PubMed HealthSearch

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Functional analysis”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A brief functional analysis of aggressive and alternative behavior in an outclinic setting.

We conducted a brief functional analysis to identify maintaining variable for aggressive behavior and an alternative replacement response during a 90-min outpatient evaluation of 3 individuals with severe handicaps. During the initial analogue assessment, which focused on identifying maintaining contingencies for aggressive behavior, each participant displayed a substantially greater frequency of aggressive behavior during one condition than during any other. The contingency that produced the highest percentage of aggressive behavior was then presented for the occurrence of a specific alternative behavior (a mand). During this contingency reversal phase, each participant displayed a substantial reduction in aggressive behavior and a substantial increase in alternative behavior, thus providing a direct analysis of the equivalency of the contingency for maintaining either behavior.

Adult

Functional analysis of the expression of the 3'-phosphoglycerate kinase pgk gene in Aspergillus nidulans.

A functional analysis of the Aspergillus nidulans 3-phosphoglycerate kinase pgk promoter was undertaken using gene fusions to the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli, and introducing these into a beta-galactosidase-deficient strain of A. nidulans. Expression of a particular gene fusion in transformed strains depends upon the site of integration of the vector into the genome, and when specifically targeted to the catabolic quinate dehydrogenase qutE (selective marker) locus is directly proportional to its copy number. The analysis of transformed strains with single copies of pgk promoter deletion--lacZ fusions at the qutE locus identified three constitutive, positively acting sequence elements in the pgk gene. Sequence located between -161 and -120 nucleotides relative to the transcript start site +1, and including an element with a seven-out-of-eight nucleotide match (AAGCAAAT; -131 to -124) to the consensus eukaryotic octamer sequence ATGCAAAT, is essential for expression, and deletion of the complete 41-nucleotide sequence abolishes transcription. Sequence encompassing codons 14 to 183 and including the two introns of pgk contributes approximately one-third of the total activity, and far upstream sequence 5' to position -638 contributes approximately a further one-third total activity. In addition, sequence located -638 to -488 nucleotides, which includes an apparent consensus feature of A. nidulans glycolytic genes, affects carbon source-dependent regulation of expression. This region is required for an approximately 50% increase in pgk expression when A. nidulans is grown on gluconeogenic compared with glycolytic carbon sources.

Aspergillus nidulans

[Functional analysis of mutations on murine chromosome 17 using tertiary trisomy].

Analysis of the functional nature of mutations can be based on their manifestation in organisms with a deletion or a duplication of a particular chromosome segment. With the use of reciprocal translocation T(16;17)43H it is feasible to produce mice with tertiary trisomy for proximal region of chromosome 17. The mutations on chromosome 17 we tested included brachyury (T), hairpin tail (Thp), kinky (Fuki), quaking (qk), tufted (tf), as well as tct (t-complex tail interaction) and tcl (t complex lethal), that are specific for t haplotypes. The set of dominant and recessive mutations was assigned to two groups, one obligatory manifesting itself in the phenotype independently of the number of normal alleles in di- and trisomics, and the other facultative, phenotypically manifesting itself, depending upon the dosage of mutant alleles. A model was derived from analysis of the interaction of the T and Thp mutations with t haplotypes which is to explain the morphogenetic effects of the mutations observed in mice of different genotypes. The tir gene is postulated to reside on chromosome 17 within its framework. It is suggested that the gene dosage ratio at the tir and tct loci determines tail length.

Alleles

Functional analysis of mutations of murine chromosome 17 with the use of tertiary trisomy.

Analysis of the functional nature of mutations can be based on comparisons of their manifestation in organisms with a deletion or duplication of a particular chromosome segment. With the use of reciprocal translocation T(16;17)43H, it is feasible to produce mice with tertiary trisomy of the proximal region of chromosome 17. The mutations on chromosome 17 we tested included brachyury (T), hairpin tail (Thp), kinky (Fuki), quaking (qk), tufted (tf), as well as tct (t complex tail interaction), and tcl (t complex lethal) that are specific to t haplotypes. The set of dominant and recessive mutations was assigned to two groups: one obligatory, manifesting itself in the phenotype independently of the number of normal alleles in di- and trisomics, and the other facultative, phenotypically manifesting itself depending upon the dosage of mutant alleles. A model was derived from analysis of the interaction of the T and Thp mutations with t haplotypes. It seeks to explain the morphogenetic effects of the mutations observed in mice of different genotypes. The tir gene is postulated to reside on chromosome 17 within its framework. It is suggested that the gene dosage ratio at the tir and tct loci determines tail length.

Alleles

Phenotypic and functional analysis of lamina propria mononuclear cells from colonoscopic biopsy specimens in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Phenotypic and functional analysis was performed with lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) isolated from colonoscopic biopsies in 27 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The proportion of T lymphocytes displaying HLA-DR antigens, interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor, and transferrin receptor was greater in active UC than in control diseases. When LPMCs were cultured with IL-2 or phytohemagglutinin for 72 h, there were no significant differences in the proportion of cells bearing these activation markers between active UC and controls. The proportion of CD56+ cells and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity was lower in LPMCs from active UC than in control cells, and depletion of CD56+ cells from control lamina propria cells essentially eliminated LAK cell activity. Mucosal T lymphocytes may be activated in vivo during active inflammation in UC, and lower levels of intestinal LAK cell activity may be related to the decrease of CD56+ cells under these conditions.

Adolescent

Functional analysis of Histoplasma capsulatum-reactive T-cell hybridomas.

Activation of CD4+ T cells is a crucial step in the elimination of Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells from tissues. However, only a limited amount of information exists concerning the immunobiology of H. capsulatum-reactive T cells that are CD4+. To facilitate the analysis of the functional activities of this T-cell subpopulation, we developed a panel of 10 murine T-cell hybridomas from splenocytes of immune C57BL/6 mice. All hybridomas reacted with monoclonal anti-CD4+ antibody and released interleukin-2 after stimulation with histoplasmin. Within 3 weeks, the reactivity of hybridomas to histoplasmin declined dramatically, yet the cells responded vigorously to yeast-phase preparations that were enriched for cytosol, cell wall, or cell membrane. Of 10 hybridomas studied, only one recognized heterologous fungal antigens. Responsiveness to yeast-phase antigens was restricted by I-Ab. We mapped determinants in cytosol and cell wall or cell membrane by the technique of one-dimensional T-cell immunoblotting. The patterns of responses of hybridomas to cytosol were nearly uniform. All hybridomas responded to two immunodominant regions in cytosol with masses ranging from less than or equal to 18 to 26 kilodaltons (kDa) and 35 to 39 kDa. All hybridomas tested responded to determinants in the cell wall or cell membrane preparation with masses of 35 to 39 kDa. These hybridomas provide a useful tool for defining yeast-phase antigens that trigger T-cell activation.

Animals

Functional analysis of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase amino acids involved in resistance to multiple nonnucleoside inhibitors.

Several novel, structurally distinct classes of specific human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) nonnucleoside inhibitors have been described recently. These include the pyridinone derivatives L-697,639, L-697,661, and L-696,229 as well as BI-RG-587 and the tetrahydroimidazo[4,5,1-j,k]-benzodiazepin-2(1H)-one and -thione compounds. Previous studies have implicated involvement of the RT amino acid residues at positions 103, 181, and 188 in the activity of the compounds. Accordingly, HIV-1 RT mutants containing a series of amino acid substitutions at these positions were constructed. The relative resistance of purified mutant enzymes to each of the inhibitors was assessed. This analysis established the functional equivalence of the three inhibitor classes and provided evidence for the interaction of the 103 site with the 181/188 region. Amino acid substitutions at these positions were also found to influence RT sensitivity to inhibition by phosphonoformate, thereby suggesting a close association between this pyrophosphate analog's binding site in RT and the binding site of the nonnucleoside inhibitors. In addition, aromatic stacking of the amino acid side groups at residues 181 and 188 was suggested to be required for inhibitor activity.

Amino Acid Sequence

Functional analysis of ARGRI and ARGRIII regulatory proteins involved in the regulation of arginine metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We present here a functional analysis of ARGRI and ARGRIII regulatory proteins which are involved together with ARGRII in specific regulation of arginine anabolic and catabolic pathways. Unlike ARGRII, ARGRI and ARGRIII have no transcriptional activation capacity. The first 60 amino acids of ARGRI (out of 177) are dispensable for its activity. The functional domain of the protein is located in the region of homology with MCM1 and SRF proteins. ARGRIII contains in its C-terminal portion a stretch of 17 aspartate residues which are indispensable for arginine regulation. Gene disruption of the ARGRIII gene impairs the growth of the mutant on rich medium, showing that ARGRIII has a pleiotropic role in the cell.

Arginase

Functional analysis of cis-elements, auxin response and early developmental profiles of the mannopine synthase bidirectional promoter.

The dual MAS1'-2' promoter regulating two divergently transcribed mannopine synthase genes has been widely employed in plant expression vectors. As part of an effort towards its rational design as a genetic engineering tool, we have undertaken a functional analysis of the promoter by deletion mutagenesis and by the use of hybrid promoter constructs. Our results indicate that the central region of the intergenic promoter is composed of at least four domains. Three of these contain complementary sequences, which can potentially hybridize to form alternative palindromic structures. These three domains can function cooperatively, and in an orientation-independent manner, in imparting a sevenfold higher expression level at the 2' end relative to the corresponding 1'. The remaining domain is characterized by tracts of repeated A/T-rich elements, and appears to confer the weak activity at the MAS1' promoter end. However, even though this A/T-rich DNA segment is functional, our deletion analysis provided strong evidence that it is completely dispensable for wild-type promoter activity. In addition, the relative distances between these enhancer domains and the 1'-2' TATA-proximal regions can have a pronounced influence on the level of expression in both directions. In young tobacco seedlings, the two promoter ends are expressed in similar, if not identical, tissues in the aerial parts of the plants, but major differences can be observed in roots. Transient expression assays using hybrid promoter constructs showed that cis-elements that can respond to auxin induction signals are redundant in nature, in that they are dispersed throughout the promoter and showed no obvious consensus sequence.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

[Comparative clinical study of 3 technics of functional analysis of occlusion].

The object of our research is to compare clinically and objectively three articulators: -- the Dentatus, semiadjustable articulator which employs dynamico-static records -- the T.M.J., fully adjustable articulator which employs dynamico-cinematic stereographic endobuccal records -- the Denar, fully adjustable articulator which employs dynamico-cinematic pantographic extrabuccal records. We expressly avoided repeating the mechanical and mathematical analysis of the possibilities and limitations of the articulator and copying the previous researches which always imply quasi-perfection in the behaviour of the patient, in the manipulations of the dental surgeon and in the physical qualities of the articulator and materials used. Our comparative research claims to respect all the variables which occur in the carrying out of an actual case and which are inherent in the patient, the dental surgeon, the articulator and the materials used. In carrying out our research we followed two essential conditions: -- We decided to follow, first of all, a strictly clinical plan using successively the three articulators in the analysis of the occlusal function (carried out twice) for each of the six patients and comparing the results obtained for each articulator and for each patient. -- We decided, next, that this comparative research should be strictly objective. To this end, we did not set out to form an opinion, on the basis of clinical impressions, favourable or unfavourable to the different characteristics of the three articulators. We limited ourselves, on the contrary, to measuring, superposing and making a comparative analysis of the results obtained with the three articulators for the same analysis of the occlusal function.

Dental Arch

Lung function analysis and optimization during artificial ventilation. A personal computer-based system.

In an intensive care unit a personal computer (PC) application for lung function analysis has been in use for 5 years. The PC system is applied to measure conventional and new parameters for diagnosis and therapy. The primary goal was to find parameters which could be used as optimization indices in optimal control systems for mechanical ventilation. Another clinical application of the PC system was as an automatic controller that stabilizes end-tidal CO2 concentration. The controller and the next application, the optimizer, could be integrated into an optimal control system. Such a system is described and a simulation trial of the integrated structure has demonstrated the potential.

Humans

Functional analysis of a conserved amino-terminal region of HSP70 by site-directed mutagenesis.

Hsp70 proteins have been highly conserved throughout evolution. As a first step in a structure-function analysis of hsp70, we constructed and analysed the consequences of mutations in a portion of the SSA1 gene, a member of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae HSP70 multigene family, that encodes a nearly invariant region near the amino terminus. Analysis of strains expressing SSA1 proteins with alterations at positions 8, 11 and 15 showed that these conserved residues within this region are critical for normal functioning of the protein. SSA1 protein containing either of two changes at position 15 was able to slightly complement the inviability of an ssa1ssa2ssa4 strain, but was inactive in other complementation assays. The other mutant proteins tested were unable to complement any tested phenotype. Effective interallelic complementation of several phenotypes was observed when a mutant protein substituted at position 8 was expressed in the same cell with either of two proteins carrying substitutions at position 15, suggesting that hsp70 acts as a multimer. Evidence from previous studies suggests that hsp70 proteins engage in ATP-driven cycles of binding and release from peptides. The ability of the mutant proteins to bind ATP and a peptide was tested. The Ssa1p carrying a substitution at position 8, which inhibits growth of cells carrying wild-type SSA proteins, showed a defect in release from a peptide relative to wild type. Two mutations, one each at position 8 and 15, resulted in accumulation of phosphorylated isoforms which may be a normal, transient hsp70 intermediate.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Inhibition of in vitro differentiation of human monocytes to macrophages by lipopolysaccharides (LPS): phenotypic and functional analysis.

Blood monocytes (MO) undergo maturation into macrophages (MAC) upon migration from the capillary bed to tissue sites of inflammation where they are exposed to environmental signals. Functional competence and phenotype heterogeneity is the result of both differentiation-inducing and -activating events. In vitro, MO to MAC maturation is induced by serum factors, can be followed by the expression of specific maturation-associated antigens and is accompanied by a characteristic change in the secretory repertoire of MAC in comparison to MO. Here we report that bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) at subnanogram quantities very effectively inhibited the serum-induced maturation of human MO in vitro. At the same time LPS induced the up-regulation of CD14 antigens. The lipid A moiety was shown to be responsible for this novel biological activity of the LPS molecule. Inhibition of maturation was not due to secondary LPS-induced signals like interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or interferon (IFN)-alpha--even though the latter by itself suppressed MAC maturation in vitro. The inhibitory activity of IFN-alpha could be abolished by neutralizing anti-IFN-alpha antibodies whereas these antibodies had no effect on LPS-induced suppression of MAC maturation. Functional analysis of LPS-treated MO long-term cultures showed that the pattern of secretory products released was similar to that of freshly-isolated immature blood MO: compared with mature MAC, LPS-treated MO released high amounts of IL-6 but significantly less TNF-alpha, neopterin, lysozyme and beta-2-microglobulin. At the same time, in LPS-treated MO cultures the MAC maturation-associated molecules alpha-2-macroglobulin and fibronectin could be detected only in trace amounts. The ability to secrete IL-1, however, was lost both in control as well as in LPS-treated MO cultures. The results indicate that endotoxins may influence the biology of the MO/MAC system distinctively: they not only induce a functional activation but also interfere with the ontogeny of this cell family.

Cell Differentiation

Structure-function analysis of the human integrin VLA-4 (alpha 4/beta 1). Correlation of proteolytic alpha 4 peptides with alpha 4 epitopes and sites of ligand interaction.

The structure-function relationship of the human integrin VLA-4 (alpha 4/beta 1; CD49d/CD29), has been studied in the human B-cell line Ramos by immunochemical and functional analysis. Ramos cells expressed the 150-kDa non-proteolyzed form of the alpha 4 chain, which could be digested upon mild trypsin treatment to generate the 80- and 65-kDa proteolyzed forms, as well as alpha 4 polypeptides of 55 and 50 kDa. In addition, treatment of Ramos cells with high doses of pronase predominantly yielded the 55- and 50-kDa alpha 4 peptides. The trypsin-generated 80- and 65-kDa alpha 4 polypeptides, but not the 55- and 50-kDa fragments, were able to associate with the beta 1 chain. Distinct anti-VLA-4 mAb against four different alpha 4 epitopes, referred to as epitopes A, B1, B2, and C, recognized the 150-kDa alpha 4 chain both associated or non-associated with the beta 1 chain. The alpha 4 proteolytic forms of 80, 65 and 50 kDa were precipitated by the anti-alpha 4 mAb directed against the four different alpha 4 epitopes. On the other hand, the 55-kDa alpha 4 peptide was present in precipitates from anti-alpha 4 mAb specific for epitopes A, B1 and C, but absent in precipitates from the anti-alpha 4 mAb specific for epitope B2. The different adhesive capacities of the VLA-4 integrin, namely the interaction with a 38-kDa fibronectin fragment containing the CS-1 region of plasma fibronectin (Fn-38), the binding to the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), or the ability to mediate the anti-alpha 4-induced cell aggregation, were not altered on VLA-4 from cells upon mild trypsin treatment, when compared to non-treated cells. However, the 55- and 50-kDa alpha 4 forms generated by high-dose pronase cell treatment, failed to mediate cell interaction with Fn-38 or VCAM-1 ligands, and cell aggregation could not be triggered through VLA-4 under these conditions.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

[Results of functional analysis on an obstructive model of the lung using an Ergojet CVT high-frequency jet respirator. Comparison with the normal pattern].

This paper expands a previous study on functional analysis of high frequency jet (HFJV) "Ergojet CVT" ventilation module inserted in Ergotronic 3 (Temel SA) respirator. The analysis was made on a pulmonary monoalveolar model with a compliance of 50 ml/cmH2 = and a resistance of 20 cmH2O/l/se simulating an obstructive pattern. Results were also compared with those obtained in a previous study on normal lung. HFJV was applied using a jet with or without additional gas input (VE) at respiratory rates of 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, and 300 per minute varying in each frequency the releasing pressure of the jet (PG 1, 2, and 3 kg/cm2) and the inspiratory time (Ti 30 to 50%) giving rise to a total of 96 different situations. In each of these conditions we measured the air way pressure (Paw) and the alveolar pressure (PA) and we calculated the tidal volume (VT) and the trapped volume (VAT). These measurements were correlated with those monitored by the respirator and those obtained in the normal lung. Results show that the VT is composed almost exclusively by the jet volume (VTjet), being only of consideration the VE with a Ti of about 33% and a PG of 2 to 3 kg/cm2. When the normal pattern was compared with the obstructive one, a small reduction in VT (average of 15%) and a marked increase in peak Paw (average of 75%) were observed. The use of a Ti of 50% has no clinical interest due to the large VAT that it produces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-Frequency Jet Ventilation

Genetic and functional analysis of the basic replicon of pPS10, a plasmid specific for Pseudomonas isolated from Pseudomonas syringae patovar savastanoi.

The sequence of a 1823 base-pair region containing the replication functions of pPS10, a narrow host-range plasmid isolated from a strain of Pseudomonas savastanoi, is reported. The origin of replication, oriV, or pPS10 is contained in a 535 base-pair fragment of this sequence that can replicate in the presence of trans-acting function(s) of the plasmid. oriV contains four iterons of 22 base-pairs that are preceded by G+C-rich and A+T-rich regions. A dnaA box located adjacent to the repeats of the origin is dispensable but required for efficient replication of pPS10; A and T are equivalent bases at the 5' end of the box. repA, the gene of a trans-acting replication protein of 26,700 Mr has been identified by genetic and functional analysis. repA is adjacent to the origin of replication and is preceded by the consensus sequences of a typical sigma 70 promoter of Escherichia coli. The RepA protein has been identified, using the minicell system of E. coli, as a polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 26,000. A minimal pPS10 replicon has been defined to a continuous 1267 base-pair region of pPS10 that includes the oriV and repA sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence

Mammalian hexokinase 1: evolutionary conservation and structure to function analysis.

We have amplified and sequenced the complete coding region of bovine hexokinase isoenzyme 1 (HK1) from brain RNA with PCR primers selected for sequence conservation. The sequence information was analyzed to evaluate the evolutionary and structure-function relationships among the mammalian and yeast HK isoenzymes. Structure to function analysis identified an unduplicated, invariant N-terminal domain involved in HK1 outer mitochondrial membrane targeting, as well as putative carbohydrate and nucleotide-binding sites in the regulatory and catalytic halves of HK1 essential to enzyme function. The ATP-binding site in the catalytic half of the HK1 protein resembles nucleotide-binding regions from protein kinases, with the single amino acid replacement (lysine to glutamate) in the ATP-binding site of the amino half explaining the loss of HK1 catalytic function in the regulatory domain. Sequence comparisons suggest that the 50-kDa mammalian and yeast glucokinases arose separately in evolution. In addition to providing valuable phylogenetic and structure-function insights, this work provides an efficient strategy for rapid cloning and sequencing of the coding regions for other HKs and related proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence

Functional analysis of the rat insulin-like growth factor I gene and identification of an IGF-I gene promoter.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mediates many of the systemic growth-promoting effects of growth hormone and also functions as a locally acting growth stimulator. In mammals, IGF-I gene expression is complicated, as the gene is transcribed and processed into multiple mRNAs (ranging in length from less than 1 to nearly 7.5 kb) that encode at least two protein precursors. As a step toward understanding the regulation of IGF-I, we report the complete organization of the rat IGF-I gene, including identification of the structural determinants for all IGF-I mRNA species, and an initial functional analysis of its promoters. The gene is composed of 6 exons distributed over nearly 80 kb of chromosomal DNA and is structurally heterogeneous. Several transcription start sites were identified within IGF-I exons 1 and 2, adjacent to presumptive promoters 1 and 2, respectively, and at least three polyadenylation sites were mapped to exon 6. To test promoter function, fusion genes were constructed linking fragments of IGF-I DNA to a reporter plasmid. Chimeric genes containing at least 395 bp of DNA from the 5'-flanking region of exon 1 enhanced luciferase activity after transfection into the IGF-I-producing SK-N-MC cell line, while fusion plasmids containing up to 1,300 bp of DNA from the 5'-flanking region of exon 2 were inactive. Relative levels of IGF-I mRNAs containing exons 1 or 2 varied among different rat tissues, although in response to acute or chronic growth hormone treatment both classes of transcripts were induced coordinately in rat liver. These observations represent the first thorough characterization of a mammalian IGF-I gene, and provide a starting point for defining the mechanisms by which growth hormone and other trophic factors regulate IGF-I gene expression.

Amino Acid Sequence