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Biomedical subjects

N Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to N Murphy.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis by using PCR with a colorimetric microwell detection assay.

A 5-h, user-friendly PCR assay for the diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis was developed. Reverse transcription and amplification were performed in a one-step reaction using rTth polymerase. Carryover contamination was prevented with dUTP and uracil N-glycosylate. Detection was performed colorimetrically on a microwell titer plate. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 94.7, 97.4, 94.7, and 97.4%, respectively.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Effects of a potassium channel opener (SDZ PCO 400) on guinea-pig and human pulmonary airways.

1. SDZ PCO 400 evoked dose-related relaxation of isolated airway smooth muscle. For human bronchus precontracted by endogenous tone or addition of carbachol (10(-5) M), IC50 values were 1.74 microM and 1.82 microM respectively. With guinea-pig trachea contracted by endogenous tone, a comparable IC50 (1.79 microM) was observed, but no IC50 (less than 100 microM) could be determined following contraction by carbachol (10(-6) M). 2. Airway obstruction induced by intravenous bombesin in the anaesthetized ventilated guinea-pig was diminished by intravenous injection of SDZ PCO 400 (ID50 54 micrograms kg-1) or by introduction into the duodenum (ID50 1.0 mg kg-1). Inhalation of nebulized SDZ PCO 400 (0.1 mg kg-1) diminished airway obstruction due to intravenous injection of histamine (3.2-5.6 micrograms kg-1) for up to 20 min. 3. Increased bronchoconstrictor responses to bombesin (180-240 ng kg-1) following intravenous infusion of platelet activating factor (PAF) or (+/-)-isoprenaline, or to histamine (1.0-3.2 micrograms kg-1) following intravenous injections of immune complexes, were suppressed following concomitant intravenous infusion of SDZ PCO 400 (ID50 0.3 mg kg-1 h-1, 1.0 mg kg-1 h-1 and 0.1 mg kg-1 h-1 respectively). 4. Intravenous injection of SDZ PCO 400 (0.1 mg kg-1) effected transient (less than 10 min) inhibition of histamine-induced bronchospasm, yet diminished, for prolonged periods [up to 40 min] the enhanced bronchoconstrictor responses to histamine that followed intravenous injections of immune complexes.The capacity of SDZ PCO 400 to resolve such established airway hyperreactivity was prevented by prior intraduodenal instillation of a potassium channel antagonist, glibenclamide (30 mg kg-').5. In sensitized guinea-pigs, SDZ PCO 400 inhaled as a dry powder (5.7 mg kg-') suppressed development of allergic airway hyperreactivity to histamine (1.8-3.2;pg kg-', i.v.), but failed to diminish accumulation of eosinophils or other inflammatory cells within the airway lumen 24 h after inhalation of ovalbumin.6. Preincubation (30 min) of isolated sensitized trachea of guinea-pig with SDZ PCO 400 (10-5-10-4M) did not influence contractile responses to ovalbumin. However in anaesthetized sensitized guinea-pigs,insufflation of SDZ PCO 400 (1.25 mg) as a powder substantially diminished airway obstruction that followed inhalation of ovalbumin. This effect was prevented by prior vagal section.7. It is concluded that SDZ PCO 400 reduces airway obstruction not only through direct actions on airway smooth muscle but also by impairing the expression of airway hyperreactivity, without directly influencing inflammatory events in the airways.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1992

Benefits of an exercise class for elderly women following hip surgery.

A prospective cohort study of a twice weekly exercise programme for six months was undertaken to determine the benefits of an exercise class for 28 elderly women following hip surgery. The effects of the exercise programme were monitored using cycle ergometry. Walking speed was measured on entry and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Twenty-six subjects completed the programme with an overall attendance rate of 88%. Measures of fitness, calculated from cycle ergometry, did not improve significantly apart from test duration. In contrast there was a significant improvement in mean walking speed, with a 50% increase between 0 and 3 months and a further 21% increase between 3 and 6 months. This improvement was maintained at 12 months.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

POEMS syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus.

POEMS syndrome [plasma cell dyscrasia with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal (M) protein, skin changes] although mimicking the connective tissue diseases in several ways has not been reported in a patient who also meets criteria for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe a patient with POEMS syndrome and SLE and review the similarities and differences between POEMS syndrome and other connective tissue disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Long term health implications of fitness and physical activity patterns.

Northern Ireland has the highest incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the world. The physical fitness, activity patterns, health knowledge, attitudes, and dietary habits of a random, stratified sample of 3211 Northern Irish children, comprising 1540 boys and 1671 girls, age range 11-18 years were examined. At all ages boys were significantly more active than girls. The most important finding was an appreciable decline in physical activity levels after the age of 14 years reaching extremely low levels in older girls. While 75% of exercise taken was not related to school, physical education classes constituted the only exercise taken by one third of pupils. Girls had healthier nutritional habits and were more inclined to employ weight control measures than boys. There was a preponderance of children with a higher body mass index indicating a tendency to obesity in the child population. Over 20% of school leavers of both sexes regularly smoked cigarettes and 20% regularly drank alcohol. The postulated relationship between childhood inactivity, adult sedentary lifestyle, and increased risk of CHD raises serious cause for concern regarding the future cardiovascular health of many children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Infection and colonisation of neonates by Hansenula anomala.

Over a 13-month period 52 neonates (10% of those admitted to the Mersey Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) were found to be colonised with the ascosporagenous yeast Hansenula anomala. 8 babies became infected, all but 1 of whom were heavily colonised before infection. 7 of the 8 infected babies were of very low birth-weight (less than 1500 g). All 8 had multiple problems associated with low birth-weight and prematurity and were kept in the intensive care unit. 5 babies had fungaemia, 2 had fungaemia and ventriculitis, and 1 had ventriculitis only. In each case H anomala was the sole pathogen isolated. Anti-Hansenula antibodies developed in 5 babies within 3 months of infection. Infected babies were successfully treated with a combination of 5-flucytosine and amphotericin B. Despite extensive searches the babies appeared to be the only reservoir of the yeast.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of expression of the endo-beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase gene from Bacillus subtilis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae from the CYC1 and ADH1 promoters.

The endo-beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase gene from B. subtilis was placed under yeast promoter control in a number of different yeast expression vectors. The hybrid plasmids were transformed into S. cerevisiae where they directed the synthesis of varying amounts of active enzyme. The presence of B. subtilis DNA sequences 5' to the initiation codon for the B. subtilis beta-glucanase gene reduced expression of the gene in yeast. A 1,000-fold increase in the yield of beta-glucanase was obtained using the ADH1 promoter compared with the CYC1 promoter.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1984

The DNA sequence of the gene and genetic control sites for the excreted B. subtilis enzyme beta-glucanase.

The sequence of a 1409 base pair restriction fragment containing the B. subtilis gene for (1-3), (1-4)-beta-D-glucan endoglucanase is reported. The gene is encoded in a 726 base pair segment. The deduced amino acid sequence of the protein has a hydrophobic signal peptide at the NH2-terminus similar to those found in five other secreted proteins from Bacillus. The gene is preceded by a sequence resembling promoters for the vegetative B. subtilis RNA polymerase. This is followed by a sequence resembling a B. subtilis ribosome binding site nine nucleotides before the first codon of the gene. Two sequences, one before and one after the gene, can be arranged in secondary structures similar to transcriptional terminators. There is also a short open reading frame coding for a hydrophobic protein on the minus strand just upstream from the beta-glucanase gene. A possible role for this gene in the control of expression of beta-glucanase is suggested.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

The influence of trauma from occlusion on the bacterial repopulation of periodontal pockets in dogs.

Pockets were surgically created in the two upper external incisors of four beagle dogs, and a copper band adapted to prevent reattachment. After 4 weeks the copper bands were removed, the teeth scaled and root-planed and crowns placed on both experimental teeth in such a way that one of them was forced bucally when the teeth occluded. An orthodontic appliance anchored in bands cemented to the cuspid teeth brought the tooth back to its original position when disclusion occurred. Experimental time was 12 weeks. Clinical indices and bacterial samples for darkfield examination were taken at baseline and weekly thereafter. The dogs were fed a diet that favored plaque accumulation and no oral hygiene was performed. Surgically created pockets initially became populated by cocci (65%-75%) and small amounts of motile bacteria (12%-15%) including 3% to 4% spirochetes. In 4 weeks the percentage of cocci declined steadily (42%-45%) and motile bacteria increased to 37% to 43% with spirochetes representing 24% to 27%. After scaling and root planing, the number of cocci increased again and motile bacteria declined although the baseline values were not reached. This decline persisted for 2 weeks after scaling. Repopulation of the pocket in traumatized and nontraumatized teeth followed the same initial pattern, taking again 5 weeks to return to prescaling levels. No difference was found between traumatized and nontraumatized teeth. Clinical measurements, however, revealed a statistically greater loss of attachment in traumatized teeth as compared with nontraumatized teeth.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The obstructed intussusception in childhood.

In intussusception in early childhood, reduction by barium enema is the treatment of choice. In late cases when there is air and fluid distension of the small bowel on plain x-ray, barium enema is less useful. Generally 20-25% of childhood intussusception presents in this way. We have reviewed the experience of 65 intussusceptions at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children over the past 5 years and found only one successful barium enema reduction in 22 obstructed intussusceptions.

Barium Sulfate↗