Supporting insensitive mothers: the Vilnius randomized control trial of video-feedback intervention to promote maternal sensitivity and infant attachment security

Objective   This randomized control trial examined the effects of a short-term, interaction-focused and attachment-based video-feedback intervention (VIPP: video-feedback intervention to promote positive parenting).
Design   VIPP effect on mothers' sensitive responsiveness and infant–mother attachment security was evaluated in a sample ( n  = 54) of low sensitive, non-clinical, middle class Lithuanian mothers.
Methods   Maternal sensitivity was assessed in a free play session with the Ainsworth's sensitivity scale, and attachment security was observed using the Attachment Q sort for home observations.
Results   We found that the intervention mothers indeed significantly improved their sensitive responsiveness through participation in our VIPP. The effect size was large according to Cohen's criteria, d  = 0.78. VIPP enhanced maternal sensitive responsiveness even when maternal age, educational level, depression, daily hassles, efficacy, infant gender, and infant negative and positive affect were controlled for. However, attachment security in the VIPP infants was not enhanced after the intervention, compared with the control infants, and the infants did not seem to be differentially susceptible to the increase in maternal sensitivity dependent on their temperamental reactivity.
Conclusion   We suggest that a relatively brief and low-cost programme can provide effective support for mothers who lack sensitivity in the interactions with their infants.     

CMSS-VEPs: Contrast modulated steady state visual evoked potentials: Its neuronal origin and clinical use

CMSS-VEPs are presented as a sensitive, non-invasive functional investigation technique of the visual function, applicable in clinical practice. New improvements of the technique are presented. The underlying neuronal mechanisms are discussed. The clinical use is illustrated in a case of optic neuritis.     

Nipple sensitivity and lactation in two methods of breast reduction

Two methods of breast reduction were performed between 1981 and 1986. One was wedge resection of the breast in which nipple and gland were disconnected. The other was the tangential and circumferential breast reduction, in which the nipple remained in continuity with the gland. For each method, there were 21 patients. The mean follow-up was 5 years and 9 months. In both groups, 8 patients had 11 children, but only the tangential reduction patients lactated. They also had better subjective nipple sensitivity whereas objectively the differences were rather small.     

Reduced genital sensitivity in female patients with multiple system atrophy of parkinsonian type.

According to the consensus statement on the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA), erectile dysfunction is required for male patients to fulfil the urinary incontinence criterion. However, there is no equivalent item for female patients. We questioned 19 female patients with MSA of the parkinsonian type (MSA-P), 28 female patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 27 healthy controls on their genital sensitivity. A total of 47% of the MSA patients but only 4% of the PD patients and 4% of the control group admitted to reduced genital sensitivity, a highly significant difference (P < 0.001). Moreover, the appearance of reduced genital sensitivity in female MSA patients showed a close temporal relation to the onset of the disease. If these preliminary results can be confirmed and further specified in a larger sample, a historical item of reduced genital sensitivity in female patients might become a diagnostic feature for MSA, comparable to erectile dysfunction in male patients.     

Rectal sensorimotor characteristics in female patients with idiopathic constipation with or without paradoxical sphincter contraction

Patients with chronic constipation fulfilling the Thompson criteria can show paradoxical sphincter contraction. Aim of this study was to evaluate rectal sensorimotor characteristics in patients with constipation with or without paradoxical sphincter contraction. Thirty female patients with chronic constipation and 22 female controls were investigated with anal manometry and rectal barostat. Paradoxical sphincter contraction was shown with manometry as a paradoxical increase of anal pressure during straining. Visceral sensitivity and compliance were tested by intermittent and continuous pressure-controlled distension. Patients were classified according to their sensations and compliance into normal, hypersensitive, reduced compliant, insensitive or excessive compliant rectum. Postprandial rectal response (PRR) and phasic volume events (PVEs) were registered for 1 h after a 600-kCal meal. Paradoxical sphincter contraction was found in 13 (43%) patients. In these patients, rectal sensitivity scores were higher (P = 0.045) than in patients without paradoxical contractions, but rectal compliance was not different. In 90% of patients an abnormal rectal sensitivity or compliance was found: excessively compliant in 35%, reduced compliant in 10%, hypersensitive in 27% and hyposensitive in 17%. Both patients with constipation (11%; P = 0.042) and controls (25%; P = 0.002) exhibited the presence of a postprandial rectal response. This response was not significantly different between idiopathic constipation, paradoxical sphincter contraction and controls. Patients with rectal hypersensitivity had lower response than other patients (P = 0.04). Patients with constipation had fewer basal PVEs compared controls (P = 0.03). Postprandial PVEs increased in both patients (P = 0.014) and controls (P < 0.001). Postprandial rectal response and PVE were not different in patients with or without paradoxical sphincter contraction. A total of 90% of female patients with idiopathic constipation show an abnormality in rectal sensation or compliance. The postprandial rectal response was comparable between patients with constipation and controls, however, PVEs were diminished. Patients with paradoxical sphincter contraction had higher rectal sensitivity but an unaltered compliance and postprandial rectal response. Future trials should investigate whether the classification of rectal abnormalities in patients with constipation has clinical importance.     

The effect of the neurokinin antagonist FK-224 on the cough response to inhaled capsaicin in a new model of guinea-pig eosinophilic bronchitis induced by intranasal polymyxin B

Eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma can cause a persistent non-productive cough which is resistant to bronchodilator therapy. To understand the mechanism of the cough in this disorder, an animal model of eosinophilic bronchitis was developed. Guinea-pigs were treated with transnasal administration of polymyxin B or saline twice a week for 3 weeks. The number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased in polymyxin B-treated animals when compared with those treated with saline. In addition, histological examination showed that the number of eosinophils infiltrated into the tracheal epithelium increased; injury to the tracheal epithelium was greater in polymyxin B-treated animals. The numbers of coughs induced by saline and each concentration of capsaicin (10^–18, 10^–16, 10^–14M) were greater in the polymyxin B-treated animals. FK-224 (a neurokinin receptor antagonist) decreased the heightened cough reflex in this animal model of eosinophilic bronchitis. These findings suggest that neuropeptides, and particularly neurokinins, are involved in the heightened cough receptor sensitivity in eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma. This has implications for better understanding of this disorder and its treatment.     

Influence of picrotoxin and strychnine on the spectral sensitivity of the turtle ERG b- and d-waves: II. Light adaptation

The aim of the present work was to investigate the role of GABA and glycine, the two main inhibitory neurotransmitters in the retina, in the spectral sensitivity coding under conditions of light adaptation. To study this question, spectral sensitivity curves, based on the turtle ERG responses to stimuli of different wavelengths, were constructed. The spectral sensitivity curves, obtained before and during treatment with picrotoxin (PT), a GABA_A antagonist, or with strychnine (ST), a glycine antagonist, were compared. Both PT and ST increased the b- and d-wave absolute sensitivity in a wavelength-dependent manner. PT significantly changed the shape of the b- and d-wave spectral sensitivity curves and the latter lost their peaks. It is concluded that, under conditions of light adaptation, GABA and glycine took part in the formation of the b- and d-wave spectral sensitivity curves, that both of them exerted an effect on the gain and that, furthermore, GABA had a well pronounced effect on the tuning of the spectral sensitivity curves.     

缬沙坦与吲达帕胺联合用药对原发性高血压患者动态血压及胰岛素敏感性的影响

目的：探讨缬沙坦与吲达帕胺联合应用对原发性高血压（EH）患者动态血压及胰岛素敏感性的影响。方法：对65例EH患者于治疗前和治疗24周后分别进行动态血压监测（ABPM）和胰岛素敏感性测定。结果：治疗后24h平均pSB、pDB，血压负荷较治疗前均显著降低（P＜0．01）。治疗后血压昼夜节律消失者8例，较治疗前42例显著减少（P＜0．01）。治疗后各时点胰岛素与血糖比值（I／G）均明显下降（P＜0．01），治疗后胰岛素敏感指数（ISD）显著增高（P＜0．01）；治疗后葡萄糖 耐量试验120min和180min两个时点C／I比值比治疗前显著增高（P＜0．01－0．05）。结论：缬沙坦与吲达帕胺联合应用可显著降低EH患者动态血压水平和血压负荷，改善血压昼夜节律，显著改善胰岛素敏感性。     

虹膜夹型有晶状体眼人工晶状体植入术对高度近视眼对比敏感度的影响

目的 研究虹膜夹型有晶状体眼人工晶状体（iris-claw phakic intraocular lens，ICPIOL）植人术后对比敏感度（contrastsensitivity，CS）的变化。方法 2005年5月至12月于温州医学院附属眼视光医院和中山大学中山眼科中心接受ICPIOL（Verisyse，美国AMO公司）植入术的高度近视眼患者12例（23只眼），分别在术前、术后1、3、6个月采用CS测试灯箱（CSV-1000型，美国Vector Vision公司）检查暗视状态下无／有眩光时的对比敏感度函数（contrast sensitivity function，CSF）。结果 术后1、3、6个月等效球镜度数分别为（-0．60±0．77）D，（-0．48±0．77）D，（-0．34±0．53）D，与术前（-15．53D±3．65D）差异均有显著统计学意义（P均〈0．001），最佳矫正视力（IogMAR）分别为0．064-0．12，0．02±0．09，-0．003±0．08，与术前（0．21±0．12）差异均有显著统计学意义（P均〈0．001）。术后各空间频率的CS与术前比较有增高趋势。术后3个月6、12、18周／度的CS在无眩光时和有眩光时均明显提高（P均〈0．01），开始接近正常范围。术后3、6个月在各空间频率上CS差异均无统计学意义（P均〉0．05）。结论 ICPIOL植入术矫治高度近视眼可以使CSF恢复到接近正常范围，显著改善视功能，是一种适用于高度乃至超高度近视眼的可供选择的屈光手术。