210 research outputs found

    Retrograde amnesia for semantic information in Alzheimer's disease

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    Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and normal controls were tested on a retrograde amnesia test with semantic content (Neologism and Vocabulary Test, or NVT), consisting of neologisms to be defined. Patients showed a decrement as compared to normal controls, pointing to retrograde amnesia within semantic memory. No evidence for a gradient within this amnesia was found, although one was present on an autobiographic test of retrograde amnesia that had a wider time scale. Several explanations for these results are presented, including one that suggests that extended retrograde amnesia and semantic memory deficits are in fact one and the same defici

    Glucosuria as an early marker of late-onset sepsis in preterms:a prospective cohort study

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    Background: Early and accurate diagnosis of late-onset sepsis (LONS) in preterm infants is difficult since presenting signs are subtle and non-specific. Because neonatal sepsis may be accompanied by glucose intolerance and glucosuria, we hypothesized that glucosuria may be associated with LONS in preterms, in an early stage. We aim to evaluate the association of glucosuria and late-onset neonatal sepsis (LONS) in preterm infants, in an attempt to improve early and accurate diagnosis of LONS. Methods: We performed a prospective observational cohort study in 316 preterms ( Results: Glucosuria was found in 65.8 % of 316 preterm patients, and sepsis was suspected 157 times in 123 patients. LONS was found in 47.1 % of 157 suspected episodes. The presence of glucosuria was associated with LONS (OR 2.59, 95 % CI 1.24-5.43, p = 0.012) with sensitivity 69.0 % and specificity 53.8 % (Likelihoodratio 1.49). After adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, and postnatal age, this association weakened and was no longer significant (adjusted OR 2.16; 95 % CI 0.99-1.85, p = 0.055). An increase in glucosuria 48-24 h before onset of symptoms was not associated with LONS. Conclusion: In preterms glucosuria is associated with LONS within 24 h, however this association is too weak to be of diagnostic value

    Minimally Invasive versus Classic Procedures in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

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    BACKGROUND: For total hip arthroplasty (THA), minimally invasive surgery (MIS) uses a smaller incision and less muscle dissection than the classic approach (CLASS), and may lead to faster rehabilitation. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Does minimally invasive hip arthroplasty result in superior clinical outcomes? PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 120 consecutive primary noncemented THAs in 120 patients were assigned to one of two groups (MIS or CLASS). The randomization sequence was stratified for two groups of surgeons, ie, those using a posterolateral approach (PL-CLASS or PL-MIS) and those using an anterolateral approach (AL-CLASS or AL-MIS). Length of the incisions was 18 cm for the CLASS procedures. MIS incisions were extended at the skin level to 18 cm at the end of the procedure. The primary end point was the Harris hip score (HHS) at 6 weeks postoperatively. Patient-centered questionnaires were obtained preoperatively and after 6 weeks and 1 year. RESULTS: For the patients in the MIS group (average 7.8 cm incision length), statistically significant increased mean HHSs were seen compared with the CLASS group at 6 weeks and 1 year. This difference was small and mainly caused by the favorable results of the PL-MIS. In the MIS group, surgical time was longer. A learning curve was observed based on operation time and complication rate. Although not statistically significant, the perioperative complication rate was rather high in the (anterolateral) MIS group. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal invasive approach in THA did not show a clinically relevant superior outcome in the first postoperative year. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidenc

    Excellent results with the cemented Lubinus SP II 130-mm femoral stem at 10 years of follow-up

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    Background and purpose - The Lubinus SP II stem is well documented in both orthopedic registries and clinical studies. Worldwide, the most commonly used stem lengths are 150 mm and 170 mm. In 1995, the 130-mm stem was introduced, but no outcome data have been published. We assessed the long-term survival of the Lubinus SP II 130-mm stem in primary total hip arthroplasty.Patients and methods - In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated 829 patients with a Lubinus SP II primary total hip arthroplasty (932 hips). The hips were implanted between 1996 and 2001. The primary endpoint was revision for any reason. The mean follow-up period was 10 (5-15) years.Results - Survival analysis showed an all-cause 10-year survival rate of the stem of 98.7% (95% CI: 99.7-97.7), and all-cause 10-year survival of the total hip arthroplasty was 98.3% (95% CI: 99.3-97.3).Interpretation - Excellent long-term results can be achieved with the cemented Lubinus SP II with the relatively short 130-mm stem. This stem has potential advantages over its 150-mm and 170-mm siblings such as bone preservation distal to the stem, better proximal filling around the prosthesis, and easier removal.</p

    TMS-Induced Central Motor Conduction Time at the Non-Infarcted Hemisphere Is Associated with Spontaneous Motor Recovery of the Paretic Upper Limb after Severe Stroke

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    Background: Stroke affects the neuronal networks of the non-infarcted hemisphere. The central motor conduction time (CMCT) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) could be used to determine the conduction time of the corticospinal tract of the non-infarcted hemisphere after a stroke. Objectives: Our primary aim was to demonstrate the existence of prolonged CMCT in the non-infarcted hemisphere, measured within the first 48 h when compared to normative data, and secondly, if the severity of motor impairment of the affected upper limb was significantly associated with prolonged CMCTs in the non-infarcted hemisphere when measured within the first 2 weeks post stroke. Methods: CMCT in the non-infarcted hemisphere was measured in 50 patients within 48 h and at 11 days after a first-ever ischemic stroke. Patients lacking significant spontaneous motor recovery, so-called non-recoverers, were defined as those who started below 18 points on the FM-UE and showed less than 6 points (10%) improvement within 6 months. Results: CMCT in the non-infarcted hemisphere was prolonged in 30/50 (60%) patients within 48 h and still in 24/49 (49%) patients at 11 days. Sustained prolonged CMCT in the non-infarcted hemisphere was significantly more frequent in non-recoverers following FM-UE. Conclusions: The current study suggests that CMCT in the non-infarcted hemisphere is significantly prolonged in 60% of severely affected, is-chemic stroke patients when measured within the first 48 h post stroke. The likelihood of CMCT is significantly higher in non-recoverers when compared to those that show spontaneous motor recovery early post stroke

    Recruitment through media and general practitioners resulted in comparable samples in an RCT on incontinence

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    Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the impact of recruitment strategy on the baseline characteristics of patients recruited in a randomized controlled trial for treating women with urinary incontinence. Study Design and Setting: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from an earlier trial. Women were recruited through the media (including social media) or from participating general practices. Baseline characteristics were compared by univariate testing. Logistic regression analysis was performed to study the association between recruitment type and multiple baseline characteristics. Results: The only differences between recruitment methods were in patient age, with those recruited through the media being significantly older than those recruited through general practice. The mean age difference was 5.0 years (95% confidence interval: 2.2–7.9). Conclusion: Samples recruited through the media and through case identification were largely comparable. Therefore, recruitment through the media may be a viable alternative to recruitment through primary care. This may be especially relevant for research on eHealth treatment for conditions with which patients experience barriers when seeking health care

    Effects of caregiver dementia training incaregiver-patientdyads:A randomized controlled study

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    Objectives Caregivers for people with dementia (PWD) have reported needing emotional and social support, improved coping strategies, and better information about the illness and available support services. In this study, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of an Australian multicomponent community-based training program that we adapted and implemented in a non-medical Dutch health care setting. Methods and design A randomized controlled trial was performed: 142 dyads of cohabiting caregivers and PwD were randomized to control (care as usual) or intervention (training program) groups and outcomes were compared. Programs lasted 1 week, comprised 14 sessions, and were delivered by specialist staff. We included 16 groups of two to six caregivers. The primary outcome was care-related quality of life (CarerQol-7D) at 3 months. The main secondary outcomes for caregivers were self-rated burden, health and mood symptoms, and for PwD were neuropsychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and agitation. Results No significant difference was observed for the primary outcome. However, caregivers experienced fewer role limitations due to physical function (adjusted mean difference, 13.04; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 3.15-22.93), emotional function (13.52; 95%CI, 3.76-23.28), and pain reduction (9.43; 95%CI, 1.00-17.86). Positive outcomes identified by qualitative analysis included better acceptance and coping and improved knowledge of dementia and available community services and facilities. Conclusion Quantitative analysis showed that the multicomponent course did not affect care-related quality of life but did have a positive effect on experienced role limitations and pain. Qualitative analysis showed that the course met the needs of participating dyads

    Greater Severity of Peanut Challenge Reactions Using a High fat versus Low Fat Matrix Vehicle

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    Food allergy is a potentially life-threatening disease with a detrimental effect on the quality of life of caregivers and children.(1) Although many different types of food have been identified as potential elicitors of allergic reactions, only a small number of these foods cause the majority of reactions.(2) Food consists of a complex mixture of nutrient and non-nutrient components and their molecular interactions, which are known as the food matrix. Individual matrix components, or the matrix as a whole, may interact with a food allergen and may influence the clinical response to that allergen. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.</p
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