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PubMedDate not supplied

Emotion in language and speech: methodological issues in naturalistic approaches.

Researchers currently seek to improve validity in speech and language studies by adopting naturalistic procedures In emotion-display research, validity is threatened by standard experimental controls which diminish the naturalism of stimuli and response ranges. We report two experiments comparing the adequacy of naturalistic with standard procedures. Experiment 1 had 158 judges code 89 samples of naturally-occurring emotional speech with free-choice emotion labels, and later with labels from a standard set. When free-choice labels were similar across judges, they were consistent with standard labels, but showed a range of intensity and contextual relevance. We recommend that future studies include wider options for judges when coding emotions. Experiment 2 compared valency ratings of words when presented in, or out of, context. Standard procedures score lexical valencies using affective dictionaries, disregarding natural contexts. Experiment 2 compared 23 judges' valency ratings of words presented individually, and later in their original context. Between 30% and 44% of words were rated differently in context (depending on the statistical significance level adopted). We concluded from Experiment 2 that, where small corpora adequately model a domain, the improved accuracy of valency rating achieved by presenting words in their natural context justifies the extra procedures required.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Thiocyanate levels in human saliva: quantitation by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

A new quantitative method, based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, was developed to evaluate the thiocyanate concentration in human saliva. Saliva samples were collected following a typical protocol and infrared spectra obtained from very small volumes (5 microl) deposited on a barium fluoride substrate. Exogenous potassium thiocyanate was used for calibration of the endogenous thiocyanate. This methodology does not require separation or extraction procedures. Human saliva spectra contain a characteristic marker band, due to thiocyanate, at 2058 cm-1. The integrated area of this band can be used for linear regression analysis and provides a good correlation between band area and thiocyanate concentration. Recovery of thiocyanate added to saliva was 100%. Centrifugation and dialysis experiments demonstrated that thiocyanate in saliva exists as a free or loosely bound ion. Saliva collected in the afternoon from 25 different subjects had a thiocyanate concentration of 0.83 +/- 0.42 (mean +/- SD) mmol/liter. In 4 subjects whose circadian pattern was investigated there was evidence of a higher thiocyanate concentration in saliva samples collected in the morning hours.

Cyanates↗
PubMed2000

The palliative management of fungating malignant wounds.

This study focused on the palliative management of fungating malignant wounds and individual experiences of living with such a wound. Dressings were evaluated for the ability to contain these wounds and reduce their impact on daily life. The project extended to collaboration with industry for the development and evaluation of dressings designed to meet patient needs. A longitudinal multiple case study design was adopted. The methodology evolved through three principal phases: quasi-experimental design; emergent collaborative design; and emergent theory-driven evaluation. The radical departure from the initial approach was in response to the methodological problems encountered in a study of individuals with uncontrolled disease. A non-probability sampling plan was adopted, mainly because of the lack of homogeneity in the patient population; 45 participants were included. The length of time patients remained in the study depended on how long they lived. This ranged from a few days to more than two years. A sampling plan was, however, adopted for the data collection. The study had a dual focus: methodology, and the generation of explanations for dressing performance and the management of fungating wounds. The methodological aspect included development of the Teler system as a method of measuring dressing performance against goals of optimal practice in fungating wound management. The second component was a system of reasoning developed as an analytical strategy for abstracting general issues from individual case study data in order to construct explanations. Theory was used to generalize beyond the individual cases. Two forms of explanation for fungating wound management were constructed. These included explanations of individual experiences of living with such a wound and knowledge of the elements of fungating wound management. The impact on the individual was explained in terms of the stigma attached to public disability and a revulsion in society for uncontrolled body fluids. A pivotal relationship emerged between exudate and other wound management problems, including psychosocial aspects. A final critical explanation was developed for the qualification of the theory of moist wound healing to explain the phenomenon of exudate management in fungating and, possibly, other exuding chronic wounds.

Alginates↗
PubMed2002

Combined biochemistry and histocytochemistry as a tool to investigate Ecto-ATPase in the cardiac muscle.

Ecto-ATPase (ecto-adenosine triphosphatase), a key enzyme of cardiac metabolism, is responsible for modulation of the concentration of extracellular nucleotides in the heart. We present methodology consisting of the combined use of biochemical and histocytochemical techniques to study its properties. Using samples from essentially the same preparation, we applied biochemistry and histocytochemistry to determine biochemical characteristics of ecto-ATPase and an in situ localization of its reactivity. Our results indicated that detected enzyme resists fixation, depends on divalent ions, and hydrolyzes ATP, but not AMP or ADP-beta-S. Reaction product of the enzyme activity was found confined to the extracellular surface of the plasma membrane of cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells due to the corresponding orientation of the enzyme active sites. Experiments using an inhibitor justified specificity of the reaction. When used together with molecular biological and immunocytochemical techniques, the present methodological approach should be capable of yielding important information about the actual ability of ecto-ATPase to operate.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Simple and reliable enumeration of micronucleated reticulocytes with a single-laser flow cytometer.

A flow cytometric procedure for scoring micronuclei in mouse peripheral blood erythrocytes, especially reticulocytes, is described. The methods reported herein were developed in an effort to simplify the techniques and to reduce the equipment requirements associated with automated micronucleus analyses. With this procedure, fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibodies which bind to the CD71-defined antigen (the transferrin receptor) are used to label reticulocytes. The nucleic acid dye propidium iodide is used to identify cells with micronuclei. Given 488 nm excitation, four populations of erythrocytes are clearly resolved: normochromatic erythrocytes with and without micronuclei, and reticulocytes with and without micronuclei. Since the method is capable of simultaneously providing the incidence of micronuclei in both mature and immature erythrocyte populations, it is compatible with either chronic or acute treatment regimens. To demonstrate cell handling and flow cytometric procedures for quantitatively analyzing peripheral blood micronuclei, an experiment with the model clastogen methyl methanesulfonate is described. Additionally, a reconstruction experiment was performed whereby three mouse blood samples were spiked with successively greater volumes of blood from a clastogen-treated animal so each preparation differed slightly, but definitely, in micronucleus content. Each sample was scored six times by conventional microscopy and by flow cytometry so that the two methods could be directly compared. Collectively, the results from the methyl methanesulfonate experiment and the reconstruction study demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the flow cytometric method. Furthermore, advantages associated with objective, high throughout scoring methodology are clearly indicated.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Preparation and characterisation in simulated body conditions of glutaraldehyde crosslinked chitosan membranes.

Chitosan membranes, aimed at biomedical applications, were prepared by a solvent casting methodology. Crosslinking was previously performed in acetic acid solution with glutaraldehyde, in order to obtain different degrees of crosslinking. Some membranes were neutralised in a NaOH solution. Mechanical tensile tests comprised quasi-static experiments at constant stress rate and temperature sweep dynamic mechanical analysis tests. This included measurements with the samples immersed in isotonic saline solution at 37 degrees C, in order to simulate physiological conditions, that were performed using a specific liquid container. It was observed that for higher crosslinking levels the membranes become stiffer but their strength decreases; these results are in agreement with swelling tests, also performed at body temperature. All the membranes exhibited similar and significant damping properties in wet conditions, which were stable in a broad temperature range. Weight loss measurements showed that the developed membranes degrade slowly up to 60 days. Cytotoxicity screening, using cell culture tests, showed that eventually such materials could be adequate for use in biomedical applications.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2003

Exploring the beliefs and experiences of potential egg share donors.

BACKGROUND: To date there are few attitudinal studies of women's experiences of egg donation, motivation to donate or their thoughts about eggs donated. Studies are predominantly discussed in terms of a specific treatment option and the ethical implications of different treatments. These studies are mainly designed by professionals working in assisted reproductive technology in line with a clinical agenda. AIM: This study aimed to explore the beliefs and experiences of potential egg share donors using an interpretative phenomenological methodology to equip health care practitioners to deal better with patients' needs and desires. METHOD: Open-ended interviews were conducted immediately following introductory consultations with 11 potential egg share donors from one fertility centre in the United Kingdom (UK). The sample was opportunistic. Data collection took 8 months and van Manen's interpretative phenomenological method was used. FINDINGS: Analysis revealed six themes of egg sharing: motherhood (the predominant theme within which all other themes could be subsumed), context, doubt, coping, exchange and empathy. Themes illustrated women's continuation with the scheme despite fears about giving away eggs, the parenting skills of recipient couples and future repercussions of positive outcomes for donor and recipient. CONCLUSIONS: Egg sharing could be seen as a marker of hope. Buoyed up by the possibility of a successful outcome, women are prepared to undertake repetitive treatment attempts despite continued failure to conceive and knowledge of a slim chance of a positive outcome. Implications for practice, policy and ethics result in recommendations for more in-depth interview work by independent researchers to gain a clearer picture of women's responses to reproductive technologies and the development of services in line with patient need and individual expectation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Young people in 'drinking' societies? Norwegian, Scottish and Swedish adolescents' perceptions of alcohol use.

The paper studies young people's reported drinking behaviors and their views on various social aspects of alcohol, utilizing a sample of over 4000 rural adolescents aged 11.8-16.5 years in Norway, Scotland and Sweden. The methodology employed includes a common questionnaire and a range of varying qualitative approaches (essays and focus group interviews). The various venues and drinking contexts used by young people, their motives for drinking, and their 'learning' experiences with alcohol are described. Beyond nationality, the most powerful predictors of 'high' drinking are 'involvement with friends' and 'participation in commercial leisure'. The predictors for 'low' drinking are 'involvement in activities with parents' and 'parental concerns about drinking'. Results show that Scottish teenagers drink most, Norwegians least and no differences in the predictor variables are found that can explain this. Results are discussed in relation to social and cultural differences, and illustrated by quotations from rural young people in Scotland and Sweden.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Living with chronic hepatitis C means 'you just haven't got a normal life any more'.

OBJECTIVE: To explore psychosocial factors that impact on quality of life for people living with self-reported chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: A purposeful sample of 70 people who were self-identified as being hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive was recruited through a variety of institutions and community agencies. Semi-structured interviews were held with 12 groups and 21 individuals. A qualitative grounded-theory methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Experiences of physical and psychological symptoms, stigma and discrimination, and living with an infectious disease, were explored using matrices. RESULTS: Phenomena emerging from the data included previously undocumented illness 'attacks' that were associated with depressive symptoms and a perception of hepatitis C as fatal. Uncertainty related to disease progression and transmission of the virus were common experiences among participants. A universal experience was fear and anxiety about stigma and discrimination. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study indicate that chronic hepatitis C has a pervasive impact on quality of life with a complexity that has not been explored with quantitative research approaches. Primary healthcare professionals need to be alert to the psychological and social impacts of chronic hepatitis C and to avoid behaviours that lead to perceptions of stigma and discrimination. The research indicates a need for further investigation into the relationship between psychosocial factors, disease management and disease progression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Coping with the adverse and favorable situations by aged persons in chronic health conditions].

PURPOSE: To investigate the adverse and favorable situations experienced by elderly people in chronic health conditions, and the coping strategies. METHODOLOGY: The sample included 18 elderly. The information was collected through interviews with open questions. The "Collective Subject Discourse" technique was used for analysis. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated that death and separation from the family were perceived as the most significant adverse situations, while the favorable situations included the family, wisdom, experience, retirement, and life itself. The coping strategies focused on the problem and the emotion. Emotion-focused coping included: belief in God, maintaining the usual activities, family and significant other support, participation in elderly social groups and rejection of losses related to the aging process. The problem-focused coping consisted of the medical treatment and body care.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2003

[Fine-needle aspiration cytology or core biopsy when diagnosing tumours of the breast].

BACKGROUND: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is an established, highly accurate method for diagnosing breast lesions. In recent years, core biopsy (CB) has been increasingly used. The aim of this study was to compare the quality assessment parameters of FNA and CB in palpable and non-palpable breast lesions. METHODS: Data on FNA and CB results were retrieved from the pathology database and 4367 FNA samples and corresponding histology results from 1275 lesions were compared. Quality assessment parameters were calculated using the methodology detailed in the National Health Service breast screening programme guidelines. RESULTS: High absolute and complete specificity, absolute and complete sensitivity and low inadequate rates were found for CB compared with FNA. Low specificity for FNA was particularly seen in collagenous lesions and in submitted specimens sampled by doctors without particular experience with the FNA procedure. INTERPRETATION: CB may be an alternative method for preoperative diagnosis when experienced cytopathologists are not available. CB is superior to FNA in fibrotic and collagenous lesions such as lobular carcinoma and radial scar due to low cellularity. FNA is the more accurate method when an immediate assessment by a cytopathologist is performed for evaluation of adequate material so that additional aspirations can be done if needed.

Biopsy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale].

INTRODUCTION: The Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale (CDS) is a self-rating questionnaire constructed to capture the frequency and duration of depersonalization symptoms over the last six months. The instrument has proved to be valid and reliable and can be useful in both clinical and neurobiological research. METHODS: This paper presents the Spanish adaptation and validation of the CDS. The study was carried out in two stages. First, we developed the Spanish version of the CDS by means of a cross-cultural adaptation methodology. Second, the CDS was tried on a sample of 130 subjects: 77 patients meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for schizophrenia, 35 with depression disorders and 18 with anxiety disorders. Scores were compared against clinical diagnoses (gold standard). Furthermore, all the subjects of the study were administered the following: Dissociation Experiences Scale (DES), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS). RESULTS: 38 patients (29.2 %) had depersonalization symptoms. The scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.9 and split-half reliability > 0.8) and a test-retest reliability of 0.391. Convergent validity was 0.65 (p < 0.001) and discriminant validity was 0.308 (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve was 0.94. A cut-off of 71 appears to be most useful (sensitivity and specificity were 76.3 % and 89.1 %, respectively). CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the CDS has good reliability and validity, similar to the original instrument.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Sample collection, processing and storage.

We review issues related to the inclusion of biospecimens in epidemiological studies. Technical advances and the revolution in molecular biology have rendered the use of biomarkers increasingly feasible in epidemiological investigations, however the cost and complexity require interdisciplinary expertise and careful attention to methodological detail in order to ensure validity. The widespread banking of biospecimens for long-term (cohort) studies requires special attention to be paid to these issues. Blood, urine and tumour tissue are in common use in medicine and at least some aspects of sample handling derives directly from this clinical experience, although special considerations apply in the epidemiological setting. An increasingly broad array of biospecimen types have been studied, including exhaled air, nail clippings, buccal cells, saliva, semen, faeces and breast milk. Relevant issues in the processing, storage, shipping, timing of collection and safety procedures are examined in terms of their potential to distort results. The role of carefully developed quality control protocols is emphasized. In order to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by the use of biomarkers in epidemiological studies, careful attention to biospecimen processing, the stability of the biomarker and the precautions to be taken during transportation and storage of samples is necessary.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed2005

Assessing psychosocial risk in pregnant/postpartum women using the Contextual Assessment of Maternity Experience (CAME)--recent life adversity, social support and maternal feelings.

BACKGROUND: The Contextual Assessment of Maternity Experience (CAME) interview was developed to characterise the psychosocial context relevant to the maternity experience by providing a detailed picture of women's lives during the transition to motherhood. More specifically, it was designed to enable the assessment of major risk factors for emotional disturbances in pregnant and postpartum women, especially depression, within the same instrument and using a coherent methodological framework. METHOD: The CAME assesses three domains relevant to motherhood: 1) recent life adversity or stressors; 2) the quality of social support and key relationships including partner relationship; and 3) maternal feelings towards pregnancy, motherhood and the baby. Two high-risk samples of inner-city London women were used to test the psychometric qualities of the CAME components. RESULTS: Overall, the internal consistencies of the relevant components were high in both samples examined. The validity of the three components of the measure was evidenced by their association with either maternal characteristics or parenting assessments. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the CAME shows promise as a measure of the psychosocial risk factors involved in the maternity experience for future research in this field.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1999

The North Carolina High School Athletic Injury Study: design and methodology.

PURPOSE: Organized interscholastic athletics are an integral part of the educational program at almost every school level. With this growing popularity of sports and their inclusion in more public school programs, it becomes increasingly apparent that additional consideration must be given to the injury problem associated with sport. The North Carolina High School Athletic Injury Study (NCHSAIS) was undertaken to identify patterns of injury among male and female athletes in North Carolina high schools participating in any of 12 sports. Specific aims are to measure the incidence, severity and etiology of injuries; to determine the relationship of demographic factors and protective equipment, exposure to play, and school characteristics to injuries; to study the relationship of coaches' training and experience to injury occurrence; and to compare the incidence and severity of injury among female and male athletes in the same or comparable sports. METHODS: A two-stage cluster sample of 100 high schools in North Carolina was selected for this 4-yr prospective study. RESULTS: Participation by the initial sample or a random replacement was achieved for 91 of the 100 schools. Nonresponse occurred at multiple levels of the sample for this study, and the weekly participation form posed the greatest respondent burden. CONCLUSIONS: The NCHSIAS offers a successful methodology for addressing sports injuries. In this paper we describe the design, methodology, and implementation issues that emerge in conducting a large scale epidemiological study in a population of high school athletes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Rats with lesions of the hippocampus are impaired on the delayed nonmatching-to-sample task.

Rats with ibotenic acid lesions of the hippocampus (H-IBO) were trained on the trial-unique delayed nonmatching-to-sample task (DNMS) using a short delay of 4 s. The H-IBO group learned the nonmatching rule as quickly as control animals. However, performance was impaired on the DNMS task when the delay between the sample and choice phase was increased to 1 or 2 min. The use of 4-s delay (probe) trials indicated that the H-IBO animals retained the nonmatching-to-sample rule throughout testing. In a second experiment, using the same groups of rats, extended training at the 1-min delay did not ameliorate the deficit produced by H-IBO lesions. The finding of impaired recognition memory in rats after hippocampal lesions is consistent with findings from humans and monkeys. Several methodological issues are considered that have complicated the interpretation of earlier studies of recognition memory in rats following hippocampal lesions. The capacity for recognition memory in humans, monkeys, and rodents is discussed as a straightforward example of hippocampus-dependent (declarative) memory.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Novel strategies for clinical drug analysis with new column technology in liquid chromatography.

Clinical drug analysis has been the focus of much attention and controversy because of the increase in substance abuse testing of addicts, patients, employees and others, in addition to the rapidly growing fields of therapeutic drug monitoring and clinical toxicology. This review focuses on the latest methodological and technological advances in liquid chromatography (LC) as it is applied to clinical drug analysis. Based on the author's experience, key chromatographic parameters such as carbon load, functionalities and temperature are proposed for the separation of structurally similar metabolites and for resolving chromatographic interferences by other drugs and metabolites. Novel sample preparation for cyclosporine and gradient elution of its metabolites are reviewed, followed by an update on monitoring of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine with emphasis on automated sample preparation. Various approaches of direct sample analysis are advocated for increased efficiency as a result of minimal sample preparation and potential advantages such as decreased exposure of personnel to infectious samples. An update of microbore LC indicates that 2-mm columns may be readily used for clinical paediatric and neonatal analysis without dedicated chromatographs. Potential applications of multidimensional-multimodal chromatography include analyses of a cocaine impurity, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and five ingredients of a common cold medication.

Body Fluids↗