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Biomedical subjects

Mark Weber

Publications and source records attributed to Mark Weber.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Performance of balance impaired elders on three balance tests under two visual conditions.

PURPOSE: This study compared differences in balance measures among elderly adults with different degrees of balance impairments under different visual conditions. METHODS: This study was conducted on 89 adults (> 60 years) with balance impairments. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on the initial Tinetti score: low risk of fall (LRF, n=29), moderate risk of fall (MRF, n=30) and high risk of fall (HRF, n=30). Three balance measures-Tinetti, Timed-up and Go (TUG), and Functional Reach-were tested with 2 different visual conditions: eyes open with normal vision (EONV) and eyes open with blurred vision (EOBV). All data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Subjects with EOBV had significantly decreased Tinetti (P < .01 ) and Functional Reach (P < .01 ) scores and increased TUG (P < .01 ) scores regardless of fall group. Subjects in the LRF group performed better in all 3 tests than those in MRF (P < .01 ) and HRF (P < .01 ) groups. Subjects in the MRF group performed better in all 3 tests than those in HRF (P < .01 ). There were significant interactions between vision and risk of falls in Tinetti (P < .01 ) and TUG (P < .01 ) scores. However, there was no significant interaction between vision and risk of falls in Functional Reach (P > .05) scores. CONCLUSION: Blurred vision significantly altered all 3 balance measure scores in all risk groups. However, blurred vision had a greater influence on Tinetti and TUG scores than Functional Reach scores in subjects with higher risk of falls.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

A factors influencing applicant selection of entry-level physical therapist education programs in the United States.

Physical therapist education programs must compete for qualified applicants due to a nationwide reduction in the applicant pool. To develop successful recruitment strategies, faculty members need information on factors influencing applicant selection of a program. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors influencing selection of an entry-level physical therapist education program. Survey subjects were students enrolled in the first professional year of an accredited entry-level physical therapist education program. A survey instrument was developed based on the literature and interviews with physical therapist students and faculty members. Results of pilot studies to determine face and content validity were acceptable. Stratified random cluster sampling was applied to select 66 entry-level physical therapy programs from an available population of 150 of the 199 accredited programs. Forty-nine programs were not included in the population for various reasons. Using a five-point Likert scale, subjects rated the influence of 51 items on their selection of a specific physical therapist education program. The overall return rate was 70.4% (1,250 surveys returned). Data were analyzed by response frequency. Four factors were selected as "very influential" by 50% or more of the subjects: degree offered, accreditation status, perception of educational quality, and program atmosphere. Additional factors selected by 45% or more of respondents as "very influential" were pass rate on licensing examination, marketability of degree, student/faculty ratio, and small class size. Factors rated "not influential" by 50% or more of subjects included ethnic, cultural, and gender issues. Since 1998, the physical therapy profession has experienced changes in entry-level degree requirements, practice requirements, and employment opportunities, resulting in increased competition for qualified applicants to education programs. The information gained in this study may assist faculty in the development of recruitment strategies.

Accreditation↗
PubMed2003

Performance characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genotyping systems in sequence-based analysis of subtypes other than HIV-1 subtype B.

Given the diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes and the emergence of subtypes other than HIV-1 subtype B in the United States, genotypic assays must be capable of delivering sequence data on diverse HIV-1 subtypes. We evaluated the performance of Visible Genetics TRUGENE HIV-1 genotyping kit and Applied Biosystems ViroSeq HIV-1 genotyping system on a panel of 34 well-characterized HIV-1 viral stocks (subtypes A through H). Both assays perform well on diverse HIV-1 subtypes despite being designed for HIV-1 subtype B. The TRUGENE assay produced sequence data for 31 isolates but not for one C and two G isolates. The TRUGENE assay using prototype 1.5 RT-PCR primers and the ViroSeq assay were both successful for all variants tested, although five isolates lacked double-strand sequence coverage in the ViroSeq assay. The availability of standardized HIV-1 genotyping kits that perform reliably with all HIV subtypes will facilitate broad implementation of HIV-1 resistance testing.

Genotype↗
PubMed2002

Neural network scheme for the retrieval of total ozone from Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment data.

A novel approach to retrieving total ozone columns from the ERS2 GOME (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment) spectral data has been developed. With selected GOME wavelength regions, from clear and cloudy pixels alike plus orbital and instrument data as input, a feed-forward neural network was trained to determine total ozone in a one-step inverse retrieval procedure. To achieve this training, ground-based total ozone measurements from the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Data Center (WOUDC) for the years 1996-2000, supplemented with Dobson-corrected Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data to provide global coverage, were collocated with GOME ground pixels into a training data set. Validation of the neural-network-retrieved ozone values relative to independent ground stations yielded a rms error of better than 11 Dobson units. Comparisons performed on the basis of operationally available TOMS and GOME level-3 maps exhibit good agreement in general, with a latitude-dependent offset.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Successful long-term therapy following saphenous vein-covered stent deployment for atherosclerotic coronary aneurysm.

We describe a case of atherosclerotic aneurysm involving the left main coronary artery in a patient with prior coronary artery bypass surgery. A saphenous vein-covered stent was used to seal the aneurysm in conjunction with conventional stenting of an associated native vessel coronary stenosis. Focal late restenosis involving the stent graft was successfully treated with repeat angioplasty and brachytherapy. Autologous vein-covered stent deployment should be considered in the treatment of symptomatic or progressively enlarging coronary aneurysms.

Coronary Aneurysm↗
PubMed2002

Heterogeneity of health disparities among African American, Hispanic, and Asian American women: unrecognized influences of sexual orientation.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared health indicators among self-identified lesbians/bisexual women and heterosexual women residing in Los Angeles County. METHODS: Respondents were English-speaking Hispanic, African American, and Asian American women. Health status, behavioral risks, access barriers, and indicators of health care were assessed. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of chronic health conditions were similar among women in the 3 racial/ethnic groups. However, lesbians and bisexual women evidenced higher behavioral risks and lower rates of preventive care than heterosexual women. CONCLUSIONS: Among racial/ethnic minority women, minority sexual orientation is associated with increased health risks. The effects of sexual minority status need to be considered in addressing health disparities affecting this population.

Adolescent↗