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M Thomson

Publications and source records attributed to M Thomson.

188 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
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Improved conditions for extraction and amplification of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA from plasma samples with low viral load.

OBJECTIVES: We attempted to define optimal conditions for amplification of low copy number HIV-1 RNA sequences in plasma samples, applying improved conditions for nucleic acid extraction and amplification. METHODS: Several methodologic parameters were evaluated, including methods of RNA extraction, volumes of plasma samples, proportion of extracted RNA used as a template for amplification, and reverse transcriptase-DNA polymerase enzyme combination employed in cDNA synthesis and polymerase chain reaction amplification. RESULTS: With this improved assay, we were able to obtain sufficient amounts of amplified material for direct sequencing in 97% of all plasma samples in our study, including 88% of samples with viral loads <80 copies/mL, 78% of samples with viral loads <50 copies/mL, and even 2 (67%) of 3 samples with <20 copies/mL. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure could be useful for testing resistance mutations in patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy, in which the viral load is commonly <400 copies/mL, and even if it is <20 RNA copies/mL.

DNA Primers↗
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Heavy birthweight in Native Indians of British Columbia.

An unexpected finding of heavy birthweight in one group of Native Indians in Ontario led to this analysis of the occurrence of heavy birthweight in Natives of British Columbia. Canadian Native Indians have high rates of perinatal mortality, usually directly related to low, not high birthweight. Birth statistics of all singleton livebirths during 1982 to 1986 were examined. Heavy birthweight was 50% more frequent among Natives than non-Natives (relative risk 1.47, 95% confidence limits 1.35 and 1.59), after stratification by week of gestation. Stratification was necessary because pre-term births were twice as frequent among Natives as non-Natives (11.4% vs 5.7%). Fetal and neonatal mortality were 40% more frequent in Natives. To explain these findings, a hypothesis is advanced of high rates of glucose intolerance during pregnancy in Natives.

Birth Weight↗
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Effects of copper deficiency and Cu complexes on superoxide dismutase in rats.

The effect of dietary copper (Cu) deficiency on the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) was investigated in both erythrocyte and liver samples of 40 weanling Wistar rats. Groups were fed control (10 mg Cu/kg) or Cu-deficient (0.5 mg Cu/kg) diets for 7 wk. In this study, dietary copper deficiency did not affect growth, food intake, liver size, or hemoglobin levels. Protein concentrations were considerably decreased in the livers of the copper-deficient group compared to control groups after 7 wk. Erythrocyte SOD activity was not significantly different in copper-deficient groups. In contrast, SOD activity was significantly reduced in livers of rats consuming the Cu-deficient diet compared to controls. The in vitro SOD activities in the presence of five different macro-cyclic copper-II containing complexes with different stability constants were studied. The moderately stable copper complex increased the SOD activity in Cu-deficient liver and erythrocyte samples only at wk 7. At wk 6, a significant increase in SOD activity in liver samples only was observed. In contrast, at wk 4, no significant differences in SOD activity were observed upon addition of Cu complexes. These results suggest that the increase in SOD activity may be due to superoxide-like action or other properties of this copper complex.

Animals↗
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Multimedia anatomy and physiology lectures for nursing students.

The use of the multimedia computer and projector can provide the lecturer who teaches anatomy and physiology to nursing students with a very powerful educational tool. The recent explosion in the number of Internet sites has resulted in a huge resource base of illustrations, photos, x-rays, and film clips, which are useful for anatomy and physiology multimedia presentations. These allow nursing students to be instructed in a clear, colorful, and dynamic fashion. This article shows how to put together anatomy and physiology multimedia presentations quickly and easily, and reviews some of the key sites on the Internet that provide resources suitable for lectures to nursing students.

Anatomy↗
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Cross Infection↗