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Biomedical subjects

K M Moriarty

Publications and source records attributed to K M Moriarty.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Neutrophils, oxidative killing mechanisms and chemiluminescence.

Neutrophils engaged in phagocytosis show a respiratory burst which is characterised by an increased consumption of oxygen, the production of hydrogen peroxide and unstable oxygen intermediates and an increase in the activity of the hexose monophosphate shunt. These metabolic events are accompanied by the emission of light from the phagocytosing cell. Measurement of this chemiluminescence provides a convenient method of asessing the microbicidal competence of neutrophils.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1984

Psychopharmacology. An historical perspective.

This article explores the field of psychopharmacology from an historical perspective. Part 1 traces the uses throughout history of psychoactive substances that are widely abused by modern society. Part 2 examines the development in the 1950s and 1960s of drugs and other physical methods that have revolutionized the treatment of the mentally ill.

Basidiomycota↗
PubMed1984

The acute psychiatric diagnostic interview.

The general outline of a psychiatric diagnostic interview given in Table 1 includes some broad suggestions for the amount of time to spend on each section. As a structured interview based on a symptom checklist questionnaire yields higher frequency of reports of symptoms, it is advisable to follow this type of format rather than a totally unstructured interview technique. Sim recommends a structured format that lends itself to computerization. Griest and colleagues suggest a computer interview, and there are data supporting the diagnostic accuracy of such a system. Within the framework of any diagnostic interview, a thorough exploration of the 10 critical elements listed in Table 5 is essential for accurate diagnosis. This information, which is usually obtainable in about 30 minutes, will enable the clinician to make a preliminary diagnosis, decide upon pharmacotherapy, and determine if hospitalization is warranted. A more intensive but lengthy and time-consuming structured diagnostic interview is the Schedule for Affective Disorders (SADS), which is more appropriate for inpatients or patients being considered for a research protocol.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1983

Alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity is not a specific marker for ovine T lymphocytes.

Alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity was demonstrated in ovine lymphocytes harvested from blood on Ficoll-metrizoate gradients. The enzyme's specificity for T lymphocytes, identified by immunofluorescent staining of T cell-specific antigens, was assessed. Correlation analysis of the results obtained using unfractionated lymphocytes from 12 sheep showed no correlation between ANAE activity and the expression of T cell antigens (r = 0.22). When lymphocytes from 4 sheep were fractionated on nylon wool columns a mean of only 43.2% of the cells in the non-adherent population were ANAE-positive whereas 94.7% of these cells were identified as T lymphocytes. Blood lymphocytes from 5 animals were separated into 3 fractions using Percoll discontinuous density gradients. No significant relationship was seen between ANAE activity and T cells in Fractions 1 and 3 (r = 0.41 and 0.21). Fraction 2 cells, however, did show a significant positive relationship (r = 0.91) between these two features but the biological significance of this relationship is unknown. It was concluded that ANAE activity is not a specific marker for ovine T lymphocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Polynesian bronchiectasis.

Six Polynesian children aged 8-14 years with recurrent lower respiratory infections and abnormal lung mucociliary clearance were assessed for immuno-deficiency. Measurements were made in these 6 children and in 21 healthy Polynesians of serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) and complement components (C3, C4), leucocyte function tests, and T and B cell populations. A further 8 Polynesian bronchiectatics were tested for sputum secretory-IgA. There was no evidence of S-IgA deficiency and 4 had high levels. There was no evidence of immunodeficiency. Nasal epithelium was obtained from 6 children using a cytology brush and ciliated epithelium was obtained in only 4. The ultrastructure was normal although few cilia were examined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Immunoglobulins of the Australian brush-tailed opossum, Trichosurus vulpecula.

Using standard methods IgG, IgM and (s) IgA were isolated from the serum or intestinal fluid of the Australian brush-tailed opossum, Trichosurus vulpecula. The molecular weights of the intact immunoglobulin molecules and their heavy and light chains were established. Two forms of IgG were seen which differed in their abilities to bind to insoluble matrices and also in their molecular weights. No antigenic differences were seen between them on analysis by agar diffusion. The molecular weights of opossum IgM and the two forms of IgG were similar to those of the corresponding immunoglobulins of man and other marsupials. However, the molecular weight of the IgA seen in intestinal fluid and results from its analysis by agar diffusion suggest that the molecule may lack secretory component.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Immunoglobulin levels in human colostrum and milk.

The levels of secretory IgA and of IgM and IgG in colostrums and milks obtained at various times postpartum were measured by radial immunodiffusion. Immunoglobulin A was the dominant immunoglobulin in all samples, and concentrations in colostrum ranged from 1.5 to 83.7 g/L (mean 32 g/L). Immunoglobulin M and IgG had mean colostrum concentrations of 1.13 and 0.53 g/L, respectively. Although the levels of each immunoglobulin declined with time postpartum, there was little change in the relative proportion of the immunoglobulin classes present.

Colostrum↗
PubMed1980

Immunity to pathogenic free-living amoebae: role of humoral antibody.

Pathogenic free-living amoebae are common in nature, but few clinical infections by these amoebae have been reported. This has prompted studies of host susceptibility factors in humans. A survey of normal human sera from three New Zealand Health Districts was made; antibodies to pathogenic free-living amoebae were found in all sera, with titers ranging from 1:5 to 1:20 for Naegleria spp. and from 1:20 to 1:80 for Acanthamoeba spp. The antibodies belonged mainly to immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M classes. The presence of a specific neutralizing factor against Acanthamoeba spp. but not Naegleria spp. was demonstrated. Possible protective mechanisms are discussed.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed1980

Immunity to pathogenic free-living amoebae: role of cell-mediated immunity.

The role of cell-mediated immunity in defense against pathogenic free-living amoebae was examined. Both the in vitro macrophage inhibition test and the in vivo delayed hypersensitivity test showed responses to both heterologous and homologous antigens, although homologous systems were the most efficient. It is suggested that exposure to nonpathogenic species of free-living amoebae can stimulate the immune system to be effective against pathogenic species. The significance of cell-mediated immunity as a defense against invasion by pathogenic free-living amoebae is discussed.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed1979

Lymphocyte sensitization in sheep inoculated with extracts of spontaneously occurring malignant lymphomas.

A macrophage migration inhibition test showed that the blood lymphocytes of 15 of 27 sheep inoculated in utero or at birth with disrupted cells from ovine malignant lymphomas responded in culture to antigens derived from three other lymphomas. A close association was seen between animals whose lymphocytes were antigen-sensitive and those which developed lymphocytosis. This association and the specificity of reaction between the various tumour antigens employed in the tests is interpreted as further evidence toward a viral aetiology in ovine malignant lymphoma.

Animals↗