Distribution of shortest cycle lengths in random networks

We present analytical results for the distribution of shortest cycle lengths (DSCL) in random networks. The approach is based on the relation between the DSCL and the distribution of shortest path lengths (DSPL). We apply this approach to configuration model networks, for which analytical results for the DSPL were obtained before. We first calculate the fraction of nodes in the network which reside on at least one cycle. Conditioning on being on a cycle, we provide the DSCL over ensembles of configuration model networks with degree distributions which follow a Poisson distribution (Erdos-R\'enyi network), degenerate distribution (random regular graph) and a power-law distribution (scale-free network). The mean and variance of the DSCL are calculated. The analytical results are found to be in very good agreement with the results of computer simulations.Comment: 44 pages, 11 figure

A multicriteria decision analysis comparing pharmacotherapy for chronic neuropathic pain, including cannabinoids and cannabis-based medical products

Background: Pharmacological management of chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) still represents a major clinical challenge. Collective harnessing of both the scientific evidence base and clinical experience (of clinicians and patients) can play a key role in informing treatment pathways and contribute to the debate on specific treatments (e.g., cannabinoids). A group of expert clinicians (pain specialists and psychiatrists), scientists, and patient representatives convened to assess the relative benefit–safety balance of 12 pharmacological treatments, including orally administered cannabinoids/cannabis-based medicinal products, for the treatment of CNP in adults. Methods: A decision conference provided the process of creating a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) model, in which the group collectively scored the drugs on 17 effect criteria relevant to benefits and safety and then weighted the criteria for their clinical relevance. Findings: Cannabis-based medicinal products consisting of tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD), in a 1:1 ratio, achieved the highest overall score, 79 (out of 100), followed by CBD dominant at 75, then THC dominant at 72. Duloxetine and the gabapentinoids scored in the 60s, amitriptyline, tramadol, and ibuprofen in the 50s, methadone and oxycodone in the 40s, and morphine and fentanyl in the 30s. Sensitivity analyses showed that even if the pain reduction and quality-of-life scores for THC/CBD and THC are halved, their benefit–safety balances remain better than those of the noncannabinoid drugs. Interpretation: The benefit–safety profiles for cannabinoids were higher than for other commonly used medications for CNP largely because they contribute more to quality of life and have a more favorable side effect profile. The results also reflect the shortcomings of alternative pharmacological treatments with respect to safety and mitigation of neuropathic pain symptoms. Further high-quality clinical trials and systematic comprehensive capture of clinical experience with cannabinoids is warranted. These results demonstrate once again the complexity and multimodal mechanisms underlying the clinical experience and impact of chronic pain

The Norplant Experience in Zaria: A Ten-Year Review

Norplant is an effective, long-acting, reversible, progestin-only contraceptive that provides protection for up to five years. The aim of this review is to ascertain the response of family planning clients in Zaria to Norplant. In Nigeria, Family Health International started pre-introductory clinical research on Norplant in 1985 at five sites including Zaria. Since the conclusion of the study, Norplant services have been maintained, but no attempt has been made to report the response of this largely Hausa and Muslim community where contraceptive use is generally low. It is important to determine whether the advantages of Norplant have had an impact on this setting. The study showed that most of the clients were satisfied with the method. There was a progressive increase in the number of women using Norplant by 1995, with a significant decrease in the number of women undergoing sterilisation. Acceptability of Norplant is on the increase, thus, it should be easily available, accessible and affordable. (Afr J Reprod Health 2003; 7[2]: 20-24) RÉSUMÉ Expérience de Norplant à Zaria: compte rendu couvrant une période de dix ans. Norplant est un contraceptif à action prolongée, réversible, teneur uniquement en progestérone, qui donne la protection d'une durée de jusqu'à cinq ans. Cette étude a pour but de déterminer la réponse à Norplant de la part des clientes de la planification familiale à Zaria. Au Nigéria, la Family Health International a commencé la recherche clinique de pre-introduction sur Norplant en 1985 dans cinq lieux y compris Zaria. Depuis la fin de l'étude, les services Norplant ont été retenus, mais aucun effort n'a été fait pour signaler la réponse de cette communauté, en majorité haoussa et musulanes où l'utilisation des contraceptifs est, en général, base. Il est nécessaire de déterminer si les avantages de Norplant ont eu un impact quelconque sur le milieu. L'étude a montré que la plupart des clientes ont été contentes de la méthode. Il y a eu une augumentation progressive par rapport au nombre des femmes qui utilisaient Norplant en 1995 alors qu'il y a eu une baisse considérable par rapport au nombre des femmes qui subissaient la stérilisation. Puisque l'acceptation de Norplant s'accroît, il faut qu'il soit disponible, à la portée de tous et qu'il soit abordable. (Rev Afr Santé Reprod 2003; 7[2]: 20-24

VESICO - UTERINE FISTULA: REPORT OF A CASE

A case of vesico-uterine fistula following caesarean section complication is presented. The fistula was diagnosed from clinical, radiological and endoscopic findings. The treatment and prevention of vesico-uterine fistula is discussed with particular reference to our setting

Manifestation of incompleteness in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as reduced functionality and extended activity beyond task completion

Copyright 2011 Zor et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Background: This study focused on hypotheses regarding the source of incompleteness in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For this, we had to document the behavioral manifestation of incompleteness in compulsive rituals, predicting that an exaggerated focus on acts that are appropriate for the task will support the hypothesis on heightened responsibility/perfectionism. In contrast, activity past the expected terminal act for the motor task would support the "stop signal deficiency" hypothesis. Methodology and Principal Findings: We employed video-telemetry to analyze 39 motor OCD rituals and compared each with a similar task performed by a non-OCD individual, in order to objectively and explicitly determine the functional end of the activity. We found that 75% of OCD rituals comprised a "tail ," which is a section that follows the functional end of the task that the patients ascribed to their activity. The other 25% tailless rituals comprised a relatively high number and higher rate of repetition of non-functional acts. Thus, in rituals with tail, incompleteness was manifested by the mere presence of the tail whereas in tailless rituals, incompleteness was manifested by the reduced functionality of the task due to an inflated execution and repetition of non-functional acts. Conclusions: The prevalence of activity after the functional end ("tail") and the elevated non-functionality in OCD motor rituals support the "lack of stop signal" theories as the underlying mechanism in OCD. Furthermore, the presence and content of the tail might have a therapeutic potential in cognitive-behavior therapy.Peer reviewe