Comparison of two abdominal training devices with an abdominal crunch using strength and EMG measurements

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the training effects of the Ab-Flex (F), Ab-Roller (R) and standard crunch (C) on EMG production, isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), and isokinetic average peak torque at 30 degrees/sec (ISO) of the abdominal muscles. It was hypothesized that the training devices would have similar value in a strength training program. METHODS: Experimental design: this was a prospective study involving 18 training sessions of progressively increasing repetitions. Setting: Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh. Subjects: thirty-two subjects volunteered for this study, but only 26 completed the training. Each subject participated in recreational activity, but had not performed any abdominal training prior to starting this study. Each subject was randomly assigned to either the control group or one of the treatment groups. Interventions: there were three interventions: two training devices (Ab-Flex and Ab-Roller) and the standard crunch, considered a control group. Measures: the pretest consisted of skin fold measurements (%), EMG activity (V) during the three interventions, and peak torque (Nm) plus EMG during the MVC and ISO tasks. The 18 training sessions over three weeks consisted of three sets of exercise with increasing repetitions from 10 to 20, by 2, every three sessions. The difference in pretest/posttest scores were compared using a One-way ANOVA on the mean differences (Mdiff) for each of: MVC, ISO (peak torque), and EMG for upper rectus (UR), lower rectus (LR), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO). A T-Test was used to detect significance for the body fat measures. RESULTS: Mean differences (Mdiff) were normally distributed about zero for both MVC and ISO (MVC = -0.55, ISO = 4.57). The analysis by group showed no difference (p = 0.596) on the reported means (Nm) -3.16 (C), 5.84 (F) and -4.83 (R). The change associated to the treatment during MVC was only 4% (eta = 0.04). For the ISO the Mdiff (Nm) were 1.39 (C), 13.66 (F) and -2.06 (R) which were not significant (p = 0.127). The Ab-Flex was the only group to have a 95% confidence interval above zero, increasing by an average of 16.5%. There were no significant differences for the EMG activity for Mdiff or between group scores. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found with this study. These results would suggest that using these devices does not add significantly to overall abdominal strength development, or reduction of body fat. A suggestion could be made that certain devices influence muscles differently.     

Delirium in COVID-19 patients: a multicentric observational study in Italy

Neurological Sciences - Although recent data show that SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to affect the central nervous system (CNS), little is known about the neuropsychiatric effects resulting from this...     

Purely subcortical tumors in eloquent areas: Awake surgery and cortical and subcortical electrical stimulation (CSES) ensure safe and effective surgery

Objective

To analyze the efficacy and safety of cortical and subcortical electrical stimulation CSES and awake surgery to approach purely subcortical tumors in highly functional locations, particularly in guiding the choice of the best transcortical path.

Patients and methods

Prospective analysis of the surgical, neurological, and radiological outcome of patients harboring supratentorial, subcortically located brain tumors or vascular malformations who are operated on through awake surgery and CSES. Functional magnetic resonance (fMRI; either sensory-motor or language, based on the location) was performed in order to confirm the proximity to functional cortical areas. Major white matter tracts were investigated by MRI diffusion tensor fiber tracking (DTI-ft). The Rankin modified score was chosen to express the pre and postoperative functional neurological status. Immediate postoperative MRI was used to evaluate the extent of resection.

Results

Seventeen patients were selected. The main distance of the tumors from the cortical surface was 18.2 mm (range 9–48 mm). Neuronavigation was used to show the most direct route to the tumor (transsulcal or transgyral), but CSES was fundamental to adapt the surgical corridor to the functional topography both cortically and subcortically. If the transgyral route was chosen, CSES helped to detect a non-eloquent area. When a transsulcal route was preferred, CSES documented the presence or absence of function in the deep sulcus. The transient postoperative morbidity was 76.4%, but at last follow-up (range 4–20 months), all the patients regained preoperative status and 2 improved. Postoperative MRI demonstrated complete resection in all cases.

Conclusions

Approaching purely subcortical tumors requires microsurgical skills, but in eloquent areas, functional topography monitoring is mandatory to allow safe surgery. CSES in an awake patient is a method that produces very good results in terms of resection and neurological outcome.     

The link between genetic variation and variability in vaccine responses: Systematic review and meta-analyses

Although immune response to vaccines can be influenced by several parameters, human genetic variations are thought to strongly influence the variability in vaccine responsiveness. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are needed to clarify the genetic contribution to this variability, which may affect the efficacy of existing vaccines. We performed a systematic literature search to identify all studies describing the associations of allelic variants or single nucleotide polymorphisms in immune response genes with vaccine responses until July 2013. The studies fulfilling inclusion criteria were meta-analyzed.     

Electric to acoustic pitch matching: a possible way to improve individual cochlear implant fitting

Poor pitch resolution has been shown to have negative implications for speech and music perception in implanted patients. Surprisingly, works on the subject have not focused much on the impact that the non-correspondence between frequencies allocated to electrodes and perceived frequencies could have on speech and music perception. The aim of the present study is to investigate the correlation between pitch mismatch and speech performance with the implant, and to ascertain the effects of mismatch correction through a mapping function making a personalized frequency reallocation possible. We studied ten postlingually deaf adult patients with detectable bilateral residual hearing, implanted in our Clinic with Cochlear^® Nucleus devices. In each test session, we asked the patients to find the best match between the pitch elicited by the residual ipsilateral and contralateral pure tones and the pitch elicited by stimulation of electrodes. We also assessed patients’ vowel and consonant recognition performance. Finally, in the only implanted patient in our clinic who had bilateral residual hearing and used a Digisonic DX10/C^® device, which makes manual electrode-by-electrode frequency reallocation possible, we modified electrode-assigned frequency ranges on the basis of the pitch matching test results. We found that in none of the studied patients, the electric-to-acoustic pitch matching corresponds to the theoretical assignment pattern. A very strong correlation was detected between the electric-to-acoustic pitch mismatch and patient’s speech performance. In the Digisonic^® patient, a remarkable improvement in all phoneme recognition scores was obtained 1 month after frequency reallocation. In the light of our results, we propose to assess, whenever possible, any frequency-to-electrode mismatch in all implanted patients, and correct it through mapping programs allowing manual frequency reallocation for the pitch-matched electrodes, and automated allocation of the non-tested electrodes. Cochlear implantation should therefore be proposed when residuals for all frequencies are still present, at least in one ear, so as to allow optimal alignment between allocated and subjectively perceived frequencies.     

Henri Ey's neojacksonism and the psychopathology of disintegrated mind

The French psychiatrist Henri Ey developed his organo-dynamic theory of the mind function and consciousness 50 years ago incorporating Hughling Jackson's thinking, along with psychiatric and philosophical theorizations by Janet and Bergson. This model has not received the attention it deserved, but recent advances in neuroscience rekindled interest for Ey's theory. By overcoming the Cartesian mind-body dualism and treating the mind-body unit as an inseparable whole, this model opens the way for the integrated treatment of mental disorders. Ey's conceptualization of consciousness as being simultaneously both synchronous and diachronic anticipates current theories of consciousness (Damasio, Edelman, Mesulam).     

Ultradian variation of nerve growth factor plasma levels in healthy and schizophrenic subjects

Some studies in animal models showed that several neurotrophins may be implicated in the regulation of light-dependent suprachiasmatic pacemaker and in other functions implicated in long-term memory acquisition during sleep. However, no data are known about the role played by NGF in ultradian regulation in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not there is a natural diurnal fluctuation during daytime in healthy and schizophrenic subjects with a normal light/dark cycle. In a sample of 33 subjects (10 male schizophrenics and 23 healthy subjects) an ELISA assay was used to study the ultradian NGF cycle in blood samples at 9.00, 13.00 and 20.00 hours. The study showed an ultradian rhythm of NGF in healthy subjects with a "V" trend: higher at 9:00 and 20:00 and lower at 13:00. We also show significant differences between male and female controls. No NGF ultradian rhythm among schizophrenic patients compared to healthy subjects was found. The results of this study lead to a rhythmic NGF regulation that appears altered in schizophrenics, where higher levels in the morning and lower levels in the evening were observed, compared to the controls, and support the hypothesis of a role played by NGF in schizophrenia.     

Agomelatine versus venlafaxine XR in the treatment of anhedonia in major depressive disorder: a pilot study

The primary aim of the present study was to compare the effects of agomelatine (AGO) and venlafaxine XR (VLX) on anhedonia in patients with major depressive disorder. Secondary end points were to test its antidepressant and anxiolytic efficacy.Sixty patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to two different treatments: AGO (25-50 mg/d; n = 30 subjects) or VLX (75-150 mg/d, n = 30 subjects). Psychopathological assessment was performed at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment with the Snaith Hamilton Rating Scale (SHAPS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and the Clinical Global Impression for anhedonia, depression, anxiety, and global improvement, respectively.Both groups showed a significant reduction in time for the SHAPS, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. A significant between-group difference was observed for SHAPS scores: patients treated with AGO showed a more relevant reduction compared with that in VLX-treated patients. Moreover, only patients treated with AGO showed a statistically significant improvement in Clinical Global Impression scores.In this study, AGO showed significantly greater efficacy on anhedonia and similar antidepressant efficacy to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor VLX in patients with major depressive disorder during an 8-week treatment period. Anhedonia has been considered a potential trait marker related to vulnerability for depression. Therefore, the efficacy of AGO on this dimension holds particular importance in the treatment of patients with anhedonic features.     

Somatoform and psychoform dissociation among students

Recent evidence suggests a relationship between psychoform and somatoform dissociation both in clinical and non clinical samples. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the two forms of dissociation among 947 university students who completed two self-administered questionnaires, the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20) and the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). The main result of the study was that the association between somatoform and psychoform dissociation was strong for individuals with moderate level of DES scores (O.R.=7.0), but much stronger for individuals with high level of DES scores (O.R.=18.9).