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Results for “Propensity Score”

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PubMed2001

The effects of lamotrigine on sleep in patients with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: The older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have a variety of effects on sleep, including marked reduction in REM, slow-wave sleep (SWS) and sleep latency, and increased percentage of light sleep. The effects of the newer AEDs on sleep are unknown. Our purpose was to study the effect of lamotrigine (LTG) on sleep. METHODS: Ten adults with focal epilepsy, in whom the decision was made to add LTG to either phenytoin (PHT) or carbamazepine (CBZ) for control of seizures, were the subjects of this study. Patients underwent pre- and posttreatment polysomnography (PSG) and completed sleep questionnaires. Polygraphic variables and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, a subjective measure of sleep propensity, were compared by using the Wilcoxon sign rank test. RESULTS: Seven patients were taking CBZ, and three were treated with PHT. All subjects were titrated to an LTG dose of 400 mg/day. Treatment with LTG produced a significant decrease in SWS and an increase in stage 2 sleep percentage. No significant difference in ESS or any of the other polygraphic variables was observed. However, LTG treatment was associated with a reduction in arousals and stage shifts and an increase in REM periods. No subjects reported insomnia with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: LTG appears to be less disruptive to sleep than some of the older AEDs.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Gabapentin increases slow-wave sleep in normal adults.

PURPOSE: The older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have a variety of effects on sleep, including marked reduction in rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, slow-wave sleep (SWS), and sleep latency, and an increase in light sleep. The effects of the newer AEDs on sleep are unknown. Our purpose was to study the effect of gabapentin (GBP) on sleep. METHODS: Ten healthy adults and nine controls were the subjects of this study. All underwent baseline and follow-up polysomnography (PSG) and completed sleep questionnaires. After baseline, the treated group received GBP titrated to 1,800 mg daily. Polygraphic variables and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, a subjective measure of sleep propensity, were compared by using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Nine of the treated subjects achieved the target dose; one was studied with 1,500 mg daily because of dizziness experienced at the higher dose. GBP-treated subjects had an increase in SWS compared with baseline. No difference in the ESS or other polygraphic variables was observed. However, a minor reduction in arousals, awakenings, and stage shifts was observed in treated subjects. CONCLUSIONS: GBP appears to be less disruptive to sleep than are some of the older AEDs. These findings may underlie the drug's therapeutic effect in the treatment of disorders associated with sleep disruption.

Acetates↗

PubMed2003

Missense mutations in hMLH1 and hMSH2 are associated with exonic splicing enhancers.

There is a critical need to understand why missense mutations are deleterious. The deleterious effects of missense mutations are commonly attributed to their impact on primary amino acid sequence and protein structure. However, several recent studies have shown that some missense mutations are deleterious because they disturb cis-acting splicing elements-so-called "exonic splicing enhancers" (ESEs). It is not clear whether the ESE-related deleterious effects of missense mutations are common. We have evaluated colocalization of pathogenic missense mutations (found in affected individuals) with high-score ESE motifs in the human mismatch-repair genes hMSH2 and hMLH1. We found that pathogenic missense mutations in the hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes are located in ESE sites significantly more frequently than expected. Pathogenic missense mutations also tended to decrease ESE scores, thus leading to a higher propensity for splicing defects. In contrast, nonpathogenic missense mutations (polymorphisms found in unaffected individuals) and nonsense mutations are distributed randomly in relation to ESE sites. Comparison of the observed and expected frequencies of missense mutations in ESE sites shows that pathogenic effects of >/=20% of mutations in hMSH2 result from disruption of ESE sites and disturbed splicing. Similarly, pathogenic effects of >/=16% of missense mutations in the hMLH1 gene are ESE related. The colocalization of pathogenic missense mutations with ESE sites strongly suggests that their pathogenic effects are splicing related.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2006

SHARP2: protein-protein interaction predictions using patch analysis.

UNLABELLED: SHARP2 is a flexible web-based bioinformatics tool for predicting potential protein-protein interaction sites on protein structures. It implements a predictive algorithm that calculates multiple parameters for overlapping patches of residues on the surface of a protein. Six parameters are calculated: solvation potential, hydrophobicity, accessible surface area, residue interface propensity, planarity and protrusion (SHARP2). Parameter scores for each patch are combined, and the patch with the highest combined score is predicted as a potential interaction site. SHARP2 enables users to upload 3D protein structure files in PDB format, to obtain information on potential interaction sites as downloadable HTML tables and to view the location of the sites on the 3D structure using Jmol. The server allows for the input of multiple structures and multiple combinations of parameters. Therefore predictions can be made for complete datasets, as well as individual structures. AVAILABILITY: http://www.bioinformatics.sussex.ac.uk/SHARP2.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2000

Lack of predictive value of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale in patients after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) has been recognized as a valid measure of sleep propensity. Statistically significant correlations between ESS scores, the respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and the lowest arterial oxygen saturation (LSAT) have been described in patients with surgically untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We investigated whether the same relationships hold true after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). Forty-two adults with documented OSA treated by UPPP were reevaluated with the ESS questionnaire and 8-hour diagnostic nocturnal polysomnography (nPSG). We found no significant correlation between the ESS scores and the RDI or LSAT in patients after UPPP. Because postoperative ESS scores do not correlate with the RDI or LSAT, we conclude that the ESS is not a reliable surrogate for nPSG testing.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Daytime sleepiness, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a simple questionnaire measuring the general level of daytime sleepiness, called here the average sleep propensity. This is a measure of the probability of falling asleep in a variety of situations. The conceptual basis of the ESS involves a four-process model of sleep and wakefulness. The sleep propensity at any particular time is a function of the ratio of the total sleep drive to the total wake drive with which it competes. ESS scores significantly distinguished patients with primary snoring from those with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), and ESS scores increased with the severity of OSAS. Multiple regression analysis showed that ESS scores were more closely related to the frequency of apneas than to the degree of hypoxemia in OSAS. ESS scores give a useful measure of average sleep propensity, comparable to the results of all-day tests such as the multiple sleep latency test.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Tooth staining effects of an alexidine mouthwash.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the amount of tooth staining produced by an alexidine mouthrinse. One hundred and eighty subjects rinsed twice daily for 1 month with either 15 ml of alexidine (0.035%) or a placebo solution. Prior to the study, the subjects were classified according to their smoking, coffee and tea drinking habits and these factors were subsequently considered in the analysis of the stain scores. Additionally, the effects on staining of a prior prophylaxis and the use of a fluoridated toothpaste during the study were determined. Upon termination of the study, subjects utilizing the active mouthrinse manifested a greater degree of staining than placebo users. The amount and intensity of the stain due to alexidine were not influenced (increased) by smoking, tea or coffee drinking habits. A prior prophylaxis did not reduce the staining propensity of alexidine users. The method of scoring developed can be used to assess the degree of tooth staining induced by antiplaque agents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Estimation of non-response bias in the Medicare FFS HOS.

We examined non-response bias in physical component summary scores (PCS) and mental component summary scores (MCS) in the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) using two alternative methods, response propensity weighting and imputation for non-respondents. The two approaches gave nearly identical estimates of non-response bias. PCS scores were 0.74 points lower and MCS scores 0.51 points lower after adjustment for non-response through imputation and 0.63 and 0.46 lower after adjustment for propensity weighting. These levels are small for component scores suggesting that survey non-response to the FFS HOS does not adversely affect estimates of average health status for this population.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Personality dimensions and psychopathological profiles of Ecstasy users.

Only limited information is available with respect to personality traits and the psychopathological characteristics of Ecstasy users. To shed some light on the issue, we compared a group of 43 Ecstasy consumers (made up of both 'experimenters', those who took </= 27.5 tablets in their lifetime, and 'abusers', those who took larger amounts of the drug) with a composite control group of 77 subjects (made up of drug-free people, cannabis users and users of illicit drugs other than Ecstasy). Three instruments were used: the Questionnaire for the Assessment of the Use of Entactogenic Drugs (to assess modalities and characteristics of Ecstasy use); the Cloninger Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (which measures harm avoidance, reward dependence and novelty seeking) and the SCL-90 (which measures 10 different psychiatric variables). The Ecstasy consumer group subjects showed higher novelty seeking scores than the controls (p < 0.001), and Ecstasy experimenters showed lower harm avoidance scores than the abusers (p = 0.029), but values of both reward dependence and harm avoidance dimensions were associated with sex. On the SCL-90, Ecstasy users showed higher scores than the controls on the obsession-compulsion (p = 0.004), phobic anxiety (p = 0.037), psychoticism (p = 0.005) and sleep disturbances (p = 0.046) subscales. However, many of the SCL-90 subscale results were associated with sex, and only the psychoticism values seemed to suggest a clinical condition. The main finding of this study is that high novelty seeking scores are characteristic of Ecstasy consumers: The propensity to look selectively for novelties could possibly act as a predisposing factor for Ecstasy abuse itself. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Correlations in protein sequences and property codes.

Correlation functions in large sets of non-homologous protein sequences are analysed. Finite size corrections are applied and fluctuations are estimated. As symbol sequences have to be mapped to sequences of numbers to calculate correlation functions, several property codes are tested as such mappings. We found hydrophobicity autocorrelation functions to be strongly oscillating. Another strong signal is the monotonously decaying alpha-helix propensity autocorrelation function. Furthermore, we detected signals corresponding to an alteration of positively and negatively charged residues at a distance of 3-4 amino acids. To look beyond the property codes gained by the methods of physical chemistry, mappings yielding a strong correlation signal are sought for using a Monte Carlo simulation. The mappings leading to strong signals are found to be related to hydrophobicity of alpha-helix propensity. A cluster analysis of the top scoring mappings leads to two novel property codes. These two property codes are gained from sequence data only. They turn out to be similar to known property codes for hydrophobicity or polarity.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1998

Epicortical slow potential shifts and sensory-evoked potentials are related to seizure propensity in gerbils.

Gerbils were assessed for behavioral tendency by scoring seizure severity and the amount of ambulatory and rearing activities in a novel 'open-field' arena. Seizure-prone animals exhibited seizures on early open-field trials (1-2) and later performed more ambulatory activity than non-seizure-prone animals. Two weeks later, two groups of both seizure prone and non-seizure prone animals were chronically implanted with six silver/silver chloride ball electrodes for recordings during behaviour. Electrodes were on the surfaces of the frontal, parietal and occipital cortices bilaterally. In one group these were used to record slow potential shifts; in the other, visual- and acoustic-evoked responses. Larger negative and positive slow shifts occurred in seizure-prone animals. Most evident were the larger positive right frontal shifts and negative left occipital shifts. Seizure tendency was related to the amplitude of these waveforms. Visual-evoked potential amplitudes were generally larger and latencies shorter in seizure-prone animals, especially in the right occipital and left parietal cortices. Seizure susceptibility was associated with increased visual-evoked potential amplitude in the right frontal and left occipital cortices, and with reduced latency of both auditory- and visual-evoked responses in the left occipital cortex. The discussion highlights a role for glia in slow shift generation and the association of large shifts with enhanced sensory-evoked responses, especially in seizure-prone animals.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Remating in Drosophila melanogaster: an examination of the trading-up and intrinsic male-quality hypotheses.

Female Drosophila melanogaster remate more frequently than necessary to ensure fertilization. We tested whether polyandrous females gain genetic benefits for their offspring by (1) selecting secondary sires of higher genetic-quality than original partners or (2) because post-copulatory mechanisms bias fertilizations towards genetically superior males. We screened 119 hemiclones of males for lifetime fitness then selected eight hemiclones (four of extreme high fitness and four of extreme low fitness) and mated them to virgin females. Females were then given the opportunity to remate with males of benchmark-genetic quality and their propensity to remate (fidelity) and sperm displacement scored. A female's fidelity and her level of sperm displacement varied depending on which hemiclone she mated first, but not on male-genetic quality. These findings indicate that female remating and sperm displacement are strongly influenced by male genotype, but provide no evidence that these traits contribute to adaptive female choice to obtain superior genes for offspring.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Musculoskeletal analyses of the forearm in young women with Turner syndrome: a study using peripheral quantitative computed tomography.

Turner syndrome (TS) is associated with multiple skeletal abnormalities. Fracture incidence appears to be increased, but the reasons for this are not entirely clear. In the present study, we used peripheral quantitative computed tomography to evaluate bone mass, density, geometry, and strength of the radial metaphysis and diaphysis as well as maximum forearm muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in a group of 21 TS patients. These individuals were 19.5 +/- 2.3 yr of age (mean +/- SD; range, 16.2-25.4 yr) and had completed growth after having received GH therapy; all but one were receiving estrogen supplementation. Despite short stature, cross-sectional bone size was normal compared with age-matched healthy controls. However, bone mineral content was decreased, resulting in a low total volumetric bone mineral density. This was due to decreased cortical thickness at both sites of measurement, whereas trabecular volumetric bone mineral density of the metaphysis was normal. Muscular CSA was normal. The relationship between muscle CSA and external bone size was similar between TS patients and healthy young women. However, TS patients had less bone mineral content and cortical CSA relative to muscle CSA than healthy young women, but similar muscle-bone relationships as healthy prepubertal girls. These findings are compatible with a normal adaptation of external bone size to the mechanical loads imposed by the muscle system and a lack of pubertal effect on the endocortical bone surface, despite estrogen supplementation. Bone strength may not be adequate for the relatively high body weight of TS patients (+0.8 SD score), which could contribute to an increased propensity for fractures.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Sex differences in pathological gambling using gaming machines.

With recent introduction of poker machines in Australia, there have been claims of increases in the number of women with gambling-related problems. Research in the United States indicates, however, that men have a higher incidence of pathological gambling. The aims of this study were to ascertain among game machine users in a major city in Australia whether (a) more women than men exhibited symptoms of pathological gambling, (b) women reported higher guilt associated with their gambling, and (c) gamblers' self-assessment on several mood states was predictive of pathological gambling. A modified version of the South Oaks Gambling Screen was administered to 104 users of game machines (44 men, 60 women) sampled from patrons at gaming venues in Melbourne, Australia. Data indicated no significant sex difference in the proportion of pathological gamblers or in gambling-related guilt. Self-assessment of Happiness, Propensity for Boredom, and Loneliness, significantly predicted scores on the South Oaks Gambling Screen, with Unhappiness a significant independent predictor of pathological gambling. This may suggest that gambling acts to fill a need in the lives of unhappy people or that individuals who lack control over their gambling report higher unhappiness. Further research is needed to discover this relationship.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1995

Allopurinol improves myocardial reperfusion injury in a xanthine oxidase-free model.

The ability of allopurinol to protect against reperfusion injury in the heart has usually been attributed to its xanthine oxidase (XO)-inhibiting properties. Human myocardium however, has exhibited low levels of XO activity. To investigate the effects of allopurinol in an XO-free model and determine whether pretreatment is necessary, 12 domestic pigs (15 kg to 20 kg) underwent occlusion of the left circumflex for 8 minutes followed by reperfusion for 4 hours. One group received allopurinol infusion (5 mg/kg IV) at occlusion over 45 minutes and a control group (n = 6) received a saline infusion (same volume). Left ventricular and aortic pressure, electrocardiograms, and regional wall motion (sonomicrometry) were monitored throughout the process. Regional blood flow (microspheres) were obtained before, during, and 5, 10, and 30 minutes after ischemia. Occlusion decreased transmural flow at the midpapillary level by 75% (0.28 versus 1.10 mL/minute/g). The allopurinol-treated group exhibited a mild, generalized hyperemia at 5 minutes (ischemic zone: 1.44 versus 1.10 mL/min/g, which returned to control levels at 10 and 30 minutes. In contrast, the control group was associated with only 80% restoration of resting blood flow at 5 minutes (0.84 versus 1.10 mL/min/g), which stabilized at 63% of control levels at 10 and 30 minutes. When evaluated for the propensity of arrhythmias using an arbitrary arrhythmia score, the allopurinol group demonstrated no myocardial ectopy when compared with the focal ectopy routinely encountered in the control group at all time intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allopurinol↗

PubMed2001

Personality features and characteristics of violent events committed by juvenile offenders.

The present study investigated the relationship between characteristics of a violent event, as self-reported by 82 incarcerated juvenile offenders, and personality features measured by the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI). The study predicted that specific personality features that have previously been associated with psychopathy would be associated with the instrumentality, emotional reactivity, and empathy or guilt reported for the incident. Results confirmed that a self-reported pattern of elevated instrumental motivation and reduced empathy or guilt was associated with higher scores on the MACI Forceful, Unruly, Substance Abuse Proneness, Impulsive Propensity, and Family Discord Scales, as well as a recently developed Psychopathy Content Scale. Self-reported elevated instrumental motivation and reduced empathy or guilt was also associated with lower scores on the Submissive, Conforming, Anxious Feelings, and Sexual Discomfort Scales. There were no significant relationships observed between emotional reactivity and personality scales.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

A Rorschach investigation of attachment and anxiety in antisocial personality disorder.

We investigated the constructs of anxiety and attachment in a group of 42 offenders who met the DSM-III-R criteria for antisocial personality disorder. Each antisocial subject's level of psychopathy was assessed with the Hare Psychopathy Checklist (PCL). Three Rorschach variables related to attachment, anxiety, and coping were compared between subjects scoring greater than or equal to 30 (N = 21) on the PCL and subjects scoring less than 30 (N = 21). Comparison Rorschach variables are also presented from a sample of 60 antisocial personality-disordered offenders. Moderate psychopaths (PCL score, less than 30) produced texture and diffuse shading responses at a significantly greater frequency than severe, or primary, psychopaths (PCL score, greater than or equal to 30). There was no significant difference in the two groups' propensity for producing vista responses. Although there were no significant differences between the coping index scores, the trend suggests less conflictual functioning in the severe psychopaths. A virtual absence of texture responses in the severe psychopaths, and a significantly greater frequency of diffuse shading responses in the moderate psychopaths, add construct validity to the lack of attachment in psychopaths and the role of anxiety in differentiating secondary from primary psychopathy. We view the presence of vista responses in this population as a measure of a failed grandiose self-structure, and note that it often occurs in the records of moderate psychopaths who also present achromatic color responses.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Dopamine agonists and sleepiness in PD: review of the literature and personal findings.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study is aimed at evaluating daytime sleepiness in a series of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients chronically treated with dopamine agonists (DAs) alone or in combination with L-Dopa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A preliminary series of 22 non-demented, adult PD patients (mean age 68.9, 13 men and 9 women) were evaluated by means of structured sleep interview, Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and 24-h ambulatory polysomnography (A-PSG). RESULTS: Sleep attacks (SAs) were reported by 32% of the patients, in three of them (43%) after DA treatment was initiated (alone or in addition to L-Dopa). In two patients, both with chronic use of ropinirole, we documented NREM SAs during a continuous ambulatory polysomnography (A-PSG) performed in the patients' real-life settings. The subjects experiencing SAs showed a higher degree of daytime sleep propensity than those without SA, having higher ESS scores and a higher proportion of microsleeps and intentional naps on A-PSG. Interestingly, we found that nocturnal total sleep time is higher in PD patients with SAs than in the others. CONCLUSIONS: All in all, our data indicate that SAs are an extreme manifestation of increased daytime sleepiness. The occurrence of SAs in our series of PD patients is unlikely to depend simply on the demands of homeostatic mechanisms.

Aged↗