The Type A Behavior Pattern: A Critical Assessment

Research on the Type A (coronary-prone) behavior pattern has proliferated at a rapid rate in recent years. With the cardiovascular risk value of Type A behavior well established, many studies have focused on reliability, validity, and other essentially psychological and psychometric issues. These studies are evaluated, along with the fundamental assumptions underlying the construct. Further research is suggested which examines the comparative predictive validity of Type A behavior and its defining criteria across diverse populations and the interaction of stress and behavior pattern.     

Disuse osteopenia following leg fracture in postmenopausal women: Implications for HIP fracture risk and fracture liaison services

IntroductionDisuse osteopenia is a known consequence of reduced weight-bearing and has been demonstrated at the hip following leg injury but has not been specifically studied in postmenopausal women.MethodBilateral DXA (GE Lunar Prodigy) bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were taken at the neck of femur (NOF), total hip region (TH) and lumbar spine in postmenopausal female groups comprising controls (N = 43), new leg fractures (#<3wks) (N = 9), and participants who had sustained a leg fracture more than one year previously (#>1yr) (N = 24). #>1yr were assessed at a single visit and the remaining groups at intervals over twelve months. Weight-bearing, function, 3-day pedometer readings, and pain levels were also recorded.ResultsThe #<3wks demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) losses in ipsilateral TH BMD at 6 weeks from baseline 0.927 ± 0.137 g/cm², to 0.916 ± 0.151 g/cm² improving to 0.946 ± 0.135 g/cm² (n.s) at 12 months following gradual return to normal function and weight-bearing activity. The #>1yr scored significantly below controls in almost all key physical and functional outcomes demonstrating a long-term deficit in hip bone density on the ipsilateral side.ConclusionThe clinical significance of post-fracture reduction in hip BMD is a potential increased risk of hip fracture for a variable period that may be mitigated after return to normal function and weight-bearing. Improvement at 12 months in #<3wks is not consistent with #>1yr results indicating that long-term impairment in function and bone health may persist for some leg fracture patients. Unilateral bone loss could have implications for Fracture Liaison Services when assessing the requirement for medication post fracture.     

THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT HYPERTENSION MODELS ON VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIALS

Even though there is an abundance of information about the complications of hypertension, studies of its influence on visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are rare. In previous studies, it was pointed out that hypertension induces changes on VEPs. However, it has not yet been clarified which models of hypertension are more effective on VEPs. The aim of this study was to investigate this subject in rats. Animals were divided equally into six groups: control group (C), sham operated (Sham), two kidney-one clip (2K-1C), one kidney-one clip (lK-lC), deoxycorticosterone-salt (DOCA), and N-omega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) groups. Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in four hypertensive groups compared with control and sham groups, but there were no significant differences either among hypertensive groups or between sham and control groups. At the end of the experimental period, flash visual evoked potentials were recorded. The mean latencies of P1, N1, P2, N2, and P3 components were significantly prolonged in all hypertensive groups compared with the control and sham groups. The mean latencies of all VEPs components in the L-NAME group were longer than in the other hypertensive groups. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were determined as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Our data showed that hypertension caused a significant increase of lipid peroxidation in brain and retinal tissues. Additionally, plasma renin activity (PRA) was highest in the 2K-1C group and lowest in the DOCA group.     

A new lanostane-type triterpene from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum

A new lanostane-type triterpene, named ganoderic acid LM 2 ( 5 ), was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum . Its structure was characterized as (23S) 7 g , -dihydroxy-3, 11, 15-trioxo-5 f -lanosta-8, 24-dien-26-oic acid by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectra. In addition, a known triterpene, ganoderic acid l ( 4 ), was obtained. Both of them exhibited potent enhancement of ConA-induced mice splenocytes proliferation in vitro .     

VALIDITY AND USE OF A NON-PARALLEL INSULIN ASSAY FOR PHARMACOKINETIC STUDIES OF THE RAPID-ACTING INSULIN ANALOGUE,INSULIN ASPART

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) for insulin was validated for reliable measurement of the human insulin analogue, insulin aspart, by correction of non-linear measurements. Specificity was equivalent for several species of insulin, except insulin aspart. A non-linear hyperbolic model fitted insulin aspart with a correction formula for non-linearity of: z = 1503y/(1398 - y), where y denotes measured concentration and z denotes true concentration.

Matrix-effects were insignificant for human, porcine, and canine heparin-plasma and for human and porcine serum. The coefficient of variation was below 15% for 80–800 pmol/L human and porcine insulin and for 80–600 pmol/L insulin aspart. The limit of detection for insulin aspart was 11.5 pmol/L with a lower limit of quantification of 17.5 pmol/L. Dilution of serum with Pharmacia dilution media introduced no significant error. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates that a non-parallel radioimmunoassay can be used to estimate accurate concentrations of insulin aspart.     

铈纳米颗粒在辐射领域的研究进展

随着核技术在工业，医学领域等方面应用的迅速发展，人们遭受辐射损伤的可能性也随之增加。辐射损伤防治药物是救治与防护辐射损伤最为有效和直接的手段，但目前的辐射损伤防治药物作用效果有限。铈纳米材料因独特的价态结构，使其具有多种酶学模拟活性和可再生性，体现出优越的抗氧化性，强大的清除自由基功能，可以保护细胞免受辐射损伤，可作为理想的辐射防护剂，并应用于多种生物学领域。对相关文献进行查阅可知，铈纳米颗粒的抗氧化性、高SOD模拟活性、清除自由基能力以及抗辐射能力均源自于Ce³⁺/Ce⁴+相互间的转化、氧空位的形成。本文主要介绍铈纳米颗粒的抗辐射活性基础、辐射防护效应及放疗增敏方面的研究进展，为铈纳米颗粒在辐射方向领域提供理论依据与参考。     

Starch-encapsulated chlorpyrifos: release rate,insecticidal activity and degradation in soil

Incorporation of chlorpyrifos into starch matrices was achieved by thermal gelatinization. The level of amylose content in the starch matrices (10 and 52%) and the addition of auxiliary agents, i.e. solvent, emulsifiers or both, were varied and eight different formulations were prepared. According to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction measurements, chlorpyrifos was partly present in a crystalline form in all the starch formulations. The formulations had controlled release properties, and the release rate into water could be described by a linear model. In a bioassay, the formulations killed all larvae of the cabbage root fly at a dosing of 1.4 kg a.i. per ha. The degradation of chlorpyrifos in soil from the starch formulations could be described in a nonlinear logistic model and the half-life was predicted to be 88 days. Differences in the amount of amylose in the starch as well as the addition of solvent and emulsifiers in the preparation procedure had no systematic influence on the release rate, the insecticidal effect and the degradation rate. No correlation between release rate into water and degradation in soil could be established. Two commercial chlorpyrifos formulations Lorsban#174; 15 G (granular) and Cyfos#174; 500 gl -1 (emulsifiable concentrate), were included in the study for comparison.     

Perceived occupational balance and well-being among people with mental illness living in two types of supported housing

Abstract

Background: People with psychiatric disabilities often struggle with maintaining a satisfying occupational balance. Knowledge about factors of relevance for occupational balance in this group is therefore vital for improving their support.

Aim: The aim was to describe perceptions of occupational balance among people with psychiatric disabilities living in supported housing (SH) or in own flat/house with housing support (OHS). Potential importance of housing context and socio-demographic, well-being and recovery factors for occupational balance was also explored.

Methods: Participants from SH (N?=?155) and OHS (N?=?111) responded to questionnaires about sociodemographic situation, well-being (self-rated health, life satisfaction and self-mastery), personal recovery and occupational balance (work, leisure, home chores, self-care and general balance assessed by SDO-OB).

Results: A majority in both groups reported being in balance regarding all five domains of occupational balance. The OHS group reported being more under-occupied for home chores and self-care. Self-mastery was the most important contributor in both groups in the domains of work, domestic chores and self-care. Day center attendance was vital for general occupational balance.

Conclusion: Both groups generally perceived occupational balance. Control over one’s life situation and possibilities for regularly participating in occupations outside the home environment should receive high priority in housing support.     

Activity spaces in studies of the environment and physical activity: A review and synthesis of implications for causality

Activity spaces are increasingly used to understand how people interact with their environment and engage in activity but their use may raise challenges regarding causal inference. We conducted a systematic review of findings and the methodological, analytical and conceptual issues relevant to causal inference. Studies were included if they comprised a spatial summary of locations visited, assessed any part of the causal pathway between the environment, physical activity and health, and used quantitative or qualitative methods. We searched seven electronic databases in January 2018 and screened 11910 articles for eligibility. Forty-seven studies were included for review. Studies answered research questions about features of or environmental features within activity spaces using a range of spatial and temporal summary techniques. The conceptual challenge of using activity spaces to strengthen causal inference was rarely considered, although some studies discussed circularity, temporality, and plausibility. Future studies should use longitudinal and experimental designs and consider the potential and actual use of spaces for physical activity, and their relationship with total levels of activity.