Biomedical subjects

A H Kidd

Publications and source records attributed to A H Kidd.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1995

Children's drawings and attachment to pets.

To help confirm the concept that distances placed between the self and other figures in children's drawings represent emotional distances, 242 pet-owning and 35 nonpet-owning kindergartners through eighth graders drew pictures of themselves, a pet, and/or a family member. Owners drew pets significantly closer than family-figures although the younger the child, the greater the distance between self and pet. Older children drew themselves holding pets significantly more often, but younger children placed the family-figure between the self and the pet significantly more often. There were no significant gender differences in self-figure/pet-figure distances, but cats, dogs, caged animals, and farm animals were placed significantly closer to self-figures than were fish. Over-all, owners were clearly emotionally closer to pets than to family members, but nonowners were as close emotionally to family members as were owners.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Genetic conservation within subtypes in the hepatitis B virus pre-S2 region.

The antigenic determinants for the main hepatitis B virus (HBV) subtypes adw, adr, ayw and ayr lie in the S (surface) polypeptide. Two amino acid residues in particular, encoded by the S gene at codon positions 122 and 160, have been postulated to determine the different antigenic subtypes. In contrast, the 165 nucleotide pre-S2 gene encodes an immunodominant region common to all subtypes that can give rise to neutralizing antibodies. We have characterized the pre-S2 gene sequences of 29 HBV strains of the three main subtypes, adw, ayw and adr. Seven base positions showed variation that was entirely subtype-specific, with six of these variations leading to subtype-specific amino acid differences. This finding affords the possibility of using pre-S2 sequences for genetic subtyping. Two ayw strains from unrelated patients infected in the Middle East had identical pre-S2 sequences with a block of 12 nucleotides deleted. A geographical correlation with subtype observed from serological results was also apparent from phylogenetic analysis of DNA identities within the pre-S2 region. The results support the concept that the main HBV subtypes truly represent families of phylogenetically different strains.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Adenovirus type 40 and 41 growth in vitro: host range diversity reflected by differences in patterns of DNA replication.

Subgroup F adenoviruses adapt poorly to cell culture, but the reasons for their fastidious nature are as yet ill defined. In an attempt to gain an overview of the differences in replication between adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) and representative strains of Ad40 and Ad41, cell lines which show different degrees of permissiveness to Ad40 and Ad41 were infected and examined with respect to three key functions in the Ad2 life cycle: host protein shutoff, DNA synthesis, and late antigen synthesis. The complexity of growth patterns exhibited by the subgroup F adenoviruses suggests that defectiveness is a multifactorial phenomenon not easily explainable by a single aberrant function. Furthermore, results suggest that there may be replicative defects in subgroup F adenoviruses which are not shared by both serotypes or by all strains.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1994

Benefits and liabilities of pets for the homeless.

Observations in the streets and parks of San Francisco East Bay cities and suburbs suggested that many of the homeless people own and maintain pet animals in spite of circumstances and environmental conditions. Accordingly, 105 homeless adult men and women, half of whom owned pets, were interviewed for this pilot study. Responses indicated that homeless pet-owners were extremely attached to their pets and had owned significantly more pets during childhood and adolescence than nonowners although there were no significant differences in attachment to pets between parents and nonparents or between married and single persons. Providing food and veterinary care for pets, however, was a very significant problem for the majority of the homeless pet-owners. It was clear that many homeless adults did have pets which were important for their mental and physical health and that pet care was associated with unique problems.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Loneliness and pet ownership among single women.

Relationships among loneliness, pet ownership, and attachment were studied in a sample of 148 adult female students, 59 pet owners and 89 nonowners. No significant differences were found on the loneliness reported by pet owners and nonowners. A two by two analysis of variance showed that women living entirely alone were significantly more lonely than those living with pets only, with both other people and pets, and with other people but without pets. No associations were found between loneliness and pet attachment. Also, no significant differences were found in loneliness or pet attachment scores between dog and cat owners; however, women living only with a dog were significantly more attached to the dog than those living with both a dog and other people. Conversely, women living only with a cat were significantly less attached to the cat than those living with both a cat and other people. These findings indicate that having a pet can help to diminish feelings of loneliness, particularly for women living alone, and compensate for the absence of human companionship.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Adenovirus type 40 virions contain two distinct fibers.

Human subgroup F adenoviruses, types 40 and 41, have two genes that could specify different fiber proteins, a long fiber with 21 or 22 pseudorepeat motifs in the shaft, and a short fiber with 12 motifs. We show that for adenovirus type 40, both proteins are expressed from separate late regions of the genome. They are incorporated into the virion with only one fiber per penton base, unlike avian adenoviruses which have two fibers extending from each penton. Comparison of known adenovirus fiber sequences suggests that the two fibers in adenovirus 40 and 41 arose through an external recombination event rather than having evolved from each other directly. Two alternative fibers on the virion may imply the existence of two distinct receptors.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1993

Sensitivity of subgroup F adenoviruses to interferon.

The subgroup F adenoviruses were tested for their ability to induce interferon in semi-permissive human cells (Chang conjunctiva) and non-permissive cells (HEF, human embryo lung fibroblasts). These cells did not produce interferon spontaneously or in response to infection by either of these adenoviruses. It was concluded that interferon induction in response to subgroup F adenovirus infection is not a likely explanation of limited virus growth in culture. Adenovirus 40 and Ad41, unlike Ad2, were found to be sensitive to human lymphoblastoid interferon in Chang conjunctival cells. The addition of Ad2 to cells before pretreatment with interferon resulted in the partial and complete abrogation of Ad40 and Ad41 interferon sensitivity, respectively. The suppressive effect of Ad2 on the inhibitory action of interferon and the modulatory function of Ad2 in mixed infection with either Ad40 or Ad41 suggests the inadequate functioning of a subgroup F adenovirus gene product or products involved in suppression of the interferon-induced antiviral state.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1993

Subgroup F adenovirus growth in foetal intestinal organ cultures.

An in vitro foetal intestinal organ culture system was employed to determine the permissiveness of human intestinal cells for subgroup F adenovirus infection. Ad40 and Ad41 growth, monitored through group-specific hexon antigen production, was poor in comparison to that of Ad2 in these cultures, further demonstrating their fastidious nature in most human cells. The low growth capability of these viruses in culture, in relation to their association with gastrointestinal disease is discussed.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1993

Characterization of a single SA7-like VA RNA gene in subgroup F adenoviruses.

The virus-associated (VA) RNA gene regions of the human subgroup F adenoviruses (types 40 and 41) were amplified using primers corresponding to flanking open reading frames of human and simian (SA7) adenovirus sequences previously published. The subgroup F adeno-viruses, like human Ad12 (subgroup A) and SA7, were found to have only one VA RNA gene at this locus (map unit 30). The type 40 and type 41 VA RNA genes have primary sequence characteristics in common with other known VA RNA genes, have high cross-identity (93%), and show appreciably higher identity to the single VA RNA gene present in SA7 (77% and 81%, respectively) than to any of the VA RNA genes of Ad2, Ad7 or Ad12 (< 61%). These findings may have implications for explaining the evolution and growth peculiarities of human subgroup F adenoviruses.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1992

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection with an unusual pattern of serological markers.

A 73-year-old man presented with acute hepatitis, judged to be a reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection. His serum samples during a follow-up time of 16 months showed an unusual pattern of serological markers. He was consistently HBeAg positive, HBsAg fluctuated just under the cut-off value and he had a low level of circulating anti-HBs. By electron microscopy numerous aggregates of surface antigen particles, but not complete virions were seen. He was HBV DNA positive by hybridization. The complete precore and core genes and a region of the surface gene were amplified from his serum by PCR. These findings emphasize the need for expanded serological testing in some patients with acute clinical hepatitis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1991

Enzymatic amplification and sequence analysis of precore/core DNA in HBsAg-positive patients.

Serum or plasma from 69 HBsAg-positive patients was tested for the presence of precore core gene specific DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In both healthy individuals (n = 26) and chronic carriers (n = 25), there was a strong correlation between presence of circulating anti-HBe and the absence of detectable HBV genome in serum. In 18 serum samples where HBsAg was the only detectable marker, i.e., anti-HBc-negative specimens, HBV DNA could be detected in three samples. HBV strains from 21 of the 24 PCR-positive samples were sequenced over the precore/core junction. A stop codon at the end of the precore region, described by other workers, was found in strains from two blood donors, one of whom had detectable HBeAg in serum. Conversely, HBV strains from the three anti-HBc-negative patients where DNA of the HBV precore region could be amplified and who had no detectable serum HBeAg or anti-HBe did not have this stop codon. The study indicates that further investigations are required before lack of HBeAg can be correlated with evidence of mutations in the precore region.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

Personality characteristics of dyslexic and nondyslexic adults.

Dyslexic persons have developmental abnormalities in reading, writing, speech, or more than one area. To study differences in personality characteristics 25 each dyslexic and nondyslexic men and women, ranging in age from 21 to 73 years, completed the 300-word Adjective Check List. Analysis indicated significant differences between the two groups on 15 of 37 adjectives. Dyslexic men scored significantly lower than nondyslexic men on the Favorable Adjectives checked, Achievement, Dominance, Intraception, Heterosexuality, Self-confidence, Personal Adjustment, Ideal Self, and Military Leadership scales, and they scored significantly higher than nondyslexic men on the Adapted Child scale. Nondyslexic women scored significantly higher than dyslexic women on the Counseling Readiness and the High Origence/High Intellectence scales and significantly lower on the Nurturance, Nurturing Parent, and Feminine Attributes scales.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Adenovirus 41 growth in semi-permissive cells shows multiple-hit kinetics.

Adenovirus type 41 infection of semi-permissive Chang conjunctival cells, monitored by fluorescent focus assay, followed multiple-hit kinetics. In non-permissive human cells, type 41 showed infectivity with two-hit kinetics in the presence of type 2. Type 41 infectivity was seen to be directly proportional to input concentration (one-hit) only in 293 cells, a continuous human line expressing Ad 5 E1 products.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1990

Fiber sequence heterogeneity in subgroup F adenoviruses.

The fiber gene of adenovirus type 41 was sequenced and compared to the fiber gene sequence of adenovirus type 40 (A. H. Kidd and M. J. Erasmus, 1989, Virology 172, 134-144), the other known member of subgroup F. The open reading frame, from map units 87 through 92 with transcription from the r-strand, comprised 1686 bases and was 45 bases longer than its counterpart on the Ad40 genome. The 45-base difference appears to have resulted from a block deletion on the Ad40 sequence. Apart from this one region, the Ad40 and Ad41 fiber genes showed remarkably high homology (95.6%), indicating a relatively recent evolutionary divergence. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Ad41 fiber polypeptide was analyzed according to the model of N. M. Green et al. (1983, EMBO J. 2, 1357-1365) for the structure of the adenovirus fiber. Ad41 had one more 15-residue repeat in the shaft region than Ad40, there being 22 repeat motifs. A detailed study of various Ad40 and Ad41 strains with proven genome differences indicated that the 15-amino acid difference in polypeptide length at the 14th repeat motif is a type-specific difference among the subgroup F adenoviruses. However, two uncommon Ad41 strains belonging to 2 of the 16 Ad41 genome types tested had a 15-amino acid block deletion which was different to that of the Ad40 polypeptide. The implication from this work is that the Ad40 fiber gene probably arose from its Ad41 counterpart, but the fiber gene sequences of both types of subgroup F adenovirus are so similar that genetic recombination between strains could occur with some frequency.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

PubMed1990

Factors in children's attitudes toward pets.

This study investigates parental attitudes, family size, and structure, and presence or absence of household pets as influences on children's attitudes toward pets. 700 parents completed a Melson Parent Questionnaire which assesses children's activities with, interest in, and responsibility for pets, and completed either the Wilson Attitude Inventory for Pet Owners or for Nonpet Owners. Results indicated: that children of strongly attached adults and in pet-owning homes scored higher on Activities and Interest than children of weakly attached adults and in nonpet-owning homes; that children of both sexes in one-parent homes scored higher on Responsibility than in two-parent homes; that boys scored higher on Interest, girls on Activities, and both sexes on Responsibility when mothers worked full time rather than part-time; that girls scored higher on Interest and, in pet-owning homes, on Responsibility than boys; that preschoolers scored lower on Activities and Interest than older children, and that grade schoolers scored higher on Responsibility than preschoolers or high schoolers.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

High school students and their pets.

50 high school students, 25 boys and 25 girls, were individually interviewed using a series of open-ended questions to analyze the cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors in adolescents' attitudes toward their pets. It was hypothesized that cognitive elements would progress from the concrete operations stage to the formal operations stage, that empathy and perspective taking would continue developing, and that behavioral elements would be closely related to realistically assessed characteristics of pets. Although the data supported the second and third hypotheses, only 30 (60%) of the subjects had reached the formal operations stage of cognition. An unexpected finding was that a higher percentage of high school students than of the grade school students previously studied in 1985 indicated closeness to and love for their pets. Further research was suggested.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Shedding of coronavirus-like particles by children in Lesotho.

Stools from 266 children in four districts of Lesotho were examined for viruses by electron microscopy (EM) over a 5-week period. Eighty one (30.5%) of the children shed coronavirus-like particles (CVLPs). Shedding was not significantly associated with diarrhea. The proportion of children shedding these particles increased with increasing age. In one district, the prevalence of CVLP shedding (67.9%) was at least twice the prevalence in any of the other three districts. This was the only district to be sampled during the first week of the study. It was shown that the proportion of children shedding CVLPs declined during each of the 5 weeks of study. The stools of six children who shed CVLPs in the early summer of 1984-85 were negative by EM 5 months later. There was no association between the shedding of pathogenic bacteria or parasites and the presence or absence of CVLPs in the stool.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

Infection by enteric adenoviruses, rotaviruses, and other agents in a rural African environment.

From February 1985 to January 1986, 432 stool samples, 310 from rural African children with diarrhea and 122 from controls, were analysed for the presence of enteric viruses known to be associated with diarrhea. Group A rotavirus ELISA indicated 12.9% positivity among patients and 2.5% positivity among controls. Only 23 of the 43 rotavirus ELISA-positive stools were also positive by electron microscopy. Nine children, three of whom were controls, were found to be shedding coronavirus-like particles, detected by electron microscopy. Stools from all but one of the nine children had been taken within 1 month of each other. Dot-blot hybridization tests for the presence of Ad40 or Ad41 DNA revealed 44 positive stools, 41 of which were from patients (13.2% positivity). Only three of the Ad40-or Ad41-positive stools by DNA hybridization were positive by electron microscopy, and only these three strains could be grown in semipermissive Chang conjunctival cells and their identity checked by restriction enzyme analysis. Further attempts to rescue the other strains using a helper virus failed, but nine of the stools proved positive by ELISA using a subgroup F-specific monoclonal antibody. On the basis of the DNA hybridization results alone, subgroup F adenoviruses were encountered as frequently as rotavirus in the study and were significantly associated with diarrhea, although the viability and intactness of virus particles by the time of laboratory analysis appeared to be very low.

Adenoviridae↗