Demographic Subgroups (demographic + subgroup)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


The association between depression and health-related quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review

DIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 2 2010
Saima Ali
Abstract The relationships between co-morbid depression in people with diabetes and adverse outcomes including poor HbA1c control, adherence to medication and mortality have been examined and confirmed. However, as the awareness of the decrement to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with diabetes and its clinical consequences grows, investigators have become increasingly interested in measuring HRQOL in clinical trials. Given that the psychological factors such as depression may contribute to diminished HRQOL, the present review sought to summarize the association between these variables in people with type 2 diabetes. Articles for a systematic review were obtained via a search performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO (1980,2007). Fourteen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Studies indicated that self-reported depressive symptoms markedly impaired HRQOL on several domains. However, depression was not related to all sub-domains of HRQOL in all studies, suggesting that the effects of depression on certain aspects of HRQOL may vary between clinical and demographic subgroups. Although a number of shortcomings identified in the current literature should be taken into account for future research, the importance of this review lies in the possibility it raises that the improvements in HRQOL and clinical practice may potentially be achieved by placing greater attention on the identification and management of depression. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Impact of a multiyear professional development intervention on science achievement of culturally and linguistically diverse elementary students

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 6 2008
Okhee Lee
Abstract This study examined the impact of the 3-year implementation of a professional development intervention on science achievement of culturally and linguistically diverse elementary students. Teachers were provided with instructional units and workshops that were designed to improve teaching practices and foster positive beliefs about science and literacy with diverse student groups. The study involved third, fourth, and fifth grade students at six elementary schools in a large urban school district during the 2001 through 2004 school years. Significance tests of mean scores between pre- and posttests indicated statistically significant increases each year on all measures of science at all three grade levels. Achievement gaps among demographic subgroups sometimes narrowed among fourth grade students and remained consistent among third and fifth grade students. Item-by-item comparisons with NAEP and TIMSS samples indicated overall positive performance by students at the end of each school year. The consistent patterns of positive outcomes indicate the effectiveness of our intervention in producing achievement gains at all three grade levels while also reducing achievement gaps among demographic subgroups at the fourth grade. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 45: 726,747, 2008 [source]


Science inquiry and student diversity: Enhanced abilities and continuing difficulties after an instructional intervention

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 7 2006
Okhee Lee
This study examines elementary students' abilities to conduct science inquiry through their participation in an instructional intervention over a school year. The study involved 25 third and fourth grade students from six elementary schools representing diverse linguistic and cultural groups. Prior to and at the completion of the intervention, the students participated in elicitation sessions as they conducted a semistructured inquiry task on evaporation. The results indicate that students demonstrated enhanced abilities with some aspects of the inquiry task, but continued to have difficulties with other aspects of the task even after instruction. Although students from all demographic subgroups showed substantial gains, students from non-mainstream and less privileged backgrounds in science showed greater gains in inquiry abilities than their more privileged counterparts. The results contribute to the emerging literature on designing learning environments that foster science inquiry of elementary students from diverse backgrounds. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 43: 607,636, 2006 [source]


Improving science inquiry with elementary students of diverse backgrounds

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 3 2005
Peggy Cuevas
This study examined the impact of an inquiry-based instructional intervention on (a) children's ability to conduct science inquiry overall and to use specific skills in inquiry, and (b) narrowing the gaps in children's ability among demographic subgroups of students. The intervention consisted of instructional units, teacher workshops, and classroom practices. The study involved 25 third- and fourth-grade students from six elementary schools representing diverse linguistic and cultural groups. Quantitative results demonstrated that the intervention enhanced the inquiry ability of all students regardless of grade, achievement, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), home language, and English proficiency. Particularly, low-achieving, low-SES, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) exited students made impressive gains. The study adds to the existing literature on designing learning environments that foster science inquiry of all elementary students. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 42: 337,357, 2005 [source]


Trends in incidence and survival of pediatric and adolescent patients with germ cell tumors in the United States, 1975 to 2006

CANCER, Issue 20 2010
Jenny N. Poynter PhD
Abstract BACKGROUND: Pediatric germ cell tumors (GCTs) are rare and heterogeneous tumors with uncertain etiology. In the current study, data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program were used to evaluate trends in incidence and survival of GCTs in boys and girls ages ,19 years. To the authors' knowledge, few studies to date have evaluated trends in pediatric GCTs. Results from these analyses may provide clues to the etiology of GCTs. METHODS: Frequencies, incidence rates, and 5-year relative survival rates stratified by sex were evaluated overall and by demographic subgroups based on age (birth to 9 years and 10-19 years), race (white, black, and other), and ethnicity (non-Hispanic and Hispanic) as sample size permitted. RESULTS: In whites, the incidence of GCTs was lower for females than males in the 10-year to 19-year age group (rate ratio [RR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.42-0.53), whereas the rates were similar in the age group for birth to 9 years. In contrast, incidence rates were higher in black females than in black males in both age groups (RR, 2.01 [95%CI, 1.08-3.84] in those ages birth to 9 years; RR, 3.30 [95% CI, 2.13-5.28] in those ages 10-19 years). The incidence of ovarian GCT was significantly higher in Hispanic compared with non-Hispanic girls in the groups aged 10 to 19 years. Incidence rates increased during the study period in boys ages 10 to 19 years (annual percentage change [APC], 1.2; 95% CI, 0.4-2.1) and girls ages birth to 9 years (APC, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.3-2.5). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pediatric GCTs in the United States appears to be increasing only in certain subgroups, suggesting that the etiology is not completely overlapping in all age groups. Differences in incidence patterns by race and ethnicity merit further investigation. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society. [source]


Willingness to pay for implant therapy: a study of patient preference

CLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 8 2010
Katherine C. M. Leung
Abstract Aims: This study determined the amount of willingness to pay (WTP) for implant treatment and identified the factors affecting WTP. Methods: Subjects attending a university dental hospital were recruited (n=59). They were presented with two hypothetical clinical scenarios: missing one anterior/posterior tooth. The clinical procedures, outcome and plausible complications of various replacement options (fixed and removable partial dentures, implants) and sequelae of no treatment were presented. They were then asked how much they were willing to pay for tooth replacement under the two situations using a bidding method, with a starting bid of Hong Kong (HK)$20,000 in HK$1000 increment/decrement if they were willing/unwilling to pay that amount (1 USD=7.8 HKD). The amount was recorded at which the subject chose the opposite option or it reached HK$0. Demographic data were also collected. WTP values were compared between anterior and posterior replacements, and among various demographic subgroups. Spearman's correlations and linear regression analysis were also conducted. Results: Ninety-four percent and 84% of the subjects chose implant treatment to replace missing anterior and posterior teeth, respectively. The mean WTP amounts for anterior/posterior tooth replacement were HK$11,000/HK$10,000 (P>0.05). Higher WTP amounts were obtained from females, subjects without missing teeth or restorative need, and had attained higher level of education (P<0.05). Gender (P<0.05), level of education (P=0.042), and the presence of missing teeth (P=0.001) were independent predictors of WTP. Conclusions: The estimated WTP value for a single tooth replacement using dental implants was HK$10,000. Gender, level of education and presence of missing teeth were independent predictors that influenced WTP. To cite this article: Leung KCM, McGrath CPJ. Willingness to pay for implant therapy: a study of patient preference. Clin Oral Impl Res. 21, 2010; 789,793. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2009.01897.x [source]