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Biomedical subjects

R E Young

Publications and source records attributed to R E Young.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Neural asymmetry in male fiddler crabs.

In adult male fiddler crabs, Uca pugnax, there is a marked enlargement of the 1st thoracic ganglion and its nerve root on the side of the major cheliped compared to the side of the minor cheliped. Retrograde uptake of cobalt via the cut ends of the motoneurons revealed a significant hypertrophy of their somata and dendritic fields on the major side of the ganglion compared to the minor side in the male fiddler crabs. (In female fiddler crabs which have two minor chelipeds the motoneurons were similar in size on both sides of the ganglion.) Since the number and distribution of motoneuron somata was relatively constant in the two halves of each ganglion, homologies for individual or groups of neurons could be recognized. The number of axon profiles in a cross-sectional montage of the entire nerve root of the major side in a male fiddler crab was several times greater than that of the minor side in random samples which were appropriately scaled in area. In samples of equal areas the axonal density was similar on the major and minor sides, as was also the range of axon diameters; both signify no difference in size of axons between the contralateral nerve roots. Consequently enlargement of the nerve root on the major side is due to a relative increase in the number of axons. This increase is in sensory fibers since the number of motor fibers are bilaterally constant. Thus neural asymmetry in male fiddler crabs involves hypertrophy of the motoneurons and hyperplasia of the sensory neurons associated with the enlarged condition of the major cheliped.

Animals↗

Defects in intrathyroid binding of iodine and the perchlorate discharge test.

The kinetics of [123I]iodide uptake were studied when organification of iodine by the thyroid gland was normal and when this binding function was diminished by drugs or disease. Each study was terminated by a sodium perchlorate discharge test (300--600 mg iv) at 60 min or, in some cases, 10--30 min. The results confirmed that binding takes place rapidly in the uninhibited gland with the binding rate constant being at least 0.150 min-1. Discharge from the uninhibited gland is less than 3.5% of the gland uptake when perchlorate is given 60 min after the radioiodide. Subjects with an intrinsic binding defect manifested discharges of 11% of greater of the 60 min uptake and the estimated binding rate constants ranged from 0.003--0.057 min-1. Thyrotoxic subjects receiving 5 mg carbimazole twice daily manifested discharges ranging from 5.4--64.2%, and in those receiving 20 mg twice daily the observed discharges were 67.6--94.6% of the 60 min uptake. The study shows that a correctly performed perchlorate discharge test will detect minimal inhibition of iodine binding. An important factor is the duration of the follow-up period after perchlorate is given. In some of the cases studied discharge was not complete until 60 min after the perchlorate.

Binding Sites↗

Effects of pH and Ethephon on Betacyanin Leakage from Beet Root Discs.

Betacyanin leakage from beet root discs was found to increase with decreasing pH of the incubation medium. Although 10 millimolar Ca(2+) reduced pigment leakage at pH 3.5, it was ineffective at pH 2.3. Leakage was also stimulated by 100 micrograms per milliliter (2-chloroethyl)-phosphonic acid (pH 3.1), but when the solution was neutralized, this leakage was eliminated. Bubbling C(2)H(4) through a neutral medium containing beet discs had no effect on pigment leakage; it appears that the effect of Ethephon solutions on this process is a function of their low pH.

Journal Article↗

Applied physiology for wheelchair design.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential wheelchair design changes that may reduce operational energy cost and cardiopulmonary responses. Design changes, which were simulated with a wheelchair ergometer, allowed two techniques of hand-rim propulsion: the usual synchronous application of force (sync), and an asynchronous technique where force was applied one hand at a time in a reciprocal fashion (async). Three hand-rim drive ratios were also simulated: low, normal, and high. Combinations of these force application-drive ratio simulations were evaluated at power output (PO) levels of 30 and 60 kpm.min-1. The async-high combination was found to elicit significantly lower (P less than 0.01) gross caloric output, pulmonary ventilation, and heart rate values, and provide the greatest advantage over conventional sync-normal operation at both PO levels. It appeared that async propulsion and high drive ratio resulted in less wasted movements. Although the async-high combination was superior under these test conditions, other combinations may be necessary to better match various locomotive tasks to individuals of different capabilities.

Adult↗

Structure and dynamics of neural network oscillators.

Techniques are given to represent oscillating neural networks by asynchronous logical switching networks, and to analyze the oscillating networks using a directed graph called a state transition diagram. Consideration is restricted to network oscillators containing no rhythm determining pacemaker neurons, and no neurons exhibiting self-limiting properties such as post-inhibitory rebound or accumulating refractoriness. In the state transition diagrams, stable oscillations are associated with a particular geometric configuration called a cyclic attractor (the heavy cycle in Fig. 2). We show that given the network connectivity it is possible to predict autonomous dynamic behaviour, as well as behaviour following hyperpolarizing or depolarizing inputs to neurons of the network. Conversely, given information about patterns of firing activity during cycles and transients of neural networks, the network connectivity can be predicted. The theoretical techniques can be used to generate a census of network structures capable of generating stable oscillations. Several representative network oscillators are discussed in the context of previous theoretical and experimental studies of the structure of neural network oscillators. Although the number of theoretically possile network oscillators capable of generating sustained oscillations is very large, the techniques which are given should be useful in the design of experiments capable of distinguishing between equally plausible hypotheses.

Action Potentials↗

Postharvest Variation in Cellulase, Polygalacturonase, and Pectinmethylesterase in Avocado (Persea americana Mill, cv. Fuerte) Fruits in Relation to Respiration and Ethylene Production.

Cellulase, polygalacturonase (PG), pectinmethylesterase (PME), respiration, and ethylene production were determined in single "Fuerte" avocado fruits from the day of harvest through the start of fruit breakdown. PME declined from its maximum value at the time of picking to a low level early in the climacteric. PG activity was not detectable in the preclimacteric stage, increased during the climacteric, and continued to increase during the postclimacteric phase to a level three times greater than when the fruit reached the edible soft stage. Cellulase activity was low in the preclimacteric fruit, started to increase just as respiration increased, and reached a level two times greater than at the edible soft stage. Cellulase activity started to increase 3 days before PG activity could be detected. Increased production of ethylene followed the increase in respiration and cellulase activity by about 1.5 days. These results indicate that a close relation exists between the rapid increase in the cell wall-depolymerizing enzymes and the rise in respiration and ethylene production and refocused attention on the role of the cell wall and the associated plasma membrane in the early events of fruit ripening.

Journal Article↗

A system for storage and retrieval of individual cells following flow cytometry.

A system has been developed to deposit cells in indexed locations on a gelatin-coated film following flow cytometry, allowing the measurements made of individual cells to be correlated with observed morphology or with subsequent microspectrophotometric measurements. Samples are deposited in a continuous track on the film by a deposition nib attached to the flow system below the observation point; laminar flow is preserved by adjusting the tape speed and the flow velocity. Locations of individual cells are indicated by etching the film with a spark triggered by the detection of a cell in the flow cytometer. After deposition, the film is dried by forced warm air. Cells on gelatin may be washed and restained with Papanicolaou and other stains with reasonable preservation of morphology. The system may be used for validation of automated cytodiagnostic procedures based on flow cytometry and for biomedical research.

Cytological Techniques↗

A comparison of analgesic effectiveness of oral butorphanol/acetaminophen, oxycodone/acetaminophen and placebo in hospitalized postsurgical patients.

One hundred four patients with moderate to severe postoperative pain participated in a double-blind study comparing butorphanol/acetaminophen with oxycodone/acetaminophen and placebo with respect to analgesic effectiveness and incidence of side effects. Pain was rated by the patients and an observer; sums of these data were calculated. Side effects, their severity and their relationship to the drug were recorded. Both active medications provided statistically significant levels of analgesia as compared with placebo. Analgesia produced by both combinations of drugs was statistically similar until 4 hours postdrug. From 4 to 6 hours postdrug, butorphanol/acetaminophen was significantly more analgesic. Both active medications produced analgesia within 0.5 hours, showing a peak effect at 1 to 2 hours and lasting for 6 hours. The incidence of side effects was minimal and statistically equivalent for each treatment group.

Acetaminophen↗