Role of work permits in teen workers' experiences

BACKGROUND: Work permits are required for working teenagers under 18 in 41 US states, but little is known about the work experience of those with work permits compared with those without such permits. This study examines job hazards, training, and knowledge of child labor laws reported by students in a predominantly Latino high school in Los Angeles and compares the responses of those who obtained work permits with those who did not. METHODS: Student responses to a 60 item questionnaire were supplemented with information from focus groups and a survey of work permits issued by the school. RESULTS: Students without work permits were more likely to perform hazardous tasks and to use certain types of dangerous equipment and less likely to receive health and safety training than those with permits. CONCLUSION: Possible explanations for the findings and suggested areas in need of policy change or research are considered.     

Emergent relief of cardiac tamponade: State-of-the-art imaging and intervention in a level I trauma center

We report a case of cardiac tamponade in whom speedy diagnosis and immediate drainage of pericardial blood helped to save the life of a patient with ascending aortic dissection. This report illustrates the importance of physical proximity of radiologic services to the emergency department and availability of appropriately trained radiologists.     

A randomized, single blind comparative trial of norethindrone enanthate and depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate in Bangladesh

A randomized, single blind comparative trial of norethindrone enanthate (NET-ENT) and depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) was conducted in the Model Clinic, Decca, Bangladesh, to determine if there were differences in reported side effects, reasons for discontinuation and discontinuation rates of these two injectables. On all follow-up visits the proportion of women reporting no bleeding (amenorrhea) was higher for the DMPA clients compared to the NET-ENT clients. Concurrent with these findings, the proportion of women reporting irregular bleeding was consistently higher for the NET-ENT clients. Concurrent with these findings, the proportion of women reporting irregular bleeding was consistently higher for the NET-ENT clients compared to those receiving DMPA. By the fourth injection, less than 15% of the clients in both drug groups still reported having regular cyclic bleeding (4 of the 26 DMPA clients and 4 of the 28 NET-ENT clients). Five of the 133 women on DMPA and 6 of the 106 women on NET-ENT became pregnant while using the injectables. At the end of one year of follow-up, 14 of the 133 DMPA and 14 of the 106 NET-ENT clients were still continuing (came back for a fifth injection).     

Pluchea lanceolata attenuates cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice

Cadmium intoxication induces lipid peroxidation and causes oxidative damage to various tissues by altering antioxidant defence system enzymes. At 24 h after treatment with a single intraperitoneal dose of cadmium chloride (5 mg kg-1), Swiss albino mice showed a significant increase in the levels of malanodialdehyde and xanthine oxidase (P<0.001), and a concomitant depletion of renal glutathione, catalase (P<0.001) and other antioxidant enzymes. CdCl2 also led to a simultaneous increase in micronuclei formation (P<0.001) and chromosomal aberrations (P<0.05) in mouse bone marrow cells. Oral pre-treatment with Pluchea lanceolata extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg kg-1 for 7 consecutive days before CdCl2 intoxication caused a significant reduction in malanodialdehyde formation and xanthine oxidase activity (P<0.001). A significant restoration of the activity of antioxidant defence system enzymes such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase (P<0.05), glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase (P<0.001) was observed. A significant dose-dependent decrease in chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei formation was also observed (P<0.05). The results indicate that pre-treatment with P. lanceolata attenuates cadmium chloride induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity by altering antioxidant enzymes and reducing chromatid breaks and micronuclei formation.     

Hyperacute therapy of ischemic stroke: intravenous thrombolysis

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in the United States following heart disease and cancer. Following the success of thrombolysis for myocardial infarction in the early 1990s, major trials for evaluation of this new therapeutic approach for ischemic stroke were initiated. The majority of ischemic strokes are due to occlusion of a cerebral vessel by a blood clot. Occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel leads to a core of infracted tissue surrounded by a relatively hypoperfused but viable brain tissue (the ischemic penumbra), which can be potentially salvaged by rapid recanalization of the target vessel. The underlying rationale for introduction of thrombolytic drugs is the lysis of an obliterating thrombus and reestablishment of blood flow. In this article we review the major intravenous thrombolysis trials leading to approval of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, the only FDA approved treatment available today for acute ischemic stroke.     

Event-based prospective memory in schizophrenia

Although memory deficits have been well documented in schizophrenia, so far, there is dearth of literature about prospective memory (PM), that is memory for future events, in this disorder. The present study investigated event-based PM in schizophrenia. Additionally, the relationship of event-based PM with clinical variables of schizophrenia was also assessed. Task incorporating event-based prospective memory was administered on 42 schizophrenia patients and 42 nonpsychiatric comparison subjects. Patients with schizophrenia were additionally rated on The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, The Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Results showed schizophrenia patients to have poor event-based prospective memory. However, no significant correlation was observed between the clinical variables and PM.     

Systolic hypertension in older persons

Context  The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure emphasizes the importance of systolic hypertension (SH), defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) of at least 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm Hg, in older persons (60 years). Objective  To systematically review the literature on clinical management of SH in older persons. Data Sources  We performed a MEDLINE search of English-language literature from 1966-2004 to identify reports about SH in older persons, with particular emphasis on data from randomized clinical trials. Study Selection and Data Extraction  We selected 1064 studies by using the search terms hypertension combined with the terms systole (or systolic) and aged. Data Synthesis  There is strong evidence from clinical trials to support the treatment of SH in older persons with SBP of at least 160 mm Hg. Large-scale trials to assess the value of antihypertensive therapy for older patients with SBP of 140 to 159 mm Hg have not been performed, and recommendations to treat these patients are based on observational studies that show a graded relationship of cardiovascular risk with increasing SBP. The studies most strongly support the use of thiazide diuretics and long-acting calcium channel blockers as first-line therapy to treat SH. Conclusions  Treatment of SH in older patients with SBP of at least 160 mm Hg is supported by strong evidence. The evidence available to support treatment of patients to the level of 140 mm Hg or those with baseline SBP of 140 to 159 mm Hg is less strong; thus, these treatment decisions should be more sensitive to patient preferences and tolerance of therapy.      

Emergence of methicilllin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) associated with wound infections

In a hospital setting antimicrobial resistant organisms especially Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as an important variable influencing patients' outcome and overall resource utilisation. The present study was undertaken to find out the proportion of MRSA and other organisms and their antimicrobial resistance pattern in admitted cases with postoperative wound infections. A total of 50 wound swabs were collected irrespective of age and sex of the patients from National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics Rehabilitation (NITOR). The laboratory work was performed in the department of microbiology of National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD). Isolation, identification and susceptibility testing was done according to the guideline of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS, 1998). Out of the 50 samples 34 yielded growths of which 15 had growth of single organism and 19 had mixed growth of 2 to 3 organisms. Four different types of organisms were identified. Highest percentage was Escherichia coli 55.9%, followed by Pseudomonas sp. 52.9%, Proteus sp. 38.2%, and Staphylococcus aureus 17.6%. Of the 6 isolates of S aureus 5 (83.3%) were MRSA. Therefore it can be concluded that MRSA is existing in the hospital premises of NITOR, which can endanger the life of many. This study emphasises that susceptibility testing of all clinical isolates is essential to reduce the morbidity, mortality and longer duration of hospital stay. In addition proper management of the cases can decrease the spread of multiple drug resistant organisms in the community.     

Educational disadvantage impairs functional recovery after hospitalization in older persons

PURPOSE: To determine whether low educational level is associated with poor functional recovery after hospitalization in older adults. METHODS: We followed 862 patients (374 with low education, defined as 相似文献