Validation of Fuld object memory evaluation for the detection of dementia in nursing home residents

Objectives: To examine the psychometric properties of the Fuld Object Memory Evaluation (FOME) as an instrument to detect dementia in nursing home residents.

Method: Ninety-six elderly participants were recruited into a dementia group (n = 30) and a normal control group (n = 66). Forty participants (12 dementia, 28 normal controls) had visual impairment.

Results: The test–retest reliability and parallel-form reliability of FOME were excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.92 and 0.96, respectively. Satisfactory convergent validity of FOME was established with the Cantonese version of Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Memory subscale and the Initiation/Perseveration subscale of the Chinese version of Dementia Rating Scale (r = 0.43 ? 0.68; p < 0.01). The FOME total retrieval (TR) score and delayed recall (DR) score showed good discriminative power to screen for dementia. Optimal cutoff scores for TR and DR were suggested as 33 (93% sensitivity, 82% specificity) and 7 (87% sensitivity, 76% specificity) respectively. The performance of FOME was not influenced by age, educational level and visual impairment.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that FOME is a valid assessment to screen for dementia in older nursing home residents and can be used with older individuals with limited education and those with visual impairments.     

Omental immune aggregates and tumor metastasis within the peritoneal cavity

The omentum, an important peritoneal tissue, is studded with a high number of immune aggregates, or “milky spots,” the number, function, and phenotype of which is largely unknown. We have analyzed the immune composition on the normal omentum and also have shown that both free immune cells and tumor cells in the peritoneal fluid bind preferentially to these immune aggregates. This binding may be mediated by the network of collagen I fibers, which overlay these areas. In addition, we have shown that not only do omental vessels express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3), a receptor that is only found on angiogenic blood vessels, but that tumor cells co-localize with these vessels, possibly increasing the ability of tumor to induce neovascularization and therefore thrive.     

Combining education and video-based contact to reduce stigma of mental illness: “The Same or Not the Same” anti-stigma program for secondary schools in Hong Kong

This study examined the effects of three versions of school-based stigma reduction programs against mental illness – education, education followed by video-based contact (education–video), and video-based contact followed by education (video–education). The participants, 255 students from three secondary schools in Hong Kong, completed measures of stigmatizing attitudes (Public Stigma Scale), social distance (Social Distance Scale), and knowledge about schizophrenia (Knowledge Test) at pre-test, post-test, and 1-month follow-up. Results suggested that adding video-based contact to education could significantly improve program effectiveness only when video-based contact was presented after but not prior to education. In comparison with the education condition, the education–video condition showed larger improvements in stigmatizing attitudes at post-test, in social distance at both post-test and follow-up, and in knowledge at follow-up. However, such differences were not observed when the education condition was compared with the video–education condition. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.     

Measuring vocabulary by free expression and recognition tasks: Implications for assessing children, adolescents, and young adults

Vocabulary tests are commonly used for assessing verbal ability. Most vocabulary tests employ the free expressive format that taps both verbal knowledge and expressive ability. The recognition format, which requires less expressive ability, has been suggested to be more sensitive in assessing the fund of verbal knowledge. We assessed vocabulary performance of 285 normal individuals (aged 6 to 23 years) using both free expressive and recognition tasks. Results showed that participants aged 6 to 15 performed significantly better on the recognition than on the free expressive task. While the recognition task significantly correlated with the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence-Third Edition (TONI-III) IQ for individuals aged 9 and above, the free expressive task correlated with TONI-III IQ only for young adults. Shortened 18-item versions yielded high reliability and correlation with the full version and reliable association with TONI-III IQ. These results highlight the utility of recognition tasks in measuring the fund of knowledge and suggest the possibility of developing shorter vocabulary tests for more cost-effective assessment.     

Feedback from educational supervisors and trainees on the implementation of curricula and the assessment system for core medical training

A pilot of core medical training (CMT) was conducted in 2006-7 with 160 trainees and 130 supervisors in the 10 hospitals within the Mersey Deanery. Questionnaires and focus groups were used to gain feedback from trainees and supervisors in relation to the components of CMT (the curricula, workplace-based assessments, appraisal, and the e-portfolio). There was generally a positive attitude to the CMT package. In particular the opportunities to give and receive feedback were appreciated; the e-portfolio was identified as helpful for recording assessment outcomes and supporting educational development for the trainees. The workplace-based assessments were well received. Many of the benefits of the components of CMT depended on the skill of the supervisor. The time required for effective training supervision and workplace-based assessments was identified as an important issue. This pilot was invaluable in informing the widespread implementation of CMT in 2007.