A clinical trial of antioxidant vitamins to prevent colorectal adenoma. Polyp Prevention Study Group

BACKGROUND: People who consume a diet high in vegetables and fruits have a lower risk of cancer of the large bowel. Antioxidant vitamins, which are present in vegetables and fruits, have been associated with a diminished risk of cancers at various anatomical sites. We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial to test the efficacy of beta carotene and vitamins C and E in preventing colorectal adenoma, a precursor of invasive cancer. METHODS: We randomly assigned 864 patients, using a two-by-two factorial design, to four treatment groups, which received placebo; beta carotene (25 mg daily); vitamin C (1 g daily) and vitamin E (400 mg daily); or the beta carotene plus vitamins C and E. In order to identify new adenomas, we performed complete colonoscopic examinations in the patients one year and four years after they entered the study. The primary end points for analyses were new adenomas identified after the first of these two follow-up examinations. RESULTS: Patients adhered well to the prescribed regimen, and 751 completed the four-year clinical trial. There was no evidence that either beta carotene or vitamins C and E reduced the incidence of adenomas; the relative risk for beta carotene was 1.01 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.85 to 1.20); for vitamins C and E, it was 1.08 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.29). Neither treatment appeared to be effective in any subgroup of patients or in the prevention of any subtype of polyp defined by size or location. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of efficacy of these vitamins argues against the use of supplemental beta carotene and vitamins C and E to prevent colorectal cancer. Although our data do not prove definitively that these antioxidants have no anticancer effect, other dietary factors may make more important contributions to the reduction in the risk of cancer associated with a diet high in vegetables and fruits.     

Prevention of duodenal ulcer recurrence with 15 mg lansoprazole: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. The Lansoprazole Study Group

Although eradication of Helicobacter pylori cures duodenal ulcer, some patients are not infected and others are treatment failures. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the value of treatment with low-dose lansoprazole in preventing duodenal ulcer recurrence. One hundred eighty-six patients with endoscopic documentation of healed duodenal ulcer received 15 mg/day lansoprazole or placebo for 12 months or until ulcer recurred. Endoscopy results, symptom assessment, and fasting serum gastrin levels were obtained at multiple time points. Densities of E, EC, and G cells were assessed by biopsy when the ulcer recurred or at the final visit. Time to ulcer recurrence was significantly longer (P < 0.001) in the lansoprazole group (median >12 months) compared to placebo (median <3 months), and patients taking lansoprazole were asymptomatic longer (P < 0.05). Maintenance therapy with lansoprazole 15 mg/day suppresses acid and controls recurrence of duodenal ulcer disease.     

Demographic characteristics as predictors of recidivism and posthospital employment.

Analyzed the relationship between patient demographic characteristics and psychiatric outcome as measured by recidivism and posthospital employment. Ss were 78 former psychiatric patients. Results indicate that the overwhelming amount of variance in recidivism accounted for by demographic data can be attributed to the number of previous hospitalizations. Similarly, 1 demographic variable (employment history) accounted for the major amount of variance in posthospital employment. Implications for research investigations of psychiatric treatment outcome are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Demographic characteristics as predictors of posthospital employment and readmission.

Examined relationships between background-demographic characteristics and posthospital employment and readmission within a 9-mo follow-up period after discharge for 957 male schizophrenics. The 20-variable predictor set yielded a multiple correlation of .52 with weeks of work (p     

Mitoxantrone and cytosine arabinoside as treatment for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) at first recurrence

A total of 107 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) were referred to the ICRF Department of Medical Oncology at St Bartholomew's Hospital between August 1986 and July 1989. Of those referred, 92 (87%) were treated with remission induction chemotherapy comprising: Adriamycin, cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) and 6-thioguanine if aged < 60 years (57 patients) or mitoxantrone (MTN) and ara-C if aged > 60 years (35 patients). Of those treated, 54 (58%) entered complete remission (CR). Recurrent AML developed in 38 out of these 54 patients (70%) of whom 25 aged 19-73 years (median 50 years) subsequently received MTN and ara-C as reinduction therapy. The 19 younger patients (under 60 years old) received MTN at 12 mg/m2, intravenously, daily for 5 days and ara-C at 100 mg/m2, intravenously, twice daily for 7 days. The six older patients received the same ara-C schedule but the dose of MTN was reduced to 10 mg/m2 for 5 days. Second CR was achieved in 16 out of 25 patients (64%) [12/19 (63%) and 4/6 (67%) for patients aged under or over 60 years, respectively]. Eight of the patients in whom second CR was achieved were aged under 50 years and were thus eligible for additional consolidation comprising myeloablative therapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Four patients actually received the latter treatment: two remain in second CR at 21 and 46 months. Three of the remaining eight patients aged > 50 years in whom second CR was achieved remain in second CR 8 to 43 months later. Censored for myeloablative therapy + ABMT, the overall median duration of second CR was 5 months. Although remissions tended to be short, in younger patients the possibility of proceeding to myeloablative therapy with autologous bone marrow support makes the regimen worthwhile and, even in older patients, it was sometimes possible to achieve prolonged second remissions.     

Lipid trajectories as predictors of depressive symptoms: The Young Finns Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify common trajectories of lipid levels across childhood and early adulthood life span. Design: The sample was a subpopulation of 824 young adults (3 to 9 years of age at baseline in 1980) of the ongoing population-based prospective Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Lipid levels were determined in 1980, 1983, 1986, and 2001. Main Outcome Measures: Depressive symptoms were assessed using a modified version of Beck's Depression Inventory (Beck, 1967) in 1992 and 2001. Results: The 2 triglycerides trajectories (steeply vs. moderately increasing) were differently related to depressive symptoms in adulthood. The trajectory showing steep increase over time was associated with higher level of depressive symptoms (M 2.18, 95% CI [2.08, 2.28] vs. 1.99, [1.95, 2.04]). This relationship persisted after adjustments for various risk factors. These triglycerides trajectories accounted for part of the association between high body mass index and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: A pattern of steeply increasing triglyceride levels throughout childhood and adulthood may be associated with increased the risk of depressive symptoms in adulthood. This pattern may also be one link between obesity and depressive symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cardiothoracic ratio and relative heart volume as predictors of coronary heart disease mortality. The Whitehall study 25 year follow-up

Searching for an in vitro model for somatic hypermutation, we have identified an IgM-expressing Burkitt lymphoma line that constitutively diversifies its immunoglobulin V domain at high rate during culture. As in in vivo, the mutations are largely nucleotide substitutions with the pattern of substitutions revealing a component of the human hypermutation program that is preferentially targeted to G/C residues. The substitutions frequently create stop codons with IgM-loss variants also being generated by V domain-specific deletions and duplications. However, in transfectants expressing terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, many IgM-loss variants additionally arise through short nontemplated nucleotide insertions into the V (but not C) domain. Thus, antibody hypermutation is likely accompanied by DNA strand breaks scattered within the mutation domain.     

Oral budesonide for prevention of postsurgical recurrence in Crohn's disease. The IOIBD Budesonide Study Group

Results of genetic association studies in UC are conflicting. We propose that the power of candidate gene studies will increase when disease heterogeneity is taken into account. Phenotype frequencies of molecularly defined HLA-DR alleles, polymorphisms in the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), lymphotoxin-alpha (LT-alpha), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and IL-1beta genes were determined in 98 clinically well characterized UC patients with a mean period of follow up of 10 years, and ethnically matched healthy controls (HC). The alleles HLA-DRB1*0103 (phenotype frequency 6% versus 0.2%; P = 0.0002; odds ratio (OR) 27.6) and DRB1*15 (41% versus 26%; P = 0. 001; OR = 2.0, compared with HC) were associated with overall disease susceptibility. Subgroup analysis revealed that DRB1*15 was only increased in females (53% versus 24%; P < 0.0001; OR = 3.5), but not in males. With regard to disease localization, all DRB1*0103+ patients had extensive disease (P < 0.002; OR = 33.5), and DRB1*15 was found in 59% of females with extensive colitis (P < 0.0001; OR = 4.4). DRB1*0103 was significantly increased in patients undergoing colectomy (P < 0.0002; OR = 84). No association between overall disease susceptibility and the cytokine gene polymorphisms were found. Subgroup analysis revealed several significant associations, but most did not retain significance when corrected for multiple comparisons. However, a noticeable finding was that haplotype TNF-C was significantly associated with progression in extent of disease (P = 0.003, OR = 20.4). This study provides additional evidence for the role of DRB1 alleles in the susceptibility to UC, and supports the hypothesis that these alleles may determine the severity of the disease. The cytokine gene polymorphisms evaluated in this study do not seem to be strong risk factors for the overall disease susceptibility in UC, but may be involved in determining the severity of the disease.     

Neonatal visual evoked potentials as predictors of psychoeducational tests at age seven.

Determined the effectiveness of neonatal visual evoked responses for predicting total and subtest IQ scores, sensorimotor, perceptual-motor, and achievement test scores at age 7. The most reliable visual evoked response was used. The 851 Ss represented a cross section of county hospital births. Visual evoked response and test outcomes were obtained between narrow age ranges. In a simple correlation matrix of visual evoked response with 12 independent measures for 4 race and sex groups, only 1 correlation (arithmetic for black girls) reached significance (p     

Job characteristics and off-job activities as predictors of need for recovery, well-being, and fatigue.

Two empirical studies examined need for recovery (i.e., a person's desire to be temporarily relieved from demands in order to restore his or her resources) as a mediator in the relationship between poor job characteristics (high job demands, low job control) and high off-job demands, on the one hand, and fatigue and poor individual well-being, on the other hand. Multilevel data from a daily survey study in the health service sector (Study 1) showed that high job demands, low job control, and unfavorable off-job activities predicted a high need for recovery. Need for recovery in turn was negatively related to individual well-being. A large-scale survey with a representative sample of the Dutch working population (Study 2) confirmed these findings for fatigue. In both studies, need for recovery mediated the effects of job characteristics and off-job activities on fatigue and poor well-being, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

HIV risk behaviors among inner-city African American women. The Community Housing AIDS Prevention Study Group

This study examined the prevalence and predictors of HIV risk behaviors among a sample of 875 low-income, African American women residents of inner-city housing developments. The women completed an anonymous questionnaire that revealed that one third of them were at high risk for HIV either because they had multiple partners or because of the high-risk behaviors of their regular partner. HIV risk was highest among women who accurately perceived themselves to be at increased HIV risk, reported weak behavioral intentions to reduce risk, and held stronger beliefs about psychosocial barriers to condom use. Women at high risk were also younger, reported higher rates of substance use, and indicated that their housing development lacked social cohesiveness. These findings suggest that HIV prevention efforts for this population should focus on strengthening women's risk reduction behavioral intentions and self-efficacy through skill development, overcoming psychosocial barriers to condom use, managing the risk related to substance use, and incorporating approaches that take into account the social, psychological, and relationship barriers to change among economically impoverished African American women.     

Hormonal predictors of bone loss in elderly women: a prospective study. The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group

To test the hypotheses that baseline concentrations of sex steroids, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and calciotropic hormones predict rates of bone loss in elderly women, sera were stored at -190 degrees, and calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in 9704 community-dwelling white women aged 65 and over (1986-1988). Hip BMD was measured 2 years later (1900). Repeat measurements of a calcaneal and hip BMD were obtained in 1993-1994, after 5.7 and 3.5 years of follow-up, respectively. In 1994, sera were assayed for circulating hormone levels in random subcohorts of 231 and 218 women who did not report current use of hormone replacement therapy at baseline. Lower levels of endogenous estrogens and higher SHBG concentrations were associated with more rapid subsequent bone loss from both the calcaneus and hip. After adjusting for age and weight, women with high SHBG levels (highest quartile < or = 2.3 micrograms/dI) experienced an average of 2.2% (95% confidence interval = 1.6%, 2.9%) calcaneal bone loss per year compared with 1.2% (0.7%, 1.2%) among women with low SHBG concentrations (lowest quartile < 1.1 micrograms/dI; p < 0.01). This association was independent of concentrations of other sex hormones. Women with estradiol levels > or = 10 pg/ml averaged only 0.1% (-0.7%, 0.5%) annual hip bone loss while women with levels below 5 pg/ml averaged 0.8% (0.3, 1.2) hip bone loss per year. Lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with increased hip but not calcaneal bone loss. Levels of parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and Calcium were not significantly associated with bone loss from the calcaneus or hip.     

Survival and predictors of disability in Turkish MS patients. Turkish Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (TUMSSG)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the natural history, survival, and prognostic factors in a sample of Turkish MS patients. METHOD: This multicenter study included 1,259 definite MS patients diagnosed according to the criteria of Poser et al. Actuarial analysis of selected disability levels of 3, 6, 8, and 10 achieved with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS); a multivariate Cox regression analysis for prognostic factors related to time to reach EDSS > or = 6; and Pearson's correlation coefficient for individual factors were performed. RESULTS: The survival (+/- SE) at 15 years from onset was 94.6 +/- 2.9%, and at 25 years was 89.0 +/- 5.8%. The disability reached by 15 years was EDSS > or = 3 in 66.4%, EDSS > or = 6 in 41.2%, EDSS > or = 8 in 10.5%, and EDSS = 10 in 5.4%. The most significant unfavorable prognostic factors were progressive course (relative risk [RR], 3.73; CI, 2.71 to 5.13) and sphincter symptoms at onset (RR, 1.86; CI, 1.23 to 2.82), followed by male sex, motor symptoms at onset, and a high attack frequency within the first 5 years. Primary progressive disease was correlated positively with male sex (r = 0.0895, p = 0.001), older age (r = 0.1807, p = 0.000), and motor (r = 0.1433, p = 0.000) or sphincter symptoms (r = 0.1001, p = 0.000) at onset, unlike relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although a slightly better prognosis is observed in the Turkish MS population, early prognostic factors are similar to most of the previous Western series. Primary progressive disease, mostly seen in older men with motor and sphincter involvement at onset, has a worse prognosis and may represent a distinct behavioral variant of MS.     

Gender and sex roles as predictors of self-disclosure.

Previous research has found that gender differences in reported willingness to self-disclose depend on the intimacy of S's relationship with the target person. The authors tested the hypothesis that this effect is mediated by sex roles and holds only for Ss who have adopted traditional sex roles as measured by the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI). 216 undergraduates participated. Results do not support the hypothesis, although BSRI scores were related to self-disclosure. Androgynous Ss reported more self-disclosure than all other Ss. Scores on the masculine dimensions of the BSRI predicted disclosure to strangers and acquaintances, but scores on both the masculine and feminine dimensions were needed to predict disclosure to intimate targets. It is suggested that intimate self-disclosures require both assertiveness associated with the traditional masculine role and the sensitivity and expressiveness associated with the traditional feminine role. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Living alone and neighborhood characteristics as predictors of social support in late life

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to devise and test a conceptual model that explains how neighborhood quality, fear of crime, and received emotional support affect an elderly person's expectations of future assistance should the need arise (i.e., anticipated support). METHODS: Using a nationwide survey of older adults, a series of nested latent variable models was tested to determine if the social support process differs between older adults living alone and those living with others. RESULTS: Consistent with a social ecological perspective, data suggest that anticipated support is lower among elders who live in deteriorated neighborhoods than among older adults who live in well-maintained neighborhoods. Moreover, the deleterious effects of run-down neighborhoods appear to be especially pronounced for older adults who live alone. DISCUSSION: Select constructs that link deteriorated neighborhoods with anticipated support are explored. Suggestions for future research are made.     

Conscientiousness and agreeableness as predictors of rating leniency.

The authors studied the relationship between the Big Five personality factors and rating elevation among 111 students making peer evaluations. It was hypothesized that Conscientiousness (C) scores would be negatively correlated with rating level and that Agreeableness (A) scores would be positively correlated with rating level. We further predicted that individuals who were low on C and high on A would produce the most elevated ratings. As predicted, A scores were positively related to rating level (33, p ?     

The idealized self and the situated self as predictors of employee work behaviors.

This article presents a model integrating research on idealized and situated selves. Our key premise is that identity-relevant behaviors are most likely to occur in the workplace when identities are psychologically central and activating forces make those identities salient. Analysis of matched data from 278 employees, supervisors, and organizational records generally supported our model. Helping identity and industrious work identity were positively associated with related role behaviors only when time-based occupancy in the role of organization member was high. Industrious work identity was positively associated with role behaviors only when reflected appraisals from coworkers were consistent with that identity. In contrast, reflected appraisal of helping identity had an independent relationship with identity-relevant role behaviors. Results demonstrate the importance of theory linking the idealized self and the situated self to understanding identity relations with work performances. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical predictors of in-hospital prognosis in unstable angina: ECLA 3. The ECLA Collaborative Group

Polarisation of cells during mouse preimplantation development first occurs within blastomeres at the eight-cell stage, as part of a process called compaction. Cell-cell contact mediated by the cell adhesion molecule uvomorulin (E-cadherin) and the activity of the microfilament cytoskeleton are important in the development of compaction, which is crucial for establishment of trophoblast and pluriblast (inner cell mass) lineages and for subsequent development. Members of the Rho family of p21 GTPases have been shown to regulate the organisation of the actin cytoskeleton and adhesion in other cell types. The potential role of these proteins in compaction was investigated. Inhibition of Rho with Clostridium botulinum C3-transferase disturbed intercellular flattening at compaction and prevented cytocortical microfilament polarisation of eight-cell blastomeres, in contrast to cytochalasin D which inhibited only adhesion. Microinjection of a constitutively activated recombinant Rho protein into four-cell blastomeres induced cortical microfilament disruption and apical displacement of nuclei associated with polarised clustering of microtubules. Interblastomere adhesion was reduced and E-cadherin was aberrently clustered at remaining cell-cell contacts. Similarly, activated Cdc42 protein induced nuclear displacement with additional cytoplasmic actin bundle formation between nucleus and cell-cell contacts. The effects produced by both of the activated GTPase proteins are indicative of prematurely induced but aberrently organised polarity. These results suggest that Rho family GTPases are involved in the polarisation of early mouse blastomeres.     

Personality and self-efficacy as predictors of coping with abortion.

Explored the relationships among dispositional optimism, self-esteem, chronic perceptions of control, depression, and self-efficacy in predicting psychological adjustment among women undergoing an abortion. Self-efficacy was found to be a strong, proximal predictor of adjustment, both immediately after the abortion and 3 wks later. Optimism, perceptions of personal control, and high self-esteem were all related to better postabortion adjustment (mainly through the mediator of increased self-efficacy for coping). In addition, the effects of these 3 personality variables were found to overlap considerably. Finally, preabortion depression had both direct and indirect (through self-efficacy) effects on adjustment. These effects did not overlap completely with the effects attributable to personality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Shiftwork and environment as interactive predictors of work perceptions.

Evidence suggests that the work environment may play a role in the elevated risk of adverse health outcomes among shiftworkers compared with dayworkers. Perceived work environment measures (physical stressors, job demand, job control, skill discretion, supervisor support, and safety perceptions) from UK oil industry personnel (N=1,867) were analyzed in relation to shiftwork (day/night rotation vs daywork) and objective work environment (onshore vs offshore). Age, education, job type, and negative affectivity were also included. The Environment × Shiftwork interaction was significant in multivariate tests and in 5 of the 6 univariate analyses. Onshore, shiftworkers perceived their environment significantly less favorably than dayworkers, but differences were less marked offshore. Results are discussed in relation to the demand-control-support model of work stress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)