Biomedical subjects

L Maurer

Publications and source records attributed to L Maurer.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Personal problem-solving scoring of TAT responses: known-groups validation.

Two studies employed a known-groups validation strategy to evaluate a Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) scoring system purported to measure personal problem-solving skills, the Personal Problem-Solving System (PPSS). In Study 1 clinicians rated the records of 46 mental health outpatients for the presence of personal problem-solving skills deficits. Verbatim TAT transcripts from these patients were blindly scored using the PPSS. Participants predicted to demonstrate problem-solving deficits obtained lower PPSS scores. In Study 2 a psychiatric sample (n = 47) and a community-based comparison group (n = 47) completed a life history questionnaire, a checklist of problems currently experienced, a measure of psychiatric symptoms, and responded to 3 TAT cards. TAT responses were again blindly scored using the PPSS. In contrast to the comparison group, psychiatric patients checked a greater number of current problems, endorsed more psychiatric symptoms, and obtained lower scores on the PPSS. A discriminant function analysis using PPSS scores correctly classified 72% of these participants. PPSS scores predicted group membership even after controlling for differences in age, education, the number of problems experienced, and psychiatric symptoms. This combination of variables correctly classified 92% of the participants. Results of both studies are interpreted as supporting the discriminant validity of the PPSS.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1987

Identification and characterization of genes determining receptor binding and pilus length of Escherichia coli type 1 pili.

We describe the identification and characterization of two genes and their gene products responsible for determining receptor binding and pilus length in type 1-piliated Escherichia coli. One gene, pilE, conferred the ability of piliated cells to agglutinate guinea pig erythrocytes. The other gene, pilF, determined pilus length, in that mutants having lesions in pilF had very long pili. The two genes were detected after Tn5 mutagenesis of a cloned segment of DNA that normally complemented a pilE lesion in the chromosome. Thus, lesions in pilE or pilF on the cloned segment resulted in mutants having the PilE- phenotype (piliated but unable to agglutinate erythrocytes). Introduction of the plasmid-encoded mutant alleles of pilE and pilF into the chromosome followed by electron microscopic examination of the mutants showed that only lesions in pilF conferred the striking increase in pilus length. Mutations in pilF could be complemented in trans by the original cloned segment to produce cells with parental-length pili. Minicell transcription and translation of the cloned pilE and pilF genes having representative Tn5 insertion mutations showed that the pilE gene product was a protein of ca. 31 kilodaltons and that the pilF gene product was a protein of ca. 18 kilodaltons. We believe that the pilF gene product may act as a competitive inhibitor of pilus polymerization. Thus, pilus length may be controlled by the ratio of pilin to pilF gene product present within the cell.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

PubMed1987

The medical treatment of battered wives.

Knowledge gained from a literature summary was tested against data obtained from a national volunteer sample of 1,000 battered women recruited primarily through solicitation by an advertisement in Woman's Day magazine. In comparison with other help-sources (social service agencies, the clergy, the police, lawyers, women's groups, shelters), medical personnel were found to have been used fairly frequently, but they were seen by the battered women as less effective than any other group. Quotes taken from indepth interviewers with 146 of the battered wives are used to bring life to the comparative statistics. Specific reasons for the low effectiveness ratings of the medical profession are considered, and ways to improve service delivery ratings are discussed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed1986

Receptor-binding function of type 1 pili effects bladder colonization by a clinical isolate of Escherichia coli.

The role of type 1 pili in promoting bladder colonization was examined by constructing two mutant strains of a clinical Escherichia coli isolate. One mutant was isogenic to the parental strain save for a lesion in a gene required for pilus receptor binding; the other mutant was isogenic save for a lesion in the gene encoding the pilus structural subunit. Using mixed infections of the parental and mutant strains in an ascending rat cystitis model, we found that type 1-piliated mutants that lacked the receptor-binding function were as ineffective in bladder colonization as were mutants lacking the entire organelle.

Adhesiveness↗

PubMed1976

[Column chromatographic enrichment of "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase vienna" (author's transl)].

Further biochemical investigations were performed in a case of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency--called the "Vienna" deficiency variant on account of its biochemical characterization. It was found that the "Vienna" deficiency variant shows increased enzyme protein at a reduced specific activity. Gel filtration on Sephadex-G-200 produced a molecular weight identical with that of the normoenzyme; the different cochromatographic behaviour on hydroxylapatite appears attributable to a sequence modification of the amino acids.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

[In vitro incorporation of (33P)orthophosphate into the erythrocyte membrane phospholipids of newborn and adult domestic pigs].

Phosphate turnover of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids, judged by [33P] incorporation, was investigated with phosphatidylethanolamine, lecithin, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidic acid in newborn and adult domestic pigs. A new micromethod is described in detail using between 10(9) to 10(10) cells, both for quantitative determination of phospholipids and tracer incorporation studies in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids. Erythrocyte phospholipid values are given for pigs of varous age groups, showing essentially no difference, and are compared with the respective data for human erythrocytes. Thrombocytes and leukocytes were removed and separation of the red cells into reticulocytes and normocytes was done. This proved a higher level of phospholipid phosphate metabolic activity in neonatal pig erythrocytes--comparable to that in human red blood cells--according to their well known higher glucose permeability and glycolytic rate. Further evidence is accumulated by the results presented that the metabolic differences in neonatal pig red cells are due to a distinct neonatal erythrocyte population and not to the increased number of immature cells present in the circulation.

Animals↗