Ultrasonography of longus colli muscle: A reliability study on healthy subjects and patients with chronic neck pain

In this study, the reliability of the longus colli muscle (LCM) size was assessed in a relaxed state by a real time ultrasonography (US) device in a group of healthy subjects and a group of patients with chronic neck pain. Fifteen healthy subjects (19-41 years old) and 10 patients with chronic neck pain (27-44 years old) were recruited for the purpose of this study. LCM size was measured at the level of thyroid cartilage. Two images were taken on the same day with an hour interval to assess the within day reliability and the third image was taken 1 week later to determine between days reliability. Cross sectional area (CSA), anterior posterior dimension (APD), and lateral dimension (LD) were measured each time. The shape ratio was calculated as LD/APD. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were computed for data analysis. The ICC of left and right CSA for within day and between days reliability in healthy subjects were (0.90, 0.93) and (0.85, 0.82), respectively. The ICC of left and right CSA for within day and between days reliability in patients with neck pain were (0.86, 0.82) and (0.76, 0.81), respectively. The results indicated that US could be used as a reliable tool to measure the LCM dimensions in healthy subjects and patients with chronic neck pain.     

Can computerized cognitive training reverse the diagnosis of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder? A research protocol

Nearly 50% of adults with HIV have some form of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), ranging from subtle to symptoms that interfere with everyday functioning and quality of life. HAND is diagnosed when a person performs more than 1 standard deviation below his or her normative mean on standardized measures in two or more cognitive domains (e.g., attention, speed of processing, verbal memory, executive functioning). As adults age with HIV, they are more likely to develop comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and insulin resistance that may further contribute to poorer cognitive functioning and HAND. Certain computerized cognitive training programs may be able to improve specific cognitive domains in those with HIV. Such programs may be effective in changing the diagnosis of HAND in cognitively vulnerable adults. In this article, we describe the design and methods of TOPS—the Training On Purpose Study. In this on‐going experimental study, 146 older adults (50+) with HAND are randomized to either: (i) an Individualized‐Targeted Cognitive Training group, or (ii) a no‐contact control group. This study targets those cognitive domains in which participants experience a deficit and trains participants with the corresponding computerized cognitive training program for that domain. An Individualized Targeted Cognitive Training approach using cognitive‐domain‐specific cognitive training programs may offer symptom relief to those individuals diagnosed with HAND, which may actually reverse this diagnosis. Given that these cognitive training programs are commercially available, this approach represents a potential paradigm shift in how HAND is considered and treated.     

BONE MARROW LYMPHOPLASMOCYTOSIS IN LICHEN AMYLOIDOSIS*

Thirteen out of fifteen patients with lichen amyloidosis showed lymphoplasmocytosis in the bone marrow. Seven out of eleven patients had polyclonal gammopathy, and seven out of nine patients had elevated IgG level. Urinary Bence-Jones Protein was not present in eleven patients.     

Positive Psychological Factors are Linked to Successful Cognitive Aging Among Older Persons Living with HIV/AIDS

We aimed to characterize successful cognitive aging (SCA) among older HIV-infected (HIV+) and HIV-uninfected (HIV?) adults, and to determine associations with positive psychological factors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Ninety-nine HIV+ and 46 HIV? older adults (≥ 50 years) completed measures of neurocognition, positive psychological factors, and HRQoL. Using study-defined SCA criteria (i.e., no cognitive or everyday impairment or major depressive disorder), we compared positive psychological factors and HRQoL across four groups: HIV+/SCA+, HIV+/SCA?, HIV?/SCA+, HIV?/SCA?. SCA was identified in 29% of the HIV+ sample compared to 61% of the HIV? sample (p < 0.01). HIV+/SCA+ participants had higher scores on 8 of 10 measures of positive psychological factors as well as better HRQoL (ps < 0.05) as compared to the HIV+/SCA? group. Furthermore, the HIV+/SCA+ participants had comparable scores on these factors as HIV? adults. Fewer HIV+ than HIV? participants met SCA criteria; however, the level of positive psychological factors among the HIV+/SCA+ group was comparable to the HIV? sample. Our findings present opportunities for interventions to optimize positive psychological factors and potentially improve SCA among older HIV+ adults.     

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact of Physical Activity on Neurocognitive Functioning Among HIV-Infected Adults

Higher levels of physical activity (PA) have been linked to better neurocognitive functioning in many populations. The current study examines the longitudinal association between PA and neurocognitive functioning among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected persons. Community-dwelling adults (N = 291) self-reported level of PA and completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery at two to four study visits (Mean follow-up time = 2.6 years). Participants were divided into three PA groups: “No PA” (no PA at any visit), “consistent PA” (PA at ≥50% of visits), and “inconsistent PA” (PA < 50% of visits). A mixed effect model, adjusting for significant covariates showed that all PA groups had statistically significant, yet modest, neurocognitive decline over time; and, the consistent PA group began with, and maintained, significantly better neurocognitive function compared to the other two PA groups. This effect was evident among both HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected persons, despite the fact that HIV-infected persons showed lower baseline neurocognitive function. PA is a modifiable lifestyle behavior that may help to protect against neurocognitive impairment regardless of HIV status, however, given the proportion of HIV-infected individuals who evidence neurocognitive difficulties, a focus on increasing PA seems warranted.     

Non-opaque soft tissue foreign body: sonographic findings

Background  

Soft tissue foreign bodies are a common cause of orthopedic consultation in emergency departments. It is difficult to confirm their existence because conventional radiology only detects radio-opaque foreign bodies. Sonography can be a useful diagnostic method. The aim of this study is to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of sonography in detection and localization of non-opaque foreign bodies.     

Sleep and cognition on everyday functioning in older adults: implications for nursing practice and research

Nearly 50% of older adults experience difficulty with sleeping, and 21% of older adults also experience cognitive complaints to which sleep difficulties can also contribute to poorer cognitive functioning. Combined, such sleep difficulties and age-related cognitive declines can contribute to poorer performance on everyday activities necessary for independence, quality of life, and successful aging. Activities that may be especially compromised are driving, instrumental activities of daily living, and employment. In nursing practice, it is necessary to understand the relationship between sleep and cognition and what contributes to poorer sleep hygiene and cognitive functioning, whether it is medications and polypharmacy, comorbidities, habits and lifestyle factors, or negative mood. Such an understanding can help nurses provide evidence-based interventions to improve sleep and cognition in older patients. In research, nurses must devise and test ways to improve sleep hygiene and cognitive functioning in older patients with methods such as sleep hygiene education and speed-of-processing training to ameliorate everyday functioning and quality of life.