Motor unit reorganization in progressive muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies

The aim of this study was to analyze motor unit reorganization in different types of progressive muscular dystrophies and congenital myopathies. The study population consisted of patients with genetically verified progressive muscular dystrophies: Duchenne (DMD) (n=54), Becker (BMD) (n=30), facio-scapulo-humeral (FSHD) (n=37), and Emery–Dreifuss (E-DD) (n=26). Patients with probable limb-girdle dystrophy (L-GD) (n=58) and congenital myopathies (n=35) were also included in the study. Quantitative EMG recordings were obtained from 469 muscles. Muscle activity at rest and during slight voluntary and maximal muscle contraction was analyzed. The motor unit activity potential (MUAP) duration, amplitude, area, size index (SI), polyphasicity, and the presence of “outliers” were evaluated. Diminished values of MUAP parameters and decreased maximal amplitude of maximal muscle contraction were recorded most frequently in DMD and mainly in the biceps brachii muscles. SI was the most frequently changed EMG parameter. “Outliers” with amplitude below the normal range were recorded more frequently then a decreased mean MUAP amplitude (what could indicate a very high sensitivity of this EMG parameter). Pathological interference pattern was recorded in 34.7% of biceps brachii and in 21.2% of rectus femoris muscles. In FSHD, decreased MUAP duration and SI and pathological interference pattern with low amplitude were recorded most frequently in the tibial anterior and deltoid muscles. The presence of potentials with reduced parameters is a result of decreasing motor unit area (reduced number and size of muscle fibers), while high amplitude potentials recorded in BMD and E-DD could indicate a slow and mild course of disease and muscle regeneration

Personality determinants of health behaviours of merchant navy officers

Background and aim: An individual’s health behaviours are highly correlated with selected areas of their personality as well as their values, needs and goals. However, this relationship may be modified by a number of objective factors associated with the individual’s functioning, lifestyle or occupational activity. The main objective of the presented study was to investigate the relationship between personality profiles and health behaviours of merchant navy officers.Materials and methods: The influences of personality on health behaviours were additionally compared between two groups: mariners and managers. Thirty-two seafarers of an officer rank and 45 managers aged between 29 and 48 took part in the study. Three research tools were used: NEO-Five Factor Inventory, Health Behaviour Inventory and Inventory of Physical Activity Objectives.Results and conclusions: Results suggest that selected personality variables are significant predictors of individual aspects of health behaviour, however the strength of their influence may differ, depending on the peculiarities of the performed work

Attention deficit in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at primary school age measured with the attention network test (ANT) : a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Attentional deficits are among the most bothersome symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To date, the neurological basis of attentional deficits has not been fully described according to the diagnostic criteria. ADHD may result from deficits in various attributes of attention. There is no specialist neuropsychological diagnostic method that allows reliable distinction between primary attention disorders in the etiology of ADHD and secondary problems that may arise due to co-morbidities. This protocol aims to systematically review the literature to evaluate patterns of attention common to school-age children either diagnosed with ADHD or at high risk of ADHD, as measured by the neuropsychological attention network test (ANT). Methods: Our search strategy will consist of electronic databases (PubMed, PsychInfo, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) and hand searching. Both prospective cohort studies and prospective studies of intervention effects will be included, provided they used the ANT. The primary output variable will be attention deficits. Screening and eligibility will be done independently by two reviewers based on pre-specified eligibility criteria. Data extraction will be based on a pre-pilot data extraction form and conducted by two authors independently. The risk of bias will be assessed by two authors independently. The rating of the certainty of the entire body of evidence will be evaluated using the GRADE approach. Any discrepancies identified at any stage of the review will be resolved by discussion or/and consultation with another reviewer. We plan a narrative synthesis of findings and a quantitative meta-analysis if the data allow. Discussion: The research will identify patterns of neuropsychological ANT results characteristic of both school-age children diagnosed with ADHD and those at high risk of having ADHD. Our results could be used to check whether the pattern of a child’s performance in the ANT corresponds to the characteristic pattern of the results of children with ADHD. At present, the ANT is used only in research; the results of this review will serve as a useful benchmark. Hopefully, in the future, it will be possible to use the ANT in the wider diagnosis of ADHD

Socio-cultural standards promoted by the mass media as predictors of restrictive and bulimic behavior

Research lacks in verifying the nature of the relationship between mass media pressure, body image, and the risk of unhealthy eating behaviors. This study aimed to investigate whether the internalization of sociocultural norms, perceived pressure or searching for information about body image promoted by the mass media directly affect restrictive and bulimic behavior toward eating, through the mediating role of body image and physical appearance variables. The research hypotheses were that (1, 2) body image, the pressure and the internalization of sociocultural norms are significant predictors of unhealthy eating behavior among women and men; and (3) the variables related to body image play the role of the mediating variable between the impact of socio-cultural standards of body image promoted by the mass media and unhealthy eating behavior. The sample comprised 514 Polish men and women, aged 16 to 63 old (men M=24.35; SD=13.53; women M=24.77; SD=7.61), with average Body Mass Index (BMI). Assessment comprised the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Scale (SATAQ-3), Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI 3), The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-AS), and the author’s survey questionnaire. The descriptive and comparative statistics, and a path analysis (structural equations modeling) were applied. The statistical analysis showed that the variables related to body image do not play the role of intermediary variables. The pressure of sociocultural standards of body image and physical appearance had the strongest and most direct effect on the development of restrictive eating behavior and appeared to negatively affect body image in women. The search of information on body image in the mass media had the strongest and most direct impact on the development of bulimic eating behavior among women. However, only the global internalization of sociocultural standards of body image and physical appearance had a significant and direct effect on the development of bulimic eating behavior in men. Moreover, the internalization of athletic body shape standards had the strongest and most positive impact on some aspects of body image in this group. No sociocultural variables showed a direct impact on restrictive behavior among studied men. BMI had a positive and direct impact on individual body part satisfaction. These results may help improve prevention of eating disorders and dysfunctional eating behavior

Media pressure and the process of Westernization in the context of body self-assessment among young heterosexual and gay Polish men

Mass media and social networks portray a unified image of the perfect male body. The intensity and universality of this influence is an important element of the process of Westernization, especially in traditional cultures such as that of Poland. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the differences between Polish gay and heterosexual men in terms of the role played by self-esteem and the level of internalization of sociocultural standards of body appearance as predictors of the development of their body images. The research study was conducted by reference to 19- to 29-year-old Polish heterosexual (n = 287) and gay (n = 97) men. The variables were measured using Polish versions of the Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance Scale-3, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire. Statistical analyses identified several variables as the main predictors of body image in both heterosexual and gay young men: self-esteem, information-seeking, perceived pressure and the internalization of sociocultural standards regarding an athletic body image drawn from mass media. The only significant difference between the two groups was the fact that self-esteem, perceived pressure and the internalization of sociocultural standards from mass media did not play a predictive role with respect to Appearance Orientation among the group of gay men

Developmental learning disorders in children with prenatal/perinatal exposure to hypoxia: A systematic review protocol

Background Developmental learning disorder (DLD) belongs to neurodevelopmental disorders because it results from the developmental neurodiversity of the brain. The main causes of DLD are genetics, but environmental factors, like inadequate supply of oxygen during pregnancy or labor, are considered. Methods Our search strategy will consist of electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) and hand searching. The observational studies including cohort and case-control studies will be included. The primary outcome will be (DLD). Screening and eligibility will be done independently by two reviewers based on pre-specified eligibility criteria. Data extraction will be based on a pre-pilot data extraction form, and conducted by two authors independently. Study quality will be assessed by two authors independently. Any discrepancies identified at any stage of the review will be resolved by discussion or/and consultation with another reviewer. We plan a narrative and tabular summary of the findings. Discussion This systematic review of aetiology follows the traditional approach to evidence-based healthcare. This secondary research will assess the association between hypoxia and DLD by assessing the relationship of health-related event and outcome and examining the association between them. This review can provide information for healthcare professionals and policymakers indicating whether taking into account information about hypoxia should be permanently included in the diagnostic ontogenetic interview in the process of diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders.publishedVersio

Neuropatie immunologiczne

Poniżej przedstawiono wybrane przypadki ilustrujące zagadnienia kliniczne w neuropatiach immunologicznych. Rozpoznania choroby dokonano u pacjentów podczas hospitalizacji w Klinice Neurologii Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego. Następnie chorych (oprócz przypadku 1.) kontrolowano w poradni chorób mięśni

Clinical psychological diagnosis in children and adolescents : challenges and recommendations of consultants in clinical psychology

Celem artykułu jest omówienie standardów diagnostyki klinicznej dzieci i młodzieży w kontekście modeli teoretycznych oraz praktyki psychologicznej. Współczesne standardy praktyki klinicznej nawiązują do postulatów praktyki opartej na dowodach (evidence-based psychological practice, EBPP). Obserwowany wzrost częstości problemów emocjonalnych, zaburzeń behawioralnych i psychicznych wśród coraz młodszych dzieci wymaga przede wszystkim właściwej, interdyscyplinarnej diagnozy. Wskazują na to standardy opracowywane i rekomendowane na świecie. Istotną rolę odgrywa tu psychologiczna diagnostyka kliniczna. Stanowi ona rozłożony w czasie proces, uwzględniający zarówno kontekst indywidualny, rozwojowy, jak i biopsychospołeczny charakter trudności doświadczanych przez dziecko. Zasadniczą częścią diagnostyki jest wnioskowanie na podstawie wywiadu, obserwacji i wyników standaryzowanych testów psychologicznych, pozwalających odwołać się do badań klinicznych i teorii naukowych. W artykule szczegółowo omówiono zalecane na świecie standardy psychologicznej diagnostyki klinicznej oraz specyfikę diagnozy klinicznej u dzieci i młodzieży. Jednocześnie przedstawiono wytyczne odnośnie do klinicznej diagnostyki psychologicznej dzieci i młodzieży w odniesieniu do polskich realiów. Sporządzono wykaz proponowanych psychologicznych narzędzi diagnostycznych + podzielonych ze względu na badany okres rozwojowy (wczesne dzieciństwo, okres przedszkolny, okres szkolny, adolescencja) oraz specyfikę pomiaru psychologicznych zmiennych (diagnoza rozwoju, intelektu, zdolności poznawczych, funkcji emocjonalno-społecznych i osobowości, mowy, kontekstu rodzinnego, objawów zaburzeń psychicznych). Prezentowany wykaz spełnia kryteria współczesnego modelu diagnostyki klinicznej, uwzględniającej zarówno profil psychologiczny, jak i społeczno-kulturowy kontekst funkcjonowania osoby badanej (diagnoza psychospołeczna). Praktyka oparta na dowodach i dostosowany do jej wymogów wykaz narzędzi zakładają, że dobra praktyka kliniczna powinna nie tylko bazować na doświadczeniu klinicysty, ale przede wszystkim odwoływać się do sprawdzonych, rzetelnych danych i współczesnych badań naukowych.The aim of the article is to discuss the standards of clinical diagnosis in children and adolescents in the context of theoretical models and psychological practice. Contemporary clinical practice standards refer to evidence-based practice (including evidence-based psychological practice, EBPP). A correct interdisciplinary diagnosis, as in the global standards, is primarily required due to an observed increase in the prevalence of emotional problems, behavioural difficulties and mental disorders among younger and younger children. The clinical psychological diagnostic process plays a key role in this respect. It is a process that takes into account both the individual and developmental context as well as the biopsychosocial nature of difficulties experienced by the child. Inference based on the interview, observation and results of standardised psychological tools, referring to clinical research and scientific theories, is an essential part of this process. The paper discusses in detail the worldwide standards of a clinical psychological diagnostic process and the specificity of clinical diagnosis in children and adolescents. At the same time, guidelines for clinical psychological diagnosis in children and adolescents have been proposed in relation to the Polish realities of clinical practice. The authors prepared and shared a list of psychological tests for use in clinical assessment of children and adolescents. The list is divided based on the studied development period (early childhood, pre-school age, school age, adolescence) and the specificity of measuring psychological variables (diagnosis of development, intelligence, cognitive abilities, emotional and social competence and personality, language development, family context,symptoms of mental disorders). The proposed psychological test list corresponds to the contemporary approach to clinical diagnosis, taking into account both the psychological profile and the socio-cultural context of the examined personąs functioning (psychosocial diagnosis). The evidence-based practice and the proposed list of psychological tools assume that good clinical practice should be based not only on the clinicianąs experience, but above all on verified, reliable data and available scientific research

The connections of the endopiriform nucleus with the insular claustrum in the rat and rabbit

The connections between two parts of the claustrum in the rat and rabbit were studied using the highly fluorescent lipophilic carbocyanine dye (DiI). After the application of DiI crystal into the endopiriform nucleus, labeled fibers in the insular claustrum were observed in its part directly neighboring the insular cortex and capsula externa. Additionally, numerous projections into the piriform, insular and entorhinal cortices were present. The presence of connections between the endopiriform nucleus and insular claustrum suggests its role concerned with the processes taking part in the allocortical regions as well as in the limbic system

Early Predictors of Learning a Foreign Language in Pre-school – Polish as a First Language, English as a Foreign Language

When a foreign language (FL) acquisition begins in preschool, at which time young learners are particularly linguistically sensitive, it allows for a higher FL competence in future. Moreover, a second language learning depends on a learner’s aptitude. The aim of our study was to assess the early predictors of learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Polish pre-school students who had not yet started formal literacy instruction, and to characterize the level of their oral receptive and active skills in English. 30 children aged between 3 years 5 months and 5 years 10 months who attended two private and one state kindergarten, participated in the study. All were native speakers of Polish, and apart from English classes, communicated in their first language at kindergarten and in their everyday life. Non-verbal intelligence, emerging literacy, phonological awareness in Polish, and knowledge of English were assessed. We found that in Polish pre-school children emerging letter identification from their first language alphabet, phonological awareness in their first language, and non-verbal intelligence were related to the achievements in learning EFL, despite the differences in transparency between the two languages. Moreover, the children’s passive color vocabulary was larger than their active vocabulary, and they were used to repetition tasks. The participants in our study attempted to communicate in English during the assessment, which suggests that even at a pre-school age they were able to differentiate between first language and FL discourse. We also identified some problems possibly stemming from linguistic transfer, like articles omissions. Therefore, teachers should pay more emphasis to the differences between the first and the second language, in terms of: syntax, morphology, phonetics, phonology, and orthography, to prevent later consolidation of early errors. The automatisation of correct linguistic habits in young learners would equip them with skills for their later FL educational success