Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Nolan

Publications and source records attributed to J Nolan.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

New approaches in the development and management of drugs used in ectoparasite control.

This review examines the present trend in ectoparasite control towards application techniques designed to give prolonged persistence and efficacy. The consequences of this approach for resistance management and current developments in relation to the resistance problem are considered. Likely leads and new concepts in the search for alternative drugs are discussed. In particular the role of molecular biology in advancing knowledge and providing new techniques in this field is explored.

Animals↗

Comparison of the mode of action of succinylcholine and succinylmonocholine on rat skeletal muscle after denervation.

The effects of equimolar concentrations (3.0 X 10(-5) M) of succinylcholine (SCh) and succinylmonocholine (SMC) were studied in-vitro at 20 degrees C in rat extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) 0-147 days after common peroneal nerve section. Analysis of simultaneous measurements of K+ efflux (mmolL-1 g-1) and contracture tension (mN) to SCh showed that there was a rapid increase in the mean values of both parameters up to 22-28 days after denervation (7.7 mmolL-1 g-1, 36 mN). At the end of the period studied, the contracture response declined to 4.0 mN whilst the capacity for K+ efflux remained relatively high (4.8 mmolL-1 g-1) in comparison with normal contralateral EDL muscle (n = 82) K+ efflux measurements (0.62 mmolL-1 g-1). A significant correlation (r = 0.86, P less than or equal to 0.001) was found between SCh-induced K+ efflux and contracture tension 1-56 days following nerve section which indicated that the development of the contracture response and K+ efflux were concomitant during the period specified. The ratios of maximum contracture tension/K+ efflux in response to SCh and SMC, 18-22 days after denervation were similar, 4.9 and 5.9, respectively. Results indicated that the mode of action of each agent was similar in denervated rat skeletal muscle, and that they were equally potent in their hyperkalaemic potential. Results of comparative measurements of membrane depolarization and contracture tension in response to SCh and SMC showed that both agents produced quantitatively similar responses at 7 and 14 days after denervation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Chromogranin, an integral membrane protein.

Chromogranin is the major soluble protein of the adrenal medulla chromaffin granule and is secreted upon nervous stimulation. Using antisera to pure chromogranin in immunoblotting procedures, we show that chromogranin is the major integral membrane protein as well. Extraction of chromaffin granule membranes with low salt, high salt, chelating agents, or calcium-containing solutions does not remove the chromogranin from the membranes. The membrane form of chromogranin can be purified on a C-18 semi-preparative column using high pressure liquid chromatography. Amino-terminal sequence data indicate that the membrane and soluble forms of chromogranin are identical or very similar.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Relationship of multiple forms of chromogranin.

Chromogranin polypeptides of Mr 100,000, Mr 85,000, Mr 75,000, and Mr 65,000 have been detected in adrenal medulla chromaffin granules using anti-chromogranin antiserum. Monoclonal antibodies to this protein also detect the multiple molecular weight chromogranin polypeptides. Analysis of phosphorylated amino acids gives a value of 5 phosphoserine residues/mol of Mr 75,000 chromogranin polypeptide. Immunological analysis of dephosphorylated chromogranin shows that the anti-chromogranin serum reacts with both the phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of the protein. Each of the chromogranin polypeptides has been isolated using a combination of DEAE-cellulose chromatography and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Sequencer analysis of each protein revealed a high degree of amino acid identities at the amino terminal of these proteins. Amino-terminal Sequencer analysis of chromogranin fragments also provides evidence for a gene duplication event. Preliminary studies also show that chromogranin may be degraded in the chromaffin granules by a calcium-dependent mechanism.

Adrenal Medulla↗

A monoclonal antibody to dopamine beta-monooxygenase: detection of biosynthetic intermediates.

A monoclonal antibody to dopamine beta-monooxygenase (DBH) has been produced by an in vitro immunization technique. This antibody has been found to react with an epitope common to both soluble DBH (SDBH) and membrane-bound DBH (MDBH). A single CNBr fragment contains this antigenic site. Examination of electrophoretograms of chromaffin granule membrane and lysate by the immunoblot procedure revealed additional complexity. A 58-KDa polypeptide in low abundance was stained which could not be detected with the polyclonal antiserum. Chemical deglycosylation of SDBH produces two new polypeptides of 67 and 58 KDa. The entirety of this data suggests that the 58-KDa band is an unglycosylated form of DBH, proteolytically cleaved after biosynthesis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Mechanisms of resistance to chemicals in arthropod parasites of veterinary importance.

This review evaluates the significance, for ectoparasites, of the four resistance mechanisms that have emerged in arthropods as defence against chemicals used for their control. In particular the contrast of the relative importance of each mechanism in each of the major ectoparasitic pests of economic importance (sheep blowflies, mosquitoes and ticks) is discussed. Use is made of the experience gained in attempting to overcome these mechanisms to assess the consequences of resistance, and the chances for prolonging the useful life of pesticides, by suppressing the mechanisms, as an alternative to seeking replacement compounds.

Animals↗

Vitamin D absorption in healthy subjects and in patients with intestinal malabsorption syndromes.

We developed a test procedure for the clinical evaluation of the absorption of vitamin D. Serum vitamin D concentrations were evaluated in seven patients with intestinal fat malabsorption syndromes and in seven healthy, normal subjects, after being given a single oral dose of 50,000 IU (1.25 mg) vitamin D2. In the normal subjects, serum vitamin D concentrations rose from a baseline of less than 5 ng/ml to a peak of over 50 ng/ml by 12 h, gradually falling to baseline levels by 3 days. In five of the seven patients with intestinal fat malabsorption, oral administration of 50,000 IU vitamin D2 did not raise serum vitamin D concentrations above 10 ng/ml. Two patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease had a normal absorption pattern, however. These findings suggest that an oral vitamin D absorption test may be of value for determination of patients at risk for development of vitamin D deficiency. They also raise questions about the efficacy of oral vitamin D preparations in patients with intestinal fat malabsorption.

Adult↗

Lifetime occupational exercise and colon cancer.

The authors used data on patients aged 30-79 years admitted to the Roswell Park Memorial Institute in Buffalo, New York, 1957-1965, to compare the amount of lifetime occupational physical activity for 210 white male patients with cancer of the colon and 276 white male patients with cancer of the rectum to the lifetime occupational physical exercise of 1,431 patients with nonneoplastic nondigestive diseases. The authors found that risk of cancer of the colon increased with increasing amount and proportion of time in jobs involving only sedentary or light work. This relationship was not found for rectal cancer. These findings corroborate those of Garabrant et al. (Am J Epidemiol 1984; 119:1005-14). The strength of the associations presented here and the dose-response relationship indicate that limited physical activity could be an important etiologic factor. More inquiries need to be undertaken to study exercise in relation to other factors, such as diet, in colon cancer risk.

Adult↗

The acute effects of cigarette smoke exposure on experimental skin flaps.

Random vascular patterned caudally based McFarlane-type skin flaps were elevated in groups of Fischer 344 rats. Groups of rats were then acutely exposed on an intermittent basis to smoke generated from well-characterized research filter cigarettes. Previously developed smoke inhalation exposure protocols were employed using a Maddox-ORNL inhalation exposure system. Rats that continued smoke exposure following surgery showed a significantly greater mean percent area of flap necrosis compared with sham-exposed groups or control groups not exposed. The possible pathogenesis of this observation as well as considerations and correlations with chronic human smokers are discussed. Increased risks of flap necrosis by smoking in the perioperative period are suggested by this study.

Animals↗

Eye injuries in organised sport in a rural area.

Eye injuries in sport are a continuing preventable problem. An investigation into sport injuries in rural Ireland shows hurling to be the most dangerous pastime, and this is compared and contrasted with other local games. Forty-five consecutive injuries sustained in organised sport requiring admission to hospital over a 4-year period were studied. 40% were due to hurling. Over three-quarters of the 45 patients recovered 6/6 vision or better. The costs to the community of such eye injuries are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Muscle lengthening in refractory squint.

The technique of muscle lengthening is described and the results of this method illustrated in seven cases where conventional squint surgery had failed. Single medial rectus lengthening corrects 25 to 35 diopters of deviation and when combined with resection of the homolateral lateral rectus up to 45 diopters of deviation are corrected. There have been no complications or limitations of ocular movement. The technique is recommended where conventional surgery has failed to produce adequate cosmetic improvement.

Adolescent↗

Gut-mediated hypercalcemia in rabbits bearing VX2 carcinoma: new mechanism for tumor-induced hypercalcemia.

The VX2 carcinoma-bearing rabbit is an animal model for tumor-induced hypercalcemia, thought to be due to increased bone destruction effected by prostaglandin E2. The present experiments suggest that the pathophysiology of the hypercalcemia differs from that previously proposed. Tumor was transplanted intramuscularly into 2.5- to 3-kg male New Zealand White rabbits, which were conditioned to a 1.5% calcium diet and treated with daily subcutaneous injections of dichloromethane diphosphonate (10 mg . kg-1 . day-1), a potent inhibitor of bone resorption, or 0.9% NaCl (2 ml . kg-1 . day -1). The diphosphonate had no significant effect on plasma Ca2+ in either group. After day 31, half the animals of each group were fed a calcium-free diet. This normalized the plasma Ca2+ in each VX2-bearing rabbit within 3 to 4 days but had little effect in control rabbits. In a second series of experiments, VX2-bearing rabbits maintained on standard rabbit chow were treated for 11 days with parenteral indomethacin (30--60 mg/day) or 0.9% NaCl. Although indomethacin normalized the markedly elevated urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2, both treatment groups became severely hypercalcemic. Dietary calcium restriction promptly restored to normal the plasma Ca2+ concentration. In a third series of experiments, rabbits were fed standard rabbit chow and treated with oral indomethacin (40 mg/day) while control-rabbits were pair fed in identical chow. Transplantation of VX2 tumor into both groups caused hypercalcemia. We conclude that the hypercalcemia produced by this tumor strain is indomethacin resistant and dependent on an increase in gastrointestinal calcium absorption, not on skeletal calcium mobilization.

Animals↗