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Biomedical subjects

A McCracken

Publications and source records attributed to A McCracken.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Properties and sequence of a female-specific, juvenile hormone-induced protein from locust hemolymph.

In the fat body of Locusta migratoria, an RNA transcript of about 800 nucleotides has been detected that is specific to the adult female and dependent on induction by juvenile hormone (JH) or an analog. The corresponding cDNA has been cloned (lambda 21) and a 718-base pair sequence determined. It encodes a 196-amino acid polypeptide, including a signal peptide. An NH2-terminal sequence has 24 out of 28 amino acids identical with those of a previously described 19K locust hemolymph protein, but the remainder of the sequence shows no similarity. From adult female hemolymph, a 21-kDa protein, designated 21K protein, has been purified, with an NH2-terminal sequence exactly matching that deduced from clone lambda 21. This 21K protein is found only in the adult female, is dependent on induction by JH, and is assumed to represent the product of the lambda 21 gene. It shows no immunochemical cross-reaction with locust 19K protein, apolipophorin III, nor with vitellogenin (Vg). Its isoelectric point is pH 5.4; it contains some carbohydrate. 21K protein is synthesized in adult female fat body, accumulates in hemolymph, and is taken up into the developing oocytes in parallel with Vg. In locusts deprived of JH with precocene, production of 21K protein and of lambda 21-hybridizing transcripts is induced by the JH analog, methoprene, in parallel with Vg and its mRNA. Because of its sex-, stage-, and JH-dependent regulation, coordinate with Vg, the 21K protein will be valuable for analysis of gene expression.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1993

Developing a tool to measure functional changes in advanced dementia.

The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and reliable tool to measure functional change in older persons with moderate to severe dementia. The process was a collaborative one, drawing on the skills of both nurse researchers and clinicians. In Phase I of this study, 20 nursing assistants and 3 licensed nurses volunteered as subjects to develop the new scale. Phase II of the study involved 27 subjects with a known diagnosis of dementia to test the scale's interrater reliability and criterion validity. The results demonstrated significant correlation among the raters and between the instruments. The investigators reported promising results from both the method of using staff expertise in scale development and the scale itself.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1987

Structure of the cloned Locusta migratoria mitochondrial genome: restriction mapping and sequence of its ND-1 (URF-1) gene.

We have cloned the entire mitochondrial genome of Locusta migratoria in four fragments and characterised by restriction mapping. In addition, we have sequenced a 1,095 kb region containing the ND-1 (URF-1) gene. The inferred primary structure of the protein is highly homologous to its Drosophila counterpart (68%). The gene is flanked at the 5' end by the tRNA(CUNleu) gene, interrupted by the sequence TTG. The 3' end is flanked by the tRNA(UCNser) gene, followed by a sequence homologous to the 3' end of D. yakuba cytochrome b. The relative position of the genes is conserved between Locusta and Drosophila, thus indicating conservation of mitochondrial gene order in insects.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1987

The gene for the large (16S) ribosomal RNA from the Locusta migratoria mitochondrial genome.

The nucleotide sequence of a segment of the mtDNA molecule of the locust Locusta migratoria containing the complete large rRNA (16S) gene and some nucleotides in its vicinity has been determined. The gene contains 1314 nucleotides, comprising the smallest metazoan gene reported to date. The gene has a low content of GC (21%) and exhibits an extended sequence homology to the corresponding gene of the dipteran insect Drosophila yakuba, suggesting a comparable secondary structure. The gene structure is discussed in an evolutionary and functional context.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of rat serum.

A crossed immunoelectrophoresis (X-IEP) reference profile of normal (Sprague-Dawley) rat serum antigens was developed. Twenty-three antigens were detected; 13 were identified. These included inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and fibronectin, which had not previously been identified in rat serum. Many of the antigens were similar electrophoretically to their analogs in human and mouse serum, but some were substantially different. Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, fibronectin, and C3 globulin were more anodic, while transferrin was more cathodic. Rat haptoglobin's mobility was between those of human and mouse haptoglobins. As in the mouse, but more so, alpha-macroglobulin in the rat had alpha 1 mobility rather than alpha 2 seen for this protein in human serum. Only rat alpha 1-antichymotrypsin exhibited a double peak. There were variations in haptoglobin and alpha 1-lipoprotein mobilities among different strains of rat. This establishment of a standard X-IEP map of rat serum will simultaneously permit multiple quantitative and qualitative analyses of rat serum antigens for various experimental and clinical purposes.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1979

Separate roles of androgen and oestrogen in the manipulation of growth and efficiency of food utilization in female rats.

The roles of androgen and oestrogen in the perinatal and postpubertal stages of development on the masculinization of female patterns of growth have been investigated in several experiments in rats. A stimulatory effect of testosterone on subsequent growth and efficiency of food utilization was only observed when administered perinatally to intact females as the propionate ester. Thus females which were untreated (or androgenized) perinatally and ovariectomized at weaning failed to grow more rapidly or utilize food more efficiently when treated with mixed testosterone esters from 36 to 38 days of age. Also autoimmunity to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) had little effect on the growth or efficiency of food utilization of male rats, although testicular development was grossly affected. An inhibitory effect of oestrogen on subsequent growth and efficiency of food utilization was demonstrated by surgical ovariectomy and by autoimmunity to LH-RH. Also perinatal administration of oestradiol benzoate to intact female rats depressed growth below that of untreated intact litter-mate females until about 50 days of age. Then oestradiol benzoate-treated female rats grew to a larger size than untreated intact litter-mates but not to a heavier weight than untreated litter-mate females which like the oestradiol benzoate-treated females, were ovariectomized at 18-21 days of age. Both of these groups of female rats differed markedly in weight gain from females which were perinatally androgenized and ovariectomized at weaning. The effects of androgenization and ovariectomy on weight gain were comparable and additive in female rats fed restrictedly or ad libitum. Nevertheless, androgenized + ovariectomized female rats fed restrictedly or ad libitum failed to grow as rapidly as male rats. Some additional factor(s) prevents complete masculinization of the female pattern of development. The stimulatory effects of androgenization and ovariectomy on the growth of females appear to be related to endocrine mechanisms controlling the onset of pubertal changes in somatic development.

Androgens↗
PubMed1978

Drool control and tongue thrust therapy for the mentally retarded.

The evaluation and neurophysiologically based treatment for drooling and infantile tongue thrust found in adolescent, mentally retarded persons living in an institution is reported. Eleven residents were treated over a two-year-period. Evaluation was made of the specific oral dysfunctions thought to contribute to drooling, rather than the composite dysfunction of drooling, so that treatment could be definitive. Tongue immobility, including infantile tongue thrust, is the dysfunction most often seen. There has been some success in inhibiting infantile tongue thrust, resulting in improved ability to eat, as well as in decreased drooling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Detection of antibiotic residues in calf tissues.

Groups of calves were injected with penicillin, ampicillin or oxytetracycline and a variety of samples were taken from the calves when slaughtered and tested for the presence of antibiotic residues by microbiological assay. Diaphragm and urine samples were found to be suitable for measuring detectable levels of antibiotics in calves given therapeutic injections.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Tactile function of educable mentally retarded children.

The tactile perception ability of 29 seven-and eight-year-old educable mentally retarded children was evaluated by using the tactile perception portions of the Southern California Sensory Integration Tests. The children were also observed for tactile defensive behavior. Compared to normal children of the same age (as reported in normative data), this sample of children was significantly inferior in manual form, finger identification, graphesthesia, and perception of simultaneous stimuli, but not in the localization of single stimuli. During the testing, 62 percent showed tactile defensive behavior. The role of tactile perception in the development of symbolic communications is reviewed.

Child↗