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Biomedical subjects

B Paterson

Publications and source records attributed to B Paterson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Hypothalamic expression of a novel gene product, VGF: immunocytochemical analysis.

VGF is the designation for a new 712 amino acid protein, regulated by nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC12 cells, that has not been previously described in the CNS. Northern blot analysis with a nick-translated VGF cDNA probe revealed a single band of mRNA in the brain with a molecular weight identical to that found in PC12 cells. The current paper presents a series of immunocytochemical studies of VGF expression with a focus on the hypothalamus. Two different antisera were raised against nonoverlapping amino acid sequences of a bacterial-expressed protein from the VGF gene cloned from PC12 cells. VGF immunoreactivity is strongly expressed in the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), particularly in the dorsomedial part of the nucleus. The administration of colchicine to block axonal transport facilitates detection of the VGF immunoreactivity also in the ventrolateral suprachiasmatic nucleus. This protein appears to be the first one of limited neuronal distribution which is found in both dorsomedial SCN and ventrolateral SCN. Immunostaining of serial 1 micron SCN sections reveals co-localization of VGF in cells which also contain vasopressin or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Weaker immunoreactivity is also found in the magnocellular paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, where the VGF immunoreactivity co-localizes with oxytocin or vasopressin. Mutant Brattleboro rats which do not express vasopressin showed strong VGF immunoreactivity both in the dorsomedial SCN and in cells of the magnocellular neuronal systems, including cells which normally express vasopressin. When axonal transport of the protein is blocked by colchicine, VGF-immunoreactive cells in the hypothalamic arcuate, parvocellular paraventricular, and tuberomammillary nuclei can also be detected, in addition to weakly immunoreactive scattered cells in the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and cortex. VGF immunoreactivity is strong in the axonal projections of SCN and weak in the axons of the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. With ultrastructural studies, VGF immunoreactivity is found in presynaptic boutons in the SCN and in axons in the neurohypophysis. Weak axonal staining is present in some regions of the hypothalamus and in the external and internal zones of the median eminence. Immunoreactivity is absent from the intermediate lobe of the hypophysis. In neonatal rats strong VGF immunoreactivity is found throughout the SCN at postnatal day 4 but not in the adjacent hypothalamus. VGF immunoreactivity is also seen in other areas of the brain in neonatal rats, including the lateral geniculate nucleus; while the staining in the dorsal lateral geniculate disappears in the adult, that in the intergeniculate leaflet, a visual center which projects to the SCN, remains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential binding of a CCAAT DNA binding factor to the promoters of the mouse alpha 2(I) and alpha 1(III) collagen genes.

An exonuclease III assay (Wu, C. (1985) Nature 317, 84-87) was used to identify in nuclear extracts of NIH 3T3 cells a factor which binds to the CCAAT segment of the alpha 2(I) collagen promoter between -80 and -84. This sequence is located on the coding strand in the alpha 2(I) collagen promoter. Binding is specific since only promoter fragments which contain the CCAAT box sequences on one or the other DNA strand inhibit binding to the alpha 2(I) collagen CCAAT box. The CCAAT binding factor protects approximately 26 base pairs of the alpha 2(I) collagen promoter from exonuclease III digestion. Binding to the alpha 2(I) collagen promoter CCAAT box is not inhibited by a fragment of the alpha 1(III) collagen promoter (from -396 to +16), which does not contain a CCAAT sequence on either one or the other strand. Our data suggest that two genes such as the alpha 2(I) and alpha 1(III) collagen genes, which are coordinately expressed in many tissues, are not necessarily regulated by the same trans-acting DNA binding proteins.

Animals↗

Use of haptenizing ELISA to evaluate respiratory disease in a worker exposed to capacitor-coating powder.

We were asked to evaluate respiratory disease in a worker exposed to a powder containing unidentified components that was heated and used to coat capacitors. Because the powder was used as a coating material, we hypothesized that the capacitor-coating powder (CCP) contained either an anhydride or an isocyanate. We modified the initial step of a standard ELISA so that we could use CCP as a hapten in this assay. With this modified ELISA technique and inhibition analysis with antisera of known specificity, we determined that CCP contained a substance that cross-reacted with trimellitic anhydride. Later, we confirmed from the manufacturer that it contained benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride. With the modified ELISA assay we also determined that the worker we were to evaluate did not have antibody to CCP or trimellitic anhydride. From clinical and immunologic evaluation we diagnosed chronic obstructive lung disease. Thus, this modified assay has proved useful in the evaluation of a worker exposed to a powder whose contents were not initially known and may prove useful in immunologic evaluation of workers in other industrial settings.

Adult↗

Studies of parallel barrier performance by acoustical modeling.

An investigation is presented into the performance of parallel barrier configurations, using acoustical scale modeling. A realistic geometry is investigated, with the source being positioned over a paved roadway and the receiver over grass-covered ground. The grass-covered ground surface was properly modeled in terms of its impedance. Results were obtained for a range of barrier types, and demonstrate that frequency dependent effects are evident in barrier insertion loss data. In most cases, the barrier on the far side of the source did not significantly affect sound levels at the receiver. The most effective barrier design was found to be that of a gradual grass-covered slope up to an upright, thin barrier.

Acoustics↗

Messenger RNA for myosin polypeptides: isolation from single myogenic cell cultures.

Messenger RNA which stimilates the synthesis of myosin heavy chain in a reticulocyte lysate has been isolated from single myogenic cell cultures. Specific myosin polypeptides have been identified by immunoprecipitation with an antibody made to purified adult chicken skeletal muscle myosin. This mRNA binds to oligo(dT)-cellulose, and an active fraction from sucrose gradients migrates as 26S on formamide-polyacrylamide gels. The relative amount of this RNA increases dramatically at the time of terminal differentiation.

Cell Differentiation↗

'They never told us anything': postdischarge instruction for families of persons with brain injuries.

This article reports on an analysis of why some families of survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) do not perceive that they were prepared for the postdischarge experience, despite discharge planning and teaching by rehabilitation hospital staff and third-party insurance adjusters. Findings are presented of a research study involving single interviews with seven families of survivors of TBI and interviews with four focus groups of healthcare professionals and third-party insurance adjusters who had cared, or were currently caring, for the injured person. Most family members did not recall being taught about what to expect or resources available to them. Healthcare professionals and insurance adjusters, however, stated that extensive discharge planning and multidisciplinary teaching conferences with patients and their families had been held before the patients were discharged. Reasons for such a discrepancy in perceptions are suggested. Implications of these findings for healthcare professionals who conduct discharge teaching in rehabilitation facilities are identified.

Brain Injuries↗

Violence at work.

In this article, the authors discuss violence in healthcare settings and the health and safety issues that are involved.

Humans↗

De-escalation in the management of aggression and violence.

De-escalation has historically been viewed by nurses as an intuitive process. This paper argues that de-escalation can be explained by reference to theory and an exposition of practice skills, and refutes the intuitive position by proposing that de-escalation can be understood as an interactive process with discrete identifiable components.

Humans↗