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Biomedical subjects

P Tate

Publications and source records attributed to P Tate.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The X-linked methylated DNA binding protein, Mecp2, is subject to X inactivation in the mouse.

DNA methylation at the promoter region of X-linked genes is associated with the maintenance of X inactivation in mammals. One of the methylated DNA binding proteins, MECP2, that binds to methylated bases in DNA is encoded by a gene (Mecp2) located on the mouse X Chromosome (Chr). To determine whether this gene was expressed from the inactive X Chr, and X-autosome translocation (T(X;16)16H) system in which expression from the Mecp2 allele on the inactive X Chr could be assayed was used. Results from these experiments indicate that Mecp2 is subject to X inactivation in mouse.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Studies of DNA methylation in animals.

We have been studying the evolution and function of DNA methylation in vertebrate animals using three related approaches. The first is to further characterise proteins that bind to methylated DNA. Such proteins can be viewed as 'receptors' of the methyl-CpG 'ligand' that mediate downstream consequences of DNA modification. The second approach involves CpG islands. These patches of non-methylated DNA coincide with most gene promoters, but their origin and functional significance have only recently become the subject of intensive study. The third approach is to trace the evolution of DNA methylation. Genomic methylation patterns of vertebrates are strikingly different from those of invertebrates. By studying methylation in animals that diverged from common ancestors near to the invertebrate/vertebrate boundary, we will assess the possibility that changes in DNA methylation contributed causally to the evolution of the complex vertebrate lineage.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Isolation of epiblast-specific cDNA clones by differential hybridization with polymerase chain reaction-amplified probes derived from single embryos.

A mouse day 7.5 embryonic ectoderm cDNA library containing 2 x 10(6) clones was screened by differential hybridization with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified probes derived from a single embryo. Day 7.5 ectoplacental cone and embryonic ectoderm served as the source of mRNA to make minus and plus probes, respectively. In a limited screen of fewer than 2,000 clones, 23 up-regulated clones were identified by the difference in hybridization signal with the two probes. DNA sequence analysis revealed the nature of some, but not all, of the clones. Northern blot and in situ hybridization with a subset of the clones confirmed the utility of the approach, since the differential signal was also observed in these experiments. This approach may prove useful for identifying genes that play a role during development.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Identification of a novel isoform of the retinoic acid receptor gamma expressed in the mouse embryo.

Retinoic acid is known to have profound effects on developmental processes. It has been implicated as a putative morphogen in the developing chick limb bud and regenerating amphibian limb blastema and has been demonstrated to have powerful teratogenic effects in mammals, including humans. Recently, three specific retinoic acid receptors (RARs), RAR alpha, -beta, and -gamma, were identified and shown to be members of the steroid receptor superfamily. We report the identification of a novel RAR gamma isoform, mRAR gamma B, which differs from the previously described mouse RAR gamma at its amino terminus. In addition, we show that both RAR gamma isoforms are expressed maximally at midgestation in structures known to be affected adversely by retinoic acid administration to pregnant mice. Multiple RAR isoforms, each of which may play a unique or combinatorial role as a regulator of mammalian development, are thus expressed in the mouse embryo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

A young man with diabetes.

A diagnosis of diabetes seems catastrophic to most young people. Not only do they have to learn about the complexities of the disease, they also have to come to terms with the fact that their lifestyle has changed forever.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Medical students' attitudes towards women: a sex-linked variable?

Two hundred and ten (95%) second-year clinical students at the London Hospital Medical College answered a questionnaire before and after their 2-month attachment in obstetrics and gynaecology, in an attempt to measure their attitudes to women and the subject being studied. In only six of the thirty-two questions were there significant changes in the pre- and post-course responses, and these related to abortion, sterilization and obstetric practice. Students did not often answer 'don't know' to the questions, and the most striking finding was that the responses of male and female students differed, with statistical significance at the 1% level in twenty-six of the thirty-two questions. The male students were more likely to agree with statements which stereotyped women in a negative way and this suggests that, unless active steps are taken by medical teachers to help students to question their attitudes, women will continue to complain about the way they are treated by the medical profession, and women doctors will not fulfil their potential.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessing physicians' interpersonal skills via videotaped encounters: a new approach for the Royal College of General Practitioners Membership examination.

The Royal College of General Practitioners' Membership examination, the only postgraduate qualification in family medicine in the United Kingdom, has developed a direct assessment of candidates' interpersonal skills performance using videotaped consultations of the actual doctor-patient encounters. At present about 1,200 doctors are examined each year. The methodology has been developed and piloted over a period of eight years. The central tenet of the methodology is a clear definition, which is known both to the candidate and to the examiner, of the clinical and consulting competencies that are required to be demonstrated in order to pass the examination. The candidate is required to provide evidence of his or her competence usually by selecting appropriate patient encounters that demonstrate the fulfillment of the required performance criteria, effectively producing a portfolio of his or her communicative competence. The methodology is intended to encourage the learning and teaching of communication skills by making it part of an important examination and clearly defining the competencies required to pass. Reliability has been demonstrated to be satisfactory and refinement of the marking processes is likely to improve this further.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗