Social status and energy intake: a randomized controlled experiment.

While the inverse association between socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity in high gross domestic product countries is well established using observational data, the extent to which the association is due to a true causal effect of SES and, if so, the mechanisms of this effect remain incompletely known. To assess the influence of social status on obesity via energy intake, we randomized individuals to a higher or lower social status and observed subsequent energy intake. College students between the ages of 18 and 25 were randomized to social status and were operationalized as being a leader or follower in a partner activity as purportedly determined by a (bogus) test of leadership ability. Investigators were blinded to treatment assignment. Immediately after being told their leadership assignment, paired participants were provided with platters of food. Energy intake was objectively measured in kilocalories (kcal) consumed, and paired t-tests were used to test for significant differences in intake between leaders and followers. A total of 60 participants were included in the final analysis (males = 28, females = 32). Overall, no difference in energy intake was observed between leaders and followers, consuming an average of 575.3 and 579.8 kcal, respectively (diff = 4.5 kcal, P = 0.94). The null hypothesis of no effect of social status, operationalized as assignment to a leadership position in a small-group activity, on energy intake was not rejected.

Practice parameter: evaluation of children and adolescents with recurrent headaches: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society.

OBJECTIVE: The Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society develop practice parameters as strategies for patient management based on analysis of evidence. For this parameter, the authors reviewed available evidence on the evaluation of the child with recurrent headaches and made recommendations based on this evidence. METHODS: Relevant literature was reviewed, abstracted, and classified. Recommendations were based on a four-tiered scheme of evidence classification. RESULTS: There is inadequate documentation in the literature to support any recommendation as to the appropriateness of routine laboratory studies or performance of lumbar puncture. EEG is not recommended in the routine evaluation, as it is unlikely to define or determine an etiology or distinguish migraine from other types of headaches. In those children undergoing evaluation for recurrent headache found to have a paroxysmal EEG, the risk for future seizures is negligible; therefore, further investigation for epilepsy or treatments aimed at preventing future seizures is not indicated. Obtaining a neuroimaging study on a routine basis is not indicated in children with recurrent headaches and a normal neurologic examination. Neuroimaging should be considered in children with an abnormal neurologic examination or other physical findings that suggest CNS disease. Variables that predicted the presence of a space-occupying lesion included 1) headache of less than 1-month duration; 2) absence of family history of migraine; 3) abnormal neurologic findings on examination; 4) gait abnormalities; and 5) occurrence of seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent headaches occur commonly in children and are diagnosed on a clinical basis rather than by any testing. The routine use of any diagnostic studies is not indicated when the clinical history has no associated risk factors and the child's examination is normal.

Central nervous system involvement in cat scratch disease.

Cat scratch disease is a cause of benign regional adenopathy which is rarely associated with CNS complications. Two children with cat scratch disease associated with alterations of mental status and convulsions are presented. One patient had a focal cerebral abnormality on neurologic examination, EEG, and computed axial tomography. The spectrum of CNS involvement is reviewed for this usually benign disease. Prognosis is generally excellent. The pathogenesis of the CNS complications has not been elucidated.

Vertebral artery dissection and alternating hemiparesis in an adolescent.

A case report of vertebral artery dissection and alternating hemiparesis in an adolescent boy is presented. The diagnosis was confirmed by findings on a computed tomographic brain scan and a four-vessel cerebral arteriogram. The patient has been treated with aspirin for 2 years and has had no further transient ischemic attacks.

Incidence, presentation, and outcome of spinal cord disease in children with systemic cancer.

During a 40-month period, in 24 of 643 (4%) newly diagnosed patients with systemic cancer younger than 18 years of age (range: 3 months to 17 years) spinal cord disease developed. Patients with spinal cord disease included 21 children with metastatic spinal cord compression, two with treatment-related transverse myelopathies, and one with an anterior spinal artery stroke. Spinal cord disease occurred in 13 of 102 children (12%) with sarcomas, six of 82 (7%) with neuroblastomas, and four of 94 (4%) with lymphomas. Spinal cord compression occurred as the presenting sign of malignancy in six children (four with sarcomas and two with lymphomas). In the remaining 15 patients, cord compression occurred a median of 13 months after initial diagnosis, and in four patients it occurred at the time of first relapse. Symptoms of metastatic cord compression included back pain in 17 patients (80%), weakness in 14 (67%), sphincter dysfunction in 12 (57%), and sensory abnormalities in three (14%). Findings on plain radiographs of the spine were abnormal in only seven of 20 patients with cord compression, and myelography was needed to differentiate compression from other causes of spinal cord disease. Treatment included high-dose corticosteroids followed by operation (seven patients) or radiotherapy (14 patients). After treatment, nine of 15 nonambulatory patients became ambulatory, and five of 10 incontinent patients regained sphincter control. None of the patients with nonmetastatic spinal cord disease had a satisfactory outcome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A small pliable humidity sensor, with special reference to the prevention of decubitus ulcers.

In an investigation of some of the external causes of decubitus ulcer, a small flexible sensor has been developed as a clinical device to measure the relative humidity (RH) of the environment between the patient and the surface on which he lies. The sensor (described in detail) can indicate RH in the range of 20 to 90 per cent by a color-matching method (chemically impregnated circles); accuracy is within 5 to 10 percent. In a preliminary study on 28 patients, the readings showed that RH was higher in the sacral region than in the scapular region, and higher for patients who were inactive than for those who were active. The device was well accepted by both patients and nurses.

L-[1-(13)C] Phenylalanine oxidation as a measure of hepatocyte functional capacity in end-stage liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Liver disease is associated with impaired metabolism of these amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Decreased metabolism of these amino acids leads to abnormal plasma elevations and impaired clearance rates. We have developed a noninvasive breath test that measures hepatic cytosolic enzyme activity. METHODS: The rate of hepatic phenylalanine metabolism was quantitatively calculated from the appearance of 13CO2 in the breath using the nonradioactive tracer L-[1-(13)C]phenylalanine. RESULTS: Normal controls (n = 47) oxidized phenylalanine more than twice that of end-stage liver disease patients (n = 117). Significant differences in the percent of phenylalanine oxidized per hour (mean +/- SEM) were found between controls (7.08% +/- 0.33%, 95% CI: 6.42%-7.74%) and Child Pugh classification patients, class A (4.96% +/- 0.69%, 95% CI: 3.50%-6.42%), class B (2.88% +/- 0.13, 95% CI: 2.39%-3.38%) and class C (1.75% +/- 0.13, 95% CI: 1.50%-2.01%). The phenylalanine breath test score significantly correlated with albumin levels, prothrombin time and total bilirubin. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that phenylalanine oxidation is significantly decreased with end-stage liver disease and is correlated with the best clinical measures of liver disease.

Sites of conditional essential fatty acid deficiency in end stage liver disease.

BACKGROUND: End stage liver disease (ESLD) is a devastating illness. Its protean manifestations involve many different aspects of disturbed hepatic function. One consequence of ESLD is a decrease in plasma levels of very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VL-PUFAs), particularly arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the former important for eicosanoid metabolism and the latter for retinal and brain membrane structure. The purpose of this study was to define the VL-PUFA changes in liver disease by comparing plasma and tissue levels of VL-PUFAs in controls to patients with ESLD. METHODS: Fatty acid profiles from plasma, red blood cell (RBC) membranes, muscle, liver, and fat tissue from ESLD patients undergoing liver transplants were measured and compared with control patients undergoing elective liver resection. RESULTS: Fatty acid profiles from plasma and RBC membranes showed significant decreases in AA and DHA levels in patients with ESLD compared with controls. However, there were no significant differences in tissue fatty acid composition between ESLD patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: ESLD affects the liver's ability to maintain circulating levels of AA and DHA, and thereby presumably RBC membrane levels. However, solid tissues appear not to be affected by ESLD. Although the mechanism for these changes remains to be defined, it is consistent with hepatic impairment of elongation and desaturation to produce VL-PUFA for transport. The present results also suggest that dietary interventions to include preformed VL-PUFA rather than their precursors, linoleic and alpha linolenic acid, would be needed to normalize plasma VL-PUFA levels in patients with ESLD.

Ipsilateral constructional apraxia.

Two boys, aged 7 and 12 years, with nondominant (right) hemispheric acquired vascular lesions and left visual-field disturbances had right spatial constructional disabilities, contralateral to that which would be expected. These unusual disturbances may represent the previously unreported phenomena of ipsilateral neglect or ipsilateral constructional apraxia.

Headache in the pediatric emergency department.

Headache is one of the most common presenting complaints to emergency departments. Although the overwhelming majority of these headaches are benign and self-limited, headache can be the initial symptom of life-threatening disorders. It is therefore essential for physicians to have a rational approach to the evaluation of a child or adolescent who presents to the emergency department with headache. The purpose of this article is to review the causes, evaluation, and appropriate investigations for nontraumatic headache in the pediatric emergency department.

Migraine and migraine variants in childhood and adolescence.

Migraine is a commonly occurring headache syndrome in children and adolescents. Half of all individuals destined to have migraine begin their attacks before age 20 years. It is characterized by paroxysmal headache, nausea, vomiting, and desire to sleep. On occasion, dramatic neurological symptoms and signs accompany the headache. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical characteristics, evaluations, and management of migraine are reviewed.

Neonatal segmental myoclonus associated with hyperglycorrhachia.

Segmental or spinal myoclonus is an uncommon involuntary movement in infancy which has been attributed to sepsis, degenerative and developmental diseases of the spinal cord, birth trauma, and sclerosing panencephalitis. A premature infant presenting with segmental myoclonus associated with extreme hyperglycorrhachia secondary to the administration of parenteral nutrition through a femoral percutaneous indwelling central catheter that had inadvertently migrated into a paravertebral vein is reported. We recommend a lateral abdominal radiograph in addition to the usual anteroposterior view to confirm the correct placement of femoral catheters.

Water fluoridation: current effectiveness and dental fluorosis.

This paper reviewed the literature on the evidence for water fluoridation's effectiveness under current conditions of multiple fluoride use at recommended and at reduced concentrations, the extent of dental fluorosis at different fluoride concentrations, and the "halo" effect of water fluoridation. Using the relative difference in dental caries between communities with low and optimal water fluoride as an indicator, the effectiveness of water fluoridation has decreased over time as the use of other fluorides has increased. Thus the effectiveness of water fluoridation alone cannot now be determined. Compared to the early fluoridation studies, the differences in dental caries and fluorosis prevalence between fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas have markedly narrowed. Both the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis have increased since 1945; however, the portion of fluorosis due to water fluoridation is now less (40%) than that attributed to other fluoride sources (60%). Research also suggests that the "halo" effect of community water fluoridation may result in a significantly greater intake of fluoride for people in non-fluoridated communities. This review recognized that since water fluoridation has unique advantages from the perspectives of distribution, equity, compliance and cost-effectiveness over other fluoride technologies, it remains as the fundamental base for caries prevention. The increasingly greater contribution that other sources of fluoride make to dental fluorosis suggests that these sources of fluoride, many of which are used on an elective basis, should be more closely examined for needed changes.

Epidemiology of dental caries in the premolar and second molar teeth of Scottish children in relation to pits and fissures.

To evaluate the potential benefits from elimination of dental caries in the fissures of teeth, surface patterns of decay were calculated for all surfaces of the premolar and second molar teeth of 98 children followed longitudinally for 5 years, between ages 11 and 15 years. Tooth eruption and susceptibility were also examined in relation to the administration of sealant programs. The children who were part of the control group of a fluoride dentifrice study on the Scottish Isle of Lewis, had low exposure to fluorides, high caries attack and very low restorative treatment levels; so true surface caries distribution was not masked. Variation in tooth eruption and susceptibility suggested that semiannual applications of preventive agents at each year age 10 through 15 might be required. Using hypothetical percentage reductions, the substantial potential benefits for caries control of the early use of completely retained occlusal, as well as buccal and lingual (molars), fissure sealants are conclusively demonstrated. However, improvements in the present technology of fissure sealants and their application are apparently required if these benefits are to be extended to large groups of children.

Effect on caries of self-application of a zirconium silicate paste containing 9% stannous fluoride.

A 2-year clinical trial was conducted using an adolescent population from a low-fluoride area to evaluate the anticaries effect of self-applications of zirconium silicate paste containing 9% stannous fluoride. tthree study groups totaling 464 children, with an initial average of 12.8 years, completed the study. The control group brushed with a non-fluoride zirconium silicate paste (tzircate Prophylaxis Paste) once each year: the first experimental group brushed with zirconium silicate paste containing 9% stannous fluoride (Zircate Treatment Paste) once each year; and the second experimental group brushed every 6 months with Zircate Treatment Paste. After 2 year, the DMFT and DMFS increments were virtually identical for the control group and the group that received one application of fluoride paste per year. The group that received two applications of fluoride paste per year had a DMTF increment that was about 24% less than that of the control group; however, the DMFS increment was only 5% less. These differences were not statistically significant at the P=.05 level.

Dentists' variability in restorative decisions, microscopic and radiographic caries depth.

Restorative and dental caries depth decisions were recorded for 5168 un restored approximal tooth surfaces by 17 dentists who worked in the school dental clinics of the North York (Ontario) Public Health Department. Each dentist examined 15 pairs of experimental bitewing radiographs for which true caries depth had previously been determined by microscopy of the sectioned teeth following production of the radiographs. The dentists independently recorded their restorative decisions and radiographic caries depth perceptions. The relationship between the variation in the dentists' restorative decisions and their perceptions of caries depth based on a re-reading of the bitewings on the one hand, and true caries depth on the other was also examined. The percentages of total variability in each dentist's restorative decisions attributable to radiographic and to microscopic caries depth were estimated using regression analyses. Large variations were found among the 17 dentists' distributions of overall restorative and depth decisions. The relationship between microscopic caries depth and the dentists' restorative decisions was, understandably, less strong than that of the dentists radiographic perceptions of caries depth and restorative decisions. Relative to true caries depth, high numbers of false positive and false negative restorative decisions were made. Overall, 50% of the variability in the dentists' restorative decisions was explained by the perceptions of radiographic caries depth; however, among individual dentists, the range was from 29% for one dentist to 69% for another. A much lower percentage of the overall restorative variation was explained by microscopic depth, 18%. Like the finding of the only two previous European studies that quantified the role of radiographs on clinical decisions, this study demonstrated that dentists' perceptions of dental caries depth using bitewing radiographs play a major but variable role in their restorative decisions for approximal tooth surfaces.

Observer agreement in the grading of oral epithelial dysplasia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of observer agreement in diagnosis of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED). Published studies of OED examiner agreement report relatively low agreement levels; however, these studies were limited by the methodologies employed. METHODS: For this study, 64 slides were each independently examined twice by three oral pathologists. Consistency was assessed by determining intra- and interexaminer agreement. Conformity was assessed by using the modal diagnosis as a gold standard. RESULTS: The group showed moderate interobserver agreement when grading the presence or absence of OED with a group-simple kappa (Ks) of 0.51 (95% CI = 0.42-0.61), and substantial agreement when using a 5-point ordinal scale with a group-weighted kappa (Kw) of 0.74 (95% CI = 0.64-0.85). The group showed fair to substantial intraexaminer agreement when assessing the presence or absence of OED, with Ks ranging from 0.22 to 0.78, and showing almost a perfect agreement using a 5-point ordinal scale, with Kw ranging from 0.82-0.96. Conformity with the comparison standard modal diagnosis was almost perfect, with pairwise Kw ranging from 0.81 to 0.92. CONCLUSION: Overall, there was substantial intra- and interobserver consistency and almost perfect conformity in the grading of OED. Appropriate statistical methods are necessary to determine the degree of observer agreement.

Meta-analysis on long-term clinical performance of posterior composite restorations.

Meta-analysis is a formalized method of combining results of different studies to provide conclusions about the effectiveness of a treatment modality. The aims of this study were to use meta-analysis to determine the clinical performance of posterior composite restorations using the assessment criteria of the USPHS guidelines by combining data from selected multiple studies and to estimate the overall survival rates of posterior composite restorations over time. A computer-aided search of the literature revealed 97 publications on clinical trials of posterior composites in the last 10 years. Following specific selection criteria, which included the year and language of publication, duration of study, class of cavities restored and type of resin composite material used and clinical characteristics assessed; 16 studies were found to be suitable for, and included in a meta-analysis. These involved eight different resin composite materials. Assessment criteria data were extracted from each selected study and tabulated on the basis of years of follow-up and materials. The criteria were coded as binary variables. Homogeneity amongst studies was assessed using Woolf's statistic prior to combining the data. Weighted average proportions and standard errors were determined for each of the assessment criteria. Using Kaplan-Meier estimates, survival analyses of individual assessment criteria (outcomes) for two posterior composite materials were conducted and the resultant survival curves for these outcomes for the two materials are presented. Considering the limited number of studies of variable length available for meta-analysis, the results indicate generally high clinical performance of the various posterior composites for the number of outcomes analysed.

Influence of the addition of restorations on the diagnosis of caries from digitized bitewing radiographs.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of additional caries and restorations on the detection of caries on the same radiograph. STUDY DESIGN: Six participants examined five series of four radiographs in which natural carious lesions were present. Each series consisted of the same image with progressively more restorative treatment digitally painted on. The films were randomly presented to the observers who examined the films for the presence and depth of carious lesions. The observers were not informed that the 20 films were disguised versions of the same original five radiographs. RESULTS: The number of carious lesions reported by the six observers did not increase despite the apparent increased restorative intervention viewed on the radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: The complexity of restorative care does not affect observers' ability to correctly detect approximal carious lesions.

Economic issues in the development and use of practice guidelines: an application to resource allocation in dentistry.

In this paper, the extent to which practice guidelines using cost-effectiveness data can be used to inform programme decisions is analysed. In particular it is shown that guidelines aimed at informing individual patient-provider decisions are unable to reflect the economic concepts that are required to inform public decisions concerned with making best (i.e., most productive) use of the resources available to serve defined populations. The research on which practice guidelines are based represents an important but incomplete source of information for taking decisions about which clients to serve, with which services, and when in the disease process, in the context of provision of services to groups or populations. Moreover, the inappropriate use of 'individually focused' guidelines to inform 'collectively-focused' decisions can lead to more harm than good. An alternative approach for dealing with the difficult choices faced by decision makers involved in public programmes is identified. An illustration of the proposed approach is presented concerning the provision of pit and fissure sealants to children served by a public health clinic.