I wish I knew-or an analysis of hobbies (scientific and otherwise) or the advantage of multiple hobbies or isn't work easier?
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Many bird species nest in close association with other bolder and more aggressive birds which provide protection against nest predators. The woodpigeons, Columba palumbus, that nest in poplar plantations in Northern Italy are found almost exclusively clumped around hobby, Falco subbuteo, nests. Woodpigeons settle in the area and build their nests after the hobby has started nesting. We carried out experiments with dummy nests and observations on woodpigeon nests. Dummy woodpigeon nests placed near a hobby's nest suffered less depredation by hooded crows, Corvus corone cornix, than those placed far from it. A logistic regression analysis showed that three variables, hobby nesting stage, distance from the hobby's nest and the hobby's aggressiveness, influenced the probability of nest predation. The degree of protection varied during the hobby's nesting period and was highest when chicks were in the nest. The hobby's aggressiveness against intruders varied both between and within individuals during different nesting phases. The predation rate of dummy nests associated with the falcon was negatively correlated with the aggressiveness score of the hobby during the 6 days of dummy nest exposure. Observations on real nests showed that woodpigeons selected hobbies that had a high fledging success, and a more vigorous defensive behaviour. Clues that would allow woodpigeons to choose the best protector may be early nesting by the hobby and its aggressiveness. Hobbies preyed on adult woodpigeons, but the risk incurred by the woodpigeons was low compared with the very high risk of nest predation in this area. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
This study describes and analyzes the hobbies of over 500 retired individuals (ages fifty to eighty-eight in the People's Republic of China. Data were obtained through questionnaires and compared with the responses of 100 younger people (twenty to thirty-nine years of age). Hobbies of the retired people were classified into five categories: reading, physical exercise, productive, visual-auditory, and recreational. This classification is at variance with the one proposed by some Western writers. The following conclusions were reached: 1) there are significant differences between the hobbies of retired people and those of younger people; 2) reading is the hobby most preferred by the retired person in China; and 3) gender, age, education, and previous occupation are the factors that most influence the retired person's choice of hobbies.
Many psychosocial factors have been reported to influence the duration of survival of breast cancer patients. We have studied how family members, hobbies and habits of the patients may alter their psychosocial status. Female patients with surgically treated breast cancer diagnosed between 1986 and 1995 at the Tochigi Cancer Center Hospital, who provided information on the above-mentioned factors, were used. Their subsequent physical status was followed up in the outpatients clinic. The Cox regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between the results of the factors examined and the duration of the patients' survival, adjusting for the patients' age, stage of disease at diagnosis and curability, as judged by the physician in charge after the treatment. The following factors were revealed to be significant with regard to the survival of surgically treated breast cancer patients: being a widow (hazard ratio 3.29; 95% confidence interval 1.32-8.20), having a hobby (hazard ratio 0.43; 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.82), number of hobbies (hazard ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.41-1.00), number of female children (hazard ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.98), smoker (hazard ratio 2.08; 95% confidence interval 1.02-4.26) and alcohol consumption (hazard ratio 0.10; 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.72). These results suggest that psychosocial factors, including the family environment, where patients receive emotional support from their spouse and children, hobbies and the patients' habits, may influence the duration of survival in surgically treated breast cancer patients.
In a case-control study, we investigated whether occupational and nonoccupational (hobbies) chemical exposures to women in the periconceptional period increased their risk for having neural tube defect-affected pregnancies. Women were asked about occupational tasks and hobbies performed during the 3 months before through 3 months after conception. Based on her reported occupational tasks and hobbies, an industrial hygienist assigned a priori defined exposure categories to each task and hobby. The exposure categories included 74 chemical groups, 9 "end-use" chemical groups, and organic solvents. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with mothers of 538 (88% of eligible) infants or fetuses with neural tube defect and mothers of 539 (88%) randomly selected, nonmalformed, live-born infants from a population-based 1989-1991 cohort of California births (N = 703,518). Our results suggested that maternal exposures in the periconceptional period to a variety of chemicals associated with occupational and nonoccupational activities did not contribute substantially to risk of neural tube defects in offspring. We observed no effect estimate greater than 2.0 for maternal exposures to the chemical agent groups studied. We did not observe substantially elevated risks associated with maternal exposures to any of the end-use chemical groups or to organic solvents. Considering occupational exposures only among women who worked did not substantially alter results. Adjustment for maternal vitamin use, race/ethnicity, or education level also did not substantially alter the observed associations.
Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine (OC) pesticides were measured in unsuccessfully hatched eggs of three different kinds of predatory birds: 3 eggs of sparrowhawks, 7 eggs of hobbies, and 16 eggs of goshawks collected in the German region of Berlin-Brandenburg. Using toxic equivalency factors for birds, eggs of hobbies contained mean concentrations of 478 pg TEQ/g fat and 551 pg TEQ/g fat contributed by PCDD/Fs and coplanar PCBs, respectively. For sparrowhawks the respective TCDD equivalents were 424 and 1278 pg/g fat; those for goshawks were 211 and 935 pg/g fat. The mean value of the summed concentrations of the PCB congeners 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180 amounted to 11 microg/g fat in eggs of hobbies, 9.5 microg/g fat for sparrowhawks, and 16.1 microg/g fat for goshawks. Of the analyzed organochlorine pesticides the concentration of p,p'-DDE was highest (up to 273 microg/g); the concentration of the other OCs, with the exception of methoxychlor in eggs of goshawks (highest level of 10.6 microg/g fat), were negligible. In all cases the calculated toxicity of the coplanar PCBs surpassed the toxicity of the PCDD/Fs, at least by a factor of two. Due to the higher concentration of the coplanar PCB 77 compared to PCB 126 in eggs of hobbies, it is concluded that its metabolic excretion in this species is much lower than in sparrowhawks and goshawks.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate a broad range of occupational, hobby, and lifestyle exposures, suggested as risk factors for Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). METHODS: A case-control study, comprising 255 Ph+CML patients from southern Sweden and matched controls, was conducted. Individual data on work tasks, hobbies, and lifestyle exposures were obtained by telephone interviews. Occupational hygienists assessed occupational and hobby exposures for each subject individually. Also, occupational titles were obtained from national registries, and group level exposure-that is, the exposure proportion for each occupational title-was assessed with a job exposure matrix. The effects of 11 exposures using individual data and two exposures using group data (organic solvents and animal dust) were estimated. RESULTS: For the individual data on organic solvents, an effect was found for moderate or high intensity of exposure (odds ratio (OR) 3.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1 to 11) and for long duration (15-20 years) of exposure (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.0). By contrast, the group data showed no association (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.8; moderate or high intensity versus no exposure). For extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs), only individual data were available. An association with long occupational exposure to EMFs was found (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 4.5). However, no effect of EMF intensity was indicated. No significant effects of benzene, gasoline or diesel, or tobacco smoking were found. OR estimates below unity were suggested for personal use of hair dye and for agricultural exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between exposure to organic solvents and EMFs, and Ph+CML were indicated but were not entirely consistent.
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between handedness and hobby preference in healthy individuals. For this reason, the Annett handedness questionnaire and a standard questionnaire on preference for hobbies were administered to 879 healthy young men (age, M = 22.3, SD = 4.8 yr.). Analysis showed more cultured individuals were much less likely to be strongly right-handed. Especially, pure right-handedness highly overrepresented among those who mainly preferred doing sports, pure left-handedness among those who preferred reading books, collecting, or going to the cinema/theater, and mixed-handedness among those who preferred arts, like playing music, drawing, or handicraft. The findings support evidence that handedness is associated with hobby preference.
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether those participating in solvent oriented hobbies (SOH) are at greater risk of developing systemic sclerosis (SSc), and if the association is modified by the presence of the anti-Scl70 antibody. METHODS: Patients with SSc and controls were recruited from a university hospital rheumatology clinic. Recreational hobby and occupational histories were obtained along with blood samples. Cumulative scores were created for participation in SOH. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios associated with SOH exposure after adjustment for sex, age at diagnosis, and occupational solvent exposure, and to examine the association between SOH exposure and the presence of anti-Scl70. RESULTS: Solvent exposure based on hobbies and occupations was determined for 178 cases (141 women, 37 men) and 200 controls (138 women, 62 men). Overall participation in SOH was not associated with SSc. However, odds of high cumulative SOH exposure was 3 times greater in those patients with SSc testing positive for the anti-Scl70 antibody compared to patients testing negative (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1, 7.9), and twice as great as controls (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1, 5.9). CONCLUSION: While patients with SSc did not participate more often in SOH than controls over all, odds of high cumulative SOH exposure was greater among patients with SSc testing positive for anti-Scl70 compared to those testing negative and compared to controls. These results provide further evidence that environmental agents may play a role in the development of Ssc.
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between occupational and hobby exposure and the risk of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) while focusing on differential patterns of clonal chromosome aberrations and morphologic subgroups. METHODS: A case-referent study was conducted with 330 MDS patients investigated cytogenetically in 1976-1993 (cases) and matched referents. Telephone interviews with either the person or a next-of-kin were used. The participation rate of the cases and referents was 85% and 60%, respectively. Information was obtained from the next-of-kin more often for the cases (88%) than for the referents (26%). Occupational hygienists assessed the exposure using interview data on worktasks and hobbies. Associations with disease risk were evaluated for 10 exposures with a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The investigated exposures were generally not associated with cytogenetically abnormal MDS. Effect estimates for specific cytogenetic or morphologic subgroups were generally imprecise. Occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (EMF) was associated with MDS with a normal karyotype [odds ratio (OR) 2.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0-4.0]. The exposure-response association was consistent for intensity but inconclusive for duration. A decreased risk was observed for MDS, irrespective of karyotypic pattern, among farmers and farmhands (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.35-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: Cytogenetically abnormal MDS was generally not associated with occupational or hobby exposure to known or suspected genotoxic agents. However, exposure prevalences and intensities were low for several agents. An association was suggested between occupational exposure to EMF and MDS with a normal karyotype. Biases due to differential information quality and selective participation cannot be ruled out.
Occupational and industrial exposures have been implicated in the etiology of leukemia, yet uncertainty remains regarding potential high risk occupations. We examined the associations between self-reported occupations and hobbies and acute leukemia risk using data from 811 cases and 637 controls participating in a case-control study in the U.S. and Canada. We found that several occupations may increase the risk of acute leukemia, particularly occupations related to petroleum products, rubber, nuclear energy, munitions, plastics, and electronics manufacturing. Differences were noted according to histological type. Other occupations and hobbies were not clearly associated with risk.
BACKGROUND: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTB) infections are not commonly diagnosed in Thailand. The dissertation of reported cases among 10 published reports of 44 cases within 20 years revealed only six cases of cutaneous infections in which M. marinum was not included. METHODS: The proven cases of M. marinum infection were studied at the Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok from 1981 to 1990. The clinical data, histopathology, tuberculin test, chest x-ray, and treatments were recorded. RESULTS: M. marinum skin infection accounted for 18 cases (81.8% of NTB skin infection), 10 men and 8 women. A history of preceding trauma occurred in 11 cases (61.1%), most of which were negligible wounds or minor abrasions. Twelve cases (66.7%) were in contact with organisms in their occupations and hobbies associated with fish and water exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Eighteen cases of M. marinum cutaneous infection acquired from occupations and hobbies were reported. The term "M. marinum cutaneous infection" or "M. marinum granuloma" instead of swimming pool granuloma or fish tank granuloma was proposed. According to this study, cotrimoxazole was the most appropriate drug for the treatment of M. marinum cutaneous infection.
Hobbis and Sutton (this issue) suggest that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) techniques can be used in interventions based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Although this suggestion has merit, CBT is only one of many applicable methods for producing belief and behavior change. Moreover, CBT's primary purpose is to help people carry out intended behaviors, not to influence intentions, and that it is more useful in face-to-face than in community-level interventions. Contrary to Hobbis and Sutton's critique, TPB can accommodate core beliefs or fundamental assumptions, but the theory suggests that interventions targeted at such beliefs are less effective than interventions targeted at behavior specific beliefs.
Although Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has successfully combined procedures based on behavioural and cognitive theories to reduce emotional problems, there is limited research into the efficacy of CBT in changing health behaviours. Of the studies cited by Hobbis and Sutton (this issue), only one measured health behaviours. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of behaviour change techniques, it is essential that the endpoints are behaviours, rather than health or emotional outcomes. There are both theoretical and circumstantial reasons for believing that CBT may be effective for changing health behaviours. Hobbis and Sutton have considered CBT as an addition to the Theory of Planned Behaviour-based interventions. It may be even more effective as an alternative.
This study investigated whether a 21.1 km (half-marathon) or a 42.195 km (marathon) run modulates DNA damage, antioxidant capacity in lymphocytes and plasma, and the immune system in healthy hobby runners. Ten and 12 volunteers who completed the Baden-Marathon race in Karlsruhe with a running distance of 21.1 km and 41.195 km, respectively, were assessed 10 days before and immediately after the finish. There was no increase in the levels of endogenous DNA strand breaks immediately after half-marathon or marathon races. A statistically significant increase in the levels of oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes was found using endonuclease III but not formamidopyrimidine glycolase (Fpg). The resistance of DNA to oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide in isolated lymphocytes was significantly decreased after both races. The levels of plasma antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and lycopene were close to, or higher than, those considered optimal for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and there were no significant changes after the races in antioxidant capacity of LDL (lag-time test) or plasma in ORAC, TEAC or paraoxonase assays. The number and percentage of granulocytes and monocytes able to generate oxidative burst were significantly increased after both races, but the lytic activity of NK cells was significantly increased at the end of the half-marathon; no effect was observed in the marathon runners. Thus, oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes, decreased the antioxidant capacity to protect lymphocytes against DNA strand breaks and increased the formation of reactive species by phagocytes in well-nourished hobby runners indicating moderate oxidative damage during such high-intensity exercise.
Jean-Martin Charcot not only was one of the founders of modern neurology, but he displayed an exceptionally developed visual perception and memory, with special artistic gifts, which he used first as a hobby and subsequently as a tool in his profession. Previously unpublished drawings emphasize Charcot's talents in caricature, including autoderision. One of the best achievements of Charcot in correlating the clinic with art includes his thorough study of artistic representations of "possessed states", which allowed him to refine his work on hysteria. The artist and the scientist are two unique facets of Charcot, whose permanent coexistence help to understand his legacy.
Solvent-containing products (8 paint, 29 glue and 4 thinner preparations) for plastic miniature hobby were analyzed for solvent constituents by capillary gas-chromatography. Acetone and methyl isobutyl ketone were two most extensively used solvents both in terms of frequency and concentration. Other popular solvents included ethyl alcohol and two esters of ethyl acetate and butyl acetate. In contrast, aromatics, chlorinated hydrocarbons and ethylene glycol derivatives were seldomly detected. The present findings were discussed in comparison with the observation on the materials abused for sniffing in the past, as well as constituents in the products for industrial application.
Data from the EU-project EHLASS (European Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System) collected from five Danish hospitals during the period 1989-1991 contained 185,551 accidents occurring at home and during leisure time. The population in the catchment area is approximately 700,000. Of these accidents, 9900 involved eye-injury, 2940 of these occurred during hobby-activities, and 1460 of these while the subject was using either drilling-, welding- or grinding-equipment. The incidence of eye-injuries occurring during the use of these machines has risen from 0.6/1000/year in 1989 to 0.7/1000/year in 1990 and to 0.8/1000/year in 1991. In 98% of the cases the patients were men, 30% were between 20 and 29 years of age. A common activity at the time of the accident was "car-repairing". Foreign-body-lesions were seen in 60% of the cases, and actinic conjunctivitis in 30%. None of the injuries were serious, but they were often very painful and demanding of resources. All the injuries could have been avoided by the use of proper eye protection.