The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of an ischemic stroke on the amplitude and latency of the P300 wave and evaluate their changes over a prospective 1-year follow-up period. We recorded the P300 wave using an auditory oddball paradigm in 60 consecutive brain infarct patients at baseline (i.e., within 4 weeks after the stroke), after 3 months, after 12 months and in 30 healthy control subjects. The P300 latencies in stroke patients were significantly longer and the P300 amplitudes were significantly smaller than those of the control group. The latency of P300 showed a highly significant average improvement 12 months after the stroke compared to the baseline. There was no significant change observed for the P300 amplitude during the same period. The P3 latency is initially more increased in the patients with hemispheric brain infarction but shows a better recovery compared to the patients with brainstem infarction. Also, the results of the P300 latency of patients with the left-sided lesions was significantly longer compared to the patients with right-sided lesions on the beginning of the study but not 3 and 12 months after the stroke. The results of our study show the importance of P300 event-related potentials in the detection and follow-up of cognitive changes after ischemic stroke.
Given the widespread use of dietary supplements (DS) and herbal products (HP), healthcare professionals (HCPs) will increasingly encounter patients who use these preparations with conventional drugs and who need their services to reduce the consequences of adverse therapeutic outcomes. The aim of our survey was to assess the knowledge and behaviors of HCPs regarding the risk of potential drug–dietary supplement (DDSIs) and drug–herbal product (DHPIs) interactions. This cross-sectional survey collected data via on paper-based questionnaire among general practitioners (GPs) (n = 105), specialty doctors (n = 87) and nurses (n = 154). The HCPs were mostly familiar with the interaction of doxycycline with magnesium (83%) and were least familiar with interaction of warfarin with glucosamine (14%). The results on DDSIs and DHPIs knowledge showed that GPs scored significantly higher than nurses (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively), while specialty doctors scored significantly higher than nurses only on DDSIs knowledge (p < 0.001). Only 28% of respondents reported that they often or always ask patients on drug therapy about the use of DS or HP, and 25% of respondents record such data in the medical documentation of patients. Our results showed that HCPs have sufficient knowledge about most major DDSIs and DHPIs, but insufficient knowledge about most moderate interactions. However, their overall knowledge and behavior regarding the risk of these interactions indicate the need for further continuing education and training.
In elite athletes, the palmaris longus (PL) presence has a potential contribution to hand strength, smaller reaction time, better shooting speed and power. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PL in elite competitive artistic gymnasts and its impact on grip strength compared to a control group of moderately active non-athletes. This prospective study included 370 subjects divided in two groups (170 elite artistic gymnasts and 200 moderately active non-athletes, students of medicine). The study consisted of two clinical sets of examination: a search for the clinical presence of PL was initially conducted followed by the assessment of maximal grip strength. Standard and six additional tests were performed to confirm PL tendon absence. Maximal grip strength was measured bilaterally with an electronic hand dynamometer. Bilateral absence was more common than unilateral, predominately noted on left side in both study groups. Unilateral PL absence was correlated to decreased grip strength in students, while the opposite was found in gymnasts. The mean value of grip strength in some age groups was higher on the side where the PL was absent. The results of our study show that the presence of the PL doesn`t affect the hand grip strength in gymnasts. Due to the low incidence of unilateral PL absence, further large-sampled research is warranted to assess PL contribution to hand grip strength and to other hand functions that could be of significant importance for athletes and non-athletes.
Introduction. Hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure, suffer from affective dysfunction to a variable extent. The aim of our study was to evaluate the cognitive and affective status in patients before and after hemodialysis. Apart from this, the goal of the study was to examine and compare the cognitive status of patients on dialysis in relation to the control group, but also in relation to laboratory parameters. Material and Methods. This research was a prospective study including 30 hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure treated at the Department of Nephrology of the Health Center in Kosovska Mitrovica. The cognitive status of the subjects was evalueted by determining the simple reaction time to auditory and visual stimuli before and after hemodialysis sessions and using the Mini Mental Status Examination, while the affective status was evalueted by using the Beck Depression Inventory. Results. The analysis of the obtained results showed a statistically significantly lower auditory and visual simple reaction times (p = 0.014) after dialysis (p = 0.023). The results have confirmed a statistically significantly decreased simple reaction time to visual stimuli (p = 0.001), while a statistical significance (p = 0.137) was not obtained for the auditory stimuli when compared to the control group. The Mini Mental Status Examination and the Beck Depression Inventory did not indicate a significant cognitive status damage or presence of depression. Conclusion. The importance of hemodialysis in the improvement of cognitive function is clearly evident, even though the general state of cognitive status in patients on hemodialysis is lower compared to the healthy population. Evaluation of the cognitive and affective status using simple reaction time, Folstein's Mini Mental State Examination and the Beck Depression Inventory, should be used on daily basis in hemodialysis patients.
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