Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R I Evans

Publications and source records attributed to R I Evans.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Effect of initial treatment of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease in adults on spontaneous peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation.

The spontaneous proliferative response (SPR) of peripheral blood lymphocytes, as a measure of the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR), has been found to be depressed in adults with chronic inflammatory periodontal disease (CIPD). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that initial treatment of CIPD in adults restores the SPR to normal levels. 10 periodontal disease subjects (mean probing attachment loss of 4.2 mm and a mean bleeding index of 0.65) and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were studied. The SPR for each patient was evaluated on days 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 in culture, before and after initial treatment for CIPD. The peak SPR, which occurred at day 5, was depressed in the untreated periodontal disease subjects compared to the healthy control subjects (p less than 0.01). In addition, the kinetics of the SPR were found to be significantly different in 4 of the 10 parameters compared with the untreated periodontal disease patients and the healthy control subjects. After treatment, there was a significant reduction in probing attachment loss and bleeding indexes (p less than 0.001). In addition, the magnitude of the peak SPR was not significantly different from that of the healthy control subjects. Nevertheless, a difference in 1 of the 10 kinetic parameters persisted, which suggested that complete restoration of the SPR to normal had not occurred so soon after treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Progressive development of supernumerary teeth in cleidocranial dysplasia.

A 9-year-old boy suffering from cleidocranial dysplasia presented with multiple unerupted permanent teeth and five unerupted supernumerary teeth. During a 4-year observation and treatment period he developed nine more supernumerary teeth at a time when normally new teeth would no longer be forming. By the age of 13 years and 5 months a total of fourteen supernumerary teeth had been produced and it is possible that more teeth may develop in the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The evolution of challenges to researchers in health psychology.

One of the keynote addresses presented at the National Working Conference on Research in Health and Behavior. This address is a historical review of current challenges to researchers in health psychology. Current challenges discussed include (a) creation of physical pathology, (b) physical symptoms of physical pathology in the absence of true pathology, (c) increased or decreased vulnerability to infectious disease, (d) intensify, prolong, or diminish existing pathology, (e) individuals' preoccupation with illness or disease, (f) voluntarily engaging in health-threatening behavior (e.g., allowing toxic agents to enter the body or engaging in accident-prone behavior or high-risk sexual practices), (g) engaging in health-enhancing life-style behaviors, and (h) involuntarily becoming the victim of toxic agents. The shift in public health policy as related to psychological research--from mental health to physical illness--reflects societal support for such areas of research by health psychologists.

Cognition↗
PubMed1989

Smoking research: basic research, intervention, prevention, and new trends.

Smoking is a behavior that is influenced by a variety of factors that cut across methodologies, disciplines, and content areas within health psychology. The present article is designed to show the diversity and richness of smoking research by examining smoking from four perspective: basic laboratory research, intervention, prevention and deterrence, and new directions in smoking research. Methodologies that were derived from such varied sources as psychopharmacology, behavioral pharmacology, behavior therapy, clinical psychology, public health and health promotion, and social and developmental psychology have been used to study the smoking problem. The subject populations in these investigations ranged from animal models, to the individual smoker attempting to quit, to communities involved in health promotion and public health approaches. Future research should seek to provide new and improved examples of interdisciplinary research within the field of health psychology to multidisciplinary approaches from the basic and applied sciences.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Health promotion--science or ideology?

This article is the author's American Psychological Association Division 38 Presidential Address, which was delivered at the 1987 APA meetings. It challenges health psychologists to be wary of becoming zealots in health promotion activities without continuing to recognize that health promotion programs should be anchored in sound science. This is discussed in terms of the biomedical research support for a recommended health practice or in terms of the psycho-socio-behavioral research support for techniques applied or advocated in intervention programs. To illustrate this problem in health promotion, the research foundations for recommendations of cholesterol control programs and the "Say No to Drugs" campaigns are explored. Other concerns relating to the appropriate role for the health psychologist in health promotion activities are also discussed.

Health Promotion↗
PubMed1987

Psychology and health: contributions of psychology to the improvement of health and health care.

Psychology as both a science and a profession has been closely identified with other disciplines in the broad field of health since the turn of the present century. Recent advances in health care have reinforced the growing belief that the promotion of health and the prevention and treatment of illness can be greatly enhanced by incorporating the scientific findings and modern techniques of psychology into everyday practices. This review outlines the contributions of psychology to health care throughout the world; only some of the most timely and relevant issues are mentioned, together with examples of current work in the field. After an introductory overview, special attention is given to each of the major areas within the broad field of health care where psychological applications have been particularly useful.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMed1982

Feedback versus information concerning carbon monoxide as an early intervention strategy in adolescent smoking.

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of several programs using feedback about carbon monoxide (CO) as strategies for deterring experimentation with cigarettes in sixth-grade children. All experimental subjects viewed a film depicting elevated CO levels in smokers' breath. Subjects in three conditions then viewed a live demonstration of the detection process using smoking and non-smoking adult subjects, followed by personal monitoring with either immediate, delayed or withheld feedback. An additional group viewed only the film and the live demonstration, and one group viewed only the film. Compared to no-treatment controls, the only program to reduce experimentation with cigarettes was the information-only program. Contrary to what was predicted, several programs, including those using immediate and withheld feedback had increases in rates of experimentation. For young adolescent populations, the use of simple information about imminent consequences of smoking programs is advocated.

Carbon Monoxide↗
PubMed1978

Social-psychologic perspective in motivating changes in eating behavior.

Some reasons for difficulties in motivating changes in eating behavior are outlined, and the application of the major principles of social psychology relevant to dietary management are reviewed. Locus of control and varying communication models are discussed in the context of nutritional counseling. The importance of the patient assuming responsibility for his/her own behavioral change is reviewed in terms of attribution theory. Specific suggestions for helping nutritionists motivate patients to change their eating behavior are made.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1975

Teachers as models in programs for school dental health; an evaluation of "The Toothkeeper".

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Toothkeeper program was performed in Houston to determine if participation in the program by elementary school children would result in their having cleaner teeth and better gingival health than seen in similar children not in the program. Assessments for plaque and gingivitis were made at the beginning, at the completion of the formal 16-week program, and again after a second 16-week period. In this particular setting, the Toothkeeper was found to be ineffective. Possible reasons for the ineffectiveness of the program are discussed and several suggestions for modifying the program are offered.

Child↗