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PubMed2006

Do people turn to religion in times of stress?: an examination of change in religiousness among elderly, medically ill patients.

This study examined the effect of health-related stress on changes in religiousness in a sample of elderly, medically ill patients. Patients admitted to Duke University Medical Center (N = 745) were interviewed at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Increases in illness severity (from baseline to follow-up) were associated with decreases in both organizational and private religiousness at follow-up. Effect of illness severity on organizational religiousness was statistically mediated by changes in physical activity, while its effect on private religiousness remained significant after controlling for physical activity. These findings encourage further research investigating causal relationships between stress and religion, as well as identifying measures of religiousness that may capture this construct in the medically ill population.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2005

Why is Antonovsky's sense of coherence not correlated to physical health? Analysing Antonovsky's 29-item Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29).

We have previously concluded that the use of the Antonovsky Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale was unable to document a predicted strong association between SOC and physical health. By way of statistical methods numerous studies have investigated the validity, reliability, and applicability of the SOC scale with positive results. However, this paper analyses whether the questions in the SOC scale actually represent the universe of factors necessary to describe the phenomenon of SOC, which we believe is an important supplement to the statistically means of investigating validity and reliability. In this paper we explore the idea, the concepts, the theory and the operationalization behind the SOC Scale. The conclusions are: 1) it seems that Antonovsky's basic idea of coherence, for which he coined the term sense of coherence, as the basis for the highly popular salutogenic orientation is outstandingly good, in spite of the lack of statistical evidence; 2) the chosen key explanatory concepts of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaning, seems to be a fair, although mental, conceptualization of this idea; 3) Antonovsky's theory was unfortunately much less clear, as Antonovsky assumed predictability to be very important for the sense of coherence, especially for comprehensibility and manageability. This notion of predictability leaves its footprints in his operationalization of SOC into the SOC Scale. Our analysis convinced us that the SOC scale is unlikely to be a fair materialization of the idea of coherence and thus unlikely to measure SOC correctly.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2005

Elegance of disordered granular packings: a validation of Edward's hypothesis.

We have found a way to analyze Edwards' density of states for static granular packings in the special case of round, rigid, frictionless grains assuming a constant coordination number. It obtains the most entropic density of single grain states, which predicts several observables including the distribution of contact forces. We compare these results against empirical data obtained in dynamic simulations of granular packings. The agreement is quite good, helping validate the use of statistical mechanics methods in granular physics. The differences between theory and empirics are mainly related to the coordination number, and when the empirical data are sorted by that number we obtain several insights that suggest an underlying elegance in the density of states.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of an interagency home visiting program to reduce postneonatal mortality in disadvantaged communities.

This paper describes an interagency home visiting program, Resources, Education and Care in the Home (REACH), designed to reduce preventable causes of morbidity among normal, socioeconomically disadvantaged infants at risk for adverse outcomes due to social factors. Home nursing visits by a trained nurse-community worker team were made throughout the first year of life to 1,269 infants from predominantly African American families. Results demonstrate that repeated home visits with ongoing infant health monitoring plus individualized and culturally sensitive teaching helped mothers maintain good health practices and identify illnesses early. Infants' outcomes during the neonatal period and at 12 months showed consistent, though statistically nonsignificant, positive effects on physical health. The postneonatal mortality rate among REACH infants was 4.7 deaths per 1000 live births in communities where rates for nonparticipants ranged from 5.2 to 10.9 per 100. The evaluation demonstrates a need in this population for more intensive services with greater continuity of care. Specific areas where more education is needed include home safety, skin care, and early identification and treatment of upper respiratory infections. Infants from communities with high infant mortality rates present numerous preventable morbidities requiring interventions, even when they are not considered medically high-risk at birth.

Health Services Needs and Demand↗

PubMed1969

Peptic ulcer surgery: selection for operation by 'earning'.

Two groups of patients with chronic peptic ulcer were studied to determine the influence of duration of symptoms and age at operation on the result of surgical treatment. Independent physical and psychiatric assessments were made. Statistical analysis of the findings indicates that selection for operation by ;earning' is unreliable in that it fails to identify that group of patients liable to do badly. In its place, a combined physical and psychiatric preoperative assessment of the peptic ulcer patient is recommended.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

Network analysis in public health: history, methods, and applications.

Network analysis is an approach to research that is uniquely suited to describing, exploring, and understanding structural and relational aspects of health. It is both a methodological tool and a theoretical paradigm that allows us to pose and answer important ecological questions in public health. In this review we trace the history of network analysis, provide a methodological overview of network techniques, and discuss where and how network analysis has been used in public health. We show how network analysis has its roots in mathematics, statistics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, biology, physics, and computer science. In public health, network analysis has been used to study primarily disease transmission, especially for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; information transmission, particularly for diffusion of innovations; the role of social support and social capital; the influence of personal and social networks on health behavior; and the interorganizational structure of health systems. We conclude with future directions for network analysis in public health.

Behavioral Research↗

PubMed2004

Are there sex differences in emotional and biological responses in spousal caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease?

The purpose of this study was to compare emotional and biological responses of men and women who are spousal caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Quality-of-life measurements, bioinstrumentation data, and immunophenotype assessments were obtained from female and male spousal caregivers of patients with AD. Spousal caregivers (women, n = 45 with average age 69.7; men, n = 16 with average age 71.4 years) completed questionnaires that assessed psychosocial variables. Blood was drawn and lymphocyte subsets (including natural killer [NK] cell number) were determined using flow cytometry. The degree of relaxation was determined measuring muscle tension (EMG) in the frontalis and trapezius muscles, skin conductance, skin temperature, and heart rate. Male spousal caregivers, as compared to female spousal caregivers, had significantly lower levels of stress, depression, caregiver burden (subjective), anxiety, anger-hostility, and somatic symptoms and higher levels of mental health, sense of coherence, NK cell number, and social and physical functioning. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in social support, coping resources, or T, T suppressor, or activated T cells. Women had more T helper cells and fewer NK cells than men. Men had fewer manifestations of a physiological stress response, as indicated by bioinstrumentation parameters. Unique sex-specific issues need to be considered when strategies are implemented to assist the increasing number of caregivers as our society ages.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

The role of aromatherapy massage in reducing anxiety in patients with malignant brain tumours.

Research suggests that aromatherapy massage (AM) is increasingly being used by cancer patients, especially in the palliative care setting, although few studies have assessed its effectiveness. I wanted to find out whether AM reduces anxiety in patients with a primary malignant brain tumour attending their first follow-up appointment after radiotherapy. Eight patients were recruited to the study, which comprised three methods of data collection: the measurement of physical parameters; the completion of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS); and semi-structured interviews. The results from HADS did not show any psychological benefit from AM. However, there was a statistically significant reduction in all four physical parameters, which suggests that AM affects the autonomic nervous system, inducing relaxation. This finding was supported by the patients themselves, all of whom stated during interview that they felt 'relaxed' after AM. Since these patients are faced with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis, this intervention appears to be a good way of offering support and improving quality of life.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Propagation through the ocean's surface at shallow angles with a laser beam.

Propagation through the ocean's surface at shallow angles with a laser has been successfully demonstrated experimentally in the ocean. A 6-mJ multipulse laser at a depth of 1.5 m in water with an attenuation coefficient of approximately 3.3 m(-1) was easily detected 600 m away on a sunlit day at an angle of 1 degree to the ocean's surface. The measured efficiency was 3.6 x 10(-2) (J/J)/sr (joules received per receiver steradian per joule transmitted). Statistical ray trace analysis and physical tank modeling produced equivalent efficiencies.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Assessment of functional capacity through oxygen consumption in patients with asymptomatic probable heart disease.

PURPOSE: To compare peak exercise oxygen consumption (VO2peak) of healthy individuals with asymptomatic individuals with probable heart disease. METHODS: Ninety-eight men were evaluated. They were divided into two groups: 1) 39 healthy individuals (group N) with an age range of 50 +/- 4.6 years; and 2) 59 asymptomatic individuals with signs of atherosclerotic and/or hypertensive heart disease (group C) with an age range of 51.9 +/- 10.4 years. In regard to age, height, body surface area, percentage of fat, lean body mass, and daily physical activity, both groups were statistically similar. Environmental conditions during the ergometric test were also controlled. RESULTS: Maximal aerobic power (watts), VO2peak, maximal heart rate, and maximal pulmonary ventilation were lower in group C (p < 0.01) than in group N; weight, however, was lower in group N (p = 0.031) than in group C. Differences in the respiratory gas exchange index, heart rate at rest, and the maximal double product of the two groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Signs of probable heart disease, even though asymptomatic, may reduce the functional capacity, perhaps due to the lower maximal cardiac output and/or muscle metabolic changes.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed1982

A survey of personal habits, symptoms of illness, and histories of disease in man with and without vasectomies.

Using questionnaire information provided by 4.385 vasectomized and 13,155 matched, non-vasectomized men, we found no significant differences between them for a large number of symptoms and diseases, including those of the cardiovascular system. After taking into account differences in their martial status, past smoking habits, and physical activity at work, significant statistical associations of vasectomy with joint pain or swelling, back trouble, and a history of kidney or bladder infection persisted. Our data are inconsistent with the occurrence of large increases in the risks of many important diseases in vasectomized humans.

California↗

PubMed1997

Duraplasty with biosynthetic cellulose: an experimental study.

In the search for a new synthetic substitute for the dura mater, the authors conducted a research study using 32 mongrel dogs divided into three groups. Group I animals (21 dogs) underwent a right-sided parietooccipital craniotomy and substitution of two 1-cm pieces of dura mater by two different grafts: one piece of biosynthetic cellulose (50 mu thick) and one fragment of temporal fascia. The animals were observed for 30, 90, or 180 days. Group II animals (five dogs) underwent a somewhat larger craniotomy, removal of a 2-cm piece of dura mater, and lesioning of the cortex made by a thin sharp forceps, which caused bleeding that was controlled by application of a thin film of cellulose (10 mu thick). Duraplasty was performed using a 50-mu-thick cellulose membrane to complete the procedure and the animals were observed over a period of 270 days. Group III animals (six dogs) underwent smaller (1-cm diameter) bilateral parietal craniectomy, which included additional covering of the dura on the left side with 50-mu-thick cellulose and a suture of temporalis muscle. This group was observed for 40, 60, 80, or 120 days. Transient mild clinical symptoms were observed during the early postoperative period. At autopsy, macroscopic examination demonstrated good acceptance of the grafts with few and moderate extradural fibrosis, which caused adherence of the implants to the bone fragment. No adherence to the cortex was observed. Microscopic examination demonstrated absence of graft adherence to the cortical surface even when the cortex was injured. The cellulose was enveloped by two layers of connective tissue, the external layer being thicker than the internal one. Cellulose fibers increased in thickness over time until 30 days and then decreased in thickness until 270 days. This decrease in thickness between 30 to 270 days was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The physical properties of biosynthetic cellulose and the low cellular reaction to its implantation qualify this material as a dural substitute. Additional long-term studies must be undertaken to complete this report.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

PMS and PMDD in the domain of mental health nursing.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a complex cluster of symptoms that occurs 7 to 14 days prior to menses and ends 1 to 2 days after menses. Premenstrual syndrome symptoms can create severe, debilitating psychological and physical problems. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) provides criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which can be considered the most severe presentation on the PMS continuum. A critical part of determining the diagnosis is evaluating the timing of symptoms. True PMS only occurs during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, with a symptom-free period during the follicular phase. After identifying a diagnosis of PMS or PMDD, the first-line treatment of these symptom clusters continues to be lifestyle changes, including stress management, healthy diet, regular aerobic exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and fortified coping strategies. Women whose symptoms are not controlled adequately with lifestyle modifications may benefit from medications. Possible medication recommendations include selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), diuretics, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, and vitamin and mineral supplements.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1999

Sexual abuse in adolescents--data from a psychiatric treatment centre for adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of sexual abuse in a large sample of adolescent psychiatric patients and to compare sexually abused patients with non sexually abused patients, the latter category including non-sexual physically abused and non-abused patients. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the patient records at the William Slater Centre for Adolescents, University of Cape Town Medical School/Groote Schuur Hospital. SETTING: The William Slater Centre (WSC) is an outpatient psychiatric treatment centre for adolescents with emotional and behavioural problems. SUBJECTS: Nine hundred and thirty-four adolescent and young adult patients referred to the WSC in Cape Town from February 1990 to April 1997. METHODS: The WSC Assessment form, a semi-structured interview schedule, was used to focus on depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and parasuicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, psychosexual history, sexual abuse and physical abuse, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual i.v. diagnosis. RESULTS: One-third of all patients admitted to the centre from February 1990 to April 1997 reported some form of sexual abuse. More sexually abused patients than expected received a diagnosis of depression. On average sexually abused patients scored higher on depression rating scales than non sexually abused patients. Logistic regression showed that the presence of suicidal symptoms and alcohol use are to some extent independently associated with sexual abuse. CONCLUSION: The problem of sexual abuse among South African youth is confirmed by this study. The association between sexual abuse and depression, suicidal symptoms and alcohol use is supported. The country's dwindling psychiatric services therefore face an increasingly challenging future.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Minimum detectable activity in gamma-ray spectrometry--statistical properties and limits of applicability.

Some statistical properties of the essential physical quantity "Minimum Detectable Activity" were analyzed, as well as the limits of its applicability in gamma-ray spectrometry. It was shown that the Minimum Detectable Activity is not linear with respect to the quantity of the measured sample and it is advisable not to calculate the Minimum Detectable Activity per unit mass or volume (in Bq kg-1 or Bq cm-3). The MDA has a clear decisive relevance to samples that have an identical geometry and chemical composition with that of the sample that was used to derive the MDA. The relative uncertainty of the Minimum Detectable Activity is approximately +/- 32%. It is recommended not to exclude from evaluations those results that are below minimum detectable activities.

Biometry↗

PubMed1975

Tarsal degenerative joint disease in cattle: blood and synovial fluid changes.

Tarsal degenerative joint disease (DJD) in 27 cattle was classified as primary or secondary based on age, joint conformation defects, faulty hindlimb alignment, or history of trauma to the affected joint(s). Results of blood and synovial fluid analysis for cattle affected with primary or secondary tarsal DJD were grouped in compilation of data. Cattle with tarsal DJD had significantly (P smaller than 0.01) reduced hemoglobin (Hb) content in comparison to that in control cattle. There was highly significant (P smaller than 0.001) reduction in packed cell volume (PCV). A significant difference was not determined for mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values of the 2 groups of cattle. Total white blood cell (WBC) counts closely paralleled each other, although mean proportion of neutrophils was significantly (P smaller than 0.05) greater in cattle affected with tarsal DJD, as were mean proportion of lymphocytes (P smaller than 0.02). Synovial fluid samples were analyzed for physical, biochemical, and cytologic properties. Statistical comparisons were made between values determined for arthritic cattle and control cattle. All samples from cattle with tarsal DJD were transudative. Opacity and flocculation were attributed to the presence of cartilaginous fragments and fibrils. There was significant correlation between increased relative viscosity (RV) and higher grades of mucinous precipitate quality (MPQ; r = +0.294, P smaller than 0.05) for all cattle. Mean alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity for arthritic cattle was significantly (P smaller than 0.001) reduced, as was the mean activity for lactic dehydrogenase (LDH; P smaller than 0.05). The mean aldolase (ALD) activity for arthritic cattle was increased, whereas mean activity values for glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were reduced. Samples from arthritic cattle had reduced total leukocyte counts and significantly (P smaller than 0.05) increased proportion of macrophages in comparison to the values in control cattle.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed2002

[A multi-team case-control study on the effects of psychosocial stress to overall health].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the quantitative relationship between the intensity of psychosocial stress and the degree of overall health damages. METHODS: A multi-group case-control study was designed and implemented. The cases included two groups of out-patients (177) and in-patients (214) in a hospital in Jianyang city, and controls (587) were from the follow-up cohort in the same city. Three groups were studied on the following contents: general demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors and the degree of health damages including mental, physical, and social status. Major statistical analyses were as follows: ranks test, ANOVA, cluster analysis, multinomial logistic regression and ordered-logit regression. RESULTS: Ordered-logit regression model showed that the odds ratio of negative life-events on degree of health damages was 1.335 (P < 0.01). This result showed that there was a positive dose-effect relationship between the negative life-events score and overall health damages. The utility of social support to overall health had protective effect (OR = 0.513). CONCLUSION: Negative life-events were the major risk factors to overall health, and there was a dose-effect relationship between negative events and health damages. Function of social support played a protective factor for health.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

[School-related injuries: incidence, causes, and consequences].

BACKGROUND: School accidents are frequent but little epidemiological information is available to guide prevention. In this study we examined the incidence, causes, and consequences of school accidents as a function of the pupil's characteristics. METHODS: An epidemiological study was conducted in all 2 396 adolescents attending two secondary school groups. Sociodemographic characteristics of the pupils and data on school accidents during a one-year period were collected using a questionnaire filled out by the school nurse in the presence of the victims. The chi-square independence test, Fisher's exact test and the logistic regression method were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Sports and physical training (SPT) accidents accounted for 52.8% of the accidents, recreation accidents for 12.7% and other accidents for 33.6%. The annual incidence of one accident or more, for all types of accidents combined, was 12.9%, that for two or more accidents 2.3%. The rate of SPT and recreation accidents decreased strongly with age. SPT accidents were more frequent in girls, the other accidents more frequent in boys. Among the SPT accidents, 69.2% occurred under training conditions and 33.7% were caused by another person. Causes mentioned by the victims were: carelessness (26.0%), clumsiness (17.5%), misappreciation of risk (13.8%), tiredness (9.5%), nervous irritation (8.6%), rowdyism (6.0%), disrespect of the teacher's instructions (6.0%). The lesions were: contusions (50.7%), wounds (18.7%), tendinitis (11.7%), wrenches (9.2%), others (7.3%). They differed between age groups, sex, and category of sports. Localizations were mainly: fingers (27.4%), other localizations of the upper limb (20.1%), head (20.6%). A physician was consulted for 19.5% of the accidents and hospitalization followed 2.7%. Absence from school and exemption from SPT were frequent (11.4% and 16.3% respectively). CONCLUSION: The results could be used to inform adolescents so they and their families could become more aware of the risk of school accidents. Prevention should mainly focus on the younger children. An effort must be made regarding risk assessment in order to help the pupils become more careful and responsible during their sports activities. The choice of these activities and the materials used should be made more suitable for adolescents.

Accidents↗