Relative reward processing in primate striatum

Rewards are often not only valued according to their physical characteristics but also relative to other available rewards. The striatum (caudate nucleus, putamen, ventral striatum including nucleus accumbens) is involved in the organization of movement and the processing of reward information. We studied the activity of single striatal neurons in macaques that were presented with different combinations of two rewards. We found in nearly half of the investigated neurons that the processing for one reward shifted, relative to the other rewards that were available in a given trial block. The relative reward processing concerned all forms of striatal activity related to reward-predicting visual stimuli, arm movements and reception of rewards. The observed changes may provide a neural basis for the known shifts in valuation of rewarding outcomes relative to known references.     

Behavioral interventions for Cambodian female entertainment and sex workers who use amphetamine-type stimulants

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) and cognitive-behavioral treatments are evidence-based approaches to reduce stimulant use and sexual risk taking. We describe the adaptation and implementation of sequential behavioral interventions for Cambodian female entertainment and sex workers (FESW) who use amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS): (1) a 12-week CCT intervention; and (2) a 4-week cognitive-behavioral aftercare (AC) group. An ongoing cluster randomized stepped wedge trial in 10 Cambodian provinces is enrolling FESW with confirmed recent ATS use to examine the effectiveness of CCT + AC. In the first six provinces, 138 of the 183 eligible FESW (75 %) enrolled in CCT and completed a median of 25 (interquartile range 9–32) of the 36 urine screening visits. Of the 84 participants who were eligible for AC, 79 completed at least one session (94 %) and 57 completed three or more sessions (68 %). Culturally tailored behavioral interventions to reduce ATS use and optimize HIV prevention are feasible in resource-limited settings.     

Intérêt d'une polychimiothérapie dans le lymphome B intravasculaire

We describe three cases of intravascular lymphoma B with different clinical presentation: one case of a cutaneous variant and two cases with surrenal and cutaneous localisation. All patients are in complete remission after chemotherapy alone or after chemotherapy and autologous stem cells transplantation. The review of the literature as well as our cases specify the interest of an aggressive chemotherapy with autologous of peripheral stem cells if it was possible.     

Kudoa azevedoi n. sp. (Myxozoa, Multivalvulida) from the oocytes of the Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus (Perciformes, Carangidae) in Tunisian coasts

A new species Kudoa azevedoi sp. n. (Myxozoa, Multivalvulida) is described in Trachurus trachurus Linnaeus, 1758 (Carangidae) from fishing harbors in Tunisian coasts using spore morphology and SSU rDNA sequence data. The parasite occurs only in ovaries within oocytes of mature and immature specimens. Spores are quadrate in shape in apical view with rounded edges, having four shell valves and four symmetrical polar capsules. They are of small sizes and measure 3.5?±?0.41 (3–4.2)?×?4.5?±?0.44 (4–5.2) length by width. The polar capsules are pyriform in shape measuring 1.5?±?0.22 (1.5–2)?×?0.75?±?0.14 (0.5–1)?μm. Infected oocytes are hypertrophied, whitish colored, and filled with mature spores. Plasmodia are tubular and ramified from the inner membrane toward the center of the oocyte. Phylogenetic analysis based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences shows the highest similarity (96 %) with the ovary parasite Kudoa ovivora. Some morphological details and spore dimensions support the creation of a new species in the genus Kudoa. Mean prevalence among examined females is of about 55.5 %. It varies between localities and length of fish. The present myxosporea is the second Kudoa species reported in fish ovaries.     

Emergence of Enterococcus species in the infectious microorganisms cultured from patients with endophthalmitis in South Korea

Purpose

To investigate the microorganisms in culture-proven endophthalmitis and their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents commonly used in South Korea.

Methods

Medical records of consecutive patients with culture-proven endophthalmitis at eight institutions between 1 January 2004 and 31 July 31 2010 were reviewed. Four categories of endophthalmitis were studied: postoperative, posttraumatic, endogenous, and unspecified. Outcome measures were culture-proven infectious organisms, antimicrobial susceptibilities, and final visual acuity in the patients.

Results

A total of 93 microorganisms were identified from 103 patients during the study period. The positive culture rate was 59.2 % (103/174). The most common organisms identified were Enterococcus faecalis (in 20.8 % of patients, 20/96), Staphylococcus epidermidis (18.8 %, 18/96), other coagulase-negative staphylococci (10.4 %, 10/96), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.3 %, 6/96), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.3 %, 6/96). Two cases of Enterococcus faecium (2.1 %) were recognized. Overall, 70 of 96 (73.0 %) isolates were Gram-positive bacteria, 22 (23.0 %) were Gram-negative bacteria, and 4 (4.2 %) were fungi. The most common organisms resulting in reduced light perception were E. faecalis and K. pneumoniae.

Conclusions

The emergence of E. faecalis in endophthalmitis is mainly caused by the high incidence of E. faecalis in postoperative endophthalmitis. This increase also impacts the final visual acuity of the patients.     

Corrigendum

Introduction

In the mid-1990s, Cambodia faced one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in Asia. For its achievement in reversing this trend, and achieving universal access to HIV treatment, the country received a United Nations millennium development goal award in 2010. This article reviews Cambodia’s response to HIV over the past two decades and discusses its current efforts towards elimination of new HIV infections.

Methods

A literature review of published and unpublished documents, including programme data and presentations, was conducted.

Results and discussion

Cambodia classifies its response to one of the most serious HIV epidemics in Asia into three phases. In Phase I (1991–2000), when adult HIV prevalence peaked at 1.7% and incidence exceeded 20,000 cases, a nationwide HIV prevention programme targeted brothel-based sex work. Voluntary confidential counselling and testing and home-based care were introduced, and peer support groups of people living with HIV emerged. Phase II (2001–2011) observed a steady decline in adult prevalence to 0.8% and incidence to 1600 cases by 2011, and was characterized by: expanding antiretroviral treatment (coverage reaching more than 80%) and continuum of care; linking with tuberculosis and maternal and child health services; accelerated prevention among key populations, including entertainment establishment-based sex workers, men having sex with men, transgender persons, and people who inject drugs; engagement of health workers to deliver quality services; and strengthening health service delivery systems. The third phase (2012–2020) aims to attain zero new infections by 2020 through: sharpening responses to key populations at higher risk; maximizing access to community and facility-based testing and retention in prevention and care; and accelerating the transition from vertical approaches to linked/integrated approaches.

Conclusions

Cambodia has tailored its prevention strategy to its own epidemic, established systematic linkages across different services and communities, and achieved nearly universal coverage of HIV services nationwide. Still, the programme must continually (re)prioritize the most effective and efficient interventions, strengthen synergies between programmes, contribute to health system strengthening, and increase domestic funding so that the gains of the previous two decades are sustained, and the goal of zero new infections is reached.     

Clinical efficacy of the polyurethane stent without fluoroscopic guidance in the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the polyurethane (Song) stent in the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction without fluoroscopic guidance, especially at the junction between the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct or at the nasolacrimal duct. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: This study evaluated 59 cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 53 patients, with mean epiphora of 36 months (range, 2 months-17 years). METHODS: Without the assistance of a radiologist, a polyurethane nasolacrimal stent was placed by introducing a guidewire through the superior or inferior punctum into the canaliculus and advancing it across the obstruction into the opening of the inferior meatus of the nasal cavity. The mean follow-up period was 22 months (range, 12 months-48 months). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patency of the lacrimal passage to irrigation and the duration of this procedure. RESULTS: Complete resolution of epiphora was accomplished in 55 (93.2%) of the 59 eyes. There was recurrence of epiphora in four cases because of obstruction of the stent in three cases and obstruction of the common canaliculus by recurrent dacryocystitis in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Polyurethane stenting without fluoroscopic guidance seems to be a valuable technique for primary management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction before dacryocystorhinostomy.