scholarly journals Comparing oculomotor efficiency and visual attention between drivers and non-drivers through the Adult Developmental Eye Movement (ADEM) test: A visual-verbal test

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246606
Author(s):  
Andrés Gené-Sampedro ◽  
Francisco Alonso ◽  
Celia Sánchez-Ramos ◽  
Sergio A. Useche

Objective The objective of this study was to assess and compare drivers’ and non-drivers’ outcomes in the Adult Developmental Eye Movement test (ADEM), a visual-verbal test that measures the time needed to read series of numbers in both a vertical and horizontal reading pattern. A set of driving parameters (i.e., experience, risk exposure, and day and night perceived difficulty) and demographic variables (i.e., age, gender, and academic level) were considered as potential predictors of the test performance. Methods For this cross-sectional study, 302 healthy subjects (age range 20 to 86 years old) completed a self-reported questionnaire aimed at retrieving data on the independent variables, and underwent the ADEM in order to obtain the dependent outcomes. 214 (70.9%) of the participants were drivers. Non-parametric analyses and multilevel linear regression were used to assess differences between the variables and a prediction model. Also, some correlations were evaluated through the Spearman test. Results Drivers showed significantly better test performance than non-drivers. The age, driving experience, and perceived difficulty in driving at night were obtained as potential predictors of the test performance with the applied linear regression model. Conclusion The ADEM may be a practical, non-expensive, easy-to-apply tool in the assessment of drivers, useful for obtaining or renewing the driving license. This test may help in the detection of impairments in the saccadic efficiency that could have a detrimental effect on the driving performance.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Ivan Gamez-Nava ◽  
Valeria Diaz-Rizo ◽  
Edsaul Emilio Perez-Guerrero ◽  
Jose Francisco Muñoz-Valle ◽  
Ana Miriam Saldaña-Cruz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To date, the association of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and serum adipokines with lupus nephritis is controversial. Objective To assess the utility of serum MIF, leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels as markers of proteinuria and renal dysfunction in lupus nephritis. Methods Cross-sectional study including 196 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 52 healthy controls (HCs). Disease activity was assessed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Renal SLE involvement was investigated by renal-SLEDAI. MIF, adiponectin, leptin and resistin levels were quantified by ELISA. We assessed the correlations of quantitative variables by Spearman correlation (rs). Multivariable linear regression adjusted the variables associated with the severity of proteinuria. Results SLE patients had higher MIF (p = 0.02) and adiponectin (p < 0.001) than HCs. Patients with renal SLE involvement (n = 43) had higher adiponectin (19.0 vs 13.3 μg/mL, p = 0.002) and resistin (10.7 vs 8.9 ng/mL, p = 0.01) than patients with non-renal SLE (n = 153). Proteinuria correlated with high adiponectin (rs = 0.19, p < 0.009) and resistin (rs = 0.26, p < 0.001). MIF (rs = 0.27, p = 0.04). Resistin correlated with increased creatinine (rs = 0.18, p = 0.02). High renal-SLEDAI correlated with adiponectin (rs = 0.21, p = 0.004). Multiple linear regression showed that elevated adiponectin (p = 0.02), younger age (p = 0.04) and low MIF (p = 0.02) were associated with the severity of proteinuria. Low MIF and high adiponectin levels interacted to explain the association with the severity of proteinuria (R2 = 0.41). Conclusions High adiponectin combined with low MIF concentrations int+eract to explain the severity of proteinuria in renal SLE. These findings highlight the relevance of adiponectin, resistin and MIF as markers of LN.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-370
Author(s):  
Maria Michou ◽  
Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos ◽  
Christos Lionis ◽  
Vassiliki Costarelli

BACKGROUND: Low Health Literacy (HL) and Nutrition Literacy (NL) are associated with serious negative health outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate certain lifestyle factors and obesity, in relation to HL and NL. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban area of the Attica region, in Greece. The sample consisted of 1281 individuals, aged ≥18 years. HL, NL sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors (physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption,) were assessed. Mann-Whitney U, the Kruskall Wallis, Pearson chi-square tests and multiple linear regression models were used. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis has shown that smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity, were associated with HL levels (–1.573 points for ex-smokers in comparison to smokers, p = 0.035, –1.349 points for alcohol consumers in comparison to non-consumers, p = 0.006 and 1.544 points for physically active individuals to non-active, p = 0.001). With respect to NL levels, it was also not associated with any of these factors. Obesity was not associated with HL and NL levels. CONCLUSIONS: Certain lifestyle factors, including physical activity, are predicting factors of HL levels, in Greek adults. The results contribute to the understanding of the relationship between lifestyle factors and HL and should be taken into account when HL policies are designed.


Author(s):  
Saurav Kumar ◽  
Shiv Prakash ◽  
Mona Srivastava

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the attitude of the school and college-going students towards online classes. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted on 228 school and college-going students fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria selected through purposive sampling methods. A semi-structured online questionnaire consisting of a socio-demographic questionnaire and Attitude towards online classes (ATOC) questionnaire was prepared by the researcher using Google form. The link of the questionnaire was sent to all the selected respondents through WhatsApp messages and emails. The data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 20 software. The reliability of the attitude questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha test. The association between categorical variables was assessed using Chi-square tests. The comparison between variables was assessed using the students independent t-test.Results: More than half of the respondents (51.32%) were found with a positive attitude towards online classes. There was a significant association found between attitude towards online classes and socio-demographic variables such as age (p<0.05), academic level (p<0.05), and family income (p<0.01). The respondents who attended online classes (p<0.05), have technical knowledge (p<0.01), and got supported by their parents in the study (p<0.05) were found significantly high positive attitudes towards online classes. There was a significant difference found in the attitude of the respondents who faced psychological disturbances such as a decline in attention-concentration (p<0.05), irritation-anger (p<0.01), and tension (p<0.05) due to online classes.Conclusions: Although, online classes are more beneficial for the students and teachers in their academic activities during the lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it can’t take place of traditional face-to-face classes. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 668-668
Author(s):  
Tomczyk CP ◽  
Covassin T

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether previous injury (PI) and/or concussion education (ce) significantly predicted collegiate athlete reporting skill (RS). It was hypothesized that both PI and ce would be significant predictors of RS. Methods A cross-sectional study design was implemented, and collegiate athletes (n = 105; age = 19.77 ± 1.23; sex = 53% female) from two institutions were included in the study. Participants were administered a demographic questionnaire to determine PI and ce prior to enrollment, and the Reporting Skill Scale (5-items) was administered to measure RS. A composite score (range: 1–5) was calculated where higher values indicated greater RS. A stepwise multivariable linear regression was used to determine the predictive value of PI and ce on RS (a priori p &lt; 0.05). Results A high percentage of the sample reported PI (n = 52, 49%), received ce (n = 83, 78%), and had high levels of RS (4.27 ± 0.68). The stepwise multivariable linear regression generated a one predictor model where ce significantly predicted RS (F(1,105) = 4.804, p = 0.03, R2 = 0.05, β = 0.35, 90% CI [0.33, 0.67]), whereas PI did not significantly predict RS (p = 0.83, β = −0.22). Conclusions The study revealed that ce partially predicts RS in collegiate athletes. Although the predicted variance was small, this highlights that educating athletes on the steps needed to report an injury is better suited for influencing the psychomotor domain of concussion reporting than simply experiencing a PI. Determining an athlete’s RS, including the factors that influence it, can aid clinicians in identifying athletes that may not fully understand how to report a concussion following injury.


2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 725-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Sílvia Basílio ◽  
Rosana Fiorini Puccini ◽  
Edina Mariko Koga da Silva ◽  
Márcia Regina Marcondes Pedromônico

OBJECTIVE: To assess the receptive vocabulary of children aged between two years and six months and five years and eleven months who were attending childcare centers and kindergarten schools. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in the municipality of Embu, Southeastern Brazil. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test and analysis of factors associated with children's performance were applied. The sample consisted of 201 children of both genders, aged between two and six years. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate analysis and logistic regression model. The dependent variable analyzed was test performance and the independent variables were child's age, mother's level of education and family socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: It was observed that 44.3% of the children had performances in the test that were below what would be expected for their age. The factors associated with the best performances in the test were child's age (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.6-3.5) and mother's education level (OR= 3.2; 95% CI: 1.3-7.4). CONCLUSIONS: Mother's education level is important for child's language development. Settings such as childcare and kindergarten schools are protective factors for child development in families of low income and education.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Ivan Gamez-Nava ◽  
Valeria Diaz-Rizo ◽  
Edsaul Emilio Perez-Guerrero ◽  
Jose Francisco Muñoz-Valle ◽  
Ana Miriam Saldaña-Cruz ◽  
...  

Abstract Background To date, the association of serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and serum adipokines with lupus nephritis is controversial.Objective To assess the utility of serum MIF, leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels as markers of proteinuria and renal dysfunction in lupus nephritis.Methods Cross-sectional study including 196 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 52 healthy controls (HCs). Disease activity was assessed by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Renal SLE involvement was investigated by renal-SLEDAI. MIF, adiponectin, leptin and resistin levels were quantified by ELISA. We assessed the correlations of quantitative variables by Spearman correlation (rs). Multivariable linear regression adjusted the variables associated with the severity of proteinuria. Results SLE patients had higher MIF (p=0.02) and adiponectin (p<0.001) than HCs. Patients with renal SLE involvement (n=43) had higher adiponectin (19.0 vs 13.3 µg/mL, p=0.002) and resistin (10.7 vs 8.9 ng/mL, p=0.01) than patients with non-renal SLE (n=153). Proteinuria correlated with high adiponectin (rs=0.19, p<0.009) and resistin (rs=26, p<0.001). MIF (rs=0.27, p=0.04). Resistin correlated with increased creatinine (rs= 0.18, p=0.02). High renal-SLEDAI correlated with adiponectin (rs=0.21, p=0.004). Multiple linear regression showed that elevated adiponectin (p=0.02), younger age (p=0.04) and low MIF (p=0.02) were associated with the severity of proteinuria. Low MIF and high adiponectin levels interacted to explain the association with the severity of proteinuria (R2=0.41).Conclusions High adiponectin combined with low MIF concentrations interact to explain the severity of proteinuria in renal SLE. These findings highlight the relevance of adiponectin, resistin and MIF as markers of LN.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 555-558
Author(s):  
Katayon Vakilian ◽  
Afsaneh Keramat

Background and Aims: Adolescence is a period of life in which high-risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors, put the adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. This research aimed at studying the relationship between peers' perception of sexual behavior and adolescents' attitudes and self-efficacy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used a multi-stage method to examine 1500 subjects in the universities of Shahroud, Iran. The questionnaires were consisted of sexual abstinence attitude, abstinence self-efficacy and peer subjective norms. To ensure the confidentiality of information, the questionnaire was distributed among 1500 students in six universities anonymously, and students҆ field of study was not mentioned. The collected data was analyzed with descriptive (Mean, Percent) and inferential tests (independent t-test, chi2, and Spearman test) using SPSS 18 software. Results: The mean age of the females was 20.26±1.49, and that of males was 20.32±1.575. 59.3% of male students and 86.8% of female students had poor sexual abstinence to sex before marriage. Moreover, the sexual abstinence self-efficacy of 29% of male students and 13.1% of female students, regarding the sexual abstinence before marriage, was strong. Findings showed that the more one believes in his/her abilities in sexual abstinence, the more they believe that their friends will not be involved in sex Conclusion: It is required to provide the opportunities to learn and correct the socio-emotional skills required for physical and sexual health in relationships through social interactions with peers. In this context, the reproductive health programs need to be prioritized in the youth health programs and schools


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-11
Author(s):  
Arezou Khezerlou ◽  
Nasim Zolfaghari Firouzsalari ◽  
Hajar Zolfaghari ◽  
Mahmood Alizadeh sani ◽  
Maryam Azizi-lalabadi ◽  
...  

Introduction: Healthy life style and food safety are among the most crucial elements inpromoting community health. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the awarenessand attitudes of the students of Urmia University, Urmai, Iran, regarding health and food safety. Methods: The questionnaire used was designed in three parts (demographic, attitude, andawareness) and it was completed by 384 students. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.Results: Results showed that over 80% of the students had positive attitude towards health and foodsafety. In addition, almost 50% of the subjects had low awareness on the most appropriate plasticcontainers to keep food healthy. Findings indicated that there was a significant difference between thestudents' attitudes and their academic level (P = 0.008). No significant differences were found amongstudents' awareness and attitude considering gender and passing the food safety course. Cocnclusion: As the study findings revealed, training programs and workshops related to healthand food safety could be effective, specially for freshmen students.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-156
Author(s):  
Maryann C. Ezeilo ◽  
Godwill A. Engwa ◽  
Romanus I. Iroha ◽  
Damian N. Odimegwu

Background:The lack of a vaccine for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) places children at a high risk of contracting the infection. It becomes necessary to accurately diagnose this infection for proper treatment as well as identifying potential risk factors for effective management.Aim:This study was conceived to assess the test performance of the commonly used Immunochromatographic test (ICT) strip and identify the associated clinical manifestations and risk factors of HCV in children in Enugu Metropolis.Method:A cross-sectional study involving randomly selected 270 children below six years of age was conducted in Enugu Nigeria. The subjects were screened for anti-HCV by ICT and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and the demographic, signs and symptoms and risk factors were collected.Results:A total of 50 out of 270 children were positive for anti-HCV with a seropositivity of 18.5%. ICT strip had a very low sensitivity of 38.00% with an accuracy of 88.52% in detecting anti-HCV. The presence of dark urine was associated (p= 0.01) with HCV infection.Conclusion:A seroprevalence of 18.5% of Anti-HCV was found in children below six years old in Enugu metropolis and the performance of ICT in diagnosing HCV infection was poor compared to ELISA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Stella Aoki Ferreira ◽  
Tamires Terezinha Gallo da Silva ◽  
Jarbas Melo Filho ◽  
Natacha Verônica Bazanella ◽  
Audrin Said Vojciechowski ◽  
...  

Objective: Verify the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the HOME FAST BRAZIL—Self-reported version and correlate household environmental risks with the history of falls by community-dwelling older adults.Method: Cross sectional study with 50 community-dwelling older adults who were screened by the cut-off point of the Mini Mental State Exam and replied to the HOME FAST BRAZIL—Self-reported version using two evaluators, on three occasions. The reliability analysis was determined by the Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC), considering ICC &gt; 0.70 as adequate. To test the correlations, the Spearman test was used.Results: The mean age of the participants was 73.2 ± 5.8 years. The inter- rater reliability of HOME FAST BRAZIL—Self-reported version was ICC 0.83 (IC95%, 0.70–0.90) and the Intra- reliability ICC 0.85 (IC95%, 0.74–0.91). A risk of falls was verified in 88% of the sample and four environmental risks presented significant correlations with the history of falls.Conclusions: The HOME FAST BRAZIL—Self-reported version presented adequate reliability for the evaluation of household environmental risks for community-dwelling older adults. Risks such as inadequate armchairs/ sofas, the absence of anti-slip mats in the shower recess, the presence of pets and inadequate beds require attention in the evaluation of household risks, due to their correlation with the occurrence of falls.


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