Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in childhood: Diagnosis by transbronchial biopsy

A 7-year-old girl of Arabic origin by consanguineous parents presented with a miliary pattern on chest x-ray. Transbronchial lung biopsy revealed a histological diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, a condition rarely described in childhood. This report highlights the clinical and radiological features, documents the transbronchial lung biopsy as a useful diagnostic procedure, and suggests a possible genetic etiology with autosomal recessive inheritance. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1996; 21:62–64. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Controlled study of eating concerns and psychopathological traits in relatives of eating-disordered probands: Do familial traits exist?

To examine the extent to which first-degree relatives of eating-disordered (ED) probands endorse maladaptive eating attitudes and personality/affective traits, we compared self-reported eating concerns (Restraint, Emotional Eating, Body Dissatisfaction, and maladaptive eating attitudes) and psychopathological traits (Affective Instability, Anxiousness, Compulsivity, and Narcissism) across groups of restricter (n = 19), binger (n = 56), psychiatric control (PC, n = 38), normal dieter (ND, n = 29), and nondieter control (NC, n = 28) probands, and then across participating nuclear family members. Results among probands were as anticipated: ED probands showed expected elevations in both areas, and predicted restricter/binger differences were obtained. However, corresponding differences were not obtained on measures of mothers', fathers', or siblings' eating concerns and traits. Our findings corroborate the notion that EDs represent a convergence of eating, affective, and personality disturbances, but not that such a clustering of features exists as a familial trait. We discuss normal trait and attitudinal variations observed in ED probands' relatives in light of findings showing EDs and other psychiatric syndromes to aggregate within families. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Contraceptive use and associations with intimate partner violence among a population-based sample of New Zealand women

AIM: To outline the use of contraception among a representative sample of New Zealand women, and explore associations with intimate partner violence (IPV), and contraception and condom use. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with a random sample of 2790 women who had ever had sexual intercourse, aged 18-64 years old in two regions (urban and rural) in New Zealand. Analyses were conducted using logistic regression and Wald chi(2) tests. RESULTS: Almost all women had used contraception at some point in their life, and almost one half of all women 18-49 years were currently using methods of contraception. Contraceptive use and methods varied significantly by location. Women who had ever experienced IPV were significantly more likely to report having ever used contraception, compared with women who had not experienced IPV (91% vs 85.2%). While having a partner who refused to use or tried to stop women from using a method of contraception was rare, it was significantly more common among women who had ever experienced IPV (5.4% vs 1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Most women have used contraception at some point. Women who have ever experienced IPV were: more likely to have used contraception than women who have not experienced IPV, and to have had partners who refused to use condoms or prevented women from using contraception. Partner refusal may be a key indicator of IPV. These findings emphasise the importance of family violence screening at routine health consultations.     

The effect of dissolution on plasma sprayed hydroxylapatite coatings on titanium

Plasma sprayed hydroxylapatite (HA) coated titanium specimens were immersed into Ca-free Hank's balanced salt solution for periods of 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. At each of the respective time intervals the HA coatings were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy to determine the effect of dissolution on the structure and composition of the coatings. At the 2- and 6-week intervals, additional samples were removed from solution and shear tested to evaluate the effect of dissolution on the coating-to-substrate interfacial bond strength. XRD results revealed that the plasma sprayed coatings retained their basic apatitic structure throughout the 6-week period in solution. There was, however, a trend towards a more definitive baseline, suggesting a loss of amorphous material by dissolution. FTIR and Raman analyses of the as-sprayed and dissolution specimens showed that the phosphate groups were not lost during the time in solution; however, there was a decrease in hydroxyl content as a result of dissolution mechanisms. FTIR also revealed an increase in carbonate content within the coating during immersion in the simulated physiological balanced salt solution. The average shear bond strengths for the as-sprayed, 2-, and 6-week dissolution specimens were 14.82+/-3.52 MPa, 12.51+/-3.41 MPa, and 12.54+/-2.02 MPa, respectively. Duncan's multiple range test confirmed that the shear bond strength was not significantly reduced after 6 weeks in solution, but there was evidence that suggested a decrease in interfacial bond strength as a result of dissolution mechanisms.