Dreaming and habitual sleep duration

By demonstrating that habitual short-sleeping university students were less likely to report dreaming but were more likely to experience unpleasant dreams than their long-sleeping peers, we replicated Hartmann's 1973 results.

The changing sleep habits of college students

By collating and inspecting data from previously published studies (N=7,958), we noted that over a 20-year period, the median hours of sleep reported by college students had dropped by one hour.

Nocturnal bruxism and self reports of stress-related symptoms

Of 511 undergraduates responding to a questionnaire, 96 identified themselves as bruxers and reported more symptoms of stress than the nonbruxers. Stress may contribute etiologically to bruxism.

Coping with a major stressor: differences between habitual short- and longer-sleepers

We compared the coping strategies of 39 short-sleepers and 33 longer-sleepers to the stresses associated with the October 17, 1989 San Francisco Bay Area earthquake using their responses to the eight scales of the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Over-all, the short-sleepers scored significantly higher on this questionnaire and in general, the pattern of their responses was consistent with inferences that could be drawn from a 1972 paper by Hartmann, Baekeland, and Zwilling.

Attitudes of major employers toward the employment of people with epilepsy: a 30-year study

Beginning in 1956, major San Francisco Bay area employers were sampled at 10-year intervals for a 30-year period to assess attitudes toward the employment of epileptic workers. In this time, we documented a trend of sustained positive change that appears to validate the efforts of organizations that have focused on raising public awareness of this disorder.

Increases in nocturnal bruxism among college students implicate stress

While the etiology of nocturnal bruxism is unknown, three major categories of theories have been advanced to explain its cause(s), i.e., local-mechanical theories, psychological theories and systemic/neurophysiological theories. The recent report of a four-fold increase in the incidence of self-reported nocturnal bruxism in college students over the last 23-year period emphasizes the role that psychological variables may play in the development of this disorder and it is suggested that the personality traits which contribute to stress management are primary among these.

Type A-B behavior and self-reported health problems

To measure the relationship between Type A-B behavior and stress-linked symptoms, a group of undergraduates were asked to respond to the Glass version of the Jenkins Activity Survey and a 25-item stress-linked symptoms checklist. Data from 472 students were analyzed. As predicted, the results indicated that Type A persons experience specific stress-linked symptoms more intensely than their Type B peers.

Relationship between habitual sleep duration and diet

Speculation and indirect evidence have suggested a relationship between habitual sleep duration and food intake. We tested this hypothesis by asking groups of short- and longer-sleeping students to keep 21-day sleep and food-intake diaries. We found no reliable evidence that sleep habits are linked to any major dietary variables as measured in this study and concluded that the differences between our results and those of an earlier study may reflect differences in the methodologies used.

Type A-B behavior and self-reported health problems

To measure the relationship between Type A-B behavior and stress-linked symptoms, a group of undergraduates were asked to respond to the Glass version of the Jenkins Activity Survey and a 25-item stress-linked symptoms checklist. Data from 472 students were analyzed. As predicted, the results indicated that Type A persons experience specific stress-linked symptoms more intensely than their Type B peers.

Type A-B behavior and the self-report of daily hassles and uplifts

Fairly large groups of Type A and Type B college students were asked to respond to the Hassles and Uplifts Scale. The Type A students reported significantly more hassles and uplifts than their Type B peers. These data support the view that Type A people lead more intense, event-filled lives than Type B people.

Alpha-streptococcal septicemia in leukemic children treated with continuous or large dosage intermittent cytosine arabinoside

During a 2-year period after the introduction of an intensive chemotherapeutic protocol, alpha-hemolytic streptococci accounted for 75% of all episodes of sepsis among children with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia at our institution. Only one case had occurred in the previous 8 years. Fourteen of 15 episodes of streptococcal sepsis occurred after therapy with either continuous or large dosage intermittent cytosine arabinoside. Eleven episodes occurred at two specific treatment points. Septic episodes were complicated by shock (2 of 15), encephalopathy (2 of 15), pneumonia (3 of 15) and death (1 of 15). Oral mucosal lesions may provide a portal of entry for alpha-hemolytic streptococci. These data suggest that children receiving continuous or large dosage intermittent cytosine arabinoside for treatment of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia may be at increased risk for alpha-hemolytic streptococcal sepsis. Empiric antimicrobial therapy in these children when febrile and neutropenic should include antibiotics effective against alpha-hemolytic streptococci.

Changes in the incidence of nocturnal bruxism in college students: 1966-1989

The frequency of self-reported nocturnal bruxism in three large samples of college undergraduates was compared as a means of assessing change in the incidence of this disorder since 1966. We found the incidence of nocturnal bruxism had increased from 5.1% to 20.5% in college students over the period covered by these studies.

Hepatitis B virus vaccine. Cost-benefit analysis of its use in a children's hospital

A cost-benefit analysis of routine active immunization against hepatitis B virus (HBV) for 500 nursing personnel at The Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, is described. Based on outcomes of HBV infection, local charges for medical care and wages lost from illness, the authors calculate the average cost per case of HBV infection to be $1,990. Including the current system of postexposure prophylaxis and an annual attack rate of 1 percent the current annual cost of HBV infection in The Children's Mercy Hospital is $12,630. The HBV immunization program would have to continue for 15 years before its cumulative costs ($189,133) were exceeded by those of the current system ($189,450). Therefore routine immunization of nurses would not be cost effective in the near future. If, however, a subset of high-risk employees with a 2 percent attack rate is identified, or the cost of the HBV vaccine series fell from the current $103 to $27, then routine immunization would become cost beneficial within 6 years.

The sleep-promoting behaviors of habitual short- and longer-sleeping adults

Consistent with the view that habitual longer-sleepers are more concerned with their sleep, this group (n = 25) reported engaging in twice as many sleep-promoting behaviors as a group of short-sleepers (n = 25). The longer sleepers tended to use alcohol and the short sleepers food to promote sleep.

Work-related risk factors for hepatitis B virus infection in personnel of a children's hospital

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus markers was examined in employees participating in patient care at The Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Of 377 workers tested in 1985-86, 36 (9.6%) were seropositive for any marker. Among 285 employees who presumably have only work-related hepatitis B exposure, 14 (4.9%) were seropositive. Age 50 years and older, black race, and education no more than 12 years were associated with seropositivity among workers with work-related exposure. Employees in the clinics, laboratories, emergency room, and operating room had an increased prevalence of hepatitis B markers compared to those in other work locations (8 vs. 2%, p less than 0.05). Traditional risk factors for infection were not predictive of seropositivity. Although the risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection from employment in a children's hospital is low, this study does identify work-related risk factors. Possible reasons for this association are discussed.

Nontypable Haemophilus influenzae nosocomial pulmonary infections in children following intubation

Twenty-nine intubated pediatric patients were prospectively studied to determine whether nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is associated with the development of nosocomial pneumonia. Throat cultures and tracheal Gram stains, leukocyte counts and cultures were obtained immediately following intubation, then serial studies on tracheal secretions were performed. Median patient age was 13 months. One patient had preexisting lung disease and 14 (48%) had pneumonia when intubated. There were five deaths. NTHI was recovered from the initial throat or tracheal culture in seven patients (24%); none developed a nosocomial lower respiratory tract infection. NTHI was not associated with any of three cases of nosocomial pneumonia. Three of 12 NTHI isolates were beta-lactamase producers. Tracheal leukocyte counts and Gram stains were not predictive of pneumonia, either at the time of intubation or subsequently. We conclude that NTHI in the oropharynx or trachea is not predictive of pneumonia among intubated pediatric patients.

The valence of dreams reported by type A-B college students

The valences of the dreams reported by Type A (n = 39) and Type B (n = 42) undergraduates were examined. Consistent with the view that in part the manifest content of the dream may reflect attempts to manage stress, the Type A students were significantly more likely than the Type B students, to report disturbing dreams.

Nocturnal bruxism and type A-B behavior in college students

The incidence of self-reported nocturnal bruxism was measured in groups of Type A and Type B college students ( ns = 66, 61). The data suggest a positive association between the incidence of bruxism and level of Type A behavior.

Level of stress and sleep duration

30 subjects kept daily diaries of sleep-duration and stress levels for 4 mo. From these data, it was determined that during periods of high stress, sleep was reduced by about one standard deviation while during periods of low stress, sleep increased by about one-half a standard deviation. The relationship of these results to the relevant sleep-stress literature was briefly discussed.

Type A-B status, habitual sleep duration, and perceived level of daily life stress of college students

The differences in perceived levels of average daily stress for four groups (94 college students) formed as the logical combinations of Type A-B status and habitual short- and longer-sleep were evaluated. Both the main effects for Type A-B status and habitual sleep duration were significant and these variables had an additive effect on perceived level of stress.

Type A-B behavior and the premenstrual syndrome

To measure the relationship between Type A-B behavior and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), 88 women volunteers responded to the Glass version of the Jenkins Activity Survey and the PMS Symptoms Checklist. Consistent with the hypothesis, Type A women reported that they experienced about 50% more symptoms of PMS than the Type B women.

Sleep duration and eating behaviors of college students

31 short-sleeping college students tended to eat more small meals or snacks than 37 long sleepers, all of whom were satisfied with their sleep. This disrupted pattern of larger meals was predicted from work of Elomaa and Johansson with rats who were partially REM-sleep deprived.

Habitual sleep duration and eating disorders in college students

To measure the relationship between habitual sleep duration and eating disorders, the responses of groups of 34 short- and 43 longer-sleeping college students to the EAT-26 Test were compared. The short-sleepers scored twice as high and were five times more likely to exhibit abnormal eating patterns than the longer-sleeping group.

Type A-B behavior and incidence of infectious mononucleosis in college students

To further test the hypothesis that Type A behavior is associated with a variety of stress-linked diseases, 280 university students responded to the Jenkins Activity Survey and the question “Have you ever had infectious mononucleosis?”. Compared to the Type B students in this group, the Type A students were 3.75 times more likely to report that they had experienced infectious mononucleosis.

Daylight saving-time changes increase traffic accidents

The frequency of traffic accidents for the State of California for the week preceding and the week subsequent to the fall and spring DST changes were analyzed for the years 1976, 1977, and 1978. Regardless of season of the year, DST change was associated with a significant increase in traffic accidents during the post-change weeks.

Pyridoxine reduces core body temperature in rats

A mild hypothermia was produced in female rats during treatment with pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6), 100 mg/kg, administered in the drinking water. The hypothermic effect appeared by day 3 and persisted through 15 days of treatment. The reduction in core temperature was greater early in the day, just following the nocturnal period of maximum food and water consumption of the rat. Tail tendon temperatures of control and pyridoxine-treated animals showed no evidence of increased heat loss. Thus the hypothermia appears to reflect decreased heat production. The implications of a reduced metabolic rate for gerontological research are discussed.

Birth complications and self-reported sleep behavior

The self-reported sleep behaviors of a group of 190 students who reported that they had experienced birth complications were compared with the responses of a group of 1,347 students who had reported no birth complications. We observed that the former group reported shorter durations of habitual sleep, i.e., 7.1 vs 7.3 hr., tended to fall more frequently into the extreme intervals on a continuum of sleep duration and were more likely to express dissatisfaction with the quality of their sleep than were the latter group.

Type A-B behavior and the overt and covert hostility levels of college students

As a means of providing psychometric validation of Friedman and Rosenman's (1977) clinical observation that Type A individuals show excessive levels of covert hostility, groups of Type A and Type B students were tested with the Buss-Durkee (1957) Hostility Inventory. Type A students expressed higher levels of hostility than the Type B students. However, this difference was due primarily to the relatively greater level of overt hostility of the Type A group. These groups did not differ in level of covert hostility.

The handedness distributions of gifted and non-gifted children

The handedness distribution of a group of 578 gifted elementary school children (I.Q. = 132) was compared to handedness distribution of 391 non-gifted children (I.Q. less than 132), with the result that the gifted group was significantly less right-handed than their non-gifted peers. These data were discussed relative to Bakan's hypothesis that left-handedness results from stressful prenatal and birth conditions. In addition attention was paid to the possibility of a non-linear relationship between intelligence and degree of right-handedness.

Multiple birth-risk factors and handedness in elementary school children

The relationships between a set of birth-risk factors, i.e., sex, parity, and maternal age, and handedness were computed for 600 elementary school children. None of these birth-risk variables (or relevant combinations of them) were significantly related to handedness. These data further question the validity of the hypothesis that left-handedness results from stressful prenatal and birth conditions.

Birth complications and the distribution of handedness

In an attempt to clarify the relationship between self-reported birth complications and handedness, the handedness distributions of 181 college students who reported birth complications and 1320 students who reported no complications were compared. The results suggest a clear but modest shift in the birth complications group away from the dextral end of the continuum. However these data did not validate the hypothesis that left-handedness results from birth complications.

Reliability of seasonal variation in births of left-handed women

Recently Leviton and Kilty reported that the birth dates of left-handed girls in elementary school display a seasonal trend which peaks in November. We report here a failure to replicate this finding for 257 male and 323 female college students. Further, we have considered the likelihood that the original finding was due to sampling error rather than speculating that environmental factors associated with the season of birth are implicated in the etiology of left-handedness, as Leviton and Kilty have stated.

REM sleep deprivation increases preference for novelty in rats

As a further test of the hypothesis that REM deprivation decreases fear, the behavior of 40 male rats was measured in a Y-maze adapted to test for preference for novelty. Prior to this test, the animals were exposed for 4 days to one of four treatments, i.e., either a dry environment control, a wet environment control, a 2-day REM deprivation period or a 4-day REM deprivation period. During the test both number of grid crossing in the novel and non-novel arms of the Y-maze and three indices of emotionality were recorded. The results were congruent with data we had reported earlier and offered convincing evidence in support of the hypothesis.

Pain thresholds in rats during recovery from REM sleep deprivation

Using 30 Sprague-Dawley female rats, threshold to pain was measured over the course of recovery from REM sleep deprivation. Relative to the untreated controls and to their own pretreatment thresholds, the REM-deprived animals showed significantly reduced pain thresholds which were still evident 96 hours after the termination of the REM deprivation. Possible implications of these data for research with analgesic drugs were noted.