Adoption of practice guidelines and assessment tools in substance abuse treatment.

Background: The gap between research and practice limits utilization of relevant, progressive and empirically validated strategies in substance abuse treatment.

Methods: Participants included substance abuse treatment programs from the Northeastern United States. Structural equation models were constructed with agency level data to explore two outcome variables: adoption of practice guidelines and assessment tools at two points in time; models also included organizational, staffing and service variables.

Another breed of "service" animals: STARS study findings about pet ownership and recovery from serious mental illness.

This study elucidates the role of pets in recovery processes among adults with serious mental illness. Data derive from interviews with 177 HMO members with serious mental illness (52.2% women, average age 48.

'Stealing me from myself': identity and recovery in personal accounts of mental illness.

Objectives: To understand and promote recovery from serious mental illnesses, it is important to study the perspectives of individuals who are coping with mental health problems. The aim of the present study was to examine identity-related themes in published self-narratives of family members and individuals with serious mental illness. It adds to the body of research addressing how identity affects the process of recovery and identifies potential opportunities for using published narratives to support individuals as they move toward positive identities that facilitate recovery.

Acute endophthalmitis following cataract surgery: a systematic review of the literature.

Objectives: To determine the reported incidence of acute endophthalmitis following cataract extraction over time and to explore possible contributing factors, such as type of cataract incision.

Methods: A systematic review of English-language articles was conducted by performing a broad search of PubMed from 1963 through March 2003 using such terms as cataract extraction, endophthalmitis, and postoperative complication. Additional studies were identified from bibliographies of relevant articles and published proceedings.

Echocardiographic and pathologic features of explanted Hancock and Carpentier-Edwards bioprosthetic valves in the mitral position.

Modes of failure of Hancock and Carpentier-Edwards (C-E) porcine bioprosthetic valves placed in the mitral position are not completely understood. We reviewed transesophageal echocardiographic (n = 19) and pathologic features of failed Hancock (n = 22) and C-E (n = 8) porcine mitral valves in 30 patients (mean age 70 +/- 13 years). Age at implantation (59 +/- 14 vs 58 +/-14 years, p = 0.