Exploring the neural correlates of touch and pain in women with provoked vestibulodynia.

Group differences in touch and pain thresholds-and their neural correlates-were studied in women with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD; N = 15), a common subtype of vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain), and pain-free control women (N = 15). Results from quantitative sensory testing and self-report measures indicated that, as compared with control participants, women with PVD exhibited allodynia (ie, pain in response to a normally nonpainful stimulus) and hyperalgesia (ie, an increased response to a normally painful stimulus) at vulvar and nonvulvar sites. In addition, brain imaging analyses demonstrated reduced difference scores between touch and pain in the S2 area in women with PVD compared with control participants, supporting previous findings of allodynia in women with PVD.

Contextual assessment of the breadth and level of investments made by prevention initiatives to improve nutrition and prevent obesity in Los Angeles County, 2010-2015.

To better characterize and understand local investments made by prevention initiatives to address poor nutrition and obesity during 2010-2015, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health partnered with an evaluation firm in 2014 to conduct a context scan of nutrition education programs (NEs) and policy, systems, and environmental change interventions (PSEs) in Los Angeles County (LAC). Using fiscal year 2012-2013 (FY12-13) as a midpoint for a before/after comparison based in part on the timeline of the last USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) funding cycle, the scan included both SNAP-Ed and non-SNAP-Ed initiatives. Systematic searches of peer-reviewed and grey literature, relevant organizations' websites and materials, and results from 51 key stakeholder interviews, were completed to help develop a context scan database for LAC.

The added value of establishing a lexicon to help inform, compare, and better understand the implementation of policy, systems, and environmental change strategies in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education.

Categorization of terms/concepts/constructs that allows for better understanding and comparison of public health interventions is often lacking in program implementation and evaluation. A classification system such as a lexicon, when used appropriately, can help address this need. The present narrative describes a lexicon of policy, systems, and environmental change strategies (PSEs) that was developed and prototyped to aid local implementation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) interventions in obesity prevention.

Healthy food marketing and purchases of fruits and vegetables in large grocery stores.

Healthy food marketing in the retail environment can be an important driver of fruit and vegetable purchases. In Los Angeles County, the (NEOP) program utilized this strategy to promote healthy eating among low-income families that shop at large retail chain stores. The present study assessed whether self-reported exposure to large retail NEOP interventions, including seeing at least one store visual, watching an in-store cooking demonstration, and/or seeing at least one program advertisement, were associated with increased fruit and vegetable purchases.

Cognitive, psychophysical, and neural correlates of vulvar pain in primary and secondary provoked vestibulodynia: a pilot study.

Introduction: Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a common condition characterized by localized, provoked pain that can be present since first vaginal penetration attempt (primary) or can develop after a period of pain-free penetration (secondary). Research has demonstrated psychosocial and psychophysical differences between women with these subtypes of PVD, but the question of whether neural responses to pain also differ remains to be investigated.

Aim: This study aims to examine whether cognitive, psychophysical, and neural responses to vulvar pressure pain differ between women with PVD1 and PVD2.

Patient Characteristics by Type of Hypersexuality Referral: A Quantitative Chart Review of 115 Consecutive Male Cases.

Hypersexuality remains an increasingly common but poorly understood patient complaint. Despite diversity in clinical presentations of patients referred for hypersexuality, the literature has maintained treatment approaches that are assumed to apply to the entire phenomenon. This approach has proven ineffective, despite its application over several decades.

Pain ratings, sensory thresholds, and psychosocial functioning in women with provoked vestibulodynia.

Psychosocial and psychophysical functioning in 25 women with and 25 without provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) were examined. Participants underwent quantitative sensory testing and completed psychosocial measures. Women with PVD displayed lower pain thresholds, higher pain ratings, lower sexual functioning and sexual self-efficacy, and higher levels of somatization and catastrophization than controls.

Pain, psychosocial, sexual, and psychophysical characteristics of women with primary vs. secondary provoked vestibulodynia.

Introduction: Women with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), a common cause of dyspareunia, are typically considered a homogeneous group. However, research suggests that differences on some factors (e.g.

The vulvalgesiometer as a device to measure genital pressure-pain threshold.

The construction and application of the vulvalgesiometer are described. This manually-applied device allows for the quantifiable measurement of pressure-pain thresholds in the external female genital region. A set of five vulvalgesiometers exerting pressures from 3 to 950 g was used in two studies.