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Background: This study developed the Japanese version of the Auckland Individualism and Collectivism Scale (J-AICS), examined its reliability and validity, and explored the associations between its factors (compete, unique, responsibility, advice, and harmony) along with variables related to mental health in the Japanese population. Methods: We recruited 476 Japanese participants from the general population. Participants completed the J-AICS along with questionnaires pertaining to culture and mental health. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the correlated five-factor model showed a good fit to the data. The Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω coefficients were high for the individualism, collectivism, compete, unique, and advice factors, but low for the responsibility and harmony factors. Convergent validity was supported by significant relationships between culture-related variables. A one-way analysis of variance revealed the low individualism/collectivism cluster had higher loneliness and lower satisfaction with life than the high individualism and collectivism clusters. The multiple regression analyses showed that the responsibility factor was significantly and negatively associated with mental health concerning anxiety and depressive symptoms, loneliness, and satisfaction with life. In addition, the harmony factor was significantly and positively associated with the mental health. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate sufficient validity of the J-AICS; however, reliability was insufficient for responsibility and harmony. Further, responsibility was positively associated with mental health and harmony was negatively associated with mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the relationship between community race/ethnic and economic change and the base rates of hate crimes has been rarely studied in the social sciences. The present study examined the role of race/ethnic and economic change in Los Angeles between 1990 and 2000 to determine their relationship to hate crime occurrence. Data collected from Los Angeles hate crime reports, including victim and offender race/ethnicity, the level of severity, and the level of bias, were combined with census data for the 1990 and 2000 censuses for race/ethnic and economic change in the corresponding census tract in which the hate crime/incident occurred. No relationship was found between economic change and hate crimes. While differences among victim race/ethnicity (White, African American, and Hispanic) and their corresponding race/ethnic change (decreasing, stable, or increasing) were largely not significant, there were significant differences between African American and White offenders and their corresponding change in race/ethnic population.

Objective: To estimate the cost-consequence of treating spasticity early with botulinum toxin in the acute stroke unit. Design: Secondary cost-consequence analysis, using data from a double-blind randomised-controlled trial. Setting: Single-centre specialised stroke unit. Subjects and Interventions: Patients with Action Research Arm Test grasp-score of <2 and who developed spasticity within six weeks of a first stroke were randomised to receive injections of: 0.9% sodium-chloride solution (placebo) or onabotulinumtoxin-A (treatment). Main measures: Resource use costs were calculated for the study. Mean contracture costs for each group were calculated. The Barthel Index and Action Research Arm Test were used to generate a cost per unit of improvement. Results: There were no significant differences associated with early treatment use. The mean contracture cost for the treatment group was £817 and for the control group was £2298 (mean difference = −£1481.1(95% CI −£2893.5, −£68.7) (p = 0.04). The cost per unit of improvement for the Barthel Index was −£1240 indicating that the intervention costs less and is more effective. The cost per unit of improvement for the Action Research Arm Test was −£450 indicating that the intervention costs less and is more effective. Conclusions: Treating spasticity early in stroke patients at risk of contractures with botulinum toxin leads to a significant reduction in contracture costs. The cost per improvement of Barthel and Action Research Arm Test indicates that the intervention costs less and is more effective. Trial Registration data: EudraCT(2010-021257-39) and ClinicalTrials.gov-Identifier:NCT01882556. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Does early treatment of spasticity with botulinum-toxin (BoNTA), in (hyper)acute stroke patients without arm-function, reduce contractures and improve function. Design: Randomised placebo-controlled-trial Setting: Specialised stroke-unit. Participants & Intervention: Patients with an Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) grasp-score⩽2 who developed spasticity within six-weeks of a first stroke were randomised to receive injections of: 0.9%sodium-chloride solution (placebo) or onabotulinumtoxin-A (treatment). Outcome-Measures: Spasticity, contractures, splint use and arm function (ARAT) were taken at baseline, 12-weeks post-injection and six-months after stroke. Additionally, spasticity and contractures were measured at weeks-two, four and six post-injection. Results: Ninety three patients were randomised. Mean time to intervention was 18-days (standard deviation = 9.3). Spasticity was lower in the treatment group with difference being significant between week-2 to 12 (elbow) and week-2 to 6 (wrist). Mean-difference (MD) varied between –8.5(95% CI –17 to 0) to –9.4(95% CI –14 to –5) µV. Contracture formation was slower in the treatment group. Passive range of motion was higher in the treatment group and was significant at week-12 (elbow MD6.6 (95% CI –0.7 to –12.6)) and week-6 (wrist MD11.8 (95% CI 3.8 to 19.8)). The use of splints was lower in the treatment group odds ratio was 7.2 (95% CI 1.5 to 34.1) and 4.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 14.0) at week-12 and month-6 respectively. Arm-function was not significantly different between the groups MD2.4 (95% CI –5.3 to 10.1) and 2.9 (95% CI –5.8 to 11.6) at week-12 and month-6 respectively. Conclusion: BoNTA reduced spasticity and contractures after stroke and effects lasted for approximately 12-weeks. BoNTA reduced the need for concomitant contracture treatment and did not interfere with recovery of arm function. Trial Registration: EudraCT (2010-021257-39) and ClinicalTrials.gov-Identifier: NCT01882556. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]