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1.
J Evol Biol ; 22(3): 637-43, 2009 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19210593

ABSTRACT

The heritability of genome-wide fitness that is expected in finite populations is poorly understood, both theoretically and empirically, despite its relevance to many fundamental concepts in evolutionary biology. In this study, we used two independent methods of estimating the heritability of lifetime female fecundity (the predominant female fitness component in this population) in a large, outbred population of Drosophila melanogaster that had adapted to the laboratory environment for over 400 generations. Despite strong directional selection on adult female fecundity, we uncovered high heritability for this trait that cannot be explained by antagonistic pleiotropy with juvenile fitness. The evolutionary significance of this high heritability of lifetime fecundity is discussed.


Subject(s)
Drosophila melanogaster/physiology , Adaptation, Physiological/physiology , Animals , Drosophila melanogaster/genetics , Female , Fertility/physiology , Heredity , Male , Phenotype
2.
Alcohol Alcohol ; 43(2): 192-7, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18039674

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Blood pressure (BP) changes in alcohol-dependent individuals during a 12-week alcohol relapse prevention study were examined in light of drinking status and biomarkers of alcohol consumption [carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (%CDT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)]. METHODS: Of 160 randomized alcoholic individuals, 120 who had hypertension and in whom daily drinking data was available, at 6 and 12 weeks of treatment were included. The impact of alcohol consumption on change in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) was examined. Further analysis determined the relationship between BP and alcohol-use biomarkers. RESULTS: A significant effect of complete abstinence on both SBP (-10 mmHg; P = 0.003) and DBP (-7 mmHg; P = 0.001) when compared to any drinking (SBP and DBP = -1 mmHg) was observed. At week 12, participants with a positive %CDT (> or =2.6) had 7 mmHg greater SBP (P = 0.01) and DBP (P < 0.001) than those with negative %CDT. Participants with positive GGT (> or =50 IU) had 10 mmHg greater SBP (P = 0.12) and 9 mmHg greater DBP (P = 0.03) than those with negative GGT. The percent change in SBP was correlated with percent change in %CDT (P = 0.003) but not GGT (P = ns). The percent change in DBP was correlated with both percent change in %CDT (P < 0.0001) and GGT (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Abstinence from alcohol significantly decreased the BP and a positive relationship between BP and both alcohol-use biomarkers was illustrated. Since %CDT is more specific than GGT for heavy alcohol consumption, clinicians may monitor the role of alcohol in hypertension using %CDT as a supplemental aid, providing an objective assessment of drinking to influence BP treatment decisions.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/blood , Alcoholism/blood , Blood Pressure/physiology , Transferrin/analogs & derivatives , gamma-Glutamyltransferase/blood , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Alcohol Drinking/physiopathology , Alcohol Drinking/therapy , Alcoholism/enzymology , Alcoholism/physiopathology , Alcoholism/therapy , Biomarkers/blood , Female , Humans , Hypertension/blood , Hypertension/enzymology , Hypertension/etiology , Hypertension/physiopathology , Male , Middle Aged , Substance Abuse Treatment Centers/methods , Transferrin/analysis , Transferrin/metabolism , gamma-Glutamyltransferase/analysis
3.
Psychol Med ; 35(4): 499-510, 2005 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15856720

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Classification of psychosis lacks a biological basis and current diagnostic categories may obscure underlying continuities. Data reduction methods of symptom profiles within a population-based cohort of people with a wide range of affective and non-affective psychoses may permit an empirical classification of psychosis. METHOD: OPCRIT (operational criteria) analysis was performed on 387 adults aged 18-65 years in an attempted ascertainment of all patients with psychosis from a geographical area with a stable population. The data were analysed firstly using principal components analysis with varimax rotation to identify factors, and secondly to establish latent classes. Information relating to key variables known to be of relevance in schizophrenia was coded blind to the establishment of the classes and dimensions. RESULTS: Striking correspondence was obtained between the two methods. The four dimensions emerging were labelled 'depression', 'reality distortion', 'mania' and 'disorganization'. Latent classes identified were 'depression', 'bipolar', 'reality distortion/depression' and 'disorganization'. The latent classes corresponded well with DSM-III-R diagnoses, but also revealed groupings usually obscured by diagnostic boundaries. The latent classes differed on gender ratio, fertility, age of onset and self-harming behaviour, but not on substance misuse or season of birth. CONCLUSIONS: Both dimensional and categorical approaches are useful in tapping the latent constructs underlying psychosis. Broad agreement with other similar studies suggests such findings could represent discrete pathological conditions. The four classes described appear meaningful, and suggest that the term non-affective psychosis should be reserved for the disorganization class, which represents only a subgroup of those with schizophrenia.


Subject(s)
Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology , Schizophrenia/epidemiology , Schizophrenic Psychology , Adolescent , Aged , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Needs Assessment/statistics & numerical data , Principal Component Analysis , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/statistics & numerical data , Psychometrics/statistics & numerical data , Psychotic Disorders/classification , Psychotic Disorders/diagnosis , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Reproducibility of Results , Schizophrenia/classification , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Scotland
4.
Psychol Med ; 32(1): 173-9, 2002 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11883726

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest that many patients with schizophrenia have pre-morbid neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This study examines how behavioural abnormalities are associated with mild psychotic symptoms and later schizophrenic illness. METHODS: Maternal ratings on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) of the early behaviour of 155 subjects were obtained at entry to the Edinburgh study of people at high risk of schizophrenia. These maternal ratings were compared in those with and without psychotic symptoms and used to predict the later onset of psychosis. RESULTS: The CBCL syndrome scores for the children prior to age 13 did not distinguish any of the study groups at entry to the study. In the ratings made for the subjects when aged from 13 to 16, delinquent behaviour and 'other problems' were weakly associated with these symptoms. However, with the exception of somatic symptoms and thought problems, the age 13-16 scales were significant predictors of later schizophrenic illness. This was true also for some of the ratings prior to age 13. CONCLUSIONS: Various behaviours, in particular, withdrawn and delinquent-aggressive behaviour in adolescents at risk of schizophrenia may predict later onset of the illness. These behaviours, however, are far less predictive of isolated psychotic symptoms prior to psychosis onset.


Subject(s)
Child Behavior/psychology , Psychotic Disorders/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Risk , Schizophrenic Psychology , Scotland
6.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law ; 29(2): 202-6, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11471787

ABSTRACT

This pilot study follows up an earlier study of the strategies and rationales by which psychiatric expert witnesses bill for their time on a case. Questionnaires were answered by participants at a workshop at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law (AAPL). In this follow-up, additional novel billing issues were addressed, some subtler than in the original study. In addition, responses to one question supported the previous finding that experts billed more reasonably when a case was simple. Additional issues included use of fee agreements and returning an unpaid-for case. The implications of these findings are discussed.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Expert Testimony/economics , Fees and Charges/statistics & numerical data , Forensic Psychiatry/economics , Practice Management/economics , Contract Services/economics , Decision Making , Ethics, Medical , Expert Testimony/standards , Forensic Psychiatry/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Library Services/economics , Pilot Projects , Practice Management/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States
8.
Outcomes Manag Nurs Pract ; 5(2): 82-6, 2001.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11898332

ABSTRACT

The devastating effects from cardiovascular disease are the largest contributors to employers' health care costs, insurance premiums, disability insurance, and worker's compensation. The purpose of this study was to establish baseline data regarding physiological outcomes comparing two participant groups in a corporate wellness program. Results suggest that a corporate wellness program can be beneficial in assisting employees to improve their health behaviors and outcomes.


Subject(s)
Exercise/physiology , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Occupational Health Services/organization & administration , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Program Evaluation , Retrospective Studies
9.
Eat Weight Disord ; 6(4): 188-96, 2001 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11808814

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to identify the role that attribution style and self-efficacy expectations have in overweight binge and non-binge eaters. The subjects were women (n=210) enrolled for weight control treatment, who completed a questionnaire to assess attribution style and self efficacy expectations. They were categorized into three binge eating disorder (BED) groups: non-BED, borderline BED and BED. The results of the ANOVA analysis indicated that the borderline and BED groups were significantly similar in terms of all measures of attribution and self-efficacy; and logistic regression analysis that the odds of being borderline BED or BED were greater if an individual had internal attributions, and more likely in the presence of diminished self-efficacy expectations. The subjects with low levels of eating self-efficacy and internal, global, and uncontrollable attributions were also more likely to have borderline BED and BED. The implications of the borderline BED category are discussed in relationship to the DSM-IV BED diagnosis.


Subject(s)
Bulimia/psychology , Diet, Reducing/psychology , Obesity/psychology , Self Efficacy , Analysis of Variance , Body Image , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Obesity/diet therapy
10.
Acta Psychiatr Scand ; 102(1): 12-8, 2000 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10892604

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To report and discuss differences between schizophrenic patients in the community and those in maximum security care. METHOD: Comparison of 193 community schizophrenic patients with 169 in high security care. Data included case notes, interviews and cognitive tests. RESULTS: Compared to high security patients, community patients tended to be female and married. They had higher school achievement, higher premorbid IQ and better occupational levels, were less likely to have a family history of alcohol abuse, to have had police contact and to have attempted suicide. They had more frequent shorter psychiatric admissions and fewer current and lifetime schizophrenic symptoms. Logistic regression models discriminated the groups with considerable accuracy. CONCLUSION: Patients needing high security care may be recognizable when schizophrenia is first diagnosed. Progression to the State Hospital seems to result from schizophrenia together with other factors such as deprivation rather than from a worse schizophrenic process per se.


Subject(s)
Community Mental Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Hospitals, Psychiatric/statistics & numerical data , Hospitals, State/statistics & numerical data , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , Schizophrenia/epidemiology , Adult , Age of Onset , Alcoholism , Cognition , Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Length of Stay , Logistic Models , Male , Population Surveillance , Risk Factors , Schizophrenia/physiopathology , Scotland/epidemiology , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Distribution , Suicide, Attempted
11.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law ; 28(4): 449-53, 2000.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11196255

ABSTRACT

A pilot questionnaire surveyed forensic psychiatrists and psychologists about information they would feel it appropriate to disclose to their retaining attorneys about an opposing expert witness. A spectrum of hypothetical disclosures was offered, varying in their relevance to the case at hand and in their degree of "public" versus "personal" information. Respondents agreed significantly that "public" information could be disclosed to one's attorney, but responses about disclosing "personal" information varied widely. The findings and their implications are briefly discussed.


Subject(s)
Ethics, Professional , Expert Testimony , Forensic Psychiatry , Interprofessional Relations , Truth Disclosure , Data Collection , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Humans , Pilot Projects , United States
12.
Eat Behav ; 1(2): 137-44, 2000 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15001056

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate outcomes among former participants in a residential weight loss program, attendees were surveyed from 1 to 5 years post-intervention. A total of 187 respondents were studied for weight changes and behavioral practices. Diet practices were assessed by number of servings per day using the Food Guide Pyramid recommendations as a guideline for indicating fruit and vegetable intake. Exercise behaviors were measured in frequency, duration, and intensity, and a weighted score was computed to obtain units for describing physical activity. Maintaining a 10% weight loss from the program entry weight, consuming five or more servings per day of fruits and/or vegetables (5-a-day) and maintaining an "active" level of physical activity were included in criteria for describing intervention success. Those meeting two of the three criteria were categorized as "successful," which included 35.8% of the study population. Because each of these behaviors (5-a-day, active lifestyle, and modest weight loss maintenance) result in independent risk reduction, it is recommended that future weight loss intervention evaluations expand the criteria for describing successful impacts and outcomes to include not only weight maintenance, but also physical activity and diet compliance behaviors.

13.
Obes Res ; 7(6): 552-5, 1999 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10574513

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between self-efficacy judgments in obese individuals with binge eating disorder, "borderline" binge eating disorder, and no binge eating problems. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Before participation in a residential weight management program, 79 male and female subjects were administered the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL) and the Binge Eating Scale (BES). Based on DSM-IV diagnostic questions, subjects were categorized as BED, Borderline BED, or non-BED. RESULTS: Krusal-Wallace Rank-Order analysis of variance revealed significant negative associations between binge eating and total WEL scores as well as the subscales of Negative Emotions, Social Pressure, Physical Discomfort, and Positive Activities. Differences were significant between the BED and the Borderline BED groups with the exception of the Social Pressure scale and the Total WEL scores. BED diagnosis as well as severity of binge eating were strongly associated with low self-efficacy ratings. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that obese individuals with binge eating disorder demonstrate lower self-efficacy than those without this condition and that self-efficacy is related to the severity of binge eating.


Subject(s)
Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Obesity/psychology , Self Efficacy , Body Mass Index , Feeding and Eating Disorders/complications , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/complications
14.
J Am Soc Nephrol ; 9(5): 853-8, 1998 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9596083

ABSTRACT

Population-based incidence data for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are available for some countries but not for the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of IgAN in central and eastern Kentucky for 5- and 10-yr periods between 1975 and 1994 and to examine differences among patient groups between those periods. The incidence of IgAN was 5.4 cases per one million population per year (MPPY) for period 1A (1975 through 1979), increasing to 12.4 cases per MPPY for period 2B (1990 through 1994) (P < 0.001). Males had a 2.7 times higher incidence than females for period 1 (1975 through 1984) and 2.2 times higher for period 2 (1985 through 1994). For period 1A, the incidence for Fayette County, which includes the city of Lexington, was lower than that of the rest of the study area (P=0.26), whereas for period 2 the incidence was higher for Fayette County (P=0.052). During period 1, the highest incidence of IgAN for any age and gender group was 24.3 cases per MPPY for males ages 30 through 39. For period 2, the incidence for males was similar for each decade between ages 20 and 59 (approximately 19 cases per MPPY). No African-American was diagnosed during period 1, but in period 2 incidences for blacks and whites were similar (10.7 and 10.2 cases per MPPY, respectively). For the last 5 yr of the study (1990 through 1994), the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to IgAN was 5.5 cases per MPPY: 8.4 for males and 2.7 for females. The incidence of IgAN in Kentucky for period 2B was still much lower than that in European studies, but the incidence of ESRD due to IgAN may be similar. Thus, IgAN may be as important a condition with respect to ESRD in Kentucky as it is in other regions of the world.


Subject(s)
Glomerulonephritis, IGA/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kentucky , Kidney Failure, Chronic/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Distribution
15.
J Nerv Ment Dis ; 185(11): 655-63, 1997 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9368540

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have implicated low parental care and parental overprotection as risk factors for depression in adulthood. The present study further examined the association between perceived parental style and depression in two samples of medical students. In general, both low maternal and paternal care were associated with depression. Furthermore, maternal overprotection in the U.S. sample and paternal overprotection in the Scottish sample were also associated with depression. However, when results were analyzed separately for men and women, clear gender differences emerged, indicating that the observed relationships were occurring chiefly in the men, although there were some indications that low paternal care was associated with depression in women. Because such gender differences have not been previously reported, women medical students may be a unique group with respect to these relationships. Also intriguing was that although parental style characteristics demonstrated significant associations with self-esteem, this was clearly true only for men and not for women. Finally, the study provided the first partial support for the hypothesis that self-esteem mediates the relationship between parental style and depression.


Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder/epidemiology , Parent-Child Relations , Parenting/psychology , Self Concept , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Cross-Cultural Comparison , Depressive Disorder/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Maternal Behavior , Paternal Behavior , Risk Factors , Scotland , Sex Factors , Social Perception , Students, Medical , Texas
16.
Pediatr Nephrol ; 11(4): 435-7, 1997 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-9260240

ABSTRACT

Based upon the percentage of cases of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in biopsy series, a lower prevalence has been assumed for African-Americans compared with Americans of European descent. This may be due to a racial difference in the basic underlying pathology of IgAN or to racial differences in patterns of referral and biopsy selection practices. Over the past decade (1985-1994), we have found similar incidences of IgAN in Caucasian and African-American children from Shelby County, Tennessee. The incidence was 3.0 cases per million per year for Caucasian and 5.7 cases per million per year for African-American children. IgAN may be more common in African-American children than previously appreciated. Population-based incidence studies will be necessary to determine whether or not our experience has become a more widespread phenomenon.


Subject(s)
Glomerulonephritis, IGA/ethnology , Adolescent , Black People , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Glomerulonephritis, IGA/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , White People
17.
Addict Behav ; 21(6): 745-54, 1996.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8904940

ABSTRACT

Currently our definitions of treatment success for obesity and eating disorders are too simplistic and narrow in scope. More varied treatment outcome targets include body-related measures, medical health variables, exercise and eating habits, psychological health factors, body image, and quality of life measures. A new system of redefining success is offered based on the need for a uniform model of eating disorders, the need for an emphasis on progress not perfection, the need to view eating disorders as chronic conditions, and the need to match treatment modules to patient needs.


Subject(s)
Feeding and Eating Disorders/therapy , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Body Image , Body Weight , Combined Modality Therapy , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Health Behavior , Humans , Nutritional Sciences/education
18.
BMJ ; 313(7054): 394-7, 1996 Aug 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8761226

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine patterns of self reported drinking, smoking, and illicit drug use among a representative United Kingdom sample of people born in 1979. DESIGN: Cross sectional, single phase survey based on a stratified cluster sample of 70 United Kingdom secondary schools during March and April 1995. Pupils completed a 406 item standardised questionnaire under examination conditions. SETTING: United Kingdom state and private secondary schools. SUBJECTS: 7722 pupils aged 15 and 16. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reported use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. RESULTS: Almost all the pupils had drunk alcohol, 36% (2772/7689) had smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days, and 42.3% (3264/7722) had at some time used illicit drugs, mainly cannabis. 43% (1546/3546) of boys and 38% (1529/4009) of girls had tried cannabis. Higher levels of smoking were associated with poorer school performance (20.4% (783/3840) with average performance v 44.1% (214/486) with below average performance, F = 79.06, P < 0.01). Levels of drug use in 15 and 16 year olds in 1995 were higher in Scotland than in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. CONCLUSIONS: Drug experimentation was high among 15 and 16 year olds, and use of cannabis was particularly high among smokers. Cigarette smoking was more common among girls than boys.


Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Smoking/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Adolescent , Cluster Analysis , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Sex Factors , United Kingdom/epidemiology
19.
J Appl Behav Anal ; 29(2): 251-3, 1996.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8682742

ABSTRACT

We studied how rewarding peers for publicly reporting positive aspects of a socially rejected girl's behavior affected her social interactions and acceptance. The results indicated that positive peer reports reduced negative social interactions (to near zero) and increased positive interactions (to above 70%). In addition, social acceptance ratings of the girl increased from pre- to postintervention.


Subject(s)
Behavior Therapy , Motivation , Peer Group , Rejection, Psychology , Adolescent , Attention , Female , Humans , Male , Reinforcement, Social , Residential Treatment , Social Behavior
20.
J Pediatr ; 127(6): 913-9, 1995 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-8523188

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The determination of the ultimate prognosis for patients with IgA nephropathy diagnosed in childhood requires long-term follow-up of identified patients. The purpose of this study was to obtain such follow-up for patients from two centers where the disease has been diagnosed for more than 20 years. METHODS: Clinical data at the apparent onset of symptoms and renal histologic data were obtained for 103 patients in whom IgA nephropathy was diagnosed before age 18 years. Clinical status at last follow-up was obtained from office records or from direct contact with the patient. Predicted kidney survival was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Follow-up of more than 10 years from the time of biopsy was available for 40 of the patients. RESULTS: Fourteen of the patients have progressed to end-stage renal disease; three others have progressive chronic renal insufficiency as defined by an estimated creatinine clearance of less than 50 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Severity of the renal histologic findings and the degree of proteinuria at the time of biopsy were associated with poor outcome. For all patients, predicted kidney survival from the time of apparent onset was 94% at 5 years, 87% at 10 years, 82% at 15 years, and 70% at 20 years. Age at clinical onset and gender were not associated with poor outcome, but black race and severity of renal histologic findings were. CONCLUSION: With follow-up into adulthood, the outcome for pediatric patients with IgA nephropathy appears to be as serious as that reported in adult patients. Follow-up of a pediatric patient with persistent clinical findings should be maintained after the patient's care is transferred to a physician caring for adults.


Subject(s)
Glomerulonephritis, IGA/diagnosis , Adolescent , Age of Onset , Black People , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Creatinine/blood , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Glomerulonephritis, IGA/blood , Glomerulonephritis, IGA/complications , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/etiology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/mortality , Kidney Failure, Chronic/physiopathology , Male , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Proteinuria/complications , Severity of Illness Index , Survival Rate
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