癫痫患者P50听觉诱发电位的研究

目的 探讨Ｐ５０在癫痫患者检测中的临床价值。方法 对２５例癫痫患者进行Ｐ５０测试,分析Ｐ５０波的潜伏明和波幅以及在不同刺激频率时Ｐ５０波幅的比率。选择年龄、性别２与患者组相匹配的２５名健康受试者对照组,结果 癫痫患者组Ｐ５３波的潜伏期较长,波幅则显著减低,其中以１８例颞叶癫痫２表现显著,７例额叶癫痫２不明显。刺激频率稍加快时,患者组Ｐ５０的波幅比率明显减小。结论Ｐ５０波的潜伏期和以应异常与颞叶功能     

Job marketability survey for athletic trainers in selected midwestern States

This study was conducted to determine job availability for athletic trainers in school and/or clinic settings in western Kansas, western Nebraska, western Oklahoma, and eastern Colorado. A survey was sent to 109 physical therapy (PT) clinics and 194 public schools to determine the major factors associated with job marketability. Of the 194 questionnaires mailed to the public schools, 119 were returned for a 61% response rate. Of the 109 questionnaires mailed to PT clinics, 57 were returned for a 52% response rate. Very few school districts (13%) hired their own trainer due to financial restrictions; therefore, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) athletic trainer would increase his/her likelihood of being hired if he/she was also teacher-certified. Most of the clinics responding would hire an NATA-certified athletic trainer if that individual was also licensed as a physical therapist, whereby, the trainer without PT licensure could be used for outreach programs for the local high schools. Essential factors identified by both the public school and clinic personnel for increasing the marketability of athletic trainers were: 1) NATA certification, 2) acquisition of an additional certification such as a teaching endorsement or a PT degree, and 3) willingness to provide services jointly to the schools and/or clinic with either being the primary hiring agent.     

Psychological and behavioral predictors of body fat distribution: age and gender effects

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal fat has been shown to be associated with several adverse outcomes including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Risk factors for abdominal fatness include genetic effects, age, and gender. Most recently, it has been hypothesized that psychological factors, as well as behavioral factors, may play a part in where fat is distributed. The purpose of this study was to assess the longitudinal predictive power of psychological variables (cynicism, anger, anxiety, and depression) measured in 1987 on waist-hip ratio (WHR) measured from 1992 to 1994 among different age and gender groups, as well as to test if alcohol consumption or smoking (measured in 1990) would mediate any of the relationships found. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (n = 1392; average age: 58 years for middle-aged group and 74 years for older group; 58% female) were analyzed using a maximum-likelihood regression model where age, gender, and age by gender effects were assessed. RESULTS: Cynicism and anxiety predicted WHR in middle-aged subjects regardless of gender. Cynicism explained 2.5% of the variance in WHR and anxiety explained 1.7% of the variance in WHR. Anger predicted WHR in males regardless of age, explaining 4.0% of the variance; depression predicted WHR only in middle-aged females, explaining 2.0% of the variance. All analyses adjusted for body mass index, and neither alcohol consumption or smoking status mediated the relationships. DISCUSSION: These findings are suggestive with regard to the hypotheses that certain psychological states and behaviors may be associated with increased abdominal fatness.     

Digital X-rays are here; why aren't you using them?

Digital imaging is here. It is cost-effective and helps dentists glean more useful information to make treatment decisions. Many more choices of digital systems are available for dentists to adopt than when the technology was introduced. The hardware is less costly than it was even one year ago, and image storage is now very inexpensive. Technical time is reduced, and no special training is required if the dentist or auxiliary has used a paralleling system. Insurance companies are gearing up to accept image files attached to claims. Why, then, are dentists not buying these systems as fast as manufacturer's can build them? This article explores that question and discusses the false assumptions behind perceived obstacles.     

Antibiotic resistance in nosocomial isolates in Scotland

In this first multi-centre study in Scotland, 1028 consecutive Gram-negative and staphylococci strains were obtained from four major teaching hospitals. E. coli was the most common organism among both intensive care units (ICUs) (39%) and non-ICU strains (46.6%). The prevalence of antibiotic resistance among E. coli was always higher in isolates from ICUs than non-ICUs: ceftazidime (14.1%, 7.2%), ceftriaxone (12.7%, 6.1%), cefotaxime (15.5%, 8.7%), cefuroxime (28.8%, 20.8%), amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid (52.2%, 38.8%) and gentamicin (7.0%, 2.8%). The highest incidences of resistance were identified among Enterobacter/Citrobacter spp. from ICUs; 43.8%, 41.7%, 45.8%, 54.2%, 87.5% and 10.4% of these organisms were resistant to ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefuroxime, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid and gentamicin, respectively.     

Pertussis: should we immunise neurologically disabled and developmentally delayed children?

A total of 400 children with neurological disorders were studied to ascertain whether they had been immunised against pertussis, the reasons for non-immunisation, and the "validity" of these reasons, as judged by interpretation of the recommendations of the Department of Health and Social Security. The results for this group were compared with those for a group of 400 aged matched controls. The study group had a significantly lower rate of immunisation than controls (p less than 0.01); rates for both groups fell sharply after 1975. A total of 192 study patients and 186 controls were not immunised. Those children with cerebral palsy had the lowest rate of immunisation (19%) and the highest number of valid reasons for non-immunisation (63%). Paediatricians apparently advised against immunisation in 61 (32%) of the index group but in only four (2%) of the controls. The risk of serious neurological handicap after pertussis immunisation is small and there is little evidence to support the view that underlying neurological disease predisposes a child to increased risk. The advice currently given by paediatricians may need to be reconsidered.     

Management ... working day of a health services manager

A varied day for one of the NHS's first marketing managers is in store for Christine Miles, Middlesex Hospital. A key message to get across is that marketing is not just promotion or selling: it is matching the strengths of the organisation to the unmet needs of 'customers'.     

Small cell nonkeratinizing carcinoma of the cervix associated with ACTH production.

The case of a 40-year-old woman with primary small cell carcinoma of the cervix is reported. She developed widespread metastates and florid Cushing's syndrome. Serum ACTH levels were greatly elevated and no site of production other than the tumor could be demonstrated at autopsy. The tumor cells demonstrated features characteristic of cells of the APUD series. Such cells have been demonstrated in normal cervical epithelium; it is likely that they may become malignant, giving rise to tumors with a potential to secrete polypeptide hormones. This case suggests that endocrine active "Apudomas" may arise from the uterine cervix. Certainly, patients with small cell carcinoma of the cervix should be investigated with appropriate serum assays for polypeptide hormones.