Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M S Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to M S Taylor.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Co-amplification of the amelogenin and HLA DQ alpha genes: optimization and validation.

An optimized PCR-based system allowing the co-amplification of the HLA DQ alpha and the amelogenin genes has been developed and validated, enabling simultaneous identity testing and sex determination. Sensitivities below 100 pg of human DNA were obtained, using a convenient, high resolution agarose gel system and ethidium bromide staining. Comparison of several co-amplification methods revealed that the best sensitivities and most consistent results were obtained using a hotstart technique employing an inactivating antibody to Taq polymerase. HLA DQ alpha typing results were reliably obtained using the co-amplification process. The sensitivity and ease of this system rendered it directly applicable to forensic analyses. The optimized techniques described here have been validated and successfully applied to forensic cases including People vs. Trujillo, in which the California Superior Court accepted these techniques as scientifically reliable and admissible. Work currently in progress has demonstrated that the described protocol may also be used to co-amplify the amelogenin gene with the AmpliType PM (polymarker) system, allowing identity testing at six loci in addition to sex determination.

Amelogenin↗
PubMed1996

Analysis of shorthorn sculpin antifreeze protein stereospecific binding to (2-1 0) faces of ice.

In this paper we report the results of our studies on the stereospecific binding of shorthorn sculpin antifreeze protein (AFP) to (2 -1 0) secondary prism faces of ice. Using ice crystal growth and etching techniques together with molecular modeling, molecular dynamics, and energy minimization, we explain the nature of preferential binding of shorthorn sculpin AFP along the [1 2 2] direction on (2- 1 0) planes. In agreement with ice etching studies, the mechanism of preferential binding suggested by molecular modeling explains why the binding of shorthorn sculpin AFP occurs along [1 2 2] and not along its mirror symmetry-related direction [-1 -2 2] on (2 -1 0). This binding mechanism is based on the protein-crystal surface enantioselective recognition that utilizes both alpha-helical protein backbone matching to the (2 -1 0) surface topography and matching of side chains of polar/charged residues with specific water molecule positions in the ice surface. The mechanisms of winter flounder and shorthorn sculpin antifreeze binding to ice are compared.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Examination of the additivity assumption using the spiral and standard Salmonella assays to evaluate binary combinations of mutagens.

Binary combinations of pure chemicals and complex mixtures were evaluated for their ability to produce additive mutagenicity responses in the spiral and standard Salmonella mutagenicity assays. Single chemicals were selected that were representative of the primary chemical class responsible for much of the mutagenic activity of each complex mixture. The following agents were evaluated in the absence of S9: 1-nitropyrene, diesel exhaust extract, and the chlorinated drinking water mutagen 3-chloro-4-dichloromethyl-5-hydroxy-2-[5H]-furanone (MX). In the presence of S9, the following agents were evaluated: 4-aminobiphenyl, benzo[a]pyrene, and an organic extract from the particulate emissions resulting from the combustion of polyethylene in a rotary kiln incinerator. Binary combinations of the agents within each S9 group were tested. The results were analyzed for additivity by determining whether the difference between the expected response of the binary mixture was significantly different from the observed response. In general, the combinations of mutagens produced additive responses at low doses in both assays. However, at high doses, the results generally departed from additivity, especially for combinations of indirect-acting mutagens. A requirement for exogenous metabolic activation imposes conditions, such as different S9 optima for each mutagen, that complicate the application of the additivity assumption to binary combinations of indirect-acting mutagens. Although the two bioassays generally gave similar results for each binary combination of mutagens, the spiral assay permitted a gradient of mutagen and/or S9 concentrations to be evaluated, and it allowed the mutagens to be evaluated in the absence of solvents, eliminating any potential solvent-mutagen interactions. These features of the spiral assay may be advantageous when studying chemical interactions.

Drug Interactions↗
PubMed1995

Evaluating local public health performance at a community level on a statewide basis.

As part of efforts to develop a surveillance system to evaluate local public health performance, six state health departments surveyed local health departments in their states. Overall, 370 respondents (94 percent) returned completed surveys. Based on responses to 26 indicators, the mean percent community performance of the three core functions of public health was 56 percent of the potential score. Scores were also calculated for perceived adequacy of performance and for each of 10 practices linked to the three core functions. Variations in performance were related to population size, state, and administrative relationship of local jurisdictions to the state. These results suggest local public health performance can be evaluated at a community level on a statewide basis using a relatively small number of indicators.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed1994

The role of distraction in improving the space available in the lumbar stenotic canal and foramen.

STUDY DESIGN: The terminal event in disc space narrowing and facet subluxation of the lumbar spine can produce clinical symptoms of spinal stenosis. Reversal of this process via distraction was performed on ten cadaveric motion segments with documented stenosis. METHODS: Computerized tomography and caliperic methods for the measurement of canal and foraminal areas were calculated in each segment after 5 and 10 mm of symmetrical distraction. Measurements were done in a blinded manner verified with orthographic software and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Decompression of foraminal space was statistically significant in 7 of 10 cadaveric specimens after 5 mm of distraction and 9 of 10 specimens after 10 mm of distraction. Minimal yet insignificant improvement in stenotic canal area was evident with distraction. CONCLUSION: The presence of posterior vertebral osteophytes was associated uniformly with poor improvement of space available in both stenotic canal and foramen.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1994

Six bioabsorbable polymers: in vitro acute toxicity of accumulated degradation products.

Bioabsorbable polymer implants may provide a viable alternative to metal implants for internal fracture fixation. One of the potential difficulties with absorbable implants is the possible toxicity of the polymeric degradation products especially if they accumulate and become concentrated. Accordingly, material evaluation must involve dose-response toxicity data as well as mechanical properties and degradation rates. In this study the toxicity and rates of degradation for six polymers were determined, along with the toxicity of their degradation product components. The polymers studied were poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), two samples of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) having different molecular weights, poly(ortho ester) (POE), poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), and poly(hydroxy butyrate valerate) (5% valerate) (PHBV). Polymeric specimens were incubated at 37 degrees C in 0.05 M Tris buffer (pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C) and sterile deionized water. The solutions were not changed during the incubation intervals, providing a worst-case model of the effects of accumulation of degradation products. The pH and acute toxicity of the incubation solutions and the mass loss and logarithmic viscosity number of the polymer samples were measured at 10 days, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Toxicity was measured using a bioluminescent bacteria, acute toxicity assay system. The acute toxicity of pure PGA, PLA, POE, and PCL degradation product components was also determined. Degradation products for PHBV were not tested. PGA incubation solutions were toxic at 10 days and at all following intervals. The lower molecular weight PLA incubation solutions were not toxic in buffer but were toxic by 4 weeks in water.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1994

An information manager for the Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health.

The Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEXPH) is a method for comprehensive public health planning that can be implemented by state and local health departments. Many local health departments have limited resources for the data analysis and synthesis needed for APEXPH. To facilitate the implementation of APEXPH in Michigan, we used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epi Info software package to develop an APEXPH information manager (CDC-AIM) for use by the 50 local health departments in that state. This report describes our methods for formatting, compressing, and presenting data. Examples of tables are provided for demographics by age and sex, numbers of deaths, years of potential life lost, crude mortality rates, and perinatal indicators such as low birthweight. Areas where additional work is needed to further improve CDC-AIM are discussed. Our experience in Michigan suggests that CDC-AIM potentially is an extremely helpful tool to assist state and local health departments in working with their communities to establish public health program plans based on mortality, morbidity, and risk-factor data.

Comprehensive Health Care↗
PubMed1993

Pulmonary clearance and inflammatory response in C3H/HeJ mice after intranasal exposure to Pseudomonas spp.

The environmental release of engineered microorganisms has caused health and environmental concerns. In this study, an animal model was used to examine health effects following pulmonary exposure to environmental and clinical isolates. In order to rule out the possibility that an adverse response was caused by endotoxin, 50% lethal doses (LD50) were determined, when possible, with endotoxin-sensitive (C3HeB/FeJ) and endotoxin-resistant (C3H/HeJ) mice by using both environmental isolates (Pseudomonas aeruginosa BC16, BC17, BC18, and AC869 and Pseudomonas maltophilia BC6) and clinical isolates (P. aeruginosa PAO1 and DG1). The LD50 of strains AC869, DG1, and PAO1 are 1.05 x 10(7), 6.56 x 10(6), and 1.02 x 10(7) CFU, respectively, in C3HeB/FeJ mice and 1.05 x 10(7), 1.00 x 10(7), and 2.75 x 10(6) CFU, respectively, in C3H/HeJ mice. Strains BC17 and BC18 were not lethal to the animals. On the basis of the LD50 data, an appropriate sublethal dose (approximately 10(6) CFU) was selected. Animals were challenged intranasally with microorganisms, and clearance from the lungs and nasal cavity was determined. Strains BC17, BC18, and AC869 were not detected in lungs or nasal washes 14 days following treatment. Strains BC6, BC16, and DG1 were recovered from the nasal cavities at the end of the experiment. Only strain PAO1 was detected in lungs and in nasal cavities 14 days after treatment. At selected intervals following treatment, the percentages of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage samples were determined. P. aeruginosa AC869, PAO1, and DG1 elicited a relatively strong inflammatory response which was indirectly related to lung clearance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Cold weather injuries during peacetime military training.

Demographic data on 220 cold weather injuries seen over a 52-month period at the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Wuerzburg, Germany, was reviewed. Data were collected at the time of presentation and all diagnoses were made by a general/vascular surgeon. Statistics on age, gender, race, rank, unit, prior injury, use of tobacco products, classes on prevention, and activity at the time of injury were reviewed. Previously identified risk factors were confirmed except for tobacco use. There appeared to be no risk associated with gender or rank. Most injuries were sustained by soldiers performing low-risk activities for which no clear predisposing event could be ascribed. Prevention and early detection appear critical since injuries were not necessarily associated with specific actions or events.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Frostbite injuries during winter maneuvers: a long-term disability.

Frostbite injuries are a common problem associated with military operations in cold environments. Long-term disability can result. A follow-up study of 40 patients with documented frostbite injuries reveals that 65% are still having symptoms attributable to their initial injuries. This appears to be a higher percentage than most studies would suggest.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

On the power of a method for comparing survival of trauma patients to a standard survival curve.

This paper investigates the power of a statistical procedure for comparing a unit's survival experience to a standard survival curve. The power of the statistical procedure provides a measure of how sensitive the test is to departures from the nominal values provided by the standard survival curve. This procedure has been used recently in a number of evaluation of care studies. A power study for thirty-two adult blunt trauma patients, contributed by a participating hospital to a national data base collected at Washington Hospital Center, is detailed.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

Management control of drug administration programs.

The relationship between type of drug administration (pharmacy technician versus nurse) and the efficiency and effectiveness of managerial control systems was studied. The sample included pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nurses working at one hospital that used technicians for drug administration for 9 of 22 units. Pharmacists and technicians completed a questionnaire for a unit where technicians administered drugs and for a unit where they provided all pharmaceutical services except drug administration. Nurses completed one questionnaire regarding their patient unit. A total of 368 questionnaires were distributed; the response rate was 83.7%. Using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, type of drug administration was the independent variable and complexity and variability of patient-unit technology were moderators of its effects on nine dependent variables. There was no main effect of type of drug administration or moderating effect of technology on number or percentage of medication errors. Pharmacists reported exercising more behavior control when supervising nurses than technicians. Nurses and technicians perceived that pharmacists exercised greater control on units where nurses performed drug administration tasks of low variability. While technicians and nurses provided drug administration services of similar quality, this study suggests that pharmacists can mange technicians more efficiently than nurses in drug administration tasks on units where the tasks are relatively routine.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1978

Liveweight performance of crossbred and Zebu cattle grazing on native or Rhodes grass pastures.

Two experiments are described involving 33 crossbred (mainly Simmental and Jersey X Zebu) and 33 Zebu (Horro and Boran) bulls and steers. In experiment I, growth rates of crossbred and Zebu cattle rotationally grazed on either native pasture or Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) were compared during a 140 day grazing period at a stocking rate of 2.4 animals/ha. In experiment II, growth rate of cattle rotationally grazed for 140 days on native pasture was compared with that of a similar group grazed on Rhodes grass either rotationally or continuously at a stocking rate of seven animals/ha. On native pasture the average daily gain by Zebu animals was similar to that of the crossbreds whilst on Rhodes grass liveweight gain of Zebu animals was lower than that of the crossbreds. Daily gains of cattle were significantly (P less than 0.01) greater on continuous compared with rotationally grazed Rhodes grass.

Animal Feed↗