Influenza Knowledge,Attitude, and Behavior Survey for Grade School Students: Design and Novel Assessment Methodology

Despite the fact infectious diseases can spread readily in grade schools, few studies have explored prevention in this setting. Additionally, we lack valid tools for students to self-report knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. As part of an ongoing study of a curriculum intervention to promote healthy behaviors, we developed and evaluated age-appropriate surveys to determine students’ understanding of influenza prevention. Surveys were adapted from adolescent and adult influenza surveys and administered to students in grades 2–5 (ages 7–11) at two Rochester public schools. We assessed student understanding by analyzing percent repeatability of 20 survey questions and compared percent “don’t know” (DK) responses across grades, gender, and race. Questions thought to be ambiguous after early survey administration were investigated in student focus groups, modified as appropriate, and reassessed. The response rate across all surveys was >87 %. Survey questions were well understood; 16 of 20 questions demonstrated strong pre/post repeatability (>70 %). Only 1 question showed an increase in DK response for higher grades (p < .0001). Statistical analysis and qualitative feedback led to modification of 3 survey questions and improved measures of understanding in the final survey administration. Grade-school students’ knowledge, attitudes and behavior toward influenza prevention can be assessed using surveys. Quantitative and qualitative analysis may be used to assess participant understanding and refine survey development for pediatric survey instruments. These methods may be used to assess the repeatability and validity of surveys to assess the impact of health education interventions in young children.     

Hypnotic Relaxation Therapy for Treatment of Hot Flashes Following Prostate Cancer Surgery: A Case Study

This case study reports on a 69-year-old African American male who presented with hot flashes following a diagnosis of prostate cancer and subsequent prostatectomy. Measures include both self-reported and physiologically measured hot flash frequency and sleep quality. The intervention involved 7 weekly sessions of hypnotic relaxation therapy directed toward alleviation of hot flashes. Posttreatment self-reported hot flashes decreased 94%; physiologically measured hot flashes decreased 100%; and sleep quality improved 87.5%. At week 12, both self-reported and physiologically measured hot flashes decreased 95% and sleep quality improved 37.5% over baseline, suggesting hypnotic relaxation therapy may be an effective intervention for men with hot flashes following treatment for prostate cancer.     

Liver transplantation.

This assessment of the role of liver transplantation in treating end-stage liver disease today is based on two major series, one from Denver and the other from the Cambridge/Kings College Hospital, England. The findings of these groups are highlighted, as are the changes in technique that have led to considerably improved survival in the past two years.     

Gastrointestinal complications of hepatic transplantation.

In this series of 150 orthotopic hepatic transplants, clinically significant gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurred in 34 patients (23%). Five patients (15%) survived this complication. Enteric perforations occurred in 20 patients following 198 biliary-enteric procedures. Only one patient survived. Enteric perforations unrelated to biliary procedures fared only slightly better with one survivor among eight perforations. These results clearly do not warrant complacency. Modifications advocated are an aggressive diagnostic approach and early reoperation with establishment of extensive peritoneal drainage where necessary.     

Cocaine hepatotoxicity in cultured liver slices: a species comparison

Studies were carried out in order to find a sensitive in vitro model with which to investigate cocaine-mediated hepatotoxicity. Precision-cut liver slices were prepared from: human, domestic pig, New Zealand white rabbit, Sprague-Dawley (S/D) rat, and two mouse strains (DBA/2Ha and ICR). The rationale for the choice of these species was that information on in vivo effects of cocaine was available in the literature. Slices were cultured for up to 6 h in the presence of 0-5 mM cocaine. Indices of toxicity consisted of K+ retention and Ca2+ uptake. Minimal effects and no clear dose-response relationships were observed. In addition to the studies with non-pretreated animals, liver slices were prepared from DBA/2Ha and ICR mice, both induced by housing on pine shavings, and phenobarbital pretreated Sprague-Dawley rats. The induced ICR mouse and rat were approximately 3 times more sensitive to cocaine-mediated hepatotoxicity. The following order of sensitivity to cocaine-mediated hepatotoxicity was established: induced rat = induced ICR mouse much greater than induced DBA/2Ha mouse = rabbit = uninduced ICR mouse = uninduced DBA/2Ha mouse = uninduced rat greater than pig = human.     

Network‐based decoupling of local gyrification in obsessive‐compulsive disorder

Gyrification is associated with cortical maturation and closely linked to neurodevelopmental processes. Obsessive‐compulsive disorder has previously been associated with neurodevelopmental risk factors. Using graph theoretical modeling we examined structural covariance patterns to assess potential disruptions in processes associated with neurodevelopment in OCD. In total 97 patients and 92 healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Structural covariance networks based on local gyrification indices were constructed using an atlas‐based parcellation scheme. Network properties were assessed using the network‐based statistic as well as global and local graph theoretical measures. Correlations between gyrification and symptom severity as well as age of disease onset were examined. Network‐based statistic analysis revealed one cluster with significantly decreased structural covariance in patients comprising mainly ventral brain regions (p = .041). Normalized characteristic path length was found to be impaired in patients (p = .051). On a nodal level, left middle frontal sulcus displayed a significantly decreased local clustering coefficient (p < .001). Finally, gyrification in several inferior frontal nodes significantly correlated with age of onset but not symptom severity. The decrease in a gyrification‐based covariance network in OCD appears to be mostly confined to ventral areas in which gyrification starts the latest during development. This pattern may indicate that alterations taking place during development are potentially time locked to specific periods. Correlations between gyrification in inferio‐frontal nodes and age of onset potentially indicate a structural trait rather than state marker for OCD. Finally, a trend in impaired global integration capabilities may point towards potentially widespread global alterations during neurodevelopment in patients.     

Effects of Playback Theatre on cognitive function and quality of life in older adults in Singapore: A preliminary study

Objective

This study investigated the effects of Playback Theatre on older adults’ cognitive function and well‐being, specifically in the Singapore context.

Methods

Eighteen healthy older adults, older than 50 years of age, participated in the study. Due to practical limitations, a single‐group pre–post study design was adopted. Participants completed the outcome measures before and after the training program. There were six weekly sessions in total (about 1.5 hours, once weekly).

Results

Participants experienced a significant improvement in their emotional well‐being after training. However, there were no significant changes in participants’ cognitive function or health‐related quality of life.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that Playback Theatre as a community program has potential to improve the mental and emotional well‐being of older people.