We sought to clarify whether the positive association between music lessons and reading ability is explained better by shared resources for processing pitch and temporal information, or by general cognitive abilities. Participants were native and nonnative speakers of English with varying levels of music training. We measured reading ability (comprehension and speed), music-perception skills (melody and rhythm), general cognitive ability (nonverbal intelligence, short-term memory, and working memory), and socioeconomic status (SES; family income, parents’ education). Reading ability was associated positively with music training, English as a native language, and general cognitive ability. The association between reading and music training was significant after SES, native language, and music-perception skills were controlled. After general cognitive abilities were held constant, however, there was no longer an association between reading and music training. These findings suggest that the association between reading ability and music training is a consequence of general cognitive abilities.

No abstract

This corrects the article entitled "Dermatophytes, dermatophytosis in the Caribbean and potential for herbal therapy" by the author Harish C. Gugnani published with DOI: doi:10.4081/idhm.2020.96

UNSTRUCTURED The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). The virus spreads through fomites and air transmission causing mild upper respiratory tract infection, severe acute respiratory distress, neurologic deficits, and death. The pandemic has been stressful for many, especially for pregnant and postpartum women. Since the transition to motherhood is challenging, pandemic-related factors have created an increase in the risk of mental health burden and psychiatric disorders in this cohort. This is attributed to a combination of neuroendocrine factors and pandemic-related factors such as quarantine, remote healthcare consultations, domestic violence, and the fear of infection. It is important to identify and treat mental health disorders in this cohort due to the negative impact on the mother and child, neurological changes (i.e. changes in gray matter volume) in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders, and the risk of self-harm/suicide. Here we review the current knowledge of psychiatric disorders in pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic and consider potential future research.