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S Hurt

Publications and source records attributed to S Hurt.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization of a new AMPA receptor radioligand, [3H]2-amino-3-(3-carboxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid.

(RS)-2-Amino-3-(3-carboxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (ACPA), which is a potent and selective agonist at (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptors, has previously been shown to desensitize AMPA receptors to a much lower degree than AMPA itself. We now report the synthesis of [3H]ACPA (32.5 Ci/mmol), the neurochemical and pharmacological characterization of [3H]ACPA binding, and a comparison of the distribution of [3H]ACPA, [3H]AMPA, and [3H](S)-5-fluorowillardiine binding sites in rat brain. Under equilibrium conditions, [3H]ACPA was shown to bind to a single population of receptor sites on rat brain membranes. [3H]ACPA was shown to bind with single and similar affinities (15-45 nM) to cloned AMPA receptor subunits (GluR1-4), expressed in insect cells, whereas a K(D) value of 330 nM was determined for the binding of [3H]ACPA to cloned kainic acid preferring GluR5 subunits. Whereas Bmax and K(D) values for [3H]ACPA binding, determined using filtration techniques, were different from such obtained in centrifugation assays, Bmax and K(D) values as well as association and dissociation constants were not significantly affected by the addition of the chaotropic agent KSCN. K(D) values, determined under equilibrium conditions, were, however, markedly different from K(D) values derived from kinetic data. Furthermore, the results of analyses of these kinetic data were consistent with the existence of two different populations of [3H]ACPA binding sites. The pharmacology of [3H]ACPA binding sites was characterized using a series of AMPA receptor agonists and antagonists. Whereas addition of KSCN had little effect on the affinities of AMPA receptor agonists for [3H]ACPA binding, this chaotropic agent reduced the affinities of AMPA receptor antagonists structurally related to AMPA. Based on these and previously reported data, the AMPA receptor agonists, ACPA, AMPA and (S)-5-fluorowillardiine, seem to bind to and activate AMPA receptors in a nonidentical fashion, and these three agonists together may be useful tools for studies of AMPA receptor mechanisms.

Animals↗

The organizational context of non-lethal workplace violence: its interpersonal, temporal, and spatial correlates.

This article examines 993 violent incidents involving faculty, students, and staff that occurred at a highly ranked teaching and research university and its affiliated medical center. Violent incidents were included in the sample if they involved faculty, students, or staff, regardless of their specific location or context (i.e., whether they occurred on campus and/or off-campus and whether they occurred within the context of work or some other activity). The theoretical goal of the project was to compare work-related incidents with non-work-related incidents of interpersonal violence occurring in a single, multifunctioning, and professionally hierarchical organization. Data were collected over a 7-year period from three police departments (city, county, and university), university records, and criminal history records obtained from the state police. The coding protocol was developed to capture crime-scene information pertinent to each of the incidents. This included information about the victim, the perpetrator, the relationship between the victim and perpetrator, and the violent incident. The data were examined using nonparametric statistics and logistic regression to model predictive differences between the workplace and non-workplace incidents. The results suggest that the workplace incidents of violence differ from the non-workplace incidents according to their time, victim age, degree of victim injury, and whether the workplace is a medical location. The authors conclude that these differences are better explained by the movement of people in and out of the workplace who bring societal violence with them, rather than by a category or type of workplace violence.

Adult↗

The relationship between alexithymia, depression, and axis II psychopathology in eating disorder inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: The major purpose of this study was to examine alexithymia in relationship to depression and Axis II psychopathology in eating disorder patients. METHOD: Fifty-three female inpatients representing three DSM-IV eating disorder diagnostic groups and 14 control subjects completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, and the Beck Depression Inventory within the first week of their hospital admission and shortly before discharge. Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-III-R (SCID) I and II were also conducted. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the contribution of mood, diagnostic, and personality variables in predicting the alexithymia score. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: After controlling for depression, only the TAS factor, "difficulty expressing feelings," remained significantly different between groups, with the anorexia nervosa-restrictors (AN-R) having significantly higher scores than controls and bulimia nervosa patients. This factor appears to be a relatively stable personality characteristic in AN-R. The level of depression and the presence of avoidant personality disorder were the most predictable variables for the alexithymia total score.

Adult↗

Families of the lesbian baby boom: children's contact with grandparents and other adults.

In an exploratory study of 37 lesbian-mother families, the frequency of children's contact with adults in their extended family and friendship networks was found to counter stereotypes of such children as isolated from parents' families of origin. Children were more likely to have regular contact with relatives of the biological than nonbiological mother. Mothers rated those in regular contact with grandparents as having fewer behavior problems, and those in more regular contact with unrelated adults rated themselves more positively on general well-being.

Adoption↗

Parvovirus B19 outbreak in a children's ward.

Parvovirus B19 infection can cause severe complications in pregnant women, individuals with haemolytic anaemia, and those who are immunocompromised. In a hospital outbreak of this infection, a balance should be struck between protection of these individuals and the maintenance of medical services. The index case of an outbreak of parvovirus B19 infection among staff and patients of a paediatric ward was not identified. 58 members of staff were screened for B19 markers and 4 of the 6 susceptible men and 6 of the 24 susceptible women became infected (p = 0.05) as defined by serum IgM and viraemia. 1 of the 11 adults (10 members of staff and 1 parent) infected remained symptom-free. 12 immunocompromised patients were also assessed, and symptom-free infection developed in 2 of these. During the outbreak staff with symptoms were put on sick leave, immunocompromised patients (there were none with haemolytic anaemia) were given normal human immunoglobulin and nursed in single rooms by B19 IgG-positive, IgM-negative staff, and the ward was closed to B19 IgG-negative pregnant women. However, the limitation of spread of infection cannot be attributed with certainty to the measures taken.

Adult↗

Characterization of brain interactions with methylenedioxyamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

Brain recognition sites have been identified for [3H]MDA and [3H]MDMA. The dissociation constants of MDA and MDMA for these sites are similar to the concentrations needed to affect several brain neurochemical parameters and are in keeping with concentrations of MDA in brain (165 microM) following administration of behaviorally active doses (20 mg/kg) of the drug. While the characteristics of these binding sites suggest a possible hydrophobic interaction with brain membranes, this interaction is not without specificity, since it has a unique pharmacology and a heterogeneous distribution in brain. Similarities have been found between [3H]MDA binding studied in the present report and that of apparent [3H](+)amphetamine binding studied by Hauger et al. (1984). Both have extremely high Bmax values, are optimal in p2 preparations, are stabilized by sucrose, and share similar patterns of regional distribution. Measuring the specific binding of [3H]amphetamine, [3H]fenfluramine, [3H]MDA, and related compounds under identical conditions will be required to determine the possible relationships among the interactions of these compounds with brain membranes. Further study is also needed to determine the possible importance such interactions of amphetamine and its substituted analogs may have with brain membranes in relation to the pharmacology of these substances.

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine↗

Stability and distinctness of borderline personality disorder.

In a 3-year follow-up study the authors examined the diagnostic stability of borderline personality disorder over time, its relation to affective disorder, and the severity of functional impairment. The data support the usefulness of borderline personality disorder as a diagnostic construct.

Adolescent↗

Cryopreservation of human fetal pancreas.

To determine the optimal conditions for successful cryopreservation of the human fetal pancreas, techniques developed for the rat organ were modified. The parameters studied were the conditions of exposure to the cryopreservation agent dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso), the rate of cooling and thawing, and the effect of in vitro culture. A total of 33 pancreases, obtained after fetal death due to prostaglandin-induced abortion, was studied. Survival of the pancreas is based on incorporation of 3H-amino acids into protein by pancreas pieces (2 mm3) during a 4-h incubation compared with nonfrozen control pieces from the same pancreas. Toxicity of DMSO at 37 degrees C was found to be severe after a 4-h exposure. Varying the effects of temperature, time of exposure, and concentrations of DMSO on survival after freeze-thaw revealed that 1.5 M DMSO for 1 h at room temperature was optimal. The cooling rate was 0.22 degrees C/min and thawing was at room temperature. Since these conditions resulted in only 50% survival, a period of culture before exposure to DMSO was added. The optimal duration of culture was 12--16 h. Using this method with addition of culture for 24 h after thawing, survival has varied from 70 to 120% of control. If a functional test for growth and insulin production by the frozen-thawed pancreas is positive, permanent shortage of the human fetal pancreas will be possible.

Amino Acids↗

Psychometric validation of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire: application to subgroups of eating disorders.

Eating disorder patients show extremes of the personality characteristics measured by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). For this reason, the TPQ was tested in four subgroups of eating disorder patients. Patients completed the TPQ and their responses were compared with a normative sample of women. Results indicated that the TPQ is an internally consistent and valid instrument to use with eating disorder patients.

Adolescent↗

The Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire: an exploration of personality traits in eating disorders.

The Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) was tested in four subgroups of eating-disorder patients: anorectic-restrictors (AN-R), anorectic-bulimics (AN-B), normal weight bulimics (BN), and bulimics with a past history of anorexia (B-AN). Normal controls and patients were matched for gender and age. All subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in addition to the TPQ. AN-Rs scored lower on the Novelty Seeking scale than the bulimic groups and controls, and the two normal weight bulimic groups had higher Novelty Seeking scores than the controls. On the Harm Avoidance scale, all eating disorder groups scored significantly higher than the control group. In addition, the AN-Rs scored lower than the AN-Bs and B-ANs. The Harm Avoidance scale and depression scores were positively correlated while the Reward Dependence scale and depression scores were negatively correlated. Differences between diagnostic groups on the Novelty Seeking and Persistence scales remained clearly significant when depression was partialled out. These results are discussed in terms of the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire as a stable measure of traits with eating disorder subjects.

Adult↗