scholarly journals Analysis of Connected Speech in Persian Aphasic Patients and its Relationship With Type and Severity of Aphasia

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-150
Author(s):  
Zahra Sadat Ghoreishi ◽  
◽  
Mojtaba Azimian ◽  
Javad Alaghband Rad ◽  
Anahita Khorrami Banaraki ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: There are several tests to determine the type and severity of aphasia, but they take a long time to administer when assessing aphasic patients. In recent years, the analysis of spontaneous speech has gained great attention because it is important to diagnose and follow post-treatment improvement in aphasic patients. This study was done to assess some parameters of connected speech in aphasic patients. In addition, the correlation between connected speech parameters and the type and severity of aphasia was measured. Methods: We compared the connected speech parameters of 27 aphasics (10 fluent and 17 non-fluent), Persian speakers, compared with the control group. There were two groups matched by age, sex, and education. Nest’s bird story pictures were used to elicit a speech sample. In the next step, the connected speech was analyzed to define speech parameters, including speech rate, mean length of utterance, number of utterances, total words, content words, function words, nouns, and verbs. Moreover, the severity of aphasia was measured using a Persian Western Aphasia Battery (WAB). Results: The findings showed significant differences between groups in all parameters of the connected speech (P<0.01). The correlation coefficient between speech parameters and severity of aphasia demonstrated that all parameters were highly correlated (r >0.71) with the severity of aphasia (P<0.01) except for speech rate and the number of function words. There were some typical differences between linguistics grammatical and pragmatical characters of different types of aphasia. Conclusion: Connected speech is one of the most sensitive parts of language in all types of aphasic patients. There are some clinical signs for differential diagnosis of aphasia based on speech measures. According to the findings, the type and severity of aphasia and connected speech were highly correlated. Thus, the use of the connected speech analysis is necessary as an assessment tool for the diagnosis of aphasia.

2021 ◽  
pp. 00173-2021
Author(s):  
M. Gonzalez Lindh ◽  
C. Janson ◽  
M. Blom Johansson ◽  
M. Jonsson ◽  
E. Mälberg ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThis cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-reported and clinically screened swallowing dysfunction (dysphagia) in COPD patients with severe exacerbations and to identify any associated factors. Findings were then compared to a control group.MethodsParticipants included 30 patients hospitalized due to a COPD exacerbation. The control group consisted of 30 adults hospitalized with acute cardiac symptoms. Data were derived from spirometry, the 150mL timed water swallow test, a cookie swallow test and a dyspnea questionnaire (mMRC). Scores from the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) were calculated to assess patient perception of swallowing dysfunction.ResultsSelf-reported swallowing dysfunction and clinical signs thereof was more common in COPD patients than in the control group (67% versus 23% and 80% versus 37%, respectively, p≤0.001). Clinical signs of swallowing dysfunction in the AECOPD group were associated with self-reported swallowing dysfunction (p=0.02) and xerostomia (p=0.04). Dyspnea (MRC≥2) was more common among the COPD patients (90% versus 47%, p<0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between lung function and self-reported dysphagia (r=−0.39, p=0.03), but not between lung function and clinically screened dysphagia (r=−0.23, p=0.21).ConclusionCOPD patients hospitalized with an acute exacerbation experienced significantly more self-reported and clinically screened swallowing dysfunction compared to a control group of patients with cardiac symptoms. Both patient groups experienced dyspnea, but it was twice as common in the AECOPD group. Both groups also experienced xerostomia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-27
Author(s):  
Giorgio Masoero ◽  
Alberto Cugnetto ◽  
Giuseppe Sarasso ◽  
Giovanni D’Amore ◽  
Giusto Giovannetti ◽  
...  

An experiment on watercress (Lepidium sativum) 42 d days after sowing was set up to evaluate the effect of UVAB radiation on foliar pH and on NIR tomoscopy. The effect of 8 h of UV exposure (about 500 µWcm-2) was clear, causing a reduction in the foliar pH of 6.0%, compared to the contemporary control group (5.22 vs. 5.56). When the treated leaves were returned to white light, their pH rose by 1.7% (5.31), reaching the same level as leaves grown outdoors (5.33). On the basis of the NIR spectra, the leaves of the plants grown outdoors were recognized 100%, that is, more than the control leaves (87%) and the plants treated with UV on the day of measurement (81%). However, the effect of the UV marking on the leaves is not permanent as, after the UV treatment, the leaves returned to white light were classified at 61%, which is a greater value than the 37% of overlapping between the two groups. The foliar pH was highly correlated with the NIR spectra, with R2 0.43. These results corroborate the hypothesis of the influence of the solar cycle on the variation of the pH of leaves in plants, which we believe may have played a major role in past agricultural pandemics. These results call for the introduction of the pH test for the evaluation of resistance to pathogens. From the environmental point of view, the foliar pH could be enlisted as an in vivo long-time indicator of the response of plants to climate changes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 00192-2021
Author(s):  
Isabella Epiu ◽  
Simon C. Gandevia ◽  
Claire L. Boswell-Ruys ◽  
Emma Wallace ◽  
Jane E. Butler ◽  
...  

BackgroundSwallowing disorders occur in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about tongue strength and mastication. This is the first assessment in COPD of tongue strength and a test of mastication and swallowing solids (TOMASS).MethodsAnterior tongue strength measures were obtained in 18 people with COPD, aged 73±11 years (mean±sd), and 19 healthy age-matched controls, aged 72±6 years. Swallowing dynamics were assessed using an eating assessment tool (EAT-10), timed water swallow test (TWST), and TOMASS. Swallowing measures were compared to an inhibitory reflex in the inspiratory muscles to airway occlusion (IR; recorded previously in the same participants).ResultsTongue strength was similar between COPD and controls (p=0.715). Self-assessed scores of dysphagia EAT-10 were higher (p=0.024) and swallowing times were prolonged for liquids (p=0.022) and solids (p=0.003) in the COPD group. During TWST, ∼30% of COPD group showed clinical signs of airway invasion (cough and wet voice), but none in the control group. For solids, the COPD group had ∼40% greater number of chews (p=0.004), and two-fold-higher number of swallows (p=0.0496). Respiratory rate was 50% higher in COPD group than controls (p <0.001). The presence of an IR was not related to better swallowing outcomes, but signs of airway invasion were associated with a delayed IR.ConclusionDysphagia in stable COPD is not due to impaired anterior tongue strength, but rather swallowing-breathing discoordination. To address dysphagia, aspiration, and acute exacerbations in COPD, therapeutic targets to improve swallowing dynamics could be investigated further.


2016 ◽  
pp. 191-108
Author(s):  
A.A. Sukhanova ◽  
◽  
Yu.M. Melnik ◽  
O.O. Karlova ◽  
◽  
...  

The aim of the study: to study the efficacy and safety of use Mastofemin in the treatment of various forms of mastitis in women of reproductive age. Materials and methods. The study included 62 women of reproductive age (mean age of 33.5±2.3 years) who were screened in the Kiev city center reproductive and perinatal medicine. Women were divided into 2 groups. The first (main) group consisted of 32 patients who received the proposed treatment using herbal remedies Mastofemin 1 capsule 2 times per day for 3 months; 30 patients of the second (control) group were under observation and received no treatment. These groups were representative and homogeneous on age, clinical symptoms and sonographic characteristics. The clinical method included evaluation of complaints of patients, anamnesis, presence of concomitant gynecologic pathology, inspection, palpation of the lymph nodes and the breast and obtaining a discharge from the nipples to conduct cytological examination, which allowed excluding from the study women with suspected malignancy of the process. All the patients were performed ultrasound examination of the breast. The review was supplemented with vaginal gynecological examination and ultrasound examination of small pelvis organs to assess the condition of the uterus and its appendages, the diagnosis of gynecological diseases. Results. Summarizing obtained in this study results one should stress the positive long-term effect of applying Mastofemin for the treatment of proliferative changes of the breast in women of reproductive age. This is manifested by a decrease in the intensity of clinical signs of mastitis, consistent with the results of sonographic control. Established positive dynamics in the treatment of cystic mastitis, dectective and when combined cystic mastopathy with dectective. In the control group of patients for a given observation period (6 months) no significant changes in clinical signs of mastitis and sonographic characteristics. Regression of disease has not occurred in any of the patients, in 2 patients increased sensitivity of the breast after 6 months moved to the soreness. Sonographic characteristics of mastitis during the observation period did not change. Thus, the use of Mastofemin aimed at pathogenetic treatment of mastitis and prevention of breast cancer. Conclusion. Application of Mastofemin during the treatment of mastitis in women of reproductive age significantly improves the clinical condition of patients; reduce the subjective and objective symptoms of the disease. The positive effect of the treatment with Mastofemin proved in the case of the treatment of sonographic following forms of mastitis: cystic mastopathy, cystic mastopathy with dectectasy. Mastofemin may be the drug of choice for complex conservative monotherapy in women of reproductive age with proliferative changes in the breast, and can also be used as part of complex treatment in patients with diffuse changes of the breast when combined with hyperplastic processes of the myometrium and endometrium. Keywords: mastopathy, breast gland, herbal medicine, herbal remedies, Mastofemin.


Author(s):  
А.В. Бойко ◽  
Н.Д. Олтаржевская ◽  
В.И. Швец ◽  
Л.В. Демидова ◽  
Е.А. Дунаева ◽  
...  

Цель исследования. Разработка методов сопроводительной терапии для защиты нормальных органов и тканей, входящих в зону облучения. Методы. В исследование включено 112 больных раком шейки и тела матки после комбинированного или самостоятельного лучевого лечения с 2012 по 2016 гг. У 71 пациентки основной группы в качестве терапии сопровождения применяли гидрогель с деринатом и у 41 больной группы контроля - традиционные методы профилактики (масло оливковое, подсолнечное, метилурациловая мазь). Для профилактики эпителиита слизистой влагалища и шейки матки в основной группе использовали гидрогель в виде аппликаций с первого дня облучения. Для профилактики лучевого ректита гидрогель вводили в прямую кишку 1 раз в день с первого дня облучения. Инстилляции гидрогеля в мочевой пузырь начинали только при развитии первых признаков клинической картины цистита. Пациенткам контрольной группы для профилактики лучевых реакций проводились масляные, мазевые аппликации во влагалище, масляные микроклизмы в прямую кишку с первого дня облучения. Лечение лучевого цистита проводили с помощью растительных диуретиков, уросептиков. Результаты. Применение гидрогеля с деринатом позволило провести курс лучевой терапии без перерыва у 84,5% (60/71) больных, в контрольной группе - лишь у 48,8% (20/41). Лучевые циститы возникали в 2,5 раза реже (25,3% ± 3,3 против 63,4% ± 2,7, р<0,01). Анализ степени выраженности лучевого цистита по RTOG в двух группах показал, что у 75% больных основной группы наблюдалась I степень, у 25% - II степень, III и IV степени не отмечено, тогда как в контрольной группе лучевой цистит I степени развился у 44% пациенток, II - 40% и III - 16% больных. Применение гидрогеля снизило частоту лучевых ректитов в 2 раза (26,7% ± 3,3 против 53,7% ± 3,2 р<0,1).При использовании ежедневных аппликаций гидрогеля с деринатом со стороны слизистой оболочки влагалища и шейки матки преобладали эпителииты I степени (53,5%), II степень наблюдалась у 29,5% и III степень лучевой реакции - лишь в 16,9% случаев, IV степень реакции не отмечена. В контрольной группе эти показатели составили 26,8%, 24,3%, 31,7% и 17,2% соответственно. Разработаны цитологические критерии оценки течения лучевых реакций слизистой влагалища. Выделены три степени изменения цитограммы, которые коррелировали с клинической картиной. В основной группе лучевые изменения I степени зафиксированы в 4,5 раза чаще (52 ± 9,9% против 11,5 ± 6,3%, р<0,002), а III степень представлена в 3,8 раза реже, чем в контрольной группе (12 ± 6,5% против 46,1 ± 9,8%, р<0,003). Заключение. Применение гидрогелевого материала с деринатом в качестве препарата сопроводительной терапии во время курса облучения позволяет уменьшить частоту и степень выраженности лучевых повреждений со стороны слизистой влагалища, мочевого пузыря и прямой кишки, провести курс лучевой терапии без перерыва и улучшить качество жизни пациенток. Objective. Development of methods for accompanying therapy to protect normal organs and tissues in the irradiation zone. Method. The study included 112 patients with cervical and endometrial cancer after combined or independent radiotherapy from 2012 to 2016. In 71 female patients of the main group, Derinat with hydrogel was applied as a supportive therapy and in 41 patients of the control group, conventional prevention methods (olive oil, sunflower oil, methyluracyl ointment) were applied. For prevention of vaginal mucosal and cervical epitheliitis in the main group, hydrogel was used as applications from the first radiation day. For prevention of radiation proctitis, hydrogel was injected into the rectum once daily from the first radiation day. Hydrogel instillations into the bladder were started only with the first clinical signs of cystitis. For prevention of radiation reactions, vaginal oil and ointment and rectal oil micro-enema were administered to patients of the control group from the first day of irradiation. Radiation cystitis was treated with vegetable diuretics and uroseptic drugs. Results. Using the hydrogel with Derinat allowed to administer a course of radiotherapy without interruption in 84.5% (60/71) of patients and only in 48.8% (20/41) in the control group. Radiation cystitis occurred 60% less frequently (25.3% ± 3.3 versus 63.4% ± 2.7, p <0.01). Analysis of radiation cystitis severity in two groups (according to RTOG) showed that 75% of patients in the main group had grade I and 25% had grade II. Grade III and grade IV did not occur. At the same time, in the control group, grade I radiation cystitis developed in 44% of patients, grade II - in 40%, and grade III - in 16% of patients. The hydrogel treatment halved the frequency of radiation proctitis (26.7% ± 3.3 vs. 53.7% ± 3.2 p <0.1). With daily application of the hydrogel with Derinat, grade I epitheliitis (53.5%) predominated in vaginal and cervical mucosa, grade II was observed in 29.5%, and grade III radiation reaction - only in 16.9% of cases; grade IV reaction was not observed. In the control group, these proportions were 26.8%, 24.3%, 31.7%, and 17.2%, respectively. Cytological criteria were developed to evaluate the course of radiation reactions in the vaginal mucosa. Three degrees of change in the cytogram were identified, which correlated with clinical picture. In the main group, incidence of grade I radiation-induced changes was increased by more than 350% (52 ± 9.9% vs. 11.5 ± 6.3%, p <0.002), and incidence of grade III was decreased by more than 70% compared to the control group (12 ± 6.5% vs. 46.1 ± 9.8%, p <0.003). Conclusion. Using the hydrogel material with Derinat as an accompanying therapy during the course of irradiation allows to reduce frequency and severity of radiation injuries of the vaginal mucosa, bladder, and rectum, administer an uninterrupted course of radiotherapy, and improve the quality of life of patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 815-822
Author(s):  
Maryam Safary ◽  
Sevil Hakimi ◽  
Noushin Mobaraki-Asl ◽  
Paria Amiri ◽  
Habib Tvassoli ◽  
...  

Introduction: Atrophic vaginitis is a common problem in postmenopausal women and results from decreased levels of blood estrogen. It is associated with symptoms of itching, burning, dyspareunia, and postmenopausal bleeding. The present study evaluated the effects of fenugreek extract on atrophic vaginitis. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 postmenopausal women in Ardabil, Iran, in 2018. The participants were selected using block randomization with the allocation ratio 1:1. Those in the intervention group received 0.5g (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) fenugreek vaginal cream 5% twice a week for 12 weeks. The control group received conjugated estrogens vaginal cream at the dose of 0.625 mg (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) containing 0.3 mg of conjugated estrogens. Atrophic vaginitis was evaluated before and after the treatment through clinical examination, clinical signs, and measurement of Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI). Findings: After the 12-week intervention and modification of the baseline score, the mean (standard error) score for atrophic vaginitis signs was 3.100 (1.43-4.75). This difference was statistically significant in intragroup comparison and in favor of the control group in intergroup comparison (p=0.001). VMI was less than 49% in 86.7% and 46.7% of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. This was a significant difference in favor of the control group (p=0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that total fenugreek extract could be effective in treating signs of atrophic vaginitis, but it was not as effective as ultra-low-dose estrogen.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Mathew Stone

A Review of: Gardois, P., Calabrese, R., Colombi, N., Lingua, C., Longo, F., Villanacci, M., Miniero, R., & Piga, A. (2011). Effectiveness of bibliographic searches performed by paediatric residents and interns assisted by librarian. A randomised controlled trial. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 28(4), 273-284. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00957.x Objective – To establish whether the assistance of an experienced biomedical librarian delivers an improvement in the searching of bibliographic databases as performed by medical residents and interns. Design – Randomized controlled trial. Setting – The pediatrics department of a large Italian teaching hospital. Subjects – 18 pediatric residents and interns. Methods – 23 residents and interns from the pediatrics department of a large Italian teaching hospital were invited to participate in this study, of which 18 agreed. Subjects were then randomized into two groups and asked to spend between 30 and 90 minutes searching bibliographic databases for evidence to answer a real-life clinical question which was randomly allocated to them. Each member of the intervention group was provided with an experienced biomedical librarian to provide assistance throughout the search session. The control group received no assistance. The outcome of the search was then measured using an assessment tool adapted for the purpose of this study from the Fresno test of competence in evidence based medicine. This adapted assessment tool rated the “global success” of the search and included criteria such as appropriate question formulation, number of PICO terms translated into search terms, use of Boolean logic, use of subject headings, use of filters, use of limits, and the percentage of citations retrieved that matched a gold standard set of citations found in a prior search by two librarians (who were not involved in assisting the subjects) together with an expert clinician. Main Results – The intervention group scored a median average of 73.6 points out of a possible 100, compared with the control group which scored 50.4. The difference of 23.2 points in favour of the librarian assisted group was a statistically significant result (p value = 0.013) with a 95% confidence interval of between 4.8 and 33.2. Conclusion – This study presents credible evidence that assistance provided by an experienced biomedical librarian improves the quality of the bibliographic database searches performed by residents and interns using real-life clinical scenarios.


2021 ◽  
pp. 074823372110226
Author(s):  
Gholamali Jelodar ◽  
Mansour Azimzadeh ◽  
Fatemeh Radmard ◽  
Narges Darvishhoo

Exposure to mobile phone radiation causes deleterious health effects on biological systems. The objects of this study were to investigate the effect of 900-MHz radiofrequency waves (RFW) emitted from base transceiver station antenna on intrapancreatic homocysteine (Hcy), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nerve growth factor (NGF) as predisposing factors involved in pancreatic beta cell damage. Thirty male rats (Sprague-Dawley, 200 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into the control (without any exposure) and exposed groups: short time (2 h/day), long time (4 h/day), and exposed to 900-MHz RFW for 30 consecutive days. On the last days of the experiment, animals were killed and pancreas tissue was dissected out for evaluation of serotonin, Hcy, TNF-α, and NGF. There was a significant decrease in the serotonin and NGF levels in the pancreatic tissue of exposed groups compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). Also, the levels of serotonin and NGF in the long-time exposure were significantly lower than the short-time exposure ( p < 0.05). However, levels of Hcy and TNF-α were significantly increased in the pancreas of exposed groups compared to the control groups ( p < 0.05). Exposure to 900-MHz RFW decreased pancreatic NGF and serotonin levels and increased the proinflammatory markers (Hcy and TNF-α), which can be a predisposing factor for type 2 diabetes.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982198960
Author(s):  
Tiffany V. Wang ◽  
Nat Adamian ◽  
Phillip C. Song ◽  
Ramon A. Franco ◽  
Molly N. Huston ◽  
...  

Objectives (1) Demonstrate true vocal fold (TVF) tracking software (AGATI [Automated Glottic Action Tracking by artificial Intelligence]) as a quantitative assessment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) in a large patient cohort. (2) Correlate patient-reported metrics with AGATI measurements of TVF anterior glottic angles, before and after procedural intervention. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Academic medical center. Methods AGATI was used to analyze videolaryngoscopy from healthy adults (n = 72) and patients with UVFP (n = 70). Minimum, 3rd percentile, 97th percentile, and maximum anterior glottic angles (AGAs) were computed for each patient. In patients with UVFP, patient-reported outcomes (Voice Handicap Index 10, Dyspnea Index, and Eating Assessment Tool 10) were assessed, before and after procedural intervention (injection or medialization laryngoplasty). A receiver operating characteristic curve for the logistic fit of paralysis vs control group was used to determine AGA cutoff values for defining UVFP. Results Mean (SD) 3rd percentile AGA (in degrees) was 2.67 (3.21) in control and 5.64 (5.42) in patients with UVFP ( P < .001); mean (SD) 97th percentile AGA was 57.08 (11.14) in control and 42.59 (12.37) in patients with UVFP ( P < .001). For patients with UVFP who underwent procedural intervention, the mean 97th percentile AGA decreased by 5 degrees from pre- to postprocedure ( P = .026). The difference between the 97th and 3rd percentile AGA predicted UVFP with 77% sensitivity and 92% specificity ( P < .0001). There was no correlation between AGA measurements and patient-reported outcome scores. Conclusions AGATI demonstrated a difference in AGA measurements between paralysis and control patients. AGATI can predict UVFP with 77% sensitivity and 92% specificity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982199201
Author(s):  
Cullen M. Taylor ◽  
Stephen F. Bansberg ◽  
Michael J. Marino

Objective Reporting patient symptoms due to nasal septal perforation (NSP) has been hindered by the lack of a validated disease-specific symptom score. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate an instrument for assessing patient-reported symptoms related to NSP. Study Design Validation study. Setting A tertiary care center. Methods The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale was used as an initial construct to which 7 nonobstruction questions were added to measure septal perforation symptoms. The proposed NOSE-Perf instrument was distributed to consecutive patients evaluated for NSP, those with nasal obstruction without NSP, and a control group without rhinologic complaints. Questionnaires were redistributed to the subgroup with NSP prior to treatment of the perforation. Results The study instrument was completed by 31 patients with NSP, 17 with only nasal obstruction, and 22 without rhinologic complaint. Internal consistency was high throughout the entire instrument (Cronbach α = 0.935; 95% CI, 0.905-0.954). Test-retest reliability was demonstrated by very strong correlation between questionnaires completed by the same patient at least 1 week apart ( r = 0.898, P < .001). Discriminant validity was confirmed via a receiver operating characteristic ( P < .001, area under the curve = 0.700). The NOSE-Perf scale was able to distinguish among all 3 study groups ( P < .001) and between NSP and nasal obstruction ( P = .024). When used alone, the NOSE scale could not discriminate between NSP and nasal obstruction ( P = .545). Conclusions The NOSE-Perf scale is a validated and reliable clinical assessment tool that can be applied to adult patients with NSP.


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