bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: A European multicenter case‐control study (Epilymph)
Authors: Besson Herve , Brennan Paul , Becker Nikolaus , Nieters Alexandra , De Sanjosé Silvia , Font Rebeca , Maynadié Marc , Foretova Lenka , Cocco Pierluigi L. , Staines Anthony , Vornanen Martine , Boffetta Paolo
Published: March 2006

To study the role of tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking in the etiology of non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), we conducted a multicenter case‐control study in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland and Czech Republic between 1998 and 2004, which included 1,742 cases of NHL and 2,465 controls matched on age, sex and recruitment area. Tobacco smoking was not associated with the risk of NHL overall or with risk of specific histological subtypes. Similarly, there was no association between alcohol drinking and the risk of NHL overall or across histological subtypes. However, a protective effect of alcohol drinking was observed among men (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.62–0.93) and in non‐Mediterranean countries (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.61–0.86). There was no evidence of interaction between alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking in NHL etiology. The results of this large‐scale European study did not support an association between tobacco and NHL and suggested a protective effect of alcohol on development of NHL for men and in non‐Mediterranean countries. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Production of VEGF165 by Ewing's sarcoma cells induces vasculogenesis and the incorporation of CD34+ stem cells into the expanding tumor vasculature
Authors: Lee Tim H. , Bolontrade Marcela F. , Worth Laura L. , Guan Hui , Ellis Lee M. , Kleinerman Eugenie S.
Published: March 2006

The Ewing's sarcoma cell line TC71 overexpresses vascular endothelial growth factor isoform 165 (VEGF165), a potent proangiogenic molecule that induces endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and chemotaxis. CD34+ bone marrow stem cells can differentiate into endothelial and hematopoietic cells. We used a transplant model to determine whether CD34+ cells migrate from the bone marrow to Ewing's sarcoma tumors and participate in the neovascularization process that supports tumor growth. We also examined the role of VEGF165 in CD34+ cell migration. Human umbilical cord CD34+ cells were transplanted into sublethally irradiated severe combined immunodeficient mice. Seven days later, the mice were injected subcutaneously with TC71 tumor cells. Tumors were excised 2 weeks later and analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The tumor sections expressed both human VE‐cadherin and mouse CD31, indicating involvement of donor‐derived human cells in the tumor vessels. To determine the role of VEGF165 in the chemoattraction of CD34+ cells, we generated two VEGF165‐deficient TC71 clones, a stable anti‐sense VEGF165 cell line (Clone 17) and a VEGF165 siRNA‐inhibited clone (TC/siVEGF7‐1). The resulting VEGF165‐deficient tumor cells had normal growth rates in vitro, but had delayed growth when implanted into mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed decreased infiltration of CD34+ cells into both VEGF165‐deficient tumors. These data show that bone marrow stem cells contribute to the growing tumor vasculature in Ewing's sarcoma and that VEGF165 is critical for the migration of CD34+ cells from the bone marrow into the tumor. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human T‐cell leukemia virus type‐I Tax induces expression of interleukin‐6 receptor (IL‐6R): Shedding of soluble IL‐6R and activation of STAT3 signaling
Authors: Horiuchi Sankichi , Yamamoto Norio , Dewan Md. Zahidunnabi , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Yamashita Atsuya , Yoshida Tsutomu , Nowell Mari A. , Richards Peter J. , Jones Simon A. , Yamamoto Naoki
Published: March 2006

Human T‐cell leukemia virus type‐I (HTLV‐I) encodes for the viral protein Tax, which is known to significantly disrupt transcriptional control of cytokines, cytokine receptors and other immuno‐modulatory proteins in T cells. Specific dysregulation of these factors can alter the course and pathogenesis of infection. Soluble interleukin‐6 receptor (sIL‐6R) was shown to circulate at elevated levels in HTLV‐I‐infected patients, and high expressions of IL‐6R and sIL‐6R by HTLV‐I‐infected T cells were clinically and experimentally associated with Tax activity. To examine roles of Tax in expression of the IL‐6R gene, the JPX‐9 cell line was used, which is derived from Jurkat cell line expressing Tax cDNA. Over‐expression of Tax enhanced IL‐6R expression but not in Tax mutant JPX‐9/M cell line. The clinical relevance of these observations was further demonstrated by ELISA using sera obtained from HTLV‐I‐infected patients. Our results revealed that sIL‐6R levels were apparently elevated in HAM/TSP patients who were expressing Tax in their cells, while ATL patients' cells barely expressed Tax. HTLV‐I‐infected T‐cell lines stimulated by IL‐6/sIL‐6R showed gp130‐mediated STAT3 activity. IL‐6/sIL‐6R enhanced proliferation of HTLV‐I‐infected T cells in association with activation of STAT3. Consequently, Tax‐mediated regulations of IL‐6R and sIL‐6R observed in HTLV‐I‐associated disorders may contribute to proliferation of HTLV‐I‐infected T cells through activation of inducible STAT3, and ultimately affect malignant growth and transformation of T cells by HTLV‐I. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcriptional profiling of MCF7 breast cancer cells in response to 5‐Fluorouracil: Relationship with cell cycle changes and apoptosis, and identification of novel targets of p53
Authors: Hernández‐Vargas Héctor , Ballestar Esteban , Carmona‐Saez Pedro , von Kobbe Cayetano , Bañón‐Rodríguez Inmaculada , Esteller Manel , Moreno‐Bueno Gema , Palacios José
Published: March 2006

The availability of oral precursors of 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) and its favorable results in treating advanced breast cancer have renewed the interest in the molecular mechanisms underlying its cytotoxicity. We have compared the changes in cell cycle and cell death parameters induced by 2 different concentrations of 5‐FU (IC50 and IC80) in the breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF7. G1/S cell cycle arrest was associated with both concentrations, whereas cell death was mainly induced after IC80 5‐FU. These changes were correlated with gene expression assessed by cDNA microarray analysis. Main findings included an overexpression of p53 target genes involved in cell cycle and apoptosis (CDKN1A/p21, TP53INP, TNFRSF6/FAS and BBC3/PUMA), and significant repression of Myc. High dose 5‐FU also induced a higher regulation of the mitochondrial death genes APAF1, BAK1 and BCL2, and induction of genes of the ID family. Furthermore, we establish a direct causal relationship between p21, ID1 and ID2 overexpression, increased acetylation of histones H3 and H4 and binding of p53 to their promoters as a result of 5‐FU treatment. The relevance of these findings was further studied after interfering p53 expression in MCF7 cells (shp53 cells), showing a lower induction of both, ID1 and ID2 transcripts, after 5‐FU when compared with MCF7 shGFP control cells. This molecular characterization of dose‐ and time‐dependent modifications of gene expression after 5‐FU treatment should provide a resource for future basic studies addressing the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy in breast cancer. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of a crop coefficient for evapotranspiration in a sparse sorghum field
Authors: Kato Tomomichi , Kamichika Makio
Published: March 2006

The FAO basal crop coefficient Kcb and the soil evaporation coefficient Ke for a sparse sorghum field in one growing season were estimated using the compartment model (Shuttleworth–Wallace model; S–W model), which separately estimates transpiration from crops and evaporation from the soil. The Kcb had a low value of 0.10 (Kcb, ini) during the initial period, increased rapidly to a maximum of 0.98 (Kcb, mid) at midseason, and decreased rapidly to 0.53 (Kcb, end) by the end of the growing season. The Kcb increased with increasing leaf area index (LAI) rapidly and slowly, respectively, below and above an LAI of 1.0. The Ke showed a positive relationship to increasing soil water content (SWC) at a depth of −15.0 cm, but the soil water content indicated a negative relationship to increasing LAI. Using the dual crop coefficients derived by their relationships to the LAI and soil water content, the actual evapotranspiration (ETa) was estimated and compared to the ETa derived by the Bowen ratio energy budget (BREB) method. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the ETa obtained from the simulated crop coefficient to the ETa obtained by the BREB method was 0.84 mm day−1. Thus, the adjusted relationship of Kcb and Ke allowed a good estimation of the evapotranspiration in an irrigated field with sparse vegetation cover. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The spectrum of BSA(v, 3, λ; α) with α = 2,3
Authors: Zhang Jing , Chang Yanxun
Published: March 2006

In this article, a kind of auxiliary design BSA* for constructing BSAs is introduced and studied. Two powerful recursive constructions on BSAs from 3‐IGDDs and BSA*s are exploited. Finally, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a BSA(v, 3, λ; α) with α = 2, 3 are established. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 61–76, 2007
L(+)‐Lactic acid production using poly(vinyl alcohol)‐cryogel‐entrapped Rhizopus oryzae fungal cells
Authors: Efremenko Elena N , Spiricheva Olga V , Veremeenko Dmitri V , Baibak Alena V , Lozinsky Vladimir I
Published: March 2006

A new immobilized biocatalyst based on Rhizopus oryzae fungal cells entrapped in poly(vinyl alcohol)‐cryogel was evaluated in both the batch and semi‐batch processes of L(+)‐lactic acid (LA) production, when glucose, acid hydrolysates of starch or gelatinized potato starch were used as the main substrates. Under the batch conditions, the immobilized biocatalyst developed produced LA with yields of 94% and 78% from glucose and acid starch hydrolysates, respectively. Semi‐batch conditions enabled product yields of 52% and 45% to be obtained with the corresponding substrates. The highest process productivity (up to 173 g L−1) was reached under semi‐batch conditions. Potato starch (5–70 g L−1) was also transformed into lactic acid by immobilized R. oryzae. It was shown that long‐term operation of the immobilized biocatalyst (for at least 480 h) produced a low decrease in metabolic activity. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of quantitative cartilage measurements acquired on two 3.0T MRI systems from different manufacturers
Authors: Kornaat Peter R. , Koo Seungbum , Andriacchi Thomas P. , Bloem Johan L. , Gold Garry E.
Published: March 2006

Purpose

To investigate the comparability of two osteoarthritis (OA) surrogate endpoints—average cartilage thickness and cartilage volume—acquired from healthy volunteers on two 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems from different manufacturers.

Materials and Methods

Ten knees of five healthy volunteers were scanned on a 3.0T General Electric (GE) and a 3.0T Philips scanner using a fast three‐dimensional fat‐suppressed spoiled gradient (SPGR) imaging sequence. The acquisition parameters were optimized beforehand and were kept as comparable as possible on both scanners. For quantitative analysis, the average cartilage thickness and volume of the load‐bearing regions of the femoral condyles were compared. Data were analyzed using a univariate repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine the effects of position, condyle, and imaging system on the measurements.

Results

The average cartilage thickness and volume of the load‐bearing regions of the femoral condyles did not differ between the two different 3.0T MRI systems (P > 0.05). There was no significant effect of position or condyle on the average cartilage thickness measurements (P > 0.05; range = 0.41–0.93) or cartilage volume (P > 0.05; range = 0.14–0.87).

Conclusion

Two OA surrogate endpoints—average cartilage thickness and cartilage volume—acquired on two 3.0T MRI systems from different manufacturers are comparable. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MR coronary vessel wall imaging: Comparison between radial and spiral k‐space sampling
Authors: Katoh Marcus , Spuentrup Elmar , Buecker Arno , Manning Warren J. , Günther Rolf W. , Botnar Rene M.
Published: March 2006

Purpose

To compare radial and spiral k‐space sampling in navigator‐gated ECG‐triggered three‐dimensional (3D) coronary vessel wall imaging.

Materials and Methods

The right coronary artery (RCA) vessel walls of eight healthy subjects were imaged using a modified double‐inversion prepulse in concert with radial and spiral data acquisition. For data analysis, two investigators blinded to the sequence parameters subjectively assessed image quality in terms of artifacts and vessel wall visualization. Objective measures of the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and vessel wall definition were also determined.

Results

Radial k‐space sampling demonstrated fewer artifacts and led to improved visualization of the coronary vessel wall compared to spiral imaging (P < 0.05). This finding was also reflected in a better vessel wall definition using radial data acquisition (P < 0.05). SNR and CNR were found to be higher when spiral k‐space sampling was used (n.s.).

Conclusion

Radial k‐space sampling in concert with free‐breathing navigator‐gated cardiac‐triggered MRI of the coronary vessel wall resulted in fewer motion artifacts and improved vessel wall definition compared to spiral k‐space sampling. The proposed approach therefore appears to be preferable. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intramyocellular lipid quantification from 1H long echo time spectra at 1.5 and 3 T by means of the LCModel technique
Authors: Škoch Antonín , Jírů Filip , Dezortová Monika , Krušinová Eva , Kratochvílová Simona , Pelikánová Terezie , Grodd Wolfgang , Hájek Milan
Published: March 2006

Purpose

To introduce a method of independent determination of CH2 and CH3 components of intramyocellular lipids (IMCLs) by using long TE for spectra measurement and LCModel for spectra evaluation, to test this technique in controls and insulin‐resistant subjects, and to compare results at 1.5 and 3 T.

Materials and Methods

Eight healthy volunteers and 11 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus underwent measurement using a 1.5‐T MR scanner; six healthy volunteers were measured using a 3‐T MR scanner. Spectra from the tibialis anterior muscle were acquired by using a point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) sequence with the following parameters: TR/TE/ACQ = 2000 msec/270 msec/256. Spectra were processed by LCModel 6.1 software with two types of adopted basis‐set.

Results

Spectra with good separation of both CH2 and CH3 components of IMCL and extramyocellular lipids (EMCLs) were obtained and the LCModel routine was successfully applied. The reproducibility comparison (N= 7 at 1.5 T vs. N = 5 at 3 T) showed that better results can be obtained at higher B0 values. The comparison of the healthy and insulin‐resistant subjects proved that both IMCL_CH2/Cr and IMCL_CH3/Cr ratios significantly differ.

Conclusion

Long TE spectroscopy of the human muscle with IMCL quantification using the LCModel technique can detect changes in IMCL levels as well as help in the study of fatty acyl chain composition. Using a higher field strength increased the intra‐individual reproducibility by approximately 150% J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serotonergic modulation of persistent sodium currents and membrane excitability via cyclic AMP‐protein kinase A cascade in mesencephalic V neurons
Authors: Tanaka Susumu , Chandler Scott H.
Published: March 2006

In rat mesencephalic trigeminal (Mes V) neurons, persistent sodium currents in conjunction with low‐threshold potassium currents are critical for generation of subthreshold membrane oscillations and onset of burst behavior. Here we demonstrate that the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway modulates persistent sodium currents. In particular, we show that elevation of cAMP suppresses a low‐threshold INaP via a PKA intracellular pathway. Bath application of forskolin (20 μM), a stimulant for the production of cAMP, reduced the peak INaP. 1,9‐Dideoxy‐forskolin (20 μM), an inactive form of forskolin, produced minimal effects on INaP, and the membrane‐permeable cAMP analogue 8‐bromo‐cAMP (500 μM) mimicked the effect of forskolin. Additionally, preapplication of H89 (2 μM), a specific PKA inhibitor, suppressed the effect of forskolin, suggesting the involvement of the cAMP/PKA intracellular signaling pathway in this modulation. 5‐HT receptor stimulation (20 μM) also mimicked the modulation of INaP by forskolin via the cAMP/PKA‐dependent signaling pathway. Current clamp analysis demonstrated that voltage‐dependent membrane resonance in response to a ZAP input current at depolarized holding potentials (approximately –50 mV) was specifically suppressed by forskolin or 5‐HT. Moreover, drug application enhanced frequency adaptation in response to a 1‐sec current pulse. These results indicate that modulation of persistent sodium currents by a cAMP/PKA pathway can significantly alter the membrane excitability and discharge characteristics of Mes V neurons. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of the Structure of Cellulose in LiCl/DMAc Solution and Its Gelation Behavior by Small‐Angle X‐Ray Scattering Measurements
Authors: Ishii Daisuke , Tatsumi Daisuke , Matsumoto Takayoshi , Murata Kazuki , Hayashi Hisao , Yoshitani Hiroshi
Published: March 2006

Summary: Cellulose gels were prepared from cellulose in lithium chloride/N,N‐dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc) solution. When the cellulose concentration in the solution is above the one at which cellulose molecules overlap, cellulose gels were formed. While the gel prepared by the addition of water was turbid, the one prepared by the ion exchange was colorless, transparent, and optically anisotropic. In order to explain this gelation behavior of cellulose, small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) measurements of the cellulose solutions and the gels were performed. The SAXS profiles of the cellulose solutions and the gels suggested that the large‐scale fluctuation of the molecular chain density in the solution can be the origin of the molecular aggregates formed in the gel. Furthermore, the differences in the structure of the gels at the macroscopic and the molecular level were discussed in terms of the phase separation and the molecular association.

Polarized optical photograph of the cellulose gels.

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Polarized optical photograph of the cellulose gels.
Poly(ether imide) Membranes Modified with Poly(ethylene imine) as Potential Carriers for Epidermal Substitutes
Authors: Trimpert Christiane , Boese Gregor , Albrecht Wolfgang , Richau Klaus , Weigel Thomas , Lendlein Andreas , Groth Thomas
Published: March 2006

Summary: Poly(ether imide) (PEI) membranes were modified with a linear low‐molecular weight (PETIM_0.6) and a branched high‐molecular weight poly(ethylene imine) (PETIM_60). The membrane surfaces became more hydrophilic and the zeta potentials were shifted from negative to positive zeta values after immobilisation of both PETIM. These measurements also indicated the presence of a swollen surface layer in the case of PETIM_60, while a regular structuring of the surface was observed with scanning force microscopy for PETIM_0.6. A human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT was cultured on the different membranes. It was found that HaCaT cell growth was stimulated by PETIM_0.6. Cells reached earlier confluence on this substratum, while their growth was inhibited on a PEI membrane modified with PETIM_60, which makes PEI membranes modified with PETIM_0.6 a promising material for in vitro culture of epidermal transplants.

Keratinocytes cultured for 4 d on PETIM_0.6 stained for cell cytoskeleton visualised by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

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Keratinocytes cultured for 4 d on PETIM_0.6 stained for cell cytoskeleton visualised by confocal laser scanning microscopy.
Novel Side‐Chain Dendritic Polyurethanes Based on Hydrogen Bonding Rich Polyurea/Malonamide Dendrons
Authors: Dai Shenghong A. , Chen Chih‐Ping , Lin Chih‐Chieh , Chang Chia‐Cheng , Wu Tzong‐Ming , Su Wen‐Chiung , Chang Huey‐Ling , Jeng Ru‐Jong
Published: March 2006

Summary: Hydrogen bonding rich polyurea/malonamide dendrons have been utilized as building blocks for the synthesis of novel SCDPUs. The resulting microstructure of soft‐rich domains reinforced by these side chain rigid dendritic domains via strong hydrogen bonding interactions was explored for these segmented polyurethanes. DSC and FT‐IR results indicate that certain degrees of phase separation are present between rigid dendritic structures and soft PTMO domains. The phase separation structures are in the order of 100 nm based on the results of AFM and SAXS. The tensile measurements show that the incorporation of dendritic side chain structures as the hard segments can enhance the mechanical properties of these fabricated polymers.

AFM phase image and chemical structure for the side chain dendritic polyurethane.

magnified image

AFM phase image and chemical structure for the side chain dendritic polyurethane.
General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) in general hospitals: selecting a set of items using a stepwise hierarchical procedure
Authors: Wancata J. , Krautgartner M. , Alexandrowicz R. , Meise U.
Published: March 2006

Several studies have shown that, among non‐psychiatric in‐patients, validity indices of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) are relatively low when compared to those among primary healthcare attenders. We made an attempt to improve validity by excluding items from the 30‐item GHQ. This exclusion was performed by means of logistic regression analysis, on the one hand, and by using correlations of GHQ sum‐scores with the results of a psychiatric criterion interview (Clinical Interview Schedule) on the other. For this purpose we used a hierarchical approach based on subsets of items. In order to describe the overall discriminating ability of the 30‐, 20‐, 12‐item GHQ and of the two shortened GHQ versions, Receiver Operating Characteristics were used. The discriminating performance of the eight items gathered by Stepwise Hierarchical Variable Selection was significantly better than that of the six items yielded from logistic regression and of the above mentioned three traditional GHQ versions. These analyses are based on 511 participants of a survey in Austrian general hospitals. Overall, Stepwise Hierarchical Variable Selection procedure suggested by the authors for item selection based on sum‐scores might be a useful tool in future two‐phase surveys. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
The Florence Psychiatric Interview
Authors: Faravelli Carlo , Bartolozzi Daniela , Cimminiello Laura , Cecchi Cristiana , Cosci Fiammetta , D'Adamo Donato , Di Matteo Cinzia , Di Primio Carlo , Fabbri Cecilia , Lo Iacono Beatrice , Paionni Alessandra , Perone Angela , Rosi Simone , Alessandra Scarpato Maria , Serena Andrea , Taberna Alejandra
Published: March 2006

The Florence Psychiatric Interview (FPI) is an interviewing instrument for evaluating psychopathology in the community. The FPI is designed to be completed by clinical interviewers, and focuses on single episodes of illness where the symptoms are assessed and graded according to their severity on five‐point scales. Psychiatric symptoms are evaluated regardless of their diagnostic collocation, and period and lifetime diagnoses may be generated by combining the episodes and using the appropriate algorithms (the information provided by the FPI covers the requirements of all the present diagnostic systems). Other aspects of psychiatric disorders that are usually ignored in other interviews are investigated (for example, costs of illness, use of health facilities, life events, and personality traits).

Data on reliability (inter‐rater agreement and test‐retest reliability) and agreement with other instruments such as the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders (SCID) seem encouraging. The FPI's ability to collect lifetime symptoms by combining episodes matches that of an interview (the CIDI) that uses the lifetime approach. Agreement between fully qualified psychiatrists and trained residents was excellent. The ability of the cases to recall symptoms experienced several years before was also acceptable. This instrument is therefore proposed for clinical studies at the epidemiological level. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Rasch analysis of the Korean version of the VF‐14: calibration and unidimensionality
Authors: Lee Jae Eun , Sung Jung Hye
Published: March 2006

The VF‐14 is intended to measure visual functioning based on sets of hierarchically structured items. Rasch item response theory (IRT) provides a methodology to examine the hierarchical structure and unidimensionality of a survey instrument. The purpose of this study is to examine the scale properties (hierarchical structure and unidimensionality) of the VF‐14 using Rasch item response theory methodology in cataract patients (N = 80). The results of the study showed that the Korean version VF‐14 is unidimensional with a hierarchy from easy to hard items, as well as being valid and reliable in the terms of traditional psychometric analysis. The Korean version of the VF‐14 had some significant item spacings (three strata), and the rating‐scale categories were worded well. Therefore, the Korean version of the VF‐14 measures are appropriate for use in and further study of the visual limitations associated with cataract inpatients. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Validity of Korean form of Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS) among cognitively impaired Korean elderly and development of a 15‐item short version (KGDS‐15)
Authors: Kim Jae‐Min , Prince Martin James , Shin Il‐Seon , Yoon Jin‐Sang
Published: March 2006

This study aimed to develop from the Korean Form of Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS) a 15‐item short version (KGDS‐15); to analyse the internal consistency and criterion validity of KGDS and KGDS‐15; and to investigate the possible factors contributing to misclassification. The KGDS for screening of depression and interviews with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM‐D) for diagnosis of depression were performed in community‐dwelling, cognitively impaired elderly Koreans. The KGDS‐15 items were chosen from those in the KGDS showing high item‐total score coefficients calculated using Cronbach's alpha. For both KGDS and KGDS‐15, the internal consistencies were good, and areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves served by HAM‐D as a gold standard, were acceptable. Lower level of education, being currently unemployed, living in rented accommodation and having chronic medical illness were independently associated with the outcome and the misclassification of the KGDS. The KGDS‐15 was proved to be equally or more valid and less affected by above factors than the KGDS. The newly developed KGDS‐15, as well as the KGDS, could be used for screening for depression overall in the community‐dwelling cognitively impaired elderly, but the resulting scores should be interpreted carefully. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Validity and reliability of the Polish version of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Authors: Rzewuska Małgorzata
Published: March 2006

This study presents the results of a training course on using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for the assessment of mental status. The agreements between ratings produced by 418 physicians (psychiatrists) were evaluated and compared with standard ratings. In this way it was possible to supplement some of the listed symptoms with comments, which may help to increase agreement between results obtained through raters' assessments and standard ratings. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
The European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000) project: rationale and methods
Authors: Alonso J. , Ferrer M. , Romera B. , Vilagut G. , Angermeyer M. , Bernert S. , Brugha T.S. , Taub N. , Mccolgen Z. , Girolamo G. De , Polidori G. , Mazzi F. , Graaf R. De , Vollebergh W.A.M. , Buist‐Bowman M.A. , Demyttenaere K. , Gasquet I. , Haro J. M. , Palacín C. , Autonell J. , Katz S. J. , Kessler R.C. , Kovess V. , Lépine J.P. , Arbabzadeh‐Bouchez S. , Ormel J. , Bruffaerts R.
Published: March 2006

The European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000) is a new cross‐sectional study investigating the prevalence and the associated factors of mental disorders, as well as their effect on health‐related quality of life and the use of services in six European countries. This paper describes the rationale, methods and the plan for the analysis of the project.

A total of 22,000 individuals representative of the non‐institutionalized population aged 18 and over from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain are being interviewed in their homes. Trained interviewers use a computer‐assisted personal interview (CAPI) including the most recent version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI, 2000), a well‐established epidemiological survey for assessing mental disorders.

This is the first international study using the standardized up‐to‐date methodology for epidemiological assessment. Sizeable differences in prevalence, impact and level of need that is met by the health services are expected.

The analysis of these differences should facilitate the monitoring of ongoing mental health reform initiatives in Europe and provide new research hypotheses. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Graphing survival curve estimates for time‐dependent covariates
Authors: Schultz Lonni R. , Peterson Edward L. , Breslau Naomi
Published: March 2006

Graphical representation of statistical results is often used to assist readers in the interpretation of the findings. This is especially true for survival analysis where there is an interest in explaining the patterns of survival over time for specific covariates. For fixed categorical covariates, such as a group membership indicator, Kaplan‐Meier estimates (1958) can be used to display the curves. For time‐dependent covariates this method may not be adequate. Simon and Makuch (1984) proposed a technique that evaluates the covariate status of the individuals remaining at risk at each event time. The method takes into account the change in an individual's covariate status over time. The survival computations are the same as the Kaplan‐Meier method, in that the conditional survival estimates are the function of the ratio of the number of events to the number at risk at each event time. The difference between the two methods is that the individuals at risk within each level defined by the covariate is not fixed at time 0 in the Simon and Makuch method as it is with the Kaplan‐Meier method. Examples of how the two methods can differ for time dependent covariates in Cox proportional hazards regression analysis are presented. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Distinguishing generalized anxiety disorder from major depression: prevalence and impairment from current pure and comorbid disorders in the US and Ontario
Authors: Kessler Ronald C. , Berglund Patricia A. , Dewit David J. , Bedirhan Üstün T. , Wang Philip S. , Wïttchen Hans‐Ulrich
Published: March 2006

Estimation of comparative disease burden in epidemiological surveys is complicated by the fact that high comorbidities exist among many chronic conditions. The easiest way to take comorbidity into consideration is to distinguish between pure and comorbid conditions and to evaluate the incremental effects of comorbid conditions in prediction equations. This approach is illustrated here in an analysis of the effects of pure and comorbid major depression (MD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) on a number of different measures of role impairment in the US National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) and the Mental Health Supplement to the Ontario (Canada) Health Survey (the Supplement). Pure MD and pure GAD were found to have roughly equal independent associations with role impairments. The incremental effects of having comorbid MD and GAD were found to vary depending on the outcome under investigation. The paper closes with a discussion of the methodological complexities associated with generalizing to comorbidities that involve rare conditions or more than two disorders. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Self‐reported use of mental health services versus administrative records: should we care?
Authors: Rhodes Anne E. , Lin Elizabeth , Mustard Cameron A.
Published: March 2006

Studies of mental health services have emphasized that people in need are not receiving treatment. However, these studies, based on self‐reported use, may not be consistent with administrative records. This study compared self‐reports of mental health service use with administrative records in a large representative sample. Respondent reports within the Ontario portion of the 1994/95 Household Component of the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) were individually linked to the provincial mental‐health physician reimbursement claims. A total of 5,187 Ontarians, aged 12 years or more, reported on their use of mental healthcare within the NPHS and 4,621 (89%) consented and were successfully linked to administrative records.

Comparisons between the two sources identified that the agreement for any use and volume of use was moderate to low and varied according to select respondent characteristics. These differences affected estimates of the associations with use and volume of use. People who reported high levels of distress reported more visits than those who did not and this effect was stronger in the self‐reported data.

These results suggest that recall bias may be present. Regardless of the definition of care, access for those in need remains a concern despite universal medical insurance coverage. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Patterns of incidence and psychiatric risk factors for traumatic events
Authors: Stein Murray B. , Höfler Michael , Perkonigg Axel , Lieb Roselind , Pfister Hildegard , Maercker Andreas , Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich
Published: March 2006

Individual differences are thought to influence the propensity for exposure to trauma and the subsequent development of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Prior research has identified pre‐existing mood disorders as one such individual risk factor for traumatic events as well as for PTSD. The present study reports the incidence of traumatic events (and PTSD) and examines psychiatric risk factors for trauma exposure in a prospective community sample.

Data come from a prospective, longitudinal epidemiological study of adolescents and young adults (age 14–24) in Munich, Germany. Respondent diagnoses (N = 2,548) at baseline and at follow‐up 34–50 months later were considered. Psychiatric diagnoses at baseline were examined as predictors of qualifying trauma.

Baseline prevalence of persons having experienced trauma meeting DSM‐IV A1 and A2 criteria (‘qualifying trauma’) was 16.7%; during the follow‐up period, 20.3% persons had experienced incident (new) qualifying traumata. The prevalence of PTSD, including subthreshold cases, at baseline was 5.6%; by the end of the follow‐up period this had increased to 10.3%. Presence of an anxiety disorder at baseline predicted exposure to qualifying traumas during the follow‐up period (adjusted ORs ranging from 1.36 for any trauma type to 3.00 for sexual trauma); this association was apparently due to an increased tendency to report events as being particularly horrific (meeting A2 criteria). In contrast, presence of illicit drug use predicted the onset of traumatic events (specifically assaultive and sexual trauma) meeting at least A1 criteria, suggesting an actual exposure to these types of traumatic events for this class of disorders.

In this prospective study of urban adolescents and young adults, certain classes of pre‐existing psychiatric disorders (most notably anxiety disorders and illicit drug use disorders) were associated with increased risk for qualifying traumatic events. The mechanisms by which premorbid psychiatric disorders promote exposure to traumatic events are unknown. Better understanding of these pathways may lead to novel strategies for primary and secondary prevention of PTSD. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Assessing the longitudinal course of depression and economic integration of south‐east Asian refugees: an application of latent growth curve analysis
Authors: Wickrama K.A.S. , Beiser Morton , Kaspar Violet
Published: March 2006

This paper has both methodological and substantive application for mental‐health researchers. Methodologically, it presents the latent growth curve (LGC) technique within a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework as a powerful tool to analyse change in depressive symptoms and potential correlates of such changes. The rationale for LGC analysis and subsequent elaboration of this statistical approach are presented. The limitations of traditional analytical methods are also addressed. Substantively, the paper considers socio‐contextual factors as correlates of change in symptoms, and examines the dynamic systematic relationship with the degree of economic integration of south‐east Asian immigrants in Canada over time. Using the LGC technique, this study also investigated how the longitudinal course of sub‐clinical depression places individuals at risk for developing full‐blown major depression. The LGC results provided strong evidence for the reciprocal influence between economic integration and subclinical depression of immigrants. The initial level of economic integration negatively influenced the rate of change in subclinical depression whereas the initial level of sub‐clinical depression negatively influenced the rate of change in economic integration. Both initial level and the rate of change in subclinical depression placed individuals at risk for full‐blown major depression. However, traditional auto‐regressive models were not capable of revealing these dynamic associations. Thus, an investigation of within‐individual change in symptoms and potential correlates of such changes is necessary to understand the process that results in full‐blown mental disorder. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
The Clinical Interview Schedule – Sinhala version: validation in a community setting in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wickramasinghe Shiranee Champika , Rajapakse Lalini , Abeysinghe Ranil , Prince Martin
Published: March 2006

The Clinical Interview Schedule – Revised (CIS‐R) was validated in a clinic setting for adolescents 15–19 years of age in Sri Lanka. The interview schedule was translated into Sinhala and modified to include sections introducing each symptom group. One‐hundred‐and‐thirty‐one adolescents attending a psychiatric clinic for the first time were interviewed by a lay interviewer using CIS‐R (Translated). They had previously been examined and rated by a psychiatrist using local (emic) diagnostic procedures. All the filtering questions showed a high level of sensitivity (80%–96%). None of the questions in the sleep problems and phobias sections were effective at discriminating between those who did and did not show significant symptoms in these areas according to the psychiatrist. The internal consistency of the sections of the interview schedule (when these two sections were excluded) varied between 0.60 and 0.82. Linear regression showed that, when both sections were excluded, 97% of the variation of total score could be explained. Therefore, it was decided to exclude the sleep problems and phobias sections from the modified interview schedule.

As the population samples are likely to be different from clinic samples it is necessary to test the validity again in a community sample before confirming the validity of the modified interview schedule. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Surveying older people from minority ethnic groups: an evaluation of a primary care sampling method for UK African‐Caribbean elders
Authors: Stewart Robert , Richards Marcus
Published: March 2006

There are substantial logistical difficulties in conducting community surveys of minority ethnic group populations. Primary care lists have been identified as an important potential resource but the representativeness of samples derived through this method has received little evaluation. In a community survey of psychiatric morbidity, African‐Caribbean people aged 55–75 were identified by practice staff from registration lists for seven primary care teams in south London. The sensitivity of the process was evaluated by contacting a random sample of people whose ethnicity was not known. Participants aged 65–75 (n = 174) were also compared to a similarly aged group sampled through household enumeration (n = 34) with respect to demographic factors, risk factors for vascular disease, depression and cognitive function. For those with correct addresses, the identified group was estimated to include 72% of the potentially eligible population. Only 8% of contacted people were found not to be eligible in terms of ethnicity. Compared to the household enumeration sample, the primary care sample had marginally higher socio‐economic status but was similar with respect to all other measured characteristics. Primary care list sampling with staff‐assigned ethnicity therefore appeared highly specific, reasonably sensitive, and did not seem to introduce substantial bias for this population. Copyright © 2002 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
The economic burden of depression and the cost‐effectiveness of treatment
Authors: Wang Philip S. , Simon Gregory , Kessler Ronald C.
Published: March 2006

Cost‐of‐illness research has shown that depression is associated with an enormous economic burden, in the order of tens of billions of dollars each year in the US alone. The largest component of this economic burden derives from lost work productivity due to depression. A large body of literature indicates that the causes of the economic burden of depression, including impaired work performance, would respond both to improvement in depressive symptomatology and to standard treatments for depression. Despite this, the economic burden of depression persists, partly because of the widespread underuse and poor quality use of otherwise efficacious and tolerable depression treatments. Recent effectiveness studies conducted in primary care have shown that a variety of models, which enhance care of depression through aggressive outreach and improved quality of treatments, are highly effective in clinical terms and in some cases on work performance outcomes as well. Economic analyses accompanying these effectiveness studies have also shown that these quality improvement interventions are cost efficient. Unfortunately, widespread uptake of these enhanced treatment programmes for depression has not occurred in primary care due to barriers at the level of primary care physicians, healthcare systems, and purchasers of healthcare. Further research is needed to overcome these barriers to providing high‐quality care for depression and to ultimately reduce the enormous adverse economic impact of depression disorders. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Patients presenting with somatic complaints: epidemiology, psychiatric co‐morbidity and management
Authors: Kroenke Kurt
Published: March 2006

Somatic symptoms are the leading cause of outpatient medical visits and also the predominant reason why patients with common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety initially present in primary care. At least 33% of somatic symptoms are medically unexplained, and these symptoms are chronic or recurrent in 20% to 25% of patients. Unexplained or multiple somatic symptoms are strongly associated with coexisting depressive and anxiety disorders. Other predictors of psychiatric co‐morbidity include recent stress, lower self‐rated health and higher somatic symptom severity, as well as high healthcare utilization, difficult patient encounters as perceived by the physician, and chronic medical disorders. Antidepressants and cognitive‐behavioural therapy are both effective for treatment of somatic symptoms, as well as for functional somatic syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, pain disorders, and chronic headache. A stepped care approach is described, which consists of three phases that may be useful in the care of patients with somatic symptoms. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
A new rating scale for adult resilience: what are the central protective resources behind healthy adjustment?
Authors: Friborg Oddgeir , Hjemdal Odin , Rosenvinge Jan H. , Martinussen Monica
Published: March 2006

Resources that protect against the development of psychiatric disturbances are reported to be a significant force behind healthy adjustment to life stresses, rather than the absence of risk factors. In this paper a new scale for measuring the presence of protective resources that promote adult resilience is validated. The preliminary version of the scale consisted of 45 items covering five dimensions: personal competence, social competence, family coherence, social support and personal structure.

The Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC) and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) were given to 59 patients once, and to 276 normal controls twice, separated by four months.

The factor structure was replicated. The respective dimensions had Cronbach's alphas of 0.90, 0.83, 0.87, 0.83 and 0.67, and four‐month test‐retest correlations of 0.79, 0.84, 0.77, 0.69 and 0.74. Construct validity was supported by positive correlations with SOC and negative correlations with HSCL. The RSA differentiated between patients and healthy control subjects. Discriminant validity was indicated by differential positive correlations between RSA subscales and SOC.

The RSA‐scale might be used as a valid and reliable measurement in health and clinical psychology to assess the presence of protective factors important to regain and maintain mental health. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Association chain graphs: modelling etiological pathways
Authors: Höfler Michael , Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Lieb Roselind , Hoyer Jürgen , Friis Robert H.
Published: March 2006

Multiple time‐dynamic and interrelated risk factors are usually involved in the complex etiology of disorders. This paper presents a strategy to explore and display visually the relative importance of different association pathways for the onset of disorder over time. The approach is based on graphical chain models, a tool that is powerful but still under‐utilized in most fields. Usually, the results of these models are displayed using directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). These draw an edge between a pair of variables whenever the assumption of conditional independence given variables on an earlier or equal temporal footing is violated to a statistically significant extent. In the present paper, the graphs are modified in that confidence intervals for the strengths of associations (statistical main effects) are visualized. These new graphs are called association chain graphs (ACGs). Statistical interactions cause ‘edges’ between the respective variables within the DAG framework (because the assumption of conditional independence is violated). In contrast they are represented as separate graphs within the subsample where the different association chains may work within the ACG framework. With this new type of graph, more specific information can be displayed whenever the data are essentially described only with statistical main‐ and two‐way interaction effects. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd.