The association of friedman's pathogenic emotions (AIAI) with current smoking,but not smoking history,in males suspected of coronary artery disease (CAD)

The role of Friedman's pathogenic emotions (aggravation, irritation, anger and impatience or AIAI) in the initiation or aggravation of ischemic coronary heart disease (ICHD) may be due to direct neural/neuroendocrine factors or to indirect influences on other risk factors, such as smoking. In two studies of independent samples, data collected during an initial interview with male patients undergoing coronary angiography included (a) packyears of smoking and (b) current smoking status. The Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS), Life Change Scale (LCS) and Ketterer Stress Symptom Frequency Checklist (KSSFC) were administered during the first study. A mean split comparing high versus low groupings on each of the psychometric scales demonstrated that patients displaying Type B (44 per cent versus 22 per cent), depressive (53 per cent versus 22 per cent), anxious (44 per cent versus 26 per cent) and AIAI (51 per cent versus 23 per cent) characteristics were more likely to be current smokers (p < 0.05) while not being any different from their counterparts in smoking history. In a second sample of 149 male angiography patients who were better educated and from a different region of the country, the KSSFC, Framingham Type A Scale, Cooke–Medley Hostility Scale (CHMS) and Perceived Social Support Scale were used. Only the AIAI (25 per cent versus 12 per cent) and CMHS (26 per cent versus 12 per cent) were positively associated with current smoking, again independent of any baseline difference in smoking history. Present results are most parsimoniously explained by the thesis that high levels of AIAI interfere with smoking cessation or relapse avoidance.     

18q- Chromosomal Abnormality in a Phenotypically Normal 21/2-year-Old Male with Autism

The authors report the case of a 2 1/2-year-old male with autism, with an 18q- chromosomal abnormality in the absence of phenotypical features of the 18q- syndrome. It is suggested that clinicians evaluating children with autistic disorders consider obtaining chromosome analysis, even in the absence of phenotypical abnormalities.     

A Missing Consideration: The Psychiatric Patient Classification for Scheduling-Staffing Systems

The psychiatric nursing department at a university teaching hospital identified the need to develop a management tool to systematically and objectively determine resource requirements (staffing) for unique psychiatric patient populations. A classification methodology was needed for budget development, trending, productivity monitoring, and potentially developing a rich data base for nursing research. A study of existing classification systems found them to be limited for use in psychiatric settings. The psychiatric nursing department designed and implemented a patient classification tool based on biopsychosocial needs manifested by psychiatric patients in acute care settings.     

A survey of dietetics professionals' knowledge of and attitudes toward cholesterol management

Dietetics professionals in Wisconsin (n = 687) were surveyed to assess their knowledge, attitudes, practices, experience, and educational interests regarding cholesterol management. The survey, conducted to guide the development of cholesterol education programming in the state, found that most dietetics professionals are familiar with and support the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Ninety-three percent of dietetics professionals responding to the survey believe that reducing serum cholesterol levels will reduce the risk of heart disease; the same percentage of respondents were familiar with NCEP guidelines for detecting and treating blood cholesterol levels and knew which cholesterol levels should be treated. Seventy-three percent were familiar with the American Heart Association step 1 diet, and 69% were familiar with the step 2 diet. On average, survey respondents defined a cholesterol level of 6.12 mmol/L as “high risk”; this value is almost identical to the NCEP definition. Respondents were optimistic about patients' ability to reduce their blood cholesterol levels through dietary modifications. Dietetics professionals are interested in education on cholesterol management, although individual educational interests vary depending on the respondent's area of practice.     

Computer-Assisted Clinimetric Tool for the Study of Facial Expression

Clinimetrics is the measurement of clinical phenomena; more specifically, it is mensuration, the act of acquiring and labeling basic raw data that is used to describe or measure symptoms, signs, and other distinctly clinical phenomena. ^1. Over the last 5 years, a new computer method for measuring facial expression has been developed. Refinement and validation of this technique are necessary before clinical applications are appropriate. Four hundred fifty data points from two human observers and the computed method were compared with one another by using indices of location, dispersion, and association within the framework of the logical construct of validity. These results suggest that the computed method is valid. This new method may be nearly ready for clinical applications as a primary or adjunctive clinimetric tool.     

A multi-disciplinary approach to family growth

The Little Sisters of the Assumption, a Family Health Service, has been working with high risk families in the East Harlem community for the past twenty-seven years. Using an innovative multidisciplinary model, it combines a home health agency staffed by nurses, a Medical Social Worker, Physical Therapist, Homemaker/Home Health Aides, and a Pastoral Minister; a grandmother program staffed by women from the community, a social worker and a child development specialist; and a Family Life Program offering parenting classes, high school equivalency, sewing and a variety of other programs. Its primary emphasis is on working with the family in their own homes, developing a relationship with an older experienced woman from the community, and eventually moving out to classes at the center and the playroom for the children. The team works with the young childbearing families to deal with illness, isolation, poverty and depression, all of which lead to child abuse and neglect. By reparenting the parent as well as nurturing the children, the agency attempts to break the cycle of deprivation which is prevalent in its neighborhood. Through a case presentation of a mother who herself had been abused as a child, we will demonstrate how our center works and then highlight what we have learned about poor disorganized families, the interventions we have found to be successful and what we continue to have questions about.     

Hypomyelinated mutant mice. II. Myelination in vitro

Organotypic cultures of cerebellum from hypomyelinated mutant mice provide a powerful experimental system for studying the cell biology of the mutant diseases. We have examined the extent to which the culture system reproduces the diseases of three well-known mutants,qk,jp^msd, andjp.Quantitation of myelin profiles per sq. mm of section demonstrates that in vitro, as in situ,qk produces the most myelin,jp^msd an intermediate amount, andjp the least. Myelin inqk cultures is unique in being invisible by light microscopy of the living culture. Hypomyelination ofjp may be more severe in vitro than in situ. Cultures ofjp^msd exhibit many of the ultrastructural features of cerebellar abnormalities that occur in situ: degree of hypomyelination, clustering of myelin segments, scarcity of oligodendrocytes, absence of nodes of Ranvier but presence of heminodes, and apparent structural integrity of the myelin sheaths. Correspondence between in vitro and in situ ultrastructure is more difficult to assess forjp, because the available sample ofjp myelin in vitro is too small, and forqk, because the abnormalities observed in situ resemble nonspecific abnormalities of normal myelin in vitro.     

Comparing Treatment Intensities of Tactile-Thermal Application

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships of four intensities of tactile-thermal application (TTA) to changes in duration of stage transition (DST) and performance on a newly designed scale of penetration and aspiration by groups of patients made dysphagic by stroke. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 150, 300, 450, or 600 trials of TTA during each of 2 weeks. Data on the time required to provide such treatment, the actual number of trials clinicians were able to provide, and on the influence of the four intensities are provided. No single intensity emerged as the most therapeutic. It is suggested that subsequent studies with larger groups include intensities between 300 and 550.     

Kinsey revisited,part I: Comparisons of the sexual socialization and sexual behavior of white women over 33 years

This research compared data from two studies of women's sexual behavior—one conducted in the 1940s, the other in the 1980s. The first sample included 3952 white women, ages 18 to 36, drawn from the larger sample of women who participated in the original Kinsey study. The second comprised 122 white women, in the same age range, who had taken part in a recent study of sexual socialization and experiences among women in Los Angeles County, CA. Log-linear analyses were used to control for differences between the samples on age, education, and marital status. Comparisons were conducted in the areas of childhood family characteristics; sexual socialization and education; sexual behavior in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood; contraceptive practices; and child sexual abuse. Results tended to reflect changes that have taken place in society and in patterns of sexual behavior. Differences in sexual socialization pointed to the increased role of the media and the schools and to more relaxed attitudes about nudity in the home. Shifts in sexual behavior were particularly dramatic. As compared to women in the Kinsey sample, the newer subjects began intercourse earlier, were less likely to have a fiance or husband as their first partner, reported a higher number of sexual partners, and participated in a broader range of sexual behaviors. Contraceptive practices differed considerably, especially among never-married women. Women in the new study were also more likely to report instances of child sexual abuse. Methodological and social factors contributing to the findings are discussed.This research was supported by the Center for the Prevention and Control of Rape, NIMH, MH 33603 and through a Research Scientist Career Development Award (MH 00269), to the first author.