Thomas Young's contributions to geometrical optics

In addition to his work on physical optics, Thomas Young (1773–1829) made several contributions to geometrical optics, most of which received little recognition in his time or since. We describe and assess some of these contributions: Young's construction (the basis for much of his geometric work), paraxial refraction equations, oblique astigmatism and field curvature, and gradient‐index optics.     

Acute anterior wall myocardial infraction in asymptomatic severe aortic Coarctation in young adult – A rare case

Coarctation of Aorta is not rare in general population. Aortic Coarctation represents about 5–8% of all congenital cardiac diseases, and it is commonly associated with bicuspid aortic valve. Coarctation of Aorta is typically a disease of childhood and early adulthood, reducing life expectancy in patients, who have not undergone correction. Many case reports of Coarctation of Aorta patients presenting with anterior wall myocardial infraction have been published in various journals, but to the best of our knowledge, no case of Coarctation of Aorta with acute anterior wall myocardial in 30-year-old male is reported till date. We are presenting a rare case of anterior wall myocardial infraction in young male with asymptomatic Coarctation of Aorta.     

Substance Abuse Treatment Characteristics of Probation‐Referred Young Adults in a Community‐Based Outpatient Program

Although rates of substance abuse continue to rise among young adults ages 18–25, there is little information on the clinical characteristics of young adults referred to treatment, their readiness to change substance use behaviors, and treatment outcomes. These aspects were examined in young (18–25 years old) and older adult (26–45 years old) substance abusers entering treatment at a large, urban, outpatient substance abuse treatment facility. All clients were referred for outpatient treatment by the local Offices of Adult Probation during 1998–1999. The demographic and substance use characteristics, motivation level/readiness to change substance use behaviors, treatment attendance, completion, and “drug‐free” status based on patient self‐report and urine/breathalyzer data were assessed. Results. Substance‐abusing young adult probationers were more likely to be African‐American, with a significantly earlier age of onset of primary substance use. They were more likely to have a marijuana use disorder as compared with older adults, who in turn, were more likely to meet criteria for alcohol use disorders. Furthermore, as compared with older adults, young adults had significantly higher scores on precontemplation, and significantly lower scores on contemplation, determination, action, and maintenance subscales of motivation/change readiness. A significantly higher number of young adults did not complete outpatient treatment and were “drug‐positive” at discharge, as compared with older adults. Conclusions. Young adult probationers referred to substance abuse treatment show significantly different substance abuse and treatment characteristics as compared with their older adult counterparts. The findings suggest that specialized treatment approaches that focus on enhancing treatment readiness and motivation to change substance use behaviors may be of particular benefit to substance abusing young adults.     

Hip fractures in the non-elderly—Who,why and whither?

Nonelderly hip fracture patients have gathered little scientific attention, and our understanding of the group may be biased by patient case-mix and lack of follow-up. Preconceptions may thwart adequate investigation of bone health and other comorbidities. This literature review focusses on who these patients between 20 and 60 years are, how to treat them and how to evaluate the outcome.2–11% of the hip fractures occur in non-elderly, equally common in men and women. Every second to forth patient smoke, have chronic diseases, and abuse alcohol. Poor self-rated health, sleep disturbances, low cognitive function and education are associated with increased hip fracture risk in young adults. Bone health is poorly investigated, but literature suggest young patients to have lower bone mineral density regardless of trauma mechanism.Studies contradict on whether surgery within 8–12 h reduce the risk of avascular necrosis in femoral neck fractures (FNF). Based on rationality, surgery ought to be performed promptly, in order to reduce pain and permit rehabilitation. There is no convincing support from the existing literature to use open reduction. Good reduction is mandatory, preferably using a closed reduction technique. The failure rate following internal fixation of displaced FNF in younger patients can be as high as 59%. In some cases a displaced FNF is better treated with a primary arthroplasty; in case of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis for example. Complications after extracapsular fractures vary from 6 to 23%.The relatively few studies looking at functional outcome in non-elderly use a multitude of outcome measures, precluding comparisons. Many non-elderly patients seem not to fully recover.While some non-elderly hip fracture patients are healthy individuals sustaining high energy trauma, others have low-energy fractures and comorbidities including reduced bone strength (either as a primary or secondary condition). i.e. non-delaying medical optimization, proper surgical technique, bone health investigation and secondary fracture prevention is necessary. Younger hip fracture patients are at risk of permanent loss of function, and negative socioeconomic and psychological consequences. High-energy trauma does not exclude the presence of osteopenia. A hip fracture in adulthood and middle-age is very seldom caused by bad luck only!     

A Pilot Study of Social Information Processing Skills in Girls With Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a well-described inherited cause of intellectual disability and the most common known genetic cause of autism. Social deficits in girls with FXS are not well understood. To better understand barriers to social functioning that may contribute to mental health outcomes, we administered a theoretically based social information processing (SIP) interview about challenging social situations to 11 verbal mental age-matched girls with and without FXS. We hypothesized that (a) girls with FXS have global SIP impairments and (b) less autism symptomatology is related to better SIP skills in girls with FXS. Compared to controls, girls with FXS performed significantly worse on an early SIP skill (problem identification). Scores on later SIP skills tended to be lower and exhibited moderate to strong effect sizes. Competency in goal generation was correlated with autistic-like communication skills. Systematic studies of SIP skills in larger cohorts of girls with FXS are warranted.     

Glioblastoma presenting as spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage: Case report and review of the literature

Glioblastoma (GB) classically presents with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and gradual progressive neurological deficits. An acute presentation, with intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and rapid clinical deterioration, occurs infrequently. Contemporary imaging modalities do not reliably reflect underlying mass lesions in parenchymal brain haemorrhage at first presentation. We report a delayed diagnosis of GB in a 21-year-old patient presenting with spontaneous ICH and a negative initial neurovascular workup. A comprehensive literature review was performed to investigate the incidence of malignant aetiology for spontaneous ICH in young adults, and to underscore the importance of early utilisation of diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in such cases.     

The injury trajectory for young people 16–24 years in the six months following injury: A mixed methods study

BackgroundAdolescents and young people are the population at greatest risk of injury and therefore injury-related mortality and morbidity. Inquiry into the injury trajectory of young people is needed to identify this group’s specific needs for healthcare. This paper reports the integration of quantitative and qualitative findings from a sequential explanatory mixed methods study examining young people aged 16-24 years’ experience and trajectory of traumatic physical injury in the initial six months. The aim of integration was to address the question: In what ways are injured young peoples’ experiences and self-management during the initial six months of the injury trajectory impacted by their injury, family support, and provision of healthcare?MethodsKey findings from epidemiological datasets on young person injuries from hospital and coronial databases (Phase 1) were combined with key findings from qualitative interviews with 12 injured young people and 10 family members (Phase 2).ResultsThe integration of findings from Phase 1 and Phase 2 resulted in three new findings; [1] (Alfred Health, 2014). A young person’s perception of the severity of their injury, as well as the amount of time spent in hospital, impacts substantially on the way in which they experience injury, and this is managed differently between genders; [2] (Newnam et al., 2014). Admission to an Intensive care unit, including the intensity and duration of care, is the primary influence on how a family will provide support to the young person in the inpatient period; and [3] (Lyons et al., 2010). Young people's perception and understanding of their recovery from injury is in contrast with how healthcare systems are structured to provide rehabilitation and recovery care.ConclusionThe injury trajectory and recovery process of young people in the six months following injury have been have conceptualised. These trajectories of recovery can inform the development of anticipatory guidance frameworks for clinicians and guide the provision of and planning for clinical services for injured young people.