Risk Factors for Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant among Previously Infected Frontline Workers

In a cohort of essential workers in the United States previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, risk factors for reinfection included being unvaccinated, infrequent mask use, time since first infection, and being non-Hispanic Black. Protecting workers from reinfection requires a multipronged approach including up-to-date vaccination, mask use as recommended, and reduction in underlying health disparities.

Developmental sequences in class reasoning and propositional reasoning

This study explored the theoretical prediction that class and propositional reasoning skills emerge as a function of the developing ability to coordinate increasingly complex negation and affirmation operations. Children from Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7 (7-, 9-, 11-, and 13-year-olds) were presented with problems from each domain. Rasch analyses of the children's responses were consistent with the hypothesis that both types of problems measured a single underlying dimension (i.e., the coordination of affirmation and negation operations). Qualitatively distinct levels of class and propositional reasoning were identified along this dimension, adding support to the notion that children's reasoning follows a logical developmental sequence. Planned comparisons supported the order-theoretical prediction that different groups of items account for solution differences between grade levels. Results also indicated that children encounter significant difficulties when they have to reason on the basis of negative information.

Sonomorphology and involution of the normal urachus in asymptomatic newborns

BACKGROUND

The number of reports on the sonomorphology of the urachus or urachal remnants in neonates and the pattern of involution is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a sonographically visible urachus in the first months of life is a pathologic condition and whether postnatal involution can be demonstrated by ultrasound.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 102 asymptomatic infants (premature and term newborns) were examined with a high-resolution 7.5-MHz linear transducer between 0 and 60 days of age. In 70 infants, a second examination followed 3-5 months later.

RESULTS

In all infants, the urachus could be identified on the first examination. Different morphological types were differentiated. There was no difference between premature and term newborns in the morphology of the urachus. Spontaneous involution of the urachus was observed in all infants receiving a second examination, and they most often showed a fusiform urachal remnant at the apex of the bladder.

CONCLUSION

Involution of the urachus is not complete at birth and can be followed up sonographically in the first months of life. This knowledge should prompt a new strategy in young infants with a discharging umbilicus or even an infected urachus. Instead of early surgery, a conservative approach under sonographic control seems reasonable, because there is a chance of spontaneous involution and any abnormal development can be detected by ultrasound.

Intervention with heart attack patients and families

Workers who attend to a stage model of acute illness can create linkage with other problems and events to effectuate a comprehensive and dynamic plan of intervention. A systematized approach is proposed to effectively understand the psychological reactions to illness manifested by heart attack patients and their families.

The power spectra of visually evoked potentials to pseudorandom contrast reversals of gratings

Visually evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded in response to the temporal pseudorandom contrast reversal of spatially sinusoidal gratings with different spatial frequencies. The stimulus mimicked bandwidth limited white noise in the temporal domain except for an inherent periodicity which permitted signal averaging. The power spectra of the resulting VEPs were calculated. For high spatial frequency gratings (7.5-15 c/degree) VEP power was localized to the temporal frequency range from 3 to 7 Hz. For medium spatial frequency gratings (0.75-3 c/degree) VEP power was distributed in a roughly bimodal way with peaks near 6 and 18 Hz. The VEP power spectra due to high frequency gratings were similar in 2 subjects studied in detail, but the power spectra to medium frequency gratings differed substantially.

A review of research examining the coronary-prone behavior pattern

With the increasing incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and the subsequent interest in factors which contribute to its development, the idea of a coronary-prone (Type A) behavior pattern has attracted much attention in recent years. In this paper, research on the coronary-prone behavior pattern is reviewed. Type A behavior is found to be fairly accurate in predicting the likelihood and severity of CHD, at least in large groups of people. Problems in measuring and in more clearly defining the components of Type A behavior are discussed. Future investigations are urged, focusing on how the behavior pattern develops and on strategies for intervention.

Patient progress rounds on a university hospital cardiology service

The authors describe patient progress rounds, a weekly meeting of representatives of all disciplines associated with a university hospital cardiology service. The objective is coordination of treatment for all patients in the interest of providing comprehensive care. Each patient's clinical status is reviewed, but primary attention is given to psychosocial aspects. These rounds provide a medium for identifying and dealing with patients' needs, a cooperative teaching and learning venture for staff, a multidisciplinary team approach that increases quality of care, and an opportunity for doctors to confront the reality of their patients as psychosocial beings. Case vignettes illustrate the use and effectiveness of patient progress rounds.