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Biomedical subjects

V Jenkins

Publications and source records attributed to V Jenkins.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Attitudes of patients to randomised clinical trials of cancer therapy.

The aim of this study was to test an instrument which might be useful for doctors in explaining the randomisation procedure to an individual patient. The sample comprised 323 patients with cancer attending for out-patient appointments and/or chemotherapy treatment in two major cancer centres in the U.K. 315 patients completed a self-report questionnaire--The Attitudes to Randomised Trials Questionnaire (ARTQ). The results show that the majority of subjects 287 (91.1%) believe that patients should be asked to take part in medical research, but only 242 (76.8%) would be prepared to take part in a study comparing two treatments. If treatment was randomised, only 141 (44.8%) would agree to participate. When given further information about the randomisation procedure, 119 (68.4%) of the 174 (55.2%) who initially said 'no' to randomisation or who were unsure, would change their minds and take part in a trial. The ARTQ discriminated between three categories of patient with the following prevailing attitudes: (a) those who seem comfortable with the concept of randomisation; (b) those with some concerns, who with fuller explanation are prepared to consider randomisation; and (c) those firmly against randomisation and participation in trials whatever information is provided. Prior knowledge of patients' attitudes might assist communication about trials and encourage more doctors to approach eligible patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Factors affecting employability among young adults with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

A sample of 98 young adults with spina bifida were interviewed. None had severe learning difficulties. All were resident in S. Wales or the West of England. Only a third were in open competitive employment, mainly of a clerical nature. Their incomes fell well below average British earnings. Comparing those in work with the unemployed showed they differed significantly according to intelligence, academic qualifications, continence, behaviour, overall disability score and place of residence. The non-discriminating factors are listed and the implications of the findings discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Attitudes of behaviorally disordered students toward tests.

In two studies, attitudes reported toward testing by behaviorally disordered students and their regular classroom counterparts were compared. In Study 1, 12 behaviorally disordered and 25 average fifth and sixth graders were given a survey regarding their attitude toward tests and the test-taking experience. Students classified behaviorally disordered reported less positive attitudes toward tests than their more average peers; these attitude differences were more pronounced on items which reflected subjective attitudes toward the test-taking situation and aspirations about performance and less pronounced on evaluation of the value of tests. In Study 2, which employed a sample of 25 behaviorally disordered and 25 regular classroom students matched on age and sex and used a longer attitude measure, differences were not found. Taken together, these studies suggest that attitudes toward tests are inconsistent in the two populations and that some behaviorally disordered students may not differ so much in this regard as supposed.

Achievement↗
PubMed1985

Strategies for increasing productivity.

In today's arena of competition, cost-containment, quality assurance, and high technology, the dietitian is challenged to develop and implement strategies that will assure an increase in productivity. Within a government system, such strategies must address the political climate as well as administrative and management issues. Prior to modifying any system or part of a system, it is critical to develop evaluation criteria. Each of the eight strategies discussed in this article is effective in promoting an increase in productivity.

Cost Control↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Folic acid treatment of fragile X males: a further study.

Investigations of the effect of high dose folic acid treatment of fragile X syndrome in males has produced mixed results. However, no study had examined the possible drug effects of folic acid on non-fragile X control males. Therefore, we examined the effect of folic acid on fragile X males using non-fragile X control males. Subjects were assigned randomly to an ABA or BAB design. Duration of either folic acid or placebo condition was 4 months. Folic acid or placebo was given in a double-blind fashion. At the end of each condition, the subjects' behavior was assessed. At the end of the study, parents were asked to complete a questionnaire. Using parents' responses, we examined 22 items on the Autistic Descriptors Checklist and two subscales from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale which corresponded to areas of behavior parents' noted to have shown improvement. We did not find significant differences between fragile X males and control males, within subjects, nor across folic acid and placebo conditions. Thus, our follow-up study confirms and extends our original findings, as well as those of other researchers: namely, that no dramatic changes in behavior result from high dose folic acid. Moreover, subtle improvements observed in earlier investigations were not confirmed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Value of DNA analysis with multiple DNA probes for the detection of hemophilia A carriers.

Detection of hemophilia carriers is an important issue and should be addressed with great care. The allelic frequencies of three intragenic probes (Bcl I for probe p114.12, Xba I for probe p482.6, and Bgl I for probe C) and one linked probe (Bgl II for probe DX 13) are reported, together with their diagnostic yield singly and in combination. In this series, 725 individuals (405 females) in 156 families were analyzed for restriction fragment-length polymorphisms. A total of 255 females (63%) were found to be informative for their carrier state with one or more probes. The most informative intragenic probe was p482.6 (useful in 49% of informative females). The most informative probe was DX 13 (useful in 59% of informative females), but this is a linked probe that carries a 5% risk of cross-over. By the use of probes p114.12, p482.6, and DX 13, almost 98% of all the informative females could be detected. In about 71% of families with a family history and a known carrier, prenatal diagnosis was feasible.

Alleles↗