PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Mass Behavior”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources

Recent weight changes and weight cycling as predictors of subsequent two year weight change in a middle-aged cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of recent weight changes (weight gain, loss and cycling) on subsequent weight changes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with 2 y of follow-up. Data analysis with a polytomous logistic regression model. SUBJECTS: A total of 18 001 non-smoking subjects, 6689 men and 11 312 women, from the general population. MEASUREMENTS: Body height and weight measurements and interview data on lifestyle habits and medical history at baseline. For follow-up, self-administered questionnaires for assessment of body weight and incident diseases. RESULTS: Recent changes in body weight, that is weight gain, weight loss and weight cycling, were significant predictors of subsequent weight changes in both men and women after controlling for age, baseline BMI and several lifestyle and behavioural characteristics as potential confounding factors. Weight cycling before baseline was the strongest predictor of subsequent large weight gain (> or =2 kg) with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.34-7.02) in men. In women, prior weight loss was the strongest predictor of subsequent large weight gain (OR 4.77; 95% CI 3.63-6.03), followed by weight cycling (OR 3.02; 95% CI 2.15-4.25). CONCLUSION: These data indicate the need for thorough weight history assessment to identify those who are most likely to gain weight. Effective weight control before the development of obesity or after intentional weight loss due to obesity should be a primary goal in the management of obesity.

Adolescent↗

Behavioral auditory assessment of young infants: methodological limitations or natural lack of auditory responsiveness?

The determination of auditory thresholds by means of behavioral techniques in young infants can be difficult. This could be the result of limitations in methodology, a lack of observable auditory responsiveness, or both. In the current study, 2- and 4-month old infants were tested under enhanced conditions for obtaining behavioral responses (i.e., salient auditory stimuli, reduced visual distractions, reinforced correct responses). A two-interval, forced-choice task with four intensity levels was used. Although a behavioral threshold was obtained for the 4-month-olds, threshold determination for the 2-month-olds remained elusive. In light of the current findings and previous studies of visual acuity of infants, these results suggest a lack of behavioral responsiveness to auditory stimuli for the younger infants rather than methodological limitations. With infants in the 2-month-old age range, clinical audiologists should expect few behavioral responses to auditory stimuli at intensity levels below those that elicit startle responses.

Attention↗

The comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test: validity and reliability.

Two subscales for a breast cancer knowledge test were developed and tested to be used (a) in determining a woman's general knowledge of breast cancer (i.e. risk factors and epidemiology) and her knowledge of breast cancer curability, and (b) in exploring the relationship between knowledge of breast cancer and utilization of screening practices. These subscales were designed to be used in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Knowledge Test (BCKT), which assesses screening and detection knowledge. The instrument was submitted to four experts in the field of oncology to establish content validity. Reliability testing was conducted on a random sample of 182 women. Internal consistency reliability for the post-tested general knowledge subscale was 0.60, and for the curability subscale was 0.62. The overall alpha coefficient was 0.71. In combination with the BCKT, these subscales can be used to describe a woman's knowledge of breast cancer.

Aged↗

The light-harvesting antenna of brown algae: highly homologous proteins encoded by a multigene family.

Accessory light-harvesting complexes (LHCFs) were isolated from the brown alga Laminaria saccharina. Complexes specifically associated with photosystem I or II are identical with each other with respect to molecular mass, isoelectric point and behavior on anion-exchange chromatography or non-denaturing isoelectric focusing. The purified complexes also have similar pigment composition and spectroscopic properties. It is concluded that LHC antennae associated with photosystem I or II cannot be distinguished biochemically. After screening of genomic and cDNA libraries produced from L. saccharina sporophytes, six lhcf genes were isolated. Sequence analysis of these lhcf genes showed a high level of homology between the encoded polypeptides. Comparisons with coding sequences of lhcf genes from Macrocystis pyrifera and expressed sequence tags from Laminaria digitata (two other Laminariales) indicated that these proteins are probably very similar in all brown algae. Another feature common to the lhcf genes characterized was the presence of an intron in the coding region corresponding to the plastid-targeting presequence. The sequence similarity extended to the 5' and 3' UTRs of several genes. In spite of the common origin of the chloroplasts, no light-regulating elements involved in the expression of the genes encoding the higher-plant light-harvesting proteins has been found in the UTRs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Polydipsia screening tool.

Polydipsia is a condition whereby individuals consume excessive amounts of liquids, which is common in patients with schizophrenia. A 17-item Polydipsia Screening Tool (PST; Copyright 2000 by Sheila Reynolds) was evaluated for psychometric properties. Five nurses and 70 psychiatric residents in a 92-bed nursing home comprised the samples. The interrater reliability (mean intraclass correlation coefficient) was 0.84. The average test-retest agreement was 92.4% with agreement ranging from 75% to 100%. Internal consistency of the tool was 0.79. Sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 68%, respectively. Additionally, validity of the PST was supported using a medical record history of polydipsia, low serum sodium, and low specific gravity.

Drinking Behavior↗

Relativistic corrections to the diamagnetic term of the nuclear magnetic shielding: analysis of contributions from localized orbitals.

We have calculated the relativistic corrections to the diamagnetic term of the nuclear magnetic shielding constants for a series of molecules containing heavy atoms. An analysis of the contributions from localized orbitals is performed. We establish quantitatively the relative importance of inner core and valence shell molecular orbitals in each correcting term. Contributions from the latter are much less important than those from the former. The calculated values of the correction sigma(L-PSO), first derived within the linear response elimination of small component formalism, show a power-law dependence on the nuclear charge approximately Z(3.5), in contrast with the approximately Z(3.1) behavior of the mass-velocity external-field correction to the paramagnetic term previously reported.

Journal Article↗

Disconnects between popular discourse and home advantage research: what can fans and media tell us about the home advantage phenomenon?

Many of the factors identified as influencing the home advantage have an underlying social basis, presumably through the influence exerted by the home crowd. Beliefs in the home advantage and the causes of that advantage also have a social basis: sports coverage and fan discourse focus on some aspects of the phenomenon at the expense of others. This paper compares home advantage research with the use of the concept in media narratives and fan Intemet postings. While there are many similarities across sources, the findings suggest three major differences. Fans, and to a lesser extent the media, (1) focus almost exclusively on winning as the evidence for a home advantage, (2) see crowd noise as the main factor for the home advantage, and (3) treat the phenomenon as much more transient than is suggested by academic studies. I identify several features of the phenomenon that facilitate popular views of the home advantage and suggest how future research may benefit from incorporating those views.

Basketball↗

Ethical issues in the use of genetic information.

Advances in molecular genetics promise to deepen our understanding of the biological basis of human behavior and shed light on the pathophysiology of mental illness. Genetic research is likely to improve our ability to develop somatic treatments for psychiatric syndromes as well as to identify targets for environmental intervention. However, population-screening tests for disorders with multifactorial inheritance may offer little clinical benefit to outweigh their potential for misuse. Relevant legal issues surrounding the use of genetic information in psychiatry include the perceived need for laws to prevent insurance and employment discrimination, and concerns about genetic status as a possible excuse for criminal behavior. Relevant ethical issues include threats to patient privacy and confidentiality and the importance of fairly distributing the benefits and burdens of genetic advances.

Disclosure↗

Influence of chopper and mixer speeds and microwave power level during the high-shear granulation process on the final granule characteristics.

Although microwave drying technology has been used extensively, detailed studies in the pharmaceutical field are necessary to model the different operational parameters involved in microwave drying in combination with the high-shear granulation processes. The implications of the chopper and the mixer speeds during the granulation step and the microwave power level during the drying step on the final granule characteristics were investigated. alpha-Lactose monohydrate and microcrystalline cellulose were granulated at three different mixer and chopper speeds in a laboratory-scale high-shear mixer (Mi-Mi-Pro) and dried at three microwave power levels. The dried granules were characterized by friability tests, particle size analysis, bulk and tapped density studies, and porosimetry. Neither the mixer speed nor the chopper speed had a significant influence on the granule friability, which was low for all batches produced. The selected materials and experimental conditions induced a very robust granulation process, but the granule size distribution was influenced by the microwave power level. The reciprocal relationship between the dust formation and the microwave power level was analyzed using a central composite factorial design. The amount of dust remained low in all batches, but it influenced some of the inherent density properties and the volume reduction behavior of the granulation mass. In almost all cases, the Carr index decreased slightly with increasing microwave power. The major granule characteristics were not changed when different mixer or chopper speeds were changed, although the mixer speed did alter the intragranular pore size distribution.

Lactose↗

What can we do to improve physical function in older persons with type 2 diabetes?

BACKGROUND: Older persons with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for functional impairment than are their age-matched counterparts without-diabetes. We therefore sought to identify factors associated with impaired physical function in older persons with type 2 diabetes by using a cross-sectional study design. METHODS: We studied 1238 persons with type 2 diabetes who were 55 years of age or older and enrolled in the Type II Diabetes Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) project. Subjects were primary care patients at a large staff model health maintenance organization who had completed a mailed survey that collected information about demographics (age, race, marital status, income, education, gender, and body mass index [BMI]), health behaviors (exercise, smoking, and alcohol), care and control of diabetes (therapy, self-reported glucose control, home glucose monitoring, and disease duration), mood (Center for Epidemiologic Studies--Depression Scale [CES-D]), comorbidity, and the Short-Form-36 health survey (SF-36). We evaluated the bivariate relationships between the PFI- 10, a 10-item measure of physical function from the SF-36, and candidate independent variables from the domains described previously. Variables that were significant at an a level of .10 were entered into a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: There were eight independent predictors of impaired physical function (all p < .05, R2 = .40). Factors associated with impaired function in order of their relative importance were as follows: a higher comorbidity score, older age, obesity, lack of regular exercise, CES-D score higher than 20, taking insulin, lower formal education, and abstinence from alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: Increased comorbidity and older age are associated with poorer function, as is the severity of diabetes and less formal education. Exercise, lower BMI, and better mood are associated with better function. Therefore, promoting regular exercise and weight loss, in addition to treating depression, are likely to preserve or even improve the functional status of older persons with type 2 diabetes. Moderate alcohol use may be beneficial as well. The extent to which these relationships persist in prospective studies or clinical trials remains to be evaluated.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Isolation of a novel sphingoglycolipid containing glucuronic acid and 2-hydroxy fatty acid from Flavobacterium devorans ATCC 10829.

A new acidic sphingoglycolipid has been isolated from a Gram-negative, glucose-non-fermentative (obligatory aerobic) bacterium, Flavobacterium devorans ATCC 10829, by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel after mild alkaline hydrolysis of the cellular lipids. Chemical degradation studies, thin-layer chromatographic behavior, IR and mass-spectrometric analysis of the original and reduced glycolipid with LiA1H4 revealed that the lipid contained glucuronic acid, long-chain bases, and fatty acids in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1:1. The major long-chain bases were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as dihydrosphingosine (d-18 :0) and longer homologues, while the N-acyl group was exclusively 2-hydroxy myristic acid. The most probable structure of this glycolipid appeared to be a ceramide glucuronic acid (N-acyl dihydrosphingosine 1-glucuronic acid).

Flavobacterium↗

The so-called bile duct adenoma is a peribiliary gland hamartoma.

The cell phenotype of so-called bile duct adenoma (BDA) was investigated immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies to two recently identified antigens (designated D10 and 1F6) extracted from human liver and cultured biliary epithelium. The acini and tubules of BDA consisted of serous and mucous cells that expressed D10 and 1F6. The intrahepatic peribiliary glands of normal liver, comprising intramural mucous glands and extramural tubuloalveolar seromucinous glands, similarly expressed D10 and 1F6 antigens. Antigen 1F6 was present in the cells forming the canals of Hering and normal bile ductules but not in interlobular and larger bile ducts. Proliferating bile ductules associated with large bile duct obstruction and alcoholic cirrhosis or the epithelia of the von Meyenberg complex and polycystic liver did not exhibit this combined profile of D10 and 1F6 expression and mucous cells. These findings suggest an origin of BDA from peribiliary glands rather than from bile ductules or ducts. Consistent with this view was our finding that 18 of the 30 BDA were spatially related to a large-calibre bile duct. Therefore, BDA, well known for its benign behavior is a small mass of disorganized but mature peribiliary gland acini and tubules within a variable amount of stroma and should properly be called a peribiliary gland hamartoma.

Adenoma↗

The psychological consequences of being at risk of developing breast cancer.

Recently the hereditary nature of some breast cancers has received a considerable amount of publicity. Consequently many more women today recognize that their family history places them at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. One justification for informing women that they may have a predisposition to breast cancer is to ensure that individuals at increased risk undergo regular screening. However, evidence suggests that women with a family history of breast cancer are no more likely to use available screening than those without such a family history. There is some evidence that a significant minority of these women at risk may be psychologically distressed to a degree that would warrant professional counselling. Research is needed to assess the psychological impact of being identified as at risk of developing breast cancer due to family history and to establish what can be done to reduce psychological morbidity in these women. In view of the advances being made generally in molecular biology, with the identification of genetic markers for different diseases being announced regularly, such psychosocial research is overdue and imperative.

Attitude to Health↗

Developing a new model for cross-cultural research: synthesizing the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action.

This article discusses the development of a new model representing the synthesis of two models that are often used to study health behaviors: the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Reasoned Action. The new model was developed as the theoretic framework for an investigation of the factors affecting participation by Mexican migrant workers in tuberculosis screening. Development of the synthesized model evolved from the concern that models used to investigate health-seeking behaviors of mainstream Anglo groups in the United States might not be appropriate for studying migrant workers or persons from other cultural backgrounds.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗