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PubMedDate not supplied

Breast cancer survivors give voice: a qualitative analysis of spiritual factors in long-term adjustment.

As part of a cross-sectional, quantitative study on adjustment factors in long-term breast cancer survival, 52 women were asked to write in their own words how religious and spiritual factors played a part in their understanding of and coping with this illness. A subsample of 39 women responded to this question. The qualitative method of content analysis was used to define meaning units, descriptive categories and themes from the data. Interpretation of themes in the data focused on the role or function of spiritual/religious factors in long-term adjustment to breast cancer. The majority of women discussed the positive role of various spiritual resources in their response to the experience of cancer, including relationship with God, religious coping activities (e.g. prayer), meaning and social support. A cognitive model of adjustment was proposed which shows how spiritual resources can help breast cancer survivors make meaning of and experience a sense of life affirmation and personal growth in relation to the cancer.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1990

The 60 and 63 kDa proteolytic peptides of the red cell membrane band-3 protein: their prevalence in human and non-human primates.

Three phenotypes based on the polymorphism of band-3 protein from human red cells are described. Limited proteolysis of intact red cells from most individuals (homozygotes) yields a peptide of 60 kDa, but in some cases (heterozygotes), there is also a 63-kDa peptide, and rarely only the single peptide of 63 kDa is found. This is the first description of the 63-kDa homozygote. The interpretation that the three phenotypes are controlled by two alleles of a single autosomal locus, with no dominance, is supported by population and family studies. The frequencies of the allele, which we designate as p63, is 0.041 +/- 0.0068 in Caucasoids and 0.125 +/- 0.0121 in Negroids. The electrophoretic profiles and molecular weights of the peptides obtained with several commercial proteases from Streptomyces griseus are similar to those obtained with chymotrypsin. Whereas band-3 protein in two New-World monkeys (Saimiri and Cebus) resisted pronase attack, an Old-World monkey (Macaca mulatta) was monomorphic for a 63-kDa fragment, and in an ape (Pan troglodytes), a doublet of 62 kDa and 64 kDa was found. Band-3 protein polymorphism appears to be a good marker for genetic differentiation in human populations.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

In support of hierarchy in object representations.

The descriptive minimum principle states that the preferred interpretation of a pattern is reflected by the simplest representation of that pattern. Such a simplest representation generally has a hierarchical structure. The pattern component represented at the highest hierarchical level is said to constitute the "superstructure" of the pattern, and pattern components represented at lower levels are said to constitute the "subordinate" structure. The primed-matching paradigm has been employed in two experiments to test whether superstructures of three-dimensional objects are perceptually more dominant than subordinate structures. In the first experiment, the test pairs consisted of two-dimensional line drawings of three-dimensional objects; each prime was a two-dimensional face of such an object, corresponding to either the superstructure or the subordinate structure. Two priming conditions were employed. In the "literal" condition, the object face was presented as it appeared in the drawing of the object (physical similarity). In the "frontal" condition, the object face was presented in the frontal-parallel plane (representational similarity). Object matching was found to be facilitated more by priming superstructures than by priming subordinate structures. In the second experiment, the order was reversed; the test pairs were composed of the object faces and the object drawings wee taken as primes. Again, there were facilitating effects for both superstructures and subordinate structures, but this time without differentiation between superstructures and subordinate structures.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Comparison of shoe insole materials by neural network analysis.

The effects of two insole materials within the shoe are compared using neural network analysis. Seven male subjects without locomotor disorders walk on a treadmill at a controlled speed and cadence wearing a common shoe and no socks, under three conditions; these are two types of insole of the same thickness, and a no insole condition. Pressure-related data from under the foot, within the shoe, are obtained by the MICRO-EMED system during walking. A back-propagation neural network is trained to associate sets of pressure-related data with the insole conditions. Subsequently neural network analysis is performed to reveal the abstract rules that govern the decision-making processes within the neural network, based on the synergistic interactions between the measured variables. Data are also analysed using ANOVA. The neural network analysis finds trends in the way in which the trained neural network responds. The interpretation of those trends gives a delicate description of the dynamic behaviour of the insoles despite the fact that no significant differences are found using ANOVA. It is concluded that neural network analysis can distinguish between insole behaviour during use, even though these differences are not significantly different based on statistical tests.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Scolex morphology of the cestode Silurotaenia siluri (Batsch, 1786) (Proteocephalidae: Gangesiinae), a parasite of European wels (Silurus glanis).

The morphology of the scolex of the tapeworm Silurotaenica siluri (Batsch, 1786) (Proteocephalidae: Gangesiinae), a specific parasite of European wels (Silurus glanis L.), was studied using light, scanning (SEM), and transmission electron (TEM) microscopy. The scolex of S. siluri is rather uniform in shape and size; it is globular, and has four prominent, anteriorly directed suckers and a spherical, muscular apical organ corresponding to the rostellum of cyclophyllidean cestodes. The rostellum-like apical organ is armed with five to six irregular rows of small hooklets with a wide, oval basal plate and a short, posteriorly curved blade. The excretory system of the scolex is formed by sinuous secondary canals ending blindly beneath the distal layer of the tegument, not opening outside. The surface of the scolex is covered with filiform microtriches; giant spine-like and blade-like microtriches, incorrectly interpreted as spines or hooklets in previous descriptions of S. siluri, are present on the neck region and posterior margins and internal cavities of the suckers. It is assumed that tegumental spines reported in the scolices of other proteocephalideans (subfamilies Acanthotaeniinae and Gangesiinae, genera Spasskyellina and Nomimoscolex) could indeed be spiniform microtriches.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Scapular kinematics during transfers in manual wheelchair users with and without shoulder impingement.

BACKGROUND: Scapular function during humeral elevation has been reported in groups with and without shoulder impingement pathology. To date, no one has assessed scapular kinematics during upper extremity loaded tasks that manual wheelchair users must perform on a daily basis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare scapular kinematics and muscle activation patterns during two different wheelchair transfers in groups of manual wheelchair users with and without shoulder impingement. METHODS: A case controlled study of manual wheelchair users, with and without shoulder impingement was performed. Twenty-three male manual wheelchair users (13 without shoulder impingement, 10 with shoulder impingement) performed transfers toward the involved or dominant limb (lead limb transfer) and away from the instrumented limb (trail limb transfer). Position and orientation measures of the thorax, scapula and humerus were obtained using an electromagnetic tracking system. Muscle activity data were collected using telemetered electromyography. Each subject performed three trials of wheelchair transfers to each side. FINDINGS: Manual wheelchair users with impingement performed transfers with reduced thoracic flexion, increased scapular internal rotation, and increased humeral internal rotation as compared to those without impingement. Differences were found between the tasks in the scapular motions and EMG amplitude. Trail limb transfer presented with reduced scapular upward rotation and posterior tip as compared to the lead limb transfer task. Increased muscle activity for the lower trapezius and serratus anterior muscles was demonstrated in the trail limb transfer. INTERPRETATION: This study provides the first kinematic description of scapular kinematics during transfer tasks. Shoulder impingement and direction of transfer does affect transfer task performance in manual wheelchair users. Scapular kinematics and muscle patterns during transfers may predispose manual wheelchair users to the development of shoulder pathology.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The osteology of the trapezium.

The present anatomical and clinical literature is not detailed enough for a clear understanding of the three-dimensional anatomy of the trapezium. It lacks descriptions of identifiable landmarks needed for the interpretation of two-dimensional radiographs. Fifty dry cadaver trapezia were assessed and an extended surface anatomy described. New consistent landmarks were described and the tubercle of the trapezium was redefined. The incidence of the salient osteological features in Caucasian trapezia was recorded.

Carpal Bones↗

PubMed2005

Efficacy and cognitive side effects of tiagabine and topiramate in patients with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Whereas the efficacy of the newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is well established, there remain questions regarding their cognitive side effects. Therefore, we performed a comparative open randomized trial with TPM and TGB as add-on therapy, with particular consideration of cognition, mood, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: Forty-one patients with refractory epilepsy were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups (TPM vs TGB) and received neuropsychological testing at baseline (T1), after titration (3 months, T2), and during the maintenance phase (another 3 months, T3). Tests included measures of intelligence, attention, working memory, episodic memory, language, and self-report questionnaires regarding mood and HRQOL. Twenty patients (8 TPM, 12 TGB) discontinued the trial for different reasons (no group difference). RESULTS: Seizure outcome (intention-to-treat analysis) was comparably good in both groups (8.1% seizure free, 29.7% seizure reduction>50%). From baseline to after the titration paired sample t tests revealed significant deterioration in verbal fluency, language comprehension, working memory, and visual block tapping under TPM and a deterioration in verbal memory (delayed free recall) in the TGB group. These functions remained stable in the maintenance phase. Self-report measures initially indicated concerns about AED side effects in both groups and concerns about worse cognitive functioning and depression under TPM. In the maintenance phase the TGB group reported feeling a lack of energy, whereas patients on TPM demonstrated improvement on all QOLIE scales on a descriptive level. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the comparable efficacy of TPM and TGB. Consistent with previous reports, TPM but not TGB appears to be associated with persistent negative cognitive side effects on frontal lobe-associated functions, the degree of which may be estimated by the fact that this effect was observed with a very small sample size. In contrast, in patients taking TPM, initially negatively affected HRQOL returns to baseline in the long run on a descriptive level. The latter finding may be interpreted in accordance with the observation that objective performance and subjective self-report under TPM can be dissociated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Complementary spatial locations, width, and disparity.

An alternative analysis is offered for human depth perception in addition to the depth cue of disparity. The new analysis considers locations both proximal and distal to the fixation point and offers an explanation as to why a stimulus presented at one disparity sign may be mistakenly considered to possess the opposite sign. Three descriptions of applications, the Pulfrich phenomenon, an interpretation of the Hornbostel effect (the three-dimensional Necker cube), and the determination of the limits of stereoscopic vision, are discussed. In addition the new analysis discloses a particular advantage of binocular over monocular vision which had not been appreciated formerly. The new analysis offers a powerful analytical tool of simple mathematical form. The means of conversion from the new analysis to and from disparity is included. In addition the similarity between the new approach and the classical lens equation is examined.

Depth Perception↗

PubMed1997

Incidence and detection of thermotolerant and thermophilic fungi from maize with particular reference to Thermoascus species.

A number of thermotolerant and thermophilic fungi were isolated from shipments of food-aid grain, and from large bag stacks of maize stored in sub-Saharan Africa. Thermotolerant fungi included Aspergillus candidus, A. fumigatus, A. flavus and Paecilomyces varioti; thermophilic fungi included Thermomyces lanuginosus, Rhizomucor pusillus, Thermoascus aurantiacus and T. crustaceous. Temperature profiles for Thermoascus spp. indicated that isolates of T. aurantiacus grew up to 60 degrees C, and T. crustaceous to 55 degrees C, whereas Paecilomyces could not grow above 50 degrees C. Thermoascus species isolated from grains conformed to published morphological descriptions. Problems associated with the detection and interpretation of fungal spoilage in relation to heat-damaged grain are discussed.

Ascomycota↗

PubMed1998

Evaluation of diagnostic imaging tests: diagnostic probability estimation.

In the evaluation of a diagnostic imaging test for the diagnosis of a particular illness in a particular category of patients, the test should be construed as leading to a test result in the sense of a set of descriptive readings from the image(s), not interpretation of these; and in the evaluation of the test, therefore, the first challenge is the translation of each test result (set of readings) into the corresponding probability that the illness is present. This interpretive translation should not be subjective, nor should it be based on an objective algorithm founded on clinical judgments. Instead, a suitable diagnostic probability function (of the elements in the test result) should be derived empirically by logistic regression analysis of suitable data. We illustrate this alternative outlook by reanalysis of the data from the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Health screening and random recruitment for cognitive aging research.

A survey of 197 cognitive aging studies revealed infrequent use of structured health assessments and random recruitment. In this study, a health screening questionnarie developed to identify subjects with medical problems that might impair cognition was administered to 315 adults aged 60 and older who were recruited by random digit dialing. On the basis of self-reported medical problems, 35% of the subjects were excluded. Those excluded were older (p less than .001) and tended to be male but did not differ in education from those who passed the screening. Subjects who passed the screening and decided to participate in a neuropsychological research project were younger (p less than .001), better educated (p less than .001), and more likely to be male (p less than .001) than nonparticipants. These findings suggest that careful assessment, selection, and description of subjects is needed to aid interpretation of cognitive aging research. Further attention to health status is needed to aid interpretation of cognitive aging research. Although random recruitment of the elderly is feasible, obtaining representative samples may require stratification on demographic variables.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

[The importance of the phenomenom "imagination" in the scientific work of Werner Janzarik].

This paper in three parts and conclusion begins with the description of Janzarik's progression of thought, which originates in the narrowing of the gap between Jasper's descriptive phenomenology and anthropological phenomenology with its interpretive elements. Janzarik's structural-dynamic psychopathological approach has grown and differentiated from originally relatively narrow psychopathological questions to become an anthropology which aims to describe human assumptions concerning individual development/growth. The experience dimension is the focus, without suppressing interdisciplinary, objective findings, such as the inclusion of ethology. The mere clinical reconstruction of mental processes with all its heuristic risk was characterised by Janzarik as 'pure psychopathology'. In the section concerning structure and representation and their dependence on affect dynamic, we will emphasise the procedural nature of Janzarik's anthropology regarding developmental processes and its relationship to the philosopher Plessner's work in philosophy. The significance of the imagination in Janzarik's work contrasts to other philosophers who regard the imagination as ontological weakness, a deficiency, non-real, Janzarik, like Kant, sees the imagination as a constituent of reality. This will be exemplified in the characterisation of the mental field concerning the structural-dynamic model, the psychopathology of delusion as well as the oneiroid psychopathology. Finally the connection between autopraxis, Janzarik's core concept for the spontaneity of incidences and memory functions, and imagination will be described, which to a certain extent emphasises the working character of imagination for the flow of controlled mental activity. We will finish with the observation that Janzarik's work especially stresses experience and thus also the patient's individuality.

Anthropology↗

PubMed2001

A comprehensive two-hybrid analysis to explore the yeast protein interactome.

Protein-protein interactions play crucial roles in the execution of various biological functions. Accordingly, their comprehensive description would contribute considerably to the functional interpretation of fully sequenced genomes, which are flooded with novel genes of unpredictable functions. We previously developed a system to examine two-hybrid interactions in all possible combinations between the approximately 6,000 proteins of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we have completed the comprehensive analysis using this system to identify 4,549 two-hybrid interactions among 3,278 proteins. Unexpectedly, these data do not largely overlap with those obtained by the other project [Uetz, P., et al. (2000) Nature (London) 403, 623-627] and hence have substantially expanded our knowledge on the protein interaction space or interactome of the yeast. Cumulative connection of these binary interactions generates a single huge network linking the vast majority of the proteins. Bioinformatics-aided selection of biologically relevant interactions highlights various intriguing subnetworks. They include, for instance, the one that had successfully foreseen the involvement of a novel protein in spindle pole body function as well as the one that may uncover a hitherto unidentified multiprotein complex potentially participating in the process of vesicular transport. Our data would thus significantly expand and improve the protein interaction map for the exploration of genome functions that eventually leads to thorough understanding of the cell as a molecular system.

Fungal Proteins↗

PubMed2002

Interdisciplinary meetings: investigating the collaboration between persons with brain injury and treatment teams.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the collaboration that occurs in interdisciplinary team meetings (ITMs) at a post-acute brain injury rehabilitation centre. A qualitative descriptive case study was chosen for its interpretative and naturalistic approach. The study included participant observation of 51 meetings, five interviews, document review of charts and memos, and inductive analyses. Four themes emerged: (1) the ITM transformation ritual (the meetings themselves); (2) the ITM shapers (the case managers); (3) the ITM collaborators (the professional interdisciplinary team members); and (4) the ritual ghosts (surprisingly, the clients). Several patterns of interactions were documented, including subservient clients, lengthy meetings, and client transformation. These findings are discussed within the context of client-centred practice. The results indicate that inclusion of the client in interdisciplinary meetings does not necessarily lead to collaboration. Clinical implications and future research are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Dermal exposure: how to get information.

Risk assessment of chemical substances at the workplace requires information about intrinsic hazards and workers' exposure. At many workplaces health risks from both inhalative and dermal exposure to hazardous substances may occur. Exposure assessment therefore must include both modes of exposure. Very often, qualitative and quantitative information about dermal exposure is lacking. Measurement methods are of questionable quality when applied to monitoring dermal exposure at workplaces and the results are difficult to interpret. A questionnaire was designed for the description of dermal exposure situations taking into account the different factors influencing dermal exposure. In conjunction with an air monitoring survey in German car repair shops the questionnaire was applied by a hygienist. The hands of car mechanics are the most exposed parts of their bodies. The typical duration of tasks (and dermal exposure) was from either 5-10 minutes or up to about 1 hour. This corresponds to typical jobs in car repair shops like inspection and repair, respectively. In some cases other parts of the body are also exposed, for example, the face and forearms. Parts of the body may be covered by wetted or greasy clothes. Only in a few cases do mechanics clean their hands immediately after finishing a task. Normally, hands are cleaned at the end of a shift. The questionnaire was further developed for general application making use of multiple choice entries together with an explanatory manual. The questionnaire is still under development to be applied for a qualitative survey of dermal exposure as part of the European project RISKOFDERM.

Automobiles↗

PubMed1959

Intercellular bridges as protoplasmic anastomoses between smooth muscle cells.

In electron microscopic studies, protoplasmic anastomoses were found to occur between smooth muscle cells in the gastrointestinal tracts of rats. The protoplasmic connections are apparently cylindrical in form and contain cytoplasm having a density similar to that of the cellular regions connected. The membranes enclosing the cytoplasmic connections are continuous with the membranes of the connected cells. These connecting structures have been called intercellular bridges, which is adequately descriptive if emphasis is placed on the interpretation that they represent protoplasmic anastomoses. To emphasize this, the term may be modified; i.e., anastomotic intercellular bridges. In some cellular connections, transverse diffuse lines are seen. These may be interpreted as either disintegrating or reforming plasma membranes which is consistent with the concept that protoplasmic continuity is transitory. Since the animals were dissected under hypothermia, reduction of muscular activity by the chilling may have helped to preserve the structure of existing anastomotic intercellular bridges. The intercellular protoplasmic anastomoses may play a role in the conduction of action potentials from one smooth muscle cell to another.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

An adaptation of the objective structured clinical examination to a final year medical student course in anaesthesia and intensive care.

The Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at the Chinese University of Hong Kong provides a 4 week course in our specialty for final year medical students. Our curriculum covers basic concepts in anaesthesia and intensive care, management of common medical emergencies and the safe performance of basic practical skills. For the last 4 years we have used an adaptation of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination to assess learning. Question stations included the use of manikins to assess practical skills, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway management, identification and description of the use of equipment and interpretation of clinical scenarios and investigations. We believe that our adaptation of the Objective Structural Clinical Examination is better than traditional methods of examination and it has allowed us to identify deficiencies in our teaching methods. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination has been well received by our students and is perceived by them to be a fair reflection of their level of knowledge and skill attainment during the course.

Anesthesiology↗