A mathematical model of receptive field reorganization following stroke

Insufficient blood transport to neurons in the brain due to blocked or ruptured blood vessels (stroke) can lead to damage or death of cells, causing functional impairment. Intact neurons surrounding a stroke-like lesion have been shown to adapt to the damage by expanding their sensory receptive fields in the direction towards the lesion, thereby restoring information processing capacity within the cortex. We developed model of the effect of focal ischaemia on the performance of a neuronal population code, in order to study physiological parameters that could be influenced to enhance recovery from stroke. Our findings show that recovery of the accuracy of the population code is optimal by a specific amount of receptive field plasticity. This plasticity may be influenced by changing the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA-ergic) inhibition in the areas surrounding the damaged tissue.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

The effect of a short educational intervention on the use of urinary catheters: a prospective cohort study.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked FilesTo assess the effectiveness of implementation of evidence-based recommendations to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).Prospective cohort study, conducted in 2010-12, with a before and after design.A major referral university hospital.Data were collected before (n = 244) and 1 year after (n = 255) the intervention for patients who received urinary catheters.The intervention comprised two elements: (i) aligning doctors' and nurses' knowledge of indications for the use of catheters and (ii) an educational effort consisting of three 30- to 45-minute sessions on evidence-based practice regarding catheter usage for nursing personnel on 17 medical and surgical wards.The main outcome measures were the proportion of (i) admitted patients receiving urinary catheters during hospitalization, (ii) catheters inserted without indication, (iii) inpatient days with catheter and (iv) the incidence of CAUTIs per 1000 catheter days. Secondary outcome measures were the proportion of (i) catheter days without appropriate indication and (ii) patients discharged with a catheter.There was a reduction in the proportion of inpatient days with a catheter, from 44% to 41% (P = 0.006). There was also a reduction in the proportion of catheter days without appropriate indication (P < 0.001) and patients discharged with a catheter (P = 0.029). The majority of catheters were inserted outside the study wards.A short educational intervention was feasible and resulted in significant practice improvements in catheter usage but no reduction of CAUTIs. Other measures than CAUTI may be more sensitive to detecting important practice changes.Icelandic Nurses' Association Research Fund Landspitali University Hospital Research Fund Ministry of Welfare in Icelan