Family-based treatments for serious juvenile offenders: A multilevel meta-analysis

__Objective:__ Researchers have identified several family-based treatments that hold considerable promise in reducing serious juvenile offending; however, these treatments remain underutilized by youth service systems. In the present study, we used meta-analysis to summarize the findings of research on family-based treatments for serious juvenile offenders. __Method:__ We conducted a multilevel meta-analysis that modeled dependencies between multiple effect sizes from the same study. The meta-analysis synthesized 324 effect sizes from 28 studies that met inclusion criteria. Potential moderators (e.g., characteristics of samples, treatments, methods, and measures) were entered as fixed effects in the meta-analytic model. __Results:__ Across studies, family-based treatments produced modest, yet long-lasting, treatment effects (mean d = 0.25 for antisocial behavior, 0.24 overall) relative to comparison conditions. Furthermore, certain characteristics moderated the magnitude of treatment effects; for example, measures of substance use showed the largest effects and measures of peer relationships showed the smallest effects. __Conclusions:__ Policymakers, administrators, and treatment providers may find it useful to consider the effects of family-based treatments for serious juvenile offenders in their selection of treatments for this population. In addition, investigators who seek to develop and study such treatments may wish to consider the current findings in their future research efforts

Electron Microscopy in Diagnostic Virology: A Five Year Study of the Etiologic Agents of Acute Non-Bacterial Gastroenteritis

A total of 472 stool specimens from patients with gastroenteritis were examined by electron microscopy after negative staining with 2% phosphotungstic acid (pH 6.5). Forty-two percent of the specimens submitted over a five year period were determined to be positive for virus belonging to one or more of seven morphologically distinct viral groups. Seventy percent of the positive stool specimens contained coronavirus-like particles (CVLP). These viruses are pleomorphic enveloped particles containing a flexible fringe (Fig. 1) 13-18 nm in length with a bulbous shape at the distal end of individual filaments making up the fringe (Fig. 2). CVLP have recently been associated with clinical gastrointestinal syndromes including necrotizing enterocolitis which affects predominately neonates. In some preparations the fringe is not clearly visible in negatively-stained preparations unless a very thin film of stool covers the formvar carbon-coated grids. In other preparations a single drop of stool is allowed to dry completely on a grid which has been placed in a microtiter well containing 1% agar.</jats:p