Psychosocial Correlates of Wildfire Disaster: Post Disaster Adult Reactions

Thirty adults' psychosocial maladjustment associated with a wildfire were systematically examined,one and a half months after a major wildfire destroyed 420 homes. The level of psychopathology was determined through the use of standardized assessment instruments, including the Diagnostic Interview Schedule and the Impact of Events Scale. Victims' individual responses were evaluated,relative to a comparison group from the same community matched for age, gender socioeconomic status, and fire insurance. Increased levels of posttraumatic stress,depression,and anxiety symptoms were reported significantly more often among victims versus non-victims. Also, females more often reported greater levels of psychological symptoms than males.Parent status and previous disaster experience had no differential impact on victims' reactions. Implications are discussed in light of existing findings in this area of research.     

Intracellular signaling and phasic myometrial contractions

This article reviews recently reported observations regarding the intracellular signal transduction mechanisms involved in the generation of phasic contractions occurring in myometrial tissue. The presence of cell surface receptors for classic uterotonic agonists (including oxytocin, norepinephrine, vasopressin, acetylcholine, and prostaglandins [PGs]) has been well described; all are seven-membrane-spanning, G protein-coupled receptors. Occupancy of these receptors, coupled through members of the Gq and/or Gi families of heterotrimeric G proteins, results in stimulation of the phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) isoforms. Nonclassic uterotonic agonists, such as growth factors and cytokines, also activate the phosphatidylinositol (PI)-signaling pathway, in this case through tyrosine kinase receptor-mediated activation of the phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) isoforms. Several recent reports have demonstrated that activation of the PI-signaling pathway in uterine myocytes results in the development of cytosolic calcium oscillation-like phenomena. These cytosolic calcium oscillations appear to arise from repetitive cycles of emptying and refill of the endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores along with the influx of extracellular calcium. Calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores appears to be mediated by the inositol trisphosphate-sensitive and the ryanodine-sensitive receptor/channels; isoforms for both the these receptor/channels have been shown to be expressed in myometrial tissue. In summary, receptor-mediated activation of the PI-signaling pathway and the generation of cytosolic calcium oscillations appear to produce intermittent calcium transients that result in the development and maintenance of phasic myometrial contractions.     

Craniopharyngiomas in two consanguineous siblings: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We describe a double case of craniopharyngioma in consanguineous siblings, suggesting the disease is sometimes genetic. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Two typical adamantine craniopharyngiomas were observed in two consanguineous siblings. The brother and the sister, whose parents were first cousins, developed the tumors at the same age. INTERVENTION: The male patient was operated on using a frontopterional approach, and the tumor was completely resected. The patient remained free from recurrence 9 years after surgery. His older sister died after tumor removal was attempted at another institution. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, such a connection has never been reported in the literature. It suggests that craniopharyngioma, which is usually sporadic, can also be transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner.     

Craniopharyngiomas in adults and children. Study of a surgical series of 106 consecutive cases

This work is devoted to a 20-year retrospective study of 106 surgical cases of craniopharyngiomas in adults and children treated and followed by the same neurosurgeon. The mean follow-up was 7.2 years. In this homogeneous series, the aim was total microsurgical removal of the tumor, without post-operative radiotherapy. The operation was usually performed through a fronto-pterional approach, and, in some particular cases, through a transsphenoidal approach. The tumor removal was total in 59 cases, subtotal in 31 cases, partial in 16 cases. Even when the removal was not total, radiotherapy was not systematically administered, but was reserved for relapses. We have studied clinical signs, operation characteristics, ophthalmological, endocrinological and functional outcome, as well as recurrence risk and long-term survival. The functional results of our patients were excellent in 82%, good in 9%, fair in 8% (usually due to ophthalmological sequellae), and poor in 1%. Twenty-five patients recurred, but the salvage treatment, by reoperation or radiotherapy, was successful in almost 75%. The actuarial survival was 91% after 5 years, and 80% after 10 years. These results compare favorably with the literature data, suggesting that radical surgery of craniopharyngiomas allows good outcome in terms of survival, full recovery and quality of life, for both adults and children.     

Bisherige Erfahrungen mit Nicotinsalicylat zum Einfangen von Gams-, Stein- und Rotwild

Zusammenfassung Es wird über bisherige Erfahrungen über die Verwendung von Nikotinsalicylat zum Einfangen von Gemsen, Steinwild und Rotwild berichtet. Mit Hilfe des im Laufe der Versuche zur Bekämpfung von Gamsräude umgeänderten Cap-Chur-Gewehres war eine sichere intramuskuläre Injektion schließlich bei Schußentfernungen bis 70 m gewährleistet. Nikotinsalicylat hat sich bei Gemsen in einer Dosierung von 9–10 mg/kg, bei Steinwild von 5–6 mg/kg und bei Rotwild von 15 mg/kg Körpergewicht bewährt. Weitere Versuche an anderen Wildarten sind in Vorbereitung.

---

Summary It is reported on the experiences hitherto made of the employment of Nicotinsalicylat for the purpose of catching chamois, ibex and red deer. By virtue of the Cap-Chur gun, which was altered in course of the experiments (carried trough to reduce the scab of the chamois), a reliable intramuscular injection was finally guaranteed within the range of 70 m.Nicotinsalicylat proved in doses of 9–10 mg/kg applied to chamois,Nicotinsalicylat proved in doses of 5–6 mg/kg applied to ibex,Nicotinsalicylat proved in doses of 15 mg/kg applied to red deer.Further experiments with other races of game are prepared.

---

Résumé Il est rapporté les expériences qui ont été exécutés jusqu' à présent de l'emploi de Nicotinsalicylat pour prendre le chamois, le bouquetin et les bêtes fauves. Grâce au Cap-Chur fusil, qui fut modifié au cours des expériences faites pour réduire la gale de chamois, une injection sûrement intra-musculaire était garantie enfin jusq' à une portée de 70 m.Nicotinsalicylat a fait ses preuves par l'emploi au chamois en doses de 9–10 mg/kg, au bouquetin en doses de 5–6 mg/kg, aux bêtes fauves en doses de 15 mg/kg.D'autres expériments aux autres éspeces de bêtes fauves sont préparés.

     

Improving health outcomes among youth with poorly controlled type I diabetes: The role of treatment fidelity in a randomized clinical trial of multisystemic therapy.

The purpose of the study was to assess whether therapist treatment fidelity was a predictor of treatment outcome in a randomized clinical trial of multisystemic therapy with 10- to 16-year-old youths with chronically poorly controlled Type I diabetes (N = 40). Treatment fidelity was assessed by objective ratings of therapy sessions and questionnaires completed by caregivers and by therapists. Relationships between fidelity measures were assessed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test whether high fidelity would lead to improved regimen adherence and to improved metabolic control outcomes via regimen adherence. Objective ratings of treatment fidelity were significantly related to therapist-reported but not to caregiver-reported treatment fidelity. SEM results supported a completely mediated pathway between treatment fidelity and metabolic control, with regimen adherence mediating the relationship. Results suggest that conducting complex behavioral interventions with a high degree of fidelity can improve treatment outcomes among youths with chronic illnesses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physical equivalent circuit model for planar Schottky varactordiode

A physical equivalent circuit model for the planar GaAs Schottky varactor diode is presented. The model takes into account the distributed resistance and capacitance of the active layer, the sidewall capacitance, and the parasitic resistances and accurately accounts for the high series resistance observed near the pinch-off voltage. The dependence of the maximum series resistance on varactor size, frequency, and doping profile has been theoretically investigated, and the results agree well with experimental data. The proposed model can be easily used for optimization of planar Schottky varactor diodes with regard to broadband monolithic VCO constraints     

The WHO-EURO Multicentre Study: risk of parasuicide and the comparability of the areas under study

The 15 areas under study in the WHO/Euro Multicentre Study on Parasuicide vary considerably with regard to socio-economic factors, culture, life-styles, etc. In this paper, the authors discuss whether the traditional high risk factors for suicidal behavior (such as unemployment, abuse, divorce, etc.) take on different weights depending on local societal and cultural settings. Results from analyzing covariations between various background factors characteristic of the different areas under study and the frequency of attempted suicide showed weak or insignificant correlations, indicating that high-risk factors can only be identified from international pooled data with great care.     

Sintering of TCP-TiO2 biocomposites: influence of secondary phases

TCP-TiO2 ceramic biocomposites with various alpha-to-beta TCP ratios can be prepared by quenching the alpha phase. The presence of dopants (Ca, P, or Na) leads to the precipitation of secondary phases, which decreases the densification of titania. In the system TCP-TiO2, there is a eutectic with a composition of 63 wt% TCP-37 wt% TiO2 at a temperature of 1380 degrees C.