A bleach program for inmates in NSW: an HIV prevention strategy

Syringe cleaning guidelines for injecting drug users (IDUs) were revised in 1993. This paper examines efforts by IDUs in NSW prisons to adopt the revised guidelines in 1994. Consecutive inmates (229) nearing release were visited and asked to call a toll free number for an interview once released. Respondents (102) did not differ from non-respondents (127). Many respondents (64%) reported ever injecting and many of these reported injecting (58%), sharing (48%) and syringe cleaning (46%) when last in prison. Some (23%) respondents reported adopting the revised syringe cleaning guidelines. Tattooing (38%) was reported more often than sexual activity in prison (4%). A new methodology for prison research was found to be feasible in this study. The potential for HIV to spread in prison still poses major public health challenges.     

Beyond relevance--characteristics of key papers for clinicians: an exploratory study in an academic setting

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine what factors beyond relevance influence a clinician's decision to choose to read one journal article over another in satisfying an information need. DESIGN: Seventeen health care providers were interviewed and then surveyed regarding the characteristics of key articles (those they would not want to miss). On a Likert scale, the clinicians graded forty-two characteristics for importance in the decision process. Relevance was assumed and not at issue. SETTING: The study took place in an academic health science center. SUBJECTS: The subjects were seventeen clinicians, all with patient care responsibilities. There were four internists, four surgeons, three family practitioners, three pediatricians, two psychiatrists, and one clinical psychologist. RESULTS: Factors beyond relevance that most often influenced the decision process pertained to methodological rigor, authors and their institutional affiliations, document types, and population studied. CONCLUSIONS: Among the clinicians surveyed, factors beyond topicality influenced judgments as to what constitutes an important article. The emphasis respondents gave to certain attributes is echoed in other published work and highlights the need for more intensive investigation of these non-subject indicators as search parameters. Improved searching capabilities might well lead to a significant reduction in the clinician's information overload.     

Depression among elderly Chinese immigrants: an exploratory study

Despite an increase in the population of elderly Chinese immigrants, little is known about their mental health problems. The most prevalent mental health problem of elderly people-depression-often goes unrecognized and untreated. In an interview format, the author administered the Geriatric Depression Scale and measures of health status, living situation, stressful life events, and informal support to a community sample of 50 elderly Chinese immigrants recruited at senior centers and meal sites. Respondents who rated their health as good, who lived with others, and who were satisfied with help received from family members were least likely to be depressed. The impact of these factors on the mental health of elderly Chinese immigrants can be understood in light of their unique cultural values.     

Quality of life assessment by community pharmacists: an exploratory study

MtDNA sequencing was used to investigate the genetic population structure of Litoria pearsoniana, a wet forest-restricted hylid frog, endemic to southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales, Australia. L. pearsoniana is regarded as endangered under Queensland legislation. Significant genetic divergence among populations of frogs from different rainforest isolates was identified, but the lack of reciprocal monophyly among adjacent isolates suggests this is the result of a relatively recent disruption to gene flow. A paired catchment study within a single rainforest isolate, the Conondale Range, revealed no substantial genetic structuring, indicating the occurrence of terrestrial dispersal among nearby streams either in the recent past or currently. Two major reciprocally monophyletic clades of mtDNA alleles were identified. These corresponded to two geographical regions separated by the Brisbane River valley; one consisting of the Conondale and D'Aguilar Ranges, and the other of the southern isolates in the Main, Border and Gibraltar Ranges. Sequence divergence between the two regions was more consistent with a late Miocene or Pliocene rather than late Pleistocene separation, and is similar to that found among phylogeographic divisions of rainforest reptiles and amphibians in north Queensland rainforests. The molecular evidence for long-term separation of these two regions is corroborated by the pattern of species turnover in the distributions of species of rainforest-restricted amphibians and reptiles. Bioclimatic modelling suggests that appropriate conditions for L. pearsoniana would have been restricted to isolated refugees in each phylogeographic division under cooler and drier climates, such as predicted for the last glacial maximum. Currently isolated montane areas may have been connected transiently during the past 2000 years. Identification of long-term zoogeographic divisions among southeast Queensland rainforest herpetofauna has important implications for conservation and management. Conservation management of L. pearsoniana should be applied at the scale of major rainforest isolates and the conservation status of the species should be assessed independently north and south of the historical division.     

Motor performance following a mild traumatic brain injury in children: an exploratory study

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a common occurrence in the paediatric population and, as the concept of motor performance has not been assessed specifically in this population, the purpose of this study was to determine if motor performance deficits are present and can be objectively identified in a sample of children having sustained a mild TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score 13-15). Twenty-eight children aged between 5 and 15 years were recruited immediately post-trauma. Subjects were considered normal on standard neurological exam at the time of discharge. They were assessed 13-18 days post-trauma using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, a norm referenced clinical standardized assessment tool. Compared to published norms, motor performance was significantly lower in domains of balance, response speed and running speed an agility (t-test p < 0.01), and significantly higher in domains of upper extremity coordination and visual motor control (t-test p < 0.01). Although excellent performance can be observed in domains requiring upper limb coordination, motor planning and execution of motor tasks, deficits in balance and response speed can be identified in a significant number of children even after mild TBI. More specific and sensitive evaluations are necessary to identify the exact nature of the problems and evaluate their functional impact on daily activities.     

Strategies for implementing a media-based AIDS prevention program.

We describe a media-based acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-prevention program involving print and TV media. For 6 consecutive days, 5- to 10-min segments addressing AIDS and the family were televised on the noon and 9 p.m. news broadcasts of a major local TV station in the Midwest. On the 1st day of the broadcast, more than 1 million educational supplements were distributed to the general public through a local newspaper. This manual provided viewers a more in-depth coverage of the issues presented on the TV broadcasts. Issues involved in the funding and creation of this program are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological consequences of an exercise training program for a paraplegic man: A case study.

Examined the effects of a 12-wk exercise training program on the mood states (assessed via the Profile of Mood States [POMS]) of a 27-yr-old spinal-cord-injured male in a rehabilitation hospital. S was administered the POMS immediately before and after the program and once each week during the program. S demonstrated major mood changes following exercise training, indicating a significant decrease in tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion and a significant increase in vigor. Findings support the hypothesis that vigorous physical exercise can be a useful therapeutic strategy with the disabled. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A controlled evaluation of an elementary school primary prevention program for eating problems

Researchers have recently called for the development of primary prevention of eating disorders programs aimed at elementary school students. The present study reports on the development of a curriculum for fifth graders designed to encourage healthy eating, exercise, and body image while discouraging calorie-restrictive dieting, exercising for weight loss, and the development of body dissatisfaction. The program consisted of ten lessons taught by the classroom teachers. The influence of the curriculum on (1) knowledge about nutrition, body fat, and dieting; (2) attitudes about fat people and own body (body esteem); and (3) behaviors, including attempts at weight reduction, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and exercising, were evaluated in a pre-post controlled experimental design. There were 222 white public school children who participated in both the pre- and posttesting, 167 of whom were in the classrooms receiving the curriculum. Results indicated that knowledge was broadly improved by the curriculum. There were information improvements in terms of nutrition, effects of dieting, and causes of body fat. Attitudinal changes were less pronounced, although the curriculum did positively affect attitudes about fat people. Behavior, including eating patterns, exercise patterns, weight reduction attempts, and teasing of fat children, was not changed by participation in the curriculum.     

Evaluation of a sexual assault prevention program.

The purpose of this investigation was to empirically evaluate a sexual assault prevention program. Of the 360 female college students who participated in the investigation, 181 students were in the treatment group and 165 students were in the control group. Although the program was not effective in decreasing the incidence of sexual assault for women with a sexual assault history, it was effective in decreasing the incidence of sexual assault for women without a sexual assault history. The program also led to a decrease in dating behaviors found to be associated with acquaintance rape and an increase in knowledge about sexual assault for the treatment group. The implications of these results for future preventive efforts are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characteristics of patients at risk for perioperative myocardial infarction after infrainguinal bypass surgery: an exploratory study

Two numerical brain phantoms were generated in order to investigate errors which might be included in the quantitative measurement of regional CBF with use of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The first phantom simulated the normal brain, and effects of the limited spatial resolution of the SPECT scanner were evaluated for 4 tracer kinetic models of the conventional microsphere model, the intra-carotid bolus injection technique of 133Xe, 133Xe Kanno-Lassen method, and the IMP-autoradiography (IMP-ARG) method. The second phantom simulated the diseased brain with middle-carotid artery (MCA) occlusion, and effects of the limited first-pass extraction fraction were investigated for the microsphere model with various permeability-surface area products. The limited spatial resolution caused systematic underestimation of the radioactivity concentration in the gray matter regions, and systematic overestimation in the low CBF regions. These errors in the original radioactivity distribution were found to cause further systematic errors in the calculated regional CBF images. It was also found that these errors were highly dependent on the tracer kinetic model employed, e.g., regional CBF values were overestimated in the clearance and the Kanno-Lassen methods compared with the conventional microsphere method, whereas values were underestimated in the IMP-ARG method. It was also shown in this study that the limited first-pass extraction fraction caused significant underestimation in the calculated rCBF values. In addition, regional contrast can be reduced when using a tracer with small PS product.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Secondary prevention with college drinkers: Evaluation of an alcohol skills training program.

This study evaluated secondary prevention approaches for young adults (N?=?36, mean age 23 yrs) at risk for alcohol problems. Ss were randomly assigned to cognitive-behavioral alcohol skills training, a didactic alcohol information program, or assessment only. The skills program included training in blood alcohol level estimation, limit setting, and relapse prevention skills. All Ss maintained daily drinking records during the 8-wk intervention and for 1 wk at each follow-up. Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) found a significant reduction over 1-yr follow-up in self-reported alcohol consumption for the total sample. For all drinking measures, the directional findings consistently favored skills training. Despite overall reductions, most Ss continued to report occasional heavy drinking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cortical areas and the control of self-determined finger movements: an fMRI study

We investigated cortical areas involved in the control of self-determined finger movements. In a tapping task, subjects tapped with different movement frequencies in two different movement conditions (predetermined vs self-determined). fMRI provided evidence for the involvement of the horizontal and ascending parts of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), the left superior frontal gyrus and the posterior cingulate gyrus in the control of self-determined finger movements. Higher movement frequency increased the extent of activated area only in the horizontal part of IPS. The results suggest a major role of the IPS in controlling sequences of finger movements. This area probably serves as a region for integration of motor, sensory and sensorimotor feedback information used for movement control.     

Evaluation of a sexual abuse prevention program for adults with mental retardation

We have measured the Fourier transform spectrum of natural OCS from 3700 to 4800 cm-1 with a near Doppler resolution and a line-position accuracy between 4 and 8 x 10(-5) cm-1. For the normal isotopic species, 37 vibrational transitions have been analyzed for both frequencies and intensities. We also report 15 bands of OC34S, eight bands of O13CS, nine bands of OC33S, and two bands of 18OCS. Important effective Herman-Wallis terms are explained on the basis of eigenvectors. A comparison of different line-pointing programs is also presented. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.     

Evaluating a prevention program for teenagers on sexual coercion: A differential effectiveness approach.

The authors evaluated a coeducational program for teenagers on preventing sexual coercion in dating situations. Students examined individual and social attitudes underlying coercive sexual behavior and learned communication skills aimed at preventing or dealing with unwanted sexual advances. Instruction was enhanced by video and an interactive video virtual date. Outcomes were assessed using sexual attitude scales with a sample of 458 high school students. Student health education classes were randomly assigned to either a treatment or a control condition. Findings, based on a latent variable model of differential effectiveness, showed that students in the treatment group with initial coercive attitude scores at or above the mean benefited significantly more than students with the same range of scores in the control group. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An evaluation of an orientation plus tutoring school-based prevention program.

Some children who transfer into new schools are high-risk candidates for school and later-life difficulties. During transfer, children are faced with the tasks of gaining teacher and peer acceptance, learning school rules, and meeting new academic standards. Children who fail in these tasks are often of low socioeconomic status (SES), show academic lag, and are confronted with multiple life stressors. In this study, 20 schools were randomly assigned to (1) an intervention providing transfer children with an orientation program and tutoring or (2) a control condition. 54 children in Grades 3, 4, and 5 who were assigned to the intervention showed significantly better achievement scores than a group of 52 controls. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multimodal cognitive-behavioural treatment for workers with chronic spinal pain: a matched cohort study with an 18-month follow-up

The BCL7A gene, which maps to human chromosome 12q24.13, was cloned through its direct involvement with MYC and IGH in a three-way translocation in a Burkitt lymphoma cell line. Here, we describe the identification of two related human genes, BCL7B and BCL7C, which share 90% identity to the amino-terminal 51 amino acids of human BCL7A, as well as 41% identity in the same region to Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Brugia malayi EST sequences. This degree of relatedness in the amino-terminal domain suggests we have defined a new gene family of unknown function. There was little sequence conservation between the family members outside this conserved domain and no identified protein motifs could be deduced. Human BCL7B and BCL7C mapped to chromosome 7q11.23, and 16p11, respectively. No chromosomal rearrangements affecting BCL7B or BCL7C were detected in lymphoid malignancies. BCL7B did, however, map within the region of 7q11.23 which is commonly deleted in the congenital disorder, Williams syndrome.     

Initiation and evaluation of a research-based fall prevention program

Phenomena of melanization of radioactively polluted soils, due to prevalence of melanin-containing species and positive radiotropism of some micromycetes have been found during monitoring of mycobiota of the 30-km alienation zone of the Chernobyl NPP for 10 years. To elucidate the contribution of the melanin system to the cell protection against irradiation, the influence of gamma-irradiation on the activity of protein synthesis in four Cladosporium cladosporioides (Fres.) de Vries strains has been investigated. Two strains isolated from radioactively polluted substrates were characterised by the presence of positive radiotropism. Laboratory strain 396 and its alb-mutant (with blocked melanin synthesis), did not possess this feature. The protein synthesizing activity was assayed by incorporation of 14C-leucine in the protein fraction of mycelium, grown during 7 days under continuous gamma-irradiation of low intensity and without it. The protein synthesis was activated in the radioactively treated mycelium of dark-pigmented C. cladosporioides strains and it was suppressed in similarly treated mycelium of alb-mutant of C. cladosporioides. The rate of 14C-leucine incorporation into biomass of investigated strains correlated with positive radiotropism. The dependence between protein synthesis intensity and the availability of melanin protection system in micromycetes is assumed.