PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L A Hall

Publications and source records attributed to L A Hall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Preventing depression in high-risk college women: a report of an 18-month follow-up.

The authors tested the long-term effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention in reducing depressive symptoms, decreasing negative thinking, and enhancing self-esteem in 92 college women aged 18 to 24 years who ere at risk for clinical depression. The women were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a no-treatment control group. The experimental group participated in a 6-week cognitive-behavioral intervention that targeted identification and reduction of negative thinking, using such techniques as thought stopping and affirmations. Data on depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and negative thinking were collected before the intervention and at intervals of 1, 6, and 18 months postintervention. The women in the intervention group experienced a greater decrease in depressive symptoms and negative thinking and a greater increase in self-esteem than those in the control group. The beneficial effects continued over an 18-month follow-up period. These findings support the importance of thought stopping and affirmations as prevention interventions with at-risk college women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The archives of the Pioneer Health Centre, Peckham, in the Wellcome Library.

This article gives a brief description of this important British experiment in health and community (1926-50) and the historiography relating to it. The archives, which are now in the Wellcome Library, are described. While mention is made of the gaps in the record (and the possible reasons for them), the strengths of the collection are indicated.

Archives↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis and structures of polymeric Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn complexes of 3-diphenylamino-4-hydroxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione (diphenylaminosquarate) and of the salt [Ni(H2O)6][(C6H5)2NC4O3]2.2H2O.

Reaction of M(NO3)2.xH2O (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) with 3-diphenylamino-4-hydroxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione (diphenylaminosquarate) produces the neutral polymeric species (M[mu-(C6H5)2NC4O3]2[H2O]2)n [M = Mn (1), Cu (2)]; (M[mu-(C6H5)2NC4O3][(C6H5)2NC4O3][H2O]3)n [M = Co (3), Zn (4)]; and in the case of Ni, the salt [Ni(H2O)6][(C6H5)2NC4O3]2.2H2O (5). Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphous and crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with, for 1, a = 13.138(1) A, b = 10.900(2) A, c = 9.269(2) A, beta = 96.07(1) degrees, and Z = 2. Complexes 3 and 4 are also isomorphous and crystallize in the space group P2(1)/c with, for 3, a = 13.211(1) A, b = 11.038(1) A, c = 18.748(1) A, beta = 97.75(1) degrees, and Z = 4. The nickel salt, 5, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 6.181(1) A, b = 9.417(1) A, c = 15.486(1) A, alpha = 101.37(1) degrees, beta = 95.51(1) degrees, gamma = 107.57(1) degrees, and Z = 1. In 1 and 2, the metal coordination is octahedral, comprising four mu-1,3-bridging diphenylaminosquarate ligands and two trans aqua ligands. In 3 and 4, the metal coordination is again octahedral, comprising two mu-1,3-bridging and one pendant diphenylaminosquarate ligands, the octahedron being completed by three aqua ligands in a meridional configuration. In 5, the hexaaquanickel(II) ion is linked by O-H...O hydrogen bonds to a pair of diphenylaminosquarate anions. These anion-cation units are linked via included water molecules to form hydrogen-bonded chains. The diphenylaminosquarate ligands in the polymeric complexes 1-4 display multiple-bond localization, a feature which is absent in 5. Complex 1 exhibits weak antiferromagnetic coupling, whereas 2 shows no significant magnetic interactions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Somites in zebrafish doubly mutant for knypek and trilobite form without internal mesenchymal cells or compaction.

In vertebrates, paraxial mesoderm is partitioned into repeating units called somites. It is thought that the mechanical forces arising from compaction of the presumptive internal cells of prospective somites cause them to detach from the unsegmented presomitic mesoderm [1-3]. To determine how prospective somites physically segregate from each other, we used time-lapse microscopy to analyze the mechanics underlying early somitogenesis in wild-type zebrafish and in the mutants trilobite(m209) (tri), knypek(m119) (kny), and kny;tri, which are defective in convergent extension during gastrulation. Formation of somite boundaries in all of these embryos involved segregation, local alignment, and cell-shape changes of presumptive epitheloid border cells along nascent intersomitic boundaries. Although kny;tri somites formed without convergence of the presomitic mesoderm and were composed of only two cells in their anteroposterior (AP) dimension, they still exhibited AP intrasegmental polarity. Furthermore, morphogenesis of somite boundaries in these embryos proceeded in a manner similar to that in wild-type embryos. Thus, intersomitic boundary formation in zebrafish involves short-range movements of presumptive border cells that do not require mechanical forces generated by internal cells or compaction of the presomitic mesoderm.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Reducing negative thinking and depressive symptoms in college women.

PURPOSE: Although cognitive-behavioral interventions have been successful in treating depression, no studies were found that focused solely on reducing negative thinking via group intervention as a means of preventing depression in at-risk groups. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to test the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention in reducing depressive symptoms, decreasing negative thinking, and enhancing self-esteem in young women at risk for depression. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with 92 college women ages 18 to 24 who were at risk for depression was conducted. METHOD: Participants were randomly assigned to either the control or experimental group. The experimental group participated in a 6-week cognitive-behavioral group intervention. Data on self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and negative thinking were collected via self-report questionnaires from control and experimental groups at baseline, 1 month after the intervention, and at 6-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using mixed-model methodology and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test. FINDINGS: Compared to those in the control group, women who received the intervention had a greater decrease in depressive symptoms and negative thinking and a greater increase in self-esteem, and these beneficial effects were maintained over 6-months. CONCLUSIONS: The findings document the effectiveness of this cognitive-behavioral group intervention and indicate empirical support for the beneficial effects of reducing negative thinking by the use of affirmations and thought-stopping techniques on women's mental health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Kindergarten children's knowledge and perceptions of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Kindergarten children's knowledge and perceptions of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATODs) were assessed and the congruence between parent ATOD use and children's knowledge of ATODs was examined. Data were collected during the pre-intervention phase of an ATOD prevention trial with 5- and 6-year-old children and their parents. Three elementary schools were randomly selected from a population of 15 high-risk elementary schools in Lexington, Ky., (n = 126 parent-child dyads). Children were interviewed about their knowledge, feelings, and attitudes toward ATODs using the Child Drug Awareness Inventory. Parents self-reported ATOD use. Almost all (95%) kindergarten children recognized cigarettes; 56% correctly identified alcoholic beverages; and 17% recognized at least one illicit drug. Minority children were almost four times more likely to recognize illicit drugs than were non-minority children. Children's knowledge of ATODs was not correlated with the parents' reported drug use. ATOD prevention programs for young children merit greater emphasis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effects of the quality of dyadic relationships on the psychological well-being of elderly care-recipients.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of the quality of caregiver relationships with the psychological well-being of elderly care-recipients. Sociodemographic variables and characteristics of the care-recipient situation (e.g., self-rated physical health, amount of instrumental support needed) were explored as potential predictors of the psychological well-being of elderly individuals. A secondary analysis of data collected during in-home interviews with 37 community-dwelling older adults revealed no significant correlations between the quality of the primary intimate relationship and any dimension of psychological well-being. However, better self-rated health was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, higher morale, greater life satisfaction, and better quality of life. The more instrumental support needed by an individual, the greater their depressive symptoms and the lower their morale. The findings also revealed that the older the individual was, the greater the depressive symptoms were and the lower life satisfaction became. Self-rated physical health predicted each dimension of psychological well-being. The findings suggest that age, the amount of instrumental support needed, and perceptions of physical health are important indicators of the psychological well-being of elderly care-recipients.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1999

Potential for abusive parenting by rural mothers with low-birth-weight children.

PURPOSE: To describe factors influencing the potential for abusive parenting by rural mothers of low-birth-weight children (< 2,500 gm). Low-birth-weight (LBW) children are at risk for child abuse. However, little is known about the added risks created for these children by rural residency. DESIGN: Data for this descriptive and exploratory study were collected using a cross-sectional design. A convenience sample of 48 rural mothers delivering LBW children participated in 1994. METHODS: In-home interviews were conducted using structured questionnaires to assess mothers' everyday stressors, depressive symptoms, social resources, and child abuse potential. FINDINGS: The prevalence of high depressive symptoms among the mothers was 54%. Higher everyday stressors and less functional social support predicted greater depressive symptoms. Everyday stressors had a direct effect on the mothers' potential for child abuse and an indirect effect via maternal depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Rural mothers of LBW children are at risk for abusive parenting. Health care providers should pay particular attention to the mental health of mothers living in rural, isolated areas. Assistance with mobilization of community resources, including social support and child care, may provide needed help for these mothers to improve parenting and thus child health outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The physical health of rural mothers and their low birth weight children.

The purpose of this research was to examine the physical health of rural mothers and their low birth weight children (< 2,500 gm). The health of rural mothers is of concern because rural families have poorer health than urban ones, and as the primary caregiver for the low birth weight child, mother's health affects the child's care and potentially the child's health. In this cross-sectional, exploratory study, in-home interviews were conducted with 48 mothers between 2 weeks and 18 months after their children were discharged from their birth hospitalization. Mothers' physical health and their perceptions of their children's health were assessed. The mothers were more concerned about their children's health than their own (p = .0005). The concerns included uncertainty about the children's future health, growth, and development. Suggestions for community health care providers are addressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Drug prevention with high risk families and young children.

The effects of a school and home-based drug prevention program on risk factors for subsequent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use among children were studied. Data on parent and child risk factors for ATOD use were collected from fifty-six low-income parents and their children, ages four to six years, using a pretest-posttest design. The parent-child intervention was conducted over a two-month period. The intervention had no effect on parent or child risk factors. However, the program was favorably received by parents and children. Almost two-thirds of the parents at the experimental school were involved in the program. Almost half of the parents had high depressive symptoms. The high rates of ATOD use and depressive symptoms among these parents are cause for concern.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Transcriptional analysis of the groESL operon of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The nucleotide sequence upstream of the groEL gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been determined. Upstream of groEL is a homolog of groES and the divergently transcribed frpB gene. The promoter region of groES lacks the inverted repeat sequences (IR) that act as a regulatory element controlling the expression of similar operons in many other bacterial species. This region contains overlapping consensus sequences for sigma 32-dependent and sigma 70-dependent promoters, and an appropriately placed transcription start point was mapped downstream of these promoters. Northern hybridization demonstrated that synthesis of a full-length groES-groEL transcript was induced in heat-stressed cells. These experiments also revealed the presence of a shorter groES-specific transcript, apparently the result of the premature termination of transcription at an IR situated between the groES and groEL genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Parenting attitudes and behaviors of low-income single mothers with young children.

The purpose of this study was to explore parenting attitudes and behaviors of low-income single mothers with preschool-aged children. As part of a longitudinal study of the health of single-mother families, 44 unstructured and semistructured interviews were conducted over a 1-year period with a subsample of nine mothers. The mothers modelled desired behaviors and values, but held unrealistic expectations for child behaviors. They viewed their parenting responsibilities as overwhelming. The mothers perceived their children as unappreciative of the efforts required to maintain the family unit. Discipline was often punitive and directed toward aversive behaviors with a single child as the scapegoat for parenting frustrations. Implications for interventions are addressed.

Adult↗