The epidemiology of psychosis in dementia.

OBJECTIVE: Authors compared delusions, hallucinations, and misidentification delusions in Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) patients. METHODS: The authors report data on the prevalence, severity, clinical, and demographic associations of these symptoms in a population sample of 260 persons with dementia, examined with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. RESULTS: The primary finding was that there was no difference in psychosis as a whole, or in delusions and hallucinations, between AD and VaD. Also, in AD, female gender appeared to be a risk factor for delusions; subjects in an earlier stage of dementia showed fewer delusions. CONCLUSION: The profile of delusions and hallucinations seen is different from that seen in schizophrenia, further supporting the hypothesis that AD-associated psychosis is a distinct phenomenological syndrome.     

Prevalence of sealants in relation to dental caries on the permanent molars of 12 and 15-year-old Greek adolescents. A national pathfinder survey

Background  

The use of sealants as an effective measure for the prevention of pit and fissure caries in children has been well documented by several studies; either they are used on an individual or on a public health basis. In order to plan and establish a national preventive program with sealants in a community, it is mandatory to know the epidemiological pattern of caries along with other variables influencing their use and effectiveness. Aims: To assess the utilization and distribution pattern of pit and fissure sealants on the first and second permanent molars of Greek adolescents and to evaluate whether the existing usage of sealants and some socio-demographic factors are correlated to caries prevalence on the population examined     

Psychosocial predictors of sexual initiation and high-risk sexual behaviors in early adolescence

Background  

This longitudinal study examined psychosocial factors associated with risky sexual behavior in early adolescence.     

Metabolic responses--(VO2, VCO2 and energy expenditure)--associated with nasal intubation of the trachea

The effect of nasotracheal intubation on oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), and resting energy expenditure (REE) was studied in 12 critically ill patients. All patients were given midazolam 0.3 mg/kg and etomidate 0.3 mg/kg followed by 8 mg of vecuronium to facilitate intubation. After nasotracheal intubation the patients were mechanically ventilated with an Erica Engstr?m ventilator and connected to an Engstr?m metabolic computer (EMC). Carbon dioxide production was measured using an infrared CO2 analyzer. Resting energy expenditure was calculated by the EMC, which incorporated an oxygen cell for VO2 measurement. VO2, VCO2, and REE were recorded 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after intubation. High values of the above parameters were observed 5 minutes after intubation, values that gradually declined during the next 25 minutes. At 25 and 30 minutes after intubation VO2 was 25% and 27% lower (P = 0.054) than the VO2 at 5 minutes after intubation. Carbon dioxide production and REE were also lower 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after intubation but were not significantly different from values obtained at 5 minutes. The increase in VO2 associated with nasotracheal intubation may be detrimental for patients already suffering from hypoxia.