Evaluation of a multicomponent, behaviorally oriented, problem-based "summer school" program for adolescents with diabetes

A 2-week summer school program, combining problem-based learning with behavior therapy, was developed to help adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes improve their ability to cope with obstacles to dietary management. Ten students participated in a first session, and 9 participated in a second session, serving as a waiting list control group. Outcomes were evaluated pre- and postsession and at a 4-month follow-up using 3-day food diaries, blood glucose data, and paper-and-pencil tests of diabetes-related knowledge, self-efficacy, coping strategies, and general problem solving. Improvements were observed in self-efficacy, problem-solving skills, and self-reported coping strategies. No significant changes were observed in daily intake of fat, cholesterol, calories, mean blood glucose levels or blood glucose variability, and diabetes knowledge. Comparisons between the first group and the waiting list control group do not allow the significant pre-post changes to be clearly attributed to the summer school program.     

Predicting successful completion of an aftercare program following treatment for alcoholism: The role of dispositional optimism.

In this study we investigated several variables as potential predictors of success in completing a transition program after treatment for alcoholism. Subjects were 54 men who had completed a 30-day treatment program and who were subsequently admitted to a 90-day inpatient aftercare program. The outcome measure was successful completion of this latter program. Predictor variables were dispositional optimism, hassles, uplifts, and several demographic variables. Optimism was positively associated with successful outcome. The simple association between uplifts and outcome also approached significance, but in the opposite to expected direction. Discriminant analyses used both of these variables, as well as age and education level, as predictors of successful outcome. There was no evidence of a role for hassles. Discussion centers on the importance of dispositional optimism as a predictor of successful adaptation in a variety of behavioral domains. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coping skills training: Attitude toward mental illness, depression, and quality of life 1 year later.

Presents a follow-up assessment of 18 outpatient clients who had participated in the author's (see record 1980-26239-001) coping skills curriculum of progressive relaxation, anxiety management, assertiveness, and self-reinforcement. Focusing on 3 outcomes that were not targets of training but were hypothesized as potential generalized effects of the intervention, the study revealed that coping-skills Ss held attitudes about the etiology of psychological problems (Opinions about Mental Illness Scale) consistent with those modeled during the program and reported less depression (Beck Depression Inventory) than 17 Ss in a supportive group counseling program. No differences in quality of life emerged between the 2 groups. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Word-processing training and retraining: Effects of adult age, experience, and interface.

Novice (Experiment 1) and experienced (Experiment 2) young, middle-aged, and older adults learned a new word-processing application in keystrokes, menus, or menus-plus-icons interface conditions. Novices showed strong age differences in the time to complete the 3-day tutorial and in declarative and procedural tests of word-processing knowledge. Menus and menus-plus-icons were superior to keystrokes conditions, though interface did not interact with age. Experienced users showed age-related slowing in learning rate but minimal age differences in test performance when retrained on a new word-processing program. Age and computer experience accounted for much of the variance in both learning time and word-processing performance; interface type, speed of processing, and spatial generation ability made additional contributions. Experience interacted with age to predict performance. Implications for training and retraining older workers are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comparative toxicity of azinphos-methyl to house mice, laboratory mice, deer mice, and gray-tailed voles

A laboratory toxicity study on house mice and laboratory mice (Mus musculus), gray-tailed voles (Microtus canicaudus), and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) was conducted as part of a comprehensive laboratory and field study to field validate laboratory-based risk assessment of pesticides. The single dose oral LD50 for the organophosphorus insecticide azinphos-methyl (Guthion) was 10, 11, 32, and 48 mg/kg body weight in wild house mice, laboratory mice, gray-tailed voles, and deer mice, respectively. Ten-day dietary LC50s were 277 ppm for laboratory mice, 297 ppm for gray-tailed voles, and 1,180 ppm for deer mice. All treated animals lost more weight, consumed less food, and had depressed brain cholinesterase (ChE) activity compared to controls. Five-day LC50s were significantly higher than 10-day LC50s for laboratory mice and deer mice. For all three species, animals that died during dietary LC50 tests had mean ChE activity of 50-55% while survivors had 56-70% of controls. The conclusions were that: (1) Laboratory mice were not representative of deer mice or gray-tailed voles with respect to sensitivity to azinphos-methyl, but provided a conservative estimate for risk assessment; (2) 10-day dietary LC50 tests indicate substantially greater estimates of toxicity of azinphos-methyl to rodents than do 5-day tests; and (3) brain ChE depression of 45-50% was lethal in these species.     

Using the assessment center method to predict senior management potential.

Investigated the extent to which advancement to senior management (SM) levels can be predicted from assessment center (AC) results and whether people with different assessment profiles have different probabilities of advancement. A study of 115 people who attended the AT&T Advanced Management Potential Assessment Program between 1982 and 1985 indicates that AC ratings can also be used to identify people with SM potential. Among all Ss, those who received ratings of excellent potential were more likely to advance to SM positions than those seen as having less potential. Ss with different assessment dimension profiles had different chances for success. Suggestions for establishing a senior level assessment program are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Description and evaluation of the Iowa Depression Awareness, Recognition, and Treatment Program

OBJECTIVE: The National Institute of Mental Health developed the Depression Awareness, Recognition, and Treatment Program to provide up-to-date information and training to health, mental health, and social service professionals regarding the identification and treatment of depression. This study was undertaken to evaluate a series of these programs for professionals who provide services to rural residents in the Midwest. METHOD: The 18 2-day training programs were attended by a total of 1,221 participants, physicians, psychologists, social workers, and nurses. Participants' knowledge regarding depression was assessed both before and after each program. Practice characteristics and perceived ability to assess and treat depression were assessed. Finally, 6-month follow-up evaluations of the usefulness of the training to the participants were undertaken. RESULTS: Following the programs, participants evidenced significant increases in levels of knowledge of depression and a high degree of satisfaction with most elements of the program. Six-month follow-up evaluations indicated a continued positive evaluation of the program. CONCLUSIONS: These outcomes suggest that the goals of the Depression Awareness, Recognition, and Treatment Program were met and provide support for the wider dissemination of these training programs.     

Effect of periodic "head-foot" G-forces in a short-radius centrifuge on human cardiovascular system responses

During 3- and 6-day immersion studies test subjects were two or three times a day (60 min each time) exposed to head-to-feet acceleration of 1-2 G in a 2 m arm centrifuge. In 297 runs cardiovascular reactions were compared with respect to their adaptation or cumulation. The results showed that the principle of periodic application of acceleration in a short-arm centrifuge as a countermeasure against cardiovascular deconditioning can be complemented by the principle of cyclic exposures. The study demonstrated that 3-day cycles including 60 min exposures to 1-2 Gz twice a day were most efficient.     

Incidence and prevalence of intracranial aneurysms and hemorrhage in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1965 to 1995

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of acquiring ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and the impact on costs when extending ventilator circuit change intervals beyond 2 days to 7 and 30 days. DESIGN: Prospective 4-year review of mechanically ventilated patients. SETTING: The respiratory and medical ICUs of an 800-bed tertiary teaching Veterans Affairs hospital. PATIENTS: All adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation from January 1991 through December 1994. INTERVENTIONS: Ventilator circuits with active heated water humidifiers were changed at 2-day intervals during a 2-year control period, followed by 7-day and 30-day intervals (for 1 year each). Heated wire circuits were adopted with the 30-day interval. The rate of VAP per 1,000 ventilator days was calculated for each circuit change interval group. Survival analysis was used to model VAP with ventilator circuit change to determine risk. RESULTS: During the study period, 637 patients received mechanical ventilation. During the 2 years with 2-day change intervals, the VAP per 1,000 ventilator days was 11.88 (n=343), compared with 3.34 (n=137) and 6.28 (n=157) for 7-day and 30-day change intervals, respectively. The risk of acquiring a VAP for those with a circuit change every 2 days was significantly greater (relative risk, 3.1; p=0.0004; 95% confidence interval, 1.662, 5.812) than those with the 7- and 30-day circuit changes. Extending circuit change intervals reduced supply and labor costs averaging $4,231/yr for each ventilator in use. CONCLUSIONS: Circuit change intervals of 7 and 30 days have lower risks for VAP than the 2-day intervals, yielding substantial reductions in morbidity as well labor and supply costs.     

The effectiveness of a tobacco prevention program with adolescents living in a tobacco-producing region

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the efficacy of a social-influences tobacco prevention program conducted with adolescents living in a high tobacco production area. METHODS: Students in 10 experimental schools completed the tobacco prevention program and a booster intervention. Control students received health education as usual. RESULTS: After 2 years of treatment, smoking rates in the treatment group (vs the control group) were lower for 30-day, 7-day, and 24-hour smoking. The intervention had more of an impact on those who were involved in raising tobacco than it did on those not involved in raising tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: Although modest, effects were achieved with minimal intervention time in a high-risk group, indicating that social-influences prevention programs may be effective in such groups.     

Consistency of seizure frequency estimates across time, methods, and observers.

32 persons with intractable, partial seizures and 17 observers participated in a 2-phase assessment procedure designed to assess the consistency of seizure frequency reports across observers, time, and methods. During Phase 1, Ss and observers provided retrospective seizure frequency estimates for 2 consecutive 30-day intervals. During Phase 2, Ss and observers completed a daily seizure diary for 30 days. Retrospective estimates were highly stable over 2 mo, and substantial consistency was found between 2 different recording methods (recall vs diary) for Ss with epilepsy. Observers' retrospective estimates were only moderately correlated with their prospective diary counts. Agreement between Ss' and observers' retrospective reports was high. Seizure frequency reports of Ss with partial epilepsy showed consistency across time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nitrogen retention in men fed isolated soybean protein supplemented with L-methionine, D-methionine, N-acetyl-L-methionine, or inorganic sulfate

The ability of various sulfur-containing compounds to replace L-methionine (L-Met) was investigated by metabolic balance studies in man. N-acetyl-L-Methionine (AcMet), D-methionine (D-Met), and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) were used to supplement a diet deficient in sulfur amino acids. The daily diet contained 4.5 g nitrogen (N) from isolated soybean protein (SB) and 4.5 g from glycine and alanine (9 g total N). SB diet was given alone or supplemented to six adult men for periods of 9 days after a standardization period with an equal N eggwhite diet, preceded by a 2-day zero N adaptation period. Supplements provided equivalent amounts of sulfur to that present in 420 ml L-Met, the amount added to SB to bring the total sulfur amino acid content to 900 mg/day. AcMet was as benfeficial as L-Met in improving N balance but D-Met was not as effective as L-Met. Difference between balances obtained with L-Met and Na2SO4 was not significant due to large variation in response to Na2SO4. While addition of D-Met to SB did not result in significantly greater N retention than unsupplemented SB, NA2SO4 addition did cause increased N retention.     

Maximum exercise tests on "postcoronary" patients

The maximum oxygen intake has been measured directly (uphill treadmill walking) in 36 patients following recovery from myocardial infarction. These were selected as follows: 15 consecutive new entrants to an exercise program that is currently accepting about one-sixth of the total reported myocardial infarction hospital admissions in metropolitan Toronto (group A), 12 patients not responding well to training (group B), and 9 patients now running substantial distances (group C). The only clinical complications were two episodes of ventricular tachycardia. Twenty patients reached an oxygen plateau, and in group C, the maximum heart rate (170/min) reached Scandinavian norms, with a maximum oxygen intake (2.63 +/- 0.35 1/min STPD, 36.9 +/- 4.8 ml/kg-min STPD) as in healthy men of the same age. The rate of adaptation to a progressive submaximum test was such that comparable Astrand nomogram predictions of VO2max were obtained from data in the 3rd and 5th min at the third load. Predictions generally agreed closely with directly measured values. It may be concluded that in patients who have recovered sufficiently to enter an exercise rehabilitation program 1) predictions of VO2max have about the same accuracy (+/-10) as in healthy subjects, and 2) direct measurements can often be pursued to an "oxygen plateau" without due risk.     

Tumor necrosis factor accounts for the neutrophil emigration activity released by cultured malignant fibrous histiocytoma cells

Cultured malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) cells obtained from a spontaneous and transplantable rat tumor were studied for their ability to release tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and a factor which induces neutrophil migration in vivo. MFH cells obtained from 7-day cultures spontaneously released both activities into the supernatant (TNF: 36 +/- 9 IU TNF/ml supernatant, N = 3; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: control, Medium ip: 6 +/- 1 x 10(6); MFH supernatant: 18 +/- 1 x 10(6) neutrophils/cavity, N = 5). These releases were enhanced by treating MFH cells with LPS (TNF: 61%; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: 46%) and were abolished by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (TNF: 68%; neutrophil chemoattractant factor: 100%). Anti-TNF antiserum abolished the neutrophil chemoattractant activity of the supernatants (95%). The release of TNF or neutrophil chemoattractant activity was reduced in cells obtained from older cultures (14 and 21 days) (TNF: 7-day culture, 36 +/- 9; 14-day culture, 19 +/- 2; 21-day culture, 19 +/- 1 IU of TNF/ml; neutrophil chemoattractant activity: 7-day culture, 18 +/- 1.6; 14-day culture, 13 +/- 3; 28-day culture, 8 +/- 1 x 10(6) neutrophils/cavity). The predominant cells present in 7-day cultures of MFH were histiocyte-like cells as determined by nonspecific esterase methods. The number of these cells decreased as the cultures aged (7-day culture, 71%; 14-day culture, 5%; 21-day culture, 0%). In conclusion, our results show a strong association between the intensity of the neutrophil chemoattractant activity and TNF concentration in the supernatants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

On affection, group composition, and self-actualization in sensitivity training.

Studied 40 interdenominational missionaries in a 5-day, residential, human relations sensitivity training program. Ss were placed in 4 groups according to premeasured compatibility for affection on the Fundamental Interpersonal Orientation-Behavior scale. The hypothesis is that Ss in 2 incompatible affection groups would gain significantly more on dimensions of self-actualization (Personal Orientation Inventory) than Ss in 2 compatible affection groups was supported on the Inner Directed, Feeling Reactivity, Spontaneity, and Capacity for Intimate Contact scales. The implications of preselected group composition models are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Flexispira rappini" bacteremia in a child with pneumonia

We describe a case of "Flexispira rappini" bacteremia from a 9-year-old girl who presented with a 5-day history of fever, productive cough, and malaise. A chest X-ray result was compatible with right middle lobe pneumonia. Blood culture grew a gram-negative spiral fusiform bacterium 2 days after the inoculation. Biochemical tests showed the organism to be catalase negative, oxidase positive, sodium hippurate hydrolysis negative, and urea hydrolysis negative. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified this organism as "F. rappini," showing a six-base substitution from the type strain. This is the first report of "F. rappini" bacteremia in a human, suggesting that this organism has the potential of causing invasive infection, but its role in pneumonia is uncertain and could be unrelated to the bacteremia.     

Electromyographic response of the labial muscles during normal liquid swallows using a spoon, a straw, and a cup

PURPOSE: To determine if ethnic and gender differences in smoking (lifetime prevalence and 30-day prevalence) exist among a cohort of Asian, black, Hispanic, and white inner-city adolescents during the 3-year middle school period. METHODS: Students in 22 urban schools completed self-report questionnaires and provided carbon monoxide breath samples at three annual assessments. Chi-square analyses were conducted to test for associations between ethnic group (Asian, black, Hispanic, and white) and smoking and to test for gender differences in smoking within each ethnic group. Additional analyses examined differences in smoking between two Hispanic subgroups (Puerto Rican and Dominican). RESULTS: Ethnicity was associated with lifetime smoking prevalence at all three assessment points but was only associated with 30-day smoking prevalence at the 2-year follow-up. However, there were no differences in smoking between Puerto Rican and Dominican youth. Black girls reported higher lifetime smoking prevalence than black boys at all three assessments. At the 2-year follow-up, Asian boys reported higher lifetime smoking prevalence than Asian girls; Hispanic girls reported higher 30-day prevalence than Hispanic boys. CONCLUSIONS: White and Hispanic adolescents were at higher risk for smoking relative to Asian and black adolescents. With the exception of white youth, gender differences were found within each ethnic group.     

A group assessment procedure as a predictor of on-the-job performance of teachers.

The predictive power of a streamlined group assessment (GA) procedure (derived from assessment center methodology) for evaluating candidates for a teacher education program was investigated. Results were compared with principals' evaluations of on-the-job teaching success and with college faculty evaluations. The study population included 231 graduates of a teacher's college, who had been assessed by the procedure at time of admission. Ss were reevaluated by college faculty 3 yrs later at graduation and again by principals 2–5 yrs after graduation. Of the original Ss, 122 were traced after graduation; 78 were employed. Results indicate that the GA procedure was significantly predictive of success on the job, as well as in the training program. The study demonstrated the meaningful, long-term predictive validity of the GA procedure. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)