scholarly journals Ecological Assessment of Executive Functions: A New Virtual Reality Paradigm

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok S. Jansari ◽  
Alex Devlin ◽  
Rob Agnew ◽  
Katarina Akesson ◽  
Lesley Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functions ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Acquired Brain Injury ◽  
Ecological Assessment ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Neuropsychological Assessments ◽  
Event Based

Acquired brain injury (ABI) can lead to a constellation of higher-order executive problems, which can impact significantly on everyday behaviour. While some neuropsychological assessments are able to measure these impairments objectively, increasingly, clinicians are finding that a subset of their patients passes these tests while still exhibiting difficulties in day-to-day living. Calls have therefore been made to develop assessments that are more sensitive and that are more ecologically valid. In this study, in Experiment 1, a multiple errands task (MET) based around a business office was created to assess concurrently nine aspects of executive functioning (planning, prioritisation, selective-thinking, creative-thinking, adaptive-thinking, multi-tasking, action-based prospective memory (PM), event-based PM and time-based PM). This new paradigm, the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©) showed a significant difference between six individuals with ABI and matched healthy controls; further, it showed that across the nine constructs there was a range of performance. In Experiment 2, JEF©was recreated in a virtual environment resembling a computer game, and it was found that this version significantly differentiated between 17 individuals with ABI and 30 healthy controls. These results suggest that the virtual version of JEF©could be used as a new assessment of executive function. The profile of performance across the nine constructs for each individual provides a wealth of objective information that could potentially inform targeted rehabilitation.

Development of Rehabilitation of Eclectic Cognitive Functioning Post-Traumatic Brain Injury to Retrain and Restore Attention, Concentration, Memory and Executive Functions (RETRACE)

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 99-112
Author(s):  
Sakshi Chopra ◽  
Sumit Sinha ◽  
Senthil S Kumaran ◽  
Harsimarpreet Kaur ◽  
Ravindra Mohan Pandey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Traumatic

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) incapacitates nearly 3.5 million Indians and can result in a host of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and behavioural problems. Neuropsychological rehabilitation (NR) aids in amelioration of these deficits. As people with low literacy levels represent a significant proportion of the world, specific cognitive rehabilitation modules for such populations are indispensable. A standardised, economical NR intervention may assist in faster recovery.MethodsThe study was initiated after obtaining institute ethics approval and the Clinical Trials Registry – India clearance. A 6-week indigenised literacy-free NR intervention Rehabilitation of Eclectic Cognitive Functioning post Traumatic Brain Injury to Retrain and Restore Attention, Concentration, Memory and Executive Functions (RETRACE) was developed. This intervention targeted areas of memory, attention and concentration, executive functioning, and response inhibition. It was standardised on 50 healthy controls and 18 patients. Prior to recruitment, a written informed consent was obtained from each patient, their primary caregiver and the healthy controls.ResultsIndividuals were divided into four groups based on their education levels: illiterates; 1–9 years, 10–14 years; and >15 years. All the outcomes for each of the four cognitive domains in the intervention did not have any significant difference for errors committed among the healthy controls with respect to different levels of education. The performance of patients with the healthy controls on all the four cognitive domains revealed a significant difference in each.ConclusionsRETRACE covers major areas of cognitive impairment that affects an individual’s social, vocational and personal quality of life after brain injury. This intervention is feasible to administer and may help alleviating cognitive complaints after brain injury in low literate or mixed cultural populations. RETRACE is simple to score and can be done easily at the patient’s home under the supervision of the patient’s caregiver. Further study of its efficacy in a randomised trial is already underway.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Model Pembelajaran dan Konsep Diri terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kretif Mahasiswa

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Hikmah
Keyword(s):  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Written Test ◽  
Self Learning

<p>The purpose of this study were to determine: 1) the influence of the learning <br />model of creative thinking; 2) the influence of self-concept to think creatively, and 3) the influence of the interaction and the concept of self-learning model for creative thinking. The research method used was experimental method. A sample of 80 people selected at random from the 13 study groups. The data was collected by administering a written test questions to measure variables studied. Data analysis using descriptive statistics and 2-way ANOVA. The results showed: 1) a significant difference to the learning model with the ability to think creatively sig = 0.000; 2) there is a significant effect of self-concept of <br />the ability to think creatively with sig = 0.000, and 3) there is a significant interaction effect of learning model and self-concept of the ability to think creatively with sig = 0.018. </p>

scholarly journals AB0345 Th9 CELLS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED CYTOKINES: THE PROBABLE PLAYERS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) AND TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS (T1DM)

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1197.2-1198
Author(s):  
N. Mohannad ◽  
M. Moaaz ◽  
R. Mohamed Shehata
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Moderate Activity ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Group I ◽  
Pancreatic Islets Of Langerhans ◽  
Th9 Cells ◽  
Significant Difference

Background:SLE is an autoimmune disease (AID) of unknown origin. Several factors can contribute to immune dysfunction in SLE.Interleukin 9 (IL9) is a newly emerging T cell-derived factor preferentially expressed by CD4+T cells: T helper 9 (Th9)IL9 targets different cell lineages, and can contribute to the development of allergic & AIDsWhether abnormal expression and secretion of IL9 are present in SLE patients (pts) still unidentified. It is also unclear whether IL9 exerts main proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory activities in SLE. T1DM is characterized by inflammation of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Insulitis progresses over time and β cells become destroyed then clinical DM is established. T1DM is regarded as a T cell-driven AIDObjectives:Evaluation of the expression of CD4+ IL9+ T cells & the level of IL9 in SLE pts compared to both healthy subjects & pts with another AID: T1DM.Also, to evaluate the correlation of these expressions with clinical features, laboratory parameters and SLE activityMethods:The study included: Group I 25 SLE pts fulfilling SLICC classification criteria divided into 2 subgroups (gps) according to SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) IA: 20 pts with mild to moderate activity (<12) IB:5 pts with severe activity (>12) recruited from rheumatology clinic or internal medicine ward (Rheumatology unit), Main University Hospital, Alexandria. Group II 15 healthy individuals as a first control gp. Group III 15 pts with T1DM fulfilling the American Diabetes Association criteria as a second control gp. All pts were subjected to history taking, clinical examination,laboratory investigations: CBC,LFT,KFT,ESR,CRP,ANA,Anti-dsDNA,Th9 cell expression detection by flowcytometry and serum IL9 by ELISAResults:There was no statistical difference between all gps as regards age & sex but a significant increased ESR in SLE compared to controls & T1DM p< 0.001 p=0.001Th9 expression was highly increased in SLE pts, range 0.13-4.54% & mean ±SD=1.50 ± 1.47% than both control gps. In healthy controls Th9 ranged between 0.0-1.29% with mean 0.37 ±0.52%, while in T1DM pts ranged between 0.03 to 2.13% with mean of 0.67 ± 0.59%. A high significant difference was found between SLE pts and controls p=0.001, an insignificant rise was seen in SLE pts compared to T1DM pts p=0.157. A high significant increase in Th9 was found in severe SLE: mean of 3.74 ±1.15% than in pts with mild to moderate SLE: mean 0.94±0.88% p=<0.001IL9 level was highly increased in SLE pts: mean of 42.83± 23.98 pg/ml than both control gps. In healthy controls the mean was 8.54±13.27, while in T1DM with mean of 29.17±16.09 pg/ml. A high significant difference was found between SLE pts and normal controls p<0.001 but an insignificant rise with T1DM p=0.294. A high significant increase in IL9 in pts with severe ds compared to mild to moderate pts p<0.001.A significant direct correlation between Th9 & IL9 and SLEDAI/105 A significant direct correlation between damage index and Th9 p=0.040 but not IL9 p=0.053In SLE no significant relation between Th9 or IL9 & clinical manifestations or disease duration. A direct correlations between Th9 & ESR p=0.046 and CRP p=0.025,a significant correlation between IL9 and CRP p=0.033, no correlations between Th9&IL9 level and anti-dsDNA p=0.593& 0.4 Significant direct correlation between Th9 and IL9 in T1DM pts, still no correlation with glycemic profile. IL9 levels were significantly increased in SLE with elevated CRP p=0.033 & the % of Th9 cells were increased with elevated ESR and CRP p=0.025, 0.046Conclusion:In SLE pts; IL9 level and Th9 cells expression were significantly elevated compared to healthy controls. IL9 levels and the percentages of Th9 directly correlated with the SLE disease activity. IL9 levels also were significantly increased in T1DM pts compared to controls,but they were less expressed than in SLE. This suggests an important role of IL9 in the pathogenesis AIDs as SLEReferences:[1]Tahernia L et al. Cytokines in SLE: their role in pathogenesis of disease and possible therapeutic opportunities. Rheum Res 2017Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Dopamine adjusts the circadian gene expression of Per2 and Per3 in human dermal fibroblasts from ADHD patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Faltraco ◽  
Denise Palm ◽  
Adriana Uzoni ◽  
Lena Borchert ◽  
Frederick Simon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dermal Fibroblast ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adhd Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Circadian Gene ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Circadian Preference

AbstractA link between dopamine levels, circadian gene expression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has already been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of these relationships by measuring circadian gene expression in primary human-derived dermal fibroblast cultures (HDF) after dopamine exposure. We analyzed circadian preference, behavioral circadian and sleep parameters as well as the circadian gene expression in a cohort of healthy controls and participants with ADHD. Circadian preference was evaluated with German Morningness-Eveningness-Questionnaire (D-MEQ) and rhythms of sleep/wake behavior were assessed via actigraphy. After ex vivo exposure to different dopamine concentrations in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cultures, the rhythmicity of circadian gene expression (Clock, Bmal1, Per1-3, Cry1) was analyzed via qRT-PCR. We found no statistical significant effect in the actigraphy of both groups (healthy controls, ADHD group) for mid-sleep on weekend days, mid-sleep on weekdays, social jetlag, wake after sleep onset, and total number of wake bouts. D-MEQ scores indicated that healthy controls had no evening preference, whereas subjects with ADHD displayed both definitive and moderate evening preferences. Dopamine has no effect on Per3 expression in healthy controls, but produces a significant difference in the ADHD group at ZT24 and ZT28. In the ADHD group, incubation with dopamine, either 1 µM or 10 µM, resulted in an adjustment of Per3 expression to control levels. A similar effect also was found in the expression of Per2. Statistical significant differences in the expression of Per2 (ZT4) in the control group compared to the ADHD group were found, following incubation with dopamine. The present study illustrates that dopamine impacts on circadian function. The results lead to the suggestion that dopamine may improve the sleep quality as well as ADHD symptoms by adjustment of the circadian gene expression, especially for Per2 and Per3.

scholarly journals Choroidal vascularity index in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasquale Loiudice ◽  
Marco Pellegrini ◽  
Michele Marinò ◽  
Barbara Mazzi ◽  
Ilaria Ionni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Activity Score ◽  
Enhanced Depth Imaging ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinical Activity Score ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Thyroid Associated Ophthalmopathy ◽  
Imagej Software

Abstract Background Hemodynamic changes have been observed in patients with Graves’ disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate choroidal vascular change using the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Methods In this cross-sectional observational study, 40 patients affected by TAO were recruited. Forty healthy individuals, matched for age and sex, served as controls. Foveal enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography scans were obtained from all participants. Images were binarized using the ImageJ software and luminal area (LA) and total choroidal area (TCA) were measured. CVI was calculated as the proportion of LA to TCA. The relation between CVI or subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and clinical activity score, exophthalmometric value, diplopia status, gender, and age was evaluated. Results CVI was significantly higher in patients with TAO (P = 0.004). No significant difference was observed in SFCT (P = 0.200) and TCA (P = 0.153) comparing TAO patients and healthy controls. LA was significantly higher in TAO group (P = 0.045). On multiple regression analysis, CVI was associated with TCA (P = 0.043). No association was found between SFCT or CVI and TCA, clinical activity score, exophthalmometric value, Inami value, diplopia status, gender or age (P > 0.05). Conclusions This is the first study that has demonstrated an increase in CVI in eyes with TAO compared with healthy controls and has assessed its association with clinical features.

Over-expression of IL-6 coding gene in the peripheral blood of migraine with aura patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Mahdi Ramezani ◽  
Alireza Komaki ◽  
Mohammad Mahdi Eftekharian ◽  
Mehrdokht Mazdeh ◽  
Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
Keyword(s):  
Migraine With Aura ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
P Value ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Over Expression ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Years Lived With Disability

Migraine is a common disorder which is placed among the top ten reasons of years lived with disability. Cytokines are among the molecules that contribute in the pathophysiology of migraine. In the current study, we evaluated expression levels of IL-6 coding gene in the peripheral blood of 120 migraine patients (54 migraine without aura and 66 migraine with aura patients) and 40 healthy subjects. No significant difference was detected in expression of IL-6 between total migraine patients and healthy controls (Posterior beta = 0.253, P value = 0.199). The interaction effect between gender and group was significant (Posterior beta =-1.274, P value = 0.011), therefore, we conducted subgroup analysis within gender group. Such analysis revealed that while expression of this gene is not different between male patients and male controls (Posterior beta =-0.371, P value > 0.999), it was significantly over-expressed in female patients compared with female controls (Posterior beta = 0.86, P= 0.002). Expression of IL-6 was significantly higher in patients with aura compared with controls (Posterior beta = 0.63, adjusted P value = 0.019). However, expression of this cytokine coding gene was not different between patients without aura and healthy subjects (Posterior beta = 0.193, adjusted P value = 0.281). Therefore, IL-6 might be involved in the pathophysiology of migraine among females and migraine with aura among both sexes.

Role of Cord Blood Carboxyhemoglobin in Detecting Significant Hyperbilirubinemia in Term Neonates with ABO Alloimmunization

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahir Tıraş ◽  
Emrah Can ◽  
Şahin Hamilçıkan
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Total Serum ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Term Neonates ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Positive Direct ◽  
Severe Hyperbilirubinemia

Objective This study aimed to assess whether cord blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels in jaundiced term neonates with and without a positive direct Coombs test (DCT) and in healthy controls could be used as a predictor of severe hyperbilirubinemia. The percentage of cord blood COHb should be higher among neonates with Coombs-positive ABO hemolytic disease than among those with Coombs-negative ABO incompatibility and higher than that of ABO-compatible control neonates. Study Design This cross-sectional descriptive study of 198 term neonates comprised three subgroups: group I featured 68 DCT-positive ABO-incompatible neonates (ABO + DCT), group II featured 60 DCT-negative ABO-incompatible neonates with hyperbilirubinemia (ABO–DCT), and group III featured 70 healthy controls. COHb was determined by an OSM3 hemoximeter. Results Group I differed from groups II and III for cord blood bilirubin, cord blood hemoglobin, and cord blood hematocrit. Groups I and II had higher mean total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels than group III, while there was no difference in the mean TSB levels between groups I and II. There was no significant difference between the COHb group means for groups I, II, and III (p = 0.98). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve calculated for group I/group III and group II/group III were found to be 0.62 and 0.54, respectively. Conclusion COHb levels did not prove to be superior to the DCT for predicting the risk of developing severe hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates. Key Points

scholarly journals Decision making under ambiguity and risk in adolescent-onset schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dandan Li ◽  
Fengyan Zhang ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Yifan Zhang ◽  
Tingting Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Iowa Gambling Task ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Syndrome Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Abnormal Pattern ◽  
Negative Syndrome ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objective Numerous studies have identified impaired decision making (DM) under both ambiguity and risk in adult patients with schizophrenia. However, the assessment of DM in patients with adolescent-onset schizophrenia (AOS) has been challenging as a result of the instability and heterogeneity of manifestations. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Game of Dice Task (GDT), which are frequently used to evaluate DM respectively under ambiguity and risk, are sensitive to adolescents and neuropsychiatric patients. Our research intended to examine the performance of DM in a relatively large sample of patients with AOS using the above-mentioned two tasks. We also aimed to take a closer look at the relationship between DM and symptom severity of schizophrenia. Methods We compared the performance of DM in 71 patients with AOS and 53 well-matched healthy controls using IGT for DM under ambiguity and GDT for DM under risk through net scores, total scores and feedback ration. Neuropsychological tests were conducted in all participants. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in 71 patients with AOS. Pearson’s correlation revealed the relationship among total score of DM and clinical and neuropsychological data. Results Compared to healthy controls, patients with AOS failed to show learning effect and had a significant difference on the 5th block in IGT and conducted more disadvantageous choices as well as exhibited worse negative feedback rate in GDT. Apart from DM impairment under risk, diminished DM abilities under ambiguity were found related to poor executive function in AOS in the present study. Conclusions Our findings unveiled the abnormal pattern of DM in AOS, mainly reflected under the risky condition, extending the knowledge on the performance of DM under ambiguity and risk in AOS. Inefficient DM under risk may account for the lagging impulse control and the combined effects of developmental disease. In addition, our study demonstrated that the performance on IGT was related to executive function in AOS.

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