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Biomedical subjects

S J Sherman

Publications and source records attributed to S J Sherman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Cognitive and social influence factors in adolescent smoking cessation.

Using a longitudinal design, the current study investigated the roles of smoking-related beliefs, and parent and peer psychosocial factors as antecedents and consequences of adolescent smoking cessation. Results indicated that adolescents who would later quit smoking were different from those who continued to smoke even prior to the transition. For younger subjects, cessation was related mainly to parental influences (e.g., parental support and attitudes towards smoking). Older adolescents responded primarily to peer influences in choosing to quit. While psychosocial factors served as antecedents to cessation, results also indicated that the process of quitting itself led to changes in the adolescents' social environment that further reinforced smoking cessation (e.g., fewer friends who smoked, less positive peer attitudes towards smoking). Thus, the process of smoking cessation among adolescents may be bidirectional, with psychosocial factors influencing the decision to quit and, in turn, being influenced by such a decision.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Electrical activity and cytosolic calcium regulate levels of tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels in cultured rat muscle cells.

Pharmacological blockade of the spontaneous electrical activity present in primary cultures of rat myotubes by growth in bupivacaine, tetrodotoxin, or KCl was found to increase the number of voltage-sensitive Na+ channels 38-83% as measured by the specific binding of [3H]saxitoxin. The inhibition of spontaneous electrical activity and increase in channel density by bupivacaine displayed an identical dose response, with a half-maximal effect at 3.0 microM. Growth of myotubes in the presence of 1 microM A23187, a Ca2+-specific ionophore, resulted in a 30-60% decrease in the number of tetrodotoxin-sensitive channels with no change in affinity for [3H]saxitoxin. A23187 was able to overcome the increase in channel density produced by bupivacaine. These results suggest the presence of a Ca2+-mediated negative feedback system in which electrical excitability may be regulated by altering the number of tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na+ channels.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Predictors of adolescents' intentions to smoke: age, sex, race, and regional differences.

The present study investigated the predictors of smoking intentions among subgroups of adolescent nonsmokers, examining age, sex, ethnic, and regional differences. Both proximal factors specific to smoking and more general, distal factors were successful predictors of intentions to smoke. The similarities in prediction outweighed the differences between demographic subgroups. There were three demographic differences: (1) peer and family smoking levels were more important in predicting intentions for girls than boys; (2) smoking initiation was more of a way of adopting deviant or problem behavior for midwestern than for southwestern subjects; (3) familial smoking models were more related to the intentions of midwestern than southwestern subjects. The theoretical significance of these results and their practical implications for smoking prevention are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Biphasic regulation of development of the high-affinity saxitoxin receptor by innervation in rat skeletal muscle.

Specific binding of 3H-saxitoxin (STX) was used to quantitate the density of voltage-sensitive sodium channels in developing rat skeletal muscle. In adult triceps surae, a single class of sites with a KD = 2.9 nM and a density of 21 fmol/mg wet wt was detected. The density of these high-affinity sites increased from 2.0 fmol/mg wet wt to the adult value in linear fashion during days 2-25 after birth. Denervation of the triceps surae at day 11 or 17 reduced final saxitoxin receptor site density to 10.4 or 9.2 fmol/mg wet wt, respectively, without changing KD. Denervation of the triceps surae at day 5 did not alter the subsequent development of saxitoxin receptor sites during days 5-9 and accelerated the increase of saxitoxin receptor sites during days 9-13. After day 13, saxitoxin receptor development abruptly ceased and the density of saxitoxin receptor sites declined to 11 fmol/wg wet wt. These results show that the regulation of high-affinity saxitoxin receptor site density by innervation is biphasic. During the first phase, which is independent of continuing innervation, the saxitoxin receptor density increases to 47-57% of the adult level. After day 11, the second phase of development, which is dependent on continuing innervation, gives rise to the adult density of saxitoxin receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Social image factors as motivators of smoking initiation in early and middle adolescence.

The social image of the smoker may be particularly important for the process of adolescent smoking initiation. With that in mind, the present study had 2 goals: (1) to assess the social image of cigarette smoking among early and middle nonsmoking adolescents, and (2) to determine whether that social image serves to motivate smoking initiation. Based on considerations of self-esteem and susceptibility to social influence, social image factors were predicted to be related to intentions to smoke more for early adolescents and for girls. Results indicated that the social image of both male and female smokers was an ambivalent one for both early and middle adolescents. Smoking models were rated as having many undesirable qualities, but also several social assets. In terms of the relationship of the social image to smoking intentions, early adolescent girls had intentions that were best predicted by the perceived negative qualities of smoking. For middle adolescents, smoking intentions were related to the positive social assets of smoking, especially interest in the opposite sex. These results suggest that prevention strategies for early adolescent girls focus on the negative results of smoking. On the other hand, strategies for middle adolescents should either attack the positive image of the smoker or provide alternative means of self-image improvement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Effects of initial request size and timing of a second request on compliance: the foot in the door and the door in the face.

A field experiment tested four separate procedures for influencing compliance to the second of two requests. Two factors--size of initial request and timing of the second request--were included in a 2 X 2 factorial design. Subjects were induced either to comply with a small initial request or to refuse a large initial request. They then received a moderate request either immediately (no delay) or 7--10 days later (delay). Compliance to the second request was the dependent measure. The results in the two delay conditions and the small-request--no delay condition supported a self-perception position in that the induction of one kind of behavior (compliance or noncompliance) carried over to affect subsequent behavior similarly. The large-request--no dealy condition supported a bargaining explanation, as initial refusal to comply led to an increase in subsequent compliance. Possible processes that could account for these results are discussed.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The clinical importance of sociocognitive models of hypnosis: response set theory and Milton Erickson's strategic interventions.

This article documents the contributions and clinical relevance of influential sociocognitive models of hypnosis. We argue that an appreciation of the influence and interplay of sociocognitive constructs, combined with a knowledge of basic research findings, can contribute to sound clinical practice. This article extends previous statements of response set theory (e.g., Kirsch & Lynn, 1998, 1999; Lynn, 1998) by further elucidating the social and cognitive underpinnings of how response sets are established, maintained, and strengthened. It does so by providing a scientific rationale for Milton H. Erickson's most prominent strategic interventions.

Cognition↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Isolated unilateral fetal pleural effusion: the role of sonographic surveillance and in utero therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the necessity of close sonographic surveillance of small, isolated fetal pleural effusions as well as the selection criteria and benefits of in utero therapy utilizing thoracoamniotic shunts. METHODS: High-resolution ultrasound, fetal echocardiography, amniocentesis for viral cultures, cordocentesis, and thoracocentesis were performed to evaluate the underlying etiology of a unilateral pleural effusion. A Rodeck Rocket shunt was placed following sudden, rapid progression of the effusion and onset of severe fetal hydrops. RESULTS: Placement of the thoracoamniotic shunt resulted in near-complete drainage of the pleural effusion with normalization of intrathoracic anatomic relationships, subsequent complete resolution of fetal hydrops, and excellent postnatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Apparently stable, small pleural effusions can progress rapidly to severe hydrops and need to be followed closely. In appropriately evaluated and selected cases, thoracoamniotic shunt placement may result in resolution of fetal hydrops and prevent intrauterine fetal death.

Adult↗