Contemporary College Students' Reflections of their High School Peer Crowds.

High school peer crowds are fundamental components of adolescent development with influences on short-and long-term life trajectories. This study provides the perspectives of contemporary college students regarding their recent high school social landscapes, contributing to current research and theory on the social contexts of high school. This study also highlights the experiences of college-bound students who represent a growing segment of the adolescent population. 61 undergraduates attending universities in two states participated in 10 focus groups to reflect on their experiences with high school peer crowds during the late 2010s. Similar to seminal research on peer crowds, we examined crowds and individuals along several focal domains: popularity, extracurricular involvement, academic orientation, fringe media, illicit risk taking, and race-ethnicity. We find that names and characteristics of crowds reflect the current demographic and cultural moment (i.e., growing importance of having a college education, racial-ethnic diversity) and identify peer crowds that appear to be particularly salient for college-bound youth. Overall, this study illuminates how the retrospective accounts of college-bound students offer insight into high school social hierarchies during a time of rapid social change.

Mirtazapine toxicity in cats: retrospective study of 84 cases (2006-2011).

Objectives Mirtazapine is commonly used in veterinary medicine at doses of 1.88 or 3.75 mg as an appetite stimulant. The objectives of this study were to determine the most common adverse effects reported and the dose associated with these signs. Methods Records of cats with mirtazapine exposure (2006-2011) were obtained from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center. The following parameters were recorded: signalment, weight, outcome, agent ingested, amount ingested, route of exposure, clinical signs observed, intended of use, onset time of signs and duration of signs. Results The 10 most commonly observed adverse effects reported in 84 cats exposed to mirtazapine included vocalization (56.0% of cats; mean dose 2.56 mg/kg), agitation (31.0%; 2.57 mg/kg), vomiting (26.2%; 2.92 mg/kg), abnormal gait/ataxia (16.7%; 2.87 mg/kg), restlessness (14.3%; 3.55 mg/kg), tremors/trembling (14.3%; 2.43 mg/kg), hypersalivation (13.0%; 2.89 mg/kg), tachypnea (11.9%; 3.28 mg/kg), tachycardia (10.7%; 3.04 mg/kg) and lethargy (10.7%; 2.69 mg/kg). Fifty-nine (70.2%) cases were considered accidental ingestions and 25 (29.8%) cases were given mirtazapine as prescribed. The doses associated with signs of toxicity were 15.00 mg (40 cats), 3.75 mg (25 cats), 7.50 mg (four cats), 30.00 mg (one cat), 18.75 mg (one cat), 11.25 mg (one cat), 5.80 mg (one cat) and 1.88 mg (one cat). For cats with available information, the onset of clinical signs ranged from 15 mins to 3 h, and time to resolution of clinical signs ranged from 12-48 h. Conclusions and relevance The greater number of adverse effects at 3.75 mg rather than 1.88 mg suggests that the latter may be a more appropriate starting dose for stimulating appetite while limiting toxicity. The benefit of dispensing exact doses of mirtazapine is implied given the likelihood of accidental administration of a full tablet (15 mg) and the resulting toxicity.

Locality, loneliness and lifestyle: a qualitative study of factors influencing women's health perceptions.

The contribution of women to the achievement of global public health targets cannot be underestimated. It is well evidenced that within families, women are a key influence on the health and well-being of their children and partners. However, geographical differences in women's health inequalities persist and research focusing specifically on women's perceptions of locality factors influencing their own health and well-being is scarce. This paper presents an interpretive, qualitative research study undertaken in 2011 with a group of women living in one locality in the North East of England in the United Kingdom which aimed to better understand their health and well-being perceptions and locality influences on it. Fifteen women participated in two focus groups and six individual, semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis yielded four key themes: health and well-being perceptions; mental resilience; low income and choice; and influence of place. The influence of women's geographical location in relation to amenities and services and loneliness were recurring factors in the discussion, each influencing lifestyle. It was evident that women in their local context were themselves assets through which their own physical and mental health could be improved. However, women's perceptions of protective factors and their influences on health and well-being varied. Connecting with women in the context of their immediate living circumstances and understanding their perceptions as individuals are important first steps in the process of gaining consensus and mobilising their assets to collectively build healthy local communities.

Phosphorus: a quick reference.

This article gives a brief overview of phosphorus. The author addresses the main functions of phosphorus in the body, the causes and manifestations of hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphatemia, and suggests further readings.