Aids and adaptations for the elderly at home: underprovided,underused, and undermaintained

A random sample of 140 elderly people aged over 75 was selected from the age-sex register of an urban general practice to assess the provision and use of aids and adaptations in their homes. Many of the aids that the elderly had were faulty, including half of the walking aids and 15% of hearing aids, reading spectacles, and dentures, and up to half of the aids were not used. Yet despite this underuse there were many disabled elderly people who required aids for the bath and toilet.When screening of elderly people is carried out in general practice assessment of aids and adaptations should be included to see that they are provided where needed, are used, and are adequately maintained.     

External memory aids for patients with dementia: a literature study on efficacy and applicability

Memory problems are the most common cognitive deficits in dementia. In order to help these patients with their everyday activities and to increase their quality of life, a number of memory aids have been developed. This paper focuses on the efficacy and the applicability of three different types of external memory aids. The findings suggest that environmental adjustment is an easy and low-priced method. It is beneficial even for patients in the most severe stages of dementia, since only a limited amount of training is necessary. The non-electronic aids are also relatively cheap and easy to learn. The electronic aids are more expensive and, at this point, only a few studies have investigated the efficacy of this memory aid on the memory problems of patients with dementia. However, most published studies only investigated small samples. Hence, the current results should be interpreted with caution.     

Refolding kinetics of denatured-reduced lysozyme in the presence of folding aids

The refolding kinetic behavior of denatured-reduced lysozyme in the presence of folding aids (acetamide, acetone, thiourea, L-arginine or glycerol) was studied utilizing a simplified model describing the competition between first-order folding reaction and third-order aggregation. It was found that the protein folding aids could be categorized into two groups. One of them at proper concentrations, such as acetamide, acetone, thiourea and L-arginine, stabilized unfolded protein or folding intermediates. In the presence of these additives, the folding rate decreased with increasing their concentration, and there existed a concentration where the aggregation rate constant was minimized. So, there was an optimum concentration for the folding aids to produce a high yield. The other group was protein stabilizers such as glycerol. In the presence of this kind of folding aids, both the refolding rate and yield were enhanced by increasing their concentration to a proper value. Moreover, their effect on improving protein refolding was additive to those of the first group. So the cooperative application of the two kinds of folding aids could result in favorable refolding rate and yield of protein.     

CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞与艾滋病疾病进展的关系概论

艾滋病是全球流行的一种严重传染病,严重损害机体免疫系统,病死率高,至今仍无治愈手段。该病以破环细胞免疫功能为主,因此,认识疾病病程的免疫状态对于进一步探索治疗艾滋病的方法意义重大。CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞在感染性疾病、移植耐受、自身免疫等疾病中的免疫作用是近年来研究热点。在艾滋病中,CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞发挥着重要的免疫作用,研究在不同疾病阶段该细胞亚群所起作用将有助于我们揭示疾病免疫机制。本文概述了CD4+CD25+调节性T细胞频率与艾滋病疾病进展的关系。     

仿真塑胶细菌培养物在“医学微生物学实验”教学中的应用

医学微生物学实验是医学院校不可缺少的基础必修课,也是涉及实验室生物安全的特殊课程。为杜绝生物安全隐患,避免实验结果不稳定及生化反应现象不典型的问题,将医学微生物实验中示教的典型细菌培养物和细菌的生化反应结果制成仿真塑胶教具,并应用于实验教学,对实验组与对照组学生的实验考核和问卷调查结果进行统计分析。结果表明仿真塑胶教具仿真度较高,示教观察点能达到教学要求,学生和教师对仿真教具的接受度高,试点班应用后学生考核成绩略高于对照组,达到预期的教学效果。细菌培养物仿真塑胶教具有很好的应用价值。     

Hearing Loss and Cognition: The Role of Hearing Aids,Social Isolation and Depression

Hearing loss is associated with poor cognitive performance and incident dementia and may contribute to cognitive decline. Treating hearing loss with hearing aids may ameliorate cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was to test whether use of hearing aids was associated with better cognitive performance, and if this relationship was mediated via social isolation and/or depression. Structural equation modelling of associations between hearing loss, cognitive performance, social isolation, depression and hearing aid use was carried out with a subsample of the UK Biobank data set (n = 164,770) of UK adults aged 40 to 69 years who completed a hearing test. Age, sex, general health and socioeconomic status were controlled for as potential confounders. Hearing aid use was associated with better cognition, independently of social isolation and depression. This finding was consistent with the hypothesis that hearing aids may improve cognitive performance, although if hearing aids do have a positive effect on cognition it is not likely to be via reduction of the adverse effects of hearing loss on social isolation or depression. We suggest that any positive effects of hearing aid use on cognition may be via improvement in audibility or associated increases in self-efficacy. Alternatively, positive associations between hearing aid use and cognition may be accounted for by more cognitively able people seeking and using hearing aids. Further research is required to determine the direction of association, if there is any direct causal relationship between hearing aid use and better cognition, and whether hearing aid use results in reduction in rates of cognitive decline measured longitudinally.     

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF HEARING AIDS

Recently the problems of the hard-of-hearing have been receiving more attention. Laboratories for proper treatment and diagnosis are being developed. The Army and Navy rehabilitation centers have made great strides in the advancement of the problems of selecting hearing aids and training in their use. Hearing aids have improved greatly since the advent of the midget vacuum tube. Newer and better models are continually being produced. Fitting of aids to an audiogram is not practical as yet. Bone conduction oscillators are inefficient and seldom indicated. The conduction type of hearing impairment does not usually present much of a problem as far as selection of an aid is concerned.Anyone who has difficulty in hearing ordinary conversation should think seriously of wearing an aid.     

Classification of voice disorder in children with cochlear implantation and hearing aid using multiple classifier fusion

Background  

Speech production and speech phonetic features gradually improve in children by obtaining audio feedback after cochlear implantation or using hearing aids. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate automated classification of voice disorder in children with cochlear implantation and hearing aids.     

Evaluation method for hearing aid fitting under reverberation: comparison between monaural and binaural hearing aids

Some hearing-impaired persons with hearing aids complain of listening difficulty under reverberation. No method, however, is currently available for hearing aid fitting that permits evaluation of hearing difficulty caused by reverberations. In this study, we produced speech materials with a reverberation time of 2.02 s that mimicked a reverberant environment (a classroom). Speech materials with reverberation times of 0 and 1.01 s were also made. Listening tests were performed with these materials in hearing-impaired subjects and normal-hearing subjects in a soundproof booth. Listening tests were also done in a classroom. Our results showed that speech material with a reverberation time of 2.02 s had a decreased listening-test score in hearing-impaired subjects with both monaural and binaural hearing aids. Similar results were obtained in a reverberant environment. Our findings suggest the validity of using speech materials with different reverberation times to predict the listening performance under reverberation of hearing-impaired persons with hearing aids.     

Provision of hearing aids: does specialist assessment cause delay?

OBJECTIVE--To identify the main delay in the provision of hearing aids for people with impaired hearing and identify possible problems and short-comings caused by a community based hearing aid dispensing service. DESIGN--Prospective cohort analysis based on data collected from patients on the duration of hearing impairment, from the referral letters in respect of the general practitioners'' findings on otoscopy, and from the ear, nose, and throat assessment in the clinic with respect to the outcome of specialist otoscopy and management of the hearing impairment. SETTING--General ear, nose, and throat outpatient clinic. PATIENTS--100 Consecutive patients aged 19-94 referred by general practitioners for the provision of hearing aids or for assessment and treatment of impaired hearing. RESULTS--Most patients with impaired hearing did not seek medical advice for at least a year. The time from referral by the general practitioner to the provision of a hearing aid was under two months. General practitioners consistently recognised normality on otoscopy but failed to recognise abnormality in eight of 45 cases. Seven patients required further investigation to exclude serious disease and nine had conditions amenable to surgery. CONCLUSIONS--The main cause of delay in treating impaired hearing is failure by patients to seek help promptly. Specialist assessment of patients with impaired hearing is preferable and does not necessarily cause delay in providing hearing aids. The provision of hearing aids should remain a hospital based service.     

Communication aids in patients with motor neurone disease.

The study aimed at determining the main factors responsible for the speech and communication problems in motor neurone disease to try to assess the suitability of commercially available aids. Sixteen patients suffering from motor neurone disease with communication problems had their speech assessed by using the Frenchay dysarthria assessment. It was found essential to offer a choice of aids to the patient since suitability of a particular aid could not be evaluated without the patient practising with it.     

橄榄蚶软体部营养成分分析与评价

测定了橄榄蚶(EsteUarca olivacea)软体部的基本生化成分、氨基酸和脂肪酸的含量.结果表明,橄榄蚶软体部含水量为81.36%,粗蛋白、粗脂肪、总糖和灰分分别占软体部干重的63.64%、10.95%、13.55%和8.97%.橄榄蚶软体部含有18种氨基酸,总氨基酸、必需氨基酸和呈味氨基酸分别占软体部干重的54.83%、19.80%和27.54%,总氨基酸占软体部蛋白质的86.13%,必需氨基酸和呈味氨基酸分别占氨基酸总量的36.11%和56.52%.橄榄蚶的限制性氨基酸为蛋氨酸+胱氨酸和色氨酸.橄榄蚶软体部含28种脂肪酸,不饱和脂肪酸(UFA)、单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)、多不饱和脂肪酸(PuFA)及"w-3系列多不饱和脂肪酸(w-3PUFA)分别占脂肪酸的41.31%、23.06%、18.25%和10.54%,DHA和EPA分别占脂肪酸的2.82%和4.59%.     

Pedagogical effectiveness of innovative teaching methods initiated at the Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Chandigarh

Modern teaching trends in medical education exhibit a paradigm shift from the conventional classroom teaching methods adopted in the past to nonconventional teaching aids so as to encourage interactive forms of learning in medical students through active participation and integrative reasoning where the relationship of the teacher and the taught has undergone tremendous transformation. Some of the nonconventional teaching methods adopted at our department are learning through active participation by the students through computer-assisted learning (CD-ROMs), Web-based learning (undergraduate projects), virtual laboratories, seminars, audiovisual aids (video-based demonstrations), and "physioquiz."     

A multi-language,portable text-to-speech system for the disabled

Previous experience with speech output aids for blind and non-vocal persons has shown great promise. The need for individual adjustments and the relatively small market, makes flexible, programmable aids necessary. A modular microprocessor text-to-speech system has been developed that is portable and battery-operated. This prototype has been adjusted to several different users. Programs for different languages have been developed. Connection of text sources is simplified by standardized interfaces. One special attachment is a 500 symbol Blissymbol board and a related Bliss-to-speech program that transforms the symbol string to well formed sentences.     

Impact of CDMA wireless phone power output and puncture rate on hearing aid interference levels

Interference between digital wireless phones and hearing aids occurs when the radiofrequency bursts from the phone transmission are demodulated by the hearing aid amplifier. The amplified interference signal is heard as a "buzz" or "static" by the hearing aid wearer. Most research and standards development activity has focused on worst-case scenarios with the phone operating at its maximum power. Since this power level is often not typical in urban and suburban settings, it is of value to determine the impact of lower power levels on the overall level of audible interference. Using a frequency analyzer, and several hearings aids and code division multiple access (CDMA) phones, the audio frequency spectrum of interference was recorded for each phone-aid combination and for a range of power levels producing from no interference to maximum interference. As phone power is increased, the interference signal becomes distinguishable from the ambient noise level and a linear response region is observed in which a specified increase in power output results in a proportional increase in the overall input referenced interference level (OIRIL). As power is increased beyond the linear region, the hearing aid enters a saturation region where an additional power increase results in a reduction or no increase in the OIRIL. The numeric differences in interference documented in this study were used in conjunction with the results of a previous study by the authors to determine the impact of reduced power on speech intelligibility and annoyance. The amount of improvement for a given power reduction depends on the radiofrequency immunity of the hearing aid and is substantial for hearing aids with poor immunity. For high-immunity aids, the level of audible interference remains low even at high phone power levels.     

Chemical Warfare: Drugs in Sports

A number of substances have been used by athletes in an attempt to improve performance in sports. The use of these substances, which are referred to as ergogenic aids, has become widespread; some pose serious health hazards. Ergogenic aids are divided into five broad classifications: physiological, physical, psychological, nutritional and chemical. It is possible, although conclusive proof is lacking, that some substances may give an athlete who takes them an advantage over one who does not. However, the health hazards posed in general by these materials far outweigh any possible advantage.     

Evaluation of the Wii Balance Board for Walking Aids Prediction: Proof-of-Concept Study in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background and Objectives

To provide proof-of-concept for the validity of the Wii Balance Board (WBB) measures to predict the type of walking aids required by inpatients with a recent (≤4days) total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods

A cross-sectional sample of 89 inpatients (mean age, 67.0±8years) with TKA was analyzed. A multivariable proportional odds prediction model was constructed using 8 pre-specified predictors – namely, age, sex, body mass index, knee pain, knee range-of-motion, active knee lag, and WBB-derived standing balance. The type of walking aids prescribed on day 4 post-surgery was the outcome of interest – an ordinal variable with 4 categories (walking stick, narrow- and broad-base quadstick, and walking frame).

Results

Women, increasing body mass index, and poorer standing balance were independently associated with greater odds for requiring walking aids with a larger base-of-support. The concordance-index of the prediction model was 0.74. The model comprising only WBB-derived standing balance had nearly half (44%) the explanatory power of the full model. Adding WBB-derived standing balance to conventional demographic and knee variables resulted in a continuous net reclassification index of 0.60 (95%CI,0.19-1.01), predominantly due to better identification of patients who required walking aids with a large base-of-support (sensitivity gain).

Conclusions

The WBB was able to provide quantitative measures of standing balance which could assist healthcare professionals in prescribing the appropriate type of walking aids for patients. Further investigation is needed to assess whether using the WBB could lead to meaningful changes in clinical outcomes such as falls.     

Current capabilities of rehabilitation robots

Predictions are often made of intelligent and independently mobile robots for the disabled, and researchers are continually improving laboratory systems. Reductions in the cost of the technology involved may lead to affordable devices by the end of the decade. Less ambitious goals must be adopted by those projects wishing to distribute robotic aids to the disabled in the next few years. A modest selling price dictates the use of existing components. Even with the advent of more advanced robots, cost considerations may still make simpler devices an attractive alternative. Excessive optimism of future capabilities should be avoided, lest unrealistic expectations of current robotic aids hamper their development. Progress at all levels of rehabilitation robotics is complementary.     

Making marine life count: a new baseline for policy

The Census of Marine Life aids practical work of the Convention on Biological Diversity, discovers and tracks ocean biodiversity, and supports marine environmental planning.     

Molecular genetics of usher syndrome

Usher syndrome (USH) is inherited in an autosomal recessive mode. The disease is characterized by hearing loss, progressing vision loss, and vestibular dysfunction. In most cases, it is the reason for deafness and blindness in school-age children. The prevalence of USH in the main population is estimated as 4.4 per 100000 individuals, approximately. The prevalence of heterozygous carriers can reach 1 per 70 normally hearing individuals. There is currently no effective treatment of USH. The patients are provided with hearing aids, but, in case of severe hearing impairement these aids give no effect. In view of this, developing diagnostic methods is important. It is believed that molecular genetic investigations will enable early diagnostics of the syndrome.