scholarly journals Characterization of the Stages of Creative Writing With Mobile EEG Using Generalized Partial Directed Coherence

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus G. Cruz-Garza ◽  
Akshay Sujatha Ravindran ◽  
Anastasiya E. Kopteva ◽  
Cristina Rivera Garza ◽  
Jose L. Contreras-Vidal
Keyword(s):  
Creative Writing ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Partial Directed Coherence ◽  
Generation Stage ◽  
Body Activity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Preparation Stage ◽  
Generalized Partial Directed Coherence

Two stages of the creative writing process were characterized through mobile scalp electroencephalography (EEG) in a 16-week creative writing workshop. Portable dry EEG systems (four channels: TP09, AF07, AF08, TP10) with synchronized head acceleration, video recordings, and journal entries, recorded mobile brain-body activity of Spanish heritage students. Each student's brain-body activity was recorded as they experienced spaces in Houston, Texas (“Preparation” stage), and while they worked on their creative texts (“Generation” stage). We used Generalized Partial Directed Coherence (gPDC) to compare the functional connectivity among both stages. There was a trend of higher gPDC in the Preparation stage from right temporo-parietal (TP10) to left anterior-frontal (AF07) brain scalp areas within 1–50 Hz, not reaching statistical significance. The opposite directionality was found for the Generation stage, with statistical significant differences (p < 0.05) restricted to the delta band (1–4 Hz). There was statistically higher gPDC observed for the inter-hemispheric connections AF07–AF08 in the delta and theta bands (1–8 Hz), and AF08 to TP09 in the alpha and beta (8–30 Hz) bands. The left anterior-frontal (AF07) recordings showed higher power localized to the gamma band (32–50 Hz) for the Generation stage. An ancillary analysis of Sample Entropy did not show significant difference. The information transfer from anterior-frontal to temporal-parietal areas of the scalp may reflect multisensory interpretation during the Preparation stage, while brain signals originating at temporal-parietal toward frontal locations during the Generation stage may reflect the final decision making process to translate the multisensory experience into a creative text.

scholarly journals Comparison of Acceptance and Knowledge Transfer in Patient Information Before an MRI Exam Administered by Humanoid Robot Versus a Tablet Computer: A Randomized Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dietrich Stoevesandt ◽  
Patrick Jahn ◽  
Stefan Watzke ◽  
Walter A. Wohlgemuth ◽  
Dominik Behr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Humanoid Robot ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Hypothetical Scenario ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The University

Purpose To investigate whether a humanoid robot in a clinical radiological setting is accepted as a source of information in conversations before MRI examinations of patients. In addition, the usability and the information transfer were compared with a tablet. Methods Patients were randomly assigned to a robot or tablet group with their consent prior to MRI. The usability of both devices was compared with the extended System Usability Scale (SUS) and the information transfer with a knowledge query. Reasons for refusal were collected by a non-responder questionnaire. Results At the University Hospital Halle 117 patients were included for participation. There was no statistically significant difference in gender and age. Of 18 non-responders, 4 refused to participate partly because of the robot; for another 3 the reason could not be clarified. The usability according to SUS score was different with statistical significance between the groups in the mean comparison and was one step higher for the tablet on the adjective scale. There was no statistically significant difference in knowledge transfer. On average, 8.41 of 9 questions were answered correctly. Conclusion This study is the first application, in a clinical radiological setting, of a humanoid robot interacting with patients. Tablet and robot are suitable for information transfer in the context of MRI. In comparison to studies in which the willingness to interact with a robot in the health care sector was investigated, the willingness is significantly higher in the present study. This could be explained by the fact that it was a concrete use case that was understandable to the participants and not a hypothetical scenario. Thus, potentially high acceptance for further specific areas of application of robots in radiology can be assumed. The higher level of usability perceived in the tablet group can be explained by the fact that here the interface represents a form of operation that has been established for years in all population groups. More frequent exposure to robots could also improve the response in the future. Key Points: Citation Format

Comparative study of Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Mild and Severe Reflux Esophagitis

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22
Author(s):  
Melania Macarie ◽  
Simona Maria Bataga ◽  
Monica Pantea ◽  
Razvan Opaschi ◽  
Simona Mocan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Hiatal Hernia ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Erosive Esophagitis ◽  
Male Gender ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractObjective: This study aims to determine the correlation between risk factors and erosive esophagitis development.Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on a consecutive series of 19.672 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between 01.01.2011-31.12.2017. A total of 3005 patients, diagnosed with erosive esophagitis, were included in the present study and stratified according to Los Angeles classification.Results: During the studied period we found 3005 patients with erosive esophagitis, sex ratio male to female was 1.3/1, the most common forms of esophagitis being grade A and B: 74.54% patients with esophagitis grade A, 14.80% patients with grade B; 5.29% patients were with grade C and 5.35% patients with esophagitis grade D. In severe esophagitis the male predominance was more prevalent (249 males, 71 female), with a sex ratio 3.50/1. The correlation of male gender with severe esophagitis was highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001, OR 2.97; 95% CI 2.25-3.91). Hiatal hernia was diagnosed in 1171 patients, the presence of large hiatal hernias, being an important predictor, with statistical significance (p < 0.0001, OR 3.41; 95% CI 2.22-5.21), for severe esophagitis development. Incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 11.51%, in the entire study group, with no statistical significant difference between patients with mild or severe esophagitis (12.02% vs 7.18%).Conclusion: Erosive esophagitis is a frequent disease, the most common forms being grade A and B. Male gender and the presence of hiatal hernia are the most important risk factors for erosive esophagitis development, in our study group.

Criteria positive and criteria negative anaphylaxis, with a focus on undifferentiated somatoform idiopathic anaphylaxis: A review and case series

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 436-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Rosloff ◽  
Kunal Patel ◽  
Paul J. Feustel ◽  
Jocelyn Celestin
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Subjective Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Physical Findings ◽  
Idiopathic Anaphylaxis

Background: Undifferentiated somatoform (US) idiopathic anaphylaxis (IA) is considered a psychogenic disorder characterized by a lack of observable physical findings and poor response to treatment. Although failure to diagnose true anaphylaxis can have disastrous consequences, identification of US-IA is crucial to limit unnecessary expenses and use of health care resources. Objective: To better define the presentation and understand the potential relationship between US-IA and underlying psychiatric comorbidities. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 110 visits by 107 patients to our institution for evaluation and management of anaphylaxis over a 1-year period. The patients were classified as having either criteria positive (CP) or criteria negative (CN) anaphylaxis based on whether they met Second National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease/Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network Symposium criteria for the clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Patient characteristics, including objective and subjective signs and symptoms, and the presence of psychiatric diagnoses were collected and analyzed. Statistical significance was assessed by using the Fisher exact test. A literature review of US-IA and other psychogenic forms of anaphylaxis was performed. Results: Patients with CP anaphylaxis were more likely to present with hypotension, wheezing, urticaria, and vomiting than were patients with CN anaphylaxis. The patients with CN anaphylaxis were more likely to present with subjective symptoms of sensory throat tightness or swelling compared with patients with CP anaphylaxis. No significant difference was detected in the prevalence of psychiatric conditions between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients who met previously established diagnostic criteria for anaphylaxis were more likely to present with objective physical findings than those who did not meet criteria for true anaphylaxis. CN patients who presented for treatment of anaphylaxis were more likely to present with subjective symptoms. Formal diagnostic criteria should be used by clinicians when evaluating patients with suspected anaphylaxis.

STUDY CLINICAL FEATURE AND RESULT OF TREATMENT PHACOMORPHIC GLAUCOMA

2015 ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
Van Nam Phan ◽  
Ba Ken Tran
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Intraocular Pressure ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Corneal Edema ◽  
Clinical Feature ◽  
Anterior Chamber Angle ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Operative Complications ◽  
Before And After

Purpose: Study clinical feature of phacomorphic glaucoma. To evaluate the result of treatment phacomorphic glaucoma. Method: The retrospective, interventional study on 36 cases with phacomorphic glaucoma who underwent treated at Hue Central Hospital from 6/2010 to 6/2011. Standard of research: visual, IOP, before and after surgery, accompanying lesions and post-operative complications. The surgery is considered successful when postoperative IOP less than 21 mmHg. Results: Age 50-59 presented 30.5 percent, ≥ 60 presented 91.7 percent. There was a slight female preponderance (66.7%) compared to the male population (33.3%) which implies a statistically marginally significant difference. However there was no statistical significance difference when compared by the two subgroups. Patient in country presented 61,1% and city presented 38,9%. The duration between the onset of pain and surgery from 0 to < 5 days (77.8%), from 6 to 10 (16.7%) and >10 days presented 5.5%. The preoperative intraocular pressure 35 to 45mmHg (47.2%), 46-55 (30.6%), 56-65 (13.9%) and more than 65 presented 8.3%. The visual acuity preoperation less than 1metre count finger (94.5%), less than 3 metre count finger presented 5.5%. Close anterior chamber angle presented 80.6% and shallow was presented 19.4%. Corneal edema presented 100%, iritis presented 94.4%, dilated pupil larger 5mm presented 83.3%, Synchynea iris and cataract presented 72.2%. ECCE, implantation IOL combined trabeculectomy presented 11.1%, Phaco, implantation IOL combined trabeculectomy presented 69,5%, ECCE implantation IOL presented 5.6%, Phaco, implantation IOL presented 13.8%. Postoperative visual acuity from 1/10 to 5/10 presented 72.2%, no case have VA larger than 5/10. Postoperative 3 months VA 1/10 to 5/10 presented 72.2%, larger VA 5/10 presented 8.3%. Postoperative 3 months intraocular pressure ≤ 21mmHg presented 91.7%, 22 to 24mmHg presented 8.3%, no case have IOP ≥25mmHg. Postoperative edema presented 58.3%, iritis presented 58.3%. Key words: phacomorphic Glaucoma

scholarly journals Does Social Support Affect the Health of the Elderly in Rural China? A Meta-Analysis Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natuya Zhuori ◽  
Yu Cai ◽  
Yan Yan ◽  
Yu Cui ◽  
Minjuan Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Meta Regression ◽  
The Impact

As the trend of aging in rural China has intensified, research on the factors affecting the health of the elderly in rural areas has become a hot issue. However, the conclusions of existing studies are inconsistent and even contradictory, making it difficult to form constructive policies with practical value. To explore the reasons for the inconsistent conclusions drawn by relevant research, in this paper we constructed a meta-regression database based on 65 pieces of relevant literature published in the past 25 years. For more valid samples to reduce publication bias, we also set the statistical significance of social support to the health of the elderly in rural areas as a dependent variable. Finally, combined with multi-dimensional social support and its implications for the health of the elderly, meta-regression analysis was carried out on the results of 171 empirical studies. The results show that (1) subjective support rather than objective support can have a significant impact on the health of the elderly in rural areas, and there is no significant difference between other dimensions of social support and objective support; (2) the health status of the elderly in rural areas in samples involving western regions is more sensitive to social support than that in samples not involving the western regions; (3) among the elderly in rural areas, social support for the older male elderly is more likely to improve their health than that for the younger female elderly; and (4) besides this, both data sources and econometric models greatly affect the heterogeneity of the effect of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas, but neither the published year nor the journal is significant. Finally, relevant policies and follow-up studies on the impact of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas are discussed.

scholarly journals The influence of the Kinesio Taping on selected ultrasonography measurements, and quality of life in patients with rotator cuff lesions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Bac ◽  
Magdalena Wróbel ◽  
Katarzyna Ogrodzka-Ciechanowicz ◽  
Edyta Michalik ◽  
Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subacromial Space ◽  
Kinesio Taping ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rotator Cuff Lesions ◽  
Significant Change

Abstract The assessment of the six-week influence of Kinesio Taping combined with a rehabilitation on selected ultrasonography measurements, the level of disability, and the quality of life in patients with rotator cuff lesions. 60 participants were randomly assigned into a taping group (KT combined with a six-week rehabilitating protocol) and a control group (only rehabilitation protocol). In all patients the following assessments were performed twice: USG, UEFI and NHP questionnaires. In the examination of the subacromial space and the subacromial bursa in the taping group, no statistical significance was observed. A statistically significant change in the thickness of the muscles was obtained only for the thickness of the infraspinatus in the taping group. A statistically significant change was obtained in the assessment of tendinopathy only for the supraspinatus muscle in both groups. Within both groups a statistically significant difference was observed in the average UEFI and NHP scores; however, the differences in the scores obtained between the groups were not statistically significant. The use of KT with a rehabilitation program did not yield statistically significantly better results in the improvement of selected shoulder region indicators, the function of the upper limb and the quality of life.

scholarly journals Introducing intrauterine antibiotic infusion as a novel approach in effectively treating chronic endometritis and restoring reproductive dynamics: a randomized pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Pantos ◽  
Mara Simopoulou ◽  
Evangelos Maziotis ◽  
Anna Rapani ◽  
Sokratis Grigoriadis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fertility Restoration ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Antibiotic Administration ◽  
Oral Antibiotic ◽  
Treatment Rate ◽  
Chronic Endometritis ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Antibiotic Infusion

AbstractThe chronic nature of Chronic Endometritis (CE) along with the challenging management and infertility entailed, call for cutting-edge therapeutic approaches. This study introduces the novel treatment of intrauterine antibiotic infusion (IAI) combined with oral antibiotic administration (OAA), and it assesses respective performance against the gold standard treatment of OAA. Data sourced herein reports on treatment efficiency and fertility restoration for both patients aiming to conceive naturally or via In Vitro fertilization. Eighty CE patients, 40 presenting with recurrent implantation failure, and 40 with recurrent pregnancy loss, were enrolled in the IVF and the natural conception arm respectively. Treatment was subjected to randomization. Effectively treated patients proceeded with either a single IVF cycle or were invited to conceive naturally over a 6-month period. Combination of IAI and OAA provided a statistically significant enhanced effectiveness treatment rate (RR 1.40; 95%CI 1.07–1.82; p = 0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed regarding the side-effects rate (RR 1.33; 95%CI 0.80–2.22; p = 0.52). No statistically significant difference was observed for either arm regarding live-birth rate. Following an intention-to-treat analysis, employment of IAI corresponds to improved clinical pregnancy rate-albeit not reaching statistical significance. In conclusion, complimentary implementation of IAI could provide a statistically significant enhanced clinical treatment outcome.

scholarly journals Long-Term Mortality after Histoplasma Infection in People with HIV

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 369
Author(s):  
Joseph Cherabie ◽  
Patrick Mazi ◽  
Adriana M. Rauseo ◽  
Chapelle Ayres ◽  
Lindsey Larson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Modern Art ◽  
Private Insurance ◽  
Early Mortality ◽  
Late Mortality ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Common Opportunistic Infection ◽  
Long Term Survivors ◽  
Long Term Mortality

Histoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection in people with HIV (PWH); however, no study has looked at factors associated with the long-term mortality of histoplasmosis in PWH. We conducted a single-center retrospective study on the long-term mortality of PWH diagnosed with histoplasmosis between 2002 and 2017. Patients were categorized into three groups based on length of survival after diagnosis: early mortality (death < 90 days), late mortality (death ≥ 90 days), and long-term survivors. Patients diagnosed during or after 2008 were considered part of the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era. Insurance type (private vs. public) was a surrogate indicator of socioeconomic status. Out of 54 PWH infected with histoplasmosis, overall mortality was 37%; 14.8% early mortality and 22.2% late mortality. There was no statistically significant difference in survival based on the availability of modern ART (p = 0.60). Insurance status reached statistical significance with 38% of survivors having private insurance versus only 8% having private insurance in the late mortality group (p = 0.05). High mortality persists despite the advent of modern ART, implicating a contribution from social determinants of health, such as private insurance. Larger studies are needed to elucidate the role of these factors in the mortality of PWH.

scholarly journals Self-reported morbidities, nutritional characteristics, and associated factors in institutionalized and non-institutionalized older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelhafid Benksim ◽  
Rachid Ait Addi ◽  
Elhassania Khalloufi ◽  
Aziz Habibi ◽  
Mohamed Cherkaoui
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Nutritional Characteristics

Abstract Background As the world’s population ages and people live longer, it seems important to ensure that older people have a good quality of life and positive subjective well-being. The objective of this study is to determine socio-economic, health and nutritional characteristics of institutionalized and non-institutionalized elders in the province of Marrakech. Methods This study was conducted among 368 older adults in the province of Marrakech between March 2017 and June 2019. Of all participants, 180 older adults reside in a public institution and 188 of them live in their own homes. Data on health conditions, nutritional status, functional and socio-economic characteristics were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 16.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Institutionalized elders were illiterate (80.0%), had low incomes (95.5%), and unmarried (73.3%), they reported also no children (56.1%) and no health insurance (98.9%). Institutional residents suffered from malnutrition (22.2%), hearing impairments (35.6%) and severe edentulism (43.3%). There was no significant difference between both groups on daily activities and depression. A multivariate analysis identified a model with three significant variables associated with non-institutionalized elders: health insurance (P = 0.001; OR = 107.49), number of children (P = 0.001; OR = 1.74) and nutritional status (p = 0.001; OR = 3.853). Conclusions This study shows that the institutionalization of older adults is considerably induced by various factors such as nutritional problems, lack of health insurance and family structure. To mitigate the effects of this phenomenon, home care strategies and preventive actions should be implemented to delay the institutionalization of older adults and therefore keep them socially active in their own homes.

scholarly journals The role of peripheral type 2 innate lymphoid cells in bronchiolitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Jun Tang ◽  
Li-Li Xie ◽  
Xiang-Rong Zheng ◽  
Chen-Tao Liu ◽  
Xia Wang
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Innate Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Orphan Receptor ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Interleukin 5 ◽  
Healthy Infants ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractOur aim was to detect type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s)-related cytokines of infants with bronchiolitis by using Elisa, Liquidchip technology and RT-PCR and investigated its correlation with bronchiolitis. We recruited 26 infants with bronchiolitis and 20 healthy infants as control from Xiangya Hospital. Compared to the control group, the serum levels of interleukin-5 (IL-5) [41.99 (21.11) vs 25.70 (19.64)], IL-9 [27.04 (37.51) vs 8.30 (0.54)], IL-13 [184.05 (132.81) vs 121.75 (176.13)], IL-33 [83.70 (46.69) vs 11.23 (55.31)] and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) [31.42 (5.41) vs 28.76 (2.56)] were significantly increased in infants with bronchiolitis (P < 0.05), while the level of IgE had no significant difference between the two groups [19.05 (14.15) vs 14.85 (20.2), P > 0.05]. The mRNA expression of IL-17RB (9.83 ± 0.35 vs 9.19 ± 0.58), TSLP (16.98 ± 2.12 vs 15.07 ± 2.25), retinoid acid receptor related orphan receptor α (7.18 ± 0.71 vs 5.46 ± 1.09) and trans-acting T-cell-specific transcription factor 3 (4.86 ± 0.66 vs 4.19 ± 0.90) were significantly increased in infants with bronchiolitis versus the control group (P < 0.05), while there was no statistical significance for suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (5.59 ± 0.68 vs 5.41 ± 0.87, P > 0.05). Our findings suggested that ILC2s possibly play a specific role in immunopathology of bronchiolitis.

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