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S Best

Publications and source records attributed to S Best.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Genetic map of the region surrounding the retrovirus restriction locus, Fv1, on mouse chromosome 4.

The Friend virus susceptibility-1 (Fv1) gene maps to mouse Chromosome (Chr) 4 close to a cluster of four endogenous murine leukemia viruses (MLVs). To investigate the feasibility of cloning Fv1 by a positional approach, we have performed an extensive genetic analysis of this region of Chr 4. We have typed 368 backcross mice for the four proviruses, Nppa, Lck, and D4Smh6b. Recombinant animals were screened in a hierarchical fashion with a variety of other markers, including Fv1 and the isozyme marker Gpd1. A detailed genetic map of the region surrounding Fv1 was derived. Three markers, Xmv9, Nppa, and Iap3rc11, were identified that showed no recombination with Fv1. By combining backcross and recombinant inbred strain data, we estimated that Xmv9 and Nppa must lie within 0.6 cM of one another and Fv1.

Animals

Structure and expression of the hairless gene of mice.

The hairless mutation of mice was caused by insertion of a murine leukemia virus. Starting with sequences flanking the provirus, a series of overlapping clones surrounding the viral integration site were obtained. By using a combination of sequencing, PCR, and exon-trapping techniques, the hairless gene was identified. It encodes a predicted protein of 1182 amino acids, including a potential zinc-finger domain. The expression patterns of the gene closely reflect the phenotype of animals carrying the hairless mutation.

Amino Acid Sequence

Mothers' and fathers' perceptions of stress and coping with children who have severe disabilities.

Stress in families with children who have special needs, which has been the focus of much research interest, is usually assessed solely from a maternal perspective. In this study, the short form of the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress (QRS-F, Friedrich, Greenberg, & Crnic, 1983) was completed separately by mothers and fathers of children with severe developmental disabilities. To compare responses of mothers and fathers, we employed factor analysis of parcels using the parallel analysis criterion rather than the more traditional item level analysis with minimum eigenvalue criterion. Results indicated that the QRS-F differed only slightly in both factor structure and correlates as a function of parental gender. Overall, validity of the QRS-F for use with both mothers and fathers of children with severe disabilities was supported.

Activities of Daily Living

Characterization of the breakpoint of a 3.5-kb deletion of the beta-globin gene.

The precise extent and breakpoints of a deletion of the beta-globin gene in a Thai patient have been determined using direct sequencing of a PCR product. This lesion is not detectable by current screening methods using PCR to analyze the beta-globin genes and is, therefore, a potential source of error in the diagnosis and prenatal detection of beta-thalassemia.

Base Sequence

Planning for community care. Long-stay populations of hospitals scheduled for rundown or closure.

Using the Community Placement Questionnaire, the long-stay populations of five hospitals were surveyed. The results suggest that there is little need for large hospitals if adequate community provision is made. However, a small number of patients continue to accumulate for whom community placement is hard to envisage. Investigating the characteristics of the 'new long-stay' patients suggests that the usual definition should be extended to include those over 65 years old with no diagnosis of dementia and those in hospital for 1-10 years. About 20% of 'new long-stay' patients have organic diagnoses and the needs of this group require assessment.

Adult

The molecular basis of beta-thalassemia in Thailand: application to prenatal diagnosis.

To enable the prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia by direct detection of the mutant beta-globin genes, we have determined the spectrum of mutations causing this disease in Thailand. The techniques employed included a combination of synthetic oligonucleotide probe hybridization, direct sequencing of genomic DNA enzymatically amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, and cloning and sequencing of the beta-globin genes. A total of 116 beta-thalassemia genes from 78 Hb E/beta-thalassemia patients and from 19 homozygous beta-thalassemia patients were analyzed, and the mutation was characterized in 112/116 (97%) of them. Eleven mutations were found, of which four (-CTTT in codon 41/42, AAG----TAG in codon 17, C----T in position 654 of the IVS-2 region, and A----G in position -28 upstream of the beta-globin gene) accounted for 83%; two previously undescribed mutations have been identified. The spectrum of beta-thalassemia mutations is similar to that reported among the Chinese. However, within the Thai population itself, patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia show a wider spread of mutations in comparison with the Hb E/beta-thalassemia group, in whom the frameshift 41/42 mutation predominates at a frequency of 62%. This difference in distribution may reflect the difference in ethnic origin of the two groups. Characterization of these mutations should aid the planning of a prenatal diagnosis program for beta-thalassemia in Thailand.

Base Sequence

Can psychiatric nurses 'catch' schizophrenia?

The incidence of schizophrenia among psychiatric and general trained nurses was investigated for the period 1955-1979 in Northern Ireland. No difference was found. These results do not support the hypothesis of schizophrenia as a horizontally transmitted infectious disease.

Adult

Fatty acyl chain specificity of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis catalyzed by lipoprotein lipase. Effect of apolipoprotein C-II and its (56-79) synthetic fragment.

Mixed acyl chain phosphatidylcholine molecules in Triton N-101 micelles were employed as substrates for lipoprotein lipase to test which substrate acyl chain has the greatest effect on activation of the enzyme by apolipoprotein C-II. The phospholipase A1 activity of lipoprotein lipase was measured by pH-stat. The activation factor (lipoprotein lipase activity plus apolipoprotein C-II/activity minus apolipoprotein C-II) increased monotonically with apolipoprotein C-II concentration up to 1 microM apolipoprotein C-II at an enzyme concentration of 0.01 microM. The maximal activation factor for phosphatidylcholine substrate molecules with sn-2 acyl chain lengths of 14 averages 14.8. By contrast, for sn-2 acyl chain lengths of 16 the activation factor was 29.2. Varying the sn-1 acyl chain length had no significant effect on the activation factor. The chain-length dependence of the activation factor is similar with the apolipoprotein C-II peptide fragment comprising residues 56-79, which does not include the lipid-binding region of apolipoprotein C-II. These data are consistent with a model for activation of lipoprotein lipase in which residues 56-79 bind to lipoprotein lipase and alter the interaction of the sn-2 acyl chain of the phosphatidylcholine (PC) substrate or the lysoPC product within the activated state complex.

Apolipoprotein C-II

Characteristics of children with phonologic disorders of unknown origin.

Descriptive data are presented from three studies of children referred for assessment of a developmental speech disorder of unknown origin. Group findings indicate that these children have involvements in mechanism, cognitive, and psychosocial areas that warrant attention in theoretical explication of and early intervention for their communication deficits. The reliability, learnability, and efficiency of a diagnostic classification system that attempts to provide characteristic speech profiles for diagnostic subtypes is also considered.

Child

Wasting time?

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Child, Preschool

[The omovertebral bone--new possibility of preoperative examination by computed axial tomography (author's transl)].

After a brief review of literature a case of congenital high scapula with omovertebral bone is presented by conventional X-ray films (plain X-ray and a. p. tomography). The additional computed axial tomography is of great diagnostic value, giving the surgeon a good deal of preoperative information on the anatomy of the bony connection between cervical vertebrae and scapula. The possible pitfalls of this new diagnostic technique are discussed as well as its limitation.

Cervical Vertebrae