Does occupation explain gender and other differences in work-related eye injury hospitalization rates?

Objective: We sought to determine whether demographic differences in eye injury rates persist after adjusting for occupational exposure.

Methods: On-duty eye injury hospitalizations were linked to occupation among active-duty US Army personnel.

Results: Eye injury rates were higher for white soldiers, men, and for younger soldiers, even after adjusting for occupational group and specific job titles using multivariate models.

Strengthening the HIV/AIDS service delivery system in Liberia: an international research capacity-building strategy.

Liberia's prolonged post-conflict transition has negatively impacted its health infrastructure, including the functioning of its health care delivery system. Considering the current national health crises, a study was conducted to identify research gaps and the need to propose changes for improving the health care delivery system in the country. The study results clearly demonstrated a lack of HIV/AIDS research infrastructure including organizational structure, linkages, leadership, champions, expertise, resources, and policies and procedures.

Aversion, awareness, and attraction: investigating claims of hyperacusis in the Williams syndrome phenotype.

Background: Williams syndrome (WS), a neurodevelopmental disorder, is characterized by pervasive cognitive deficits alongside a relative sparing of auditory perception and cognition. A frequent characteristic of the phenotype is adverse reactions to, and/or fascination with, certain sounds. Previously published reports indicate that people with WS experience hyperacusis, yet careful examination reveals that the term 'hyperacusis' has been used indiscriminately in the literature to describe quite different auditory abnormalities.

Characterizing the musical phenotype in individuals with Williams Syndrome.

Williams Syndrome (WS), a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder, is characterized by peaks and valleys in mental function: substantial impairments in cognitive domains such as reasoning, arithmetic ability, and spatial cognition, alongside relatively preserved skills in social domains, face processing, language, and music. We report the results of a comprehensive survey on musical behaviors and background administered to the largest sample of individuals with WS to date (n = 118, mean age = 20.4), and compare the results to those obtained from a control group of typically developing normal individuals (n = 118, mean age = 20.

Sex and experience in the academy award nomination process.

Research has indicated significant age differences between male and female Academy Award nominees and winners. However, this discrepancy may be associated with sex differences in actors' ages when they first begin their acting careers. The present research uses event history analysis to investigate the duration of Academy Award nominees' careers from career start (first film) to first three Academy Award nominations.

The effect of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on the risk of knee reinjury.

Background: Although there is evidence that very active, young patients are better served with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, there is a lack of objective data demonstrating that future knee injury is prevented by these procedures.

Hypothesis: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction protects against reinjury of the knee that would require reoperation.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Variations in health communication needs among combat veterans.

In this cross-sectional study of US military combat veterans, we assessed the helpfulness of different media for providing health risk communication messages. We have provided preliminary results from a postal survey of 5000 veterans sampled because of their deployment to Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, or Bosnia-Kosovo. Respondents endorsed the primary care provider as the most helpful source of health information.

Using narrative text and coded data to develop hazard scenarios for occupational injury interventions.

Objective: To determine whether narrative text in safety reports contains sufficient information regarding contributing factors and precipitating mechanisms to prioritize occupational back injury prevention strategies.Design, setting, subjects, and

Main Outcome Measures: Nine essential data elements were identified in narratives and coded sections of safety reports for each of 94 cases of back injuries to United States Army truck drivers reported to the United States Army Safety Center between 1987 and 1997. The essential elements of each case were used to reconstruct standardized event sequences.

Evaluation of HIV/AIDS prevention resources in Liberia: strategy and implications.

The purpose of this preliminary study was to assess the HIV/AIDS prevention needs, services, and resources in Liberia, including the readiness of local providers to conduct HIV/AIDS-related prevention programs based on a set of six key dimensions (prevention needs, knowledge, leadership, environment, risky behaviors, and resources). A valid self-administered qualitative-based health survey, based on a community readiness model, was utilized as the primary data collection source. A cross-sectional design that utilized a convenient sample of key informants such as health coordinators, program directors, and health administrator from both public and private HIV/AIDS-based organizations was used.

Outcome classification of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders using MRI brain measures.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that a combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain measures obtained during early childhood distinguish children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) from typically developing children and is associated with functional outcome.

Method: Quantitative MRI technology was used to measure gray and white matter volumes (cerebrum and cerebellum), total brain volume, and the area of the cerebellar vermis in 52 boys with a provisional diagnosis of autism (aged 1.9-5.

The relationship between age and IQ in adults with Williams syndrome.

The relationship between age and IQ was evaluated in a cross-sectional sample of 80 individuals with Williams syndrome (17 to 52 years). The relationship between age and WAIS-R subtest scores was such that increases and decreases in raw scores occurred at a rate sufficient to maintain stability of age-corrected scaled scores, indicating a developmental trajectory similar to that of the WAIS-R normative sample. Despite stability of age- corrected scaled scores with age, increased age was related to higher Performance IQ.

Using multiple information sources to identify opportunities for ergonomic interventions in automotive parts distribution: a case study.

An essential activity in any ergonomics program is determining specific work locations and activities where physical demands place workers at increased risk of sustaining an overexertion injury. To do this, safety and health professionals rely on a variety of information sources to identify and prioritize opportunities for ergonomic interventions. As part of a 4-year project to reduce overexertion injuries in the service parts division of a major auto maker, a study was performed in 19 parts distribution centers to evaluate the contributions of the following information sources in identifying specific high-risk work locations and activities: (1) archival medical/injury records, (2) identification of "problem tasks" by plant-based ergonomic committees, (3) facility walk-throughs by experienced ergonomists, and (4) detailed ergonomic job analyses.

Laser eye injuries in military occupations.

Introduction: Lasers (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) play an important role in our world and their use is increasing. They are powerful tools for good, but can also cause tragedy, especially in an aviation environment. Information about injuries associated with lasers is limited.

Occupational disability after hospitalization for the treatment of an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Background: To date, no large population-based studies have focused on permanent occupational disability after injury of the anterior cruciate ligament as far as we know. The purpose of our study was to determine the risk factors for occupational disability after an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Methods: We identified a cohort of 2192 active-duty personnel in the Army who had been hospitalized between 1989 and 1997 because of an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament and had completed a health risk-assessment survey.

Williams syndrome deficits in visual spatial processing linked to GTF2IRD1 and GTF2I on chromosome 7q11.23.

Purpose: To identify the relationship between specific genes and phenotypic features of Williams syndrome.

Methods: Subjects were selected based on their deletion status determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a panel of 24 BACs and cosmids spanning the region commonly deleted and single gene analysis using Southern blotting. From the cohort of subjects, three had atypical deletions.

Novel LGI1 mutation in a family with autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features.

Autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features (ADPEAF) is a rare idiopathic epilepsy syndrome caused by mutations in the leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) gene. The authors report that molecular genetic studies in seven affected family members identified a novel F318C substitution that alters a highly conserved residue in a predicted repeat domain of unknown function. This report suggests that this domain may participate in the development of the ADPEAF phenotype.

Requirement of Cks2 for the first metaphase/anaphase transition of mammalian meiosis.

We generated mice lacking Cks2, one of two mammalian homologs of the yeast Cdk1-binding proteins, Suc1 and Cks1, and found them to be viable but sterile in both sexes. Sterility is due to failure of both male and female germ cells to progress past the first meiotic metaphase. The chromosomal events up through the end of prophase I are normal in both CKS2-/- males and females, suggesting that the phenotype is due directly to failure to enter anaphase and not a consequence of a checkpoint-mediated metaphase I arrest.

The effect of cigarette smoking on musculoskeletal-related disability.

Background: This study describes cigarette smoking's effect on development of physical disability following initial musculoskeletal-related hospitalization.

Methods: We followed 15,140 US Army personnel hospitalized for common musculoskeletal disorders between 1989-1996 for up to 8 years (1997) to assess risk for long-term physical disability.

Results: Trends between increased smoking level and long-term disability were identified for persons with knee injuries, rotator cuff injuries, and intervertebral disc displacement.

Clinical and workplace factors associated with a return to modified duty in work-related upper extremity disorders.

Return to work following treatment for a work-related upper extremity disorder (WRUED) is affected by a variety of medical, workplace, and personal factors, and returning to modified duty may ease the transition to normal work activities. This study surveyed 165 federal government employees (127 females, 38 males) who were unable to resume their normal work after filing a workers' compensation claim for a WRUED (<90 days from claim filing) and who volunteered for a randomized study of alternative case management strategies. Before randomization, participants completed a baseline survey of upper extremity (UE) symptoms, functional limitations, and workplace factors.

Clinical tools to facilitate workplace accommodation after treatment for an upper extremity disorder.

Failure to implement work site accommodations for work-related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs) may be a factor contributing to delayed functional recovery and relapse. The present study describes the use of the 38-item Job Requirements and Physical Demands (JRPD) scale, a self-report measure of ergonomic exposure, and other case management tools to improve accommodation efforts for 101 workers (75 women, 26 men) returning to work after lost time related to a WRUED. Items were categorized into five subscales based on item content: administrative, computer-related, workstation design, environmental, and equipment.

The natural history and risk factors of musculoskeletal conditions resulting in disability among US Army personnel.

We describe the natural history of 13 musculoskeletal conditions requiring hospitalization and identify demographic, behavioral, psychosocial, occupational, and clinical characteristics most strongly associated with disability discharge from the Army. Subjects included 15,268 active-duty personnel hospitalized for a common musculoskeletal condition between the years 1989-1996 who were retrospectively followed through 1997. Back conditions had the greatest 5-year cumulative risk of disability (21%, 19%, and 17% for intervertebral disc displacement, intervertebral disc degeneration, and nonspecific low back pain, respectively).

Ergonomic and psychosocial factors affect daily function in workers' compensation claimants with persistent upper extremity disorders.

Pain and other symptoms associated with work-related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs) can lead to significant distress, lost function, and disability. Identifying factors associated with decreased upper extremity function may lead to the development of more effective interventions. In this study, participants were 165 government employees (127 female, 38 male) with an accepted workers' compensation claim (< 90 days from claim filing) for a WRUED who were unable to perform their normal work.

Shifting attention and joint attention dissociation in Williams syndrome: implications for the cerebellum and social deficits in autism.

An experimental paradigm that assesses one's capacity to perform intermodality attention shifting has proved to be sensitive for persons with cerebellar dysfunction. The basic experiment includes three conditions, auditory focus, visual focus and shift attention. In the auditory focus condition, the participant is instructed to press a joystick button when they hear the target tone and to ignore the other tone and the two visual stimuli.

The role of restraint and seat position in pediatric facial fractures.

Background: Recently, head and brain injuries were identified as consequences of the inappropriate use of seat belts by children. The proposed mechanism of these injuries might also place a child at risk for facial fracture.

Methods: A probability sample of children under age 16 involved in crashes were enrolled in an ongoing crash surveillance system (1998-2001) that links insurance claims data to telephone survey and crash investigation data (unweighted, n = 12,659; weighted, n = 131,717).

Cdc25b phosphatase is required for resumption of meiosis during oocyte maturation.

In a wide variety of animal species, oocyte maturation is arrested temporarily at prophase of meiosis I (ref. 1). Resumption of meiosis requires activation of cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (CDK1, p34cdc2), one component of maturation-promoting factor (MPF).