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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

An implantable bolus infusion pump for use in freely moving, nontethered rats.

One of the current constraints on functional neuroimaging in animals is that to avoid movement artifacts during data acquisition, subjects need to be immobilized, sedated, or anesthetized. Such measures limit the behaviors that can be examined, and introduce the additional variables of stress or anesthetic agents that may confound meaningful interpretation. This study provides a description of the design and characteristics of a self-contained, implantable microbolus infusion pump (MIP) that allows triggering of a bolus injection at a distance in conscious, behaving rats that are not restrained or tethered. The MIP is externally triggered by a pulse of infrared light and allows in vivo bolus drug delivery. We describe application of this technology to the intravenous bolus delivery of iodo[(14)C]antipyrine in a freely moving animal, followed immediately by lethal injection, rapid removal of the brain, and analysis of regional cerebral blood flow tissue radioactivity with the use of autoradiography. The ability to investigate changes in brain activation in nonrestrained animals makes the MIP a powerful tool for evaluation of complex behaviors.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Lead editorial: trials - using the opportunities of electronic publishing to improve the reporting of randomised trials.

This editorial introduces the new online, open access, peer-reviewed journal Trials. The journal considers manuscripts on any aspect of the design, performance, and findings of randomised controlled trials in any discipline related to health care, and also encourages the publication of protocols. Trialists will be able to provide the necessary detail for a true and complete scientific record. They will be able to communicate not only all outcome measures, as well as varying analyses and interpretations, but also in-depth descriptions of what they did and honest reflections about what they learnt. Trials also encourages articles covering generic issues related to trials, for example focussing on the design, conduct, analysis, interpretation, or reporting.

Editorial↗
PubMed1977

Experimenter prestige and feedback related to acceptance of genuine personality interpretations and self-attitude.

The present study examined the relationship between the prestige of the diagnostician and subjects' (a) personal validation of genuine, test-based personality evaluations and (b) pre- and postfeedback changes in self-attitudes. It was found that (a) subjects in all conditions rated the interpretations as being fairly accurate descriptions of their personalities; (b) the acceptance of the feedback did not vary as a function of experimenter prestige; and (c) receiving personality feedback had no effects on subjects' self-attitudes. This latter finding was examined from the viewpoint of social judgment theory.

Feedback↗
PubMed1993

Approaches to evaluating reproductive hazards and risks.

Development of approaches to risk assessment for reproductive toxicity has aided in the critical evaluation of the scientific basis for interpretation of data and the description of assumptions underlying the process. In addition, it has helped to standardize, to the extent possible, the use of qualitative and quantitative data in the hazard identification and dose-response processes and to identify research needed to fill gaps in the available database. The standard study protocols for evaluating reproductive and developmental hazards include developmental toxicity studies and both short-term and longer-term reproductive studies. These study protocols have been in use for several decades, but development of risk assessment approaches has prompted the recommendation of additional end point measures to these protocols. These include evaluation of specific neurologic and behavioral function of offspring following prenatal and postnatal exposure, evaluation of sperm production and quality, reproductive organ weights, and more in-depth testicular histopathology in males, as well as measures of age at vaginal opening, vaginal cytology, oocyte toxicity, time to mating, gestation length, and reproductive organ weights in females. Current approaches to risk assessment in reproductive toxicity involve the determination of a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and the application of uncertainty factors (UFs) to account for differences between the experimental animal species and humans, variability in sensitivity within the human population, and other factors as necessary to derive the reference dose (RfD), or a specified RfD for developmental toxicity to account for the short period of exposure required.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Do the print media "hype" genetic research? A comparison of newspaper stories and peer-reviewed research papers.

BACKGROUND: The public gets most of its information about genetic research from the media. It has been suggested that media representations may involve exaggeration, called "genohype." To examine the accuracy and nature of media coverage of genetic research, we reviewed the reporting of single-gene discoveries and associated technologies in major daily newspapers in Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Australia. METHODS: We used neutral search terms to identify articles about gene discoveries and associated technologies hosted on the Dow Jones Interactive and Canadian NewsDisk databases from January 1995 to June 2001. We compared the contents, claims and conclusions of the scientific journal article with those of the associated newspaper article. Coders subjectively assigned the newspaper articles to 1 of 3 categories: moderately to highly exaggerated claims, slightly exaggerated claims or no exaggerated claims. We used classification tree software to identify the variables that contributed to the assignment of each newspaper article to 1 of the 3 categories: attention structure (positioning in the newspaper and length of the article), authorship, research topic, source of information other than the scientific paper, type and likelihood of risks and benefits, discussion of controversy, valuation tone (positive or negative), framing (e.g., description of research, celebration of progress, report of economic prospects or ethical perspective), technical accuracy (either omissions or errors that changed the description of the methods or interpretation of the results) and use of metaphors. RESULTS: We examined 627 newspaper articles reporting on 111 papers published in 24 scientific and medical journals. Only 11% of the newspaper articles were categorized as having moderately to highly exaggerated claims; the majority were categorized as having no claims (63%) or slightly exaggerated claims (26%). The classification analysis ranked the reporting of risks as the most important variable in determining the categorization of newspaper articles. Only 15% of the newspaper articles and 5% of the scientific journal articles discussed costs or risks, whereas 97% of the newspaper articles and 98% of the scientific journal articles discussed the likelihood of benefits of the research. INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest that the majority of newspaper articles accurately convey the results of and reflect the claims made in scientific journal articles. Our study also highlights an overemphasis on benefits and under-representation of risks in both scientific and newspaper articles. The cause and nature of this trend is uncertain.

Biomedical Research↗
PubMed2006

When a patient commits suicide: an empirical study of psychoanalytic clinicians.

Twelve psychoanalysts/psychoanalytic psychotherapists who had a patient commit suicide while in treatment, or shortly after leaving treatment, were interviewed to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of patient suicide on the clinician. A phenomenological research interview was used to gather data, and a psychoanalytic lens was used to interpret the data, generating a descriptive account of the experience of having a patient commit suicide. Thematic analysis of the transcripts yielded eight common themes associated with the clinician's subjective experience of having a patient suicide. The eight themes may be broadly grouped into three general structures: I. Traumatic loss and grief; II. Interpersonal relationships; and III. Professional identity concerns.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2002

[The sexual life of Danes illuminated by population studies].

The sexual life is multitudinous and sexual dysfunctions should be interpreted in this complexity. Broader descriptive sexological studies based on normal populations are thus of relevance in medical science. The aim of this review was to describe existing Danish studies on sexuality in normal populations. A total of 34 studies based on a representative material were identified. However, only three studies were nationwide, including both genders and several age groups. The studies elucidate sex education, sexual activity, and sexual practices in regard to risk behavior related to AIDS, whereas sexual desire is is insufficiently examined. In several studies, the frequency of sexual dysfunctions has been examined, but most studies have methodological shortcomings. This review demonstrates the need for representative, national cross-sectional studies and prospective studies in the area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

A comparison of the effects of two antiseptic agents on Staphylococcus epidermidis colony forming units at the peritoneal dialysis catheter exit site.

Peritonitis is the most common complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epi), a common skin organism, is the microorganism that is identified is the majority of episodes of peritonitis. The PD catheter breaks the natural skin barrier and allows a periluminal migration of bacteria from the skin surface into the sterile peritoneal cavity. Exit site care is routinely performed to decrease the colony counts of microorganisms on the skin surrounding the PD catheter. Research data is limited to support any of the currently used protocols for exit site care. This study compared the effect of two antiseptic agents, povidone-iodine (P-I) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CG), on S. epi colony forming units (cfu) at the PD catheter exit site over a 24 hour period. Because the distribution of the research data was markedly non-normal, a descriptive approach was used to interpret the data. Results showed that there was no difference between P-I and CG immediately after exit site care. All patients had zero growth at Time I. One trend that emerged was that at 24 hours after exit site care with P-I, more patients (54%) had S. epi cfu than did patients (15%) cleaned with CG.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Three-dimensional medical imaging modalities: an overview.

Three-dimensional medical imaging modalities are reviewed with respect to their underlying science, data-gathering procedure, data interpretation, and image quality. A description of the main components of each data-gathering system is provided, and a brief history of the development of each modality is presented.

Diagnostic Imaging↗
PubMed1985

[Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome. Current status of tic disease].

Two French physicians, J.M.G. Itard (1774-1838), then G. Gilles de la Tourette (1857-1904), have individualized a syndrome which has now been universally recognized for almost a century. Modern clinical studies conducted in the United States on a large number of patients have confirmed and completed Gilles de la Tourette's excellent description based on 9 cases. Interpreted at first as psychological, these "caricatures of natural acts" (J.M. Charcot) have given rise to numerous experimental studies in search of a possible imbalance of neurotransmitters. The inconstant or contradictory results obtained so far do not provide a coherent explanation. With its bizarre and disconcerting symptoms, the Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome compromises the social life of the patients throughout childhood and adulthood. Physicians should be able to diagnose the syndrome in order to help these patients, whose mental capacities remain unimpaired.

Dopamine↗
PubMed1994

International standardization in renal allograft biopsy reporting: a model for a new approach to renal pathology.

As we prepare to enter a new century it is reasonable to ask whether our current classification system of renal pathology and descriptive approach to renal biopsy interpretation will be appropriate to the medicine of the future. Assessment of that special category of acute renal failure represented by early post-transplant biopsies is becoming much more quantitative, therapy-oriented, and pathogenesis-based. It would be highly beneficial to the field if similar changes occurred in our approach to native kidney biopsies. We need to provide tighter linkage between exciting new developments in the research laboratory and the clinical practice of renal pathology. In a field largely limited to traditional empirical therapies, we need to be developing new pathogenesis-oriented therapeutic approaches to native kidney disease based on the results of enlightened renal pathology research.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1994

New approaches to renal biopsy assessment in acute renal failure: extrapolation from renal transplantation.

Although frequently considered synonymous with acute tubular necrosis, acute renal failure may be brought about by primary disease in any of the four histologic components of the kidney: glomerular, tubular, interstitial, or vascular. It is reasonable to ask whether our current classification system of renal pathology and descriptive approach to renal biopsy interpretation in this setting is optimal. Assessment of renal transplant biopsies performed in the setting of acute dysfunction is becoming much more quantitative, therapy-oriented, pathogenesis-based, and standardized. It would be highly beneficial to the field if similar changes occurred in the approach to native kidney biopsies in acute renal failure. Tighter linkage should be established between promising new developments in the research laboratory and the clinical practice of renal pathology with creation of therapy-oriented classifications which employ standardized quantitative lesion assessment. In a field largely limited to traditional empirical therapies, new pathogenesis-oriented therapeutic approaches to native kidney acute renal failure and allied conditions should be developed based on the products of enlightened renal pathology research.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1996

Use of large databases for resolving critical care problems.

Large databases allow for rapid access to large volumes of data. To convert raw data to information, large numbers of data points must be correlated into a descriptive pattern that can be interpreted by the user. Databases must be constructed so as to allow reliable extraction of the raw data into a format that supports analysis of events in a meaningful, objective, and reproducible manner. Databases must be responsive to a variety of users. They must not demand unrealistic amounts of effort on those responsible for data entry. Standard protocols in various stages of development will make databases easier to use and more reliable. Database management tools such as the Internet and the National Library of Medicine will become more integrated into the practice of critical care medicine at all levels, including administration, clinical care, and research. This article provides an overview of the capabilities and difficulties associated with large databases. The major areas of use of large databases in the hospital setting are administration, bibliographic, patient care, research, and education. Each of these areas has different requirements and is supported by different types of databases. The advantages and disadvantages of linear, relational, and object-oriented databases are discussed. Issues relating to methods of data entry and the accuracy and reliability of data are discussed. The challenges involving integration of various sources of data and the interfacing of devices are reviewed.

Critical Care↗
PubMed1997

[Harmonization of the assessment of outcomes, predictors and costs as well as testing for gender-specific differences in rehabilitation research].

The scientific program "Rehabilitation Research in Germany" includes as a priority topic the evaluation of the effectiveness of rehabilitation regarding return to work. Controlled intervention studies with randomized allocation to treatment and a minimum follow-up of six to twelve months after rehabilitation are of primary importance. It is also recommended that the studies should include economic aspects and consider gender differences. Another request is harmonization of studies with respect to methods, assessment tools, and implementation to improve the relevance of the studies and to allow for combining the results. The authors respond to this request. They make proposals for harmonizing the assessment of outcomes, predictors, and costs as well as for testing gender differences in intervention studies. The proposals address the rehabilitation research networks and aim to provide a basis of discussion and to initiate the necessary consensus finding between the networks. Proposals include (1) a taxonomy of outcomes and predictors for rehabilitation and recommendations for generic assessment tools which allow for data-pooling of studies; (2) a concept for the pre-post and follow-up measurement and recommendations concerning the time interval on which evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of rehabilitation or treatment modalities should be based; (3) descriptions of the content and interpretation of the self assessment instruments which are recommended for cross study comparisons; (4) a procedure to assess the direct and indirect costs, i.e. costs of treatments and costs of disease consequences, which considers especially the assessment of rehabilitative services and their monetary evaluation; (5) provisions for ensuring representativeness of women in intervention studies and procedures for testing differences in treatment outcomes between women and men; (6) a procedure to reach harmonization by establishing a coordination committee including representatives of the research networks, and by using well-established methods such as consensus conferences.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2006

Inducing a benign interpretational bias reduces trait anxiety.

If negative interpretational bias causes emotional vulnerability, reduction of this bias should reduce proneness to anxiety. High trait-anxious volunteers were trained over four sessions to resolve descriptions of ambiguous events in an increasingly positive manner. This group subsequently made more positive interpretations of novel descriptions than did those in a test-retest control condition. Furthermore, trait anxiety scores reduced more in the trained group than in untrained controls. These results confirm earlier findings that modifying interpretation biases produces congruent changes in emotional vulnerability, and suggest a possible role for similar training methods in controlling pathological anxiety.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1998

Radiologists' review of radiographs interpreted confidently by emergency physicians infrequently leads to changes in patient management.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether radiologists' review of radiographs is unwarranted when emergency physicians are confident in their interpretations. METHODS: This was a prospective, descriptive study. Treating emergency physicians at a high-volume, urban teaching hospital and a moderate-volume nonteaching hospital indicated their confidence or lack of confidence in their plain-film radiographic study interpretations. All radiographs were then reviewed by radiologists according to the preexisting practice of each hospital. A total of 16,410 emergency department radiographic studies were included, comprising consecutive patients at each hospital. Charts of all discordant readings in the confident group were reviewed and judged clinically significant if treatment was altered. Charges for radiologic review of the confident ED interpretations were calculated. RESULTS: The ED physicians were confident in 9,599 sets of radiographs out of a total of 16,410 (58%). Discordant interpretation rates for the "confident" and "not confident" groups were 1.2% and 3.1%, respectively (difference, 1.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] of the difference, 1.44% to 2.36%). Review of the 118 discordant interpretations in the confident group demonstrated that 11 were significant. Few management changes were made as a result of radiologists' review of these radiographs. Total radiology review charges for the confident group were $215,338. Therefore the average radiology charge for each significant discordant interpretation was $19,576. CONCLUSIONS: Of 9,599 sets of radiographs interpreted confidently by the emergency physicians in this study, there were 11 clinically significant discordant interpretations (0.1%). The standard practice of radiologists' review of all ED radiographs may not be justifiable.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Successor states in a four-state ambiguous figure.

The satiation theory of ambiguous figures holds that interpretation shifts are caused by fatigue of neural arrangements responsible for the prevailing interpretation. A four-state multistable figure is introduced, in which two depicted cubes can be seen as connected or unconnected and as facing up or facing down. Observers viewed the figure for 4 min. When descriptive labels were used for the interpretations, shifts to interpretations that shared neither dimension were significantly more frequent than shifts that conserved orientation or connection/disconnection. However, all types of transitions were equally likely when arbitrary letter codes were used, implying that the putatively fatigued assemblies can be dedicated to whole figures or to their characteristics, depending on observer expectations.

Adult↗