Sleep following intense physical exercise stabilizes motor learning in typically developing boys

There is compelling evidence that sleep (N2, REM sleep, but also N3) supports the consolidation of motor memory in adults. Although children express higher levels of REM sleep and N3, it is still not understood why sleep does not benefit the consolidation of motor memory in children as in adults. Here, we aimed to manipulate sleep by daytime physical exercise in typically developing boys (N = 12; range 9–12 yrs) to test the impact on sleep and motor learning. The manipulation consisted of 1 h of intense ergometer exercise during the daytime before a night of restorative sleep. In a rest control condition, children were seated comfortably and listened to an audio drama. Motor learning was assessed with a visuomotor finger sequence tapping task; in both conditions learning took place before either exercise or rest. Prior to sleep in the sleep laboratory, motor memory was assessed as a baseline. Motor memory was again collected in the morning after a night of sleep in the lab. While there was no change in N3, we found prolonged REM sleep latency after physical activity compared to rest, corresponding to a prolonged first sleep cycle. With respect to motor learning, we found superior accuracy of motor performance after physical exercise compared to rest. Our findings suggest that physical exercise during the daytime stabilizes sleep-dependent motor learning.     

A Systematic Review of the Dietary Choline Impact on Cognition from a Psychobiological Approach: Insights from Animal Studies

The influence of dietary choline availability on cognition is currently being suggested by animal and human studies which have focused mainly on the early developmental stages. The aim of this review is to systematically search through the available rodent (rats and mice) research published during the last two decades that has assessed the effect of dietary choline interventions on cognition and related attentional and emotional processes for the entire life span. The review has been conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines covering peer-reviewed studies included in PubMed and Scopus databases. After excluding duplicates and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria we have reviewed a total of 44 articles published in 25 journals with the contribution of 146 authors. The results are analyzed based on the timing and duration of the dietary intervention and the behavioral tests applied, amongst other variables. Overall, the available results provide compelling support for the relevance of dietary choline in cognition. The beneficial effects of choline supplementation is more evident in recognition rather than in spatial memory tasks when assessing nonpathological samples whilst these effects extend to other relational memory tasks in neuropathological models. However, the limited number of studies that have evaluated other cognitive functions suggest a wider range of potential effects. More research is needed to draw conclusions about the critical variables and the nature of the impact on specific cognitive processes. The results are discussed on the terms of the theoretical framework underlying the relationship between the brain systems and cognition.     

Impact of Mixed Cognitive Intervention Training on Early Onset Dementia

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of mixed cognitive intervention training using spaced retrieval training, and errorless learning in participants with early onset dementia. This was based on reality orientation therapy for cognitive function, depression, and occupational performance of patients.MethodsTwo early onset vascular dementia patients (> 65 years) with mild or moderate impairment were enrolled in a pre-test - post-test single-subject research design study. Prior to the study, the caregivers were interviewed about meaningful times, people, places, and areas of interest for the participant. A list of individual training words were selected based upon this information, and the participant was instructed to recall them after a 45-second, 90-second, 6-minute, and 12-minute delay. Baseline (3 sessions), intervention (20 sessions), and a second baseline period (3 sessions) were conducted. Activities of daily living were measured, and cognition was measured using the Consortium to Establish a Registry of Alzheimer’s Disease Korean version, whilst depression was measured using the Korean Form Geriatric Depression Scale, and task performance and satisfaction measured by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure.ResultsAfter intervention, both participants showed improvements in activities of daily living (ADL), word list memory/recognition, trail making A, occupational performance, and satisfaction improvement, which was clinically significant in 1 participant who also had a reduced score in the scale of depression classifying him as not depressed.ConclusionSpaced retrieval training and errorless learning based on reality orientation therapy is an effective intervention in patients with early onset dementia and mild or moderate impairment.     

一氧化氮对谷氨酸单钠脑损害小鼠学习记忆能力的影响

目的　观察谷氨酸单钠 (MSG)对小鼠学习记忆的影响及血浆、脑内NO含量的变化。方法　给断乳分窝小鼠MSG灌胃 ,每天 2次 ,连续 30d ,31d早灌胃后对小鼠进行迷宫行为训练 ,2 4h后对其进行迷宫记忆检测 ,用硝酸还原酶法检测血浆脑内的NO含量。结果　MSG对小鼠学习记忆能力有影响并存在剂量效应关系 ,其血浆、脑中NO含量均升高并有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　NO可加重MSG对小鼠学习与记忆的损害作用。     

对基地班学生实施导师制的体会

本总结了2届基地班学生参加生理学科导师组活动的情况,提出几点经验与体会。根据基地班学生的特点和实施导师的制的初衷,运用问题先导法,培养学生的创新意识,加强师生交流,使之成为合格的基础医学人才。     

高校师资队伍建设的构想

师资是一所高校最重要的资源 ,是高校实现人才培养、科学研究和社会服务三大功能的主体力量 ,也是一所高校在人才培养、科学创造与学术成就以及社会影响力等方面获得竞争优势的决定性因素。在新的历史时期 ,高等院校师资队伍建设的总体目标 ,是建设一支素质良好、结构优化、富有活力、具有创新能力的师资队伍。其具体措施是完善选人机制 ,优化教师资源配置 ;采取得力措施 ,优化教师队伍成才环境 ;建立激励机制 ,加强学科带头人和骨干教师队伍建设 ;强化竞争机制 ,实施和完善教师聘任制 ;强化教师培训 ,全面提高教师素质 ;加大投入 ,确保教师队伍建设落到实处     

The Impact of Author Financial Conflicts on Robotic-Assisted Joint Arthroplasty Research

BackgroundRecent studies have suggested clinical superiority with robotic-assisted arthroplasty compared to traditional techniques. However, concerns exist regarding the author’s financial conflicts of interest (COI), which may influence research outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether COI relating to robotic-assisted arthroplasty influences the results of published outcomes following total hip (THA), total knee (TKA), and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).MethodsWe performed a systematic review to identify all studies evaluating the use of robotics in THA, TKA, and UKA. An author’s financial COI was identified if they reported a relevant disclosure through the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons or within the study article. We then queried the Open Payments website to record all payments made from a robotic company in the year prior to publication. Each study was categorized as either favoring robotics (n = 42), neutral (n = 10), or favoring traditional techniques (n = 2). We then compared the number of conflicted authors, journal impact factor, level of evidence, and mean annual industry payment to each author.ResultsOf the 54 studies meeting inclusion criteria, 49 (91%) had an author financial COI. Conflicted studies were more likely to report favorable results of robotics than nonconflicted studies. When compared to studies favoring conventional techniques, those demonstrating favorable robotics outcomes had a higher number of conflicted authors and a higher mean industry payment per author. There was no difference in the level of evidence or journal impact factor.DiscussionNearly all studies comparing robotic THA, TKA, and UKA to conventional techniques involve financially conflicted authors. Further studies without COI may provide unbiased results.     

Machine Learning Predicts the Fall Risk of Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients Based on Wearable Sensor Instrumented Performance Tests

BackgroundThe prevalence of falls affects the wellbeing of aging adults and places an economic burden on the healthcare system. Integration of wearable sensors into existing fall risk assessment tools enables objective data collection that describes the functional ability of patients. In this study, supervised machine learning was applied to sensor-derived metrics to predict the fall risk of patients following total hip arthroplasty.MethodsAt preoperative, 2-week, and 6-week postoperative appointments, patients (n = 72) were instrumented with sensors while they performed the timed-up-and-go walking test. Preoperative and 2-week postoperative data were used to form the feature sets and 6-week total times were used as labels. Support vector machine and linear discriminant analysis classifier models were developed and tested on various combinations of feature sets and feature reduction schemes. Using a 10-fold leave-some-subjects-out testing scheme, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) were evaluated for all models.ResultsA high performance model (accuracy = 0.87, sensitivity = 0.97, specificity = 0.46, AUC = 0.82) was obtained with a support vector machine classifier using sensor-derived metrics from only the preoperative appointment. An overall improved performance (accuracy = 0.90, sensitivity = 0.93, specificity = 0.59, AUC = 0.88) was achieved with a linear discriminant analysis classifier when 2-week postoperative data were added to the preoperative data.ConclusionThe high accuracy of the fall risk prediction models is valuable for patients, clinicians, and the healthcare system. High-risk patients can implement preventative measures and low-risk patients can be directed to enhanced recovery care programs.     

Sandwich联合案例教学法在神经内科临床实习中的应用

目的 探讨Sandwich联合以案例为基础的教学法在神经内科临床实习中的应用效果,为进一步优化教学方法提供参考.方法 以98名神经内科实习护理本科生为对象,按照实习病区分为对照组与观察组各49名.对照组采用传统教学法进行教学,观察组在对照组基础上采用Sandwich联合以案例为基础的教学法.出科前比较两组理论考试成绩及对教学方法的评价.结果 观察组理论考试成绩及教学满意评分显著高于对照组(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).结论 Sandwich联合以案例为基础的教学法可有促进学生对理论知识的掌握,提高教学效果.     

普外科术后不良结局风险评估工具研究现状

普外科手术是最常见的手术之一,其术后不良结局主要集中在一部分高危患者。风险评估工具可以识别出这部分高危患者,为后续的临床干预和资源配置提供参考。目前存在多种评估工具,且具有各自的优缺点,充分了解这些工具是临床应用的前提。通过回顾目前一般常用评估工具、针对急诊普外患者的评估工具和机器学习方法在评估工具上的应用,阐明风险评估工具的基本特征、应用现状和发展趋势。