A multimedia violence prevention program increases pediatric residents' and childcare providers' knowledge about responding to childhood aggression

A pre-post knowledge test using alternate forms was used to determine if a multimedia violence prevention program can increase knowledge about management of childhood aggression. The participants were pediatric residents and childcare workers who attended lectures about aggression management in young children. The intervention was a presentation of a 30 minute CD-ROM program, Play Nicely, which teaches how to manage aggression in young children ages 1 to 7 years. A pretest and posttest multiple-choice knowledge assessment that focused on the program's most important recommendations was administered. Childcare workers and pediatric residents had significantly increased knowledge scores after viewing the CD-ROM demonstration (F=6.8, p = 0.01). Childcare workers' scores improved by 2.6 points (p< 0.001) and residents' scores by 3.8 points (p< 0.001). A relatively short CD-ROM can improve knowledge about how to manage aggression in young children, indicating its usefulness as a violence prevention resource.     

Ex vivo detection of apoptotic trophoblast cells applying flow cytofluorometry and immunocytochemistry using M30 antibody directed to the cytokeratin 18 neo-epitope

Apoptosis of placental trophoblast cells has become the subject of intensive research. Recently, a monoclonal antibody (M30) directed against a neo-epitope of cytokeratin 18, that is formed after cleavage of this cytoskeletal protein by caspases, was shown to be of advantage over other tests for the detection of trophoblast cell apoptosis. In the present study, we describe a method for the enrichment of highly pure villous trophoblast cells based on the proteolytic digestion of placental tissue, density gradient separation of dissected cells, and immunoelimination of contaminating, non-trophoblast cells employing an antibody to the HLA class I antigen. The high purity (94-99%) of the trophoblast cell preparation was shown by antibody staining for cytokeratin 7 and absence of vimentin. Furthermore, we demonstrate that after a simple permeabilization and fixation step with 90% methanol and using the M30 CytoDeath, FITC-conjugated antibody, apoptotic trophoblast cells could be distinguished from non-apoptotic cells by flow cytofluorometry in a highly quantitative and sensitive fashion. Our protocol is an improvement over previously used methods such as immunocytochemistry as it allows to differentiate rapidly between competent and apoptotic trophoblast cells by the quantitative method of flow cytofluorometry.     

Adolescent Cluster A personality disorder symptoms, role assumption in the transition to adulthood, and resolution or persistence of symptoms

Cluster A odd or eccentric personality disorder (PD) symptoms may reflect a schizophrenia spectrum biological vulnerability in at least some persons. Consequently, this symptom pattern may have particularly negative effects on the transition from adolescent to adult roles. A general population sample of 200 young adults was assessed on Cluster A PD at mean ages 17 and 22, and subsequently provided detailed narratives about their monthly experiences and behaviors between these two ages. Adolescent Cluster A PD was related to the developmental trajectories of residential, career, financial, romantic, and family formation roles during this period, and trajectories were related to a change in symptoms over this period. Symptoms were associated with early parenthood and less advanced education, but for other developmental outcomes tended to differ for men and women. These gender differences were attributable, in part, to the differential meaning and consequences of early parenthood for men and women.     

Moderate chronic pain, weight and dietary intake in African-American adult patients with sickle cell disease

In this exploratory study, we evaluated weight status and dietary intake patterns during painful episodes in adult patients with SCD. Specifically, we explored the relation between pain severity and body mass index (BMI), and we tested the hypothesis that dietary intake would be reduced and dietary content altered during periods of increased pain. We conducted an analysis of survey data from 62 patients involved in a longitudinal evaluation of the relationship of medical and psychosocial factors to pain. Nearly half of patients with SCD were overweight, and 20% were obese. BMI was positively related to interference associated with pain. Although BMI was not statistically associated with reported pain severity, >40% of patients reported that they perceived their pain to be affected by their weight. Less than 20% of patients reported that they perceived that their weight affected their pain. Regarding dietary patterns, the majority of patients reported eating less during episodes of pain and significantly decreasing their intake of fats and proteins. We conclude that there is a need to better understand the relation among weight, dietary patterns and pain in patients with SCD in order to provide patients with accurate education and effective treatment recommendations for managing their disease and reducing current and future risks of lifestyle and disease-related morbidities.     

Modulation of spinal reflexes by sexual films of increasing intensity

Sexual arousal can be viewed as an emotional state generating sex-specific autonomic and general somatic motor system responses that prepare for sexual action. In the present study modulation of spinal tendious (T) reflexes by sexual films of varying intensity was investigated. T reflexes were expected to increase as a function of increased film intensity. Through use of a between-subjects design, participants were exposed to three erotic films of low, moderate, and high intensity or to three films of moderate intensity. Self-report and genital data confirmed the induction of increasing versus stable levels of sexual arousal. Exposure to the films of increasing intensity resulted in increasing T reflexes. The results indicate that T reflex modulation is sensitive to varying levels of sexual arousal and may be of use in research on behavioral mechanisms underlying appetitive motivation.     

Voluntary exercise rescues deficits in spatial memory and long-term potentiation in prenatal ethanol-exposed male rats

Prenatal ethanol exposure can lead to long-lasting impairments in the ability to process spatial information in rats, as well as produce long-lasting deficits in the ability of animals to exhibit long-term potentiation, a biological model of learning and memory processing. Conversely, we have recently shown that both spatial memory and long-term potentiation can be enhanced in animals that are given access to a running wheel in their home cage. In the present study, Sprague-Dawley rat dams were given one of three diets throughout gestation: (i) a liquid diet containing ethanol (35.5% ethanol-derived calories); (ii) a liquid diet, isocaloric to the ethanol diet, but with maltose-dextrin substituting for the ethanol derived calories and (iii) an ad libitum diet of standard rat chow. At weaning (28 days) animals were housed individually in either a standard rat cage, or a cage that contained a running wheel. Adult offspring were tested on a two trial version of the Morris water maze beginning at postnatal day 60, for five consecutive days. Following this, the capacity of the perforant path to dentate gyrus pathway to sustain long-term potentiation was examined in these animals using theta-patterned conditioning stimuli. Our results demonstrate that prenatal ethanol exposure can produce pronounced deficits in both spatial memory and long-term potentiation, but that allowing animal's access to voluntary exercise can attenuate these deficits to the point that those exposed to ethanol prenatally can no longer be differentiated from control animals. These findings indicate that voluntary exercise may have therapeutic benefits for individuals that have undergone prenatal ethanol exposure.     

Group parent training: a novel approach for the treatment of eating disorders

This paper describes the rationale, development, and implementation of a group parent training program designed to assist caregivers in the management of their child's eating disorder while facilitating the development of a healthy home environment for sustained change. The content of this program instructs caregivers in disorder management and capitalizes on caregivers as role models of adaptive behavior. Strategies are provided to address acute disorder management, features of caregivers that may impede task implementation, and environmental and attitudinal changes. The group format enhances social support, accountability, and self-efficacy. A preliminary qualitative evaluation and future directions are described to assist healthcare professionals in better meeting the needs of caregivers of these disorders.     

The treatment of adolescent anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study of the views of parents

Semi-structured, qualitative interviews with parents of young people treated for anorexia nervosa were conducted to find out their views in relation to treatment received by their children. Parents recalled how they had to adopt a proactive stance in order to ensure that their daughters received appropriate services. They had mixed opinions about the care provided for their children by professionals. Talking to parents of youngsters with anorexia can provide valuable insight into their needs and experiences of treatment.