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Biomedical subjects

S L Rosenthal

Publications and source records attributed to S L Rosenthal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Relationship between perceived parental monitoring and young adolescent girls' sexual and substance use behaviors.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine the independent effects of perceived parental monitoring on sexual experience, contraceptive, and substance use. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Adolescent females at an urban-based adolescent clinic (N = 174; 41% sexually experienced) rated the extent to which they were directly and indirectly monitored by their parents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: These perceptions were compared with reported contraceptive use as well as substance use. Direct parental monitoring was best described using two dimensions: direct monitoring and direct monitoring when with peers. RESULTS: Direct monitoring was found to be associated with the use of hormonal birth control methods at last intercourse. Direct parental monitoring when with peers was found to be associated with less use of alcohol and cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that parental monitoring is a relevant factor for primary care physicians to explore during treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Substance use among adolescents with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of substance use among adolescents with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and to assess available opportunities for rheumatologists to identify high risk teens. METHODS: Fifty-two teens (mean age 13.9 years, 86% female) completed questionnaires regarding substance use (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other illicit substances), functional disability, and frequency of health care contacts. RESULTS: Alcohol use was reported by 30.7% of teens, including 23.5% of those for whom methotrexate was prescribed; 15.4% reported tobacco use in the last year, and 13.4% reported other illicit substance use in their lifetime, although most use was experimental. No teen reported marijuana use. The majority reported regular contact with their rheumatologist but only 26.9% were ever interviewed alone. CONCLUSION: Many teens with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, including those prescribed methotrexate, used substances, especially alcohol. When rheumatologists see adolescents, particularly in situations where methotrexate may be prescribed, a clinical setting conductive to confidentially, physician comfort in asking about sensitive topics such as substance abuse, and referral relationships with skilled adolescent health and substance abuse counseling providers are essential.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

Topical microbicides. Current status and research considerations for adolescent girls.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For sexually active adolescent girls, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) represent a significant health problem. Although condom use may be an effective intervention against STDs in this high-risk population, actual use depends on the cooperation of the male partner. Therefore, the development of female-controlled methods such as topical microbicides have been endorsed as an important option for STD prevention. GOALS: This article reviews the current status of intravaginal microbicide development and discusses aspects of adolescent development that should be considered in topical microbicide research. RESULTS: Biological development, cognitive capacities, psychosexual maturation, and the sociocultural context are key features that affect the likelihood that adolescents will adopt microbicides as a specific methods of STD protection. CONCLUSION: Adoption of topical microbicides by adolescents will require an "adolescent friendly" perspective for topical microbicides to have a significant impact on the STD epidemic.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1998

Risk assessment of thyroid follicular cell tumors.

Thyroid follicular cell tumors arise in rodents from mutations, perturbations of thyroid and pituitary hormone status with increased stimulation of thyroid cell growth by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), or a combination of the two. The only known human thyroid carcinogen is ionizing radiation. It is not known for certain whether chemicals that affect thyroid cell growth lead to human thyroid cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency applies the following science policy positions: 1) chemically induced rodent thyroid tumors are presumed to be relevant to humans; 2) when interspecies information is lacking, the default is to assume comparable carcinogenic sensitivity in rodents and humans; 3) adverse rodent noncancer thyroid effects due to chemically induced thyroid-pituitary disruption are presumed to be relevant to humans; 4) linear dose-response considerations are applied to thyroid cancer induced by chemical substances that either do not disrupt thyroid functioning or lack mode of action information; 5) nonlinear thyroid cancer dose-response considerations are applied to chemicals that reduce thyroid hormone levels, increase TSH and thyroid cell division, and are judged to lack mutagenic activity; and 6) nonlinear considerations may be applied in thyroid cancer dose-response assessments on a case-by-case basis for chemicals that disrupt thyroid-pituitary functioning and demonstrate some mutagenic activity. Required data for risk assessment purposes is mode of action information on mutagenicity, increases in follicular cell growth (cell size and number) and thyroid gland weight, thyroid-pituitary hormones, site of action, correlations between doses producing thyroid effects and cancer, and reversibility of effects when dosing ceases.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗
PubMed1997

Heterosexual romantic relationships and sexual behaviors of young adolescent girls.

PURPOSE: To compare the heterosexual romantic relationships of a cohort sexually experienced and sexually inexperienced adolescent girls, to describe the perceptions of the appropriateness of the age of first intercourse, and to evaluate the reasons why sexually experienced girls chose to have sexual intercourse the first and the most recent times they had sexual intercourse. METHODS: Girls (n = 174) with a mean age of 14.5 years were recruited from an urban-based adolescent clinic to participate in a longitudinal study of psychosexual development. The subjects were interviewed regarding their views about relationships and sexual behaviors. For the purposes of this study, data were analyzed from the first wave of data collection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that sexually experienced girls were more likely than sexually inexperienced ones to share unique information and spend time with their boyfriends, and to anticipate that their relationships would last longer. Regardless of sexual experience, 35% of their relationships were not mutually exclusive, which places the sexually experienced girls at risk for sexually transmitted infections. Most of the girls felt that they had been "too young" at the time of first intercourse. The reasons the adolescent girls gave for having intercourse the first time and the most recent time were correlated. It would be useful to incorporate the results of this study into subsequent research which identifies strategies to aid girls to postpone the initiation of intercourse, and maintain exclusive sexual relationships. Helping sexually experienced girls to consider why they have had intercourse in the past can aid future decision-making.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Adolescent girls' understanding of Papanicolaou smear results.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Human papillomavirus (HPV) urogenital infections are common in sexually active adolescents. Previous research has indicated that adolescent girls do not reliably report histories of HPV infection. This study examined whether asking an adolescent girl if she had ever had an abnormal Papanicolaou (PAP) smear was a good screening question for evidence of HPV urogenital infection. DESIGN: The responses to the question about abnormal PAP smears, were compared with their charts for documented abnormal PAP smear, HPV infection, and sexually transmitted infection. SETTING: An urban, hospital-based adolescent clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty adolescent girls (mean age, 14.8 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Degree of agreement (kappa statistic). RESULTS: Using a kappa statistic, reported history of an abnormal PAP smear had "fair" agreement with documented dysplasia on PAP smear and "moderate" agreement with documented HPV infection (i.e., either condyloma on PAP smear or genital warts noted on examination). This reported history of an abnormal PAP smear agreed better with documented HPV infection than with documented dysplasia on PAP smear. CONCLUSIONS: There appears to be considerable confusion among adolescent girls regarding their PAP smear results. Care providers need to be sensitive to this when they are collecting historical information and when they are diagnosing HPV infection or an abnormal PAP smear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and cytomegalovirus in adolescents.

We determined the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibodies in a cohort of adolescents 12 to 22 years of age in anticipation of the development of vaccines to control HSV and CMV infections. For the overall study population, we found that 62% were seropositive for HSV type 1 (HSV-1), 12% were seropositive for HSV type 2 (HSV-2), and 65% were seropositive for CMV. Race was not related to HSV-1 seropositivity, but African-American adolescents were more likely than Caucasian adolescents to be seropositive for HSV-2 and CMV. Girls also were more likely than boys to be seropositive for HSV-2 and CMV. For boys, history of a sexually transmitted disease was identified as a risk factor for HSV-2 seropositivity; for girls, a greater number of sexual partners increased the risk of being seropositive for HSV-2. Our data demonstrating a high prevalence of infection during adolescence suggest that immunization for HSV-1, HSV-2, and CMV may need to occur in childhood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Adolescent girls' perceived prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and condom use.

Little is known concerning sexually experienced and inexperienced adolescent girls' perceptions of the prevalence of condom use and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Girls (n = 174; 41% sexually experienced) rated the prevalence of condom use among friends and STDs among male and female friends and adolescents in general. Girls perceive the prevalence of STDs similarly across both gender and level of familiarity. For the most part, however, the girls perceived the prevalence among boys and girls more similarly than among friends and adolescents in general. No significant differences were found between sexually experienced and inexperienced girls in perceptions of condom use prevalence, but girls with a history of STD perceived condoms as used less frequently. Girls with an STD history perceived STDs as the most prevalent, followed by sexually inexperienced girls and then sexually experienced girls without a history of an STD. After an adolescent girl initiates sexual intercourse, STD experience could be a key variable in affecting her perceptions. Prevention programs can incorporate an understanding of patients' perceptions of condom use and STDs.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Impact of demographics, sexual history, and psychological functioning on the acquisition of STDS in adolescents.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are associated with significant morbidities for adolescents. This study sought to determine the relationship of demographic characteristics, sexual history, and psychological characteristics to actual acquisition of STD. Adolescents were recruited from their source of primary care: 44 males and 88 females matched on age and race. A series of logistic regression analyses were used to determine which of the independent variables were significantly associated with self-reported STD occurrences. When age, race, and gender were pretested, older age and being female were found to be associated with more episodes. The final model consisted of older age, female gender, greater number of lifetime partners, perceived greater frequency of STDs among adolescents in general, less negative feelings about STD acquisition, and being less likely to believe your friends would think you were bad. The findings indicate that acquisition of an STD is related to the demographic characteristics of age and gender, as well as to the number of lifetime partners and attitudes about STD acquisition. This information can be used to develop intervention programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Dalmatians: nine cases (1990-1995).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the historical, clinical, and echocardiographic findings in Dalmatians with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SAMPLE POPULATION: 9 Dalmatians with a diagnosis of DCM and congestive heart failure (CHF), 9 Doberman Pinschers with DCM and CHF, and 9 dogs of other breeds with DCM and CHF. PROCEDURE: Disease history; signalment; physical, radiographic, and echocardiographic examination findings; treatment; and outcome from medical records were analyzed. RESULTS: All Dalmatians were male, with a mean age of 6.8 years. Eight dogs had been fed a commercially available low-protein diet formulated for the prevention of urate uroliths. All dogs had clinical signs consistent with left-sided CHF and had marked left ventricular systolic dysfunction and severe left ventricular dilatation, although arrhythmias were not an important finding in this series of dogs. Median duration of survival was 10 months. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The DCM syndrome in Dalmatians has some qualities that are distinct from DCM in other breeds of dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of dysmenorrhea in adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine whether dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids can relieve symptoms of dysmenorrhea in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-two adolescents with dysmenorrhea were randomly allocated to two groups. In the first group 21 girls received fish oil (1080 mg icosapentaenoic acid, 720 mg docosahexaenoic acid, and 1.5 mg vitamin E) daily for 2 months followed by a placebo for an additional 2 months. In the second group 21 girls received placebo for the first 2 months, followed by fish oil for 2 more months. The Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale was used to assess response to treatment. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale between the two groups at baseline after 2 months of placebo administration. After 2 months of treatment with fish oil there was a marked reduction in the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale from a baseline mean value of 69.9 to 44.0 (p < 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has a beneficial effect on symptoms of dysmenorrhea in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Family involvement in the gynecologic care of adolescents.

The purpose of this paper is to address the issues of family involvement in gynecologic care for adolescent girls. This is accomplished by reviewing pertinent literature and its implication for health-care delivery. Specific aspects of adolescent development including changes in cognitive development and relationships are reviewed. In addition, the implications of communication between parent and adolescent, degree of parental monitoring, and the type of parenting style are discussed. Using this information as a background, recommendations for family involvement in gynecologic care are given. Methods for handling appointments are addressed; including the structure and content of the appointment and also the follow-up appointment, especially for high-risk families. Issues of confidentiality for both adolescent and parent are discussed. This information should aid clinicians in supporting those features of families that promote positive growth in adolescent girls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Hepatitis B vaccine completion among adolescents.

This study examined hepatitis B vaccination completion among 51 adolescents recruited from a primary care clinic. Seventy-one percent completed the series. Completion was not related to demographic characteristics or attitudinal measures at the first shot. Few opportunities for vaccination were missed. Inconvenience appears to be a factor in failure to complete the series.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Developmental sophistication among adolescents of negotiation strategies for condom use.

Condoms are an important method of reducing the risk of sexually transmitted disease among sexually active adolescents. This study used a developmental approach to examine the negotiation of condom use. The Interpersonal Negotiation Strategy Interview was administered to adolescents using two vignettes that were focused on the negotiation of "safer sex" behaviors. The sample consisted of 196 girls and 92 boys recruited from their primary care clinic or Job Corps. The mean scores for each problem-solving step were at the subjective, unilateral stage, which indicates that problems are resolved through one-way methods. Current educational strategies and the lack of mutuality in adolescents' sexual relationships influence the level of negotiation skills. Interventions need to be at the appropriate developmental level but also need to encourage progress toward collaborative relationships.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Issues related to the sexual decision-making of inner-city adolescent girls.

To be effective in reducing the risks of sexual activity in adolescent girls, the context of adolescent sexuality needs to be understood. Two focus groups of high-risk inner-city African-American and Caucasian adolescent girls (15 to 16 years of age) were organized to explore issues related to sexual decision-making. The transcripts of the groups were reviewed for recurrent themes the girls discussed in regard to sexual decision-making, and their views of relationships and images of males. Verbatim examples are presented to exemplify each category. These adolescents experienced multiple pressures to engage in intercourse at young ages, but utilizing the presence of others was described as a helpful means to avoid engaging in sexual activities. The lack of mutual trusting relationships also was an important aspect for the these girls. Interventions which reduce the pressures to engage in sexual behaviours, develop methods for coping with these pressures, and facilitate the ability to establish mutual relationships will aid the healthy psychosexual development of adolescent girls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Experience with side effects and health risks associated with Norplant implant use in adolescents.

Levonorgestrel implants (Norplant) have been recommended as a contraceptive method for teenage women. Our experience suggests that the use of Norplant implants in adolescents is associated with bleeding irregularities and modest weight gain. There is no effect on condom use or STD acquisition. Despite the bleeding irregularities, we documented high continuation rates, suggesting that with appropriate pre-insertion counseling, Norplant implants can be a successful contraceptive method for adolescent women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Molecular and genetic toxicology of 1,3-butadiene.

During the last 9 years, there have been many studies published concerning the mutagenic potential of butadiene in mammalian systems, including alterations at the molecular level. Butadiene has tested positive in several mouse in vivo and in vitro assays, but has generally tested negative in rat studies. Most of these studies are cytogenetic and include positive data in mice for chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus formation, and sister chromatid exchanges. Butadiene also induces mutations in lung, spleen, and bone marrow of transgenic mice. The positive bone marrow cytogenetic and transgenic data may be significant in view of the increased lymphohematopoietic malignancies observed in mice and probably in humans. In addition, butadiene causes mutations in the K-ras protooncogene and in the p53 tumor suppressor gene in mouse studies. Mutations in these genes are associated with oncogenesis in humans as well as in rodents. Also, positive mutagenicity data have been obtained in a pilot study of workers exposed to butadiene. Positive dominant lethal studies in rodents suggest that exposure to butadiene can result in germ cell mutation and heritable risk. These mutagenicity and molecular data suggest that butadiene is both a somatic and germ cell mutagen in mammals, possibly including humans.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗