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Biomedical subjects

K G McCullagh

Publications and source records attributed to K G McCullagh.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

The actual cautery -- myth and reality in the art of firing.

The historical development of "firing" as a treatment for various complaints in animals and man is followed from the first surviving written account by Vegetius (approximately AD 500) to the present day. Changing concepts as to the mechanism of action of the actual cautery are examined in relation to physiological understanding at various times and conflicting views and evident fallacies are discussed. It is of particular interest that firing of "sinewes" (tendons and ligaments) was expressly forbidden until the 18th century. It is concluded that "firing" is an outmoded practice for which there is no scientific justification.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

An outbreak of type C botulism in captive monkeys.

In an outbreak of type C botulism in a group of captive primates, six squirrel monkeys, six white throated capuchin monkeys and two weeper capuchin monkeys succumbed rapidly and died. Clostridium botulinum type C toxin was detected in the remains of the chopped chicken feed and in nine of 11 blood samples and one of three stomach contents samples from the affected animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The distribution of collagen types I, III and V (AB) in normal and atherosclerotic human aorta.

Collagen of types I, III and V has been identified and localised in adult human aorta, coronary arteries and atherosclerotic plaques using an indirect immunofluorescent method with specific antibodies to human collagen antigens. The distribution of the three types of collagen was distinct. Type I collagen was found around smooth muscle cells in the aortic media and in large amounts in the atherosclerotic plaque. Type III collagen was found in dense deposits alongside the elastic laminae in the aortic media and in diffuse intimal thickening. In the aortic media, there appeared to be more type III collagen than type I. The reverse was true in advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Type V collagen was distributed throughout the extracellular matrix in the aortic media and in the subendothelial region of plaques. These findings confirm earlier biochemical studies and suggest that a major shift in the nature of collagen synthesis occurs within advanced atherosclerotic plaques.

Aged↗
PubMed1980

Cell morphology and collagen types in equine tendon scar.

The histological appearance of cells and tissues in the reparative scar tissue which forms in the equine superficial flexor tendon following partial rupture was compared to that of normal tendon. The repair fibroblasts were found to be larger and more basophilic than the tenocytes of normal tendon, to have large vesicular nuclei and to resemble the 'myofibroblasts' described in scar tissue elsewhere. The cell to matrix ratio in scarred zones of tendon was found to be increased and the concentration of collagen in these areas was less than in normal tendon. However, the scar tissue collagen was more readily extractable and contained a different pattern of collagen types. Normal equine tendon was found to be composed almost exclusively of type I collagen whereas the scarred tendon had substantial quantities (20 to 30 per cent) of type III collagen in addition to type I. The presence of type III collagen in the scarred tendon was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence using antibodies to purified type III collagen. These observations suggest that tendon scar tissue is not derived from proliferating tenocytes but from mesenchymal cells resting in peritendinous connective tissue or blood vessels. As a result of the presence of type III collagen, the scarred tendon is also likely to have less tensile strength than normal tendon.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

A case of spermatic arteriovenous anastomosis in the horse.

A large anastomosis of the spermatic artery and vein is described. This was found while surgically removing an abdominal testis. Before surgery the animal wanted to rear after exercise and could not stand on 3 legs for any length of time while being shod. This unusual behaviour disappeared after removal of the mass. The performance and conformation of the horse has also greatly improved.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Renal papillary necrosis in the tiger.

Two examples of renal papillary necrosis in the tiger are described. The necrosis was characterised by large zones of liquefaction with minimal inflammation and was associated with pronouced scarring in the cortex. Both animals had been vomiting terminally and were severely dehydrated. It is suggested that papillary necrosis was precipitated by the reduced renal perfusion associated with dehydration in kidneys in which the medullary blood supply was already compromised by chronic cortical scarring. Comparisons are made between the lesions described in these tigers and those reported in the domestic cat, man and other domestic animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Enhanced synthesis and accumulation of collagen in cholesterol-aggravated pigeon atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerotic segments of pigeon aorta synthesized collagen at four times the rate found in normal aorta (Athero = 2071 +/- 1339 ng/g/h; Control = 497 +/- 192 ng/g/h; P less than 0.025). Similar results were obtained when synthesis was expressed per mg DNA. Elevation in collagen synthesis was relatively specific, collagen accounting for 4% of total protein synthesis in lesion-free aorta and 11.5% in atherosclerotic aorta. Substantial increases in total collagen were observed in atherosclerotic aortas (Athero = 9.9 +/- 3.1 mg/aorta; Control = 6.0 +/- 1.3 mg/aorta; P less than 0.05). Ultrastructural studies revealed the accumulation of large amounts of dense fibrillar collagen in the sub-endothelial region of the plaque. Plaque cells contained multiple vacuoles, an extensive rought endoplasmic reticulum and many mitochondria, suggesting active protein synthesis. It is concluded that increased collagen biosynthesis and deposition is an important metabolic derangement in lipid-rich atherosclerotic lesions whihc promotes their gradual conversion to fibrous plaques.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Experimental canine atherosclerosis and its prevention. The dietary induction of severe coronary, cerebral, aortic, and iliac atherosclerosis and its prevention by safflower oil.

Severe atherosclerotic lesions were produced without thyroid suppression in seven out of eight dogs by feeding semisynthetic diets containing 5 per cent cholesterol and 16 per cent hydrogenated coconut oil for 12 to 14 months. Occlusive plaques were located in the coronary arteries and major cerebral arteries as well as in the aorta and iliac vessels. The lesions were characterized by an intense sclerotic reaction to areas of lipid deposition and foam cell accumulation in the intima. The diet induced a rapid elevation of plasma-free and esterfied cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid, and the extent of aortic atherosclerosis was shown to be partially dependent on mean plasma cholesterol concentration. A second group of eight dogs were fed a diet identical with the first except for the replacement of 4 per cent hydrogenated coconut oil by 4 per cent safflower oil. Despite receiving the same amounts of dietary cholesterol and fat, this second group of dogs was completely protected from the atherogenic process. Plasma lipids became only slightly elevated and no induced atherosclerotic lesions were found at autopsy. Circulating thyroid hormone concentrations were similar between the two groups of dogs and the thyroid glands had a normal morphology in both groups.

Animals↗