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Biomedical subjects

C Richmond

Publications and source records attributed to C Richmond.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The political ecology of health: perceptions of environment, economy, health and well-being among 'Namgis First Nation.

Informed by Mayer's (Progr. Hum. Geogr 20 (1996) 441) political ecology of disease framework, this paper investigates First Nation's perceptions of the links between environment, economy and health and well-being. A case study of 'Namgis First Nation (Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada) is used to explore the risks and benefits of salmon aquaculture for British Columbia's First Nations. Analysis of interview data (n = 23) indicates strong links between reduced access to environmental resources, marginal participation in the economy, and declining community health and well being. Results suggest that aquaculture development has further decreased the community's access to environmental resources, thereby restricting those economic, social, and cultural activities that determine good health and well-being for this community.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

A revision of Phoreiobothrium (Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae) with descriptions of five new species.

Five new species of Phoreiobothrium (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) are described from carcharhiniform sharks collected from a diversity of localities throughout the world. These are Phoreiobothrium perilocrocodilus n. sp. from Negaprion acutidens, Phoreiobothrium anticaporum n. sp. from Negaprion brevirostris, Phoreiobothrium lewinense n. sp. from Sphyrna lewini, Phoreiobothrium robertsoni n. sp. from Carcharhinus brachyurus, and Phoreiobothrium blissorum n. sp. from C. plumbeus, This brings the number of described species of Phoreiobothrium to 17. The new species from the lemon sharks, P. perilocrocodilus n. sp. and P. anticaporum n. sp., both possess more bothridial subloculi than do all species from hammerhead sharks, and fewer subloculi than do all species from sharks of Carcharhinus spp. Phoreiobothrium anticaporum n. sp. is unique among Phoreiobothrium species in that its genital pore is located in the extreme anterior portion of the proglottid. Phoreiobothrium lewinense n. sp. is unique in its possession of a combination of 8-11 subloculi and basal hook prongs that lack internal channels. Phoreiobothrium robertsoni n. sp. possesses 25-29 subloculi, triangular bothridia that flare posteriorly, and hooks that extend well beyond the middle of the bothridia. Phoreiobothrium blissorum n. sp. is most similar to Phoreiobothrium lasium in that it possesses rectangular bothridia with greater than 22 subloculi and long filitriches on its scolex. However, it differs from the latter species in that rather than articulating with one another, the bases of the medial and lateral hooks are widely separated; it also possesses 5-6 (vs.) 7-8 columns of testes. Phoreiobothrium lasium and Phoreiobothrium tiburonis are redescribed. The host associations of P. lasium are reevaluated and a neotype is designated for this species. The mature proglottid of P. tiburonis is described for the first time from voucher material collected from the type host and locality. These data suggest that the proglottid information provided in the original description, which was obtained from detached gravid proglottids, may have come from a tapeworm species other than P. tiburonis. All 7 species treated here in detail were examined with scanning electron microscopy; most were found to exhibit a microthrix pattern similar to that described previously for other members of the genus, e.g., Phoreiobothrium manirei. Bladelike spinitriches were present on the strobila, cephalic peduncle, and proximal bothridial surfaces, but were lacking from the distal bothridial surfaces. These spinitriches varied in length and density among species. Filitriches were present on all of these surfaces, but varied somewhat in length among species. Phoreiobothrium lewinense n. sp. is exceptional in that spinitriches were not seen on the proximal bothridial surfaces. A key to Phoreiobothrium species is provided. This work brings the number of carcharhinid shark species known to host this onchobothriid genus to 6, and the number of sphyrnid species to 5. Like many other onchobothriid tapeworms, species of Phoreiobothrium appear to exhibit oioxenous specificity for their hosts. Given this, and the fact that a total of 9 genera and 46 species of carcharhinid and sphyrnid sharks have yet to be examined for Phoreiobothrium, the diversity of the genus globally is likely to greatly exceed that described to date.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

High-density microarray-mediated gene expression profiling of Escherichia coli.

A nearly complete collection of 4,290 Escherichia coli open reading frames was amplified and arrayed in high density on glass slides. To exploit this reagent, conditions for RNA isolation from E. coli cells, cDNA production with attendant fluorescent dye incorporation, DNA-DNA hybridization, and hybrid quantitation have been established. A brief isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) treatment elevated lacZ, lacY, and lacA transcript content about 30-fold; in contrast, most other transcript titers remained unchanged. Distinct RNA expression patterns between E. coli cultures in the exponential and transitional phases of growth were catalogued, as were differences associated with culturing in minimal and rich media. The relative abundance of each transcript was estimated by using hybridization of a genomic DNA-derived, fluorescently labeled probe as a correction factor. This inventory provided a quantitative view of the steady-state level of each mRNA species. Genes the expression of which was detected by this method were enumerated, and results were compared with the current understanding of E. coli physiology.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1999

Functional genomics: expression analysis of Escherichia coli growing on minimal and rich media.

DNA arrays of the entire set of Escherichia coli genes were used to measure the genomic expression patterns of cells growing in late logarithmic phase on minimal glucose medium and on Luria broth containing glucose. Ratios of the transcript levels for all 4,290 E. coli protein-encoding genes (cds) were obtained, and analysis of the expression ratio data indicated that the physiological state of the cells under the two growth conditions could be ascertained. The cells in the rich medium grew faster, and expression of the majority of the translation apparatus genes was significantly elevated under this growth condition, consistent with known patterns of growth rate-dependent regulation and increased rate of protein synthesis in rapidly growing cells. The cells grown on minimal medium showed significantly elevated expression of many genes involved in biosynthesis of building blocks, most notably the amino acid biosynthetic pathways. Nearly half of the known RpoS-dependent genes were expressed at significantly higher levels in minimal medium than in rich medium, and rpoS expression was similarly elevated. The role of RpoS regulation in these logarithmic phase cells was suggested by the functions of the RpoS dependent genes that were induced. The hallmark features of E. coli cells growing on glucose minimal medium appeared to be the formation and excretion of acetate, metabolism of the acetate, and protection of the cells from acid stress. A hypothesis invoking RpoS and UspA (universal stress protein, also significantly elevated in minimal glucose medium) as playing a role in coordinating these various aspects and consequences of glucose and acetate metabolism was generated. This experiment demonstrates that genomic expression assays can be applied in a meaningful way to the study of whole-bacterial-cell physiology for the generation of hypotheses and as a guide for more detailed studies of particular genes of interest.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1998

Clinical characteristics of an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) and the subsequent occurrence of prolonged apnea or prolonged bradycardia.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the characteristics of an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) influence the risk for a subsequent episode of prolonged apnea or bradycardia. Data were obtained from 182 infants referred because of an apparent life-threatening event who were followed up at home for 2 lunar months on an apnea/bradycardia monitor with recording capability. A prolonged episode was defined as apnea > or = 20 sec long or an episode of bradycardia > or = 10 sec in duration as validated and measured from the event recordings. Seventeen percent of infants had at least one episode of prolonged apnea or prolonged bradycardia. Change in skin color, degree of resuscitative intervention, and behavioral state were not statistically significant factors influencing the risk of a subsequent prolonged episode. Contrary to clinical expectation, a significantly greater percentage of infants subsequently had a prolonged episode whose muscle tone was described as normal during the ALTE (24.0%), when compared with those infants whose ALTE was associated with limpness or increased muscle tone (9.3%). The coexistence of gastroesophageal reflux did not influence the overall results. The observations in this study place in question the clinical approach of relying on the detailed characteristics of an ALTE in determining the need for follow-up studies and/or home monitoring.

Apnea↗
PubMed1997

Production, characterization and functional activities of v-Ski in cultured cells.

The v-ski oncogene was introduced into mammalian cells in order to study its biochemical and biological properties. v-Ski, produced at relatively high levels by mouse L cells stably transfected with this DNA, was localized to the cell nucleus, was of correct apparent molecular mass, and was capable of complexing with DNA. Transient transfection of reporter plasmids into control or Ski producing mouse L cells revealed that Ski acts as a transcriptional activator of various transcriptional regulatory elements, including CMVie, RSV LTR and SV40. These results indicate that mouse L cells contain the nuclear cofactor(s) required for the ability of v-Ski to bind to DNA and also suggest that the v-Ski present within the cells is functional.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

DNA binding and transcriptional activation by the Ski oncoprotein mediated by interaction with NFI.

The Ski oncoprotein has been found to bind non-specifically to DNA in association with unindentified nuclear factors. In addition, Ski has been shown to activate transcription of muscle-specific and viral promoters/enhancers. The present study was undertaken to identify Ski's DNA binding and transcriptional activation partners by identifying specific DNA binding sites. We used nuclear extracts from a v-Ski-transduced mouse L-cell line and selected Ski-bound sequences from a pool of degenerate oligonucleotides with anti-Ski monoclonal antibodies. Two sequences were identified by this technique. The first (TGGC/ANNNNNT/GCCAA) is the previously identified binding site of the nuclear factor I (NFI) family of transcription factors. The second (TCCCNNGGGA) is the binding site of Olf-1/EBF. By electophoretic mobility shift assays we find that Ski is a component of one or more NFI complexes but we fail to detect Ski in Olf-1/EBF complexes. We show that Ski binds NFI proteins and activates transcription of NFI reporters, but only in the presence of NFI. We also find that homodimerization of Ski is essential for co-activation with NFI. However, the C-terminal dimerization domain of c-Ski, which is missing in v-Ski, can be substituted by the leucine zipper domain of GCN4.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cost of malpractice protection on rise in UK, too.

As in Canada, medical malpractice premiums in the United Kingdom are on the rise. In recent years there has been a 15%-20% annual rise in the cost of claims, and litigation costs for the National Health Service are soaring. Now, reports Caroline Richmond, another surge of litigation may be on the horizon because a 1996 change makes it possible for lawyers to take cases on a contingency basis.

Canada↗
PubMed1997

Identification of a core functional and structural domain of the v-Ski oncoprotein responsible for both transformation and myogenesis.

The v-ski oncogene promotes cellular transformation and myogenic differentiation. In quail embryo fibroblasts the two properties are displayed simultaneously and terminal muscle differentiation occurs only among cells already transformed by v-ski. To understand how the two phenotypes are derived from a single gene, we have undertaken to identify functionally important regions in v-ski and to test whether these regions can promote one phenotype without the other. We have generated both random and targeted mutations in v-ski and evaluated the effects of these mutations on expression, intracellular location, transformation, and myogenesis. Among a total of 26 mutants analysed, we have not found complete separation of the myogenic and transforming properties. Mutations in the region of v-Ski encoded by exon 1 of c-ski frequently abolish both its transformation and muscle differentiation activities, whereas mutations outside of this region are always tolerated. When expressed in cells from a minigene containing only the exon 1 sequence, the protein displays the transforming and myogenic activities similar to v-Ski. These results argue that the amino acid sequence encoded by exon 1 contains the core functional domain of the oncoprotein. To determine whether this functional domain has a structural counterpart, we have fragmented the v-Ski protein by limited proteolysis and found a single proteolytically stable domain spanning the entire exon 1-encoded region. Physical studies of the polypeptide encoded by exon 1 confirms that it folds into a compact, globular protein. The finding that both the transforming and myogenic properties of v-Ski are inseparable by mutation and are contained in a single domain suggests that they are derived from the same function.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗
PubMed1997

Specific interactions between ATPase subunits of the 26 S protease.

The regulatory complex of the 26 S protease contains at least 15 distinct subunits. Six of these subunits (S4, S6, S6', S7, S8, and S10b) belong to a novel subfamily of presumptive nucleotidases that we call subunit 4 (S4)-like ATPases. Each of these putative ATPases was synthesized in reticulocyte lysate containing [35S]methionine, and the radiolabeled proteins were used in binding studies. S4, S6, S10b, and S6' displayed specific binding to components of the regulatory complex separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) or two-dimensional PAGE. S4 bound to S7, and S6 bound two proteins: S8 and centractin, a component of the dynactin complex. S10b bound to S6' and bound much more weakly to S1 and p50, another component of the dynactin complex. S6' bound to S10b. Two subunits, S7 and S8, did not bind any components present on nitrocellulose membranes, presumably because S7 and S8 are already oligomeric following synthesis. Co-translation and sucrose gradient sedimentation of 35S-labeled ATPases demonstrated the formation of S6'-S10b dimers in solution but revealed more complex associations, namely the formation of trimers and tetramers, among S4, S6, S7, and S8. Progressive COOH-terminal deletions that removed as much as 300 amino acids from S4 had no effect on the binding of S4 to S7. In striking contrast, truncation of 85 NH2-terminal amino acids from S4 abrogated binding, clearly implicating the NH2 terminus of S4 in its specific interaction with S7. Since S4-like ATPases contain putative coiled-coils within the first 150 NH2-terminal amino acids, we propose that coiled-coil interactions are responsible for the specificity of the observed subunit associations and that these associations are important for self-assembly of the regulatory complex.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1997

Mad cows and Englishmen: the aftermath of a BSE scare.

The consumption of prime beef cuts is down, animals have been slaughtered by the thousand and 3 farmers have committed suicide as the mad-cow issue continues to cause concern in the United Kingdom. In this report from London, Caroline Richmond also notes that the royal colleges have published a report stating that chronic fatigue syndrome is a real illness and patients need help.

Animals↗