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Biomedical subjects

C E Allen

Publications and source records attributed to C E Allen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Structure of the human zinc finger protein HIVEP3: molecular cloning, expression, exon-intron structure, and comparison with paralogous genes HIVEP1 and HIVEP2.

Here we report the cloning and characterization of HIVEP3, the newest member in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enhancer-binding protein family that encodes large zinc finger proteins and regulates transcription via the kappaB enhancer motif. The largest open reading frame of HIVEP3 contains 2406 aa. and is approximately 80% identical to the mouse counterpart. The HIVEP3 gene is located in the chromosomal region 1p34 and is at least 300 kb with 10 exons. RNA studies show that multiple HIVEP3 transcripts are differentially expressed and regulated. Additionally, transcription termination occurs in the ultimate exon, exon 10, or in exon 6. Therefore, HIVEP3 may produce protein isoforms that contain or exclude the carboxyl DNA binding domain and the leucine zipper by alternative RNA splicing and differential polyadenylation. Sequence homologous to HIVEP3 exon 6 is not found in mouse nor are the paralogous genes HIVEP1 and HIVEP2. Zoo-blot analysis suggests that sequences homologous to the human exon 6 are present only in primates and cow. Therefore, a foreign DNA harboring a termination exon likely was inserted into the HIVEP3 locus relatively recently in evolution, resulting in the acquisition of novel gene regulatory mechanisms as well as the generation of structural and functional diversity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The DNA-binding ability of HIVEP3/KRC decreases upon activation of V(D)J recombination.

Somatic V(D)J recombination of the immune receptor genes is mediated by the recombination signal sequence (RSS) and the recombination-activating genes RAG1 and RAG2. Previously, proteins binding specifically to the RSS have been characterized in nuclear extracts of T and B lymphocytes. Further elucidation of the role of those RSS-binding proteins in V(D)J recombination, however, has been hampered by the fact that their identities have not been established. Here, we show that the major RSS-binding protein present in the nuclear extracts of B lymphocytes is an Mr 135,000 species. Notably, its affinity for the RSS decreased when RAG1 and RAG2 were induced. In immunoblot analyses and gel supershift assays, we showed that KRC antisera react with the Mr 135,000 RSS-binding protein. We previously cloned KRC from a thymocyte expression library using 32P-RSS as a ligand and showed that KRC fusion proteins bind specifically to the RSS and to the kappaB enhancer motif. The lymphoid expression and DNA-binding characteristics suggest that KRC may be involved in lymphocyte development.

Antibody Specificity↗

Design and use of a protective jacket to prevent self-inflicted injury following cervical laminoplasty in the goat (Capra hircus).

A group of dairy goats underwent cervical laminoplasty procedures as part of a biomechanics project. Although most animals had minimal incisional complications, several developed excoriations exacerbated by scratching at the incision site 6 to 8 weeks after the surgery. Local and systemic treatment was instituted as indicated. Bandages were inadequate to protect the neck from self-trauma, and the potential existed for serious injury to or infection of the old surgical site. We designed and made custom padded jackets for these animals. Treatment continued. While allowing the animals to exercise their scratching behavior, the jackets protected the traumatized area until healing was complete and the pruritus resolved. This jacket or modifications of it may be useful in other goat, sheep, or calf projects in which protection of the neck, shoulders, and thorax is needed.

Animals↗

Downregulation of KRC induces proliferation, anchorage independence, and mitotic cell death in HeLa cells.

The large zinc finger protein KRC regulates transcription of target genes via the kappaB gene enhancer element. As an attempt to investigate the cellular function of KRC, we have established cell lines stably transfected with KRC expression vectors. Introduction of a vector directing expression of a transcript antisense to KRC mRNAs in several mammalian cell lines resulted in accelerated proliferation. Furthermore, in HeLa cells, downregulation of KRC conferred anchorage-independent growth and promoted cell cycle progression without an intervening cytokinesis, culminating in the formation of multinucleated giant cells. Ultimately these cells died.

Animals↗

The kappaB and V(D)J recombination signal sequence binding protein KRC regulates transcription of the mouse metastasis-associated gene S100A4/mts1.

A kappaB-like sequence, Sb, is integral to the composite enhancer located in the first intron of the metastasis-associated gene, S100A4/mts1. Oligonucleotides containing this sequence form three specific complexes with nuclear proteins prepared from S100A4/mts1-expressing CSML100 adenocarcinoma cells. Protein studies show the Sb-interacting complexes include NF-kappaB/Rel proteins, p50.p50 and p50.p65 dimers. Additionally, the Sb sequence was bound by an unrelated approximately 200-kDa protein, p200. Site-directed mutagenesis in conjunction with transient transfections indicate that p200, but not the NF-kappaB/Rel proteins, transactivates S100A4/mts1. To identify candidate genes for p200, double-stranded DNA probes containing multiple copies of Sb were used to screen a randomly primed lambdagt11 cDNA expression library made from CSML100 poly(A)(+) RNA. Two clones corresponding to the DNA-binding proteins KRC and Alf1 were identified. KRC encodes a large zinc finger protein that binds to the kappaB motif and to the signal sequences of V(D)J recombination. In vitro DNA binding assays using bacterially expressed KRC fusion proteins, demonstrate specific binding of KRC to the Sb sequence. In addition, introduction of KRC expression vectors into mammalian cells induces expression of S100A4/mts1 and reporter genes driven by S100A4/mts1 gene regulatory sequences. These data indicate that KRC positively regulates transcription of S100A4/mts1.

3T3 Cells↗

KRC transcripts: identification of an unusual alternative splicing event.

Mouse KRC is a large zinc finger protein that binds to the kappaB motif of gene transcription and to the recognition signal sequences for the somatic recombination of the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor gene segments. The mouse KRC gene is more than 70 kilobases (kb) in size, and contains at least seven exons, with the largest transcript being approximately 9.5 kb. Multiple differentially spliced transcripts of KRC were identified in thymus and brain, which would result in the production of multiple KRC protein isoforms with different N-termini and number of DNA binding domains. Alternative splicing events leading to the production of these multiple transcripts have been elucidated. Of particular interest are the exclusions in some transcripts of sequences from a gigantic exon of 5487 base pairs (bp), or from an exon of 176 bp. Both potentially deleted exons code for zinc finger motifs that are essential components of the N-terminal and C-terminal DNA binding domains, respectively. Another intriguing phenomenon found in some KRC transcripts is the skipping of a 459 bp fragment within the gigantic exon that would code for the N-terminal DNA binding domain. Bacterial fusion proteins derived from this fragment bind specifically to KRC target DNAs. Apparently, distinct alternative splicing events could eliminate the N-terminal DNA binding domain of KRC.

Alternative Splicing↗

Analysis and management of home health nursing caseloads and workloads.

The Easley-Storfjell Instruments for Caseload/Workload Analysis have been used successfully by home health managers to document the type quantity, and complexity of services provided by clinicians, teams, and the entire nursing staff. By measuring both the time requirements and complexity of interventions, these tools have been useful in assigning cases, managing caseloads and workloads establishing benchmarks, and monitoring productivity. Directions for use of these tools and examples are provided.

Community Health Nursing↗

Nonlinearity of heart rate in the neonate.

The relationship between heart rate variability and level of illness was examined. Fifteen patients (10 male and 5 female), gestational ages 25 to 42 weeks, postnatal ages 1 to 42 days, birthweights 545 to 4375 g receiving care in the neonatal intensive care nursery were randomly selected. Data from each infant was transferred from the bedside physiologic monitor to a microcomputer for analysis. A severity of illness index (the Children's Hospital Illness Score [CHILLS]) correlated with heart rate variability. Four patterns of heart rate variability were identified: (1) infants whose CHILLS score indicated that they were cardiovascularly normal demonstrated a modest amount of variability; (2) infants with a CHILLS score indicating a moderate amount of illness had heart rates and heart rate variability greater than the normal infants; (3) three infants exhibited bimodality (period doubling) in their heart rates; each of these infants had a CHILLS score that indicated that they were less ill than the most critically ill patients, but sicker than those moderately ill infants without period doubling; and (4) heart rate decreased in the most critically ill infants identified by the CHILLS, but it remained above the heart rate of a healthy newborn; heart rate variability collapsed below that of a healthy newborn. Our data suggest that the variability of heart rate may increase as an infant becomes sicker. When the infant becomes critically ill and unstable, heart rate variability is less than the normal infant. Nonlinear dynamics theory may be a potential model for fitting the data.

Birth Weight↗

Families in poverty.

This article discusses facts and myths about families in poverty. As the poverty rate among women and children has risen, more frequent encounters have occurred between needy families and nurses in the community. Information is presented that will help nurses better to understand poverty in the context of health care.

Adolescent↗

Effects of compensatory growth on some body component weights and on carcass and noncarcass composition of growing lambs.

A trial was conducted in 1983 and repeated in 1984 to measure effects of restricted feed intake and realimentation on weights of organs and on carcass and noncarcass composition. A total of one hundred six weaned lambs from two breeds (Timahdit and D'man) and a breed cross (Ile de France x D'man) were used in both years. Lambs were allotted to one of six feed intake regimens: HH (ad libitum access to feed from 21 to 30 kg); HM (ad libitum access to feed from 21 to 26 kg then 70% ad libitum to 30 kg); MH (70% ad libitum from 21 to 26 kg then ad libitum to 30 kg); MM (70% ad libitum from 21 to 30 kg); LH (restricted to lose weight from 21 to 17 kg then ad libitum to 30 kg); and LM (restricted to lose weight from 21 to 17 kg then 70% ad libitum to 30 kg). Weights of visceral organs and mesenteric and kidney fat showed dramatic responses to alteration of feed allowances. After recovery from 20% live weight loss, weight of liver equaled or exceeded that of both the ad libitum and 70% refed lambs. Mesenteric and kidney fat did not. Refeeding was accompanied by an increase in water (P less than .05) and a decrease in fat (P less than .01) of both carcass and noncarcass components. These results indicate that weight loss of lambs incurred during feed shortage was largely in internal organ weights, and that these lambs can recover these losses during realimentation and undergo compensatory growth with better feed efficiency and lean carcasses.

Adipose Tissue↗

Effects of undernutrition and refeeding on weights of body parts and chemical components of growing Moroccan lambs.

Forty-four intact, male lambs (20 Timahdit and 24 D'man) were used to assess the effects of 22% (from approximately 25 to approximately 20 kg) and 31% (from approximately 25 to approximately 17 kg) live weight loss and the subsequent refeeding to initial BW on changes in body components. Body composition was determined using a serial slaughter technique at 17, 20, and 25 kg live weight during normal growth, weight loss, and refeeding phases. Reduction in live weight from 25 to 20 kg was associated with greater loss of visceral organs (30%) and internal fat (75%) than carcass loss (19%). Further body weight loss (from 20 to 17 kg) involved carcasses to a greater extent than internal organs. The composition of BW loss consisted of 53% water, 28% fat, and 15% protein. Refeeding was associated with a rapid increase in organ weights and less fat regeneration. Although total internal organs recovered only 90% of their original weight, liver and kidneys regained all their weight. At the same slaughter weight, carcass and noncarcass components of refed lambs were leaner because of lower fat content in these components.

Adipose Tissue↗

The ticking time bomb.

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

America's doctors.

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Health Education↗

Hippocrates lives!

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Education, Medical, Undergraduate↗

Holistic concepts and the professionalization of public health nursing.

The sociology of knowledge provided the conceptual and methodologic basis for this study of the relationship between the philosophic concept of holism and the professionalization of public health nursing. Set in the context of the history of ideas, the discussion examines the various meanings of holism and the circumstances surrounding their adoption, modification, and use in public health nursing. The nursing literature from the late 1800s to the 1980s was analyzed to explicate the pragmatic consequences of holism for public health nursing, and to examine holism's moral value and its part in establishing and extending public health nursing's professional domain.

History, 19th Century↗