Two approaches to social support in smoking cessation: Commodity model and nondirective support

The commodity model of social support and features of Nondirective Support may clarify varied results of support interventions for smoking cessation. A commodity model views social support as attractive in and of itself and as an alternative to high-risk choices such as smoking. If such support is easily accessible, a would-be quitter is less likely to choose to smoke. Consistent with the commodity model, social support interventions tend to be effective as long as support remains available, but they lose their effects when support is terminated. From a second approach, Nondirective Support entails accepting recipients' goals, cooperating without taking control, and validating recipients' feelings. In contrast, Directive Support entails taking control and telling recipients what to do and feel. Review of support interventions indicates the value of the continued availability of support suggested by the commodity model and of Nondirective Support's flexibility and responsiveness to the person.     

Maintaining family planning acceptance levels through development incentives in Northeastern Thailand

The results of a two-year longitudinal study of the effect that development program incentives have upon family planning in Northeastern Thailand are presented. These incentives, implemented by the Population and Community Development Association, Thailand, included animal raising and agricultural, home industry, and environmental activities. An experimental design including baseline and follow-up surveys supplemented by a continuous monitoring system was utilized to test hypotheses on the family planning impacts of the incentives. Findings indicate that the incentives contributed significantly to the maintenance of high levels of family planning practice through the program period 1982-1984.     

Lymphoscintigraphy in lymphedema: an aid to microsurgery

The role of lymphoscintigraphy, performed with 99mTc-labeled antimony sulfur colloid, in the diagnosis of lymphedema and as a test for selection of patients for microvascular operation was evaluated in 32 patients with primary and secondary lymphedema and four patients with other causes of leg edema. Lymphoscintigraphy clearly demonstrated if edema was of lymphatic origin. Five different image patterns were identified; abnormal image patterns could not be predicted from clinical history or physical findings. Quantitative evaluation of removal of the radioactive colloid from the injection site and appearance in lymph node sites and liver was of limited usefulness. Nine patients underwent various surgical procedures before or after lymphoscintigraphy. Lympho-venous anastomoses were possible only in patients who had patent lymph channels visible on lymphoscintigrams. Based on initial experience, lymphoscintigraphy seems to be useful to select patients for microvascular operation.     

Late-life migraine accompaniments--further experience

In 1980, 120 cases with late-life migrainous accompaniments resembling transient ischemic attacks were presented. In the present paper, 85 further cases examined in the past five years are analyzed. The findings support the concept advanced previously. In general, the cases are divided into the same categories: visual--21 cases, visual and paresthesias--6, visual and speech disturbance--2, visual, paresthesias and speech disturbance--3, visual, paresthesias, speech disturbance, and weakness--20, visual and brainstem symptoms--3, and cases without visual symptoms--32. The ages ranged from 40 to 73 years. Headache occurred in association with the episodes in only 40% of cases. There was a history of recurrent headache in 65%. The condition can justifiably be regarded as benign. Migrainous accompaniments account for some of the cases of transient ischemia with normal angiograms. Knowledge of the condition helps in the planning of rational management.     

Development of an intravenous desferrioxamine mesylate treatment protocol for swine: monitoring of desferrioxamine and metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography

Desferrioxamine (DFO) metabolism and its pharmacokinetics were studied in a swine model using high-performance liquid chromatography. DFO and three iron-binding metabolites occurred in plasma. Interindividual differences in pharmacokinetics and metabolism were observed. Urine analysis in 4 pigs showed three iron-binding metabolites. The mean percent dose excreted in urine in the form of the parent drug was 45 +/- 10% and 10 +/- 2% (means +/- SD) in the form of metabolites. Of the total amount of the parent drug infused, 3 h after initiation, 87% was in the form of DFO, whereas 13% was present as the DFO-iron III complex which represented 45 mg of urinary iron elimination. The described DFO infusion protocol provides for sufficient DFO to chelate significant amounts of ferric iron in excess of normal levels, thus allowing experimental studies of iron chelation in a variety of disease states.     

Kinship versus friendship: social adaptation in married and widowed elderly women

The qualities of daughter versus same-sex friend relationships were described by 151 married and widowed elderly women. The relation of these qualities to life satisfaction was assessed. Relationship qualities predicted life satisfaction in widowed women but not in married women. Significant predictors of life satisfaction for widows included the emotional support of daughters, the instrumental support of friends and friendship strength. In a comparison of the relationship qualities, both married and widowed respondents described daughters as providing more stimulation, ego support and utility than friends. Respondents also reported that relationships with daughters were stronger than those with friends. Married women described relationships with both daughters and friends as more stimulating than widowed women. The value of assessing qualitative indices compared to quantitative indices of later life relationships is discussed.