Keeping Secrets or Educating Others: A Dyadic Analysis of Group Entitativity’s Influence on Spouses’ Label Management Connected to AATD

In 1963, Goffman argued that forming a group based on shared stigma may provide benefits. However, there is no empirical research on whether perception that a separate, unique, coherent group exists (i.e., group entitativity) influences coping, such as educating others or secrecy, for the stigmatized individual or his or her spouse. Further, little is known about how spouses influence each other in terms of promoting the education of others about a stigmatizing condition, especially when it comes to the role of believing that stigma-based groups, to which they may both belong, exist. This study provides a step toward bridging this gap in the research by applying the label management model in efforts to understand coping for couples in which one spouse is diagnosed with genetic mutations leading to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). This study included 50 married couples in which one spouse is diagnosed with genetic mutations leading to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). We found that group entitativity related to those with AATD counterbalanced the influence of genetic stigma on spouses’ intentions to keep the diagnosis secret or to educate others about it. Intrapersonal and interpersonal influences appeared among spouses. Attention is needed on the power of creating groups for stigmatized persons and their relatives. Indeed, people live within a dynamic world of group entities, and multiple social identities including spousal and familial. While attention has been paid to the diffusion of stigmas to loved ones, less has been paid to the uplift of group entities for them.     

Functional characteristics of intraepithelial lymphocytes from mouse small intestine. III. Inability of intraepithelial lymphocytes to induce a systemic graft-versus-host reaction is because of failure to migrate in vivo.

In this study we have investigated whether addition of bone marrow accessory cells or concurrent administration of recombinant IL-2 would allow intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) to induce a systemic, lethal GvHR in irradiated hosts. In addition we have studied the ability of IEL to migrate into lymphoid tissues after intravenous injection and compared this with their locomotor capacity in vitro.     

Patient access to psychiatric records: the patients'' view.

The passing of legislation relating to subject access to personal health data has been accompanied by concern about the possible harmful effects of this development on patients. Despite the lack of substantive evidence psychiatric patients have been regarded as the group most at risk. This study investigates the subjective views of patients on access to records on two psychiatric wards.     

Inhibition of pig aortic smooth muscle cell DNA synthesis by selective type III and type IV cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

Foetal calf serum (FCS) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated incorporation of [3H]thymidine into pig aortic smooth muscle cell (ASMC) DNA was decreased by agents that either stimulated the synthesis (forskolin) or inhibited the breakdown (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, IBMX) of cAMP. FCS-stimulated incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA was also reduced by selective inhibitors of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE IV) (Ro-20-1724, rolipram) and cGMP-inhibited cAMP PDE (PDE III) (SK&F 94836). IBMX, Ro-20-1724, rolipram and SK&F 94836 enhanced forskolin inhibition of DNA synthesis. Alone, rolipram was a relatively weak inhibitor of FCS-induced ASMC DNA synthesis (IC25 greater than 20 microM); however, in the presence of a threshold concentration of SK&F 94836 (20 microM), the potency of rolipram increased (IC25 = 4 microM), suggesting synergy in the actions of PDE III and PDE IV inhibitors. SK&F 94836 and rolipram elicited 30% and 37%, respectively, reductions in FCS-induced ASMC proliferation and potentiated the inhibitory actions of forskolin. PDE III and PDE IV inhibitors alone, exerted minimal effects on ASMC cAMP levels after a short term (10 min) or long-term (2 or 24 hr) exposure, but enhanced forskolin-induced accumulation of cAMP. ASMC spontaneously released cAMP into the extracellular medium, a process that was increased by forskolin. PDE III and PDE IV inhibitors had no effect alone on cAMP extrusion but enhanced the effect of forskolin. Exposure of ASMC to forskolin or SK&F 94836 for 15 min increased the activity ratio (AR) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase from 0.05 to 0.17 and 0.23, respectively. Ro-20-1724, alone, did not affect cAMP-dependent protein kinase but enhanced the stimulatory effect of forskolin (AR = 0.37) and SK&F 94836 (AR = 0.27). Agents that increased cGMP synthesis (glycerol trinitrate, atrial natriuretic factor) or decreased its hydrolysis by selectively inhibiting cGMP-specific PDE (PDE V) (zaprinast) exerted no effects on FCS- or PDGF-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA either alone or in combination. The cytosolic fraction of pig ASMC contained four cyclic nucleotide PDEs which were categorized as PDE V, Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated PDE (PDE I), PDE III and PDE IV. PDE I and III activities were also associated with the particulate fraction. The results demonstrate that inhibitors of PDEs III and IV alone or in combination with forskolin, reduce ASMC DNA synthesis and proliferation, through an action likely to involve elevation of intracellular cAMP. In contrast, inhibition of cGMP hydrolysing PDE subtypes (I and V) exerted no effect on DNA synthesis in this cell type.     

Surgical aspects of chronic peritoneal dialysis in the neonate and infant under 1 year of age.

Since 1982 eight patients under 1 year of age with end-stage renal failure have been treated by chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) following insertion of an abdominal Tenckhoff catheter. We routinely perform a partial omentectomy now, and in males undertake bilateral exploration of the groins at the time of catheter insertion, with herniotomy or ligation of the patent processus vaginalis as required. Up to January 1990, 19 straight double-cuff catheters had been inserted with a total follow-up of 244.5 patient months. The median age at the initial catheter insertion was 14.6 weeks (range, 2 days to 11 months) and the median weight was 3.89 kg (range, 2.2 to 5.5). Peritonitis was the most common complication, with 46 episodes, representing one episode of peritonitis per 5.3 patient months on dialysis. The frequency of peritonitis has decreased in the last 6 months since all patients have been dialysed by two caregivers. The present rate of peritonitis is 1 episode per 10 patient months on dialysis. One patient has died of septicemia secondary to associated congenital abnormalities, one patient has regained renal function, and two patients have been transplanted, one successfully. Five patients are currently dialysing via their abdominal Tenckhoff catheters and awaiting transplantation. We conclude that neonates and infants under 1 year of age can be treated satisfactorily by CPD to enable successful preparation for transplantation later in childhood.     

Effect of perioperative blood transfusion on recurrence of colorectal cancer

The aim of the present study was to examine the outcome of 517 patients undergoing curative surgery for colonic and rectal cancer, and to compare the recurrence and mortality rates in transfused and non-transfused groups of patients. The two groups were evenly matched for age, sex, Dukes' stage and histological differentiation. There were significantly more rectal tumours in the transfused group (P less than 0.01), but the distribution of colonic lesions did not differ. Life table analysis revealed that the transfused patients had a 20 per cent greater probability of recurrence at 5 years (P less than 0.005) and there were 16 per cent more cancer related deaths (P less than 0.01). Even when all rectal cancers were excluded, a similar trend was seen for the colonic lesions: a 24 per cent greater probability of recurrence at 5 years (P less than 0.025) and 15 per cent more cancer related deaths (P less than 0.02). We conclude that blood transfusion may be associated with increased mortality and recurrence in patients undergoing curative surgery for colorectal cancer.