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Biomedical subjects

R Tucker

Publications and source records attributed to R Tucker.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Rapid intubation of the ileo-colonic region of man.

The relative inaccessibility of the ileo-cecal region of man has restricted study of, and limited the information available on, normal functions of this region. Intubation of the distal bowel from above may be slow, even in the presence of normal patterns of motility in the stomach and small intestine. This report documents that addition of a small balloon at the "lead-point" of the tube alters motor patterns and allows rapid transit to the colon.

Cecal Diseases↗
PubMed1981

The digging behavior and skin differentiations in Heterocephalus glaber.

The topography and histology of the skin of the naked mole (Heterocephalus glaber) have been correlated with its behavior. The integument is exceptionally loose, thereby reducing integumentary stresses when the animal is digging and moving in narrow tunnels. It also allows the position of the nasolabial sensory patch to change. This patch is exposed to mechanical stimuli when Heterocephalus moves along the tunnel, but becomes partially shielded by a transient buccal evagination, the formation and function of which are here described. Most of the differentiated patches of the skin lie in the cranial and anogenital regions. The eyes are microphthalmic and nearly completely closed by the nonmobile eyelids; there is no pinna, hair-coat or sweat glands. The epidermis is of variable thickness; in some places it has only one layer of cells. The detached epidermal cells penetrate the dermis irregularly. The epidermis of Heterocephalus is specialized by modifications of its germinative stratum, equivalent to an epidermosis, the syndrome of which consists of reduction of all types of epidermal buddings-pilogenetic and adenogenetic-as well as those which have a mechanical significance.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Effects of free fatty acids on the organization of cytoskeletal elements in lymphocytes.

Treatment of mouse lymphocytes with cis-unsaturated free fatty acids produced alterations in the immunofluorescence patterns of the cytoskeleton and contractile proteins. Saturated free fatty acids and trans-unsaturated free fatty acids had no effect. In untreated cells, the microtubular pattern exhibited radiation from an organizing center, resembling the spokes of an umbrella. The addition of linoleic acid produced a polarized submembranous aggregate. Under control conditions, staining for actin revealed a diffuse pattern over the entire cell, but the addition of linoleic acid caused the formation of a single large patch, or polarized submembranous aggregate. The pattern for alpha-actinin normally revealed intense perinuclear staining on a diffuse background. Linoleic acid caused the loss of this pattern and the formation of a polarized submembranous aggregate. Linoleic acid treatment also caused the pattern for myosin to change from diffuse to uniform submembranous patching around the periphery of the cell. For all of these proteins, calcium (8 mM), but not magnesium, partially reversed the effects of linoleic acid. Sodium azide had little effect on the normal distribution of actin, tubulin, and alpha-actinin; however, myosin staining revealed prominent patch formation. Colchicine treatment caused diffuse staining, some polarized submembranous aggregate formation of tubulin, and some patching of myosin, but not as extensively as did treatment with linoleic acid. Actin and alpha-actinin were unaffected. These results, in view of the previously shown facts that pretreatment of cells with linoleic acid followed by anti-immunoglobulin inhibits capping of surface immunoglobulin (Klausner, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77:437-441, 1980) and that free fatty acids partition into the surface membrane (Klausner et al., J. Biol. Chem. 255:1286-1295, 1980), suggest that the perturbation of the plasma membrane with unsaturated free fatty acids alters the interaction of surface receptors with the cytoskeleton, which in turn affects cytoplasmic distribution of the proteins.

Actins↗
PubMed1975

The surface of the pecten oculi in the pigeon.

A scanning electron microscopic study of the pecten reveals the rib-like character of the pectinal folds, the nature of their connections with the base and bridge of the pecten as well as the presence of interconnections between the bundles of superficial collagenous fibers. It has been suggested that the pecten may have a mechanical significance, namely protection of the retina from the excessive movements of the vitreous humour. The relationship between the superficial membrane of the folds which is continuous, the intercellular spaces and the process of diffussion has also been discussed.

Animals↗