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Biomedical subjects

J B Williams

Publications and source records attributed to J B Williams.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Multidisciplinary baseline assessment of homosexual men with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection. II. Standardized clinical assessment of current and lifetime psychopathology.

Despite numerous reports of the psychiatric consequences of human immunodeficiency virus infection, few reports describe systematic diagnostic assessments of people with human immunodeficiency virus infection. We studied the results of standardized clinical assessments of current and lifetime psychopathology in a large group of homosexual men whose serologic status was known. Results indicated low rates of current mental disorders but very high rates of lifetime major depression and alcohol and other psychoactive substance abuse and dependence disorders. Measures of severity of psychopathology and functioning also indicated, on the whole, good current functioning. No significant relationship was found between stage of medical illness or immune status and any measure of psychiatric disturbance.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The concurrent validity of items in the Quality-of-Life Index in a cohort of HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men.

The concurrent validity of the Quality-of-Life Index (QLI) is examined by comparing it with other standard measures of psychopathology and psychosocial and physical functioning in a sample of HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-negative (HIV-) men. Fifty gay men (29 HIV+ and 21 HIV-) were assessed on the QLI and a number of other instruments covering medical, psychological, and social factors in order to examine the validity of the five domains (activity, health, support, outlook, and daily living) of the QLI as a measure of health-related quality of life. A highly significant correlation was found between the support domain of the QLI and the Social Supports Scale. A significant correlation was found between the QLI outlook domain and most measures of psychopathology including depression, anxiety, distress, and hopelessness. A modest but significant correlation was found between the activity domain of the QLI and a medical staging scale, and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. It can be concluded that the QLI successfully measures different areas of functioning related to quality of life.

Anxiety Disorders↗
PubMed1991

Glucocorticoid level and neuropsychiatric symptoms in homosexual men with HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE: There is a controversial literature suggesting that stress, anxiety, and depression are harmful to the immune system and therefore to health. Preclinical studies indicate that activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by stress may be responsible for immunocompromise. The goal of this study was to assess this phenomenon in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHOD: Homosexual men in the community who did not meet modified Centers for Disease Control criteria for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were recruited for the study; 113 of the men were HIV positive and 77 were HIV negative. Very few of the men studied suffered from depression or anxiety disorder at the time of the first assessment. Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol levels were obtained from the 112 HIV-positive and 75 HIV-negative men whose 24-hour urine volumes were 500 ml or more. Cortisol levels were correlated with measures of medical, immunological, neurological, and psychiatric status. RESULTS: Small but significant correlations between 24-hour urinary free cortisol and medical status, level of depression, and level of anxiety were found in the HIV-positive group. There was no relationship between cortisol level and the number of CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes or the CD4-CD8 ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Although HPA activation may be associated with stress in cases of HIV infection, it does not seem to be associated with further loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Subjects with HIV infection with the most evidence of medical complications may also be the most anxious and depressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Rickettsiae and giant lysosomes in the testes of Temnocephala novaezealandiae (Platyhelminthes: Temnocephaloidea).

Rickettsiae are concentrated in the testes of Temnocephala novaezealandiae, where they occupy the cytoplasm of spermatogenetic stages and the testis epithelia. They have gram negative ultrastructural characteristics and are surrounded by clear zones which are not membrane-limited; indented mitochondria are associated with the clear zones. Propagation occurs by simple division. Extensions of the testis epithelium envelop cloned groups of spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa. Heterophagosomes isolating unmodified rickettsiae, and giant lysosomes enclosing bacteria in advanced stages of degradation, are contained within the epithelial processes. Rickettsiae and large lysosomes were found also in testes of Troglocaridicola mrazeki, a scutariellid. Peririckettsial lucid zones are interpreted as areas of histopathy where host cytoplasm has been catabolized by bacterial enzymes. The rickettsiae evidently are true parasites, although they have no apparent harmful effect on the general condition of their hosts. Digestion of bacteria in lysosomes may provide nutrients for spermatogenetic stages. Transmission of rickettsiae to juvenile temnocephalids does not occur via the spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Cloning and expression of cDNA and genomic clones encoding three delayed rectifier potassium channels in rat brain.

Rat brain cDNA and genomic clones encoding three K+ channels, Kv1, Kv2, and Kv3, have been isolated by screening with Shaker probes and encode proteins of 602, 530, and 525 amino acids. Each of the deduced protein sequences contains six hydrophobic domains (including an S4-type region characteristic of many voltage-gated channels) and are 68%-72% identical to each other overall. Transcripts of approximately 3.5, approximately 6.5, and approximately 9.5 kb encode Kv1, Kv2, and Kv3, respectively. The Kv2 mRNA is expressed only in brain, whereas the Kv1 and Kv3 transcripts are found in several other tissues as well. There is a marked increase in the amount of Kv1 mRNA in cardiac tissue during development and a similar, but less pronounced, increase of both this mRNA and the Kv2 transcript in brain. RNAs synthesized in vitro from the three clones induce voltage- and time-dependent, delayed rectifier-like K+ currents when injected into Xenopus oocytes, demonstrating that they encode functional K+ channels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Effects of blood sampling on plasma concentrations of corticosterone and glucose in laying hens caged in groups.

1. The effects of taking a blood sample from one bird in a caged group on plasma concentrations of corticosterone and glucose in birds from its own group and birds from other groups were investigated. 2. Two blood sampling protocols were used: successive (all birds within a group were sampled one immediately after another) and alternative (birds from different groups were sampled one after another until all birds in all groups had been sampled). 3. Neither sampling protocol nor between or within group sampling rank was related to plasma concentrations of corticosterone and glucose. 4. The time taken to remove a blood sample (generally more than 45 s but less than 2 min) did not influence circulating corticosterone and glucose. 5. In individual birds plasma concentrations of corticosterone and glucose were poorly correlated with one another. 6. It is concluded that it is possible to take blood samples from a bird, kept in a group, without affecting plasma concentrations of corticosterone and glucose in other birds from that group or in birds from other groups in other cages.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1990

Altered beta-adrenergic sensitivity and protein binding to 1-propranolol in the elderly.

The elderly are reported to be less sensitive to the beta-blocking effects of propranolol. However, age-related changes in the stereoselective pharmacokinetics or protein binding of propranolol enantiomers could have confounded the results of previous studies because only 1-propranolol contributes significantly to the beta-blocking effects of the racemate. To avoid these confounding variables, we studied 10 young (mean 28 years) and 10 elderly (mean 64 years) subjects, and determined the cardiac beta-receptor sensitivity in terms of unbound, active 1-propranolol. The doses of isoproterenol required to increase heart rate (HR) by 25 beats/min were determined before and during a continuous infusion of propranolol. The serum concentration of 1-propranolol was determined by enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the unbound fraction was determined by equilibrium dialysis. The apparent in vivo receptor dissociation constant for unbound 1-propranolol increased from 0.066 +/- 0.047 ng/ml in the young to 0.218 +/- 0.264 ng/ml in the older group (p less than 0.05). The unbound fraction was decreased in the older subjects (0.141 +/- 0.023 vs. 0.121 +/- 0.025, p less than 0.05) because of an increase in alpha 1-acid glycoprotein concentration (55 +/- 11 mg/dl vs. 72 +/- 19 mg/dl, p less than 0.05). Advancing age was associated with a decreased sensitivity to isoproterenol (rs = 0.76, p less than 0.05) and to unbound 1-propranolol (rs = 0.45, p less than 0.05). We conclude that the older subjects have (a) decreased sensitivity to the beta-blocking effects of 1-propranolol and to the agonist effects of isoproterenol, and (b) a lower unbound fraction of 1-propranolol.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Maintenance of hope in HIV-spectrum homosexual men.

The struggle to maintain hope has been described as a central theme faced by clinicians who work with HIV-spectrum people. The authors investigated psychiatric and psychosocial variables thought to be related to level of hope in a community sample of 208 HIV-positive and HIV-negative homosexual men, with the goal of identifying possible risk and protective factors in the progression of HIV infection. Overall, they found high levels of hope and low levels of current syndromal disorder or depressive symptoms. While the sample was a selected group of successful and well-educated homosexual men, it nevertheless remains noteworthy that they were able to preserve a sense of faith in their future despite HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

The factor structure of self-report DSM-III axis II symptoms and their relationship to clinicians' ratings.

A factor analysis of the entire item set of the DSM-III criteria was conducted to determine the extent to which the factors that emerged corresponded to the 11 personality disorders and three clusters included in DSM-III. Data were obtained from 552 patients who completed a self-report personality questionnaire and from 287 psychiatrists who rated their patients. Eleven questionnaire factors emerged that had eigenvalues greater than one, and at least three items emerged with factor loadings greater than 0.40. A correlational and multiple regression analysis of the questionnaire factors and clinicians' ratings showed few strong relationships between the factors and the 11 personality disorders but good correspondence with the three clusters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological findings in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Neurobehavioral functioning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were investigated in 25 patients with various Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stages of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and in a control group of seven normal subjects. Unequivocal slowing of information processing speed and cerebral atrophy were related to the stage of HIV infection, with patients in CDC group IV exhibiting the most abnormal findings. Slowing of response speed was directly related to the severity of cerebral atrophy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effect of structural modifications in the C7-C11 region of the retinoid skeleton on biological activity in a series of aromatic retinoids.

A series of conformationally restricted analogues of (E)-4-[2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)propenyl ] benzoic acid--(E)-4-[1-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-2 - propenyl]benzoic acid, (E)-4-[3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-2-bu ten- 2-yl]benzoic acid, trans-4-[2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl) cyclopropyl]benzoic acid, 4-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-anthracenyl)benzoic acid, 6-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-2- naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 6-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-2- naphthalenecarboxylic acid and 6-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-naphthalenyl)-5-methyl-2- naphthalenecarboxylic acid--were synthesized and screened for retinoid biological activity. Comparison of the conformers of these analogues generated by molecular mechanics calculations with the biological activity profiles of these compounds indicates that geometric constraints required for high biological activity are imposed on the bridge joining the two aromatic ring systems by the retinoid receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

National field trial of the DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for self-defeating personality disorder.

A national field trial of the criteria for self-defeating personality disorder was conducted in 1986. Among psychiatrists with a special interest in personality disorders there was a lack of consensus as to the need for the category in DSM-III-R. Although the diagnosis was more commonly made for female patients, the disorder was by no means rare in male patients. The diagnostic criteria for the disorder had high sensitivity and specificity. However, a series of analyses indicated that the category had limited descriptive validity and considerable overlap with borderline and dependent personality disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Late luteal phase dysphoric disorder and DSM-III-R.

Text and diagnostic criteria for a new category, late luteal phase dysphoric disorder, appear in appendix A of DSM-III-R: "Proposed Diagnostic Categories Needing Further Study." The inclusion of this category in the manual was perhaps the most controversial aspect of the revision of DSM-III. In this paper the authors describe the work of the advisory committee that first proposed the category, the rationale for the category's inclusion in the manual, and the many issues that were the focus of heated debates.

Attitude to Health↗