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Abstract
Detailed post mortem examinations were carried out on 18 dolphins and whales found dead on the coast of the United Kingdom. The commonest causes of death were pneumonia and entanglement in fishing gear. Of the non-fatal conditions, parasitoses of various organs were common and there was a wide variety of other conditions. In total 124 diseases and other lesions were found, giving an average of 6.9 conditions per animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral
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202
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Abstract
Detailed post mortem examinations were carried out on 41 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) found dead on the coast of the United Kingdom. The commonest causes of death were entanglement in fishing gear, and parasitic and bacterial pneumonia. Among the non-fatal conditions parasitoses of various organs were common and there was a very wide variety of other conditions. In total 295 diseases and other lesions were found, an average of 7.2 per animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston
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203
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Abstract
PURPOSE Patients with adult-onset idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (AOIH) often have antibodies against the parathyroid glands and other tissues, suggestive of immune activation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether T-cell activation is also a component of the endocrine disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS We identified eight patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism diagnosed after the age of 30 years at two tertiary care centers and evaluated peripheral blood lymphocyte subset phenotype frequencies using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. Control subjects were 13 patients with Graves' disease (five thyrotoxic and eight euthyroid) and 110 healthy volunteers. In two of the patients with AOIH, we also determined the mitogenic response to parathyroid cell membranes in peripheral lymphocytes. RESULTS Patients with AOIH had higher than normal frequencies of the following phenotypes (p less than 0.05 versus controls, one-way analysis of variance): CD4, helper T cells; CD29/CD4, inducer of helper T cells; CD16 and CD56, natural killer cells; and CD3/DR, activated T cells coexpressing DR. Patients with Graves' disease had significantly higher than control frequencies of CD25 (T cells bearing the interleukin-2 receptor), CD3/DR, and CD26 (also a marker of T-cell activation); whereas the frequency of CD29/CD4 was significantly less than the control frequency. Neither of the two AOIH patients tested showed lymphocyte proliferation in response to parathyroid or thyroid cell membrane fractions. CONCLUSIONS Generalized T-cell activation represents a novel feature associated with AOIH. Although we could not demonstrate parathyroid-specific lymphocyte clonal expansion, these data are suggestive of a generalized immune disturbance possibly related to autoimmunity, in which one of the manifestations is hypoparathyroidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wortsman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Springfield
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204
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Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a deficiency in the receptor that clears low density lipoprotein (LDL) from the serum (reviewed in Ref. 1 and 2). Patients with one abnormal LDL receptor allele have moderate elevations in plasma LDL and suffer premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Approximately 5% of all patients under 45 who have had a myocardial infarction carry this trait. Patients with two abnormal LDL receptor genes (homozygous deficient patients) have severe hypercholesterolemia and life-threatening coronary artery disease in childhood. Strategies for treating patients with FH are directed at lowering the plasma level of LDL. In heterozygotes, this is accomplished through the administration of drugs that stimulate the expression of LDL receptor from the normal allele (2). This therapeutic approach is not effective in the treatment of homozygous deficient patients, especially those that retain less than 2% of residual LDL receptor activity. Partial amelioration of hyperlipidemia has been achieved in some homozygous deficient patients by diverting the portal circulation through a portacaval anastomosis (3) and by chronic plasmapheresis therapy (4). A more direct approach has been to correct the deficiency of hepatic LDL receptor by transplanting a liver that expresses normal levels of LDL receptor. Three patients that survived this procedure normalized their serum LDL-cholesterol (5-9). We have used an authentic animal model for FH, the Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic rabbit (WHHL), to develop gene therapies for the homozygous form of FH (10-13). The WHHL rabbit has a mutation in its LDL receptor gene which renders the receptor completely dysfunctional (12) leading to severe hypercholesterolemia, diffuse atherosclerosis, and premature death. The potential efficacy of gene therapy for FH is supported by a series of studies we have performed in the WHHL rabbit in which we have achieved metabolic improvement (14-18). Liver tissue was removed from WHHL rabbits and used to isolate hepatocytes and establish primary cultures. A functional rabbit LDL receptor gene was transduced into a high proportion of hepatocytes using recombinant retroviruses, and the genetically corrected cells were transplanted into the animal from which they were derived. Transplantation of the genetically corrected, autologous hepatocytes was associated with a 30-40% decrease in serum cholesterol that persisted for the duration of the experiment (4 months, Ref. 18). Recombinant derived LDL receptor RNA was detected in liver for at least 6 months. There was no apparent immunological response to the recombinant derived LDL receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Wilson
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School
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205
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Baker JR, Davey NJ, Ellaway PH, Friedland CL. Short-term synchrony of motor unit discharge during weak isometric contraction in Parkinson's disease. Brain 1992; 115 Pt 1:137-54. [PMID: 1559149 DOI: 10.1093/brain/115.1.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Short-term synchrony between the discharges of motor units has been assessed in Parkinson's disease (PD) and normal man. The discharges of single motor units were recorded in the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscle of the forearm or the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of the leg during weak, voluntary isometric contraction. Short-term synchrony was defined as a narrow peak (total width less than 25 ms) in cross-correlograms constructed from the discharges of pairs of motor units. There was no difference in the incidence of short-term synchrony between PD and normal age-matched subjects for either the EDC or TA muscle. On average, 60% of pairs of motor units exhibited synchrony, but this varied between 0% and 100% for both groups. The amount of short-term synchrony was assessed as the probability (above chance) of discharge of one motor unit with respect to the other. In TA, but not EDC, this index was greater for PD than for normal subjects. The high indices of synchrony in TA in PD were not related to lower discharge rates of motor units. Parkinson's disease subjects, but not normal subjects, also showed broad correlations that were invariably associated with periodic discharges in the range 4-6 Hz. In some instances, a peak of short-term synchrony was observed superimposed on the broad correlation. The periodic correlograms were often associated with overt tremor which accompanied the contraction. Motor units occasionally discharged paired impulses (doublet discharges) with short interspike intervals of 5-15 ms (normal and PD) or, as a more persistent feature in PD, longer interspike doublets (20-60 ms) associated with periodic synchrony (4-6 Hz). The abnormal discharge characteristics of motor units are discussed in relation to the bulbospinal control of presynaptic drive to motor neurons in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Physiology, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, UK
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206
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Cai WY, Lukes YG, Burch HB, Djuh YY, Carr F, Wartofsky L, Rhooms P, D'Avis J, Baker JR, Burman KD. Analysis of human TSH receptor gene and RNA transcripts in patients with thyroid disorders. Autoimmunity 1992; 13:43-50. [PMID: 1420806 DOI: 10.3109/08916939209014634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Human TSH receptor (hTSH-R) gene and RNA transcripts were analyzed by Southern and Northern blots in patients with various thyroid disorders, and in tissue cell lines. A 1.4 Kb cDNA encoding the extracellular human TSH-R domain was used as a probe. Southern analysis revealed two constant bands of 11.0 and 5.0 Kb (hTSH-R) in the thyroid and human white cell samples studied, regardless of the disease process. Northern analysis showed a predominant band at about 4.4 Kb in the thyroid tissues but not in non-thyroid tissue or cell lines tested. There were no gene rearrangements or abnormal transcripts in Graves' disease or multinodular goiter samples. In contrast, the labelled cDNA TSH-R probe did not bind to RNA isolated from 1 of 2 papillary cancer samples. A portion of the unique area of the h-TSH receptor (approximately nucleotides 1100-1230) was directly sequenced in thyroid glands from patients with Graves' disease, multinodular goiter, and differentiated thyroid cancer. No mutations or polymorphisms were identified in these samples, as compared to normal thyroid or control placenta, although further definition of sequence variation in other areas of the TSH receptor, as well as in more samples, needs to be performed. The present study indicates the normal patterns of DNA and RNA hybridization in a variety of thyroid tissues and disease states, and demonstrates that pathologic thyroid samples, with the possible exception of thyroid cancer, were not associated with specific nucleotide abnormalities in the unique area of the TSH receptor that was studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Y Cai
- Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307
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207
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Abstract
Natural killer cells form an integral component of the body's innate immune system. Natural killer cell activity is reduced during pregnancy, especially in the latter half. To investigate the role progesterone may play in immunomodulating natural killer cell activity during pregnancy, we evaluated the effect of RU 486 on natural killer cells isolated from pregnant subjects. Natural killer cell activity was measured with an 18-hour, Chromium 51 release, microcytotoxicity assay with K-562 cells as target cells. We demonstrated that RU 486, in a concentration range from 5 to 40 mumol/L, augmented natural killer activity threefold to fivefold over baseline. This augmentation of activity was suppressed to baseline by the addition of excess progesterone. The addition of hydrocortisone resulted in an insignificant reduction in this augmented activity. This study suggests that progesterone may play a role as an immunomodulating factor in maternal acceptance of the fetal allograft.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Hansen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C
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208
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Chowdhury JR, Grossman M, Gupta S, Chowdhury NR, Baker JR, Wilson JM. Long-term improvement of hypercholesterolemia after ex vivo gene therapy in LDLR-deficient rabbits. Science 1991; 254:1802-5. [PMID: 1722351 DOI: 10.1126/science.1722351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 293] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder in humans that is caused by a deficiency of low density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs). An animal model for FH, the Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic rabbit, was used to develop an approach for liver-directed gene therapy based on transplantation of autologous hepatocytes that were genetically corrected ex vivo with recombinant retroviruses. Animals transplanted with LDLR-transduced autologous hepatocytes demonstrated a 30 to 50 percent decrease in total serum cholesterol that persisted for the duration of the experiment (122 days). Recombinant-derived LDLR RNA was harvested from tissues with no diminution for up to 6.5 months after transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Chowdhury
- Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461
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209
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Anderson RS, Baker JR, Bennett M, Clarkson MJ, Dawson S, Dobson H, Duran O, Edwards GB, Finn CA, Fitzpatrick RJ. Transport of live animals for slaughter. Vet Rec 1991; 129:515. [PMID: 1785171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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210
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Abstract
1. Recordings were made of the firing of pairs of intrinsic hand muscle motor units active under different task conditions in man. The different tasks were defined as isometric contractions producing force in one of three different directions: finger abduction, finger extension, or finger flexion. The degree of motor-unit synchronization associated with each of these task conditions was compared with the use of cross-correlation analysis. 2. The average amount of synchronization between the firing of motor units recorded from within first dorsal interosseous muscle (IDI) was greater during index finger extension than during index finger abduction (n = 8 motor-unit pairings, 3 subjects). In addition, for another sample population of motor units, the average amount of synchronization was greater during index finger abduction than during index finger flexion (n = 11 motor-unit pairings, 4 subjects). 3. In a further series of experiments, one motor unit of each pair was recorded from second dorsal interosseous muscle (2DI), whereas the other motor unit of each pair was recorded from 1DI. The average amount of synchronization for these motor-unit pairings was greater during extension of the index and middle fingers than during abduction of the index and middle fingers (n = 8, 4 subjects). For another sample population of such motor-unit pairings, the average amount of synchronization was found to be greater during abduction of the index and middle fingers than during flexion of the index and middle fingers (n = 11, 4 subjects). 4. In approximately one-third of cases, it was not found possible to maintain the same firing rates from two motor units in 1DI when active under different task conditions. For instance, the "reference" motor unit might consistently fire at a faster rate than the "response" motor unit when active during index finger extension but consistently fire at a slower rate than the response motor unit when active during index finger abduction. Where such motor-unit pairs have been studied in detail, the pattern of task dependence in their synchronization was found to be similar to that described above for motor-unit pairs in which the firing rates remained constant under the different task conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- F D Bremner
- Department of Physiology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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211
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Baker JR, Catley MC, Davey NJ, Ellaway PH. Influence of the pontine and medullary reticular formation on synchrony of gamma motoneurone discharge in the cat. Exp Brain Res 1991; 87:604-14. [PMID: 1783029 DOI: 10.1007/bf00227085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Discharges of gamma motoneurones were recorded from cut filaments of the nerve to the gastrocnemius medialis muscle in the cat decerebrated at an intercollicular level. Gamma motoneurones exhibited a background discharge in the absence of intentional stimulation, or could be made to discharge by continuous, innocuous stimulation of the skin of the heel. The discharges were periodic and regular (low coefficient of variation of interspike intervals), and no correlation was observed between the discharges of pairs of individual gamma efferents. Electrolytic lesion of the ipsilateral pontine and medullary reticular formation in the nucleus subcoeruleus, the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis or the nucleus reticularis magnocellularis, invariably decreased regularity of discharge and resulted in short term synchrony. Lesions of the peri-aqueductal grey, the nucleus raphe dorsalis or the midline raphe nuclei did not induce synchrony. Surgical lesions in the locus coeruleus caused irregular firing and synchrony only when the lesion extended into the adjacent nucleus subcoeruleus. We conclude that monoaminergic neurones of the nucleus subcoeruleus, or a closely associated tegmental field, with axons descending through the gigantocellularis and magnocellularis fields, are the most likely origin of the bulbospinal control of synchronizing influences on gamma motoneurone discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Physiology, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, UK
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212
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Affiliation(s)
- H J West
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, South Wirral
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213
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Baker JR, Leigh T. The immunopathogenesis of AIDS. Dermatol Clin 1991; 9:403-13. [PMID: 1873922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In summary, the understanding of the pathogenesis of immune dysfunction in HIV infection is incomplete. New mechanisms by which HIV disrupts the immune system through alterations in basic biochemical events in CD4 T cells are continually being discovered. In a positive light, because of the complexity involved in HIV-mediated induction of immune suppression, logic suggests there is potential for reversing some of these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
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214
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Abstract
We measured the half-time of disappearance of 125I-labelled glycated albumins in a rat model of diabetes with continuous infusion of physiological saline and insulin. Our results indicate that (i) in non-diabetic rats, continuous infusion of saline per se did not affect the concentrations of glucose or of fructosamine, and the half-time of disappearance of albumin was unaffected by degree of glycation; (ii) hyperglycaemia (mean plasma glucose concentration of 18-27 mmol/l) caused a small but significant increase in half-time of labelled glycated albumin disappearance from a mean of 42 h to a mean of 47 h; (iii) this effect of hyperglycaemia outweighed any effect of increase in albumin excretion detected in poorly controlled diabetic rats without infusion. We conclude that the effect of hyperglycaemia in slowing turnover of glycated albumin is likely to be insignificant in relation to its effect in promoting glycation, and may be species-dependent. However, in nondiabetics, variation of turnover of glycated albumin may well be significant in explaining the wide interindividual variation in concentration of glycated protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- R N Johnson
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Green Lane Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
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215
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Abstract
There is ample documentation of the binding of chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans to low density lipoprotein (LDL) both in vivo and in vitro. The interaction of these two species may be an early and important step in atherogenesis. Therefore, there is interest in defining the features of both molecules that are critical for their interaction. We employed a recently described competitive microassay that measures initial binding of proteoglycan to immobilized LDL. We confirmed the work of others that it is the apolipoprotein B component and, at least in part, a heparin-binding domain of LDL that are responsible for binding chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans. The principal thrust of our study was concerned with the effects of a glycosaminoglycan's degree of sulfation on the binding to LDL. Initial experiments comparing dermatan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans indicated that the former was more efficient at binding LDL than the latter and that oversulfation, rather than chain length or iduronate content, was the preeminent feature involved. Additional binding studies with dermatan sulfate, chemically sulfated chondroitin-4-sulfate, and naturally occurring oversulfated chondroitin sulfates indicated that the degree of sulfation, not the position of sulfation, determined affinity for LDL. These results suggest that studies should be undertaken to determine whether oversulfated segments of glycosaminoglycans are especially involved in associations with LDL, leading to lipid accumulation, in the artery wall.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sambandam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294
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216
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Abstract
An earlier report of HIV-1 gene sequences in thyroid cell genomic DNA from patients with Graves' disease prompted use of the polymerase chain reaction technique to identify such sequences in Graves' disease thyroid tissue and in white blood-cells from these patients. We were unable to confirm the existence of HIV-1-related DNA sequences in Graves' specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Humphrey
- Endocrine-Metabolic Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307
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217
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Abstract
1. Cross-correlation analysis of the discharges of individual motor units recorded from various different finger muscles has been performed during weak, isometric, voluntary contractions in man. 2. The dominant feature in 88% of the cross-correlograms studied was a narrow, central peak, the area of which significantly exceeded that expected for independent processes (P less than 0.001). The highest bin counts in these central peaks were mostly within 5 ms of time zero in the histograms, and the base of these peaks extended between 5 and 31 ms (modal value = 13 ms with 90% of the values lying between 8 and 18 ms). The width and displacement of the central cross-correlogram peaks were similar irrespective of whether the contributory spike trains were recorded from motor units active in the same finger muscle or recorded from motor units in different, co-activated finger muscles. 3. The time course of the central peaks in this study was found to be consistent with the hypothesis that it is generated by the joint occurrence of EPSPs evoked in motoneurones by branches of common stem presynaptic fibres using the theoretical model developed by Kirkwood (Kirkwood & Sears, 1978). The model parameters providing the best fit with our experimental data imply that synaptic contacts on motoneurones made by these common inputs lie on average peripherally in the dendritic tree and generate small (less than 300 microV) EPSPs superimposed on a high level of background synaptic noise. 4. Minima (troughs) were found either side of the central peak in 27% of the cross-correlograms studied, and their appearance was invariably associated with a large central peak. These secondary features could not be modelled with the same operator parameters that describe the central peaks. Their presence was particularly noticed in association with very regular discharges from the output motoneurones. 5. Smaller and broader secondary peaks symmetrically displaced 30-55 ms either side of the large, narrow central peak were observed in 7% of the cross-correlograms studied. We suggest that these secondary features which were found at lags shorter than the interspike interval of the contributory motor unit spike trains reflect the autocorrelation functions of the spike trains of common input fibres. On this basis the observed displacement of these secondary peaks from the primary feature in the cross-correlogram indicate firing rates for common input fibres in the range 18-33 impulses s-1. 6. In a small number of cases (1.4%) the cross-correlogram was flat and indistinguishable from the results of cross-correlating independent spike train data.
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Affiliation(s)
- F D Bremner
- Department of Physiology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London
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218
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Abstract
1. Cross-correlation analysis was performed on the discharges of motor units recorded from the same or from different finger muscles during weak, voluntary isometric contractions in man. 2. In 88% of cases such cross-correlograms contained a narrow central peak indicating synchronization between the firing of the contributory motor units. Expressed in terms of the synchronization index, b (peak area/total number of reference plus response spikes) the amount of synchronization found in these different recordings ranged from b = 0.0057 to b = 0.1436 (n = 1230). The duration of the synchronization (measured across the base of the peak) ranged from 5 to 31 ms (mode = 13 ms). 3. For each pair of motor units examined the amount of synchronization between their firing varied from minute to minute of a long recording. In around half the cases studied this variation appeared to correspond to variation in the firing rates of the two motor units whereas in the other half of cases tested no relationship was found between the firing rates and the amount of synchronization. 4. Some motor unit pairings consistently showed more synchronization than other motor unit pairings within the same muscle. A frequency histogram of the synchrony measurements from all of the motor unit pairings tested in that muscle showed a unimodal and continuous distribution. 5. Some subjects consistently showed two or three times more motor unit synchronization than others in equivalent recordings. This rank order of motor unit synchronization in different subjects was found to be the same in all muscle pairings tested. 6. A similar distribution in the amount of motor unit synchronization found in different muscle pairings was found in all subjects tested. In the first place the firing of motor units which act on widely separated fingers was less synchronized than the firing of motor units acting on adjacent fingers. Secondly, motor units acting on the lateral fingers (thumb, index) showed less synchronization in their discharges than motor units acting on medial fingers (ring, little). Finally the firing of motor units in the finger flexor muscles were less synchronized than the firing of motor units in either the finger abductor or the finger extensor muscles. 7. The synchronization of motor unit activity in different muscles indicates the presence of a widespread projection pattern for the branches of some last-order input fibres to finger muscle motoneurones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- F D Bremner
- Department of Physiology, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London
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219
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Baker JR, Miller FW, Steinberg AD, Burman KD. Thyroid stimulating and thyrotrophin binding-inhibitory immunoglobulin activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus having thyroid function abnormalities. Thyroid 1991; 1:229-34. [PMID: 1688101 DOI: 10.1089/thy.1991.1.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In order to determine whether thyroid function abnormalities seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are associated with autoantibodies directed against the TSH receptor, 28 patients with SLE who demonstrated abnormal thyroid function tests were evaluated for the presence of anti-TSH receptor antibodies. Anti-TSH receptor antibody activity was evaluated by assessing cAMP production in vitro in FRTL-5 (rat thyroid) cells (TSI) and the ability of the subjects' IgG to block the binding of thyrotrophin to its receptor in vitro (TBII). Complete thyroid function tests, including TRH testing, also were performed. Ten of the 28 patients demonstrated TSI activity, ranging from 133% to 183% of control. Five patients also had evidence of TBII activity, ranging from 22% to 90% inhibition (of control TSH binding levels), with 2 patients having evidence of both types of antibodies. Neither the TSI nor TBII activity in these patients was associated with the abnormal thyroid function tests. However, there were significantly more patients with TBII activity who had elevated TSH levels (3 of 4 vs 1 of 24, p less than 0.05), suggesting a potential physiologic response to TSH receptor blockade. These results indicate that patients with SLE and thyroid function abnormalities can demonstrate TBII and TSI activity in their serum. However, these antibodies do not necessarily correlate with specific abnormalities of thyroid function.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
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220
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Baker JR, Christner JE, Ekborg SL. An unsulphated region of the rat chondrosarcoma chondroitin sulphate chain and its binding to monoclonal antibody 3B3. Biochem J 1991; 273(Pt 1):237-9. [PMID: 1899187 PMCID: PMC1149906 DOI: 10.1042/bj2730237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The chondroitin sulphate chains of proteoglycans are not uniformly sulphated. Commonly, regions of under- and over-sulphation are found. It is probable that variability in chondroitin sulphation has physiological significance, although such structure-function relationships largely remain unexplored. Chondroitin sulphate from rat chondrosarcoma proteoglycan has been found to possess no oversulphated residues. It is primarily chondroitin 4-sulphate, although a significant proportion of unsulphated disaccharides (14%) are also present. It appears that some unsulphated disaccharides are concentrated only at the point of attachment to the linkage region (i.e. it is the major unsaturated disaccharide remaining attached to chondrosarcoma proteoglycan core produced by chondroitinase ABC digestion). This proteoglycan core binds monoclonal antibody (MAb) 3B3. Although 3B3 principally binds to 6-sulphated 'stubs' of proteoglycan cores [Couchman, Caterson, Christner & Baker (1984) Nature (London) 307, 650-652], given a high concentration of unsulphated 'stubs', it can alternatively bind to these residues. It is also evident that caution must be exercised in using MAb 3B3 to identify chondroitin 6-sulphated proteoglycans.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294
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221
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Abstract
Five hundred seven women were screened for gestational diabetes between 20-36 weeks' gestation. All received a 100-g glucose (polycose) load at 28 weeks with measurement of plasma glucose 1 hour later. Fructosamine levels were measured at 4-week intervals from 20-36 weeks. At 36 weeks, a full 100-g 3-hour glucose tolerance test was performed on all subjects. Eighteen women were diagnosed as having gestational diabetes. The glucose load had a sensitivity of 81% in detection of gestational diabetes, compared with 50% for fructosamine at 36 weeks. Fructosamine is not useful as a screening test for gestational diabetes as currently defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Roberts
- Department of Obstetrics, National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
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222
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Mark MP, Karcher-Djuricic V, Baker JR, Ruch JV. Effects of beta-D-xyloside on morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation in cultured embryonic mouse molars. Cell Differ Dev 1990; 32:1-16. [PMID: 2128618 DOI: 10.1016/0922-3371(90)90094-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic mouse molars were grown on a semi-solid medium supplemented with 2 mM beta-D-xylopyranoside (beta-xyloside), a specific inhibitor of proteoglycan synthesis. The induced glycosaminoglycan depletion in the extracellular matrix was monitored by immunohistochemistry employing monoclonal antibodies to chondroitin 4- and chondroitin 6-sulfates. beta-Xyloside inhibited formation of the dental bell and delayed the appearance of the first odontoblasts. Odontoblast functional differentiation proceeded in the absence of chondroitin sulfate in the basement membrane. Predentin secreted in the presence of beta-xyloside triggered the polarization of ameloblasts, but did not allow the maintenance of polarized odontoblasts. These results support the hypothesis that, in the tooth germ, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans participate in the regulation of cell kinetic-dependent morphogenesis (Mark et al., 1990. Differentiation 43, 37-50). On the other hand, the possibility that chondroitin sulfate might play a role in odontoblast terminal differentiation is definitively ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Mark
- Institut de Biologie Médicale, INSERM, Université Louis Pasteur, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France
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223
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Fernandez-Bueno C, Shaver TR, Baker JR, Samimi F, Reinmuth B, Peters TG. Transplantation in the military: state of the art--a progress report from the Army-Navy Transplant Program. Mil Med 1990; 155:411-3. [PMID: 2120626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The commitment to clinical transplantation services by the Army and Navy is now in its third decade. Located at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Army-Navy Organ Transplant Service has been staffed and led by some of the most prominent transplant surgeons in America. Military beneficiaries are eligible for evaluation and care regardless of their geographic assignment or residence. Principally a renal transplant clinical service, the Organ Transplant Service also gives support to patients with heart, liver, and pancreas grafts. Organs for transplant are largely (85%) from the civilian sector, although the Department of Defense has officially encouraged organ donation. Research, scientific publication, protocol development, teaching, and interaction with reserve components have been major facets of the Organ Transplant Service. Clinical outcome in renal transplantation at the Army-Navy Unit is comparable to that at the best civilian units: 2-year graft and patient survival 81% and 98%, respectively. These superior clinical results and the major roles that the Army-Navy Transplant Service have played make continued support and expansion of military transplantation compelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fernandez-Bueno
- Department of Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001
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224
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Weiss RB, Donehower RC, Wiernik PH, Ohnuma T, Gralla RJ, Trump DL, Baker JR, Van Echo DA, Von Hoff DD, Leyland-Jones B. Hypersensitivity reactions from taxol. J Clin Oncol 1990; 8:1263-8. [PMID: 1972736 DOI: 10.1200/jco.1990.8.7.1263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 859] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Taxol is an antitumor agent in clinical trial that has been shown to have activity against advanced ovarian carcinoma and melanoma. Hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) have been one of the toxicities observed with administration of this drug. Of 301 patients treated, 32 patients have had definite (27 patients) or possible (five patients) hypersensitivity reactions to taxol. All but one patient had the reaction from the first or second exposure to this agent. Reactions occurred at a variety of doses and were characterized most frequently by dyspnea, hypotension, bronchospasm, urticaria, and erythematous rashes. Thirteen (41%) patients had received premedication designed to prevent such toxicity; nevertheless, they sustained HSRs. Prolonging the drug infusion appears to have somewhat reduced, but not obviated, the risk of HSRs. The cause (taxol itself or its excipient Cremophor EL; Badische Anilin und Soda-Fabrik AG [BASF], Ludwigshafen, Federal Republic of Germany) and the mechanism of these reactions to taxol are unknown. We provide guidelines to prevent or minimize such toxicity and treat reactions if they still occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Weiss
- Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307
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225
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Patterson LJ, May SA, Baker JR. Skeletal metastasis of a penile squamous cell carcinoma. Vet Rec 1990; 126:579-80. [PMID: 2368306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L J Patterson
- Division of Equine Studies, University of Liverpool, Neston, South Wirral, Cheshire
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226
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Abstract
Analysis of 56 samples of grey seal milk produced a mean composition of 50% fat, 36.2% water, 12% protein, 0.7% lactose and 0.8% ash. For the first 3 days of lactation the fat content was particularly low while the water content was high, but during lactation the fat content increased whilst the water content fell. No trends were seen in protein, lactose or ash content.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Wirral, Merseyside
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227
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Mark MP, Baker JR, Morrison K, Ruch JV. Chondroitin sulfates in developing mouse tooth germs. An immunohistochemical study with monoclonal antibodies against chondroitin-4 and chondroitin-6 sulfates. Differentiation 1990; 43:37-50. [PMID: 1694801 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-0436.1990.tb00428.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The role of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans during ontogenesis is not known. The developing tooth offers a potentially important model for studies of structure-function relationships. In this study, we have analysed the temproal and spatial expression of chondroitins of differing sulfation patterns in embryonic molars and incisors. For this purpose, we have used monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) specific for unsulfated, 4-sulfated, and 6-sulfated forms of chondroitin in conjunction with indirect immunofluorescence or immunoperoxidase labeling. Unsulfated chondroitin was not detected in embryonic teeth. Chondroitin 4- and chondroitin 6-sulfates were present in the stellate reticulum but otherwise they were confined to the dental mesenchyme. The 3B3 and MC21C-epitope, which are markers of 6-sulfated chondroitin, were uniformly distributed in the dental mesenchyme during the bud stage; they disappeared from the dental papilla of the cusps and of the anterior region of the incisor as development proceeded. These epitopes were absent from the basement membrane and from the predentin. In the odontoblastic cell lineage, the 3B3 and MC21C-epitopes were detected only between preodontoblasts at an early stage of differentiation. The monoclonal antibody 2B6 served as a probe to localize chondroitin 4-sulfate. This glycosaminoglycan was detected as early as the dental lamina stage but its expression was restricted to the basement membrane of the teeth until the late bell stage. After the onset of cusp formation, strong staining was also observed over the occlusal region of the dental papilla while the cervical region of the dental papilla remained 2B6-negative. Incisors at the bell stage exhibited a decreasing gradient of immunostaining by 2B6 from their anterior region to their posterior end. The extracellular matrix surrounding preodontoblasts reacted with 2B6 and the predentin, produced by the odontoblasts, was also intensely labeled with this antibody. Comparison between immunostaining with 3B3 and 2B6, on consecutive sections revealed a mutually exclusive pattern of distribution of the corresponding epitopes during odontogenesis. Furthermore, in the continuously growing incisor, a striking positive correlation was found between the immunostaining patterns produced by 3B3 and MC21C and the mitotic indices along the anterior-posterior axis of the tooth. Hence, sulfation of chondroitin seems developmentally regulated. We postulate that changes in the sulfation pattern of chondroitin might play a role in ontogenesis by locally altering the functional properties of the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Mark
- Institut de Biologie Médicale, INSERM-Université Louis Pasteur, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France
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228
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Abstract
Investigation showed that the common causes of death in North Ronaldsay lambs were trauma due to behavioural patterns and starvation/hypothermia due in part to poor condition of the ewes.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral
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229
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Abstract
Post-mortem examinations on 71 native sheep found dead on the island of North Ronaldsay, Orkney in four visits between April 1983 and July 1985 were carried out. The sheep in this almost feral flock have access to a small area of unmanaged moorland pasture but are otherwise restricted to the foreshore where they subsist largely on Laminaria spp. and other seaweeds. Young adult animals died largely of heavy parasite burdens combined with inadequate nutrition, while the older sheep often starved because of severe dental disease precipitated by heavy deposits of tartar on the cheek teeth--rarely seen in sheep on a more conventional diet. Other underlying metabolic conditions, such as the extensive mineralization of the kidney medulla in many mature sheep, may be debilitating. The pathological findings suggest that adaptation to the peculiar environmental rigours and dietary restrictions on North Ronaldsay is less complete than has previously been assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Britt
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
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230
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Mark MP, Baker JR, Kimata K, Ruch JV. Regulated changes in chondroitin sulfation during embryogenesis: an immunohistochemical approach. Int J Dev Biol 1990; 34:191-204. [PMID: 2118368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, which represent the main class of nonfibrous macromolecules found in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues, have been implicated in the control of a variety of cell activities during ontogenesis. The respective contributions of the chondroitin sulfate chains and of the protein moiety of the proteoglycan in morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation are not known. In this context, monoclonal antibodies identifying specific chondroitin sulfate chains are interesting new tools. A panel of well characterized monoclonal antibodies recognizing distinct epitopes present only in chondroitin sulfate chains was used in conjunction with immunohistochemical techniques for the purpose of identifying and mapping chondroitin sulfate isoforms during development in the mouse and rat fetus. Expression of chondroitin sulfate isoforms occurred in the tissues according to specific spatio-temporal patterns, suggesting that chondroitin sulfates differing in sulfation position and degree perform distinct functions in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Mark
- Institut de Biologie Médicale, INSERM-Université Louis Pasteur, Faculté de Médecipe, Strasbourg, France
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231
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Abstract
A method for the microassay in vitro of lipoprotein: proteoglycan interactions is described. The wells of a plastic 96-well microtitration plate are coated with low density lipoprotein. A limiting quantity of biotin-conjugated proteoglycan is allowed to bind to each coated well, and the amount of the latter retained in wells is estimated spectrophotometrically through subsequent binding of alkaline phosphatase-conjugated avidin. Many of the incubation parameters (e.g., time, pH, salt concentration, divalent cations), which influence the extent of binding of biotin-conjugated proteoglycan, have been studied and optimized. The effect upon binding of introducing different levels of proteoglycans or lipoproteins at the interaction step can be measured readily. Thus, the orders of increasing relative binding affinities were found to be high density lipoprotein less than Lipoprotein (a) less than low density lipoprotein; rat chondrosarcoma proteoglycan less than bovine nasal cartilage proteoglycan less than human aorta proteoglycan; chondroitin 4-sulfate less than chondroitin 6-sulfate less than dermatan sulfate for lipoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Christner
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294
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232
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Baker JR, Fedak MA, Anderson SS, Arnbom T, Baker R. Use of a tiletamine-zolazepam mixture to immobilise wild grey seals and southern elephant seals. Vet Rec 1990. [PMID: 2309387 DOI: 10.1136/vr.126.4.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
A mixture of tiletamine and zolazepam at a combined dose of 1 mg/kg was a reliable and safe agent for immobilising wild grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and southern elephant seals (Mirouga leonina). The agent had a number of advantages over all the other agents used previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool
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233
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Abstract
Immunoglobulin concentrations were measured in the serum and colostrum of adult and pup Grey seals from North Rona in the outer Hebrides and the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth. IgG was shown to be the main immunoglobulin and two subclasses were identified. Serum immunoglobulin content was low in the week-old pups and increased up to 5 weeks, although it remained substantially lower than in the adults. Colostral immunoglobulins were high and cannot explain the low values in the pup serum. It is considered that the increased opportunistic infections seen in Grey seal pups may be related to this low immunoglobulin status.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Carter
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, U.K
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234
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Abstract
Fast Fourier transform analysis can be used to accurately and rapidly detect pattern in large two-dimensional arrangements of points, such as the locations of cells in culture or plants in a unit square. We present here a sample study of pattern in spatial random point processes. This is evidently the first time that Fourier transform-based cross-correlation techniques have been applied to the analysis of point processes of biological origin. Radial profiles of the power spectra and autocorrelation estimates revealed a nearly constant interpore distance of 0.49 +/- 0.04 mm in the locations of eccrine gland pores on the surface of human skin. Additionally, gland-free areas may exist near hair follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cullander
- Department of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco
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235
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Baker JR. Immunologic disorders of the endocrine system. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1989; 84:1088-92. [PMID: 2600346 DOI: 10.1016/0091-6749(89)90159-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor
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236
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Abstract
Thirty-four grey seals which died of natural causes were examined. They ranged in age from aborted fetuses to adults, but suckling pups were excluded from the study. The commonest primary cause of death was pneumonia and a variety of parasitoses occurred as secondary lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool
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237
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Baker JR, Laurence BR. Filariasis in history. Parasitol Today 1989; 5:356. [PMID: 15463153 DOI: 10.1016/0169-4758(89)90110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
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238
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Abstract
To evaluate whether significant differences in immunoglobulin composition exist among the three commercially available intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) preparations, we compared three of these products in terms of their quantitative immunoglobulin concentration, IgG subclass concentration, and the presence of IgG aggregates. Three different lots were tested for each of the IVIG formulations, and the IgG subclass assays were performed by three different laboratories. Differences were found among the three formulations in subclass concentration and aggregate content. Sandoglobulin (Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, N.J.) contained a significantly higher amount of IgG2 (p less than 0.002) compared to the other formulations. All the formulations tested were found to be deficient in IgG4 relative to the World Health Organization standards, with Gammagard (Hyland Therapeutics, Glendale, Calif.) demonstrating only negligible amounts. Immunoglobulin aggregate content was different among manufacturers with Gamimmune N (Cutter Biological, Berkeley, Calif.) containing the highest amount of monomer IgG (99.8%). Significant differences were found in the subclass results obtained by the ICN ImmunoBiologicals assay (Lisle, Ill.), compared to the two reference laboratories. This difference among the subclass assays raises the question as to the use of these assays in the evaluation of patients with suspected subclass deficiencies. The differences in subclass concentration and aggregate content in IVIG preparations were great, and future clinical trials with these formulations would be indicated to determine the clinical significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Herrera
- Department of Allergy and Immunology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C
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239
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Baker
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral
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240
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Kaulfersch W, Baker JR, Burman KD, Fiocchi C, Ahmann AJ, D'Avis JC, Waldmann TA. [Molecular genetic detection of polyclonal immune response in autoimmune thyroiditis and inflammatory bowel diseases]. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 1989; 137:610-5. [PMID: 2554127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Southern blot hybridization techniques were used to analyze the arrangements of the immunoglobulin and the T cell antigen receptor genes in lymphocytes of patients with Graves disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis as well as in patients with Crohn's disease, chronic ulcerative colitis, and with other gastrointestinal disease. The results indicate that the immune response of autoimmune thyroid disease and inflammatory bowel disease is of polyclonal origin.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Blotting, Southern
- Child
- Cloning, Molecular
- Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics
- Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology
- Crohn Disease/genetics
- Crohn Disease/immunology
- Female
- Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte
- Gene Rearrangement, beta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor/genetics
- Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor/genetics
- Graves Disease/genetics
- Graves Disease/immunology
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/genetics
- Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/immunology
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241
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242
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243
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Baker JR, McCann TS. Pathology and bacteriology of adult male Antarctic fur seals, Arctocephalus gazella, dying at Bird Island, South Georgia. Br Vet J 1989; 145:263-75. [PMID: 2736383 DOI: 10.1016/0007-1935(89)90079-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A high mortality rate occurs in Antarctic fur seal males on the breeding breaches of Bird Island, South Georgia. The main causes of death were infections of fighting wounds and pneumonias. The bacteria involved appear to be opportunistic pathogens, predominantly various strains of streptococci.
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244
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Baker JR, Clayton ER, Taylor BW. A non-linear multi-criteria programming approach for determining county emergency medical service ambulance allocations. J Oper Res Soc 1989; 40:423-432. [PMID: 10303559 DOI: 10.1057/jors.1989.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In this paper an integer, non-linear mathematical programming model is developed to allocate emergency medical service (EMS) ambulances to sectors within a county in order to meet a government-mandated response-time criterion. However, in addition to the response-time criterion, the model also reflects criteria for budget and work-load, and, since ambulance response is best described within the context of a queueing system, several of the model system constraints are based on queueing formulations adapted to a mathematical programming format. The model is developed and demonstrated within the context of an example of a county encompassing rural, urban and mixed sectors which exhibit different demand and geographic characteristics. The example model is solved using an integer, non-linear goal-programming technique. The solution results provide ambulance allocations to sectors within the county, the probability of an ambulance exceeding a prespecified response time, and the utilization factor for ambulances per sector.
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245
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Abstract
Achalasia is a neuromuscular disorder of the esophagus with unknown etiology. There have been suggestions that this disorder is immunologically mediated. To examine this possibility, HLA phenotyping was prospectively performed on 40 patients with documented achalasia (24 Caucasian, 16 blacks). Results showed a positive association for the class II HLA antigen, DQw1, with 83% of Caucasians (P less than 0.02) and 86% of blacks having the antigen (NS). The relative risk for developing achalasia with the presence of DQw1 was 4.2 in Caucasians and 3.6 in blacks. A negative correlation for the DRw53 antigen was noted in Caucasian patients with a relative risk of 0.23. These results indicate an immunogenetic association for achalasia and provide insight into the pathogenesis of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- R K Wong
- Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20307-5001
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246
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Drabick
- Department of Clinical Investigation, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C
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247
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Sack J, Zilberstein D, Barile MF, Lukes YG, Baker JR, Wartofsky L, Burman KD. Binding of thyrotropin to selected Mycoplasma species: detection of serum antibodies against a specific Mycoplasma membrane antigen in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. J Endocrinol Invest 1989; 12:77-86. [PMID: 2754187 DOI: 10.1007/bf03349925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Radiolabeled human (hTSH) and bovine (bTSH) thyroid stimulating hormone was shown to bind to five species of Mycoplasma, the wall-less prokaryotes. The maximum binding capacity of 125I-bTSH to these five species was about 7.9 x 10(-13) moles-1.4 x 10(-12) moles for 50-100 micrograms protein with dissociation constants of approximately 1.7 to 2.2 x 10(-7)M. Approximately 50% of the 125I-bTSH binding was displaced by excess, unlabeled bTSH or hTSH, but labeled bTSH was not effectively displaced by growth hormone, LH, FSH, prolactin, or the beta subunit of hTSH, FSH and LH. Antisera prepared against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma pneumoniae bound to human thyroid membranes and guinea pig fat cells, suggesting that receptors on human thyroid tissues and on Mycoplasma cells may have similarities in antigenicity. These findings were substantiated by the occurrence of TSH binding to Mycoplasma antisera. Further, sera from three of six patients with Graves' disease containing antibodies to thyroid tissues also reacted to a 108 Kd polypeptide of Mycoplasma gallisepticum.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sack
- Department of Medicine, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001
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248
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Baker JR. The 'Ryan virus'. Parasitol Today 1989; 5:40. [PMID: 15463177 DOI: 10.1016/0169-4758(89)90189-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
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249
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250
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Abstract
The parotid gland is added to the list of parenchymal organs, notably the pancreas, in which osteoclast-like cells appear as constituent cells in their neoplasms. The cells' role in the neoplasms is a reactive one or, more rarely, as an integral element in an osteoclast-type giant cell neoplasm or so-called osteoclastoma. Distinctive in histological appearance, the osteoclast-type giant cell neoplasm is a malignant lesion that, to date, has been described only in the pancreas and parotid glands. This report presents examples of each type of giant cell lesion in the parotid gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Batsakis
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston
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