Isolated Leptomeningeal Enhancement in Tacrolimus-Associated Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

We report on tacrolimus-associated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with the previously unreported finding of leptomeningeal enhancement occurring separate from the site of parenchymal magnetic resonance signal abnormality. Recognition of this atypical finding as a noninfectious cause of leptomeningeal enhancement may assist those caring for patients affected by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.     

The Impact of Substance Use, Sexual Trauma, and Intimate Partner Violence on Sexual Risk Intervention Outcomes in Couples: A Randomized Trial

Background

Few HIV prevention interventions focus on sexual risk reduction as mutual process determined by couple members, though risk behaviors are inter-dependent.

Purpose

This trial examined the impact of substance use, history of sexual trauma, and intimate partner violence on sexual risk associated with participation in a risk reduction intervention.

Methods

HIV seroconcordant and serodiscordant multicultural couples in Miami, Florida (n?=?216) were randomized to group (n?=?112) or individual (n?=?104) couple-based interventions.

Results

Group intervention participants increased condom use in couples in which women had a history of sexual trauma [F(2,221)?=?3.39, p?=?0.036] and by partners of alcohol users. History of sexual trauma was a determinant of conflict resolution, predicting negative communication and intimate partner violence.

Conclusions

Results emphasize the need for group sexual risk reduction interventions targeting sexual trauma, partner violence, and substance use among HIV seroconcordant and serodiscordant couples.     

Affective Judgment and Physical Activity in Youth: Review and Meta-Analyses

Background

A recent meta-analysis on affective judgment and physical activity in adults yielded a medium effect-sized relationship. Despite narrative reviews and topic interest, a meta-analysis in youth has not yet been conducted.

Purpose

This study aims to appraise the overall effect of affective judgment on physical activity in youth via meta-analyses and explore moderators of this relationship.

Methods

Literature searches were conducted between 1990 and 2011. Fixed and random effects meta-analysis with correction for sampling, measurement, and publication bias were employed.

Results

Fifty-six correlational studies and 14 interventions met the inclusion criteria. Among correlational studies, the corrected summary r was 0.26 (95 % CI 0.18–0.32). Significant moderators were gender, measure of physical activity, and recruitment context. Among intervention studies, Cohen’s d was 0.25 (95 % CI 0.11–0.40).

Conclusions

The results are close to a medium effect size which is larger than other meta-analytic physical activity correlates among youth. The construct should be included in our contemporary theories for understanding and intervening upon youth physical activity.     

Spatial MEG Laterality maps for language: Clinical applications in epilepsy

Functional imaging is increasingly being used to provide a noninvasive alternative to intracarotid sodium amobarbitol testing (i.e., the Wada test). Although magnetoencephalography (MEG) has shown significant potential in this regard, the resultant output is often reduced to a simplified estimate of laterality. Such estimates belie the richness of functional imaging data and consequently limit the potential value. We present a novel approach that utilizes MEG data to compute “complex laterality vectors” and consequently “laterality maps” for a given function. Language function was examined in healthy controls and in people with epilepsy. When compared with traditional laterality index (LI) approaches, the resultant maps provided critical information about the magnitude and spatial characteristics of lateralized function. Specifically, it was possible to more clearly define low LI scores resulting from strong bilateral activation, high LI scores resulting from weak unilateral activation, and most importantly, the spatial distribution of lateralized activation. We argue that the laterality concept is better presented with the inherent spatial sensitivity of activation maps, rather than being collapsed into a one‐dimensional index. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An in situ study investigating dentine tubule occlusion of dentifrices following acid challenge

Objectives

To investigate the dentine occlusion and acid resistance of dentifrices developed to treat dentine hypersensitivity.

Methods

This was a single centre, single blind, randomised, split mouth, four treatments, two period crossover, in situ study in healthy subjects. Subjects wore buccal intra-oral appliances each fitted with four dentine samples over four consecutive days with one study product applied per appliance; 8% strontium acetate in silica base, 1040 ppm sodium fluoride (Sensodyne^® Rapid Relief), 8% arginine, calcium carbonate, 1450 ppm sodium monofluorophosphate (Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief^®), 1450 ppm sodium fluoride (control paste) and water. On days 3 and 4, two agitated grapefruit juice challenges (ex vivo) occurred for 1 min. At the end of each treatment day 1 dentine sample was removed from each appliance for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The extent of tubule occlusion was measured using an examiner-based visual scoring index (three trained examiners).

Results

In total, 28 subjects ((12 males and 16 females with a mean age of 34.7 years (SD 8.41 years)) completed the study. On day 2, both test dentifrices demonstrated significantly better dentine tubule occlusion than water (p < 0.0001) and control paste (8% strontium p = 0.0003 and 8% arginine p = 0.0019). After 3 and 4 days of twice daily brushing with acid challenges on days 3 and 4 the strontium-based dentifrice demonstrated significantly better dentine occlusion than all other treatments (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Strontium acetate and arginine-based dentifrice result in statistically significant dentine tubular occlusion compared to controls, but the arginine-based dentifrice is more susceptible to acid challenge.

Clinical significance

Erosive beverages are an important aetiology in DH by exposing dentine tubules. Their consumption has increased significantly over the past decade in the UK. This 4-day in situ study investigated the properties of commercially available dentifrices designed to occlude dentine tubules and their resistance to an agitated acid challenge.