Intimate Partner Violence Around the Time of Pregnancy and Utilization of WIC Services

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Intimate partner violence (IPV) around the time of pregnancy is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. The supplemental nutrition program for...     

Can a threshold for 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐Δ9 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol in hair be derived when its respective concentration in blood serum indicates regular use?

A 100 μg/L or higher concentration of 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC‐COOH) in blood serum is generally assumed to be associated with regular and/or heavy use of cannabis. At present, determination of the extent of cannabis use by means of the concentration of THC‐COOH in hair has not been assessed. Therefore, we aimed at establishing a threshold for THC‐COOH concentrations in hair to prove frequent consumption by comparing THC‐COOH concentrations in 129 corresponding serum and hair samples, respectively. The concentration of THC‐COOH in the serum was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and in the hair by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Data were statistically evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and contingency tables. Our results suggest that a THC‐COOH concentration of ≥4.2 pg/mg in hair was always accompanied by a THC‐COOH concentration of at least 100 μg/L in blood serum. Should this be confirmed by further studies of a larger study population, a hair concentration of 4.2 pg/mg THC‐COOH can be set as a threshold to predict regular and/or heavy consumption of cannabis even if no corresponding blood sample is available for analysis.     

Neuropsychological training and practices with hispanics: A national survey

Abstract

A comprehensive survey was conducted among neuropsychologists in the United States to examine the past training and current practices of respondents with Hispanic populations. The results indicated that clinical neuropsychologists in the US provide both assessment and treatment services to Hispanics, yet report inadequate preparation to work with this population. Generally, these neuropsychologists did not consider themselves competent to work with Hispanics and requested additional training in the provision of services to Hispanics. In addition, (1) the respondents believe that clinical neuropsychology has paid little attention to cultural factors; and (2) respondents reported that they had virtually no exposure to Hispanic clinical supervisors. The best predictors of self-rated competence for work with Hispanics were related to clinical training. The findings are discussed in light of future recommendations for training and research.     

Postgraduate Medicine

Two unique cases are presented to illustrate that combinations of dislocations among carpal bones are practically limitless. The authors describe a perilunar dislocation in a diabetic patient which was reduced under general anesthesia. However, because the carpal navicular could not be stabilized, arthrodesis of the wrist was carried out. They also review a manipulative reduction performed for dislocation of the distal portion of the radio-ulnar joint with anterior displacement of the distal portion of the ulna.     

Will There Ever Be a Drug with No or Negligible Side Effects? Evidence from Neuroscience

Arguments in the neuroenhancement debate are sometimes based upon idealistic scenarios involving the assumption of using a drug that has no or negligible side effects. At least it is often implicitly assumed – as technology and scientific knowledge advances - that there soon will be a drug with no or negligible side effects. We will review evidence from neuroscience, complex network research and evolution theory and demonstrate that - at least in terms of psychopharmacological intervention – on the basis of our understanding of brain function it seems inconceivable that there ever will be a drug that has the desired effect without undesirable side effects. We will illustrate this by reference to enhancing edge detection in V2 in monkeys and demonstrate that even for this localised single neuron coded function there would be numerous side effects. Taking the more realistic case of pharmacological enhancement that is inevitably associated with side effects will change consequentialist arguments for neuroenhancement and have implications for the conception of autonomy, specifically in the case of performance enhancement. We conclude that a neuroethics debate that aims to inform policy decisions should take these findings into account. We hope that our article will precipitate more interdisciplinary research in neuroscience and philosophy.