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Implications of cyberspace communication: a role for physicians.

Through the presentation of three clinical case reports and subsequent discussion, it is demonstrated that physicians must begin to familiarize themselves with the health-related implications of online communication, and must proactively address Internet use as it relates to health and well-being. Included case presentations highlight the following: the established association between those seeking sexual partners through the Internet and an increased risk for sexually transmitted disease; the implications of cyber-communication for young people and concerns related to unsafe online behaviors including sharing identifying information with strangers; the potential use of strategically constructed virtual identities to facilitate sexual exploitation; the impact of accelerated intimacy and disinhibition evident in online communication; and the invasive nature of Internet sexual harassment or bullying. Although it is recognized that most online activities do not negatively affect health, doctors must be prepared to ask patients about Internet use and become involved in educating children, teenagers, and parents about safe online relationships to promote optimal physical, mental, and social health.

Adolescent↗

Participation by African-American adolescent females in social organizations: associations with HIV-protective behaviors.

BACKGROUND: African-American adolescent females are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic in the United States. One important potential, yet understudied, protective influence that may reduce African-American adolescents' HIV risk behavior is their involvement in social organizations. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between high-risk African-American adolescent females' activity in social organizations and their recent HIV-associated sexual risk behavior. METHODS: Sexually active, African-American females (N=522) were recruited from schools and adolescent medicine clinics in low-income neighborhoods of Birmingham, Alabama. Adolescents completed a self-administered survey and face-to-face interview. Adolescents' participation in Black social organizations was assessed. Measures of HIV protective behavior were also assessed. Bivariate analysis was followed by logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for the outcomes. RESULTS: Adolescents not belonging to social organizations were about 1.6 times more likely to report recent acquiescence to unwanted sex without a condom, 1.9 times more likely to report that their current steady sex partner had other partners, and 1.9 times more likely to score low on the measure of sex-related communication with parents. DISCUSSION: Findings from controlled analyses suggest that community-based Black social organizations may be an important venue for protecting African-American adolescent females from having sex with a partner who has concurrent partners, and from having unwanted sex without a condom. Participation in Black social organizations was also associated with more frequent interaction between adolescents and their parents about sex-related issues such as HIV prevention. Models of HIV prevention that promote community involvement may be an under-utilized intervention modality with high potential impact.

Adolescent↗

Followup in HIV testing. Partner notification: the Colorado Department of Health approach.

The Colorado Department of Health finds that partner notification, a procedure that has been beneficial in stemming epidemics of communicable diseases (most notably of syphilis), has proved useful and cost beneficial when applied to the current human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Of key importance is the extremely high level of confidentiality maintained by the department. Highly trained disease intervention specialists search for contacts, advise them to seek HIV testing, and counsel them on safer sex and I.V. practices.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Sexual partners and use of emergency contraception.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the role of male sexual partners and relationships in determining whether women seek emergency contraception (EC) when needed. STUDY DESIGN: Data on EC use from a clinic-based sample of sexually active women, aged 15 to 30 years, in the San Francisco Bay area (n=497) were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Results show that factors measuring power dynamics, such as male dominant decision making (odds ratio [OR]=4.1, P=.035) and pressure for sex (OR=2.7, P=.006), as well as a strong desire to avoid pregnancy on the part of the male partner (OR=4.2, P <or=.001), have a significant association with the use of EC. However, relationship factors known to be associated with use of other contraceptive methods, such as communication, satisfaction, and commitment, show no association with EC use. CONCLUSION: Factors predicting EC use, including male partner and relationship factors, may not always be evident to a clinician, so it is important to include EC as part of routine counseling.

Adolescent↗

Presenting the female condom to men: a dyadic analysis of effect of the woman's approach.

Although male partner resistance to female condom use has been reported, little is understood about circumstances under which partners will agree to female condom use. This study documents the experiences of couples who have worked together to achieve female condom use. As part of a prospective female condom efficacy study, female participants (age 18-34) received a behavioral intervention and an assortment of take-home items. Selected women and their partners were recruited for a qualitative interview focusing on their experience with the female condom. Interviews were transcribed, double-coded, and verified using a standard retrieval coding system. Twenty-six pairs of linked interviews were analyzed dyadically: 9 couples who used the female condom "consistently," 12 "experimenters," and 5 "non-users." Women who successfully promoted the female condom to their partners used multiple presentation strategies. Initial male partner reaction did not predict continued use beyond the first trial. In conclusion, employment of multiple strategies facilitates successful introduction of the female condom into a sexual partnership.

Adolescent↗

Spouse abuse, patient-physician communication, and patient satisfaction.

INTRODUCTION: This study examines differences in physician communication and patient satisfaction with physician care, contrasting women who have and have not been abused by spouses or intimate partners. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of women participated in a telephone survey including questions on spouse abuse, health status, satisfaction with physicians, and communication with physicians. This article uses data from the survey describing 1,082 married or cohabitating respondents 18-64 years of age who had a regular physician and made at least one doctor visit in 1992. RESULTS: Overall, 7.3% of respondents reported being physically abused by a spouse during the previous year. Abused women were much more likely than other women to report both poor communication and dissatisfaction with physicians. Only 9.7% of the abused women had discussed the abuse with a physician. Controlling for socio-demographic and health-related factors in logistic regression analysis, we found that spouse abuse more than doubled respondents' odds of being dissatisfied with physician care. When the quality of patient-physician communication was added to the model, the influence of spouse abuse became insignificant. Instead, women reporting poor communication with physicians were four times more likely than others to be dissatisfied with physician care. CONCLUSIONS: Spouse abuse creates barriers to patient-physician communication, and poor communication contributes to lower satisfaction with care. Careful interviewing by trained clinicians is essential to identify and address abusive situations and to prevent further damage to women's physical and mental health.

Adolescent↗

Communications with research participants and communities: foundations for best practices.

Communities and research participants increasingly feel that they have rights to be equal partners with researchers and to have access to the results of studies to which they have contributed. Concurrently, research sponsors have become aware of legal liabilities, societal repercussions, and credibility impacts of ignoring research communication responsibilities. However, issues related to research communications are rarely discussed at professional meetings or taught in academic programs. As a result, individual investigators may not be clear about their duties to communicate the results of their research. It is important to address this gap between expectations and abilities, because researchers' lack of communication fosters a climate of distrust in science and implies disinterest or disrespect for participants and communities. Ethical, legal, and professional frameworks and practices were reviewed to develop insights about principles, guidelines, and means that can be used to promote best practices. A review of general research guidance and specific requests for proposals revealed sponsors' communication priorities. While there are barriers to research communication, there is an increasing awareness among sponsors and investigators that effective and responsive communication is not a cheap or uniform add-on to a project or proposal. Communications must be tailored to the project considering all potential stakeholders, and resources need to be allocated specifically for communication activities within projects. Researchers, sponsors, professional societies and academia all have opportunities to improve principles, policies, frameworks, guidelines and strategies to foster "best practice" communication of research results.

Australia↗

Conversation analysis of communication breakdown after closed head injury.

This single case study investigated the use of Conversation Analysis (CA) in assessing pragmatic language difficulties after closed head injury (CHI). The aim was to see if CA captures the types of communication breakdown observed after CHI and whether results from CA can be directly related to scores on formal tests more typically applied after CHI. The results suggested that CA was a sensitive tool for identifying and investigating pragmatic deficits in this case. It facilitated an exploration of whether language impairments identified on formal tests manifest themselves in functional communication; it revealed how different interlocutors adapt to these language difficulties in conversation and also explained why some conversational partners were more successful than others. Considered together, formal test results and CA insights facilitated an in-depth analysis into the precise nature of the communicative impairments of the speaker in this exploratory study, suggesting that CA is a promising approach to the assessment of pragmatic impairments in the CHI population.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Key issues in the photochemistry and signalling-state formation of photosensor proteins.

Four families of photosensors (i.e., rhodopsins, phytochromes, xanthopsins and cryptochromes) exist, which vary widely in the degree to which we understand the molecular basis of their activity. Some of their members are ideal model systems for studying the structure-function relation of proteins, and the role of dynamics therein. The photochemistry of photosensor activation is based upon the cis <--> trans isomerization of the chromophore. This configurational transition leads to the formation of a signalling state of sufficient stability to communicate the presence of photons to a downstream signal-transduction partner. In the xanthopsins it has been demonstrated that the exact nature of this signalling state is strongly dependent on the mesoscopic context of the sensor protein. The cryptochromes appear to challenge the photoisomerization rule.

Animals↗

Developing an innovative cross-cultural strategy to promote HIV/AIDS prevention in different ethnic cultural groups of China.

The HIV and STIs epidemic in China has had a significant impact among China's ethnic minorities. However, the official traditional approach, which has used an anti-epidemic social campaign, has not paid any attention to the diversity of cultural backgrounds of the many ethnic minority groups. This study carried out in Sichuan Province is the first to explore how to use cultural resources for developing an effective strategy for promoting HIV prevention in different cultural groups in China. One hundred and fifty male volunteers drawn from the Yi (50), Tibetan (50) and majority Han (50) cultural groups were assigned to a direct training programme. After training, these participants spread safe sex messages to other contacts who became an indirect peer diffusion group. A third group of 150 male volunteers from the same three cultural groups but from another relatively comparable community acted as controls. Each participant was interviewed before and after the intervention to assess knowledge, attitudes and behavioural intentions regarding HIV/AIDS prevention. The study examined the cultural appropriateness and effectiveness of peer-led health message diffusion in promoting condom use through a traditional oral communication approach from the direct training groups to the indirect intervention groups and broad peer networks within the Yi, Tibetan and Han cultural communities. Key findings showed that the peer-based oral communication strategy was effective for encouraging condom use with casual sexual partners in both the direct training group and the indirect peer diffusion group in all three cultural groups. There was no significant change in any of the comparison groups. Although change in the majority Han cultural group was generally greater than in the ethnic minority groups, the results clearly suggest that the methods can be successfully adopted to promote safe sexual behaviour in different cultural groups of China.

Adolescent↗

Interagency collaboration in seven North Carolina counties.

This article describes the collaborative efforts of seven North Carolina counties involved in a home visitation program for new mothers. It explores factors that facilitated and impeded collaboration. Program staff reported strong leadership, shared vision, a heterogeneous mix of partners, establishment of trust, a positive attitude, role delineation, and open communication to be factors contributing to successful collaboration. Lack of guidance about how to collaborate, competition between programs and categorical funding, restrictive confidentiality policies that limit cross-agency access to information, and lack of time and energy were major barriers to achieving integrated service delivery systems.

Cooperative Behavior↗

Intergeneric coaggregation of oral Treponema spp. with Fusobacterium spp. and intrageneric coaggregation among Fusobacterium spp.

A total of 22 strains of Treponema spp. including members of all four named human oral species were tested for coaggregation with 7 strains of oral fusobacteria, 2 strains of nonoral fusobacteria, and 45 strains of other oral bacteria, which included actinobacilli, actinomyces, capnocytophagae, eubacteria, porphyromonads, prevotellae, selenomonads, streptococci, and veillonellae. None of the treponemes coaggregated with any of the latter 45 oral strains or with the two nonoral fusobacteria. All treponemes, eight Treponema denticola strains, eight T. socranskii strains, four oral pectinolytic treponemes, one T. pectinovorum strain, and one T. vincentii strain coaggregated with at least one strain of the fusobacteria tested as partners. The partners consisted of one strain of Fusobacterium periodonticum, five F. nucleatum strains including all four subspecies of F. nucleatum, and a strain of F. simiae obtained from the dental plaque of a monkey. In the more than 100 coaggregations observed, the fusobacterial partner was heat inactivated (85 degrees C for 30 min), while the treponemes were unaffected by the heat treatment. Furthermore, the fusobacteria were usually inactivated by proteinase K treatment, and the treponemes were not affected. Only the T. denticola coaggregations were inhibited by lactose and D-galactosamine. None were inhibited by any of 23 other different sugars or L-arginine. Intragenic coaggregations were seen among the subspecies of F. nucleatum and with F. periodonticum, and none were inhibited by any of the sugars tested or by L-arginine. No intrageneric coaggregations were observed among the treponemes. These data indicate that the human oral treponemes show a specificity for oral fusobacteria as coaggregation partners. Such cell-to cell contact may facilitate efficient metabolic communication and enhance the proliferation of each cell in the progressively more severe stages of periodontal disease.

Endopeptidase K↗

Effects of receptive listening on the congruence of speakers' response latencies in dialogues.

The present study investigated the receptiveness of speakers toward conversational partners in dialogues by comparing duration of response latencies in both Compromise and Debate conditions. 12 dyads of speakers holding opposing opinions participated in a 15-min. dialogue. Six dyads in the Compromise condition reached a conclusion through discussion and consideration of the partner's opinion. The six dyads in the Debate condition imposed their opinion on the conversational partner. Analysis indicated that in compromise dialogues, the response latencies of the conversational partners become similar over the time course, while in debate diaogues, the response latency does not become similar, suggesting that speakers having a receptive attitude adjust their response latencies to match the partner's. The role of congruence of response latencies in dyadic communication was discussed.

Adolescent↗

Preservation of function in genitourinary cancers: psychosexual and psychosocial issues.

GU cancers are commonly associated with treatment-related sexual dysfunction, varying from mild to severe. For the clinical oncologist, it is important to be aware that sexual problems or sexual dysfunction may occur as a result of any aspect of cancer and cancer treatment. Sexual function is sensitive to the effects of trauma, both physical and emotional. This is particularly the case for patients whose cancer affects their genitals. Despite some commonalities of psychosocial and psychosexual issues in GU patients across diagnostic categories, GU patients do not present as one distinct, homogeneous group. GU neoplasms, with the exception of bladder cancer, affect mostly men. Men and women tend to differ in their ways of dealing with emotional distress and physical illness. While the man may typically do well using denial as a defense and may not want to discuss his feelings about his diagnosis and treatment, his partner may suffer if her way of coping is oriented toward communicating thoughts and feelings about the situation. Another important difference in this population is related to age and developmental differences. Testicular cancer typically is diagnosed in young men between the ages of 15 and 34 (46). The patients often still live with their parents or have just formed families of their own. In contrast, prostate cancer is diagnosed in older men, who are at a completely different stage in their lives when they have to deal with this challenge. Developmental stage at the time of diagnosis and treatment is an important variable in adaptation to cancer (47). Since GU malignancies and their treatments directly or indirectly affect sexual organs and sexual functioning, issues of sexual body image and identity as men or women are frequent concerns for GU patients. This is most obviously the case for men facing penectomy or orchiectomy. Similarly, women undergoing cystectomy with its simultaneous removal of uterus, ovaries, and parts of the vaginal wall face issues regarding their femininity as well as doubts about future sexual functioning. However, body image concerns are not limited to these two groups but may affect any cancer patient. The experience of having lost all hair due to chemotherapy, bearing of surgical scars, lost or altered functioning, and just the realization of having had cancer may change the way a patient feels about his/her body permanently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗

Hearing and performance during a 70-h exposure to noise simulating the space station environment.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated hearing thresholds have been documented in some astronauts after long-term spaceflights although noise levels were lower than those normally associated with noise-induced hearing loss in ground-based operations. The present study was conducted to determine whether prolonged exposure (70 h) to levels (72 dBA) recorded on the International Space Station (ISS) service module would impact diverse measures of auditory function, as well as cognition and memory, motivation, and cardiovascular function. METHOD: Five mixed gender subgroups of five normal-hearing subjects, aged 20-50 yr, were sequestered for 70 h in an environment that modeled conditions on the ISS. They were assigned to one of three background conditions: quiet (n = 5), continuous noise from the ISS service module (n = 10), or continuous noise during the day only (n = 10). Subjects were tested repeatedly within and across days as individuals or pair mates. RESULTS: There were no negative effects of the noise on any of the outcome measures. Introduction of a delay or noise in a communication channel used in the assessment of speech communicability significantly affected the time taken for joint problem solving by partners. DISCUSSION: The results of this study were not consistent with the observation of hearing loss measured after spaceflights. Nor were changes evident in cognition, motivation, or cardiovascular function. Factors which might account for the discrepancy are discussed.

Adult↗

Purchasing: a necessary partnership.

According to a recent survey published in Hospital Purchasing News, a Mcknight Medical Communications publication, the average hospital in the United States spent $16.7 million, not including equipment purchases, in 1994. This represents an increase of 41.6 percent over the amount spent in 1990, $11.8 million. The hospital's objective of having year-end revenues exceed expenses largely depends on the ability to purchase materiel at the best price, not necessarily the lowest cost. This goal can be achieved by partnering with suppliers and customers (hospital administrative and surgical staff, as well as patients) through open communication and trust. Reducing costs by a percent on the dollar could return $167,000 to the average hospital. Partnering can assist in achieving these savings!

Commerce↗

[Autism and mental retardation: a study of the early social communication].

OBJECTIVE: To determine developmental communication profiles in young autistic children with mental retardation. METHODS: A group of 19 autistic children (mean age=43 months) were matched with a group of 11 mentally retarded children (mean age=39 months) on mental age (17,6 months). All of these children were without speech (less than 5 words of vocabulary). Communication skills were assessed with the Guidetti-Tourrette scales (ECSP), French adaptation of the Seibert-Hogan scales. RESULTS: Autistic children displayed a much lower score than mentally retarded children in the 3 functions of early social communication (behavior regulation, social interaction and joint attention). The developmental communication profiles was the same in the 2 groups. DISCUSSION: The results showed evidence of distortion in autistic children development: they displayed important deficits in communication skills, in comparison with cognitive skills. Autistic children mainly displayed requesting gestures: they used adults to help them to reach a goal, instead of regarding them as social partners. However, young children who have mental age less than 18 months mainly use the same functions of communication, with or without autistic trouble. CONCLUSIONS: There is a same developmental sequence in communication skills in young children, with or without autistic trouble.

Autistic Disorder↗

Using VoIP to compete.

Internet telephony, or VoIP, is rapidly replacing the conventional kind. This year, for the first time, U.S. companies bought more new Internet-phone connections than standard lines. The major driver behind this change is cost. But VoIP isn't just a new technology for making old-fashioned calls cheaper, says consultant Kevin Werbach. It is fundamentally changing how companies use voice communications. What makes VoIP so powerful is that it turns voice into digital data packets that can be stored, copied, combined with other data, and distributed to virtually any device that connects to the Internet. And it makes it simple to provide all the functionality of a corporate phone-call features, directories, security-to anyone anywhere there's broadband access. That fosters new kinds of businesses such as virtual call centers, where widely dispersed agents work at all hours from their homes. The most successful early adopters, says Werbach, will focus more on achieving business objectives than on saving money. They will also consider how to push VoIP capabilities out to the extended organization, making use of everyone as a resource. Deployment may be incremental, but companies should be thinking about where VoIP could take them. Executives should ask what they could do if, on demand, they could bring all their employees, customers, suppliers, and partners together in a virtual room, with shared access to every modern communications and computing channel. They should take a fresh look at their business processes to find points at which richer and more customizable communications could eliminate bottlenecks and enhance quality. The important dividing line won't be between those who deploy Vol P and those who don't, or even between early adopters and laggards. It will be between those who see Vol P as just a new way to do the same old things and those who use itto rethink their entire businesses.

Diffusion of Innovation↗