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Biomedical subjects

S Hart

Publications and source records attributed to S Hart.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Prospective study of postpartum depression in an Israeli cohort: prevalence, incidence and demographic risk factors.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) and to identify risk factors in a community cohort of Israeli-born, as well as new and veteran immigrant women. A random sample of 288 registrants at a community clinic was assessed for depressive symptoms at 26 weeks' pregnancy using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and at 6 weeks postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Information regarding risk factors was gathered through interviews and medical record abstracting. The prevalence of PPD was 22.6%. Two-thirds of the women had scored 'depressed' during pregnancy, and one-third (6.9%) were new incident cases. Immigrant status was the only significant demographic predictor of PPD identified by either univariate or multivariate analysis, with Russian new immigrants having over twice the risk for PPD as Israeli-born subjects. The rate of PPD in this Israeli cohort was comparable to that found in other countries. The finding that immigrant status was the most potent demographic predictor may support the role of stressful life events in the etiology of PPD. The use of the EPDS for PPD screening was found acceptable and feasible in the primary health setting.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Validation of antibiotic residue tests for dairy goats.

The SNAP test, LacTek test (B-L and CEF), Charm Bacillus sterothermophilus var. calidolactis disk assay (BsDA), and Charm II Tablet Beta-lactam sequential test were validated using antibiotic-fortified and -incurred goat milk following the protocol for test kit validations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine. SNAP, Charm BsDA, and Charm II Tablet Sequential tests were sensitive and reliable in detecting antibiotic residues in goat milk. All three assays showed greater than 90% sensitivity and specificity at tolerance and detection levels. However, caution should be taken in interpreting test results at detection levels. Because of the high sensitivity of these three tests, false-violative results could be obtained in goat milk containing antibiotic residues below the tolerance level. Goat milk testing positive by these tests must be confirmed using a more sophisticated methodology, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, before the milk is condemned. LacTek B-L test did not detect several antibiotics, including penicillin G, in goat milk at tolerance levels. However, LacTek CEF was excellent in detecting ceftiofur residue in goat milk.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cephalosporins.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cephalosporins↗
PubMed1997

A nonviral vector system for efficient gene transfer to corneal endothelial cells via membrane integrins.

BACKGROUND: Genetic manipulation of allografts to suppress their ability to induce rejection is a promising approach for controlling rejection responses. A key to this approach is the development of appropriate DNA vectors. We are developing nonviral DNA vector systems based on synthetic peptides containing an integrin-binding segment for cellular targeting and a polylysine segment for DNA binding. METHODS: Two such peptides have been tested for their ability to deliver the beta-galactosidase reporter gene to the corneal endothelial cells of the rabbit, pig, and man. One peptide was derived from a phage display library, the other from the integrin-binding moiety of the toxin from the American pit viper, Crotalus molossus molossus. Corneas were cultured overnight and then exposed to the DNA/peptide vector under a variety of conditions involving different DNA concentrations, chloroquine concentrations, times of exposure, presence of serum, and presence of polyanion buffers. Expression of the beta-galactosidase gene was determined after 3 additional days in culture. Effects of the treatment on the viability of the endothelium were examined by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: We report that approximately 30% of corneal endothelial cells can be transfected with our optimal protocol using the molossin-based vector. Transfection is dependent on the presence of chloroquine and is inhibited by polyanion buffers such as HEPES. Viability of the corneal endothelium was excellent, except if corneas were incubated at high concentrations of chloroquine (0.5 mM) for prolonged periods (24 hr). CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic peptides containing both an integrin targeting and a DNA-binding moiety are promising as simple and highly versatile DNA vectors for use in corneal transplantation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

A preliminary study of the effect of essential oils on skeletal and smooth muscle in vitro.

The pharmacological activity of nine commercial essential oils was studied on the rat isolated phrenic nerve diaphragm preparation and compared with activity on field-stimulated guinea-pig ileum preparations. The essential oils at final bath concentrations of 2 x 10(-5) and 2 x 10(-4) g/ml produced four different effects on skeletal muscle, whilst only a contracture with or without a decrease in response to field stimulation in smooth muscle. The first type of effect on skeletal muscle involved a contracture and inhibition of the twitch response to nerve stimulation shown by a sample of clary sage, dill, fennel, frankincense and nutmeg; a second, shown by thyme produced a contracture without a change in the twitch response; a third, shown by lavender reduced the twitch response alone and the fourth, shown by camphor, increased the size of the twitch response. Angelica root oil at the highest concentration studied showed no response on skeletal muscle.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Examining the stabilising characteristics of footedness.

The stabilising characteristics of footedness within the contexts of unilateral and bilateral preference and performance were examined. Predictions from Previc's (1991) theory of prenatal determination of functional asymmetry suggest a reliance on the left side of the body for stabilisation regardless of context. To test the hypothesis, right- and left-footers (as assessed bilaterally) were examined for preference and performance using a one-leg static balance task on a force plate in simple and complex conditions. Results indicated that preference for stabilisation in the bilateral context was independent of limb choice in the unilateral context. That is, the majority of individuals switched limbs for stabilisation in the unilateral context (most favoured the right side). These findings lead to the conclusion that foot preference may be dependent in part on the context of the task and not bound exclusively to neurodevelopmental origins.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

A study of the changes in the bioactivity of essential oils used singly and as mixtures in aromatherapy.

The assumption by aromatherapists that essential oils are more beneficial when applied as mixes of two or more was tested using several in vitro bioactivity parameters. These included assays against 25 different bacteria, pharmacological studies using a smooth muscle preparation (guinea-pig ileum) and also the predicted effect on the patient as a whole on the basis of chemical analysis (using gas chromatography). The results showed an enhancement in the antibacterial effect of some essential oils when used in mixes only when these were poor antibacterial agents on their own. The action on smooth muscle was often drastically changed when using mixes due to the combination of relaxant and contractile essential oils. A stimulant effect on patients was dependent almost entirely on a high monoterpene concentration. Due to the pharmacological changes achieved by mixing different essential oils, which cannot be predicted from animal studies, there is a possible danger in the indiscriminate usage of mixes on some susceptible patients, e.g., asthmatics and also during pregnancy and childbirth.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The cardiovascular startle response: anxiety and the benzodiazepine receptor complex.

Benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) agonists are prototypic anxiolytic agents, whereas BZR inverse agonists exert anxiogenic effects. The effects of these compounds offer a potentially important pharmacological model system to examine the central mechanisms of anxiety. In accord with its putative anxiogenic properties, we previously found that the BZR partial inverse agonist, FG 7142, enhances the cardiovascular defensive response to a nonsignal acoustic stimulus in rats. In contrast, we found in the present study that this agent attenuates both the somatic and cardiovascular components of the acoustic startle response. BZR agonists and inverse agonists are known to modulate the basal forebrain cortical cholinergic system, and we consider the potential involvement of this system in the disparate psychophysiological actions of FG 7142 and in anxiety states in general.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Evaluation of the antinociceptive effect of xylazine after epidural administration in dogs under general anesthesia with isoflurane].

Seven dogs anaesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen (1.9 Vol.-% ET) were examined before and after lumbosacral injection of xylazine (0.25 mg/kg) into the epidural space. Over a 240 minute period the dogs were first stimulated in a visceral manner (extension of the colon descendens by a balloon-catheter) every 15 minutes. In a second part, the dogs were stimulated somatically by pressure to the interdigital skin of a hindlimb. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were used to determine the analgesic properties of epidurally injected xylazine. Furthermore, plasma xylazine concentration was controlled in both series. Before epidural anaesthesia, heart rate and mean arterial pressure increased during stimulation significantly in both groups. After epidural injection of xylazine, hemodynamic reactions were distinctly diminished, in the somatically stimulated group more than in the viscerally stimulated group. Up to 30 minutes after epidural injection, plasma xylazine concentrations of about 100 ng/ml were found in both groups. Up to 60 minutes after epidural injection, plasma xylazine concentrations of more than 60 ng/ml still were found. From the 120th minute on, xylazine concentration decreased below 30 ng/ml. From these results, it can be concluded that there is a well-suited analgesic effect of epidurally applicated xylazine for approximately 240 minutes.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1996

"Depressed" mothers' perceptions of infant vulnerability are related to later development.

Fifty-four depressed and non-depressed mothers were interviewed when their infants were 3 and 12 months of age. The depressed mothers assigned greater vulnerability scores and their infants engaged in less exploratory play and had lower Bayley mental and motor scores. The depressed mothers' vulnerability scores at 3 months were related to less exploratory play in their infants as well as lower Bayley mental scores at 12 months.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

A central cholinergic link in the cardiovascular effects of the benzodiazepine receptor partial inverse agonist FG 7142.

Previous work demonstrated that systemic administration of the benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) partial inverse agonist beta-carboline FG 7142 (FG) augments the cardiovascular response to non-signal stimuli, similar to the effects of an aversive context. Analysis of the parasympathetic and sympathetic contributions to the effects of FG prompted the hypothesis that increases in central cholinergic activity mediates the potentiation of the cardioacceleratory response by FG. Consistent with this hypothesis, the present experiments demonstrate: (a) intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of the cholinergic receptor agonist carbachol mimics the response-potentiating effects of FG; (b) this effect of carbachol was blocked by ICV co-administration of the muscarinic antagonist atropine; (c) ICV infusions of atropine blocked the potentiation of the cardioacceleratory response by systemically administered FG, but did not alter the basal response to the stimulus; and (d) 192 IgG-saporin-induced lesions of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons prevented the FG-induced potentiation of the cardioacceleratory response, again without altering the basal cardiac response. These data strongly support the hypothesis that the effects of FG on cardiac reactivity are mediated via an activation of central muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

DSM-IV antisocial personality disorder field trial.

The development of the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) included 12 field trials to assess proposed revisions. This article provides results from the antisocial personality disorder (APD) field trial that was conducted to obtain data of relevance to the proposals for simplification and for the inclusion of more traditional traits of psychopathy. Provided herein are the results from 4 sites that had sampled from populations of particular relevance to the diagnosis of APD (i.e., prison inmates, psychiatric inpatients, outpatients with substance use disorders, and homeless persons). The results indicated that some items from the 3rd revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1987) could be deleted without affecting the diagnosis. The field trial provided mixed support for the proposal to include more traditional traits of psychopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

A question of foot dominance.

It is suggested that the popular definition of foot dominance (i.e., the limb preferred to execute a manipulative or mobilizing action while the other [nondominant] foot provides stabilizing support, e.g., kicking a ball) be reconsidered in light of understanding the functional characteristics of footedness and selected theoretical explanations. Relevance to future research designs and assessment methodology is discussed.

Foot↗
PubMed1996

Brief communication: bilateral footedness and task complexity.

The primary intent of this investigation was to determine if stabilizing complexity (postural control) influenced lower limb selection while performing a bilateral footedness task. Right- and left-footed subjects (as determined by a bilateral preference inventory) were asked to stand on one foot and tap a telegraph key with the opposite foot repeatedly. The bilateral task was conducted in two conditions of stabilizing complexity, with the intent to augment focus of attention between stabilizing and mobilizing limb: simple (lights on) and complex (limitation of visual cues). Results indicated that in both simple and complex conditions, 50% or more of subjects switched stabilizing limbs or showed no preference when comparing preference inventory behavior to experimental conditions, suggesting, in general, that foot preference may be in part dependent on the context of the task and not tied predominantly to biological theory.

Female↗
PubMed1996

[Hemophilia B in a mixed breed male dog: treatment of a hemorrhagic crisis with fresh frozen plasma].

A 6 months old male crossbred dog became conspicuous because of a considerable haematoma in the region of the left thigh without recognizable exterior trauma. The results of the screening tests of the haemostatic system (distinctly prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], normal thromboplastin time and platelet count as well as a shortening of thrombin time) yielded a tentative diagnosis of haemophilia. Haemophilia B could be diagnosed on the basis of a distinctly and isolated reduced factor IX activity (8%, reference range: 70-140%). Two infusions with 20 ml/kg BW fresh frozen plasma each caused a clear clinical recovery of the patient. In addition, the efficacy of plasma infusion was documented in vitro by a temporary increase of factor IX activity as well as repeated measurements with the resonance thrombograph and of the aPTT.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Alcohol risk assessment and intervention for family physicians. Project of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

At-risk and problem drinkers (excluding those with severe dependency) are estimated to be 20% of the Canadian population. With minimal training family physicians can effectively manage patients with alcohol problems. The Alcohol Risk Assessment and Intervention Project of the College of Family Physicians of Canada has developed materials and training for family physicians to use in helping their patients reduce the risks of alcohol-related harm.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1995

Long-term treatment of diseased, FIV-seropositive field cats with azidothymidine (AZT).

The long-term effectiveness of Azidothymidine (AZT, Zidovudine) was evaluated in FIV-seropositive cats with clinical symptoms (n = 9; Group 1) compared with conventional symptomatical therapy (n = 5; Group 2). The oral administration of Azidothymidine at a dosage of 5 mg/kg BW yielded a mean peak plasma concentration of 4.59 microM one hour after application (median: 3.74 microM). Elimination half time was 1.5 h. The permanent oral application of Azidothymidine at a dosage of 5 mg/kg BW TID led to a total recovery from clinical symptoms in six of nine FIV-seropositive cats (Group 1) 4-6 weeks after the onset of therapy. One cat clinically improved with only sporadical recurrence of disease; therapy with Azidothymidine was not effective in two cats. All the FIV-seropositive cats treated symptomatically responded well to antibiotics and immunomodulators within 10-14 days (n = 5; Group 2). Recurrence of clinical symptoms was noticed in three of five patients within 2 years after therapy and one cat died. During the treatment with Azidothymidine hyperproteinemia and abnormal albumin-to-globulin ratio became normal within 6 months in four FIV positive cats (Group 1), whereas hyperproteinemia did not change in Group 2. The following adverse effects were noticed in Group 1: a transient decrease of red blood cell count (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin until the 4th week of application of Azidothymidine (5/8), but the haemogram was within the normal range after 3 months. In one cat with hyperglycemia the anaemia remained until the administration of Azidothymidine was terminated. Heinz (Schmauch) bodies in the erythrocytes appeared in two FIV-positive cats 2 weeks after the onset of the therapy.

Administration, Oral↗