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Biomedical subjects

M Donovan

Publications and source records attributed to M Donovan.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Maximum and medium security: the interface.

This paper examines transfer delays for patients moving between medium and maximum security hospitals. Delays appear to be getting shorter and Special Hospitals in particular respond very quickly to requests for admission. Recommendations are made for further improvements in transfer procedures. The authors argue that with closer working relationships between clinicians in Special Hospitals and Regional Secure Units, and the new proactive approach to transfers, the system will become increasingly flexible and responsive. Consequent improvements in the quality of care in Special Hospitals are anticipated, making the arguments for closing them, in turn, less convincing.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Comparison of a lysed whole blood method to purified cell preparations for lymphocyte immunophenotyping: differences between healthy controls and HIV-positive specimens.

Although the majority of clinical laboratories now use a lysed whole blood (LWB) method for routine immunophenotyping, researchers wishing to perform other types of studies with lymphocytes from HIV+ patients may still need to use purified cell preparations, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). A comparison study of the two methods was performed, using peripheral blood specimens from normal donors and from patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV+). Reproducibility studies and several types of holding studies (both before and after specimen processing) were also performed. The results suggest that the two different methods of sample preparation have different effects upon abnormal patient specimens than those observed in healthy controls. Immunophenotyping results derived from the two different methods cannot be considered equivalent for the purposes of quantitating the presence of a particular type of cell.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of the KIN2 gene product in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and comparison between the kinase activities of p145KIN1 and p145KIN2.

We have isolated two yeast genes, KIN1 and KIN2, by their homology to the protein kinase family of viral oncogenes. Previous studies have identified the yeast KIN1 gene product (pp145KIN1) as a 145 kilodalton (kDa) phosphoprotein with serine/threonine-specific protein kinase activity. To identify and biochemically characterize the KIN2 gene product, antibodies were raised against a bacterial beta-galactosidase/KIN2 fusion polypeptide. In vivo, the KIN2 gene product is a 145 kDa phosphoprotein, pp145KIN2. In immune complexes, pp145KIN2 demonstrates serine/threonine protein kinase activity, transferring phosphate from [gamma-32P]ATP to either itself or the exogenously added substrates alpha-casein, acid-denatured enolase, or phosvitin. In vitro, kinase activity is dependent on either Mn2+ or Mg2+ ions. Both enzymes, pp145KIN1 and pp145KIN2, prefer ATP over GTP as their phosphoryl donor. Since a new class of yeast protein kinases has been identified which are serine/tyrosine-specific, we analysed a wide range of substrates to see if any could be phosphorylated by pp145KIN1 or pp145KIN2 on tyrosine residues. Both enzymes phosphorylate alpha-casein, acid-denatured enolase, and phosvitin on serine and threonine residues. Neither enzyme could phosphorylate tyrosine residues even though good substrates for tyrosine-specific kinases such as enolase, angiotensin II, and the synthetic polymer GLU80TYR20 were used. The biochemical analysis of KIN2 kinase activity shows remarkable similarity to that of its most closely related yeast kinase, KIN1. It remains to be seen if these two yeast protein kinases share any functional relationships or substrates in vivo.

Fungal Proteins↗
PubMed1994

KIN1 and KIN2 protein kinases localize to the cytoplasmic face of the yeast plasma membrane.

Two genes, KIN1 and KIN2, were isolated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by their homology to the protein kinase family of viral oncogenes. In previous studies, we identified the yeast KIN1 gene product (pp145KIN1) and KIN2 gene product (pp145KIN2) as 145 kDa phosphoproteins with serine/threonine protein kinase activity. We have used two approaches to determine the location of these protein kinases in the yeast cell: biochemical fractionation and purification of plasma membrane and cell wall material. Biochemical fractionation techniques revealed that 70-90% of both KIN1 and KIN2 proteins localized to a particulate fraction. This particulate fraction contained three pools of KIN1 and KIN2 proteins. One pool could be released with either sodium chloride or high pH, another released with nonionic detergent, and a third was resistant to either treatment. Thus, both protein-protein and protein-membrane interactions are responsible for the association to the particulate fraction. The presence of these proteins in purified plasma membranes confirms the biochemical fractionation data demonstrating a protein-membrane interaction. Interestingly, a significant fraction of KIN1 and KIN2 proteins are present in purified cell wall preparations. Since protease protection experiments indicate that these proteins are confined to the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane and do not protrude into the periplasmic space, any association with the cell wall must be mediated through a protein complex.

Cell Fractionation↗
PubMed1994

Assessment of ventricular relaxation in the developing chick embryo using a monoexponential model.

In this study, the ventricular pressure decline during isovolumic relaxation in early diastole was modeled by regressing pressure and pressure change vs. time to a monoexponential formula: P(t) = P infinity+P0e-t/tau, where P(t) is ventricular pressure at time t, P infinity is the pressure in the fully relaxed ventricle, P0 is the pressure at the end of ventricular ejection, and tau is the ventricular relaxation rate constant. Analysis was performed on 330 ventricular pressure waveforms from 22 chick embryos, stages 17, 23, and 26, during baseline and following cardiac cycle length perturbation. Three computational models were evaluated. Based on analysis of the confidence intervals of estimates of P infinity and analysis of residuals, a least-squares nonlinear regression of pressure vs. time, which allowed estimates of tau and P infinity, best approximated the pressure decline. Isovolumic pressure decline in the embryonic heart is well approximated by a monoexponential model if both P infinity and tau are estimated. Negative values of P infinity during early stages of cardiac morphogenesis support the idea that diastolic suction plays a role in ventricular filling in the developing heart.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Children's household exposure to guns: a pediatric practice-based survey.

Guns in the home are a factor in pediatric unintentional and intentional firearm injuries, yet the patterns of ownership and use are unclear. OBJECTIVES. To describe the prevalence of firearms in households containing children who go to pediatricians, the types of firearms owned, the purposes of such ownership, the conditions of firearm storage, and the social correlates of ownership. METHODS. Survey of parents attending 29 (urban, suburban, and rural) pediatric practices in Chicago, New Jersey, Houston, Utah, Georgia, Iowa, and South Carolina for well or sick child care during a 1-week study period. The main outcome measure was ownership of rifle/shotgun and/or handgun. RESULTS. Gun ownership was reported by 37% of 5233 respondent families: rifles (26%), handguns (17%), and powder firearm (32%). Ownership varied significantly across practices and geographical locations. Thirteen percent of 823 handguns and 1% of 1327 rifles were reported both unlocked and loaded. Recreation was the most common reason for both rifle (75%) and handgun (59%) ownership; 48% of handguns were kept for self-protection versus 21% of rifles. In logistic regression models, predictor variables for firearm ownership included rural area, single family dwelling, at least one adult male, and fewer preschool children (for handgun and rifle); mother with at least 12 years education (for handgun), and white mother (for rifle). CONCLUSIONS. The data presented suggest that US pediatricians routinely see children in families that own firearms, including a worrisome number that keep loaded and unlocked handguns. Until more detailed information becomes available, it is reasonable for pediatricians to be guided by these data, and so to counsel routinely about gun exposure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Retention designs for bone-anchored facial prostheses.

A facial prosthesis can be retained by bone-anchored implants and by a retentive bar. Because tissue response is critical around the abutments, the retentive bar should be constructed so that it is comfortable, conveniently hygienic, and designed without compromising the contours of the prosthesis.

Ear, External↗
PubMed1993

Suicide among forensic psychiatric patients.

This paper examines the problem of suicide among patients discharged from a Regional Secure Unit. The stereotype that emerges is a young man with anti-social personality traits, suffering from an affective psychosis, with a history of substance abuse and impulsive violence directed both towards himself and others, who is alienated from care staff and social supports because of his provocative and uncooperative behaviour. In contrast with the general population, forensic patients are more likely to commit suicide using a violent method and are more likely to have a suicide verdict recorded by the coroner. The implications of these findings for treatment and preventive interventions are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Usefulness of parental serum total cholesterol levels in identifying children with hypercholesterolemia.

It was hypothesized that healthy children with high cholesterol levels may have parents who exceed acceptable cholesterol levels established by the National Cholesterol Education Program. One hundred sixty families (320 parents, 263 children aged 3 to 10 years) were evaluated for total cholesterol and other risk factors. Before the study, almost half of the parents had not had serum total cholesterol measured. The odds ratio for a child having a total cholesterol greater than or equal to 5.17 mmol/liter (200 mg/dl) was 13.6:1 (confidence interval 5.7 to 32.5) for a child with at least 1 parent having cholesterol greater than or equal to 6.20 mmol/liter (240 mg/dl) versus a child whose parents had low total cholesterol. Testing only children who had at least 1 parent with a total cholesterol greater than or equal to 5.17 mmol/liter (200 mg/dl) had a sensitivity of 98% for detecting children's total cholesterol greater than or equal to 5.17 mmol/liter. It is concluded that parental total cholesterol is useful in identifying children with high total cholesterol levels. Pediatricians may identify a large number of parents with hypercholesterolemia not previously recognized.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Rehabilitation with calvarial bone grafts and osseointegrated implants after partial maxillary resection: a clinical report.

Osseointegrated implants can be positioned on the nondefect side of a midline maxillary resection if there is sufficient residual bone. Axial loading of the implants is difficult because the axis of rotation for an obturator prosthesis is located along the palatal margin of the defect. Rotation of the prosthesis due to a class I lever will encourage stresses within the implants and the bone surrounding the implants on the nondefect side, and this may be detrimental. Placement of implants within the defect will prevent rotation of the prosthesis and encourage axial loading of the implants.

Bone Transplantation↗
PubMed1992

Implementation of the American Pain Society Quality Assurance Standards for Relief of Acute Pain and Cancer Pain in oncology nursing practice.

Cancer pain represents a high-incidence problem that requires ongoing monitoring and evaluation. The recently published American Pain Society Quality Assurance Standards for Relief of Acute Pain and Cancer Pain provides an excellent basis for developing a quality assurance (QA) program in cancer pain assessment and management. These standards contain five critical areas for monitoring and evaluation related to cancer pain. The purpose of this article is to provide a useful framework for oncology nurses to develop a QA program in cancer pain assessment and management. The Oncology Nursing Society Position Paper on Cancer Pain and the American Nurses Association/Oncology Nursing Society Standards of Oncology Nursing Practice are incorporated into the framework to develop specific monitoring criteria. Practical suggestions are provided for implementing a QA program on cancer pain in a variety of oncology practice settings, using the standards of the American Pain Society.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1991

Expression of the human PDGF-B gene is regulated by both positively and negatively acting cell type-specific regulatory elements located in the first intron.

Potential cis-acting regulatory elements of the human platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) gene were identified by DNase I hypersensitive site mapping. The transcription unit was examined for the presence of hypersensitive sites in chromatin DNA isolated from human term placental cytotrophoblasts, human placental fibroblasts, the JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cell line and the U2-OS osteosarcoma cell line. A number of cell type-specific hypersensitive sites were identified, all within the 1st intron. Transient transfection of JEG-3 cells with CAT constructs containing regions of the c-sis 1st intron linked to the basal c-sis promoter identified a cell type-specific positive regulatory activity within the intron, composed of at least two distinct elements. One element appeared to be specific for JEG-3 cells, while the other was also active in U2-OS cells. The overall positive regulatory activity of the 1st intron region was specific for JEG-3 cells, but did not function as a classically defined enhancer, as it was orientation-dependent (unless stably integrated into chromatin DNA). In addition, the activator appears to require interaction with the c-sis promoter, as little or no activation was seen when either the SV40 or human beta-globin promoters were substituted for the c-sis promoter. The 1st intron also contained a negative regulatory element, which was specific for U2-OS cells and silenced an abnormally high basal c-sis promoter activity in these cells. The complexity of the transcriptional control of the PDGF-B gene is discussed.

Base Sequence↗