Biomedical subjects

Melissa Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to Melissa Anderson.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Intimate partner violence and women's physical, mental, and social functioning.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationship between women's health and the timing, type, and duration of intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure. METHODS: A telephone interview was completed by 3429 women aged 18 to 64 randomly selected from a large health plan, to assess IPV exposure and heath status (response rate 56.4%). Questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the Women's Experience with Battering scale were used to construct IPV exposures: (1) recent (past 5 years) and remote (before past 5 years only) IPV exposure of any type (physical, sexual, or non-physical); (2) recent (past 5 years) IPV exposure to physical and/or sexual or non-physical only; and (3) IPV duration (0 to 2 years, 3 to 10 years, and >10 years). Health outcomes were measured using the Short Form-36 survey (SF-36), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, and the National Institute of Mental Health Presence of Symptoms survey. RESULTS: In adjusted models, compared to women with no IPV in their adult lifetime, more-pronounced adverse health effects were observed for women with recent (vs remote) IPV; for physical and/or sexual (vs non-physical) IPV; and for longer IPV exposure. Compared to women who never experienced IPV, women with any recent IPV (physical, sexual, or non-physical) had higher rates of severe (prevalence ratio [PR]=2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.9-3.6) and minor depressive symptoms (PR=2.3; 95% CI=1.9-2.8); higher number of physical symptoms (mean, 1.0; 95% CI=0.7-1.2); and lower SF-36 mental and social functioning scores (range, 4.3-5.5 points lower across subscales). Women with recent physical and/or sexual IPV were 2.8 times as likely to report fair/poor health, and had SF-36 scores that ranged from 5.3 to 7.8 points lower, increased risk of depressive symptoms (PR=2.6) and severe depressive symptoms (PR=4.0), and more than one additional symptom. Longer duration of IPV was associated with incrementally worse health. CONCLUSIONS: Women's health was adversely affected by the proximity, type, and duration of IPV exposure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Intimate partner violence: prevalence, types, and chronicity in adult women.

BACKGROUND: Most intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence studies do not examine the relationships between IPV types and the chronicity and severity of abuse. OBJECTIVES: Delineate prevalence, chronicity, and severity of IPV among adult women. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study conducted by telephone survey. Data were collected in 2003 to 2005 and analyzed contemporaneously. PARTICIPANTS: English-speaking women (n=3568) aged 18 to 64 years enrolled in a U.S. health maintenance organization for 3 or more years. Response rate was 56.4%. MAIN EXPOSURE: Physical, psychological, and sexual IPV were assessed using five questions from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey and ten items from the Women's Experience with Battering (WEB) scale. RESULTS: Most (3429) of the respondents had at least one intimate partnership as an adult. Of these, 14.7% reported IPV of any type in the past 5 years, and 45.1% of abused women experienced more than one type. Prevalence was 7.9% in the past year, while during a woman's adult lifetime, it was 44.0%. Depending on IPV type, 10.7% to 21.0% were abused by more than one partner; duration was <1 year to 5 median years; while in 5% to 13% of the instances, IPV persisted for >20 years. IPV rates were higher for younger women, women with lower income and less education, single mothers, and those who had been abused as a child. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of IPV across women's lifetimes in the previous 5 years and the previous year are documented. The present investigation provides new information of IPV chronicity, severity, and the overlap of IPV types over a woman's adult life span.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Does steroid exposure adversely affect the outcome of subacute bacterial endocarditis? Report of two cases.

Multivalvular endocarditis of native cardiac valves due to streptococci in patients without any predisposing conditions has not been reported previously. Moreover, the effect of exposure to systemic steroids on the outcome of subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) is not well known. We describe 2 patients with SBE involving 3 native cardiac valves, who were initially exposed to systemic steroid therapy under the clinical impression of 'rheumatologic disorders'.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Coronary calcium measurements: effect of CT scanner type and calcium measure on rescan reproducibility--MESA study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of scanner type and calcium measure on the reproducibility of calcium measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This investigation was approved by the institutional review boards of each study site and by the Institutional Review Board of the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute. Informed consent for scanning and participation was obtained from all participants. The study was Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a multicenter observational study of 6814 participants undergoing demographic, risk factor, and subclinical disease evaluations. Coronary artery calcium was measured by using duplicate CT scans. Three study centers used electron-beam computed tomography (CT), and three used multi-detector row CT. Coronary artery calcium was detected in 3355 participants. Three calcium measurement methods-Agatston score, calcium volume, and interpolated volume score-were evaluated. Mean absolute differences between calcium measures on scans 1 and 2, excluding cases for which both scans had a measure of zero, was modeled by using linear regression to compare reproducibility between scanner types. A repeated measures analysis of variance test was used to compare reproducibility across calcium measures, with mean percentage absolute difference as the outcome measure. Rescan reproducibility in relation to misregistrations, noise, and motion artifacts was also examined. Variables were log transformed to create a more normal distribution. RESULTS: Concordance for presence of calcium between duplicate scans was high and similar for both electron-beam and multi-detector row CT (96%, kappa = 0.92). Mean absolute difference between calcium scores for the two scans was 15.8 for electron-beam and 16.9 for multi-detector row CT scanners (P = .06). Mean relative differences were 20.1 for Agatston score, 18.3 for calcium volume, and 18.3 for interpolated volume score (P < .01). Reproducibility was lower for scans with versus those without image misregistrations or motion artifacts (P < .01 for both). CONCLUSION: Electron-beam and multi-detector row CT scanners have equivalent reproducibility for measuring coronary artery calcium. Calcium volumes and interpolated volume scores are slightly more reproducible than Agatston scores. Reproducibility is lower for scans with misregistrations or motion artifacts.

Calcinosis↗

PubMed2005

Radical prostatectomy: men's experiences and postoperative needs.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study sought to explore men's experiences after radical prostatectomy and whether they perceived their preoperative teaching adequately prepared them for postoperative recovery. Tape-recorded telephone and face-to-face interviews were conducted at days 2, 7 and 21, and 3 and 12 months postdischarge. BACKGROUND: Although verbal and written instruction about postoperative expectations and care are provided routinely before radical prostatectomy, patients express concern about a lack of preparation in managing urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. DESIGN: This qualitative descriptive study explored in-depth men's experiences during the year following their surgery. METHODS: Multiple, tape-recorded, semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with 17 participants and a single, in-depth, face-to-face interview was conducted 12 months postoperatively with a subset of five men selected for their reflective and descriptive abilities. RESULTS: Although participants received comprehensive written and verbal information preoperatively, it was not sufficient to foster their management of all postoperative sequelae. Telephone follow-up, used as a data collection strategy, was helpful in fostering adjustment after surgery and relieved anxiety caused by side effects of surgery and unanswered questions. CONCLUSIONS: Pre- and postoperative teaching needs to make allowances for the impact of stress on the recall and processing of information. Written information in itself is not adequate to answer necessary questions and provide reassurance. Follow-up telephone support is recommended as a way of fostering adjustment after surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study shows that: (i) Written information in itself is not adequate to answer necessary questions and provide reassurance, (ii) Nurses need to be prepared, both educationally and psychologically, to observe non-verbal cues and to address questions and concerns that are rarely voiced in ways that indicate their significance to the person and (iii) Men may not speak about sexuality issues in ways that accurately reflect the extent of their worry and/or distress about erectile dysfunction.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

The association between lipid levels and the risks of incident myocardial infarction, stroke, and total mortality: The Cardiovascular Health Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between lipid levels and cardiovascular events in older adults. DESIGN: A prospective population-based study. SETTING: Four field centers in U.S. communities. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5,201 adults aged 65 and older living in U.S. communities, plus a recruitment of 687 African Americans 3 years later. MEASUREMENTS: Fasting lipid measures included low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol, and triglycerides. RESULTS: At baseline, 1,954 men and 2,931 women were at risk for an incident myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke. During an average 7.5-year follow-up, 436 subjects had a coronary event, 332 had an ischemic stroke, 104 a hemorrhagic stroke, and 1,096 died. After adjustment, lipid measures were not major predictors of the outcomes of MI, ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and total mortality. For total cholesterol and LDL-C, the associations with MI and ischemic stroke were only marginally significant. HDL-C was inversely associated with MI risk (hazard ratio=0.85 per standard deviation of 15.7 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval=0.76-0.96). For the outcome of ischemic stroke, high levels of HDL-C were associated with a decreased risk in men but not women. Lipid measures were generally only weakly associated with the risks of hemorrhagic stroke or total mortality. CONCLUSION: In this population-based study of older adults, most lipid measures were weakly associated with cardiovascular events. The association between low HDL-C and increased MI risk was nonetheless strong and consistent.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2004

Using MRI to assess aortic wall thickness in the multiethnic study of atherosclerosis: distribution by race, sex, and age.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis may aid in elucidating the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and guide prevention strategies. In this pilot study, we investigated the role of aortic wall thickness as a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis, assessed a method by which to measure aortic wall thickness using MRI, and attempted to define differences in aortic wall thickness by patient race, sex, and age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. In this prospective study, 196 participants (99 black, 97 white; 98 men, 98 women) were selected from the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, which consists of participants 45-84 years old without clinical cardiovascular disease, who were recruited from six study centers in the United States. We performed fast spin-echo double inversion recovery MRI to measure thoracic aortic wall thickness. We tested interobserver agreement using the intraclass correlation coefficient, for sex and race differences in wall thickness using the Mann-Whitney test, and for associations between age and wall thickness using linear regression. RESULTS: Reproducibility was excellent for measurements of average and maximal wall thickness on MRI. Average and maximal wall thickness increased with age (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Men had greater mean average wall thickness (2.32 vs 2.11 mm, p = 0.028) and mean maximal wall thickness (3.85 vs 3.31 mm, p = 0.010) than women. Blacks had greater mean maximal wall thickness than whites (3.74 vs 3.42 mm, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: MRI is a feasible method to measure aortic wall thickness with high interobserver agreement. Aortic wall thickness increases with age and also varies by race and sex.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Analysis of mammalian proteins involved in chromatin modification reveals new metaphase centromeric proteins and distinct chromosomal distribution patterns.

We have examined the metaphase chromosomal localization of 15 proteins that have previously been described as involved in mammalian chromatin modification and/or transcriptional modulation. Immunofluorescence data indicate that all the proteins localize to human and mouse centromeres, a neocentromere, and the active centromere of a dicentric chromosome, with six of these proteins (Sin3A, PCAF, MYST, MBD2, ORC2, P300/CBP) being demonstrated at mammalian centromeres for the first time. Most of these proteins fall into two distinct chromosomal distribution patterns: (a) kinetochore-associated proteins (Sin3A, PCAF, MYST and BAF180), which colocalize with metaphase kinetochores, but not any of the pericentric and other major heterochromatic regions; and (b) heterochromatin-associated proteins (MeCP2, MBD1, MBD2, ATRX, HP1alpha, HDAC1, HDAC2, DNMT1 and DNMT3b), which colocalize with centromeric/pericentric heterochromatin and all other major heterochromatic sites. A heterogeneous third group (c) consists of the origin recognition complex subunit ORC2 and the histone acetyltransferase P300/CBP, which associate generally with kinetochores in humans and centromeric/pericentric heterochromatin in mouse, with some minor differences in localization. These observations indicate an extensive sharing of protein components involved in chromatin modification at gene loci, centromeres and various chromosomal heterochromatic landmarks. The definition of distinct patterns of chromosomal distribution for these proteins provides a useful basis for the further investigation of the broad-ranging roles of these proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Effects of insulin resistance and obesity on lipoproteins and sensitivity to egg feeding.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine if insulin resistance without and with obesity influences LDL response to dietary cholesterol and saturated fat. METHODS AND RESULTS: We fed 0, 2, and 4 egg yolks per day to 197 healthy subjects in a 4-week, double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Subjects were dichotomized on body mass index (<27.5 and > or =27.5 kg/m2) and insulin sensitivity (insulin-sensitivity index > or =4.2x1.0(-4) and <4.2x1.0(-4) min(-1) microU/mL), yielding insulin-sensitive (IS, n=65), insulin-resistant (IR, n=75), and obese insulin-resistant (OIR, n=58) subjects. Mean fasting baseline LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were higher in IR and OIR subjects (3.44+/-0.67 and 3.32+/-0.80 mol/L) than in IS subjects (2.84+/-0.75 mmol/L) (P<0.001). Progressive triglyceride elevations and HDL-C decreases were seen across the 3 groups. Ingesting 4 eggs daily yielded significant LDL-C increases of 7.8+/-13.7% (IS) and 3.3+/-13.2% (IR) (both P<0.05) compared with 2.4+/-12.6% for OIR (NS). HDL-C increases were 8.8+/-10.4%, 5.2+/-10.4%, and 3.6+/-9.4% in IS, IR, and OIR, respectively (all P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance without and with obesity is associated with elevated LDL-C as well as elevated triglyceride and low HDL-C. The elevated LDL-C cannot be explained by dietary sensitivity, because the LDL-C rise with egg feeding is less in IR persons regardless of obesity status, probably attributable to diminished cholesterol absorption. The results suggest that dietary management of insulin resistance and obesity can focus more on restricting calories and less on restricting dietary fat.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

Transcription within a functional human centromere.

Recent data in yeast and Drosophila suggest a domain-like centromere structure with a modified chromatin core and flanking regions of heterochromatin. We have analyzed a functional human centromere and defined a region of increased chromosome scaffold/matrix attachment that overlaps three other distinct and nonoverlapping domains for constitutive centromere proteins CENP-A and CENP-H, and heterochromatin protein HP1. Transcriptional competency is intact throughout the S/MAR-enriched region and within the CENP-A- and CENP-H-associated chromatin. These results provide insights into the relationship between centromeric chromatin and transcriptional competency in vivo, highlighting the permissibility of transcription within the constitutively modified, nonheterochromatic chromatin of a functional eukaryotic centromere.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Treatment of vulvovaginal lichen planus with vaginal hydrocortisone suppositories.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effectiveness of vaginal hydrocortisone suppositories in the treatment of vulvovaginal lichen planus. METHODS: A nonprobability sample of 60 patients diagnosed with vulvovaginal lichen planus were treated with intravaginal hydrocortisone 25-mg suppositories (1-1/2) twice a day. The dose was tapered to two times a week dosing after several months to maintain symptom-free disease. The participants' charts were reviewed and pretreatment symptoms and physical examination were compared to posttreatment symptoms and physical examination. Data were analyzed using McNemar chi(2). RESULTS: The sample population included mostly white (86.7%) patients with a mean age of 58 years. Forty-three participants had complete data with follow-up subjectively and objectively after treatment. Most symptoms (eg, vulvar burning, pruritus, dyspareunia, vaginal discharge) were improved and the improvement was found to be statistically significant. Sexual activity was unchanged in the women. Additionally, most physical findings by examination (eg, erythema, erosions, vulvar and vaginal lesions) were improved and the improvement was found to be statistically significant. Vaginal stenosis did not significantly improve. Treatment was continued in 35 patients with a mean duration of 28.1 months. There was overall improvement in 81% subjectively and in 76.8% objectively. CONCLUSION: Intravaginal hydrocortisone suppositories are an effective treatment for vulvovaginal lichen planus.

Administration, Intravaginal↗