The discrepancy between verbal and visuoperceptual IQ in children with a specific learning disorder: An analysis of 1624 cases

Children with a specific learning disorder (SLD) are often characterized by marked intellectual strengths and weaknesses. In the last few years, research has focused on a common discrepancy between low working memory and processing speed on the one hand, and high verbal and visuoperceptual intelligence on the other. SLD profiles featuring a specific discrepancy between verbal and visuoperceptual abilities have been only marginally considered, however, and their systematic comparison vis-à-vis typically-developing (TD) populations has yet to be conducted. The present study examined a dataset of 1624 WISC-IV profiles of children with a diagnosis of SLD. It emerged that the proportion of children with a Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) at least 1.5 SD (22 standardized points) lower than their scores on the Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) was larger than the proportion of SLD children with the opposite discrepant profile; it was also larger than the same proportion found among TD children. Comparing the two discrepant profiles revealed that the children also differed by type of learning difficulty, gender, and performance in the WISC-IV Symbol search task. Further examination suggested that children who were discrepant and also distinctly poor in visuoperceptual intelligence were particularly slow in general processing.     

Response to strict and liberalized specific carbohydrate diet in pediatric Crohn’s disease

AIM: To investigate the specific carbohydrate diet(SCD) as nutritional therapy for maintenance of remission in pediatric Crohn's disease(CD). METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted in 11 pediatric patients with CD who initiated the SCD as therapy at time of diagnosis or flare. Two groups defined as SCD simple(diet alone, antibiotics or 5-ASA) or SCD with immunomodulators(corticosteroids and/or stable thiopurine dosing) were followed for one year and compared on disease characteristics, laboratory values and anthropometrics.RESULTS: The mean age at start of the SCD was 11.8 ± 3.0 years(range 6.6-17.6 years) with five patients starting the SCD within 5 wk of diagnosis. Three patients maintained a strict SCD diet for the study period and the mean time for liberalization was 7.7 ± 4.0 mo(range 1-12) for the remaining patients. In both groups, hematocrit, albumin and ESR values improved while on strict SCD and appeared stable after liberalization(P-value 0.006, 0.002, 0.002 respectively). The majority of children gained in weight and height percentile while on strict SCD, with small loss in weight percentile documented with liberalization. CONCLUSION: Disease control may be attainable with the SCD in pediatric CD. Further studies are needed to assess adherence, impact on mucosal healing and growth.     

Effectiveness of a smartphone-based,augmented reality exposure app to reduce fear of spiders in real-life: A randomized controlled trial

Although in vivo exposure therapy is highly effective in the treatment of specific phobias, only a minority of patients seeks therapy. Exposure to virtual objects has been shown to be better tolerated, equally efficacious, but the technology has not been made widely accessible yet.We developed an augmented reality (AR) application (app) to reduce fear of spiders and performed a randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of our app (six 30-min sessions at home over a two-week period) with no intervention. Primary outcome was subjective fear, measured by a Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) in a Behavioural Approach Test (BAT) in a real-life spider situation at six weeks follow-up.Between Oct 7, 2019, and Dec 6, 2019, 66 individuals were enrolled and randomized. The intervention led to significantly lower subjective fear in the BAT compared to the control group (intervention group, baseline: 7.12 [SD 2.03] follow-up: 5.03 [SD 2.19] vs. control group, baseline: 7.06 [SD 2.34], follow-up 6.24 [SD 2.21]; adjusted group difference -1.24, 95 % CI -2.17 to -0.31; Cohen’s d = 0.57, p = 0.010).The repeated use of the AR app reduces subjective fear in a real-life spider situation, providing a low-threshold and low-cost treatment for fear of spiders.     

Water Specific Therapy Halliwick (WSTH) : intérêt de la thérapie dans l’eau pour enfants paralysés cérébraux

The Halliwick method, created in England in 1949 by J. McMillan, engineer, who offered his services at the Halliwick swimming school for young girls cp, is based on the physical properties of water and consists of a program in ten points (TPP) for swimming initiation; WSTH is a learning engine in water which facilitates the management of the movements and activities of daily life on earth. It's in agreement with the normal motor development of the child, the levels of motor evolution (NEM), International Classification of Functioning, disability and health (ICF) proposed by the WHO in 2001 as well as with Huber's positive health (2011). Several scientific studies attest to the efficientness of the Halliwick method and of the WSTH on motor skills. Four field studies, published, compared WSTH to conventional aquatic therapy (CAT), randomized, in children with cp: (1) on spasticity (elbow/wrist/knee/ankle measurement), WSTH shows a decrease HS specifically on the wrist and ankle after WSTH; S results for CAT; (2) on the range of motion, the measurements show a S increase proximally, especially on the UE after WSTH; (3) on the active trunk recovery, the WSTH shows an action THS in th12, S in th8 and c7; NS in CAT; (4) on the head control, the results are, after WSTH, HS in flexion/extension/inclinations and S in rotations; they are NS for CAT.ConclusionThe Halliwick method and the WSTH have been proven to be efficient on motor skills; our 4 field studies show significantly better effects with WSTH – probably thanks to “its rotation points” – than with CAT.     

Technological Advances in Penile Implant Surgery

BackgroundDuring the last century, surgical management of erectile dysfunction has evolved from an experimental concept to a core treatment modality with widespread use among the men's health community. Over time, innovations in materials, mechanical design elements, device coatings, and surgical technique have provided patients with low-risk, reliable, and reproducible erectile function with high satisfaction rates.AimTo provide a foundation for future innovation by improving understanding of historical penile prosthetics and the rationale behind incremental technological improvements for the contemporary Men's Health physician.MethodsLiterature review was conducted to generate a comprehensive review of historical technological innovations in penile implant surgery. Companies with FDA approved penile prosthetics in use in the United States were contacted for information regarding technological innovations in the past and future devices in development. A separate literature review was performed to identify any significant future device design elements being tested, even in the ex vivo setting, which may have future clinical applications.OutcomesTechnological innovations in penile implant surgery were described.ResultsCurrent options for the prosthetic surgeon include malleable penile prostheses (MPP), self-contained (2-piece) inflatable penile prostheses, and multicomponent (3-piece) inflatable penile prostheses. Current MPPs consist of a synthetic coated solid core which allow for manipulation of the penis for concealability while maintaining sufficient axial rigidity to achieve penetration when desired. Multi-component (3-Piece) IPPs currently include the Coloplast Titan and Boston Scientific/AMS 700 which consist of a fluid reservoir, intrascrotal pump, and intracavernosal cylinders. The devices have undergone numerous design updates to the cylinders, pump, reservoir, tubing, and external coatings to increase reliability and decrease short- and long-term complications.Clinical ImplicationsFuture innovations in penile prosthetic surgery seek to broaden the indications and applicability to the transgender community and improve both safety and functionality for patient and partner.Strengths & LimitationsThe review is limited primarily to penile prosthetics approved for current or historical clinical use in the United States and may not be representative of the global prosthetic environment. Additionally, the research and development of future innovations, particularly those provided by device manufacturers, is likely limited by non-disclosure to maintain a competitive advantage.ConclusionsPenile prosthetic surgery will undoubtedly remain integral to the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and education regarding the current state of technological innovation will empower the prosthetic surgeon and biomedical engineering community to improve contemporary patient care and drive the development of the next generation of implantable penile prosthetics.Barnard JT, Cakir OO, Ralph D, et al. Technological Advances in Penile Implant Surgery. J Sex Med 2021;18:1158–1166.     

A novel SARS-CoV-2 IgG line-blot for evaluating discrepant IgG test results – Observations in pre-pandemic and follow-up samples of five patients

To confirm discrepant SARS-CoV-2-IgG results in four standard assays we applied for the first time a prototype of a coronavirus IgG-line-blot which employs antigens from seasonal coronaviruses, SARS-1 and SARS-CoV-2 combined with avidity testing as a confirmatory tool in a follow-up of five cases including pre-pandemic samples.     

北京地区尘螨过敏患者特异性IgE水平分析

目的了解北京地区不同年龄、性别尘螨过敏患者对尘螨敏感性差异。方法本研究采用回顾性横断面研究,纳入我科2016年8月至2017年7月因过敏性疾病就诊、户尘螨或粉尘螨至少一项sIgE阳性患者318例。分别比较户尘螨及粉尘螨sIgE水平差异以及不同性别、年龄患者尘螨sIgE水平差异。结果两种尘螨sIgE水平差异无统计学意义(P=0.336)。男性患者血清特异性IgE(sIgE)平均水平明显高于女性患者(P=0.009),其中男性特重度过敏患者所占比例明显高于女性(P<0.001),但女性中度过敏患者所占比例明显高于男性(P=0.01)。年龄与抗体水平呈明显负相关(R=-0.217,P<0.001)。婴幼儿、儿童、少年组中特重度过敏患者所占比例最高,分别为各自组的42.3%、31.5%、38.1%。儿童及少年特重度过敏患者中,男性患者所占比例明显高于女性(P=0.04,P=0.01)。结论户尘螨及粉尘螨过敏常同时存在,且过敏严重程度相当。尘螨过敏原敏感程度与年龄及性别明确相关。     

背部特定腧穴拔罐治疗感染后咳嗽的临床研究

目的观察背部特定腧穴拔罐治疗感染后咳嗽的临床疗效。方法将140例感染后咳嗽患者随机分为2组,治疗组70例予背部特定腧穴(定喘、肺俞、肺底)拔罐治疗,对照组70例(后脱落1例)予盐酸氨溴索口服液治疗,5 d为1个疗程,共治疗1~2个疗程。观察2组治疗前后咳嗽、咽痒、咽干、咯痰的中医证候评分变化,比较2组起效时间、痊愈时间及治疗总有效率;治疗结束6个月,统计呼吸道疾病发作次数。结果治疗组总有效率94.3%,高于对照组(85.5%,P0.05)。2组治疗后各项中医证候评分及总积分均降低(P0.01),且治疗组治疗后均低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗组治疗起效时间、痊愈时间均短于对照组(P0.01)。治疗组治疗结束6个月内呼吸道疾病发作次数明显少于对照组(P0.01)。结论背部特定腧穴拔罐治疗感染后咳嗽能有效改善症状,缩短疗程,提高临床疗效,值得进一步推广。