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Memory & Cognition May 2024Working- and long-term memory are often studied in isolation. To better understand the specific limitations of working memory, effort is made to reduce the potential...
Working- and long-term memory are often studied in isolation. To better understand the specific limitations of working memory, effort is made to reduce the potential influence of long-term memory on performance in working memory tasks (e.g., asking participants to remember artificial, abstract items rather than familiar real-world objects). However, in everyday life we use working- and long-term memory in tandem. Here, our goal was to characterize how long-term memory can be recruited to circumvent capacity limits in a typical visual working memory task (i.e., remembering colored squares). Prior work has shown that incidental repetitions of working memory arrays often do not improve visual working memory performance - even after dozens of incidental repetitions, working memory performance often shows no improvement for repeated arrays. Here, we used a whole-report working memory task with explicit rather than incidental repetitions of arrays. In contrast to prior work with incidental repetitions, in two behavioral experiments we found that explicit repetitions of arrays yielded robust improvement to working memory performance, even after a single repetition. Participants performed above chance at recognizing repeated arrays in a later long-term memory test, consistent with the idea that long-term memory was used to rapidly improve performance across array repetitions. Finally, we analyzed inter-item response times and we found a response time signature of chunk formation that only emerged after the array was repeated (inter-response time slowing after two to three items); thus, inter-item response times may be useful for examining the coordinated interaction of visual working and long-term memory in future work.
PubMed: 38744775
DOI: 10.3758/s13421-024-01566-z -
BMJ Open May 2024The rapid growth of the ageing population underscores the critical need for dementia care training among care providers. Innovative virtual reality (VR) technology has...
Facilitators, barriers and impacts to implementing dementia care training for staff in long-term care settings by using fully immersive virtual reality: a scoping review protocol.
INTRODUCTION
The rapid growth of the ageing population underscores the critical need for dementia care training among care providers. Innovative virtual reality (VR) technology has created opportunities to improve dementia care training. This scoping review will specifically focus on the barriers, facilitators and impacts of implementing fully immersive VR training for dementia care among staff in long-term care (LTC) settings.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
We will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute's scoping review methodology to ensure scientific rigour. We will collect literature of all languages with abstracts in English from CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and ProQuest database until 31 December 2023. Grey literature from Google Scholar and AgeWell websites will be included. Inclusion criteria encompass papers involving paid staff (Population), fully immersive VR training on dementia care (Concept) and LTC settings (Context). Literature referring only to non-paid caregivers, non-fully immersive VR or other chronic diseases will be excluded. Literature screening, data extraction and analysis will be conducted by two reviewers separately. We will present a narrative summary with a charting table on the main findings.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
This work does not require ethics approval, given the public data availability for this scoping review. Through a comprehensive overview of the current evidence regarding impacts, barriers and facilitators on this topic, potential insights and practical recommendations will be generated to support the implementation of VR training to enhance staff competence in LTC settings. The findings will be presented in a journal article and shared with practitioners on the frontline.
Topics: Humans; Dementia; Long-Term Care; Virtual Reality; Health Personnel
PubMed: 38719284
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083724 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Apr 2024This review delves into the possible role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical research, from planning to publication. AI can aid in idea generation, data... (Review)
Review
This review delves into the possible role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical research, from planning to publication. AI can aid in idea generation, data analysis, and writing, with tools like chatbots and transcription systems enhancing efficiency. However, AI's limitations, including the "hallucination" problem in which it generates false information, require careful use and verification. Ensuring anonymity compliance with sensitive data is also vital. AI's transformative potential in research brings opportunities for innovation, necessitating mindful application to manage biases and data accuracy.
Topics: Artificial Intelligence; Biomedical Research; Humans; Data Accuracy
PubMed: 38704722
DOI: 10.61409/V08230532 -
Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the... 2024Researchers collect data and use various methods to organize it. Ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of data is crucial, and collaboration across different...
Researchers collect data and use various methods to organize it. Ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of data is crucial, and collaboration across different research fields is on the rise. However, when there is geographical distance, sharing data becomes a challenging task. Therefore, there is a need for the development of a mechanism for sharing data on the web. We have developed an integrated database to facilitate the sharing and management of research data, particularly focusing on small molecules. The integrated database serves as a platform for centralizing data related to small molecules, including their chemical structures, wet lab experimental data, simulation data, and more. It has been constructed as a web application, offering features such as library management for small molecules, registration and viewing of wet lab experiment results, generation of initial conformations for simulations, and data visualization. This enables researchers to efficiently share their research data and collaborate seamlessly, whether within their research group or via cloud-based access that allows project and team members to connect from anywhere. This integrated database plays a critical role in connecting wet lab experiments and simulations, enabling researchers to cross-reference and analyze experimental data comprehensively. It serves as an essential tool to advance research and foster idea generation.
Topics: Computer Simulation; Databases, Factual; Information Dissemination; Internet; Reproducibility of Results; Small Molecule Libraries
PubMed: 38692930
DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.23-00191-2 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) May 2024To determine the efficacy of psilocybin as an antidepressant compared with placebo or non-psychoactive drugs. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of psilocybin as an antidepressant compared with placebo or non-psychoactive drugs.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES
Five electronic databases of published literature (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index and Conference Proceedings Citation Index, and PsycInfo) and four databases of unpublished and international literature (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and PsycEXTRA), and handsearching of reference lists, conference proceedings, and abstracts.
DATA SYNTHESIS AND STUDY QUALITY
Information on potential treatment effect moderators was extracted, including depression type (primary or secondary), previous use of psychedelics, psilocybin dosage, type of outcome measure (clinician rated or self-reported), and personal characteristics (eg, age, sex). Data were synthesised using a random effects meta-analysis model, and observed heterogeneity and the effect of covariates were investigated with subgroup analyses and metaregression. Hedges' g was used as a measure of treatment effect size, to account for small sample effects and substantial differences between the included studies' sample sizes. Study quality was appraised using Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 tool, and the quality of the aggregated evidence was evaluated using GRADE guidelines.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Randomised trials in which psilocybin was administered as a standalone treatment for adults with clinically significant symptoms of depression and change in symptoms was measured using a validated clinician rated or self-report scale. Studies with directive psychotherapy were included if the psychotherapeutic component was present in both experimental and control conditions. Participants with depression regardless of comorbidities (eg, cancer) were eligible.
RESULTS
Meta-analysis on 436 participants (228 female participants), average age 36-60 years, from seven of the nine included studies showed a significant benefit of psilocybin (Hedges' g=1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55 to 2.73, P<0.001) on change in depression scores compared with comparator treatment. Subgroup analyses and metaregressions indicated that having secondary depression (Hedges' g=3.25, 95% CI 0.97 to 5.53), being assessed with self-report depression scales such as the Beck depression inventory (3.25, 0.97 to 5.53), and older age and previous use of psychedelics (metaregression coefficient 0.16, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.24 and 4.2, 1.5 to 6.9, respectively) were correlated with greater improvements in symptoms. All studies had a low risk of bias, but the change from baseline metric was associated with high heterogeneity and a statistically significant risk of small study bias, resulting in a low certainty of evidence rating.
CONCLUSION
Treatment effects of psilocybin were significantly larger among patients with secondary depression, when self-report scales were used to measure symptoms of depression, and when participants had previously used psychedelics. Further research is thus required to delineate the influence of expectancy effects, moderating factors, and treatment delivery on the efficacy of psilocybin as an antidepressant.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42023388065.
Topics: Humans; Antidepressive Agents; Depression; Hallucinogens; Psilocybin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38692686
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-078084 -
Journal of Clinical Nursing Apr 2024To map evidence of the existing virtual reality-based dementia educational programmes and the effects of these educational programmes on dementia formal and informal... (Review)
Review
AIM
To map evidence of the existing virtual reality-based dementia educational programmes and the effects of these educational programmes on dementia formal and informal caregivers.
DESIGN
A scoping review.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of nine databases was conducted to find studies from the inception of the databases to October 2023. Two authors independently screened the titles and abstracts related to the eligibility criteria. Full texts of potentially relevant studies were read by one author and checked by a second. Data extraction and synthesis using NVivo 12 were undertaken by one author and checked by two other authors.
RESULTS
Nineteen studies published between 2002 and 2022. The four randomised controlled studies and five qualitative studies were of moderate to good methodological quality. The 10 quasi-experimental studies were of weak to moderate quality. Fifteen virtual reality-based educational programmes had a positive influence on formal and informal caregivers, including improving caregivers' perceptions changing attitudes towards people with dementia, while the nursing competence of formal caregivers did not improve in short term. Educational programmes that covered dementia-related information and care strategies better improved the knowledge level of dementia formal and informal caregivers.
CONCLUSIONS
The qualitative and quantitative studies of moderate to good quality included in this study support the idea that virtual reality-based dementia educational programmes may be a safe and effective way and have potential benefits for improving knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and nursing competence.
IMPACT
This scoping review will provide an emerging teaching model for formal and informal caregivers of people with dementia and help them better understand the types and the influence of virtual reality-based dementia educational programmes.
REPORTING METHOD
PRISMA-ScR.
NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION
Not required as this review in accordance with the aim to map existing literature from the dementia formal and informal caregivers' perspective.
PubMed: 38685766
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.17198 -
Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi [Chinese Journal... Jun 2024To investigate the clinical efficacy of simultaneous arthroscopic repair of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) for treating chronic...
[Evaluation of arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament and calcaneofibular ligament repair separately for chronic lateral ankle instability in conjunction with subtalar instability].
To investigate the clinical efficacy of simultaneous arthroscopic repair of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) for treating chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) in conjunction with subtalar instability (STI). This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 15 patients with ankle arthroscopic in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 11 male cases and 4 female cases, aged (28.6±1.5) years (range: 19 to 39 years). All the patients were evaluated by manual inversion stress X-ray and MRI before operation. Arthroscopically observing and then repairing the ATFL and CFL separately after further diagnostic confirmation. One year after operation, MRI was performed, and pain visual analogue score(VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot scale (AOFAS-AH) and Karlsson ankle functional scale(KAFS) were evaluated. Data were compared using paired sample test. The follow-up period was (23.6±2.3) months (range: 12 to 30 months). At last follow-up,the VAS decreased from 6.1±1.4 preoperatively to 1.4±1.2(=9.482, <0.01).The AOFAS-AH improved from 50.5±11.7 preoperatively to 94.2±6.1(=-13.132, <0.01), and the KAFS improved from preoperatively 44.3±10.8 to 90.8±6.4 (=-12.510, <0.01). There was no complication such as recurred instability or joint stiffness. Arthroscopically repairing the ATFL and CFL separately can effectively restore the stability of the ankle and subtalar joint with small trauma. Patients can recover quickly after surgery. It provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of CLAI combined with STI.
Topics: Humans; Male; Joint Instability; Female; Adult; Arthroscopy; Retrospective Studies; Lateral Ligament, Ankle; Ankle Joint; Young Adult; Treatment Outcome; Subtalar Joint
PubMed: 38682628
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112139-20240229-00092 -
Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi Apr 2024To explore the plasma metabolomic characteristics of children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT), and reveal the changes of metabolic pattern in children with...
OBJECTIVE
To explore the plasma metabolomic characteristics of children with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT), and reveal the changes of metabolic pattern in children with TDT.
METHODS
23 children with TDT who received regular blood transfusion in Ganzhou Women and Children's Health Care Hospital in 2021 were selected, and 11 healthy children who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group. The routine indexes between children with TDT and the control group were compared, and then the metabolic composition of plasma samples from children with TDT and the control group was detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. An OPLS-DA model was established to perform differential analysis on the detected metabolites, and the differential metabolic pathways between the two groups were analyzed based on the differential metabolites.
RESULTS
The results of routine testing showed that the indexes of ferritin, bilirubin, total bile acid, glucose and triglycerides in children with TDT were significantly higher than those in healthy controls, while hemoglobin and total cholesterol were significantly lower (all <0.05). However there was no significant difference in lactate dehydrogenase between the two groups ( >0.05). Compared with the control group, 190 differential metabolites (VIP>1) were identified in TDT children. Among them, 168 compounds such as arginine, proline and glycocholic acid were significantly increased, while the other 22 compounds such as myristic acid, eleostearic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid were significantly decreased. The metabolic pathway analysis showed that the metabolic impact of TDT on children mainly focused on the upregulation of amino acid metabolism and downregulation of lipid metabolism.
CONCLUSION
The amino acid and lipid metabolism in children with TDT were significantly changed compared with the healthy control group. This finding is helpful to optimize the treatment choice for children with TDT, and provides a new idea for clinical treatment.
Topics: Humans; Child; Metabolome; Thalassemia; Blood Transfusion; Case-Control Studies; Plasma; Metabolomics; Triglycerides; Female
PubMed: 38660862
DOI: 10.19746/j.cnki.issn.1009-2137.2024.02.031 -
Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi Apr 2024To investigate the effects of elesclomol-Cu (ES-Cu) on the proliferation and cuproptosis of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of elesclomol-Cu (ES-Cu) on the proliferation and cuproptosis of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.
METHODS
The effects of ES-Cu on the proliferation of AML cells and the AML cells pre-treated with ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) were examined by CCK-8 assay. The Calcein/PI kit was used to detected the changes in activity and cytotoxicity of AML cells induced by ES-Cu. Flow cytometry and Cytation3 fully automated cell imaging multifunctional detection system were used to analyze DCFH-DA fluorescence intensity, so as to determine the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The GSH and GSSG detection kits were used to measure the intracellular GSH content. Western blot was used to detected the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins ATP7B, FDX1, DLAT and DPYD.
RESULTS
ES-Cu inhibited the proliferation of Kasumi-1 and HL-60 cells in a concentration-dependent manner ( =-0.99, =-0.98). As the concentration of ES-Cu increased, the level of intracellular ROS also increased ( <0.01-0.001). TTM could significantly reverse the inhibitory effect of ES-Cu on cell proliferation and its promoting effect on ROS. With the increase of ES-Cu concentration, the content of GSH was decreased ( =-0.98), and Western blot showed that the protein expressions of ATP7B, FDX1, DLAT and DPYD were significantly reduced ( <0.05).
CONCLUSION
ES-Cu can induce cuproptosis in AML cells, which provides a new idea for the treatment of AML.
Topics: Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Cell Proliferation; Reactive Oxygen Species; HL-60 Cells; Cell Line, Tumor; Copper; Hydrazines; Molybdenum
PubMed: 38660841
DOI: 10.19746/j.cnki.issn.1009-2137.2024.02.010 -
Gaceta Sanitaria 2024The problems posed by medical education in Spain are diverse. This paper analyzes the system currently used to select candidates who will be admitted to a public faculty... (Review)
Review
The problems posed by medical education in Spain are diverse. This paper analyzes the system currently used to select candidates who will be admitted to a public faculty of medicine in Spain and some issues arising from the unprecedented increase in both public and private medical schools in our country. The importance of generic competencies in today's medicine and the need to return to a core design in specialist training are other aspects that are discussed. The degree of development of advanced accreditation diplomas and areas of specific competence is also subject to analysis. Finally, the authors emphasize the importance of continuous professional development and the idea of professional recertification as a system that guarantees patients the quality of the care they receive.
Topics: Spain; Education, Medical; Humans; Accreditation; Schools, Medical; Clinical Competence; National Health Programs
PubMed: 38643057
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2024.102380