Validity and reliability of the Chinese (Singapore) version of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39)

Objective: The purpose of the study was to validate the Chinese (Singapore) version of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39CSV) and its briefer version (PDQ-8CSV). Methods: A convenience sample of Chinese-speaking Singaporeans with Parkinson’s disease (PD) (n=63) completed a questionnaire containing the PDQ-39CSV and the Chinese (Singapore) EQ-5D. A subgroup also participated in a retest and/or a focus group discussion. A priori hypotheses were tested by examining correlations between PDQ-39CSV, PDQ-8CSV and EQ-5D scores and using principal component factor analysis. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: Thirty-two PDQ-39CSV items correlated satisfactorily with their hypothesized dimensions (Spearman’s ρ ≥ 0.4). Factor analysis yielded a component on which all 8 PDQ-39CSV dimensions were substantially loaded (loading range: 0.53–0.89). As hypothesized, the PDQ-39CSV and PDQ-8CSV summary indices were highly correlated (Pearson’s r:0.95, ICC:0.94); correlations between related PDQ and EQ-5D scores were generally strong (Spearman’s ρ: 0.38–0.76, p<0.001 for all). Cronbach’s α values ranged from 0.64 to 0.90 and ICC values from 0.66 to 0.86. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence supporting validity and reliability of both the PDQ-39CSV and its briefer version.     

Application of the Similarity Parameter (λ) to Prediction of the Joint Effects of Nonequitoxic Mixtures

Although environmental contaminants are usually encountered as nonequitoxic mixtures, most studies have investigated the toxicity of equitoxic mixtures. In the present study, a method for prediction of the toxicity of nonequitoxic mixtures was developed using the similarity parameter (λ). The joint effect of multiple contaminants at the median inhibition concentration in equitoxic ( \textTU_\textsum-50^{\textequitoxic} {\text{TU}}_{\text{sum-50}}^{\text{equitoxic}} ) and nonequitoxic ( \textTU_\textsum-50^{\textnonequitoxic} {\text{TU}}_{\text{sum-50}}^{\text{nonequitoxic}} ) binary, ternary, and quaternary mixtures was investigated using Vibrio fischeri. The observed results indicate that the concentration ratios of individual chemicals in the mixtures influenced the joint effects, and that λ could be employed to evaluate the relation between \textTU_\textsum-50^{\textequitoxic} {\text{TU}}_{\text{sum-50}}^{\text{equitoxic}} and \textTU_\textsum-50^{\textnonequitoxic} {\text{TU}}_{\text{sum-50}}^{\text{nonequitoxic}} . Prediction models for the joint effects of nonequitoxic ( \textTU_\textsum-50^{\textnonequitoxic} {\text{TU}}_{\text{sum-50}}^{\text{nonequitoxic}} ) mixtures were derived from a combination of \textTU_\textsum-50^{\textequitoxic} {\text{TU}}_{\text{sum-50}}^{\text{equitoxic}} and λ. The predictive capabilities of these models were validated by comparing the predicted data with the observed data for binary, ternary, and quaternary mixtures. The prediction models have promising applications in controlling environmental pollution, evaluating drug interactions, and optimizing combinations of pesticides used in agriculture.     

Scoring and psychometric validation of the Perception of Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire (PACT-Q?)

Background  

The 'Perception of Anti-Coagulant Treatment Questionnaire' (PACT-Q) was developed to assess patients' expectations of, and satisfaction with their anticoagulant treatment. This questionnaire needs to be finalised and psychometrically validated.     

Differential expression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the genital tubercle (GT) of fetal male rat following maternal exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most abundantly produced endocrine disruptors that leaches out from polyvinyl chloride plastics and can cause hypospadias in male rats during maternal exposure. The objective of this study was to first explore the roles of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the fetal rat genital tubercle (GT) following in-utero exposure to DBP. Timed-pregnant rats were given DBP by gastric intubation at a dose of 750?mg/kg body weight (bw)/day from gestation day (GD) 14 to GD18 to establish a rat model of hypospadias. On GD19, genital tubercle down-regulation of β-catenin, Phospho-GSK-3β, and up-regulation of GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3β), NFκB in fetal male rats was observed by western blot analysis. β-catenin was located in the urethral plate epithelium (UPE). Immunochemistry showed that the relative expression of β-catenin decreased in the DBP-treated fetal rat GT compared to the normal control. These findings, for the first time, indicate that DBP may affect the development of GT by down-regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in fetal male rats.     

What is the use? Application of the short form (SF) questionnaires for the evaluation of treatment effects

Background

Health status has evolved as a clinical outcome measure that is of great interest in medical care. However, there is still debate about the appropriateness of scoring algorithms for the often used short form questionnaires. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the consequences of the traditional scoring procedure based on orthogonal factor rotation for clinical applications by (a) re-evaluating the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of antidepressants in improving health status in cardiac patients and (b) comparing empirical evidence on depression and health status using orthogonal and oblique factor rotation (alternative scoring method) in a community sample and a heart failure (HF) sample.

Methods

This is a systematic literature review and cross-sectional analysis among 1,598 community sample participants and 282 HF patients.

Results

Orthogonal rotation artificially forces the mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) to be unrelated, which is illustrated in two of the three included RCTs. Two RCTs showed improvements in MCS, but no improvement in PCS over time. Cross-sectional analysis in the two datasets showed that employing the alternative scoring algorithm resulted in higher negative correlations of MCS and PCS with depression, and a gradual decline in MCS with each decile of decline in PCS.

Conclusion

Our data showed that appropriate carefulness is needed when calculating and interpreting summary scores. The traditional scoring algorithm seems inappropriate to objectively evaluate the effects of interventions on both the MCS and the PCS. Awareness in the design and evaluation of interventions using these outcomes is warranted.     

Combined effect of biopesticides on the digestive enzymatic profiles of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (the rice leaffolder) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Plant extracts, especially botanical insecticides, are currently studied more and more because of the possibility of their use in plant protection. Many of the natural plant compounds and organic compounds used in the control of insect pests are known to affect digestive enzymes. When fed a diet of rice leaves treated with botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins in bioassays, activities of the digestive enzymes protease, amylase, and lipase in the rice leaffolder larvae are affected. Digestive enzyme activities were affected by botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins individually and in combination. When combined, the effect was more severe at low concentration. There were statistically significant differences (P < or = 0.05) in enzyme activities in combined and individual treatments. The combination of Btk and botanical insecticides caused a two-fold decrease in enzyme activity even at reduced concentration. Clear dose-response relationships were established with respect to enzyme activity. A synergistic effect of botanical insecticides and bacterial toxins was found when combined in low doses. These effects are most pronounced in early instars.     

Effect of biopesticides on the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The effects of bacterial toxins (Bacillus thuringiensis) and botanical insecticides (Azadirachta indica and Vitex negundo) on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (the rice leaffolder) were evaluated. Bacterial toxins and botanical insecticides affected the LDH activity individually and in combination. When they were combined, the effect was more severe at low concentration. There was a decrease in enzyme activity over controls at all concentrations tested. The combined effect of the three biopesticides resulted in a considerable decrease in enzyme activity, indicating strong enzyme inhibition. Clear dose-response relationships were established with respect to enzyme activity.     

Communities of heterotrophic protists (protozoa) in the near-bottom zone of the Gdańsk Basin

Biomass and generic diversity of heterotrophic protists (protozoa) were studied in the near-bottom zone at five stations located in the inner Gulf of Gdańsk and in offshore waters during June 2002. The highest protozoan biomass was observed in the inner Gulf of Gdańsk and close to the mouth of the Vistula River. Protozoan biomass decreased offshore. In well-oxygenated waters heterotrophic flagellates constituted 39–51%, of the protozoan biomass, ciliates constituted 18–25%, and heterotrophic dinoflagellates 29–39% of the protozoan biomass. These findings confirmed previous studies that showed that a high abundance of heterotrophic dinoflagellates is a distinct feature of the Gulf of Gdańsk. At one station located in the Gdańsk Deep, where the near-bottom zone was anoxic, the contribution of heterotrophic flagellates decreased to 18% and ciliates’ share increased to 82% of the protozoan biomass. No dinoflagellates were observed in the anoxic zone.     

Diet of the twaite shad Alosa fallax (Lacépède, 1803) (Clupeidae) in the Gulf of Gdansk, the Baltic Sea

Twaite shad Alosa fallax (12?C48 cm total length) from the Gulf of Gdansk feed on Mysids: Mysis mixta, Neomysis integer, and fish: Sprattus sprattus, Osmerus eperlanus, and Pomatoschistus sp.. In the stomachs of A. fallax there also occur Hydrobia sp., Diptera and small stones, particles of wood and plastic. The food of inshore twaite shad measured from 12 to 21 cm centered on M. mixta. Fish are the main prey for A. fallax from the class length 22?C31 cm from the Vistula River mouth and for all shads longer than 32 cm.     

泌尿生殖系统毒理学(下) 第二章 肾脏毒理学(toxicology of the kidney)

肾脏是主要的排泄器官,对调节和维持体内环境中体液的量和成分有重要作用.凡能引起肾脏功能异常或组织形态学改变的化学物及其代谢产物叫肾脏毒物,由这些化学物引起的肾脏损害称为中毒性肾病(toxicnephropathy)。第一节肾脏毒物一、烷化剂类(alkylating agents)     

Commentary on the paper “Reliability and validity of the Swedish version of the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS)”

Abstract

Limited awareness of disabilities is common in mild cognitive impairment and dementia. In order to get a broader base in planning interventions, it is important to consider a person's awareness of his/her disability encountered in performance. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between occupational performance and awareness of disability in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Thirty-five older adults were evaluated with the AMPS (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills) and with the AAD (Assessment of Awareness of Disability). Many-faceted Rasch models generated individual measures of ADL performance and awareness of disability. Non-parametric correlation statistics were used to analyse the relationships. The findings showed that there was an overall positive relationship between occupational performance and awareness of disability. However, individual variations in the sample implied that limitations in performance were not equivalent to a limited awareness of disability. In conclusion, awareness of disability should be individually evaluated when planning interventions together with clients and their families.     

Development and psychometric validation of a self-administered questionnaire assessing the acceptance of influenza vaccination: the Vaccinees' Perception of Injection (VAPI?) questionnaire

Background  

Influenza is among the most common infectious diseases. The main protection against influenza is vaccination. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and validated for use in clinical trials to assess subjects' perception and acceptance of influenza vaccination and its subsequent injection site reactions (ISR).     

Korean version of the Caregiver Quality of Life Index – Cancer (CQOLC-K)

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the internal consistency and construct validity of a Korean version of the Caregiver Quality of Life Index – Cancer (CQOLC-K). Methods: The CQOLC-K was administered to 270 caregivers, along with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Internal consistency of the CQOLC-K (0.90) and all inter-scale correlations were significant in the expected direction (p < 0.001). Convergent validity was supported with moderate to strong correlations between the CQOLC-K and the mental component scores of the SF-36 (r = 0.39–0.58), and between the CQOLC-K and the two BDI scores (r = 0.50 and 0.60). Divergent validity was supported by weaker or negligible correlations between the CQOLC-K and the physical component scores of the SF-36 (r = 0.16–0.30). Contrasting groups validity showed that the CQOLC-K was able to distinguish clearly between patients differing in treatment history (p < 0.005), performance status (p < 0.005), care area (p < 0.005), and length of time after diagnosis (p < 0.005). Conclusion: These findings support the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the Korean version of the CQOLC-K. The instrument can be used to measure quality of life in caregivers of cancer patients in clinical and epidemiological research.