scholarly journals Nicotine smoking is associated with impaired cognitive performance in Pakistani young people

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11470
Author(s):  
Tuba Riaz ◽  
Ghulam Murtaza ◽  
Areej Arif ◽  
Shahid Mahmood ◽  
Razia Sultana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Attention Switching ◽  
Percent Correct ◽  
Correct Latency ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean ◽  
State Examination ◽  
With Memory

Nicotine smoking is the most common mode of tobacco smoking among young people. It affects the areas of the brain associated with memory, attention, and learning. This study has investigated the effect of nicotine smoking on cognitive performance. One hundred male volunteers (50 nicotine smokers and 50 nonsmokers) aged 18–30 years with similar socioeconomic backgrounds were recruited for this study. Clinical history of participants was obtained using a questionnaire. Their brain health and handedness were determined using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI), respectively. The dependent variables examined in the study were attention-switching tasks (AST), pattern recognition memory (PRM), and choice reaction time (CRT). These parameters were assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery (CANTAB). The average ages of participating smokers and nonsmokers were 24.02 ± 3.41 years (mean ± standard deviation) and 22.68 ± 1.87 years, respectively. MMSE and EHI scores of smokers were 28.42 ± 1.09 and 99.75 ± 1.77, respectively; for nonsmokers, these scores were 28.54 ± 1.34 and 98 ± 1.91, respectively. The mean score for AST correct latency/delay was significantly higher (p = 0.050) in smokers (620.26 ± 142.03) than in nonsmokers (570.11 ± 108.39). The percentage of correct AST trials was significantly higher (p = 0.000) in nonsmokers (96.95 ± 2.18) than in smokers (83.75 ± 11.22). The PRM percent correct were significantly higher (p = 0.000) of nonsmokers (93.42 ± 8.34) than of smokers (79.75 ± 13.44). The mean correct latency for CRT was significantly higher (p = 0.009) in smokers (509.87 ± 129.83) than in nonsmokers (455.20 ± 65.73). From this data, it can be concluded that nicotine smoking is linked with impaired cognitive functions in smokers.

Thyroid Hormone Levels in Panic Disorder*

1987 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram K. Yeragani ◽  
John M. Rainey ◽  
Robert Pohl ◽  
Aurelio Ortiz ◽  
Paula Weinberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Thyroid Dysfunction ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
P Value ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Trh Stimulation ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Normal Controls

A history of thyroid dysfunction has been reported in patients with phobic disorders. There is also evidence of a blunted TSH response to TRH stimulation in patients with panic disorder. In this study, values of T3, T4 and T7 were compared between 26 patients with panic attacks and 20 normal controls. Patients were diagnosed according to DSM-III criteria and those with a clinical history of thyroid dysfunction were excluded. Patients were not on any medication when the blood samples were drawn. The mean values of T3, T4 and T7 did not significantly differ between the two groups, suggesting no evidence of hypo or hyperthyroidism; however, the variance of distribution of T3, T4 and T7 values was significantly different between the two groups (Fmax values for T3: 2.55, p value < 0.05; T4: 3.15, p value < 0.01; T7: 2.55, p value < 0.05).

scholarly journals Valproate-associated Movement Disorder: A Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 140-180
Author(s):  
Jamir Pitton Rissardo ◽  
Ana Letícia Fornari Caprara ◽  
Ícaro Durante
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Movement Disorder ◽  
Median Time ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Language Restriction ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Epidemiological Profile ◽  
Full Investigation

Valproate (VPA) was first synthesized in 1882, but it was only in the early 1960s that its anticonvulsant properties were discovered. The aim of this literature review is to evaluate the clinical epidemiological profile, pathological mechanisms, and management of VPA-associated movement disorder (MD). Relevant reports in six databases were identified and assessed by two reviewers without language restriction. A total of 138 reports containing 362 cases of subjects who developed a MD secondary to VPA were reported. The MD identified were parkinsonism (PKN) (252), myoclonus (MCL) (54), dystonia (DTN) (17), dyskinesia (DKN) (16), stutters (4), tics (3), akathisia (AKT) (1). In the not clearly defined group, 15 extrapyramidal symptoms, 3 AKT, 2 DTN, 1 rigidity, 1 unstable gait were assessed. The mean and median age was 55.8 (SD: 16.58) and 61 years (range: 4–87 years). The most common VPA-indication was epilepsy, and 51.36% were males. The mean and median time from the VPA start to the MD onset was 32.75 (SD: 30.05) and 21.15 months (range: 1 day – 20 years). The mean and median time from the VPA withdrawal until the MD recovery was 2.89 (SD: 2.79) and 3 months (1 day – 12 months). The most common management was drug withdrawal. A complete recovery was obtained in 80.61%. VPA-associated MD was extensively reported in the literature. PKN was the most well-described. Future studies need to clearly report the clinical history of the patient, considering the full investigation of other adverse events during their entire life.

scholarly journals Surgical Treatment of Gallstone Ileus: Less Is More

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Cristina Vera-Mansilla ◽  
Ana Sanchez-Gollarte ◽  
Belen Matias ◽  
Fernando Mendoza-Moreno ◽  
Manuel Díez-Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Gallstone Ileus ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Less Is More ◽  
Delayed Cholecystectomy ◽  
Female Predominance ◽  
Biliary Pathology ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the need for cholecystectomy in patients who underwent surgery for gallstone ileus. Methods: This was a retrospective review of the clinical history of patients who underwent surgery for gallstone ileus between December 1992 and December 2018 and follow-up until October 2020. Data regarding the surgical intervention, location of the obstruction, and surgical procedure performed were collected, as well as complications in relation to biliary pathology in the postoperative period. Results: Twenty-five patients underwent surgery for gallstone ileus. In all patients, except one, the site of the obstruction was identified. The mean age of the patients was 72 (standard deviation [SD] 13.3) years, with a female predominance (18: 7). The patients presented symptoms, on average, 2.9 (1–7) days before going to the emergency room; the primary symptoms were vomiting associated with abdominal pain and constipation (56%). Fifty-six percent of patients were diagnosed preoperatively by imaging tests. In 72% of patients, an enterolithotomy was performed alone without any other intervention on the gallbladder or bile duct. Eighty-three percent of the patients did not present any cholecystobiliary complications during the entire follow-up period, and urgent or delayed cholecystectomy was not performed after the acute episode. Conclusions: Gallstone ileus is a rare entity, and there are no randomized studies that support a preferred treatment. If surgical intervention is required, enterotomy for stone extraction is a safe and effective technique, and in our experience, urgent or delayed cholecystectomy is not necessary.

scholarly journals Depersonalisation disorder: clinical features of 204 cases

2003 ◽  
Vol 182 (5) ◽  
pp. 428-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn Baker ◽  
Elaine Hunter ◽  
Emma Lawrence ◽  
Nicholas Medford ◽  
Maxine Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Past History ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Dissociative Amnesia ◽  
Male Preponderance ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
The Mean ◽  
State Examination

BackgroundDepersonalisation disorder is a poorly understood and underresearched syndrome.AimsTo carry out a large and comprehensive clinical and psychopathological survey of a series of patients who made contact with a research clinic.MethodA total of 204 consecutive eligible referrals were included: 124 had a full psychiatric examination using items of the Present State Examination to define depersonalisation/derealisation and 80 had either a telephone interview (n=22) or filled out a number of self-report questionnaires. Cases assessed were diagnosed according to DSM–IV criteria.ResultsThe mean age of onset was 22.8 years; early onset was associated with greater severity There was a slight male preponderance. The disorder tended to be chronic and persistent. Seventy-one per cent met DSM–IV criteria for primary depersonalisation disorder. Depersonalisation symptom scores correlated with both anxiety and depression and a past history of these disorders was commonly reported. ‘Dissociative amnesia’ was not prominent.ConclusionsDepersonalisation disorder is a recognisable clinical entity but appears to have significant comorbidity with anxiety and depression. Research into its aetiology and treatment is warranted.

The Scottish First Episode Schizophrenia Study: III. Cognitive Performance

1987 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-340 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Block Design ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Wechsler Adult Intelligence ◽  
First Episode Schizophrenia ◽  
State Examination

Cognitive performance in 46 first episode schizophrenics was assessed within 1 week of admission to hospital by Progressive Matrices, Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale, Block Design and Similarities subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and Digit Copying Test. Patients' intellectual performance was at a dull normal level, just within one standard deviation from the mean. There was an association between the presence of anxiety and depression and lower scores on psychological tests. Patients assessed by the Present State Examination as belonging to the ‘uncertain psychosis' category performed more poorly.

The prevalence of depression in relation to cerebral atrophy and cognitive performance in 70- and 74-year-old women in Gothenburg. The Women's Health Study

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. PÁLSSON ◽  
L. LARSSON ◽  
E. TENGELIN ◽  
M. WAERN ◽  
S. SAMUELSSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Brain Atrophy ◽  
Cerebral Atrophy ◽  
White Matter Lesions ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
History Of ◽  
State Examination

Background. Hospital-based studies report that depression in the elderly is associated with brain atrophy. This notion could not be confirmed in a population study on 85-year-olds. We aimed to assess depression in relation to brain atrophy and cognition in 70- and 74-year-old women.Methods. A representative sample of 70- and 74-year-old women (N = 501) was examined with a psychiatric examination including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), measuring global cognitive function, and computerized tomography (CT) of the brain (N = 268). Depression was diagnosed according to DSM-III-R. Previous depression was diagnosed by history and by information from previous examinations in this 24-year longitudinal study.Results. The prevalence of depression was 11·6%, including 8·4% with major depression (MDD). Among those who were currently mentally healthy, 43·0% had a history of previous depression. Women with current MDD had lower scores on the MMSE than the mentally healthy women. This association was only found in women with a lower level of education. Current depressives, previous depressives and mentally healthy women without a history of depression did not differ on CT with regard to brain atrophy or white matter lesions. The association between MDD and lower cognitive performance was independent of the association of cognitive performance with structural brain changes on CT.Conclusions. Brain atrophy on CT is not associated with depression in the general population, despite the fact that individuals with depression have a worse cognitive performance. The finding that cognitive performance was not decreased in individuals with previous depression suggests that cognitive dysfunction is a state phenomenon in depression.

scholarly journals Clinicopathologic Profile of Bronchogenic Carcinoma

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (178) ◽  
Author(s):  
SG Shrestha ◽  
R Dhakhwa ◽  
R Chokhani
Keyword(s):  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Bronchogenic Carcinoma ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Histologic Subtype ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Clinicopathologic Profile ◽  
Almost All

INTRODUCTION: Bronchogenic carcinoma is the most common cancer in the world. It can present in many ways. Accurate diagnosis and categorization into different types is important because of its effect on prognosis and management. We conducted this study to find out the frequency of various histological types of bronchogenic carcinoma and correlate with their clinicopathologic profile. METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted in 174 histopathologically proven cases of bronchogenic carcinoma that were referred from different parts of the country to a private hospital in Kathmandu over a period of 4 years. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients developing bronchogenic carcinoma was 64 years. Squamous cell carcinoma was the commonest histologic subtype followed by small cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma was more common in females. Clinical history was available in 133 cases. Among them, almost all patients had a history of smoking, the average number of pack years being 39.99. Most of the patients consulted doctor for chief complaint of cough and shortness of breath, the average duration of symptoms being 117.53 days. CONCLUSIONS: The lung cancer must be ruled out in all patients who have persistent signs and symptoms of pulmonary disease with a history of smoking. KEYWORDS:  bronchogenic, histopathology, smoking.

Revisiting the Natural History of Chronic Scaphoid Nonunions: A Retrospective Study of 20 Cases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Terrence Jose Jerome
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Scaphoid Nonunion ◽  
Proximal Pole ◽  
Degenerative Arthritis ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background The natural history of scaphoid nonunion is the development of degenerative arthritis. A lot of information is still unclear about this progression. The purpose of this study is to analyze patients with scaphoid nonunions who had not received any kind of treatment and to assess the functional outcome. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study that analyzed the patients with chronic scaphoid nonunions between 2009 and 2019. None of the patients received any treatment. The age at the time of injury, examination, pattern of fracture, types of scaphoid nonunion, symptoms, and duration of nonunion were noted. Diagnosis was confirmed by radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scapholunate and radiolunate angles were recorded. Pain score, modified mayo wrist score, grip strength, range of movement, and the functional outcome of these scaphoid nonunions were analyzed. A statistical correlation between the scaphoid nonunion presentations and the functional outcome was assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 62 years (range: 35–82 years.). There were 17 male and 3 female patients. There were 9 waist and 11 proximal pole scaphoid nonunions. The mean duration of scaphoid nonunion was 34 years (range: 10–62 years). None of the patients had avascular necrosis (AVN) of the proximal scaphoid. The age at examination, gender, side of injury, fracture pattern (waist/proximal pole), fracture displacement ≤ 1 mm or > 1 mm, nonunion duration, and radiographic arthritic parameters had no significant impact on the functional outcome. Conclusions Untreated chronic scaphoid nonunion leads to the development of degenerative arthritis over a period of years, which is still unpredictable. Most of the patients become aware of the nonunion following a precedent injury or other reasons. Most of the patients have fair/good functional outcome despite reduced range of movements and grip strength. Many do not favor surgical intervention in the course of nonunion. Chronic nonunions open a lot of unanswered questions. Clinical relevance There have been numerous studies on the treatment aspects of scaphoid nonunion, with little knowledge about certain people with nonunion who did not have any kind of treatment. The demographics, clinical findings, and radiological parameters do confirm the progression of these nonunion to arthritis, but most of them had fair-to-good outcome throughout their life. It opens our thinking about the real need of treatment in such nonunions and raises numerous questions about the disease. Level of evidence This is a Level IV study.

Component resolved diagnostics in peanut sensitized children with and without a history of clinical reaction

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 336-340
Author(s):  
Yasmin Hamzavi Abedi ◽  
Cristina P. Sison ◽  
Punita Ponda
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Specific Ige ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Ara H 1 ◽  
Sige Level ◽  
History Of ◽  
Laboratory Procedures ◽  
Ige Mediated ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Serum Peanut-specific-IgE (PN-sIgE) and peanut-component-resolved-diagnostics (CRD) are often ordered simultaneously in the evaluation for peanut allergy. Results often guide the plans for peanut oral challenge. However, the clinical utility of CRD at different total PN-sIgE levels is unclear. A commonly used predefined CRD Ara h2 cutoff value in the literature predicting probability of peanut challenge outcomes is 0.35kUA/L. Objective: To examine the utility of CRD in patients with and without a history of clinical reactivity to peanut (PN). Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of 196 children with PN-sIgE and CRD testing, of which, 98 patients had a clinical history of an IgE-mediated reaction when exposed to PN and 98 did not. The Fisher's exact test was used to assess the relationship between CRD and PN-sIgE at different cutoff levels, McNemar test and Gwet’s approach (AC1 statistic) were used to examine agreement between CRD and PN-sIgE, and logistic regression was used to assess differences in the findings between patients with and without reaction history. Results: Ara h 1, 2, 3, or 9 (ARAH) levels ≤0.35 kUA/L were significantly associated with PN-sIgE levels <2 kUA/L rather than ≥2 kUA/L (p < 0.0001). When the ARAH threshold was increased to 1 kUA/L and 2 kUA/L, these thresholds were still significantly associated with PN-sIgE levels of <2, <5, and <14 kUA/L. These findings were not significantly different in patients with and without a history of clinical reactivity. Conclusion: ARAH values correlated with PN-sIgE. Regardless of clinical history, ARAH levels are unlikely to be below 0.35, 1, or 2 kUA/L if the PN-sIgE level is >2 kUA/L. Thus, if possible, practitioners should consider PN-sIgE rather than automatically ordering CRD with PN-sIgE every time. Laboratory procedures that allow automatically and reflexively adding CRD when the PN-sIgE level is ≤5 kUA/L can be helpful. However, further studies are needed in subjects with challenge-proven PN allergy.

Stepping up detection, response, preparedness and readiness measures for “COVID-19”- A Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1042-1047
Author(s):  
Khushbu Balsara ◽  
Deepankar Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Short Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Detection Response ◽  
Care Worker

In a very short period of time, “COVID-19” has seized the consciousness globally by making remarkable changes in our day to day living and has superintended as a public health emergency globally. It has high radar of transmission, affecting an individual at work to frontline workers. The measures and planning for a response plays a key role from drawing up an emergency committee and this follows an equation which broadly deals with epidemiological to clinical history of the patient, management steps from isolation, screening, diagnostic assays for identification and treatment. The application of an organized plan with secure structure aids in better performance, increases efficacy of management and saves time. Also saves time for a health care worker to g through routine levels of channels of administration if already a familiar way of operation is known for such situations. Thus, planning and developing a ‘blueprint of approach’ towards management of patient while facing such situation is a must. This review provides an insight to the measures for detection, response and preparedness of the hospital and health care workers should largely be inclusive of; also highlights the measures to be taken at every step after coming in contact with a positive case of “COVID-19”.

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