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180 undergraduate education majors studying mathematics were administered the Human Information Processing Survey and classified as showing Left (n = 34), Right (n = 38), Integrated (n = 28), or Mixed (n = 80) thinking styles. Rotation scores on the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test did not statistically differ among the four groups.
Horn flies inflict economic losses on cattle producers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify a serological marker for cows that are innately resistant to horn flies. Plasma characteristics (optical density, cortisol, and protein pattern) were studied in beef cattle classified (cow-type) as horn fly resistant or susceptible. Cows (n = 30) of five breed groups were used in this study. Cows were bled via jugular venipuncture in May (the beginning of the horn fly season). Plasma optical density at wavelengths 200 and 464 nm was different (P < .05) between resistant and susceptible cattle. Cow-type also affected (P < .05) area percentage for proteins with running molecular weights (M(r)) of 74,000 and 54,000 daltons. Breed group affected (P < .05) optical density at wavelengths 200, 280, 320, and 464 nm and concentration of cortisol in plasma. When the ratio of area percentage for protein bands 7 and 9 (M(r) 74,000 and 54,000, respectively) was determined, cows could be categorized as horn fly resistant or susceptible. These data suggest that a serological marker for horn fly resistant cattle has been identified; however, the marker will need to be tested on a larger population of cattle.
DNA microarray data have provided us with the opportunity to assess the expression levels for thousands of genes simultaneously. One of the uses of this information is to classify cancer tumors. A noted challenge in using microarray information is analytical. Following the work of Zhang et al. (1), we further pursue the use of recursive partitioning in analyses of microarray data for cancer classification. Not only does the recursive partitioning technique create intuitive classification rules, but also it is most flexible as to the handling of a massive number of genes, missing expressions, and multi-class tissues. Using a published data set (2), we demonstrate that the recursive partitioning technique creates a more precise and simpler classification rule than other commonly used approaches. In particular, we introduce the concept of A-tree and propose a procedure to assess a large number of A-trees. One of the identified genes (ERBB2) is in the close region of BRCA1 (17q21.1) and has been shown by others to have altered expression levels in breast cancer. Nonetheless, our identified genes warrant further investigation as to whether they play a role in the etiology of breast cancer.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and hepatobiliary disease that does not satisfy the diagnostic cholangiographic criteria of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and to compare this group with PSC patients. METHODS: Among 199 patients with UC admitted to our department during 1986-91, 64 patients had major hepatobiliary disease considered to be associated with the colitis. Biochemical tests, colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), and liver biopsy were performed in these 64 patients and in 5 patients from our outpatient clinic. RESULTS: PSC was diagnosed in 51 patients (group I; 80%). The other 13 patients (20%) and the additional 5 patients (n = 18; group II) all had normal extrahepatic bile ducts. Five patients in group II also had normal intrahepatic ducts, whereas 13 patients had intrahepatic abnormalities. The male to female ratio in group II was 2.0:1. All of them had extensive colitis. The clinical symptoms and the biochemical and histologic findings were quite similar in groups I and II. CONCLUSIONS: The patients in group II of this study constitute a major group with hepatobiliary lesions associated with UC, amounting to one-fourth the number of PSC patients. They have several similarities with classical PSC of the large bile ducts, and we suggest that they be classified as having small-duct PSC.
BACKGROUND: According to some earlier reports, chronic atrophic gastritis is a common finding in Sjögren's syndrome. However, the findings are controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of gastritis classified in accordance with the Sydney System in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients (27 women, 5 men) with primary Sjögren's syndrome, and 64 age- and sex-matched control subjects with dyspepsia underwent gastroscopic examination. Mucosal biopsy specimens were taken from the gastric antrum and corpus. RESULTS: Eight (25%) patients with Sjögren's syndrome and three (4.1%) control subjects had atrophic antral gastritis (P = 0.01). Atrophic corpus gastritis was more frequently found in control subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant. None of the subjects had severe (grade 3) atrophy. Gastric inflammation, in either the corpus or antrum, was found in 85% of patients with Sjögren's syndrome and in 61% of control subjects (P = 0.02). Helicobacter pylori was present in 31% of Sjögren's syndrome patients and in 39% of controls (NS). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome mild atrophic changes in the antrum were common, but severe mucosal atrophy was rare. Compared with control subjects, gastric inflammation was seen more often in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
The answer to the question posed in the title, "Small Round Cell Neoplasms: Can Electron Microscopy and Immunohistochemical Studies Accurately Classify Them?", is obviously "yes"; but a qualified yes--generally yes, perhaps with expertise usually yes, but never just plain yes. Some cases certainly will defy the best attempts even of the most expert in the application of these "special" techniques. And embarrassing as it may be for those of us infatuated with the latest technology to admit, it is with the difficult case especially that old-fashioned technology so often must be depended upon. In his excellent recent appraisal of the role of a variety of special techniques in this application, Triche offers the following comment: "Overall, electron microscopy is probably the most universally useful of all diagnostic techniques other than light microscopy in round cell tumors." The data from our studies certainly point to the same conclusion. With each of the tumors, electron microscopy demonstrated itself to be more reliable than immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopy offers not only greater sensitivity and specificity, but also greater versatility. Immunohistochemistry allows hypothesis testing only. Electron microscopy, on the other hand, can provide answers even when the right questions are not being asked. For example, if a particular small round cell tumor under investigation happens in actuality to represent something other than the neuroblastoma which it is being considered (e.g., a granulocytic sarcoma, liposarcoma, Wilm's tumor, etc.), electron microscopy can reveal this fact, but a neuron-specific enolase stain cannot. Parenthetically, it should also be said that electron microscopy has proven particularly well suited to the examination of fine-needle aspiration specimens. The two spare many patients in our institution the need for a major operative procedure to establish a secure tissue diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry does have a role to play but it is, at least in our opinion, clearly secondary to that of electron microscopy. The concept of replacing electron microscopy with a battery of immunostains has often been advocated as an economic measure, but this argument begins quickly to lose its weight as the number stains included in the battery is increased to cover the diagnostic possibilities. Giving consideration to the capriciousness of some of these stains, there exists with this also an increasing possibility of a spurious or misinterpreted result leading to an errant diagnosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A data reduction technique is presented which enables the patterns of cardiac rhythm inherent in a long-term ECG recording to be described in a concise fashion. The method consists in combining an R-R interval difference histogram, which gives information about the detailed structure of cardiac rhythm patterns, with an R-R interval histogram, which concisely describes the trends in heart rate over a period. Example of the histogram patterns corresponding to some common cardiac rhythms are presented. The histograms can be treated mathematically to yield information which is useful in assessing the long-term effects of drugs and in classifying disorders of cardiac rhythm.
Laboratory measurements can be used to detect, classify, and monitor patients with breast cancer. This review covers in detail the clinical usefulness of carcino embryonic antigen, tissue polypeptide antigen, various glycoproteins, pregnancy-associated proteins, casein, lactalbumin, beta-2-microglobulin, ferritin, immunoglobins, acute phase proteins, placental-like alkaline phosphatase, liver-associated enzymes, glycosyltransferases, human chorionic gonadotropin, calcitonin, polyamines, and collagen breakdown products, in relationship to their diagnostic utility in patients suspected of having or known to have breast cancer. In addition, these authors assess the merits of various multivariate techniques using a number of clinical chemistry quantities in the same regard. Finally, the relative contribution of biochemical tests vs. the information values gained from "surgical pathology" data (number of positive nodes, number of negative nodes, and degree of anaplasia) is discussed.
Attempts to classify drug addicts are divided into three main groups: (1) psychiatric classifications, (2) psychological classifications, and (3) classifications by pattern of abuse. An extensive literature review of the psychiatric classifications of narcotic addicts suggests that there is no one diagnosis that fits all narcotic addicts and that the importance of psychopathology in drug addiction has been exaggerated. It is concluded that theoretical psychiatric classifications of narcotic addicts have failed to stimulate empirical research and that empirical classifications have not demonstrated their utility for treatment and prognosis.
Attempts to classify drug addicts are divided into three main groups: (1) psychiatric classifications, (2) psychosocial classifications, and (3) classifications by pattern of abuse. An extensive literature review of the psychiatric classifications of narcotic addicts suggests that there is no one diagnosis that fits all narcotic addicts and that the importance of psychopathology in drug addiction has been exaggerated. It is concluded that theoretical psychiatric classifications of narcotic addicts have failed to stimulate empirical research and that empirical classifications have not demonstrated their utility for treatment and prognosis.
Attempts to classify drug abusers are divided into three main categories: psychiatric classifications, psychosocial classifications and classifications by pattern of abuse. The present article focuses on pattern of abuse classifications which are divided into two subcategories: by substance of abuse and by degree of involvement. The various groups of these classifications are reviewed and their potential uses are discussed. The review indicates that classifications by substance of abuse may be useful for administrative and theoretical purposes, while their clinical uses are limited to medical emergencies. On the other hand, classifications by degree of involvement are useful for initial treatment planning and for predicting treatment outcomes. The authors conclude that for a thorough treatment planning and for better understanding of the addiction process, psychosocial classifications may be the most useful approach.
Among several glycated compounds (GC) which are based on Maillard reaction, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fructosamine (FRA) have been utilized widely as a markers of diabetes. Recently, glycated albumin (GA) has been pointed out as a new indicator. For the determination of GA, spectrophotometry combined with an affinity column method has been mainly used, however the procedure is complicated. Recently a two-column HPLC method (ion-exchange column and affinity column) has been developed by Shima. We have evaluated a GA analyzer GAA-2000 based on Shima's method. After a series of fundamental and performance evaluation studies, the GAA-2000 was found to be appropriate for our study. Reference values obtained from this equipment were 10.56-16.87%. Correlation coefficients based on GA using diabetic and diabetic nephropathy patient specimens (n = 87) were: FRA (r = 0.944) greater than HbA1c (r = 0.842) greater than Glucose (r = 0.510) Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidase (LPO) with are produced in relation to active oxygen did not show a good correlation. Although we tried classify the patients according to juvenile (20-39), middle (40-64) and senile (greater than 65) the method of Asada et al., we could not find any distinct tendencies.
The interrelationships between concentrations of testosterone in blood plasma, seminal plasma (SP) of ductus (d.) deferens semen, and SP of the ejaculate of mature breeder turkeys were compared. The concentration of testosterone in blood plasma was greater than, and positively correlated with (r = .75, P less than .01), the concentration of testosterone in the ejaculate SP and d. deferens SP. Differences between concentrations of testosterone in blood plasma, ejaculate SP, and d. deferens SP were not significantly different for turkeys classified as high (ejaculate volume greater than .38 mL) or low (ejaculate volume less than .26 mL) volume semen producers. Concentrations of testosterone in blood plasma and SP were not correlated with ejaculate spermatozoal concentration, total number of spermatozoa, d. deferens semen volume, or testicular weights.
The first comprehensive listing of cardiovascular risk factors was presented in this journal in 1982 in the article, "96 Cardiovascular Risk Factors" (by Y. Omura & S. Heller), which was the most extensive list of cardiovascular risk factors written on the subject at that time. Since then, much research has been carried out to identify cardiovascular risk factors; according to the authors' most recent computer search, close to 9,000 articles appeared between 1982 and 1996. Upon initial review of most of the abstracts of these articles, we were surprised to find that the number of cardiovascular risk factors has increased significantly (79 new factors in addition to those we published in 1982). With a few exceptions (7 risk factors are now considered to be questionable), those we listed in 1982 are still valid today, and have been further confirmed with additional data and improved technology. Through reviewing the abstracts of these articles, we found about 177 cardiovascular risk factors, including most of the 96 previously listed. Of the original 96, we have identified those now considered to be questionable, e.g. taking oral contraceptives, which today contain significantly lower doses of estrogen than in the past and are therefore much safer. All 177 cardiovascular risk factors are classified into the following 10 major categories, with the 11th category listing those factors now considered to be questionable: 1) Nutrition-Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors (33 risk factors) 2) Internal Cardiovascular Risk Factors Identifiable by Laboratory Tests: Abnormal Blood & Tissue Chemistry Findings Related to Cardiovascular Diseases (35 risk factors) 3) Drug, Chemical, Hormonal, and Nutritional Supplement Intake (Including Drug-Drug Interaction and Drug-Food Interaction) As Cardiovascular Risk Factors (34 risk factors) 4) Signs and Symptoms Associated With a High Incidence of Cardiovascular Diseases (33 risk factors) 5) Non-Invasively Detectable Abnormal Laboratory Findings Associated With Cardiovascular Diseases (13 risk factors) 6) Hereditary Cardiovascular Risk Factors (5 risk factors) 7) Environmental Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Including Air Pollution, Electromagnetic Fields, Materials that Contact the Body Surface, Poisonous Venoms, and Insertion of Needle into Infected Body Tissue by Acupuncture of Injection (14 risk factors) 8) Socioeconomic and Demographic Cardiovascular Risk Factors (7 risk factors) 9) Cardiovascular Risk Factors Related to Medical Care (2 risk factors) 10) Co-existence of Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors (1 risk factor) 11) Factors Previously Regarded As Cardiovascular Risk Factors, But Now in Question (7 risk factors) While a few factors, like hereditary characteristics, age, and sex, generally cannot be changed, most of the cardiovascular risk factors can be controlled by changing one's lifestyle, maintaining proper dietary intake, and correcting any existing abnormalities once each individual's unique constellation of cardiovascular risk factors is recognized. Some factors can be recognized by individuals themselves, but many other factors require physical examinations and laboratory tests by a physician or properly trained paramedical to be recognized. Medical examinations and blood chemistry and other laboratory tests may be necessary to establish baselines and measure changes over time. Once abnormal parameters are identified, periodic examinations should follow with proper corrective measures monitored by a qualified medical professional.
Observers completed perceptual categorization tasks that included separate base-rate/payoff manipulations, corresponding simultaneous base-rate/payoff manipulations, and conflicting simultaneous base-rate/payoff manipulations. Performance (1) was closer to optimal for 2:1 than for 3:1 base-rate/payoff ratios and when base rates as opposed to payoffs were manipulated, and (2) was more in line with the predictions from the flat-maxima hypothesis than from the independence assumption of the optimal classifier in corresponding and conflicting simultaneous base-rate/payoff conditions. A hybrid model that instantiated simultaneously the flat-maxima and the competition between reward and accuracy maximization (COBRA) hypotheses was applied to the data. The hybrid model was superior to a model that incorporated the independence assumption, suggesting that violations of the independence assumption are to be expected and are well captured by the flat-maxima hypothesis without requiring any additional assumptions. The parameters indicated that observers' reward-maximizing decision criterion rapidly approaches the optimal value and that more weight is placed on accuracy maximization in separate and corresponding simultaneous base-rate/payoff conditions than in conflicting simultaneous base-rate/payoff conditions.
Observers completed perceptual categorization tasks that included 25 base-rate/payoff conditions constructed from the factorial combination of five base-rate ratios (1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1) with five payoff ratios (1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1). This large database allowed an initial comparison of the competition between reward and accuracy maximization (COBRA) hypothesis with a competition between reward maximization and probability matching (COBRM) hypothesis, and an extensive and critical comparison of the flat-maxima hypothesis with the independence assumption of the optimal classifier. Model-based instantiations of the COBRA and COBRM hypotheses provided good accounts of the data, but there was a consistent advantage for the COBRM instantiation early in learning and for the COBRA instantiation later in learning. This pattern held in the present study and in a reanalysis of Bohil and Maddox (2003). Strong support was obtained for the flat-maxima hypothesis over the independence assumption, especially as the observers gained experience with the task. Model parameters indicated that observers' reward-maximizing decision criterion rapidly approaches the optimal value and that more weight is placed on accuracy maximization in separate base-rate/payoff conditions than in simultaneous base-rate/payoff conditions. The superiority of the flat-maxima hypothesis suggests that violations of the independence assumption are to be expected, and are well captured by the flat-maxima hypothesis, with no need for any additional assumptions.
Physicians often are faced with determining benignity or malignancy in solitary pulmonary nodules in order to refer patients appropriately for curative resection of early-stage malignant nodules and to avoid the morbidity and mortality of a surgical procedure for benign nodules. Nodules are easily deemed benign when they are unchanged on chest radiographs over 2 years or have symmetrical patterns of calcification or central fat on chest CT. Similarly, growing, spiculated lesions in older patients with an extensive smoking history or other risk factors for cancer are easily recognized as likely to be malignant. However, solitary pulmonary nodules classified as indeterminate after consideration of radiologic characteristics and patient risk factors have traditionally posed a diagnostic dilemma. The use of newer imaging modalities, including contrast-enhanced chest CT, fluorodeoxyglucose PET, and technetium Tc 99m SPECT, can help distinguish benign nodules from those that are malignant.
The purpose of this study was to validate the three dimensional model of classifying coping behavior. The three are: Encounter-Avoidance, Problem-Emotion, Behavior-Cognition Dimension. A set of questionnaires on coping behavior and psychological stress responses were administered, and 1,604 undergraduates and 1,296 adults completed them. Analyses of covariance structure were performed, and results indicated that the three dimensional model, with eight coping style, showed the highest goodness-of-fit statistics. Multiple regression analyses also indicated that Problem-Emotion and Behavior-Cognition dimensions were useful for predicting the coping effects on psychological stress responses. Therefore, the two dimensional model of Problem-Emotion and Behavior-Cognition, with four coping style, would be helpful for further investigation of coping behavior that would buffer psychological stress responses.