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BACKGROUND: This study aimed to provide population norms among children and adolescents in Chile using the EQ-5D-Y-3L questionnaire and to examine its feasibility and validity among body weight statuses. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which 2204 children and adolescents (aged 8-18 years) from Chile completed a set of questionnaires providing sociodemographic, anthropometric and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data using the five EQ-5D-Y-3L dimensions and its visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Descriptive statistics of the five dimensions and the EQ-VAS were categorized into body weight status groups for the EQ-5D-Y-3L population norms. The ceiling effect, feasibility and discriminant/convergent validity of the EQ-5D-Y-3L were tested. RESULTS: The dimensions of the EQ-5D-Y-3L questionnaire presented more ceiling effects than the EQ-VAS. The validity showed that the EQ-VAS could discriminate among body weight statuses. However, the EQ-5D-Y-3L index (EQ-Index) demonstrated a non-acceptable discriminant validity. Furthermore, both the EQ-Index and the EQ-VAS presented an acceptable concurrent validity among weight statuses. CONCLUSIONS: The normative values of the EQ-5D-Y-3L indicated its potential use as a reference for future studies. However, the validity of the EQ-5D-Y-3L for comparing the HRQoL among weight statuses could be insufficient.

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Objectives: Judgments of the subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective visual horizontal (SVH) while seated upright are commonly included in standard clinical test batteries for vestibular function. We examined SVV and SVH data from retrospective control to assess their statistical distributions and normative values for magnitudes of the preset effect, sex differences, and fixed-head versus head-free device platforms for assessment. Methods: Retrospective clinical SVV and SVH data from 2 test platforms, Neuro-otologic Test Center (NOTC) and the Neurolign Dx 100 (I-Portal Portable Assessment System Nystagmograph) were analyzed statistically (SPSS and MATLAB software) for 408 healthy male and female civilians and military service members, aged 18-50 years. Results: No prominent age-related effects were observed. The preset angle effects for both SVV and SVH, and their deviations from orthogonality, agree in magnitude with previous reports. Differences attributable to interactions with device type and sex are of small magnitude. Analyses confirmed that common clinical measure for SVV and SVH, the average of equal numbers of clockwise and counterclockwise preset trials, was not significantly affected by the test device or sex of the subject. Finally, distributional analyses failed to reject the hypothesis of underlying Gaussian distributions for the clinical metrics. Conclusions: z scores based on these normative findings can be used for objective detection of outliers from normal functional limits in the clinic.

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The study aimed to verify how age, height, body mass and body mass index affects the eccentric knee flexor strength during the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) in male soccer players. Ten professional soccer clubs were included in this cross-sectional trial. Three hundred and eleven soccer players (192 from senior and 119 from under-20 teams) were assessed using a load-cell based device. Pearson's correlation tests were performed between peak force values (measured in Newtons) and age, height, body mass and body mass index. The individual-limb strength (n = 622 limbs) and the between-limb average strength (n = 322 players) presented no correlation with age (r = 0.12 for both) and height (r = 0.13; r = 0,15), and fair correlations with body mass (r = 0.37; r = 0,41) and body mass index (r = 0.40; r = 0,43). In conclusion, the male soccer players' eccentric knee flexor strength measured during the NHE execution is not affected by age or height. Body mass and body mass index play somewhat effect on strength, thus normalising absolute strength measures by body mass or body mass index can provide more accurate analysis in some contexts.

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OBJECTIVE: To identify the measures of biventricular function and surrogates of pulmonary vascular resistance that can be expected in relatively stable extremely premature neonates, and evaluate maturational changes in myocardial performance in this patient population. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective observational study. Clinically stable extremely preterm newborns were divided into 3 cohorts based on gestational age: cohort 1 (240/7-256/7 weeks), cohort 2 (260/7-276/7 weeks), and cohort 3 (280/7-296/7 weeks). Serial echocardiograms were obtained on day of life 3-5, 7-10, and just prior to discharge. RESULTS: In total, 46 subjects met the criteria aimed at capturing only the most clinically healthy and stable newborns less than 296/7 weeks of gestational age. Myocardial performance was reliably assessed by echocardiography with high inter-reader correlation. Normative values were identified for right ventricular function, left ventricular function, and surrogates of pulmonary vascular resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Biventricular systolic performance is significantly different in the clinically stable extremely premature neonate when compared with healthy full-term newborns. All participants had evidence of poor biventricular compliance at birth which improved with maturation. Extreme prematurity does not appear to adversely affect myocardial functional maturation at the time of term corrected age and/or discharge.

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PURPOSE: To determine gender-based normative values for pattern-reversal (PR) and flash (F) visually evoked potentials (VEP) under binocular and monocular stimulation in healthy adults. METHODS: Healthy adults (age ≥18 years) were recruited among university employees and students. Inclusion criteria were absence of abnormalities in fundoscopy, tracking ability, stereopsis and pupillary reflexes; best-corrected visual acuity ≤.00 logMAR; and refractive error (spherical equivalent) from -6.00 to +6.00. Exclusion criteria were previous intraocular surgery, systemic and/or neurological disorders. Binocular and monocular tests were performed according to International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision standards for PRVEP (reversal rate = 1.9 Hz, checkerboard stimuli 15' and 60' at 100% contrast) and FVEP (3 cd s/m2, rate = 1 Hz). VEP parameters of amplitude (µV) and peak times (ms) were measured. Inter-ocular differences, inter-peak intervals (N135-N75) and binocular summation were determined. RESULTS: Fifty-four subjects (28 females; mean age = 40.4 ± 13.7 years; median = 40.0 years) were included. Mean P100 latencies for 15' and 60' stimuli were, respectively, 94.6 ± 4.7 ms and 96.1 ± 4.2 for women. Mean values of P100 latency for men were 97.4 ± 4.9 for 15' and 97.7 ± 4.2 for 60' stimuli. Larger mean P100 for 15' checks was observed in women (12.8 ± 5.7 µV) than men (8.6 ± 2.5 µV) in PRVEP. Similar results were found for FVEP N2-P2 amplitudes (mean = 14.6 ± 4.9 for women and 9.8 ± 4.0 for men). CONCLUSIONS: Gender-based normative values for PRVEP and FVEP were determined, with women disclosing higher responses than men for smaller stimuli in the visual pathway. The use of gender-based normative values in the analysis of clinical VEP data for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is recommendable. Additional analysis including inter-peak intervals and binocular summation ratio might improve the diagnostic power of VEP.

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O presente artigo objetivou verificar em que medida os valores humanos predizem os comportamentos antissociais e estes, por sua vez, predizem os delitivos. Para tanto, contou-se com a participação de 207 universitários, com idades variando de 19 a 46 anos (M = 22,6; DP = 3,65). Os resultados indicaram que os valores das subfunções experimentação (+) e normativa (-) predisseram os comportamentos antissociais, e estes, as condutas delitivas. Tal modelo testado apresentou indicadores de ajuste adequados (χ²/g.l = 1,48, GFI = 0,99, TLI = 0,96, CFI = 0,98, RMSEA = 0,048). Os resultados indicam a importância dos valores na predição de condutas desviantes, sendo importante, sobretudo, a promoção de valores normativos, pois estes vêm se mostrando, consistentemente, como fatores de proteção para o envolvimento em comportamentos desviantes.

This article aimed to verify the extent to which human values predict the antisocial behaviors and these, in turn, predict the criminal behavior. Participants were 207 undergraduated students, with ages ranging from 19 to 46 years (M = 22.6, SD = 3.65). The results indicated that values of the subfunction excitement (+) and normative (-) predicted the antisocial behaviors, and these, criminal behaviors. This tested model showed adequate fit indicators (χ²/g.l = 1.48, GFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.96, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.048). The results indicate the importance of values in the prediction of deviant behavior, it is important, especially, the promotion of normative values, as these has proven consistently as protective factors for involvement in deviant behavior.

Este artículo tiene como objetivo verificar el grado en que los valores humanos a predecir las conductas antisociales y éstos, a su vez, predicen los delictivos. Esta involucrado con la participación de 207 alumnos, con edades entre 19 a 46 años (M = 22,6, SD = 3,65). Los resultados indicaron que los valores sub ensayo (+) y normativos (-) predijo las conductas antisociales, y estos, conductas delictivas. Este modelo probado mostró indicadores de ajuste adecuados (c² / gl = 1,48, GFI = 0,99, TLI = 0,96, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0,048). Los resultados indican la importancia de los valores en la predicción de la conducta desviada, es importante, sobre todo, la promoción de los valores normativos, ya que ha demostrado consistentemente como factores de protección para la participación en la conducta desviada.

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BACKGROUND: The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) is an international assessment tool for monitoring cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. BICAMS comprises the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), the California Verbal Learning Test - Second Edition (CVLT II) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised (BVMT-R). Our objective was to validate and assess the reliability of BICAMS as applied in Argentina and to obtain normative data in Spanish for this population. METHOD: The sample composed of 50 MS patients and 100 healthy controls (HC). In order to test its reliability, BICAMS was re-administered in a subset of 25 patients. RESULTS: The sample's average age was 43.42 ± 10.17 years old, and average years of schooling were 14.86 ± 2.78. About 74% of the participants were women. The groups did not differ in age, years of schooling, or gender. The MS group performed significantly worse than the HC group across the three neuropsychological tests, yielding the following Cohen's d values: SDMT: .85; CVLT I: .87; and BVMT-R: .40. The mean raw scores for Argentina normative data were as follows: SDMT: 56.71 ± 10.85; CVLT I: 60.88 ± 10.46; and BVMT-R: 23.44 ± 5.84. Finally, test-retest reliability coefficients for each test were as follows: SDMT: r = .95; CVLT I: r = .87; and BVMT-R: r = .82. CONCLUSION: This BICAMS version is reliable and useful as a monitoring tool for identifying MS patients with cognitive impairment.

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Objetivo: obtener valores normativos de electrorretinograma estándar y con patrón, así como potenciales evocados visuales con patrón y con luz difusa, en un grupo de individuos sanos. Métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo y descriptivo en sujetos sanos que acudieron al Servicio de Neuroftalmología del Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología Ramón Pando Ferrer, en un período de seis meses. Fueron incluidos 60 ojos de adultos entre 20-40 años de uno y otro sexos, con examen físico oftalmológico normal. Resultados: los valores medios de amplitud y latencia al pico o tiempo implícito de P50 para el electrorretinograma a patrón fueron de 1,75 microvoltios y 53,7 milisegundos. El electrorretinograma estándar mostró valores de amplitud de la onda b de 300, 550 y 290 microvoltios para las respuestas escotópica, mesópica y fotópica respectivamente. La latencia al pico de la onda P100 en los potenciales evocados visuales con patrón a 60 y 20 minutos de arco fue de 107 y 110 ms, y en la respuesta a luz difusa el valor de P2 fue de 110 ms con una diferencia interocular inferior a los 5 ms en ambos estudios. Conclusiones: los estudios electrofisiológicos propuestos muestran valores de normalidad y de utilidad en la evaluación de resultados patológicos indicativos de afectación funcional visual a diferentes niveles, y constituyen una herramienta válida, como referencia al resto de los laboratorios de electrofisiología visual de los centros oftalmológicos del país(AU)

Objective: to obtain normative data of standard and pattern electroretinography as well as pattern and diffuse light visual evoked potentials from a group of healthy individuals. Methods: a prospective and descriptive study conducted in healthy subjects who were seen at the neurophthalmology service in Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology in a six-month period. Sixty eyes of adults aged 20-40 years of both sexes with normal ophthalmologic physical examination results were included. Results: mean values of amplitude and latency at the wave peak of P50 for the pattern electroretinogram were 1,75 microvolts and 53,7 ms. The standard electroretinogram showed b-wave amplitude values of 300, 550 and 290 microvolts for scotopic, mesopic and photopic responses, respectively. The latency of the P100 wave peak in pattern visual evoked potentials at 60 and 20 minutes of arc were 107 and 110 ms and at the diffuse light response, P-2 value was 110 ms with interocular difference lower than 5 ms in both studies. Conclusions: the suggested electrophysiological studies show normal useful values in the evaluation of pathological findings indicative of visual functional impairment at different levels and they may serve as a valid tool of reference for the rest of visual electrophysiology laboratories located in the ophthalmological centers nationwide(AU)

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