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Biomedical subjects

T K Taylor

Publications and source records attributed to T K Taylor.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The influence of scoliosis and ageing on proteoglycan heterogeneity in the human intervertebral disc.

Proteoglycans (PGs) purified from 19-year-old male (19M), 53-year-old female (53F), and 15-16-year-old adolescent idiopathic scoliotic (AIS) disc tissues were characterised by their aggregation properties with hyaluronic acid (HA), glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and amino acid composition, electrophoretic mobilities by composite agarose polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (CAPGE), and hydrodynamic size by Sepharose CL2B gel permeation chromatography. Proteoglycan levels were similar in the AIS and 53F discs, but considerably higher levels were found in the 19M discs. Proteoglycan populations assessed by the aforementioned criteria demonstrated a similar level of heterogeneity in the AIS and 53F discs but this differed with the 19M sample. Two small Mr, low buoyant density PG species were particularly prominent in AIS and 53F discs: these were similar to two nonaggregating PG species formerly reported by di Fabio et al.; however, the corresponding PG species in 19M discs were of somewhat different composition. Collectively, these data suggest similar processing of PGs in the AIS and 53F discs. Furthermore, the pattern of normal age changes in the PGs from AIS discs appears to be disturbed, most likely arising as a consequence of the abnormal biomechanical forces intrinsic to the deformity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Legislative change to permit direct access to physical therapy services: a study of process and content issues.

The purpose of this study was to examine process and content issues related to legislative change to permit direct access to physical therapy services. Data sources were survey questionnaires sent to the presidents of the 52 chapters of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), APTA publications, state statutes, and personal contacts. Results were based on the experiences of 35 chapters, 17 in direct-access states and 18 in non-direct-access states. The majority of direct-access states obtained their status in a single legislative campaign; the majority of non-direct-access jurisdictions attempting legislative change have been unsuccessful for 2 or more years. Over 80% of the chapters reported using legislative lobbyists. Opposing forces varied from state to state and included hospital and medical associations, physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists. The following limitations on practice in a direct-access mode are found in the various practice acts: diagnosis requirements, eventual referral requirements, physical therapist qualifications, patient consent requirements, and practice setting restrictions.

Health Occupations↗
PubMed1989

Lysozyme, a major low-molecular-weight cationic protein of the intervertebral disc, which increases with ageing and degeneration.

Lysozyme was demonstrated to increase in content in the human intervertebral disc in a significant age-dependent manner. In young discs (less than 20 years) the levels were 440 U/g wet weight, whereas in older discs (greater than 65 years) the concentration was 3,460 U/g wet weight. These findings contrasted with the hexuronate level (as a marker of proteoglycans) and neutral sugar content of the tissues which decreased with age. The level of lysozyme determined in the disc tissue also correlated with the morphological grade of disc degeneration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Injuries of the conus medullaris.

Eighteen patients with traumatic lesions of the conus medullaris were reviewed with particular reference to bowel, bladder and sexual functions. The average follow-up was 4 years. The injury most frequently occurred with a burst fracture of the first lumbar vertebra. All patients could walk on discharge but 4 required some form of external support. Regular bladder habit was regained in all patients but none had normal bladder sensation. Urinary tract infections were quite uncommon and there was good correlation between the incidence of infections and the degree of bladder control. No patient had developed chronic renal failure or chronic urinary tract infection. Bowel control was similarly preserved but at a somewhat lower level of competence. Eleven of 16 males had been able to undertake intercourse though with variable adequacy. Potency was linked with the degree of preservation of genital sensation. The conclusion is that the prognosis for conus lesions is somewhat better than is widely appreciated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Spinal-cord injuries in Australian footballers, 1960-1985.

A review of 107 footballers who suffered a spinal-cord injury between 1960 and 1985 has been undertaken. Since 1977, the number of such injuries in Rugby Union, Rugby League and Australian Rules has increased, from an average of about two injuries a year before 1977 to over eight injuries a year since then. Rugby Union is clearly the most dangerous game, particularly for schoolboys; all of the injuries in schoolboy games for this code have occurred since 1977. This study has shown that collision at scrum engagement, and not at scrum collapse, is the way in which the majority of scrum injuries are sustained. These injuries are largely preventable, and suggestions for rule changes are made. Half the injured players recovered to Frankel grades D or E. The financial entitlements of those injured were grossly inadequate; this warrants action. A national register for spinal-cord injuries from football should be established to monitor the effects of desirable rule changes in Rugby Union and Rugby League.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Neutral proteinases of the human intervertebral disc.

Disc tissue consisting of pooled annuli fibrosus and nuclei pulposus from the cadaver of an adolescent aged 19 years was extracted with 4.0 M Gu-HCl. Proteins of low buoyant density (p less than or equal to 1.38 g/ml) containing the disc enzymes and inhibitors were separated from proteoglycans of high buoyant density (p greater than or equal to 1.50 g/ml) by density gradient ultracentrifugation. Sephadex G-75F gel chromatography followed by trypsin affinity chromatography was then used to resolve disc proteolytic and trypsin inhibitory activities. The results obtained were strongly suggestive of the presence of a high molecular weight zymogen which upon activation generated a population of smaller molecular weight proteinases. The disc proteinases obtained by this process showed similar properties in terms of: their pH optima (7.4-7.6); their inhibition patterns by class-specific proteinase inhibitors; their variation of activity as a function of NaCl and lysine concentrations; and the hydrodynamic size of their proteoglycan degradation products. The activated disc neutral proteinase demonstrated many characteristics in common with plasmin; however, unlike the latter, the disc proteinases also showed some calcium dependence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The response of the canine intervertebral disc to immobilization produced by spinal arthrodesis is dependent on constitutional factors.

Posterior lumbar spinal fusion was performed on five mature greyhounds. Two months prior to death, all of the surgical and five age-matched control greyhounds were given Na2(35)SO4 (1.0 mCi/kg) intravenously. All fusion animals were killed 6 months postoperation, and discs beneath the fusion mass as well as those adjacent to it (parafusion discs) were sampled separately and dissected into the nuclei pulposi and annuli fibrosi (AF). Proteoglycans (PGs) were extracted with 4.0 M GuHCl and then purified by CsCl density gradient ultracentrifugation. These PG monomers were subjected to Sepharose CL-2B chromatography, and their hydrodynamic size and ability to aggregate were determined. The level, extractability, and hydrodynamic size of PGs in the AF of fusion discs were found to be greater than those in control discs, as were the keratan sulfate core protein complexes prepared by chondroitin ABC lyase digestion. The ability of the 60-day-old PG subunit populations, isolated from fusion discs, to aggregate was also higher than controls. There was, however, no difference between the galactosamine/glucosamine, galactosamine/protein, glucosamine/protein, or hexuronate/protein ratios of PGs in fusion and control discs.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The knee joint meniscus. A fibrocartilage of some distinction.

It is now well established that the meniscus performs a number of roles that are important to the efficient performance of the knee joint. Of particular importance is the recognition of its load-bearing function and its stabilization of the joint during flexion-extension. The compression of the wedge-shaped meniscus during loading is translated into circumferential stresses, and the collagen fiber distribution and orientation is well adapted for this mechanical role. Proteoglycans of the meniscus have structural characteristics in common with those of articular cartilage but do not appear to influence the tensile properties of menisci. With aging and degeneration, compositional changes take place within the meniscus that reduce its ability to transmit tensional stresses, and this contributes to failure. Total meniscectomy is not a benign procedure. Partial excision has less deleterious effects on the joint. Surgical repair of meniscus lesions has now emerged as a procedure of some significance and laboratory research suggests that a solution to this problem may be within reach. Experimental studies in dogs also indicate that chondroprotective agents such as semisynthetic sulfated polysaccharides may protect articular cartilage after meniscectomy.

Adult↗