Results indicate care will need to be exercised in the development and use of root growth and nutrient supply values in mechanistic models.

Calcium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In situ dynamics of phosphorus in the rhizosphere solution of five species.

Root activity can modify the chemistry of the rhizosphere and alter phosphorus (P) availability and uptake. However, until recently, relatively little was known about the dynamics of soil solution P at the root surface because of our inability to measure in situ changes in solution P at the plant root. A mini-rhizotron experiment with corn (Zea mays L. cv. Stine 2250), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Pioneer 3563), cottonwood (Populus deltoids L.), smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) was conducted to measure the spatial and temporal dynamics of P in the rhizosphere solution of a fine silty, P-rich calcareous soil (solid-phase total P concentration = 62 mg kg(-1), pH = 7.68) from western Iowa. Micro-suction cups were used to collect samples of soil solution from defined segments of the rhizosphere, and capillary electrophoresis (CE) was used to determine the P concentration of the soil solution. At the end of 10 d, a decreasing P concentration gradient in soil solution toward the root was observed in corn, cottonwood, and smooth brome. No clear rhizosphere effect was observed for soybean and switchgrass. Statistical analysis indicated significantly lower solution P concentrations in the rhizospheres of corn (p = 0.05), cottonwood (p = 0.01), and smooth brome (p = 0.01) compared with bulk soil solution. Results indicate that P depletion from rhizosphere soil solution depends on plant species. Under the conditions of this study, corn, cottonwood, and smooth brome were more effective in depleting solution P than soybean and switchgrass.

Kinetics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sublingual nitroglycerin: improving patient compliance with a demonstration dose.

Forty-four patients were studied for compliance in the use of their first prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. Fourteen HMO physicians participated in this randomized, prospective study by administering the first dose to half the patients during the office visit in which the diagnosis of angina pectoris was made. No other changes were made in the physicians' customary methods of diagnosing and treating angina pectoris. Patients who received the demonstration dose were significantly more likely to have used the sublingual nitroglycerin at least once before their second visit (75 percent of the study group compared with 44 percent of the control group). There was no difference between the groups in having the drug with them at the second visit. While serious reactions to sublingual nitroglycerin are rare, 6 patients experienced symptoms from the first dose, including 1 patient who fainted. The results suggest that compliance in using the initial prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin can be improved when the physician supervises the first dose.

Administration, Sublingual↗