Asbestos disease risk communication conducted by the New Jersey department of health

Since October 1985, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has required hospitals to report all patients with a discharge diagnosis of asbestosis. As follow-up to a needs assessment survey of these patients, the NJDOH developed an educational packet including an information bulletin titled “Asbestos Disease: Medical and Legal Facts for Employees” and a pre-stamped postcard evaluation survey. The packet was sent to 1,418 patients reported by hospitals; 433 patients returned the evaluation questionnaire. The survey assessed attitudinal responses (were the materials helpful and easy to understand?) and behavioral responses (did the respondent plan on discussing the materials with a doctor or lawyer?) to the information in the packet. Of the postcard respondents, 85% found the materials helpful, and approximately half indicated that they would discuss the materials with a doctor or lawyer. Of the 33% who were proxy respondents, half appeared not to have understood that the materials had relevance to them as family members. Modifications to the protocol for the asbestos disease educational packet were made based on the evaluation data. Limitations of the evaluation survey and the value of process evaluations in risk communication projects are discussed. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

INTRA- AND INTERINDIVIDUAL VARIATION IN THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF TACROLIMUS (FK506) IN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS—IMPORTANCE OF TROUGH LEVEL AS A PRACTICAL INDICATOR

Background: Tacrolimus (FK506) is currently used as the primary immunosuppressant in clinical kidney transplantation in some centers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of this drug and to see if trough level, which has been used widely in therapeutic drug monitoring, can be used as an appropriate substitute for other pharmacokinetic measurement tests. Methods: The blood concentration-time curve was studied in 10 kidney transplant recipients on 26 Occasions after oral dosage of 2 to 18 mg every 12 hours. Whole blood concentration was measured by two-step irnmunoabsorption assay. Methylprednisolone was used as a concomitant immuno-suppressive drug. Results: The blood concentration-time curves showed remarkable interindividual variation. lntraindividual variation was also found, but the degree of variation was slight compared with interindividual variation. On 17 occasions of measurement in one patient, the dose was significantly correlated with trough (r = 0.684). C_max (r = 0.838) and AUC_0–12 (r = 0.817). In nine patients on nine occasions, however, the dose was not significantly correlated with trough (r = 0.351), C_max (r = 0.270) or AUC_0–12 (r = 0.355). t_max ranged from one to four hours (mean + SD; 2.8 + 1.3) and fluctuated in both intra- and interindividual measurements. In spite of a wide variation in the blood concentration-time-curve patterns, a highly significant linear relationship between trough and C_max or AUC_0–12 was observed in both intraindividual (C_max, r = 0.876; AUC_0–12, r = 0.926) and interindividual (C_max, f = 0.943; AUC_0–12, r = 984) measurements. Concluslons: We conclude that trough level is a practical acceptable indicator of the blood levels of tacrolimus, and can be used to monitor blood concentration.     

The ‘limits’ of medicalization?: Modern medicine and the lay populace in ‘late’ modernity

Taking as its point of departure the medicalization thesis and its limitations, this paper provides a critical discussion of certain more recent theoretical perspectives on life in contemporary society, and their relevance for understanding the relationship between modern medicine and the lay populace. In particular, attention is paid to the contours and existential parameters of life in ‘late’ modernity in terms of the following four key themes: (i) modernity as a ‘reflexive’ social order; (ii) ‘risk’ and the dialectic of scientific and social rationality; (iii) the ‘mediation’ of contemporary experience; and (iv) lay ‘re-skilling’ and the ‘life political’ agenda. On the basis of this, it is argued that far from being simply passive and dependent, a ‘critical distance’ is beginning to emerge between modern medicine and the lay populace; a situation which resonates with broader social trends and currents within society at large.     

Ethical and metaethical criteria for an emerging technology: risk assessment

This paper examines ethical criteria for the shaping of an emergingtechnology applied internationally in environmental regulation:quantitative risk assessment-risk management. The role of thephysician in its application, especially in the genetic testingthat will be employed, underlines the importance of understandingthe nature and prospects for reshaping of this technology toenable ethical practice. The Cartesian or mechanistic model(which currently dominates the technology) excludes factorsof emotion, making the connection between assessment and managementunfruitful functionally and ethically, and makes the model unresponsiveto human needs. The emotional factors, nested and mediated inthe organic hierarchy of the ecologically-defined community,constitute key psychological, social, cultural and politicalelements of the total burden of risk. Ethical criteria consistentwith an open society are suggested for reshaping the model toenable effective management.     

住院精神分裂症患者自杀危险因素调查

对全国９省市９所医院１０年间住院精神分裂症自杀死亡资料分析，自杀率占住院病人总数的０．６３％，占精神分裂症总数的０．７８％，占慢性精神分裂症的０，５０％。偏执型占６５．６·％。自杀原因受幻觉妄想支配２３．８％，悲观厌世２８．６％；精神症状好转（５９．５％）和自知力恢复期（４７．６％）易自杀。自杀方式自缢（５７．１％）和服药（２３．８％）居首。男性自杀多于女性。     

Mothers' Anticipation and Prevention of Unintentional Injury to Young Children in the Home

Investigated anticipation and prevention of children's unintentionalinjuries in the home. 150 mothers of 1-, 2-, and 3-year-oldchildren kept weekly diaries of anticipated injuries and unanticipatedinjuries/near injuries to their child. Mothers anticipated between57 and 67% of all injury events, a majority when the child wasin the same room as the injury-causing agent prior to interactingwith it. Few anticipated injuries led to injury. In these casesno significant differences were found depending on child's ageand sex. In contrast, mothers of younger children most frequentlyreported preventing injury by physically restricting or movingthe child away and by changing the environment, whereas mothersof older children more frequently engaged in teaching.     

外科切口感染危险因素研究

目的：研究术后切口感染危险因素，以降低切口感染率。方法：以１９９４～１９９６年外科手术病人为对象，进行病例对照研究。结果：病例组１３１例切口感染病人和对照组１００例无切口感染病人在手术持续时间、术前抗生素使用种类、免疫抑制剂应用与否以及手术后抗生素使用天数等方面有显著性差异。且随着手术时间延长，术后切口感染的相对危险度呈明显递增趋势。结论：为降低术后切口感染率，必须尽量缩短手术时间，并减少术前术后抗生素使用天数和种类     

羧酸酯酶1和羧酸酯酶2基因表达量与体质量指数的关系及其基因多态性分析

目的 通过检测健康志愿者的羧酸酯酶1 (carboxylesterase 1,CES1)和羧酸酯酶2 (carboxylesterase 2,CES2)的基因多态性和基因表达水平,探索CES1和CES2在代谢中的作用。方法 从48例健康志愿者获得血样并提取DNA,对DNA进行二代基因测序,并提取总RNA检测基因表达量。使用多元线性回归分析CES1和CES2基因表达量与性别、年龄、体质量指数(body mass index, BMI)的关系。结果 CES1的基因表达量为141.8(72.7,237.8),CES2的基因表达量为74.4(30.8,133.6)。多元线性回归分析中,BMI与CES2的基因表达有关,性别、年龄和BMI与CES1的基因表达无关。发现CES1 20个基因变异,其中10个会引起氨基酸序列改变;发现CES2 6个基因变异,其中2个引起氨基酸序列改变。结论 发现CES2的表达水平与BMI相关,CES1的表达水平与BMI无明显相关,基因预测结果提示CES1的遗传变异可能影响其功能表达。     

Extramarital Involvement: A Core Relationship Issue in Need of a Coherent Model, Comprehensive Research, and Empirically Based Intervention

Clinical interventions for extramarital involvement (EMI) have outpaced empirical knowledge about both risk factors for infidelity and effective treatments. Allen et al. (this issue) provide a systematic review of current knowledge organized around stages of the development of EMI and factors concerning the involved partner, the spouse, the couple's relationship, and the interpersonal context. Their review identifies significant gaps in knowledge for which research is needed. Because EMI has multiple determinants, conceptual models and research on it must be multivariate. This comment focuses on priorities for increasing knowledge about EMI, including (a) clarification of variation in definitions and personal standards for EMI through consideration of participants' subjective experiences as well as the views of outsiders (researchers, clinicians); (b) improved qualitative research using interview methods designed to minimize biased questioning by investigators and biased reporting by subjects, to tap individuals' internal experiences with the developmental process of EMI; (c) nonblaming research on characteristics of the noninvolved spouse and the couple's interaction that predict EMI; and (d) adaptation of generic preventive and relationship enrichment interventions for couples involving communication skill-building and psychoeducation, to include information about ways to "inoculate" relationships against commonly unexpected risks of EMI.     

父母文化程度与高师学生心理健康问题研究

目的 了解高师学生心理健康现状和父母文化程度对高师学生心理健康水平的影响。方法 对河南省部分高师学生进行问卷调查。结果 河南省大部分高师学生心理健康状况是好的和比较好的；15.13%的高师学生心理健康状况不良，教师、咨询人员和家长应高度重视，密切配合，正确地对他们进行引导和教育。结论 父母文化程度不同对高师学生心理健康水平的影响有差异。但差异不显著。