Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Pearson's R (pearson + r)
Selected AbstractsIndices for studying urinary incontinence and levator ani function in primiparous womenJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 4 2003Cathy L. Antonakos PhD Summary ,,Urinary incontinence (UI) is a complex phenomenon that is prevalent in pregnant and parous women and requires the use of sophisticated measures to adequately reflect functioning of the continence system. ,,The purpose of this study was to develop reliable and valid measures of UI and levator ani function for use in research and clinical settings. ,,A Leakage Index (LI) and a Levator Ani Function Index (LAFI) were developed using data from a longitudinal study of primiparous women. Reliability and validity tests were conducted to: (i) estimate the internal consistency reliability of each index, (ii) determine whether the indices captured change in continence status and pelvic floor function during pregnancy through 1 year postpartum, and (iii) estimate association between the indices as a test of predictive validity. ,,Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.72 to 0.84 for the LI and from 0.53 to 0.79 for the LAFI across the six data collection time points of the study. Average LI scores increased late in pregnancy and decreased postpartum, though not significantly. Average LAFI scores decreased significantly at 35 weeks gestation (t = 4.84, P = 0.000) and increased significantly at 12 months postpartum (t = ,3.51, P = 0.002) relative to baseline. The LI and LAFI were significantly associated at 20 weeks gestation (Pearson r = ,0.40, P = 0.007) and at 6 weeks postpartum (Pearson r = ,0.33, P = 0.029). ,,The findings suggest the LI and LAFI are reliable and valid measures of UI and levator ani function in primiparous women, which can be used with confidence in clinical and research settings. [source] Quercetin and Ethanol Attenuate the Progression of Atherosclerotic Plaques With Concomitant Up Regulation of Paraoxonase1 (PON1) Gene Expression and PON1 Activity in LDLR,/, MiceALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2010Leslie C. Leckey Background:, As moderate wine drinking is atheroprotective, it is clinically relevant to elucidate its possible mechanism/s of action/s. Our objective is to demonstrate the potential benefits of the wine components, quercetin and ethanol, on the development of aortic plaques with parallel changes in antiatherogenic factors. Methods and Results:, The effects of quercetin and ethanol on the development of aortic atherosclerotic lesions, liver PON1 gene expression, and serum PON1 activity were measured in LDLR,/, mice on an atherogenic diet for 4 and 8 weeks. Depending on the duration and dosage of these modulators, 12.5 to 25 mg/dl quercetin (12.5Q to 25Q) and 18 to 25% ethanol, the magnitude of decreases in aortic lesions caused by moderate ethanol and quercetin ranged from 20 to 70% (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) based on ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) analyses, and from 18 to 61% (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) based on morphometric analyses. The composite plot of all the UBM and morphometric data showed significant correlation between these 2 methods (p = 0.0001, Pearson r = 0.79 for 4-week treatment; p = 0.000004, Pearson r = 0.84 for 8-week treatment). Concomitantly, 4-week treatments with 12.5Q and 18% ethanol up regulated liver PON1 mRNA by 41% (p < 0.05) and 37% (p < 0.05), respectively, accompanied by 92% (p < 0.001) and 61% (p < 0.001) increases in serum PON1 activity, respectively. The corresponding values after 8-week treatment with 12.5Q and 18% ethanol were 23% (p < 0.05) and 40% (p < 0.02) with respect to the up regulation of liver PON1 mRNA expression, while the stimulations of serum PON1 activity were 75% (p < 0.001) and 90% (p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions:, Based on these findings, we conclude that quercetin and moderate ethanol significantly inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis by up regulating the hepatic expression of the antiatherogenic gene, PON1, with concomitant increased serum PON1 activity. [source] Resting interhemispheric functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity predicts performance after strokeANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2010Alex R. Carter MD Objective Focal brain lesions can have important remote effects on the function of distant brain regions. The resulting network dysfunction may contribute significantly to behavioral deficits observed after stroke. This study investigates the behavioral significance of changes in the coherence of spontaneous activity in distributed networks after stroke by measuring resting state functional connectivity (FC) using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Methods In acute stroke patients, we measured FC in a dorsal attention network and an arm somatomotor network, and determined the correlation of FC with performance obtained in a separate session on tests of attention and motor function. In particular, we compared the behavioral correlation with intrahemispheric FC to the behavioral correlation with interhemispheric FC. Results In the attention network, disruption of interhemispheric FC was significantly correlated with abnormal detection of visual stimuli (Pearson r with field effect = ,0.624, p = 0.002). In the somatomotor network, disruption of interhemispheric FC was significantly correlated with upper extremity impairment (Pearson r with contralesional Action Research Arm Test = 0.527, p = 0.036). In contrast, intrahemispheric FC within the normal or damaged hemispheres was not correlated with performance in either network. Quantitative lesion analysis demonstrated that our results could not be explained by structural damage alone. Interpretation These results suggest that lesions cause state changes in the spontaneous functional architecture of the brain, and constrain behavioral output. Clinically, these results validate using FC for assessing the health of brain networks, with implications for prognosis and recovery from stroke, and underscore the importance of interhemispheric interactions. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:365,375 [source] Opioid switching from transdermal fentanyl to oral methadone in patients with cancer painCANCER, Issue 12 2004Miguel Angel Benítez-Rosario M.D., Ph.D. Abstract BACKGROUND Patients with cancer often are rotated from other opioids to methadone to improve the balance between analgesia and side effects. To the authors' knowledge, no clear guidelines currently exist for the safe and effective rotation from transdermal fentanyl to methadone. METHODS The authors evaluated a protocol for switching opioid from transdermal fentanyl to oral methadone in 17 patients with cancer. Reasons for switching were uncontrolled pain (41.1% of patients) and neurotoxic side effects (58.9% of patients). Methadone was initiated 8,24 hours after fentanyl withdrawal, depending on the patient's previous opioid doses (from < 100 ,g per hour to > 300 ,g per hour). The starting methadone dose was calculated according to a 2-step conversion between transdermal fentanyl:oral morphine (1:100 ratio) and oral morphine:oral methadone (5:1 ratio or 10:1 ratio). The correlation between previous fentanyl dose and the final methadone dose or the fentanyl:methadone dose ratio was assessed by means of Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients (r), respectively. A Friedman test was used to compare pain intensity before and after the switch and the use of daily rescue doses. RESULTS Opioid rotation was fully or partially effective in 80% and 20%, respectively, of patients with somatic pain. Neuropathic pain was not affected by opioid switching. Delirium and myoclonus were reverted in 80% and 100% of patients, respectively, after opioid switching. A positive linear correlation was obtained between the fentanyl and methadone doses (Pearson r, 0.851). Previous fentanyl doses were not correlated with the final fentanyl:methadone dose ratios (Spearman r, , 0.327). CONCLUSIONS The protocol studied provided a safe approach for switching from transdermal fentanyl to oral methadone, improving the balance between analgesia and side effects in patients with cancer. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society. [source] Biomarkers of Mn exposure in humansAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 11 2007Donald Smith PhD Abstract Background Studies have reported associations between manganese (Mn) exposures and Mn levels in blood and urine, though the suitability of these biological measures as biomarkers of exposure is not well known. Methods We evaluated whether whole blood, plasma, and urine Mn levels reflect exposures in occupationally exposed humans. Results In active ferroalloy workers, blood Mn was associated with total air Mn levels in subjects currently exposed to low (median,=,0.42 ,g/m3, P,=,0.009) and moderate (median,=,4.2 ,g/m3, P,=,0.007) air Mn levels, but not in workers exposed to the highest Mn levels (median,=,292 ,g/m3, P,=,0.31). In bridge welders blood Mn (P,<,0.01), but not plasma or urine Mn was significantly associated with their cumulative respiratory exposure index. In welders, ,6% (range ,3,9%) of whole blood Mn was contained in the plasma fraction, though there was no association between whole blood and plasma Mn levels (Pearson's R,=,0.258, P,=,0.12). In contrast, in fresh whole blood samples spiked with Mn ex vivo ,80% or more of added Mn partitioned in the plasma, while only ,20% or less partitioned in the cellular fraction. Conclusions These data suggest a complex and limited relationship between exposure and blood Mn levels that may depend upon exposure attributes and the latency of blood sampling relative to exposure; plasma and urine Mn appear to be of little utility as exposure biomarkers. This underscores the need to fully characterize and validate these or other biomarkers for use in constructing appropriate exposure metrics and determining exposure,effect relationships. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:801,811, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The validity of the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (VRAG) in predicting criminal recidivismCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 2 2007Carolin Kröner Introduction,The VRAG is an actuarial risk assessment instrument, developed in Canada as an aid to estimating the probability of reoffending by mentally ill offenders. Aim,To test the predictive validity of the VRAG with a German sample. Method,The predictive validity of the VRAG was tested on a sample of 136 people charged with a criminal offence and under evaluation for criminal responsibility in the forensic psychiatry department at the University of Munich in 1994,95. The predicted outcome was tested by means of ROC analysis for correlation with the observed rate of recidivism between discharge after the 1994,95 assessment and the census date of 31 March 2003. Recidivism rate was calculated from the official records of the National Conviction Registry. Results,Just over 38% of the sample had reoffended by 2003. Their mean time-at-risk was 58 months (SD 3.391; range 0,115 months). The VRAG yielded a high predictive accuracy in the ROC analysis with an AUC of 0.703. For a constant time-at-risk < = 7 years, the predicted probability and observed rates of recidivism correlated significantly with Pearson's r = 0.941. Conclusions,The validity of the VRAG was replicated with a German sample. The VRAG yielded good predictive accuracy, despite differences in sample and outcome variables compared with its original sample. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Assessing motivation to change in bulimia nervosa: the bulimia nervosa stages of change questionnaireEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 1 2007Esteve Martinez Abstract Objective To assess motivation to change in adolescent patients with bulimia nervosa through the Bulimia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (BNSOCQ), an instrument adapted from the Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ) already validated in anorexic patients. Method Subjects were 30 bulimia nervosa patients (mean age,=,16.3 years) who were receiving treatment at an eating disorders unit. The evaluation instruments were: the BNSOCQ, the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The BNSOCQ was re-administered 1 week later to evaluate test-retest reliability. Results The BNSOCQ demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha,=,0.94) and one week test-retest reliability (Pearson's r,=,0.93). Negative significant correlations were found between the BNSOCQ and several EDI-2 scales (Pearson's r between ,0.51 and ,0.84) and the BDI (r,=,,0.74). Conclusion The study provides initial support for the reliability and validity of the BNSOCQ as a self-report instrument for assessing motivation to change in adolescents with bulimia nervosa. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] The De-Escalating Aggressive Behaviour Scale: development and psychometric testingJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 9 2009Johannes Nau Abstract Title.,The De-Escalating Aggressive Behaviour Scale: development and psychometric testing. Aim., This paper is a report of a study to develop and test the psychometric properties of a scale measuring nursing students' performance in de-escalation of aggressive behaviour. Background., Successful training should lead not merely to more knowledge and amended attitudes but also to improved performance. However, the quality of de-escalation performance is difficult to assess. Method., Based on a qualitative investigation, seven topics pertaining to de-escalating behaviour were identified and the wording of items tested. The properties of the items and the scale were investigated quantitatively. A total of 1748 performance evaluations by students (rater group 1) from a skills laboratory were used to check distribution and conduct a factor analysis. Likewise, 456 completed evaluations by de-escalation experts (rater group 2) of videotaped performances at pre- and posttest were used to investigate internal consistency, interrater reliability, test,retest reliability, effect size and factor structure. Data were collected in 2007,2008 in German. Findings., Factor analysis showed a unidimensional 7-item scale with factor loadings ranging from 0·55 to 0·81 (rater group 1) and 0·48 to 0·88 (rater group 2). Cronbach's alphas of 0·87 and 0·88 indicated good internal consistency irrespective of rater group. A Pearson's r of 0·80 confirmed acceptable test,retest reliability, and interrater reliability Intraclass Correlation 3 ranging from 0·77 to 0·93 also showed acceptable results. The effect size r of 0·53 plus Cohen's d of 1·25 indicates the capacity of the scale to detect changes in performance. Conclusion., Further research is needed to test the English version of the scale and its validity. [source] Differential activation of stress-responsive signalling proteins associated with altered loading in a rat skeletal muscleJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2005Inho Choi Abstract Skeletal muscle undergoes a significant reduction in tension upon unloading. To explore intracellular signalling mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, we investigated twitch tension, the ratio of actin/myosin filaments, and activities of key signalling molecules in rat soleus muscle during a 3-week hindlimb suspension and 2-week reloading. Twitch tension and myofilament ratio (actin/myosin) gradually decreased during unloading but progressively recovered to initial levels during reloading. To study the involvement of stress-responsive signalling proteins during these changes, the activities of protein kinase C alpha (PKC,) and three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs),c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), and p38 MAPK,were examined using immunoblotting and immune complex kinase assays. PKC, phosphorylation correlated positively with the tension (Pearson's r,=,0.97, P,<,0.001) and the myofilament ratio (r,=,0.83, P,<,0.01) over the entire unloading and reloading period. Treatment of the soleus muscle with a PKC activator resulted in a similar paralleled increment in both PKC, phosphorylation and the ,-sarcomeric actin expression. The three MAPKs differed in the pattern of activation in that JNK activity peaked only for the first hours of reloading, whereas ERK and p38 MAPK activities remained elevated during reloading. These results suggest that PKC, may play a pivotal role in converting loading stress to intracellular changes in contractile proteins that determine muscle tension. Differential activation of MAPKs may also help alleviate muscle damage, modulate energy transport and/or regulate the expression of contractile proteins upon altered loading. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Structured reminiscence: an intervention to decrease depression and increase self-transcendence in older womenJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 2 2006Cynthia Kellam Stinson MSN Aims/objectives., The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of group reminiscing on depression and self-transcendence of older women residing in an assisted living facility in southeast Texas. There were two major objectives for this study. One objective was to determine if depression decreased in older women after structured reminiscence group sessions held twice weekly for a six-week period. A second objective was to determine if self-transcendence increased after structured reminiscence group sessions held twice weekly for a six-week period. Background., Reminiscence has been studied to determine its impact on a variety of conditions including but not limited to depression, self-esteem, fatigue, isolation, socialization, well-being, language acquisition and cognitive functioning. This review of research specifically focused on reminiscence, depression, self-transcendence and older people. Design/methods., Two groups were assessed at baseline, three and six weeks to answer the research questions. A sample of 24 women between the ages of 72 and 96 years were randomly assigned to either a reminiscence (experimental) group or the activity (control) group of the facility. Pearson's r was used to determine the magnitude of the relationship between subjects' responses on the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Self-Transcendence Scale. A mixed design analysis of variance (anova) was used to determine if there was a difference between the experimental and control groups on scores of the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Self-Transcendence Scale at baseline, three and six weeks. Conclusions., Data revealed a non-significant decrease in depression and increase in self-transcendence in the reminiscence group at the completion of six weeks, indicating a trend toward a positive result with reminiscence group sessions. The study also revealed an inverse relationship between depression and self-transcendence. These findings underscore the importance of screening older people for depression. Relevance to clinical practice., One of the primary modalities used for the treatment of depression in elderly women is medication. Antidepressant medications lead to harmful side effects without alleviating the underlying depression. For these reasons, there is a need to research alternative therapies for treatment of depression in the older female. Reminiscence offers a possible intervention for treatment of depression in older women. [source] Does contact with lesbians and gays lead to friendlier attitudes? a two year longitudinal study,JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Norman Anderssen Abstract Attitudes toward and contact with lesbian women and gay men were assessed through questionnaires in a 2-year follow-up study in a cohort of 511 Norwegian participants, 19 years of age at first data collection. A substantial proportion reported negative attitudes at baseline (between 39 and 63%) and two years later (between 32 and 59%), females being more positive than males. A majority reported having no contact with lesbian women or gay men either at 19 years of age (66,79%) or 2 years later (51,62%). Longitudinally, the measures were moderately stable (Pearson's r 0.43,0.73), and contact change was positively related to attitude change. Also, attitude change positively predicted contact change. The findings imply that efforts to reduce stigma associated with homosexuality are still needed among young people in Norway. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] White muscle 20S proteasome activity is negatively correlated to growth rate at low temperature in the spotted wolffish Anarhichas minorJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2010S. G. Lamarre The effect of temperature and mass on specific growth rate (G) was examined in spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor of different size classes (ranging from 60 to 1500 g) acclimated at different temperatures (4, 8 and 12° C). The relationship between G and 20S proteasome activity in heart ventricle, liver and white muscle tissue was then assessed in fish acclimated at 4 and 12° C to determine if protein degradation via the proteasome pathway could be imposing a limitation on somatic growth. Cardiac 20S proteasome activity was not affected by acclimation temperature nor fish mass and had no correlation with G. Hepatic 20S proteasome activity was higher at 12° C but did not show any relationship with G. Partial correlation analysis showed that white muscle 20S proteasome activity was negatively correlated to G (partial Pearson's r = ,0·609) but only at cold acclimation temperature (4° C). It is suggested that acclimation to cold temperature involves compensation of the mitochondrial oxidative capacity which would in turn lead to increased production of oxidatively damaged proteins that are degraded by the proteasome pathway and ultimately negatively affects G at cold temperature. [source] Age as a predictor of hyperphosphatemia after oral phosphosoda administration for colon preparationJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Y GUMURDULU Abstract Background and Aim:, It has been reported that oral phosphosoda (OPS), commonly used in bowel cleansing, may cause complications such as hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. This has been observed in patients with normal kidney function and in those with renal insufficiency. Few controlled studies have been performed with respect to age on healthy subjects after OPS administration. Methods:, Seventy patients (38 men and 32 women; mean age 47 ± 12 years, range 25,80 years) were enrolled in the present study. Half of the 90 mL total volume of OPS was ingested 18 h before colonoscopy, and the other half 6 h before the procedure. Creatinine clearance rate (CCR) and serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate were measured before and after OPS administration. Results:, After OPS administration, serum calcium and potassium were significantly lower (P < 0.05), and serum phosphate and sodium were significantly higher than pretreatment levels (P , 0.01). The statistically significant changes in serum sodium, potassium and calcium were within normal laboratory ranges. The mean change in serum phosphate was positively correlated with age (Pearson's r = 0.705; p < 0.001). Conclusion:, Administration of OPS causes a significant rise in serum phosphate, even in patients with normal CCR. The elevation is significantly greater in elderly patients. Administration of OPS can be considered safe for young and middle-aged patients with normal renal function; however, it should be used with caution in elderly patients, even in those with normal CCR and serum creatinine values. [source] Genetic diversity of Ranunculus acris L. (Ranunculaceae) populations in relation to species diversity and habitat type in grassland communitiesMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2004Nidal Odat Abstract Correlates between genetic diversity at intra- and interpopulation levels and the species diversity in plant communities are rarely investigated. Such correlates may give insights into the effect of local selective forces across different communities on the genetic diversity of local plant populations. This study has employed amplified fragment length polymorphism to assess the genetic diversity within and between 10 populations of Ranunculus acris in relation to the species diversity (richness and evenness) of grassland communities of two different habitat types, ,seminatural' and ,agriculturally improved', located in central Germany. Within-population genetic diversity estimated by Nei's unbiased gene diversity (HE) was high (0.258,0.334), and was not correlated with species richness (Pearson's r = ,0.17; P = 0.64) or species evenness (Pearson's r = 0.15; P = 0.68) of the plant communities. However, the genetic differentiation between R. acris populations was significantly correlated with the difference in species evenness (Mantel's r = 0.62, P = 0.02), but not with difference in species richness of plant communities (r = ,0.17, P = 0.22). Moreover, we also found that populations of R. acris from the ,seminatural' habitat were genetically different (amova, P < 0.05) from those in ,agriculturally improved' habitats, suggesting that gene flow between these habitat types is limited. The results reported in this study may indicate that habitat characteristics influence the genetic diversity of plant species. [source] Nutritional rickets and z scores for height in the United Arab Emirates: To D or not to D?PEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2008Jaishen Rajah Abstract Background: Vitamin D deficiency is still prevalent worldwide, including the Middle East. A cohort of patients with nutritional rickets was treated with vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) alone. After this intervention, patients were followed to document changes in z scores for height after treatment. The secondary aim was to determine the proportion of affected children who had vitamin D deficiency or calcium deficiency. Methods: Z score for height was calculated as the difference between the observed value and the median value, divided by the SD of the population. Z scores were compared in patients before and after treatment. Results: The improvement in z score after treatment was 0.86 ± 0.95. The 95% confidence interval for the mean difference was 1.32,0.40 (t = 3.95, P < 0.001). With a diagnostic cut-off for 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25D) deficiency of <25 nmol/L, only half were diagnosed with severe vitamin D deficiency. The remaining patients had presumable calcium deficiency. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was negatively correlated to z scores, implying that higher ALP concentrations predicted severe bone disease (lower z scores). The variables 25D and age were moderately and positively correlated (Pearson's r = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.15,0.84; P = 0.01), indicating that younger infants had the lowest 25D levels. Conclusion: Vitamin D alone was efficient in resolving radiological and biochemical disturbances as well as improving z scores for height in a cohort of children with nutritional rickets, which included patients with 25D deficiency as well as calcium deficiency. The results support the hypothesis of the interplay and continuum of 25D deficiency and calcium deficiency in the pathogenesis of rickets. [source] Obesity and associated modifiable environmental factors in Iranian adolescents: Isfahan Healthy Heart Program , Heart Health Promotion from ChildhoodPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2003RoYA Kelishadi Abstract Objective:,To evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Iranian adolescents and their relationship with modifiable environmental factors. Methods:,The subjects of the present study were 1000 girls and 1000 boys, aged between 11 and 18 years selected by multistage random sampling, their parents (n = 2000) and their school staff (n = 500 subjects) in urban and rural areas of two provinces in Iran. Data concerning body mass index (BMI), nutrition and the physical activity of the subjects were analyzed by SPSSV10/Win software. Results:,The prevalence of 85th percentile , body mass index (BMI) < 95th percentile and BMI > 95th percentile in girls was significantly higher than boys (10.7 ± 1.1 and 2.9 ± 0.1%vs 7.4 ± 0.9 and 1.9 ± 0.1%, respectively; P < 0.05). The mean BMI value was significantly different between urban and rural areas (25.4 ± 5.2 vs 23.2 ± 7.1 kg/m2, respectively; P < 0.05). A BMI> 85th percentile was more prevalent in families with an average income than in high-income families (9.3 ± 1.7 vs 7.2 ± 1.4%, respectively; P < 0.05) and in those with lower-educated mothers (9.2 ± 2.1 vs 11.5 ± 2.4 years of mothers education, respectively). The mean total energy intake was not different between overweight or obese and normal-weight subjects (1825 ± 90 vs 1815 ± 85 kCal, respectively; P > 0.05), but the percentage of energy derived from carbohydrates was significantly higher in the former group compared with the latter (69.4 vs 63.2%, respectively; P < 0.05). Regular extracurricular sports activities were significantly lower and the time spent watching television was significantly higher in overweight or obese than non-obese subjects (time spent watching telelvision: 300 ± 20 vs 240 ± 30 min/day, P < 0.05). A significant linear association was shown between the frequency of consumption of rice, bread, pasta, fast foods and fat/salty snacks and BMI (, = 0.05,0.06; P < 0.05). A significant correlation was shown between BMI percentiles and serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein,cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (Pearson's r = 0.38, ,0.32 and 0.47, respectively). Conclusions:,Enhanced efforts to prevent and control overweight from childhood is a critical national priority, even in developing countries. To be successful, social, cultural and economic influences should be considered. [source] Reliability and concurrent validity of the Expanded Timed Up-and-Go test in older people with impaired mobilityPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2008Pernille Botolfsen Abstract Background and Purpose.,,Expanded Timed Up-and-Go' (ETUG) was developed to assess each of the subtasks of the ,Timed Up-and-Go' (TUG). The aim of the study was to test the intrarater, interrater, test,retest reliability and internal consistency of the ETUG, and the concurrent validity with the TUG.,Methods.,The present study is a reliability and a validity study. Twenty-eight subjects (80 ± 4.1 years) with balance and gait problems were included. Three raters timed the ETUG subtasks from a video, using a computer-based scoring programme, and the total ETUG time was calculated. TUG was registered by a regular stopwatch.,Results.,The intrarater and interrater reliability (intraclass correlation [ICC][1,1]) ranged from 0.55 to 0.97. The test,retest reliability (ICC[1,1]) ranged from 0.54 to 0.85. The absolute measurement error of the total time (1.96 Sw) was 2.8 seconds. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.74. The correlation (Pearson's r) between ETUG total time and TUG after correcting for attenuation caused by restricted reliability in each of the measures was 0.85.,Conclusion.,The ETUG scored from a video shows a good reliability for experienced raters and acceptable internal consistency. The ETUG showed a higher reliability than TUG when tested on the same sample of older subjects with impaired mobility, and the high concurrent validity between ETUG and TUG suggests that the two tests may have similar properties. Since ETUG also adds new information compared with TUG, we suggest that ETUG is an interesting alternative to existing clinical tests of mobility. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Knee pain in the ACL-deficient osteoarthritic knee and its relationship to quality of lifePHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2003Michael Hartwick Abstract Background and Purpose Pain during activities of daily living is a common presenting complaint of individuals with knee osteoarthritis and anterior cruciate ligament injury. Knee pain is also associated with a decrease in quality of life for people with osteoarthritis. The purpose of the present study was to examine the dose,response relationship between knee joint forces and painful symptoms, and whether the acute symptoms, were associated with individuals' quality of life. Method This was a cross-sectional cohort correlation study. Seventeen individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees diagnosed with ipsilateral knee osteoarthritis completed the ACL quality of life questionnaire (ACL-QOL). The subjects also rated pain associated with each of five incremental isometric knee extension tests, proportional to their body weight. Analysis of variance was used to assess the association between pain and normalized torque. Linear regression was used to assess the correlation between the ACL-QOL score and the total pain experienced during the graded test. Results A strong relationship was found between the level of perceived knee pain and the amount of isometric torque produced (Pearson's r = 0.98; p<0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between pain during the graded isometric test and the ACL-QOL (Pearson's r = ,0.56; p = 0.016). Conclusions Since knee joint compression is a function of active isometric knee extension torque, increased painful symptoms were associated with increased compression forces at the knee joint for these subjects. The relationship between pain provocation and disease-specific quality of life provides evidence for the proposed joint provocation test for this subject population. Weakness caused by osteoarthritis (OA) may, in part, be a negative conditioning response that would need to be overcome in rehabilitation. Copyright © 2003 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Reliability of measurement of angular movements of the pelvis and lumbar spine during treadmill walkingPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2001Nicholas Taylor Abstract Background and Purpose Angular movements of the pelvis and lumbar spine are thought to play an important role in walking. However, little is known about the amount of unpredictable variability in measurement of these movements during human walking. The aim of the present study was to determine the retest reliability of measuring the angular movements of the pelvis and lumbar spine during unimpaired familiarized treadmill walking. Method Retest reliability for 26 subjects without pathology was determined over a one-week interval. Subjects walked on a treadmill at self-selected or a slower speed while measurements of the three-dimensional angular movements were taken with a computer-based video analysis system. Results The frontal plane movements of pelvic list and lumbar lateral flexion (relative to the pelvis) could be measured with high retest reliability at both self-selected and slow walking speeds (intraclass coefficient (ICC) (2,1) , 0.81). In contrast, transverse and sagittal plane movements demonstrated moderate reliability at both speeds (0.37 , ICC (2,1) , 0.76). Averaging the measurement over six strides resulted in increased observed reliability (self-selected walking speed summary Pearson's r = 0.71, slow walking speed summary Pearson's r = 0.79) compared to taking the measurement based on a single stride (self-selected walking speed summary Pearson's r = 0.63, slow walking speed summary Pearson's r = 0.67). Unlike pelvic and lumbar movements (relative to the pelvis), the measurement of lumbar movements (relative to the global reference frame) appeared to depend on whether subjects were walking at self-selected or slow speeds. Conclusions Measurement of pelvic list and lumbar lateral flexion (relative to the pelvis) could be applied with confidence to hypothesis testing about individuals or groups. Movements in the transverse and sagittal planes are unlikely to be appropriate in hypothesis testing about individuals and hence clinical practice, but may still have experimental applications in hypothesis testing about groups. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Visual judgements of steadiness in one-legged stance: reliability and validityPHYSIOTHERAPY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2000Travis Haupstein Abstract Background and Purpose There is a paucity of information about the validity and reliability of clinicians' visual judgements of steadiness in one-legged stance. Such judgements are used frequently in clinical practice to support decisions about treatment in the fields of neurology, sports medicine, paediatrics and orthopaedics. The aim of the present study was to address the validity and reliability of visual judgements of steadiness in one-legged stance in a group of physiotherapists. Method A videotape of 20 five-second performances was shown to 14 physiotherapists with median clinical experience of 6.75 years. Validity of visual judgement was established by correlating scores obtained from an 11-point rating scale with criterion scores obtained from a force platform. In addition, partial correlations were used to control for the potential influence of body weight on the relationship between the visual judgements and criterion scores. Inter-observer reliability was quantified between the physiotherapists; intra-observer reliability was quantified between two tests four weeks apart. Results Mean criterion-related validity was high, regardless of whether body weight was controlled for statistically (Pearson's r=0.84, 0.83, respectively). The standard error of estimating the criterion score was 3.3 newtons. Inter-observer reliability was high (ICC (2,1) = 0.81 at Test 1 and 0.82 at Test 2). Intra-observer reliability was high (on average ICC (2,1) = 0.88; Pearson's r = 0.90). The standard error of measurement for the 11-point scale was one unit. Conclusions The finding of higher accuracy of making visual judgements than previously reported may be due to several aspects of design: use of a criterion score derived from the variability of the force signal which is more discriminating than variability of centre of pressure; use of a discriminating visual rating scale; specificity and clear definition of the phenomenon to be rated. Copyright © 2000 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Relationship Between Rhinitis Duration and Response to Nasal Decongestion Test,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 7 2008Giorgio Ciprandi MD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal obstruction depends on allergic inflammation. Decongestion tests evaluate the reversibility of nasal airflow limitation. It has been previously reported that duration of persistent allergic rhinitis (PER) may involve important functional consequences. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of the duration of rhinitis on the response to nasal decongestion test in a cohort of patients with PER. Methods: A total of 312 patients with moderate-severe PER were prospectively and consecutively evaluated: 234 males and 78 females, mean age 23.6 years. A detailed clinical history was taken and complete physical examination, nasal endoscopy, skin prick test, rhinomanometry, and nasal decongestion test were performed for all patients. Results: A strong inverse correlation was observed (Pearson's r = ,0.81) between rhinitis duration (years) and posttest percentage change of nasal airflow values. Conclusions: The duration of PER may induce a progressive impairment of the response to nasal decongestion test. [source] Clinical optical coherence tomography of early articular cartilage degeneration in patients with degenerative meniscal tearsARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2010Constance R. Chu Objective Quantitative and nondestructive methods for clinical diagnosis and staging of articular cartilage degeneration are important to the evaluation of potential disease-modifying treatments in osteoarthritis (OA). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel imaging technology that can generate microscopic-resolution cross-sectional images of articular cartilage in near real-time. This study tested the hypotheses that OCT can be used clinically to identify early cartilage degeneration and that OCT findings correlate with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 values and arthroscopy results. Methods Patients undergoing arthroscopy for degenerative meniscal tears were recruited under Institutional Review Board,approved protocols. Thirty consecutive subjects completing preoperative 3.0T MRI, arthroscopy, and intraoperative OCT comprised the study group. Qualitative and quantitative OCT results and MRI T2 values were compared with modified Outerbridge cartilage degeneration scores (0,4 scale) assigned at arthroscopy. Results Arthroscopic grades showed cartilage abnormality in 23 of the 30 patients. OCT grades were abnormal in 28 of the 30 patients. Both qualitative and quantitative OCT strongly correlated with the arthroscopy results (P = 0.004 and P = 0.0002, respectively, by Kruskal-Wallis test). Neither the superficial nor the deep cartilage T2 values correlated with the arthroscopy results. The quantitative OCT results correlated with the T2 values in the superficial cartilage (Pearson's r = 0.39, P = 0.03). Conclusion These data show that OCT can be used clinically to provide qualitative and quantitative assessments of early articular cartilage degeneration that strongly correlate with arthroscopy results. The correlation between the quantitative OCT values and T2 values for the superficial cartilage further supports the utility of OCT as a clinical research tool, providing quantifiable microscopic resolution data on the articular cartilage structure. New technologies for nondestructive quantitative assessment of human articular cartilage degeneration may facilitate the development of strategies to delay or prevent the onset of OA. [source] Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the child abuse potential inventory abuse scaleASIA-PACIFIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 3 2009Yoshiya Kawamura BE MD Abstract Introduction: The present study examined the reliability, validity, and cutoff scores of the Japanese version of the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) abuse scale, which screens for parents at risk of child abuse. Methods: Samples consisted of 1,809 parents, 109 students, and 33 child abusers in Japan. The CAPI was administered to all participants, and twice to the student sample at a 2-week interval. Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's ,, and construct validity by principal factor analysis with the parent sample. Test-retest reliability was assessed with Pearson's r with the student sample. With regard to predictive validity, the cutoff scores and classification rates were calculated through discriminant analysis between abusers and matched non-abusers. Results: Internal consistency (Cronbach's ,=0.88), test-retest reliability (Pearson's r=0.93; two-tailed P<0.001), and predictive validity (overall diagnostic power=90%) were all highly satisfactory. Regarding construct validity, the six-factor structure of the original version was not replicated; only three factors were obtained. The discriminant analysis showed the basic cutoff score as 159. The conservative cutoff score for the upper 5% of the parent sample was 218. Discussion: The Japanese version of the CAPI abuse scale showed highly satisfactory internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and predictive validity. The construct correspondence with the original version was more compromised. This version of the CAPI identified parents with scores of 159 or greater as being at risk of abusing a child. [source] Repeated measures of macular pigment optical density to test reproducibility of heterochromatic flicker photometryACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010Stefan Hagen Abstract. Purpose:, To report the reproducibility of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) values assessed with heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) in healthy individuals. Methods:, Twenty-four volunteers from our department underwent MPOD testing of both eyes by flicker photometry on three separate occasions. To test reproducibility of MPOD, the coefficient of variance was calculated separately for right and left eyes. In addition, we investigated MPOD averages of right and left eyes and interocular correlations (Pearson's r) at every visit. Results:, The mean MPODs at the first visit were 0.61 ± 0.24 and 0.72 ± 0.27 in right and left eyes, respectively. Mean values of 0.58 ± 0.29 and 0.60 ± 0.21 (second visit) and 0.62 ± 0.27 and 0.63 ± 0.24 (third visit) were assessed for right and left eyes, respectively. Differences of the mean values between eyes were not significant. Correlations were weak at visits one and two (r = 0.49, p < 0.014 and r = 0.43, p < 0.038, respectively) and moderate at visit three (r = 0.58, p < 0.003). The coefficients of variance were 36.1% and 23% for right and left eyes, respectively. Conclusion:, Our mean MPODs are higher and the interocular correlations weaker compared to the literature. The coefficient of variance in both eyes is high and does not imply good reproducibility of obtained MPOD values. [source] Prevalence of habitual refractive errors and anisometropia among Dutch schoolchildren and hospital employeesACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 5 2009Theo J.W. Hendricks Abstract. Purpose:, Refractive error (RE) is suggested to cause not only visual impairment, but also functional problems such as aspecific health complaints and lower levels of school achievement. During the last few decades the prevalence of myopia has increased worldwide, especially in Asia. We investigated the prevalence of habitual RE and anisometropia in a Dutch population of children and employees. Methods:, In a cross-sectional study, RE in both eyes of 520 children (aged 11,13 years) and 444 hospital employees (aged 17,60 years) were measured using an autorefractometer. The measurements were performed without using a cycloplegium. Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) was used to analyse correlations between the right and left eyes. Chi-square tests were used to test the differences between subgroups according to gender and age. Results:, In schoolchildren 28% of right eyes were myopic (> 0.50 D) and 8% hyperopic (> 0.50 D). Pearson's r between right and left eyes for spherical equivalent power (SEP) was 0.93. The mean cylinder deviation in right eyes was 0.26 D (range 0.00,4.50 D). Anisometropia > 1.00 D was present in 4.6% of children; 22% of children were not optimally (> 0.50 D) corrected. In hospital employees, 30% of right eyes were myopic (> 0.50 D) and 10% hyperopic (> 0.50 D). Pearson's r between right and left eyes for SEP was 0.53. The mean cylinder deviation in right eyes was 0.35 D (range 0.00,5.75 D). Anisometropia > 1.00 D was present in 25% of employees. Anisometropia was more frequently present in employees aged 40,60 years, than in those aged 17,39 years (30% versus 18%; p = 0.02, Cramer's V = 0.15). Conclusions:, Refractive errors are common in children aged 11,13 years and in working adults aged 17,60 years. Distributions of sphere and cylinder deviations are similar for Dutch schoolchildren and hospital employees. Surprisingly, anisometropia proved to be more prevalent with age. In children many eyes are not optimally corrected. Increased attention should be paid to uncorrected and miscorrected REs. [source] Relation between change of hearing and (modified) Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap ScoreCLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 6 2004A.G.W. Meijer This study investigates the test,retest distributions and the interval for true score change of the (modified) Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap [(m)AIAD], when the latter is used to measure the effect of an intervention. In a previous study the reliability and validity of the (m)AIAD in a cohort of hearing impaired patients were found to have satisfactory high values. In this prospective study, 66 patients underwent a tympanoplasty operation. Preoperatively and postoperatively pure tone audiometry was performed, and at the same time the subjective hearing ability was established by means of the (m)AIAD. The correlation between threshold change and score change was 0.35 (Pearson's r). Scores on the (m)AIAD had to change by at least 16 to be qualified as a true change. For only nine of 66 subjects this criterion was fulfilled. No clear relation exists, except for these nine subjects, between threshold change and score change in this patient population. The study also shows that disability questionnaires have their limitations, when using them to measure the result of a medical intervention in an individual patient. [source] The Dodo Bird Verdict Is Alive and Well,MostlyCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 1 2002Lester Luborsky We examined 17 meta-analyses of comparisons of active treatments with each other, in contrast to the more usual comparisons of active treatments with controls. These meta-analyses yielded a mean uncorrected absolute effect size for Cohen's d of .20, which is small and non-significant (an equivalent Pearson's r would be. 10). The smallness of this effect size confirms Rosenzweig's supposition in 1936 about the likely results of such comparisons. In the present sample, when such differences were corrected for the therapeutic allegiance of the researchers involved in comparing the different psychotherapies, these differences tend to become even further reduced in size and significance, as shown previously by Luborsky, Diguer, Seligman, et al. (1999). [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||