scholarly journals Visual snow syndrome

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. e564-e574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Puledda ◽  
Christoph Schankin ◽  
Peter J. Goadsby
Keyword(s):  
Latent Class ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Visual Symptoms ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Psychotropic Substances ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Degrees Of Severity ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Perception Disorder ◽  
Clinical Continuum

ObjectiveTo validate the current criteria of visual snow and to describe its common phenotype using a substantial clinical database.MethodsWe performed a web-based survey of patients with self-assessed visual snow (n = 1,104), with either the complete visual snow syndrome (n = 1,061) or visual snow without the syndrome (n = 43). We also describe a population of patients (n = 70) with possible hallucinogen persisting perception disorder who presented clinically with visual snow syndrome.ResultsThe visual snow population had an average age of 29 years and had no sex prevalence. The disorder usually started in early life, and ≈40% of patients had symptoms for as long as they could remember. The most commonly experienced static was black and white. Floaters, afterimages, and photophobia were the most reported additional visual symptoms. A latent class analysis showed that visual snow does not present with specific clinical endophenotypes. Severity can be classified by the amount of visual symptoms experienced. Migraine and tinnitus had a very high prevalence and were independently associated with a more severe presentation of the syndrome.ConclusionsClinical characteristics of visual snow did not differ from the previous cohort in the literature, supporting validity of the current criteria. Visual snow likely represents a clinical continuum, with different degrees of severity. On the severe end of the spectrum, it is more likely to present with its common comorbid conditions, migraine and tinnitus. Visual snow does not depend on the effect of psychotropic substances on the brain.

Types of refractive errors and methods for their diagnosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
Olga Lemzyakova
Keyword(s):  
Optical System ◽  
Contact Lenses ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Vision Correction ◽  
Light Rays ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Degrees Of Severity ◽  
The Brain

Refraction of the eye means its ability to bend (refract) light in its own optical system. In a normal state, which is called emmetropia, light rays passing through the optical system of the eye focus on the retina, from where the impulse is transmitted to the visual cortex of the brain and is analyzed there. A person sees equally well both in the distance and near in this situation. However, very often, refractive errors develop as a result of various types of influences. Myopia, or short-sightedness, occurs when the light rays are focused in front of the retina as a result of passing through the optical system of the eye. In this case, a person will clearly distinguish close objects and have difficulties in seeing distant objects. On the opposite side is development of farsightedness (hypermetropia), in which the focusing of light rays occurs behind the retina — such a person sees distant objects clearly, but outlines of closer objects are out of focus. Near vision impairment in old age is a natural process called presbyopia, it develops due to the lens thickening. Both myopia and hypermetropia can have different degrees of severity. The variant, when different refractive errors are observed in different eyes, is called anisometropia. In the same case, if different types of refraction are observed in the same eye, it is astigmatism, and most often it is a congenital pathology. Almost all of the above mentioned refractive errors require correction with spectacles or use of contact lenses. Recently, people are increasingly resorting to the methods of surgical vision correction.

scholarly journals A Web-Based Rendering Application for Communicating Dental Conditions

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 960
Author(s):  
Hudson D. Spangler ◽  
Miguel A. Simancas-Pallares ◽  
Jeannie Ginnis ◽  
Andrea G. Ferreira Zandoná ◽  
Jeff Roach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Tooth Surface ◽  
Caries Experience ◽  
Visual Aids ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Surface Level ◽  
Ceramic Crowns ◽  
Dental Conditions

The importance of visual aids in communicating clinical examination findings or proposed treatments in dentistry cannot be overstated. Similarly, communicating dental research results with tooth surface-level precision is impractical without visual representations. Here, we present the development, deployment, and two real-life applications of a web-based data visualization informatics pipeline that converts tooth surface-level information to colorized, three-dimensional renderings. The core of the informatics pipeline focuses on texture (UV) mapping of a pre-existing model of the human primary dentition. The 88 individually segmented tooth surfaces receive independent inputs that are represented in colors and textures according to customizable user specifications. The web implementation SculptorHD, deployed on the Google Cloud Platform, can accommodate manually entered or spreadsheet-formatted tooth surface data and allows the customization of color palettes and thresholds, as well as surface textures (e.g., condition-free, caries lesions, stainless steel, or ceramic crowns). Its current implementation enabled the visualization and interpretation of clinical early childhood caries (ECC) subtypes using latent class analysis-derived caries experience summary data. As a demonstration of its potential clinical utility, the tool was also used to simulate the restorative treatment presentation of a severe ECC case, including the use of stainless steel and ceramic crowns. We expect that this publicly available web-based tool can aid clinicians and investigators deliver precise, visual presentations of dental conditions and proposed treatments. The creation of rapidly adjustable lifelike dental models, integrated to existing electronic health records and responsive to new clinical findings or planned for future work, is likely to boost two-way communication between clinicians and their patients.

scholarly journals The "selfish brain" hypothesis for metabolic abnormalities in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Barbachan Mansur ◽  
Elisa Brietzke
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Energy Supply ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Metabolic Abnormalities ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Brain Theory ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Brain Energy

Metabolic abnormalities are frequent in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BD), leading to a high prevalence of diabetes and metabolic syndrome in this population. Moreover, mortality rates among patients are higher than in the general population, especially due to cardiovascular diseases. Several neurobiological systems involved in energy metabolism have been shown to be altered in both illnesses; however, the cause of metabolic abnormalities and how they relate to schizophrenia and BD pathophysiology are still largely unknown. The "selfish brain" theory is a recent paradigm postulating that, in order to maintain its own energy supply stable, the brain modulates energy metabolism in the periphery by regulation of both allocation and intake of nutrients. We hypothesize that the metabolic alterations observed in these disorders are a result of an inefficient regulation of the brain energy supply and its compensatory mechanisms. The selfish brain theory can also expand our understanding of stress adaptation and neuroprogression in schizophrenia and BD, and, overall, can have important clinical implications for both illnesses.

scholarly journals Edentulism, Severe Tooth Loss and Lack of Functional Dentition in Elders: A Study in Southern Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Garcez Ribeiro ◽  
Andreia Morales Cascaes ◽  
Alexandre Emídio Ribeiro Silva ◽  
Lenise Menezes Seerig ◽  
Gustavo Giacomelli Nascimento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tooth Loss ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Prosthetic Rehabilitation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Functional Dentition ◽  
Prevalence Ratios ◽  
Degrees Of Severity

Abstract The aim of this study was to estimate self-reported prevalence of edentulism, severe tooth loss and lack of functional dentition in elders, and to identify potential associated factors. A population based cross-sectional study was carried out with 1,451 elders (≥60 years), in Pelotas, RS, Brazil. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated using Poisson regressions. The prevalence of edentulism, severe tooth loss and lack of functional dentition was 39.3%, 60.9% and 82.7%, respectively. The factors positively associated with tooth loss in the three-degree severity were sex (females), older individuals, low familial income, low level of schooling and having the last dental visit longer than 24 months ago. The high prevalence of tooth loss in its different degrees of severity and the association with preventable factors highlight the need of programs focused on elders, emphasizing the prevention of tooth loss and need for prosthetic rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Sport-related concussions

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Natuline Ianof ◽  
Fabio Rios Freire ◽  
Vanessa Tomé Gonçalves Calado ◽  
Juliana Rhein Lacerda ◽  
Fernanda Coelho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
American Football ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Biomechanical Forces ◽  
The Brain

ABSTRACT Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of lifelong disability and death worldwide. Sport-related traumatic brain injury is an important public health concern. The purpose of this review was to highlight the importance of sport-related concussions. Concussion refers to a transient alteration in consciousness induced by external biomechanical forces transmitted directly or indirectly to the brain. It is a common, although most likely underreported, condition. Contact sports such as American football, rugby, soccer, boxing, basketball and hockey are associated with a relatively high prevalence of concussion. Various factors may be associated with a greater risk of sport-related concussion, such as age, sex, sport played, level of sport played and equipment used. Physical complaints (headache, fatigue, dizziness), behavioral changes (depression, anxiety, irritability) and cognitive impairment are very common after a concussion. The risk of premature return to activities includes the prolongation of post-concussive symptoms and increased risk of concussion recurrence.

scholarly journals Knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy among pharmacy students from Mumbai university

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 2578
Author(s):  
Dnyanesh Limaye ◽  
Omkar Deshpande ◽  
Pratik Gite ◽  
Sushil Chavan ◽  
Arlan Sydymanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Chronic Disorder ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude ◽  
Hereditary Nature ◽  
The Brain

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects people worldwide. The overall prevalence (3.0-11.9 / 1,000) and incidence (0.2-0.6/1,000) of epilepsy in India are comparable to the rates of high-income countries. The high prevalence of negative attitudes towards epilepsy has been highlighted by several studies. Pharmacy students represent a better-educated section of society regarding drugs and have the potential to create awareness, and influence attitudes towards the disease. Thus, it is important that they have the appropriate and updated knowledge and appropriate attitude towards epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs. Objective of the present study was to determine the Mumbai University pharmacy student’s awareness about epilepsy, so as to know the kind of education and awareness strategies that would be applicable to them.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among students from Mumbai University, India during May-June 2017. Two hundred and fifty students were approached to participate in the study of which 213 agreed to participate (males: 107; females: 106). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.Results: Response rate for this study was 85.2% (213/250). Ninety six percent (204/213) of the participants had heard or read about epilepsy. Overall knowledge was poor (40.2%) and attitude was fair (75.3%). None of the participants were aware about recent research regarding hereditary nature of epilepsy. Only 2 (0.98%) students were aware how to perform the first aid in epilepsy. Only 6.8% participants felt that epileptics should participate in sports.Conclusions: The findings of this study show that, even with extensive curriculum covering diseases, drugs and relevant laws of land, the knowledge and attitude scores were low. There is a need to have focused education and campaigns to increase the knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy.

scholarly journals Language impairments in ASD resulting from a failed domestication of the human brain

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Benítez-Burraco ◽  
Wanda Lattanzi ◽  
Elliot Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Human Brain ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Domestication Syndrome ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Brain

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders entailing social and cognitive deficits, including marked problems with language. Numerous genes have been associated with ASD, but it is unclear how language deficits arise from gene mutation or dysregulation. It is also unclear why ASD shows such high prevalence within human populations. Interestingly, the emergence of a modern faculty of language has been hypothesised to be linked to changes in the human brain/skull, but also to the process of self-domestication of the human species. It is our intention to show that people with ASD exhibit less marked domesticated traits at the morphological, physiological, and behavioural levels. We also discuss many ASD candidates represented among the genes known to be involved in the domestication syndrome (the constellation of traits exhibited by domesticated mammals, which seemingly results from the hypofunction of the neural crest) and among the set of genes involved in language function closely connected to them. Moreover, many of these genes show altered expression profiles in the brain of autists. In addition, some candidates for domestication and language-readiness show the same expression profile in people with ASD and chimps in different brain areas involved in language processing. Similarities regarding the brain oscillatory behaviour of these areas can be expected too. We conclude that ASD may represent an abnormal ontogenetic itinerary for the human faculty of language resulting in part from changes in genes important for the domestication syndrome and, ultimately, from the normal functioning of the neural crest.

scholarly journals Health-risk behaviors among Iranian university students, 2019: a web-based survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Shekari ◽  
Peyman Habibi ◽  
Haidar Nadrian ◽  
Asghar Mohammadpoorasl
Keyword(s):  
Substance Abuse ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
High Risk Behaviors ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Risk Class

Abstract Background High-risk behaviors are among the most serious threats for the physical and mental health of adolescents and young adults. Our aims in this study were to investigate the subgroups of students based on risky behaviors and to identify the prevalence rate of these subgroups. Methods This cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted from July to August 2019 in Tabriz, Iran. We performed proportional sampling in all nine universities of the city, according to the number of students in each university. Applying an online survey questionnaire, the data were collected from 3649 students and analyzed using Latent Class Analysis. Results For total sample, standardized prevalence rates of cigarette smoking, hookah use, alcohol consumption, substance abuse and unsafe sex were 18.5 (Confidence Interval (CI) 95%: 17.3–19.8), 9.1 (CI 95%: 8.2–10.1), 9.2 (CI 95%: 8.3–10.2), 8.3 (CI 95%: 7.4–9.3) and 14.5 (CI 95%: 13.3–15.7), respectively. Three latent classes of risky behaviors were determined among students: a) low risk b) smoking and c) high risk. About 18% of boys and 1.5% of girls were in the high risk class. Cigarette smoking (18.5%, CI 95%: 17.3–19.8) and substance abuse (8.3%, CI 95%: 7.4–9.3) were the most and the least common risky behaviors among the students. Conclusion In this we-based survey, a considerable number of students, particularly boys (18%), was at high-risk class, stressing the need for preventive interventions for this group of youth. Our findings are beneficial for planning and development of risky-behavior preventive strategies to prevent high-risk behaviors among college students.

scholarly journals Study of SNP 775C>T polymorphism within the bovine ITGB2 gene in Polish Black-and-White cattle and in local breeds of cattle

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 57-61
Author(s):  
U. Czarnik ◽  
M. Galiński ◽  
T. Zabolewicz ◽  
Ch.S. Pareek
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resource ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Cattle Population ◽  
Black And White ◽  
International Programme ◽  
Diversity Preservation ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
White Cattle ◽  
Resource Diversity ◽  
I Gene

The present study addresses the characteristics of the frequency and segregation of alleles determining the SNP 775C>T polymorphism within the bovine <i>ITGB2</i> gene in the Black-and-White cattle population as well as in two endemic breeds of Polish Red and Polish White-Back cattle population qualified to the international programme of genetic resource diversity preservation in farm animals. The SNP 775C>T polymorphism revealed three amplified restriction fragments of 31 bp, 77 bp and 108 bp, forming three genotypes <i>CC</i> (31 bp, 77 bp), <i>CT</i> (31 bp, 77 bp, 108 bp) and <i>TT</i> (108 bp). A group of randomly selected Black-and-White cows was characterized by a negligible percentage of homozygous genotypes <i>TT</i> (5.1%) and by a prevailing percentage of heterozygous <i>CT</i> (60.1%) and homozygous <i>CC</i> (34.8%). In contrast, the between breeds analysis revealed that cows involved in the programme of genetic diversity preservation had a high prevalence of homozygotes <i>CC</i> (Polish Red &minus; 55.9%, Polish White-Back &minus; 60.0%), and a low percentage of homozygotes <i>TT</i> (Polish Red &minus; 8.8%, Polish White-Back &minus; 5.7%) in comparison with the Black-and-White cattle population. The degree of homozygosity in groups of Polish White-Back cows (65.7%) and Polish Red cows (64.7%) was remarkably higher than that of the Black-and-White cows (39.9%).

Classification of multiple sclerosis patients by latent class analysis of magnetic resonance imaging characteristics

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 565-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
J NP Zwemmer ◽  
J Berkhof ◽  
J A Castelijns ◽  
F Barkhof ◽  
C H Polman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Disease Characteristics ◽  
Mri Characteristics ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Laboratory Measures

Background Disease heterogeneity is a major issue in multiple sclerosis (MS). Classification of MS patients is usually based on clinical characteristics. More recently, a pathological classification has been presented. While clinical subtypes differ by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signature on a group level, a classification of individual MS patients based purely on MRI characteristics has not been presented so far. Objectives To investigate whether a restricted classification of MS patients can be made based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative MRI characteristics and to test whether the resulting subgroups are associated with clinical and laboratory characteristics. Methods MRI examinations of the brain and spinal cord of 50 patients were scored for 21 quantitative and qualitative characteristics. Using latent class analysis, subgroups were identified, for whom disease characteristics and laboratory measures were compared. Results Latent class analysis revealed two subgroups that mainly differed in the extent of lesion confluency and MRI correlates of neuronal loss in the brain. Demographics and disease characteristics were comparable except for cognitive deficits. No correlations with laboratory measures were found. Conclusions Latent class analysis offers a feasible approach for classifying subgroups of MS patients based on the presence of MRI characteristics. The reproducibility, longitudinal evolution and further clinical or prognostic relevance of the observed classification will have to be explored in a larger and independent sample of patients.

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