Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 488 in total

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  1. Fulltext A Review on the Relationship between Tocotrienol and Alzheimer Disease
    Chin KY, Tay SS
    Nutrients, 2018 Jul 09;10(7).
    PMID: 29987193 DOI: 10.3390/nu10070881
    Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is plaguing the aging population worldwide due to its tremendous health care and socioeconomic burden. Current treatment of AD only offers symptomatic relief to patients. Development of agents targeting specific pathologies of AD is very slow. Tocotrienol, a member of the vitamin E family, can tackle many aspects of AD, such as oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal cholesterol synthesis. This review summarizes the current evidence on the role of tocotrienol as a neuroprotective agent. Preclinical studies showed that tocotrienol could reduce oxidative stress by acting as a free-radical scavenger and promoter of mitochondrial function and cellular repair. It also prevented glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in the cells. Human epidemiological studies showed a significant inverse relationship between tocotrienol levels and the occurrence of AD. However, there is no clinical trial to support the claim that tocotrienol can delay or prevent the onset of AD. As a conclusion, tocotrienol has the potential to be developed as an AD-preventing agent but further studies are required to validate its efficacy in humans.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition/drug effects*
  2. Fulltext Habitual sugar intake and cognitive impairment among multi-ethnic Malaysian older adults
    Chong CP, Shahar S, Haron H, Din NC
    Clin Interv Aging, 2019;14:1331-1342.
    PMID: 31413554 DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S211534
    Background: Sugar is widely consumed in Malaysia, and the excessive intake of sugar has been associated with cognitive functions. However, the association between sugar intake and cognitive impairment among Malaysian older adults is yet to be determined. Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between types and sources of sugar intake and cognitive functions and to identify their risk in predicting cognitive impairment (MMSE score <24). Subjects and methods: A total of 1,209 subjects aged ≥60 years were recruited through multi-stage random sampling from selected states in Malaysia. Dietary intake was derived using a 7-day dietary history questionnaire and supplemented with a quantitative food frequency questionnaire for added sugar intake. Results: The prevalence of cognitive impairment as defined by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) less than 24 was 31.9%, while the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment was 13.1%. The median (IQR) for total sugar intake was 44.60 g/day (26.21-68.81) or 8 tsp, and free sugar intake was 33.08 g/day (17.48-57.26) or 6 tsp. The higher intake of total sugars, free sugars, sucrose, lactose, sugar-sweetened beverages, sugar-sweetened cakes, and dessert was found to be significantly associated with a lower MMSE score, after adjusting for covariates. On the other hand, the consumption of cooked dishes and fruits was significantly associated with a better MMSE score. The adjusted OR for risk of cognitive impairment (MMSE score <24) was 3.30 (95% CI 2.15-5.08) for total sugars and 3.58 (95% CI 2.32-5.52) for free sugars, comparing the highest with the lowest intake percentiles. Conclusion: Excessive sugar consumption among older adults showed a notable association with poor cognitive functions, but longitudinal studies and clinical trials are further needed to clarify the direction of causality and to investigate the underlying mechanism.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  3. Efficacy and Safety of Ginkgo biloba in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    Chong PZ, Ng HY, Tai JT, Lee SWH
    Am J Chin Med, 2020;48(3):513-534.
    PMID: 32349519 DOI: 10.1142/S0192415X20500263
    Ginkgo biloba and its extract have been suggested to have a neuroprotective role in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of Ginkgo biloba use in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We searched seven databases for randomized controlled studies examining the use of Ginkgo biloba in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Relevant studies were retrieved, screened, and data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety outcomes of Ginkgo biloba. We subsequently assessed the certainty of evidence using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation) methodology. We found 12 randomized controlled studies enrolling 1466 patients. Pooled results suggest that Ginkgo biloba use was associated with an improvement in neurological function among individuals with AIS with a reduction of 2.87 points on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score (95% CI:
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    ). Ginkgo biloba use was also associated with an improvement in activities of daily living and functional outcome (Mean Difference: 9.52; 4.66-14.33,
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    ). Subgroup analysis suggest that the impact was larger when using an injectable formulation of Ginkgo biloba compared to the oral formulation. There was no apparent impact of Ginkgo biloba use on all-cause mortality (Risk ratio (RR): 1.21; 0.29-5.09,
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    ). There was limited evidence on to support the use of gingko biloba in terms of improving quality of life and other stroke events. As such, more studies are needed before it can be recommended for routine use in improving neurological and cognitive function in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  4. Fulltext Orthosiphon stamineus Leaf Extract Affects TNF-α and Seizures in a Zebrafish Model
    Choo BKM, Kundap UP, Kumari Y, Hue SM, Othman I, Shaikh MF
    Front Pharmacol, 2018;9:139.
    PMID: 29527169 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00139
    Epileptic seizures result from abnormal brain activity and can affect motor, autonomic and sensory function; as well as, memory, cognition, behavior, or emotional state. Effective anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are available but have tolerability issues due to their side effects. The Malaysian herbOrthosiphon stamineus, is a traditional epilepsy remedy and possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and free-radical scavenging abilities, all of which are known to protect against seizures. This experiment thus aimed to explore if an ethanolic leaf extract ofO. stamineushas the potential to be a novel symptomatic treatment for epileptic seizures in a zebrafish model; and the effects of the extract on the expression levels of several genes in the zebrafish brain which are associated with seizures. The results of this study indicate thatO. stamineushas the potential to be a novel symptomatic treatment for epileptic seizures as it is pharmacologically active against seizures in a zebrafish model. The anti-convulsive effect of this extract is also comparable to that of diazepam at higher doses and can surpass diazepam in certain cases. Treatment with the extract also counteracts the upregulation of NF-κB, NPY and TNF-α as a result of a Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) treated seizure. The anti-convulsive action for this extract could be at least partially due to its downregulation of TNF-α. Future work could include the discovery of the active anti-convulsive compound, as well as determine if the extract does not cause cognitive impairment in zebrafish.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  5. Fulltext The treatment of epileptic seizures: the potential of Malaysian medicinal plants
    Choo, Brandon Kar Meng, Kumari, Yatinesh, Mun, Hue-Seow, Shaikh, Mohd. Farooq
    Neuroscience Research Notes, 2018;1(3):35-53.
    MyJurnal
    Epileptic seizures result from excessive brain activity and may affect sensory, motor and autonomic function; as well as, emotional state, memory, cognition or behaviour. Effective anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are available but have tolerability issues due to their side effects. Medicinal plants are potential candidates for novel AEDs, as many are traditional epilepsy remedies. Malaysia is a megadiverse country, with many endemic plants serving as a large pool of potential candidates for the development of local herbal products. The large variety of flora makesMalaysia a prime location for the discovery of medicinal plants with anti-convulsive potential. This review lists 23 Malaysian medicinal plants, of which four are used traditionally to treat epilepsy, without any scientific evidence. A further eight plants have no known traditional anti-epileptic usebut have scientific evidence of its anti-epileptic activity. The remaining 11 plants possess both traditional use and scientific evidence. Thus, this review identified several potential candidates for the development of novel AEDs or enhancing current ones; as well as identified an imbalance between traditional use and scientific evidence. In addition, this review also identified several limitations in the reviewed studies and provided additional information to facilitate the design of future studies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  6. Changes in Error Patterns during N-back Training Indicate Reliance on Subvocal Rehearsal
    Chooi WT, Logie R
    Mem Cognit, 2020 11;48(8):1484-1503.
    PMID: 32661910 DOI: 10.3758/s13421-020-01066-w
    Contemporary cognitive training literature suggests that training on an adaptive task produces improvements only in the trained task or near transfer effects. No study has yet systematically explained the mechanism behind improved performance on the N-back. In this study, we first investigated how improvements in an N-back task using eight pairs of phonologically similar words as stimuli occurred by examining error distributions of the task over training sessions. Nineteen participants (non-native English speakers) trained for 20 sessions over 5 weeks. We observed a reduction in false alarms to non-target words and fewer missed target words. Though the absolute number of phonological-based errors reduced as training progressed, the proportion of this error type did not decrease over time suggesting participants increasingly relied on subvocal rehearsal in completing the N-back. In the second experiment, we evaluated if improvements developed during N-back training transferred to tasks that relied on serial order memory using simple span tasks (letter span with phonologically distinct letters, letter span with phonologically similar letters, digit span forward, and digit span backward). Twenty-nine participants trained on the N-back and 16 trained on the Operation Span (OSPAN) for 15 sessions over 4 weeks. Neither group of participants showed improvements on any of the simple span tasks. In the third experiment, 20 participants (16 native English speakers) trained on the N-back for 15 sessions over 4 weeks also showed increasing reliance on subvocal rehearsal as they progressed through training. Self-report strategy use did not predict improvements on the N-back.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  7. Fulltext Early Initiation of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) Use Associated with Lowered Cognitive Performance among Individuals with Co-Occurring Opioid and ATS Use Disorders in Malaysia
    Chooi WT, Mohd Zaharim N, Desrosiers A, Ahmad I, Yasin MAM, Syed Jaapar SZ, et al.
    J Psychoactive Drugs, 2017 06 29;49(4):326-332.
    PMID: 28661714 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1342152
    Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) use is increasingly prevalent in Malaysia, including among individuals who also use opioids. We evaluated cognitive functioning profiles among individuals with co-occurring opioid and ATS dependence and their lifetime patterns of drug use. Participants (N = 50) enrolling in a clinical trial of buprenorphine/naloxone treatment with or without atomoxetine completed the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, Digit Span, Trail Making and Symbol Digit Substitution tasks. Multidimensional scaling and a K-means cluster analyses were conducted to classify participants into lower versus higher cognitive performance groups. Subsequently, analyses of variance procedures were conducted to evaluate between group differences on drug use history and demographics. Two clusters of individuals with distinct profiles of cognitive performance were identified. The age of ATS use initiation, controlling for the overall duration of drug use, was significantly earlier in the lower than in the higher cognitive performance cluster: 20.9 (95% CI: 18.0-23.8) versus 25.2 (95% CI: 22.4-28.0, p = 0.038). While adverse effects of ATS use on cognitive functioning can be particularly pronounced with younger age, potentially related to greater vulnerability of the developing brain to stimulant and/or neurotoxic effects of these drugs, the current study findings cannot preclude lowered cognitive performance before initiation of ATS use.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition/drug effects*
  8. Fulltext Mental Health Conceptualization and Resilience Factors in the Kalasha Youth: An Indigenous Ethnic and Religious Minority Community in Pakistan
    Choudhry FR, Khan TM, Park MS, Golden KJ
    Front Public Health, 2018;6:187.
    PMID: 30065918 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00187
    The Kalasha are a religious, ethnic, and linguistic minority community in Pakistan. They are indigenous people living in remote valleys of the Hindu Kush Mountains in northern Pakistan, neighboring Afghanistan. The Kalasha are pastoral, as well as agricultural people to some extent, although they are increasingly facing pressures from globalization and social change, which may be influencing youth and community development. Their traditional world view dichotomizes and emphasizes on the division of the pure (Onjeshta) and the impure (Pragata). There remains a scarcity of literature on mental health and resilience of indigenous communities in South Asia and Pakistan generally, and the polytheistic Kalasha community specifically. Thus, the current study was conducted with the aim to explore the cultural protective factors (resilience) of the Kalasha youth (adolescents and emerging adults) and to explore their perceived etiological understandings and preferred interventions for mental health support systems. The theoretical framework of Bronfenbrenner's (1, 2) ecological systems model was used. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted, considering the advantage of its idiographic approach and the "double hermeneutic" analytic process. This methodology was consistent with the aim to understand and make sense of mental health and resilience from the Kalasha indigenous perspective. A total of 12 in-depth interviews were conducted with adolescents and emerging adults (5 males, 7 females), along with ethnographic observations. The analysis revealed 3 superordinate themes of mental health perceptions and interventions, each with more specific emergent themes: (1) Psychological Resilience/Cultural Protective Factors Buffering Against Mental Health Problems (Intra-Communal Bonding & Sharing; Kalasha Festivals & Traditions; Purity Concept; Behavioral Practice of Happiness and Cognitive Patterns); (2) Perceived Causes of Mental Health Issues (Biological & Psychosocial; Supernatural & Spiritual; Environmental); and (3) Preferred Interventions [Shamanic Treatment; Ta'awiz (Amulets); Communal Sharing & Problem Solving; Medical Treatment; Herbal Methods]. The overall findings point to the need for developing culturally-sensitive and indigenous measures and therapeutic interventions. The findings highlighted the Kalasha cultural practices which may promote resilience. The findings also call for indigenous sources of knowledge to be considered when collaboratively designing public health programs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  9. Genetic Association of TCF4 and AKT1 Gene Variants with the Age at Onset of Schizophrenia
    Chow TJ, Tee SF, Yong HS, Tang PY
    Neuropsychobiology, 2016;73(4):233-240.
    PMID: 27305091
    Age at onset (AAO) is a known prognostic indicator for schizophrenia and is hypothesized to correlate with cognition and symptom severity. TCF4 and AKT1 are schizophrenia risk genes involved in cognitive functions. The current study examined the interactive effects of TCF4 and AKT1 variants with gender, family history of psychiatric disorders and ethnicity on the AAO of schizophrenia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  10. Critical incident monitoring in anaesthesia (2)
    Choy CY
    Curr Opin Anaesthesiol, 2008 Apr;21(2):183-6.
    PMID: 18443485 DOI: 10.1097/ACO.0b013e3282f33592
    PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Updates on developments in critical incident monitoring in anaesthesia, and assesses its role in improving patient safety.
    RECENT FINDINGS: Critical incident reporting has become more widely accepted as an effective way to improve anaesthetic safety, and has continued to highlight the importance of human errors and system failures. The establishment of an international database also improves critical incident reporting. Experiences from the national reporting and learning system in the UK have provided some solutions to the many problems and criticisms faced by the critical incident reporting technique. Direct observations to detect errors are more accurate than voluntary reporting of critical incidents, and may be a promising new approach.
    SUMMARY: Critical incident monitoring is a valuable tool in ensuring patient safety due to its low cost and the ability to provide a comprehensive body of detailed qualitative information. The qualitative information gathered can be used to develop strategies to prevent and manage existing problems, as well as to plan further initiatives for patient safety. Novel approaches should complement existing methods to achieve better results. The development of a culture which emphasises safety should go hand in hand with current audit activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  11. Fulltext Nutritional Support of Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Function in Infants and Young Children-An Update and Novel Insights
    Cohen Kadosh K, Muhardi L, Parikh P, Basso M, Jan Mohamed HJ, Prawitasari T, et al.
    Nutrients, 2021 Jan 10;13(1).
    PMID: 33435231 DOI: 10.3390/nu13010199
    Proper nutrition is crucial for normal brain and neurocognitive development. Failure to optimize neurodevelopment early in life can have profound long-term implications for both mental health and quality of life. Although the first 1000 days of life represent the most critical period of neurodevelopment, the central and peripheral nervous systems continue to develop and change throughout life. All this time, development and functioning depend on many factors, including adequate nutrition. In this review, we outline the role of nutrients in cognitive, emotional, and neural development in infants and young children with special attention to the emerging roles of polar lipids and high quality (available) protein. Furthermore, we discuss the dynamic nature of the gut-brain axis and the importance of microbial diversity in relation to a variety of outcomes, including brain maturation/function and behavior are discussed. Finally, the promising therapeutic potential of psychobiotics to modify gut microbial ecology in order to improve mental well-being is presented. Here, we show that the individual contribution of nutrients, their interaction with other micro- and macronutrients and the way in which they are organized in the food matrix are of crucial importance for normal neurocognitive development.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*
  12. Cognitive criteria in HIV: greater consensus is needed
    Cysique LA, Brew BJ, Bruning J, Byrd D, Costello J, Daken K, et al.
    Nat Rev Neurol, 2024 Feb;20(2):127-128.
    PMID: 38228906 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-024-00927-1
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  13. Frailty and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Congenital Heart Disease
    Daelman B, Van Bulck L, Luyckx K, Kovacs AH, Van De Bruaene A, Ladouceur M, et al.
    J Am Coll Cardiol, 2024 Mar 26;83(12):1149-1159.
    PMID: 38508848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.01.021
    BACKGROUND: Life expectancy of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) has increased rapidly, resulting in a growing and aging population. Recent studies have shown that older people with CHD have higher morbidity, health care use, and mortality. To maintain longevity and quality of life, understanding their evolving medical and psychosocial challenges is essential.

    OBJECTIVES: The authors describe the frailty and cognitive profile of middle-aged and older adults with CHD to identify predictor variables and to explore the relationship with hospital admissions and outpatient visits.

    METHODS: Using a cross-sectional, multicentric design, we included 814 patients aged ≥40 years from 11 countries. Frailty phenotype was determined using the Fried method. Cognitive function was assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

    RESULTS: In this sample, 52.3% of patients were assessed as robust, 41.9% as prefrail, and 5.8% as frail; 38.8% had cognitive dysfunction. Multinomial regression showed that frailty was associated with older age, female sex, higher physiologic class, and comorbidities. Counterintuitively, patients with mild heart defects were more likely than those with complex lesions to be prefrail. Patients from middle-income countries displayed more prefrailty than those from higher-income countries. Logistic regression demonstrated that cognitive dysfunction was related to older age, comorbidities, and lower country-level income.

    CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-half of included patients were (pre-)frail, and more than one-third experienced cognitive impairment. Frailty and cognitive dysfunction were identified in patients with mild CHD, indicating that these concerns extend beyond severe CHD. Assessing frailty and cognition routinely could offer valuable insights into this aging population.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  14. Time course of motor and cognitive functions after chronic cerebral ischemia in rats
    Damodaran T, Hassan Z, Navaratnam V, Muzaimi M, Ng G, Müller CP, et al.
    Behav Brain Res, 2014 Dec 15;275:252-8.
    PMID: 25239606 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.09.014
    Cerebral ischemia is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in aging populations, due to the frequent occurrence of irreversible brain damage and subsequent loss of neuronal function which lead to cognitive impairment and some motor dysfunction. In the present study, the real time course of motor and cognitive functions were evaluated following the chronic cerebral ischemia induced by permanent, bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries (PBOCCA). Male Sprague Dawley rats (200-300g) were subjected to PBOCCA or sham-operated surgery and tested 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks following the ischemic insult. The results showed that PBOCCA significantly reduced step-through latency in a passive avoidance task at all time points when compared to the sham-operated group. PBOCCA rats also showed significant increase in escape latencies during training in the Morris water maze, as well as a reduction of the percentage of times spend in target quadrant of the maze at all time points following the occlusion. Importantly, there were no significant changes in locomotor activity between PBOCCA and sham-operated groups. The BDNF expression in the hippocampus was 29.3±3.1% and 40.1±2.6% on day 14 and 28 post PBOCCA, respectively compared to sham-operated group. Present data suggest that the PBOCCA procedure effectively induces behavioral, cognitive symptoms associated with cerebral ischemia and, consequently, provides a valuable model to study ischemia and related neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition Disorders/etiology*
  15. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced memory impairment and hippocampal long-term potentiation deficits are improved by cholinergic stimulation in rats
    Damodaran T, Müller CP, Hassan Z
    Pharmacol Rep, 2019 Jun;71(3):443-448.
    PMID: 31003155 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2019.01.012
    BACKGROUND: Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) can induce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which leads to oxidative damage, neuronal injury, and central cholinergic dysfunction in vulnerable regions of the brain, such as the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. These effects can lead to significant cognitive impairments in clinical populations of vascular dementia (VaD). The present studies aimed to investigate the role of the cholinergic system in memory functions and hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) impairments induced by CCH in rats.

    METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to permanent bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries (PBOCCA) or sham surgery. Then, PBOCCA rats received ip injections with, either vehicle (control group), the muscarinic receptor agonist oxotremorine (0.1 mg/kg), or the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg). Cognitive functions were evaluated using a passive avoidance task and the Morris water maze test. In addition, hippocampal LTP was recorded in vivo under anaesthesia.

    RESULTS: The PBOCCA rats exhibited significant deficits in passive avoidance retention and spatial learning and memory tests. They also showed a suppression of LTP formation in the hippocampus. Oxotremorine and physostigmine significantly improved the learning and memory deficits as well as the suppression of LTP in PBOCCA rats.

    CONCLUSIONS: The present data suggest that the cholinergic system plays an important role in CCH-induced cognitive deficits and could be an effective therapeutic target for the treatment of VaD.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition Disorders/drug therapy*
  16. Fulltext The socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with quality of life among patients with brain pathology in a tertiary referral hospital in Malaysia
    Das, Priscilla, Naing, NyiNyi, Nadiah Wan-Arfah, Naing Noor Jan, K.O., Yee, Cheng Kueh, Rasalingam, Kantha
    JUMMEC, 2019;22(1):50-57.
    MyJurnal
    Background: This paper investigates the quality of life of brain pathology patients in relation to their sociodemographic
    profiles and clinical factors.

    Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done at a tertiary referral hospital in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 100
    patients were recruited in the study after excluding 22 patients who did not met the exclusion criteria. The
    European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-C30) self-administered
    questionnaire was utilized in the study. The Global health status/QoL, Physical functioning, Role functioning,
    Emotional functioning, Cognitive functioning, Social functioning, Fatigue, Nausea and vomiting, Pain, Dyspnoea,
    Insomnia, Appetite loss, Constipation, Diarrhoea, and Financial difficulties were assessed in this study.

    Results: The most severe impairment in functioning was with lowest score of cognitive functioning (mean
    score=61) and the most severe symptom was fatigue (mean score=45). There were significant differences in
    quality of life scores in different socio-demographic groupsand types of brain pathology patients. Patients aged
    below 40 years old or less had better physical functioning, less symptoms of fatigue and insomnia compared
    to patients who were more than 40 years old. Male patients faced more financial difficulties compared with
    female patients. Patients who were married had increased insomnia compared to the single patients. Employed
    patients had better physical functioning and less financial difficulties compared with patients who were
    unemployed. Patients who earned >RM 2500.00 monthly had better physical functioning, less symptoms of pain and less financial difficulties than patients who earned ≤RM 2500.00. Patients with qualifications lower
    than SPM tended to face more financial difficulties compared to patients with qualifications of SPM or higher.
    Meningioma patients had better social functioning compared with others, whereas Carvenoma patients had
    better physical functioning. Meningioma patients had more symptoms of insomnia compared with other
    patients. All the findings were with p value less than 0.05.

    Conclusion: The quality of life of patients with brain pathology is affected by socio-demographic factors and
    clinical diagnoses. Efforts should be made to improve the overall quality of life of these patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  17. Fulltext Acceptability of Just-in-Time Teaching amongst medical students: a pilot study
    De S, Nagandla K, Kanagasabai S
    Education in Medicine Journal, 2014;6(1):11-19.
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) is a novel method of teaching-learning used in various disciplines of science and humanities. It is a technique that scaffolds the students learning process by reducing the cognitive load which is the load related to the executive control of working memory. Just in time teaching underpins the concept that expertise in learning originates from the knowledge already stored in long term memory and with subsequent interaction between the learner and teacher motivates enhanced active learning and optimizes the intellectual performance.
    Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the acceptability of JiTT over traditional lecture teaching among the medical students.
    Method: In a cross sectional pilot study, three hundred thirty five students participated in a questionnaire based study that grades the various aspects of the traditional lecture series. After the implementation of JiTT method for a period of four months, three hundred two students completed the questionnaire, grading the same variables for JiTT. The analysis was done by using SPSS version 11 applying Paired t test and McNemar's Test.
    Result: The results of our study highlighted that JiTT technique was perceived superior to traditional teaching with statistically significant outcomes in the clarity of the topic (p=0.003,) duration of the session (p=0.002), knowledge gained and orientation for exams (p=0.044). The students perceived JiTT method as less monotonous (p=0.005) increasing their alertness during these sessions (p=0.002).
    Conclusion: We therefore propose that Just-in-Time Teaching method is a more interactive and acceptable teaching-learning tool shifting the nature of teaching to a more student-centric approach as perceived by the medical students. This is the first pioneer study on JiTT to be performed on undergraduate medical students so far.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  18. Fulltext Does the implicit models of leadership influence the scanning of other-race faces in adults?
    Densten IL, Borrowman L
    PLoS One, 2017;12(7):e0179058.
    PMID: 28686605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179058
    The current study aims to identify the relationships between implicit leadership theoretical (ILT) prototypes / anti-prototype and five facial features (i.e., nasion, upper nose, lower nose, and upper lip) of a leader from a different race than respondents. A sample of 81 Asian respondents viewed a 30-second video of a Caucasian female who in a non-engaging manner talked about her career achievements. As participants watch the video, their eye movements were recorded via an eye tracking devise. While previous research has identified that ILT influences perceptional and attitudinal ratings of leaders, the current study extends these findings by confirming the impact of ILT on the gaze patterns of other race participants, who appear to adopt system one type thinking. This study advances our understanding in how cognitive categories or schemas influence the physicality of individuals (i.e., eye gaze or movements). Finally, this study confirms that individual ILT factors have a relationship with the eye movements of participants and suggests future research directions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition/physiology*
  19. Use of technology by orientation and mobility professionals in Australia and Malaysia before COVID-19
    Deverell L, Bhowmik J, Lau BT, Al Mahmud A, Sukunesan S, Islam FMA, et al.
    Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol, 2020 Jul 09.
    PMID: 32643468 DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2020.1785565
    PURPOSE: Orientation and Mobility (O&M) professionals teach people with low vision or blindness to use specialist assistive technologies to support confident travel, but many O&M clients now prefer a smartphone. This study aimed to investigate what technology O&M professionals in Australia and Malaysia have, use, like, and want to support their client work, to inform the development of O&M technologies and build capacity in the international O&M profession.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: A technology survey was completed by professionals (n = 36) attending O&M workshops in Malaysia. A revised survey was completed online by O&M specialists (n = 31) primarily in Australia. Qualitative data about technology use came from conferences, workshops and interviews with O&M professionals. Descriptive statistics were analysed together with free-text data.

    RESULTS: Limited awareness of apps used by clients, unaffordability of devices, and inadequate technology training discouraged many O&M professionals from employing existing technologies in client programmes or for broader professional purposes. Professionals needed to learn smartphone accessibility features and travel-related apps, and ways to use technology during O&M client programmes, initial professional training, ongoing professional development and research.

    CONCLUSIONS: Smartphones are now integral to travel with low vision or blindness and early-adopter O&M clients are the travel tech-experts. O&M professionals need better initial training and then regular upskilling in mainstream O&M technologies to expand clients' travel choices. COVID-19 has created an imperative for technology laggards to upskill for O&M tele-practice. O&M technology could support comprehensive O&M specialist training and practice in Malaysia, to better serve O&M clients with complex needs.Implications for rehabilitationMost orientation and mobility (O&M) clients are travelling with a smartphone, so O&M specialists need to be abreast of mainstream technologies, accessibility features and apps used by clients for orientation, mobility, visual efficiency and social engagement.O&M specialists who are technology laggards need human-guided support to develop confidence in using travel technologies, and O&M clients are the experts. COVID-19 has created an imperative to learn skills for O&M tele-practice.Affordability is a significant barrier to O&M professionals and clients accessing specialist travel technologies in Malaysia, and to O&M professionals upgrading technology in Australia.Comprehensive training for O&M specialists is needed in Malaysia to meet the travel needs of clients with low vision or blindness who also have physical, cognitive, sensory or mental health complications.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition
  20. Fulltext I Teach Nursing as a Male Nursing Educator: The East Asian Perspective, Context, and Social Cognitive Career Experiences
    Dos Santos LM
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 06 17;17(12).
    PMID: 32560396 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124327
    Social and cultural backgrounds, as well as understanding, play key roles in workforce development and human resource shortages, which are associated with the transition to nursing education and teaching from frontline nursing practices. A qualitative method, with the direction of the general inductive approach, was employed in this study. The researcher collected information from 18 male nursing educators who switched their senior roles (from the frontline and practicing fields to nursing education) at nursing schools in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, and Malaysia. Three interview sessions were used to collect information. Three themes were merged from the information: (i) gender-oriented knowledge, teaching and learning; (ii) respect; and (iii) health promotion. More importantly, participants advocated that their male roles and identities provided uniqueness to patients, students, parents, and the general public concerning Asian customs and practices. Based on the social cognitive career theory, personal goals and achievements of career satisfaction took important roles. Although the general public may not agree with these career decisions, due to gender and social biases, participants continued to contribute their energy and knowledge in the health and social caring professions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cognition*
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