Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) values in the second trimester have been related to pregnancy outcome for 100 normal twin pairs, 42 monozygous (MZ) and 58 dizygous (DZ), liveborn after 28 weeks gestation. The median MSAFP value was 1.9 multiples of the median value (MOM) for uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. Both very low and very high MSAFP values were associated with twins of low birthweight. MSAFP values were higher in MZ than DZ twin pregnancies particularly those with dizygotes of like-sex. This effect was even more marked when only dichorionic like-sex twin pairs were compared.

Birth Weight↗

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Understanding mammography intention and utilization among women in an inner city public hospital clinic.

BACKGROUND: Most research on mammography utilization has been conducted among middle-class women. There is a need for research to identify factors affecting mammography utilization among low-income women to develop effective interventions for this underserved subgroup. METHODS: An expanded theory of reasoned action guided this research among low-income inner-city women who use a public hospital. Qualitative interviews were conducted to develop a questionnaire with items relevant to this population. The questionnaire included 5 affect measures, 13 behavioral beliefs, 5 sources of influence, and 6 facilitator/constraint measures. The survey was mailed to 584 women ages 50 to 69 identified through the hospital database. RESULTS: After those ineligible and undeliverable were excluded, responses rates were obtained from 361 women (84% adjusted response rate). Sixty-six percent had a mammogram within the previous year and 58% were very sure that they would get a mammogram in the next year. Affect, attitude, subjective norm, and facilitator scores were computed. All four constructs had significant correlations (r = 0.38 to 0.41) with intention to get a mammogram in the next year and all had significant multiple regression weights (R = 0.54). All but three items making up the model components were significantly correlated with screening intention. CONCLUSIONS: The data from applying a behavioral model indicate that intervention efforts to increase mammography utilization among low-income women should target all four model components. A clinic-based intervention could use multiple methods to deliver messages developed to target each of the model component items found to be associated with mammography intention.

Aged↗

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Gender differences among smokers and quitters in the Working Well Trial.

BACKGROUND: Gender differences in smoking and smoking cessation among participants in the Working Well Trial are characterized. METHODS: A prospective randomized matched-pair evaluation was conducted among 90 predominantly blue-collar worksites. Cross-sectional surveys of employees' tobacco use behaviors were conducted at baseline and after a 2.5-year smoking cessation intervention. Respondents included 5,523 females and 12,313 males at baseline and 4,663 females and 10,919 males at follow-up. The main outcome measures included self-reported continuous smoking abstinence rates for 7 days and for 6 months. RESULTS: Smoking prevalence was significantly higher for women than for men at baseline, but not at follow-up. Variables believed to influence smoking cessation were compared at baseline. Significant gender differences were found for number of cigarettes smoked/day, number of previous quit attempts, job strain, stage of change, and behavioral processes of change. At follow-up, no gender differences in quit rates were observed; however, women in the intervention condition were more likely to quit than women in the control condition, whereas no differences were seen among men by treatment condition. CONCLUSIONS: Gender is not a strong predictor of smoking cessation in this population; however, women were more likely to quit with an intervention than without one.

Adult↗

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Neutral postgrafted colloidal particles for gene delivery.

Surface modification of cationic lipoplexes has been carried out by means of a postgrafting reaction. The original lipoplexes described comprise a cationic lipid, a neutral lipid, poly(ethylene glycol)-cholesterol (with or without a targeting ligand) and DNA. Modifying their surface via a chemical, postgrafting reaction did not alter their size (approximately 100 nm) nor their ability to compact DNA, but did give a reduced zeta potential (approximately 0 mV) to afford surface neutral particles. With the modified lipoplexes nonspecific NIH3T3 cell surface binding in vitro was inhibited. Intravenous injection of the neutralized lipoplexes in mice showed decreased accumulation of the particles in the lung as compared to PEGylated cationic lipoplexes. Tumor targeting was also achieved in vivo by the addition of an RGD-PEG-Cholesterol as a lipid-ligand in the postgrafted lipoplex formulation.

Acetates↗

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The action of histamine on pulmonary vessels of cats and rats.

1. The actions of histamine on pulmonary vascular smooth muscle have been studied in isolated cat and rat lungs perfused with blood, lobes of cat lung perfused in vivo and isolated strips of rat, cat and rabbit pulmonary artery. 2. In all the lung preparations histamine caused both dilatation and constriction. In the rat strips it caused both contraction and relaxation. Dilatation was only well shown when the vessels were in a prior constricted state. In any one lung dilatation occurred with smaller doses than constriction. 3. Histamine caused both increases and decreases in pulmonary artery pressure in collapsed lungs. In this condition these effects are unlikely to have been a consequence of changes in airway pressure. 4. From forward and reverse perfusions of lungs in the waterfall state, where changes in postalveolar vessels do not affect pulmonary artery pressure, it appeared that histamine caused both dilatation and constriction on both sides of the point of collapse caused by alveolar pressure. 5. Plots of the relationship between left atrial and pulmonary artery pressure (at constant alveolar pressure and blood flow) showed that histamine caused both increases and decreases in pulmonary vascular resistance and sometimes also increased the "Starling resistor" properties of lung vessels. 6. In plethysmograph experiments histamine caused moderate dilatation and constriction without affecting lung volume but strong vasoconstriction was accompanied by increases in lung volume.

Animals↗

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Hospice day care.

Hospice day care is a cost-effective way to expand the range of services available to hospice patients and families. Additionally, day care can increase continuity of care between inpatient and homecare settings, and ease the burden of responsibility on the homecare component of hospice.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Monitoring system change: a new need for an old tool.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Data Collection↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Glucocorticoid receptor characteristics in healthy childrens' leukocytes: correlation with gender, weight, age and plasma cortisol.

This study evaluated the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binding capacity of mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) in male and female, obese and non-obese children and adolescents. Fifteen male and eleven female subjects, ages 6.3 to 21 years, approximately equally divided between obese and non-obese were included. The age distribution was equivalent among groups. Average GR binding capacity and apparent dissociation constant (Kd) did not differ significantly between the obese and non-obese groups. However, females averaged 7280 +/- 1440 GR sites/MNL, significantly more than males with 5720 +/- 1132 sites/MNL (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in average Kd between the groups nor was there a difference in the GR characteristics with respect to subjects' age, plasma cortisol concentrations, or degree of adiposity. While in the group studied, there were no differences in MNL GR characteristics based on subjects' weight, age or plasma cortisol, female subjects' MNL averaged 27% greater GR binding capacity than males. This difference appears to be concentrated in the pubertal subgroup.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recruiting worksites to participate in a health promotion research study.

PURPOSE: In this study, the type and size of participating and nonparticipating worksites in a health promotion research trial were examined. DESIGN: In-person and telephone contacts were made with representatives from a random sample of eligible worksites recruited to participate in a research trial to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. SETTING: Worksites that had 250 to 2000 employees and a worksite cafeteria were recruited. SUBJECTS: Eighty-one worksites were contacted. MEASURES: A census of eligible worksites (N = 109) formed the recruitment base, and a random selection of worksites (N = 81) was personally contacted and asked to participate in the research. Information on size, type of worksite, and a worksite representative was obtained from a privately compiled list covering the greater Puget Sound area. Eligibility for the project included the presence of an onsite cafeteria at the worksite as assessed by a brief telephone call. RESULTS: Thirty-six of the contacted worksites (44.5%) agreed to participate. There were no significant differences in participation by type or size of worksite. DISCUSSION: Worksites can be recruited to participate in research trials. No particular type or size of worksite is more likely to participate. Instituting pre-randomization participation conditions may reduce post-randomization dropout by ascertaining compliance with research requirements before randomization.

Feeding Behavior↗