Reliability of the Catz-Itzkovich Spinal Cord Independence Measure assessment by interview and comparison with observation

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reliability of assessment with the Catz-Itzkovich Spinal Cord Independence Measure II (SCIM II) by interview and compare the findings with assessment by observation. DESIGN: In a cohort, comparative study, 28 inpatients with spinal cord lesions were assessed by two nurses using the Catz-Itzkovich SCIM II (interview) and by a multidisciplinary team (observation). RESULTS: Total agreement between interviewers ranged from 50% to 80% (Kappa coefficients 0.40-0.60). Pearson's coefficients of the correlation between scores obtained for the various SCIM subscales by interview or observation were 0.765-0.940 (P < 0.0001). The differences in mean scores obtained between the interview and observation methods were small and not statistically significant for most of the subscales. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the reliability of the Catz-Itzkovich SCIM assessment by interview and show it to be comparable with assessment by observation. The SCIM II interview may serve as an accurate measure of daily function in patients with spinal cord injury. However, with the sample of the study being relatively small, a larger scale examination is needed to generalize the results.     

Myopathic syndrome revealing a rare condition: Sheehan syndrome,a case-based review

Clinical Rheumatology - This report presents a case of a Sheehan syndrome diagnosed with a delay of 29 years after occurrence of first symptoms, following a laborious birth ended with dead fetus...     

Clinical and microbiological effects of a single application of sodium hypochlorite gel during subgingival re-instrumentation: a triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Clinical Oral Investigations - The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and microbiological effects of a single subgingival administration of sodium hypochlorite gel (NaOCl) and compare it...     

Fluorescence in situ hybridization of 12p in germ cell tumors using a bacterial artificial chromosome clone 12p probe on paraffin-embedded tissue: clinical test validation

Most germ cell tumors have an isochromosome 12p (detected by metaphase cytogenetics), 12p overrepresentation (detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH]), or both. Although interphase FISH on paraffin-embedded tissue is a sensitive method of detection of 12p anomalies, use of FISH for clinical diagnostic purposes is not well defined. We describe an interphase FISH assay for detection of increased 12p copy number in germ cell tumors using a bacterial artificial chromosome–derived probe localized to 12p12.1 and a commercially available probe for the centromere of chromosome 12. Twenty-four paraffin-embedded blocks from 14 tumor cases (7 malignant mixed germ cell tumors, 2 dysgerminomas, 4 non–germ cell malignancies arising in germ cell tumors, and 1 mediastinal adenocarcinoma) and 18 normal controls were studied. Negative controls included normal lymph node, lung, and mediastinal tissue. The signals for 12p and 12cen were counted, and the ratio of the averaged signals was calculated; a ratio of 1.3 was considered positive. All germ cell tumors and non–germ cell malignancies arising in germ cell tumors were positive for 12p overrepresentation. All control cases were negative. Because germ cell tumors may metastasize with non–germ cell tumor morphology, interphase FISH may be helpful in distinguishing de novo malignancy from germ cell tumor recurrence in its various forms.     

Contrasting effects of estradiol and progesterone on respiratory pattern and hypoxic ventilatory response in newborn male rats

We tested the hypothesis that postnatal exposure to progesterone or estradiol exerts distinct effects on respiratory control, apnea frequency, and on hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR). To this aim, we assessed breathing pattern using whole body plethysmography in normoxia and during a sustained hypoxic exposure (10% O₂—30 min) in 10-day-old male rats raised by dams implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering either estradiol (E₂, 7.0 μg day⁻¹), estradiol + progesterone (E₂ + P, 7.0 + 70 μg day⁻¹) or vehicle (propylene glycol) at a regular flow rate throughout postnatal days 1–14. Compared to vehicle, E₂ and E₂ + P pups had a reduced ventilation, metabolic rate and rectal temperature. HVR was specifically increased in E₂ + P pups compared to controls and E₂ pups. On the contrary, both E₂ and E₂ + P pups did not reduced metabolism as much as controls during hypoxic exposure, and the decrease in rectal temperature was abolished. Surprisingly, E₂ + P pups showed a dramatic elevation of sigh frequency, while progesterone (in E₂ + P compared to E₂ and Veh pups) reduced apnea frequency. These findings are relevant to better understand the role of placental steroids on respiratory and metabolic control during early development in rats, and could ultimately contribute to a better understanding of specific respiratory control disorders in preterm neonates, which are chronically deprived from placental steroids exposure.     

Adult attachment and drinking context as predictors of alcohol problems and relationship satisfaction in college students

Background: Evidence suggests that for young adults, intimate partners influence each other’s drinking patterns. Therefore, exploration of variables related to intimate partner relationships (such as attachment style) could broaden the current understanding of risk factors for alcohol problems in this demographic. Objectives: The current study examined the role of drinking context in the relationships among insecure attachment, alcohol problems, and relationship satisfaction. A path model was hypothesized where the relationship between insecure attachment and alcohol problems would be explained via two distinct drinking contexts (i.e., drinking with one’s partner and drinking away from one’s partner). It was also hypothesized that the relationship between insecure attachment and relationship satisfaction would be explained via these same two drinking contexts. Methods: Participants were 194 undergraduate students ages 18–25 who reported being in a monogamous intimate partner relationship for at least 90 days and had also consumed alcohol in the past 90 days. The sample was comprised of 76% women and 24% men. Results: The hypothesized direct relationship from anxious attachment to alcohol problems was significant; there were also significant direct paths from both anxious and avoidant attachment to relationship satisfaction. The hypotheses regarding indirect relationships were not supported. Conclusion: The results of this study contribute to the existing literature, in that they suggest that drinking in the context of an intimate relationship may not directly affect relationship satisfaction in this population. However, relationship functioning still appears to be an important variable to consider in the prevention and treatment of alcohol-related problems affecting college students.     

Association of midlife lipids with 20-year cognitive change: A cohort study

Introduction

Existing studies predominantly consider the association of late-life lipid levels and subsequent cognitive change. However, midlife rather than late-life risk factors are often most relevant to cognitive health.