Impaired cerebrovascular reactivity in pediatric sickle cell disease using diffuse correlation spectroscopy.

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), defined as the ability of cerebral vasculature to dilate in response to a vasodilatory stimulus, is an integral mechanism in brain homeostasis that is thought to be impaired in sickle cell disease (SCD). This study used diffuse correlation spectroscopy and a simple breath-hold stimulus to quantify CVR non-invasively in a cohort of 12 children with SCD and 14 controls. Median [interquartile range] CVR was significantly decreased in SCD compared to controls (2.03 [1.31, 2.44] versus 3.49 [3.00, 4.11] %/mmHg, p = 0.028). These results suggest DCS may provide a feasible means to routinely monitor CVR impairments in pediatric SCD.

Theorizing about social support and health communication in a prostate cancer support group.

This article inquires into whether and how uncertainty reduction theory and problematic integration theory, two theories relevant to social support as enacted within a chapter of the Man-to-Man prostate cancer support group, inform us of how such groups can assist group members most effectively. Interview data from members of a prostate cancer support group shed light on theoretical assumptions about uncertainty. Although the group applies elements of both theories, prostate cancer survivors likely would benefit from a more comprehensive and flexible treatment of social support theory.

Physicians, patients, and medical dialogue in the NYPD Blue prostate cancer story.

Extending literature on health information to entertainment television, we analyze the prostate cancer narrative presented in the police drama, NYPD Blue. We explain how the physician-patient interaction depicted on the show followed (and sometimes did not follow) the medical dialogue model. Findings reveal that the producers of this show advocate a more dialogic model of medical interaction. Portrayals of incompetent, ineffective physicians are contrasted with the superior, effective efforts of other physicians. The audience learns that a non-dialogic approach characterizes "bad doctors," while the dialogic method typifies "good doctors." Likewise, medical professionals can use such texts to enhance physician-patient interaction.

Man to man and side by side, they cope with prostate cancer: self-help and social support.

Prostate cancer affects men and their loved ones; consequently, survivors and their wives can gain from social support throughout the illness experience. After observing meetings of a support group for prostate cancer survivors and their partners, the authors used the constant comparison method to draw conclusions about the types of support generated in the men's and women's divisions of the group. The authors concluded that both divisions served as sites of information but not as scenes of practical assistance. The authors also found that the discursive practices of the groups and the structural elements of the group meetings inhibited emotional support through topic turning, comparisons between members, and the role of group facilitators. The authors consider the study's implications for support group leaders and scholars.