Right-sided Preference Research Articles

Experimental study on the decision-making and motion behavior of subgroups when facing a static obstacle during movement

The interaction between pedestrians and obstacles is an interesting research topic in pedestrian and evacuation dynamics. Many studies on this topic have treated single individuals or human crowds as objects and have drawn a lot of research findings. However, as an intermediate layer linking the individual and group levels, subgroups have rarely been considered in such studies, and little is known about their behavioral mechanisms when interacting with obstacles. From this, we want to understand how certain key factors affect the decision-making and motion behavior of subgroups when facing a static obstacle during movement. Here, we organize a series of controlled experiments, in which the obstacle width, time pressure, and subgroup size serve as three control variables to create various experimental conditions. The analysis of the experimental data shows that a wider obstacle width, a more urgent time pressure, and a larger subgroup size correspond to a higher proportion of the splitting–merging state. The strong right-side preference emerges in the maintaining state, but the movement preference in the splitting–merging state largely depends on the difference in subgroup sizes. The path lengths in the splitting–merging state are longer than those in the maintaining state, but no significant difference exists in movement times between the two movement states. The conclusion that the average speeds decrease with increasing subgroup size at normal densities can be extended to most conditions of different obstacle widths, time pressures, and movement states. Besides, the three control variables have various influence degrees on centroid positions, movement times, and average speeds in the splitting and merging processes, and the herding effect of subgroup members can be observed in the merging process. Overall, these findings may advance the understanding of subgroup behaviors and support the development of subgroup models.

Aging and sleep deprivation affect different neurocognitive stages of spatial information processing during a virtual driving task – An ERP study

We have previously shown that aging deteriorates detection of spatial visual and auditory stimuli and prolongs reaction times measured during a virtual driving task. Sleep deprivation affected the young more than the old. Here we determined the effects of age and sleep deprivation on ERPs elicited by spatial visual and auditory stimuli during virtual driving. Participants were 22 young (18–35 years) and 19 old (65–79) healthy males. Experiments were run in normal daytime condition and after a night of sleep deprivation. Aging shortened the peak latencies of the early P1 and N1 but increased the P3 latency. Sleep deprivation slowed down and diminished the N1 peaks of the young. General right-side preference was seen in latencies. Thus, the effects of aging could be seen in decision making and working memory related processes (P3), whereas those of sleep deprivation could be found in alerting and orienting functions (N1) in the young.

Lateralization in the visual perception of a potential source of danger in free-ranging steppe marmots (<em>Marmota bobak</em>)

A variety of vertebrate species display lateralization of visual perception of threat. However, the vast majority of studies were carried out in the laboratory conditions, and little is known about the relevance of this lateralization for animals in their natural environment. The aim of our work was to study lateralized visual perception of potential threat in the steppe marmot. The asymmetric use of visual fields when reacting to an approaching threat was assessed in two wild populations of marmots. The results showed that marmots predominantly used the right eye for threat monitoring. A significant impact of anthropogenic disturbance was found both within and between the populations. The right-sided preference was reduced in animals inhabiting areas with high degree of anthropogenic disturbance. The eye (left/right) a focal individual used for threat monitoring did not influence its flight initiation distance. Contrary to a previous study, our results do not suggest that the use of a particular eye affects the speed of threat assessment.

Laterality of tail wrapping in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

ABSTRACT Behavioural laterality in nonhuman primates has been commonly studied in paired limb organs, and studies in unpaired organs such as tails are less common. The very limited investigations on tail laterality have focused on New World primates. We firstly investigated the lateral bias of tail wrapping in an Old World primate. From a wild group of one hundred of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana), 14 adult monkeys, 7 males and 7 females, were chosen as focus animals. The data of tail wrapping in two different postures that were resting on the ground and climbing the tree trunk were collected and analyzed. The results demonstrated (1) that, when resting on the ground, the focus animals, 3 showed right-side tail-wrapping preference and 11 were ambipreferent; (2) that there was a population-level right tail-wrapping preference in climbing, and 9 of them showed right-side preference, 1 left-side preference and 4 were ambipreferent; (3) and that there were no significant sex differences on the direction and strength of tail wrapping laterality. These findings provide significant evidence for a difference of cerebral asymmetries in tail-wrapping control and would be valuable for further understanding the important function of tails in Old World primates.

The Importance of Stromal Endometriosis in Thoracic Endometriosis.

Thoracic endometriosis (TE) is a rare type of endometriosis, where endometrial tissue is found in or around the lungs and is frequent among extra-pelvic endometriosis patients. Catamenial pneumothorax (CP) is the most common form of TE and is characterized by recurrent lung collapses around menstruation. In addition to histology, immunohistochemical evaluation of endometrial implants is used more frequently. In this review, we compared immunohistochemical (CPE) with histological (CPH) characterizations of TE/CP and reevaluated arguments in favor of the implantation theory of Sampson. A summary since the first immunohistochemical description in 1998 until 2019 is provided. The emphasis was on classification of endometrial implants into glands, stroma, and both together. The most remarkable finding is the very high percentage of stromal endometriosis of 52.7% (CPE) compared to 10.2% (CPH). Chest pain, dyspnea, right-sided preference, and diaphragmatic endometrial implants showed the highest percentages in both groups. No significant association was found between the recurrence rate and the various appearances of endometriosis. Sometimes in CPE (6.8%) and CPH (30.6%) no endometrial implants were identified underlining the importance of sensitive detection of endometriosis during and after surgery. We suggest that immunohistochemical evaluation should become mandatory and will improve diagnosis and classification of the disease.

Behavioural Laterality in two species of flamingos: greater flamingos and Chilean flamingos

ABSTRACT Many studies have highlighted evidence of lateralized behaviours in vertebrates and invertebrates, indicating that cerebral lateralization might not be uniquely human. Flamingos, as highly social species, might represent an interesting model in the study of lateralization, as this trait appears to be useful in gregarious animals. This study aims to investigate the presence of lateralized behaviours in zoo flamingos. The subjects of this study were 41 greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and 29 Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis). Ten 20-minute observation sessions per subject were carried out, using focal animal sampling method. Bouts of side preferences were recorded for foraging, neck resting and preening. Moreover, bouts and duration of leg use for postural support during unipedal standing (leg stance) were also collected. Results highlighted a group-level right-side preference for foraging in the whole sample as well as within each species. Within greater flamingos, group-level right-side preferences were also reported for neck resting and leg stance. Differences between the two flocks were found, with greater flamingos displaying right preferences to a greater extent than Chilean flamingos. Males showed a more pronounced right preference than females for some categories. This study adds to previous literature highlighting the presence of group-level behavioural lateralization in flamingos.

Is there a difference in ovarian reserve biomarkers and ovarian response between the right and left ovaries?

Research questionIs there a difference in ovarian reserve biomarkers and ovarian response between the right and left ovaries of infertile women undergoing IVF treatments? DesignA total of 100 infertile women aged 27 to 37 years, diagnosed with either unexplained male factor or mechanical factor infertility, participated in the study. All women had both ovaries intact, and regular menstrual cycles with no previous diagnosis of polycystic ovaries or endometriosis. The data were collected separately for each ovary, and included parameters of basal sonographic ovarian reserve, as well as ovarian response to ovarian stimulation. ResultsBasal sonographic ovarian reserve markers were similar between the two ovaries. The right and left ovaries did not differ in their basal antral follicle count (AFC) (6.9 ± 3.9 versus 6.8 ± 3.8, respectively, P = 0.672), nor did they differ in their ovarian volume (10.3 ± 6.7 versus 9.8 ± 8.0 cm3, respectively, P = 0.636). Nevertheless, a superior right-sided ovarian response to ovarian stimulation was observed, with a significantly higher total number of follicles in the right compared with the left ovary (7.8 ± 4.3 versus 6.8 ± 4.2 follicles, respectively, P = 0.006), and a higher number of follicles ≥14 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration (4.9 ± 3.2 versus 3.8 ± 2.4 follicles, respectively, P = 0.002). ConclusionsDespite comparable basal AFC and ovarian volume, the two ovaries are distinguishable in their response to ovarian stimulation with a clear right-side preference. These findings imply that the superiority of right ovarian response may be derived from local pelvic factors, presumably a more efficient vascularization.

Effects of footedness and stance asymmetry confirm an inter-leg metastable coordination dynamics of standing posture

We investigated the patterns of coordination between the left and right legs that support the task of maintaining an upright standing posture. We used cross-wavelet analyses to assess coordination between the centers of pressure under the left and right feet. We recruited participants with a lateralized functional preference for their right leg, and we manipulated whether these participants stood with symmetric/asymmetric stances and whether their eyes were open or closed. Our hypotheses were derived from the Haken-Kelso-Bunz (HKB) model of interlimb coordination dynamics. Consistent with HKB model predictions, we observed (1) coordination taking the form of metastable, transient epochs of stable phase relations, (2) preferences for in-phase and anti-phase coordination patterns, and (3) changes in pattern stability and phase leads associated with both stance asymmetry and right-side lateral preference. The form and stability of observed coordination patterns were mediated by the availability of visual information. Our findings confirm the existence of a metastable coordination dynamic associated with the task of maintaining upright stance. We discuss the implications of these findings in the context of evaluating the utility of the HKB model for understanding the functional organization of the posture system.

Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Patient with a Past History of Intracranial Hemorrhage

Intravenous thrombolysis remains the gold standard in the management of acute ischemic stroke if the patient presents within the window period. Endovascular thrombectomy is another line of therapy in selected cases. Nonetheless, one of the most devastating complications of IV thrombolysis is intracranial hemorrhage (ICH); in such cases, the previous history of ICH is considered a potential contraindication to thrombolysis. Evidence regarding the safety of thrombolysis administration in patients with a previous history of ICH is scarce. We encountered a patient with acute ischemic stroke with a past history of hypertensive ICH. A 59-year-old female, presented with complete right-sided body weakness, global aphasia and gaze preference. A computed tomography (CT) brain perfusion scan revealed a mismatch suggestive of left middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischemic stroke. The patient received intravenous thrombolysis and showed significant clinical improvement with no subsequent complications or ICH. In reporting this case, we aim to provide evidence supporting the safety of thrombolytic therapy in selected cases with a previous history of ICH when no alternative line of management is available.

Vascular Offenders in Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Unified Classification and Assessment of the Outcome of Microvascular Decompression

Vascular loop compression remains the most accepted theory for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Apart from the normal adjoining vascular loops, certain unusual vascular loops incriminated in TN such as vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia and pure venous compressions do not truly fit into the traditional classification. Moreover, vascular diseases such as cavernoma and aneurysms causing TN are considered as secondary TNs. There is a lack of unified classification for TN with underlying vascular offenders, otherwise amenable to microvascular decompression. We classified vascular offenders in TN (n= 53) into the usual offenders such as superior cerebellar artery or anterior inferior cerebellar artery loop with (n= 4) or without (n= 34) superior petrosal vein loop (n= 38, group I). The unusual vascular offenders (n= 15, group II) comprised unusual arterial loops (n= 4, IIa), pure venous compressions (n= 8, IIb) and vascular diseases (n= 3, IIc). The clinical symptoms, pain severity scores, and surgical outcomes were compared. A right-sided preference and male predominance typified the unusual group. The incidence of atypical pain and sensory impairment was higher in group II. Group II also showed a less favorable immediate pain outcome, particularly the patients in group IIb. Group IIb also showed a higher incidence of postoperative hemorrhagic complications. However, long-term outcomes did not differ significantly. Unusual vascular offenders in TN do constitute a significant population. They differ from the usual group with respect to the type of pain, gender, and side of involvement and tend to have more complications with similar pain outcomes after microvascular decompression.

Lateral asymmetry in the freely occurring behaviour of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and its relation to cognitive performance

ABSTRACTHemispheric laterality and its provision of potential fitness advantages to aves is a widespread topic of research in budgerigars and other parrot species [e.g., Magat, M. & Brown, C. (2009). Laterality enhances cognition in Australian parrots. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276, 4155–4162]. In the current study, lateral preferences were tracked for 11 captive-reared budgerigars that subsequently underwent 2 cognitive problem-solving tests: a tool-use problem and a dig-discrimination task. Two significant individual-level lateral preferences (a leftward unipedal support preference and a rightward preening side preference) and 1 significant population-level preference (a right-side preening preference) were obtained. Lateral preening side preference indices for individual subjects correlated with various measures of performance on the dig task, such that right-side preening preferences and stronger lateral preferences irrespective of direction were associated with enhanced dig task performance. The data generally support the idea that laterality in aves serves as a good predictor of increased cognitive capability, while also offering new evidence for population-level lateral preferences in the species.

Human intestinal spirochetosis: right-side preference in the large intestine.

Human intestinal spirochetosis (HIS) is a colorectal bacterial infection, and its clinicopathologic features remain unclear. The aim of this study was to examine its characteristics. We histologically reviewed paraffin-embedded section slides made in 2001, 2006, and 2011 at a single institution in Japan. Cases histologically exhibiting a distinct fringe formation were considered to have HIS. Information was obtained from pathology request forms. We identified 85 HIS cases among 4930 patients (7 cases [0.5%) in 2001, 29 [1.7%] in 2006, and 49 [2.8%] in 2011]. Gastrointestinal symptoms were observed in 7.1% of HIS cases. Human intestinal spirochetosis was more frequent in the right-side large intestine than in the left side. Among 224 samples from HIS cases, conventional (tubular, tubulovillous, and villous) adenomas were found in 148 samples. These adenomas were more frequent in the right side than in the left side, although neither their size nor morphology differed between the sides. Histopathologic evaluation suggested a year-upon-year increasing prevalence of HIS in Japan. A small number exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms. Both histologic sign of HIS and conventional adenomas were more frequent in the right-side large intestine. Therefore, a right-side preference may be a characteristic of HIS.

Chapter 7 - Functional imaging of structures involved in neural control of the lower urinary tract

Recent functional brain imaging studies, building on earlier observations, suggest a working model of brain control of the lower urinary tract. It comprises a few cerebral neural circuits that, during the storage phase, act on the midbrain periaqueductal gray to inhibit the long-loop, spinobulbospinal voiding reflex, thus promoting continence. Circuit 1, centered on the medial prefrontal cortex, appears to be concerned with conscious control of both continence and voiding. Circuit 2, centered on the dorsal anterior cingulate (midcingulate) and supplementary motor area, is concerned with emotional aspects of bladder control: desire to void or urgency with concomitant urethral sphincter activation to delay leakage. A subcortical circuit 3 has been less well studied. Circuit 1 is bilateral with a right-sided preference. Scattered studies of the connectivity of the control network suggest that white-matter damage may contribute to urinary incontinence. A few studies confirm that isolated cerebral lesions, if in the medial prefrontal cortex or its connecting pathways, may lead to incontinence. Lower urinary tract dysfunction in other neurologic diseases (normal-pressure hydrocephalus, Parkinson's disease, and multiple systems atrophy) appears consistent with the working model, and even spinal or peripheral lesions have central effects. However, this model omits the contributions of brain regions already observed in some imaging studies and therefore is certainly oversimplified.

Development of spatial preferences for counting and picture naming.

The direction of object enumeration reflects children's enculturation but previous work on the development of such spatial preferences has been inconsistent. Therefore, we documented directional preferences in finger counting, object counting, and picture naming for children (4 groups from 3 to 6 years, N = 104) and adults (N = 56). We found a right-side preference for finger counting in 3- to 6-year-olds and a left-side preference for counting objects and naming pictures by 6 years of age. Children were consistent in their special preferences when comparing object counting and picture naming, but not in other task pairings. Finally, spatial preferences were not related to cardinality comprehension. These results, together with other recent work, suggest a gradual development of spatial-numerical associations from early non-directional mappings into culturally constrained directional mappings.

Management of thoracic endometriosis: single institution experience

ObjectiveThoracic endometriosis is a relatively rare type of endometriosis and includes catamenial pneumothorax, hemothorax and hemoptysis, and presence of intrathoracic endometriotic nodules. We want to clarify and resume the most appropriate management of this pathology. Study designWe retrospectively reviewed all the cases of thoracic endometriosis diagnosed and followed up in our Unit from 2005 to 2013. This search revealed five women, with a mean age of 34.5 (26–44). Four had previous history of endometriosis or severe dysmenorrhea. One patient complained of chronic shoulder pain with diaphragmatic implants, another one presented catamenial hemoptysis, and three women suffered from catamenial pneumothorax, with right-side preference. ResultsThree patients underwent surgery and all of them were treated with GnRH agonists at least during 6 month referring improvement in symptoms. After 1–8 years follow-up, all these patients remain asymptomatic. ConclusionThe optimal management of thoracic endometriosis needs further evaluation but the combined approach by hormonal therapy and surgery could be the best option.

The Importance of Habitual Sleep Position in Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Asians

The Importance of Habitual Sleep Position in Obstructive Sleep Apnea among Asians Introduction: Our prior investigation found positional sleep apnea accounting for approximately 70% of Asian obstructive sleep apnea patients. We hypothesized that the habitual side sleeping may indicate an obstructive sleep apnea deterring mechanism. Method: We retrospectively reviewed 542 polysomnographic studies from our sleep laboratory. We included adult patients with respiratory disturbance index ≥ 5 from baseline polysomnography. Habitual sleep position was obtained from the pretest questionnaire. Results: Forty-eight percent were noted to be habitual supinesleepers. Most habitual non-supine sleepers were habitual side sleepers with predominantly right-sided preference. Most habitual side sleepers when compared to habitual back sleepers were found to be more female, having higher body mass index, and reported more frequent snoring. We also found the differences in polysomnographic findings in which lower mean oxygen saturation and higher non-supine respiratory disturbance index were observed in habitual side sleepers as compared to habitual back sleepers. Only female sex was a significant predictor for being a habitual side sleeper. Total respiratory disturbance index, age>60, and wake after sleep onset >30 minutes appeared as risk factors for developing cardiovascular-related diseases in habitual side sleeping obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Tracheobronchial anatomy and the distribution of inhaled foreign bodies in children

Foreign body inhalation is a common and life-threatening emergency, and is most prevalent in young children. The traditional view is that tracheobronchial anatomy determines that an inhaled foreign body is more likely to enter the right main bronchus. This view has been challenged in young children, in whom the distribution of inhaled objects is more evenly distributed between the bronchi. We, therefore, investigated tracheobronchial anatomy relevant to foreign body inhalation in children. One hundred and fifty-six normal pediatric chest radiographs were selected from a large electronic database. Eight groups of radiographs were identified: supine (n=76) and erect; males (n=84) and females; aged <3 years (median age 12 [0.5-29] months) and > or =3 years (median age 126 [48-180] months). Tracheobronchial widths and angles were determined using a standardized technique with good reproducibility. Overall, children had a proximal right main bronchus that was consistently steeper and slightly wider than the left (P<0.001), becoming more vertical in the erect position (P=0.0001). In most children, the carina was positioned to the left of the mid-trachea, but in 34% of cases (40% of infants), it was to the right of the mid-trachea. The effects of age and gender were otherwise minimal. On the basis of tracheobronchial anatomy, an inhaled foreign body is more likely to enter the right bronchial tree than the left in children of all ages. However, the variability in the position of the carina with respect to the mid-trachea may explain why this right-sided preference is less marked in children compared to adults.

Human behaviour: Adult persistence of head-turning asymmetry.

A neonatal right-side preference makes a surprising romantic reappearance later in life. A preference in humans for turning the head to the right, rather than to the left, during the final weeks of gestation and for the first six months after birth1,2 constitutes one of the earliest examples of behavioural asymmetry and is thought to influence the subsequent development of perceptual and motor preferences by increasing visual orientation to the right side3,4. Here I show that twice as many adults turn their heads to the right as to the left when kissing, indicating that this head-motor bias persists into adulthood. My finding may be linked to other forms of sidedness (for example, favouring the right foot, ear or eye) that do not become established until long after the newborn head-turning preference has disappeared5,6.

Display lateralisation in the courtship behaviour of the alpine newt (Triturus alpestris)

Among urodelan amphibians, European newts of the genus Triturus have evolved a complex sequence of displays to the effect of stimulating the female to actively pick up the spermatophore deposited by the male. Courtship is varied, with plenty of potential for asymmetric uses of tails and of asymmetric turns. The analysis of the temporal structure of the behavioural sequences showed that both males and females significantly utilise the same side during a single courtship sequence. Moreover, if an individual prefers to exhibit one side during its lateral displays, then the duration of its displays on that side is longer than the duration of its displays on the other side. The only significantly contralateral display is creep-on. Less than 50% of the alpine newts show a significant left- or right-side preference and no lateral bias at population level was found. At the population level, male Triturus vulgaris showed a marked bias towards left turning after spermatophore deposition, in spite of the existence of both “left-turning” and “right-turning” individuals in the population (Green, 1997). The presence of population biases may be adaptive if it can influence the sensory processes and the motor responses involved in social interactions. In fact, Triturus vulgaris is characterised by a more complex courtship sequence than T. alpestris and by complex male-male interference mechanisms, but no selective advantages were shown for either left- or right-turning males (Green, 1997).

Functional and postural lateral preferences in humans: interrelations and life-span age differences.

This study aimed to provide data on lateral preferences among older subjects, to analyze age differences, and to determine interrelations between lateral preferences. Four functional preferences (handedness, footedness, eyedness, earedness) and three postural lateral preferences (hand-clasping, arm-folding, leg-crossing) were assessed in 628 Germans (252 men, 376 women) aged between 19 and 90 years. Sex differences, age differences, and associations between lateralities were analyzed applying chi-square tests. Logistic regression analyses considering age, sex, and interactions between variables were applied to analyze combined effects on laterality measures. Right-sided preference for handedness, footedness, eyedness, earedness, and leg-crossing characterized 86.8%, 77.1%, 70.9%, 67.8%, and 56.6%, respectively, of subjects, while a left-sided preference for hand-clasping and arm-folding characterized 56.4% and 60.2%, respectively, of all participants. Results are within the range of other populations. Only footedness differed between the sexes: there were more left-footed men. Older cohorts showed a rightward shift in handedness, eyedness, earedness, and leg-crossing, the opposite for arm-folding. No age-related differences exist in footedness or hand-clasping. Logistic regression models indicate no interaction between age and sex for each laterality measure. The four functional lateralities are significantly interrelated. All also are positively associated with leg-crossing. Conversely, the postural lateralities generally are not correlated, although leg-crossing and arm-folding are, inversely. The observed relationships among lateralities support the hypothesis that handedness, footedness, leg-crossing, and earedness might be aspects of a larger phenotype that is independent of hand-clasping and arm-folding.