Individuals with and without normal tension glaucoma exhibit comparable performance on tests of cognitive function

AIM: To evaluate aspects of cognition impacted by individuals with and without normal tension glaucoma. METHODS: Fifty normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and 50 control patients ≥50y of age were recruited from the UCSF Department of Ophthalmology. Demographic data and glaucoma parameters were extracted from electronic medical records for both groups. Tests of executive function [Executive Abilities: Measures and Instruments for Neurobehavioral Evaluation and Research (EXAMINER)] and learning and memory [California Verbal Learning Test–Second Edition (CVLT-II)] were administered to both NTG and controls. Race, handedness, best-corrected visual acuity, maximum intraocular pressure, optic nerve cup-to-disc ratio, visual field and optic nerve optical coherence tomography parameters, and a measure of general health (Charlson Comorbidity Index) were compared between NTG and controls as well as within NTG subgroups. Multivariate linear regression was used to compare group performances on the EXAMINER battery and CVLT-II while controlling for age, sex, and years of education. RESULTS: NTG and controls were comparable with respect to age, sex, race, education, handedness, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (P>0.05 for all). Performance on the EXAMINER composite score and the CVLT-II did not differ between NTG and controls (P>0.05 for both). CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective study in which the cognitive function of subject with NTG were evaluated using a comprehensive, computerized neurocognitive battery. Subjects with NTG do not perform worse than unaffected controls on tests of executive function, learning, and memory. Results do not support the hypothesis that individuals with NTG are at higher risk for cognitive dysfunction and/or dementia.     

Prevalence of oral cancer,oral potentially malignant disorders and other oral mucosal lesions in Cambodia

Objectives: To obtain data on the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) among Cambodians, and to assess the relationship between known risk habits of oral diseases with prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs).

Design: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study whereby subjects were adults aged 18 years old and above. A workshop on the identification of OML was held to train and calibrate dental officers prior to data collection in the field. Sociodemographic and risk habits data were collected via face-to-face interview, whilst presence of OML and clinical details of lesions such as type and site were collected following clinical oral examination by the examiners. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 12.0. The association between risk habits and risk of OPMD was explored using logistic regression analysis.

Results: A total of 1634 subjects were recruited. Prevalence of OML for this population was 54.1%. Linea alba was the most common lesion seen (28.7%). This study showed an overall OPMD prevalence of 5.6%. The most common type of OPMD was leukoplakia (64.8%), followed by lichen planus (30.8%). Subjects who only smoked were found to have an increased risk for OPMD of almost four-fold (RR 3.74, 95%CI 1.89–7.41). The highest risk was found for betel quid chewers, where the increased risk observed was more than six times (RR 6.75, 95%CI 3.32–13.72). Alcohol consumption on its own did not seem to confer an increased risk for OPMD, however when practiced concurrently with smoking, a significant risk of more than five times was noted (RR 5.69 95%CI 3.14–10.29).

Conclusion: The prevalence of OML was 54.1%, with linea alba being the most commonly occurring lesion. Smoking, alcohol consumption and betel quid chewing were found to be associated with the prevalence of OPMD, which was 5.6%.     

Combination of tigecycline and N-acetylcysteine reduces biofilm-embedded bacteria on vascular catheters

To assess the efficacy of an antibiofilm/antimicrobial agent combination, we incubated catheter segments colonized with one of six studied bacterial organisms in N-acetylcysteine, tigecycline, N-acetylcysteine-tigecycline, or saline. Segments were washed, sonicated, and cultured. N-acetylcysteine-tigecycline significantly decreased all viable biofilm-associated bacteria and was synergistic for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.     

A Network Modeling Approach for the Spatial Distribution and Structure of Bone Mineral Content

This study aims to develop a spatial model of bone for quantitative assessments of bone mineral density and microarchitecture. A spatially structured network model for bone microarchitecture was systematically investigated. Bone mineral-forming foci were distributed radially according to the cumulative normal distribution, and Voronoi tessellation was used to obtain edges representing bone mineral lattice. Methods to simulate X-ray images were developed. The network model recapitulated key features of real bone and contained spongy interior regions resembling trabecular bone that transitioned seamlessly to densely mineralized, compact cortical bone-like microarchitecture. Model-simulated imaging profiles were similar to patients’ X-ray images. The morphometric metrics were concordant with microcomputed tomography results for real bone. Simulations comparing normal and diseased bone of 20–30 to 70–80 year-olds demonstrated the method’s effectiveness for modeling osteoporosis. The novel spatial model may be useful for pharmacodynamic simulations of bone drugs and for modeling imaging data in clinical trials.     

Movement disorders in children with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis and other autoimmune encephalopathies

Accurate recognition of movement disorder phenomenology may differentiate children with anti‐N‐methyl D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, autoimmune basal ganglia encephalitis (BGE), and Sydenham's chorea (SC). Three neurologists blinded to the diagnoses recorded dominant and associated movement disorders seen on videos of 31 patients with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (n = 10), BGE (n = 12), and SC (n = 9). Stereotypy was only seen in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (8/10) and not in BGE and SC (P < 0.001). Perseveration was only seen in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (5/10) and not in BGE and SC (P < 0.001). Akinesia was more commonly seen in BGE (5/12) than in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (1/10, P = 0.097). Tremor was more commonly seen in BGE (5/12) than in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (1/10, P = 0.097). Chorea was seen in all groups: anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (4/10), BGE (3/12), and SC (9/9). Likewise, dystonia was seen in all groups: anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (6/10), BGE (7/12), and SC (2/9). Stereotypies or perseveration are suggestive of anti‐NMDAR encephalitis, whereas their absence and the presence of akinesia and tremor is more suggestive of BGE. Chorea and dystonia are least discriminating. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society