Enhancement of Visual Attention by Color Revealed Using Electroencephalography

Attention constitutes a fundamental psychological feature guiding our mental effort toward specific objects, concurrent with processes such as memory, reasoning, and imagination. Visual attention, crucial for selecting surrounding information, often decreases in older adults and patients with cerebrovascular disorders. Effective methods to enhance attention are scarce. Here, we investigated whether color information influences visual attention and brain activity during task performance, utilizing EEG. We examined 13 healthy young adults (seven women and six men;mean age: 21.2 ± 0.58 years) using 19-electrode electroencephalograms to assess the impact of color information on visual attention. The Clinical Assessment for Attention cancellation test was conducted under the black, red, and blue color conditions. Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test was used to assess differences in task performance (task time and error) between conditions. Spearman’s rank correlation was utilized to examine the correlation in power levels between task performance and color conditions. Significant variations in total task errors were observed among color conditions. The black condition exhibited the highest error frequency (0.7 ± 0.9 times), followed by the red condition (0.5 ± 0.8 times), with the lowest error frequency occurring in the blue (0.2 ± 0.4 times) condition (black vs. red: P = 0.03;black vs. blue: P = 0.00;red vs. blue: P = 0.032). No time difference was observed. The black condition showed negative delta and high-gamma correlations in the central electrodes. The red condition revealed positive alpha and low-gamma correlations in the frontal and occipital areas. Although no correlations were observed in the blue condition, it enhanced attentional performance. Positive alpha and low-gamma waves might be crucial for spotting attentional errors in key areas. Our findings provide insights into the effects of color information on visual attention and potential neural correlates associated with attentional processes. In conclusion, our study implies a connection between color information and attentional task performance, with blue font associated with the most accurate performance.

The measurement of proprioceptive accuracy:A systematic literature review

Background:Proprioceptive accuracy refers to the individual’s ability to perceive proprioceptive information,that is,the information referring to the actual state of the locomotor system,which originates from mechanoreceptors located in various parts of the locomotor system and from tactile receptors located in the skin.Proprioceptive accuracy appears to be an important aspect in the evaluation of sensorimotor functioning;however,no widely accepted standard assessment exists.In this systematic review,our goal was to identify and categorize different methods that are used to assess different aspects of proprioceptive accuracy.Methods:A literature search was conducted in 5 different databases(PubMed,SPORTDiscus,PsycINFO,ScienceDirect,and SpringerLink).Results:Overall,1139 scientific papers reporting 1346 methods were included in this review.The methods assess 8 different aspects of proprioception:(a)the perception of joint position,(b)movement and movement extent,(c)trajectory,(d)velocity,and the sense of(e)force,(f)muscle tension,(g)weight,and(h)size.They apply various paradigms of psychophysics(i.e.,the method of adjustment,constant stimuli,and limits).Conclusion:As the outcomes of different tasks with respect to various body parts show no associations(i.e.,proprioceptive accuracy is characterized by site-specificity and method-specificity),the appropriate measurement method for the task needs to be chosen based on theoretical considerations and/or ecological validity.

Electroencephalogram Signal Correlations between Default Mode Network and Attentional Functioning

Attentional issues may affect acquiring new information, task performance, and learning. Cortical network activities change during different functional brain states, including the default mode network (DMN) and attention network. We investigated the neural mechanisms underlying attentional functions and correlations between DMN connectivity and attentional function using the Trail-Making Test (TMT)-A and -B. Electroencephalography recordings were performed by placing 19 scalp electrodes per the 10 - 20 system. The mean power level was calculated for each rest and task condition. Non-parametric Spearman’s rank correlation was used to examine the correlation in power levels between the rest and TMT conditions. The most significant correlations during TMT-A were observed in the high gamma wave, followed by theta and beta waves, indicating that most correlations were in the parietal lobe, followed by the frontal, central, and temporal lobes. The most significant correlations during TMT-B were observed in the beta wave, followed by the high and low gamma waves, indicating that most correlations were in the temporal lobe, followed by the parietal, frontal, and central lobes. Frontoparietal beta and gamma waves in the DMN may represent attentional functions.

Evaluation of hearing in middle-aged patients with diabetes mellitus type 2

Introduction: Involvement of auditory pathway is one of the examples of central neuropathy in diabetics. The purpose of this study is to compare the auditory function of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with healthy subjects. Methodology: 30 diabetic and 30 healthy subjects participated in this study. For all participants conventional pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and Auditory Brainstem Evoked Responses (ABER) study were performed. Results: In PTA Hearing threshold only at 2, 4, 8 KHz frequencies were significantly higher than healthy subjects but were in normal range in patients with diabetes. ABER revealed that absolute latencies of waves I, III, V and inter wave latencies of III-V, I-V, I-III were significantly prolonged in diabetics. Conclusion: In this study, 50% of diabetic patients had hearing defects in ABER test despite normal hearing threshold and good meta-bolic control. Prolonged inter wave latencies of I-III, III-V, I-V explains retrocochlear and brain stem involvement.

Intervention Effects on the Willingness to Stop Smoking and Social Nicotine Dependence Based on Single-Session Group Therapy with Frequent Use of Role Play Targeting Smokers with Mental Disorders

Objective: We devised a “Smoking-Cessation Motivation Program” as a community welfare service aimed at making short-term improvements in social nicotine dependence and enhancing the willingness to stop smoking among people with mental disorders. Method: The study conducted a controlled trial to empirically examine the effects of the program on the willingness to stop smoking and social nicotine dependence among 26 smokers with mental disorders in the intervention group, who were compared with a control group of 16 individuals. Results: Results demonstrated the program’s effectiveness in reducing social nicotine dependence, and a variance analysis with age as the covariate evidenced a mutual interaction between social nicotine dependence and the willingness to stop smoking, confidence to stop smoking, and resisting the temptation to smoke. Conclusion: Future studies should examine longer-term program results, the impact of program duration, and other factors that influence the program’s effectiveness.

Effects of Aromatherapy of Himekuromoji (<i>Lindera lancea</i>), Essential Oil on Vital and Stress, Emotion and Cognitive Function of the Elderly in Need of Care

Although there are limited means of delaying the cognitive decline in patients with dementia, aromatherapy contributes to alleviating the pain manifested through peripheral symptoms and psychological expression of dementia as part of dementia control. However, there are no studies that comprehensively verify the stress reduction effect, cognitive function, vital signs, etc. in the elderly requiring long-term care. In this study, we focused on Himekuromoji (Lindera lancea ), which grows naturally in Japan and has no verification cases and decided to verify the possibility of aromatherapy using that essential oil. As a result, olfactory stimulation by Lindera lancea aroma stabilizes the mood and emotions of the client and suppressed the rise in blood pressure. In sentiment analysis, four emotions were quantified using a wearable device. Although the effects of worker emotions on labor productivity have already been elucidated using the same device as in this study, emotional quantification by aromatherapy intervention is unprecedented. There were no significant differences in the four emotions depending on the intervention period and test section, but we were able to capture changes in emotions due to differences in recreational activities. In addition, it is considered that the client was able to spend about 30% of the activity time in a relaxed manner. It was expected that this aromatherapy as complementary and alternative medicine could contribute to the good emotional control of all the people involved. The COVID 19 pandemic has led to restrictions on human-to-human interaction, so the importance of emotional control represented by stress control is increasing for all humankind. Therefore, it was expected that this aromatherapy as complementary and alternative medicine could contribute to the good emotional control of all the people involved.

Chronotropic incompetence is more frequent in obese adolescents and relates to systemic inflammation and exercise intolerance

Background:Adults with obesity may display disturbed cardiac chronotropic responses during cardiopulmonary exercise testing,which relates to poor cardiometabolic health and an increased risk for adverse cardiovascular events.It is unknown whether cardiac chronotropic incompetence(CI)during maximal exercise is already present in obese adolescents and,if so,how that relates to cardiometabolic health.Methods:Sixty-nine obese adolescents(body mass index standard deviation score=2.23±0.32,age=14.1±1.2 years;mean±SD)and 29lean adolescents(body mass index standard deviation score=-0.16±0.84,age=14.0±1.5 years)performed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing from which indicators for peak performance were determined.The resting heart rate and peak heart rate were used to calculate the maximal chronotropic response index.Biochemistry(lipid profile,glycemic control,inflammation,and leptin)was studied in fasted blood samples and during an oral glucose tolerance test within obese adolescents.Regression analyses were applied to examine associations between the presence of CI and blood or exercise capacity parameters,respectively,within obese adolescents.Results:CI was prevalent in 32 out of 69 obese adolescents(46%)and 3 out of 29 lean adolescents(10%).C-reactive protein was significantly higher in obese adolescents with CI compared to obese adolescents without CI(p=0.012).Furthermore,peak oxygen uptake and peak cycling power output were significantly reduced(p<0.05)in obese adolescents with CI vs.obese adolescents without CI.The chronotropic index was independently related to blood total cholesterol(standardized coefficientβ=-0.332;p=0.012)and C-reactive protein concentration(standardized coefficientβ=-0.269;p=0.039).Conclusion:CI is more common in the current cohort of obese adolescents,and is related to systemic inflammation and exercise intolerance.

Pulmonary Thromboembolism in a Soccer Player after COVID-19 Infection: Case Report

Background:Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),which causes COVID-19,is characterized by an increased risk of thromboembolic events.However,more than 80%of patients are asymptomatic or have only minor/mild symptoms.In addition,diagnosing thromboembolism in athletes is challenging,as symptoms can be confused with musculoskeletal complaints or physical deconditioning.Case presentation:Here we report the case of a previously healthy 34-year-old professional soccer player with COVID-19 infection and genetic predisposition to thrombosis.At baseline,he was fit,had no symptoms,did not require hospital admission due to a COVID-19 infection,and was started on a five-day course of azithromycin and dexamethasone therapy.After 10 days of returning to professional activity,he developed pulmonary embolism following a COVID-19 infection during a physical exercise session.Angiotomography showed positive acute and subacute pulmonary thromboembolism,being treated with rivaroxaban 20 mg/day continuously.The shared decision-making between the medical team and the athlete was not to return to professional soccer,given the quantifiable risk.Considerations:This case illustrates the potential risk of COVID-19-induced pulmonary thromboembolism,which can be affected by genetic predisposition and dexamethasone therapy or the consequences of COVID-19.In this clinical period,the athlete’s condition may be overlooked due to the masking effects of other clinical conditions and physical abnormalities.The residual effects of COVID-19 disease can appear late,requiring caution and follow-up by the medical team before releasing the athlete into a training program.

Relationship between biological factors and catastrophizing and clinical outcomes for female patients with knee osteoarthritis

AIM To investigate the correlations between clinical outcomes and biopsychological variables in female patients with knee osteoarthritis(OA).METHODS Seventy-seven patients with symptomatic knee OA were enrolled in this study.We investigated the age,body mass index(BMI),pain catastrophizing scale(PCS)and radiographic severity of bilateral knees using a Kellgren-Lawrence(K-L)grading system of the subjects.Subsequently,a multiple linear regression was conducted to determine which variables best correlated with main outcomes of knee OA,which were pain severity,moving capacity by measuring timed-up-and-go test and Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure(JKOM).RESULTS We found that the significant contributor to pain severity was PCS(β=0.555)and BMI(β=0.239),to moving capacity was K-L grade(β=0.520)and to PCS(β=0.313),and to a JKOM score was PCS(β=0.485)and K-L grade(β=0.421),respectively.CONCLUSION The results suggest that pain catastrophizing as well as biological factors were associated with clinical outcomes in female patients with knee OA,irrespective of radiographic severity.

Unconsummated Marriage

The main purpose of this research is to help couples that have problems in early ejection in man and veganism’s problem in woman that after 2 months has been cured by using scientific and non-drug method, successfully. This case is related to couples who live in Arak and both of them are 21 years old and their education level is Diploma. They refer to clinic center and are asking help from consulters after one year of their unconsummated marriage. Man is involved with problem of early injection and woman is involved with veganism’s problem. Treatment has been done by teaching relaxation to woman for 2 weeks and little by little along with day dreaming that is related to sexual. In the next stage, the researchers ask her in relaxing time to enter fingers in vagina. Manner therapy has been used for man that usually consists of start-stop and squeeze techniques. At last, after successful performance, first sexual relationship happens. It is noticeable that unconsummated marriage is treatable with a simple and safe method and low cost in a short time. Regarding this matter that veganism’s and early ejection are as sexual disorders and are most prevalent kind of sexual disorders, so present research concludes that unconsummated marriage is treatable by psychology and non-drug treatment which prevents marriage from failing.