PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

V Reed

Publications and source records attributed to V Reed.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The relationship between risk and insight in a high-security forensic setting.

It is often intimated amongst practitioners in mental healthcare that clients who display poor insight either into their mental health or behaviour present a greater risk either to themselves or others. This paper reports relationships found between the risk and insight subscales of the Behavioural Status Index. This is an instrument designed specifically for healthcare practitioners to measure health functioning amongst mental health clients, in particular those in forensic mental healthcare. Data were collected, using a repeated measures method by primary nurses, from a sample of 503 patients in two high-security mental health hospitals. Seven factors emerged through factor analysis. The first of these contained all the insight items. Significant differences were found on a number of factors between independent groups. Generally, results indicate that patients on lower dependency wards scored more normatively on the factors, adding to instrument validity. Men were found to score more normatively than women. Clinical practice implications and ongoing European studies examining the use of the instrument in clinical practice and its association with treatment planning are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Exploring core relationships between insight and communication and social skills in mentally disordered offenders.

This paper reports collective data analysis for the Behavioural Status Index insight and communication and social skills subscales. This is an instrument designed specifically for health care practitioners to measure behavioural and social functioning among mental health clients, in particular those in forensic care. Data were collected, using a repeated measures method by primary nurses, from a sample of 503 patients in two high security mental health hospitals in the UK. Results are reported for interscalar item correlations and factor analysis. Data trends are indicative of clinically interesting relationships. A six-factor structure emerged suggesting groupings of intra- and interscalar behaviours. The first of these contained all the Behavioural Status Index insight items. Significant differences were found on a number of factors between independent groups. Generally, results indicate that patients on lower dependency wards scored more normatively on the factors, adding to instrument validity. Men were found to score more normatively than women. According to Mental Health Act 1983 classifications, psychopathically disordered patients scored more normatively than mentally ill patients, who in turn scored more normatively than patients with learning disability. Clinical practice implications and ongoing European studies examining the use of the instrument in clinical practice and its association to treatment planning are discussed.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2001

Intragenic deletions at Atp7a in mouse models for Menkes disease.

Mottled mice have mutations in the copper-transporting ATPase Atp7a. They are proven models for the human disorder Menkes disease (MD), which results from mutations in a homologous gene. Mottled mice can be divided into three classes: class 1, in which affected males die before birth; class 2, in which affected males die in the early postnatal period; and class 3, in which affected males survive to adulthood. In humans, it has been shown that mutations that lead to a complete absence of functional protein cause classical MD, which is characterized by death of boys in early childhood. We hypothesized that the most severely affected mottled alleles would be the most likely to carry mutations equivalent to those causing classical MD and therefore undertook mutational analysis of several class 1 mottled alleles to assess whether these were appropriate models for the disease at the molecular level. Two novel mutations, a deletion of exons 11-14 in mottled spot and an insertion in exon 10 leading to missplicing in mottled candy, were identified. However, these are both "in-frame" mutations, as are the other eight Atp7a mutations reported to date, and therefore no frameshift or nonsense mutations have yet been associated with the mottled phenotype. This contrasts with the mutation spectrum associated with MD, emphasizing the need for caution when mottled mice are used as models for the clinical disorder.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed2001

Career obstacles for women in medicine: an overview.

PURPOSE: This article describes the current position of women in the field of medicine. PROCEDURES: Material was gathered using a MEDLINE search for recent articles on women's career progress in medicine and data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. MAIN FINDINGS: Although women now make up a large proportion of the medical student body in industrialized nations, they are still under-represented in a number of disciplines and in the higher echelons of medicine. A number of possible obstacles to career goals that presumably act synergistically include domestic responsibilities, rigidity in career structures and discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: Organizations in the field of medicine can look to the business world for 'best practices' aimed at advancing women to incorporate in their own organization. Medical schools and other institutions are taking the issue seriously as can be seen from the variety of government and institution-based initiatives directed at improving the role of women in medicine.

Career Choice↗
PubMed2001

Prevention of disturbed eating behavior: an intervention program in Swiss high school classes.

A prospective study to examine the effect of health promotion lessons on disturbed eating behavior was carried out subsequent to an epidemiological study on eating behavior in adolescents. The data analyses revealed improvements in dieting behavior and physical well-being of students with disturbed eating behavior. Aside from the effect on the individual student, the prevention program also had effects on the school environment. Carrying out a school-based prevention program that addresses different developmental challenges experienced by adolescents may have a long-term positive impact on the students and on their immediate environment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Measuring communication and social skills in a high security forensic setting using the behavioural status index.

Assessing patient functioning in the areas of communication and social skills is a core area of practice within psychiatric nursing. Difficulties within these areas can often represent the root of a number of presenting problems. Objective assessment can be difficult without a validated assessment schema. The Behavioural Status Index (BSI) offers such a system of baseline assessment and longitudinal monitoring as a basis for treatment, further specialised assessment, or measurement of outcome during and after interventions. This paper introduces some basic theory and describes the function and purpose of the BSI. This is followed by data analysis for the BSI communications and social skills sub-scale. Data were collected, using a repeated measures method by primary nurses, from a sample of 503 individual patients in two high security mental health hospitals. Results are reported for descriptive statistics, and factor analysis; and differences between the independent groups of Mental Health Act 1983 classification, ward dependency and gender. Data trends are indicative of clinically interesting relationships. A distinct factorial structure emerged suggesting groupings of assertive-interpersonal, non-verbal, social-perceptive and para-linguistic behaviours. Results are reported to be underpinning current European studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Measuring risk in a high security forensic setting through the behavioural status index.

This paper reports data analysis for the Behavioural Status Index risk sub-scale. Data were collected, using a repeated measures method by primary nurses, from a sample of 503 individual patients in two high security mental health hospitals. Results are reported for descriptive statistics, and factor analysis; and differences between the independent groups of Mental Health Act 1983 classification, ward dependency and gender. Data trends are indicative of clinically interesting relationships. A distinct factorial structure emerged suggesting groupings of attentional, violent, destructive, iconic-compensatory and escapist behaviours. Results are reported to be underpinning current European studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The sex-linked fidget mutation abolishes Brn4/Pou3f4 gene expression in the embryonic inner ear.

We have demonstrated that the phenotype of the mouse mutant sex-linked fidget ( slf ) is caused by developmental malformations of the inner ear that result in hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction. Recently, pilot mapping experiments suggested that the mouse Brn4 / Pou3f4 gene co-segregated with the slf locus on the mouse X chromosome. These mapping data, in conjunction with the observation that the vertical head-shaking phenotype of slf mutants is identical to that observed in mice with a targeted deletion of the Brn4 gene, suggested that slf is a mutant allele of the Brn4 gene. In this paper, we have identified the nature of the slf mutation, and demonstrated that it is an X chromosomal inversion with one breakpoint close to Brn4. This inversion selectively eliminates the expression of the Brn4 gene in the developing inner ear, but not the neural tube. Finally, these results demonstrate that the slf mutation is a good mouse model for the most prevalent form of X-linked congenital deafness in man, which is associated with mutations in the human Brn4 ortholog, POU3F4.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Curriculum module for health promotion. Results of a controlled intervention study in 2 high schools].

The effects of health-promotion lessons carried out in two senior high schools in the canton of Zurich were investigated in a controlled intervention study. The lessons were developed by teachers and students and integrated into regular school lessons. Of particular interest were effects on school climate, school stress experienced by students and their physical and psychological well-being. Students in the intervention and control schools were assessed with a comprehensive questionnaire three times over a period of 18 months. Health-promotion lessons took place in the intervention school between t1 and t2 (12 month interval). Results showed that participation in a structured research project with repeated assessments led to a critical evaluation of school climate and school stress. At the same time that students were more critically judging the school environment, their physical and psychological problems lessened. Results were the same in both schools, that is, there was no specific intervention effect. Presumably, participation in a prospective study with repeated assessments acted as a sensitisation and mobilisation of resources in adolescents. The study showed the possibilities for health promotion, however it also indicated conflicts between the duty of teaching and psychosomatic prevention strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Psychosomatic health promotion in adolescents. An intervention study in 2 high schools].

AIMS: The effects of health-promotion lesson modules on teaching climate, school stress and physical and psychological well-being were investigated in a controlled intervention study in two high schools. The lesson plans were developed jointly by teachers and students and integrated into normal classroom teaching. METHODS: Three questionnaire assessments were carried out with students in the intervention and control schools. Health promotion lessons were implemented in the intervention school between T1 and T2 (an interval of 12 months) and evaluated by participants after completion. RESULTS: Indicated that the modules were positively appraised and that participation in a longitudinal study led to a more critical evaluation of the teaching climate and school stress. A decrease in physical and psychological symptomatology ran in parallel with increases in critical appraisal of the school environment. This pattern of results was found in both schools, i.e., no intervention effect could be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: It is likely that participation made the adolescents more sensitized to individual and interactional problems as well as led them to mobilize their own resources. The health-promotion activities supported a participatory/interactive relationship between teachers and students which in turn resulted in systemic structural changes. It can be assumed that these factors will have long-term positive effects on the well-being of the participants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Teicoplanin therapy for Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia: relationship between pre-dose serum concentrations and outcome.

Logistic regression analysis was performed on data drawn from a clinical trials database for Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia treated with teicoplanin. Variables analysed were age, body weight, mean pre-dose and post-dose serum teicoplanin concentrations, mean dose (mg or mg/kg body weight) and combination versus monotherapy. Only two variables correlated with clinical outcome at a significance level better than 0.05: age (P = 0.012) and mean pre-dose serum concentration (P = 0.010). The probability of successful treatment declined with age and increased with mean pre-dose serum concentration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A phenotype map of the mouse X chromosome: models for human X-linked disease.

The identification of many of the transcribed genes in man and mouse is being achieved by large scale sequencing of expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Attention is now being turned to elucidating gene function and many laboratories are looking to the mouse as a model system for this phase of the genome project. Mouse mutants have long been used as a means of investigating gene function and disease pathogenesis, and recently, several large mutagenesis programs have been initiated to fulfill the burgeoning demand of functional genomics research. Nevertheless, there is a substantial existing mouse mutant resource that can be used immediately. This review summarizes the available information about the loci encoding X-linked phenotypic mutants and variants, including 40 classical mutants and 40 that have arisen from gene targeting.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

The Behavioural Status Index: therapeutic assessment of risk, insight, communication and social skills.

An overview is given of the Behavioural Status Index (BSI), a developing classification instrument offering practical approaches to assessment and therapy surrounding social 'risk'. The approach hypothesizes that social 'risk' presented by a patient tends to correlate inversely with his/her degree of personal insight and capacity to perform well in key communicative and social skills, though no causal claims are made. Evidence exists to suggest that personal insight and communicative and social skills deserve serious consideration in a therapeutic approach to violent and dangerous behaviours. 'Risky' behaviours, as operationalized in the 'risk' subscale of the BSI, insight into the self and its activities, and communicative and social skills, may provide three critical foci for treatment planning in high security psychiatric care. A hypothetical linked factorial structure is proposed.

Behavioral Symptoms↗
PubMed1999

Associations between body weight, psychiatric disorders and body image in female adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The study explored associations between body weight, psychiatric disorders and body image in a nonclinical sample of female adolescents. It was also investigated whether complaints of negative body image could be an indicator of psychiatric morbidity. METHODS: A sample of 136 Swiss female high school students, 15-20 years of age, initially had weight, height and body image (FBeK questionnaire) assessed and were screened for psychiatric morbidity (SSQ). Subsequently, they were assessed using the DIA-X psychiatric interview which generates DSM-IV diagnoses. Univariate, multivariate, regressive and canonical correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS: Being overweight was significantly correlated with a more negative body image (attractiveness/self-confidence). There were also significant correlations between psychiatric diagnoses and unfavorable body image (3 of the 4 FBeK scales). Besides having a more disturbed body image, overweight subjects also evidenced more psychiatric morbidity. The multiple regression analysis revealed that psychiatric disorders had the greatest association with negative body image, followed by age and weight. The canonical correlation indicated that body image, psychiatric disorder, age and weight clearly correlated with one another (R(xy) = 0.43). CONCLUSION: Psychosomatic research should be more concerned about issues of obesity and concurrent psychiatric morbidity and aim to develop preventative as well as therapeutic treatment methods. Physicians should be aware of the associations between obesity, negative body image and psychiatric morbidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The Behavioural Status Index (BSI) some preliminary reliability studies.

This paper reports results of reliability studies for an assessment instrument that has undergone extensive empirical investigation: the Behavioural Status Index. Results indicate acceptable levels of test re-test reliability, item analysis and internal consistency. Inter-rater reliability is reported as equivocal Future empirical studies are discussed.

Bias↗