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P L Faulkner

Publications and source records attributed to P L Faulkner.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

The validity of self-reported condom use among adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Research and public health interventions designed to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) often are based on self-reported condom use. Yet, validation of self-reported condom use, in particular with adolescents, has rarely been described in the literature. METHODS: Baseline data were obtained from 540 adolescents, 13-21 years of age, enrolled in a 1-year longitudinal study of health beliefs, sexual behaviors, and STD acquisition. Of the 445 participants reporting to be sexually active, 404 (90.8%) agreed to a complete physical examination, including a genital examination, with STD screening after completing the self-administered written questionnaire. Participants' written self-report of condom use was compared to histories obtained by clinicians and laboratory diagnosis of acute STDs to assess validity of written self-report. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 321 females and 77 males of whom 52 females and 5 males had laboratory evidence of 63 infections. Although three individuals who had STDs reported to be consistent users of condoms, a significant association (P < 0.05) was found between those who reported more frequent condom use with the last two partners and the absence of STDs. CONCLUSION: In this group of adolescents, self-report of condom use with the last two partners was associated with the absence of an acute STD. This finding suggests that self-reported condom use is a valid indicator of risk for STDs, with implication for those working with adolescents clinically and in research contexts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Use of compartmental analysis to describe effects of dietary fat saturation and load on plasma triglyceride dynamics in the rat.

Model-based compartmental analysis was used to interpret data on temporal changes in plasma triglyceride (TG) response to a chronic infusion of chylomicrons (CM) in the rat. Male rats were fed purified diets which varied in fat load [L = 10% (w/w), H = 30%] and P/S ratio (P = 4.6, S = 0.2). Lymph CM isolated from donor rats which were absorbing the P or S fat were infused into recipients for 8 h on 3 consecutive days: on d 1 and 3, CM infusion rate reflected the fat content of the previous diet and on d 2, the other load; the infusion replaced dietary fat. Serial plasma samples from each period were analyzed for TG concentration; TG distribution in plasma lipoproteins and liver lipids was measured after d 3. To describe observed group average data, a compartmental model was developed using the Simulation, Analysis and Modeling computer program. Two compartments were needed in plasma (CM vs nonCM TG); each had 2 outputs: removal of TG-fatty acids by lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and uptake of remnant lipoproteins by the liver. After a delay in the liver, there were 3 fates for TG-derived fatty acids: oxidation, retention, or secretion in very low density lipoproteins. Simulation of changes in the rate constant for total CM TG turnover indicated that the basal level of LPL rose rapidly and dramatically in response to TG infusion; the rise was higher for H vs L. After 3-5 h, apparent LPL activity decreased. Simulation of the rate of CM TG turnover indicated that the turnover rate rose immediately after infusion began to levels higher than the infusion rate, and then came into a slight negative balance. Although the observed data could be qualitatively described based on current understanding of TG metabolism, application of model-based compartmental analysis generated testable hypotheses about quantitative aspects of the system dynamics.

Animals↗