Low Serum Retinol Is Associated with Increased Severity of Measles in New York City Children

Children with no known prior vitamin A deficiency exhibited a significant decline in their serum retinol levels during the acute phase of measles. This decline in circulating retinol was associated with increased duration of fever, higher hospitalization rates, and decreased antibody titers.     

Development of cranial flexure and Rathke's pouch in the chick embryo

Experiments were done to investigate the cause of the cranial (mesencephalic) flexure of the chick brain during stages 10 to 14. Measurements of the length and thickness of the roof and floor of the mesencephalon gave values similar to the values obtained previously by others. The labeling index was determined in the roof and floor of the prosencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon as a preliminary measure of cell division. The labeling index was about the same in all regions, and was high enough to suggest that most of the cells were dividing. The labeling indices did not suggest that differential growth was caused by differential rates of cell division in the roof and floor of the mesencephalon. It was found through time lapse photography that the foregut and heart remained stationary along the rostrocaudal axis, whereas the prosencephalon moved rostrally and the mesencephalon underwent flexure. Measurements suggested that the neural tube cranial to the otic primordium grew in volume exponentially at a rate consistent with the labeling index. The rostral tip of the neural tube was observed to be linked to the rostral tip of the foregut by the ectoderm that formed Rathke's pouch at the neural tube and the pharyngeal membrane (prospective stomodeum) at the foregut. As the neural tube grew in length, the link between the neural tube and the foregut did not. We suggest that because of this link, the growing neural tube had to bend around the foregut, forming the cranial flexure, and the ectoderm folded where it attached to the prosencephalon, forming Rathke's pouch. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Early Intervention for Trauma: Current Status and Future Directions

Although psychological debriefing (PD) represents the most common form of early intervention for recently traumatized people, there is little evidence supporting its continued use with individuals who experience severe trauma. This review identifies the core issues in early intervention that need to be addressed in resolving the debate over PD. It critiques the available evidence for PD and the early provision of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Based on available evidence, we propose that psychological first aid is an appropriate initial intervention, but that it does not serve a therapeutic or preventive function. When feasible, initial screening is required so that preventive interventions can be used for those individuals who may have difficulty recovering on their own. Evidence-based CBT approaches are indicated for people who are at risk of developing posttraumatic psychopathology. Guidelines for managing acutely traumatized people are suggested and standards are proposed to direct future research that may advance our understanding of the role of early intervention in facilitating adaptation to trauma.     

The Oddono's sulcus and its relation to the renal “junctional parenchymal defect” and the “interrenicular septum”

The anatomy responsible for the sonographic diagnosis of the renal “junctional parenchymal defect” and “interrenicular septum” is caused by perirenal fat along a line of incomplete fusion of two primary renal lobes. Studies using CT, MRI and cadaver observations are presented. “Oddono's sulcus” is suggested as a name for the changes in honor of the author who first described these anatomic findings. Received: 12 January 1996 Accepted: 16 January 1996     

Self-care in medical education: effectiveness of health-habits interventions for first-year medical students.

PURPOSE: To examine changes in health habits (sleep, alcohol, and exercise) and the effects of an educational intervention promoting self-care on the emotional and academic adjustment of first-year medical students. METHOD: Fifty-four medical students completed questionnaires that assessed various health habits, alcohol use, depression severity, and areas of life satisfaction at the beginning of the semester, at mid-term, and at finals. Approximately half of the students received written feedback or participated in an educational discussion group at mid-term. RESULTS: The students demonstrated significant changes in health habits, with increases in alcohol consumption and decreases in exercise and socialization. The changes in health habits were predictive of both emotional and academic adjustment, with students who decreased in positive health habits, particularly socialization, being more depressed at finals. The feedback and educational interventions influenced some sleep and exercise behaviors, but the groups did not differ in overall emotional or academic adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: First-year medical students show significant changes in health habits as they adjust to medical school. An educational intervention demonstrated promising effects in changing these patterns, but self-care needs to be further elaborated to address the specific challenges associated with acute adjustment as well as with long-term stressors.