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Biomedical subjects

R Boland

Publications and source records attributed to R Boland.

97 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Development and evaluation of a precision forearm and hand volumeter and measuring cylinder.

Water displacement methods are commonly used to measure upper limb swelling. The purpose of this study was to improve upon currently used volumetric equipment and methods by developing a volumetric method that would be reliable, accurate, and sensitive to changes in forearm and hand volume of less than 1%. The first two phases involved measuring a sample of inert objects (bottles), and the next two phases involved measuring a sample of forearms and hands across a range of water temperatures. Data confirmed that the volumetric method could be used reliably and accurately to measure bottle volumes and was able to detect a change of 10 mls (< 1%). The method also reliably measured forearm and hand volumes using the same anatomic landmark to reference depth of immersion in all subjects. Water temperatures across the range of 20 to 32 degrees Celsius were not found to affect the volume of segments measured.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Understanding the psychosocial needs of HIV-positive women: a qualitative study.

The purpose of this study was to engage women with HIV disease in a qualitative needs assessment for psychological services. Focus groups/interviews were held to develop an understanding of these women's experiences and perceptions of services needed within a support group format. Results support women's interest in and perceived need for psychosocial group intervention and provide feedback on how to structure groups, including considerations for the facilitator, concrete barriers to address, and attention to group attributes and guidelines. These results support ongoing development of psychosocial support groups for women with HIV disease and further exploration of the efficacy of group models for the diverse subgroups of women with HIV/AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro cellular muscle calcium metabolism. Characterization of effects of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3.

Cultures of vitamin D-deficient chick soleus muscle and 12 day-old chick embryo myoblasts were used to characterize the effects of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 on muscle cell Ca metabolism. Physiological amounts of both sterols increased the rate and extent of 45Ca uptake by cultures. However, 1,25(OH)2D3 was significantly more effective than 25 OHD3. The greater potency of 1,25(OH)2D3 to increase Ca uptake could be shown after various treatment intervals of cultures and using a wide concentration range of both derivatives. Information about Ca pools affected by vitamin D3 metabolites was obtained through kinetic analysis of Ca efflux in cultured myoblasts. Cytoplasmic and mitochondria Ca pools were identified on the basis of their half-times of desaturation and by selective inhibition of plasma membrane and mitochondrial Ca transport with LaCl3 and Ruthenium Red, respectively. The data suggests that 1,25(OH)2D3 acts on muscle cellular Ca by increasing Ca efflux and influx through mitochondrial and plasma membranes whereas the predominant effect of 25 OHD3 is to increase Ca influx into mitochondria.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stimulation of myoblast membrane protein synthesis by 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3.

The effects of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25 OHD3) on myoblast protein synthesis were studied in connection with its role on muscle cell phosphate metabolism. The sterol markedly increased leucine incorporation into total cell proteins in cultured chick embryo myoblasts. This enhancement was greater than that produced by 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and occurred prior to a significant stimulation of cell phosphate accumulation. Maximum effects of 25 OHD3 (8 h) on myoblast phosphate uptake were suppressed by cycloheximide indicating that they are mediated by de novo protein synthesis. At a similar treatment period, labelling of myoblasts with [3H]leucine (control) and [14C]leucine (+25 OHD3) followed by co-electrophoresis of total protein extracts on SDS-PAGE and isoelectrofocusing gels revealed that the sterol selectively affects the synthesis of proteins of 20 kDa and 50 kDa. These macromolecules were recovered in the microsomal fraction after differential centrifugation of homogenates. Further fractionation of myoblast microsomes on sucrose density gradients showed co-localization of the 50 kDa and 20 kDa proteins with microsomal subfractions which preferentially bind [3H-alpha]bungarotoxin, suggesting that the proteins induced by 25 OHD3 are associated to plasma membranes and may play a role in the effects of the sterol on cell phosphate uptake.

Animals↗