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Biomedical subjects

J Bliss

Publications and source records attributed to J Bliss.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Communality of videogame performances with tracking tasks.

Performances on three videogames were compared with two different tracking tasks and a third dual tracking task, after stability of performance was achieved by 40 male subjects. The six tasks were performed in succession for three weeks each, and one year separated administration of the tracking tasks from the videogames. Convergence of the cross-correlations among these tasks occurred such that higher correlations were attained for scores obtained late in practice (late/late) of two tasks (even when they were performed a year apart) rather than for scores obtained earlier in training (viz., early/early). High communality between these two types of tasks was observed as indicated by virtual overlap between the videogames and the tracking tasks, even though different control media (joysticks, knobs), control orders (zero/first), and control inputs (displacement/force transducer) were required. Because these tasks apparently index similar abilities, there may be advantages to measuring tracking skills with videogames, which include low cost, wide availability, inherent interest to subjects and motivation, rapid approach to stable levels, and, in many cases greater apparent face validity relative to real world performance requirements.

Adult↗

Substructure of skeletal myosin subfragment 1 revealed by thermal denaturation.

The stability of myosin subfragment 1 (S1) to thermal denaturation has been followed by limited tryptic proteolysis. Digestions done during the thermal denaturation show that at temperatures at and above 37 degrees C there is a marked increase in the susceptibility of S1 to tryptic degradation, as evidenced by the loss of all bands corresponding to the normally trypsin-resistant fragments of 50, 27, and 21 kDa of the heavy chain and to the light chain. The enhanced digestion of S1 appears to be due to a general unfolding of all segments of S1, although the 50-kDa segment appears to unfold at a lower temperature than the remainder of the S1 structure. Digestions done after 30-min exposure to higher temperatures or after subsequent cooling to 25 degrees C show marked differences in the susceptibility of the S1 to trypsin. This suggests that, on cooling, a substantial portion of the S1, but not the 50-kDa segment, is capable of refolding to a state corresponding closely to that in the native S1. These data indicate that in terms of thermal denaturation the S1 behaves as though it is comprised of two domains--an unstable 50-kDa domain and a more stable domain comprised of the 27- and 21-kDa segments of the heavy chain interacting with the light chain, as proposed recently by Setton and Muhlrad [Setton, A., & Muhlrad, A. (1984) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 235, 411-417]. The rates of thermal inactivation of the ATPase of S1 are found to correspond closely to the decay rates for the 50-kDa fragment, suggesting that this segment in S1 is closely associated with the ATPase function of the protein.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Sensory experiences of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.

A patient with a 62-year history of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome describes 35 years of self-observation of the subjective events that precede, accompany, and follow the occurrence of symptomatic movements and sounds. Bodily sites become sensitized, and the movements (however bizarre) are intentional acts aimed at satisfying and eliminating unfulfilled sensations and urges. Sensory impressions may be projected onto other persons, objects, or imagined objects; these phantom sensations also demand discharge through actions. With vigilance and self-observation, barely emergent sensations can be recognized and controlled temporarily through substitution or extinction. The need to cope with rampant sensations and their consequences on one hand and current affairs on the other creates a dual citizenship within the person.

Attention↗

A comparison of adjuvant psychological therapy and supportive counselling in patients with cancer.

This study compared the effectiveness of two psychological treatments in a group of 57 patients with various types of cancer attending the Royal Marsden Hospital. Patients referred for psychiatric assessment who met criteria for an abnormal adjustment reaction were randomly allocated to either 8 weeks of Adjuvant Psychological Therapy (APT), a problem-focused, cognitive behavioural treatment programme, or 8 weeks of a comparison treatment of supportive counselling. At 8 weeks from the baseline assessment, APT had produced a significantly greater change than the counselling intervention on fighting spirit, helplessness, coping with cancer, anxiety, and self-defined problems. At 4 months from baseline, APT had produced a significantly greater change than counselling on fighting spirit, coping with cancer, anxiety and self defined problems. It is concluded that APT produces greater change in anxiety, adjustment to cancer and use of coping strategies than a non-directive, supportive intervention over an 8 week period of treatment. This difference persists at follow up 4 months after baseline assessment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Arterial cannulation: factors in the development of occlusion.

Wrist arteries of 100 patients were percutaneously cannulated with 20-gauge cannulas; pulse-wave recordings and changes in arterial-pressure wave configuration were then used to determine whether a cannulated artery was patent of occluded. At the time of decannulation, 23 of the 100 arteries were thrombosed. Of the three cannula types used in the study, the tapered Medicut was most frequently related to occlusion. Age of patient, trauma to the artery, and duration of the cannulation were not related to later thrombosis. Reversing the direction of the cannula did not change the incidence of thrombosis. Women developed thrombosis twice as frequently as men. A short (+/- 3 cm), small diameter (20 gauge) non-tapered cannula was found most efficient.

Adult↗

In vitro autoantibody synthesis by anti-La(SSB) positive SLE patients and healthy controls.

In vitro production of anti-La(SSB) and anti-DNA antibodies by mononuclear cells (mnc) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and healthy controls was measured using ELISA techniques. The SLE patients were divided into anti-La(SSB) positive and negative groups depending on Ouchterlony analysis of the serum. Both patient groups spontaneously produced raised levels of total IgG but not IgM compared to controls. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulated mnc from anti-La(SSB) positive SLE patients and controls gave good total IgM and IgG responses. In contrast the anti-La(SSB) negative group gave no IgG but did make an IgM response. Kinetic studies showed that 14 day cultures were essential to produce detectable amounts of specific autoantibodies which, with a few exceptions, were of IgM isotype. Low levels of anti-La(SSB) and anti-DNA were spontaneously produced by anti-La(SSB) positive SLE patients and controls. PWM stimulation at least doubled autoantibody synthesis in these two groups. The anti-La(SSB) negative SLE group gave similar responses although PWM induced autoantibody levels were reduced. ConA-induced suppressor cell assay showed that anti-La(SSB) positive SLE patients could form suppressor cells but not as effectively as controls. This group of SLE patients were more successful at suppressing IgG than IgM responses.

Adult↗

Creating a Web site for on-line social support Melanocyte.

This article focuses on the creation of an on-line social support web site, Melanocyte, for people who have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The web site was created, designed, and programmed by undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students at William Paterson University. The article includes discussion of rationales for a melanoma web site, support groups and the efficacy of on-line support, and the technical creation of the web site. The article also emphasizes the use of undergraduate nursing informatics and research to prepare future nurses, and the use of the Internet as an important nursing research tool.

Computer Communication Networks↗