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Biomedical subjects

M Beutel

Publications and source records attributed to M Beutel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Social sex selection and the balance of the sexes: empirical evidence from Germany, the UK, and the US.

Preconception sex selection for nonmedical reasons is one of the most controversial issues in bioethics today. The most powerful objection to social sex selection is based on the assumption that it may severely distort the natural sex ratio and lead to a socially disruptive imbalance of the sexes. Based on representative social surveys conducted in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, this paper argues that the fear of an impending sex ratio distortion is unfounded. Given the predominant preference for a "gender balanced family," a widely available service for social sex selection is highly unlikely to upset the balance of the sexes in Western societies.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Subjective health of older people in view of the SF-36: Values from a large community-based sample].

This paper presents data regarding the German version of the SF-36 (Short Form 36 Questionnaire; Bullinger and Kirchberger, 1998) that were obtained from a large community based sample of the German population. Results are reported for the elderly at the age of 60 and older from the German general population (N = 690; 57% female). Presented are the internal consistencies of the scales (Cronbach's Alpha), the intercorrelations of the scales, mean values of the scales separated by sex, age group (60-64 years, 65-69 years, 70-74 years, 75-79 years, 80 years and older) and residence (Eastern and Western Germany) as well as percentile ranks for the whole sample.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Processing of environmental sounds in schizophrenic patients: disordered recognition and lack of semantic specificity.

The recognition of environmental sounds is an important feature of higher auditory processing and essential for everyday life. The present study aimed to investigate the potential impairment of this mental function in schizophrenia. This work on immediate sound recognition is complementary to recent studies on auditory linguistic processing. Fifteen schizophrenic patients and 30 control subjects were asked to identify 43 complex environmental sounds from different categories and rate their familiarity when naïve to the sounds. In consecutive experiments, patients and control subjects rated the sounds according to emotional valence and arousal, as well as imageability. In both groups, correct identification of non-verbal sounds was highly associated with familiarity. Statistical analysis by group demonstrated a significantly higher error rate in identifying sounds in patients suffering from schizophrenia compared to healthy control subjects. In contrast, the affective recognition of the complex sounds was preserved in the schizophrenic patients. These results suggest a disturbance of higher-order, auditory mnemonic processing in schizophrenic patients in the non-linguistic domain. We discuss their abnormal responses in the context of recent theories of auditory physiological and semantic processing deficits in schizophrenia.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Attitudes towards preconception sex selection: a representative survey from Germany.

Within the next parliamentary term, the German government is expected to replace the current Embryo Protection Act with a new Human Reproductive Technology Act. Before introducing new legislation, policy makers may want to survey public attitudes towards novel applications of reproductive technology. In order to assess opinions and concerns about preconception sex selection for non-medical reasons, a social survey has been conducted in Germany. As a representative sample of the German population, 1005 men and women 18 years and older were asked whether or not preconception sex selection should be made available. Of the respondents, 32% held that sex selection should be strictly prohibited, be it for medical or non-medical reasons, and 54% accepted the use of preconception sex selection for medical purposes. Only a minority of 11% approved of the use of preconception sex selection for non-medical reasons. The widespread opposition to a freely available service for non-medical sex selection is based on several claims: 87% of respondents hold that 'children are a gift and deserve to be loved regardless of any characteristics such as beauty, intelligence or sex'; 79% argue that choosing the sex of children is 'playing God'; 76% are opposed because it is seen as 'unnatural'; 49% are afraid that it is 'skewing the natural sex ratio'; and 40% consider it to be 'sexist'.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Preconception sex selection for non-medical reasons:a representative survey from Germany.

BACKGROUND: Preconception sex selection for non-medical reasons raises serious moral, legal and social issues. The main concern is based on the assumption that a freely available service for sex selection will distort the natural sex ratio and lead to a severe gender imbalance. However, for a severe gender imbalance to happen, at least two conditions have to be met. First, there must be a significant preference for children of a particular sex, and second, there must be a considerable demand for preconception sex selection. To ascertain whether or not these two conditions are met, we have conducted a survey in Germany. METHODS: As a representative sample of the German population, 1094 men and women aged 18-45 years were asked about their gender preferences and whether or not they could imagine selecting the sex of their children through flow cytometric separation of X- and Y-bearing sperm followed by intrauterine insemination. RESULTS: 58% of respondents stated that they do not care about the sex of their offspring. 30% wish to have a family with an equal number of boys and girls. 4% would like to have more boys than girls, 3% more girls than boys, 1% only boys and 1% only girls. For first-borns, however, there is still a preference for boys over girls. While 75.6% claimed to have no gender preference, 14.2% would like their first child to be a boy and 10.1% would like their first child to be a girl. Whereas 6% could imagine taking advantage of preconception sex selection, 92% found this to be out of the question. Even in the hypothetical case that a medication for sex selection were ever to become available, 90% stated that they would not want to use it. CONCLUSION: Given that a majority does not seem to care about the sex of their offspring and only a minority seem to be willing to select the sex of their children, a freely available service for preconception sex selection for non-medical reasons is rather unlikely to cause a severe gender imbalance in Germany.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effectiveness of behavioral and psychodynamic in-patient treatment of severe obesity--first results from a randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment effectiveness of psychodynamic and behavioral in-patient treatment of patients with severe obesity. DESIGN: : Randomized longitudinal study of obese patients (BMI> or =35 kg/m(2)) randomly assigned to behavioral or to psychodynamic psychosomatic rehabilitation. SUBJECTS: Ninety eight, mostly female (88%), obese patients (age 20-64 y, BMI 36-74 kg/m(2)). MEASUREMENTS: Standardized self-report scales on distress (SCL-90R), eating behavior (FEV), interpersonal problems (IIP), body image (FKB-20), life satisfaction (IRES). RESULTS: During the 6 weeks of in-patient treatment patients lost an average of 5.4 kg (4.3%) in the behavioral (n=46) and 6.2 kg (4.7%) in the psychodynamic setting (n=52). In both settings, a significant improvement was also found for eating behavior, well-being, body image and life satisfaction. Weight reduction was more pronounced for those with a higher weight at onset, more distress in public at admission, and a longer treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite considerable differences in the behavioral vs psychodynamic treatment settings, both were equally effective. However, some common treatment elements were perceived differently by patients in the two settings. Analysis of the follow-up data will hopefully provide evidence as to which patients benefit more from which approach.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Sexuality of the elderly.

Partial androgen deficiency of the aging male is associated with symptoms collectively accepted as the andropause syndrome. The underlying hormonal changes, the definition of age-dependent cofactors for changing sexuality, and the data on decreasing erectile function are the main topics of this critical analysis. Alterations in libido, ejaculation and sperm quality also have to be considered in order to define a change in male sexuality as part of the natural process of aging.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

[Age-related complaints and testosterone deficit from the psychosomatic viewpoint].

Age-related changes in men resemble symptoms of hypogonadism. Although the average levels of testosterone decrease with age, correlations between complaints and testosterone levels are inconsistent and low in aging men. This is related to methodological limitations of studies, the high interindividual variability of testosterone in the aging male, ambiguities of normal values, and numerous determinants (e.g., health status, health behavior) on the level of testosterone. When studying the relationship between decreased testosterone, psychological and physical complaints have to take into consideration a whole array of psychosocial influences (e.g., perception, interpretation, and coping with age-related changes).

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The b1Sigma+(b0(+)) --> X3Sigma-(X10(+), X21) and a1Delta(a2) --> X21 Transitions of AsI.

Emission spectra of the b1Sigma+(b0(+)) --> X3Sigma-(X10(+), X21) and a1Delta(a2) --> X21 transitions of AsI have been measured in the near-infrared spectral region with a Fourier-transform spectrometer. The arsenic iodide radicals were generated and excited in a fast-flow system by reaction of arsenic vapor (Asx) with iodine and microwave-discharged oxygen. The most prominent features in the spectrum are six band sequences of the strong b1Sigma+(b0(+)) --> X3Sigma-(X10(+)) transition in the range 800-900 nm. With much lower intensities the hitherto unknown b1Sigma+(b0(+)) --> X3Sigma-(X21) subsystem and the a1Delta(a2) --> X21 transition near 1660 nm are observed. Vibrational analyses have yielded improved molecular constants for the X10(+) and b0(+) states and first values of the electronic energies and vibrational constants of the X21 and a2 states (in cm-1), X21: Te = 289.8(2), omegae = 255.2(2), omegaexe = 0.68(7), a2: Te = 6305.4(3), omegae = 267.8(1), omegaexe = 0.56(2), where the numbers in parentheses are the standard deviations of the parameters. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

The b1Sigma+(b0(+)) --> X3Sigma-(X10(+), X21) and a1Delta(a2) --> X21 Transitions of SbF, SbCl, SbBr, and SbI.

Emission spectra of the a1Delta(a2) --> X21 and b1Sigma+(b0(+)) --> X3Sigma-(X10(+), X21) transitions of SbF, SbCl, SbBr, and SbI have been observed in the near-infrared spectral region. The antimony halide radicals were generated and excited in a fast-flow system by reaction of antimony vapor (Sbx) with the halides and microwave-discharged oxygen. The NIR chemiluminescence was measured with a Fourier-transform spectrometer equipped with Ge and InSb detectors. The spectra contain the known b1Sigma+(b0(+)) --> X3Sigma-(X10(+), X21) transitions in the range 730-910 nm and the hitherto unknown a1Delta(a2) --> X21 transitions in the range 1600-1900 nm. Vibrational analyses have yielded improved molecular constants for the X10(+), X21, and b0(+) states and the following constants of the a2 states (in cm-1): 121SbF: Te = 6815.6(5), omegae = 615.75(3), omegaexe = 2.62(1); 121Sb35Cl: Te = 6546.3(2), omegae = 379.8(1), omegaexe = 1.20(2); 121Sb79Br: Te = 6496.4(4), omegae = 265.9(2), omegaexe = 0.55(3); 121SbI: Te = 6366.7(3), omegae = 214.20(5), omegaexe = 0.430(9), where the numbers in parentheses are the standard deviations of the parameters. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Psychosomatic aspects in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.

After a critical review of prevalence data, psychosocial determinants and psychosomatic aspects in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction are discussed (with reference to age-related changes). Widely used laboratory assessments are responsive to psychological factors (e.g. anxiety). Inclusion of the partner in the diagnostic process may change the clinical picture and the treatment recommendations considerably. As illustrated by penile prosthetis treatment and self-injection of vasoactive substances, acceptance and success of widely used surgical and medical treatments depend largely upon the patient's expectations, and the adaptation of the couple to the procedure. Even in cases with a clear organic pathology, fluctuations in erectile functioning may be attributable to psychological influences. As recent psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational approaches underscore, erectile failure is best conceived as a final common pathway of somatic, lifestyle, psychological and partnership determinants. These should be taken into account in comprehensive diagnostic and treatment formulations if the goal of therapy is not only to produce rigid erections, but to increase sexual satisfaction.

Erectile Dysfunction↗
PubMed1999

Treatment-related stresses and depression in couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment by IVF or ICSI.

The purposes of the study were to compare treatment-related stresses of couples undergoing IVF or ICSI treatment (ejaculated, epididymal or testicular spermatozoa) and to identify sex differences and risk factors for depression. A one-year cohort of couples was retrospectively sent questionnaires on infertility and treatment-related distress and depression (Depression Scale, D-S). Two hundred and eighty-one women and 281 men (61% of those eligible) were included. As determined by analysis of the medical charts, successful couples were more likely to participate. Treatment-related distress was generally higher for women than for men. Treatment by ICSI carried additional burdens for the men: they reported a greater subjective responsibility for the infertility, impact of childlessness on daily life, treatment-related stresses (particularly for MESA/TESE) and time demands. Even when clinical differences between treatments (e.g. age, previous treatments) were controlled statistically, depression scores did not differ. Independent of the treatment, women were significantly more depressed than their age-matched female controls from the general population and their husbands. The men only reported marginally elevated depression scores compared to their controls. Meaningful characteristics were identified that could guide clinicians to give psychological support to those couples at risk for depression, e.g. an unsuccessful treatment outcome, repeated treatment cycles, a low socioeconomic status, foreign nationality, or, for women, a lack of partner support.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Integrated occupational work capacity evaluation in medical rehabilitation--experiences and prospects exemplified by psychosomatic rehabilitation].

Psychosomatic rehabilitation is often initiated when lasting work disability, loss of job, and pension application have occurred. After a review of the relevance of vocational strains and of predictors for reintegration, we present a model of an integrated work hardening programme in Psychosomatic Rehabilitation. Results for 64 patients are illustrated by case vignettes. Especially when lasting work disability and unemployment have undermined the patients' sense of competence and endurance, work hardening promotes return to work, realistic self-appraisal and vocational reorientation. The social and medical assessment and the coordination of vocational rehabilitation measures are improved. The implementation of a work hardening programme requires the provision of a variety of (unpaid) work opportunities, independent assessment of work performance by supervisors and social worker, psychological support and close cooperation with rehabilitation services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Similarities and differences in couples' grief reactions following a miscarriage: results from a longitudinal study.

Recent studies have documented grief and depressive reactions in women after a miscarriage. However, the men's reactions to their partner's experience have been neglected. In a controlled follow-up study, 56 couples were studied shortly after the miscarriage, and 6 (N = 47) and 12 months later (N = 45). The participants completed standardized questionnaires for depression, physical complaints, anxiety, and grief. Contrary to commonly held beliefs, men do grieve, but less intensely and enduringly than their partners. The manner in which they experience their grief is similar to that of the women, except that the men cry less and feel less need to talk about it. Unlike the women they do not react with an increased depressive reaction (compared to age- and sex-matched community control groups). Giving up their personal expectations, hopes for, and fantasies about the unborn child is a major source of grieving for both. Some men feel burdened by their wives' grief or depressive reactions. Conflicting reactions may affect the couples' interactions and promote depressive reactions in the women.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1996

[Psychological coping with stillbirth. Course of grief response, influential factors, treatment satisfaction, patient management needs].

Course of Grief Response, influencing Factors, Satisfaction with treatment, Need for Psychotherapeutic Support: The emotional response to a late miscarriage or a stillbirth was examined retrospectively in a systematic study involving 51 patients. The women had lost a child either by stillbirth (beyond the 20th week of gestation) or shortly after delivery. We assessed the long-term course of possible determinants of grief, a complicated grief response, as well as the patients' satisfaction with the treatment and their need for further psychotherapeutic support. The mourning response was complicated by a depressive reaction in 22%. Major risk factors were individual disposition, lack of partner and professional support. The findings reveal that the course of the grief response is positively influenced by: 1. open discussion (thematisation) with the skilled personnel and the patients' families, 2. direct or indirect contact with the deceased child (concretisation) and 3. the patients concerned being extensively informed as to place and circumstances of the funeral (whereabouts of the child).

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

[Needs and utilization of ambulatory psychosocial services by cancer patients--exemplified by the oncologic day clinic].

Needs and acceptance of specific psychosocial care was assessed in a longitudinal study of 224 patients. In an oncologic adult day hospital chemotherapy patients express the strongest need for information and social counselling. Assessment of the need for psychosocial care depends on the sex of the patients, their coping resources, the course of the disease and differs between patients and therapists. With the progression of the disease acceptance of "informal" short contacts demanding little initiative from the patients was higher than of psychotherapy. Conclusions for the ambulatory psychosocial care of cancer patients are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗