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Biomedical subjects

U Lehr

Publications and source records attributed to U Lehr.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A molecular view of coping behavior in older adults.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess age, gender, ethnicity, and education differences in specific ("molecular") coping behaviors for three older adult age groups. METHODS: Thirty-five specific coping reactions were assessed on the item level for 74 sexagenarians, 70 octogenarians, and 116 centenarians of the Georgia Centenarian Study. RESULTS: A multivariate analysis of covariance revealed significant age group, gender, and education differences for 14 coping reactions. Four items were affected exclusively by age; five were affected only by gender; and three were affected only by education. One item showed age group and education differences; another showed gender and education differences. No ethnicity differences were obtained. The largest effect for an age group difference was found for accepting health problems. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that a molecular view of specific coping behaviors in reaction to health problems, in addition to global measures of coping, is essential.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in an elderly community sample.

The term "mild cognitive impairment" refers to cognitive deficits which exceed normal physiological aging processes, but do not fulfill the criteria for dementia. While recent studies indicate that the respective deficits can be reliably assessed, different diagnostic criteria have prevented a wide application of this diagnosis in clinical practice. The aims of the present study were (1) to assess the prevalence rates of four current diagnostic concepts and (2) to investigate mild cognitive impairment with respect to psychological and sociodemographic variables. Data from 202 probands recruited from the interdisciplinary longitudinal study on adult development were analyzed. On the time of examination, probands were between 60 to 64 years old and in a good health. The following prevalence rates were determined: 13.5% for age-associated memory impairment (AAMI), 6.5% for age-consistent memory impairment (ACMI), 1.5% for late-life forgetfulness (LLF), and 23.5% for aging-associated cognitive decline (AACD). Complaints of cognitive deficits were significantly correlated with higher scores on depression and neuroticism scales but with none of the neuropsychological measures. Reduced performance in neuropsychological tests was associated with a lower educational level and socioeconomic status. We conclude that the prevalence rates of mild cognitive impairment are highly dependent on the diagnostic criteria applied. In this respect the self-report of cognitive decline might be a less useful criteria. Longitudinal studies are warranted to further elucidate the predictive value of these diagnostic criteria.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Anticipation of and adjustment to retirement.

The role of anticipation of retirement was studied by comparing two samples under different conditions: in the West German sample, retirement could be anticipated as "normal" with regard to the economic changes in most industrial societies between 1992 and 1994, whereas the members of the East German sample were faced with mandatory retirement, with few changes in the anticipation of this event. Findings confirm the hypotheses regarding a more negative view of retirement, different ways of coping with retirement, and equal status of cognitive functioning and health. They did not confirm the hypothesis of a lower degree of well-being in the East.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

[Mild cognitive deficit in the elderly. Results of a gerontologic study].

The term "mild cognitive impairment" refers to cognitive deficits which exceed normal physiological aging processes, but do not fulfill the criteria for dementia. The prevalence rates of four current concepts were compared in a sample of 202 healthy 60-64 year-old participants recruited from the interdisciplinary longitudinal study on adult development and aging (ILSE). Furthermore, the relationships between cognitive deficits and psychological and sociodemographic variables were examined. The following prevalence rates were determined: 13.5% for age-associated memory impairment, 6.5% for age-consistent memory impairment, 1.5% for late-life forgetfulness and 23.5% for aging-associated cognitive decline. Subjective cognitive complaints did not correlate with results obtained from neuropsychological tests. Significant correlations were however found between subjective cognitive complaints and higher scores on depression and neuroticism scales. Significant correlations were also found between a reduced test performance and a lower educational level and socioeconomic status. Longitudinal studies are warranted to further elucidate the predictive value of these diagnostic concepts.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Psychology and society. The aged in our society].

We are living in an aging society; almost 22% of the population of Germany is over 60 years old. However, while the period of being an active adult has increased, the period of working life has become shorter due to longer vocational/professional training and earlier retirement. Soon, for each person contributing to the pension scheme there will be one pensioner. In society the predominant image of age is negative, although even 60% of the population over 90 years old can still manage without assistance. The process of aging can be positively influenced, e.g., by activity and confrontation with problems. With the prospect of increasing longevity politicians and society, but also each individual, should do their utmost to make the additional years profitable.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Structural analysis of a new highly metastatic cell line PaTu 8902 from a primary human pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The new cell line PaTu 8902 was established from a human pancreatic grade II adenocarcinoma of ductal origin. In early passages, cultured cells showed a high degree of heterogeneity in terms of their morphology and the number of chromosomes per cell. When transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice, these cells grew as tumors with a similar morphology and differentiation (grade II) to the primary tumor. In contrast, after prolonged cultivation, cells were more homogenous in terms of their morphology and number of chromosomes per cell, and the corresponding nude mouse xenografts were less differentiated (grade III). When cells from late passages were injected intravenously into nude mice, lung metastases occurred after 3-4 weeks. In addition, tumor cells were found in the wall of the esophagus and in the pleural cavity, indicating a high metastatic potential for PaTu 8902 cells in nude mice.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1993

[Sense and possibilities of prevention in advanced age: psychosocial aspects].

Cardiovascular diseases have multifactorial causes, as has been shown, and as has been demonstrated via an interactional model. These multifactorial causes must be counteracted by means of multidimensional preventive or rehabilitation measures. Intervention in cardiovascular patients requires interdisciplinary cooperation. Studies conducted so far on rehabilitation of cardiovascular patients have rarely included persons over 60 years of age. This may be explained in part by a poor image of elderly people that exists in the minds of many, discouraging intervention as hardly promising and hence useless. However, persons of an advanced age in particular stand greatly in need of being factually informed at an early date by the physician; such information has a significant influence on the way they can experience and cope with the disease. They must be placed in a position to realise the existing possibilities and limitations to influence their status by means of their attitude, and to look to the future. Successful (secondary) preventive care of elderly persons must also include physical training (kinesitherapy) and psychological aspects when changing dietary habits. On the whole, we are still in need of more research on the problem of possible interventions in cardiovascular patients in general and aged patients in particular. The results of psychological fundamental research in gerontology and intervention supply only few pointers to combatting cardiovascular disease in the elderly. It is however emphasised that psychological measures can merely supplement the medical ones, such supplementation having become so important by now that one should practically not do without it any longer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Healthy aging? Longevity with reference to interdisciplinary gerontologic research].

The percentage of over-60-year-olds, 80- and even 100-year-olds in the general population is increasing rapidly in most countries. What can be done to ensure healthy ageing and assure a good quality of life in old age? What are the correlates of longevity associated with psycho-physical wellbeing? Longitudinal studies underscore the multi-faceted nature of the ageing process: genetic and biological factors influence longevity, as also do social and ecological factors, which in turn help determine the life style that promotes longevity.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Establishment and characterisation of two cell lines with different grade of differentiation derived from one primary human pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

From a liver metastasis of a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma, we have established cell lines for studying the cell biology of this tumor. We obtained two cell lines with different morphological, chromosomal and functional properties. One of them, named PaTu 8988s, revealed a solid growth in nude mouse xenografts with cells exhibiting only occasional polar organisation of the cytoplasm. In general, no apical or basolateral plasma membrane domains could be distinguished and the sparse organelles were randomly distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Secretory products, such as mucin, were weakly stained histochemically or were completely absent. Transglutaminase (TGase) activity used as a marker for cellular differentiation was low in these cells. The other cell line, named PaTu 8988t, grew tumors composed of tubular structures when injected subcutaneously into nude mice. Cells were polarized with distinct apical and basolateral plasma membranes and the cytoplasmatic organelles were arranged with the nucleus in the lower part of the cell, while the apical cytoplasm contained the Golgi complex and numerous secretion granules. A high content of mucin was stained histochemically and transglutaminase activity was ten times higher than in PaTu 8988s. Comparing the chromosome number per metaphase plate, both cell lines showed a major peak, with 45-55 chromosomes per metaphase plate in PaTu 8988s and about 110-120 chromosomes per metaphase plate in PaTu 8988t. When the two cell lines were injected intravenously into the tail vein of nude mice, only PaTu 8988s developed metastases localized exclusively in the lung, whereas PaTu 8988t produced no metastases in any organ. We conclude, that two cell lines exhibiting different grades of differentiation as well as a different potency to metastasize can be established from the same primary tumor, and that these cell lines represent a suitable model for further study of the cell biology of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Coping with health problems in old age. A longitudinal approach.

An analysis of medical, psychological, and social data of the Bonn Longitudinal Study on Aging, comparing a subgroup of the BOLSA sample, which developed different forms of chronic disease four to six years after the beginning of the study, and a healthy subsample, points to different patterns of coping in these two subgroups. The sequence of these response patterns provides some evidence for a special form of psychosocial competence of chronically ill aged persons, which developed in an 'accelerated' way in the ill group, and in a retarded way in the initially healthy group. The findings emphasize the need for continuing research into the psychosocial aspects of coping with chronic disease in old age.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

Longitudinal analysis of the developmental process in chronically ill and healthy persons--empirical findings from the Bonn Longitudinal Study of Aging (BOLSA).

Chronically ill and healthy persons are compared as to social roles, dominant concerns, and in coping with stress. The comparison is based on a longitudinal analysis of data which was collected in the Bonn Longitudinal Study of Aging (BOLSA). The empirical analysis indicates that both groups show great success in mastering life situations and in coping with challenges and restrictions. This competence persists over the eight measurement points. The empirical analysis also makes clear that chronically ill patients often cope actively with stress, that they are able to accept restrictions and to look simultaneously for new possibilities in life. Social contacts have a predominant position in coping with chronic disease. Intrafamilial and extrafamilial contacts are important and helpful for chronically ill patients. As the longitudinal analysis reveals, coping with challenges and demands of life is influenced by the individual life-style. The analysis points to the aging process as a process of growth and of new potentials. This applies not only to persons who are in good health, but to chronically ill persons as well.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

[Truth at bedside in relation to poor prognosis. Psychological aspects].

Patients as well as their physicians react in different ways to being confronted with imminent death. The physician has to decide which information to give a patient in which situation. A fatal prognosis has to be accompanied by clear and understandable information on chances and limits which are still important for the patient. This should also be the first step toward helpful and supporting guidance in the last period of life.

Adaptation, Psychological↗