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Biomedical subjects

M Thomson

Publications and source records attributed to M Thomson.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

The complete DNA sequence of minute virus of mice, an autonomous parvovirus.

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of Minute Virus of Mice, an autonomous parvovirus. This single-stranded DNA is 5081 nucleotides long. The 3'-and 5'-ends of the viral strand contain imperfect palindromic sequences which consist, respectively, of 115 and 206 nucleotides. The 3'-terminal palindrome is composed of a unique sequence, whereas the 5'-terminal palindrome contains two sequences in equimolar amounts; these are related in that one is the inverted complement of the other. The DNA strand complementary to that which is encapsidated into virions contains two large open reading frames which together span almost the entire genome. Transcriptional and translational signals within the sequence have been identified and related to the known map coordinates of the viral transcripts. In this report we summarize some of the salient structural and organizational features of the MVM genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1983

Vascular responses elicited by venom of Arabian catfish (Arius thallasinus).

The Arabian catfish produces venoms from the skin (SV) and glands near the pectoral spines (GV). 1. The venoms have a high protein concentration, only limited amounts of lipid, carbohydrate and nucleic acid. Enzyme activities included alkaline phosphatase and esterases. Both SV and GV induce hemolysis. 2. SV and GV induced a dose-dependent smooth muscle contraction of human umbilical artery preparations. This response was competitively inhibited by atropine, suggesting a cholinergic response. 3. Heat treatment of GV did not decrease activity, while heating SV reduced it. 4. In-vivo experiments showed mainly a depressor response in rat and guinea-pig.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Biochemical and histological assessment of hepatic lipid in sudden infant death syndrome.

A biochemical and histological study of hepatic lipid in children dying from the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and children of a similar age dying explicably are reported. Contrary to a previous report based on histological assessment of hepatic lipid, no significant increase of total lipid content in livers of children dying from SIDS was found. Analysis of hepatic phospholipid fatty acid esters, however, revealed a significant difference between SIDS and children of similar age dying acutely and explicably. The phospholipid abnormality found in SIDS was similar to that found in children dying subacutely with hypoxia and would be consistent with increased cell membrane fluidity. The implications of these findings in the pathogenesis of SIDS are discussed.

Cholesterol Esters↗
PubMed1982

Antibiotic-resistant staphylococci in a teaching hospital.

A large, continuing outbreak of infection and colonisation with a Staphylococcus aureus which is resistant to methicillin and gentamicin is reported. Affected patients and staff members seen between September, 1980, and August, 1981, are reviewed in detail. Methods of management of such persons and their treatment, if required, are discussed. The antibiotic-resistant Staph. aureus is readily disseminated in hospitals and may cause outbreaks of infection in wards, which require isolation of affected patients in the attempt to control the problem. It is suggested that a special isolation unit is needed. Use of the few effective antibiotic agents should be restricted. Despite these measures, the spread of this organism may not be contained.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Dietary survey in 40-year-old Edinburgh men.

One hundred and seven healthy 40-yr-old Edinburgh men were asked to participate in a dietary survey involving a 7-d weighed record. Ninety seven successfully completed the record. The results showed that the total energy was made up of 13 per cent protein, 38 per cent fat, 40 per cent carbohydrate and 9 per cent alcohol. A small proportion of the men had exceptionally high alcohol intakes. The mean intake of fat was high, 121 g, it is nevertheless lower than amounts consumed in other areas of Britain. Of the energy from fat, 16 per cent came from saturated-fatty acid, 15 per cent from monounsaturated-fatty acid and 4 per cent from polyunsaturated-fatty acid. Linoleic acid contributed 3 per cent of the mean energy intake. In some mens' diet this essential fatty acid provided under 2 per cent of their total energy consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Localisation of experimental staphylococcal abscesses by 99MTC-technetium-labelled liposomes.

The accumulation of 99mTc-technetium-labelled liposomes in abscesses was studied. Abscesses were produced in the thighs of albino rats by intramuscular injection of Staphylococcus aureus. After 4 days these abscesses were used to determine the localisation of 99mTc-technetium-labelled anionic, cationic and neutral liposomes in the abscess area. This was achieved by radionuclide images produced by a gamma camera and an associated data-processing system. There was a pronounced uptake of 99mTc-technetium-labelled anionic liposomes in the abscess area compared with the corresponding unaffected thigh. Similar uptake was not shown by the 99mTc-technetium-labelled cationic and neutral liposomes. Abscess uptake of anionic liposomes was maximal at or before 30 min after injection and was not enhanced by prior opsonisation with aggregated rat immunoglobulin.

Abscess↗
PubMed1981

Trimethoprim-rifampin, a new combination agent: efficacy in localized urinary infection and influence on microflora.

Twenty women with recurrent or persistent urinary tract infections were treated with a fixed combination of trimethoprim-rifampin (TMP-RAM). The site of infection was established by the antibody-coated bacteria test. Sixteen women had upper tract infections (antibody-coated bacteria tests positive); eight were cured, three failed, and five relapsed. All four women with lower tract infections (antibody-coated bacteria tests negative) were cured. Three of five patients with structural abnormalities failed. The 12 cures and 5 relapses were associated with organisms susceptible to either TMP (minimal inhibitory concentration, less than or = to 7 micrograms/ml) or RAM (minimal inhibitory concentration, less than or = to 32 micrograms/ml). In contrast, two of the three failures were associated with organisms resistant to both TMP and RAM. In one patient, RAM resistance emerged during treatment. During therapy, urinary strains were eradicated from the periurethral and anal-canal areas in all but 3 fo 16 patients. Adverse reactions, noted in 16 women, included nausea (10), dizziness (6), headaches (2), rash (1), an blurred vision (1). Antimicrobial susceptibility data on 246 isolated from urinary, periurethral, and anal-canal specimens are included. Our findings suggest that TMP-RAM is effective in urinary infections and may prevent the emergence of RAM-resistant strains.

Drug Combinations↗
PubMed1979

Osmotic regulation: physiological significance of proteolytic and nonproteolytic activation of isofloridoside-phosphate synthase.

When cells of Poterioochromonas malhamensis Peterfi are exposed to media of increased osmotic strength, both the internal pool of isofloridoside, and activity in homogenates of isofloridoside-phosphate synthase increase, proportional to the degree of osmotic stress. During the first few minutes of exposure of cells to higher osmolalities, an early relatively small increase in enzyme activity was observed. At the same time a progressive activation of the enzyme in homogenates was noted, providing bovine serum albumin had been omitted from the homogenizing buffer. This in vitro activation was also proportional to the degree of prior osmotic stress, was more pronounced in the presence of fluoride, and was inhibited strongly by adding bovine serum albumin or other proteins. Since earlier work had demonstrated activation of the synthase by adding exogenous proteases, it is likely that this in vitro activation was due to protease activity in the homogenate. The presumed protease must have acquired activity in the cells in response to osmotic stress, and is likely to be responsible for the observed in vivo activation of this biosynthetic enzyme.Between 60 and 90 minutes after increasing the medium osmolarity the isofloridoside pool in cells approached a high steady-state level. About this time it was observed that isofloridoside-phosphate synthase activity passed transiently through a much higher level than before, and a higher molecular weight form of the active enzyme could be observed on gel filtration chromatography.

Journal Article↗