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This study examines the effects of three types of spousal support on marital satisfaction in cancer patients. Results indicate that active engagement, a problem-solving approach, is positively correlated with martial satisfaction but overprotection and protective buffering are negatively correlated with marital satisfaction.

In the present study, symptoms of nonclinical depression among 106 cancer patients and their intimate partners were assessed. From the perspective of equity theory, it was examined how depression was related to neuroticism, marital quality, and perceptions of inequity in the relationship. LISREL analyses showed that neuroticism and perceptions of inequity in the relationship were associated with higher depression, but differences were found between patients and partners in the way that inequity and depression were related. Cancer patients reported more symptoms of depression when they felt that they invested too little in the relationship, whereas their partners were higher in depression when they felt that they received too little benefits in the relationship. The findings are discussed in terms of structural differences in roles between patients and caregiving partners.

Purpose. Analyse racial disparities in clinical outcomes after stroke in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF). Methods. Analyses based on data from a multi-center prospective observational cohort study on inpatient stroke rehabilitation in six IRFs from across the United States. Multivariate models examined racial disparities in functional outcomes upon discharge, taking into account patient characteristics and detailed information on processes of care. Results. In the moderate stroke group (N = 397), functional scores on admission were not significantly different between African-Americans and whites. In the severe stroke group (N = 335), whites showed significantly lower functional scores at admission [Functional Independence Measurement, (FIM)], mean scores, 44 versus 49 for African-Americans, p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses predicting discharge motor FIM score found no significant differences between African-American and white stroke patients (p = 0.2194 and p = 0.3547 in the moderate and severe stroke group, respectively). Conclusion. Controlling for patient characteristics, therapy intensity and processes of care results in non-significant differences between African-Americans and whites in motor FIM scores upon discharge. The absence of significant differences in recovery while patients were on the rehabilitation unit suggests that racial disparities in long-term functional recovery after stroke are likely to have originated before or after the inpatient rehabilitation stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the findings of a study on the use of radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in preventing the local recurrence of colonic cancer in an experimental model. The study employed several methods including antibody labelling, surgery and biodistribution of antibody. The research findings suggested that the method may be an effective adjuvant treatment of colon cancer relapse.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how the hierarchical linear model (HLM) can be used to analyze multilevel data from schools, in particular, for use in curriculum effectiveness studies. This study used the HLM, which eliminates problems associated with using single-level analyses with multilevel data, to investigate the effects of a health-related physical activity curricular program and other school factors on younger students' aerobic fitness performance and other outcome goals. A quasi-experimental design with matching sample was used to investigate physical activity curriculum differences between 19 experimental and control schools. Two key factors contributed to observed student differences, experience of the teachers and the use of the health-related physical activity curriculum. Students taught with the health-related physical activity program had significantly faster 600-yard run/walk scores as well as other outcome scores. This study may serve as a model for analyzing curricular program data with a hierarchical structure as well as supports the use of this physical activity curriculum to increase physical fitness outcome measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We sought to assess whether outcomes and reimbursement differ for Medicare beneficiaries with hip fracture when treated in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) compared with a skilled nursing facility (SNF) subacute rehabilitation program.Participants: Clinical data were linked with Medicare claims for 29,793 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with a recent hip fracture who completed treatment in 1996 or 1997 in rehabilitation facilities that subscribed to the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation.Outcome Measures: We measured discharge destination, change in motor FIM rating, and Medicare Part A reimbursement.Results: For patients with moderate-to-severe and severe disabilities, case mix groups (CMGs) 704 and 705, the percentage of patients discharged to the community from IRFs was lower than for patients treated in subacute rehabilitation SNFs, after controlling for covariates. Adjusted odds ratios were 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.55-0.92) for CMG 704 and 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.63-0.83) for CMG 705. For patients in the 3 other CMGs, no significant differences were detected. Improvement in motor functional status was roughly equivalent for patients treated in IRFs and those treated in the subacute rehabilitation programs across all 5 CMGs, after controlling for covariates. Medicare Part A payments for IRFs were significantly higher than SNF payments across all CMGs.Conclusion: SNF-based subacute rehabilitation was less costly and outcomes were in most, but not all, instances similar or better than IRF-based rehabilitation for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who had a recent hip fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A satellite DNA-based mammalian artificial chromosome (ACes) was generated and subsequently modified by targeting of a IoxP-red fluorescent protein (RFP) expression cassette via homologous recombination into a ribosomal DNA (rDNA)-containing locus. Clones containing correctly targeted ACes were identified by PCR from populations of RFP-expressing cells enriched by FACS sorting and were further characterized by fluorescent in situ hybridization. The targeted ACes maintained its ability to be purified to near homogeneity. Studies are currently underway to further characterize the functionality, carrying capacity, stability and transfectability of this modified ACes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]