Exploring the Neural Correlates of Flow Experience with Multifaceted Tasks and a Single-Channel Prefrontal EEG Recording.

Flow experience, characterized by deep immersion and complete engagement in a task, is highly recognized for its positive psychological impacts. However, previous studies have been restricted to using a single type of task, and the exploration of its neural correlates has been limited. This study aimed to explore the neural correlates of flow experience with the employment of multifaceted flow-induction tasks. Six tasks spanning mindfulness, artistic tasks, free recall, and varying levels of Tetris complexity (easy, flow, and hard conditions) were employed to have relatively complete coverage of the known flow-induction tasks for a better induction of individualized flow experience. Twenty-eight participants were recruited to perform these six tasks with a single-channel prefrontal EEG recording. Significant positive correlations were observed between the subjective flow scores of the individual's best-flow-experience task and the EEG activities at the delta, gamma, and theta bands, peaking at latencies around 2 min after task onset. The outcomes of regression analysis yield a maximum R2 of 0.163. Our findings report the EEG correlates of flow experience in naturalistic settings and highlight the potential of portable and unobtrusive EEG technology for an objective measurement of flow experience.

Spatial selectivity of the visual duration aftereffect in the sub-second range: An event-related potentials study.

Prolonged adaptation to one duration biases the perception of subsequent durations in a phenomenon known as duration adaptation. There is controversy regarding the neural substrates of the visual duration aftereffect: some researchers have argued that duration adaptation occurs in early visual cortical areas, whereas others have argued for high-level visual areas. Investigation of spatial selectivity of the duration aftereffect could help reveal the neural mechanisms underlying duration adaptation. In the present study, we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to demonstrate spatial selectivity of the visual duration aftereffect in the sub-second range. We measured the duration aftereffect at a 20° adapt-test distance that spanned 10° on either side of fixation. Our results revealed that duration adaptation first affected the N1 ERP component and then influenced the contingent negative variation (CNV) component. Moreover, the CNV component showed position effects in the temporal encoding stage, and the post-stimulus positive component was subject to a duration effect but not a position effect. These findings indicate that sub-second duration coding is closely linked to the early processing of the visual cortex. Moreover, the adaptation not only affects the earlier temporal coding stage, but also the later temporal processing stage.

Color Sensitivity of the Duration Aftereffect Depends on Sub- and Supra-second Durations.

The perception of duration becomes biased after repetitive duration adaptation; this is known as the duration aftereffect. The duration aftereffect exists in both the sub-second and supra-second ranges. However, it is unknown whether the properties and mechanisms of the adaptation aftereffect differ between sub-second and supra-second durations. In the present study, we addressed this question by investigating the color sensitivity of the duration aftereffect in the sub-second (Experiment 1) and supra-second (Experiment 2) ranges separately. We found that the duration aftereffect in the sub-second range could only partly transfer across different visual colors, whereas the duration aftereffect in the supra-second range could completely transfer across different visual colors. That is, the color-sensitivity of the duration aftereffect in the sub-second duration was stronger than that in the supra-second duration. These results imply that the mechanisms underlying the adaptation aftereffects of the sub-second and supra-second ranges are distinct.

The Effect of Action Research on Neobladder Function Training in Patients with Orthotopic Ileal Neobladders: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the effects of action research on neobladder function training in patients with orthotopic ileal neobladders. METHODS: A total of 68 patients with orthotopic ileal neobladders were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (31 patients) and an experimental group (37 patients). Patients in the control group received neobladder function training, while patients in the experimental group received neobladder function training based on the action research method. The effects of neobladder function training in all patients were evaluated after three months. RESULTS: (1) The differences between the two groups in micturition time interval, urine volume per time, number of incidences of nocturia, and urinary continence rate (day time and night time) were statistically significant (P < 0.05). (2) Compared to the control group (241.6 ± 42.3 mL, 15.1 ± 4.9 mL/s, 23.1 ± 9.9 cmH2O, 63.6 ± 22.3 mL), the bladder capacity (292.6 ± 66.9 mL), maximum urinary flow rate (19.2 ± 6.5 mL/s), and bladder detrusor pressure (31.2 ± 11.4 cmH2O) of the experimental group increased, while the residual urine volume (47.2 ± 21.1 mL) decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Neobladder function training based on the action research method can improve the neobladder function of patients with orthotopic ileal neobladders.

Pazopanib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a single-center, real-world, retrospective Chinese study.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of pazopanib in patients diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have been demonstrated by a Chinese subgroup analysis of the COMPARZ (Pazopanib Versus Sunitinib in the Treatment of Locally Advanced and/or Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma) trial. However, the real-world data are still unknown. This single-center, retrospective study was designed to verify the real-world effects of pazopanib in Chinese patients with mRCC. METHODS: Patients with mRCC and a clinical decision to initiate pazopanib as first-line therapy were eligible. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), with overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and safety being evaluated as secondary endpoints. The effectiveness according to the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk model, number of risk factors in the intermediate risk group, age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS), and the number and site of organ metastasis were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients were enrolled, including 23 (71.9%) males and 9 (28.1%) females. The median age was 57 years (range 29-75 years). With a median follow-up time of 23.8 months, a median PFS of 18.3 months, and an ORR of 37.5%. Median OS was not reached, and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 90.6%, 78.1, and 65.6%, respectively. According to IMDC risk model, 37.5% were placed in the favorable risk (FR) subgroup, 56.2% (the majority) were placed in the intermediate risk (IR) subgroup, and 6.3% were placed in the poor risk (PR) subgroup. Compared with the IR and PR groups, the FR group achieved the best ORR (58.3%) and median PFS (22.1 months). Having 1 risk factor, ECOG PS <2, 1 organ metastasis site, and only lung metastasis associated with a higher ORR and better median PFS. The IMDC risk model and number of metastases were associated with PFS. The most common adverse events were change in hair color (69.0%), diarrhea (63%), and hypertension (50%). CONCLUSIONS: Pazopanib showed efficacy and safety in real-world Chinese mRCC patients.

Risk Factors of PICC-Related Venous Thrombosis in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the risk factors of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-related venous thrombosis in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and explore its preventive measures. METHODS: Data of 780 patients with breast cancer who underwent PICC chemotherapy in our hospital from January 2014 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of catheter-related thrombosis was observed, and related factors of venous thrombosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 780 patients with breast cancer, 36 developed PICC-related venous thrombosis. The incidence of which was 4.62% (36/780). The PICC retention time ranged between 60 and 136 days, and the median time was 92 days. Thrombosis was found to occur within seven days after catheterization in three patients (8.33%), between 7 and 30 days in 18 patients (50%), between 31 and 92 days in 12 patients (33.3%), and ≥92 days in three patients (8.33%). Basilic vein puncture-induced thrombosis occurred in 25 patients (3.68%), and median cubital vein and cephalic vein puncture-induced thrombosis occurred in 11 patients (10.78%). The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Thrombosis was not associated with age, punctured limb, platelet count, or chemotherapy drugs (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Blood vessel puncture was the main factor that affected PICC-related thrombosis in breast cancer chemotherapy. The basilic vein should be the primary choice for blood vessel puncture. Prolonged catheter retention does not increase the risk of thrombosis.