Biomedical subjects

L Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to L Taylor.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Intrinsic motivation and school misbehavior: some intervention implications.

The intrinsic motivational concepts of self-determination, competence, and relatedness to others are highlighted to underscore their value in identifying motivational underpinnings for deviant and devious behavior. These constructs are woven into a working schema to differentiate intentional misbehavior in terms of whether it is reactive or proactive. Finally, from the perspective of such motivational thinking, implications for formal intervention research and experimental practice are illustrated.

Child↗

PubMed1990

Adherence of group B streptococci to buccal epithelial cells in neonates with different gestational ages.

Adherence of group B streptococci to buccal epithelial cells was determined in 81 neonates with different gestational ages. There was a significant curvilinear increase in adherence in premature neonates with decreasing gestational ages. Amniotic fluid did not inhibit attachment of group B streptococci to epithelial cells. Increased adherence of group B streptococci to premature neonates may explain, in part, the increased susceptibility of these infants to disease from this organism.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Arterial blood gases: clinical application.

The interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABGs) is an essential assessment skill for the PACU nurse. ABG analysis can be fun and exciting, as well as an important tool for patient care. Acid-base imbalances are associated with various clinical conditions. Using ABGs as an assessment tool, the PACU nurse can determine the patient's acid-base status and initiate prompt, appropriate nursing intervention and medical consultation.

Acid-Base Imbalance↗

PubMed1989

Minors' dissatisfaction with their life circumstances.

To expand the scope of clinical research on youngsters' subjective well-being, the present work gathered data on the degree of satisfaction/dissatisfaction with respect to major aspects of daily living and on the relationship between life dissatisfaction and perceived control at school of children and adolescents. The self-reports of students in regular classrooms and those referred for mental health services are contrasted. In addition, data on the relationship between dissatisfaction and scores on the Children's Depression Inventory are reported for the mental health sample.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

The value of skin temperature measurements in forecasting the healing of a below-knee amputation for end-stage ischaemia of the leg in peripheral vascular disease.

In order to forecast the healing of a Burgess type below-knee amputation the skin temperature of the leg has been studied before operation in 39 instances using infra-red thermography in a 26 degrees C environment. Healing bore no relation to the mean skin temperature of the calf or that of the skin at the site of the anterior incision. However, when the skin temperature at the site of the incision for the long posterior flap was greater than 30.4 degrees C or when the ratio of the temperatures at the posterior and anterior incision sites (P/A) was greater than 0.98 healing was significantly more likely to occur. It is proposed that the temperatures at these sites should be used to assess the prospect of such an amputation healing.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Ticarcillin/clavulanic acid combination. Treatment of bacterial infections in hospitalized children.

Eighteen patients 2 months to 11 years of age with culture proven bacterial infections were treated with parenteral ticarcillin/clavulanic acid in a noncomparative study. Seven patients had pneumonia, two had tracheobronchitis, three had soft tissue abscess, two had periorbital cellulitis, three had urinary tract infection and one had purulent bursitis. Four of the 18 were bacteremic. Organisms treated included Staphylococcus aureus (6), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5), Haemophilus influenzae (2), Branhamella catarrhalis (2), Escherichia coli (1), Streptococcus pneumoniae (1), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1), Streptococcus pyogenes (1) and Serratia marcescens (1). Thirteen of 15 (87%) organisms tested were beta-lactamase positive. Therapy was given intravenously in six doses per day at 310 mg/kg. Duration of treatment ranged from 5 to 28 (mean 11) days, with an average time of 4 days to clinical improvement. Seventeen patients (94%) were clinically cured. One patient with recurrent aspiration pneumonia due to mixed infection with multiple gram-negative enteric bacilli failed therapy. Adverse effects were minimal and transient. Notably, mild to moderate thrombocytosis occurred in four (22%) patients that resolved uneventfully. We conclude that ticarcillin/clavulanic acid is safe and effective therapy for serious infections in hospitalized children.

Bacterial Infections↗

PubMed1989

Ketanserin: an effective treatment regimen for digital ischaemia in systemic sclerosis.

We have studied the therapeutic effects of ketanserin, a specific serotonin antagonist, on digital ischaemia in 11 patients with the CREST syndrome of systemic sclerosis. Ketanserin was administered as a bolus of 10 mg intravenously, followed by an infusion over 72 h and then oral therapy. Skin blood flow as measured by thermography, bolometry, ultrasound Doppler pulses and laser light scattering, showed significant improvement. There was also marked clinical improvement with a reduction in the pain and healing of digital ulceration. These improvements were maintained on oral therapy. In 7 patients detailed studies were performed comparing oral and intravenous ketanserin therapy. When ketanserin was administered as a bolus 10 mg intravenous dose, followed by an infusion at 2 mg/h, steady state was reached by 12 h. Following oral treatment (40 mg tds) therapeutic blood levels were achieved.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1988

Sodium valproate decreases synaptic potentiation and epileptiform activity in hippocampus.

The actions of sodium valproate (NaVP) were studied in the in vitro hippocampus using extracellular, intracellular and voltage-clamp recording techniques. In the CA1 region, concentrations of 30-200 microM NaVP reduced the amplitude but not the time course of post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) of dendritic field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). Epileptiform discharges were studied intracellularly in CA3 cells after pharmacological blockade of synaptic inhibition and repeated tetanic stimulation. NaVP (100 microM) blocked evoked paroxysmal depolarizing shift (PDS) discharges through a mechanism of increasing the threshold for burst-firing. When the PDS current was studied under voltage-clamp, application of NaVP (100 microM) resulted in a graded reduction of the PDS waveform. All of the actions of NaVP may result from inhibition of excitatory synaptic transmission following repetitive cell firing. A hypothesis is proposed that NaVP may act to decrease excitatory synaptic potentiation necessary for network synchronization.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1988

Structure of a hypervariable tandemly repeated DNA sequence on the short arm of the human Y chromosome.

The structure of a repeated DNA sequence located on the short arm of the human Y chromosome is described. Genomic mapping and cloning in lambda or cosmid vectors show that the repeated sequence consists of units 20.3 x 10(3) base-pairs long that contain the three previously described DNA sequences: Y-156, Y-190 and Y-223a. Analysis of male genomic DNA by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis shows that the units are tandemly arranged and are organized into two blocks. The major block is hypervariable in size and alleles in the range approximately 540 x 10(3) to 800 x 10(3) base-pairs were detected. The minor block is not variable in size and is approximately 60 x 10(3) base-pairs long. Analysis of rearranged Y chromosomes shows that both blocks are located on the short arm of the chromosome. Most commonly, the major block is distal to the minor block, but the opposite arrangement is also found.

Cell Line↗

PubMed1988

Rheumatic heart disease and school screening: initiatives at an isolated hospital in Tonga.

A simple and inexpensive assessment of cardiac murmurs and school health problems was conducted in an isolated island in the kingdom of Tonga. The prevalence of rheumatic and congenital heart disease in the population of 'Eua was 0.5% and 0.15%, respectively. The incidence of rheumatic heart disease for 1985 was 0.8 per 1000 population. The screening of 1106 students, who were aged five to 12 years, showed skin disease to be the most important problem. All identified cases were treated and referred for follow-up. The total cost of this study was US $281.48. This exercise demonstrated an alternative approach to maximizing the use of health resources as well as maintaining the skill and morale of health workers in isolated areas.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Role of calcium in stabilizing the structure of hyalin, a major protein component of the sea urchin extraembryonic hyaline layer.

The interactions of NaCl and CaCl2 with the sea urchin embryo coat protein hyalin were investigated. Endogenous protein tryptophan fluorescence was enhanced by almost 45% in the presence of 200mM NaCl while 1mM CaCl2 reversed this effect and brought the intensity of fluorescence back close to that of the native protein. Half-maximal concentrations of 53 and 0.32mM were determined for NaCl and Ca+2, respectively. Hyalin conformation, as measured by circular dichroic spectroscopy, was altered by NaCl and CaCl2 in a fashion parallel to the effects of these salts on tryptophan fluorescence. Sodium chloride disrupted hyalin secondary structure while CaCl2 affected the return of hyalin to its native conformation. The interactions of NaCl and CaCl2 with hyalin were not modulated by MgCl2. These results suggest a role for CaCl2 in stabilizing hyalin against the disruptive effects of the high concentration of NaCl present in sea water.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

What residents know about child abuse. Implications of a survey of knowledge and attitudes.

Residency training programs are the appropriate milieu in which physicians should receive specialized training in the diagnosis and management of child abuse. The purposes of the present study were to assess and compare residents' knowledge of child abuse and their attitudes toward the propriety of different forms of childhood discipline. We surveyed 192 residents from seven different training programs with questionnaires probing their knowledge of child abuse and their attitudes toward childhood disciplinary measures; 161 (84%) of the questionnaires were satisfactorily completed by residents in pediatrics (n = 87), family medicine (n = 51), and surgery (n = 23). Both pediatric residents and family medicine residents outperformed surgery residents in one subscale and the total score on the test. Scores were not related to year of training or attitudes toward childhood discipline but were correlated with self-reports of previous child abuse teaching. Residents' performance on a childhood disciplinary measure demonstrated wide latitude in their rating of the acceptability of 23 different modes of childhood discipline. Our findings indicate a need for a more systematic approach to residents' education in childhood intentional injuries and some value clarification of their attitudes toward various forms of childhood discipline.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed1988

Purification and characterisation of ovine C4: evidence for two molecular forms in ovine plasma.

A relatively rapid procedure is described for the isolation of the fourth component of complement (C4) from ovine plasma. The method, which recovers approximately 30% C4, is based upon DEAE Sephacel anion exchange chromatography of PEG precipitated plasminogen depleted plasma followed by cation exchange chromatography on CM Sepharose and finally gel filtration. SDS-PAGE of purified ovine C4 under reducing conditions revealed a complex pattern of bands which was interpreted on the basis of a three polypeptide chain structure for each of two distinct species, or isotypes, of C4 molecule herein termed C4A and C4B. Each isotype differs in the mol. wt of the alpha chain--108 and 95 K respectively. Nucleophilic substitution of immunoprecipitated ovine C4 with radiolabelled methylamine revealed that both C4 species contained a reactive thiol ester site and that each could be cleaved into an activated form (presumably C4b) characterised by a truncated alpha' chain some 8 K lower in mol. wt. A comparison of the isotype composition of purified C4 with that of immunoprecipitated C4 from the same animal indicated that the purification procedure favoured isolation of the C4B isotype. The mol. wts of both the alpha and beta chains were lowered following digestion of ovine C4 with neuraminidase.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Detection of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) using a direct (antiglobulin) format and development of a confirmatory assay for anti-HBc.

A direct (antiglobulin) solid-phase enzyme immunoassay for the detection of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is described. The assay utilizes recombinant hepatitis B core antigen as the solid-phase 'capture' reagent and a mixture of monoclonal antibodies specific for human IgG and IgM conjugated to horseradish peroxidase as the 'detector' reagent. The direct assay demonstrated excellent sensitivity and specificity when compared with a commercially available competitive enzyme immunoassay. The direct assay format lends itself to a confirmatory assay for anti-HBc by addition of monoclonal anti-HBc to the reaction mixture. Feasibility of the confirmatory assay for anti-HBc was demonstrated using specimens reactive for anti-HBc as documented by both the direct and competitive assays.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1988

Preparation of lyophilized human serum based reference materials with graded levels of apolipoproteins A-I and B.

Surveys of national and international laboratories indicate that among-laboratory and between-laboratory sources of variance account for the majority of variability in laboratories measuring apolipoproteins A-I and B. These sources of variance are amenable to correction through the use of common quality control and reference materials. We utilized proven techniques employing ethyl alcohol and acetate buffer to precipitate either apolipoprotein A-I rich or apolipoprotein B rich fractions that were blended with whole or delipidated serum producing five pilot-sized pools containing graded levels of apolipoproteins. After lyophilization the pools were tested and each pool contained levels of analytes similar to frozen serum and contained varied amounts of apolipoproteins A-I and B. Temporal and accelerated thermal stability testing demonstrated stability of the analytes in the pools with time (three years) and temperature (up to 56 degrees C). This technology provides a preparative procedure for apolipoprotein reference materials over the extended range needed in clinical applications.

Apolipoprotein A-I↗

PubMed1988

Anger, perceived control and school behavior among students with learning problems.

With regard to students with learning problems, findings indicate that the more severe the learning problem, the greater the tendency toward anger in response to conflicts at school. The relationship between learning problem severity and perceptions of control at school was not significant, but anger was negatively correlated to perceived control. None of the variables were significantly related to misbehavior. A stepwise regression analysis indicated perceived control as the most potent single variable accounting for the variance in anger scores. Overall, findings highlight implications for work focused on reactions to learning problems and factors associated with their cause and correction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Autonomic neuropathy in systemic sclerosis.

Autonomic function assessed by tests of cardiovascular reflexes was studied in 25 patients with systemic sclerosis and 10 patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon. A comparison was made with 13 normal healthy subjects. Significant abnormalities in the cardiovascular reflexes were found in systemic sclerosis, both in the CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, oesophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia) variant and also in those patients with diffuse involvement. There was sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. These findings suggest that autonomic neuropathy is a feature of systemic sclerosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Isolation and culture of two cell populations from chick calvaria by density gradient: prostaglandin synthesis by the cells in culture and coculture.

In previous studies we demonstrated that PTH stimulates production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by intact chick calvaria. In the present series of experiments, two cell populations were isolated from chick calvaria by centrifugation on a 25%/55% Percoll gradient. Cells harvested from the upper band of the Percoll gradient (designated F-1) appeared large and spindle-shaped in culture. Cells harvested from the lower band of the Percoll gradient (designated F-2) were relatively small and polygonal-shaped. Both cell populations required fetal bovine serum (FBS) for attachment and proliferation. In the presence of FBS the cells formed multilayers, but they formed confluent monolayers in the presence of heat-inactivated FBS. The pattern of cAMP responses to different effectors and biochemical determinations for alkaline and acid phosphatase suggests that the F-2 fraction consists primarily of osteoblasts. No cells with osteoclastic patterns appeared in either fraction. Both cell types synthesized predominantly PGD2. PGE2 was also produced, however, in considerably smaller quantities. PG production in the presence of ionophore A23187 (1 microM) or arachidonate (10 microM) increased significantly when the F-1 and F-2 cells were cocultured at a 1:1 ratio. These results suggest that cell to cell or cell to matrix interactions normally present in intact bone influence PG synthesis.

Acid Phosphatase↗