Does format matter for comprehension of a facial affective scale and a numeric scale for pain by adults with Down syndrome?

People with intellectual disabilities are at high risk for pain and have communication difficulties. Facial and numeric scales for self-report may aid pain identification. It was examined whether the comprehension of a facial affective scale and a numeric scale for pain in adults with Down syndrome (DS) varies with presentation format. Adults with DS were included (N = 106, mild to severe ID, mean age 37 years), both with (N = 57) and without (N = 49) physical conditions that may cause pain or discomfort. The Facial Affect Scale (FAS) and a numeric rating scale (NRS) were compared. One subgroup of participants (N = 50) had to choose the two items within each format to indicate ‘least pain’ and ‘most pain’. The other subgroup of participants (N = 56) had to order three faces of the FAS from ‘least pain’ to ‘most pain’, and to answer questions about the magnitude of numbers for the NRS. Comprehension percentages were compared between two subgroups. More participants understood the FAS than the NRS, irrespective of the presentation format. The comprehension percentage for the FAS did not differ between the least-most extremities format and the ordering/magnitude format. In contrast, comprehension percentages for the NRS differed significantly between the least-most extremities format (61%) and the ordering/magnitude format (32%). The inclusion of ordering and magnitude in a presentation format is essential to assess thorough comprehension of facial and numeric scales for self-reported pain. The use of this format does not influence the number of adults with DS who pass the comprehension test for the FAS, but reduces the number of adults with DS who pass the comprehension test for the NRS.     

The Realm of Romantic Relational Functioning in Five-Factor Narcissism

This study aimed to examine whether the five-factor narcissism sub-scales predict incapacity to love. Through convenient sampling, The Capacity to Love Inventory (CTL-I) and The Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory-Short Form (FFNI-SF) were administered in a community sample using the online platform of Google forms. The present study consists of 428 participants (84.3% females and 15.7% males). Results revealed that Extraversion was the only factor of narcissism that positively predicted the total score of the capacity to love. Participants who scored higher in extraversion tend to score higher in Basic trust, Interest in the other, and Gratitude. While grandiosity negatively predicted interest in the other, Antagonism positively predicted this sub-scale and negatively predicted the common ego ideal. Vulnerability and Neuroticism were associated with more loss and mourning after the relationship is lost. It is noteworthy that neither of the five-factor narcissism sub-scales predicted the permanence of sexual passion. In conclusion, it seems evident that grandiosity is accounted for less interest in significant others, while extraversion is associated with more willingness to trust, engage, and love.     

Childhood polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposure and executive function in children in the HOME Study

Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been reported to impair executive function in children, but little is known whether childhood PBDE exposures play a role. Using the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective birth cohort in the greater Cincinnati area, we investigated the association between repeated measures of PBDEs during childhood and executive function at 8 years in 208 children and whether effect modification by child sex was present. We used child serum collected at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years to measure PBDEs. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function was completed by parents to assess executive function at 8 years. We used multiple informant models to examine childhood PBDEs during several exposure windows. Null associations were observed between early childhood PBDEs and executive function. However, we observed significant adverse associations between a 10-fold increase in concurrent concentrations of BDE-28 (β = 4.6, 95% CI 0.5, 8.7) and BDE-153 (β = 4.8, 95% CI 0.8, 8.8) with behavioral regulation. In addition, PBDEs at 8 years were significantly associated with poorer emotional and impulse control. No associations were noted between childhood PBDEs and metacognition or global executive function. However, child sex significantly modified the associations, with significantly poorer executive function among males with higher concurrent BDE-153, and null associations in females. Our study findings suggest that concurrent PBDE exposures during childhood may be associated with poorer executive function, specifically behavior regulation. Males may also be more sensitive to adverse associations of concurrent PBDEs on executive function.     

Effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate on ADHD symptoms: A randomized,double blind,placebo-controlled trial

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that serum levels of vitamin D were lower in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children compared to healthy controls. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate on symptoms of children with ADHD.

Methods: Sixty-two children aged 5–12 years with a diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-IV criteria were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either 2000IU vitamin D or placebo in addition to methylphenidate for 8 weeks. Symptoms severity was assessed by Conner's Parent Rating Scale-Revised[S] (CPRS), ADHD rating scale-IV (ADHD-RS), and Weekly Parent Ratings of Evening and Morning Behavior (WPREMB) at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Anthropometric variables, dietary intake, physical activity, sun exposure, and side effects were assessed.

Results: Fifty-four participants completed the trial. After 8 weeks of supplementation, serum levels of 25(OH)D significantly increased in the vitamin D group. ADHD symptoms decreased significantly in both groups (P?P?=?0.013, 0.016, respectively), but no differences were found in symptoms by CPRS and ADHD-RS scales.

Discussion: Vitamin D supplementation as adjunctive therapy to methylphenidate improved ADHD evening symptoms. Future research is needed to clarify vitamin D effects as monotherapy in ADHD and its mechanism.

The trial was registered in www.irct.ir is (IRCT201404222394N10).     

Validation of the eleven-point pain scale in the measurement of migraine headache pain

The four-point pain scale (none, mild, moderate, severe) and the 11-point pain scale (0 = no pain, 10 = pain as bad as it could be) have been used in migraine studies to assess treatment efficacy. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the validity and responsiveness of the 11-point pain scale using the four-point pain scale as a benchmark. Using data from 95 migraine patients recruited from headache clinics, this study found that 11-point pain scale scores were highly correlated with four-point pain scores. The correlations between the pain scales were significantly higher than the correlations with quality of life measures such as functional ability and emotional feelings. The 11-point pain scale was 55% more sensitive than the four-point pain scale in detecting clinically important differences. The strong linear relationship between the two pain scales allowed researchers to transform four-point pain scores to 11-point pain scores using regression weights.     

炮山甲与劣品炮大甲片的经验鉴别

目的：辨清炮山甲真伪,杜绝劣质炮大甲片。方法：对正品炮山甲与劣品炮大甲片在性状、颜色、大小等方面进行比较。结果：正品炮甲片长宽各0.75~5.50 cm,金黄色或黃褐色,质酥脆,易折断,断面厚0.2~0.4 cm;而劣品炮大甲片长宽各6~10 cm,是正品的3~5倍,黄褐色至棕黄色,质酥不脆,能折断,断面厚0.6~1 cm。结论：性状特征能区别开炮大甲片。     

早期手术治疗对鼾症患儿智力发育的影响

目的 探讨早期手术治疗对鼾症患儿智力发育的影响,为小儿鼾症早期手术提供重要依据.方法 对鼾症患儿40例行双侧扁桃体和/或腺样体切除术（观察组）,采用中国-韦氏幼儿智力量表（C-WYCSI）进行术前和术后6个月的智力测试,包括语言智商和操作智商两部分共11项分测试;操作智商又包括视觉分析测验（VA）和几何图形测验（GD）两类.按照1∶1匹配选择同性别、同年龄（±3个月）、家庭条件相当的健康体检学龄前期儿童40例作为对照组进行比较.结果 观察组术前总智商、言语智商、操作智商分别为82、81、83,均低于对照组的101、101、101（t=4.131、3.952、3.842,均P＜0.05）;术后总智商、言语智商及操作智商分别为98、98、99,均在正常范围,与对照组差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）.结论 鼾症患儿早期手术治疗可以改善患儿智力;鼾症患儿影响呼吸并有手术指征者,宜早期手术治疗.     

住院痴呆患者照料者心理健康状况及相关因素研究

目的探讨住院痴呆患者照料者的心理健康状况及其相关因素。方法采用症状自评量表（SCL-90）作为评定工具,对住院痴呆患者照料者的心理健康状况进行调查。结果（1）住院痴呆患者照料者的SCL-90总分及抑郁因子分与国内常模比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）：躯体化因子分显著高于常模,其他因子评分显著低于国内常模,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。（2）SCL．90总分显示,女性、高龄、受教育水平低、身体健康状况差、收入较低、照料人数多、照料时间长的照料者心理健康状况较差,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。（3）男性、低年龄、病程长、痴呆程度较严重、躯体疾病较多对照料者心理健康影响更明显,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。（4）照料者年龄、文化水平、过去经历、身体状况、亲子关系、照料时间及患者病程进入回归方程．决定系数为0．599。结论住院痴呆患者照料者心理健康受多方面因素的影响．要提高照料者的心理健康水平,必须从多个方面综合考虑并采取措施。     

A Short Review on the Phase Structures,Oxidation Kinetics,and Mechanical Properties of Complex Ti-Al Alloys

This paper reviews the phase structures and oxidation kinetics of complex Ti-Al alloys at oxidation temperatures in the range of 600–1000 °C. The mass gain and parabolic rate constants of the alloys under isothermal exposure at 100 h (or equivalent to cyclic exposure for 300 cycles) is compared. Of the alloying elements investigated, Si appeared to be the most effective in improving the oxidation resistance of Ti-Al alloys at high temperatures. The effect of alloying elements on the mechanical properties of Ti-Al alloys is also discussed. Significant improvement of the mechanical properties of Ti-Al alloys by element additions has been observed through the formation of new phases, grain refinement, and solid solution strengthening.