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Biomedical subjects

K M Johnson

Publications and source records attributed to K M Johnson.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis in Panama: the epidemiology of the 1973 epizootic.

In late June 1973, a small outbreak of equine encephalitis caused by eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus occurred in the Republic of Panama. At least 100 horses were affected by the disease and 40 died. More than 1,700 human sera were obtained from areas of virus activity but no serological evidence for infection was found. Four isolates of EEE virus were recovered, one of which was from a small pool of Culex taeniopus mosquitoes. Serologic studies of infected horses and classification by the short incubation hemagglutination-inhibition tests revealed that these isolates were South American strains. Our evidence suggests that another agent virulent for horses was active during this outbreak.

Animals↗

Recent nonmetropolitan population change in fifty-year perspective.

Post-1970 nonmetropolitan population shifts are examined by dividing nonmetropolitan counties into ten cohorts based on the duration and direction of consistent population change since 1920. Analysis indicates that the post-1970 gains reported by Beale are pervasive in nonmetropolitan America, occurring even in a majority of the counties that lost population consistently from 1920 to 1970. Growth was greatest in countries adjacent to metropolitan areas but was more than urban spillover effect. In a clear break with traditional patterns, net inmigration contributed significantly to overall population gain and was particularly strong among countries without an urban center. The rate of natural increase continued to slow in the post-1970 period, with natural decrease becoming common among countries with protracted histories of population decline.

Humans↗

Ten clinical cases of human infection with venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus, subtype I-D.

The clinical and laboratory findings in ten humans infected with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, subtype I-D, are described in this report. Clinical and laboratory data indicate that, in contrast to equine infections, human infection with these enzootic virus strains (I-D) is similar to human infection with epizootic strains (I-ABC). In most cases there was an abrupt onset of fever, muscle pain, and vomiting. Virus was recovered from sera obtained during the first 3 days of illness. Lymphopenia occurred in all patients, and neutropenia occurred in three. No sequelae of these infections were apparent.

Adolescent↗

Immunoglobulin M and G responses measured by immunofluorescence in patients with Lassa or Marburg virus infections.

Immunoglobulin M antibodies can be measured by indirect immunofluorescence in sera of patients suffering from Lassa fever or Marburg virus disease 4-7 days after onset of illness. Titres reach a peak 1-2 weeks later. These antibodies disappear, or titres decrease considerably, 1-2 months after onset of illness. Antiviral IgG antibodies can be detected at the same time as, or a little later than, IgM antibodies, but they persist much longer. None of the three patients discussed in this paper who died of Lassa fever developed IgG antibodies and only one developed IgM antibodies.

Animals↗

Effect of halogenated benzenes on acetanilide esterase, acetanilide hydroxylase and procaine esterase in rats.

1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, hexachlorobenzene, 1,2,4-tribromobenzene, 1,3,5-tribromobenzene and hexabromobenzene were compared for their abilities to induce acetanilide esterase, acentailide hydroxylase and procaine esterase. Except for hexabromobenzene all induced acetanilide esterase whereas the hydroxylation of acetanilide was seen only with the fully halogenated benzenes and with 1,3,5-tribromobenzene. Hepatic procaine esterase activity was increased by the three chlorinated benzenes and 1,2,4-tribromobenzene.

Acetanilides↗

Cannabinoid effects on plasma corticosterone and uptake of 3H-corticosterone by mouse brain.

The effects of three cannabinoids, 11-hydroxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-HO-delta9-THC), delta9-THC and cannabinol (CBN), ranging in behavioral activity from high to low, were studied on two aspects of pituitary--adrenal function. Plasma corticosterone levels were used as an index of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release. All three cannabinoids elicited an increase in plasma corticosterone elvels in a manner similar to their behavioral potency. These cannabinoids also elicited an increase in the concentration of 3H-corticosterone taken up by the brains of adrenalectomized mice in a manner similar to their potency in elevating plasma corticosterone levels. The significance and possible underlying mechanism of the apparent correlation resulting between these effects and the behavioral effects of cannabinoids are discussed.

Adrenalectomy↗

Phencyclidine: effects on motor activity and brain biogenic amines in the guinea pig.

Previous reports suggesting that the behavioral response of the guinea pig to phencyclidine (PCP) administration is more similar to the effects of PCP observed in higher animals than those observed in mice and rats prompted us to investigate the effects of PC on spontaneous motor activity and brain biogenic amine levels in the guinea pig. Doses of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg PCP were found to significantly elevate spontaneous motor activity; however, 7.5 mg/kg PCP produced highly variable results which were not significantly different from control. The concentrations of tryptophan, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and norepinephrine were measured in the forebrain and hindbrain of previously drug naive animals 30 min after administration of 5 mg/kg PCP. As compared to saline injected control animals, PCP was observed to have no effect on any of the neurochemical determinants measured. Contrary to previous reports, these data suggest that PCP produces behavioral effects in the guinea pig which are not unlike those observed in mice and rats. Furthermore, the effects which we report on spontaneous motor activity are not related to changes in the regional concentration of any of the neurochemical variables which were measured.

Animals↗

Enzootic and epizootic Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus in horses infected by peripheral and intrathecal routes.

Forty-five horses were infected peripherally or intrathecally with enzootic or epizootic strains of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus. Low titers of virus appeared in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after peripheral inoculation of enzootic or epizootic VEE virus strains. Intrathecal infection with either epizootic or enzootic VEE virus produced higher titers of virus in CSF than did peripheral infection. In contrast to peripheral infections with enzootic strains, intrathecal infections with these strains caused death. The animals that died had widespread histopathologic changes and large amounts of virus in brain tissue. The attenuated VEE virus vaccine strain, TC-83, also multiplied in the brain of horses inoculated intrathecally but caused no clinical disease and little histopathologic damage.

Animals↗

Isolation of the etiologic agent of Korean Hemorrhagic fever.

Lung tissues from 73 rodents (Apodemus agrarius coreae) gave specific immunofluorescent reactions when they reacted with sera from patients convalescing from Korean hemorrhagic fever. Similar staaining was observed in the lungs of A. agrarius inoculated with acute-phase sera obtained from two patients with this disease. The unidentified agent was successfully propagated in adult A. agrarius through eight passages representing a cumulative dilution of greater than 10(-17). Experimentally inoculated rodents developed specific fluorescent antigen in the lung, kidney, liver, parotid glands, and bladder. Organs, especially lungs, were positive beginning 10 days and continuing through 69 days after inoculation. The agent could not be cultivated in several types of cell cultures nor in laboratory animals. No fluorescence was observed when infected A. agrarius lung tissues were reacted with antisera to Marburg virus, Ebola virus, and serval arenaviruses. Diagnostic increases in immunofluorescent antibodies occurred in 113 of 116 severe and 11 of 34 milder cases of clinically suspected Korean hemorrhagic fever. Antibodies were present during the first week of symptoms, reached a peak at the end of the second week, and persisted for up to 14 years. Convalescent-phase sera from four persons suffering a similar disease in the Soviet Union were also positive for antibodies.

Animals↗

Effects of delta9-THC on the synaptosomal uptake of 3H-tryptophan and 3H-choline.

The in vitro addition of (-)-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) resulted in a dose-responsive inhibition of the high-affinity specific synaptosomal uptake of both 3H-tryptophan and 3H-choline in mouse forebrain crude synaptosomal preparations. The approximate concentrations of delta9-THC required to cause a 50% inhibition of the uptake of 3H-tryptophan and 3H-choline were 33 and 16 muM, respectively. Kinetic analysis showed that inhibition of both compounds were consistent with a noncompetitive mechanism. The pretreatment of mice with doses of 10, 30 or 100 mg/kg delta9-THC had no effect on the subsequent in vitro synaptosomal uptake of either 3H-tryptophan or 3H-choline into forebrain synaptosomes.

Animals↗

7,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine: a selective inhibitor of synaptosomal serotonin uptake.

7,N,N-Trimethyltryptamine (TMT) was synthesized and evaluated as an inhibitor of synaptosomal biogenic amine uptake in rat forebrain homogenates. In addition to inhibiting 3H-serotonin uptake (IC50 = 0.4 micrometer), TMT appears to be quite selective and is much less potent in blocking either 3H-norepinephrine or 3H-dopamine uptake (IC50 = 180 micrometer and 61 micrometer, respectively).

Animals↗