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Biomedical subjects

E Choi

Publications and source records attributed to E Choi.

102 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Dissection of serological and cytolytic T lymphocyte epitopes on murine major histocompatibility antigens by a recombinant H-2 gene separating the first two external domains.

A novel H-2 gene in which the first external (N) domain of the H-2Ld antigen was replaced with that of the H-2Dd antigen was constructed and introduced into L cells. A transformant expressing the products of the hybrid gene was studied for binding to monoclonal antibodies specific for H-2Ld and H-2Dd antigens. It was found that serological determinants are distributed both in the N (Dd) and Cl (Ld) domains. Determinants recognized by allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and virus-specific CTLs also mapped to the N and Cl domains. Determinants recognized by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-specific effect cells, however, were not present on the recombinant molecule. These results show that a recombinant gene of two H-2 antigens in which the first external domain has been reshuffled can express a functional H-2 antigen that can then be used to map serological and CTL determinants to specific domains.

Animals↗

A failure to communicate: the need for standardization of procedures for the exchange of identification information of crime and mass disaster victims.

A case is presented illustrating some of the difficulties presently encountered by Medical Examiners and law enforcement agencies in obtaining information necessary for the identification of foreign-born homicide victims. In 1982, the semiskeletonized remains of a 30 year old female citizen of the People's Republic of China were discovered in a vacant lot of a Chicago suburb. The victim had been reported missing four months previously. Although dental restorations were present, most of the work had been done several years prior to her coming to the United States. Attempts to obtain these records through diplomatic channels were unsuccessful due largely to the inexperience of both the U.S. and P.R.C. agencies involved in handling such requests. Although positive identification was eventually established by other means, the abortive attempt to obtain dental records resulted both in delay of the homicide investigation and in undue stress on the victim's family. This case demonstrates the need for the development of more rapid and effective exchange of identification information on victims of crime and mass disaster by a system analogous to that presently used to exchange information on criminals on an international scale.

Adult↗

Murine I-A beta chain polymorphism: nucleotide sequences of three allelic I-A beta genes.

The polymorphism of immune response genes plays a critical role in determining the immune capabilities of a particular individual. The molecular nature of this polymorphism was studied by examining the structure of the coding portions of three alleles of the I-A beta chain gene, an immune response gene whose protein product constitutes a subunit of the I-A molecule. Comparison of the I-A beta chains encoded by these alleles revealed an amino acid sequence divergence of 5 to 8 percent. The differences were found to be a series of short alterations clustered in the amino terminal half of the polypeptide.

Alleles↗

Gene segments encoding transmembrane carboxyl termini of immunoglobulin gamma chains.

In cell lines producing IgM, secreted and membrane bound forms of immunoglobulin mu heavy chains are produced from two separate mu mRNAs that are identical except for alternative 3' coding sequences. We now show that cell lines producing IgG likewise contain two mRNA species for immunoglobulin gamma chains. The major, 1.7 kilobase (kb) species encodes secreted gamma chains. A less abundant species of 3-4 appears to encode membrane bound gamma chains, in that it contains an alternative 3' end encoded in separate exons 3' to the remainder of the gene. The first exon of this M gene segment has been identified in chromosomal gamma 1 and gamma 2b gene clones by its sequence homology with the corresponding exon in the mu gene. Like the mu M exon, it encodes a probable transmembrane polypeptide segment. The flanking DNA sequences show a patchwork pattern of homology between genes that suggests a checkered evolutionary history.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

RNA splicing generates a variant light chain from an aberrantly rearranged kappa gene.

Both C kappa regions in MPC 11 cells are rearranged into active transcripion units, one producing a normal kappa chain and the other an internally deleted kappa fragment lacking a V region. The gene coding for the kappa fragment mRNA is aberrantly rearranged and lacks a site for V leads to C kappa splicing. An alternative splicing event which deletes the V region from the nuclear RNA precursor generates the kappa fragment mRNA.

Animals↗

Mutagenicity of cancer chemotherapeutic agents in the Salmonella/microsome test.

Seventeen cancer chemotherapeutic agents were tested for their ability to mutate Salmonella typhimurium tester strains in the Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity test. There was a high correlation between the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of a given agent. Carcinogens positive in the test were Adriamycin, daunomycin, 1-propanol-3,3'-iminodimethanesulfonate, cyclophosphamide, isophosphamide, hycanthone, chlornaphazin, nitrogen mustard, uracil mustard, melphalan, and thio-tepa. Two carcinogesn, actinomycin D and bleomycin, were not detected as mutagens. The presumptive noncarcinogen, methotrexate, was negative in the test. Tilorone and 6-mercaptopurine, tentatively classified as noncarcinogens, were mutagenic. The carcinogenicity of cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II), which was positive in the test, has not been determined.

2-Naphthylamine↗

Detection of carcinogens as mutagens in the Salmonella/microsome test: assay of 300 chemicals.

About 300 carcinogens and non-carcinogens of a wide variety of chemical types have been tested for mutagenicity in the simple Salmonella/microsome test. The test uses bacteria as sensitive indicators for DNA damage, and mammalian liver extracts for metabolic conversion of carcinogens to their active mutagenic forms. Quantitative mutagenicity data from linear dose-response curves are presented: potency varies over a 10(6)-fold range. There is a high correlation between carcinogenicity and mutagenicity: 90% (156/174) of carcinogens are mutagenic in the test and despite the severe limitations inherent in defining non-carcinogenicity, few "non-carcinogens" show any degree of mutagenicity. The results also demonstrate the great utility, and define the limitations, of the test in detecting environmental carcinogens.

Carcinogens↗

Development of canine systemic lupus erythematosus model.

The purpose of this study was to develop a model for canine systemic lupus erythematosus. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune syndrome defined by clinical and serological features, including arthritis, glomerulonephritis, dermatitis and autoantibodies. SLE was induced in eight normal dogs by immunization with heparan sulphate, the major glycosaminoglycan of the glomerular basement membrane. All the heparan sulphate-immunized dogs showed mild-to-moderate levels of proteinuria and skin disease. Cutaneous signs associated with SLE including alopecia, erythema, crusting, scaling and seborrhoea were observed. Immunohistological examination of the skin lesions revealed deposition of immunoglobulin M and complement in the dermal-epidermal junction. Three of eight dogs showed lameness. The antinuclear antibody tests were positive with the antibody titres higher than 1:128. Therefore, this experimental SLE model could be useful for studying immune-mediated skin disease and autoimmunity.

Animals↗

Stressful events among pregnant Salvadoran women: a cross-cultural comparison.

OBJECTIVE: To compare stressful events, including violent episodes, experienced by pregnant Salvadoran women with those experienced by two other groups of low-income, pregnant women living in the United States (non-Salvadoran Hispanics and non-Hispanics) and to examine the association between episodes of violence and drug or alcohol use among the three groups. DESIGN: Comparative, descriptive study. SETTING: Public health prenatal clinics. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred four Salvadoran, 69 non-Salvadoran Hispanic, and 187 non-Hispanic pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Difficult Life Circumstances (DLC) scale and psychosocial history assessment. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found among the three groups in total DLC scores, F(2, 357) = 14.98, p < .001; reported episodes of violence, F(2, 357 = 17.82, p < .001; and drug or alcohol use, F(2, 357) = 6.33, p < .001. A significant difference was found to the extent that alcohol or drug use accounted for the variance in violence among the three groups, F(3, 360) = 6.28, p < .001. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-cultural comparisons revealed group differences in the number of stressful events, including episodes of violence and alcohol or drug use.

Adult↗

Molecular studies of the atrial natriuretic factor gene.

The molecular biology of human atrial natriuretic factor was studied. A cloned rat cDNA probe was used to analyze tissue for the synthesis of atrial natriuretic factor, and the human gene was identified and sequenced. Nucleotide sequence comparison of human and rodent atrial natriuretic factor genes suggests regions that are critical for regulated expression of this cardiac hormone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗