Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Individual variability”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,369 records · Page 76Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Psychological resources protect health: 5-year survival and immune function among HIV-infected women from four US cities.

OBJECTIVE: Guided by Cognitive Adaptation Theory, the aim was to determine whether psychological resources (positive affect, positive expectancy regarding health outcomes, finding meaning in challenging circumstances) protect against HIV-related mortality and decline in CD4 lymphocyte counts among women with HIV. DESIGN: The HIV Epidemiologic Research Study, a longitudinal prospective cohort study, with semi-annual interview, physical examination and laboratory assays. METHODS: A total of 773 HIV-seropositive women aged 16 to 55 years were recruited from four academic medical centers in Baltimore, Maryland; Bronx, New York; Providence, Rhode Island; and Detroit, Michigan. Semi-annually for up to 5 years, the women were interviewed, underwent physical examination, medical record abstraction, and venipuncture. Primary outcomes for these analyses included HIV-related mortality and CD4 cell count slope decline over 5 years. RESULTS: Psychological resources were inversely associated with HIV-related mortality and time to death, beyond the effects of potential confounding variables such as clinical status (e.g., HIV viral load, symptoms, antiretroviral therapy), sociodemographic characteristics (e.g. age, race), and depression at study entry (P < 0.05). Psychological resources also were inversely associated with CD4+ cell count decline (P < 0.01), serving as a possible mechanism linking resources to mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological resources may protect against HIV-related mortality and immune system decline. Findings have implications for understanding individual variability in HIV disease progression. Moreover, because psychological resources are potentially amenable to change, results can be applied to clinical interventions aimed at improving the health of women with HIV.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacokinetics and clinical effectiveness of methylphenidate.

Methylphenidate is prescribed for over 90% of children in the US diagnosed as having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although ADHD has been widely studied, the use of methylphenidate in ADHD still poses a number of unresolved questions, including its pharmacodynamic characteristics (drug concentration-effect relationship) and the effect of long term treatment on the patient's psychopathology later in life. The objective of this review is to provide an analysis of the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic properties and therapeutic effectiveness of methylphenidate that may help to answer some of these questions. Methylphenidate has 2 chiral centres, but the drug used in therapy comprises only the threo pair of enantiomers. d-threo-Methylphenidate is more potent than the l-enantiomer. Methylphenidate is administered as a racemic mixture that undergoes stereoselective clearance. Methylphenidate is a short-acting stimulant with a duration of action of 1 to 4 hours and a pharmacokinetic half-life of 2 to 3 hours. Maximum drug concentration after oral administration occurs at about 2 hours. Methylphenidate is absorbed well from the gastrointestinal tract and easily passes to the brain. Methylphenidate is efficacious for short term treatment for children with ADHD. Its mechanism of action is not understood, but may be associated with its influence on multiple neurotransmitters, especially the release and reuptake of dopamine in the striatum. There is marked individual variability in the dose-response relationship for methylphenidate, and therefore dosage must be titrated for optimal effect and avoidance of toxicity in each child. It is unclear whether this variability is predominantly pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic. If variable stereoselective metabolism occurs clinically, therapeutic drug monitoring of methylphenidate will require the application of chiral assay methods for the analysis of the active component, d-threo-methylphenidate. It is difficult to predict which children will have a favourable response to methylphenidate. Nonetheless, several studies have been published linking the severity of ADHD in children with improved clinical response to methylphenidate. The use of individual single-blind medication trials may be a practical solution to this problem. Additionally, the targeted condition warrants careful consideration, since different conditions (e.g. misbehaviour or poor academic performance) may require different regimens. Further studies of the relationship between the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of methylphenidate are required to allow the development of optimal dosage regimens.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed1996

Antenatal fetal assessment using biophysical profile score.

This prospective cross sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Northern India. The objective of the study was to investigate the utility of recording certain fetal biophysical variables at or near term in high risk pregnancy for predicting the fetal outcome. A fetal biophysical profile score was used for predicting the outcome. The scoring system utilized following variables: non stress test, fetal breathing movement, fetal movement, fetal tone and amniotic fluid volume. One hundred and fifty four pregnant women attending a high risk pregnancy clinic were consecutively included in the study. At a cut off score < or = 4, sensitivity of the scoring system was 12.5% and specificity 99.23%. At score < or = 8, corresponding figures were 70.83% and 91.53%. As compared to each individual variable, the positive predictive value for abnormal perinatal outcome improved considerably after combining all the variables. The negative predictive value for normal perinatal outcome did not improve. Though biophysical profile scoring is used as a valuable adjunct in caring high risk fetuses, a simple and more practical screening test should be sought for. The cost-benefit analysis of such tests should also be performed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Chromosome sensitivity to bleomycin-induced damage in patients with laryngeal cancer as a marker of genetic risk].

An inter-individual variability in sensitivity to mutagen-induced genotoxicity was studied in respect to an estimation of larynx cancer risk. Bleomycin induced chromosome breaks were analysed in blood lymphocytes proliferating in vitro in a group of 35 larynx cancer subjects and in 18 healthy controls. A significantly higher index of chromosome breaks was found in larynx cancer subjects as compared with the controls. The distribution of individual results indicates that subjects oversensitive to bleomycine were identified only among laryngeal tumour patients. A potential usage of bleomycin test in tumour prognosis is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Macular pigment optical density measurement in autofluorescence imaging: comparison of one- and two-wavelength methods.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of macular pigment (MP) can be performed by analysis of autofluorescence (AF) images. These can be obtained by standard 488-nm argon-imaging alone (one wavelength, 1-Lambda) or with additional digital subtraction of a second image at 514 nm (two wavelengths, 2-Lambda). The analyses are easy to perform, and we present a comparison of both methods and investigate their reliability and repeatability. METHODS: Inter-individual variability of MP optical density (MPOD) measurements was assessed in single eyes of 120 subjects with a modified Heidelberg retina angiograph (HRA). MPOD values obtained with one (488 nm) Lambda (MPOD(1Lambda)) were compared with those obtained with two (488 nm and 514 nm) Lambda (MPOD(2Lambda)). To test the repeatability of the two methods, 20 subjects were subjected to five repeated measurements. RESULTS: Among 120 individuals, mean MPOD(1Lambda) at 0.5 degrees eccentricity was 0.59 (range 0.06-1.32), mean MPOD(2Lambda) was 0.5 (range 0.01-1.21). Apart from this systematic difference, 1-Lambda and 2-Lambda measurements at 0.5 degrees agreed well across the range of MPOD values (beta=0.964, around the fovea, a systematic difference (0.11) was accompanied by declining agreement at higher MPOD values (beta=0.669, 95% CI 0.519-0.844; R=0.48). Among 20 subjects with five repeated measurements, the reliability ratio was 0.97 for 1-Lambda and 0.94 for 2-Lambda at 0.5 degrees and 0.93 and 0.94, respectively, at a distance of 2 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods showed a high repeatability with little influence of measurement error. They agree well at the fovea centre in terms of ranking individuals according to their MPOD, but provide increasingly deviating results at a distance of 2 degrees around the fovea, probably because the 1-Lambda method, in contrast to the 2-Lambda method, cannot compensate for disruptive influences and for heterogeneous distributions of the lipofuscin fluorophores. The 1-Lambda method can be performed by standard HRA and could therefore be used for screening in multicentre studies, but only approaches the actual amounts of MP. The 2-Lambda method remains the more precise method for MPOD measurement in autofluorescence imaging.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A prospective longitudinal study of urinary excretion of a bone resorption marker in adolescents.

In growing subjects, the rates of bone resorption and bone deposition are substantially larger than in non-growing individuals. The purpose of this study was to measure the urinary excretion of a specific bone resorption marker in function of adolescent growth stages in a prospective longitudinal study. A cohort of 60 adolescents (28 male and 32 female) was followed for 3.4 years (range 1.7-4.6 years). Monthly measurements of height, weight and urinary excretion of a bone resorption marker, collagen type I N-telopeptides (NTx), were made. Changes in standing height were used to classify the adolescents into one or more of six adolescent growth stages: pre-pubertal growth (continuous moderate growth rate), ascending growth spurt (increasing growth rate), peak growth spurt (growth rate higher than 7 cm/year for at least 6 months), descending growth spurt (continuous decrease in growth rate), end of growth (growth rate between 0 and 2 cm/year), and no growth. An increase in NTx excretion from the pre-pubertal to peak growth spurt of about 33% was found (44% and 27% for females and males respectively). The decreasing growth rate after the pubertal growth spurt coincided with a clear decrease in NTx excretion. These differences were statistically significant, except between the prepubertal and ascending growth stage. Individual mean NTx excretion during each growth stage was correlated with the individual's growth rate during that time (r = 0.81). There was large inter-and intra individual variability. In non-growing adolescents (growth rate 0 cm/y) NTx excretion levels were 4-7 times greater than in adults. In all females, menarche was followed by a decrease in NTx excretion. In conclusion, the excretion of a specific bone resorption marker, NTx, was correlated with the changes in growth rate during adolescence, both for males and females. There were large inter and intra-individual differences in NTx excretion during the different growth stages. In adolescents who reached their adult height at the end of the pubertal growth spurt. bone resorption decreased dramatically but remained 4-7 fold higher than in adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Clinical, pathological and genetic characterization of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 (HSAN I).

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type I (HSAN I) is the most frequent type of hereditary neuropathy that primarily affects sensory neurons. The genetic locus for HSAN I has been mapped to chromosome 9q22.1-22.3 and recently the gene was identified as SPTLC1, encoding serine palmitoyltransferase, long chain base subunit-1. Sequencing in HSAN I families have previously identified mutations in exons 5, 6 and 13 of this gene. We analysed the SPTLC1 gene for mutations in 8 families with HSAN I, 60 individuals with sporadic sensory neuropathy, 6 HSAN II families, 20 Charcot-Marie-Tooth type I families and 20 families with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type II. Six HSAN I families and a single sporadic neuropathy case had an identical SPTLC1 mutation. No mutations were found in the other groups. Genetic haplotyping across the HSAN I critical region in 5 families and the sporadic case suggested a common founder. Several characteristics, previously not widely recognized were identified, including lack of penetrance of the SPTLC1 mutation in some individuals, variability in age of onset along with an earlier age of onset in younger generations, in some patients surprisingly early and often severe motor involvement and an earlier onset characterized by motor involvement with demyelinating features in males compared to females in 4 families. The sensory findings were often disassociated with prominent pain and temperature loss. Neurophysiology mainly showed a sensory axonal neuropathy but in many individuals there was electrical evidence of demyelination. Sural nerve biopsies from six affected individuals and the post-mortem findings in 1 case showed mainly axonal loss. This in depth study on the phenotype of HSAN I in 6 families and a single sporadic case with a common founder identifies a number of poorly recognized features in this disorder and highlights the clinical heterogeneity both within and between families suggesting the influence of other genetic and acquired factors.

Acyltransferases↗
PubMed1999

Pharmacogenetics.

Inter-individual variability in drug response is a major clinical problem. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are common, are responsible for a number of debilitating side effects following drug therapy and are a significant cause of death. It is now clear that much of the observed variability in drug response has a genetic basis, arising as a result of genetically-determined differences in drug absorption, disposition, metabolism or excretion. The best characterised pharmacogenetic polymorphisms are those within the phase I cytochrome P450 family of drug metabolising enzymes. One of these enzymes, CYP2D6 (debrisoquine hydroxylase), metabolizes one-quarter of all prescribed drugs and is inactive in 6% of the Caucasian population. Individuals at risk of developing ADRs as a result of genetically-determined variation in genes such as CYP2D6 can now be identified using DNA-based tests. A detailed knowledge of the genetic basis of individual drug response is potentially of major clinical and economic importance and could provide the basis for a rational approach to drug prescription. This would have significant benefits for human health.

Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System↗
PubMed2001

Variability of flow mediated dilation: consequences for clinical application.

BACKGROUND: Flow mediated vasodilatation (FMD), a non-invasive tool to assess endothelial function, has been shown to have prognostic value for the development of cardiovascular disease. Conventional B-mode ultrasonography has been criticised for its 'limited' resolution in vivo, which complicates reliable detection of the minute diameter changes during reactive hyperaemia. In the present study we evaluated the physical resolution, reproducibility and the capability to detect FMD impairment of a wall tracking system (WTS). METHODS: The resolution of WTS was compared with that of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in pig femoral arteries in vivo. Subsequently, intra- and interobserver variability of FMD testing with WTS was evaluated in 75 healthy volunteers. Finally, the effect of smoking as single risk factor for atherosclerosis on FMD in vivo was assessed. RESULTS: WTS and IVUS readings were not different (difference in arterial cross sectional area 1.97 mm(2), r=0.87). Intrasession coefficient of variation in baseline diameter was 1.1% (extremes 0.06--2.0%). Inter-session baseline diameter variation was 3.6 and 3.8% for each observer and 4.1% between observers. Intra-individual variability in FMD between sessions was considerable with coefficients of variation of 13.9% for FMD and 9.3% for NTG. Smokers had impaired FMD responses compared with matched non-smokers (4.7+/-2.4 vs. 9.6+/-4.4%, P<0.001), whereas NTG induced vasodilatation did not differ (13.4+/-6.2 vs. 15.4+/-5.1%; p=ns). CONCLUSION: WTS is a suitable technique for reproducibly assessing the brachial artery diameter in vivo with a accuracy comparable to that of IVUS. Using this sensitive technique the reproducibility of FMD in vivo proves to be poor mainly due to physiological factors. Whereas this seriously limits the use of FMD as follow-up parameter for individual subjects, FMD is demonstrated to be a useful research tool at group level.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Postmethionine-load homocysteine determination for the diagnosis hyperhomocysteinaemia and efficacy of homocysteine lowering treatment regimens.

Substantial epidemiological evidence supports the vision that moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia is a graded and independent cardiovascular risk factor. The additional value of the methionine loading test for the assessment of hyperhomocysteinaemia continues to be disputed. This overview presents the historical background for the rationale of the methionine loading test and describes determinants and variability of the postmethionine-load homocysteine concentration. The association of postmethionine-load homocysteine concentrations and the risk of cardiovascular events is discussed. Furthermore, the results of homocysteine lowering treatment on postmethionine-load homocysteine are given. Up to 50% of subjects with hyperhomocysteinaemia can only be detected after performing a methionine loading test; these subjects have a normal fasting homocysteine. Both fasting and postmethionine-load homocysteine concentrations are influenced by serum folate and creatinine concentrations and by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype, and may be subject to a wide intra-individual variability (approximately 20%). Cross-sectional studies suggest that cardiovascular risk may increase gradually from postmethionine-load homocysteine concentrations above 38 micromol/l. Supplementation with folic acid 0.5 mg daily adequately reduces postmethionine-load homocysteine; addition of pyridoxine appears to have no further homocysteine lowering effect. Prospective studies supporting the clinical significance of the methionine loading test for individual patient counselling are lacking; it seems, therefore, prudent to restrict this test for research purposes.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2001

[Progression of coronary calcium].

BACKGROUND: The progression of coronary atherosclerosis is determined by risk factor exposure. It is also an important predictor of future cardiac events in its own right. Coronary calcium represents an integral part of coronary atherosclerosis. Accurate measurements can be obtained by using electron-beam computed tomography (EBT) or recently developed multidetector spiral CT scanners which are in the state of evaluation. The variability of EBT-derived quantification of coronary calcium is < 10% and thus suitable for determining the progression of coronary calcium. PROGRESSION OF CORONARY CALCIUM: In the healthy general population, the annual progression measures approximately 24%, whereas in untreated, asymptomatic high-risk patients, it is 40-50%. Similar values are observed in symptomatic patients with modern pharmacological therapy. There is a considerable amount of inter-individual variability in the progression of coronary calcium, probably as a result of the complex interplay of numerous factors which influence the process. Progression of coronary calcium is observed at typical predilection sites of atherosclerosis in the coronary tree. Changes in overall coronary calcium result from uniform changes at these sites. This uniform pattern of change suggests that the development of calcified plaque disease is a coronary systemic process. The baseline amount of coronary calcium is significantly associated with its progression. In patients with a high baseline calcium score, absolute progression is enhanced. LDL-cholesterol is the most important risk factor influencing progression. Indeed, the effect of medical therapy on coronary atherosclerosis can be assessed. Preliminary data indicate that clear-cut progression of coronary calcium is associated with an increased risk of cardiac events. CONCLUSION: For the first time, EBT-derived measurements of the progression of coronary calcium enable direct assessment of the activity of coronary calcified atherosclerosis. The interaction between therapeutic measures, progression of anatomical disease, and clinical course can be appreciated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An analysis of variance of the pubertal and midgrowth spurts for length and width.

Using data from the first Zurich Longitudinal Growth Study characteristics of the growth of six variables--bihumeral width, biiliac width, standing height, sitting height, leg height and arm length--are studied. The main interest is in differences between boys and girls, and across variables and in particular in whether there are sex differences that are specific for some variables. For each child and variable, individual velocity and acceleration curves are estimated using a kernal smoother. From these curves, parameters characterizing the midgrowth spurt (MS) and the pubertal spurt (PS) are estimated: timings, durations and intensities. The level of childhood velocity is used for characterizing early growth. These parameters are analysed using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess the statistical significance of differences between boys and girls and across variables. This necessitates some kind of standardization and two types of standardization are used here. The MS shows negligible or small differences between boys and girls, and the same is true for velocity in childhood. Differences across variables during the MS are much more pronounced: with respect to intensity, bihumeral width has an MS about six times more intense than height. The PS is later for boys (as is well known), and there are significant differences across variables: bihumeral width and sitting height are late while legs are early. With the exception of biiliac width, the duration of the PS (which has been subdivided into three phases-early, middle and late) is slightly longer for boys for all variables: boys have a longer starting phase, the middle phase is about equal in length for both boys and girls, and girls have a slightly longer late phase. Leg height and height experience a PS of short duration while bihumeral and biiliac width experience a long one and these differences are highly statistically significant. For all variables, with the exception of biiliac width, boys have a more intense PS (in terms of maximal acceleration), even having adjusted for their larger adult size. Differences in intensity are also marked across variables, bihumeral width and sitting height having the highest intensity and legs the lowest. Differences between sexes and across variables are much smaller for the stopping intensity, characterized by maximal deceleration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

The fetal biophysical profile and its predictive value.

Six fetal biophysical variables--the nonstress test, fetal movements, fetal breathing movements, fetal tone, amniotic fluid volume, and placental grading (biophysical profile)--were assessed in 150 high-risk pregnancies during a 30-minute observation period. The predictive value of the nonstress test alone, biophysical scoring, and contraction stress test alone in the identification of the healthy fetus as well as the fetus in jeopardy are discussed. The relationships between individual variables and combinations of variables to the outcome of pregnancy, as reflected by abnormal intrapartum fetal heart rate patterns, meconium during labor, fetal distress, and perinatal mortality rate were determined. The biophysical profile of all hypoxic fetuses was analyzed. These data suggest that the biophysical profile is more accurate in the identification of the hypoxic fetus than any other single method; therefore, a new protocol including the biophysical profile for antepartum fetal evaluation is presented.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1999

Antidepressant drug interactions in the elderly. Understanding the P-450 system is half the battle in reducing risks.

Antidepressant treatment in patients 65 years of age or older carries increased risks of adverse drug events because of age-related physiologic changes, polypharmacy, and individual variability in drug metabolism (due to genetic factors, concurrent disease, diet, and consumption habits). Reduction of total drug burden, adjustment of dose levels, and careful selection of an appropriate agent are important steps toward avoiding adverse drug interactions, In addition, the documented and potential drug interactions of the various classes of antidepressants, and specific agents within each class, should be considered. Each elderly patient should be treated individually and monitored carefully during the initiation and maintenance of antidepressant therapy.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗
PubMed2003

Preliminary observations on the effects of sleep time in a sleep restriction paradigm.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate of the effect of 7 days of sleep restriction--with sleep placed at the beginning of night or early morning hours - on sleep variables, maintenance of wakefulness test, and serum leptin. METHODS: After screening young adults with questionnaires and actigraphy for 1 week, eight young adult males were recruited to participate in a sleep restriction study. The subjects were studied for baseline data for 2.5 days, with 8.5 h per night in bed, and then over 7 days of sleep restriction to 4 h per night with a 22:30 h bedtime for half the group and a 02:15 h bedtime for the other half. At the end of study, after one night of ad libitum sleep, subjects again had 2 days of 8.5 h in bed. Wakefulness was continuously verified and tests, including Maintenance of Wakefulness (MWT), were performed during the scheduled wake time. Blood was drawn six times throughout the 24 h of the 7th day of sleep restriction and after 2 days of the post-restriction schedule. RESULTS: There was individual variability in response to sleep restriction, but independent of group distribution, MWT was significantly affected by sleep restriction, with the early morning sleep group having less decrease in MWT score. Sleep efficiency was also better in this group, which also had shorter sleep latency. Independent of group distribution there was a greater increase in the percentage of slow wave sleep than rapid eye movement sleep, despite a clear internal variability and variability between subjects. Peak serum leptin was significantly decreased with 7 days of sleep restriction for all subjects. CONCLUSION: Sleep restriction to 4 h affected all subjects, but there were individual and group differences in MWT and sleep data. In this group of young adult males (mean age 19 years), there was a better overall adaptation to the early morning sleep, perhaps related to the general tendency in most adolescents to present some phase-delay during late teen-aged years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Estimation of the rate of oxygen consumption of the common eider duck (Somateria mollissima), with some measurements of heart rate during voluntary dives.

The relationship between heart rate (f(H)) and rate of oxygen consumption (V(O2)) was established for a marine diving bird, the common eider duck (Somateria mollissima), during steady-state swimming and running exercise. Both variables increased exponentially with speed during swimming and in a linear fashion during running. Eleven linear regressions of V(O2) (ml kg(-1 )min(-1)) on f(H) (beats min(-1)) were obtained: five by swimming and six by running the birds. The common regression was described by V(O2)=10.1 + 0.15f(H) (r(2)=0.46, N=272, P<0.0001). The accuracy of this relationship for predicting mean V(O2) was determined for a group of six birds by recording f(H) continuously over a 2-day period and comparing estimated V(O2) obtained using the common regression with (i) V(O2) estimated using the doubly labelled water technique (DLW) and (ii) V(O2) measured using respirometry. A two-pool model produced the most accurate estimated V(O2) using DLW. Because of individual variability within mean values of V(O2) estimated using both techniques, there was no significant difference between mean V(O2) estimated using f(H) or DLW and measured V(O2) values (P>0.2), although individual errors were substantially less when f(H) was used rather than DLW to estimate V(O2). Both techniques are, however, only suitable for estimating mean V(O2) for a group of animals, not for individuals. Heart rate and behaviour were monitored during a bout of 63 voluntary dives by one female bird in an indoor tank 1.7 m deep. Tachycardia occurred both in anticipation of and following each dive. Heart rate decreased before submersion but was above resting values for the whole of the dive cycle. Mean f(H) at mean dive duration was significantly greater than f(H) while swimming at maximum sustainable surface speeds. Heart rate was used to estimate mean V(O2) during the dive cycle and to predict aerobic dive limit (ADL) for shallow dives.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Contribution of individual characteristics to learning by children with first exposure to a prevention of abuse program].

This study explores the contribution of personal characteristics in the knowledge and skills gains of children taking part in the child abuse prevention program ESPACE. The program is an adaptation of the widely implemented American Child Assault Prevention Program (CAP). A group of 107 fourth-grade children completed a knowledge questionnaire and a video vignette measure designed to evaluate preventive skills in abusive and potentially abusive situations. Children were also invited to complete questionnaires evaluating individual characteristics such as self-esteem, locus of control and self-efficacy. The results highlight the importance of certain individual variables such as the child's gender, self-efficacy and perception of athletic competence in the acquisition of sexual abuse preventive skills.

Child↗
PubMed1986

Serum creatine kinase relationship to postural constraints in manual work.

Serum creatine kinase (CK) variations during work and subjective assessments of postural discomfort were analysed in 30 workers assigned to three different tasks in a rolling mill. After four days of work, serum CK levels were significantly increased above control levels. No difference was found between the tasks studied. Inter-individual variability in CK response was large: a marked CK increase was only seen in 21 workers, while 5 workers showed a marked CK decrease. The postural discomfort sensations increased with work in each group, with their location in the body being related to the characteristics of each task or workplace. No relationship was found between the postural discomfort scores and CK changes. Results showed that determination of an individual baseline CK level was difficult to achieve in an occupational setting. It is concluded that CK variations cannot reliably be used in the field for detection of individuals exposed to excessive postural constraints. Their use as a screening tool in groups of workers assigned to similar tasks deserves further study.

Adult↗