The predictive relationship between academic self-concept, achievement expectancies, and grade performance in college calculus.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
J D House
Publications and source records attributed to J D House.
Amino acid profile and aromatic amino acid concentration in total parenteral nutrition: effect on growth, protein metabolism and aromatic amino acid metabolism in the neonatal piglet.
1. The protein and amino acid utilization of two commercially available amino acid solutions, one egg-patterned (Vamin), the other human-milk-patterned (Vaminolact), were studied in piglets receiving total parenteral nutrition. It was hypothesized that Vaminolact was deficient in total aromatic amino acids, so a third group received a human-milk-patterned amino acid solution with added phenylalanine. 2. The piglets were on total parenteral nutrition for 8 days from day 2 or 3 of life. They all received a total energy intake of 1040 kJ day-1 kg-1 with macronutrient intakes of 14.6 g of amino acid, 27.4 g of glucose and 9.4 g of fat day-1 kg-1. 3. Nitrogen balances were performed on days 3-8 of total parenteral nutrition. On day 8 a primed constant infusion of (1-14C]-phenylalanine was given to measure phenylalanine flux and fractional conversion to tyrosine. Transamination catabolites of phenylalanine and tyrosine were measured in urine on day 7. 4. The piglets receiving Vaminolact gained significantly less weight (0.86 kg compared with 1.18 kg for Vamin and 1.20 kg for phenylalanine-supplemented Vaminolact; P < 0.02) and nitrogen (1435 mg day-1 kg-1 compared with 1601 mg and 1836 mg day-1 kg-1 for the other groups; P < 0.0001). 5. The piglets receiving Vamin had high plasma phenylalanine levels (2234 mumol/l compared with 156 mumol/l for Vaminolact and 399 mumol for phenylalanine-supplemented vaminolact; P < 0.0001). Those receiving Vamin also had an elevated excretion of phenylalanine transamination metabolites and low plasma lysine levels. Phenylalanine flux was highest in the Vamin group, intermediate in the phenylalanine-supplemented Vaminolact group and lowest in the Vaminolact group. 6. We conclude that Vaminolact is limiting in aromatic amino acids and that the addition of phenylalanine to the level in Vamin significantly improves growth and nitrogen retention; however, increasing the phenylalanine content of total parenteral nutrition is not the most metabolically suitable way to provide aromatic amino acids in neonatal total parenteral nutrition.
Amino Acids↗
Gender differences in prediction of grade performance from graduate record examination scores.
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Educational Measurement↗
Glutamine supplementation to total parenteral nutrition promotes extracellular fluid expansion in piglets.
The effect of glutamine-supplemented total parenteral nutrition was studied in 18 neonatal piglets (1.97 kg, 3 d old) for 8 d. They were grouped as follows: total parenteral nutrition with 0 (controls), 5 or 10 g glutamine/100 g total amino acids. Live weight gain (g/d) tended (P < 0.07) to increase with supplementation (129, 143, and 166 [SD = 20] for control, 5% and 10% glutamine), but there was no effect on total gain (g) in body protein (180, 171, 197; SD = 25), fat (135, 126, 143; SD = 33) or ash (13, 13, 16; SD = 5) for control, 5% and 10% glutamine groups, respectively. Total body water gains were significantly higher in the 10% group than in controls, with the 5% group showing intermediate gains (control = 696 g; 5% glutamine = 822 g, 10% glutamine = 970 g, SD = 119). Increased glutamine supplementation was accompanied by a trend (P < 0.08) toward increasing total body chloride space, an indicator of extracellular volume, explaining, in part, the observed differences in water gains. These results indicate that glutamine may not be a conditionally indispensable amino acid for the neonate on total parenteral nutrition. Furthermore, glutamine supplementation to total parenteral nutrition leads to disturbances in water balance that could cause increased accumulation, particularly in the extracellular space.
Animals↗
Aromatic amino acid metabolism of neonatal piglets receiving TPN: effect of tyrosine precursors.
Low tyrosine solubility in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions complicates meeting the aromatic amino acid needs of infants. This study compared the effectiveness of two tyrosine precursors to supply the aromatic amino acid needs of TPN-fed neonatal piglets with a control group in which total aromatic acid needs were met by the addition of phenylalanine (Phe). Eighteen 3-day-old male Yorkshire piglets (6/group) received TPN for 8 days by central line. The solution was supplemented with Phe or one of the following two tyrosine precursors: N-acetyltyrosine (N-AcTyr) or glycyltyrosine (GlyTyr). Aromatic amino acid metabolism, growth, and nitrogen utilization were measured. Average amino acid and energy intakes were 14.6 g.kg-1.day-1 and 1,050 kJ.kg-1.day-1. Nitrogen balance and utilization were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in piglets in the control Phe group and on the GlyTyr regimen. The high urinary excretion of N-AcTyr (65%) confirms its low bioavailability. Flux and oxidation were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the Phe group. High plasma Phe levels and excretion of Phe catabolites, as well as the high plasma tyrosine in the GlyTyr group, indicate that current strategies employed to meet the aromatic amino acid needs of neonates on TPN need further refinement.
Amino Acids↗
In vivo apparent pA2 analysis for naltrexone antagonism of discriminative stimulus and analgesic effects of opiate agonists in rats.
Six opiate agonists were characterized by in vivo apparent pA2 analysis with respect to their discriminative stimulus, rate-decreasing and analgesic effects, by using the antagonist naltrexone. In drug discrimination experiments, rats were trained to discriminate 3.2 mg/kg of morphine from saline under a fixed-ratio 15 schedule of food reinforcement. In analgesia experiments, rat's tails were immersed into 55 degrees C water and latency for tail withdrawal was measured. Naltrexone (0.01-1.0 mg/kg) antagonized discriminative stimulus effects of all agonists, rate-decreasing effects of etorphine, morphine, fentanyl, buprenorphine and GPA 1657 [(1)-B-2'-hydroxy-2,9-dimethyl-5-phenyl-6,7-benzomorphan] and analgesic effects of etorphine, morphine, buprenorphine and GPA 1657. Analgesic effects of fentanyl and nalbuphine were not tested. Naltrexone apparent pA2 values across the three behavioral measures were etorphine (7.2-7.4 mol/kg), fentanyl (7.3-7.4 mol/kg), morphine (7.5-8.4 mol/kg), GPA 1657 (7.0-7.3 mol/kg), buprenorphine (7.5-7.7 mol/kg) and nalbuphine (7.7 mol/kg). Apparent pA2 values averaged 7.5 mol/kg and slopes of the naltrexone Schild regressions were not different from unity, suggesting that the measured behavioral effects of these agonists are mediated by mu opioid receptors. Nalbuphine also was used as an antagonist in the tail-withdrawal assay. The apparent pA2 values for nalbuphine were etorphine (4.9 mol/kg), morphine (5.9 mol/kg), GPA 1657 (5.7 mol/kg) and buprenorphine (5.5 mol/kg). Slopes of the Schild regressions differed, suggesting that nalbuphine's modest analgesic effects may have prevented proper conditions for an accurate Schild analysis.
Analgesia↗
Achievement-related expectancies, academic self-concept, and mathematics performance of academically underprepared adolescent students.
The relationship between achievement-related expectancies, academic self-concept, and mathematics performance of 191 academically underprepared adolescent students was examined. After the effects of prior academic achievement were controlled for, a significant main effect for academic self-concept was found; as expected, students with higher academic self-concept earned significantly higher mathematics grades. In addition, after the effects of prior achievement were controlled for, female students were found to earn significantly higher mathematics grades than did male students. A significant three-way (Sex x Ethnic Group x Achievement-Related Expectancies) interaction was also noted. Unlike in several previous studies, no significant racial differences in mathematics performance were found. These students had a similar socioeconomic status (SES), and the effects of prior academic achievement were controlled for, suggesting that racial and gender differences in mathematics achievement may be partially explained by prior schooling and SES background, as posited by Reyes and Stanic (1988).
Adolescent↗
Regional brain neurotransmitter concentrations in stress-susceptible pigs.
In three experiments, the concentrations of indoleamines and catecholamines were measured in the brain regions of pigs that were homozygous-positive (nn, stress-susceptible), heterozygous (Nn), and homozygous-negative (NN, stress-tolerant) for the halothane gene. In Exp. 1 (n = 10), hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptophan (P < .1) and serotonin (P < .05) were lower in nn than in NN pigs. Concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, dihydroxyphenylethylamine (DOPAMINE), norepinephrine, and epinephrine in the hypothalamus and caudate nucleus were lower (P < .05) in nn (n = 8) than in NN (n = 7) pigs in Exp. 2. However, there were no differences in dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) between nn and NN pigs. Hippocampal serotonin and norepinephrine were lower (P < .05) in nn than in NN pigs. In the third experiment, serotonin was the only neurotransmitter that was lower in the hippocampus of Nn (n = 5) than of NN (n = 6) pigs; concentrations of all other neurotransmitters in the three brain regions were similar between Nn and NN pigs. Results from these experiments suggest central nervous system involvement in porcine stress syndrome.
Animals↗
Tutoring outcomes of academically underprepared adolescent minority students as a function of student and tutor characteristics.
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Adolescent↗
Dry chemistry: an assessment of the BCL Reflotron system.
The Reflotron dry chemistry analyser was assessed over a period of 9 months for the 11 available analytes: cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, urate, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma GT), haemoglobin, aspartate amino transferase (AST), urea, alanine amino transferase (ALT), bilirubin and amylase. In comparison with established laboratory methods, results showed good agreement with end-point methods, but for enzymes there were significant but explainable differences, reflected in the normal ranges quoted for both the Reflotron and laboratory methods. Imprecision observed was between 2% and 6.5% CV (between-day) for enzyme analyses and 1% and 6% CV for end-point methods. Analytical ranges for each method were similar to those expected, with the exception of ALT, where the range was lower, although adequate. Delay between sample application and measurement should not exceed 60 s. Variations in packed cell volume of whole blood samples does not appear to affect results adversely. In the hands of semi-trained staff the instrument produced adequate results.
Blood Chemical Analysis↗
Lymphocyte mitogenesis, immunoglobulin and complement levels in depressed patients and normal controls.
The central nervous system and the immune system are closely related. Psychiatric illness is often associated with a dysregulation of the immune response. In an attempt to expand on previously reported immune abnormalities in patients with depressive illness, we compared several immune measures in a group of hospitalized depressed patients and healthy normal controls. Depressed patients had significantly higher percentages of circulating neutrophils, significantly lower percentages of circulating lymphocytes and significantly lower in vitro lymphocyte responses to mitogenic stimulation than normal controls. Basal plasma cortisol and circulating levels of the complement components C3 and C4 were also higher in the depressed group. We also found a significant association between cortisol values and the traffic of leukocytes on the one hand, and complement levels and the lymphocyte mitogenic activities on the other. These findings expand previously reported evidence of immune abnormalities in depressive illness and provide a partial explanation for some of these findings.
Adult↗
Mortality among outpatients with anxiety disorders.
An earlier follow-up of inpatients with panic disorder attributed excess mortality among men to death from unnatural causes and from cardiovascular disease. The present study sought to determine the stability of this finding with a 12-year follow-up of 155 outpatients with anxiety neurosis. As in the first study, men were twice as likely to die as expected, and this excess in deaths was attributable to cardiovascular disease and suicide. Given the small numbers in both studies, however, the link between panic disorder and excess cardiovascular mortality remains tentative.
Ambulatory Care↗
Depression, urinary free cortisol excretion and lymphocyte function.
An impairment in lymphocyte response to mitogen stimulation, a correlate of cell-mediated immunity, has been reported in patients with depressive illness. To investigate whether such impairment in lymphocyte function is related to excessive secretion of cortisol, an immunosuppressive hormone, we compared mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in three groups of subjects: depressed patients with elevated 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) excretion; depressed patients with normal UFC excretion; and normal controls. Depressed patients in both groups showed significant reductions in lymphocyte mitogenic activity, in comparison with the normal controls, but the two depressive groups did not significantly differ from each other in their lymphocytic responses to any of the mitogens used. Furthermore, no significant correlations were found, within depressed patients, between UFC excretion and lymphocyte mitogenic responses. Depression is therefore associated with an impairment in lymphocyte function that cannot be explained solely on the basis of increased cortisol secretion.
Depressive Disorder↗
A study of the use of adult learning theory in medical instruction.
This study examined relationships between the attitudes of medical faculty toward specific aspects of adult learning theory as well as the degree to which behaviors were actually used to build upon those beliefs. A questionnaire was developed to assess attitudes toward adult learning theory and returned by 269 of the medical faculty at the University of Iowa College of Medicine (58.5%). Several significant relationships were noted between faculty beliefs and the teaching methods they reported using. First, the six components of adult learning theory studied were independent of one another, suggesting a lack of consistent attitudes toward these components. Second, faculty who had taken teaching courses or workshops on teaching showed attitudes different than their peers, and used different types of teaching activities. This finding suggests that educational experiences can in fact affect the attitudes and teaching practices used by medical faculty, at least with respect to principles of adult learning theory.
Adult↗
Stressful life events and depressive symptomatology in obstetric patients: a pilot study in a family practice setting.
Several studies have found the presence of stressful life events to be associated with the appearance of postpartum depression. However, many of these previous studies have been conducted in obstetric clinics; relatively little research in this area has been done in a family practice setting. The first objective of this study was to note the prevalence of depressive symptomatology in a family practice clinic's pregnant patients. The second purpose was to evaluate the relationship between stressful life events and depressive symptomatology during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Each subject (n = 27) was given a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at three times: second trimester, third trimester, and three weeks postpartum. Each subject also completed a life events scale for obstetric patients after delivery; both weighted and unweighted life events scores were calculated. The correlation between the weighted and unweighted life events scores was 0.85. Postpartum BDI scores were significantly related to life events scores: 0.47 (n = 27, p = .0133) for unweighted scores and 0.58 (n = 27, p = .0015) for weighted scores. Weighted life events scores were more highly correlated with BDI scores at each of the three administration. Finally, 19% of these subjects showed BDI scores consistent with mild depression after delivery. Each of these results is consistent with findings from studies done in other settings.
Adult↗
Effect of a rapid diagnostic method on prescribing patterns and ordering of throat cultures for streptococcal pharyngitis.
The sensitivity and specificity of a rapid identification test for group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus and its impact on prescribing antibiotics and ordering throat cultures were evaluated in a primary care office setting. The calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 82 percent, 92 percent, 76 percent, and 94 percent, respectively. Throat cultures were ordered for 98 percent of patients with acute pharyngitis regardless of the method of testing available. After use of the rapid identification test within the office, a reduction was observed in physician prescribing of antibiotics before the throat culture results were known. Physicians were more likely to initiate antibiotics immediately when rapid test results for streptococcal infection were positive and provide patient education regarding symptomatic treatment when the results were negative. The rapid identification test is an acceptable alternative to the standard culture technique in the family practice office. The rapid test was apparently responsible for the observed reduction in antibiotic prescribing and should reduce unnecessary cost and antibiotic exposure in the ambulatory setting.
Adolescent↗
Sibling grief in reaction to sudden infant death syndrome.
Much of the literature that exists regarding psychologic outcomes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has focused on parental grief or family response; at least two studies suggest that a SIDS death also affected siblings. It is believed that children who experience the death of a sibling due to SIDS do grieve. Factors related to bereavement are the child's age at the time of the sibling's death, special circumstances of the SIDS death, and explanations and grieving response of the parents. However, no information currently exists that characterizes the course of the grief response of these children. Studies have indicated that about 1 year is a normal grieving period for adults. This study was conducted to evaluate the time frame of children's grief response to the death of a sibling from SIDS. A questionnaire was designed that incorporated child grieving behaviors from several sources; 151 questionnaires were distributed to families in which a SIDS death had occurred in the past 16 years in Iowa and Illinois. Information was obtained from 43 families for 50 children who were older than 2 years of age at the time of the sibling's death. With respect to the length of children's grief response, 54% were reported to have grieved longer than 1 year and only 40% were reported to have grieved less than 6 months. Thus, it appears that the length of the grieving response for these children is similar to that described for adults.
Adolescent↗