Perceived self-care capabilities of abused/neglected and nonabused/non-neglected pregnant, low-socioeconomic adolescents.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether abused and nonabused pregnant, low-socioeconomic adolescents differ in regard to perceived self-care capabilities. SAMPLE: The sample (N = 36) consisted of 18 abused/neglected and 18 nonabused/non-neglected adolescents. DATA ANALYSIS: The adolescents' responses on the Denyes Self-Care Agency Instrument were analyzed to determine significant differences between the two groups regarding self-care agency. FINDINGS: Significant differences were found between the two groups in regard to perceived relative valuing of health and perceived attention to health. CONCLUSIONS: Although abused adolescents had a higher level of relative valuing of health and lower attention to health than their nonabused counterparts, findings show that both groups are capable of performing self-care and should be encouraged to do so.

Runaway youths in a southern community: four critical areas of inquiry.

PROBLEM: Significant life events in runaway youth include the experience of abuse, school/legal entanglements, and sexual behavior. SUBJECTS: 78 nonurban, runaway youths. METHODS: The Structural Clinical Interview Instrument and the Coddington Life Events Scale were used for data collection. FINDINGS: The majority of respondents reported life situations replete with experiences of abuse, school/legal entanglements, high-risk sexual behavior, and significant life events. Significant gender differences were reported regarding sexual activity (p = .002). Significant positive associations exist between the use of birth control and sexual activity (p = .002), and between school suspensions and sexual activity (p = .01). A significant relationship exists between the use of birth control and the occurrence of abuse (p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Much research is needed to develop programs with a focus on prevention.

Self-reported experiences of physical and sexual abuse among runaway youths.

The authors provide data in this descriptive study to suggest that physical and sexual abuse within the family system frequently expedites youths' decisions to leave home. The role that drugs and alcohol play in runaway youths' lifestyles is also explained.

Improved echocardiographic detection and characterization of left ventricular apical thrombi with a 5.0 MHz short-focus transducer.

Transthoracic echocardiography is a frequently used technique for detecting ventricular thrombi. This study compares the usefulness of a 5.0 MHz short focal length transducer (5-short) with standard frequency (2.5 or 3.5 MHz) transducers for the detection of left ventricular thrombi. In addition, the effect of body habitus on study quality was evaluated. A consecutive series of 101 patients sent for echocardiographic imaging with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, dilated cardiomyopathy, or recent suspected embolic event were imaged in the apical four-chamber, apical long-axis, and apical two-chamber views with a standard transducer and also with the 5-short. Out of this group, 16 apical thrombi were identified, six with the 5-short only, three with standard transducers only, and seven by both techniques. The areas of the seven thrombi detected by both transducers were consistently larger when measured on 5-short images compared with standard transducer images (4.6 +/- 2.3 vs 3.7 +/- 2.3 cm2, p = 0.02). In the three studies positive only with the standard transducers, the 5-short demonstrated only prominent trabeculae but no thrombus. The studies positive only with the 5-short had significantly smaller calculated thrombi areas than those visualized by the standard transducers (1.6 +/- 1.2 vs 4.2 +/- 2.1 cm2, p = 0.02). No thrombus was detected by either technique in a normally contracting left ventricular apex. There were significantly fewer studies having near-field artifact when performed by the 5-short compared with those performed with standard transducers (14/101 vs 40/101, p = 0.00004).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of phacoemulsification and extracapsular lens removal on corneal thickness and endothelial cell density in the dog.

Twenty-one dogs were used to study the effects of phacoemulsification and extracapsular lens removal on corneal endothelium and corneal thickness. Specular microscopy revealed preoperative cell morphology and cell densities similar to man. After surgery endothelial cell counts significantly decreased 22% (central) and 13% (periphery) with phacoemulsification and 34% (central) and 31% (periphery) with extracapsular lens removal. Corneal thickness increased with both procedures. Endothelial cell pathology included cellular enlargement, increased pleomorphism, and focal cellular degeneration. Phacoemulsification time did not correlate with the degree of cell loss. Dog corneal endothelium responds to surgical trauma in a manner similar to man and maintains a functional monolayer via cellular enlargement and migration. The dog, therefore, represents a good animal model for the study of corneal endothelial disease in man.

Decrease in canine corneal endothelial cell density and increase in corneal thickness as functions of age.

Fifty-nine normal dogs, ranging in age from 6 weeks to 132 months were examined with contact specular microscopy to determine the relationship of age to corneal endothelial cell density, morphology, and corneal thickness. Canine corneal endothelial cells appear quite similar to those of other species studied, including man. The hexagonally shaped canine endothelial cells tend to enlarge with age, with the population in young animals averaging around 2500 cells/mm2 and the number of cells in older dogs being frequently below 2100 cells/mm2. A significant increase in corneal thickness was observed with age. Healthy canine corneal endothelial cells appear to maintain a functional monolayer by enlargement and migration and represent a reasonable model for future endothelial cell study.