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Biomedical subjects

W Furman

Publications and source records attributed to W Furman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Five domains of interpersonal competence in peer relationships.

In three studies we investigated the utility of distinguishing among different domains of interpersonal competence in college students' peer relationships. In Study 1 we developed a questionnaire to assess five dimensions of competence: initiating relationships, self-disclosure, asserting displeasure with others' actions, providing emotional support, and managing interpersonal conflicts. Initial validation evidence was gathered. We found that self-perceptions of competence varied as a function of sex of subject, sex of interaction partner, and competence domain. In Study 2 we found moderate levels of agreement between ratings of competence by subjects and their roommates. Interpersonal competence scores were also related in predictable ways to subject and roommate reports of masculinity and femininity, social self-esteem, loneliness, and social desirability. In Study 3 we obtained ratings of subjects' competence from their close friends and new acquaintances. Relationship satisfaction among new acquaintances was predicted best by initiation competence, whereas satisfaction in friendships was most strongly related to emotional support competence. The findings provide strong evidence of the usefulness of distinguishing among domains of interpersonal competence.

Assertiveness↗

Positive, negative, and neutral peer interactions as indicators of children's social competency: the issue of concurrent validity.

Many studies examining the effects of treatments for socially isolated/withdrawn children have used behavioral measures to assess children's peer relations. In an attempt to examine the concurrent validity of these measures, we observed 258 preschool children during free play and coded their interactions into the categories of positive, negative, and neutral behaviors. We also interviewed these children individually, using a sociometric nomination procedure, and asked them to indicate liked and disliked peers. Our examination of the results revealed that, consistent with other research, the correlation between the sociometric measures and the children's total rate of interaction with peers was low. In addition, measures of positive, negative, and neutral behaviors were also only weakly correlated with the children's sociometric scores. We agree with others in concluding that multiple methods of assessment are needed to properly assess the adequacy of children's peer relations.

Child↗

Clinical and biological features predict relapse hazard in childhood acute lymphoid leukemia.

Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the immunobiology, cytogenetic features and potential molecular pathogenetic mechanisms of childhood acute lymphoid leukemias (ALL). Studies of the expression of certain lineage restricted molecules on the surface of or within normal lymphoid cells and their malignant counterparts have been largely responsible for this advance, which has markedly improved the classification of ALL. These studies have disclosed previously unrecognized biologic heterogeneity and have shown that there are several different immunophenotypic subsets of ALL. Some of these subsets differ in their clinical and cytogenetic features, as well as in their responsiveness to modern therapy, underscoring the clinical relevance of such studies. A consideration of all of these features of ALL permits a more accurate assessment of prognosis for children with newly diagnosed disease and has permitted tailoring therapy based on expected relapse hazard. Recent cytogenetic studies have disclosed that clonal abnormalities are present in the blast cells of most children with ALL. Furthermore, such studies have demonstrated increasing numbers of non-random structural anomalies of chromosomes, some of which are specific for certain immunophenotypic species of ALL. Finally, molecular studies of some of these particularly informative cytogenetic anomalies in leukemic cells have suggested that proto-oncogenes are altered and/or activated as a consequence of chromosomal rearrangements.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child↗

Intensified chemotherapy for childhood lymphoblastic leukemia: modifications and results of induction treatment in St. Jude Study XI.

The value of intensified chemotherapy for improving event-free survival rates in childhood lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is now widely accepted among leukemia therapists. Still to be determined are (1) the optimal method of intensification, (2) the subset or subsets of patients for whom such treatment may be excessive, and (3) whether or not cure rates in ALL can be further improved by alternative approaches to intensification. St. Jude Total Therapy Study XI, based on predictions of the Goldie-Coldmand model of drug resistance, addresses some of these questions by use of rotational "non-cross-resistant" drug pairs throughout the course of therapy. A new method of risk classification has been developed to refine distinctions among prognostic subgroups, especially to identify patients with biologically unfavorable ALL. Unacceptable toxicity noted in the first 134 children enrolled in this study led to two protocol modifications. One hundred thirty-two patients have been treated subsequently without undue toxicity. The treatment is now being delivered safely. Our early experience with this regimen demonstrates some of the hazards of intensive multidrug combination treatment, but gains in leukemia control appear to justify this approach.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

A new algorithm for calculation of blood loss in excisional burn surgery.

One hundred and two patients who sustained thermal injury and who underwent 155 excisional procedures were prospectively studied in order to determine an accurate blood loss formula. Blood loss (mean +/- S.D.) is expressed as the percentage of the total blood volume lost for each per cent of body surface area excised and autografted. There was no significant difference between the blood loss for the overall group of procedures (4.1 +/- 0.24) and the various subgroups indicating that the outcome was not influenced by the method, extent or timing of excision or by the use of tourniquets. From the authors' calculations, approximately 196 ml of blood is required for each per cent of body surface area excised and autografted.

Adolescent↗

Acute lymphocytic leukemia in childhood: immunologic marker, cytogenetic, and molecular studies.

Remarkable progress has been achieved in our understanding of the biology of acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) occurring in childhood. Morphologic, immunologic, and cytogenetic studies of ALL have resulted in more accurate classification and risk assessment, permitting tailoring of therapy in this heterogeneous group of diseases. Studies of tumor cell biology have begun to pinpoint genes whose altered functions may be etiologically linked to cancer, and have provided insights into the biochemical processes involved in leukemogenesis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The development of companionship and intimacy.

This study is concerned with the development of companionship and intimacy. Subjects in the second, fifth, and eighth grades (mean ages, respectively, 7.5, 10.4, and 13.4) rated the importance and extent of companionship and intimate disclosure experienced in social life in general and in each of 8 types of relationships. Companionship was perceived as a desired social provision at all 3 grade levels. Family members were important providers of companionship for children in the second and fifth grades, but they became significantly less so in the eighth grade. Same-sex peers were important providers across all 3 grades, and they became increasingly important as children grew older. Opposite-sex peers did not become important as companions until the eighth grade. Counter to expectations, there were no age differences in the global desire for intimacy. Parents were important providers of intimate disclosure for the youngest children, but they were less important among the younger adolescents. There was mixed support for the hypothesis that same-sex friends become important providers of intimacy during preadolescence. Findings were different for boys and girls, suggesting that girls seek intimate disclosure in friendship at younger ages than boys do.

Adolescent↗

Children's perceptions of the qualities of sibling relationships.

Although many studies of family constellations exist, only recently have investigators begun to examine the qualities of sibling relationships. The purpose of the present investigation was to develop a systematic framework for describing and assessing such relationship qualities. In the first study, upper elementary school children were interviewed about their perceptions of the qualities of their sibling relationships. These interviews yielded a list of 15 salient qualities. In the second study, a self-report questionnaire that assessed their perceptions of these qualities was administered to a sample of 198 fifth- and sixth-grade children. A principal components analysis yielded 4 underlying factors: (a) Warmth/Closeness, (b) Relative Status/Power, (c) Conflict, and (d) Rivalry. Relative Status/Power was found to be strongly related to the relative ages of the child and sibling. The other 3 factors were also related to various family constellation variables, but these relations were modest in size. Because family constellation variables and the qualities of sibling relationships are not isomorphic with one another, it is important to study relationship qualities directly, rather than simply examining family constellation variables. Some of the determinants of such qualities are discussed.

Adolescent↗

The effects of social skills training and peer involvement on the social adjustment of preadolescents.

This study examined the effects of social skills training and peer involvement on the peer acceptance of disliked preadolescents. 56 fifth- and sixth-grade children were identified as unaccepted by their peers and deficient in conversational skills. These children were then randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment conditions: (1) conversational skills training (individual coaching), (2) peer involvement under superordinate goals (group experience), (3) conversational skills training combined with peer involvement (group experience with coaching), and (4) a no-treatment control. Differential treatment effects were observed at both a posttreatment and follow-up assessment. As predicted, conversational skills training promoted skill acquisition and increased skillful social interaction. Peer involvement increased peer acceptance and children's self-perceptions of their social efficacy. The results were interpreted in terms of a developmentally based multidimensional model of social competence.

Behavior Therapy↗

Rehabilitation of socially withdrawn preschool children through mixed-age and same-age socialization.

24 socially withdrawn preschool children were located through classroom observations and assigned to 3 conditions: (a) socialization with a younger child during 10 play sessions, (b) socialization with an age mate during a similar series of sessions, and (c) no treatment. The socialization sessions, particularly those with a younger partner, were found to increase the sociability of the withdrawn children in their classrooms. Significant increases occurred mainly in the rate with which positive social reinforcement was emitted. Generally, the results support a leadership deficit theory of social isolation. Possible mechanisms responsible for the observed changes are discussed.

Age Factors↗

The anterior cruciate ligament. A functional analysis based on postmortem studies.

In forty fresh human cadaver knees the function of the anterior cruciate ligament and of its two component parts, the posterolateral part and the anteromedial band, were studied by cutting these ligaments and others in different sequences and combinations and then manually stressing the knees. The anterior drawer sign cannot be obtained unless the anteromedial band is severed. The postolateral part and the medial collateral ligament are, respectively, the secondary and tertiary restraints limiting the anterior drawer sign. Both internal and external rotation are limited by the anterior cruciate ligament, especially when the knee is in extension. The anterior cruciate ligament also limits hyperextension.

Autopsy↗