Significance of Random Bladder Biopsies in Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

PubMed Central

Kumano, Masafumi; Miyake, Hideaki; Nakano, Yuzo; Fujisawa, Masato

2013-01-01

Background/Aims To evaluate retrospectively the clinical outcome of random bladder biopsies in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) undergoing transurethral resection (TUR). Patients and Method This study included 234 consecutive patients with NMIBC who underwent random biopsies from normal-appearing urothelium of the bladder, including the anterior wall, posterior wall, right wall, left wall, dome, trigone and/or prostatic urethra, during TUR. Result Thirty-seven patients (15.8%) were diagnosed by random biopsies as having urothelial cancer. Among several factors available prior to TUR, preoperative urinary cytology appeared to be independently related to the detection of urothelial cancer in random biopsies on multivariate analysis. Urinary cytology prior to TUR gave 50.0% sensitivity, 91.7% specificity, 56.8% positive predictive value and 89.3% negative predictive value for predicting the findings of the random biopsies. Conclusion Biopsies of normal-appearing urothelium resulted in the additional detection of urothelial cancer in a definite proportion of NMIBC patients, and it remains difficult to find a reliable alternative to random biopsies. Collectively, these findings suggest that it would be beneficial to perform random biopsies as part of the routine management of NMIBC. PMID:24917759

Detection of mastitis in dairy cattle by use of mixture models for repeated somatic cell scores: a Bayesian approach via Gibbs sampling.

PubMed

Odegård, J; Jensen, J; Madsen, P; Gianola, D; Klemetsdal, G; Heringstad, B

2003-11-01

The distribution of somatic cell scores could be regarded as a mixture of at least two components depending on a cow's udder health status. A heteroscedastic two-component Bayesian normal mixture model with random effects was developed and implemented via Gibbs sampling. The model was evaluated using datasets consisting of simulated somatic cell score records. Somatic cell score was simulated as a mixture representing two alternative udder health statuses ("healthy" or "diseased"). Animals were assigned randomly to the two components according to the probability of group membership (Pm). Random effects (additive genetic and permanent environment), when included, had identical distributions across mixture components. Posterior probabilities of putative mastitis were estimated for all observations, and model adequacy was evaluated using measures of sensitivity, specificity, and posterior probability of misclassification. Fitting different residual variances in the two mixture components caused some bias in estimation of parameters. When the components were difficult to disentangle, so were their residual variances, causing bias in estimation of Pm and of location parameters of the two underlying distributions. When all variance components were identical across mixture components, the mixture model analyses returned parameter estimates essentially without bias and with a high degree of precision. Including random effects in the model increased the probability of correct classification substantially. No sizable differences in probability of correct classification were found between models in which a single cow effect (ignoring relationships) was fitted and models where this effect was split into genetic and permanent environmental components, utilizing relationship information. When genetic and permanent environmental effects were fitted, the between-replicate variance of estimates of posterior means was smaller because the model accounted for random genetic drift.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on mood and emotional information processing in recovered depressed individuals.

PubMed

Antypa, Niki; Smelt, August H M; Strengholt, Annette; Van der Does, A J Willem

2012-05-01

Beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids have been reported for several psychiatric disorders, particularly for depression. Association studies show a relationship between omega-3 intake and depression risk. Meta-analyses of clinical trials have shown a moderate effect of supplementation on depressive symptoms, but not on normal mood states. Few studies have investigated effects on cognition. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of omega-3 supplements on cognition and mood of recovered depressed individuals. Seventy-one participants were randomized to receive either omega-3 or placebo for four weeks in a randomized double-blind design. Results showed small effects of omega-3 supplementation on aspects of emotional decision-making and on self-reported states of depression and tension. Some of the effects were confounded by learning effects. No significant effects were observed on memory, attention, cognitive reactivity and depressive symptoms. While inconclusive, the present findings may indicate that omega-3 supplementation has selective effects on emotional cognition and mood in recovered depressed participants.

Evaluation of Classifier Performance for Multiclass Phenotype Discrimination in Untargeted Metabolomics.

PubMed

Trainor, Patrick J; DeFilippis, Andrew P; Rai, Shesh N

2017-06-21

Statistical classification is a critical component of utilizing metabolomics data for examining the molecular determinants of phenotypes. Despite this, a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the accuracy of classification techniques for phenotype discrimination given metabolomics data has not been conducted. We conducted such an evaluation using both simulated and real metabolomics datasets, comparing Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Sparse PLS-DA, Random Forests, Support Vector Machines (SVM), Artificial Neural Network, k -Nearest Neighbors ( k -NN), and Naïve Bayes classification techniques for discrimination. We evaluated the techniques on simulated data generated to mimic global untargeted metabolomics data by incorporating realistic block-wise correlation and partial correlation structures for mimicking the correlations and metabolite clustering generated by biological processes. Over the simulation studies, covariance structures, means, and effect sizes were stochastically varied to provide consistent estimates of classifier performance over a wide range of possible scenarios. The effects of the presence of non-normal error distributions, the introduction of biological and technical outliers, unbalanced phenotype allocation, missing values due to abundances below a limit of detection, and the effect of prior-significance filtering (dimension reduction) were evaluated via simulation. In each simulation, classifier parameters, such as the number of hidden nodes in a Neural Network, were optimized by cross-validation to minimize the probability of detecting spurious results due to poorly tuned classifiers. Classifier performance was then evaluated using real metabolomics datasets of varying sample medium, sample size, and experimental design. We report that in the most realistic simulation studies that incorporated non-normal error distributions, unbalanced phenotype allocation, outliers, missing values, and dimension reduction, classifier performance (least to greatest error) was ranked as follows: SVM, Random Forest, Naïve Bayes, sPLS-DA, Neural Networks, PLS-DA and k -NN classifiers. When non-normal error distributions were introduced, the performance of PLS-DA and k -NN classifiers deteriorated further relative to the remaining techniques. Over the real datasets, a trend of better performance of SVM and Random Forest classifier performance was observed.

Glucosamine-containing supplement improves locomotor functions in subjects with knee pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

PubMed Central

Kanzaki, Noriyuki; Ono, Yoshiko; Shibata, Hiroshi; Moritani, Toshio

2015-01-01

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a glucosamine-containing supplement to improve locomotor functions in subjects with knee pain. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study was conducted for 16 weeks in 100 Japanese subjects (age, 51.8±0.8 years) with knee pain. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two supplements containing 1) 1,200 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride, 60 mg of chondroitin sulfate, 45 mg of type II collagen peptides, 90 mg of quercetin glycosides, 10 mg of imidazole peptides, and 5 μg of vitamin D per day (GCQID group, n=50) or 2) a placebo (placebo group, n=50). Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure, visual analog scale score, normal walking speed, and knee-extensor strength were measured to evaluate the effects of the supplement on knee-joint functions and locomotor functions. Results In subjects eligible for efficacy assessment, there was no significant group × time interaction, and there were improvements in knee-joint functions and locomotor functions in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. In subjects with mild-to-severe knee pain at baseline, knee-extensor strength at week 8 (104.6±5.0% body weight vs 92.3±5.5% body weight, P=0.030) and the change in normal walking speed at week 16 (0.11±0.03 m/s vs 0.05±0.02 m/s, P=0.038) were significantly greater in the GCQID group than in the placebo group. Further subgroup analysis based on Kellgren–Lawrence (K–L) grade showed that normal walking speed at week 16 (1.36±0.05 m/s vs 1.21±0.02 m/s, P<0.05) was significantly greater in the GCQID group than in the placebo group in subjects with K–L grade I. No adverse effect of treatment was identified in the safety assessment. Conclusion In subjects with knee pain, GCQID supplementation was effective for relieving knee pain and improving locomotor functions. PMID:26604721

Glucosamine-containing supplement improves locomotor functions in subjects with knee pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

PubMed

Kanzaki, Noriyuki; Ono, Yoshiko; Shibata, Hiroshi; Moritani, Toshio

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a glucosamine-containing supplement to improve locomotor functions in subjects with knee pain. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study was conducted for 16 weeks in 100 Japanese subjects (age, 51.8±0.8 years) with knee pain. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two supplements containing 1) 1,200 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride, 60 mg of chondroitin sulfate, 45 mg of type II collagen peptides, 90 mg of quercetin glycosides, 10 mg of imidazole peptides, and 5 μg of vitamin D per day (GCQID group, n=50) or 2) a placebo (placebo group, n=50). Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure, visual analog scale score, normal walking speed, and knee-extensor strength were measured to evaluate the effects of the supplement on knee-joint functions and locomotor functions. In subjects eligible for efficacy assessment, there was no significant group × time interaction, and there were improvements in knee-joint functions and locomotor functions in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. In subjects with mild-to-severe knee pain at baseline, knee-extensor strength at week 8 (104.6±5.0% body weight vs 92.3±5.5% body weight, P=0.030) and the change in normal walking speed at week 16 (0.11±0.03 m/s vs 0.05±0.02 m/s, P=0.038) were significantly greater in the GCQID group than in the placebo group. Further subgroup analysis based on Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade showed that normal walking speed at week 16 (1.36±0.05 m/s vs 1.21±0.02 m/s, P<0.05) was significantly greater in the GCQID group than in the placebo group in subjects with K-L grade I. No adverse effect of treatment was identified in the safety assessment. In subjects with knee pain, GCQID supplementation was effective for relieving knee pain and improving locomotor functions.

Progesterone Therapy, Endothelial Function and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A 3-Month Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Healthy Early Postmenopausal Women

PubMed Central

Prior, Jerilynn C.; Elliott, Thomas G.; Norman, Eric; Stajic, Vesna; Hitchcock, Christine L.

2014-01-01

Background Progesterone is effective treatment for hot flushes/night sweats. The cardiovascular effects of progesterone therapy are unknown but evidence suggests that premenopausal normal estradiol with also normal progesterone levels may provide later cardiovascular protection. We compared the effects of progesterone to placebo on endothelial function, weight, blood pressure, metabolism, lipids, inflammation and coagulation. Methods and Results We conducted a randomized, double-blind, 3-month placebo-controlled trial of progesterone (300 mg daily) among 133 healthy postmenopausal women in Vancouver, Canada from 2003–2009. Endothelial function by venous occlusion plethysmography was a planned primary outcome. Enrolled women were 1–11 y since last menstruation, not using hormones (for >6 months), non-smoking, without diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or their medications. Randomized (1∶1) women (55±4 years, body mass index 25±3) initially had normal blood pressure, fasting lipid, glucose and electrocardiogram results. Endothelial function (% forearm blood flow above saline) was not changed with progesterone (487±189%, n = 18) compared with placebo (408±278%, n = 16) (95% CI diff [−74 to 232], P = 0.30). Progesterone (n = 65) and placebo (n = 47) groups had similar changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels. High-density lipoprotein was lower (−0.14 mmol/L, P = 0.001) on progesterone compared with placebo. Fasting glucose, hs-C-reactive protein, albumin and D-dimer changes were all comparable to placebo. Framingham General Cardiovascular Risk Profile scores were initially low and remained low with progesterone therapy and not statistically different from placebo. Conclusions Results indicate that progesterone has short-term cardiovascular safety. Endothelial function, weight, blood pressure, waist circumference, inflammation and coagulation were unchanged as were lipids except for HDL-C. The statistically significant decrease in HDL-C levels was not clinically important (based on lack of Cardiovascular Risk Profile change). Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00152438 PMID:24465425

Can reading-specific training stimuli improve the effect of perceptual learning on peripheral reading speed?

PubMed

Bernard, Jean-Baptiste; Arunkumar, Amit; Chung, Susana T L

2012-08-01

In a previous study, Chung, Legge, and Cheung (2004) showed that training using repeated presentation of trigrams (sequences of three random letters) resulted in an increase in the size of the visual span (number of letters recognized in a glance) and reading speed in the normal periphery. In this study, we asked whether we could optimize the benefit of trigram training on reading speed by using trigrams more specific to the reading task (i.e., trigrams frequently used in the English language) and presenting them according to their frequencies of occurrence in normal English usage and observers' performance. Averaged across seven observers, our training paradigm (4 days of training) increased the size of the visual span by 6.44 bits, with an accompanied 63.6% increase in the maximum reading speed, compared with the values before training. However, these benefits were not statistically different from those of Chung, Legge, and Cheung (2004) using a random-trigram training paradigm. Our findings confirm the possibility of increasing the size of the visual span and reading speed in the normal periphery with perceptual learning, and suggest that the benefits of training on letter recognition and maximum reading speed may not be linked to the types of letter strings presented during training. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of mirror therapy on motor and sensory recovery in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Wu, Ching-Yi; Huang, Pai-Chuan; Chen, Yu-Ting; Lin, Keh-Chung; Yang, Hsiu-Wen

2013-06-01

To compare the effects of mirror therapy (MT) versus control treatment (CT) on movement performance, motor control, sensory recovery, and performance of activities of daily living in people with chronic stroke. Single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Four hospitals. Outpatients with chronic stroke (N=33) with mild to moderate motor impairment. The MT group (n=16) received upper extremity training involving repetitive bimanual, symmetrical movement practice, in which the individual moves the affected limb while watching the reflective illusion of the unaffected limb's movements from a mirror. The CT group received task-oriented upper extremity training. The intensity for both groups was 1.5 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment; kinematic variables, including reaction time, normalized movement time, normalized total displacement, joint recruitment, and maximum shoulder-elbow cross-correlation; the Revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment; the Motor Activity Log; and the ABILHAND questionnaire. The MT group performed better in the overall (P=.01) and distal part (P=.04) Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores and demonstrated shorter reaction time (P=.04), shorter normalized total displacement (P=.04), and greater maximum shoulder-elbow cross-correlation (P=.03). The Revised Nottingham Sensory Assessment temperature scores improved significantly more in the MT group than in the CT group. No significant differences on the Motor Activity Log and the ABILHAND questionnaire were found immediately after MT or at follow-up. The application of MT after stroke might result in beneficial effects on movement performance, motor control, and temperature sense, but may not translate into daily functions in the population with chronic stroke. Copyright © 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of Ginger Supplementation on Cell Cycle Biomarkers in the Normal-Appearing Colonic Mucosa of Patients at Increased Risk for Colorectal Cancer: Results from a Pilot, Randomized, Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Citronberg, Jessica; Bostick, Roberd; Ahearn, Thomas; Turgeon, D. Kim; Ruffin, Mack T.; Djuric, Zora; Sen, Ananda; Brenner, Dean E.; Zick, Suzanna M.

2013-01-01

To estimate the effects of ginger on apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation in the normal-appearing colonic mucosa, we randomized 20 people at increased risk for colorectal cancer to 2.0 g of ginger or placebo daily for 28 days in a pilot trial. Overall expression and distributions of Bax, Bcl-2, p21, hTERT and MIB-1 (Ki-67) in colorectal crypts in rectal mucosa biopsies were measured using automated immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis. Relative to placebo, Bax expression in the ginger group decreased 15.6% (p = 0.78) in the whole crypts, 6.6% (p = 0.95) in the upper 40% (differentiation zone) of crypts, and 21.7% (p = 0.67) in the lower 60% (proliferative zone) of crypts; however, there was a 19% increase (p = 0.14) in Bax expression in the upper 40% relative to the whole crypt. While p21 and Bcl-2 expression remained relatively unchanged, hTERT expression in the whole crypts decreased by 41.2% (p = 0.05); the estimated treatment effect on hTERT expression was larger in the upper 40% of crypts (−47.9%; p = 0.04). In the ginger group, MIB-1 expression decreased in the whole crypts, upper 40% of crypts, and lower 60% of crypts by 16.9% (p = 0.39), 46.8% (p = 0.39), and 15.3% (p = 0.41), respectively. These pilot study results suggest that ginger may reduce proliferation in the normal-appearing colorectal epithelium and increase apoptosis and differentiation relative to proliferation—especially in the differentiation zone of the crypts, and support a larger study to further investigate these results. PMID:23303903

Characterization of cancer and normal tissue fluorescence through wavelet transform and singular value decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gharekhan, Anita H.; Biswal, Nrusingh C.; Gupta, Sharad; Pradhan, Asima; Sureshkumar, M. B.; Panigrahi, Prasanta K.

2008-02-01

The statistical and characteristic features of the polarized fluorescence spectra from cancer, normal and benign human breast tissues are studied through wavelet transform and singular value decomposition. The discrete wavelets enabled one to isolate high and low frequency spectral fluctuations, which revealed substantial randomization in the cancerous tissues, not present in the normal cases. In particular, the fluctuations fitted well with a Gaussian distribution for the cancerous tissues in the perpendicular component. One finds non-Gaussian behavior for normal and benign tissues' spectral variations. The study of the difference of intensities in parallel and perpendicular channels, which is free from the diffusive component, revealed weak fluorescence activity in the 630nm domain, for the cancerous tissues. This may be ascribable to porphyrin emission. The role of both scatterers and fluorophores in the observed minor intensity peak for the cancer case is experimentally confirmed through tissue-phantom experiments. Continuous Morlet wavelet also highlighted this domain for the cancerous tissue fluorescence spectra. Correlation in the spectral fluctuation is further studied in different tissue types through singular value decomposition. Apart from identifying different domains of spectral activity for diseased and non-diseased tissues, we found random matrix support for the spectral fluctuations. The small eigenvalues of the perpendicular polarized fluorescence spectra of cancerous tissues fitted remarkably well with random matrix prediction for Gaussian random variables, confirming our observations about spectral fluctuations in the wavelet domain.

Random Walk of Single Gold Nanoparticles in Zebrafish Embryos Leading to Stochastic Toxic Effects on Embryonic Developments

PubMed Central

Browning, Lauren M.; Lee, Kerry J.; Huang, Tao; Nallathamby, Prakash D.; Lowman, Jill E.; Xu, Xiao-Hong Nancy

2010-01-01

We have synthesized and characterized stable (non-aggregation, non-photobleaching and non-blinking), nearly monodisperse and highly-purified Au nanoparticles, and used them to probe transport of cleavage-stage zebrafish embryos and to study their effects on embryonic development in real time. We found that single Au nanoparticles (11.6 ± 0.9 nm in diameter) passively diffused into chorionic space of the embryos via their chorionic-pore-canals and continued their random-walk through chorionic space and into inner mass of embryos. Diffusion coefficients of single nanoparticles vary dramatically (2.8×10-11 to 1.3×10-8 cm2/s) as nanoparticles diffuse through various parts of embryos, suggesting highly diverse transport barriers and viscosity gradients of embryos. The amount of Au nanoparticles accumulated in embryos increase with its concentration. Interestingly, their effects on embryonic development are not proportionally related to the concentration. Majority of embryos (74% on average) incubated chronically with 0.025-1.2 nM Au nanoparticles for 120 h developed to normal zebrafish, with some (24%) being dead and few (2%) deformed. We developed a new approach to image and characterize individual Au nanoparticles embedded in tissues using histology sample preparation methods and LSRP spectra of single nanoparticles. We found that Au nanoparticles in various parts of normally developed and deformed zebrafish, suggesting that random-walk of nanoparticles in embryos during their development might have led to stochastic effects on embryonic development. These results show that Au nanoparticles are much more biocompatible (less toxic) to the embryos than Ag nanoparticles that we reported previously, suggesting that they are better suited as biocompatible probes for imaging embryos in vivo. The results provide powerful evidences that biocompatibility and toxicity of nanoparticles highly depend on their chemical properties, and the embryos can serve as effective in-vivo assays to screen their biocompatibility. PMID:20644873

Generating log-normal mock catalog of galaxies in redshift space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agrawal, Aniket; Makiya, Ryu; Chiang, Chi-Ting; Jeong, Donghui; Saito, Shun; Komatsu, Eiichiro

2017-10-01

We present a public code to generate a mock galaxy catalog in redshift space assuming a log-normal probability density function (PDF) of galaxy and matter density fields. We draw galaxies by Poisson-sampling the log-normal field, and calculate the velocity field from the linearised continuity equation of matter fields, assuming zero vorticity. This procedure yields a PDF of the pairwise velocity fields that is qualitatively similar to that of N-body simulations. We check fidelity of the catalog, showing that the measured two-point correlation function and power spectrum in real space agree with the input precisely. We find that a linear bias relation in the power spectrum does not guarantee a linear bias relation in the density contrasts, leading to a cross-correlation coefficient of matter and galaxies deviating from unity on small scales. We also find that linearising the Jacobian of the real-to-redshift space mapping provides a poor model for the two-point statistics in redshift space. That is, non-linear redshift-space distortion is dominated by non-linearity in the Jacobian. The power spectrum in redshift space shows a damping on small scales that is qualitatively similar to that of the well-known Fingers-of-God (FoG) effect due to random velocities, except that the log-normal mock does not include random velocities. This damping is a consequence of non-linearity in the Jacobian, and thus attributing the damping of the power spectrum solely to FoG, as commonly done in the literature, is misleading.

Effect of revised high-heeled shoes on foot pressure and static balance during standing.

PubMed

Bae, Young-Hyeon; Ko, Mansoo; Park, Young-Soul; Lee, Suk-Min

2015-04-01

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of revised high-heeled shoes on the foot pressure ratio and static balance during standing. [Subjects and Methods] A single-subject design was used, 15 healthy women wearing revised high-heeled shoes and general high-heeled shoes in a random order. The foot pressure ratio and static balance scores during standing were measured using a SpaceBalance 3D system. [Results] Forefoot and rearfoot pressures were significantly different between the 2 types of high-heeled shoes. Under the 3 conditions tested, the static balance score was higher for the revised high-heeled shoes than for the general high-heeled shoes, but this difference was not statistically significant. [Conclusion] Revised high-heeled shoes are preferable to general high-heeled shoes, as they result in normalization of normalized foot pressure and a positive effect on static balance.

Effect of revised high-heeled shoes on foot pressure and static balance during standing

PubMed Central

Bae, Young-Hyeon; Ko, Mansoo; Park, Young-Soul; Lee, Suk-Min

2015-01-01

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of revised high-heeled shoes on the foot pressure ratio and static balance during standing. [Subjects and Methods] A single-subject design was used, 15 healthy women wearing revised high-heeled shoes and general high-heeled shoes in a random order. The foot pressure ratio and static balance scores during standing were measured using a SpaceBalance 3D system. [Results] Forefoot and rearfoot pressures were significantly different between the 2 types of high-heeled shoes. Under the 3 conditions tested, the static balance score was higher for the revised high-heeled shoes than for the general high-heeled shoes, but this difference was not statistically significant. [Conclusion] Revised high-heeled shoes are preferable to general high-heeled shoes, as they result in normalization of normalized foot pressure and a positive effect on static balance. PMID:25995572

The effects of diazepam and oxprenolol on short term memory in individuals of high and low state anxiety.

PubMed Central

Desai, N; Taylor-Davies, A; Barnett, D B

1983-01-01

1 The effect of oral doses of diazepam (5 mg) and oxprenolol (80 mg) on short term memory of normal individuals stratified for 'state' anxiety levels has been investigated. 2 Normal student volunteers were stratified into high and low anxiety groups on the basis of responses to the Spielberger 'A-state' scale. Subjects were then randomly administered active drug or placebo and given a form of running memory test performed under a variety of conditions in which variable rate of item presentation and articulatory suppression were used. 3 Diazepam significantly reduced the errors of recall in the running memory test in the high anxiety group and produced a distinct separation of response from the low anxiety group under the test conditions of slow item presentation with articulatory suppression. Oxprenolol had no effect on the short term memory test in either high or low anxiety groups in any experimental test situation. 4 These results are compared to previous work in which generally a deleterious effect of diazepam on short term memory in normal volunteers has been reported. The implications of these findings are further discussed in relationship to possible models of memory function. PMID:6849754

Effect of drivers' age and push button locations on visual time off road, steering wheel deviation and safety perception.

PubMed

Dukic, T; Hanson, L; Falkmer, T

2006-01-15

The study examined the effects of manual control locations on two groups of randomly selected young and old drivers in relation to visual time off road, steering wheel deviation and safety perception. Measures of visual time off road, steering wheel deviations and safety perception were performed with young and old drivers during real traffic. The results showed an effect of both driver's age and button location on the dependent variables. Older drivers spent longer visual time off road when pushing the buttons and had larger steering wheel deviations. Moreover, the greater the eccentricity between the normal line of sight and the button locations, the longer the visual time off road and the larger the steering wheel deviations. No interaction effect between button location and age was found with regard to visual time off road. Button location had an effect on perceived safety: the further away from the normal line of sight the lower the rating.

Fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone, alone or in combination, on in vivo hemodynamics and in vitro vascular reactivity in normal and endotoxemic rats: a randomized factorial design study.

PubMed

Laviolle, Bruno; Nesseler, Nicolas; Massart, Catherine; Bellissant, Eric

2014-06-01

Hydrocortisone enhances the pressor response to catecholamines in healthy volunteers and septic shock patients. Similar data do not exist for fludrocortisone. We assessed the effects of single administrations of fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone on systolic blood pressure until 2 hours after treatments injection and on in vitro vascular contraction of mesenteric artery rings to phenylephrine at 3 hours, in normal and endotoxemic rats. Intravenous fludrocortisone (5 and 20 μg/kg) and hydrocortisone (4 and 20 mg/kg) were administered in 16 groups (8 without and 8 with lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemic shock) of 10 Wistar rats according to four 2 × 2-factorial designs. Fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone similarly increased systolic blood pressure (P < 0.001 for both) but more in endotoxemic than in normal animals. Fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone significantly modified contractile response to phenylephrine (P = 0.039 and P = 0.007, respectively). At dose 1, fludrocortisone had no effect and hydrocortisone decreased contraction, whereas, at dose 2, both fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone increased contraction, especially in endotoxemic rats and with additive effect. Our results show that single intravenous administrations of fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone increase blood pressure and contractile response of mesenteric arteries to phenylephrine. The magnitude of these effects depends on dose and pathophysiological conditions and is higher in endotoxemic than in normal rats.

The haemodynamic effects of intravenous paracetamol (acetaminophen) in healthy volunteers: a double‐blind, randomized, triple crossover trial

PubMed Central

Chiam, Elizabeth; Bailey, Michael; McNicol, Larry; Bellomo, Rinaldo

2016-01-01

Aim The haemodynamic effects of intravenous paracetamol have not been systematically investigated. We compared the physiological effects of intravenous mannitol‐containing paracetamol, and an equivalent dosage of mannitol, and normal saline 0.9% in healthy volunteers. Methods We performed a blinded, triple crossover, randomized trial of 24 adult healthy volunteers. Participants received i.v. paracetamol (1 g paracetamol +3.91 g mannitol 100 ml–1), i.v. mannitol (3.91 g mannitol 100 ml–1) and i.v. normal saline (100 ml). Composite primary end points were changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measured pre‐infusion, during a 15 min infusion period and over a 45 min observation period. Systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and cardiac index were measured at the same time points. Results Infusion of paracetamol induced a transient yet significant decrease in blood pressures from pre‐infusion values (MAP –1.85 mmHg, 95% CI –2.6, –1.1, SBP –0.54 mmHg, 95% CI –1.7, 0.6 and DBP −1.92 mmHg, 95% CI –2.6, –1.2, P < 0.0001), associated with a transient reduction in SVRI and an increase in cardiac index. Changes were observed, but to a lesser extent with normal saline (MAP –0.15 mmHg, SBP +1.44 mmHg, DBP −–0.73 mmHg, P < 0.0001), but not with mannitol (MAP +1.47 mmHg, SBP +4.03 mmHg, DBP +0.48 mmHg, P < 0.0001). Conclusions I.v. paracetamol caused a transient decrease in blood pressure immediately after infusion. These effects were not seen with mannitol or normal saline. The physiological mechanism was consistent with vasodilatation. This study provides plausible physiological data in a healthy volunteer setting, supporting transient changes in haemodynamic variables with i.v. paracetamol and justifies controlled studies in the peri‐operative and critical care setting. PMID:26606263

The haemodynamic effects of intravenous paracetamol (acetaminophen) in healthy volunteers: a double-blind, randomized, triple crossover trial.

PubMed

Chiam, Elizabeth; Weinberg, Laurence; Bailey, Michael; McNicol, Larry; Bellomo, Rinaldo

2016-04-01

The haemodynamic effects of intravenous paracetamol have not been systematically investigated. We compared the physiological effects of intravenous mannitol-containing paracetamol, and an equivalent dosage of mannitol, and normal saline 0.9% in healthy volunteers. We performed a blinded, triple crossover, randomized trial of 24 adult healthy volunteers. Participants received i.v. paracetamol (1 g paracetamol +3.91 g mannitol 100 ml(-1) ), i.v. mannitol (3.91 g mannitol 100 ml(-1) ) and i.v. normal saline (100 ml). Composite primary end points were changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measured pre-infusion, during a 15 min infusion period and over a 45 min observation period. Systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and cardiac index were measured at the same time points. Infusion of paracetamol induced a transient yet significant decrease in blood pressures from pre-infusion values (MAP -1.85 mmHg, 95% CI -2.6, -1.1, SBP -0.54 mmHg, 95% CI -1.7, 0.6 and DBP -1.92 mmHg, 95% CI -2.6, -1.2, P < 0.0001), associated with a transient reduction in SVRI and an increase in cardiac index. Changes were observed, but to a lesser extent with normal saline (MAP -0.15 mmHg, SBP +1.44 mmHg, DBP --0.73 mmHg, P < 0.0001), but not with mannitol (MAP +1.47 mmHg, SBP +4.03 mmHg, DBP +0.48 mmHg, P < 0.0001). I.v. paracetamol caused a transient decrease in blood pressure immediately after infusion. These effects were not seen with mannitol or normal saline. The physiological mechanism was consistent with vasodilatation. This study provides plausible physiological data in a healthy volunteer setting, supporting transient changes in haemodynamic variables with i.v. paracetamol and justifies controlled studies in the peri-operative and critical care setting. © 2015 The British Pharmacological Society.

Random Feedback Makes Listeners Tone-Deaf.

PubMed

Vuvan, Dominique T; Zendel, Benjamin Rich; Peretz, Isabelle

2018-05-08

The mental representation of pitch structure (tonal knowledge) is a core component of musical experience and is learned implicitly through exposure to music. One theory of congenital amusia (tone deafness) posits that conscious access to tonal knowledge is disrupted, leading to a severe deficit of music cognition. We tested this idea by providing random performance feedback to neurotypical listeners while they listened to melodies for tonal incongruities and had their electrical brain activity monitored. The introduction of random feedback was associated with a reduction of accuracy and confidence, and a suppression of the late positive brain response usually elicited by conscious detection of a tonal violation. These effects mirror the behavioural and neurophysiological profile of amusia. In contrast, random feedback was associated with an increase in the amplitude of the early right anterior negativity, possibly due to heightened attention to the experimental task. This successful simulation of amusia in a normal brain highlights the key role of feedback in learning, and thereby provides a new avenue for the rehabilitation of learning disorders.

[Effects and related mechanism of bivalirudin on the survival of random skin flap on the back of rat].

PubMed

Cai, L Y; Wang, T; Lin, D S; Lu, D

2017-04-20

Objective: To investigate the effects and related mechanism of bivalirudin on the survival of random skin flap on the back of rat. Methods: Thirty SD rats were divided into bivalirudin group and normal saline group according to the random number table, with 15 rats in each group. The random flap model with size of 9 cm×3 cm was reproduced on the back of rats in two groups. Immediately post injury, rats in bivalirudin group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/mL bivalirudin (0.8 mL/kg), while rats in normal saline group were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline (0.8 mL/kg) once a day. The continuous injection lasted for 7 days. The flap was divided into distal area, middle area and proximal area averagely based on the flap blood supply. On post injury day (PID) 1, 3, and 7, the overall survival of each area of flap was observed with naked eyes. On PID 7, the survival rate of flap was calculated, and then the morphology of skin tissue at the center of the three areas of flap was observed by HE staining, the microvessel density (MVD) of the middle area of flap was calculated, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of the middle area of flap was detected with immunohistochemical staining. Data were processed with t test. Results: (1) On PID 1, flaps of rats in two groups had different degrees of swelling, mainly concentrated in distal area, but there was no obvious necrosis. The middle area and proximal area of flaps in two groups were survived. On PID 3, the necrosis of flaps of rats in two groups was concentrated in the middle area, while the proximal area of flap was still in survival state, and most distal area of flap was necrosis with a little scab. On PID 7, the necrosis of middle area of flaps of rats in two groups was gradually fused, and the survival area of flap of rats in bivalirudin group was larger than that in normal saline group. The distal area of flap was almost necrotic, and the proximal area of flap was almost survived. (2) On PID 7, the survival rate of flap of rats in bivalirudin group was (64±4)%, significantly higher than that in normal saline group [(45±3)%, t =13.49, P <0.01]. (3) On PID 7, the histological morphology of distal area of flap of rats in two groups was similar, the inflammatory cells were infiltrated abundantly, and tissue edema was obvious. A large number of new blood vessels appeared in the middle area of flap of rats in bivalirudin group, with the formation of collateral vessels, and basic dilation of new blood vessels was seen. There were fewer new blood vessels appeared in the middle area of flap of rats in normal saline group, and dilation of new blood vessels was not obvious. There was little inflammatory cells infiltration in the proximal area of flap of rats in two groups. Compared with that in normal saline group, tissue edema extent of proximal area of flap of rats in bivalirudin group was less, and expansion was observed in more blood vessels. (4) The MVD of middle area of flap of rats in bivalirudin group was (26±5)/mm(2,) significantly higher than that in normal saline group [(18±3)/mm(2,) t =5.43, P <0.05]. (5) The expression of VEGF of middle area of flap of rats in bivalirudin group was 6 534±384, significantly higher than that in normal saline group (4 659±448, t =12.31, P <0.05). Conclusions: Bivalirudin can promote the survival of random skin flap in rats, and the mechanisms may include reducing the formation of thrombosis, improving the blood supply of flap, and increasing the expression of VEGF, promoting the formation of new blood vessels.

Logit-normal mixed model for Indian monsoon precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dietz, L. R.; Chatterjee, S.

2014-09-01

Describing the nature and variability of Indian monsoon precipitation is a topic of much debate in the current literature. We suggest the use of a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), specifically, the logit-normal mixed model, to describe the underlying structure of this complex climatic event. Four GLMM algorithms are described and simulations are performed to vet these algorithms before applying them to the Indian precipitation data. The logit-normal model was applied to light, moderate, and extreme rainfall. Findings indicated that physical constructs were preserved by the models, and random effects were significant in many cases. We also found GLMM estimation methods were sensitive to tuning parameters and assumptions and therefore, recommend use of multiple methods in applications. This work provides a novel use of GLMM and promotes its addition to the gamut of tools for analysis in studying climate phenomena.

Behavioral effects of environmental enrichment on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) and gray seals (Hafichoerus grypus)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hunter, S.A.; Bay, M.S.; Martin, M.L.; Hatfield, J.S.

2002-01-01

Zoos and aquariums have been incorporating environmental enrichment into their animal care programs for the past 30 years to increase mental stimulation and promote natural behaviors. However, most attempts to document the effects of enrichment on animal behavior have focused on terrestrial mammals. Staff at the National Aquarium in Baltimore conducted an investigation of the behavioral effects of enrichment on the seven harbor seals and two gray seals housed in the aquarium's outdoor seal exhibit. We expected that enrichment would change the amount of time the animals spent engaged in specific behaviors. The behaviors recorded were: resting in water, resting hauled out, maintenance, breeding display, breeding behavior, aggression, pattern swimming, random swimming, exploration, and out of sight. Activity levels (random swimming and exploration) were expected to increase, while stereotypic behaviors (pattern swimming) were expected to decrease. The frequency and duration of behaviors were documented for 90 hr in both the control phase (without enrichment) and the experimental phase (with enrichment). Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in the time spent in pattern swimming, random swimming, exploration, and out of sight were observed between the two phases. With enrichment, pattern swimming and out of sight decreased, while random swimming and exploration behavior increased. These findings demonstrate that enrichment can promote behaviors (random swimming and exploration) that are likely to be normal for phocids in the wild, and that may contribute to the behavioral complexity of these seals in captivity.

Behavioral effects of environmental enrichment on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hunter, S.A.; Bay, M.S.; Martin, M.L.; Hatfield, J.S.

2002-01-01

Zoos and aquariums have been incorporating environmental enrichment into their animal care programs for the past 30 years to increase mental stimulation and promote natural behaviors. However, most attempts to document the effects of enrichment on animal behavior have focused on terrestrial mammals. Staff at the National Aquarium in Baltimore conducted an investigation of the behavioral effects of enrichment on the seven harbor seals and two gray seals housed in the aquarium's outdoor seal exhibit. We expected that enrichment would change the amount of time the animals spent engaged in specific behaviors. The behaviors recorded were: resting in water, resting hauled out, maintenance, breeding display, breeding behavior, aggression, pattern swimming, random swimming, exploration, and out of sight. Activity levels (random swimming and exploration) were expected to increase, while stereotypic behaviors (pattern swimming) were expected to decrease. The frequency and duration of behaviors were documented for 90 hr in both the control phase (without enrichment) and the experimental phase (with enrichment). Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the time spent in pattern swimming, random swimming, exploration, and out of sight were observed between the two phases. With enrichment, pattern swimming and out of sight decreased, while random swimming and exploration behavior increased. These findings demonstrate that enrichment can promote behaviors (random swimming and exploration) that are likely to be normal for phocids in the wild, and that may contribute to the behavioral complexity of these seals in captivity. ?? 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Intravenous dextrose for children with gastroenteritis and dehydration: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Levy, Jason A; Bachur, Richard G; Monuteaux, Michael C; Waltzman, Mark

2013-03-01

We seek to determine whether an initial intravenous bolus of 5% dextrose in normal saline solution compared with normal saline solution will lead to a lower proportion of hospitalized patients and a greater reduction in serum ketone levels in children with gastroenteritis and dehydration. We enrolled children aged 6 months to 6 years in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of patients presenting to a pediatric emergency department. Subjects were randomized to receive a 20 mL/kg infusion of either 5% dextrose in normal saline solution or normal saline solution. Serum ketone levels were measured before and at 1- and 2-hour intervals after the initial study fluid bolus administration. Primary outcome was the proportion of children hospitalized. Secondary outcome was change in serum ketone levels over time. One hundred eighty-eight children were enrolled. The proportion of children hospitalized did not differ between groups (35% in the 5% dextrose in normal saline solution group versus 44% in the normal saline solution group; risk difference 9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] -5% to 22%). Compared with children who received normal saline solution, those who received 5% dextrose in normal saline solution had a greater reduction in mean serum ketone levels at both 1 hour (mean Δ 1.2 versus 0.1 mmol/L; mean difference 1.1 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.9 mmol/L) and 2 hours (mean Δ 1.9 versus 0.3 mmol/L; mean difference 1.6 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.9 to 2.3 mmol/L). Administration of a dextrose-containing bolus compared with normal saline did not lead to a lower rate of hospitalization for children with gastroenteritis and dehydration. There was, however, a greater reduction in serum ketone levels in patients who received 5% dextrose in normal saline solution. Copyright © 2012. Published by Mosby, Inc.

A pilot crossover study: effects of an intervention using an activity monitor with computerized game functions on physical activity and body composition.

PubMed

Nishiwaki, Masato; Kuriyama, Akinori; Ikegami, Yumi; Nakashima, Nana; Matsumoto, Naoyuki

2014-12-02

Wearing an activity monitor as a motivational tool and incorporating a behavior-based reward system or a computerized game element might have a synergistic effect on an increase in daily physical activity, thereby inducing body fat reduction. This pilot crossover study aimed to examine the effects of a short-term lifestyle intervention using an activity monitor with computerized game functions on physical activity and body composition. Twenty healthy volunteers (31 ± 3 years) participated in a 12-week crossover study. The participants were randomly assigned to either Group A (a 6-week game intervention followed by a 6-week normal intervention) or Group B (a 6-week normal intervention followed by a 6-week game intervention). The participants wore both a normal activity monitor (Lifecorder EX) and an activity monitor with computerized game functions (Yuuhokei) during the game intervention, whereas they only wore a normal activity monitor during the normal intervention. Before, during, and after the intervention, body composition was assessed. Significantly more daily steps were recorded for the game intervention than for the normal intervention (10,520 ± 562 versus 8,711 ± 523 steps/day, P < 0.01). The participants performed significantly more physical activity at an intensity of ≥ 3 metabolic equivalents (METs) in the game intervention than in the normal intervention (3.1 ± 0.2 versus 2.4 ± 0.2 METs · hour/day, P < 0.01). Although body mass and fat were significantly reduced in both periods (P < 0.01), the difference in body fat reduction was significantly greater in the game intervention than in the normal intervention (P < 0.05). A short-term intervention using an activity monitor with computerized game functions increases physical activity and reduces body fat more effectively than an intervention using a standard activity monitor.

Spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random-access memory technologies for normally off computing (invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ando, K.; Fujita, S.; Ito, J.; Yuasa, S.; Suzuki, Y.; Nakatani, Y.; Miyazaki, T.; Yoda, H.

2014-05-01

Most parts of present computer systems are made of volatile devices, and the power to supply them to avoid information loss causes huge energy losses. We can eliminate this meaningless energy loss by utilizing the non-volatile function of advanced spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random-access memory (STT-MRAM) technology and create a new type of computer, i.e., normally off computers. Critical tasks to achieve normally off computers are implementations of STT-MRAM technologies in the main memory and low-level cache memories. STT-MRAM technology for applications to the main memory has been successfully developed by using perpendicular STT-MRAMs, and faster STT-MRAM technologies for applications to the cache memory are now being developed. The present status of STT-MRAMs and challenges that remain for normally off computers are discussed.

On the existence, uniqueness, and asymptotic normality of a consistent solution of the likelihood equations for nonidentically distributed observations: Applications to missing data problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peters, C. (Principal Investigator)

1980-01-01

A general theorem is given which establishes the existence and uniqueness of a consistent solution of the likelihood equations given a sequence of independent random vectors whose distributions are not identical but have the same parameter set. In addition, it is shown that the consistent solution is a MLE and that it is asymptotically normal and efficient. Two applications are discussed: one in which independent observations of a normal random vector have missing components, and the other in which the parameters in a mixture from an exponential family are estimated using independent homogeneous sample blocks of different sizes.

Effect of high-protein or normal-protein diet on weight loss, body composition, hormone, and metabolic profile in southern Brazilian women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized study.

PubMed

Toscani, Mariana K; Mario, Fernanda M; Radavelli-Bagatini, Simone; Wiltgen, Denusa; Matos, Maria Cristina; Spritzer, Poli Maria

2011-11-01

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a high protein (HP) and a normal protein (NP) diet on patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and body mass index-matched controls in a sample of southern Brazilian women. This 8-week randomized trial was carried out at a university gynecological endocrinology clinic and included 18 patients with PCOS and 22 controls. Changes in weight, body composition, hormone, and metabolic profile were analyzed in women randomized to receive HP (30% protein, 40% carbohydrate, and 30% lipid) or NP (15% protein, 55% carbohydrate, and 30% lipid). The energy content was estimated for each participant at 20-25 kcal/kg current weight/day. Physical activity, blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, and fasting and 2-h glucose and insulin remained stable during the intervention in PCOS and controls, even in the presence of weight loss. There were no changes in lipid profile in either group. In contrast, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, percent of body fat, and sum of trunk skinfolds decreased significantly after both diets in both groups. Total testosterone also decreased in PCOS and controls regardless of diet. In conclusion, calorie reduction, rather than protein content, seemed to affect body composition and hormonal profile in this short-term study. These findings emphasize the role of non-pharmacological interventions to reduce weight and ameliorate the anthropometric and clinical phenotype in PCOS.

Effects of random aspects of cutting tool wear on surface roughness and tool life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nabil, Ben Fredj; Mabrouk, Mohamed

2006-10-01

The effects of random aspects of cutting tool flank wear on surface roughness and on tool lifetime, when turning the AISI 1045 carbon steel, were studied in this investigation. It was found that standard deviations corresponding to tool flank wear and to the surface roughness increase exponentially with cutting time. Under cutting conditions that correspond to finishing operations, no significant differences were found between the calculated values of the capability index C p at the steady-state region of the tool flank wear, using the best-fit method or the Box-Cox transformation, or by making the assumption that the surface roughness data are normally distributed. Hence, a method to establish cutting tool lifetime could be established that simultaneously respects the desired average of surface roughness and the required capability index.

Stable Atlas-based Mapped Prior (STAMP) machine-learning segmentation for multicenter large-scale MRI data.

PubMed

Kim, Eun Young; Magnotta, Vincent A; Liu, Dawei; Johnson, Hans J

2014-09-01

Machine learning (ML)-based segmentation methods are a common technique in the medical image processing field. In spite of numerous research groups that have investigated ML-based segmentation frameworks, there remains unanswered aspects of performance variability for the choice of two key components: ML algorithm and intensity normalization. This investigation reveals that the choice of those elements plays a major part in determining segmentation accuracy and generalizability. The approach we have used in this study aims to evaluate relative benefits of the two elements within a subcortical MRI segmentation framework. Experiments were conducted to contrast eight machine-learning algorithm configurations and 11 normalization strategies for our brain MR segmentation framework. For the intensity normalization, a Stable Atlas-based Mapped Prior (STAMP) was utilized to take better account of contrast along boundaries of structures. Comparing eight machine learning algorithms on down-sampled segmentation MR data, it was obvious that a significant improvement was obtained using ensemble-based ML algorithms (i.e., random forest) or ANN algorithms. Further investigation between these two algorithms also revealed that the random forest results provided exceptionally good agreement with manual delineations by experts. Additional experiments showed that the effect of STAMP-based intensity normalization also improved the robustness of segmentation for multicenter data sets. The constructed framework obtained good multicenter reliability and was successfully applied on a large multicenter MR data set (n>3000). Less than 10% of automated segmentations were recommended for minimal expert intervention. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using the ML-based segmentation tools for processing large amount of multicenter MR images. We demonstrated dramatically different result profiles in segmentation accuracy according to the choice of ML algorithm and intensity normalization chosen. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Disease Mapping of Zero-excessive Mesothelioma Data in Flanders

PubMed Central

Neyens, Thomas; Lawson, Andrew B.; Kirby, Russell S.; Nuyts, Valerie; Watjou, Kevin; Aregay, Mehreteab; Carroll, Rachel; Nawrot, Tim S.; Faes, Christel

2016-01-01

Purpose To investigate the distribution of mesothelioma in Flanders using Bayesian disease mapping models that account for both an excess of zeros and overdispersion. Methods The numbers of newly diagnosed mesothelioma cases within all Flemish municipalities between 1999 and 2008 were obtained from the Belgian Cancer Registry. To deal with overdispersion, zero-inflation and geographical association, the hurdle combined model was proposed, which has three components: a Bernoulli zero-inflation mixture component to account for excess zeros, a gamma random effect to adjust for overdispersion and a normal conditional autoregressive random effect to attribute spatial association. This model was compared with other existing methods in literature. Results The results indicate that hurdle models with a random effects term accounting for extra-variance in the Bernoulli zero-inflation component fit the data better than hurdle models that do not take overdispersion in the occurrence of zeros into account. Furthermore, traditional models that do not take into account excessive zeros but contain at least one random effects term that models extra-variance in the counts have better fits compared to their hurdle counterparts. In other words, the extra-variability, due to an excess of zeros, can be accommodated by spatially structured and/or unstructured random effects in a Poisson model such that the hurdle mixture model is not necessary. Conclusions Models taking into account zero-inflation do not always provide better fits to data with excessive zeros than less complex models. In this study, a simple conditional autoregressive model identified a cluster in mesothelioma cases near a former asbestos processing plant (Kapelle-op-den-Bos). This observation is likely linked with historical local asbestos exposures. Future research will clarify this. PMID:27908590

The hemodynamic effects of intravenous paracetamol (acetaminophen) vs normal saline in cardiac surgery patients: A single center placebo controlled randomized study

PubMed Central

Churilov, Leonid

2018-01-01

The hemodynamic effects of intravenous (IV) paracetamol in patients undergoing cardiac surgery are unknown. We performed a prospective single center placebo controlled randomized study with parallel group design in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Participants received paracetamol (1 gram) IV or placebo (an equal volume of 0.9% saline) preoperatively followed by two postoperative doses 6 hours apart. The primary endpoint was the absolute change in systolic (SBP) 30 minutes after the preoperative infusion, analysed using an ANCOVA model. Secondary endpoints included absolute changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic blood pressure (DPB), and other key hemodynamic variables after each infusion. All other endpoints were analysed using random-effect generalized least squares regression modelling with individual patients treated as random effects. Fifty participants were randomly assigned to receive paracetamol (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25). Post preoperative infusion, paracetamol decreased SBP by a mean (SD) of 13 (18) mmHg, p = 0.02, compared to a mean (SD) of 1 (11) mmHg with saline. Paracetamol decreased MAP and DBP by a mean (SD) of 9 (12) mmHg and 8 (9) mmHg (p = 0.01 and 0.02), respectively, compared to a mean (SD) of 1 (8) mmHg and 0 (6) mmHg with placebo. Postoperatively, there were no significant differences in pressure or flow based hemodynamic parameters in both groups. This study provides high quality evidence that the administration of IV paracetamol in patients undergoing cardiac surgery causes a transient decrease in preoperative blood pressure when administered before surgery but no adverse hemodynamic effects when administered in the postoperative setting. PMID:29659631

Clustering of time-course gene expression profiles using normal mixture models with autoregressive random effects

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Time-course gene expression data such as yeast cell cycle data may be periodically expressed. To cluster such data, currently used Fourier series approximations of periodic gene expressions have been found not to be sufficiently adequate to model the complexity of the time-course data, partly due to their ignoring the dependence between the expression measurements over time and the correlation among gene expression profiles. We further investigate the advantages and limitations of available models in the literature and propose a new mixture model with autoregressive random effects of the first order for the clustering of time-course gene-expression profiles. Some simulations and real examples are given to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed models. Results We illustrate the applicability of our new model using synthetic and real time-course datasets. We show that our model outperforms existing models to provide more reliable and robust clustering of time-course data. Our model provides superior results when genetic profiles are correlated. It also gives comparable results when the correlation between the gene profiles is weak. In the applications to real time-course data, relevant clusters of coregulated genes are obtained, which are supported by gene-function annotation databases. Conclusions Our new model under our extension of the EMMIX-WIRE procedure is more reliable and robust for clustering time-course data because it adopts a random effects model that allows for the correlation among observations at different time points. It postulates gene-specific random effects with an autocorrelation variance structure that models coregulation within the clusters. The developed R package is flexible in its specification of the random effects through user-input parameters that enables improved modelling and consequent clustering of time-course data. PMID:23151154

Disease mapping of zero-excessive mesothelioma data in Flanders.

PubMed

Neyens, Thomas; Lawson, Andrew B; Kirby, Russell S; Nuyts, Valerie; Watjou, Kevin; Aregay, Mehreteab; Carroll, Rachel; Nawrot, Tim S; Faes, Christel

2017-01-01

To investigate the distribution of mesothelioma in Flanders using Bayesian disease mapping models that account for both an excess of zeros and overdispersion. The numbers of newly diagnosed mesothelioma cases within all Flemish municipalities between 1999 and 2008 were obtained from the Belgian Cancer Registry. To deal with overdispersion, zero inflation, and geographical association, the hurdle combined model was proposed, which has three components: a Bernoulli zero-inflation mixture component to account for excess zeros, a gamma random effect to adjust for overdispersion, and a normal conditional autoregressive random effect to attribute spatial association. This model was compared with other existing methods in literature. The results indicate that hurdle models with a random effects term accounting for extra variance in the Bernoulli zero-inflation component fit the data better than hurdle models that do not take overdispersion in the occurrence of zeros into account. Furthermore, traditional models that do not take into account excessive zeros but contain at least one random effects term that models extra variance in the counts have better fits compared to their hurdle counterparts. In other words, the extra variability, due to an excess of zeros, can be accommodated by spatially structured and/or unstructured random effects in a Poisson model such that the hurdle mixture model is not necessary. Models taking into account zero inflation do not always provide better fits to data with excessive zeros than less complex models. In this study, a simple conditional autoregressive model identified a cluster in mesothelioma cases near a former asbestos processing plant (Kapelle-op-den-Bos). This observation is likely linked with historical local asbestos exposures. Future research will clarify this. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The hemodynamic effects of intravenous paracetamol (acetaminophen) vs normal saline in cardiac surgery patients: A single center placebo controlled randomized study.

PubMed

Chiam, Elizabeth; Bellomo, Rinaldo; Churilov, Leonid; Weinberg, Laurence

2018-01-01

The hemodynamic effects of intravenous (IV) paracetamol in patients undergoing cardiac surgery are unknown. We performed a prospective single center placebo controlled randomized study with parallel group design in adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Participants received paracetamol (1 gram) IV or placebo (an equal volume of 0.9% saline) preoperatively followed by two postoperative doses 6 hours apart. The primary endpoint was the absolute change in systolic (SBP) 30 minutes after the preoperative infusion, analysed using an ANCOVA model. Secondary endpoints included absolute changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic blood pressure (DPB), and other key hemodynamic variables after each infusion. All other endpoints were analysed using random-effect generalized least squares regression modelling with individual patients treated as random effects. Fifty participants were randomly assigned to receive paracetamol (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25). Post preoperative infusion, paracetamol decreased SBP by a mean (SD) of 13 (18) mmHg, p = 0.02, compared to a mean (SD) of 1 (11) mmHg with saline. Paracetamol decreased MAP and DBP by a mean (SD) of 9 (12) mmHg and 8 (9) mmHg (p = 0.01 and 0.02), respectively, compared to a mean (SD) of 1 (8) mmHg and 0 (6) mmHg with placebo. Postoperatively, there were no significant differences in pressure or flow based hemodynamic parameters in both groups. This study provides high quality evidence that the administration of IV paracetamol in patients undergoing cardiac surgery causes a transient decrease in preoperative blood pressure when administered before surgery but no adverse hemodynamic effects when administered in the postoperative setting.

Simulation of flight maneuver-load distributions by utilizing stationary, non-Gaussian random load histories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leybold, H. A.

1971-01-01

Random numbers were generated with the aid of a digital computer and transformed such that the probability density function of a discrete random load history composed of these random numbers had one of the following non-Gaussian distributions: Poisson, binomial, log-normal, Weibull, and exponential. The resulting random load histories were analyzed to determine their peak statistics and were compared with cumulative peak maneuver-load distributions for fighter and transport aircraft in flight.

Short-term effects of sports taping on navicular height, navicular drop and peak plantar pressure in healthy elite athletes: A within-subject comparison.

PubMed

Kim, Taegyu; Park, Jong-Chul

2017-11-01

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is one of the most common exercise-induced leg pain. The navicular drop (ND) was identified as a risk factor for MTSS. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of sports taping applied to the supporting lower leg during sitting, standing, walking, and jogging to restrict the ND in healthy elite athletes.Twenty-four healthy elite athletes without a history of exercise-induced pain or injuries in the lower limbs participated in this study (median age: 21.00 years; 1st--3rd quartiles; 19.25-22.00). The 4 taping conditions were used: rigid taping (RT), kinesiology taping (KT), placebo taping (PT), and non-taping (NT). The order of taping techniques was randomly assigned. Normalized navicular height (NH), ND, and normalized ND evaluated using 3-dimensional motion analysis, and normalized peak plantar pressure (PP) were compared in 4 taping conditions during sitting, standing, walking, and jogging.During sitting, the normalized NH of RT is higher than that of NT, KT, and PT (χ = 17.30, P = .001), while during jogging, the normalized NH of RT is higher than that of NT and PT (χ = 10.55, P = .014). The normalized peak PP of NT is higher than that of PT (χ = 8.871, P = .031) in the lateral midfoot region.This study showed the RT technique maintained NH during sitting and jogging, and the RT technique could be an effective preventive and treatment strategy for MTSS.

[Effects of Liangxue Jiedu Decoction in treating psoriasis in a mouse psoriasis model].

PubMed

Gu, Min-Jie; Gao, Shang-Pu; Li, Yong-Mei

2009-06-01

To study the effects of Liangxue Jiedu Decoction, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine with the function of blood-cooling and detoxicating, in treating psoriasis in mice and to explore its mechanism. (1) Sixty mice were randomly divided into Liangxue Jiedu Decoction group, compound Indigo Naturalis capsule group, acitretin capsule group and normal saline group. Another 10 mice were selected as blank control. After 2-week administration, mice were sacrificed to obtain samples. After hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, tail scales with granular layers were calculated by an optical microscope. (2) Except for ten mice in blank group, sixty female mice were injected intraperitoneally with diethylstilbestrol once daily. After 3-day injection, mice were randomly divided into four groups and treated as above description. After 2-week treatment, all mice were injected intraperitoneally with colchicine (2 mg/kg), and sacrificed 6 h after the injection. The mitotic rate in virginal epithelium was calculated after HE staining. Compared with normal saline, Liangxue Jiedu Decoction could significantly inhibit the mitosis of mouse vaginal epithelium (P < 0.01) and promote the formation of granular layers in mouse tail-scale epidermis (P < 0.01). The mechanism of Liangxue Jiedu Decoction in treating psoriasis may be related to promoting granular cell growth and inhibiting proliferation of epidermic cells.

The effect of singing training on voice quality for people with quadriplegia.

PubMed

Tamplin, Jeanette; Baker, Felicity A; Buttifant, Mary; Berlowitz, David J

2014-01-01

Despite anecdotal reports of voice impairment in quadriplegia, the exact nature of these impairments is not well described in the literature. This article details objective and subjective voice assessments for people with quadriplegia at baseline and after a respiratory-targeted singing intervention. Randomized controlled trial. Twenty-four participants with quadriplegia were randomly assigned to a 12-week program of either a singing intervention or active music therapy control. Recordings of singing and speech were made at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months postintervention. These deidentified recordings were used to measure sound pressure levels and assess voice quality using the Multidimensional Voice Profile and the Perceptual Voice Profile. Baseline voice quality data indicated deviation from normality in the areas of breathiness, strain, and roughness. A greater percentage of intervention participants moved toward more normal voice quality in terms of jitter, shimmer, and noise-to-harmonic ratio; however, the improvements failed to achieve statistical significance. Subjective and objective assessments of voice quality indicate that quadriplegia may have a detrimental effect on voice quality; in particular, causing a perception of roughness and breathiness in the voice. The results of this study suggest that singing training may have a role in ameliorating these voice impairments. Copyright © 2014 The Voice Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethanolic extract of Artemisia aucheri induces regression of aorta wall fatty streaks in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

PubMed

Asgary, S; Dinani, N Jafari; Madani, H; Mahzouni, P

2008-05-01

Artemisia aucheri is a native-growing plant which is widely used in Iranian traditional medicine. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of A. aucheri on regression of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Twenty five rabbits were randomly divided into five groups of five each and treated 3-months as follows: 1: normal diet, 2: hypercholesterolemic diet (HCD), 3 and 4: HCD for 60 days and then normal diet and normal diet + A. aucheri (100 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) respectively for an additional 30 days (regression period). In the regression period dietary use of A. aucheri in group 4 significantly decreased total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol, while HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased. The atherosclerotic area was significantly decreased in this group. Animals, which received only normal diet in the regression period showed no regression but rather progression of atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that A. aucheri may cause regression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Reducing Bias and Error in the Correlation Coefficient Due to Nonnormality.

PubMed

Bishara, Anthony J; Hittner, James B

2015-10-01

It is more common for educational and psychological data to be nonnormal than to be approximately normal. This tendency may lead to bias and error in point estimates of the Pearson correlation coefficient. In a series of Monte Carlo simulations, the Pearson correlation was examined under conditions of normal and nonnormal data, and it was compared with its major alternatives, including the Spearman rank-order correlation, the bootstrap estimate, the Box-Cox transformation family, and a general normalizing transformation (i.e., rankit), as well as to various bias adjustments. Nonnormality caused the correlation coefficient to be inflated by up to +.14, particularly when the nonnormality involved heavy-tailed distributions. Traditional bias adjustments worsened this problem, further inflating the estimate. The Spearman and rankit correlations eliminated this inflation and provided conservative estimates. Rankit also minimized random error for most sample sizes, except for the smallest samples ( n = 10), where bootstrapping was more effective. Overall, results justify the use of carefully chosen alternatives to the Pearson correlation when normality is violated.

Reducing Bias and Error in the Correlation Coefficient Due to Nonnormality

PubMed Central

Hittner, James B.

2014-01-01

It is more common for educational and psychological data to be nonnormal than to be approximately normal. This tendency may lead to bias and error in point estimates of the Pearson correlation coefficient. In a series of Monte Carlo simulations, the Pearson correlation was examined under conditions of normal and nonnormal data, and it was compared with its major alternatives, including the Spearman rank-order correlation, the bootstrap estimate, the Box–Cox transformation family, and a general normalizing transformation (i.e., rankit), as well as to various bias adjustments. Nonnormality caused the correlation coefficient to be inflated by up to +.14, particularly when the nonnormality involved heavy-tailed distributions. Traditional bias adjustments worsened this problem, further inflating the estimate. The Spearman and rankit correlations eliminated this inflation and provided conservative estimates. Rankit also minimized random error for most sample sizes, except for the smallest samples (n = 10), where bootstrapping was more effective. Overall, results justify the use of carefully chosen alternatives to the Pearson correlation when normality is violated. PMID:29795841

Effect of oxandrolone therapy on adult height in Turner syndrome patients treated with growth hormone: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Sheanon, Nicole M; Backeljauw, Philippe F

2015-01-01

Turner syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality in which there is complete or partial absence of the X chromosome. Turner syndrome effects 1 in every 2000 live births. Short stature is a cardinal feature of Turner Syndrome and the standard treatment is recombinant human growth hormone. When growth hormone is started at an early age a normal adult height can be achieved. With delayed diagnosis young women with Turner Syndrome may not reach a normal height. Adjuvant therapy with oxandrolone is used but there is no consensus on the optimal timing of treatment, the duration of treatment and the long term adverse effects of treatment. The objective of this review and meta-analysis is to examine the effect of oxandrolone on adult height in growth hormone treated Turner syndrome patients. Eligible trials were identified by a literature search using the terms: Turner syndrome, oxandrolone. The search was limited to English language randomized-controlled trials after 1980. Twenty-six articles were reviewed and four were included in the meta-analysis. A random effects model was used to calculate an effect size and confidence interval. The pooled effect size of 2.0759 (95 % CI 0.0988 to 4.0529) indicates that oxandrolone has a positive effect on adult height in Turner syndrome when combined with growth hormone therapy. In conclusion, the addition of oxandrolone to growth hormone therapy for treatment of short stature in Turner syndrome improves adult height. Further studies are warranted to investigate if there is a subset of Turner syndrome patients that would benefit most from growth hormone plus oxandrolone therapy, and to determine the optimal timing and duration of such therapy.

Pretreatment with intravenous lipid emulsion reduces mortality from cocaine toxicity in a rat model.

PubMed

Carreiro, Stephanie; Blum, Jared; Hack, Jason B

2014-07-01

We compare the effects of intravenous lipid emulsion and normal saline solution pretreatment on mortality and hemodynamic changes in a rat model of cocaine toxicity. We hypothesize that intravenous lipid emulsion will decrease mortality and hemodynamic changes caused by cocaine administration compared with saline solution. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were sedated and randomized to receive intravenous lipid emulsion or normal saline solution, followed by a 10 mg/kg bolus of intravenous cocaine. Continuous monitoring included intra-arterial blood pressure, pulse rate and ECG tracing. Endpoints included a sustained undetectable mean arterial pressure (MAP) or return to baseline MAP for 5 minutes. The log-rank test was used to compare mortality. A mixed-effect repeated-measures ANOVA was used to estimate the effects of group (intravenous lipid emulsion versus saline solution), time, and survival on change in MAP, pulse rate, or pulse pressure. In the normal saline solution group, 7 of 10 animals died compared with 2 of 10 in the intravenous lipid emulsion group. The survival rate of 80% (95% confidence interval 55% to 100%) for the intravenous lipid emulsion rats and 30% (95% confidence interval 0.2% to 58%) for the normal saline solution group was statistically significant (P=.045). Intravenous lipid emulsion pretreatment decreased cocaine-induced cardiovascular collapse and blunted hypotensive effects compared with normal saline solution in this rat model of acute lethal cocaine intoxication. Intravenous lipid emulsion should be investigated further as a potential adjunct in the treatment of severe cocaine toxicity. Copyright © 2013 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wide excision of soft tissues adjacent to the ovary and fallopian tube does not impair the ovarian reserve in women undergoing prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy: results from a randomized, controlled trial.

PubMed

Venturella, Roberta; Morelli, Michele; Lico, Daniela; Di Cello, Annalisa; Rocca, Morena; Sacchinelli, Angela; Mocciaro, Rita; D'Alessandro, Pietro; Maiorana, Antonio; Gizzo, Salvatore; Zullo, Fulvio

2015-11-01

To study the effects of the wide excision of soft tissues adjacent to the ovary and fallopian tube on ovarian function and surgical outcomes in women undergoing laparoscopic bilateral prophylactic salpingectomy. Randomized, controlled trial. Teaching hospital. One hundred eighty-six women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for uterine myoma (n = 143) or tubal surgical sterilization (n = 43). Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In group A (n = 91), standard salpingectomy was performed. In group B (n = 95), the mesosalpinx was removed within the tubes. Prior to and 3 months after surgery, antimüllerian hormone (AMH), FSH, three-dimensional antral follicle count (AFC), vascular index (VI), flow index (FI), vascular-flow index (VFI), and OvAge were recorded for each patient. Ovarian reserve modification (Δ) before and after surgery was assessed as the primary outcome. Operative time, variation of the hemoglobin level (ΔHb), postoperative hospital stay, postoperative return to normal activity, and complication rate were assessed as secondary outcomes. No significant difference was observed between groups for ΔAMH, ΔFSH, ΔAFC, ΔVI, ΔFI, ΔVFI, and ΔOvAge. Moreover, the groups were similar for operative time, ΔHb, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative return to normal activity, and complication rate. Even when the surgical excision includes the removal of the mesosalpinx, salpingectomy does not damage the ovarian reserve. Moreover, wide salpingectomy with excision of the mesosalpinx did not alter blood loss, hospitalization stay, or return to normal activities. NCT02086370. Copyright © 2015 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reversal of Pipecuronium-Induced Moderate Neuromuscular Block with Sugammadex in the Presence of a Sevoflurane Anesthetic: A Randomized Trial.

PubMed

Tassonyi, Edömér; Pongrácz, Adrienn; Nemes, Réka; Asztalos, László; Lengyel, Szabolcs; Fülesdi, Béla

2015-08-01

Pipecuronium is a steroidal neuromuscular blocking agent. Sugammadex, a relaxant binding γ-cyclodextrin derivative, reverses the effect of rocuronium, vecuronium, and pancuronium. We investigated whether sugammadex reverses moderate pipecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade (NMB) and the doses required to achieve reversal. This single-center, randomized, double-blind, 5-group parallel-arm study comprised 50 patients undergoing general anesthesia with propofol, sevoflurane, fentanyl, and pipecuronium. Neuromuscular monitoring was performed with acceleromyography (TOF-Watch SX) according to international standards. When the NMB recovered spontaneously to train-of-four count 2, patients randomly received 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0 mg/kg of sugammadex or placebo. Recovery time from sugammadex injection to normalized train-of-four (TOF) ratio 0.9 was the primary outcome variable. The recovery time from the sugammadex injection to final T1 was the secondary end point. Postoperative neuromuscular functions were also assessed. Each patient who received sugammadex recovered to a normalized TOF ratio of 0.9 within 5.0 minutes (95% lower confidence interval for the lowest dose 70.1%; for all doses 90.8%) and 79% of these patients reached a normalized TOF ratio 0.9 within 2.0 minutes (95% lower confidence interval for the lowest dose 26.7%; for all doses 63.7%). T1 recovered several minutes after the TOF ratio. No residual postoperative NMB was observed. Sugammadex adequately and rapidly reverses pipecuronium-induced moderate NMB during sevoflurane anesthesia. Once the train-of-four count has spontaneously returned to 2 responses following pipecuronium administration, a dose of 2.0 mg/kg of sugammadex is sufficient to reverse the NMB.

Medium Access Control for Opportunistic Concurrent Transmissions under Shadowing Channels

PubMed Central

Son, In Keun; Mao, Shiwen; Hur, Seung Min

2009-01-01

We study the problem of how to alleviate the exposed terminal effect in multi-hop wireless networks in the presence of log-normal shadowing channels. Assuming node location information, we propose an extension of the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol that sched-ules concurrent transmissions in the presence of log-normal shadowing, thus mitigating the exposed terminal problem and improving network throughput and delay performance. We observe considerable improvements in throughput and delay achieved over the IEEE 802.11 MAC under various network topologies and channel conditions in ns-2 simulations, which justify the importance of considering channel randomness in MAC protocol design for multi-hop wireless networks. PMID:22408556

Reduction of calprotectin and phosphate during testosterone therapy in aging men: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Pedersen, L; Christensen, L L; Pedersen, S M; Andersen, M

2017-05-01

To investigate the effect of testosterone treatment on biomarkers calprotectin, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), soluble Klotho, phosphate, calcium, parathyroid hormone, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Odense Androgen Study-the effect of Testim and training in hypogonadal men. Men aged 60-78 years old with a low normal concentration of free of bioavailable testosterone <7.3 nmol/L and waist circumference >94 cm recruited from 2008 to 2009 (N = 48) by advertisement. Participants were randomized to receive 5-10 g gel/50-100 mg testosterone (Testim ® , Ipsen, France) or 5-10 g gel/placebo. The plasma levels of calprotectin and phosphate were significantly reduced in the group receiving testosterone therapy (gel) compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Testosterone treatment did not have any significant effect on plasma levels of FGF23 or soluble Klotho. The reduction in phosphate levels was inversely associated with bioavailable testosterone. Compared to the placebo group, 6 months of testosterone therapy (gel) reduced calprotectin and phosphate levels suggesting decreased inflammation and decreased cardiovascular risk.

Statistical analysis of the calibration procedure for personnel radiation measurement instruments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bush, W.J.; Bengston, S.J.; Kalbeitzer, F.L.

1980-11-01

Thermoluminescent analyzer (TLA) calibration procedures were used to estimate personnel radiation exposure levels at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). A statistical analysis is presented herein based on data collected over a six month period in 1979 on four TLA's located in the Department of Energy (DOE) Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory at the INEL. The data were collected according to the day-to-day procedure in effect at that time. Both gamma and beta radiation models are developed. Observed TLA readings of thermoluminescent dosimeters are correlated with known radiation levels. This correlation is then used to predict unknown radiation doses frommore » future analyzer readings of personnel thermoluminescent dosimeters. The statistical techniques applied in this analysis include weighted linear regression, estimation of systematic and random error variances, prediction interval estimation using Scheffe's theory of calibration, the estimation of the ratio of the means of two normal bivariate distributed random variables and their corresponding confidence limits according to Kendall and Stuart, tests of normality, experimental design, a comparison between instruments, and quality control.« less

Cost-effectiveness of dabigatran for stroke prophylaxis in atrial fibrillation.

PubMed

Shah, Shimoli V; Gage, Brian F

2011-06-07

Recent studies have investigated alternatives to warfarin for stroke prophylaxis in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but whether these alternatives are cost-effective is unknown. On the basis of the results from Randomized Evaluation of Long Term Anticoagulation Therapy (RE-LY) and other trials, we developed a decision-analysis model to compare the cost and quality-adjusted survival of various antithrombotic therapies. We ran our Markov model in a hypothetical cohort of 70-year-old patients with AF using a cost-effectiveness threshold of $50 000/quality-adjusted life-year. We estimated the cost of dabigatran as US $9 a day. For a patient with an average risk of major hemorrhage (≈3%/y), the most cost-effective therapy depended on stroke risk. For patients with the lowest stroke rate (CHADS2 stroke score of 0), only aspirin was cost-effective. For patients with a moderate stroke rate (CHADS2 score of 1 or 2), warfarin was cost-effective unless the risk of hemorrhage was high or quality of international normalized ratio control was poor (time in the therapeutic range <57.1%). For patients with a high stroke risk (CHADS(2) stroke score ≥3), dabigatran 150 mg (twice daily) was cost-effective unless international normalized ratio control was excellent (time in the therapeutic range >72.6%). Neither dabigatran 110 mg nor dual therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) was cost-effective. Dabigatran 150 mg (twice daily) was cost-effective in AF populations at high risk of hemorrhage or high risk of stroke unless international normalized ratio control with warfarin was excellent. Warfarin was cost-effective in moderate-risk AF populations unless international normalized ratio control was poor.

Investigation of random walks knee cartilage segmentation model using inter-observer reproducibility: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

PubMed

Hong-Seng, Gan; Sayuti, Khairil Amir; Karim, Ahmad Helmy Abdul

2017-01-01

Existing knee cartilage segmentation methods have reported several technical drawbacks. In essence, graph cuts remains highly susceptible to image noise despite extended research interest; active shape model is often constraint by the selection of training data while shortest path have demonstrated shortcut problem in the presence of weak boundary, which is a common problem in medical images. The aims of this study is to investigate the capability of random walks as knee cartilage segmentation method. Experts would scribble on knee cartilage image to initialize random walks segmentation. Then, reproducibility of the method is assessed against manual segmentation by using Dice Similarity Index. The evaluation consists of normal cartilage and diseased cartilage sections which is divided into whole and single cartilage categories. A total of 15 normal images and 10 osteoarthritic images were included. The results showed that random walks method has demonstrated high reproducibility in both normal cartilage (observer 1: 0.83±0.028 and observer 2: 0.82±0.026) and osteoarthritic cartilage (observer 1: 0.80±0.069 and observer 2: 0.83±0.029). Besides, results from both experts were found to be consistent with each other, suggesting the inter-observer variation is insignificant (Normal: P=0.21; Diseased: P=0.15). The proposed segmentation model has overcame technical problems reported by existing semi-automated techniques and demonstrated highly reproducible and consistent results against manual segmentation method.

Effect of amlodipine, efonidipine, and trichlormethiazide on home blood pressure and upper-normal microalbuminuria assessed by casual spot urine test in essential hypertensive patients.

PubMed

Hosaka, Miki; Inoue, Ryusuke; Satoh, Michihiro; Watabe, Daisuke; Hanazawa, Tomohiro; Ohkubo, Takayoshi; Asayama, Kei; Obara, Taku; Imai, Yutaka

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of irbesartan alone and combined with amlodipine, efonidipine, or trichlormethiazide on blood pressure (BP) and urinary albumin (UA) excretion in hypertensive patients with microalbuminuria (30≤UA/creatinine (Cr) ratio [UACR] <300 mg/g Cr) and upper-normal microalbuminuria (10≤UACR<30 mg/g Cr). This randomized controlled trial enrolled 175 newly diagnosed and untreated hypertensive patients (home systolic blood pressure [SBP]≥135 mmHg; 10≤UACR<300 mg/g Cr of casual spot urine at the first visit to clinic). All patients were treated with irbesartan (week 0). Patients who failed to achieve home SBP ≤125 mmHg on 8-week irbesartan monotherapy (nonresponders, n = 115) were randomized into three additional drug treatment groups: trichlormethiazide (n = 42), efonidipine (n = 39), or amlodipine (n = 34). Irbesartan monotherapy decreased home SBP and first morning urine samples (morning UACR) for 8 weeks (p < 0.0001). At 8 weeks after randomization, all three additional drugs decreased home SBP (p < 0.0002) and trichlormethiazide significantly decreased morning UACR (p = 0.03). Amlodipine decreased morning UACR in patients with microalbuminuria based on casual spot urine samples (p = 0.048). However, multivariate analysis showed that only higher home SBP and UACR at week 8, but not any additional treatments, were significantly associated with UACR reduction between week 8 and week 16. In conclusion, crucial points of the effects of combination therapy on UACR were basal UACR and SBP levels. The effect of trichlormethiazide or amlodipine treatment in combination with irbesartan treatment on microalbuminuria needs to be reexamined based on a larger sample size after considering basal UACR and SBP levels.

Imparting protean behavior to mobile robots accomplishing patrolling tasks in the presence of adversaries.

PubMed

Curiac, Daniel-Ioan; Volosencu, Constantin

2015-10-08

Providing unpredictable trajectories for patrol robots is essential when coping with adversaries. In order to solve this problem we developed an effective approach based on the known protean behavior of individual prey animals-random zig-zag movement. The proposed bio-inspired method modifies the normal robot's path by incorporating sudden and irregular direction changes without jeopardizing the robot's mission. Such a tactic is aimed to confuse the enemy (e.g. a sniper), offering less time to acquire and retain sight alignment and sight picture. This idea is implemented by simulating a series of fictive-temporary obstacles that will randomly appear in the robot's field of view, deceiving the obstacle avoiding mechanism to react. The new general methodology is particularized by using the Arnold's cat map to obtain the timely random appearance and disappearance of the fictive obstacles. The viability of the proposed method is confirmed through an extensive simulation case study.

Effect of a prenatal lifestyle intervention on physical activity level in late pregnancy and the first year postpartum

PubMed Central

Sagedal, Linda Reme; Haakstad, Lene Annette Hagen; Lohne-Seiler, Hilde

2017-01-01

Background Despite documented health benefits for mother and baby, physical activity (PA)-level tends to decline in pregnancy. Overweight/obese and physically inactive women are two selected groups at increased risk of pregnancy complications. Thus, efficient strategies to maintain or increase PA-level in pregnancy and the postpartum period, especially among these women, are warranted. This secondary analysis examined the effect of a prenatal lifestyle-intervention on PA-level in late pregnancy and the first year postpartum, with subanalysis on initially physically active versus inactive and normal-weight versus overweight/obese women. Method The Norwegian Fit for Delivery (NFFD) randomized controlled trial included healthy primiparous women with singleton pregnancies and body mass index (BMI) ≥19 kg/m2 assigned to an intervention group, n = 303 (twice weekly group-exercises and dietary counseling) or a control group, n = 303 (standard prenatal care). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form was used to assess PA-levels at inclusion (mean gestational week (GW) 16), GW 36, and six and 12 months postpartum. Results At GW 36, a positive intervention-effect with a significant between-group difference in total PA-level compared to time of inclusion was found for the total group (530 MET-min/week, p = 0.001) and the subgroups of normal-weight (533 MET-min/week, p = 0.003) and initially active women (717 MET-min/week, p<0.001). Intervention-effect was dependent on exercise-adherence among overweight/obese and inactive women. Compared to time of inclusion, the intervention groups maintained total PA-level at GW 36, while total PA-level decreased in the control groups. The PA-levels increased postpartum, but with no significant differences between the randomization groups. Conclusion The NFFD prenatal combined lifestyle intervention had a significant effect on TPA-level in late pregnancy among women entering pregnancy normal-weight or physically active, thereby preventing the downward trend typically seen during pregnancy. Intervention-effect among overweight/obese and physically inactive women was, however, dependent on exercise-adherence. Long-term intervention-effect was not observed in the postpartum period. PMID:29176762

Effect of a prenatal lifestyle intervention on physical activity level in late pregnancy and the first year postpartum.

PubMed

Sanda, Birgitte; Vistad, Ingvild; Sagedal, Linda Reme; Haakstad, Lene Annette Hagen; Lohne-Seiler, Hilde; Torstveit, Monica Klungland

2017-01-01

Despite documented health benefits for mother and baby, physical activity (PA)-level tends to decline in pregnancy. Overweight/obese and physically inactive women are two selected groups at increased risk of pregnancy complications. Thus, efficient strategies to maintain or increase PA-level in pregnancy and the postpartum period, especially among these women, are warranted. This secondary analysis examined the effect of a prenatal lifestyle-intervention on PA-level in late pregnancy and the first year postpartum, with subanalysis on initially physically active versus inactive and normal-weight versus overweight/obese women. The Norwegian Fit for Delivery (NFFD) randomized controlled trial included healthy primiparous women with singleton pregnancies and body mass index (BMI) ≥19 kg/m2 assigned to an intervention group, n = 303 (twice weekly group-exercises and dietary counseling) or a control group, n = 303 (standard prenatal care). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form was used to assess PA-levels at inclusion (mean gestational week (GW) 16), GW 36, and six and 12 months postpartum. At GW 36, a positive intervention-effect with a significant between-group difference in total PA-level compared to time of inclusion was found for the total group (530 MET-min/week, p = 0.001) and the subgroups of normal-weight (533 MET-min/week, p = 0.003) and initially active women (717 MET-min/week, p<0.001). Intervention-effect was dependent on exercise-adherence among overweight/obese and inactive women. Compared to time of inclusion, the intervention groups maintained total PA-level at GW 36, while total PA-level decreased in the control groups. The PA-levels increased postpartum, but with no significant differences between the randomization groups. The NFFD prenatal combined lifestyle intervention had a significant effect on TPA-level in late pregnancy among women entering pregnancy normal-weight or physically active, thereby preventing the downward trend typically seen during pregnancy. Intervention-effect among overweight/obese and physically inactive women was, however, dependent on exercise-adherence. Long-term intervention-effect was not observed in the postpartum period.

Inference of median difference based on the Box-Cox model in randomized clinical trials.

PubMed

Maruo, K; Isogawa, N; Gosho, M

2015-05-10

In randomized clinical trials, many medical and biological measurements are not normally distributed and are often skewed. The Box-Cox transformation is a powerful procedure for comparing two treatment groups for skewed continuous variables in terms of a statistical test. However, it is difficult to directly estimate and interpret the location difference between the two groups on the original scale of the measurement. We propose a helpful method that infers the difference of the treatment effect on the original scale in a more easily interpretable form. We also provide statistical analysis packages that consistently include an estimate of the treatment effect, covariance adjustments, standard errors, and statistical hypothesis tests. The simulation study that focuses on randomized parallel group clinical trials with two treatment groups indicates that the performance of the proposed method is equivalent to or better than that of the existing non-parametric approaches in terms of the type-I error rate and power. We illustrate our method with cluster of differentiation 4 data in an acquired immune deficiency syndrome clinical trial. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Semiparametric Bayesian classification with longitudinal markers

PubMed Central

De la Cruz-Mesía, Rolando; Quintana, Fernando A.; Müller, Peter

2013-01-01

Summary We analyse data from a study involving 173 pregnant women. The data are observed values of the β human chorionic gonadotropin hormone measured during the first 80 days of gestational age, including from one up to six longitudinal responses for each woman. The main objective in this study is to predict normal versus abnormal pregnancy outcomes from data that are available at the early stages of pregnancy. We achieve the desired classification with a semiparametric hierarchical model. Specifically, we consider a Dirichlet process mixture prior for the distribution of the random effects in each group. The unknown random-effects distributions are allowed to vary across groups but are made dependent by using a design vector to select different features of a single underlying random probability measure. The resulting model is an extension of the dependent Dirichlet process model, with an additional probability model for group classification. The model is shown to perform better than an alternative model which is based on independent Dirichlet processes for the groups. Relevant posterior distributions are summarized by using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. PMID:24368871

Cooperation induced by random sequential exclusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Kun; Cong, Rui; Wang, Long

2016-06-01

Social exclusion is a common and powerful tool to penalize deviators in human societies, and thus to effectively elevate collaborative efforts. Current models on the evolution of exclusion behaviors mostly assume that each peer excluder independently makes the decision to expel the defectors, but has no idea what others in the group would do or how the actual punishment effect will be. Thus, a more realistic model, random sequential exclusion, is proposed. In this mechanism, each excluder has to pay an extra scheduling cost and then all the excluders are arranged in a random order to implement the exclusion actions. If one free rider has already been excluded by an excluder, the remaining excluders will not participate in expelling this defector. We find that this mechanism can help stabilize cooperation under more unfavorable conditions than the normal peer exclusion can do, either in well-mixed population or on social networks. However, too large a scheduling cost may undermine the advantage of this mechanism. Our work validates the fact that collaborative practice among punishers plays an important role in further boosting cooperation.

A software system for the simulation of chest lesions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryan, John T.; McEntee, Mark; Barrett, Saoirse; Evanoff, Michael; Manning, David; Brennan, Patrick

2007-03-01

We report on the development of a novel software tool for the simulation of chest lesions. This software tool was developed for use in our study to attain optimal ambient lighting conditions for chest radiology. This study involved 61 consultant radiologists from the American Board of Radiology. Because of its success, we intend to use the same tool for future studies. The software has two main functions: the simulation of lesions and retrieval of information for ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) and JAFROC (Jack-Knife Free Response ROC) analysis. The simulation layer operates by randomly selecting an image from a bank of reportedly normal chest x-rays. A random location is then generated for each lesion, which is checked against a reference lung-map. If the location is within the lung fields, as derived from the lung-map, a lesion is superimposed. Lesions are also randomly selected from a bank of manually created chest lesion images. A blending algorithm determines which are the best intensity levels for the lesion to sit naturally within the chest x-ray. The same software was used to run a study for all 61 radiologists. A sequence of images is displayed in random order. Half of these images had simulated lesions, ranging from subtle to obvious, and half of the images were normal. The operator then selects locations where he/she thinks lesions exist and grades the lesion accordingly. We have found that this software was very effective in this study and intend to use the same principles for future studies.

Reduction of total labor length through the addition of parenteral dextrose solution in induction of labor in nulliparous: results of DEXTRONS prospective randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Paré, Josianne; Pasquier, Jean-Charles; Lewin, Antoine; Fraser, William; Bureau, Yves-André

2017-05-01

Prolonged labor is a significant cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and very few interventions are known to shorten labor course. Skeletal muscle physiology suggests that glucose supplementation might improve muscle performance in case of prolonged exercise and this situation is analogous to the gravid uterus during delivery. Therefore, it seemed imperative to evaluate the impact of adding carbohydrate supplements on the course of labor. We sought to provide evidence as to whether intravenous glucose supplementation during labor induction in nulliparous women can reduce total duration of active labor. We performed a single-center prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing the use of parental intravenous dextrose 5% with normal saline to normal saline in induced nulliparous women. The study was conducted in a tertiary-level university hospital setting. Participants, caregivers, and those assessing the outcomes were blinded to group assignment. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy at term with cephalic presentation and favorable cervix. Based on blocked randomization, patients were assigned to receive either 250 mL/h of intravenous dextrose 5% with normal saline or 250 mL/h of normal saline for the whole duration of induction, labor, and delivery. The primary outcome studied was the total length of active labor. Secondary outcomes included duration of the active phase of second stage of labor, the mode of delivery, Apgar scores, and arterial cord pH. In all, 100 patients were randomized into each group. A total of 193 patients (96 in the dextrose with normal saline group and 97 in the normal saline group) were analyzed in the study. The median total duration of labor was significantly less in the dextrose with normal saline group (499 vs 423 minutes, P = .024) than in the normal saline group. The probabilities of a woman being delivered at 200 minutes and 450 minutes were 18.8% and 77.1% in the dextrose with normal saline group vs 8.2% and 59.8% in the normal saline group (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test P value = .027). There was no difference in the rate of cesarean delivery, instrumented delivery, Apgar score, or arterial cord pH. Glucose supplementation significantly reduces the total length of labor without increasing the rate of complication in induced nulliparous women. Given the low cost and the safety of this intervention, glucose should be used as the default solute during labor. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of modafinil on attention performance, short-term memory and executive function in university students: a randomized trial.

PubMed

Fernández, Alejandro; Mascayano, Franco; Lips, Walter; Painel, Andrés; Norambuena, Jonathan; Madrid, Eva

2015-06-30

Modafinil is a drug developed and used for the treatment of excessive lethargy. Even though very effective for sleep disorders, it is still controversial whether modafinil can improve performance in high-order cognitive processes such as memory and executive function. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was designed to evaluate the effect of modafinil (compared to placebo) on the cognitive functions of healthy students. 160 volunteers were recruited and allocated randomly to modafinil or placebo group, and were assessed using the Stroop Test, BCET test and Digit span test. We found a significant difference in favor of modafinil compared to placebo in the proportion of correct answers of Stroop Test in congruent situation. A significant shorter latency of modafinil group in the incongruent situation of Stroop test was also found. No differences were found in Digit Span, or BCET tests. The study demonstrated that modafinil does not enhance the global cognitive performance of healthy non-sleep deprived students, except regarding non-demanding tasks. In particular, this drug does not seem to have positive effects on mental processes that sustain studying tasks in the college population under normal conditions. We expect these findings to demystify the use of this drug and help decision making concerning pharmacological public policies.

Generalized energy detector for weak random signals via vibrational resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Yuhao; Pan, Yan; Duan, Fabing

2018-03-01

In this paper, the generalized energy (GE) detector is investigated for detecting weak random signals via vibrational resonance (VR). By artificially injecting the high-frequency sinusoidal interferences into an array of GE statistics formed for the detector, we show that the normalized asymptotic efficacy can be maximized when the interference intensity takes an appropriate non-zero value. It is demonstrated that the normalized asymptotic efficacy of the dead-zone-limiter detector, aided by the VR mechanism, outperforms that of the GE detector without the help of high-frequency interferences. Moreover, the maximum normalized asymptotic efficacy of dead-zone-limiter detectors can approach a quarter of the second-order Fisher information for a wide range of non-Gaussian noise types.

Bose-Einstein Condensation of a Stochastic Liquid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maćkowiak, Jan

The Bogoliubov-Lee-Huang theory of superfluid 4He is modified by introducing an effective temperature scale (which accounts for the deep well of the interatomic potential) and by incorporating into the Hamiltonian a stochastic term Vl, which simulates liquidity of HeI and liquidity of the normal and superfluid component of HeII. Vl depends on two independent random angles αn, αs ∈ [0, π], which characterize the locally ordered motion of the two fluids (the normal fluid and superfluid) comprising HeII. The resulting thermodynamics improves the thermodynamic functions and excitation spectrum Ep(αn, αs) of the superfluid phase, obtained previously, leaving the heat capacity CV (T) of the normal phase, with a minimum at Tmin > 2.17K, unchanged. The theoretical velocity of sound in HeII, equal to the initial slope of Ep(π, π), agrees with experiment.

Video Comprehensibility and Attention in Very Young Children

PubMed Central

Pempek, Tiffany A.; Kirkorian, Heather L.; Richards, John E.; Anderson, Daniel R.; Lund, Anne F.; Stevens, Michael

2010-01-01

Earlier research established that preschool children pay less attention to television that is sequentially or linguistically incomprehensible. This study determines the youngest age for which this effect can be found. One-hundred and three 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month-olds’ looking and heart rate were recorded while they watched Teletubbies, a television program designed for very young children. Comprehensibility was manipulated by either randomly ordering shots or reversing dialogue to become backward speech. Infants watched one normal segment and one distorted version of the same segment. Only 24-month-olds, and to some extent 18-month-olds, distinguished between normal and distorted video by looking for longer durations towards the normal stimuli. The results suggest that it may not be until the middle of the second year that children demonstrate the earliest beginnings of comprehension of video as it is currently produced. PMID:20822238

Generating log-normal mock catalog of galaxies in redshift space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agrawal, Aniket; Makiya, Ryu; Saito, Shun

We present a public code to generate a mock galaxy catalog in redshift space assuming a log-normal probability density function (PDF) of galaxy and matter density fields. We draw galaxies by Poisson-sampling the log-normal field, and calculate the velocity field from the linearised continuity equation of matter fields, assuming zero vorticity. This procedure yields a PDF of the pairwise velocity fields that is qualitatively similar to that of N-body simulations. We check fidelity of the catalog, showing that the measured two-point correlation function and power spectrum in real space agree with the input precisely. We find that a linear biasmore » relation in the power spectrum does not guarantee a linear bias relation in the density contrasts, leading to a cross-correlation coefficient of matter and galaxies deviating from unity on small scales. We also find that linearising the Jacobian of the real-to-redshift space mapping provides a poor model for the two-point statistics in redshift space. That is, non-linear redshift-space distortion is dominated by non-linearity in the Jacobian. The power spectrum in redshift space shows a damping on small scales that is qualitatively similar to that of the well-known Fingers-of-God (FoG) effect due to random velocities, except that the log-normal mock does not include random velocities. This damping is a consequence of non-linearity in the Jacobian, and thus attributing the damping of the power spectrum solely to FoG, as commonly done in the literature, is misleading.« less

EFFECTS OF TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROID ADMINISTRATION ON INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN NORMAL AND GLAUCOMATOUS CATS

PubMed Central

Gosling, Allyson A; Kiland, Julie A; Rutkowski, Lauren E; Hoefs, Adam; Ellinwood, N Matthew; McLellan, Gillian J

2016-01-01

Objective to determine the effect of topical corticosteroid (CCS) therapy on intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal cats and cats with primary feline congenital glaucoma (FCG). Animals studied 5 normal and 11 FCG cats were studied in 2 cohorts. Procedures IOP was measured by a single, masked observer, once daily 3–5 days/week throughout the course of CCS treatment and for up to 11 days after treatment discontinuation. One eye per cat was randomly assigned for treatment twice daily with CCS; Balanced salt solution (BSS) applied to the contralateral eye, served as a control. Differences between eyes and between weeks of the study period were calculated for each cat. A positive response to CCS was defined as a consistent >15% or >25% higher IOP in the treated relative to control eye in normal and FCG cats, respectively. Results 8/11 FCG cats responded to topical CCS after 1–5 weeks of treatment with an increase in IOP relative to the untreated eye (maximum IOP discrepancy of 56 mmHg). 2/5 normal cats responded to topical CCS with appreciable but clinically unimportant increase in IOP in the treated eye (maximum IOP discrepancy of 6.4 mmHg). Conclusions our data indicate that the incidence of steroid induced IOP elevation in cats is lower than previously published feline studies suggest. Cats with pre-existing compromise in aqueous humor outflow may show a greater, clinically relevant response to topical CCS than normal cats. PMID:26876736

Cardiovascular Benefits of Wearing Particulate-Filtering Respirators: A Randomized Crossover Trial

PubMed Central

Shi, Jingjin; Lin, Zhijing; Chen, Renjie; Wang, Cuicui; Yang, Changyuan; Cai, Jing; Lin, Jingyu; Xu, Xiaohui; Ross, Jennifer A.; Zhao, Zhuohui; Kan, Haidong

2016-01-01

Background: Practical approaches to protect individuals from ambient particulate matter (PM) are urgently needed in developing countries. Evidence on the health benefits of wearing particulate-filtering respirators is limited. Objectives: We evaluated the short-term cardiovascular health effects of wearing respirators in China. Methods: A randomized crossover trial was performed in 24 healthy young adults in Shanghai, China in 2014. The subjects were randomized into two groups and wore particulate-filtering respirators for 48 hr alternating with a 3-week washout interval. Heart rate variability (HRV) and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) were continuously monitored during the 2nd 24 hr in each intervention. Circulating biomarkers were measured at the end of each intervention. Linear mixed-effect models were applied to evaluate the effects of wearing respirators on health outcomes. Results: During the intervention periods, the mean daily average concentration of PM with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm (PM2.5) was 74.2 μg/m3. Compared with the absence of respirators, wearing respirators was associated with a decrease of 2.7 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1, 5.2 mmHg] in systolic BP and increases of HRV parameters, including 12.5% (95% CI: 3.8%, 21.2%) in high frequency (HF) power, 10.9% (95% CI: 1.8%, 20.0%) in the root mean square of the successive differences, and 22.1% (95% CI: 3.6%, 40.7%) in the percentage of normal RR intervals with duration > 50 msec different from the previous normal RR interval (pNN50). The presence of respirators was also associated with a decrease of 7.8% (95% CI: 3.5%, 12.1%) in the ratio of low frequency (LF)/HF power. Conclusions: Short-term wearing of particulate-filtering respirators may produce cardiovascular benefits by improving autonomic nervous function and reducing BP. Citation: Shi J, Lin Z, Chen R, Wang C, Yang C, Cai J, Lin J, Xu X, Ross JA, Zhao Z, Kan H. 2017. Cardiovascular benefits of wearing particulate-filtering respirators: a randomized crossover trial. Environ Health Perspect 125:175–180; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP73 PMID:27562361

Adjunctive Local Application of Lidocaine during Scleral Buckling under General Anesthesia.

PubMed

Dehghani, Alireza; Montazeri, Kamran; Masjedi, Amin; Karbasi, Najmeh; Ashrafi, Leila; Saeedian, Behrooz

2011-07-01

To evaluate the effect of local lidocaine application on the incidence of the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) during scleral buckling (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) under general anesthesia. In a randomized clinical trial, eyes with RRD scheduled for SB under general anesthesia were randomized to adjunctive local application of 1 ml lidocaine 2% versus normal saline to the muscles after conjunctival opening. Surgical stimulation was initiated 5 minutes afterwards. Additionally, 100 mg of lidocaine 2% was added to 50 ml of normal saline in the treatment group which was used for irrigation during surgery; control eyes were irrigated with normal saline. The incidence of the OCR, rate of postoperative nausea/vomiting (PONV), total intravenous (IV) analgesic dose, duration of surgery, and period of hospitalization were compared between the study groups. Thirty eyes of 30 patients including 22 (73.3%) male and 8 (26.7%) subjects with mean age of 49.4±16.3 years were operated. OCR and PONV occurred less frequently, and total intravenous analgesic dose was significantly lower in the lidocaine group (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). However, no significant difference was noted between the study groups in terms of duration of surgery and period of hospitalization. Adjunctive local application of lidocaine during SB under GA for RRD decreases the rate of OCR and PONV, reduces the intravenous analgesic dose, but does not affect the duration of surgery or hospitalization.

Fasting Reduces the Incidence of Delayed-Type Vomiting Associated with Doxorubicin Treatment in Dogs with Lymphoma.

PubMed

Withers, Sita S; Kass, Philip H; Rodriguez, Carlos O; Skorupski, Katherine A; O'Brien, Danielle; Guerrero, Teri A; Sein, Kristen D; Rebhun, Robert B

2014-05-12

Fasting reduces gastrointestinal cellular proliferation rates through G 1 cycle blockade and can promote cellular protection of normal but not cancer cells through altered cell signaling including down-regulation of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of fasting on delayed-type chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in dogs receiving doxorubicin. This prospective randomized crossover study involved intended administration of two doses of doxorubicin. Cancer-bearing dogs were randomized to be fasted for 24 hours beginning at 6 P.M. the night before the first or second doxorubicin administration, and all treatments were administered within an hour before or after 12 P.M. Dogs were fed normally before the alternate dose. Circulating IGF-1 concentrations were determined from serum samples obtained immediately before each doxorubicin treatment. Data from 35 doses were available from 20 dogs enrolled. Dogs that were fasted exhibited a significantly lower incidence of vomiting, when compared to fed dogs (10% compared to 67%, P = .020). Furthermore, among the 15 dogs that completed crossover dosing, vomiting was abrogated in four of five dogs that experienced doxorubicin-induced vomiting when fed normally (P = .050). No differences in other gastrointestinal, constitutional, or bone marrow toxicities or serum IGF-1 levels were observed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Central Limit Theorem for Supercritical Oriented Percolation in Two Dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tzioufas, Achillefs

2018-04-01

We consider the cardinality of supercritical oriented bond percolation in two dimensions. We show that, whenever the the origin is conditioned to percolate, the process appropriately normalized converges asymptotically in distribution to the standard normal law. This resolves a longstanding open problem pointed out to in several instances in the literature. The result applies also to the continuous-time analog of the process, viz. the basic one-dimensional contact process. We also derive general random-indices central limit theorems for associated random variables as byproducts of our proof.

The Central Limit Theorem for Supercritical Oriented Percolation in Two Dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tzioufas, Achillefs

2018-06-01

We consider the cardinality of supercritical oriented bond percolation in two dimensions. We show that, whenever the the origin is conditioned to percolate, the process appropriately normalized converges asymptotically in distribution to the standard normal law. This resolves a longstanding open problem pointed out to in several instances in the literature. The result applies also to the continuous-time analog of the process, viz. the basic one-dimensional contact process. We also derive general random-indices central limit theorems for associated random variables as byproducts of our proof.

Itô and Stratonovich integrals on compound renewal processes: the normal/Poisson case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Germano, Guido; Politi, Mauro; Scalas, Enrico; Schilling, René L.

2010-06-01

Continuous-time random walks, or compound renewal processes, are pure-jump stochastic processes with several applications in insurance, finance, economics and physics. Based on heuristic considerations, a definition is given for stochastic integrals driven by continuous-time random walks, which includes the Itô and Stratonovich cases. It is then shown how the definition can be used to compute these two stochastic integrals by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Our example is based on the normal compound Poisson process, which in the diffusive limit converges to the Wiener process.

Incubation temperature effects on physical characteristics of normal, dark, firm and dry, and halothane-carrier pork longissimus.

PubMed

McCaw, J; Ellis, M; Brewer, M S; McKeith, F K

1997-06-01

Pigs (n = 18) were selected to represent three different muscle conditions (six pigs per condition): normal: dark, firm, and dry; and halothane carrier. A 45-cm-long longissimus section was excised from each side of the carcass at 30 min postmortem and cut into six sections. Right side sections were assigned to the intermediate temperature incubation (23 degrees C), and left side sections were designated high temperature incubation (40 degrees C). Sections were randomly assigned to incubation times (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 h). The 0 h section from each incubation treatment was designated as a control and was placed directly into a 4 degree C cooler. Temperature and pH were evaluated on the control section and for each loin section a the end of the incubation time. Color (L*, a*, and b* values), percentage of purge loss, water-holding capacity, and drip loss were determined. Incubation treatment did not alter pH decline in dark, firm, and dry muscle; however, high temperature increased pH decline in normal and halothane carrier samples. Results suggest that there is a strong interaction between pH and temperature that affects pork quality attributes. High incubation temperature had a negative effect on most quality variables; however, muscle condition (normal or halothane carrier) had limited effects on muscle quality.

Lateral Movement of Screw Dislocations During Homoepitaxial Growth and Devices Yielded Therefrom Free of the Detrimental Effects of Screw Dislocations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neudeck, Philip G. (Inventor); Powell, J. Anthony (Inventor)

2004-01-01

The present invention is related to a method that enables and improves wide bandgap homoepitaxial layers to be grown on axis single crystal substrates, particularly SiC. The lateral positions of the screw dislocations in epitaxial layers are predetermined instead of random, which allows devices to be reproducibly patterned to avoid performance degrading crystal defects normally created by screw dislocations.

Weight and Body Composition Changes During Oral Contraceptive Use in Obese and Normal Weight Women

PubMed Central

Torgal, Anupama H.; Westhoff, Carolyn L.

2014-01-01

Abstract Background: Oral contraceptive (OC) use seems to have little effect on weight change in normal weight women. Most previous studies have excluded obese women, so the effect of OC use on weight change in obese women is unknown. Methods: This analysis evaluates weight and body composition change with OC use among obese (body mass index [BMI] 30.0–39.9) and normal weight (BMI 19.0–24.9) women who were randomly assigned to two OC doses: 20 μg ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 100 μg levonorgestrel (LNG) OCs or 30 μg EE and 150 μg LNG OCs. Follow-up occurred after three to four OC cycles. Weight and body composition were measured at baseline and at follow-up using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Results: Among 150 women (54 obese and 96 normal weight) who used OCs for 3 to 4 months, there were no clinically or statistically significant weight or body composition changes in the overall group or by BMI or OC formulation group. Conclusions: These findings add to evidence that EE/LNG OCs are not associated with short term weight or body composition change for normal weight women and suggest that OCs are also are not associated with short term weight or body composition change in obese women. PMID:24156617

Short-term effects of a novel fat emulsion on appetite and food intake.

PubMed

Diepvens, Kristel; Steijns, Jan; Zuurendonk, Peter; Westerterp-Plantenga, Margriet S

2008-09-03

The objective of the study was to confirm the satiety/energy intake effect of a novel fat emulsion (Olibra) versus placebo in the short term. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design was used. 41 subjects participated in the study (n=21: junior-normal weight: age 23.7+/-2.8 years; BMI: 22.0+/-1.6 kg/m(2); n = 20: senior-overweight: age 43.6+/-4.9 years; BMI: 27.7+/-1.6 kg/m(2)). An energy intake and satiety test (with questionnaires) took place on 2 occasions, with placebo or test yoghurt as breakfast. In the junior-normal weight subjects, consumption of test yoghurt reduced hunger and desire to eat during the morning (area under curve, p<0.05) and increased the time elapsed between consumption of the yoghurt and the point at which hunger scores returned to baseline; 234+/-79 min in the test condition compared to 174+/-58 min in the placebo condition (p<0.05). No significant differences in appetite scores between the test and placebo yoghurt were seen for the senior-overweight subjects. No effect on energy intake was seen in the total group, in the junior-normal weight and senior-overweight subjects. In conclusion, the Olibra emulsion exerted a suppressive effect on the area under the curve of appetite ratings over 3 h in normal weight women aged 18 to 30 years. The Olibra emulsion did not affect subsequent energy intake in either group.

Effect of Intravenous Acetaminophen on Postoperative Pain in Vitrectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Sadrolsadat, Seyed Hossein; Yousefshahi, Fardin; Ostadalipour, Abbas; Mohammadi, Fatemeh Zahra; Makarem, Jalil

2017-06-01

Nowadays, pain, nausea, and vomiting are regarded as important complications of anesthesia and surgery. The current study aimed at assessing the effect of preemptive intravenous acetaminophen on control of pain, nausea, vomiting, shivering, and drowsiness following the general anesthesia for retina and/or vitrectomy surgeries. In a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial, 83 candidates for retina or vitrectomy eye surgery under general anesthesia were distributed into 3 groups: A) 41 patients in the control group who received 100 mL of normal saline just before the surgery and 100 mL of normal saline 20 minutes before the end of surgery; B) 21 patients in the preemptive group who received acetaminophen 15 mg/kg in 100 mL normal saline just before the surgery and 100 mL normal saline 20 minutes before the end of surgery; C) 21 patients in the preventive group who received 100 mL normal saline just before the surgery and acetaminophen 15 mg/kg in 100 mL normal saline 20 minutes before the end of surgery. Pain, nausea, vomiting, and shivering were assessed at the recovery and 2, 4, and 24 hours after the operation. Anesthesia emergence situation was assessed after arrival in the recovery room by the Richmond agitation-sedation scale (RASS) questionnaire. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before anesthesia induction, just after intubation, before extubation, and on discharge from the recovery room. Total intraoperative fentanyl, duration of operation, and duration of anesthesia were not different among the studied groups. Vital signs were not statistically different among the groups at before anesthesia induction, just after intubation, before extubation, and on discharge from the recovery room. Thirty-three patients in the control group (87.8%), 11 in preemptive (52.4%), and 14 in preventive groups (66.7%) needed acetaminophen in the first 24 hours after the surgery (P value = 0.008). Pain scores measured by visual rating scale (VRS) was lower in the preemptive and preventive groups, compared with those of the control group, in the recovery (P value = 0.006), 2 hours after the surgery (P value = 0.008), and 4 hours after the surgery (P value = 0.012), but not in 24 hours after the operation (P value = 0.1). Intravenous acetaminophen administered as preemptive or preventive medication was effective and safe to control acute postoperative pain and analgesic request after the vitrectomy eye surgery.

Effect of Intravenous Acetaminophen on Postoperative Pain in Vitrectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial

PubMed Central

Sadrolsadat, Seyed Hossein; Yousefshahi, Fardin; Ostadalipour, Abbas; Mohammadi, Fatemeh Zahra; Makarem, Jalil

2017-01-01

Background Nowadays, pain, nausea, and vomiting are regarded as important complications of anesthesia and surgery. The current study aimed at assessing the effect of preemptive intravenous acetaminophen on control of pain, nausea, vomiting, shivering, and drowsiness following the general anesthesia for retina and/or vitrectomy surgeries. Methods In a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial, 83 candidates for retina or vitrectomy eye surgery under general anesthesia were distributed into 3 groups: A) 41 patients in the control group who received 100 mL of normal saline just before the surgery and 100 mL of normal saline 20 minutes before the end of surgery; B) 21 patients in the preemptive group who received acetaminophen 15 mg/kg in 100 mL normal saline just before the surgery and 100 mL normal saline 20 minutes before the end of surgery; C) 21 patients in the preventive group who received 100 mL normal saline just before the surgery and acetaminophen 15 mg/kg in 100 mL normal saline 20 minutes before the end of surgery. Pain, nausea, vomiting, and shivering were assessed at the recovery and 2, 4, and 24 hours after the operation. Anesthesia emergence situation was assessed after arrival in the recovery room by the Richmond agitation-sedation scale (RASS) questionnaire. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before anesthesia induction, just after intubation, before extubation, and on discharge from the recovery room. Results Total intraoperative fentanyl, duration of operation, and duration of anesthesia were not different among the studied groups. Vital signs were not statistically different among the groups at before anesthesia induction, just after intubation, before extubation, and on discharge from the recovery room. Thirty-three patients in the control group (87.8%), 11 in preemptive (52.4%), and 14 in preventive groups (66.7%) needed acetaminophen in the first 24 hours after the surgery (P value = 0.008). Pain scores measured by visual rating scale (VRS) was lower in the preemptive and preventive groups, compared with those of the control group, in the recovery (P value = 0.006), 2 hours after the surgery (P value = 0.008), and 4 hours after the surgery (P value = 0.012), but not in 24 hours after the operation (P value = 0.1). Conclusions Intravenous acetaminophen administered as preemptive or preventive medication was effective and safe to control acute postoperative pain and analgesic request after the vitrectomy eye surgery. PMID:29181331

Safety and efficacy of oral DMSA therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders: Part A - Medical results

PubMed Central

Adams, James B; Baral, Matthew; Geis, Elizabeth; Mitchell, Jessica; Ingram, Julie; Hensley, Andrea; Zappia, Irene; Newmark, Sanford; Gehn, Eva; Rubin, Robert A; Mitchell, Ken; Bradstreet, Jeff; El-Dahr, Jane

2009-01-01

Background This study investigated the effect of oral dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders ages 3-8 years. Methods Phase 1 involved 65 children who received one round of DMSA (3 days). Participants who had high urinary excretion of toxic metals were selected to continue on to phase 2. In phase 2, 49 participants were randomly assigned in a double-blind design to receive an additional 6 rounds of either DMSA or placebo. Results DMSA greatly increased the excretion of lead, substantially increased excretion of tin and bismuth, and somewhat increased the excretion of thallium, mercury, antimony, and tungsten. There was some increase in urinary excretion of essential minerals, especially potassium and chromium. The Phase 1 single round of DMSA led to a dramatic normalization of RBC glutathione in almost all cases, and greatly improved abnormal platelet counts, suggesting a significant decrease in inflammation. Conclusion Overall, DMSA therapy seems to be reasonably safe, effective in removing several toxic metals (especially lead), dramatically effective in normalizing RBC glutathione, and effective in normalizing platelet counts. Only 1 round (3 days) was sufficient to improve glutathione and platelets. Additional rounds increased excretion of toxic metals. PMID:19852789

Sports in pediatric oncology: the role(s) of physical activity for children with cancer.

PubMed

Götte, Miriam; Taraks, Silke; Boos, Joachim

2014-03-01

Malignant disease and anticancer therapy dramatically affect daily life activities and participation in grassroots and high-performance sports. Specifically in childhood and adolescence such activities are relevant factors of individual development and social life. This review focuses on the inherent reduction of normal physical activity in pediatric oncology because this cutback additionally contributes to the level of burden of malignancies. Maintaining normality requires detailed analyses of disease-related and therapy-related restrictions and their justification. Relevant efforts should be stepped up to maintain physical activity levels during pediatric cancer therapy. Another aspect addresses direct therapeutic implications. Feasibility studies, nonrandomized as well as randomized investigations addressed therapeutic effects in acute hospital care, in bone marrow transplant settings, and in outpatient therapy. The overall summary shows positive effects on clinical and psychosocial outcome. Even if the basis of the data for children is still limited, there will be no doubt about a general impact of physical activity on acute side effects as well as late effects. In the areas of tension between context-related restrictions, the right to maintain normality wherever possible and the positive therapeutic and psychosocial perspectives of sports, strong efforts are needed to support physical activity wherever indicated, clarify contraindications, and overcome structural limitations.

MIXREG: a computer program for mixed-effects regression analysis with autocorrelated errors.

PubMed

Hedeker, D; Gibbons, R D

1996-05-01

MIXREG is a program that provides estimates for a mixed-effects regression model (MRM) for normally-distributed response data including autocorrelated errors. This model can be used for analysis of unbalanced longitudinal data, where individuals may be measured at a different number of timepoints, or even at different timepoints. Autocorrelated errors of a general form or following an AR(1), MA(1), or ARMA(1,1) form are allowable. This model can also be used for analysis of clustered data, where the mixed-effects model assumes data within clusters are dependent. The degree of dependency is estimated jointly with estimates of the usual model parameters, thus adjusting for clustering. MIXREG uses maximum marginal likelihood estimation, utilizing both the EM algorithm and a Fisher-scoring solution. For the scoring solution, the covariance matrix of the random effects is expressed in its Gaussian decomposition, and the diagonal matrix reparameterized using the exponential transformation. Estimation of the individual random effects is accomplished using an empirical Bayes approach. Examples illustrating usage and features of MIXREG are provided.

Effects of 0.2% brimonidine and 0.2% brimonidine-0.5% timolol on intraocular pressure and pupil size in normal equine eyes.

PubMed

Von Zup, M; Lassaline, M; Kass, P H; Miller, P E; Thomasy, S M

2017-11-01

Brimonidine is an α 2 -adrenergic agonist that decreases aqueous humour production and may increase uveoscleral outflow. It has not been evaluated in normal or glaucomatous equine eyes. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brimonidine in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP), alone and in conjunction with timolol, as a treatment for equine glaucoma by comparing IOP in normal equine eyes treated with brimonidine and brimonidine-timolol, respectively, with IOP in control eyes. A balanced crossover design with 16 horses receiving one of two treatments, brimonidine and brimonidine-timolol, during each of two 10-day study phases, was used. Four horses were randomly assigned to each of four combinations of treated eye (right or left) and drug order within the two 10-day study phases (brimonidine first or brimonidine-timolol first). Pupil size and conjunctival hyperaemia were assessed twice per day and IOP was measured three times per day using rebound tonometry in both eyes of 16 normal horses throughout two 10-day study periods (brimonidine and brimonidine-timolol) separated by an 18-day washout period. One eye of each horse was treated with brimonidine or brimonidine-timolol and the opposite eye was treated with balanced salt solution (BSS). There were no adverse effects and no significant changes in pupil size in normal equine eyes treated with brimonidine or brimonidine-timolol. Average IOP in normal equine eyes treated with brimonidine (25.6 mmHg) was statistically higher than in eyes treated with brimonidine-timolol (24.6 mmHg) or BSS (24.5 mmHg). However, IOP differences were of ≤1 mmHg and thus not clinically important. Horses with normal eyes may not be as sensitive to the IOP-lowering effects of treatment as horses with glaucoma. Brimonidine and brimonidine-timolol are well tolerated in normal horses but do not decrease IOP. © 2017 EVJ Ltd.

Effect of the addition of rocuronium to 2% lignocaine in peribulbar block for cataract surgery.

PubMed

Patil, Vishalakshi; Farooqy, Allauddin; Chaluvadi, Balaraju Thayappa; Rajashekhar, Vinayak; Malshetty, Ashwini

2017-01-01

Peribulbar anesthesia is associated with delayed orbital akinesia compared with retrobulbar anesthesia. To test the hypothesis that rocuronium added to a mixture of local anesthetics (LAs) could improve speed of onset of akinesia in peribulbar block (PB), we designed this study. This study examined the effects of adding rocuronium 5 mg to 2% lignocaine with adrenaline to note orbital and eyelid akinesia in patients undergoing cataract surgery. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 100 patients were equally randomized to receive a mixture of 0.5 ml normal saline, 6 ml lidocaine 2% with adrenaline and hyaluronidase 50 IU/ml (Group I), a mixture of rocuronium 0.5 ml (5 mg), 6 ml lidocaine 2% with adrenaline and hyaluronidase 50 IU/ml (Group II). Orbital akinesia was assessed on a 0-8 score (0 = no movement, 8 = normal) at 2 min intervals for 10 min. Time to adequate anesthesia was also recorded. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Rocuronium group demonstrated significantly better akinesia scores than control group at 2 min intervals post-PB (significant P value obtained). No significant complications were recorded. Rocuronium added to a mixture of LA improved the quality of akinesia in PB and reduced the need for supplementary injections. The addition of rocuronium 5 mg to a mixture of lidocaine 2% with adrenaline and hyaluronidase 50 IU/ml shortened the onset time of peribulbar anesthesia in patients undergoing cataract surgery without causing adverse effects.

Application of machine learning methods to describe the effects of conjugated equine estrogens therapy on region-specific brain volumes.

PubMed

Casanova, Ramon; Espeland, Mark A; Goveas, Joseph S; Davatzikos, Christos; Gaussoin, Sarah A; Maldjian, Joseph A; Brunner, Robert L; Kuller, Lewis H; Johnson, Karen C; Mysiw, W Jerry; Wagner, Benjamin; Resnick, Susan M

2011-05-01

Use of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) has been linked to smaller regional brain volumes in women aged ≥65 years; however, it is unknown whether this results in a broad-based characteristic pattern of effects. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess regional volumes of normal tissue and ischemic lesions among 513 women who had been enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of CEE therapy for an average of 6.6 years, beginning at ages 65-80 years. A multivariate pattern analysis, based on a machine learning technique that combined Random Forest and logistic regression with L(1) penalty, was applied to identify patterns among regional volumes associated with therapy and whether patterns discriminate between treatment groups. The multivariate pattern analysis detected smaller regional volumes of normal tissue within the limbic and temporal lobes among women that had been assigned to CEE therapy. Mean decrements ranged as high as 7% in the left entorhinal cortex and 5% in the left perirhinal cortex, which exceeded the effect sizes reported previously in frontal lobe and hippocampus. Overall accuracy of classification based on these patterns, however, was projected to be only 54.5%. Prescription of CEE therapy for an average of 6.6 years is associated with lower regional brain volumes, but it does not induce a characteristic spatial pattern of changes in brain volumes of sufficient magnitude to discriminate users and nonusers. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Moderation analysis with missing data in the predictors.

PubMed

Zhang, Qian; Wang, Lijuan

2017-12-01

The most widely used statistical model for conducting moderation analysis is the moderated multiple regression (MMR) model. In MMR modeling, missing data could pose a challenge, mainly because the interaction term is a product of two or more variables and thus is a nonlinear function of the involved variables. In this study, we consider a simple MMR model, where the effect of the focal predictor X on the outcome Y is moderated by a moderator U. The primary interest is to find ways of estimating and testing the moderation effect with the existence of missing data in X. We mainly focus on cases when X is missing completely at random (MCAR) and missing at random (MAR). Three methods are compared: (a) Normal-distribution-based maximum likelihood estimation (NML); (b) Normal-distribution-based multiple imputation (NMI); and (c) Bayesian estimation (BE). Via simulations, we found that NML and NMI could lead to biased estimates of moderation effects under MAR missingness mechanism. The BE method outperformed NMI and NML for MMR modeling with missing data in the focal predictor, missingness depending on the moderator and/or auxiliary variables, and correctly specified distributions for the focal predictor. In addition, more robust BE methods are needed in terms of the distribution mis-specification problem of the focal predictor. An empirical example was used to illustrate the applications of the methods with a simple sensitivity analysis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Application of machine learning methods to describe the effects of conjugated equine estrogens therapy on region-specific brain volumes

PubMed Central

Casanova, Ramon; Espeland, Mark A.; Goveas, Joseph S.; Davatzikos, Christos; Gaussoin, Sarah A.; Maldjian, Joseph A.; Brunner, Robert L.; Kuller, Lewis H.; Johnson, Karen C.; Mysiw, W. Jerry; Wagner, Benjamin; Resnick, Susan M.

2011-01-01

Use of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) has been linked to smaller regional brain volumes in women aged ≥65 years, however it is unknown whether this results in a broad-based characteristic pattern of effects. Structural MRI was used to assess regional volumes of normal tissue and ischemic lesions among 513 women who had been enrolled in a randomized clinical trial of CEE therapy for an average of 6.6 years, beginning at ages 65-80 years. A multivariate pattern analysis, based on a machine learning technique that combined Random Forest and logistic regression with L1 penalty, was applied to identify patterns among regional volumes associated with therapy and whether patterns discriminate between treatment groups. The multivariate pattern analysis detected smaller regional volumes of normal tissue within the limbic and temporal lobes among women that had been assigned to CEE therapy. Mean decrements ranged as high as 7% in the left entorhinal cortex and 5% in the left perirhinal cortex, which exceeded the effect sizes reported previously in frontal lobe and hippocampus. Overall accuracy of classification based on these patterns, however, was projected to be only 54.5%. Prescription of CEE therapy for an average of 6.6 years is associated with lower regional brain volumes, but it does not induce a characteristic spatial pattern of changes in brain volumes of sufficient magnitude to discriminate users and non-users. PMID:21292420

[Beta lactam antibiotics and the question of dose regimen for severe infection. Prolonged infusion theoretically appealing--yet no evidence of clinical benefit].

PubMed

Leander, Gunilla; Eliasson, Erik; Hanberger, Håkan; Giske, Christian

2015-03-24

Patients with severe sepsis/septic shock have a high mortality. Beta-lactam antibiotics are normally first line treatment. This antimicrobial class has been associated with time-dependent efficacy. It is therefore plausible that administration as prolonged infusion will increase the therapeutic effect, as compared to short term bolus injections, which is the most common practice today. We have reviewed 14 randomized controlled studies to investigate whether prolonged infusion provides lower mortality and/or increased clinical cure. In summary, convincing advantages with prolonged infusion could not be found, however randomized studies are heterogeneous, and it cannot be excluded that some subgroups of critically ill patients could benefit from such treatment.

Statistical process control in nursing research.

PubMed

Polit, Denise F; Chaboyer, Wendy

2012-02-01

In intervention studies in which randomization to groups is not possible, researchers typically use quasi-experimental designs. Time series designs are strong quasi-experimental designs but are seldom used, perhaps because of technical and analytic hurdles. Statistical process control (SPC) is an alternative analytic approach to testing hypotheses about intervention effects using data collected over time. SPC, like traditional statistical methods, is a tool for understanding variation and involves the construction of control charts that distinguish between normal, random fluctuations (common cause variation), and statistically significant special cause variation that can result from an innovation. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of SPC and to illustrate its use in a study of a nursing practice improvement intervention. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A randomized, prospective, double-blind study of the efficacy of dexpanthenol nasal spray on the postoperative treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery.

PubMed

Tantilipikorn, Pongsakorn; Tunsuriyawong, Prayuth; Jareoncharsri, Perapun; Bedavanija, Anan; Assanasen, Paraya; Bunnag, Chaweewan; Metheetrairut, Choakchai

2012-01-01

To assess the efficacy of dexpanthenol nasal spray compared with normal saline spray in the postoperative treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). A prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted in CRS patients who underwent ESS. The enrolled patients had never been operated intranasally. These patients received either dexpanthenol or normal saline nasal spray intranasally four times a day for six weeks post-operatively. Fifty CRS patients were recruited in the present study. Age ranged from 23 to 63 years (means 43.4 +/- 11.2 years). Forty-four percent of patients were diagnosed as CRS without nasal polyps (NP) (CRSs NP) and 56% were CRS with NP (CRSw NP). Twenty-five cases were randomly assigned to use dexpanthenol nasal spray whereas the other 25 cases used normal saline nasal spray. The preoperative severity of CRS, determined by the computerized tomography (CT) scan scoring system of Lund-McKay was 13.9 +/- 6.2 in the dexpanthenol group and 13.6 +/- 6.9 in the normal saline group, which were not statistically different (p > 0.05). The endoscopic scoring was 10.2 +/- 2 in the dexpanthenol group and 10.7 +/- 3 in the normal saline group, which were not statistically different (p > 0.05). The mucociliary transit time improvement (time difference between pre- and post-treatment by nasal spray) was 8.4 +/- 3.3 minutes in the dexpanthenol group and 1.7 +/- 1.2 minutes in the normal saline group, which were statistically different (p < 0.05). The majority of the postoperative symptom scores and all of the endoscopic scores of the dexpanthenol group were not statistically different from those of the normal saline group. However, dexpanthenol nasal spray has superior efficacy compared with normal saline nasal spray on improvement of mucociliary clearance and nasal discharge in the postoperative care of CRS patients after ESS.

Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication Effective in Eliminating GERD Symptoms in Partial Responders to Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy at 6 Months

PubMed Central

Barnes, William E.; Simoni, Gilbert; Shughoury, Ahmad B.; Mavrelis, Peter G.; Raza, Mamoon; Heise, Jeffrey A.; Turgeon, Daniel G.; Fox, Mark A.

2015-01-01

Background. Incomplete control of troublesome regurgitation and extraesophageal manifestations of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a known limitation of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. This multicenter randomized study compared the efficacy of transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) against PPIs in controlling these symptoms in patients with small hiatal hernias. Methods. Between June and August 2012, 63 patients were randomized at 7 US community hospitals. Patients in the PPI group were placed on maximum standard dose (MSD). Patients in the TIF group underwent esophagogastric fundoplication using the EsophyX2 device. Primary outcome was elimination of daily troublesome regurgitation or extraesophageal symptoms. Secondary outcomes were normalization of esophageal acid exposure (EAE), PPI usage and healing of esophagitis. Results. Of 63 randomized patients (40 TIF and 23 PPI), 3 were lost to follow-up leaving 39 TIF and 21 PPI patients for analysis. At 6-month follow-up, troublesome regurgitation was eliminated in 97% of TIF patients versus 50% of PPI patients, relative risk (RR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2-3.11 (P = .006). Globally, 62% of TIF patients experienced elimination of regurgitation and extraesophageal symptoms versus 5% of PPI patients, RR = 12.9, 95% CI = 1.9-88.9 (P = .009). EAE was normalized in 54% of TIF patients (off PPIs) versus 52% of PPI patients (on MSD), RR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6-1.7 (P = .914). Ninety percent of TIF patients were off PPIs. Conclusion. At 6-month follow-up, TIF was more effective than MSD PPI therapy in eliminating troublesome regurgitation and extraesophageal symptoms of GERD. PMID:24756976

Nicorandil Versus Nitroglycerin for Symptomatic Relief of Angina in Patients With Slow Coronary Flow Phenomenon: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Sani, Hashem Danesh; Eshraghi, Ali; Nezafati, Mohammad Hassan; Vojdanparast, Mohammad; Shahri, Bahram; Nezafati, Pouya

2015-07-01

Patients with the coronary slow flow phenomenon frequently experience angina episodes. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of nicorandil versus nitroglycerin for alleviation of angina symptoms in slow flow patients. In a single-center, single-blind, parallel-design, comparator-controlled, randomized clinical trial (NCT02254252), 54 patients with slow flow and normal or near-normal coronary angiography who presented with frequent angina episodes were randomly assigned to 1-month treatment with nicorandil 10 mg, 2 times a day (n = 27) or sustained-release glyceryltrinitrate 6.4 mg 2 times a day (n =27). Frequency of angina episodes, pain intensity, and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) grading of angina pectoris were assessed at baseline and after 1 month of treatment. In all, 25 patients in the nicorandil arm and 24 patients in the nitroglycerin arm were analyzed. After 1 month, patients treated with nicorandil had fewer angina episodes (adjusted mean number of episodes per week, nicorandil versus nitroglycerin; 1.68 ± 0.15 vs 2.29 ± 0.15, P = .007, effect size = 14.6%). Patients also reported greater reductions in pain intensity with nicorandil versus nitroglycerin (adjusted mean of self-reported pain score; 3.03 ± 0.29 vs 3.89 ± 0.30, P = .046, effect size = 8.4%). A significantly higher proportion of patients in the nicorandil arm were categorized in CCS class I (76% vs 33.3%, P = .004) or class II (16.0% vs 45.8%, P = .032). In slow flow patients, nicorandil provides better symptomatic relief of angina than nitroglycerin. © The Author(s) 2015.

The Effect of Intraoperative Use of High-Dose Remifentanil on Postoperative Insulin Resistance and Muscle Protein Catabolism: A Randomized Controlled Study

PubMed Central

Taniguchi, Hideki; Sasaki, Toshio; Fujita, Hisae; Takano, Osami; Hayashi, Tsutomu; Cho, Haruhiko; Yoshikawa, Takaki; Tsuburaya, Akira

2013-01-01

Objective: We investigated the effect of the intraoperative use of a high dose remifentanil on insulin resistance and muscle protein catabolism. Design: Randomized controlled study. Patients and Intervention: Thirty-seven patients undergoing elective gastrectomy were randomly assigned to 2 groups that received remifentanil at infusion rates of 0.1 μg·kg-1·min-1 (Group L) and 0.5 μg·kg-1·min-1 (Group H). Main outcome measures: Primary efficacy parameters were changes in homeostasis model assessment as an index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and 3-methylhistidine/creatinine (3-MH/Cr). HOMA-IR was used to evaluate insulin resistance, and 3-MH/Cr was used to evaluate the progress of muscle protein catabolism. Intraoperative stress hormones, insulin, and blood glucose were assessed as secondary endpoints. Results: Eighteen patients in Group L and 19 in Group H were examined. HOMA-IR values varied within normal limits in both groups during surgery, exceeding normal limits at 12 h after surgery and being significantly elevated in Group L. There were no significant differences in the 3-MH/Cr values between the 2 groups at any time point. The stress hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, and adrenaline) were significantly elevated in Group L at 60 min after the start of surgery and at the initiation of skin closure. There were no significant differences in insulin values, but blood glucose was significantly elevated in Group L at 60 min after the start of surgery and at the start of skin closure. Conclusion: Use of high-dose remifentanil as intraoperative analgesia during elective gastrectomy reduced postoperative insulin resistance, although it did not reduce postoperative muscle protein catabolism. PMID:23869185

Effect of Probiotic Curd on Salivary pH and Streptococcus mutans: A Double Blind Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Srivastava, Shivangi; Saha, Sabyasachi; Kumari, Minti; Mohd, Shafaat

2016-02-01

Dairy products like curd seem to be the most natural way to ingest probiotics which can reduce Streptococcus mutans level and also increase salivary pH thereby reducing the dental caries risk. To estimate the role of probiotic curd on salivary pH and Streptococcus mutans count, over a period of 7 days. This double blind parallel randomized clinical trial was conducted at the institution with 60 caries free volunteers belonging to the age group of 20-25 years who were randomly allocated into two groups. Test Group consisted of 30 subjects who consumed 100ml of probiotic curd daily for seven days while an equal numbered Control Group were given 100ml of regular curd for seven days. Saliva samples were assessed at baseline, after ½ hour 1 hour and 7 days of intervention period using pH meter and Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin agar to estimate salivary pH and S. mutans count. Data was statistically analysed using Paired and Unpaired t-test. The study revealed a reduction in salivary pH after ½ hour and 1 hour in both the groups. However after 7 days, normal curd showed a statistically significant (p< 0.05) reduction in salivary pH while probiotic curd showed a statistically significant (p< 0.05) increase in salivary pH. Similarly with regard to S. mutans colony counts probiotic curd showed statistically significant reduction (p< 0.05) as compared to normal curd. Short-term consumption of probiotic curds showed marked salivary pH elevation and reduction of salivary S. mutans counts and thus can be exploited for the prevention of enamel demineralization as a long-term remedy keeping in mind its cost effectiveness.

Normal saline solution versus other viscous solutions for submucosal injection during endoscopic mucosal resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Yandrapu, Harathi; Desai, Madhav; Siddique, Sameer; Vennalganti, Prashanth; Vennalaganti, Sreekar; Parasa, Sravanthi; Rai, Tarun; Kanakadandi, Vijay; Bansal, Ajay; Titi, Mohammad; Repici, Alessandro; Bechtold, Matthew L; Sharma, Prateek; Choudhary, Abhishek

2017-04-01

EMR is being increasingly practiced for the removal of large colorectal polyps. A variety of solutions such as normal saline solution (NS) and other viscous and hypertonic solutions (VS) have been used as submucosal injections for EMR. A systematic review and meta-analysis is presented comparing the efficacy and adverse events of EMR performed using NS versus VS. Two independent reviewers conducted a search of all databases for human, randomized controlled trials that compared NS with VS for EMR of colorectal polyps. Data on complete en bloc resection, presence of residual lesions, and adverse events were extracted using a standardized protocol. Pooled odds ratio (OR) estimates along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed effect or random effects models. Five prospective, randomized controlled trials (504 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The mean polyp sizes were 20.84 mm with NS and 21.44 mm with VS. On pooled analysis, a significant increase in en bloc resection (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.11-3.29; P = .02; I 2  = 0%) and decrease in residual lesions (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.91; P = .02; I 2  = 0%) were noted in VS compared with NS. There was no significant difference in the rate of overall adverse events between the 2 groups. Use of VS during EMR leads to higher rates of en bloc resection and lower rates of residual lesions compared with NS, without any significant difference in adverse events. Endoscopists could consider using VS for EMR of large colorectal polyps and NS for smaller polyps because there is no significant difference in the outcomes with lesions <2 cm. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Effectiveness of a tailored neck training program on neck strength, movement, and fatigue in under-19 male rugby players: a randomized controlled pilot study.

PubMed

Barrett, Matthew D; McLoughlin, Terence F; Gallagher, Kieran R; Gatherer, Don; Parratt, Michael Tr; Perera, Jonathan R; Briggs, Tim Wr

2015-01-01

To investigate the effect of a tailored neck muscle conditioning program on neck muscle strength, neck muscle fatigue, and range of neck movement in 16-18-year-old male rugby players. Thirty-four male rugby players were divided into forward and back playing positions and randomized within these groups. Seventeen players were randomly assigned to each group. The test group was given a tailored 6-week exercise regime based on their baseline measurements to be performed three times a week in addition to their normal training and playing. The control group trained and played as normal. The outcome measures used were cervical spine range of movement, neck strength, and neck muscle fatigability. There were no clinically relevant statistically significant differences between the two groups. Trends identified between the two groups suggest that a tailored neck exercise program increases neck strength, particularly neck extension, and increases resistance to fatigue, as well as influencing right- and left-sided neck muscle balance. A reduction in range of movement was also demonstrated in the test group. There was a great deal of variability in range of movement and strength within this age group. No previously undiagnosed neck conditions were detected, and there were no adverse events reported. This study has shown that neck strength, range of movement, and susceptibility of the neck muscles to fatigue can be influenced using a focused neck training regime. It forms an important basis for a larger, multicenter study to ensure the neck is given due attention in rugby training and receives the same focus of conditioning as other parts of the body.

Step training with body weight support: effect of treadmill speed and practice paradigms on poststroke locomotor recovery.

PubMed

Sullivan, Katherine J; Knowlton, Barbara J; Dobkin, Bruce H

2002-05-01

To investigate the effect of practice paradigms that varied treadmill speed during step training with body weight support in subjects with chronic hemiparesis after stroke. Randomized, repeated-measures pilot study with 1- and 3-month follow-ups. Outpatient locomotor laboratory. Twenty-four individuals with hemiparetic gait deficits whose walking speeds were at least 50% below normal. Participants were stratified by locomotor severity based on initial walking velocity and randomly assigned to treadmill training at slow (0.5mph), fast (2.0mph), or variable (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0mph) speeds. Participants received 20 minutes of training per session for 12 sessions over 4 weeks. Self-selected overground walking velocity (SSV) was assessed at the onset, middle, and end of training, and 1 and 3 months later. SSV improved in all groups compared with baseline (P<.001). All groups increased SSV in the 1-month follow-up (P<.01) and maintained these gains at the 3-month follow-up (P=.77). The greatest improvement in SSV across training occurred with fast training speeds compared with the slow and variable groups combined (P=.04). Effect size (ES) was large between fast compared with slow (ES=.75) and variable groups (ES=.73). Training at speeds comparable with normal walking velocity was more effective in improving SSV than training at speeds at or below the patient's typical overground walking velocity. Copyright 2002 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Dexmedetomidine versus midazolam as adjuvants to intrathecal bupivacaine: A clinical comparison.

PubMed

Shukla, Usha; Prabhakar, Tallamraju; Malhotra, Kiran; Srivastava, Dheeraj

2016-01-01

Trials are being carried out to identify an adjuvant to intrathecal bupivacaine that preferably potentiates postoperative analgesia. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was aimed to compare the onset and duration of sensory and motor block, postoperative analgesia and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine or midazolam given with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia. A total of 80 patients, scheduled for vaginal hysterectomies, were randomly allocated to Group D (n = 40) to receive intrathecally 3.0 mL 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine +5 ug dexmedetomidine in 0.5 mL of normal saline; and Group M (n = 40) to receive 3 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine +2 mg midazolam in 0.4 mL (5 mg/mL) +0.1 mL normal saline. The onset, duration of sensory and motor block, time to first postoperative analgesia and side effects were noted. Power and Sample size (PS) version 3.0.0.34 was used for power and sample size calculation. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft (MS) Office Excel software with the Student's t-test and Chi-square test (level of significance P = 0.05). Duration of sensory, motor blockade and time to the first requirement of analgesia were significantly higher in Group D. Postoperative visual analog scale was significantly less in Group D than Group M. Both groups were similar with respect to sedation, hemodynamic variables and side-effects. Intrathecal dexmedetomidine was better adjuvant than midazolam as it produces significantly longer duration of sensory block, reduced doses of postoperative analgesic agents with comparable side-effects.

Bayesian inference for two-part mixed-effects model using skew distributions, with application to longitudinal semicontinuous alcohol data.

PubMed

Xing, Dongyuan; Huang, Yangxin; Chen, Henian; Zhu, Yiliang; Dagne, Getachew A; Baldwin, Julie

2017-08-01

Semicontinuous data featured with an excessive proportion of zeros and right-skewed continuous positive values arise frequently in practice. One example would be the substance abuse/dependence symptoms data for which a substantial proportion of subjects investigated may report zero. Two-part mixed-effects models have been developed to analyze repeated measures of semicontinuous data from longitudinal studies. In this paper, we propose a flexible two-part mixed-effects model with skew distributions for correlated semicontinuous alcohol data under the framework of a Bayesian approach. The proposed model specification consists of two mixed-effects models linked by the correlated random effects: (i) a model on the occurrence of positive values using a generalized logistic mixed-effects model (Part I); and (ii) a model on the intensity of positive values using a linear mixed-effects model where the model errors follow skew distributions including skew- t and skew-normal distributions (Part II). The proposed method is illustrated with an alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms data from a longitudinal observational study, and the analytic results are reported by comparing potential models under different random-effects structures. Simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed models and method.

Therapeutic effects of metformin and laparoscopic ovarian drilling in treatment of clomiphene and insulin-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Wang, Xiao-Hong; Wang, Jun-Qing; Xu, Yan; Huang, Li-Ping

2015-05-01

To compare the therapeutic effects of metformin (Met) and laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) in clomiphene and insulin-resistant patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (CIRPCOS). A total of 110 patients were randomly divided into two groups. One group was administered Met (n = 55), while the other group underwent LOD (n = 55). Rates of ovulation, pregnancy, and abortion were compared between both groups. Rates of normal menstruation, ovulation, and pregnancy in the LOD group were higher than in the Met group: 76.4% (42/55) vs. 58.2% (32/55), P < 0.04; 50.8% (11/258) vs. 33.5% (94/281), P < 0.001; 38.2% (21/55) vs. 20.0% (11/55), P < 0.03. The difference in the early abortion rate between both groups was not statistically significant. Although Met can significantly improve a patient's insulin resistance, we found that in patients diagnosed with CIRCPOS, LOD can be much more effective in improving rates of normal menstruation, ovulation, and pregnancy.

Ovarian morphology and function during growth hormone therapy of short girls born small for gestational age.

PubMed

Tinggaard, Jeanette; Jensen, Rikke Beck; Sundberg, Karin; Birkebæk, Niels; Christiansen, Peter; Ellermann, Annie; Holm, Kirsten; Jeppesen, Eva Mosfeldt; Kremke, Britta; Marcinski, Pawel; Pedersen, Carsten; Saurbrey, Nina; Thisted, Ebbe; Main, Katharina M; Juul, Anders

2014-12-01

To study the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment on ovarian and uterine morphology and function in short, prepubertal small-for-gestational-age (SGA) girls. A multinational, randomized controlled trial on safety and efficacy of GH therapy in short, prepubertal children born SGA. Not applicable. A subgroup of 18 Danish girls born SGA included in North European SGA Study (NESGAS). One year of GH treatment (67 μg/kg/day) followed by 2 years of randomized GH treatment (67 μg/kg/day, 35 μg/kg/day, or IGF-I titrated). Data on anthropometrics, reproductive hormones, and ultrasonographic examination of the internal genitalia were collected during 36 months of GH treatment. Uterine and ovarian volume increased significantly during 3 years of treatment (64% and 110%, respectively) but remained low within normal reference ranges. Ovarian follicles became visible in 58% after 1 year compared with 28% before GH therapy. Anti-Müllerian hormone increased significantly during the 3 years of GH therapy but remained within the normal range. Precocious puberty was observed in one girl; another girl developed multicystic ovaries. GH treatment was associated with statistically significant growth of the internal genitalia, but remained within the normal range. As altered pubertal development and ovarian morphology were found in 2 of 18 girls, monitoring of puberty and ovarian function during GH therapy in SGA girls is prudent. Altogether, the findings are reassuring. However, long-term effects of GH treatment on adult reproductive function remain unknown. EudraCT 2005-001507-19. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cognitive and motor functions of iodine-deficient but euthyroid children in Bangladesh do not benefit from iodized poppy seed oil (Lipiodol).

PubMed

Huda, S N; Grantham-McGregor, S M; Tomkins, A

2001-01-01

Iodine supplementation before pregnancy in iodine-deficient women prevents cretinism and neuromotor deficits in their offspring. It is unclear whether iodine supplementation benefits cognitive function in iodine-deficient school-aged children. We therefore conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of the effects of iodized poppy seed oil (Lipiodol) on cognitive and motor function and weight gain of iodine-deficient school children. The study was conducted with 305 children in grades 1 and 2 from 10 primary schools in two iodine-deficient areas in Bangladesh. The children were stratified by school and grade and randomly assigned to receive 400 mg of oral Lipiodol or a placebo. All children were given a battery of cognitive and motor function tests and had their weights, serum thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and urinary iodine levels measured before and 4 mo after the intervention. On enrollment, both groups were moderately iodine deficient (median urinary iodine values: placebo group = 3.3 micromol/L, n = 148; iodine group = 3.1 micromol/L, n = 152; goiter prevalence in both groups >95%). However, their T4 and TSH levels were within the normal range. After 4 mo, there was a significant treatment effect on urinary iodine levels (P < 0.0001), but the levels of the treated group were still below normal (median = 7.9 micromol/L). No significant differences were found in T4 and TSH levels, weight gain, cognitive or motor function. The findings suggest that Lipiodol supplementation in moderately iodine-deficient children with normal T4 levels is unlikely to benefit their cognitive function. However, it remains possible that other iodine preparations may have benefits.

Combining Exergame Training with Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Study Assessing the Effect on Neuronal Structure/Function in the Elderly Brain.

PubMed

Schättin, Alexandra; de Bruin, Eling D

2016-01-01

A common problem in the older population is the risk of falling and related injury, immobility, and reduced survival. Age-related neuronal changes, e.g., decline in gray-and white-matter, affect neuronal, cognitive, and motor functioning. The improvement of these factors might decrease fall events in elderly. Studies showed that administration of video game-based physical exercise, a so-called exergame, or omega-3 fatty acid (FA) may improve motor and/or cognitive functioning through neuronal changes in the brain of older adults. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a combination of exergame training with omega-3 FA supplementation on the elderly brain. We hypothesize that an intervention using a combination approach differently affects on the neuronal structure and function of the elderly's brain as compared to the sole administration of exergame training. The study is a parallel, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial lasting 26 weeks. Sixty autonomous living, non-smoking, and right-handed healthy older (>65 years) adults who live independently or in a senior residency are included, randomized, and allocated to one of two study groups. The experimental group receives a daily amount of 13.5 ml fish oil (including 2.9 g of omega-3 FA), whereas the control group receives a daily amount of 13.5 ml olive oil for 26 weeks. After 16 weeks, both groups start with an exergame training program three times per week. Measurements are performed on three time-points by treatment blinded investigators: pre-intervention measurements, blood sample after 16 week, and post-intervention measurements. The main outcomes are motor evoked potentials of the right M. tibialis anterior (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and response-related potentials (electroencephalography) during a cognitive test. For secondary outcomes, reaction time during cognitive tests and spatio-temporal parameters during gait performance are measured. Statistics will include effect sizes and a 2 × 2-ANOVA with normally distributed data or the non-parametric equivalent for data not fulfilling normal distribution. The randomized controlled study is the first to investigate the effectiveness of exergame training combined with omega-3 FA in counteracting age- and behavioral-dependent neuronal changes in the brain. This study has been registered in the Swiss National Clinical Trials (SNCTP000001623) and the ISRCTN (ISRCTN12084831) Portals.

[Lessening effect of hypoxia-preconditioned rat cerebrospinal fluid on oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced injury of cultured hippocampal neurons in neonate rats and possible mechanism].

PubMed

Niu, Jing-Zhong; Zhang, Yan-Bo; Li, Mei-Yi; Liu, Li-Li

2011-12-25

The present study was to investigate the effect of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the rats with hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) on apoptosis of cultured hippocampal neurons in neonate rats under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Adult Wistar rats were exposed to 3 h of hypoxia for HPC, and then their CSF was taken out. Cultured hippocampal neurons from the neonate rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): normal control group, OGD group, normal CSF group and HPC CSF group. OGD group received 1.5 h of incubation in glucose-free Earle's solution containing 1 mmol/L Na2S2O4, and normal and HPC CSF groups were subjected to 1 d of corresponding CSF treatments followed by 1.5 h OGD. The apoptosis of neurons was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscope and flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI double staining. Moreover, protein expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunofluorescence. The results showed that few apoptotic cells were observed in normal control group, whereas the number of apoptotic cells was greatly increased in OGD group. Both normal and HPC CSF could decrease the apoptosis of cultured hippocampal neurons injured by OGD (P < 0.01). Notably, the protective effect of HPC CSF was stronger than that of normal one (P < 0.01). Compared to OGD group, normal and HPC CSF groups both showed significantly higher levels of Bcl-2 (P < 0.01), and Bcl-2 expression level in HPC CSF group was even higher than that in normal CSF group (P < 0.01). Whereas the expressions of Bax in normal and HPC CSF groups were significantly lower than that in OGD group (P < 0.01), and the Bax expression in HPC CSF group was even lower than that in normal CSF group (P < 0.01). These results suggest that CSF from hypoxic-preconditioned rats could degrade apoptotic rate of OGD-injured hippocampal neurons by up-regulating expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulating expression of Bax.

Effects of a Tripeptide Iron on Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Rats.

PubMed

Xiao, Chen; Lei, Xingen; Wang, Qingyu; Du, Zhongyao; Jiang, Lu; Chen, Silu; Zhang, Mingjie; Zhang, Hao; Ren, Fazheng

2016-02-01

This study aims to investigate the effects of a tripeptide iron (REE-Fe) on iron-deficiency anemia rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: a normal control group, an iron-deficiency control group, and iron-deficiency groups treated with ferrous sulfate (FeSO4), ferrous glycinate (Fe-Gly), or REE-Fe at low-, medium-, or high-dose groups. The rats in the iron-deficiency groups were fed on an iron-deficient diet to establish iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) model. After the model established, different iron supplements were given to the rats once a day by intragastric administration for 21 days. The results showed that REE-Fe had effective restorative action returning body weight, organ coefficients, and hematological parameters in IDA rats to normal level. In addition, comparing with FeSO4 or Fe-Gly, high-dose REE-Fe was more effective on improving the levels of renal coefficient, total iron-binding capacity, and transferrin. Furthermore, the liver hepcidin messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the high-dose group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the FeSO4 or Fe-Gly group and showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) with the normal control group. The findings suggest that REE-Fe is an effective source of iron supplement for IDA rats and might be exploited as a new iron fortifier.

Power of tests of normality for detecting contaminated normal samples

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thode, H.C. Jr.; Smith, L.A.; Finch, S.J.

1981-01-01

Seventeen tests of normality or goodness of fit were evaluated for power at detecting a contaminated normal sample. This study used 1000 replications each of samples of size 12, 17, 25, 33, 50, and 100 from six different contaminated normal distributions. The kurtosis test was the most powerful over all sample sizes and contaminations. The Hogg and weighted Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were second. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov, chi-squared, Anderson-Darling, and Cramer-von-Mises tests had very low power at detecting contaminated normal random variables. Tables of the power of the tests and the power curves of certain tests are given.

Nitrate in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, 1980 to 2008: Are we making progress?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sprague, Lori A.; Hirsch, Robert M.; Aulenbach, Brent T.

2011-01-01

Changes in nitrate concentration and flux between 1980 and 2008 at eight sites in the Mississippi River basin were determined using a new statistical method that accommodates evolving nitrate behavior over time and produces flow-normalized estimates of nitrate concentration and flux that are independent of random variations in streamflow. The results show that little consistent progress has been made in reducing riverine nitrate since 1980, and that flow-normalized concentration and flux are increasing in some areas. Flow-normalized nitrate concentration and flux increased between 9 and 76% at four sites on the Mississippi River and a tributary site on the Missouri River, but changed very little at tributary sites on the Ohio, Iowa, and Illinois Rivers. Increases in flow-normalized concentration and flux at the Mississippi River at Clinton and Missouri River at Hermann were more than three times larger than at any other site. The increases at these two sites contributed much of the 9% increase in flow-normalized nitrate flux leaving the Mississippi River basin. At most sites, concentrations increased more at low and moderate streamflows than at high streamflows, suggesting that increasing groundwater concentrations are having an effect on river concentrations.

The effect of deviance predictability on mismatch negativity in schizophrenia patients.

PubMed

Horacek, Magdalena; Kärgel, Christian; Scherbaum, Norbert; Müller, Bernhard W

2016-03-23

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an electrophysiological index of prediction error processing and recently has been considered an endophenotype marker in schizophrenia. While the prediction error is a core concept in the MMN generation, predictability of deviance occurrence has rarely been assessed in MMN research and in schizophrenia patients. We investigated the MMN to 12% temporally predictable or unpredictable duration decrement deviant stimuli in two runs in 29 healthy controls and 31 schizophrenia patients. We analyzed MMN amplitudes and latencies and its associations with clinical symptoms at electrode Fz. With a stimulus onset asynchronicity of 500 ms in the regular predictable condition, a deviant occurred every 4s while it varied randomly in the unpredictable condition. In the random condition we found diminished MMN amplitudes in patients which normalized in the regular deviance condition, resulting in an analysis of variance main effect of predictability and a predictability x group interaction. Deviance predictability did not affect the MMN of control subjects and we found no relevant results with regard to MMN latencies. Our results indicate that MMN amplitudes in patients normalize to the level of the control subjects in the case of a temporally fixed regular deviant. In schizophrenia patients the detection of deviance is basically intact. However, the temporal uncertainty of deviance occurrence may be of substantial relevance to the highly replicated MMN deficit in schizophrenia patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Blood Pressure Control and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Normal, Overweight, and Obese Hypertensives Treated with Three Different Anti-Hypertensives in ALLHAT

PubMed Central

Reisin, Efrain; Graves, John; Yamal, Jose-Miguel; Barzilay, Joshua I; Pressel, Sara; Einhorn, Paula T.; Dart, Richard A.; Retta, Tamrat M.; Saklayen, Mohammad G.; Davis, Barry R

2017-01-01

Objective Epidemiologically there is a strong relationship between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) levels. We prospectively examined randomization to first-step chlorthalidone, a thiazide-type diuretic; amlodipine, a calcium-channel blocker; and lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor, on BP control and cardiovascular outcomes in a hypertensive cohort stratified by baseline BMI (normal weight [BMI<25], overweight [BMI=25–29·9], and obese [BMI≥30]). Methods 33,357 hypertensive participants, age ≥55 years were followed for an average of 4·9 years in a randomized, double-blind, practice-based Antihypertensive and Lipid Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT), for primary outcome of fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) or nonfatal myocardial infarction and secondary outcomes of stroke, heart failure, combined cardiovascular disease, mortality, and renal failure. Results Of participants, 37·9% were overweight and 42·1% were obese at randomization. For each medication, BP control (<140/90 mmHg) was equivalent in each BMI stratum. At year five, 66·1%, 66·5%, and 65·1% of normal weight, overweight, and obese participants, respectively, were controlled. Those randomized to chlorthalidone had highest BP control (67·2%, 68·3%, and 68·4%, respectively) and lisinopril the lowest (60·4%, 63·2%, and 59·6%, respectively) in each BMI stratum. A significant interaction (p=0·004) suggests a lower CHD risk in the obese for lisinopril vs. chlorthalidone (hazard ratio [HR]=0·85, 95% confidence interval [CI]=[0·74–0·98]) and a significant interaction (p=0·011) suggests a higher risk of end-stage renal disease for amlodipine vs. chlorthalidone in obese participants (HR [95% CI]=1·49[1·06–2·08]). However, these results were not consistent among other outcomes. Conclusions BMI status does not modify the effects of antihypertensive medications on BP control or cardiovascular disease outcomes. PMID:24842697

Testing self-regulation interventions to increase walking using factorial randomized N-of-1 trials.

PubMed

Sniehotta, Falko F; Presseau, Justin; Hobbs, Nicola; Araújo-Soares, Vera

2012-11-01

To investigate the suitability of N-of-1 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as a means of testing the effectiveness of behavior change techniques based on self-regulation theory (goal setting and self-monitoring) for promoting walking in healthy adult volunteers. A series of N-of-1 RCTs in 10 normal and overweight adults ages 19-67 (M = 36.9 years). We randomly allocated 60 days within each individual to text message-prompted daily goal-setting and/or self-monitoring interventions in accordance with a 2 (step-count goal prompt vs. alternative goal prompt) × 2 (self-monitoring: open vs. blinded Omron-HJ-113-E pedometer) factorial design. Aggregated data were analyzed using random intercept multilevel models. Single cases were analyzed individually. The primary outcome was daily pedometer step counts over 60 days. Single-case analyses showed that 4 participants significantly increased walking: 2 on self-monitoring days and 2 on goal-setting days, compared with control days. Six participants did not benefit from the interventions. In aggregated analyses, mean step counts were higher on goal-setting days (8,499.9 vs. 7,956.3) and on self-monitoring days (8,630.3 vs. 7,825.9). Multilevel analyses showed a significant effect of the self-monitoring condition (p = .01), the goal-setting condition approached significance (p = .08), and there was a small linear increase in walking over time (p = .03). N-of-1 randomized trials are a suitable means to test behavioral interventions in individual participants.

Effects of polydextrose with breakfast or with a midmorning preload on food intake and other appetite-related parameters in healthy normal-weight and overweight females: An acute, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover study.

PubMed

Ibarra, Alvin; Olli, Kaisa; Pasman, Wilrike; Hendriks, Henk; Alhoniemi, Esa; Raza, Ghulam Shere; Herzig, Karl-Heinz; Tiihonen, Kirsti

2017-03-01

Polydextrose (PDX) reduces subsequent energy intake (EI) when administered at midmorning in single-blind trials of primarily normal-weight men. However, it is unclear if this effect also occurs when PDX is given at breakfast time. Furthermore, for ecological validity, it is desirable to study a female population, including those at risk for obesity. We studied the effects of PDX, served as part of a breakfast or midmorning preload, on subsequent EI and other appetite-related parameters in healthy normal-weight and overweight females. Per earlier studies, the primary outcome was defined as the difference in subsequent EI when PDX was consumed at midmorning versus placebo. Thirty-two volunteers were enrolled in this acute, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, and crossover trial to examine the effects of 12.5 g of PDX, administered as part of a breakfast or midmorning preload, on subsequent EI, subjective feelings of appetite, well-being, and mood. Gastric emptying rates and the blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, cholecystokinin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and peptide tyrosine-tyrosine were measured in the group that received PDX as part of their breakfast. There were no differences in EI between volunteers who were fed PDX and placebo. PDX intake with breakfast tended to elevate blood glucose (P = 0.06) during the postabsorptive phase, significantly lowered insulin by 15.7% (P = 0.04), and increased GLP-1 by 39.9% (P = 0.02); no other effects on blood parameters or gastric emptying rates were observed. PDX intake at midmorning reduced hunger by 31.4% during the satiation period (P = 0.02); all other subjective feelings of appetite were unaffected. Volunteers had a uniform mood profile during the study. PDX was well tolerated, causing one mild adverse event throughout the trial. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Clinical Efficacy of Intravenous Lidocaine for Thyroidectomy: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Choi, Geun Joo; Kang, Hyun; Ahn, Eun Jin; Oh, Jong In; Baek, Chong Wha; Jung, Yong Hun; Kim, Jin Yun

2016-12-01

Systemic lidocaine has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to evaluate the effects of intravenous lidocaine on pain following thyroidectomy. Fifty-eight adult patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy were randomly allocated to receive a 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine bolus followed by a 2 mg/kg/h infusion during surgery, or the same volume of normal saline (control). After thyroidectomy, we evaluated postoperative pain, nausea, fentanyl consumption, frequency of pushing the button (FPB) for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in serum, and patient satisfaction scores regarding the recovery process. Postoperative pain and nausea scores were significantly lower in the lidocaine group for the first 4 h following thyroidectomy, compared to the control group. Fentanyl consumption and FPB for the PCA were also significantly reduced in the lidocaine group for 4 h following thyroidectomy, and hs-CRP was significantly less in the lidocaine group at postoperative days 1 and 3. Furthermore, satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the lidocaine group compared to the control group. Intravenous lidocaine effectively reduced postoperative pain and nausea following thyroidectomy as well as improved the quality of recovery. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01608360.

Effects of Supplemental Chromium Source and Concentration on Growth, Carcass Characteristics, and Serum Lipid Parameters of Broilers Reared Under Normal Conditions.

PubMed

Zheng, Cancai; Huang, Yanling; Xiao, Fang; Lin, Xi; Lloyd, Karen

2016-02-01

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary chromium (Cr) source and concentration on growth performance, carcass traits, and some serum lipid parameters of broilers under normal rearing conditions for 42 days. A total of 252 1-day-old Cobb 500 commercial female broilers were randomly allotted by body weight (BW) to one of six replicate cages (six broilers per cage) for each of seven treatments in a completely randomized design involved in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with three Cr sources (Cr propionate (CrPro), Cr picolinate (CrPic), Cr chloride (CrCl3)) and two concentrations of added Cr (0.4 and 2.0 mg of Cr/kg) plus a Cr-unsupplemented control diet. The results showed that dietary Cr supplementation tended to increase the breast muscle percentage compared with the Cr-unsupplemented control group (P = 0.0784), while Cr from CrPic tended to have higher breast muscle percentage compared with Cr from CrCl3 (P = 0.0881). Chromium from CrPic also tended to increase the breast intramuscular fat (IMF) compared with Cr from CrCl3 (P = 0.0648). In addition, supplementation of 0.4 mg/kg Cr tended to decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.0614). Compared with the control group, broilers fed Cr-supplemented diets had higher triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.0129) regardless of Cr source and Cr concentration. Chromium from CrPro and CrPic had lower total cholesterol (TC) compared with Cr from CrCl3 (P = 0.0220). These results indicate that dietary supplementation of Cr has effects on carcass characteristics and serum lipid parameters of broilers under normal rearing conditions, while supplementation of organic Cr can improve carcass characteristics and reduce the cholesterol content in serum.

Short-term effects of a low glycemic index carob-containing snack on energy intake, satiety, and glycemic response in normal-weight, healthy adults: Results from two randomized trials.

PubMed

Papakonstantinou, Emilia; Orfanakos, Nickolaos; Farajian, Paul; Kapetanakou, Anastasia E; Makariti, Ifigenia P; Grivokostopoulos, Nikolaos; Ha, Marie-Ann; Skandamis, Panagiotis N

2017-10-01

The potential positive health effects of carob-containing snacks are largely unknown. Therefore, the aims of these studies were to determine the glycemic index (GI) of a carob snack compared with chocolate cookie containing equal amounts of available carbohydrates and to compare the effects of a carob versus chocolate cookie preload consumed as snack before a meal on (a) short-term satiety response measured by subsequent ad libitum meal intake, (b) subjective satiety as assessed by visual analog scales and (c) postprandial glycemic response. Ten healthy, normal-weight volunteers participated in GI investigation. Then, 50 healthy, normal-weight individuals consumed, crossover, in random order, the preloads as snack, with 1-wk washout period. Ad libitum meal (lunch and dessert) was offered. Capillary blood glucose samples were collected at baseline, 2 h after breakfast, just before preload consumption, 2 h after preload, 3 h after preload, just before meal (lunch and dessert), 1 h after meal, and 2 h after meal consumption. The carob snack was a low GI food, whereas the chocolate cookie was a high GI food (40 versus 78, respectively, on glucose scale). Consumption of the carob preload decreased the glycemic response to a following meal and to the individual's feelings of hunger, desire to eat, preoccupation with food, and thirst between snack and meal, as assessed with the use of visual analog scales. Subsequently, participants consumed less amounts of food (g) and had lower total energy intake at mealtimes. The carob snack led to increased satiety, lower energy intake at meal, and decreased postmeal glycemic response possibly due to its low GI value. Identifying foods that promote satiety and decrease glycemic response without increasing the overall energy intake may offer advantages to body weight and glycemic control. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Spectral statistics of the acoustic stadium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Méndez-Sánchez, R. A.; Báez, G.; Leyvraz, F.; Seligman, T. H.

2014-01-01

We calculate the normal-mode frequencies and wave amplitudes of the two-dimensional acoustical stadium. We also obtain the statistical properties of the acoustical spectrum and show that they agree with the results given by random matrix theory. Some normal-mode wave amplitudes showing scarring are presented.

Even and odd normalized zero modes in random interacting Majorana models respecting the parity P and the time-reversal-symmetry T

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monthus, Cécile

2018-06-01

For random interacting Majorana models where the only symmetries are the parity P and the time-reversal-symmetry T, various approaches are compared to construct exact even and odd normalized zero modes Γ in finite size, i.e. Hermitian operators that commute with the Hamiltonian, that square to the identity, and that commute (even) or anticommute (odd) with the parity P. Even normalized zero-modes are well known under the name of ‘pseudo-spins’ in the field of many-body-localization or more precisely ‘local integrals of motion’ (LIOMs) in the many-body-localized-phase where the pseudo-spins happens to be spatially localized. Odd normalized zero-modes are popular under the name of ‘Majorana zero modes’ or ‘strong zero modes’. Explicit examples for small systems are described in detail. Applications to real-space renormalization procedures based on blocks containing an odd number of Majorana fermions are also discussed.

Effects of 6-Week Use of Reduced-Nicotine Content Cigarettes in Smokers With and Without Elevated Depressive Symptoms.

PubMed

Tidey, Jennifer W; Pacek, Lauren R; Koopmeiners, Joseph S; Vandrey, Ryan; Nardone, Natalie; Drobes, David J; Benowitz, Neal L; Dermody, Sarah S; Lemieux, Andrine; Denlinger, Rachel L; Cassidy, Rachel; al'Absi, Mustafa; Hatsukami, Dorothy K; Donny, Eric C

2017-01-01

The FDA recently acquired regulatory authority over tobacco products, leading to renewed interest in whether reducing the nicotine content of cigarettes would reduce tobacco dependence in the United States. Given the association between depressive symptoms and cigarette smoking, it is important to consider whether smokers with elevated depressive symptoms experience unique benefits or negative consequences of nicotine reduction. In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial that examined the effects of cigarettes varying in nicotine content over a 6-week period in non-treatment-seeking smokers, we used linear regression to examine whether baseline depressive symptom severity (scores on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]) moderated the effects of reduced-nicotine content (RNC) cigarettes, relative to normal-nicotine content (NNC) cigarettes, on smoking rates, depressive symptom severity, and related subjective and physiological measures. Of the 717 participants included in this analysis, 109 (15.2%) had CES-D scores ≥ 16, indicative of possible clinical depression. Relative to NNC cigarettes, RNC cigarettes reduced smoking rates, nicotine dependence, and cigarette craving, and these effects were not significantly moderated by baseline CES-D score. A significant interaction between baseline CES-D score and cigarette condition on week 6 CES-D score was observed (p < .05); among those with CES-D scores ≥ 16 at baseline, those assigned to RNC cigarettes had lower week 6 CES-D scores than those assigned to NNC cigarettes. Among those in the lowest nicotine content conditions, biochemically confirmed compliance with the RNC cigarettes was associated with an increase in CES-D score for those with baseline CES-D scores < 16 and no change in CES-D score for those with baseline CES-D scores ≥ 16. These findings provide initial evidence that a reduced-nicotine standard for cigarettes may reduce smoking, without worsening depressive symptoms, among smokers with elevated depressive symptoms. This secondary analysis of a recent clinical trial examined whether depressive symptom severity moderated the effects of reduced-nicotine cigarettes on smoking and depressive symptoms. Results indicate that, regardless of baseline depressive symptoms, participants randomized to reduced-nicotine cigarettes had lower smoking rates, nicotine intake, nicotine dependence, and craving at week 6 post-randomization than those assigned to normal-nicotine cigarettes. In participants with higher baseline depressive symptoms, those assigned to reduced-nicotine cigarettes had lower week 6 depressive symptoms than those assigned to normal-nicotine cigarettes. These results suggest that a nicotine reduction policy could have beneficial effects for smokers, regardless of depressive symptom severity. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Comparing Sensory Information Processing and Alexithymia between People with Substance Dependency and Normal.

PubMed

Bashapoor, Sajjad; Hosseini-Kiasari, Seyyedeh Tayebeh; Daneshvar, Somayeh; Kazemi-Taskooh, Zeinab

2015-01-01

Sensory information processing and alexithymia are two important factors in determining behavioral reactions. Some studies explain the effect of the sensitivity of sensory processing and alexithymia in the tendency to substance abuse. Giving that, the aim of the current study was to compare the styles of sensory information processing and alexithymia between substance-dependent people and normal ones. The research method was cross-sectional and the statistical population of the current study comprised of all substance-dependent men who are present in substance quitting camps of Masal, Iran, in October 2013 (n = 78). 36 persons were selected randomly by simple randomly sampling method from this population as the study group, and 36 persons were also selected among the normal population in the same way as the comparison group. Both groups was evaluated by using Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS) and adult sensory profile, and the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test was applied to analyze data. The results showed that there are significance differences between two groups in low registration (P < 0.020, F = 5.66), sensation seeking (P < 0.050, F = 1.92), and sensory avoidance (P < 0.008, F = 7.52) as a components of sensory processing and difficulty in describing emotions (P < 0.001, F = 15.01) and difficulty in identifying emotions (P < 0.002, F = 10.54) as a components of alexithymia. However, no significant difference were found between two groups in components of sensory sensitivity (P < 0.170, F = 1.92) and external oriented thinking style (P < 0.060, F = 3.60). These results showed that substance-dependent people process sensory information in a different way than normal people and show more alexithymia features than them.

Comparison of the Effects of Magnesium Sulfate and Remifentanil on Hemodynamic Responses During Tracheal Extubation After Laparotomy: A Randomized Double-blinded Trial

PubMed Central

Marashi, Seyed Mojtaba; Hassan Nikkhouei, Reza; Movafegh, Ali; Shoeibi, Gita; Marashi, Shaqayeq

2015-01-01

Background: Because blood pressure and heart rate (HR) elevations during tracheal extubation are common, different medications have been studied to prevent such complications. Objectives: To compare magnesium sulfate, remifentanil, and placebo regarding mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR changes during/after tracheal extubation, in patients who underwent laparotomy. Materials and Methods: In this randomized double-blinded trial, 120 patients undergoing laparotomy were evenly divided into three groups, including remifentanil (1 mcg/kg), magnesium sulfate (50 mg/kg), or normal saline, as placebo. Hemodynamic responses (MAP and HR) were documented at different times (before operation, during medication administration, immediately before extubation, immediately after extubation, and also 3, 5, and 10 minutes after extubation). The double burst time (DBT) was determined using neuromuscular monitoring, as time interval, between administration of reverse medication and DBT of 100%. Results: The HR was significantly lower, immediately after extubation and 3, 5, and 10 minutes after extubation, in both magnesium and remifentanil groups, compared to normal saline (P < 0.001). The MAP was also lower in magnesium and remifentanil groups, immediately after extubation and 3 minutes after extubation, in comparison to the normal saline group (P < 0.001). Mean (± SD) DBT 100% was significantly higher in magnesium group (30.2 ± 15.3) vs. remifenatnil (13.6 ± 6.8) and normal saline (13.5 ± 8.2) groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Both remifentanil and magnesium had favorable outcomes in preventing HR and MAP elevation after tracheal extubation. However, remifentanil was associated with more rapid regaining of consciousness and reversal of muscular relaxation. PMID:26478862

Effect of Magnesium Sulfate and Clonidine in Attenuating Hemodynamic Response to Pneumoperitoneum in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

PubMed Central

Kamble, Shruthi P.; Bevinaguddaiah, Yatish; Nagaraja, Dinesh Chillkunda; Pujar, Vinayak S.; Anandaswamy, Tejesh C.

2017-01-01

Background: Pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic procedures is associated with hemodynamic response, due to the release of catecholamines and vasopressin. Magnesium and clonidine have been used to attenuate such hemodynamic responses by inhibiting release of these mediators. We conducted this randomized, double-blinded study to assess which of the two attenuates hemodynamic response better. Materials and Methods: Ninety American Society of Anesthesiologists health status Classes I and II patients posted for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into three groups of thirty patients each. Group C received injection clonidine 1 μg/kg diluted in 10 mL normal saline over 10 min, prior to pneumoperitoneum. Group M received injection magnesium sulfate 50 mg/kg diluted in 10 mL normal saline over 10 min, prior to pneumoperitoneum. Group NS received 10 mL normal saline intravenously over 10 min, prior to pneumoperitoneum. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded before induction (baseline values), at the end of magnesium sulfate/clonidine/saline administration and before pneumoperitoneum (P0), 5 min (P5), 10 min (P10), 20 min (P20), 30 min (P30), and 40 min (P40) after pneumoperitoneum. Results: Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were all significantly higher in the normal saline group compared to magnesium and clonidine. On comparing patients in Group M and Group C, DBP, MAP, and HR were significantly lower in the magnesium group. Mean extubation time and time to response to verbal commands were significantly longer in the magnesium group. Conclusions: Both magnesium and clonidine attenuated the hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum. However, magnesium 50 mg/kg, attenuated hemodynamic response better than clonidine 1 μg/kg. PMID:28298759

Comparing Sensory Information Processing and Alexithymia between People with Substance Dependency and Normal

PubMed Central

Bashapoor, Sajjad; Hosseini-Kiasari, Seyyedeh Tayebeh; Daneshvar, Somayeh; Kazemi-Taskooh, Zeinab

2015-01-01

Background Sensory information processing and alexithymia are two important factors in determining behavioral reactions. Some studies explain the effect of the sensitivity of sensory processing and alexithymia in the tendency to substance abuse. Giving that, the aim of the current study was to compare the styles of sensory information processing and alexithymia between substance-dependent people and normal ones. Methods The research method was cross-sectional and the statistical population of the current study comprised of all substance-dependent men who are present in substance quitting camps of Masal, Iran, in October 2013 (n = 78). 36 persons were selected randomly by simple randomly sampling method from this population as the study group, and 36 persons were also selected among the normal population in the same way as the comparison group. Both groups was evaluated by using Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS) and adult sensory profile, and the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) test was applied to analyze data. Findings The results showed that there are significance differences between two groups in low registration (P < 0.020, F = 5.66), sensation seeking (P < 0.050, F = 1.92), and sensory avoidance (P < 0.008, F = 7.52) as a components of sensory processing and difficulty in describing emotions (P < 0.001, F = 15.01) and difficulty in identifying emotions (P < 0.002, F = 10.54) as a components of alexithymia. However, no significant difference were found between two groups in components of sensory sensitivity (P < 0.170, F = 1.92) and external oriented thinking style (P < 0.060, F = 3.60). Conclusion These results showed that substance-dependent people process sensory information in a different way than normal people and show more alexithymia features than them. PMID:26885354

Combination of exercise training and diet restriction normalizes limited exercise capacity and impaired skeletal muscle function in diet-induced diabetic mice.

PubMed

Suga, Tadashi; Kinugawa, Shintaro; Takada, Shingo; Kadoguchi, Tomoyasu; Fukushima, Arata; Homma, Tsuneaki; Masaki, Yoshihiro; Furihata, Takaaki; Takahashi, Masashige; Sobirin, Mochamad A; Ono, Taisuke; Hirabayashi, Kagami; Yokota, Takashi; Tanaka, Shinya; Okita, Koichi; Tsutsui, Hiroyuki

2014-01-01

Exercise training (EX) and diet restriction (DR) are essential for effective management of obesity and insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus. However, whether these interventions ameliorate the limited exercise capacity and impaired skeletal muscle function in diabetes patients remains unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effects of EX and/or DR on exercise capacity and skeletal muscle function in diet-induced diabetic mice. Male C57BL/6J mice that were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks were randomly assigned for an additional 4 weeks to 4 groups: control, EX, DR, and EX+DR. A lean group fed with a normal diet was also studied. Obesity and insulin resistance induced by a HFD were significantly but partially improved by EX or DR and completely reversed by EX+DR. Although exercise capacity decreased significantly with HFD compared with normal diet, it partially improved with EX and DR and completely reversed with EX+DR. In parallel, the impaired mitochondrial function and enhanced oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle caused by the HFD were normalized only by EX+DR. Although obesity and insulin resistance were completely reversed by DR with an insulin-sensitizing drug or a long-term intervention, the exercise capacity and skeletal muscle function could not be normalized. Therefore, improvement in impaired skeletal muscle function, rather than obesity and insulin resistance, may be an important therapeutic target for normalization of the limited exercise capacity in diabetes. In conclusion, a comprehensive lifestyle therapy of exercise and diet normalizes the limited exercise capacity and impaired muscle function in diabetes mellitus.

Inter-subject FDG PET Brain Networks Exhibit Multi-scale Community Structure with Different Normalization Techniques.

PubMed

Sperry, Megan M; Kartha, Sonia; Granquist, Eric J; Winkelstein, Beth A

2018-07-01

Inter-subject networks are used to model correlations between brain regions and are particularly useful for metabolic imaging techniques, like 18F-2-deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Since FDG PET typically produces a single image, correlations cannot be calculated over time. Little focus has been placed on the basic properties of inter-subject networks and if they are affected by group size and image normalization. FDG PET images were acquired from rats (n = 18), normalized by whole brain, visual cortex, or cerebellar FDG uptake, and used to construct correlation matrices. Group size effects on network stability were investigated by systematically adding rats and evaluating local network connectivity (node strength and clustering coefficient). Modularity and community structure were also evaluated in the differently normalized networks to assess meso-scale network relationships. Local network properties are stable regardless of normalization region for groups of at least 10. Whole brain-normalized networks are more modular than visual cortex- or cerebellum-normalized network (p < 0.00001); however, community structure is similar at network resolutions where modularity differs most between brain and randomized networks. Hierarchical analysis reveals consistent modules at different scales and clustering of spatially-proximate brain regions. Findings suggest inter-subject FDG PET networks are stable for reasonable group sizes and exhibit multi-scale modularity.

Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Sour Cherries Characterized by Different In Vitro Antioxidant Power and Polyphenolic Composition.

PubMed

Papp, Nóra; Blázovics, Anna; Fébel, Hedvig; Salido, Sofía; Altarejos, Joaquín; Fehér, Erzsébet; Kocsis, Ibolya; Szentmihályi, Klára; Abrankó, László; Hegedűs, Attila; Stefanovits-Bányai, Éva

2015-12-01

The aims of the present study were to clarify in vivo effects of three sour cherry cultivars characterized by different polyphenolic composition in hyperlipidemic animals in a short term experiment. The three different sour cherry cultivars were chosen based on their total in vitro antioxidant capacity, total polyphenolic, monomeric anthocyanin and flavonoid content. Male Wistar rats were divided randomly into eight groups: rats kept on normal diet (control) and normal diet supplied with sour cherry powder of one of the three cultivars; others were kept on fat-rich diet and fat-rich diet supplied with sour cherry powder prepared from one of the three cultivars. The treatment lasted 10 days. Lyophilized sour cherry administered in the diet decreased both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, and increased the HDL cholesterol concentration in sera of hyperlipidemic animals. Significant differences were found in the efficacy of different sour cherry cultivars in case of hyperlipidemia. Sour cherries characterized by higher polyphenol content seem to have a more pronounced effect on serum cholesterol levels. Our results suggest that besides anthocyanins, colourless polyphenols also have lipid lowering effect.

CDC6600 subroutine for normal random variables. [RVNORM (RMU, SIG)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Amos, D.E.

1977-04-01

A value y for a uniform variable on (0,1) is generated and a table of 96-percent points for the (0,1) normal distribution is interpolated for a value of the normal variable x(0,1) on 0.02 less than or equal to y less than or equal to 0.98. For the tails, the inverse normal is computed by a rational Chebyshev approximation in an appropriate variable. Then X = x sigma + ..mu.. gives the X(..mu..,sigma) variable.

Cardiac effects of granisetron in a prospective crossover randomized dose comparison trial.

PubMed

Cakir, F B; Yapar, O; Canpolat, C; Akalin, F; Berrak, S G

2012-10-01

Cardiac side effects of granisetron have been studied mostly in adult patients that are using cardiotoxic chemotherapeutics. There is limited evidence in pediatric age group and no information in pediatric oncology patients with non-cardiotoxic chemotherapeutics. In this prospective, crossover randomized study, the cardiac side effects of granisetron are compared in pediatric oncology patients who had carboplatin based chemotherapy. They were randomized to receive either 10 or 40 μg kg(-1) dose(-1) of granisetron before each cycle of chemotherapy. We drew blood for creatine phosphokinase (CPK), CPK-muscle band (MB) and Troponin-T before and 24 h after administering granisetron. Electrocardiography (ECG) tracings were taken at 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 24 h of granisetron. Twenty-four hours Holter ECG monitorisation was performed after each granisetron infusion. A total of 16 patients (median 8.7 years of age) were treated with weekly consecutive courses of carboplatin. There was bradycardia (p = 0.000) in patients that had granisetron at 40 μg/kg and PR interval was shortened in patients that had granisetron at 10 μg/kg dose (p = 0.021). At both doses of granisetron, QTc interval and dispersion were found to be similar. CPK, CK-MB and Troponin-T values were found to be normal before and 24 h after granisetron infusion. As the first study that has studied cardiac side effects of granisetron in patients that are not using cardiotoxic chemotherapeutics, we conclude that granisetron at 40 μg kg(-1) dose(-1) causes bradycardia only. We have also demonstrated that granisetron does not cause any clinically cardiac side effects either at 10 or 40 μg kg(-1) dose(-1). However, our results should be supported by prospective randomized studies with larger samples of patient groups.

A new u-statistic with superior design sensitivity in matched observational studies.

PubMed

Rosenbaum, Paul R

2011-09-01

In an observational or nonrandomized study of treatment effects, a sensitivity analysis indicates the magnitude of bias from unmeasured covariates that would need to be present to alter the conclusions of a naïve analysis that presumes adjustments for observed covariates suffice to remove all bias. The power of sensitivity analysis is the probability that it will reject a false hypothesis about treatment effects allowing for a departure from random assignment of a specified magnitude; in particular, if this specified magnitude is "no departure" then this is the same as the power of a randomization test in a randomized experiment. A new family of u-statistics is proposed that includes Wilcoxon's signed rank statistic but also includes other statistics with substantially higher power when a sensitivity analysis is performed in an observational study. Wilcoxon's statistic has high power to detect small effects in large randomized experiments-that is, it often has good Pitman efficiency-but small effects are invariably sensitive to small unobserved biases. Members of this family of u-statistics that emphasize medium to large effects can have substantially higher power in a sensitivity analysis. For example, in one situation with 250 pair differences that are Normal with expectation 1/2 and variance 1, the power of a sensitivity analysis that uses Wilcoxon's statistic is 0.08 while the power of another member of the family of u-statistics is 0.66. The topic is examined by performing a sensitivity analysis in three observational studies, using an asymptotic measure called the design sensitivity, and by simulating power in finite samples. The three examples are drawn from epidemiology, clinical medicine, and genetic toxicology. © 2010, The International Biometric Society.

Effect of Yoga Based Lifestyle Intervention on Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Deepeshwar, Singh; Tanwar, Monika; Kavuri, Vijaya; Budhi, Rana B.

2018-01-01

Objective: To investigate the effect of integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) intervention in individual with knee Osteoarthritis. Design: Randomized controlled clincial trail. Participants: Sixty-six individual prediagnosed with knee osteoarthritis aged between 30 and 75 years were randomized into two groups, i.e., Yoga (n = 31) and Control (n = 35). Yoga group received IAYT intervention for 1 week at yoga center of S-VYASA whereas Control group maintained their normal lifestyle. Outcome measures: The Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Handgrip Strength test (left hand LHGS and right hand RHGS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Sit-to-Stand (STS), and right & left extension and flexion were measured on day 1 and day 7. Results: There were a significant reduction in TUG (p < 0.001), Right (p < 0.001), and Left Flexion (p < 0.001) whereas significant improvements in LHGS (p < 0.01), and right extension (p < 0.05) & left extension (p < 0.001) from baseline in Yoga group. Conclusion: IAYT practice showed an improvement in TUG, STS, HGS, and Goniometer test, which suggest improved muscular strength, flexibility, and functional mobility. CTRI Registration Number: http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials, identifier CTRI/2017/10/010141. PMID:29867604

A randomized clinical trial of histamine 2 receptor antagonism in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

PubMed

Meskanen, Katarina; Ekelund, Heidi; Laitinen, Jarmo; Neuvonen, Pertti J; Haukka, Jari; Panula, Pertti; Ekelund, Jesper

2013-08-01

Histamine has important functions as regulator of several other key neurotransmitters. Patients with schizophrenia have lower histamine H1 receptor levels. Since a case report in 1990 of an effect of the H2 antagonist famotidine on negative symptoms in schizophrenia, some open-label trials have been performed, but no randomized controlled trial. Recently, it was shown that clozapine is a full inverse agonist at the H2 receptor. We performed a researcher-initiated, academically financed, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, randomized trial with the histamine H2 antagonist famotidine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Thirty subjects with schizophrenia were randomized to have either famotidine (100 mg twice daily, n = 16) or placebo (n = 14) orally, added to their normal treatment regimen for 4 weeks. They were followed up weekly with the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), the PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale. In the famotidine group, the SANS score was reduced by 5.3 (SD, 13.1) points, whereas in the placebo group the SANS score was virtually unchanged (mean change, +0.2 [SD, 9.5]). The difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.134) in Mann-Whitney U analysis. However, the PANSS Total score and the General subscore as well as the CGI showed significantly (P < 0.05) greater change in the famotidine group than in the placebo group. No significant adverse effects were observed. This is the first placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial showing a beneficial effect of histamine H2 antagonism in schizophrenia. H2 receptor antagonism may provide a new alternative for the treatment of schizophrenia.

A new approach to the linear theory of single-species tearing in two-dimensional quasi-neutral sheets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brittnacher, M.; Quest, K. B.; Karimabadi, H.

1995-01-01

We have developed the linear theory of collisionless ion tearing in a two-dimensional magnetotail equilibrium for a single resonant species. We have solved the normal mode problem for tearing instability by an algorithm that employs particle-in-cell simulation to calculate the orbit integrals in the Maxwell-Vlasov eigenmode equation. The results of our single-species tearing analysis can be applied to ion tearing where electron effects are not included. We have calculated the tearing growth rate as a function of the magnetic field component B(sub n) normal to the current sheet for thick and thin current sheets, and we show that marginal stability occurs when the normal gyrofrequency Omega(sub n) is comparable to the Harris neutral sheet growth rate. A cross-tail B(sub y) component has little effect on the growth rate for B(sub y) approximately = B(sub n). Even in the limit B(sub y) much greater than B(sub n), the mode is strongly stabilized by B(sub n). We report than random pitch angle scattering can overcome the stabilizing effect of B(sub n) and drive the growth rate up toward the Harris neutral sheet (B(sub n) = 0) value when the pitch angle diffusion rate is comparable to Omega(sub n).

Effects of anesthetic protocol on normal canine brain uptake of 18F-FDG assessed by PET/CT.

PubMed

Lee, Min Su; Ko, Jeff; Lee, Ah Ra; Lee, In Hye; Jung, Mi Ae; Austin, Brenda; Chung, Hyunwoo; Nahm, Sangsoep; Eom, Kidong

2010-01-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of four anesthetic protocols on normal canine brain uptake of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Five clinically normal beagle dogs were anesthetized with (1) propofol/isoflurane, (2) medetomidine/pentobarbital, (3) xylazine/ketamine, and (4) medetomidine/tiletamine-zolazepam in a randomized cross-over design. The standard uptake value (SUV) of FDG was obtained in the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes, cerebellum, brainstem and whole brain, and compared within and between anesthetic protocols using the Friedman test with significance set at P < 0.05. Significant differences in SUVs were observed in various part of the brain associated with each anesthetic protocol. The SUV for the frontal and occipital lobes was significantly higher than in the brainstem in all dogs. Dogs receiving medetomidine/tiletamine-zolazepam also had significantly higher whole brain SUVs than the propofol/isoflurane group. We concluded that each anesthetic protocol exerted a different regional brain glucose uptake pattern. As a result, when comparing brain glucose uptake using PET/CT, one should consider the effects of anesthetic protocols on different regions of the glucose uptake in the dog's brain.

[The effect of 5-HD on expression of PKC-alpha in rats of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension].

PubMed

Shu, Ying; Li, Qiu; Li, Yun-lei; Zhang, Li-ping; Chen, Cheng-shui

2011-08-01

To investigate the effect of mito chondrial K(ATP) channels (mitoK(ATP)) inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate(5-HD) on chronic hypoxic pulmonary artery hypertension (CHPAH) rats and its underlying mechanisms. Forty-eight male SD rats were equally divided into 4 groups randomly (n=12): normal group, hypoxia group, hypoxia + 5-HD group, hypoxia + Diazoxide group. Except the first group, the other three groups were put into hypoxic [O2 (10.0% +/- 0.3%] and nonrmobaric chamber for four weeks to establish chronic hypoxic model and received different interference. When the interference completed, right heart catheter was used to detect the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) of each rat and PKC-alpha mRNA expression in pulmonary arteries was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein expression by Western blot. (mPAP was much higher in hypoxia group than that in normal group (P < 0.01) while in hypoxia + 5-HD group and hypoxia + diazoxide were decreased significantly compared to hypoxia group (P < 0.01). (2) The protein and mRNA levels of PKC-alpha in the hypoxic group were higher than those in normal group (P < 0.05). 5-HD plays a protective role on CHPAH. The mechanism of its effect may be attributed to inhibiting MitoK(ATP).

Evaluation of type II thyroplasty on phonatory physiology in an excised canine larynx model

PubMed Central

Devine, Erin E.; Hoffman, Matthew R.; McCulloch, Timothy M.; Jiang, Jack J.

2016-01-01

Objective Type II thyroplasty is an alternative treatment for spasmodic dysphonia, addressing hyperadduction by incising and lateralizing the thyroid cartilage. We quantified the effect of lateralization width on phonatory physiology using excised canine larynges. Methods Normal closure, hyperadduction, and type II thyroplasty (lateralized up to 5mm at 1mm increments with hyperadducted arytenoids) were simulated in excised larynges (N=7). Aerodynamic, acoustic, and videokymographic data were recorded at three subglottal pressures relative to phonation threshold pressure (PTP). One-way repeated measures ANOVA assessed effect of condition on aerodynamic parameters. Random intercepts linear mixed effects models assessed effects of condition and subglottal pressure on acoustic and videokymographic parameters. Results PTP differed across conditions (p<0.001). Condition affected percent shimmer (p<0.005) but not percent jitter. Both pressure (p<0.03) and condition (p<0.001) affected fundamental frequency. Pressure affected vibratory amplitude (p<0.05) and intra-fold phase difference (p<0.05). Condition affected phase difference between the vocal folds (p<0.001). Conclusions Hyperadduction increased PTP and worsened perturbation compared to normal, with near normal physiology restored with 1mm lateralization. Further lateralization deteriorated voice quality and increased PTP. Acoustic and videokymographic results indicate that normal physiologic relationships between subglottal pressure and vibration are preserved at optimal lateralization width, but then degrade with further lateralization. The 1mm optimal width observed here is due to the small canine larynx size. Future human trials would likely demonstrate a greater optimal width, with patient-specific value potentially determined based on larynx size and symptom severity. PMID:27223665

A comparison of the use, effectiveness and safety of bezafibrate, gemfibrozil and simvastatin in normal clinical practice using the New Zealand Intensive Medicines Monitoring Programme (IMMP)

PubMed Central

Beggs, Peter W; Clark, David WJ; Williams, Sheila M; Coulter, David M

1999-01-01

Aims Because of the importance of treating dyslipidaemia in the prevention of ischaemic heart disease and because patient selection criteria and outcomes in clinical trials do not necessarily reflect what happens in normal clinical practice, we compared outcomes from bezafibrate, gemfibrozil and simvastatin therapy under conditions of normal use. Methods A random sample of 200 patients was selected from the New Zealand Intensive Medicines Monitoring Programme’s (IMMP) patient cohorts for each drug. Questionnaires sent to prescribers requested information on indications, risk factors for ischaemic heart disease, lipid profiles with changes during treatment and reasons for stopping therapy. Results 80% of prescribers replied and 83% of these contained useful information. The three groups were similar for age, sex and geographical region, but significantly more patients on bezafibrate had diabetes and/or hypertension than those on gemfibrozil or simvastatin. After treatment and taking the initial measure into account, the changes in serum lipid values were consistent with those generally observed, but with gemfibrozil being significantly less effective than expected. More patients (15.8%) stopped gemfibrozil because of an inadequate response compared with bezafibrate (5.4%) and simvastatin (1.6%). Gemfibrozil treatment was also withdrawn significantly more frequently due to a possible adverse reaction compared with the other two drugs. Conclusions In normal clinical practice in New Zealand gemfibrozil appears less effective and more frequently causes adverse effects leading to withdrawal of treatment than either bezafibrate or simvastatin. PMID:10073746

High calcium to phosphorus ratio impairs growth and bone mineralization in Pekin ducklings.

PubMed

Zhu, Y W; Wen, J; Jiang, X X; Wang, W C; Yang, L

2018-04-01

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of high dietary calcium (Ca) level on growth performance, Ca and phosphorus (P) metabolism, and nutrient utilization in ducklings subjected to normal and low P levels in diets. A completely randomized design was used with a factorial arrangement of 2 total dietary P levels [normal-P (0.60%) and low-P (0.45%) groups] × 4 dietary Ca levels [low-Ca (0.55%), normal-Ca (0.75%), medium-Ca (0.95%) and high-Ca (1.15%) groups)]. Compared to normal-P group, low-P group had lower (P < 0.05) final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) and reduced (P < 0.05) serum Ca and P levels, bone Ca, P, and ash content, and bone mineral density in ducklings during the starter period. Under the low-P group, birds from high-Ca group had lower (P < 0.05) final BW, ADG, ADFI, bone ash content, bone mineral density, and the utilization of energy, Ca, and P than those from low-Ca, normal-Ca, and medium-Ca groups. Our results indicate that high-Ca diet induced greater growth suppression and bone mineralization loss in ducklings fed a low-P diet. The aggravated negative effect of high dietary Ca level with a low P level might be related to the elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity and the reduced utilization of energy, Ca, and P.

Information cascade on networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hisakado, Masato; Mori, Shintaro

2016-05-01

In this paper, we discuss a voting model by considering three different kinds of networks: a random graph, the Barabási-Albert (BA) model, and a fitness model. A voting model represents the way in which public perceptions are conveyed to voters. Our voting model is constructed by using two types of voters-herders and independents-and two candidates. Independents conduct voting based on their fundamental values; on the other hand, herders base their voting on the number of previous votes. Hence, herders vote for the majority candidates and obtain information relating to previous votes from their networks. We discuss the difference between the phases on which the networks depend. Two kinds of phase transitions, an information cascade transition and a super-normal transition, were identified. The first of these is a transition between a state in which most voters make the correct choices and a state in which most of them are wrong. The second is a transition of convergence speed. The information cascade transition prevails when herder effects are stronger than the super-normal transition. In the BA and fitness models, the critical point of the information cascade transition is the same as that of the random network model. However, the critical point of the super-normal transition disappears when these two models are used. In conclusion, the influence of networks is shown to only affect the convergence speed and not the information cascade transition. We are therefore able to conclude that the influence of hubs on voters' perceptions is limited.

Adjunctive Local Application of Lidocaine during Scleral Buckling under General Anesthesia

PubMed Central

Dehghani, Alireza; Montazeri, Kamran; Masjedi, Amin; Karbasi, Najmeh; Ashrafi, Leila; Saeedian, Behrooz

2011-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the effect of local lidocaine application on the incidence of the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) during scleral buckling (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) under general anesthesia. Methods In a randomized clinical trial, eyes with RRD scheduled for SB under general anesthesia were randomized to adjunctive local application of 1 ml lidocaine 2% versus normal saline to the muscles after conjunctival opening. Surgical stimulation was initiated 5 minutes afterwards. Additionally, 100 mg of lidocaine 2% was added to 50 ml of normal saline in the treatment group which was used for irrigation during surgery; control eyes were irrigated with normal saline. The incidence of the OCR, rate of postoperative nausea/vomiting (PONV), total intravenous (IV) analgesic dose, duration of surgery, and period of hospitalization were compared between the study groups. Results Thirty eyes of 30 patients including 22 (73.3%) male and 8 (26.7%) subjects with mean age of 49.4±16.3 years were operated. OCR and PONV occurred less frequently, and total intravenous analgesic dose was significantly lower in the lidocaine group (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). However, no significant difference was noted between the study groups in terms of duration of surgery and period of hospitalization. Conclusion Adjunctive local application of lidocaine during SB under GA for RRD decreases the rate of OCR and PONV, reduces the intravenous analgesic dose, but does not affect the duration of surgery or hospitalization. PMID:22454732

Lack of efficacy of a reduced microparticle diet in a multi-centred trial of patients with active Crohn's disease.

PubMed

Lomer, Miranda C E; Grainger, Stephen L; Ede, Roland; Catterall, Adrian P; Greenfield, Simon M; Cowan, Russell E; Vicary, F Robin; Jenkins, Anthony P; Fidler, Helen; Harvey, Rory S; Ellis, Richard; McNair, Alistair; Ainley, Colin C; Thompson, Richard P H; Powell, Jonathan J

2005-03-01

Dietary microparticles, which are bacteria-sized and non-biological, found in the modern Western diet, have been implicated in both the aetiology and pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. Following on from the findings of a previous pilot study, we aimed to confirm whether a reduction in the amount of dietary microparticles facilitates induction of remission in patients with active Crohn's disease, in a single-blind, randomized, multi-centre, placebo controlled trial. Eighty-three patients with active Crohn's disease were randomly allocated in a 2 x 2 factorial design to a diet low or normal in microparticles and/or calcium for 16 weeks. All patients received a reducing dose of prednisolone for 6 weeks. Outcome measures were Crohn's disease activity index, Van Hees index, quality of life and a series of objective measures of inflammation including erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, intestinal permeability and faecal calprotectin. After 16 weeks patients returned to their normal diet and were followed up for a further 36 weeks. Dietary manipulation provided no added effect to corticosteroid treatment on any of the outcome measures during the dietary trial (16 weeks) or follow-up (to 1 year); e.g., for logistic regression of Crohn's disease activity index based rates of remission (P=0.1) and clinical response (P=0.8), in normal versus low microparticle groups. Our adequately powered and carefully controlled dietary trial found no evidence that reducing microparticle intake aids remission in active Crohn's disease.

Macroscopic damping model for structural dynamics with random polycrystalline configurations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yantao; Cui, Junzhi; Yu, Yifan; Xiang, Meizhen

2018-06-01

In this paper the macroscopic damping model for dynamical behavior of the structures with random polycrystalline configurations at micro-nano scales is established. First, the global motion equation of a crystal is decomposed into a set of motion equations with independent single degree of freedom (SDOF) along normal discrete modes, and then damping behavior is introduced into each SDOF motion. Through the interpolation of discrete modes, the continuous representation of damping effects for the crystal is obtained. Second, from energy conservation law the expression of the damping coefficient is derived, and the approximate formula of damping coefficient is given. Next, the continuous damping coefficient for polycrystalline cluster is expressed, the continuous dynamical equation with damping term is obtained, and then the concrete damping coefficients for a polycrystalline Cu sample are shown. Finally, by using statistical two-scale homogenization method, the macroscopic homogenized dynamical equation containing damping term for the structures with random polycrystalline configurations at micro-nano scales is set up.

Testosterone replacement therapy improves health-related quality of life for patients with late-onset hypogonadism: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PubMed

Nian, Y; Ding, M; Hu, S; He, H; Cheng, S; Yi, L; Li, Y; Wang, Y

2017-05-01

Although testosterone replacement therapy can restore serum testosterone concentrations to normal level in late-onset hypogonadism patients, whether it can improve patients' quality of life remains uncertain. Therefore, we perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on this issue. Five randomized controlled trials total 1,212 patients were included. Fixed-effect model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference of score of Aging Males' Symptom rating scale. Our result reveals that testosterone replacement therapy improves patients' health-related quality of life in terms of the decrease in the AMS total score [WMD = -2.96 (-4.21, -1.71), p < .00001] and the psychological [WMD = -0.89 (-1.41, -0.37), p = .0008], somatic [WMD = -0.89 (-1.41, -0.37), p = .0008] and sexual [WMD = -1.29 (-1.75, -0.83), p < .00001] subscale score. © 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

The distribution of the intervals between neural impulses in the maintained discharges of retinal ganglion cells.

PubMed

Levine, M W

1991-01-01

Simulated neural impulse trains were generated by a digital realization of the integrate-and-fire model. The variability in these impulse trains had as its origin a random noise of specified distribution. Three different distributions were used: the normal (Gaussian) distribution (no skew, normokurtic), a first-order gamma distribution (positive skew, leptokurtic), and a uniform distribution (no skew, platykurtic). Despite these differences in the distribution of the variability, the distributions of the intervals between impulses were nearly indistinguishable. These inter-impulse distributions were better fit with a hyperbolic gamma distribution than a hyperbolic normal distribution, although one might expect a better approximation for normally distributed inverse intervals. Consideration of why the inter-impulse distribution is independent of the distribution of the causative noise suggests two putative interval distributions that do not depend on the assumed noise distribution: the log normal distribution, which is predicated on the assumption that long intervals occur with the joint probability of small input values, and the random walk equation, which is the diffusion equation applied to a random walk model of the impulse generating process. Either of these equations provides a more satisfactory fit to the simulated impulse trains than the hyperbolic normal or hyperbolic gamma distributions. These equations also provide better fits to impulse trains derived from the maintained discharges of ganglion cells in the retinae of cats or goldfish. It is noted that both equations are free from the constraint that the coefficient of variation (CV) have a maximum of unity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Onyalai--therapeutic effects of vincristine sulphate. A prospective randomized trial.

PubMed

Hesseling, P B; Girdle-Brown, B; Smit, J

1986-08-16

Twenty out of 40 patients with onyalai admitted to Rundu State Hospital, Kavango, SWA/Namibia, were randomized to receive a vincristine sulphate bolus of 1.5 mg/m2 or an equivalent volume of normal saline intravenously on days 8 and 15 when haemorrhage or a platelet count of less than 50 X 10(9)/l persisted for more than 1 week after admission. All patients were observed in hospital for at least 21 days. Five out of 10 patients who received vincristine achieved a platelet count in excess of 100 X 10(9)/l on day 21 and only 2 out of 10 patients who received placebo achieved a similar rise in the platelet count. Two patients, neither of whom was treated with vincristine, died of cerebral haemorrhage.

Value of the future: Discounting in random environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farmer, J. Doyne; Geanakoplos, John; Masoliver, Jaume; Montero, Miquel; Perelló, Josep

2015-05-01

We analyze how to value future costs and benefits when they must be discounted relative to the present. We introduce the subject for the nonspecialist and take into account the randomness of the economic evolution by studying the discount function of three widely used processes for the dynamics of interest rates: Ornstein-Uhlenbeck, Feller, and log-normal. Besides obtaining exact expressions for the discount function and simple asymptotic approximations, we show that historical average interest rates overestimate long-run discount rates and that this effect can be large. In other words, long-run discount rates should be substantially less than the average rate observed in the past, otherwise any cost-benefit calculation would be biased in favor of the present and against interventions that may protect the future.

Value of the future: Discounting in random environments.

PubMed

Farmer, J Doyne; Geanakoplos, John; Masoliver, Jaume; Montero, Miquel; Perelló, Josep

2015-05-01

We analyze how to value future costs and benefits when they must be discounted relative to the present. We introduce the subject for the nonspecialist and take into account the randomness of the economic evolution by studying the discount function of three widely used processes for the dynamics of interest rates: Ornstein-Uhlenbeck, Feller, and log-normal. Besides obtaining exact expressions for the discount function and simple asymptotic approximations, we show that historical average interest rates overestimate long-run discount rates and that this effect can be large. In other words, long-run discount rates should be substantially less than the average rate observed in the past, otherwise any cost-benefit calculation would be biased in favor of the present and against interventions that may protect the future.

Deterministic diffusion in flower-shaped billiards.

PubMed

Harayama, Takahisa; Klages, Rainer; Gaspard, Pierre

2002-08-01

We propose a flower-shaped billiard in order to study the irregular parameter dependence of chaotic normal diffusion. Our model is an open system consisting of periodically distributed obstacles in the shape of a flower, and it is strongly chaotic for almost all parameter values. We compute the parameter dependent diffusion coefficient of this model from computer simulations and analyze its functional form using different schemes, all generalizing the simple random walk approximation of Machta and Zwanzig. The improved methods we use are based either on heuristic higher-order corrections to the simple random walk model, on lattice gas simulation methods, or they start from a suitable Green-Kubo formula for diffusion. We show that dynamical correlations, or memory effects, are of crucial importance in reproducing the precise parameter dependence of the diffusion coefficent.

Effectiveness of medical treatment for Cushing's syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Broersen, Leonie H A; Jha, Meghna; Biermasz, Nienke R; Pereira, Alberto M; Dekkers, Olaf M

2018-05-31

To systematically review the effectiveness of medical treatment for Cushing's syndrome in clinical practice, regarding cortisol secretion, clinical symptom improvement, and quality of life. To assess the occurrence of side effects of these medical therapies. Eight electronic databases were searched in March 2017 to identify potentially relevant articles. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies assessing the effectiveness of medical treatment in patients with Cushing's syndrome, were eligible. Pooled proportions were reported including 95% confidence intervals. We included 35 articles with in total 1520 patients in this meta-analysis. Most included patients had Cushing's disease. Pooled reported percentage of patients with normalization of cortisol ranged from 35.7% for cabergoline to 81.8% for mitotane in Cushing's disease. Patients using medication monotherapy showed a lower percentage of cortisol normalization compared to use of multiple medical agents (49.4 vs. 65.7%); this was even higher for patients with concurrent or previous radiotherapy (83.6%). Mild side effects were reported in 39.9%, and severe side effects were seen in 15.2% of patients after medical treatment. No meta-analyses were performed for clinical symptom improvement or quality of life due to lack of sufficient data. This meta-analysis shows that medication induces cortisol normalization effectively in a large percentage of patients. Medical treatment for Cushing's disease patients is thus a reasonable option in case of a contraindication for surgery, a recurrence, or in patients choosing not to have surgery. When experiencing side effects or no treatment effect, an alternate medical therapy or combination therapy can be considered.

Group identification in Indonesian stock market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurriyadi Suparno, Ervano; Jo, Sung Kyun; Lim, Kyuseong; Purqon, Acep; Kim, Soo Yong

2016-08-01

The characteristic of Indonesian stock market is interesting especially because it represents developing countries. We investigate the dynamics and structures by using Random Matrix Theory (RMT). Here, we analyze the cross-correlation of the fluctuations of the daily closing price of stocks from the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) between January 1, 2007, and October 28, 2014. The eigenvalue distribution of the correlation matrix consists of noise which is filtered out using the random matrix as a control. The bulk of the eigenvalue distribution conforms to the random matrix, allowing the separation of random noise from original data which is the deviating eigenvalues. From the deviating eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors, we identify the intrinsic normal modes of the system and interpret their meaning based on qualitative and quantitative approach. The results show that the largest eigenvector represents the market-wide effect which has a predominantly common influence toward all stocks. The other eigenvectors represent highly correlated groups within the system. Furthermore, identification of the largest components of the eigenvectors shows the sector or background of the correlated groups. Interestingly, the result shows that there are mainly two clusters within IDX, natural and non-natural resource companies. We then decompose the correlation matrix to investigate the contribution of the correlated groups to the total correlation, and we find that IDX is still driven mainly by the market-wide effect.

Effects of Non-Normal Outlier-Prone Error Distribution on Kalman Filter Track

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

other possibilities exist. For example the GST (Generic Statistical Tracker) uses four motion models [Ref. 41. The GST keeps track of both the target...1.011 + + + 3.113 1.291 4 Although this procedure is not easily statistically interpretable, it was used for the sake of comparison with the other... TRANSITOR TARGET’ WRITE(6,*)’ 3 SECOND ORDER GAUSS MARKOV TARGET’ WRITE(6,*)’ 4 RANDOM TOUR TARGET’ READ(6,*) CHOICE IF((CHOICE.LT.1).OR.(CHOICE.GT.4

Modulating kidney transplant interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy: is the RAAS an important target?

PubMed

Amer, Hatem; Griffin, Matthew D

2014-02-01

In follow-up to a recently published randomized controlled clinical trial, Issa et al. provide evidence that systemic activity and physiological responsiveness of the renin aldosterone angiotensin system (RAAS) are well within normal limits in most kidney recipients during the first 5 years post-transplant. Implications of the results include the need to better understand intra-renal RAAS activity in transplanted kidneys and to identify patients in which the graft-protective effects of RAAS blockade are most relevant.

Effect of oral administration of carprofen on intraocular pressure in normal dogs.

PubMed

Meekins, J M; Overton, T L; Rankin, A J; Roush, J K

2016-08-01

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral administration of carprofen on intraocular pressure in normal dogs. Twelve young adult beagle dogs were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 6) or control (n = 6) groups. After an 11-day acclimation period, the treatment group received approximately 2.2 mg/kg carprofen per os every 12 h for 7 days, and the control group received a placebo gel capsule containing no drug per os every 12 h for 7 days. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by a rebound tonometer at three time points per day (8 am, 2 pm, and 8 pm) during the acclimation (days 1-11) and treatment (days 12-18) phases and for 48 h (days 19-20) after the completion of treatment. There was no statistically significant change in IOP for either eye in the dogs receiving oral carprofen during the treatment phase (days 12-18). After day 4, no significant daily IOP changes were seen in control group dogs. Carprofen administered orally every 12 h for 7 days had no effect on IOP in normal beagle dogs. An acclimation period to frequent IOP measurements of at least 5 days is necessary to establish baseline IOP values and minimize possible anxiety-related effects on IOP measurements. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A Computational Study of the Respiratory Airflow Characteristics in Normal and Obstructed Human Airways

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

normal and three different obstructed airway geometries, consisting of symmetric, asym- metric, and random obstructions. Fig. 2 shows the geometric ...normal and obstructed airways Airway resistance is a measure of the opposition to the airflow caused by geometric properties, such as airway obstruction...pressure drops. Resistance values were dependent on the degree and geometric distribution of the obstruction sites. In the symmetric obstruction model

Acute kidney injury after primary angioplasty: effect of different hydration treatments.

PubMed

Manari, Antonio; Magnavacchi, Paolo; Puggioni, Enrico; Vignali, Luigi; Fiaccadori, Enrico; Menozzi, Mila; Tondi, Stefano; Robotti, Stefano; Ferrari, Duilio; Valgimigli, Marco

2014-01-01

We evaluated the effect of different dose hydration protocols, with normal saline or bicarbonate, on the incidence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). We considered 592 STEMI patients treated with PPCI in 5 Italian centers. Patients were randomized to receive standard or high-dose infusions of normal saline or sodium bicarbonate started immediately before contrast medium administration and continued for the following 12 h. The cumulative incidence of CI-AKI was 18.1% without any difference among treatment groups. Shock, age, ejection fraction 35% or less, and basal serum creatinine were significantly associated with an increased risk of CI-AKI. Follow-up at 12 months was complete in 573 patients. Overall, 25 out of 573 patients died (4.3%). We observed higher short-term mortality rates in patients receiving high-volume hydration. Otherwise, only age, shock and CI-AKI were significantly associated with 1-year mortality. In patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI, high-volume hydration with normal saline or sodium bicarbonate administrated at the time of contrast media administration was not associated with any significant advantage in terms of CI-AKI prevention.

Ischemic preconditioning of the lower extremity attenuates the normal hypoxic increase in pulmonary artery systolic pressure.

PubMed

Foster, Gary P; Westerdahl, Daniel E; Foster, Laura A; Hsu, Jeffrey V; Anholm, James D

2011-12-15

Ischemic pre-condition of an extremity (IPC) induces effects on local and remote tissues that are protective against ischemic injury. To test the effects of IPC on the normal hypoxic increase in pulmonary pressures and exercise performance, 8 amateur cyclists were evaluated under normoxia and hypoxia (13% F(I)O(2)) in a randomized cross-over trial. IPC was induced using an arterial occlusive cuff to one thigh for 5 min followed by deflation for 5 min for 4 cycles. In the control condition, the resting pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) increased from a normoxic value of 25.6±2.3 mmHg to 41.8±7.2 mmHg following 90 min of hypoxia. In the IPC condition, the PASP increased to only 32.4±3.1 mmHg following hypoxia, representing a 72.8% attenuation (p=0.003). No significant difference was detected in cycle ergometer time trial duration between control and IPC conditions with either normoxia or hypoxia. IPC administered prior to hypoxic exposure was associated with profound attenuation of the normal hypoxic increase of pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Pathological speech signal analysis and classification using empirical mode decomposition.

PubMed

Kaleem, Muhammad; Ghoraani, Behnaz; Guergachi, Aziz; Krishnan, Sridhar

2013-07-01

Automated classification of normal and pathological speech signals can provide an objective and accurate mechanism for pathological speech diagnosis, and is an active area of research. A large part of this research is based on analysis of acoustic measures extracted from sustained vowels. However, sustained vowels do not reflect real-world attributes of voice as effectively as continuous speech, which can take into account important attributes of speech such as rapid voice onset and termination, changes in voice frequency and amplitude, and sudden discontinuities in speech. This paper presents a methodology based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) for classification of continuous normal and pathological speech signals obtained from a well-known database. EMD is used to decompose randomly chosen portions of speech signals into intrinsic mode functions, which are then analyzed to extract meaningful temporal and spectral features, including true instantaneous features which can capture discriminative information in signals hidden at local time-scales. A total of six features are extracted, and a linear classifier is used with the feature vector to classify continuous speech portions obtained from a database consisting of 51 normal and 161 pathological speakers. A classification accuracy of 95.7 % is obtained, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of the methodology.

[Effect of acupuncture on pattern-visual evoked potential in rats with monocular visual deprivation].

PubMed

Yan, Xing-Ke; Dong, Li-Li; Liu, An-Guo; Wang, Jun-Yan; Ma, Chong-Bing; Zhu, Tian-Tian

2013-08-01

To explore electrophysiology mechanism of acupuncture for treatment and prevention of visual deprivation effect. Eighteen healthy 15-day Evans rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 6 rats in each one. Deprivation amblyopia model was established by monocular eyelid suture in the model group and acupuncture group. Acupuncture was applied at "Jingming" (BL 1), "Chengqi" (ST 1), "Qiuhou" (EX-HN 7) and "Cuanzhu" (BL 2) in the acupuncture group. The bilateral acupoints were selected alternately, one side for a day, and totally 14 days were required. The effect of acupuncture on visual evoked potential in different spatial frequencies was observed. Under three different kinds of spatial frequencies of 2 X 2, 4 X 4 and 8 X 8, compared with normal group, there was obvious visual deprivation effect in the model group where P1 peak latency was delayed (P<0.01) while N1 -P1 amplitude value was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, P1 peak latency was obviously ahead of time (P<0.01) while N1-P1 amplitude value was increased (P<0.01) in the acupuncture group, there was no statistical significance compared with normal group (P>0.05). Under spatial frequency of 4 X 4, N1-P1 amplitude value was maximum in the normal group and acupuncture group. With this spatial frequency the rat's eye had best resolving ability, indicating it could be the best spatial frequency for rat visual system. The visual system has obvious electrophysiology plasticity in sensitive period. Acupuncture treatment could adjust visual deprivation-induced suppression and slow of visual response in order to antagonism deprivation effect.

Sibling Conflict Resolution Skills: Assessment and Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Brett W.; Roberts, Mark W.

2009-01-01

Sibling conflict can rise to the level of a clinical problem. In Phase 1 a lengthy behavioral role-play analog sampling child reactions to normal sibling conflicts was successfully shortened. In Phase 2 normal children who lacked sibling conflict resolution skills were randomly assigned to a Training or Measurement Only condition. Training…

Multivariate stochastic simulation with subjective multivariate normal distributions

Treesearch

P. J. Ince; J. Buongiorno

1991-01-01

In many applications of Monte Carlo simulation in forestry or forest products, it may be known that some variables are correlated. However, for simplicity, in most simulations it has been assumed that random variables are independently distributed. This report describes an alternative Monte Carlo simulation technique for subjectively assesed multivariate normal...

Immediate effects of reiki on heart rate variability, cortisol levels, and body temperature in health care professionals with burnout.

PubMed

Díaz-Rodríguez, Lourdes; Arroyo-Morales, Manuel; Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Cesar; García-Lafuente, Francisca; García-Royo, Carmen; Tomás-Rojas, Inmaculada

2011-10-01

Burnout is a work-related mental health impairment comprising three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Reiki aims to help replenish and rebalance the body's energetic system, thus stimulating the healing process. The objective of this placebo-controlled, repeated measures, crossover, single-blind, randomized trial was to analyze the immediate effects of Reiki on heart rate variability (HRV), body temperature, and salivary flow rate and cortisol level in health care professionals with burnout syndrome (BS). Participants included 21 health care professionals with BS, who were asked to complete two visits to the laboratory with a 1-week interval between sessions. They were randomly assigned the order in which they would receive a Reiki session applied by an experienced therapist and a placebo treatment applied by a therapist with no knowledge of Reiki, who mimicked the Reiki treatment. Temperature, Holter ECG recordings (standard deviation of the normal-to-normal interval [SDNN], square root of mean squared differences of successive NN intervals [RMSSD], HRV index, low frequency component [LF], and high frequency component [HF]), salivary flow rate and cortisol levels were measured at baseline and postintervention by an assessor blinded to allocation group. SDNN and body temperature were significantly higher after the Reiki treatment than after the placebo. LF was significantly lower after the Reiki treatment. The decrease in the LF domain was associated with the increase in body temperature. These results suggest that Reiki has an effect on the parasympathetic nervous system when applied to health care professionals with BS.

Power and instrument strength requirements for Mendelian randomization studies using multiple genetic variants.

PubMed

Pierce, Brandon L; Ahsan, Habibul; Vanderweele, Tyler J

2011-06-01

Mendelian Randomization (MR) studies assess the causality of an exposure-disease association using genetic determinants [i.e. instrumental variables (IVs)] of the exposure. Power and IV strength requirements for MR studies using multiple genetic variants have not been explored. We simulated cohort data sets consisting of a normally distributed disease trait, a normally distributed exposure, which affects this trait and a biallelic genetic variant that affects the exposure. We estimated power to detect an effect of exposure on disease for varying allele frequencies, effect sizes and samples sizes (using two-stage least squares regression on 10,000 data sets-Stage 1 is a regression of exposure on the variant. Stage 2 is a regression of disease on the fitted exposure). Similar analyses were conducted using multiple genetic variants (5, 10, 20) as independent or combined IVs. We assessed IV strength using the first-stage F statistic. Simulations of realistic scenarios indicate that MR studies will require large (n > 1000), often very large (n > 10,000), sample sizes. In many cases, so-called 'weak IV' problems arise when using multiple variants as independent IVs (even with as few as five), resulting in biased effect estimates. Combining genetic factors into fewer IVs results in modest power decreases, but alleviates weak IV problems. Ideal methods for combining genetic factors depend upon knowledge of the genetic architecture underlying the exposure. The feasibility of well-powered, unbiased MR studies will depend upon the amount of variance in the exposure that can be explained by known genetic factors and the 'strength' of the IV set derived from these genetic factors.

A randomized cross-over study comparing cabergoline and quinagolide in the treatment of hyperprolactinemic patients.

PubMed

De Luis, D A; Becerra, A; Lahera, M; Botella, J I; Valero; Varela, C

2000-01-01

Quinagolide (QUI) and cabergoline (CAB) are dopamine agonists recently introduced for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. In the present study, these drugs have been compared in terms of effectiveness and tolerability. Twenty patients (18 females and 2 males) with hyperprolactinemia (8 with microprolactinomas, 6 with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and 6 with empty sella turcica syndrome) were treated with oral QUI (75 microg once daily) and CAB (0,5 mg twice weekly), in a randomized cross-over trial with placebo between both drugs. Each drug was administered for 12 weeks, separated by other 12 weeks with placebo. PRL levels decreased with both drugs at 2 or 4 weeks of starting the treatment, without differences between both drugs at weeks 4, 8 and 12. At week 12, normal PRL levels (<20 ng/ml) were attained in 90% patients with CAB and only in 75% patients with QUI (p<0.05). After discontinuation of treatment, significant increase in serum PRL was higher after QUI withdrawal than after CAB. Clinical efficacy of both treatments was similar in terms of improvement amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, galactorrhea, and impotence. All patients completed both cycles of treatment, and the most frequent side-effects were nausea, headache and dizziness, without significant differences between CAB (30%) and QUI (55%). Our study indicates that, at the doses employed here, CAB showed a high percentage of patients with normal PRL at the end of treatment and long-lasting efficacy in the levels of PRL. Clinical response and side-effects were similar in both drugs.

Meta-analysis of medical intervention for normal tension glaucoma.

PubMed

Cheng, Jin-Wei; Cai, Ji-Ping; Wei, Rui-Li

2009-07-01

To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction achieved by the most frequently prescribed antiglaucoma drugs in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Systematic review and meta-analysis. Fifteen randomized clinical trials reported 25 arms for peak IOP reduction, 16 arms for trough IOP reduction, and 13 arms for diurnal curve IOP reduction. Pertinent publications were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The patients had to be diagnosed as having NTG. Methodological quality was assessed by the Delphi list on a scale from 0 to 18. The pooled 1-month IOP-lowering effects were calculated using the 2-step DerSimonian and Laird estimate method of the random effects model. Absolute and relative reductions in IOP from baseline for peak and trough moments. Quality scores of included studies were generally high, with a mean quality score of 12.7 (range, 9-16). Relative IOP reductions were peak, 15% (12%-18%), and trough, 18% (8%-27%) for timolol; peak, 14% (8%-19%), and trough, 12% (-7% to 31%) for dorzolamide; peak, 24% (17%-31%), and trough, 11% (7%-14%) for brimonidine; peak, 20% (17%-24%), and trough, 20% (18%-23%) for latanoprost; peak, 21% (16%-25%), and trough, 18% (14%-22%) for bimatoprost. The differences in absolute IOP reductions between prostaglandin analogues and timolol varied from 0.9 to 1.0 mmHg at peak and -0.1 to 0.2 mmHg at trough. Latanoprost, bimatoprost, and timolol are the most effective IOP-lowering agents in patients with NTG.

The effect of ubiquinone and combined antioxidant therapy on oxidative stress markers in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy: A phase IIa, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Carrizalez, Adolfo Daniel; Castellanos-González, José Alberto; Martínez-Romero, Esaú César; Miller-Arrevillaga, Guillermo; Pacheco-Moisés, Fermín Paul; Román-Pintos, Luis Miguel; Miranda-Díaz, Alejandra Guillermina

2016-07-01

Objective To evaluate the effect of ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) and combined antioxidant therapy (CAT) on oxidative stress markers in non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) under clinical management. Study design In a randomized, double-blind, phase IIa, placebo-controlled, clinical trial, three study groups were formed and administered medications as follows: Group 1, Coenzyme Q10; Group 2, CAT; and Group 3, placebo. Methods Serum levels of the products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitrites/nitrates, as markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress, were measured. As antioxidants, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase activity, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were measured. Results Baseline serum levels of LPO and nitrites/nitrates were significantly elevated in the three groups vs. healthy group (P < 0.0001), while final levels in the Coenzyme Q10 and CAT groups were decreased vs. normal levels (P < 0.0001). The baseline TAC was consumed in the three groups (P < 0.0001), while final results in the Coenzyme Q10 and CAT groups improved (P < 0.0001). Baseline catalase activity was increased in all groups vs. normal values (P < 0.001), while final levels in the Coenzyme Q10 (P < 0.001) and CAT groups (P < 0.0001) were decreased. GPx behaved similarly to catalase and improved in the final results (P < 0.0001). Discussion Adjunctive antioxidant treatment for 6 months was effective and safe for improving the oxidative stress in NPDR.

An elaborate data set on human gait and the effect of mechanical perturbations

PubMed Central

Hnat, Sandra K.; van den Bogert, Antonie J.

2015-01-01

Here we share a rich gait data set collected from fifteen subjects walking at three speeds on an instrumented treadmill. Each trial consists of 120 s of normal walking and 480 s of walking while being longitudinally perturbed during each stance phase with pseudo-random fluctuations in the speed of the treadmill belt. A total of approximately 1.5 h of normal walking (>5000 gait cycles) and 6 h of perturbed walking (>20,000 gait cycles) is included in the data set. We provide full body marker trajectories and ground reaction loads in addition to a presentation of processed data that includes gait events, 2D joint angles, angular rates, and joint torques along with the open source software used for the computations. The protocol is described in detail and supported with additional elaborate meta data for each trial. This data can likely be useful for validating or generating mathematical models that are capable of simulating normal periodic gait and non-periodic, perturbed gaits. PMID:25945311

Calibration and validation of the relative differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (RdNBR) to three measures of fire severity in the Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains, California, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Miller, J.D.; Knapp, E.E.; Key, C.H.; Skinner, C.N.; Isbell, C.J.; Creasy, R.M.; Sherlock, J.W.

2009-01-01

Multispectral satellite data have become a common tool used in the mapping of wildland fire effects. Fire severity, defined as the degree to which a site has been altered, is often the variable mapped. The Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) used in an absolute difference change detection protocol (dNBR), has become the remote sensing method of choice for US Federal land management agencies to map fire severity due to wildland fire. However, absolute differenced vegetation indices are correlated to the pre-fire chlorophyll content of the vegetation occurring within the fire perimeter. Normalizing dNBR to produce a relativized dNBR (RdNBR) removes the biasing effect of the pre-fire condition. Employing RdNBR hypothetically allows creating categorical classifications using the same thresholds for fires occurring in similar vegetation types without acquiring additional calibration field data on each fire. In this paper we tested this hypothesis by developing thresholds on random training datasets, and then comparing accuracies for (1) fires that occurred within the same geographic region as the training dataset and in similar vegetation, and (2) fires from a different geographic region that is climatically and floristically similar to the training dataset region but supports more complex vegetation structure. We additionally compared map accuracies for three measures of fire severity: the composite burn index (CBI), percent change in tree canopy cover, and percent change in tree basal area. User's and producer's accuracies were highest for the most severe categories, ranging from 70.7% to 89.1%. Accuracies of the moderate fire severity category for measures describing effects only to trees (percent change in canopy cover and basal area) indicated that the classifications were generally not much better than random. Accuracies of the moderate category for the CBI classifications were somewhat better, averaging in the 50%-60% range. These results underscore the difficulty in isolating fire effects to individual vegetation strata when fire effects are mixed. We conclude that the models presented here and in Miller and Thode ([Miller, J.D. & Thode, A.E., (2007). Quantifying burn severity in a heterogeneous landscape with a relative version of the delta Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR). Remote Sensing of Environment, 109, 66-80.]) can produce fire severity classifications (using either CBI, or percent change in canopy cover or basal area) that are of similar accuracy in fires not used in the original calibration process, at least in conifer dominated vegetation types in Mediterranean-climate California.

Acute Kidney Injury With the RenalGuard System in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: The PROTECT-TAVI Trial (PROphylactic effecT of furosEmide-induCed diuresis with matched isotonic intravenous hydraTion in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation).

PubMed

Barbanti, Marco; Gulino, Simona; Capranzano, Piera; Immè, Sebastiano; Sgroi, Carmelo; Tamburino, Claudia; Ohno, Yohei; Attizzani, Guilherme F; Patanè, Martina; Sicuso, Rita; Pilato, Gerlando; Di Landro, Alessio; Todaro, Denise; Di Simone, Emanuela; Picci, Andrea; Giannetto, Giuliana; Costa, Giuliano; Deste, Wanda; Giannazzo, Daniela; Grasso, Carmelo; Capodanno, Davide; Tamburino, Corrado

2015-10-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the RenalGuard System (PLC Medical Systems, Milford, Massachusetts) on prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). TAVR is associated with varying degrees of post-procedural AKI. The RenalGuard System is a dedicated device designed for contrast-induced AKI prevention. Whether this device is also effective in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR is unexplored. The present is an investigator-driven, single-center, prospective, open-label, registry-based randomized study that used the TAVR institutional registry of the Ferrarotto Hospital in Catania, Italy, as the platform for randomization, data collection, and follow-up assessment. A total of 112 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR were randomly assigned to hydration with normal saline solution controlled by the RenalGuard system and furosemide (RenalGuard group) or normal saline solution (control group). The primary endpoint was the incidence of Valve Academic Research Consortium-defined AKI in the first 72 h after the procedure. The AKI rate was lower in the RenalGuard group than in the control group (n = 3 [5.4%] vs. n =14 [25.0%], respectively, p = 0.014). The majority of patients (5.4% vs. 23.2%) developed a mild AKI (stage 1); severe damage (stage 3) occurred only in 1 patient in the control group (0.0% vs. 1.8%). No case of in-hospital renal failure requiring dialysis was reported. No significant differences in terms of mortality, cerebrovascular events, bleeding, and hospitalization for heart failure were noted in both groups at 30 days. Furosemide-induced diuresis with matched isotonic intravenous hydration using the RenalGuard system is an effective therapeutic tool to reduce the occurrence of AKI in patients undergoing TAVR. Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anthropometrics and body composition by dual energy X-ray in children of obese women: a follow-up of a randomized controlled trial (the Lifestyle in Pregnancy and Offspring [LiPO] study).

PubMed

Tanvig, Mette; Vinter, Christina A; Jørgensen, Jan S; Wehberg, Sonja; Ovesen, Per G; Lamont, Ronald F; Beck-Nielsen, Henning; Christesen, Henrik T; Jensen, Dorte M

2014-01-01

In obese women, 1) to assess whether lower gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy in the lifestyle intervention group of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) resulted in differences in offspring anthropometrics and body composition, and 2) to compare offspring outcomes to a reference group of children born to women with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI). The LiPO (Lifestyle in Pregnancy and Offspring) study was an offspring follow-up of a RCT with 360 obese pregnant women with a lifestyle intervention during pregnancy including dietary advice, coaching and exercise. The trial was completed by 301 women who were eligible for follow-up. In addition, to the children from the RCT, a group of children born to women with a normal BMI were included as a reference group. At 2.8 (range 2.5-3.2) years, anthropometrics were measured in 157 children of the RCT mothers and in 97 reference group children with Body Mass Index (BMI) Z-score as a primary outcome. Body composition was estimated by Dual Energy X-ray (DEXA) in 123 successful scans out of 147 (84%). No differences between randomized groups were seen in mean (95% C.I.) BMI Z-score (intervention group 0.06 [-0.17; 0.29] vs. controls -0.18 [-0.43; 0.05]), in the percentage of overweight or obese children (10.9% vs. 6.7%), in other anthropometrics, or in body composition values by DEXA. Outcomes between children from the RCT and the reference group children were not significantly different. The RCT with lifestyle intervention in obese pregnant women did not result in any detectable effect on offspring anthropometrics or body composition by DEXA at 2.8 years of age. This may reflect the limited difference in GWG between intervention and control groups. Offspring of obese mothers from the RCT were comparable to offspring of mothers with a normal BMI.

Active video-gaming effects on balance and mobility in individuals with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Fritz, Stacy L; Peters, Denise M; Merlo, Angela M; Donley, Jonathan

2013-01-01

Treatments that provide feedback, increase practice with multiple repetitions, and motivate patients are essential to rehabilitation post stroke. To determine whether playing active video games results in improved balance and mobility post stroke. Thirty participants with chronic (time since stroke = 3.0 [2.9] years) hemiparesis post stroke were randomly assigned to a gaming group or normal activity control group. Gaming systems provided participants with an interactive interface of real-time movement of either themselves or an avatar on the screen. Participants played games 50-60 minutes/day, 4 days/week, for 5 weeks. The intervention was strictly game-play, in standing position, without physical therapy. The control group received no special intervention and continued with normal activity. Both groups were tested prior to, following the 5 weeks (post test), and 3 months following the completion of the study. Outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, Timed Up & Go, 6-minute walk test, 3-meter walk (self-selected and fast), and perception of recovery. No statistically significant differences between or within groups were found through analysis of covariance (covaried for side of hemiparesis) at post test or follow-up. Although the within-group effect sizes were primarily indexed as "small" (< .36), the gaming group exhibited higher within-group effect sizes before and after testing than did the control group on all 7 dependent variables analyzed. Even though the only intervention was game-play, there were small positive effects. Therapist assistance in making more optimum movement choices may be needed before significant improvements are seen with commercially available, general purpose games.

Differential effect of quetiapine and lithium on functional connectivity of the striatum in first episode mania.

PubMed

Dandash, Orwa; Yücel, Murat; Daglas, Rothanthi; Pantelis, Christos; McGorry, Patrick; Berk, Michael; Fornito, Alex

2018-03-06

Mood disturbances seen in first-episode mania (FEM) are linked to disturbed functional connectivity of the striatum. Lithium and quetiapine are effective treatments for mania but their neurobiological effects remain largely unknown. We conducted a single-blinded randomized controlled maintenance trial in 61 FEM patients and 30 healthy controls. Patients were stabilized for a minimum of 2 weeks on lithium plus quetiapine then randomly assigned to either lithium (serum level 0.6 mmol/L) or quetiapine (dosed up to 800 mg/day) treatment for 12 months. Resting-state fMRI was acquired at baseline, 3 months (patient only) and 12 months. The effects of treatment group, time and their interaction, on striatal functional connectivity were assessed using voxel-wise general linear modelling. At baseline, FEM patients showed reduced connectivity in the dorsal (p = 0.05) and caudal (p = 0.008) cortico-striatal systems when compared to healthy controls at baseline. FEM patients also showed increased connectivity in a circuit linking the ventral striatum with the medial orbitofrontal cortex, cerebellum and thalamus (p = 0.02). Longitudinally, we found a significant interaction between time and treatment group, such that lithium was more rapid, compared to quetiapine, in normalizing abnormally increased functional connectivity, as assessed at 3-month and 12-month follow-ups. The results suggest that FEM is associated with reduced connectivity in dorsal and caudal corticostriatal systems, as well as increased functional connectivity of ventral striatal systems. Lithium appears to act more rapidly than quetiapine in normalizing hyperconnectivity of the ventral striatum with the cerebellum. The study was registered on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12607000639426). http://www.anzctr.org.au.

Experimentally increasing sedentary behavior results in increased anxiety in an active young adult population.

PubMed

Edwards, Meghan K; Loprinzi, Paul D

2016-11-01

Knowledge regarding the effects of sedentary behavior on anxiety has resulted mainly from observational studies. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a free-living, sedentary behavior-inducing randomized controlled intervention on anxiety symptoms. Participants confirmed to be active (i.e., acquiring 150min/week of physical activity) via self-report and accelerometry were randomly assigned into a sedentary behavior intervention group (n=26) or a control group (n=13). For one week, the intervention group eliminated exercise and minimized steps to ≤5000 steps/day whereas the control group continued their normal physical activity levels. Both groups completed the Overall Anxiety Severity Impairment Scale (OASIS) pre- and post-intervention, with higher OASIS scores indicating worse overall anxiety. The intervention group resumed normal physical activity levels for one week post-intervention and then completed the survey once more. A significant group x time interaction effect was observed (F(1,37)=11.13; P=.002), with post-hoc contrast tests indicating increased OASIS scores in the intervention group in Visit 2 compared with Visit 1. That is, we observed an increase in anxiety levels when participants increased their sedentary behavior. OASIS scores significantly decreased from Visit 2 to Visit 3 (P=.001) in the intervention group. A one-week sedentary behavior-inducing intervention has deleterious effects on anxiety in an active, young adult population. To prevent elevated anxiety levels among active individuals, consistent regular physical activity may be necessary. Clinicians treating inactive patients who have anxiety may recommend a physical activity program in addition to any other prescribed treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Atorvastatin in clinically-significant macular edema in diabetics with a normal lipid profile.

PubMed

Narang, S; Sood, S; Kaur, B; Singh, R; Mallik, A; Kaur, J

2012-01-01

Lipid-lowering drugs preserve vision and reduce the risk of hard exudates in clinically-significant macular edema(CSME) in diabetics with an abnormal lipid profile. But their role in reducing CSME in diabetics with a normal lipid profile is not yet known. To evaluate the role of atorvastatin in CSME in diabetics with a normal lipid profile. A prospective, randomized clinical trial was carried out. Thirty CSME patients with a normal lipid profile were randomly divided into Group A and B. Atorvastatin had been started in Group A four weeks prior to laser treatment. The main outcome measures were any improvement or deterioration in visual acuity and macular edema and hard exudates at six months follow-up. Both the groups were compared using unpaired t test for quantitative parameters and chi-square test for qualitative parameters. A p value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Visual acuity, macular edema and hard exudates resolution was not significantly different in the two groups (P = 0.14, 0.62, 0.39 respectively). Atorvastatin does not affect treatment outcome in CSME with a normal lipid profile over a short term follow-up. © NEPjOPH.

Effects of interventions on normalizing step width during self-paced dual-belt treadmill walking with virtual reality, a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Oude Lansink, I L B; van Kouwenhove, L; Dijkstra, P U; Postema, K; Hijmans, J M

2017-10-01

Step width is increased during dual-belt treadmill walking, in self-paced mode with virtual reality. Generally a familiarization period is thought to be necessary to normalize step width. The aim of this randomised study was to analyze the effects of two interventions on step width, to reduce the familiarization period. We used the GRAIL (Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab), a dual-belt treadmill with virtual reality in the self-paced mode. Thirty healthy young adults were randomly allocated to three groups and asked to walk at their preferred speed for 5min. In the first session, the control-group received no intervention, the 'walk-on-the-line'-group was instructed to walk on a line, projected on the between-belt gap of the treadmill and the feedback-group received feedback about their current step width and were asked to reduce it. Interventions started after 1min and lasted 1min. During the second session, 7-10days later, no interventions were given. Linear mixed modeling showed that interventions did not have an effect on step width after the intervention period in session 1. Initial step width (second 30s) of session 1 was larger than initial step width of session 2. Step width normalized after 2min and variation in step width stabilized after 1min. Interventions do not reduce step width after intervention period. A 2-min familiarization period is sufficient to normalize and stabilize step width, in healthy young adults, regardless of interventions. A standardized intervention to normalize step width is not necessary. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kinetic factors of vertical jumping for heading a ball in flexible flatfooted amateur soccer players with and without insole adoption.

PubMed

Arastoo, Ali Asghar; Aghdam, Esmaeil Moharrami; Habibi, Abdoul Hamid; Zahednejad, Shahla

2014-06-01

According to literature, little is known regarding the effects of orthotic management of flatfoot on kinetics of vertical jump. To compare the kinetic and temporal events of two-legged vertical jumping take-off from a force plate for heading a ball in normal and flexible flatfoot subjects with and without insole. A functional based interventional controlled study. Random sampling method was employed to draw a control group of 15 normal foot subjects to a group of 15 flatfoot subjects. A force platform was used to record kinetics of two-legged vertical jump shots. Results indicate that insole did not lead to a significant effect on kinetics regarding anterior-posterior and mediolateral directions (p > 0.05). Results of kinetics related to vertical direction for maximum force due to take-off and stance duration revealed significant differences between the normal and flexible flatfoot subjects without insole (p < 0.05) and no significant differences between the normal foot and flexible flatfoot subjects with insole adoption (p > 0.05). These results suggest that the use of an insole in the flexible flatfoot subjects led to improved stance time and decrease of magnitude of kinetics regarding vertical direction at take-off as the main feature of two-legged vertical jumping function. Adoption of the insole improved the design of the shoe-foot interface support for the flexible flatfoot athletes, enabling them to develop more effective take-off kinetics for vertical jumping in terms of ground reaction force and stance duration similar to that of normal foot subjects without insole. © The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2013.

The effects of topical aqueous sirolimus on tear production in normal dogs and dogs with refractory dry eye.

PubMed

Spatola, Ronald; Nadelstein, Brad; Berdoulay, Andrew; English, Robert V

2018-05-01

To evaluate the effect of twice daily aqueous 0.02% sirolimus drops on tear production in normal dogs and dogs with refractory keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Two groups of dogs were studied. Ten normal dogs with no signs of ocular disease were administered topical 0.02% sirolimus ophthalmic solution in right eye, and a vehicle control in the left eye twice daily for 4 weeks. Complete ophthalmic examinations, including Schirmer tear test were performed weekly. Eighteen dogs with refractory KCS were randomly assigned to receive 0.02% sirolumus ophthalmic solution or 0.02% tacrolimus ophthalmic solution twice daily. Complete ophthalmic examinations were was performed at 2 and 6 weeks following treatment. Tear production in the sirolimus-treated eyes of normal dogs was greater when compared to vehicle controls with a mean difference over all time points of 3.46 mm (95% CI 1.17, 5.75; P = 0.006). After 4 weeks of treatment, the mean difference was 5 mm (95% CI 1.95, 8.05; P = 0.002). In dogs with refractory dry eye, 37.5% of eyes treated with sirolimus exhibited increased tear production >4 mm/min after 6 weeks of treatment, compared to 20% of eyes receiving tacrolimus (P = 0.433). One normal dog experienced topical irritation to both sirolimus and vehicle-treatment. Side effects were not reported in any treated eyes with chronic KCS. Topical 0.02% sirolimus might be an alternative treatment for canine patients with keratoconjunctivits sicca. The drug appears safe when applied topically in an aqueous suspension for up to 6 weeks. While initial results are promising, further studies are warranted. © 2017 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Normal and tumoral melanocytes exhibit q-Gaussian random search patterns.

PubMed

da Silva, Priscila C A; Rosembach, Tiago V; Santos, Anésia A; Rocha, Márcio S; Martins, Marcelo L

2014-01-01

In multicellular organisms, cell motility is central in all morphogenetic processes, tissue maintenance, wound healing and immune surveillance. Hence, failures in its regulation potentiates numerous diseases. Here, cell migration assays on plastic 2D surfaces were performed using normal (Melan A) and tumoral (B16F10) murine melanocytes in random motility conditions. The trajectories of the centroids of the cell perimeters were tracked through time-lapse microscopy. The statistics of these trajectories was analyzed by building velocity and turn angle distributions, as well as velocity autocorrelations and the scaling of mean-squared displacements. We find that these cells exhibit a crossover from a normal to a super-diffusive motion without angular persistence at long time scales. Moreover, these melanocytes move with non-Gaussian velocity distributions. This major finding indicates that amongst those animal cells supposedly migrating through Lévy walks, some of them can instead perform q-Gaussian walks. Furthermore, our results reveal that B16F10 cells infected by mycoplasmas exhibit essentially the same diffusivity than their healthy counterparts. Finally, a q-Gaussian random walk model was proposed to account for these melanocytic migratory traits. Simulations based on this model correctly describe the crossover to super-diffusivity in the cell migration tracks.

Prevention of post-partum hemorrhage by rectal Misoprostol: A randomized clinical trial

PubMed Central

Firouzbakht, Mozhgan; Kiapour, Azadeh; Omidvar, Shabnam

2013-01-01

Background: Post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is a common cause of maternal mortality in developing countries. This trial was conducted to study the effectiveness and safety of rectal misoprostol for PPH. Aim: To assess the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol and comparing with oxytocin for prevention of PPH. Materials and Methods: Women were randomized to receive either two 200 μg rectal misoprostol tablets (study group) or 20 units oxytocin in 1000 cc normal saline intravenously (control group). The outcomes were incidence of PPH, amount of blood loss, duration of labor, incidence of side effects, pre- and post-delivery hemoglobin, and use of additional uterotonics. Finding: The incidence of PPH was 12% in the study group and 10% in the control group (P > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups hematocrit (P > 0.05). Other variables including severe PPH and duration of the third stage of labor were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Rectal misoprostol was as effective as intravenous oxytocin for preventing post-partum hemorrhage with the same incidence of side effects and is recommended to be use as an uterotonic agent to manage third stage of labor routinely. PMID:23633849

Meta-Analysis of Fluid Intelligence Tests of Children from the Chinese Mainland with Learning Difficulties

PubMed Central

Tong, Fang; Fu, Tong

2013-01-01

Objective To evaluate the differences in fluid intelligence tests between normal children and children with learning difficulties in China. Method PubMed, MD Consult, and other Chinese Journal Database were searched from their establishment to November 2012. After finding comparative studies of Raven measurements of normal children and children with learning difficulties, full Intelligent Quotation (FIQ) values and the original values of the sub-measurement were extracted. The corresponding effect model was selected based on the results of heterogeneity and parallel sub-group analysis was performed. Results Twelve documents were included in the meta-analysis, and the studies were all performed in mainland of China. Among these, two studies were performed at child health clinics, the other ten sites were schools and control children were schoolmates or classmates. FIQ was evaluated using a random effects model. WMD was −13.18 (95% CI: −16.50–−9.85). Children with learning difficulties showed significantly lower FIQ scores than controls (P<0.00001); Type of learning difficulty and gender differences were evaluated using a fixed-effects model (I2 = 0%). The sites and purposes of the studies evaluated here were taken into account, but the reasons of heterogeneity could not be eliminated; The sum IQ of all the subgroups showed considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 76.5%). The sub-measurement score of document A showed moderate heterogeneity among all documents, and AB, B, and E showed considerable heterogeneity, which was used in a random effect model. Individuals with learning difficulties showed heterogeneity as well. There was a moderate delay in the first three items (−0.5 to −0.9), and a much more pronounced delay in the latter three items (−1.4 to −1.6). Conclusion In the Chinese mainland, the level of fluid intelligence of children with learning difficulties was lower than that of normal children. Delayed development in sub-items of C, D, and E was more obvious. PMID:24236016

Exploratory Study of 4D Versus 3D Robust Optimization in Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy for Lung Cancer

PubMed Central

Liu, Wei; Schild, Steven E.; Chang, Joe Y.; Liao, Zhongxing; Chang, Yu-Hui; Wen, Zhifei; Shen, Jiajian; Stoker, Joshua B.; Ding, Xiaoning; Hu, Yanle; Sahoo, Narayan; Herman, Michael G.; Vargas, Carlos; Keole, Sameer; Wong, William; Bues, Martin

2015-01-01

Background To compare the impact of uncertainties and interplay effect on 3D and 4D robustly optimized intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans for lung cancer in an exploratory methodology study. Methods IMPT plans were created for 11 non-randomly selected non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases: 3D robustly optimized plans on average CTs with internal gross tumor volume density overridden to irradiate internal target volume, and 4D robustly optimized plans on 4D CTs to irradiate clinical target volume (CTV). Regular fractionation (66 Gy[RBE] in 33 fractions) were considered. In 4D optimization, the CTV of individual phases received non-uniform doses to achieve a uniform cumulative dose. The root-mean-square-dose volume histograms (RVH) measured the sensitivity of the dose to uncertainties, and the areas under the RVH curve (AUCs) were used to evaluate plan robustness. Dose evaluation software modeled time-dependent spot delivery to incorporate interplay effect with randomized starting phases of each field per fraction. Dose-volume histogram indices comparing CTV coverage, homogeneity, and normal tissue sparing were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results 4D robust optimization plans led to smaller AUC for CTV (14.26 vs. 18.61 (p=0.001), better CTV coverage (Gy[RBE]) [D95% CTV: 60.6 vs 55.2 (p=0.001)], and better CTV homogeneity [D5%–D95% CTV: 10.3 vs 17.7 (p=0.002)] in the face of uncertainties. With interplay effect considered, 4D robust optimization produced plans with better target coverage [D95% CTV: 64.5 vs 63.8 (p=0.0068)], comparable target homogeneity, and comparable normal tissue protection. The benefits from 4D robust optimization were most obvious for the 2 typical stage III lung cancer patients. Conclusions Our exploratory methodology study showed that, compared to 3D robust optimization, 4D robust optimization produced significantly more robust and interplay-effect-resistant plans for targets with comparable dose distributions for normal tissues. A further study with a larger and more realistic patient population is warranted to generalize the conclusions. PMID:26725727

Effects of normal saline and selenium-enriched hot spring water on experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rats.

PubMed

Kim, Dong-Hyun; Yeo, Sang Won

2013-01-01

This prospective, randomized, and controlled study examined the effects of normal saline and selenium-enriched hot spring water on experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rats. The study comprised two control groups (untreated and saline-treated) and three experimental groups of Sprague Dawley rats. The experimental groups received an instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) only, LPS+normal saline (LPS/saline), or LPS+selenium-enriched hot spring water (LPS/selenium). Histopathological changes were identified using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Leakage of exudate was identified using fluorescence microscopy. Microvascular permeability was measured using the Evans blue dye technique. Expression of the Muc5ac gene was measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Mucosal edema and expression of the Muc5ac gene were significantly lower in the LPS/saline group than in the LPS group. Microvascular permeability, mucosal edema, and expression of the Muc5ac gene were significantly lower in the LPS/selenium group than in the LPS group. Mucosal edema was similar in the LPS/selenium group and LPS/saline group, but capillary permeability and Muc5ac expression were lower in the LPS/selenium group. This study shows that normal saline and selenium-enriched hot spring water reduce inflammatory activity and mucus hypersecretion in LPS-induced rhinosinusitis in rats. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Population dose-response analysis of daily seizure count following vigabatrin therapy in adult and pediatric patients with refractory complex partial seizures.

PubMed

Nielsen, Jace C; Hutmacher, Matthew M; Wesche, David L; Tolbert, Dwain; Patel, Mahlaqa; Kowalski, Kenneth G

2015-01-01

Vigabatrin is an irreversible inhibitor of γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T) and is used as an adjunctive therapy for adult patients with refractory complex partial seizures (rCPS). The purpose of this investigation was to describe the relationship between vigabatrin dosage and daily seizure rate for adults and children with rCPS and identify relevant covariates that might impact seizure frequency. This population dose-response analysis used seizure-count data from three pediatric and two adult randomized controlled studies of rCPS patients. A negative binomial distribution model adequately described daily seizure data. Mean seizure rate decreased with time after first dose and was described using an asymptotic model. Vigabatrin drug effects were best characterized by a quadratic model using normalized dosage as the exposure metric. Normalized dosage was an estimated parameter that allowed for individualized changes in vigabatrin exposure based on body weight. Baseline seizure rate increased with decreasing age, but age had no impact on vigabatrin drug effects after dosage was normalized for body weight differences. Posterior predictive checks indicated the final model was capable of simulating data consistent with observed daily seizure counts. Total normalized vigabatrin dosages of 1, 3, and 6 g/day were predicted to reduce seizure rates 23.2%, 45.6%, and 48.5%, respectively. © 2014, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

A multicenter phase IIb study of a novel combination of intramuscular androgen (testosterone decanoate) and oral progestogen (etonogestrel) for male hormonal contraception.

PubMed

Hay, Cathy J; Brady, Brian M; Zitzmann, Michael; Osmanagaoglu, Kaan; Pollanen, Pasi; Apter, Dan; Wu, Frederick C W; Anderson, Richard A; Nieschlag, Eberhard; Devroey, Paul; Huhtaniemi, Ilpo; Kersemaekers, Wendy M

2005-04-01

The effect of a novel combination of oral etonogestrel (ENG) and im testosterone decanoate (TD) on suppression of gonadotropins and spermatogenesis as a potential lead for male contraception was investigated. Healthy male volunteers were randomized into two groups receiving 300 microg ENG daily and 400 mg TD every 4 (n = 55) or 6 (n = 57) wk for 48 wk. At wk 48, all men except one in the 6-wk group suppressed sperm concentration to less than 1 million/ml. Faster suppression occurred in the 4-wk group. Gonadotropins were suppressed in both groups and most consistently in the 4-wk group. During treatment, trough testosterone levels increased into the normal range in the 4-wk group but remained just below normal in the 6-wk group. All peak levels were within the normal range. After treatment cessation, recovery of sperm counts and gonadotropins to normal levels occurred in both groups. Minor effects on weight and cholesterol were noted. Fourteen subjects withdrew because of an adverse event with those possibly related to the study medication reported more frequently in the 6-wk group (nine vs. one). In conclusion, the combination of 300 microg ENG with 400 mg TD every 4 wk was superior in terms of efficacy, hormone profiles, and safety. This represents a promising approach to male hormonal contraception.

Optimal Scaling of Digital Transcriptomes

PubMed Central

Glusman, Gustavo; Caballero, Juan; Robinson, Max; Kutlu, Burak; Hood, Leroy

2013-01-01

Deep sequencing of transcriptomes has become an indispensable tool for biology, enabling expression levels for thousands of genes to be compared across multiple samples. Since transcript counts scale with sequencing depth, counts from different samples must be normalized to a common scale prior to comparison. We analyzed fifteen existing and novel algorithms for normalizing transcript counts, and evaluated the effectiveness of the resulting normalizations. For this purpose we defined two novel and mutually independent metrics: (1) the number of “uniform” genes (genes whose normalized expression levels have a sufficiently low coefficient of variation), and (2) low Spearman correlation between normalized expression profiles of gene pairs. We also define four novel algorithms, one of which explicitly maximizes the number of uniform genes, and compared the performance of all fifteen algorithms. The two most commonly used methods (scaling to a fixed total value, or equalizing the expression of certain ‘housekeeping’ genes) yielded particularly poor results, surpassed even by normalization based on randomly selected gene sets. Conversely, seven of the algorithms approached what appears to be optimal normalization. Three of these algorithms rely on the identification of “ubiquitous” genes: genes expressed in all the samples studied, but never at very high or very low levels. We demonstrate that these include a “core” of genes expressed in many tissues in a mutually consistent pattern, which is suitable for use as an internal normalization guide. The new methods yield robustly normalized expression values, which is a prerequisite for the identification of differentially expressed and tissue-specific genes as potential biomarkers. PMID:24223126

Smoking cessation and reduction in schizophrenia (SCARIS) with e-cigarette: study protocol for a randomized control trial.

PubMed

Caponnetto, Pasquale; Polosa, Riccardo; Auditore, Roberta; Minutolo, Giuseppe; Signorelli, Maria; Maglia, Marilena; Alamo, Angela; Palermo, Filippo; Aguglia, Eugenio

2014-03-22

It is well established in studies across several countries that tobacco smoking is more prevalent among schizophrenic patients than the general population. Electronic cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular with smokers worldwide. To date there are no large randomized trials of electronic cigarettes in schizophrenic smokers. A well-designed trial is needed to compare efficacy and safety of these products in this special population. We have designed a randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of electronic cigarette. The trial will take the form of a prospective 12-month randomized clinical study to evaluate smoking reduction, smoking abstinence and adverse events in schizophrenic smokers not intending to quit. We will also monitor quality of life, neurocognitive functioning and measure participants' perception and satisfaction of the product. A ≥50% reduction in the number of cigarettes/day from baseline, will be calculated at each study visit ("reducers"). Abstinence from smoking will be calculated at each study visit ("quitters"). Smokers who leave the study protocol before its completion and will carry out the Early Termination Visit or who will not satisfy the criteria of "reducers" and "quitters" will be defined "non responders". The differences of continuous variables between the three groups will be evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis Test, followed by the Dunn multiple comparison test. The differences between the three groups for normally distributed data will be evaluated with ANOVA test one way, followed by the Newman-Keuls multiple comparison test. The normality of the distribution will be evaluated with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Any correlations between the variables under evaluation will be assessed by Spearman r correlation. To compare qualitative data will be used the Chi-square test. The main strengths of the SCARIS study are the following: it's the first large RCT on schizophrenic patient, involving in and outpatient, evaluating the effect of a three-arm study design, and a long term of follow-up (52-weeks).The goal is to propose an effective intervention to reduce the risk of tobacco smoking, as a complementary tool to treat tobacco addiction in schizophrenia. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01979796.

Efficacy and safety of mipomersen in treatment of dyslipidemia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PubMed

Panta, Raju; Dahal, Khagendra; Kunwar, Sumit

2015-01-01

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary target of lipid-lowering therapy in people at risk for cardiovascular diseases. Mipomersen inhibits apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB) synthesis and causes reduction in LDL-C by reducing apoB. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of all published randomized controlled trials comparing safety and efficacy of mipomersen with placebo in adults with dyslipidemia. We searched PUBMED, CENTRAL, and EMBASE from inception through March 2014 and used random-effects model to compute the effect size. We identified 8 randomized controlled trials (n = 462). Mipomersen compared with placebo significantly reduced LDL-C by 32.37% (95% confidence interval, 25.55-39.18; P < .00001), total cholesterol by 24.18% (18.54-29.83; P < .00001), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 21.59% (9.16-34.02; P = .0007), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) by 30.83% (23.92-37.74; P < .00001), and triglycerides by 36.26% (22-50.54; P < .00001). It also significantly reduced apoB, lipoprotein(a), and apolipoprotein A1. However, mipomersen did not significantly change HDL-C levels. In safety analysis, mipomersen compared with placebo increased the risks of injection-site reaction (risk ratio, 2.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-3.04; P = .0003), flu-like symptoms (1.63; 1.22-2.17; P = .0008), alanine aminotransferase ≥3X upper limit of normal (4.44; 1.67-11.86; P = .003), and hepatic steatosis (3.85, 1.39-10.67; P = .01). The risks of alanine aminotransferase ≥10X upper limit of normal did not reach statistical significance (1.57; 0.32-7.6, P = .58). Mipomersen resulted in a significant improvement in lipid parameters except for HDL-C and increased the risks of injection-site reactions, flu-like symptoms, and hepatic steatosis compared with placebo. Copyright © 2015 National Lipid Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adjunctive aripiprazole in the treatment of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response study.

PubMed

Chen, Jing-Xu; Su, Yun-Ai; Bian, Qing-Tao; Wei, Li-He; Zhang, Rong-Zhen; Liu, Yan-Hong; Correll, Christoph; Soares, Jair C; Yang, Fu-De; Wang, Shao-Li; Zhang, Xiang-Yang

2015-08-01

Hyperprolactinemia is an unwanted adverse effect associated with several antipsychotics. The addition of partial dopamine receptor agonist aripiprazole may attenuate antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia effectively. However, the ideal dosing regimen for this purpose is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the dose effects of adjunctive treatment with aripiprazole on prolactin levels and hyperprolactinemia in schizophrenia patients. Stable subjects 18-45 years old with schizophrenia and hyperprolactinemia (i.e., >24 ng/ml for females and >20 ng/ml for males) were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of placebo (n=30) or oral aripiprazole 5mg/day (n=30), 10mg/day (n=29), or 20mg/day (n=30) added on to fixed dose risperidone treatment. Serum prolactin levels were measured at baseline and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks; clinical symptoms and side effects were assessed at baseline and week 8 using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Clinical Global Impressions Severity scale, Barnes Akathisia Scale, Simpson-Angus Scale and UKU Side Effects Rating Scale. Of 119 randomized patients, 107 (89.9%) completed the 8-week study. At study end, all three aripiprazole doses resulted in significantly lower prolactin levels (beginning at week 2), higher response rates (≥30% prolactin reduction) and higher prolactin normalization rates than placebo. Effects were significantly greater in the 10 and 20mg/day groups than the 5mg/day group. No significant changes were observed in any treatment groups regarding psychopathology and adverse effect ratings. Adjunctive aripiprazole treatment was effective and safe for resolving risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia, producing significant and almost maximal improvements by week 2 without significant effects on psychopathology and side effects. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antimicrobial effects of chlorhexidine, matrica drop mouthwash (chamomile extract), and normal saline on hospitalized patients with endotracheal tubes

PubMed Central

Azimi, Maryam; Jouybari, Leila; Moghadam, Shahram; Ghaemi, Ezatolah; Behnampoor, Naser; Sanagoo, Akram; Hesam, Moslem

2016-01-01

Background: The functions and use of mouthwashes are variable depending on their type. Oral care in patients with endotracheal tubes is important to prevent side effects such as pneumonia. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial effects of chlorhexidine, drop of Matrica mouthwash (chamomile extract), and normal saline on hospitalized patients with endotracheal tube in an intensive care unit (ICU). Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 39 patients admitted to the ICU were selected by convenience sampling, were matched based on age and sex, and randomly assigned to three groups (chlorhexidine, Matrica, saline). Mouth washing was performed every 8 to 48 hours. The samples were taken at time zero (before the intervention) and 48 hours after the intervention for bacterial culture. Antibacterial activity of each mouthwash on microorganisms was measured based on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcal, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia coli. The obtained data were then analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Package version 18. Results: Chlorhexidine mouthwash was more effective in preventing colonization of bacteria in the mouth (point probability = 0.06) in comparison with chamomile and saline mouthwashes. Nevertheless, none of the tested mouthwashes were able to remove pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Acinetobacter. Conclusions: 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash has a significant effect on the bacterial colonization rate in comparison with Matrica and normal saline mouthwashes in ICU hospitalized patients with endotracheal tube. PMID:27904627

Effect of Remote Internet Follow-Up on Postradiotherapy Compliance Among Patients with Esophageal Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PubMed

Wang, Ping; Yang, Lin; Hua, Zhongsheng

2015-11-01

To explore the effects of using remote Internet follow-up on postradiotherapy compliance with medical advice provided to patients with esophageal cancer. Between January 1 and August 1, 2013, in total, 128 patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer treated with radiotherapy were randomly assigned to either an observation group (n=64) or a control group (n=64). The control group received routine outpatient follow-up, whereas the observation group received additional remote Internet follow-up for 6 months after discharge from the hospital. The treatment effects and compliance were investigated using a questionnaire. At 3 months and 6 months after discharge, patients in the observation group had sought significantly more consultations and undergone more periodic re-examinations than patients in the control group (all p<0.001). Furthermore, both the disease-free survival rate and the symptom reduction rate were significantly higher in the observation group compared with the control group (all p<0.001). Remote Internet follow-up is an easy and fast method for improving postradiotherapy compliance with medical instructions and promoting normalization among patients with esophageal cancer.

Presence of music while eating: Effects on energy intake, eating rate and appetite sensations.

PubMed

Mamalaki, Eirini; Zachari, Konstantina; Karfopoulou, Eleni; Zervas, Efthimios; Yannakoulia, Mary

2017-01-01

The role of music in energy and dietary intake of humans is poorly understood. The purpose of the present laboratory study was to examine the effect of background music, its presence and its intensity, on energy intake, eating rate and appetite feelings. The study had a randomized crossover design. Twenty-six normal weight and overweight/obese men participated in random order in three trials: the control trial (no music was playing), the 60dB and the 90dB music trials, while an ad libitum lunch was consumed. Visual analogue scales for hunger, fullness/satiety, as well as desire to eat were administered to the participants. Energy intake at the ad libitum lunch did not differ between trials, even when covariates were taken into account. There were no statistically significant differences between trials on meal characteristics, such as meal duration, number of servings, number of bites eaten and on appetite indices. Future studies are needed to replicate these results and investigate the effect of different types of music and/or sound. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Group Recreational Activity for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hesselmark, Eva; Plenty, Stephanie; Bejerot, Susanne

2014-01-01

Although adults with autism spectrum disorder are an increasingly identified patient population, few treatment options are available. This "preliminary" randomized controlled open trial with a parallel design developed two group interventions for adults with autism spectrum disorders and intelligence within the normal range: cognitive…

Missing Value Imputation Approach for Mass Spectrometry-based Metabolomics Data.

PubMed

Wei, Runmin; Wang, Jingye; Su, Mingming; Jia, Erik; Chen, Shaoqiu; Chen, Tianlu; Ni, Yan

2018-01-12

Missing values exist widely in mass-spectrometry (MS) based metabolomics data. Various methods have been applied for handling missing values, but the selection can significantly affect following data analyses. Typically, there are three types of missing values, missing not at random (MNAR), missing at random (MAR), and missing completely at random (MCAR). Our study comprehensively compared eight imputation methods (zero, half minimum (HM), mean, median, random forest (RF), singular value decomposition (SVD), k-nearest neighbors (kNN), and quantile regression imputation of left-censored data (QRILC)) for different types of missing values using four metabolomics datasets. Normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) and NRMSE-based sum of ranks (SOR) were applied to evaluate imputation accuracy. Principal component analysis (PCA)/partial least squares (PLS)-Procrustes analysis were used to evaluate the overall sample distribution. Student's t-test followed by correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects on univariate statistics. Our findings demonstrated that RF performed the best for MCAR/MAR and QRILC was the favored one for left-censored MNAR. Finally, we proposed a comprehensive strategy and developed a public-accessible web-tool for the application of missing value imputation in metabolomics ( https://metabolomics.cc.hawaii.edu/software/MetImp/ ).

Effect of African leafy vegetables on the micronutrient status of mildly deficient farm-school children in South Africa: a randomized controlled study.

PubMed

van der Hoeven, Marinka; Faber, Mieke; Osei, Jennifer; Kruger, Annamarie; Smuts, Cornelius M

2016-04-01

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of African leafy vegetable (ALV) consumption on Fe, Zn and vitamin A status in children. Children were randomly allocated to receive either a 300 g cooked ALV dish and school meal starch (n 86) or the normal school meal (n 81) five times per week for three months. ALV in the dish consisted mainly of Amaranthus cruentus (at least 80 %) and the remainder of Cleome gynandra, Cucurbita maxima or Vigna unguiculata. Nutrient content and consumer acceptance of the ALV dish were also determined. North West Province, South Africa. Grade R to grade 4 children (6-12 years old) of two farm schools. The ALV dish contributed 11·6-15·8 mg Fe and 1·4-3·7 mg Zn. At baseline, prevalence of deficiencies in the intervention group was 16·0 %, 16·3 %, 7·0 % and 75·6 %, respectively, for anaemia (Hb<11·5 g/dl), Fe (serum ferritin<15 µg/l), vitamin A (serum retinol<20 μg/dl) and Zn (serum Zn<65 μg/dl); and in the control group 10·5 %, 18·5 %, 2·5 % and 75·3 %, respectively. No significant estimated intervention effect was found. This randomized controlled trial showed that ALV were unable to improve serum retinol, serum ferritin or Hb if there are only mild deficiencies present. Furthermore, despite the low Zn status in the study population, ALV consumption did not improve serum Zn concentrations either.

The effectiveness of an intervention to reduce alcohol-related violence in premises licensed for the sale and on-site consumption of alcohol: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Moore, Simon C; Alam, M Fasihul; Heikkinen, Marjukka; Hood, Kerenza; Huang, Chao; Moore, Laurence; Murphy, Simon; Playle, Rebecca; Shepherd, Jonathan; Shovelton, Claire; Sivarajasingam, Vaseekaran; Williams, Anne

2017-11-01

Premises licensed for the sale and consumption of alcohol can contribute to levels of assault-related injury through poor operational practices that, if addressed, could reduce violence. We tested the real-world effectiveness of an intervention designed to change premises operation, whether any intervention effect changed over time, and the effect of intervention dose. A parallel randomized controlled trial with the unit of allocation and outcomes measured at the level of individual premises. All premises (public houses, nightclubs or hotels with a public bar) in Wales, UK. A randomly selected subsample (n = 600) of eligible premises (that had one or more violent incidents recorded in police-recorded crime data; n = 837) were randomized into control and intervention groups. Intervention premises were audited by Environmental Health Practitioners who identified risks for violence and provided feedback by varying dose (informal, through written advice, follow-up visits) on how risks could be addressed. Control premises received usual practice. Police data were used to derive a binary variable describing whether, on each day premises were open, one or more violent incidents were evident over a 455-day period following randomization. Due to premises being unavailable at the time of intervention delivery 208 received the intervention and 245 were subject to usual practice in an intention-to-treat analysis. The intervention was associated with an increase in police recorded violence compared to normal practice (hazard ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval = 1.20-1.51). Exploratory analyses suggested that reduced violence was associated with greater intervention dose (follow-up visits). An Environmental Health Practitioner-led intervention in premises licensed for the sale and on-site consumption of alcohol resulted in an increase in police recorded violence. © 2017 The Authors. Addiction published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society for the Study of Addiction.

Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis123

PubMed Central

Pan, An; Willett, Walter C; Hu, Frank B

2013-01-01

Background: The relation between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and body weight remains controversial. Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the evidence in children and adults. Design: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases through March 2013 for prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the SSB-weight relation. Separate meta-analyses were conducted in children and adults and for cohorts and RCTs by using random- and fixed-effects models. Results: Thirty-two original articles were included in our meta-analyses: 20 in children (15 cohort studies, n = 25,745; 5 trials, n = 2772) and 12 in adults (7 cohort studies, n = 174,252; 5 trials, n = 292). In cohort studies, one daily serving increment of SSBs was associated with a 0.06 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.10) and 0.05 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.07)-unit increase in BMI in children and 0.22 kg (95% CI: 0.09, 0.34 kg) and 0.12 kg (95% CI: 0.10, 0.14 kg) weight gain in adults over 1 y in random- and fixed-effects models, respectively. RCTs in children showed reductions in BMI gain when SSBs were reduced [random and fixed effects: −0.17 (95% CI: −0.39, 0.05) and −0.12 (95% CI: −0.22, −0.2)], whereas RCTs in adults showed increases in body weight when SSBs were added (random and fixed effects: 0.85 kg; 95% CI: 0.50, 1.20 kg). Sensitivity analyses of RCTs in children showed more pronounced benefits in preventing weight gain in SSB substitution trials (compared with school-based educational programs) and among overweight children (compared with normal-weight children). Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and RCTs provides evidence that SSB consumption promotes weight gain in children and adults. PMID:23966427

The effectiveness of an intervention to reduce alcohol‐related violence in premises licensed for the sale and on‐site consumption of alcohol: a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

Alam, M. Fasihul; Heikkinen, Marjukka; Hood, Kerenza; Huang, Chao; Moore, Laurence; Murphy, Simon; Playle, Rebecca; Shepherd, Jonathan; Shovelton, Claire; Sivarajasingam, Vaseekaran; Williams, Anne

2017-01-01

Abstract Background and Aims Premises licensed for the sale and consumption of alcohol can contribute to levels of assault‐related injury through poor operational practices that, if addressed, could reduce violence. We tested the real‐world effectiveness of an intervention designed to change premises operation, whether any intervention effect changed over time, and the effect of intervention dose. Design A parallel randomized controlled trial with the unit of allocation and outcomes measured at the level of individual premises. Setting All premises (public houses, nightclubs or hotels with a public bar) in Wales, UK. Participants A randomly selected subsample (n = 600) of eligible premises (that had one or more violent incidents recorded in police‐recorded crime data; n = 837) were randomized into control and intervention groups. Intervention and comparator Intervention premises were audited by Environmental Health Practitioners who identified risks for violence and provided feedback by varying dose (informal, through written advice, follow‐up visits) on how risks could be addressed. Control premises received usual practice. Measurements Police data were used to derive a binary variable describing whether, on each day premises were open, one or more violent incidents were evident over a 455‐day period following randomization. Findings Due to premises being unavailable at the time of intervention delivery 208 received the intervention and 245 were subject to usual practice in an intention‐to‐treat analysis. The intervention was associated with an increase in police recorded violence compared to normal practice (hazard ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval = 1.20–1.51). Exploratory analyses suggested that reduced violence was associated with greater intervention dose (follow‐up visits). Conclusion An Environmental Health Practitioner‐led intervention in premises licensed for the sale and on‐site consumption of alcohol resulted in an increase in police recorded violence. PMID:28543914

Effects of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate paste on white spot lesions and dental plaque after orthodontic treatment: a 3-month follow-up.

PubMed

Beerens, M W; van der Veen, M H; van Beek, H; ten Cate, J M

2010-12-01

The effects of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP) paste vs. control paste on the remineralization of white spot caries lesions and on plaque composition were tested in a double-blind prospective randomized clinical trial. Fifty-four orthodontic patients, with multiple white spot lesions observed upon the removal of fixed appliances, were followed up for 3 months. Subjects were included and randomly assigned to either CPP-ACFP paste or control paste, for use supplementary to their normal oral hygiene. Caries regression was assessed on quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) images captured directly after debonding and 6 and 12 wk thereafter. The total counts and proportions of aciduric bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus spp. were measured in plaque samples obtained just before debonding, and 6 and 12 wk afterwards. A significant decrease in fluorescence loss was found with respect to baseline for both groups and no difference was found between groups. The size of the lesion area did not change significantly over time or between the groups. The percentages of aciduric bacteria and of S. mutans decreased from 47.4 to 38.1% and from 9.6 to 6.6%, respectively. No differences were found between groups. We observed no clinical advantage for use of the CPP-ACFP paste supplementary to normal oral hygiene over the time span of 12 wk. © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci.

Effect of oral mineral and energy supplementation on blood mineral concentrations, energetic and inflammatory profile, and milk yield in dairy cows affected with dystocia.

PubMed

Benzaquen, M; Galvão, K N; Coleman, A E; Santos, J E P; Goff, J P; Risco, C A

2015-05-01

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of mineral/energy supplementation of dairy cows with dystocia on blood mineral concentrations, energetic and inflammatory profiles, and milk yield. Multiparous Holstein cows with dystocia were randomly assigned into two groups, (1) treated with a mineral/energy supplement (DME, n= 18) and (2) not treated (DNT, n= 22). A group of cows with normal parturition were randomly selected and were left untreated (NNT, n= 25). Cows in DME received an oral drench of 110 g of calcium and 400 g of propionate as calcium propionate plus 110 g potassium chloride and 150 g of magnesium sulfate administered within 6 h of calving and again 3 days post-partum. Compared to cows with a normal parturition, dystocic cows had decreased plasma calcium concentrations, increased plasma haptoglobin, decreased milk yield at 1 day post-partum, and tended to have increased rectal temperatures from 1 to 12 days post-partum. Compared with cows in DNT, those in DME had decreased plasma calcium concentrations and increased plasma magnesium concentrations 2 and 3 days post-partum, and a tendency for an increase in rectal temperature from 1 to 12 days post-partum. Dystocia is detrimental to calcium homeostasis post-partum, but mineral/energy supplementation as undertaken in this study is not recommended for use in cows with dystocia. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of nebulized eucalyptus on contamination of microbial plaque of endotracheal tube in ventilated patients

PubMed Central

Amini, Nazanin; Rezaei, Korosh; Yazdannik, Ahmadreza

2016-01-01

Background: Formation of biofilm and bacterial colonization within the endotracheal tube (ETT) are significant sources of airway contamination and play a role in the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). This study was conducted to examine the effect of nebulized eucalyptus (NE) on bacterial colonization of ETT biofilm. Materials and Methods: We performed a randomized clinical trial in three intensive care units (ICUs) of an educational hospital. Seventy intubated patients were selected and randomly divided into intervention (n = 35) and control (n = 35) groups. The intervention group received 4 ml (5%) of eucalyptus in 6 ml normal saline every 8 h. The placebo group received only 10 ml of normal saline in the same way. On extubation, the interior of the tube was immediately sampled using a sterile swab for standard microbiological analysis. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for statistical analysis in SPSS. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: In both samples, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii were the most frequently isolated bacteria. In the control group, heavy colonization was greater than in the intervention group (P = 0.002). The frequency of isolation of K. pneumoniae in the intervention group was lower than in the control group (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference between the two groups in other isolated bacteria. Conclusions: NE can reduce microbial contamination of the endotracheal tube biofilm in ventilated patients. Moreover, K. pneumoniae was the most sensitive to NE. PMID:27095990

Effects of Antiadhesion preparation on free fibrinogen and fibrin degrading products in abdominal exudates of rabbits postoperatively

PubMed Central

Wang, You-Li; Pan, Cheng-En; Yang, Ping-Lin; Tian, Yuan; Pei, Shu-Wen; Dong, Ming

2004-01-01

AIM: To observe effects of ACOL on fibrinogen (FIB), fibrin degrading products (FDP) and changes of FIB and FDP concentration in rabbits with intro-abdominal exudates during 7 d after major abdominal surgery. METHODS: Sixty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: ACOL group, the control group, DCT group and the normal group. After being modeled, except the normal group, the other 3 groups were treated with different ways for a week; the intro-abdominal exudates of rabbits in the 4 groups were drawn for FIB and FDP measurement once daily during 7 d after major abdominal surgery. RESULTS: FIB and FDP in the intro-abdominal exudates altered in a regular way and ACOL could change the concentration of FIB and FDP in the intra-abdominal exudates after major abdominal surgery. CONCLUSION: ACOL can prevent intestinal adhesion by reducing the concentration of FIB and raising that of FDP in the intro-abdominal exudates after major abdominal surgery. PMID:15309738

Effect of hypoxic breathing on cutaneous temperature recovery in man

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fahim, Mohammad

1992-03-01

Effect of hypoxia (12% O2) on skin temperature recovery was studied on healthy young men. Forty male volunteers free of any respiratory disorder were randomly selected to participate in the study. Skin temperature, peripheral blood flow, heart rate and end expiratory PO2 and PCO2 were measured. During hyoxic ventilation the peripheral blood flow was reduced and a corresponding drop in skin temperature occurred. This was partly due to hyperventilation associated with hypoxic ventilation. The recovery of skin temperature after cooling the hand for 2 min in cold water (10 12° C) took 5.5±0.1 min during normal air breathing; during hypoxic ventilation even after 9.1±0.3 min when the skin temperature recovery curve plateaued, the skin temperature remained about 2° C below control. The results of the present investigation indicate that hypoxia interferes with the normal functioning of the thermoregulatory mechanism in man. Hyperventilation associated with hypoxic ventilation is also partly responsible for incomplete recovery of skin temperature.

The effect of science learning integrated with local potential to improve science process skills

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahardini, Riris Riezqia Budy; Suryadarma, I. Gusti Putu; Wilujeng, Insih

2017-08-01

This research was aimed to know the effectiveness of science learning that integrated with local potential to improve student`s science process skill. The research was quasi experiment using non-equivalent control group design. The research involved all student of Muhammadiyah Imogiri Junior High School on grade VII as a population. The sample in this research was selected through cluster random sampling, namely VII B (experiment group) and VII C (control group). Instrument that used in this research is a nontest instrument (science process skill observation's form) adapted Desak Megawati's research (2016). The aspect of science process skills were making observation and communication. The data were using univariat (ANOVA) analyzed at 0,05 significance level and normalized gain score for science process skill increase's category. The result is science learning that integrated with local potential was effective to improve science process skills of student (Sig. 0,00). This learning can increase science process skill, shown by a normalized gain score value at 0,63 (medium category) in experiment group and 0,29 (low category) in control group.

Immunomodulatory and clinical effects of Viscum album (Iscador M and Iscador P) in children with recurrent respiratory infections as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

PubMed

Chernyshov, V P; Heusser, P; Omelchenko, L I; Chernyshova, L I; Vodyanik, M A; Vykhovanets, E V; Galazyuk, L V; Pochinok, T V; Gaiday, N V; Gumenyuk, M E; Zelinsky, G M; Schaefermeyer, H; Schaefermeyer, G

2000-05-01

Ninety-two children 5 to 14 years of age living in areas exposed to the radioactive fallout from Chernobyl with recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) were treated after randomization with either Viscum album praeparatum mali or pini (Iscador M or P). The dosage was two subcutaneous injections a week for 5 weeks with individual doses of 0.001 mg to 1.0 mg. Both Viscum album preparations were effective in significantly reducing clinical symptoms. One year after a single treatment course, the frequency of RRI relapses decreased by 78% and 73%, respectively. Immunomodulatory effects were assessed by investigation of lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cell activity, phagocytic and oxidative activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and antiviral activity of serum before and 1 week after treatment. Viscum album therapy resulted in normalization of initial immune indices either below or above the normal ranges. High levels of antiviral activity before treatment were significantly decreased by Viscum album mali. Viscum album treatment should be studied further in children with RRI.

Peer influence on pre-adolescent girls' snack intake: effects of weight status.

PubMed

Salvy, Sarah-Jeanne; Romero, Natalie; Paluch, Rocco; Epstein, Leonard H

2007-07-01

Although most eating occurs in a social context, the effects of peer influence on child eating have not been the object of systematic experimental study. The present study assesses the effects of peer influence on lean and overweight pre-adolescent girls' snack intake as a function of the co-eaters' weight status. The weight status of the participants was varied by studying weight discordant dyads (i.e., one lean and one overweight participant) and weight concordant dyads (i.e., both members of the dyads were either lean or overweight). Results from the random regression model indicate that overweight girls eating with an overweight peer consumed more kilocalories than overweight participants eating with a normal-weight peer. Normal-weight participants eating with overweight peers ate similar amounts as those eating with lean eating companions. The regression model improved when the partners' food intake was entered in the model, indicating that the peers' intake was a significant predictor of participants' snack consumption. This study underscores differences in responses to the social environment between overweight and non-overweight youths.

Levels of Conformity to Leader in Normal and Critical Situations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gündüz, Yüksel

2017-01-01

The aim of this study is to determine primary school, middle school, high school and university students' levels of conformity to leader in normal and critical situations. Experimental model was used in the research. Study group is comprised of 80 students chosen randomly from Karadeniz Bakir Primary School, Gazi Middle School, Kazim Karabekir…

Normalization Regression Estimation With Application to a Nonorthogonal, Nonrecursive Model of School Learning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bulcock, J. W.; And Others

Advantages of normalization regression estimation over ridge regression estimation are demonstrated by reference to Bloom's model of school learning. Theoretical concern centered on the structure of scholastic achievement at grade 10 in Canadian high schools. Data on 886 students were randomly sampled from the Carnegie Human Resources Data Bank.…

Persistent osteopenia in ballet dancers with amenorrhea and delayed menarche despite hormone therapy: a longitudinal study.

PubMed

Warren, Michelle P; Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne; Fox, Richard P; Holderness, Claire C; Hyle, Emily P; Hamilton, William G; Hamilton, Linda

2003-08-01

To investigate the role of estrogen deprivation and replacement in amenorrheic and nonamenorrheic dancers on hormone therapy and calcium. Clinical, placebo-controlled, randomized trial study.Healthy volunteers in an academic research environment. Fifty-five dancers (mean age: 22.0 +/- 4.6, age at menarche: 14.7 +/- 2.3 years), including 24 amenorrheics. Amenorrheics were randomized in a controlled trial to receive placebo or Premarin, 0.625 mg for 25 days monthly, with Provera, 10 mg, for 10 of these 25 days (hormone therapy) for 2 years. These women were compared to normally menstruating controls. The study participants also received 1250 mg of calcium per day. Bone mineral density (BMD) measured at the foot, wrist, and lumbar spine. Our overall results showed no difference in BMD between the treated or placebo groups, indicating that hormone therapy did not change or normalize BMD when compared to normals. Five patients (all on placebo) who resumed menses during the study showed an increase in BMD without normalization. These findings suggest that mechanisms other than hypoestrogenism may be involved with the osteopenia associated with exercise-induced amenorrhea.

Propofol or Thiopental sodium in patients undergoing reproductive assisted technologies: Differences in hemodynamic recovery and outcome of oocyte retrieval: A randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Jarahzadeh, Mohammad Hossein; Jouya, Reza; Mousavi, Fatemeh Sadat; Dehghan-Tezerjani, Mohammad; Behdad, Shekoofa; Soltani, Hamid Reza

2014-01-01

Thiopental sodium and Propofol are two widely-used drugs in the induction of anesthesia in assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the side effects and outcome of recovery from anesthesia of these drugs on ART have not been identified yet. This study aimed at investigating the side effects and hemodynamic effects of using thiopental sodium and propofal as well as effects of these drugs on pregnancy outcome in ART cycles. In this double blinded) randomized controlled trial, 90 woman candidate for ART were randomly divided into two groups. 47 patients received Propofol (2.5 mg/kg) and 43 patients received thiopental (5mg/kg) for anesthesia induction. The entry hemodynamic parameters of the patients were documented. During the anesthesia process, hemodynamic parameters were checked at five-minute intervals. The results of the study showed a statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of their response to verbal stimulation (p<0.001), the normalization time of the rate and quality of breathing (p<0.001), nausea (p<0.001), and vomiting (p<0.001). Also, in comparison with the other group, all these parameters were better in Propofol group. There was found no significant difference between two groups in terms of other variables. Based on the findings of the study, Propofol has fewer known side effects. Vomiting and nausea as two known side effect of anesthesia are significantly lower in patients receiving Propofol than patients who received thiopental. IRCT201303135393N2 This article extracted from M.D. thesis. (Reza Jouya).

Effect of damping on excitability of high-order normal modes. [for a large space telescope spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Merchant, D. H.; Gates, R. M.; Straayer, J. W.

1975-01-01

The effect of localized structural damping on the excitability of higher-order large space telescope spacecraft modes is investigated. A preprocessor computer program is developed to incorporate Voigt structural joint damping models in a finite-element dynamic model. A postprocessor computer program is developed to select critical modes for low-frequency attitude control problems and for higher-frequency fine-stabilization problems. The selection is accomplished by ranking the flexible modes based on coefficients for rate gyro, position gyro, and optical sensor, and on image-plane motions due to sinusoidal or random PSD force and torque inputs.

Sensitive Troponin I and Stress Testing in the Emergency Department for the Early Management of Chest Pain Using 2-Hour Protocol.

PubMed

Dadkhah, Shahriar; Almuwaqqat, Zakaria; Sulaiman, Samian; Husein, Husein; Nguyen, Quang; Ali, Saad; Taskesen, Tuncay

2017-09-01

Despite improvements in identifying high-risk patients with non-ST segment ACS (acute coronary syndrome), low risk patients presenting with atypical chest pain and non-diagnostic Electrocardiogram (ECG) continued to undergo unnecessary admissions and testing. Since 1992, our chest pain protocol included using 4-hour serial biomarkers from ED admission in combination with stress testing to evaluate these patients. Our study aimed at determining whether a new accelerated diagnostic protocol using sensitive cardiac troponin I (cTnI) 2 hours after admission to the ED followed by stress testing is safe and effective in emergency settings, allowing for appropriate triage, earlier discharge and reducing costs. We conducted a single center randomized trial at Presence St. Francis Hospital Chest pain center in Evanston, Illinois enrolling sixty-four consecutive patients with atypical chest pain and non-diagnostic ECG, participants were randomized to accelerated 2 hrs protocol or our pre-existing 4-hrs protocol. Sixty patients completed the protocol and were randomized to either a 2-hour (29 patients) or 4-hour protocol using both I-STAT and PATHFAST cTnI (31 Patients). Troponin I was evaluated at 0 and at 2 hours from ED presentation with and additional draw for patients in the 4-hour rule out-group. Patients with normal serial biomarkers were then evaluated with stress testing and qualified for earlier discharge if the stress test was negative, while those with a positive biomarker at any time were admitted. Thirty-six patients had exercise treadmill stress test and 24 patients had either nuclear or Echo stress test. Fifty-three patients had a normal stress test and were discharged home. One patient in the 4-hour group with normal serial troponins developed ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation during the recovery period of a regular stress test. Six patients had a positive PATHFAST cTnI and a normal I-STAT cTnI at 2-hours. Two out of these six patients evaluated by coronary angiography. One patient had severe tortuous coronaries but no significant obstructive lesion and one had a severe CAD who needed Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Three of the six patients had a normal stress test and one patient decided to leave without further testing. None of the patients with a normal stress test had a major cardiac event or adverse cardiac outcome at six-month follow up. This study demonstrates that the 2 hours accelerated protocol using high sensitivity Troponin assay at 0 and 2 hours with comprehensive clinical evaluation and ECG followed by stress testing might be successful in identifying low-risk patient population who may benefit from early discharge from ED reducing associated costs and length of stay.

Comparison of flutamide and spironolactone in the treatment of hirsutism: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Cusan, L; Dupont, A; Gomez, J L; Tremblay, R R; Labrie, F

1994-02-01

To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of the pure antiandrogen flutamide and the steroidal derivative spironolactone in the treatment of hirsutism in women. Fifty-three premenopausal women suffering from moderate to severe hirsutism were randomized into two groups and received either flutamide or spironolactone in association with a triphasic oral contraceptive (OC) pill. Hirsutism, acne, seborrhea, alopecia, and side effects were monitored monthly for a treatment period of 9 months and a follow-up after treatment period of 6 months. Blood samples were taken at each visit for assessment of endocrine, biochemical, and hematologic parameters. After only 6 months of therapy, flutamide caused a maximal reduction in the hirsutism score to a value within almost normal range; during the same period, spironolactone caused only a 30% reduction of the hirsutism score. Whereas flutamide caused a dramatic (80%) decrease in total acne, seborrhea, and hair loss score after only 3 months of therapy, spironolactone caused only a 50% reduction in acne and seborrhea, with no significant effect on the hair loss score. Four patients in the spironolactone group but only one in the flutamide group stopped the medication because of adverse side effects. The present data obtained in a randomized prospective study clearly demonstrate that the pure antiandrogen flutamide is superior to spironolactone in the treatment of female hirsutism and its related androgen-dependent symptoms and signs in women.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on cellular structure of hippocampus in splenic asthenia pedo-rats].

PubMed

Yang, Zhuo-xin; Zhuo, Yuan-yuan; Yu, Hai-bo; Wang, Ning

2010-02-01

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on hippocampal structure in splenic asthenia pedo-rats. A total of 15 SD male rats were randomly assigned to normal control group (n=5), model group (n=5) and EA group (n=5). Splenic asthenic syndrome model was established by intragastric administration of rhubarb and intraperitoneal injection of Reserpine for 14 d. EA (1 mA, 3 Hz/iS Hz) was applied to bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) for 20 mm, once a day for 14 days. The cellular structure of hippocampus was observed by light microscope and transmission electron microscope. Optical microscopic observation showed that in normal control group, the cellular nucleus was distinct, and the granular cell layer well-arranged and tight. In model group, the intracellular space was widened, and the granular cell layer was out of order in the arrangement. In EA group, the celluldr nucleus and the granular cell layer were nearly normal. Results of the electronic microscope showed that cells in model group had a karyopyknosis with irregular appearance and clear incisure, and some of them presented dissolving and necrotic phenomena; and those in EA group were milder in injury, had nearly-normal nucleus with visible nucleoli and relatively-intact nuclear membrane. Regarding the cellular plasma, in comparison with rich normal organelles of control group, the mitochondria in model group were swelling, with vague, dissolved and broken cristae, while in EA group, majority of the organelles were well-kept, and slightly dissolved mitochondrial cristae found. In regard to the synaptic structure, in comparison with control group, synaptic apomorphosis and swelling mitochondria were found in model group While in EA group, milder swelling and hydropic degeneration were seen. Different from the distinct pre- and post-synaptic membrane and synaptic vesicles of control group, while those in EA group were nearly-normal. electroacupunture can effectively relieve splenasthenic syndrome induced pathohistological changes of neurons of the hippocampus in the rat.

Comparing omeprazole with fluoxetine for treatment of patients with heartburn and normal endoscopy who failed once daily proton pump inhibitors: double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Ostovaneh, M R; Saeidi, B; Hajifathalian, K; Farrokhi-Khajeh-Pasha, Y; Fotouhi, A; Mirbagheri, S S; Emami, H; Barzin, G; Mirbagheri, S A

2014-05-01

Patients with heartburn but without esophageal erosion respond less well to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). There is a growing body of evidence implicating the role of psychological comorbidities in producing reflux symptoms. Pain modulators improve symptoms in patients with other functional gastrointestinal disorders. We aimed to compare the efficacy of fluoxetine with omeprazole and placebo to achieve symptomatic relief in patients with heartburn and normal endoscopy who failed once daily PPIs. Endoscopy-negative patients with heartburn who failed once daily PPIs were randomly allocated to receive 6 weeks treatment of fluoxetine, omeprazole, or placebo. Random allocation was stratified according to ambulatory pH monitoring study. Percentage of heartburn-free days and symptom severity was assessed. Sixty patients with abnormal and 84 patients with normal pH test were randomized. Subjects receiving fluoxetine experienced more improvement in percentage of heartburn-free days (median 35.7, IQR 21.4-57.1) than those on omeprazole (median 7.14, IQR 0-50, p < 0.001) or placebo (median 7.14, IQR 0-33.6, p < 0.001). In normal pH subgroup, fluoxetine was superior to both omeprazole and placebo regarding percentage of heartburn-free days (median improvement, 57.1, IQR 35.7-57.1 vs 13.9, IQR, 0-45.6 and 7.14, 0-23.8, respectively, p < 0.001), but no significant difference was observed between medications in abnormal pH subgroup. Fluoxetine was superior to omeprazole for improving the symptoms of patients with heartburn and normal endoscopy who failed once daily PPIs. The superiority of fluoxetine was mostly attributed to those with normal esophageal pH rather than those with abnormal pH (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01269788). © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effect of simvastatin on CSF Alzheimer disease biomarkers in cognitively normal adults.

PubMed

Li, Ge; Mayer, Cynthia L; Morelli, Daniel; Millard, Steven P; Raskind, Wendy H; Petrie, Eric C; Cherrier, Monique; Fagan, Anne M; Raskind, Murray A; Peskind, Elaine R

2017-09-19

To examine potential disease-modifying effects of statin drugs, we conducted a 12-month randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of simvastatin in cognitively normal adults using change in CSF Alzheimer disease biomarkers as primary outcome measure. Participants were 45-64 years old and statin-naive with normal cognition and normal or mildly elevated cholesterol. Forty-six participants completed the 1-year study per protocol (25 in the simvastatin and 21 in the placebo group). Simvastatin was titrated to 40 mg/d. CSF Aβ 42 , total tau, and p-tau 181 were measured at baseline and after 12 months of treatment using the INNO-BIA AlzBio3 assay. We used analysis of covariance to assess differences in biomarker change from baseline between treatment groups, adjusting for age, sex, and APOE ε4 status. Changes from baseline did not differ significantly between treatment groups for any CSF biomarker, with p values of 0.53, 0.36, and 0.25 for CSF Aβ 42 , total tau, and p-tau 181 , respectively. There was no significant modifying effect of sex, APOE ε4, or baseline high-density lipoprotein or triglycerides on treatment group for any of the biomarkers (all p > 0.18). However, a significant interaction between treatment group and baseline low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was observed for p-tau 181 ( p = 0.003), where greater decreases from baseline in CSF p-tau 181 concentrations were associated with higher baseline LDL level for the simvastatin group. Simvastatin-related reductions in CSF p-tau 181 concentrations may be modulated by LDL cholesterol. The potential disease-modifying effects of simvastatin on CSF phospho-tau should be further investigated in persons with hypercholesterolemia. © 2017 American Academy of Neurology.

[Effects of soybean isoflavone on born metabolism and morphology in animal model of osteoporosis rats].

PubMed

Yu, Qing; Su, Yi-xiang; Wang, Wen-wei; Li, An-le; Liu, Cun-li; Wang, Yi-long; Hu, Wan-li

2007-07-01

To study the effects of soybean isoflavone (SI) on born metabolism and morphology in animal model of osteoporosis rats. All 70 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 7 groups according to the levels of total cholesterol (TC) in serum: hyper-lipoid group, estrogen group, low-dose SI group, middle-dose SI group, high-dose SI group, sham group and normal control groups. Bilateral ovaries were extirpated except sham and normal control groups. Except the rats in normal control group, the other rats were fed with high fat diet. Body weight was weighted ad unam vice per week. The estrogen, different dose of SI or deionized water were fed with intragastric administration for 12 weeks. Vena caudalis serum were collected after being ovariectomized, administered for 4 w, 8 w and killed. Serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity and bone density were measured etc. To interfere of estrogen and SI might recover AKP enzyme activity after its being ovariectomized. There almost sowed no differences between high dose SI intervention and estrogen on bone density and microstructure. Bone loss due to being ovariectomized was relieved after SI intervention. SI might protect cardiocyte myofilament and mitochondrial ultramicrostructure. There was mirror image in estrogen, high dose SI group resembling the normal control group, and there was obvious damage in hyper-lipoids group. There should be effects of high dose SI on bone metabolism and morphology in animal model of osteoporosis rats. Serum AKP enzyme activity and bone density should have significantly recovered, the serum level of calcium and phosphorus were maintained after high dose intervened but no significant effects for low dose of SI.

Preliminary antiplaque efficacy of aloe vera mouthwash on 4 day plaque re-growth model: randomized control trial.

PubMed

Gupta, Rajendra Kumar; Gupta, Devanand; Bhaskar, Dara John; Yadav, Ankit; Obaid, Khursheed; Mishra, Sumit

2014-04-01

Due to increasing resistance to antibiotics and rising incidence of oral diseases, there is a need for alternative treatment modalities to combat oral diseases. The aim of the present study was to access the effect of Aloe vera mouthwash on the dental plaque in the experimental period of 4 days and to compare it with the bench mark control chlorhexidine and placebo (saline water). A total of 300 systemically healthy subjects were randomly allocated into 3 groups: Aloe vera mouthwash group (n=100), control group (=100)-chlorhexidene group and saline water-Placebo (n=100). To begin with, Gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were recorded. Then, baseline plaque scores were brought to zero by professionally cleaning the teeth with scaling and polishing. After randomization of the participants into three groups they were refrained from regular mechanical oral hygiene measures. Subjects were asked to swish with respective mouthwash (Aloe vera mouthwash, 0.2%chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, or normal saline) as per therapeutic dose for 4 days. The results showed that Aloe vera mouthrinse is equally effective in reducing plaque as Chlorhexidine compared to placebo over a period of 4 days. There was a significant reduction on plaque in Aloe vera and chlorhexidine groups and no statistically significant difference was observed among them (p>0.05). Aloe vera mouthwash showed no side effects. The results of the present study indicated that Aloe vera may prove an effective mouthwash due to its ability in reducing dental plaque.

Effect of tranexamic acid on gross hematuria: A pilot randomized clinical trial study.

PubMed

Moharamzadeh, Payman; Ojaghihaghighi, Seyedhossein; Amjadi, Mohsen; Rahmani, Farzad; Farjamnia, Arezoo

2017-12-01

Local forms of the tranexamic acid have been effective in treating many haemorrhagic cases. So that the aim of the current study is to assess the effectiveness of local tranexamic acid in controlling painless hematuria in patients referred to the emergency department. This is a randomized, double-blind clinical trial study, which was conducted on 50 patients with complaints of painless lower urinary tract bleeding during June 2014 and August 2015. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 25 people each, one group receiving tranexamic acid and the other given a placebo. During bladder irrigation, local tranexamic acid and the placebo were injected into the bladder via Foley catheter. Patients were examined over 24h in terms of the amount of normal saline serum used for irrigation, level of hemoglobin, and blood in urine. In this study it was observed that consumption of tranexamic acid significantly decreased the volume of used serum for bladder irrigation (P=0.041) and the microscopic status of urine decreased significantly in terms of the hematuria after 24h (P=0.026). However, the rate of packed cell transfusion and drop in hemoglobin levels showed no significant difference in both groups of patients (P˃0.05). The results of this study showed that tranexamic acid could significantly reduce the volume of required serum for bladder irrigation to clear urine, but it had no significant effect on the drop in serum hemoglobin levels. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of interlayer interfacial stiffness and layer wave velocity of multilayered structures by ultrasonic spectroscopy.

PubMed

Ishii, Yosuke; Biwa, Shiro

2014-07-01

An ultrasonic evaluation procedure for the interlayer interfacial normal stiffness and the intralayer longitudinal wave velocity of multilayered plate-like structures is proposed. Based on the characteristics of the amplitude reflection spectrum of ultrasonic wave at normal incidence to a layered structure with spring-type interlayer interfaces, it is shown that the interfacial normal stiffness and the longitudinal wave velocity in the layers can be simultaneously evaluated from the frequencies of local maxima and minima of the spectrum provided that all interfaces and layers have the same properties. The effectiveness of the proposed procedure is investigated from the perspective of the sensitivity of local extremal frequencies of the reflection spectrum. The feasibility of the proposed procedure is also investigated when the stiffness of each interface is subjected to small random fluctuations about a certain average value. The proposed procedure is applied to a 16-layered cross-ply carbon-fiber-reinforced composite laminate. The normal stiffness of resin-rich interfaces and the longitudinal wave velocity of plies in the thickness direction evaluated from the experimental reflection spectrum are shown to be consistent with simple theoretical estimations.

The effect of phloroglucinol on pain in first-trimester surgical abortion: a double-blind randomized controlled study.

PubMed

Zhuang, Yaling; Zhu, Xiufang; Huang, Li-Li

2010-02-01

First-trimester surgical abortion is a common procedure. Pain control during this procedure is still an unsolved problem. In this randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study, women presenting for first-trimester surgical abortion received intramuscular phloroglucinol (4 mL) or placebo (normal saline, 4 mL). Visual analog scales (VAS) for pain immediately and 30 min after the procedure and side effects of the drug were recorded. There was no significant difference between groups in the pain level immediately and 30 min after the procedure; 70.7% of the phloroglucinol group (n=58 cases) and 56.9% of the placebo group (n=58 cases ) reported mild pain; 27.6% and 34.5%, respectively, reported moderate pain; and 1.7% and 8.6%, respectively, reported severe pain. Thirty minutes after the procedure, the median pain score was reduced to 1.3 in both groups. Postoperative side effects were reported, but there was no significant difference between groups for nausea or vomiting and blood pressure. The use of this dose of phloroglucinol, during first-trimester abortion by suction evacuation under local anesthesia with lidocaine, did not relieve pain, but caused no side effects.

The effect of amino acid infusion on anesthesia-induced hypothermia in muscle atrophy model rats.

PubMed

Kanazawa, Masahiro; Ando, Satoko; Tsuda, Michio; Suzuki, Toshiyasu

2010-01-01

An infusion of amino acids stimulates heat production in skeletal muscle and then attenuates the anesthesia-induced hypothermia. However, in a clinical setting, some patients have atrophic skeletal muscle caused by various factors. The present study was therefore conducted to investigate the effect of amino acids on the anesthesia-induced hypothermia in the state of muscle atrophy. As the muscle atrophy model, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to hindlimb immobilization for 2 wk. Normal rats and atrophy model rats were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups: saline or amino acids (n=8 for each group). Test solutions were administered intravenously to the rats under sevoflurane anesthesia for 180 min, and the rectal temperature was measured. Plasma samples were collected for measurement of insulin, blood glucose, and free amino acids. The rectal temperature was significantly higher in the normal-amino acid group than in the muscle atrophy-amino acid group from 75 to 180 min. The plasma insulin level was significantly higher in the rats given amino acids than in the rats given saline in both normal and model groups. In the rats given amino acids, plasma total free amino acid concentration was higher in the model group than in the normal group. These results indicate that skeletal muscle plays an important role in changes in body temperature during anesthesia and the effect of amino acids on anesthesia-induced hypothermia decreases in the muscle atrophy state. In addition, intravenous amino acids administration during anesthesia induces an increase in the plasma insulin level.

Genetic alterations of hepatocellular carcinoma by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and cloning sequencing of tumor differential DNA fragment

PubMed Central

Xian, Zhi-Hong; Cong, Wen-Ming; Zhang, Shu-Hui; Wu, Meng-Chao

2005-01-01

AIM: To study the genetic alterations and their association with clinicopathological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to find the tumor related DNA fragments. METHODS: DNA isolated from tumors and corresponding noncancerous liver tissues of 56 HCC patients was amplified by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with 10 random 10-mer arbitrary primers. The RAPD bands showing obvious differences in tumor tissue DNA corresponding to that of normal tissue were separated, purified, cloned and sequenced. DNA sequences were analyzed and compared with GenBank data. RESULTS: A total of 56 cases of HCC were demonstrated to have genetic alterations, which were detected by at least one primer. The detestability of genetic alterations ranged from 20% to 70% in each case, and 17.9% to 50% in each primer. Serum HBV infection, tumor size, histological grade, tumor capsule, as well as tumor intrahepatic metastasis, might be correlated with genetic alterations on certain primers. A band with a higher intensity of 480 bp or so amplified fragments in tumor DNA relative to normal DNA could be seen in 27 of 56 tumor samples using primer 4. Sequence analysis of these fragments showed 91% homology with Homo sapiens double homeobox protein DUX10 gene. CONCLUSION: Genetic alterations are a frequent event in HCC, and tumor related DNA fragments have been found in this study, which may be associated with hepatocarcin-ogenesis. RAPD is an effective method for the identification and analysis of genetic alterations in HCC, and may provide new information for further evaluating the molecular mechanism of hepatocarcinogenesis. PMID:15996039

[Tolerance and adequacy of a 100% lactose infant formula. A controlled randomized double-blind study].

PubMed

Girardet, J-P; Fournier, V; Bakhache, P; Beck, L; Kempf, C; Lachambre, E

2012-07-01

Lactose has beneficial nutritional effects in infancy, particularly on calcium retention and on Bifidobacterium colon microflora development. The objective of this controlled, prospective, randomized double-blind study was to assess the adequacy and safety of an infant formula containing only lactose as carbohydrate, as compared to a usual formula. Healthy non-breast-fed infants aged under 7 days were randomized to be fed exclusively with a conventional formula containing lactose (9.6 g/100 kcal) and maltodextrin (1.6 g/100 kcal) or the isocaloric-isoprotein study formula containing 100% lactose (11.2 g/100 kcal) for 120 days. Primary outcome was daily weight gain at D0 and D120. Weight, length, body mass index, formula consumption, tolerance, and safety were assessed monthly. The non-inferiority of the study formula was rejected if the difference in weight gain was higher than 2.5 g/day in the control group. One hundred and seventy-eight infants were enrolled. Mean daily weight gain in the study group differed by 0.71 g/day (95% CI: -2.23; 0.82) indicating the non-inferiority of the study formula. Growth was normal and similar in the two groups, but formula intake was decreased in the study group, leading to a decrease in energy and protein intakes. Tolerance was good and adverse events did not differ between the two groups. The 100% lactose study infant formula was safe and non-inferior to a conventional formula in ensuring normal growth during the first 4 months of life. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Persistent antidepressant effect of low-dose ketamine and activation in the supplementary motor area and anterior cingulate cortex in treatment-resistant depression: A randomized control study.

PubMed

Chen, Mu-Hong; Li, Cheng-Ta; Lin, Wei-Chen; Hong, Chen-Jee; Tu, Pei-Chi; Bai, Ya-Mei; Cheng, Chih-Ming; Su, Tung-Ping

2018-01-01

A single low-dose ketamine infusion exhibited a rapid antidepressant effect within 1h. Despite its short biological half-life (approximately 3h), the antidepressant effect of ketamine has been demonstrated to persist for several days. However, changes in brain function responsible for the persistent antidepressant effect of a single low-dose ketamine infusion remain unclear METHODS: Twenty-four patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) were randomized into three groups according to the treatment received: 0.5mg/kg ketamine, 0.2mg/kg ketamine, and normal saline infusion. Standardized uptake values (SUVs) of glucose metabolism measured through 18 F-FDG positron-emission-tomography before infusion and 1day after a 40-min ketamine or normal saline infusion were used for subsequent whole-brain voxel-wise analysis and were correlated with depressive symptoms, as defined using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HDRS-17) score RESULTS: The voxel-wise analysis revealed that patients with TRD receiving the 0.5mg/kg ketamine infusion had significantly higher SUVs (corrected for family-wise errors, P = 0.014) in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) than did those receiving the 0.2mg/kg ketamine infusion. The increase in the SUV in the dACC was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms at 1day after ketamine infusion DISCUSSION: The persistent antidepressant effect of a 0.5mg/kg ketamine infusion may be mediated by increased activation in the SMA and dACC. The higher increase in dACC activation was related to the reduction in depressive symptoms after ketamine infusion. A 0.5mg/kg ketamine infusion facilitated the glutamatergic neurotransmission in the SMA and dACC, which may be responsible for the persistent antidepressant effect of ketamine much beyond its half-life. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimation of Renyi exponents in random cascades

USGS Publications Warehouse

Troutman, Brent M.; Vecchia, Aldo V.

1999-01-01

We consider statistical estimation of the Re??nyi exponent ??(h), which characterizes the scaling behaviour of a singular measure ?? defined on a subset of Rd. The Re??nyi exponent is defined to be lim?????0 [{log M??(h)}/(-log ??)], assuming that this limit exists, where M??(h) = ??i??h(??i) and, for ??>0, {??i} are the cubes of a ??-coordinate mesh that intersect the support of ??. In particular, we demonstrate asymptotic normality of the least-squares estimator of ??(h) when the measure ?? is generated by a particular class of multiplicative random cascades, a result which allows construction of interval estimates and application of hypothesis tests for this scaling exponent. Simulation results illustrating this asymptotic normality are presented. ?? 1999 ISI/BS.

Influence of Schizotypy on Responding and Contingency Awareness on Free-Operant Schedules of Reinforcement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Randell, Jordan; Searle, Rob; Reed, Phil

2012-01-01

Schedules of reinforcement typically produce reliable patterns of behaviour, and one factor that can cause deviations from these normally reliable patterns is schizotypy. Low scorers on the unusual experiences subscale of the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences performed as expected on a yoked random-ratio (RR), random-interval…

Multiple Imputation of Item Scores in Test and Questionnaire Data, and Influence on Psychometric Results

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Ginkel, Joost R.; van der Ark, L. Andries; Sijtsma, Klaas

2007-01-01

The performance of five simple multiple imputation methods for dealing with missing data were compared. In addition, random imputation and multivariate normal imputation were used as lower and upper benchmark, respectively. Test data were simulated and item scores were deleted such that they were either missing completely at random, missing at…

Brief report: Preliminary study on evaluation of spasticity in patients with brain lesions using mechanomyography.

PubMed

Jun, Sang Woo; Yong, Suk Joong; Jo, Min; Kim, Young Ho; Kim, Sung Hoon

2018-05-01

Electromyography and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) are among the most effective methods for evaluating spasticity; however, these are often inappropriate for clinical use, owing to the complicated procedure and subjective evaluation outcomes. A passive stretch reflex test was performed on 10 subjects with brain lesions. Furthermore, mechanomyography and electromyography were conducted on the vastus lateralis muscle (agonist) and semitendinosus muscle (antagonist) of the subjects with brain lesions. A new equation to define the normalized hull area; that is, the mechanomyography (MMG) ratio, was applied to quantify the triaxial motion of the agonist muscle versus antagonist muscles, reflecting the electromyographic firing point of the spastic muscle. The MMG ratio was proposed, which statistically distinguishes the spastic and normal muscles (p = 0.01) and exhibits a concordance with the conventional mean MAS (r = 0.69, p = 0.01). Patients suspected to have spasticity of 0 to 1+ grade can be quantitatively evaluated using the normalized hull area ratio, which can be used as an additional clinical indicator for spasticity evaluation. The study was conducted in conformity with the Helsinki declaration principles and performed in the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ministry of Health and Welfare (Republic of Korea); 2010; KCT0002385; A new approach of spasticity measurement using mechanomyography in patients with brain lesions: A randomized pilot study for a parallel randomized controlled trial; October 8, 2015 [Cited on July 21, 2017]; [1 screen]. Available from: https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_en.jsp?seq=7805<ype=&rtype=. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The Effect of Topical Tranexamic Acid on Bleeding Reduction during Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

PubMed

Baradaranfar, Mohammad Hossein; Dadgarnia, Mohammad Hossein; Mahmoudi, Hossein; Behniafard, Nasim; Atighechi, Saeid; Zand, Vahid; Baradaranfar, Amin; Vaziribozorg, Sedighe

2017-03-01

Bleeding is a common concern during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) that can increase the risk of damage to adjacent vital elements by reducing the surgeon's field of view. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of topical tranexamic acid in reducing intraoperative bleeding. This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 60 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyposis (CRSwP) who underwent FESS. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; tranexamic or saline treatment. During surgery, normal saline (400 mL) or tranexamic acid (2 g) in normal saline with a total volume of 400 mL were used in the saline and tranexamic groups, respectively, for irrigation and suctioning. The surgeons' assessment of field of view during surgery and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. Mean blood loss was 254.13 mL in the saline group and 235.6 mL in the tranexamic group (P=0.31). No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found in terms of other investigated variables, such as surgical field quality based on Boezzart's scale (P=0.30), surgeon satisfaction based on a Likert scale (P=0.54), or duration of surgery (P=0.22). Use of tranexamic acid (2 g in 400 mL normal saline) through washing of the nasal mucosa during FESS did not significantly reduce blood loss or improve the surgical field of view. Further studies with larger sample sizes and higher drug concentrations, and using other methods of administration, such as spraying or applying pledgets soaked in tranexamic acid, are recommended.

Differential effects of power training versus functional task practice on compensation and restoration of arm function after stroke.

PubMed

Corti, Manuela; McGuirk, Theresa E; Wu, Samuel S; Patten, Carolynn

2012-09-01

Improved upper-extremity (UE) movement with stroke rehabilitation may involve restoration of more normal or development of compensatory movement patterns. The authors investigated the differential effects of functional task practice (FTP) and dynamic resistance training (POWER) on clinical function and reaching kinematics in an effort to distinguish between mechanisms of gains. A total of 14 hemiparetic individuals were randomly assigned to 10 weeks of either FTP or POWER and then crossed over to 10 weeks of the alternate treatment. Treatment order A was FTP followed by POWER, whereas treatment order B was POWER followed by FTP. Evaluation before and after each treatment block included a battery of clinical evaluations and kinematics of paretic UE functional reach to grasp. Both FTP and POWER improved movement accuracy, as revealed by a shift toward normal, including fewer submovements and reduced reach-path ratio. However, active range of motion revealed differential treatment effects. Shoulder flexion and elbow extension decreased with FTP and were associated with increased trunk displacement. In contrast, shoulder flexion and elbow extension excursion increased with POWER and were associated with significantly reduced trunk displacement. Treatment order B (POWER followed by FTP) revealed greater overall improvements. FTP increases compensatory movement patterns to improve UE function. POWER leads to more normal movement patterns. POWER prior to FTP may enhance the benefits of repetitive task practice.

Effects of acute and repeated oral doses of D-tagatose on plasma uric acid in normal and diabetic humans.

PubMed

Saunders, J P; Donner, T W; Sadler, J H; Levin, G V; Makris, N G

1999-04-01

D-tagatose, a stereoisomer of D-fructose, is a naturally occurring ketohexose proposed for use as a low-calorie bulk sweetener. Ingested D-tagatose appears to be poorly absorbed. The absorbed portion is metabolized in the liver by a pathway similar to that of D-fructose. The main purpose of this study was to determine if acute or repeated oral doses of D-tagatose would cause elevations in plasma uric acid (as is seen with fructose) in normal humans and Type 2 diabetics. In addition, effects of subchronic D-tagatose ingestion on fasting plasma phosphorus, magnesium, lipids, and glucose homeostasis were studied. Eight normal subjects and eight subjects with Type 2 diabetes participated in this two-phase study. Each group was comprised of four males and four females. In the first phase, all subjects were given separate 75 g 3-h oral glucose and D-tagatose tolerance tests. Uric acid, phosphorus, and magnesium were determined in blood samples collected from each subject at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after dose. In the 8-week phase of the study, the normals were randomly placed into two groups which received 75 g of either D-tagatose or sucrose (25 g with each meal) daily for 8 weeks. The diabetics were randomized into two groups which received either 75 g D-tagatose or no supplements of sugar daily for 8 weeks. Uric acid, phosphorus, magnesium, lipids, glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose, and insulin were determined in fasting blood plasma of all subjects at baseline (time zero) and biweekly over the 8 weeks. The 8-week test did not demonstrate an increase in fasting plasma uric acid in response to the daily intake of D-tagatose. However, a transient increase of plasma uric acid levels was observed after single doses of 75 g of D-tagatose in the tolerance test. Plasma uric acid levels were found to rise and peak at 60 min after such dosing. No clinical relevance was attributed to this treatment-related effect because excursions of plasma uric acid levels above the normal range were small and were of short duration. Consistent with earlier observations on fructose, the increase of plasma uric acid was associated with a slight decrease of plasma phosphorus and a slight increase of magnesium. The daily ingestion of D-tagatose for 8 weeks had no effect on fasting plasma magnesium, phosphorus, cholesterol, triglycerides, glycosylated hemoglobin, glucose, and insulin levels. The ingestion of three 25-g doses per day for a period of 8 weeks resulted in varying amounts of flatulence in seven of the eight subjects, and some degree of diarrhea in six subjects. D-tagatose holds promise as a sweetener with no adverse clinical effects observed in these studies. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy versus open hemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of hemorrhoids: a meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

PubMed

Xu, L; Chen, H; Lin, G; Ge, Q; Qi, H; He, X

2016-12-01

The aim of this study was to analyse the outcomes of transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization with mucopexy (THDm) versus open hemorrhoidectomy (OH) in the management of hemorrhoids. Randomized controlled trials in English were found by searching PubMed, Web of science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database. Trials that compared THDm with OH were identified. Data were extracted independently for each study, and a meta-analysis was performed using fixed and random effects models. Four trials, including 316 patients, met the inclusion criteria. No statistically significant differences were noted in either total complications or postoperative bleeding, incontinence, recurrent prolapse, and urinary retention rate. Operative time was significantly longer for THDm with Doppler guidance than for THDm without Doppler guidance. Patients returned to normal activities faster after THDm than after OH. No statistically significant differences between THDm and OH were noted with regard to recurrence and reoperation rates. Our meta-analysis shows that THDm and OH are equally effective and can be attempted for the management of hemorrhoids. However, for THDm with Doppler guidance, more instruments and a longer operative time are required. Future large-scale, high-quality, multicenter trials with long-term outcomes are needed to prove these results and determine whether Doppler guidance in THD is truly necessary or not.

A randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of single versus double-daily dose of oral iron for prevention of iron deficiency anemia in women with twin gestations.

PubMed

Ali, Mohammed K; Abbas, Ahmed M; Abdelmagied, Ahmed M; Mohammed, Ghada E; Abdalmageed, Osama S

2017-12-01

The study aims to assess the efficacy of single versus double-daily oral iron dose on prevention of iron deficiency anemia in women with twin gestations. A randomized controlled trial (NCT02858505) conducted at Woman's Health Hospital, Assiut, Egypt, between August 2015 and June 2016 included 120 non-anemic pregnant women with twin gestations in the first trimester. Women were randomly assigned to either group I (27 mg elemental iron) or group II (54 mg elemental iron) daily starting from 12 weeks of pregnancy till 36 weeks. The primary outcomes included the mean level of hemoglobin, hematocrit and serum ferritin at 36 weeks' gestation. Both iron doses maintained the mean hemoglobin and hematocrit within the normal level from 12 weeks to 36 weeks (p = 0.378 and p = 0.244, respectively). However, the mean serum ferritin level was higher in group II than group I (p = 0.000) at 36 weeks' gestation. Moreover, women in group II reported more side effects than group I at 36 weeks' gestation. Doubling the prophylactic iron dose is comparable to single dose in the prevention of iron deficiency anemia among women with twin gestations with more side effects.

The effect of vitamin B12 supplementation in Nepalese infants on growth and development: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Strand, Tor A; Ulak, Manjeswori; Chandyo, Ram K; Kvestad, Ingrid; Hysing, Mari; Shrestha, Merina; Basnet, Sudha; Ranjitkar, Suman; Shrestha, Laxman; Shrestha, Prakash S

2017-04-21

Vitamin B 12 deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies and is associated with poor cognitive development and growth. Vitamin B 12 is crucial for normal cell division and differentiation, and it is necessary for the development and myelination of the central nervous system. The aim of the present study is to measure the effect of daily supplementation of vitamin B 12 on the neurodevelopment and growth of young children in Nepal. We are conducting an individually randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 600 marginally stunted children 6-11 months old (length for age less than -1 z-score). Children are randomized to receive a lipid-based paste containing vitamin B 12 or placebo daily for 12 months. The main outcomes are changes in growth (z-scores) and in neurodevelopment measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition, from baseline until the end of the study. If vitamin B 12 supplementation benefits early child development and growth, this will have consequences for dietary recommendations for malnourished children worldwide. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02272842 . Registered on 21 October 2014. Universal Trial Number: U1111-1161-5187. Registered on 8 September 2014.

Zooplankton intermittency and turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt, François G.

2010-05-01

Planktonic organisms usually live in a turbulent world. Since marine turbulence is characterized by very high Reynolds numbers, it possesses very intermittent fluctuations which in turn affect marine life. We consider here such influence on zooplankton on 2 aspects. First we consider zooplankton motion in the lab. Many copepods display swimming abilities. More and more species have been recently recorded using normal or high speed cameras, and many trajectories have been extracted from these movies and are now available for analysis. These trajectories can be complex, stochastic, with random switching from low velocity to high velocity events and even jumps. These complex trajectories show that an adequate modeling is necessary to understand and characterize them. Here we review the results published in the literature on copepod trajectories. We discuss the random walk, Levy walk modeling and introduce also multifractal random walks. We discuss the way to discriminate between these different walks using experimental data. Stochastic simulations will be performed to illustrate the different families. Second, we consider zooplankton contact rates in the framework of intermittent turbulence. Intermittency may have influence on plankton contact rates. We consider the Particle Stokes number of copepods, in a intermediate dissipation range affected by intermittent fluctuations. We show that they may display preferential concentration effects, and we consider the influence on contact rates of this effect in the intermediate dissipation range.

The effect of uterine fundal pressure on the duration of the second stage of labor: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Api, Olus; Balcin, Muge Emeksiz; Ugurel, Vedat; Api, Murat; Turan, Cem; Unal, Orhan

2009-01-01

To determine the effect of uterine fundal pressure on shortening the second stage of labor and on the fetal outcome. Randomized controlled trial. Teaching and research hospital. One hundred ninety-seven women between 37 and 42 gestational weeks with singleton cephalic presentation admitted to the delivery unit. Random allocation into groups with or without manual fundal pressure during the second stage of labor. The primary outcome measure was the duration of the second stage of labor. Secondary outcome measures were umbilical artery pH, HCO3-, base excess, pO2, pCO2 values and the rate of instrumental delivery, severe maternal morbidity/mortality, neonatal trauma, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, and neonatal death. There were no significant differences in the mean duration of the second stage of labor and secondary outcome measures except for mean pO2 which was lower and mean pCO2 which was higher in the fundal pressure group. Nevertheless, the values still remained within normal ranges and there were no neonates with an Apgar score <7 in either of the groups. Application of fundal pressure on a delivering woman was ineffective in shortening the second stage of labor.

Anticholinesterase Effect on Motor Kinematic Measures and Brain Activation in Parkinson’s Disease

PubMed Central

Mentis, Marc J.; Delalot, Dominique; Naqvi, Hassan; Gordon, Mark F.; Gudesblatt, Mark; Edwards, Christine; Donatelli, Luke; Dhawan, Vijay; Eidelberg, David

2015-01-01

Anticholinesterase (AChE) drugs are being prescribed off label for nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Theoretically, these drugs can impair motor function. A small literature suggests AChE therapy has little effect on clinical motor evaluation; however, no study has made objective motor kinematic measures or evaluated brain function. We hypothesized that even if clinical examination was normal in PD patients on dopamine therapy, (1) sensitive kinematic measures would be abnormal during AChE therapy or (2) normal kinematic measures would be maintained by compensatory brain activation. We carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 8 weeks donepezil (10 mg/day) in 17 PD subjects. Subjects carried out a computerized motor task during a positron emission tomography (PET) scan before starting the drug and again after 8 weeks of donepezil or placebo. Kinematic measures of motor function and PET scans were analyzed to compare the effects of donepezil and placebo. Neither placebo nor donepezil altered motor kinematic measures. Furthermore, movement integrity while on donepezil was maintained without compensatory brain activity. Donepezil 10 mg/day can be given for nonmotor symptoms in PD without adverse motor effects or compensatory brain activity. PMID:16228997

The effect of halogen light stimulation on duration of ultrasound parameters of biophysical profile: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Hanafi, Mohammad Ghasem; Sahraeizadeh, Aliakbar

2018-02-22

The objective is to assess if fetal halogen light stimulation can reduce the time needed to obtain a normal biophysical profile (BPP). Patients scheduled for a BPP and who satisfied the inclusion criteria were prospectively randomized to halogen light stimulation and no stimulation groups. The study group was exposed to handheld halogen light for 10 s whenever fetal breathing, movement, or tone was absent through the first 5 min of BPP. The time required to achieve complete BPP score was recorded. In patients with complete BPP score who had delivery within 1 week after the test, perinatal morbidity was examined. A total of 598 patients were randomized (light = 302, no light = 296). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of gestational age, maternal age, body mass index, and indication for BPP except for preterm labor (light: 9%, no light: 4%, p = 0.03). Among the patients who had a normal BPP score (n = 507), the mean (light: 7.1 ± 6 min, no light: 12.3 ± 8 min, p < 0.0001) and median (light: 4.3, no light: 8, p = 0.004) time needed to complete the BPP score was significantly less in the light stimulation group than the no stimulation group. Perinatal outcomes were not different between groups who had delivery during the first week after BPP. Fetal halogen light stimulation can be utilized to reduce the time needed to complete a BPP. However, further studies should be conducted in order to determine the effect of this method on decreasing non-reassuring test results. The study was submitted to the Registry of Clinical Trials on 04/20/2017 (IRCT2017041633470N1). After IRCT registration on 06/07/2017, we recruited patients from 06/08/2017 till 10/15/2017.

A Randomized, Double Crossover Study to Investigate the Influence of Saline Infusion on Sleep Apnea Severity in Men

PubMed Central

Yadollahi, Azadeh; Gabriel, Joseph M.; White, Laura H.; Taranto Montemurro, Luigi; Kasai, Takatoshi; Bradley, T. Douglas

2014-01-01

Study Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is commoner in patients with fluid-retaining states than in those without fluid retention, in men than in women, and worsens with aging. In men, OSA severity is related to the amount of fluid shifting out of the legs overnight, but a cause-effect relationship is not established. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that mimicking fluid overload during sleep would increase severity of OSA more in older (≥ 40 years) than in younger men (< 40 years). Design: Randomized, single-blind, double crossover study. Setting: Research sleep laboratory. Patients or Participants: Seven older and 10 younger men with non-severe or no sleep apnea, matched for body mass index. Interventions: During the control arm, normal saline was infused to keep the vein open. During intervention, subjects received an intravenous bolus of normal saline (22 mL/kg body weight) after sleep onset while they were wearing compression stockings to prevent fluid accumulation in the legs. Measurements and Results: Compared to younger men, infusion of similar amounts of saline in older men caused a greater increase in neck circumference (P < 0.05) and in the AHI (32.2 ± 22.1 vs. 2.2 ± 7.1, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Older men are more susceptible to the adverse effects of intravenous fluid loading on obstructive sleep apnea severity than younger men. This may be due to age-related differences in the amount of fluid accumulating in the neck or upper airway collapsibility in response to intravenous fluid loading. These possibilities remain to be tested in future studies. Citation: Yadollahi A, Gabriel JM, White LH, Taranto Montemurro L, Kasai T, Bradley TD. A randomized, double crossover study to investigate the influence of saline infusion on sleep apnea severity in men. SLEEP 2014;37(10):1699-1705. PMID:25197812

DAnTE: a statistical tool for quantitative analysis of –omics data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Polpitiya, Ashoka D.; Qian, Weijun; Jaitly, Navdeep

2008-05-03

DAnTE (Data Analysis Tool Extension) is a statistical tool designed to address challenges unique to quantitative bottom-up, shotgun proteomics data. This tool has also been demonstrated for microarray data and can easily be extended to other high-throughput data types. DAnTE features selected normalization methods, missing value imputation algorithms, peptide to protein rollup methods, an extensive array of plotting functions, and a comprehensive ANOVA scheme that can handle unbalanced data and random effects. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is designed to be very intuitive and user friendly.

Effect of Rayleigh-scattering distributed feedback on multiwavelength Raman fiber laser generation.

PubMed

El-Taher, A E; Harper, P; Babin, S A; Churkin, D V; Podivilov, E V; Ania-Castanon, J D; Turitsyn, S K

2011-01-15

We experimentally demonstrate a Raman fiber laser based on multiple point-action fiber Bragg grating reflectors and distributed feedback via Rayleigh scattering in an ~22-km-long optical fiber. Twenty-two lasing lines with spacing of ~100 GHz (close to International Telecommunication Union grid) in the C band are generated at the watt level. In contrast to the normal cavity with competition between laser lines, the random distributed feedback cavity exhibits highly stable multiwavelength generation with a power-equalized uniform distribution, which is almost independent on power.

Influence diagnostics for count data under AB-BA crossover trials.

PubMed

Hao, Chengcheng; von Rosen, Dietrich; von Rosen, Tatjana

2017-12-01

This paper aims to develop diagnostic measures to assess the influence of data perturbations on estimates in AB-BA crossover studies with a Poisson distributed response. Generalised mixed linear models with normally distributed random effects are utilised. We show that in this special case, the model can be decomposed into two independent sub-models which allow to derive closed-form expressions to evaluate the changes in the maximum likelihood estimates under several perturbation schemes. The performance of the new influence measures is illustrated by simulation studies and the analysis of a real dataset.

A randomized CIE L*a*b* evaluation of external bleaching therapy effects on fluorotic enamel stains.

PubMed

Knösel, Michael; Attin, Rengin; Becker, Klaus; Attin, Thomas

2008-05-01

To evaluate the effect of external bleaching on the color and luminosity of fluorotic stains and adjacent, normally mineralized enamel areas by means of CIE L*a*b* colorimetry. Eighteen adolescents with mild to moderate fluorotic stains were randomly assigned to either bleaching group A (n = 9) or control group B. Eligibility criteria were fluorotic stained maxillary incisors or canines and the informed consent of the participants and their guardians. Using a colorimeter, CIE L*a*b* values of maxillary incisors and canines were assessed at baseline (T1) in the center of the fluorotic stained area (F1) and at adjacent, normally mineralized enamel areas (F2). Then, external bleaching with Illumine office (30% hydrogen peroxide, Dentsply DeTrey) was performed for 60 minutes, followed by color reassessment (T2). After 14 days (T3), a 2-week home bleaching period with a daily bleaching time of 1 hour with Illumine home (15% carbamide peroxide, Dentsply DeTrey) was conducted with subsequent color determination (T4). After completion of bleaching therapy, 96.0% of all fluorotic areas (F1) and 100% of normal enamel areas (F2) showed a significant change within group A, compared to 29.4% in control group B. Comparing the collective DeltaE (L*, a*, b*) of F1 and F2, 60.0% of all areas showed significant differences after completion of bleaching therapy, compared to 88.0% initially. Of group B sites, 82.4% showed color differences in the beginning (T1) and 88.2% at the end (T4). Whereas a single 1-hour session of in-office bleaching with 30% hydrogen peroxide does not significantly affect the color and luminosity of fluorotic teeth, a 14-day period of home bleaching leads to an assimilation of the color of the fluorotic stain with the color of surrounding enamel areas due to different responses of sound and fluorotic enamel to the bleaching regime.

Comparison of Different Cuff Pressure Use with the Supreme Laryngeal Mask Airway on Haemodynamic Response, Seal Pressure and Postoperative Adverse Events: A Prospective Randomized Study.

PubMed

Ali, Achmet; Altun, Demet; Sivrikoz, Nukhet; Yornuk, Mesut; Turgut, Namigar; Akıncı, İbrahim Özkan

2018-04-01

The Supreme™ laryngeal mask airway (SLMA) is a supra glottic airway (SGA) device that is used as an alternative to endotracheal tubes. In the present study, we aimed to compare the use of the SLMA with normal cuff pressure and low cuff pressure, primarily for haemodynamic response. In the present study, 120 patients diagnosed with hypertension and scheduled for varicose vein or inguinal hernia operation were enrolled and 99 patients finished. Using randomization, patients were divided into two groups according to cuff pressure as a low-pressure group (Group L, 45 cm H 2 O) and a normal-pressure group (Group N, 60 cm H 2 O). Demographics, Mallampati score and the type and duration of surgery, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), percentage of tidal volume leakage, Ppeak, Pmean, etCO 2 , seal pressure, fibreoptic scores and postoperative adverse effects of all patients were recorded. MAP and HR values immediately and 2 minutes after SLMA insertion were significantly lower in Group L (p<0.001). In Group L and Group N, the seal pressures were 24.1±3.1 cm H 2 O and 26.2±3.9 cm H 2 O, respectively (p=0.003). Also, blood staining and sore throat occurred less frequently in Group L (p<0.05). The fibreoptic average score, insertion features and ventilation parameters were similar between the groups (p>0.05). SLMA use with a cuff pressure of 45 cm H 2 O significantly decreases haemodynamic response and post-operative side effects compared with a normal cuff pressure. Therefore, except for some specific surgeries that require higher seal pressures, we recommend the use of the SLMA with cuff pressures as low as 45 cm H 2 O.

A randomized clinical trial of the effects of supplemental calcium and vitamin D3 on the APC/β-catenin pathway in the normal mucosa of colorectal adenoma patients.

PubMed

Ahearn, Thomas U; Shaukat, Aasma; Flanders, W Dana; Rutherford, Robin E; Bostick, Roberd M

2012-10-01

APC/β-catenin pathway perturbation is a common early event in colorectal carcinogenesis and is affected by calcium and vitamin D in basic science studies. To assess the effects of calcium and vitamin D on adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), β-catenin, and E-cadherin expression in the normal appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial. Pathology-confirmed colorectal adenoma cases were treated with 2 g/day elemental calcium and/or 800 IU/day vitamin D(3) versus placebo over 6 months (N = 92; 23/group). Overall APC, β-catenin, and E-cadherin expression and distributions in colon crypts in normal-appearing rectal mucosa biopsies were detected by standardized automated immunohistochemistry and quantified by image analysis. In the vitamin D(3)-supplemented group relative to placebo, the proportion of APC in the upper 40% of crypts (Φh APC) increased 21% (P = 0.01), β-catenin decreased 12% (P = 0.18), E-cadherin increased 72% (P = 0.03), and the Φh APC/β-catenin ratio (APC/β-catenin score) increased 31% (P = 0.02). In the calcium-supplemented group Φh APC increased 10% (P = 0.12), β-catenin decreased 15% (P = 0.08), and the APC/β-catenin score increased 41% (P = 0.01). In the calcium/vitamin D(3)-supplemented group, β-catenin decreased 11% (P = 0.20), E-cadherin increased 51% (P = 0.08), and the APC/β-catenin score increased 16% (P = 0.26). These results support (i) that calcium and vitamin D modify APC, β-catenin, and E-cadherin expression in humans in directions hypothesized to reduce risk for colorectal neoplasms, (ii) calcium and vitamin D as potential chemopreventive agents against colorectal neoplasms, and (iii) the potential of APC, β-catenin, and E-cadherin expression as modifiable, preneoplastic risk biomarkers for colorectal neoplasms.

Effects of calcium and vitamin D3 on transforming growth factors in rectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Tu, Huakang; Flanders, W Dana; Ahearn, Thomas U; Daniel, Carrie R; Gonzalez-Feliciano, Amparo G; Long, Qi; Rutherford, Robin E; Bostick, Roberd M

2015-04-01

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) and TGFβ1 are growth-promoting and -inhibiting autocrine/paracrine growth factors, respectively, that may (1) affect risk for colorectal cancer and (2) be modifiable by anti-proliferative exposures. The effects of supplemental calcium and vitamin D3 on these two markers in the normal-appearing colorectal mucosa in humans are unknown. We conducted a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial (n = 92; 23/treatment group) of calcium 2 g and/or vitamin D3 800 IU/d versus placebo over 6 mo. TGFα and TGFβ1 expression was measured in biopsies of normal-appearing rectal mucosa using automated immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis at baseline and 6-mo follow-up. In the calcium, vitamin D3 , and calcium plus vitamin D3 groups relative to the placebo group (1) the mean overall expression of TGFβ1 increased by 14% (P= 0.25), 19% (P = 0.17), and 22% (P = 0.09); (2) the ratio of TGFα expression in the upper 40% (differentiation zone) to that in the lower 60 (proliferation zone) of the crypts decreased by 34% (P = 0.11), 31% (P = 0.22), and 26% (P = 0.33); and (3) the TGFα/TGFβ1 ratio in the upper 40% of the crypts decreased by 28% (P = 0.09), 14% (P = 0.41), and 22% (P = 0.24), respectively. These preliminary results, although not statistically significant, suggest that supplemental calcium and vitamin D3 may increase TGFβ1 expression and shift TGFα expression downward from the differentiation to the proliferation zone in the crypts in the normal-appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients, and support further investigation in a larger clinical trial. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Aberrations in uterine contractile patterns in mares with delayed uterine clearance after administration of detomidine and oxytocin.

PubMed

von Reitzenstein, Marcela; Callahan, Megan A; Hansen, Peter J; LeBlanc, Michelle M

2002-09-01

An experiment was conducted to determine whether the uterotonic effects of oxytocin, a drug used to treat mares that have a delay in uterine clearance were affected by the sedative detomidine (an alpha2-agonist), a drug used to treat fractious mares. An additional objective was to identify propagation patterns of uterine contractions and determine whether these patterns differed between normal mares and mares with delayed uterine clearance (DUC). Intrauterine pressure was measured in five reproductively normal mares and four mares with DUC during estrus using an 8-F Milar catheter with two discrete pressure sensors. Mares received one of three treatments in random order: detomidine (0.001 mg/kg; i.v.); detomidine followed in 10 min by oxytocin (10 IU; i.v.); and saline (0.9% NaCl 0.5 ml; i.v.) followed in 10 min by oxytocin. All treatments induced waves of contractions; however, only three mares with DUC exhibited contractions after administration of detomidine. Normal mares experienced more uterine contractions (P < 0.01) that tended to last longer (P < 0.06), and were of greater intensity (P < 0.04) than mares with delayed clearance. Administration of detomidine before oxytocin increased the number of contractions (P < 0.02) and increased the maximum intrauterine pressure in the uterine horn (P < 0.05) in normal mares as compared to response after administration of saline and oxytocin. Detomidine had no effect in mares with delayed clearance. All mares had more propagating than non-propagating uterine contractions (74 +/- 8 versus 25 +/- 8%, respectively). Normal mares exhibited a normal propagation pattern more frequently (P < 0.0001) than mares with DUC. Simultaneous (P < 0.05) and inverted (P < 0.03) contractions occurred more frequently in mares with DUC. Administration of detomidine increased the number (P < 0.01), and tended to increase the percentage (P < 0.07) of normal propagating uterine contractions in normal mares, but did not affect propagation patterns in mares with DUC. In conclusion, detomidine augmented the uterotonic effect of oxytocin in normal mares but not in mares with DUC. Data suggest that mares with DUC have a defect in myoelectrical signaling and a decrease in the contractile strength of the uterine muscle.

Liposuction induces a compensatory increase of visceral fat which is effectively counteracted by physical activity: a randomized trial.

PubMed

Benatti, Fabiana; Solis, Marina; Artioli, Guilherme; Montag, Eduardo; Painelli, Vitor; Saito, Fábio; Baptista, Luciana; Costa, Luiz Augusto; Neves, Rodrigo; Seelaender, Marília; Ferriolli, Eduardo; Pfrimer, Karina; Lima, Fernanda; Roschel, Hamilton; Gualano, Bruno; Lancha, Antonio

2012-07-01

Liposuction is suggested to result in long-term body fat regain that could lead to increased cardiometabolic risk. We hypothesized that physical activity could prevent this effect. Our objective was to investigate the effects of liposuction on body fat distribution and cardiometabolic risk factors in women who were either exercise trained or not after surgery. Thirty-six healthy normal-weight women participated in this 6-month randomized controlled trial at the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Patients underwent a small-volume abdominal liposuction. Two months after surgery, the subjects were randomly allocated into two groups: trained (TR, n = 18, 4-month exercise program) and nontrained (NT, n = 18). Body fat distribution (assessed by computed tomography) was assessed before the intervention (PRE) and 2 months (POST2), and 6 months (POST6) after surgery. Secondary outcome measures included body composition, metabolic parameters and dietary intake, assessed at PRE, POST2, and POST6, and total energy expenditure, physical capacity, and sc adipocyte size and lipid metabolism-related gene expression, assessed at PRE and POST6. Liposuction was effective in reducing sc abdominal fat (PRE vs. POST2, P = 0.0001). Despite the sustained sc abdominal fat decrement at POST6 (P = 0.0001), the NT group showed a significant 10% increase in visceral fat from PRE to POST6 (P = 0.04; effect size = -0.72) and decreased energy expenditure (P = 0.01; effect size = 0.95) when compared with TR. Dietary intake, adipocyte size, and gene expression were unchanged over time. Abdominal liposuction does not induce regrowth of fat, but it does trigger a compensatory increase of visceral fat, which is effectively counteracted by physical activity.

Dexmedetomidine in Attenuation of Haemodynamic Response and Dose Sparing Effect on Opioid and Anaesthetic Agents in Patients undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy- A Randomized Study

PubMed Central

Bhagat, Nandlal; Karim, Habib Md Reazaul; Hajong, Ranendra; Bhattacharyya, Prithwis; Singh, Manorama

2016-01-01

Introduction Perioperative procedures are stressful and lead to haemodynamic instability with potentially devastating consequences. Dexmedetomidine is found to have many of the desired characteristics that are required in perioperative period. Aim To evaluate the ability of pre and intraoperative dexmedetomidine to attenuate stress induced haemodynamic responses, quantifying the anaesthetic agents sparing as well as its cost-effectiveness in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods The present single blind randomized study was conducted with 120 ASA I and II consented patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups (i.e., group D and group N). Prior to induction, group D received 1 μg/kg of Dexmedetomidine and group N received Normal saline infusion over 20 minutes. Group D also received maintenance Dexmedetomidine intraoperatively. Bispectral index and minimum alveolar concentration monitoring was done in both the groups. Haemodynamic parameters were noted till 100 minutes post laryngoscopy. Opioid and anaesthetic agent consumptions were also noted and cost analysis was done. Medcalc–Version 12.5.0.0 software was used for statistics and p <0.05 was considered significant. Results Dexmedetomidine attenuated the stress induced haemodynamics responses and produced stable, relatively non fluctuating haemodynamics throughout. The Minimum Alveolar Concentration (MAC) requirement and the consumptions of Fentanyl and Isoflurane were significantly less in the Dexmedetomidine group (p<0.0001). However, despite anaesthetic dose sparing effect the anaesthetic technique was not cost-effective. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine is effective in attenuating haemodynamic responses in laparoscopic surgery and having dose sparing effect on Fentanyl, Propofol and Isoflurane. However, overall this technique is not cost-effective. PMID:28050479

Effect of acupuncture and its influence on cerebral activity in perimenopausal insomniacs: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Wu, Xiao; Zhang, Wei; Qin, Yuanyuan; Liu, Xuguang; Wang, Zhengyan

2017-08-14

Perimenopausal insomnia is one of the core symptoms of the menopausal transition. Acupuncture is considered to exert a positive effect on restoring the normal sleep-wake cycle. However, there is little intuitive evidence besides evaluation using clinical effectiveness scales. We therefore designed this study, aiming to use more intuitive and reliable detection techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging before and after applying acupuncture to provide neuroimaging evidence, as well as to verify the effectiveness with other curative effect indicators. This study is a randomized, assessor-statistician-blinded, positive medicine controlled trial involving 40 participants. A total of 40 eligible patients with perimenopausal insomnia will be randomly assigned to two groups in a 1:1 ratio as an intervention group using acupuncture and a control group taking estazolam. Participants in the intervention group will receive six acupuncture treatment sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks, for a total of 24 sessions during the study. Meanwhile, the medicine control group will be prescribed estazolam 1-2 mg/day to be taken 30 minutes before sleep for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Secondary outcomes are the micro-movement sensitive mattress-type sleep monitoring system, the Hamilton Depression Scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. All outcomes will be evaluated before and after treatment. The safety of interventions will be assessed at every visit. The results of this trial, which will be available in 2018, will investigate the impact of acupuncture treating perimenopausal insomnia from assessment of the sleep architecture, hormone level, and emotional-circuit neurological function, and will uncover the effective mechanism of acupuncture regulating the emotional center integrated effect. Chinese Clinical Trials Register, ChCTR-IPC-16007832 . Registered on 26 January 2016.

Endocrine effects of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor vandetanib in patients treated for thyroid cancer.

PubMed

Brassard, Maryse; Neraud, Barbara; Trabado, Séverine; Salenave, Sylvie; Brailly-Tabard, Sylvie; Borget, Isabelle; Baudin, Eric; Leboulleux, Sophie; Chanson, Philippe; Schlumberger, Martin; Young, Jacques

2011-09-01

The purpose of the study was to assess the endocrine effects of vandetanib, a multikinase inhibitor targeting RET, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and epidermal growth factor receptor, in 39 patients with progressive thyroid cancer included in two randomized placebo-controlled trials using vandetanib 300 mg/d. Endocrine samplings were performed at baseline and then every 6 months. We compared differences in endocrine parameters between baseline and on vandetanib therapy or placebo. During vandetanib treatment, several changes were observed. 1) Calcium (P = 0.0004) and vitamin D (P = 0.001) mean replacement doses were increased; calcium level remained unchanged, but serum 25(OH) vitamin D level decreased (P = 0.001); and serum PTH (P = 0.01) and 1,25(OH)(2) vitamin D (P = 0.01) levels increased, suggesting a decreased intestinal absorption of vitamin D or lack of sun exposure as a result of photosensitization. 2) l-T(4) doses were increased (P < 0.0001) to maintain serum TSH within the normal range. 3) In male patients, total testosterone (P = 0.048), bioavailable testosterone (P = 0.03), and SHBG (P = 0.02) levels increased. Serum inhibin B decreased (P = 0.02) and stimulated FSH increased (P = 0.006), suggesting a Sertoli cells insufficiency. 4) Cortisol level increased (P = 0.007) as well as ACTH level (P = 0.03) and cortisol-binding globulin (P = 0.02), but free urinary cortisol levels remained in the normal range. None of these changes were observed in patients randomized to the placebo arm. In patients with locally advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor vandetanib has several endocrine effects. Thyroid hormone, calcium, and vitamin D analog requirements increased, but consequences of the biological alterations on phosphocalcic metabolism and gonadotrope and adrenal functions are unknown.

Effects of hypertonic saline (7.5%) on extracellular fluid volumes compared with normal saline (0.9%) and 6% hydroxyethyl starch after aortocoronary bypass graft surgery.

PubMed

Järvelä, K; Koskinen, M; Kaukinen, S; Kööbi, T

2001-04-01

To compare the effects of hypertonic (7.5%) saline (HS), normal (0.9%) saline (NS), and 6% hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on extracellular fluid volumes in the early postoperative period after cardiopulmonary bypass. A prospective, randomized, double-blind study. University teaching hospital. Forty-eight patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to receive 4 mL/kg of HS, NS, or HES during 30 minutes when volume loading was needed during the postoperative rewarming period in the intensive care unit. Plasma volume was measured using a dilution of iodine-125-labeled human serum albumin. Extracellular water and cardiac output were measured by whole-body impedance cardiography. Plasma volume had increased by 19 +/- 7% in the HS group and by 10 +/- 3% in the NS group (p = 0.001) at the end of the study fluid infusion. After 1-hour follow-up time, the plasma volume increase was greatest (23 +/- 8%) in the group receiving HES (p < 0.001). The increase of extracellular water was greater than the infused volume in the HS and HES groups at the end of the infusion. One-hour diuresis after the study infusion was greater in the HS group (536 +/- 280 mL) than in the NS (267 +/- 154 mL, p = 0.006) and HES groups (311 +/- 238 mL, p = 0.025). The effect of HS on plasma volume was short-lasting, but it stimulated excretion of excess body fluid accumulated during cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery. HS may be used in situations in which excess free water administration is to be avoided but the intravascular volume needs correction. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company

Effect of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine with small dose clonidine versus hyperbaric bupivacaine alone in lower abdominal surgeries: A comparative study

PubMed Central

Tyagi, Amit; Rastogi, Shivani; Tripathi, Manoj; Bhandari, Rajlaxmi; Bais, Prateek Singh; Singh, Mahendra

2016-01-01

Context: The continued success of regional anesthetic techniques can be credited due to improved local anesthetic drugs, with lower toxicities and longer duration of action, but still many efforts are being done to increase the duration of the block and postoperative analgesia. Therefore, use of adjuvant drugs for anesthesia is intended to prolong analgesia and preventing deleterious clinical effects of local anesthetics. Aims: The present study is designed to evaluate effects of intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine versus hyperbaric bupivacaine with low dose clonidine on the onset and level of sensory and motor block, the intensity of motor blockade, and time of analgesia required in the postoperative period. Settings and Design: Study area were our operation theater and postanesthesia care unit of Department of Anesthesiology, this was a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind study for a period of 1 year comprising of 60 patients. Materials and Methods: Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Group 1 (S) (n = 30): Patients received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 12.5 mg with normal saline 0.5 ml and Group 2 (C) (n = 30): Patients received intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine 12.5 mg with 1 μg/kg clonidine (approximated to 0.5 ml with normal saline). Statistical Analysis: Two groups were compared by Student's t-test, Chi-square test; ANOVA and significance of mean difference bet were done by Newman–Keuls test. Results and Conclusion: Duration of analgesia was prolonged in Group C (363.07 ± 166.30 min) patients compared to Group S patients (226.95 ± 119 min) and they also required less top up analgesic in the postoperative period. PMID:27212746

Electroacupuncture for patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome or functional diarrhea: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Zheng, Hui; Li, Ying; Zhang, Wei; Zeng, Fang; Zhou, Si-Yuan; Zheng, Hua-Bin; Zhu, Wen-Zeng; Jing, Xiang-Hong; Rong, Pei-Jing; Tang, Chun-Zhi; Wang, Fu-Chun; Liu, Zhi-Bin; Wang, Shi-Jun; Zhou, Mei-Qi; Liu, Zhi-Shun; Zhu, Bing

2016-06-01

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and functional diarrhea (FD) are highly prevalent, and the effectiveness of acupuncture for managing IBS-D and FD is still unknown.The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of electroacupuncture with loperamide.It was a prospective, randomized, parallel group controlled trial.A total of 448 participants were randomly assigned to He electroacupuncture group (n = 113), Shu-Mu electroacupuncture group (n = 111), He-Shu-Mu electroacupuncture group (n = 112), or loperamide group (n = 112). Participants in the 3 acupuncture groups received 16 sessions of electroacupuncture during a 4-week treatment phase, whereas participants in the loperamide group received oral loperamide 2 mg thrice daily. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in stool frequency at the end of the 4-weeks treatment. The secondary outcomes were the Bristol scale, the MOS 36-item short form health survey (SF-36), the weekly average number of days with normal defecations and the proportion of adverse events.Stool frequency was significantly reduced at the end of the 4-week treatment in the 4 groups (mean change from baseline, 5.35 times/week). No significant difference was found between the 3 electroacupuncture groups and the loperamide group in the primary outcome (He vs. loperamide group [mean difference 0.6, 95% CI, -1.2 to 2.4]; Shu-Mu vs. loperamide group [0.4, 95% CI, -1.4 to 2.3]; He-Shu-Mu vs. loperamide group [0.0, 95% CI, -1.8 to 1.8]). Both electroacupuncture and loperamide significantly improved the mean score of Bristol scale and increased the weekly average number of days with normal defecations and the mean scores of SF-36; they were equivalent in these outcomes. However, the participants in electroacupuncture groups did not report fewer adverse events than those in the loperamide group. Similar results were found in a subgroup analysis of separating patients with IBS-D and FD patients.Electroacupuncture is equivalent to loperamide for reducing stool frequency in IBS-D and FD patients. Further studies on cost effectiveness of acupuncture are warranted.

Effects of exercise and diet interventions on obesity-related sleep disorders in men: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Tan, Xiao; Saarinen, Antti; Mikkola, Tuija M; Tenhunen, Jarkko; Martinmäki, Samu; Rahikainen, Aki; Cheng, Shumei; Eklund, Niklas; Pekkala, Satu; Wiklund, Petri; Munukka, Eveliina; Wen, Xinfei; Cong, Fengyu; Wang, Xi; Zhang, Yajun; Tarkka, Ina; Sun, Yining; Partinen, Markku; Alen, Markku; Cheng, Sulin

2013-07-26

Sleep is essential for normal and healthy living. Lack of good quality sleep affects physical, mental and emotional functions. Currently, the treatments of obesity-related sleep disorders focus more on suppressing sleep-related symptoms pharmaceutically and are often accompanied by side effects. Thus, there is urgent need for alternative ways to combat chronic sleep disorders. This study will investigate underlying mechanisms of the effects of exercise and diet intervention on obesity-related sleep disorders, the role of gut microbiota in relation to poor quality of sleep and day-time sleepiness, as well as the levels of hormones responsible for sleep-wake cycle regulation. Participants consist of 330 (target sample) Finnish men aged 30 to 65 years. Among them, we attempt to randomize 180 (target sample) with sleep disorders into exercise and diet intervention. After screening and physician examination, 101 men with sleep disorders are included and are randomly assigned into three groups: exercise (n = 33), diet (n = 35), and control (n = 33). In addition, we attempt to recruit a target number of 150 healthy men without sleep disorders as the reference group. The exercise group undergoes a six-month individualized progressive aerobic exercise program based on initial fitness level. The diet group follows a six month specific individualized diet program. The control group and reference group are asked to maintain their normal activity and diet during intervention. Measurements are taken before and after the intervention. Primary outcomes include objective sleep measurements by polysomnography and a home-based non-contact sleep monitoring system, and subjective sleep evaluation by questionnaires. Secondary outcome measures include anthropometry, body composition, fitness, sleep disorder-related lifestyle risk factors, composition of gut microbiota and adipose tissue metabolism, as well as specific hormone and neurotranmitter levels and inflammatory biomarkers from venous blood samples. It is expected that the improvement of sleep quality after exercise and diet intervention will be evident both in subjective and objective measures of quality of sleep. Additionally, the change of sleep quality induced by exercise and diet intervention is expected to be related to the changes in specific hormones and inflammatory biomarkers, and in the composition of gut microbiota.

A Simulation Study on the Performance of the Simple Difference and Covariance-Adjusted Scores in Randomized Experimental Designs.

PubMed

Petscher, Yaacov; Schatschneider, Christopher

2011-01-01

Research by Huck and McLean (1975) demonstrated that the covariance-adjusted score is more powerful than the simple difference score, yet recent reviews indicate researchers are equally likely to use either score type in two-wave randomized experimental designs. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to examine the conditions under which the simple difference and covariance-adjusted scores were more or less powerful to detect treatment effects when relaxing certain assumptions made by Huck and McLean (1975). Four factors were manipulated in the design including sample size, normality of the pretest and posttest distributions, the correlation between pretest and posttest, and posttest variance. A 5 × 5 × 4 × 3 mostly crossed design was run with 1,000 replications per condition, resulting in 226,000 unique samples. The gain score was nearly as powerful as the covariance-adjusted score when pretest and posttest variances were equal, and as powerful in fan-spread growth conditions; thus, under certain circumstances the gain score could be used in two-wave randomized experimental designs.

A Simulation Study on the Performance of the Simple Difference and Covariance-Adjusted Scores in Randomized Experimental Designs

PubMed Central

Petscher, Yaacov; Schatschneider, Christopher

2015-01-01

Research by Huck and McLean (1975) demonstrated that the covariance-adjusted score is more powerful than the simple difference score, yet recent reviews indicate researchers are equally likely to use either score type in two-wave randomized experimental designs. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to examine the conditions under which the simple difference and covariance-adjusted scores were more or less powerful to detect treatment effects when relaxing certain assumptions made by Huck and McLean (1975). Four factors were manipulated in the design including sample size, normality of the pretest and posttest distributions, the correlation between pretest and posttest, and posttest variance. A 5 × 5 × 4 × 3 mostly crossed design was run with 1,000 replications per condition, resulting in 226,000 unique samples. The gain score was nearly as powerful as the covariance-adjusted score when pretest and posttest variances were equal, and as powerful in fan-spread growth conditions; thus, under certain circumstances the gain score could be used in two-wave randomized experimental designs. PMID:26379310

Effect of Oral Lipid Matrix Supplement on Fat Absorption in Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Stallings, Virginia A; Schall, Joan I; Maqbool, Asim; Mascarenhas, Maria R; Alshaikh, Belal N; Dougherty, Kelly A; Hommel, Kevin; Ryan, Jamie; Elci, Okan U; Shaw, Walter A

2016-12-01

Pancreatic enzyme therapy does not normalize dietary fat absorption in patients with cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency. Efficacy of LYM-X-SORB (LXS), an easily absorbable lipid matrix that enhances fat absorption, was evaluated in a 12-month randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with plasma fatty acids (FA) and coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) outcomes. A total of 110 subjects (age 10.4 ± 3.0 years) were randomized. Total FA increased with LXS at 3 and 12 months (+1.58, +1.14 mmol/L) and not with placebo (P = 0.046). With LXS, linoleic acid (LA) increased at 3 and 12 months (+298, +175 nmol/mL, P ≤ 0.046), with a 6% increase in CFA (P < 0.01). LA increase was significant in LXS versus placebo (445 vs 42 nmol/mL, P = 0.038). Increased FA and LA predicted increased body mass index Z scores. In summary, the LXS treatment improved dietary fat absorption compared with placebo as indicated by plasma FA and LA and was associated with better growth status.

Effect of dissolved oxygen in alcoholic beverages and drinking water on alcohol elimination in humans.

PubMed

Rhee, Su-jin; Chae, Jung-woo; Song, Byung-jeong; Lee, Eun-sil; Kwon, Kwang-il

2013-02-01

Oxygen plays an important role in the metabolism of alcohol. An increased dissolved oxygen level in alcoholic beverages reportedly accelerates the elimination of alcohol. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of dissolved oxygen in alcohol and the supportive effect of oxygenated water on alcohol pharmacokinetics after the excessive consumption of alcohol, i.e., 540 ml of 19.5% alcohol (v/v). Fifteen healthy males were included in this randomized, 3 × 3 crossover study. Three combinations were tested: X, normal alcoholic beverage and normal water; Y, oxygenated alcoholic beverage and normal water; Z, oxygenated alcoholic beverage and oxygenated water. Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) were determined by conversion of breath alcohol concentrations. Four pharmacokinetic parameters (C(max), T(max), K(el), and AUCall) were obtained using non-compartmental analysis and the times to reach 0.05% and 0.03% BAC (T(0.05%) and T(0.03%)) were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's post hoc test. With combination Z, the BAC decreased to 0.05% significantly faster (p < 0.05) than with combination X. Analyzing the pharmacokinetic parameters, the mean K(el) was significantly higher for combination Z than for combinations X and Y (p < 0.05), whereas the mean values of C(max), T(max) and AUCall did not differ significantly among the combinations. Dissolved oxygen in drinks accelerates the decrease in BAC after consuming a large amount of alcohol. However, the oxygen dissolved in the alcoholic beverage alone did not have a sufficient effect in this case. We postulate that highly oxygenated water augments the effect of oxygen in the alcoholic beverage in alcohol elimination. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the supportive effect of ingesting additional oxygenated water after heavy drinking of normal alcoholic beverages. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The comparison between intradermal injection of abobotulinumtoxinA and normal saline for face-lifting: a split-face randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Wanitphakdeedecha, Rungsima; Ungaksornpairote, Chanida; Kaewkes, Arisa; Rojanavanich, Viboon; Phothong, Weeranut; Manuskiatti, Woraphong

2016-12-01

Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) has been approved for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, muscle spasm, cervical dystonia, pain syndrome, glabella wrinkles, and severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Intradermal injection of BTA has been used off-label by many clinicians for the purpose of face-lifting effect. Few studies on onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA) demonstrated no clinical efficacy on face-lifting effect when comparing to normal saline solution (NSS). So far, there is no split-face comparison study on face-lifting effect of abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO). To determine the face-lifting effect of ABO intradermal injection and NSS. Twenty-two subjects with symmetrical faces on both facial expression and expressionless were randomly injected with ABO at 1:7 cc dilution (500 unit or one vial in 7 cc of NSS) on one side and NSS on the other side using intradermal injection technique. Standardized photographic documentation was obtained at baseline, and at 2 weeks after treatment. The face-lifting effect was graded by two blinded dermatologists using photographic comparison and rated by the patients. Side effects were also recorded at the end of the study. Face-lifting effect was demonstrated in 40.9% and 4.5% of patients with ABO and NSS, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in face-lifting effect when comparing between ABO and NSS (P = 0.021). The face-lifting was reported in 50.0% of patients receiving ABO injection. The patients with oval-face shape tended to respond better with ABO (P = 0.046). The odd of face-lifting effect for patients aged younger than 32 was higher than patients aged older than 32 with the odds ratio of 7.9 and 95% confidence interval of 1.1-56.1. Facial asymmetry was found in 22.7% of subjects. This study demonstrated the face-lifting effect of ABO intradermal injection. Patients with oval-face shape and aged younger than 32 tended to respond better. Therefore, patient selection should be emphasized to improve efficacy of this technique. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Neuroprotective effect of erigeron breviscapus (vant) hand-mazz on NMDA-induced retinal neuron injury in the rats].

PubMed

Shi, Jingming; Jiag, Youqin; Liu, Xuyang

2004-07-01

To investigate if Erigeron Breviscapus (vant) Hand-Mazz (EBHM) has a neuroprotective effect against NMDA-induced neuron death in retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL). Sixty healthy SD rats were randomly divided into four groups. 6 animals were in normal control group (group A). The others were divided as group B (EBHM group), group C (normal saline+NMDA group), group D (EBHM+NMDA group). Each group has 18 rats. 10 nmol NMDA was chosen for intravitreal injection to cause partial damage of the neurons in RGCL in the right eyes of Groups C and D. Same volume PBS was intravitreal injected in the left eyes as self-control. Groups B and D were pre-treated intraperitoneally with 6% EBHM solution at a dose of 15 mg x 100 g(-1) x d(-1) seven days before and after NMDA treatment. Group C were administrated intraperitoneally with 0.9% normal saline at the same time of EBHM injection. Rats were sacrificed in 4, 7, 14 days after NMDA treatment. Flat preparation of whole retinas were stained with 0.5% cresyl violet and neuron counting in RGCL from both eyes. Each subgroup has 6 rats. There was no significant difference between the right eye and the left eye of neuron counting from RGCL in normal control group (group A) (P=0.200). There was no significant difference between normal control group and EBHM group either in the right eyes or in the left eye in 4 days, 7 days and 14 days respectively after intravitreal injection of 10 nmol NMDA in group C and group D. (P=0.636, P=0.193). Neuron counting from RGCL of group C and group D were significant decreased in the NMDA-treated eyes in 4 days, 7 days and 14 days after intravitreal injection (P < 0.001). There ws no significant difference between self-control eyes and normal control group (P > 0.05). Neuron counting was significantly higher in the EBHM+NMDA group than normal saline+NMDA group at 14 days after intraviteal injection (P=0.044). However,it is obvious that the difference was still significant between normal control group and EBHM+NMDA group (P < 0.05). EBHM has no effect on neuron counting of RGCL when administered alone in normal rats. It is suggested that EBHM has partial protective effect on NMDA-induced neuron loss in RGCL in the rat.

Counting on the mental number line to make a move: sensorimotor ('pen') control and numerical processing.

PubMed

Sheridan, Rebecca; van Rooijen, Maaike; Giles, Oscar; Mushtaq, Faisal; Steenbergen, Bert; Mon-Williams, Mark; Waterman, Amanda

2017-10-01

Mathematics is often conducted with a writing implement. But is there a relationship between numerical processing and sensorimotor 'pen' control? We asked participants to move a stylus so it crossed an unmarked line at a location specified by a symbolic number (1-9), where number colour indicated whether the line ran left-right ('normal') or vice versa ('reversed'). The task could be simplified through the use of a 'mental number line' (MNL). Many modern societies use number lines in mathematical education and the brain's representation of number appears to follow a culturally determined spatial organisation (so better task performance is associated with this culturally normal orientation-the MNL effect). Participants (counter-balanced) completed two consistent blocks of trials, 'normal' and 'reversed', followed by a mixed block where line direction varied randomly. Experiment 1 established that the MNL effect was robust, and showed that the cognitive load associated with reversing the MNL not only affected response selection but also the actual movement execution (indexed by duration) within the mixed trials. Experiment 2 showed that an individual's motor abilities predicted performance in the difficult (mixed) condition but not the easier blocks. These results suggest that numerical processing is not isolated from motor capabilities-a finding with applied consequences.

Effects of salmon calcitonin on fracture healing in ovariectomized rats.

PubMed

Li, Xiaolin; Luo, Xinle; Yu, Nansheng; Zeng, Bingfang

2007-01-01

To explore the effects of salmon calcitonin on the healing process of osteoporotic fractures in ovariectomized rats. We performed this study in The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, China, during the period March 2002 to December 2004. We used 120 female adult Wistar rats in this experiment, among which 90 underwent ovariectomy (OVX) and the other 30 had sham-operation. All rats had their left tibias fractured 3 months later. The 90 OVX rats were randomly divided into 3 groups with 30 in each, while the 30 sham-operated rats served as control group. After the fracture the rats had subcutaneous injection of normal saline, salmon calcitonin and estrogen, respectively. X-ray film, histological examination, bone mineral density (BMD) measurement and biomechanics testing were carried out to evaluate the fracture healing. Compared with OVX rats treated with normal saline, the rats with salmon calcitonin had significantly higher BMD values in the left tibia, higher max torque, shear stress of the left tibia 8 weeks after fracture (p<0.05), and presented with stronger callus formation, shorter fracture healing time and faster normalization of microstructure of bone trabeculae. Salmon calcitonin can, not only increase BMD in osteoporotic bone, but also enhance the bone biomechanical properties and improve the process of fracture healing in fractured osteoporotic bone.

A new heat and moisture exchanger for laryngectomized patients: endotracheal temperature and humidity.

PubMed

Scheenstra, Renske J; Muller, Saar H; Vincent, Andrew; Ackerstaff, Annemieke H; Jacobi, Irene; Hilgers, Frans J M

2011-05-01

To assess the endotracheal temperature and humidity and clinical effects of 2 models of a new heat and moisture exchanger (HME): Rplus, which has regular breathing resistance, and Lplus, which has lower breathing resistance. We measured endotracheal temperature and humidity in 10 laryngectomized patients, for 10 min each, with and without the HMEs. We sequentially tested 4 HME models (all Atos Medical, Hörby, Sweden), in randomized order: Rplus, Lplus, Provox Normal (the HME we regularly use and which we considered the reference HME), and Stomvent (an older HME model). We also assessed the short-term clinical and practical effects of the Rplus and Lplus in a prospective 3-week trial with 13 laryngectomized patients. Rplus and Lplus had better humidification than Provox Normal (6.8 mg H(2)O/L, 4.3 mg H(2)O/L, and 3.7 mg H(2)O/L, respectively, P < .001), and no significant temperature difference. During the 3-week study period, 7 of the 13 patients reported noticeably lower mucus production with Rplus and Lplus. Rplus and Lplus had better heating and humidification than Provox Normal. Although Stomvent also performed well, its design is less convenient for laryngectomized patients. Further HME improvement is still warranted and should focus on improving the HME's heating capacity.

Effects of fundamental frequency and vocal-tract length cues on sentence segregation by listeners with hearing loss

PubMed Central

Mackersie, Carol L.; Dewey, James; Guthrie, Lesli A.

2011-01-01

The purpose was to determine the effect of hearing loss on the ability to separate competing talkers using talker differences in fundamental frequency (F0) and apparent vocal-tract length (VTL). Performance of 13 adults with hearing loss and 6 adults with normal hearing was measured using the Coordinate Response Measure. For listeners with hearing loss, the speech was amplified and filtered according to the NAL-RP hearing aid prescription. Target-to-competition ratios varied from 0 to 9 dB. The target sentence was randomly assigned to the higher or lower values of F0 or VTL on each trial. Performance improved for F0 differences up to 9 and 6 semitones for people with normal hearing and hearing loss, respectively, but only when the target talker had the higher F0. Recognition for the lower F0 target improved when trial-to-trial uncertainty was removed (9-semitone condition). Scores improved with increasing differences in VTL for the normal-hearing group. On average, hearing-impaired listeners did not benefit from VTL cues, but substantial inter-subject variability was observed. The amount of benefit from VTL cues was related to the average hearing loss in the 1–3-kHz region when the target talker had the shorter VTL. PMID:21877813

A statistical model for analyzing the rotational error of single isocenter for multiple targets technique.

PubMed

Chang, Jenghwa

2017-06-01

To develop a statistical model that incorporates the treatment uncertainty from the rotational error of the single isocenter for multiple targets technique, and calculates the extra PTV (planning target volume) margin required to compensate for this error. The random vector for modeling the setup (S) error in the three-dimensional (3D) patient coordinate system was assumed to follow a 3D normal distribution with a zero mean, and standard deviations of σ x , σ y , σ z . It was further assumed that the rotation of clinical target volume (CTV) about the isocenter happens randomly and follows a three-dimensional (3D) independent normal distribution with a zero mean and a uniform standard deviation of σ δ . This rotation leads to a rotational random error (R), which also has a 3D independent normal distribution with a zero mean and a uniform standard deviation of σ R equal to the product of σδπ180 and dI⇔T, the distance between the isocenter and CTV. Both (S and R) random vectors were summed, normalized, and transformed to the spherical coordinates to derive the Chi distribution with three degrees of freedom for the radial coordinate of S+R. PTV margin was determined using the critical value of this distribution for a 0.05 significance level so that 95% of the time the treatment target would be covered by the prescription dose. The additional PTV margin required to compensate for the rotational error was calculated as a function of σ R and dI⇔T. The effect of the rotational error is more pronounced for treatments that require high accuracy/precision like stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). With a uniform 2-mm PTV margin (or σ x = σ y = σ z = 0.715 mm), a σ R = 0.328 mm will decrease the CTV coverage probability from 95.0% to 90.9%, or an additional 0.2-mm PTV margin is needed to prevent this loss of coverage. If we choose 0.2 mm as the threshold, any σ R > 0.328 mm will lead to an extra PTV margin that cannot be ignored, and the maximal σ δ that can be ignored is 0.45° (or 0.0079 rad ) for dI⇔T = 50 mm or 0.23° (or 0.004 rad ) for dI⇔T = 100 mm. The rotational error cannot be ignored for high-accuracy/-precision treatments like SRS/SBRT, particularly when the distance between the isocenter and target is large. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Metabolic Effects of Oral Versus Transdermal 17β-Estradiol (E2): A Randomized Clinical Trial in Girls With Turner Syndrome

PubMed Central

Torres-Santiago, L.; Mericq, V.; Taboada, M.; Unanue, N.; Klein, K. O.; Singh, R.; Hossain, J.; Santen, R. J.; Ross, J. L.

2013-01-01

Context: The long-term effects of pure 17β-estradiol (E2) depending on route of administration have not been well characterized. Objective: Our objective was to assess metabolic effects of oral vs transdermal (TD) 17β-E2 replacement using estrogen concentration-based dosing in girls with Turner syndrome (TS). Patients: Forty girls with TS, mean age 16.7 ± 1.7 years, were recruited. Design: Subjects were randomized to 17β-E2 orally or TD. Doses were titrated using mean E2 concentrations of normally menstruating girls as therapeutic target. E2, estrone (E1), and E1 sulfate (E1S) were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and a recombinant cell bioassay; metabolites were measured, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan and indirect calorimetry were performed. Main Outcome: Changes in body composition and lipid oxidation were evaluated. Results: E2 concentrations were titrated to normal range in both groups; mean oral dose was 2 mg, and TD dose was 0.1 mg. After 6 and 12 months, fat-free mass and percent fat mass, bone mineral density accrual, lipid oxidation, and resting energy expenditure rates were similar between groups. IGF-1 concentrations were lower on oral 17β-E2, but suppression of gonadotropins was comparable with no significant changes in lipids, glucose, osteocalcin, or highly sensitive C-reactive protein between groups. However, E1, E1S, SHBG, and bioestrogen concentrations were significantly higher in the oral group. Conclusions: When E2 concentrations are titrated to the normal range, the route of delivery of 17β-E2 does not affect differentially body composition, lipid oxidation, and lipid concentrations in hypogonadal girls with TS. However, total estrogen exposure (E1, E1S, and total bioestrogen) is significantly higher after oral 17β-E2. TD 17β-E2 results in a more physiological estrogen milieu than oral 17β-E2 administration in girls with TS. PMID:23678038

Unipedal balance in healthy adults: effect of visual environments yielding decreased lateral velocity feedback.

PubMed

Deyer, T W; Ashton-Miller, J A

1999-09-01

To test the (null) hypotheses that the reliability of unipedal balance is unaffected by the attenuation of visual velocity feedback and that, relative to baseline performance, deterioration of balance success rates from attenuated visual velocity feedback will not differ between groups of young men and older women, and the presence (or absence) of a vertical foreground object will not affect balance success rates. Single blind, single case study. University research laboratory. Two volunteer samples: 26 healthy young men (mean age, 20.0yrs; SD, 1.6); 23 healthy older women (mean age, 64.9 yrs; SD, 7.8). Normalized success rates in unipedal balance task. Subjects were asked to transfer to and maintain unipedal stance for 5 seconds in a task near the limit of their balance capabilities. Subjects completed 64 trials: 54 trials of three experimental visual scenes in blocked randomized sequences of 18 trials and 10 trials in a normal visual environment. The experimental scenes included two that provided strong velocity/weak position feedback, one of which had a vertical foreground object (SVWP+) and one without (SVWP-), and one scene providing weak velocity/strong position (WVSP) feedback. Subjects' success rates in the experimental environments were normalized by the success rate in the normal environment in order to allow comparisons between subjects using a mixed model repeated measures analysis of variance. The normalized success rate was significantly greater in SVWP+ than in WVSP (p = .0001) and SVWP- (p = .013). Visual feedback significantly affected the normalized unipedal balance success rates (p = .001); neither the group effect nor the group X visual environment interaction was significant (p = .9362 and p = .5634, respectively). Normalized success rates did not differ significantly between the young men and older women in any visual environment. Near the limit of the young men's or older women's balance capability, the reliability of transfer to unipedal balance was adversely affected by visual environments offering attenuated visual velocity feedback cues and those devoid of vertical foreground objects.

[Exposure of normal Tenon's capsule fibroblasts from pterygium to 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C].

PubMed

Viveiros, Magda Massae Hata; Schellini, Silvana Artioli; Candeias, João; Padovani, Carlos Roberto

2007-01-01

To evaluate the fibroblast proliferation activity of normal Tenon's capsule from primary and recurrent patients with pterygium. A randomized prospective study was performed with 41 normal Tenon's capsule fragments from 21 primary and 20 recurrent patients with pterygium. The sample was collected from the inferior cul-de-sac. Proliferation rate from fibroblasts were evaluated after mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil exposition. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Of the 41 cultivated normal Tenon's capsules, only 1 from primary and 2 from recurrent pterygium patients proliferated. After antimitotic exposition, the proliferation rate was similar with both drugs. Mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil promote similar inhibition regarding proliferation of normal Tenon's fibroblast cultures.

Effect of aerobic exercise on peripheral nerve functions of population with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes: a single blind, parallel group randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Dixit, Snehil; Maiya, Arun G; Shastry, B A

2014-01-01

To evaluate the effect of moderate intensity aerobic exercise (40%-60% of Heart Rate Reserve (HRR)) on diabetic peripheral neuropathy. A parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was carried out in a tertiary health care setting, India. The study comprised of experimental (moderate intensity aerobic exercise and standard care) and control groups (standard care). Population with type 2 diabetes with clinical neuropathy, defined as a minimum score of seven on the Michigan Diabetic Neuropathy Score (MDNS), was randomly assigned to experimental and control groups by computer generated random number tables. RANOVA was used for data analysis (p<0.05 was significant). A total of 87 patients with DPN were evaluated in the study. After randomization there were 47 patients in the control group and 40 patients in the experimental group. A comparison of two groups using RANOVA for anthropometric measures showed an insignificant change at eight weeks. For distal peroneal nerve's conduction velocity there was a significant difference in two groups at eight weeks (p<0.05), Degrees of freedom (Df)=1, 62, F=5.14, and p=0.03. Sural sensory nerve at eight weeks showed a significant difference in two groups for conduction velocity, Df =1, 60, F=10.16, and p=0.00. Significant differences in mean scores of MDNS were also observed in the two groups at eight weeks (p value significant<0.05). Moderate intensity aerobic exercises can play a valuable role to disrupt the normal progression of DPN in type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Effect of changji'an on visceral hypersensitivity in rats with irritable bowel syndrome and its mechanism].

PubMed

Zhu, Qi; Wang, Jing; Lai, Hua-mei

2008-09-01

To explore the mechanism and efficiency of Changji'an (CJA) in treating irritable bowel syndrome through studying the relationship between serotonin transporter (SERT) and visceral hypersensitivity in rats. Male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal control group, the model group, the high-dosage and low-dosage CJA (CJAH and CJAL) groups. Visceral hypersensitivity model was established by colorectal distension. Normal saline and different doses of CJA were administrated to rats respectively, starting from the 10th day of modeling for 10 days. After then, the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) was scored for semi-quantitative estimation of visceral sensitivity, and tissues of brain and colon were harvested for detecting expressions of SERT and serotonin (5-HT) with Western blot, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. As compared with the normal controls, in model rats, the AWR score and content of 5-HT in intestinal mucosa were higher (P < 0.05), protein and mRNA expressions of SERT in colon and nucleus raphes dorsalis (NRD) were lower (P < 0.05), but all these indexes were improved significantly after CJA treatment, either in the CJAH or CJAL group (all P < 0.05). Besides, the number of 5-HT energic neuron in the model group and CJA groups was lower than that in the normal control group (P < 0.05). CJA has therapeutic effect for improving visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome by way of regulating colonic expression of SERT and content of 5-HT.

Mast cell stabilization decreases cardiomyocyte and LV function in dogs with isolated mitral regurgitation.

PubMed

Pat, Betty; Killingsworth, Cheryl; Chen, Yuanwen; Gladden, James D; Walcott, Greg; Powell, Pamela C; Denney, Thomas; Gupta, Himanshu; Desai, Ravi; Tillson, Michael; Dillon, A Ray; Dell'italia, Louis J

2010-09-01

Mast cells are increased in isolated mitral regurgitation (MR) in the dog and may mediate extracellular matrix loss and left ventricular (LV) dilatation. We tested the hypothesis that mast cell stabilization would attenuate LV remodeling and improve function in the MR dog. MR was induced in adult dogs randomized to no treatment (MR, n = 5) or to the mast cell stabilizer, ketotifen (MR + MCS, n = 4) for 4 months. LV hemodynamics were obtained at baseline and after 4 months of MR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at sacrifice. MRI-derived, serial, short-axis LV end-diastolic (ED) and end-systolic (ES) volumes, LVED volume/mass ratio, and LV 3-dimensional radius/wall thickness were increased in MR and MR + MCS dogs compared with normal dogs (n = 6) (P < .05). Interstitial collagen was decreased by 30% in both MR and MR + MCS versus normal dogs (P < .05). LV contractility by LV maximum time-varying elastance was significantly depressed in MR and MR + MCS dogs. Furthermore, cardiomyocyte fractional shortening was decreased in MR versus normal dogs and further depressed in MR + MCS dogs (P < .05). In vitro administration of ketotifen to normal cardiomyocytes also significantly decreased fractional shortening and calcium transients. Chronic mast cell stabilization did not attenuate eccentric LV remodeling or collagen loss in MR. However, MCS therapy had a detrimental effect on LV function because of a direct negative inotropic effect on cardiomyocyte function. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics of Beijing Prediabetes Reversion Program: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Lifestyle Intervention and/or Pioglitazone in Reversion to Normal Glucose Tolerance in Prediabetes

PubMed Central

Luo, Yingying; Paul, Sanjoy K.; Zhou, Xianghai; Chang, Cuiqing; Guo, Xiaohui; Yang, Jinkui

2017-01-01

Background. Patients with prediabetes are at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). No study has explored whether intervention could revert prediabetes to normal glycemic status as the primary outcome. Beijing Prediabetes Reversion Program (BPRP) would evaluate whether intensive lifestyle modification and/or pioglitazone could revert prediabetic state to normoglycemia and improve the risk factors of CVD as well. Methods. BPRP is a randomized, multicenter, 2 × 2 factorial design study. Participants diagnosed as prediabetes were randomized into four groups (conventional/intensive lifestyle intervention and 30 mg pioglitazone/placebo) with a three-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was conversion into normal glucose tolerance. The trial would recruit 2000 participants (500 in each arm). Results. Between March 2007 and March 2011, 1945 participants were randomized. At baseline, the individuals were 53 ± 10 years old, with median BMI 26.0 (23.9, 28.2) kg/m2 and HbA1c 5.8 (5.6, 6.1)%. 85% of the participants had IGT and 15% had IFG. Parameters relevant to glucose, lipids, blood pressure, lifestyle, and other metabolic markers were similar between conventional and intensive lifestyle intervention group at baseline. Conclusion. BPRP was the first study to determine if lifestyle modification and/or pioglitazone could revert prediabetic state to normoglycemia in Chinese population. Major baseline parameters were balanced between two lifestyle intervention groups. This trial is registered with www.chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR-PRC-06000005. PMID:28168204

Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics of Beijing Prediabetes Reversion Program: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Lifestyle Intervention and/or Pioglitazone in Reversion to Normal Glucose Tolerance in Prediabetes.

PubMed

Luo, Yingying; Paul, Sanjoy K; Zhou, Xianghai; Chang, Cuiqing; Chen, Wei; Guo, Xiaohui; Yang, Jinkui; Ji, Linong; Wang, Hongyuan

2017-01-01

Background . Patients with prediabetes are at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). No study has explored whether intervention could revert prediabetes to normal glycemic status as the primary outcome. Beijing Prediabetes Reversion Program (BPRP) would evaluate whether intensive lifestyle modification and/or pioglitazone could revert prediabetic state to normoglycemia and improve the risk factors of CVD as well. Methods . BPRP is a randomized, multicenter, 2 × 2 factorial design study. Participants diagnosed as prediabetes were randomized into four groups (conventional/intensive lifestyle intervention and 30 mg pioglitazone/placebo) with a three-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was conversion into normal glucose tolerance. The trial would recruit 2000 participants (500 in each arm). Results . Between March 2007 and March 2011, 1945 participants were randomized. At baseline, the individuals were 53 ± 10 years old, with median BMI 26.0 (23.9, 28.2) kg/m 2 and HbA1c 5.8 (5.6, 6.1)%. 85% of the participants had IGT and 15% had IFG. Parameters relevant to glucose, lipids, blood pressure, lifestyle, and other metabolic markers were similar between conventional and intensive lifestyle intervention group at baseline. Conclusion . BPRP was the first study to determine if lifestyle modification and/or pioglitazone could revert prediabetic state to normoglycemia in Chinese population. Major baseline parameters were balanced between two lifestyle intervention groups. This trial is registered with www.chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR-PRC-06000005.

The slippery slope: prediction of successful weight maintenance in anorexia nervosa

PubMed Central

Kaplan, A. S.; Walsh, B. T.; Olmsted, M.; Attia, E.; Carter, J. C.; Devlin, M. J.; Pike, K. M.; Woodside, B.; Rockert, W.; Roberto, C. A.; Parides, M.

2015-01-01

Background Previous research has found that many patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) are unable to maintain normal weight after weight restoration. The objective of this study was to identify variables that predicted successful weight maintenance among weight-restored AN patients. Method Ninety-three patients with AN treated at two sites (Toronto and New York) through in-patient or partial hospitalization achieved a minimally normal weight and were then randomly assigned to receive fluoxetine or placebo along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for 1 year. Clinical, demographic and psychometric variables were assessed after weight restoration prior to randomization and putative predictors of successful weight maintenance at 6 and 12 months were examined. Results The most powerful predictors of weight maintenance at 6 and 12 months following weight restoration were pre-randomization body mass index (BMI) and the rate of weight loss in the first 28 days following randomization. Higher BMI and lower rate of weight loss were associated with greater likelihood of maintaining a normal BMI at 6 and 12 months. An additional predictor of weight maintenance was site; patients in Toronto fared better than those in New York. Conclusions This study found that the best predictors of weight maintenance in weight-restored AN patients over 6 and 12 months were the level of weight restoration at the conclusion of acute treatment and the avoidance of weight loss immediately following intensive treatment. These results suggest that outcome might be improved by achieving a higher BMI during structured treatment programs and on preventing weight loss immediately following discharge from such programs. PMID:18845008

Comparison of the antibacterial effect of sodium hypochlorite and aloe vera solutions as root canal irrigants in human extracted teeth contaminated with enterococcus faecalis.

PubMed

Sahebi, S; Khosravifar, N; Sedighshamsi, M; Motamedifar, M

2014-03-01

The main purpose of a root canal treatment is to eliminate the bacteria and their products from the pulp space. Sodium hypochlorite has excellent antibacterial properties, but also some negative features. The aim of the present study is to compare the antimicrobial effect of Aloe Vera solution with sodium hypochlorite on E.faecalis in the root canals of human extracted teeth. Sixty human extracted single rooted teeth were selected for this in vitro study. The teeth recruited in this study had no cracks, internal resorption, external resorption and calcification. Enterococcus faecalis was injected in the root canals of all teeth. The teeth were then divided into three groups randomly. Each group consisted of 20 teeth that were all rinsed with one of the following solutions: sodium hypochlorite 2.5%, Aloe vera and normal saline. Subsequent to rinsing, root canals of all teeth were sampled. The samples were cultured and growth of the bacteria was assessed after 48 hours. The number of colonies of the bacteria was then counted. The difference between the inhibitory effect of Aloe vera and normal saline on E.faecalis was not significant according to independent t-test (p= 0.966). The inhibitory effect of sodium hypochlorite on E.faecalis was much greater than that of Aloe vera and normal saline (p< 0.001). Aloe vera solution is not recommended as a root canal irrigator, but future studies are suggested to investigate the antibacterial effect of Aloe vera with longer duration of exposure and as an intra canal medicament.

Random-walk diffusion and drying of porous materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehrafarin, M.; Faghihi, M.

2001-12-01

Based on random-walk diffusion, a microscopic model for drying is proposed to explain the characteristic features of the drying-rate curve of porous materials. The constant drying-rate period is considered as a normal diffusion process. The transition to the falling-rate regime is attributed to the fractal nature of porous materials which results in crossover to anomalous diffusion.

Adequate margins for random setup uncertainties in head-and-neck IMRT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Astreinidou, Eleftheria; Bel, Arjan; Raaijmakers, Cornelis P.J.

2005-03-01

Purpose: To investigate the effect of random setup uncertainties on the highly conformal dose distributions produced by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for clinical head-and-neck cancer patients and to determine adequate margins to account for those uncertainties. Methods and materials: We have implemented in our clinical treatment planning system the possibility of simulating normally distributed patient setup displacements, translations, and rotations. The planning CT data of 8 patients with Stage T1-T3N0M0 oropharyngeal cancer were used. The clinical target volumes of the primary tumor (CTV{sub primary}) and of the lymph nodes (CTV{sub elective}) were expanded by 0.0, 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 mm inmore » all directions, creating the planning target volumes (PTVs). We performed IMRT dose calculation using our class solution for each PTV margin, resulting in the conventional static plans. Then, the system recalculated the plan for each positioning displacement derived from a normal distribution with {sigma} = 2 mm and {sigma} = 4 mm (standard deviation) for translational deviations and {sigma} = 1 deg for rotational deviations. The dose distributions of the 30 fractions were summed, resulting in the actual plan. The CTV dose coverage of the actual plans was compared with that of the static plans. Results: Random translational deviations of {sigma} = 2 mm and rotational deviations of {sigma} = 1 deg did not affect the CTV{sub primary} volume receiving 95% of the prescribed dose (V{sub 95}) regardless of the PTV margin used. A V{sub 95} reduction of 3% and 1% for a 0.0-mm and 1.5-mm PTV margin, respectively, was observed for {sigma} = 4 mm. The V{sub 95} of the CTV{sub elective} contralateral was approximately 1% and 5% lower than that of the static plan for {sigma} = 2 mm and {sigma} = 4 mm, respectively, and for PTV margins < 5.0 mm. An additional reduction of 1% was observed when rotational deviations were included. The same effect was observed for the CTV{sub elective} ipsilateral but with smaller dose differences than those for the contralateral side. The effect of the random uncertainties on the mean dose to the parotid glands was not significant. The maximal dose to the spinal cord increased by a maximum of 3 Gy. Conclusions: The margins to account for random setup uncertainties, in our clinical IMRT solution, should be 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm in the case of {sigma} = 2 mm and {sigma} = 4 mm, respectively, for the CTV{sub primary}. Larger margins (5.0 mm), however, should be applied to the CTV{sub elective}, if the goal of treatment is a V{sub 95} value of at least 99%.« less

Differential effects of atomoxetine on executive functioning and lexical decision in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and reading disorder.

PubMed

de Jong, Christien G W; Van De Voorde, Séverine; Roeyers, Herbert; Raymaekers, Ruth; Allen, Albert J; Knijff, Simone; Verhelst, Helene; Temmink, Alfons H; Smit, Leo M E; Rodriques-Pereira, Rob; Vandenberghe, Dirk; van Welsen, Inge; ter Schuren, Liesbeth; Al-Hakim, Mazim; Amin, Azad; Vlasveld, Laurens; Oosterlaan, Jaap; Sergeant, Joseph A

2009-12-01

The effects of a promising pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), atomoxetine, were studied on executive functions in both ADHD and reading disorder (RD) because earlier research demonstrated an overlap in executive functioning deficits in both disorders. In addition, the effects of atomoxetine were explored on lexical decision. Sixteen children with ADHD, 20 children with ADHD + RD, 21 children with RD, and 26 normal controls were enrolled in a randomized placebo-controlled crossover study. Children were measured on visuospatial working memory, inhibition, and lexical decision on the day of randomization and following two 28-day medication periods. Children with ADHD + RD showed improved visuospatial working memory performance and, to a lesser extent, improved inhibition following atomoxetine treatment compared to placebo. No differential effects of atomoxetine were found for lexical decision in comparison to placebo. In addition, no effects of atomoxetine were demonstrated in the ADHD and RD groups. Atomoxetine improved visuospatial working memory and to a lesser degree inhibition in children with ADHD + RD, which suggests differential developmental pathways for co-morbid ADHD + RD as compared to ADHD and RD alone. B4Z-MC-LYCK, NCT00191906; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00191906.

Bayesian Analysis for Exponential Random Graph Models Using the Adaptive Exchange Sampler.

PubMed

Jin, Ick Hoon; Yuan, Ying; Liang, Faming

2013-10-01

Exponential random graph models have been widely used in social network analysis. However, these models are extremely difficult to handle from a statistical viewpoint, because of the intractable normalizing constant and model degeneracy. In this paper, we consider a fully Bayesian analysis for exponential random graph models using the adaptive exchange sampler, which solves the intractable normalizing constant and model degeneracy issues encountered in Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations. The adaptive exchange sampler can be viewed as a MCMC extension of the exchange algorithm, and it generates auxiliary networks via an importance sampling procedure from an auxiliary Markov chain running in parallel. The convergence of this algorithm is established under mild conditions. The adaptive exchange sampler is illustrated using a few social networks, including the Florentine business network, molecule synthetic network, and dolphins network. The results indicate that the adaptive exchange algorithm can produce more accurate estimates than approximate exchange algorithms, while maintaining the same computational efficiency.

The Effect of Head Massage on the Regulation of the Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System: A Pilot Randomized Crossover Trial.

PubMed

Fazeli, Mir Sohail; Pourrahmat, Mir-Masoud; Liu, Mailan; Guan, Ling; Collet, Jean-Paul

2016-01-01

To evaluate the effect of a single 10-minute session of Chinese head massage on the activity of the cardiac autonomic nervous system via measurement of heart rate variability (HRV). In this pilot randomized crossover trial, each participant received both head massage and the control intervention in a randomized fashion. The study was conducted at Children's & Women's Health Centre of British Columbia between June and November 2014. Ten otherwise healthy adults (6 men and 4 women) were enrolled in this study. The intervention comprised 10 minutes of head massage therapy (HMT) in a seated position compared with a control intervention of sitting quietly on the same chair with eyes closed for an equal amount of time (no HMT). The primary outcome measures were the main parameters of HRV, including total power (TP), high frequency (HF), HF as a normalized unit, pre-ejection period, and heart rate (HR). A single short session (10 minutes) of head massage demonstrated an increase in TP continuing up to 20 minutes after massage and reaching statistical significance at 10 minutes after massage (relative change from baseline, 66% for HMT versus -6.6% for no HMT; p = 0.017). The effect on HF also peaked up to 10 minutes after massage (59.4% for HMT versus 4% for no HMT; p = 0.139). Receiving head massage also decreased HR by more than three-fold compared to the control intervention. This study shows the potential benefits of head massage by modulating the cardiac autonomic nervous system through an increase in the total variability and a shift toward higher parasympathetic nervous system activity. Randomized controlled trials with larger sample size and multiple sessions of massage are needed to substantiate these findings.

A randomized trial comparing a very low carbohydrate diet and a calorie-restricted low fat diet on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy women.

PubMed

Brehm, Bonnie J; Seeley, Randy J; Daniels, Stephen R; D'Alessio, David A

2003-04-01

Untested alternative weight loss diets, such as very low carbohydrate diets, have unsubstantiated efficacy and the potential to adversely affect cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled trial to determine the effects of a very low carbohydrate diet on body composition and cardiovascular risk factors. Subjects were randomized to 6 months of either an ad libitum very low carbohydrate diet or a calorie-restricted diet with 30% of the calories as fat. Anthropometric and metabolic measures were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Fifty-three healthy, obese female volunteers (mean body mass index, 33.6 +/- 0.3 kg/m(2)) were randomized; 42 (79%) completed the trial. Women on both diets reduced calorie consumption by comparable amounts at 3 and 6 months. The very low carbohydrate diet group lost more weight (8.5 +/- 1.0 vs. 3.9 +/- 1.0 kg; P < 0.001) and more body fat (4.8 +/- 0.67 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.75 kg; P < 0.01) than the low fat diet group. Mean levels of blood pressure, lipids, fasting glucose, and insulin were within normal ranges in both groups at baseline. Although all of these parameters improved over the course of the study, there were no differences observed between the two diet groups at 3 or 6 months. beta- Hydroxybutyrate increased significantly in the very low carbohydrate group at 3 months (P = 0.001). Based on these data, a very low carbohydrate diet is more effective than a low fat diet for short-term weight loss and, over 6 months, is not associated with deleterious effects on important cardiovascular risk factors in healthy women.

Testing the potential paradoxes in "retrocausal" phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jolij, Jacob; Bierman, Dick J.

2017-05-01

Discussions with regard to potential paradoxes arising from "retrocausal" phenomena have been purely theoretical because so far no empirical effects had been established that allowed for empirical exploration of these potential paradoxes. In this article we describe three human experiments that showed clear "retrocausal" effects. In these neuropsychological, so-called, face-detection experiments, consisting of hundreds of trials per participant, we use brain signals to predict an upcoming random stimulus. The binary random decision, corresponding to showing a noisy cartoon face or showing only noise on a display with equal probability is taken after the brain signals have been measured. The prediction accuracy ranges from 50.5-56.5% for the 3 experiments where chance performance would be 50%. The prediction algorithm is based on a template constructed out of all the pre-stimulus brain signals obtained in other trials of that particular participant. This approach thus controls for individual difference in brain functioning. Subsequently we describe an experiment based upon these findings where the predictive information is used in part of the trials to determine the stimulus rather than randomly select that stimulus. In those trials we analyze what the brain signals tell us what the future stimulus would be and then we reverse the actual future that is presented on the display. This is a `bilking' condition. We analyze what the consequence of the introduction of this bilking condition is on the accuracy of the remaining (normal) trials and, following a suggestion inferred from Thorne et al, we also check what the effect is on the random decision to either bilk or not bilk the specific trial. The bilking experiment is in progress and the results so far do not allow for conclusions and are presented only as an illustration.

Myocardial Fibrosis Progression in Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Silva, Marly Conceição; Magalhães, Tiago Augusto; Meira, Zilda Maria Alves; Rassi, Carlos Henrique Reis Esselin; Andrade, Amanda Cristina de Souza; Gutierrez, Paulo Sampaio; Azevedo, Clerio Francisco; Gurgel-Giannetti, Juliana; Vainzof, Mariz; Zatz, Mayana; Kalil-Filho, Roberto; Rochitte, Carlos Eduardo

2017-02-01

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), interventions reducing the progression of myocardial disease could affect survival. To assess the effect of early angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy in patients with normal left ventricular function on the progression of myocardial fibrosis (MF) identified on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). A randomized clinical trial conducted in 2 centers included 76 male patients with DMD or BMD undergoing 2 CMR studies with a 2-year interval for ventricular function and MF assessment. In a non-intent-to-treat trial, 42 patients with MF and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were randomized (1:1) to receive or not receive ACE inhibitor therapy. The study was conducted from June 26, 2009, to June 30, 2012. Data analysis was performed from June 30, 2013, to October 3, 2016. Randomization (1:1) to receive or not receive ACE inhibitor therapy. Primary outcome was MF progression from baseline to the 2-year CMR study. Of the 76 male patients included in the study, 70 had DMD (92%) and 6 had BMD (8%); mean (SD) age at baseline was 13.1 (4.4) years. Myocardial fibrosis was present in 55 patients (72%) and LV systolic dysfunction was identified in 13 patients (24%). Myocardial fibrosis at baseline was an independent indicator of lower LVEF at follow-up (coefficient [SE], -0.16 [0.07]; P = .03). Among patients with MF and preserved LVEF (42 [55%]), those randomized (21 patients in each arm) to receive ACE inhibitors demonstrated slower MF progression compared with the untreated group (mean [SD] increase of 3.1% [7.4%] vs 10.0% [6.2%] as a percentage of LV mass; P = .001). In multivariate analysis, ACE inhibitor therapy was an independent indicator of decreased MF progression (coefficient [SE], -4.51 [2.11]; P = .04). Patients with MF noted on CMR had a higher probability of cardiovascular events (event rate, 10 of 55 [18.2%] vs 0 of 21 [0%]; log-rank P = .04). In this 2-year, follow-up, randomized clinical trial of patients with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy whose LVEF was preserved and MF was present as determined on CMR, ACE inhibitor therapy was associated with significantly slower progression of MF. The presence of MF was associated with worse patient prognosis. clinicaltrials.org Identifier: NCT02432885.

Quantum random number generator based on quantum nature of vacuum fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanova, A. E.; Chivilikhin, S. A.; Gleim, A. V.

2017-11-01

Quantum random number generator (QRNG) allows obtaining true random bit sequences. In QRNG based on quantum nature of vacuum, optical beam splitter with two inputs and two outputs is normally used. We compare mathematical descriptions of spatial beam splitter and fiber Y-splitter in the quantum model for QRNG, based on homodyne detection. These descriptions were identical, that allows to use fiber Y-splitters in practical QRNG schemes, simplifying the setup. Also we receive relations between the input radiation and the resulting differential current in homodyne detector. We experimentally demonstrate possibility of true random bits generation by using QRNG based on homodyne detection with Y-splitter.

Physical activity levels of normal-weight and overweight girls and boys during primary school recess.

PubMed

Stratton, Gareth; Ridgers, Nicola D; Fairclough, Stuart J; Richardson, David J

2007-06-01

This study aimed to compare moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) in normal-weight and overweight boys and girls during school recess. Four hundred twenty children, age 6 to 10 years, were randomly selected from 25 schools in England. Three hundred seventy-seven children completed the study. BMI was calculated from height and weight measurements, and heart rate reserve thresholds of 50% and 75% reflected children's engagement in MVPA and VPA, respectively. There was a significant main effect for sex and a significant interaction between BMI category and sex for the percent of recess time spent in MVPA and VPA. Normal-weight girls were the least active group, compared with overweight boys and girls who were equally active. Fifty-one boys and 24 girls of normal weight achieved the 40% threshold; of these, 30 boys and 10 girls exceeded 50% of recess time in MVPA. Eighteen overweight boys and 22 overweight girls exceeded the 40% threshold, whereas 8 boys and 8 girls exceeded the 50% threshold. Overweight boys were significantly less active than their normal-weight male counterparts; this difference did not hold true for girls. Even though nearly double the number of normal-weight children achieved the 40% of MVPA during recess compared with overweight children, physical activity promotion in school playgrounds needs to be targeted not only at overweight but at other health parameters, as 40 overweight children met the 40% MVPA target proposed for recess.

Effects of exposure to bodies of different sizes on perception of and satisfaction with own body size: two randomized studies.

PubMed

Bould, Helen; Carnegie, Rebecca; Allward, Heather; Bacon, Emily; Lambe, Emily; Sapseid, Megan; Button, Katherine S; Lewis, Glyn; Skinner, Andy; Broome, Matthew R; Park, Rebecca; Harmer, Catherine J; Penton-Voak, Ian S; Munafò, Marcus R

2018-05-01

Body dissatisfaction is prevalent among women and associated with subsequent obesity and eating disorders. Exposure to images of bodies of different sizes has been suggested to change the perception of 'normal' body size in others. We tested whether exposure to different-sized (otherwise identical) bodies changes perception of own and others' body size, satisfaction with body size and amount of chocolate consumed. In Study 1, 90 18-25-year-old women with normal BMI were randomized into one of three groups to complete a 15 min two-back task using photographs of women either of 'normal weight' (Body Mass Index (BMI) 22-23 kg m -2 ), or altered to appear either under- or over-weight. Study 2 was identical except the 96 participants had high baseline body dissatisfaction and were followed up after 24 h. We also conducted a mega-analysis combining both studies. Participants rated size of others' bodies, own size, and satisfaction with size pre- and post-task. Post-task ratings were compared between groups, adjusting for pre-task ratings. Participants exposed to over- or normal-weight images subsequently perceived others' bodies as smaller, in comparison to those shown underweight bodies ( p  < 0.001). They also perceived their own bodies as smaller (Study 1, p  = 0.073; Study 2, p  = 0.018; mega-analysis, p  = 0.001), and felt more satisfied with their size (Study 1, p  = 0.046; Study 2, p  = 0.004; mega-analysis, p  = 0.006). There were no differences in chocolate consumption. This study suggests that a move towards using images of women with a BMI in the healthy range in the media may help to reduce body dissatisfaction, and the associated risk of eating disorders.

Performance of statistical models to predict mental health and substance abuse cost.

PubMed

Montez-Rath, Maria; Christiansen, Cindy L; Ettner, Susan L; Loveland, Susan; Rosen, Amy K

2006-10-26

Providers use risk-adjustment systems to help manage healthcare costs. Typically, ordinary least squares (OLS) models on either untransformed or log-transformed cost are used. We examine the predictive ability of several statistical models, demonstrate how model choice depends on the goal for the predictive model, and examine whether building models on samples of the data affects model choice. Our sample consisted of 525,620 Veterans Health Administration patients with mental health (MH) or substance abuse (SA) diagnoses who incurred costs during fiscal year 1999. We tested two models on a transformation of cost: a Log Normal model and a Square-root Normal model, and three generalized linear models on untransformed cost, defined by distributional assumption and link function: Normal with identity link (OLS); Gamma with log link; and Gamma with square-root link. Risk-adjusters included age, sex, and 12 MH/SA categories. To determine the best model among the entire dataset, predictive ability was evaluated using root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute prediction error (MAPE), and predictive ratios of predicted to observed cost (PR) among deciles of predicted cost, by comparing point estimates and 95% bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals. To study the effect of analyzing a random sample of the population on model choice, we re-computed these statistics using random samples beginning with 5,000 patients and ending with the entire sample. The Square-root Normal model had the lowest estimates of the RMSE and MAPE, with bootstrap confidence intervals that were always lower than those for the other models. The Gamma with square-root link was best as measured by the PRs. The choice of best model could vary if smaller samples were used and the Gamma with square-root link model had convergence problems with small samples. Models with square-root transformation or link fit the data best. This function (whether used as transformation or as a link) seems to help deal with the high comorbidity of this population by introducing a form of interaction. The Gamma distribution helps with the long tail of the distribution. However, the Normal distribution is suitable if the correct transformation of the outcome is used.

The quotient of normal random variables and application to asset price fat tails

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caginalp, Carey; Caginalp, Gunduz

2018-06-01

The quotient of random variables with normal distributions is examined and proven to have power law decay, with density f(x) ≃f0x-2, with the coefficient depending on the means and variances of the numerator and denominator and their correlation. We also obtain the conditional probability densities for each of the four quadrants given by the signs of the numerator and denominator for arbitrary correlation ρ ∈ [ - 1 , 1) . For ρ = - 1 we obtain a particularly simple closed form solution for all x ∈ R. The results are applied to a basic issue in economics and finance, namely the density of relative price changes. Classical finance stipulates a normal distribution of relative price changes, though empirical studies suggest a power law at the tail end. By considering the supply and demand in a basic price change model, we prove that the relative price change has density that decays with an x-2 power law. Various parameter limits are established.

Boundary Layer Effect on Behavior of Discrete Models.

PubMed

Eliáš, Jan

2017-02-10

The paper studies systems of rigid bodies with randomly generated geometry interconnected by normal and tangential bonds. The stiffness of these bonds determines the macroscopic elastic modulus while the macroscopic Poisson's ratio of the system is determined solely by the normal/tangential stiffness ratio. Discrete models with no directional bias have the same probability of element orientation for any direction and therefore the same mechanical properties in a statistical sense at any point and direction. However, the layers of elements in the vicinity of the boundary exhibit biased orientation, preferring elements parallel with the boundary. As a consequence, when strain occurs in this direction, the boundary layer becomes stiffer than the interior for the normal/tangential stiffness ratio larger than one, and vice versa. Nonlinear constitutive laws are typically such that the straining of an element in shear results in higher strength and ductility than straining in tension. Since the boundary layer tends, due to the bias in the elemental orientation, to involve more tension than shear at the contacts, it also becomes weaker and less ductile. The paper documents these observations and compares them to the results of theoretical analysis.

Low-frequency electrotherapy for female patients with detrusor underactivity due to neuromuscular deficiency.

PubMed

Xu, Dan-Feng; Zhang, Shen; Wang, Cun-Zhou; Li, Jun; Qu, Chuang-Yu; Cui, Xin-Gang; Zhao, Sheng-Jia

2012-08-01

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of low-frequency electrotherapy (LFE) for female patients with early-stage detrusor underactivity (DUA) due to neuromuscular deficiency. A total of 102 female patients were divided randomly into four groups: LFE-NC (normal compliance), LFE-LC (low compliance), CON (control)-NC and CON-LC. Patients in the LFE-NC and LFE-LC groups received LFE, and those in the CON-NC and CON-LC groups received conservative treatment. Urodynamic evaluation was performed before and after treatment. After treatment, 82 % of the LFE-NC regained detrusor contractility, whereas only 2 (8 %) of the CON-NC had normal detrusor contraction. None of LFE-LC or CON-LC regained detrusor contractility (p < 0.01). The per cent of LFE-NC who relied on catheterization for bladder emptying decreased by 43 % (p < 0.01). Those in the LFE-LC, CON-NC and CON-LC groups decreased by only 4, 12 or 0 % (p > 0.05). LFE was more effective for DUA patients with normal compliance; these patients benefited from LFE, but DUA patients with low compliance did not.

The effect of signal variability on the histograms of anthropomorphic channel outputs: factors resulting in non-normally distributed data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elshahaby, Fatma E. A.; Ghaly, Michael; Jha, Abhinav K.; Frey, Eric C.

2015-03-01

Model Observers are widely used in medical imaging for the optimization and evaluation of instrumentation, acquisition parameters and image reconstruction and processing methods. The channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) is a commonly used model observer in nuclear medicine and has seen increasing use in other modalities. An anthropmorphic CHO consists of a set of channels that model some aspects of the human visual system and the Hotelling Observer, which is the optimal linear discriminant. The optimality of the CHO is based on the assumption that the channel outputs for data with and without the signal present have a multivariate normal distribution with equal class covariance matrices. The channel outputs result from the dot product of channel templates with input images and are thus the sum of a large number of random variables. The central limit theorem is thus often used to justify the assumption that the channel outputs are normally distributed. In this work, we aim to examine this assumption for realistically simulated nuclear medicine images when various types of signal variability are present.

Effects of herbal medicine for dysmenorrhea treatment on accompanied acne vulgaris: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Kim, Kwan-Il; Nam, Hae Jeong; Kim, Mia; Lee, Junhee; Kim, Kyuseok

2017-06-17

The incidence of preadolescent acne among women is increasing. Acne deteriorates the quality of life; conventional treatment options are limited and have not been effective against acne, particularly acne associated with menstruation. Despite evidence that acne associated with menstruation abnormalities naturally improves when menstruation recovers to normal, there have only been few studies on the effects of dysmenorrhea treatment on acne. Therefore- we designed this study to assess the effects of gyejibokryung-hwan (GBH) and dangguijagyag-san (DJS), which are widely used in dysmenorrhea treatment, on acne associated with menstruation cycle. This is a protocol for a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled and multicenter trial. One hundred and sixteen participants with dysmenorrhea accompanied by acne vulgaris will be recruited at three centers and randomized into two groups, the herbal treatment group and placebo group. The participants will receive GBH or DJS based on pattern identification or placebo granules thrice daily for 8 weeks, with an 8-week follow up. The primary outcome will be the mean percentage change in the count of inflammatory acne lesions. The secondary outcomes would be based on dysmenorrhea numeric rating scale, verbal multidimensional scoring system for dysmenorrhea, acne numeric rating scale, investigator's static global assessment scale of facial acne vulgaris, and safety testing. Adverse events will also be reported. The effects of GBH or DJS used in dysmenorrhea treatment on acne associated with the menstrual cycle will be evaluated. The findings of this trial will provide evidence regarding the effect of herbal medicine in improving acne vulgaris associated with menstruation in women. Korean Clinical Trial Registry ( http://cris.nih.go.kr ; registration number: KCT0002259). Date of registration: March 10, 2017.

A Look at the Memory Performance of Retarded and Normal Children Utilizing the Levels of Processing Framework.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lupart, Judy L.; Mulcahy, Robert F.

Memory performance differences of mental age matched (9-12 years) educable mentally retarded (EMR) (n=56) and normal (n=56) children were examined in two experiments using the F. Craik and R. Lockhart levels of processing framework. In experiment 1, Ss were randomly assigned to an incidental, intentional, or planned intentional learning condition,…

Hyperscaling breakdown and Ising spin glasses: The Binder cumulant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundow, P. H.; Campbell, I. A.

2018-02-01

Among the Renormalization Group Theory scaling rules relating critical exponents, there are hyperscaling rules involving the dimension of the system. It is well known that in Ising models hyperscaling breaks down above the upper critical dimension. It was shown by Schwartz (1991) that the standard Josephson hyperscaling rule can also break down in Ising systems with quenched random interactions. A related Renormalization Group Theory hyperscaling rule links the critical exponents for the normalized Binder cumulant and the correlation length in the thermodynamic limit. An appropriate scaling approach for analyzing measurements from criticality to infinite temperature is first outlined. Numerical data on the scaling of the normalized correlation length and the normalized Binder cumulant are shown for the canonical Ising ferromagnet model in dimension three where hyperscaling holds, for the Ising ferromagnet in dimension five (so above the upper critical dimension) where hyperscaling breaks down, and then for Ising spin glass models in dimension three where the quenched interactions are random. For the Ising spin glasses there is a breakdown of the normalized Binder cumulant hyperscaling relation in the thermodynamic limit regime, with a return to size independent Binder cumulant values in the finite-size scaling regime around the critical region.

Mode detuning in systems of weakly coupled oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spencer, Ross L.; Robertson, Richard D.

2001-11-01

A system of weakly magnetically coupled oscillating blades is studied experimentally, computationally, and theoretically. It is found that when the uncoupled natural frequencies of the blades are nearly equal, the normal modes produced by the coupling are almost impossible to find experimentally if the random variation level in the system parameters is on the order of (or larger than) the relative differences between mode frequencies. But if the uncoupled natural frequencies are made to vary (detuned) in a smooth way such that the total relative spread in natural frequency exceeds the random variations, normal modes are rather easy to find. And if the detuned uncoupled frequencies of the system are parabolically distributed, the modes are found to be shaped like Hermite functions.

Resistance distribution in the hopping percolation model.

PubMed

Strelniker, Yakov M; Havlin, Shlomo; Berkovits, Richard; Frydman, Aviad

2005-07-01

We study the distribution function P (rho) of the effective resistance rho in two- and three-dimensional random resistor networks of linear size L in the hopping percolation model. In this model each bond has a conductivity taken from an exponential form sigma proportional to exp (-kappar) , where kappa is a measure of disorder and r is a random number, 0< or = r < or =1 . We find that in both the usual strong-disorder regime L/ kappa(nu) >1 (not sensitive to removal of any single bond) and the extreme-disorder regime L/ kappa(nu) <1 (very sensitive to such a removal) the distribution depends only on L/kappa(nu) and can be well approximated by a log-normal function with dispersion b kappa(nu) /L , where b is a coefficient which depends on the type of lattice, and nu is the correlation critical exponent.

Nonlinear Reduced-Order Simulation Using Stress-Free and Pre-Stressed Modal Bases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Przekop, Adam; Stover, Michael A.; Rizzi, Stephen A.

2009-01-01

A study is undertaken to determine the advantages and disadvantages associated with application of stress-free and pre-stressed modal bases in a reduced-order finite-element-based nonlinear simulation. A planar beam is chosen as an application example and its response due to combined thermal and random pressure loadings is examined. Combinations of two random pressure levels and two thermal conditions are investigated. The latter consists of an ambient temperature condition and an elevated temperature condition in the post-buckled regime. It is found that stress-free normal modes establish a broadly applicable modal basis yielding accurate results for all the loading regimes considered. In contrast, the range of applicability for a thermally pre-stressed modal basis is found to be limited. The behavior is explained by scrutinizing the coupling found in the linear stiffness and the effect this coupling has on the structural response characteristics under the range of loading conditions considered.

Conservative management of tendinopathy: an evidence-based approach

PubMed Central

Loppini, Mattia; Maffulli, Nicola

2011-01-01

Summary Tendinopathy is one of the most frequent overuse injuries associated with sport. It is a failure of a chronic healing response associated with both chronic overloaded and unloaded states. Although several conservative therapeutic options have been proposed, very few of them are supported by randomized controlled trials. Eccentric exercises provide excellent clinical results both in athletic and sedentary patients, with no reported adverse effects. Combining eccentric loading and low-energy shock wave therapy produces higher success rates compared with eccentric training alone or shock wave therapy alone. High-volume injection of normal saline solution, corticosteroids, or anesthetics can reduce pain and improve long-term function in patients with Achilles or patellar tendinopathy. The use of injectable substances such as platelet-rich plasma, autologous blood, polidocanol, and corticosteroids in and around tendons is not support by strong clinical evidence. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to define the best conservative management of tendinopathy. PMID:23738261

Effect of treated tannery effluent with domestic wastewater and amendments on growth and yield of cotton.

PubMed

Jagathjothi, N; Amanullah, M Mohamed; Muthukrishnan, P

2013-11-15

Pot culture and field experiments were carried out at the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), Dindigul during kharif 2011-12 to investigate the influence of irrigation of treated tannery effluent along with domestic wastewater on growth, yield attributes and yield of cotton. The pot culture was in a factorial completely randomized design and field experiment laid out in factorial randomized block design with four replications. The results revealed that the mixing proportion of 25% Treated Tannery Effluent (TTE)+75% domestic wastewater (DWW) application recorded taller plants, higher dry matter production, number of sympodial branches plant(-1), number of fruiting points plant(-1), number of bolls plant(-1) and seed cotton yield with yield reduction of 15.28 and 16.11% compared to normal water irrigation under pot culture and field experiment, respectively. Regarding amendments, gypsum application registered higher seed cotton yield followed by VAM.

Self-perception of physical competences in preadolescent overweight Chinese children.

PubMed

Sung, R Y T; Yu, C W; So, R C H; Lam, P K W; Hau, K T

2005-01-01

To compare self-perceptions of physical competences in overweight and in normal weight preadolescent Chinese children. Cross-sectional study. Three primary schools and a university hospital in Hong Kong. A total of 634 children, comprising 558 (462 normal weight, 96 overweight) aged 8-12 y randomly sampled from three primary schools, and 76 similar age overweight children recruited from the community for a diet and exercise intervention programme. Height, weight and percentage body fat were measured. Self-perceptions of physical competences were determined by Physical Self-Descriptive Questionnaire (PSDQ). Corresponding actual physical competences were measured by physical fitness tests. Overweight children perceived themselves to have significantly more body fat than normal weight children, with poorer appearance, sports competence, endurance, coordination, flexibility, overall physical self-concept and self-esteem, but to be no less healthy, no less physically active and no less strong. Overweight children performed less well than normal weight children in measures of endurance, coordination and flexibility but better in strength. Poor self-perception of physical competences appeared only partly related to deficiencies in actual physical competences. Overweight children have poorer self-perception of their physical competences but do not perceive themselves to be less strong, healthy or physically active than normal weight children. Exercise programmes for overweight children could be more effective if designed with the knowledge of these self-perceptions.

Effects of a Sedentary Intervention on Cognitive Function.

PubMed

Edwards, Meghan K; Loprinzi, Paul D

2018-03-01

To examine the effects of a free-living, sedentary-inducing intervention on cognitive function. Randomized controlled, parallel group intervention. University campus. Thirty-three young adults (n = 23 intervention; n = 10 control). The intervention group was asked to eliminate all exercise and minimize steps to ≤5000 steps/day for 1 week, whereas the control group was asked to continue normal physical activity (PA) levels for 1 week. Both groups completed a series of 8 cognitive function assessments (assessing multiple parameters of cognition) preintervention and immediately postintervention. The intervention group was asked to resume normal PA levels for 1 week postintervention and completed the cognitive assessments for a third time at 2 weeks postintervention. Split-plot repeated-measures analysis of variance. The results of our statistical analyses showed that the group × time interaction effect was not significant ( P > .05) for any of the evaluated cognitive parameters. These findings demonstrate the need for future experimental investigations of sedentary behavior to better understand its effects on cognitive function. However, although previous work has demonstrated favorable effects of acute and chronic PA on cognitive function, our findings suggest that a 1-week period of reduced PA does not detrimentally affect cognitive function, which may have encouraging implications for individuals going through a temporary relapse in PA.

Effect of GLP-1 Receptor Activation on Offspring Kidney Health in a Rat Model of Maternal Obesity.

PubMed

Glastras, Sarah J; Chen, Hui; McGrath, Rachel T; Zaky, Amgad A; Gill, Anthony J; Pollock, Carol A; Saad, Sonia

2016-03-23

Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease in offspring, including type 2 diabetes (T2D). Exendin-4 (Exd-4) activates the glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor thereby decreasing serum glucose levels and body weight. In addition, Exd-4 has been shown to reduce renal and cardiac complications in experimental models of T2D. We hypothesized that treatment with Exd-4 would ameliorate the detrimental effects of maternal and diet-induced obesity on renal characteristics in offspring. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either normal or high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and lactation, and their offspring were weaned to normal or HFD. The offspring were randomized to Exd-4 or placebo from weaning and their kidneys harvested at Week 9. We found that the kidneys of offspring from obese mothers, regardless of postnatal diet, had significantly increased markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. Exd-4 ameliorated the negative renal effects of maternal obesity and in particular, reduced renal inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. In conclusion, maternal obesity has persisting effects on renal structure in the offspring. GLP-1 analogues are potentially useful for protecting against the deleterious effects of maternal obesity on renal physiology in offspring.

Bandwagon effects and error bars in particle physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeng, Monwhea

2007-02-01

We study historical records of experiments on particle masses, lifetimes, and widths, both for signs of expectation bias, and to compare actual errors with reported error bars. We show that significant numbers of particle properties exhibit "bandwagon effects": reported values show trends and clustering as a function of the year of publication, rather than random scatter about the mean. While the total amount of clustering is significant, it is also fairly small; most individual particle properties do not display obvious clustering. When differences between experiments are compared with the reported error bars, the deviations do not follow a normal distribution, but instead follow an exponential distribution for up to ten standard deviations.

Beneficial effects of dark chocolate on exercise capacity in sedentary subjects: underlying mechanisms. A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial.

PubMed

Taub, Pam R; Ramirez-Sanchez, Israel; Patel, Minal; Higginbotham, Erin; Moreno-Ulloa, Aldo; Román-Pintos, Luis Miguel; Phillips, Paul; Perkins, Guy; Ceballos, Guillermo; Villarreal, Francisco

2016-09-14

In heart failure patients the consumption of (-)-epicatechin ((-)-Epi)-rich cocoa can restore skeletal muscle (SkM) mitochondrial structure and decrease biomarkers of oxidative stress. However, nothing is known about its effects on exercise capacity and underlying mechanisms in normal, sedentary subjects. Twenty normal, sedentary subjects (∼50 years old) were randomized to placebo or dark chocolate (DC) groups and consumed 20 g of the products for 3 months. Subjects underwent before and after treatment, bicycle ergometry to assess VO2 max and work, SkM biopsy to assess changes in mitochondrial density, function and oxidative stress and blood sampling to assess metabolic endpoints. Seventeen subjects completed the trial. In the DC group (n = 9), VO2 max increased (17% increase, p = 0.056) as well as maximum work (watts) achieved (p = 0.026) with no changes with placebo (n = 8). The DC group evidenced increases in HDL levels (p = 0.005) and decreased triglycerides (p = 0.07). With DC, SkM evidenced significant increases in protein levels for LKB1, AMPK and PGC1α and in their active forms (phosphorylated AMPK and LKB1) as well as in citrate synthase activity while no changes were observed in mitochondrial density. With DC, significant increases in SkM reduced glutathione levels and decreases in protein carbonylation were observed. Improvements in maximum work achieved and VO2 max may be due to DC activation of upstream control systems and enhancement of SkM mitochondria efficiency. Larger clinical studies are warranted to confirm these observations.

Eating dark and milk chocolate: a randomized crossover study of effects on appetite and energy intake.

PubMed

Sørensen, L B; Astrup, A

2011-12-05

To compare the effect of dark and milk chocolate on appetite sensations and energy intake at an ad libitum test meal in healthy, normal-weight men. A total of 16 young, healthy, normal-weight men participated in a randomized, crossover study. Test meals were 100 g of either milk (2285 kJ) or dark chocolate (2502 kJ). Visual-analogue scales were used to record appetite sensations before and after the test meal was consumed and subsequently every 30 min for 5 h. An ad libitum meal was served 2 h after the test meal had been consumed. The participants felt more satiated, less hungry, and had lower ratings of prospective food consumption after consumption of the dark chocolate than after the milk chocolate. Ratings of the desire to eat something sweet, fatty or savoury were all lower after consumption of the dark chocolate. Energy intake at the ad libitum meal was 17% lower after consumption of the dark chocolate than after the milk chocolate (P=0.002). If the energy provided by the chocolate is included in the calculation, the energy intake after consumption of the dark chocolate was still 8% lower than after the milk chocolate (P=0.01). The dark chocolate load resulted in an overall energy difference of -584 kJ (95% confidence interval (-1027;-141)) during the test period. In the present study, dark chocolate promotes satiety, lowers the desire to eat something sweet, and suppresses energy intake compared with milk chocolate.

Evidence for Neuroplastic Compensation in the Cerebral Cortex of Persons with Depressive Illness

PubMed Central

Bansal, Ravi; Hellerstein, David J.; Peterson, Bradley S.

2017-01-01

We yoked anatomical brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) of antidepressant medication for 10-week’s duration in patients with dysthymia. The RCT study design mitigated ascertainment bias by randomizing patients to receive either duloxetine or placebo, and it supported true causal inferences about treatment effects on the brain by controlling treatment assignment experimentally. We acquired 121 anatomical scans: at baseline and endpoint in 41 patients, and once in 39 healthy controls. At baseline, patients had diffusely thicker cortices than did healthy participants, and patients who had thicker cortices had proportionately less severe symptoms. During the trial, symptoms improved significantly more in medication- compared with placebo-treated patients; concurrently, thicknesses in medication-treated patients declined toward values in healthy controls, but they increased slightly, away from control values, in placebo-treated patients. Changes in symptom severity during the trial mediated the association of treatment assignment with the change in thickness, suggesting that the beneficial effects of medication on symptom severity were at least partially responsible for normalizing cortical thickness. Together our findings suggest that baseline cortical hypertrophy in medication-free patients likely represented a compensatory, neuroplastic response that attenuated symptom severity. Medication then reduced symptoms and lessened the need for compensation, thereby normalizing thickness. This is to the best of our knowledge the first study to report within an RCT a differential change in cortical morphology during medication treatment for depressive illness and the first to provide within an RCT in vivo evidence for the presence of neuroanatomical plasticity in humans. PMID:28265119

A randomized, double crossover study to investigate the influence of saline infusion on sleep apnea severity in men.

PubMed

Yadollahi, Azadeh; Gabriel, Joseph M; White, Laura H; Taranto Montemurro, Luigi; Kasai, Takatoshi; Bradley, T Douglas

2014-10-01

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is commoner in patients with fluid-retaining states than in those without fluid retention, in men than in women, and worsens with aging. In men, OSA severity is related to the amount of fluid shifting out of the legs overnight, but a cause-effect relationship is not established. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that mimicking fluid overload during sleep would increase severity of OSA more in older (≥ 40 years) than in younger men (< 40 years). Randomized, single-blind, double crossover study. Research sleep laboratory. Seven older and 10 younger men with non-severe or no sleep apnea, matched for body mass index. During the control arm, normal saline was infused to keep the vein open. During intervention, subjects received an intravenous bolus of normal saline (22 mL/kg body weight) after sleep onset while they were wearing compression stockings to prevent fluid accumulation in the legs. Compared to younger men, infusion of similar amounts of saline in older men caused a greater increase in neck circumference (P < 0.05) and in the AHI (32.2 ± 22.1 vs. 2.2 ± 7.1, P = 0.002). Older men are more susceptible to the adverse effects of intravenous fluid loading on obstructive sleep apnea severity than younger men. This may be due to age-related differences in the amount of fluid accumulating in the neck or upper airway collapsibility in response to intravenous fluid loading. These possibilities remain to be tested in future studies. © 2014 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

Effects of myofascial release after high-intensity exercise: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Arroyo-Morales, Manuel; Olea, Nicolas; Martinez, Manuel; Moreno-Lorenzo, Carmen; Díaz-Rodríguez, Lourdes; Hidalgo-Lozano, Amparo

2008-03-01

The usefulness of massage as a recovery method after high-intensity exercise has yet to be established. We aimed to investigate the effects of whole-body massage on heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) after repeated high-intensity cycling exercise under controlled and standardized pretest conditions. The study included 62 healthy active individuals. After baseline measurements, the subjects performed standardized warm-up exercises followed by three 30-second Wingate tests. After completing the exercise protocol, the subjects were randomly assigned to a massage (myofascial release) or placebo (sham treatment with disconnected ultrasound and magnetotherapy equipment) group for a 40-minute recovery period. Holter recording and BP measurements were taken after exercise protocol and after the intervention. After the exercise protocol, both groups showed a significant decrease in normal-to-normal interval, HRV index, diastolic BP (P > .001), and low-frequency domain values (P = .006). After the recovery period, HRV index (P = .42) and high-frequency (HF) (P = .94) values were similar to baseline levels in the massage group, whereas the HRV index tended (P = .05) to be lower and the HF was significantly (P < .01) lower vs baseline values in the placebo group, which also showed a tendency (P = .06) for HF to be lower than after the exercise. Likewise, diastolic BP returned to baseline levels in the massage group (P = .45) but remained lower in the placebo group (P = .02). Myofascial release massage favors the recovery of HRV and diastolic BP after high-intensity exercise (3 Wingate tests) to preexercise levels.

Etiology of homosexuality and attitudes toward same-sex parenting: a randomized study.

PubMed

Frias-Navarro, Dolores; Monterde-I-Bort, Hector; Pascual-Soler, Marcos; Badenes-Ribera, Laura

2015-01-01

Attribution theory suggests the hypothesis that heterosexuals' attitudes toward homosexual sexual orientation will be more negative when homosexuality is attributed to controllable causes. Our randomized study analyzed (a) whether beliefs about the genetic or environmental etiology of the homosexual sexual orientation can be immediately modified by reading a text and (b) the causal effect of attributions about the controllability (environmental etiology) or noncontrollability (genetic etiology) of homosexual sexual orientation on the rejection of same-sex parenting and their social rights. The sample was composed of 190 Spanish university students with a mean age of 22.07 years (SD = 8.46). The results show that beliefs about the etiology of the sexual orientation could be modified by means of a written text. Furthermore, participants who believed that sexual orientation had a genetic etiology showed greater support for social rights and less rejection of same-sex parenting. However, the effects were detected only when there was a traditional opposition to the family with same-sex parenting. When the opposition was normative, the effect was not statistically significant. Our results can be useful in planning variables for intervention programs designed to foster tolerance toward and normality of sexual diversity.

A prevention programme for somatoform disorders is effective for affective disorders.

PubMed

García-Campayo, Javier; Arevalo, Elisa; Claraco, Luis Manuel; Alda, Marta; Lopez del Hoyo, Yolanda

2010-04-01

To assess the effectiveness of a psycho-educational programme for the primary prevention of somatoform disorders in healthy primary care patients. Randomized, controlled trial. Participants (N=104) were randomly assigned to: (1) a psycho-educational intervention, or (2) no intervention at all. The primary outcome measure was somatoform disorder psychiatric diagnosis at 5-year follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were hypochondriasis, locus of control and attribution of symptoms and psychological distress. At 3 and 6 months, and 5 years, the intervention group significantly decreased hypochondriasis and somatic attributions; and increased psychological and normalizing attributions and internal locus of control. Five years after baseline, the prevalence of somatoform disorders showed no differences between both groups. Nevertheless, overall psychiatric morbidity was less prevalent in the intervention group (odds ratio: 2.72; 95%CI:1.10-6.72). In addition, a decrease in depression and anxiety subscales and in overall General Health Questionnaire scoring (p<.05) was found in the intervention group. A primary prevention programme for somatization seems to be useful, not to decrease somatoform disorders, but to prevent anxiety and depressive disorders. The effects of overlapping psychobiological mechanisms are discussed. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Regional brain changes in bipolar I depression: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

PubMed Central

Altshuler, Lori; Bookheimer, Susan; Townsend, Jennifer; Proenza, Manuel A; Sabb, Fred; Mintz, Jim; Cohen, Mark S

2011-01-01

Objective To investigate neural activity in prefrontal cortex and amygdala during bipolar depression. Methods Eleven bipolar I depressed and 17 normal subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing a task known to activate prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Whole brain activation patterns were determined using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) when subjects matched faces displaying neutral or negative affect (match condition) or matched a geometric form (control condition). Contrasts for each group for the match versus control conditions were used in a second-level random effects analysis. Results Random effects between-group analysis revealed significant attenuation in right and left orbitofrontal cortex (BA47) and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (BA9) in bipolar depressed subjects. Additionally, random effects analysis showed a significantly increased activation in left lateral orbitofrontal cortex (BA10) in the bipolar depressed versus control subjects. Within-group contrasts demonstrated significant amygdala activation in the controls and no significant amygdala activation in the bipolar depressed subjects. The amygdala between-group difference, however, was not significant. Conclusions Bipolar depression is associated with attenuated bilateral orbitofrontal (BA47) activation, attenuated right DLPFC (BA9) activation and heightened left orbitofrontal (BA10) activation. BA47 attenuation has also been reported in mania and may thus represent a trait feature of the disorder. Increased left prefrontal (BA10) activation may be a state marker to bipolar depression. Our findings suggest dissociation between mood-dependent and disease-dependent functional brain abnormalities in bipolar disorder. PMID:18837865

Herbal Medicine for Xerostomia in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PubMed

Park, Bongki; Noh, Hyeonseok; Choi, Dong-Jun

2018-06-01

Xerostomia (dry mouth) causes many clinical problems, including oral infections, speech difficulties, and impaired chewing and swallowing of food. Many cancer patients have complained of xerostomia induced by cancer therapy. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy of herbal medicine for the treatment of xerostomia in cancer patients. Randomized controlled trials investigating the use of herbal medicines to treat xerostomia in cancer patients were included. We searched the following 12 databases without restrictions on time or language. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Twenty-five randomized controlled trials involving 1586 patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 24 formulas were examined in the included trials. Most of the included trials were insufficiently reported in the methodology section. Five formulas were shown to significantly improve the salivary flow rate compared to comparators. Regarding the grade of xerostomia, all formulas with the exception of a Dark Plum gargle solution with normal saline were significantly effective in reducing the severity of dry mouth. Adverse events were reported in 4 trials, and adverse effects of herbal medicine were reported in 3 trials. We found herbal medicines had potential benefits for improving salivary function and reducing the severity of dry mouth in cancer patients. However, methodological limitations and a relatively small sample size reduced the strength of the evidence. More high-quality trials reporting sufficient methodological data are warranted to enforce the strength of evidence regarding the effectiveness of herbal medicines.

Meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies accounting for disease prevalence: alternative parameterizations and model selection.

PubMed

Chu, Haitao; Nie, Lei; Cole, Stephen R; Poole, Charles

2009-08-15

In a meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies, the sensitivities and specificities of a diagnostic test may depend on the disease prevalence since the severity and definition of disease may differ from study to study due to the design and the population considered. In this paper, we extend the bivariate nonlinear random effects model on sensitivities and specificities to jointly model the disease prevalence, sensitivities and specificities using trivariate nonlinear random-effects models. Furthermore, as an alternative parameterization, we also propose jointly modeling the test prevalence and the predictive values, which reflect the clinical utility of a diagnostic test. These models allow investigators to study the complex relationship among the disease prevalence, sensitivities and specificities; or among test prevalence and the predictive values, which can reveal hidden information about test performance. We illustrate the proposed two approaches by reanalyzing the data from a meta-analysis of radiological evaluation of lymph node metastases in patients with cervical cancer and a simulation study. The latter illustrates the importance of carefully choosing an appropriate normality assumption for the disease prevalence, sensitivities and specificities, or the test prevalence and the predictive values. In practice, it is recommended to use model selection techniques to identify a best-fitting model for making statistical inference. In summary, the proposed trivariate random effects models are novel and can be very useful in practice for meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies. Copyright 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Public authority control strategy for opinion evolution in social networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xi; Xiong, Xi; Zhang, Minghong; Li, Wei

2016-08-01

This paper addresses the need to deal with and control public opinion and rumors. Existing strategies to control public opinion include degree, random, and adaptive bridge control strategies. In this paper, we use the HK model to present a public opinion control strategy based on public authority (PA). This means utilizing the influence of expert or high authority individuals whose opinions we control to obtain the optimum effect in the shortest time possible and thus reach a consensus of public opinion. Public authority (PA) is only influenced by individuals' attributes (age, economic status, and education level) and not their degree distribution; hence, in this paper, we assume that PA complies with two types of public authority distribution (normal and power-law). According to the proposed control strategy, our experiment is based on random, degree, and public authority control strategies in three different social networks (small-world, scale-free, and random) and we compare and analyze the strategies in terms of convergence time (T), final number of controlled agents (C), and comprehensive efficiency (E). We find that different network topologies and the distribution of the PA in the network can influence the final controlling effect. While the effect of PA strategy differs in different network topology structures, all structures achieve comprehensive efficiency with any kind of public authority distribution in any network. Our findings are consistent with several current sociological phenomena and show that in the process of public opinion/rumor control, considerable attention should be paid to high authority individuals.

Public authority control strategy for opinion evolution in social networks.

PubMed

Chen, Xi; Xiong, Xi; Zhang, Minghong; Li, Wei

2016-08-01

This paper addresses the need to deal with and control public opinion and rumors. Existing strategies to control public opinion include degree, random, and adaptive bridge control strategies. In this paper, we use the HK model to present a public opinion control strategy based on public authority (PA). This means utilizing the influence of expert or high authority individuals whose opinions we control to obtain the optimum effect in the shortest time possible and thus reach a consensus of public opinion. Public authority (PA) is only influenced by individuals' attributes (age, economic status, and education level) and not their degree distribution; hence, in this paper, we assume that PA complies with two types of public authority distribution (normal and power-law). According to the proposed control strategy, our experiment is based on random, degree, and public authority control strategies in three different social networks (small-world, scale-free, and random) and we compare and analyze the strategies in terms of convergence time (T), final number of controlled agents (C), and comprehensive efficiency (E). We find that different network topologies and the distribution of the PA in the network can influence the final controlling effect. While the effect of PA strategy differs in different network topology structures, all structures achieve comprehensive efficiency with any kind of public authority distribution in any network. Our findings are consistent with several current sociological phenomena and show that in the process of public opinion/rumor control, considerable attention should be paid to high authority individuals.

Effect of pre-warming on perioperative hypothermia and anesthetic recovery in small breed dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

PubMed

Aarnes, Turi K; Bednarski, Richard M; Lerche, Phillip; Hubbell, John A E

2017-02-01

This study compared perianesthetic body temperatures and times to recovery from general anesthesia in small dogs that were either warmed for 20 minutes prior to anesthesia or not warmed. Twenty-eight client-owned dogs that were presented for ovariohysterectomy were included in the study. Small (<10 kg body weight) dogs with normal circulatory status were randomly assigned to receive pre-warming for 20 minutes or no treatment. Body temperature was measured during the procedure using a calibrated rectal probe. Duration of anesthesia and surgery, time to rescue warming, time to extubation, presence and duration of shivering, and time to return to normal temperature were recorded. Temperature at the end of surgery was significantly higher in the control group than the pre-warmed group. There was no difference in time to extubation or duration of postoperative shivering between groups. Pre-warming did not result in improved temperature or recovery from anesthesia.

Effect of educational preparation on the accuracy of linear growth measurement in pediatric primary care practices: results of a multicenter nursing study.

PubMed

Hench, Karen D; Shults, Justine; Benyi, Terri; Clow, Cheryl; Delaune, Joanne; Gilluly, Kathy; Johnson, Lydia; Johnson, Maryann; Rossiter, Katherine; McKnight-Menci, Heather; Shorkey, Doris; Waite, Fran; Weber, Colleen; Lipman, Terri H

2005-04-01

Consistently monitoring a child's linear growth is one of the least invasive, most sensitive tools to identify normal physiologic functioning and a healthy lifestyle. However, studies, mostly from the United Kingdom, indicate that children are frequently measured incorrectly. Inaccurate linear measurements may result in some children having undetected growth disorders whereas others with normal growth being referred for costly, unwarranted specialty evaluations. This study presents the secondary analysis of a primary study that used a randomized control study design to demonstrate that a didactic educational intervention resulted in significantly more children being measured accurately within eight pediatric practices. The secondary analysis explored the influence of the measurer's educational level on the outcome of accurate linear measurement. Results indicated that RNs were twice as likely as non-RNs to measure children accurately.

Do no harm--normal tissue effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, E. J.

2001-01-01

Radiation therapy confers enormous benefits that must be balanced against the possibilities for harm including late toxicity in normal tissues and radiation-induced second malignancies. A small percentage of patients experience severe late complications. The question is, do these late sequelae occur randomly, or are they confined to individuals who are genetically predisposed to radiosensitivity. Experiments with knockout mice and with patients demonstrate that individuals heterozygous for a number of genes appear to be radiosensitive. If radiosensitive patients were identified prospectively by genetic analysis, they could be spared the trauma of late sequelae. Several large studies have shown a statistically significant excess of radiation-induced malignancies in radiotherapy patients. Most second cancers are carcinomas, developing in the lining cells of the body often remote from the treatment site. Radiation-induced sarcomas appear only in the heavily irradiated areas. These are small in number but appear with a very high relative risk.

Overview of Hypothyroidism in Pregnancy.

PubMed

Kroopnick, Jeffrey M; Kim, Caroline S

2016-11-01

Overt hypothyroidism in pregnancy, defined as an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and reduced serum free thyroxine or a TSH >10 mIU/L, is known to have adverse effects on pregnancy. Subclinical hypothyroidism is typically defined as an elevated TSH and normal FT4 levels. There remains much controversy on the benefit of starting levothyroxine for mothers diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism. Recent studies are redefining the normal range for TSH in pregnancy, and the data on whether treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism improves outcomes for the mother and fetus are unclear. One confounding variable is the presence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, as it may be a surrogate marker for other autoimmune disorders detrimental to pregnancy. If levothyroxine treatment is initiated, the dosing and monitoring strategy is different from nonpregnant individuals. Randomized clinical trials are underway that may better elucidate whether treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism is warranted. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Repressing the effects of variable speed harmonic orders in operational modal analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Randall, R. B.; Coats, M. D.; Smith, W. A.

2016-10-01

Discrete frequency components such as machine shaft orders can disrupt the operation of normal Operational Modal Analysis (OMA) algorithms. With constant speed machines, they have been removed using time synchronous averaging (TSA). This paper compares two approaches for varying speed machines. In one method, signals are transformed into the order domain, and after the removal of shaft speed related components by a cepstral notching method, are transformed back to the time domain to allow normal OMA. In the other simpler approach an exponential shortpass lifter is applied directly in the time domain cepstrum to enhance the modal information at the expense of other disturbances. For simulated gear signals with speed variations of both ±5% and ±15%, the simpler approach was found to give better results The TSA method is shown not to work in either case. The paper compares the results with those obtained using a stationary random excitation.

Experiments with central-limit properties of spatial samples from locally covariant random fields

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barringer, T.H.; Smith, T.E.

1992-01-01

When spatial samples are statistically dependent, the classical estimator of sample-mean standard deviation is well known to be inconsistent. For locally dependent samples, however, consistent estimators of sample-mean standard deviation can be constructed. The present paper investigates the sampling properties of one such estimator, designated as the tau estimator of sample-mean standard deviation. In particular, the asymptotic normality properties of standardized sample means based on tau estimators are studied in terms of computer experiments with simulated sample-mean distributions. The effects of both sample size and dependency levels among samples are examined for various value of tau (denoting the size of the spatial kernel for the estimator). The results suggest that even for small degrees of spatial dependency, the tau estimator exhibits significantly stronger normality properties than does the classical estimator of standardized sample means. ?? 1992.

[Effects of electro-acupuncture on expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 in ankle joint synovial tissue of acute gouty arthritis rats].

PubMed

Zhang, Chao-Nan; Huang, Xue-Kuan; Luo, Yan; Jiang, Juan; Wan, Lei; Wang, Ling

2015-01-01

To investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell (TREM)l in ankle joint synovial tissue of acute gouty arthritis (AGA) rats. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal, AGA, medication and EA group, 10 rats in each group. AGA model was established by induced monosodium urate (MSU) method, except the normal group. Tow days before AGA model was established, normal and AGA groups were lavaged with normal saline (20 ml/kg), medication group was lavaged with colchicine solution (20 ml/kg), EA(1.5-2 Hz, D.-D.wave, 9v; 1-3 rnA) was applied to "Sanyinjiao" (SP6), "jiexi" (ST41) and "Kunlun" (BL60) for 20 min, once daily;continuously for 9 days. Then observed the changes in dysfunction, and the content of TNF-α and IL-lβ detected by ELISA, the expression of TREM-l detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Compared to the normal group, the AGA group of the dysfunction index increased significantly (P<0.01), the content of TNF-α and IL-lβ increased significantly (P<0.05), the expression of TREM-l in synovial tissue increased significantly (P<0.05); the medication and EA groups compared to the AGA group, the dysfunction index decreased significantly (P<0.01), the content of TNF-α and IL-lβ decreased significantly (P<0.05), the expression of TREM-l in synovial tissue decreased significantly (P<0.05); there were not statistically significant between the medication and EA group (P>0.05). EA treating AGA may be through down-regulating the expression of TREM -1 in synovial tissue.