METHODS: This validated questionnaire-based study was conducted over 1-month during which Ngenuity 3D surgery was demonstrated. All surgeons and trainees exposed were recruited to complete a questionnaire comprising visualization, physical, ease of use, teaching and learning, and overall satisfaction.
RESULTS: All 7 surgeons and 33 postgraduate students responded. Surgeons reported no significant difference except overall (P = 0.047, paired t-test). Postgraduate trainees reported significantly better experience with 3D for illumination (P = 0.008), manoeuvrability (P = 0.01), glare (P = 0.037), eye strain (P = 0.008), neck and upper back strain (P = 0.000), lower back pain (P = 0.019), communication (P = 0.002), comfortable environment (P = 0.001), sharing of knowledge (P = 0.000), and overall (P = 0.009).
CONCLUSIONS: During early experience, surgeons and trainees reported better satisfaction with 3D overall. Trainees had better satisfaction with 3D in various subcomponents of visualization, physical, ease of use, and education.
METHOD: The study followed a single-blind parallel group in a randomized controlled trial using an experimental longitudinal design, comprising 72 heterosexual couples living in Shiraz, Iran, with a 1-7-year marital age and no severe marital problems. The experimental group received eight consecutive O-GPIs via the Zoom platform, while the control group received information related to parenting skills via email. The outcome measures were the three patterns of communication: (i) constructive communication; (ii) demand-withdraw communication; and (iii) mutual avoidance communication-the screening measure was the dyadic adjustment scale.
RESULTS: The findings indicated that O-GPI could improve couples' constructive communication significantly (45% for husbands and 40% wives) and decrease their total demand-withdrawal (51% for husbands and 65% wives) and mutual avoidance communication (60% for husbands and 62% wives).
LIMITATIONS: Due to the homogenous nature of the sample, generalizations should be made with caution.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of the online Gottman's psychoeducational intervention to improve couples' communication patterns.
OBJECTIVE: This systematic review analyzed the available evidence on (1) neurochemical changes; and (2) the relations between brain metabolite and validated cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and/or APOE in AD.
METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and gray literature were systematically screened for studies deemed fit for the purpose of the current systematic review.
RESULTS: Twenty four articles met the inclusion criteria. Decreased levels of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), NAA/(creatine) Cr, and NAA/(myo-inositol) ml, and increased ml, ml/Cr, Cho (choline)/Cr, and ml/NAA were found in the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus. Increased ml is associated with increased tau levels, reduced NAA/Cr is associated with increased tau. ml/Cr is negatively correlated with Aβ42, and ml/Cr is positively correlated with t-tau. NAA and glutathione levels are reduced in APOE ε4 carriers. APOE ε4 exerts no modulatory effect on NAA/Cr. There is interaction between APOE ε4, Aβ42, and ml/Cr.
CONCLUSION: NAA, ml, NAA/Cr, NAA/ml and ml/Cr may be potentially useful biomarkers that may highlight functional changes in the clinical stages of AD. The combinations of ml and tau, NAA/Cr and Aβ42, and NAA/Cr and tau may support the diagnostic process of differentiating MCI/AD from healthy individuals. Large, longitudinal studies are required to clarify the effect of APOE ε4 on brain metabolites.
METHODS: Twenty-six patients on HD underwent US and CT scans on the same day, postdialysis session. QMT for rectus femoris (RF) and vastus intermedius (VI) muscles was taken at the midpoint (MID) and two-thirds (2/3) of both thighs and CSA of the RF muscle (RFCSA ), respectively. Correlation between US and CT measurements was determined by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plot.
RESULTS: ICC (95% CI) computed between US and CT was 0.94 (0.87-0.97), 0.97 (0.93-0.99), 0.94 (0.87-0.97), 0.94 (0.86-0.97), and 0.92 (0.83-0.97) for RFMID , VIMID, RF2/3, VI2/3 , and RFCSA , respectively (all P < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis indicated no bias in agreement between both methods.
CONCLUSION: The US imaging offers a valid and quick bedside assessment approach to assess muscle wasting in HD patients.
METHODS: This study included children who had LAIE (with angle of 40 prism dioptres or greater), aged 5 and 17 years who had attended the Ophthalmology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from March to September 2016. The children and their parents or guardians were interviewed face-to-face using a validated semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was performed using the NVivo 12 software.
RESULTS: A total of 30 children and 30 parents were interviewed. The most common problems identified by the children were social interactions (73.3%, 22 children), visual functions (60.0%, 18 children), emotions (60.0%, 18 children), physical issues (40.0%, 12 children) and difficulties regarding treatment options (26.7%, eight children). The parents reported that their children were more affected in terms of visual functions (100.0%, 30 parents), social interactions (56.7%, 17 parents), emotions (43.3%, 13 parents), physical issues (20.0%, six parents), and difficulties regarding treatment options (16.7%, five parents).
CONCLUSION: The major problems that the children with LAIE identified were social interactions, while the parents observed that problems with visual functions was the most common issue encountered by their children. This suggests that the children affected have different perspectives from their parents and require support.