The IAS-MEEG Package: A Flexible Inverse Source Reconstruction Platform for Reconstruction and Visualization of Brain Activity from M/EEG Data

We present a standalone Matlab software platform complete with visualization for the reconstruction of the neural activity in the brain from MEG or EEG data. The underlying inversion combines hierarchical Bayesian models and Krylov subspace iterative least squares solvers. The Bayesian framework of the underlying inversion algorithm allows to account for anatomical information and possible a priori belief about the focality of the reconstruction. The computational efficiency makes the software suitable for the reconstruction of lengthy time series on standard computing equipment. The algorithm requires minimal user provided input parameters, although the user can express the desired focality and accuracy of the solution. The code has been designed so as to favor the parallelization performed automatically by Matlab, according to the resources of the host computer. We demonstrate the flexibility of the platform by reconstructing activity patterns with supports of different sizes from MEG and EEG data. Moreover, we show that the software reconstructs well activity patches located either in the subcortical brain structures or on the cortex. The inverse solver and visualization modules can be used either individually or in combination. We also provide a version of the inverse solver that can be used within Brainstorm toolbox. All the software is available online by Github, including the Brainstorm plugin, with accompanying documentation and test data

The primary structure of mitochondrial aspartate aminotrasferase from human heart

The complete amino acid sequence of the mitochondrial asparate aminotransferase (L-aspartate:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.1) from human heart has been determined based mainly on analysis of peptides obtained by digestion with trypsin and by chemical cleavage with cyanogen bromide. Comparison of the sequence with those of the isotopic isoenzymes from pig, rat and chicken showed 27, 29 and 55 differences, respectively, out of a total of 401 amino acid residues. Evidence for structural microheterogeneity at position 317 has also been obtained

The primary structure of rabbit liver mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase.

The complete amino acid sequence of mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase from rabbit liver was determined. The sequence was obtained from analysis of peptides isolated from chymotryptic, cyanogen bromide, and limited acid cleavages of the protein. The enzyme consists of four identical subunits, each of 475 residues, i.e. 8 residues shorter than the subunit of the corresponding cytosolic isoenzyme. The sequences of the two rabbit proteins are easily aligned, provided a gap of 5 residues near the amino terminus and a gap of 3 residues near the carboxyl terminus are included in the mitochondrial sequence. The overall degree of identity between the two isoenzymes is 61.9%, whereas the structural identity of each eukaryotic isoenzyme with the corresponding Escherichia coli enzyme is about 40%. The rabbit isoenzymes are about 70 residues longer than the E. coli enzyme, with one-half of these residues accounted for by insertions in both isoenzymes near their carboxyl terminus. Predictions of secondary structure and calculations of hydropathy profiles are also presented, suggesting an even more extensive degree of identity in the three-dimensional folding of the three proteins, in accord with the known similarity of their catalytic properties. Evidence was obtained for the existence of additional molecular forms of the mitochondrial protein, differing in the absence of some amino acid residues at the amino terminus of the polypeptide chain

The Prepetrous Segment of the Internal Carotid Artery as a Neglected Site of Symptomatic Atherosclerosis: A Single-Center Series

(1) Background: Non-stenotic complicated plaques are a neglected cause of stroke, in particular in young patients. Atherosclerosis has some preferential sites in extracranial arteries and the prepetrous segment of the internal carotid artery has been rarely described as site of atheroma in general and of complicated atheroma in stroke patients. The aim of this study is to describe the rate of the prepetrous internal carotid artery’s (ICA) involvement in a single-center case series of young stroke patients. (2) Methods: All patients < 50 years old with acute ischemic stroke admitted to a single-center Stroke Unit during two time periods (the first one from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019, and the second one from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2022), were prospectively investigated as part of a screening protocol of the Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers, and Outcome (SECRETO) study [ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01934725], including extracranial vascular examination by using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). (3) Results: Two out of ninety-three consecutive patients (2.15%) had a complicated atheroma in the prepetrous ICA as the cause of stroke and both CT angiography and high-resolution vessel wall MRI were applied to document the main features of positive remodeling, cap rupture, ulceration, intraplaque hemorrhage, and a transient thrombus superimposed on the atheroma. The two patients had a different evolution of healing in the first case and a persisting ulceration at 12 months in the second case. (4) Conclusions: The prepetrous ICA is a rarely described location of complicated atheroma in stroke patients at all ages and it represents roughly 2% of causes of acute stroke in this single-center case series in young people

Academic expectations profiles of spanish and portuguese higher education students

Las expectativas académicas de los estudiantes son hoy reconocidas como una variable importante en la explicación de su adaptación y éxito académico. Esa importancia es mayor en los alumnos del primer año, ya que, frecuentemente presentan expectativas iniciales muy elevadas que no siempre llegan a concretarse. Con la pretensión de conocer cuáles son esas expectativas iniciales, el trabajo que se presenta analiza el perfil de las mismas en estudiantes de Enseñanza Superior (ES) de primer año. La muestra está compuesta por 719 estudiantes de diversas titulaciones académicas de las Universidades de Vigo-Campus de Ourense y Minho. A los participantes se les aplicó el Cuestionario de Percepciones Académicas (CPA). Los resultados han sido analizados tomando la nacionalidad y el ámbito de estudio (cientifico, juridico-social, tecnológico). Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes portugueses tienden a presentar expectativas más elevadas en general, traduciéndose en una valoración superior de su entrada en la Universidad. A su vez, considerando las siete dimensiones de expectativas evaluadas, se comprueba un perfil similar para ambos países en relación a las expectativas más o menos valoradas. Se destacan las expectativas de obtener una formación que permita acceder a un buen empleo o carrera, en primer lugar, y las expectativas de tener en la Universidad oportunidades de desarrollo personal y social, en segundo lugar, como las más valoradas por los estudiantes.Academic expectations are recognized as an important variable for students’ adjustment and academic success. This importance is higher for first year students, because they often present initial expectations that may not be met. Aiming at identifying these initial expectations, this study presents and analyses the profile of first year students' academic expectations. The sample included 719 students attending different undergraduate programs at University of Vigo - Campus of Ourense, and at University of Minho. Participants completed the Academic Perceptions Questionnaire (APQ). Analyses were based on students’ nationality and study domain (scientific, juridical-social, technological). Results show that Portuguese students present higher expectations, in general, which shows they attribute a higher value to their access to University. On the other hand, and regarding the seven dimensions of assessed expectations, we can see that this difference in average scores is not structural, because there is a similar pattern of higher and lower expectations, for both countries. The most valued expectations are, in first place, expectations of having an education that will lead to a good job or career, and in second place, expectations of having opportunities of personal and social development in University

Longitudinal Neuropsychological Assessment of Symptomatic Edema after Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: A Case Series Study

Severe non-infectious or non-haemorrhagic brain edema surrounding the electrode represents a rare complication of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) surgery. The aim of this study is to report three patients with advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD) who developed symptomatic brain edema after STN-DBS surgery treated with intravenous steroids with a specific profile of reversible cognitive alterations. Patients were both assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including attention, memory, visuo-spatial and executive tasks. They were also briefly assessed for emotional and behavioural alterations, and for possible limitations in the activities of daily living. Normative data for an Italian population were available for all neuropsychological tests. The patients were firstly assessed before the surgery (baseline) as soon as they became symptomatic for the post-surgery edema and a few more times in follow-up up to ten months. In all patients we observed the resolution of cognitive deficits within six months after surgery with the corresponding reabsorption of edema at brain CT scans. The appearance of post-DBS edema is a fairly frequent and clinically benign event. However, in some rare cases it can be very marked and lead to important clinical-albeit transient-disturbances. These events can compromise, at least from a psychological point of view, the delicate path of patients who undergo DBS and can prolong the post-operative hospital stay. In this setting it could be helpful to perform a brain CT scan in 2-3 days with the aim of detecting the early appearance of edema and treating it before it can constitute a relevant clinical problem

Clinical features of patients with type 2 diabetes with and without Covid-19: a case control study (CoViDiab I)

Aims: To evaluate whether subjects with diabetes hospitalized for Coronavirus disease-19 (Covid-19) represent a subgroup of patients with high-risk clinical features compared to patients with diabetes without Covid-19. Methods: In this case-control study 79 patients with type 2 diabetes out of 354 adults hospitalized for Covid-19 and 158 controls with type 2 diabetes but without Covid-19, matched for age and gender, were enrolled. Medical history and concomitant therapies were retrieved from medical charts and compared between cases and controls, controlling for confounders. Results: Fully-adjusted multivariate logistic regression model showed that previous CVD history did not differ between patients with and without Covid-19 (odds ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59–3.32, p = 0.45). A higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 3.72, 95%CI: 1.42–9.72, p = 0.007) and of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR 3.08, 95%CI: 1.18–8.06, p = 0.022) and a lower prevalence of ever smokers (OR 0.30, 95%CI: 0.13–0.67, p = 0.003), of users of lipid lowering agents (OR 0.26, 95%CI: 0.12–0.54, p &lt; 0.001), and of anti-hypertensive drugs (OR 0.39, 95%CI: 0.16–0.93, p = 0.033) were found among cases. Conclusions: CVD prevalence does not differ between people with diabetes with and without Covid-19 requiring hospitalization. An increased prevalence of COPD and of CKD in Covid-19 patients with type 2 diabetes is suggested. These findings aid to clarify the relationship between underlying conditions and SARS-CoV-2 infection in the high-risk group of patients with diabetes

Inverse Modeling for MEG/EEG data

We provide an overview of the state-of-the-art for mathematical methods that are used to reconstruct brain activity from neurophysiological data. After a brief introduction on the mathematics of the forward problem, we discuss standard and recently proposed regularization methods, as well as Monte Carlo techniques for Bayesian inference. We classify the inverse methods based on the underlying source model, and discuss advantages and disadvantages. Finally we describe an application to the pre-surgical evaluation of epileptic patients.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figur