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Biomedical subjects

C C Tangney

Publications and source records attributed to C C Tangney.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Self-reported dietary habits, overall dietary quality and symptomatology of breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional examination.

Little information is available about the relationship between quality of life of women who have survived breast cancer (specifically, symptoms including those of menopause and depression) and the quality of their diet. In this cross-sectional study, 117 women with known primary breast cancer completed a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) reflecting usual diet during the past year, a Survey of Feelings and Attitudes using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) and a survey that includes menopausal symptoms among others common to women with a history of breast cancer. When women's responses to the FFQ were scored using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), most often diets were evaluated as those that 'need improvement' with a mean total HEI score of 67.2. With regard to the CES-D scores, study women averaged 9.5, with 19 women being classified as clinically depressed. HEI and CES-D scores were inversely related (p = -0.22, p = 0.02). A negative correlation was also observed between energy-adjusted calcium intakes and CES-D scores (p = -0.19, p = 0.04). Clinical depressed women had not only lower HEI scores and calcium intakes, but also lower grain and variety scores. Comparisons to national data for disease-free women and that available for those with breast cancer suggest that our study women consumed diets low in energy and dietary variety. Diet quality may be an important factor influencing the manifestation of depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors or conversely, poorer diet quality may be an outcome of depression.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2001

Oral 17beta-estradiol and medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy in postmenopausal women increases HDL particle size.

Menopause is accompanied by changes in lipoprotein particles that include an increase in density of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) particles. The effect of 3 months of oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on lipoprotein particle size in postmenopausal women who were randomized to (1) estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) alone (either 17beta-estradiol (1 mg) or conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) (0.625 mg); (2) combination therapy (17beta-estradiol plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or CEE plus MPA); and (3) placebo were examined. Lipoprotein subclass concentrations and particle size were quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Combination HRT resulted in significant (P=0.002) increases in HDL particle size as compared with those on placebo formulations or ERT alone. Women assigned to combined HRT had lower concentrations of smaller HDL particles after 3 months (P=0.005) and higher concentrations of larger HDL particles (P=0.02), whereas women assigned to ERT or placebo experienced non-significant changes. In summary, combined HRT increases HDL particle size by altering concentrations of the smallest and largest HDL subspecies.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2001

Comparative study of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on fibrinogen.

Statins have a variable response on fibrinogen, and these changes may have implications on cardiovascular events. In this randomized placebo-controlled crossover study, we evaluated whether changes in fibrinogen levels were different between atorvastatin and other statin-treated patients. Adult coronary heart disease (CHD) patients aged 39-83 years with LDL cholesterol levels > or = 130 mg/dl were randomized to atorvastatin 80 mg (n = 84) and one of the following statins: fluvastatin 80 mg (n = 23), lovastatin 80 mg (n = 20), pravastatin 40 mg (n = 22) or simvastatin 40 mg (n = 20) each for 12 weeks in either order. Fibrinogen was analyzed by an automated method of Clauss. Three independently acquired samples were obtained within 1 min of tourniquet application, and each specimen was measured in duplicate. Statistical analyses were performed using a mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance procedure with SAS version 6.12. There were no significant changes in fibrinogen between treatment groups. This study evaluated changes in fibrinogen with established pre-analytical and analytical procedures known to minimize variability in fibrinogen measurement, and we did not observe any differences in fibrinogen levels in the treatment groups.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Variability in fibrinogen measurements: an obstacle to cardiovascular risk stratification.

The clinical utility of fibrinogen measurement has been limited by large intraindividual variability. Several approaches that have been shown to improve the repeatability of fibrinogen include acquisition of samples at the same time of day, standardized sample procurement techniques, and multiple replicate sampling. This study employed established pre-analytical and analytical techniques known to reduce fibrinogen variability, including the acquisition of three replicate samples, each analyzed in duplicate, to evaluate the impact of intraindividual variability in fibrinogen measurement at baseline and 3 months on cardiovascular risk in 60 healthy subjects. Classification accuracy was evaluated by the ability to categorize subjects into tertiles of fibrinogen. Only 55% (33/60) of the subjects were correctly assigned to the appropriate fibrinogen tertile. Fibrinogen measurements varied by more than 10% in 45% of subjects and by 5% in 80% of subjects. Intraindividual variability in fibrinogen measurement with a functional assay limits cardiovascular risk assessment even when three replicates are averaged.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Antiatherothrombotic properties of statins: implications for cardiovascular event reduction.

Clinical trials of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors or statin therapy have demonstrated that baseline or treated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels are only weakly associated with net coronary angiographic change or cardiovascular events. The beneficial effects of statins on clinical events may involve nonlipid mechanisms that modify endothelial function, inflammatory responses, plaque stability, and thrombus formation. Experimental animal models suggest that statins may foster stability through a reduction in macrophages and cholesterol ester content and an increase in volume of collagen and smooth muscle cells. The thrombotic sequelae caused by plaque disruption is mitigated by statins through inhibition of platelet aggregation and maintenance of a favorable balance between prothrombotic and fibrinolytic mechanisms. These nonlipid properties of statins may help to explain the early and significant cardiovascular event reduction reported in several clinical trials of statin therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Psychological symptoms are greater among weight cycling women with severe binge eating behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To identify psychological characteristics and eating behaviors associated with weight cycling and binge eating behaviors in overweight women (body mass index > 27.3). DESIGN: Questionnaires measuring self-esteem, self-efficacy, coping strategies, psychological symptoms, depression, binge eating, restrained eating, disinhibition, and hunger were administered to female weight cyclers who were overweight. Psychological characteristics were compared between subjects grouped by binge eating disorder classification and by binge eating severity. SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 62 female weight cyclers who were overweight was recruited from the Chicago, Ill, area. Questionnaires were administered individually or in small groups in subjects' homes or other private settings. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Student's t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess differences in psychological characteristics. RESULTS: Thirty-six weight cyclers (58%) met the criteria for binge eating disorder and 26 (42%) did not. Weight cyclers with binge eating disorder reported greater severity of binge eating (P < .0005) and disinhibition (P < .0005) and poorer eating self-efficacy (P < .0005) than weight cyclers without binge eating disorder. Weight cyclers with severe binge eating behaviors reported greater psychological distress (P < .0005) and depression (P < .005) and lower self-esteem (P = .0001) and used less healthful coping strategies (P = .0027) than weight cyclers with no binge eating to moderate binge eating problems. Weight cyclers with severe binge eating behavior also reported more hunger (P < .0005) and used less cognitive restraint (P = .0024) than those with no binge eating to moderate binge eating problems. APPLICATIONS: Operational definitions of weight cycling and binge eating are needed to facilitate research on effective weight-loss treatments. Persons seeking to lose weight (especially weight cyclers) should be assessed for binge eating severity, problematic eating behaviors, and psychological symptoms.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Estimation of individual intakes of folate in women of childbearing age with and without simulation of folic acid fortification.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine variability of folate intake in order to estimate the number of days needed to accurately estimate intakes in women of childbearing age and to simulate the effect of folic acid fortification of cereals and grains on individual folate intake. DESIGN: Observational study of food intake over a 60-day period. SAMPLING: A convenience sample of 21 women completed food records on randomly assigned days within a 60-day period. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Folate intake and variance ratios of folate intake. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Six days of food records were needed to describe folate intake of these women of childbearing age (18 to 45 years) with 20% attenuation of a correlation coefficient between dietary folate intake and another biological variable. Seven days of records were needed with simulated folic acid fortification (assuming fortification of 140 micrograms folic acid per 100 g flour) and 5 days were needed with supplements containing 200 to 400 micrograms folic acid in addition to folic acid fortification. Food folate intake was 288 +/- 195 micrograms; only 2 of the participants consumed the recommended 400 micrograms. With fortification, folate intake increased to 550 +/- 279 micrograms without supplements and 609 +/- 327 micrograms with supplements. APPLICATIONS: Individual intakes of folate should be assessed with at least 7 days of dietary records (20% attenuation). In this sample, when folic acid fortification was added to dietary intake, routine supplementation was not necessary to achieve folate intakes of 400 micrograms in the majority of participants. The practice of routine folic acid supplementation should be considered carefully to ensure that individual intakes of folate do not exceed the upper limits of safety.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Plasma vitamins E and C concentrations of adult patients during cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed with two aims: 1) to determine if the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedure alters plasma vitamin E and C concentrations of adult patients through repeated determinations of vitamin levels at time points before, during and following CABG, and 2) to assess whether plasma vitamin E concentrations reflect myocardial tissue content. METHODS: A consecutive sample of 38 patients undergoing CABG surgery at a Midwest tertiary care hospital was enrolled. Patients receiving blood transfusions before or during surgery were excluded. RESULTS: Plasma vitamin E/total lipid ratios rose with reperfusion, remained elevated immediately following bypass, and fell to preoperative concentrations by 24 hours. Plasma vitamin E/total cholesterol levels varied little throughout this time course. Both plasma uric acid and ascorbate concentrations (corrected for hemodilution) also rose by the preischemic interval, and remained elevated until a return to preoperative levels by 24 hours. Corrected malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations rose by pre-ischemia but returned more quickly to preoperative levels. Atrial appendage tissue vitamin E concentrations bore a significant relationship to those of plasma prior to surgery (r=+0.49, p=0.004). Reported supplement use, plasma concentrations and body mass index contributed to the variability in atrial tissue concentrations of vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS: In short, when not confounded by transfusions or hemodilution, several peripheral indices of antioxidants increase with the reperfusion segment of CABG procedure and return to baseline levels within 24 hours of surgery. Parallel changes in MDA were observed. The observed changes are consistent with the hypothesis that oxidative stress accompanies the ischemia-reperfusion components of the CABG procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Hormone replacement therapy improves cardiovascular risk by lowering plasma viscosity in postmenopausal women.

Hormone replacement therapy may protect against cardiovascular disease through several mechanisms that have variable actions on the major determinants of plasma viscosity. Plasma viscosity is an important predictor of incident and recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality in coronary heart disease patients. The effect of estrogen alone or in combination with progestin on plasma viscosity is not known. Using a randomized, double-blind design, we examined the impact of the following daily hormone regimens on plasma viscosity in 23 women: (1) 1 mg estradiol and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone (n=7); (2) 1 mg estradiol alone (n=8); and (3) placebo (n=8). Plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, and standard lipoprotein levels were determined at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Plasma viscosity was measured at 37 degreesC with a coaxial microviscometer. Fibrinogen was measured by the Clauss method. Significant changes in plasma viscosity (mPa.s) levels occurred among treatment groups (P<0.01) after the intervention. Plasma viscosity was significantly reduced with estrogen replacement therapy (P<0.01). These data demonstrate that estrogen replacement therapy lowers plasma viscosity. This study suggests an additional mechanism for the cardiovascular protection conferred to postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Effects of tourniquet application on plasma viscosity measurements.

Reliable plasma viscosity measurements are required for cardiovascular risk factor assessment. This study was designed to examine the influence of tourniquet pressure and duration on plasma viscosity measurement with a coaxial cylinder at 37 degrees C. Plasma viscosity was evaluated at low (40 mm Hg) and high (mean arterial blood pressure plus 10 mm Hg) tourniquet pressure and at two time intervals following (0-1 and 4-5 min) of tourniquet application in 38 healthy adults. Longer duration of tourniquet application was accompanied by a significant increase in plasma viscosity at both low (1.356 +/- 0.067 mPa s versus 1.393 +/- 0.067 mPa s (p = 0.0001)) and high (1.321 +/- 0.071 mPa s versus 1.430 +/- 0.086 mPa s (p = 0.0002)) tourniquet pressures. Plasma viscosity values were not influenced by the magnitude of tourniquet pressure. The accuracy of plasma viscosity measurements can be improved by sample acquisition within 1 min following tourniquet application.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Postprandial changes in plasma and serum viscosity and plasma lipids and lipoproteins after an acute test meal.

The influence of a fat-rich test meal on postprandial changes in plasma viscosity and serum viscosity was assessed in 12 normolipidemic adults. After a 12-14-h fast, volunteers (five men and seven women aged 23-50 y) were challenged with a test milk shake containing 50 g fat/m2 body surface area (BSA). Plasma viscosity, serum viscosity, and plasma lipids and lipoproteins were assessed at 0, 2, 3, 4, and 6 h. Viscosity values were determined by using a Mettler Contraves LS-40 rotational microviscometer. Postprandial changes in the study variables were assessed by area under the curve and included triacylglycerols (2.02 mmol/L), plasma viscosity (-0.10 mPa.s), and serum viscosity (-0.01 mPa.s). Peak plasma triacylglycerol concentrations were significantly greater than those observed at baseline (P = 0.0022). There were no significant changes in any other variable when fasting and peak values were compared. Peak plasma viscosity increased in three and decreased in two subjects with no changes in the remaining seven subjects. Changes in peak plasma viscosity ranged from -7% to 7% with similar changes for serum viscosity, from -8% to 10%, and a slightly greater range for plasma fibrinogen, -16% to 10%. In this cohort of normotriacylglycerolemic subjects, there were no significant postprandial changes in plasma viscosity or serum viscosity.

Adult↗