Cortical thinning over two years after first-episode psychosis depends on age of onset

First-episode psychosis (FEP) patients show structural brain abnormalities at the first episode. Whether the cortical changes that follow a FEP are progressive and whether age at onset modulates these changes remains unclear. This is a multicenter MRI study in a deeply phenotyped sample of 74 FEP patients with a wide age range at onset (15–35 years) and 64 neurotypical healthy controls (HC). All participants underwent two MRI scans with a 2-year follow-up interval. We computed the longitudinal percentage of change (PC) for cortical thickness (CT), surface area (CSA) and volume (CV) for frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes. We used general linear models to assess group differences in PC as a function of age at FEP. We conducted post-hoc analyses for metrics where PC differed as a function of age at onset. We found a significant age-by-diagnosis interaction effect for PC of temporal lobe CT (d = 0.54; p = 002). In a post-hoc-analysis, adolescent-onset (≤19 y) FEP showed more severe longitudinal cortical thinning in the temporal lobe than adolescent HC. We did not find this difference in adult-onset FEP compared to adult HC. Our study suggests that, in individuals with psychosis, CT changes that follow the FEP are dependent on the age at first episode, with those with an earlier onset showing more pronounced cortical thinning in the temporal lobe

La tecnología como vehículo de articulación Nivel Medio / Universitario en la provincia de La Rioja

Se presenta una línea de I+D que pretende fortalecer la articulación Universidad - Nivel Medio, estimulando el diseño de mecanismos que permitan alcanzar un diagnóstico compartido y planes de trabajo, destinados a disminuir la brecha que existe entre estos dos niveles y facilitando la inserción de las TIC como herramientas válidas y necesarias en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje. Los temas abordados son transversales a varias áreas, como algoritmos, lógica, programación, arquitectura de computadoras, higiene, seguridad y control ambiental. En cada proyecto participan activamente alumnos avanzados de la carrera Ingeniería en Sistemas, por lo que los desarrollos propuestos pueden converger en tesinas de grado de esta carrera.Eje: Tecnología informática aplicada en educaciónRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

La tecnología como vehículo de articulación Nivel Medio / Universitario en la provincia de La Rioja

Se presenta una línea de I+D que pretende fortalecer la articulación Universidad - Nivel Medio, estimulando el diseño de mecanismos que permitan alcanzar un diagnóstico compartido y planes de trabajo, destinados a disminuir la brecha que existe entre estos dos niveles y facilitando la inserción de las TIC como herramientas válidas y necesarias en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje. Los temas abordados son transversales a varias áreas, como algoritmos, lógica, programación, arquitectura de computadoras, higiene, seguridad y control ambiental. En cada proyecto participan activamente alumnos avanzados de la carrera Ingeniería en Sistemas, por lo que los desarrollos propuestos pueden converger en tesinas de grado de esta carrera.Eje: Tecnología informática aplicada en educaciónRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

La tecnología como vehículo de articulación Nivel Medio / Universitario en la provincia de La Rioja

Se presenta una línea de I+D que pretende fortalecer la articulación Universidad - Nivel Medio, estimulando el diseño de mecanismos que permitan alcanzar un diagnóstico compartido y planes de trabajo, destinados a disminuir la brecha que existe entre estos dos niveles y facilitando la inserción de las TIC como herramientas válidas y necesarias en el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje. Los temas abordados son transversales a varias áreas, como algoritmos, lógica, programación, arquitectura de computadoras, higiene, seguridad y control ambiental. En cada proyecto participan activamente alumnos avanzados de la carrera Ingeniería en Sistemas, por lo que los desarrollos propuestos pueden converger en tesinas de grado de esta carrera.Eje: Tecnología informática aplicada en educaciónRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Combining MRI and clinical data to detect high relapse risk after the first episode of psychosis

Detecting patients at high relapse risk after the first episode of psychosis (HRR-FEP) could help the clinician adjust the preventive treatment. To develop a tool to detect patients at HRR using their baseline clinical and structural MRI, we followed 227 patients with FEP for 18–24 months and applied MRIPredict. We previously optimized the MRI-based machine-learning parameters (combining unmodulated and modulated gray and white matter and using voxel-based ensemble) in two independent datasets. Patients estimated to be at HRR-FEP showed a substantially increased risk of relapse (hazard ratio = 4.58, P < 0.05). Accuracy was poorer when we only used clinical or MRI data. We thus show the potential of combining clinical and MRI data to detect which individuals are more likely to relapse, who may benefit from increased frequency of visits, and which are unlikely, who may be currently receiving unnecessary prophylactic treatments. We also provide an updated version of the MRIPredict software

Evolving trends in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 waves. The ACIE appy II study

Background: In 2020, ACIE Appy study showed that COVID-19 pandemic heavily affected the management of patients with acute appendicitis (AA) worldwide, with an increased rate of non-operative management (NOM) strategies and a trend toward open surgery due to concern of virus transmission by laparoscopy and controversial recommendations on this issue. The aim of this study was to survey again the same group of surgeons to assess if any difference in management attitudes of AA had occurred in the later stages of the outbreak. Methods: From August 15 to September 30, 2021, an online questionnaire was sent to all 709 participants of the ACIE Appy study. The questionnaire included questions on personal protective equipment (PPE), local policies and screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection, NOM, surgical approach and disease presentations in 2021. The results were compared with the results from the previous study. Results: A total of 476 answers were collected (response rate 67.1%). Screening policies were significatively improved with most patients screened regardless of symptoms (89.5% vs. 37.4%) with PCR and antigenic test as the preferred test (74.1% vs. 26.3%). More patients tested positive before surgery and commercial systems were the preferred ones to filter smoke plumes during laparoscopy. Laparoscopic appendicectomy was the first option in the treatment of AA, with a declined use of NOM. Conclusion: Management of AA has improved in the last waves of pandemic. Increased evidence regarding SARS-COV-2 infection along with a timely healthcare systems response has been translated into tailored attitudes and a better care for patients with AA worldwide

Influence of clinical and neurocognitive factors in psychosocial functioning after a first episode non-affective psychosis: differences between males and females

BackgroundDeficits in psychosocial functioning are present in the early stages of psychosis. Several factors, such as premorbid adjustment, neurocognitive performance, and cognitive reserve (CR), potentially influence functionality. Sex differences are observed in individuals with psychosis in multiple domains. Nonetheless, few studies have explored the predictive factors of poor functioning according to sex in first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study aimed to explore sex differences, examine changes, and identify predictors of functioning according to sex after onset.Materials and methodsThe initial sample comprised 588 individuals. However, only adults with non-affective FEP (n = 247, 161 males and 86 females) and healthy controls (n = 224, 142 males and 82 females) were included. A comprehensive assessment including functional, neuropsychological, and clinical scales was performed at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. A linear regression model was used to determine the predictors of functioning at 2-year follow-up.ResultsFEP improved their functionality at follow-up (67.4% of both males and females). In males, longer duration of untreated psychosis (β = 0.328, p = 0.003) and worse premorbid adjustment (β = 0.256, p = 0.023) were associated with impaired functioning at 2-year follow-up, while in females processing speed (β = 0.403, p = 0.003), executive function (β = 0.299, p = 0.020) and CR (β = −0.307, p = 0.012) were significantly associated with functioning.ConclusionOur data indicate that predictors of functioning at 2-year follow-up in the FEP group differ according to sex. Therefore, treatment and preventative efforts may be adjusted taking sex into account. Males may benefit from functional remediation at early stages. Conversely, in females, early interventions centered on CR enhancement and cognitive rehabilitation may be recommended

The Helicobacter pylori Genome Project : insights into H. pylori population structure from analysis of a worldwide collection of complete genomes

Helicobacter pylori, a dominant member of the gastric microbiota, shares co-evolutionary history with humans. This has led to the development of genetically distinct H. pylori subpopulations associated with the geographic origin of the host and with differential gastric disease risk. Here, we provide insights into H. pylori population structure as a part of the Helicobacter pylori Genome Project (HpGP), a multi-disciplinary initiative aimed at elucidating H. pylori pathogenesis and identifying new therapeutic targets. We collected 1011 well-characterized clinical strains from 50 countries and generated high-quality genome sequences. We analysed core genome diversity and population structure of the HpGP dataset and 255 worldwide reference genomes to outline the ancestral contribution to Eurasian, African, and American populations. We found evidence of substantial contribution of population hpNorthAsia and subpopulation hspUral in Northern European H. pylori. The genomes of H. pylori isolated from northern and southern Indigenous Americans differed in that bacteria isolated in northern Indigenous communities were more similar to North Asian H. pylori while the southern had higher relatedness to hpEastAsia. Notably, we also found a highly clonal yet geographically dispersed North American subpopulation, which is negative for the cag pathogenicity island, and present in 7% of sequenced US genomes. We expect the HpGP dataset and the corresponding strains to become a major asset for H. pylori genomics

New fabrication method using additive manufacturing technologies for the pattern of pressed lithium disilicate onlay restorations

There are 7 categories for the additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and a wide variety of materials that can be used to build a computer aided designed (CAD) 3-Dimensional (3D) object. The present article reviews the main AM processes for polymers for dental applications: stereolithography (SLA), direct light processing (DLP), material jetting (MJ) and material extrusion (ME). The manufacturing process, accuracy and precision of these methods will be reviewed, as well as, their prosthodontic applications