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Biomedical subjects

M M Walsh

Publications and source records attributed to M M Walsh.

53 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Methylumbelliferylguanidinobenzoate-reactive proteases in human amniotic fluid: Promising marker for the intrauterine detection of cystic fibrosis.

Over 1,000 specimens of midtrimester human amniotic fluid have been analyzed for 4-methylumbelliferylguanidinobenzoate (MUGB) reactivity. The mean specific activity value (nanomoles of methylumbelliferone (MU) formed per milligram of protein) for the control population (1,037) was 2.37 +/- 0.41. The mean specific activity values from a series of specimens of amniotic fluid derived from abnormal pregnancies (chromosomal and biochemical abnormalities, confirmed neural tube defects, abortions/stillbirths) were found not to vary significantly from value in the control population. The mean specific activity value of blood-tinged samples centrifuged to remove the red blood cell contaminants prior to freezing at -20 degrees C did not vary from the value for the control group, in contrast to the value for samples containing hemolyzed red blood cells (1.76 +/- 0.30). The mean specific activity values for all four groups (control, abnormal, spun and unspun) were found to be significantly different (p less than 0.001) from the mean specific activity value of 1.24 +/- 0.12 for the four cystic fibrosis (CF) amniotic fluids. In addition, upon isoelectric focusing of the control and CF fluids on polyacrylamide gels, pH 5-7, subsequently stained for alpha-N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester activity, the controls gave a pattern of five activity bands with a pl of 5.1 to 5.4, whereas the CF fluids consistently gave only four. These data suggest the potential value of the MUGB-reactive protease assay for the intrauterine detection of cystic fibrosis.

Amniocentesis↗

Reaction of 4-methylumbelliferylguanidinobenzoate with proteases in human amniotic fluid.

An arginine esterase activity similar to that observed in plasma has been demonstrated in second trimester and term human amniotic fluid. Like plasma, the protease(s) hydrolyzed esters of arginine, were reactive towards 4-methylumbelliferylguanidinobenzoate (MUGB), a sensitive active site titrant of trypsin-like enzymes, and had a pI of 5.1--5.4. The pH optimum for proteolytic activity was 8.0. This protease activity was inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI), benzamidine and (p-nitrophenyl)-p'-guanidinobenzoate (NPGB), and was insensitive to 1-chloro-3-tosylamido-7-amino-2-heptanone (TLCK) and p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid (HMB). Upon gel filtration, two MUGB-reactive fractions were observed, one with an apparent molecular weight of 200,000 and the other, 100,000. Both fractions had arginine esterase activity and appeared to be sensitive to inhibition by STI and benzamidine. The mean MUGB titre value (nmoles of 4-methylumbelliferone released per ml amniotic fluid) for 300 mid-trimester amniotic fluids was 11.40 +/- 2.40 nmoles MU/ml. The mean specific activity was 2.36 +/- 0.41 nmoles MU/mg protein. Two amniotic fluids from pregnancies which delivered children with cystic fibrosis (CF) were analyzed in blind samples sent from other laboratories. The MU titre values obtained were 4.73 and 4.32 with specific activities of 1.24 and 1.30 respectively. A third was identified in our screening program of amniotic fluids obtained from amniocenteses done for the intrauterine detection of genetic abnormalities. The MU titre value was 5.52 nmoles/ml with a specific activity of 1.34. The specific activities of these fluids when compared to the controls were significantly different (p less than 0.001). The mean titre value for 23 term amniotic fluids samples was 8.14 +/- 1.69 nmoles MU/ml. The mean specific activity was 3.37 +/- 0.76 nmoles MU/mg protein. A term amniotic fluid obtained from a woman who delivered a baby with CF showed a markedly reduced level of MUGB reactivity (3.01 nmole/ml). The specific activity was 1.06 which was significantly different from the control term fluids. The MU titre values and specific activities of amniotic fluids obtained from abnormal pregnancies (such as those with neural tube defects, chromosomal abnormalities and polymorphisms, abortions and stillbirths) and fluids with elevated alphafetoprotein and maternal blood contaminants did not significantly vary from the mean control values (Table 3).

Amniotic Fluid↗

Intrauterine detection of cystic fibrosis.

Thirteen pregnancies of obligate heterozygotes of cystic fibrosis have been prospectively monitored utilizing quantitative and qualitative measurements of methylumbelliferylguanidinobenzoate (MUGB) reactive proteases in amniotic fluid. In each case the diagnosis was accurately ascertained in midtrimester and confirmed after delivery. The measurement of MUGB reactivity in midtrimester amniotic fluid by three different procedures, quantitative analysis, polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing, and column filtration appears to provide a practical and reliable approach for the intrauterine detection of cystic fibrosis.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Planning a spit tobacco cessation intervention: identification of beliefs associated with addiction.

We examine the relationship between beliefs regarding spit tobacco (ST) use and addiction among 473 male college athletes who currently use ST. Beliefs were assessed using methods prescribed by the Theory of Reasoned Action. Independent associations between beliefs and addiction, defined by self-reported amount of ST used per week, were found via multivariate polychotomous regression modeling. We found that with increasing addiction level, athletes were significantly more likely to believe that "ST helps me relax," "ST keeps me alert," "ST tastes good," and "ST is addicting." All athletes believed that clinicians, parents, and girlfriends do not approve of their ST use, but that male peers, coaches, and professional athletes are fairly indifferent about it. To increase quit rates, highly addicted ST users may require an intensive cessation program including nicotine replacement to overcome symptoms of withdrawal, oral substitutes for the enjoyable taste of ST, and the support of male peers and athletes who influence their social norms.

Adolescent↗

Prevalence, patterns, and correlates of spit tobacco use in a college athlete population.

We surveyed varsity athletes (N = 1,328) in 16 California colleges about their patterns of spit (smokeless) tobacco (ST) use, related habits, reasons for use, and preferred methods for quitting. Prevalence of use was analyzed by sport and demographic characteristics, and patterns of use in players using snuff exclusively, using chewing tobacco exclusively, and those using both were compared. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated, adjusting for ethnic group. Prevalence was highest in Whites (44%) and Native Americans (48%) and lowest in African Americans (11%), and higher in varsity baseball (52%) than varsity football players (26%), in players attending rural colleges, and among those who ever smoked cigarettes or used alcohol. Forty-one percent of ST users initiated regular use during their high school years. Athletes who used snuff exclusively used it more intensively and for more years than those who used chewing tobacco exclusively. Snuff users indicated a greater perceived need for ST, but also were more ready to quit. These data suggest ST programs with prevention and cessation components are appropriate for high school as well as college athletes. Such interventions should focus on baseball players, distinguish snuff from chewing tobacco users in planning quit strategies, integrate intervention programs for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, provide training in refusal skills, and attempt to change social norms in support of ST use by integrating popular peers and significant others (e.g., wives/girlfriends) to endorse nonuse of ST.

Adolescent↗

A proposed human needs conceptual model for dental hygiene: part I.

To date, research and theory development in dental hygiene have been largely sporadic and lacking in focus. Dental hygiene has begun to develop its body of knowledge by adopting a definition of the discipline and a structural hierarchy of knowledge that includes a global paradigm, conceptual model(s), and theory. By identifying major concepts and linking theory to an expanding knowledge base, dental hygiene can begin to evolve as a scientific discipline. Conceptual models and theories will characterize the uniqueness of dental hygiene and move it into collegiality with other professional disciplines. In the future, practitioners, educators, and researchers may adopt an organizational framework for dental hygiene. Doing so will enhance dental hygiene research, teaching, and client care. Most importantly, it will enhance dental hygiene's view of itself. This in turn will facilitate dental hygiene's continuing evolution toward professionalization.

Dental Care↗

Application of the human needs conceptual model of dental hygiene to the role of the clinician : part II.

In summary, the theories of Maslow and of Yura and Walsh have been highlighted as background for understanding the human needs conceptual model of dental hygiene. In addition, 11 human needs have been identified and defined as being especially related to dental hygiene care, and a sample evaluation tool for their clinical assessment and a dental hygiene care plan have been presented. The four concepts of client, environment, health/oral health, and dental hygiene actions explained in terms of human need theory, and the 11 human needs related to dental hygiene care constitute the human needs conceptual model of dental hygiene. Within the framework of the human needs conceptual model of dental hygiene, the dental hygiene process is a systematic approach to dental hygiene care that involves assessment of the 11 human needs related to dental hygiene care; analysis of deficits in these needs; determination of the dental hygiene care plan based on identified deficits; implementation of dental hygiene interventions stated in the care plan; and evaluation of the effectiveness of dental hygiene interventions in achieving specific goals, including subsequent reassessment and revision of the dental hygiene care plan. This human needs conceptual model for dental hygiene provides a guide for comprehensive and humanistic client care. This model allows the dental hygienist to view each client (whether an individual or a group) holistically to prevent oral disease and to promote health and wellness. Dental hygiene theorists are encouraged to expand this model or to develop additional conceptual models based on dental hygiene's paradigm.

Body Image↗