Biomedical subjects

D Reiss

Publications and source records attributed to D Reiss.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Mirror self-recognition in the bottlenose dolphin: a case of cognitive convergence.

The ability to recognize oneself in a mirror is an exceedingly rare capacity in the animal kingdom. To date, only humans and great apes have shown convincing evidence of mirror self-recognition. Two dolphins were exposed to reflective surfaces, and both demonstrated responses consistent with the use of the mirror to investigate marked parts of the body. This ability to use a mirror to inspect parts of the body is a striking example of evolutionary convergence with great apes and humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Genetic probes of three theories of maternal adjustment: I. Recent evidence and a model.

Studies focusing on genetic and social influences on maternal adjustment will illumine mother's marriage, parenting, and the development of psychopathology in her children. Recent behavioral genetic research suggests mechanisms by which genetic and social influences determine psychological development and adjustment. First, heritable, personal attributes may influence individuals' relationships with their family members. These genetically influenced family patterns may amplify the effects of adverse, heritable personal attributes on adjustment. Second, influences unique to siblings may be the most important environmental determinants of adjustment. We derive three hypotheses on maternal adjustment from integrating these findings from genetic studies with other contemporary research on maternal adjustment. First, mother's marriage mediates the influence of her heritable, personal attributes on her adjustment. Second, mother's recall of how she was parented is partially genetically influenced, and both her relationships with her spouse and her child mediate the impact of these genetically influenced representations on her current adjustment. Third, characteristics of mother's spouse are important influences on difference between her adjustment and that of her sister's. These sibling-specific influences are unrelated to mother's heritable attributes. The current article develops this model, and [figure: see text] the companion article describes the Twin Mom Study that was designed to test it as well, as its first findings. Data from this study can illumine the role of family process in the expression of genetic influence and lead to specific family interventions designed to offset adverse genetic influences.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

Genetic probes of three theories of maternal adjustment: II. Genetic and environmental influences.

This is the first report of the Twin Mom Study, an investigation of three hypotheses concerning influences on maternal adjustment. These hypotheses concern the role of the marital and parent-child relationships in mediating genetic influences on maternal adjustment and on the importance of the mothers' marital partners as a specifiable source of influences on their adjustment not shared with their sisters. The study's sample of 150 monozygotic (MZ) twins and 176 dizygotic (DZ) twins was drawn randomly from the Swedish Twin Registry and is, with some small exceptions, likely to be representative of women in the Swedish population. The sample included the marital partners of these twins and their adolescent children. Self-report and coded videotapes were a source of information about family process. Results reported in this first report focus on comparability of American and Swedish samples on scales measuring psychiatric symptoms, and on an analysis of genetic and environmental influences on nine measures of mothers' adjustment. Results suggest comparability between the US and Sweden. Genetic influences were found for all measures of adjustment, particularly in the psychological manifestations of anxiety and for smoking. The pattern of findings also underscored the importance of influences unique to each sibling within the twin pair, thus focusing attention on the potential role of marital partners in maternal adjustment. Results also suggested that experiences shared by the twin sisters, experiences unrelated to their genetic similarity, may influence their fearfulness and alcohol consumption. Our model did not include these influences and thus must be amended.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2000

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of dihydropyrimidinone C-5 amides as potent and selective alpha(1A) receptor antagonists for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

alpha(1) Adrenergic receptors mediate both vascular and lower urinary tract tone, and alpha(1) receptor antagonists such as terazosin (1b) are used to treat both hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Recently, three different subtypes of this receptor have been identified, with the alpha(1A) receptor being most prevalent in lower urinary tract tissue. This paper explores 4-aryldihydropyrimidinones attached to an aminopropyl-4-arylpiperidine via a C-5 amide as selective alpha(1A) receptor subtype antagonists. In receptor binding assays, these types of compounds generally display K(i) values for the alpha(1a) receptor subtype <1 nM while being greater than 100-fold selective versus the alpha(1b) and alpha(1d) receptor subtypes. Many of these compounds were also evaluated in vivo and found to be more potent than terazosin in both a rat model of prostate tone and a dog model of intra-urethral pressure without significantly affecting blood pressure. While many of the compounds tested displayed poor pharmacokinetics, compound 48 was found to have adequate bioavailability (>20%) and half-life (>6 h) in both rats and dogs. Due to its selectivity for the alpha(1a) over the alpha(1b) and alpha(1d) receptors as well as its favorable pharmacokinetic profile, 48 has the potential to relieve the symptoms of BPH without eliciting effects on the cardiovascular system.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed2000

Negative affectivity, restriction of emotions, and site of metastases predict mortality in recurrent breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether negative affectivity and restriction of emotions predict survival time with recurrent breast cancer. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with recurrent breast cancer, diagnosed 6-19 months earlier and stabilized using surgical, medical and/or radiation therapies, were enrolled. Cox regression survival analyses, including initial severity of metastases (RR=4.3 [1.3-14.3]; p=0.02), were used to explore the association of psychological variables with survival. RESULTS: Low chronic anxiety in the context of low emotional constraint predicted low mortality (RR 0.07 [0.01-0.52]; p=0.007). However, patients with low chronic anxiety scores but with high constraint had higher mortality (RR=3.7 [1.2-11.5; p=0.02). High chronic anxiety, with or without high constraint, also predicted earlier death, as did high control of feelings. CONCLUSION: An integrated model of negative affectivity in the context of restriction of emotions appears to strengthen the prediction of survival based on severity of breast cancer metastases.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

The interplay of genetic influences and social processes in developmental theory: specific mechanisms are coming into view.

In the coming years we can look forward to research that clarifies specific mechanisms that account for the interplay between genetic and environmental influences on psychological development. Certain misconceptions, arising from research traditions initiated by Francis Galton on the one hand and G. Stanley Hall on the other, may now be set aside in the light of new evidence. Three important findings promise a new synthesis. First, while each of us is born with about 100,000 genes that, under ordinary circumstances, do not change, the expression of these genes on behavior is dynamic. Some genetic influences are expressed early in development, but others are manifest many years later. Second, genetic factors often account not only for some of the individual differences in the measures of adjustments we typically use to monitor development but also for individual differences in environmental experiences that covary with those measures of adjustment. Indeed, genetic factors have been found to account for a surprising amount of covariance between measures of the social environment and of adjustment in young children, adolescents, and adults. Third, the expression of genetic influences are very malleable and responsive to the social environment. These new findings are revealing specific mechanisms for the interplay of genetic and social environmental factors in four domains. First, the social environment may play both a necessary and specific role in the expression of particular genetic influences on a range of behaviors from depression to social responsibility. Second, an understanding of the interplay between the social environment and genetics may lead to a clearer definition of the phenotypic manifestations of particular genetic influences. Third, we will-as a result of these studies-have a clearer fix on the timing of important events and their sequence in development. Fourth, this new genre of work promises to illumine more completely mechanisms by which the social environment influences development independent of genetic influence.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Bubble ring play of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): implications for cognition.

Research on the cognitive capacities of dolphins and other cetaceans (whales and porpoises) has importance for the study of comparative cognition, particularly with other large-brained social mammals, such as primates. One of the areas in which cetaceans can be compared with primates is that of object manipulation and physical causality, for which there is an abundant body of literature in primates. The authors supplemented qualitative observations with statistical methods to examine playful bouts of underwater bubble ring production and manipulation in 4 juvenile male captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The results are consistent with the hypothesis that dolphins monitor the quality of their bubble rings and anticipate their actions during bubble ring play.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The effect of psychopathy on outcome in high security patients.

The study aimed to examine the relationship between the total score on Hare's revised Psychopathy Checklist (PCL-R) and aspects of outcome for a nonrandom sample (n = 89) of male mentally disordered offenders treated in an English high security hospital. The subjects were all legally classified as suffering from "psychopathic disorder" and the majority were followed-up in the community. The methodology was retrospective, using existing case-file data, with follow-up lasting until discharge from statutory supervision. PCL-R scores were dichotomized and related to various outcome factors, including recidivism and aspects of social behavior. The results showed, in contrast to previous North American research, that the PCL-R did not predict any of the outcome factors. Because the PCL-R was able to identify psychopaths in this population but failed to predict their prognosis, it is possible that their outcome may have been improved by the treatment they received in hospital.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Relationship between perceptual differences of parenting and adolescent antisocial behavior and depressive symptoms.

The relation between adolescent negative adjustment and differences in parent-child ratings of parents' warmth and negativity was examined with a national sample of 720 families. It was predicted that perceptual differences (PDs) would be linked to more negative adjustment. Adjustment was regressed on PDs, which were calculated as absolute differences between parent and child ratings of parenting. Results showed that PDs were significantly associated with adjustment independent of the level of parenting behavior. Associations differed by gender for PDs over maternal verbal aggression. Some of the most important results were curvilinear effects indicating that both high and low, but not medium, levels of PDs are linked with maladjustment. Finally, differences between younger and older adolescents were found: The linear relationship between PDs over parental negativity and maladjustment disappeared for older adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Family structure and patient survival in an African-American end-stage renal disease population: a preliminary investigation.

Few studies have examined the influence of the family on the course of chronic illness in African-Americans. We explore the relationship between family structure, defined as marital status and household composition, and patient survival. Patient gender was examined as a possible moderator in this relationship. Using data from a survey of 476 African-American end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, a significant association between household composition and patient survival was found. Results from Cox proportional hazards model, controlling for patient age, indicated that patients who live in 'complex' households (i.e. those with a partner and/or others) are at greater risk for shortened survival as compared to those who live alone or with a spouse/partner (p < 0.05). When we examined whether patient gender moderates this relationship, female patients who live in these households were found to be at 2 times greater risk for shortened survival (p < 0.01) than female patients who live alone or with their spouse/ partner only. Family structure was not significantly associated with survival in male patients. Discussion and implications of findings are addressed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Relationships between parenting and adolescent adjustment over time: genetic and environmental contributions.

The predictive association between parenting and adolescent adjustment has been assumed to be environmental; however, genetic and environmental contributions have not been examined. This article represents one effort to examine these associations in which a genetically informative design was used. Participants were 395 families with adolescent siblings who participated in the Nonshared Environment in Adolescent Development (D. Reiss et al., 1994) project at 2 times of assessment, 3 years apart. There were 5 sibling types in 2 types of families: 63 identical twins, 75 fraternal twins, and 58 full siblings in nondivorced families and 95 full, 60 half, and 44 genetically unrelated siblings in stepfamilies. Results indicate that the cross-lagged associations between parental conflict-negativity and adolescent antisocial behavior and depressive symptoms can be explained primarily by genetic factors. These findings emphasize the need to recognize and examine the impact that adolescents have on parenting and the contribution of genetic factors to developmental change.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Adolescents' relationships to siblings and mothers: a multivariate genetic analysis.

Research has consistently demonstrated that children's behavior toward their siblings tends to resemble interactions occurring in the parent-child relationship. This study examined the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences to the covariation between sibling relationships and mother-adolescent relationships. Reported and observed family interactions were assessed for 719 same-sex sibling pairs of varying degrees of genetic relatedness. The covariance between mother-adolescent and sibling interactions was decomposed into genetic, shared, and nonshared environmental components. The overlapping effects of shared environment on the two relationship subsystems explained most of the covariance. Smaller but significant genetic and nonshared environmental effects were also found. The consistency of these findings with family processes, such as modeling, is discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

The importance of shared environmental influences in explaining the overlap between mother's parenting and sibling relationships: reply to Neale (1999)

This article addresses concerns raised by M. C. Neale (1999) in his commentary on the D. A. Bussell et al. (1999) Nonshared Environment in Adolescent Development (NEAD) study. These concerns fall into two categories: (a) model assumptions and sample design and (b) testing of alternative models. The validity of the assumptions of quantitative genetic models is a concern for all researchers in this area. Discussion of those assumptions in this reply is brief and focuses on those most relevant to the NEAD sample. The two alternative models proposed by Neale were designed to provide alternatives to the large shared environmental effect found in the original report of Bussell et al. Because these alternative models did not provide a better fit, the appropriateness of Bussell et al.'s basic model and the importance of shared environmental influences for explaining the association among family subsystems are supported.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Family systems and adolescent development: shared and nonshared risk and protective factors in nondivorced and remarried families.

The primary goal of this research is to increase the goodness-of-fit between the theoretical tenets of family systems theory and quantitative methods used to test systems hypotheses. A family systems perspective is applied to two specific research questions concerning family influences on adolescent development: To what extent are familial risk and protective factors for psychopathology and competence shared or not shared by siblings and are different family relationship patterns associated with optimal adolescent adjustment in nondivorced and remarried families? Multirater and multimethod data from a national sample of 516 nondivorced and remarried families from the Nonshared Environment and Adolescent Development (NEAD) project were examined using a combination of cluster, factor, and regression analyses. Results indicated that the effects of an individual relationship on adolescent adjustment is moderated by the larger network of relationships in which it is embedded. Evidence for nonshared familial processes in predicting adolescent psychopathology was also found but only in a subset of families, and the mechanisms of influence were neither main effects nor linear, as has been assumed by research to date. Results are discussed in light of family systems models of relationship influence on development. These results illustrate how family systems theory provides a specific example of contextualism as regards the development of psychopathology in adolescence.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1998

Adolescent perceptions as mediators of parenting: genetic and environmental contributions.

Explaining how genetic factors contribute to associations between parenting and adolescent adjustment is an important next step in developmental research. This study examined the mediating effect of adolescent perceptions on these associations and the genetic and environmental influences underpinning the mediated relationship. Parent, adolescent, and observer ratings of parenting and adolescent adjustment were used in a genetically informative sample of 720 same-sex sibling pairs from 10 to 18 years old. Adolescent perceptions of parenting did significantly mediate a composite measure of parental conflict-negativity and adolescent antisocial behavior and depressive symptoms. The most substantial genetic contributions to the association between parenting and adolescent maladjustment were those mediated by adolescent perceptions. Once genetic and environmental contributions to adolescent perceptions of parenting were removed, shared environmental factors became more important for the remaining direct association.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Co-occurrence of depressive symptoms and antisocial behavior in adolescence: a common genetic liability.

Recent reviews of research on child and adolescent psychopathology have highlighted the consistently high rates of co-occurring dimensions of psychopathology, particularly between internalizing and externalizing disorders, and have suggested that further research examining the causes of co-occurring syndromes is needed. The authors examined this question in a national sample of 720 same-sex adolescent siblings between 10 and 18 years of age consisting of monozygotic and dizygotic twins, full siblings, half siblings, and unrelated siblings. Composite measures of adolescent and parent reports and observational measures of depressive symptoms and antisocial behavior were subjected to behavioral genetic models that examine the genetic and environmental influences on individual differences in each dimension as well as in the co-occurrence between dimensions. Results indicated that approximately half of the variability in depressive symptoms and antisocial behavior is attributed to genetic factors; shared and nonshared environmental influences were also significant. The co-occurrence of depressive and antisocial symptoms was explained by genetic and shared and nonshared environmental influences. Specifically, approximately 45% of the observed covariation between depressive and antisocial symptoms could be explained by a common genetic liability. Results are interpreted in light of contribution of genetic studies to debates on child and adolescent psychopathology.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Engagement of African American families in research on chronic illness: a multisystem recruitment approach.

Our multisystem approach addressed the recruitment of African American families with a chronically, physically ill member. The approach focused on the social transactions between the family, the healthcare team, and the research staff, and the influence of these transactions on family recruitment. This multisystem approach included three core strategies: defining the membership of families in a culturally appropriate fashion and engaging those members; engaging the healthcare team; and building and maintaining the skills and morale of the research staff. A description of a longitudinal family health study and potential sources of recruitment biases is provided. Descriptive and bivariate analyses examined the effectiveness of the recruitment approach. A focus groups explored the reciprocal process of family protectiveness that both facilitated and hindered family recruitment and the research staff's alliance with families and the dialysis staff. Discussion focuses on the family health study's recruitment rate, sampling biases, and methods for improving the effectiveness of the multisystem recruitment approach.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1998

Genetic contributions to continuity, change, and co-occurrence of antisocial and depressive symptoms in adolescence.

In adolescence, antisocial and depressive symptoms are moderately stable and modestly correlated with each other. We examined the genetic and environmental origins of the stability and change of antisocial and depressive symptoms and their co-occurrence cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a national sample of 405 adolescents. Monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins and full, half, and unrelated siblings 10-18 years of age from non-divorced and step-families were studied over a 3-year period. Composite measures of adolescent self-reports, parent reports, and observational measures of antisocial and depressive symptoms were analysed in multivariate behavioural genetic models. Results indicated that the majority of the stability in and co-occurrence between dimensions could be accounted for by genetic factors. Non-shared environmental risks and, for antisocial symptoms, shared environmental risks also contributed to the stability. Genetic influences on change were observed, but only for antisocial behaviour. In addition, the longitudinal association between antisocial behavioural and later depressive symptoms was also found to be genetically mediated, but this effect was nonsignificant after controlling for stability. Results were discussed in light of the potential contributions of development behavioural genetic research in understanding individual differences in the stability and change of maladjustment.

Adolescent↗