scholarly journals Alteration of Effective Connectivity in the Default Mode Network of Autism After an Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Yu ◽  
Hang Qu ◽  
Aiguo Chen ◽  
Yifan Du ◽  
Zhimei Liu ◽  
...  

Neuroimaging has revealed numerous atypical functional connectivity of default mode network (DMN) dedicated to social communications (SC) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet their nature and directionality remain unclear. Here, preschoolers with autism received physical intervention from a 12-week mini-basketball training program (12W-MBTP). Therefore, the directionality and nature of regional interactions within the DMN after the intervention are evaluated while assessing the impact of an intervention on SC. Based on the results of independent component analysis (ICA), we applied spectral dynamic causal modeling (DCM) for participants aged 3–6 years (experimental group, N = 17, control group, N = 14) to characterize the longitudinal changes following intervention in intrinsic and extrinsic effective connectivity (EC) between core regions of the DMN. Then, we analyzed the correlation between the changes in EC and SRS-2 scores to establish symptom-based validation. We found that after the 12W-MBTP intervention, the SRS-2 score of preschoolers with ASD in the experimental group was decreased. Concurrently, the inhibitory directional connections were observed between the core regions of the DMN, including increased self-inhibition in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and the changes of EC in mPFC were significantly correlated with change in the social responsiveness scale-2 (SRS-2) score. These new findings shed light on DMN as a potential intervention target, as the inhibitory information transmission between its core regions may play a positive role in improving SC behavior in preschoolers with ASD, which may be a reliable neuroimaging biomarker for future studies.Clinical Trial Registration: This study registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900024973) on August 05, 2019.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nemat Shahi ◽  
Atefeh Asadi ◽  
Elham Behnam Talab ◽  
Mahbobeh Nemat Shahi

Background and Objective. Drug dependence is one of the serious problems around the world. Saffron is one of those beneficial medicinal plants which is embedded with a similar mechanism to methadone (e.g., inhibition of serotonin reuptake). Thus, it can be helpful in reducing the withdrawal symptoms. The aim of this study was to reduce the daily dose of methadone usage and reduce its side effects using saffron in the form of medicinal supplements.Methodology. This study was categorized as a clinical trial. Accordingly, 44 clients of addiction treatment centers in Sabzevar parish were randomly selected to participate in this study in 2016–2017. While the experimental group was treated with methadone syrup and self-made saffron capsules, the control group received methadone syrup and placebo capsules.Results. The results showed that the use of saffron and methadone alleviated the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome (p<0.001).Conclusion. Having reviewed the research participants, it was indicated that the introduction of saffron alleviated the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome in patients undergoing maintenance treatment for opioid addiction. Thus, it seems rational to make use of saffron in combination with methadone in order to alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 1112-1116
Author(s):  
A Nishad ◽  
NS Sreesan ◽  
Joseph Joy ◽  
Lakshmi Lakshmanan ◽  
Joyce Thomas ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Aim The study aimed to assess the impact of mouthwashes on antibacterial activity of individuals with fixed orthodontic appliances. Materials and methods A total of 60 individuals were considered in the study. Sixty (20 each group) nonextraction class I individuals were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Group I: Experimental group [chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash], group II: Experimental group (neem mouthwash), group III: Control group (distilled water). All the clinical examinations were done at baseline and 30th day respectively, after the start of orthodontic treatment. The mean differences between the different experimental groups were calculated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Results There was no statistical significance at baseline mean plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) scores, and Streptococcus mutans (SM) colony count between groups. The PI and GI scores among CHX and neem mouthwash groups (p = 0.002, p = 0.032 respectively) were significantly reduced after intervention and also the SM colonies count was reduced in CHX and neem mouthwash groups and there was significant difference between the groups. Conclusion As both mouthwashes showed significant effectiveness on antibacterial activity in individuals with fixed orthodontic appliances, neem mouthwash can be used as an alternative to CHX. Clinical significance It is better to have a sound knowledge regarding the use of mouthwash in long term as fixed orthodontics are associated with accumulation of SM, enamel demineralization, and an increased number of carious lesions, predominantly in sites adjacent to bracket. How to cite this article Nishad A, Sreesan NS, Joy J, Lakshmanan L, Thomas J, Anjali VA. Impact of Mouthwashes on Antibacterial Activity of Subjects with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18(12):1112-1116.


Author(s):  
Maksim G. Sharaev ◽  
Viktoria V. Zavyalova ◽  
Vadim L. Ushakov ◽  
Sergey I. Kartashov ◽  
Boris M. Velichkovsky

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Huan Liu ◽  
Jun Jin ◽  
Qiao Chen ◽  
Zhongmin Li

Background. The incidence of thyroid nodules increases in the general population. Similarly, we have also seen a dramatic increase in the number of thyroid surgeries. However, the mortality rate of thyroid cancer remained stable or even decreased. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether thyroid cancer affects the malignant risk of the contralateral TI-RADS 3 and 4 nodules. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in our institution for all thyroid procedures due to nodules from December 2018 to December 2019. All eligible patients were divided into the experimental group (bilateral nodules) and the control group (unilateral nodules) to assess whether the proportion of malignant nodules was different between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to control potential confounding factors to investigate whether their differences were statistically significant. Results. A total of 330 patients underwent thyroid surgery, of whom 137 were eligible, including 84 in the experimental group and 53 in the control group. The proportion of malignant nodules was significantly different between the experimental group and the control group (29.8% versus 58.5%, unadjusted OR 0.30, 95% CI: 0.17–0.82, p = 0.001 ). However, after controlling for potential confounding factors, including age ( p = 0.004 ), gender ( p = 0.775 ), and TI-RADS classification ( p ≤ 0.001 ), we found that the difference was not significant (adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI: 0.39–3.01, p = 0.886 ). Conclusion. There is no evidence that thyroid cancer affects the malignant risk of the contralateral TI-RADS 3 and 4 nodules. This study has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (clinical trial registration number: ChiCTR2000038611, registration time: September 26, 2020).


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-313
Author(s):  
Carol Schall ◽  
Adam P. Sima ◽  
Lauren Avellone ◽  
Paul Wehman ◽  
Jennifer McDonough ◽  
...  

Abstract This article presents findings from a multisite randomized clinical trial measuring the impact of employment on independence in 18 to 22 year old youth with significant impact from autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The treatment condition was Project SEARCH plus ASD Supports (PS+ASD) where 73.4% of participants gained competitive integrated employment (CIE) within 1 year of graduation compared to control participants who acquired CIE at 17%. Within group analysis revealed that PS+ASD participants demonstrated improvement in all domains whereas control group participants demonstrated improvement in one domain only. Between groups analysis indicated that participants in PS+ASD demonstrated nominally better rates of improvement than control group participants at graduation and 1-year follow-up. Results provide evidence that employment provides therapeutic benefits to individuals with ASD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117957352110150
Author(s):  
Sahil Bajaj ◽  
Adam C Raikes ◽  
Adeel Razi ◽  
Michael A Miller ◽  
William DS Killgore

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that post concussive symptoms, including mood changes, may be improved through morning blue-wavelength light therapy (BLT). However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown. We hypothesize that BLT may influence the effective brain connectivity (EC) patterns within the default-mode network (DMN), particularly involving the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), which may contribute to improvements in mood. Methods: Resting-state functional MRI data were collected from 41 healthy-controls (HCs) and 28 individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Individuals with mTBI also underwent a diffusion-weighted imaging scan and were randomly assigned to complete either 6 weeks of daily morning BLT (N = 14) or amber light therapy (ALT; N = 14). Advanced spectral dynamic causal modeling (sDCM) and diffusion MRI connectometry were used to estimate EC patterns and structural connectivity strength within the DMN, respectively. Results: The sDCM analysis showed dominant connectivity pattern following mTBI (pre-treatment) within the hemisphere contralateral to the one observed for HCs. BLT, but not ALT, resulted in improved directional information flow (ie, EC) from the left lateral parietal cortex (LLPC) to MPFC within the DMN. The improvement in EC from LLPC to MPFC was accompanied by stronger structural connectivity between the 2 areas. For the BLT group, the observed improvements in function and structure were correlated (at a trend level) with changes in self-reported happiness. Conclusions: The current preliminary findings provide empirical evidence that morning short-wavelength light therapy could be used as a novel alternative rehabilitation technique for mTBI. Trial registry: The research protocols were registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov database (CT Identifiers NCT01747811 and NCT01721356).


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  

Aim: The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of Impedance Therapy (IT) in the treatment of degenerative disc disease by confirming the presence of the "disc grow-up" (DGU) phenomenon. Method: The set consisted of 55 patients with DDD with an average age of 51.3 years divided into two groups – the experimental group and control group. The experimental group consisted of 29 patients with an average age of 56.7 years. The control group consisted of 26 patients with an average age of 45.8 years. Results: In the experimental group of patients with DDD, who received IT, the DGU phenomenon with a success rate of 76% was observed, with an average increase in the volume of the intervertebral disc of 31% (p <0.000). In the control group of patients receiving standard electrotherapy, the DGU phenomenon was not proven – the DDD progressed normally with a mean volume reduction of 15% (p <0.000). Conclusions: Degenerative disc disease as a disease of modern civilization is treatable. It can be concluded that the theory, that degenerative disc changes are irreversible has been overcome by the impact of impedance therapy.


Author(s):  
Desvi Yanti Mukhtar ◽  
T Dicky Hastjarjo ◽  
Amitya Kumara ◽  
M G Adiyanti

The aim of the research is to know how the impact of psychoeducation group to the level of parenting stress of parents who raise a child with autism spectrum disorder. This research used quasi experimental method with the design of the untreated control group with dependent pretest and posttest samples. This research involved 25 parents  (20 mothers and 5 fathers) who raise a child with autism spectrum disorder divided into two groups, experimental group and  the control group. The experimental group has received psychoeducation treatment with ecological approach for two months (8 meetings, conducted once a week). This research used Scale of Parenting Stress, observation, test of knowledge about parenting of children with autism spectrum disorder, and sheet of evaluation of psychoeducationactivities  in collecting the data. The result of the analysis with mixed anovahave shown that psychoeducation group has no effect to the level  of parenting stress (F = 0,697 p > 0,05). The result of check manipulation have shown that the knowledge of subject on parenting of children with autism increase after join in the psychoeducation group. The result of the evaluation have  shown that subject get other benefits from the psychoeducation group, for instance make a friend, increase the knowledge about parenting of children with autism spectrum disorder, increase confidence in parenting, more patience, instance optimism and excitement in parenting and facing the future,  be grateful for the condition of the children, realize role and responsibility in parenting child with autism and feel get support from professionals.


Author(s):  
Laetitia Idier ◽  
Aurélie Untas ◽  
Nicole Rascle ◽  
Michèle Koleck ◽  
Maider Aguirrezabal ◽  
...  

Introduction:Psychological impact of Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) for dialysis patients is rarely evaluated since the focus of many studies is on medical variables (i.e., adherence).Objectives:The aims of this study were: 1) to estimate the impact of a TPE program on knowledge, depression and anxiety, 2) to examine change in knowledge as a mediator of the effects of a TPE program on mental health.Method:This study was conducted in three hemodialysis units and comprised two groups: an experimental group with education and a control group with routine care. The program was based of 5 educative sessions. Knowledge, depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed with self-reported outcomes measured before and 3 months after the program.Results:The sample comprised 125 patients. Knowledge about vascular access and nutrition (p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms increased in the experimental group (p < 0.01). Analysis of mediation showed that changes in knowledge about vascular access were a significant mediator of the effects of the program on depressive symptoms (F = 4.90;p = 0.01).Discussion:Knowledge acquired during an educational program could lead to an emotional change. Improving knowledge often leads to an awareness of the risks that can modify the psychological state of patients by reminding them of their vulnerability. This study shows that it is required to be attentive to the way of transmitting knowledge. It’s necessary adapting this transmission to the needs of patients and promoting the acquisition of psychosocial competence too.Conclusion:This study shows that knowledge acquired during an educational program can lead to an emotional change in the short term. A long-term follow-up of the population should be interesting to observe these emotional effects.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document