PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W R Harrison

Publications and source records attributed to W R Harrison.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Characterization of human DSPG3, a small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan.

PG-Lb is a small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan that has been previously characterized in chicken. In the developing limb, chick PG-Lb appears to be exclusively expressed in the zone of flattened chondrocytes. We have cloned and sequenced the human homolog to chick PG-Lb from two human chondrocyte cDNA libraries and a human chondrocyte RNA sample. The human homolog has been named DSPG3, as it is the third member of the small dermatan sulfate proteoglycan family to be identified and characterized along with biglycan (PG-I) and decorin (PG-II). DSPG3 maps to chromosome 12q21 and is composed of 1515 nucleotides of cDNA that code for a 322-amino-acid protein. The protein contains three potential glycosaminoglycan attachment sites, two N-glycosylation sites, a poly- glutamic acid stretch, and six cysteines. By Northern analysis, we have demonstrated that DSPG3 is expressed in cartilage, as well as ligament and placental tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Chromosomal evolution in duiker antelope (Cephalophinae: Bovidae): karyotype comparisons, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and rampant X chromosome variation.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and conventional banding techniques were used to identify patterns of similarity among the genomes of six species of antelope, subfamily Cephalophinae. The G-banded euchromatic portions of the autosomes were invariable in all species; however, significant modifications of the X chromosomes were detected. Two of the taxa, Cephalophus maxwellii and C. monticola, were characterized by acrocentric X's, while X chromosome morphology varied from submetacentric to metacentric in the remaining species (C. dorsalis, C. natalensis, Sylvicapra grimmia, and C. silvicultor). The short arm of the X was heterochromatic in each species. Total genomic DNAs from these antelope were used as hybridization probes against Cephalophus metaphase chromosomes and resulted in robust fluorescence in the pericentromeric region of each autosome and in the heterochromatic short arm of the X chromosome, indicating complimentarity of DNA sequences in these regions. Conversely, chromosome painting involving genomic DNAs derived from the subfamilies Alcelaphinae (Pygargus dorcas) and Neotraginae (Oreotragus oreotragus) showed a marked absence of hybridization at these sites. Additionally, X chromosome comparisons between the Cephalophinae and Bovinae (represented by Bos taurus) revealed two euchromatic pericentric inversions which had occurred since their common ancestry. There is good G-band homoeology between the inverted cattle chromosome region Xq12 --> q34 and most of the proximal portion of Xq in duikers, as well as between the distal third of the duiker Xq and the cattle Xp. The latter rearrangement was further confirmed by in situ hybridization using a probe containing an insert spanning bands p12 to p14 of the cattle X chromosome.

Animals↗

Mutations in exon 17B of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) cause pseudoachondroplasia.

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) is a well characterized dwarfing condition mapping to chromosome 19p12-13.1. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), a cartilage specific protein, maps to the same location within a contig that spans the PSACH locus. Using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and nucleotide sequencing we have identified COMP mutations in eight familial and isolated PSACH cases. All mutations involve either a single base-pair change or a three base-pair deletion in exon 17B. Six mutations delete or change a well conserved aspartic acid residue within the calcium-binding type 3 repeats. These results demonstrate that mutations in the COMP gene cause pseudochondroplasia.

Achondroplasia↗

Alexithymia among Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

The authors studied 227 inpatients from a large Veterans Administration Medical Center to evaluate whether alexithymia is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to assess the validity of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) alexithymia scale. Three groups--a carefully diagnosed PTSD group (N = 76), an alcohol abuse group (N = 76), and a general psychiatric group (N = 75)--were given a battery of psychological tests, including the MMPI, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory, along with several cognitive measures. PTSD veterans were also evaluated on psychophysiologic indices (including a stressor) and on their subjective ratings to these indices. Results showed that alexithymia was more characteristic of PTSD patients than of the other groups. Also, alexithymia was inversely related to heart rate. Alexithymia was not significantly correlated with the subjective experience of stressors. The authors discuss the importance of the construct of alexithymia among PTSD patients and recommend the use of the alexithymia scale for these patients. The independence of this measure from the psychophysiologic condition of hyperarousal and the subjective experience of this state were also addressed.

Adult↗

MMPI F-K index among hospitalized Vietnam veterans.

The F-K index of the MMPI has been used as a marker of symptom overreporting. One population for which previous research has shown this pattern is Vietnam in-country veterans with PTSD. This study assessed the F-K index on 515 inpatients: 329 Vietnam in-country and 186 Vietnam-era patients. Normative data on psychiatric inpatients were presented. Also, a special MMPI subscale (MMPI-PTSD), a measure to identify PTSD among these veterans, was used. Results showed that all Vietnam veterans, especially in-country veterans, overreport symptoms to a high degree. The overall mean for in-country vets was 7.3. Also, when the special MMPI-PTSD subscale was used, a vast majority of in-country veterans who were in the PTSD range had high F-K index scores. Dissimulation as a symptom of PTSD was discussed.

Adult↗

Estimating WAIS IQ from the Shipley Institute of Living Scale: a replication.

This study represents a replication of the linear regression techniques and continuous norming used to estimate age-adjusted WAIS IQ from the Shipley Institute of Living Scale. The sample was composed of 125 male, right-handed, psychiatric patients, who represented five age decades between 20 and 70. The overall correlation coefficient between observed and estimated IQs was .79. The data suggest that the prediction formula is robust across all five age groups. The data also show the Shipley estimated WAIS Full Scale IQ to be somewhat better when compared with the continuously normed WAIS IQ than when compared with the WAIS tabled norms. Thus, the present results provide support for the utility of the continuous norming procedure for predicting WAIS IQ from the Shipley and argue for its use.

Adult↗

MMPI overreporting by Vietnam combat veterans.

The MMPI-PTSD scale is the only psychometric measure that has been cross-validated on Vietnam veterans for the determination of PTSD. Despite this, there may be problems with this scale related to symptom exaggeration. Three groups of Vietnam inpatients (N = 75) were defined carefully by both clinical and actuarial methods--PTSD combat, Non-PTSD combat, and Non-combat. This study applied symptom exaggeration methods based on the MMPI obvious/subtle items and on the F scale to these groups. Results show that all the items of this scale are either obvious or neutral, that a carefully distinguished PTSD group differentially responds to these obvious and neutral items relative to other inpatient Vietnam groups, and that the F scale is exaggerated by the PTSD group. In addition, a separate analysis on an independent sample of 50 combat and 50 non-combat Vietnam veterans showed that the combat group endorsed the obvious items on selected scales by 20 T score points at higher rates than other groups. Caution in the use of the MMPI-PTSD scale is discussed.

Humans↗

Key determinants of the MMPI-PTSD subscale: treatment considerations.

Seventy-five "in country" Vietnam combat psychiatric inpatients were given a battery of measures upon admission to the medical center. These included the MMPI, VETS Adjustment Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Scale, Rotter Locus of Control, Profile of Mood Scale, and a variation of the Figley Stress Scale that measures current stress. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was determined by the MMPI-PTSD subscale. Ten of the battery variables were used as predictors for a multiple regression analysis on the MMPI-PTSD subscale. Results yielded a multiple R of .89 for two predictors, Figley Stress Scale and Rotter Locus of Control (external). Patients with PTSD, therefore, suffer most from perceived and experienced current stressors and a low sense of control. Arguments are made for more present-centered and interpersonal strategies in the treatment of PTSD combat veterans.

Adult↗

Depression, anxiety, paranoid reactions, hypochondriasis, and cognitive decline of later-life inpatients.

The relationships among the psychopathological states of depression, anxiety, hypochondriasis, paranoid reactions, and cognitive decline for later-life psychiatric inpatients were addressed. The relationship of these variables to life satisfaction, health, pain, and behavior was also considered. Sixty later-life (older than 55 years) psychiatric patients on an acute geropsychiatric unit were administered a battery of psychological scales; Mini Mental State, Beck Depression Inventory (somatic and psychological components), State-Trait Anxiety Scale, MMPI Paranoia scale (and Harris-Lingoes subscales), the Hypochondriasis Scale (Institutional Geriatric), Life Satisfaction Scale-Z, and self-rated pain responses. In addition, these patients were rated on the MACC-Behavioral Adjustment Scale and the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale. Results showed that there is a high degree of interrelationship among the psychopathological variables except cognition. Independent stepwise regression showed that life satisfaction was accounted for by hypochondriasis and anxiety; health, by depression; pain, by hypochondriasis; and behavior, by cognition.

Aged↗

MMPI scales and subscales: patterns of older, middle-aged, and younger inpatients.

There has been virtually no research on the relationship of age and MMPI subscales, such as the Harris and Lingoes, Wiggins, Subtle/Obvious, and other specialized subscales. One hundred younger (less than or equal to 39), middle-aged (40-49), and older (greater than or equal to 50) psychiatric inpatients were compared on the basic 13 MMPI scales and 77 MMPI subscales. Results showed that, as a whole, older patients tended to respond more conservatively to these scales, to show less pathology, and to endorse fewer subtle/obvious items than the other age groups. They responded, however, lower on Dominance, on Hostility, and on Social Maladjustment. Later-life patients also endorsed differentially many of the Harris and Lingoes 4 and 6 subscales in the less pathological direction than did the other groups.

Adult↗

Unbalanced translocation (15;17)(q13;13.3) with apparent Prader-Willi syndrome but without Miller-Dieker syndrome.

We studied after death a 3-month-old girl whose karyotype was 45,XX,-15,-17,+der(17),t(15;17)(q13;p13.3) and thus combines abnormalities of chromosome 15 associated with the Prader-Willi syndrome and of chromosome 17 associated with the Miller-Dieker syndrome. This infant had several manifestations of the Prader-Willi syndrome in infancy but none of the Miller-Dieker syndrome. We propose that essentially no loss of 17p material has occurred and confirm previous reports that the critical region for the production of the Miller-Dieker phenotype is located subterminally in the 17p13.3 region.

Brain↗