The effects of perceived memory ability on memory conformity for an event

The present study investigated the impact of false feedback about individual memory performance relative to a co-witness on susceptibility to misinformation. Pairs of participants (n?=?130; 65 pairs) completed a visual memory test and received false feedback on their performance indicating that the memory ability of one participant in the pair was stronger relative to the other participant. The participants then viewed a crime video (either the same video or one slightly different to their partner) and discussed their memories for this video with their co-witness. Participants completed a semi-cued recall task and a recognition test about the video. False memory feedback indicating lower relative performance was associated with significant increases in sensitivity to misinformation. The results are discussed in reference to the potential contributions that co-witnesses' perceptions of both their partner's reliability and their own reliability have on event memory.     

Gating of a novel brain potential is associated with perceptual anomalies in bipolar disorder

Patterson JV, Sandman CA, Jin Y, Kemp AS, Potkin SG, Bunney WE Jr. Gating of a novel brain potential is associated with perceptual anomalies in bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disord 2013: 00: 000–000. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Objectives: Our laboratory recently identified the P85 gating ratio as a candidate biomarker for bipolar disorder. In order to evaluate the phenomenological significance of P85 gating, the current study examined reports of perceptual anomalies and their relationship to the P50 and P85 physiological measures of sensory gating. Methods: Reports of perceptual anomalies on the Structured Clinical Interview to Assess Perceptual Anomalies were compared in patients meeting DSM‐IV criteria for paranoid schizophrenia (n = 66), schizoaffective disorder (n = 45), or bipolar I disorder (n = 42), and controls (n = 56), as well as their relationship with P85 and P50 gating. Results: The bipolar disorder group reported significantly more auditory, visual, and total anomalies than both the schizophrenia and control groups. The schizophrenia group also had more anomalies than the control group. Comparison of psychiatric subgroups revealed that the bipolar depressed, bipolar disorder with psychosis, and schizoaffective bipolar type groups reported the most anomalies compared to the other patient groups (bipolar disorder without psychosis, schizoaffective, bipolar manic). The total perceptual anomalies score and the P85 ratio significantly differentiated the bipolar disorder, schizoaffective, and paranoid schizophrenia groups from each other. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence of the phenomenological significance of P85. The results also yield further support not only for the P85 ratio, but also for increased reports of perceptual anomalies as possible markers for bipolar disorder.     

Small steps: barriers and facilitators to physical health self-management by people living with mental illness

It has been established that people with mental illness experience mortality and morbidity from all the major health conditions at 2–3 times the rate of those without mental illness. One way to overcome this problem is to encourage consumers of mental health services to self-manage their physical health. The purpose of the study was to investigate the facilitators and barriers to physical health self-management by people living with a mental illness. The study was underpinned by a hermeneutic phenomenological framework and utilised focus groups for data collection. A total of 27 participants, who lived in the community, had a diagnosed mental illness and who also had a co-morbid chronic physical health condition were included in one of three focus groups. The collected data were thematically analysed to identify common experiences and difficulties. It was found that participants were well aware of the need to attend to physical health issues. However, a number of factors at the individual, social and system levels impeded their ability to do so. Barriers to self-management included the debilitating nature of mental illness, poor physical health literacy, stigma from medical staff and social isolation, which resulted in a lack of support. Whereas informal peer networks, group participation and where it was offered, the support and encouragement from healthcare professionals facilitated health self-management.     

Small steps: physical health promotion for people living with mental illness

Physical health promotion for people with mental illness is vital if the life expectancy of this population group is to be improved. While there is promising evidence of physical health promotion initiatives in the literature in this population group, it is unclear whether these have resulted in long-term gains and actually reduced morbidity and mortality. We aimed to identify which physical health promotion strategies and resources were most likely to resonate with people who have long-term mental health problems and live in the community. We facilitated three focus groups in metropolitan Perth with 27 participants who experienced long-term serious mental health problems for this qualitative study. Participants were clear about which health promotion resources and approaches they did or did not consider would engage them. Participants wanted health messages that were positive, clear and not too wordy. They tended to dislike pamphlets and preferred DVDs. They also preferred to participate in health promotion activities in groups. Participants were aware of the need to engage in health protective behaviours but were often overwhelmed by their mental health problems. Health promotion for this population group ought to capitalise on therapeutic alliances with staff and informal peer networks already established in drop-in centres and clubhouses.     

Human tooth germ stem cell response to calcium-silicate based endodontic cements

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxic effects of endodontic cements on human tooth germ stem cells (hTGSCs). MTA Fillapex, a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-based, salicylate resin containing root canal sealer, was compared with iRoot SP, a bioceramic sealer, and AH Plus Jet, an epoxy resin-based root canal sealer.

Material and Methods

To evaluate cytotoxicity, all materials were packed into Teflon rings (4 mmµ3 mm) and co-cultured with hTGSCs with the aid of 24-well Transwell permeable supports, which had a pore size of 0.4 µm. Coverslips were coated with MTA Fillapex, iRoot SP and AH Plus Jet and each coverslip was placed onto the bottom of one well of a six-well plate for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Before the cytotoxicity and SEM analysis, all samples were stored at 37ºC and at 95% humidity and 5% CO₂ for 24 hours to set. The cellular viability was analyzed using MTS test (3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxy-methoxy-phenyl)-2-(4-sulfo-phenyl)-2H-tetrazolium). The cytotoxic effects and SEM visualization of the tested materials were analyzed at 24-hour, 72-hour, one-week and two-week periods.

Results

On the 1^st day, only MTA Fillapex caused cytotoxicity compared to negative control (NC) group (p<0.008). No significant difference was observed between the other tested materials at this period (p>0.05). After 14 days of incubation with the test materials, MTA Fillapex exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity compared with iRoot SP, AH Plus Jet and the NC group (P<0.008). In the SEM analysis, the highest levels of cell attachment were observed for iRoot SP and the control group. After 24 hours, MTA Fillapex reduced the number of cells attached to the surface.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, sealers exerted different cytotoxic effects on hTGSCs. Although all materials have exerted cellular toxicity, iRoot SP and AH Plus Jet may promote better attachment to hTGSCs.     

Bearing exchange in the management of pseudotumours

Introduction

Soft tissue reactions following metal-on-metal (MoM) arthroplasty of the hip have been under considerable discussion. These reactions are seen following both hip resurfacing and MoM total hip arthroplasty (THA). The phenomenon may arise owing to shedding of metal particles in high wear states, hypersensitivity with normal metal wear rates or a combination of the two.

Methods

Three patients were identified who had developed a soft tissue reaction (pseudotumour) following MoM hip resurfacing procedures. The prostheses were revised to ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) THA with only minimal debridement of the pseudotumour. Pre and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was performed to assess the size of the lesions.

Results

Progressive and satisfactory resolution of the associated pseudotumours was identified following revision of the prostheses to CoC THA.

Conclusions

In the early stages of pseudotumour formation following MoM hip resurfacing, this potentially devastating condition can be managed adequately with revision to a CoC bearing THA with minimal soft tissue excision.     

Climatic controls on West Nile virus and Sindbis virus transmission and outbreaks in South Africa

The processes influencing the magnitude of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission from 1 year to the next require thorough investigation. The intensity of WNV transmission is related to the dynamics and interactions between the pathogen, vector, vertebrate hosts, and environment. Climatic variability is one process that can influence interannual disease transmission. South Africa has a long WNV and Sindbis virus (SINV) record where consistent climate and disease relationships can be identified. We relate climate conditions to historic mosquito infection rates. Next, we detect similar associations with reported human outbreaks dating back to 1941. Both concurrent summer precipitation and the change in summer precipitation from the previous to the current summer were strongly associated with WNV and SINV transmission and recorded human outbreaks. Each 100?mm interannual summer precipitation change increased WNV infection rates by 0.39 WNV-positive Culex univittatus/1000 tested Cx. univittatus. An improved understanding of biotic and abiotic disease transmission dynamics may help anticipate and mitigate future outbreaks.