PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J H Spencer

Publications and source records attributed to J H Spencer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Conformation of magainin-2 and related peptides in aqueous solution and membrane environments probed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

The conformational properties of the magainin family of antimicrobial peptides in aqueous solution and in model membranes have been probed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The magainins were found to be structureless in aqueous solution at neutral pD, confirming other studies by Raman and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Increasing the pD to 10 induced the formation of predominantly alpha-helical secondary structures, with some beta-sheet. In the presence of negatively charged liposomes (dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol), the peptides folded into alpha-helical secondary structures with some beta-sheet structure evident. On the other hand, in the presence of zwitterionic phospholipids (dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine), the spectra were identical to those in aqueous solution. For some magainins, the interaction with charged liposomes was modulated by the presence of cholesterol; cholesterol was found to promote the formation of beta-sheet structures, as evidenced by the appearance of amide I bands at 1614 and 1637 cm-1. Differences in structure were observed between the amidated and nonamidated forms of some peptides. From the data, a mechanism of antimicrobial action of the magainin family of peptides is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Antimicrobial peptides of frog skin.

A mechanism of action for frog skin antimicrobial peptides has been proposed, based on the amphipathic nature of the peptides when they contact bacterial surfaces. This results in anion channel formation and penetration of the membrane which allows efflux of OH- and uncoupling of respiration in the bacteria. The question of occurrence of human antimicrobial peptides analogous to those in frogs has not been answered but early studies indicate that Erspamer's prediction is correct.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

A randomized clinical trial of inpatient family intervention: VI. Mediating variables and outcome.

In a randomized clinical trial of Inpatient Family Intervention (IFI) for 169 inpatients with schizophrenia, affective disorder, and a residual group of other diagnoses, results suggested significant effects favoring IFI for patients and their families. The treatment effects were limited to females and to two diagnostic groups: chronic schizophrenia patients and the bipolar subgroup of affective disorders.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1991

Observation and theory in psychoanalysis: the self psychology of Heinz Kohut.

The development of self psychology by Heinz Kohut illustrates the influence of observational method on theory formation in psychoanalysis. In 1959 Kohut began to emphasize empathy and introspection over the traditional combination of free association and evenly suspended attention. This became an important part of a process of revision in psychoanalytic theory which culminated in self psychology. This paper demonstrates how and why that particular change in observational method influenced that particular revision of theory.

Attention↗
PubMed1990

A randomized clinical trial of inpatient family intervention. V. Results for affective disorders.

This paper reports the results at follow-up of a randomized clinical trial of combining family intervention with drug treatment during hospitalization for patients with affective disorder. The results suggest that female bipolar patients and their families benefited from family intervention, whereas unipolar patients and families did not. Patient outcome was positively correlated with the achievement of the goals of family intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Gender and schizophrenia outcome: a clinical trial of an inpatient family intervention.

Several studies document sex differences in premorbid and intermorbid role functioning, showing less functional deficit among females. The specific nature of sex differences in role functioning is still poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate sex differences in symptomatology and role functioning in a sample of 92 inpatients hospitalized for an episode of DSM-III-diagnosed schizophrenic disorder. Patients were randomized at hospital admission to either of two treatment conditions: (1) multimodal hospital treatment with the addition of an inpatient family intervention (IFI) or (2) multimodal hospital treatment without IFI. Results indicated (1) sex differences in levels of substance abuse and antisocial behavior (worse for males both at admission and followup)--dimensions of psychopathology unrelated to the core features of schizophrenia; (2) superior family and occupational functioning in females at followup; and (3) superior clinical response of females to IFI. Data on family response to IFI suggest some ameliorative effects of IFI on critical family attitudes toward female patients as well as greater family compliance with IFI treatment among the families of females. Sex differences in intermorbid family and occupational functioning and response to a family-based psychosocial intervention are discussed in light of data on rejecting family attitudes toward the patient and sex differences in symptomatology. The possible influence of sex-differentiated social role demands on response to IFI is also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Psychoanalytic observation.

The recent focus on empathy as the essential activity in psychoanalytic data gathering has underemphasized the complexity of psychoanalytic observation and has failed to identify what truly makes it unique among modes of psychological investigation. It is a process that includes introspection and empathy. However, it also includes the analyst's observation of the patient's behavior, and particularly verbal behavior, in a way that is not necessarily empathic. The psychoanalytic use of introspection and behavioral observation together, as they are modified by the analysand's free association and the analyst's evenly hovering attention, provides a unique method of data gathering. The transient, mutually related regressions of analyst and analysand which partly constitute the analyzing instrument modify the field of observation available to both, providing better access to derivatives of the analysand's unconscious mental functioning. This more complex concept of psychoanalytic observation, as opposed to that in which empathy is predominant, has important implications for psychoanalytic training, clinical work, and theory.

Behavior↗
PubMed1988

Inpatient family intervention: a randomized clinical trial. II. Results at hospital discharge.

Although family intervention is practiced in most psychiatric hospitals, to our knowledge, no adequately controlled studies of its efficacy exist. This study was designed to answer, in part, the question of the relative efficacy of hospitalization with family intervention as compared with hospitalization without family intervention for patients (1) with major psychiatric disorders, (2) in need of hospital treatment, and (3) for whom both treatments are judged clinically feasible. This article compares treatment results at the time of hospital discharge for 169 patients randomly assigned to the inpatient Family Intervention or comparison conditions. Inpatient Family Intervention had greater efficacy than the comparison treatment, mostly attributable to its effect on female patients, especially those patients (and their families) with affective disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Organization of repetitive DNAs in the guinea pig genome.

Investigation of restriction enzyme families observed in Bam HI and Eco RI digest of guinea pig DNA has led to the demonstration of a 4.0 kb cryptic satellite called MRICp which has 6300 copies and comprises 1% of the total genome. MRICp has been shown to encompass the Eco RI 4.0 kb family, the Bam HI 3.4 kb family and the Bam HI 3.7 kb family. The 1.5 kb Eco RI family is part of an L1 LINE that is present in the guinea pig and in other rodentia. It is part of a larger LINE, probably 6.5 to 7 kb in size, and some copies are embedded in satellite I DNA sequences.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

A randomized clinical trial of inpatient family intervention, III: Effects at 6-month and 18-month follow-ups.

This paper focuses on the follow-up results of a randomized clinical trial of inpatient family intervention (IFI) that emphasized psychoeducation. Results for the sample of 169 psychiatric patients suggested that adding family treatment to standard hospital treatment was effective; however, the statistical interactions indicated that this therapeutic effect was restricted to female patients with schizophrenia or major affective disorder. The effect of family treatment on male patients with these diagnoses was minimal or slightly negative. In a group of patients with other diagnoses, the Treatment by Sex effect was reversed: male patients did better with the family treatment.

Affective Disorders, Psychotic↗
PubMed1987

Mapping the B and D gene promoters of bacteriophage S13 by footprinting and exonuclease III analysis.

The region of the bacteriophage S13 genome which contains the B, K, and C genes and most of the A, D, and E genes (map positions 627 to 2198) was analyzed for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase-binding sites by combined DNase I footprinting, exonuclease III analysis, and DNA sequencing. Two high-affinity binding sites that correspond to the B and D gene promoters were mapped at positions 936 to 995 and 1779 to 1848, respectively. Positions 936 to 995 are in gene A, preceding the B gene, and positions 1779 to 1848 are in gene C, just preceding the D gene. In addition, two lower-affinity binding sites were identified at positions 1527 to 1538 and 1705 to 1756 preceding the C and D genes, respectively. The footprinting studies described here, in combination with previous studies on transcription, provide definitive evidence on the position of the B and D gene promoters in S13 and the closely related phage phi X174.

Coliphages↗
PubMed1987

Localization of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase-binding sites on bacteriophage S13 replicative form I DNA by protection of restriction enzyme cleavage sites.

Protection of restriction endonuclease cleavage sites by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase bound to the replicative form I of bacteriophage S13 DNA has been used to identify a number of regions of RNA polymerase binding. Digestion with HincII, AluI, HinfI, or HaeIII, under conditions optimized for "open" complex formation, revealed 12 regions of RNA polymerase binding. Based on differential salt sensitivities, five of the regions were classified as strong or tight binding sites. These were located before genes A (two sites), B, and D and at the 5' end of gene F. The seven regions which exhibited weaker binding were located at the 5' end of gene C (two sites), in the middle of gene D, just before and at the 3' end of gene F, at the 5' end of gene G, and in the middle of gene H. The sites before genes B and D coincide with sites previously identified as promoters in bacteriophage phi X174. One of the sites before gene A, that at nucleotides 5175-5211, represents a new putative promoter site in bacteriophage S13 and phi X174 located before the previously identified A gene promoter at nucleotides 10-45.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Developing a Role Activity Performance Scale.

This article describes the Role Activity Performance Scale (RAPS) and presents data from a study of its reliability and validity. The RAPS evaluates an individual's functional level, using 12 subscales that represent a range of life roles. It was developed as an instrument for evaluating the impact of occupational therapy and other treatment modalities on the functioning of psychiatric patients. It is also useful in the diagnostic, treatment, and discharge planning processes. Validity and interrater reliability testing involved a sample of 30 patients in two major diagnostic groups. Interrater correlations for subscales and total scores were above .80 and statistically significant. A comparison of the RAPS with other accepted psychosocial rating scales showed strong correlations in scores. The psychometric evidence from this preliminary study supports the continued development and use of the RAPS for both clinical and research purposes.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Goal Attainment Scaling. Relevance and replicability in follow-up of inpatients.

First proposed by Kiresuk in 1968, Goal Attainment Scaling has been widely and enthusiastically accepted as an evaluation tool in service delivery and education. However, it has not been much used in controlled research, probably because its reliability and validity have been questioned by critics. The authors have used Goal Attainment Scaling as one of a number of outcome measures in a research project on the effect of family intervention on inpatients. In the course of doing so, they have developed guidelines for gathering information, constructing goal scales, selecting expected outcome levels, and categorizing subsequent outcome data. They believe that these guidelines have clinical integrity and that their use would improve the reliability of goal attainment scaling without detracting from its value as an individualized measure. With these modifications, Goal Attainment Scaling can be made more systematic and therefore more reliable without losing its intrinsic value as an individually targeted outcome measure.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

A controlled evaluation of inpatient family intervention. I. Preliminary results of the six-month follow-up.

Although family intervention is practiced in most psychiatric hospitals, there are no adequately controlled studies of its efficacy. This study was designed to answer, in part, the following question: What is the relative efficacy of hospitalization with family intervention as compared with hospitalization without family intervention for patients with major psychiatric disorders who are in need of hospital treatment and for whom both treatments are judged clinically feasible? This is our first report, presenting preliminary data on six-month follow-up for the first three quarters of the total sample of 144 patients (80 with schizophrenic disorder and 64 with major affective disorder).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Nucleotide sequence and genome organization of bacteriophage S13 DNA.

The complete sequence of bacteriophage S13 DNA has been determined. The molecule has 5386 nucleotides and differs from phi X174 by 87 transitions and 24 transversions. All the proteins, A,A*,B,C,D,E,F,G,H, J and K found in phi X174 are also present in S13. Due to changes in the H/A intergenic region of S13, the start of an additional protein, A', has been identified. Genes F and H coding for the capsid and spike proteins, respectively, are the least conserved in comparison to phi X174. Many of the silent changes, as well as some amino acid changes, are found in the same nucleotide sequence positions in phage G4, confirming the interrelationship between the three phages.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1982

An efficient synthetic primer for the M13 cloning dideoxy sequencing system.

The deoxytetradecamer d(AAAACGACGGCCAG) has been shown to be an excellent universal primer for sequence determination of DNA cloned into the bacteriophage M13 mp7, mp8, and mp9 series. This new primer offers several advantages over others currently available and it has been used to define the cloning of Hinf I fragments of bacteriophage S13 DNA into the Eco RI site of M13 mp7, utilizing the homologous complementary base pairing of the two restriction sites. Of the four possible sequence derivatives of the Hinf I GANTC recognition site, only those corresponding to GAATC and GATTC have been found at cloning sites in chimeras.

Base Sequence↗