Significant Difference In Mean Levels Research Articles

Temperament, Anxiety, and Depression: Comparisons Across Five Ethnic Groups of Children

Extending analyses from a large school-based sample of children and adolescents (N = 1,126; Chorpita, 2002), this study examined anxiety and depression assessment with 5 ethnic groups in Hawaii. Ethnic differences in anxiety and depression symptoms, along with 2 temperamental characteristics—negative affectivity (NA) and positive affectivity (PA)—were examined within the context of the tripartite model of anxiety and depression (Clark & Watson, 1991). Minimal between-group differences in temperamental characteristics were found. Good fit was found for a multisample model relating NA and PA to anxiety and depressive dimensions consistently across all groups. However, significant mean level differences among ethnic groups were found for several specific anxiety dimensions, suggesting that factors outside of the tripartite model explain observed ethnic differences. Further support for the generalizability of the tripartite model was also found.

Changes in some nitrogenous compounds in the blood and tissues of freshwater pikeperch ( Sander lucioperca) during salinity acclimation

The effect of ambient salinity changes (0.9, 6 and 12 psu) on the levels of dissolved ammonia (DA), ninhydrin positive substances (NPS), trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) in the blood and tissue of medium-acclimated Sander lucioperca L. (also Stizostedion lucioperca) were investigated. In freshwater, blood and tissue total free amino acid levels (measured as NPS) were 3.62 mM and 60.61 mM, respectively. The NPS content increased significantly ( P<0.05) in the tissue and blood on acclimation to 6 and 12 psu salinities. The mass-specific tissue TMAO concentration of pikeperch acclimated to normal freshwater was 0.413±0.084 μmol TMAO g −1. Results reveal that TMAO levels are positively influenced by the external salinity medium where significant differences in mean levels occurred between the groups ( P<0.05). The calculated p[NH 3] and [NH 4 +] gradients reveal that the [NH 3] gradient was consistently low (cf. the [NH 4 +] gradient). The gradient of p[NH 3] decreased with the medium increased salinities. The results suggest that freshwater pikeperch may be able to resist salinity changes by manipulation of nitrogen metabolism. Free amino acids and TMAO are involved in mediating response to salinity exposure in freshwater pikeperch.

Clinical significance of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Nigerian patients with sickle cell disease

A total of 75 (45 males, 30 females) patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) at the university of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital were screened for G-6-PD deficiency and their steady state levels of haematocrit, reticulocyte count and irreversibly sickled cells (ISC) as well as the occurrence of vaso-occlusive crises were analysed with respect to their G-6-PD status during a 3 year period (1998-2000). None of the female patients was G-6-PD deficient, while (15.6%) male patients had the enzyme deficiency. The patients with G-6-PD deficiency had significantly lower mean level of haematocrit (0.221/l) with higher level of reticulocyte count (15%) as compared to their non-G-6-PD deficient counter parts who had mean values of 0.271/l and 9% for haematocrit count respectively. However, there was no significant difference in mean levels of ISC between G-6-PD deficient (6%) and non-G-6-PD deficient (5%) patients with SCD. Patients with G-6-PD deficiency had significantly lower episodes of vaso-occlusive crises (2.1 episodes/patient). This data would suggest that co-inheritance of G-6-PD deficiency in SCD reduces frequency of crises and improves prognosis.

Effect of long-term feeding with graded levels of low glucosinolate rapeseed meal on endocrine status of gilts and their piglets

Seventy-two crossbred gilts of approximately 30 kg initial weight were used in this study. The gilts were divided into three groups and fed with graded levels of low glucosinolate rapeseed meal (RSM) over grower–finisher, gestation and lactation periods as follows C (control: no RSM in diet during growth/pregnancy/lactation), M-RSM (medium RSM levels: 7/2.5/7% RSM in diet equivalent to 0.45/0.16/0.45 mM glucosinolates/kg diet) and H-RSM (high RSM levels: 12/5/12% RSM in diet equivalent to 0.78/0.32/0.78 mM glucosinolates/kg diet). In experiment 1, the jugular veins of six gilts taken randomly from each group were cannulated. Blood was sampled every 4 h over 2 days during the midluteal phase of the first oestrous cycle. Plasma concentrations of free thyroxine (FT 4), triiodothyronine (T 3), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P 4) and androstenedione (A 4) were determined. After sacrificing, thyroid glands, ovaries and uteri were dissected and weighed, the lengths of the uterine horns were measured, and the numbers of corpora lutea (CL) were counted. Thyroid glands of gilts fed H-RSM diet were heavier ( P<0.01) than those of control gilts. Diets containing RSM did not affect ovarian and uterine weights, CL numbers or uterine horn lengths. The mean plasma concentration of FT 4 decreased as the content of RSM in the diet increased. Plasma T 3 was lower ( P<0.001) in gilts fed M-RSM diet and plasma P 4 was higher ( P<0.01) in gilts fed H-RSM diet compared to control animals. The concentrations of A 4 and PRL in gilts fed diets containing RSM were significantly lower than those in controls. There were no significant differences in mean levels of LH among groups. In experiment 2, the remaining 54 gilts were mated to study the reproductive performance and endocrine status of their offspring. Thirty female piglets were randomly chosen from different litters in each of the three groups on the 2nd and 35th day of lactation (five piglets/per group/per day). The piglets were sacrificed and blood was sampled from the heart. Thyroids, ovaries and uteri were dissected and weighed. Samples of blood serum were assayed for FT 4, T 3, LH and PRL. The weights of thyroids, ovaries and uteri in female piglets were similar in all groups. The serum concentrations of FT 4, T 3, LH and PRL were not affected by the treatment, irrespective of the age of piglets (2nd or 35th day). In summary, long-term feeding with graded levels of low glucosinolate rapeseed meal did not result in significant alterations in reproductive performance of gilts. The RSM diets, however, did affect the mean concentrations of plasma FT 4, T 3, PRL P 4 and A 4 in gilts during the midluteal phase of the first oestrus cycle. In contrast, no significant differences in serum concentrations of examined hormones were found in piglets originating from control and RSM groups.

Perceived Work Environment and Cognitive Style

Differences in perceived work environment are examined by age, gender, and occupation type, along with whether cognitive style predicts per ceived work environment. The sample consists of 2185 men and women ranging in age from 21 to 93 years. Perceived work environment was measured using Moos's Work Environment Scale (WES) for the sub scales of Autonomy, Control, and Innovation. The Test of Behavioral Rigidity (TBR) was used to measure cognitive style. Findings indicate significant mean level differences in perceived work environment based on gender, age, and occupation type. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that perceived work environment predicted concurrent cognitive style beyond demographic variables.

Self-System Influences During Early Adolescence:

An integrative model of self-system influences during early adolescence was investigated in two separate samples of youth in Grades 7 through 9 (n = 225) and Grades 5 through 8 (n = 350). Measures assessed self-description, self-standards, self-evaluations, and self-values in the areas of peers, school, family, appearance, and sports/athletics as well as global self-esteem. For both samples, structural equation modeling analyses provided support for a hypothesized model that included (a) effects of self-descriptions and self-standards on self-evaluations in corresponding domains and (b) effects of domain-specific self-evaluations, in turn, on global self-esteem. There was only limited evidence that the values youth attached to differing domains moderated the relationship between self-evaluations in those domains and overall feelings of self-worth. Differences in model fit according to gender, race/ethnicity, developmental level, and family socioeconomic status were generally absent. Significant differences in mean levels of measures, however, were found across subgroups of youth.

Biochemical markers of bone turnover in patients with thyroid dysfunctions and in euthyroid controls: a cross-sectional study

Hyperthyroidism is associated with reduced bone mineral density. Conflicting data exist regarding the effects of thyroxine therapy on bone metabolism. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in markers of bone turnover in thyroid dysfunction. A total of 28 patients with overt hyperthyroidism, eight patients with suppressed TSH levels (thyroid hormones within the euthyroid range, no T4 therapy), 25 euthyroid and four hypothyroid patients were included in the present study. Hyperthyroidism resulted in increased bone metabolism, as reflected by increased bone resorption and bone formation parameters. No significant differences in mean levels between patients with TSH supression and those with euthyroidism could be observed; however, a higher frequency of elevated urinary PYD- and DPD excretion rates were noted in patients with TSH suppression. Regression analysis revealed highly significant correlations between bone resorption markers and thyroid parameters, suggesting, that even a mild thyroid hormone excess may lead to an increase in bone resorption. In subjects with suppressed TSH levels and peripheral thyroid hormone levels within the euthyroid range, elevated bone resorption markers point to subclinical hyperthyroidism, if other reasons for an increase in bone turnover rates can be excluded.

Use of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels to monitor the progression of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

Background: The serum concentration of soluble a chain of the interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) correlates with tumor burden in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Therefore the sIL-2R level may be useful to monitor the condition of patients treated with extracorporeal photopheresis or other treatments. Objective: Our goal was to determine the utility of serum sIL-2R as a test in monitoring of patients with advanced CTCL. Methods: Serum sIL-2R was measured serially in 36 patients with advanced CTCL treated with extracorporeal photopheresis and other modalities (interferon alfa, methotrexate, topical nitrogen mustard, electron beam). Results: Serum concentrations of sIL-2R as well as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) correlated strongly with lymph node size, but only sIL-2R correlated significantly with the severity of skin manifestations in erythrodermic patients. In addition, serum sIL-2R, but not LDH, was significantly higher in patients with nodal involvement. The level of sIL-2R also was significantly higher in patients with large-cell transformation in the skin or lymph nodes compared with patients without transformed disease. During treatment, serum concentrations of both serum sIL-2R and LDH correlated with changes in clinical status, but only sIL-2R showed statistically significant differences in mean levels for different relative global response scores. Pretreatment levels of both sIL-2R and LDH correlated significantly with survival, but only sIL-2R retained significance when both were entered into the Cox proportionate hazards model. Conclusion: The concentration of serum sIL-2R correlates well with disease status and is more useful than LDH or Sézary cell counts to monitor clinical change in patients with advanced CTCL. Moreover, our data suggest that sIL-2R is produced at a relatively low rate by tissue-based lymphoma cells, and that large-cell transformation in CTCL results in marked increase in sIL-2R production in some patients. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;38:207-20.)

The Relationship Between Parent and Child Reports of Parental Supportiveness and Psychopathology of Sexually Abused Children

This study examined the relationship between parent and child reports of supportiveness of intrafamilially sexually abused children and levels of child psychopathology. Fifty-four intrafamilially sexually abused children completed a revised version of the Family Subscale of the Survey of Children's Social Support and the Child Assessment Schedule. Fifty-four parents completed a version of the Family Subscale of the Survey of Children's Social Support, modified for use in parental reporting of their own supportive behaviors. Satisfactory reliability levels were obtained for the revised measures. This study of 54 sexually abused children and their non-offending parents found that although most non-offending parents were supportive of their children, the children reported considerable distress. Although there was no significant difference in mean levels of support reported by parents and children, the two measures were not significantly correlated. This suggests that parents and children perceive supportive behavior differently, although both constructs are of importance. Multiple regression analysis found that both child and parent reports of parental support were predictive of levels of child psychopathology, but that child estimates were a stronger predictor.

Irlen lenses do not improve accommodative accuracy at near.

The purpose of the experiment was to determine the influence of Irlen lenses on steady-state accommodation in successful users, as there is speculation that near accommodative dysfunction may be a factor in these patients. Monocular steady-state accommodation in six successful Irlen patients was assessed for near blur stimuli (2, 3, and 4 D) either with nonfiltered spectacle refractive correction or their spectrally broad-band filtered spectacle refractive correction. Accommodation was measured subjectively using a Hartinger coincidence optometer. There was no significant difference in mean level of accommodation between the two conditions. Additionally, there was a small but significant increase in accommodative variability with the filtered prescription. The use of Irlen correction did not have any positive effect on monocular steady-state accommodation at near.

The GAF and psychiatric outcome: a descriptive report.

Since the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) was introduced in DSM-III-R in 1987, it has been widely used, but minimally researched. This report provides information concerning the use of the GAF in routine clinical practice. Clinicians rated adult inpatients, adult day hospital patients, and adolescent inpatients at admission and discharge from psychiatric treatment. All samples were rated as significantly less dysfunctional at discharge. There were also significant differences in mean levels of dysfunction between the adult and adolescent samples at admission and discharge. These discrepancies were hypothesized to be associated with the GAFs unclear instructional format. Although this study concerned the GAF as described in the DSM-III-R, our findings are likely to be generalizable to DSM-IV, because no substantive changes have been made to the GAF.

Endocrine effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in cancer patients.

In addition to well-documented endocrine properties of interleukins, hemopoietic growth factors could also exert hormonal activities. In fact, our previous studies have shown that GM-CSF may stimulate cortisol and GH release. In contrast, few data only are available about the possible effects of G-CSF. This study was carried out to investigate endocrine effects of G-CSF in cancer patients. The study included 8 cancer patients who were investigated after G-CSF (0.3 mg subcutaneously) or during saline infusion alone as control by collecting venous samples at zero time and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. Serum levels of cortisol, GH, PRL, FSH. LH, TSH and melatonin were measured by the RIA method. The circadian rhythm of cortisol was not influenced by G-CSF. No significant differences in mean levels of GH, PRL, FSH or LH were seen after G-CSF and during saline infusion. Both TSH and melatonin decreased after G-CSF, without, however, significant differences with respect to the values seen on saline alone. The study showed that G-CSF has no substantial endocrine affects in humans. Therefore, G-CSF would differ from GM-CSF not only for its hemopoietic properties, but also from an endocrine point of view.

Should this child be removed from home? Hypothesis generation and information seeking as predictors of case decisions

Two vital aspects of the investigative process in child abuse and neglect (CAN) cases are (a) generating as many plausible hypothesis as possible and (b) seeking out as much uncontaminated information as possible. Alternatively, unwarranted assumptions about the nature of CAN cases can impair investigative decision making. We examined whether the numbers of (a) unwarranted assumptions, (b) hypotheses generated, and (c) requests for additional information concerning a hypothetical reported case of CAN predicted level of agreement with a premature decision to remove a child from home among a group of CAN professionals. As expected, lower levels of agreement with the intervention were associated with (a) less unwarranted assumptions, (b) a greater number of hypotheses generated, and (c) more requests for information concerning the case. Compared with a group of undergraduates, a significantly greater percentage of CAN professionals requested information, and a significantly smaller percentage of professionals made unwarranted assumptions. Interestingly, however, no significant difference in mean level of agreement with the intervention was observed between professionals and undergraduates. Directions for future research are discussed.

Hair Mercury Levels of Japanese Dental Personnel in Recent Years

Mercury levels in scalp hair of 112 male and 20 female dentists and 134 female dental hygienists and assistents were determined by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry to evaluate the mercury absorption as a result of their dental practice and to provide updated data concerning mercury levels of dental practitioners. The control group was made up of 246 persons (110 males and 136 females), all of whom had never been occupationally exposed to mercury.When a hair sample was collected, a questionnaire was also filled out. The questionnaire items included name, address, sex, age, occupation, frequency of seafood consumption, and, in the case of dental personnel, the number of amalgam fillings administered per week, method of amalgam condensation, years in dental practice, and so on.The results were as follows:1) The hair mercury levels of Japanese dental personnel did not manifest any differences with those of the control group in either sex. In 1973, Miyazawa found a significant difference in mean levels between dentists and a control group. However, the present study suggests that the exposure of dental personnel to mercury has decreased to non-occupational levels. For male and female dentists and dental hygienists and assistants, the geometric means were 4.30ppm, 2.37ppm and 1.90ppm, respectively. The geometric means of the control group were 3.85ppm (males) and 2.12ppm (females).2) The hair mercury levels of all the groups studied (male and female dentists, dental hygienists and assistants, male and female controls) demonstrated a positively skewed distribution and had a logarithmic normal distribution.3) With respect to the dentists and the control, a statistically significant difference between the sexes was observed.4) Significant correlations between hair mercury concentrations and age were found in the male dentists (p<0.05), the male controls (p<0.01) and the female dental hygienists and assistants (p<0.01); no correlation was found in the female dentists or the female controls.5) No significant correlation between hair mercury concentrations of dentists and number of amalgam fillings administered per week was found.6) Significant differences of hair mercury levels between high and low frequency seafood intake groups were found in both sexes (p<0.05).7) Of 50 married couples studied, a significant correlation of hair mercury levels between husband and wife was observed (r=0.39, p<0.01).

Serum and CSF levels of IL‐2, sIL‐2R, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis

We measured interleukin-2 (IL-2), soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) by ELISA in paired sera and CSF from 50 chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS) patients during worsening disability, 19 patients with other neurologic diseases (OND), and in sera from 40 healthy volunteers. In the CPMS patients, 28% (14/50), 10% (5/50), 16% (8/50), and 6% (3/50) had elevated serum levels of IL-2, sIL-2R, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta, respectively, compared with healthy controls. The only analyte we detected in the CSF was IL-2 in 1 CPMS patient (1/50, 2%). We also saw elevated serum sIL-2R in 16% (3/19) of OND patients. We found no significant difference in mean levels of serum sIL-2R between the 3 groups. Our study, the largest to date of CPMS patients, shows that serum and CSF levels of IL-2, sIL-2R, TNF-alpha, or IL-1 beta are not sensitive for, and the serum sIL-2R level is not specific for, CPMS. Therefore, measurement of these analytes will not be clinically useful for therapeutic or prognostic purposes in the majority of CPMS patients.

The Effects of Long-Term Using Once-A-Month Injectable Contraceptive Norethisterone Enanthate/ Estradiol Valerate on Coagulation in the Chinese

Sixty-four Chinese women were studied for the effects of injecting once-a-month contraceptive norethisterone enanthate/estradiol valerate between 2 to 4 1/2 years on certain coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters, and 59 women not receiving any steroidal contraception were controls. In both groups there was no significant change in PT, fibrinogen, factor X activity, AT III antigen, AT III activity and fibrinolytic activity expressed by euglobulin lysis time. There was no significant difference in mean levels of factor VIIIR:Ag between the two groups, although a sub-group women in treatment group had higher than accepted levels of factor VIIIR:Ag.

The production of dihaploids and tetraploids with combined quantitative resistance to potato cyst nematode (Globodera pallida) and foliage blight (Phytophthora infestans)

Dihaploids were produced from tetraploids which had resistance to foliage late blight (P. infestans) and had a range of levels of resistance to white potato cyst nematode (PCN) (G. pallida). Twelve of 33 dihaploids tested had useful levels of both resistances, 11 were resistant to blight alone and seven to PCN alone. There were no significant correlations between the resistances of the parents and the mean resistance of their dihaploids, for either character. There was also no correlation between levels of resistance to blight and to PCN. There were significant differences in mean levels of resistance to blight and to PCN between the tetraploid progenies of two dihaploids which possessed combined resistance.

On the role of vitamin D binding globulin in glucose homeostasis: results from the San Luis Valley Diabetes Study.

Several studies have reported association between noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and GC, the vitamin D binding protein of human plasma, with the GC 1 allele in significant excess among diabetics. Additionally, there is a considerable body of animal data suggesting that vitamin D has a significant impact on insulin secretion. Examination of the insulin levels in Dogrib Indians showed that the lowest levels of fasting insulin were associated with the GC IF-IF genotype. The present study examined levels of glucose, C-peptide, and insulin at fasting and 1 hr and 2 hr following a 75 g oral glucose challenge, in a population of Hispanic-Americans and Anglos in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. The sample comprised a total of 468 individuals with normal glucose tolerance. Of these, 289 were Anglos and 179 were Hispanic-Americans. An analysis of covariance was performed to determine the effect of the GC genotypes on mean levels of the primary variables--glucose, C-peptide, and insulin--and a secondary variable--insulinogenic index adjusting for the covariates age, body mass index (BMI), gender, and ethnicity. The analyses revealed that there is a significant difference in mean levels of glucose at fasting (F value = 2.46; P = 0.033) among the GC genotypes in the sample. Additionally, the differences in mean levels of 1 hr postprandial glucose among the GC genotypes although not significant at a 5% level, were significant at the 10% level. No other significant phenotypic effects were observed. These analyses are not in concordance with the results of an earlier study, where lower fasting insulin was associated with the GC 1F-1F genotype.

Von Willebrand Factor Multimer Patterns in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Microangiopathy and disseminated platelet aggregation have been reported in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Since unusually large von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers have been implicated in the evolvement of TTP, we analyzed factor VIII/vWF parameters in patients with PIH. Mean vWF: Ag level was significantly higher in 27 patients with PIH as compared to 20 matched healthy pregnant women (358 +/- 160 u/dl vs. 274 +/- 125 u/dl. p less than 0.05). Moreover, plasma vWF: Ag levels and the ratio of vWF: Ag to factor VIII were found to be linearly correlated to the severity of PIH. In contrast, no significant differences in mean levels of factor VIII and ristocetin cofactor were observed between these groups. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of vWF revealed a higher incidence of a pre-peak and an increased migration index in the PIH group as compared to the control group (60% vs. 44% and 1.27 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.19 +/- 0.18, p less than 0.01 respectively). Analysis of plasma vWF multimer patterns by 1.4% agarose electrophoresis in 0.1% SDS revealed excessive amounts of large, medium and small size multimers in the PIH patients. Conceivably, the quantitative changes in vWF multimers reflect endothelial injury and may play a role in the microangiopathy observed in PIH.

CROSS‐CULTURAL COMPARABILITY OF TEMPERAMENT AMONG JAPANESE AND AMERICAN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

The generalizability of temperament, as measured by the Revised Dimensions of Temperament Survey (DOTS‐R) (Windle and Lerner 1986), was investigated through a series of data analytic procedures comparing the item responses of Japanese and American preschool children. Consistent with the results of an American preschool sample, a nine‐factor model emerged for the sample of Japanese preschool children. Configurational similarity of salient and non‐salient factor loadings for the nine temperament constructs across the two cultural groups was supported via congruence coefficients which ranged from 0.73 to 0.98 (Mdn = 0.91). Restricted (confirmatory) simultaneous group models for each of the nine temperament constructs indicated that the factor loading patterns were invariant across the two preschool samples, thus supporting the equality of scale metrics or units of measurement across groups. Statistical tests of differences in factor means between the two cultural samples suggested that the primary caregivers of Japanese preschoolers, relative to the primary caregivers of American preschoolers, rated their children as higher in Activity Level ‐ Sleep and lower in Approach ‐ Withdrawal, Flexibility ‐ Rigidity, Quality of Mood, and Rhythmicity‐Sleep; no statistically significant differences in mean levels were reported for Activity Level ‐ General, Task Orientation, Rhythmicity‐Eating and Rhythmicity‐Daily Habits.