Finger tapping, handedness and grey matter amount in the Rolando's genu area

The morphology of the central sulcus (CS), at the level of the hand primary motor cortex, has been shown to be related to hand preference and skill. Differences in the cerebral functional organisation of left and right-handers have been described, notably with respect to hemispheric specialisation, which might cause the neural substrate of hand dominance or skill to differ between the two groups. Here, we further explored the relationship between the anatomical variability of the central sulcus and hand skill in two groups of young male subjects differing by handedness (n = 56 right-handers and n = 55 left-handers). Grey matter volume (GMV) in the upper region of the central sulcus was estimated with Voxel Based Morphometry, using a probabilistic region of interest approach, while hand motor skill was measured with the finger tapping test. No significant anatomical differences could be evidenced between the two hand preference groups, a rightward hemispheric asymmetry being observed in both samples. However, multiple regression analyses showed that, in the right-handed group, the maximum tapping rate of the right hand correlated positively with the left central sulcus GMV, but negatively with the right. Similar analyses showed that, in left-handers, the maximum tapping rate of the non-dominant right hand was strongly correlated with the GMV of the ipsilateral CS but not significantly with that of the contralateral CS. These results may be due to differences in the organisation of motor systems between these two groups, possibly concerning a left hemispheric specialisation for fast repetitive movements in right-handers, which would be different in left-handers.     

Association between language and spatial laterality and cognitive ability: an fMRI study

The interaction between language and spatial laterality and its association with cognitive ability was explored in a group of 42 right-handers and 40 left-handers using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Cognitive ability measures including working memory, verbal comprehension and perceptual organisation were assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (version III). Left-handers show lower working memory scores than right-handers. Increased rightward language laterality is also associated with decreased working memory performance, which we suggest is related to the involvement of the left inferior frontal gyrus in subvocal rehearsal during working memory tasks. The interaction between language and spatial laterality is associated with performance on verbal comprehension and perceptual organisation, such that when language and spatial laterality are dissociated between the hemispheres a significant increase in verbal comprehension and perceptual organisation performance is found. There is a decrease in performance on the verbal comprehension and perceptual organisation subtests when language and spatial processing are associated to the same hemisphere (i.e. both lateralised to the right hemisphere or both lateralised to the left). This interaction is interpreted in relation to the 'hemispheric crowding' hypothesis, which proposes increased cognitive ability when language and spatial laterality are dissociated.     

The effect of handedness on cortical motor activation during simple bilateral movements

The neuronal correlates of handedness are still poorly understood. Here we used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the impact of handedness on neuronal activation of the primary sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area and dorsal premotor cortex during simple unilateral and bilateral finger movements. In 16 right-handed and 16 left-handed individuals, we mapped changes in regional neuronal activity while participants responded to four symbolic cues presented in a pseudorandom order. According to pre-specified cues, they pressed a button with their right, left or both index fingers or withheld a response. For unilateral right index finger button presses, reaction times, motor and premotor activity were the same for both right- and left-handers. Compared with right-handers, left-handers had shorter reaction times with unilateral left index finger button presses, along with greater activation of the supplementary motor area and right frontal opercular cortex. Simultaneous bilateral compared with unilateral button presses led to a relative increase of activity in the right and left dorsal premotor cortex and the right primary sensorimotor cortex in right but not left-handers. Neither right nor left-handers showed any tendency during bilateral button presses towards faster responses with the dominant hand and the reaction times were equal in the two groups. Therefore, we conclude that the relative increase of activity in dorsal premotor and right primary sensorimotor cortices in right-handers represents a genuine difference in bimanual motor control related to handedness.     

miR-574-5p在乳腺癌患者血清中的水平及与临床病理特征的关系

目的探讨微小RNA-574-5p(miR-574-5p)在乳腺癌患者血清中的水平及与临床病理特征的关系。方法选取2014年12月至2015年9月期间60例乳腺癌患者和60例乳腺纤维腺瘤患者作为研究对象,选择于同期在本院健康检查的60例健康女性作为健康对照组。采用实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)检测入组对象血清miR-574-5p水平。结果经RT-PCR检测,乳腺癌组血清miR-574-5p水平为55.26±6.71,纤维瘤组血清miR-574-5p水平为14.21±4.11,健康对照组血清miR-574-5p水平为3.39±1.02,乳腺癌组miR-574-5p水平高于纤维腺瘤组和健康对照组,差异有统计学意义(F=68.17,P0.05),纤维腺瘤组miR-574-5p水平高于健康对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=21.08,P0.05)。随着患者病理分期的增加、肿瘤体积的增加、分化程度的降低,乳腺癌组血清miR-574-5p水平呈升高趋势,伴淋巴结转移的乳腺癌患者,血清miR-574-5p水平高于未出现淋巴结转移的乳腺癌患者(P0.05)。手术后,乳腺癌患者血清miR-574-5p水平(46.19±6.15)明显低于治疗前(54.91±6.62),差异有统计学意义(t=16.72,P0.05)。结论乳腺癌血清miR-574-5p水平高于良性乳腺病变及健康人群。血清miR-574-5p水平与乳腺癌的临床病理特征及预后密切相关。乳腺癌根治术可以抑制miR-574-5p的表达,改善患者病情。     

Assessing cross-cultural equivalence through confirmatory factor analysis

This article presents a study in which Picot's caregiver rewards scale (PCRS), originally developed in English, was cross-culturally validated with 137 Chinese adult children family caregivers in the United States using confirmatory factor analysis. A one-factor structure of the 21-item revised Chinese PCRS was supported as indicated by goodness-of-fit index = .94, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = .93, standardized root mean square residual = .09, and chi-square to df ratio = 2.7. Chi-square for this model was (chi(2) [189, n = 137] = 514, p < .05). The standardized alpha was .90. All factor loadings were significant (p < .00) and above .30. Construct validity was supported by significant associations with caregivers' filial beliefs (r = .32, p < .01) and caregivers' filial affection toward parents (r = .23, p < .05). Results suggest that the Chinese PCRS is a summative measure of perceived caregiver rewards with potential for evaluating interventions to reduce perceived burden among adult children family caregivers.     

Balance performance and step width in noninstitutionalized, elderly, female fallers and nonfallers

The purposes of this study were to compare age, static balance performance, and step-width variables between elderly noninstitutionalized women with and without a history of falls and to determine the relationship between balance performance and step width. Each subject performed a maximum of three timed trials on the sharpened Romberg and one-legged stance tests with eyes open and with eyes closed. The first and best trial measurements were used for analysis. Each subject walked on paper walkways making ink prints for step-width measurements. The mean and the variability of each subject's step-width measurements were used for analysis. Data from 110 women, aged 60 to 89 years, were analyzed. The fallers (n = 26) had significantly lower values than the nonfallers (n = 84) on the best trial of the sharpened Romberg test in the eyes-open condition (t = 1.98, df = 108, p less than .05). No significant differences between fallers and nonfallers were revealed in age, the mean and variability of step width, the first trials of the balance tests, and the best trials on the other balance tests. For the total group, the mean measurements on the first trials were significantly lower than those on the best trials for each balance test. Small, but statistically significant (p less than .05), negative relationships existed between balance performance and the mean and variability of step width. The results of this study indicate that the methods of measuring balance and step width are clinically applicable, and the data of patients from a similar population sample may be compared with the data established in this study.     

Development and testing of the circumvaginal muscles rating scale

The purpose of this research was to develop an instrument for clinical assessment of the circumvaginal muscles (CVM), to test the reliability of the instrument, and to correlate sample characteristics with this instrument. The 9-point CVM Rating Scale is based on four components: pressure, duration, muscle ribbing, and position of the examiner's finger during examination. Reliability of the CVM Rating Scale was ascertained by use of interrater and test-retest reliability. Interrater reliability was tested on two separate occasions, N = 10, rho = 0.6, p less than .04; N = 10, rho = 0.7, p less than .05. A test-retest sequence was conducted 10 days apart, N = 10, rho = 0.9, p less than .003. Results from these tests indicated that the CVM Rating Scale is a reliable instrument for assessing CVM. A convenience sample of 30 women, aged 18-37, in good general health was tested, using the CVM Rating Scale. Women with a history of pelvic floor reconstructive surgery were excluded. A significant positive correlation between self-reported orgasm and the CVM Rating Scale total scores was found, chi 2 = 7.5, p less than .02. No significant correlations were found between age, race, parity, episiotomy, or self-reported Kegel exercises and the CVM Rating Scale total scores. The scale is a cost-effective, time-efficient, systematic assessment, accessible in clinical settings.     

Asymmetry in the Human Motor Cortex and Handedness

Handedness is one of the most obvious functional asymmetries, but its relation to an anatomical asymmetry of the hand representation area in the motor cortex has not been demonstrated. This would be a crucial test for the hypothesis of structure–function correlation in cortical motor organization. Using magnetic resonance morphometry, we show for the first time that the depth of the central sulcus is related to handedness. In right-handers, the left central sulcus is deeper than the right, and vice versa in left-handers. Macrostructural asymmetry is complemented by a microstructural left-larger-than-right asymmetry in neuropil volume (i.e., tissue compartment containing dendrites, axons, and synapses) in Brodmann's area 4. These asymmetries suggest that hand preference is associated with increased connectivity (demonstrated by an increased neuropil compartment in left area 4) and an increased intrasulcal surface of the precentral gyrus in the dominant hemisphere.     

Comparison of lumbar curves when sitting on the Westnofa Balans Multi-Chair, sitting on a conventional chair, and standing

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Balans Multi-Chair (BMC) approximates the amount of standing lumbar curve better than a standard conventional chair (SCC) in seated subjects writing at a desk. The length of the curve from L1 to S2 was measured with a flexible ruler in 44 healthy subjects who were standing and sitting on both an SCC and a BMC. A one-way analysis of variance for repeated measures and the Student-Newman-Keuls test were used to examine the differences in the curves created in the three positions. The frequency of subjects sitting in lumbar flexion was compared using a chi-square test with those not in flexion. Lumbar curves measured in the three positions were significantly different (p less than .01). The BMC approximated the standing lumbar curve in seated subjects writing at a desk to a greater degree than the SCC. In addition, the BMC produced lumbar flexion less frequently (chi 2 = 4.33, p less than .05) than did the SCC. These data suggest that the BMC may be an appropriate adjunct in client care when minimal lumbar flexion or lumbar extension is indicated.     

Teaching communication skills: effects of two methods of instruction and selected learner characteristics

Performance outcomes were compared for groups of students (N = 147) randomly assigned to role play or lecture instruction for learning basic communication skills. These students also differed on the attributes of learning style and traditional-nontraditional status. Analysis of variance with age as a covariant was used in a factorial design to compare performance of the various subgroups on objective tests at two time intervals and on instructor ratings of students' skills on four dimensions of communication in process recordings of actual nurse-patient interactions. Significant (p = less than .05) differences were demonstrated as follows: the field-independent learning style group had higher mean scores on objective tests than did the field-dependent group, and the nontraditional group (older with prior academic degrees and life experience) had higher mean scores on the initial objective test and on instructor rated process recordings for the dimensions of caring, concreteness and empathy than did the traditional BSN student group in the sample. Differences in student evaluation ratings of the instructional method which were significant (chi 2 p = less than .05) included: role-play students indicated greater interest, active involvement and preference for the method, and lecture students indicated greater confidence that the method met the objectives and that they understood the material although no differences in overall mean performances were demonstrated. Interactive effects and the implications of the study findings are discussed.     

Comparison of Muscle Activation during Dominant Hand Wrist Flexion when Writing

[Purpose] This study investigated the difference in muscle activation of the dominant upper extremity in right-handed and left-handed persons during writing. [Subjects] There were 36 subjects (16 left- handers/ 20 right- handers), and the study was conducted from 03/01/2012 to 30/3/2012. [Methods] Six electrodes were attached to the FCU (flexor carpi ulnaris), FCR (flexor carpi radialis), ECU (extensor carpi ulnaris), ECR (extensor carpi radialis), and both UT (upper trapezius) muscles. [Results] FCU muscle activation was 16.77±9.12% in left-handers and 10.29±4.13% (%MVIC) in right-handers. FCR muscle activation was 19.09±9.43% in left-handers and 10.64±5.03% in right-handers. In addition, the UT muscle activation on the writing hand side was 11.91±5.79% in left-handers and 1.66±1.19% in right-handers. [Conclusion] As a result of this study, it was discovered that left-handers used more wrist flexion in performance of the writing task with the dominant upper extremity than right-handers, and that the left-handers activated the wrist and shoulder muscles more than the right-handers. These results indicate a potential danger of musculoskeletal disease in left-hander.Key words: Hand function, Left-hander, Muscle activation     

Reliability and validity testing of the revised 12-item Short-Form Health Survey in older adults.

The SF-12 Short Form Health Survey was developed to describe mental and physical health status of adults, and to measure the outcomes of health care services. The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of this measure in a sample of 185 older adults living in a continuing care retirement community. The mean age of the participants was 86 + 6.1 and the majority were female (82%), unmarried (82%), Caucasian (99%), and all had at least a high school education. Initial testing of the SF-12 measurement model as proposed by Ware, Kosinski, and Keller (1995) demonstrated that the model did not fit the data (chi-squared/df = 7.8). The model was revised based on modification indices and the revised model provided evidence of reliability (alpha coefficients of .70, and .89; the majority of the R2 values were greater than .50), and validity as there was improved fit of the model to the data (chi 2 difference of 123, df difference of 1.0, p < .05). There was also evidence of construct validity, based on hypothesis testing, with a statistically significant correlation between physical health and number of chronic illnesses (r = .33, p < .05) and mental health and chronic illnesses (r = .27, p < .05), and a statistically significant difference in physical health (F = 30.5, p < .05) and mental health (F = 18.5, p < .05) between those who exercise regularly and those who do not. The revised SF-12 is a reliable and valid measure of health status in independent living older adults, and has the potential for use as either a predictor or an outcome measure.     

Improving compliance with preventive medicine procedures in a house staff training program

Performance of health maintenance procedures by internal medicine house staff is inadequate, yet little has been published outlining means to improve performance rates. We prospectively studied the effectiveness of a reminder system to improve screening by Pap smear, rectal examination with stool guaiac test, breast examination, and pneumococcal vaccine administration in two resident outpatient clinics. Performance of these preventive health measures was determined during a six-week baseline period and again after five months of chart reminders to residents in one clinic, and after six months without reminders. For the intervention, a physician's assistant screened each chart and attached a reminder to the front indicating which procedures were overdue based on published recommendations. Health screening behavior was not significantly different between the two resident clinics during baseline. After the five-month reminder intervention, residents in both groups moderately increased their preventive health activities over baseline; however, only the reminded group showed significant improvement (chi 2 = 11.60, P less than .001). Six months after remainders were discontinued there was no difference in overall performance between the two clinics (chi 2 = 2.79, NS). The reminded group did preserve its significant improvement over the baseline phase (chi 2 = 6.12, P less than .01). This simple reminder system had a modest but statistically significant positive impact on health screening behavior. Despite this improvement, absolute rates of screening remained below 50% in both clinics.     

Cancer-associated antigen CA 15-3 in the diagnostics of breast tumours

The serum concentration of the new marker CA 15-3 was determined by a kit method, which is based on the use of two different monoclonal antibodies 115D8 and DF3, in a coated tube immunoradiometric technique. The mean CA 15-3 values in breast cancer patients (n = 40) were significantly higher than in patients with benign breast disease (n = 52, p less than 0.001) and in control subjects (n = 32, p less than 0.001). When we used the cut-off level 35 kU/l for CA 15-3, 0/32 of control subjects, 1/52 (2%) of patients with benign breast disease, 8/40 (20%) of all breast cancer patients, 6/19 (32%) of breast cancer patients with axillary nodal involvement and 1/1 of breast cancer patients with distant metastases were above this level. Among the same patients the CEA serum test was positive at a cut-off level of 5 micrograms/l in 7/40 (18%) cancer cases, and in 6/19 (32%) of cancer patients with nodal involvement. When we used the cut-off level 35 kU/l for CA 15-3 and 5 micrograms/l for CEA 1/52 (2%) of patients with benign breast disease, 10/40 (25%) of all breast cancer patients, 7/19 (37%) patients with axillary nodal involvement and 1/1 of breast cancer patients with distant metastases were positive in one or both of the tests. The serum CA 15-3 and CEA values were higher in patients with tumour size above 2 cm in diameter than in patients with smaller tumours (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mail versus telephone surveys on mammography utilization among women 50-75 years old

Surveys are needed to monitor trends in mammography use and to evaluate intervention programs aimed at increasing breast cancer screening. In a community-based intervention project in Long Island (New York), estimated response rates were similar in separate random surveys of women 50-75 years old by mail and telephone. Respondents by mail (n = 2,368) and telephone (n = 1,011) were similar in distributions of age, marital status, and educational level, and mail respondents did not have higher income levels than telephone respondents. Reported utilization of breast cancer screening tests was similar by survey mode. A statistically significant positive association between mammography utilization and income level was evident in both mail and telephone surveys. These findings should promote the consideration of mail surveys in other studies of the utilization of breast cancer screening tests by various health care organizations.     

Blood transfusion history in colorectal cancer patients and cancer-free controls

Pretransplantation blood transfusions associated with immunosuppression and prolonged allograft survival may contribute to the high incidence of subsequent malignancy in transplant recipients. The relationship of blood transfusion to malignancy was investigated in 354 patients with colorectal cancer, matched by age and sex to control subjects with hernia (105 patients) or gallbladder (249 patients) disease. The incidence of prior blood transfusion was significantly lower in the cancer patients than in the control group (9 versus 17%, chi-square = 9.98, p less than 0.01). Control subjects differed from cancer patients by having more prior transfusions for major joint, cardiac, and urologic procedures. The mean intervals between transfusion and operation were 11.7 years for the cancer patients, 9.7 years for the gallbladder patients, and 7.4 years for the hernia patients. A comparison of cancer patients with and without prior blood transfusion revealed no differences in age, sex, stage of disease, tumor location, or tumor differentiation. Cancer has recurred in 33 percent of patients with previous transfusion and in 18 percent of those without previous transfusion (p = 0.2). This study does not support an association between prior blood transfusion and the development of colorectal cancer.     

Stroke: associations with age, sex, and side of weakness

This study on patients who had strokes investigates the relevance of a patient's age, sex, and the side of any symptoms in association with prestroke status, initial signs, initial disability, and recovery during the first six months. Disability was assessed using the Barthel activities of daily living (ADL) index; non-ADL (social) activities were measured using the Frenchay activities index. Data were collected from 976 patients registered in a community study, and were analyzed statistically using Chi square test, correlation coefficients (for age), analysis of covariance, and two-way analysis of variance. The 469 patients aged 75 years or older included more women (308; p less than 0.001), more who lived alone (147; p less than 0.001), and fewer patients with no prestroke disability (247; p less than 0.001). In this group, the 265 patients who were seen within one week of stroke had a more severe initial disability (p less than 0.001), but not a more severe paralysis. More patients from this age group died (268; p less than 0.001) and more survivors required long-term care. Further analysis showed that older patients made a less good recovery, even after allowing for the correlation between early and six-month Barthel scores (r = +0.41; p less than 0.01). Age had an inverse correlation with level of non-ADL activities at six months (r = -0.365; p less than 0.001). Young women had more severe initial disability (p less than 0.001), but other associations with sex reflected the preponderance of women in the the older age groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alcohol use in a continuing care retirement community

The purpose of this study was to explore alcohol use among older adults living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) and to consider differences in overall health, number of chronic illnesses, falls, age, and exercise behavior between those who drink moderately versus those who do not. A one-time face-to-face interview was conducted with a total of 316 residents living in an urban CCRC in the northeast. The participants were 86.6 6 6.3 years of age, and the majority were women (79%), unmarried (75%), White (9%), and middle to upper socioeconomic status (100%). The majority of these individuals (63%) drank moderately, consuming at least one drink daily. No difference was found between men's and women's drinking behaviors (chi 2 = .47, p > .05). Adults who drank moderately were older (F = 8.7, p < .05), more likely to exercise regularly (chi 2 = 27, p < .05), and were more likely to have had a fall (F = 3.7, p < .05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups related to perceptions of overall health, number of chronic illnesses, number of medications, overall or number of medications that interact with alcohol, or cognitive status. Although not statistically significant, a greater percentage of individuals who drink moderately had fractures (12%) when compared to the percentage of individuals who do not drink at least moderately (7%). Recognizing both benefits and risks to alcohol use in older adults suggests that an individual approach to educating these individuals about their use of alcohol should be conducted.