Competency Lies in the Eye of the Beholder? Comparing the Interpersonal Skills of Currently, Formerly and Never Depressed Females Using Self and Partner Reports

Research examining the social skills of currently and remitted depressed individuals has yielded inconsistent results. The current study aimed to clarify some of this research by comparing the responses of 58 female partners (10 currently depressed, 23 formerly depressed, and 25 never depressed) to hypothetical marital conflict vignettes. Male partners were also asked to report on how their partners would respond in each of the conflict situations. As anticipated, results indicated that currently and formerly depressed females reported behaviors suggestive of lower competency than did never depressed females. The analysis controlled for female relationship quality. However, the reports of the male partner indicated that men’s relationship quality, rather than female depression status, affected men’s reports of their partner’s competency, such that men who were happier in their relationship reported higher levels of competent behavior in their partners. Our findings provide converging evidence for interpersonal models of depression using standardized measures of social competence and also highlight the importance of taking the quality of the interpersonal relationship into account when testing interpersonal models of depression.     

The functional long-term results after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) with and without a condylar positioning device.

PURPOSE: The goal of this retrospective study was to examine whether utilization of condylar positioning devices in bilateral sagittal split osteotomy leads to long-term benefits for temporomandibular joint function as compared with the manual positioning technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The joint function of 49 patients (98 joints) who underwent bilateral sagittal split osteotomy or bimaxillary osteotomy at the University Hospital of Aachen between 1993 and 2003 was analyzed by recording joint movements with axiography supported by clinical examination of the temporomandibular joint. In 10 patients out of 28 with mandibular advancement and in 10 out of 21 with mandibular setback the Luhr positioning device was used intraoperatively to reproduce the condylar position. The joints of the remaining patients were positioned manually. The received data were statistically evaluated by using unrelated t test at P = .05. RESULTS: In mandibular advancement the manually positioned group showed significantly less signs of temporomandibular disorders, while there were slight advantages in axiographically measured joint track lengths for the patients who were operated with positioning devices. After mandibular setback surgery clinical analysis as well as axiography presented comparable results in both groups. CONCLUSION: The use of a positioning device did not provide a better functional outcome long term in either mandibular advancement or setback surgery. With the manual positioning technique, an at least equally good temporomandibular joint function was attained.     

La voie d'abord des hématomes intracérébraux spontanés

Following a recent statistical survey of 56 cases over a period of 3 years the authors considered the choice between the frontal or the parieto-temporal approaches to intracerebral haematomas. From their anatomical studies they considered that the frontal route is the better for approach to haematomas of the external capsule, whereas the parieto-temporal approach is preferred for haematomas of the internal capsule.     

Uterine prolapse in pregnancy caused by a very large mucinous cyst.

The literature review and a case report of a 25 years old patient who started to suffer from an extemely large abdomen, sever oedema, dyspnea, and uterine prolapse from the 30th week in her third pregnancy because of a very large mucinous cyst. The prolapsed uterus improved with bed rest. She delivered at term with no complication. The cyst was removed three weeks after the delivery with about ten litres of mucoid secretion in it. The patient left hospital on the tenth post operative day.     

Temporal osteomuscular flap. Anatomical study and experimental and surgical technic

Mandibular reconstruction can be realized through use of an osteo-muscular flap of the temporal bone by a sagittal rotation around it's principal vessels. Experiments and anatomy study have desined the details of the technique which has been demonstrated in one clinical case. In spite of the necessity of neurosurgical collaboration the technique is easy and rapid and the flap's excellent blood supply makes it a good choice when local conditions of mandibular osteoplasty are bad.     

Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin in cervicovaginal secretions and preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether concentrations of beta-HCG in cervicovaginal secretions could predict spontaneous preterm birth (SPB) in asymptomatic high risk pregnancies. METHODS: A cohort study was undertaken with cervicovaginal samples collected from 540 pregnant women between 20 to 28 weeks of gestation. Levels of beta-HCG were measured by ELISA test. RESULTS: There was 3.2-fold increase in cervicovaginal beta-HCG concentrations among patients with SPB vs. term delivery. A single cervicovaginal beta-HCG > 77.8 mIU/ml, between 20 and 28 weeks' gestation, identified patients with subsequent SPB vs. term delivery with sensitivity of 87.5% (95% CI: 47.4-97.9) and a specificity of 97% (95% CI: 86.5-99.4) with positive and negative predictive values of 88.5% and 98%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression indicates that cervicovaginal beta-HCG level > 77.8 mIU/ml was an independent predictor of SPB (adjusted odds ratio 19.97, 95% CI: 10.65-37.45). Conclusions: Cervicovaginal beta-HCG is a sensitive and specific predictor of patients with subsequent preterm delivery.     

Diagnosis and treatment of sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss: a study of 51 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study purpose was to determine the efficacy of steroid and antiviral therapy in the management of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a retrospective study of patients presenting to an academic tertiary care center. Fifty-one patients were evaluated. All patients were placed on the same treatment protocol. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (73%) had recovery of hearing. Ninety-one percent of patients with vertigo and all patients with mid-frequency hearing loss and up-sloping hearing loss recovered with treatment (P < 0.05). Recovery was significantly related to age, onset of hearing loss, and audiogram type; however outcome was not significantly related to gender, vertigo, tinnitus, or laterality (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our treatment protocol produced a recovery rate, which exceeds the spontaneous recovery rate. Unlike prior studies, all patients with up-sloping and mid-frequency SSNHL had recovery. In addition, vertigo did not indicate a poor prognosis. SIGNIFICANCE: Antiviral therapy and increased length of steroid treatment may play a role in the improved recovery rates.