Biomedical subjects

A Capafons

Publications and source records attributed to A Capafons.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Humoral immune response induced by the protein core of MUC1 mucin in pregnant and healthy women.

UNLABELLED: Serum levels of MUC1 and antibodies (Abs) against MUC1 (IgG and IgM-MUC1) were evaluated in healthy women related to pregnancy and lactation status. A total of 149 serum samples were obtained from: nulliparous, primiparous pregnant, multiparous pregnant that have lactated, multiparous pregnant without lactation, multiparous non-pregnant actual lactating, multiparous non-pregnant that have lactated and finally, multiparous non-pregnant women without lactation. In all assays, we included pre- and post-serum samples belonging to a breast cancer patient vaccinated with a MUC1 derived peptide. CASA test was employed to measure MUC1 while IgG- and IgM-MUC1 serum Abs were evaluated with an ELISA using a 100 mer peptide as catcher. In all groups, mean IgM levels were higher than IgG mean values; when samples were grouped in pregnants versus non-pregnants, a significant difference was detected with both Abs, being raised in non-pregnants. When samples were grouped in lactating versus non-lactating a significant difference was detected with IgG-MUC1, being raised in lactating women while no significant difference was found with IgM-MUC1. The evaluation of serum MUC1 levels confirmed previous results since a significant difference between pregnant versus non-pregnant groups was found while lactating versus non-lactating samples did not. CONCLUSIONS: (i) Increased MUC1 serum levels are apparently associated with pregnancy but not with lactation; (ii) MUC1 Abs are mainly associated with lactation and with non-pregnant status. These results may be considered a contribution on studies about protection against breast cancer induced by pregnancy and lactation.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Rapid self-hypnosis: a new self-hypnosis method and its comparison with the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP).

Despite its clinical importance, there are few systematic studies on the application of self-hypnosis. Rapid Self-Hypnosis (RSH) was created to provide a new procedure that is easy, comfortable, fosters alertness, and can be done covertly in everyday life. We present it as an alternative to the self-hypnosis version of the Hypnosis Induction Profile (HIP). Using a crossover design, we found in an experimental session that the RSH and the HIP produced comparable objective and subjective scores in the Barber Suggestibility Scale (BSS). However, as compared with the HIP, participants rated RSH as significantly more coherent, pleasant, faster and easier to learn, more likely to be used in everyday life and go unnoticed by others, less bothersome to use, and more likely to be used in private. Additional research should clarify whether these differences are reliable and have clinical significance. Our results suggest that RSH will be a valuable addition to the clinician's arsenal.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Preference between two methods of active-alert hypnosis: not all techniques are created equal.

In a cross-over design (N = 80), we compared the differential liking and preference for two hypnotic techniques involving physical activity: active-alert and waking-alert (or alert-hand) procedures. Participants expressed significantly higher liking and preference for the waking-alert as compared to the active-alert procedure. The latter technique, which also had significantly lower suggestibility scores(Cardeña et al., 1998) was also associated with a significantly higher attrition rate (23%). These significant differences may be explained by the greater physical effort and difficulty associated with the active-alert technique. It seems that the waking-alert method extends the advantages of active hypnosis (e.g., alertness, enhanced self-mastery) to individuals who may dislike or are unable to cope with the greater demands required by the active-alert procedure.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Effects on suggestibility of a new method of active-alert hypnosis: alert hand.

Research has shown that the active-alert method described by Bányai and Hilgard (1976) produces a similar increase on suggestibility as relaxation-based techniques, but it has some limitations, including the need for a stationary bicycle and a certain level of physical fitness. The authors compared that method with the new "alert hand" method, which emphasizes activity and alertness, but is simpler and less strenuous. In a repeated measures, counterbalanced design (N = 80), the authors found that (a) the alert hand method produced significantly higher objective and subjective suggestibility scores than the active-alert technique, and (b) a high percentage (23%) of volunteers discontinued participation during the active-alert method but not during the alert hand method. The alert hand method extends the benefits of active hypnosis to individuals who may have difficulties with the physical demands required by the active-alert method, and it seems to enhance suggestibility even more.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Emotional self-regulation therapy: a new and efficacious treatment for smoking.

We describe emotional self-regulation therapy, a recently-developed suggestion technique for the treatment of smoking, and present data attesting to its efficacy. Of the 38 individuals who completed treatment, 82% (47% of the initial sample) stopped smoking altogether and 13% (8% of the initial sample) reduced their smoking. A follow-up at 6 months showed that 66% (38% of the initial sample) of those who had completed the treatment remained abstinent and reported minimal withdrawal symptoms or weight gain. In a no-treatment comparison group, only 8% reduced their smoking or became abstinent.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Emotional self-regulation therapy for smoking reduction: description and initial empirical data.

Self-regulation therapy (Amigó, 1992) is a set of procedures derived from cognitive skill training programs for increasing hypnotizability. First, experiences are generated by actual stimuli. Clients are then asked to associate those experiences with various cues. They are then requested to generate the experiences in response to the cues, but without the actual stimuli. When they are able to do so quickly and easily, therapeutic suggestions are given. Studies of self-regulation therapy indicate that it can be used successfully to treat smoking.

Arousal↗