Was There Unmet Mental Health Need After the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks?

Background This study examined the use of professionals for mental health problems among New York City residents who were directly affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) or had a probable diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression in its aftermath. Correlates of help seeking from professionals for mental health problems after the attacks and barriers to care were also assessed. Method Data were from a random digit dial telephone survey of 2,752 adults representative of the Greater New York Metropolitan area conducted 6 months after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Results Fifteen percent of those directly affected and 36% of those with probable PTSD or depression sought help from a professional for a mental health problem after the attacks. There was little new utilization of professionals for mental health problems after the attacks among persons who were not already receiving care prior to September 11. Barriers that prevented people from seeking help for mental health problems 6 months after the September 11 attacks included traditional barriers to care (e.g., cost) and barriers that are unique to the post-disaster context (e.g., the belief that others need the services more than oneself). Conclusions This study suggests that there was potential unmet mental health need in New York City 6 months after the September 11 attacks on the WTC, but these findings should be tempered by research showing an apparent decrease in populationrates of PTSD. In the aftermath of a disaster, interventions should target persons with mental health needs who were not previously seeking help from a professional for a mental health problem.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/40299/2/Stuber_Was There Unmet Mental Health Need_2006.pd

Evaluation of four point-of-care meters for rapid determination of blood lactate concentrations in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether blood lactate values determined in dogs with 4 commercially available point-of-care meters were in agreement with values determined with a critical care laboratory blood analyzer. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 50 dogs evaluated for emergency treatment. PROCEDURES: Blood samples were collected at initial evaluation and processed on 4 point-of-care meters and on a critical care laboratory blood analyzer. RESULTS: All 4 point-of-care lactate meters generated measurements that were in agreement with the hospital\u27s critical care analyzer. Values for agreement (bias) between the 4 point-of-care meters and the critical care analyzer were -0.652 (limits of agreement [LA], -1.958 to 0.654]), -0.670 (LA, -2.110 to 0.769), -0.096 (LA, -2.071 to 1.879), and -0.498 (LA, -2.616 to 1.620), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite its prognostic and therapeutic relevance, blood lactate measurement in dogs has been hampered by the inability to perform the test in a timely fashion. Results of the present study indicated that several handheld point-of-care lactate meters provided results that were in agreement with a laboratory critical care blood analyzer

Measuring the level of agreement between a veterinary and a human point-of-care glucometer and a laboratory blood analyzer in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis)

Although abnormalities in blood glucose concentrations in avian species are not as common as they are in mammals, the inability to provide point-of-care glucose measurement likely results in underreporting and missed treatment opportunities. A veterinary glucometer that uses different optimization codes for specific groups of animals has been produced. To obtain data for a psittacine bird-specific optimization code, as well as to calculate agreement between the veterinary glucometer, a standard human glucometer, and a laboratory analyzer, blood samples were obtained from 25 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) in a 2-phase study. In the initial phase, blood samples were obtained from 20 parrots twice at a 2-week interval. For each sample, the packed cell volume was determined, and the blood glucose concentration was measured by the veterinary glucometer. The rest of each sample was placed into a lithium heparin microtainer tube and centrifuged, and plasma was removed and frozen at -30 degrees C. Within 5 days, tubes were thawed, and blood glucose concentrations were measured with a laboratory analyzer. The data from both procedures were used to develop a psittacine bird-specific code. For the second phase of the study, the same procedure was repeated twice at a 2-week interval in 25 birds to determine agreement between the veterinary glucometer, a standard human glucometer, and a laboratory analyzer. Neither glucometer was in good agreement with the laboratory analyzer (veterinary glucometer bias, 9.0; level of agreement, -38.1 to 56.2; standard glucometer bias, 69.4; level of agreement -17.8 to 156.7). Based on these results, the use of handheld glucometers in the diagnostic testing of Hispaniolan Amazon parrots and other psittacine birds cannot be recommended

Measuring the level of agreement between directly measured blood pressure and pressure readings obtained with a veterinary-specific oscillometric unit in anesthetized dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine if an oscillometric device optimized for use in dogs produces systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures (MAPs) measurements that are in good agreement with directly obtained pressures DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Twenty-one dogs under general anesthesia for surgical procedures. INTERVENTIONS: A 20-Ga catheter was placed into the dorsal pedal artery and systolic, diastolic, and MAPs were directly measured using a validated blood pressure measurement system. Indirect blood pressure measurements were collected using a widely available veterinary oscillometric blood pressure unit. Results obtained by the 2 methods were then compared. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Agreement between the directly and indirectly measured pressure demonstrated a bias of 9.9 mm Hg and limits of agreement (LOA) 73.7 to -53.9, a bias of -8.9 mm Hg and LOA 23.3 to -41.2, and a bias of -6.3 mm Hg and LOA 28.2 to -40.8 for systolic, diastolic, and MAP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was poor agreement between the direct and indirect measured blood pressure measurement systems. Therefore, use of the oscillometric blood pressure unit evaluated in this study for monitoring patients under anesthesia cannot be recommended at this time

Measuring the Level of Agreement Between a Veterinary and a Human Point-of-Care Glucometer and a Laboratory Blood Analyzer in Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots ( Amazona ventralis

Although abnormalities in blood glucose concentrations in avian species are not as common as they are in mammals, the inability to provide point-of-care glucose measurement likely results in underreporting and missed treatment opportunities. A veterinary glucometer that uses different optimization codes for specific groups of animals has been produced. To obtain data for a psittacine bird-specific optimization code, as well as to calculate agreement between the veterinary glucometer, a standard human glucometer, and a laboratory analyzer, blood samples were obtained from 25 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) in a 2-phase study. In the initial phase, blood samples were obtained from 20 parrots twice at a 2-week interval. For each sample, the packed cell volume was determined, and the blood glucose concentration was measured by the veterinary glucometer. The rest of each sample was placed into a lithium heparin microtainer tube and centrifuged, and plasma was removed and frozen at -30 degrees C. Within 5 days, tubes were thawed, and blood glucose concentrations were measured with a laboratory analyzer. The data from both procedures were used to develop a psittacine bird-specific code. For the second phase of the study, the same procedure was repeated twice at a 2-week interval in 25 birds to determine agreement between the veterinary glucometer, a standard human glucometer, and a laboratory analyzer. Neither glucometer was in good agreement with the laboratory analyzer (veterinary glucometer bias, 9.0; level of agreement, -38.1 to 56.2; standard glucometer bias, 69.4; level of agreement -17.8 to 156.7). Based on these results, the use of handheld glucometers in the diagnostic testing of Hispaniolan Amazon parrots and other psittacine birds cannot be recommended

Agreement between directly measured blood pressure and pressures obtained with three veterinary-specific oscillometric units in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether veterinary-specific oscillometric blood pressure units yield measurements that are in good agreement with directly measured blood pressures in cats. DESIGN: Evaluation study. ANIMALS: 21 cats undergoing routine spaying or neutering. PROCEDURES: A 24-gauge catheter was inserted in a dorsal pedal artery, and systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures were directly measured with a validated pressure measurement system. Values were compared with indirect blood pressure measurements obtained with 3 veterinary-specific oscillometric blood pressure units. RESULTS: There was poor agreement between indirectly and directly measured blood pressures. For unit 1, bias between indirectly and directly measured values was -14.9 mm Hg (95% limits of agreement [LOA], -52.2 to 22.4 mm Hg), 4.4 mm Hg (95% LOA, -26.0 to 34.8 mm Hg), and -1.3 mm Hg (95% LOA, -26.7 to 24.1 mm Hg) for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, respectively. For unit 2, bias was -10.3 mm Hg (95% LOA, -52.9 to 32.2 mm Hg), 13.0 mm Hg (95% LOA, -32.1 to 58.0 mm Hg), and 9.1 mm Hg (95% LOA, -32.9 to 51.2 mm Hg) for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, respectively. For unit 3, bias was -13.4 mm Hg (95% LOA, -51.8 to 25.1 mm Hg), 8.0 mm Hg (95% LOA, -25.5 to 41.6 mm Hg), and -3.6 mm Hg (95% LOA, -31.6 to 24.5 mm Hg) for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that none of the 3 veterinary-specific oscillometric blood pressure units could be recommended for indirect measurement of blood pressure in cats

Measuring statistical agreement between four point of care (POC) lactate meters and a laboratory blood analyzer in cats

The use of blood lactate concentrations as a prognostic indicator and therapeutic gauge in feline medicine has been hindered by the inability to obtain values in a timely manner with minimal quantities of blood. Recently, hand-held point-of-care (POC) lactate meters have become commercially available. The objective of this prospective study was to determine if lactate values produced by three commercially available and one medical grade POC meter were in agreement with a laboratory blood analyzer. Blood samples from 47 cats were collected on presentation to an emergency service and processed on four POC meters and a Stat Profile Critical Care Xpress blood analyzer. The results were analyzed using the Bland-Altman method. The blood lactate values produced by the hospital grade POC meter and one of the commercially POC meters were in good agreement with the Critical Care Xpress blood analyzer. Other commercially available POC meters produced acceptable agreement

Effects of ultraviolet radiation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 synthesis in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are increased concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitaminn D(3) in red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) after exposure to UV radiation. ANIMALS: 12 yearling turtles recently removed from aestivation. PROCEDURES: Turtles were randomly allocated to 2 groups (6 turtles/group). An initial blood sample was collected from all turtles for measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentrations. Turtles of 1 group were then provided no supplemental lighting, whereas turtles of the other group were exposed to full-spectrum coil bulbs at a distance of 22.86 cm. The UV-A and UV-B radiation generated by the supplemental lighting was measured by use of a radiometer-photometer at weekly intervals. Measurements were collected 2.54 and 22.86 cm from the bulb surface. The study was continued for a 4-week period. At the end of the study, a second blood sample was collected from all turtles for measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3). RESULTS: Mean +/- SD 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) concentrations differed significantly between turtles provided supplemental UV radiation (71.7 +/- 46.9 nmol/L) and those not provided UV radiation (31.4 +/- 13.2 nmol/L). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Appropriate husbandry recommendations for raising and maintaining red-eared slider turtles should include use of sunlight that is unobstructed by UV-B filtering material or provision of an artificial source of UV-B radiation

EFFECTS OF DOXYCYCLINE HYCLATE, ONE PERCENT POLIDOCANOL, AND ABSOLUTE ETHANOL ON THE CUTANEOUS AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUES OF CHICKENS () AND THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS IN TREATING CERVICOCEPHALIC DIVERTICULA RUPTURE

The objective of this pilot study was to examine the histologic effects associated with three known sclerosing agents and their ability to induce fibrosis in the subcutaneous space between the cervicocephalic air sac and skin. In the future, these drugs may prove useful in treating birds experiencing cervicocephalic diverticula rupture. The agents used were 1% polidocanol, absolute ethanol, and doxycycline hyclate. Twelve healthy adult chickens () were used in this study. The chickens were randomly allocated into three groups denoting day of euthanasia (day 4, 7, or 14). On day 0, all agents were injected (0.2 ml) subcutaneously, in a four-point grid fashion, in both the cervical and pectoral region of each bird. After euthanasia, the skin and subcutaneous tissues corresponding to the injection sites were harvested for histologic assessment. Tissue sections were assessed for fibrosis and lymphocytic and histiocytic inflammation. A scoring system was established to rank sclerosing agents by fibrosing and inflammatory ability. In the cervical region of chickens, 1% polidocanol induced the greatest inflammatory changes by day 7. Data suggest that doxycycline hyclate may produce the greatest cutaneous and subcutaneous fibrosis overall among all groups of birds. No adverse reactions were associated with any injection. Sterile saline produced the least amount of inflammation when assessed with the scoring system. Further investigation is needed to determine the safety of injections of larger volume with these chemicals and whether these findings can be extrapolated to birds with disease