Values and self-esteem in three generations of men and women.

Similarities and differences in values within families across three generations were examined. The relationship between values and self-esteem was also investigated. Sixty inter-generational triads (30M;30F) rated 14 values on a semantic-differential scale. The hypotheses of generational similarities in long-term, central (in Rokeach's terms, terminal) values and of generational differences in short term, specific (Rokeach's instrumental) values were generally supported. However, the hypothesized interactions of self-esteem and generation with values were only minimally supported by these data. There were no generational differences in the terminal values Equality, An Exciting Life, Freedom, and A Sense of Accomplishment. The oldest generation rated the instrumental values Ambition, Capability, Independence, and Intelligence higher than did the other generations. In addition, they rated the more work-oriented values of Education, Money, Success and Work highest. These findings are discussed as possible cohort rather than as age effects. Women rated Ambition, Education, and Intelligence more highly than men.     

Uncooked cornstarch--efficacy in type I glycogenosis

Uncooked cornstarch (UCCS) loads in 14 patients with type 1 glycogenosis revealed that satisfactory glycaemia was achieved for a median of 4.25 hours (range 2.5 to 6). Length of glycaemia was related weakly to UCCS dose, but not to patient age or measures of metabolic control. Careful monitoring is required during UCCS treatment.     

Temporomandibular joint arthrography: comparison of morbidity with ionic and low osmolality contrast media

We compared patient morbidity associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrography using both meglumine/sodium diatrizoate (60%) and the new monoacidic dimer, Hexabrix, in a double-blind randomized clinical trial in 31 patients. Patients experienced maximal discomfort from TMJ arthrography with the initial joint filling and joint distension; this rapidly resolved over 10 minutes. Delayed exacerbation of pain is less than described for shoulder arthrography. The newer contrast media promise to decrease patient morbidity with arthrography.     

Sustainability of cross-functional teams for marketing strategy development and implementation

This article presents a case study on a cross-functional team used for marketing strategy development and execution at a health insurance company. The study found a set of success factors that contributed to the initial success of the team, but the factors were not enough to maintain the team's high level of productivity over time. The study later identified a set of 8 factors that helped sustain the team's high-productivity level. The 2 sets (ie, success and its subsequent sustainability factors) are analyzed against a normative model of team effectiveness. All the factors are explained by the normative model except for 1 sustainability factor, "challenge motivator." In fact, the study found the "challenge motivator" to be the most critical factor to keep up the team's productivity over time. Apart from a performance crisis, the authors developed 3 "challenge motivators"--first, more granular market information that could unearth hidden performance issues; second, constant value creation to shareholders as the firm being publicly traded; and third, the firm's strategic mandate to meet and exceed customer expectations that puts ultimate performance pressure on the marketing strategy team.     

Social support and well-being: preliminary indicators based on two samples of the elderly

The structure of social support and its relation to health, affect, and life satisfaction are compared for two samples of the elderly. The first is a national representative sample; the second is a distressed sample from South Miami Beach. Although there are similarities in the structure of social support across the two groups, those in the Miami Beach sample report fewer support figures, and far fewer within geographic proximity, than do those in the national sample. This comparative network impoverishment is particularly marked for male respondents and is accentuated by a high number of isolates in this group. In addition, stronger relationships are found between support network size and affect, and among affect, life satisfaction, and health in the South Miami Beach sample. Older men in poor health and without supportive relationships are targeted as a particularly high risk subgroup. The discussion includes a focus on personal, situational, and life span differences related to variations in support and well-being and a consideration of implications for more recent waves of elderly sun-belt migrants.     

Protein kinase C zeta regulation of hypertrophic and apoptotic events occurring during rat neonatal heart development and growth

The development and growth of the rat heart implies hyperplasia, which stops at birth, and hypertrophy, allowing cardiac mass to grow in response to programmed genetic events along with to haemodynamic overload. Moreover, hypertrophy is accomplished to apoptosis which controls the final number of myocardial cells, deletes vestigial structures, and takes part in remodelling the organ. Since at the basis of all these processes, which lead to the complete development of the heart, the activation of specific signalling pathways underlies, attention has been addressed to the role played in vivo by Protein Kinase C zeta (PKC zeta) in regulating NF-kB signalling system and intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic route at days 1, 4, 10 and 22 of rat life. In fact, a role has been assigned to PKC zeta in indirectly phosphorylating IKBa, which peaks between 10 and 22 days, through a IKK determining, in turn, NF-kB activation, concomitantly to cytochrome c/Apaf 1 co-localization in the cytoplasm and caspase-9/caspase-3 activation, which leads to the occurrence of apoptosis. Thus a key role for PKC zeta in regulating the hypertrophic and apoptotic events leading to establishment of complete function in rat neonatal heart is here suggested.     

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in HIV-Infected Persons: Italy 1999–2000

Abstract Background: Patients with HIV infection may be a valuable target for assessing the impact of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Patients and Methods: An observational, prospective study was conducted in 96 infectious disease hospital units in Italy during 1999–2000. A total of 140 HIV-infected patients with diagnosis of TB and with an isolate tested for drug susceptibility entered the analysis. Drug resistance (DR) was defined as resistance to either isoniazid (INH) or rifampin (RIF), while multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as resistance to INH and RIF. Results: A total of 117 (83.6%) episodes of TB were classified as new cases and 23 (16.4%) as previously treated cases. Prevalence of resistance to INH or RIF was 12.8% and 4.3% among new cases, and 17.4% and 26.1% among previously treated cases, respectively. Prevalence rates of DR and MDR were 14.5% and 2.6% among new cases and 30.4% and 12.5% among previously treated cases, respectively. No statistically significant risk factors associated with DR or MDR TB emerged in this analysis. Conclusion: High prevalence rates of DR and MDR are present among HIV-infected TB patients in Italy, in particular among previously treated cases.*Members of the GISTA–SIMIT Study Group and participating institutions are listed at the end of the paper.     

锌缺乏对神经病理性疼痛模型小鼠行为学的影响

目的研究饮食锌缺乏对神经病理性疼痛模型小鼠痛域的影响。方法制备饮食锌缺乏小鼠,采用小鼠坐骨神经分支选择损伤模型,金属自显影和原子吸收光谱检测小鼠脊髓后角锌稳态,检测小鼠痛域。结果 AMG结果证实,与假手术组相比,模型组小鼠和锌缺乏组小鼠脊髓后角游离锌离子减少,与模型组小鼠相比,锌缺乏小鼠脊髓后角游离锌离子减少。原子吸收光谱结果表明,锌缺乏组小鼠总锌含量较假手术组减少。痛域检测结果表明,锌缺乏小鼠痛域下降。结论锌离子可能参与小鼠脊髓后角痛觉专递。     

姜黄素对癫痫小鼠海马脑损伤的保护作用

目的研究姜黄素对匹罗卡品诱导的癫痫小鼠海马新生神经元和细胞凋亡的影响。方法姜黄素预处理后,小鼠腹腔注射匹罗卡品建立小鼠癫痫模型,应用新生神经元标记物双皮层蛋白(doublecortin,DCX)免疫组织化学染色及TUNEL染色对造模后72h的模型小鼠海马进行检测。结果 DCX免疫组织化学染色结果表明,与对照组相比,模型组及姜黄素处理模型组小鼠海马齿状回DCX阳性细胞明显减少;与模型组相比,姜黄素处理模型组小鼠海马齿状回DCX阳性细胞明显增多。TUNEL染色结果表明,与对照组相比,模型组及姜黄素处理模型组小鼠海马齿状回TUNEL阳性细胞明显增多;与模型组相比,姜黄素处理模型组小鼠海马齿状回TUNEL阳性细胞明显减少。结论姜黄素可能对匹罗卡品诱导的癫痫小鼠海马神经元有保护作用。