Attentional function as measured by a Continuous Performance Task in children with dyscalculia.

This study determined whether or not students with dyscalculia had difficulty with attention as measured by the Conners' Computerized Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Fifty-six control subjects and 27 subjects with dyscalculia were administered the CPT. Performance was measured using percent omission errors, percent commission errors, mean response time, SE of response times (SE-RT), and a calculated overall attention index (CPT Index). Compared with controls, subjects with dyscalculia had higher CPT Index scores, made more omission errors, and had more inconsistent response times (SE-RT). Multiple regression analysis of arithmetic scores showed that SE-RT and percent commission errors were the only CPT measures that contributed to the arithmetic scores. Problems with attention, as measured by the Conners' CPT, were associated with lower arithmetic achievement scores. Students who have difficulties in arithmetic may have more attentional problems than other children, and students with attentional difficulties may be at risk for difficulties in arithmetic.

The relationship of the glenoid fossa to the functional occlusal plane.

The geometric relationship of the functional occlusal plane to the center of the glenoid fossa, as seen in the sagittal view, is described for males and females from age 7 through 25 years. This relationship is fully described by the distance from the geometric center of the glenoid fossa perpendicular to the functional occlusal plane (L, in millimeters) and its angulation (theta, in degrees) relative to a constructed Frankfort horizontal (SN-7 degrees ). Regression formulas with 95% confidence levels are described for L and theta for both genders combined. The differences between genders were found to be statistically insignificant. No correlation was found between these dimensions relative to the presence of temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms. A statistically significant difference in both L and theta was found in males who exhibited a Class III relationship compared with males exhibiting a Class II relationship.

Provision of nutrition counseling, referrals to registered dietitians, and sources of nutrition information among practicing chiropractors in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate US chiropractors' provision of nutrition counseling and referrals to registered dietitians and sources of nutrition information. Chiropractors' perceptions of the minimum educational requirement for registered dietitians and nutrition training received in chiropractic school were also examined. DESIGN: A descriptive study was conducted by use of a nationwide, mailed survey. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Surveys were sent to 1,590 practicing chiropractors in the United States, selected randomly from The National Directory of Chiropractic. Of the 410 responses received, 375 were usable (response rate = 23.6%). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data along with the Pearson chi 2 test and Kendall tc rank correlation to determine associations for categorical questions. RESULT: Nearly 90% of respondents provided nutrition counseling to their patients, even though the majority believed that they were inadequately trained in nutrition. One-on-one dietary instruction was the most common method of providing nutrition counseling, and supplement use was the most common health-related situation/condition for which nutrition counseling was used. Most respondents did not correctly select the minimum educational requirement for registered dietitians, did not refer patients to registered dietitians, and did not use registered dietitians as a source of nutrition information. Nevertheless, 65% of respondents anticipated increased collaborations between registered dietitians and chiropractors. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Chiropractors provide nutrition counseling to a large number of patients each year; thus, they have the potential to substantially affect patients' nutritional status. There is a clear need and opportunity for registered dietitians to collaborate with chiropractors.

Comparison of the obturation of lateral canals by six techniques.

The following obturation techniques were compared on their ability to obturate lateral canals in vitro, lateral condensation (LC), continuous wave of condensation (CW), warm vertical condensation (WV), carrier-based thermoplasticized gutta-percha (CB), warm lateral condensation (WL), and vertically condensed high-temperature gutta-percha (HT). A root canal system with lateral canals in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds was prepared in resin blocks. Each block was obturated using each technique (n = 30, 15 each, with and without sealer). The length of gutta-percha and sealer in each of the lateral canals was measured with a measuring microscope and statistically compared. All techniques obturated all three levels of lateral canals with sealer. WV, CB, and CW were able to fill the lateral canals with gutta-percha significantly better when root canal sealer was used. WV, CB, CW, and HT filled the coronal and middle lateral canals significantly better with gutta-percha than LC or WL condensation. CB and CW filled the apical lateral canal significantly better with gutta-percha than HT, WV, WL, or LC.

Early ear problems and developmental problems at school age.

Retrospective history of middle ear disease was compared with developmental diagnosis in 507 consecutively referred school-age children. History of major ear problems was positively associated with discrepancies between the performance and verbal IQ on the WISC-R. History of major ear problems was positively associated with the presence of articulation disorders for children in the low social class, hyperactivity in the middle social class, and language problems in the high social class. A history of significant middle ear disease in early childhood should raise concerns for articulation difficulties and possible language problems in children presenting to clinicians with school problems.

Maternally reported fetal activity levels and developmental diagnoses.

Retrospective maternal report of fetal activity level was compared with developmental diagnosis in 608 consecutively referred children. Maternal history of fetal activity level was also obtained from 140 unmatched well children in a general pediatric clinic. Fetal hyperactivity was positively associated with a diagnosis of child hyperactivity, and fetal hypoactivity was positively associated with a diagnosis of mental retardation in the children. Maternal histories of fetal activity level in the control group weakened the strength of the association between fetal hyperactivity and child hyperactivity but did not affect the association between fetal hypoactivity and mental retardation in children.

Anger, depression, and disability: a path analysis of relationships in a sample of chronic posttraumatic headache patients.

Anger and depression are common affective concomitants of chronic headache. Previous research suggests that the affective component of headache may contribute to the patient's perceptions of the degree to which the headache is disabling. The present study examined the relationship between anger expression, anger suppression, depression, and headache-related disability (interference with function) in a sample of chronic posttraumatic headache patients. A path analytic model indicated a direct relationship between depression and perceived disability. Anger suppression and anger expression each had a direct influence on depression, but their effects on disability were mediated through depression. The results partially replicate a previous path analytic study of the relationships among these variables in a chronic headache sample.

[Reconstruction of foot arteries after injury in arterial occlusive disease]. / Rekonstruktion der Fussarterien nach Verletzung bei AVK.

At the Maribor Teaching Hospital two elderly with progressive atherosclerotic disease below the knee were treated between 1986-1992 for open fracture of ankle joint and pedal arterial trauma. The only patent atherosclerotic vessel (dorsal artery of the foot) that was disrupted was reconstructed in both cases by interposition of a part of the great and small saphenous vein in one case each. A termino-terminal anastomosis with a long, triangular patch was used, fixed with interrupted sutures. The fractures were stabilized with external fixators. Both extremities were saved.

The relationship of anger, depression, and perceived disability among headache patients.

Depression is a common concomitant of headache. Conflict with regard to anger or the expression of anger has also been discussed in terms of its relationships to headache. The direction of the relationship between headaches and depression and/or anger is not clear from available research literature. Thus, the present study proposed to examine the interrelationships among measures of anger expression, depression and self-reported disability in a sample of chronic headache patients. It was predicted that there would be significant correlations between depression and perceived disability, and anger held in and perceived disability. Finally, it was predicted that anger held in would be shown to impact perceived disability by way of its relationship to depression. Path analysis was employed to investigate the relationships among the variables. Results showed a significant and positive relationship between depression and perceived disability, which supported the first hypothesis. Anger expression was not significantly related to perceived disability. Therefore, the second hypothesis was not supported. Anger-in, however, was strongly and positively related to depression. Although the causal direction of the relationships cannot be stated with certainty, the suppression of anger appears to be a moderating variable that amplifies the experience of depression among chronic headache patients.

Toe walking and language development.

Neurodevelopmental markers that are present early in childhood may identify children at risk for later developmental disabilities. This paper attempts to clarify the relationship between one such proposed marker, toe walking, and language development in a general pediatric population. One hundred sixty-three children being seen for well-child visits were included in the study. Information from each child's caretaker was obtained for language development and a history of toe walking; observation of toe walking during the visit was also included. The frequency of toe walking was 24%. Language quotients were calculated and compared for toe walkers (n = 39) and non-toe walkers (n = 127). The mean language quotient for toe walkers tended to be consistently lower than that for non-toe walkers. The specificity of toe walking for low language scores was 85% but had a sensitivity of only 32%. Although an association between toe walking and language delay is supported by the present data, the association does not appear to be clinically significant.

Administrative role and educational administration program effectiveness: perception by principals.

A survey of 85 graduates from 14 midwestern universities offering doctoral degrees in educational administration was carried out to assess perceptions of graduates regarding their training program. The emphasis of the survey was on how closely their training corresponded to current perceptions of their roles as educational administrators. Most indicated emphasis in graduate training should more closely match the roles of administrators.

Minor malformations, hyperactivity, and learning disabilities.

Standardized minor malformation scores have been reported to predict and identify children with attentional problems and hyperactivity. The reason why this marker works for only a subset of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder remains unclear. The dysmorphology scores on all children presenting for a multidisciplinary team evaluation of developmental disorders were examined for diagnostic correlations after children with chromosomal disorders and recognized dysmorphic syndromes were excluded. For 1233 subjects, the mean minor malformation score was 2.94 (SD = 2.05). A significant association between minor malformation scores and IQ (mean = 80.95, SD = 23.67) was accounted for by the group with IQs greater than 100 exhibiting the higher dysmorphology scores. An analysis of variance revealed no significant association between minor malformation scores and hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder. Indeed, the presence of an attention deficit disorder yielded lower mean dysmorphology scores. When the minor malformation scores were compared for those subgroups of children with and without specific learning disabilities, the learning-disabled subjects had significantly higher dysmorphology scores. Minor dysmorphic features do not relate to the presence or absence of attentional problems or hyperactivity in referred children. Rather they appear to characterize that subpopulation of children with attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities as well as a group of learning-disabled children without attentional disorders.