Parenting behaviors and parent-child relationships: correlates of peer victimization in kindergarten?

This study examined features of parenting behavior and the parent-child relationship as correlates of peer victimization in young children. A sample of 197 kindergartners (94 girls and 103 boys) and their primary caregivers were videotaped in their homes while engaging in multiple interactional tasks, and peer victimization data were gathered on children as they began kindergarten. The video-recorded interaction data were used to create measures of parenting behavior (e.g., intrusive demandingness, responsiveness) and relationship quality (i.e., intense closeness), which were examined as predictors of peer victimization. High intrusive demandingness and low responsiveness were associated with peer victimization in both boys and girls, and parent-child relationships characterized by intense closeness were associated with higher levels of peer victimization in boys. Results are discussed in terms of the role that caregiver socialization plays in the development of child behaviors that may increase children's risk for peer victimization.     

Diabetic retinopathy

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy may cause visual loss when associated with macular edema or macular ischemia (secondary to retinal capillary nonperfusion). Proliferative diabetic retinopathy may cause severe visual loss if complicated by vitreous hemorrhage or traction detachment of the macula. Patients with diabetes benefit from collaboration between the internist and ophthalmologist. Tighter control of blood glucose levels and lower blood pressure reduce the risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy. Regular dilated eye examinations and appropriate intervention with laser or vitrectomy surgery help to preserve vision in patients with established macular edema or proliferative diabetic retinopathy.     

Stroke prevention in non-rheumatic atrial fibrillation

The aim of this study was to appreciate the accuracy of the technique for sensitivity test for M. tuberculosis. We have tested the same bacterial strains (101) using the same drugs concentrations, by absolute concentration method, and we have compared the results obtained in two different laboratories. The concordance of the obtained results (94.05% for SM, 97.03% for INH, 99.01% for RMP, 100% for EMB) is in the limits of reproducibility obtained by other authors. The obtained results show a good technique for sensitivity test in the two laboratories.     

3H-morphine-6beta-glucuronide binding in brain membranes and an MOR-1-transfected cell line

Morphine-6beta-glucuronide (M6G) is a potent morphine metabolite. In an effort to further explore its mechanisms of action, we synthesized 3H-M6G of high specific activity and examined its binding. Although its affinity toward traditional mu receptors is similar to morphine in binding assays in brain and in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with MOR-1, M6G is >100-fold more potent than morphine in analgesic assays. This apparent discrepancy cannot be explained by differing intrinsic activities of the two drugs because both agents are partial agonists with similar efficacies in adenylyl cyclase assays in the transfected cell lines. Behavioral studies have implied the possibility of a distinct M6G receptor. Detailed binding studies in brain tissue reveal evidence for heterogeneity. Nonlinear regression analysis of 3H-M6G saturation studies reveals two components. The lower-affinity component (K(D) = 1.93 +/- 0.6 nM) corresponds to labeling of traditional mu receptors. In addition, 3H-M6G labels another site of low abundance with very high affinity (K(D) = 68 +/- 7 pM). Competition studies indicate that both sites are relatively mu selective. However, several compounds clearly distinguish between the two sites. These binding studies support the concept of a unique M6G receptor responsible for its analgesic activity.     

Population dynamics of Aeromonas spp. in an urban river watershed

Density of Aeromonas spp. at one site in the Buffalo River and at four sites on its upstream tributaries was followed from June 1992-June 1993. Membrane filtration counts of Aeromonas during the summer ranged between 18 and 4000 ml-1, which were one to two logs higher than faecal coliform and faecal streptococci densities. Aeromonas spp. in the Buffalo River, and faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci, and the heterotrophic plate count throughout the watershed, increased by approximately one log during summer rainstorms. However, Aeromonas spp. increased only by a factor of two during rainstorms at the upstream sites. Aeromonas spp. showed a strong positive correlation with both indicator bacteria and total suspended solids at the upstream sites during the summer but not the winter. Correlations between Aeromonas and indicator bacteria remained strong in the Buffalo River during the winter, signifying that different conditions exist in the Buffalo River and its upstream tributaries. The strong correlation between Aeromonas spp. and indicator bacteria in the Buffalo River suggest that, in the absence of media capable of the quantitative recovery of potentially pathogenic aeromonads, standard faecal coliform analyses may adequately assess public health risks from Aeromonas spp. in an urban river used for recreational purposes.     

Local environments of erbium and lutetium in sodium silicate glasses

The coordination environments of Er and Lu in sodium silicate glasses are probed through a unique analysis of L₃ X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) combined with extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). By using the observed splitting of the empty 5d manifold of the lanthanides in combination with the EXAFS data, we demonstrate that Er and Lu are 6-coordinate in well-defined sites with relatively high symmetry.     

Use of extendable total femoral replacements in children with malignant bone tumors

Although rarely required, extendable reconstruction devices for replacing the entire femur offer children with malignant bone tumors the opportunity of a nearly normal development by overcoming an expected leg length discrepancy. Femoral integrity can be restored, allowing most patients to walk without the use of aids. There are no data available to provide evidence regarding long term results and morbidity in such patients. Six patients (range 2-12 years of age), three with osteogenic osteosarcoma and three with Ewing's sarcoma, were treated between 1988 and 1996 with custom made Stanmore extendable prosthetic total femoral replacements. One patient died 12 months after surgery because of complications relating to pulmonary metastasis. The remaining five patients were observed between 2.7 and 8.9 years (average, 5 years). No tumor recurrence has been recorded and no amputation has been performed. All surviving patients underwent an average of 9.4 operative procedures (range, 4-16 procedures) including 6.4 extension procedures (range, 3-10 procedures), and one prosthetic revision (range, 0-3 procedures). Five revisions in two patients were necessary because of infection, loosening of the prosthesis, mismatch between femoral head and acetabulum, or full extension of the extending mechanism. The functional results were measured in accordance with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society rating score, with an average result of 77.3%. Total femoral replacement in a growing individual achieves good functional results yet has various risks for an uncertain outcome. Careful selection of the patient and realistic appraisal of the long term prospects are essential for successful treatment.     

Diuretic-based treatment and cardiovascular events in patients with mild renal dysfunction enrolled in the systolic hypertension in the elderly program

BACKGROUND: It is expected that the treatment of hypertension in patients with renal disease decreases the risk of cardiovascular events, but the evidence in these patients is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of diuretic-based treatment on cardiovascular events in patients with isolated systolic hypertension and renal dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 4336 persons aged 60 years and older with systolic blood pressures of 160 mm Hg and higher and diastolic blood pressures of less than 90 mm Hg were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or chlorthalidone (12.5-25.0 mg/d), with the addition of atenolol (25-50 mg/d) or reserpine (0.05-0.10 mg/d) if needed, and observed for 5 years. The risk of first-occurring cardiovascular events, including stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, heart failure, coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty, aneurysm, endarterectomy, sudden death, or rapid death, was stratified according to baseline serum creatinine levels (35.4-84.0, 84.1-101.6, 101.7-119.3, and 119.4-212.2 micromol/L [0.4-0.9, 1.0-1.1, 1.2-1.3, and 1.4-2.4 mg/dL]). RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure reduction was not affected by baseline serum creatinine levels. Active treatment did not affect the risk of serum creatinine levels becoming elevated during follow-up. The risk of hypokalemia with active treatment decreased significantly with increasing baseline serum creatinine levels. In the 4 baseline serum creatinine groups, the relative risk (95% confidence interval) of cardiovascular events developing with active treatment was 0.73 (0.54-0.97), 0.63 (0.49-0.82), 0.62 (0.44-0.87), and 0.59 (0.38-0.91). The results were similar for the outcomes of stroke or coronary artery events and in analyses stratified by sex or age. CONCLUSION: Diuretic-based treatment of patients with isolated systolic hypertension prevents the development of cardiovascular events in older persons with mild renal dysfunction.