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PubMed1977

Visual set and anxiety in the Stroop phenomenon.

The effects of a visual set, the Stroop phenomenon, and anxiety--as measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory--upon response latency were examined. Three variations of the set were presented, a color congruent with the response color, a color conflicting with the response color, or no color. Two response conditions were required, reading the color word or reporting the color in which the word was printed. "Reporting the color" had a significantly longer response latency than "reading the word" for all 60 subjects, female volunteers from freshman psychology classes. There was also a significant interaction between anxiety and the Stroop. The medium-anxiety group showed the least discrepancy between the response conditions of the Stroop, indicating the interference effect present in the Stroop phenomenon was least influential for this group. A consistent though not significant difference between the congruent set and conflicting set conditions for the color response as opposed to the word response indicated that, when the set is similar to the response, it is more influential than when it is unrelated.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Factors influencing the selection of dental hygiene as a profession.

Since the mid-1970s, the dental hygiene profession has experienced a decline in the number of applicants. Reasons cited for this decline are fewer traditional college-age students, an increase in the career opportunities available to women, and a decrease in student financial aid. Four-year dental hygiene programs have experienced applicant decline faster than two-year programs. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that influenced university freshmen to designate dental hygiene as a career choice. Factors examined included reasons for choosing or not choosing a career in dental hygiene, and retention in the college major chosen. A questionnaire was mailed to three groups of students who entered the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as freshmen from 1985 through 1987: (1) all students who designated dental hygiene as a major on their entrance application; (2) a random sample who did not; and (3) all the freshman during that time period who subsequently matriculated into the dental hygiene program. The overall response rate was 78% (n = 80). Subjects began to explore career opportunities at a mean age of 16. Having a family member/friend in the selected field was found to be the most influential factor in career selection. Among dental hygiene students, contact with a dental hygienist was perceived to be influential in their career choice. Entering college freshmen exhibited a lack of knowledge about the dental hygiene profession, and most had not received any information about dental hygiene in high school. These findings can be used to develop recruitment strategies.

Adult↗

PubMed1977

Prolactin and murine mammary tumorigenesis: a review.

It is unequivocal that prolactin is an influential hormone in murine mammary tumorigenesis. The Berenblum hypothesis (7), a well-known theoretical model of tumorigenesis that depicts this oncogenic process as a two-step mechanism, i.e., initiation and promotion, is a conceptual scheme in which the action of prolactin in mammary tumorigenesis may be understood. According to this conceptual model, prolactin would participate in both the initiation and promotion steps of mammary tumorigenesis, In the initiation phase, variations in prolactin secretion appear to influence the metabolism of the mammary epithelium, so that the epithelium would be either more receptive to or refractory to an initiating agent (e.g., chemical carcinogen, physical carcinogens, oncogenic viruses, ets.) i.e., a permissive action. In the promotion phase, prolactin may act as either a promoter or an antipromoter of the "transformed" mammary epithelium. In promotion, the hormone may either directly or indirectly (via the ovary) stimulate mitotic activity of the "transformed" epithelium. In antipromotion the hormone, in the presence of requisite hormones (e.g., glucocorticoids), may synergistically induce differentiation (e.g., lactation) in the "transformed" epithelium. A tumor would result in the former (promotion) but not in the latter (antipromotion) case. Whether or not prolactin is significantly influential in human breast tumorigenesis remains to be determined. This is an extremely important area of research which is justifiably receiving increased attention. For if prolactin can be shown to influence human breast epithelium in a manner similar to its effect on rodent mammary tissue, then prophylactic and/of chemotherapeutic control of human breast tumorigenesis may be feasible by appropriate drug-mediated prolactin suppression.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Factors influencing the survival of amalgam restoration in Bangkok metropolitan school children].

The purpose of this study was to find out the factors influenced on the survival of amalgam dental restoration. The study population was the amalgam restoration of 726 molar teeth, 3 restoration types, cavity class I, class I other surface and class I compound, of Bangkok Metropolitan school children aged 6-12 years. The data showed how the survival of restoration placed in teeth varied with the restoration aged ranging 6-30 months. The result indicated that there were 48.10% of broken filling and 19.42% of secondary caries. The rate of broken filling was significantly related to the child age at the time of treatment, the restoration age, the surface texture of the restoration and the restoration type (p less than 0.01). As for the rate of secondary caries, there were significant correlation with the surface texture of the filling, the restoration type and the factor "broken filling" (p less than 0.01). By means of the linear multiple regression, it told us explicitly about the magnitude of the relation that the surface texture of the filling was the major influential factor which could predict the variance of broken filling about 18.29% while the broken filling was also the major influential factor which could predict the variance of secondary caries about 7.93%.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of an educational program on physician cancer control knowledge and activities.

Continuing medical education (CME) programs are a common way for physicians to keep up with new developments in medical care. CME has been criticized as poorly evaluated at best and ineffective at worst. Proposed modifications in the traditional CME format include a role for influential peers, physician discussion groups, and self-formulated contracts. As part of a project that is testing methods to improve primary care physician cancer control performance, we provided an eight-hour educational program that included these proposed modifications and that addressed early detection of breast, cervical, and colon cancer and counseling on nutrition and smoking cessation. Physician knowledge improved after the program in four of the five content areas. In addition, physicians reported significant increases in their cancer control activities after six months. We conclude that cancer control CME programs that use interactive discussion groups, influential peers, and self-formulated contracts are feasible, well received by physicians, and result in improvements in knowledge and self-reported cancer control behavior.

Education, Medical, Continuing↗

PubMed1989

Factor analysis for the presence of serum HBV DNA in chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

To elucidate the role of HBeAg and other influential factors for the presence of serum HBV DNA and their interactions, serum HBV DNA was examined in 68 patients with chronic HBV infections and 23 HBsAg negative persons by molecular hybridization. Based on the univariate analysis, the positive rate of HBV DNA was higher in patients with HBeAg (31/43, 72.1%) than in patients with anti-HBe (5/22, 22.7%) with an odd ratio of 8.78. The positive rates of HBV DNA between men and women were not significantly different, and the positive rates of HBV DNA were not related to the SGPT levels. The mean age of patients without HBV DNA was higher than that of patients with HBV DNA (p value less than 0.025), and the positive rate and concentration of HBV DNA were decreased with increasing age (p value less than 0.005). The positive rates of serum HBV DNA among different histological changes were not statistically different. However, the discordance of HBV DNA and HBeAg/anti-HBe was increased when the liver parenchymal damage became severe (p less than 0.05). Only 5 patients were anti-D positive and 3 of them had serum HBV DNA. To exclude interactions of the influential factors, multivariate analysis was also performed. HBeAg was the only significant factor for the presence of serum HBV DNA when logistic regression was used (p less than 0.001). The age was an important factor when the concentration of serum HBV DNA was considered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

The effects of surface configuration on the retentive properties of parallel-sided dowels cemented with a composite luting agent.

Factors which have effect on the retention of any dowel include the shape, length, diameter, and surface configuration of the dowel, the cementing medium, precision fitness and material, etc. The shape and surface configuration are the most important among all factors. Recent developments of the etching technique for cast metal has improved the bonding strength between base metal alloys and composite cement which offers a great opportunity for better retention of the dowel if its surface has been etched. In the past, because it has often been ignored that the bonding at the cement-dentin interface is weaker than that between the metal and cement, the true impact of surface configuration and cement thickness on the retention of dowels has never really been observed. In this study, plastic transparent rods were substituted for natural teeth to avoid anatomical variation and circular horizontal grooves were placed on the channel walls to strengthen the retention between the cement and the plastic rods. A total of 140 dowel samples were cast in Rexillium III and were divided into seven groups. The surfaces of the samples were treated differently by smoothing, sandblasting, chemical etching, electrolytic etching and serrating, and fixed into the channels of the plastic rods by cementation with composite resin. Immediately thereafter, the samples were submerged in 37 degrees C water for 7 days. Instron crosshead speed 1 mm/min was used in measuring the tensile forces required for extracting the dowels from the channels. Data were analyzed with the ANOVA method. Among the three factors known to have an effect on the retention being considered in this study, the circular horizontal groove proved to be the most influential, and surface configuration came next, while cement thickness was the least influential. Among the different surface configurations, the serrated dowels showed the best retention and were followed in order by etched and smooth or sandblasted dowels.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed1988

Informal communication networks and change in physicians' practice behavior.

This study used influential physicians to disseminate information concerning the advantages of developing and using computer-stored personal order sets with a hospital information system. The results indicate that continuing medical education delivered through influential physicians is an effective way of changing physicians' practice behavior.

Communication↗

PubMed1988

Parental educational background and residency training selection of minority and nonminority medical students.

The subject of background variables influential in the choice of postgraduate medical specialty training has been described in numerous papers. Few, if any, have examined the influential patterns in minority students' residency training selection when compared with nonminority students. No studies reviewed examined the differential patterns that may have an impact on specialty selection in these subgroups, especially in regard to maternal and paternal educational status. This study analyzes the interrelationship between minority and nonminority medical students, their parental educational background, and selection of postgraduate specialty, and suggests that parental educational background be investigated further as a predicative indicator of medical student specialty career selection.

Career Choice↗

PubMed1988

The first American case of myasthenia gravis.

Reported here is an account of the illness of Indian Chief Opechankanough (died 1644), which may represent the first recognized case of myasthenia gravis. Historical publications based on colonial correspondence with England are the sources for this article. To my knowledge, this is the first article in the medical historical literature to mention this famous and influential Indian. Historical accounts state that Opechankanough was so weak as to be unable to walk, making it necessary that he be carried about on a litter. Moreover, his eyelids were so weak they had to be raised by his attendants. Additionally, a hint of improvement in this weakness after rest is suggested by one historical account. The differential diagnosis of Chief Opechankanough's weakness is discussed. The historical setting of this famous chief in Colonial America and Colonial Virginia is described, as well.

Famous Persons↗

PubMed1989

The dream king's psychiatrist Bernhard von Gudden (1824-1886). A life committed to rationality.

Bernhard von Gudden's life is commemorated as being exemplary for a generation of physicians who in the last century established some of the still valid approaches of modern neuroanatomy, neurology, and psychiatry. His personal contribution to neuroanatomy was the experimental method, major technical advances, and the clarification of the fiber course in the optic chiasm. As a psychiatrist he introduced the humanitarian principle of "no restraint" to German asylums. Although he did not attempt to develop a systematic nosology, he nevertheless founded an influential school of psychiatrists (eg, Forel, Kraepelin, and Nissl). For many years Gudden served as consulting psychiatrist to Bavaria's royal family and drowned together with his patient, King Ludwig II, whose sanity had been questioned.

Germany↗

PubMed1977

The offspring of schizophrenics. II. Perinatal factors and IQ.

Within a sample of 60 children of schizophrenic parents, IQ and the correlates of IQ were examined. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children was administered at age 7. The offspring of parents with schizophrenia were found to have a slightly lower IQ than their matched controls. This deficit could be attributed entirely to the male offspring. Using a second comparison group numbering several thousand, we computed correlations for various perinatal and socioeconomic factors with seven-year IQ. These correlations were also computed for the children of schizophrenics, and the difference in correlations was examined. IQs for the offspring of "continuous schizophrenics" (chronic, borderline, and chronic schizo-affective schizophrenics) were found to have lower correlations with socioeconomic indices and higher correlations, in a negative direction, with certain perinatal events. The findings were found to a lesser, nonsignificant degree among the small sample of offspring of acute schizophrenics. If these perinatal events are more negatively correlated with IQ because the children of continuous schizophrenics are specifically susceptible to them, it is possible that these factors are also influential in the later development of schizophrenia.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1988

Civil commitment in the psychiatric emergency room. III. Disposition as a function of mental disorder and dangerousness indicators.

In 251 evaluations observed in five California public psychiatric emergency rooms, patients who were retained, whether new to the system or having histories of hospitalization, rated higher on measures of danger to self, danger to others, and grave disability than patients who were released. They were also more severely symptomatic and more often given major diagnoses. The combination of dangerousness and mental disorder predicted disposition for 93% of new patients and 88% of recidivist patients. Impulsivity was the most influential aspect of mental disorder.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Why surgeons prefer not to care for trauma patients.

A survey of the Washington State Chapter of the American College of Surgeons was undertaken to document the opinions of surgeons on trauma care issues. Thirty-nine percent of the total sample of surgeons who responded would prefer not to treat any trauma patients. These surgeons were more likely to be older, to practice in an urban setting, to feel that trauma call has a negative impact on elective practice, and to believe more strongly that reimbursement from trauma patients is not equal to that of nontrauma patients. They also agreed more strongly with the statements that these patients require a greater time commitment and pose an increased medicolegal risk. The most significant influence on preference not to treat trauma patients was exerted by the perception of a negative impact on practice, older age, and perception of increased medicolegal risk. Reimbursement issues and location of practice were less influential factors. This information can be used to target concerns and barriers to active, willing participation in a trauma care system and to tailor strategies to deal with them effectively.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Genetics and cytogenetics of pediatric cancers.

It is clear that genetic factors play an important role in the development of some human cancers. These factors may be particularly influential in the pediatric age group because environmental exposures have been minimal. Several pediatric solid tumors, including retinoblastoma and Wilms' tumor, are hereditary. Specific constitutional chromosome abnormalities have been found in these patients, thus implicating certain gene regions as being involved in tumorigenesis. Molecular genetic studies have provided insight into the events occurring at the DNA level in these gene regions. The role of genetics in the development of sporadic pediatric malignancies is also beginning to be elucidated as specific acquired chromosome abnormalities are being discovered in the malignant cells of these otherwise karyotypically normal individuals. This paper will review selected hereditary and nonhereditary pediatric cancers that demonstrate the importance of genetic considerations in the diagnosis and management of children with cancer.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1989

Cytogenetic findings and prognosis in neuroblastoma with emphasis on marker chromosome 1.

The relationship between cytogenetic findings and prognosis in 51 pediatric patients with neuroblastoma is described. Patients were classified into the following four groups based on karyotypic findings: (1) near diploidy, 42 to 47 chromosomes (n = 11); (2) hyperdiploidy, 50 to 56 chromosomes (n = 4); (3) near triploidy, 60 to 77 chromosomes (n = 33); and (4) hypotetraploidy, 80 to 83 chromosomes (n = 3). Patients with near diploid or hypotetraploid karyotypes also had several structural abnormalities including marker chromosome 1, with or without double minutes (DM) or homogeneously staining regions (HSR). Most of these patients were 1 year of age or older and had advanced tumors. The patients who were in the hyperdiploid or near triploid category had few structural abnormalities; all of them, except one, were younger than 1 year of age, had localized tumors, and are long-term, disease-free survivors. Kaplan-Meier analysis of survival rates disclosed a significant difference favoring the latter group (P less than 0.001). N-myc gene amplification was found in five patients of the former group but in no patients of the latter group. The presence or absence of DM or HSR in the former group had no statistically demonstrable effect on survival. However, the presence of marker chromosome 1 appears to indicate a poor prognosis. Five patients with Stage IV-S disease had near triploid abnormalities similar to findings in patients with localized tumors. We propose that localized and Stage IV-S neuroblastomas can be classified as one disease category, and that patients with near diploid or hypotetraploid karyotypes are clinically distinct from those having hyperdiploid or near triploid karyotypes. We consider that chromosomal pattern is a more influential prognostic factor than age, disease stage, or N-myc gene amplification.

Child↗

PubMed1990

A standard dose of radiation for "microscopic disease" is not appropriate.

Elective irradiation of sites of potential occult tumor spread is often part of a patient's radiation therapy program. The required radiation dose (D) depends on the probability that occult disease exists (P(occ)), the number of sites at risk (A), the number of tumor clonogens present (Ni), their radiation sensitivity, and the desired control rate. An exponential model of cell survival is used to quantify the importance of these factors. Control Probability = [1 - Pocc x (1 - e-Ni x (SF2)D/2)]A; SF2 = surviving fraction after 2 Gy. Implications for clinical radiation therapy include: 1. Since the number of clonogens in an occult site may vary from 10 degrees to 10(8), Ni is the major determinant of the required dose. The intrinsic radiation sensitivity of the clonogens (SF2) is also extremely important in determining the dose. Other factors are less influential since they vary less. 2. The variability of Ni (8 logs) is larger than the variation in cell number seen with gross disease (1 cm3 versus 1000 cm3, 3 logs). When Ni approximately 10(8), the required dose approaches that needed for small volume gross disease (10(9) cells, 1 cm3). 3. The dose prescribed to elective sites should reflect the risk of occult disease based on the primary tumor site, stage, and grade. 4. Regions where clinicoradiologic evaluation is difficult (e.g., pelvis and obese neck) require higher doses because macroscopic tumor deposits may exist. 5. Relatively low doses (10 to 30 Gy) are often thought to be inadequate for microscopic tumor. However, similar doses have been reported to sterilize microscopic tumor in ovarian, rectal, bladder, breast, and head and neck carcinomas. Relatively low doses should not be discounted since they may be useful in select cases when normal tissue tolerances and/or previous irradiation treatment limit the radiation dose.

Cell Survival↗

PubMed1979

Training, role models, and research activity among clinical psychologists.

Compared clinical psychologists (N = 270) with high and low publication rates through questionnaire responses. Highs report dissertation experiences more positively influenced their research motivation. Although the most influential professor in both groups was typically clinical, more highs found the professor emphasized another orientation, particularly empirical research, over clinical expertise. Highs report more time available, collaboration opportunities, and organizational acceptance for their research. Both groups favor empirical methods, although highs and lows agree that a small proportion of psychological research makes a significant contribution. Individual preferences probably interact with situational characteristics, both in training and work settings, to determine research activity.

Academic Dissertations as Topic↗