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Biomedical subjects

J Liang

Publications and source records attributed to J Liang.

At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

The acceptance and completion of mammography by older black women.

We assessed the relation of patient characteristics, knowledge and beliefs to the utilization of mammography in an inner-city setting by 187 Black women over the age of 50. Thirty per cent of those who were offered mammography initially declined the offer and 40 per cent were subsequently unable to complete the procedure. Patient interviews were used to derive 27 potential knowledge and health belief predictor scales. In multiple regression analysis, two health belief scales and two knowledge scales accounted for 15 per cent of the observed variance in the model of acceptance. The strongest predictor of subsequent completion was initial acceptance. The presence of breast symptoms and two health belief scales together with initial acceptance accounted for 26 per cent of variance in the model of completion. These results suggest that the successful accomplishment of mammography requires coordinated efforts at the level of the provider, patient, and setting. Health beliefs may influence the patient's behavior in this process, but their effect appears to be modest.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1989

Genotoxicity of [1H]benz[de]isoquinoline-1,3[2H]dione,5 amino-2-,[2-dimethylamino) ethyl] (BIDA) in human lymphocytes.

We have investigated the genotoxicity of BIDA in cultured human lymphocytes. Lymphocytes were cultured and stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for 72 h. Doses of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 microgram/ml of BIDA were added to the culture at 1 h (G2 phase), and 6 h (S/G2 phase) before harvesting. Cells were harvested at the end of the 72-h culture period with 1-h colcemid treatment to accumulate mitosis, and further prepared by standard cytogenetic technique. BIDA induced chromatic type breakages and chromatid exchanges at both 1 h and 6 h. The mean number of breakages per cell was 0, 0.1, 1.0, and 1.7 after treatment with 0.1, 0.25, and 0.75 micrograms/ml, respectively. Ai 1 microgram/ml, BIDA severely inhibited cell progression and very few mitoses were observed. At 6 h the mean number of breakages per cell was 0.3 at 0.25 microgram/ml and 1.2 at 0.5 microgram/ml. Very few cells entered mitosis at 0.75 and 1 microgram/ml. To study the effect of BIDA on cells in G0 and G1, BIDA (0.75 microgram/ml) was added for 1 h to the cultures at the beginning of culture (G0), or 24 h after (G1) culture initiation. Afterward, cells were washed and reincubated in the conditioned medium for 71 or 47 h. No chromosomal aberrations were seen in these experiments. The number of chromatid breaks was minimal (0.1 to 0.4/cell). Our study suggests that BIDA induces chromatid type aberrations during G2 and S phases. The absence of chromosome type aberrations in cells treated during G0 and G1 suggests that either BIDA has no effect on these cells or that damaged cells fail to progress through S and G2 to reach mitosis.

Adenine↗
PubMed1989

Near-ultraviolet circular dichroism of bovine high molecular weight alpha-crystallin.

High molecular weight (HMW) alpha-crystallin isolated from cow nucleus has a molecular weight greater than 5 x 10(6) Daltons. Its particle dimensions have been reported to be over 500 nm. It is derived mainly from low molecular weight (LMW) alpha-crystallin. The conformational change as LMW alpha-crystallin is converted into HMW alpha-crystallin was studied by near-ultraviolet circular dichroism (NUV-CD). The main concern in measuring CD for protein aggregates with particle dimensions as high as HMW alpha-crystallin and with an irregular shape is the contribution of differential scattering. The differential scattering becomes increasingly more important for particles with dimensions greater than 1/20th the wavelength of light. This contribution was minimized by increasing the acceptance half-angle of detection. The present data indicate that bovine HMW alpha-crystallin has a different tertiary structure from LMW alpha-crystallin.

Absorption↗
PubMed1988

Structural integration of the Affect Balance Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index A: race, sex, and age differences.

In this research we examined race, sex, and age differences in the factorial structure of Liang's (1985) model of subjective well-being that integrates the Affect Balance Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index A. In particular, we viewed the covariance structure of the items as a function of several parameter matrices. We analyzed the factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving the equivalence constraints of one or more parameter matrices with regard to the following: White and Black subsamples, men and women, and the young-old and the old-old. Data for the research came from the 1974 Harris National Council on Aging Survey, Myths and Reality of Aging in America. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance. Replicated race differences were found in the factorial structure, but sex and age differences were not found. Consistent race differences were found for the second-order factor loadings for negative affect.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Hydrogen burst associated with nitrogenase-catalyzed reactions.

We have used a membrane-leak mass spectrometer to follow the time courses of H2 evolution and substrate reduction by nitrogenase [reduced ferredoxin:dinitrogen oxidoreductase (ATP-hydrolyzing), EC 1.18.6.1]. In the absence of added substrates, dinitrogenase passes all of its electrons to protons to form H2, but when a reducible substrate is added the electrons from dinitrogenase are shared between protons and the added substrate so that the steady-state rate of H2 production is decreased. If a reducible substrate is added before the nitrogenase reaction is initiated, a pre-steady-state burst of H2 is evident upon initiation of the reaction. This burst is associated with all the substrates of nitrogenase examined--i.e., N2, N2O, C2H2, NaN3, and NaCN. The H2 burst is stoichiometric with dinitrogenase, but not with dinitrogenase reductase. In the H2 burst phase, 1 H2 is evolved per dinitrogenase molybdenum. Although a change in the ratio of nitrogenase components changed the initial rate of the H2 burst, the stoichiometry was not affected. Production of H2 by the burst in the presence of a high concentration of substrate is terminated after production of 1 H2 per dinitrogenase molybdenum, and a steady-state rate of H2 production is established. This response suggests that the H2 burst is not a catalytic event but a result of a once-only activation process.

Hydrogen↗
PubMed1988

Differences in the structure of Life Satisfaction Index in three generations of Mexican Americans.

This study examines differences in the structure of seven Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) items across three generations of Mexican Americans. Viewing the covariance structure of the items as a function of several parameter matrices, we analyzed factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving equivalence constraints on one or more parameter matrices. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance. Differences in the factorial structure of the LSI were found between the older generation and the other two generations (i.e., the middle-age and younger generations). These differences persisted even when generational differences in education, income, and acculturation were taken into account. Further analyses revealed that generational differences were contained in only one (i.e., congruence) of the three first- comparisons in the other two dimensions (i.e., zest and mood tone) are appropriate.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Quantitation of anionic sites in glomerular capillary basement membranes of Samoyed dogs with hereditary glomerulopathy.

Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy (SHG) is an X-linked dominant disease characterized by proteinuria and renal failure in affected male dogs. Electron microscopic examination of glomerular capillary basement membranes (GCBM) shows widespread multilaminar splitting of the lamina densa, identical to that in Alport's syndrome. Anionic sites in GCBM of three affected males and five unaffected dogs were labeled using polyethyleneimine to determine whether proteinuria was associated with an alteration in their number. No significant differences were noted in the number of anionic sites in the lamina rara externa, whereas small but statistically significant increases were seen in the number of sites in the lamina rara interna of affected males. In the lamina densa, affected males showed a striking increase in anionic sites, particularly in regions of GCBM which were split. Thus, although proteinuria in some glomerular diseases has been attributed to a reduction in anionic sites in GCBM, this was not so in SHG.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The early detection of cancer in the primary-care setting: factors associated with the acceptance and completion of recommended procedures.

Effective cancer control efforts in the primary-care setting require that patients accept and are able to complete recommended early detection procedures. We thus assessed the extent to which procedure nonacceptance or noncompletion limited accomplishment of detection procedures offered as components of routine health care. We also examined the relationship of provider and patient factors to successful procedure accomplishment. Of 221 patients offered procedures by their primary-care provider, 58 (27%) initially declined at least one recommendation, with acceptance rates ranging from 98% for breast exam to 59% for sigmoidoscopy. Furthermore, only 50% of patients offered stool occult blood testing or sigmoidoscopy, 61% offered mammography, and 69% offered Pap smear were able to complete the procedures. Pap smear and mammography were more likely to be initially accepted by those patients with more years of formal education and were less likely to be completed by those with private insurance coverage. Among a subgroup of 76 patients completing a telephone interview, personal health beliefs were not consistently associated with procedure acceptance or completion. These results suggest that both the initial nonacceptance of procedures and the subsequent barriers to their completion limit the efficacy of cancer screening efforts in the primary-care setting. Future research will be required to develop an explanatory model or to propose a targeted intervention.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Cross-cultural comparability of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: an American-Japanese comparison.

This study involves an American-Japanese comparison of the factorial structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale. A model containing 11 of the original PGC Morale Scale items was found to fit both the American and Japanese data adequately. Factorial invariance was analyzed by testing a series of nested hypotheses involving various equivalence constraints. No major differences were found in the 11-item PGC Morale Scale between the American and Japanese data sets.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Race differences in factorial structures of two measures of subjective well-being.

This research examines race differences in the factorial structure of two popular measures of psychological well-being: the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale and the Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA). In particular, we view the covariance structure of the items of each scale as a function of several parameter matrices. We analyzed the factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving the equivalence constraints of one or more parameter matrices in the White and the Black samples. Data for the research came from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey and the 1974 Harris National Council on Aging Survey, Myths and Reality of Aging in America. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance of both the PGC Morale Scale and the LSIA. Race differences were found in the factorial structure of the PGC Morale Scale, but not in the structure of LSIA. In particular, consistent race differences in measurement error variances were found for two items of the PGC Morale Scale.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1986

Effect of age and muscle type on regeneration of neuromuscular synapses in mice.

A silver stain was used to investigate the regeneration of nerve terminals in mouse diaphragm, superior gluteus and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscles following nerve crush injury at different ages (9-530 days). The development of myelinated terminal branches and the development and elimination of terminal sprouts were little affected by age or muscle type following reinnervation. However, multiple axonal innervation developed on up to 50% of the gluteus and TFL muscle fibres, and this was subsequently eliminated only in the youngest animals.

Aging↗
PubMed1986

Population aging in the People's Republic of China.

This paper provides a factual assessment of China's population aging and its social and economic consequences. It is projected that China will have a substantially older population in the middle of the 21st century. Major policy implications concerning old age support and health care have been examined.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Age differences in the structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale.

In this research we examined age differences in the factorial structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale. In particular, we viewed the covariance structure of the PGC Morale Scale items as a function of several parameter matrices. We analyzed the factorial invariance by testing hypotheses involving the equivalence constraints of one or more parameter matrices in the young-old (65-74) and the old-old (75 and over) populations. Data for this research came from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey. Analysis of covariance structures, or LISREL, was used to assess the factorial invariance of the PGC Morale Scale. Although there are some statistically significant age differences in the factorial structure, substantively they are less important.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Self-reported physical health among aged adults.

A multiple indicator structural equation model is proposed to delineate the various aspects of self-reported physical health. In particular, it specifies structural linkages among five measures of health including chronic illness, number of sick days, physical self-maintenance, instrumental activities of daily living, and subjective rating of one's own health. The proposed model is evaluated by using data from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey. The results support the predictions derived from the proposed model and are consistently replicated across four randomly divided subsamples.

Aged↗