Addiction Mindsets and Psychological Processes of Quitting Smoking

Background: Lay belief systems about the malleability of human attributes have been shown to impact behavior change in multiple domains. Addiction mindset—i.e., beliefs about the permanence (vs. malleability) of addiction — may affect cigarette smokers’ ability to quit, but this has never been examined. Objectives: The aims of the present research were to develop a measure of addiction mindset (study 1) and examine its associations with various psychological aspects of quitting smoking (study 2). Methods: In Study 1, using factor analysis of current smokers’ and nonsmokers’ (n?=?600) responses to 22 items designed to measure addiction mindset, we developed a reliable six-item Addiction Mindset Scale (AMS). In Study 2, adult smokers (n?=?200) completed the AMS, and measures of a number of psychological processes related to smoking. Results: Higher scores on the AMS, indicative of the belief that addiction is malleable (referred to as a growth mindset), were positively and significantly associated with greater motivation to quit, greater commitment to quitting, greater self-efficacy to abstain, less attribution of failure to lack of ability to change addiction, and fewer self-reported barriers to cessation (all p’s < .05). Conclusions: The results of this study show a relationship between the beliefs about the permanence of addiction and psychological processes relevant to quitting smoking. The findings underscore the potential of future research exploring how addiction mindsets relate to successful smoking cessation as well as other types of addictive behavior and how they can be applied to change people’s behavior.     

Nutrition and health education through I.C.D.S

Summary results and discussion were provided for an Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) survey of 52 anganwadi community workers (AWWs) and 156 mothers of ICDS beneficiary children. The project was implemented in Nelamangala, Bangalore, India, in order to ascertain the practices of mothers in managing diarrhea and respiratory infections and nutrition. The results would be applied to improving health education and developing appropriate and effective communication about nutrition and health between the AWW and the mother. The results of the AWWs survey showed that the 96.16% of AWWs had education up to the high school level and 2 graduated from high school. 69.2% weighed children correctly and 53.84% plotted growth charts satisfactorily. 53.50% of the 2507 growth charts were satisfactorily graphed. 94% reported weighing all children every month, however, the work load made this activity very difficult. Only 5.7% plotted the growth chart immediately after weighing. 38.46% found the visual record of growth good tool of health and nutrition education. 86.92% correctly identified a flattened curve as an indicator of growth failure. 71.15% were aware that additional feeding was needed. 17.30% suggested treatment with tonics and 3.84% suggested treatment for worm infestations. The responses from the mothers indicated that 51.92% were illiterate, agricultural laborers. 92% of mothers had a per capita income of less than Rs. 300/month. 86.53% were aware of the growth monitoring of the AWWS and 61% knew it was conducted monthly. 20.53% had participated in weighing sessions and 42% reported that AWWs explained the meaning of growth monitoring and the importance of weighing procedures. 28.84% reported that AWWs showed comparisons of present and previous weights and explained the significance. 38.64% considered the information meaningful, but only 3.84% could correctly interpret a flattened curve. 63.43% were misinformed about diarrhea causes and treatment. The recommendation was for use of arm circumference tapes for measuring malnutrition, for better training of AWWs in promoting extra feeding for malnutrition, for promoting continued breast feeding during diarrhea bouts, and discouraging use of over-the-counter drugs for treatment of respiratory infections.     

Anatomic relationship of the radial nerve to the elbow joint: Clinical implications of safe pin placement

The percutaneous placement of lateral distal humeral pins risks injury to the radial nerve. We aimed to provide a reliable and safe parameter for the insertion of lateral distal humeral pins. A secondary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pin/screw placement in the intended zone of fixation at the lateral distal humerus. We dissected 70 fresh cadaveric upper limbs and the radial nerve was identified and its course followed into the anterior compartment. The point where the radial nerve crosses humerus in mid lateral plane was identified and the distance between this point and lateral epicondyle was measured, as was the maximum trans‐epicondylar distance, along with the olecranon fossa height. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The average trans‐epicondylar distance was measured at 62 ± 6 mm (range 52–78 mm), and the average lateral radial nerve height was 102 ± 10 mm (range 75–129 mm). The ratio of the lateral nerve height to the trans‐epicondylar distance was an average of 1.7 ± 0.2 (range 1.4–2.0). The Pearson correlation coefficient between the lateral nerve height and the trans‐epicondylar distance was r = 0.95. A relative dimension, the trans‐epicondylar distance is both reliable and easily accessible to the operating surgeon. The absolute safe zone for pin entry into the lateral distal humerus is that area lying within the caudad 70% of a line, equivalent in length to the patient's own trans‐epicondylar distance, when projected proximally from the lateral epicondyle. Clin. Anat. 22:684–688, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in a referral population of children in the United States

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies directed against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in children referred to children's hospitals or medical centers throughout the United States. METHODS: This multisite cross-sectional prospective study involved 992 children from 12 states using a validated anti-H. pylori IgG enzyme immunoassay. The children were recruited into two groups: those without any GI complaints (non-GI referral, n = 619) and those who were referred for endoscopy because of abdominal pain (GI referral, n = 373). RESULTS: GI referral children had a higher rate of seropositivity (22.5%) than non-GI referral children (14.1%) from the same geographic regions. In both groups, older children were more likely to be seropositive for H. pylori, as were nonwhite children and those with lower socioeconomic status. H. pylori seropositivity rates were higher in GI referral children with four or more household members (relative risk [RR] = 1.47; CI 1.01-2.14). Multivariate analysis controlling for age, ethnicity, and household income, showed that presence of GI symptoms were associated with a nearly 2-fold risk for H. pylori seropositivity (odds ratio = 1.77, CI 1.27-2.47). Epigastric pain (RR = 2.21; CI = 1.33-3.66) and having three or more episodes of abdominal pain in the last 3 months (RR = 0.59, CI = 0.35-0.99) were the only specific symptoms significantly associated with H. pylori seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: The H. pylori seropositivity rate of GI referral children with symptoms of abdominal pain was significantly higher. H. pylori infection in early childhood was found to be associated primarily with the child's household size and socioeconomic status.     

The effect of various in-vitro and ex-vivo parameters on irrigant flow and apical pressure using manual syringe needle irrigation: Systematic review

BackgroundFluid dynamics is a majorly neglected aspect to be studied in root canal irrigation. The fundamental rule to understand mechanics is to observe patterns of flow during the process. Thus, this work is conducted to do a systemic assessment of the in-vitro and ex-vivo based studies to evaluate the effect of various parameters on the irrigant flow and apical pressure on using a manual syringe needle for root canal irrigation.MethodsThe literature search was conducted through libraries such as PubMed (Medline), CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and other hand literature from Google Scholar, the British medical library etc. The systematic review was reported following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. As they include studies that were in-vitro and ex-vivo based, the risk of bias of the selected articles was assessed using a customized tool based on the previous literature and parameters evaluated in the studies included.ResultsThe literature search resulted in 101 items of which 19 records were included in this review. Results reported that multiple factors and parameters were assessed to evaluate the flow and apical pressures on using manual syringe needle irrigation.ConclusionsPresent systematic review gives insights in-depth about the irrigation dynamics of manual syringe needle irrigation. Besides, it is inconclusive to compile a single factor or a single parameter contributing to the enhanced irrigant flow and least apical pressures.     

Synovial osteochondromatosis of the elbow

We present 12 patients with synovial osteochondromatosis of the elbow treated by synovectomy. Histological review showed that seven cases were primary and five secondary osteochondromatosis. The patients with primary disease had a mean improvement in the flexion arc from a preoperative value of 40 degrees to 123 degrees to 5 degrees to 128 degrees when reviewed at a mean of nine years after operation. The secondary group had a mean improvement in the flexion arc from a preoperative value of 21 degrees to 98 degrees to 4 degrees to 131 degrees at a mean of 6.8 years after operation. There was recurrence in two of seven patients in the primary group and three of five in the secondary group. Osteoarthritis developed in six elbows in the primary and in three in the secondary group. Osteoarthritis secondary to synovial osteochondromatosis is progressive. In the established condition, the distinction between primary and secondary disease may be of greater histological than clinical relevance.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: report of two cases and a 50-year review of the literature

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare condition that can cause acute myocardial infarction and sudden death. This entity occurs predominantly in women. Although several mechanisms have been postulated, no single etiology completely explains the pathogenesis of SCAD. Patients who survive SCAD have been treated with various modalities. Prompt diagnosis and early institution of appropriate treatment are usually associated with successful outcome. We report two cases of SCAD successfully identified and treated with coronary stenting as well as a comprehensive review of cases of SCAD published since 1952.