Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to K Taylor.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Intra- and extracellular dehydration-induced thirst-related behavior in an amphibian.

The behavioral response to dehydration is critical to an animal's survival. Because of their permeable skin, amphibians are particularly sensitive to dehydrating conditions. We tested the hypothesis that different forms of dehydration induce water absorption response (WR) behavior in the desert spadefoot toad, Scaphiopus couchii. First, we determined the behavioral response to intracellular dehydration by treating fully hydrated toads with increasing concentrations of hypertonic solutions of NaCl or sucrose via intraperitoneal injection (i.p.). Animals that were treated to induce intracellular dehydration with either solute exhibited a significant increase in WR behavior compared to vehicle-treated controls. To distinguish that the response was a result of an increased osmotic gradient between the intra- and extracellular compartments, we treated fully hydrated animals i.p. with urea, which freely passes into the intracellular compartment and increases overall animal osmolarity. Urea treatment did not induce WR behavior. To determine the response to extracellular dehydration, the blood volume of fully hydrated toads was reduced via cardiac puncture, and the WR behavior was measured. Animals who had a reduction in blood volume exhibited a significant increase in WR behavior compared to sham-punctured controls. Our results are the first to demonstrate that multiple forms of dehydration can induce thirst-related behavior in amphibians.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence of DNA repair in organ cultures of hamster tracheal epithelium following exposure to gas phase singlet oxygen.

Autoradiographic identification of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in short-term organ culture of hamster tracheal epithelium has been used as a predictive test for mutagenic and/or carcinogenic compounds. Tracheal explants were treated for 2 h with singlet delta oxygen plus [3H]thymidine. Silver grains over the nuclei of epithelial cells from the superficial layer of the mucosa were observed, indicating UDS. Control cultures, exposed to the gas phase without singlet oxygen, failed to elicit UDS.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary artery obstruction by postoperative mediastinal hematoma: delineation by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography.

A 53-year-old man with osteogenesis imperfecta underwent valve replacement and coronary artery bypass surgery. Unexplained symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue in the late postoperative period prompted further evaluation. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary artery by a mass, with a maximum gradient of 50 mm Hg. Multiplane transesophageal echocardiography revealed that the mediastinal hematoma was more extensive than was suggested by the transthoracic echocardiogram. This finding prompted the decision to resort to a more extensive surgical procedure. Surgical drainage continued until no residual hematoma could be visualized by multiplane transesophageal echocardiography. This case report demonstrates the value of multiplane transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of mediastinal masses.

Aortic Valve↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Central nervous system prophylaxis in haematological malignancies.

Given the poor prognosis of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in haematological malignancies, management is directed towards prevention. CNS prophylaxis may take the form of intrathecal therapy, cranial irradiation, systemic therapy or some combination of these. The toxicity of these methods is an important consideration. A risk-orientated approach to the delivery of CNS prophylaxis in each disorder is required.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modifier locus for mitochondrial DNA disease: linkage and linkage disequilibrium mapping of a nuclear modifier gene for maternally inherited deafness.

PURPOSE: To examine the role of the nuclear genome in affecting the phenotypic expression of the simplest model of a mitochondrial DNA disease, maternally transmitted deafness. METHODS: Linkage analysis in families with maternally inherited deafness associated with the homoplasmic A1555G mutation. RESULTS: Significant linkage and linkage disequilibrium on chromosome 8 was identified. CONCLUSIONS: This finding represents the first identification of a modifier locus for a human mitochondrial DNA disease and supports the concept of mitochondrial DNA diseases having complex genetic inheritance. The eventual identification of this modifier gene will provide insights into the pathophysiological pathways determining the clinical expression of mitochondrial DNA diseases, an important step toward diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Imported malaria treated in Melbourne, Australia: epidemiology and clinical features in 246 patients.

BACKGROUND: Imported malaria is increasing in nonendemic countries, including Australia. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology and clinical features of travelers with imported malaria presenting to a specialist infectious diseases hospital. METHODS: A retrospective case series of 246 consecutively admitted inpatients with laboratory confirmed malaria. The main outcome measures were the proportion of patients infected with each malaria species, and relationship between species and country of birth, area of acquisition, adequacy of chemoprophylaxis, clinical features, laboratory investigations, and treatment. RESULTS: Plasmodium vivax caused 182 (68.9%) episodes, Plasmodium falciparum caused 71 (26.9%), Plasmodium ovale caused 5 (1.9%), and Plasmodium malariae 1 (0.4%). Fifty-six percent of patients reported chemoprophylaxis use. People born in a country with endemic malaria (36.6%) were less likely to have used chemoprophylaxis. Malaria was most commonly acquired in Papua New Guinea and Southeast Asia. The median times to diagnosis after return to Australia for P. falciparum and P. vivax infections were 1 and 9 weeks respectively. The longest interval between last arrival in Australia and presentation with P. falciparum malaria was 32 weeks. Fever (96%), headache (74%), and a tender or palpable spleen (40%), were the most common clinical features. Diarrhea was more common in P. falciparum, and rigors in P. vivax infections. Thrombocytopenia (71%), abnormal liver function tests and an elevated C-reactive protein (85%) were common. Six patients had severe falciparum malaria but no deaths occurred during the study period. CONCLUSION: Malaria remains a health threat for those traveling in endemic areas and is associated with failure to use chemoprophylaxis appropriately. Nonspecific clinical features may lead to delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Malaria should be suspected in the febrile traveler, regardless of birthplace, prophylaxis, symptomatology, or the time that has elapsed since leaving the malarious area.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The management of minor burns and scalds in children.

When nursing children with minor burns and scalds, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the skin and the way it reacts to thermal injury. This article explains the processes involved and advises on dealing with injured children and their parents.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The clinical e-mail explosion.

The computer is transforming patient-physician communication. Physicians are already using electronic mail (e-mail) in physician-to-physician consultation, medical journal dissemination, and hospital-physician communication. This article addresses the value of e-mail for patient-physician communication. It explores the nature of this electronic medium, outlines published guidelines, delineates expected benefits and potential complications, and proposes how to incorporate e-mail into health information systems. This article is designed to help guide clinicians and health care delivery organizations in the use of e-mail with patients to enhance rather than complicate the provider-patient relationship. Unique advantages of e-mail in the clinical setting include: the ability to offer routine transactions and patient education; increased efficiency; the self-documenting nature of this medium; cost-effectiveness; and serving as a clinical extender.

Confidentiality↗