bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perimenstrual Psychosis among Female Adolescents: Two Case Reports and an Update of the Literature
Authors: Stein Daniel , Blumensohn Rachel , Witztum Eliezer 
Published: May 2005

Objectives and Methods: Perimenstrual psychosis is an uncommon disorder, not included under the accepted classifications of functional psychoses. Our aim was to describe two Israeli female adolescents who fit this diagnosis. Results: Both youngsters developed an acute psychosis a few days before menstruation, which subsided several days after bleeding, only to reappear in the same form in subsequent cycles. An extensive medical work-up did not show any significant disturbances, with the exception of anovulatory cycles in one youngster. Psychotropic treatment had no effect on the course of the psychosis. Treatment with a combined progesterone/estrogen contraceptive agent in one patient resulted in full recovery within several cycles. The second patient showed a spontaneous remission within four cycles. Follow-up for two to three years indicated a complete remission, with no need to reintroduce any psychotropic agent. Conclusions: Perimenstrual psychosis may represent a cycloid disorder or an atypical affective disorder, associated with anovulation. The use of psychotropic treatment is considered inconclusive, whereas hormonal agents may prove effective.
Introduction to the Theme State Intervention and the Social Wage: The Politics of Social Services Expansion
Authors: Friedland Roger 
Published: May 2005

State intervention in the consumption process has become increasingly critical to economic growth on the one hand and to real family income on the other. The social wage thus tends to become a conflictual political issue. As a result, the articulation of state intervention with the changing requirements of economic growth is subject to continuous political challenge. This special issue examines the problematic relationship between state intervention in social services and the organization of the capitalist economy. Some contributors study the ways in which state interventions are structured so as to be consonant with the requirements of economic growth and profitability, as well as the difficulties such structures pose. Feshbach's analysis of the Hill-Burton Hospital Construction Program and Mollenkopf's study of San Francisco's public transit system both reflect this concern. Other contributors study the ways in which the organization of the economy constrains the development of democratically responsive social services. Sbragia's study of the capital market and public housing in Italy and Taylor's study of free medical clinics in the U.S. both reflect this concern. Finally, contributors study macroscopic transformations in the relationship between state intervention and the organization of the capitalist economy. Esping-Andersen's study of the political logic of increasing state intervention in production and Hirschhorn's analysis of the defunctionalization of social services attendent upon the disaccumulative tendencies in capitalism both reflect this concern. This introductory paper reviews four theories which attempt to explain how state intervention is insulated from democratic controls. For each theory, the mechanisms specified to perform this function are subject to weaknesses. An attempt is made to position the contributions to this volume with respect to these theoretical traditions.
T3 Blood Levels and Treatment Outcome in Depression
Authors: Iosifescu Dan V. , Howarth Shauna , Alpert Jonathan E. , Nierenberg Andrew A. , Worthington John J. , Fava Maurizio 
Published: May 2005

Objective: We examined the correlation between the basal triiodothyronine resin uptake (T3-RU) levels in depressed subjects and the response to antidepressant treatment. Method: We treated with fluoxetine 235 outpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depression. We measured T3 resin uptake (T3-RU) levels before the onset of treatment. The 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D-17) was administered before, during and after the eight weeks of treatment to assess changes in depressive symptoms. Results: 16 patients (6.8 percent) had low T3-RU levels (range 16.5–21), and 7 patients (3.0 percent) had high T3-RU levels (range 36–38). No relationship was found between T3-RU levels and clinical improvement, defined as either total Ham-D-17 score change or Ham-D-17 score ≤ 7 in the last 3 weeks of treatment, even after adjusting for baseline severity of depression. Conclusion: Abnormal T3-RU levels are rather uncommon in outpatient depression and do not correlate with the response to antidepressant treatment or lack thereof.
Meeting the Needs of Primary Care Physicians: A Guide to Content for Programs on Depression
Authors: Williams John W. , Bhogte Mark , Flinn Jonay F. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: The purpose of this article is to identify literature-based content for the design of educational programs on depression for practicing primary care physicians. Methods: A MEDLINE search was conducted of English-language medical literature published from 1982 through July 1997 for studies describing primary care physicians' knowledge, skills, practice patterns, and perceived barriers related to care of depressed patients. Studies focusing exclusively on residency training and those describing physician practices outside North America were excluded. Of 377 articles identified, forty met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Recommendations for educational content were identified from the literature review. For recognition, educators should prioritize communication skills and strategies for the use of depression questionnaires. For diagnosis, practice interpreting symptoms in the medically ill, strategies for efficient diagnosis, and systematic approaches to assessing suicide risk should be emphasized. For treatment, greater attention to the therapeutic alliance, staged therapy, and strategies for improving medication adherence are indicated. Conclusions: There is a moderately well developed literature describing self-perceived and observed gaps in the current care for depression in primary care. Addressing the entire list of needs would take more time than practicing physicians are likely to have. An important challenge for educators is to design flexible programs based on individualized needs assessment or, when not possible, to prioritize the most generalizable needs.
A Taxonomy for Computer Software Adoption Policy
Authors: Peled Zimra , Peled Elad , Alexander Gad 
Published: May 2005

This article proposes a taxonomy to aid decision makers in selecting computer software that is consistent with the their values and preferences for instruction. It builds on two interrelated arguments: 1) the nature of instruction and the use of information technology derive from a conceptual framework that is embedded in an explicit or implicit belief about the nature of human development and learning, and 2) due to the value nature of instruction, the instructional beliefs embedded in software should be congruent with the decision maker's beliefs underlying instruction. The taxonomy consists of three components: characteristics of patterns of instruction, properties of software, and the congruence between them. These components are interrelated in a mapping sentence [1] that maps characteristics of instruction onto properties of software. The taxonomy refers to two types of educational decision makers. Believers, whose decisions are predetermined by a belief commitment and orchestrators, whose decisions are heuristically taken. Decisions for believers are straight forward; decisions for orchestrators are more complicated and depend on contextual factors represented in the mapping sentence. Links between research findings and the taxonomy are presented and illustrate the taxonomy's use and its utility in predicting real world decisions.
Clinically Relevant Behaviors in Elderly Hip Fracture Inpatients
Authors: Dorra Helen H. , Lenze Eric J. , Kim Yookyung , Mulsant Benoit H. , Munin Michael C. , Dew Mary Amanda , Reynolds Charles F. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: To examine the range of behaviors documented by inpatient rehabilitation staff and the association of these behaviors with functional outcome, in elderly persons undergoing rehabilitation after hip fracture. Method: Subjects were 137 patients, aged 60 and older, admitted to a rehabilitation hospital after a hip fracture, defined as having either a good or poor rehabilitation outcome based on change in Functional Independence Measure motor subscale scores during the course of their admission. Their charts were systematically reviewed for nursing and therapy staff documentation of behaviors. Prevalence of behaviors was compared between good and poor rehabilitation outcome groups. Results: Disturbances in cognition and rehabilitation participation were common and were associated with poorer rehabilitation outcome. Behaviors reflective of depression and anxiety were relatively uncommon and not associated with rehabilitation outcome. Conclusions: Rehabilitation staff frequently detect and document disturbances in cognition and participation that are associated with poorer rehabilitation outcome. It is recommended that staff observations be routinely added to mental health evaluations. Additionally, routine mental health screening and required staff documentation of behaviors would improve case detection rate.
Adapting to Illness through Family Groups
Authors: Huberty David J. 
Published: May 2005

Counseling for medical patients and their families which focuses on the emotional adjustment to long-term hospitalization, illness and disability is relatively new to the medical setting. Only in recent years have hospitals begun to recognize their responsibility in responding to the emotional and social components of illness through structured programs geared specifically to this process of adaptation to illness. Based on the assumption that families as well as patients experience emotional stress upon hospitalization of a family member, medical counseling groups were developed at St. Mary's Hospital and Extended Care Center in an effort to more effectively and efficiently support the patient and others in his family network. This paper describes some practical measures for assuring family involvement in physical rehabilitation and discusses some possible methods of establishing such groups in a hospital setting. Case examples in the areas of stroke, cancer, diabetes, and coronary care illustrate the encouraging results of these groups.
AIDS Concerns among Adolescents Attending Seventh-Day Adventist High Schools in Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Modeste Naomi N. , Marshak Helen P. Hopp , Green Ian 
Published: May 2005

The purpose of this study was to identify AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and short-term behavioral intentions of adolescents attending five Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) parochial high schools in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This is the first known research on AIDS to be conducted in parochial and specifically, SDA schools in the Caribbean and particularly, Trinidad and Tobago. Information gathered from this research will be useful in planning appropriate AIDS education and prevention programs for the schools represented in this survey. Students ( N = 802) completed a questionnaire on AIDS. Less than half (37.6%) of the students indicated that they had received some instruction about AIDS in their school, and 74 percent wished that there was more AIDS education in the classroom. Ninety-one percent of respondents stated that they received most of their information about AIDS from the television. Females demonstrated a more positive attitude toward AIDS and people with AIDS. Females were more likely to hold “correct” beliefs about the causes of AIDS and scored higher in their intention to avoid risky sexual behaviors than did males.
The Relationship between Religious Activities and Blood Pressure in Older Adults
Authors: Koenig Harold G. , George Linda K. , Hays Judith C. , Larson David B. , Cohen Harvey J. , Blazer Dan G. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: To examine the relationship between religious activities and blood pressure in community-dwelling older adults. Method: Blood pressure and religious activities were assessed in a probability sample of 3,963 persons age sixty-five years or older participating in the Duke EPESE survey. Participants were asked if their doctor had ever informed them that they had high blood pressure and if they were currently taking medication for high blood pressure. After the interview, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured following a standardized protocol. Data were available for three waves of the survey (1986, 1989–90, and 1993–94). Analyses were stratified by age (65–74 vs. over 75) and by race (Whites vs. Blacks) and were controlled for age, race, gender, education, physical functioning, body mass index, and, in longitudinal analyses, blood pressure from the previous wave. Results: Cross-sectional analyses revealed small (1–4 mm Hg) but consistent differences in measured systolic and diastolic blood pressures between frequent (once/wk) and infrequent (< once/wk) religious service attenders. Lower blood pressures were also observed among those who frequently prayed or studied the Bible (daily or more often). Blood pressure differences were particularly notable in Black and younger elderly, in whom religious activity at one wave predicted blood pressures three years later. Among participants who both attended religious services and prayed or studied the Bible frequently, the likelihood of having a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher was 40 percent lower than found in participants who attended religious services infrequently and prayed or studied the Bible infrequently (OR 0.60, 95% CI, 0.48–0.75, p < .0001). Among participants told they had high blood pressure, religiously active persons were more likely to be taking their blood pressure medication; this could not, however, explain the differences in blood pressure observed. While most religious activity was associated with lower blood pressure, those who frequently watched religious TV or listened to religious radio actually had higher blood pressures. Conclusions: Religiously active older adults tend to have lower blood pressures than those who are less active. This applies to attendance at religious services and private religious activities, but not to religious media. Physiological mechanisms are discussed.
The Electronic Medical Record: Its Role in Disseminating Depression Guidelines in Primary Care Practice
Authors: Rollman Bruce L. , Gilbert Trae , Lowe Henry J. , Kapoor Wishwa N. , Schulberg Herbert C. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: Using the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Depression Guideline Panel's recommendations as its focus, this article describes a step-by-step approach for disseminating a paper-based depression guideline to primary care physicians via a commercially available electronic medical record (EMR) system. Method: Description of the author's approach to disseminate an evidence-based depression treatment guideline to a group of primary care physicians using a commercially available EMR system and to evaluate the results. Results: We review clinical considerations and practical barriers faced in this process with the expectation that our experiences can guide others attempting to disseminate psychiatric treatment guideline via EMR systems. Conclusions: The EMR offers critical efficiencies in disseminating state-of-the-art clinical practice guidelines and in directing the primary care physicians' use of them. Still, well-designed, randomized controlled trials are necessary to demonstrate their effectiveness at enhancing patient outcomes for major depression in primary care settings.
Labor Law and Physicians' Privileged Position: An Example of Structural Interest Influence
Authors: Swiercz Paul M. , Skipper James K. 
Published: May 2005

Health care delivery in the United States may be characterized as a dynamic system of conflicting interest groups. Since the reorganization of the medical profession in 1910, however, physicians have been able to maintain their position as a dominant structural interest group. A dominant structural interest in one which is served by the structure of social, economic, and political institutions. It does not have to reorganize continuously to protect its privileged position. Although several medical sociologists have noted the privileged position of physicians, few have attempted to explicate the process of status maintenance. This paper examines the development of labor law in health care as one example of structural interest influence. Labor law provides an excellent illustration of this influence in that its development and application are far removed from the physicians' sphere of direct influence. It is demonstrated that the ideology that physicians should hold a privileged position is so ingrained that their interests are protected even in their absence.
Understanding through Language
Authors: Mullen James J. 
Published: May 2005

Although language is our chief means of communication, there are a number of problems connected with its use. A writer must be aware of these problems and learn to overcome them if he is to be understood by his readers. Some of the problems are: 1. Our language system is not adequate to meet all needs. 2. Words themselves do not have “meaning”—people give them meaning. 3. “Meaning” has several dimensions including denotative, connotative, structural and contextual. The writer must give attention to all of these types of meaning. 4. There is a basic conflict between maximum accuracy in writing and maximum understanding in reading. One of the most valuable tools used in improving understanding is redundancy. A reader's understanding level must be low if the rate of information flow exceeds his capacity to deal with it.
Impact of Vitamin B6 Status on Psychological Distress in a Longitudinal Study of HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Shor-Posner Gail , Feaster Daniel , Blaney Nancy T. , Rocca Hugo , Mantero-Atienza Emilio , Szapocznik Jose , Eisdorfer Carl , Goodkin Karl , Baum Marianna K. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: Inadequate vitamin B6 status has been associated with altered neuropsychiatric function, possibly through its effect on the metabolism of neurotransmitters, including serotonin (5-HT). The present eighteen month longitudinal study evaluated the relationship between vitamin B6 status and psychological distress in HIV-1 infected individuals, controlling for the influence of negative life events, social support and coping style. Method: Biochemical measurements of nutritional status, and dietary intake evaluations were obtained in HIV-1 seropositive homosexual men, (at baseline: CDC Stages II and III, n = 70; Stage IVA, IVC2 n = 18) at six month intervals. Alterations in nutrient status (e.g., vitamin B6 adequate to inadequate; inadequate to adequate), were compared with changes in psychological distress, measured by the Profile of Mood States, using a multiple regression analysis. Results: A significant decline in psychological distress was demonstrated with normalization of vitamin B6 status from inadequate to adequate status ( p < 0.02). A decrease in psychological distress was also observed with increased tryptophan intake in subjects who were vitamin B6 adequate ( p < 0.02). Conclusions: Significant effects for the nutritional variables remained even when negative life event stressors, social support, and coping style were controlled, suggesting that vitamin B6 status may be an important co-factor in determining level of psychological distress over time in HIV-1 infected individuals.
A Controlled Study of the Effects of State Surveillance on Indicators of Problematic and Non-Problematic Benzodiazepine Use in a Medicaid Population
Authors: Ross-Degnan Dennis , Simoni-Wastila Linda , Brown Jeffrey S. , Gao Xiaoming , Mah Connie , Cosler Leon E. , Fanning Thomas , Gallagher Peter , Salzman Carl , Shader Richard I. , Inui Thomas S. , Soumerai Stephen B. 
Published: May 2005

Objective: Benzodiazepines (BZs) are safe, effective drugs for treating anxiety, sleep, bipolar, and convulsive disorders, but concern is often expressed about their overuse and potential for abuse. We evaluated the effects of physician surveillance through a Triplicate Prescription Program (TPP) on problematic and non-problematic BZ use. Method: This study uses interrupted time series analyses of BZ use in the New York (intervention) and New Jersey (control) Medicaid programs for 12 months before and 24 months after the New York BZ TPP. The regulation required NY physicians to order BZs on triplicate prescription forms with one copy forwarded by pharmacies to a state surveillance unit. Study participants were community-dwelling persons over age 18 continuously enrolled between January 1988 and December 1990 in New York ( n = 125,837) or New Jersey Medicaid ( n = 139,405). Results: During the baseline year, 20.2% of New York and 19.3% of New Jersey cohort members received at least one BZ prescription. After the TPP, there was a sudden, sustained reduction in BZ use of 54.8% (95% CI = [51.4%, 58.3%]) in New York with no changes in New Jersey. Significantly greater reductions were experienced by young women, and persons living in zip codes that were urban, predominantly Black, or with a high density of poor households. Increases in potential substitute medications were modest. At baseline, nearly 60% of BZ recipients had no evidence of potentially problematic use. Despite a somewhat greater likelihood of discontinuation of BZ therapy among those with potentially problematic use, the largest impact of the TPP was a substantially greater relative reduction in access to BZs among non-problematic users. Conclusions: State-mandated physician surveillance dramatically reduces BZ use with limited substitution of alternative drugs, lowers rates of possible abuse, but may severely limit non-problematic BZ use.
The Psychophysiologic Aspects of Stress in Juvenile Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Tarnow Jay D. , Silverman Seth W. 
Published: May 2005

Diabetes Mellitus is the most common endocrine disease found in children, and its reported incidence is increasing. Most investigators now agree that improved diabetic control is effective in decreasing both long and short term complications. The delineation of factors which affect control are, therefore, of importance. Classically, the physician has emphasized insulin dose, presence of infection, diet, and exercise. Emotional factors have long been thought to play a role in diabetes mellitus. The exact nature of this role, however, has been rather elusive and controversial. The authors review this literature, summarize the major viewpoints, and conclude that psychological factors can influence the physiology of the disease. The focus of this paper is the synthesis of recent advances in basic metabolic, endocrinologic, and stress research, relevant to juvenile diabetes, into a psychophysiologic model. The authors discuss future research directions necessary for clarification of the model, as well as its psychological and physiological therapeutic implications.