Intraindividual Variability in Cognitive Performance in Persons With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Studies of cognitive performance among persons with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have yielded inconsistent results. We sought to contribute to findings in this area by examining intraindividual variability as well as level of performance in cognitive functioning. A battery of cognitive measures was administered to 14 CFS patients and 16 healthy individuals on 10 weekly occasions. Analyses comparing the two groups in terms of level of performance defined by latency and accuracy scores revealed that the CFS patients were slower but not less accurate than healthy persons. The CFS group showed greater intraindividual variability (as measured by intraindividual standard deviations and coefficients of variation) than the healthy group, although the results varied by task and time frame. Intraindividual variability was found to be stable across time and correlated across tasks at each testing occasion. Intraindividual variability also uniquely differentiated the groups. The present findings support the proposition that intraindividual variability is a meaningful indicator of cognitive functioning in CFS patients.     

Functional Equivalence of WAIS-III/WMS-III Digit and Spatial Span under Forward and Backward Recall Conditions

The purpose of the current study was to examine the performance characteristics of the Wechsler Spatial Span subtest in a mixed clinical sample. Contrary to expectation, differential patterns of performance were obtained on the Digit and Spatial Span tasks. Forward Digit Span scores were significantly higher than backward recall scores, but this was not the case for Spatial Span. There were no differences between forward and backward raw Spatial Span scores at the mean level. Further, about one third of the sample showed better performance on backward compared to forward Spatial Span. In addition, performance on the Spatial Span backward task correlated unexpectedly with that of the WMS-III Immediate and Delayed Auditory Index scores. Overall, the findings suggest that clinicians should be hesitant when interpreting the Spatial Span task, and the backward condition in particular, as a measure of working memory. Finally, methodological concerns with the Spatial Span task are noted, raising additional concerns regarding the meaning of this task.     

Treatment efficacy of 0.9% saline and mepivacaine infiltration with Dermojet® in eliminating plantar warts

Background

Plantar warts are benign, epidermal neoformations, viral, and easily transmitted. Although 30% of these warts disappear spontaneously, the American Association of Dermatology recommends treatment if they cause pain or bleeding.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of Dermojet® infiltration using a solution composed of equal parts of 0.9% saline and 2% mepivacaine in the treatment of plantar warts, and to identify the type of necrosis achieved at 7–10 days after the infiltration (M1 sample) and at 15–17 days (M2 sample).

Method

In this analytical prospective observational study, 102 histories were reviewed by the same researcher. The patients were treated with this technique at four private podiatry clinics.

Results

A total of 61.8% of the patients were male. The patients' mean age was 26.6 ± 14.10 years. A total percentage of 78.4% of the patients achieved complete elimination of the lesion by the second evaluation and after a single infiltration. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant inverse relationship between treatment efficacy and a history of previous disease (p < 0.001) and the period of evolution of the lesion (p < 0.001; 95% CI [0.78–7.91]). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed an association with the number of evaluation sessions (p < 0.001) and with previous illnesses (p = 0.014). A total percentage of 82.35% presented partial necrosis in the M1 sample and 76.92% had complete necrosis in the M2 sample.

Conclusions

In 78.4% of the patients considered, the plantar warts treated disappeared after a single infiltration. The variables associated with treatment efficacy were the number of follow-up visits and the existence of associated diseases.     

Association between the HTR1A rs6295 gene polymorphism and suicidal behavior: an updated meta-analysis

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience - Several association studies have indicated that the HTR1A gene is associated with suicidal behavior (SB). Thus, a systematic assessment...