Target-directed proteolysis in vivo.

The experimental problems associated with in vivo studies of essential proteins or integral membrane proteins have triggered geneticists to generate novel approaches that have often led to insights of general relevance (Shuman and Silhavy, 2003). In order to extend the experimental portfolio, we developed target-directed proteolysis (TDP), an in vivo method allowing structural and functional characterization of target proteins in living cells. TDP is based on the activity of the highly sequence-specific NIa protease from tobacco etch virus.

Target-directed proteolysis at the ribosome.

Target directed proteolysis allows specific processing of proteins in vivo. This method uses tobacco etch virus (TEV) NIa protease that recognizes a seven-residue consensus sequence. Because of its specificity, proteins engineered to contain a cleavage site are proteolysed, whereas other proteins remain unaffected.

Specificity of the MMPI-2 Fake Bad Scale as a marker for personal injury malingering.

Psychologists who evaluate patients in medicolegal contexts should utilize objective assessment data with empirically established sensitivity and specificity for identifying negative response bias. The purpose of this study was to investigate the specificity of the Fake Bad Scale for identifying negative response bias in personal injury claimants. The cutoff scores proposed by Lees-Haley and colleagues were applied a federal prison, medical outpatients, and patients from to inmate volunteers from substance abuse unit.

Evidence for coupling of membrane targeting and function of the signal recognition particle (SRP) receptor FtsY.

Recent studies have indicated that FtsY, the signal recognition particle receptor of Escherichia coli, plays a central role in membrane protein biogenesis. For proper function, FtsY must be targeted to the membrane, but its membrane-targeting pathway is unknown. We investigated the relationship between targeting and function of FtsY in vivo, by separating its catalytic domain (NG) from its putative targeting domain (A) by three means: expression of split ftsY, insertion of various spacers between A and NG, and separation of A and NG by in vivo proteolysis.

Fcgamma receptor-mediated immune phagocytosis depends on the class of FcgammaR and on the immunoglobulin-coated target cell.

Background And Objectives: Three human Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaR) are known to mediate immune phagocytosis. A variety of different phagocytic assays have been described, but their comparability is complicated by the use of different effector cells and different antibody-coated target cells. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of these variable components on the FcgammaR-mediated phagocytosis.

Further evaluation of the MMPI Pan scale in psychiatric and medical patients.

The efficiency of a recently developed MMPI scale (Pan) to identify panic disorder was assessed in samples of both psychiatric and medical patients. Particular attention was paid to base rates and cutting scores. The Pan scale was found to have utility in rule-out clinical decision making.

The effect of methods of accurate feedback on clinical judgments based upon the MMPI.

This study presents data on the effect of different methods of correct feedback on judge accuracy on the identification of neurosis or psychosis from MMPI profile patterns by moderately experienced judges (N = 22). Concurrent correct feedback is contrasted with correct feedback obtained by application of a configural rule system, as well as results from the application of a statistical equation. Implications for improving performance of judges are discussed.

Replicated item level factor structure of the MMPI: racial and sexual differences.

Item-level factor studies of the MMPI date back to the work of Comrey (1957). Surprisingly, there are no extant studies of the items that clinicians use most in the course of daily MMPI interpretive reporting, namely, the 399 x 399 matrix that represents all of the items that comprise the traditional clinical and validity scales. Furthermore, there are no prior studies with adequate Ns that have examined the replicability of MMPI factor structure via available factor comparison techniques (Harman, 1976).

MMPI indices in the identification of patients evidencing pseudoseizures.

Data are presented on the clinical utility of two Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) indices, the Pseudo-Neurologic (Pn) Scale developed by Shaw and Matthews and the configural rule system developed by Wilkus et al. for the prediction of pseudoseizures. Particular attention is given to base rates, hit rates, and error rates in the analyses.

MMPI profiles of chronic pain patients: some methodological considerations that concern clusters and descriptors.

Significant methodological problems in the identification of MMPI subtypes in patients with chronic pain are addressed, and some illustrative data are offered. Particular attention is given to the selection of MMPI predictor data, determination of membership in a subtype, and the selection of nontest descriptors. Some recommendations for improving the predictive validity of statements about the personality and behavioral characteristics of patients with chronic pain from the MMPI are made.

Personality description from the WAIS: a comparison of systems.

The present study compares an atheoretical, actuarial method for obtaining personality and behavioral descriptions from WAIS profile patterns to the Personality Assessment System--the theoretical system developed by J. Gittinger for the same purpose. Interest was focused on both the determination of group membership by the two systems, and on the resultant personality descriptions.

Depression in diagnostic subtypes of delinquent boys.

Eighteen percent of the 120 delinquent boys in a training school were found to be depressed when DSM III criteria for Major Depressive Disorder were utilitzed. Contrary to expectations, the prevalence of depression was not significantly more frequent among socialized, undersocialized, aggressive or nonaggressive subtypes. A comparison of depressive symptomatology among the depressed and nondepressed delinquents revealed that psychomotor agitation was not significantly different in the two groups.

Psychomotor performance following exposure to trace concentrations of inhalation anesthetics.

Using three psychomotor tasks administered three times each at 2-week intervals, we studied the performances of 18 control subjects and 18 subjects who were routinely and daily exposed to trace concentrations of anesthetic gases in the course of their clinical practice. No significant differences attributable to exposure to trace concentrations of anesthetics were detected. It is concluded that laboratory studies may overestimate the degree of alteration of psychomotor skills associated with exposure to trace concentrations of inhalation anesthetics.

A note on the actuarial interpretation of WAIS profile patterns.

The present study offers additional information on the actuarial interpretation of WAIS profile patterns. Specifically, a sample of 242 WAIS protocols was investigated for cases which met all the previously established classification criteria for a profile pattern called Cluster IV. Two cases were identified, and their unique relationships to previously delineated personality and behavioral descriptors were described.

Behavioral correlates of WAIS profile patterns: an exploratory study.

To assess the feasibility of both an empirical derivation of WAIS subtest patterns and an actuarial assignment of behavioral descriptions to these patterns, 11 potential patterns were delineated. Three of these were studied in depth, and one of these was the focus of this report. The derivation and cross validation groups of this one pattern displayed highly similar WAIS scores on all 11 subtests, but differences between the groups in age, marital status, and some output descriptors were noted.