scholarly journals Digitization of neuropsychological diagnostics: a pilot study to compare three paper-based and digitized cognitive assessments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antje Latendorf ◽  
Lina Marie Runde ◽  
Tiina Salminen ◽  
Anika Steinert
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Cognitive Assessments ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Processing Times ◽  
Neuropsychological Diagnostics ◽  
Interference Test ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Technology Commitment

Abstract Background and objective The number of people suffering from dementia is increasing worldwide and so is the need for reliable and economical diagnostic instruments. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the processing times of the neuropsychological tests Trail Making Tests A and B (TMT-A/B) and Color-Word Interference Test (CWIT), which were performed in both digital and paper versions. Methods The pilot study was conducted among 50 healthy participants (age 65–83 years) using a randomized crossover design. The correlations and differences in the individual processing times of the two test versions were statistically analyzed. Further research questions concerned the influence of the individual usage of technology and the technology commitment of participants as well as the influence of the assessed usability on participants’ performance. Results Between the two versions (paper-based vs. digital) statistically significant correlations were found in all tests, e.g., TMT-A r(48) = 0.63, p < 0.01; TMT-B rs(48) = 0.77, p < 0.001). The mean value comparison showed statistically significant differences, e.g., interference table (CWIT) t(49) = 11.24, p < 0.01). Correlations with medium effect were found between the differences in processing times and the individual usage of computer (e.g., rs(48) = − 0.31) and smartphone (rs(48) =  − 0.29) and between the processing times of the TMT-B and the usability (rs(48) = 0.29). Conclusions The high correlations between the test procedures appear promising. However, the differences found in the processing times of the two test versions require validation and standardization of digitized test procedures before they can be used in practice.

SERUM THYROTROPHIN AND THE RESPONSE TO THYROTROPHIN RELEASING HORMONE IN SYMPTOMLESS AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDITIS AND IN BORDERLINE AND OVERT HYPOTHYROIDISM

1974 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 274-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gordin ◽  
P. Saarinen ◽  
R. Pelkonen ◽  
B.-A. Lamberg
Keyword(s):  
Autoimmune Thyroiditis ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Primary Hypothyroidism ◽  
Overt Hypothyroidism ◽  
Thyrotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Serum Tsh

ABSTRACT Serum thyrotrophin (TSH) was determined by the double-antibody radioimmunoassay in 58 patients with primary hypothyroidism and was found to be elevated in all but 2 patients, one of whom had overt and one clinically borderline hypothyroidism. Six (29%) out of 21 subjects with symptomless autoimmune thyroiditis (SAT) had an elevated serum TSH level. There was little correlation between the severity of the disease and the serum TSH values in individual cases. However, the mean serum TSH value in overt hypothyroidism (93.4 μU/ml) was significantly higher than the mean value both in clinically borderline hypothyroidism (34.4 μU/ml) and in SAT (8.8 μU/ml). The response to the thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) was increased in all 39 patients with overt or borderline hypothyroidism and in 9 (43 %) of the 21 subjects with SAT. The individual TRH response in these two groups showed a marked overlap, but the mean response was significantly higher in overt (149.5 μU/ml) or clinically borderline hypothyroidism (99.9 μU/ml) than in SAT (35.3 μU/ml). Thus a normal basal TSH level in connection with a normal response to TRH excludes primary hypothyroidism, but nevertheless not all patients with elevated TSH values or increased responses to TRH are clinically hypothyroid.

scholarly journals Symptom Cluster-Matching Antidepressant Treatment: A Case Series Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 526
Author(s):  
Sławomir Murawiec ◽  
Marek Krzystanek
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Antidepressant Treatment ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Symptom Cluster ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Cluster Matching ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Effectiveness Studies

Despite treating depression with antidepressants, their effectiveness is often insufficient. Comparative effectiveness studies and meta-analyses show the effectiveness of antidepressants; however, they do not provide clear indications as to the choice of a specific antidepressant. The rational choice of antidepressants may be based on matching their mechanisms of action to the symptomatic profiles of depression, reflecting the heterogeneity of symptoms in different patients. The authors presented a series of cases of patients diagnosed with depression in whom at least one previous antidepressant treatment was shown to be ineffective before drug targeted symptom cluster-matching treatment (SCMT). The presented pilot study shows for the first time the effectiveness of SCMT in the different clusters of depressive symptoms. All the described patients obtained recovery from depressive symptoms after introducing drug-targeted SCMT. Once validated in clinical trials, SCMT might become an effective and rational method of selecting an antidepressant according to the individual profile of depressive symptoms, the mechanism of their formation, and the mechanism of drug action. Although the study results are preliminary, SCMT can be a way to personalize treatment, increasing the likelihood of improvement even in patients who meet criteria for treatment-resistant depression.

scholarly journals Reproductive biology of Rhaphiodon vulpinus (Ostariophysi: Cynodontidae) in the Tocantins River Basin, Brazil

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréa L. Neuberger ◽  
Elineide E. Marques ◽  
Carlos S. Agostinho ◽  
Rafael J. de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Individual Female ◽  
Relative Fecundity ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
Tocantins River ◽  
The Individual

In order to evaluate aspects of the reproductive biology of Rhaphiodon vulpinus in the Upper and Middle Tocantins River, samples were taken monthly from October, 1999 through September, 2001, by means of gill nets. Males, which were more abundant than females (chi2 146.87: df=1: p<0.05), matured at a smaller size. The reproductive period of the species extended essentially from November through January, with a peak of activity in November. Fecundity, with an estimated mean value of 98,185 oocytes, varied from 38,177 to 215,841 oocytes, and it did not correlate with the length of the individual female analyzed (r=0.4663: p=0.206). Relative fecundity was 130.6 oocytes/g total weight. Mature oocytes had a mean diameter of 0.98 mm, corresponding to a volume of 0.50 mm³.

scholarly journals Acute and Short-Term Effects of Dry Needling in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Hamstring Tightness: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Bazzaz-Yamchi ◽  
Soofia Naghdi ◽  
Amin Nakhostin-Ansari ◽  
Monavar Hadizadeh ◽  
Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Effects

Background. Chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP) is one of the common health issues. Hamstring tightness contributes to the development of LBP. This study aimed to investigate the acute and short-term effects of deep dry needling (DN) in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP and hamstring muscle tightness. Methods. A single-group pretest-posttest clinical study design was followed. The outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS), passive knee extension (PKE) test, finger-floor distance (FFD) test, and functional rating index (FRI). Patients underwent one session of deep DN of three points on both hamstring muscles, each point for one minute. Patients were assessed before (T0), immediately after (T1), and one week after DN (T2). The FRI was assessed at T0 and T2. Results. Ten women with a mean age of 21.1 years (SD = 1.6) participated in the study. Significant large effect sizes in VAS pain reduction (d = 1.25) and PKE hamstring tightness were obtained (hamstring: right, d = 0.82; left, d = 0.88) at T2. Medium effect sizes were obtained for FFD (d = 0.45) and FRI (d = 0.72) at T2. Conclusion. A single session of deep DN improved pain and function and increased hamstring flexibility. This pilot study supports the use of DN in patients with LBP and hamstring tightness; however, future research with a rigorous study design of randomized controlled trial is required to confirm the findings. This trial is registered with IRCT20180511039612N1.

scholarly journals Litter Survival Differences between Divergently Selected Lines for Environmental Sensitivity in Rabbits

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Agea ◽  
María-Luz García ◽  
Agustín Blasco ◽  
María-José Argente
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Environmental Sensitivity ◽  
Probability Of Survival ◽  
High Line ◽  
Size Variability ◽  
Similar Survival ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Survival Differences

A divergent selection experiment on environmental sensitivity was performed in rabbits. The aim of this study was to estimate the correlated response in kits&rsquo; weight and its survival, and weight distance from birth to weaning. Weight distance was calculated as the absolute values of the differences between the individual value and the mean value of its litter. Also, relationship between probability of survival at 4 d of age and weight at birth was studied. Environmental sensitivity was measured as litter size variability. A total of 2484 kits from 127 does of the low line (selected for reducing litter size variability) and 1916 kits of 114 does of the high line (selected for increasing litter size variability) of the 12th generation were weighed. Bayesian methodology was used to estimate the correlated response to selection, and LOGISTIC procedure of SAS was used to estimate the relationship between weight and probability of survival. Both lines showed similar individual weight at birth and at weaning, and similar survival at birth and at 4 d of age. Survival at weaning was higher in the low line than in the high line (0.67 and 0.62; P= 0.93). Weight distance was higher at birth but lower at weaning in the low line (47.8 g and 54.1 g; P=0.98). Kit&rsquo;s weight at birth affected its survival. In conclusion, selection for environmental sensitivity showed correlated response in kits survival and in homogeneity of litter weight at weaning.

scholarly journals Anemia in relation to body mass index among female students of North Kerala: a pilot study

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 3607
Author(s):  
Veena Thamban ◽  
Kavana G. Venkatappa ◽  
Swarnalatha P. K. ◽  
Sparshadeep E. M.
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Female Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Larger Sample

Background: Anemia among women causes many serious health problems and is pervasive in developing country. Many research studies have documented that malnutrition affects body growth and development, especially during the crucial period of adolescence. The association between anemia and body mass index (BMI) is a measure of nutrition and health status of adults. Aim was to study the association between anemia and BMI among female students.Methods: An observational study was conducted among first year medical and dental female students (n=109) aged 18-20years. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels (g/dL) by Sahli’s hemoglobinometer and BMI (kg/m2) were estimated. Anemia was defined as Hb content <12g/dL. Subjects were classified by BMI categories as underweight (BMI <18.5kg/m2), normal weight (BMI:18.5-24.99kg/m2), overweight (BMI ≥25kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30kg/m2) according to WHO. Then the relation between anemia and BMI were statistically analyzed.Results: Overall, 48.62% female students were anemic. Of which 43.4% were underweight, 22.6% normal weight and 34.5% were above normal weight (over weight and obese). Mean value of hemoglobin was significantly decreased in underweight and overweight compared to normal weight (p<0.001). Anemia was significantly associated with BMI (χ2 =46.48, p=0.000).Conclusions: The study concludes the occurrence of anemia in both undernourished and over-nourished individuals which were significantly associated. Further studies are needed with larger sample size to document the factors that may be associated with anemia in females.

scholarly journals An integrated behavioural intervention combined with varenicline for heavy-drinking smokers: a randomized pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-127
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Fucito ◽  
Ran Wu ◽  
Stephanie S. O'Malley ◽  
Tess H. Hanrahan ◽  
Jolomi T. Ikomi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Behavioural Intervention ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Academic Medical Centre ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
Promote Smoking Cessation

AbstractObjectivesCombined smoking and heavy drinking is a significant health burden. Varenicline, an efficacious tobacco pharmacotherapy that also shows promise for drinking, has yielded mixed results among heavy-drinking smokers. This pilot study investigated integrated tobacco and alcohol counselling plus varenicline for this vulnerable group.DesignTwelve-week parallel, randomized controlled pilot trial of two behavioural interventions in combination with open-label varenicline. Participants were randomized using computer-generated tables, stratified by sex.SettingOutpatient academic medical centre research clinic.ParticipantsVolunteers who reported smoking and heavy drinking and sought tobacco or alcohol treatment (N = 26).Intervention(1) Integrated tobacco + alcohol counselling (INT; n = 13) or (2) counselling focused on their presenting concern (i.e., tobacco or alcohol) (SINGLE; n = 13), plus varenicline (2 mg) for 12 weeks.Main outcomesFeasibility/acceptability, smoking quit rates and heavy drinking.ResultsINT feasibility/acceptability was high among men but not women. More participants quit smoking in INT than SINGLE. This outcome was only in men, not significant, but had a medium effect size. Both conditions yielded significant drinking reductions.ConclusionIntegrated tobacco and alcohol behavioural counselling plus varenicline may be feasible and promote smoking cessation among men who smoke and drink heavily, but a larger sample is needed to replicate this finding.

A New Method for Measuring Adhesion of Vulcanized Rubber to Steel Cord at Elevated Temperatures

1977 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Dietrick ◽  
D. E. Emmert
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Experimental Sample ◽  
Sample Holder ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Vulcanized Rubber ◽  
Individual Unit ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Steel Cord ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
The Individual

Abstract The analysis of variance of the elevated temperature tests conducted in this study showed that the experimental sample holder gave slightly higher values than tests run in an oven with the standard sample holder. However, this difference was less than 1% of the average adhesion value. Student's t-tests of the individual unit-to-unit comparison rated the test procedures equivalent over a wide range of temperature and aging histories. The advantages of this experimental sample holder are: 1. lower equipment costs; 2. rapid means of testing steel cord adhesion at elevated temperatures; 3. ease and simplicity of operation; 4. adaptability of the experimental holder to various tensile testing equipment.

Dismantling of a Nuclear Fuel Fabric - Release of Building Rubble and Site: An Overview

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth T. Aberl ◽  
Karl-Heinz Lehmann
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Salt Mine ◽  
Individual Dose ◽  
Dose Limit ◽  
Uranium Fuel ◽  
Industrial Use ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Uranium fuel rods were produced in the nuclear fuel site. The buildings should be dismantled after decontamination and the site should be released for industrial use. The individual dose to the critical group is limited to an annual value of about 10 μSv. The determined specific activity for remediation of the site was a mean value of 60 mBq/g total activity. For the building rubble and soil primarily two pathways, disposal at a landfill and refill of a disused salt mine, were considered. As a result of the investigations the total activity for the disposal at a landfill had to be limited to about 6,6 GBq. For the refill of the salt mine the estimated individual dose fell below the dose limit in the range of 10 μSv/y.

scholarly journals A One-Month Monitoring of Exposure to Solar UV Radiation of a Group of Construction Workers in Tuscany

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 6035
Author(s):  
Alberto Modenese ◽  
Fabriziomaria Gobba ◽  
Valentina Paolucci ◽  
Swen Malte John ◽  
Pietro Sartorelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Italy ◽  
Personal Exposure ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Solar Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Uv Irradiance ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Solar Radiation Exposure

Solar radiation exposure at work is a relevant heath risk in the construction sector. Our objective was to monitor for a full month the individual solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure of a group of three construction workers active in Siena (latitude = 43°19′ N), a town in Tuscany (Italy). We used personal electronic dosimeters “X-2012-10” (Gigahertz, Turkenfeld, Germany) to register the UV irradiance in the UVA and UVB/C regions separately and we consulted a specific database to retrieve the corresponding ambient erythemal UVR dose (cloud-free conditions). In spring, construction workers from central Italy received a quite variable UVR dose, between 0.9 standard erythemal doses (SED) and 15.6 SED/day, 5.7 on average. Considering the proportion with respect to the potential environmental exposure, personal exposure resulted between 2.7% and 31.2% of the ambient erythemal dose, with a mean value of 12.5%. Cumulatively, the three construction workers received in one working month a UVR dose of more than 120 SED. In a year, we estimated that a construction worker from Tuscany region is exposed to about 750 SED. This data demonstrates that construction workers in Italy are exposed to extremely high levels of solar UVR, with a relevant risk of developing adverse health effects related to the potential accumulation of UVR-induced damage in susceptible biological tissues, such as the skin and the eyes.

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