Development of tactile patterns in relation to age, sex, and race.

Two observers recorded the frequency of touch between male and female and Black and White kindergartners and 1st-6th graders in school cafeteria lines. In same-sex pairs, boys and girls in White and in integrated schools showed a reduction in frequency of touch from kindergarten to 6th grade, but in the Black school, no reduction was observed. Only 1 cross-racial hand-to-hand touch was observed. Data show that social norms related to sexual and racial interaction are the most important factors in the development of touch and interaction distance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Unipolar versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of femoral neck fractures in the elderly

This paper presents the short term results of an ongoing prospective randomized trial comparing a cemented unipolar with a cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly. Forty-seven patients with an average age of 77 years completed 6-month followup. Outcomes at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months were assessed by completion of a patient oriented hip outcome instrument and by functional tests of walking speed and endurance. No differences in the postoperative complication rates or lengths of hospitalization were seen between the two groups. Patients treated with a bipolar hemiarthroplasty had greater range of hip motion in rotation and abduction and had faster walking speeds. However, no differences in hip rating outcomes were found. These early results suggest that use of the less expensive unipolar prosthesis for hemiarthroplasty after femoral neck fracture may be justified in the elderly.     

Evaluation of age, sex, and race bias in the Personality Inventory for Children.

The question of whether children's ability tests are biased has received much attention, but the same issue regarding children's personality tests has been neglected. In this study, the authors evaluated whether the external validity of the PIC, a parent-informant measure of child psychological status, was moderated by age, sex, or race. Using a hierarchical multiple-regression algorithm within a clinic-referred sample, it was found that child race and sex generally did not moderate the relation of PIC scales to symptoms checklists completed by clinicians, teachers, and parents. Some expected relations were modified by child age. Implications for the potential use of the PIC as an unbiased personality measure are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The treatment of middle-aged and elderly patients suffering from trochanteric fractures of the femur

Treatment of 198 elderly patients with trochanteric fractures included different conservative and operative therapy methods. For the first time in Russia a new approach of extrafocus osteosynthesis was recommended for "decompensated" patients. It is proved, that for this category of the injured, active surgery tactics results in a considerable improvement of treatment outcome.     

The ESKA femoral neck prosthesis--an alternative to standard endoprosthesis of the hip joint for patients of younger age groups

The ESKA femoral neck prosthesis introduces a new metaphyseal anchorage principle for total hip replacements. Primary stability of the conical-oval shaped implant is achieved through the use of a lateral traction screw, and permanent stability through bony growth into the macroporous TRIPO metal structure. The system is used in combination with the standard ESKA acetabulum, and metal-polyethylene, ceramic-polyethylene, ceramic-ceramic and metal-metal articulations are all possible.     

Ethnicity, geographic locale, age, sex, and urban-rural residence as variables in the prevalence of mild retardation

The Wechsler-Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was administered to 950 of a stratified random sample of 1,040 children in Pima County, Arizona. The sample was stratified for ethnicity (Anglo, Black, Mexican-American, and Papago Indian), urban-rural residence, sex, and grade level. The three WISC-R IQ scores and cutoff points of 69 and 75 were used in comparisons of prevalence of mild mental retardation. This prevalence was significantly related to ethnicity and geographic locale. Sex, urban-rural residence, and grade level were not related to prevalence.     

A description of age, sex, and site distributions of colon carcinoma in three geographic areas

BACKGROUND: Site of the carcinoma within the colon in relation to age and sex may provide clues into the etiology of the disease. Incidence of colon carcinoma by age, sex, and tumor site at a population-based level are reported infrequently. The goal of this study was to describe the distribution of colon carcinoma (excluding cancers of the rectosigmoid junction and rectum) by age at diagnosis, sex, and site of the tumor within the colon. These factors were also evaluated in conjunction with disease stage at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: Data from three geographically distinct populations were used to describe rates of colon carcinoma and the distribution of tumors by age, tumor site, and stage at diagnosis. All colon carcinoma cases diagnosed within a 3-year period within the areas are included. RESULTS: Approximately 50% of all cancers in men and greater than 50% of cancers in women were in the proximal segment of the colon. Men who were diagnosed prior to age 50 and both men and women diagnosed at age 70 or older had predominantly proximal cancers. People with proximal cancers and people diagnosed prior to age 50 were more likely to have more advanced disease. CONCLUSIONS: Both men and women have more proximal cancers with advancing age, which are associated with more advanced disease. Observed trends in cancer site distributions could reflect screening practices, environmental and genetic factors, or a combination of these variables.     

Relationship between functional status and the capacity to regulate behavior among elderly persons following hip fracture.

Objective: To assess the relationship between behavioral self-regulation and functional status among older rehabilitation inpatients. Study Design: Prospective outcome study. Setting: Fourteen inpatient rehabilitation units and skilled nursing facilities. Participants: Two hundred twelve older adults following hip fracture or replacement. Measures: Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale, Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale (BDS), and nurse-rated functioning on activities of daily living (ADLs) and the Barthel Index. Results: Risk-adjusted analyses found the BDS to be strongly associated with all 11 ADLs and the Barthel Index. The MMSE made an additional contribution to 4 models. Conclusion: The results suggest that the ability to use intentions to guide purposeful behavior is an important contributor to functioning among older adults, affecting rehabilitation potential. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation of race, age, and sex hormone differences to serum leptin concentrations in children and adolescents

We explored the effects of race, age, and sex hormones on the serum leptin concentrations in 203 white and 88 black children and adolescents (ages 9.3-20.5 years). A significant sex by race interaction on serum leptin levels (p = 0.0301) was observed with lower serum leptin concentrations, adjusted for subscapular thickness and age, in black boys than in white boys. Girls had serum leptin levels that were on average 2.15 times those of boys (p < 0.0001). There was an age by sex interaction (p < 0.0001) with serum leptin concentrations decreasing in boys but not in girls with age. A strongly inverse relationship of serum testosterone levels with serum leptin levels in boys (p = 0.0067) appeared to explain this effect of age. In conclusion, the serum leptin concentration is slightly lower in black boys. A higher testosterone level in boys appears to account for an age-related decline in serum leptin in boys and the overall lower levels in boys than in girls.     

Calcium intake and the incidence of forearm and hip fractures among men

High calcium intakes are thought to be associated with strong bones and lower risk of fractures. However, findings from epidemiologic studies have not been consistent. In addition, the vast majority of such studies were conducted among women, leading to a relative lack of data concerning men. The objective of this study therefore was to investigate the relation between adult calcium intake and risk of fractures among men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). During 331,234 person-years of follow-up over an 8-y period, 201 forearm and 56 hip fractures due to low or moderate trauma were reported among 43,063 men 40-75 y of age in 1986 when they first completed a questionnaire about diet and lifestyle factors. After controlling for age, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, alcohol consumption and total energy intake, the relative risk (RR) of forearm fractures for men in the highest quintile of calcium intake (from foods plus supplements) compared with those in the lowest quintile was 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59-1.61; P for trend = 0.78]; for hip fractures, the comparable RR was 1.19 (95% CI = 0.42-3.35; P for trend = 0.58). Relative risks for consuming >2.5 glasses (600 mL) of milk per day compared with one (240 mL) or fewer per week were 1.06 (95% CI = 0.69-1.62; P for trend = 0.82) for forearm fractures and 0.97 (95% CI = 0.39-2.42; P for trend = 0.56) for hip fractures. In conclusion, these results do not support a relation between calcium intake and the incidence of forearm or hip fractures in men.     

Religious activity and depression among community-dwelling elderly persons with cancer: the moderating effect of race

OBJECTIVES: Research has been oriented toward elucidating the links between religion and mental health. The purpose of this article is to further our knowledge in this area by examining the effect of religious activity on depressive symptomatology among community-dwelling elderly persons with cancer. We also test whether these effects differ between Blacks and Whites. METHODS: We use two waves of data collected from a community-dwelling sample of elderly persons living in North Carolina. Depressive symptomatology is measured using four subscales from the CES-D 20 scale: somatic-retarded activity, depressed affect, positive affect, and interpersonal relations. Measures of religious activity include service attendance, religious devotion, and watching or listening to religious programs. RESULTS: The findings indicate that among Blacks with cancer, religious activity is related to lower levels of depressive symptomatology; no such relationship is found for respondent with other illnesses or no illness. Further, the effects of religious activity are stronger among Blacks than Whites. DISCUSSION: The analyses lend support to the hypothesis that religious activity is a strong predictor of depression in elderly adults with cancer. This finding, however, is not as strong as we had anticipated.     

Psychotherapy referral patterns as influenced by sex of the referring therapist and sex and age of the client.

236 psychotherapists completed a questionnaire regarding 1 of 4 briefly described client cases, rating the desirability of 8 therapist characteristics, including sex, for the presented case. Ss then identified the actual therapist in their community to whom they would refer the case. The optimal ratings and referrals indicated that Ss thought it desirable for the therapist and the client to be of the same sex. (1 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Illusory correlation in impression formation: Variations in the shared distinctiveness effect as a function of the distinctive person's age, race, and sex.

Examined in 3 parts with 96 White undergraduates, the nature of illusory correlation effects when associative connections and shared infrequency operated simultaneously. When undesirable behaviors were both infrequent and also associatively linked to a stimulus person's demographic group, there was an illusory correlation between membership in an infrequently appearing group and performance of infrequent, undesirable behaviors. More specifically, stimulus persons who were Black, old, or of the opposite sex from the S were rated more negatively when their demographic group appeared infrequently. Different illusory correlations were obtained when infrequency and associative links acted in opposition, undesirable behaviors being infrequent and desirable behaviors being associatively linked. More specifically, stimulus persons who were White, young, or of the same sex as the S were rated more positively when their demographic group appeared infrequently. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Markers of bone resorption predict hip fracture in elderly women: the EPIDOS Prospective Study

Increased bone turnover has been suggested as a potential risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. We investigated this hypothesis in a prospective cohort study performed on 7598 healthy women more than 75 years of age. One hundred and twenty-six women (mean years 82.5) who sustained a hip fracture during a mean 22-month follow-up were age-matched with three controls who did not fracture. Baseline samples were collected prior to fracture for the measurement of two markers of bone formation and three urinary markers of bone resorption: type I collagen cross-linked N- (NTX) or C-telopeptide (CTX) and free deoxypyridinoline (free D-Pyr). Elderly women had increased bone formation and resorption compared with healthy premenopausal women. Urinary excretion of CTX and free D-Pyr, but not other markers, was higher in patients with hip fracture than in age-matched controls (p = 0.02 and 0.005, respectively). CTX and free D-Pyr excretion above the upper limit of the premenopausal range was associated with an increased hip fracture risk with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.2 (1.3-3.6) and 1.9 (1.1-3.2), respectively, while markers of formation were not. Increased bone resorption predicted hip fracture independently of bone mass, i.e., after adjustment for femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) and independently of mobility status assessed by the gait speed. Women with both a femoral BMD value of 2.5 SD or more below the mean of young adults and either high CTX or high free D-Pyr levels were at greater risk of hip fracture, with an odds ratio of 4.8 and 4.1, respectively, than those with only low BMD or high bone resorption. Elderly women are characterized by increased bone turnover, and some markers of bone resorption predict the subsequent risk of hip fracture independently of hip BMD. Combining the measurement of BMD and bone resorption may be useful to improve the assessment of the risk of hip fracture in elderly women.     

Predicting the mechanical outcome of femoral neck fractures fixed with cancellous screws: an in vivo study

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this project was to determine, by using a retrospective cohort analysis, the relative importance of fracture geometry, bone density, and quality of fracture reduction in predicting redisplacement of femoral neck fractures fixed with multiple cancellous screws in a patient population. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of quantitative geometric and bone density data from forty-seven patients with femoral neck fractures fixed with cancellous screws was performed. SETTING: Radiographs retrieved after analysis of a statewide hospital database were digitized and analyzed quantitatively. INTERVENTION: Quantitative data from radiographs included estimates of femoral neck bone density, fracture surface orientation and location, degree of comminution, prefixation displacement, initial reduction position of the fractured component, and final displacement of the fracture after fixation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Angular rotation and inferior displacement of the fracture component after fixation. RESULTS: Femoral neck bone density can be correlated to femoral cortical thickness and can be used as a measure of bone density from plain x-rays. Significant relative risk of redisplacement of a femoral neck fracture is correlated with initial inferior offset of the fracture component and varus angulation. Relative risks of other variables, including valgus reduction, Garden Stage 3 and 4 position of the femoral head, low bone density, presence of inferior comminution, a more vertical fracture surface angle, and fracture position, were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with other geometric and mechanical variables, nonanatomic reduction of a femoral neck fracture, with either inferior offset or varus angulation, is the strongest predictor of postfixation redisplacement of the fracture.     

Longer femoral necks in the young: a predictor of further increases in hip fracture incidence?

AIMS: To determine whether femoral neck length, a risk factor for hip fracture, is likely to increase in the coming decades in normal elderly New Zealand women. METHODS: Femoral neck length was measured from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans of the proximal femur in white women aged 19-88 years (n = 211). Since this length remains constant throughout adult life, it is possible to predict future trends in this index in the elderly, from its measurement at the present time in younger adults. RESULTS: Femoral neck length was inversely related to age (p = 0.018) such that a 3.7 mm (5.7%) difference occurred over the age-range of this sample. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral neck length in elderly New Zealand women is likely to increase in the coming decades. As a result of the dependence of hip fracture risk on femoral neck length, future age-adjusted hip fracture incidence will increase by about 50% over the next 50 years unless significant public health initiatives are taken, either to increase bone density or to reduce fall frequency.