Biomedical subjects
B Foster
Publications and source records attributed to B Foster.
The YYRR box: a conserved dipyrimidine-dipurine sequence element in Drosophila and other eukaryotes.
We have discovered a novel DNA sequence element in Drosophila which is based upon a CTGA tandem repeat. This element has been named the YYRR box to emphasize its dipyrimidine-dipurine nature which is predicted to have unusual structural features. Southern hybridization analysis of genomic DNA indicates the presence of 25-30 copies of the YYRR box in each of three Drosophila species (melanogaster, pseudoobscura, and virilis) and conservation of genomic location within species. Similar analysis of human and rat DNA indicates the presence of YYRR related sequences in mammals as well. YYRR boxes have been localized to two genetic loci in Drosophila: Gld and a gene tentative identified as ted. These two genes exhibit correlated patterns of developmental expression and an identical mutant phenotype. Sequence analysis of the Gld YYRR box in three Drosophila species revealed a high degree of conservation despite its intronic location.
Characterization of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor in K562 erythroleukemia cells; evidence for a biological function for the type II IGF receptor.
Erythroleukemia cells (K562) were found to bind insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) about 10 times as much as IGF-I, insulin and human growth hormone. The specific binding of IGF-II increased as a function of cell number in a range of 0.5-6 X 10(6) cell/ml. Kinetic studies revealed that binding was time and temperature dependent and showed a broad pH optimum. Specificity studies showed no inhibition of 125I-IGF-II binding by insulin or unrelated peptide hormones. The half-maximal inhibition of 125I-IGF-II binding to K562 cells was achieved at 87 and 28 ng/ml of IGF-I and IGF-II respectively. However, the addition of 7.5 and 1.7 ng/ml of unlabeled IGF-I and IGF-II respectively increased the binding of 125I-IGF-II by 55%. This 'hook' effect was greatly reduced when K562 cell membranes were used. Scatchard analysis of IGF-II binding showed a comparable equilibrium constant with either intact cells (Ka = 8.9 X 10(8) M-1) or microsomal membranes (Ka = 5.4 X 10(8) M-1). Cross-linking studies indicated that both 125I-IGF-II and 125I-IGF-I bound to an entity of 215 kDa which increased to 260 kDa under reducing conditions. Both IGF-I and II stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation into K562 cells whereas insulin was without effect. These data show that both IGF-I and II bind predominantly to a type II-IGF receptor in K562 cells. Since both peptides stimulate 3H-thymidine incorporation in these cells it is possible that the type II-IGF receptor is mediating an anabolic biological response in these cells.
Equilibrium, kinetic and structural properties of hemoglobin Cranston, an elongated beta chain variant.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Hospital child care center yields high dividends.
In an effort to reduce staff turnover and to improve employee morale, a medical center established an around-the-clock, hospital-based child care center. A developmental atmosphere is maintained in the center by establishing goals for each child enrolled in the program and monitoring each child's progress on a regular basis.
The effect of cycloheximide on adipose-tissue clearing-factor lipase.
The progressive increase in clearing-factor lipase activity that occurs during the incubation of adipose tissue from starved rats in an appropriate medium at 25 degrees C is shown to occur in two stages. The first of these is not inhibited by cycloheximide, whereas the second is.
Starch utilization by Phytophthora spp.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Equipment for spinal anaesthesia.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Skeletal age estimation in leg length discrepancy.
Sixty hand radiographs of children with known leg length discrepancy were reported independently in a "blind" manner by four radiologists using the Greulich and Pyle Atlas. Significant variation was found. Fifty percent of the children were assigned a skeletal age that differed by more than 1 year between radiologists; 10% varied by more than 2 years (p less than 0.05). Female skeletal age was considerably underestimated by an average of 11 months. Skeletal age estimation is one source of error in the timing of surgery for leg length equalization, especially when a single estimate is used. Skeletal age also appears to be more variable in children with leg length discrepancy.
The quality of life in late-stage dementia (QUALID) scale.
OBJECTIVES: To develop a valid and reliable instrument for rating quality of life in persons with late-stage Alzheimer's disease and other dementing illnesses. DESIGN: A group of clinicians with extensive experience in dealing with dementia patients developed by consensus the Quality of Life in Dementia Scale (QUALID), an 11-item scale. The window of observation for each subject was 7 days. A 5-point scale captured the frequency of each item (total score ranging from 11 to 55). Lower scores reflected a higher quality of life (QOL). Validity was assessed by comparison with other measures. SETTING: Dementia special care unit. PARTICIPANTS: Professional caregivers of 42 patients. MEASUREMENTS: QUALID, Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Physical Self-Maintenance Scale (PSMS), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). RESULTS: QUALID scores ranged from 12 to 45 points and were skewed toward higher QOL (lower scores). Internal consistency of items was high, as were test-retest reliability and consistency across recorders. As expected, there was no relationship between QUALID and MMSE or PSMS scores, but there was a statistically significant, although moderate, relationship between QUALID and NPI, and GDS scores. CONCLUSION: The QUALID is a reliable and valid scale, administered to caregivers, for rating QOL in persons with late-stage dementing illness.