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J J Ryan

Publications and source records attributed to J J Ryan.

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

Reading difficulty of MMPI-2 subscales.

Average reading difficulty based upon the Lexile value was computed for the 567 items and 61 sub/special scales of the MMPI-2. The mean for all items was 600.02 (SD = 304.57), which roughly corresponds to a fifth-grade reading level. Approximately 90% of the items require less than a ninth-grade reading level; 3 items require a high-school education or more. The Amorality (Mal) subscale had an average reading level greater than eighth grade. Nine subscales had 25% or more items above an eighth-grade reading level. The Hypomania (MA) subscales were the most demanding. For persons with low reading proficiency, interpretation of the nine subscales should be made cautiously.

Educational Measurement↗
PubMed1991

Intellectual loss in Alzheimer's dementia and WAIS-R intrasubtest scatter.

Patterns of intrasubtest scatter in the WAIS-R protocols of patients (n = 32) with Alzheimer's disease were compared to those of normal elderly controls (n = 32). The Alzheimer's patients showed more randomly dispersed item failures on some subtests, but normal controls showed more intrasubtest variability on other measures. Rates of correct diagnostic classification based on scatter measures were only slightly better than chance despite the presence of prominent anomia, memory impairment, construction apraxia, and significant decline from premorbid intellectual level in demented patients. In contrast, demographically based estimates of intellectual loss produced accurate diagnostic classification in 81% of the cases. The incremental validity of qualitative scatter analysis in the evaluation of suspected Alzheimer's disease appears to be minimal.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Allostimulatory analysis of a newly-defined and widely-distributed Mls superantigen.

We previously noted that Mlsa,c C58/J responder cells proliferated unexpectedly to H-2k-compatible Mlsa or Mlsc prototypic stimulator cells in a primary mixed lymphocyte reaction. The present investigation was performed to evaluate whether the response of C58/J T cells to these H-2- and Mls-compatible stimulator cells could functionally identify a newly-defined member of the Mls superantigen family through its allostimulatory ability. We observed that C58/J responder cells also proliferated when cultured with H-2-compatible prototypic Mls(null), Mlsb (nonstimulatory), or Mlsa,c splenic stimulator cells. The widely distributed nature of the non-MHC ligand recognized by C58/J T cells is indicated by the finding that 11 of 12 H-2k inbred mouse strains clearly expressed this specificity. A gradient of stimulatory capacity from low to high across this newly-defined non-MHC difference was detected with splenocytes from these different inbred mouse strains. The Mls(a,c) genetic composition of C58/J was confirmed by the observation that crossing C58/J with parental B10.BR (responsive to both Mlsa and Mlsc determinants) generated F1 progeny that were unresponsive to H-2k-compatible Mlsa, Mlsc, or Mls(a,c) stimulator cells. Like prototypic Mlsa and Mlsc, the non-MHC specificity recognized by C58/J responder cells, termed Mlsf, was particularly sensitive to radiation (versus mitomycin C) treatment of the stimulator cells, was greatly augmented after anti-IgD activation of splenic stimulator cells, was blocked with anti-MHC class II antibody, and was effectively presented by phenotypically normal female but not B cell-defective xid+ male CBA/N F1 stimulator cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Interleukin-1 beta stimulates human mesangial cells to synthesize and release interleukins-6 and -8.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been reported to stimulate human mesangial cells (HMC) to proliferate and synthesize eicosanoids. We have examined whether they also induce HMC to release cytokines. In this study we show that both IL-1 and TNF stimulate HMC to release IL-6 and IL-8. Cycling and quiescent HMC were stimulated with various concentrations of either recombinant IL-1 beta or TNF for 1 to 24 hours. IL-1 beta at doses as low as 6 pg/ml stimulated mesangial cells to synthesize mRNA for both IL-6 and IL-8 as assessed by Northern analysis; mRNA for tubulin remained constant, which demonstrated a specific increase in mRNA. Secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 into the culture medium increased (4.5 to 18 ng/ml and 4 to 40 ng/ml, respectively) measured by ELISAs. TNF had similar effects but only in high concentrations (greater than 100 ng/ml). IL-1 beta did not stimulate cells to proliferate, as measured by 3H thymidine incorporation. TNF caused proliferation but only in concentrations over 100 ng/ml. We conclude that IL-1 beta is a potent stimulator of human mesangial cell production of IL-6 and IL-8, both of which may influence injury in nephritis. TNF also stimulates mesangial cells but only in pharmacological doses.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1991

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and disease activity during long-term follow-up of 70 patients with systemic vasculitis.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) have been identified as a diagnostic marker in primary systemic vasculitis, and immunofluorescence assays identify two patterns of binding: cytoplasmic (C-ANCA and perinuclear (P-ANCA). We have examined retrospectively the use of such assays in long-term monitoring of disease activity, in order to determine the relationship between presence of ANCA and relapse, and to assess their suitability as a guide to therapy. Seventy patients were studied over a period of 50 months, using clinical and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of relapse and the internationally standardised immunofluorescence assay for detection of ANCA. In 19 patients C- or P-ANCA were detectable throughout the study period; six of these (with C-ANCA) relapsed. In 18 patients ANCA were undetectable during long-term follow-up; none of these patients relapsed. In 33 patients C- or P-ANCA were intermittently present; nine of these relapsed and all had C-ANCA detectable at the time of relapse. In six of the nine cases, relapse was accompanied or closely preceded by reappearance of C-ANCA. We conclude that continuing presence and reappearance of ANCA may identify patients who are at risk of relapse and who are most likely to benefit from long-term immunosuppressive therapy.

Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗
PubMed1991

Post-transplant erythrocytosis and immunosuppression with cyclosporin: a case-control study.

Review of 142 renal transplant recipients treated with cyclosporin and prednisolone revealed 23 patients with post-transplant erythrocytosis. The clinical characteristics of these patients were compared with 23 cyclosporin/prednisolone-treated control subjects matched for age, sex, and duration of transplant. Erythrocytosis developed between 6 weeks and 30 months (median 12 months) after transplant. It persisted in 16 patients and resolved spontaneously in five. In two patients the decrease in haematocrit was associated with acute leukaemia in one and sudden deterioration of renal function in the other. In the study group there were fewer HLA (A, B and DR) mismatches (P less than 0.05) and greater pretransplant haematocrit (P less than 0.01) than in the control group. Other clinical factors--previous allografts, panel reactive cytotoxic antibodies, duration and type of dialysis, transplant function, pre- and post-transplant blood pressure, number of rejection episodes, cyclosporin concentration and dose, smoking habits and use of diuretics--did not differ significantly between the two groups. In our experience, erythrocytosis in cyclosporin-treated patients is a relatively common phenomenon and does not, in general, resolve spontaneously. It is unrelated to transplant function or rejection episodes but affects patients with well-matched kidneys and elevated pretransplant haematocrit values.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The incidence of attempted CPR in nursing homes.

We studied the frequency with which cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is attempted on residents of American nursing homes. Each author (all members of the Clinical Practice Committee of the American Geriatrics Society) completed a questionnaire in 1989 about policy and practice regarding CPR during 1988 in each of three to seven nursing homes, by questioning the medical or nursing director or the administrator. Because of the vagaries of nursing home record-keeping, data from some homes were allowed when they were "accurate to within 10%." Data from 58 nursing homes, totalling 10,836 bed-years were available. In 33 of these homes, accounting for 5,425 bed-years, CPR was never attempted. CPR was more likely to be foregone in nursing homes with religious affiliation than in nursing homes without (13 of 17 vs 18 of 38; chi 2 = 4.0; P less than 0.05). Religious affiliation was unknown for three nursing homes. Academic affiliation (10 of 16 vs 20 of 37 in non-affiliated nursing homes) and non-profit status (14 of 19 vs 16 of 23 in for-profit nursing homes) did not significantly affect the likelihood that CPR would never be used. In 31 of 54 nursing homes with explicit do not resuscitate (DNR) policies, CPR was never performed, compared to 2 of 4 homes without such policies. For nursing homes with complete data, there were 1,196 deaths in 32 facilities where CPR was never attempted compared to 1,294 deaths for 24 nursing homes with CPR. For 22 nursing homes without CPR, there were 2,172 emergency room transfers compared to 1,363 emergency room transfers in 18 nursing homes where CPR was attempted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Principal components analysis of the Psychological Screening Inventory in a sample of substance abusers.

A principal components analysis of responses to the Psychological Screening Inventory from a sample of substance abusers was conducted. Subjects were 153 inpatients admitted to a midwestern program for chemical dependency treatment. Means for age and education were 28.0 yr. (SD = 8.1) and 11.4 (SD = 1.8), respectively. Analysis indicated that a two-factor solution best described these data. Factor 1 reflected over-all maladjustment, while Factor 2 was a measure of extroversion. Clinical utility of the inventory was discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Elimination of PCDF and PCB congeners in the blood of patients with PCB poisoning in Taiwan].

The blood of 3 Yu-cheng patients sampled from 1980 to 1989 were analyzed for congeners of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-electron capture detection. The high concentrations of 2,3,4,7,8-penta-, 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexa- and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-hepta-CDFs (15.4, 37.7 and 4.8 ppb in lipid basis, respectively) were eliminated from the blood at half-lives of 2.14, 2.56 and 2.32 years, respectively. The high concentrations of 8 PCB congeners in the blood were also decreased with time at half-lives of 1.16-4.56 years. The half-lives of retainable PCB congeners were about 2 times longer than those of the PCDF congeners.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Characterization of the ligand(s) responsible for negative selection of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells: effects of a new Mls determinant.

During T cell development, events occur that result in the generation of a T cell population capable of recognizing foreign antigens in association with self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene products. However, selective events also occur during thymic education that result in the deletion of T cells expressing alpha/beta T cell receptors with high affinity for self determinants alone, i.e., potentially self-reactive T cells. Both MHC- and non-MHC-encoded self antigens appear to play critical roles in this negative selection of self-reactive T cells. We recently observed that T cells expressing V beta 5, V beta 11, V beta 12, or V beta 16 products are deleted in most strains of H-2k type, but not in congenic H-2b strains. In contrast, the H-2k strain C58/J deleted V beta 5+ and V beta 16+ T cells, but failed to delete T cells expressing V beta 11 or V beta 12. Based upon this observation, in the present study we have analyzed the genetic regulation of the ligands responsible for deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells, and have tested the possibility that these ligands can function as strong alloantigens analogous to the known minor lymphocyte stimulatory (Mls)- and MHC-encoded antigens. Two major findings have resulted from these studies. First, the ligands recognized by V beta 11+ and V beta 12+ T cells were regulated by both MHC- and multiple non-MHC-encoded genes. Correlation between expression of these two V beta s in backcross animals suggested that shared, though not necessarily identical, ligands mediate deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells. Second, the ligand for deletion of V beta 11- and V beta 12-expressing T cells functions as a newly defined Mls alloantigen that stimulates primary proliferative responses in T cell populations from mice that express V beta 11+ and V beta 12+ T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Genetic analysis of the presentation of minor lymphocyte-stimulating determinants. II. Differing non-MHC control of super-stimulatory and more poorly stimulatory Mls phenotypes.

Analysis of the capacity of splenocytes from non-prototypic Mlsa or Mlsc mouse strains to stimulate allogeneic H-2k-compatible T cells in a primary Mls-defined MLR provided interesting examples of exceptions to the usually stated characterization of Mlsa and Mlsc determinants as highly stimulatory of weakly stimulatory, respectively. Across the Mlsa barrier, MA/My stimulator cells had a significantly reduced capacity to elicit responder proliferation in comparison with prototypic AKR/J or less well studied C58/J, CE/J, or RF/J splenocytes. Across the Mlsc barrier, a gradient of stimulatory ability was observed with RF/J splenocytes being virtually nonstimulatory, prototypic C3H/HeJ splenocytes having an intermediate capacity, and CE/J and C58/J being highly stimulatory presenters of this non-MHC specificity. The differing capacity of each of these H-2k stimulator cells to elicit unprimed responder cell proliferation across an Mlsa or Mlsc difference correlated with the T cell growth factor activity that was secreted into the MLR supernatants. The super stimulatory form of Mlsc was expressed in an autosomal dominant fashion by (Mlsc poorly stimulatory x Mlsc super-stimulatory)F1 animals, (BALB.K x C58/J)F1 or (RF/J x CE/J)F1. The segregation of Mlsc stimulatory ability among first backcross and F2 animals derived from the former F1 was compatible with a single non-MHC gene controlling the expression and presentation of the super-stimulatory form of Mlsc. The regulatory nature of this gene was indicated by the observation that F1 animals generated from the Mlsc nonprototypic and poorly stimulatory BALB/c parental strain were self-tolerant to the super-stimulatory form of Mlsc. The existence of an Mls specificity other than a and c was suggested by positive non-MHC MLR responses in certain responder/stimulator cell combinations of Mls prototypic and nonprototypic mouse strains.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of sonication on paraffin-embedded tissue preparation for DNA flow cytometry.

Since the publication of paraffin block extraction procedures, flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy and S-phase of tumor specimens has been widely applied. DNA aneuploidy, DNA tetraploid (elevated G2/M), and elevated S-phase are clinically significant in some tumor systems. True DNA tetraploid cell lines will contain a large 4c population and perhaps an 8c population; samples with cell aggregates will also contain a 6c population. Microscopic examination of samples having a 6c peak revealed nuclei with adhering debris and doublets, triplets, and larger nuclear aggregates. After sonication, a uniform suspension of single nuclei without adherent debris was seen. In addition to reducing the percent of G2/M cells, sonication also reduced S-phase percent such that it was closer to the bromodeoxyuridine labeling index. The DNA ploidy classification of specimens was also compared pre- and post-sonication. Four of 96 breast cancer samples changed classification; all were specimens in which the histogram became cleaner and a small DNA aneuploid peak became apparent after sonication.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1990

Human body burden of polychlorinated dibenzofurans associated with toxicity based on the yusho and yucheng incidents.

The polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are one group of man-made toxicants for which reasonably extensive data exist relevant to dose-response relationships in humans. Examination of contaminated food oil consumption from the yusho (Japan) poisoning incident indicates the mean uptake or body burden of 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PnCDF) equivalents (PEQ) associated with nausea and anorexia to be 4.4 micrograms/kg body wt and that associated with chloracne to be 5.9 micrograms/kg. For the yucheng (Taiwan) poisoning incident, blood measurements for chloracne show a similar body burden of 4.0 micrograms/kg. The latter value is toxicologically equivalent to a 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent (TEQ) body burden of 2.0 micrograms/kg body wt or about 150 micrograms for an adult person. This corresponds to an adipose tissue level of about 10 micrograms/kg fat, and is comparable to that known to cause chloracne in rhesus monkeys. These body burdens on a TEQ basis are more than 200 times higher than the average current levels of PCDDs/PCDFs found in North American populations and are the first to relate human body burdens of PCDFs with a known effect and to compare them to animal data. Since the effects reported may not be the most sensitive indicator of human toxicity, lower body burdens could be associated with more subtle toxicological events.

Adolescent↗