Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R M Berger

Publications and source records attributed to R M Berger.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Passing and social support among gay men.

One hundred sixty-six gay men responded to a questionnaire survey which asked them to describe their social networks and the extent to which they 'passed' (were assumed to be heterosexual) among network members. Most gay men were known as gay to most members of their networks; however, friends, siblings and persons close to respondents were more likely to be aware of their homosexuality than co-workers, parents, and more distant relatives. Gay men were more satisfied with social support available from those who knew of their sexual orientation. The author concludes that passing has important and complex effects on the social networks of gay men.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Men together: understanding the gay couple.

The present study surveyed male gay couples to determine how their relationships began and were maintained, the types of conflict they experienced, and how the issues of monogamy, sexual behavior and AIDS affected the relationships. Ninety-two couples responded to the survey. The gay bar was the most common initial meeting place and relationships had lasted from less than one to 35 years. Few had had a commitment ceremony, although many reported wanting one if it were available. Most of the close friends of respondents were also gay couples and about two-thirds of family members were supportive of the relationship. The most persistent conflicts centered around finances and relations with family members. Virtually all respondents described their relationships as monogamous, but only about half practiced safe-sex. More attention needs to be given to understanding male couples and to targeting AIDS-prevention messages to them.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Passing: impact on the quality of same-sex couple relationships.

Passing is the social process by which gay men and lesbians present themselves to the world as heterosexuals. A questionnaire survey of same-sex couples, recruited through a national support organization, examined the impact of passing on relationship quality. Passing was not related to self-reported love for partner. However, respondents who were known to significant others as homosexual were more likely to report satisfaction with their relationships. Social workers providing services to gay and lesbian couples are alerted to the primary role played by significant others in the same-sex couple relationship.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Initial EDAP LT-01 lithotripsy group experience in the United States.

The initial United States cooperative experience with the EDAP LT-01 second generation piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor using ultrasonic guidance is presented. Particular to the machine are lack of radiation exposure, no need for anesthesia, a purely outpatient procedure, no electrocardiographic problems, a high degree of safety and a paucity of complications. The equipment is described briefly. The same machine currently is being used to destroy renal and biliary stones. The results are encouraging and highly comparable to the initial experience with the earlier machines. Fragmentation rates are approximately 86%, with destruction rates of 63.4% over-all. Ultrasound localization and monitoring proved surprisingly easy to learn and were increasingly less of a problem as experience was gained. No serious complications were observed, and there were no renal losses and no deaths. Only 3 cases of steinstrasse were noted among 461 with 633 stones targeted during 595 treatments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Characterization of the copper-thiolate cluster in yeast metallothionein and two truncated mutants.

Cu-metallothionein was purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae harboring plasmids containing mutated CUP1 metallothionein genes resulting in deletions at the carboxy-terminal end of the polypeptide. The truncated polypeptides are recovered as polypeptides of 35 and 48 residues in length. The Cu-S cluster in the wild-type metallothionein and the two truncates were characterized. The truncated proteins, designated T35 and T48, contain 4 and 2 fewer cysteinyl residues, respectively, compared to the 12 cysteines in wild-type metallothionein; yet the mutant molecules bind Cu(I) ions in a stoichiometry comparable to the wild-type protein, i.e. 7-8 mol eq. The Cu(I) ions bound to T48 are as tenaciously bound as those bound to the wild-type molecule. The electronic transitions in the ultraviolet are similar for Cu-T48 and the wild-type protein. Both mutants and wild-type Cu-protein exhibit luminescence. The corrected emission maxima occurs at 609 nm with a corrected excitation peak near 277 nm. The luminescence quantum yield and lifetime of fluorescence decay of Cu-T48 and wild-type Cu-metallothionein are similar. The absolute quantum yield of the wild-type Cu-protein luminescence is 0.0058 and has a 440-ns lifetime. The similar fluorescence rate constant in the two molecules suggests they possess a similar chromophore. The Cu-T35 protein is more labile than Cu-T48 or the wild-type protein in the association of Cu(I) ions and the air sensitivity of the electronic transitions and luminescence. Although T48 lacks 2 of the 12 cysteines in the wild-type protein, we are unable to detect any differences in the properties of the native metal clusters in the two molecules; T35 lacking 4 cysteinyl residues forms a Cu(I) cluster with properties significantly different from the wild-type molecule. Properties of the Cu-thiolate cluster were also studied in Cu(I)-reconstituted samples. The cluster in wild-type metallothionein forms in all-or-nothing fashion. This conclusion is based on copper binding stoichiometry and luminescence studies. The relative quantum yield of samples with intermediate Cu(I) levels was constant, consistent with all-or-none cluster formation.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1988

Making home health social work more effective.

As part of the recent growth in home health care, social workers play an important role in providing services to homebound patients and their families. However, current reimbursement methods have impeded the provision of effective and efficient social work services. This paper explores alternative methods for reimbursement of social work services, and suggests additional ways in which home health social work can become more effective.

Home Care Services↗
PubMed1983

Genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue malignant neoplasm involving the pelvis of children. Debate still exists over whether the best treatment is pelvic exenteration, radiation and chemotherapy or chemotherapy as the cornerstone to treatment, with diminished needs for extensive surgery and prolonged radiotherapy. Contrariwise, there is little debate over the combined treatment modality for paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. We have evaluated and treated 19 children with rhabdomyosarcoma, including 17 with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma and 2 with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. This retrospective study was done to evaluate treatment regimens for patients with genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma. For patients with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma the study was divided into 2 series. In an early series 6 of 7 children had a pelvic exenteration with or without chemotherapy. Of these 7 children 3 are well 15 to 27 years following diagnosis. In a later series of 10 children, when chemotherapy was used more commonly, none underwent pelvic exenteration. Of these 10 patients 7 had chemotherapy or chemotherapy and biopsy only. Only 1 child, who presented with stage IV disease, died in this series. Another child with stage III disease had progressive disease despite chemotherapy and subsequent cystoprostatectomy. Thus, of 9 remaining patients 8 are well from 1 to 8 years. It appears that pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma can be treated effectively with chemotherapy, and limited surgery and radiation. Fortunately, pelvic exenteration can now be limited to a select few.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1983

Bladder capacity (ounces) equals age (years) plus 2 predicts normal bladder capacity and aids in diagnosis of abnormal voiding patterns.

Standardization of the bladder capacities of children will improve the precision of urodynamic evaluation. In an attempt to develop a practical guide to predict the normal bladder capacity during childhood the bladder capacities of 132 children without a clinically abnormal pattern of voiding were measured. When the bladder capacities are correlated by age the following linear relationship exists: normal bladder capacity (ounces) equals age (years) plus 2. The bladder capacities of 68 children with primary enuresis, frequency or infrequent voiding were then measured. Children with clinically infrequent voiding demonstrated large bladder capacities and those with frequency or enuresis demonstrated small bladder capacities compared to normal children. The formula appears to be a useful guide to predict normal bladder capacity by age and also to aid in the diagnosis of abnormal voiding patterns.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Psychological adaptation of the older homosexual male.

Social, psychological, and demographic characteristics of older homosexual males were examined through analysis of the questionnaire responses of 112 homosexual men 40 years of age or older. Few of the negative stereotypes that usually characterize descriptions of this group were supported. Most respondents were well adjusted and satisfied with their lives. Variables relating to good psychological adaptation included integration into the gay community, commitment to homosexuality, a low concern with concealment of sexual preference, a current exclusive relationship, and a satisfactory sex life. There was some evidence to indicate that age is positively related to several aspects of psychological adaptation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1977

Interpersonal skill training with institutionalized elderly patients.

A behavioral program to train elderly nursing home patients in interpersonal skills was systematically developed and evaluated. Data obtained from intensive interviews with patients, staff, and professionals were used to construct a training program and self-report and behavioral measures for assessing the program's effectiveness. Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned to the training program or to one of two control condotions. On a behavioral measure of responses to situations that had been included in training, the Skill Training program was superior to the control conditions. However, learning failed to generalize to novel situations. Directions for future skill training research are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The in-home worker: serving the frail elderly.

Little attention has been paid to the special tasks facing the many unskilled in-home workers who serve the frail elderly. With the assistance of the Community Care Training Project at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, the authors studied the needs in-home workers have for interpersonal skills. A typology of problematic interpersonal situations is presented, along with suggestions for training, assessment, and supervision of clients and workers.

Aged↗