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Laboratory Assessment (laboratory + assessment)
Selected AbstractsBuilding Bridges: The Transdisciplinary Study of Craving From the Animal Laboratory to the LamppostALCOHOLISM, Issue 2 2004Peter M. Monti Abstract: This article represents the proceedings of a symposium at the 2003 Research Society on Alcoholism meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, organized and chaired by Peter M. Monti. The presentations and presenters were (1) Alcohol Seeking and Self-Administration in Rats: The Role of Serotonin Activity, by Cristine L. Czachowski; (2) Assessing Binge Drinking in Monkeys, by Kathleen A. Grant; (3) Craving and the Perception of Time, by Michael Sayette; (4) Ecological and Laboratory Assessment of Alcohol Urges and Drinking: Effects of Naltrexone, by Peter M. Monti; and (5) Discussion, by Damaris J. Rohsenow. [source] A review of in situ measurement of organic compound transformation in groundwater,,PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 4 2001Sharon K Papiernik Abstract Laboratory assessments of the rate of degradation of organic compounds in groundwater have been criticized for producing unrepresentative results. The potential for organic compounds to be transformed in groundwater has been measured using in situ methods, which avoid problems of attempting to duplicate aquifer conditions in the laboratory. In situ assessments of transformation rates have been accomplished using transport studies and in situ microcosms (ISMs); a review of these methods is given here. In transport studies, organic solutes are injected into an aquifer and the concentrations are monitored as they are transported downgradient. The change in mass of a solute is determined by the area contained under the breakthrough curve (plot of concentration versus time). ISMs isolate a portion of the aquifer from advective flow and act as in situ batch reactors. Experiments using ISMs involve removing water from the ISM, amending it with the solutes of interest, re-injecting the amended water, and monitoring the solute concentrations with time. In both transport and ISM studies, the loss of organic solutes from solution does not allow a distinction to be made between sorptive, abiotic and biotic transformation losses. Biological activity can be chemically suppressed in ISMs and the results from those experiments used to indicate sorption and abiotic loss. Transformation products may be monitored to provide additional information on transformation mechanisms and rates. Published in 2001 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [source] Duloxetine compared with placebo for treating women with symptoms of overactive bladderBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2007William D. Steers OBJECTIVE To evaluate duloxetine (a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) in women with symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB), as it has been shown to increase the bladder capacity in an animal model. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 306 women (aged 21,84 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to placebo (153) or duloxetine (80-mg/day for 4 weeks increased to 120-mg/day for 8 weeks; 153). Symptoms of OAB were defined as bothersome urinary urgency and/or urge urinary incontinence (UI) for ,3 months. Participants were also required to have a mean daytime voiding interval (VI) of ,2 h and urodynamic observations of either detrusor overactivity (DOA) or urgency which limited bladder capacity to <400 mL, both with no stress UI (SUI). The primary efficacy analysis compared the treatment effects on mean change from baseline to endpoint in the mean number of voiding episodes (VE)/24 h. The secondary efficacy analyses compared the treatment effects on the number of UI episodes (IE)/24 h, in the Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (I-QOL) score, and on the mean daytime VI. Safety was assessed with vital signs, adverse event reporting, routine laboratory testing, electrocardiogram, and the measurement of postvoid residual urine volumes (PVR). RESULTS Patients randomized to duloxetine had significant improvements over those randomized to placebo for decreases in VE and IE, for increases in the daytime VI, and for improvements in I-QOL scores at both doses of duloxetine. Urodynamic studies showed no significant increases in maximum cystometric capacity or in the volume threshold for DOA. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events with duloxetine (nausea, 31%; dry mouth, 16%; dizziness, 14%; constipation, 14%; insomnia, 13%; and fatigue, 11%) were the same as those reported by women with SUI and were significantly more common with duloxetine than placebo. Laboratory assessments, vital signs and electrocardiograms were stable relative to baseline, with no relevant differences detected between groups. There was a significant difference in the change in PVR with duloxetine (<5 mL mean increase) but no patient reported hesitancy or retention. CONCLUSION In this trial, duloxetine was better than placebo for treating women with ,wet' and ,dry' symptoms of OAB associated with DOA or a bladder capacity of <400 mL. [source] Mothers' interactions with temperamentally frustrated infantsINFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 3 2004Susan D. Calkins A sample of 162 six-month-old infants was selected from a larger sample of 346 infants on the basis of mothers' report of their infants' temperament and a laboratory assessment of temperament. Infants were classified as easily frustrated or less frustrated and observed in several types of interactions with their mothers in the laboratory. Mothers completed several measures that indicated their level of parenting stress, psychological functioning, and marital adjustment. Maternal behavior with infants was coded along the dimensions of sensitivity, intrusiveness, and physical stimulation. Results indicated that maternal intrusiveness was related to infant temperament and that maternal physical stimulation was predicted by an interaction of infant temperament and mothers' perceived parenting stress. Implications of these findings for mother,infant interaction and subsequent child adjustment are discussed. ©2004 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. [source] A laboratory assessment of coronal bacterial leakage in root canals filled with new and conventional sealersINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009A. U. Eldeniz Abstract Aim, To evaluate the resistance to ex vivo bacterial leakage over a 40-day period of root canal fillings with five new root canal sealers: RC Sealer, Epiphany, EndoREZ, GuttaFlow and Acroseal, compared with Apexit, AH Plus and RoekoSeal. Methodology, One hundred and forty-four single rooted human teeth were divided randomly into eight test (n = 15) and two control groups (n = 12). The root canals were filled using a single cone technique with gutta-percha except in the Epiphany and EndoREZ groups. These were filled with Resilon and resin-coated gutta-percha, respectively. The gutta-percha surface of the GuttaFlow group was coated with an experimental primer prior to filling. Positive controls were filled with gutta-percha without sealer and tested with bacteria, whereas negative controls were sealed with wax to test the seal between the chambers. Filled roots were incorporated in a split chamber model system using Streptococcus mutans as a microbial marker. Leakage was assessed for turbidity of the broth in the lower chamber every day for 40 days. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan,Meier product limit method and event times were compared using the Log-rank test (, = 0.05). Results, Epiphany, GuttaFlow with test primer and Apexit prevented leakage significantly better than AH Plus, RC Sealer, RoekoSeal, EndoREZ and Acroseal (P < 0.05). None of the specimens in the AH Plus, RC Sealer, RoekoSeal and EndoREZ groups resisted bacterial penetration for 40 days. Conclusion, The new sealers, Epiphany and GuttaFlow with primer, along with Apexit, showed better resistance to bacterial penetration than the other new or traditional sealers tested. [source] Premature ejaculation in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patientsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 6 2003Ahmed I. El-Sakka Summary Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and to analyse risk factors for premature ejaculation (PE) in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes. A total of 676 male diabetic patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were screened for PE. At the screening time, patients were also interviewed for sociodemographic data that included age, education, occupation and marital status. Medical history included diabetes, duration of diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Clinical and laboratory assessment included body mass index and glycosylated haemoglobin. Mean age for the study sample was 53.4 ± 10.4 years. The prevalence of PE was 32.4% in patients below 50 years, which increased to 67.6% in patients above 50 years. Of patients without PE, 31.4% were below 50 years compared with 68.6% above 50 years of age (p > 0.05). Patients with >10 years of diabetes were 2.7 times as likely to report PE as men with diabetes of <5 years (p < 0.05). Men with poor metabolic control were 9.6 times as likely to report PE as those with good metabolic control (p < 0.05). Patients without PE were four times as likely to have normal erectile function as those with PE (p < 0.05). There was a significant association between PE and cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.05). PE is common among diabetic patients. The study offers a quantitative estimate of the prevalence of PE and its main risk factors in diabetic patients. [source] The relationship between pain tolerance and trait aggression: effects of sex and gender roleAGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 5 2009Dennis E. Reidy Abstract The literature on pain and aggression has indicated that pain elicits aggression. However, research has generally examined pain as a situational variable and focused less on the dispositional ability of an individual to tolerate pain. The dearth of research on pain tolerance and aggression appears to contradict the existing theory on the aggression-eliciting effect of pain, in that studies have found a positive relationship between pain tolerance and aggression. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the relationship between pain tolerance and aggression is moderated by sex and whether the positive relationship could be explained by masculine gender role conformity. A sample of 195 collegiate men and women completed trait measures and a laboratory assessment of pain tolerance. Results indicated that correlations between pain tolerance and trait aggression were significant and positive for men but not women. However, when men's conformity to masculine gender role was controlled for, the relationship between pain tolerance and trait aggression was nil and nonsignificant. Results are discussed in reference to socialization and maintenance of masculine status. Aggr. Behav. 35:422,429, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Relationship of asymmetric dimethylarginine and homocysteine to vascular aging in systemic lupus erythematosus patientsARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 6 2010Michelle Perna Objective Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is independently associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and premature arterial stiffening. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine are mechanistically interrelated mediators of endothelial dysfunction and correlates of atherosclerosis in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of ADMA and homocysteine to subclinical vascular disease in patients with SLE. Methods One hundred twenty-five patients with SLE who were participating in a study of cardiovascular disease underwent clinical and laboratory assessment, carotid artery ultrasonography to detect atherosclerosis, and radial artery applanation tonometry to measure arterial stiffness. Results Neither ADMA nor homocysteine correlated with the presence or extent of carotid atherosclerosis. In contrast, ADMA was significantly related to the arterial stiffness index. Independent correlates of arterial stiffening included the ADMA concentration, the presence of diabetes mellitus, older age at the time of diagnosis, longer disease duration, and the absence of anti-Sm or anti-RNP antibodies. A secondary multivariable analysis substituting homocysteine for ADMA demonstrated comparable relationships with arterial stiffness (r2 = 0.616 for homocysteine and r2 = 0.595 for ADMA). Conclusion ADMA and homocysteine are biomarkers for and may be mediators of premature arterial stiffening in patients with SLE. Because arterial stiffness has independent prognostic value for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, its predictors may identify patients who are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. [source] Evaluation of chronic hypertension in pregnant young womenAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Joana DE SOUSA Women with chronic hypertension are at higher risk of adverse obstetric outcomes. It is essential that the condition is identified and evaluated appropriately in early pregnancy. Therefore, an audit has been carried out to assess how well young pregnant women with chronic hypertension were investigated for secondary cause in South Auckland, compared with the recommendations of the Australasian Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy. The evaluation of chronic hypertension by history taking, physical examination, laboratory assessment and radiology tests was highly variable. Only 76% of women had appropriate follow-up for their hypertension. Screening for secondary causes was not consistent, and the majority had incomplete investigation. [source] Should complete blood count be part of the evaluation of febrile infants aged ,2 months?ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 9 2010Efraim Bilavsky ABSTRACT Objective:, To determine the utility and importance of total white blood cell count (WBC) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) as markers of serious bacterial infection (SBI) in hospitalized febrile infants aged ,2 months. Patients and methods:, Data on WBC and ANC were collected prospectively for all infants aged ,2 months who were hospitalized for fever at our centre. The patients were divided into two groups by the presence or absence of SBI. Results:, A total of 1257 infants met the inclusion criteria, of whom 134 (10.7%) had a SBI. The area under the ROC curve was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.67,0.78) for ANC, 0.70 (95% CI: 0.65,0.76) for %ANC and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.61,0.73) for WBC. The independent contribution of these three tests in reducing the number of missed cases of SBI was significant. Conclusion:, Complete blood cell count should remain as part of the routine laboratory assessment in this age group as it is reducing the number of missing infants with SBI. Of the three parameters, ANC and %ANC serve as better diagnostic markers of SBI than total WBC. However, more accurate tests such as C-reactive protein and procalcitonin should also be part of the evaluation of febrile infants in these age group as they perform better than WBC or ANC for predicting SBI. [source] A laboratory and clinical evaluation of single-use instruments for tonsil and adenoid surgeryCLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 2 2005A. Tomkinson Objectives:, To compare the quality and consistency of single-use adenotonsillectomy instruments available in the UK with reusable instruments and examine their performance in a clinical setting. Design:, A laboratory assessment of each reusable instrument created a detailed specification for the respective single-use equivalent. A surveillance system monitored the performance of a selected set of specified single-use instruments. Setting:, Single-use instruments were withdrawn shortly after their introduction in 2001. Persisting concerns from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee led to an investigation into the feasibility of continuing to use such instruments. Main outcome measures:, The numbers of instruments from each set judged as unacceptable or as good as the original. The number and cause of instrument failure during clinical surveillance. Results:, Between 40% and 93% of the instruments on each set were as good as the original and between 0% and 40% of the instruments were unacceptable from six sets of steel and one set of polymer instruments. 4151 procedures were monitored between 1 February 2003 and 31 March 2004 using a total of 41 376 instruments. Problems were reported with 335 (0.8%) instruments, 46% attributable to instrument design, 14% to poor design control and 13% to instruments escaping quality control systems. Following correction of the faults, between 1 January 2004 and 31 March 2004 the problem rate fell to 0.4%. Conclusions:, High quality single-use instruments for tonsil and adenoid surgery are available in the UK. Some companies offered inferior instruments not fit for their purpose. The procurement, introduction and subsequent clinical approval of single-use instruments requires a radically different approach to that currently applied to the purchase of reusable surgical equipment. Careful monitoring of their introduction is essential. [source] Divalproex Sodium Extended-Release for the Prophylaxis of Migraine Headache in Adolescents: Results of a Stand-Alone, Long-Term Open-Label Safety StudyHEADACHE, Issue 1 2009George Apostol MD Objective., The objective of this long-term open-label study in adolescents was to assess the safety and tolerability of divalproex sodium extended-release in the prophylaxis of migraine headaches. Background., Two formulations of divalproex sodium have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of migraine headaches in adults. However, no medications are currently approved for this indication in adolescents, and long-term safety data on agents for migraine prevention are lacking for this younger population. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of divalproex extended-release in adolescents with migraine headaches. Methods., This was a 12-month, phase 3, open-label, multicenter study of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with migraine headaches diagnosed by International Headache Society criteria. Divalproex sodium extended-release was initiated at 500 mg/day for 15 days then increased to 1000 mg daily, with subsequent adjustments permitted within a dosing range of 250-1000 mg daily. Study visits were conducted at days 1 and 15 and months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Safety was evaluated by adverse event collection, laboratory assessments, physical and neurological examinations, vital signs, electrocardiograms, the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effect Rating Scale, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, and the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children. Efficacy was evaluated by following the number of migraine headache days reported in subjects' headache diaries over sequential 4-week intervals for the duration of the trial. Results., A total of 241 subjects were enrolled and treated. The most frequently reported adverse events were nausea (19%), vomiting (18%), weight gain (12%), nasopharyngitis (11%), migraine (10%), and upper respiratory tract infection (10%). Ten (4%) subjects experienced serious adverse events, and 40 (17%) subjects discontinued because of an adverse event. Increases in ammonia levels were observed. No other clinically significant changes were observed in laboratory values, vital signs, rating scales, or electrocardiograms. Median 4-week migraine headache days decreased 75% between the first and the fourth months of the study (from 4.0 to 1.0) and remained at or below this level for the remainder of the study. Conclusions., In this long-term open-label study of adolescents with migraine, the safety and tolerability profile of divalproex sodium extended-release was consistent with findings from previous trials in adults, as well as 2 studies recently completed in adolescents. In general, divalproex sodium extended-release was well-tolerated in adolescents with migraine. [source] The CAG repeat polymorphism within the androgen receptor gene and maleness,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 2 2003Michael Zitzmann Summary The androgen testosterone and its metabolite dihydrotestosterone exert their effects on gene expression and thus effect maleness via the androgen receptor (AR). A diverse range of clinical conditions starting with complete androgen insensitivity has been correlated with mutations in the AR. Subtle modulations of the transcriptional activity induced by the AR have also been observed and frequently assigned to a polyglutamine stretch of variable length within the N-terminal domain of the receptor. This stretch is encoded by a variable number of CAG triplets in exon 1 of the AR gene located on the X chromosome. First observations of pathologically elongated AR CAG repeats in patients with X-linked spino-bulbar muscular atrophy showing marked hypoandrogenic traits were supplemented by partially conflicting findings of statistical significance also within the normal range of CAG repeat length: an involvement of prostate tissue, spermatogenesis, bone density, hair growth, cardiovascular risk factors and psychological factors has been demonstrated. The highly polymorphic nature of glutamine residues within the AR protein implies a subtle gradation of androgenicity among individuals within an environment of normal testosterone levels providing relevant ligand binding to ARs. This modulation of androgen effects may be small but continuously present during a man's lifetime and, hence, exerts effects that are measurable in many tissues as various degrees of androgenicity and represents a relevant effector of maleness. It remains to be elucidated whether these insights are important enough to become part of individually useful laboratory assessments. [source] Clinical efficacy and safety of oral terbinafine in fungal mycetomaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Bassirou N'Diaye MD Objectives, An open-label study was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of terbinafine in the treatment of eumycetoma. Methods, Single-center, open-label study, including 27 patients with signs and symptoms of eumycetoma which had developed within 5 years and was confirmed by mycological examination. The intention-to-treat population (n = 23) received 500 mg of terbinafine bid for 24,48 weeks. Efficacy evaluations included clinical signs and symptoms (e.g. sinuses open or closed, degree of tumefaction, and emission of grains either present or absent); mycological examinations from Week 24 onwards; and investigators' overall assessment of efficacy (cure, improved since baseline, unchanged since baseline, or deterioration since baseline). Safety evaluations included monitoring of adverse events, laboratory assessments, vital signs and physical examinations. Results, Good clinical improvement was seen in patients who completed the study (n = 20). Tumefaction was absent or improved in 80% of patients; sinuses were closed in 50% of patients, and grain emissions were absent in 65% of patients. Of the 16 patients who had repeat mycological assessment, four (25%) were mycologically cured. In the investigators' overall opinion at the end of the study, five (25%) were cured and 11 (55%) were clinically improved. The majority of adverse events reported were mild to moderate, and consistent with the known tolerability profile of terbinafine. Conclusion, High-dose terbinafine (1000 mg/day) is well tolerated and clinically effective in patients with eumycetoma, a difficult-to-treat subcutaneous mycoses. [source] Sleep problems, sleepiness and daytime behavior in preschool-age childrenTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 12 2009Beth Goodlin-Jones Background:, Sleep problems are a common complaint of parents of preschool children. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders have even more disrupted sleep than typically developing children. Although disrupted nighttime sleep has been reported to affect daytime behavior, the pathway from sleep disruption to sleep problems, to impairments in daytime performance or behavior is not clear. This multi-method, preliminary study assessed this path in 68 children with autism, matched to 57 children with developmental delay without autism and 69 children developing typically. Methods:, Actigraphy, structured questionnaires, laboratory assessments, and parent reports were obtained in 194 children. Results:, Controlling for diagnosis and developmental age of the child, nighttime sleep problems determined by parent reports were significantly associated with decrements in daytime behavior, also measured by parent report instruments. However, actigraph-defined sleep problems and objective measures of daytime sleepiness were not associated with decrements in daytime performance. Conclusions:, Parent report measures substantiate relationships between disrupted sleep patterns and waking behavior. Further understanding of the pathway from sleep disorders to daytime sleepiness and decrements in waking performance, however, may require more rigorous methods of assessment such as polysomnography and the multiple sleep latency test. [source] Establishing the dose of the oral NK1 antagonist aprepitant for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomitingCANCER, Issue 9 2003Sant P. Chawla M.D. Abstract BACKGROUND The neurokinin-1 antagonist aprepitant (EMENDÔ; Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA) has been shown to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting when it is given with a 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor antagonist and dexamethasone. The current study sought to define the most appropriate dose regimen of oral aprepitant. METHODS This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in patients with cancer who were receiving initial cisplatin (, 70mg/m2) and standard antiemetic therapy (intravenous ondansetron plus oral dexamethasone). Patients were randomized to receive standard therapy plus either aprepitant 375 mg on Day 1 and 250 mg on Days 2,5, aprepitant 125 mg on Day 1 and 80 mg on Days 2,5, or placebo. Due to an apparent interaction with dexamethasone suggested by pharmacokinetic data obtained while the study was ongoing, the aprepitant 375/250 mg dose was discontinued and replaced with aprepitant 40 mg on Day 1 and 25 mg on Days 2,5, and a new randomization schedule was generated. Patients recorded nausea and emesis in a diary. The primary endpoint was complete response (no emesis and no rescue therapy), which was analyzed using an intent-to-treat approach with data obtained after the dose adjustment. Treatment comparisons were made using logistic regression models. Tolerability was assessed by reported adverse events and physical and laboratory assessments, and included all available data. RESULTS The percentages of patients who achieved a complete response in the overall study period were 71.0% for the aprepitant 125/80-mg group (n = 131 patients), 58.8% for the aprepitant 40/25-mg group (n = 119 patients), and 43.7% for the standard therapy group (n = 126 patients; P < 0.05 for either aprepitant regimen vs. standard therapy). Rates for Day 1 were 83.2% for the aprepitant 125/80-mg group, 75.6% for aprepitant 40/25-mg group, and 71.4% for the standard therapy group (P < 0.05 for aprepitant 125/80 mg vs. standard therapy), and rates on Days 2,5 were 72.7% for the aprepitant 125/80-mg group, 63.9% for the aprepitant 40/25-mg group, and 45.2% for the standard therapy group (P < 0.01 for either aprepitant group vs. standard therapy). The efficacy of the aprepitant 375/250-mg regimen was similar to that of the aprepitant 125/80-mg regimen. The overall incidence of adverse events was generally similar across treatment groups: 85% in the aprepitant 375/250-mg group (n = 34 patients), 76% in the aprepitant 125/80-mg group (n = 214 patients), 71% in the aprepitant 40/25-mg group (n = 120 patients), and 72% in the standard therapy group (n = 212 patients), with the exception of a higher incidence of infection in the aprepitant 125/80-mg group (13%) compared with the standard therapy group (4%). CONCLUSIONS When it was added to a standard regimen of intravenous ondansetron and oral dexamethasone in the current study, aprepitant reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and was generally well tolerated, although increases in infection were noted that were assumed to be due to elevated dexamethasone levels as a result of the pharmacokinetic interaction. The aprepitant 125/80-mg regimen had the most favorable benefit:risk profile. Cancer 2003;97:2290,300. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11320 [source] | |||||||||||||