Biomedical subjects

M Wilkinson

Publications and source records attributed to M Wilkinson.

369 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Placental immunopathology and pregnancy failure in the FIV-infected cat.

Placental HIV infections frequently result in infected babies or miscarriage. Aberrant placental cytokine expression during HIV infections may facilitate transplacental viral transmission or pregnancy perturbation. The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cat is a model for HIV infections due to similarities in biology and clinical disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate placental immunomodulator expression and reproductive outcome using the FIV-infected cat model. Kittens were cesarean delivered from FIV-B-2542-infected and control queens near term; placental and fetal tissues were collected. Real-time RT-PCR was used to measure expression of representative placental Th1 cytokines, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a Th2 cytokine, IL-10, and chemokine receptor CXCR4. On average, control queens delivered 3.8 kittens/litter; 1 of 31 kittens (3.2%) was non-viable. FIV-infected queens produced 2.7 kittens/litter; 15 of 25 concepti (60%) were non-viable. FIV was detected in 14 of 15 placentas (93%) and 21 of 22 fetuses (95%) using PCR. Placental immunomodulator expression did not differ significantly when placentas from infected cats were compared to those of control cats. However, elevated expression of Th1 cytokines and increased Th1/Th2 ratios (IL-1beta/IL-10) occurred in placentas from resorptions. Therefore, increased placental Th1 cytokine expression was associated with pregnancy failure in the FIV-infected cat.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The detection and persistence of Cannabis sativa DNA on skin.

The presence of Cannabis sativa DNA was detected on the skin of persons who have recently handled both leaf and resinous material. The persistence of C. sativa DNA was examined on the skin. The subjects were asked to either repeatedly rub their hands on their trousers, place their hands repeatedly into their pockets or wash their hands in soap and water. After rubbing the hands on trousers or placing them in pockets C. sativa DNA could still be detected. No DNA could be detected after washing the hands.

Cannabis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pituitary leptin gene expression is reduced by neonatal androgenization of female rats.

We have previously reported evidence of leptin gene expression (ob mRNA) in adult rat brain and pituitary gland. We have also shown that ob mRNA levels in female rat brain and pituitary are regulated in an age- and tissue-dependent fashion. In view of the known sexual dimorphism in adipose tissue leptin expression, we have extended our original work to include an assessment of ob mRNA levels in brain, pituitary and fat of developing male and female rats. In addition we determined the effects of neonatal androgenization of female rat pups with testosterone propionate. Leptin (ob) mRNA expression was evaluated using semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Leptin mRNA levels were developmentally regulated in the pituitary and cortex of male rats, paralleling the changes previously observed in female rats. In the pituitary, leptin expression was significantly higher during the early postnatal period and dropped abruptly by postnatal day (PD) 22. In the cortex, leptin expression was lowest at PD 4 and rose significantly by PD 14. In addition gender differences, most notably in the pituitary, were also observed. In pituitary gland, ob mRNA was significantly higher in female rats than in males at PD 14 (+60%; p < 0.05) but there were no sex differences at PD 4 and PD 22. Testosterone treatment of neonatal female rats profoundly reduced ob mRNA at PD 14 (3.5-fold; p < 0.01) and PD 22 (3-fold; p = 0.05). In subcutaneous adipose tissue and hypothalamus we observed no sex difference in ob mRNA levels nor an effect of testosterone. We conclude that leptin gene expression in rat pituitary gland is sexually dimorphic and sensitive to neonatal manipulation of sex steroid levels.

Aging↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neuroendocrine control of ovarian autografts.

At 24 days of age, either one or both ovaries of female rats were removed and transplanted subcutaneously on their respective side. Relative to sham operated rats, endocrine effects of the ovarian grafts were as follows: 1) Animals with ovarian grafts showed an advancement of puberty, 2) rats with bilateral grafts showed more 5 day estrous cycles and higher FSH levels, 3) hemi-ovariectomy of animals with bilateral grafts produced a greater increase in both LH and FSH 6-8 hr post-surgery in contrast to controls which only showed an increase in serum FSH levels, 4) weights of the bilateral grafts were comparable to intact ovaries, but the unilateral grafts were small and comparable to their original size at the time of transplantation (the intact ovary showing compensatory hypertrophy), 5) both control and bilateral ovarian graft groups showed ovarian compensatory hypertrophy, 6) removal of the small unilateral ovarian graft had no detectable endocrine effect on the remaining intact ovary which had already undergone compensatory hypertrophy, 7) removal of the intact ovary of rats with a unilateral graft produced a remarkable increase in the weight of the remaining small autograft such that these animals had the largest remaining gonad as well as higher uterine weights than controls. Thus, although ovarian autografts appear to function similar to in situ glands, the alterations in puberty, estrous cycles, FSH and LH levels and uterine weights suggest that endocrine control mechanisms are altered in rats with ovarian grafts.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Microsystems: applications in implanted devices.

Microsystems are devices that incorporate a combination of microfluidic, micromechanical, microoptical and microelectronic components. This article is part of a series that is assessing the impact the technology is likely to have on medical products during the next 10 years. The implanted devices discussed here include heart pacemakers, stents, and devices for the restoration of bladder function and limb movement for paraplegics. The next article will cover cochlear implants, retinal implants and stimulation of the optical cortex.

Biomedical Engineering↗

PubMedDate not supplied