Reciprocal deterioration of visual and auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia presents V-shaped cognition impairment and widespread reduction in brain gray matter-A pilot study

Schizophrenic patients often experience visual hallucinations (VHs) and auditory hallucinations (AHs); however, brain aberrations associated with combined VH and AH in schizophrenic patients remains poorly documented. Changes to the brain and cognition during the first episode of untreated schizophrenic patients (FUSCH) with both VHs and AHs (FUSCHVA) were evaluated. One-hundred and fifty-seven patients were enrolled that had FUSCH (1) with VHs but not AHs (FUSCHV), and (2) with AHs but not VHs (FUSCHA), plus FUSCHVA and healthy controls (n = 30). Gray matter volume (GMV) and MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) was measured to reflect impairments to the brain and cognition, respectively. FUSCHVA patients had the severest cognitive impairment for all components of the MCCB, followed by FUSCHV and FUSCHA patients. Compared to healthy patients, FUSCHVA patients had reduced GMV in the occipital, parietal, frontal, and temporal cortex, and increased GMV in the hippocampus and striatum. Compared to FUSCHV patients, FUSCHVA patients had reduced GMV in the occipital cortex and postcentral gyrus, and increased GMV in the posterio-parietal lobe. Compared to patients with FUSCHA, the GMV in patients with FUSCHVV was reduced in the occipital cortex and posterio parietal lobe. In conclusion, visual and auditory hallucinations appear to deteriorate reciprocally in FUSCHVA patients, accompanied with sever cognitive impairments. Compared to AHs, VHs might be accompanied with severe GMV impairment in the brain, especially in the primary visual cortex and higher perception integration cortex (posterio parietal lobe) in patients with FUSCH.     

A Pragmatic Controlled Trial of a Brief Yoga and Mindfulness-Based Program for Psychological and Occupational Health in Education Professionals

ObjectivesTo examine changes in psychological and occupational wellbeing in education professionals that attended a brief yoga and mindfulness-based program.DesignPragmatic controlled trial comparing education professionals that attended a yoga mindfulness-based program (n = 9) to a waitlist control group (n = 22).SettingThe 3-day program was delivered at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Massachusetts. Intervention: The 3-day yoga mindfulness program included 5 hours per day of yoga, mindfulness exercises, formal meditation, didactic, and experiential activities.Main Outcome Measures: Measures of psychological and occupational wellbeing were completed before (baseline), immediately after (post-program), and two months after the program (follow-up). Results: Relative to controls (n = 21), the RISE group (n = 9) showed significant improvements in positive affect (p = .033), negative affect (p = .044), mindfulness (p = .001), empowerment (p = .022), self-compassion (p = .001), and work engagement from baseline to post-program. From baseline to follow-up, the RISE group showed significant improvements in stress (p = .008), negative affect (p = .013), mindfulness (p = .001), empowerment (p = .007), and self-compassion (p = .001) compared to the control group.ConclusionsThe yoga mindfulness program was associated with improvements in educators’ psychological and occupational wellbeing immediately following and 2-months following the program. Future research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm these results.     

Ocular Toxicity in Breast Cancer Management: Manual for The Oncologist

Ocular adverse events are common to many antineoplastic agents, although often misunderstood. In most cases, they are easily manageable, but sometimes they require instrumental diagnostics and specific treatments. There are currently no international guidelines for the management of these toxicities. In this review we summarized the main ocular adverse events related to the antineoplastic agents used in the treatment of breast cancer, analyzing their clinical presentation and management, trying to provide a useful tool to be used in clinical practice.     

Editorial Commentary: Platelet-Rich Plasma for Rotator Cuff Repairs: No Evidence for Improved Long-Term Outcomes … Yet!

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous blood product containing a high concentration of platelets, growth factors, and cytokines, which basic science studies have shown may improve tendon healing by promoting angiogenesis, cellular migration, proliferation, and matrix deposition. However, there is still controversy over its clinical efficacy, with randomized controlled trials and subsequent meta-analyses finding mixed results when PRP is used to augment rotator cuff repair. Meta-analyses have found that leukocyte-poor PRP significantly reduces the rate of incomplete tendon healing and retear, but the evidence does not support the use of leukocyte-rich PRP or platelet-rich fibrin matrix compositions. Optimizing PRP use may be as simple as the right PRP preparation or the right concentration of the important cytokines.