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Biomedical subjects

R Cowley

Publications and source records attributed to R Cowley.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Intermuscular variation in tenderness: association with the ubiquitous and muscle-specific calpains.

The biochemistry of intermuscular variation in tenderness is not fully understood. To investigate the role of the calpains in this process we performed two experiments using bovine and ovine species. In the bovine experiment, two distinct muscles, longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LT) and psoas major (PM), were used. In the ovine experiment, four muscles, LT, PM, semimembranosus (SM), and semitendinosus (ST), were used. Muscles were sampled at death for the determination of the steady-state mRNA level of calpains and calpastatin and the activities of calpain 1, 2, and calpastatin. Muscles were also sampled to determine the temporal changes in pH, tenderness, and the activity of the ubiquitous calpain system during postmortem aging. The results of the relative rate of tenderization in both species was found to be related to muscle type; LT had the highest value in both species. Within species, the mRNA steady-state levels of calpain 1 and calpastatin were similar in various bovine and ovine muscles. Bovine calpain 2 mRNA level was significantly lower in the LT than in the PM. Ovine calpain 2 mRNA level was lower, but not significantly different, in the LT compared to the other muscles. The mRNA level of bovine calpain 3 was significantly higher in the LT muscle than in the PM. In the ovine, the mRNA level of calpain 3 was highest in the LT, followed by SM, PM, and ST. Results on the activity of the ubiquitous calpain system in various muscles at death were dependent on muscle type and species. Temporal changes in the activity of calpains and calpastatin during the first 24 h of postmortem aging were similar in the muscles studied: calpain 1 and calpastatin declined significantly and calpain 2 remained relatively unchanged. The temporal changes in muscle pH in both experiments indicated that the extent and rate of pH decline during aging was related to muscle type. Correlation analysis between the relative rate of tenderization and mRNA expression of calpains revealed a strong relationship with calpain 3 in both species.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Heminested PCR assay for detection of six genotypes of rabies and rabies-related viruses.

A heminested reverse transcriptase PCR (hnRT-PCR) protocol which is rapid and sensitive for the detection of rabies virus and rabies-related viruses is described. Sixty isolates from six of the seven genotypes of rabies and rabies-related viruses were screened successfully by hnRT-PCR and Southern blot hybridization. Of the 60 isolates, 93% (56 of 60) were positive by external PCR, while all isolates were detected by heminested PCR and Southern blot hybridization. We also report on a comparison of the sensitivity of the standard fluorescent-antibody test (FAT) for rabies antigen and that of hnRT-PCR for rabies viral RNA with degraded tissue infected with a genotype 1 virus. Results indicated that FAT failed to detect viral antigen in brain tissue that was incubated at 37 degrees C for greater than 72 h, while hnRT-PCR detected viral RNA in brain tissue that was incubated at 37 degrees C for 360 h.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Enzyme immunoassay for Q fever: comparison with complement fixation and immunofluorescence tests and dot immunoblotting.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies were developed by using purified Coxiella burnetii cells. Variables, including type of microtiter plate, blocking agent, incubation conditions, antigen stability, and substrate type, were examined to achieve optimal ELISA performance. The reliabilities of the assay systems were compared with those of complement fixation (CF) and enhanced immunofluorescence (EIF) tests with 600 human serum samples from defined clinical cases of Q fever, routine samples, and serum specimens from farmers. ELISA and EIF test results agreed in all cases. Dot immunoblotting was also used to test some of these sera and gave a rapid, qualitative result, which agreed with ELISA and EIF test results in all cases. No instances were found in which both ELISA and EIF test results were negative and the CF test results was positive. However approximately 5% of the sera were positive by ELISA and the EIF test while the CF test result was either negative or unreadable because of serum anticomplementary activity. We conclude that dot immunoblotting is a useful screening test, whereas ELISA and the EIF test are both rapid and sensitive tests when used for the serodiagnosis of Q fever and should be considered to be replacements for the CF test.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1990

Nucleotide sequence comparison of homologous genomic regions from variola, monkeypox, and vaccinia viruses.

The nucleotide sequences of homologous regions from the genomes of variola major strain Harvey, variola minor strains Butler and Garcia, and monkeypox strain Denmark were determined. The nucleotide sequences were compared to the homologous region in vaccinia virus which contains part of one of the genes involved in determining host range. Two major differences were detected; these corresponded to a deletion in the promoter region and the presence of a premature stop codon. It was concluded that this region of the genome may not be actively expressed in either variola- or monkeypox-virus-infected cells. It was also concluded that diagnostic nucleic acid hybridisation probes for differentiating between these members of the Orthopoxviridae may be difficult to identify.

Chromosome Deletion↗
PubMed1990

Blunt traumatic cardiac rupture. A 5-year experience.

Blunt traumatic cardiac rupture is associated with a high rate of mortality. A review of the computerized trauma registry (1983 to 1988) identified 32 patients with this injury (ages 19 to 65 years; mean age, 39.5 years; 21 men and 11 women). Twenty-one patients (65.6%) were injured in vehicular crashes, 3 (9.4%) in pedestrian accidents, 3 (9.4%) in motorcycle accidents; 3 (9.4%) sustained crush injury; 1 (3.1%) was injured by a fall; and 1 (3.1%) was kicked in the chest by a horse. Anatomic injuries included right atrial rupture (13[40.6%]), left atrial rupture (8 [25%]), right ventricular rupture (10[31.3%]), left ventricular rupture (4[12.5%]), and rupture of two cardiac chambers (3 [9.4%]). Diagnosis was made by thoracotomy in all 20 patients presenting in cardiac arrest. In the remaining 12 patients, the diagnosis was established in seven by emergency left anterolateral thoracotomy and in five by subxyphoid pericardial window. Seven of these 12 patients (58.3%) had clinical cardiac tamponade and significant upper torso cyanosis. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS), Trauma Score (TS), and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score were 33.8, 13.2, and 14.3, respectively, among survivors and 51.5, 8.3, and 7.0 for nonsurvivors. The overall mortality rate was 81.3% (26 of 32 patients), the only survivors being those presenting with vital signs (6 of 12 patients [50%]). All patients with rupture of two cardiac chambers or with ventricular rupture died. The mortality rate from myocardial rupture is very high. Rapid prehospital transportation, a high index of suspicion, and prompt surgical intervention contribute to survival in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Methodologic approach for a large functional trauma registry.

The utility of a clinical trauma registry (TR) is directly related to the constituents of the data base and to the accuracy of the data, which is contingent on a carefully constructed data collection system. A TR was developed by traumatologists at a busy Level I trauma facility that predominantly receives patients having incurred blunt injury. Four dedicated data collectors gather the AP information within 24 to 48 hours after admission, with prompt Attending Surgical review for verification. Examples of data output prove this is a functional system. Using a careful methodologic approach for design and implementation, clinicians can create a large, functional trauma registry with many potential applications.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1987

Comparative analysis of two rapid automated methods and a semiautomated version of the urease method for determining aminoglycoside concentrations in serum.

The Syva EMIT Autolab 6000 and the Abbott TDX automated methods for measuring serum aminoglycoside concentrations were compared with each other and with a new semiautomated version of the urease technique. Each was evaluated for accuracy, reproducibility, cost, and ease of use. All three methods gave satisfactory results, although the Abbott TDX was the most accurate. Both automated methods gave results within minutes, whereas the new urease method, which involved more initial manipulation, took 1.25 h to complete (mainly incubation time). There was no difference in accuracy of performance between experienced and inexperienced operators. The new urease method was much cheaper in terms of initial capital expenditure and in cost per test and needed no provision of manufacturer's back-up maintenance services. This could prove invaluable in situations where financial resources are at a premium. Otherwise, the Abbott TDX is currently our method of choice, and reasons for its preference to the EMIT system are listed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗