Biomedical subjects

P Davidson

Publications and source records attributed to P Davidson.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Behavioral interventions for the control of tuberculosis among adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Activation of latent tuberculosis infection into tuberculosis disease (TB), the primary killer among infectious diseases worldwide, can be prevented with six months of anti-TB medication. A large percentage of adolescents started on medication, however, fail to complete their treatment. The authors developed and tested the effects of innovative educational strategies on infected adolescents at two health centers serving ethnically diverse populations. METHODS: The authors used a randomized experimental four-group design to assess the independent and combined effects of peer counseling and a participant-parent contingency contract intervention. RESULTS: A total of 794 adolescents were recruited into the study, for a 79% participation rate. The overall rate of treatment completion was 79.8%. Self-efficacy for medication-taking behavior at post-test correlated strongly with completion of care (R = 0.367, p = 0.002). Participants randomized to the peer counseling groups demonstrated significantly greater improvements in self-efficacy and mastery than the usual care control group. Based on the study results, continuing education seminars and workshops were implemented for TB control staff at the two health clinics and for all TB Control Division staff at the Los Angeles County Health Department. Educational materials and a training manual for enhancing completion of treatment of latent TB infection through tailored educational approaches were developed and disseminated to the clinics. CONCLUSIONS: Health education and incentives are helpful adjuncts to the completion of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection in adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship between health beliefs, adherence, and metabolic control of diabetes.

There is evidence that an individual's health beliefs influence performance of health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether health beliefs in persons with diabetes could be modified during a clinical education program and whether the health beliefs were related to adherence to self-care instructions and metabolic control of diabetes. Health beliefs and HbA1c were measured at baseline in 189 adult outpatients with diabetes. Diabetes educators then attempted to modify health beliefs that were not conducive to positive health behaviors. Following education, some health beliefs were modified in a positive direction. Modest, but statistically significant increases in perceived severity of diabetes, perceived ability to carry out recommended behaviors, and perceived benefits of treatment were observed. Although HbA1c improved significantly in a subgroup of patients, this improvement could not be directly associated with any health belief or with self-reported adherence by the measures used in this study.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of dextran molecular weight on protein stabilization during freeze-drying and storage.

The effect of dextran molecular weight on structural stability of freeze-dried products and protein stability in amorphous matrices was investigated during storage at elevated temperatures. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was freeze-dried in 10% (w/v) dextrans of five molecular weights (12 kD, 42 kD, 71 kD, 512 kD and 2000 kD) to residual water content of 0.027 ( 0.004 g/g dry mass. The molecular weight of dextrans affected the glass transition temperature (Tg) of freeze-dried products and the recovery of enzyme activity after freeze-drying. As the molecular weight of dextrans increased from 12 kD to 2000 kD, the Tg increased from 100 degrees C to 120 degrees C, whereas the recovery of protein activity decreased from 85 +/- 4 % to 70 +/- 5%. The inactivation of freeze-dried protein during storage followed a bi-phasic first-order kinetics. The stability of amorphous matrices and protein increased significantly as the molecular weight increased from 12 kD to 512 kD. However, at a higher molecular weight (2000 kD), the stability was reduced. In a separate experiment, the stability of dried dextran/protein samples was studied during heating from 30 degrees C to 99 degrees C at 0.2 degrees C/min and subsequent incubation at 99 degrees C. Dextran with an average molecular weight of 512 kD was again found to provide the best protection. Mechanisms that cause the differences in protein stability among different molecular weight dextrans remain unclear.

Cryopreservation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Voice restoration prostheses: the options.

The development of voice restoration systems means that people requiring laryngectomy have a better chance of being able to speak again after surgery. In the first of two articles the author discusses the surgical procedure and the various devices available. The second article in next week's Nursing Times looks in detail at the benefits of the new Provox 2 system.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An easier way to speak again.

This article looks in detail at evaluation of the use of the Provox 2 voice prosthesis. Use of the device in selected patients has had a number of benefits including less mucus production, less awareness of the valve, reduction in the effort needed to produce sound, and easy and quick removal and insertion of the device.

Aged↗