Mandibular fractures following third molar extraction. A retrospective clinical and radiological study

Health care workers (HCW) are at risk of occupationally acquiring Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published guidelines for health care facilities to protect HCW. One of the recommended elements is TB infection surveillance among HCW using purified protein derivative (PPD) skin testing and analysis of the data by occupational group and work location to determine areas of increased risk of infection. At the military medical center (MMC) we studied, occupational groups with statistically significant (p < 0.05) above-average PPD conversion risk (> 1.1%/year) included respiratory therapists (15.6%/year), nursing technicians (2.3%/year), and military personnel (1.6%/year). Maintenance and engineering workers (2.6%/year), food service workers (2.5%/year), laboratory workers (2.0%/year), custodial workers (1.8%/year), and practical nurses (1.7%/year) had above-average, but not statistically significant, risk. The fourth floor of the MMC had 39% (21/54) of the converters. The surveillance program also uncovered 235 individuals who had not completed adequate prophylactic therapy, and a case of active TB in a laboratory worker.     

Personality correlates of academic stability among university freshmen.

Personality and cognitive complexity measures were administered to freshman students during registration week at the University of Calgary. After registration for the following academic year, the student's second year, the sample was categorized on the basis of the registrar's student records. Five categories were established which included students who had (1) progressed through the first year without a program change, (2) registered but had not attended classes during the first year, (3) withdrawn from their first year, (4) changed faculty, and (5) withdrawn during first year but returned to resume studies at the next registration. Complete information was secured for 1,038 students, 581 males and 457 females. Students who continued to second year without change and those who withdrew but returned the following year were found to have significantly lower extraversion scores and significantly higher need for structure scores. The results are interpreted as offering only a partial answer to the question as to why students withdraw during their first year. Other factors requiring investigation are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Separation-individuation and adjustment to college: A longitudinal study.

Aimed to (1) chart late-adolescent individuation from freshman to junior year in college, (2) further examine previously reported sex differences in separation–individuation and college adjustment, and (3) assess the within-year and across-year association between individuation and adjustment. As part of an ongoing longitudinal project, 130 students completed measures of separation–individuation and college adjustment early in their freshman year (D. K. Lapsely et al, 1989). In the present follow-up study, 81 of those original Ss completed measures in their junior year. The results indicated significant increases in individuation from parents over time along most but not all dimensions of individuation for both men and women. Gender specific patterns of individuation/adjustment emerged in freshman and junior year. In general, independence from parents in freshman year did not predict junior year college adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Asthma and other atopic diseases in Australian children. Australian arm of the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis in Australian schoolchildren using the protocol of the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC). DESIGN: Questionnaire-based survey. SETTING: Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide (in winter-spring, 1993) and Perth (in winter-spring, 1994). SUBJECTS: All children in school years 1 and 2 (ages 6-7 years) or in year 8 (ages 13-14 years), attending a random sample of 272 schools, stratified by age and city. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Parent-reported (for 6-7 year olds) or self-reported (for 13-14 year olds) symptoms of atopic disease in the previous 12 months, or ever; treatment of asthma; and country of birth. RESULTS: 10,914 questionnaires were completed for 6-7 year olds and 12,280 for 13-14 year olds (84% and 94% response rates, respectively). Prevalence of wheeze in the past 12 months was 24.6% for the 6-7 year olds and 29.4% for the 13-14 year olds, and, among 6-7 year olds, was significantly higher in boys (27.4%) than girls (21.7%). Children born in Australia were more likely to report current wheeze than those born elsewhere (6-7 year olds: odds ratio [OR], 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-2.15; and 13-14 year olds: OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.68-2.11). Prevalences of current eczema and allergic rhinitis were 10.9% and 12.0%, respectively, for the 6-7 year olds, and 9.7% and 19.6%, respectively, for the 13-14 year olds. Asthma, eczema and rhinitis coexisted in 1.8% of 6-7 year olds and 2.8% of 13-14 year olds. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that asthma prevalence in Australian schoolchildren is continuing to increase and is higher among Australian-born children than among those born elsewhere. Asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis coexist to a lesser extent than expected. These results form the basis for future Australian and international comparisons.     

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and 1-year outcome in depression

The relationships of longitudinal biological measures to longer-term outcome in depressed patients have not been well explored. This study was designed to investigate whether in a sample of depressed patients: (a) symptomatic and functional outcome at 1 year was significantly different in psychotic major depressed (PMD) patients as compared with nonpsychotic major depressed (NPMD) patients and (b) high urinary or plasma cortisol levels at baseline or 1 year were associated with poorer outcomes at 1 year. Forty-two depressed patients (9 psychotic, 33 nonpsychotic) were evaluated at baseline and at 1 year using a battery of clinical ratings and measures of cortisol. A group of normal, healthy control subjects were similarly evaluated at baseline. At 1-year follow-up, PMD patients did not differ from NPMD patients in their Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores (BPRS), but PMD patients demonstrated significantly poorer social and occupational functioning. Significant correlations were observed (n = 18) between higher levels of urinary and plasma cortisol at 1 year and poorer social and occupational functioning at 1 year, independent of the degree of residual depression. In contrast, baseline measures of urinary and plasma cortisol did not predict social and occupational functioning at 1 year.     

Lower limb surveillance following autologous vein bypass should be life long

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate whether infrainguinal vein graft surveillance can be stopped at 1 year without prejudicing graft or leg survival. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 351 infrainguinal vein bypass grafts (326 patients) that had been entered into a vein graft surveillance programme between 1988 and 1997. RESULTS: Some 104 grafts (30 per cent) developed significant new vein graft stenoses, 95 (91 per cent) of which occurred within 12 months. After 1 year, the risk of developing a significant graft stenosis was 3 per cent per year. Sixty-nine grafted limbs (20 per cent) developed new arterial inflow or run-off stenoses that required intervention, but only 37 (54 per cent) occurred within the first year, after which the risk was 9 per cent per year. The overall risk of developing a new vein graft or arterial stenosis after 1 year was 10 per cent per year. CONCLUSION: The incidence of vein graft stenosis decreases significantly 1 year after operation but there is still at risk of developing potentially graft-threatening arterial stenoses. Legs that have undergone infrainguinal vein bypass grafting should continue to be monitored in a surveillance programme for life.     

Cost effectiveness and quality of life in knee arthroplasty

Few studies quantitate the cost of a quality well being as produced by arthroplasty surgery. The objective was to use the Quality of Well Being Index to calculate the cost per quality of well year in knee arthroplasty surgery. The difference in Quality of Well Being Index scores before and after the intervention was calculated and multiplied by the patient's life expectancy. The procedure cost was divided by this quantity resulting in the cost of a quality well year. One hundred patients underwent a primary knee arthroplasty. There were 30 males (average age, 62 years old) and 70 females (average age, 64 years old). The calculated costs per a quality well year were $30,695 (standard deviation $90,883) at 3 months, $17,804 (standard deviation $25,888) at 6 months, $11,560 (standard deviation $11,874) at 1 year, and $6656 (standard deviation $3567) at 2 years postsurgery. Health economists consider an intervention costing less than $30,000 per quality of well year a bargain to society. Cost effectiveness of knee arthroplasty surgery compares favorably with other surgical interventions such as coronary artery bypass surgery ($5000 per quality of well year) and extremely favorable with medical treatments such as renal dialysis ($50,000.00 for the quality well year). Knee arthroplasty is a cost effective procedure and should be considered an appropriate investment by society.     

"Separation-individuation and adjustment to college: A longitudinal study": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by K. G. Rice (Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1992, Vol 39[2], 203–213). A corrected version of Table 7 is presented. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1992-25243-001.) Aimed to (1) chart late-adolescent individuation from freshman to junior year in college, (2) further examine previously reported sex differences in separation–individuation and college adjustment, and (3) assess the within-year and across-year association between individuation and adjustment. As part of an ongoing longitudinal project, 130 students completed measures of separation–individuation and college adjustment early in their freshman year (D. K. Lapsely et al, 1989). In the present follow-up study, 81 of those original Ss completed measures in their junior year. The results indicated significant increases in individuation from parents over time along most but not all dimensions of individuation for both men and women. Gender specific patterns of individuation/adjustment emerged in freshman and junior year. In general, independence from parents in freshman year did not predict junior year college adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Should students have a gap year? Motivation and performance factors relevant to time out after completing school.

Increasingly, school leavers are taking time out from study or formal work after completing high school—often referred to as a “gap year” (involving structured activities such as “volunteer tourism” and unstructured activities such as leisure). Although much opinion exists about the merits—or otherwise—of taking time out after completing school, relatively little research has sought to understand the gap year from a psychoeducational perspective. Harnessing the theories of planned behavior and reasoned action and using structural equation modeling, the author examines the academic factors that predict gap year intentions among 2,502 high school students (Study 1) and the academic profile in respect to gap year participation of 338 students in university or college (Study 2). Findings in Study 1 show that postschool uncertainty and lower levels of academic motivation predict gap year intentions, that lower motivation and lower performance predict postschool uncertainty, and that these effects are significant over and above the effects of demographic (gender, age, ethnicity) covariates. Findings in Study 2 show that gap year participation positively predicts academic motivation and that this effect is significant over and above the effects of demographic covariates. The present investigation centrally positions psychoeducational theorizing in relation to the potential yields of a gap year in resolving problematic motivation and performance profiles that may have precipitated students' postschool uncertainty and interest in taking a year out after completing school. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early and late weight gain following smoking cessation in the Lung Health Study

The authors examine weight gains associated with smoking cessation in the Lung Health Study (1986-1994) over a 5-year follow-up period. A cohort of 5,887 male and female smokers in the United States and Canada, aged 35-60 years, were randomized to either smoking intervention or usual care. Among participants who achieved sustained quitting for 5 years, women gained a mean of 5.2 (standard error, 5.0) kg in year 1 and a mean of 3.4 (standard error, 5.5) kg in years 1-5. Men gained a mean of 4.9 (standard error, 4.9) kg in year 1 and a mean of 2.6 (standard error, 5.8) kg in years 1-5. In regression analyses, smoking-change variables were the most potent predictors of weight change. Participants going from smoking to quit-smoking in a given year had mean weight gains of 2.95 kg/year (3.61%) in men and 3.09 kg/year (4.69%) in women. Over 5 years, 33% of sustained quitters gained > or = 10 kg compared with 6% of continuing smokers. Also among sustained quitters, 7.6% of men and 19.1% of women gained > or = 20% of baseline weight; 60% of the gain occurred in year 1, although significant weight gains continued through year 5. The average gains and the high proportions of sustained and intermittent quitters who gained excessive weight suggest the need for more effective early interventions that address both smoking cessation and weight control.     

Aerosols: a re-emerging treatment

OBJECTIVE: To describe the variation in the use of radiotherapy (RT) in women in Ontario within 1 year of diagnosis of breast cancer, from 1982 to 1991, and to identify factors associated with these variations. DESIGN: Retrospective, population-based cohort study. SETTING: Ontario. POPULATION: All women registered by the Ontario Cancer Registry (OCR) with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer between Jan. 1, 1982, and Dec. 31, 1991. INTERVENTIONS: RT to any anatomic site within 1 year of the diagnosis of breast cancer. OUTCOME MEASURES: Odds of receiving RT within 1 year of diagnosis (from RT files from all radiotherapy departments in Ontario) associated with year and with geographic, age-related and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: Use of RT within 1 year of diagnosis increased from 21.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 19.8-22.4) in 1982 to 44.7% (95% CI 43.4-46.0) in 1991 (p < 0.0001). Among the regions of Ontario, the use of RT varied from 24.5% (95% CI 23.5-25.6) to 44.4% (95% CI 43.0-45.9) (p < 0.0001). Increasing age was associated with decreasing likelihood of receiving RT (test for trend p < 0.0001), as was decreasing income (test for trend p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of RT within 1 year of the diagnosis of breast cancer in women in Ontario varies by region, age and income. Despite universal and comprehensive health insurance coverage, women with breast cancer in some populous regions of Ontario were less likely to receive RT within 1 year of their diagnosis than women in other populous regions.     

Composition of the council of representatives: Report on the apportionment ballot for representation year 2011.

Each year, the apportionment ballot is used to determine how many representatives each division and state, provincial, and territorial association will have on the Council of Representatives. The system is described in Article V, Sections 6 and 7, of the American Psychological Association (APA) Bylaws. Briefly, all APA fellows, members, and voting associates are sent an apportionment ballot on or before November 1. Voting members indicate the division( s) and/or state, provincial, or territorial association(s) through which they desire to have their interests represented on Council in the following year by allocating a total of 10 votes to one or more of these groups. Beginning with the 2003 legislative year the total number of representatives (seats) on Council was set at 162. This article reports the apportionment ballot for representation year 2001. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pharmacokinetics of dolasetron with coadministration of cimetidine or rifampin in healthy subjects

This study examines normative bone mineral density (BMD) data, as measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the ultradistal radius, in 332 Scottish women aged 18-90 years, comparing it to a recently reported normal German population. The normative Scottish data were higher in almost all decades compared with German counterpart, percentage differences being +0.002%-+21.6% for total (Qtot), and -0.06%-+31.9% for trabecular (Qtrab) BMD. Differences in calibration of the Stratec XCT-960 and XCT-900 systems are thought to be largely responsible for these differences. Estimated age-related changes were determined in the Scottish population. A cubic regression model best fitted age-related changes in the whole population, and changes as a function of years postmenopause in the postmenopausal subgroup, for Qtot, subcortical (Qscort), and cortical (Qcort) BMD, whereas a parabolic regression model best fitted corresponding changes in Qtrab BMD. Percentage age-related changes (5 years: 10 years postmenopause) in Qtot (-0. 79%-1.12%/year) and Qscort (-0.72%-1.12%/year) were greater than Qtrab (-0.53%-0.56%/year) in the early postmenopausal years. Maximum age-related changes were found at 20 years postmenopause for Qtot (-1.36%/year), Qscort (-1.39%/year), and Qcort (-1.39%/year). This study has highlighted variation in normative data derived by different Stratec pQCT systems. The estimated age-related changes suggest that early postmenopausal bone loss preferentially affects subcortical rather than trabecular bone at the radius.     

Government support of psychological research: Fiscal year 1958.

"In fiscal year 1958 (ending June 30, 1958), approximately $23,900,000 were obligated by some 12 departments and subdivisions of the federal government for the conduct of research in psychology and closely related areas. This is an increase of about $8,000,000 over the support reported for fiscal year 1957, and about $13,000,000 over that for fiscal year 1956." 4 tables indicate: (a) expenditure by agency, (b) research areas in psychology supported, (c) expenditure by geographic region, (d) obligations of federal government for research by scientific fields. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Postremission therapy with two different dose regimens of cytarabine in adults with acute myelogenous leukemia

Sixty-seven out of 105 (64%) adults with de novo acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), achieving complete remission after induction chemotherapy, entered two successive postremission treatment protocols. Between 1987 and 1989, 35 patients received an intermediate dose of cytarabine (IDAC) along with other drugs. Between 1990 and 1993, 32 patients received high dose cytarabine (HIDAC) with similar other drugs. Patients treated with IDAC had a median survival of 13.8 months (95% CI 11.2-23.1 months) and a 2 year survival of 34.3 +/- 8.0%. Patients receiving HIDAC had a median survival of 35.5 months (95% CI, lower limit 29.8 months) and a 2 year survival of 71.6 +/- 9.4% (P < 0.002). The 2 year actuarial leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 17.8 +/- 6.6% in the IDAC group and 67.3 +/- 10.0% months in the HIDAC group (P = 0.004). The HIDAC group had a significant 2 year survival advantage over the IDAC group only in patients younger than 45 years. The 2 year survival in the first group was 83.3 +/- 10.8% versus 23.5 +/- 10.3% in the IDAC group (P = 0.0001). In patients older than 45 years, no significant differences in 2 year survival was noticed (52.9 +/- 15.78 versus 44.4 +/- 11.7, P = 0.8). Censoring the 21 patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) at BMT did not change significantly the survival analysis of the patients in each group. This study is consistent with previous reports favoring HIDAC intensification in the postremission treatment of young patients with AML.     

Telephone versus mail interventions for maintenance of physical activity in older adults.

Although telephones and the mail are often used to promote physical activity, their ability to produce long-term maintenance is unclear. In this study, 140 men and women aged 50–65 years received 1 year of telephone counseling aimed at the adoption of higher (i.e., more vigorous) versus lower intensity (i.e., moderate) exercise. After 1 year, participants were rerandomized to a 2nd year of contact via (a) telephone and mail or (b) predominantly mail. Participants who were prescribed higher intensity exercise and who predominantly received mail had better exercise adherence during the maintenance year than those who received telephone and mail. Both strategies were effective in promoting maintenance in the lower intensity condition. Results suggest that after successful adoption of physical activity with the help of telephone counseling, less intensive interventions are successful for physical activity maintenance in older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Composition of the Council of Representatives: Report on the Apportionment Ballot for Representation Year 2005.

Reports on the apportionment ballot for representation year 2005. Each year, the apportionment ballot is used to determine how many representatives each division and state, provincial, and territorial association will have on the Council of Representatives (Council). Beginning with the 2003 legislative year, the total number of representatives (seats) on Council was set at 162. The 162 seats will be divided into two pools, one for divisions and one for state, provincial, and territorial associations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Iliac artery stenoses after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: follow-up with duplex ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To assess iliac artery stenosis before and up to 1 year after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with duplex ultrasound (DUS) to determine the incidence of residual and recurrent stenoses and correlate these findings to clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients with 70 iliac artery segments treated with PTA were examined. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) ratio (PSV ratio = PSV in stenosis divided by PSV proximal or distal to stenosis) was determined by DUS before PTA and 1 day, 3 months and 1 year after PTA. Three categories of results were identified by using PSV ratios at the site of the treated stenosis 1 day and 1 year after PTA (good result, residual stenosis, and recurrent stenosis). The DUS-determined anatomic result was correlated with the clinical outcome at 1 year. Clinical outcome was classified according to Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery (SVS/ISCVS) criteria. RESULTS: Good results with DUS (PSV ratio 1 day and 1 year after PTA > or = to 2.5) were found in 45 of 70 segments (64.3%), residual stenoses (PSV ratio > or .5 1 day after PTA) in 15 of 70 segments (21.4%), and recurrent stenosis (PSV ratio 1 day after PTA < 2.5 and 1 year after PTA > or = 2.5) in 10 of 70 segments (14.3%). PSV ratios of residual stenoses decreased significantly between 1 day and 1 year after PTA because some residual stenoses improved hemodynamically in time. Clinical results were significantly better in patients with a good result compared with other patients. However, the clinical outcome of patients with residual stenoses was not significantly different from the patients with good DUS results. CONCLUSION: Some residual stenoses improved sonographically after PTA. Clinical results at 1 year are highly variable within different groups. Clinical outcome of patients with residual stenoses did not differ from patients with good DUS results, whereas clinical outcome in patients with recurrent stenoses was worse than in the other groups.     

Deamidation of Cdc42 and Rac by Escherichia coli cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1: activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in HeLa cells

PURPOSE: To examine the relation between grating acuity at age 1 year and Snellen acuity and grating acuity at 5.5 years, in preterm children with birth weights less than 1251 g. METHODS: Subjects were participants in the multicenter study of Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity. The Teller acuity card (TAC; Vistech Consultants, Dayton, OH) procedure was used to measure monocular grating acuity in children at ages 1 and 5.5 years. Early-treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) charts were used to measure the childrens' monocular recognition (Snellen) acuity at age 5.5 years. Data are presented for 575 eyes with measurable TAC grating acuity at 1 year and 111 eyes that had no measurable acuity at 1 year. RESULTS: Among eyes with normal acuity at 1 year, 86.8% showed normal Snellen acuity, and 94.3% showed normal grating acuity at 5.5 years. Among eyes that were blind (i.e., had no measurable TAC grating acuity) at 1 year, 96.8% showed no quantifiable Snellen acuity, and 89.2% showed no quantifiable grating acuity at 5.5 years. Only 2.4% of eyes had acuity in the range between normal and blind at 1 year (i.e., measurable grating acuity <1.6 cyc/deg); thus, the predictive value of acuity scores in this range could not be determined. Correlation analysis indicated that the relative position within the normal range of an eye's grating acuity score at 1 year was not predictive of the relative position within the normal range of that eye's acuity score at 5.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Among a large population of low-birth-weight infants, eyes with normal grating acuity at age 1 year generally showed normal Snellen and grating acuity at age 5.5 years, and eyes that had no quantifiable acuity at 1 year remained blind at 5.5 years. Relative position of an eye's acuity score within the normal range was not predictive of the relative position of that eye's later acuity score.     

Multiyear Temporal Changes in Chlorinated Solvent Concentrations at 23 Monitored Natural Attenuation Sites

Long-term (e.g., 5–15 years) groundwater concentration versus time records were compiled from 47 near-source zone monitoring wells at 23 chlorinated solvent sites (52 total records). Chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC) concentrations decreased significantly in most of the 52 temporal records, with a median reduction in concentration of 74%. A statistical method based on a Mann–Kendall analysis also showed that most sites had statistically significant decreasing concentration trends over time. Median point decay rate constants (kpoint) values were calculated for nine sites containing tetrachloroethene (PCE); 13 sites containing trichloroethene (TCE); two sites containing cis-1,2-dichloroethene (DCE); and six sites containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). The TCA sites had the highest kpoint values (0.34/year) followed by PCE, DCE, and TCE (0.23/year, 0.16/year, and 0.11/year, respectively) (equal to decay half-lives of 2.0, 3.0, 4.3, and 6.1 years, respectively). If the median point decay rates from these sites are maintained over a 20 year period, the resulting reduction in concentration will be similar to the reported reduction in source zone concentrations achieved by active in situ source remediation technologies (typical project length: 1–2 years).