Neuromotor functioning in adolescents with schizotypal personality disorder: associations with symptoms and neurocognition

Previously, Neumann and Walker (1999) used a computerized motor assessment and found that adults with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) displayed increased and more variable motor force compared to adults with other personality disorders or healthy controls. Using the same motor assessment, the current study examined whether an independent sample of adolescents with SPD manifested a similar pattern of motor dysfunction compared to adolescents with other Axis II disorders or those without a disorder. As predicted, the SPD group showed increased and more variable force compared to the other two groups, which did not differ on these measures. These same motor variables were correlated with negative symptoms, as well as perseverative responses on a card sorting test. The significant correlations between motor functioning and perseverative responses and negative symptoms support recent research suggesting that subcortical motor regions play a role in higher order cognition and negative symptoms. Differences as well as broad similarities in the pattern of motor findings between the adult and adolescent SPD studies are discussed.     

Auditory what, where, and when: a sensory somatotopy in lateral premotor cortex

Recent findings have demonstrated that attention to visual events engages the lateral premotor cortex even in the absence of motor planning. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore acoustically triggered activations within the lateral premotor cortex. Temporal (when), object-related (what), and spatial (where) auditory patterns were to be monitored for violations in a serial prediction task. As a result, we found a modality-dependent modulation for auditory events within the inferior ventrolateral premotor cortex, an area engaged in vocal plans. In addition, however, auditory activations were distributed within the entire premotor cortex depending on which stimulus property was attended to. Attention to where patterns was found to engage fields for gaze and reaching (dorsolateral premotor cortex), what patterns to engage fields for hand movements (superior ventrolateral premotor cortex), and when patterns to engage fields for vocal plans. Together, the findings confirm the idea of a sensory somatotopy in lateral premotor cortex, according to which a perceptual pattern triggers representations within that motor effector which would be most appropriate to generate it as an action effect.     

Enhancing compliance at Department of Defense facilities: comparison of three environmental audit tools

To enhance environmental compliance, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) recently developed and implemented a standardized environmental audit tool called The Environmental Assessment and Management (TEAM) Guide. Utilization of a common audit tool (TEAM Guide) throughout DOD agencies could be an effective agent of positive change. If, however, the audit tool is inappropriate, environmental compliance at DOD facilities could worsen. Furthermore, existing audit systems such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) Generic Protocol for Conducting Environmental Audits of Federal Facilities and the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO's) Standard 14001, "Environmental Management System Audits," may be abandoned even if they offer significant advantages over TEAM Guide audit tool. Widespread use of TEAM Guide should not take place until thorough and independent evaluation has been performed. The purpose of this paper is to compare DOD's TEAM Guide audit tool with U.S. EPA's Generic Protocol for Conducting Environmental Audits of Federal Facilities and ISO 14001, in order to assess which is most appropriate and effective for DOD facilities, and in particular those operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). USACE was selected as a result of one author's recent experience as a district environmental compliance coordinator responsible for the audit mission at this agency. Specific recommendations for enhancing the quality of environmental audits at all DOD facilities also are given.     

Occipital meningocele and Mondini deformity of the cochlea

We present two cases of a previously unreported association between occipital meningocele and Mondini deformity of the cochlea. The probability of the association is supported by the intimate relationship between the development of these structures; the existence of dysembryoplastic factors that can cause both abnormalities; and the universal existence of cochlear abnormalities in anencephalic foetuses. The importance of considering the association is emphasized, in terms of early identification and referral of children with hearing loss, and avoidance of duplication of investigations.     

Rosacea in the year 2001

Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder of the face. Initially erythema and telangiectasia develop, followed at a later stage by papules and papulopustules. Females between 30 and 50 years of age are most affected. Pathogenesis is not clearly understood. Finally rhinophyma and persistent lymphoedema can develop. It can be difficult to distinguish acne vulgaris, seborrheic eczema, perioral dermatitis and lupus erythematosus from rosacea. Treatment of first choice consists of topically or systemically applied antibiotics. More severe cases can be treated with isotretinoin. Erythema and telangiectasia respond well to treatment with vascular lasers.