Pathologic and Environmental Studies Provide New Pathogenetic Insights Into Ringtail of Laboratory Mice.

Ringtail is a pathologic condition of laboratory rodents characterized by annular constrictions of the tail. Traditionally, it is classified as an environmental disorder caused by low relative humidity, but other factors (temperature, dietary deficiencies, genetic susceptibility, and caging type) have also been proposed. Twenty litters of mice with ringtail lesions occurred from September 2010 to August 2013 in a facility located in the northern Italy. Mice were maintained under controlled environmental conditions and fed a standard diet. Retrospective analysis of environmental data (relative humidity, temperature) was carried out. Gross, histopathologic, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy examination of tails and limbs was performed. The incidence of ringtail was 0.075% (20/26 800) of all weaned litters over the 3-year period of examination. Temperature and relative humidity remained within accepted limits in all cases except one. We observed annular constrictions in tail, digits of pes, crus, and antebrachium in 116 (100.0%), 47 (40.5%), 11 (9.5%), and 2 (1.7%) of 116 affected mice, respectively. Histologic and ultrastructural examination revealed abnormal keratin desquamation and presence of a keratin ring encircling the tail, causing progressive strangulation of the growing tail with subsequent compression and ulceration of underlying soft tissues, resulting in circulatory changes (edema, hyperemia, thrombosis, hemorrhages), ischemic necrosis, and eventually auto-amputation distal to the constriction. On the basis of our findings, we suggest a disorder of cornification as the primary lesion of ringtail in mice. The cause of these cases, however, remained undetermined, even though traditional etiologic factors (relative humidity, temperature, diet, caging type) were reasonably excluded.

Mothers of molested children: some comparisons of personality characteristics.

The Clinical Analysis Questionnaire (CAQ) was used to study the personality characteristics of three groups of mothers: one whose children had been molested by a family member (n = 13), a second group whose children had been molested by a teacher (n = 15), and a group of control mothers whose children had not been molested (n = 12). There were few disparities between the two groups of mothers of molested children. When the molested groups were combined and compared to controls, they differed on only one scale measuring normal personality functioning. Significant differences between mothers of molested children and control mothers were found on 7 of the 12 scales measuring abnormal functioning. In addition, significant correlations were obtained between mother's scores and children's scores on the Adjustment scale of the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC). Results were discussed in terms of the lack of differences between the two molested groups, the role of mothers in sexual abuse, and the relationship of maternal clinical symptoms to child maladjustment.

Pressure sore prevention education with the spinal cord injured.

The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore and describe the various formal and informal pressure sore prevention (PSP) educational encounters that occurred with an adolescent spinal cord injured client during his initial admission in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Data collection supported the conclusion that nurses engaged most frequently in educational encounters with the client. Based on study findings, nurses should consider the following in planning client teaching: (a) assessing a client's learning style on admission and considering this when choosing teaching methods; (b) timing the delivery of PSP education to coincide with times when the information and skills would be most immediately applicable and relevant for the client; and (c) clarifying PSP measures of highest priority with clients while educating them. It also is suggested that rehabilitation nurses consider striking a balance between modeling important PSP measures in earlier phases of a rehabilitation program and encouraging client independence in these behaviors in later program phases.

Perpetrator status and the personality characteristics of molested children.

The personality and intellectual characteristics of three groups of children, one molested by a teacher (n = 16), a second group (n = 16) where the offender was a member of the child's family, and a non-molested control group (n = 16) were contrasted. The children were evaluated using the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC), the Children's Personality Questionnaire (CPQ), and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-R). There were few differences between the two molested groups or between boys and girls. However, comparisons of molested and non-molested children showed significant differences on 23 of 34 scales on the PIC and CPQ combined. WISC-R verbal IQs were also lower for the molested groups. While the lack of differences between the two molested groups may have been due to the parent-like relationship between the teacher and the children he molested, the results suggest that a relatively noncoercive style of abuse can still produce significant psychological impairment.