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Biomedical subjects

M F Miller

Publications and source records attributed to M F Miller.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Temporal effects of halothane and isoflurane in laterally recumbent ventilated male horses.

Cardiopulmonary function was monitored in 6 non-medicated, healthy male horses, anesthetized with halothane or isoflurane in O2 at a constant dose (1.2 times the minimum alveolar concentration). Horses were exposed once to each anesthetic agent, and a minimum of 2 weeks separated anesthetic exposures. All horses were studied in left lateral recumbency, and ventilation was mechanically controlled to induce a PaCO2 of 35 to 45 mm of Hg and an inspiratory peak airway pressure of 18 to 22 cm of H2O. After 1 hour of horse preparation, constant conditions were begun. With duration of anesthesia, cardiac output increased (P less than 0.05) with both anesthetic agents, because of an increase in stroke volume (P less than 0.05). Heart rate did not change from initial values with either agent. Mean arterial blood pressure also increased (P less than 0.05) with both agents. With both anesthetics, respiratory rate (P less than 0.05) was increased progressively to maintain acceptable PaCO2 values. Arterial O2 tension did not change with time.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Nutritional practices and outcome of extremely premature infants.

We analyzed the records of 182 newborns with birth weights under 1000 g, who survived longer than seven days, to determine risk factors for subacute mortality and morbidity. Statistical analysis using logarithm-linear modeling was used to identify complex interactions and to minimize confounding. Nosocomial infection, necrotizing enterocolitis, male gender, and chronic lung disease (CLD) were identified as independent risk factors for subacute mortality. Male gender and CLD were associated with increased mortality only among patients who received parenteral nutrition (PN). Moreover, PN, rather than enteral nutrition (EN), was a risk factor for delayed growth, nosocomial infection, and CLD. Delayed initiation of EN was associated with decreased necrotizing enterocolitis risk only among male infants with birth weights under 775 g. Our results do not support elective withholding of EN in other groups of extremely low-birth-weight infants. We conclude that indications for PN and for withholding initiation of EN in very-very-low-birth-weight infants need to be established by prospective studies.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1986

Vegetative expression of the delta-endotoxin genes of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki in Bacillus subtilis.

Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki total DNA was digested with BglII and cloned into the BamHI site of plasmid pUC9 in Escherichia coli. A recombinant plasmid, pHBHE, expressed a protein of 135,000 daltons that was toxic to caterpillars. A HincII-SmaI double digest of pHBHE was then ligated to BglII-cut plasmid pBD64 and introduced into Bacillus subtilis by transformation. The transformants were identified by colony hybridization and confirmed by Southern blot hybridization. A 135,000-dalton protein which bound to an antibody specific for the crystal protein of B. thuringiensis was detected from the B. subtilis clones containing the toxin gene insert in either orientation. A toxin gene insert cloned into a PvuII site distal from the two drug resistance genes of the pBD64 vector also expressed a 135,000-dalton protein. These results suggest that the toxin gene is transcribed from its own promoter. Western blotting of proteins expressed at various stages of growth revealed that the crystal protein expression in B. subtilis begins early in the vegetative phase, while in B. thuringiensis it is concomitant with the onset of sporulation. The cloned genes when transferred to a nonsporulating strain of B. subtilis also expressed a 135,000-dalton protein. These results suggest that toxin gene expression in B. subtilis is independent of sporulation. Another toxin gene encoding a 130,000- to 135,000-dalton protein was cloned in E. coli from a library of B. thuringiensis genes established in lambda 1059. This gene was then subcloned in B. subtilis. The cell extracts from both clones were toxic to caterpillars. Electron microscope studies revealed the presence of an irregular crystal inclusion in E. coli and a well-formed bipyramidal crystal in B. subtilis clones similar to the crystals found in B. thuringiensis.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1985

Behavioral profiles of dog breeds.

Breed behavior profiles were obtained by a method that was quantitative and free of personal biases. The profiles concerned 13 traits, eg, excitability, snapping at children, watchdog barking, and affection demand, which are of interest to people wanting dogs as pets. Authorities for the development of the profiles were 48 small animal veterinarians and 48 obedience judges, randomly selected from directories so as to represent equally men and women, and eastern, central, and western geographic regions of the United States. Each authority was asked to rank on each of the behavioral traits a list of 7 breeds chosen randomly from a list of 56 breeds. The data were analyzed in a custom-designed computer program that pooled the data and then ranked all 56 breeds on the basis of the 13 traits. The results indicated that some behavioral traits discriminate between breeds better than others. An examination of sample profiles indicated the feasibility of developing a statistically meaningful behavioral profile that integrates comparative rankings of several authorities balanced as to representation of geographic location, sex, and type of experience with dogs.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1985

Uptake, accumulation, and egress of erythromycin by tissue culture cells of human origin.

The ability of erythromycin A base to penetrate and accumulate in tissue culture cells of human origin was investigated. The antibiotic was highly concentrated by early passage cells of normal bronchus, kidney, liver, lung, and skin and by cancer cells derived from breast, liver, and lung. Intracellular levels 4 to 12 times that of the extracellular milieu were obtained in both early-passage and transformed cells. The total quantity of erythromycin accumulated depended on the extracellular concentration of antibiotic, but the cellular/extracellular ratios were, for the most part, independent of the initial extracellular drug concentration. In all cell types tested, the accumulated antibiotic rapidly egressed when cells were incubated in antibiotic-free medium. Bioactivity assays demonstrated that the expelled drug was unmetabolized, fully active antibiotic. The concentration of erythromycin by a variety of human cell types probably accounts, in part, for the effectiveness of the antibiotic against intracellular parasites such as Legionella and Chlamydia spp.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1985

Chromosomal localization of the human alpha 1-antitrypsin gene (PI) to 14q31-32.

In situ hybridization of a recombinant cDNA probe containing the human alpha 1-antitrypsin gene to metaphase chromosomes demonstrated significant hybridization to chromosomal segment 14q31-32. A high percentage of cells analyzed (31%) displayed labeling on chromosome 14. Of all labeled sites on chromosome 14, 60% were found on segment 14q31-32. These results refine the previous assignment of the human alpha 1-antitrypsin gene to segment 14q24.1-32.1.

Chromosome Banding↗
PubMed1984

Wildervanck syndrome--the external appearance and radiologic findings.

Wildervanck syndrome is a combination of congenital anomalies characterized by deafness, Klippel-Feil deformity, and an unusual ocular motility disturbance called Duane retraction syndrome. This syndrome is seen infrequently in the general population and may not be recognized since the external appearance of the ears may be normal, and the unusual form of strabismus may not be obvious to the non-ophthalmologist. Patients with the full extent of this triad have a unique appearance. CT examination in these patients delineates the cervical anomalies as well as the inner ear deformity.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1984

Erythromycin uptake and accumulation by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and efficacy of erythromycin in killing ingested Legionella pneumophila.

Studies were undertaken to demonstrate the efficacy of erythromycin in killing Legionella pneumophila organisms that have been ingested by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. With use of an electron microscope-autoradiography method in conjunction with an antibiotic-uptake assay, it was shown that [3H]-labeled erythromycin A base penetrated into the cytoplasm of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in concentrations up to 24 times higher than the extracellular drug level. Similar studies using [14C]benzyl penicillin revealed that this antibiotic penetrated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes very poorly. Removal of erythromycin from the extracellular environment resulted in rapid leakage of radioactivity from the cells; an assay for bioactivity showed that this material was unaltered drug. Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes were permitted to ingest L. pneumophila and were then treated with erythromycin A base. The erythromycin killed the ingested legionellae, as evidenced by bacterial plate counts and morphological destruction of ingested organisms. These data clearly demonstrate the efficacy of erythromycin in killing susceptible intracellular pathogens.

Erythromycin↗
PubMed1983

Inhibition of methylprednisolone elimination in the presence of erythromycin therapy.

Methylprednisolone elimination is reduced in the presence of treatment with troleandomycin (TAO), a macrolide antibiotic. To assess whether a similar interaction occurs with a more commonly used and less hepatotoxic macrolide antibiotic, erythromycin, we evaluated methylprednisolone pharmacokinetics before and after a 1 wk course of erythromycin base in nine adolescent patients with chronic asthma. These data were compared to results of studies of the troleandomycin methylprednisolone interaction evaluated in 10 adolescent asthmatic patients. Methylprednisolone clearance and apparent volume of distribution were significantly decreased and mean residence time and half-life significantly increased in the presence of both erythromycin and troleandomycin. The latter caused greater inhibition of methylprednisolone elimination. A nonlinear pattern of methylprednisolone disposition was observed in the presence of concomitant macrolide antibiotic administration. Addition of erythromycin base to methylprednisolone therapy results in inhibition of methylprednisolone elimination and may potentially increase the beneficial and adverse effects of this corticosteroid.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Comparison of an enzyme immunoassay with electron microscopic procedures for detecting rotavirus.

The sensitivity and specificity of an enzyme immunoassay (Rotazyme), an ongrid immunoelectron microscopy procedure, and conventional negative stain electron microscopic techniques were compared. By using partially purified human rotavirus and simian rotavirus (SA-11) of known particle concentration, the enzyme immunoassay was essentially equivalent to the immunoelectron microscopic procedure and significantly more sensitive than conventional electron microscopic techniques. The level of sensitivity was approximately 10(6) particles per ml for simian rotavirus SA-11 and 10(7) particles per ml for human rotavirus. In an evaluation of 455 clinical samples by these techniques, a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 92% were demonstrated. Samples negative by the immunoelectron microscopic procedure and positive by enzyme immunoassay could be confirmed by a blocking assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Effect of erythromycin on theophylline clearance in asthmatic children.

Fifteen asthmatic children (mean age = 14.5 years) who required daily theophylline therapy were studied for effect of erythromycin ethyl-succinate on theophylline clearance. After a one week course of EES, there was 25.8 +/- 18.4% reduction in theophylline clearance rate (P less than 0.001), and a concomitant elevation in steady-state serum theophylline concentration of 40.0 +/- 35.3% (P less than 0.01). Three subjects reached serum theophylline concentrations greater than 20 micrograms/ml. Patients receiving therapeutic doses of theophylline are at considerable risk of theophylline toxicity if EES is co-administered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Loss of periodontal attachment in adolescents.

Loss of attachment as measured by a portion of Ramfjord's Index (PDI) was determined in 383, 12-16-year-old schoolchildren in rural Juniata County, PA. Prevalence and distributions were tabulated for sex, last dental visit, and type of treatment received. Dental knowledge test scores, toothbrushing effectiveness periodontal status and oral cleanliness were determined at annual intervals from Spring '75 to Spring'79. Mean scores were contrasted with bone loss measurements. 47.3% had loss of attachment (greater than 1 mm) including 24.5% with 2mm or more of attachment loss per mouth. Females (41.0%) ahd significantly lower prevalence rates than males (52.7%). Students who visited a dentist in the last 6 months and who received scaling had less bone loss, lower GI, PII, PI, and QHI scores. An inverse relationship was found between dental knowledge and the other variables measured. Similar patterns were seen with high, medium and low bone loss groups. Many variables in this study were associated with bone loss, including: plaque, dental knowledge, dental behavior (toothbrushing and visiting a dental clinic), recent treatment received and sex. None appeared more significant than the others.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Non-A/non-B hepatitis in experimentally infected chimpanzees: cross-challenge and electron microscopic studies.

Inoculation of eight chimpanzees with factor VIII, factor IX, or "H" strain plasma resulted in enzymatic and histopathologic evidence of non-A/non-B hepatitis in all eight animals. Challenge of two chimpanzees convalescent from factor VIII-induced disease with either factor IX or "H" strain plasma resulted in non-A/non-B hepatitis only in the animal inoculated with factor IX materials. Reciprocal cross-challenge of a chimpanzee convalescent from factor IX-induced disease with factor VIII also produced unequivocal enzymatic and histopathologic evidence of non-A/non-B hepatitis. Cross-challenge of a chimpanzee convalescent from "H" strain-induced non-A/non-B hepatitis with factor VII did not cause a second bout of non-A/non-B hepatitis. These findings suggest the factor VIII materials and "H" strain plasma used in these studies share a common etiologic agent (or agents), but that factor VIII and factor IX may contain two distinct agents. Electron microscopic (EM) examination of thin-sectioned, acute-phase liver biopsies from all but one of the chimpanzees receiving the primary inocula revealed the presence of abnormal hepatocyte cytoplasmic structures previously shown to be associated with non-A/non-B hepatitis. Crystalline structure containing 25 to 30 nm particles were visualized by EM in the cytoplasm of endothelial or Kupffer cells in acute-phase liver biopsies obtained from three chimpanzees inoculated with either factor VIII materials or "H" strain plasma.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The inheritance of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Observations on susceptibility.

In an effort to determine the prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), 1,303 children from 530 families were interviewed. While over-all disease prevalence in the children was 39.2 percent, there was a sharp difference in those children younger than 5 years (19.7 percent) and those 5 years of age and older (48.3 percent). Moreover, the prevalence of the disease in the children was significantly affected by whether RAS was present in none, one, or both of the parents. These observations suggest that disease susceptibility may be a complex interaction between host and environment.

Adolescent↗