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Biomedical subjects

S Bailey

Publications and source records attributed to S Bailey.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Prohead RNA of bacteriophage phi 29: size, stoichiometry and biological activity.

We previously demonstrated (Guo et al., 1987. Nucl. Acids Res. 15, 7081-7090) that purified proheads of bacteriophage phi 29 contain an RNA of 120 bases which is essential for DNA packaging. Here we report that this RNA exists primarily as a polymer of ca. 174 residues in phage-infected cells and that ca. 54 bases are cleaved from its 3'-terminus by adventitious nucleases during the purification of proheads. The long and short forms of the RNA had similar activity in in vitro DNA packaging and phage assembly. We report the sequence of the long form of the RNA and show that similar long and short forms can be isolated from the proheads of the phi 29 relatives phi 21, phi 15 and SF5. The concentration dependence in the reconstitution of RNA-free proheads suggests that one copy of the RNA is sufficient to restore DNA packaging activity to RNA-free proheads. However, quantitative measurements indicate that 5 to 6 copies of the RNA are present on proheads isolated from phage-infected cells.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy using transvaginal ultrasound scanning.

A new technique was developed for transvaginal ultrasound scanning in the routine evaluation of women with suspected early ectopic pregnancy. This approach enables us to detect early pregnancies that could not be visualized previously with routine abdominal ultrasound. Transvaginal scanning shows the location of the gestational sac very clearly, whether it is within or outside the uterus. Our introduction of this technique into the evaluation process has reduced patients' risk by minimizing delays in diagnosis and treatment and also has shortened hospital stays, thereby reducing costs.

Adolescent↗

Molecular structure of serum transferrin at 3.3-A resolution.

Serum transferrin is a metal-binding glycoprotein, molecular weight ca. 80,000, whose primary function is the transport of iron in the plasma of vertebrates. The X-ray crystallographic structure of diferric rabbit serum transferrin has been determined to a resolution of 3.3 A. The molecule has a beta alpha structure of similar topology to human lactoferrin and is composed of two homologous lobes that each bind a single ferric ion. Each lobe is further divided into two dissimilar domains, and the iron-binding site is located within the interdomain cleft. The iron is bound by two tyrosines, a histidine, and an aspartic acid residue. The location of the 19 disulfide bridges is described, and their possible structural roles are discussed in relation to the transferrin family of proteins. Mapping of the intron/exon splice junctions onto the molecule provides some topological evidence in support of the putative secondary role for transferrin in stimulating cell proliferation.

Animals↗

Modification of ribosomal RNA by ribosome-inactivating proteins from plants.

We have surveyed 14 different toxic and nontoxic ribosome-inactivating proteins from plants for the ability to act on the RNA of the eucaryotic 60 S ribosomal subunit. All of these proteins act to introduce a specific modification into 26-28 S RNA which renders the RNA sensitive to cleavage by aniline. Sequence analysis of the 5'-termini of the fragments produced by ricin and saporin following aniline cleavage indicate that both proteins possess identical specificity. Our observations support the conclusion of Endo and Tsurugi (J. Biol. Chem. 262, 8128-8130, 1987) that ricin is a specific N-glycosidase and we have located the site of this cleavage by direct sequence analysis. Our results further suggest that all plant ribosome-inactivating proteins function as specific N-glycosidases with the same specificity.

Animals↗

Adrenal myelolipoma: rationale for nonoperative management.

With increasing use of computerized tomography and ultrasonography, asymptomatic lesions of the adrenal gland are frequently detected. One such tumor is the adrenal myelolipoma, composed of adipose and hemic elements histologically resembling bone marrow. This tumor can be diagnosed by its characteristic appearance on CT scan, and fine-needle biopsy guided by CT can be used to obtain a tissue diagnosis. Because patients with adrenal myelolipoma typically have recurrence of symptoms after resection, surgical intervention is not indicated unless an enlarging tumor impinges on surrounding structures.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Characterization of the small RNA of the bacteriophage phi 29 DNA packaging machine.

The prohead connector of the bacteriophage luminal diameter 29 DNA packaging machine was reconstructed with the small RNA that regulates DNA packaging in vitro. The complete sequence of the 120 nucleotide RNA proved its origination from the promoter PE1(A1) of the left early region of phi 29 DNA, the end packaged first during assembly. The prohead RNA was clearly distinct from eubacterial 5S rRNA in sequence and composition.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Relationship of upper body fat distribution to serum glucose and lipids in a Costa Rican population.

Present models of the relation between subcutaneous fat distribution and serum biochemistries have been based largely on U.S. White populations. To determine interpopulational differences in that relation, we measured 68 clinically normal adult Costa Ricans aged 17-32. Data collected included six skinfolds: triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, umbilical, anterior mid-thigh, and medial calf; height, weight, and four fasting serum parameters: glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Correlations between standardized skinfold ratios and biochemistries were highest--on the order of 0.40-0.50--for upper-lower body contrasts to triglyceride and cholesterol in males and to glucose and HDL in females. Canonical correlation analysis, with body mass index partialed out, found significant correlations for the first male variate and the first two female variates. The first male variate was positively weighted on subscapular fatness and on triglyceride and cholesterol, respectively. The two female skinfold variates were positively weighted on subscapular and on outer limbs, respectively, while their corresponding biochemical variates were weighted on glucose and triglyceride and on cholesterol and HDL, respectively. These findings are generally consistent with those based on U.S. populations but suggest that in non-Anglo populations, upper trunk fatness may be more relevant than anterior waist fatness to biochemical dysfunction.

Adipose Tissue↗

Treatment of gram-positive peritonitis with two intraperitoneal doses of vancomycin in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

Eight patients with end-stage renal failure on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), who developed peritonitis, received an intraperitoneal dose of vancomycin (30 mg/kg body weight) with 6 h of peritoneal dwell and then resumed their routine CAPD schedule. Vancomycin concentration in serum, peritoneal dialysate (PD) from an overnight dwell and 1, 2 and 3 h after a new exchange was measured at 48 h (in 5 patients) and 7 days (in 6 patients). Except for an occasional 1-hour peritoneal fluid sample on the 7th day, all samples had satisfactory vancomycin levels. Five of the 8 patients who had gram-positive peritonitis and 1 with 'sterile' peritonitis received another similar intraperitoneal dose of vancomycin at the 7th day. All of these patients had good therapeutic response with a negative PD culture 3 weeks after the cessation of therapy and no relapse of infection in at least 1 month of follow-up. We conclude that 2 intraperitoneal doses of vancomycin (30 mg/kg body weight) given 1 week apart with 6 h of intraperitoneal dwell is an effective and adequate treatment for gram-positive and 'sterile' peritonitis in CAPD patients.

Bacterial Infections↗

Attributional style in depression: a meta-analytic review.

In this article we report meta-analyses of the relation of attributional styles to depression. In 104 studies involving nearly 15,000 subjects, several attributional patterns had reliable associations with depression scores. For negative events, attributions to internal, stable, and global causes had a reliable and significant association with depression. Studies in which the attribution factors of ability and luck were measured also showed a reliable association with depression. For positive events, attributions to external, unstable, and specific causes were associated with depression. Ability and luck attribution factors for positive events were also associated with depression. The relations for positive events, however, were weaker than the corresponding ones for negative events. In general, these patterns of relations were independent of a number of potential mediators suggested by authors in this literature, including the type of subject studied (psychiatric vs. college student), the type of event about which the attribution is made (real vs. simulated), the depression measure used, or the publication status of the research report. These conclusions are compared with those of other reviews. Implications for attributional models of depression are discussed.

Depression↗

Diagnosing bulimia.

It was previously thought that weight fluctuation was the main sign of this binge eating-purging disorder, but there is now a recognized cluster of signs and symptoms. Behavioral indicators include secrecy, substance abuse and "doctor shopping." Systemic findings include a multitude of gastrointestinal complaints, menstrual abnormalities, orofacial problems and "cardiac" symptoms and signs, including electrocardiographic changes. Laboratory studies can also reveal valuable clues to this potentially life-threatening disorder.

Adolescent↗