Two biological rhythms of perception distinguishing between intact and relatively damaged brain function in man.

A simple test of perception, the Critical Flicker Fusion threshold (CFF) was given successively for 20 mins. to 69 healthy subjects aged 7-63 and to 53 comparable neuropsychiatric patients. The latter could be divided into a functionally sick group and a group with brain damage. Auto-correlation analysis revealed significant sine-wave cycles of amplitude and ultradian frequency for the CFF mean scores and the CFF "Scatter* scores. Both cycles of recurrence showed frequencies which distinguished significantly between the total healthy subjects and the patients. Further analysis showed no difference between controls and emotionally sick patients (i.e. those with sociopathy, schizophrenia and manic depressive psychosis) but there was a highly significant difference between these three groups and patients with relatively damaged C.N.S. (i.e. those with mental deficiency, organic brain syndrome and organic dementia). Even among the control group a progressive increase in frequency of these perceptual cycles occurred with advancing age. These CFF results point to the existence of a cycle of perceptual acuity and another of vigilance in the organism. Both appear to relate to the neural integrity of the C.N.S.     

Trend in Height of Turkish and Moroccan Children Living in The Netherlands

ObjectivesTo study trends in height of Turkish and Moroccan immigrant children living in The Netherlands, to investigate the association between height and background characteristics in these children, and to calculate height-for-age-references data for these groups.DesignNationwide cross-sectional data collection from children aged 0 to 18 years by trained professionals in 1997 and 2009. The study population consisted of 2,822 Turkish 2,779 Moroccan, and 13,705 Dutch origin children in 1997and 2,548 Turkish, 2,594 Moroccan, and 11,255 Dutch origin children in 2009. Main outcome measures: Mean height in cm, and mean height standard deviation scores.ResultsIn 2009, mean height at the age of 18y was similar for Turkish and Moroccan children: 177 cm for boys and 163 cm for girls, which was 2 to 3 cm taller than in 1997. Still, Turkish and Moroccan adolescents were 5.5 cm (boys) to 7 cm (girls) shorter than their Dutch peers. No significant differences were found in mean height standard deviation scores across the educational level of the parents, geographical region, primary language spoken at home, and immigrant generation.ConclusionsWhile the secular height increase in Dutch children came to a halt, the trend in Turkish and Moroccan children living in The Netherlands continued. However, large differences in height between Turkish and Moroccan children and Dutch children remain. We found no association with the background characteristics. We recommend the use of the new growth charts for children of Turkish and Moroccan origin who have a height-for-age below -2SD on the growth chart for Dutch children.     

The prevalence of minor physical anomalies in mentally retarded children

The prevalence of minor physical anomalies was examined in a sample of 109 children with idiopathic mental retardation (65 boys and 44 girls). Control group consisted of 246 healthy schoolchildren (123 boys and 123 girls) aged 8 to 12 years. A comparison was made between number of found minor anomalies per child (W1) and their Waldrop weight scores (W2) in healthy and mentally retarded (MR) children. The MR children were found to have a higher number of minor anomalies per child. In their group predominated those with four or more anomalies (56.9%), whereas among healthy children only 7.7% had four anomalies or more. In contrast to the high weighted score value (W2) of five or greater in 36.7% of MR children, it was absent in all control group subjects. There were highly significant differences between the MR and healthy children in the average value of the number of minor anomalies per child (W1) and in the average weighted score (W2). The average number of minor anomalies per child (W1) in MR and well children was 3.65 and 1.7, respectively. In MR children the average weighted score (W2) was 3.82, being 1.46 in healthy children. Our results suggest that common etiological factors, which had led to a physical and mental disorder, were active early in the development of MR children. The finding of high incidence of multiple minor anomalies in MR children indicates that genetic factors may play an important role in the etiology of the underlying disorder in the child group studied.     

膳食纤维添加联合中医推拿对幼儿功能性便秘的疗效及安全性研究

摘要 目的：探讨膳食纤维添加联合中医推拿对幼儿功能性便秘的的疗效及安全性。方法：选择2017年1月~2020年6月在佛山市妇幼保健院儿科门诊诊治的135例功能性便秘幼儿作为研究对象。采用回顾性分析方法分为A组（基础治疗组,42例）、B组（膳食纤维添加组,52例）及C组（膳食纤维添加联合中医推拿组,41例）。治疗四周后,比较三组患儿排便困难症状评分和治疗效果。监测三组患儿治疗期间发生不良反应情况。随访观察6个月,比较三组患儿复发率。结果：治疗后三组患儿排便困难、腹胀、排便频率及症状评分总分比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,其中C组排便困难评分和症状评分总分低于A组和B组,B组和C组腹胀评分低于A组,C组排便频率评分低于A组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。三组患儿总有效率比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,C组和B组总有效率高于A组的,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,C组总有效率高于B组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗期间三组患儿均未出现明显药物不良反应,如恶心、腹胀、呕吐、腹痛、腹泻、皮疹等。三组复发率比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。C组复发率明显低于对照组A组,差异有统计学（P＜0.05）。结论：在常规治疗基础上,膳食纤维添加联合中医推拿治疗幼儿功能性便秘,能提高临床治疗效果,降低远期复发率,是幼儿便秘安全有效的治疗方法。     

感觉统合训练结合常规康复训练对痉挛型脑瘫患儿平衡控制及运动功能的影响

目的:探讨感觉统合训练结合常规康复训练对痉挛型脑瘫患儿平衡控制及运动功能的影响。方法:选取2016年1月到2017年12月期间成都市妇女儿童中心医院康复科收治的痉挛型脑瘫患儿80例为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将80例患儿分为对照组(40例)和观察组(40例)。对照组患儿采用常规康复训练进行治疗,观察组患儿采用感觉统合训练结合常规康复训练进行治疗。比较两组脑瘫患儿的平衡控制功能、步态、粗大运动功能测试量表-88(GMFM-88)D区和E区的评分。结果:治疗3个月后两组患儿的Rivermead活动指数、Berg平衡量表得分均明显升高,且观察组患儿的Rivermead活动指数、Berg平衡量表得分高于对照组(P0.05)。治疗3个月后两组患儿的步行足长、步速明显增加,步宽明显减小(P0.05),且观察组患儿步行足长、步速大于对照组,步宽小于对照组(P0.05)。治疗3个月后两组患儿的GMFM-88 D区、GMFM-88 E区得分均分别明显升高(P0.05),且观察组患儿的GMFM-88 D区、GMFM-88 E区得分均分别高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:感觉统合训练结合常规康复训练可有效改善痉挛型脑瘫患儿的平衡控制功能、步态以及粗大运动功能。     

可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验在矮小儿童生长激素缺乏症中的诊断价值及生长激素峰值的影响因素分析

目的:探讨可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验在矮小儿童生长激素缺乏症(GHD)中的诊断价值,并分析生长激素(GH)峰值的影响因素。方法:选取2016年5月到2018年7月期间因身材矮小来安徽理工大学附属亳州医院就诊的矮小儿童120例,所有儿童均进行可乐定、精氨酸激发试验,比较可乐定、精氨酸、可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验的阳性率,以可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验的结果为标准,将120例矮小儿童分为GHD组(76例)和非GHD组(44例),比较两组儿童的年龄、骨龄、体质量指数(BMI)、体重指数标准差积分(BMI SDS)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3(IGFBP-3)、GH峰值,分析可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验中GH峰值与各临床指标的相关性,并采用多因素逐步回归分析法分析可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验中GH峰值的影响因素。结果:可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验的阳性率高于可乐定激发试验和精氨酸激发试验的阳性率(P0.05),可乐定激发试验的阳性率高于精氨酸激发试验的阳性率(P0.05)。GHD组儿童BMI、BMI SDS高于非GHD组,IGF-1、GH峰值低于非GHD组(P0.05)。经Pearson相关分析显示,可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验中儿童的BMI、BMI SDS与GH峰值呈负相关,IGF-1与GH峰值呈正相关(P0.05)。多因素逐步回归分析结果显示,可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验中儿童的BMI SDS和IGF-1是GH峰值的影响因素(P0.05)。结论:可乐定联合精氨酸激发试验在矮小儿童GHD诊断中具有较高的阳性率,其诊断价值高于两种药物单独进行激发试验,且儿童的BMI SDS和IGF-1是激发试验GH峰值的影响因素,在进行激发试验时需考虑儿童的BMI SDS和IGF-1水平对诊断结果造成的影响。     

儿童运动发育迟缓与血碱性磷酸酶、血25-羟维生素D3表达水平的相关性

摘要 目的：探讨儿童运动发育迟缓与血碱性磷酸酶(Alkaline phosphatase,ALP)、血25-羟维生素D3[25(OH)D3]表达水平的相关性。方法：2016年10月到2018年6月选择在本院儿保科门诊就诊500例(6~12月龄)的儿童作为研究对象,诊断儿童发育迟缓的发生率,检测发育迟缓患儿血清ALP与25(OH)D3水平,Gesell测评评定小儿的运动发育状况,所有患儿每天均给予了维生素D3 400 IU,对于发育迟缓患儿每天给予维生素D 800 IU~1200 IU补充,治疗3个月,再做Gesell测评评估其运动发育水平,对比治疗后运动发育情况,并分析影响儿童运动发育的相关因素。结果：在500例小儿中,判断为运动发育迟缓120例(迟缓组),占比24.0 %。两组小儿的性别、胎龄、分娩方式、出生体重、头围、身长等对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。迟缓组的血清ALP水平高于非迟缓组(P<0.05),25(OH)D3水平低于非迟缓组(P<0.05)。迟缓组的大动作、精细运动、适应性行为、语言、个人社交评分都低于非迟缓组(P<0.05),迟缓组治疗后,大动作、精细运动、适应性行为、语言、个人社交评分均显著升高(P<0.05)。在120例发育迟缓中,Pearson分析显示ALP、25(OH)D3与小儿运动迟缓发育具有相关性(P<0.05);二分类多因素条件Logistic分析结果显示ALP、25(OH)D3都影响儿童运动发育迟缓的主要因素(P<0.05)。结论：儿童运动发育迟缓与血清ALP、25(OH)D3水平存在相关性,两者的联合检测可为儿童发育迟缓的早期诊断提供实验依据,经过维生素D治疗后,能显著的改善其患儿的运动发育,有很好的应用价值。     

运动疗法联合作业疗法用于脑瘫患儿的疗效及对肢体运动功能作用

摘要 目的：探讨运动疗法联合作业疗法用于脑瘫患儿的疗效对肢体运动功能的作用。方法：选择2020年3月~2022年6月我院康复科收治的80例脑瘫患儿作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为两组各40例,对照组予以运动疗法干预,包括Bobath技术和核心稳定性训练,试验组在对照组基础上进行作业疗法干预,包括手功能、手眼协调能力、进食、如厕、更衣及游戏训练。干预前后采用粗大运动功能测量（GMFM）、精细运动功能评估表（FMFM）及Gesell发育量表对患儿进行评估,评价临床疗效,并采用SF-36健康调查简表（SF-36）对患者进行评估。结果：两组患儿干预后的GMFM评分、FMFM评分均明显提高,而试验组明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组患儿干预后的DQ评分均明显提高,而试验组明显高于对照组,试验组DQ评分增幅明显大于对照组（P<0.05）。试验组的总有效率（95.0%）明显高于对照组（77.5%）（P<0.05）。两组患儿干预后SF-36评分均明显提高,试验组在活力、社会功能和精神健康维度明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：运动疗法联合作业疗法可有效促进脑瘫患儿的上肢与下肢运动功能改善,提高康复效果,改善患儿生存质量,应充分重视脑瘫的综合康复疗法。     

Pedometer-determined physical activity levels of healthy children and children with Down’s syndrome

Purpose: Children with Down’s syndrome (DS) are considered sedentary and less engaged in recommended physical activity (PA) levels. This study compared the PA levels between children with DS and healthy children in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The study included 85 children divided into two groups. The DS group comprised 37 children with DS aged 8–12?years recruited from the Down Syndrome Charitable Association and Al-Nahda Schools for DS. The healthy group comprised 41 healthy children aged 8–12?years recruited from regular schools in the same region. PA levels were measured over 7?days using a pedometer.

Results: The healthy group was more active than the DS group (p?p?p?Conclusions: The DS group had a high body mass index and physical inactivity compared with the second group. Obesity and physical inactivity among Saudi Arabian children with and without DS are major health concerns. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to combat childhood obesity, promote PA, improve patient quality of life, and reduce the sedentary lifestyle among Saudi children and adolescents.     

The frequency of X-linked mental retardation

600 mentally retarded children, 339 boys and 261 girls aged 5-9 years were examined. Boys to girls ratio (B:G) was found in the total group to be 1.3. Among 257 children with mental retardation of confirmed genetic origin B:G = 1.4, in 129 children with confirmed exogenous defects B:G = 1.04. The significant prevalence of boys over girls was characteristic of children with monogenic forms. The frequency of X-linked mental retardation in the total group, in all mentally retarded boys and in boys with genetic forms was 12.5 +/- 1.3%, 22.1 +/- 2.2% and 28.5 +/- 2.8%, respectively. The frequency of X-linked mental retardation was higher in boys with genetic forms of imbecility.     

Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) Test Norms for Mandarin Chinese-Speaking Chinese Children

The Developmental Eye Movement (DEM) test is commonly used as a clinical visual-verbal ocular motor assessment tool to screen and diagnose reading problems at the onset. No established norm exists for using the DEM test with Mandarin Chinese-speaking Chinese children. This study aims to establish the normative values of the DEM test for the Mandarin Chinese-speaking population in China; it also aims to compare the values with three other published norms for English-, Spanish-, and Cantonese-speaking Chinese children. A random stratified sampling method was used to recruit children from eight kindergartens and eight primary schools in the main urban and suburban areas of Nanjing. A total of 1,425 Mandarin Chinese-speaking children aged 5 to 12 years took the DEM test in Mandarin Chinese. A digital recorder was used to record the process. All of the subjects completed a symptomatology survey, and their DEM scores were determined by a trained tester. The scores were computed using the formula in the DEM manual, except that the “vertical scores” were adjusted by taking the vertical errors into consideration. The results were compared with the three other published norms. In our subjects, a general decrease with age was observed for the four eye movement indexes: vertical score, adjusted horizontal score, ratio, and total error. For both the vertical and adjusted horizontal scores, the Mandarin Chinese-speaking children completed the tests much more quickly than the norms for English- and Spanish-speaking children. However, the same group completed the test slightly more slowly than the norms for Cantonese-speaking children. The differences in the means were significant (P<0.001) in all age groups. For several ages, the scores obtained in this study were significantly different from the reported scores of Cantonese-speaking Chinese children (P<0.005). Compared with English-speaking children, only the vertical score of the 6-year-old group, the vertical-horizontal time ratio of the 8-year-old group and the errors of 9-year-old group had no significant difference (P>0.05); compared with Spanish-speaking children, the scores were statistically significant (P<0.001) for the total error scores of the age groups, except the 6-, 9-, 10-, and 11-year-old age groups (P>0.05). DEM norms may be affected by differences in language, cultural, and educational systems among various ethnicities. The norms of the DEM test are proposed for use with Mandarin Chinese-speaking children in Nanjing and will be proposed for children throughout China.     

Observations on Community School Facilities for the Mentally Retarded and Admissions to Institutions in Ontario, 1954-63

The relationship between community school facilities and first admissions of mentally retarded children to Ontario Institutions was investigated for the period 1954-1963. The number of educable (I.Q. 50-75) mentally retarded children aged 6-16 years in community schools rose consistently (92.1/100,000 population in 1954 to 190.1 in 1963), while first admissions of educable mentally retarded persons aged 5-19 years to Ontario Hospital Schools showed no consistent trend (2.0/100,000 in 1954 and 2.0 in 1963). The number of trainable (I.Q. 20-50) mentally retarded children aged 5-18 years in community retarded children''s schools rose steadily (10.9/100,000 population in 1954 to 42.8 in 1963), while first admissions in this category aged 5-19 years demonstrated no consistent trend (2.6/100,000 in 1954 and 2.2 in 1963).No indication was found that the age distribution of these first admissions had changed from 1954 to 1963. Any effect that increased school facilities might have had in reducing first admissions may have been nullified by the very large demand for a limited number of beds.     

A Survey of Toxoplasmosis Among Mentally Retarded Children

To determine what role, if any, toxoplasmosis plays in the mental retardation of children, sera from 345 mentally retarded children were tested for the presence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii. The serological tests employed were the complement-fixation, the Sabin-Feldman dye test and the immunofluorescence test. The donors were also skin-tested with toxoplasmin.Of 345 mentally retarded donors nine gave a positive skin reaction, 15 possessed complement-fixing antibodies, 21 had immunofluorescent antibodies and 45 had dye test antibodies to T. gondii.The incidence of antibodies to T. gondii in the mentally retarded group was approximately the same as in the normal control group of the same age, and less than in the group suspected of having toxoplasmosis. It is concluded that in the children in this study toxoplasmosis played little or no role as a predisposing factor in the occurrence of congenital mental deficiency.     

School performance in Danish children exposed to maternal type 1 diabetes in utero: A nationwide retrospective cohort study

BackgroundConflicting results have been reported concerning possible adverse effects on the cognitive function of offspring of mothers with type 1 diabetes (O-mT1D). Previous studies have included offspring of parents from the background population (O-BP), but not offspring of fathers with type 1 diabetes (O-fT1D) as the unexposed reference group.Methods and findingsThis is a population-based retrospective cohort study from 2010 to 2016. Nationally standardized school test scores (range, 1 to 100) were obtained for public school grades 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 in O-mT1D and compared with those in O-fT1D and O-BP. Of the 622,073 included children, 2,144 were O-mT1D, and 3,474 were O-fT1D. Multiple linear regression models were used to compare outcomes, including the covariates offspring with type 1 diabetes, parity, number of siblings, offspring sex, smoking during pregnancy, parental age, and socioeconomic factors. Mean test scores were 54.2 (standard deviation, SD 24.8) in O-mT1D, 54.4 (SD 24.8) in O-fT1D, and 56.4 (SD 24.7) in O-BP. In adjusted analyses, the mean differences in test scores were −1.59 (95% CI −2.48 to −0.71, p < 0.001) between O-mT1D and O-BP and −0.78 (95% CI −1.48 to −0.08, p = 0.03) between O-fT1D and O-BP. No significant difference in the adjusted mean test scores was found between O-mT1D and O-fT1D (p = 0.16). The study’s limitation was no access to measures of glycemic control during pregnancy.ConclusionsO-mT1D achieved lower test scores than O-BP but similar test scores compared with O-fT1D. Glycemic control during pregnancy is essential to prevent various adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes. However, the present study reduces previous concerns regarding adverse effects of in utero hyperglycemia on offspring cognitive function.

Anne Lærke Spangmose and colleagues examine the association between school performance and exposure to maternal or paternal type 1 diabetes in utero in Denmark.     

经颅直流电刺激干预联合康复训练对痉挛型脑瘫患儿精细运动功能的影响

摘要 目的：探究经颅直流电刺激干预联合康复训练对痉挛型脑瘫患儿精细运动功能的影响。方法：选取2020年7月至2022年6月在我院儿童康复科收治的痉挛型脑瘫患儿116例为研究对象,按随机数字表法将患儿随机分为观察组、对照组,每组58例,对照组采用常规康复训练,观察组在对照组的基础上采用tDCS治疗。采用采用关节活动度量角器测定腕关节背伸关节活动度(AROM) ,采用脑瘫患儿精细运动功能测试量表（FMFM）评估患儿的双上肢精细操作能力,采用Peabody 精细运动发育量表(PDMS-FM)评定双手精细运动功能,采用改良Ashworth肌张力评定量表(MAS)评估患儿患侧上肢肘关节肌张力状况,比较两组治疗前后的各项指标差异变化。结果：治疗后两组患儿AROM评分较治疗前均显著增加,且观察组AROM评分显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗后两组患儿FMFM评分较治疗前均显著增加,且观察组FMFM评分显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗后两组患儿FMQ评分较治疗前均显著增加,且观察组FMQ评分显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗后两组患儿MAS评分较治疗前均显著降低,且观察组MAS评分显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：经颅直流电刺激干预联合康复训练可以显著改善痉挛型脑瘫患儿腕关节背伸关节活动度、双上肢精细操作能力、双手精细运动功能和患侧上肢肘关节肌张力,对精细运动功能具有改善作用。     

单操作孔电视胸腔镜手术对老年孤立性肺结节患者肺功能和免疫球蛋白的影响

目的:探讨单操作孔电视胸腔镜手术(VATS)对老年孤立性肺结节(SPN)患者肺功能和免疫球蛋白的影响。方法:回顾性分析2016年2月～2019年1月期间南京医科大学附属无锡人民医院收治的78例老年SPN患者的临床资料。根据手术方式的不同将患者分为对照组(n=43)和研究组(n=35),对照组给予传统多孔VATS肺结节切除术治疗,研究组给予单操作孔VATS肺结节切除术治疗,比较两组患者临床指标、肺功能、免疫球蛋白、视觉疼痛模拟评分量表(VAS)、并发症以及复发情况。结果:两组手术时间比较无差异(P0.05),研究组住院时间短于对照组,术后引流量、住院费用、术中出血量均少于对照组(P0.05)。两组均未见严重的并发症,且两组均无复发病例。两组术后1个月第1 s用力呼气容积(FEV1)、每分钟最大通气量(MVV)、用力肺活量(FVC)均下降,但研究组高于对照组(P0.05)。两组术后3 d免疫球蛋白A(Ig A)、免疫球蛋白M(Ig M)、免疫球蛋白G(Ig G)均下降,但研究组高于对照组(P0.05)。术后1 d、3 d、5 d研究组VAS评分较对照组降低(P0.05)。结论:单操作孔VATS治疗老年SPN,可有效改善围术期指标,提高免疫力,减轻肺功能损伤,且安全性较好,临床应用价值较高。     

肺癌患者心理弹性的影响因素及与社会支持和生活质量的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨肺癌患者心理弹性的影响因素,分析肺癌患者心理弹性与社会支持和生活质量的关系。方法：选取2018年6月至2019年12月期间我院收治的173例肺癌患者（肺癌组）和同期于我院进行体检的116例健康者（对照组）,分别采用心理弹性量表（CD-RISC）、社会支持评定量表（SSRS）、健康状况调查简表（SF-36）评估所有受试者心理弹性、社会支持、生活质量。收集患者临床资料,分析肺癌患者心理弹性的影响因素。相关性分析采用Pearson检验。结果：肺癌组CD-RISC、SSRS、SF-36评分均低于对照组（P＜0.05）。不同年龄、性别、教育程度、性格特征、SSRS评分、治疗阶段、复发情况、转移情况患者之间CD-RISC评分比较差异显著（P＜0.05）。多重线性回归分析结果显示性别、教育程度、性格特征、SSRS评分、治疗阶段、复发、转移均为肺癌患者心理弹性的影响因素（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关分析结果显示肺癌患者CD-RISC评分与SSRS、SF-36评分均呈正相关（r=0.567、0.617,P=0.047、0.346）。结论：肺癌患者心理弹性较正常人降低,性别、教育程度、性格特征、SSRS评分、治疗阶段、复发、转移是影响肺癌患者心理弹性的主要因素。肺癌患者心理弹性与社会支持、生活质量均有关。     

Time-of-day effects on cognition in preadolescents: a trails study

Cognitive performance fluctuates during the day due to diurnal variations in alertness level. This study examined: (1) whether cognitive performance in school-aged children is affected by time-of-day; (2) which functional domains are particularly vulnerable to time-of-day effects; and (3) whether the effects are more pronounced for cognitively more demanding tasks or task conditions. Children, aged 10-12 yrs, were randomly assigned to a test session starting either at 08:30 (n?=?802), 10:00 (n?=?713), or 13:00?h (n?=?652). Speed and accuracy of information processing were evaluated by tasks that assess input-related cognitive processes (e.g., stimulus encoding), central cognitive processes (e.g., working memory, sustained attention), and output-related processes (e.g., response organization) using the Amsterdam Neuropsychological Tasks program. Time-of-day effects in children were identified in specific neurocognitive domains, such as visuospatial processing and working memory, but only under cognitively more demanding task conditions. Sustained attention showed a speed-accuracy tradeoff with increased slowness and lapses in the early morning, but with better feedback responsiveness and perceptual sensitivity than in the early afternoon. Furthermore, there was a significant interaction of time-on-task with time-of-day for tempo, with the afternoon group increasing in tempo with time-on-task, and the early-morning group first showing a slowing of tempo with time-on-task, followed at the end of the task by a speed increase towards the initial levels. To conclude, the authors found time-of-day effects in preadolescents, which were confined to cognitively more demanding tasks tapping input-related and central cognitive processes.     

重复经颅磁刺激对痉挛型脑瘫患儿语言发育能力及运动功能的影响

目的:分析重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)对痉挛型脑瘫患儿语言发育能力及运动功能的影响。方法:采用随机数字表法将54例我院于2015年8月至2016年8月收治的痉挛型脑瘫患儿分为观察组与对照组,每组27例,观察组患儿给予rTMS治疗,对照组给予常规的康复治疗。采用儿童语言发育迟缓检查法(S-S法)评价治疗前后患儿的语言发育能力,采用踝关节活动度及GMFM-88粗大运动功能测试表评估治疗前后患儿的运动功能。结果:治疗后两组患儿语言理解商与表达商较治疗前均增加,且观察组高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组患儿总有效率为77.8%,高于对照组的51.9%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后两组患儿踝关节活动度均增加,且治疗后观察组患儿踝关节活动度高于对照组(P0.05);治疗后两组患儿GMFM-88评分均增加,且治疗后观察组患儿GMFM-88评分高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:rTMS康复方法可以促进痉挛型脑瘫患儿的语言发育能力及运动功能,值得临床推广。     

Estimating the Inbreeding Depression on Cognitive Behavior: A Population Based Study of Child Cohort

BackgroundCognitive ability tests are widely assumed to measure maximal intellectual performance and predictive associations between intelligence quotient (IQ) scores and later mental health problems. Very few epidemiologic studies have been done to demonstrate the relationship between familial inbreeding and modest cognitive impairments in children.ObjectiveWe aimed to estimate the effect of inbreeding on children’s cognitive behavior in comparison with non-inbred children.MethodologyA cohort of 408 children (6 to 15 years of age) was selected from inbred and non-inbred families of five Muslim populations of Jammu region. The Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC) was used to measure the verbal IQ (VIQ), performance IQ (PIQ) and full scale IQ (FSIQ). Family pedigrees were drawn to access the family history and children’s inbred status in terms of coefficient of inbreeding (F).ResultsWe found significant decline in child cognitive abilities due to inbreeding and high frequency of mental retardation among offspring from inbred families. The mean differences (95% C.I.) were reported for the VIQ, being −22.00 (−24.82, −19.17), PIQ −26.92 (−29.96, −23.87) and FSIQ −24.47 (−27.35, −21.59) for inbred as compared to non-inbred children (p>0.001). The higher risk of being mentally retarded was found to be more obvious among inbred categories corresponding to the degree of inbreeding and the same accounts least for non-inbred children (p<0.0001). We observed an increase in the difference in mean values for VIQ, PIQ and FSIQ with the increase of inbreeding coefficient and these were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The regression analysis showed a fitness decline (depression) for VIQ (R² = 0.436), PIQ (R² = 0.468) and FSIQ (R² = 0.464) with increasing inbreeding coefficients (p<0.01).ConclusionsOur comprehensive assessment provides the evidence for inbreeding depression on cognitive abilities among children.