Neurology and the Internet: a review

Nowadays, the Internet is the major source to obtain information about diseases and their treatments. The Internet is gaining relevance in the neurological setting, considering the possibility of timely social interaction, contributing to general public awareness on otherwise less-well-known neurological conditions, promoting health equity and improving the health-related coping. Neurological patients can easily find several online opportunities for peer interactions and learning. On the other hand, neurologist can analyze user-generated data to better understand patient needs and to run epidemiological studies. Indeed, analyses of queries from Internet search engines on certain neurological diseases have shown a strict temporal and spatial correlation with the “real world.” In this narrative review, we will discuss how the Internet is radically affecting the healthcare of people with neurological disorders and, most importantly, is shifting the paradigm of care from the hands of those who deliver care, into the hands of those who receive it. Besides, we will review possible limitations, such as safety concerns, financial issues, and the need for easy-to-access platforms.     

Measuring female intrasexual competition by the scale for intrasexual competition: a validation of the German version

Competitive behaviour amongst members of the same sex is termed intrasexual competition. The tendency to engage in such competition appears to be strongly related to stable individual characteristics such as personality traits. Additionally, recent studies have revealed transient fluctuations in competitiveness according to the female menstrual cycle. To date, no German questionnaire exists to measure intrasexual competition. Our first study aimed to translate and validate the Intrasexual Competition Scale (ICS) by Buunk and Fisher (J Evol Psychol 7:37–48, 2009) in a population of healthy Swiss females (n = 241). Our second study applied the validated German ICS in a group of healthy, regularly cycling females (n = 49) in order to examine possible associations between the menstrual cycle phase and ICS scores. The psychometric properties suggest that the German ICS is a reliable and valid tool to assess individual differences in female intrasexual competition. Furthermore, our second study demonstrated that on average, women showed higher intrasexual competition scores when tested in the late follicular phase (M = 35.77 ± SD = 12.03) compared to the mid-luteal phase (M = 30.93 ± SD = 10.20). Our studies support previous findings of an association between ICS scores and relatively stable individual characteristics such as personality traits. Furthermore, our research endorses the assumption of cycle-dependent fluctuations in intrasexual competition. Future research should clarify the precise mechanisms underlying these findings and include biomarkers such as oestrogen and testosterone.

     

TLR2 activation in corneal stromal cells by Staphylococcus aureus‐induced keratitis

The Toll‐Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) plays an active and important role in Staphylococcus aureus‐induced chronic ocular inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and function of TLR2 of corneal stromal cells in ex vivo rabbit model of S. aureus keratitis. Corneal buttons with sclera rims placed in an ex vivo air‐interface organ culture were assigned to two groups: corneas with epithelial and stromal abrasions. Each group was then divided into two sub‐groups exposed to UV‐killed S. aureus ATCC 6538P and S. aureus ATCC 29213, respectively. TLR2 and IL‐8 mRNA expressions were analyzed by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR. TLR2 localization was visualized by immunofluorescence analysis. The results demonstrated that TLR2 and IL‐8 mRNA were significantly expressed in the stromal cells of the groups exposed to S. aureus strains. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that, after corneal injury, keratocytes differentiated into myofibroblasts became able to express TLR2 only when exposed to S. aureus. Identification of mechanisms regulation of corneal TLRs may lead to development of therapeutic interventions aimed at controlling corneal inflammation. This ex vivo model can be used to clarify the molecular events of bacterial‐corneal tissue interactions and their inflammatory consequences.     

Moderate alcohol consumption and lower total mortality risk: Justified doubts or established facts?

For almost a century, the scientific community is aware of the J-shaped curve between alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality. Moderate drinkers seem to live longer than both abstainers and heavy drinkers. These epidemiological observations regarding moderate alcohol consumption and beneficial health effects have been incessantly scrutinised for confounding and bias. This viewpoint discusses previous and recent criticisms regarding the J-shaped curve between alcohol consumption and total mortality risk. The controversies regarding the J-shaped curve between alcohol consumption and mortality are ongoing, as well as the debate among scientists in this area of research, resulting in conflicting messages in media and in different alcohol guidelines. Although it appears quite difficult to come up with a position statement only based on the currently available scientific data, it is imperative to fairly inform the public, without creating confusion and, worst case, disbelief in science.