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Journal of Neuropsychology Jun 2024Knowledge of the body size is intricately tied to multisensory integration processes that rely on the dynamic interplay of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms. Recent...
Knowledge of the body size is intricately tied to multisensory integration processes that rely on the dynamic interplay of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms. Recent years have seen the development of passive sensory stimulation protocols aimed at investigating the modulation of various cognitive functions, primarily inducing perceptual learning and behaviour change without the need for extensive training. Given that reductions in sensory input have been associated with alterations in body size perception, it is reasonable to hypothesize that increasing sensory information through passive sensory stimulation could similarly influence the perception of the size of body parts. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the potential modulatory effects of passive sensory stimulation on the perception of hand and face size in a group of young adults. Passive sensory stimulation effectively modulated the size representation of the stimulated hand, supporting the notion that access to somatosensory and proprioceptive information is prioritised for the hands but may not extend to the face. Increased somatosensory input resulted in a reduction of distortion, providing evidence for bottom-up modulation of size representation. Passive sensory stimulation can induce subjective changes in body size perception without the need for extensive training. This paradigm holds promise as a potential alternative for modulating distorted size representation in individuals with body representational deficits.
PubMed: 38877675
DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12379 -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... Jun 2024The rod and frame test (RFT), a measure of field dependence-independence, recently has reemerged as a measure of research interest and potential diagnostic value in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The rod and frame test (RFT), a measure of field dependence-independence, recently has reemerged as a measure of research interest and potential diagnostic value in neuropsychology. In the standard RFT, the subject experiences offsetting visual cues from a frame surrounding an embedded rod, while the subject's postural/vestibular cues provide the sense of verticality as the subject attempts to set the rod to vertical. The paper shows that RFTs not adhering to RFT parameters can reduce the test's visual framework impact experienced by the subject. Comparisons of neuropsychological studies will highlight that correct adherence to RFT testing conditions can strengthen RFT effects.
METHOD
This review presents the parameters that have been studied which impact on subject performance on the RFT. It identifies how computer administered RFTs have been applied to enhance the study of the RFT parameters and make the RFT more accessible to the study of different diagnostic groups. The article also critiques studies by identifying how the RFT's parameters, study's design and statistical analysis may have diminished identifying the full effects of the RFT experience.
RESULTS
Parameters impacting judgments of verticality of the rod can include: perceived size of rod and frame, the gap between the ends of the rod and surrounding frame, presentation of the rod within an encompassing 3D visual framework that visually blocks out the surrounding environment, a dark room, instructions stressing egocentric vs allocentric strategies, double frame surrounding the rod to assess global perception effects, etc. Details are presented how gap size likely affected results in neuropsychology studies. Potentially, these and other experiments may be studied using computer administered RFTs.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the descriptions of computer administered RFTs, this article suggested that incorporating these technologies can provide better understanding underlying the RFT, and in turn, understanding neuropsychology processes.
PubMed: 38873989
DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2024.2356297 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024How does the human visual system assess the separation between pairs of stimuli in a frontal plane? According to the (or subtractive) view the system finds the...
How does the human visual system assess the separation between pairs of stimuli in a frontal plane? According to the (or subtractive) view the system finds the difference between the positions of the stimuli in a localization system. According to the (or additive) view the system finds the number of instances of a distance unit lying between representations of the stimuli. Critically, position is explicitly represented under the direct view, with separation being derived from position. Position is not explicitly represented under the indirect view; separation is consequently inferred by counting an internal unit of distance. Recent results favor the indirect over the direct view of separation assessment. Dissociations between assessments of separation and position, various context effects in the assessment of separation, and suggestions that position information is not cleanly accessed argue against the direct view. At the same time, various context effects in separation assessment argue for the indirect view. Recent findings regarding the brain bases of vision are consistent with the indirect view. In short, recent results suggest that assessing the separation between two frontal stimuli involves integrating distance units between representations of the stimuli.
PubMed: 38873519
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1410297 -
Trials Jun 2024The TRANSLATE (TRANSrectal biopsy versus Local Anaesthetic Transperineal biopsy Evaluation) trial assesses the clinical and cost-effectiveness of two biopsy procedures...
Statistical analysis plan for the TRANSLATE (TRANSrectal biopsy versus Local Anaesthetic Transperineal biopsy Evaluation of potentially clinically significant prostate cancer) multicentre randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
The TRANSLATE (TRANSrectal biopsy versus Local Anaesthetic Transperineal biopsy Evaluation) trial assesses the clinical and cost-effectiveness of two biopsy procedures in terms of detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa). This article describes the statistical analysis plan (SAP) for the TRANSLATE randomised controlled trial (RCT).
METHODS/DESIGN
TRANSLATE is a parallel, superiority, multicentre RCT. Biopsy-naïve men aged ≥ 18 years requiring a prostate biopsy for suspicion of possible PCa are randomised (computer-generated 1:1 allocation ratio) to one of two biopsy procedures: transrectal (TRUS) or local anaesthetic transperineal (LATP) biopsy. The primary outcome is the difference in detection rates of clinically significant PCa (defined as Gleason Grade Group ≥ 2, i.e. any Gleason pattern ≥ 4 disease) between the two biopsy procedures. Secondary outcome measures are th eProBE questionnaire (Perception Part and General Symptoms) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF, Domain A) scores, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) values, EQ-5D-5L scores, resource use, infection rates, complications, and serious adverse events. We describe in detail the sample size calculation, statistical models used for the analysis, handling of missing data, and planned sensitivity and subgroup analyses. This SAP was pre-specified, written and submitted without prior knowledge of the trial results.
DISCUSSION
Publication of the TRANSLATE trial SAP aims to increase the transparency of the data analysis and reduce the risk of outcome reporting bias. Any deviations from the current SAP will be described and justified in the final study report and results publication.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN98159689, registered on 28 January 2021 and registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05179694) trials registry.
Topics: Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Biopsy; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Anesthesia, Local; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Neoplasm Grading; Perineum; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Equivalence Trials as Topic; Prostate; Rectum; Predictive Value of Tests
PubMed: 38872174
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08224-4 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Previous studies have identified differences in sensitivity characteristics between color discrimination and perception of suprathreshold color differences. However, it...
Previous studies have identified differences in sensitivity characteristics between color discrimination and perception of suprathreshold color differences. However, it remains highly unclear how color difference sensitivity changes with increasing magnitudes of color difference along various color hues. This study aimed to quantify the sensitivity transition across various magnitudes of color differences and uncover the underlying mechanisms. Color discrimination sensitivities were measured using an adaptive staircase method for 32 isoluminant pedestal colors in the u'v' chromaticity diagram. For suprathreshold color differences, we employed the Maximum Likelihood Difference Scaling (MLDS) method to measure sensitivity to various color difference levels for the same 32 colors. Our findings confirmed the differences in sensitivity characteristics between discrimination and suprathreshold color difference perception. Furthermore, we observed increased sensitivities at many color category boundaries in suprathreshold color difference perception. By investigating the relation between the category effects and the color difference size levels through a model simulation, our findings suggest that the influence of color categories on the perception of color differences may become more pronounced as the magnitude of color differences increases.
PubMed: 38871867
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64215-0 -
ENeuro Jun 2024In human adults, multiple cortical regions respond robustly to faces, including the occipital face area (OFA) and fusiform face area (FFA), implicated in face...
In human adults, multiple cortical regions respond robustly to faces, including the occipital face area (OFA) and fusiform face area (FFA), implicated in face perception, and the superior temporal sulcus (STS) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), implicated in higher level social functions. When in development does face selectivity arise in each of these regions? Here, we combined two awake infant functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) datasets to create a sample size twice the size of previous reports (n = 65 infants, 2.6-9.6 months). Infants watched movies of faces, bodies, objects, and scenes while fMRI data were collected. Despite variable amounts of data from each infant, individual subject whole-brain activation maps revealed responses to faces compared to non-face visual categories in the approximate location of OFA, FFA, STS, and MPFC. To determine the strength and nature of face selectivity in these regions, we used cross-validated functional region of interest (fROI) analyses. Across this larger sample size, face responses in OFA, FFA, STS, and MPFC were significantly greater than responses to bodies, objects, and scenes. Even the youngest infants (2-5 months) showed significantly face-selective responses in FFA, STS, and MPFC, but not OFA. These results demonstrate that face selectivity is present in multiple cortical regions within months of birth, providing powerful constraints on theories of cortical development. Social cognition often begins with face perception. In adults, several cortical regions respond robustly to faces, yet little is known about when and how these regions first arise in development. To test whether face selectivity changes in the first year of life, we combined two datasets, doubling the sample size relative to previous reports. In the approximate location of the fusiform face area (FFA), superior temporal sulcus (STS), and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) but not occipital face area (OFA), face selectivity was present in the youngest group. These findings demonstrate that face-selective responses are present across multiple lobes of the brain very early in life.
PubMed: 38871455
DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0117-24.2024 -
Food Chemistry May 2024κ-Carrageenan (CG) was employed to mask the bitterness induced by 50% KCl in surimi gels to achieve salt reduction and gel performance improvement. The combination of...
κ-Carrageenan (CG) was employed to mask the bitterness induced by 50% KCl in surimi gels to achieve salt reduction and gel performance improvement. The combination of KCl and CG (KCl + CG) yielded the increased textural characteristics and water-holding capacity (WHC) of surimi gels and facilitated the transition of free water to immobilized water. In addition, the KCl + CG supplement increased the turbidity and particle size of myofibrillar protein (MP) sols but decreased the surface hydrophobicity in a dose-dependent manner. The hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds played crucial roles in maintaining the stability of MP gels. The specific binding of potassium ions to the sulfate groups of CG limited the release and diffusion of potassium ions from the surimi gels during oral processing, effectively masking the bitterness perception and maintaining the saltiness perception. This study provides a promising strategy to reduce the utilization of sodium salt in surimi products.
PubMed: 38870800
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139859 -
PloS One 2024This study examined land use land cover change and its determinants in Tigray, Ethiopia and its livelihood zones. We used socioeconomic panel, and satellite data, and...
This study examined land use land cover change and its determinants in Tigray, Ethiopia and its livelihood zones. We used socioeconomic panel, and satellite data, and applied a mixed-effects model to analyse the factors influencing land allocation among different uses, and transition matrix to analyse land cover dynamics. The results revealed that; land use choices were influenced by plot level factors (such as plot elevation, distance, soil type and quality, and land tenure), household characteristics (such as education, dependency ratio, plot size and number owned, income, livestock and asset, perception of climate change, and access to market and main road), and community level factors (precipitation, product price, population density and livelihood zone variations). Transition matrix analysis showed that between 1986 and 2016, 12.8% of forest was converted to bare land, 6.26% bare land was converted to pasture, and 5.84% of cropland was converted to forest. However, net deforestation occurred in most of the livelihood zones. Therefore, local communities faced environmental and socio-economic challenges from capital constraints induced land fallowing, land fragmentation, and unmanaged land cover change. The study recommended sustainable land use planning and management, market linkages, improved access to roads, forestry subsidies, land tenure security, and land consolidation programs.
Topics: Ethiopia; Conservation of Natural Resources; Socioeconomic Factors; Humans; Forests; Agriculture; Climate Change
PubMed: 38870199
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304896 -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) Apr 2024Suprasellar tumors, particularly pituitary adenomas (PAs), commonly present with visual decline, and the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) is the...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Suprasellar tumors, particularly pituitary adenomas (PAs), commonly present with visual decline, and the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) is the primary management for optic apparatus decompression. Patients presenting with complete preoperative monocular blindness comprise a high-risk subgroup, given concern for complete blindness. This retrospective cohort study evaluates outcomes after EETA for patients with PA presenting with monocular blindness.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of all EETA cases at our institution from June 2012 to August 2023 was performed. Inclusion criteria included adults with confirmed PA and complete monocular blindness, defined as no light perception, and a relative afferent pupillary defect secondary to tumor mass effect.
RESULTS
Our cohort includes 15 patients (9 males, 6 females), comprising 2.4% of the overall PA cohort screened. The mean tumor diameter was 3.8 cm, with 6 being giant PAs (>4 cm). The mean duration of preoperative monocular blindness was 568 days. Additional symptoms included contralateral visual field defects (n = 11) and headaches (n = 10). Two patients presented with subacute PA apoplexy. Gross total resection was achieved in 46% of patients, reflecting tumor size and invasiveness. Postoperatively, 2 patients experienced improvement in their effectively blind eye and 2 had improved visual fields of the contralateral eye. Those with improvements were operated within 10 days of presentation, and no patients experienced worsened vision.
CONCLUSION
This is the first series of EETA outcomes in patients with higher-risk PA with monocular blindness on presentation. In these extensive lesions, vision remained stable for most without further decline and improvement from monocular blindness was observed in a small subset of patients with no light perception and relative afferent pupillary defect. Timing from vision loss to surgical intervention seemed to be associated with improvement. From a surgical perspective, caution is warranted to protect remaining vision and we conclude that EETA is safe in the management of these patients.
PubMed: 38869495
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001116 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Childhood sexual abuse persists as a painful societal reality, necessitating responses from institutions and healthcare professionals to prevent and address its severe...
Psychological intervention in women victims of childhood sexual abuse: a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.
INTRODUCTION
Childhood sexual abuse persists as a painful societal reality, necessitating responses from institutions and healthcare professionals to prevent and address its severe long-term consequences in victims. This study implements an intervention comprising two psychotherapeutic approaches recommended by the WHO and international clinical guidelines for addressing short-, medium-, and long-term posttraumatic symptomatology: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are adapted from group formats for implementation in small online groups via Zoom.
METHODS
The impact of both therapeutic approaches on trauma improvement was assessed in a sample of 19 women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse through a Randomized Clinical Trial comparing EMDR Psychotherapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy after a baseline period. Intra and inter comparison were made using statistics appropriate to the sample.
RESULTS
Both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced symptomatology across various evaluated variables, suggesting their efficacy in improving the quality of life for these individuals. Following CBT-FT treatment, patients exhibited enhanced emotional regulation, reduced reexperiencing, and avoidance. The EMDR group, utilizing the G-TEP group protocol, significantly improved dissociation, along with other crucial clinical variables and the perception of quality of life.
DISCUSSION
Although the limitations of this study must be taken into account due to the size of the sample and the lack of long-term follow-up, the results align with existing scientific literature, underscoring the benefits of trauma-focused psychological treatments. The online group format appears promising for enhancing the accessibility of psychological treatment for these women. Furthermore, the differential outcomes of each treatment support recent research advocating for the inclusion of both approaches for individuals with trauma-related symptomatology.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Valencian International University (VIU) (Valencia, Spain) (Ref. CEID2021_07). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to the scientific community.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04813224, identifier NCT04813224.
PubMed: 38868491
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1360388