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Two procedures for scoring the Recreation Experience Preference scales were investigated using data obtained from respondents engaged in outdoor recreational activities. Both procedures yielded acceptable levels of reliability and concurrent validity. When time is unimportant, the scale score strategy is preferred over the domain score strategy. (Author/AL)

BackgroundStress and vulnerability likely interact to play a major role in psychosis. While much has been written about the neural diathesis-stress model in psychosis and its clinical risk states, little is known about HPA axis biomarkers in non-help-seeking individuals at familial high risk (FHR). We sought to prospectively measure pituitary volume (PV) in adolescents and young adults at FHR for schizophrenia and to follow their emerging sub-clinical psychotic symptoms and clinical trajectories.MethodForty healthy controls and 38 relatives of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were identified in Pittsburgh, USA. PV was derived from baseline 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging. Chapman's schizotypy scales were acquired at baseline, and structured clinical interviews for DSM-IV-TR Axis I diagnoses were attempted annually for up to 3 years.ResultsSeven individuals converted to psychosis. PV did not differ between FHR and control groups overall. Within the FHR group, PV was positively correlated with Chapman's positive schizotypy (Magical Ideation and Perceptual Aberration) scores, and there was a significant group × PV interaction with schizotypy. PV was significantly higher in FHR subjects carrying any baseline Axis I diagnosis (p = 0.004), and higher still in individuals who went on to convert to psychosis (p = 0.0007).ConclusionsIncreased PV is a correlate of early positive schizotypy, and may predict trait vulnerability to subsequent psychosis in FHR relatives. These preliminary findings support a model of stress-vulnerability and HPA axis activation in the early phases of psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To describe the pain associated with diagnostic tympanocentesis and to gather preliminary data comparing the efficacy of 3 methods of pain reduction for tympanocentesis. Methods. In children 6 to 36 months of age undergoing tympanocentesis for acute otitis media, the authors measured pain and distress throughout all phases of the procedure and recovery using physiological (heart rate) and behavioral measures (cry duration, Global Mood Scale score, and pain visual analog scales). They compared—in a randomized controlled trial—3 pain reduction interventions: acetaminophen, acetaminophen plus codeine, and ibuprofen plus midazolam. Results. Heart rate increased throughout the procedure, peaking during needle aspiration. Children treated with acetaminophen alone had higher peak heart rates and Global Mood Scale scores during parts of the procedure. Conclusions. Acetaminophen alone may not be as effective in reducing pain-related physiological and behavioral changes as acetaminophen plus codeine or ibuprofen plus midazolam during diagnostic tympanocentesis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Methods: Before and after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), the authors obtained nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens from 3 groups of children aged 6 to 23 months with acute otitis media (AOM): group 1 (pre-PCV7), group 2 (early post-PCV7), and group 3 (late post-PCV7). Results: Of the Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates, the proportion that were vaccine serotypes (VTs) declined progressively (60.4% vs 48.6% vs 5.2% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively; P < .001). Concurrently, increases occurred in the proportion of penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates (minimum inhibitory concentration >0.1 µg/mL; 26.7% vs 37.8% vs. 38.5%; P = .12); the proportion of isolates that were serotype 19A (4.0% vs 0% vs 25.9%; P < .001); and the proportion of 19A isolates that were penicillin-nonsusceptible (0% in group 1, 68.6% in group 3; P = .004). Conclusion: Shifts in pneumococcal serotype distribution and increases in penicillin nonsusceptibility among pneumococcal isolates from children with AOM underscore the need for continuing bacteriological surveillance for future vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Provides information on the prevalence and significant factors in the development of otitis media among 2253 infants in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Characteristics of the subjects; Occurrence and treatment of otitis media; Sociodemographic factors affecting prevalence.