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Biomedical subjects

R D Smith

Publications and source records attributed to R D Smith.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

An ecological analysis of risk factors for postpartum disorders of Holstein-Friesian cows from thirty-two New York farms.

Path analysis and multiple logistic-normal regression were used to model the interrelationships between stated herd management practices and herd 30-d postpartum incidence rates of dystocia, retained placenta, and clinical postpartum metritis, cystic ovary, milk fever, ketosis, left displaced abomasum, and mastitis. Management risk factors were obtained from a personal interview questionnaire. Data were from 2141 multiparous Holstein calvings from May 1981 through April 1982 in 32 commercial herds in the vicinity of Cornell University. Farms where the stated policy was to administer low calcium diets to the dry cows experienced more dystocia and retained placenta. More dystocia was experienced on farms where the stated policy was to administer extra vitamin D to dry cows, where dry cows were housed with the milking cows, or where calving occurred in maternity pens rather than stanchions. There was an increased likelihood of milk fever and left displaced abomasum on farms on which the stated policy was to lead feed. Farms where dairy farmers treated cases of retained placenta had more retained placenta than farms on which the treatment was done by the veterinarian. Farms reporting the practice of feeding the cows to increase their weight during the dry period had increased odds of ketosis.

Abomasum↗

Relationship of changes in condition score to cow health in Holsteins.

The relationship of body condition score with disease occurrence was examined in 561 cows in nine herds. Cows were body condition scored on a five-point scale (1 = thin, 5 = obese) every 2 wk from drying off until 150 d in milk. Cows scored between 3- and 3+ were considered to be in average or good condition. Cows scored less than or equal to 2+ were considered to be underconditioned, whereas those scored greater than or equal to 4- were considered to be overconditioned. Relationships of health and condition score were examined using multiple logistic regression for dichotomous outcomes (e.g., diseased or healthy). Cows that developed dystocia or were culled lost more condition during the dry period than those that did not develop dystocia or were not culled. Cows overconditioned at drying off were more likely to develop cystic ovarian disease and reproductive problems. Cows underconditioned or overconditioned at drying off were more prone to foot problems after calving. Cows overconditioned at 30 d postpartum were more likely to have metritis.

Animals↗

The pathobiology of HIV infection. A review.

Human immunodeficiency virus selectively infects lymphocytes and macrophages resulting in profound immunosuppression leading to opportunistic infections. This review deals with the virus/cell interaction and explains the apparent paradox of the global immune defect in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome of a single subset of lymphocytes.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Functional studies of nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor subtype-specific ligands: DuP 753 (AII-1) and PD123177 (AII-2).

DuP 753 and PD123177 are two nonpeptide angiotensin II (AII)-specific ligands, which show high affinities for two respective and distinct subtypes of AII binding sites, i.e., AII-1 and AII-2 sites, respectively, in the rat adrenal gland, brain and uterus. The objective of this study is to identify the functions of these subtype binding sites in the adrenal, sympathetic ganglia, brain and vascular smooth muscle. In conscious rats, DuP 753 at 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg i.v. but not PD123177 at 30 and 100 mg/kg i.v. inhibited the AII-induced aldosterone increase. In the isolated perfused rat adrenal gland, DuP 753 at 10(-6) and 10(-4) M but not PD123177 at 10(-3) M blocked the AII-induced epinephrine secretion. In control and chemically sympathectomized pithed rats, the pressor and tachycardiac responses to AII were blocked by DuP 753 at 10 mg/kg i.v. but not by PD123177 at 100 mg/kg i.v. In conscious rats, DuP 753 at 10 mg/kg s.c. but not PD123177 at 100 mg/kg s.c. inhibited the AII-induced water drinking. In the rabbit aorta, DuP 753 at 10(-6) M but not PD123177 at 10(-4) M inhibited the contractile effect of AII. In conscious renal artery-ligated hypertensive rats, DuP 753 but not PD123177 at 0.1 to 10 mg/kg i.v. lowered blood pressure. In summary, a function of the PD123177-sensitive AII binding site (AII-2) has not yet been identified. However, the DuP 753-sensitive site (AII-1) appears to mediate the AII-induced responses such as adrenal aldosterone and catecholamine secretion, release of catecholamine from sympathetic ganglia, drinking and vasoconstriction.

Aldosterone↗

National Pathology Manpower Survey of 1988. Manpower needs in community hospitals and private laboratory practice.

The survey of manpower in community hospital and private laboratory practice of pathology of 1988 presented herein verifies the conclusions of the 1986 survey that a growing deficit of manpower in this sphere of practice is highly likely in the next few years. It appears that the deficit will be even larger than that predicted by the 1986 survey. Steps are urgently needed to increase the flow of graduating medical students, especially those of top quality, into our specialty.

Adult↗

Capillary zone electrophoresis and isotachophoresis-mass spectrometry of polypeptides and proteins based upon an electrospray ionization interface.

The special capabilities of the capillary electrophoresis electrospray ionization-mass spectrometer interface for the analysis of peptides and proteins with molecular weights extending to in excess of 100,000 are reviewed. The dynamic combinations of both capillary zone electrophoresis and capillary isotachophoresis with electrospray ionization are illustrated for mixtures of peptides and proteins. Myoglobin and cytochrome c detection limits were ca. 100 fmol. The potential extension of these methods for determination of the primary structure (sequence) of polypeptides using tandem mass spectrometry is shown to be facilitated by the high charge state of ions produced by the electrospray interface. The relevance of these results for advances in analytical biochemistry are discussed.

Animals↗

Epidemiologic investigation and control of an epizootic of anaplasmosis in cattle in winter.

An epizootic of anaplasmosis affecting 18 of 90 beef cows in winter on a western Illinois ranch was investigated to determine the probable source and mode of transmission. The cause of the epizootic was Anaplasma caudatum. Cows were classified as sick, convalescent, or carrier on the basis of blood smear, complement fixation, or modified rapid card agglutination test results. Patterns of movement did not suggest a common exposure prior to assembly of cattle at the affected ranch. The combination of clinical stages and temporal pattern of the epizootic was compatible with exposure on one or more occasions after arrival of cattle on the ranch, most likely during herd vaccination or ear tagging. A serologic testing and treatment program was initiated to rid the herd of infection. Seventeen surviving cows were treated 3 times with 20 mg of oxytetracycline/kg, IM, at 5-day intervals. At the end of the 6-month follow-up period, 1 of 17 cows was still serologically positive and was treated with a second regimen of oxytetracycline. We believe that eradication of A caudatum was successful, because no clinical cases of anaplasmosis have been reported on the ranch during the last 3 vector seasons.

Anaplasma↗

Pathology.

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Gene Rearrangement↗

Beta-methyl carboline, a benzodiazepine inverse agonist, attenuates the effect of triazolam on the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity.

The benzodiazepine triazolam, the benzodiazepine inverse agonist, beta-methyl carboline (beta-CCM) or both, were administered to adult male hamsters under conditions of constant light. When given alone, triazolam induced phase advances in the circadian activity rhythm of about 90 min, while beta-CCM when given alone, had no effect on phase of the activity rhythm. However, when triazolam and beta-CCM were given at the same time, the magnitude of the phase advances induced by triazolam were attenuated to about 30 min. These data, in conjunction with previous results, provide pharmacological evidence for a GABAergic system involved in the regulation of a central circadian pacemaker.

Animals↗

Nine-ball neck.

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Athletic Injuries↗

Central administration of muscimol phase-shifts the mammalian circadian clock.

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus contains a neural oscillatory system which regulates many circadian rhythms in mammals. Immunohistochemical evidence indicates that a relatively high density of GABAergic neurons exist in the suprachiasmatic region. Since intraperitoneal injections of the benzodiazepine, triazolam, have been shown to induce phase shifts in the free-running circadian rhythm of locomotor activity in the golden hamster, the extent to which microinjections of muscimol, a specific agonist for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), may cause phase-shifts in hamster activity rhythms was investigated. Stereotaxically implanted guide cannulae aimed at the region of the SCN were used to deliver repeated microinjections in individual animals. A phase-response curve (PRC) generated from microinjections of muscimol revealed that the magnitude and direction of permanent phase-shifts in the activity rhythm were associated with the time of administration. The PRC generated for muscimol was characterized by maximal phase-advances induced 6 h before activity onset and by maximal phase-delays which occurred 6 h after activity onset. The PRC for muscimol had a shape similar to a PRC previously generated for the short-acting benzodiazepine, triazolam. Single microinjections of different doses of muscimol given 6 h before activity onset induced phase-advances in a dose-dependent fashion. Histological analysis revealed that phase shifts induced by the administration of muscimol were associated with the proximity of the injection site to the SCN area. These data indicate that a GABAergic system may exist within the suprachiasmatic region as part of a central biological clock responsible for the regulation of the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity in the golden hamster.

Animals↗

Peptide and protein analysis by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry.

The extension of mass spectrometry to high molecular weight biopolymers based upon electrospray ionization and the on-line combination with capillary electrophoresis is described. Electrospray ionization produces gas-phase intact multiply charged molecular ions of biomolecules from highly charged liquid droplets by a high electric field. For high molecular weight substances electrospray ionization results in a characteristic bell-shaped distribution of multiply charged ions, with each adjacent major peak in the spectrum differing by one charge. Multiply charged molecular ions of proteins with molecular weights greater than 130,000 have been observed with a quadrupole mass spectrometer of limited mass-to-charge range (m/z 1700). Molecular weights can be readily determined for large proteins with accuracies in the range of +/- 0.01 to 0.05%; at least an order of magnitude further improvement appears feasible with improved techniques and instrumentation. The electrospray ionization method is sensitive, presently requiring samples in the 100 fmol to 10 pmol range for proteins. Initial results combining rapid separations by capillary zone electrophoresis with on-line mass spectrometric detection via the electrospray ionization source are demonstrated for myoglobin and other proteins and polypeptides. The potential for extension of these methods to molecular weights on the order of 10(6) is discussed.

Animals↗

A reappraisal of vector control strategies for babesiosis.

This review suggests that we are on the threshold of a new epoch in the control of ticks and the diseases transmitted by them. Ecological studies of parasitic and non-parasitic stages of the tick life cycle have shown how strategic dipping can lead to effective control of Boophilus ticks. However, this approach can lead to drastic reduction in tick populations which may favour the development of enzootic instability. On the other hand, mathematical models and field studies indicate that we can eradicate babesiosis without eradicating the tick vector. As no well-established vaccine exists for babesiosis or its vectors, it is important to anticipate the possible effects of low or fluctuating populations of ticks caused by strategic control programmes. Under these conditions, it is probable that babesiosis will disappear before the tick vector does. Prudent use of tick bionomic data from several centres of field research, as well as models to analyse these data, should accelerate the latter process. Epidemiological models should be included in the analysis of babesiosis in areas that run the risk of converting from stable zones to unstable zones due to strategic dipping. These observations and projections underscore the value of integration of traditional and modern techniques in the control of babesiosis and other vector-borne diseases.

Analysis of Variance↗

Vulgar errors.

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England↗

Pharmacology of ACC-9653 (phenytoin prodrug).

ACC-9653, the disodium phosphate ester of 3-hydroxymethyl-5,5-diphenylhydantoin, is a prodrug of phenytoin with advantageous physicochemical properties. ACC-9653 is rapidly converted enzymatically to phenytoin in vivo. ACC-9653 and phenytoin sodium have equivalent anticonvulsant activity against seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES) in mice following i.p., oral, or i.v. administration. The ED50 doses were 16 mg/kg for i.v. ACC-9653 and 8 mg/kg for i.v. phenytoin sodium. ACC-9653 and phenytoin sodium have similar antiarrhythmic activity against ouabain-induced ventricular tachycardia in anesthetized dogs. The total doses of ACC-9653 or phenytoin sodium necessary to convert the arrhythmia to a normal sinus rhythm were 24 +/- 6 and 14 +/- 3 mg/kg, respectively. Only phenytoin sodium displayed in vitro antiarrhythmic activity against strophanthidin-induced arrhythmias in guinea pig right atria. In anesthetized dogs, a high dose of ACC-9653 (31 mg/kg) was infused over 15, 20, and 30 min and the responses were compared to an equimolar dose of phenytoin sodium (21 mg/kg). The ACC-9653 and phenytoin sodium treatments produced similar marked reductions in diastolic blood pressure and contractile force (LVdP/dt). The maximum effects of each treatment occurred at the time of maximum phenytoin sodium levels. Acute toxicity studies of ACC-9653 and phenytoin sodium were carried out in mice, rats, rabbits, and dogs by i.v., i.m., and i.p. routes of administration. The systemic toxic signs of both agents were similar and occurred at approximately equivalent doses. Importantly, the local irritation of ACC-9653 was markedly less than phenytoin sodium following i.m. administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Celiprolol, a compound which attenuates myocardial acidosis and improves regional segmental function following ischemia in dogs: a comparison with propranolol.

Celiprolol, propranolol or saline were administered to separate groups (n = 5-6) of anesthetized dogs in which a critical stenosis was applied to the circumflex coronary artery for 90 min and then reperfused for 30 min. Test drugs were administered at 30 min poststenosis and the effects on pH, regional function and endocardiogram were monitored. A reduction in coronary flow of 54 +/- 2% (n = 27) yielded marked increases in hydrogen ion concentration (H+) of 17 +/- 2 X 10(-8) and ischemic endocardial ST segment of 6 +/- 1 mV while ischemic segmental shortening decreased 75 +/- 9%. Heart rate, arterial pressure and normal regional function were not altered. Celiprolol 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, i.v., reversed the alterations in H+ and ischemic ST segment to prestenosis values while improving ischemic segmental shortening 20 and 38%, respectively, and not affecting heart rate. Propranolol 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, i.v., reversed the alterations in H+ and ischemic ST segment to prestenosis values while further decreasing ischemic segmental shortening 66 and 30%, respectively. Upon reperfusion, ischemic segmental shortening returned to prestenosis values in the group treated with celiprolol 1 mg/kg, i.v., while the propranolol- and saline-treated groups further decreased. It is concluded that celiprolol is efficacious in normalizing myocardial function and ischemia-induced electrophysiological changes following coronary artery stenosis.

Acidosis↗

Heritabilities of and genetic correlations among six health problems in Holstein cows.

Information from 7712 lactations of Holstein dairy cows was collected from 33 commercial herds around Ithaca, NY in the 3 yr from 1981 to 1983. The data were divided into subsets corresponding to lactation 1, lactation 2, and lactation 3 or greater. To estimate heritabilities of dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, ovarian cysts, milk fever, and mastitis, a mixed linear model (herd-year fixed and sire random effects) with 0 or 1 as the observed response was used. Variance components were estimated using Henderson's Method 3. The results show moderate heritabilities (.15 to .40) for dystocia, metritis, milk fever, and mastitis and low heritability (less than .12) for retained placenta and cystic ovaries. Genetic correlations between dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, and mastitis were moderate in size and positive, whereas cystic ovaries were correlated negatively with dystocia and retained placenta. A general reproductive health trait (dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, cystic ovaries, and milk fever combined in one trait) also was analyzed. The estimated heritability of this trait was .21, .11, and .00 for first calf heifers, second lactation cows, and older cows, respectively.

Animals↗