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Biomedical subjects

J Giacalone

Publications and source records attributed to J Giacalone.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Interplanetary Magnetic Field Line Mixing Deduced from Impulsive Solar Flare Particles.

We have studied fine-scale temporal variations in the arrival profiles of approximately 20 keV nucleon-1 to approximately 2 MeV nucleon-1 ions from impulsive solar flares using instrumentation on board the Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft at 1 AU between 1997 November and 1999 July. The particle events often had short-timescale ( approximately 3 hr) variations in their intensity that occurred simultaneously across all energies and were generally not in coincidence with any local magnetic field or plasma signature. These features appear to be caused by the convection of magnetic flux tubes past the observer that are alternately filled and devoid of flare ions even though they had a common flare source at the Sun. Thus, we have used the particles to study the mixing of the interplanetary magnetic field that is due to random walk. We deduce an average timescale of 3.2 hr for these features, which corresponds to a length of approximately 0.03 AU.

Journal Article↗

Small-scale Gradients and Large-scale Diffusion of Charged Particles in the Heliospheric Magnetic Field.

We have carried out numerical simulations of the propagation of energetic charged particles in a turbulent magnetic field similar to that observed in the solar wind. If the particles are released impulsively near the Sun, in a region small compared with the field coherence scale (a solar flare, for example), they exhibit characteristic fluctuations in intensity at 1 AU (dropouts) associated with very steep localized gradients. These numerical simulations are quantitatively very similar to recent observations by the Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft and are the result of the convection of alternatively filled and empty flux tubes past the spacecraft. These fluctuations occur naturally as part of the particle transport in the same field, which results in large-scale cross field diffusion and which has previously been used to study the propagation of corotating interaction region-associated particles to high heliographic latitudes.

Journal Article↗

Optical mapping of BAC clones from the human Y chromosome DAZ locus.

The accurate mapping of clones derived from genomic regions containing complex arrangements of repeated elements presents special problems for DNA sequencers. Recent advances in the automation of optical mapping have enabled us to map a set of 16 BAC clones derived from the DAZ locus of the human Y chromosome long arm, a locus in which the entire DAZ gene as well as subsections within the gene copies have been duplicated. High-resolution optical mapping employing seven enzymes places these clones into two contigs representing four distinct copies of the DAZ gene and highlights a number of differences between individual copies of DAZ.

Chromosome Mapping↗

High-density radiation hybrid map of human chromosome 18 and contig of 18p.

A high-resolution radiation hybrid map of human chromosome 18 has been developed by testing DNA samples of 92 radiation hybrids (RH) from a previously characterized chromosome 18-specific RH panel. Half of the 159 STS markers were tested on RH DNA amplified by primer extension preamplification. This map includes 20 genes and 95 polymorphic markers, most of which have heterozygosity frequencies greater than 65% and, therefore, allow integration with genetic maps. The framework map consists of 137 markers ordered with odds of 1000:1 or better and spaced on average 580 kb apart. A YAC contig map of 18p was generated independently by STS content mapping of YACs using the same primers as for RH mapping. The RH map and the contig map are concordant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning and chromosomal localization of the human and murine genes for the T-cell transcription factors NFATc and NFATp.

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is a transcription factor complex involved in the activation of cytokines and cell surface molecules associated with coordinating the actions of different cells required for an immune response. Two different genes have recently been cloned that encode proteins capable of functioning as the pre-existing (p) and cytosolic (c) component of the NFAT transcription complex, NFATc of human and NFATp of murine origin (Northrop et al., 1994; McCaffrey et al., 1993b). We report here the partial cDNA cloning of the murine homolog of NFATc and the human homolog of NFATp, and the chromosomal localization of both genes in both species to conserved syntenic regions. Through the use of mapping panels of human x Chinese hamster and mouse x rodent cells hybrids, the NFATc genes were mapped to human and mouse chromosomes 18. By analyzing a chromosome 18 radiation hybrid panel, the human NFATc gene was localized to the q terminus, closely linked to STS marker D18S497. The murine Nfatc gene was sublocalized to chromosome band 18E4 by FISH. The NFATp genes were mapped by somatic cell hybrid analysis to human chromosome 20 and mouse chromosome 2. Human NFATp was assigned to chromosome region 20q13.2-->q13.3 by FISH. Based on the conserved syntenic region on human chromosome 20 and mouse chromosome 2, murine Nfatp is predicted to reside in the vicinity of a mutant locus wasted. Homozygous wst/wst mice display a phenotype reminiscent of severe combined immune deficiency or ataxia telangiectasia, disorders that could therefore be considered candidates for NFATp mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regional localization of 56 new human chromosome 18-specific yeast artificial chromosomes.

Fifty-six chromosome 18-specific yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC) were isolated from a human monochromosomal somatic cell hybrid DNA library. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that the clones were evenly distributed throughout the chromosome. The clones, with an average insert size of 250 kb, cover about 18% of the euchromatic part of chromosome 18. Of 90 STS markers tested, 17 were represented in this YAC collection. Together with our previously reported set of unique chromosome 18-specific YACs, we now have available 111 regionally mapped, essentially nonchimeric, clones that provide more than 30% coverage and form a framework for the complete physical map.

Animals↗

A radiation hybrid map of human chromosome 18.

A human x Chinese hamster (CH) somatic cell hybrid subclone deficient in HPRT and containing only human chromosome 18 was irradiated with 7000 rad and fused to a thymidine kinase deficient CH cell line. Radiation-rescued hybrid cell lines, selected in HAT medium, were analyzed for human DNA with human interspersed-repeat sequence primers. Size and number of human chromosome fragments retained in a subset of hybrids were determined by FISH. A panel of 98 radiation hybrids (RH) was selected and analyzed for 90 chromosome 18-specific STSs by PCR, and for the D18Z1 centromeric marker by Southern blotting. STSs were developed from previously mapped RFLP loci and from published sequences. In addition, 32 novel STSs were generated from an 18-specific lambda library and from 18-specific YACs previously localized to chromosome bands by FISH. Marker retention frequency varied from 8-65% with an average of 24%. In selected RH the STS typing data were correlated with the chromosome 18 regions retained using 'reverse FISH' of IRS-PCR products from the RH to normal metaphase chromosomes. The order and intermarker distances of loci were determined using two-point and multipoint maximum likelihood methods. The resulting RH map covers most of chromosome 18 with four groups of tightly linked markers and three regions of loosely linked markers, one around the centromere and two on the long arm. More than a third of the markers are polymorphic and allow integration with the linkage map. This RH map provides a framework for establishing a clone contig of the entire chromosome 18.

Animals↗

Generation of a human chromosome 18-specific YAC clone collection and mapping of 55 unique YACs by FISH and fingerprinting.

A yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) library was constructed from a somatic cell hybrid line in which the human chromosome content had been reduced by repeated subcloning to one or two copies of chromosome 18. Screening of 4700 primary yeast transformants generated 74 clones containing a YAC with a human DNA insert averaging 190 kb in size. The human YACs were localized to subregions of chromosome 18 by in situ hybridization of biotin-labeled Alu-PCR products obtained using total yeast DNA as a template. Comparisons of interspersed repetitive sequence-PCR and restriction fragment fingerprint patterns identified five sets of identical and three sets of overlapping YACs. Dual-label fluorescence in situ hybridization interphase mapping was used to determine the order of some nonoverlapping YACs. STS (sequence-tagged site) content mapping was carried out with PCR primers for 56 chromosome 18-specific markers. The identification of YACs containing four known genes--encoding the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PA-CAP), the myelin basic protein (MBP), ferrochelatase (FECH), and SSAV1, an endogenous retroviral element related to the SSAV virus--provides a precise cytological map position for the respective loci. Our final collection of 55 randomly isolated, unique, and regionally localized YACs (D18S107-D18S161) is distributed over the entire chromosome and collectively covers approximately 12 Mb, i.e., 16% of the estimated 77 Mb of DNA in euchromatin of chromosome 18. These YACs provide reagents for the isolation of genes in these regions and represent nucleation points for the generation of STS to increase coverage of the chromosome by YAC contigs.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

A novel GC-rich human macrosatellite VNTR in Xq24 is differentially methylated on active and inactive X chromosomes.

A new X chromosome-specific repetitive sequence, a 3 kilobase HindIII clone with a base composition of 63% C+G, has been isolated. The sequence is organized as a hypervariable tandem repeat cluster ranging in size from 150-350 kilobases, with outlying single copies. This locus, designated DXZ4 and mapped to chromosome band Xq24, may consist of as many as 50 variable-length alleles. It represents a class of variable number of tandem repeat polymorphism which may be termed 'macrosatellite'. The cluster is highly methylated on the active X chromosome and hypomethylated on the inactive X.

Base Composition↗

Minor Xp21 chromosome deletion in a male associated with expression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, chronic granulomatous disease, retinitis pigmentosa, and McLeod syndrome.

We are reporting a male patient who suffered from chronic granulomatous disease associated with cytochrome b-245 deficiency and McLeod red cell phenotype, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa. On cytogenetic analysis, he seemed to have a very subtle interstitial deletion of part of band Xp21. Since it was impossible to know whether this material was truly deleted or inserted elsewhere in the genome, somatic cell and molecular studies were carried out. In somatic cell hybrids, the deleted X chromosome was isolated on a Chinese hamster background. Southern blot analysis with 20 single-copy probes, that had been mapped to the X short arm, led to the discovery of one (probe 754) that is missing from this patient's X chromosome and also from his total DNA. This proves that he, indeed, has a deletion rather than a balanced insertion. The results provide cytological mapping information for the X-linked phenotypes present in this patient. Furthermore, probe 754 recognizes a restriction fragment length polymorphism of high frequency that makes it the most powerful probe currently available for linkage studies with X-linked muscular dystrophy.

Animals↗

Isolation of a maltase structural gene from Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

The maltase structural gene MAL6 of the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis has been cloned by transformation of a maltose nonfermenting recipient strain with autonomously replicating chimeric recombinant plasmids. One recombinant plasmid, pMAL26, was shown by positive hybridization translation, as well as by Southern and Northern blot experiments, to carry the MAL6 structural gene.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Large-scale purification of hepatitis B surface antigen using affinity chromatography.

Large-scale purification of hepatitis B surface antigen, applicable to the preparation of potential vaccines for prevention of hepatitis B, is described. The method involves the following steps: precipitation of serum with polyethylene glycol 6000, affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose and on omega-aminononyl-Sepharose, and isopycnic centrifugation.

Centrifugation, Isopycnic↗