Effect size of search superiority in autism spectrum disorder.

This review of the literature in visual search superiority in autism was intended to quantify the effect size of visual search performance in autism. Not all studies have found an advantage within the autistic population. Early findings on search superiority have led to different proposed mechanisms for the observed results. A review of feature search found that the effect size was low across 15 included studies (Cohen's d 0.089 [-0.150 to 0.293]). However, the effect size was larger for more complex search paradigms using a conjunctive search strategy with Cohen's d showing a moderate effect of 0.223 (0.087 to 0.293). The majority of studies were limited to a small sample size and biased toward the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum. The overall results indicate that within the autism spectrum disorder population there is a low to moderate search advantage compared to typically developing individuals.

Biomechanical analysis of unidirectional knotless suture loop weld integrity after passage through a cadaveric body wall.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the integrity of the welded end loop on unidirectional knotless suture after transabdominal passage in a canine cadaver. STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo biomechanical study. STUDY POPULATION: Four variations of unidirectional knotless suture and 1 canine cadaver. METHODS: Welded end loop on strands consisted of 0 Quill polydioxanone (QP; n = 22), 0 Quill monoderm (QM; n = 23), 2-0 V-Loc 90 (V9; n = 12), and 2-0 V-Loc 180 (V18; n = 12). Half of the suture strands in each group were passed percutaneously through an insufflated cadaveric body wall, and the remaining half served as intact controls. A linear testing machine was used to load the sutures to failure. Modes of and loads to failure were compared within and between suture types. RESULTS: Loads to failure did not differ between sutures passed through the body wall and their controls when the loop remained intact. Sutures V9, V18, and QM sustained higher loads to failure compared with QP. All Quill suture lines failed at the weld during testing. Thirty-three percent of QP sutures failed at the weld during initial passage through the body wall. V-Loc sutures failed at the suture-apparatus interface, within the welded loop, or a combination. CONCLUSION: Passing suture through a cadaveric body wall did not affect the integrity of the welded end loop of any of the unidirectional knotless sutures tested here when the loop remained intact. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Unidirectional knotless suture (V9, V18 and QM) can be safely passed through a canine body wall for use in laparoscopic procedures. The use of QP in this manner cannot be recommended.

Discovery of {4-[4,9-bis(ethyloxy)-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[f]isoindol-2-yl]-2-fluorophenyl}acetic acid (GSK726701A), a novel EP4 receptor partial agonist for the treatment of pain.

A novel series of EP4 agonists and antagonists have been identified, and then used to validate their potential in the treatment of inflammatory pain. This paper describes these novel ligands and their activity within a number of pre-clinical models of pain, ultimately leading to the identification of the EP4 partial agonist GSK726701A.