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N Carpenter

Publications and source records attributed to N Carpenter.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Longitudinal changes in cognitive and adaptive behavior in fragile X females: a prospective multicenter analysis.

In prospective studies of young, fragile X [fra(X)] males with the full mutation, cognitive abilities (IQ scores) and adaptive behavior levels (DQ scores) declined in most subjects tested. Little is known about longitudinal changes in IQ and DQ scores in young fra(X) females, although one earlier retrospective study showed declines in IQ scores in 8 of 11 subjects. To examine fra(X) females prospectively, we tested and retested 13 females with the full mutation, age 4 to 15 years. Nine were tested and retested in North America, and four were evaluated at the Catholic University in Leuven, Belgium. Cognitive abilities of North American females were measured using the Stanford-Binet 4th Edition. Adaptive behavior levels were ascertained from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. For Belgians, test-retest scores from the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children-Revised were used. Subjects were subsequently separated into two age cohorts: those tested initially before age 7 years and those tested initially after age 7 years. Compared with young males with the full mutation and of the same age, females expectedly display a wider range of IQ scores. Test-retest IQ scores showed statistically significant decreases (P < 0.03). Analysis of individual test-retest scores indicate that declines in eight females were statistically significant. Adaptive behavior scores were available only for North American females. Five of nine (55%) showed significant declines in DQ. Like young males with the full mutation, all females with the full mutation attained higher adaptive behavior levels than cognitive scores, i.e., DQ > IQ.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Rater reliability of fragile X mutation size estimates: a multilaboratory analysis.

Notwithstanding the use of comparable molecular protocols, description and measurement of the fra(X) (fragile X) mutation may vary according to its appearance as a discrete band, smear, multiple bands, or mosaic. Estimation of mutation size may also differ from one laboratory to another. We report on the description of an mutation size estimate for a large sample of individuals tested for the fra(X) pre- or full mutation. Of 63 DNA samples evaluated, 45 were identified previously as fra(X) pre- or full mutations. DNA from 18 unaffected individuals was used as control. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and DNA fragments from each of four laboratories were sent to a single center where Southern blots were prepared and hybridized with the pE5.1 probe. Photographs from autoradiographs were returned to each site, and raters blind to the identity of the specimens were asked to evaluate them. Raters' estimates of mutation size compared favorably with a reference test. Intrarater reliability was good to excellent. Variability in mutation size estimates was comparable across band types. Variability in estimates was moderate, and was significantly correlated with absolute mutation size and band type.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Longitudinal study of cognitive abilities and adaptive behavior levels in fragile X males: a prospective multicenter analysis.

Retrospective longitudinal studies have noted declines in IQ scores in many but not all fra(X) (fragile X) males and females. We report on a prospective investigation of longitudinal changes in cognitive ability (IQ) and adaptive behavior (DQ) in 24 fra(X) males from four test sites. Individuals who were tested ranged in age from 3-15 years. To determine cognitive ability, all males were administered the Stanford-Binet test (4th Edition). To assess adaptive behavior, all males were evaluated using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Mean interest interval was 2.3 years. Using identical DNA protocols, all subjects were identified as bearing the fra(X) mutation. Results showed declines in IQ scores in 18/24 (75%) males. Four males showed no change in scores. Declines in DQ scores were noted in 22/24 (92%) of those tested. DQ scores were higher than IQ scores in 20/24 (83%) subjects. From a descriptive cohort analysis, decreases in IQ scores appear to follow a well-defined, negatively decelerating function. Declines in DQ were steeper and more nearly linear. Declining scores are not indicative of regression of intellectual and/or social skills, but of a relative inability to keep pace with their age-normed cohort. We conclude that the fra(X) mutation affects cognitive abilities in a uniform, nonlinear manner comparable to outcomes observed in earlier retrospective studies. Adaptive behavior also declines, but in a more linear fashion.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Lack of association between mutation size and cognitive/behavior deficits in fragile X males: a brief report.

Previously, researchers reported molecular-neurobehavioral or molecular-cognitive associations in individuals with fra(X) (fragile X) mutation. However, not all investigators have noted molecular-behavioral relationships. Consequently, we examined prospectively 30 fra(X) males age 3-15 years from four testing sites to determine whether there was a relationship between mutation size and degree of either cognitive or adaptive behavior deficit. To measure cognitive abilities, all individuals were administered the Stanford-Binet (4th edition) IQ test. To evaluate adaptive behavior (DQ) skills, all individuals were assessed using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale. To determine fra(X) status, genomic DNA from all individuals was extracted and digested with EcoRI and EagI restriction enzymes. Southern blots were prepared and hybridized with the pE5.1 probe. The Pearson correlation coefficient between full mutation size and composite IQ score revealed a nonsignificant, near-zero association (r = 0.06; P > .76). The Pearson coefficient between mutation size and DQ also showed a nonsignificant, near-zero association (r = 0.06; P > .73). We conclude that while fra(X) mutation produces cognitive and behavior deficits in males who inherit the defective gene, there is no relationship between mutation size and degree of deficit.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Interobserver agreement for measurement of grating acuity and interocular acuity differences with the teller acuity card procedure.

Interobserver reliability of the Teller acuity card (TAC) procedure for estimating acuity and interocular acuity differences (IADs) was assessed with 342 infants and children who had been treated in a neonatal intensive care unit for preterm birth and/or perinatal complications. Subjects were tested binocularly at term and monocularly at 4, 8, 11, 17, 24, 30, 36, and 48 months corrected age with TACs. Testers were masked to the location and spatial frequency of the grating on each card. Of the interobserver test-retest scores, 67% differed by no more than 0.5 octave, and 87% of the test pairs differed by no more than 1 octave. Of the test-retest comparisons of a subject's IAD, 54% showed agreement of 0.5 octave or better, and 76% differed by no more than 1 octave. Interobserver agreement for binocular and monocular tests was similar to that reported previously for visually and neurologically at-risk infants and children tested with the forced-choice preferential-looking procedure or with prototype acuity cards. Interobserver agreement for IAD estimates was somewhat less than that reported for a sample of infants with ocular disorders. There were no systematic differences in interobserver agreement between eyes tested first and eyes tested second, nor was interobserver agreement related to subject's medical diagnosis. Interobserver agreement was influenced, however, by the spatial frequencies of the particular gratings used during testing and, to a limited extent, by the age of the child. The duration of individual tests and observers' ratings of confidence in their acuity estimate were not reliable indicators of test-retest pairs that were not in agreement. The results demonstrate the reliability of the TAC procedure, but suggest that acuity estimates critical to a patient's diagnosis or treatment should be confirmed by repeat testing.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

New domains of neural cell-adhesion molecule L1 implicated in X-linked hydrocephalus and MASA syndrome.

The neural cell-adhesion molecule L1 is involved in intercellular recognition and neuronal migration in the CNS. Recently, we have shown that mutations in the gene encoding L1 are responsible for three related disorders; X-linked hydrocephalus, MASA (mental retardation, aphasia, shuffling gait, and adducted thumbs) syndrome, and spastic paraplegia type I (SPG1). These three disorders represent a clinical spectrum that varies not only between families but sometimes also within families. To date, 14 independent L1 mutations have been reported and shown to be disease causing. Here we report nine novel L1 mutations in X-linked hydrocephalus and MASA-syndrome families, including the first examples of mutations affecting the fibronectin type III domains of the molecule. They are discussed in relation both to phenotypes and to the insights that they provide into L1 function.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1994

Is fragile X syndrome a pervasive developmental disability? Cognitive ability and adaptive behavior in males with the full mutation.

In addition to mental retardation (MR), fragile X [fra(X)] syndrome has been associated with various psychopathologies, although it appears that the link is secondary to MR. It has been proposed that individuals with the full mutation be classified as a subcategory of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). If fra(X) males are to be categorized as PDD, how do they compare with other types of developmental disabilities? We examined 27 fra(X) males aged 3-14 years, from 4 sites in North America. Measures of cognitive abilities were obtained from the Stanford-Binet Fourth Edition (SBFE), while levels of adaptive behavior were evaluated using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS). Control subjects were sex-, age-, and IQ matched children and adolescents ascertained from the Developmental Evaluation Clinic (DEC) at Kings County Hospital. At the DEC, control subjects were diagnosed as either MR (n = 43) or autistic disorder (AD; n = 22). To compare subjects' adaptive behavior (SQ) with their cognitive abilities (IQ), a ratio of [(SQ/IQ) x 100] was computed. Results graphed as cumulative distribution functions (cdf) revealed that the cdf for AD males, who by definition are socially impaired, was positioned to the left of the cdf for MR controls, as expected. Mean ratio for AD males (70) was lower than for MR males (84). On the other hand, the cdf for fra(X) males was positioned far to the right of either AD or MR controls (mean ratio = 125). Statistical tests showed that SQ of fra(X) males was significantly higher than controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Down syndrome phenotypes: the consequences of chromosomal imbalance.

Down syndrome (DS) is a major cause of mental retardation and congenital heart disease. Besides a characteristic set of facial and physical features, DS is associated with congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract, an increased risk of leukemia, immune system defects, and an Alzheimer-like dementia. Moreover, DS is a model for the study of human aneuploidy. Although usually caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21, subsets of the phenotypic features of DS may be caused by the duplication of small regions of the chromosome. The physical map of chromosome 21 allows the molecular definition of the regions duplicated in these rare cases of partial trisomy. As a first step in identifying the genes responsible for individual DS features and their pathophysiology, a panel of cell lines derived from 16 such individuals has been established and the molecular break points have been determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization and Southern blot dosage analysis of 32 markers unique to human chromosome 21. Combining this information with detailed clinical evaluations of these patients, we have now constructed a "phenotypic map" that includes 25 features and assigns regions of 2-20 megabases as likely to contain the genes responsible. This study provides evidence for a significant contribution of genes outside the D21S55 region to the DS phenotypes, including the facies, microcephaly, short stature, hypotonia, abnormal dermatoglyphics, and mental retardation. This strongly suggests DS is a contiguous gene syndrome and augurs against a single DS chromosomal region responsible for most of the DS phenotypic features.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1988

Effect of gallopamil, a calcium channel blocker, on carbachol- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in sheep.

We compared the in vivo effectiveness of the calcium channel blockers, gallopamil and verapamil, in inhibiting carbachol- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in conscious sheep. In 13 sheep, specific lung resistance (SRL) was measured before and after aerosol challenge with histamine (50 breaths; 5% solution) and carbachol (10 breaths; 2.5% solution), without and with pretreatment with intravenous and aerosolized gallopamil and verapamil. Histamine increased mean SRL by 213%. Intravenous (20 micrograms/kg) and aerosolized (5 mg) gallopamil markedly inhibited the histamine-induced bronchoconstriction. Mean SRL increased by 19% and 23%, respectively, whereas 2.5 mg of aerosolized gallopamil partly inhibited the histamine-induced response with SRL increasing by 115% (p less than 0.05). Carbachol increased mean SRL by 380%. Pretreatment with 2.5 mg of aerosolized gallopamil had no effect on carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction, whereas intravenous and 5 mg of aerosolized gallopamil partly attenuated the carbachol response; mean SRL increased by 204% and 177%, respectively (p less than 0.05). Intravenous (150 micrograms/kg) and aerosolized (10 mg and 20 mg) verapamil did not prevent either histamine- or carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction. These results indicate that gallopamil (parenteral and aerosol) attenuates carbachol- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction, is more potent than verapamil, and may be of therapeutic potential.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1988

Isolation of DNA markers in the direction of the Huntington disease gene from the G8 locus.

To facilitate identification of additional DNA markers near and on opposite sides of the Huntington disease (HD) gene, we developed a panel of somatic-cell hybrids that allows accurate subregional mapping of DNA fragments in the distal portion of 4p. By means of the hybrid-cell mapping panel and a library of DNA fragments enriched for sequences from the terminal one-third of the short arm of chromosome 4, 105 DNA fragments were mapped to six different physical regions within 4p15-4pter. Four polymorphic DNA fragments of particular interest were identified, at least three of which are distal to the HD-linked D4S10 (G8) locus, a region of 4p previously devoid of DNA markers. Since the HD gene has also recently been shown to be distal to G8, these newly identified DNA markers are in the direction of the HD gene from G8, and one or more of them may be on the opposite side of HD from G8.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Molecular cytogenetic evidence for amplification of chromosome-specific alphoid sequences at enlarged C-bands on chromosome 6.

We have characterized variant centromeric regions of chromosome 6 segregating in two families. The heteromorphism, 6ph+, stains negatively with G- and Q-banding and darkly with C-banding. The variant C-band regions measure two to three times the length of their homologues. The centromeric regions of the variant chromosome 6 and its homologue are not significantly elongated by adding 5-azacytidine to culture. We determined that the amount of the alphoid centromeric repeat 308 (DZ61), which is chromosome 6 specific, is amplified two- to threefold in the genomes of individuals with the 6ph+ variants. In situ hybridization localized the increase in 308 repeats to the 6ph+ region. These results suggest an association between amplification of chromosome-specific alphoid sequences and enlargement of specific C-band regions.

Centromere↗
PubMed1985

Segregation analysis of a marker localised Xp21.2-Xp21.3 in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy families.

A DNA marker C7, localised Xp21.1-Xp21.3, has been studied in kindreds segregating for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). In DMD families four crossovers were observed in 38 informative meioses between C7 and the DMD locus (theta = 0.12, z max = +2.72). In BMD families no recombinants were observed in the 16 informative meioses studied. These data are consistent with the localisation of the mutations in these disorders being in the same region of Xp21. Studies in families also segregating for the DNA marker 754 support the previously reported physical order of these loci as X centromere-754-DMD-BMD-C7-X telomere. A recombination fraction of 0.11 (z max = +5.58) was found between DMD-754 by combining our previously published data with the data presented here. C7 and 754 thus provide good bridging markers for the diagnosis of DMD and BMD.

Chromosome Banding↗
PubMed1979

Familial gynecomastia without hypogonadism.

A family, six members of which had gynecomastia without hypogonadism, is presented. Endocrine studies failed to show the specific nature of breast enlargement in the patients. Chromosomal studies using peripheral leukocytes resulted in normal findings. In one of the patients, chromosomal studies were done using breast tissue and fascia, and again no abnormalities could be detected. The mode of inheritance may be autosoma dominant with sex limitations; however, X-linked inheritance cannot be ruled out.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Progress report on immunotherapy of chronic myeloid leukemia.

A total of 88 better risk patients and 47 poor-risk patients with chronic myeloid leukemia have received repeated vaccinations with BCG or BCG-cultured cell mixtures at our institutions. The number of viable BCG organisms injected appeared to be the most important parameter of immunologic stimulation in this study. Excessive doses of BCG were associated with a significant incidence of disabling complications and with no survival benefit. Better risk patients receiving lower doses of BCG had suggestive prolongation of survival (p less than 0.1). Immunotherapy had little effect on the course of poor-risk patients but evaluation of this heterogeneous population is difficult; additional studies would be desirable among patients in whom reversal of poor prognostic signs can be achieved.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inhibition of human ovarian carcinoma cell- and hexosaminidase- mediated degradation of extracellular matrix by sugar analogs.

Human ovarian carcinoma (HOC) cell beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (beta-NAG, EC 3.2.1.30) was found to be present in three isoenzymatic forms. All three forms were capable of degrading ECM. Therefore, inhibitors of beta-NAG were sought as potential anti-invasive agents. Two sugar analogs, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-1,5-gluconolactone (CD80110) and 2-acetamido-1,5-imino-1,2,5-trideoxy-D-glucitol (CD 86022), were evaluated for their ability to inhibit 1) human ovarian carcinoma beta-NAG isoenzyme activities, 2) degradation of radiolabeled ECM mediated by HOC cells and beta-NAG, and 3) cell growth. Both compounds were found to be competitive inhibitors of beta-NAG isoenzyme activities, with Ki values similar for all isoenzymes (2-8 microM). CD 80110 and CD 86022 inhibited HOC cell-mediated degradation of [3H]glucosamine labeled ECM without notable effect on cell growth. Enzyme-mediated degradation of ECM was also inhibited by both sugar analogs. Analysis of degradation products after cell- or enzyme-mediated digestion of ECM revealed a decrease in the amount of both free aminosugars and high molecular material caused by inhibitors. These results support a role for beta-NAG in degradation of extracellular matrix components and suggest the usefulness of hexosaminidase inhibitors as potential antiinvasive agents.

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗