Significant Positive Association (significant + positive_association)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


Multiple human papilloma virus types in cervical infections: competition or synergy?

APMIS, Issue 5 2010
NINA MEJLHEDE
Mejlhede N, Pedersen BV, Frisch M, Fomsgaard A. Multiple human papilloma virus types in cervical infections: competition or synergy? APMIS 2010; 118: 346,52. Coinfection with multiple human papilloma virus (HPV) types is common in cervical HPV infection. To evaluate if infections with different HPV types occur independently, we examined 3558 women above 15 years of age suspected of cervical HPV infection. Among them, 1842 (52%) women were HPV negative and 1716 (48%) were HPV positive as analysed by a PCR-based commercial microarray assay for mucosal types. Of the HPV-positive samples, 824 (48%) had single infections, while 892 (52%) had multiple infections. Observed numbers of concurrent HPV types differed from expected numbers under the assumption of independence between infections by the various HPV types. Significant positive associations were observed for 16 pairs of HPV types in statistical analysis accounting for mass significance. Significant negative associations were also found, i.e. women with HPV-16 infection had 0.4 times the odds of having HPV-51 compared with women not infected with HPV-16. HPV-16 was the only type with odds ratios <1 for all pairwise combinations. While our findings of statistically significant coexistence do not prove biological dependence among HPV types, they do suggest that infections with some HPV types may depend on the existence of certain other HPV types. Any interaction between coexisting HPV types could either decrease or increase the efficacy of current HPV vaccines that offer mainly type-specific protection, depending on whether the types vaccinated against compete with other HPV types or not. [source]


Population Variability and Extinction Risk

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2000
John A. Vucetich
We resolve this conflict by attributing negative measured relationships to a statistical artifact that arises because PV tends to be underestimated for populations with short persistence. Such populations do not go extinct quickly as a consequence of low intrinsic variability; instead, the measured variability is low because they go extinct so quickly. Consequently, any underlying positive relationship between PV and ER tends to be obscured. We conducted a series of analyses to evaluate this claim. Simulations showed that negative measured relationships are to be expected, despite an underlying positive relationship. Simulations also identified properties of data, minimizing this bias and thereby permitting meaningful analysis. Experimental data on laboratory populations of a bruchid beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) supported the simulation results. Likewise, with an appropriate statistical approach (Cox regression on untransformed data), reanalysis of a controversial data set on British island bird populations revealed a significant positive association between PV and ER (p = 0.03). Finally, a similar analysis of time series for naturally regulated animal populations revealed a positive association between PV and quasiextinction risk (p < 0.01). Without exception, our simulation results, experimental findings, reanalysis of published data, and analysis of quasiextinction risk all contradict previous reports of negative or equivocal relationships. Valid analysis of meaningful data provides strong evidence that increased population variability leads to increased extinction risk. Resumen: Los modelos poblacionales generalmente predicen un mayor riesgo de extinción (ER) al aumentar la variabilidad poblacional ( PV ,), a pesar de ello, algunas pruebas empíricas han proporcionado resultados contradictorios. Nosotros hemos resuelto este conflicto mediante la atribución de mediciones de relaciones negativas a un producto estadístico que surge debido a que la PV tiende a ser subestimada para poblaciones de persistencia corta. Estas poblaciones no se extinguen rápidamente como resultado de una variabilidad intrínseca baja; por lo contrario, la variabilidad medida es baja debido a que las poblaciones se extinguen tan rápidamente. Consecuentemente, cualquier relación positiva subyacente entre la PV y el ER tienden a ser opacadas. Llevamos a cabo una serie de análisis para evaluar este argumento. Las simulaciones mostraron que las relaciones negativas medidas son de esperarse, a pesar de una relación positiva subyacente. Las simulaciones también identificaron propiedades de los datos que minimizan este sesgo y por lo tanto permiten un análisis significativo. Los datos experimentales en poblaciones de laboratorio de un coleóptero bruchidae (Callosobruchus maculatus) respaldan los resultados de las simulaciones. De la misma manera, el uso de una técnica estadística adecuada (por ejemplo, la regresión Cox en datos sin transformar), usada en la repetición del análisis de un juego de datos controvertidos de poblaciones de aves de la Isla Británica reveló una asociación positiva significativa entre la PV y el ER (p = 0.03). Finalmente, un análisis similar de series de tiempo para poblaciones de animales reguladas de manera natural revelaron una asociación positiva entre la PV y el riesgo de cuasi-extinción (p < 0.01). Sin excepciones, nuestros resultados de simulaciones, los resultados experimentales, la repetición del análisis de datos publicados, y el análisis de riesgo de cuasi-extinción contradicen informes previos de relaciones negativas o equívocas. Los análisis válidos de datos significativos proveen una evidencia sólida de que los incrementos en la variabilidad poblacional conducen a un incremento en el riego de extinción. [source]


Glycaemic variability and complications in patients with diabetes mellitus: evidence from a systematic review of the literature

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 4 2010
L. Nalysnyk
Aim: The objective of this review was to assess the published evidence for an association between glycaemic variability and the development of chronic micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: A systematic review of English-language literature published from January 1990 through November 2008 was performed. Interventional and observational studies in patients with type 1 or type 2 DM reporting a measure of glycaemic variability and its impact on the development or progression of micro- and macrovascular diabetic complications were assessed. Results: A total of 18 studies ,8 on type 1 DM and 10 on type 2 DM patients,meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Studies in patients with type 1 DM revealed that glucose variability has little impact on the development of diabetic complications. Only in two of the eight type 1 DM studies did glucose variability have a significant association with microvascular complications, but not with macrovascular complications. Among type 2 DM studies, a significant positive association between glucose variability and the development or progression of diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular events and mortality was reported in 9 of 10 studies. Only one type 2 DM study reported no association between glucose variability and progression of retinopathy. Conclusions: Based on this overview of the available evidence, there appears to be a signal suggesting that glucose variability, characterized by extreme glucose excursions, could be a predictor of diabetic complications, independent of HbA1c levels, in patients with type 2 DM. Better daily control of blood glucose excursions, especially in the postprandial period, may reduce the risk of these complications. Future prospective trials evaluating and comparing the effect of the control of glycaemic variability on the development of diabetic micro- and macrovascular complications are needed to further strengthen the evidence base. [source]


LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, UNEXPECTED DEPRECIATION AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ADJUSTMENT

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2010
Robyn Pilcher
Prior management and manipulation of financial accounting information research has overwhelmingly been focused within a private sector setting. This study adopts a public sector focus in empirically examining the use of a specific discretionary accrual (i.e., depreciation) to adjust the financial performance of New South Wales (Australia) local governments. Findings indicate a significant positive association between absolute unexpected depreciation and absolute local government income before capital contributions, and a significant positive association between absolute unexpected depreciation and capital contributions. Overall, the results make significant contributions to various literature streams with implications for various stakeholders interested in local governmental financial performance. [source]


Ownership, Governance, and Bank Performance: Korean Experience

FINANCIAL MARKETS, INSTITUTIONS & INSTRUMENTS, Issue 4 2005
Sungho Choi
G21; G32; G34 The paper examines the effect of ownership and governance on firm performance. Tracing the post financial crisis experience, 1998,2002, of the Korean commercial bank industry, the paper investigates whether the involvement of foreign investors in the ownership structure had any significant effect on the banks' performance i.e., return and risk measures. Further, it examines the effects of the presence of outside directors, especially directors from foreign countries, in the corporate board structure impacts banks performance. Evidence indicates that the extent of the foreign ownership level, not the mere existence of foreign ownership, has a significant positive association with the bank return and a significant negative association with the bank risk. The number of outside board of directors does not have any significant affect on performance however the presence of a foreign director on that board is significantly associated with bank return and risk. These findings are relatively robust under the different specifications of performance measures. [source]


Dynamics of heat-induced thermal stress resistance and hsp70 expression in the springtail, Orchesella cincta

FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Simon Bahrndorff
Summary 1The relationship between thermal resistance and expression of inducible heat shock proteins, especially Hsp70, depends on the species and temperature treatments. The induction of Hsp70 has been shown to be essential for heat stress survival in a number of species, yet the maximum protein expression levels do not coincide with peak survival after heat hardening in Drosophila. 2Here we study the functional relationship between heat-induced expression of the heat shock protein Hsp70, and thermal resistance in adult Orchesella cincta by comparing thermal resistance (survival of 37·4 °C for 60 min) with Hsp70 gene and protein expression levels, all three measured at time points 2, 4, 6, 23, 27, 49 h after a heat hardening treatment (35·4 °C for 60 min). 3Thermotolerance increased over time after heat hardening until 49 h after exposure when the experiment ended. On the other hand the expression of hsp70 messenger RNA reached a peak within the first 2 h and then sharply decreased after 6 h. Within 23 h hsp70 expression was back to control levels. 4Surprisingly, protein levels of Hsp70 followed thermotolerance and reached the highest levels 49 h after heat hardening. A significant positive association was found between thermotolerance and Hsp70 protein levels, but not with hsp70 mRNA levels. 5Our results support a strong correlation between Hsp70 expression levels and thermal resistance following a heat hardening treatment. They also show that gene and protein expression follow different dynamics, a difference that may be important for our understanding of the role of candidate genes in functional studies. [source]


Relationship between intensity of physical activity and health-related quality of life in Portuguese institutionalized elderly

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2008
Alexandrina Lobo
Aims: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is considered to be the key goal for health promotion in older people. This study explores the relationship between HRQOL and objectively measured intensity of physical activity (PA) in institutionalized older adults. The analysis of the PA patterns of the subjects in relation to recommended levels of PA was also performed. Methods: One hundred and eighty-five residents of long-term care homes aged 65 years or more, volunteered for this study. The Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36-Item health survey (MOS SF-36) questionnaires and the uni-axial MTI Actigraph were used to assess HRQOL and PA, respectively. Participants were classified as less active, reasonably active and more active by tertile of moderated physical activity (MPA). Results: (i) The men represented a greater number of counts/h and min of MPA in all the tertile groups; (ii) men from the less active group had a significantly higher body mass index; (iii) women came third and exhibited less total activity even though they used this time in more intense activities; (iv) there was a higher significant correlation between MPA, physical function and negative association with body pain in relation to the time of institutionalization in both sexes but was more strongly visible in men; and (v) only men presented a significant positive association with physical health, mental health and vitality. Conclusion: Any intensity of PA seems to be better than no activity for HRQOL, but MPA confers greater benefits for the perception of physical function and body pain in the case of institutionalized elderly persons. [source]


Comparison between different dialysate calcium concentrations in nocturnal hemodialysis

HEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2007
Nigel D. TOUSSAINT
Abstract Benefits of dialysate with greater calcium (Ca) concentration are reported in nocturnal hemodialysis (NHD) to prevent Ca depletion and subsequent hyperparathyroidism. Studies with patients dialyzing against 1.25 mmol/L Ca baths demonstrate increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) and increasing dialysate Ca subsequently corrects this problem. However, whether 1.5 or 1.75 mmol/L dialysate Ca is most appropriate for NHD is yet to be determined, and differences in the effect on mineral metabolism of daily vs. alternate daily NHD have also not been well defined. We retrospectively analyzed mineral metabolism in 48 patients, from 2 institutions (30 at Monash and 18 at Geelong), undergoing home NHD (8 hr/night, 3.5,6 nights/week) for a minimum of 6 months. Thirty-seven patients were dialyzed against 1.5 mmol/L Ca bath and 11 patients against 1.75 mmol/L. We divided patients into 4 groups, based on dialysate Ca and also on the hours per week of dialysis, <40 (1.5 mmol/L, n=29 and 1.75 mmol/L, n=8) or ,40 (n=4 and 7). We compared predialysis and postdialysis serum markers, time-averaged over a 6-month period, and the administration of calcitriol and Ca-based phosphate binders between 1.5 and 1.75 mmol/L Ca dialysate groups. Baseline characteristics between all groups were similar, with a slightly longer, but nonsignificant, duration of NHD in both 1.75 mmol/L dialysate groups compared with 1.5 mmol/L. The mean predialysis Ca, phosphate, and Ca × P were similar between the 1.5 and 1.75 mmol/L groups, regardless of NHD hr/week. Postdialysis Ca was significantly greater, with 1.75 vs. 1.5 mmol/L in those dialyzing <40 hr/week (2.64±0.19 vs. 2.50±0.12 mmol/L, p=0.046), but postdialysis Ca × P were similar (2.25±0.44 vs. 2.16±0.29 mmol2/L2, p=0.60). Parathyroid hormone was also lower with 1.75 vs. 1.5 mmol/L baths in the <40 hr/week groups (31.99±26.99 vs. 14.47±16.36 pmol/L, p=0.03), although this difference was not seen in those undertaking NHD ,40 hr/week. Hemoglobin, ALP, and albumin were all similar between groups. There was also no difference in vitamin D requirement when using 1.75 mmol/L compared with the 1.5 mmol/L dialysate. Multivariate analysis to determine independent predictors of postdialysis serum Ca showed a statistically significant positive association with predialysis Ca, dialysate Ca, and total NHD hr/week. An elevated dialysate Ca concentration is required in NHD to prevent osteopenia but differences in serum markers of mineral metabolism between 1.5 and 1.75 mmol/L Ca dialysate in NHD in our study were few. This was similar for patients undertaking NHD <40 or ,40hr/week, although differences in the frequency of NHD may also be as important as dialysate Ca with regard to serum Ca levels. With concerns that prolonged higher Ca levels contribute to increased cardiovascular mortality, the optimal Ca dialysate bath is still unknown and further studies addressing bone metabolism with larger NHD numbers are required. [source]


Internet use by patients in an inflammatory bowel disease specialty clinic

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 10 2007
Robert R. Cima MD
Abstract Background: Patient education is known to improve satisfaction in and participation with treatment. A careful assessment of internet use by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients to gather information has not been reported. Our aim was to evaluate internet use to gather general health- and disease-specific information in patients presenting to an IBD clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous survey using a convenience sample of patients (N = 175) at a tertiary-care institution's IBD clinic was performed. Results: In all, 169 surveys (97%) were returned for analysis. The median age was 46 (17,84), 83 men and 81 women (5 missing). In known IBD patients (87%), 85 (50%) had Crohn's disease and 62 (37%) ulcerative colitis; 81% of patients had home internet access. The most common information sources were: gastroenterologists (59%), internet (54%), and primary-care physicians (54%). Ninety-two patients (54%) used the internet to gather IBD-specific information. Age-specific use (<40, 40,65, >65) was 73%, 48%, 37.5%, respectively. There was a significant positive association between level of education and internet use (P < 0.0001), but not with income. Internet sites most commonly visited were organization- or institution-specific. Factors that most influenced a user's choice of an internet site were noncommercial status (59%) and ease of use (53%). The majority of patients (57%) rated internet information "trustworthy" to "very trustworthy." Conclusions: Over half of patients in an IBD clinic used the internet to gather IBD-specific information. Use was inversely associated with age and positively correlated with education level. There was no income association. These findings suggest web-based IBD information may become increasingly important in the future. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007) [source]


Life-time history of suicide attempts and coronary artery disease in a community-dwelling elderly population

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2006
S. Artero
Abstract Background Numerous studies have observed a strong relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and psychiatric disorder; notably depression, anxiety and panic attacks. No study has, however, explored the question of whether persons suffering from CAD might also be at high risk of suicide attempts. Objective The aim of the present study is to examine the relationship between CAD within a general population cohort and life-time history of psychiatric disorder and suicidal behaviour. Method A representative sample of 1843 non-institutionalized persons over 65, drawn at random from the electoral roll, was given a standardized neurological and psychiatric examination based on DSM-IV criteria. The clinical examination also included an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a questionnaire relating to life-time medical history. Cardiac events were validated by the general practitioner. Results Within this general population sample the prevalence of suicide attempts was 3.9%. A significant positive association was observed between life-time prevalence of CAD and suicide attempts (p,<,0.04). Suicide attempts were associated with major depression (p,<,0.001) co-morbid anxiety and depression (p,<,0.001) but not anxiety alone (p,=,0.16). A logistic regression analysis showed that the relationship between suicide attempts and CAD persists after adjustment for depression and anxiety. Conclusion CAD is associated with suicidal behaviour independently of depression, however, longitudinal studies are required to clarify the direction of causality and to integrate genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors into an aetiological model. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Quality and Outcomes of Heart Failure Care in Older Adults: Role of Multidisciplinary Disease-Management Programs

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 9 2002
Ali Ahmed MD, FACP
PURPOSE: To determine whether the management of heart failure by specialized multidisciplinary heart failure disease-management programs was associated with improved outcomes. BACKGROUND: The advent of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and spironolactone has revolutionized the management of heart failure. Randomized double-blind studies have demonstrated survival benefits of these drugs in heart failure patients. Nevertheless, in spite of these advances, heart failure continues to be a syndrome of poor outcomes.1,4 There is also evidence that a significant portion of heart failure patients does not receive this evidence-based therapy that reduces morbidity and mortality.5,7 Various disease-management programs have been proposed and tested to improve the quality of heart failure care. Most of these programs are specialized multidisciplinary heart failure clinics lead by cardiologists or heart failure specialists and conducted by nurses or nurse practitioners. Similar to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) multidisciplinary geriatric assessment clinics, these clinics also use many other services, including pharmacists, dietitians, physical therapists, and social workers. Some of these programs also have an affiliated home health service. Several observation studies, using mostly pre- and postcomparison designs, have demonstrated the effectiveness of these programs in the process of care, resource use, healthcare costs, and clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure.8 Risk of hospitalization was reduced by 50% to 85% in six of the studies.8 Subsequently, several randomized trials were conducted to determine the effectiveness of these programs. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of these programs on mortality and hospitalization rates of heart failure patients. METHODS: Published articles on human randomized trials involving specialized heart failure disease-management programs in all languages were searched using Medline from 1966 to 1999 and other online databases using the following terms and Medical Subject Headings: case management (exp); comprehensive health care (exp); disease management (exp); health services research (exp); home care services (exp); clinical protocols (exp); patient care planning (exp); quality of health care (exp); nurse led clinics; special clinics; and heart failure, congestive (exp). In addition, a manual search of the bibliographies of searched articles was performed to identify articles otherwise missed in the above search. Personal communications were made with three authors to obtain further data on their studies. Using a data abstraction tool, two of the investigators separately abstracted data from the selected articles. Data from the selected studies were combined using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model and the Mantel-Haenszel-Peto fixed effects model. Meta-Analyst 0.998 software (J. Lau, New England Medical Center, Boston, MA) was used to determine risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of mortality and hospitalization for patients receiving care through these specialized programs compared with those receiving usual care. The Cochran Q test was used to test heterogeneity among the studies, and sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the effect of various covariates, such as duration of intervention, and other characteristics of the disease-management programs. RESULTS: The original search resulted in 416 published articles, of which 35 met preliminary selection criteria. Of these, 11 were randomized trials and were selected for the meta-analysis. Studies that were not randomized trials, did not involve heart failure patients or disease-management programs, or had missing outcomes were excluded. Of the 11 studies selected, nine involved specialized follow-up using multidisciplinary teams and the remaining two involved follow-up by primary care physicians and telephone. These studies involved 1,937 heart failure patients with a mean age of 74. The follow-up period ranged from no follow-up (one study) to 1 year (one study). Patients receiving care from specialized heart failure disease-management programs had a 13% lower risk of hospitalization than those receiving usual care (summary RR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.79,0.96), but the Cochran Q test demonstrated significant heterogeneity among the studies (P = .003). Subgroup analysis of the nine studies using specialized follow-up by a multidisciplinary team showed similar results (summary RR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.68,0.86; test of heterogeneity, P> .50). Seven of the nine studies did not show any significant association between intervention and reduced hospitalization, but the two studies that used follow up by primary care physicians and telephone failed to show any significant reduction in hospitalization (summary RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.75,1.19). In fact, one of the studies demonstrated a higher risk of hospitalization for patients receiving intervention (RR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.04,1.52). Of the 11 studies, only six reported mortality as an outcome. None of these studies found any association between intervention and mortality (summary RR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.96,1.37; test of heterogeneity, P> .15). Five of the studies used quality of life or functional status as outcomes, and, of them, only one demonstrated significant positive association. The results of the sensitivity analyses were negative for any significant association with duration of intervention or follow-up or year of study. Eight studies performed cost analyses and seven demonstrated cost-effectiveness of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that specialized disease-management programs were cost-effective, and heart failure patients cared for by these programs were more likely to undergo fewer hospitalizations, but the study did not provide any conclusive association between these programs and quality of care or mortality. The authors recommend that disease-management programs involve patient education and specialized follow-up by a multidisciplinary team including home health care. [source]


An exploratory study of web-enhanced learning in undergraduate nurse education

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 12 2007
BSc (Hons), Elizabeth A Mitchell MSc, PG Dip Ed
Aim.,The aim of the study was to explore undergraduate nursing students' views of web-enhanced learning and to examine issues relating to their pattern of access to a rehabilitation nursing module website. Background.,As information technology is an integral component of western health care, all nurses are expected to have the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to be competent in its use. Methods.,In phase 1, a focus group interview was conducted with students (n = 6) who had not logged onto a similar module website. In phase 2, a questionnaire was administered to students undertaking the web-enhanced module. In phase 3, each student's (n = 231) pattern of access to the module was identified and compared with the student's performance as evidenced by their module assignment mark. Results.,Students held favourable attitudes towards web-enhanced learning but some students experienced difficulties. There was a significant positive association between the students' assignment mark and the number of times logged onto the module website. Significant negative correlations were found between mark and week of first log on, and week of first log on and number of hits onto the module site. This suggests that students who logged onto the module in the first few weeks were more likely to achieve higher marks. Conclusions.,This study's findings suggest that students who accessed the module website early and often were more likely to produce more comprehensive nursing assessments and consequently achieve higher assignment marks than their colleagues. Relevance to clinical practice.,The findings have relevance to all nurses as lifelong learning is a mandatory requirement for maintaining clinical competence and electronic learning can provide students (regardless of registration status) with the flexibility to gain access to course content at a time and place convenient to them. The role of electronic learning in promoting a more holistic nursing assessment is also discussed. [source]


Validity of the MMPI-2 basic and Harris,Lingoes subscales in a forensic sample

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2001
Timothy M. Osberg
The present study explored the MMPI-2 correlates of criminal history in a sample of prison inmates. Although Ma was the only basic scale to demonstrate a significant positive association to crime history, three Harris,Lingoes subscales also bore significant associations to this criterion. The Ma1 (amorality), Pd2 (authority problems), and Pd5 (self-alienation) subscales demonstrated positive associations with crime history. Hierarchical multiple-regression analyses were used to examine the incremental validity of the D, Pd, and Ma Harris,Lingoes subscales when added to their parent scales in the prediction of crime history. Only the Pd Harris,Lingoes subscales demonstrated incremental validity in the prediction of this criterion. The value of including the Ma and Pd Harris,Lingoes subscales in criminal risk assessment is discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 1369,1380, 2001. [source]


Pornography and attitudes supporting violence against women: revisiting the relationship in nonexperimental studies

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 1 2010
Gert Martin Hald
A meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether nonexperimental studies revealed an association between men's pornography consumption and their attitudes supporting violence against women. The meta-analysis corrected problems with a previously published meta-analysis and added more recent findings. In contrast to the earlier meta-analysis, the current results showed an overall significant positive association between pornography use and attitudes supporting violence against women in nonexperimental studies. In addition, such attitudes were found to correlate significantly higher with the use of sexually violent pornography than with the use of nonviolent pornography, although the latter relationship was also found to be significant. The study resolves what appeared to be a troubling discordance in the literature on pornography and aggressive attitudes by showing that the conclusions from nonexperimental studies in the area are in fact fully consistent with those of their counterpart experimental studies. This finding has important implications for the overall literature on pornography and aggression. Aggr. Behav. 36:14,20, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Increased detection of HBV DNA in HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative South African HIV/AIDS patients enrolling for highly active antiretroviral therapy at a Tertiary Hospital

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Azwidowi Lukhwareni
Abstract This retrospective study investigated the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 192 stored sera from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive South African patients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART), and explored the implications of HBV,HIV co-infection on laboratory diagnosis of HBV. HBV serology (HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc) and nested HBV PCR assays targeting the HBV polymerase gene were performed, with HBV DNA positive samples being quantified with Cobas Taqman HBV test 48 assay (Roche Diagnostics). The study found that 63% (121/192) of patients had past or present HBV infection, and 40.6% (78/192) had detectable HBV DNA. Also, 22.9% (44/192) of patients were HBsAg positive and HBV DNA positive, while 23% (34/148) of HBsAG negatives had occult HBV infections. Of the 78 HBV DNA positive samples, 62.8% had viral loads ranging from 102 to ,108 IU/ml, and 37.2% had HBV viral loads <200 IU/ml. There was a statistically significant positive association between HBsAg-positivity and high viral loads, with 27% (12/44) of HBsAg positives having HBV viral loads between 104 and ,108 IU/ml, compared to only 5.9% (2/34) of HBsAg negatives (relative risk: 4.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.11, 19.35; chi-square P -value,=,0.015). The study shows that the majority of HIV/AIDS patients initiating ART have either acute or chronic HBV infections, and further confirms that HIV remains a risk factor for occult HBV infections in South African patients as previously shown. The findings strongly support HBV screening in all HIV-positive patients initiating ART in South Africa, considering that current ART regimens include drugs with anti-HBV activity (e.g., lamivudine). J. Med. Virol. 81:406,412, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Density of Familial Alcoholism and Its Effects on Alcohol Use and Problems in College Students

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2008
Christy Capone
Background:, Previous studies of family history of alcoholism (FHA) in college students have typically relied on dichotomous indices of paternal drinking. This study examined the prevalence of FHA and its effects on alcohol use and problems using a density measure in a sample (n = 408) of college students. Methods:, Undergraduate students completed an anonymous survey in exchange for course credit. Data was collected between 2005 and 2006. Results:, Using a density measure of FHA, we observed an overall prevalence rate of 65.9% and a rate of 29.1% for FHA in both first and second-degree relatives. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to investigate relations among FHA, alcohol use/problems and previously identified etiological risk factors for alcohol use disorders (AUD). Results indicated a significant positive association between FHA and alcohol-related problems and this relationship was mediated by age of onset of drinking, behavioral undercontrol and current cigarette use. Behavioral undercontrol also mediated the relationship between gender and alcohol problems. Additionally, FHA was associated with an earlier age of onset of drinking and this was related to greater alcohol use. Conclusions:, Assessing density of FHA in future trajectory research may capture a greater number of students at risk for acute alcohol-related problems and/or future development of AUDs. Future preventive interventions with this population, which should begin well before the college years, may benefit from considering personality factors and incorporating smoking cessation to help identify at-risk students and assist those who wish to cut down on their alcohol use but find that smoking acts as a trigger for increased drinking. [source]


National pholcodine consumption and prevalence of IgE-sensitization: a multicentre study

ALLERGY, Issue 4 2010
S. G. O. Johansson
To cite this article: Johansson SGO, Florvaag E, Öman H, Poulsen LK, Mertes PM, Harper NJN, Garvey LH, Gerth van Wijk R, Metso T, Irgens A, Dybendal T, Halsey J, Seneviratne SL, Guttormsen AB. National pholcodine consumption and prevalence of IgE-sensitization: a multicentre study. Allergy 2010; 65: 498,502. Abstract Background:, The aim of this study was to test, on a multinational level, the pholcodine (PHO) hypothesis, i.e. that the consumption of PHO-containing cough mixtures could cause higher prevalence of IgE antibodies to PHO, morphine (MOR) and suxamethonium (SUX). As a consequence the risk of anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) will be increased. Methods:, National PHO consumptions were derived from the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) database. IgE and IgE antibodies to PHO, MOR, SUX and P-aminophenyl-phosphoryl choline (PAPPC) were measured in sera from atopic individuals, defined by a positive Phadiatop® test (>0.35 kUA/l), collected in nine countries representing high and low PHO-consuming nations. Results:, There was a significant positive association between PHO consumption and prevalences of IgE-sensitization to PHO and MOR, but not to SUX and PAPPC, as calculated both by exposure group comparisons and linear regression analysis. The Netherlands and the USA, did not have PHO-containing drugs on the markets, although the former had a considerable PHO consumption. Both countries had high figures of IgE-sensitization. Conclusion:, This international prevalence study lends additional support to the PHO hypothesis and, consequently, that continued use of drugs containing this substance should be seriously questioned. The results also indicate that other, yet unknown, substances may lead to IgE-sensitization towards NMBAs. [source]


Periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque of HIV-positive subjects with chronic periodontitis

MOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
M Patel
Many putative periodontal pathogens associated with periodontal disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients also occur in non-HIV-infected individuals. This study examined the prevalence of eight periodontal pathogens in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with chronic periodontitis using the 16s RNA polymerase chain reaction technique. The results showed a significant prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola among HIV-negative patients compared to HIV-positive patients. Sixty percent of the patients in both groups were colonized by five to six species. Odds ratio analysis revealed a statistically significant positive association between three of the 28 possible combinations in the HIV-positive group. They included Prevotella nigrescens/Campylobacter rectus, P. nigrescens/P. gingivalis and P. nigrescens/T. denticola. Although the prevalence of periodontal pathogens is similar in both the groups, the combination of certain periodontal pathogens may be responsible for chronic periodontitis seen in HIV-infected adults. [source]


High body mass index and dietary pattern are associated with childhood asthma

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 12 2006
Soo-Jong Hong MD
Abstract The increasing prevalence of asthma has coincided with an increase of body mass index (BMI) in both children and adults. We investigated the relationship between BMI and the symptom prevalence of asthma and the possible influences of dietary pattern. This was a community-based, cross-sectional study of 24,260 school children aged 6,12 years. Prevalences of asthma and potential confounding factors were assessed using a Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire which was completed by parents. We analyzed the relationship between BMI and symptoms of asthma and the possible influences of dietary pattern. A significant positive association between high BMI and previous 12-month prevalence of wheeze remained in boys (adjusted odds ratio, 1.610; 95% confidence interval, 1.274,2.033) but not in girls. In addition, there were significant associations between high BMI and lifetime prevalence of wheeze, previous 12-month wheeze, exercise-induced wheeze, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma. There were significant associations between high BMI and previous 12-month wheeze regardless of breast-milk feeding or whole-milk feeding. Frequent intake of fresh seafood, fresh fruits, and vegetables was associated with reduced prevalence of current asthma symptoms and was also associated with decreased BMI. These results indicate that BMI may be an independent risk factor for the development of asthma symptoms in boys. Intake of fresh seafood, fresh fruit, and vegetables, which may be associated with decreased BMI, may contribute to protect against the development of asthma symptoms in Korean elementary schoolchildren. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2006; 41:1118,1124. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Population antibiotic susceptibility for Streptococcus pneumoniae and treatment outcomes in common respiratory tract infections,

PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 1 2006
Jon P. Furuno PhD
Abstract Purpose Antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae potentially threatens the successful treatment of common respiratory tract infections (RTIs); however, the relationship between antibiotic resistance and treatment outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to test the hypothesis that higher in vitro penicillin and erythromycin nonsusceptibility levels among clinical isolates of S. pneumoniae are associated with higher risk of treatment failure in suppurative acute otitis media (AOM), acute sinusitis, and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB). Methods We conducted a population-level analysis using treatment outcomes data from a national, managed-care claims database, and antibiotic susceptibility data from a national repository of antimicrobial susceptibility results between 1997 and 2000. Treatment outcomes in patients with suppurative AOM, acute sinusitis, or AECB receiving selected macrolides or beta-lactams were assessed. Associations between RTI-specific treatment outcomes and antibiotic nonsusceptibility were determined using Spearman correlation coefficients with condition-specific paired outcome and susceptibility data for each region and each year. Results There were 649,552 available RTI outcomes and 7252 susceptibility tests performed on S. pneumoniae isolates. There were no statistically significant trends across time for resolution proportions following treatment by either beta-lactams or macrolides among any of the RTIs. Correlation analyses found no statistically significant association between S. pneumoniae susceptibility and RTI treatment outcomes apart from a significant positive association between of erythromycin nonsusceptibility in ear isolates and macrolide treatment resolution for suppurative AOM. Conclusion On the population level, in vitroS. pneumoniae nonsusceptibility to macrolide or beta-lactam antibiotics was not associated with treatment failure in conditions of probable S. pneumoniae etiology. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Neurotoxic effect of occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents in Korea: Posturographic study

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009
Jae-Beom Park MD
Abstract Background This study used static posturography to investigate the neurotoxic effects on workers exposed to mixed organic solvents at low concentrations under the levels of the threshold limit values (TLV). Methods Forty-one workers from four plants exposed to mixed solvents and 90 non-exposed referents were examined. The lifetime cumulative biological exposure (CE) was estimated according to subject's occupational history and biological monitoring results. Static posturography and questionnaire were the basis of data collection. Results The mean exposure index of mixed organic solvents of four plants was 0.47 (SD: 0.33, range: 0.08,1.39). The exposed group showed a larger sway area and length under the eye open condition than did the non-exposed group. In a multiple linear regression, a significant positive association was demonstrated between postural sway area and CE. Conclusions This study results suggest that the exposure to organic solvents under TLV levels may cause disturbance in postural stability. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:429,437, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Expression of ezrin, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 in chondrosarcomas

APMIS, Issue 10 2010
MIRVA SÖDERSTRÖM
Söderström M, Palokangas T, Vahlberg T, Böhling T, Aro H, Carpen O. Expression of ezrin, Bcl-2, and Ki-67 in chondrosarcomas. APMIS 2010; 118: 769,76. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the expression of ezrin, a membrane-cytoskeleton linker and regulator of cellular signaling, is associated with clinical features of chondrosarcoma. For this purpose, we studied the expression of ezrin in 54 chondrosarcomas by immunohistochemistry and correlated the expression with other tumor characteristics, markers of proliferation, apoptosis and with clinical parameters. The intensity of ezrin staining increased with the histologic grade, and a significant positive association existed between the tumor grade and ezrin expression (p = 0.0475). In addition, there was a positive correlation between the expression of ezrin and Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein (r = 0.83, p < 0.0001), as well as between ezrin expression and increased proliferation as measured by Ki-67 index (r = 0.70, p < 0.0001). The positive correlation of ezrin expression with Bcl-2 and Ki-67 as well as with tumor grade suggests that an aggressive behavior of chondrosarcoma may be related to activation of ezrin and that ezrin inhibitors could provide a much needed adjuvant therapy in chondrosarcomas. In conclusion, our results indicate that high ezrin expression correlates with aggressive features of chondrosarcomas. Further analyses on the pathways downstream of ezrin are warranted. [source]


Striking a balance between retaining populations of protected seahorses and maintaining swimming nets

AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 2 2010
David Harasti
Abstract 1.The fish family Syngnathidae (seahorses, pipefish, pipehorses and seadragons) is fully protected in New South Wales, Australia, but in some countries certain species are threatened by unsustainable collecting, capture as incidental bycatch, and habitat degradation. 2.Within Sydney Harbour, two species of seahorses (Hippocampus abdominalis and Hippocampus whitei) have been found to colonize artificial structures such as jetty pylons and protective netted swimming enclosures. These protective nets are subject to fouling from epibiotic growth (algae, ascidians, bryozoans, etc.) and rubbish, which causes the nets to collapse from the additional weight. Local authorities employ diving contractors on an ad hoc basis to remove the epibiota from nets. 3.Surveys showed a significant decline in the numbers of both seahorse species at one site following the replacement of a net, and recovery of the H. whitei population took more than 15 months. 4.A manipulative experiment tested the importance of epibiotic growth for seahorses. H. whitei, tagged with individual marks, were allocated to sections of a net that had undergone different cleaning procedures. Seahorse size, position on the net and total population abundance were recorded every 2 weeks over a 3 month period. It was demonstrated that seahorses have a significant positive association with epibiotic growth and proximity to the sea floor. Seahorse populations also showed seasonal variation in abundance with increased numbers on the net during the breeding season (spring,summer). 5.This project has led to the development of best practice net cleaning procedures for local authorities in Sydney Harbour to manage growth on the nets while minimizing impacts on seahorse populations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Original Article: Relationship between the serum CA-125 level and bone mineral density in healthy pre- and post-menopausal women

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Ki Hoon AHN
Background:, Osteoporosis and tumour-associated antigen (TAA) levels are associated with inflammatory processes, but little remains known about TAA levels and bone mineral density (BMD). Aims:, We determined whether or not high-normal TAA levels are associated with a lower BMD in healthy women. Methods:, A total of 3769 healthy women were enrolled from the health screening programme over 5 years. Each participant had undergone a basic health examination. Serum carbohydrate antigen (CA)-125, CA-19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alpha-fetoprotein levels were evaluated as tumour markers. The correlations between serum TAA levels and BMD were analysed. Results:, Carbohydrate antigen 125 and CEA levels were positively associated with a higher BMD in the pre-menopause. In the post-menopause, the CA-125 level was positively associated with BMD. In the pre-menopause, CA-125 (r = 0.102; P < 0.001) and CEA levels (r = 0.134; P < 0.001) had a significant correlation with BMD. In the post-menopause, CA-125 was negatively associated with alkaline phosphatase (r = ,0.298; P < 0.001). Conclusions:, There was a significant positive association between CA-125 and BMD in healthy women. Additional basic and clinical studies on the relationship between CA-125 and bone are needed. [source]


Association of ants with juvenile Ogyris amaryllis amaryllis Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in south-eastern Queensland

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2002
Daniel J Schmidt
Abstract The life history of the mistletoe-feeding butterfly Ogyris amaryllis is commonly thought to involve an obligate association with ants. The distribution of eggs of subspecies O. a. meridionalis Bethune-Baker, which occurs over much of the Australian interior, is strongly associated with Iridomyrmex ants. This study examined the level and frequency of ant association exhibited by larvae and pupae of O. a. amaryllis, which occurs in coastal areas of eastern Australia. The distribution of juveniles was compared with that of ants at the scale of sites, mistletoe host trees, and larval sheltering locations. A significant positive association between larvae and ants was detected, although this association was weak and non-specific, indicating that O. a. amaryllis is facultatively myrmecophilous. Observed ant attendance of larvae was uncommon (5.6%). Available evidence suggests that either plasticity exists in the degree of myrmecophily of O. amaryllis, with different degrees of association expressed under different ecological circumstances, or different degrees of myrmecophily are characteristic of subspecific status. [source]


Fungiform papillary glossitis: atopic disease in the mouth?

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
R. Marks
Summary Background, Asthma, eczema and hay fever are the classical manifestations of atopic disease. Geographic tongue (benign migratory glossitis) has also been reported to be a manifestation. Anecdotally, atopic people frequently report irritation of the tongue by heat and certain foods, which may be more common than realized. Objectives, To determine whether atopic people have an increased likelihood of a sensitive tongue manifest as inflamed fungiform papillae and a history of irritation by certain foods. Patients/methods, A descriptive classification of inflammation of the fungiform papillae on the tongue was developed using a 9-point analogue scale where 1 was considered normal and 9 was considered to be severely inflamed. An opportunistic sample of participants were classified as atopic or not on the basis of a personal history of asthma, eczema or hay fever. An examination of the tongue was performed using the classification and then a questionnaire was administered on whether they burnt their tongue easily with hot food and whether they were irritated by certain foods. Results, There were 200 participants aged 20 years and over of whom 104 (52%) were classified as atopic on the basis of the personal history. There was a significant positive association between increasingly inflamed fungiform papillae and the likelihood of being atopic. There was also a positive association between increasing inflammation of the fungiform papillae and a history of both burning the tongue easily and irritation of the tongue by food. There was an increased likelihood of a history of irritation of the tongue with certain foods amongst atopic participants and they were also more likely to burn their tongue with hot food than those who were nonatopic. Conclusion, Atopic people are more likely than the normal community to have inflammation of the fungiform papillae of their tongue which correlates with a history of a sensitive tongue manifest as irritation by heat and certain foods. These data suggest that atopic disease may occur in the mouth as a common inflammatory change on the tongue,fungiform papillary glossitis. [source]


High-risk colorectal adenomas and serum insulin-like growth factors

BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 1 2001
A. G. Renehan
Background: This study investigated the hypothesis that circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and its main binding protein (IGFBP-3) predict for the presence of colorectal adenomas, surrogate markers of colorectal cancer risk. Methods: Within the Flexi-Scope Trial (healthy volunteers aged 55,64 years), at one study centre, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in serum samples collected prospectively from 442 attendants were measured. Of these, 100 individuals underwent a complete screening colonoscopy. There were 47 normal examinations, while in 11 examinations low-risk adenomas and in 42 examinations high-risk adenomas were identified. Estimates of relative risk (RR) for the adenomatous stages were calculated by means of unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for known risk factors. Results: Mean serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were similar in individuals with a normal colonoscopy finding and in those with low-risk adenomas. By contrast, the mean(s.d.) serum IGF-I level was increased (190(53) versus 169(54) µg/l; P = 0·06) and the serum IGFBP-3 concentration was significantly decreased (3·22(0·60) versus 3·47(0·62) mg/l; P = 0·05) in individuals with high-risk adenomas compared with levels in those with normal colonoscopy and low-risk adenomas combined. Levels were unaffected by removal of the adenomas. With high-risk adenoma as the dependent factor, regression models demonstrated a significant positive association with IGF-I after controlling for IGFBP-3 (RR per one standard deviation (1s.d.) change 4·39 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1·31,14·7); P = 0·02) and, independently, an inverse association with IGFBP-3 after adjustment for IGF-I (RR per 1s.d. change 0·41 (95 per cent c.i. 0·20,0·82); P = 0·01). Conclusion: These findings suggest that circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels are related to future colorectal cancer risk and, specifically, may predict adenoma progression. © 2001 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source]


Active commuting to and from school and BMI in elementary school children , preliminary data

CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2005
K. A. Heelan
Abstract Background, United States National Health Objectives include increasing the proportion of trips made by walking to and from school for children who live within 1.6 km to 50%. The purpose of this objective is to increase the level of physical activity among children. However, the impact of walking, bicycling or skating (active commuting) to and from school on the prevalence of overweight is unknown. Methods, Body mass index (BMI) was measured for 320 children (age 10.2 ± 0.7 years) in September. Over 5 months, an active commuting index (SI) and daily physical activity were estimated via questionnaire. In April, BMI and body fat were measured. Results, A significant positive association was found between April BMI and SI adjusting for September BMI (partial r = 0.03, P < 0.05). Positive associations were found between SI and physical activity before school (r = 0.17, P < 0.05) and daily moderate intensity physical activity (r = 0.13, P < 0.05). There were no significant association between SI and BF (P > 0.05). Conclusions, This preliminary data suggests that active commuting does not appear to provide sufficient amounts of physical activity to attenuate BMI; however, it may contribute to the attainment of physical activity recommendations. Future research is needed to objectively measure the impact of active commuting on the prevalence of overweight. [source]


Apolipoprotein E and Paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms are associated with lower serum thyroid hormones in postmenopausal women

CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Irene Lambrinoudaki
Summary Objective, Autoimmune thyroiditis and overt or subclinical hypothyroidism have been associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Design, Cross-sectional investigation of the association between gene polymorphisms related to CVD with thyroid function and autoimmunity. Patients, In total 84 healthy postmenopausal women aged 49,69 years. Measurements, FT3, FT4, anti-TPO and anti-TG were assessed in the sera of participants. The following polymorphisms were assessed from peripheral lymphocyte DNA: Apolipoprotein E E2/E3/E4, paraoxonase 1 A/B, Glycoprotein IIIa leu33pro, MTHFR ala222val, ApoBarg3500gln, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 4G/5G, cholesterol 7-, hydroxylase A204C and cholesterol ester transfer protein B1/B2. Results, A statistically significant correlation was found between Apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase1 polymorphisms and serum thyroid hormones: carriers of the E2 or E4 allele of the ApoE gene had lower levels of FT4 (P = 0·0005) than women with the E3/E3 genotype. Carriers of the B allele of paraoxonase 1 gene had lower levels of FT3 compared to women with the wild-type genotype (P = 0·047). A statistically significant positive association (P = 0·049) was also observed between anti-TG antibodies and the presence of the E2 allele of the Apolipoprotein E gene. Conclusions, Polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase 1 are associated with different levels of thyroid hormone and anti-Tg antibody levels in the study population in this pilot study. The mechanism underlying this association remains to be elucidated. [source]


Trace metals, stable isotope ratios, and trophic relations in seabirds from the North Pacific Ocean

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2005
John E. Elliott
Abstract Trace elements including mercury, cadmium, selenium, and stable nitrogen isotope ratios (,15N) were measured in tissues of Pacific seabirds. Two species of albatross (Diomedea immutabilis, Diomedea nigripes), four species of shearwaters (Puffinus bulleri, Puffinus carneipes, Puffinus griseus, Puffinus tenuirostris), northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), and horned puffin (Fratercula corniculata) were collected opportunistically by an experimental fishery in the North Pacific Ocean. Two species each of petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa, Oceanodroma furcata) and auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus, Cerorhinca monocerata) were collected at breeding colonies on the north coast of British Columbia, Canada. Concentrations of toxic trace metals varied considerably among the pelagic nonbreeders; highest concentrations consistently were in D. nigripes (e.g., Hg), 70-fold greater than F. corniculata (e.g., Cd), eightfold greater than P. tenuirostris (e.g., Se), and fourfold greater than F. corniculata. Most essential trace elements varied little among species, consistent with physiological regulation. Values for ,15N correlated positively with hepatic Se (r = 0.771, p = 0.025) and negatively with Co (r = 0.817, p = 0.013). Among the four breeding species, there were significant positive associations for ,15N in muscle and hepatic Se (r = 0.822, p = 0.002), Hg (r = 0.744, p = 0.0001), and Cd (r = 0.589, p = 0.003). Differences in time scales integrated by ,15N versus trace metals in tissues probably reduced the apparent associations between trace-metal exposure and diet. [source]