Examining the Relationship Between Mental Skills and Grit in Senior Olympic Athletes.

Given the challenge of consistent physical activity among aging adults, it is important to find ways to increase physical activity levels in this population. Participants in the Senior Olympic Games may extend their sport participation through the use of mental skills. This study examined the relationship between mental skills use by Senior Olympic Games participants and their grit, or passion and perseverance, toward a long-term goal. The participants in the Arizona Senior Olympic Games (n = 304) completed an online survey of mental skills use (Athletic Coping Skills Inventory) and grit (Grit Scale-Short). Based on the ongoing validity and reliability issues of the Grit Scale-Short, two regression models were examined, with consistency of interests (passion) and perseverance of effort (perseverance) as dependent variables. After controlling for age and sex, mental skills accounted for 15.2% of the variance in consistency of interests and 13.1% of the variability in perseverance of effort. The results are discussed in light of the findings.

Response of dogs treated with ivermectin or milbemycin starting at various intervals after Dirofilaria immitis infection.

The response to heartworm infection before preventative programs were started was investigated in 56 dogs. Dogs were infected with third-stage larvae of Dirofilaria immitis and started on preventative programs (monthly treatment) with ivermectin/pyrantel pamoate (IVM/PP) or milbemycin oxime (MO) 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, or 6.5 months after infection. Each time period comprised a group of six dogs treated with IVM/PP and six treated with MO. Thoracic radiographs were obtained prior to infection, at the start of preventative treatment, and at regular intervals until dogs were necropsied 1 year after the preventative was started. All dogs developed radiographic signs of heartworm disease, and all had heartworm-related arterial changes at necropsy. From Day 210 to 330, interstitial lung disease was less severe in dogs started on MO 3.5 months after infection than in dogs given IVM/PP at the same time. Arterial surfaces were more severe at necropsy in the dogs started on MO at 4.5 months than in the dogs started on IVM/PP at the same time. There was increased caudal lobar arterial and interstitial disease in the dogs treated with IVM/PP compared with dogs treated with MO; this was attributed to the death of young worms within the caudal pulmonary arteries. Dogs started on either preventative at 5.5 and 6.5 months after infection had radiographic changes and necropsy evaluations that were similar to those of untreated controls. This study reinforces the recommendation of the American Heartworm Society that mature dogs be evaluated for infection prior to starting a monthly preventative and that any dog that tests positive by a heartworm antigen test receive treatment with an adulticide prior to starting a heartworm preventative program.

The association of tuberculosis and HIV infection in Harare, Zimbabwe.

SETTING: The tuberculosis (TB) service responsible for all TB treatment in Harare, Zimbabwe. OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine HIV seroprevalence among TB patients and controls. (2) To compare clinical and demographic characteristics of HIV-infected and uninfected TB patients. DESIGN: Cohort study. Entry criterion: TB diagnosed during the 18 month study period. Assessment included HIV serology. Matched community controls were HIV serotested. RESULTS: In 1434 TB patients tested, HIV seroprevalence was 48% in men and 44% in women, peaked in the 25-34 year age group and was higher than in controls (relative risk [RR] = 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6-3.7). In adults, seroprevalence was 34%, 49% and 58% in successive 6 month periods. A history of entry of prior TB treatment was less common in the HIV-seropositive (RR = 0.57, CI = 0.37-0.88). In adults, tuberculin negativity, TB at 2 sites, lymph node, pericardial and miliary TB, hilar adenopathy and pleural effusion were significantly more common in HIV-seropositive patients; cavitation and upper lobe involvement were significantly less frequent. Pulmonary TB and sputum smear positivity had similar frequencies in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: HIV was strongly and increasingly associated with TB in Harare and altered the clinical and radiologic features of TB. Failed standard TB treatment in HIV-infected individuals contributed minimally to new cases of TB.

PIP: This study was carried out at a tuberculosis (TB) treatment center responsible for the treatment of all TB cases in Harare, Zimbabwe. It sought to 1) determine HIV seroprevalence among TB patients and controls, and 2) compare clinical and demographic characteristics of HIV-infected and uninfected TB patients. For this cohort study, TB had to have been diagnosed during the 18-month study period and assessment included HIV serology. Matched community controls were HIV serotested. In 1434 TB patients tested, HIV seroprevalence was 48% in men and 44% in women, peaked in the 25-34 year age group and was higher than in controls (relative risk [RR] = 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6-3.7). In adults, seroprevalence was 34%, 49%, and 58% in successive 6-month periods. A history at entry of prior TB treatment was less common in the HIV-seropositive (RR = 0.57, CI = 0.37-0.88). In adults, tuberculin negativity, TB at 2 sites, lymph node, pericardial, and miliary TB, hilar adenopathy, and pleural effusion were significantly more common in HIV-seropositive patients; cavitation and upper lobe involvement were significantly less frequent. Pulmonary TB and sputum smear positivity had similar frequencies in the 2 groups. HIV was strongly and increasingly associated with TB in Harare and altered the clinical and radiologic features of TB. Failed standard TB treatment in HIV-infected individuals contributed minimally to new cases of TB. (author's modified)

The influence of HIV status on single and multiple drug reactions to antituberculous therapy in Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To document the influence of HIV status on drug reactions occurring in patients on antituberculous therapy in Harare, Zimbabwe. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: City of Harare Tuberculosis Unit. PATIENTS: Records of 906 patients with tuberculosis, of whom 162 reacted to antituberculous therapy, were analysed. RESULTS: Reactions to antituberculous drugs were more frequent in HIV-positive (98 out of 363) than in HIV-negative (64 out of 543; P less than 0.0001) patients. The most common drug reaction was cutaneous hypersensitivity, occurring in 139 patients, 89 (64%) of whom were HIV-positive. Thiacetazone was implicated in 115 (82.7%) of the 139 cutaneous reactions and streptomycin in 10 (7.2%). Almost all cutaneous reactions occurred within 8 weeks of beginning treatment. Severe cutaneous reactions occurred more often in HIV-positive patients (P less than 0.001) and the only two deaths occurred in this group. Reactions to multiple drugs occurred in 18 HIV-positive and three HIV-negative patients (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: The use of thiacetazone and streptomycin in antituberculous drug regimens should be reassessed in those countries where coinfection with HIV and tuberculosis is common.