scholarly journals A Prospective Psychological Study of Patients with Undiagnosed Episodes of Disturbed Consciousness

1992 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-182
Author(s):  
L. D. Blumhardt ◽  
D. Barnes ◽  
S. J. Howell ◽  
E. Ghadiali
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Personality Profiles ◽  
Psychological Disturbance ◽  
Psychological Study ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Unexplained Symptoms ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy ◽  
The Relationship

We have carried out a prospective psychological and clinical study of neurological out-patients with episodes of disturbed consciousness that were mostly unexplained after clinical assessments and prolonged follow up. When compared with matched healthy subjects, both the undiagnosed patients and a control group with chronic epilepsy, had evidence of abnormal personality and psychological disturbance. However, in the undiagnosed patients there were significant differences between two subgroups defined by the results of clinical follow up. Patients whose symptoms resolved spontaneously were psychologically indistinguishable from healthy control subjects, whereas patients whose unexplained symptoms continued, with or without empirical treatment trials, had highly abnormal personality profiles. Although the basic psychological tests we used cannot reliably separate individual patients with epilepsy from those with non-epilepsy, they do have some predictive value with respect to the prognosis of unexplained symptoms. Further detailed prospective studies may help to establish the relationship between psychological disorder and unexplained symptoms and perhaps reduce the need for repeated, expensive investigations.

Self-monitoring in patients with schizophrenia

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1561-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
GÜNTHER KNOBLICH ◽  
FRANK STOTTMEISTER ◽  
TILO KIRCHER
Keyword(s):  
Hand Movements ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Formal Thought Disorder ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
The Core ◽  
Matched Healthy Control ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Dsm Iv ◽  
Core Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

Background. The present study investigated whether a failure of self-monitoring contributes to core syndromes of schizophrenia.Method. Three groups of patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia (n=27), with either prominent paranoid hallucinatory or disorganization syndrome, or without these symptoms, and a matched healthy control group (n=23) drew circles on a writing pad connected to a PC monitor. Subjects were instructed to continuously monitor the relationship between their hand movements and their visual consequences. They were asked to detect gain changes in the mapping. Self-monitoring ability and the ability to automatically correct movements were assessed.Results. Patients with either paranoid-hallucinatory syndrome or formal thought disorder were selectively impaired in their ability to detect a mismatch between a self-generated movement and its consequences, but not impaired in their ability to automatically compensate for the gain change.Conclusions. These results support the claim that a failure of self-monitoring may underlie the core symptoms of schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Relationship between the Level of DHEA-S and Sex Hormones in Some Infertile Iraqi Men

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 130-136
Author(s):  
Khaled S. Abd ◽  
Adnan F. AL-Azzawie
Keyword(s):  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Infertile Men ◽  
The Relationship

This study aims to evaluate serum levels of the Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and its relationship with some sex hormones such as Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone hormone and the infertility type in some infertile Iraqi men. Blood and seminal fluid samples from (60) idiopathic male infertile and (60) healthful individuals as a control group aged (18 to 60 year) were collected from private clinics. Serum hormones (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) were measurement using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The levels of DHEA-S, FSH, LH and prolactin are significantly higher (P≤0.01) expect of the testosterone level was significantly decreased (P≤ 0.01) in the infertile men as compared with control group. High significant differences (P≤0.01) were recorded when comparing the hormonal levels (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) according to the age groups. There are significant differences (P≤ 0.01) in levels of (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) in the infertility period.  Smoker infertile men have high levels (P≤ 0.05) in the DHEA-S and LH while have low levels in the prolactin hormones compared with control. Patients with family history have shown significant differences (P≤0.05) in the levels of DHEA-S, FSH, LH and prolactin. In conclusion, this study revealed significantly increase in the DHEA-S levels in the infertile men and negative correlation between DHEA-S and FSH. Therefore, DHEA-S has important role in the diagnosis and follow up of the male infertility.

scholarly journals Urine CA-2 as a biomarker for diagnosis urinary stone and prediction of its complications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-jing Leng ◽  
Hai-bin Zhou ◽  
Jiang-ling Fu ◽  
Wen-juan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Urinary Stone ◽  
Urinary Stones ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract PURPOSECarbonic anhydrase-2 (CA-2) plays a role in mineralization and calcification in organism. Strong evidence suggests that CA-2 is associated with urolithiasis. However, the relationship between CA-2 and urinary stone remains unclear. The study aimed to assess the association of urine CA-2 (uCA-2) level and the potential risk of urinary stone.METHODSFrom March 2017 to November 2019, a prospective cohort study was conducted on patients with urinary stones and healthy subjects to determine the pretreatment uCA-2 level detection by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The difference of uCA-2 level between patients with urinary stones and healthy subjects was compared. Then comparison between stone patients with complications and without complications was carried out as well as correlation analysis to detect factors associated with biomarker expression.RESULTS118 patients with urinary stones were into urinary stones group and 42 healthy subjects were into healthy control group. The mean pretreatment uCA-2 level was significantly higher in patients with urinary stones group than healthy controls group (P=0.028). Furthermore, The uCA-2 level was positive correlation with urinary stones complications (R=0.379, P=0.000), especially pain complications (R=0.524, P=0.000) and hematuria complications (R=0.374, P=0.000). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis that a uCA-2 level threshold of 10.94 ng/mL had 83.67% sensitivity and 68.12% specificity for predicting urinary stones complications. CONCLUSIONSExcessive uCA-2 excretion is a major risk factor for urinary stone. Our findings suggested that uCA-2 may be used as an unappreciated biomarker for the diagnosis urinary stone in patients and to predict its complications.

scholarly journals Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in Patients with RetinalArtery Occlusion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmut Atum ◽  
Gürsoy Alagöz
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Artery Occlusion ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Retinal Artery ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and plateletto- lymphocyte (PLR) ratios in patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO) with those from a healthy control population and to identify the relationship between them. Methods: Forty-six patients with RAO and fifty-one healthy control subjects were included in this retrospective case-control study. RAO was diagnosed following an ophthalmic examination and fluorescein angiography (FA). Blood neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were recorded for each of the 97 subjects, from which NLR and PLR values were calculated. Results: There were 46 patients (28 male [M], 18 female [F]) in the RAO group and 51 patients (27 M, 24 F) in the control group. No significant differences were found between patients with RAO and the control subjects in terms of gender and age (P > 0.05). Patients with RAO had significantly increased NLR values (2.85 ± 1.70) than the control subjects (1.63 ± 0.59, P < 0.001). The mean PLR in patients with RAO was 123.69 ± 64.98, while that in control subjects was 103.08 ± 36.95; there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.055). A logistic regression analysis revealed that NLRs were 3.8 times higher in patients with RAO than in control subjects (odds ratio = 3.880; 95% confidence interval = 1.94 to 7.74; P < 0.001). Conclusion: NLRs were significantly increased in patients with RAO compared to the control subjects.

scholarly journals The expression and significance of inflammatory cytokines and MMP-9 in the tears of the infected eye and contralateral uninfected eye in patients with fungal keratitis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
Hui-Min Wu ◽  
Xiang-Ni Cao ◽  
Xian-Qi Zhang ◽  
Gui-ping Gao
Keyword(s):  
Tear Film ◽  
Fungal Keratitis ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Cytokine Levels ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Tear Film Function

Abstract Background: We investigated bilateral tear cytokine levels including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in patients with fungal keratitis(FK). Meanwhile, we evaluated the relationship between the changes of tear cytokines with corneal perception and pain in infected eyes, and the relationship between tear cytokines and tear film function in contralateral uninfected eyes .Methods : A total of 60(20 FK, 20 contralateral, 20 healthy controls) tear samples were collected prospectively and analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Approximately 50 to 60 ul of tear samples in each case were collected. Meanwhile ,we analyzed the changes of visual analogue scale(VAS), tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT) and corneal perception compared with healthy controls. Results :The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-10 and IL-17 increased in bilateral eyes compared with healthy controls(P<0.05). The tear concentrations of MMP-9 , TNF-α only significantly increased in affected eyes (P <0.05). Patients with FK showed significant reduction in corneal perception of infected eyes compared with controls(P<0.05). Corneal perception of the normal eyes in FK patients was slightly lower than that of control group, but there was not statistical difference (P>0.05).TBUT and SIT of contralateral uninfected eyes were significantly lower than that of control group(P<0.05), which were significantly correlated with levels of IL-1β, IL-17(P<0.05). SIT were also negatively correlated with MMP-9(P<0.05), while the levels of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α and MMP-9 in the tears of the healthy control group had no significant correlation with TBUT and SIT indicators(P>0.05).The corneal perception and VAS score of the affected FK eyes showed correlation with IL-1β, IL-17 and TNF-α(P<0.05).In addition, concentration of IL-10 inversely was correlated with VAS (P<0.05). Conclusion: Proinflammatory tear cytokines are elevated in bilateral eyes with unilateral FK as associated with tear film function ,pain and corneal sensitivity.

scholarly journals Can posterior stand-alone expandable cages safely restore lumbar lordosis? A minimum 5-year follow-up study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Kook Kim ◽  
Ogeil Mubarak Elbashier ◽  
Su-chan Lee ◽  
Woo-jin Choi
Keyword(s):  
Lumbar Lordosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sacral Slope ◽  
Expandable Cage ◽  
Profile Changes ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Screw Malposition ◽  
Segmental Angle

Abstract Background Lumbar lordosis (LL) can be restored and screw-related complications may be avoided with the stand-alone expandable cage method. However, the long-term spinopelvic profile changes and safety remain unknown. We aimed to elucidate the long-term radiologic outcomes and safety of this technique. Methods Data from a total of 69 patients who underwent multi-level stand-alone expandable cage fusion and 80 patients who underwent screw-assisted fusion between February 2007 and December 2012, with at least 5 years of follow-up, were retrospectively analyzed. Segmental angle and translation, short and whole LL, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope (SS), sagittal vertical balance, thoracic kyphosis, and presence of subsidence, pseudoarthrosis, retropulsion, cage breakage, proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), and screw malposition were assessed. The relationship between local and spinopelvic effects was investigated. The implant failure rate was considered a measure of procedure effectiveness and safety. Results The stand-alone expandable cage fusion group showed shorter operative times, a lower rate of PJK, and better improvements in segmental angles than the control group, and there was a positive correlation with LL. However, the whole LL was not restored; the SS significantly increased; and subsidence, pseudoarthrosis, and retropulsion rates were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusions Stand-alone expandable cage fusion can restore local lordosis, however, global sagittal balance was not restored. Furthermore, implant safety still has not been proven.

scholarly journals Initial CT blend sign is not associated with poor outcome in patients following stereotactic minimally invasive surgery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Yang ◽  
Yan Zhu ◽  
Linshan Zhang ◽  
Likun Wang ◽  
Yuanhong Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive Surgery ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Invasive Surgery ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Haematoma Expansion ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background: The initial computed tomography (CT) blend sign has been used as an imaging marker to predict haematoma expansion and poor outcomes in patients with a small volume intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). However, the relationship between the blend sign and outcomes remains elusive. The present study aimed to retrospectively measure the impact of initial CT blend signs on short-term outcomes in patients with hypertensive ICH who underwent stereotactic minimally invasive surgery (sMIS). Methods: We enrolled 242 patients with spontaneous ICH. Based on the initial CT features, the patients were assigned to a blend sign group (91 patients) or a nonblend sign (control) group (151 patients). The NIHSS, GCS and mRS were used to measure the effects of sMIS. The rates of severe pulmonary infection and cardiac complications were also compared between the two groups. Results: No significant differences in NIHSS and GCS scores were observed between the two groups. The proportion of patients with good outcomes during follow-up was not different between the two groups. The rate of rehaemorrhaging increased in the blend sign group. No significant differences in severe pulmonary infections and cardiac complications were noted between the two groups. Conclusions: The initial CT blend sign was not associated with poor outcomes in patients with hypertensive ICH who underwent sMIS. ICH patients with CT blend signs should undergo sMIS if they are suitable candidates for surgery.

scholarly journals THE PREVALENCE OF CELIAC DISEASE AMONG PATIENTS WITH FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedat IŞIKAY ◽  
Nurgül IŞIKAY ◽  
Halil KOCAMAZ
Keyword(s):  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Familial Mediterranean Fever ◽  
Tissue Transglutaminase ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Marsh Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Mediterranean Fever ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Background Familial Mediterranean Fever and celiac disease are both related to auto-inflammation and/or auto-immunity and they share some common clinical features such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating and flatulence. Objectives We aimed to determine the association of these two diseases, if present. Methods Totally 112 patients diagnosed with Familial Mediterranean Fever and 32 cases as healthy control were included in the study. All participants were examined for the evidence of celiac disease, with serum tissue transglutaminase IgA levels (tTG IgA). Results Totally 144 cases, 112 with Familial Mediterranean Fever and 32 healthy control cases were included in the study. tTG IgA positivity was determined in three cases with Familial Mediterranean Fever and in one case in control group. In that aspect there was no significant difference regarding the tTG IgA positivity between groups (P=0.81). Duodenum biopsy was performed to the tTG IgA positive cases and revealed Marsh Type 3b in two Familial Mediterranean Fever cases and Marsh Type 3c in the other one while the biopsy results were of the only tTG IgA positive case in control group was Marsh Type 3b. In HLA evaluation of the celiac cases; HLA DQ2 was present in two celiac cases of the Familial Mediterranean Fever group and in the only celiac case of the control group while HLA DQ8 was present in one celiac case of the Familial Mediterranean Fever group. Conclusions We did not determine an association of Familial Mediterranean Fever with celiac disease. Larger studies with subgroup analysis are warranted to determine the relationship of these two diseases.

scholarly journals An investigation into the relationship between anaerobic work capacity, percentage body fat and the grade of asthma in asthmatics and a healthy control group

1991 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
M. Burger ◽  
M. Geyer ◽  
W. Regel ◽  
G. M. Smit ◽  
E. Terblanche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Anaerobic Exercise ◽  
Healthy Control Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Working Capacity ◽  
Percentage Body Fat ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
The Relationship

The goal of this study was to compare the anaerobic working capacity of asthmatic children to that of a healthy control group and to ascertain the relationship between the degree of asthma, anaerobic exercise and percentage body fat. A total of 41 children, 21 asthmatics and 20 healthy children (13-18 years) were tested. Three variables - percentage body fat, pulmonary function and fitness - were measured. It was found that there is very little difference between the asthmatic and the healthy child, with regard to anthropometric measurements, fitness and anaerobic working capacity. A poor correlation was found between percentage body fat, pulmonary function and anaerobic working capacity. The results further showed that there is a slight correlation between the percentage body fat and anaerobic working capacity. This tendency can only be confirmed with a larger random sample of children.The researchers conclude that asthmatics, irrespective of the degree of asthma, are not restricted as far as anaerobic activities are concerned. They can  therefore lead a normal healthy life and, as far as anaerobic exercise is  concerned, can compete on equal terms with healthy children.

scholarly journals Relational Memory in the Early Stage of Psychosis: A 2-Year Follow-up Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne N Avery ◽  
Kristan Armstrong ◽  
Maureen McHugo ◽  
Simon Vandekar ◽  
Jennifer Urbano Blackford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Early Psychosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Relational Memory ◽  
Course Of Illness ◽  
Memory Impairments ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Healthy Control

Abstract Background Relational memory, the ability to bind information into complex memories, is moderately impaired in early psychosis and severely impaired in chronic schizophrenia, suggesting relational memory may worsen throughout the course of illness. Methods We examined relational memory in 66 early psychosis patients and 64 healthy control subjects, with 59 patients and 52 control subjects assessed longitudinally at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Relational memory was assessed with 2 complementary tasks, to test how individuals learn relationships between items (face-scene binding task) and make inferences about trained relationships (associative inference task). Results The early psychosis group showed impaired relational memory in both tasks relative to the healthy control group. The ability to learn relationships between items remained impaired in early psychosis patients, while the ability to make inferences about trained relationships improved, although never reaching the level of healthy control performance. Early psychosis patients who did not progress to schizophrenia at follow-up had better relational memory than patients who did. Conclusions Relational memory impairments, some of which improve and are less severe in patients who do not progress to schizophrenia, are a target for intervention in early psychosis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document