106 human TMJ specimens from 53 individuals (age: 65-85 years) were examined macro- and microscopically and measured for discal and condylar cartilage thickness at five points defined on a mediolateral axis along the middle dense part of the disc. 27% of the discs showed lateral and laterocentral perforations. In 8% the lateral portion was thinned down to a translucent layer. 62% showed no gross destruction or deviation in shape and thickness. The remaining 3% displayed extensive destruction and their condyles were osteoarthritic. All discs showed a significant decrease in thickness from their medial towards their lateral portions. The condyles displayed either a smooth articular surface (16%) or an irregular and progressively remodelled surface (81%) with histologically normal fibrocartilage. The condylar cartilage did not show a significant gradient of thickness in amediolateral direction. The results support our previously developed working hypothesis, that the joint is seemingly loaded along its entire articular surface and that a lateral disc perforation in older individuals can be due to a physiological process of wearing rather than to a pathological sequel of functional disorders.
There is growing interest in the adaptation of psychological questionnaires in different countries, due to the need for cross-cultural research using the same tests adapted to diverse populations. This paper presents the standardization of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991, 2007) in Spain and Chile (both Spanish-speaking countries). The Spanish sample was made up of 940 people (461 men and 479 women), and the Chilean sample of 569 people (231 men and 338 women). Results revealed that the Chilean means were higher than those of the Spanish sample at confidence level 99.9%, although the associated effect sizes were generally small to moderate (partial eta-square between 0.008 and 0.187). Sex differences in the variables evaluated were commented on, and the importance of cross-cultural research and the influence of sex on personality and psychopathology variables were discussed.
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