Who Let the Dogs Out? Unmasking the Neglected: A Semi-Systematic Review on the Enduring Impact of Toxocariasis, a Prevalent Zoonotic Infection.

Toxocariasis remains an important neglected parasitic infection representing one of the most common zoonotic infections caused by the parasite Toxocara canis or, less frequently, by Toxocara cati. The epidemiology of the disease is complex due to its transmission route by accidental ingestion of embryonated Toxocara eggs or larvae from tissues from domestic or wild paratenic hosts. Even though the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control classified toxocariasis amongst the top six parasitic infections of priority to public health, global epidemiological data regarding the relationship between seropositivity and toxocariasis is limited. Although the vast majority of the infected individuals remain asymptomatic or experience a mild disease, the infection is associated with important health and socioeconomic consequences, particularly in underprivileged, tropical, and subtropical areas. Toxocariasis is a disease with multiple clinical presentations, which are classified into five distinct forms: the classical visceral larva migrans, ocular toxocariasis, common toxocariasis, covert toxocariasis, and cerebral toxocariasis or neurotoxocariasis. Anthelmintic agents, for example, albendazole or mebendazole, are the recommended treatment, whereas a combination with topical or systemic corticosteroids for specific forms is suggested. Prevention strategies include educational programs, behavioral and hygienic changes, enhancement of the role of veterinarians, and anthelmintic regimens to control active infections

The impact of automated hippocampal volumetry on diagnostic confidence in patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease: an EADC study

INTRODUCTION: Hippocampal volume is a core biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its contribution over the standard diagnostic workup is unclear. METHODS: Three hundred fifty-six patients, under clinical evaluation for cognitive impairment, with suspected AD and Mini–Mental State Examination ≥20, were recruited across 17 European memory clinics. After the traditional diagnostic workup, diagnostic confidence of AD pathology (DCAD) was estimated by the physicians in charge. The latter were provided with the results of automated hippocampal volumetry in standardized format and DCAD was reassessed. RESULTS: An increment of one interquartile range in hippocampal volume was associated with a mean change of DCAD of −8.0% (95% credible interval: [−11.5, −5.0]). Automated hippocampal volumetry showed a statistically significant impact on DCAD beyond the contributions of neuropsychology, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/single-photon emission computed tomography, and cerebrospinal fluid markers (−8.5, CrI: [−11.5, −5.6]; −14.1, CrI: [−19.3, −8.8]; −10.6, CrI: [−14.6, −6.1], respectively). DISCUSSION: There is a measurable effect of hippocampal volume on DCAD even when used on top of the traditional diagnostic workup

Efficacy of non-hydrogen peroxide mouthrinses on tooth whitening: An in vitro study

Objectives: To evaluate the tooth whitening efficacy of non-hydrogen peroxide containing mouthrinses. Methods: Forty incisors were randomly assigned into four groups. Four whitening mouthrinses, Oral-B 3D White Luxe/Procter & Gamble (WL), Listerine Advanced White/Johnson & Johnson (AW), Colgate Max White/Colgate (MW), and iWhite Whitening Mouthwash/Sylphar (iW), were used over a four-week period. Color changes of L*, a*, b*, ΔE*ab, and ΔE00, were recorded by a digital spectrophotometer (Spectroshade Micro/Mht), at baseline and intermediate week-intervals. Data were statistically analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA at α = 0.05. Results: The first-week mean change of L* was 0.76 and significantly different from the baseline for all solutions, without any further changes. Correspondingly, a* decreased by −0.36, while b* increased by 0.48, contributing to a color change of 1.15 ΔE*ab or 0.91 ΔE00. No differences were found among the solutions in respect to color-parameter changes (p > 0.05). Differences among time intervals were significant (p < 0.05) and mainly observed between the baseline and the following week-measurements. There was no statistically significant time-solution interaction (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Non-hydrogen peroxide whitening mouthrinses, slightly contribute to tooth whitening, by removing superficial staining, without any further tooth bleaching effect. Clinical significance: Non-hydrogen peroxide containing whitening mouthrinses, despite having a quick initial action, reach their ceiling relatively soon. Their effectiveness is barely perceptible and definitely inferior to other professional tooth bleaching methods. Thus, they can only be considered as a supplementary way of keeping teeth whiter, mainly by preventing recurrent tooth discoloration. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC

A Preliminary Study on the Feasibility of Using a Virtual Reality Cognitive Training Application for Remote Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: It has been demonstrated that virtual reality (VR) applications can be used for the detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective: The aim of this study is to provide a preliminary investigation on whether a VR cognitive training application can be used to detect MCI in persons using the application at home without the help of an examiner. Methods: Two groups, one of healthy older adults (n=6) and one of MCI patients (n=6) were recruited from Thessaloniki day centers for cognitive disorders and provided with a tablet PC with custom software enabling the self-administration of the Virtual Super Market (VSM) cognitive training exercise. The average performance (from 20 administrations of the exercise) of the two groups was compared and was also correlated with performance in established neuropsychological tests. Results: Average performance in terms of duration to complete the given exercise differed significantly between healthy(μ =247.41s/ sd=89.006) and MCI (μ=454.52s/ sd=177.604) groups, yielding a correct classification rate of 91.8 with a sensitivity and specificity of 94 and 89 respectively for MCI detection. Average performance also correlated significantly with performance in Functional Cognitive Assessment Scale (FUCAS), Test of Everyday Attention (TEA), and Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure test (ROCFT). Discussion: The VR application exhibited very high accuracy in detecting MCI while all participants were able to operate the tablet and application on their own. Diagnostic accuracy was improved compared to a previous study using data from only one administration of the exercise. The results of the present study suggest that remote MCI detection through VR applications can be feasible. © 2017 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved

Can a Virtual Reality Cognitive Training Application Fulfill a Dual Role? Using the Virtual Supermarket Cognitive Training Application as a Screening Tool for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: Recent research advocates the potential of virtual reality (VR) applications in assessing cognitive functions highlighting the possibility of using a VR application for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) screening. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether a VR cognitive training application, the virtual supermarket (VSM), can be used as a screening tool for MCI. Methods: Two groups, one of healthy older adults (n=21) and one of MCI patients (n=34), were recruited from day centers for cognitive disorders and administered the VSM and a neuropsychological test battery. The performance of the two groups in the VSM was compared and correlated with performance in established neuropsychological tests. At the same time, the effectiveness of a combination of traditional neuropsychological tests and the VSM was examined. Results: VSM displayed a correct classification rate (CCR) of 87.30% when differentiating between MCI patients and healthy older adults, while it was unable to differentiate between MCI subtypes. At the same time, the VSM correlates with various established neuropsychological tests. A limited number of tests were able to improve the CCR of the VSM when combined with the VSM for screening purposes. Discussion: VSM appears to be a valid method of screening for MCI in an older adult population though it cannot be used for MCI subtype assessment. VSM's concurrent validity is supported by the large number of correlations between the VSM and established tests. It is considered a robust test on its own as the inclusion of other tests failed to improve its CCR significantly

The impact of automated hippocampal volumetry on diagnostic confidence in patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease: A European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium study

Introduction Hippocampal volume is a core biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its contribution over the standard diagnostic workup is unclear. Methods Three hundred fifty-six patients, under clinical evaluation for cognitive impairment, with suspected AD and Mini–Mental State Examination ≥20, were recruited across 17 European memory clinics. After the traditional diagnostic workup, diagnostic confidence of AD pathology (DCAD) was estimated by the physicians in charge. The latter were provided with the results of automated hippocampal volumetry in standardized format and DCAD was reassessed. Results An increment of one interquartile range in hippocampal volume was associated with a mean change of DCAD of −8.0% (95% credible interval: [−11.5, −5.0]). Automated hippocampal volumetry showed a statistically significant impact on DCAD beyond the contributions of neuropsychology, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/single-photon emission computed tomography, and cerebrospinal fluid markers (−8.5, CrI: [−11.5, −5.6]; −14.1, CrI: [−19.3, −8.8]; −10.6, CrI: [−14.6, −6.1], respectively). Discussion There is a measurable effect of hippocampal volume on DCAD even when used on top of the traditional diagnostic workup. © 2017 the Alzheimer's Associatio

The impact of automated hippocampal volumetry on diagnostic confidence in patients with suspected Alzheimer's disease: A European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium study.

Hippocampal volume is a core biomarker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its contribution over the standard diagnostic workup is unclear. Three hundred fifty-six patients, under clinical evaluation for cognitive impairment, with suspected AD and Mini-Mental State Examination ≥20, were recruited across 17 European memory clinics. After the traditional diagnostic workup, diagnostic confidence of AD pathology (DCAD) was estimated by the physicians in charge. The latter were provided with the results of automated hippocampal volumetry in standardized format and DCAD was reassessed. An increment of one interquartile range in hippocampal volume was associated with a mean change of DCAD of -8.0% (95% credible interval: [-11.5, -5.0]). Automated hippocampal volumetry showed a statistically significant impact on DCAD beyond the contributions of neuropsychology, <sup>18</sup> F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/single-photon emission computed tomography, and cerebrospinal fluid markers (-8.5, CrI: [-11.5, -5.6]; -14.1, CrI: [-19.3, -8.8]; -10.6, CrI: [-14.6, -6.1], respectively). There is a measurable effect of hippocampal volume on DCAD even when used on top of the traditional diagnostic workup