Rheumatoid arthritis: Review of psychological factors related to etiology, effects, and treatment.

Provides a comprehensive review of the psychological literature related to the etiology, effects, and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a chronic disease with no known cause or cure that typically follows an unpredictable course. A brief summary of the relevant medical aspects of RA is also included. The possible role of psychological variables in the onset of RA is discussed, with emphasis on the potential etiological role of stress. An examination of the multiple consequences of RA suggests that psychologists can play an important role in the development of standardized assessment techniques to measure the effects of RA. The increasing use of psychological treatment strategies to reduce the pain and disability associated with RA also reflects the growing collaboration between rheumatologists and psychologists. It is concluded that methodological problems apparent in the literature must be overcome for psychologists to contribute further to clinical research and practice in the rheumatic disease area. (5 p ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Geographication of centenarians and its related factors in Japan

This study explores the factors associated with longevity in Japan by considering the geographic distribution of centenarians based on the 1990 population census. The proportion of centenarians was calculated based on the population of those aged 65 years or older. The findings were 11.0 males and 28.2 females per 100,000 people aged 65 years or older. In this analysis, the rate ratio, RR, was used as an index for fluctuation of centenarians by prefecture. RR is also the proportion of centenarians in a prefecture to that in the nation. When the RR of both sexes is over 100, the region is defined as high proportion and less than this as low proportion. The high proportion regions were located in the western part of Japan i.e. from the Chugoku to the Kyusyu district, the low proportion regions were located in the eastern part of Japan i.e. from the Tohoku to the Kanto district both sexes. The relationship between the geographical distribution of centenarians and environmental factors was analyzed. The correlation coefficient of the proportion of centenarians and the temperature as index of a regional difference was the highest among the factors investigated. After adjusting for mean temperature, the mean value of factors associated with a high quality of welfare work and of medical service, and that of having leisure time were significantly higher in high proportion regions than in low proportion regions.     

Sociodemographic factors associated with nocturnal enuresis

This study examined the school nursing/medical examination records of 6206 national school children for sociodemographic factors associated with reported nocturnal enuresis. A point prevalence of 10.7% (n = 666) for nocturnal enuresis was reported by parents during 1970-1993 in children aged 4-14 years. Although a downward linear trend (from 11.5% to 10.7%) was seen for the reported prevalence of nocturnal enuresis over the 23-year period, this trend was not statistically significant. Age, as expected, large family size and low ordinal position in the family were all statistically associated with reported nocturnal enuresis. Gender was statistically associated with reported nocturnal enuresis only in the 6-14 years age group. Paternal social class was not statistically associated with reported nocturnal enuresis, although 15% of children in families where the father was absent were reported enuretic compared with only 10% of children whose father was in social class 1. These findings contribute to an understanding of the relationship between sociodemographic factors and enuresis as reported at school medical examinations and have implications for the planning and development of health services at local levels.     

Isolating factors related to paraprofessional effectiveness.

In a precollege counseling program, 7 paraprofessionals (graduate students) received higher ratings than the 20 full-time professional counselors. A total of 1,769 entering freshmen participated in the program. It is hypothesized that the common bond of being students helped the paraprofessionals in counseling these students. There was inconclusive evidence concerning the contribution of naive enthusiasm to paraprofessional effectiveness. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Primary photosensitization related to ingestion of alfalfa silage by cattle

A herd of 650 Holstein cows was examined for skin disease. Approximately 400 of the lactating adults were affected, but heifers, calves, and nonlactating cows were clinically normal. The condition was characteristic of primary photosensitization. Milk production of the affected cows was normal. Affected cows did not appear to be ill, and none of the cows was icteric. Three of 7 cows had high serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activities, but in the other 4 cows, activity was within the reference range. Serum activities of other hepatic enzymes were within reference ranges in the 7 cows that were examined. Hepatic biopsy specimens from 3 cows were normal. Specimens from 4 other cows had changes that ranged from minimal to mild, chronic, lymphoplasmacytic periportal hepatitis to acute, random, necrotizing hepatitis. Development of photosensitivity was related to ingestion of alfalfa silage. Acetone extracts of the alfalfa silage, but not of other feedstuffs, were found to inhibit growth of Candida albicans under ultraviolet light. Cows experimentally fed a diet composed exclusively of the alfalfa silage developed skin lesions after 6 days, but did not have detectable serum concentrations of phylloerythrin.     

Psychologic factors in the etiology of amalgam illness

Eleven patients with amalgam illness aged 33-50 years were investigated by psychodynamic methods. Six of them, all women, were dental nurses and hygienists exposed to amalgam/mercury both from their own dental fillings and occupationally. Four men and one woman were exposed only to amalgam/mercury from their own fillings. Assays of mercury in urine samples and in the ambient air during work routines involving the heaviest exposure indicated that the exposure was far below the levels at which even subclinical symptoms could be indicated by psychometric tests. The psychologic investigation indicated that the symptoms of amalgam illness were psychosomatic. All patients had experienced important psychic traumata in close connection with the first appearance of symptoms. It can be concluded from the psychodynamic dialogues that they had not been able to mourn for a loss in an adequate manner and that the body had been forced to symbolize the great pain in their souls.     

Psychosomatic factors in the etiology of neoplasms.

Several psychogenic theories have been developed to explain the onset of cancer. Much of the research used to support them suffers from methodological weaknesses, particularly the absence of control groups and/or the use of criterion samples already suffering from malignancies. In the present study, the psychiatric diagnoses and MMPI performances of psychiatric patients who later developed malignant and benign neoplasms were compared to controls. No differences (beyond a chance level) appeared in the diagnostic composition, the MMPI clinical scale scores, or the individual MMPI-item performances of the groups. Results do not offer support for the major psychogenic-origin theories of the development of neoplasms. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: analysis of factors related to cerebrospinal fluid dynamics determining functional prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of maternal smoking on the relationship between maternal hemoglobin levels and pregnancy outcome. DESIGN: A prospective study of healthy parous women from early pregnancy and of their infants. SETTING: Three Scandinavian university hospitals covering all deliveries from well defined geographical areas. SUBJECTS: Smoking (669) and non-smoking (368) mothers, para 1 and 2 and with > or = 37 weeks of gestational length. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Birth weight and placental weight. Ponderal Index and Placental Index as measures of possible discordant fetal and placental growth. RESULTS: In non-smoking mothers the hemoglobin levels in the three trimesters had no relation to birth weight. In smoking mothers a significantly lower birth weight was seen with a high hemoglobin level in the third trimester, but hemoglobin levels in early or mid-pregnancy had no association to birth weight. Smoking mothers also had a significantly greater fall in hemoglobin concentration from first to second and third trimester as compared to non-smokers although ferritin levels were similar in smokers and non-smokers, implying similar iron stores. The ratio of placental weight to the weight of the newborn was significantly higher in smokers, but no association was found to different hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal growth impairment associated with maternal smoking is even more pronounced in smoking mothers with high hemoglobin levels in late pregnancy. Smoking mothers were also found to have disproportional fetal/placental growth with relatively high placental weights. In non-smoking mothers hemoglobin levels had no relation to birthweight.     

Some training factors related to procedural performance.

Used 4 experimental tasks to test the effects on procedural performance of providing special instructions on logical-tree construction and use and of limiting vs not limiting the time available for studying the task instructions. Ss were 20 male undergraduates. Results indicate that performance accuracy was statistically better when either one or both logical-tree instruction and practice was provided and the task instruction study time was limited, than when Ss were permitted to study the task instruction for as long as they chose and in whatever way they chose. It is concluded that quite simple procedures for familiarizing Ss with logical-tree operations can improve performance on procedural tasks. It also appears that placing a limit on the time available for study of instructions can be better than permitting unlimited time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cultural factors related to the peer review of teaching

Since 1994, the American Association for Higher Education Peer Review of Teaching Project has sought to popularize the notion that teaching is both a scholarly activity and community property to be shared with and critiqued by the larger academic community. In order to accomplish these goals, each of the three academic units at the twelve participating universities developed a pilot project that conformed to its own institutional, academic unit, and disciplinary culture. At a large Midwestern university, the academic units of mathematics, history, and nursing developed different projects. Each of these projects took account of the unit's specific culture, and this fact helps to account, in large part, for each project's success.     

Client factors related to premature termination of psychotherapy.

Investigated client factors related to the premature termination of counseling or psychotherapy. A review of 287 mental health center client files revealed 3 variables that were found to be significantly related to premature termination: diagnosis, presenting problem, and previous psychiatric experience. Early terminators had less previous contact with psychiatric services, were usually not psychotic, and presented with problems in the area of interpersonal relationships. Results suggest that community education activities, informed consent procedures, therapist knowledge of the early terminator's profile, and a wider range of services, including more groups, may improve community mental health center service delivery to these clients. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Primary inherited defects in neutrophil function: etiology and treatment

A variety of materials have been employed in rhinoplasty for augmentation and reconstruction. While autogenous tissue remains the mainstay of nasal implants and are the clear choice for structural and augmentation grafting of the nasal tip, limited availability and unpredictable resorption or remodeling have made homologous and synthetic implants important considerations for dorsal augmentation grafting. This section discusses categories of graft materials, their physical properties, harvesting and preparation technique, and advantages and disadvantages. An algorithm for nasal implants for specific indications in support and augmentation is presented.     

老年骨折患者自我效能感及影响因素研究

目的 了解老年骨折患者的自我效能感,并分析其影响因素.方法 采用一般情况问卷、一般自我效能感问卷、社会支持评定量表对入住本院骨科的160例老年骨折患者进行问卷调查.结果 老年骨折患者的自我效能感低于常模(p<0.05);且家庭人均月收入、婚姻状况、医保、伤情程度和主观支持是影响老年骨折患者自我效能感的重要因素,其中家庭人均月收入、婚姻状况、医保和主观支持与自我效能感呈正相关(p<0.05),与伤情程度呈负相关(p<0.05).结论 老年骨折患者的自我效能感低,而影响其自我效能感的因素是多方面的,故应加强对其自我效能感的认识,有利于提高其自信心.     

Primary radiotherapy of carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx--a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors

Managing the patella and balancing the patellofemoral joint space is one of the most difficult aspects of performing a primary total knee replacement (TKR). The situation is compounded in the revision situation. Unfortunately, an otherwise well-performed TKR will fail because of problems with the patella or the extensor mechanism. This article discusses various aspects of the management of the patella and extensor mechanism during revision TKR with an objective of minimizing complications and maximizing functional outcomes. The topics covered include exposure of the patella and extensor mechanism during revision surgery, whether or not to remove all prior patellar implants, the technique for removal of a prior implant, the management of bone loss or fractures of the patella during revision TKR, the insertion (or noninsertion) and fixation of a new implant, and the balance of the patellofemoral joint space, including avoidance of patella baja or patella alta. A compilation of scientific and "no-so" scientific data and experience gleaned over the past 26 years of total knee replacement surgery will be presented.     

Personality factors related to creativity in young scientists.

Male science majors designated as Higher Creative (HC) or Lower Creatives (LC) on the basis of scores on a creativity test battery were given personality tests. The HC group scored higher than the LC group on: composite personality originality; cognitive flexibility, time since first interest in science; dominance, sociability, social presence, and self-acceptance. The HC group scored lower on: socialization, self-control, desire to make a good impression, and affection. The HC group showed greater integration of nonconscious material as pertaining to concepts of self, father, and mother than did the LC group; the 2 groups differed in degree of conscious identification with mother (HC less than LC). (36 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality factors related to reported severity of menstrual distress.

Administered the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, reporting menstrual, premenstrual, and intermenstrual reactions, to 201 women (116 undergraduates). Factor analysis of a 24 * 24 matrix (8 scales for each period) identified symptoms at menstruation as the principal component. Estimates of scores on this criterion were attempted by means of regression, typological, and decision-tree analyses, using scales from the California Psychological Inventory and the Personal Values Abstract as predictors. Correlations between estimated and reported distress were .36 for the typology, .38 for the decision tree, and .41 for the regression equation. Although the 3 methods did not differ greatly in accuracy, they did appear to emphasize somewhat different configurations of personality variables. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality factors related to response to social isolation and confinement.

Examined (1) personality factors relating to or predictive of endurance and adjustment to social isolation, and (2) personality and/or perceptual changes occurring under varying conditions of social isolation. Pairs of men were confined for 8 days in small rooms without recreational materials of any kind and a minimal work schedule. Multiple conditions of isolation were effected by a factorial combination of mission-length expectation, stimulation, and privacy. 8 Holtzman Inkblot Technique variables showed significant changes from before to after confinement. Most of these changes were among variables included in W. H. Holtzman's (see 36:5) Factors I and II. Movement, Color, Penetration, and Barrier changes were associated with varying conditions of confinement. Interpretation of Factor I changes was confounded by corresponding changes in verbal productivity. Other instruments used provided only marginal findings as regards prediction or adjustment. A post hoc analysis of disruptive groups yielded a syndrome of adjustment possibly related to extreme or severe conditions of social isolation. Suggestions for future research leading to selection and training are discussed. (32 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Primary process thinking in dream reports as related to creative achievement

Compared 11-day logs of night dreams recorded by 38 paid high-school males who were considered creative (according to teachers' reports and Remote Associates Test scores) to those kept by 38 noncreative high-school males. Dream reports of creative Ss were rated by clinical psychologists as exhibiting greater primary process thinking than those of matched controls; their dream protocols also included a significantly greater proportion of symbolism, condensations, and unusual combinations but a smaller proportion of contradictions. The relative frequency of specific primary process mechanisms appeared to be the same for both creative and control Ss, but in both, the presence of primary process thinking, globally and in terms of specific mechanisms, was significantly related to creativity level. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)