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Biomedical subjects

J Tait

Publications and source records attributed to J Tait.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Apoptosis: the importance of nuclear medicine.

Apoptosis is a genetically controlled, energy-dependent process which removes unwanted cells from the body. Because of its orderly progression, apoptosis is also known as programmed cell death or cell suicide. Once initiated, apoptosis is characterized by a series of biochemical and morphological changes involving the cytoplasm, nucleus and cell membrane. Cytoplasmic changes include cytoskeletal disruption, cytoplasmic shrinkage and condensation; prominent changes in the nucleus include peripheral chromatin clumping and inter-nucleosomal DNA cleavage (DNA ladder formation); and membrane changes include the expression of phosphatidylserine on the outer surface of the cell membrane and blebbing (resulting in the formation of cell membrane-bound vesicles or apoptotic bodies). These events allow the cell to digest and package itself into membrane-bound packets containing autodigested cytoplasm and DNA, which can then be easily absorbed by adjacent cells or phagocytes. An endogenous human protein, annexin V (molecular weight approximately 35,000), has an affinity of about 10(-9) M for phosphatidylserine exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells. Annexin V can be labelled with radionuclides such as iodine or technetium, or positron emitting agents. Experimental studies in cells confirm that fluorescence and 99Tc(m)-labelled annexin have comparable affinity for apoptotic cells. In vivo studies with 99Tc(m)-labelled annexin confirm that radiolabelled annexin V can be used to image apoptotic cells/tissues in vivo. In this article, we review experimental data using annexin V imaging and discuss its possible future use to identify apoptosis in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The results of tubal surgery in the treatment of infertility in Wellington 1986-90.

AIMS: To audit the outcome of tubal surgery performed in Wellington between 1986-90. To establish the appropriate indications for tubal surgery in terms of likely benefit. To compare benefit with other treatment modalities namely in vitro fertilisation. METHODS: Data obtained from hospital patient notes, theatre records and personal communication. RESULTS: There were 71 patients, 67 of whom had been adequately followed up. The total pregnancy rate was 41.8% with an overall term pregnancy rate of 29.8%. The success rate was highest with proximal tubal occlusion and worst for distal disease and endometriosis. CONCLUSION: The outcome of the audit is consistent with results worldwide. Tubal surgery allows for natural conception and more than one pregnancy can be conceived as a result. It should be considered the first line treatment for proximal tubal disease and fimbrial adhesions. In vitro fertilisation however should be offered to those with severe distal disease and severe endometriosis.

Constriction, Pathologic↗
PubMed1989

Segmental dilatation of the small bowel: report of three cases and literature review.

Segmental dilatation of the small bowel is a rare congenital abnormality that occurs mainly in children and produces significant nonspecific symptoms. The authors reviewed 33 cases reported in the literature and present three new cases in which the lesion was demonstrated on radiographs obtained before laparotomy. These cases showed the spectrum of symptoms and characteristic radiologic features of this condition in both plain abdominal radiographs and barium studies. Plain radiographs of the abdomen may show an isolated loop of bowel containing an air-fluid level. The characteristic finding in barium studies of the small bowel is a localized dilatation of the small bowel lumen with afferent and efferent loops. In the absence of a complication or coexistent cause of obstruction, the transit time of contrast medium through the small bowel is not delayed. The radiologic examination is useful in diagnosis, and the condition is cured with surgery.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1985

Urethral syndrome (abacterial cystitis)--search for a pathogen.

Thirty-one women with the recurrent urethral syndrome (abacterial cystitis) had extensive microbiological, cytological and histological investigations. A Streptococcus species was isolated from the bladder aspirate of one patient, a wall-deficient Streptococcus species from two others and both a Lactobacillus species and Ureaplasma urealyticum from another. A possible microbiological cause was therefore identified in the bladder in only 4 of the 31 patients. A Lactobacillus species was isolated from the bladder aspirate of one control subject. Lactobacilli were grown in the voided urine of the majority of patients and in seven of the eight control subjects. Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex were isolated from the cervix and the urethra of one patient. Urethral cytology was normal in all patients. Trigonitis was noted at cystoscopy in 26 of the 31 patients. Bladder biopsies showed squamous metaplasia in 15 and lymphocytic infiltration of the lamina propria in 29, giving support to an inflammatory aetiology of this enigmatic syndrome.

Adolescent↗