Search results for " quality."
showing 10 items of 2995 documents
Orexin and sleep quality in anorexia nervosa: Clinical relevance and influence on treatment outcome
2015
Background and aims Orexins/hypocretins are orexigenic peptides implicated in the regulation of feeding behavior and the sleep/wake cycle. Little is known about the functioning of these peptides in anorexia nervosa (AN). The aims of the current study were to evaluate the extent to which orexin-A might be linked to sleep and treatment outcome in AN. Method Fasting plasma orexin-A concentrations were measured in 48 females with AN at the start of a day hospital treatment and in 98 normal-eater/healthy-weight controls. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was administered at the beginning of the treatment as a measure of sleep quality. Other psychopathological variables were evaluated with the S…
Social distancing in chronic migraine during the covid-19 outbreak: Results from a multicenter observational study
2021
Background: The restrictions taken to control the rapid spread of COVID-19 resulted in a sudden, unprecedented change in people’s lifestyle, leading to negative consequences on general health. This study aimed to estimate the impact of such changes on migraine severity during 2020 March–May lockdown. Methods: Patients affected by migraine with or without aura, diagnosed by expert physicians, completed a detailed interview comprehensive of: assessment of migraine characteristics
Perceiving musical tension in long chord sequences
1999
We attempted to predict perceived musical tension in longer chord sequences by hierarchic and sequential models based on Lerdahl and Jackendoff's and Lerdahl's cognitive theories and on Parncutt's sensory-psychoacoustical theory. Musicians and nonmusicians were asked to rate the perceived tension of chords which were drawn either from a piece composed for the study (Exp. 1) or from a Chopin Prelude (Exps. 2-4). In Exps. 3 and 4, several experimental manipulations were made to emphasize either the global or the local structure of the piece and to verify how these manipultions would affect the respective contribution of the models in the ratings. In all experiments, musical tension was only w…
Transition Care in Anorexia Nervosa Through Guidance Online from Peer and Carer Expertise (TRIANGLE): Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial
2017
TRIANGLE is a multicentre trial investigating whether the addition of a novel intervention for patients and carers (ECHOMANTRA) to treatment as usual (TAU) improves outcomes for people with anorexia nervosa (AN). ECHOMANTRA is based on the cognitive interpersonal model of AN and includes assessments, workbooks, videos, online groups and joint Skype sessions for patients and carers. People receiving intensive hospital treatment (N = 380) will be randomised to TAU or TAU plus ECHOMANTRA. Participants will be assessed over an 18-month period following randomisation. The primary outcome is patient psychological well-being at 12 months postrandomisation. Secondary outcomes include (i) patient's …
Lower apoptosis rate in human cumulus cells after administration of recombinant luteinizing hormone to women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in vi…
2007
Objective: To investigate the effects of recombinant (r-) LH supplementation in “low responder” patients undergoing ovarian stimulation with r-FSH for an IVF program. The apoptosis rate in cumulus cells was used as an indicator of oocyte quality. Design: Comparison of the rate of DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity in cumulus cells in women stimulated with r-LH and r-FSH, versus patients treated with r-FSH alone (control). Setting: In vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory. Patient(s): Forty patients undergoing assisted fertilization programs treated with a GnRH agonist, or r-FSH treatment begun on day 3 of the cycle (control). In the r-LH group, from day 8 of gonadotropin stimulation, 1…
Simulating Images Seen by Patients with Inhomogeneous Sensitivity Losses
2012
PURPOSE We aim to simulate how colored images are perceived by subjects with local achromatic and chromatic contrast sensitivity losses in the visual field (VF). METHODS The spatiochromatic corresponding pair algorithm, introduced in a previous article (J Opt Soc Am (A) 2004;21:176-186), has been implemented with a linear model of the visual system. Spatial information is processed separately by the chromatic and achromatic mechanisms by means of a multiscale model, with sensors selective to frequency, orientation, and spatial position, whose mechanism-dependent relative weights change with the spatial location of the image. These weights have been obtained from perimetric data from a patie…
Women’s Foot Health–Related Quality of Life in Ballet Dancers and Nondancers
2020
Background: Prevalence and severity of symptoms related to muscle and joint pain seem to be high in most dancers. Hypothesis: There will be a worse quality of life related to foot health for ballet dancers compared with nondancers. Study Design: Case-control study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: A sample of 156 women was recruited from a clinic of podiatric medicine and surgery. Self-reported data were measured by the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ), which has 33 questions that assess 8 health domains of the feet and general health, namely, foot pain, foot function, general foot health, footwear, general health, physical activity, social capacity, and vigor. Results: Statistic…
Family perceptions of clinical research and the informed consent process in the ICU
2020
Abstract Purpose We investigated experiences of families who provide consent for research on behalf of a loved-one hospitalized in intensive care (ICU). Methods Multicentre, qualitative, descriptive study using semi-directive interviews in 3 ICUs. Eligible relatives were aged >18 years, and had provided informed consent for a clinical trial on behalf of a patient hospitalized in ICU. Interviews were conducted from 06/2018 to 06/2019 by a qualified sociologist, recorded and transcribed. Results Fifteen relatives were interviewed; average age 50.3 ± 15 years. All emphasized their interest in clinical research, seeing it as a duty. Involving their loved-one in research allowed them to find mea…
Is Propionibacterium acnes related to disc degeneration in adults? A systematic review.
2016
Background The aim of this paper was to systematically review the evidence linking Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) with the development of symptomatic degenerative disc disease. Evidence acquisition Data were obtained from MEDLINE from their inception to October 2015. Two authors independently conducted the searches, extracted data and completed methodological quality assessments. Articles were included if they investigated the presence of P. acnes in symptomatic degenerative disc disease through intra-operative cultural examination. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Evidence synthesis Overall 641 articles were retrieved with 9 cros…
Effects of Omalizumab Treatment in Patients With Recalcitrant Nasal Polyposis and Mild Asthma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
2021
Background Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a clinical entity with specific features that impacts significantly on patient quality of life (QoL). CRSwNP is often associated with asthma and is difficult to control and manage despite pharmacological and/or surgical treatment. Omalizumab, a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, has emerged as a putative therapeutic option. Objective To evaluate the effects of omalizumab on nasal polyp (NP) size and QoL assessed by Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) in patients with recalcitrant CRSwNP and mild asthma. Methods A multicenter retrospective analysis of patient data from the Community of Valencia (Spain) was performed. Adult patients …