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Biomedical subjects

D Lester

Publications and source records attributed to D Lester.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Suicide, homicide and unemployment: a methodological note.

In multiple regression analyses, the monthly time-series suicide and homicide rates for the USA from 1957-1986 were associated with unemployment and marriage rates. In contrast, annual time-series suicide and homicide rates were not as strongly associated with the social variables.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1992

A test of Durkheim's theory of suicide in primitive societies.

Primitive societies were classified as high, moderate, or low on independent measures of social integration and social regulation to test Durkheim's theory of suicide. The estimated frequency of suicide did not differ between those societies predicted to have high, moderate, and low suicide rates. Thus, Durkheim's theory was not confirmed. Possible reasons for these results are discussed.

Culture↗
PubMed1992

Social and economic correlates of the elderly suicide rate.

A review of research found that the suicide rates of the elderly show similar regional social correlates as the suicide rates of younger groups and that these rates can be explained using similar sociological theories. Time-series studies in the USA indicate that the impact of economic prosperity on the suicide rate of the elderly is beneficial, whereas the impact on the suicide rate of younger adults is detrimental. The issues raised by this research are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Staurosporine-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells is independent of protein kinase C inhibition.

The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporine, a member of the K252a family of fungal alkaloids that are known as protein kinase inhibitors, induces neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. The progressive staurosporine-induced neurotropic effect (EC50 = 50 nM) has the following characteristics: it is evident after 4 hr of incubation, requires the continuous presence of staurosporine, occurs at 37 degrees but not at 4 degrees, and is not blocked by K252a derivatives. Scanning electron micrographs showed long neurites, ruffling, and dense networks in nerve growth factor (NGF)-treated cells and short neurites, flattening, and smooth cell surface in staurosporine-treated cells. [3H]Staurosporine binding, which was time, temperature, and dose dependent, saturated at 5-10 nM. Other kinase inhibitors were poor competitors. The [3H]staurosporine bound over 20 hr at 37 degrees was poorly dissociated by acetic acid wash or unlabeled staurosporine. These results suggest an uptake process occurring at 37 degrees that is required for the neurotropic effect of staurosporine. NGF did not interfere with staurosporine binding, and staurosporine did not affect NGF receptor binding. At neurotropic concentrations of staurosporine, PKC in PC12 cells was completely inhibited. When PKC activity was down-regulated by prolonged exposure to phorbol myristate acetate, PC12 cells responded to staurosporine with neurite outgrowth similar to that of untreated cells. Although the target and mechanism of the neurotropic effects of staurosporine remain to be determined, the observed effects on PKC-deficient cells indicate that PKC may not be required for the neurotropic effect of this compound in PC12 cells. These results suggest that caution should be taken in the interpretation of staurosporine action in vivo, and they provide a pharmacological tool for the development of potential neurotropic drugs.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1991

Murdering babies. A cross-national study.

Males are murdered at a higher rate than females in the world. Among babies this discrepancy is reduced, though still present. The murder of babies occurred at a higher rate in nations where the suicide rate was higher (but was unrelated to the overall murder rate). The sex ratio for the victimization by murder of babies was more egalitarian in those nations with a higher gross national product per capita and more female equality.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗
PubMed1991

The effect of religion on suicide ideation.

Work on the impact of religion on suicide has not yielded consistent results. Classic Durkheimian models stressing religious affiliation (Catholic vs Protestant) have been questioned in recent years and some authors have argued for a model based on the alternative conception of religious commitment (e.g. religiosity per se) as a prophylactic against suicide. Almost all of this work has been based on highly aggregated data where it is not known if nonreligious people account for the suicides. The present study tests both models with national data on 1,687 respondents. No support is found for the Durkheimian model at the individual level, but some is found for the religious commitment model: the greater the church attendance the lower the approval of suicide. The effect of religiosity on suicide ideation is independent of education, gender, marital status, and age.

Humans↗