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Biomedical subjects

R M Young

Publications and source records attributed to R M Young.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The in vivo manipulation of alcohol-related beliefs in male social drinkers in a naturalistic setting.

Earlier research shows that alcohol expectancies are related to alcohol consumption. However, how the alcohol expectancies are related to drinking in a public bar is still unknown. This paper examines this relationship in 10 moderate-heavy male social drinkers attending alternatively to both alcohol dependent and non-dependent cognitive sets of alcohol use. When discussing the alcohol dependent expectancies, these drinkers consumed significantly less alcohol compared with their consumption when discussing non-alcohol dependent expectancies. This group effect was also corroborated by a within-subject analysis of the data. The implications of the relationship between beliefs and drinking behaviour in terms of a cognitive behaviour model of alcohol use are briefly discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Alternatively spliced platelet-derived growth factor A-chain transcripts are not tumor specific but encode normal cellular proteins.

Two platelet-derived growth factor A-chain proteins, termed short and long A chains, are generated as a result of alternative mRNA splicing of exon 6 of the A-chain gene. S1 nuclease mapping and polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrate that both short and long A-chain transcripts are expressed in a variety of normal tissues. In addition, immunohistochemical localization of long A-chain protein reveals a cellular distribution identical to that observed with platelet-derived growth factor heteroserum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Differences between personal and general alcohol-related beliefs.

The discrepancy between personal alcohol-related statements and general beliefs regarding alcohol was investigated in a community sample of 283 social drinkers. Discriminant analysis showed that subjects perceived themselves as significantly less dependent than others. "Self" statement responses accurately predicted drinking behavior, as measured by consumption; however, general statements did so less effectively. Medium-heavy drinkers considered others to be dependent on alcohol to change aversive events, suggesting that a self-fulfilling bias may have distorted their perception. For most drinkers the self-other discrepancy seemed best explained by media and societal influences rather than by a self-fulfilling bias model.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The role of dendritic cells as stimulators of minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus-specific T cell responses in the mouse. I. Differential capacity of dendritic cells to stimulate minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus-reactive T cell hybridomas and the primary anti-minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus mixed lymphocyte reaction.

The response of T cells to minor lymphocyte-stimulating locus (Mls) determinants remains poorly understood with respect to the antigenic determinants responsible for T cell stimulation and the types of APC capable of stimulating the response. In this report, we demonstrate that highly purified dendritic cells (DC) as well as B cells have the capacity to stimulate Mls-specific responses. Unseparated spleen cells, purified DC, resting B cells, and activated B cells were compared for their capacity to stimulate several Mls-reactive T cell hybridomas. Whereas the entire panel of Mls-reactive T cell hybridomas was stimulated strongly by unseparated spleen cells and activated B cells, the hybridomas responded only weakly to purified DC or resting B cells. Activation of resting B cells with either B cell stimulatory factor-1 (1 day pre-treatment) or LPS/dextran (2 or 3 day pre-treatment) greatly augmented their Mls-stimulatory capacity. In contrast, the Mls-stimulatory capacity of DC was not augmented by a 1-day pre-treatment with either B cell stimulatory factor-1 or supernatant from the DC-induced primary anti-Mls-MLR. In the primary anti-Mls-MLR, both purified DC and LPS/dextran-stimulated B blasts were found to elicit vigorous T cell proliferative responses. Much weaker responses were elicited by unseparated spleen cells. The stimulation of the primary anti-Mls-MLR by purified DC was further confirmed by producing Mls-specific T cell clones which were preferentially stimulated by DC. Autologous (Mlsb) DC were found to markedly enhance the primary anti-Mls-MLR response to small numbers of Mlsa B blasts. Thus, DC possess other "accessory cell" properties that augment the primary anti-Mls-MLR despite the predicted low level of Mls determinant expression on DC based on the results obtained with Mls-reactive hybridomas. Possible accessory cell properties of DC relevant to this phenomenon are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Multiple forms of the Na,K-ATPase: their genes and tissue specific expression.

The use of genetic tools has been invaluable for examining the potential number of alpha and beta subunits of the Na,K-ATPase. To date at least five genes corresponding to the alpha subunit have been described. Two of these encode the alpha and alpha+ isoforms while the third encodes the novel alpha III subunit. The products of the other two genes have not yet been described; these genes may be pseudogenes or may encode new alpha isoforms or related transport ATPases. The determination of the tissue distribution of the various isoforms of the alpha subunit using Northern blot and slot blot analyses has yielded several interesting findings. Each tissue differs in the abundance and combination of isoforms. While alpha is the major isoform mRNA in kidney, alpha+ mRNA predominates in skeletal muscle. All three alpha subunit mRNAs are present in brain in roughly equal amounts. The newly discovered alpha III isoform mRNA is found not only in brain but in low amounts in stomach and lung. It is possible that individual cell types may contain a defined combination of isoforms which allow the Na,K-ATPase to fulfill its specific physiological role in those cells. It will be interesting to compare the functional properties, i.e., affinity for Na+ and K+, turnover number, response to external changes in environment and response to effector molecules for the enzymes containing each of the alpha subunit isoforms.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Tissue distribution of mRNAs encoding the alpha isoforms and beta subunit of rat Na+,K+-ATPase.

The tissue distribution of the multiple forms of rat Na+,K+-ATPase was examined at the molecular level with cDNA probes specific for the alpha, alpha (+), alpha III and beta subunit mRNAs. Northern and slot blot analyses demonstrate that these mRNAs are produced in a tissue-specific manner. RNAs encoding the alpha (+) isoform are detected in kidney, brain, heart, adipose, muscle, stomach and lung, whereas alpha III RNA is detected in brain, stomach and lung. Both alpha and beta mRNAs are present in all the tissues studied, although at very different levels. Examination of heart tissue in greater detail demonstrates that the levels of mRNA encoding the alpha subunit are greater in the atria than in the ventricles, while the converse is true for alpha (+).

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Multiple mRNAs from rat kidney and brain encode a single Na+,K+-ATPase beta subunit protein.

To determine whether multiple forms of the Na+,K+-ATPase beta subunit exist in rat kidney and brain, we constructed cDNA libraries from both tissues and isolated clones carrying inserts coding for this subunit. Characterization of these cDNAs by restriction endonuclease mapping and DNA sequencing suggests that a single form of the beta subunit protein is present in these tissues. We did, however, find that the beta subunit was encoded by multiple mRNAs which can be grouped into classes based on the lengths of their 5' and 3' untranslated regions. Size variation at the 3' end is due to the use of at least two of the five potential polyadenylation sites, whereas variation at the 5' end appears to be due to the use of different initiation sites. Northern blot analysis demonstrates the presence of multiple mRNA species which correlate with the sizes observed for the different cDNA classes and also demonstrates that the larger mRNA species are present at different levels in kidney and brain. S1 and primer extension analyses suggest that the observed tissue differences in the expression of these mRNAs are due to transcription from multiple initiation sites, whose strength is tissue-dependent. In the 3' untranslated region, comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the rat beta subunit cDNAs to those from other species reveals regions of high sequence similarity.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The roles of alcohol-related self-statements in social drinking.

Recent literature showed that expectancies or cognitions have been proposed as a major factor in influencing the amount of alcohol an individual consumes and the behavioral consequences following consumption. However, how alcohol expectancies influence alcohol consumption is unclear; this paper reports two studies of the relationship. Study I examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related positive and negative self-statements in 110 social drinkers. The results showed that, in a nondrinking situation, the alcohol expectancies and variables measuring consumption and alcohol-related problems were correlated. Also, subjects who perceived their "alcoholic sets" as negative consumed more than those who perceived theirs as positive. Study II investigated changes in self-statement responding in 8 light and 8 heavy drinkers in a "normal" pub drinking situation. The results showed that alcohol-dependent self-statements in the light drinkers were relatively stable across time and between drinking and nondrinking environments. However, the alcohol-dependent self-statements of heavy drinkers became more negative during the drinking session. Furthermore, the degree and nature of such changes appeared to be related to alcohol-associated problems and consumption.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

The effects of tolerance on state-dependent learning in social drinkers.

Sixty drinkers were assigned to three experimental groups which manipulated pre and post drug state. Subjects on learning trials were exposed to 30 slides, composed of geometrical shapes and alcohol-related self-statements. On the day following learning, subjects were required to try and recognise the 30 original slides out of 60 test slides. Signal detection method was used to analyse differences between the groups. Results showed that medium drinkers who consumed an experimental dose similar to their usual dose showed state dependency over both stimuli. Light drinkers showed an impairment on all alcohol-related conditions but alcohol on learning primed the recognition of alcohol-associated stimuli. Heavy drinkers, who drank a dose that was lower than their usual dose, showed little effect. The findings thus showed the importance of controlling for the level of tolerance and the type of stimuli presented in the State Dependent Learning experiments.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Localization and characterization of members of a family of repetitive sequences in the goat beta globin locus.

We have characterized a family of repetitive DNA elements in the beta-globin locus of the goat. These sequences are structurally analogous to the Alu families of repeats of other mammals. Repetitive elements are located both in the intervening sequences and in the intergenic regions of the goat beta-globin locus. Nucleotide sequence analysis of five repetitive elements located within the large intervening sequence of the beta-like globin genes, and four repeats located 5' to the major developmentally regulated beta-globin genes has resulted in the definition of a consensus sequence for this family of repeats.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Capsaicin lowers plasma cholesterol and triglycerides of lagomorphs.

The present study determines the effect on plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-C values when capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is administered at the dose of 8mg/animal/day to young female rabbits maintained on a 0.5% cholesterol diet over a five week experimental period. Our data indicate that mammals of the order Lagomorpha fed cholesterol rich diets and supplemented with capsaicin show decreased plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio as compared to cholesterol level of controls. The mechanism of this effect is probably due to decreased intestinal absorption of the lipids.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Tubular damage in patients with hypokalaemia.

Severe hypokalaemia is occasionally associated with gross changes in renal tubular function. We have looked for lesser degrees of renal tubular damage in unselected patients with hypokalemia by measuring the urine excretion of total protein, albumin, the low molecular mass protein beta 2-microglobulin (B2M) and two enzymes, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) and alanine aminopeptidase (AAP). The frequency of abnormal values for these tests separately (compared with matched patients without hypokalaemia) was 39-56%. Many patients had an abnormal value for more than one of the tests, but this was at least partly due to chance association rather than to an underlying common mechanism for the several abnormalities. The frequency of abnormal values was greatest in the patients with the lowest plasma potassium concentrations, but not all of these patients had abnormal values for even one of the tests. Repeated measurements during treatment with potassium supplements showed that the tubular damage resolved in some patients but more slowly than the hypokalemia. These results demonstrate that renal tubular damage is common amongst patients with hypokalaemia and is probably a consequence of the hypokalaemia in most of them. The measurements allow detection of patients whose tissues (at least the kidney) are adversely affected by the hypokalaemia, but the clinical usefulness of this information is yet to be established.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1984

Serum theophylline by fluorescence polarisation immunoassay.

The Abbott TDX system utilises the principles of fluorescence polarisation and competitive binding analysis for the quantitation of drug levels in plasma. The system proved easy to use, and produced reliable results rapidly. The high cost of reagents is balanced by the fact that the reagents are stable and therefore the assays can be calibrated infrequently.

Humans↗
PubMed1982

Acute transient hypokalaemia: new interpretation of a common event.

An investigation of 70 unselected hospital inpatients with a plasma potassium of 2.8 mmol/l or less showed that the group contained an excess of women and of the elderly. In nearly half the patients no attempt had been made to correct the hypokalaemia with potassium supplements. 26 of the patients had been recently admitted with an acute medical condition, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Those in this group whose plasma potassium was measured again showed that plasma potassium rose to near or within the normal range in about 4 days, whether or not oral potassium supplements were given. These results suggest that in many cases the hypokalaemia of acutely admitted medical patients, including patients after myocardial infarction, is a spontaneously reversible non-specific event. A likely explanation is that it is due to a transient shift of potassium into the cells.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

Immediate and delayed reinforcement on WISC-R performance for mentally retarded students.

Thirty white mentally retarded children were administered the WISC-R under one of three conditions: standardized testing conditions, standardized plus immediate reinforcement, standardized plus delayed reinforcement. One reinforcement group earned tokens immediately after each correct response and the other reinforcement group received their earned tokens halfway through and at the end of the IQ test. Both reinforcement groups exchanged their tokens for a variety of backup reinforcers at the halfway point and at the end of the test. Both the immediate and delayed reinforcement groups showed significantly better performance than the standardized testing group, although the two reinforcement groups did not differ from one another. Half of the children in each of the groups that earned tokens scored above the mentally impaired range while only one child in the standardized testing group scored above the mentally impaired level. Implications for the use of intelligence tests for mentally retarded students are discussed.

Child↗