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R Catalano

Publications and source records attributed to R Catalano.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Job loss and alcohol abuse: a test using data from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area project.

The hypothesis that job loss affects the incidence of clinically significant alcohol abuse is tested using panel data from the Epidemiologic Catchment Area project. Results suggest that the incidence of clinically significant alcohol abuse is greater among those who have been laid off than among those who have not. However, employed persons in communities in which total employment is unexpectedly low are at reduced risk of becoming alcohol abusers. The implications of the results for economic policy and for mental health services are discussed briefly.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

C-type natriuretic peptide inhibits growth factor-dependent DNA synthesis in smooth muscle cells.

We have examined the ability of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) to interact with guanylate cyclase-coupled natriuretic peptide receptors by measuring its ability to stimulate intracellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation in cultured bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) and bovine aortic smooth muscle (BASM) cells. Our experiments indicate that CNP is unable to stimulate the production of cGMP in BAE cells, whereas both atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) markedly elevate cGMP levels in these cells (ANP = BNP >> CNP). In contrast, CNP is the most effective of the three peptides with respect to the stimulation of cGMP levels in BASM cells, fetal human vascular smooth muscle cells, and rat A10 cells (CNP >> ANP > BNP), with the maximal level of stimulation being approximately 5- to 10-fold over that observed for ANP. We have also shown that CNP is able to inhibit serum- and growth factor-induced DNA synthesis in BASM cells. Low concentrations of CNP (20 x 10(-9) M) inhibit up to 80% of the [3H]-thymidine incorporation induced by basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and heparin binding EGF-like growth factor. These data indicate that, although CNP has been detected only in the central nervous system and not in the circulation, it may possess multiple effects on vascular tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Neonatal mortality and the economy revisited.

The association between economic contraction and neonatal mortality previously reported in this Journal is retested using methods and data that respond to criticisms of aggregate time-series work. Results suggest that the risk of neonatal mortality among birth cohorts of black males in the Los Angeles County and Orange County metropolitan areas is increased by unexpectedly low levels of employment in the second trimester. The argument is made that the strength of the effect is probably not sufficient to make the case for stimulating regional economies more compelling.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1992

Influences on cigarette smoking quantity. Selection, stress, or culture?

The selection, job stress, and job culture models of the association between occupation and smoking quantity were empirically evaluated in a random sample of 556 employed smoking adults in Orange County, California. Almost three quarters of the sample were heavy smokers (20 or more cigarettes per day). The largest percent of heavy smokers were blue-collar workers (77%). Age, sex, ethnicity, and the industry in which one works were all associated with heavy smoking, implying that selection and culture models contribute to smoking behavior. For example, men had twice the odds of being heavy smokers than did women, and Anglos had almost two and a half times the odds of being a heavy smoker than did non-Anglos. Smokers employed in the service, financial, insurance, and retail industries were one fourth as likely to be heavy smokers as those employed in the public administration sector. Smokers employed in the public administration sector had the highest percent of heavy smokers (88.9%). Job stress was not associated with heavy smoking compared with light smoking. Smoking cessation and prevention programs should address the social and job cultures in which the behavior occurs. Job-culture models of intervention should include elements that focus on individual coping mechanisms involving susceptibility to social pressure; social environment models imply that change in organizational culture is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The effect of ambient threats to employment on low birthweight.

The hypothesis that ambient threats to employment security are associated with increased rates of low birthweight is tested in two sites. The first test uses interrupted time-series methods to measure the association between a threatened reduction in the number of state workers and the incidence of low birthweight in Sacramento, California. The second test is of the association between unexpectedly low employment and low birthweight in Los Angeles, California. Both tests suggest that White males without Spanish surnames and Spanish-surnamed males are at elevated risk of low birthweight when the community is faced with a perceived threat to employment security. The implications of the findings for economic regulation and the provision of services are discussed.

California↗
PubMed1991

Formation of beta-amyloid protein deposits in brains of transgenic mice.

Deposits of beta-amyloid are one of the main pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease. The beta-amyloid peptide constituent (relative molecular mass 4,200) of the deposits is derived from the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP) which is expressed in several different isoforms. The two most prevalent beta-APP isoforms are distinguished by either the presence (beta-APP751) or absence (beta-APP695) of a Kunitz serine protease inhibitor domain. Changes in the abundance of different beta-APP messenger RNAs in brains of Alzheimer's disease victims have been widely reported. Although these results have been controversial, most evidence favours an increase in the mRNAs encoding protease inhibitor-containing isoforms of beta-APP and it is proposed that this change contributes to beta-amyloid formation. We have now produced an imbalance in the normal neuronal ratio of beta-APP isoforms by preparing transgenic mice expressing additional beta-APP751 under the control of a neural-specific promoter. The cortical and hippocampal brain regions of the transgenic mice display extracellular beta-amyloid immunoreactive deposits varying in size (less than 5-50 microns) and abundance. These results suggest that one mechanism of beta-amyloid formation may involve a disruption of the normal ratio of neuronal beta-APP isoform expression and support a direct relationship between increased expression of Kunitz inhibitor-bearing beta-APP isoforms and beta-amyloid deposition.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1991

Phase II trial of thio-TEPA in relapsed and refractory ovarian carcinoma.

On the basis of a Phase I reevaluation of thio-TEPA in which 3 of 9 patients with ovarian carcinoma responded, we instituted a Phase II study at high doses. Fourteen patients with a histologic diagnosis of epithelial carcinoma of the ovary, who had received at least one prior cisplatin-based regimen, were entered. Thio-TEPA was initially administered intravenously at a dose of 65 mg/m2 every 4 weeks, but was reduced to 50 mg/m2 after severe myelotoxicity developed in the first 5 patients. In 4 patients stable disease lasted 3, 4, 5, and 9 months; 10 patients progressed. There were no objective responses. At this dose and schedule, thio-TEPA has a response rate less than 20% in ovarian cancer patients previously treated with cisplatin.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

The health effects of economic insecurity.

BACKGROUND: Interest in the health and behavioral effects of economic insecurity appears to vary with the performance of the economy. The current recession in the United States and Western Europe and growing unemployment in Eastern Europe make it timely to analytically review the recent research concerned with the health effects of economic contraction. METHODS: The research concerned with the health and behavioral effects of economic insecurity is organized by dependent variable and method. Rules for determining which effects are supported by strong and which by weak evidence are developed and applied to the literature. RESULTS: Evidence for effects on symptoms of psychological distress, seeking help for psychological distress, and nonspecific physiological illness is strong. Evidence for effects on suicide, child abuse, adverse birth outcomes, and heart disease is characterized as weak or sufficiently controversial to warrant skepticism. CONCLUSIONS: The health effects of economic security are undoubtedly mediated by economic policies. Estimating the effect of policy alternatives on the incidence of various outcomes is, however, very difficult given the current state of the research. The effect of rising unemployment on health in Eastern Europe cannot, moreover, be estimated from existing research. Effects estimated from Western economies probably do not generalize to situations in which the meaning of economic insecurity is conditioned by profound social and political reforms.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Tobacco use: selection, stress, or culture?

The effects of selection, job stress, and culture models on the association between occupation and smoking were empirically estimated on a random sample of 2,362 employed adults in Orange County, California using data collected through the Orange County Health Survey. The largest percent of smokers were blue-collar workers (32.4%). The logistic regression analysis results indicated that age, sex, education, ethnicity, job stress, and the industry in which employees work had significant impact on the risk of smoking. The findings imply that all three models contribute to smoking behavior. Smoking cessation and prevention programs may include elements that address both stress and environment in intervention design. Stress models imply that such program should focus on change in individual coping mechanisms; social environment models imply that change in group norms and attitudes is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Fibroblast growth factor induces beta-amyloid precursor mRNA in glial but not neuronal cultured cells.

Treatment of PC12 and C6 cell cultures with recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor results in approximately a five to ten-fold stimulation of beta-amyloid precursor mRNA in the C6 astrocytoma cell line but only a slight induction of precursor mRNA in the PC-12 neuronal cell line. Stimulation of expression occurred at a hormone concentration of approximately 0.5 to 1 nM and was seen after 2 days. These results suggest that basic fibroblast growth factor may contribute to amyloidosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1989

Phase I clinical and pharmacologic trial of trimetrexate in combination with 5-fluorouracil.

Based on the synergy of sequential methotrexate (MTX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in vitro and in vivo and the superior antitumor activity of trimetrexate (TMTX) compared with MTX in preclinical models, we carried out a phase I trial of TMTX and 5-FU (fixed dose, 400 mg/m2 per day), both given as 10-min i.v. infusions daily x 5 days, every 28 days. The TMTX dose was escalated from 3.0 to 14.0 mg/m2 per day. In all, 92 evaluable courses were given to 34 patients, half of whom were heavily pretreated with radiation or cytotoxics. Myelosuppression and mucositis were the dose-limiting toxicities but were not different in heavily or minimally pretreated patients; there were five episodes of moderate to severe mucositis. Rash, fatigue, and diarrhea were mild toxicities. Plasma TMTX elimination was biexponential, with a mean t.1/2 alpha of 0.23 h and a t.1/2 beta of 16.7 h. The area under the plasma TMTX concentration versus time curve increased linearly with dose, suggesting first-order elimination. Total plasma TMTX clearance (mean +/- SD) was 14.3 +/- 5.9 ml/min per m2. Renal clearance accounted for approximately 7% of total clearance, indicating biotransformation as the major route of elimination. TMTX was highly protein-bound (97%). Thus, TMTX can be given with 5-FU (400 mg/m2) on a daily x 5-day bolus schedule at the 12 mg/m2 per day dose level, which was the recommended dose of TMTX as a single agent for phase II studies using the 5-day bolus schedule.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The timing of major life events: effects of departing from the social clock.

It is widely believed that social norms govern the timing of major life events, such that events experienced off time are considerably more stressful than events experienced on time. Experiencing life events either earlier or later than one's peers presumably reduces opportunities for social support and may also invite social disapproval. Relatively few empirical studies have investigated these ideas, however, and those that have suffer from several limitations. The present study made use of a general population survey to investigate the effects of normative versus nonnormative timing of major life events on psychological functioning, interpersonal resources, and interpersonal tensions. Desirable and undesirable events were examined separately, as were the effects of departures from perceived versus statistical age norms. The results of the study offered only limited support for social clock theory. Implications for further research and for the relevance of the theory in a less age-differentiated society are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

Economic stress and suicide: multilevel analyses. Part 1: Aggregate time-series analyses of economic stress and suicide.

Of the research on health and economic stress, the approach that has produced the strongest findings has been the aggregate time-series analysis of unemployment and suicide rates. A review of the literature indicates that this aggregate work has been disputed on both methodological and interpretive grounds. To address these issues, two studies of the relationship between economic stress and suicide were conducted on the same population. The first, reported in this paper (Part 1), replicated the aggregate time-series work with improvements in method, using monthly data for 1975-1982 for Los Angeles. A second study (reported in Part 2) combined aggregate economic indicators with individual-level measures of stressful events, symptoms, and suicidal ideation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Economic stress and suicide: multilevel analyses. Part 2: Cross-level analyses of economic stress and suicidal ideation.

This paper reports the second of two studies of the hypothesis that the economy affects suicide; both studies were based in the same community during approximately the same time period. Although many aggregate-level tests have been conducted using archival measures of unemployment and suicide (the approach used in Part 1), the impact of economic climate on suicidal ideation has not been measured at the individual level. In the study reported here, aggregate economic indicators were combined with individual-level measures of stressful events, symptoms, and suicidal ideation obtained in a survey of Los Angeles from 1978 to 1982. Each of the two studies revealed small associations between economic stress and suicide or suicidal ideation, but they were inconsistent with respect to specific subgroups.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The interaction of stressful life events and chronic strains on community mental health.

One of the possible adaptive costs of coping with stress is diminished capacity to respond to subsequent adaptive demands. This paper examined the complex interplay between major life events and one source of chronic strain. Residents of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area exposed to higher levels of smog, who had also experienced a recent stressful life event, exhibited poorer mental health than those exposed to pollution who had not experienced a recent stressful life event. There were, however, no direct effects of smog levels on mental health. These patterns of results were replicated in both a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study. The interplay of psychosocial vulnerability and environmental conditions is discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1987

A test of reciprocal risk between undesirable economic and noneconomic life events.

The proposition that undesirable life experiences are risk factors for each other was explored by testing several hypotheses concerning the temporal relationships between economic and noneconomic life events. The tests were conducted using data describing the incidence of stressful experiences among approximately 3,500 Anglo and Hispanic residents of Los Angeles County. Findings suggested that Anglo men who have undesirable economic life experiences are at increased risk of subsequent undesirable noneconomic experiences. Anglo women, however, exhibited the opposite pattern in that those with undesirable noneconomic experiences were at greater risk of subsequent undesirable economic experiences. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗