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Biomedical subjects

M C Smith

Publications and source records attributed to M C Smith.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

A randomized double blind clinical trial of two GnRH analogs for the treatment of cystic ovaries in dairy cows.

A randomized double blind clinical trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone, buserelin, to that of the hormone gonadorelin for the treatment of bovine ovarian cysts. Two hundred and sixty five cows with a clinical diagnosis of follicular cysts were included in the study. At 30 days post treatment 85% of the gonadorelin and 89% of the buserelin treatment groups no longer had a palpable ovarian cyst. No significant differences were found between treatment groups in the number of cows bred by 90 days post treatment, conception rate by 90 days post treatment, services per conception, milk progesterone at 30 days post treatment, days post treatment to first heat, and days post treatment to conception.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Analysis of the clinical findings used to diagnose coliform mastitis in dairy cows, and comparison to a prediction model.

Logistic regression was used to analyze the clinical findings (attributes) which predicted coliform mastitis in 113 dairy cattle, 36 of which had coliforms cultured from milk. Weakness of the cow, swelling of the udder, decreased body temperature and watery consistency of the milk were selected for the model. An analysis was then done to find the attributes which clinicians used when predicting that a cow would have a coliform cultured. Clinicians appeared to use water consistency of the milk, shivering, firmness of the udder, pulse rate, elevated body temperature, and respiratory rate. In a final analysis the clinicians' predictions were forced into the model to determine which attributes might be used by clinicians to increase diagnostic accuracy. Inclusion of weakness of the cow, swelling of the udder, decreased temperature of the cow, and duration of mastitis of less than 24 hours increased accuracy over clinical prediction alone. Accuracy of cowside diagnosis might be increased if more attention were paid to these attributes when making a diagnosis of coliform mastitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Cloning in Escherichia coli of a Bacillus subtilis arginine repressor gene through its ability to confer structural stability on a fragment carrying genes of arginine biosynthesis.

The structural stability of a previously isolated recombinant plasmid pUL720 was examined. pUL720 contains an insert in pBR322 of 23.8 kbp comprising 4 EcoR1 fragments of sizes 12 kbp and 6 kbp, both of which are homologous to the B. subtilis genome, and 5 kbp and 0.8 kbp (of unknown origin). The 12 kbp fragment, which encodes the arginine biosynthesis genes argA-F-cpa, cannot be cloned in isolation in a high copy vector in E. coli but can be inserted into a low copy vector pGV1106 to generate pUL800. Deletion analysis of pUL720 indicated that the 5 kbp and 0.8 kbp fragments were not necessary to maintain plasmid stability. The 6 kbp fragment, when cloned into the EcoR1 site in pACYC184 to generate pUL2030, permitted the cloning in trans in pBR322 of the 12 kbp fragment or subclones containing the instability region. The minimum inhibitory concentration of kanamycin determined in the B. subtilis argC-neo transcriptional fusion pUL730 and expression of the argF gene product, ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCTase), in pUL800 were reduced by approximately 3 and 2 fold respectively under conditions of arginine excess and in the presence of pUL2030. B. subtilis partial diploids were constructed by transforming parental and arginine hydroxamate resistant (Ahr) mutants with pUL2100, a plasmid generated by inserting the 6 kbp fragment into the integration vector pJH101. The 6 kbp fragment complemented and restored parental type levels of OCTase in ahrC mutants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arginine↗
PubMed1986

Designing new substance abuse treatment services for a competitive environment.

A multivariate analysis of the relationships between service attributes and physician perceptions was conducted as an approach to marketing substance abuse treatment services. The results of this attribute-perceptive-preference study indicate: the physician(s) on staff attribute makes the greatest contribution to perceived quality and efficiency; easy referral admission makes the largest contribution to accessibility perceptions; and providing feedback produces the greatest contribution to perceived continuity. The JCAH attributes neither adds to nor subtracts from the perceptions of any of the four perceptual attributes. Other findings indicate that perceived efficiency produces the greatest contribution to overall consumer preference. Quality perceptions make the second largest contribution to overall preference, followed by continuity and accessibility perceptions.

Community Mental Health Centers↗
PubMed1986

Sequence analysis of the Bacillus subtilis argC promoter region.

A previously characterised promoter region upstream from the Bacillus subtilis argC gene was sequenced. The in vivo position of transcription start point (+1), was determined by mung-bean-nuclease mapping. The nucleotide (nt) sequences in the '-10' (TATAAT) and '-35' (TTGAAT) regions closely resemble consensus promoter sequences recognised by B. subtilis sigma 43 and Escherichia coli sigma 70 RNA polymerases. Between +9 and -64 are three imperfect inverted repeats with high homology to the E. coli arginine biosynthetic gene putative operator sequences (ARG boxes) [Cunin et al., Nucl. Acids Res. II (1985) 5007-5019] and which contain variable intra-repeat distances. Upstream from the '-35' region, extending as far as -71, is a 97% AT-rich sequence. The argC mRNA has a short leader region containing a B. subtilis ribosome-binding site 8 nt upstream from a TTG start codon for an open reading frame (ORF). The deduced amino acid sequence for this ORF contains regions of homology to that for the E. coli argC N-terminal region.

Arginine↗
PubMed1986

Subglottic haemangioma in children.

Our experience with the treatment of 23 cases of subglottic haemangioma in children at the Hospital for Sick Children is presented. Different modalities of treatment are mentioned, with particular emphasis on excision with laryngo-tracheoplasty and the use of CO2 surgical laser. In a self-limiting lesion, our present policy is to use the CO2 laser to accelerate the rate of regression while minimizing morbidity and mortality.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Mammary metabolism in the goat during normal or hormonally-induced lactation.

Mammary metabolism was studied in 4 normal lactating goats (group N) and in 4 non-pregnant goats induced to lactate by hormonal treatment (group 1). Tissue was sampled by biopsy after 3, 9 and 18 weeks of lactation. Although milk potential was the same in both groups, group 1 produced 45% less milk than group N. The RNA-DNA ratio, activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and the beta-casein % of in vitro protein synthesis were not significantly lower in the 1 than in the N goat mammary tissue. This suggests that differences in mammary cell hyperplasia during hormonal treatment, and not potential metabolic activities, partially accounted for the difference in milk yield levels. Milk composition was comparable in the two groups. However, milk fat in group N had a higher long-chain fatty acid content (stearic and oleic acids) during the first month of lactation due to the higher mobilization of body lipids in high-yielding animals. Another qualitative difference was the delayed increase in milk LPL secretion during the first 3 months of lactation in induced goats.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Sensory effects in man of lesions of the posterior columns and of some other afferent pathways.

Clinical observations are presented on the sensory effects of lesions of different afferent pathways of the spinal cord, correlated whenever possible with histological evidence of the location and extent of the lesions. They are based on personal cases and on significant cases in the literature, including posterior column section, other causes of damage to the posterior columns, and cases of commissural myelotomy. It is concluded that the traditional view of the effects of lesions of the posterior columns is correct, but that evidence from cases proved by postmortem examination is still needed. When the information normally supplied by the posterior columns is cut off, primary sensibility for light touch and pressure is not lost, but any kind of discrimination is disturbed. There is also a disturbance in knowledge of movement and position, ataxia, and clumsiness in the use of the hands. These defects greatly affect the palpatory examination of objects and, although they may appear slight on routine neurological examination, they can cause severe disturbances in the activities of daily living. For tactile modalities, a lesion of the spinothalamic complex causes minimal or no defects and a lesion of the posterior columns causes only slight defects, whereas a lesion of both pathways gives rise to total loss of tactile and pressure sensibility in the part of the body served by both pathways. This conclusion is based on 2 cases with combined commissural myelotomy and anterolateral cordotomy. The following disturbances of mechanoreception attributed to lesions of the posterior columns are discussed: lability of threshold, persistence of sensation, tactile and postural hallucinations and temporal and spatial disturbances. In man, lesions of the posterior columns cause an increase in pain, tickle, warmth and cold. Cases are presented with and without lesions of the posterolateral columns in conjunction with lesions of one or both anterolateral columns. As these lesions did not affect sensation and as there was no difference in the sensory state following anterolateral cordotomies with or without involvement of the posterolateral column, it is concluded that lesions of this column have no effect on sensation. Cases with lesions of the anterior two-thirds of the cord are also presented to illustrate the sensory state with only the posterior third of the cord intact. In these cases, tactile and pressure sensibility and knowledge of movement and position are normal.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Gene sequence encoding early enzymes of arginine synthesis within a cluster in Bacillus subtilis, as revealed by cloning in Escherichia coli.

From a partial Sau3A gene library of Bacillus subtilis chromosomal DNA in the expression plasmid pRK9, four hybrid plasmids were isolated carrying overlapping segments of the argA-argF-cpa cluster. The complementation patterns within Escherichia coli arginine auxotrophs of these hybrids and deletion derivatives provided the gene order argC-argA-argE-argB-argD-cpa-argF.

Arginine↗
PubMed1986

The location of descending fibres to sympathetic neurons supplying the eye and sudomotor neurons supplying the head and neck.

Evidence is given of the location in man of the fibres going to the sympathetic neurons of the lateral horn that supply the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the eye and the sweat glands of the head and neck. For the region of the pons and medulla, the evidence is abstracted from the literature. For the cervical spinal cord, the evidence is from our cases of anterolateral cordotomy. In the medulla, thrombosis of the artery of the fossette latérale destroys the fibres; this locates the fibres in the posterolateral retro-olivary area. But not all fibres to the sudomotor neurons lie there: some run elsewhere, though they probably remain ipsilateral. In the cervical cord, the fibres supplying the sympathetic neurons of the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the eye run near the posterior angle of the anterior horn. Most of the fibres supplying the sudomotor neurons lie in the same region, though some lie outside this area but on the same side of the cord.

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1986

Noncompliance with medication regimens.

Noncompliance is a complex problem involving the physician, the patient, and the health care system as contributors and victims. Since identifying noncompliers is not an easy task, the authors review the determinants of compliance and provide several strategies for dealing effectively with noncompliant patients.

Patient Compliance↗
PubMed1986

Marketing Medicaid drugs: an analysis of cost factors.

The cost of drugs dispensed through the Medicaid program is the focus of this article. The research question addressed is, "What variables raise or lower the expense of marketing drugs to Medicaid recipients?" Medicaid drug programs are dichotomized into high- and low-cost groups and variables are identified that are linked with either the more or less expensive programs. Three groups should be interested in identifying factors that increase or decrease the cost of marketing drugs to Medicaid patients--pharmacy managers, Medicaid administrators at the state and federal levels, and public aid recipients.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1986

Accuracy of a discriminant analysis model for prediction of coliform mastitis in dairy cows and a comparison with clinical prediction.

We tested an equation, which had been developed previously using discriminant analysis, for predicting whether a cow has coliform mastitis. Variables indicating a high probability of coliform infection included history of previous mastitis in the affected quarter, weakness, clear or white color of milk, water consistency of the milk, swelling of the udder, lack of previous mastitis in other quarters, lack of palpable udder abscesses, and a high body temperature. Application of this predictive equation to 114 cows with mastitis to determine if they would have coliform organisms cultured from the affected quarters resulted in an accuracy of 71% (sensitivity = 0.42, specificity = 0.85), compared to an accuracy of 62% (sensitivity = .64, specificity = .61) for cowside prediction by the attending clinicians. Changing the cutoff score of the discriminant rule so that the sensitivity of the discriminant prediction was similar to that of the clinicians yielded an accuracy of 64% (sensitivity = .64, specificity = .64).

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effect of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine on replication of Epstein-Barr virus in human lymphoblastoid cell lines.

The effect of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVDU) on replication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was investigated and compared with Acyclovir (ACV). Both drugs inhibited EBV replication very rapidly. However, the inhibitory effect of ACV was readily reversed after removal of the drug, in contrast to the more prolonged effect exerted by BVDU, which persisted for more than 21 days. The 50% inhibitory doses of BVDU for virus replication (ED50) and lymphoblastoid cell growth (ID50) were 0.06 microM and 390 microM, respectively; the in vitro therapeutic index (ID50/ED50) was 6,500. Synthesis of EBV-induced polypeptides with molecular weights of 145K, 140K and 110K was partially reduced by BVDU. When superinfected Raji cells were exposed to 125I-labeled (E)-5-(2-iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (IVDU), larger amounts of (125I)IVDU were incorporated into viral DNA than cellular DNA.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1985

The role of prostaglandins in human hypertension.

A large body of evidence supports the concept that prostaglandins (PG) are importantly involved in arterial pressure regulation. Various PGs, especially PGE2 and prostacyclin (PGI2) may influence blood pressure through control of vascular tone, sodium excretion, and renin release. Inhibition of PG synthesis by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) augments the vasoconstrictor response to exogenous pressors such as angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin (AVP), and fludrocortisone. The acute administration of NSAID to either normotensive or untreated hypertensive subjects results in an increase in arterial pressure and peripheral resistance; long-term administration, however, is associated with little or no change in blood pressure, possibly because of a reduction in cardiac output. Although NSAID have little influence on blood pressure in normotensive subjects or untreated hypertensives, inhibition of PG synthesis blunts or abolishes the antihypertensive effect of most antihypertensive agents. NSAID antagonize the vasodepressor action of diuretics, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists, vasodilators, and converting enzyme inhibitors. Consequently, potent NSAID should be used with caution, if at all, during treatment of hypertensive patients. Numerous studies have examined renal PG production in essential hypertension (EH). The majority have demonstrated reduced basal and stimulated urinary PGE2 excretion in EH compared to normotensive subjects, but there is substantial overlap. Nevertheless, renal PGE2 synthesis is significantly decreased in approximately one-third of patients with EH. A recent innovative approach to arterial pressure regulation has focused on dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially linoleic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Several groups have demonstrated that long-term dietary supplementation with PUFA reduces blood pressure in both normotensive individuals and in patients with EH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed1985

Primary cervical neuroblastoma in infants.

We describe three cases of cervical neuroblastoma, each occurring in an infant less than one year old, and discuss the investigation and treatment of these patients. The prognosis of patients with advanced neuroblastoma is poor. By contrast, patients with stage I and II tumours often do well and it therefore seems appropriate for otolaryngologists to be familiar with the clinical features and management of localized cervical neuroblastoma. A history of upper aerodigestive compromise is typical, and in the evaluation of this complaint, the possibility of a cervical neuroblastoma must be borne in mind. A retropharyngeal firm, smooth mass is consistent with this diagnosis and supportive evidence can be obtained from ancillary studies. A biopsy is required for tissue diagnosis and, if possible, the entire tumour and sample local nodes should be excised. This will also relieve airway and pharyngeal obstruction. Complete tumour removal at the expense of major nerves and vessels is not necessary in view of the tendency to tumour regression. We conclude that prolonged disease-free survival can be achieved in infants by the use of limited surgery, with chemotherapy in some instances, and without the use of radiation therapy. Management decisions should be made jointly by paediatric otolaryngology and paediatric oncology teams.

Female↗