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Biomedical subjects

W Davies

Publications and source records attributed to W Davies.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Localization of the calcium release channel gene in cattle and horse by in situ hybridization: evidence of a conserved synteny with glucose phosphate isomerase.

In situ hybridization techniques were used to localize regionally the calcium release channel (CRC) gene on cattle and horse chromosomes, using a porcine CRC cDNA probe. In cattle, the hybridization signal peaked on the 18q23-q26 bands and in horse on the 10pter region. Previous studies have shown that the glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) gene localizes at the same site in both species, indicating that the two loci are syntenic. As CRC and GPI are syntenic in human, pig and mouse, the present results in cattle and horse represent another example of synteny conservation in the evolution of mammalian chromosomes.

Animals↗

Porcine SINEs: characterization and use in species-specific amplification.

A porcine repetitive DNA sequence has been isolated from an intron of the glucose phosphate isomerase gene. The copy number of this and related sequences was estimated to be approximately 10(5) copies per genome. The sequence possesses all the characteristics of short interspersed elements (SINEs) described in other mammals: The repeat is 300 bp in length, has an poly(A)stretch, and contains insertion duplication sites. Homology to seven other porcine sequences, which also have the characteristics of SINEs, has been demonstrated. Primer oligonucleotides, based on conserved regions in the SINE sequences, have been synthesized. Using these primers, PCR-mediated specific amplification of porcine sequences was demonstrated from pig x mouse and pig x hamster hybrid cell lines. Cloning and sequencing of some amplified porcine sequences verify that the sites of priming are SINE sequences.

Animals↗

Chromosomal localization of the glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) gene in cattle, sheep and goat by in situ hybridization--chromosomal banding homology versus molecular conservation in Bovidae.

A porcine genomic glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) DNA probe was used for in situ hybridization with metaphase chromosomes in cattle, sheep and goat. The probe gave distinct signals on the q22----proximal part of the q24 segment of chromosome 18, 14 and 18 in cattle, sheep and goat, respectively, indicating the location of GPI gene. The three species belong to the family Bovidae and have high resemblance in chromosome banding patterns. The localization of the GPI locus to the same site on chromosomes with almost similar banding patterns suggests high degree of homology at these sites in the three species. Correlation between banding homologies and possible similarities at the molecular level is discussed.

Animals↗

Assignment of the porcine calcium release channel gene, a candidate for the malignant hyperthermia locus, to the 6p11----q21 segment of chromosome 6.

Several studies point to the possibility that malignant hyperthermia (MH) in pigs is caused by a defect in the calcium release channel (CRC) of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. The locus for MH is closely linked to the glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI) locus, near the centromere of chromosome 6. We demonstrate synteny of the genes for CRC and GPI using somatic cell hybrid lines, and assign the CRC gene to chromosome 6p11----q21 by in situ hybridization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Comparison of four local extradural anaesthetic solutions for elective caesarean section.

We have examined a combination of two local anaesthetics to see if the resultant solution is superior to the agents individually. This study shows that a mixture of bupivacaine and lignocaine provided an excellent alternative to bupivacaine alone, and was superior to 2% lignocaine with adrenaline for elective Caesarean section. By reducing the dose of bupivacaine used, the combination may reduce the risk of cardiotoxicity.

Adult↗

Localization of the glucose phosphate isomerase gene to the p12----q21 segment of chromosome 6 in pig by in situ hybridization.

The glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) locus is closely linked to the halothane sensitivity locus in pig. The chromosomal localization of GPI in pig was confirmed to 6p12----q21 by using in situ hybridization. Of the total grains, 25 percent were located on chromosome 6, with about 65 percent clustered in the cent----q21 segment, suggesting the presence of the GPI gene on the very proximal part of the q arm. The efficiency of hybridization was found to be affected by ultraviolet irradiation of metaphases for RBA-banding before hybridization. The irradiated metaphases had higher background grains than the non-irradiated metaphases.

Animals↗

Marked Q-T prolongation due to encainide therapy.

Encainide is a type Ic antiarrhythmic agent. During encainide therapy, mild Q-T interval prolongation can be seen, usually associated with prolongation of the Q-R-S interval. The present case report describes an unusual and marked prolongation of the Q-T interval with no Q-R-S interval prolongation in a patient who was treated with encainide for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia. The drug metabolite profile in this patient's serum indicated an unusual elevation of the 3-methoxy-O-demethyl encainide metabolite, versus O-demethyl encainide. This elevated metabolite level suggests that 3-methoxy-O-demethyl encainide has a significant effect on prolongation of repolarization. An abnormal metabolism of encainide may be the underlying mechanism by which some patients would manifest an unusual prolongation of Q-T interval during encainide therapy.

Anilides↗

Porcine malignant hyperthermia carrier detection and chromosomal assignment using a linked probe.

In pigs, the gene for glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI) is linked to the halothane (HAL) gene which is responsible for malignant hyperthermia (MH). A single copy DNA probe, designated GPI8R, has been isolated from a pig genomic library using a porcine GPI cDNA probe. This probe detects, as was the case for the cDNA probe, a five allele polymorphism in SacI and PvuII digested pig DNA. Family studies show that this polymorphism is linked to the HAL locus and hence can be used in carrier detection. In situ hybridization with GPI8R assigned the GPI locus to bands p12-q22 of chromosome 6. We conclude that the HAL linkage group resides on chromosome 6.

Animals↗

Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA populations of different intrinsic stability in unstressed and heat shocked cells display almost constant m7GpppA:m7GpppG 5'-cap structure ratios.

The half-lives of mRNAs in yeast vary from about 1 to over 100 min. While mRNA stabilities must strongly influence overall gene expression in this organism, very little is known about how they are determined. Labellings of yeast cells were conducted to investigate whether the 5'-cap structures of yeast mRNAs might influence their stability. Variation of the pulse-labelling period from 7.5 min to 120 min did not have any major influence on the relative labelling of m7GpppA (A cap) and m7GpppG (G cap) in total polyadenylated RNA. Whether an mRNA has the A cap or the G cap does not therefore have a marked effect on its stability. During the heat shock response the relative labelling of A caps to G caps in total polyadenylated RNA also does not fluctuate appreciably. This indicates that cap structure alone does not determine the destabilisation of non-heat shock mRNAs and stabilisation of heat shock mRNAs during this stress response.

Heat-Shock Proteins↗

A partial cDNA clone for porcine glucosephosphate isomerase: isolation, characterization and use in detection of restriction fragment length polymorphisms.

A cDNA library for porcine skeletal muscle was established in the vector pBR322. The library was screened with an oligonucleotide probe coding for a hexapeptide from glucosephosphate isomerase (Gpi). A positive clone with an insert of about 450 bp and restriction sites for PstI, BamHI and PvuII was isolated. A 362-bp PstI fragment was sequenced and shown to contain the codons for the hexapeptide as well as the remaining 29 amino acids of this Gpi peptide. The PstI fragment was used to probe pig genomic DNA. The restriction enzymes PvuII and SacI detected a set of polymorphisms with five bands, behaving as a set of insertion/deletion polymorphisms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Improving patient care through problem-solving groups.

In a competitive healthcare environment where as much attention must be given to quality of care as to cost containment, hospitals must learn to involve their lowest-paid paraprofessionals in decision making, since often these people have as much or more contact with patients than do physicians and nurses. One effective employee-involvement technique is the problem-solving group (PSG), which works to identify, analyze, choose, and implement solutions to various problems that influence the quality of patient care. A PSG project involving a typical paraprofessional unit was begun in spring 1985 at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta. The project's developmental stages were the following: Gathering data; Identifying problems; Providing feedback; Selecting PSG members; Focusing on problems; Generating solutions; Choosing the best solution; Implementing solutions; Managing successful outcomes. The PSG project was successful in addressing almost all the 15 identified problems in the department. Involving the staff in the PSG project resulted in higher morale, greater satisfaction with management, and a more favorable attitude toward their jobs.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Propidium iodide and S1 nuclease: tools for studying DNA reassociation kinetics.

A method for the determination of the amount of double-stranded DNA in a reassociation mixture is described. Reassociated DNA resistant to S1 nuclease digestion is measured fluorometrically using propidium iodide. A direct comparison is made between this method and an established method in which radiolabeled Escherichia coli DNA resistant to S1 digestion is measured by scintillation counting after separation of nucleotides by Sephadex G-100 chromatography. Reassociation curves determined for calf thymus and E. coli DNA are presented.

Animals↗