The Effect of Family Meals on the Emotional and Behavioral Problems of Children

This study analyzed the effect of family meals on the psychological problems of children. We performed focus group interviews (FGI) on the basic characteristics of family meals, and chose several scales (such as Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), self-esteem, and a daily hassles questionnaire), to measure the psychological variables. We collected data from 442 dyads (mother-child) and used 440 from dyads. In our results, the frequency of family meals affected the psychological problems of children, especially aggression and emotional instability. The atmosphere during meals also affected depression/anxiety, concentration difficulties, emotional instability, self-esteem, peer relationships, and sociality. There were significant correlations between meal atmosphere, family bonding, maternal personality, and psychological problems of children. We performed covariation analysis to examine and control the influence of family bonding and maternal personality; despite controlling for these variables, family meals still influenced children's psychological problems. We conclude that the family meal is a significant variable that impacts the emotional and behavioral problems of children and stress the importance of frequent family meals.

The Influence of Contrasts on Directional and Spatial Frequency Tuning in Visual Cortex Areas 17/18 of the Cat

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of contrast display exposure on neuronal directional and spatial frequency tuning. Neuronal responses were recorded from ninety-four neurons in cortical areas 17 and 18 in two adult cats. METHODS: A multi-channel microelectrode was implanted in cortical areas 17 and 18 of two paralyzed and anaesthetized cats. Various drifting sinusoidal grating contrast displays were presented to one of the cats' eyes in the visual field. Contour plots based on the neuronal responses to the drifting sinusoidal grating displays using various contrasts (i.e., 0.4, 0.7, and 1.0) and velocities (i.e., 4.6, 13.9, 23.1, 32.3, 41.5, 50.8, and 60.0 deg/sec) were plotted as a function of the spatial frequency and the direction associated with each velocity and contrast used. RESULTS: Five parameters were extracted from these contour plots: 1) optimum response, 2) preferred direction, 3) optimum spatial frequency, 4) directional tuning width, and 5) spatial frequency bandwidth. To determine the optimal velocity, each parameter was plotted against each of the specific display contrasts used, and a 'best fit' line was established. Response amplitudes were dependent on the type of contrast utilized; however, the spatial frequency and directional tuning properties were stable for the cortical neurons assessed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the presentation of different contrasts on neuronal directional and spatial frequency tuning are consistent with behavioral results when medium and high contrast displays are used.

Focus Group Study on Psychosocial Distress of Cancer Patients / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to describe psychosocial difficulties experienced by cancer patients. METHODS: Three focus group interviews were conducted to collect the data from 19 outpatients with cancer undergoing treatments during 2009. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis of grounded theory. RESULTS: As a result of constant comparative analysis, 'psychosocial distress' was identified as a core category, and seven subcategories were identified. 'Plunged into negative emotions' and 'damaged self-identity' were identified as major categories in the individual dimension. 'Difficulty in dealing with diagnosis' and 'hasty expectations and concerns' were identified in the dimension of family. 'Inefficient communication' and 'lack of necessary information' were identified in the dimension of health care setting. 'Lonely journey into a strange territory' was identified in the dimension of society. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that cancer patients experience a wide range of psychosocial problems. Thus, in assessing and relieving psychosocial distress of cancer patients, it is necessary to focus not only on the level of the individual but also on the levels of family, health care setting, and society in general is necessary.

Temporal Changes of Direction and Spatial Frequency Tuning in Visual Cortex Areas 17 and 18 / 한국실험동물학회지

Spatial frequency and direction tuning to drifting sinusoidal gratings are intrinsic properties of neurons in visual cortex neurons in areas 17 and 18. To investigate the stability of these tuning properties during visual stimulation in anesthetized cats, the temporal dynamics of spatial frequency and direction tuning were analyzed in every 0.1 sec. The responses of cortical neurons (n=109) as a function of spatial frequency as well as direction at a particular velocity for 1 second were measured and plotted as a contour plot. Five parameters from this plot were extracted: optimum response, preferred direction (direction that showed the optimum response), optimum spatial frequency (spatial frequency that showed the optimum response), direction tuning width (the difference between the highest and lowest directions to which the cell was at least half as responsive as it was to its optimum direction) and spatial frequency bandwidth (the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies to which the cell was at least half as responsive as it was to its optimum frequency). Then, this contour plot was further analyzed in every 0.1 sec to investigate whether these five parameters were changed or not during the course of stimulation. These parameters were plotted along the time (0.1 sec step) and a line of fit was found. Both spatial frequency and direction tuning properties were not changed in most of the cells. This suggests that both direction and spatial frequency tuning properties are stable during drifting sinusoidal gratings' stimulation.

Surface change and fit of TiN-coated abutment screw after repeated closing and opening / 대한치과보철학회지

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A few dry lubricants were applied to abutment screws for the improvement of joint stability. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface change and fit of TiNCoated abutment screw through the examination of tested screws in the field emission scanning electron microscope(FE-SEM;Netherland, Phillips co., model:XL 30 SFEG) after repeated closing and opening. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Titanium(3i/implant Innovations Inc, USA) and Gold-Tite abutment screws(3i/implant Innovations Inc, USA) were selected for Group A and C respectively. TiN coated titanium abutment screws were also divided into two groups, Group B and D. Abutment screws of each group and the fit of abutment screw/implant fixture/abutment were observed on FE-SEM after repeated closing and opening test respectively. RESULTS: 1. The abutment screws of TiN coated groups(Group B and D) showed more remarkable wear resistance in the threads of the screw than those of the other group(Group A and C). 2. There were more severe wear and defect of TiN coating in Group D tightened to 32 Ncm than Group B to 20 Ncm. 3. There was no difference in the fit of abutment screw/fixture/abutment among four groups, Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, it is suggested that TiN coating of abutment screw be clinically acceptable and be expected to reduce the risk of abutment screw loosening. TiN coating of abutment screw showed good resistance against wear and the adequate fit of abutment screw/implant fixture/abutment.

Application of PCR from the fine needle aspirates for the diagnosis of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis

Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem worldwide. A definitive and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis in cervical lymphadenopathy is important because satisfactory results can be achieved with chemotherapy alone, obviating surgery. Recently, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) has provided an alternative and easy procedure for collection of material for cytomorphologic and bacteriologic examination. But the detection rate for M. tuberculosis from the aspirate material is still low with Ziehl-Neelson stain and even with culture. The authors therefore performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for mycobacterial DNA sequences in 31 cases of cytodiagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis and compared conventional bacteriologic methods. Ziehl-Neelson staining for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) was positive in 3 cases (10%) in direct smears, and the cultures for M. tuberculosis were positive in 6 cases (19%). In 19 (61%) among 31 samples, mycobacterial DNA fragments were detected, using the PCR method. With combined conventional and PCR method, the rate of detection was increased to 68 percent high. In conclusion, PCR is the most sensitive technique in the demonstration of M. tuberculosis in patient with clinically suspected as tuberculosis, who have AFB stain or culture negative cytology. Combined conventional and PCR methods as well as cytologic findings are of further help in the detection and characterization of M. tuberculosis.