HIV risk among Latino adolescents in two New England cities

OBJECTIVES: Latino adolescents in two urban New England areas were surveyed to assess risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. METHODS: Probability of HIV infection during the previous 6 months was estimated from self-reported sexual contacts, condom usage rates, and number of partners. Teens were also asked to show condoms in their possession to the interviewer to validate self-reports of condom use. RESULTS: Overall, 8% of the 586 respondents were classified as high risk for HIV infection (estimated infection probability greater than .0001), 34% were at moderate risk, and the remaining 58% were classified as not at risk (no sexual activity or needle sharing). Teens who said they had purchased condoms or claimed to have used them recently were more likely than others to have condoms in their possession at the time of the interview. CONCLUSIONS: These estimates suggest that a small percentage of Latino adolescents may be at substantial risk for HIV infection over periods as short as 6 months, that self-reports of recent condom use are strongly related to condom possession, and that questionnaire items regarding condom use at last intercourse are poor surrogates for HIV risk.     

Research on excess deaths among American Indians and Alaska Natives: a critical review

American Indians and Alaska Natives die younger and at higher rates proportionately than members of the general United States population. Causes of death among Native peoples in the U.S. have been the subject of numerous studies by health care professionals and social scientists. Many of these deaths are considered excess deaths, that is, deaths that occur statistically beyond the rate of incidence of the larger population. This paper examines 46 studies of excess deaths published within five years (1987 to 1993) and based on data gathered within ten years (1982 to 1992) and critiques the studies for methodology and context. Existing studies of excess death among Native peoples are limited by a lack of definitional clarity, ethnic misclassifications, lack of multidisciplinary and Native representation on research terms, superficial analysis of statistical findings, overrepresentation of data for some tribes and underrepresentation for others, bias for quantitative research methods and unbalanced prioritization.     

Shaping ability of Lightspeed rotary nickel-titanium instruments in simulated root canals. Part 1

Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) is an oral agent capable of inducing chronic diarrhoea and colonic inflammation and necrosis in rats. The role of the afferent nerves in this model of colonic mucosal damage is not known. The hypothesis that functional ablation of the capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves will aggravate DSS-induced colonic damage in rats was tested. Capsaicin pretreatment was used to ablate afferent nerve function and DSS was administered in the drinking water. Control rats received vehicle pretreatment and water without DSS. There were significant correlations between diarrhoea score, mucosal neutrophil infiltration, mucosal necrosis, and anaemia. Capsaicin pretreatment increased diarrhoea score and colonic mucosal neutrophil infiltration in the rats with colonic damage after 2 or 14 days of DSS. In addition, it induced anaemia and mortality in rats after 14 days of DSS. The data supports the hypothesis that functional ablation of the capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves aggravates the colonic damage induced by DSS.     

Empirical evaluation of DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder criteria in children and adolescents

Evaluated the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. [DSM-IV], American Psychiatric Association, 1994) generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) criteria in children and adolescents. Clinic-referred children meeting criteria for DSM-IV GAD, those meeting criteria for another DSM-IV anxiety disorder, and normal children participated in a structured interview and completed self-report questionnaires. Groups were compared in terms of interview and self-report measures to examine convergent and discriminant validity. In addition, developmental differences, cross-informant symptom and syndrome agreement, and validity of parent and child report were determined. Finally, the symptoms comprising the GAD associated symptom criterion (Criterion C) were examined in terms of rate of endorsement and predictive power. Results showed that parameters of worry differentiated children with GAD from those with other anxiety disorders and controls. Developmental differences in the sample did not appear to necessitate a separate criteria set for the classification of generalized anxiety in children of this age. Symptoms from GAD Criterion C evidenced moderately high rates of endorsement and acceptable predictive power. Overall, the DSM-IV GAD criteria for children and adolescents are supported, but further evaluation is necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn.     

Chorea caused by lithium intoxication: a case report and literature review

We report a patient who developed an acute, reversible, generalized choreiform disorder from lithium (Li) intoxication. This medication was prescribed for manic-depressive disorder, and serum levels became elevated after the addition of a diuretic for the treatment of hypertension. There were no other apparent causes for the movement disorder, and it was associated with other known features of Li intoxication, including ataxia and encephalopathy. There was a delay between the initial symptoms of Li intoxication and the onset of chorea. The chorea improved as serum Li levels diminished, with some lag time. This represents the eleventh case report of Li-induced chorea, but only the sixth in a patient without concomitant neuroleptic therapy, and the first presented with videotape confirmation. A review of these other cases is included, and possible mechanisms are discussed.