bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N7‐methyldeoxyguanosine levels in DNA isolated from cervical cytology samples are associated with smoking
Authors: Harrison Kathryn L. , Khan Noreen S. , Dey Paola , Povey Andrew C.
Published: March 2006

Smoking has been associated, in epidemiological studies, with an increased risk of cervical neoplasia. This may be in part due to the presence of tobacco‐specific nitrosamines in cervical mucous of smokers, which may result in carcinogenic DNA damage. We have thus examined whether cervical DNA contains alkylation damage arising from exposure to methylating agents (N7‐methyldeoxyguanosine, N7‐MedG). DNA was extracted from cervical cytology samples and N7‐MedG levels were measured using an immunoslotblot assay. Ninety percentage of the DNA samples were alkylated and N7‐MedG levels (mean, 95% CI) in ever‐smokers (1.27, 0.90–1.81 μmol/mol dG) were significantly higher than those in nonsmokers (0.42, 0.20–0.91 μmol/mol dG: p = 0.005). N7‐MedG adduct levels were significantly correlated with number of cigarettes smoked per day and pack years of cigarette smoking in current smokers. There was no association with N7‐MedG levels and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia status, age, parity or contraception use. Our study suggests that cervical DNA contains alkylation damage that can arise from exposure to cigarette smoke. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The burden of cancer attributable to alcohol drinking
Authors: Boffetta Paolo , Hashibe Mia , La Vecchia Carlo , Zatonski Witold , Rehm Jürgen
Published: March 2006

We estimated the number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to alcohol drinking in 2002 by sex and WHO subregion, based on relative risks of cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, larynx and female breast obtained from recent meta‐ and pooled analyses and data on prevalence of drinkers obtained from the WHO Global Burden of Disease project. A total of 389,100 cases of cancer are attributable to alcohol drinking worldwide, representing 3.6% of all cancers (5.2% in men, 1.7% in women). The corresponding figure for mortality is 232,900 deaths (3.5% of all cancer deaths). This proportion is particularly high among men in Central and Eastern Europe. Among women, breast cancer comprises 60% of alcohol‐attributable cancers. Although our estimates are based on simplified assumptions, the burden of alcohol‐associated cancer appears to be substantial and needs to be considered when making public health recommendations on alcohol drinking. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Second primary malignancies among patients with soft tissue tumors in Sweden
Authors: Ji Jianguang , Hemminki Kari
Published: March 2006

Survival from soft tissue tumors (STTs) has been improved because of the successful treatment. One of the late sequelae in STT survivors is the development of a second malignancy. The present study aimed at quantifying risks for second malignancies in patients with STTs, and risks for second STTs after other primary malignancies. Adjusted standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), calculated from the Swedish Family‐Cancer Database, were used as a measure of risk. Among 6,671 primary STT patients, a total of 650 second malignancies occurred. Besides second STTs, other cancer sites with an increased SIR were the nervous system, endocrine glands, skin (melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and prostate; the risk for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was also increased. The overall risk of second malignancies decreased in the following order: fibrosarocma (1.63) > myxosarcoma (1.48) > leiomyosarcoma (1.44) > liposarcoma (1.21). An increased risk of second STTs after primary cancers of the bone, ovary, nervous system, cervix, thyroid gland, skin, endometrium, breast, upper aerodigestive tract, and after Hodgkin disease, NHL and leukemia was also noted. This study showed that the incidence of second primary malignancies in patients with STTs was increased, but the SIRs varied among specific cancer sites. Besides therapeutic effects, the associations between STTs and bone and nervous system tumors suggested that cancer syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and Li–Fraumeni syndrome, may partly explain the excesses. The associations of STTs with cancers of the skin (squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) and with NHL may be related to immunodeficiency. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RAB32 hypermethylation and microsatellite instability in gastric and endometrial adenocarcinomas
Authors: Shibata David , Mori Yuriko , Cai Kun , Zhang Li , Yin Jing , Elahi Abul , Hamelin Richard , Wong Yick F. , Lo Wing K. , Chung Tony K.H. , Sato Fumiaki , Karpeh Martin S. , Meltzer Stephen J.
Published: March 2006

The recently described gene, RAB32, is a ras proto‐oncogene family member that encodes an A‐kinase‐anchoring protein. RAB32 has been found to be frequently hypermethylated in microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐H) colon cancers. We sought to determine the prevalence of RAB32 hypermethylation in gastric and endometrial adenocarcinomas, the 2 other major tumor types in which MSI‐H is common. Moreover, we delineated the association of RAB32 hypermethylation with microsatellite instability (MSI) and hMLH1 hypermethylation. MSI status and hypermethylation of the RAB32 and hMLH1 genes were studied in paired primary normal and tumor tissues from 48 patients with gastric cancer. An additional 80 endometrial cancer patients were studied for RAB32 methylation and MSI status. Thirteen (27%) of 48 gastric cancers demonstrated evidence of RAB32 hypermethylation. MSI status was determined in 46 of the tumors, with 7 (100%) of 7 MSI‐H tumors, 1 (33%) of 3 MSI‐low (MSI‐L) tumors and 4 (11%) of 36 microsatellite‐stable (MSS) tumors found to harbor RAB32 hypermethylation. RAB32 methylation was significantly associated with intestinal type histology and concomitant hMLH1 hypermethylation in gastric cancer. In contrast, RAB32 methylation occurred in only 1 of 80 endometrial cancers, including 20 MSI‐H, 8 MSI‐L and 52 MSS tumors. Hypermethylation of hMLH1 was noted in 16 (20%) of 80 endometrial tumors. We conclude that although RAB32 methylation is rare in endometrial cancers, it is strongly associated with hMLH1 hypermethylation and MSI in gastric adenocarcinomas. Given its similar involvement in colon cancer, RAB32 inactivation may represent a component of the oncogenic pathway of microsatellite‐unstable gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chenodeoxycholic acid stimulates the progression of human esophageal cancer cells: A possible mechanism of angiogenesis in patients with esophageal cancer
Authors: Soma Toshiya , Kaganoi Junichi , Kawabe Atsushi , Kondo Kan , Tsunoda Shigeru , Imamura Masayuki , Shimada Yutaka
Published: March 2006

Bile acids are known to promote the growth of gastrointestinal cancer. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We examined whether bile acids induce tumor growth via the cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 angiogenic pathway. In vitro, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells and esophageal adenocarcinoma cells were studied. Production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in response to treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). COX‐2 protein and VEGF protein were measured by immunoblot analysis, and COX‐2 activity was measured by ELISA. In vivo, CDCA was administered to ESCC cell‐bearing mice. Tumor tissues were analyzed immunohistochemically, and microvessel density was evaluated. Clinically, 134 patients with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy were studied. In vitro, CDCA induced the production of PGE2 and VEGF in dose‐ and time‐dependent manners, and these effects were attenuated by a selective COX‐2 inhibitor, mitogen‐activated protein kinases inhibitor, or epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor. CDCA‐induced COX‐2 in the cell lysate increased the secretion of VEGF into the culture medium. In vivo, CDCA markedly enhanced tumor growth and increased vascularization. Clinically, patients whose tumors expressed both COX‐2 and VEGF had poor outcomes. Our results suggest that bile acids, important constituents of duodenal fluid, stimulate the development of human esophageal cancer by promoting angiogenesis via the COX‐2 pathway. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subtype HPV38b[FA125] demonstrates heterogeneity of human papillomavirus type 38
Authors: Hazard Kristina , Eliasson Linda , Dillner Joakim , Forslund Ola
Published: March 2006

The human papillomaviruses (HPVs) exist as more than 100 distinct types. While variants of HPV are common, only few HPV subtypes have been reported. HPV type 38 has been proposed to be associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), with reported prevalences of up to 55%. A subtype of HPV38 was cloned, completely sequenced and found to have a 96% sequence similarity to prototype HPV38 in the L1 open reading frame. The presence of prototype HPV38 and HPV38b[FA125] was examined in paired biopsies of tape‐stripped skin lesions and healthy skin from 269 immunocompetent patients by real‐time PCR. Prototype HPV38 and HPV38b[FA125] were present in seven (3%) and five (2%) lesions, respectively, in viral loads ranging from one copy per 150 cells to one copy per 70,000 cells. In summary, we found that HPV38 is heterogeneous and is one of so far only few HPVs that contain subtypes. The heterogeneity needs to be considered in studies of the biology of this virus. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of CD44 antibody– or RGDS peptide–immobilized magnetic beads on cell proliferation and chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yanada Shinobu , Ochi Mitsuo , Adachi Nobuo , Nobuto Hiroo , Agung Muhammad , Kawamata Seiichi
Published: March 2006

We evaluated the efficacy of a novel mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) delivery system using an external magnetic field for cartilage repair in vitro. MSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of Sprague Drawley rats and expanded in a monolayer. To use the MSC delivery system, two types of MSC‐magnetic bead complexes were designed and compared. Expanded MSCs were combined with small‐sized (diameter: 310 nm) carboxyl group‐combined (0.01–0.04 μmol/mg) magnetic beads, Ferri Sphere 100C®, through either anti‐rat CD44 mouse monoclonal antibodies or a synthetic cell adhesion factor, arginine (R)‐glycine (G)‐aspartic acid (D)‐serine (S) (RGDS) peptide. Both cell complexes were successfully created, and were able to proliferate in monolayer culture up to at least day 7 after separation of magnetic beads from the cell surface, although the proliferation of the complexes was slower in the early period of culture than that of non‐labeled rat MSCs (after 7 days of culture: proliferation of CD44 antibody‐bead complexes, approximately 50%; RGDS peptide‐bead complexes, 70% versus non‐labeled rat MSCs, respectively). These complexes were seeded onto culture plates with or without an external magnetic force (magnetic flux density was 0.20 Tesla at a distance of 2 mm from plate base) generated by a neodymium magnet, and supplemented with chondrogenic differentiation medium. Both complexes could be attached and gathered effectively under the influence of the external magnet, and CD44‐bead complexes could effectively generate chondrogenic matrix in monolayer culture. In a three‐dimensional culture system, the production of a dense chondrogenic matrix and the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan mRNA were detected in both complexes, and the chondrogenic potential of these complexes was only a little less than that of rat MSCs alone. Thus, we conclude that due to the fact that MSC‐RGDS peptide‐bead complexes are composed using a biodegradable material, RGDS peptide, as a mediator, the RGDS peptide‐bead complex is more useful for minimally invasive clinical applications using our design of magnetic MSC delivery system than CD44 antibody‐beads. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
The optimal SAM surface functional group for producing a biomimetic HA coating on Ti
Authors: Liu D. P. , Majewski P. , O'Neill B. K. , Ngothai Y. , Colby C. B.
Published: March 2006

Commercial interest is growing in biomimetic methods that employ self assembled mono‐layers (SAMs) to produce biocompatible HA coatings on Ti‐based orthopedic implants. Recently, separate studies have considered HA formation for various SAM surface functional groups. However, these have often neglected to verify crystallinity of the HA coating, which is essential for optimal bioactivity. Furthermore, differing experimental and analytical methods make performance comparisons difficult. This article investigates and evaluates HA formation for four of the most promising surface functional groups: OH, SO3H, PO4H2 and COOH. All of them successfully formed a HA coating at Ca/P ratios between 1.49 and 1.62. However, only the SO3H and COOH end groups produced a predominantly crystalline HA. Furthermore, the COOH end group yielded the thickest layer and possessed crystalline characteristics very similar to that of the human bone. The COOH end group appears to provide the optimal SAM surface interface for nucleation and growth of biomimetic crystalline HA. Intriguingly, this finding may lend support to explanations elsewhere of why human bone sialoprotein is such a potent nucleator of HA and is attributed to the protein's glutamic acid‐rich sequences. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Mangafodipir trisodium‐enhanced MRI for the detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions: Is delayed imaging useful?
Authors: Chung Jae‐Joon , Kim Myeong‐Jin , Kim Ki Whang
Published: March 2006

Purpose

To investigate the usefulness of early and delayed hepatic MRI after mangafodipir trisodium (Mn‐DPDP) administration for the detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐five patients (31 males and 14 females, mean age = 61 years) with a total of 113 hepatic lesions (mean size = 3.5 cm) were included in this study (15 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, N = 35), 20 with hepatic metastasis (N = 63), five with hemangioma (N = 10), three with cholangiocarcinoma (CC, N = 3), and two with liver abscess (N = 2)). T1‐weighted gradient‐echo MR images were obtained before and after Mn‐DPDP administration, with a mean 18‐hour delayed imaging. A qualitative analysis (including the size and signal intensity (SI)) and quantitative analysis (including enhancement and lesion–liver contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR)) were performed on pre‐ and postcontrast early and delayed MR images.

Results

Compared to postcontrast early imaging, 17 (48.6%) of 35 HCCs showed higher SI, 16 (45.7%) showed no SI change, and two (5.7%) showed lower SI on delayed imaging. All 63 metastases, 10 hemangiomas, three CCs, and two abscesses showed no SI change. On delayed imaging, ring enhancement was noted in 53 metastases (84.1%), three hemangiomas (30.0%), and one abscess (50.0%), but was not seen in HCCs or CCs. Eight metastases (12.7%) also showed ring enhancement on postcontrast early imaging. No newly detected hepatic lesions were revealed on postcontrast delayed MR images compared to postcontrast early images. Regarding CNR, the HCCs showed a significant increase in CNR from postcontrast early to delayed images after administration of Mn‐DPDP (P < 0.01). However, none of the metastases, hemangiomas, CCs, and abscesses showed a significant increase of CNR from postcontrast early to delayed images.

Conclusion

Postcontrast delayed MR images after Mn‐DPDP administration were helpful in distinguishing hepatocellular from nonhepatocellular lesions, but were not useful for lesion detection and had limited utility for lesion characterization, since benign and malignant hepatic lesions looked the same. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006;9999:000–000. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Altered diffusion tensor in multiple sclerosis normal‐appearing brain tissue: Cortical diffusion changes seem related to clinical deterioration
Authors: Vrenken Hugo , Pouwels Petra J.W. , Geurts Jeroen J.G. , Knol Dirk L. , Polman Chris H. , Barkhof Frederik , Castelijns Jonas A.
Published: March 2006

Purpose

To investigate normal‐appearing white (NAWM) and cortical gray (NAGM) matter separately in multiple sclerosis (MS) in vivo using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Materials and Methods

In 64 MS patients (12 primary progressive [PP], 38 relapsing remitting [RR], 14 secondary progressive [SP]) and 20 healthy controls, whole‐brain apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were acquired. A stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM) DTI sequence was used with minimal geometrical distortion in comparison to echo‐planar imaging (EPI). NAWM and NAGM were identified using conventional magnetic resonance (MR) images, allowing a cautious assessment of FA in cortex.

Results

Histogram analyses showed significant global FA decreases and ADC increases in MS NAWM compared to control WM. MS cortical NAGM had no significant global ADC increase, but FA was decreased significantly. In regional analyses, nearly all NAWM regions‐of‐interest (ROIs) had significantly increased ADC compared to controls, but FA was not changed. In nearly all cortical NAGM ROIs, ADC was significantly increased and FA significantly reduced. In multiple linear regression analyses in RR/SPMS patients, NAGM‐ADC histogram peak height was associated more strongly with clinical disability than T2 lesion load.

Conclusion

Tissue damage occurs in both NAWM and cortical NAGM. The cortical damage appears to have more clinical impact than T2 lesions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunization does not interfere with uptake and transport by motor neurons of the binding fragment of tetanus toxin
Authors: Fishman Paul S. , Matthews Christopher C. , Parks Deborah A. , Box Michael , Fairweather Neil F.
Published: March 2006

The nontoxic binding domain of tetanus toxin (fragment C or TTC) readily undergoes retrograde axonal transport from an intramuscular injection site. This property has led to investigation of TTC as a possible vector for delivering therapeutic proteins to motor neurons. However, the vast majority of individuals in the developed world have been vaccinated with tetanus toxoid and have circulating antitetanus antibodies that cross‐react with TTC and may block the delivery of a TTC‐linked therapeutic protein. However, it is uncertain whether the immune response is capable of completely neutralizing an intramuscular depot of protein prior to its internalization by presynaptic nerve terminals, where it is inaccessible to antibody. We have evaluated uptake of rhodamine‐labeled TTC following intramuscular injection in normal animals and animals vaccinated with tetanus toxoid prior to injection of fluorescently labeled TTC. All animals demonstrated uptake of TTC, with fluorescence appropriately localized to the hypoglossal nerve and nucleus. The distribution and intensity of fluorescence within neurons and processes were indistinguishable between the two groups and were characteristic of TTC. Vaccinated animals showed levels of uptake of TTC into the brain comparable to those of immunologically naïve animals as measured by quantitative fluorimetry. All vaccinated animals had protective levels of antitetanus antibodies as measured by ELISA. Uptake of TTC by nerve terminals from an intramuscular depot is an avid and rapid process and is not blocked by vaccination associated with protection from tetanus toxin. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection and characterization of variant and modified structures of proteins in blood and tissues by mass spectrometry
Authors: Shimizu Akira , Nakanishi Toyofumi , Miyazaki Ayako
Published: March 2006

Some variant proteins cause diseases, and some diseases result in increases of proteins with abnormally modified structures. The detection, characterization, and estimation of the relative amounts of protein variants and abnormally modified proteins are important for clinical diagnosis and for elucidation of the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of diseases. Analysis of the covalent structures of proteins using matrix‐assisted laser desorption time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization MS (LC‐ESI‐MS), which had been developed by the early 1990s, have largely replaced analyses by conventional protein chemistry. Here, we review the detection and characterization of hemoglobin variants, HbA1c measurement, detection of carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin, and identification of variants of transthyretin (TTR) and Cu/Zn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD‐1) using soft ionization MS. We also propose the diagnostic application of the signals of modified forms of TTR, that is, S‐sulfonated TTR and S‐homocysteinyl TTR. The relative peak height ratio of the abnormal/normal components gives valuable information about the instability of variants and enables the detection of unstable Hb subunits or thalassemia heterozygotes. We found unique modified structures of TTR that suggested changes in amyloid fibrils. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generalized anxiety disorder – a risk factor for depression?
Authors: Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Hoyer Jürgen , Friis Robert
Published: March 2006

Recent longitudinal epidemiological studies suggest that anxiety disorders usually precede the onset of depressive disorders and might be regarded as risk factors for secondary depressive disorders. This paper reviews the available evidence, which suggests that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a temporally primary anxiety disorder, preceding the onset of depression.

In retrospective studies, like other anxiety disorders, GAD in adulthood and among adolescents has been reported to precede the onset of depressive disorders in the majority of cases. Prospective longitudinal data suggest that GAD is associated with an increased risk of an earlier first onset of depression. Comparisons with panic disorder reveal that GAD cases predominantly develop depression after 2–4 years, whereas the majority of cases of panic disorder develop depression within a year after onset. These observations suggest differences in the pathogenesis of both conditions, which require further investigation. The comorbidity between GAD and major depression and the fact that temporally primary GAD significantly predicts a subsequent onset of depression raise the question of whether early intervention and treatment of primary GAD would effectively prevent the subsequent first onset of depression. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Longitudinal Investigation of Depression Outcomes (the LIDO study) in primary care in six countries: comparative assessment of local health systems and resource utilization
Authors: Chisholm Daniel , Amir Marianne , Fleck Marcelo , Herrman Helen , Lomachenkov Aleksandr , Lucas Ramona , Patrick Donald
Published: March 2006

In spite of the high societal burden imposed by major depression globally, there is only limited understanding of the economic consequences of the condition in different cultural settings.

Objectives:

to describe the research methods employed in a multinational longitudinal investigation of resource utilization and quality of life among depressed primary care patients, and to compare the sites, service systems and populations in the LIDO study.

Method:

a six‐site, cross‐national observational study design was used to assess associations between quality of life, economic and depression outcomes in a prospective cohort of primary care patients with recognized major depressive disorder. A sociodemographic and service profile of each participating site was developed, enabling quantitative (as well as qualitative) comparisons of service delivery and study populations. In addition to measurement of depression symptoms and quality of life, resource utilization of enrolled subjects was assessed via an interviewer‐led questionnaire containing internationally comparable items of potential service receipt. A set of unit costs for all itemized services was generated, based on a common protocol and standardized methodology.

Results:

comparison of sociodemographic and service indicators usefully revealed the considerable variability between sites in terms of overall expenditure or service inputs and the underlying model of health care finance and provision. There were also discernible differences in the baseline sociodemography and service utilization patterns of the six sampled populations, a number of which could be related to identified site‐level characteristics.

Conclusion:

multinational investigations of health service utilization and costs are complicated by the heterogeneity of service systems and the need to reflect the contexts within which people live and receive their care. In order to be locally meaningful yet internationally comparable, a carefully constructed approach towards data collection, analysis and interpretation is required. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
The Twin Inventory of Relationships and Experiences (TIRE): psychometric properties of a measure of the non‐shared and shared environmental experiences of twins and singletons
Authors: Carbonneau Rene , Rutter Michael , Simonoff Emily , Silberg Judy L. , Maes Hermine H. , Eaves Lindon J.
Published: March 2006

We examined longitudinally the psychometric properties of the Twin Inventory of Relationships and Experiences (TIRE), an instrument designed to assess non‐shared and shared environmental experiences in twins and siblings. A community sample of 1,117 pairs of like‐sex monozygotic and dizygotic twins, aged eight to 16, and their parents, was used. Results indicated that the TIRE provided constructs that are consistent across informants, gender and time. These dimensions showed good longitudinal stability within raters, and low to moderate inter‐rater agreement; the results are consistent with those of other studies using different instruments to assess family environment. It is concluded that the TIRE may be used to assess dimensions of the non‐shared environment of twins and siblings and their influence on children's development. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Screening for mental disorders in cancer patients – discriminant validity of HADS and GHQ‐12 assessed by standardized clinical interview
Authors: Reuter Katrin , Härter Martin
Published: March 2006

The detection and classification of comorbid mental disorders has major implications in cancer care. Valid screening instruments for different diagnostic specifications are therefore needed. This study investigated the discriminant validity of the German versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12). A total of 188 cancer patients participated in the examination, consisting first of the assessment of psychological distress and, second, of the diagnosis of mental disorders according to DSM‐IV by clinical standardized interview (CIDI). Discriminant validity of the two instruments regarding the diagnosis of any mental disorder, anxiety, depression and multiple mental disorders was compared using ROC analysis.

Overall, the total HADS scale shows a better screening performance than the GHQ‐12, especially for the detection of depressive and anxiety disorders. Best results are achieved for depressive disorders with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80, a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 76% (cut‐off point = 17). For the ability of the instruments to detect patients with mental disorders in general, the GHQ‐12 (AUC: 0.68) shows a similar overall accuracy to the HADS (AUC: 0.70). The screening performance of both scales for comorbid mental disorders is comparable.

The HADS is a valid screening instrument for depressive and anxiety disorders in cancer care. The GHQ‐12 can be considered as an alternative to the HADS when diagnostic specifications are less detailed and the goal of screening procedures is to detect patients with single or multiple mental disorders in general. Limitations of conventional screening instruments are given through the differing methodological approaches of screening tests (dimensional approach) and diagnosis according to DSM‐IV (categorical approach). Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Brief screening of psychiatric disorders among a national sample of HIV‐positive adults: concordance between the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the CIDI Short Form (CIDI‐SF)
Authors: Orlando Maria , Burnam M. Audrey , Sherbourne Cathy D. , Morton Sally C. , London Andrew S. , Hays Ron D. , Bing Eric G.
Published: March 2006

Objective:

to evaluate the validity of the short form of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI‐SF) in a nationally representative sample of persons in care for HIV disease in the US.

Methods:

in separate interviews, we administered four components of the CIDI‐SF and the full UM CIDI to 1,489 persons ages 18 to 74 receiving ongoing medical care for HIV, and examined the concordance between the two.

Results:

the CIDI‐SF had lower concordance rates than expected. Results suggest that estimates of mental health disorder based on the CIDI‐SF may be confounded by HIV symptomology.

Conclusions:

in this population, the CIDI‐SF provided useful information about general mental health but was less accurate for providing disorder‐specific diagnoses than anticipated. The confounding of HIV symptomology and CIDI‐SF disorder raises questions about the accuracy of the CIDI‐SF for studies conducted in HIV and other clinical and specialized subpopulations. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
How many raters are needed for a reliable diagnosis?
Authors: Noda Art M. , Kraemer Helena Chmura , Yesavage Jerome A. , Periyakoil Vyjeyanthi S.
Published: March 2006

If each of a sample of patients is evaluated by enough raters and is independently diagnosed as either positive or negative, we can evaluate the reliability (kappa coefficient and corresponding confidence interval) of each consensus of 2, 3, 4 … M raters. We can select the optimal consensus, and demonstrate an increase in reliability with multiple diagnoses. Results indicate that the majority rule (for example, two out of three, three out of five raters) does not always yield the highest reliability, nor does any other single rule, which leaves determination of the optimal consensus to empirical evaluation.

The kappa coefficient and the confidence intervals are calculated using a jackknife technique for these cases and the optimal consensus is determined. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Development of a quality assessment instrument for trials of treatments for depression and neurosis
Authors: Moncrieff Joanna , Churchill Rachel , Drummond D. Colin , McGuire Hugh
Published: March 2006

There is evidence that the quality of controlled clinical trials affects the results that are obtained. A systematic approach to the assessment of quality is required for psychiatric research. This study set out to develop an instrument for the assessment of the quality of controlled trials of interventions for depressive and non‐psychotic conditions. A pilot study led to the development of a scale containing 23 items covering a wide range of aspects of quality including objective formulation, design, presentation of results, analysis and quality of conclusions. Scoring criteria were devised and the scale was then subjected to reliability testing using a random sample of trials of treatment for depression and ‘neurosis’. The scale showed moderate inter‐rater reliability and results were comparable to those obtained with shorter instruments. It was quick and easy to use. There were significant correlations between year of publication and overall quality score with later studies showing higher quality. The instrument developed here provides a systematic approach to the assessment of quality for use in critical appraisal of individual studies and meta‐analysis. However, the scoring process should be used cautiously since inter‐rater agreement was only moderate. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Individual quality of life in schizophrenic patients – description and applicability of GRIDQoL in a computer‐based version
Authors: Noerholm Vibeke , Svensson Lillian , Bech Per
Published: March 2006

The measurement of individual quality of life in patients with schizophrenia has been limited to clinician‐rated instruments. The repertory grid is a clinician‐assisted method to measure individual quality of life that has been found to be more sensitive than questionnaires in a clinical trial with patients with anxiety. In this pilot study the applicability of the GRIDQoL repertory grid method was evaluated in patients with schizophrenia.

Free personal constructs were elicited at the first visit using the GRIDQoL technique, a semi‐structured interview technique whereby the clinician helps the patient to develop his or her personal quality of life scale. The fixed psychological constructs were based on the PCASEE index.

The results showed that the PCASEE index was adequate with respect to the fixed GRIDQoL constructs. The free constructs were illustrated for a selected patient, including the factor scores as outcome measures. In total 73% of the patients, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were willing and able to test their quality of life. The results of this pilot study support further development of the GRIDQoL module for schizophrenic patients. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Measurement of racial life events in schizophrenia: development of a new schedule – a pilot study
Authors: Bhugra Dinesh , Ayonrinde Oyedeji , Mallett Rosemarie , Leff Julian
Published: March 2006

The relationship between stressors and the onset of psychosis is well described in the literature. However, for minority ethnic groups in the UK the impact of racism and racial life events has not been studied to the same extent. In this paper we describe the development of a semi‐structured interview – Racial Life Events Schedule (RALES) – in order to measure racial life events as well as continuing difficulties attributable to racial discrimination. The interview was piloted on 12 African‐Caribbean and eight Asian patients presenting with first onset schizophrenia. The interview was useful in eliciting racial events but overall there were no differences between patients and community controls. We believe that this schedule is useful for understanding racial events in the individual's personal and cultural context. The development and the schedule are described in this paper. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Depression in acutely medically ill elderly inpatients: prevalence, correlates and longitudinal stability
Authors: Shah Ajit , Hoxey Katharina
Published: March 2006

Depressive disorders are common among acutely medically ill elderly in‐patients, but treatment and prognosis are poor. Due to the current demographic changes and alterations in the working practices of the geriatricians in the UK a study of prevalence, correlates and longitudinal stability of depression in medically ill elderly inpatients was undertaken.

All consecutive acute admissions over a five‐month period, without significant cognitive impairment, to a geriatric medicine unit were screened for depression with the Brief Assessment Schedule (BAS). Potential correlates of depression were measured by the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation scale (BSSI), the London Handicap Scale (LHS), the Barthel Index (BI) and the severity of physical illness (IPI). These patients were followed‐up at a six‐to‐eight month interval and all instruments were administered again.

The prevalence of depression in acutely medically ill elderly inpatients was 33%. Depression was associated with previous deliberate self‐harm, severity of physical illness, higher BSSI scores, prescription of a psychotropic drugs, including antidepressants. Almost half of the depressed cases either had died or persisted as being depressed at follow‐up.

There is scope to improve treatment of depression in this setting. The efficacy of treating physical illness in improving depression requires evaluation. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Reliability and validity of the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory
Authors: Schmeck Klaus , Goth Kirstin , Poustka Fritz , Cloninger Robert C.
Published: March 2006

The Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI) was developed to assess the temperament (‘novelty seeking’, ‘harm avoidance’, ‘reward dependence’, ‘persistence’) and character (‘self‐directedness’, ‘cooperativeness’, ‘self‐transcendence’) dimensions of Cloninger's biosocial model of personality in children and adolescents. The psychometric properties of the JTCI are presented.

We used the German version of JTCI in a clinical sample of 188 adolescent psychiatric patients (aged 12 to 18 years) and in a non‐referred sample of 706 German adolescents of the same age range. Aspects of reliability and validity are discussed.

We subjected the JTCI to confirmatory factor analysis and were able to replicate the temperament and character scales of the original TCI. The internal consistency of the scales was satisfactory with the exception of ‘reward dependence’ and ‘persistence’. Construct validity was supported by good correspondence of JTCI dimensions with related constructs.

Psychometric properties of the German version of JTCI are very promising. Results yield strong support for Cloninger's psychobiological theory. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
A French, abridged version of the Hospitals and Hostels Practices Profile Schedule
Authors: Corbière Marc , Lesage Alain D. , Reinharz Daniel , Contandriopoulos André‐Pierre
Published: March 2006

This study aims to validate the Hospitals and Hostels Practices Profile Schedule (HHPPS) in the French version according to the statistical requirements of factor analysis and internal consistency, and to arrive at as parsimonious a version of the questionnaire as possible. As no validation of the original English instrument exists to our knowledge, the most parsimonious factor structure suggested by hypothetical constructs was used. Analyses of variance of six categories of residential settings served to underscore their points of convergence and divergence in terms of degree of autonomy allowed to patients. The following seven scales emerged from the analyses: ‘activities: house rules’, ‘activities: morning wake‐up’, ‘health and hygiene’, ‘activities: curfew’, ‘personal effects’, ‘activities: night‐time surveillance’ and ‘meals’. These accounted for 65% of the cumulative explained variance. Of the residential settings considered, supervised apartments allowed patients the most autonomy, compared with psychiatric hospital wards, hostels, nursing homes, foster families and group homes. Aside from its primary role of measuring the degree of autonomy that residential settings allow patients, this questionnaire seems suitable for gauging the adequacy of fit between a patient's needs and available residential facilities. This should help to direct persons with severe and persistent mental disorders towards facilities better tailored to their needs. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Focused principal component analysis: a promising approach for confirming findings of exploratory analysis?
Authors: Falissard B. , Corruble E. , Mallet Luc , Hardy P.
Published: March 2006

In many psychiatric studies, the objective is to describe and understand relationships between a large set of quantitative variables, with a particular interest in the relationship between one variable (often regarded as a response) and the others (often regarded as explanatory).

This paper describes a new method to apply in such situations. It is based on principal components analysis (PCA). Like this technique, it conveys the structure of a correlation matrix into a low‐dimensional diagram but, unlike PCA, it makes it possible to represent accurately the correlations of a given variable with the other variables (and even to test graphically the hypothesis that one of these correlations is equal to zero). Two examples in the field of psychiatry research are provided. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Estimating the prevalence of mental and somatic disorders in the community: aims and methods of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey
Authors: Jacobi Frank , Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Hölting Christoph , Sommer Sieghard , Lieb Roselind , Höfler Michael , Pfister Hildegard
Published: March 2006

This paper outlines the principal aims and design of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey, mental health supplement (GHS‐MHS), the first nationwide, epidemiological study of both somatic and mental health in Germany on a representative sample of 4,181 subjects in the community. Both the broader context of the study – in particular its methodological relation to the social and somatic core survey of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey (GHS‐CS) – and the internal methodology of the mental health supplement (GHS‐MHS) are presented. The study's strategies and method are derived from a consideration of important theoretical issues arising from epidemiological studies in the field of public health. The main instrument used to assess diagnoses of mental disorders was a standardized diagnostic interview for mental disorders (following DSM‐IV (CIDI)) applied by clinically trained interviewers. This diagnostic interview was supplemented by modules on comorbidity, help seeking, treatment and impairment. Somatic health diagnoses were made using an integrated approach including self‐report measures, a standardized clinical interview, and laboratory measures.

Findings on sampling, response rate, weighting and sample characteristics are presented. Critical issues are discussed, including the scientific objectives that have been achieved by the study. Overall, the GHS core survey and its mental health supplement provide the mental health research community with complex data that allow for high‐quality analysis of mental disorders and associations with somatic disorders. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Cognitive impairment in depressed outpatients as measured with the Dementia Checklist: a simple method for primary care and in field research
Authors: Linden M. , Borgmann C. , Dittmann R.W.
Published: March 2006

The Dementia Checklist is a 12‐item dementia rating scale for physicians who, for whatever reason, cannot be specifically trained. It addresses symptoms of cognitive decline that can easily be identified, and that are typical for different stages of cognitive impairment. This allows an easy classification of the severity of dementia. In a first study, the dementia checklist was used in 937 geriatric outpatients who were treated by neuropsychiatrists for depression. All items contribute to the accuracy of measurement (Cronbach's α = 0.84). Differences in cognitive impairment depending on age (χ2 = 51.7; p ≤ 0.001) and depression (χ2 = 47.6; p ≤ 0.001) indicate external validity of the dementia checklist and 5.7% of the outpatients were rated as demented. The Dementia Checklist provides a very economical and easy‐to‐use assessment of cognitive decline. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Factorial validity, reliability of assessments and prevalence of ADHD behavioural symptoms in day and residential treatment centres for children with behavioural problems
Authors: Scholte E.M. , Van Berckelaer‐Onnes I.A. , Van Der Ploeg J.D.
Published: March 2006

This study uses the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom ratings of professional care workers to estimate the prevalence of ADHD symptoms among children in day treatment centres (N = 162) and residential treatment centres (N = 195) in Holland. Although further research is needed, the study supports the suggestion that such ratings can add to reliable diagnostic outcomes when assessing the behavioural symptoms of ADHD in children in the centres. It is estimated that nearly a fifth of the children in such centres exhibit the symptoms of ADHD in the judgement of professional care workers.

Model testing using confirmatory factor analysis favours a dimensional behavioural model that comprises all the three constitutional symptom dimensions of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity) instead of the two‐factor model as used in the DSM‐IV (inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity). However, the differences of fit between both models were only small and the hyperactivity and impulsivity factors were highly correlated. This suggests that, in practice, a two‐factor model can also be appropriate. The issue of whether a two‐factor or a three‐factor model is more appropriate thus remains unsolved in this study. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Itemized clinician ratings versus global ratings of symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Shores‐Wilson Kathy , Biggs Melanie M. , Miller Alexander L. , Carmody Thomas J. , Chiles John A. , John Rush A. , Lynn Crismon M. , Toprac Marcia G. , Witte Bradley P. , Webster Joe C.
Published: March 2006

This study compares ratings obtained with an itemized clinician‐rated symptom severity measure – the 24‐item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS24) – with a Physician Global Rating Scale (PhGRS) and a Patient Global Rating Scale (PtGRS) in assessing treatment outcomes in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). A total of 91 patients (31 inpatients and 60 outpatients) with SCZ were enrolled in a feasibility study of the use of medication algorithms in the treatment of SCZ. Clinicians completed the BPRS24 and the PhGRS; patients completed the PtGRS at each visit. The analyses reported here were conducted using the original BPRS18 and four items from the BPRS18 that rate the positive symptoms of psychosis (the Positive Symptom Rating Scale or PSRS), comparing anchored with global rating scales and with one another. The PtGRS had the lowest effect size (0.8) and was negatively correlated with the other ratings in inpatients. The PhGRS was significantly correlated (0.46) with the BPRS18, but the same person completed both ratings. The effect size of the PhGRS (0.6) was generally lower than with the BPRS18 (1.4) in differentiating responders from non‐responders. On average, the PSRS had a slightly lower effect size than the longer itemized BPRS18, but the results support its use as a quantitative rating in circumstances where it is not feasible to routinely use a lengthier scale. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Re‐estimating the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a nationally representative sample of persons receiving care for HIV: results from the HIV cost and services utilization study
Authors: Orlando Maria , Burnam M. Audrey , Beckman Robin , Morton Sally C. , London Andrew S. , Bing Eric G. , Fleishman John A.
Published: March 2006

The objective of this study was to obtain accurate estimates of the prevalence of psychiatric disorder in the population represented by the HIV Costs and Services Utilization Study cohort.

We constructed logistic regression models to predict DSM‐IV diagnoses of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic, and dysthymia among a subsample of the HCSUS cohort who in separate interviews completed the CIDI‐SF and the full CIDI diagnostic interview. Diagnoses were predicted using responses to the CIDI‐SF as well as other variables contained in the baseline and first follow‐up interviews. Resulting regression equations were applied to the entire baseline and first follow‐up samples to obtain new estimates of the prevalence of disorder.

Compared to estimates based on the CIDI‐SF alone, estimates obtained from this procedure provide a more accurate representation of the prevalence of the presence of any one of these four psychiatric disorders in this population, yielding more correct classifications and a lower false‐positive rate.

Prevalence rates reported in this study are as much as 16% lower than rates estimated using the CIDI‐SF alone, but are still considerably higher than estimates for the general community population. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.