MyMedR

Fulltext Changing hands: persistent alterations to body image following brief exposure to multisensory distortions

Perera AT, Newport R, McKenzie KJ

Exp Brain Res, 2017 06;235(6):1809-1821.

PMID: 28293693 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-017-4935-2

The dynamic flexibility of body representation has been highlighted through numerous lines of research that range from clinical studies reporting disorders of body ownership, to experimentally induced somatic illusions that have provided evidence for the embodiment of manipulated representations and even fake limbs. While most studies have reported that enlargement of body parts alters somatic perception, and that these can be more readily embodied, shrunken body parts have not been found to consistently alter somatic experiences, perhaps due to reduced feelings of ownership over smaller body parts. Over two experiments, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms responsible for altered somatic representations following exposure to both enlarged and shrunken body parts. Participants were given the impression that their hand and index finger were either longer or shorter than veridical length and asked to judge veridical finger length using online and offline size estimation tasks, as well as to report the degree of ownership towards the distorted finger and hand representations. Ownership was claimed over all distorted representations of the hand and finger and no differences were seen across ownership ratings, while the online and offline measurements of perceived size demonstrated differing response patterns. These findings suggest that ownership towards manipulated body representations is more bidirectional than previously thought and also suggest differences in perceived body representation with respect to the method of measurement suggesting that online and offline tasks may tap into different aspects of body representation.

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

The influence of ball-swing on the timing and coordination of a natural interceptive task

Sarpeshkar V, Mann DL, Spratford W, Abernethy B

Hum Mov Sci, 2017 Aug;54:82-100.

PMID: 28410536 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2017.04.003

Successful interception relies on the use of perceptual information to accurately guide an efficient movement strategy that allows performers to be placed at the right place at the right time. Although previous studies have highlighted the differences in the timing and coordination of movement that underpin interceptive expertise, very little is known about how these movement patterns are adapted when intercepting targets that follow a curvilinear flight-path. The aim of this study was to examine how curvilinear ball-trajectories influence movement patterns when intercepting a fast-moving target. Movement timing and coordination was examined when four groups of cricket batters, who differed in their skill level and/or age, hit targets that followed straight or curvilinear flight-paths. The results revealed that when compared to hitting straight trials, (i) mixing straight with curvilinear trials altered movement coordination and when the ball was hit, (ii) curvilinear trajectories reduced interceptive performance and significantly delayed the timing of all kinematic moments, but there were (iii) larger decrease in performance when the ball swung away from (rather than in towards) the performer. Movement coordination differed between skill but not age groups, suggesting that skill-appropriate movement patterns that are apparent in adults may have fully emerged by late adolescence.

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

Fulltext The Clinical Effectiveness of School Screening Programme for Idiopathic Scoliosis in Malaysia

Deepak AS, Ong JY, Choon D, Lee CK, Chiu CK, Chan C, et al.

Malays Orthop J, 2017 Mar;11(1):41-46.

PMID: 28435573 MyJurnal DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.1703.018

INTRODUCTION: There is no large population size study on school screening for scoliosis in Malaysia. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence rate and positive predictive value (PPV) of screening programme for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 8966 voluntary school students aged 13-15 years old were recruited for scoliosis screening. Screening was done by measuring the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) on forward bending test (FBT) using a scoliometer. ATR of 5 degrees or more was considered positive. Positively screened students had standard radiographs done for measurement of the Cobb angle. Cobb angle of >10° was used to diagnose scoliosis. The percentage of radiological assessment referral, prevalence rate and PPV of scoliosis were then calculated.

RESULTS: Percentage of radiological assessment referral (ATR >5°) was 4.2% (182/4381) for male and 5.0% (228/4585) for female. Only 38.0% of those with ATR >5° presented for further radiological assessment. The adjusted prevalence rate was 2.55% for Cobb angle >10°, 0.59% for >20° and 0.12% for >40°. The PPV is 55.8% for Cobb angle >10°, 12.8% for >20° and 2.6% for > 40°.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study of school scoliosis screening in Malaysia. The prevalence rate of scoliosis was 2.55%. The positive predictive value was 55.8%, which is adequate to suggest that the school scoliosis screening programme did play a role in early detection of scoliosis. However, a cost effectiveness analysis will be needed to firmly determine its efficacy.

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

Ethical Concerns When Minors Act as Standardized Patients

Khoo EJ, Schremmer RD, Diekema DS, Lantos JD

Pediatrics, 2017 Mar;139(3).

PMID: 28174202 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-2795

When minors are asked to assist medical educators by acting as standardized patients (SPs), there is a potential for the minors to be exploited. Minors deserve protection from exploitation. Such protection has been written into regulations governing medical research and into child labor laws. But there are no similar guidelines for minors' work in medical education. This article addresses the question of whether there should be rules. Should minors be required to give their informed consent or assent? Are there certain practices that could cause harm for the children who become SPs? We present a controversial case and ask a number of experts to consider the ethical issues that arise when minors are asked to act as SPs in medical education.

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

Experience with skin reactions to various allergens in bronchial asthma

Zulkifli A, Weng CK

Med J Malaysia, 1979 Dec;34(2):153-5.

PMID: 548718

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve: a report of 10 cases

Anuar M, Singham KT

Med J Malaysia, 1979 Dec;34(2):140-4.

PMID: 548715

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

Life expectancy in an aboriginal Malaysian population

Dobbins JG

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1979 Mar;10(1):106-14.

PMID: 483006

A life table for an aboriginal Malaysian population, the Semelai, living in West Malaysia, was constructed using censuses from 1965, 1969, and 1974; and interview data from 1974. The life expectancy at birth for this population, 54.0 years, was compared to that of other Malaysian populations and selected Asian populations. This comparison indicated that the Semelai were at a disadvantage compared to the Malaysian populations, but in a favorable position when compared with the other Asian populations.

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

Parasitic disease among fishermen living on Penang Island. I. Helminthiases

Anuar K, Ramachandran CP, Paran TP

Med J Malaysia, 1978 Jun;32(4):321-7.

PMID: 732632

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

A survey of 47 opiate dependent persons who sought treatment

Deva MP

Med J Malaysia, 1977 Mar;31(3):183-7.

PMID: 904509

Matched MeSH terms: Adolescent

Filariasis in Perlis, Peninsular Malaysia