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Biomedical subjects

R G Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to R G Taylor.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Effect of hind-limb suspension on young and adult skeletal muscle. II. Dystrophic mice.

Disuse atrophy induced by limb immobilization reportedly protects dystrophic mouse muscle from histopathological changes. This study was conducted to determine whether disuse atrophy induced by hind-limb suspension (HS) limits the histopathology and contractile abnormalities typically observed in the dystrophic mouse. Two weeks of hind-limb suspension were applied to dystrophic mice (line 129B6F1) at two ages, 4 weeks (6 mice) and 12 weeks (8 mice). Thirty-one untreated dystrophics served as controls. In general, HS exaggerated the dystrophic signs, especially in the younger mice; it reduced animal weight, muscle weight, maximum tetanic and twitch tensions, and rates of tetanic and twitch tension development. HS further slowed the contractile properties of soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles, and increased their fatigue resistance. HS reduced the size of type I and IIA fibers in the 6-week SOL and EDL, but not in the 14-week muscles. HS produced a preferential atrophy of SOL type I fibers, with a parallel increase in type IIA fibers. However, it did not alleviate the fiber size variability, degree of necrosis, central nucleation, inflammation, or muscle fibrosis in dystrophic muscles. These data demonstrate that disuse by hind-limb suspension does not prevent the histopathological deterioration or loss of muscle function in 6- and 14-week dystrophic mice.

Aging↗
PubMed1989

Effects of varying dietary fatty acid ratios on plasma lipids and platelet function in the African green monkey.

The influence of varying dietary fatty acid ratios on plasma lipids, platelet function and the potential for thrombosis was evaluated in the African green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops), an animal model widely used in cardiovascular research. Ten adult animals, 5 males and 5 females, at intervals of 2 months, were fed a series of 7 diets with fatty acid ratios (P:S) ranging from 3:1 to 1:4. Platelet aggregation in vitro, plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4, platelet membrane fatty acid composition and plasma lipids including total cholesterol, HDL and LDL were monitored at the end of each dietary period. Platelet hypersensitivity to ADP aggregation (3 and 10 microM) and plasma beta-thromboglobulin were elevated in both males and females when dietary P:S exceeded 1.5:1 (beta-TG = 45 ng/ml) as compared to control diets either reflecting current North American or that recommended as a desirable dietary goal (P:S = 1:1, beta-TG = 10 ng/ml). Diets enriched in saturated fatty acids (P:S = 1:2) also altered platelet function, but the effects were most consistently observed in female animals (beta-TG = 32 ng/ml). Platelet hypersensitivity was lost and beta-TG levels were at baseline when the animals were returned to the control diets. Platelet sensitivity did not correlate with membrane composition which generally reflected dietary composition. Both the saturated and the polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched diets lowered plasma HDL levels, and the saturated fatty acid diets elevated plasma LDL.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Bronchodilator action of inhaled fenoterol and ipratropium in normal subjects: a teaching exercise for medical students.

1. A pharmacology practical class for preclinical medical students was designed as a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of two bronchodilator drugs. 2. Fenoterol hydrobromide (800 micrograms), ipratropium bromide (80 micrograms) and placebo (propellant only) were given by metered dose inhaler to 79 non-asthmatic volunteers. Their effects on FEV1, heart rate and tremor (assessed by the time taken to thread five sewing needles) were compared. 3. Both drugs caused a significant increase in FEV1: the largest group mean increase was 77 ml, recorded 15 min after fenoterol, and 103 ml, recorded 60 min after ipratropium. 4. Fenoterol also caused a mean increase of 8.7 beats min-1 in heart rate, 5 min after inhalation. This effect was still apparent after 60 min. 5. Fenoterol appeared to prolong needle threading time in some individuals. 6. In subjects who inhaled fenoterol, there were no correlations between the increase in FEV1, the increase in heart rate, or the development of tremor. 7. It is concluded that inhaled fenoterol and ipratropium both cause bronchodilation in normal subjects. Systemic absorption of fenoterol is indicated by the rapid increase in heart rate. The bronchodilator effect of ipratropium suggests that resting airway calibre is governed partly by parasympathetic tone in normal subjects. 8. The bronchodilator and systemic effects of these drugs can be used to demonstrate pharmacological, therapeutic and statistical principles to medical students.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1989

Effect of four-week treatment with oxitropium bromide on lung mucociliary clearance in patients with chronic bronchitis or asthma.

The effect of oxitropium bromide on lung mucociliary clearance, pulmonary function and viscoelastic properties of sputum was investigated in 10 asthmatics and 10 chronic bronchitics. A controlled, double-blind, crossover study was performed. Following a baseline (B) measurement the patients were, in a random order, allocated placebo (P) or oxitropium bromide (O; 0.1 mg/puff), administered from metered dose inhalers, which they used for 4 weeks at a dose of 2 puffs t.d.s. This test medication was used in conjunction with their normal medication. At the end of the treatment period the patients were assessed, the treatments were then crossed over and a final assessment made 4 weeks later. The administration of oxitropium bromide resulted in (1) small but statistically significant increases in pulmonary function (less than 10% vs. placebo); (2) increased penetrance of radioaerosol into the lungs (mean +/- SEM alveolar deposition: 35 +/- 3, 26 +/- 3 and 24 +/- 3% for the O, P and B runs respectively; p less than 0.025); (3) no significant change in particle clearance rate from the lungs despite their deeper penetration (mean +/- SEM area under the tracheobronchial clearance curves between 0 and 6 h: 317 +/- 26, 324 +/- 25 and 287 +/- 25%.h for the O, P and B runs respectively; p greater than 0.1); (4) no alteration in sputum production, and (5) no significant changes in apparent viscosity (mean +/- SEM: 640 +/- 162, 446 +/- 79 and 557 +/- 115 mPa.s for the O, P and B runs, respectively; p greater than 0.1) and elasticity (mean +/- SEM: 3,682 +/- 1,383, 1,779 +/- 353 and 2,061 +/- 366 mPa for the O, P and B runs, respectively; p greater than 0.1) of sputum. When the two groups, i.e. the chronic bronchitics and asthmatics, were studied separately, no significant differences in any parameter measured (other than radioaerosol penetrance which was significantly enhanced on oxitropium bromide in chronic bronchitics) were noted between the three assessments.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Lysosomal alterations during coronary atherosclerosis in the pigeon: correlative cytochemical and three-dimensional HVEM/IVEM observations.

Lysosomal changes have been implicated as one of the major factors contributing to the progression and complications of atherosclerosis, and recently foam cell formation has been correlated with increases in several acid hydrolases. To explore at the subcellular level relationships among lesion progression, cellular lipid accumulation, and lysosomal change, atherosclerotic lesions from hypercholesterolemic White Carneau pigeons have been studied through combined ultrastructural cytochemistry and stereo (three-dimensional) high-voltage electron microscopy. Lysosomal enzyme activity in the prelesion intima and in foam cells of early lesions was in discrete lysosomes of macrophage foam cells. Foam cell lipid at the early stages was primarily (72%) in cytoplasmic droplets, which formed a three-dimensional network with the small (0.25-0.8 microM in diameter), reaction-positive lysosomes suspended at the vertices of a cytoplasmic lattice that delineated individual lipid pools. Concomitant with lesion progression and increasing complexity, foam cell lysosome number, size, and complexity increased. The complexity was characterized by lysosome lipid accumulation (60% of cell lipid) and the fusion of lysosomes to form multilobulated organelles in which the acid phosphatase reaction product typically was circumferential to the lysosomal lipid core. The involvement of lysosomes climaxed in the more advanced region of lesions with foam cells in which the bulk of cytoplasmic volume was occupied by large (15-20 microM in diameter), multicompartmental, lipid-containing lysosomes. It is suggested that this progressive involvement of lysosomes is responsible for cell and tissue necroses characteristic of advanced lesions.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1988

Characterization of the human interleukin 1 receptor on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is a mediator of inflammation with multiple proinflammatory and immunologic enhancing activities. Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) also play a major role in the inflammatory response. We have found that PMN possess a single type of high affinity receptor for human recombinant (r) IL-1 alpha with an apparent dissociation constant of 0.28 nM. Approximately 700 receptors are present per cell. Binding is rapid with 50% of maximal binding occurring within 20 min at 4 degrees C. Internalization of the receptor occurs within 25 min after shifting the cells to 37 degrees C. The receptor exhibits an apparent molecular weight of approximately 60-70 kDa. Electron microscopic autoradiography studies reveal that the 125I-rIL-1 alpha localized in the nucleus within 180 min after shifting cells to 37 degrees C. The accumulation of relatively high levels of 125I-rIL-1 alpha in the nucleus is consistent with earlier observations on the nuclear localization of IL-1 in T lymphocytes. The possibility that IL-1 may exert a direct action in the nucleus remains to be determined.

Cross-Linking Reagents↗
PubMed1988

Carrier detection of Duchenne dystrophy by frequency analysis of the electromyogram.

A new method for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) carrier detection based on frequency analysis of electromyograms (EMG) taken from relative force contractions shows great promise in classifying possible carriers. Nine carriers were examined and compared to nineteen normals in an attempt to define a discriminant function that would be effective in classification of possible carriers of the gene responsible for DMD. EMG data were taken at 20%, 40%, and 60% of maximum effort from the biceps brachii using a specially designed dynamometer apparatus. The apparatus was able to isolate the biceps muscle group and allowed for adjustment to accommodate different body sizes. Three signal processing methods were used to find variables in the frequency domain that would provide the best discriminant function based on the jackknife classification method. Of these methods, the most promising appears to be the high-to-low ratio method at 20% maximum contraction. When combining the high and low values found with this test in conjunction with the peak cepstrum values also found at 20% maximum contraction, discrimination was found to be 83.8% accurate. Because this classification is not based solely on definite carriers, and appears to be independent of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values, it would seem that classification based on a definite carrier population could be performed with greater accuracy, especially with the addition of CPK values.

Electromyography↗
PubMed1988

Adjunctive radiotherapy with strontium-90 in the treatment of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the ocular conjunctiva is a relatively rare malignancy which is attended by a high rate of local recurrence following simple surgical excision. To date, the management of conjunctival squamous cell cancer has been controversial. From 1950 to 1985, 146 consecutive patients with superficial conjunctival squamous cell cancer were treated at the Queensland Radium Institute. All patients were treated by simple surgical excision of the visible conjunctival lesion followed by adjunctive radiotherapy. Of 140 patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell cancer, 123 were treated with a strontium-90 source, 10 with a radon "ring," and 7 with superficial X ray therapy. Standard policy since 1960 has been to deliver an incident dose of 30 Gy in a single fraction within the first 48 post-operative hours to the surgical bed using a strontium-90 source on a stand-off eye applicator. This report will largely focus on the 123 patients who were treated with a strontium-90 source, of whom 107 received 30 Gy, 14 received 40 Gy (pre 1960) and one patient each received 20 and 25 Gy incident dose. Of 131 evaluable patients, there were only 3 who developed local recurrence. All 3 local recurrences developed in elderly men who had presented with extensive superficial primary tumors. Two of the three recurrences occurred in the two patients who were treated with doses less than 30 Gy. Both early and late radiation-induced complications following ablative surgery and treatment with strontium-90 were very uncommon. Three patients developed unsightly conjunctival telangiectasia, 2 patients developed a persistent scleral ulcer and 2 patients developed clinically significant cataracts. This negligible degree of treatment-related side effects contrasts with the experience of 10 patients who had previously been treated with a radon ring, 8 of whom developed serious complications, although none developed local recurrence. On the basis of our excellent local control rates with minimal morbidity we would continue to advocate the use of simple surgical excision followed by 30 Gy beta radiation from a strontium-90 source as the definitive treatment for superficial conjunctival squamous cell cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Changes in bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine over four years in middle aged male smokers and ex-smokers.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness to inhaled histamine in smokers is associated with an accelerated annual decline in FEV1 and low baseline FEV1 values. The evolution of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and whether it precedes or follows the accelerated decline in FEV1 and reduction in FEV1 is unknown. Measurements of the provocative concentration of inhaled histamine required to reduce FEV1 by 20% (PC20) were repeated after a four year interval in 27 male smokers (mean age 59 years, smoking on average 27 cigarettes a day in 1986) and 16 men who were ex-smokers in 1982 and who remained non-smokers until 1986 (mean age 53 years in 1986). These men were originally recruited to a prospective study in 1974 and had their first PC20 measurement in 1982. PC20 was positively related to baseline FEV1 in both smokers and ex-smokers in both 1982 and 1986 (r ranging from 0.56 to 0.76, p less than 0.01). In smokers mean FEV1 fell from 83% to 77% predicted (p less than 0.001) and geometric mean PC20 from 7.11 to 3.27 mg/ml (p less than 0.001) between 1982 and 1986. The change in PC20 in individual smokers over the four years was related to change in FEV1 (p = 0.012). In ex-smokers mean FEV1 was 93% predicted both in 1982 and in 1986 and there was no significant difference in geometric mean PC20 between 1982 (6.68 mg/ml) and 1986 (5.98 mg/ml). Thus in smokers there was an accelerated annual decline in FEV1 and an increase in bronchial hyperresponsiveness as FEV1 fell. The ex-smokers had comparable levels of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in 1982. Mean PC20 values were unchanged in 1986 in these men, who showed a normal age related decline in FEV1. These longitudinal results emphasise the importance of baseline airway geometry in influencing bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine in middle aged smokers and ex-smokers.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1988

Pseudomembranous colitis in association with Henoch Schonlein purpura.

We describe the occurrence of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis in two cases of Henoch Schonlein purpura. We discuss the potential diagnostic difficulties and suggest that Henoch Schonlein purpura may predispose to the development of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis.

Cephradine↗
PubMed1988

Respiratory epithelial permeability is unrelated to bronchial reactivity and small airway function in young smokers and nonsmokers.

We studied eight young smokers and ten nonsmokers, to determine whether respiratory epithelial permeability to radiolabelled diethylenetriamine penta-acetate (99mTcDTPA) was related to small airway function or bronchial reactivity. Permeability was measured in inner (containing central airways) and outer lung zones by gamma camera. Lung-to-blood half-time (LB-T1/2) was corrected for blood background. Histamine was inhaled tidally (2 min inhalations) using doubling concentrations from 2 to 64 mg.ml-1. Results of small airway function tests, and of bronchial reactivity (expressed as the threshold concentration (reducing forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) by 2 SD), and as the percentage reduction in FEV1 after histamine 16 mg.ml-1) were similar in smokers and nonsmokers. LB-T1/2 was shorter in smokers than in nonsmokers in both inner (median (range) 21 (5.5-33) vs 63.5 (41-115) min; p less than 0.004) and outer (20.5 (5.5-30) vs 58.5 (39-105) min; p less than 0.004) zones. Neither inner nor outer zone LB-T1/2 was related to small airway function or bronchial reactivity. Bronchial reactivity and small airway tests may be abnormal in middle-aged smokers, but neither is related to the increased respiratory epithelial permeability of young smokers, in whom it appears too sensitive an index of airway integrity.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Long-term follow-up of surgical renal hypertension.

A retrospective study of 42 children with hypertension secondary to renal disease is presented. Thirty-three had scarred kidneys, 5 had renovascular disease, 2 had renal venous thrombosis, 1 had an angiomatous malformation of the upper pole of the kidney, and 1 had glomerulonephritis. Twenty-six children were managed surgically. The etiology, presentation, and management are presented. Follow-up varied from 2 to 14 years and the outcome is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Time course of end-expired carbon monoxide concentration is important in studies of cigarette smoking.

1. Fifteen asymptomatic habitual smokers each smoked one of their usual cigarettes, not having smoked for 2 h. End-expired carbon monoxide concentration (EECO) was measured with an Ecolyzer 2000 series analyser before smoking (pre-S value), 1 min after finishing smoking (post-S value) and then at intervals up to 1 h. 2. The mean EECO boost (increase) over all subjects declined biphasically after smoking, with an initial fast phase from 1 to 5 min, and then a slow phase from 5 to 60 min. EECO fell by as much in the first 5 min as in the next hour. 3. Post-S EECO was related to pre-S EECO (r = 0.89, P less than 0.001), but EECO boost was not related to pre-S (r = 0.00). EECO boost was unaffected by the sampling manoeuvre. 4. EECO measurements in epidemiological and smoking studies should not be made for at least 5 min after a cigarette is finished.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Protective effect of methylxanthines against carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction in normal subjects.

The bronchoprotective effect of bioequivalent doses of theophylline (TH; 234 mg) and a combination of TH, proxyphylline (PPH) and diprophylline (DPH) in the proportion 2:3:3 (Neo-Biphyllin, NB; 600 mg) against carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction was studied in 10 healthy non-smokers in a randomised controlled double-blind cross-over trial. The subjects were on a methylxanthine-free diet 4 days prior to and during each study day. Bronchial provocation tests were conducted in the morning and afternoon of the three separate study days--control and two medication days--using a standardised technique. On the control day, the dose of carbachol required to reduce the partial expiratory flow volume at 25% of vital capacity (V25p) by at least 25% was established. A significant protective effect was achieved with both TH (p less than 0.05) and NB (p less than 0.001) as measured by V25p. Bronchoprotection was achieved with low maintenance serum levels of TH.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Ultrasound treatment of reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

Three cases of lower extremity reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) responded dramatically to a daily low dose ultrasound (0.5 watts/cm2 X 5 minutes) therapy to the tarsal tunnel and plantar nerve distribution, and the use of a shoe insert. Two of the three cases had been refractory to more standard therapy for RSD, including pharmacologic agents. All three patients preferred a conservative approach to surgical sympathectomy. No complications were observed, and all three cases are now symptom free. Daily ultrasound treatments are time-consuming and costly but are safe and may be useful for patients who refuse surgical sympathectomy. We hypothesize that ultrasound may have affected peripheral sympathetic nerve fibers. However, more indirect effects of ultrasound, such as increased blood flow to the limb, may be part of the action mechanism as well.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effect of four weeks' high dose ipratropium bromide treatment on lung mucociliary clearance.

In a randomised, double blind crossover study the effect of high dose ipratropium bromide (200 micrograms three times daily given by metered dose inhaler for four weeks) on lung mucociliary clearance and on the wet weight and mean apparent viscosity of sputum was compared with that of placebo. Six smokers, six ex-smokers, and three non-smokers (12 men and three women, median age 60 years) were studied. Eight subjects had chronic obstructive lung disease (median FEV1 46% predicted) and seven had asthma (FEV1 70% predicted). Seven subjects produced sputum regularly, two of whom had asthma. Clearance of secretions was measured by an inhaled radioaerosol technique. The number of coughs and the wet weight, radioactive content, and mean apparent viscosity of sputum produced during the six hour observation period were recorded, as was the mean wet weight of sputum produced during the last two 24 hour periods ending each treatment. Comparison with placebo showed that treatment with high dose ipratropium bromide was associated with a significant increase in the penetration index of inhaled particles, but there was no significant change in alveolar deposition of particles or in tracheobronchial clearance, uncorrected or corrected for sputum expectorated. The wet weight of sputum produced, its radioactive content, and mean apparent viscosity were similar after treatment with ipratropium bromide and placebo. These results show that high dose inhaled treatment with the synthetic anticholinergic bronchodilator ipratropium bromide for four weeks is not associated with detectable modification of the clearance of secretions from the lungs, or of sputum volume or viscosity.

Adult↗