Estudio de errores asociados a las mediciones con oftalmómetros

El presente trabajo muestra el avance de un proyecto en ejecución relacionado a la calibración de instrumentos oftalmológicos. En particular buscamos determinar cuales son los posibles errores que se cometen al realizar una medición con el oftalmómetro, instrumento que se utiliza para medir el radio de la cornea y la curvatura de las lentes de contacto rígidas. La determinación de los errores, su posible minimización o eliminación, es el primer paso que posibilita realizar un procedimiento que establezca un método para la calibración de este instrumento.Trabajo publicado en La calidad en la producción y los servicios: promotora del desarrollo y la innovación. Buenos Aires: IRAM, 2017.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas (FCAG

Estudio de errores asociados a las mediciones con oftalmómetros

El presente trabajo muestra el avance de un proyecto en ejecución relacionado a la calibración de instrumentos oftalmológicos. En particular buscamos determinar cuales son los posibles errores que se cometen al realizar una medición con el oftalmómetro, instrumento que se utiliza para medir el radio de la cornea y la curvatura de las lentes de contacto rígidas. La determinación de los errores, su posible minimización o eliminación, es el primer paso que posibilita realizar un procedimiento que establezca un método para la calibración de este instrumento.Trabajo publicado en La calidad en la producción y los servicios: promotora del desarrollo y la innovación. Buenos Aires: IRAM, 2017.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas (FCAG

The Effects of Growth Mindset Intervention on Vocabulary Skills in First to Third Grade Children

Growth mindset interventions aim to help children realize that through effort and perseverance their performance in the classroom can be improved (Dweck, 2007). This is in contrast to a fixed mindset, which is the belief that intelligence and talent are something we are born with and are not malleable. In the current study, children between first and third grade from low-income schools were placed in a growth mindset intervention to investigate the effect of mindset on learning new vocabulary words. Findings revealed a significant increase in the number of vocabulary words children knew and the use of more growth mindset words (e.g., practice, brain) in their responses on the post-tests. Keywords: growth mindset, vocabulary, intervention, perseveranc

Estudio de errores asociados a las mediciones con oftalmómetros

El presente trabajo muestra el avance de un proyecto en ejecución relacionado a la calibración de instrumentos oftalmológicos. En particular buscamos determinar cuales son los posibles errores que se cometen al realizar una medición con el oftalmómetro, instrumento que se utiliza para medir el radio de la cornea y la curvatura de las lentes de contacto rígidas. La determinación de los errores, su posible minimización o eliminación, es el primer paso que posibilita realizar un procedimiento que establezca un método para la calibración de este instrumento.Trabajo publicado en La calidad en la producción y los servicios: promotora del desarrollo y la innovación. Buenos Aires: IRAM, 2017.Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas (FCAG

Prediction of individual probabilities of livebirth and multiple birth events following in vitro fertilization (IVF): a new outcomes counselling tool for IVF providers and patients using HFEA metrics

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has become a standard treatment for subfertility after it was demonstrated to be of value to humans in 1978. However, the introduction of IVF into mainstream clinical practice has been accompanied by concerns regarding the number of multiple gestations that it can produce, as multiple births present significant medical consequences to mothers and offspring. When considering IVF as a treatment modality, a balance must be set between the chance of having a live birth and the risk of having a multiple birth. As IVF is often a costly decision for patients—financially, medically, and emotionally—there is benefit from estimating a patient’s specific chance that IVF could result in a birth as fertility treatment options are contemplated. Historically, a patient’s “chance of success” with IVF has been approximated from institution-based statistics, rather than on the basis of any particular clinical parameter (except age). Furthermore, the likelihood of IVF resulting in a twin or triplet outcome must be acknowledged for each patient, given the known increased complications of multiple gestation and consequent increased risk of poor birth outcomes. In this research, we describe a multivariate risk assessment model that incorporates metrics adapted from a national 7.5-year sampling of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) dataset (1991–1998) to predict reproductive outcome (including estimation of multiple birth) after IVF. To our knowledge, http://www.formyodds.com is the first Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application to predict IVF outcome. The approach also includes a confirmation functionality, where clinicians can agree or disagree with the computer-generated outcome predictions. It is anticipated that the emergence of predictive tools will augment the reproductive endocrinology consultation, improve the medical informed consent process by tailoring the outcome assessment to each patient, and reduce the potential for adverse outcomes with IVF

Prediction of individual probabilities of livebirth and multiple birth events following in vitro fertilization (IVF): a new outcomes counselling tool for IVF providers and patients using HFEA metrics

In vitro fertilization (IVF) has become a standard treatment for subfertility after it was demonstrated to be of value to humans in 1978. However, the introduction of IVF into mainstream clinical practice has been accompanied by concerns regarding the number of multiple gestations that it can produce, as multiple births present significant medical consequences to mothers and offspring. When considering IVF as a treatment modality, a balance must be set between the chance of having a live birth and the risk of having a multiple birth. As IVF is often a costly decision for patients—financially, medically, and emotionally—there is benefit from estimating a patient’s specific chance that IVF could result in a birth as fertility treatment options are contemplated. Historically, a patient’s “chance of success” with IVF has been approximated from institution-based statistics, rather than on the basis of any particular clinical parameter (except age). Furthermore, the likelihood of IVF resulting in a twin or triplet outcome must be acknowledged for each patient, given the known increased complications of multiple gestation and consequent increased risk of poor birth outcomes. In this research, we describe a multivariate risk assessment model that incorporates metrics adapted from a national 7.5-year sampling of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) dataset (1991–1998) to predict reproductive outcome (including estimation of multiple birth) after IVF. To our knowledge, http://www.formyodds.com is the first Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application to predict IVF outcome. The approach also includes a confirmation functionality, where clinicians can agree or disagree with the computer-generated outcome predictions. It is anticipated that the emergence of predictive tools will augment the reproductive endocrinology consultation, improve the medical informed consent process by tailoring the outcome assessment to each patient, and reduce the potential for adverse outcomes with IVF

Dendritic signals from rat CA1 neurons during coincident pre- and post-synaptic activity : a combined voltage- and calcium-imaging study

Author Posting. © The Authors, 2006. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Physiological Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Physiology 580 (2007): 463-484, doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2006.125005.The non-linear and spatially inhomogeneous interactions of dendritic membrane potential signals that represent the first step in the induction of activity dependent long-term synaptic plasticity are not fully understood, particularly in dendritic regions which are beyond the reach of electrode measurements. We combined voltage-sensitive-dye recordings and Ca2+-imaging of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons to study large regions of the dendritic arbor, including branches of small diameter (distal apical and oblique dendrites). Dendritic membrane potential transients were monitored at high spatial resolution and correlated with supra-linear [Ca2+]i changes during one cycle of a repetitive patterned stimulation protocol that typically results in the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP). While the increase in the peak membrane depolarization during coincident pre- and post-synaptic activity was required for the induction of supra-linear [Ca2+]i-signals shown to be necessary for LTP, the change in the baseline-to-peak amplitude of the backpropagating dendritic action potential (bAP) was not critical in this process. At different dendritic locations, the baseline-to-peak amplitude of the bAP could be either increased, decreased or unaltered at sites where EPSP-AP pairing evoked supra-linear summation of [Ca2+]i-transients. We suggest that modulations in the bAP baseline-to- peak amplitude by local EPSPs act as a mechanism that brings the membrane potential into the optimal range for Ca2+-influx through NMDA receptors (0 to -15 mV); this may require either boosting or the reduction of the bAP, depending on the initial size of both signals.This work was supported by NIH grant RO1NS42739 and by Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine

Robot-assisted upper limb training for patients with multiple sclerosis: an evidence-based review of clinical applications and effectiveness

Upper extremities limitation is a common functional impairment in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Novel technological devices are increasingly used in neurorehabilitation to support motor function improvement and the quantitative assessment of motor performance during training in patients with neurological diseases. In this review, we systematically report the evidence on clinical applications and robotic-assisted arm training (RAT) in functional recovery in PwMS. PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) databases were systematically searched from inception to March 2021. The 10-item PEDro scale assessed the study quality for the RCT, and the AMSTAR-2 was used to assess the quality of the systematic review. The 5-item Oxford CEBM scale was used to rate the level of evidence. A total of 10 studies (161 subjects) were included. The selected studies included one systematic review, four RCTs, one randomized crossover, and four case series. The RCTs were scored as high-quality studies, while the systematic review was determined to be of low quality. Shoulder range of motion, handgrip strength, and proximal arm impairment improved after RAT. Manual dexterity, arm function, and use in daily life also ameliorated arm function. The high clinical heterogeneity of treatment programs and the variety of robot devices affects the generalizability of the study results; therefore, we emphasize the need to standardize the intervention type in future studies that evaluate the role of robotic-assisted training in PwMS. Robot-assisted treatment seems safe and useful to increase manual dexterity and the quality of movement execution in PwMS with moderate to severe disability. Additional studies with an adequate sample size and methodological rigour are warranted to drive definite conclusion

Effects of robotic upper limb treatment after stroke on cognitive patterns: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Robotic therapy (RT) has been internationally recognized for the motor rehabilitation of the upper limb. Although it seems that RT can stimulate and promote neuroplasticity, the effectiveness of robotics in restoring cognitive deficits has been considered only in a few recent studies. OBJECTIVE: To verify whether, in the current state of the literature, cognitive measures are used as inclusion or exclusion criteria and/or outcomes measures in robotic upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients. METHODS: The systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies eligible were identified through PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science from inception to March 2021. RESULTS: Eighty-one studies were considered in this systematic review. Seventy-three studies have at least a cognitive inclusion or exclusion criteria, while only seven studies assessed cognitive outcomes. CONCLUSION: Despite the high presence of cognitive instruments used for inclusion/exclusion criteria their heterogeneity did not allow the identification of a guideline for the evaluation of patients in different stroke stages. Therefore, although the heterogeneity and the low percentage of studies that included cognitive outcomes, seemed that the latter were positively influenced by RT in post-stroke rehabilitation. Future larger RCTs are needed to outline which cognitive scales are most suitable and their cut-off, as well as what cognitive outcome measures to use in the various stages of post-stroke rehabilitation

Upper limb robotic rehabilitation for patients with cervical spinal cord injury: a comprehensive review

The upper extremities limitation represents one of the essential functional impairments in patients with cervical spinal cord injury. Electromechanics assisted devices and robots are increasingly used in neurorehabilitation to help functional improvement in patients with neurological diseases. This review aimed to systematically report the evidence-based, state-of-art on clinical applications and robotic-assisted arm training (RAT) in motor and functional recovery in subjects affected by cervical spinal cord injury. The present study has been carried out within the framework of the Italian Consensus Conference on "Rehabilitation assisted by robotic and electromechanical devices for persons with disability of neurological origin" (CICERONE). PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) databases were systematically searched from inception to September 2021. The 10-item PEDro scale assessed the study quality for the RCT and the AMSTAR-2 for the systematic review. Two different authors rated the studies included in this review. If consensus was not achieved after discussion, a third reviewer was interrogated. The five-item Oxford CEBM scale was used to rate the level of evidence. A total of 11 studies were included. The selected studies were: two systematic reviews, two RCTs, one parallel-group controlled trial, one longitudinal intervention study and five case series. One RCT was scored as a high-quality study, while the systematic review was of low quality. RAT was reported as feasible and safe. Initial positive effects of RAT were found for arm function and quality of movement in addition to conventional therapy. The high clinical heterogeneity of treatment programs and the variety of robot devices could severely affect the generalizability of the study results. Therefore, future studies are warranted to standardize the type of intervention and evaluate the role of robotic-assisted training in subjects affected by cervical spinal cord injury