Magnetic resonance imaging findings in children with spasmus nutans

Background Spasmus nutans (SN) is a rare pediatric ophthalmologic syndrome characterized by nystagmus, head bobbing, and abnormal head positioning. Historically, SN has been associated with underlying optic pathway gliomas (OPG); however, evidence of this association is based primarily on a small number of isolated case reports. Prior retrospective analyses have found the rate of OPG to be <2%, but these studies only intermittently used neuroimaging with computed tomography, which has limited sensitivity for detection of small lesions in the optic pathway. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of SN with intracranial abnormalities, particularly OPG, using magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbits. Methods Neuroradiology databases at three institutions spanning January 2010 to May 2016 were queried for examinations ordered for evaluation of SN; MRI examinations of the brain and/or orbits were included and evaluated for OPG and other structural abnormalities. Medical records were reviewed to confirm a diagnosis of SN, presence of other underlying neurological disease, or preexisting diagnoses. Results A total of 40 patients with eligible MRI examinations were identified. None had optic nerve pathway gliomas. Two children had optic nerve hypoplasia; no other patients had optic pathway abnormalities. None had intracranial or orbital masses. MRI examinations were normal in 25 patients. Conclusions This series represents the largest collection of MRI examinations for SN in the literature to date and shows no association between OPG and SN. In children presenting with SN but no other findings suggesting OPG or neurological abnormalities, neuroimaging may not be required

Country of origin, culture, self-esteem and intimate partner violence among community dwelling Hispanic women

The purpose of this study was to explore variations in demographics, culture, self-esteem and intimate partner violence among Hispanic women according to country of origin, and to identify factors that are associated with differences in intimate partner violence. Baseline data from a randomized control trial testing the efficacy of an HIV prevention program was used. Path analyses were conducted to describe relationships between variables and identify potential mediators. Differences between Colombian women and women from other Central/South American countries were noted for intimate partner violence. Self-esteem was the only factor that was associated with these differences. Interventions that address the unique needs of Hispanic sub-groups and promote self-esteem are needed

The marine epilithic diatom Melosira brandinii sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta) from Elephant Island, Antarctic Peninsula, with comments on some related species

Uma nova espécie de diatomácea eplítica é descrita sob microscopia eletrônica, a partir de amostras coletadas próximo à Ilha Elefante, Península Antártica. As células de Melosira brandinii sp. nov. encontram-se reunidas em cadeias filamentosas através de longos tubos mucilaginosos. As valvas são circulares, com superfície valvar provida de lóculos pentagonais arranjados irregularmente. Cada lóculo possui 6-12 poros na superfície externa, abrindo-se para o interior através de aréolas do tipo rota. A corona é composta exclusivamente por grânulos grosseiros, os quais estão mais concentrados na borda do manto. Comparações com as espécies próximas Melosira arctica, M. moniliformis e M. nummuloides foram realizadas. Adicionalmente, são fornecidas fotomicrografias de M. arctica provenientes do material tipo e do Mar de Barents (Ártico), e de M. moniliformis de estuários do Sul do Brasil.A new species of epilithic diatom is described from samples collected near Elephant Island, Antarctic Peninsula. The cells of Melosira brandinii sp. nov. are joined in filamentous chains and attached by means of long mucilaginous stalks. The valves are circular with the valvar surface composed of irregularly arranged pentagonal Ioculi. Each loculus bears 6-12 pores on the external surface, opening to the innerside through rotae. The corona is only composed of coarse granules. A mantle is well developed, presenting rimoportulae and bearing coarse granules, which are more concentrated at the mantle edge. Comparisons with the related species Melosira arctica, M. moniliformis and M. nummuloides are made. Additionally, photomicrographs of M. arctica from the type material and Barents Sea, and of M. moniliformis from estuaries of Southern Brazil are included

The perseverance of Pacioli's goods inventory accounting system

This paper details sources of the 'undoubtedly strange' (Yamey, 1994a, p.119) system of goods inventory records described in Pacioli’s 1494 bookkeeping treatise and traces the longevity and widespread use of this early perpetual inventory recording (EPIR) system in English language texts. By doing so and contrasting this system with the bookkeeping treatment of modern texts, it is shown that the EPIR system persisted as the dominant form of goods inventory accounting for between 400 and 500 years and that the reasons for its demise are worthy of further consideration and research

Detección de Leucoptera sinuella (Reutti) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) en Chile, con la identificación de algunos parasitoides asociados

En marzo del 2015 el Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG), a través de actividades de vigilancia forestal, detectó por primera vez en Chile la presencia de Leucoptera sinuella (Reutti), atacando follaje de álamos (Populus spp., Salicaceae), en la comuna de Talagante (Región Metropolitana de Santiago). Actividades de prospección desarrolladas por el SAG han determinado que este microlepidóptero se encuentra distribuido en diversas comunas de las regiones de Valparaíso, Metropolitana de Santiago, Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble y Biobío. Adicionalmente, fueron identificadas siete especies de microhimenópteros parasitoides asociados a L. sinuella, pertenecientes a las familias Eulophidae (6 especies) y Chalcididae (1 especie)

Young Adults With Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Multicenter Optic Disc Drusen Study.

PURPOSE: Optic disc drusen (ODD), present in 2% of the general population, have occasionally been reported in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION). The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of ODD in young patients with NA-AION. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional multicenter study. METHODS: All patients with NA-AION 50 years old or younger, seen in neuro-ophthalmology clinics of the international ODDS (Optic Disc Drusen Studies) Consortium between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019, were identified. Patients were included if ODD were diagnosed by any method, or if ODD were excluded by enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) using ODDS Consortium guidelines. NA-AION eyes with ODD were termed "ODD-AION"; those without were termed "NODD-AION". RESULTS: A total of 65 patients (127 eyes) with NA-AION were included (mean 41 years old). Of the 74 eyes with NA-AION, 51% had ODD-AION, whereas 43% of fellow eyes without NA-AION had ODD (P = .36). No significant differences were found between ODD-AION and NODD-AION eyes in terms of Snellen best-corrected VA or perimetric mean deviation. According to EDI-OCT results, 28% of eyes with NODD-AION had peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS); 7% had hyperreflective lines, whereas 54% with ODD-AION had PHOMS; and 66% had hyperreflective lines (P = .006 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Most of these young NA-AION patients had ODD. This indicates that ODD may be an independent risk factor for the development of NA-AION, at least in younger patients. This study suggests ODD-AION be recognized as a novel diagnosis

Multirater Validation of Peripapillary Hyperreflective Ovoid Mass-like Structures (PHOMS)

Peripapillary hyperreflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS) are a new retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) finding. The Optic Disc Drusen Studies Consortium had made recommendations to distinguish PHOMS from true optic disc drusen (ODD) in 2018. While publications on PHOMS have increased since then, the accuracy of the definition of PHOMS and reliability of detection is unknown. In this multi-rater study, we demonstrate that the 2018 definition of PHOMS resulted in a poor multi-rater kappa of 0.356. We performed a Delphi consensus process to develop a consistent and refined definition of PHOMS with clear principles around the nature of PHOMS and how they differ from normal anatomy. Fifty explanatory teaching slides, provided as supplementary material, allowed our expert group of raters to achieve a good level of agreement (kappa 0.701, 50 OCT scans, 21 raters). We recommend adopting the refined definition for PHOMS

Screening Low-Income Women of Reproductive Age for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Identifying and treating chronic diseases, their precursors, and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors during family planning visits may improve long-term health and reproductive outcomes among low-income women. A cross-sectional study design was used to describe the prevalence of chronic diseases (hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes), their precursors (pre-hypertension, borderline high cholesterol, and pre-diabetes), and related CVD risk factors (such as obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity) among low-income women of reproductive age