Course Of Factors Research Articles

Recent Advances in the Molecular Imaging of Programmed Cell Death: Part II—Non–Probe-Based MRI, Ultrasound, and Optical Clinical Imaging Techniques

There is much that can be done to detect apoptosis and other forms of cell death with existing clinical modalities including ultrasound, MRI, and optical imaging without the need for current or new intravenous contrast agents. We will discuss how these widely available imaging technologies can readily be applied to the imaging of apoptosis in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment. The limiting factor of course is the lack of knowledge of the optimal times after the start of treatment for the most accurate assessment of apoptosis and necrosis with each modality and specific technique. It is hoped that imaging studies that systematically look at treatment response can soon be performed to address these issues.

Behavioral Medicine Approaches to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent respiratory disease and associated with considerable individual and socioeconomic burden. Recent research started examining the role of psychosocial factors for course and management of the disease. This review provides an overview on recent findings on psychosocial factors and behavioral medicine approaches in COPD. Research has identified several important psychosocial factors and effective behavioral medicine interventions in COPD. However, there is considerable need for future research in this field. Although beneficial effects of some behavioral medicine interventions have been demonstrated in COPD, future research efforts are necessary to study the effects of distinct components of these interventions, to thoroughly examine promising but yet not sufficiently proven interventions, and to develop new creative interventions.

Combined Electric and Acoustic Stimulation: Successful Treatment Option for Partial Deafness

Combined Electric and Acoustic Stimulation: Successful Treatment Option for Partial Deafness

The impact a first episode of major depression has on marital dissatisfaction: Is remission associated with improvement in dissatisfaction?

Background and Objectives: Prior research suggests that marital dissatisfaction is associated with Major Depression (MD). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether remission from a first episode of MD is associated with improvement in marital dissatisfaction and whether the degree of marital dissatisfaction at the time of diagnosis has an influence on the outcome of MD. Methods: The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Areas of Change Questionnaire were administered to 59 married couples in which one member fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for a first Episode of MD, but her husband (or his wife) did not suffer any mental disorder, and to 53 control couples at 6 outpatient clinics, at baseline and after a 6-months follow-up. Results: The level of marital dissatisfaction in couples with a persistent depressed participant decreased in comparison to couples without a depressed subject (p < 0.05 CI: -10.6 and -0.2), but there were no significant differences between couples in which the depressed spouse recovered from MD and comparison couples. Regardless of MD's severity, high levels of satisfaction were associated with a higher probability to recover. Limitations: The follow-up period was short and we assessed the level of marital dissatisfaction using self-report measures. Conclusion: This study shows that MD has an influence on Marital Satisfaction even at a very early stage of the Depressive Disorder. What is more, changes in any of the two factors (MD or marital dissatisfaction) influenced the other factor's course; thus an effective intervention on MD may have a positive impact on marital dissatisfaction as well.

Sarcolemmal Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Defect in Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy: An Adverse Modulating Factor in the Disease Course?

Reduction of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) has been associated with the pathogenesis and clinical expression of inherited myopathies. To determine whether a defect in nNOS might be an adverse modulating factor in the course of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, we investigated cytosolic and sarcolemmal nNOS expression in muscle biopsies from 32 patients with 7 forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Primary calpainopathy, dysferlinopathy, and caveolinopathy biopsies showed normal levels of cytosolic nNOS and preserved sarcolemmal nNOS immunoreactivity. By contrast, the cytosolic nNOS levels in sarcoglycanopathy muscles were variably reduced. Sarcolemmal nNOS immunoreactivity varied from absent to reduced, depending on the integrity of the sarcoglycan complex. In muscles with loss of the entire sarcoglycan complex, sarcolemmal nNOS was absent; it otherwise depended on the specific sarcoglycan gene and type of mutation. The integrity of the entire sarcoglycan complex is, therefore, essential for the stabilization of nNOS to the sarcolemma. Absence of sarcolemmal nNOS in sarcoglycanopathy muscle was always associated with severe muscular dystrophy and sometimes with dilated cardiomyopathy, supporting the hypothesis that nNOS defect might contribute to skeletal and cardiac muscle disease progression. These results emphasize the value of nNOS immunohistochemical analysis in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and provide additional insights for future therapeutic interventions in these disorders.

Epidemiology of Chronic Pain with Psychological Comorbidity: Prevalence, Risk, Course, and Prognosis

To review the relation between chronic pain and psychological comorbidities, and the influence on course and prognosis, based on epidemiologic and population studies. We present a narrative overview of studies dealing with the epidemiology of chronic pain associated with mental health and psychiatric factors. Studies were selected that were of good quality, preferably large studies, and those that dealt with prevalences, course and prognosis of chronic pain, risk factors predicting new pain and comorbid disorders, and factors that affect health outcomes. Chronic pain is a prevalent condition, and psychological comorbidity is a frequent complication that significantly changes the prognosis and course of chronic pain. In follow-up studies, chronic pain significantly predicts onset of new depressions, and depression significantly predicts onset of new chronic pain and other medical complaints. Age, sex, severity of pain, psychosocial problems, unemployment, and compensation are mediating factors in course and prognosis. In assessment of chronic pain, the evidence from epidemiologic studies makes it clear that chronic pain can best be understood in the context of psychosocial factors.

Risk factors for course of posttraumatic stress disorder among Vietnam veterans: a 14-year follow-up of American Legionnaires.

Risk factors affecting the course of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are poorly understood. As part of a larger study on characterizing exposure to herbicides in Vietnam, the authors investigated this issue in a random sample of 1,377 American Legionnaires who had served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and were followed over a 14-year period. High combat exposure, perceived negative community attitudes at homecoming, minority race, depression symptoms at Time 1, and more anger at Time 1 predicted a more chronic course. Community involvement at Time 1 was protective and associated with decreased risk at Time 2. Discomfort in disclosing Vietnam experiences was associated with an increased risk for developing PTSD but did not predict its course. Combat exposure predicted PTSD course more strongly than any other risk factor. Findings suggest recovery from PTSD is significantly influenced by perceived social support.

Six Factors of Course and Teaching Evaluation in a Bilingual University in Central Africa

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors which students consider important in the evaluation of courses and teaching in a bilingual university setting, where teachers teach in either English or French and students receive lectures in the language of the teachers, independent of whether they (students) are anglophones or francophones. The sample consisted of 247 anglophones and 380 francophones registered in the first year in various courses at the Faculty of Arts Letters and Social Sciences (FALSS) of the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon. A principal component factor analytic technique was used, factors rotated to a simple structure and minimum eigen-value of 1.0 set as a criterion for cut-off. Six factors accounting for 75.3% of the common and specific variance were identified. Results of earlier studies reviewed showed that rapport with students, evaluation of assignments and feedback, availability of help, and course organisation are commonly found. The 'workload' and 'language or communications' factors found in this study are explained in terms of the bilingual context in which teaching and learning takes place in FALSS and the heterogeneous socio-cultural background of both the students and their teachers.

Long-term course in schizophrenia: concepts, methods and research strategies.

This paper summarizes current knowledge about course and outcome in schizophrenia by selecting particular information and by drawing conclusions in the light of theoretical and methodological considerations, in order to illustrate future research strategies, as well as to consider novel targets of treatment. Based on examples from the literature the concepts of course and outcome as well as intervening factors of course and outcome are discussed by considering study results within their methodological and theoretical framework restrictions. The heterogeneity of the disorder, manifest in its variable phenomenology, illness course, treatment response and outcome, complicates research but at the same time offers clues to elucidate the heterogeneity of aetiology and pathogenesis. The search for intervening factors and predictors is of particular interest in order to explore the illness mechanisms. Future research should focus on the biopsychosocial determinants of course and outcome in methodologically improved long-term studies.

The quality of outpatient psychiatric care. A survey of patient satisfaction in a sectorised care organisation.

Patient satisfaction with outpatient psychiatric care in a sectorised care organisation was studied by means of a mailed questionnaire to a one-year population of patients. Response rate was 40.7%. The results showed a high general satisfaction with treatment. Satisfaction was highest in areas of treatment planning/treatment design, treatment accomplishment and relationship to staff. A somewhat lower level of satisfaction was noted concerning information and coinfluence of the patient. Level of satisfaction was not related to social and psychiatric background characteristics. Patients with longer time in therapy showed a higher level of satisfaction. Patients' ratings of the quality of information and coinfluence were related to both satisfaction with treatment and treatment outcome, pointing to the importance of these factors for course of treatment and treatment success. A comparison with patient satisfaction with in-hospital care revealed significant differences in favour of the outpatient group. It is concluded that surveys of patient satisfaction with care may be a important and useful tool in the evaluation of changes in care organisations and in the monitoring of quality assurance standards.

The Significance of the Environment in the Control of Insect Fecundity

P. W. Frank, in 1965 Encyclopedia Britannica, defines fecundity as the power to produce functional gametes; commonly only female gametes are considered as ascertaining fecundity. Fecundity is, in essence, a production rate that increases with each succeeding Two fundamental aspects become obvious. Fecundity is a process of species multiplication, and it is related to formation of female gametes. Thus, fecundity is an essential element in evolution of populations: it increases population size with each generation. As this number gets reduced by selective factors in course of biological cycle, it allows new genic combinations to occur, through meiosis and amphimixis. However, female gametes must carry out a third function. Since offspring cannot reach their functional autonomy without minimum organo­ genesis, oocytes must contain not only cellular components but also materials indispensable to this histogenesis and organogenesis. In addition, because of gamete dimorphism, ovule of insects is not mobile, and so distribution of female gametes, and consequently of zygotes, must necessarily correspond to that of de­ scendants at birth; therefore way eggs or viviparous larvae are distributed by female is an essential element for survival of species. Thus, fecundity is not merely production of a number of female gametes. This aspect cannot be dissociated from adaptations allowing best utilization of gamete production to ensure genetic recombination and survival of descent. In an environment heterogenous in space and time, not one of these characteris­ tics of insect fecundity can occur independently of ecological constraints; each one

Foreign Trade and the Balance of Payments: Performance and Prospects

Growing Trade Orientation of Economy Thailand has had a dynamic record in foreign trade over the past two decades. The country has been praised by Hla Myint and others for its outward-looking trade and investment policies. Thus far such policies have, in aggregate monetary terms, proved strikingly successful. Thailand, long known for conservatism and nationalism in its economic and political affairs, has been bold indeed over recent years. Risks have been taken which have thus far paid good dividends. Brink manship in siding with the United States in the Vietnam War has brought much money into the country. An increasingly open official attitude to foreign investment adopted since the amendment of the Promotion of Industrial Investment Act in 1965 has encouraged the development of industry, construction and service indus tries, often in collaboration with Thai entrepreneurs. The ratio of foreign trade to national income has been rising over the years, and so have earnings from overseas services. The value of merchandise exports and of net foreign services was equal to 17% of Gross Domestic Product in 1969 and 22 % in 1973. In 1974 it must have been still higher. Imports have risen in proportion, leaving a gap on foreign payments to be met by capital inflow, either grants or loans. This enlarged role of foreign factors of course increases the country's vulnerability to the transmission of world trends to the domestic economy. The foreign exchange record in 1974 showed quite dramatic change. It belied the dismal forecasts made by many economists a couple of years ?go about the impact on Thailand of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region, the less favourable investment climate, and the hike in international oil prices. Thanks to a boom in prices for many of its commodities, a rise in volume of some of these

Causes and Valuation of Fatalities Saved Under the 1974 Energy Crises: A Case Study of California

During the first six months of 1974, California experienced a significant reduction in traffic fatalities compared to the same period of 1973. There are numerous reasons that account for the reduction. Some can be identified and some cannot. A major factor of course is the serious fuel shortage that occurred during the period. Six months data now have become available, and it is possible to analyse the reasons underlying the reduction. This paper focuses on two questions. First, what impact did each of the various factors have; and second, what is the economic value associated with the reduction in fatalities.

各種抗生物質のラット肝ホモジネートにおける不活性化について

The following studies were also made on the mechanism of the activity recurrence phenomenon of antibiotics in rat liver homogenate:1) Dialysis: Liver homogenate dialysed with a phosphate buffer permitted the recurrence ability of both TC and PC-G. On the other hand, dialysis with distilled water could not restore TC activity, but it could restore PC-G activity.2) Gel-filtration with Sephadex G-25: Both antibiotics restored their activity in the supernatant of homogenate which had been gelfiltered with Sephadex G-25 in order to eliminate the low molecular substances.3) Gel-filtration with Sephadex G-200: The liver homogenate supernatant was fractionated by gel-filtration with Sephadex G-200, yielding four fractions. Both TC and PC-G significantly displayed the recurrende phenomenon in fraction I.4) Ultracentrifugation: Fraction I was ultracentrifuged and divided into supernatant and pellet. The supernatant showed recurrence of PC-G activity but not of TC activity. The latter kept its potency throughout the term. On the other hand, the pellet, homogenized with a phosphate buffer, reduced the activity of both PC-G and TC and prevented recurrence. The pellet suspension mixed with fractions II,III, and IV also failed to permit the recurrence of PC-G and TC activity.The results obtained seem to suggest that these are two factors in rat liver homogenate which participate in the recurrence of antibiotic activity, i. e. one which decreases the activity and another which restores it. The recurrence phenomenon may be caused by a shift in the mutual relationship between these two antagonistic factors in course of time. The identification of the exact nature of these factors requires further investigation.