scholarly journals Foetal brain development in offspring of women with psychosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 190 (5) ◽  
pp. 445-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary C. Clarke ◽  
Mary Cannon ◽  
Matthew Hogg ◽  
Maureen N. Marks ◽  
Sue Conroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Development ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Ventricular Enlargement ◽  
Prenatal Ultrasonography ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Cortical Volume ◽  
Foetal Brain ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Control

SummaryCerebral ventricular enlargement and reduced cortical volume are correlates of chronic schizophrenia. We investigated whether genetic risk for psychosis is related to differences in foetal brain development as measured by prenatal ultrasonography. Routine foetal cerebral measures at 19–23 weeks of gestation were compared between the offspring of 35 women with a history of psychosis and 105 control women matched for gestational age. Overall, no significant differences were found between the high-risk and control groups. There was a non-significant trend in the adjusted analysis towards increased lateral ventricular width in the offspring of mothers with psychosis.

scholarly journals Human Milk output among mothers previously treated for severe acute malnutrition in childhood in Democratic Republic of Congo

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Chimanuka Murhima’Alika ◽  
Ghislain Maheshe Balemba ◽  
Pacifique Mwene-Batu Lyabayungu ◽  
Guy Mulinganya Mulume’oderhwa ◽  
Grace Munthali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Milk Output ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Malnutrition is a public health problem, as wasting affects 7.5% of children worldwide. The harmful effects of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) can last a lifetime, but how SAM in childhood affects later breastfeeding ability is not clear. In the present study, we assessed the human milk output and body composition among mothers with a history of childhood SAM. Methods This retrospective cohort study was carried out in Miti-Murhesa Health Zone (Democratic Republic of Congo) from January 15 to March 17, 2020. We selected lactating mothers with breastfed infants aged 2–12 months. Two categories of mothers were included: those who had been treated for SAM during their childhood (years 1988–2003; n = 39) and a community control with no history of SAM (n = 40). The weight, height, and mid-upper arm circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated as weight/height2. Body composition and human milk output were assessed using standard deuterium dilution methods. Student t and chi2 tests ware applied to compare two groups. Results The mean age ± standard deviation of the mothers was 24.4 ± 5.1 and 26.0 ± 6.1 years for the SAM and control groups, respectively (p = 0.186). The age of their infants was 5.4 ± 2.3 months in both groups (p = 0.962). In the SAM and control groups, the mean maternal BMI was 23.8 ± 2.3 and 23.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2 (p = 0.849), mean Fat Mass 27.1% ± 5.0 and 27.1% ± 5.8% (p = 0.708), and the mean Fat Free mass 72.9% ± 5.0 and 72.9% ± 5.8% (p = 0.998), respectively. Human milk output was 833.7 ± 152.1 g/d in SAM group and 827.4 ± 171.4 g/d in the control group (p = 0.864). Conclusions We found no significant difference in human milk output and body composition in mothers treated for SAM during childhood compared to community controls.

scholarly journals Olfactory Dysfunction in β Thalassemia Major Patients Treated With Iron-Chelating Agents

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. NP125-NP130
Author(s):  
Serhan Derin ◽  
Selvet Erdogan ◽  
Murat Sahan ◽  
Mehmet Fatih Azik ◽  
Hatice Derin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chelating Agents ◽  
Thalassemia Major ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Facial Trauma ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Control ◽  
Iron Chelating Agents

Ocular and ophthalmological adverse effects may be seen in β-thalassemia major (BTM) patients treated with regular blood transfusions and iron-chelating agents. We hypothesized that olfactory dysfunction may be present in this population. In this study, we aimed to investigate olfactory dysfunction in patients with BTM and determine the etiological factors. A total of 43 patients with BTM were included in the study. Forty-three patients without any nasal complaints, history of facial trauma, or nasal surgery were included as the controls. All participants had nasal endoscopy. The iron-chelating agents used, their duration of use, as well as hemoglobin and ferritin levels of the BTM patients were recorded. Sniffin’ Sticks test (SST) was used to assess olfactory functions, and BTM and control groups were compared for the results. The correlations of SST scores with the other study parameters were analyzed. Eight (18.6%) of 43 patients in the BTM group had hyposmia while none of the patients in the control group had hyposmia ( P < .001). Older age, low-hemoglobin level, and longer use of deferoxamine were found to be correlated with olfactory dysfunction. Olfactory dysfunction may be seen in BTM patients treated with iron-chelating agents. The results of this study suggest that screening for olfactory function may be needed in routine follow-up of BTM patients.

Cognitive Function is not Impaired in People with a Long History of Migraine: A Blinded Study

Cephalalgia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Pearson ◽  
EP Chronicle ◽  
EA Maylor ◽  
LAM Bruce
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Tests ◽  
Spatial Problem ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Blinded Study ◽  
Visual Tasks ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Control

Little is known about the long-term consequences of migraine for cognitive functioning. This study compared older migraine patients with matched controls on four measures of cognitive ability, in a blinded design. Migraine patients and case-matched controls were recruited from the database records of a pre-existing study of ageing. Data were available from four tests of cognitive ability: verbal/arithmetic problem solving, spatial problem solving, processing speed, and vocabulary. There were no significant differences between the mean scores of migraine and control groups on any of the four cognitive tests. In addition, there were no significant differences between migraine and control groups in the effect of age on any of the four tests. A long history of migraine does not compromise scores on the four cognitive tests used in this study. These tests are predictive of memory and executive functioning in cognitive ageing, but it remains possible that lower-level cognitive processes, particularly as assessed by visual tasks, may be vulnerable to migraine.

Cerebral Ventricular Enlargement in Chronic Schizophrenia: Consistencies and Contradictions

1987 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Farmer ◽  
R. Jackson ◽  
P. McGuffin ◽  
P. Storey
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Ventricular Enlargement ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenics ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of ◽  
Paranoid Symptoms ◽  
Operational Criteria ◽  
First Rank Symptoms

A study of cerebral ventricular size measured as ventricle to brain ratio (VBR) using computerised tomographic brain scan in chronic schizophrenics provided no support for suggestions that there are significant differences between patients who fall into different clinical subtypes. We found no significant difference in VBR between patients with and without a family history of schizophrenia or between those with or without paranoid symptoms. Applying Crow's classification, contrary to expectations, Type 1 patients had significantly larger ventricles than those with ‘mixed’ symptomatology (both Type 1 and Type 2 features). We also applied a variety of operational criteria which attempt to define schizophrenia as a whole: of these only Schneider's first-rank symptoms (FRS) yielded conclusive results - FRS-positive patients had significantly larger mean VBR than those without such symptoms. Previously, it has been suggested that ventricular enlargement is more closely associated with ‘negative’ than with ‘positive’ symptoms.

scholarly journals Chronic Neurophysiological Effects of Repeated Head Trauma in Retired Australian Male Sport Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Pearce ◽  
Dawson J. Kidgell ◽  
Mark A. Tommerdahl ◽  
Ashlyn K. Frazer ◽  
Billymo Rist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Head Trauma ◽  
Intracortical Inhibition ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vibrotactile Stimulation ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Contact Sport ◽  
Contact Sports ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Control

Aim: This study investigated the somatosensory and corticomotor physiology of retired contact sport athletes with a history of repeated concussion/subconcussion head trauma.Methods: Retired male athletes with a history of playing contact sports and repeated head trauma (n = 122) were divided into two groups: those who expressed concerns regarding their mental and cognitive health (“symptomatic”: n = 83), and those who did not express any ongoing concerns (“asymptomatic”: n = 39). Both groups were compared to age-matched male controls (n = 50) with no history of concussions or participation in contact sports, an absence of self-reported cognitive, or mood impairments. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vibrotactile stimulation were used to assess corticomotor and somatosensory pathways respectively. TMS and vibrotactile stimulation were correlated to self-reported responses using the Fatigue and Related Symptom Survey. Linear regression was used to associate concussion history with TMS, somatosensory variables.Results: Significant differences were found in symptom survey scores between all groups (p &lt; 0.001). TMS showed significant differences between the “symptomatic” and control groups for intracortical inhibition and paired pulse TMS measures. Somatosensory measures showed significant differences for reaction time (p &lt; 0.01) and reaction time variability (p &lt; 0.01) between the “symptomatic” group to the “asymptomatic” and control groups. For other somatosensory measures, the “symptomatic” measures showed differences to the “control” group. Correlations showed significant associations between severity of symptom reporting with TMS and somatosensory measure, and regression revealed the number of concussions reported was shown to have significant relationships to increased intracortical inhibition and poorer somatosensory performance.Conclusion: This study shows that retired contact sport athletes expressing chronic symptoms showed significant pathophysiology compared to those with no ongoing concerns and non-concussed controls. Further, there is a linear dose-response relationship between number of reported concussions and abnormal neurophysiology. Neurophysiological assessments such as TMS and somatosensory measures represent useful and objective biomarkers to assess cortical impairments and progression of neuropsychological impairment in individuals with a history of repeated head trauma.

scholarly journals Plantar Fasciitis Risk Factorsin Normal Population

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-430
Author(s):  
Hadi Ghotbi Joshvaghan ◽  
Farzad Omidi-Kashani
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Plantar Fasciitis ◽  
Normal Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Orthopedic Surgeon ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Bony Spur

Conservative treatments results for plantar fasciitis patients are inconsistent and therefore manipulating risk factors could be the best option for this disease. To determine risk factors of plantar fasciitis. In a retrospective study, all patients who had plantar fasciitis were enrolled and were compared to control group on their demographic characteristics. The angle of dorsi-flexion was recorded by examination of orthopedic surgeon, history of pregnancy and time of standing in one day. Plantar curvature was measured by orthopedic surgeon. Female sex percentage was significantly higher in PF group than male sex (p=0.007), but the difference in sex was not significant between PF and control groups (p=0.22). Body mass index (BMI) above 30 was significantly higher in PF group compare to control group (p=0.013). Presence of bony spur was significantly higher in PF group compare to control group (p=0.03). There were significant differences in foot curve degree in patients between PF and control groups (p=0.037). Odds ratio (OR) of plantar fasciitis was 1.65 times in patients with bony spur. History of pregnancy increase OR of plantar fasciitis 1.37 times (OR:1.37; 95% CI:1.20-1.82, p=0.017). Plantar fasciitis is associated with higher BMI, pregnancy, bony spur and foot curve cavus. However, it seems that a predisposing foot structural factor should also be accompanied with these risk factors.

scholarly journals Association among Thyroid Dysfunction, Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis and Eczema in Children with Alopecia Areata

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Ghaffari ◽  
Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni ◽  
Armaghan Kazeminejad ◽  
Hosein Abedi
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Case Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata is a non-scarring hair loss, which typically starts quickly. Atopy is one of the possible predisposing risk factors for this condition.AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid disease, atopic dermatitis and allergic diseases in children with alopecia areata and compare the results with healthy individuals.METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 50 patients with alopecia areata, diagnosed by a dermatologist, and 150 healthy individuals as the control group. Participants filled the questionnaires, and necessary tests were performed.RESULTS: In this study, the mean age of the participants was 2.55 ± 14.26 and 3.19 ± 11.92 in the case and control groups, respectively. Prevalence of asthma was 22% in the case group and 12.5% in control group (P = 0.109). Also, allergic rhinitis and eczema were observed in 20% and 22% of the subjects of the case group, whereas they were reported to be 8% and 10% in the control group (PV = 0.03 and 0.175, respectively). Moreover, 28% and 8% of the participants in the case and control groups had a family history of atopy and allergic disorders, respectively (P = 0.046). A significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding gender, type of delivery and contact with animals.CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, a significant association was observed between the prevalence of alopecia areata and atopic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and history of atopic dermatitis.

Abstract 3048: A Prospective Randomized Trial of Blood B-type Natriuretic Peptide Levels Informing Management after Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Deliri ◽  
Elaine Davis ◽  
Casey S Hager ◽  
Christine A Welch ◽  
Firasat S Malik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Natriuretic Peptide ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Bypass Grafting ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Control

Background: Measuring B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels is valuable in diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of patients with congestive heart failure. Hypothesis: Knowledge of peri-operative levels of BNP by physicians in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) influences care processes and clinical outcomes. Methods: Patients undergoing CABG between the ages of 18 –79, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 40%, serum creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dl, and without a history of myocardial infarction within six months or a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) at any time were eligible for this prospective randomized trial. Of 150 patients recruited, 75 were randomized to BNP-informed group with levels obtained immediately before surgery, 12, and 72 hours post-operatively. The remaining 75 patients were in a control group and had no routine BNP measurements. Cardiovascular surgeons and cardiologists were presented the BNP results and encouraged to integrate them into clinical decision making. Clinical outcomes were pre-specified as initial hours of post-operative ventilation, re-intubation, weight change from baseline, creatinine change from baseline, occurrence of post-operative AF, post-operative hospital length-of-stay, in-hospital mortality, and re-admission during the first 30 days after discharge. Results: Both groups were similar in age, BMI, LVEF, pump time, use of intra-aortic balloon pump or inotropes, and prophylactic beta-clocker or amiodarone. The mean BNP values were 63.7±91.4, 131.3±103.4, 315.6±238.4 pg/ml at baseline, 12 and 72 hours after CABG. The rates of post-operative AF were 5/75 (6.7%) and 15/75 (20.0%), in the BNP-informed and control groups, respectively, p=0.02. The median surgery-to-discharge length-of-stays were 5.8±1.8 days and 6.6± 2.5 days respectively, in the BNP-informed and control groups, p = 0.04. There was no difference between the groups in regards to other pre-specified outcomes. Conclusion: Provision of peri-operative BNP values to cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiologists caring for patients after CABG reduces the occurrence of post-operative AF, and shortens the post-operative length-of-stay.

P4415Long obstructive sleep apneas as a biomarker of atrial fibrillation

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Allam ◽  
P Reddy ◽  
E Valladares ◽  
T Hammond ◽  
V Grbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Apnea Hypopnea Index ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Control ◽  
Obstructive Sleep Apneas

Abstract Background Even though obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is strongly associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), the use of traditional OSA scoring by apnea hypopnea index (AHI) did not result in improved arrhythmia outcomes in recent randomized trials. Longer OSA episodes lead to stronger pro-arrhythmic changes, and whether very long OSA episodes are more prevalent in AF patients remains unknown. Purpose We hypothesized that AF patients with mild-moderate OSA manifest greater percentage of long (>20s), very long (>30s), and extremely long (>40s) OSA episodes, compared to control OSA patients matched to AHI, age and sex. Methods From patients studied with diagnostic polysomnography in our laboratory between 2016 and 2018, we selected 22 patients with mild-moderate untreated OSA of which 11 patients had history of paroxysmal AF and 11 patients did not have any cardiac history. The length, oxygen desaturation, and relationship to neighboring events was manually re-measured in all recorded apnea and hypopnea events. Results In the 22 included patients (age 62.5±9.1 years, AHI 12.8±6.1, 40% female) we recorded 1021 apneas: 508 in the AF group and 513 in the control group. AF patients had longer apneas compared to the patients without AF history (mean length 28.7±11.7s vs. 23.3±9.9s; p<0.0001). The proportion of apneas that were long (>20s), very long (>30s), and extremely long (>40s) was greater in the AF group as compared to the control (p=0.0039, p=0.0215, p=0.0104, respectively; see figure). The acute oxygen saturation drops (>2%) during apneas were comparable between the AF group and control groups (p=0.13), but the long (>20s) apneas were prone to greater oxygen desaturations. Length of Apneas Conclusions While traditional scoring of OSA focuses on episodes lasting >10s, our data newly show that longer durations of OSA events are particularly prevalent in AF patients. These results, combined with recent mechanistic studies showing that longer apneas exert greater pro-arrhythmic effect on atrial conduction, suggest that novel scoring of OSA placing more weight on longer apneas should be explored, especially when screening and titrating OSA therapy in patients at risk of AF.

scholarly journals Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Body Weight Parameters in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-Yi Ching ◽  
Shang-Liang Wu ◽  
Wen-Chi Chen ◽  
Ching-Liang Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Body Fat Percentage ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Body Weight Reduction ◽  
Auricular Acupressure ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Psychiatric Center

Auricular acupressure is widely used in complementary and alternative medicine to reduce body weight, but little is known about the effects of auricular acupressure on body weight parameters in patients with chronic schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of auricular acupressure on body weight parameters in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Eighty-six inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited from chronic wards in a psychiatric center. The participants were randomly divided into experimental (acupressure at 4 acupuncture sites: hunger, stomach, shenmen and endocrine) and control groups, and body weight parameters were determined weekly for 8 weeks. There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in mean body weight, waist circumference, or body fat percentage at the pretest or during the entire 8-week study period. Therefore, auricular acupressure did not cause body weight reduction in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

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