Deviancy training and association with deviant peers in young children: ocurrence and contribution to early-onset conduct problems

The relationships of deviant talk and role taking during peer interaction, association with deviant peers, and growth in overt and covert conduct problems during kindergarten and first grade were examined in a community sample of 267 boys and girls. At entry to kindergarten, high levels of overt and covert conduct problems predicted association with deviant peers, and deviant peer association predicted deviant talk and role taking during peer interaction during kindergarten. Association with deviant peers, and deviant talk and role taking predicted growth in overt and covert conduct problems on the playground, in the classroom, and at home during kindergarten and first grade. Peer processes associated with growth in conduct problems that escalate rapidly during late childhood and adolescence appear to occur in earlier childhood. These peer processes may play a central role in the evolution of conduct problems to include covert as well as overt forms.     

Biopharmaceutical characterization of sotalol-containing oral immediate release drug products.

The objective of this study was replacing an in vivo bioequivalence study by generating suitable in vitro data in order to get generic marketing authorisation. Solubility and permeability of sotalol hydrochloride were determined thereby achieving classification of this compound according to the biopharmaceutical classification system. In addition comparative investigation of in vitro dissolution properties of different Sota-saar formulations and the reference product provided satisfying justification to waive in vivo bioavailability (BA)/bioequivalence (BE) studies. The investigations on solubility were performed considering the highest dose strength in aqueous media (250 ml) with pH conditions between pH 1.0 and 7.5. Permeability was studied using the human colorectal carcinoma cell line Caco-2. In vitro as well as in vivo data suggest high permeability of the drug compound through the intestinal membrane. Thus, evaluation of solubility and permeability allow sotalol hydrochloride to be classified as biopharmaceutics classification system class I drug. In vitro dissolution profiles demonstrate comparable rapid dissolution (more than 85% in 15 min) for test and reference products. Summarizing, relevant prerequisites are fulfilled to waive BA/BE studies.     

über die klinischen Komplikationen des Scharlachs bei Kombination mit einer zweiten Infektionskrankheit

Zusammenfassung In Ergänzung zu einer früheren Mitteilung wird die Zahl gewisser Komplikationen von mehreren Infektkombinationen des Scharlach (Scharlach/Masern, Scharlach/Varicellen, Scharlach/Diphtherie) mit den Komplikationen bei der Grundinfektion allein verglichen. Dabei stellt sich heraus, daß die Viruskrankheiten die Neigung zu bakteriellen Komplikationen steigern. Die Zahl der hyperergischen Komplikationen ist dabei jedoch nicht absolut größer. Das Zusammentreffen der beiden pathogenetisch verwandten Infektionen Scharlach/Diphtherie führt dagegen zu vermehrtem Auftreten bakteriellerund hyperergischer Komplikationen.     

Biomechanical compression tests with a new implant for thoracolumbar vertebral body replacement

The authors present an investigation into the biomechanical functioning of a new titanium implant for vertebral body replacement (Synex). Possible indications are fractures and/or dislocations with damage of the anterior column, posttraumatic kyphosis and tumors of the thoracolumbar spine. The construction must be supplemented by a stabilizing posterior or anterior implant. For best fit and contact with adjacent end-plates, Synex is distractable in situ. We performed comparative compression tests with Synex and MOSS ("Harms mesh cage") on human cadaveric specimens of intact vertebrae (L1). The aim of the study was to measure the compressive strength of the vertebral body end-plate in uniaxial loading via both implants to exclude collapse of Synex in vivo. Twelve human cadaveric specimens of intact vertebrae (L1) were divided into two identical groups (matched pairs) according to bone mineral density (BMD), determined using dual-energy quantitative computed tomography (DE-QCT). The specimens were loaded with an axial compression force at a constant speed of 5 mm/min to failure, and the displacement was recorded with a continuous load-displacement curve. The mean ultimate compression force (Fmax) showed a tendency towards a higher reading for Synex: 3396 N versus 2719 N (non-significant). The displacement until Fmax was 2.9 mm in the Synex group, which was half as far as in the MOSS group (5.8 mm). The difference was significant (P < 0.001). The compression force was twice as high, and significantly (P < 0.05) higher with Synex at displacements of 1 mm, 1.5 mm and 2 mm. A significant (P < 0.001) correlation (R = 0.89) between Fmax and BMD was found. Synex was found to be at least comparable to MOSS concerning the compressive performance at the vertebral end-plate. A possible consequence of the significantly higher mean compression forces between 1 and 2 mm displacement might be decreased collapse of the implant into the vertebral body in vivo.     

Entwicklung und Validierung des VAS-Wirbelsäulenscores

The aim of the study was the development and validation of a new subjective rating scale for assessment of outcome in patients with thoracolumbar fractures and fracture dislocations. The VAS spine score consists of 19 score items, using 100-mm visual analogue scales. The items are answered by the patients independently of rater assessment. To measure the analogue scales and calculate the score, a computer-aided system was evolved consisting of self-developed software and digitizer board. The overall score is the mean of all items answered with values between 0 and 100. The individual score loss is calculated as the difference between the preinjury score and at follow-up with values between 0 and 100. The VAS spine score was tested for reliability with a group of 136 healthy volunteers. We performed a test-retest study with an interval of 24 h. For statistical analysis of the validity, we prospectively followed a group of 53 patients with the new outcome score. We chose patients with injuries of the thoracolumbar spine, all having been operatively treated by combined posterior-anterior stabilization and fusion between 1994 and 1996. In the reference group, the average test score was 91.95 (58-100) and 92.10 (58-100) at retest. The mean individual difference between test and retest scored 1.037 (0-8). A high reliability was proved by a strong correlation with a coefficient of 0.976 (p < 0.001). A high internal consistency of the VAS spine score was shown by a Cronbach-alpha of 0.9117. The mean score for the preinjury status of the patients was comparable to the reference group, amounting to 89.60 (21-100). The mean score at the time of implant removal was significantly (p < 0.001) decreased to 58.25 (13-97). Until the time of follow-up a significant (p < 0.001) increase was noted, and the group scored 66.08 (15-100) at follow-up. This was a significant (p < 0.001) difference compared with the preinjury status. The individual score loss averaged 24.1 (0-80). In the patient group we also noted a Cronbach-alpha > 0.95, indicating a high internal consistency. With the VAS spine score the authors have inaugurated a new tool for outcome measurement in the treatment of patients with thoracolumbar injuries. The study has proved the score to be both reliable and valid. The application of the score is helpful in analyzing the subjective outcome, and the results can be correlated with objective measures. The score is a useful tool for comparative clinical studies, addressing the outcome after different methods of treatment.     

Evaluation and Improvement of the Current CRCP Pavement Design Method

Continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) is a representative type of concrete pavement constructed with continuous steel bars without intermediate transverse expansions. With reference to pavement conditions, CRCP is an exceptional type of concrete pavement according to the Highway Pavement Condition Index (HPCI) and International Roughness Index (IRI). The two main design methods for CRCP are AASHTO 86/93 and the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG). Because of limitations of the AASHTO 86/93 design method, the MEPDG method is more reliable. While incorporating the interactions among geometrics, pavement structure layers, material properties, subgrade, traffic, and environmental conditions, and the prediction values according to the MEPDG method, it matched the measured results of crack spacing and crack width. The MEPDG punchout, crack width and spacing, and load transfer efficiency (LTE) models were evaluated, and results were compared with the test sections in three European countries consisting of different construction details, which were investigated and recorded between 2019 and 2021. In this sense, a calculation tool was developed to consider the influence of different parameters in design process. In addition, sensitivity analyses were executed for the development of punchout, considering various input parameters. The track surveying and the evaluation of the results indicated that the design process can be improved with consideration of some criteria such as crack formation time or adjustment of the correlation between crack width and crack spacing. Due to the very important function of erosion and resulting pumping in the deterioration of CRCP, it is advisable to include the influence of the base layer and the influence of different shoulder type and heavy traffic volume or effect of deflection in the calculations.