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PubMedDate not supplied

Factor validity of the temperament and character inventory in patients with major depression.

Cloninger has proposed a seven-factor psychobiological model of personality and has developed the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) to measure four temperament dimensions and three character dimensions. This theory of personality may be of great importance in developing an integrated understanding of psychosocial and biological processes underlying the etiology and course of depression, and a large number of studies are being carried out using the TCI to determine the pathology of depression. The present study investigated the factor validity of the TCI in 156 mildly to moderately depressed patients with major depression. The results indicate that the TCI is an internally consistent and factor-analytically valid instrument in patients. Although there was some evidence that a state of depression strengthened correlation between harm avoidance and cooperativeness, the proposed factor structure of the TCI appeared, in general, robust against the state effect of depression, when the state was mild to moderate. These results suggested that the TCI has considerable promise as an instrument for characterizing the underlying personality structure of mildly to moderately depressed patients with major depression.

Major Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed2001

Characters of nrDNA ITS region sequences of fruits of Alpinia galanga and their adulterants.

The fruits of Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw. are used as a traditional Chinese medicine; but the dry fruits of A. conchigera, A. suishaensis, A. maclurei and A. polyantha are also used as the medicine in local areas. Because dry fruits of these related plants are similar to those of Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw. in odor, morphological characters and chemical components, and even anatomical characters, it is difficult to identify the medicine. Nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the five taxa were directly sequenced using an automated sequencer. Sequence analysis showed that the ITS 1 ranges from 177 to 178 base pairs (bp), and the ITS 2 from 225 to 234 bp. The size of the 5.8S coding region is 164 bp for all species. Also, the pairwise sequence divergence is higher and some molecular markers were determined. According to these molecular markers, Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw. and the related species can easily be distinguished from each other. Therefore, evidence from nrDNA ITS sequence variation can identify the medicine at the DNA level.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Inheritance of a recessive transgene-associated character controlling albinism in transgenic bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

We identified a transgenic line exhibiting albinism during our work to introduce genes through genetic engineering in dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The transgenic mother plant (R0) presented a normal phenotype and generated albino and normal green plants in the first generation (R1). The segregation ratio of the albino character in the R1 and R2 generations fitted the expected ratio for a character controlled by a single recessive gene linked to a foreign gus gene, suggesting that albinism could be a consequence of insertional mutation caused by introduction of the exogenous gene. Analysis by electron microscope revealed that the albino cells possessed no chloroplasts and a greater number of mitochondria when compared to normal green plants. This transgenic bean line may be used in understanding the genetic control of chloroplast genesis, for acquiring additional knowledge of genomic structure or in physiological studies. This is the first described transgene-associated mutant bean plant.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed2006

Special stability of cationic MPb12+ clusters and superalkali character of neutral MPb12 clusters (M = B, Al, Ga, In, and Tl).

The electronic structures and stabilities of cationic MPb12+ clusters (M = B, Al, Ga, In, and Tl) with 50 valence electrons are investigated within density functional theory. It is shown that, at the B3LYP/cc-pVDZ(-PP) and BPW91/cc-pVDZ(-PP) levels of theory, the structures of MPb12+ with icosahedra (I(h)) symmetry are energetically favorable, and their high stabilities may arise from the closed-shell nature of the pi subsystems which are subject to the 2(N(pi + 1)2 rule with N(pi = 1). In addition, the possessing of large nucleus-independent chemical shifts of the five kinds of clusters reflects the common aromatic character of these clusters. From the comparison of our studies on the binding energies and the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gaps, the cluster AlPb12+ has higher stability than the others and this is consistent with the recent mass-spectrometric discovery of Al-doped Pb(n)+ clusters, in which AlPb12+ is highly abundant. The same methods are used to search for the structures of the neutral MPb12 clusters. The calculations reveal that the most stable geometries of the BPb12 and GaPb12 clusters have I(h) symmetry, the AlPb12 and InPb12 clusters have T(h) symmetry, and the TlPb12 cluster has C5v symmetry. Furthermore, the vertical ionization potentials of the neutral MPb12 clusters are smaller than that of some alkali atoms, indicating that the neutral MPb12 clusters possess superalkali character.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Variable character of O-O and M-O bonding in side-on (eta(2)) 1:1 metal complexes of O2.

The structures and the O-O and M-O bonding characters of a series of reported side-on (eta(2)) 1:1 metal complexes of O(2) are analyzed by using density functional theory calculations. Comparison of the calculated and experimental systems with respect to O-O bond distance, O-O stretching frequency, and O-O and M-O bond orders provides new insights into subtle influences relevant to O(2) activation processes in biology and catalysis. The degree of charge transfer from the generally electron-rich metals to the dioxygen fragment is found to be variable, such that there are species well described as superoxides, others well described as peroxides, and several cases having intermediate character. Increased charge transfer to dioxygen takes place via overlap of the metal d(xy) orbital with the in-plane pi* orbital of O(2) and results in increased M-O bond orders and decreased O-O bond orders. Comparison of theory and experiment over the full range of compounds studied suggests that reevaluation of the O-O bond lengths determined from certain x-ray crystal structures is warranted; in one instance, an x-ray crystal structure redetermination was performed at low temperature, confirming the theoretical prediction. Librational motion of the coordinated O(2) is identified as a basis for significant underestimation of the O-O distance at high temperature.

Chemistry, Physical↗
PubMed2001

Sexually antagonistic coevolution of a postmating-prezygotic reproductive character in desert Drosophila.

Rapid divergence in postmating-prezygotic characters suggests that selection may be responsible for generating reproductive barriers between closely related species. Theoretical models indicate that this rapid divergence could be generated by a series of male adaptations and female counteradaptations by means of sexual selection or conflict, but empirical tests of particular mechanisms are generally lacking. Moreover, although a male--female genotypic interaction in mediating sperm competition attests to an active role of females, molecular or morphological evidence of the female's participation in the coevolutionary process is critically needed. Here we show that postmating-prezygotic variation among populations of cactophilic desert Drosophila reflects divergent coevolutionary trajectories between the sexes. We explicitly test the female's role in intersexual interactions by quantifying differences in a specific postmating-prezygotic reproductive character, the insemination reaction mass, in two species, Drosophila mojavensis and Drosophila arizonae. A series of interpopulation crosses confirmed that population divergence was propelled by male--female interactions, a prerequisite if the selective forces derive from sexual conflicts. An association between the reaction mass and remating and oviposition behavior argues that divergence has been propelled by sexually antagonistic coevolution, and potentially has important implications for speciation.

Animals↗
PubMed1970

Selection and polygenic characters.

A mathematical model is developed which describes the effect of selection on polygenic or continuously varying phenotypic characters. For the simplest case the standard deviation of a phenotypic character in a population cannot be greater than radical2beta where beta is the expected deviation of the offspring from the average of the parents' types. This is found to carry over to density-dependent selection, and it indicates that there are limits to the amount of phenotypic diversity, and therefore niche breadth, which a population can maintain. These limits, however, are also subject to selection.

Genetics, Population↗
PubMed1977

Structure of transition-metal cluster compounds: Use of an additional orbital resulting from the f, g character of spd bond orbitals.

A general theory of the structure of complexes of the transition metals is developed on the basis of the enneacovalence of the metals and the requirements of the electroneutrality principle. An extra orbital may be provided through the small but not negligible amount of f and g character of spd bond orbitals, and an extra electron or electron pair may be accepted in this orbital for a single metal or a cluster to neutralize the positive electric charge resulting from the partial ionic character of the bonds with ligands, such as the carbonyl group. Examples of cluster compounds of cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, and gold are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1979

Selective loss of noradrenergic phenotypic characters in neuroblasts of the rat embryo.

To define the fate of embryonic neuroblasts in rat gut, which transiently express several noradrenergic traits, we investigated the high-affinity uptake of norepinephrine. At 12.5 days of gestation, these cells exhibited immunoreactivity to tyrosine hydroxylase [tyrosine 3-monoxygenase; L-tyrosine, tetrahydropteridine:oxygen oxidoreductase (3-hydroxylating), EC 1.14.16.2] and endogenous catecholamine fluorescence. However, by 13.5 days these noradrenergic neurotransmitter phenotypic characters essentially disappeared. In contrast, norepinephrine uptake, which was also apparent at 12.5 days, persisted at least through 17.5 days. These observations indicate that norepinephrine uptake develops as an additional noradrenergic characteristic in these cells and persists after the disappearance of other noradrenergic traits. Consequently, neurotransmitter phenotypic characters may be transiently displayed during normal development in vivo.

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1978

Responses of boys and girls to aggressive, assertive, and passive behaviors of male and female characters.

Boys and girls in grades 4, 6, and 8 answered five questions after reading stories in which a male or female character behaved aggressively, assertively, or passively. As hypothesized, the results indicated differential degrees of approval for aggressive, assertive, and passive behavior depending upon the sex of the character engaged in the behavior. Boys and girls also responded in different ways to the three types of behavior. Developmental trends indicated an increasingly positive evaluation of the effectiveness of passive behavior by females and an increasingly negative evaluation by males with age. The implications for the acquisition of sex-stereotyped behavior patterns are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

The character of the exception as a defense against deformity.

There is a tendency to regard Freud's paper on "the exception" (1916) as describing a general narcissistic defensive organization, but this paper argues that Freud was primarily concerned with the character of the exception as a defense against acknowledging bodily deformity. Two cases of bodily deformity, one fictional, one drawn from the author's practice, are presented to explore the role of magical identification with an ego-ideal in the regulation of self-esteem in the exception. The first shows a case irrevocably stuck in the character of the exception; the second example shows how analysis can help to effect some lessening of the defense. The paper ends with brief observations on technique in relation to the exception.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The variable character of nerves in a Newfoundland fishing village.

The popular complaint nerves has complex and variable meanings in the tiny, coastal fishing village of Grey Rock Harbour, Newfoundland. In everyday life, the term is distinct from mental and physical disease and is instead used to communicate a wide-range of minor psychosomatic complaints as well as emotions, moral standards and world view. The term is so frequently used that in some respects it has become a cliché. Analysis of the variable character of nerves focuses on reconciling the contradictory with the more coherent facets of nerves as a folk idiom. Special attention is paid to the affective character of nerves, especially nerves as "anxiety," which has been hypercognized into a culture-specific and highly elaborated concept of worry.

Anxiety↗
PubMed2000

Long-range interactions between ligands bound to a DNA molecule give rise to adsorption with the character of phase transition of the first kind.

Influence of long-range interactions between ligands bound to DNA molecule on the character of their adsorption is studied using computer modeling. For this investigation, two calculation procedures are developed. They are based upon the method of the free energy minimum and on the partition function method. The both procedures demonstrate that in the case of a strong enough attraction between all the bound ligands their binding to DNA has the character of phase transition of the first kind. There is a break in the binding curve c(c0) where c - relative concentration of bound ligands, c0 - molar concentration of free ligands. The break occurs because there is an interval of central degrees of binding (approximately 50% of the maximum c value) that are prohibited for individual DNA molecules. Such a transition might be caused by some types of DNA condensation. Attraction between the neighboring ligands only, adjacent or/and separated by double helix regions, does not cause this effect.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Effect of ribozyme against transforming growth factorbeta1 on biological character of activated HSCs.

Transforming growth factorbeta1 (TGFbeta1) is considered to be the principal contributor to liver fibrosis. So in this study the ribozymes against TGFbeta1 were designed. The in vitro cleavage activities of the ribozymes were assayed through incubation of (32)p-labeled target RNAs and (32)p-labeled ribozymes in different conditions. HSC-T6 cells were transfected with the eukaryotic constructs encoding ribozyme and disable ribozyme, then the stable cell clones were used to evaluate its antifibrotic characteristic through the effect of ribozyme on biological character of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The results demonstrated that two ribozymes (Rz803 and Rz1395) could cleave target RNAs into expected products effectively, Rz803 possessed better cleavage activity in vitro. Stable transfection of Rz803 into activated HSCs reduced TGFbeta1 expression in mRNA and protein level efficiently. The further studies demonstrated that Rz803 reduced deposition of collagen I, suppressed HSC proliferation, but had no effect on HSC activation in transfected HSC-T6 cells. Therefore, it indicated that Rz803 could reverse the character of activated HSCs by down-regulating TGFbeta1 expression efficiently and diminishing TGFbeta1 signaling underlying activation of hepatic stellate cells. As the consequence, it would provide a potential therapeutic approach for liver fibrosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Hen's teeth and whale's feet: generalized characters and their compatibility.

We propose a new model of computation for deriving phylogenetic trees based upon a generalization of qualitative characters. The model we propose is based upon recent experimental research in molecular biology. We show that the general case of determining perfect compatibility of generalized ordered characters is an NP-complete problem, but can be solved in polynomial time for a special case.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1987

Heritability of two morphological characters within and among natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster.

Heritabilities of wing length and abdominal bristle number, as well as genetic correlations between these characters, were determined within and among populations of Drosophila melanogaster in nature. Substantial "natural" heritabilities were found when wild-caught flies from one population were compared to their laboratory-reared offspring. Natural heritabilities of bristle number approximated those derived from laboratory-raised parents and offspring, but wing length heritability was significantly lower in nature than in the laboratory. Among-population heritabilities, estimated by regressing population means of wild-caught flies against those of their laboratory-reared descendants, were close to 0.5. The genetic differentiation of populations was clinal with latitude, and was accompanied by significant geographic differences in the norms of reaction to temperature. These clines are similar to those reported on other continents and in other Drosophila species, and are almost certainly caused by natural selection. Genetic regressions between the characters reveal that the cline in bristle number may be a correlated response to geographic selection on wing length, but not vice versa. Our results indicate that there is a sizable genetic component to phenotypic variation within and among populations of D. melanogaster in nature.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Genotypic variation for a quantitative character maintained under stabilizing selection without mutations: epistasis.

A model of the gene action on a quantitative character is suggested. The model takes into account epistasis by combining multiplicative with the traditional additive approximation of the action of loci. It is demonstrated on the basis of this model that a high level of genotypic variation can be maintained in a population for a quantitative character under stabilizing selection in the absence of mutations, if there is epistasis. It is also shown that a large amount of additive variation as well as high heritability can be "hidden" in such a population and "released" if stabilizing selection is relaxed.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1992

Correcting the bias of Wright's estimates of the number of genes affecting a quantitative character: a further improved method.

Wright's method of estimating the number of genes contributing to the difference in a quantitative character between two populations involves observing the means and variances of the two parental populations and their hybrid populations. Although simple, Wright's method provides seriously biased estimates, largely due to linkage and unequal effects of alleles. A method is suggested to evaluate the bias of Wright's estimate, which relies on estimation of the mean recombination frequency between a pair of loci and a composite parameter of variability of allelic effects and frequencies among loci. Assuming that the loci are uniformly distributed in the genome, the mean recombination frequency can be calculated for some organisms. Theoretical analysis and an analysis of the Drosophila data on distributions of effects of P element inserts on bristle numbers indicate that the value of the composite parameter is likely to be about three or larger for many quantitative characters. There are, however, some serious problems with the current method, such as the irregular behavior of the statistic and large sampling variances of estimates. Because of that, the method is generally not recommended for use unless several favorable conditions are met. These conditions are: the two parental populations are many phenotypic standard deviations apart, linkage is not tight, and the sample size is very large. An example is given on the fruit weight of tomato from a cross with parental populations differing in means by more than 14 phenotypic standard deviations. It is estimated that the number of loci which account for 95% of the genic variance in the F2 population is 16, with a 95% confidence interval of 7-28, and the effect of the leading locus is 13% of the parental difference, with 95% confidence interval 8.5-25.7%.

Alleles↗