In contrast to traditional researches that involve a manual, non-quantitative, and subjective way of performing handwriting analysis, in the current research, a special computer-aided method of revised handwriting analysis is used. It includes the detection of personality traits via manual quantitative registration of handwriting signs and their automated quantitative evaluation. This method is based on a mathematical–statistical model that integrates multiple international publications on the evaluation of handwriting signs. The first aim is the validation of the revised method against the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire Revised (16PF-R), which is performed as a self-report personality test by test persons and was developed and researched empirically by Raymond B. Cattell et al. A second aim is the development of an integrated model for assessment including handwriting analysis: when both methods come to the same result on a certain scale, then the construct can be accepted with higher reliability; in contrast, when results are contradictory, they should be regarded as a limitation of each method and raise awareness in the researchers, as these contradictions are a precious source of additional information regarding the complexity, ambiguity, and context specificity of personality traits.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease has an impact on handwriting (AD). Numerous researchers reported that fact. Therefore, examining handwriting characteristics could be a useful way to screen for AD. The aim of the article is to present the reliability and effectiveness of the AD-HS tool. Method: Most of the existing studies examine either linguistic manifestations of writing or certain motor functions. However, handwriting is a complex of cognitive and motor activities. Since the influence of AD on handwriting is individual, it is important to analyze the complete set of handwriting features. The AD-HS instrument is based on this principle. Validation of the AD-HS instrument for revealing cognitive impairment in AD-diagnosed persons in comparison to the control group. The study is based on the evaluation of free handwritten texts. AD-HS includes 40 handwriting and 2 linguistic features of handwritten texts. It is based on the standard protocol for handwriting analysis. The cumulative evaluation of all features builds a quantitative AD-Indicator (ADI) as a marker of possible AD conditions. The analyzed experiment includes 53 AD-diagnosed persons and a control group of 192 handwriting specimens from the existing database. Result: AD-HS shows a distinct difference in evaluated ADI for the participants (the mean value equals 0.49) and the control group (the mean value equals 0.28). Conclusion: The handwriting marker of AD could be an effective supplement instrument for earlier screening. It is also useful when traditional biomarkers and neurological tests could not be applied. AD-HS can accompany therapy as an indication of its effect on a person.

Introduction: The article discusses the issues of the long-term glucocorticosteroid therapy in children with nephrotic syndrome that results in severe adverse side effects. Methods: This retrospective study included 89 case reports of patients with nephrotic syndrome, aged 1–18, who received treatment at Voronezh Regional Pediatric Hospital №1 in 1999–2014. The children’s BMI Z-score was calculated from neasured height and weight. The authors considered therapeutical complications revealed through clinical-laboratory and instrumentation examination. Results and discussion: Long-term administration of glucocorticosteroids in patients with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome caused overweight and obesity. The patients who had received glucocorticosteroids for 6 months prior to the examination were overweight or obese (78%), had reactive pancreatitis (72%), leukemoid reactions (67%), liver damage (50%), Cushing’s syndrome (44%), chronic gastroduodenitis (33%), hyperglycemia (11%), arterial hypertension (6%), or infectious diseases (6%). The children observed during the period of prolonged remission of nephrotic syndrome had neither overweight, nor obesity or growth failure; signs of chronic gastroduodenitis were observed in 15% of the children. Conclusion: The long-term glucocorticosteroid therapy in children with nephrotic syndrome caused the excess body weight or obesity and gastro-intestinal disorders. So, proton pump inhibitors should be applied simultaneously with glucocorticosteroids to prevent gastro-intestinal disorders

Reliability of Evaluation of Handwriting Signs Dr. Yury Chernov IHS Institute for Handwriting Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland Dr. Marie Anne NauerIHS Institute for Handwriting Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland DOI: In Chernov, Y., & Nauer, M. A. (Eds.). (2023). Handwriting Research: Forensics & Legal. P. 37-56. Abstract Research and application areas related to handwriting, e.g. forensics, certain aspects … Realiability Handwriting Signs Read More »

Introduction: Handwriting reflects the integration of cognitive and motor functions, making it a potential indicator of neurodegenerative changes. Handwriting deterioration often mirrors cognitive and motor decline in dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, objective assessment methods remain limited. This study is based on the AD-HS instrument, which includes 42 handwriting features and three linguistic features. Their assessment is non-trivial. To ensure an objective and reliable evaluation, the features are given exact and unambiguous definitions. The formal, quantitative association of handwriting dimensions with cognitive and motor changes in dementia enriches previously published statistical results. Materials and Methods: Handwriting samples from 53 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) were analyzed against a reference group across six dimensions: spatial organization, letter formation, writing dynamics, stroke building, and overall appearance. Statistical analysis determined the significance of each dimension and its contribution to the overall AD-index (ADI). Results: The ADI effectively distinguished dementia samples from the reference group. The strongest diagnostic indicators were found in writing dynamics, followed by letter formation and spatial organization. The characteristics of early deterioration reflect cognitive impairment rather than purely motor impairment, which are less prevalent in the early stages. Discussion: Longitudinal data show that handwriting in early dementia deteriorates gradually, with diagnostic value arising from the combined presence of multiple affected features. The earliest changes appear in dynamic aspects, followed by spatial and organizational deficits, reflecting early cognitive disruption while motor programs remain largely intact. These findings support the validity of the AD-HS instrument for capturing handwriting changes associated with emerging dementia. Conclusion: The ADI offers a concise, quantitative measure of handwriting deterioration related to cognitive decline. Future research should focus on collecting longitudinal data and more strictly differentiating between age-related changes and cognitive decline.