Serial marriage: A heuristic analysis of an emerging family form.

We discuss serial marriage, defined as three or more marriages as a result of repeated divorce, from a heuristic perspective. We estimate the prevalence of the phenomenon and advance hypotheses based on existing empirical, clinical, and theoretical work concerning the development of this life-style and its consequences for family members. We discuss possible outcomes of children in serial marriage families. We present conceptual and theoretical considerations for the study of serial marriage, as well as suggestions for future research directions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Granulins: the structure and function of an emerging family of growth factors

BACKGROUND: Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was performed on 50 primary head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) to discover molecular genetic alterations underlying the progression of these tumors. METHODS: In CGH, equal amounts of differently labeled tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and normal reference DNA were hybridized simultaneously to normal metaphase chromosomes. They were visualized by different fluorochromes, and the signal intensities were quantitated separately as gray levels along the single chromosomes. The over- and underrepresented DNA segments were determined by computation of ratio images and average ratio profiles. RESULTS: Prevalent changes observed in more than 50% of the HNSCC included deletions of chromosomes 1p, 4, 5q, 6q, 8p, 9p, 11, 13q, 18q, and 21q and DNA overrepresentations of 11q13 as well as 3q, 8q, 16p, 17q, 19, 20q, and 22q. The calculation of ratio profiles of tumor subgroups revealed that well differentiated carcinomas (G1) were defined by the deletions of chromosomes 3p, 5q, and 9p together with the overrepresentation of 3q, suggesting the association with early tumor development. Accordingly, the undifferentiated tumors (G3) were characterized by additional deletions of chromosomes 4q, 8p, 11q, 13q, 18q, 21q, and overrepresentations of 1p, 11q13, 19, and 22q. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the CGH patterns of chromosomal imbalances may help to define the malignant potential of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.     

Quantitative risk assessment: an emerging tool for emerging foodborne pathogens

New challenges to the safety of the food supply require new strategies for evaluating and managing food safety risks. Changes in pathogens, food preparation, distribution, and consumption, and population immunity have the potential to adversely affect human health. Risk assessment offers a framework for predicting the impact of changes and trends on the provision of safe food. Risk assessment models facilitate the evaluation of active or passive changes in how foods are produced, processed, distributed, and consumed.     

The emerging role of hospitalists--will family physicians continue to practice hospital medicine?

Adult intussusception is rare and is usually caused by a tumor serving as a lead point. Surgery is necessary to treat obstruction and rule out malignancy. However, if a benign cause (lipoma, fibroma, or Meckel's diverticulum) is suspected preoperatively, a minimally invasive surgical approach should be considered. This case illustrates the laparoscopic management of benign small bowel intussusception due to lipoma.     

Serratia odorifera biogroup I: an emerging pathogen

Gram-negative bacteremia is a common cause of infection in hospitalized patients. Serratia sepsis is known to cause clinically significant morbidity and mortality. The most common species involved is Serratia marcescens. Clinicians have been uncertain as to the role of Serratia odorifera biogroup 1 as a human pathogen because most isolates have not been associated with invasive disease. In previous publications, 12 cases have been described in which S odorifera biogroup 1 caused sepsis. These observations verify the organism's role as a human pathogen.     

Editorial. Phencyclidine: an emerging drug problem

A technique was developed for catheterization of the portal vein in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Silicone rubber catheters (0.040 ID by 0.085 inch OD, or 0.030 ID by 0.065 inch OD) were surgically placed into the portal vein via the umbilical, inferior mesenteric, right colic, or ileocolic veins. The right colic and ileocolic veins proved to be the preferred route for catheterization. Both single end-hole and multiple end-hole catheters with 2 side holes were used. Catheter function was dependent upon proper placement within the portal vein and on maintaining patency. Single-hole catheters were successfully maintained by periodic flushing (2-3 times daily) with heparinized saline solution (1.5-4.0 units/ml), and multiple-hole catheters were best maintained by a continuous flow (1-2 ml/hour) of heparinized saline solution (1.5 units/ml). No adverse clinical effects due to the portal catheter were observed in any of the monkeys catheterized. The technique allowed placing the monkey in a restraint chair, thus enabling one to utilize the monkey in a conscious state.     

Tuberculosis in the newborn: an emerging disease

During the last three years 172 diagnostic laparoscopies (DL) were performed at our department in patients with an acute abdomen of unclear causes. This corresponds to 17% of all patients who underwent operation due to an acute abdomen in the same period. Always the indication for a diagnostic laparoscopy arose then, when the cause or the localization of the acute abdomen could not be found by conventional diagnostic methods. The advantages of DL were either the confirmation (93%) or the exclusion (7%) of the diagnosis "acute abdomen", the exact localization and simultaneously a definitive operative treatment of the cause by minimal invasive interventions (n = 109/65%). In these patients with acute abdomen the main causes were acute inflammations of gallbladder (n = 48) and appendix (n = 29), ulcus perforations (n = 9) and ileus (n = 9). The conversion rate amounted to 2.7%, the postoperative complication rate to 11% and the lethality rate to 1.8% in these patients. A new indication is the so-called "bedside laparoscopy" as means to control the postoperative course of mesenteric embolism (n = 9) and diffuse peritonitis (n = 3) in order to avoid the stress of a second-look operation for these seriously ill patients or to secure the indication for relaparotomy.     

Skull base surgery: an emerging new specialty

The field of Skull base Surgery evolved rapidly over the past several years. The techniques that were developed now make it possible to treat lesions that were previously deemed inaccessible. This article is a review of some of the aspects of this evolving specialty. Three representative cases will be presented and discussed with special emphasis on patient selection, surgical complications and postoperative rehabilitation.     

Behavioural medicine: Preview of an emerging field.

Attempts to define the field of behavioral medicine, using examples of possible research problems, past research, and presently funded projects in the US and Canada to expand the definition. (French summary) (36 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acute coalescent mastoiditis in an infant: an emerging trend?

There is some evidence to suggest that the incidence and complications of ACM may be increasing. However, in the current era of widespread access to health care and broad-spectrum antibiotics, an intratemporal or intracranial complication from acute otitis media may not initially be suspected. The reported case is significant in that the patient was very young, had no underlying disease or immunocompromise, and did not have a known antecedent acute otitis media. With the emergence of resistant streptococcal species and prolonged survival in immunocompromised patients, the relative incidence of complications caused by acute otitis media will probably continue to rise, making it imperative that we raise our index of suspicion for previously rare infectious complications of relatively common diseases.     

Sick building syndrome: an emerging stress-related disorder?

BACKGROUND: This study examined the role of work-related psychosocial stress in the aetiology of sick building syndrome and tested the hypothesis that in buildings with no recognized environmental problems, health complaints typical of the syndrome were primarily stress-related. METHOD: A case-control study used data from confidential questionnaires to assess symptoms and perception of the physical and psychosocial environment among 2160 subjects in 67 offices. Working conditions were also inspected and indoor air quality monitored. RESULTS: We found an incremental trend in prevalence of sick building syndrome among office workers who reported high levels of physical and mental stress, and decreasing climate of co-operation. This association was confirmed after multivariate adjustment for significant personal and environmental exposure factors. Using a subsample, we further modelled interaction between stress and the other covariates but none achieved statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed stress to be a significant and independent determinant of the health complaints, and that symptoms compatible with the sick building syndrome in many cases were stress-related. Our findings underscore the importance of personal and organizational stress management to prevent ill health at the office.     

Antimicrobial peptides: an emerging concept in cutaneous biology

In muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) excessive tension of both the internal and external laryngeal muscles is observed. In the present pilot study, 9 pairs of surface electrodes were used to determine the electromyographic (EMG) characteristics of different muscles in the perioral area and anterior neck before and during phonation. Eleven patients with MTD and 5 normal speakers were included within the study. The results show a 6-8-fold increase of EMG activity and/or an alternation of the EMG activity level in the perioral and supralaryngeal muscles before and during phonation in most of the patients with MTD. It is not clear whether these muscles are activated as compensation for excessive tension of internal laryngeal muscles, or whether they are responsible for some of the voice disorders.     

Female circumcision: an emerging concern in college healthcare

Female circumcision (clitoridectomy), a traditional practice in some Third World societies, is discussed, and related medical procedures are described. Medical and psychosexual implications for the patient are considered, and college health clinicians are encouraged to be prepared to see patients who have been subjected to the procedure and help these young women deal with attendant medical, emotional, and cultural issues. One female student's experience at her college health service is described.     

Human African trypanosomiasis: an emerging public health crisis

There is a dramatic resurgence of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in sub-Saharan Africa. T.b. gambiense is spreading epidemically in large areas of Central Africa, especially the Southern Sudan, Congo-Zaire, Angola, Uganda and the Central African Republic. Devastating epidemics of T.b. rhodesiense have occurred in south-eastern Uganda. The causes of the re-emergence of sleeping sickness as a public health problem include widespread civil disturbance and war, declining economies, reduced health financing and the dismantling of disease control programmes. Despite the inevitably fatal outcome without treatment, HAT is often given low priority by donors and national governments. The advances made in diagnosis, treatment and vector control have not been sufficiently implemented. To limit the human impact in some of the poorest communities in Africa, endemic countries will require external support to implement strategies for disease control. Donor agencies, NGOs and mission organisations could play an important role in supporting control efforts. National authorities will need to control and co-ordinate these efforts with assistance from WHO and the international community.     

Survivors of childhood cancer and comparison peers: The influence of early family factors on distress in emerging adulthood.

This prospective study examines family predictors of distress among survivors of childhood cancer and comparison peers during the transition to emerging adulthood. Children with cancer (n = 55), comparison peers (n = 60), and parents completed measures of distress, family environment, social support, and demographic characteristics during initial treatment, as well as follow-up measures of young adult distress and demographic characteristics soon after participants turned 18 years old. Severity of initial treatment and late effects were rated by healthcare providers for participants with cancer. For all participants, mother and father report of initial parent distress was associated with their report of young adult distress at follow-up. Young adult gender moderated this association. For survivors of childhood cancer, severity of initial treatment and late effects also moderated the association between parent and young adult distress. Improving parent distress may help reduce child distress in general. For survivors specifically, ameliorating the impact of initial treatment and long-term physical problems may be beneficial. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)