A physiological signal database of children with different special needs for stress recognition

This study presents a new dataset AKTIVES for evaluating the methods for stress detection and game reaction using physiological signals. We collected data from 25 children with obstetric brachial plexus injury, dyslexia, and intellectual disabilities, and typically developed children during game therapy. A wristband was used to record physiological data (blood volume pulse (BVP), electrodermal activity (EDA), and skin temperature (ST)). Furthermore, the facial expressions of children were recorded. Three experts watched the children's videos, and physiological data is labeled "Stress/No Stress" and "Reaction/No Reaction", according to the videos. The technical validation supported high-quality signals and showed consistency between the experts.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Technology and Innovation Funding Programmes Directorat

Examination of the relationship between executive functions and verbal learning with fNIRS and EEG

Kasıtlı akıl yürütme, kasıtlı eylem, duygu düzenleme ve karmaşık sosyal işlevsellik için gerekli olan, öğrenmeye ve değişen koşullara uyum sağlamaya izin veren yürütücü işlevler, düşünce, eylem ve duygunun bilinçli, yukarıdan aşağıya kontrolünü destekleyen bir dizi nörobilişsel beceridir. Çalışmalarda yürütücü işlevlerin ve öğrenmenin işlevsel olarak birbiriyle ilişkili olabileceğini öne süren hem davranışsal hem de anatomik temeller vardır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, yürütücü fonksiyonlar ve sözel öğrenme arasındaki ilişkinin fNIRS ve EEG ile araştırılmasıdır. fNIRS'da sözel öğrenme deneyinde hemodinamik yanıtlarda artış bulundu (p<0,05). Kodlama, geri çağırma ve uzun süreli bellek görevlerinde kortikal bölgelerde oksihemoglobin miktarının anlamlı derecede arttığı görüldü (p<0,05). Kodlama görevinde delta aktivasyonun yürütücü işlevler ve öğrenme deneyleri arasında frontal, temporal ve parietal bölgelerde anlamlı ilişki bulundu (p<0,05). Sonuç olarak çalışmamızda sözel öğrenme ve yürütücü işlevler arasındaki anlamlı ilişki anotomik ve davranışsal verilerle ispatlanmıştır.Neurocognitive skills support that conscious, top-down control of executive functions, thought, action, and emotion that allow learning and adapting to changing circumstances, necessary for deliberate reasoning, deliberate action, emotion regulation, and complex social functioning. There are both behavioral and anatomical bases in studies suggesting that executive functions and learning may be functionally interrelated. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between executive functions and verbal learning with fNIRS and EEG. An increase in hemodynamic responses was found in the verbal learning experiment in fNIRS (p<0.05). It was observed that the amount of oxyhemoglobin in the cortical regions increased significantly in encoding, recall and long-term memory tasks (p<0.05). In the coding task, a significant relationship was found between delta activation, executive functions and learning experiments in frontal, temporal and parietal regions (p<0.05). In conclusion, in our study, the significant relationship between verbal learning and executive functions has been proven by anatomical and behavioral data

Video game-based therapy for the non-dominant hand improves manual skills and grip strength

The study was designed to investigate the effect of virtual reality-supported training on manual skills and grip strength in the non-dominant hand in healthy participants. Thirty participants were randomized into two groups: ErgoActive group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). The ErgoActive study group received 8 weeks of training with leap motion controller-based virtual reality games. The training was done 1 day per week for 30 min. The participants' hand function was evaluated using the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), while grip strength was evaluated with a Jamar Hand Dynamometer and Pinchmeter. After 8 weeks, the ErgoActive and control groups had significantly different JTHFT, Jamar and Pinchmeter results (P < 0.05). When leap motion controller-based virtual reality applications are used, healthy subjects have increased manual skills and grip strength in their non-dominant hand. These virtual reality games are an effective and fun way of improving patients' hand functions

Masseter muscle and gingival tissue inflammatory response following treatment with high‐fructose corn syrup in rats: Anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of kefir

PMID: 33864286WOS:000640715000001The aim of the study was to evaluate whether high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) intake (20% beverages) impacts antioxidative structures and inflammation in the gingival tissue and masseter muscle of rats. Kefir was tested for its potential utility on changes induced by HFCS. Animals were randomly divided into four groups as control, kefir, HFCS, and HFCS plus kefir. HFCS was given as 20% solutions in drinking water while kefir supplementations were given by gastric gavage for 8 weeks. It has been clearly determined that the HFCS diet increased expressions of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α proinflammatory structures via lymphocyte infiltration by suppressing antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in both tissues. Kefir improved these undesirable changes in rats fed with HFCS. The results of this current study, the first investigation to examine the effects of kefir on masseter muscle and gingival tissue, may provide new access to the restorative effects of kefir consumption on oral health disorders caused by high fructose in the diet. Practical applications: In this study, at an early age, the effects of kefir on improving inflammation via antioxidation in the masseter muscle and gingival tissue were investigated for the first time. We showed that kefir feeding ameliorates lymphocyte infiltration on the high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)-induced masseter muscle and gingival tissue inflammation in rats. The mRNA expressions of inflammatory parameters measured in the study were supported by protein measurements via ELISA or immunohistochemistry. In the present study, kefir may play an important role in the antioxidation and inflammation process on the masseter muscle and gingival tissue against HFCS

Clinical features and outcomes of 124 pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19: a prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT : Objectives: pregnancy is known to worsen the clinical course of COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant women of the same age. The aim of this study is to evaluate maternofetal and neonatal clinical features and outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19. Material and methods: For this prospective single-center study, data of 124 pregnant women who were hospitalized and treated for COVID-19 between April 20, 2020 and March 20, 2021 were collected. Clinical, laboratory and obstetric characteristics of pregnant women during hospitalization were recorded. Results: 61% of pregnant women were symptomatic while hospitalized. Nine of the pregnant women were admitted to the intensive care unit, 4 required invasive mechanical ventilation, and two died during the hospitalization associated with COVID-19. Abortion occurred in 3 pregnant women. As maternofetal outcomes, 18% of pregnant women had preterm labor and 10% had fetal distress. The PCR test of 46 pregnant women was positive during delivery, and the PCR test of 37 pregnant women was negative. NICU was required in 19% of newborns. COVID-19 PCR was positive in 2 newborns. Non-COVID-19 related death was observed in 1 premature newborn. Conclusions: Pregnancies complicated by COVID-19 infection should be followed closely due to the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.</p