Search

BACKGROUND: Subjective cognitive concerns (SCCs) entail perceived difficulties in thinking or memory, often reported without substantial objective evidence of cognitive impairment. These concerns are prevalent among individuals with a history of brain injuries, neurological conditions, or chronic illnesses, contributing to both psychological distress and functional limitations. They are increasingly considered to be a risk factor for future objective decline. A considerable number of individuals reporting SCCs also exhibit mental health symptoms, such as a history of trauma, depression, or anxiety. Interventions that address modifiable emotional and cognitive factors related to SCC could improve functioning and quality of life. Therefore, the use of emotion regulation strategies, especially those directed at minimizing rumination, could serve as a promising focus for interventions aimed at mitigating subjective cognitive concerns in veteran populations. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study explored the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a brief, 1-session emotion regulation intervention called Worry Less, Remember More. The Worry Less, Remember More intervention was designed to reduce rumination and improve subjective cognitive functioning in veterans with subjective cognitive changes (N=15). METHODS: We randomized 15 veterans to either the active telehealth condition or waitlist control and completed the intervention. Participants were aged between 31 and 67 (mean 49.5, SD 10.1) years, and the sample was primarily male (12/15, 83%) and White (10/15, 67%). The most common diagnoses were posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Following the intervention, veteran input was sought through semistructured interviews with a subset of 12 participants, examining feasibility, acceptability, and perceived efficacy. Preliminary efficacy was also measured using pre- and postintervention self-report measures. RESULTS: Veterans reported that this intervention was acceptable, with 92% (11/12) of the sample reporting that they benefited from the intervention and would recommend the intervention to others with similar difficulties. Semistructured interviews revealed difficulties with feasibility, including problems with the remote consenting process, forgetting appointments, and needing additional strategies to remember to consistently use the interventions. The intervention improved self-reported cognitive symptoms on quantitative measures but did not improve self-reported rumination. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study establishes the preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the Worry Less, Remember More intervention for veterans with subjective cognitive symptoms. Future iterations of the intervention may benefit from simplifying the electronic consent process, providing reminders for appointments, and incorporating compensatory cognitive strategies to assist with using the telehealth system, as well as applying the strategies learned in the intervention. While future research is needed with larger samples, including nonveteran populations, the intervention may also be a useful clinical tool to bridge care between neuropsychology clinics and mental health treatment.

Cognitive assistance systems help people with learning disabilities to increase their skills and consequently their employment opportunities in the regular labour market. Research on advanced work instructions has encouraged training disabled workers in cognitively demanding production tasks, especially manual assembly. However, studies lack evidence on the effect of repetition or work cycle alongside the form of instruction and type of disability. This paper addresses this gap and reports on an experiment conducted at a sheltered workplace. Four forms of instruction (paper-based, animations, projection, adaptive projection) were tested to assist operators with three types of disability (illiterate, psychosocial, cognitive) with a manual assembly task. The results show that projection enhances the first assembly cycle. Challenging operators by filtering the content of the instruction with increased experience leads to greater independence and a better understanding of their tasks. However, adaptive instructions can form a barrier for those operators who are most dependent on mentor support. The form of instruction should thus be considered carefully for each operator as their adaptation to changes and cognitive assistance systems varies. The results are discussed in light of the Industry 5.0 human-centric and socially sustainable production agenda with managerial and research implications and future research priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the relationship between the learner's level of preference in terms of peer study and individualized learning and the learners' academic performance. Further, this study aimed to propose intervention programs to enhance the learners' educational performance through peer study and/or individualized learning. This study utilized a quantitative correlational and comparative research design to determine the relationship between the learner's level of preference in peer study and individualized education and the learners' academic performance. This study was conducted at Talisay High School during the school year 2022-2023 with two hundred thirty-two (232) selected Junior High School learners as respondents. Random sampling was employed to specify the total number of respondents, and the sample size was determined using the Yamane Formula. Mean, standard deviation and percentage were used to determine the level of preference to peer tusdy and individualized learning. Moreover, Paired T test was used to measure the significant differences between the peer study and the individualized learning and Pearson R correlational coefficient was used to measure the linear association between variables. In addition, the researchers utilized an adapted modified questionnaire from Uzezi and Deya (2017) which underwent validation and reliability tests by experts. Based on the findings, there was a significant difference between the learners' preference level regarding peer study and individualized learning. Thus, the null hypothesis was rejected. This means that peer study and individualized learning are distinct and utilized by the learners. Moreover, peer study is not significantly associated with learners' academic performance; thus, the null hypothesis failed to be rejected. On the other hand, there was a significant relationship between the learners' preference for individualized learning and the academic performance of the learners. Thus, learners who preferred individualized learning excelled more in classes, increasing their academic performance. Since peer study is not significantly associated with the academic performance, the proposed intervention program is focused on improving peer study as a strategy to enhance the academic performance of the learners because peer study is still significantly preferred by the learners, like individualized learning. It is recommended that educators, parents, and school administrators are encouraged to prioritize and promote individualized learning approaches in the classroom and apply the proposed intervention program for both peer study and individualized learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional domains of land, sea, and air warfare have long held prominence, while space and cyberspace have recently gained recognition as spheres of conflict. As conflicts continue to evolve, the domains of war must expand to accommodate new dimensions of engagement and integrate them alongside those human-centred factors that have previously held considerable sway. It is imperative, therefore, to recognise culture as the sixth domain and reflect upon its profound influence on group thinking, decision-making, and behaviour. Integrating culture into the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (C5ISRT) framework acknowledges its strategic relevance in shaping military strategies and responses in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. This paradigm shift highlights that the modern landscape extends beyond physical and virtual theatres to encompass the cognitive and social dimensions that define human interactions and conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a Quality of Life (QOL) assessment scale for older patients with Neuro-co-Cardiological Diseases (NCCD) and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale. Method: The study participants were derived from the Elderly Individuals with NCCD Registered Cohort Study (EINCCDRCS), a multicenter registry of patients with NCCD. The preliminary testing of the questionnaire was conducted among 10 older individuals aged 65 years and older who had NCCD and were recruited from the registry. Other patients who met the inclusion criteria participated in the field testing. After verifying the unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity assumptions of the scale, we employed the Rasch model within Item Response Theory framework to assess the quality of the scale through methods including internal consistency, criterion validity, Wright map, and item functioning differential. Subsequently, we assessed the construct validity of the scale by combining exploratory factor analysis with confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Based on well-validated scales such as the short-form WHOQOL-OLD, HeartQOL, IQCODE, and SF-36, an original Neuro-co-Cardiological Diseases Quality of Life scale (NCCDQOL) was developed. 196 individuals from the EINCCDRCS were included in the study, with 10 participating in the preliminary testing and 186 in the field testing. Based on the results of the preliminary testing, the original questionnaire was refined through item deletion and adjustment, resulting in an 11-item NCCDQOL questionnaire. The Rasch analysis of the field testing data led to the removal of 21 misfitting individuals. The NCCDQOL demonstrated a four-category structure, achieved by combining two response categories. This structure aligned with the assumptions of unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity. The NCCDQOL also exhibited good validity and reliability. Conclusion: The revised NCCDQOL questionnaire demonstrated good reliability and validity in the Rasch model, indicating promising potential for clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of pyramidal cells (PCs) in the mammalian cerebral cortex underscore their value as they play a crucial role in various brain functions, ranging from cognition, sensory processing, to motor output. PC morphology significantly influences brain connectivity and plays a critical role in maintaining normal brain function. Pathological alterations to PC morphology are thought to contribute to the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. This review explores the relationship between abnormalities in PC morphology in key cortical areas and the clinical manifestations in schizophrenia and ASD. We focus largely on human postmortem studies and provide evidence that dendritic segment length, complexity and spine density are differentially affected in these disorders. These morphological alterations can lead to disruptions in cortical connectivity, potentially contributing to the cognitive and behavioural deficits observed in these disorders. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of investigating the functional and structural characteristics of PCs in these disorders to illuminate the underlying pathogenesis and stimulate further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies reported mixed findings on autistic individuals' pitch perception relative to neurotypical (NT) individuals. We investigated whether this may be partly due to individual differences in cognitive abilities by comparing their performance on various pitch perception tasks on a large sample (n = 164) of autistic and NT children and adults. Our findings revealed that: (i) autistic individuals either showed similar or worse performance than NT individuals on the pitch tasks; (ii) cognitive abilities were associated with some pitch task performance; and (iii) cognitive abilities modulated the relationship between autism diagnosis and pitch perception on some tasks. Our findings highlight the importance of taking an individual differences approach to understand the strengths and weaknesses of pitch processing in autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glycolipid metabolism have been implicated in cognitive impairments and depression among Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the role of sex differences in this relationship remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the potential sex differences in the link between serum BDNF levels, glycolipid metabolism and cognitive performance among depressive PD patients. PD patients comprising 108 individuals with depression and 108 without depression were recruited for this study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing version (MOCA-BJ). The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), while motor symptoms were evaluated using the Revised Hoehn and Yahr rating scale (H-Y) and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS-III). Laboratory testing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are used to measure serum levels of glycolipid metabolism and BDNF. Females showed superior performance in delayed recall (all p < 0.05), male PD patients exhibited higher scores in naming tasks compared to females in non-depression group. There was no sex differences in serum BDNF levels between depression and non-depression groups. Liner regression analysis indicated BDNF as an independent risk factor for language deficits in male PD patients with depression (p < 0.05), while cholesterol (CHOL) emerged as a cognitive influencing factor, particularly in delayed recall among male PD patients with depression (p < 0.05). Our study reveals extensive cognitive impairments in PD patients with depression. Moreover, BDNF and CHOL may contribute to the pathological mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits, particularly in male patients with depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The causal relationships of late-life body mass index (BMI) with Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains debated. Objective: We aimed to assess the associations of dynamic BMI features (ΔBMIs) with cognitive trajectories, AD biomarkers, and incident AD risk. Methods: We analyzed an 8-year cohort of 542 non-demented individuals who were aged ≥65 years at baseline and had BMI measurements over the first 4 years. ΔBMIs were defined as changing extent (change ≤ or >5%), variability (standard deviation), and trajectories over the first 4 years measured using latent class trajectory modeling. Linear mixed-effect models were utilized to examine the influence of ΔBMIs on changing rates of AD pathology biomarkers, hippocampus volume, and cognitive functions. Cox proportional hazards models were used to test the associations with AD risk. Stratified analyzes were conducted by the baseline BMI group and age. Results: Over the 4-year period, compared to those with stable BMI, individuals who experienced BMI decreases demonstrated accelerated declined memory function (p = 0.006) and amyloid-β deposition (p = 0.034) while BMI increases were associated with accelerated hippocampal atrophy (p = 0.036). Three BMI dynamic features, including stable BMI, low BMI variability, and persistently high BMI, were associated with lower risk of incident AD (p < 0.005). The associations were validated over the 8-year period after excluding incident AD over the first 4 years. No stratified effects were revealed by the BMI group and age. Conclusions: High and stable BMI in late life could predict better cognitive trajectory and lower risk of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive and behavioral changes in ALS are featured as an integral part of the disease. A noticeable proportion of ALS patients present with a full-blown picture of frontotemporal dementia, which is considered the most common form of cognitive impairment in ALS. Results: A total of 30 ALS cases and 30 sex, age and education matched healthy controls were enrolled; their sociodemographic data were statistically insignificant as regards (age, sex, education). Regarding cognitive and behavioral assessment using the ECAS-EG, both ECAS mean total score and subdomains mean scores were significantly lower in ALS patients compared to controls (p-value < 0.001), with statistically significant relation between ALS clinical staging and ECAS total scores (p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, it was found that mean scores of nearly all ECAS domains are lower in early-onset group with longer duration of illness than late onset with short duration of illness but with a non-statistically significant difference. Conclusion: ALS causes significant cognitive impairment, with relation between functional status and clinical staging of the disease with the severity of cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions and although early-onset cases had lower score on ECAS compared to those with late onset, but it was non-significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous structural neuroimaging studies linked cerebellar deficits to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The functions of various cerebellar regions are increasingly being valued, and their changes in TLE patients warrant further indepth investigation. In this study, we used the Spatially Unbiased Infratentorial (SUIT) toolbox with a new template to evaluate the cerebellar structural abnormalities in patients with TLE, and further explored the relationship between the changes of different cerebellar regions and cognition. Methods: Thirty-two patients with TLE were compared with 39 healthy controls (HC) matched according to age, gender, handedness, and education level. All participants underwent a high-resolution T1-weighted MRI scan on a 3.0 Tesla scanner. We used a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) approach utilizing the SUIT toolbox to provide an optimized and fine-grained exploration of cerebellar structural alterations associated with TLE. Results: Compared with HC, TLE patients showed a significant reduction in the volume of gray matter in the Left lobule VI and white matter in the Right Crus II. In the TLE patient group, we conducted partial correlation analysis between the volumes of different cerebellar regions and cognitive rating scale scores, such as MMSE and MoCA. The volume of the Left lobule VI (GM) exhibited a positive correlation with the MMSE score, but no significant correlation was found with the MoCA score. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation observed between the volume of the Right Crus II (WM) and the two cognitive scale scores mentioned above. Furthermore, it was observed that the MMSE was more effective than the MoCA in identifying epilepsy patients with cognitive impairment. Conclusion: This study supported previous research indicating that temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is linked to structural changes in the cerebellum, specifically affecting the volume of both gray and white matter. These findings offer valuable insights into the neurobiology of TLE and hold potential to inform the development of enhanced diagnostic methods and more effective treatment approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to quantify the multivariate relationships between clinical, cognitive performance, executive functioning, and psychological outcomes in women with fibromyalgia (FMS) using network analyses. Demographic (age, height, weight), clinical (pain history, pain intensity, and related disability), neurocognitive (D2 Attention test, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure for visual perception, "Digits D/R/I" tests of the WAIS-IV battery for working memory, the 5-Digit Test for mental inhibition, the Symbol Search for processing speed and the Zoo Test for planning/decision making) and psychological (depressive symptoms, anxiety levels, sleep quality, pain hypervigilance) variables were collected in 129 women with FMS and 111 healthy women. Network analyses were conducted separately for each group to quantify the adjusted correlations between the modeled variables and to assess their centrality indices (i.e., connectivity with other symptoms in the network and their importance in the network). The network identified 74 associations in FMS women and 46 associations in controls with small differences. The strongest correlations in both groups were found between different attention variables: d2_CON with d2_C, d2_O with d_2TR, and d2_CON with d2_TA. The most central variables were d2_TA, d2_C, and d2_CON (highest strength centrality in both groups) and anxiety levels and pain hypervigilance (highest harmonic centrality in FMS women). The strength centrality of the network was stable for women with FMS (CScor0.7: 0.68) but not for healthy women (CScor0.7: 0.28). This study found that attention variables are most relevant within a neurocognitive network and that psychological variables are most important for the treatment of women with FMS. The clinical implications of the current findings, such as the development of treatments targeting these variables, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: While sex differences in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been identified in areas such as neurocognitive functioning, behavior patterns, and diagnostic criteria, less work has focused on differences within females referred for ASD evaluation, including those who did not go on to receive a diagnosis. This study examined psychological and behavioral characteristics and co-occurring and differential DSM-5 diagnoses between pediatric female participants who received an ASD diagnosis (ASD+) and those who did not (ASD-). Method: Data on cognitive functioning, adaptive functioning, internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and ADOS-2 scores were analyzed among 137 3- to 20-year-old patients. The sample was divided into two age groups (ages 3–8 and ages 9–20) for analyses of between-group differences (ASD+ vs. ASD-) and predictors of group membership. Results: Females in the ASD+ group were significantly younger, had lower cognitive scores, lower internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and had higher Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) scores than those in the ASD- group. ADOS-2 scores were also the only significant predictor of ASD group membership across age groups. The ASD+ group had a higher percentage of intellectual disability while the ASD- group had higher percentages of anxiety disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and disruptive behavior disorders. Conclusions: Psychological and behavioral presentations among females referred for ASD evaluation varied with age and ASD diagnostic groups. These results highlight potential female differences in ASD referrals and identification of ASD and the need to improve care for females in consideration of demographic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A blockchain is a distributed network of nodes that records transactions in a digital ledger. To ensure trust in a network with untrusted nodes, blockchain uses consensus algorithms to record transactions in its ledger. Although various consensus protocols have been proposed and implemented for blockchain lately, they still have drawbacks. The last decade has seen a lot of attention and rapid growth in artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. The performance of blockchain can be improved, and its problems can be solved by incorporating artificial intelligence. The concept of cognitive blockchain is related to AI functionalities into blockchain systems to enhance their utility and capabilities. Cellular Goore Game-based consensus was recently proposed as intelligence consensus in the cognitive blockchain. Although this consensus algorithm improves scalability, fault tolerance, and performance, it has problems, such as high communication complexity. In this paper, we proposed an improved Cellular Goore Game-based consensus protocol, which increases fault tolerance and decreases communication complexity. We also studied theoretically the Cellular Goore Game used as a distributed model in the proposed consensus and proved the convergence of CGG in the proposed protocol in this paper. We evaluated the performance of the proposed protocol by conducting several experiments. Empirical results show that this approach improves fault tolerance and communication complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-traumatic stress disorder represents a multifaceted clinical entity with a profound impact on mental health. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cognitive analytic therapy on the manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorder. From May 21, 2023, to July 7, 2023, we conducted a randomized control trial in the outpatient clinic of a psychiatry Hospital. Participants were Iran-Iraq war veterans (N = 40) with a confirmed diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. They were randomly allocated to cognitive analytic therapy and control groups. The primary outcome was re-experiencing, and the secondary outcomes included avoidance, hyperarousal, depression, anxiety, and numbness scores measured by appropriate questionnaires before and after the interventions. The cognitive analytic therapy group received a weekly program totaling 12 sessions of therapy adjunct to pharmacotherapy, each session lasting 90 min, and the control group received only pharmacotherapy. Within-group analysis showed that cognitive analytic therapy (N = 19) decreased all symptom scores (all p < 0.001), while the control group (N = 20) showed a decrease in hyper-arousal, depression, and anxiety (p < 0.001) scores. Between-group analysis implied that cognitive analytic therapy was more successful than usual pharmacotherapy in decreasing all outcome scores (all p < 0.001) A 12-session program of cognitive analytic therapy was effective in alleviating re-experiencing, avoidance, hyper-arousal, depression, anxiety, and numbness in post-traumatic stress disorder. It was safe and acceptable by participants reflected by a high retention rate. We recommend the incorporation of cognitive analytic therapy to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. A 12-session of CAT is effective for treating PTSD. The interventions control re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyper-arousal in PTSD. Also, they decrease depression, anxiety, and numbness in patients with PTSD. Overall, CAT is safe and acceptable to participants. Participants' retention is high for CAT with a minimum dropout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal science activities occurring at various non-traditional learning sites present a pivotal model for involving youths in the science learning process. The dynamic landscape of emerging technologies has prompted the exploration of innovative methodologies to bolster and refine informal science education. However, the expanse of this field and its attendant complexities has led to a lack of empirical evidence on the subject matter necessitating further research. This paper presents the findings of a systematic literature review, spanning the years 2017 to 2022, focusing on empirical inquiries into the deployment and impact of digital tools and technologies on the cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions of student learning. The investigation pertains specifically to unconstrained, extracurricular learning environments, encompassing science centers and museums and outdoor locations. A methodical search of renowned electronic databases, including ACM Digital Library, ERIC, Google Scholar, Sage, and Web of Science, supplemented by rigorous cross-referencing, yielded a corpus of seventeen (n = 17) relevant studies. These were subjected to a thorough qualitative content analysis. A diverse array of scientific concepts was found to have been investigated using hardware-based, software-based, or mixed approaches. Notably, augmented reality (AR) emerges as a preeminent focal point within the purview of digital interfaces explored by researchers. The synthesis of findings underscores the affirmative influence of digital tools and technologies on pivotal facets such as engagement, motivation, attitude towards science, and comprehension of scientific principles. In culmination, this study delineates prospective research focus for future studies in informal science education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Information about the development of cognitive skills and the effect of sensory integration in children using auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) is still limited. Objective: This study primarily aims to investigate the relationship between sensory processing skills and attention and memory abilities in children with ABI, and secondarily aims to examine the effects of implant duration on sensory processing and cognitive skills in these children. Methods: The study included 25 children between the ages of 6 and 10 years (mean age: 14 girls and 11 boys) with inner ear and/or auditory nerve anomalies using auditory brainstem implants. Visual‐Aural Digit Span Test B, Marking Test, Dunn Sensory Profile Questionnaire were applied to all children. Results: The sensory processing skills of children are statistically significant and positive, and moderately related to their cognitive skills. As the duration of implant use increases, better attention and memory performances have been observed (p <.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated the positive impact of sensory processing on the development of memory and attention skills in children with ABI. It will contribute to evaluating the effectiveness of attention, memory, and sensory integration skills, and aiding in the development of more effective educational strategies for these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome (DS), predisposes individuals to early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). While monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting amyloid are approved for older AD patients, their efficacy in DS remains unexplored. This study examines amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) positivity (A+), memory function, and clinical status across ages in DS to guide mAb trial designs. METHODS: Cross‐sectional data from the Alzheimer Biomarker Consortium–Down Syndrome (ABC‐DS) was analyzed. PET amyloid beta in Centiloids classified amyloid status using various cutoffs. Episodic memory was assessed using the modified Cued Recall Test, and clinical status was determined through consensus processes. RESULTS: Four hundred nine DS adults (mean age = 44.83 years) were evaluated. A+ rates increased with age, with mean amyloid load rising significantly. Memory decline and cognitive impairment are also correlated with age. DISCUSSION: These findings emphasize the necessity of tailoring mAb trials for DS, considering age‐related AD characteristics. Highlights: There is rapid increase in prevalence of amyloid beta (Aβ) positron emission tomography (PET) positivity in Down syndrome (DS) after the age of 40 years.Aβ PET positivity thresholds have significant impact on prevalence rates in DS.There is a significant lag between Aβ PET positivity and clinical symptom onset in DS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to explore the association between the years of experience of emergency department doctors and the prevalence of common cognitive biases. Design: A total of 86 physicians participated, with some respondents from other institutions, who received the questionnaire via email or provided data through telephone interviews. Materials and Methods: The study population consists of emergency physicians, including general practitioners and emergency medicine specialists, who have worked or are currently working at Manisa Merkezefendi State Hospital between January 1, 2013, and May 1, 2023. Data collection took place through a questionnaire distributed between April 1, 2023, and May 1, 2023. Results: The study population comprised 49 (61.3%) male and 31 (38.7%) female participants. The age range of the participants was 24 to 56 years, with a mean age of 36.74 ± 10.08 years. Discussion: Deformation professionnelle bias, ego bias, and triage cueing error exhibited statistically significant associations with the doctor's age and years of experience in the emergency department. Conclusions: Awareness of cognitive biases is vital for enhancing patient satisfaction, expediting assessments in emergency rooms, preventing malpractice cases and ultimately benefiting patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria is a potentially fatal plasmodium parasite injected by female anopheles mosquitoes that infect red blood cells and cause millions of lifelong disability worldwide yearly. However, specialists' manual screening in clinical practice is laborious and prone to error. Therefore, a novel Deep Boosted and Ensemble Learning (DBEL) framework, comprising the stacking of new Boosted-BR-STM convolutional neural networks (CNN) and the ensemble ML classifiers, is developed to screen malaria parasite images. The proposed Boosted-BR-STM is based on a new dilated-convolutional block-based Split Transform Merge (STM) and feature-map Squeezing–Boosting (SB) ideas. Moreover, the new STM block uses regional and boundary operations to learn the malaria parasite's homogeneity, heterogeneity, and boundary with patterns. Furthermore, the diverse boosted channels are attained by employing Transfer Learning-based new feature-map SB in STM blocks at the abstract, medium, and conclusion levels to learn minute intensity and texture variation of the parasitic pattern. Additionally, to enhance the learning capacity of Boosted-BR-STM and foster a more diverse representation of features, boosting at the final stage is achieved through TL by utilizing multipath residual learning. The proposed DBEL framework implicates the stacking of prominent and diverse boosted channels and provides the generated discriminative features of the developed Boosted-BR-STM to the ensemble of ML classifiers. The proposed framework improves the discrimination ability and generalization of ensemble learning. Moreover, the deep feature spaces of the developed Boosted-BR-STM and customized CNNs are fed into ML classifiers for comparative analysis. The proposed DBEL framework outperforms the existing techniques on the NIH malaria dataset that are enhanced using discrete wavelet transform to enrich feature space. The proposed DBEL framework achieved Accuracy (98.50%), Sensitivity (0.9920), F-score (0.9850), and AUC (0.9960), which suggests it to be utilized for malaria parasite screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The relationship between the quality of diet and sleep, cognitive function, and fear related to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among older adults in Turkey during the pandemic remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between diet quality, cognitive function, sleep quality, and levels of coronaphobia in individuals aged 65 and above, to understand the impact of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Sleep quality, diet quality, coronaphobia, and cognitive status of 72 older individuals were evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, healthy eating index 2010, Montreal cognitive assessment scale, and coronavirus-19 phobia scale, respectively. Results: The participants had poor diet quality (54.2%), poor sleep quality (62.5%), obesity (41.7%), higher levels of coronaphobia, and cognitive impairment. There was a moderate negative relationship between sleep quality and coronaphobia and between cognitive status and coronaphobia (p=0.00); and a weak positive relationship between diet quality and cognitive status (p<0.05). However, no relationship was found between sleep quality and diet quality, and between coronaphobia and diet quality (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study highlights the significant challenges faced by older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, including poor nutrition quality, sleep disturbances, coronaphobia, and cognitive impairment. Our findings suggest a potential interplay between nutrition quality, sleep patterns, and cognitive function among older adults, with those experiencing coronaphobia exhibiting additional cognitive and sleep-related concerns. We advocate the implementation of targeted interventions aimed at mitigating cognitive impairment, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and improving sleep quality among older adults, irrespective of COVID-19 infection status, to enhance overall well-being during these challenging times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to characterize cognitive functioning in patients with neurological post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Neuro-PASC) and investigate the association of subjective and objective functioning along with other relevant factors with prior hospitalization for COVID-19. Participants were 106 adult outpatients with Neuro-PASC referred for abbreviated neuropsychological assessment after scoring worse than one standard deviation below the mean on cognitive screening. Of these patients, 23 had been hospitalized and 83 had not been hospitalized for COVID-19. Subjective cognitive impairment was evaluated with the self-report cognition subscale from the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System. Objective cognitive performance was assessed using a composite score derived from multiple standardized cognitive measures. Other relevant factors, including fatigue and depression/mood symptoms, were assessed via the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System. Subjective cognitive impairment measures exceeded the minimal difficulties noted on objective tests and were associated with depression/mood symptoms as well as fatigue. However, fatigue independently explained the most variance (17.51%) in patients’ subjective cognitive ratings. When adjusting for fatigue and time since onset of COVID-19 symptoms, neither objective nor subjective impairment were associated with prior hospitalization for COVID-19. Findings suggest that abbreviated neuropsychological assessment may not reveal objective difficulties beyond initial cognitive screening in patients with NeuroPASC. However, subjective cognitive concerns may persist irrespective of hospitalization status, and are likely influenced by fatigue and depression/ mood symptoms. The impact of concomitant management of fatigue and mood in patients with Neuro-PASC who report cognitive concerns deserve further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of our study was to obtain evidence that an unsupervised tele-exercise program (TEgroup) via an online platform is a feasible alternative to a hybrid mode of supervised and unsupervised exercise (HEgroup) sessions for improving fitness indexes, respiratory and cognitive functions, and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients recovering from COVID-19. Forty-nine patients with long post-COVID-19 were randomly divided into two groups (HEgroup: n = 24, age 60.0 ± 9.5 years versus TEgroup: n = 25, age 58.7 ± 9.5 years). For each patient, we collected data from body composition, oxidative stress, pulmonary function, physical fitness, and cognitive function before and after the 12-week exercise rehabilitation program (ERP). Our data showed differences in both groups before and after 12-week ERP on fitness indicators, body composition, and pulmonary function indicators. Our findings demonstrated differences between groups after 12-week ERP on adjustment in the domains of cognitive function (HEgroup increased the "visuospatial" domain: 3.2 ± 1.1 versus 3.5 ± 0.8 score, p = 0.008 and TEgroup increased the "memory" domain: 3.3 ± 1.0 versus 3.8 ± 0.5 score, p = 0.003; after 12-week ERP showed differences between groups in domain "attention" TEgroup: 4.8 ± 1.5 versus HEgroup: 3.6 ± 1.8 score, p = 0.014) and the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (HEgroup increased the percent of predicted values at 0.5 ± 32.3% and TEgroup at 26.0 ± 33.1%, p < 0.001). These findings may be attributed to the different ways of learning exercise programs, resulting in the recruitment of different neural circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an early-onset neurodegenerative disorder with a heterogeneous clinical presentation. Verbal fluency is regularly used as a sensitive measure of language ability, semantic memory, and executive functioning, but qualitative changes in verbal fluency in FTD are currently overlooked. This retrospective study examined qualitative, linguistic features of verbal fluency in 137 patients with behavioral variant (bv)FTD (n = 50), or primary progressive aphasia (PPA) [25 non-fluent variant (nfvPPA), 27 semantic variant (svPPA), and 34 logopenic variant (lvPPA)] and 25 control participants. Between-group differences in clustering, switching, lexical frequency (LF), age of acquisition (AoA), neighborhood density (ND), and word length (WL) were examined in the category and letter fluency with analysis of variance adjusted for age, sex, and the total number of words. Associations with other cognitive functions were explored with linear regression analysis. The results showed that the verbal fluency performance of patients with svPPA could be distinguished from controls and other patient groups by fewer and smaller clusters, more switches, higher LF, and lower AoA (all p < 0.05). Patients with lvPPA specifically produced words with higher ND than the other patient groups (p < 0.05). Patients with bvFTD produced longer words than the PPA groups (p < 0.05). Clustering, switching, LF, AoA, and ND—but not WL—were differentially predicted by measures of language, memory, and executive functioning (range standardized regression coefficient 0.25–0.41). In addition to the total number of words, qualitative linguistic features differ between subtypes of FTD. These features provide additional information on lexical processing and semantic memory that may aid the differential diagnosis of FTD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We discovered increased monocyte abundance in the brain after myocardial infarction with increases in brain-resident perivascular macrophages and microglia. • Myeloid cell recruitment and activation was observed in post-mortem brains of humans post myocardial infarction. • Spatial transcriptomic profiling of brain-resident myeloid cells revealed increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant proteins. • Increased crosstalk between myeloid cells and oligodendrocytes led to neuroinflammation, white matter injury, and cognitive dysfunction. • Inhibition of monocyte recruitment preserved white matter integrity and cognitive function. Survivors of myocardial infarction are at increased risk for vascular dementia. Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular dementia, yet little is known about the cellular and molecular mediators of neuroinflammation after myocardial infarction. Using a mouse model of myocardial infarction coupled with flow cytometric analyses and immunohistochemistry, we discovered increased monocyte abundance in the brain after myocardial infarction, which was associated with increases in brain-resident perivascular macrophages and microglia. Myeloid cell recruitment and activation was also observed in post-mortem brains of humans that died after myocardial infarction. Spatial and single cell transcriptomic profiling of brain-resident myeloid cells after experimental myocardial infarction revealed increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant proteins. In parallel, myocardial infarction increased crosstalk between brain-resident myeloid cells and oligodendrocytes, leading to neuroinflammation, white matter injury, and cognitive dysfunction. Inhibition of monocyte recruitment preserved white matter integrity and cognitive function, linking monocytes to neurodegeneration after myocardial infarction. Together, these preclinical and clinical results demonstrate that monocyte infiltration into the brain after myocardial infarction initiate neuropathological events that lead to vascular dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serious games play a key role in the medical field, particularly in enhancing cognitive abilities in the elderly. However, the sensory organs of the elderly decline over time, and the intervention effect of traditional serious games for older adults. The objective of this study is to identify the evolution and current problems of serious game technology for the elderly by using bibliometric analysis. We selected 319 relevant documents from 2013 to 2024 from the Web of Science (WOS) database. This study uses Publish or Perish (Windows GUl Edition) and VOSviewer (1.6.20) for performance analysis and scientific charting. We deeply analyze the early trends, emerging technologies, and publication trends, including citations and journals, subject areas, and regional and institutional. Here, we identified serious games for older adults rely heavily on visual presentation, often utilizing screens for screening, rehabilitation, and therapeutic interventions. This may cause further visual impairment in older adults who are experiencing visual decline. In addition, we proposed the combination of rich tactile feedback and external devices as one of the effective solutions to the current problems for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Stimulating activities are associated with a decreased risk of dementia. However, the extent to which this reflects a protective effect of activity or non-participation resulting from dementia is debated. We investigated the association of stimulating leisure-time activity in late adulthood with the risk of dementia across up to two decades' follow-up. Methods We used data from five prospective cohort studies from Finland and Sweden. Mental, social, outdoor, consumptive and physical leisure-time activities were self-reported. Incident dementia was ascertained from clinical diagnoses or healthcare and death registers. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Of the 33 263 dementia-free individuals aged ≥50 years at baseline, 1408 had dementia during a mean follow-up of 7.0 years. Active participation in mental (HR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.65), social (HR: 0.56 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.72), outdoor (HR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.58 to 0.85), consumptive (HR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.53 to 0.94) and physical (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.75) activity, as well as variety (HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.68) and the overall frequency of activity (HR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.49) were associated with a reduced risk of dementia in <10 years' follow-up. In ≥10 years' follow-up all associations attenuated toward the null. Conclusion Stimulating leisure-time activities are associated with a reduced risk of dementia in short-term but not long-term follow-up. These findings may reflect a reduction in leisure-time activity following preclinical dementia or dilution of the association over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Self-harm is a conscious behavior in which a person damages his/her body tissues, but this behavior is not done with the intention of suicide. The present study compared cognitive fusion, risk-taking, and fathers' communication style between adolescents with and without self-harm. Methods: The population of this study included all adolescents with a history of self-harm who were referred to treatment centers in Shiraz, Iran, from April to September 2023. The research sample included 200 subjects (100 healthy people and 100 adolescents with a history of self-harm) who were selected using the convenience and purposeful sampling method. The participants completed the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ; Gillanders et al., 2014), Iranian Adolescents Risk-taking Scale (IARS; Zadeh Mohammadi, Ahmadabadi, & Heidari, 2011), and Parent-Child Relationship Scale (PCRS; Fine, Moreland, & Schwebel, 1983). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software with a two-tailed 5% level of significance. Results: The results showed a significant difference between adolescents with and without self-harm in terms of cognitive fusion (F = 41.38; P < 0.050), cognitive defusion (F = 45.09; P < 0.050), cognitive fusion (F = 29.37; P < 0.050), risk-taking (F = 47.72; P < 0.050), and communication style with their father (F = 31.86; P < 0.001). Moreover, the group of adolescents with self-harm scored higher in cognitive fusion, risk-taking, and communication style with the father. Conclusion: According to the results, adolescents with self-harm have higher cognitive fusion and risk-taking and an unfavorable communication style with their father compared to adolescents without self-harm, so these variables are crucial in clinical interventions for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's technological era, Augmented Reality (AR) has become increasingly popular and is used in a variety of applications. However, there is still uncertainty about the extent to which the use of AR interfaces can improve the cognitive aspects of its users. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of using Augmented Reality (AR) interfaces on improving the cognitive aspects of its users. This study applies a qualitative approach in its research. The method of data collection used is through literature studies. Once the data is collected, the analysis is carried out in three stages: data reduction, data presentation, and conclusions. From the results of the study, it was concluded that the impact of Augmented Reality (AR) on cognitive performance is still in its early stages of development, but the results of existing research show that AR has the potential to improve cognitive performance in various types of tasks. The eyetracking method can be a useful tool for evaluating the impact of AR on cognitive performance and understanding the way users interact with AR interfaces. The use of eyetracking makes it possible to record the user's eye movements and analyze their interaction patterns with elements in AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to more quantitatively identify changes in body function through various bio-signal parameters. (1) Background: Forest therapy is effective in stabilizing cognitive, emotional, cardiovascular, and autonomic nervous systems. In particular, it is necessary to more quantitatively confirm changes in body functions through various bio signals. (2) Methods: As a forest therapy program (FTP) for the elderly, it consisted of strength training in the forest, respiratory aerobic exercises, and cognitive function training, and a total of 19 sessions were performed for 12 weeks. The electroencephalography (EEG) and Photoplethysmography (PPG) before and after the program were measured and compared between program participants (FTP group) and non-participants (control group). (3) Results: the FTP group showed increase in the alpha band power in EEG and a decrease in the PRV index, Tad, and Tae after the program compared to the control group; (4) Conclusions: Significant differences occurred in the physiological functioning of the elderly participants after the program. This is a result that can confirm the effectiveness of forest therapy more quantitatively. Forest therapy has a positive effect on mental stress reduction and cardiovascular function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) II is a rare, X-linked lysosomal storage disease. Approximately two-thirds of patients have central nervous system involvement with some demonstrating progressive cognitive impairment (neuronopathic disease). The natural history of cognitive and adaptive function in patients with MPS II is not well-defined. This 2-year, prospective, observational study evaluated the neurodevelopmental trajectories of boys with MPS II aged ≥ 2 years and  70); between-group differences were nonsignificant. No clear subgroups or patterns were identified for individual changes in VABS-II ABC scores. In total, 49 patients (89.1%) reported ≥ 1 adverse event (AE) and nine patients (16.4%) reported serious AEs. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with MPS II had rapid declines in cognitive ability, whereas others remained relatively stable after an initial decline. These insights provide a basis for more detailed analyses of different patient subgroups, which may enhance the definition and understanding of factors that influence cognitive and adaptive function in MPS II. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01822184. Registered retrospectively: April 2, 2013.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to develop a Quality of Life (QOL) assessment scale for older patients with Neuro-co-Cardiological Diseases (NCCD) and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale. Method The study participants were derived from the Elderly Individuals with NCCD Registered Cohort Study (EINCCDRCS), a multicenter registry of patients with NCCD. The preliminary testing of the questionnaire was conducted among 10 older individuals aged 65 years and older who had NCCD and were recruited from the registry. Other patients who met the inclusion criteria participated in the field testing. After verifying the unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity assumptions of the scale, we employed the Rasch model within Item Response Theory framework to assess the quality of the scale through methods including internal consistency, criterion validity, Wright map, and item functioning differential. Subsequently, we assessed the construct validity of the scale by combining exploratory factor analysis with confirmatory factor analysis. Results Based on well-validated scales such as the short-form WHOQOL-OLD, HeartQOL, IQCODE, and SF-36, an original Neuro-co-Cardiological Diseases Quality of Life scale (NCCDQOL) was developed. 196 individuals from the EINCCDRCS were included in the study, with 10 participating in the preliminary testing and 186 in the field testing. Based on the results of the preliminary testing, the original questionnaire was refined through item deletion and adjustment, resulting in an 11-item NCCDQOL questionnaire. The Rasch analysis of the field testing data led to the removal of 21 misfitting individuals. The NCCDQOL demonstrated a four-category structure, achieved by combining two response categories. This structure aligned with the assumptions of unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity. The NCCDQOL also exhibited good validity and reliability. Conclusion The revised NCCDQOL questionnaire demonstrated good reliability and validity in the Rasch model, indicating promising potential for clinical application.

Background: An imbalance in Nor-adrenaline and Dopamine neurotransmitter levels in the brain is the reason for the development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which is a neurodevelopmental disorder. 6-Hydroxy Dopamine hydrobromide injection in the brain destroys catecholamine receptors thereby inducing, ADHD and expressing ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity, inattention, anxiety, and impaired cognitive function. Aims and Objectives: Our aim is to analyze the antagonistic effect of 6-Hydroxy Dopamine by the ethanolic extract of the Acorus calamus in Neonatal rats. Settings and Design: The study was conducted in neonatal rats and analyzed the three main signs of ADHD-like behaviour in 6-OHDAHBr rats on attention, and impairment. The model identified distinct co-occurring symptoms, marble burying behaviour. The animals were sacrificed and histopathological analysis was performed. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into 5 groups. Control, Induced control, Standard, test drug of low and high dose. The behavioural analysis was studied on days 7, 14, and 21 using pole climbing, water maze, marble burying. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way ANOVA with multiple Graphpad prism version 9.0. Results: The extract shows significant improvement in reducing ADHD symptoms in dose-dependent manner. The model's validity is further supported by a histological investigation that reveals dopamine depletion, changes in cortical thickness, and anomalies in the neurons of the anterior cingulate cortex. Conclusions: The study concludes that neonatal dopamine deprivation causes behavioural abnormalities that are comparable to those seen in patients, making it a useful model for researching the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying ADHD and discovering potential treatment targets.

Background: Working memory (WM) is a crucial element of cognitive function. A reduction in WM capacity may adversely impact the quality of life and elevate the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases in the future. Presently, no established medication can effectively prevent cognitive decline. Objective: Over the past decade, numerous research articles have investigated the consequences of exercise on cognitive function, mainly focusing on WM in adults. Methods: Critical reading of several pieces of literature discussing exercise's effect on WM. A search for scientific articles was conducted using online databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: Exercise improves WM through neuroplasticity. Post-exercise improvement in WM can be seen in every age studied. Exercise can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases by maintaining the integrity of the substantia alba. Conclusion: Exercise emerges as a cost-effective strategy accessible to many individuals. It can potentially prevent declines in cognitive function, positively impacting both present and future quality of life.

Abstract Background Cognitive and behavioral changes in ALS are featured as an integral part of the disease. A noticeable proportion of ALS patients present with a full-blown picture of frontotemporal dementia, which is considered the most common form of cognitive impairment in ALS. Results A total of 30 ALS cases and 30 sex, age and education matched healthy controls were enrolled; their sociodemographic data were statistically insignificant as regards (age, sex, education). Regarding cognitive and behavioral assessment using the ECAS-EG, both ECAS mean total score and subdomains mean scores were significantly lower in ALS patients compared to controls (p-value

Nargiza Nuralieva,1,2 Ming Chang,1,2 Lei Huang,1,2 Sanjayan TS3 1School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710062, People’s Republic of China; 2Shaanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710062, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Education, Goa University, Goa, IndiaCorrespondence: Ming Chang, Email changming@snnu.edu.cnAbstract: Depression and anxiety are pervasive mental health issues, affecting millions globally and often accompanied by cognitive impairments with significant repercussions in daily life and professions, particularly in safety-critical roles like community-living pilots. This exploration assesses Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy (NRT) as an innovative solution for addressing cognitive deficits linked to depression and anxiety in these pilots. Theoretical underpinnings of NRT draw from cognitive rehabilitation, neuropsychology, and neuroplasticity principles. Depression and anxiety often manifest as cognitive deficits, impacting attention, memory, executive functions, and decision-making. NRT interventions aim to address these impairments by enhancing cognitive flexibility, attentional control, and memory through training exercises and cognitive restructuring, empowering individuals to regain cognitive functionality and adaptability. Empirical evidence supports NRT’s efficacy in enhancing cognitive functioning, showing significant improvements in attention, memory, and executive functions. This review focuses on NRT’s potential to improve cognition in community pilots, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing cognitive deficits and enhancing job performance, even in high-pressure environments like aviation. The practical implications of NRT for pilots are profound. Tailored programs can address specific cognitive challenges, such as maintaining vigilance and decision-making under stress. Integrating NRT into training regimens enhances skill sets and mental resilience, contributing to safety and success. Additionally, NRT positively impacts emotional well-being, reducing stress and improving overall quality of life. In Conclusion, NRT emerges as a promising intervention for enhancing cognitive functioning in community-living pilots with depression and anxiety. Evidence suggests its potential to improve performance, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. Further research and implementation are crucial to fully realize its benefits and ensure pilots’ safety and success.Keywords: community, cognitive, neurocognitive remediation therapy, depression

Hipertensi merupakan penyakit degeneratif dan kronis yang sering terjadi pada lanjut usia (lansia). Hipertensi menduduki proporsi tertinggi dari seluruh penyakit tidak menular sebesar 68,6%. Hipertensi yang tidak ditangani dengan baik akan menimbulkan komplikasi seperi gagal jantung, gagal ginjal, dan stroke. Komplikasi dapat terjadi oleh beberapa faktor seperti kurangnya pengetahuan dan life style yang buruk. Studi kasus ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan lansia dalam manajemen hipertensi dengan harapan perilaku pemeliharaan kesehatan meningkat dan tekanan darah menurun. Metode deskriptif dengan menggunakan pendekatan proses asuhan keperawatan. Subjek berjumlah satu orang klien dengan kriteria inklusi usia >60 tahun dengan tekanan darah >140/90 mmHg, tanpa komplikasi, dan telah menandatangani informed consent. Hasil studi kasus menunjukkan adanya peningkatan yaitu fungsi kognitif 93%, afektif 87% dan psikomotor 66%. Edukasi kesehatan menggunakan media leaflet dapat meningkatkan pengetahuan dan merubah perilaku pemeliharaan kesehatan dan menurunkan tekanan darah dari 169/97 mmHg menjadi 145/91 mmHg.

Introduction There is limited knowledge on cognitive performance in Behçet’s disease (BD), the majority of which come from patients with neuro-Behçet’s disease. However, the influence of BD on cognitive function in patients without neurological involvement is still not well understood. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of cognitive involvement in BD patients without evident neuropsychiatric symptoms and to identify associated clinical variables in those patients. Material and methods Forty BD patients who fulfilled the diagnostic International Criteria for Behçet ‘s Disease (ICBD) without obvious neuropsychiatric manifestations were studied and compared with forty healthy controls matched for age, sex, and education. A comprehensive medical history, rheumatological, neurological, psychiatric, and psychometric assessment were applied for all patients. Behçet’s disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) was used to assess disease activity. For patients as well as controls, validated Arabic versions of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised and Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised were used for assessment of cognitive function. Anxiety and depression were additionally assessed for both groups using the anxiety and depression subdivisions of the Arabic Version of Symptom Checklist 90 Revised. Results Cognitive impairment was identified in 37.5% of BD patients compared to none of the controls. Memory represents the cognitive domain most frequently affected. Cognitive involvement was significantly associated with current corticosteroid use and depression as measured by SCL-90-R. On the other hand, neither the activity of the disease nor the level of anxiety was associated with cognitive involvement. Conclusions Cognitive dysfunction is reported in BD patients distinctly and independently of clinically overt neurologic involvement. Prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with BD is strikingly high at 37.5%, whereas the control group exhibited no such signs. Psychological assessment should be performed for every BD patient to reveal any cognitive involvement. It is highly recommended to encourage psychological intervention to prevent any further deterioration, especially in patients who are experiencing depression or currently using corticosteroids.

Background: Intensive maternal parenting, while intended to foster academic achievement, has been linked to increased stress and anxiety in children. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of maternal mental health in the correlation between intensive maternal attitudes and cognitive abilities in female students applying for the gifted exam.Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional approach that incorporated the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The target population comprised all female students applying for the ninth-grade gifted exam in Tehran, Iran during 2023, along with their mothers. A convenience sample of 301 student-mother dyads participated in the study by completing a battery of self-report questionnaires. These instruments included Cognitive Abilities Questionnaire (CAQ), Intensive Parenting Attitudes Questionnaire (IPAQ), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The hypothesized model was evaluated using SEM, and bootstrapping was employed to assess the significance of indirect correlations. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27 and Amos version 25.Results: The findings indicated a negative correlation between intensive maternal attitudes and students’ cognitive capabilities (P=0.020). There was also a significant negative correlation between intensive maternal attitudes and mothers’ mental health (P=0.001). The correlation between mothers’ mental health and girls’ cognitive abilities was positive and significant (P=0.001). The correlation between intensive maternal attitudes and students’ cognitive abilities was significant through the mediating role of mental health (P=0.005).Conclusion: Intensive maternal parenting practices were associated with decreased cognitive abilities in students and poorer mental health in mothers. The negative effect of intensive maternal attitudes on cognitive abilities appears to be indirectly mediated by mothers’ mental health.

Working memory (WM) is the ability to maintain and manipulate information no longer accessible in the environment. The brain maintains WM representations over delay periods in noisy population-level activation patterns, resulting in variability in WM representations across items and trials. It is established that participants can introspect aspects of the quality of WM representations, and that they can accurately compare which of several WM representations of stimulus features like orientation or color is better on each trial. However, whether this ability to evaluate and compare the quality of multiple WM representations extends to spatial WM tasks remains unknown. Here, we employed a memory-guided saccade task to test recall errors for remembered spatial locations when participants were allowed to choose the most precise representation to report. Participants remembered either one or two spatial locations over a delay and reported one items location with a saccade. On trials with two spatial locations, participants reported either the spatial location of a randomly cued item, or the location of the stimulus they remembered best. We found a significant improvement in recall error and increase in response time (RT) when participants reported their best-remembered item compared with trials in which they were randomly cued. These results demonstrate that participants can accurately introspect the relative quality of neural WM representations for spatial position, consistent with previous observations for other stimulus features, and support a model of WM coding involving noisy representations across items and trials.

The relevance of the topic presented in the article is determined primarily by the current foreign policy situation, namely the hybrid war unleashed by the collective West against the Russian Federation, a significant component of which are the so-called nonkinetic wars: informational, organizational, mental, cognitive, etc. In the article, the author focuses specifically on cognitive wars, which are the least studied in the social sciences. Hence, the main purpose of the article is to consider possible methodological foundations for the analysis of cognitive wars in the context of the high turbulence of the world order and the growing dynamics of digital transformations in the economy, politics, and social spheres. As the core of such a methodology, the author suggests considering social synergetics, the key postulates of which are openness, non-linearity of self-development, and the nonequilibrium nature of systems of various natures, which are most consistent with the current context of public relations. Special attention is paid to the role of the system of spiritual and moral values, or the social value basis, in ensuring the stability of the political system and effective counteraction to cognitive aggression. The author revealed its main functions, such as ensuring communicative effectiveness, overcoming the social atomization of modern society, and ensuring the cognitive stability of society by increasing resistance to cognitive and mental aggression.