The Use of Task-based Cognitive Tests for Defining Vocational Aptness of Individuals with Disabilities

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to demonstrate the use of task-based cognitive tests to detect potential problems in the assessment of work training for vocational rehabilitation.MethodsEleven participants with a normal range of cognitive functioning scores were recruited for this study. Participants were all trainees who participated in a vocational training program. The Rey Complex Figure Test and the Allen Cognitive Level Screen were randomly administered to all participants. Responses to the tests were qualitatively analyzed with matrix and scatter charts.ResultsObservational outcomes derived from the tests indicated that response errors, distortions, and behavioral problems occurred in most participants. These factors may impede occupational performance despite normal cognitive function. These findings suggest that the use of task-based tests may be beneficial for detecting potential problems associated with the work performance of people with disabilities.ConclusionSpecific analysis using the task-based tests may be necessary to complete the decision-making process for vocational aptness. Furthermore, testing should be led by professionals with a higher specialization in this field

Lack of Association between Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism with Age at Onset of Subcortical Vascular Dementia

Background and Purpose: The relationship between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and onset of vascular dementia remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ApoE polymorphism and the onset of subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) compared to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and normal controls. Methods: The study was comprised of 61 patients with SVaD (42 Binswanger type, 19 lacunar type) and 112 patients with AD (16 early-onset AD, 96 late-onset AD) as well as 284 age-, gender- and education-matched normal controls. The diagnosis of SVaD was based on modified NINDS-AIREN criteria, and the diagnosis of AD was based on NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. ApoE polymorphism was genotyped in all participants. Results: None of the three ApoE alleles was more prevalent in SVaD patients compared to normal controls, which was the case when both Binswanger and lacunar types were analyzed separately. ApoE Ε4 did not accelerate the onset of SVaD (OR 1.66, 95% CI: 0.8–3.4), in contrast to a significant relation with late-onset AD (OR 3.78, 95% CI: 2.2–6.5). Conclusion: Our results suggest that ApoE polymorphism is not associated with the onset of SVaD and that the two subtypes of SVaD may share similar pathophysiologies

Effects of whole body vibration training on body composition, skeletal muscle strength, and cardiovascular health

Whole body vibration training (WBVT) has been used as a supplement to conventional exercise training such as resistance exercise training to improve skeletal muscle strength, specifically, in rehabilitation field. Recently, this exercise modality has been utilized by cardiovascular studies to examine whether WBVT can be a useful exercise modality to improve cardiovascular health. These studies reported that WBVT has not only beneficial effects on muscular strength but also cardiovascular health in elderly and disease population. However, its mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of WBVT in cardiovascular health has not been well documented. Therefore, this review highlighted the impacts of WBVT on cardiovascular health, and its mechanisms in conjunction with the improved muscular strength and body composition in various populations

Toward a Standardized Strategy of Clinical Metabolomics for the Advancement of Precision Medicine

Despite the tremendous success, pitfalls have been observed in every step of a clinical metabolomics workflow, which impedes the internal validity of the study. Furthermore, the demand for logistics, instrumentations, and computational resources for metabolic phenotyping studies has far exceeded our expectations. In this conceptual review, we will cover inclusive barriers of a metabolomics-based clinical study and suggest potential solutions in the hope of enhancing study robustness, usability, and transferability. The importance of quality assurance and quality control procedures is discussed, followed by a practical rule containing five phases, including two additional "pre-pre-" and "post-post-" analytical steps. Besides, we will elucidate the potential involvement of machine learning and demonstrate that the need for automated data mining algorithms to improve the quality of future research is undeniable. Consequently, we propose a comprehensive metabolomics framework, along with an appropriate checklist refined from current guidelines and our previously published assessment, in the attempt to accurately translate achievements in metabolomics into clinical and epidemiological research. Furthermore, the integration of multifaceted multi-omics approaches with metabolomics as the pillar member is in urgent need. When combining with other social or nutritional factors, we can gather complete omics profiles for a particular disease. Our discussion reflects the current obstacles and potential solutions toward the progressing trend of utilizing metabolomics in clinical research to create the next-generation healthcare system.11Ysciescopu

Uterine Artery Doppler Velocimetry During Mid-second Trimester to Predict Complications of Pregnancy Based on Unilateral or Bilateral Abnormalities

We performed this study to evaluate uterine artery Doppler velocimetry (UADV) measurement of unilateral or bilateral abnormalities as a predictor of complications in pregnancy during the mid-second trimester (20-24 weeks). We enrolled 1,090 pregnant women who had undergone UADV twice: once between the 20th and 24th week (1st stage) and again between the 28th and 32nd week (2nd stage) of pregnancy, and then delivered at Yonsei Medical Center. UADV was performed bilaterally. Follow-up UADV was performed between the 28th and 32nd week, and the frequencies of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and preterm delivery (before 34 weeks of gestation) were determined. Chi-squared and t-tests were used where appropriate, with p < .05 considered significant. According to the results of UADV performed between 20-24 weeks of gestation, 825 women (75.7%) were included in the normal group, 196 (18.0%) in the unilateral abnormality group, and 69 (6.3%) in the bilateral abnormality group. The incidences of FGR were 8.0%, 10.2%, and 26.1%, and the incidences of PIH were 0.1%, 3.6%, and 14.5%, respectively. The incidence of PIH was significantly lower in the normal group. The incidences of preterm delivery were 2.2%, 5.6%, and 8.7%, respectively. PIH developed in 46.7% of patients with bilateral abnormal findings in both the 1st and 2nd stage tests, and developed in none of the patients with normal findings in both tests. Abnormal results found by UADV performed between the 20-24th weeks of pregnancy, such as high S/D ratios regardless of placental location and the presence of an early diastolic notch, were associated with significant increases in the incidences of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and PIH. This was true for both bilateral and unilateral abnormalities. Abnormal findings in bilateral UADV during the second trimester especially warrant close follow up for the detection of subsequent development of pregnancy complications

Experience of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in a Patient Having Crossed Ectopia with Fusion Anomaly of the Kidney

We report a case of surgically treated abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a patient having crossed ectopia with fusion anomaly of the kidney. One artery from the abdominal aorta above the aneurysm supplies the right kidney while three renal arteries (two from the aneurysm itself and one from the left common iliac artery) supply the crossed ectopic kidney. Preoperative imaging to define the arterial and collecting systems along with a detailed planning of the operation is essential to prevent ischemic renal injury as well as ureteral injury during AAA repair

3,4-Dihydroxy­phenyl 3,4,5-trimethoxy­benzoate

In the title compound, C16H16O7, the dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 82.02 (7)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which link the mol­ecules into a two-dimensional network

Identification of C16orf74 as a Marker of Progression in Primary Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE: Methylation-induced silencing of PRSS3 has been shown to be significantly associated with invasive bladder cancer, and expression of the C16orf74 gene locus has been shown to correlate positively with PRSS3. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between C16orf74 expression level and progression in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: C16orf74 mRNA levels were examined by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of 193 tumor specimens from patients with primary NMIBC. Expression data were analyzed in terms of clinical and experimental parameters. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression models, respectively, were used to determine progression-free survival and to identify independent predictive parameters of progression. RESULTS: Analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves revealed prolonged progression-free survival of high-C16orf74-expressors as compared to low-expressors (p<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that low C16orf74 mRNA expression levels are a significant risk factor for disease progression in patients with primary NMIBC (HR: 10.042, CI:2.699-37.360, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased expression of C16orf74 correlates significantly with progression in primary NMIBC. C16orf74 expression level represents a potentially useful marker for predicting progression in primary NMIBC patients