Publications by authors named "Ainars Stepens"

Introduction: Despite its high potential, the effect of immersive virtual reality simulation (VRS) in trauma resuscitation training has not been studied. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that VRS is non-inferior to mannequin-based simulation (MBS) in trauma resuscitation training.

Methods: In a single-center, randomized controlled noninferiority trial, we compared individual training with an immersive virtual reality Trauma Simulator to live MBS training in a facilitated group.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Magnetic resonance imaging is vital for diagnosing cognitive decline. Brodmann areas (BA), distinct regions of the cerebral cortex categorized by cytoarchitectural variances, provide insights into cognitive function. This study aims to compare cortical thickness measurements across brain areas identified by BA mapping.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: With the rapid increase in the population over 65 years old, research on healthy aging has become one of the priorities in the research community, looking for a cost-effective method to prevent or delay symptoms of mild cognitive disorder or dementia. Studies indicate that cognitive reserve theory could be beneficial in this regard. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between lifestyle socio-behavioral proxies of cognitive reserve and cortical regions in adults with no subjective cognitive decline.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an MRI analysis method that could help assess cognitive impairment (CI) in the ageing population more accurately. In this research, we evaluated fractional anisotropy (FA) of whole brain (WB) and corpus callosum (CC) in patients with normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and moderate/severe cognitive impairment (SCI). In total, 41 participants were included in a cross-sectional study and divided into groups based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores (NC group, nine participants, MCI group, sixteen participants, and SCI group, sixteen participants).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Footwear usage could be a promising focus in reducing musculoskeletal injury risk in lower extremities commonly observed among the military. The goal of this research was to find potential gait-related risk factors for lower leg overuse injuries. Cases ( = 32) were active-duty infantry soldiers who had suffered an overuse injury in the previous six months of service before enrolling in the study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Cerebral perivascular spaces (PVS) are part of the cerebral microvascular structure and play a role in lymphatic drainage and the removal of waste products from the brain. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are hyperintense lesions on magnetic resonance imaging that are associated with cognitive impairment, dementia, and cerebral vascular disease. WMH and PVS are direct and indirect imaging biomarkers of cerebral microvascular integrity and health.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. MSkIs affect members of the military during initial training, operational training, and deployment and have a direct negative impact on overall troop readiness. Currently, a systematic overview of all risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: High rates of musculoskeletal injuries such as plantar fasciitis and stress fractures have been observed among physically active military personnel. During service time, infantry soldiers use issued boots daily that should fit well and provide comfort to prevent injuries and decrease lower extremity pain effectively. The association of military boot comfort with overuse injuries remains unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This review aimed to systematically summarize the possible neural correlates of cognitive reserve thus giving an insight into prospective biomarkers for the concept. A total of 44 studies were analyzed following PRISMA guidelines and four studies were included in the further analysis. The results indicated a relationship between P3b waveform and cognitive reserve, while more ambiguous outcomes were found when conducting resting-state EEG.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Studies reveal a functional impairment in patients with personality disorders (PDs), but there is not enough information to form conclusions about this relation in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent a personality disorders scales including pathological personality traits (PPTs) predict six domains of functioning in patients with AUD.

Methods: In total, 48 patients with AUD diagnosis, who were treated in the psychiatric clinics, aged 20 to 65 years [M = 37.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: A permanent Parkinsonian syndrome occurs in intravenous abusers of the designer psychostimulant methcathinone (ephedrone). It is attributed to deposition of contaminant manganese, as reflected by characteristic globus pallidus hyperintensity on T1-weighted MRI.

Methods: We have investigated brain structure and function in methcathinone abusers ( = 12) compared to matched control subjects ( = 12) using T1-weighted structural and resting-state functional MRI.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives To determine the validity and reliability of a Latvian version of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (LV-NIHSS) for evaluating Latvian stroke patients. Methods The adaption of the LV-NIHSS followed standard methods used for the adaption and validation of clinical assessment tools. The scale validity was tested by comparison with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the modified Rankin scale (mRs).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We examined white matter abnormalities in patients with a distinctive extrapyramidal syndrome due to intravenous methcathinone (ephedrone) abuse. We performed diffusion tensor imaging in 10 patients and 15 age-matched controls to assess white matter structure across the whole brain. Diffuse significant decreases in white matter fractional anisotropy, a diffusion tensor imaging metric reflecting microstructural integrity, occurred in patients compared with controls.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: A distinctive extrapyramidal syndrome has been observed in intravenous methcathinone (ephedrone) users in Eastern Europe and Russia.

Methods: We studied 23 adults in Latvia who had extrapyramidal symptoms and who had injected methcathinone for a mean (+/-SD) of 6.7+/-5.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF