Pulmonary artery pressure monitoring in chronic heart failure: effects across clinically relevant subgroups in the MONITOR-HF trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In patients with chronic heart failure (HF), the MONITOR-HF trial demonstrated the efficacy of pulmonary artery (PA)-guided HF therapy over standard of care in improving quality of life and reducing HF hospitalizations and mean PA pressure. This study aimed to evaluate the consistency of these benefits in relation to clinically relevant subgroups. METHODS: The effect of PA-guided HF therapy was evaluated in the MONITOR-HF trial among predefined subgroups based on age, sex, atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction, HF aetiology, cardiac resynchronisation therapy, and implantable cardioverter defibrillator. Outcome measures were based upon significance in the main trial and included quality of life, clinical, and PA pressure endpoints, and were assessed for each subgroup. Differential effects in relation to the subgroups were assessed with interaction terms. Both unadjusted and multiple testing adjusted interaction terms were presented. RESULTS: The effects of PA monitoring on quality of life, clinical events, and PA pressure were consistent in the predefined subgroups, without any clinically relevant heterogeneity within or across all endpoint categories (all adjusted interaction P-values were nonsignificant). In the unadjusted analysis of the primary endpoint quality-of-life change, weak trends towards a less pronounced effect in older patients (Pinteraction = 0.03; adjusted Pinteraction = 0.33) and diabetics (Pinteraction = 0.01; adjusted Pinteraction = 0.06) were observed. However, these interaction effects did not persist after adjusting for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS: This subgroup analysis confirmed the consistent benefits of PA-guided HF therapy observed in the MONITOR-HF trial across clinically relevant subgroups, highlighting its efficacy in improving quality of life, clinical, and PA pressure endpoints in chronic HF patients.

Contemporary management of patients with atrial fibrillation in the Netherlands and Belgium: a report from the EORP-AF long-term general registry.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary data regarding the characteristics, treatment and outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are needed. We aimed to assess these data and guideline adherence in the EURObservational Research Programme on Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) long-term general registry. METHODS: We analysed 967 patients from the EORP-AF long-term general registry included in the Netherlands and Belgium from 2013 to 2016. Baseline and 1­year follow-up data were gathered. RESULTS: At baseline, 887 patients (92%) received anticoagulant treatment. In 88 (10%) of these patients, no indication for chronic anticoagulant treatment was present. A rhythm intervention was performed or planned in 52 of these patients, meaning that the remaining 36 (41%) were anticoagulated without indication. Forty patients were not anticoagulated, even though they had an indication for chronic anticoagulation. Additionally, 63 of the 371 patients (17%) treated with a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) were incorrectly dosed. In total, 50 patients (5%) were overtreated and 89 patients (9%) were undertreated. However, the occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was still low with 4.2% (37 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Overtreatment and undertreatment with anticoagulants are still observable in 14% of this contemporary, West-European AF population. Still, MACCE occurred in only 4% of the patients after 1 year of follow-up.

Structural validity of the Dutch version of the disability of arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH-DLV) in adult patients with hand and wrist injuries.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of the hand and wrist are one of the most common injuries seen in adults. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire has been developed as a patient-reported assessment of pain and disability to evaluate the outcome after hand and wrist injuries. Patient reported outcomes (PROs) can be interpreted as pain, function or patient satisfaction. To be able to interpret clinical relevance of a PRO, the structural validity and internal consistency is tested. The Dutch version of the DASH has not yet been validated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural validity and the internal consistency of the existing Dutch version of the DASH. The relevance of reporting subscale scores was investigated. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data of 370 patients with an isolated hand or wrist injury. Adult patients aged 18 to 65 years treated conservatively or surgically were included. Patients unable to understand or read the Dutch language were excluded. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to investigate the structural validity, while Cronbach's alpha and coefficient omega were used to assess internal consistency. RESULTS: All investigated models (a single factor model, a 3-correlated factor, and a bifactor model) were associated with a good model fit. Both the single factor and the 3-correlated factor model were associated with factor loadings of at least 0.70. In addition, the covariance between the factors in the 3-correlated factor model was positive (at least 0.89) and statistically significant (p < 0.001). In the bifactor model, the additional value of subscales was limited as the items loaded high on the general factor but low on the subscale factors. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the Dutch version of the DASH should be considered as an unidimensional trait. A single score should be reported.

The significance of pretransplant donor-specific antibodies reactive with intact or denatured human leucocyte antigen in kidney transplantation.

Antibodies recognizing denatured human leucocyte antigen (HLA) can co-react with epitopes on intact HLA or recognize cryptic epitopes which are normally unaccessible to HLA antibodies. Their specificity cannot be distinguished by single antigen beads (SAB) alone, as they carry a mixture of intact and denatured HLA. In this study, we selected pretransplant sera containing donor-specific HLA class I antibodies (DSA) according to regular SAB analysis from 156 kidney transplant recipients. These sera were analysed using a SAB preparation (iBeads) which is largely devoid of denatured HLA class I, and SAB coated with denatured HLA class I antigens. A total of 241 class I DSA were found by regular SAB analysis, of which 152 (63%) were also found by iBeads, whereas 28 (11%) were caused by reactivity with denatured DNA. Patients with DSA defined either by regular SAB or iBeads showed a significantly lower graft survival rate (P = 0·007) compared to those without HLA class I DSA, whereas reactivity to exclusively denatured HLA was not associated with decreased graft survival. In addition, DSA defined by reactivity to class I SAB or class I iBeads occurred more frequently in female patients and in patients with historic HLA sensitization, whereas reactivity to denatured HLA class I was not associated with any of these parameters. Our data suggest that pretransplant donor-specific antibodies against denatured HLA are clinically irrelevant in patients already sensitized against intact HLA.

Course of behaviour problems of children with cerebral palsy: the role of parental stress and support.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a well-recognized neurodevelopmental condition persisting through the lifespan. In many individuals with CP, motor disorders are accompanied by other disturbances, including emotional and behavioural problems. Little is known on the course of such problems, also in relation to possible exacerbating or mitigating factors. Aims of this study were to test whether parental stress and support, apart from the severity of CP of the child, played a significant role in the course of behaviour problems. METHOD: The participants aged 9, 11 and 13 were assessed (baseline) and followed up after 1, 2 and 3 years. Situational and relational sources of support and stress for the primary caregiver were rated with a questionnaire: (CBCL), behaviour problems with the Child Behaviour Checklist. Physicians rated motor ability using the Gross Motor Function Classification System. RESULTS: Behaviour problems of children with CP started significantly higher than in the general population, but diminished over the 3-year period. Older children showed less problems overall, and girls showed less externalizing problems than boys. Children with the most severe CP had more externalizing problems; effects on internalizing problems were not significant. Across time, an excess of stress vs. support related to parents' socio-economic and living situation and to parents' social relationships was positively related to total behaviour problems, internalizing and externalizing behaviours of children. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of behaviour problems are elevated but diminish during adolescence for children with CP. Severity of CP plays a role as well as the family context in terms of the stress and support that caregivers experience.

Metabolomics (liver and blood profiling) in a mouse model in response to fasting: a study of hepatic steatosis.

A metabolomic approach was applied to a mouse model of starvation-induced hepatic steatosis. After 24 h of fasting it appears that starvation reduced the phospholipids (PL), free cholesterol (FC), and cholesterol esters (CE) content of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). In liver lipid profiles major changes were observed using different techniques. High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC)-measurements of liver-homogenates indicated a significant rise of FC with 192%, triacylglycerols (TG) with 456% and cholesterol esters (CE) with 268% after 24 h of starvation in comparison with the control group. Reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry measurements (LC-MS) of liver homogenate indicated that the intensity of Phosphatidylcholine (PC) in the 24-h starvation group dropped to 90% of the value in the control group while the intensity of CE and TG increased to 157% and 331%, respectively, of the control group. Interestingly, a 49:4-TG with an odd number of C atoms appeared during starvation. This unique triacylglycerol has all characteristics of a biomarker for detection of hepatic steatosis. These observations indicate that in mammals liver lipid profiles are a dynamic system which are readily modulated by environmental factors like starvation.

Reduced leucocyte cholesteryl ester transfer protein expression in acute coronary syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) plays an important role in HDL cholesterol metabolism. Leucocytes, including monocyte-derived macrophages in the arterial wall synthesize and secrete CETP, but its role in atherosclerosis is unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) on leucocyte CETP expression. RESEARCH DESIGN: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were freshly isolated from hospitalized ACS patients displaying Braunwald class IIIB unstable angina pectoris (UAP) on admission (t = 0) and at 180 days post inclusion (t = 180) for analysis of CETP expression. In addition, to prove the potential correlation between leucocyte CETP and ACS the effect of acute myocardial infarction on leucocyte CETP expression was studied in CETP transgenic mice. RESULTS: Upon admission, UAP patients displayed approximately 3-6 fold (P < 0.01) lower CETP mRNA and nearly absent CETP protein expression in PBMCs, as compared to healthy age-/sex-matched controls. Interestingly, CETP mRNA and protein levels were significantly elevated in PBMCs isolated from UAP patients (both stabilized and refractory) at t = 180 as compared to t = 0 (P < 0.01), which was correlated with a reduced inflammatory status after medical treatment. In agreement with the data obtained in UAP patients, markedly down-regulated leucocyte CETP mRNA expression was observed after coronary artery ligation in CETP transgenic mice, which also correlated with increased serum amyloid A levels. CONCLUSIONS: We are the first to report that episodes of UAP in humans and myocardial infarction in CETP transgenic mice are associated with reduced leucocyte CETP expression. We propose that the impairment in leucocyte CETP production is associated with an enhanced inflammatory status, which could be clinically relevant for the pathogenesis of ACS.

Macrophage p53 deficiency leads to enhanced atherosclerosis in APOE*3-Leiden transgenic mice.

Cell proliferation and cell death (either necrosis or apoptosis) are key processes in the progression of atherosclerosis. The tumor suppressor gene p53 is an essential gene in cell proliferation and cell death and is upregulated in human atherosclerotic plaques, both in smooth muscle cells and in macrophages. In the present study, we investigated the importance of macrophage p53 in the progression of atherosclerosis using bone marrow transplantation in APOE*3-Leiden transgenic mice, an animal model for human-like atherosclerosis. APOE*3-Leiden mice were lethally irradiated and reconstituted with bone marrow derived from either p53-deficient (p53(-/-)) or control (p53(+/+)) donor mice. Reconstitution of mice with p53(-/-) bone marrow did not result in any hemopoietic abnormalities as compared with p53(+/+) transplanted mice. After 12 weeks on an atherogenic diet, APOE*3-Leiden mice reconstituted with p53(-/-) bone marrow showed a significant (P=0.006) 2.3-fold increase in total atherosclerotic lesion area as compared with mice reconstituted with p53(+/+) bone marrow. Although likely a secondary effect of the increased lesion area, p53(-/-) transplanted mice also showed significantly more lesion necrosis (necrotic index, 1.1+/-1.3 versus 0.2+/-0.7; P=0.04) and lesion macrophages (macrophage area, 79.9+/-40.0 versus 39.7+/-27.3x10(3) micrometer(2) per section; P=0.02). These observations coincided with a tendency toward decreased apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase end-labeling [TUNEL]-positive nuclei going from 0.42+/-0.39 to 0.14+/-0.15%, P=0.071), whereas the number of proliferating cells (5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-positive nuclei) was not affected (3.75+/-0.98 versus 4.77+/-2.30%; P=0.59). These studies indicate that macrophage p53 is important in suppressing the progression of atherosclerosis and identify a novel therapeutic target for regulating plaque stability.

Role of macrophage-derived lipoprotein lipase in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) synthesis by macrophages is upregulated in early atherogenesis, implicating the possible involvement of LPL in plaque formation. However, it is still unclear whether macrophage-derived LPL displays a proatherosclerotic or an antiatherosclerotic role in atherosclerotic lesion development. In this study, the role of macrophage-derived LPL on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis was assessed in vivo by transplantation of LPL-deficient (LPL-/-) and wild-type (LPL+/+) bone marrow into C57BL/6 mice. Eight weeks after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), serum cholesterol levels in LPL-/--->C57BL/6 mice were reduced by 8% compared with those in LPL+/+-->C57BL/6 mice (P:<0.05, n=16), whereas triglycerides were increased by 33% (P:<0.05, n=16). Feeding the mice a high-cholesterol diet increased serum cholesterol levels in LPL-/--->C57BL/6 and LPL+/+-->C57BL/6 mice 5-fold and 9-fold, respectively, resulting in a difference of approximately 50% (P:<0. 01) after 3 months on the diet. No effects on triglyceride levels were observed under these conditions. Furthermore, serum apolipoprotein E levels were reduced by 50% in the LPL-/--->C57BL/6 mice compared with controls under both dietary conditions. After 3 months on a high-cholesterol diet, the atherosclerotic lesion area in LPL-/--->C57BL/6 mice was reduced by 52% compared with controls. It can be concluded that macrophage-derived LPL plays a significant role in the regulation of serum cholesterol, apolipoprotein E, and atherogenesis, suggesting that specific blockade of macrophage LPL production may be beneficial for decreasing atherosclerotic lesion development.

Effect of human scavenger receptor class A overexpression in bone marrow-derived cells on cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice.

In the arterial wall, scavenger receptor class A (SRA) is implicated in pathological lipid deposition. In contrast, in the liver, SRA is suggested to remove modified lipoproteins from the circulation, thereby protecting the body from their pathological action. The role of SRA on bone marrow-derived cells in lipid metabolism and atherogenesis was assessed in vivo by transplantation of bone marrow cells overexpressing human SRA (MSR1) to apoE-deficient mice. In vitro studies with peritoneal macrophages from the transplanted mice showed that macrophage scavenger receptor function, as measured by cell association and degradation studies with acetylated LDL, was approximately 3-fold increased on overexpression of MSR1 in bone marrow-derived cells as compared with control mice. Despite the increased macrophage scavenger receptor function in vitro, no significant effect of MSR1 overexpression in bone marrow-derived cells on the in vivo atherosclerotic lesion development was found. In addition to arterial wall macrophages, liver sinusoidal Kupffer cells also overexpress MSR1 after bone marrow transplantation, which may scavenge atherogenic particles more efficiently from the blood compartment. Introduction of bone marrow cells overexpressing human MSR1 in apoE-deficient mice induced a significant reduction in serum cholesterol levels of approximately 20% (P:<0.001, 2-way ANOVA) as the result of a decrease in VLDL cholesterol. It is suggested that the reduction in VLDL cholesterol levels is due to increased clearance of modified lipoproteins by the overexpressed MSR1 in Kupffer cells of the liver, thereby protecting the arterial wall against the proatherogenic action of modified lipoproteins.

Hematopoietic α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor deficiency increases inflammation and platelet activation status, but does not aggravate atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The autonomic nervous system attenuates inflammation through activation of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), a pathway termed the cholinergic anti-inflammatory reflex. Interestingly, α7nAChR is expressed on immune cells and platelets, both of which play a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of hematopoietic α7nAChR in inflammation and platelet function in atherosclerotic ldlr(-/-) mice and to identify its consequences for atherosclerotic lesion development. METHODS: Bone marrow from α7nAChR(-/-) mice or wild-type littermates was transplanted into irradiated ldlr(-/-) mice. After a recovery period of 8 weeks, the mice were fed an atherogenic Western-type diet for 7 weeks. RESULTS: Hematopoietic α7nAChR deficiency clearly increased the number of leukocytes in the peritoneum (2.6-fold, P < 0.001), blood (2.9-fold; P < 0.01), mesenteric lymph nodes (2.0-fold; P < 0.001) and spleen (2.2-fold; P < 0.01), indicative of an increased inflammatory status. Additionally, expression of inflammatory mediators was increased in peritoneal leukocytes (TNFα, 1.6-fold, P < 0.01; CRP, 1.8-fold, P < 0.01) as well as in the spleen (TNFα, 1.6-fold, P < 0.01). The lack of α7nAChR on platelets from these mice increased the expression of active integrin αIIb ß3 upon stimulation by ADP (1.9-fold, P < 0.01), indicating increased activation status, while incubation of human platelets with an α7nAChR agonist decreased aggregation (-35%, P < 0.05). Despite the large effects of hematopoietic α7nAChR deficiency on inflammatory status and platelet function, it did not affect atherosclerosis development or composition of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Hematopoietic α7nAChR is important for attenuation of inflammatory responses and maintaining normal platelet reactivity, but loss of hematopoietic α7nAChR does not aggravate development of atherosclerosis.

The novel MMS-inducible gene Mif1/KIAA0025 is a target of the unfolded protein response pathway.

In a search for genes induced by DNA-damaging agents, we identified two genes that are activated by methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). Expression of both genes is regulated after endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. The first gene of those identified is the molecular chaperone BiP/GRP78. The second gene, Mif1, is identical to the anonymous cDNA KIAA0025. Treatment with the glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin both enhances the synthesis of Mif1 mRNA and protein. The Mif1 5' flanking region contains a functional ER stress-responsive element which is sufficient for induction by tunicamycin. MMS, on the other hand, activates Mif1 via an UPR-independent pathway. The gene encodes a 52 kDa protein with homology to the human DNA repair protein HHR23A and contains an ubiquitin-like domain. Overexpressed Mif1 protein is localized in the ER.

Essential role for the (hepatic) LDL receptor in macrophage apolipoprotein E-induced reduction in serum cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a high affinity ligand for several receptor systems in the liver, including the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, and non-LDL receptor sites, like the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP), the putative remnant receptor and/or proteoglycans. Although the liver is the major source of apoE synthesis, apoE is also produced by a wide variety of other cell types, including macrophages. In the present study, the role of the LDL receptor in the removal of lipoprotein remnants, enriched with macrophage-derived apoE from the circulation, was determined using the technique of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Reconstitution of macrophage apoE production in apoE-deficient mice resulted in a serum apoE concentration of only 2% of the concentration in wild-type C57Bl/6 mice. This low level of apoE nevertheless reduced VLDL and LDL cholesterol 12-fold (P<0.001) and fourfold (P<0.001), respectively, thereby reducing serum cholesterol levels and the susceptibility to atherosclerosis. In contrast, reconstitution of macrophage apoE synthesis in mice lacking both apoE and the LDL receptor induced only a twofold (P<0.001) reduction in VLDL cholesterol and had no significant effect on atherosclerotic lesion development, although serum apoE levels were 93% of the concentration in normal C57Bl/6 mice. In conclusion, a functional (hepatic) LDL receptor is essential for the efficient removal of macrophage apoE-enriched lipoprotein remnants from the circulation and thus for normalization of serum cholesterol levels and protection against atherosclerotic lesion development in apoE-deficient mice.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in C57Bl/6 mice transplanted with ApoE-deficient bone marrow.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a high affinity ligand for lipoprotein receptors, is synthesized by the liver and extrahepatic tissues, including cells of the monocyte/macrophage cell lineage. The role of monocyte/macrophage-derived apoE in atherogenesis was assessed by transplantation of apoE-deficient (apoE-/-) bone marrow into normolipidemic C57Bl/6 mice. No significant effect could be demonstrated on serum apoE levels in C57Bl/6 mice, transplanted with apoE-deficient bone marrow compared with control transplanted mice. Furthermore, no consistent effect on serum cholesteryl esters and triglyceride concentrations could be demonstrated on either a standard chow diet or a high cholesterol diet. Quantitative analysis of atherosclerosis in mice transplanted with apoE-deficient bone marrow, after two months on a high cholesterol diet, revealed a 4-fold increase in the atherosclerotic lesion area as compared to animals transplanted with apoE+/+ bone marrow. Analysis of the ability of apoE-deficient macrophages to release cholesterol after loading with acetylated LDL revealed that the release of cholesterol from apoE-deficient macrophages was impaired as compared to wild-type macrophages in the absence and the presence of specific cholesterol acceptors. In conclusion, apoE production by macrophages retards the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, possibly by mediating cholesterol efflux. We anticipate that pharmacological approaches to increase apoE synthesis and/or secretion by macrophages might be beneficial for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Scavenger receptor classes A and B. Their roles in atherogenesis and the metabolism of modified LDL and HDL.

Scavenger-receptor class A has been held responsible for the clearance of modified LDL from the blood circulation. However, in mice deficient in scavenger-receptor class A, the decay in vivo of acetylated LDL (t1/2 < 2 min), as well as tissue distribution and liver uptake (at 5 min 77.4 +/- 4.6% of the injected dose) are not significantly different from control mice. The degradation capacity of acetylated LDL with liver endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and peritoneal macrophages from knock-out mice was 58%, 63%, and 17% of the control, respectively, indicating that scavenger-receptor class A is relatively more important for the degradation of acetylated LDL and foam cell formation in peritoneal macrophages as compared to the liver cell types. This might explain the 60% reduction in atherosclerotic lesion area in scavenger-receptor-deficient apoE knock-out mice as compared to control apoE knock-out mice. Scavenger-receptor BI can facilitate selective uptake of cholesterol esters from HDL. A high cholesterol diet for two weeks induced an 80% downregulation of scavenger-receptor BI in the liver parenchymal cells while expression in liver macrophages is increased fourfold. The in vivo kinetics for the selective uptake of (oxidized) cholesterol esters from HDL correlate with the changes in scavenger-receptor BI expression. It is suggested that scavenger-receptor BI is subject to different regulatory mechanisms in parenchymal liver cells and macrophages related to a difference in function in these cell types.

Effects of stressful daily events on mood states: relationship to global perceived stress.

This study used experience sampling methodology to examine the relationship between stressful daily events and mood. Eighty-five male white-collar workers completed self-reports 10 times a day for 5 days. Controlling for individual differences in mood levels, multilevel regression analyses showed that events were followed by increases in negative affect (NA) and agitation (Ag) and by decreases in positive affect (PA). More unpleasant events were associated with greater changes in all three mood dimensions; controllability mitigated the effects of events on NA and PA. Prior events had persistent effects on current mood. High perceived stress (PS) was associated with greater reactivity of NA and PA to current events, whereas trait anxiety moderated reactivity of Ag. Results indicate that PS is related not only to a higher frequency of reported events but also to more intense and prolonged mood responses to daily stress.

The nutrient intake of a group of older South African hospitalized persons.

Data from a dietary survey of patients in a rehabilitation hospital indicated that their nutrient intake was very low in comparison with the RDAs. Those patients are at risk of developing specific nutritional deficiencies. Recommendations to improve the nutrient intake of this group of elderly persons are given. Even if the "perfect diet" were served, however, a patient's food intake might not be sufficient to meet the RDAs because of lack of appetite or because of elevated requirements owing to various illnesses, multiple drug use, and physiological changes associated with aging. In such a patient, the potentially beneficial use of supplements must be considered.

Individual differences in cortisol responses to a laboratory speech task and their relationship to responses to stressful daily events.

A Stress Inducing Speech Task was used to investigate the contribution of perceived stress, individual traits, and current mood states to individual differences in salivary cortisol responses. Additionally, we examined the correspondence between laboratory baseline cortisol levels and overall levels in daily life, and between cortisol responses to the speech task and a measure of stress reactivity to stressful events in daily life. Forty-two 'high stress' and forty-five 'low stress' white-collar males completed the speech task and an Experience Sampling study, in which stressful daily events and cortisol levels were monitored for five days. No association was found between perceived stress, trait anxiety, anger, depression, psychosomatic symptoms, coping style or personality and cortisol responses to the speech task. Negative mood state at baseline was associated with higher cortisol levels at baseline just before, and just after, the speech. Laboratory and field cortisol levels were moderately correlated, but no association was found between laboratory and field response measures. Laboratory baseline levels, but not responses to the speech task, were significant predictors of field cortisol levels.

Avoidance of pain of unpredictable intensity.

Unpredictability of the intensity of an aversive event might be an important factor in producing negative effects of the event, especially if the UCS becomes stronger than could have been expected. The present experiment tested the hypothesis that unpredictability of intensity of a painful stimulus contributes to avoidance behaviour. The experiment was concealed in a shock working-up procedure, which was done to assess the pain level subjects were willing to tolerate in a subsequent experiment. The experimental subjects, who received an unannounced sudden increase of the pain stimulus during the working-up procedure, tolerated less pain on a subjective as well as on an objective level (avoidance of high levels of pain) than the control subjects, who received the stimuli in a predictable pattern. The results support the hypothesis that unpredictability of intensity of an aversive event contributes to avoidance behaviour.