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Biomedical subjects

J Wolfe

Publications and source records attributed to J Wolfe.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Symptom responses of female Vietnam veterans to Operation Desert Storm.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the status of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a cohort of women after the onset of Operation Desert Storm. METHOD: Seventy-six non-treatment-seeking Vietnam veterans were obtained from lists of those who recently had participated in other research projects conducted at the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Before the onset of Operation Desert Storm, subjects had completed a set of psychometrically valid instruments measuring general psychological symptoms and PTSD symptoms (e.g., SCL-90-R, Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). On the basis of the latter scale, subjects were divided into groups with and without PTSD symptoms. At the height of the military conflict, subjects were recontacted and asked to complete the SCL-90-R and the Veterans Update Form, a measure assessing changes in PTSD symptoms. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses indicated that while most female Vietnam veterans experienced some intensification of stress-related symptoms during Operation Desert Storm, those who had previously reported high levels of PTSD were significantly more susceptible to greater distress. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this survey indicate that female Vietnam veterans with prior wartime exposure are an at-risk population for the intensification of stress symptoms after the recurrence of a military conflict.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of ZFY and ZFX gene structure and analysis of alternative 3' untranslated regions of ZFY.

We have cloned and sequenced transcripts from the X- and Y-linked zinc-finger genes ZFX and ZFY respectively and discuss a possible mechanism of post-transcriptional control by which these genes can be widely expressed but translated in only specific tissues. We report the identification of a novel 3'UTR (untranslated region) present in ZFY which is highly conserved among primates and contains a series of motifs implicated as mRNA instability determinants. These sequences can be substantially removed by polyadenylation directed from consensus (AATAAA) and non-consensus (AATATAAA) sequences in adult testis. The DNA-binding domains of the ZFY and ZFX proteins are compared using present models for zinc-finger/DNA interactions. Additionally, the genomic organisation of the ZFY coding sequence is presented as compared to that of ZFX.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The interaction and fusion of bilayers formed from unsaturated lipids.

The interactions between unsaturated phospholipid bilayers deposited on mica were measured in aqueous solution using a surface forces apparatus. The bilayers were made of L-alpha-dioleoylphosphatidyl-choline (DOPC), L-alpha-dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE), and mixtures of the two, and were formed on mica by Langmuir-Blodgett deposition after the lipids were spread on an aqueous substrate from a chloroform solution. The forces are interpreted as electrostatic double-layer and van der Waals forces with long range, and a strong repulsion (hydration or steric force) at distances of several nm. Together they produce a region of weak attraction (a secondary minimum) at 5 nm (DOPE) and 6 nm (DOPE). Fusion of two bilayers into one was observed when the local force per unit area was 2-3 MPa. Other researchers report that phosphatidylethanolamine in vesicles enhances fusion. In this study using deposited bilayers, the presence of DOPE in a DOPC bilayer did not promote fusion, nor did DOPE bilayers fuse more easily than DOPC. The value of the force per unit area at which the two bilayers fuse into one was however decreased by several orders of magnitude when the bilayers were formed from lipids kept in chloroform solution for several days or more. Chromatography showed traces of lipid degradation products in such chloroform solutions.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1991

The use of irradiation and fusion gene transfer (IFGT) hybrids to isolate DNA clones from human chromosome region 9q33-q34.

We have generated somatic cell hybrids containing fragments of human chromosome arm 9q by an irradiation and fusion technique. No selection for human material was imposed, but of 23 clones analyzed most contained human DNA sequences and many contained multiple fragments of the human chromosome arm. A hybrid that appears to contain only two small fragments of human DNA from the regions of q33 and q34 has been used as a source from which to clone probes specific to those areas of the chromosome.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Sex determination and species exclusion in forensic samples with probe cY97.

A total of 120 human samples of blood, saliva and semen stains, hair roots, bone and skin fragments, obtained from 30 males and 16 females were analyzed in Southern blots with probe cY97. Only the male samples gave a specific band of 5.7 kb. In dot blot, under high stringency conditions, male DNA gave signals equivalent to a quantity of female DNA eight times higher. Probe cY97 did not react with 9 different vertebrate species but gave a signal for monkey DNA when used at low stringency. The advantage of using a probe specific for the centromeric region for sex determination and species exclusion is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

D12S56: a highly polymorphic locus on human chromosome 12q14.

A CA repeat, subcloned from a cosmid, has been assigned to chromosome 12 by use of a panel of somatic cell hybrids. The assignment was confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization and the site further localized to 12q14. The repeat is highly polymorphic and should be useful for genetic mapping.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

A physical map of the human PI and AACT genes.

We have used probes from the human genes PI, PIL, and AACT (alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 1-antitrypsin-related sequence, and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin) to make a pulsed-field map of the surrounding region of 14q31-32. We have discovered that the PI-PIL gene cluster is only 220 kb away from the AACT gene and that it is orientated in the opposite direction. The comparatively short distance between the genes comes as a surprise given previous estimates of the level of genetic recombination between them.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1990

Differences in abstraction ability with age.

Three tests of abstraction were administered to 89 optimally healthy subjects aged 30-79. Performance on all 3 tasks showed significant differences with age. This was primarily, although not entirely, the result of deficits in performance by the 70-year-old subjects. These results do not appear to be related to changes in memory ability or to a differential increase in a particular type of abstraction error.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed1990

The human Y chromosome shows a low level of DNA polymorphism.

Six new Y-specific probes have been isolated and are reported. Along with another six already described they have been used in a systemic search for male specific RFLPs. An overall number of 46515 nucleotides have been screened with 12 enzymes and no polymorphic pattern observed. Our data reveal a greatly reduced level of polymorphism compared with other chromosomes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Antituberculous drug resistance in central Haiti.

To determine the prevalence of antituberculous drug resistance in Haiti, we conducted a 1-yr survey in a central district. From a bacillary positive (smear and/or culture positive) case rate of 80/100,000, there were 282 patients from whom Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured. Each isolate was packaged and delivered to Canada where speciation and drug susceptibility testing were performed. Reported resistances are those using the proportions method (Laboratory Center for Disease Control, Ottawa, Canada). Resistance to one or more drugs was found in 22% of isolates. Age was the most important predictor of resistance in Haiti; resistance rates for age groups less than 14, 14 to 29, 30 to 44, greater than or equal to 45 were 8, 19, 22, and 31%, respectively. In patients not known to have received antituberculous drugs in the past, resistances were isoniazid (19%), streptomycin (5%), ethambutol (2%), ethionamide (2%), rifampin (1%). We conclude that antituberculous drug resistance is prevalent in Haiti, especially in older age groups, and that in persons with no known antituberculous drug use in the past, resistance to isoniazid is significant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Can hydration forces induce lateral phase separations in lamellar phases?

Large repulsive forces measured between membranes of lamellar lipid phases at low hydration are attributed to hydration interactions which vary widely among lipid species. We include this interaction in a model of lamellar phases of two membrane components (two lipids or lipid and protein). The surface polarization of a mixture is taken as a linear combination of those of the components. The model predicts phase separation at low hydration. This may have important consequences for living cells which are dehydrated either by the osmotic effects of tissue freezing, or by desiccation in unsaturated atmospheres.

Lipid Bilayers↗
PubMed1989

Concanavalin A inhibits mating type recognition in Tetrahymena.

The lectin concanavalin A (Con A) inhibits adhesion of cells of complementary mating types into pairs during conjugation in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. Distinct changes in protein synthesis occur in conjugating Tetrahymena, starting before cells have paired, as a result of a preliminary interaction, costimulation, involving nonadhesive, contact-mediated, specific cell-cell recognition. We report here that ConA inhibits costimulation-induced protein synthesis changes. We interpret this result as evidence that Con A inhibits cellular recognition, independent of cell-cell adhesion, in Tetrahymena.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on radial arm maze performance in adult rats.

The hippocampal formation is sensitive to the in utero exposure to ethanol. It is one brain area thought to play an important role in spatial memory. We examined radial arm maze performance in rats exposed to ethanol prenatally. Pregnant rats were placed into the following treatment groups: LC, 17% EDC (ethanol-derived calories), 35% EDC, PF 35% or PF 17%. The LC group was fed lab chow and water ad lib, the 17% EDC and 35% EDC groups were fed a liquid diet containing either 3.3% or 6.7% v/v ethanol, respectively. Pair-fed controls were fed the same volume of an isocaloric diet as was consumed by their respective ethanol-treated groups. At birth, litters were culled to six and cross fostered to untreated surrogate mothers. Testing was initiated at 60 days of age and continued until the test criterion was satisfied. One-half of the rats in the 35% EDC group did not reach criterion. The remainder of the 35% EDC group and the 17% EDC rats attained criterion but required twice as many trials as their respective pair-fed controls. These results suggest that in utero administration of ethanol affects spatial memory capacity in rat, an observation consistent with other deficits seen in hippocampus of rats prenatally exposed to ethanol.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of prenatal alcohol on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in various brain regions.

Prenatal exposure of rats to alcohol produces morphological, biochemical, behavioral and physiological abnormalities. The enzyme gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity is increased when an animal is exposed to alcohol chronically. We examined the effect of the in utero exposure to alcohol on the regional brain distribution of gamma-GTP. Pregnant rats were placed into the following treatment groups: LC (ad lib lab chow and water), PF (pair-fed), 10% EDC (ethanol derived calories), 20% EDC and 35% EDC. The LC group was fed lab chow and water ad lib, the PF, 10% EDC, 20% EDC and 35% EDC groups were fed a liquid diet containing either 0%, 2%, 4% or 6.7% v/v ethanol, respectively. All the treatment groups received the same volume of an isocaloric diet as was consumed by the 35% EDC group. At birth, litters were culled to six and cross fostered to untreated surrogate mothers. Pups were sacrificed at 30 days of age and brains dissected into 8 regions. Each brain region was homogenized and divided into soluble and membrane bound fractions by centrifugation and digestion with deoxycholic acid. gamma-GTP activity was then measured. It was determined that the in utero exposure to alcohol produces an increase in brain gamma-GTP activity. The increase in gamma-GTP activity in some areas of brain is maintained at least until the animals are 30 days old. Alcohol treatment had no effect on the activity associated with the soluble form of enzyme. However, the activity associated with the membrane bound form of the enzyme was increased in several brain regions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Quantitation of high molecular weight protein aggregates in opaque and transparent parts from the same human cataractous lens.

Water soluble proteins from clear and opaque parts of the cortex of the same human cataractous lens were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography using a TSK 3000 SW gel filtration column. Studies of the 42 different microdissected parts from 7 different lenses demonstrated that the opaque parts possessed a higher percentage of high molecular weight material eluting with the void volume than did the corresponding clear part from the same lens. These results suggest that increased amounts of high molecular weight protein aggregates accompany the process of opacification in the cortex of the human cataractous lens.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Recognition and transport of adenine derivatives with synthetic receptors.

Several new synthetic agents show high affinity for binding adenine derivatives. The structures feature complementary hydrogen bonds that cause the molecular chelation of the purine nucleus. The high lipophilicity of the new agents permits the transport of adenosine and deoxyadenosine across organic liquid membranes. The use of synthetic receptors for small biological targets may have application in drug delivery.

Adenine↗
PubMed1988

The interrelationship of substance abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder. Epidemiological and clinical considerations.

This chapter reviews the data available on the relationship of substance abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Delimiting the review to those studies of Vietnam veterans, we found that levels of combat exposure seemed to be positively related to subsequent alcohol use, although not all studies confirmed this relationship. When studies of patients seeking treatment for PTSD were examined, we learned that 60-80% of these patients had concurrent diagnoses of substance abuse, alcohol abuse, or dependence. Methodological limitations of all the studies are discussed and conclusions regarding the status of the PTSD-substance abuse relationship are drawn cautiously. Alternative suggestions for treatment are presented and discussed.

Alcoholism↗