The Role of Alpha Oscillations among the Main Neuropsychiatric Disorders in the Adult and Developing Human Brain: Evidence from the Last 10 Years of Research

Alpha oscillations (7–13 Hz) are the dominant rhythm in both the resting and active brain. Accordingly, translational research has provided evidence for the involvement of aberrant alpha activ- ity in the onset of symptomatological features underlying syndromes such as autism, schizophrenia, major depression, and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, findings on the matter are difficult to reconcile due to the variety of paradigms, analyses, and clinical phenotypes at play, not to mention recent technical and methodological advances in this domain. Herein, we seek to address this issue by reviewing the literature gathered on this topic over the last ten years. For each neuropsychiatric disorder, a dedicated section will be provided, containing a concise account of the current models proposing characteristic alterations of alpha rhythms as a core mechanism to trigger the associated symptomatology, as well as a summary of the most relevant studies and scientific con- tributions issued throughout the last decade. We conclude with some advice and recommendations that might improve future inquiries within this field

Antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae in Italy by agar dilution method and E test

Few data on antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in Italy are available. Ninety-two invasive isolates from all over the country collected from January 1997 to April 1998 were tested for sensitivity to penicillin, erythromycin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole by the agar dilution method. Five (5.4%) strains were resistant to penicillin tone highly, four intermediately resistant), 8 (8.7%) to chloramphenicol, 27 (29.3%) to erythromycin, 17 (18.5%) to tetracycline (16 highly, one intermediately), and 21 (22.8%) to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (14 highly, 7 intermediately). All strains were susceptible to ceftriaxone, although the penicillin-resistant strain had the highest minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (0.5 mu g/ml); three penicillin-resistant strains were also resistant to erythromycin. Eight strains were multi-drug resistant, being also resistant to at least three antibiotics. The commercially available E test was compared with the standard agar dilution method for the determination of MIC of penicillin, erythromycin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. E test established the same susceptibility categories for 100% of the strains tested for penicillin and ceftriaxone, 99% for chloramphenicol, 97% for erythromycin, and 74% for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. According to our results, E test was simple to perform, easy to interpret, and a valid method for susceptibility testing of S. pneumoniae. Our study shows that in Italy the rate of penicillin resistance in invasive isolates of S. pneumoniae is one of the lowest in Europe (5.4%), while the rate of erythromycin is very high (29.3%) and is reaching the highest rates of other Southern European countries

Phase formation and transformation in alumina/YSZ nanocomposite coating deposited by suspension plasma spray process

Suspension Plasma Spray process was used for deposition of pseudo-eutectic composition of aluminayttria- stabilized zirconia as a potential thermal barrier coating using Mettech axial III torch. Process variables including feed and plasma parameters were altered to find their effects on the formation of phases in the composite coating. The in-flight particle velocity was found to be the crucial parameter on phase formation in the resulting coatings. Low particle velocities below 650 m/s result in the formation of stable phases i.e., a-alumina and tetragonal zirconia. In contrast, high particle velocities more than 750 m/s favor the metastable c-alumina and cubic zirconia phases as dominant structures in as-deposited coatings. Accordingly, the plasma auxiliary gas and plasma power as influential parameters on the particle velocity were found to be reliable tools in controlling the resulting coating structure thus, the consequent properties. The noncrystalline portion of the coatings was also studied. It was revealed that upon heating, the amorphous phase prefers to crystallize into pre-existing crystalline phases in the as-deposited coating. Thus, the ultimate crystalline structure can be designed using the parameters that control the particle velocity during plasma spray coating.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Structural considerations in plasma spraying of the alumina zirconia composite

The focus of this study is the amorphous and crystalline phase formation in air plasma sprayed alumina yttria stabilized zirconia coatings. In this multi-component system at compositions close to its eutectic, amorphous structures can arise by virtue of the high cooling rates of melted particles. Two avenues for amorphous phase formation have been identified: in-flight and upon-impact mixing. While the crystalline structure is largely retained by unmelted or partly melted feed particles embedded in the coating, it can also be created in the solidification process. The formation of a supersaturated crystalline phase is proposed. It was found that the formation of the crystalline phases with supersaturated composition in alumina YSZ composite is possible, in spite of the high cooling rates during spray process.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Amorphous and crystalline phase formation during suspension plasma spraying of the alumina zirconia composite

The focus of this study is the amorphous phase formation in the alumina yttria stabilized zirconia composite coatings during thermal spray deposition. The investigated processes include conventional and suspension plasma spraying. The focus of this paper is on suspension spraying, while making a comparison of the two processes. Through the study of the in-flight collected particles and coatings produced from the two processes, the comparison of fragmentation, melting and mixing phenomena became possible. Scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometric studies helped better understanding of the formation and the nature of amorphous and crystalline phases within the as-sprayed coatings. The results support the importance of melting and mixing phenomena during spraying on the amorphous phase formation, so that longer exposure at high temperature (lower in-flight particle velocity) results in higher amorphous contents due to more complete melting and mixing. The comparison of the atmospheric and suspension plasma spray methods presents several similarities in terms of melting and mixing behaviour and the resulting phases. The two methods are, however, different in fragmentation and the eventual crystallite sizes. The formation of crystalline supersaturated solid solutions of alumina and zirconia in SPS coatings is confirmed.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Teicoplanin in the treatment of enterococcal endocarditis: clinical and microbiological study

Seven cases of enterococcal endocarditis treated with teicoplanin (7-10 mg/kg/day for 28-105 days) alone (one case) or in combination with aminoglycosides (six cases) were reviewed. All patients were cured. Serum bactericidal activity titres after intravenous gentamicin (5 mg/kg every 24 h) and teicoplanin (10 mg/kg every 24 h) were measured on day 7 of treatment in four patients against five enterococcal isolates: mean titres were 1:54 (range 1:16-64) and 1:22 (1:8-32) at 0.5 and 24 h post-infusion, respectively. Time-kill studies showed synergy between teicoplanin and gentamicin against three isolates. We conclude that single daily-dose teicoplanin/gentamicin combined therapy may represent a rational alternative to standard penicillin/gentamicin therapy and a useful regimen for home treatment of selected cases of enterococcal endocarditis

Prosthetic biologic valve endocarditis caused by a vancomycin-resistant (vanA) Enterococcus faecalis: Case report

We recently observed (February 1999) a 68-year old patient with endocarditis on a prosthetic biologic valve caused by a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis. Broth dilution tests showed susceptibility to ampicillin (MIC = 0.5 mug/ml), no high resistance to aminoglycosides (MIC for gentamicin g/ml) and resistance to vancomycin (MIC >256 mug/ml) and teicoplanin (MIC>16 mug/ml). A PCR assay detected vanA gene in this strain. A transthoracic echocardiogram did not show valvular vegetations. A possible endocarditis was diagnosed and the patient received ampicillin for 8 weeks and gentamicin for 6 weeks. The patient remained afebrile after a 4-month follow-up when he underwent surgical replacement of the dysfunctional bioprosthetic valve. Mitral valve was sterile on culture, but histology confirmed the diagnosis of previous endocarditis, This is the third case of endocarditis caused by vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis reported to date

Teicoplanin in the treatment of enterococcal endocarditis: clinical and microbiological study

Seven cases of enterococcal endocarditis treated with teicoplanin (7-10 mg/kg/day for 28-105 days) alone (one case) or in combination with aminoglycosides (six cases) were reviewed. All patients were cured. Serum bactericidal activity titres after intravenous gentamicin (5 mg/kg every 24 h) and teicoplanin (10 mg/kg every 24 h) were measured on day 7 of treatment in four patients against five enterococcal isolates: mean titres were 1:54 (range 1:16-64) and 1:22 (1:8-32) at 0.5 and 24 h post-infusion, respectively. Time-kill studies showed synergy between teicoplanin and gentamicin against three isolates. We conclude that single daily-dose teicoplanin/gentamicin combined therapy may represent a rational alternative to standard penicillin/gentamicin therapy and a useful regimen for home treatment of selected cases of enterococcal endocarditis