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Psychosomatic symptoms, stress, and modernization: a model.

The quantity of research on the effects of stress on disease has increased substantially in recent years, but little effort has been devoted to examining the effects of cultural influences in the stress process. A model is proposed in this paper in which cultural context exerts a modifying influence on the relationship between sociocultural stressors and psychosomatic symptoms, specifically in the context of modernization. In change situations involving increasing modernization there is increased differentiation in systems of social stratification within a community, due to increased potential for upward social mobility. The individuals who are upwardly mobile adopt a particular style of life, involving the acquisition of western consumer goods, as symbolic of their success. Lower class individuals strive to attain this same style of life as a claim to a higher status social identity, but their lower economic condition results in stressful incongruities and higher psychosomatic symptoms. Individuals who are successful in upward mobility are confronted by a different set of stressors that are primarily intrapsychic in nature. Events and circumstances perceived as threats to their self-identity are related to more psychosomatic symptoms. Thus, the meaning of specific stressors changes depending on the sociocultural context of the individual, and this meaning serves as a bridge between environmental circumstances and physiological outcomes. This model receives substantial empirical support in two field studies. Limitations of the model and implications for future research are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Sir William Petty: modern epidemiologist (1623-1687).

William Petty, physician, epidemiologist, political economist, demographer, cartographer, and administrator was an intellectual product of the seventeenth century. Petty was born in the year 1623 in Romsey, England of lower middle class parents; however, by the time of his death in 1687 he had become a knight of the realm, founder of the Royal Society, and friend of kings. Petty's life reflected the northern renaissance which induced such dramatic changes in science, technology, politics, and entrepreneurship. His education was eclectic, nonetheless he took his Doctor of Physic degree from Oxford in 1649 and became an Oxford don, where he spent the next few years as an academic before undertaking a definitive survey of Ireland on behalf of the Cromwell government. Ireland changed Petty's destiny and he became a man of the world and entrepreneur which stimulated his interest in public policy formulation and economics. It was Petty's peculiar genius to be innovative in the application of measurement, statistics, and mathematics to socioeconomic and demographic phenomena. As a physician he related his knowledge of health and disease to these phenomena in what in the modern context would be called human ecology or social epidemiology. These relationships and their measurement were employed to establish an objective set of data which could be analyzed for the purpose of rational public policy planning by the state. This scientific approach to public policy places Petty squarely in the context of modern epidemiologic and public health practice and marks the initiation of a major use of the epidemiologic method.

England↗

On the terms "reticulosis" and "reticulum cell sarcoma" with regard to the modern concept of the monocyte macrophage system.

The terms "reticulosis" and "reticulum cell sarcoma" (=malignant lymphoma, histiocytic type) are discussed regarding the modern concept of the monocyte macrophage system which today has replaced the ancient theory of the reticuloendothelial system. The monocyte macrophage system which today has replaced the ancient theory of the reticuloendothelial system. The monocyte macrophage system is not independent, but closely related to the myeloid system. Thus, a third blood forming system as was believed in the case of RES does not exist. Phagocytic reticulum cells of the various henatopoietic organs are highly activated monocyte-derived macrophages. All those conditions formerly termed "reticulosses" have been found to belong either to the myeloid or to the lymphatic system. Considering the reticulum cell sarcomas or malignant histiocytic lymphomas, most of them seem to be of lymphatic rather than of macrophage origin, representing highgrade malignant lymphomas, possibly immunoblastic sarcomas. No relationship between these tumours and the monocyte macrophage system has been established, so far. Therefore, the terms "reticulosis" and "reticulum cell sarcoma" should be no longer used in order to avoid confusion, in order to stimulate sufficient diagnostic efforts which will really clarify such cases, and in order to give full credit to modern results of hematopathology.

Humans↗

Natural products in therapy. Prospects, goals and means in modern research.

A review is presented which shows the vegetable kingdom as an almost inexhaustible reservoir of potential drugs. Some historical aspects about the use of plants and their constituents in medicine are dealth with. A number of problems connected with the search for new prototype drugs of biological origin is reported as well as modern methods used in this promising research. Some examples are given concerning recent results of investigations of plants used in traditional and modern medicine in China. Special attention is paid to the present role of natural products in therapy: as biologically active compounds as such, as starting materials for (semi)synthetic drugs and, last but not least, as source of inspiration or as models for the synthesis of new drugs with better therapeutic, chemical or physical properties than the original compounds.

Animals↗

[Importance of the modern hospital diet in medical practice].

Hospital diet is an essential part of modern therapy in all medical departments. It comprises both the so-called normal diets which are prepared according to modern nutritional knowledge, dietetic foods and the various forms of artificial nutrition (nutrient-defined and chemically defined diets, parenteral and combined nutrition, i.e. enteral and parenteral nutrition). The integration of nutritional therapeutic problems into the treatment of patients requires optimal scientific and practical forms of organisation of nutrition in the clinic. For that purpose, cooperation of clinical, technical, economic and pedagogic divisions is of prime importance. The organisation of patient nutrition in the St. Georg District Hospital in Leipzig is described as a feasible model.

Deficiency Diseases↗

The historical development of modern virus research in Germany, especially in the Kaiser-Wilhelm-/Max-Planck-Society, 1936--1954.

This is lecture on the historical development of modern virus research in Germany to introduce a symposium dedicated to Prof. Werner Schäfer, Tübingen, on the occasion of his 65th birthday. The author was set the task of relating from his memories the beginning of modern virus research in Germany. This research has, since 1936, essentially taken place in the Kaiser-Wilhelm/Max-Planck-Society and in 1954 led to the founding of the Max-Planck-Institute for Virus Research in Tübingen, an institute which to the present day owes its scientific reputation in considerable part to the activity of Werner Schäfer. Since the author personally experienced and participated in the Institute's development from 1936-1954, his remarks are predominantly influenced by personal recollections, which have been sharpended by a renewed study of old records in the 'Library and Archive of the History of the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft', Berlin-Dahlem.

Academies and Institutes↗

The foundations and the development of modern medical ethics.

Modern bioethics is based on a pluralistic and multidisciplinary approach, deriving its sources from medicine, biology, philosophy, law, theology, social and behavioral sciences, and history. The moral foundation of modern biomedical ethics is based upon four prima facie principles: respect of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice. This approach, however, has been seriously criticized and challenged. A wide range of issues is discussed and debated in biomedical ethics. Several causes have intensified the recent flourishing of medical ethics: The enormous advancements in scientific and technological knowledge; the intense and widespread interest in bioethics by professionals as well as by the public at large; and the wide sociocultural and economic changes in western society, and in the conduct of medicine. The objectives of clinical medical ethics is outlined in the article.

Bioethical Issues↗

Illicit use of modern volatile anaesthetics.

Sixteen reported cases of abuse of modern volatile anaesthetics are summarized. Twelve of the sixteen subjects died. Halothane was ingested or injected intravenously for suicidal purpose, and sniffed for mood elevation. Abuse of modern volatile anaesthetics deserves more attention than it has received in the past.

Adult↗

Investigation of photon beam models in heterogeneous media of modern radiotherapy.

This study investigates the performance of photon beam models in dose calculations involving heterogeneous media in modern radiotherapy. Three dose calculation algorithms implemented in the CMS FOCUS treatment planning system have been assessed and validated using ionization chambers, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and film. The algorithms include the multigrid superposition (MGS) algorithm, fast Fourier Transform Convolution (FFTC) algorithm and Clarkson algorithm. Heterogeneous phantoms used in the study consist of air cavities, lung analogue and an anthropomorphic phantom. Depth dose distributions along the central beam axis for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams with field sizes of 5 cm x 5 cm and 10 cm x 10 cm were measured in the air cavity phantoms and lung analogue phantom. Point dose measurements were performed in the anthropomorphic phantom. Calculated results with three dose calculation algorithms were compared with measured results. In the air cavity phantoms, the maximum dose differences between the algorithms and the measurements were found at the distal surface of the air cavity with a 10 MV photon beam and a 5 cm x 5 cm field size. The differences were 3.8%. 24.9% and 27.7% for the MGS. FFTC and Clarkson algorithms. respectively. Experimental measurements of secondary electron build-up range beyond the air cavity showed an increase with decreasing field size, increasing energy and increasing air cavity thickness. The maximum dose differences in the lung analogue with 5 cm x 5 cm field size were found to be 0.3%. 4.9% and 6.9% for the MGS. FFTC and Clarkson algorithms with a 6 MV photon beam and 0.4%. 6.3% and 9.1% with a 10 MV photon beam, respectively. In the anthropomorphic phantom, the dose differences between calculations using the MGS algorithm and measurements with TLD rods were less than +/-4.5% for 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams with 10 cm x 10 cm field size and 6 MV photon beam with 5 cm x 5 cm field size, and within +/-7.5% for 10 MV with 5 cm x 5 cm field size, respectively. The FFTC and Clarkson algorithms overestimate doses at all dose points in the lung of the anthropomorphic phantom. In conclusion, the MGS is the most accurate dose calculation algorithm of investigated photon beam models. It is strongly recommended for implementation in modern radiotherapy with multiple small fields when heterogeneous media are in the treatment fields.

Algorithms↗

Genetic variation in the efficiency of nitrogen utilization and photosynthetic activity of flag leaves among the old and modern germplasm of winter wheat.

Genotypic variation in major components of the efficiency of nitrogen utilization and photosynthetic activity of flag leaves among old (released 1881-1963) and modern (released 1969-2003) cultivars of winter wheat was studied in field conditions under varied N fertilization levels (110, 90 and 80 kg N ha-1). Significant genotypic differences were observed for all characters. Their heritabilities ranged from 0.37 to 0.93 and were the lowest for the leaf efficiency of gas exchange, photosynthetic rate, straw N content and the economic index of N utilization efficiency (NUE). Some modern cultivars exhibited an enhanced tolerance to N shortage and several attributes of efficient N utilization (e.g. later senescing and more photosynthetically active flag leaves, increased ability to redistribute N into grains). The genotypes may serve as donors of appropriate characteristics for breeding. The observed cultivar-by-fertilization interactions suggest, however, that evaluations under diverse fertilization regimes may be necessary when searching for improved wheat efficiency and adaptation to less favourable environments.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

The role of the pathologist as tissue refiner and data miner: the impact of functional genomics on the modern pathology laboratory and the critical roles of pathology informatics and bioinformatics.

This article provides an overview of how functional genomics is likely to impact on the pathology laboratory and highlights how informatics and tissue banking will greatly facilitate the molecular age of medicine. Important aspects of functional genomics in the post-genome era, including the roles of laser capture microdissection, DNA- and complementary DNA-based microarrays, proteomic methods, collaborative human tissue banking, tissue microarrays, and pathobioinformatics in the modern pathology laboratory are discussed. The role of mass spectroscopy in the analysis of RNA, DNA, and protein and its impact on the clinical laboratory, particularly in cost-effectiveness and time savings, are evaluated. This article explores how laboratory information systems (LISs) and the devices that feed them information may need to be modified to adapt to greater volumes of data for the new testing modalities that require understanding sophisticated fluorescence detection methods and image processing. Emerging genomic testing methods and their impact on pathology laboratory testing, especially in the area of molecular classification of neoplasms, are examined. The role of the tissue bank in the modern pathology laboratory as an archive of control normal tissues, as well as subsamples of the spectrum of progressive neoplastic states, is discussed in light of its critical importance to the molecular classification of cancer. Establishing a database that combines structured reports in pathology LISs and construction of tissue banking information systems will provide a rich resource for pathology departments. The article discusses a hypothetical resource, such as the Shared Tumor Expression Profiler, that would provide access to well-characterized tissue-based research resources for clinicians and researchers. Last, the article emphasizes how LISs can prepare for these changes, and how training pathologists in pathology informatics and bioinformatics (pathobioinformatics) is critical to ensure pathology's overall leadership role in the post-genome era.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

The modern theory of biological evolution: an expanded synthesis.

In 1858, two naturalists, Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, independently proposed natural selection as the basic mechanism responsible for the origin of new phenotypic variants and, ultimately, new species. A large body of evidence for this hypothesis was published in Darwin's Origin of Species one year later, the appearance of which provoked other leading scientists like August Weismann to adopt and amplify Darwin's perspective. Weismann's neo-Darwinian theory of evolution was further elaborated, most notably in a series of books by Theodosius Dobzhansky, Ernst Mayr, Julian Huxley and others. In this article we first summarize the history of life on Earth and provide recent evidence demonstrating that Darwin's dilemma (the apparent missing Precambrian record of life) has been resolved. Next, the historical development and structure of the "modern synthesis" is described within the context of the following topics: paleobiology and rates of evolution, mass extinctions and species selection, macroevolution and punctuated equilibrium, sexual reproduction and recombination, sexual selection and altruism, endosymbiosis and eukaryotic cell evolution, evolutionary developmental biology, phenotypic plasticity, epigenetic inheritance and molecular evolution, experimental bacterial evolution, and computer simulations (in silico evolution of digital organisms). In addition, we discuss the expansion of the modern synthesis, embracing all branches of scientific disciplines. It is concluded that the basic tenets of the synthetic theory have survived, but in modified form. These sub-theories require continued elaboration, particularly in light of molecular biology, to answer open-ended questions concerning the mechanisms of evolution in all five kingdoms of life.

Animals↗

[Modern fetal autopsy oriented to clinical demands using technical information methods].

Modern ultrasonic diagnostic instruments with high resolution and color Doppler sonography allow the obstetrician to describe pathological findings very precisely and at an early stage of pregnancy. The use of high-resolution ultrasound makes it possible to detect heart malformations already between the 8th and 10th week of gestation. This development has essentially changed the clinical requirements on fetal autopsy which in its traditional way no longer meets the increased demands. Unless the pathologists faces this challenge the importance of fetal autopsy will diminish. Modern image databases and communication techniques allow the pathologist to have direct access to text and images of pre-findings by other clinics. Great importance, however, must be attached to the interdisciplinary cooperation with obstetricians and geneticists. We report on routine fetal autopsy by using an interdisciplinary database an the Charité.

Autopsy↗

Pulmonary angiography: a safe procedure with modern contrast media and technique.

Pulmonary angiography (PA) for decades has been accepted as the gold standard for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). Apprehensions that the procedure is expensive, invasive and thus associated with both fatal and non-fatal complications has more or less limited its use to patients presenting a non-diagnostic lung scan. However, this opinion originates from earlier studies. Increasing clinical demands for faster and safer diagnostics, together with improved techniques and safer contrast media, has led to an increased use of PA. In order to evaluate the complication rate, we retrospectively studied the case records of 707 consecutive patients who had undergone PA. During 1990-1994, 728 patients underwent PA at Danderyd and Huddinge University Hospital. Selective pulmonary angiography (cine or digital subtraction angiography), non-ionic, low-osmolar contrast media and modern pigtail catheters were used. Standard volumes were 40 ml at 2 s for each injection. Pressure measurements were made in 376 patients. A test injection was made in all patients in order to assess the flow rate. Experienced radiologists as well as residents performed the examinations and a total of 707 angiography protocols and clinical records were available for review in search of complications associated with the procedure. No deaths occurred. One major non-fatal complication (bleeding in the groin requiring surgery) was reported in one case. Moderate/minor complications (i. e. transient angina and cardiac failure, minor haematomas, urticaria) occurred in 10 patients (1.4 %). With modern contrast media and technique, pulmonary angiography is a safe procedure.

Adolescent↗

Respiratory health and fluoride exposure in different parts of the modern primary aluminum industry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate possible acute and long-term respiratory health effects of work at different working places in the primary aluminum industry. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 78 potroom workers, 24 foundry workers, and 45 carbon-plant workers (n = 147, exposed group), and 56 control workers (watchmen, craftsmen, office workers, laboratory employees) of a modern German prebake aluminum plant. The survey consisted of pre- and postshift spirometric and urinary fluoride measurements. RESULTS: Potroom workers had significantly lower preshift results with regard to forced vital capacity (FVC, 99. 5% versus the 107.2% predicted; P < 0.05) and peak expiratory flow (PEF, 85.2% versus the 98.4% predicted; P < 0.01) as compared with controls. In a multiple regression model a small but significant negative correlation was found between postshift urinary fluoride concentrations and FVC, FEV(1), and PEF. Across-shift spirometric changes were observed only in FVC among carbon-plant workers (103.0 +/- 13.3% predicted preshift value versus 101.2 +/- 13.6% predicted postshift value; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that lung function impairment in the modern primary aluminum industry may be only partly due to fluoride exposure and that working in aluminum carbon plants may cause acute lung function changes.

Adult↗

Proteome research based on modern liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry: separation, identification and quantification.

Recent developments of new generations of mass spectrometers and improvements in the field of chromatography have revolutionized protein analytics. Particularly the combination of liquid chromatography as a separation tool for proteins and peptides with tandem mass spectrometry as an identification tool referred to as LC-MS/MS has generated a powerful and broadly used technique in the field of proteomics. The resolution and sensitivity of state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS systems has reached dimensions allowing not only the analysis of individual proteins but also investigations on the level of complete proteomes. However, the enormous complexity and the extreme concentration range of proteins within typical eukaryotic proteomes are still the major challenge of this technique. This review gives an overview of modern LC-MS/MS based proteomics, describing state-of-the-art chromatography and modern mass spectrometry. Strategies to perform quantitative proteomics will be presented and capabilities as well as current limitations of this innovative methodology will be discussed.

Animals↗

Incentive for a shift from modern scientific medicine to integrative medicine.

Medicine has been evaluated in recent years both quantitatively and qualitatively. Contemporary medicine has been assumed to be conceptually based on modern science. However, there is a problem that quantity and quality are hard to evaluate using only scientific parameters. It is, therefore, the aim of this article to emphasize that the quantity and quality of medicine need to be evaluated not only from the standpoint of modern scientific medicine but also in terms of integrative medicine. Integrative medicine is postulated to be comprehensive in its fundamental doctrine, emphasizing a holistic approach including technical, artistic, social, religious, philosophical, and ethical elements. However, in evaluating carefully and seriously actual performance, it was noted that contemporary medicine has been giving greater emphasis to aspects of integrative medicine where increasing concern is paid to patients' personal preferences, as indicated by their quality of life. An incentive for a shift from exclusively scientific to integrative medicine, which started as early as the 1970s, is revival emotion toward a prime modality of medicine.

Complementary Therapies↗

Anorectal function after modern conformal radiation therapy for prostate cancer: a pilot study.

We evaluated whether, and if so to what extent, radiotherapy applied on a series of patients with prostate cancer influenced the patient's bowel habits and anorectal function. Ten consecutive patients participated in the study. The median age of the patients was 74 years (range, 61-71) and the average follow-up period was 22 (range, 15-28) months. Four patients were irradiated using external beam radiotherapy (2 Gy/day for a total of 70 Gy); 6 patients were irradiated with a combination of external beam radiotherapy (50 Gy, 2 Gy/day) and high dose rate brachytherapy (two 10-Gy fractions). Upon interview, patients disclosed characteristic functional disturbances such as urgency with occasional accidents, faecal soiling and spotting of underwear. Involuntary release of gas was another embarrassing problem. One or more of these problems were present in half of the patients. Endoscopy disclosed signs of mild proctitis. Sphincter pressure, rectal capacity and the volume threshold for appreciation of defecation urge were all significantly lower in patients than in 10 age-matched controls. In conclusion, disturbances of anorectal function with imperfection of incontinence still occur so some extent despite improved precision, and reduced margins offered by the modern conformal radiation therapy of prostate cancer. Anal sphincter function, the reservoir capacity of the rectum and its sensory function are adversely affected and radiation proctitis with rectal fibrosis and damage of the extrinsic innervations of the anal sphincters appear to be the principal causative factors. Although conformal radiotherapy together with better positioning may be two substantial improvements of modern radiotherapy, further improvements are needed.

Aged↗