Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Gatz

Publications and source records attributed to M Gatz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Genetic and environmental influences on positive and negative affect: support for a two-factor theory.

Genetic and environmental etiologies of positive and negative affect, as measured by the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale, were studied to gain understanding of a two-factor theory of well-being. It was hypothesized that negative affect would demonstrate significant genetic and environmental variance and positive affect would be explained primarily by environmental influences. Data were combined from 105 pairs of twins (ages 18-72) and 220 multigenerational families (ages 16-98). Simultaneous model fitting indicated significant heritable effects for negative affect and a significant effect of common environment for twins. Significant effects for positive affect included common environment (for parents and offspring and for twin pairs) and assortative mating. These results, documenting differential genetic and environmental influences on positive and negative affect, provide further support for their being separate components of well-being.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Cross-sectional age differences and longitudinal change on the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale.

Cross-sectional age differences and longitudinal change were examined on psychological well-being, positive affect, and negative affect, as measured by the Bradburn Affect Balance Scale. Data were collected from 1,159 participants in 1971 and 1985. Cross-sectional analyses showed age differences: older cohorts reported greater overall well-being but lower levels of both positive and negative affect when compared to younger respondents. Longitudinal analyses indicated small but significant changes toward decreased positive and negative affect but increased overall well-being. Negative affect had the strongest effect size. Positive and negative affect showed different patterns of change for different age groups. Taken together, cross-sectional and longitudinal findings suggest that change in affect variables is age-related, although these changes are relatively small. More evident was a pattern of correlational stability with age. Finally, the pattern of the results supports a two-factor theory of psychological well-being.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The effect of mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on Sertoli cell transferrin secretion in vitro.

We have examined the effect of mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on the secretion of rat transferrin (rTf) by Sertoli cells (SC) in the presence and absence of FSH. Significant decreases in rTf secretion were observed in SC cultures exposed to 50 and 75 microM MEHP, in the absence of FSH. Treatment of SC with FSH (300 ng/ml) obviated this suppression of rTf secretion by MEHP. These findings indicate an effect of MEHP on rTf secretion by SC in vitro which could account for the testicular toxicity of MEHP in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Are old people more depressed? Cross-sectional data on Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale factors.

Age differences on the 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were examined for 4 age-cohort groups: 20-39 years (n = 548), 40-54 years (n = 218), 55-69 years (n = 352), and 70-98 years (n = 212). On total CES-D, there was a significant age effect and quadratic trend, with means for the middle aged least and those for the oldest most elevated. On 4 CES-D subscales--Depressed Mood, Psychomotor Retardation, Lack of Well-being (i.e., reverse-scored items), and Interpersonal Difficulties--the oldest group scored highest only on lack of well-being. Somatic symptoms of depression were not elevated. Young adults scored highest on depressed mood. Adults who are now old were not generally characterized by elevated self-reports of depressive symptoms; however, on items asking whether the respondent has a hopeful outlook, those aged 70 and older were more likely to endorse a lack of such positive feelings.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Psychological and cognitive effects of an exercise program for community-residing older adults.

This study examined the effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise program on psychological well-being and cognitive functioning in a group of ethnically diverse older adults living in an urban community. Forty-eight older men and women (mean age = 72 +/- 6) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an aerobic exercise training group, a social activity control group, or a waiting list group. Results indicated little change in psychological well-being and provided limited support for the association of physiological improvement with enhanced mastery and cognitive functioning.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Hemodynamic and respiratory effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and epinephrine in anaphylactic shock.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) has been shown to increase mean arterial pressure during anaphylactic shock. The hemodynamic mechanism of action and the effect of TRH on the respiratory system during anaphylactic shock are not known. A rabbit model of anaphylaxis was used to determine the effect of TRH, epinephrine (EPI), and normal saline (NS) on various cardiovascular and respiratory parameters during anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock was induced by antigen challenge in 31 sensitized animals. After a 25% decrease in mean arterial pressure, they were randomly treated with TRH (2 mg/kg), EPI (0.005 mg/kg), or NS (10 mL/kg). Blood was drawn at baseline and at the end of the experiment for laboratory analysis. Cardiac and respiratory parameters were monitored continuously and measured at baseline, at onset of shock (time zero), and at time intervals for 30 minutes. Animals were treated with repeated doses during the first 15 minutes as needed to maintain mean arterial pressure above shock level. Five of ten TRH-, five of 11 EPI-, and six of ten NS-treated animals survived. The TRH-treated group required fewer doses than the other groups and had increased heart rate, mean arterial pressure, peripheral vascular resistance, respiratory rate, and minute ventilation as well as decreased stroke volume index and lung compliance compared with the NS-treated group. EPI treatment resulted in increased minute ventilation and decreased pulmonary airway resistance compared with NS treatment. The EPI group also had a higher postsurvival epinephrine level than the other groups. No difference in right atrial pressure, cardiac index, acid-base status, pO2, A- a gradient, lung weight, lactate, or norepinephrine levels was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1989

Individual differences in locus of control during the second half of the life span for identical and fraternal twins reared apart and reared together.

The relative influences of genetic and environmental factors for components of locus of control (LOC) were examined in the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. The sample consisted of 84 pairs of monozygotic twins separated at an early age and reared apart, 173 pairs of dizygotic twins reared apart, 129 monozygotic pairs reared together, and 168 dizygotic pairs reared together. At the time of data collection, 72% were over 50 years of age. Three LOC components were measured in a mailed questionnaire: sense of personal control or lack of control over the direction of one's own life (Life Direction), beliefs about how responsible people are for misfortunes in their lives (Responsibility), and beliefs concerning the role of luck in determining people's outcomes (Luck). Model-fitting results indicated that genetic influences were of importance for Life Direction and Responsibility, accounting for somewhat over 30% of the variance in each component, while environmental influences explained twin similarity for Luck.

Adoption↗
PubMed1988

Reproductive toxicity of 2,4-dinitrotoluene in the rat.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the chemosterilant 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) on the rat testis. Adult male rats were fed control, or 0.1%, or 0.2% DNT for 3 weeks. An ultrastructural study of the testes was performed, serum was assayed for testosterone and gonadotropins, and sperm reserve count was determined. A marked change in Sertoli cell morphology was found after 3 weeks of 0.2% DNT exposure. Varying sized vesicles associated with swollen mitochondria and distended endoplasmic reticulum were visible in cells from DNT-treated animals. Circulating levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were increased in 0.2% DNT-treated animals. Reduced weights of the epididymides and decreased epididymal sperm reserves were observed in DNT-treated animals. These results indicate that DNT is capable of inducing testicular injury, of directly or indirectly disturbing pituitary function, and of exerting a toxic effect at the late stages of spermatogenesis. These findings suggest that a locus of DNT action is the Sertoli cell, resulting in both inhibition of spermatogenesis and changes in testicular-pituitary endocrine activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Symptoms of psychological distress among caregivers of dementia patients.

Nine subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were examined for caregivers of dementia patients. Caregivers (N = 184) were divided into groups on the basis of age (less than or equal to 59 and 60+ ) and gender. Their scores were compared with age-matched norms. All of the caregiving groups were significantly elevated on the Hostility subscale. Both younger and older women scored higher than the norms on the Anxiety subscale, and the older women were significantly elevated on three other subscales as well. The Anxiety and Hostility subscales of the BSI were most strongly correlated with the Burden Interview, a measure of the demands imposed by caregiving activities. This relation between burden and symptomatology highlights the stressful nature of caregiving.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1987

Measurement characteristics of the mental health scale from the OARS. Older Americans Resources and Services.

Psychometric properties of the mental health scale from the OARS, which is also called the Short Psychiatric Evaluation Schedule (SPES), were explored in a large (N = 2015) cross-sectional sample ranging in age from 26 to 86 years. Results indicated that the 15 SPES items represented three distinctive factors--alienation, somatic symptoms, and depression. Only on somatic symptoms was there a pattern of greater endorsement by older respondents. The results illustrate that global test scores can be misleading, especially when applied to different age groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Maternal plasma and amniotic fluid levels of estradiol, estrone, progesterone, and prolactin in early pregnancy.

During the 16th to 20th weeks of gestation, maternal plasma (mean) level of estradiol is 5.2 ng/mL; estrone, 3.0 ng/mL; estriol, 2.1 ng/mL; progesterone, 4235 ng/dL; and prolactin, 74 ng/mL. Amniotic fluid levels are: estradiol, 446.8 pg/mL; estrone, 234.1 pg/mL; progesterone, 5200 ng/dL; and prolactin, 2633.5 ng/mL. Maternal prolactin concentrations correlate with plasma estradiol. Amniotic fluid prolactin levels correlate significantly with maternal plasma concentrations of estradiol and estrone. The mechanisms for the possible relationship between maternal estradiol and pituitary and decidual tissue production of prolactin are discussed.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1983

Serum thyroid hormone levels in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and regular hemodialysis.

In vitro thyroid function tests were performed on clinically euthyroid patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (HD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The mean serum total thyroxine (TT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) values measured before HD were significantly subnormal. Similarly, CAPD subjects had reduced TT3 concentrations with low normal TT4 levels. Free thyroxine measurements, estimated by two different methods were aberrant in CAPD patients. Low normal reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) values were found in HD, in contrast to high normal rT3 levels in CAPD. Thyroid stimulating hormone determinations were normal, corresponding with the euthyroid status in both patient groups.

Adult↗