Significant Difference In Latency Research Articles

NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY ON ULNAR NERVE

Low level laser therapy is widely used in managing pain and inflammation in musculoskeletal ailments. Its effect on Peripheral nervous system and its function is not yet clearly studied. Objective: To analyze the neurophysiological effect of Low level laser irradiation on ulnar nerve MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty healthy subjects with age group between 20-30 years of both genders were recruited in this experimental study design.. The procedure was clearly explained to the subjects and informed consent was obtained. They were assigned randomly to either Ga. As.Laser group or Sham laser group. All the subject’s were positioned in supine lying with the irradiated dominant hand kept at 135 degrees of flexion. Ground electrode was placed over the thenar eminence. The subject's skin (electrode placement area) was degreased for proper transmission of laser. Nerve conduction velocity was recorded Antidromically. A 904nm diode laser was used to irradiate the skin overlying the ulnar nerve behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus for 20 secs. The laser was set to deliver continuous energy at 4.0 J/cm².Antidromically action potential, peak to peak amplitude, onset latency, nerve conduction velocity was recorded before and after irradiation of the ulnar nerve. RESULT: The study revealed that there was a significant difference in onset Latency (P=0.0021) but there was no significant difference in Nerve conduction velocity (P=0.2738) and PPA (P=1.0000) between laser group and sham laser group. CONCLUSIONS: Low level laser irradiation of skin overlying the ulnar nerve resulted in a significant increase in latency in this study. This increase in latency corresponds to a decrease in sensory nerve conduction velocity and could help explain the alleged pain relieving effects of low level laser irradiation.

Judgement Bias in Miniature Donkeys: Conditioning Factors and Personality Links.

Simple SummaryOptimism and pessimism may affect the way individuals perceive elements of the environment which they are surrounded by, but the mechanisms behind these processes are yet to be thoroughly described. The present study addresses judgement bias and its correlation with personality in Miniature Donkeys. Individuals were scored on eighteen personality traits and their response to an ambiguous stimulus. Judgement bias presents intrinsic individual differences. The correlation found between patience and pessimism suggests that personality-related conditions may shape the way individuals interpret new stimuli. Improving our knowledge of tools that measure donkeys’ mood may play a pivotal role from an animal welfare perspective, as it may provide a better understanding of individuals’ interaction among handlers, congeners, and with the environment, and issue their own verdicts after such interactions.Expectation-related bias may configure individuals’ perception of their surrounding environment and of the elements present in it. This study aimed to determine the repercussions of environmental (weather elements) or subject-inherent factors (sex, age, or personality features) on judgment bias. A cognitive bias test was performed in eight Miniature jennies and four jacks. Test comprised habituation, training and testing phases during which subjects were trained on how to complete the test and scored based on their latency to approach an ambiguous stimulus. A questionnaire evaluating eleven personality features was parallelly completed by three caretakers, five operators and two care assistants to determine the links between personality features and judgment bias. Adjusted latencies did not significantly differ between sexes (Mann–Whitney test, p > 0.05). Although Miniature donkeys can discriminate positive/negative stimuli, inter-individual variability evidences were found. Such discrimination is evidenced by significant latency differences to approach positive/negative stimuli (33.7 ± 43.1 vs. 145.5 ± 53.1 s) (Mann–Whitney test, p < 0.05). Latencies significantly increased with patience, indicative of an expression of pessimism. Better understanding judgement bias mechanisms and implications may help optimize routine handling practices in the framework of animal welfare.

Does Oral Monosodium Glutamate Have a Cochleotoxic Effect? An Experimental Study

Introduction: The effect of orally consumed monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a common additive in the food industry, on the cochlea has not been investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the possible cochleotoxic effects of oral MSG in guinea pigs using electrophysiological, biochemical, and histopathological methods. Methods: Thirty guinea pigs were equally divided into control and intervention groups (MSG 100 mg/kg/day; MSG 300 mg/kg/day). At 1 month, 5 guinea pigs from each group were sacrificed; the rest were observed for another month. Electrophysiological measurements (distortion product otoacoustic emission [DPOAE] and auditory brainstem response [ABR]), glutamate levels in the perilymph and blood samples, and histopathological examinations were evaluated at 1 and 2 months. Results: Change in signal-to-noise ratio at 2 months was significantly different in the MSG 300 group at 0.75 kHz and 2 kHz (p = 0.013 and p = 0.044, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in ABR wave latencies of the guinea pigs given MSG compared to the control group after 1 and 2 months; an increase was noted in ABR thresholds, although the difference was not statistically significant. In the MSG groups, moderate-to-severe degeneration and cell loss in outer hair cells, support cells, and spiral ganglia, lateral surface junction irregularities, adhesions in stereocilia, and partial loss of outer hair cell stereocilia were noted. Conclusion: MSG, administered in guinea pigs at a commonly utilized quantity and route of administration in humans, may be cochleotoxic.

OCENA ENDOGENNYCH SŁUCHOWYCH POTENCJAŁÓW WYWOŁANYCH U DZIECI ZE SPECYFICZNYMI ZABURZENIAMI JĘZYKOWYMI – PRZEGLĄD

IntroductionChildren with specific language impairment (SLI) have poorer language ability and have difficulties understanding complex sentences even though they have no clear sensory, motor, or neurological abnormalities. Nevertheless, they may exhibit auditory processing deficits. Hence the present study was conducted to provide an overview of endogenous auditory evoked potentials in this population, potentials which may help in early identification of subtle auditory processing deficits.Material and MethodsRelevant articles were included from searches of two electronic data sources, Google Scholar and PubMed. Articles on endogenous potentials in children with SLI were included, but studies on exogenous potentials in children with SLI were excluded.ResultsThe results of the review showed contradictory findings in terms of mismatch negativity. Some studies report a statistically significant difference in waveform morphology, latency, and amplitude of mismatch negativity between children with SLI and a control group. This suggests that these children might have auditory processing problems at higher auditory centers. A few other studies find no difference in evoked potentials, pointing to intact auditory processing abilities in children with SLI.ConclusionsThe study helps us understand auditory processing abilities at the level of the higher auditory areas. Endogenous potentials may be included in a battery of tests for identifying children with SLI.

TailTimer: A device for automating data collection in the rodent tail immersion assay.

The tail immersion assay is a widely used method for measuring acute thermal pain in a way which is quantifiable and reproducible. It is non-invasive and measures response to a stimulus that may be encountered by an animal in its natural environment. However, quantification of tail withdrawal latency relies on manual timing of tail flick using a stopwatch, and precise temperatures of the water at the time of measurement are most often not recorded. These two factors greatly reduce the reproducibility of tail immersion assay data and likely contribute to some of the discrepancies present among relevant literature. We designed a device, TailTimer, which uses a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, a digital temperature sensor, and two electrical wires, to automatically record tail withdrawal latency and water temperature. We programmed TailTimer to continuously display and record water temperature and to only permit the assay to be conducted when the water is within ± 0.25°C of the target temperature. Our software also records the identification of the animals using a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. We further adapted the RFID system to recognize several specific keys as user interface commands, allowing TailTimer to be operated via RFID fobs for increased usability. Data recorded using the TailTimer device showed a negative linear relationship between tail withdrawal latency and water temperature when tested between 47–50°C. We also observed a previously unreported, yet profound, effect of water mixing speed on latency. In one experiment using TailTimer, we observed significantly longer latencies following administration of oral oxycodone versus a distilled water control when measured after 15 mins or 1 h, but not after 4 h. TailTimer also detected significant strain differences in baseline latency. These findings valorize TailTimer in its sensitivity and reliability for measuring thermal pain thresholds.

Symptom severity is associated with signs of central sensitization in patients with asthma.

Asthma is characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, dyspnoea, chest tightness and cough. In addition to respiratory symptoms, previous studies have reported the presence of pain. To analyse the nociceptive processing of young adults with well-controlled asthma. A cross-sectional case-control study was performed. Patients diagnosed with persistent well-controlled asthma were recruited from the 'Complejo Hospitalario Universitario' (Granada). Main outcomes included pain processing, measured by the pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) and temporal summation and latency of pain; symptoms, including cough (Leicester Cough Questionnaire) and dyspnoea (Borg scale); and catastrophic cognitions about breathlessness, assessed by the Breathlessness Catastrophizing Scale (BCS). Seven-two participants were finally recruited in our study. Patients with asthma presented lower pressure thresholds (p < 0.05) and significant differences in latency and summation tests. These patients also presented a greater cough level, with significant differences in all subscales (p < 0.05). Significant differences were also found in the BCS between groups (p < 0.001). Our results show a decrease of PPTs and a greater pain intensity in latency and summation tests, suggesting an abnormal pain processing in patients with asthma.

Effects of adding neural mobilization to traditional physical therapy on pain, functional disability, and H-reflex in patients after lumbar laminectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Objective: To investigate whether adding neural mobilization to a standard postoperative physical therapy program could improve the outcomes of patients after lumbar laminectomy. Design: A single blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting: Outpatient setting. Participants: Sixty participants of both sexes who had undergone lumbar laminectomy. Interventions: Participants were allocated randomly to two groups; study and control groups. All patients received a standard postoperative physical therapy program. Those in the study group received additional neural mobilization in the form of straight leg raising and dorsiflexion with two-ended slider. Treatment was administered three times/week for six successive weeks. Outcome measures: Visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and H-reflex latency were measured pre and post-treatment. Results: The mean age of participants was 44.23 ± 4.64 and 45.3 ± 5.3 in study and control groups respectively (P > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in VAS, ODI, and H-reflex latency in favor of the study group (P < 0.05). The mean ± SD for VAS, ODI, and H-reflex latency pre vs post treatment was 6.13 ± 1.22 vs 1.40 ± 0.77, 64.46 ± 4.05 vs 16.86 ± 2.55, and 32.07 ± 2.76 vs 27.46 ±1.79 in study group and 5.86 ± 1.07 vs 2.46 ± 0.73, 63.93 ± 3.91 vs 23.40 ± 2.93, and 31.76 ± 2.69 vs 29.4 ± 1.94 in control group, respectively. Conclusions: Neural mobilization combined with traditional physical therapy program achieved better improvement in pain, functional disability and H-reflex in patients who underwent decompressive laminectomy than traditional physical therapy program only.

Motor neuron disease (MND) O-MN001. Association of sympathetic skin response in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common type of motor neuron disease. General concept is autonomic disturbances are extremely rare in ALS. Some hypotheses have put forward to see autonomic involvement in ALS. Previous studies have found an association between sympathetic skin response (SSR) and ALS as a part of autonomic involvement. The study was aimed to explore the association of SSR in ALS. Methods. This case control study was carried out in the Department of Neurology, BSMMU, Dhaka, from April 2018 to September 2019. Total 70 subjects were enrolled as study population after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among them, 35 were grouped as case and rest 35 were as control. All patients with ALS were diagnosed according to The Revised El Escorial diagnostic criteria fulfilling definite, probable, probable lab-supported and possible cases of ALS with no family history of ALS. Results. The study included 35 ALS patients and 35 age- and sex-matched controls. SSR was absent in 6 (17.1%) cases in upper limbs and 20 (57.1%) cases in lower limbs. In 4 patients, SSR was absent in both upper and lower limbs. Among control group SSR response was present in all population. There was significant difference in mean latency and amplitude of SSR in case and control group (p-value < 0.001). Absent SSR in ALS with bulbar palsy showed obvious difference with ALS without bulbar palsy (p-value 0.040). There was an association of SSR with severity of disease in ALS patient (p-value 0.030) but we could not establish it with duration of disease. Conclusion. In this study we found significant relationship between SSR and ALS. We noticed an association of SSR with severity of disease in ALS.

FLT3N676K drives Myeloid Leukemia in a Xenograft Model of KMT2A-MLLT3 leukemogenesis

Geneticrearrangements of the KMT2A gene (previously MLL) are found in approximately 10% of human acute leukemia. However, in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) occurring in infants less than 1 year of age, a leukemia subtype with a particularly poor prognosis, close to 80% have a KMT2A -rearrangement (KMT2A -R). The KMT2A -Rs display an unusual lineage promiscuity and even though the specific fusion gene and cell-of-origin likely has an impact, the mechanisms influencing lineage determination in KMT2A -leukemogenesis remains largely unknown. Recently, when defining the landscape of mutations in infant KMT2A -R ALL, we identified a novel FLT3N676K mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain that caused factor independent growth of the interleukin-3 dependent leukemia cell line Ba/F3 (Andersson et al., 2015). Notably, FLT3N676K was the most common FLT3 mutation in our cohort which also included non-infant KMT2A -R ALL and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Herein, we studied the biological impact of the FLT3N676K mutationin KMT2A-MLLT3 driven leukemogenesis in human hematopoietic cells. Retroviral co-expression of FLT3N676K and KMT2A-MLLT3 in human CD34+ enriched cord blood cells transplanted to NOD.Cg- PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl /SzJ (NSG) mice primarily caused AML and rarely ALL. By contrast, expression of KMT2A-MLLT3 alone caused ALL, dual-phenotype leukemia (DPL) or bilineal leukemia (BLL), and rarely AML. Mice receiving cells expressing KMT2A-MLLT3 alone(n=23) or KMT2A-MLLT3+FLT3N676K (n=26) succumbed to disease at a median latency of 119 and 107.5 days respectively, with no significant difference in disease latency between the groups. However, examining all KMT2A-MLLT3 leukemias combined, with and without FLT3N676K, highlighted that AML developed with a significantly shorter latency as compared ALL and DPL. Analysis of the bone marrow of moribund mice revealed that almost all cells (98.3±1.9%) expressed human CD45 (hCD45+). Mice receiving FLT3N676K alone were sacrificed at day 209 or 223 with no sign of disease.Gene expression analysis of highly purified leukemia cells revealed that KMT2A-MLLT3 + FLT3N676K enforced Myc- and Myb transcriptional modules and increased expression of negative feedback regulators of the RAS signaling pathway. Further, KMT2A-MLLT3 DPL and ALL cells had highly similar gene expression profiles with high expression of PAX5, IKZF1/2, and EBF1, indicating that the DPL cells are lymphoid-primed and aberrantly express CD33. Both KMT2A-MLLT3 DPL and ALL cells displayed weak but distinct expression of CEBPA suggesting that KMT2A-MLLT3 DPL cells originate from a progenitor cell that express CEBPA . Consistent with the high similarities of DPL and ALL cells, a fraction of DPL cells became CD19+CD33-ex vivo in lymphoid culture conditions. Further, we identified enrichment of SMAD signaling in KMT2A-MLLT3 lymphoid leukemia cells as well as in primary human KMT2A -R ALL, suggesting that TGFB-regulation is different in lymphoid and myeloid KMT2A -driven leukemia. Consistent with this, human KMT2A -R ALL cell lines were more sensitive towards a specific inhibitor of SMAD3 as compared to KMT2A -R AML cell lines, suggesting that inhibition of SMAD signaling may be a fruitful approach for KMT2A -R ALL.Taken together, herein we show that co-expression of KMT2A-MLLT3 and FLT3N676K in human cord blood cells preferentially drive expansion of acute myeloid leukemia cells. The data suggest that a cooperating lesion can influence the immunophenotype of the resultant leukemia, at least in a xenograft setting, thereby adding new insight into the biology of KMT2A -R leukemia and the mechanism by which leukemia-associated genetic lesions cooperate in leukemogenesis. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Оценка фотопического негативного ответа у пациентов с наследственной оптической нейропатией Лебера

Purpose. To assess the retinal ganglion cells function in patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) by registering the photopic negative response (PhNR) while the photopic electroretinography is performed. Material and methods. 14 patients with different LHON mutations and 9 healthy individuals were examined. A standard ophtalmological examination was performed, including visual fields, spectral optical coherence tomography, photopic electroretinography and PhNR tests. Results. Significant differences in the PhNR latency (68.4±4.01/64.28±5.37, p&lt;0,01) and the PhNR amplitude (21.5±9.34/32.72±12.73, p&lt;0,003) were revealed in patients with LHON and the control group. The study revealed significant differences between the PhNR latency (р&lt;0.01) and the PhNR amplitude (р&lt;0.008) in patients with visual acuity (VA) ≤ 0.1 and the control group, and between the PhNR amplitude in patients with VA≥0.13 and the control group (р&lt;0.05). There were found significant correlations between the PhNR parameters and visual acuity, mean sensitivity, RNFL and GCC thickness. A strong positive correlation was found between the PhNR amplitude and the GCC thickness in patients with VA≥0.3. Conclusion. The PhNR parameters reflect the retinal ganglion cells function in patients with LHON and correlate with RNFL and GCC structural changes. Key words: Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, mitochondrial optical neuropathies, retinal ganglion cell, photopic negative response, PhNR.

Differential effects of gender on mismatch negativity to violations of simple and pattern acoustic regularities.

IntroductionThe effects of gender on the mismatch negativity (MMN) potential have been studied using simple frequency deviants. However, the effects of gender on MMN to violations of abstract regularities have not yet been studied. Here, we addressed this issue and compared the effects of gender on simple and pattern frequency MMNs.MethodsMMN response was recorded from 29 healthy young adults, 14 females (mean age = 26.20 ± 2.17) and 15 males (mean age = 27.57 ± 2.24), using 32 scalp electrodes during simple and pattern frequency oddball paradigms and the mean amplitude, peak latency, and scalp topography of MMN evoked by each paradigm were compared between the two genders.ResultsThe peak latency of simple MMN was significantly longer in females (p < .05); however, its mean amplitude and topography were similar between the two genders (p > .05). There were no significant differences in peak latency, mean amplitude, and scalp topography of pattern MMN between the two genders (p > .05).ConclusionsBased on the obtained results, gender differently affects simple and pattern MMN. These findings may provide preliminary evidence for distinct effects of gender on various types of MMN.

Acute mild dim light at night slightly modifies sleep but does not affect glucose homeostasis in healthy men

ObjectiveWe evaluated the effect of acute mild light exposure at night on sleep architecture and glucose homeostasis. Patients/methodsTwenty healthy normal-weight men took part in two conditions of a randomized, controlled, balanced cross-over experimental study: i) two-consecutive nights with 8-h of sleep under dLAN (<5 lux) or ii) total darkness (CON). Sleep was evaluated by polysomnography. In the morning following 'night2', glucose homeostasis was assessed by an intravenous glucose tolerance test (ivGTT) with consecutive measures of glucose, insulin, and c-peptide. Plasma cortisol was measured at night before sleep, after morning awakening, and during mid-afternoon hours. ResultsThere was no significant difference in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and sleep latency between conditions (all p > 0.66). However, NREM sleep stage N3 latency was prolonged after dLAN (p = 0.02) and NREM sleep stage 2 was decreased after two nights with dLAN (p = 0.04). During the first sleep hour, power in slow-oscillations, slow-waves, and delta bands diminished after dLAN (all p < 0.04). Glucose, insulin, and c-peptide were not altered by dLAN (all p > 0.14). Cortisol was reduced in the afternoon after 'night1' and in the morning after 'night2' (both p < 0.03). ConclusionsdLAN slightly disturbed sleep architecture and quality without impairment of glucose homeostasis. Longer exposure to chronic dLAN might be needed to unmask its hypothesized metabolic consequences.

706 Sleep and Mental Health in College Students Before and During the Initial COVID-19 Shutdown

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had an unparalleled impact on college students. Following the initial and abrupt shutdown of campuses in March 2020, several investigators assessed the immediate effects on University students. Early reports found that college students reported a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression, sedentary behavior, and sleep problems. Most were conducted outside the U.S. Data from U.S. college students are critical to identify which areas are should receive resources and interventions as the U.S. continues to experience exponential COVID cases along with continued remote learning, social restrictions and/or lockdowns.MethodsStudents enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester (18 years of age +) were invited to participate in an online survey (April – May 2020). A final sample of 491 completed the entire survey (length ~45 minutes) which asked about sleep quality, psychological stress, depression, and exercise.Paired t-tests were conducted to compare pre-COVID and during COVID data.ResultsThere were significant differences in sleep onset latency (26.44 ± 23.53 min vs 32.06 ± 26.88 min; t = -3.81, P < .001), sleep duration (7.30 ± 1.45 hours vs 7.63 ± 2.07 hours; t = -2.23, p = 0.027) and overall sleep quality (6.29 ± 3.29 vs 7.44 ± 3.86; t = -7.26, p < .001), as well as depression scores (IDS no sleep questions) (5.61 ± 4.18 vs 17.59 ± 5.45; t = -54.9, P < .001). There was no difference in perceived stress (28.03 ±5.27 vs 28.39 ±5.53, t = -1.49, p = .138). Exercise (vigorous, moderate and walking) all decreased with regards to days and time spent, (all P’s < .001), whereas minutes sitting significantly increased (426.50 ± 239.88 vs 542.26 ± 249.63, p < .001).ConclusionThese data empirically support the claim that the pandemic is having a significant negative impact on physical and mental health among college students. In the best of times, college students have irregular sleep patterns and significant depression, but these behaviors are worsened under government restrictions. These findings underscore the need to prioritize prevention and intervention of modifiable behaviors, especially if the pandemic extends into 2021.Support (if any):

Association of Circulating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor with Cognition among Adult Obese Population.

BackgroundObesity has a strong association with the risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia at a later age. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor appear to be important components in cognitive function and are also involved in energy homeostasis. The level of circulating BDNF and its association with cognition has yet to be delineated clearly. In this work we studied the association of circulating BDNF with cognition among the adult obese population.MethodsThe study involved 132 healthy participants between 18 and 40 years of age and of both sexes. The participants were categorized into an obesity group (n=66) and a non-obese group (n=66) based on their body mass index (Asian criteria). The level of cognitive performance was assessed by the event-related potentials P300 (ERPs-P300), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), both visual and auditory reaction times (VRT and ART, respectively), and other pen and paper tests related to memory and executive function. Serum BDNF, glycemic and lipid profiles were estimated.ResultsWe found significant differences in the ERPs-P300 latency (P<0.001) and amplitude (P=0.002) between the non-obese and obese group. The MMSE score was significantly reduced while VRT (P=0.005) and ART (P=0.001) were larger in the obese group. BDNF levels (P<0.001) were significantly reduced and negatively associated with the obese group. ERPs-P300 latency was negatively associated (r=–0.674, P=0.001) whereas amplitude (r=0.507, P<0.001) was positively associated with the BDNF levels in the adult obese population.ConclusionWe found reduced circulating BDNF levels in obese adults and that lower BDNF levels were strongly associated with cognitive decline in the obese adult population.

Impact of amitriptyline on learning and memory

Background/aim: Amitriptyline belongs to class of known as tricycline antidepresant (TCA) that is being used to treat anxiety and depressive states. It may help improve mood and feelings of well-being, relieve anxiety and tension, help to improve sleep and increase energy level. The study investigated the effect of amitriptyline on learning and memory using eighteen (18) healthy Swiss mice of both sexes weighing 16 – 25 g. Method: The animals were divided into three (3) groups consisting of six (6) animals each. Group 1 served as the control group, Group 2 was administered with amitriptyline at a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight dissolved in 3 mls of distilled water, and used to test for learning, while Group three was also given similar administration like Group 2, but used to test for memory. All the animals were tested for learning and memory performance using Novel object recognition task and Morris water maze test. Results: The results obtained from the Novel object recognition task showed that there was a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in total object approach in acquisition trial of amitriptyline treated group when compared to the acquisition trial of the control group. There was a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in retention trial of amitriptyline group when compared to retention trial in the control group. There was a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in total duration exploring objects in acquisition trial of amitriptyline treated group when compared to the acquisition trial of the control group. There was a significant increase (p &lt; 0.05) in total duration exploring objects in retention trial of amitriptyline treated group when compared to the retention trial of the control group. There was a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in the index of habituation of amitriptyline treated group when compared to the control group. The index of discrimination showed a significant increase (p &lt; 0.05) in amitriptyline treated group when compared to the control group and a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in amitriptyline group when compared to the control group. In the Morris water maze test, Day 1 – 3 were for acquisition training, day 4 – 6 reversal training, day 7 the probe trial day and day 8 the visible platform day. During acquisition training in the Morris water maze test, there was no significant difference in Swim latencies in day 1 and 2. However in day 3, there was a significant increase (p &lt; 0.05) in swim latency of group compared to control group and a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in swim latency of amitriptyline treated group compared to the control group. During reversal training in day 1, 2 and 3, there was no significant difference in swim latency among the three groups. Results for the retention quadrant in the probe trials showed a significant decrease (p &lt; 0.01) in amitriptyline group when compared to the control group. Conclusion: Results suggest that amitriptyline impairs learning and memory functions.

Gender and Glaucoma: Findings from a Hospital-based Study in Upper Egypt

Background: There is an increasing evidence globally on the presence of gender bias either in the prevalence or the uptake of eye care services between men and women. Objective: To detect the difference between men and women in the frequency and both demographic and clinical characteristics of glaucoma patients. Patients and methods: The current study adopts a retrospective study design, a total number of 1000 subjects were recruited in the current study on a multi-center approach. The sample was recruited from Aswan University Hospital, Aswan Ophthalmology Hospital, Aswan Eye Center, and Baladi Foundation Eye Clinic. Results: Among 1000 investigated subjects, the mean (±SD) age was 42.3 (±22.6) years, 455 (45.5%) were male and 545 (54.5%) female. Disaggregating data per gender showed that there were a statistically significant difference in laterality (p=0.038), best corrected affected vision (p < 0.0001), uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) (P<0.0001), and accounting enlarged corneal diameter (p=0.044). Moreover, there was a significant difference in the type of primary and secondary glaucoma (P<0.0001) and (P=0.007), respectively. Multivariate analysis confirmed such findings. Conclusion: Gender bias in glaucoma is a critical issue in terms of both prevalence and service utilization. Women are more affected than men because of gender specific risk factors that may include laterality, severity (as surrogated by surgical uptake) in addition to acquiring some glaucoma subtypes specifically such as congenital, juvenile, pseudo-exfoliation (PXF), uveitic, neovascular and pigmentary glaucoma. Disaggregation of glaucoma data by gender should be applied as a routine in prevention of low vision and blindness research.

Evaluation of the anticonvulsant effect of nimodipine and amlodipine in mice using maximal electroshock test

Background: Initial stage of seizure is due to high frequency burst of action potential, caused by long lasting depolarization of the neuronal membrane because of large influx of calcium (Ca) ions into cells. As there is role of calcium channels in the initiation of seizure potential, there may be role of calcium channel antagonists in treatment of epilepsy. Therefore, we assessed the anticonvulsant effect of nimodipine and amlodipine in mice and compared it with phenytoin and sodium valproate.Methods: A total 42 mice were randomly divided into 7 groups with 6 mice each. Group 1 vehicle (1% CMC), group 2- phenytoin (25 mg/kg) and group 3- sodium valproate (100 mg/kg) p.o. group 4 and 5- nimodipine (4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg), group 6 and 7- amlodipine (0.7 mg/kg and 1.3 mg/kg) p.o. in 1% CMC. All animals were tested for convulsions with current strength 50 mA for 0.2 seconds, delivered by ear electrodes of electroconvulsiometer. Parameters assessed were presence or absence of convulsions, onset of (latency to) THLE and duration of THLE in seconds, 24 hours mortality.Results: The difference in percentage of mice being protected from electro convulsions was found to be statistically significant in group 5 (nimodipine 8 mg/kg), group 7 (amlodipine 1.3 mg/kg) as compared to group 1(vehicle control) (p= 0.0152). Onset of (latency to) THLE and duration of THLE, expressed as mean (in seconds) ± standard deviation (SD) and analysed using Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test showed significant difference in latency to THLE among the groups tested (p value &lt;0.01) and in duration of THLE among the groups tested (p value &lt;0.01), while post- hoc Dunn’s test showed a statistically significant difference between latency to and duration of THLE in the nimodipine 8 mg/kg and amlodipine 1.3 mg/kg groups as compared to vehicle control group (p&lt;0.01). No mortality seen within 24 hours of testing in any group.Conclusions: Nimodipine 8 mg/kg and amlodipine 1.3 mg/kg showed significant anticonvulsant activity (absence of tonic hind limb extension), delayed onset of seizures, reduced duration of seizures comparable to positive control (phenytoin and sodium valproate) and more effective than vehicle control.

A novel glasses-free virtual reality rehabilitation system on improving upper limb motor function among patients with stroke: A feasibility pilot study

BackgroundVirtual reality (VR) technology is increasingly used in stroke rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using the glasses-free VR training to improve motor function of upper limb in patients with stroke. MethodsTwelve patients with stroke were recruited to participate in the intervention of 3 weeks. At the baseline and post intervention, two times of evaluation including Fugl-Meyer upper-extremity scale (FMS-UE), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measurement and motion evaluation were performed. ResultsNo significant difference was observed between two groups at baseline evaluation. After the intervention, the FMS-UE scores presented a greater improvement in the VR group compared with the control group. TMS measurement showed that there was significant difference in cortex latency and central motor conduction time between two groups after the intervention, but no significant difference in the amplitude of motor event potential was observed. In addition, there was a significant correlation between game scores and FMS-UE scores. ConclusionsThe novel glasses-free VR training was at least as effective as conventional occupational therapy in upper limb motor function, improving nerve conduction time and corticospinal excitability in patient with stroke.

Effect of Stimulus Rates in Chirp and Click Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response in Adults with Normal Hearing Sensitivity

Introduction The effects of increasing stimulus repetition rate on the ABR using click stimuli have been investigated in normal and hearing impaired subjects with neurologic abnormality but there is limited study on the effect of stimulus repetition rate on ABR using chirp stimuli. The present study aims to compare the chirp evoked auditory brainstem responses with reference to changes in latency of peaks, interaural latency differences and interwave latency intervals as a function of rate and compare those responses with the click evoked auditory brainstem responses, in normal hearing subjects. Materials and Methods Total 30 normally hearing adults were considered for this study. All participants were screened for normal hearing sensitivity upto 8 kHz in pure tone audiometry for middle ear pathology and central auditory processing disorder. Four parameters of ABR were considered to assess in this study including absolute latency, interwave latency intervals, latency-rate function and interaural latency. ABR was done based on the protocol of this study. Results Results revealed that there was a significant difference in the absolute latency and interwave intervals when the stimulus repetition rate was increased. Conclusion The latencies of wave III and V increases and waveform morphology changed as the stimulus repetition rate increased above 20/sec. The absolute latency of wave III and V was found to be shorter than clicks and can be used especially in newborn hearing evaluation assuming in shorter time window.

An updated investigation of the multidimensional structure of language lateralization in left- and right-handed adults: a test-retest functional transcranial Doppler sonography study with six language tasks.

A previous study we reported in this journal suggested that left and right-handers may differ in their patterns of lateralization for different language tasks (Woodhead et al. 2019 R. Soc. Open Sci. 6, 181801. (doi:10.1098/rsos.181801)). However, it had too few left-handers (N = 7) to reach firm conclusions. For this update paper, further participants were added to the sample to create separate groups of left- (N = 31) and right-handers (N = 43). Two hypotheses were tested: (1) that lateralization would be weaker at the group level in left-than right-handers; and (2) that left-handers would show weaker covariance in lateralization between tasks, supporting a two-factor model. All participants performed the same protocol as in our previous paper: lateralization was measured using functional transcranial Doppler sonography during six different language tasks, on two separate testing sessions. The results supported hypothesis 1, with significant differences in laterality between groups for four out of six tasks. For hypothesis 2, structural equation modelling showed that there was stronger evidence for a two-factor model in left than right-handers; furthermore, examination of the factor loadings suggested that the pattern of laterality across tasks may also differ between handedness groups. These results expand on what is known about the differences in laterality between left- and right-handers.