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Biomedical subjects

J L Sullivan

Publications and source records attributed to J L Sullivan.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in chronic alcoholism.

Previous reports suggest that high serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity may be associated with vulnerability to alcoholism. However, there are also contradictory studies in the literature. Therefore we measured serum DBH in chronic alcoholics followed for 12 months in a treatment programme after psychiatric hospitalization for acute alcoholism. Mean serum DBH activity in the alcoholics was unchanged from controls at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months following hospital discharge. These data imply that serum DBH activity does not provide a useful metabolic screen for vulnerability to chronic alcoholism. However, prospective studies of patients at high risk to develop alcoholism will be helpful in further clarification of this issue.

Adult↗

Capgras syndrome-a biochemical marker?

Two cased of Capgras syndrome are reported in which platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity is singificantly less than that of 24 psychiatric controls and 39 nonpsychiatric controls. This is the first report of a consistent biochemical abnormality associated with the Capgras phenomenon. Additional evidence is discussed which suggests that psychiatric patients with Capgras syndrome may belong to a discrete group of behavioral disorders characterized by reduced platelet MAO activity.

Adult↗

On conscious primal scene fantasies.

Pertinent literature concerning the pathogenicity of the primal scene is reviewed. Two psychoanalytic cases, both of whom had conscious primal scene fantasies prior to beginning psychoanalysis, are discussed. These fantasies did not represent significant ego or superego deficits. The authors suggest that conscious primal scene fantasies, in these patients, represented screen memories. Both patients were successfully analyzed.

Adult↗

Stability of low blood platelet monoamine oxidase activity in human alcoholics.

There are now several studies in the literature which document low blood platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in alcoholics. However, these reports are in disagreement as to the stability of reduced enzyme activity over time. The present study provides evidence that reduced platelet MAO activity in alcoholics is a relatively stable phenomenon, independent of ethanol consumption and proximate factors of the illness which are associated with excessive ethanol consumption.

Adult↗

Clinical correlates of tricyclic antidepressant-mediated inhibition of platelet monoamine oxidase.

Previous reports suggest that tricyclic antidepressants inhibit platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in vitro and in vivo. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between tricyclic-mediated inhibition of platelet MAO and resolution of clinical signs and symptoms which are commonly associated with the depressive syndrome. The results indicate that the sedative-hypnotic effects of the tricyclics closely correlate with the magnitude of platelet MAO inhibition. It appears that these effects may be mediated through alterations in the metabolism of serotonin and/or the phenylethylamines.

Adult↗

A comparative test of the developmental, role-playing, and defensive explanations of offspring identification.

Following Mussen and Distler (1959) and Bandura, Ross and Ross (1963), the developmental, defensive, and role-playing theories of identification are tested on high school seniors. Previous tests have supported the developmental and role-playing hypotheses about equally, while the defensive hypothesis lacks consistent empirical support. Questions are raised, however, about the merit of these tests. Data are presented on seniors in an Eastern suburban school and a Midwestern small town school which support the developmental (warmth) hypothesis but which are inconsistent with the defensive and role-playing hypotheses. Parental behavior is measured by the Bronfenbrenner Parent Behavior Questionnaire and identification is measured by the semantic differential.

Adolescent↗

Membrane function in cystic fibrosis. II. Methionine transport in normal and cystic fibrosis fibroblasts.

Initial rate kinetics of methionine transport, time course of accumulation of methionine, and efflux of accumulated methionine were studied in three normal and four CF human diploid fibroblast strains. The range of apparent Km's was 12.7-32.1 micrometer for the CF strains and 18.3-39.2 micrometer for the normal strains. The range of apparent Vmax's was 6.69-9.22 nmole mg-1 min-1 for the CF strains and 5.59-7.87 nmole mg-1 min-1 for the normal strains. The patterns of accumulation and efflux are quite similar in all the strains studied except for WI-38, which showed somewhat higher efflux and lower accumulation than for others. There was no significant difference in the kinetic parameters of methionine transport between CF and normal skin fibroblasts, and methionine transport will not serve as a marker for cystic fibrosis in cultured fibroblasts.

Biological Transport, Active↗

In vivo inhibition of platelet MAO activity by tricyclic antidepressants.

Platelet MAO activity decreased by 40% (p less than .001) in a group of 11 male patients with primary depression after 3 weeks of treatment with either amitriptyline or imipramine. This finding, together with data from previous in vitro studies demonstrating tricyclic-induced inhibition of mitochondrial MAO, suggests that inhibition of MAO plays a role in the clinical action of tricyclic antidepressant drugs.

Adult↗

Immune responses during measles infection in immunosuppressed Rhesus monkeys.

Rhesus monkeys immunosuppressed with horse anti-human thymocyte gamma-globulin (ATG) were infected with measles and simultaneously inoculated with sheep erythrocytes (SRBC), a thymus-dependent antigen, and with pneumococcal polysaccaride type III (SSS-III), a thymus-independent antigen. ATG treatment alone suppressed SRBC antibody production, had no effect on SSS-III antibody production, and effectively eliminated circulating T cells compared to nonsuppressed monkeys. ATG treatment of measles-infected monkeys resulted in delayed virus clearance and delayed antibody production compared to nonsuppressed infected monkeys. After cessation of ATG treatment, measles antibodies and T cells reached normal levels, and measles virus was eliminated. Thus, immune clearance of measles virus is T cell-dependent, but the relative roles of cellular- and humoral-mediated immunity in vivo could not be clearly separated. Also, measles infection was associated with a decreased T cell mitogen responsiveness of circulating lymphocytes but not of lymph node lymphocytes, suggesting an altered circulating pattern of the cells responsible for delayed hypersensitivity. Also, measles infection had no effect on T-dependent antibody production to SRBC.

Animals↗