Neuroplastic Effects of Combined Computerized Physical and Cognitive Training in Elderly Individuals at Risk for Dementia: An eLORETA Controlled Study on Resting States

The present study investigates whether a combined cognitive and physical training may induce changes in the cortical activity as measured via electroencephalogram (EEG) and whether this change may index a deceleration of pathological processes of brain aging. Seventy seniors meeting the clinical criteria of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were equally divided into 5 groups: 3 experimental groups engaged in eight-week cognitive and/or physical training and 2 control groups: active and passive. A 5-minute long resting state EEG was measured before and after the intervention. Cortical EEG sources were modelled by exact low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA). Cognitive function was assessed before and after intervention using a battery of neuropsychological tests including the minimental state examination (MMSE). A significant training effect was identified only after the combined training scheme: a decrease in the post-compared to pre-training activity of precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex in delta, theta, and beta bands. This effect was correlated to improvements in cognitive capacity as evaluated by MMSE scores. Our results indicate that combined physical and cognitive training shows indices of a positive neuroplastic effect in MCI patients and that EEG may serve as a potential index of gains versus cognitive declines and neurodegeneration. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02313935

Mapping the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Emotional Processing: An MEG Study Across Arousal and Valence Dimensions

Electrophysiological and functional neuroimaging findings indicate that the neural mechanisms underlying the processing of emotional dimensions (i.e., valence, arousal) constitute a spatially and temporally distributed emotional network, modulated by the arousal and/or valence of the emotional stimuli. We examined the time course and source distribution of gamma time-locked magnetoencephalographic activity in response to a series of emotional stimuli viewed by healthy adults. We used a beamformer and a sliding window analysis to generate a succession of spatial maps of event-related brain responses across distinct levels of valence (pleasant/unpleasant) and arousal (high/low) in 30–100 Hz. Our results show parallel emotion-related responses along specific temporal windows involving mainly dissociable neural pathways for valence and arousal during emotional picture processing. Pleasant valence was localized in the left inferior frontal gyrus, while unpleasant valence in the right occipital gyrus, the precuneus, and the left caudate nucleus. High arousal was processed by the left orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, and inferior frontal gyrus, as well as the right middle temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, and occipital gyrus. Pleasant by high arousal interaction was localized in the left inferior and superior frontal gyrus, as well as the right caudate nucleus, putamen, and gyrus rectus. Unpleasant by high arousal interaction was processed by the right superior parietal gyrus. Valence was prioritized (onset at ∼60 ms) to all other effects, while pleasant valence was short lived in comparison to unpleasant valence (offsets at ∼110 and ∼320 ms, respectively). Both arousal and valence × arousal interactions emerged relatively early (onset at ∼150 ms, and ∼170 ms, respectively). Our findings support the notion that brain regions differentiate between valence and arousal, and demonstrate, for the first time, that these brain regions may also respond to distinct combinations of these two dimensions within specific time windows

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Heart ablation using a planar rectangular high intensity focused ultrasound transducer and MRI guidance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a flat rectangular (3×10 mm2) MRI compatible transducer operating at 5 MHz in creating deep lesions in heart at a depth of at least 15 mm. The size of thermal necrosis in heart tissue was estimated as a function of power and time using a simulation model. The system was then tested in freshly excised heart of pig and lamb. In this study we were able to create lesions 15 mm deep with an acoustic power of 6W for an exposure of approximately one minute. The contrast to noise ratio (CNR) between lesion and heart tissue was evaluated using Fast Spin Echo (FSE). With T1W FSE the CNR value was approximately 22. Maximum CNR was achieved with repetition times (TR) between 300 and 800 ms. With T2W FSE the corresponding CNR was approximately 13. The transducer was tested in rabbits in vivo and despite the motion of the heart; it was possible to create thermal lesions. © 2011 American Institute of Physics

Pacientes miológicos com defeitos extensos: opções de reconstrução. Relato de caso Cancer patients with large defects. Reconstructional options: a case study

Referimo-nos ao caso de um paciente masculino de setenta e cinco anos de idade, com um carcinoma espinocelular (SCC), que se originou na parte exterior da orelha direita há quatro anos. Sofreu uma remoção cirúrgica da parte lesionada combinada com dissecção modificada do pescoço e reconstrução com o uso de retalho peitoral maior. Além disso, teve radioterapia com 6000 rads na região temporal direita. Há dois meses o paciente mostrou urna recorrência expansiva no que diz respeito ao músculo temporal e ao osso, o osso litóide, os músculos masseter e os músculos pterigóideos, a parte direita da mandíbula, a glândula da parótida com o nervo facial, e o bulbo superior da veia jugular interna. Sofreu uma remoção cirúrgica da lesão afetada até as extremidades saudáveis e reconstrução estética e funcional com a utilização combinada de uma prótese de metal fixa do côndilo e da mandíbula direita e o uso de músculo-cutâneo trapezious flap. Apresentamos o relato de um caso sobre as opções de reconstrução que nós temos em nossos dias para proporcionar qualidade de vida a doentes que sofrem de cancro.<br>We report a case of a seventy-five years old male patient with a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) originated from the right external ear four years ago. He was undergone surgical removal of the lesion with a combination of modified neck dissection and reconstruction with the use of pectoralis major flap. Furthermore, he had radiotherapy with 6000 rads of the right temporal region. Two months ago the patient showed an extended recurrence concerning the temporal muscle and bone, the lithoid bone, the maseter and the pterygoids muscles, the right part of the mandible, the parotid gland with the facial nerve, and the superior bulb of the internal jugular vein. He had a surgical removal of the lesion in extended healthy margins and functional and esthetic reconstruction of the defect with a combination of metal fixed prosthesis of the condyle and the right mandible and the use of myocutaneous trapezious flap. This is a case report of the reconstruction options we have nowadays to provide quality of life in cancer patients

Recent developments in the Gavdos calibration site

Μη διαθέσιμη περίληψηNot available summarizationΠαρουσιάστηκε στο: Cryosat-2 and ICESAT Meetin

Determination of the Jason altimeter bias using the Gavdos calibration site

Μη διαθέσιμη περίληψηNot available summarizationΠαρουσιάστηκε στο: 3rd Coastal Altimetry Worksho

Recent Developments for the estimation of the altimeter bias for the Jason-1&2 satellites using the dedicated calibration site at Gavdos

Summarization: The dedicated calibration site for satellite radar altimeters in Gavdos has been operational as of 2004. The small island of Gavdos is located along a repeating ground track of Jason satellites (crossover point No 109 ascending and No. 18 descending pass and adjacent to Envisat), and where the altimeter and radiometer footprints do not experience significant land intrusion. The purpose of such permanent Cal/Val facility is to calibrate the sea-surface height and ancillary measurements made by the satellite as it passes overhead, by using observations from tide gauges, GPS, DORIS and other sensors directly placed under the satellite ground tracks. The successful launch of Jason-2 satellite (20 June, 2008) initiated its calibration-validation phase. This was achieved having the two satellites flying with less than one minute difference and in the same orbit. Using the Gavdos calibration facility the following have been determined: (1) the absolute altimeter bias of Jason-1 satellite for the cycles 209-259; using GDR-C data; (2) the absolute altimeter bias of Jason-2 satellite for the cycles 2-28 using GDR-A data ; (3) the inter- mission bias for the period July 2008 – January 2009. The expansion of the Gavdos Cal/Val facilities with the deployment of a new site in the south of Crete and along pass No. 109 is also presented in this work.Παρουσιάστηκε στο: SPIE, Remote Sensing of the Ocean, Sea Ice, and Land Water Regions 200