Tag: nevin manimala

Neuroinformatics. 2023 Aug 15. doi: 10.1007/s12021-023-09639-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) is a non-invasive imaging technique widely used in neuroscience to understand the functional connectivity of the human brain. While rs-fMRI multi-site data can help to understand the inner working of the brain, the data acquisition and processing of this data has many challenges. One of the challenges is the variability of the data associated with different acquisitions sites, and different MRI machines vendors. Other factors such as population heterogeneity among different sites, with variables such as age and gender of the subjects, must also be considered. Given that most of the machine-learning models are developed using these rs-fMRI multi-site data sets, the intrinsic confounding effects can adversely affect the generalizability and reliability of these computational methods, as well as the imposition of upper limits on the classification scores. This work aims to identify the phenotypic and imaging variables producing the confounding effects, as well as to control these effects. Our goal is to maximize the classification scores obtained from the machine learning analysis of the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) rs-fMRI multi-site data. To achieve this goal, we propose novel methods of stratification to produce homogeneous sub-samples of the 17 ABIDE sites, as well as the generation of new features from the static functional connectivity values, using multiple linear regression models, ComBat harmonization models, and normalization methods. The main results obtained with our statistical models and methods are an accuracy of 76.4%, sensitivity of 82.9%, and specificity of 77.0%, which are 8.8%, 20.5%, and 7.5% above the baseline classification scores obtained from the machine learning analysis of the static functional connectivity computed from the ABIDE rs-fMRI multi-site data.

PMID:37581850 | DOI:10.1007/s12021-023-09639-1

J Neurovirol. 2023 Aug 15. doi: 10.1007/s13365-023-01165-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Encephalitis is a central nervous system disorder, often caused by infectious agents or aberrant immune responses. We investigated causes, comorbidities, costs, and outcomes of encephalitis in a population-based cohort. ICD-10 codes corresponding to encephalitis were used to identify health services records for all adults from 2004 to 2019. Data were cross-validated for identified diagnoses based on laboratory confirmation using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. We identified persons with a diagnosis of encephalitis and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results (n = 581) in whom viral genome was detected (n = 315) in a population of 3.2 million adults from 2004 to 2019. Viral genome-positive CSF samples included HSV-1 (n = 133), VZV (n = 116), HSV-2 (n = 34), enterovirus (n = 4), EBV (n = 5), and CMV (n = 3) with the remaining viruses included JCV (n = 12) and HHV-6 (n = 1). The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (2.0) and mortality rate (37.6%) were significantly higher in the CSF viral genome-negative encephalitis group although the mean costs of care were significantly higher for the CSF viral genome-positive group. Cumulative incidence rates showed increased CSF VZV detection in persons with encephalitis, which predominated in persons over 65 years with a higher mean Charlson index. We detected HSV-2 and VZV more frequently in CSF from encephalitis cases with greater material-social deprivation. The mean costs of care were significantly greater for HSV-1 encephalitis group. Encephalitis remains an important cause of neurological disability and death with a viral etiology in 54.2% of affected adults accompanied by substantial costs of care and mortality. Virus-associated encephalitis is evolving with increased VZV detection, especially in older persons.

PMID:37581843 | DOI:10.1007/s13365-023-01165-9

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1425:619-628. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_60.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aphasia is a serious consequence of stroke resulting in difficulties in using language for communication with negative effects on patients’ quality of life. The use of non-invasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a novel approach in aphasia therapy, based on the knowledge gained by functional imaging technics of the brain.

AIM: This review evaluates the effectiveness of rTMS on aphasia therapy according to the results of English language studies that have been published in the databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science from 2011 to 2021.

RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included in the review with 672 participants. The studies mainly concern the application of inhibitory rTMS on the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) in the subacute and chronic phase, as well as excitatory rTMS of the unaffected language areas of the left cerebral hemisphere in the chronic phase after stroke. Most of the studies concluded that there was statistically significant improvement in various parameters of language including confrontation naming, repetition, and aphasia quotient. Three studies published results that doubt the effectiveness of rTMS.

CONCLUSION: rTMS is a safe therapeutic method for aphasia treatment in the subacute and chronic phases after stroke. Its effectiveness is immediate as well as distant with a gradually decreasing therapeutic effect. Moreover, rTMS may supplement speech and language therapy as a priming factor. The most recognized method at this point in time is the application of suppressive rTMS on the right inferior frontal gyrus in combination with speech and language therapy.

PMID:37581835 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_60

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1425:535-543. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_52.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The social isolation (lockdown) used worldwide as a measure to effectively prevent the infection of COVID-19 has been shown to be responsible for the high prevalence of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical activity habits and sleep disorders in the nursing staff.

METHODOLOGY: This is a multicenter cross-sectional correlational study. The study population consisted of nurses and nursing assistants. Data were collected using the Greek version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Fear of the COVID-19, and the Physical exercise questionnaire of the American College of Sports Medicine. Statistical analysis of data was done with IBM SPSS v. 22.0.

RESULTS: A total of 1710 nursing personnel aged 42.3 ± 9.1 years were included. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, 190 (11.1%) participants were physically active, and 2 years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, active were 130 (7.6%) participants. Both at the beginning and two years after the beginning of the pandemic, the sleep dimensions that scored higher were subjective sleep quality (1.98 ± 0.2 vs. 1.98 ± 0.3), sleep onset latency (1.89 ± 1.5 vs. 1.64 ± 1.6), and sleep duration (1.55 ± 0.9 vs. 1.65 ± 0.8). The total sleep score was 8.64 ± 3.1 at the beginning of the pandemic and 8.11 ± 3.7 two years after the beginning of the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS: Nurses and nurses’ assistants had less physical activity habits, slept less, and had more sleep disorders 2 years after the beginning of the pandemic in relation to the beginning of the pandemic.

PMID:37581827 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_52

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1425:491-500. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_48.

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to determine gender differences in the hand grip strength (HGS) and to examine the relations between HGS, anthropometric characteristics, and physical activity (PA) in Greek young adults. A cross-sectional observational study of 276 students (21.5 ± 4.1 years, 122 men, 154 women) was conducted at the University of Patras, Greece. HGS was assessed via a hand-held grip strength dynamometer; body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis; and calf, mid-arm, and waist circumferences with inelastic tape. PA was assessed with the modified Baecke Questionnaire for Habitual Physical Activity (mBQHPA). The mean of HGS was 37.15 ± 11.2 kg. Men had significantly (p < 0.001) greater HGS than women. Statistically large correlation was detected between HGS and muscle mass (r = 0.73; p ≤ 0.001), gender (r = 0.6; p ≤ 0.001), mid-arm (r = 0.74; p ≤ 0.001), and calf circumference (r = 0.69; p ≤ 0.001). Results show that fat mass was a risk factor associated with HGS, found using regression analyses in both genders. However, PA was a significant associated factor only for women participants (ΟR = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-1.38; p ≤ 0.05). In summary, the HGS of Greek physiotherapy students was associated with muscle mass, gender, mid-arm, and calf circumference.

PMID:37581823 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_48

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1425:429-435. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_41.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Chronic diseases represent a huge challenge for the health systems globally due to the rapidly increasing number of patients and their long-term need for healthcare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the needs of patients suffering from chronic diseases.

METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of 840 adults with chronic diseases. The data collection was done with an improvised needs survey questionnaire, which included 56 questions. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, v.25.0, statistical significance being considered at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The main diseases of the patients were chronic renal failure (22.6%), multiple sclerosis (19%), cancer (19%), diabetes mellitus (7.1%), dementia (6%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (6%). The majority of patients (82.1%) were sick for more than 24 months. Patients seek information from health professionals (4.07 ± 1.4), feel tired (4.05 ± 1.4), have to share their feelings with other family members (4.01 ± 1.4), feel anxious about the future (3.94 ± 1.3), and feel out of control (3.80 ± 1.5).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic diseases suffer from numerous physical, mental, emotional, and cognitive problems. Paying attention to the unmet needs of patients could have beneficial effects on both patients and their caregivers.

PMID:37581816 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_41

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1425:401-415. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_39.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Medical cannabis has been used to relieve the symptoms of people with various chronic diseases. Despite of this, it has been stigmatized, even after its legalization in many countries.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of life of patients receiving medical cannabis.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred patients receiving medical cannabis were given (a) a socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire, and (b) the SF-36 Health Survey scale for assessing quality of life.

RESULTS: The majority of our patients who received medical cannabis to treat their neurological disorders (58%) reported decrease in their symptoms (96%), better energy and vitality (68%), ability to perform their professional duties (88%), and an improvement in sleeping and appetite (79% and 71%, respectively) after receiving medical cannabis. Our participants exhibited very few restrictions in activities due to emotional difficulties, a moderate general health status as well as moderate vitality and energy. Participants, who reported a longer period of receiving medical cannabis, reported statistically significant more energy and vitality (p = 0.000), but also better mental (p = 0.000) and general health status (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the majority of patients have disclosed medical cannabis use to their family members (85%) and enjoyed their support (93%), but they haven’t revealed their medication treatment to their social environment (81%).

CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate knowledge could significantly help health professionals in the field of planning and implementation of personalized nursing care in order to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

PMID:37581814 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_39

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1425:359-364. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_35.

ABSTRACT

Despite similarities with previous pandemics, the potential physical and psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on older adults is still little investigated in Greece. This study examines the intercorrelations between subjective well-being/life satisfaction, depression, state anxiety, global cognitive function, attitudes towards eHealth, religiousness and spiritual experience in older adults during COVID-19. Results revealed that statistically significant negative correlations exist between subjective life satisfaction and depressive symptomatology as well as with religiousness, a finding that can be explained by the COVID-19 externally imposed religious practice restrictions. Subjective life satisfaction was positively correlated with overall cognition as measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). MMSE was also negatively correlated with state anxiety, depression, and attitudes towards eHealth use. The best predictors of subjective well-being is global cognition (as measured by MMSE) and depressive symptomatology (measured by GDS). The conclusions of this study underscore the need to examine in more detail psychological variables during COVID-19 and quality of life in older adults.

PMID:37581810 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_35

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1425:325-330. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_31.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has become clear that the brain is one of the main targets for acute and chronic damage. Although neurodegenerative changes have yet to be investigated, there is already a large body of data on damage to its fiber tracts. A mobile eye tracker is possibly one of the best tools to study such damage in a COVID hospital setting. At the same time, the available data indicate that eye tracking parameters, even in healthy volunteers, demonstrate a distinct gender-specific difference.The aim of the work is to evaluate functional and structural impairments of the fiber tracts and to find possible gender-specific dynamics of eye tracking indicators in the acute period of COVID-19 pneumonia (Delta variant) of moderate severity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center non-randomized retrospective study included 84 patients in the acute period of moderate severity SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia (Delta variant) (Group 1). The mean time from admission was 1.4 ± 1.2 days. M:41, F:43. According to thoracic CT, the lung involvement ranged from CT 1 to CT 2. SpO2 ranged from 95% to 99%. The mean age was 35.5 ± 14.8 years (from 18 to 60). The control group (Group 2) included 158 healthy volunteers without pathology of the vision organs and central nervous system.The eye vergence index (VRx) was determined using eye tracking as a motion correlation coefficient between the angular velocities of the left and right eyeballs and was a measure of the conjugation of horizontal and vertical eye movements.The mobile complex Eye Tracker Low-Speed 20 (BVG LLC, the Netherlands) was used. Eye tracking parameters were assessed by vertical and horizontal eye vergence (VVRx and HVRx).Statistical analysis was done using the methods of parametric and non-parametric statistics.

RESULTS: Moderate COVID-19 pneumonia resulted in a significant decrease in both VVRx and HVRx compared to controls (0.763 ± 0.127 and 0.856 ± 0.043; p < 0.000001; 0.729 ± 0.018 and 0.776 ± 0.023 p < 0.000001, respectively). VVRx values were significantly higher in men (0.775 ± 0.046 and 0.747 ± 0.091, p = 0.019, respectively), while ХVRx values were significantly higher in women (0.665 ± 0.018 and 0.728 ± 0.024, p < 0.0000001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) of moderate severity is accompanied by a significant deterioration in eye tracking performance proving functional and structural impairments (p < 0.05). VVRx was significantly higher in men, and HVRx was substantially greater in women reflecting gender-specific differences.

PMID:37581806 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_31

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2023;1425:303-317. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_29.

ABSTRACT

It was March 2020 when the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the spread of a virus known as SARS-CoV-2, which started in Wuhan (China) and spread across the world. From that time onward, all governments took specific measures to minimize virus outspread. Human beings faced several challenges in each aspect of life mainly the more vulnerable ones, such as parents with sick children who encountered not only with hospitalization but also with the negative effects posed by pandemic.

PURPOSE: Purpose of this study was to explore levels of perceived social support and the associated factors in parents of hospitalized children.

METHOD AND MATERIAL: In the study were enrolled 110 parents (30 fathers and 80 mothers) of hospitalized children. Data were collected by the completion of “The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS),” which included patients’ self-reported characteristics. The statistical significance level was p < 0.05.

RESULTS: From the 110 participants, 50% scored over 22, 22, and 20 (median) in support from significant ones, family, and friends, respectively. In addition, 25% of parents scored above 25, 25, and 24, respectively. With respect to the possible range of scores (4-28), these values indicate high levels of social support. Statistically significant higher levels of support from significant ones were experienced by parents who desired to be COVID-19 vaccinated (p = 0.019) and had a person at home belonging to a vulnerable group (p = 0.001). In terms of support from family, statistically significantly higher levels had parents who had been COVID-19 vaccinated (p = 0.003), who had not experienced family conflicts during pandemic (p = 0.026), and those who had a person at home belonging to a vulnerable group (p = 0.001). Regarding support from friends, statistically significant levels were experienced by parents who wished to be vaccinated (p = 0.012) and who had not experienced family conflicts during pandemic (p = 0.050).

CONCLUSION: Through this unprecedented global health issue, levels of support remained high. Vaccination, having a vulnerable person at home, and intra-family conflicts were associated with support. A better understanding of support in parents with hospitalized children may help in the planning of rational and cost-effective interventions.

PMID:37581804 | DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_29