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Rehabilitation Robotics: Cost Effectiveness Issue
No full textRehabilitation robotics is an actual advances robotic science application in medicine. It is no doubt that the rehabilitation robotics is highly effective and very useful in rehabilitation. The great concern for implementation ofthe rehabilitation robotics in any medical center is usually the focus on the cost. It is an important query whether the rehabilitation robotics are cost effective or not [1]. In fact, there are some recent reports confirming the cost effectiveness of rehabilitation robotics. Recently, Imms et al. reported that “robot assisted upper limb therapy combined with upper limb rehabilitation was at least as effective on a range of outcomes, and cost less to deliver, as an equal dose of upper limb rehabilitationalone for people with stroke [2].†Chen et al. also found that rehabilitation robotics could provide “convenient and cost-effective rehabilitation to children with cerebral palsy [3].†Wagner et al. performed a comparative study on several techniques for rehabilitation for stroke patients and found that “the total costs were comparable for the 3 groups (19 746 for intensive comparison therapy, and $19 098 for usual care). Changes in quality of life were modest and not statistically different [4].†Based on these evidences, it is no doubt that the rehabilitation robotics are actual useful and cost effective
Acquired Hyperpigmentation of the Tongue Associated with Hydroxyurea: Case Report of a Very Rare Location of a Rare Adverse Effect
No full textChanges in pigmentation has been reported for differing chemotherapeutic agents, such as cyclophosphamide, anthracyclines as well as hydroxyurea. Generalized hyperpigmentation as well as melanonychia has been well reported for hydroxyurea, which is neither dose dependent or related to the duration of treatment. It has never been report a case of hyperpigmentation of the tongue associated with the use of hydroxyurea, although it has been reported with other chemotherapeutic agents. We report a case of hyperpigmentation of the tongue associated with the use of hydroxyurea, discuss the differential diagnosis and a review the literature
Synchronization and Intermittency of Type I in the Oscillator Model of Heart Rhythm
No full textWith the help of the truncated equation investigated the intermittent behavior of the oscillator Van der Pol oscillator under periodic external action in the absence and in the presence of noise. A method for determining when reinjection by constructing a singular component of the power spectrum of the signal by the flicker noise spectroscopy.A procedure for determining the current parameters of the oscillator based on the calculation of the wavelet coefficients of the signal system using fast discrete wavelet transform and application of the differentiation formulas wavelet expansions
fNIR Study of Cognitive Decline and Reading in Parkinson’s Disease: Preliminary Data
No full textAs yet, there has been little research applying functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) neuroimaging studies to aspects of brain activation such as cognitive decline or working memory deficits with reading difficulties in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The purpose of this study is to investigate cerebral hemoglobin concentration changes related to reading and cognitive load tasks in an individual with PD. An individual with PD and a healthy normal person of the same age with no history of neurogenic disorders participated in this study. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) measurements were recorded while the participants carried out a reading task (grandfather passage) and four cognitive load tasks. The fNIR results for the reading task revealed significant differences in the changes in the oxygen concentration levels experienced by the two participants and this was also manifested in both the left and right hemispheres. There were also significant differences between the two participants across all of the cognitive tasks. Unlike the non-PD participant, the PD participant did not exhibit any significant differences among the four cognitive tasks and no significant oxygenation change between the left and right hemispheres when performing cognitive tasks 1 and 4 was observed. These results suggest that PD patients either lack sufficient brain activation to complete linguistic or cognitive tasks or are unable to use oxygenation effectively in a specific brain area when seeking to accomplish these types of tasks
Scintigraphic Appearance of an Incidental Giant Hydronephrosis in a Pediatric Patient
No full textAbstrac
Developed Galantamine Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease by Introducing Nano-Drug Delivery Systems
No full textThe major cause of dementia, a major public health problem, is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A reliable method for the diagnosis and follow-up of Alzheimer’s disease is needed together with a specific biological marker. Galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for AD therapy has several reported side effects. One approach to reduce dosing amounts, frequency of administration, and adverse side effects while maintaining the drug efficiency, is the development of drug delivery systems using nanoparticles. Presently Galantamine (Gal) coated with either Cerium/ Calcium hydroxyapatite (Ce/Ca-HAp) or carboxymethyl chitosan/ Ceria/ Calcium hydroxapatite (CMCS/Ce/Ca-HAP) was i.p. injected at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg b.wt. for 2 and 4 weeks. 86 female adult albino Wistar rats (189- 200 gm weight) were used. Alzheimer was induced in ovariectomized rats by Aluminium chloride (AlCl3) oral treatment at doses of 17mg/kg b.wt. daily for 2 months. Rats were divided into six groups: Group (1) normal control; Group (2) Galantamine i.p. injected at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg b.wt; Group (3) Alzheimer ; Group (4) Alzheimer’s induced rats treated i.p. with Gal; Group (5) Alzheimer’s induced rats treated with Gal. coated with Ce/Ca-HAp; Group (6) Alzheimer’s induced rats treated with Gal. coated with Gal coated with CMCS/Ce/Ca-HAp for 2 and 4 weeks. In the concurrent study, AD induced histological alterations manifested as amyloid plaque formation of different sizes; congestion with perivascular edema; degenerated neurons with diffused gliosis; loss of pyramidal cells; separation of cortical tissue and formation of fibrous glial scar. Several tests may be cumulatively used for early detection as decreased Ach; Bcl2; Tpl; GSH; SOD; CAT; Cyto P450 and increased Ab; Chol; B-FABP; NO; MDA; GSSH. Treatment with Gal coated by Ce/Ca-HAp imposed highly significant improvement to near to normal levels in both histological and biochemical parameters. Gal coated by CMCS/Ce/Ca-HAp failed to encounter obvious ameliorations. In conclusion, brain markers ( Ach; Bcl-2; Aβ; TPL; Chol; B-FABP; NO; MDA) together with brain antioxidants (GSH; SOD; CAT; CytoP450) may impose progressive laboratory testing method besides well known imaging techniques. Galantamine therapy may impose limited improvements thus drug delivery systems Gal coated by Ce/Ca-HAp may aid to minimize dosing amounts, frequency of administration, and adverse side effects of drug while increasing its therapeutic efficacy
Assessment of Vascular Response after Stent Implantation by Intracoronary Optical Coherence Tomography
No full textOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high resolution (10-20 μm) imaging modality that provides microscopic visualization of the coronary artery including vascular response after stent implantation. Compared to conventional intravascular ultrasound, OCT can more clearly identify findings immediately after stent implantation, such as tissue protrusion, stent edge dissection, and incomplete stent strut apposition. Furthermore, OCT allows clinicians to accurately assess the late acquired stent malapposition and strut coverage which could be a surrogate marker for stent thrombosis after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. OCT can evaluate not only the extent and amount of neointima but also the tissue characteristics of neointimal hyperplasia. Morphological OCT evaluation of restenosis tissue may offer important information about treatment strategies for in-stent restenosis lesion as well as the acute/mid-term clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention. In addition, in-stent neoatherosclerosis, which are associated with very late stent failure, including stent thrombosis and restenosis, frequently has the following OCT findings; lipid-rich neointima, microvascular proliferation, and neointimal disruption. Thus, the high resolution imaging of OCT has provided important insights into the vascular response immediately and late after stent implantation
Experiences Associated with Pediatric Dysphagia: A Mother’s Perspective
No full textBackground: Pediatric dysphagia arises from various etiologies but often coincides with complex health issues. Tasks associated with the management of pediatric dysphagia are often unfamiliar and arduous, leaving a heavy burden on the primary caregiver. Little is known regarding how these experiences affect caregivers and family systems.Aims: This study was conducted to examine dysphagia and its vast implications from a caregiver’s perspective in order to reveal a perceived role in management.Methods & Procedures: A qualitative case study design was chosen. Consistent with this tradition of inquiry, naturalistic data were collected through ethnographic interviewing procedures, collection of artifacts for analysis, and multiple lamination sessions obtained through electronic mail messages. These data were analyzed inductively, in which authors independently reviewed data several times and coded the data line by line with a category of idea or action that represented the raw data. As data collection and analysis continued in a cyclical fashion, several initial categories clumped into more abstract overarching themes related to the participant’s experience with dysphagia.Outcomes & Results: Data interpretation suggests that encounters associated with caring for multiple children with dysphagia are multifaceted and that consequences of dysphagia extend far beyond the individual with dysphagia and into the entire family system.Conclusion: This paper argues for further consideration of social and affective factors in pediatric dysphagia management and the inspection of dysphagia from a dynamic lens that accounts for all layers of the disorder
Metabolic Disorders in Menopause and their Correction
No full textMenopause represents a complex period in the women’s life. Several disorders of nutrition and metabolism are accompanying it. The information on this topic is increasing.The carbohydrate disturbances include impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but not only. The estrogen deficiency could be an essential contributor to the process of diabetogenesis. Other significant factors for the risk of T2DM are: ageing, obesity (with increasing incidence after menopause), lowering of physical activity, smoking, drinking, some drugs a.s.o.Unfortunately, there are in the scientific literature a number of controversies regarding the relation menopause – diabetes. For instance, an important American study (Diabetes Prevention Program) pointed out that natural menopause did not associate with an increased risk of diabetes and did not influence the answer to the preventive strategy. On the other hand, a large European trial (EPIC – InterAct Study) concluded that early menopause has produced a higher risk for T2DM.Referring to the control of diabetes in the menopause period, many studies emphasize on diet and improving lifestyle, with a major role of physical activity. It is interesting that metformin use in postmenopausal women with diabetes was associated with a lower incidence of invasive breast cancer.Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), proposed for the correction of menopause, seems not to be adequate for the women with T2DM.The increase in abdominal and, more particularly, visceral fat accumulation, is associated in menopause with a higher risk of developing an atherogenic lipid profile and an insulin-resistant state.Elevation of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein (a) levels and lowering of HDL-cholesterol levels are observed in the menopause.There is an association between postmenopausal status and a substantial risk of the metabolic syndrome.The cardiovascular risk is also significantly modified.These disorders have a major impact on the quality and duration of life. Their control is in increasing attention of the medical staf