Review of Experiential Groups in Theory and Practice.

Reviews the book, Experiential Groups in Theory and Practice by Kjell Erik Rudestam (1982). Rudestam's intention in part is to provide a text that would be suitable for instructing both undergraduate and graduate-level students in a number of current approaches offering therapy in groups. His choice of title appears to refer not only to the models he has selected for discussion but also to his general aim of providing opportunities for experiential learning as well as developing "cognitive" understanding. In general, the latter is encouraged by his clear and readable exposition and the systematic approach he has taken to organizing the material. Opportunities for experiential learning are made possible by the inclusion of group exercises which typify those used by each approach. For every exercise, the purpose, time and materials, and preparation on the part of the leader, if any, are specified, and the procedure to be followed is outlined in detail. Apart from these exercises, the reader's first-hand appreciation of an approach is enhanced through the inclusion of segments of actual verbal transactions. As illustrative material, these segments have been well chosen--indeed, one wishes that more such material could have been provided. This book offers a readable introduction to an interesting collection of current approaches to group therapy and suggests the means whereby students' learning can be enhanced through some first-hand experience. Its principal shortcoming lies in the lack of emphasis placed on critical analysis by the author. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Quality of life: CVA patients take stock

Exposure to low-energy ultrasound shock waves (1000 impulses at a frequency of 2/sec and an energy density of 0.08 mj/mm2; peak positive/negative pressure 16/-7 MPa; pulse duration about 10 musec) led to the following alterations in the cells and tissues of stage 35 embryos of Oryzias latipes ranked according to their extent: (1) In various tissues, especially in the trunk musculature, orthodox mitochondria were transformed into condensed (= low energy) mitochondria. (2) Nuclear envelopes and sarcoplasmatic reticulum of muscle fibres as well as endoplasmatic reticulum of epidermal ionocytes were often vesicularly dilated. (3) Muscle fibres in the trunk musculature began to separate from each other. Epidermal intercellular spaces were enlarged and increased in number. (4) Destruction of vessels and haematomas were observed in the circulatory system of the yolk sac. (5) Necroses up to total disintegration were found in various organs of the body cavity (intestine, liver, spleen). The less serious alterations (1 and 2) occurred in organs completely surrounded by other tissues. Major damages (4 and 5), however, affected only organs with free outer and inner surfaces, probably explained by cavitation and jet stream phenomena within the adjacent fluids.     

Hyperthermia and AIDS: a critical review

Torsade de pointes in the congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is often pause dependent. Thus, the main goal of pacemaker treatment in the LQTS may be the prevention of pauses that facilitate the onset of torsade de pointes. A pause prevention pacing algorithm (rate smoothing) was used for arrhythmia prevention in a 14 year old girl with congenital LQTS. By temporarily increasing the pacing rate after spontaneous premature beats, rate smoothing down of 18% prevented postextrasystolic pauses, pause related T-U changes, and recurrence of pause induced torsade de pointes. Rate smoothing is a potentially useful tool that ought to be evaluated for the prevention of torsade de pointes in the LQTS.     

Frequencies of thalassemia in American blacks

The frequency of thalassemia was determined in a group of 541 healthy adult black males. Individuals with decreased mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values were evaluated further with hemoglobin analysis, iron studies, and globin chain synthesis. Of the males screened, 13.4% had MCH levels below 27.0 pg, while 1.4% had heterozygous beta thalassemia, 2.3% had iron deficiency, and 5.7% had globin synthesis findings compatible with the diagnosis of alpha thalassemia trait (alpha thalassemia-1). This study suggests that thalassemia is one of the most frequent hematologically depictable abnormalities in American blacks.     

Radiographic evaluation of pancreatico-jejunal shunts

This paper describes opacification and identification of two surgically constructed pancreatico-jujunal shunts. A fibreoptic panendoscope was used with retrograde injection via the ampulla of Vater (ERCP). This procedure makes possible more accurate anatomical evaluation and so more precise clinical appraisal of both pre- and post-surgical states.     

Thermodynamic functions of disulphur decafluoride

Thermodynamic functions of disulphur decafluoride have been calculated over the range 200–1000°k. The results from a possible equilibrium reaction of disulphur decafluoride have been used to calculate an approximate value for the heart of formation of disulphur decafluoride.     

Allergic contact dermatitis and stomatitis caused by a cinnamic aldehyde-flavored toothpaste

A patient had acute stomatitis and dermatitis due to a popular toothpaste containing cinnamon oil flavor. Cinnamon cassia oil is known as a topical sensitizer and was demonstrated to be the offending allergen. Cinnamic aldehyde and related chemicals are used widely, so that patients having cinnamon allergy may be exposed to many sources. There is difficulty in diagnosing allergic contact stomatitis.     

Trisomy 13 mosaic presenting as cleft lip and palate

A mosaic trisomy 13 presenting as a case of cleft lip and palate in the newborn is described. However, when the child was admitted to hospital at the age of 6 weeks because of failure to gain weight and a malformation of the great vessels was demonstrated, cytogenetic studies were carried out. The diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 13 (90% normal, 10% trisomic) was established from a leukocyte culture. Since, occasionally, mosaic trisomy 13 may mimic cleft lip and palate in the newborn, cytogenetic studies are indicated in the presence of any additional anomaly.