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Biomedical subjects

J E Carlson

Publications and source records attributed to J E Carlson.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Total chemical synthesis and expression in Escherichia coli of a maize glutathione-transferase (GST) gene.

We have constructed a totally synthetic gene encoding a maize glutathione S-transferase (GST I). This gene, composed of 1320 nucleotides (nt) (660 bp), was assembled from only 16 synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (average length 83 nt), using an efficient one-step annealing/ligation protocol. Sequencing was performed to verify the authenticity of the final assembled gene. Significantly, not a single mutation was found in either of the two constructs sequenced, indicating a remarkably low mutation frequency. The synthetic gene was introduced into Escherichia coli where it was successfully expressed. The biological activity of the GST I enzyme produced in E. coli was monitored by assaying bacterial extracts for the ability to conjugate [14C]atrazine in the presence of glutathione. This biologically active synthetic GST1 gene can now be introduced into plants to assess its ability to confer tolerance to the triazine class of herbicides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1980

Drinking among rural youth: the dynamics of parental and peer influence.

The data reported here are from a study of all eighth and and twelfth grade students ih three counties of north central Idaho. Questions were administered in the classroom setting by the senior author and an assistant. At least 16% of eighth graders and 34% of twelfth graders in north central Idaho counties drink frequently. A much higher proportion drink occasionally. Drinking behavior of parents and closeness of relationship with parents are strongly related to drinking patterns. An even stronger relationship exists between drinking and peer relationships. A high degree of problem-related communication with parents is associated with lower probability of drinking, while low problem-related communication with peers is associated with less frequent drinking.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute clot-trapping efficiency in dogs with compacted versus elongated wires in bird's nest filters.

PURPOSE: The clot-trapping efficiency of the Bird's Nest filter was studied in dogs with the stainless steel wires in a compacted versus fully elongated configuration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bird's Nest filters were placed infrarenally with the wires compacted in 10 dogs and with the wires elongated in an additional 10 dogs. The dogs were separated into two groups, five dogs with each wire configuration in each group. In group 1, 10 unlabeled 6 x 30-mm blood clots were injected into the inferior vena cava. In group 2, six 6 x 10-mm, four 6 x 15-mm, and four 6 x 30-mm labeled clots were introduced. RESULTS: In group 1, clot-trapping efficiencies were 82% for the compacted versus 86% for the elongated configuration, as seen on serial cavograms and pulmonary angiograms. In group 2, clot-trapping efficiencies were 90% for the compacted versus 97% for the elongated configuration, as seen at fluoroscopy. Clot size did not affect trapping efficiency. CONCLUSION: Acute clot-trapping efficiency of Bird's Nest filters did not differ when the wires were in a compacted versus elongated configuration. This study suggests that placement of a Bird's Nest filter in the elongated configuration may be satisfactory and may not indicate placement of a second filter.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physical mapping and characterization of 5S rRNA genes in Douglas-fir.

Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] is one of the world's most valuable timber species and is widely used in reforestation. Therefore there is considerable interest in understanding its genetic structure. In conifers approximately 75% of the genome is composed of repetitive DNA. Thus for conifers characterization of repetitive DNA is a significant part of genome analysis. We have characterized the organization of 5S rRNA genes in Douglas-fir at both the molecular and chromosome levels. 5S DNA repeat units containing the coding sequence for 5S rRNA and the nontranscribed spacer (NTS) were cloned using PCR. Sequencing and Southern hybridization revealed repeat units of 888 and 871 bp in length, the latter with a 17 bp deletion in the NTS. The coding region showed high homology with other eukaryotic 5S rRNA genes. A 35 bp region of the NTS immediately upstream of the 5' end of the coding region showed high similarity to other conifers but not to other published plant 5S rDNA sequences. Physical mapping of 5S rDNA by fluorescent in situ hybridization using a biotinilated homologous probe revealed a single subtelomeric site on one pair of large metacentric chromosomes.

Base Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring frailty in the hospitalized elderly: concept of functional homeostasis.

Functional homeostasis is the ability of an individual to withstand illness without loss of function. We investigate whether the level of functional homeostasis predicts adverse outcomes in the 6 months posthospital discharge in older men and women. A prospective cohort study was conducted in an acute care geriatric inpatient unit of a university hospital. Subjects included a consecutive series of patients admitted to the unit. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) instrument was used to assess patients at four time points: preillness, hospital admission, hospital discharge, and 6 months postdischarge. Of the 122 subjects available for analysis, 64 (52%) experienced a decline in functional level from preillness to hospital discharge and were defined as having poor functional homeostasis, whereas 58 (48%) experienced no change or an increase in functional status and were defined as having good functional homeostasis. Those with poor functional homeostasis had a higher 6-month readmission rate to the hospital (59.4 v 39.7%; P=0.03) and a higher rate of any adverse outcome (78.1 v 50%; P=0.001) than those with good functional homeostasis. In logistic regressive analyses, functional homeostasis remained a significant and powerful predictor of adverse outcomes independent of actual level of function at discharge, age, gender, living status, and other factors that might influence outcomes. Change in functional status associated with an acute illness is an independent predictor of adverse outcomes and, in this study, a better predictor than actual level of function at discharge. Functional homeostasis is one approach to the quantification of the important but elusive concept of frailty in the elderly.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Environmental policy and children's health.

Understanding the differences in the effects of environmental contamination on children and adults is an important part of environmental policymaking; however, unless environmental health policies reflect the differences between adults and children, this knowledge will have little practical effect. The authors of this article consider how the unique vulnerabilities of children challenge environmental policymaking. First, they review the biological differences between children and adults, and then they critique the processes of risk assessment and risk management, the principal tools currently used to form federal environmental policy. While these tools are useful in developing environmental health policy, their implementation frequently fails to consider the unique vulnerabilities of children. In light of the potential to improve environmental policy for children, the authors review both the actual and prospective contributions of educational and advocacy efforts in changing the ways policy addresses children's environmental health, and discuss the interests of industries and the problems of environmental equity. Finally, they present a new approach to environmental health policymaking which places children, rather than individual toxicants and hazards, at the center of the risk assessment and management process.

Child↗