Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for the Management of Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to be an effective modality in the management of a variety of conditions. However, its role in the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains an area of controversy. This study aims to evaluate the safety and outcomes of HBOT in managing the long-term sequelae of TBI. METHODS: The records of TBI patients who underwent increments of 40 sessions of HBOT at 1.5 atmosphere absolute at a single medical center were reviewed. The outcome measures included physical, cognitive (i.e., Trail Making Test, parts A and B; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment and Subjective Symptoms tool), and single-photon emission computed tomography findings. The complications and withdrawals were recorded. RESULTS: During the study period, 17 patients underwent HBOT to manage the long-term sequelae of their TBI. Of the 17 patients, 12 (70.6%) completed 120 HBOT sessions and were evaluated 3 months after treatment. All 12 patients had statistically significant improvements in their Trail Making Test, parts A and B, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Evaluation of Cognitive Impairment and Subjective Symptoms scores (P < 0.05). Additionally, single-photon emission computed tomography depicted increased cerebral blood flow and oxygen metabolism among studied subjects compared with the baseline values. A total of 5 patients withdrew from the study, which was related to new-onset headaches associated with HBOT for 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: HBOT using 1.5 atmosphere absolute in increments of 40 sessions was found to be a safe and effective modality in the management of the long-term sequelae of TBI. HBOT should be considered in the management of this patient population.

Frequency of Medical Reversal Among Published Randomized Controlled Trials Assessing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize what proportion of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among patients experiencing cardiac arrest find that an established practice is ineffective or harmful, that is, a medical reversal. METHODS: We reviewed a database of all published RCTs of cardiac arrest patient populations between 1995 and 2014. Articles were classified on the basis of whether they tested a new or existing therapy and whether results were positive or negative. A reversal was defined as a negative RCT of an established practice. Further review and categorization were performed to confirm that reversals were supported by subsequent systematic review, as well as to identify the type of medical practice studied in each reversal. This study was conducted from October 2017 to June 17, 2019. RESULTS: We reviewed 92 original articles, 76 of which could be conclusively categorized. Of these, 18 (24%) articles examined a new medical practice, whereas 58 (76%) tested an established practice. A total of 18 (24%) studies had positive findings, whereas 58 (76%) reached a negative conclusion. Of the 58 articles testing existing standard of care, 44 (76%) reversed that practice, whereas 14 (24%) reaffirmed it. CONCLUSION: Reversal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation practices is widespread. This investigation sheds new light on low-value practices and patterns of medical research and suggests that novel resuscitation practices have low pretest probability and should be empirically tested with rigorous trials before implementation.

Poetry corner.

Presents a poem entitled The Ballad of Howard S. Whether or not Howard's mother can be said to have had an archival memory of his middle name is left to the reader's discretion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychology's own mindfulness: Ellen Langer and the social politics of scientific interest in "active noticing".

Ellen Langer's mindfulness construct is presented as "indigenous" to disciplinary psychology. Langer's early work laid the foundations for the research program she would come to call the psychology of possibility. Studying inattentive behavior (mindlessness) and intentionally reflective cognition (mindfulness) placed her work directly in line with the theoretical priorities of the 1970s and influenced the direction of research in several subdisciplines related to social cognition. Positioning Langer's work at an intersection crossed by various discourse communities in psychology explains much of its influence within the discipline. However, its relevance is additionally related to a broader field of research and application also employing the terminology of mindfulness. While superficially synonymous, the majority of mindfulness research is distinguished from Langer's due to differences in origination, definition, and goals. Comparative assessments are used as a lens through which to interrogate the social politics of mindfulness theories' burgeoning success over the past half century.

Joint meeting in Brazil: SBHP and EFHEP.

The Brazilian Society for the History of Psychology (SBHP) was founded in 2013 to promote the History of Psychology in the country. The goal of our joint meeting is to discuss how the history of psychology can help foster critical understandings of some basic problems on the definition of psychology, its projects as a science and some issues related to the delimitation of its subject matter and methods. (PsycINFO Database Record

Poetry corner.

This issue's poem is of historical interest due to its biographical features and celebratory tone, if not for its craft or lyricism per se. It was written by Joyce M. Hoffman for E. G. Boring on the occasion of his eightieth birthday. Division 26 was also founded that year (1966), with Boring named as its honorary first president. (PsycINFO Database Record

Poetry corner.

This section briefly presents poetry with a psychology theme. This submission was made by The Cummings Center for the History of Psychology's reference archivist Lizette Royer. Two transcribed poems by Knight Dunlap are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record

SHP: 50 years and counting.

This essay contributes to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Society for the History of Psychology (SHP) in its earlier form (Division 26 of the American Psychological Association). Ronald Mayer's history of the division is updated by providing a description of some of the noteworthy events and changes in the organization since his publication. (PsycINFO Database Record

Note on "History of psychology in India: Problems and prospects".

Discusses the indigenization movement of psychology in India, which attempts to develop a context sensitive discipline that can understand the concept of mind and human behavior from the cultural perspective. It emphasizes the culturally bound aspects of human nature and uses methods to explore the ways in which culture emerges from history. Given the directions of scientific research, it is not absurd to engage with Western theories. Nevertheless, some Indian psychologists have resisted what they consider the intrusion of modern psychology. They have forwarded premises about human nature in the philosophical roots of traditional Indian thought which look tautological and feed back to our oppressive social structures; for example, the patriarchy and caste systems. The scope of social change is limited under the garb of indigenization, unless the movement of indigenization calls for social change. Several points are made, of which Indian psychological approaches should become cognizant to better understand the relevant contexts for social responsibility. In addition, several recommendations are suggested for a new wave of psychological research in India. (PsycINFO Database Record

The archive of the History of Psychology at the University of Rome, Sapienza.

The History of Psychology Archive at the University of Rome, Sapienza was founded in 2008 in the Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology. The archive aspires to become an indispensable tool to (a) understand the currents, schools, and research traditions that have marked the path of Italian psychology, (b) focus on issues of general and applied psychology developed in each university, (c) identify experimental and clinical-differential methodologies specific to each lab, (d) reconstruct the genesis and consolidation of psychology institutions and, ultimately, (e) write a "story," set according to the most recent historiographical criteria. The archive is designed according to scholarship on the history of Italian psychology from the past two decades. The online archive is divided into five sections for ease of access. The Sapienza archive is a work in progress and it has plans for expansion. (PsycINFO Database Record

Digital methods for the history of psychology: Introduction and resources.

At the York University Digital History of Psychology Laboratory, we have been working on projects that explore what digital methodologies have to offer historical research in our field. This piece provides perspective on the history and theory of digital history, as well as introductory resources for those who are curious about incorporating these methods into their own work. (PsycINFO Database Record

Isolation and Characterization of Agrobacterium Strains from Soil: A Laboratory Capstone Experience.

In this investigation, the students' goal was to isolate and characterize Agrobacterium strains from soil. Following selection and enrichment on 1A-t medium, putative Agrobacterium isolates were characterized by Gram stain reaction and biochemical tests. Isolates were further evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with different primer sets designed to amplify specific regions of bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Primer sets included AGRH to identify isolates that were members of the Rhizobiaceae, BIOVAR1 primers to identify members of Agrobacterium biovar group I, and a third set, VIRG, to determine presence of virG (only present in pathogenic Agrobacterium strains). During the investigation, students applied previously learned techniques including serial dilution, use of selective/differential media, staining protocols, biochemical analysis, molecular analysis via PCR, and electrophoresis. Students also gained practical experience using photo documentation to record data for an eventual mock journal publication of the capstone laboratory experience. Pre- and post-evaluation of class content knowledge related to the techniques, protocols, and learning objectives of these laboratories revealed significant learning gains in the content areas of Agrobacterium-plant interactions (p ≤ 0.001) and molecular biology (p ≤ 0.01). The capstone journal assignment served as the assessment tool to evaluate mastery and application of laboratory technique, the ability to accurately collect and evaluate data, and critical thinking skills associated with experimental troubleshooting and extrapolation. Analysis of journal reports following the capstone experience showed significant improvement in assignment scores (p ≤ 0.0001) and attainment of capstone experience learning outcomes.

A practical quantification method for Heinz bodies in birds applicable to rapid response field scenarios.

Oil-induced oxidative injury to red blood cells results in Heinz body hemolytic anemia. Here, we evaluated three Heinz body staining techniques in brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) blood. Using a range of in vitro acetylphenylhydrazine incubations, we validated a field-adapted technique against laboratory wet-mounts and verified the stability of this technique for one month following preparation. Employing this technique during petrochemical spill responses allows for delays between sample collection and analysis.

Vestibular evoked myogenic responses to amplitude modulated sounds.

Auditory steady state responses (ASSR) allow objective assessment of hearing thresholds. At high stimulation levels artifactual responses have been reported in subjects with severe to profound deafness. Relatively large amplitude 'steady state' responses to amplitude modulated tones were measured from the Sternocleidomastoid muscle at 500 Hz. Response thresholds were similar to those of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and scaled with neck muscle tension. 'Steady-state' myogenic responses showed broad tuning to modulation frequency. Reduced amplitude responses were measured at the inion indicating volume conduction from the SCM. While dependant on neck tension, such responses are a potential source of artifacts when recording ASSR.

An interdisciplinary team communication framework and its application to healthcare 'e-teams' systems design.

BACKGROUND: There are few studies that examine the processes that interdisciplinary teams engage in and how we can design health information systems (HIS) to support those team processes. This was an exploratory study with two purposes: (1) To develop a framework for interdisciplinary team communication based on structures, processes and outcomes that were identified as having occurred during weekly team meetings. (2) To use the framework to guide 'e-teams' HIS design to support interdisciplinary team meeting communication. METHODS: An ethnographic approach was used to collect data on two interdisciplinary teams. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data according to structures, processes and outcomes. RESULTS: We present details for team meta-concepts of structures, processes and outcomes and the concepts and sub concepts within each meta-concept. We also provide an exploratory framework for interdisciplinary team communication and describe how the framework can guide HIS design to support 'e-teams'. CONCLUSION: The structures, processes and outcomes that describe interdisciplinary teams are complex and often occur in a non-linear fashion. Electronic data support, process facilitation and team video conferencing are three HIS tools that can enhance team function.

The sleep experience of medical and surgical patients.

This study described and compared the sleep experience of medical and surgical patients during a hospital stay. During 3 consecutive nights, patients (n = 110) self-reported sleep quality using the Verran and Snyder Sleep Scale (VSH) and potentially disruptive factors using items from the Factors Influencing Sleep Questionnaire (FISQ). Surgical patients, on the first night, received more procedural care (p = .001), less sedative medication (p < .001), reported more sleep disturbance (p = .02), less sleep effectiveness (p = .03), and more need for sleep supplementation (p = .03). Variance in sleep effectiveness was explained by the FISQ score, age, and length of time in hospital (F = 6.86, p < .001). The sleep experience of patients varies between diagnostic groupings and across the hospital stay. Unit environmental and personal factors, factors that are amenable to therapeutic interventions, strongly influence the sleep experience.