Temperament as a predictor of behavior during initial dental examination in children

Temperament refers to children's behavioral style, or the manner in which they interact with their environment. Temperament has been quantified into nine temperament categories and five temperament constellations by Thomas and Chess. Temperament categories and constellations of children can be measured using one of several parental questionnaires, each of which focuses on age-appropriate behavior. For this study the Behavioral Style Questionnaire (BSQ) was administered to the parents of 50 healthy children (mean age 48.8 months) receiving initial dental examinations. The examinations were videotaped and The Ohio State Behavior Rating Scale (OSUBRS) was used to rate each child's behavior into one of four behavioral categories: 1) quiet; 2) crying only; 3) disruptive movement only; and 4) crying and disruptive movement. For data analysis the percentage duration of each behavioral category was calculated. Using one-way ANOVA, significant differences between constellations were found for quiet (P = 0.03) and combination behavior (P = 0.03). Using a stepwise linear regression, the temperament category of approach/withdrawal was found to predict the percentage of quiet (multiple R = 0.42357, R2 = 0.17941, and P = 0.002), crying (multiple R = 0.42124, R2 = 0.17744, and P = 0.002), and combination behaviors (multiple R = 0.30008, R2 = 0.09005, and P = 0.03). Additionally, significant regressions were found with temperament categories predicting behavioral categories depending on the child's age. The results of this pilot study suggest that the BSQ temperament constellations and categories appear to be modest predictors of a child's specific behaviors in the dental environment. Knowledge of a child's temperament may prepare the clinician to predict patient behaviors in the dental environment.     

Pulmonary function tests as a predictor of chronic lung disease in ventilated preterm infants

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine if the value of respiratory system compliance and lung resistance could be a good predictor of chronic lung disease (CLD) in an early stage of this disease. METHODS: The study was carried out on 48 preterms infant (BW < 1500 g) who were ventilated for respiratory distress, calculating pulmonary mechanics at 3, 5, 7 and 10 days of life with a standardized protocol of measurements. RESULTS: Infants who did not develop CLD showed higher values of respiratory system dynamic compliance (Crsdyn) than the CLD group since the 5th day of life (p < 0.001). The values of lung resistance show a statistical significant difference between groups since the 7th day of life. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that, with a well standardized method of measurements, the value of Crsdyn can well be a good predictor and a sensible prognostic factors for CLD.     

Infant auditory discrimination in preterm and full-term infants as a predictor of 5-year intelligence.

Examined the relation between responsiveness to auditory novelty in full-term and preterm infants at 4 mo and subsequent intellectual performance at 5 yrs of age. At 4 mo, cardiac response to repetitive and novel auditory stimulation was assessed using a variable-trials habituation procedure for 9 full-term and 19 preterm infants. Ss were followed until the age of 5 yrs, and intellectual performance was measured using the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. A statistically significant correlation of .60 was found between infant novelty response scores and 5-yr intelligence scores. Mother's education also related to 5-yr performance, although not significantly when the novelty response was partialed out. Results suggest that measures of early perceptual-memory development may reflect early cognitive processes necessary for later intellectual performance. Within the preterm group, there was a sample of male infants with below-average intelligence at 5 yrs. These Ss failed to respond to novelty, and their mothers had not completed high school. Thus, a subsample of high-risk Ss can be identified early in life. A significant positive relation was also found between scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and intelligence at 5 yrs of age. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cervical conization and preterm delivery/low birth weight. A systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of cervical conization on preterm birth/low birth weight (LBW). DESIGN: A systematic review of the literature using external or internal controls. RESULTS: The typical odds ratio for preterm delivery in women with prior cervical conization using external controls was 3.23 (95% confidence interval 2.29-4.55). Using internal controls the typical odds ratio for LBW was 2.97 (95% confidence interval 1.09-8.05). Using external controls the typical odds ratio for LBW was 2.31 (95% confidence interval 1.33-3.99). CONCLUSION: Women with cervical conization are at higher risk for preterm birth than external controls, and the surgical intervention as such is a major determining factor.     

An examination of college students' willingness to experience consequences as a unique predictor of alcohol problems.

The focus of the study was to examine (1) the unique variance between willingness to experience specific consequences (e.g., vomit) and reported experience of the consequence after controlling for drinking, and (2) the relationships between consequence specific constructs (attitudes and norms) and willingness to experience specific consequences in the context of a structural equation model. Freshmen students (n = 167) from a large northeastern university were randomly selected to participate. Results indicated willingness to experience consequences accounted for significant variance across consequence outcomes controlling for drinking. Significant relationships were observed between consequence specific constructs (attitudes and norms) and students' willingness to experience consequences. Findings provide empirical support that alcohol-related consequences have multiple determinants and are not only a function of alcohol consumption. Prevention efforts may benefit from a more comprehensive approach that includes both drinking and consequence-specific constructs as targets of change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social support as a predictor of variability: An examination of the adjustment trajectories of recent widows.

The variability pattern of emotional well-being in recent widows across a 98-day period beginning in the first month post-loss has previously been modeled by dynamical systems and shown to be an oscillating process that damps across time. The goal of the present study was to examine how variables that comprise the social support network predict characteristics of these emotional shifts in 28 recent widows. In the present study, emotional support seeking led to a steeper overall trend, whereas perceived control for social support led to a shallower overall trend. When examining intraindividual variability, instrumental support seeking predicted a slower damping rate. Understanding the individual differences in the variability patterns of recent widows is a necessary step in identifying the etiology of adjustment to widowhood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Laparoscopic ultrasonography as compared with static or dynamic cholangiography at laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A prospective multicenter trial

We compared laparoscopic ultrasonography (LICU) with static (S) or dynamic (D) cholangiography (IOC) for assessment of duct anatomy an calculi in 209 patients. LICU visualized ducts in 88% compared with 93% for IOC (P = 0.046). Nineteen patients (9%) had stones: 17 were found by LICU (89%) and 10 (53%) by IOC (P = 0.032). Time to perform LICU (7 +/- 3 min) was less than IOC (13 +/- 6 min) (P < 0.0001). Time to perform SIOC (12 +/- 5 min) and DIOC (14 +/- 6 min) did not differ (P = 0.48), nor did these tests differ in accuracy. LICU provided useful anatomical information but IOC better defined anatomic anomalies. LICU required less time but was less reliable at defining anatomy and complete duct visualization. LICU was more sensitive for stones. SIOC and DIOC did not differ objectively. LICU and IOC are complementary.     

The MMPI as a suicide predictor

MMPIs of 36 patient suicides (20 males and 16 females) were compared with 2 matching control groups (36 highly suicidal patients and 36 nonsuicidal patients; each group was matched with the suicide group by age and sex). Female suicides had higher Mf, Si, and Hy scores and lower K scores than the high-suicidal female controls, suggesting nondefensiveness, a more masculine interest pattern, social withdrawal, and denial and repression of inner needs and feelings. Male suicides were significantly differentiated from nonsuicidal males but not from the high-suicidal male controls. Nonsuicidal males had higher K and OH scores and lower Mf and D scores than the other 2 male groups, suggesting a more active, assertive, and self-protective stance. These differentiating patterns emerged from a population of voluntary psychiatric patients and are not necessarily generalizable to other populations. Results emphasize the necessity for knowing the population and the subgroups within; once these measures are taken, MMPI patterns appear to have usefulness in predicting suicide potential. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory as a predictor of disruptive behavior during an initial pediatric dental examination

Corticosteroids are the most effective drugs in the management of asthma. However, because of their known side effects and the existence of corticosteroid-resistant patients, there is a need for substitute medications in asthma therapy. Using cell lines, in the present study, the two corticosteroids dexamethasone (Dex), and beclomethasone (Bec), as well as the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA), and the antimetabolic drug methotrexate (Mtx) were examined in their effect on release of immunoreactive IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-8. THP-1 cells served as a test model for monocytes secreting IL-1 beta and IL-8 upon stimulation by lipopolysaccharide. Jurkat cells were used as a test model for TH1-type T-cells and were stimulated for IL-2 release with a combination of phytohemagglutinin and phorbol myristate acetate. Representing TH2-type T-cells, D10.G4.1 cells challenged by anti-CD3-mAb produced IL-4, and IL-5. Considerable qualitative and quantitative differences in the relative efficacy of the test compounds were found. Following IC50 values (nmol/l) of the test compounds were estimated (IL-1 beta/IL-8/IL-2/IL-4/IL-5): Dex (10.8/35.7/ > 10,000.0/5.1/4.1), Bec (30.9/102.2/8591.4/0.6/0.4), and CsA (318.7/6211.2/2.3/68.2/237.9). Mtx in concentrations up to 10,000.0 nmol/l was completely inactive. It can be concluded that corticosteroids show another inhibition pattern than CsA: corticosteroids affect mainly TH2-type T-cells, while CsA primarily inhibits the TH1-type T-cell response.     

Succinylcholine as a predictor in strabismus surgery

Succinylcholine was injected intraoperatively in 20 patients with congenital esotropia, before and after the surgical procedure. Regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the awake pre- and postoperative alignment and the drug-induced ocular positions, under anesthesia. The postoperative succinylcholine-induced ocular position was found to be a highly significant predictor of the one week postoperative alignment (r = 0.98, p less than 0.0001). Further investigation may lead to an ability to predict the postoperative alignment intraoperatively.     

Conservatism as a predictor of humor preferences.

Of a sample of 139 high school students, humor preference profiles were compared for 30 Ss scoring highest on the Conservatism Scale, and 30 Ss scoring lowest. As predicted, high-conservative Ss tended to prefer "safe," formal types of humor, e.g., puns, while low conservatives (liberals) expressed greater appreciation of transparently "libidinal" types of humor, e.g., sick and sexual. Results were interpreted as indicating the importance of individual differences in the extent to which it is necessary for appetitive content to be disguised by the structural aspects of the joke medium before humorous affect is evoked. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

SVIB as a predictor of job satisfaction.

A study was made of 185 graduates of professional curricula to test the hypothesis that job satisfaction in a certain occupation is related to congruent or appropriate interests in that occupation. Occupations represented were medicine, law, dentistry, mechanical engineering, accounting, and journalism. Ss were contacted by mail and asked to fill out 3 job satisfaction blanks and the SVIB. 12th grade SVIB scores were also available for each S. Only 1 of 56 relationships between interests and job satisfaction scores was significantly different from 0. The lack of relationships was true for both earlier and current testing of interests and for all 3 job satisfaction blanks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exploring self-efficacy as a predictor of disease management

This research examined lay relationship and partner ideals in romantic relationships from both a social-cognitive and an evolutionary perspective. Studies 1 and 2 revealed that the qualities of an ideal partner were represented by 3 factors (partner warmth-trustworthiness, vitality-attractiveness, and status-resources), whereas the qualities of an ideal relationship were represented by 2 factors (relationship intimacy-loyalty and passion). A confirmatory factor analysis in Study 3 replicated these factor structures but found considerable overlap across the partner and relationship dimensions. Studies 4 and 5 produced convergent and discriminant validity evidence for all 5 factors. Study 6 indicated that the higher the consistency between the ideals and related assessments of the current partner and relationship, the more positively the current relationship was evaluated.     

AVA as a predictor of occupational hierarchy.

High and low status male groups in industry were used to determine whether AVA can distinguish the 2. A Fisher 2-group discriminant analysis was applied to the data as well as a simple procedure using an AVA analyst. "Both methods proved to be highly successful… confirm existence of differences in temperament characteristics of personnel in higher and lower echelons… confirm power and efficiency of AVA in measuring these differences." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Preconceptional natural-killer-cell activity as a predictor of miscarriage

There is no immunological test for the prospective identification of alloimmune causes of miscarriage. We investigated whether activity of natural killer cells was predictive of subsequent abortion in women who had had unexplained recurrent abortions and had received no treatment. 24 women with high preconceptional NK activity, defined as mean plus 1 SD of NK activity of 47 controls, had a significantly higher abortion rate in the next pregnancy than 44 women with normal levels of NK activity (71 vs 20%; relative risk 3.5; 95% CI 1.8-6.5). The preconceptional evaluation of NK activity in women with recurrent miscarriages may thus be predictive of the risk of pregnancy loss at the next conception.     

Student-college congruency as a predictor of satisfaction.

Tested hypotheses about person-environment congruency, consistency, and differentiation from J. L. Holland's (1973) theory of careers. Ss were 1,878 undergraduates from 1 college and 1 university who had been given the Self-Directed Search before their freshman year followed by a satisfaction questionnaire 1 or 3 yrs later. 2 analyses were conducted. The 1st was a 3-factor multiple analysis of variance with school, sex, and congruency level as the independent variables. The 2nd was a 4-factor multiple analysis of variance with school, sex, consistency, and differentiation as independent variables. 3 college satisfaction measures were the dependent variables. Statistically significant main effects (p     

Particulate bioglass compared with hydroxyapatite as a bone graft substitute

Bioactive ceramics, notably hydroxyapatite, have been used clinically in various situations in which bone augmentation and restoration are required. Particulate material has been used either alone or in conjunction with freeze dried or autologous bone, with variable clinical success. In this study a bioactive glass, 45S5 Bioglass, has been compared with hydroxyapatite in an animal model to discover whether the 2 major disadvantages of hydroxyapatite may be overcome. These are the difficulty of placing and retaining the particulate in the defect and the length of time needed before full bony restoration is achieved. Bioglass is shown to be easy to manipulate and hemostatic and allows full restoration of bone in 2 weeks, rather than the 12 weeks needed for the particulate hydroxyapatite to produce a comparable response. The Bioglass particulate is used up in the process, and any problems that may be associated with the production of a composite of bone and biomaterial are avoided in the fully restored bone. In any procedure that requires bony augmentation, this rapid response to Bioglass is expected to provide a clinical advantage.     

Importance of attributions as a predictor of how people cope with failure.

This study examined the extent to which causal attributions were predictive of depressed mood in college students who experienced a negative event. In a replication and extension of a study by Metalsky, Abramson, Seligman, Semmel, and Peterson (1982), we evaluated students' attributional style and their attributions for an examination performance in the college classroom. Additionally, an indirect probe was used to assess unsolicited attributions. Subjects were asked about their plans to prepare for the next examination in order to test for the motivational deficits predicted by the reformulated learned helplessness (RLH) model. Unlike Metalsky et al., attributional style did not predict depressed mood following a disappointing examination performance. Attributions for the particular examination performance were predictive of depressed mood for students who were disappointed in their examination performance. Few subjects, 31%, gave attributions in response to the indirect probe, and there was no support for the prediction that unexpected negative events would lead to subjects' making more attributions. Internal, stable, and global attributions for poor examination performance resulted in students making more plans to study for the next examination, a finding contrary to what is predicted by the RLH model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)