A prospective study of risk factors for unipolar depression.

The purpose of this study was to identify variables that are antecedents for unipolar depression. Information regarding a number of sociodemographic and psychosocial variables was collected on a community sample of adults (N?=?998), 562 of whom were interviewed and diagnosed according to Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Research Diagnostic Criteria procedures and received a second assessment on most of the variables. The average time elapsed between Time 1 and Time 2 was 8.3 months. Depressive symptomatology was also assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale CES-D. A number of variables emerged, which predicted both the development of an episode of depression and elevated CES-D scores. These include reporting an elevated level of depressive and other symptoms and having experienced an elevated level of stress. Variables that are predictive of developing an episode of depression include young age, being female, and having had a previous episode of depression. The presence of depressogenic cognitions was uniquely predictive of an elevation of depression symptoms as measured by the CES-D. Virtually no variables demonstrated a significant moderating effect on the stress–depression relation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Group treatment of depression: Individual predictors of outcome.

The present study attempted to identify patient characteristics predictive of individual outcome in a psychoeducational group treatment for unipolar depression. Forty participants meeting Research Diagnostic Criteria for depressive disorders were assessed on demographic and psychological variables at both pre- and posttreatment and on participation variables during treatment. The treatment modality was the Coping With Depression Course. At the end of treatment, 85% of the subjects no longer met diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders. A stepwise multiple regression analysis attained a multiple correlation of .92, accounting for 85% of the variance in posttreatment depression level. Ten variables accounted for significant portions of the outcome variance beyond that explained by pretreatment Beck Depression Inventory scores. The results of previous studies were partially replicated; predictive ability was improved markedly over prior reports. The results suggest that the most robust predictors of outcome are pretreatment levels of depression, social functioning, perceived mastery over events, and early positive perceptions of group cohesiveness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Estrogen modulation: tiered testing for human hazard evaluation. American Industrial Health Council, Reproductive and Developmental Effects Subcommittee

Recent concerns about the potential of certain chemicals to modulate estrogen-regulated processes have led to questions as to how chemicals should be tested for such effects. Therefore, AIHC has developed a comprehensive, resource-efficient, and flexible tiered strategy for estrogen modulation (EM) testing. Levels of evaluation include Tier 0, in which exposure, along with alerts based on structure-activity, persistence, bioaccumulation, and other data, are assessed to prioritize chemicals for preliminary testing. In Tier I, short term in vitro, ex vivo, and/or in vivo assays are used to obtain a preliminary indication of EM potential. Among these, an in vivo response assay is considered the most reliable at this time. However, none of these tests are intended for risk assessment, but rather to aid in choosing chemicals for further testing and in guiding the extent of that testing. Tier II is aimed at risk assessment and involves whole animal tests that contain EM-sensitive end points (e.g., two-generation reproduction study). Tier III consists of hypothesis-driven research reserved for situations where targeted research can reduce levels of uncertainty. This tiered approach provides a framework for the strategic and effective application of EM test methods to address specific information needs on a case by case basis.     

Effect of dietary optimization on growth, survival, tumor incidences and clinical pathology parameters in CD Sprague-Dawley and Fischer-344 rats: a 104-week study

Normal respiration, termed eupnea, is characterized by periodic filling and emptying of the lungs. Eupnea can occur 'automatically' without conscious effort. Such automatic ventilation is controlled by the brainstem respiratory centers of pons and medulla. Following removal of the pons, eupnea is replaced by gasping, marked by brief but maximal inspiratory efforts. The mechanisms by which the respiratory rhythms are generated have been examined intensively. Evidence is discussed that ventilatory activity can be generated in multiple regions of pons and medulla. Eupnea and gasping represent fundamentally different ventilatory patterns. Only for gasping has a critical region for neurogenesis been identified, in the rostral medulla. Gasping may be generated by the discharge of 'pacemaker' neurons. In eupnea, this pacemaker activity is suppressed and incorporated into the pontile and medullary neuronal circuit responsible for the neurogenesis of eupnea. Evidence for ventilatory neurogenesis which has been obtained from a number of in vitro preparations is discussed. A much-used preparation is that of a 'superfused' brainstem of the neonatal rat. However, activities of this preparation differ greatly from those of eupnea, as recorded in vitro or in arterially perfused in vitro preparations. Activities of this 'superfused' preparation are identical with gasping and, hence, results must be reinterpreted accordingly. The possibility is present that mechanisms responsible for generating respiratory rhythms may differ from those responsible for shaping respiratory-modulated discharge patterns of cranial and spinal nerves. The importance of pontile mechanisms in the neurogenesis and control of eupnea is reemphasized.     

Commitment to treatment goals in prediction of group cognitive–behavioral therapy treatment outcome for women with bulimia nervosa.

The purpose of this study was to investigate potential client variables that predict favorable response to group cognitive–behavioral therapy in a sample of women (N?=?143) seeking treatment for bulimia nervosa. Similar to findings of previous studies, bulimic symptom remission at end of treatment was predicted by baseline degree of bulimic symptom severity but not by depressive symptomatology or perfectionism. After these variables were controlled for, both pretreatment ratings of desire to discontinue bulimic behaviors and expected success significantly added to prediction of treatment outcome. The primary variable found to predict longer term outcome was symptom remission at the end of treatment and at the 1-month follow-up. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Coping With Depression Course: Review and future directions.

Reviews the theoretical background of the Coping With Depression (CWD) Course, a multi-modal, group-psychoeducational treatment for depression, and discusses the specific course content and outcome study results. Long-term outcome and predictors of relapse, and client characteristics associated with improvement as a result of the CWD Course and therapist training are addressed. Several modified versions of the CWD Course, developed for use with depressed adolescents and elderly, and a prevention version for use with individuals at elevated risk for developing depression (e.g., low-income medical outpatients, older American Indians) are described. The need to replicate outcome results and establish generalizability to nonresearch clinical settings and with diagnostically more heterogeneous populations is emphasized. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)