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PubMed2003

Personal, social, and environmental correlates of physical activity in rural Midwestern white women.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is a promising component of cardiovascular disease prevention among women. Research in this area is expanding, but much needs to be done to assess subgroups of the population (e.g., people living in rural environments). The study goal was to determine personal, social environmental, and physical environmental correlates of physical activity among rural white women aged 20 to 50 years. METHODS: A survey was conducted by using randomly selected numbers in rural areas in Missouri and Illinois. The Women and Physical Activity Survey was administered to assess physical activity status and personal, social environmental, and physical environmental factors. Physical activity status was the dependent variable in analyses comparing inactive women with women who performed any activity and comparing women who met current recommendations for moderate or vigorous physical activity with those women did not meet recommendations. RESULTS: Of the 1000 women in the study, 52% met recommendations for physical activity, 40.1% were insufficiently active, and 7.9% were inactive. Younger women (20-29 years) were more likely than the oldest age (40-50 years) category to perform some activity than to be inactive. Women in excellent or very good general health were much more likely to perform some physical activity than to be inactive. Higher income and employment were factors in meeting the recommendations. Attending religious services and a higher social roles score were significant factors. Having street lighting was the only physical environmental factor that emerged as statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: More research is needed on the assessment of important issues regarding physical activity in women. Interventions should use assessment information to tailor programs and to address personal, social environmental, and physical environmental components.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

First principles local pseudopotential for silver: towards orbital-free density-functional theory for transition metals.

Orbital-free density-functional theory (OF-DFT) with modern kinetic-energy density functionals (KEDFs) is a linear scaling technique that accurately describes nearly-free-electron-like (main group) metals. In an attempt towards extending OF-DFT to transition metals, here we consider whether OF-DFT can be used effectively to study Ag, a metal with a localized d shell. OF-DFT has two approximations: use of a KEDF and local pseudopotentials (LPSs). This paper reports construction of a reasonably accurate LPS for Ag by means of inversion of the Kohn-Sham (KS) DFT equations in a bulk crystal environment. The accuracy of this LPS is determined within KS-DFT (where the exact noninteracting kinetic energy is employed) by comparing its predictions of bulk properties to those obtained from a conventional (orbital-based) nonlocal pseudopotential (NLPS). We find that the static bulk properties of fcc and hcp Ag predicted within KS-DFT using this LPS compare fairly well to those predicted by an NLPS. With the transferability of the LPS established, we then use this LPS in OF-DFT, where several approximate KEDFs were tested. We find that a combination of the Thomas-Fermi (T(TF)) and von Weizsacker (T(vW)) functionals (T(vW)+0.4T(TF)) produces better densities than those from the linear-response-based Wang-Teter KEDF. However, the equations of state obtained from both KEDFs in OF-DFT contain unacceptably large errors. The lack of accurate KEDFs remains the final barrier to extending OF-DFT to treat transition metals.

Chemistry, Physical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparing evidence-based practice of nurses and physiotherapists.

Evidence-based practice has become an ubiquitous concept within nursing. However, there is little comparative data of nursing with other professions on attitudes to evidence-based practice. This article reports on a survey of nurses' and physiotherapists' sources of knowledge and perceived barriers to evidence-based practice within a large teaching hospital. A total of 324 questionnaires were sent to nurses and physiotherapists. The results showed that both physiotherapists and nurses accessed a wide variety of sources of knowledge. However, nurses were more likely than physiotherapists to use policy and procedure manuals and discussions with medical staff. Both professions have problems with overcoming the barrier of time. Nurses were more likely than physiotherapists to rate themselves as having poor evidence-based practice skills.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2006

The kappa statistic was representative of empirically observed inter-rater agreement for physical findings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine empirically chance agreement between different clinicians evaluating physical examination findings in children with acute abdominal pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of children age 3 to 18 years treated in a pediatric emergency department for acute abdominal pain. Three different examiners were provided the same historic information and asked to predict, independently and prior to examining the patient, the presence or absence of seven different clinical findings. Agreement between pairs of observers on these predicted findings was determined, and was defined as observed chance agreement. Actual examination findings were also recorded, and expected agreement due to chance was determined from the kappa statistic calculation. RESULTS: There were 68 pair of observations between two pediatric examiners, and 46 pair between pediatric and surgical examiners. Observed and expected chance agreement were very similar for six of the seven clinical findings. Agreement beyond chance for the actual exam findings was generally poor, with kappa less than 0.5 for all but one finding. CONCLUSIONS: Expected chance agreement, as calculated from the kappa statistic, is a reasonable reflection of empirically observed chance agreement between clinicians.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2000

Bone mineral density in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

Idiopathic hirsutism is relatively uncommon, affecting approximately 6% of hirsute women. In the present study we compared the bone mineral density (BMD) of women with idiopathic hirsutism with controls. A group of 20 women diagnosed with idiopathic hirsutism was evaluated with respect to BMD and the findings were compared to those of a control group consisting of 10 normal women. Hirsutism was graded according to the Ferriman-Gallwey score and threshold was considered to be a score more than 4. There was no statistically significant difference with respect to patients' mean age, BMI and body fat composition. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), androstenedione, testosterone, free testosterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and estradiol were assessed in both groups and no statistically significant differences were found. There was no statistically significant difference with respect to bone turnover--which was evaluated by determining the serum levels of parathyroid hormone, calcium, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin as well as the urinary secretion of calcium and hydroxyproline, corrected for the creatinine values--between the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using the t test for unpaired data to compare age, BMD and biochemical data, and Wilcoxon's rank test was used to compare physical activity and calcium intake. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. The BMD at the level of the 2nd to 4th lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4) and the total BMD were higher in women with idiopathic hirsutism compared to those in the control group, suggesting a possible direct effect of androgens on the osseous tissue of hirsute women.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed2006

Determinants of physical health in frail older people: the importance of self-efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: There is continued uncertainty regarding the strength of association between performance-based and self-report measures of physical functioning, and of their relationship to self-efficacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study assessed the inter-relationships between such measures, and the predictors of 'physical' aspects of HRQoL in frail older patients. DESIGN: We used statistical models to determine the predictors of 'physical' HRQoL, according to the physical component summary score and the physical functioning domain of the 36-item short form (SF-36) questionnaire. SETTING: Patients were recruited from hospitals in Australia and New Zealand and followed up in their homes. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and forty-three frail older patients. MAIN MEASURES: Physical functioning was assessed using three performance-based measures (Timed Up and Go Test, gait speed and the Berg Balance Scale) and five self-report measures, including the modified falls self-efficacy scale, at three and six months after registration. RESULTS: A moderate association (r = 0.48-0.55) was found between each of the performance-based and self-report measures, including the SF-36 physical component summary score. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the performance-based measures and falls self-efficacy predicted 33% of the SF-36 physical component summary score. Falls self-efficacy was the single highest predictor of both the SF-36 physical component summary score and SF-36 physical functioning domain. A curvilinear relationship was found between the SF-36 physical functioning domain and two variables: falls self-efficacy and the Berg Balance Scale. CONCLUSIONS: Although performance-based and self-report measures provide complementary but distinct measures of physical function, psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy have a strong influence on the HRQoL of frail older people.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

Worksite intervention model for facilitating changes in physical activity, fitness, and psychological parameters.

The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention which combined behavior-change strategies with a variety of physical activities for 30 sedentary adults in a 12-wk. intervention that included behavior-change strategy sessions and supervised physical activity. Before and after the intervention, psychological and physiological variables were measured. Statistically significant changes right after the intervention included (1) an increase in physical activity participation, (2) an increase in muscular endurance, flexibility, and predicted VO2 max, and (3) a decrease in the number of barriers to physical activity. Changes in physical self-perception, a psychological variable often linked to increased physical activity, were not statistically significant, but effect sizes were large. The use of behavior-change strategies in conjunction with a variety of physical activities may be useful in improving physical and psychological well-being in previously sedentary adults. Stability of change requires study.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

[Changes in subjective health in sports participating and sedentary patients after 4-week treatment in a rehabilitation clinic].

Presented are selected findings of a study of 62 patients who had participated in a four-week inpatient treatment programme in a health-resort rehabilitation clinic due to complaints of the locomotor organs. The patients' physical and general complaints showed statistically significant reductions in the course of this programme participation. Similar effects were stated as well for the majority of the scales pertaining to subjective health. A correlation between physical activity and subjective wellbeing, or physical complaints, respectively, has not been stated for all of the subjective health-related scales and complaints items. The improvements achieved can be considered proof of the effectiveness of the clinic's overall therapeutic concept as well as of the social relief afforded by the rehabilitation clinic setting.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2005

Perceived physical environment and physical activity across one year among adolescent girls: self-efficacy as a possible mediator?

PURPOSE: This study involved an examination of the direct and mediated effects of perceived equipment accessibility and neighborhood safety on physical activity across a one-year period among adolescent girls. METHODS: Adolescent girls (N = 1,038) completed self-report measures of perceived environment, barriers self-efficacy, and physical activity in the Spring semesters of 1999 (baseline) and 2000 (follow-up) when students were in the 8th and 9th grades. RESULTS: An initial analysis demonstrated that neighborhood safety did not exhibit cross-sectional or longitudinal direct effects on physical activity, whereas equipment accessibility exhibited a statistically significant cross-sectional, but not longitudinal, direct effect on physical activity. The secondary analysis demonstrated that self-efficacy for overcoming barriers mediated the cross-sectional effect of equipment accessibility on physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the cross-sectional effect of perceived equipment accessibility on physical activity is mediated by self-efficacy for overcoming barriers among adolescent girls. This is consistent with the reciprocal relationships among the environment, person, and behavior described by social-cognitive theory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Childhood history of abuse and child abuse potential in adolescent mothers: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to determine whether adolescent mothers of newborns are at higher risk for child abuse than adult mothers of newborns and to examine whether adolescent mothers with memories of child maltreatment have a higher risk for child abuse. METHOD: Two groups (adolescents and adults) of pregnant mothers were followed for 20 months beginning between the 5th and the 7th month of pregnancy until the child was 18 months old. Adolescent (N = 24) and adult (N = 24) mothers were matched on sociodemographic variables. During pregnancy, memories of child maltreatment were evaluated. When child was 1, 6, 12, and 18 months old, risk for child abuse was evaluated. RESULTS: Adolescent and adult mothers showed no differences in memories of childhood physical or emotional abuse. Nevertheless, adolescent mothers showed higher child abuse potential and depression scores than adult mothers. Mothers with memories of severe physical punishment showed higher child abuse potential scores and mothers with memories of physical punishment producing physical damage showed higher child abuse potential and depression scores. A statistically significant age of the mother by physical punishment producing physical damage interaction was found for depression. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this longitudinal study indicated that the potential for abuse was significantly greater in adolescent mothers than in adult mothers, and in mothers who had been victims of physical abuse than in those who had not. It also appeared that, among adolescent mothers, those who had been victims of childhood physical abuse constitute a higher risk group for child physical abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of sociodemographic characteristics on health status and quality of life in schoolchildren and adolescents in Yugoslavia].

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life, as a term in medical literature, appeared 3 decades ago. During the 90s, first studies on quality of life among children and youth were presented. Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) was recognized as the most constructive and clear to use. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in a random sample of children and adolescents (No = 600) and their parents. The sample was stratified by age, sex, and socioeconomic status of parents. The measurement model was a Yugoslav adaptation of CHQ-CF87 and CHQ-PF50. DISCUSSION AND RESULTS: Quality of life is a complex phenomenon, impacted by the person's experience, beliefs, expectations and perceptions. Study results confirmed better scores on almost all scales for boys, younger subjects and children with better socioeconomic status. A study performed in USA using CHQ-CF87, showed almost invert results considering gender. Our experience indicates statistically significant differences on 5 scales in favor of boys. All scales showed statistical difference in regard to age, except physical functioning and role (social--physical), especially low scores for older ages. Regarding the socioeconomic status, statistical differences were found at the following scales: mental health scale, family activity scale and family cohesion, with low scores for the group. In general, children health was reported to be worse for less educated, not working, non-married, separated or divorced parents. CONCLUSION: Variations in health and quality of life components showed expected association with sociodemographic factors in both versions of questionnaires. Boys had better scores, as well as children of younger age and better social status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Ambiguous relation between physical workload and low back pain: a twin control study.

AIMS: To examine the association between self reported physical workload and low back pain (LBP) in younger twins. To investigate whether genetic factors interact with physical workload in relation to LBP. METHODS: A twin control study was performed within a population based twin register using 1910 complete monozygotic (MZ) and same sexed dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs aged 25-42 and discordant for LBP. LBP in the affected twins was divided into two groups: "LBP for </=30 days during the past year", and "LBP for >30 days during the past year". Physical workload was divided into four categories: "sitting", "sitting/walking", "light physical", and "heavy physical". Data were analysed in a matched design using conditional logistic regression. MZ and DZ twins were analysed separately and together in order to determine possible genetic influences in relation to physical workload and LBP. RESULTS: Statistically significant graded relations were found for increasing workload and LBP of longer duration but not for LBP of shorter duration (</=30 days during the past year). In both LBP groups the "sitting" and "sitting/walking" groups were not statistically different. MZ and DZ twins did not differ significantly with respect to LBP in the various workload groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence for a dose-response relation between physical workload and LBP of longer duration. Attention to clinically relevant subgroups based on duration, for example, is necessary in epidemiological studies dealing with LBP. Physical workload might be more important than genetic factors in LBP.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Validation of a questionnaire for assessing physical work load.

OBJECTIVES: Reliable, valid, and compatible methods are required for exploring the complex interactive effects of psychosocial and physical stressors on complaints and disorders. An instrument for assessing physical work load that integrates information from a biomechanical model of lumbar load is presented and validated. METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-five people working in nursing homes for elderly people in Germany filled out the developed questionnaire 3 times within 1 year. Test-retest reliability was calculated, and validity was checked several times. Relationships with other, theoretically related and unrelated variables were examined. RESULTS: The test-retest reliability of the questionnaire measures was about 0.65. The convergent and discriminant validity was satisfactory, and the questionnaire was able to separate professional subgroups with different physical work loads. The Spearman rank-order correlations between physical load and musculoskeletal complaints were about 0.30. CONCLUSIONS: The method developed in this study is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing physical work load. The integration of statistical methods from psychological testing and theory in the development of methods exploring the effects of physical work load is advocated.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Statistical analysis of domains in interacting protein pairs.

MOTIVATION: Several methods have recently been developed to analyse large-scale sets of physical interactions between proteins in terms of physical contacts between the constituent domains, often with a view to predicting new pairwise interactions. Our aim is to combine genomic interaction data, in which domain-domain contacts are not explicitly reported, with the domain-level structure of individual proteins, in order to learn about the structure of interacting protein pairs. Our approach is driven by the need to assess the evidence for physical contacts between domains in a statistically rigorous way. RESULTS: We develop a statistical approach that assigns p-values to pairs of domain superfamilies, measuring the strength of evidence within a set of protein interactions that domains from these superfamilies form contacts. A set of p-values is calculated for SCOP superfamily pairs, based on a pooled data set of interactions from yeast. These p-values can be used to predict which domains come into contact in an interacting protein pair. This predictive scheme is tested against protein complexes in the Protein Quaternary Structure (PQS) database, and is used to predict domain-domain contacts within 705 interacting protein pairs taken from our pooled data set.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

Comparative study between scrotal physical examination and scrotal ultrasonography in the detection of varicocele in men with infertility.

From September 1989 to March 1991, we evaluated 110 men from our infertility clinic to determine the correlation between scrotal physical examination and scrotal ultrasonography in the detection of varicocele in men seeking clinical evaluation for infertility, depicting scrotal ultrasound as the gold standard. Of 110 men with infertility, clinically palpable varicocele was found in 40 patients (36.36%). Fifteen were of grade 1, nineteen of grade 2 and four of grade 3. Of these 40 patients, 32 (80%) had left sided varicocele 2 (5%) had right sided varicocele and the remaining 6 patients (15%) had bilateral varicoceles. Of the 40 patients with clinically palpable varicocele, 34 (85%) had the diagnosis confirmed by scrotal ultrasound. Of these 34 patients who had varicocele diagnosed by scrotal ultrasound, 17 (50%) had varicocele on the left side, 1 (2.94%) had varicocele on the right side and the remaining 16 patients (47.07%) had bilateral varicoceles. Seventy patients in whom initial scrotal physical examination failed to detect varicocele, 12 (17.14%) were found to have varicocele by scrotal ultrasound, all of which were on the left side. This group of patients was classified as subclinical varicocele. Statistical analysis revealed that scrotal physical examination in the detection of clinical varicocele has sensitivity of 73.90 per cent, specificity of 90.60 per cent and positive predictive value of 85.00 per cent with negative predictive value of 82.80 per cent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗