Repetition-attenuation of auditory N1 is modulated by the phonological representations of spoken word-forms

Repeated auditory stimuli are usually found to elicit attenuated peak amplitude of the N1 component of the event related brain potential (ERP). While the repetition-attenuation of the auditory N1 has been found sensitive to some cognitive factors, less is known whether and how the representational properties of stimuli influence this physiological phenomenon. To further address this issue, we focus on the phonological representations of spoken word-forms, and hypothesise modulatory roles of two phonological features: the lexicality and its usage frequency of a word-form. To test this, we used a short-term habituation design with a factorial combination of the two features at two levels each (i.e., lexicality (real versus pseudo word-form) X frequency (high versus low frequency)). EEG was recorded from 30 native Mandarin-speaking participants while they were passively delivered with stimulations trains. Each train consisted of five presentation positions (S1 ~ S5), on which one word-form is presented repeatedly, separated by a brief, constant interstimulus interval. At the fourth presentation position (S4), we found greater N1 attenuation in low-frequency pseudo word-forms than in low-frequency real and high-frequency pseudo word-forms, respectively. The results support our representational modulation hypothesis, and provides the first evidence that representations of different phonological features interactively modulate the N1 repetition-attenuation. The brain function that underlies the phonological effects of the representational modulation on N1 repetition-attenuation might be sensory filtering.

A comparison of efficacy between 0.2% of topical glyceryl trinitrate and lateral anal sphincterotomy

Background: Anal fissure is a linear tear in the lining of the anal canal below the dentate line. Among the conservative modalities glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is emerging as first line of treatment since it breaks the vicious cycle and relaxes the sphincter. Surgery was considered as the first line of treatment if conservative measures such as bulk laxatives, stool softeners and local anaesthetics fail. Aim of this study was to study the aetiology and predisposing factors, age and sex distribution, clinical presentation, position of fissure, complications associated with medical and surgical management and comparison of efficacy of topical GTN (0.2%) and lateral anal sphincterotomy.Methods: The study was based on analysis of 60 patients who were treated for chronic fissure in ano at Malla Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad from January 2018 to February 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups. One group was managed by topical application of the ointment and other group was managed by surgery (lateral anal sphincterotomy). Statistical tool (software) used to analyse the data was SPSS 13.0 software.Results: Around 33.33% patients who were managed medically by 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate did not have relief of symptoms. Patients under surgical management had more relief of symptoms (86.6%). Almost all patients treated with glyceryl trinitrate had some form of headache. During the immediate post-operative period 13.3% patients treated with surgery had pain.Conclusions: It can be concluded that open lateral anal sphincterotomy is superior to topical 0.2% GTN with high rate of healing and very low rate of complications.

A comparative study on the efficacy of drotaverine and valethamate on cervical dilatation during labour

Background: The most common cause of prolonged first stage of labour is cervical spasm leading to cervical dystocia. Many times it is observed that inspite of good uterine contractions; cervix fails to dilate or dilates very slowly. This is functional cervical dystocia.Methods: On admission detailed history was taken, complete general physical examination was made. Careful obstetric examination confirmed the lie, presentation, position of the foetus and FHP. Vaginal examination was made and the state of cervix (Dilatation, consistency and effacement) station of the vertex and type and adequacy of the pelvis was noted.Results: A slight increase in the cervical tear is noted in the multrigravida in Group II. The incidence of PPH was double that of Group III. This was observed specifically when the drug was given after 5cms of dilatation of cervix.Conclusions: The maternal adverse effects were more with valethamate. Though there was transient fetal tachycardia with valethamate, the fetal outcome remained the same in all the groups.

Retrospective Evaluations of Sequences

Retrospective evaluation (RE) of event sequences is known to be biased in various ways. The present paper presents a series of studies that examined the suggestion that the moments that are the most accessible in memory at the point of RE contribute to these biases. As predicted by this memory-based analysis, Experiment 1 showed that pleasantness ratings of word lists were biased by the presentation position of a negative item and by how easy the negative information was to retrieve. Experiment 2 ruled out the hypothesis that these findings were due to the dual nature of the task called upon. Experiment 3 further manipulated the memorability of the negative items – and corresponding changes in RE were as predicted. Finally, Experiment 4 extended the findings to more complex stimuli involving event narratives. Overall, the results suggest that assessments were adjusted based on the retrieval of the most readily available information.