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Biomedical subjects

S W Jones

Publications and source records attributed to S W Jones.

94 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Age-related differences in salt taste acuity.

Salt taste detection thresholds were measured in 76 adults aged 23 to 92 years using a forced-choice staircase procedure, with distilled water rinses between all stimuli. Although an age-related decrease in salt taste acuity was observed, the decrement was smaller than previously reported in other studies. Past reports have probably exaggerated taste deficits in the elderly, because adequate rinse procedures and controls for subject response biases have not been incorporated in threshold measures.

Adult↗

Evaluation of HIV1 infection status by HIV1 PCR and culture methodologies in a small cohort of intravenous drug users.

A small cohort of high-risk intravenous drug users (IVDU) from the Baltimore, MD, area was evaluated for HIV1 infection status and viral load. Quantitative dilution endpoint HIV1 DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results, from HIV proviral DNA from quantitated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) lysates, were compared to the dilution endpoint results for HIV PBMC micrococulture. The quantitative dilution endpoint HIV1 PCR was more rapid, sensitive and reproducible. In addition, an HIV1 capture RT-PCR technique was used to qualitatively detect the presence or absence of intact HIV1 virus in IVDU plasma and was compared with plasma culture detection, for HIV1 viraemia. Using the results of the PCR techniques, a rapid molecular assessment of the HIV1 infection status can be attained, which is important, as the IVDU population can be difficult to study prospectively. The PCR techniques can also be used to assess HIV1 burden as well as the potential effectiveness of antiviral therapies. These molecular techniques can be used to monitor the progression of HIV in patients and to evaluate the clinical effects of concurrent substance abuse.

Cohort Studies↗

A synthetic peptide that is a bombesin receptor antagonist.

The tetradecapeptide bombesin was originally isolated from frog skin. Bombesin-like peptides have since been detected in mammalian gastrointestinal tract, brain and lung. These peptides have potent pharmacological effects on the central nervous system; they cause contraction of intestinal, uterine and urinary tract smooth muscle; and stimulate the release of other peptides including gastrin, cholecystokinin, motilin, pancreatic polypeptide, neurotensin, insulin, enteroglucagon, prolactin and growth hormone. Specific plasma membrane receptors for bombesin have been demonstrated on pancreatic acinar cells, brain membranes and pituitary cells. Studies defining the physiological importance of bombesin have been impeded by the lack of a bombesin receptor antagonist. Here we describe experiments which demonstrate that a peptide originally described as a substance P receptor antagonist, [D-Arg, D-Pro, D-Trp, Leu ]substance P, is also a bombesin receptor antagonist. This peptide competitively inhibits the ability of bombesin to stimulate enzyme secretion from dispersed pancreatic acini, and also inhibits the action of other peptides that interact with the bombesin receptor.

Amylases↗