PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Bridge

Publications and source records attributed to J Bridge.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Age- and sex-related risk factors for adolescent suicide.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of age and sex on adolescent suicide risk. METHOD: A standard psychological autopsy protocol was used to compare 140 suicide victims with 131 community controls. The risk factors for older (> or = 16 years) and younger, and for male and female suicide were compared. RESULTS: Mood disorders, parental psychopathology, lifetime history of abuse, availability of a gun, and past suicide attempt conveyed significant risk for suicide across all 4 demographic groups. Psychopathology, particularly substance abuse (alone and comorbid with mood disorder), was more common and conveyed a much higher risk for suicide in the older versus younger adolescents. Younger suicide victims showed lower suicidal intent. Males chose more irreversible methods, and conduct disorder was both more prevalent and a more significant risk factor in males. CONCLUSIONS: The increased rate of suicide in older versus younger adolescents is due in part to greater prevalence of psychopathology, namely substance abuse, and greater suicidal intent in the older population. The increased rate in males is less easily explained, but it may stem from method choice and the greater prevalence of and risk conveyed by conduct disorder in males.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Influence of traumatic grief on suicidal ideation among young adults.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of traumatic grief on suicidal ideation. METHOD: The Beck-Kovacs Scale for Suicidal Ideation was administered to 76 young adult friends of suicide victims. RESULTS: Traumatic grief was associated with a 5.08 times greater likelihood of suicidal ideation, after control for depression. Comorbid traumatic grief and depression were not associated with a greater likelihood of suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: Syndromal traumatic grief heightens vulnerability to suicidal ideation.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Psychopathology in the relatives of depressed-abused children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the type of symptomatology abused children manifest is related to family history of psychopathology. METHOD: Lifetime history of psychopathology was assessed in the relatives of 26 preadolescents--13 depressed abused (MDD-AB) and 13 depressed nonabused (MDD-NA) children. Rates of disorder in the relatives of these children were compared to published rates of psychopathology in relatives of 27 normal control (NC) children. Data were obtained on 104 first-degree relatives (MDD-AB = 25, MDD-NA = 29, NC = 50) and 503 second-degree relatives (MDD-AB = 127, MDD-NA = 117, NC = 259). The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia was used to assess psychopathology in parents, and Family History method was used to obtain lifetime psychiatric data for all other relatives. RESULTS: When compared to first-degree relatives of NC children, first-degree relatives of MDD-AB children had approximately a nine-fold increased risk for major depression, and a three- to nine-fold increased risk for other disorders associated with the familial subtype of affective illness known as Depression Spectrum Disease (e.g., antisocial personality, alcohol and substance dependence). Similar findings were reported in second-degree relatives, and comparisons between the relatives of MDD-NA and NC children. CONCLUSION: The findings extend results of prior research and (1) suggest familial vulnerability factors influence the symptom profile of abused children; and (2) highlight the value of incorporating psychiatric formulations into multidisciplinary models of child abuse research and treatment programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Predictors of treatment efficacy in a clinical trial of three psychosocial treatments for adolescent depression.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictors of treatment outcome across treatments, as well as those associated with differential treatment response. METHOD: One hundred seven adolescent outpatients, aged 13 to 18 years, with DSM-III-R major depression were randomly assigned to one of three manual-based, brief (12 to 16 sessions) psychosocial treatments: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), systemic-behavioral family therapy, or nondirective supportive therapy. Those with good and poor outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Continued depression was predicted by clinical referral (versus via advertisement) and was in part mediated by hopelessness. Other predictors of depression were comorbid anxiety disorder and higher levels of cognitive distortion and hopelessness at intake. Achievement of clinical remission was predicted by a higher level of self-reported depression. Poorer functional status was predicted by a higher level of initial interviewer-rated depression. Comorbid anxiety and maternal depressive symptoms predicted differential treatment efficacy. CBT's performance continued to be robust with respect to nondirective supportive therapy, even in the presence of the above-noted adverse predictors. CONCLUSION: Predictors of poor outcome may give clues as to how to boost treatment response. Subjects who come to treatment for clinical trials via advertisement (versus clinical referral) may show more favorable treatment responses. CBT is likely to be a robust intervention even in more complex and difficult-to-treat patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Rapid response to psychosocial treatment for adolescent depression: a two-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the differential course and treatment outcome of patients who participated in a randomized clinical trial, comparing cognitive, family, and supportive psychotherapies for adolescent major depressive disorder. METHOD: In a sample of 100 depressed adolescents, remission, clinical recovery, recurrence, and functional improvement were examined at the end of acute treatment and at 1- and 2-year follow-up, according to their type of response to treatment. Rapid response was defined as a decline of > or = 50% in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score from pretreatment until the beginning of the second session of psychotherapy, intermediate as a decline of < 50% but > 0%, and initial nonresponse as a BDI score that stayed the same or increased. RESULTS: Rapid responders showed a better outcome at acute treatment, 1-year, and in some measures, 2-year follow-up. For those who had recurrences over time, rapid responders showed a longer period before recurrence. Subjects were most likely to respond rapidly, or not at all, in the supportive cell. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that milder forms of depression may benefit from initial supportive therapy or short trials of more specialized types of psychotherapy. The use of a placebo run-in period might help to "wash out" nonspecific responders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The familial aggregation of adolescent suicide attempts.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the familial aggregation of suicidal behaviour is explained by the familial aggregation of personality disorder and aggression. The relatives of 62 clinically referred adolescent suicide attempters were compared with 70 never-suicidal psychiatric controls. The first-degree relatives of the suicide attempters had a higher rate of suicide attempts/completion than those of the psychiatric controls. This rate remained significantly higher after controlling for Axis I and II differences in the probands and the relatives, but familial personality disorder was significantly associated with suicidal risk in probands. Among the adolescent attempters, high scores on a measure of assaultiveness were associated with significantly higher familial rates of suicide attempts/completion. Our results support the hypothesis that suicidal behaviour may be transmitted as a trait independent of Axis I and II psychopathology but that, in addition, personality disorder has a role in the transmission of suicidal behaviour. An interrelationship between proband assaultiveness and the familial aggregation of suicidality was noted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Identification of new influenza B virus variants by multiplex reverse transcription-PCR and the heteroduplex mobility assay.

A quick genetic approach for the screening of influenza virus variants was developed in this laboratory (S. Zou, J. Clin. Microbiol. 35:2623-2627, 1997). It uses multiplex reverse transcription and multiplex PCR to amplify and differentiate the variable region of the hemagglutinin genes of different types and subtypes of influenza viruses. Variants within the same type or subtype are then identified by the heteroduplex mobility shift assay of the amplicons. The method was used to screen influenza virus isolates received from provincial laboratories during the 1996-1997 season and was able to identify new influenza B virus variants. Sequencing of the amplicons derived from the hemagglutinin gene of the identified variants and comparison with the vaccine strain B/Harbin/7/94 showed substitution rates of 2.26 to 2.55% at the nucleotide level and 4.26 to 4.68% at the amino acid level. The result further demonstrated that the approach provides a quick, sensitive, and reliable screening for influenza virus variants. It also suggested the necessity of close monitoring of influenza B virus isolates in the 1997-1998 season and critical evaluation of the reference strain for the type B influenza virus.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Suicidal behavior runs in families. A controlled family study of adolescent suicide victims.

BACKGROUND: While previous studies have shown an increased rate of suicidal behavior in the relatives of suicide victims, it is unclear if this is attributable merely to increased familial rates of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we conducted a family study of adolescent suicide victims (suicide probands) and community control probands (controls) to determine if the rates of suicidal behavior were higher in the relatives of adolescent suicide probands even after adjusting for differences in the familial rates of psychiatric disorders. METHOD: The relatives of 58 adolescent suicide probands and 55 demographically similar controls underwent assessment for Axis I and II psychiatric disorders, lifetime history of aggression, and history of suicidal behavior (attempts and completions) using a combination of family study and family history approaches. RESULTS: The rate of suicide attempts was increased in the first-degree relatives of suicide probands compared with the relatives of controls, even after adjusting for differences in rates of proband and familial Axis I and II disorders (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence intervals, 1.1-16.6). On the other hand, the excess rate of suicidal ideation found in the relatives of suicide probands was explained by increased familial rates of psychiatric disorders. Among suicide probands, higher ratings of aggression were associated with higher familial loading for suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Liability to suicidal behavior might be familially transmitted as a trait independent of Axis I and II disorders. The transmitted spectrum of suicidal behavior includes attempts and completions, but not ideation, and the transmission of suicidal behavior and aggression are related.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Long-term impact of exposure to suicide: a three-year controlled follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term impact of exposure to suicide on the friends of adolescent suicide victims. METHOD: One hundred sixty-six friends of suicide victims and unexposed community controls were followed up at periodic intervals up to 3 years after the suicide, using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Epidemiologic and Present Episode versions, to assess current and incident psychopathology. RESULTS: The incidence of suicide attempts was comparable between groups over the entire follow-up period, despite higher rates of baseline and incident psychopathology in the exposed group. An increased incidence of depression and anxiety was found in friends that was most marked in the first 6 months of follow-up. An increased incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those exposed was seen in the early as well as the later periods of follow-up. Those exposed youths who knew the suicide plans of the suicide victim were at the greatest risk for incident depression and PTSD over the entire course of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Exposure to suicide does not result in an increased risk of suicidal behavior among friends and acquaintances, but it has a relatively long impact in terms of increased incidence of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Nematode management in sustainable and subsistence agriculture.

In small-scale, subsistence agriculture in the tropics and the subtropics, traditional farming practices have evolved that provide a sustainable means of reducing the incidence and damage caused by pests including nematodes. Other newer, cultural and low-input practices can also be successfully introduced in small-scale farming. In sustainable and subsistence farming systems, nematodes and some other pests can be managed by integrating different farming practices into four strategies: preventing the introduction and spread of nematodes; using direct, nonchemical, cultural and physical control methods; encouraging naturally occurring biological control agents; and maintaining or enhancing the biodiversity inherent in multiple cropping and multiple cultivar traditional farming systems to increase the available resistance or tolerance to nematodes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

The impact of adolescent suicide on siblings and parents: a longitudinal follow-up.

The psychiatric sequelae of loss of a family member to suicide were evaluated in parents and siblings of adolescent suicide victims and controls, who were followed up to 3 years after the suicide. Siblings did not show an increased risk for the development of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other conditions over the course of follow-up, despite showing a prolonged elevated level of grief symptomatology. Mothers showed an increased rate of recurrence of depression over follow-up, whereas fathers did not show an increased incidence of disorder compared to fathers of controls. The interrelationship of bereavement and depression for siblings, parents, and others exposed to suicide is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Use of methylphenidate in the treatment of children with autistic disorder.

The use of psychostimulants in autistic disorder has not received extensive evaluation. Furthermore, their use for the symptomatic control of autistic disorder has been felt to be contraindicated. This study investigates the use of methylphenidate (MPH) for the treatment of selected symptoms of autistic disorder. Ten children, ages 7-11, with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of autistic disorder participated in a double-blind crossover study using placebo and two MPH doses (10 mg or 20 mg bid). Subjects showed modest but statistically significant improvement on MPH over placebo. No significant side effects including worsening stereotypic movements occurred on either dose. Improvement in hyperactivity and lack of adverse effects suggest that MPH may be useful in the treatment of hyperactive autistic children.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMed1995

Familial aggregation of adolescent personality disorders.

OBJECTIVE: A family study of DSM-III-R personality disorders was conducted in the families of 66 clinically referred adolescents to examine the validity of personality disorder diagnoses in adolescents. METHOD: Semistructured interviews of Axis I and II disorders, including the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders, were used to directly interview 66 clinically referred adolescents and their adult first-degree family members, combining family study and family history data. RESULTS: The relatives of adolescents with avoidant personality disorder had an increased prevalence of avoidant and cluster A (schizoid, schizotypal, and paranoid) personality disorders. The relatives of adolescents with borderline personality disorder demonstrated increased rates of borderline and avoidant personality disorders, even after adjusting for comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the validity of Axis II diagnoses, particularly avoidant and borderline disorders, in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Personality disorder, personality traits, impulsive violence, and completed suicide in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the association between personality disorders, personality traits, impulsive violence, and suicide. METHOD: Personality disorders and traits in 43 adolescent suicide victims and 43 community controls were assessed from the parents, using semistructured interviews and self-report forms. RESULTS: Probable or definite personality disorders were more common in suicide victims than in controls, particularly Cluster B (impulsive-dramatic) and C type (avoidant-dependent) disorders. Suicide victims also showed greater scores on lifetime aggression, even after controlling for differences in psychopathology between suicides and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Personality disorders and the tendency to engage in impulsive violence are critical risk factors for completed suicide.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Personality disorder, tendency to impulsive violence, and suicidal behavior in adolescents.

Inpatient suicide attempters (n = 37) were compared with never-suicidal psychiatric controls (n = 29) with respect to prevalence and severity of personality disorder, history of aggression and assaultive behavior, and other measures of impulsive violence. Attempters, compared with controls, were more likely to show evidence of personality disorder or trait, particularly those of the borderline type. Attempters showed greater number of borderline symptoms than did controls, even after removing the item relating to suicidality. There were no differences between the groups with respect to lifetime history of aggression, history of assaultive behavior, or self-report measures of a tendency to impulsive aggression. Those attempters with personality disorder were much more likely to have made a previous attempt. The apparently high prevalence of personality disorder among adolescent inpatient suicide attempters indicates that the social impairment associated with personality disorder be viewed as an important aspect of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Evidence that umbilical cord blood contains a higher frequency of HLA class II-specific alloreactive T cells than adult peripheral blood. A limiting dilution analysis.

Umbilical cord blood has been used to effect hematological reconstitution and there are sufficient stem cells available in the cord blood obtainable from a single placenta to reconstitute an adult patient. Umbilical cord blood might therefore, have widespread potential use in the field of bone marrow transplantation. We compared alloreactivity of paired samples of adult and cord peripheral blood mononuclear cells, by measuring frequencies of both alloreactive T helper cells and cytotoxic T cell precursors (CTLp), using limiting dilution analysis. In addition we compared the phenotype of adult and neonatal PBMC, using monoclonal antibody staining. Cord PBMC in general showed higher frequencies of alloreactive Th than adult PBMC, with statistically significant differences in 6 out of 10 experiments. There was no statistically significant difference between adult and cord CTLp frequencies. Adult and cord PBMC surface phenotype was similar, except that cord blood contained fewer lymphocyte function-associated-3 (LFA-3) positive (memory) cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cytogenetic findings in typical and atypical meningioma.

Comparative pathological and karyotypic findings of a typical and an atypical meningioma in two different patients are presented. The chromosomal abnormalities observed appeared unique for the histopathological subtype of the tumor. Cytogenetic analysis of atypical meningioma has not previously been reported.

Adult↗