Post traumatic brain perfusion SPECT analysis using reconstructed ROI maps of radioactive microsphere derived cerebral blood flow and statistical parametric mapping

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by SPECT could be important in the management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) because changes in regional CBF can affect outcome by promoting edema formation and intracranial pressure elevation (with cerebral hyperemia), or by causing secondary ischemic injury including post-traumatic stroke. The purpose of this study was to establish an improved method for evaluating regional CBF changes after TBI in piglets.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The focal effects of moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) by SPECT cerebral blood perfusion (CBP) imaging in an animal model were investigated by parallelized statistical techniques. Regional CBF was measured by radioactive microspheres and by SPECT 2 hours after injury in sham-operated piglets versus those receiving severe TBI by fluid-percussion injury to the left parietal lobe. Qualitative SPECT CBP accuracy was assessed against reference radioactive microsphere regional CBF measurements by map reconstruction, registration and smoothing. Cerebral hypoperfusion in the test group was identified at the voxel level using statistical parametric mapping (SPM).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A significant area of hypoperfusion (P < 0.01) was found as a response to the TBI. Statistical mapping of the reference microsphere CBF data confirms a focal decrease found with SPECT and SPM.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The suitability of SPM for application to the experimental model and ability to provide insight into CBF changes in response to traumatic injury was validated by the SPECT SPM result of a decrease in CBP at the left parietal region injury area of the test group. Further study and correlation of this characteristic lesion with long-term outcomes and auxiliary diagnostic modalities is critical to developing more effective critical care treatment guidelines and automated medical imaging processing techniques.</p

Costs and benefits of orthographic inconsistency in reading:evidence from a cross-linguistic comparison

We compared reading acquisition in English and Italian children up to late primary school analyzing RTs and errors as a function of various psycholinguistic variables and changes due to experience. Our results show that reading becomes progressively more reliant on larger processing units with age, but that this is modulated by consistency of the language. In English, an inconsistent orthography, reliance on larger units occurs earlier on and it is demonstrated by faster RTs, a stronger effect of lexical variables and lack of length effect (by fifth grade). However, not all English children are able to master this mode of processing yielding larger inter-individual variability. In Italian, a consistent orthography, reliance on larger units occurs later and it is less pronounced. This is demonstrated by larger length effects which remain significant even in older children and by larger effects of a global factor (related to speed of orthographic decoding) explaining changes of performance across ages. Our results show the importance of considering not only overall performance, but inter-individual variability and variability between conditions when interpreting cross-linguistic differences

Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map

We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies.publishedVersio

Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map

We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies

Cold atoms in space: community workshop summary and proposed road-map

We summarise the discussions at a virtual Community Workshop on Cold Atoms in Space concerning the status of cold atom technologies, the prospective scientific and societal opportunities offered by their deployment in space, and the developments needed before cold atoms could be operated in space. The cold atom technologies discussed include atomic clocks, quantum gravimeters and accelerometers, and atom interferometers. Prospective applications include metrology, geodesy and measurement of terrestrial mass change due to, e.g., climate change, and fundamental science experiments such as tests of the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, measurements of gravitational waves and tests of quantum mechanics. We review the current status of cold atom technologies and outline the requirements for their space qualification, including the development paths and the corresponding technical milestones, and identifying possible pathfinder missions to pave the way for missions to exploit the full potential of cold atoms in space. Finally, we present a first draft of a possible road-map for achieving these goals, that we propose for discussion by the interested cold atom, Earth Observation, fundamental physics and other prospective scientific user communities, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) and national space and research funding agencies

Jardín de historias: releer la violencia hacia la mujer en una favela carioca

This article is the result of a period of research on violence against women in Brazil. It arises from the work as psychologist in an integral institution of the national policy to prevent and cope such violence, located in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Through a fieldwork with women affected by different forms of aggression, this research intends to consider possible actions against the violence that these women suffer. In spite of the fact that in Brazil a specific legislation exists to cope the problem, the statistics continue being alarming and the naturalization of violence in the favelas is constant. Our aim is to understand the peculiar trajectories that define the women that suffers violence in a favela. We seek to understand how violence against women is (re)signified in the context of urban violence. The methodologies that are used range from participant observation to life stories and discourse analysis from a biographical-narrative approach. Our conclusions showed the need to recognize that women are in a particular situation of vulnerability. A set of inequalities are associated with violence and we need a comprehensive understanding of the scenario in which they live to face the problem. The challenge is to develop comprehensive policies and explore alternative forms to guarantee a possible experience of citizenship.Este artículo es fruto de un período de investigación sobre la violencia hacia la mujer en Brasil. Emerge del trabajo como psicóloga en una institución integrante de la política nacional de prevención y lucha contra esa violencia, ubicada en una favela de Río de Janeiro. El contacto con las usuarias permitió conocer historias de vida de mujeres que desde siempre tuvieron sus vidas atravesadas por diferentes formas de violencia. El deseo de comprender este universo y de posibilitar intervenciones eficaces, impulsó el desarrollo de esta investigación. A pesar de que en Brasil existe una legislación específica para enfrentar el problema, las estadísticas siguen siendo alarmantes y la naturalización de la(s) violencia(s) en las favelas es constante. Nuestro objetivo es entender las trayectorias peculiares para la definición de la condición de ser mujer que sufre violencia en una favela carioca; en suma, buscamos entender cómo la violencia contra la mujer se (re)significa en contextos de violencia urbana. Utilizamos, para tal, metodologías cualitativas: la Observación Participante, la Historia de Vida y el Análisis del Discurso desde un enfoque biográfico-narrativo. Nuestras conclusiones nos enseñaron que es fundamental que se reconozca que las mujeres se encuentran en una situación particular de vulnerabilidad, donde un conjunto de desigualdades están asociadas, y que hace falta una comprensión integral del escenario en que viven para enfrentar el problema. El desafío es desarrollar políticas integrales y apostar por formas alternativas de enfrentamiento que no sean otra forma de violencia, garantizando la plena vivencia de la ciudadanía

THE GARDEN OF STORIES: REVIEW OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN A RIO DE JANEIRO SLUM

This article is the result of a period of research on violence against women in Brazil. It arises from the work as psychologist in an integral institution of the national policy to prevent and cope such violence, located in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Through a fieldwork with women affected by different forms of aggression, this research intends to consider possible actions against the violence that these women suffer. In spite of the fact that in Brazil a specific legislation exists to cope the problem, the statistics continue being alarming and the naturalization of violence in the favelas is constant. Our aim is to understand the peculiar trajectories that define the women that suffers violence in a favela. We seek to understand how violence against women is (re)signified in the context of urban violence. The methodologies that are used range from participant observation to life stories and discourse analysis from a biographical-narrative approach. Our conclusions showed the need to recognize that women are in a particular situation of vulnerability. A set of inequalities are associated with violence and we need a comprehensive understanding of the scenario in which they live to face the problem. The challenge is to develop comprehensive policies and explore alternative forms to guarantee a possible experience of citizenship

Ruolo della colon-TC nella differenziazione della diverticolosi cronica dal tumore colon-rettale \u2013nostra esperienza su 54 casi

CO-07/32 comunicazione oral

Headache, Loss of Smell, and Visual Disturbances: Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 Infection? A Case Report

Objective The purpose of this case report is to describe the main components of the history and physical examination that led to idiopathic intracranial hypertension differential diagnosis, which initially was investigated as COVID-19. Methods (Case Description) A 28-year-old woman complaining of constant headache and loss of smell and taste was suspected as SARS-CoV-2 infection by her general practitioner. She underwent 3 molecular swab tests, all negative, then decided to seek her physical therapist for relieving headache. Results The full cranial nerve examination revealed impaired olfactory (CNI), abducens (CN VI), and facial (CN VII) nerves, leading the physical therapist to refer the patient to a neurosurgeon for a suspected central nervous system involvement. The neurosurgeon prescribed a detailed MRI and an ophthalmologic examination, which allowed for the final diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Conclusion An urgent lumbo-peritoneal shunting surgery resolved the patient's symptoms and saved her sight. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health care professionals must pay attention to properly investigating patients' signs and symptoms using comprehensive clinical reasoning, considering the screening for referral to specialist medical attention. Impact A thorough physical examination is required for every patient even if patients' signs and symptoms are in line with apparent common and widespread pathologies. Cranial nerve evaluation is an essential component of the physical therapist assessment and decision-making process. The ongoing pandemic highlighted the fundamental assistance of physical therapists toward physicians in the screening and management of musculoskeletal diseases

Solid pulmonary nodule risk assessment and decision analysis: comparison of four prediction models in 285 cases

The aim of this study was to compare classification results from four major risk prediction models in a wide population of incidentally detected solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) which were selected to crossmatch inclusion criteria for the selected models