Neurocognitive sequelae in African American and Caucasian children with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine domain-specific neurocognitive differences between African American (AA) and Caucasian (CA) patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). METHODS: An extensive battery of neuropsychological tests was given to each subject, including tests in all major domains of cognitive function. Point-biserial correlations between ethnicity and test performance were computed. Significant correlations were followed up with hierarchical multiple regression analysis, accounting for clinical and demographic variables before examining ethnic differences. RESULTS: Forty-two patients with POMS including 20 AA and 22 CA subjects were assessed. The cohorts did not differ in age, gender, socioeconomic status, disease duration, disability score, immunoglobulin G index, or number of relapses in the first 2 years of disease. Retaining some of these variables as covariates in the hierarchical regression analysis, the AA cohort performed worse on measures of language (p < 0.001) and complex attention (p < 0.01) than their CA peers. CONCLUSION: AA patients with POMS may be at higher risk for adverse cognitive impact in the areas of language and complex attention. Longitudinal characterization of cognitive pathology is critical for the development of effective intervention strategies to prolong cognitive functioning in POMS cohorts.

An air photo analysis of an airplane crash.

Crash patterns-such as cut and damaged vegetation, gouges, debris scatter, burn areas, etc.,-and their spatial relations can be very effectively evaluated by the analysis of stereo aerial photographs. Results from the Canadian Aviation Safety Board's use of aerial photography in the Gander, Nfld., crash of Dec. 12, 1985, show that the technique can lend direct support to an investigation in several ways. It provides an overall perspective view of the regional relations of the crash patterns. It helps direct ground activities. In three-covered areas, it can help establish aircraft attitude and orientation. When combined with debris plots and attitude determinations, it can help establish the breakup sequence. And, when coupled to photogrammetric procedures, it can assign dimensional values to attitude, descent path, areas, lengths, etc.

Prospective study of hepatitis B in thirty-two inadvertently infected people.

Red blood cells from a single donor were used for stimulation of red-cell antibodies in 32 volunteers. In mid-April 1978, the RBC donor had sexual contact with a partner who later developed hepatitis. The donor was asymptomatic, HBsAg negative and had normal SGOT at the time of the donations of June 14 and July 19, but became HBsAg positive by August 30, and developed acute hepatitis in October 1978. The donor's blood was infective at least 36 and possibly 76 days before HBsAg became detectable by radioimmunoassay. Washing of RBC had no effect on the incidence of seroconversion. Hepatitis B surface antigen or anti-HBs or both became detectable in 28 (87.5%) of the 32 volunteers. Thirteen (42%) developed a self-limited acute hepatitis with jaundice. None became an HBsAg carrier. There were no secondaries among work, casual, or family contacts, but close family members and sexual partners were given hepatitis-B immune globulin.