SummaryThis longitudinal, quasi-field experiment tested whether perceived stress and increase in perceived stress are related to the resources of the individual, namely, personality (core self evaluation scale (CSES)), physical fitness, social support (acceptance and/or rejection by peers), and cognitive abilities. Perceived stress scale (PSS) was administered at two points in time to participants in a two-day selection process for a military unit, whose stressful environment formed the manipulation in this study. Baseline PSS was obtained from soldiers before the selection activity, when threatened with resource loss. PSS was next administered during the selection activity, when individuals had to cope with actual loss of resources and difficulty in regaining them. As expected, participants perceived more stress during the selection activity. Participants with higher CSES, higher cognitive abilities and higher levels of social support perceived lower stress levels prior to the activity. The increase in stress level was lower for participants with better fitness levels, but greater for participants rejected by their peers. Exploratory analysis of resource overlap was conducted and revealed a contribution of few key resources to coping, even in the presence of other resources.

The aim of this study is to evaluate and characterize amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram tracings in preterm infants at varying gestational ages. Eighty-six amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram traces (1.5-9 hours in duration each) were recorded in 32 preterm infants (24-41 weeks of postconception age) during the study period (July 1, 2001, through August 31, 2002). A stepwise rather than gradual progression was detected, with the first step at 24 to 30 weeks, the second at 31 to 34 weeks, and the third at 35 to 41 weeks. The cyclic pattern amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram typical of healthy full-term infants was not detected in the first step, which was marked by a very low baseline and a wide continuous band width of up to 98.5 microV, with a mean of 74.2 microV (SD = 23.3). The first appearance of cycles was in the second group (31-34 weeks), with a mean intercycle band width of 38.3 microV (SD = 26.3) and a cycle band width of 51 microV (SD = 18). The third step (35-41 weeks) differed from the second, having a mean intercycle band width of 16 microV (SD = 3.5; P < or = .001), with quite a similar cycle band width of 43.8 microV (SD = 19.2). The number of cycles per hour increased from a mean of 0.44 (SD = 0.33) per hour to 0.58 (SD = 0.25) per hour in the second and third steps, respectively (P < or = .001). Amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram is a feasible and reliable brain-monitoring tool in healthy preterm infants. Its features are age dependency and stepwise progression. Its real-time clinical significance and prognostic value in healthy and sick preterm infants are yet to be determined.

These findings demonstrate that in patients with CAF structural and functional cardiac changes occur. Patients with CAF as opposed to both normal subjects and patients with PAF have larger left atria and reduced systolic and diastolic left ventricular function.