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G Rice

Publications and source records attributed to G Rice.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Relative abundance of human placental phospholipase A2 messenger RNA in late pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to determine messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for a specific phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in human placenta during late gestation prior to the onset of labour. The relative abundance of human placental mRNA for a nonpancreatic Group II PLA2 was determined using cDNA clone specific for this PLA2. Twenty seven placentae were collected from women undergoing elective (i.e. before the onset of labour) Caesarean section between 37 and 41 completed weeks gestation. The relative amount of human placental PLA2 mRNA did not change significantly over this period of late pregnancy (p greater than 0.8). Previously, we have demonstrated that placental PLA2 messenger RNA levels are increased in association with spontaneous onset labour at term in the human. The data obtained in this current study are consistent with the conclusion that the regulation of this human placental PLA2 gene is tightly controlled around the time of parturition and that its expression is increased acutely in association with labour.

Blotting, Northern↗

The extracellular domain of the human interferon gamma receptor interacts with a species-specific signal transducer.

At least two species-specific gene products are required for signal transduction by interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). The first is the IFN-gamma receptor, which binds ligand with high affinity in a species-specific manner. The second is an undetermined species-specific signal transducer(s). To determine whether the human IFN-gamma receptor (hIFN-gamma R) interacts directly with this signal transducer(s) and, if so, with what functional domain(s), we constructed expression vectors for the hIFN-gamma R and three hybrid human-murine IFN-gamma receptors. The hybrid receptors contained the extracellular, human IFN-gamma (hIFN-gamma) binding domain of the hIFN-gamma R, either the human or murine transmembrane domain, and either the human or murine intracellular domain. The vectors encoding these receptors were stably transfected into two mouse cell lines, one of which (SCC-16-5) contains a single copy of human chromosome 21. The resulting cell lines were treated with hIFN-gamma, and murine major histocompatibility complex class I antigen expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence flow cytometry. All transfected cell lines lacking human chromosome 21 remained insensitive to hIFN-gamma. However, all four of the IFN-gamma receptors were able to signal when expressed in the cell line containing human chromosome 21. We conclude that the extracellular domain of the IFN-gamma receptor is involved not only in the species specificity of IFN-gamma binding but also in signalling through interaction with an as yet unidentified species-specific factor(s) encoded by a gene(s) on human chromosome 21.

Animals↗

Heat shock proteins within the mammalian cell cycle: relationship to thermal sensitivity, thermal tolerance, and cell cycle progression.

We have measured endogenous and induced rates of 70-kD, 89-kD, and 110-kD heat shock proteins in highly pure G1-, S-, or G2-M phase fractions of Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CHO) separated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Relative rates of synthesis of all three polypeptides as measured by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis were similar throughout the cell cycle, and therefore, endogenous levels were unlikely to explain the thermal sensitivity of S-phase cells. Distinct heterogeneity in induced rates of these polypeptides was noted in all phase fractions. Enhanced rates of 70-kD polypeptide were measured in S and G2-M as compared to G1 following heat shock. Little increase in either the 89-kD or 110k-kD heat shock proteins was observed in heated G1 cells. This heterogeneity in induced rates of synthesis was in contrast to the similarity in thermal tolerance expression kinetics between each phase. Finally, enhanced synthesis of these polypeptides appeared unrelated to regulation of either heat-induced cell cycle delay or to the resumption of phase-specific progression after heat shock as measured by simultaneous flow cytometric measurement of incorporated BrdUrd and DNA content.

Animals↗

Drug usage guidelines, Part 3: assessment of acceptance of the program.

The Drug Usage Guidelines (DUG) program, as perceived by the members of the P & T Committee and by physicians who had prepared and submitted DUGs, was demonstrated to be an effective method for evaluating drugs for formulary inclusion. The majority of P & T members felt that the DUG program had strengthened the drug review process without being too tedious or preventing the addition of valuable drugs to the formulary. Sixty-eight percent of physicians who had submitted a DUG expressed the opinion that it served as a vehicle for providing educational information on rational therapeutics. A majority of respondents stated that they would recommend the DUG program to other hospitals.

Drug Utilization↗

Antenatal diagnosis of Krabbe's leucodystrophy: enzymatic and morphological confirmation in an affected fetus.

Galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity was assayed in cultured amniotic fluid cells from two pregnancies at risk for Krabbe's leucodystrophy. The elective termination of one pregnancy was carried out after demonstration of a severe deficiency of galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase activity. The diagnosis of Krabbe's leucodystrophy in the affected fetus was confirmed enzymatically by a deficiency of galactosylceramide beta-galactosidase inbrain, liver, kidney, and cultured skin fibroblasts, and histologically by the ultrastructural demonstration of the typical intracellular inclusions in cells of the spinal cord.

Amniocentesis↗

Addressing barriers to perinatal care: a case study of the Access to Maternity Care Committee in Washington State.

Access to obstetrical services has deteriorated in recent years, as large numbers of physicians have discontinued or restricted obstetrical practice. In Washington State, one response to this access crisis has been the establishment of the Access to Maternity Care Committee (AMCC), an ad hoc group composed primarily of private sector obstetrical providers and representatives of State government responsible for the delivery of health care to women and children. The major objectives of the AMCC is to improve access to obstetrical services for socially vulnerable women, both rural inhabitants and the medically indigent. The committee has been successful in serving as a forum in which to resolve many of the administrative problems that have arisen between private sector obstetrical providers and the State's Medicaid Program, the major source of payment for the one-third of pregnant women who are medically indigent. Building upon the trust that the committee members developed in working together, the AMCC served as a major force in persuading the State legislature to expand substantially its investment in perinatal care by increasing Medicaid eligibility, raising provider reimbursement, and improving social service for pregnant women. Such ad hoc coalitions between the private and public sector may be quite effective in addressing obstetrical access problems in other States.

Female↗