Foreshadowing of Performance Accuracy by Event-Related Potentials: Evidence from a Minimal-Conflict Task

Recent studies employing stimulus-response compatibility tasks suggest that an increase in the amplitude of the positive deflection of the response-locked event-related potential (ERP) foreshadows errors on forthcoming trials. However, no studies have tested the generalizability of error-foreshadowing positivity to tasks without stimulus-response interference.The present study adopted an alternating-response task, in which the participants responded to the pointing direction of an arrowhead (up or down). Although the arrowhead direction alternated for the majority of trials (95%), occasionally this pattern was broken by a repeated stimulus, termed a lure trial. We compared the matched-reaction-time correct-preceding ERP with the error-preceding ERP on lure-preceding trials. There was no evidence that errors are foreshadowed by the increase of a positive electroencephalogram (EEG) deflection. To the contrary, analyses of ERPs time-locked to electromyogram (EMG) onset on the five consecutive lure-preceding trials showed larger positive deflections on correct-preceding than error-preceding trials. The post-response negativity did not differ between correct-preceding and error-preceding trials.These results suggest that in minimal conflict tasks a decreased positivity may foreshadow incorrect performance several trials prior to the error, possibly reflecting the waning of task-related efforts. Therefore, error-foreshadowing brain signals may be task-specific

Prevalence and Factors Related to Anaemia in Children Aged 6–59 Months Attending a Quaternary Health Facility in Maputo, Mozambique

Globally, anaemia prevails as a public health issue, being also a concern in Mozambique, where about two-thirds of children 6-59 months of age are affected by this condition. We carried out this study to estimate anaemia prevalence and evaluate structural determinants and haematological parameters association among children aged 6-59 months attending pediatric inpatient and outpatient services in a Quaternary Health Facility in Maputo City Province, Mozambique. We collected data from 637 inpatients or outpatients who attended pediatric consultations at the Maputo Central Hospital. The overall rate of anaemia in children aged 6-59 months was 62.2% (396/637), with 30.9% moderate anaemia (197/637), 23.9% mild anaemia (152/637), and 7.4% severe anaemia (47/637). Among our study participants, critical factors for anaemia were those concerning the age group, child´s caregiver schooling, malaria and size of the liver.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predictive factors of malunion and nonunion at the Aristide le Dantec hospital

Background: Malunion and nonunion are late complications that can occur during the fracture healing process. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive factors for malunion and nonunion Methods: This was a retrospective study over a period of 43 months. Predictive factors were sought from patient, fracture and initial management data Results: We recorded 72 consolidation disorders in 69 patients. malunion accounted for 54.1% and nonunion for 45.9%. The study population was divided as follows: 53 men and 16 women. The average age was 37.8 years. The patients lived in urban areas in 81.2% of cases. Comorbidities were present in 14.5%. The circumstances of fracture occurrence were dominated by traffic accidents, especially for 39 patients. The initial fracture was closed in 91.3%. Long bones were involved in 97.2% of cases, with a diaphyseal location in 52.8%. The fracture was simple in 79.1%, with 84.7% of the fractures being transverse. The tibia was the bone most affected by malunion (53.8%). Nonunion occurred in the humerus, femur and tibia in 27.3% each. Initial treatment was undertaken in 91.3% of patients. Conclusions: Malunion and nonunion are a reality in our daily practice. These consolidation problems occur in young patients who are victims of road traffic accidents. Diaphyseal fractures of long bones with a transverse line have been the most frequently incriminated. conservative treatment and traditional practice have favoured the development of these complications

Le syndrome des jambes sans repos : fréquence et facteurs de risque chez l’hémodialysé

Le syndrome des jambes sans repos (SJSR) ou syndrome d'impatience musculaire est un trouble moteur caractérisé par des sensations désagréables dans les jambes. Les causes sont mal connues et sa fréquence est estimée entre 25% et 75% chez les hémodialysés. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale monocentrique menée au centre d'hémodialyse du CHU Hassan II de Fès (hôpital Al Ghassani) entre décembre 2012 et janvier 2013. Nous avons défini le syndrome de jambes sans repos selon la définition de l'international restless legs study group de 2003 reposant sur 4 critères essentiels au diagnostic. L'international restless legs  syndrome scale (IRLES) a été coté par un même néphrologue pour  mesurer la sévérité du syndrome des jambes sans repos. 84 hémodialysés ont répondu au questionnaire avec 41,7% de cas de SJSR dont 6,6% de formes graves. Nous avons retrouvé une association entre le SJSR et la carence martiale p(0,018), la néphropathie initiale p(0,041), l'HTA  p(0,026) et le sexe féminin p(0,024). Dans notre série, il ressort que la carence martiale et l'HTA sont les principaux facteurs de risque modifiables de ce syndrome chez nos patients. Les facteurs traditionnels comme le tabagisme, l'âge supérieur à 50 ans et la dialyse inadéquate ne sont pas associés à ce trouble dans notre série

Clinical and pathological kidney aspects of sickle cell anemia at Dakar: study of 11 cases of renal biopsies

Few studies are devoted to the practice of renal biopsy in sickle cell nephropathy; our objective was to determine the histological and evolutionary patterns of renal lesions in sickle cell patients who underwent renal biopsy in Dakar.Methods:This was a retrospective multicentric study (conducted from December 2009 to August 2011) on renal biopsies performed on sickle cell anaemic patients at the Nephrology Department of Teaching Hospital Aristide Le Dantec and the Albert Royer Childrens Hospital. The histological, therapeutic and evolutionary data were analysed.From the 292 total renal biopsies, 11 (3.80%) were performed on sickle cell patients (6SS, 1SBth + 4 AS) with a mean age of 23.1 [13-51 years]. Nephrotic syndrome was the indication of renal biopsy in all cases. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was the most frequent histological finding (five cases), followed by a combination of various specific lesions (hypertrophy of glomerular and peritubular capillaries), minimal glomerular lesions (three cases), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (two cases) and extra-membranous glomerulonephritis (one case). Complete remission after treatment was achieved in seven cases and one patient expired. Three patients did not continue with follow-up appointments.Conclusions:Renal biopsy is not very frequent in the course of sickle cell anaemia and in most cases it is performed because of nephrotic syndrome. The histological findings are diverse with a predominance of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Highly controlled, reproducible measurements of aerosol emissions from combustion of a common African biofuel source

Particulate emissions from biomass burning can both alter the atmosphere's radiative balance and cause significant harm to human health. However, due to the large effect on emissions caused by even small alterations to the way in which a fuel burns, it is difficult to study particulate production of biomass combustion mechanistically and in a repeatable manner. In order to address this gap, in this study, small wood samples sourced from Côte D'Ivoire in West Africa were burned in a highly controlled laboratory environment. The shape and mass of samples, available airflow and surrounding thermal environment were carefully regulated. Organic aerosol and refractory black carbon emissions were measured in real time using an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer and a Single Particle Soot Photometer, respectively. This methodology produced remarkably repeatable results, allowing aerosol emissions to be mapped directly onto different phases of combustion. Emissions from pyrolysis were visible as a distinct phase before flaming was established. After flaming combustion was initiated, a black-carbon-dominant flame was observed during which very little organic aerosol was produced, followed by a period that was dominated by organic-carbon-producing smouldering combustion, despite the presence of residual flaming. During pyrolysis and smouldering, the two phases producing organic aerosol, distinct mass spectral signatures that correspond to previously reported variations in biofuel emissions measured in the atmosphere are found. Organic aerosol emission factors averaged over an entire combustion event were found to be representative of the time spent in the pyrolysis and smouldering phases, rather than reflecting a coupling between emissions and the mass loss of the sample. Further exploration of aerosol yields from similarly carefully controlled fires and a careful comparison with data from macroscopic fires and real-world emissions will help to deliver greater constraints on the variability of particulate emissions in atmospheric systems

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 signaling in adult cardiomyocytes increases contractility and results in a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors are highly conserved signaling molecules that have been implicated in postnatal cardiac remodeling. However, it is not known whether cardiomyocyte-expressed FGF receptors are necessary or sufficient for ventricular remodeling in the adult heart. To determine whether cardiomyocytes were competent to respond to an activated FGF receptor, and to determine if this signal would result in the development of hypertrophy, we engineered a doxycycline (DOX)-inducible, cardiomyocyte-specific, constitutively active FGF receptor mouse model (αMHC-rtTA, TRE-caFgfr1-myc). Echocardiographic and hemodynamic analysis indicated that acute expression of caFGFR1 rapidly and directly increased cardiac contractility, while chronic expression resulted in significant hypertrophy with preservation of systolic function. Subsequent histologic analysis showed increased cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area and regions of myocyte disarray and fibrosis, classic features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Analysis of downstream pathways revealed a lack of clear activation of classical FGF-mediated signaling pathways, but did demonstrate a reduction in Serca2 expression and troponin I phosphorylation. Isolated ventricular myocytes showed enhanced contractility and reduced relaxation, an effect that was partially reversed by inhibition of actin-myosin interactions. We conclude that adult cardiomyocytes are competent to transduce FGF signaling and that FGF signaling is sufficient to promote increased cardiomyocyte contractility in vitro and in vivo through enhanced intrinsic actin-myosin interactions. Long-term, FGFR overexpression results in HCM with a dynamic outflow tract obstruction, and may serve as a unique model of HCM

Erysipèle de jambe du nourrisson: Une observation dans l’unité dermatologie de l’hôpital régional de Gao (mali)

L’érysipèle est une dermohypodermite bactérienne aiguë non nécrosante, affectant le plus souvent les membres inférieurs. Les facteurs favorisant sa survenue sont l’existence d’une porte d’entrée (plaies traumatiques négligées, intertrigo), le lymphœdème, l’obésité et la dépigmentation volontaire. La complication la plus fréquente est la récidive. Les autres complications incluent notamment abcédassions, la fasciite et les bactériémies. Nous rapportons une première observation malienne d’érysipèle chez un nourrisson de 8 mois, de sexe féminin, amené en consultation dans l’unité dermatologique de l’hôpital régional de Gao pour l’installation brutale d’une grosse jambe rouge plus notion de fièvre et de frissons. Le diagnostic a été porté devant une tuméfaction du membre inférieur droit rouge, chaude et douloureuse surmontée de bulles tendues associée à une adénopathie inguinale et une leucocytose à l’hémogramme. Un traitement à base d’antibiotique associé à un pansement et le repos a été instauré. L’évolution a été émaillée par la disparition des lésions en dix jours. Le diagnostic positif est fondé sur la clinique renforcé par la recherche de l’origine streptococcique