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Biomedical subjects

M Wolfson

Publications and source records attributed to M Wolfson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Environmental predictors of drinking and drinking-related problems in young adults.

We examined relationships among drinking norms, peer alcohol use, alcohol availability, drinking location, alcohol consumption, and drinking-related problems among young adult drinkers. The specific objectives of our study were to assess the relative contribution of normative and physical environmental factors to drinking and drinking consequences. Subjects were 3,095 young adults, aged eighteen to twenty years old who participated in the Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol Project baseline survey. Alcohol consumption (i.e., number of drinks on the last occasion) and drinking consequences served as dependent variables. Multiple linear regression was used to identify predictors of alcohol consumption, and logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of drinking consequences. Drinking norms and peer alcohol use were positively related to alcohol consumption and to drinking consequences. Drinking in a public setting was positively related to alcohol consumption, but not to drinking-related problems. Findings suggest that policies and programs that alter the normative and physical environment surrounding drinking may reduce alcohol consumption and subsequent problems in young adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Evidence that women with a history of cesarean section can deliver twins safely.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a trial of labor is safe in twin pregnancies after one previous cesarean section. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of all cases of multiple pregnancies after cesarean section during the years 1970-1993, including twin gestations after one cesarean section. RESULTS: Forty-six cases of multiple gestations were found, 36 of which were eligible for the study presented herein. Fifteen women (41.7%) were denied trial of labor. Twenty-one women (58.3%) were allowed trial of labor, 17 (80.9%) of whom were delivered vaginally and four (19.1%) by a repeated cesarean section. The group of trial of labor was compared to the group of elective cesarean section. Hospitalization period was 4.4 +/- 1.9 days and 8.0 +/- 2.6 days in the trial of labor group and elective cesarean section group, respectively (p<0.01). Blood transfusions required were 9.5% and 26.6% in both groups, respectively (NS). Puerperal infections were 9.5% in the trial of labor group, compared to 46.6% in the elective cesarean section group (NS). No scar dehiscence occurred in either groups. There were no statistically significant differences in age, parity, gestational age at delivery, mean newborn weight, Apgar score at one and five minutes, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission and mean Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal delivery in twin gestation after one previous cesarean section may be considered in appropriate cases. A large multicentral randomized prospective study may further confirm this conclusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Why and in what context adolescents obtain alcohol from adults: a pilot study.

Four focus groups involving 26 male and female high school seniors were conducted to provide insight into the context and settings in which alcohol is provided to youth, and why some youth choose certain sources of alcohol over others. Adults over the age of 21 years were the most common source of alcohol used by participants. Participants believe that it was less risky to ask an older adult to purchase alcohol than to attempt to buy it themselves. Few restrictions were placed on youth when alcohol was provided by an older adult. Youth may seek certain alcohol sources when they perceive that alcohol is available and risks of obtaining it are low.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Relationships among alcohol availability, drinking location, alcohol consumption, and drinking problems in adolescents.

We examined relationships among perceived alcohol availability, drinking location, alcohol consumption, and drinking problems. Subjects were 3,372 adolescent drinkers, ages 16-18, who participated in the Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol Project baseline survey. Mixed-model regression was employed to identify predictors of alcohol consumption and drinking consequences. Perceived alcohol availability was significantly associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption for males. Drinking in a public location with higher levels of alcohol consumption for females. Results underscore the importance of youth alcohol assessibility.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Unintended consequences and professional ethics: criminalization of alcohol and tobacco use by youth and young adults.

This paper describes how widespread legal changes appear to have affected law enforcement practices concerning youth tobacco and alcohol use in the United States. We argue that the threat of criminalization was seldom addressed in scientific and public policy discussions of the drinking age, and only sporadically addressed in discussions of measures to regulate youth access to tobacco. We argue that unintended consequences are an important ethical issue for professionals involved in advocating, developing, implementing and evaluating public policy concerning substance abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Tyrosine phosphorylation of measles virus P-phosphoprotein in persistently infected neuroblastoma cells.

Replication and encapsidation of measles virus (MV) requires the interaction between the nuclear protein (N) and the phosphoprotein (P). It is known that both proteins are phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues. Recently we have shown that N is phosphorylated on tyrosine in persistently-infected mouse neuroblastoma cells (NS20Y/MS). Here, we show that P in NS20Y/MS is also phosphorylated on tyrosine. To investigate whether cellular tyrosine kinases can bind and phosphorylate P, a solid phase kinase assay was employed. We show that bacterially-expressed MV P fragments, were phosphorylated on tyrosine by purified mouse c-Src protein-tyrosine kinase and when mixed with uninfected neuroblastoma cell (NS20Y) extracts, these P fragments were phosphorylated on tyrosine in addition to serine and threonine. These results imply that MV P is a substrate for tyrosine phosphorylation by cellular tyrosine kinase(s).

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Assessment of nutritional status in dialysis patients.

Malnutrition is common in patients treated with maintenance dialysis and appears to influence mortality in these patients. Thus, assessment of the nutritional status of dialysis patients is important if one is to make appropriate treatment interventions. This article describes the various parameters used in assessing the nutritional status of patients treated by hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The usefulness of these parameters, as well as the pitfalls in their interpretation, are also reviewed.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Alcohol outlet policies and practices concerning sales to underage people.

Little is known about the relationship between alcohol outlet policies and practices in the United States and the likelihood that outlets will sell alcoholic beverages to persons under the legal drinking age. This study assessed the prevalence of such outlet-level policies and practices, and analyzed the relationships between outlet variables and outlets' actual propensity to sell alcoholic beverages to youth. The sample consisted of all outlets licensed for off-premise and a 40% random sample of outlets licensed for on-premise sale of alcoholic beverages in 15 small to medium-sized communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin (USA). Data on outlet characteristics, policies and practices were collected by a telephone survey of the owner or manager of each outlet. In addition, alcohol purchase attempts were conducted at each outlet by youthful-appearing study confederates. Generally, policies and practices that may reduce the likelihood of sales to youth were reported by a minority of outlets. Purchase success was found to be associated with a number of outlet characteristics, policies and practices. The implications of these findings for policy and future research are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Survey of city ordinances and local enforcement regarding commercial availability of tobacco to minors in Minnesota, United States.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent and nature of local ordinances to regulate tobacco sales to minors, the level of enforcement of local and state laws concerning tobacco availability to minors, and sanctions applied as a result of enforcement. DESIGN: Tobacco control ordinances were collected in 1993 from 222 of the 229 cities greater than or equal to 2000 population in Minnesota, United States. In addition a telephone survey with the head of the agency responsible for enforcement of the tobacco ordinances was conducted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of legislative provisions dealing with youth and tobacco, including licensure of tobacco retailers, sanctions for selling tobacco products to minors, and restrictions on cigarette vending machines, self-service merchandising, and point-of-purchase advertising; and enforcement of these laws (use of inspections and "sting" operations, and sanctions imposed on businesses and minors). RESULTS: Almost 94% of cities required tobacco licences for retailers. However, 57% of the cities specified licences for cigarettes only. Annual licence fees ranged from $10 to $250, with the higher fees adopted in the previous four years. More than 25% of the cities had adopted some kind of restriction on cigarette vending machines, but only six communities had banned self-service cigarette displays. Three cities specified a minimum age for tobacco sales staff. Fewer than 25% of police officials reported having conducted compliance checks with minors or in-store observations of tobacco sales to determine if minors were being sold tobacco during the current year. Police carrying out compliance checks with youth were almost four times as likely to issue citations as those doing in-store observations. More than 90% of police reported enforcement of the law against tobacco purchase or possession by minors, and nearly 40% reported application of penalties against minors. CONCLUSIONS: Almost 75% of the cities have done nothing to change policies or enforcement practices to encourage compliance with tobacco age-of-sale legislation, and only a few of the remaining cities have adopted optimal policies. In addition, officials in Minnesota cities are much more likely to use enforcement strategies against minors who buy tobacco than against merchants who sell tobacco.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Intradialytic parenteral nutrition: a useful therapy?

Malnutrition in hemodialysis patients is common and may affect as much as 40% of this population of patients. There are many causes of malnutrition and all must be considered before utilizing nutrition support to reverse the malnutrition. Intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) is a therapy that has become popular among US nephrologists despite the fact that there are no clear data that support its use or efficacy. A thorough review of published articles suggests a relationship between the use of IDPN and improved patient outcome measured by hospitalization rate and a decrease in mortality in certain subgroups. However, these studies have many confounding factors that prevent a definitive conclusion concerning the true efficacy of IDPN. This is very problematic since reimbursement changes for parenteral and enteral nutrition have been proposed by HCFA. The best recommendation that can be made for IDPN is that it may represent a useful form of nutrition support in the malnourished hemodialysis patient who has no other active disease processes, cannot ingest adequate nutrition by mouth, and has a contraindication to or a serious complication from enteral feeding. It is clearly not a therapy to be considered as the first line of nutrition support in these patients.

Bias↗
PubMed1996

Sources of alcohol for underage drinkers.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the extent to which various sources of alcoholic beverages are used by early, middle and older teenagers, the extent to which teenagers perceive alcohol to be available from different sources and factors related to use of alternative sources. METHOD: Ninth graders (n = 2,269), twelfth graders (n = 2,377) and youth aged 18-20 (n = 1,738) were surveyed in 15 upper-midwestern communities using a nested cross-sectional design. Analyses were based on mixed-model regressions, with both the individual and community treated as random effects, taking into account the intraclass correlation for each dependent variable. Analyses focused on current (last 30 day) drinkers to avoid recall bias for drinking events in the distant past. RESULTS: A person aged 21 or over was the most common source of alcohol for current drinkers in all three age groups; 46% of 9th graders, 60% of 12th graders and 68% of those aged 18-20 obtained alcohol from a person age 21 or older for their last drinking occasion. A person under age 21 was the second most prevalent source for 9th and 12th graders (29% of each group obtained alcohol from someone under age 21 for their last drinking occasion). A commercial outlet was the second most prevalent source for those aged 18-20 (14% obtained alcohol directly from an outlet for their last drinking occasion). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived availability, binge drinking and several demographic characteristics were independently related to source of alcohol used, and age interacted with several factors in predicting source of alcohol. We conclude that increased attention to sources of alcohol used by youths would facilitate efforts to reduce underage drinking.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Characteristics, policies and practices of alcohol outlets and sales to underage persons.

OBJECTIVE: A recent study found that many alcohol outlets sold alcohol to youthful-appearing study confederates. This article expands upon that work by exploring the linkages between the policies, practices and characteristics of outlets and their propensity to sell alcohol to persons under the legal drinking age. METHODS: Data on alcohol outlets are from a telephone survey of 100 establishments located in 28 communities in northeastern Minnesota that hold off-sale licenses for the sale of distilled spirits and/or full strength beer and wine. Alcohol purchase attempts were conducted in each outlet to provide a measure of propensity to sell alcohol to underage persons. Youthful-appearing study confederates conducted three separate purchase attempts in each outlet. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the effects of outlet characteristics and policies on the purchase success rate. RESULTS: Bars were less likely than liquor stores or bar/liquor stores to sell to study confederates. Having a manager on the premises at all times was associated with a 15% lower purchase success rate in bars. Requiring formal training of bar staff involved in alcohol sales was associated with a 19% lower purchase success rate. No outlet characteristics or practices were associated with the purchase success rate in liquor stores and bar/liquor stores. CONCLUSIONS: These results underscore the importance of research and intervention focusing on alcohol outlet policies and practices that affect the propensity to sell alcohol to persons under the legal drinking age.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Project Northland: outcomes of a communitywide alcohol use prevention program during early adolescence.

OBJECTIVES: Project Northland is an efficacy trial with the goal of preventing or reducing alcohol use among young adolescents by using a multilevel, communitywide approach. METHODS: Conducted in 24 school districts and adjacent communities in northeastern Minnesota since 1991, the intervention targets the class of 1998 (sixth-grade students in 1991) and has been implemented for 3 school years (1991 to 1994). The intervention consists of social-behavioral curricula in schools, peer leadership, parental involvement/education, and communitywide task force activities. Annual surveys of the class of 1998 measure alcohol use, tobacco use, and psychosocial factors. RESULTS: At the end of 3 years, students in the intervention school districts report less onset and prevalence of alcohol use than students in the reference districts. The differences were particularly notable among those who were nonusers at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The results of Project Northland suggest that multilevel, targeted prevention programs for young adolescents are effective in reducing alcohol use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Commercial availability of alcohol to young people: results of alcohol purchase attempts.

OBJECTIVES: Commercial availability is an important contributor to alcohol use by young people. The purpose of this study was to test the purchasability of alcohol by youth who appeared to be under the legal age of sale in all types of businesses licensed to sell alcohol in upper Midwest communities. METHODS: Female buyers who were age 21 but whose apparent age as rated by a panel averaged 19 years attempted to purchase beer without age identification at all off-sale outlets (n = 395) and a random sample of on-sale outlets (n = 492) in 24 communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Two purchase attempts were made at each outlet, with the buyer randomly assigned to outlet and community. Characteristics of the outlets, clientele, signs, interaction with the sellers or servers, and purchase success were recorded. RESULTS: The buyers were successful in purchasing beer without age identification in 50% of attempts in on-sale outlets and 52% of off-sale attempts. Almost 75% of the outlets sold beer to the buyers at least once in two attempts. In off-sale businesses buyers were more successful if the salespersons were male and if the businesses were located in residential areas or malls. On-sale purchase attempts were more likely to be successful if the server appeared to be younger than 30 years, if the business was a restaurant as opposed to a bar alone, and if signs warning against sales to minors were located at the checkouts. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm and extend previous reports of the ability of youth to purchase alcohol and support the conclusion that commercial availability of alcohol to youth is widespread.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Difficulty accepting lifestyle limitations after the abrupt onset of end-stage renal disease.

Adjustment to the lifestyle changes imposed by end-stage renal disease is particularly difficult when the onset is abrupt and unheralded. A case of atheroembolism is presented in which living situation, dietary compliance, and family involvement are particularly problematic for the dialysis staff. Discussion by team members focuses on the evolution of a reasonable disposition through diligence and persistence, recognizing the need to compromise medical indications with individual lifestyle and available family support.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Technology assessment. Old, new, and needs-based.

Recent health reports, including the 1993 World Development Report, have emphasized the importance of integrating the needs of the population into technology assessment. This paper reviews previous approaches to technology assessment and identifies the missing link between technology and its impact on the physical, emotional, and social needs of the community, namely needs-based technology assessment. It stresses the key role played by issues of equity and community values in making technology decisions. A number of models for needs-based technology assessment are described.

Community Health Planning↗
PubMed1995

Tyrosine phosphorylation of measles virus nucleocapsid protein in persistently infected neuroblastoma cells.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a slowly progressing fatal human disease of the central nervous system which is a delayed sequel of measles virus (MV) infection. A typical pathological feature of this disease is the presence of viral ribonucleocapsid structures in the form of inclusion bodies and the absence of infectious virus or budding viral particles. The mechanisms governing the establishment and maintenance of a persistent MV infection in brain cells are still largely unknown. To understand the mechanisms underlying MV persistence in neuronal cells, a tissue culture model was studied. Clone NS20Y/MS of the murine neuroblastoma C1300 persistently infected with the wild-type Edmonston strain of MV secretes relatively high levels of alpha/beta interferon (IFN). As shown previously, treatment of the persistently infected cultures with anti-IFN serum converted the persistent state into a productive infection indicated by the appearance of multinucleated giant cells. In this study, we have investigated whether alpha/beta IFN produced by NS20Y/MS cells activates cellular protein tyrosine kinases which will induce tyrosine phosphorylating activity specific to virus-infected cells. We present data to show augmented protein tyrosine kinase activity in the persistently infected cells. We demonstrate that the MV N protein is phosphorylated on tyrosine in addition to serine and threonine in the persistent state but not in NS20Y cells acutely infected with MV.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗