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Biomedical subjects

S Bloch

Publications and source records attributed to S Bloch.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Comparing frontal and lateral viewing in the pigeon. I. Tachistoscopic visual acuity as a function of distance.

Pigeon's visual acuity has mainly been tested in free viewing conditions so that the direction of gaze could not be controlled. In order to be able to compare the resolving power of the two retinal areas of higher cellular density--the area dorsalis in the red field with frontal binocular projection and the fovea centralis with lateral monocular projection--a method of behavioural fixation was used. This method consists in a forced pecking schedule and a tachistocopic presentation of the stimulus. The pigeon has to discriminate the orientation (vertical, positive; horizontal, negative) of square gratings of increasing spatial frequency. Tests were done with the stimuli appearing 25 degrees below the beak for frontal and 80 degrees back from the beak for lateral viewing, at distances of 10, 20, 40 and 80 cm for each direction. Results show that while frontal acuity decreases with distance, lateral acuity increases with distance. These psychophysical data confirm previous dioptric measurements done on frozen eyes, showing that the pigeon is myopic in the frontal field and hyperopic in the lateral field. Pigeons seem to be well adapted for visually guided frontal tasks at near distances (feeding, landing) and for visually guided lateral tasks at far distances (warning).

Animals↗
PubMed1982

A preparatory interview for the neophyte group therapist.

On the premiss that an important aim of the initial phase of supervision of the neophyte group psychotherapist is to convert a new and threatening situation into an old and familiar one, the function of a preparatory interview--whose focus was the therapist's set of expectations about his impending experience of leading a group--was examined. The findings of a series of 26 interviews point to the need for a systematic controlled study to test the effects of a preparatory interview of the trainee therapist on group process and leadership behaviour.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1981

Difference in brain densities between chronic alcoholic and normal control patients.

The densities of the brains of 11 chronic alcoholics were compared with those of 11 age-matched normal control subjects. Densities were determined from the density numbers generated by computerized tomography at three levels of the brain-the highest level of the lateral ventricles and the next two higher levels-with adjustments made to control for possible artifacts in the data. The advantage of the dominant hemisphere over the nondominant hemisphere was lessened in alcoholics.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Therapeutic factors in group psychotherapy. A review.

This is a review of theoretical, empirical, and clinical research on therapeutic factors (TFs) in group psychotherapy covering the period 1955 to 1979. Therapeutic factors are processes that contribute to improvement in the patient's condition; they are different from conditions for change and from techniques. The following TFs are examined: self-disclosure, interaction, acceptance (cohesiveness), insight, catharsis, guidance, altruism, vicarious learning, instillation of hope, and an existential factor. Criteria for adequate experimental design in group research are proposed. About 40% of the works reviewed contain empirical studies; the quality of these studies is variable both conceptually and methodologically. It is difficult to assess the extent to which clinical practice has actually been influenced by this work on TFs.

Catharsis↗
PubMed1981

Structural brain deficits in schizophrenia. Identification by computed tomographic scan density measurements.

Research has suggested the presence of brain damage as a cause or concomitant of chronic schizophrenia. The most recent research in this area has been the identification of abnormalities in schizophrenia by computed tomographic (CT) scans. A study was done to investigate localized changes in CT scan density numbers in the brains of schizophrenic patients, as opposed to the brains in normal control subjects. Twenty-four normal subjects and 23 schizophrenic patients were tested with CT scans. Density measurements in each area of the brain (left, right, anterior and posterior) were compared to three separate CT scan levels. Of six measurements of anterior left-hemisphere density, it was found that five showed lower density in schizophrenic brains, as compared with normal brains. Of the remaining 18 measurements that evaluated other areas of the brain, only three differentiated between schizophrenic patients and normal subjects. The results support the hypothesis that there are primary structural deficits in some schizophrenic patients, and these deficits are centered in and around the anterior area of the left (dominant) hemisphere. The results also demonstrated further implications.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1981

Neurologic complications in prostatic carcinoma.

A review of 10 years experience with prostatic carcinoma was undertaken with a search for neurologic complications. An unusual case presenting with symptoms of hemiplegia is reviewed. Of 154 charts, 90 provided adequate clinical information for complete analysis. Nineteen cases with neurologic complications were found and were restricted entirely to advanced (stages C and D) disease. Thirty-seven percent of patients with advanced disease developed neurologic complications. The most frequent complaints were related to organic brain syndrome, paraplegia, and radiculopathy. Eight patients developed peripheral nerve or spinal cord injury related to metastatic disease. Five patients suffered metabolic or paraneoplastic complications; three patient's symptoms related to central or epidural metastases and two patients developed neurologic symptoms related to complications of therapy. All neurologic symptoms improved given appropriate diagnosis and treatment. A brief review of the literature is included emphasizing the diverse nature of neurologic complications in this common neoplasm.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1981

Effects of long-term neuroleptic use on brain density.

Mean density values of the brain in four quadrants were determined for a sample of 16 chronic schizophrenic patients who had received between 0 and 3,000 grams of lifetime neuroleptics. Significant correlations were found between the measures of density in the posterior quadrants of both hemispheres and total lifetime medication usage. Correlations with anterior density were insignificant. Corrections for age and current severity of the disorder (as measured by the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) did not alter the significant finding. Possible explanations for the results are discussed as well as their possible implications.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1981

Group psychotherapy.

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Bibliographies as Topic↗
PubMed1980

Basal ganglia calcification on CT scanning in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

Calcification occurring in the basal ganglia in children with acute lymphocyte leukemia following therapy is uncommon and to the best of our knowledge has not been reported prior to therapy. Eleven cases of bilateral symmetrical calcification in the basal ganglia were noted in 2350 CT scans, two being in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. In one of the two cases, calcification was present prior to therapy.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗
PubMed1980

Visual field defects produced by basilar artery ectasia.

The authors report two cases of visual field defects which are postulated to be due to the distal end of an elongated basilar artery compressing the visual pathways in the posterior suprasellar region. The mechanism of production of these defects is discussed, relating the abnormal position of the distal end of the basilar artery to a normally situated or only slightly post-fixed optic chiasm and optic tract and to a markedly post-fixed optic chiasm.

Basilar Artery↗