Effects of Modified Instructions on Peabody Developmental Motor Scales,Second Edition,Gross Motor Scores in Children with Typical Development

Aims: The current study assessed whether modifying instructions on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2) affected scores in children with typical development. Methods: The gross motor portion of the PDMS-2 was administered twice, 2–10?days apart, to 38 children. Age- and gender-matched groups received instructions in both standard and modified formats, with order depending on group assignment. Results: Gross Motor Quotient results showed an effect for instruction type (p?=?.03) and an interaction between instruction type and order (p?=?.02). Improved scores for those given modified instructions during the second session indicated the interaction favored modifications. Stationary scores showed an effect for instruction type (p?=?.01) and an interaction between instruction type and age (p?=?.02). Object Manipulation scores showed an interaction between instruction type and order only (p =.002); Locomotion scores showed no significant changes (p?=?.25). Percentile rank changes ranged from 9% to 22% across subtests. Conclusions: Findings suggested instruction modifications may change PDMS-2 gross motor scores, even in children with typical development. Findings also suggested normative scores should not be reported if modifications were used during testing. Research is needed to determine optimal cues for the best representation of true motor ability during standardized assessment.     

Virus-sized vaccine delivery systems

In a return to the early days of vaccine development during which effective vaccines were produced against viruses, virus-sized vaccine delivery systems have made a comeback. Using modern production technologies these nanoparticles have proved to be very effective at inducing cellular and humoral immune responses. Here, we review a number of vaccine delivery systems based on nanoparticles in the size range of typical viruses. Different strategies for generating these particles, ranging from recombinant virus-like particles to inert nanobeads via ISCOMs and nanoparticle-based DNA vaccine delivery systems, are discussed. In addition, possible mechanisms of immune induction are explored.     

Inactivation of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in an animal model of relapse: effects on conditioned cue-induced reinstatement and its enhancement by yohimbine

Rationale  

Drug-associated cues and stress increase craving and lead to greater risk of relapse in abstinent drug users. Animal models of reinstatement of drug seeking have been utilized to study the neural circuitry by which either drug-associated cues or stress exposure elicit drug seeking. Recent evidence has shown a strong enhancing effect of yohimbine stress on subsequent cue-elicited reinstatement; however, there has been no examination of the neural substrates of this interactive effect.     

Chemokine receptor expression in non-melanoma skin cancer

Background:  Previous studies suggest that chemokines and chemokine receptors have a role in the metastatic process. A correlation exists between the specific expression of these chemoattractive, pro-inflammatory cytokines and the ability of cancer to disseminate. Prior studies have shown that in metastatic melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck upregulation of CXC (α) chemokine receptor (CXCR)4 and CC (β) chemokine receptor (CCR)7 expression is accompanied by downregulation of the chemokine receptor CCR6. However, the expression patterns of CCR6, CCR7 and CXCR4 in non-melanoma skin cancer have yet to be elucidated.
Methods:  The expression patterns of CCR6, CCR7 and CXCR4 were determined using an immunohistochemical approach on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded normal, pre-cancerous actinic (solar) keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma tissues.
Results:  Analysis of chemokine receptor expression showed downregulation of CCR6 and upregulation of CCR7 and CXCR4 in potentially metastatic non-melanoma skin cancer, invasive squamous cell carcinoma, but this pattern did not exist in non-melanoma skin cancer with no metastatic potential, basal cell carcinoma; or actinic keratosis, when compared with normal skin.
Conclusions:  Chemokine receptor expression may influence the biological behavior of non-melanoma skin cancer. The exact mechanism by which this occurs requires further study.     

Who's talking? Communication between health providers and HIV-infected adults related to herbal medicine for AIDS treatment in western Uganda

Communication between patients and physicians about herbal medicine is valuable, enabling physicians to address issues of potential herb-drug interactions and ensuring appropriate medical care. As seemingly harmless herbal remedies may have detrimental interactions with various HIV antiretroviral drugs, the importance of communication is intensified, but often stifled around the use of herbal medicine in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. In western Uganda, 137 HIV-infected adults attending conventional HIV/AIDS treatment programmes (67 of whom were receiving antiretroviral therapy) shared their experiences and perceptions about traditional herbal medicine and related patient-physician communication issues through interviews and focus group discussions. Although close to 64% of respondents reported using herbal medicine after being diagnosed with HIV, only 16% of these respondents had informed their conventional medical practitioners about using these herbs. Furthermore, only 13% of antiretroviral therapy recipients had inquired about concurrent herb-antiretroviral drug use with their HIV/AIDS treatment providers, largely because they perceived a low acceptance and support for herbal medicine by conventional medical practitioners. Importantly however, almost 68% of HIV-infected adults indicated they would be willing to discuss herbal medicine use if directly asked by a conventional medical practitioner, and the overwhelming majority (91%) said they were amenable to following physician advice about herbal medicine. As such, improved patient-physician communication about herbal medicine is needed, and we recommend that herbal medicine histories be completed when patient histories are taken. Also, HIV/AIDS treatment programmes should be encouraged to develop specific patient-physician communication standards and best practice guidelines to ensure that patients can make informed decisions about herb and pharmaceutical drug co-therapy based on known risks, particularly in the case of AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. Communication about herbal medicine usage should be viewed as a timely and cost-effective component of antiretroviral therapy programmes, one which may contribute to the overall success of AIDS treatment in Africa.     

Immigrant Latino men in rural communities in the Northwest: social environment and HIV/STI risk

This study explored how migration-related socio-cultural and environmental factors interact to render immigrant Latino men residing in rural Oregon at increased risk for HIV/STI. More specifically, the paper describes the socio-demographic characteristics and sexual risk profile of immigrant Latino men and characterises the physical and socio-cultural contexts in which they reside. In-depth interviews were conducted with 49 men who newly immigrated to the USA and had recently engaged in sexual intercourse with women. Content analysis indicated that job instability and seasonal/industry restrictions resulted in frequent changes in employment and living situations, and one-third of respondents reported having no one to turn to when in need. Over two-fifths had ever had sex with a sex worker, with almost a quarter reporting sex with a sex worker in the past three months. In addition, over half of the men reported that they never, or inconsistently, used condoms. Although respect for wives/girlfriends was valued, loneliness, sexual experimentation and inherent sexual needs were cited as reasons that men have sex outside their primary relationships. Our data support the convergence of risky environments and migration-driven factors in exacerbating STI prevalence and the HIV epidemic among Latino immigrant men residing in the Northwest.     

Cochlear implantation in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders

Abstract

Aim

To present the outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders (ANSD).

Materials and methods

The pre- and post-CI hearing outcomes in children with ANSD were retrospectively evaluated. Performance was assessed with categories of auditory performance (CAP) and the Manchester spoken language development scale (MSLDS).

Results

Full data were available in 27 implanted children with ANSD with average age at implantation 35.4 months (range 19–68 months). Nine children were implanted bilaterally, while 13 were bimodal. The pre-CI CAP and MSLDS scores were 2.5 (range 0–5) and 2.5 (range 0–6), while the post-CI scores 5.8 (range 2–9) and 7.7 (range 3–10), respectively.

Conclusions

Although the outcome of CI in children with ANSD might vary, it is favourable in most of the cases. CI seems a justified hearing rehabilitation option for children with ANSD and limited benefits from conventional hearing aids.