Longitudinal Changes in Patient-Ventilator Asynchronies and Respiratory System Mechanics Before and After Tracheostomy. A Pilot Study

In 16 anesthetized paralyzed mechanically ventilated rats, respiratory system mechanics and rib cage dimensions were determined both before and after wide abdominal opening. In eight animals the end-inflation occlusion method disclosed statistically significant postoperative increases in respiratory system elastance (from 4.84 to 6.49 cmH2O.ml-1) and resistance (from 0.224 to 0.300 cmH2O.ml-1.s); the latter resulted from a rise of its uneven component (from 0.161 to 0.209 cmH2O.ml-1.s). In the remaining rats, rib cage morphometry at functional residual capacity after surgery showed significant decreases in lower rib cage circumference and anteroposterior and lateral diameters, whereas there was an increase in upper rib cage circumference and a fall in its lateral diameter. When these parameters were measured at end-inspiratory lung volume, the difference between intact and open abdomen were less striking; only lower rib cage circumference and upper rib cage lateral diameter significantly decreased postoperatively. Because surgery induced an expiratory volume of only 0.1 ml, it can be concluded that abdominal opening redistributed regional volumes within the lung, leading to increased unevenness in the system.

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Long-Known Music Exposure Effects on Brain Imaging and Cognition in Early-Stage Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Study

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.3233/jad-210610 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Corinne E. Fischer ◽

Nathan Churchill ◽

Melissa Leggieri ◽

Veronica Vuong ◽

Michael Tau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Cognitive Decline ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Early Stage ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽

Music Listening ◽

Longitudinal Changes ◽

Before And After ◽

Clear Objective

Background: Repeated exposure to long-known music has been shown to have a beneficial effect on cognitive performance in patients with AD. However, the brain mechanisms underlying improvement in cognitive performance are not yet clear. Objective: In this pilot study we propose to examine the effect of repeated long-known music exposure on imaging indices and corresponding changes in cognitive function in patients with early-stage cognitive decline. Methods: Participants with early-stage cognitive decline were assigned to three weeks of daily long-known music listening, lasting one hour in duration. A cognitive battery was administered, and brain activity was measured before and after intervention. Paired-measures tests evaluated the longitudinal changes in brain structure, function, and cognition associated with the intervention. Results: Fourteen participants completed the music-based intervention, including 6 musicians and 8 non-musicians. Post-baseline there was a reduction in brain activity in key nodes of a music-related network, including the bilateral basal ganglia and right inferior frontal gyrus, and declines in fronto-temporal functional connectivity and radial diffusivity of dorsal white matter. Musician status also significantly modified longitudinal changes in functional and structural brain measures. There was also a significant improvement in the memory subdomain of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that neuroplastic mechanisms may mediate improvements in cognitive functioning associated with exposure to long-known music listening and that these mechanisms may be different in musicians compared to non-musicians.

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A pilot study on the effect of ulipristal acetate on myoma angiogenesis, measured by 2D ultrasound and VEGF serum levels

10.36811/ojgor.2020.110015 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 19-29

Author(s):

Patricia Diaz Ortega ◽

Manuel García Manero

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Power Doppler ◽

Uterine Fibroids ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Ulipristal Acetate ◽

Before And After ◽

Angiogenesis Process ◽

2D Ultrasound ◽

Average Size

Introduction: Symptomatic uterine fibroids can cause symptoms that can be disabling. There are many treatments, including ulipristal acetate, whose role in reducing symptoms and decreasing the size of the fibroid is well known. With this preliminary study, we also try to evaluate the correlation between myoma vascularization measured by ultrasound (Power Doppler 2D) and serum VEGF levels, before and after treatment with ulipristal acetate; in patients diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: A preliminary, prospective observational pilot study was designed. Twenty-four premenopausal women, diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids, were included and all of them completed the study. Four cycles of ulipristal acetate were administered according to the dose and indications specified in the data sheet. In order to assess the influence of this treatment on the angiogenesis process of the fibroids, measurements of VEGF serum levels were made and their vascularization was assessed by means of 2D power doppler ultrasound; at the beginning and the end of treatment. In addition, several determinations of the same parameters were made throughout the successive visits. Endpoints were defined as the decrease in VEGF levels from previous levels, the decrease in myoma vascularization on ultrasound, and the reduction in myoma size. Result: 24 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled (n=24). The average size of myomas was reduced from 45,08 ? 24,02mm to 29?16,96mm after treatment. The average VEGF serum level significantly decreased after the first treatment cycle (from 147,17 ? 153,51 pg/ml to 102,04 ? 186,08pg/ml). Vascularization of myomas after treatment with ulipristal acetate was analyzed, and a significantly decrease was achieved in 83,3% of cases. Conclusion: There is a correlation between myoma vascularization and treatment with Ulipristal acetate. SPRMs may provide effective treatment for women with symptomatic fibroids by two ways: supports selective progesterone receptor modulators and reduced angiogenesis. Keywords: Angiogenesis; Ulipristal Acetate; Uterine fibroids; VEGF

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THU0642-HPR EVOLUTION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF RA PATIENTS AFTER EDUCATION PATIENT SESSION TEACHING METHOTREXATE SELF-INJECTION A PROSPECTIVE PILOT STUDY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.5505 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 566.1-566

Author(s):

S. Afilal ◽

H. Rkain ◽

B. Berchane ◽

J. Moulay Berkchi ◽

S. Fellous ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Patient Education ◽

Median Duration ◽

Large Scale ◽

Education Session ◽

Prospective Pilot Study ◽

Mean Delay ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Level Of Satisfaction ◽

Before And After

Background:Methotrexate is a gold standard for treatment of RA. In our context, RA patients prefer to be injected by paramedics rather than self-injecting. This can be explained by patients’ bad perceptions of self-injection or lack of information. Appropriate self-injection education can therefore be an important element in overcoming these obstacles and improving disease self-management.Objectives:Compare the RA patients’ perceptions on methotrexate self-injection before and after a patient education session.Methods:Prospective pilot study that included 27 consecutive patients (81.5% female, mean age 44.4 years, illiteracy rate 40.7%) with RA (median duration of progression of 4 years, mean delay in referral for specialist of 6 months, median duration of methotrexate use of 1 year). The patients benefited from an individual patient education session to learn how to self-inject with methotrexate subcutaneously. The patient education session was supervised by a nurse and a rheumatologist with a control a week later. Perceptions of the reluctance to self-inject and the difficulties encountered by patients were assessed before the patient education session, after the 1st and 2nd self-injection of methotrexate using a 10 mm visual analog scale. Patients also reported their level of satisfaction (10 mm VAS) after the 1st and 2nd self-injection.Results:The mean duration of patient education session is 13 min.Table I compares the evolution of the degrees of reluctance to self-injection, the difficulties encountered, and the satisfaction experienced by the patients.Table 1.Evolution of RA patients’ perceptions on the methotrexate self-injection. (N = 27)BeforeAfter the 1stself-injectionAfter the 2end self-injectionpVAS reluctance (0-10mm)6,5 ± 3,62,2 ± 2,91,0 ± 2,3<0,0001VAS difficulty (0-10mm)7,5 ± 2,62,5 ± 2,71,0 ± 1,9<0,0001VAS satisfaction (0-10mm)-8,9 ± 1,89,5 ± 1,50,002Conclusion:This study suggests the effectiveness of a methotrexate self-injection patient education session in RA patients. It also highlights the value of patient education in rheumatologic care. A large-scale study is necessary to better interpret and complete these preliminary results from this pilot study.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Plasma Exosomal miRNA Levels after Radiotherapy Are Associated with Early Progression and Metastasis of Cervical Cancer: A Pilot Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10102110 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2110

Author(s):

Oyeon Cho ◽

Do-Wan Kim ◽

Jae-Youn Cheong

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Biological Functions ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Initial Stage ◽

Exosomal Mirnas ◽

Early Progression ◽

Before And After ◽

Microenvironmental Factors ◽

Exosomal Mirna

Plasma exosomal miRNAs are key regulators of cell-cell interactions associated with several biological functions in patients with cancer. This pilot study aimed to investigate the log2 fold change (log2FC) of the expression of exosomal miRNAs and related mRNAs in the blood of patients with cervical cancer to identify prognostic markers better than those currently available. We sequenced plasma exosomal RNA from 56 blood samples collected from 28 patients with cervical cancer, who had been treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Changes in the expression of miRNAs and mRNAs before and after CCRT were represented as log2FC. Their biological functions were studied by miRNA-mRNA network analysis, using ingenuity pathway analysis, after the selection of two groups of miRNAs, each associated with early progression (EP) and metastasis, also described as initial stage. Seven patients experienced EP, three of whom died within four months after progression. Reduced levels of miR-1228-5p, miR-33a-5p, miR-3200-3p, and miR-6815-5p and increased levels of miR-146a-3p in patients with EP revealed unresolved inflammation, with accompanying increased expression of PCK1 and decreased expression of FCGR1A. Increased levels of miR-605-5p, miR-6791-5p, miR-6780a-5p, and miR-6826-5p and decreased levels of miR-16-1-3p (or 15a-3p) were associated with the degree of metastasis and led to the systemic activation of myeloid, endothelial, and epithelial cells, as well as neurons, phagocytes, and platelets. Log2FCs in the expression of miRNAs and mRNAs from plasma exosomes after CCRT are associated with EP and metastasis, reflecting unresolved inflammation and systemic microenvironmental factors, respectively. However, this study, supported by preliminary data insufficient to reach clear conclusions, should be verified in larger prospective cohorts.

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Gamma entrainment frequency affects mood, memory and cognition: an exploratory pilot study

Brain Informatics ◽

10.1186/s40708-020-00119-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ryan L. S. Sharpe ◽

Mufti Mahmud ◽

M. Shamim Kaiser ◽

Jianhui Chen

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Correlation Analysis ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Cognitive Abilities ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Assessment Scores ◽

Frequency Group ◽

Before And After ◽

Mood Score ◽

40 Hz

AbstractHere we provide evidence with an exploratory pilot study that through the use of a Gamma 40 Hz entrainment frequency, mood, memory and cognition can be improved with respect to a 9-participant cohort. Participants constituted towards three binaural entrainment frequency groups: the 40 Hz, 25 Hz and 100 Hz. Participants attended a total of eight entrainment frequency sessions twice over the duration of a 4-week period. Additionally, participants were assessed based on their cognitive abilities, mood as well as memory, where the cognitive and memory assessments occurred before and after a 5-min binaural beat stimulation. The mood assessment scores were collected from sessions 1, 4 and 8, respectively. With respect to the Gamma 40 Hz entrainment frequency population, we observed a mean improvement in cognitive scores, elevating from 75% average to 85% average upon conclusion of the experimentation at weak statistical significance ($$\alpha$$ α = 0.10, p = 0.076). Similarly, memory score improvements at a greater significance ($$\alpha$$ α = 0.05, p = 0.0027) were noted, elevating from an average of 87% to 95%. In pertinence to the mood scores, a negative correlation across all populations were noted, inferring an overall increase in mood due to lower scores correlating with elevated mood. Finally, correlation analysis revealed a stronger R$$^2$$ 2 value (0.9838) within the 40 Hz group between sessions as well as mood score when compared across the entire frequency group cohort.

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