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Biomedical subjects

J Piper

Publications and source records attributed to J Piper.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Biofeedback: a new modality in the management of children with fecal soiling.

Fifty children and adolescents who had severe fecal incontinence associated with either imperforate anus surgery in infancy or longstanding functional constipation were given biofeedback training for the purpose of achieving anal sphincter control. Feedback was in the form of oscilloscope tracings which the children learned to produce by contracting small air-filled balloons positioned at the internal and external anal sphincters. Forty-seven of these patients learned to have voluntary bowel movements, and 30 eliminated soiling accidents completely during follow-up periods ranging from six months to three years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Efficient interaction for automated chromosome analysis using asynchronous parallel processes.

It is likely that any practical automated chromosome analysis system will be interactive. To prevent long pauses in the stream of operator interactions, it is necessary, if using standard computer hardware, to configure for asynchronous and parallel operation. A system is presented which uses several computer processors, which can support one or more operators, and which divides processing into interactive and noninteractive sections, smoothes the rate of presentation of interactions, and keeps both the operator and the computer fully employed.

Chromosomes, Human↗
PubMed1979

The energy audit: back to the basics.

Gathering information about the cost of energy and patterns of usage within the hospital is the first step in mounting a program for conserving resources. A survey of the plant or a full-scale audit by an energy team can help administrators plan an energy-saving program.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗
PubMed1978

Shifting genetic patterns in anencephaly and spina bifida.

The long-term decline in the incidence of the neural tube malformations, anencephaly and spina bifida (ASB), ended in the mid-1950's in New York State. Since that time, the rate of these birth defects has remained between 1 and 1.5/1000 births. In this low incidence population, we tested the basic tenets which support a genetic aetiology. We found that the full sib recurrence rate (1.8%) was higher than the half sib recurrence rate (0.8%) and the twin concordance rate (6.8%) was higher than the full sib recurrence rate. We found the incidence of ASB in twins to be the same as the incidence of ASB in singletons. Our findings are compatible with polygenic inheritance aetiology for ASB. The genetic molecular pathway of these birth defects may be identifiable through biochemical screening of families with one or more ASB children.

Anencephaly↗
PubMed1968

Relationship between protein and ribonucleic acid synthesis during outgrowth of spores of Bacillus cereus.

The rate of protein and ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis was examined during the outgrowth of spores of Bacillus cereus T in a chemically defined medium. RNA synthesis started 2.5 min after the initiation of germination, and protein synthesis after 4 min. Addition of a complete amino acid supplement and uracil supported high rates of RNA and protein synthesis throughout outgrowth. To determine the relationship between the rate of protein (k) and RNA synthesis, the kinetics of formation of various classes of RNA were followed during outgrowth. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) comprised a relatively constant fraction of the total RNA throughout outgrowth (71 to 78%). The classes of RNA synthesized during this period were determined by germinating spores in radioactive uracil and then at intervals following their stability to actinomycin D. Initially, labile RNA comprised the largest fraction of newly formed RNA (DeltaRNA), and this proportion decreased during outgrowth. The ratio of k/rRNA or k/Delta stable RNA varied considerably during outgrowth, whereas the ratio of k/labile RNA remained constant. The data suggest that the rate of protein synthesis is not rigidly coupled to either total or newly synthesized rRNA (ribosomes) during the early stages of outgrowth.

Amino Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of dosing vehicle on the toxicity and metabolism of unsaturated aliphatic nitriles.

The effect of dosing vehicle on toxicity and metabolism of unsaturated aliphatic nitriles was investigated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Five unsaturated aliphatic nitriles--acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, allylnitrile, crotononitrile and fumaronitrile--were prepared in five different dosing vehicles--saline, corn oil, safflower oil, mineral oil, olive oil and Tween-20. Groups of six male rats were given 0.5 LD50 doses of the nitriles by gavage and they were observed for 12 It for cholinomimetic and central nervous system effects. Cyanide and glutathione levels were determined in blood and various organs at 1, 3 and 6 h after nitrile administration and thiocyanate levels were determined at 6 h after nitrile administration. The results indicate that all the vehicles studied potentiated the toxicity of all the nitriles compared to nitriles administered in saline and significantly increased their metabolism to cyanide and thiocyanate and nitrile-induced depletion of glutathione in rats. This behavior of vehicles illustrates the difficulty of identifying suitable vehicles for administration of lipophilic compounds in toxicology studies.

Acrylonitrile↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toxicokinetics of allynitrile in rats.

The toxicity, uptake, tissue distribution, elimination, and covalent binding of [1-14C]allylnitrile (ALN) in male Sprague-Dawley rats were investigated. Following an oral administration of 57.5 mg/kg body weight (0.5 LD50, 23.4 mu Ci/kg, body weight), the rats exhibited several signs of toxicity, including ataxia, convulsions, mild diarrhea, salivation, lacrimation, and bladder urine retention. The treated animals excreted 41% of the radioactivity in the urine, 6% in the feces, and 34% in the expired air in 10 days. Hydrogen cyanide was not detectable in the expired air. Red blood cells retained significant amount of radioactivity for more than 5 days after treatment. ALN was extensively absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and distributed in all the tissues of the rats. The major concentrations of the radioactivity were found in bone, kidney, blood, and the gastrointestinal tract. The subcellular fractions of the liver, kidney, heart, lung, and brain showed substantial accumulation of radioactivity from ALN up to 48 hr following dosing. Among the chemical fractions of the liver, the proteins exhibited much higher retention of radioactivity from ALN than the nucleic acid and phospholipid fractions, with a peak at 1 hr. This study indicates that ALN is rapidly absorbed and distributed in the rat and the major route of excretion is urinary followed by the expired air.

Animals↗