International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 2005; Vol.14, No.3, 158–166

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 2005; Vol.14, No.3, 158–166. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Noncortical origins of the spinal motor evoked potential in rats

Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded from the spinal cord, sciatic nerve, or both during transcortical electrical stimulation in the rat. Four peaks could be consistently identified in the spinal MEP. The latency and amplitude of the peaks varied differentially with intensity and polarity of stimulation. Conduction velocity for Peak 1 of the MEP was 43 m/sec. Bilateral sciatic nerve MEPs were present after unilateral cortical stimulation. The spinal MEP was elicited by stimulation of areas outside the motor cortex, and the response persisted during subcortical stimulation and after motor cortex ablation. We present evidence suggesting that components of the spinal MEP in rats arise from pathways outside the motor cortex.     

Screening for Meares–Irlen sensitivity in adults: can assessment methods predict changes in reading speed?

Two methods of assessing candidates for coloured overlays were compared with the aim of determining which method had the most practical utility. A total of 58 adults were assessed as potential candidates for coloured overlays, using two methods; a questionnaire, which identified self-reported previous symptoms, and a measure of perceptual distortions immediately prior to testing. Participants were classified as normal, Meares-Irlen sensitive, and borderline sensitive. Reading speed was measured with and without coloured overlays, using the Wilkins Rate of Reading Test and the change in speed was calculated. Participants classified as normal did not show any significant benefit from reading with an overlay. In contrast, a significant reading advantage was found for the borderline and Meares-Irlen participants. Current symptom rating was found to be a significant predictor of the change in reading speed, however the previous symptom rating was not found to be a reliable predictor. These data indicate that the assessment of perceptual distortions immediately prior to measuring colour preference and reading speed is the most meaningful method of assessing pattern glare and determining the utility of coloured overlays.     

Human infections caused by Brevibacterium casei, formerly CDC groups B-1 and B-3.

Forty-one clinical strains of CDC coryneform groups B-1 and B-3 were compared biochemically, by analysis of cell wall sugars, amino acids, and cellular fatty acids, and by DNA relatedness to the type strains of Brevibacterium casei, Brevibacterium epidermidis, and Brevibacterium linens. Twenty-two strains were shown to be B. casei, while five other strains formed a phenotypically inseparable genomospecies in the same genus. The remaining isolates were genetically heterogeneous, and most are probably members of the genus Brevibacterium. They were not further identified, but they were biochemically distinguishable from B. casei. Eleven of the clinical strains of B. casei were isolated from blood, and two each were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and from pleural fluid. At least five isolates were from multiple blood or cerebrospinal fluid cultures. To our knowledge, these strains are the first described clinical isolates identified as B. casei, which was previously considered to be a nonpathogenic species.     

Phenotypic characteristics, fatty acid composition, and isoprenoid quinone content of CDC group IIg bacteria.

Eleven strains of eugonic, nonoxidative, gram-negative rods isolated from clinical specimens formed a distinct group that was designated CDC group IIg. Five of the 11 isolates were from wounds. The phenotypic characteristics of CDC group IIg were most similar to those of Weeksella species, with the major difference being that CDC group IIg strains grew on MacConkey agar in 1 to 2 days, did not hydrolyze gelatin, and did not produce urease. All 11 strains of CDC group IIg possessed a distinct fatty acid profile that was characterized by large amounts (19 to 29%) of 18:1 omega 7c, 16:0, and 16:1 omega 7c, moderate amounts (6 to 10%) of 3-OH-14:0 and 14:0, and smaller amounts (1 to 2%) of 18:2, 18:0, and 3-OH-16:0. This fatty acid profile differs from those of Weeksella species by the absence of branched-chain fatty acids. CDC group IIg contains ubiquinone-8, as opposed to menaquinone-6 in Weeksella species. The isolates were susceptible to a variety of antimicrobial agents, including the aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, quinolones, sulfonamides, and polymyxin B.