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Biomedical subjects

J E Watson

Publications and source records attributed to J E Watson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Microdissection of the fragile X region.

We have microdissected and cloned the region around the fragile site at Xq27.3 on the human X chromosome. All of the clones tested map to the Xq27-Xq28 region, and detailed mapping on a panel of somatic cell hybrids indicates that the microdissected library contains sequences derived from both sides of the fragile X mutation. Some of these clones give signals in rodent DNA. This library demonstrates the power of microdissection for the identification of potential coding sequences near a disease locus and provides a promising resource for the identification of the fragile X mutation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Glucose-induced synthesis of diacylglycerol de novo is associated with translocation (activation) of protein kinase C in rat adipocytes.

Addition of glucose (5-20 mM) to rat adipocytes provoked dose-related increases in diacylglycerol, without increasing production of [3H]inositol phosphates. Cytosolic protein kinase C enzyme activity and immunoreactivity decreased within 1-5 min of 5 mM glucose addition, and further over 20 min. Membrane protein kinase C increased stoichiometrically during the first 5 min and then decreased. Higher concentrations (10 and 20 mM) of glucose provoked greater and more rapid decreases of cytosolic and membrane protein kinase C. Our findings suggest that glucose stimulates diacylglycerol production by providing substrate for phosphatidic acid synthesis de novo, and this is associated with translocative activation of protein kinase C.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1989

Retention of specific protein kinase C isozymes following chronic phorbol ester treatment in BC3H-1 myocytes.

Since insulin effects on glucose transport persist in phorbol ester "desensitized" or "down-regulated" BC3H-1 myocytes, we reexamined the evidence for protein kinase C (PKC) depletion. After 24 hrs of 5 microM 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment, PKC-directed histone phosphorylation and acute TPA effects on glucose transport were lost, but PKC-dependent vinculin phosphorylation was still evident. Hydroxylapatite (HAP) chromatography revealed loss of a type III, but not a type II, PKC-dependent vinculin phosphorylation. Immunoblots of cytosolic preparations of PKC-"depleted" myocytes confirmed the retention of PKC. Our findings indicate that TPA "down-regulated" BC3H-1 myocytes contain immunoreactive and functionally active PKC. The latter may explain the continued effectiveness of both insulin and diacylglycerol (DiC8) for stimulating glucose transport in "down-regulated" cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Quantification of the effects of chlorpromazine on performance under delayed matching to sample in pigeons.

The effects of four doses of chlorpromazine (dose range 0.5 to 12.5 mg/kg) on performance under a delayed matching-to-sample procedure in pigeons was investigated, using the exponential model of memory (White, 1985). Performance was measured using a bias-free measure of discriminability, log d (Davison & Tustin, 1978), and negative exponential functions were fitted to individual-subject and group data at each dose level. A decrease in matching accuracy was found to be caused by an increase in the rate of forgetting, b, and a decrease in the initial discriminability, log d0. Changes in rate of forgetting and discriminability occurred at doses that had no statistically significant effect on response latency. The exponential model of memory accounted well for the data and provided a useful way of quantifying the effects of chlorpromazine on the processes involved in delayed matching-to-sample performance.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The psychopathology instrument for mentally retarded adults: psychometric characteristics, factor structure, and relationship to subject characteristics.

The self-report and a modified informant version of the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults (PIMRA) was used to assess 160 mentally retarded adults. Statistics relating to the instrument's internal consistency and test-retest reliability were calculated. The effects of demographic variables were analyzed and the factor structure of the instrument was examined. Of the psychometric statistics examined, only the item-total correlations were as robust as in the original reports. Significant relationships between PIMRA scores and age, sex, and level of mental retardation were found, but there was no significant effect due to residential setting (institution versus community). The factor structure for both versions of the PIMRA was similar to that in the initial reports.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

A small, multi-element fingertip dosimeter for beta radiation.

Many occupations involve potential exposures, directly or indirectly, to sources of beta radiation. The region of highest exposure, in many cases, will be the extremities and in particular the fingertips of people handling beta sources. Because current extremity dosimeters can significantly underestimate beta doses to the fingertips, an improved fingertip beta dosimeter was developed. The dosimeter employs a multi-element, multi-filter concept by stacking four or five thin (0.13 mm) LiF-Teflon TLDs to form the beta detector element. The entire dosimeter is approximately 1 mm thick, flexible and rugged enough for field use without interference of the user's manual dexterity. The fingertip dosimeter provides data for determining the beta energy of each exposure. The beta energy can be used to determine the TLD correction factor for converting the TLD output to beta dose. The data can be used to reconstruct the beta depth dose curve and the depth dose curve can be used to calculate the beta dose in tissue at 7 mg cm-2, for legal reporting purposes, or at any other desired depth within the range of the beta radiation. Relationships between the effective mass absorption coefficient and beta energy and between the beta correction factor and beta energy were determined for use in this study. Beta sources were fabricated for these studies, and an extrapolation chamber was used to determine reference beta doses. Tests of the fingertip dosimeter were performed by exposing it to single beta sources and to multiple beta sources. The dosimeter should be useful for monitoring exposures to beta energies ranging from 0.29-2.5 MeV.

Beta Particles↗
PubMed1987

Increased methionine synthetase activity in zinc-deficient rat liver.

To study the effect of zinc deficiency on folate metabolism, three groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats (zinc deficient (ZD), restricted-fed (RF + Zn), and ad libitum-fed control (control] were given a semipurified 25% egg white protein diet. The ZD group received less than 10.3 nmol zinc/g of diet, while the RF + Zn and control groups were given 1620 nmol zinc/g of diet. After 6-7 weeks of feeding, severe zinc deficiency developed in ZD rats. Hepatic methionine synthetase activity was increased in the ZD group compared to both the RF + Zn and control groups, but hepatic 5,10-CH2-H4folate reductase activity was similar in all groups. This increased methionine synthetase activity found in zinc-deficient rats might induce secondary alterations in folate metabolism. These changes include significantly lowered plasma folate levels, decreased 5-CH3-H4folate in liver, and increased rates of histidine and formate oxidation. The latter two findings suggest that the available non-5-CH3-H4folate is increased in zinc deficiency.

5-Methyltetrahydrofolate-Homocysteine S-Methyltran↗
PubMed1987

Fluid and electrolyte disorders in cardiovascular patients.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalance in the patient with cardiovascular dysfunction is a common complication of cardiac disease. Cardiovascular diseases remain the number one cause of death in the United States today. Recovery from these diseases requires careful attention to the factors that influence heart status. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance in the cardiac patient often is both life-threatening and preventable. Maintaining a homeostatic environment in terms of fluid and electrolyte balance is critical to achieving optimal cardiac function in all heart patients.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1986

Measurement of urinary 3-methylhistidine with cationic-exchange resin.

A simple method is presented for measurement of urinary 3-methylhistidine (3MH) using a cationic exchange resin treatment followed by colorimetric analysis. Equations are given to correct for the interference by histidine (4.3% by mole) in the colorimetric analysis. This correction is especially important for measurement of urinary 3MH in pregnant women or in other subjects with elevated histidine excretion. Good recovery of added standard and good reproducibility of results are documented. Preliminary data from a study of pregnant women are reported, suggesting an increased excretion of 3MH during pregnancy. Large day-to-day variability of 3MH excretion was observed within subjects. It is recommended that repeated measurements be done on each subject when determining 3MH excretion.

Cation Exchange Resins↗
PubMed1986

Neutron dosimetry in the containment of a pressurized water reactor using a neutron-sensitive beta/gamma dosimetry system.

In this study the Panasonic UD-802 dosimeter was evaluated as a potential neutron dosimeter for use in the containment of a pressurized water reactor by comparing the results from the UD-802 with remmeter readings. The Panasonic UD-802 dosimeter is used routinely as a beta and gamma dosimeter but due to the natural Li and B in the thermoluminescent materials, it is also sensitive to neutrons. Since a dosimeter's response to neutrons is energy-dependent, proper calibration of the UD-802 in the environment for which it is to be used was an important consideration of the study. To calibrate the system, UD-802 dosimeters were mounted on polyethylene phantoms and irradiated to reference doses at selected locations in containment. The reference doses were determined based on remmeter dose-rate measurements and stay times. The thermoluminescent response of the dosimeters and the reference measurements were used to obtain a response ratio at each location. The average response ratio (unit of dosimeter response per millirem) was 3.7 and all response ratios were within +/-30% of this mean value. Specific characteristics of the UD-802 were also investigated, that is, the effects that dosimeter distance from the phantom and a person's movement through containment have on response. The dosimeter distance from the phantom was found to have a minimal effect on response, but the system was found to be dependent upon the angle of the phantom relative to the reactor core, necessitating a correction in the calibration factor. The overall conclusion of this study was that the Panasonic UD-802 dosimeter can be used for neutron dosimetry in containment of a pressurized water reactor.

Neutrons↗
PubMed1986

Incineration and monitoring of low-level 3H and 14C wastes at a biological research institution.

Low-level radioactive waste containing liquid scintillation fluid and known amounts of 14C and 3H has been incinerated in a modified pathological incinerator with the incinerator effluent, refractory surface and ash being monitored. The study relates the activity monitored to that incinerated and discusses how this relation was affected by a modification of the incinerator and monitoring conditions. No significant activity was found to be associated with the ash, particulates or the refractory surface. These data suggest that most of the activity is released as tritiated water vapor and 14C-labeled carbon dioxide. However, incomplete oxidation may occur for short periods of time depending on the amount of liquid scintillation fluid incinerated, with the possible release of 14C-labeled carbon monoxide.

Carbon Radioisotopes↗