Alterações neuropsicológicas associadas em pacientes com enfarte lacunar

There is little evidence of cognitive impairment to define the profile of patients with Lacunar Infarction (IL). The purpose of this study was to identify the neuropsychological disorders in these patients. The sample consisted of 16 patients with IL and 16 healthy control participants with an average age of 63 ± 9.41 and 64.75 ± 9.06 years, and average schooling of 7.55 ± 4.34 and 7.94 ± 3.51, respectively. Cognitive function was assessed using a screening tool and a neuropsychological battery. Statistical analysis was carried out by the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Patients with IL are characterized by the alteration of domains such as planning, verbal fluency, attention switching, visoconstructive skill and information processing speed (p <0.050). The IL is related to the impairment of executive functioning and processing speed, due to the interruption of frontocortico-subcortical circuits associated with their proper performance.Existe pouca evidência da deterioração cognoscitiva que defina o perfil do paciente com Enfarte Lacunar (IL). O propósito deste estudo foi identificar as alterações neuropsicológicas neste tipo de pacientes. A mostra foi composta por 16 pacientes com IL e 16 participantes sãos com uma idade média de 63 ± 9.41 e 64.75 ± 9.06 anos e uma escolaridade de 7.55 ± 4.34 e 7.94 ± 3.51, respectivamente. Avaliou-se a função cognoscitiva mediante um instrumento de tamizagem e uma bateria neuropsicológica. A análise estadística foi feita através do teste Kruskal-Wallis e a U de Man-Whitney. Os pacientes com IL se caracterizan pela alteração de dominios como planejamento, fluêcia verbal, mudança atencional, habilidade visoconstructiva e velocidade de processamento da informação (p < 0.050). O IL se relaciona com a deterioração do funcionamento executivo e da velocidade de processamento, devido à interrupção de circuitos frontocortico-subcorticais associados com seu correto desempenho.Existe poca evidencia del deterioro cognoscitivo que defina el perfil del paciente con Infarto Lacunar (IL). El propósito de este estudio fue identificar las alteraciones neuropsicológicas en este tipo de pacientes. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 16 pacientes con IL y 16 participantes sanos con una edad promedio de 63 ± 9.41 y 64.75 ± 9.06 años y una escolaridad de 7.55 ± 4.34 y 7.94 ± 3.51, respectivamente. Se valoró la función cognoscitiva mediante un instrumento de tamizaje y una batería neuropsicológica. El análisis estadístico se llevó a cabo a través de la prueba Kruskal-Wallis y la U de Man-Whitney. Los pacientes con IL se caracterizan por la alteración de dominios como planeación, fluidez verbal, cambio atencional, habilidad visoconstructiva y velocidad de procesamiento de la información (p < 0.050). El IL se relaciona con el deterioro del funcionamiento ejecutivo y de velocidad de procesamiento, debido a la interrupción de circuitos frontocortico-subcorticales asociados con su correcto desempeño

Propiedades psicométricas des test breve de empatía para niños mexicanos

La empatía es una de las habilidades más cruciales para el desarrollo de niños y adolescentes. La capacidad de “sentir o experimentar” las emociones de otras personas se denomina empatía. Es una habilidad que promueve la adherencia y la adaptabilidad al grupo familiar y social y favorece el adecuado funcionamiento del individuo, la empatía también es vista como un método positivo de comunicación. Método: El proceso de creación de este instrumento se inició con una revisión de la literatura. A partir de un primer borrador de 88 ítems, se creó un banco de ítems y se pidió a los jueces (psicólogos con experiencia en psicometría, psicología infantil y el tema de la empatía) que evaluarán los resultados. De manera similar, estos primeros elementos se presentaron a un grupo focal de niños para ver si entendían las oraciones dadas sus edades. Posteriormente, se sacaron las preguntas que no estaban claras en su redacción, que los niños no entendieron o que no recibieron la aprobación de los jueces. Luego se agregó y utilizó una versión breve con 29 ítems para el análisis psicométrico. Resultados: El Test Breve de Empatía para Niños es un cuestionario autoadministrado, con 29 ítems con respuestas en una escala tipo Likert que incluye nunca, a veces y siempre. Aplicable a niños de 8 a 13 años. Tiene cuatro subescalas: 1) Angustia Compasiva (AC) con 11 ítems, 2) Fantasía Empática (FE) con 4 ítems, 3) Toma de Perspectiva (TP) con 6 ítems, y 4) Comprensión Empática (UE) con 8 ítems. Discusión: Un nivel de empatía alto en niños repercutirá de manera positiva en el desarrollo y se puede observar en sus relaciones interpersonales y solución de conflictos

Sinais Neurológicos Sutis e processos cognitivos em crianças escolares mexicanas de 6 a 11 anos

Neurological Soft Signs (NSS) are indicative of generalized disruptions in neurological networks of cortico-subcortical areas. Their presence leads to problems in children's cognitive development with future academic repercussions. The presence of NSS was assessed and compared in 144 children aged 6 to 11 years of low-medium socioeconomic status from Mexico City and the metropolitan area through the Infant Neuropsychological Maturity Questionnaire (CUMANIN, for its Spanish acronym) and the School Neuropsychological Maturity Questionnaire (CUMANES, for its Spanish acronym). Results indicate significant differences by sex. Girls showed better performance in word articulation. In groups by age, significant differences were found in leximetric-comprehension, visual perception and executive function-errors. Participants showed the presence of developmental NSS which include: language (articulation disorders, oral and written language disturbances, difficulty finding words), psychomotricity, visual perception and other cognitive functions. There are several factors related to those impairments such as age, socioeconomic context and critical stages in child's development. Identification and early diagnosis can reduce the risk of school failure.Os Sinais Neurológico Sutis (SNS) são indicadores de interrupções generalizadas nas redes de trabalho neural de áreas córtico-subcorticais, cuja presença leva a problemas no desenvolvimento neurocognitivo da criança que representam repercussões acadêmicas negativas. Na presente pesquisa, foi avaliada e comparada a presença de SNS com os processos cognitivos de 144 participantes mexicanos de estrato socioeconómico médio-baixo com idades entre 6 e 11 anos, sem antecedentes neurológicos ou psiquiátricos, por meio dos Cuestionarios de Madurez Neuropsicológica (CUMANIN) e Madurez Neuropsicológica Escolar (CUMANES). Os resultados indicaram diferenças significativas por gênero, já que as meninas apresentaram melhor desempenho na articulação de palavras. Nos grupos por idade, as diferenças significativas foram encontradas na velocidade de leitura e compreensão, visuopercepção e função executiva e erros. Em geral, os participantes mostraram presença de SNS de desenvolvimento, que incluem interferências na linguagem (problemas articulatórios, alterações da linguagem oral e escrita, dificuldade para encontrar palavras), psicomotricidade, visuopercepção e outras funções cognitivas. Ao final, conclui-se que a identificação e o diagnóstico precoce dos SNS permite diminuir o risco de fracasso escolar.Los Signos Neurológicos Blandos (SNB) son indicativos de interrupciones generalizadas en las redes de trabajo neuronal de áreas cortico-subcorticales, cuya presencia conlleva a problemas en el desarrollo neurocognitivo del niño que representan repercusiones académicas negativas. En la presente investigación se evaluó y comparó la presencia de SNB con los procesos cognitivos de 144 participantes mexicanos de estrato socioeconómico medio-bajo con edades entre los 6 y 11 años sin antecedentes neurológicos o psiquiátricos por medio de los Cuestionarios de Madurez Neuropsicológica (CUMANIN) y Madurez Neuropsicológica Escolar (CUMANES). Los resultados indicaron diferencias significativas por sexo, ya que las niñas presentaron mejor desempeño en la articulación de palabras. En los grupos por edad, las diferencias significativas se encontraron en leximetría-comprensión, visopercepción y función ejecutiva-errores; y, en general, los participantes mostraron presencia de SNB de desarrollo, que incluyen afectaciones en: lenguaje (problemas articulatorios, alteraciones del lenguaje oral y escrito, dificultad para encontrar palabras), psicomotricidad, visopercepción y otras funciones cognitivas. Al final, se concluye que la identificación y diagnóstico temprano de los SNB permite disminuir el riesgo de fracaso escolar

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN-α production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers such as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously nonhospitalized patients, while no restoration of integrin β7 and indoleamine 2,3-dyoxigenase (IDO) levels were observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19

Application and Timing of Insecticides for Aphid Management in Head Lettuce

The timing and application methods of new insecticide chemistries for aphid control were compared to imidacloprid in several studies in 1998 and 1999. Foliar applications of Fulllfill, Aphistar, Actara and Acetamiprid appear to provide an alternative method of controlling aphids on lettuce comparable to prophylactic applications of Admire. Timing applications as aphids began to colonize was critical for preventing head contamination at harvest. In addition, at planting and side dress soil applications of Platinum provided aphid control comparable to Admire. Residual activity of the new foliar alternatives appeared to differ depending on spray timing relative to aphid density and plant stage. These studies suggest that more than one application of the foliar products will be necessary to adequately suppress aphid contamination in heads. Evaluations of thiamethoxam suggest that it is more mobile in the soil than Admire and may be a candidate for side dress applications for aphid management

Foliar Activity of Assail®, Fulfill® and Flonicamid® on Aphids in Leafy Vegetables

Several small-plot studies were conducted in the spring of 2004 to compare the residual efficacy of several new reduced risk insecticides against aphids infesting desert head lettuce. In 4 head lettuce trials and one broccoli trial, economic aphid control was consistently achieved following foliar applications with flonicamid and Assail. These compounds provided good knockdown of aphids when applied relatively early in lettuce plant development and aphid population growth. Fulfill was less consistent and performance was reliant on correct spray timing. Collectively, the chemical attributes and biological activities of Fulfill, Assail and flonicamid make them extremely attractive for implementation into an aphid management program

Management of Western Flower Thrips in Head Lettuce with Conventional and Botanical Insecticides

Studies were conducted in three independent field trials to evaluate the efficacy of conventional and botanical insecticides against western flower thrips in head lettuce. Trials were conducted in spring lettuce under moderate and heavy populations pressures. Actara and Avaunt, two new experiential insecticides did not significantly control adults and provided only marginal activity against the larvae when applied alone. Combination of these products with either Lannate or Warrior significantly enhanced control, but usually not greater than that shown from the Lannate or Warrior applied alone. Several botanical products were evaluated (azadirachtin, pyrethrins, crop oils and garlic). Unfortunately, none of the botanical products significantly reduced thrips numbers to economically acceptable levels of control. Similar to previous studies, our results suggest that even the most efficacious products appeared to maintain thrips populations at constant levels and not necessarily reducing their numbers. More research needs to be conducted to determine the proper timing of applications to achieve optimal thrips using both conventional and botanical insecticides

Population Dynamics and Distribution of Aphid Species on Head Lettuce in the Yuma Valley

Studies were conducted in the 1999/2000 growing season to examine the population dynamics and field distribution of aphid species on winter and spring head lettuce crops. Seven, 0.25 acre planting of head lettuce were established beginning in October with final harvest occurring in April. Plant samples were conducted weekly to estimate the numbers of both alate (winged) and apterous (wingless) green peach aphids, potato aphids, cowpea aphids and lettuce aphids. Lettuce aphids were more abundant this spring than anticipated, which may indicate that lettuce aphid may be a new pest for Yuma growers. However, based on a single years data, it is difficult to measure the threat that this aphid poses to the lettuce industry. Planting date and temperature likely has a strong influence on seasonal abundance of lettuce aphids. Similarly, the consistent appearance of cowpea aphids during the season was surprising , considering that it has seldom been observed on desert lettuce. Perhaps most surprising though was the low population abundance of green peach and potato aphids in out plots. Part of this unusual event may be due to the unseasonably warm, dry growing season that was experienced this year