Human Theory of Mind Inference in Search and Rescue Tasks

The ability to make inferences about other’s mental state is referred to as having a Theory of Mind (ToM). Such ability is the foundation of many human social interactions such as empathy, teamwork, and communication. As intelligent agents being involved in diverse human-agent teams, they are also expected to be socially intelligent to become effective teammates. To provide a feasible baseline for future social intelligent agents, this paper presents a experimental study on the process of human ToM reference. Human observers’ inferences are compared with participants’ verbally reported mental state in a simulated search and rescue task. Results show that ToM inference is a challenging task even for experienced human observers

TG/HDL-C Ratio and ba-PWV in Patients with Essential Hypertension

BackgroundDyslipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Triglyceride /high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio has been proved to be more effective in predicting cardiovascular events than a blood lipid index or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) /HDL-C ratio. There are few clinical studies about TG/HDL-C ratio assessing arterial stiffness in hypertensive populations. Moreover, studies on the characteristics of ambulatory blood pressure parameters by TG/HDL-C ratio are also rare.ObjectiveTo explore the association of fasting TG/HDL-C ratio with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) in essential hypertensive patients based on analyzing these patients' clinical features, ambulatory blood pressure and ba-PWV.MethodsA total of 439 essential hypertension patients (aged 18-80 years) were recruited from Hypertension Department, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University from August 2014 to December 2015. Data were collected, including sex, age and medical history (diabetes history, hyperlipidemia history, smoking status, drinking status) , height, weight, BMI, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, calculated TG/HDL-C ratio, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure parameters〔mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) , diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate in 24 h, in the daytime and at the nighttime, prevalence of nocturnal fall in SBP and DBP, and dipper blood pressure pattern〕 during hospitalization, and mean heart rate. Arterial stiffness was assessed by ba-PWV. The above-mentioned indicators were compared between lower (n=219) and higher quantile groups (n=220) divided by TG/HDL-C ratio. The influencing factors of ba-PWV were investigated by multiple linear regression analysis.Results(1) Higher quantile group had higher male proportion, higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia and smokers, higher mean BMI, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, TG, serum uric acid, and fasting blood glucose, as well as lower men age, and HDL-C than lower quantile group (P<0.05) . (2) Higher quantile group had higher mean 24-hour SBP and DBP, daytime SBP and DBP, nighttime SBP and DBP, nighttime heart rate and ba-PWV, and lower prevalence of nocturnal fall in SBP and DBP, and dippers than lower quantile group (P<0.05) . (3) Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, age〔β=12.35, 95%CI (10.307, 14.401) 〕, fasting blood glucose〔β=20.69, 95%CI (1.532, 39.854) 〕, TG/HDL-C ratio〔β=20.99, 95%CI (6.176, 35.810) 〕 and 24 hour mean SBP〔β=7.57, 95%CI (5.656, 9.493) 〕 were associated with ba-PWV (P<0.05) .ConclusionIn essential hypertension patients, elevated 24-hour SBP and DBP were found in those with higher TG/HDL-C ratio, and TG/HDL-C ratio may be independently associated with ba-PWV. Monitoring TG/HDL-C ratio helps early detection of arteriosclerosis and elevated blood pressure, promoting comprehensive management of cardiovascular risk factors

Comparison of cerebrospinal fluid space between probable normal pressure hydrocephalus and Alzheimer’s disease

IntroductionIdiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is a potentially reversible syndrome characterized by complex symptoms, difficulty in diagnosis and a lack of detailed clinical description, and it is difficult to distinguish from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The objective of this study was to design a method for measuring the actual amount of hydrocephalus in patients with INPH and to evaluate INPH.MethodsAll subjects underwent a 3D T1-weighted MRI. Statistical parametric mapping 12 was used for preprocessing images, statistical analysis, and voxel-based morphometric gray matter (GM) volume, white matter (WM) volume, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume analysis. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the groups were compared using a t-test for continuous variables and a chi-square test for categorical variables. Pearson’s correlation analysis and Bonferroni’s statistic-corrected one-way ANOVA were used to determine the relationship among demographic variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the accuracy of the callosal angle (CA), WM ratio, and CSF ratio in distinguishing probable INPH from AD.ResultsThe study included 42 patients with INPH, 32 patients with AD, and 24 healthy control subjects (HCs). There were no differences among the three groups in basic characteristics except for Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). There was a correlation between the intracranial CSF ratio and CA. The WM ratio and CSF ratio in patients with INPH and AD were statistically different. Furthermore, the combination of CA, WM ratio, and CSF ratio had a greater differential diagnostic value between INPH and AD patients than CA alone.ConclusionINPH can be accurately assessed by measuring intracranial CSF ratio, and the addition of WM ratio and CSF ratio significantly improved the differential diagnostic value of probable INPH from AD compared to CA alone

The relationship between marital status and cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults: the multiple mediating effects of social support and depression

Abstract Background Marital status is a potentially essential factor for cognitive impairment. Relevant research examining the potential pathways through which the marital status of spouseless older people is associated with cognitive impairment needs to be more adequate. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the serial mediating effects of various forms of social support and depression between marital status and cognitive impairment in older Chinese people. Methods This study involved a secondary analysis of data from the 2014–2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), with a total of 2,647 Chinese older adults and 53.6% being males. Mediation analysis using the SPSS process macro was conducted. Results The results indicated that marital status was significantly predictive of cognitive impairment among older people, and those with a spouse exhibited higher cognitive functioning. Informal social support and depression were found to play partial mediating roles in the association between marital status and cognitive impairment. The findings also revealed that marital status was unrelated to formal social support, and no association between formal social support and cognitive impairment was found. Conclusions The study findings highlight the need for social service providers to design programs for promoting connections associated with informal support to reduce their risk of depression and cognitive impairment and for policymakers to develop effective formal social support systems for older people without spouses. This study indicated that older people could regain the benefits of marriage to lower the risk of depression and improve their mental health

Efficacy of ARB/HCTZ Combination Therapy in Uncontrolled Hypertensive Patients Compared with ARB Monotherapy: A Meta-Analysis

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of combination of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) compared to ARB alone in patients with uncontrolled hypertension via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods. We searched databases till July 2019 using relevant search terms. We included articles that were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ARB/HCTZ with ARB for a duration of at least 4 weeks and reported on the efficacy or safety. Meta-analyses for efficacy outcomes were performed. In addition, groups given different concentrations of HCTZ (12.5 and 25 mg) were analysed separately. Results. Sixteen RCTs (12,055 participants) were included. Overall, ARB/HCTZ combination therapy (both 12.5 and 25 mg HCTZ combination) resulted in better sitting systolic and diastolic blood pressure control than ARB alone (mean difference (95% confidence interval (CI): −5.69 [−6.66, −4.73] for 12.5 mg and −9.10 [−11.78, −6.42] for 25 mg and mean difference (95% CI): −2.91 [−3.31, −2.51] for 12.5 mg and −4.16 [−4.75, −3.58] for 25 mg). ARB/HCTZ combination therapy resulted in a higher rate of target blood pressure achievement compared to ARB alone (risk ratio (95% CI): 1.50 [1.42, 1.59]). ARB/HCTZ combination therapy had similar rates of total adverse events (AEs) and severe AEs compared to ARB alone. Conclusion. ARB/HCTZ combination therapy is more efficacious for controlling blood pressure, and combination with a low concentration of HCTZ has similar AEs compared to ARB alone. Clinicians should consider adding HCTZ in the medication regime of patients with uncontrolled hypertension using ARB, if their clinical profile allows

Association between the atherogenic index of plasma and major adverse cardiovascular events among non-diabetic hypertensive older adults

Abstract Background Literature on the association between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) among non-diabetic hypertensive older adults is quite limited. Methods A post-hoc analysis of data obtained from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial was performed. The predictive value of AIP on the risk of MACEs among non-diabetic hypertensive older adults was assessed to evaluate whether the benefit of intensive blood pressure (BP) control in preventing MACEs is consistent in different AIP subgroups. Results In this study, 9323 participants with AIP were included, out of which 561 (6.02%) had composite cardiovascular outcomes during a median of 3.22 years of follow-up. Patients in the highest AIP quartile had a significantly increased risk of the primary outcome. In the fully adjusted Model 3, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of the primary outcome for participants in Q2, Q3, and Q4 of AIP were 1.32 (1.02, 1.72), 1.38 (1.05, 1.81), and 1.56 (1.17, 2.08) respectively. Consistently, the trend test for the association between AIP quartiles and the primary outcome showed that a higher AIP quartile was associated with a significantly higher risk of the primary outcome (adjusted HR (95%CI) in model 3:1.14 (1.04, 1.25), P = 0,004). However, within each AIP quartile, absolute event rates were lower in the intensive treatment group. No evidence was found for the interaction between intensive BP control and AIP for the risk of the primary outcome (P for interaction = 0.932). Conclusion This study found that elevated AIP was independently and positively associated with the risk of MACEs among non-diabetic hypertensive older adults. The benefits of intensive BP control in managing cardiovascular events were consistent in different AIP subgroups

The Influences of Tai Chi on Balance Function and Exercise Capacity among Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Objective. This study aims to explore the influences of Tai Chi on the balance function and exercise capacity among stroke patients. Methods. Databases including PubMed, Embase, WOS (Web of Science), the Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang Data, VIP (VIP database), and CBM (China Biology Medicine disc) were retrieved to gather the figures of randomized controlled trials on the balance function and exercise capacity among stroke patients. Then relevant data were input and analyzed in Review Manager 5.3. Results. Nineteen papers were included and analyzed in this study. According to the combined effect size, the balance function of stroke patients improved significantly: the Berg Balance Function Scale score [MD = 7.67, 95% CI (3.44, 11.90)]; standing and walking test scores [MD = 3.42, 95% CI (4.22, −2.63)]; gravity swing area [MD = 0.79, 95% CI (1.48, 0.10)]; and gravity swing speed [MD = −5.43, 95% CI (−7.79, 3.08)]. In addition, the exercise capacity improved significantly as well: the FMA (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale) scale score [MD = 4.15, 95% CI (1.68, 6.63)]. There are no significant influences or changes of other related results. Conclusions. Stroke patients are able to improve their balance functions and exercise capacities prominently when they do Tai Chi exercise once or twice a week and ≥5 times/week and >30 ≤ 60 min/time

Elevated Glucose on Admission Was an Independent Risk Factor for 30-Day Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with STEMI but Not NSTEMI

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of glucose levels on admission, on the risk of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and to assess the difference in outcome between ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. Methods: This study was a post hoc analysis of the Acute Coronary Syndrome Quality Improvement in Kerala Study, and 13,398 participants were included in the final analysis. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between glucose levels on admission and the risk of 30-day MACEs, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Participants were divided according to the glucose quintiles. There was a positive linear association between glucose levels at admission and the risk of 30-day MACEs in AMI patients [adjusted OR (95% CI): 1.05 (1.03, 1.07), p < 0.001]. Compared to participants with an admission glucose between 5.4 and 6.3 mmol/L, participants with the highest quintile of glucose level (≥10.7 mmol/L) were associated with increased risk of 30-day MACEs in the fully adjusted logistic regression model [adjusted OR (95% CI): 1.82 (1.33, 2.50), p < 0.001]. This trend was more significant in patients with STEMI (p for interaction = 0.036). Conclusions: In patients with AMI, elevated glucose on admission was associated with an increased risk of 30-day MACEs, but only in patients with STEMI

Data_Sheet_1_Radiation-induced glymphatic dysfunction in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a study using diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space.xlsx

Radiation encephalopathy (RE) refers to radiation-induced brain necrosis and is a life-threatening complication in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy (RT), and radiation-induced pre-symptomatic glymphatic alterations have not yet been investigated. We used diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index to examine the pre-symptomatic glymphatic alterations in NPC patients following RT. A total of 109 patients with NPC consisted of Pre-RT (n = 35) and Post-RT (n = 74) cohorts were included. The post-RT NPC patients, with normal-appearing brain structure at the time of MRI, were further divided into Post-RT-RE- (n = 58) and Post-RT-RE+ (n = 16) subgroups based on the detection of RE in follow-up. We observed lower DTI-ALPS left index, DTI-ALPS right index and DTI-ALPS whole brain index in post-RT patients than that in pre-RT patients (p right (p = 0.013), DTI-ALPS whole brain (p = 0.011) and marginally lower DTI-ALPS left (p = 0.07) than Post-RT non-RE patients. Significant negative correlations were observed between the maximum dosage of radiation-treatment (MDRT) and DTI-ALPS left index (p = 0.003) as well as DTI-ALPS whole brain index (p = 0.004). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that DTI-ALPS whole brain index exhibited good performance (AUC = 0.706) in identifying patients more likely developing RE. We concluded that glympathic function was impaired in NPC patients following RT and DTI-ALPS index may serve as a novel imaging biomarker for diagnosis of RE.</p