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Mixed Results (mixed + result)
Selected AbstractsTrends in chronic disease mortality in the Northern Territory Aboriginal population, 1997-2004: using underlying and multiple causes of deathAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 6 2009Emily Fearnley Abstract Objective: To assess trends in chronic disease mortality in the Aboriginal population of the Northern Territory (NT), using both underlying and multiple causes of death. Method: Death registration data from 1997 to 2004, were used for the analysis of deaths from five chronic diseases; ischaemic heart disease (IHD), diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), renal failure and stroke. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the average annual change in mortality rates for each of the five diseases. Chi squared tests were conducted to determine associations between the five diseases. Results: The five chronic diseases contributed to 49.3% of all Aboriginal deaths in the NT. The mortality rate ratio of NT Aboriginal to all Australian death rates from each of the diseases ranged from 4.3 to 13.0, with the lowest rate ratio for stroke and highest for diabetes. There were significant statistical associations between IHD, diabetes, renal failure and stroke. The mortality rates for diabetes, COPD and stroke declined at estimated annual rates for NT Aboriginal males of 3.6%, 1.0% and 11.7% and for Aboriginal females by 3.5%, 6.1% and 7.1% respectively. There were increases in mortality rates for Aboriginal males and females for IHD and a mixed result for renal failure. Conclusion: NT Aboriginal people experience high chronic disease mortality, however, mortality rates appear to be declining for diabetes, COPD and stroke. The impact of chronic disease on mortality is greater than previously reported by using a single underlying cause of death. The results highlight the importance of integrated chronic disease interventions. [source] Epidemiological and clinical trials evidence about a preventive role for statins in Alzheimer's diseaseACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2006K. Rockwood This paper reviews epidemiological and clinical trials data about whether statin use reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The available information has come in three waves. The initial, mostly cross-sectional observational reports suggested that statins might prevent dementia. Next, two large clinical trials with cognitive add-on studies showed no benefit and neither did the third wave, again with observational studies. The latter were mostly longitudinal, and were critical of the first studies for not adequately addressing confounding by indication (i.e. that patients with dementia would be denied statins). Most recently, new data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging have produced a mixed result. While methodological considerations are clearly important in understanding why the reports are so variable, there might also be merit in differentiating between statins, based on their presumed , and variable , mechanisms of action in dementia prevention, before concluding that the initial reports are entirely artefactual. Still, the first reports appear to have overestimated the extent of protection, so that unless there are important effects achievable with specific statins, a more than a modest role for statins in preventing AD seems unlikely. [source] Where is Independent Director Efficacy?CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 4 2007Chin-Jung Luan Theoretically and empirically, the linkage between outside directors and firm performance is not conclusive in previous studies. We suspect that the mixed results are due to the failure to meet the requirements of the independence of outside directors. As the Taiwanese government has a rigorous definition of outside director independence, we employ a data set from Taiwan to test the impact of independent outside director assignment on a firm's performance. Our findings suggest that after controlling for a firm's past performance, independent outside director appointments do have a significantly positive impact on a firm's performance, and outperforming firms may have better performance but not significantly when assigning outside directors due to their absorptive capacity. [source] Does saltwater flushing reduce viability of diapausing eggs in ship ballast sediment?DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 3 2006Sarah A. Bailey ABSTRACT Flushing of ballast tanks with seawater has been proposed to reduce the risk of invasion associated with residual ballast in ,no ballast on board' ships. The efficacy of this procedure, however, has not been determined. Using diapausing eggs isolated from ballast sediments , as well as from Lake Erie sediment , this study investigated the impact of salinity (0, 8 and 35,) and temperature (10, 20 and 30 °C) on the cumulative abundance and species richness of hatched zooplankton taxa. The rate and amount of hatching varied dramatically between sediments and across salinity,temperature regimes. Although exposure to saline water inhibited emergence of freshwater taxa during the exposure phase of all trials, mixed results were evident after diapausing eggs were returned to freshwater. The efficacy of salinity as a ballast treatment method was temperature dependent, although the direction of the effect was case-specific. Exposure of eggs to saline water was less effective at 10 and 30 °C than at 20 °C. Although flushing ballast tanks with open ocean water is expected to significantly reduce the number of active invertebrates living in residual ballast water (a potentially larger source of invaders), our results indicate that the most effective treatment conditions for reduction of diapausing egg viability is 8, salinity at 20 °C. [source] Review of assessment and treatment of PTSD among elderly American armed forces veteransINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 12 2005Gina P. Owens Abstract Background The number of elderly combat veterans is steadily increasing in the US and estimates project that a notable percentage of these veterans experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Limited data exist specifically related to prevalence, assessment, and treatment of PTSD among the elderly veteran population. Objective This review summarizes the available research related to difficulties in assessment with the elderly American Armed Forces veteran population. In addition, both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment interventions for PTSD are discussed. Methods A literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, Medline, and the National Center for PTSD's PILOTS database. Results Evidence suggests that elderly veterans generally present more somatic symptoms of PTSD. Medical and psychological comorbodities, such as depression, substance abuse, or cognitive deficits can further complicate the assessment process. Cut-scores for existing instruments need to be further established with elderly veterans. Use of exposure therapies with the elderly has not been adequately researched and mixed results have been obtained for supportive therapy for treatment of PTSD. Controlled research investigating pharmacological interventions for PTSD with the elderly is also limited. Conclusion Evidence suggests that some psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions already utilized with younger individuals may be useful with the elderly veteran population. However, research indicates that modifications may be required for working with the elderly population and further research in the areas of assessment and treatment are necessary. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Is Charisma Hyper-Romanticism?APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Empirical Evidence from New Data, a Meta-Analysis In prior research, mixed results were obtained with respect to the relationship between Romance of Leadership and the perception of transformational leadership. In this paper, we first present new studies originating from different contexts (students and employees) and different countries and, second, we meta-analyse these studies together with prior studies in order to shed light on the relationship between Romance of Leadership and the perception of transformational leadership. In the meta-analysis, we considered the following moderators: field/employees vs. experimental/student samples, geographical region, and type of assessment of transformational leadership. The results indicate a positive relationship between Romance of Leadership and the perception of transformational leadership. Only the moderating effect of region of origin was significant. In line with social constructivism and information processing approaches of leadership, our results indicate that the perception of leadership comprises more than merely the actual behaviour the leader exhibits. Des résultats contradictoires ont été obtenus dans le passé en ce qui concerne la relation entre la Romance du Leadership et la perception du leadership transformationnel. Dans cet article, nous présentons d'abord de nouvelles recherches portant sur des populations différentes (des étudiants ou des salariés) provenant de plusieurs pays, puis dans un second temps nous effectuons une méta-analyse regroupant ces travaux et des études antérieures afin d'y voir plus clair dans la relation entre la Romance du Leadership et la perception du leadership transformationnel. On a, dans la méta-analyse, pris en considération les variables régulatrices suivantes: l'origine géographique des échantillons d'étudiants (travaux expérimentaux) ou de salariés (enquêtes sur le terrain) et le type d'évaluation du leadership transformationnel. Les résultats vont dans le sens d'une relation positive entre la Romance du Leadership et la perception du leadership transformationnel. Il n'y a que la région d'origine qui présente un effet régulateur significatif. Dans la continuité du constructivisme social et des travaux concevant le leadership comme un traitement de l'information, nos résultats indiquent que la perception du leadership dépasse le comportement observable du leader. [source] | ||||||||||