A cut above the rest: Trimming as a painless depilatory

Shaving and other modes of epilation can cause undue anxiety, pain, or skin irritation in children. Here, we present hair trimming as a safe, painless, and cost‐effective alternative for patients with unwanted hair which may be performed indefinitely or until the child is old enough to direct management. In select cases, removing unwanted hair using this technique may facilitate dermatologic surveillance.     

Foot allergic contact dermatitis to mixed dialkyl thioureas

A 12‐year‐old boy presented with severe, bilateral foot dermatitis. Extended patch testing was performed, revealing a significant positive reaction to mixed dialkyl thioureas. A thorough review of his history revealed that he was likely being exposed through his neoprene taekwondo shoes. After implementation of allergen avoidance measures, his dermatitis resolved. This case emphasizes awareness of potential allergen exposures and offers helpful avoidance strategies.     

Self-assessed preoperative level of habitual physical activity predicted postoperative complications after colorectal cancer surgery: A prospective observational cohort study

IntroductionThere is a growing interest in physical activity in relation to recovery after surgery. One important aspect of measuring recovery after surgical procedures is postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an association between the preoperative level of habitual physical activity and postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer.Materials and methods115 patients scheduled for elective surgery due to colorectal cancer between February 2014 and September 2015 answered a questionnaire regarding physical activity and other baseline variables. Physical activity was assessed using the Saltin-Grimby physical activity level scale. Complications within 30 days after surgery were classified according to Clavien-Dindo, and the Comprehensive Complications Index (CCI) was calculated. Primary outcome was difference in CCI and key secondary outcome was risk for CCI ≥20.ResultsPhysically inactive individuals had a CCI that was 12 points higher than individuals with light activity (p = 0.002) and 17 points higher than regularly active individuals (p = 0.0004). Inactive individuals had a relative risk for a CCI ≥20 that was 65% higher than for individuals reporting light activity (95% confidence interval (CI) for relative risk (RR) = 1.1–2.5) and 338% higher than for regularly active individuals (95% CI for RR = 2.1–9.4).ConclusionSelf-assessed level of habitual physical activity before colorectal cancer surgery was associated with fewer postoperative complications measured with CCI, in a dose-response relationship.     

Acoustic correlates of vocal effort: External factors and personality traits

ObjectivesTo develop an experimental protocol to study the vocal effort generated by introducing barriers to communication, and its relationship with certain personality traits.Material and methodsThe experimental protocol consisted of an interactive game in which the subject gave an investigator instructions to adopt various body positions (semi-directed communication situation). The Control situation included no constraints on communication. Then a Distance Constraint (increased distance between subject and investigator) and a Time Constraint (generation of performance stress by putting the subject in competition with others) were introduced. The vocal parameters studied comprised vocal intensity and fundamental frequency in the middle of the vowel of 3 target phonemes. Subjects also took the NEO FFI-R personality test.ResultsThe study included 41 women aged between 18 and 52 years. Vocal intensity and fundamental frequency increased significantly with the introduction of the constraints (P < 0.05), intensity passing from 75.5 dB to 81.8 dB and frequency from 249.4 Hz to 335.8 Hz. No correlations were found between these changes and results for the various personality traits.ConclusionsThis ecological protocol enables the impact of both physical and emotional obstacles to communication to be studied. No correlations between vocal effort and personality traits emerged. A larger-scale study would be necessary to analyze the continuum between vocal effort and vocal forcing, to improve speech therapy for dysfunctional dysphonia.     

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and neurological defects

Introduction and ObjectivesNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be considered one of the most common causes of liver disease in our days and is regarded as one of the newest vascular risk factors for cerebrovascular and other neurological diseases.Materials and methodsWe studied a group of neurological outpatients, divided into two homogenous groups based on the presence or absence of NAFLD.Results and conclusionsWe testified an independent relationship between NAFLD and common vascular risk factors (age, sex, educational level, BMI, cholesterol and lipid assessment, Hb1ac). At the same time, we ascertained an independent relationship between NAFLD and more recently recognized vascular risk factors, such as lack of folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D-OH25, and increased levels of homocysteine. Finally, we have documented that NAFLD showed worse executive and frontal functions, and behavioral changes, such as depressive mood and anxiety, and apathy.     

抽动障碍患儿的执行功能缺陷

抽动障碍(TD)患儿执行功能的多种成分存在缺陷,表现在工作记忆能力下降,持续性注意和反应抑制、认知灵活性、思维组织性、计划性等方面存在障碍,非语言能力和社交功能损害等。TD患儿如果伴有注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)、强迫障碍(OCD)以及孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)等共患病,其执行功能缺陷常常更严重。TD患儿执行功能的某些缺陷与其抽动症状的严重性相关,完整的执行功能发展与抽动症状的缓解过程有关,通过改善TD患儿的执行功能缺陷可以间接地减少TD患儿的抽动症状。