MMPI—2 findings in schizophrenia and depression.

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2 profile differences between patients with a discharge diagnosis of schizophrenia (n?=?42) vs. depression (n?=?42) were investigated. Multivariate analyses of variance indicated significant multivariate effects associated with diagnosis for the basic validity and clinical scales and for the content scales. The depression group obtained significantly higher mean scale scores on Scales 2 (Depression), 4 (Psychopathic Deviate), 7 (Psychasthenia), O (Social Introversion), Anxiety, Depression (DEP), and Social Discomfort. In an attempt to replicate work by Y. S. Ben-Porath, J. N. Butcher, & J. R. Graham (1991), a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to predict diagnosis, with similar findings obtained. Scale 2 was identified as the 1 significant clinical scale predictor. Two content scales, DEP and Bizarre Mentation, were identified as contributing significantly to prediction beyond Scale 2. When the order of the analysis was reversed, none of the basic clinical and validity scales contributed beyond prediction afforded by the content scales. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physical and biological predictors of changes in whole-lung function following thoracic irradiation

PURPOSE: To develop methods of predicting the pulmonary consequences of thoracic irradiation (RT) by prospectively studying changes in pulmonary function following RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 100 patients receiving incidental partial-lung irradiation during treatment of tumors in or adjacent to the thorax had whole-lung function assessed via symptoms and pulmonary function tests (PFTs: FEV1-forced expiratory volume 1 s; DLCO-diffusion capacity) before and repeatedly 6-48 months following RT. All had computed tomography-based three-dimensional (3D) dose calculations with lung density heterogeneity corrections for dose-volume histogram (DVH) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) calculations. Functional DVHs (DVfH) based on SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) lung perfusion scans, and serial transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta1) levels were available in 50 and 48 patients, respectively. The incidence and severity of changes in whole-lung function were correlated with clinical, physical, and biological factors. Exploratory statistical analyses were performed using chi-square, Pearson correlations, logistic regression, and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: RT-induced symptoms developed in 21 patients. In the overall group, the single best predictor for the development of symptoms was the NTCP (p < 0.05). Pre-RT PFTs alone were less predictive (p = 0.1 for FEV1, p = 0.08 for DLCO). A multivariate model based on pre-RT DLCO and CT-based NTCP was strongly predictive for the development of symptoms (p < 0.001). NTCPs based on SPECT-derived DVf Hs and TGF-beta1 levels did not appear to provide additional predictive value. The presence or absence of pulmonary symptoms was correlated with the decline in PFT 6 months following RT (p < 0.05). In the overall group, the degree of decline in PFTs was not well correlated with any of the dose-volume variables considered. In patients with "good" pre-RT PFTs, there was a relationship between the percent reduction in PFT and dose-volume parameters such as the percent of lung volume receiving > 30 Gy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The extent of alteration in whole-lung function (symptoms or PFT changes) appears to be related to both dose-volume and pre-RT PFT parameters. The data suggest that no one variable is likely to be an adequate predictor and that multivariate predictive models will be needed. Additional studies are underway to develop better predictive models that consider physical factors such as the DVH and regional perfusion, as well as biological/clinical factors such as pre-RT PFTs and TGF-beta1.     

A review of counseling analogue research methods.

Reviews counseling analog research methods used in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, including audiovisual studies (with both client and counselor behavior as dependent variables), quasi-counseling interviews, and experimental tasks not directly resembling a counseling interview. Emerging analog research models are identified and related methodological issues and boundary condition characteristics are discussed. Analog methodological features in need of further consideration are noted. (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A note on learning-by-doing and willingness-to-travel

This paper develops an empirical test of the effects of learning-by-doing for one outdoor recreational activity—sport fishing. Using a household production framework learning-by-doing is modeled as the development of skills through the previous experience of the individual recreationist. A survey of opening day participants in spin and fly fishing in Pennsylvania is used to evaluate the model. The empirical results lend strong support to the underlying framework.This research was sponsored by the New York Sea Grant Institute under a grant from the office of Sea Grant, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U. S. Department of Commerce.     

Inpatient PTSD treatment: a study of pretreatment measures, treatment dropout, and therapist ratings of response to treatment

To investigate the role of dietary folic acid in dideazatetrahydrofolate (DDATHF) sensitivity, reduced folates were estimated in plasma and tissue of mice following dietary depletion and repletion. Previous studies showed that DDATHF, a new folate antagonist targeted against glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase, produced unexpectedly severe toxicity in humans compared with mice. However, toxicity in the animal model also became pronounced upon the removal of folic acid from the diet. Further, modest dietary restoration of folic acid in the drinking water showed that toxicity could be alleviated while antitumor activity was maintained. To investigate the role of dietary folic acid levels on tissue folates in this system, all the natural reduced folates were evaluated by a ternary complex based assay in mice placed on folic acid deplete and replete diets. After 2 weeks on a folic acid deplete diet, total plasma folate had decreased by 85%, whereas red blood cell, liver, and intestinal folate fell by only 50%. Repletion of folic acid in the drinking water at a low level (0.0003%) caused partial restoration of reduced folates, while a higher repletion level (0.003%) resulted in restoration to control levels or above. Administration of folic acid and leucovorin by oral gavage to DDATHF-treated mice resulted in elevation of tissue folates in mice maintained on folic acid deplete and replete diets. Relatively high levels of folic acid were present in plasma following oral gavage of folic acid, while essentially no [S]5-formyltetrahydrofolate was observed after leucovorin. Reduced folate pools in a subcutaneously implanted mouse mammary adenocarcinoma responded more extensively to dietary folic acid depletion than folate pools in liver. Likewise, these pools were more sensitive to restoration by folic acid or leucovorin. This greater reduced folate response of tumor versus normal tissue, if confirmed in other systems, suggests a possible basis for selective antitumor activity.     

Female college students' scores on the men's and women's Strong Vocational Interest Blanks.

Administered the men's and women's forms of the SVIB and a career orientation questionnaire to a sample of 90 undergraduate women. Significant differences were found between mean scores on Occupational scales common to both forms and on mean number of B+ and A ratings on the men's and women's forms. Occupational scale scores and number of B+ and A interest ratings were examined in relationship to career vs. homemaker orientation. Ss differentiated on the basis of career orientation obtained significantly different mean numbers of B+ and A interest ratings on the women's SVIB. Implications for vocational counseling are discussed, and use of both forms of the SVIB is recommended in vocational counseling with college women. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development and vocational behavior.

Empirically explored the relationship between psychosocial development as described by E. H. Erikson (1963, 1968) and vocational-choice behavior and development. Ss were 123 male undergraduates. Stage resolution attitudes, derived from the 1st 6 stage crises outlined by Erikson, were explored as variables influencing problems in vocational choice and vocational maturity. Ss classified in different vocational-choice adjustment groups and Ss scoring at different levels on the Career Maturity Inventory were compared for differences among Eriksonian stage resolution attitudes as measured by the Inventory of Psychosocial Development and the Dignan Ego Identity Scale. Findings indicate that Ss who had made adjusted vocational choices and developed mature career attitudes had also been more successful in positively resolving the 1st 6 psychosocial stage crises outlined by Erikson. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A content analysis of the Journal of Counseling Psychology.

Classified articles and brief reports appearing in the 1st 19 volumes of the Journal of Counseling Psychology into 17 content categories and recorded certain methodological features from each research article. While the percentage of research articles in the journal increased, no clear trends were observed within any research category across the 19 yrs of publication. The 3 principal areas of research activity and publication were counseling outcome and process research, research on vocational behavior, and research on the development and evaluation of tests and measurements. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)