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Background Displaying screen savers with gain-framed messages are effective to improve hand hygiene, but the design of screen savers has not been studied yet. Methods Based on the literature, scientific propositions were developed for the design of screen savers, exploring 2 strategies to subconsciously influence hand hygiene behavior; the first was to gain attention, and the second was to exert peer pressure. The designed screen savers were tested for attention with an eye-tracking study (N = 27) and for the influence of peer pressure with a questionnaire (N = 25). Results Twenty-five propositions for gaining attention concerned the format and color of the screen saver itself and color, position, and style of visual and text elements. Seven propositions for peer pressure concerned the influence of peers, role models, and feelings of being watched. Eye-tracking measurements showed that text on the 4 screen savers based on propositions gained more, earlier, and longer attention and the visual elements gained earlier and longer attention than the control screen savers. The questionnaire results showed that feelings of peer pressure were evoked by 3 screen savers; of these, one was not based on propositions. Conclusions Screen savers designed according to scientific propositions for visual attention and peer pressure have the potential to alter hand hygiene behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: A low flow rate without clinical symptoms is commonly found in boys after hypospadias correction. Urethral calibration usually shows no abnormalities. We investigated whether this impairment might be caused by increased neo-urethral wall stiffness. Methods: From polyvinyl alcohol cryogel two models of the urethra were made, hypospadias and control; both had a constant and equal inner diameter and equal compliance. The hypospadias model had a less compliant distal segment mimicking the distal neo-urethra after hypospadias correction. In both models, flow rate was recorded as a function of bladder pressure. To test whether the length of the less compliant segment had an effect on the flow rate, both models were shortened by cutting off 1-cm segments. Results: In a physiological range of bladder pressures (10–130cmH2O) the mean flow rate (±1 SEM) in the hypospadias model was 2.8±0.3ml/s, significantly lower (P <0.05) than in the control model (5.4±0.6ml/s). Shortening of the hypospadias model showed some increase in flow rate, but this was not statistically significant. In the control model there was also no significant variation in flow rate. Conclusion: A low-compliant segment of a urethral model reduced the flow rate. Extrapolating these results to asymptomatic boys with a low urinary flow rate after hypospadias repair might justify a watchful waiting policy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Visual search problems are often reported in children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI). To tackle the clinical challenge of objectively differentiating CVI from other neurodevelopmental disorders, we developed a novel test battery. Visual search tasks were coupled with verbal and gaze-based measurements. Two search tasks were performed by children with CVI (n: 22; mean age (SD): 9.63 (.46) years) ADHD (n: 32; mean age (SD): 10.51 (.25) years), dyslexia (n: 28; mean age (SD): 10.29 (.20) years) and neurotypical development (n: 44; mean age (SD): 9.30 (.30) years). Children with CVI had more impaired search performance compared to all other groups, especially in crowded and unstructured displays and even when they had normal visual acuity. In-depth gaze-based analyses revealed that this group searched in overall larger areas and needed more time to recognize a target, particularly after their initial fixation on the target. Our gaze-based approach to visual search offers new insights into the distinct search patterns and behaviours of children with CVI. Their tendency to overlook targets whilst fixating on it, point towards higher-order visual function (HOVF) deficits. The novel method is feasible, valid, and promising for clinical differential-diagnostic evaluation between CVI, ADHD and dyslexia, and for informing individualized training. • Impaired visual search performance was found in CVI, but not in ADHD or dyslexia. • Unstructured and crowded displays are detrimental for children with CVI. • Visual selective attention deficits seem to underlie impaired visual search in CVI. • Gaze-based parameters offer new insights in visual search strategies and patterns. • This valid approach is promising for non-verbal and non-motor assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To provide insight into early neurosensory development in children born very preterm, we assessed the association between early structural brain damage and functional visuospatial attention and motion processing from one to two years corrected age.Methods: In 112 children born at less than 32 weeks gestational age, we assessed brain damage and growth with a standardized scoring system on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 1.5 Tesla) scans performed at 29 to 35 weeks gestational age. Of the children with an MRI scan, 82 participated in an eye tracking-based assessment of visuospatial attention and motion processing (Tobii T60XL) at one year corrected age and 59 at two years corrected age.Results: MRI scoring showed good intra- and inter-rater reproducibility. At one year, 10% children had delayed attentional reaction times and 23% had delayed motion reaction times. Moderate to severe brain damage significantly correlated with slower visuospatial reaction times. At two years, despite attention and motion reaction times becoming significantly faster, 20% had delayed attentional reaction times and 35% had delayed motion reaction times, but no correlations with MRI scores were found. The presence of structural brain damage was associated with abnormal functional performance over age.Conclusions: The present study indicates an association between moderate to severe brain damage and visuospatial attention and motion processing dysfunction at one year corrected age. This provides a new perspective on comprehensive MRI scoring and quantitative functional visuospatial assessments and their applicability in children born very preterm in their first years of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Peripheral and central visual processing development highly depends on the integrity of the visual sensory system and the allocation of visuospatial attention. Method We quantitatively followed visual sensory functions (VSF) and visuospatial orienting functions (VOF) over two years in 77 children (1–13 years) with different types of visual pathology. Results Within the clinical groups, VSF were relatively constant over two years, except visual acuity, and VOF were characterized by longer reaction time, shorter fixation duration, and lower fixation accuracy than normal for their age. Children with peripheral pathology had high rates of abnormal VSF, of changes to abnormal visual acuity at 1–6 years, and larger and more abnormal VOF (fixation inaccuracy). Children with central pathology had relatively good VSF, whereas two-third had delayed orienting reaction times that differed from other groups mainly at 1–6 years. Conclusion The distinct patterns of quantitative VSF and VOF over time between the visual pathology groups, and the finding that both methods provided complementary information, argues for combining both types of assessments to provide comprehensive monitoring of visual functioning in children from a young age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Several animal studies have shown that bladder performance improves as a result of diuresis. Whether increased urine output also has beneficial effects on elderly male bladder function and lower urinary tract symptoms is unknown. Methods: We performed a randomized placebo-controlled trial of 141 men, 55 to 75 years of age, with moderate lower urinary tract symptoms. The experimental group drank 1.5 L of extra water daily. The control group consumed one tablespoon of placebo syrup daily. After 6 months, we evaluated bladder contractility, voided volumes, and the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms. The actual increase in water consumption was measured using the deuterium urine dilution method. Results: Water consumption in the intervention group increased by 359 mL (95% confidence interval [CI] 171 to 548) per 24 hours compared with the control group. At 6 months, no statistically significant effect was found in the maximal flow rate (0.9 mL/s, 95% CI −0.4 to 2.2) compared with placebo. A statistically significant effect was found for bladder pressure (20 cm H2O, 95% CI 6 to 34) and bladder wall stress (1.9 N/cm2, 95% CI 0.3 to 3.5). In addition, it showed that the experimental group had greater maximal (44 mL, 95% CI −1 to 90) and average (26 mL, 95% CI 1 to 51) voided volumes per urination. The subjective effect parameters improved in both groups, but no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. Conclusions: It seems possible to improve some aspects of male bladder function by drinking more water. However, the effects are too small to be clinically relevant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]