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Biomedical subjects

L Jackson

Publications and source records attributed to L Jackson.

206 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics, perceived stressors, and coping strategies of patients who experience neurally mediated syncope.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics, perceived stressors, and coping strategies of patients who experience neurally mediated syncope. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative analyses of 65 medical records including both written records and videotaped interviews were performed. FINDINGS: The most frequently reported health problems were gastrointestinal disturbances (61.3%), mood disturbances (56.5%), headaches (53.2%), and chronic fatigue (47.4%). Risk for injury was high, with 54.1% of subjects indicating that they had an episode that resulted in a fall and 44.3% indicating that they had sustained an injury as a result of syncope. Distressing symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, headache, confusion, and dyspnea often persisted for hours or days after an episode of syncope. Coping strategies included limiting or changing activities and avoiding injury. CONCLUSIONS: Neurally mediated syncope is a disruptive, distressing disorder that is a source of significant disability. Comprehensive care should include a holistic assessment of the impact of the disorder and appropriate referrals or interventions for psychologic, social, and occupational issues.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes are an early immune response and important defense mechanism in cytomegalovirus infections.

Eighty-eight bone marrow transplant recipients were studied for development of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections and associated cytotoxic lymphocyte responses. Sixty-one patients developed CMV infection that was diagnosed by virus isolation (18 patients), fourfold rises in serum antibodies (13), or both (30). Interstitial pneumonitis developed in 27 patients. Among patients tested during infection, HLA-restricted, CMV-specific cytotoxic T cell responses occurred in 25 patients, and non-restricted, non-T cell cytotoxic responses, or responses of undetermined cell type, occurred in 10 patients. Levels of CMV-specific cytotoxicity in infected and uninfected patients were compared in two ways. Eighty-nine percent of patients (32 of 36) with cytotoxicity greater than or equal to 15% lysis (50:1 effector-to-target-cell ratio) and 100% of patients (21 of 21) with sequential increases in cytotoxicity of greater than or equal to 15% lysis were infected. The median time of occurrence of CMV-specific cytotoxic responses preceded the median onset of viral shedding by 1.4 weeks, or rises in titers of serum antibody by 1.7 weeks, and of interstitial pneumonitis by 2.5 weeks. Immune competence, as demonstrated by survival from infection, was always associated with a CMV-specific cytotoxic response. The HLA-restricted cytotoxic T cell response appears to be important as an early host-defense mechanism and an early diagnostic evidence of infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HMO innovations. Video-enhanced medical advice; senior zoo walkers; Group Health Resource Line; enhancing health education programs through desktop publishing; home health beat; innovative school health partnership.

The editors of HMO PRACTICE asked clinicians and health educators in HMOs across the country to submit reports on their unique, successful patient education programs. The following HMO Innovations testify to the wide range of new technologies, enterprising partnerships, and creative ideas that are shaping health education in HMOs today.

Creativity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

African-American women who always use condoms: attitudes, knowledge about AIDS, and sexual behavior.

Given the alarming increase in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS, among African-American women, it is apparent that many people are engaging in sexual intercourse without using condoms. The current study examined the interrelationships among attitudes about condom use, knowledge about AIDS, sexual behavior, and drug use among 121 adult African-American women who varied in their intentions to use condoms: 21 (17%) were classified as Steady Users, 75 (62%) did not use condoms but they had High Intentions to, while 25 (21%) did not use condoms and had Low Intentions to use them. Results indicate that the three groups did not differ in their overall knowledge about AIDS or their attitudes toward using condoms as contraceptives. Significant group differences were noted for other scales that assessed attitudes about condoms. Attitudes about the use of condoms were very similar for the Steady Users and the women in the High Intentions group. However, these two groups were significantly (p < .01) different in their belief that condoms are uncomfortable and interrupt sex. Women with Low Intentions to use condoms had significantly (p < .05) more intense angry reactions regarding the negotiation of condom use and significantly more negative attitudes about the use of condoms than women in the other groups. The three groups were not differentiated by drug use, previous treatment for STDs, or their perceived risk for being exposed to AIDS. The present study is cross-sectional in nature and future research using better methodology is needed to establish causal relationships.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serological monitoring of advanced breast cancer treated by systemic cytotoxic using a combination of ESR, CEA, and CA 15.3: fact or fiction?

A biochemical response index using the tumour markers ESR, CEA, and CA 15.3 in combination has been evaluated in 67 patients with systemic breast cancer treated by cytotoxic therapies; 55 patients were assessable using the three markers in combination. Changes in these three markers at 6-9 and 12-15 weeks showed a highly significant correlation with the UICC assessed response at 3 and 6 months (p less than 0.001); sensitivity 100 per cent, specificity 87 per cent. Comparison of survival in patients assessed biochemically or by UICC criteria showed no significant difference either for non-progression or progression. The advantages of the biochemical assessment are that it is objective and reproducible. This index has since been used successfully in directing systemic cytotoxics.

Adult↗