Shyness and face scanning in children

Contrary to popular beliefs, a recent empirical study using eye tracking has shown that a non-clinical sample of socially anxious adults did not avoid the eyes during face scanning. Using eye-tracking measures, we sought to extend these findings by examining the relation between stable shyness and face scanning patterns in a non-clinical sample of 11-year-old children. We found that shyness was associated with longer dwell time to the eye region than the mouth, suggesting that some shy children were not avoiding the eyes. Shyness was also correlated with fewer first fixations to the nose, which is thought to reflect the typical global strategy of face processing. Present results replicate and extend recent work on social anxiety and face scanning in adults to shyness in children. These preliminary findings also provide support for the notion that some shy children may be hypersensitive to detecting social cues and intentions in others conveyed by the eyes. Theoretical and practical implications for understanding the social cognitive correlates and treatment of shyness are discussed.     

Million Behavioral Health Inventory: its utility in predicting physical function in patients with low back pain

The present study evaluated the use of psychologic measures, in particular, the relatively new Million Behavioral Health Inventory (MBHI), in predicting change in physical function of chronic low back pain patients undergoing a functional restoration program. The first 134 consecutive patients completing this program were assessed. Results demonstrated that various clinical scales of the MBHI were predictive of improvement in physical function. In addition, various scales enabled discrimination between patients who completed the program and those who prematurely dropped out. Although this inventory shows promise in helping to predict response to treatment, no single psychologic test can reliably be used as the sole predictor in clinical cases.     

Peptide profiling by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry of the Lasiodora parahybana tarantula venom gland.

In order to establish a venom fingerprint and a peptide profile of the Lasiodora parahybana tarantula venom gland, we used conventional methods such as reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled to an electrospray-ionisation hybrid quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometer (LC/ESI-QqTOFMS), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight-MS (MALDI-TOFMS) and direct study of L. parahybana venom by nanospray-ionization QqTOFMS (nanoESI-QqTOFMS) and a new technology for the direct analysis of fresh tissues using MALDI-TOFMS. The analysis of the crude venom allowed the characterization of specific juvenile and adult biomarkers. In situ MALDI analysis of L. parahybana venom gland sections revealed different peptide expression levels all along the gland and non-processed peptide precursors, demonstrating the power of the method for the dynamic investigation of peptide evolution in the venom gland of spiders.     

The health-related quality of life of male and female heavy smokers

Objectives: Heavy smokers are a segment of the smoking population who are at increased risk of smoking-related morbidity and least likely to achieve cessation. This study identifies the impact of heavy smoking on quality of life by gender and describes the subpopulation for improved targeting.Methods: South Australian representative population data (n = 3010) was used to compare the health-related quality of life status of male and female heavy smokers as assessed by the SF-36.     

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of 75 patients with specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There are limited studies of large cohorts of patients with specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD) syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency syndrome. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 75 patients with total IgG levels of at least 500 mg/dL and fewer than 9 of 12 responses to vaccination with pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent. Exclusion criteria included an IgG level less than 500 mg/dL, established immunodeficiency syndrome, and secondary immunodeficiency. RESULTS: The most common clinical presentation was frequent infections (n = 69; 92%), including sinusitis (n = 53; 77%), pneumonia (n = 29; 42%), ear infections (n = 18; 26%), and bronchitis (n = 19; 28%). Other presentations were systemic infections (n = 5; 7%), autoimmune or rheumatic diseases (n = 6; 8%), and chronic diarrhea (n = 4; 5%). The median IgG2 level of patients with no response to pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent tended to be lower than that of patients with at least 1 response (150 vs 193 mg/dL, respectively; P = .06). There was no association between total IgG level (categorized as 500-600 or > or = 600 mg/dL) and frequency of infection (P = .43). Patients with fewer responses to pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent and a higher frequency of infections were more likely to receive intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy (P = .01 and .003, respectively). Treatment with IVIG significantly reduced the number of infections (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Patients with no response to pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent tended to have lower IgG2 levels; those with fewer responses were more likely to receive IVIG therapy.