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Biomedical subjects

M Floyd

Publications and source records attributed to M Floyd.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

The Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale: factor structure, reliability, and validity with older adults.

The Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale Form A (DAS-A), a self-report measure of depression-related attitudes, has been used in numerous depression studies. The DAS-A has a two-factor structure that has been found consistently with college student samples and clinically depressed samples of middle-aged adults, but it has not been validated with older adults. The present study examined the factor structure with a sample of 100 depressed older adults (average age = 68.19; average initial Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HRSD] score = 16.72) who participated in a depression treatment study. Results indicated the factor structure established with younger adults was not replicated with older adults. Furthermore, the factor structure with older adults was uncertain: a single factor structure, two-factor structure, and three-factor structure were essentially of equal validity. The uncertainty of the latent structure of the DAS-A suggests that it should be interpreted with caution whenever used with older adults.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Bacteremia caused by Gordonia bronchialis in a patient with sequestrated lung.

Gordonia species have been recognized as pathogens in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. We report the first case of bacteremia due to Gordonia bronchialis in a diabetic patient with a sequestrated lung. Species identification was confirmed with mycolic acid analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed2000

Convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory.

The psychometric properties of the Social Phobia Anxiety Inventory (SPAI) were assessed in a sample of participants who either had a primary diagnosis of social phobia or were normal volunteers. Positive evidence was obtained on the SPAI's concurrent and predictive convergent validity: it was significantly correlated with other measures of social anxiety obtained from self-report questionnaires of social impairment and with behavioral assessment measures administered in conjunction with a conversation role-play, including measures of negative thinking, subjective anxiety, and self-perceived skill and apparent nervousness. Discriminant validity was demonstrated by the SPAI's significantly stronger relationship with public than private self-consciousness. There was no overlap in SPAI scores in the normal volunteer and socially phobic groups, demonstrating criterion-related validity.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effects of memory training on the subjective memory functioning and mental health of older adults: a meta-analysis.

The effectiveness of memory training on the subjective memory functioning and mental health of older adults was examined in a meta-analysis. Effect sizes indicated that memory training led to improved subjective memory functioning (d+2 = .19), but the magnitude of the improvement was less than that obtained on objective memory measures (d+2 = .66) in the meta-analysis of P. Verhaeghen, A. Marcoen, and L. Goossens (1992). However, no differences in effectiveness were found among mnemonic training, expectancy modification, or placebo procedures such as unstructured practice. Improvement of subjective memory functioning was enhanced by including pretraining in skills such as the use of imagery and by including interventions to improve participants' attitudes toward the effects of aging on memory functioning.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Negative outcomes: what is the evidence on self-administered treatments?

D.C. Mohr (1995) suggested that high deterioration rates may occur in self-directed treatments. The investigators examined data from 5 studies of self-administered treatment for depression and found in contrast much lower rates (9% vs. 19%) than those cited in Mohr's review. The negative response rates for the self-administered treatments compared favorably with the negative response rates in the therapist-administered treatments provided in the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program. The findings indicate that it may be the manner in which participants are prepared for self-administered treatment that is critical.

Bibliotherapy↗
PubMed1995

Developing a computerized information system for visually disabled people to assist with job placement.

Unlike several other countries, the UK does not have a national occupational database describing jobs in terms of skill and other factors. Neither is there a nationally recognized method for assessing the functional skills which job seekers have to offer. If these two types of assessment were based on the same criteria, individuals could accurately match their profile to occupations or vacancies. Assistance with job placement is one of the most popular services offered by Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Employment Network to visually disabled people. Yet resources are stretched and the Network is considering computerizing its occupational information and job-matching activity to increase efficiency. By drawing upon a comparison of existing systems and recommendations in the literature this paper offers suggestions for the development of this system. Factors for consideration at the design stage are discussed, and the paper concludes with a programme for development, evaluation and implementation. The need to ensure quality standards through staff training and appropriate procedures is stressed.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1995

Single pediatric donor kidneys for adult recipients: the San Antonio experience.

Early, sustained and significant growth occurs in single kidneys from donors < or = 4 years of age transplanted into adult recipients who are receiving CsA therapy. Early and late renal function of single kidneys from donors < or = 4 years of age transplanted into adult recipients is more than adequate. Allograft loss from surgical complications (5%) is not excessive. Allografts from donors < or = 4 years of age are very vulnerable to early rejection. Allograft survival of single kidneys from donors < or = 4 years of age is equal to that reported for cadaveric kidneys from donors > 50 years of age. Single kidneys from donors < or = 5 years of age have an allograft survival equal to that for kidneys from donors of the same age that are transplanted en-bloc. One-year allograft survival among recipients of kidneys from donors < or = 4 years of age receiving 14 days of induction therapy and aggressive treatment of rejection (75%) approaches that of the ideal donor (83%). Kidneys from donors < or = 4 years of age represent an underutilized resource.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Pre-employment screening of NHS employees with epilepsy.

A survey was carried out on whether district health authorities have adopted clear policies with regard to the pre-employment screening of people with epilepsy. The survey revealed that only a small number have done so and that a few others claimed to be following recommended guidelines. It is evident that there is a need for an organization, such as the Association of National Health Service Occupational Physicians, to develop a more authoritative and comprehensive set of guidelines in this area. The paper concludes by suggesting some of the key elements to be included in such a set of guidelines.

Employment↗
PubMed1993

Dental operatory design and equipment.

Improving and expanding the dental services of a practice can involve purchasing new equipment and even modifying or expanding the physical plant. Operatory design is important to the efficiency with which dental procedures can be performed. Equipment purchases to outfit the dental operatory should be made based on the specific needs and functions of a practice.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

National general practice study of epilepsy: the social and psychological effects of a recent diagnosis of epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the nature and extent of psychosocial problems in epilepsy and their associations. DESIGN: A postal survey was used drawing data from prospective consecutive cases. Data on demographic, medical, and social backgrounds were collected. A specially designed, validated attitude questionnaire examined 14 areas of psychosocial adjustment to epilepsy. SETTING: 124 primary care general practices. SUBJECTS: Adults (aged over 17) with a recent diagnosis of epilepsy (within previous 36 months). They were registered with the national general practice study of epilepsy and had a confirmed diagnosis according to the usual criteria. 216 subjects were approached for the survey by their general practitioners; 192 returned questionnaires. RESULTS: Problems in at least one area were experienced by 175 (91%) of the 192 subjects. Problems were generally mild, which contrasts strongly with findings in chronic cases. The areas of greatest concern were fear of seizures (80% of cases; 72% moderate or severe) and fear of stigma in employment (69% of cases; 40% moderate or severe). A highly significant relation was found between psychosocial effects and the frequency and recency of seizures. CONCLUSIONS: In the early stages of epilepsy psychosocial effects are closely related to the severity of the medical condition, suggesting that the argument for the stigmatising effect of the diagnosis by itself is less important than previously thought. The findings also suggest that problems may evolve as the condition becomes chronic.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Huntington disease: a detective story.

As recombinant DNA diagnoses of various inherited diseases become a standard medical procedure, the practicing physician will be required to identify families at risk and counsel them (or refer them) appropriately. In many families the risk may not be immediately obvious or a reliable risk figure may appear to be unattainable. In the case presented, the patient had an apparent 50% risk for Huntington disease and all the immediate affected relatives were deceased. This relatively common scenario would generally prevent recombinant DNA diagnostic procedures from arriving at a more accurate risk estimate. Nevertheless, by recombinant DNA analysis, a risk for Huntington disease of less than 1% was obtained. Several key aspects of genetic analysis were required including extensive family histories, identification of informative markers, ordering the markers around the disease gene and appropriate statistical analyses. These discussions illustrate the power of recombinant DNA techniques to detect genetic disorders and demonstrate why they will be of increasing importance to the practicing physician.

Genetic Counseling↗
PubMed1991

A computer-based approach to measurement of employment handicap.

The need for a more systematic, objective and appropriate approach to determining the extent of employment handicap, resulting from a disability, is considered. A possible approach, that takes advantage of the computer's ability to process and store large qualities of relevant data is presented. An attempt to pilot this in a large public corporation is then described. The need for a less simplistic definition of employment handicap than that adopted here is identified. The paper concludes that the approach can nonetheless form the basis for significant advances in this area, that should not only make possible more effective legislation but also make it more feasible to introduce a partial disability benefit.

Computers↗