Evaluating Computer Screen Time and Its Possible Link to Psychopathology in the Context of Age: A Cross-Sectional Study of Parents and Children.

Several studies have suggested that high levels of computer use are linked to psychopathology. However, there is ambiguity about what should be considered normal or over-use of computers. Furthermore, the nature of the link between computer usage and psychopathology is controversial. The current study utilized the context of age to address these questions. Our hypothesis was that the context of age will be paramount for differentiating normal from excessive use, and that this context will allow a better understanding of the link to psychopathology.In a cross-sectional study, 185 parents and children aged 3-18 years were recruited in clinical and community settings. They were asked to fill out questionnaires regarding demographics, functional and academic variables, computer use as well as psychiatric screening questionnaires. Using a regression model, we identified 3 groups of normal-use, over-use and under-use and examined known factors as putative differentiators between the over-users and the other groups.After modeling computer screen time according to age, factors linked to over-use were: decreased socialization (OR 3.24, Confidence interval [CI] 1.23-8.55, p = 0.018), difficulty to disengage from the computer (OR 1.56, CI 1.07-2.28, p = 0.022) and age, though borderline-significant (OR 1.1 each year, CI 0.99-1.22, p = 0.058). While psychopathology was not linked to over-use, post-hoc analysis revealed that the link between increased computer screen time and psychopathology was age-dependent and solidified as age progressed (p = 0.007). Unlike computer usage, the use of small-screens and smartphones was not associated with psychopathology.The results suggest that computer screen time follows an age-based course. We conclude that differentiating normal from over-use as well as defining over-use as a possible marker for psychiatric difficulties must be performed within the context of age. If verified by additional studies, future research should integrate those views in order to better understand the intricacies of computer over-use

Cerebral Autoregulation Real-Time Monitoring.

Cerebral autoregulation is a mechanism which maintains constant cerebral blood flow (CBF) despite changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Assessing whether this mechanism is intact or impaired and determining its boundaries is important in many clinical settings, where primary or secondary injuries to the brain may occur. Herein we describe the development of a new ultrasound tagged near infra red light monitor which tracks CBF trends, in parallel, it continuously measures blood pressure and correlates them to produce a real time autoregulation index. Its performance is validated in both in-vitro experiment and a pre-clinical case study. Results suggest that using such a tool, autoregulation boundaries as well as its impairment or functioning can be identified and assessed. It may therefore assist in individualized MAP management to ensure adequate organ perfusion and reduce the risk of postoperative complications, and might play an important role in patient care

Correlations between variables entering the logistic regression model.

<p>* Significant correlation <0.4.</p><p>** Significant correlation 0.4–0.6.</p><p>*** Significant correlation >0.6.</p><p>Correlations between variables entering the logistic regression model.</p

Mean daily computer screen time (hours) of the normal and psychopathology groups, at different developmental stages.

<p>* Borderline significant difference; ** Significant difference; Error bars represent ±1 standard error. CST–Computer Screen Time.</p

Predicted average daily computer screen time hours based on the normal group age regression model.

<p>CST–Computer screen time.</p

optical and acoustic properties of the phantom and the tissue[32, 33].

<p>optical and acoustic properties of the phantom and the tissue[<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0161907#pone.0161907.ref032" target="_blank">32</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0161907#pone.0161907.ref033" target="_blank">33</a>].</p

Cerebral Autoregulation Real-Time Monitoring - Fig 5

<p>Left—MAP and CFI data over time throughout the study. MAP was increased to 140mmHg followed by a return to baseline and a decrease to 40mmHg. Dashed green lines represent initial injections of Phnylephrine and Nitroprusside respectively. Blue points represent all MAP values. Red points are associated with periods in which the algorithm identified a significant MAP change and a correlation index (ARI) can be calculated. Right—Scatter plot of CFI versus MAP revealing two distinct slopes obtained for values under of over 100mmHg. This point was defined as the upper limit of autoregulation (ULA).</p

Boxplot for autoregulation index values calculated for the two to cFLOW-AR sensors.

<p>Pink astrics represent averaged ARI for each condition. A distinct separation between the conditions is apparent.</p

Averaged CFI values obtained in <i>in-vitro</i> experiment.

<p>Averaged CFI values obtained in <i>in-vitro</i> experiment.</p

Reduction in complication and revision rates for robotic-guided short-segment lumbar fusion surgery: results of a prospective, multi-center study

Studies evaluating robotic guidance in lumbar fusion are limited primarily to evaluation of screw accuracy and perioperative complications. This is the first study to evaluate granular differences in short and long-term complication and revision rate profiles between robotic (RG) fluoroscopic (FG) guidance for minimally invasive short-segment lumbar fusions. A retrospective analysis of a prospective, multi-center database was performed. Complications were subdivided into surgical (further subcategorized into adjacent segment disease, new-onset back pain, radiculopathy, motor-deficit, hardware failure, pseudoarthrosis), wound, and medical complications. Complication and revision rates were compared between RG and FG groups cumulatively at 30, 90 days, and 1 year. 374 RG and 111 FG procedures were performed. RG was associated with an 86.25, 83.20, and 69.42% cumulative reduction in complication rate at 30, 90 days, and 1 year, respectively, compared to FG (p < 0.001). At all follow-up points, new-onset radiculopathy and medical complications were most prevalent in both groups. The greatest reductions in complication rates were seen for new-onset back pain (88.13%; p = 0.001) and wound complications (95.05%; p < 0.001) at 30 days, new-onset motor deficits (90.11%; p = 0.004) and wound complications (85.16%; p < 0.001) at 90 days, and new-onset motor deficits (85.16%; p = 0.002), wound (85.16%; p < 0.001), and medical complications (75.72%; p < 0.001) at 1 year. RG was associated with a 92.58% (p = 0.002) reduction in revision rate at 90 days and a 66.08% (p = 0.026) reduction at 1 year. RG was associated with significant reductions in postoperative complication rates at all follow-up time points and significant reductions in revision rates at 90 days and 1 year