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Biomedical subjects

J Weinman

Publications and source records attributed to J Weinman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The impact of catastrophic beliefs on functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome.

This study investigated the association between catastrophic beliefs and disability in the context of Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A sample of 282 CFS sufferers were asked about the consequences of pushing themselves beyond their present physical state. Responses were coded into catastrophic or non-catastrophic categories. While not differing on the length of illness or psychological adjustment, subjects demonstrating catastrophic responses evidenced significantly higher levels of fatigue and were more disabled in terms of their ability to work both in their normal occupation and around the house. Catastrophizers also showed greater disability in terms of their sleep and rest, social communication, and recreational activities. The role of catastrophic beliefs and personal perceptions of CFS in maintaining the illness is discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1995

Patient expectations: what do primary care patients want from the GP and how far does meeting expectations affect patient satisfaction?

There is growing recognition of the importance of patients' expectations in general practice. This study aimed to investigate the types of expectations adult primary care patients have prior to consulting the GP, and how far meeting expectations is associated with increased satisfaction. Patients (n = 504) attending general practitioners (n = 25) at 10 London general practices were included in the study. The Patients Intentions Questionnaire (PIQ) was administered prior to the consultation to investigate patients' expectations and the Expectations Met Questionnaire (EMQ) was administered after the consultation to find out what the patient reportedly obtained. Satisfaction with the consultation was also measured using the Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale (MISS). The results of a principal components analysis of PIQ item scores indicated that the most wanted items were for 'explanation of the problem'. There was less desire for 'support' or 'tests and diagnosis'. Many of the 'support' items could potentially be provided to all patients, yet a proportion of patients reported not receiving these items from the GP. The results of one-way ANOVAs revealed that patients with greater numbers of their expectations met reported significantly higher satisfaction with the consultation than those with lower numbers met. The PIQ and EMQ could be potentially useful self-audit tools for use by general practitioners and trainee GPs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Psychological mood of regular dental attenders in relation to oral hygiene behaviour and gingival health.

This study examined the relationship between psychological mood, stress and oral hygiene behaviour in a group of 51 regular dental attenders. Subjects brought a saliva sample for cortisol radioimmunoassay, completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale, were assessed for plaque and gingivitis, and were then instructed in toothbrushing. 5 weeks later, 47 subjects were given a full repeat examination. There was a slight reduction in plaque and gingivitis scores, but no change in mood as assessed by HAD Scale and salivary cortisol concentration. Mean anxiety scores were associated with gingivitis level, and mean depression scores with plaque. Neither mood nor cortisol were predictors of subsequent change in plaque or gingivitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effects of background stress and anxiety on postoperative recovery.

The effects of background stress and anxiety on both short- and long-term recovery were measured in 30 healthy patients undergoing general anaesthesia for day-case dental extractions. Standardised questionnaires presented pre-operatively, assessed psychological status in terms of trait and state anxiety and stress levels. State anxiety was again measured postoperatively; recovery was assessed with pre- and postoperative batteries of cognitive tasks. Correlation coefficients revealed that the level of background stress in the preceding 6 months correlated with physical parameters of recovery such as time taken for patients to open their eyes, perceived pain and increased postoperative morbidity. The study also demonstrated that high levels of state anxiety after surgery correlated with postoperative pain. Trait and state anxiety before surgery did not correlate with any parameters of recovery or postoperative morbidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Assessment in severe dementia: the Guy's Advanced Dementia Schedule.

Previous findings suggest that severely demented subjects are often capable of responding in some ways to stimulation. This study describes the development of a schedule which can discriminate between subjects on the basis of their responses to a range of objects of varying familiarity. The schedule includes extensive prompting to elicit a range of responses from simple taking of objects through to naming and using. The measure was found to be reliable and valid against the Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Scores were able to discriminate between subjects scoring 0 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. It is suggested that scores on the schedule may reflect residual cognitive capacities and orientation to the environment and as such this measure could prove useful to a range of future studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Mortality and use of health services surveys in rural Zaire.

The Combatting Childhood Communicable Disease (CCCD) project is a comprehensive public health programme designed to reduce child mortality by 25% through the use of the following strategies: vaccination, oral rehydration therapy, and prompt treatment for malaria. To evaluate this programme, cross-sectional surveys were conducted in neighbouring health zones in Zaire in 1984 to determine the use of selected medical services by the population and to estimate the child mortality rate before the CCCD programme began. A reinterview survey was conducted on a subsample of women previously interviewed to determine the reliability of the mortality estimates. In both health zones 84-85% of women used antenatal services, 45% of children under age 6 who had had fewer were treated with an anti-malarial drug, 19-22% of children age 12-23 months had been vaccinated against measles, and virtually no children who had had diarrhoea were treated with oral rehydration therapy. Women's underreporting of births and deaths resulted in low estimates of mortality in both surveys. The reinterview survey provided more accurate estimates of mortality and led to a better understanding of the factors influencing underreporting. The estimated infant mortality rate was 74 deaths per 1000 livebirths; and the probability of dying before age 5 was 191 per 1000. Because births and deaths reported with incomplete dates were excluded from analysis, the mortality rates from the reinterview survey are underestimates. Given the difficulty in obtaining accurate estimates of mortality, primary importance should be given to developing and improving routine health information systems that measure changes in health status and provide information to evaluate programmes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Measuring coping in breast cancer.

The emotional distress associated with breast cancer varies between individual women. These variations may be accounted for by differences in cognitive and behavioural coping responses to diagnosis. This study has attempted to develop a reliable, situation-specific approach to the measurement of coping responses in women with breast cancer. It has adapted a general coping questionnaire and modified an interview-based schedule for coping with cancer. The strengths and weaknesses of the interview and self-report methods of assessment are highlighted. Consistent results from these complementary approaches have been obtained. Both indicate the extensive use of cognitive avoidance and positive reappraisal. It has been shown that the majority of patients use a wide repertoire of coping responses which challenges the notion of mutually exclusive coping styles. These measures may be employed to examine the relationship between women's thoughts and behaviours in response to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and subsequent psychological outcome.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Developmental regulation of calmodulin gene expression in rat brain and skeletal muscle.

Three different calmodulin genes that encode the identical protein have been identified in the rat (Nojima, 1989); however, calmodulin gene expression at the various stages of tissue differentiation and maturation has not been previously determined. We have quantitated the content of mRNAs encoding calmodulin in the developing brain and skeletal muscle using RNA blot analysis with three specific cDNA probes. Our results show that five species of calmodulin mRNAs: 4.0 and 1.7 kb for CaM I, 1.4 kb for CaM II, and 2.3 and 0.8 kb for CaM III are detectable at all ages in the brain as well as in skeletal muscle but exhibit a tissue-specific developmental pattern of expression. The comparison of the temporal pattern of calmodulin gene expression with both mitotic activity, as demonstrated by cyclin A mRNA levels, and differentiation and maturation of specific brain or muscle regions is consistent with calmodulin involvement in development.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Training trainers: a new approach for community medicine.

During 1985, two separate one-day seminars for trainees and trainers in South East Thames Regional Health Authority highlighted the need for a 'training the trainers' course to be run for trainers throughout the Region. This was held during 1987 and this paper gives a descriptive account of the course, highlights the lessons learnt, and summarises the evaluation obtained from participants. Thirteen trainers started the course, one changed jobs and left the Region, leaving twelve completing the course. Spread over nine months, the course included an initial weekend but was mainly run on a day release basis. The facilitators for the course, a psychologist and sociologist, had teaching experience in running similar courses for GP trainers. The course emphasised an adult learning model in which the trainer enabled the trainee to identify and meet their learning needs through appropriate support and facilitation. Although the career change from clinical work to public health medicine is likely to be more traumatic than other transitions within clinical medicine, the approach is applicable on a much wider basis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Genetic analysis and cellular localization of the Rhizobium host specificity-determining NodE protein.

The nucleotide sequence of the nodE gene of Rhizobium trifolii strain ANU843 was determined. Like the nodE gene of R. leguminosarum strain 248 it encodes a protein with a predicted mol. wt of 42.0 kd. The predicted NodE proteins of R.trifolii and R.leguminosarum have a homology of 78%. Using antibodies raised against the NodE protein of R.trifolii it was shown that the NodE products of R.leguminosarum and R.trifolii are localized in the cytoplasmic membrane. Furthermore, these NodE proteins are predicted to contain at least two non-polar transbilayer alpha-helices. The nodE genes of R.trifolii and R.leguminosarum were separated from the nodF genes that precede them in the respective nodFE operons. Using the resulting clones, in which NodE was produced under control of the flavonoid-inducible nodABCIJ promoter of R.leguminosarum, it was shown that the NodE product is the main factor that distinguishes the host range of nodulation of R.trifolii and R.leguminosarum. Hybrid nodE genes, which consist of a 5' part of the R.leguminosarum nodE gene and a 3' part of the R.trifolii gene, were constructed. From the properties of these hybrid genes it was concluded that a central region of 185 amino acids at the most, containing only 44 non-identical amino acids, determines the difference in the host-specific characteristics of the two NodE proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Selective processing of threat cues in anxiety states: a replication.

A replication of Mathews and MacLeod's (Behav. Res. Ther. 23, 563-569, 1985) study, using a modified Stroop task, confirmed that threat words selectively interfere with the colour-naming performance of generally anxious patients, compared with normal controls. Clearer evidence was obtained of a highly specific interference effect of threat words that were congruent with the predominant worries reported by anxious patients. However, there was no evidence of a subsequent recognition memory bias for the threat words in anxious Ss. These results are discussed in relation to findings from other recent experiments investigating attentional and memory biases for threat-related information in anxiety states, and their implications for cognitive theories of anxiety are considered.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

A survey of preclinical psychology teaching in United kingdom medical schools.

This paper is based on a relatively brief postal survey of teaching in United Kingdom medical schools. Data were collected from 29 of the 30 medical schools about the provisions for their preclinical psychology teaching and examination as well as some indicators of the reactions of students and other staff. The results show that some progress has been made in the teaching of psychology to medical students but there is considerable variation across schools. The rated level of interest and attendance by students appears to be good and the rated attitudes of other staff were mixed. However, many of the respondents reported that their teaching hours were not adequate and that they wanted to achieve other changes in their type and content of teaching.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1989

Schizophrenic inability to judge facial emotion: a controlled study.

The ability of schizophrenics to judge facial emotion was examined using a new test derived to remedy methodological inadequacies in previous studies. The derivation procedure of the test is described. Five groups of 20 subjects each took part: acute schizophrenics, chronic schizophrenics, schizophrenics in remission, in-patients with depressive illness and normal subjects. They were asked to make a dichotomous emotion judgement ('happy' or 'sad') about a set of photographed faces: and then to make a dichotomous non-emotion judgement ('old' or 'young') on a set of photographs chosen from the same original pool to form a task of equal difficulty and discriminating ability. It was predicted, from previous studies, that acute schizophrenics would be specifically impaired on judging emotional expression in faces. Instead, they were found to be impaired on both an emotion and a non-emotion task on photographs of faces when these tasks were matched for difficulty and discriminating ability. They were significantly worse than remitted schizophrenics and normal subjects for both tasks, and for emotion, significantly worse then depressed subjects as well. The findings are considered in the light of current theories of visual processing in schizophrenia and of the neuropsychology of face processing.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Regulation by thyroid hormones of terminal differentiation in the skeletal dorsal muscle. I. Neonate mouse.

Changes both in the ATPase myofibrillar profile and in the electrophoretic pattern of myosin isoforms were examined in the mouse dorsal skeletal muscle (longissimus) during postnatal development. In the newborn, only type II C and a few type I fibers were present; differentiation into type II A and II B fibers took place during the 3 weeks following birth. During the same period, a transition from three neonatal isomyosins to four adult isoforms was observed. The two phenomena were related to a marked increase in the serum thyroid hormones levels. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism experiments were performed. Hypothyroidism produced by propylthiouracil treatment of pregnant females and thiourea injections of the litters was shown to induce a complete inhibition of postnatal muscular differentiation. Hyperthyroidism produced by triiodothyronine treatment of the neonate mice significantly accelerated the myosin transition and the switch in the myofibrillar pattern. Our results suggest a primordial role for thyroid hormones in directly regulating the appearance of myosin and fiber adult types and in modulating directly or indirectly the disappearance of the neonatal types.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1987

[The regulator role of thyroid hormones in myogenesis. Analysis of isoforms of myosin in muscular regeneration].

Fast-twitch muscle regeneration has been studied in experimental hyper- and hypothyroid adult rats. The degeneration of the muscle fibres was achieved through the injection of a snake venom cardiotoxin and the synthesis of new isomyosins was examined 7, 10, 15, and 21 days after the injury. As early as the 7th day after the toxin treatment, that is 3 days after the start of the regeneration, the muscles of hyperthyroid rats do not contain any neonatal myosins and synthesize only adult myosins. In euthyroid rat muscles, neonatal myosins coexist with adult myosins and are no longer present on the 10th day. In hypothyroid rat muscles, both myosin types are still synthesized on the 21st day. Therefore, as for normal myogenesis, hyperthyroidism is shown to favor the synthesis of adult-type myosins and hypothyroidism the synthesis of neonatal-type myosins during regeneration. These results may account, at least in part, for the previously observed differences between the various types of myosins synthesized respectively in postnatal myogenesis and during adult muscle regeneration.

Animals↗