Non-hospitalized Subjects Research Articles

The effects of Ba-wei-wan (hachimijiogan) on plasma levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and lipoperoxide in aged individuals.

Ba-wei-wan was administered for 7 months to 24 aged, non-hospitalized subjects. Laboratory examinations showed an improvement in serum or plasma levels of total lipid, LPO and HDL-C. Other blood examinations were shown to be unaffected by the treatment. To reconfirm the effects of Ba-wei-wan on lipid metabolism, the three step administration of the drug was employed. The elevation of HDL-C levels and the decrease of LPO levels were obtained by this treatment. The discontinuation of this drug induced the converse effect on the plasma levels; decreased HDL-C and increased LPO. It could be concluded from these results that Ba-wei-wan administration improved the lipid metabolism in the aged subjects.

Self-concept and functional independence in the hospitalized elderly.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships of various kinds of hospitalization to self-concept and functional independence of 30 hospitalized and 10 nonhospitalized subjects older than 65. The Tennessee Self-Concept Scale was used to measure self-concept, and the Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was used to measure functional independence. Self-concept scores differed among the hospitalized groups. Dependent older persons were found to have lower self-concept scores. Encouraging independence in the performance of self-care skills could diminish this problem of poor self-concept.

Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: incidence and precipitating factors.

The incidence and precipitating factors associated with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux were evaluated by a questionnaire in 446 hospitalized and 558 nonhospitalized subjects. Of 385 control subjects 7% experienced heartburn daily, 14% noted heartburn weekly, and 15% experienced it once a month, giving a total of 36% of subjects having heartburn at least monthly. Daily heartburn occurred at a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) rate for 246 medical inpatients (14%) and for 121 patients seen in outpatient gastroenterological clinic (15%). Pregnant women seen in uncomplicated obstetrical clinic had symptoms of significantly greater (P less than 0.01) incidence: daily (25%) and at least once monthly (52%). Age, sex, or hospitalization did not significantly affect incidence. Fried foods, "spicy" foods, and alcohol were the most common precipitating factors.

Measurement of blood lactate by gas chromatography

A gas chromatography technique was used for the measurement of blood lactate. This method was shown to compare favorably with the Barker-Summerson chemical method, there being no statistically significant difference between values obtained by the two methods. A micro adaptation of the method is described, which allows blood lactate analysis on a sample as small as 0.3 ml. The normal range of blood lactate levels in both hospitalized and non-hospitalized subjects was established. It was found to be essentially the same in both groups and varied from 0.6 to 2.3 mmoles/1 (5.0 to 20.5 mg/100 ml) with a mean of 1.25 mmoles/1 or 11.1 mg/100 ml.

Assessment of body image organization of hospitalized and non-hospitalized subjects.

(1963). Assessment of Body Image Organization of Hospitalized and Non-Hospitalized Subjects. Journal of Projective Techniques and Personality Assessment: Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 185-190.