Changes in resting-state functionally connected parieto-frontal networks after videogame practice

Neuroimaging studies provide evidence for organized intrinsic activity under task-free conditions. This activity serves functionally relevant brain systems supporting cognition. Here, we analyze changes in resting-state functional connectivity after videogame practice applying a test–retest design. Twenty young females were selected from a group of 100 participants tested on four standardized cognitive ability tests. The practice and control groups were carefully matched on their ability scores. The practice group played during two sessions per week across 4 weeks (16 h total) under strict supervision in the laboratory, showing systematic performance improvements in the game. A group independent component analysis (GICA) applying multisession temporal concatenation on test–retest resting-state fMRI, jointly with a dual-regression approach, was computed. Supporting the main hypothesis, the key finding reveals an increased correlated activity during rest in certain predefined resting state networks (albeit using uncorrected statistics) attributable to practice with the cognitively demanding tasks of the videogame. Observed changes were mainly concentrated on parietofrontal networks involved in heterogeneous cognitive functions

Structural changes after videogame practice related to a brain network associated with intelligence

Here gray and white matter changes after four weeks of videogame practice were analyzed using optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM), cortical surface and cortical thickness indices, and white matter integrity computed from several projection, commissural, and association tracts relevant to cognition. Beginning with a sample of one hundred young females, twenty right handed participants were recruited for the study and assigned to a practice or a control group carefully matched by their general cognitive ability scores. After the first scan, the practice group played ‘Professor Layton and The Pandora's Box’ 4 h per week during four weeks. A second scan was obtained at the end of practice and intelligence was measured again. Image analyses revealed gray and white matter changes in the practice group. Gray matter changes theoretically relevant for intelligence were observed for the practice group mainly in frontal clusters (Brodmann areas 9 and 10) and also in smaller parietal and temporal regions. White matter findings were focused in the hippocampal cingulum and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus. These gray and white matter changes presumably induced by practice did not interact with intelligence tests' scores

Estrategia invasiva de rutina en el síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST con disfunción renal. Resultados del registro ARIAM-SEMICYUC

Objetivo: Evaluar la utilización y efectividad de la estrategia invasiva de rutina (EIR) en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación de ST con disfunción renal en el mundo real. Métodos: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo basado en el registro ARIAM-SEMICYUC (años 2011- 2014). Se consideró que había disfunción renal cuando el GFR (Cockroft-Gault) era menor de 60 ml/min (disfunción moderada) o de 30 ml/min (disfunción grave). Se excluyeron los pacientes en los que la coronariografía precoz (< 72 h) se debió a shock cardiogénico o isquemia recurrente. El desenlace primario fue la mortalidad hospitalaria. El control del confounding se realizó mediante un análisis de propensión. Resultados: Se analizan 4.279 pacientes, de los cuales un 26% tenía disfunción renal moderada y un 5% disfunción grave. Los pacientes con disfunción renal presentaron una mayor gravedad y comorbilidad, una mayor mortalidad hospitalaria (8,6 frente a 1,8%) y una menor utilización de la EIR (40 frente a 52%). Las OR ajustadas mediante emparejamiento para pacientes sin/con disfunción renal fueron de 0,38 (intervalo de confianza al 95% [IC95%] de 0,17 a 0,81) y 0,52 (IC95% de 0,32 a 0,87), respectivamente (p de interacción 0,4779). El impacto de la EIR (diferencia de riesgos ajustada) fue mayor en el grupo con disfunción renal (−5,1%, IC95% entre −8,1 y −2,1, frente a −1,6%, IC95% entre −2,6 y −0,6, p de interacción = 0,0335). Tampoco se detectó interacción significativa respecto a los demás enlaces considerados (mortalidad en UCI o a los 30 días, riesgo combinado de muerte o infarto, fracaso renal agudo o hemorragias moderadas/graves). Conclusiones: Los resultados evidencian que la efectividad de la EIR es similar en pacientes con función renal normal o reducida y alertan sobre una infrautilización de esta estrategia en estos últimos.Objective: To evaluate the use and effectiveness of a routine invasive strategy (RIS) in patients with acute coronary syndrome without persistent ST-segment elevation with renal dysfunction in the real world scenario. Methods: A retrospective cohort study based on the ARIAM-SEMICYUC Registry (2011-2014) was carried out. Renal dysfunction was defined as GFR (Cockroft-Gault)<60ml/min (moderate dysfunction) or<30ml/min (severe dysfunction). Patients in which early angiography (<72h) was performed due to cardiogenic shock or recurrent myocardial ischemia were excluded. The primary endpoint was hospital mortality. Confounding factors were controlled using propensity score analysis. Results: A total of 4,279 patients were analyzed, of which 26% had moderate renal dysfunction and 5% severe dysfunction. Patients with renal dysfunction had greater severity and comorbidity, higher hospital mortality (8.6 vs. 1.8%), and lesser use of the RIS (40 vs. 52%). The adjusted OR for mortality in patients without/with renal dysfunction were 0.38 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.17 to 0.81) and 0.52 (95%CI 0.32 to 0.87), respectively (interaction P-value=.4779). The impact (adjusted risk difference) of RIS was higher in the group with renal dysfunction (-5.1%, 95%CI -8.1 to -2.1 vs. -1.6%, 95%CI -2.6 to -0.6; interaction P-value=.0335). No significant interaction was detected for the other endpoints considered (ICU mortality, 30-day mortality, myocardial infarction, acute renal failure or moderate/severe bleeding).Conclusions: The results suggest that the effectiveness of IRS is similar in patients with normal or abnormal renal function, and alert to the under-utilization of this strategy in such patients

Evaluation of night-time aerosols measurements and lunar irradiance models in the frame of the first multi-instrument nocturnal intercomparison campaign

The first multi-instrument nocturnal aerosol optical depth (AOD) intercomparison campaign was held at the high-mountain Izaña Observatory (Tenerife, Spain) in June 2017, involving 2-min synchronous measurements from two different types of lunar photometers (Cimel CE318-T and Moon Precision Filter Radiometer, LunarPFR) and one stellar photometer. The Robotic Lunar Observatory (ROLO) model developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was compared with the open-access ROLO Implementation for Moon photometry Observation (RIMO) model. Results showed rather small differences at Izaña over a 2-month time period covering June and July, 2017 (±0.01 in terms of AOD calculated by means of a day/night/day coherence test analysis and ± 2% in terms of lunar irradiance). The RIMO model has been used in this field campaign to retrieve AOD from lunar photometric measurements. No evidence of significant differences with the Moon's phase angle was found when comparing raw signals of the six Cimel photometers involved in this field campaign. The raw signal comparison of the participating lunar photometers (Cimel and LunarPFR) performed at coincident wavelengths showed consistent measurements and AOD differences within their combined uncertainties at 870 nm and 675 nm. Slightly larger AOD deviations were observed at 500 nm, pointing to some unexpected instrumental variations during the measurement period. Lunar irradiances retrieved using RIMO for phase angles varying between 0° and 75° (full Moon to near quarter Moon) were compared to the irradiance variations retrieved by Cimel and LunarPFR photometers. Our results showed a relative agreement within ± 3.5% between the RIMO model and the photometer-based lunar irradiances. The AOD retrieved by performing a Langley-plot calibration each night showed a remarkable agreement (better than 0.01) between the lunar photometers. However, when applying the Lunar-Langley calibration using RIMO, AOD differences of up to 0.015 (0.040 for 500 nm) were found, with differences increasing with the Moon's phase angle. These differences are thought to be partly due to the uncertainties in the irradiance models, as well as instrumental deficiencies yet to be fully understood. High AOD variability in stellar measurements was detected during the campaign. Nevertheless, the observed AOD differences in the Cimel/stellar comparison were within the expected combined uncertainties of these two photometric techniques. Our results indicate that lunar photometry is a more reliable technique, especially for low aerosol loading conditions. The uncertainty analysis performed in this paper shows that the combined standard AOD uncertainty in lunar photometry is dependent on the calibration technique (up to 0.014 for Langley-plot with illumination-based correction, 0.012–0.022 for Lunar-Langley calibration, and up to 0.1 for the Sun-Moon Gain Factor method). This analysis also corroborates that the uncertainty of the lunar irradiance model used for AOD calculation is within the 5–10% expected range. This campaign has allowed us to quantify the important technical difficulties that still exist when routinely monitoring aerosol optical properties at night-time. The small AOD differences observed between the three types of photometers involved in the campaign are only detectable under pristine sky conditions such as those found in this field campaign. Longer campaigns are necessary to understand the observed discrepancies between instruments as well as to provide more conclusive results about the uncertainty involved in the lunar irradiance models.This work has been developed within the framework of the activities of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observations (CIMO) Izaña Testbed for Aerosols and Water Vapour Remote Sensing Instruments. AERONET sun photometers at Izaña have been calibrated within the AERONET Europe TNA, supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 654109 (ACTRIS‒2). CE318-T linearity check has been performed as part of the ESA-funded project “Lunar spectral irradiance measurement and modelling for absolute calibration of EO optical sensors” under ESA contract number: 4000121576/17/NL/AF/hh. LunarPFR has been performing measurements since 2014 in Norway thanks to Svalbard Science Forum funded project, 2014–2016. The authors would like to thank AERONET team for their support and also to NASA’s Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to help the implementation of the “SPICE” ancillary information system used in this study. We also thank Izaña's ITs for their work to implement the RIMO model in the free-access server. Special thanks should be given to Tom Stone, who has kindly provided us with the USGS/ROLO irradiance values used in the model comparison analysis. This work has also received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and from Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) ACE-GFAT (grant agreement no. 659398). The authors are grateful to Spanish MINECO (CTM2015-66742-R) and Junta de Castilla y León (VA100P17)

Effects on short term outcome of non-invasive ventilation use in the emergency department to treat patients with acute heart failure: A propensity score-based analysis of the EAHFE Registry

Objective: To assess the effects of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in emergency department (ED) patients with acute heart failure (AHF) on short term outcomes. Methods: Patients from the EAHFE Registry (a multicenter, observational, multipurpose, cohort-designed database including consecutive AHF patients in 41 Spanish EDs) were grouped based on NIV treatment (NIV+ and NIV–groups). Using propensity score (PS) methodology, we identified two subgroups of patients matched by 38 covariates and compared regarding 30-day survival (primary outcome). Interaction was investigated for age, sex, ischemic cardiomyopathy, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, AHF precipitated by an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), AHF classified as hypertensive or acute pulmonary edema (APE), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission; mechanical ventilation; in-hospital, 3-day and 7-day mortality; and prolonged hospitalization (>7 days). Results: Of 11, 152 patients from the EAHFE (age (SD): 80 (10) years; 55.5% women), 718 (6.4%) were NIV+ and had a higher 30-day mortality (HR = 2.229; 95%CI = 1.861–2.670) (p 85 years, p < 0.001), AHF associated with ACS (p = 0.045), and SBP < 100 mmHg (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in the secondary endpoints except for more prolonged hospitalizations in NIV+ patients (OR = 1.445; 95%CI = 1.122–1.862) (p = 0.004). Conclusion: The use of NIV to treat AHF in ED is not associated with improved mortality outcomes and should be cautious in old patients and those with ACS and hypotension

Nutrición parenteral domiciliaria en España 2018. Informe del Grupo de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria NADYA

Objetivo: comunicar los datos de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) obtenidos del registro del grupo NADYA-SENPE (www.nadya-senpe.com) del año 2018. Material y métodos: análisis descriptivo de los datos recogidos de pacientes adultos y pediátricos con NPD en el registro NADYA-SENPE del 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2018. Resultados: se registraron 278 pacientes (54, 7% mujeres), 23 niños y 255 adultos, procedentes de 45 hospitales españoles, lo que representa una tasa de prevalencia de 5, 95 pacientes/millón de habitantes/año 2018. El diagnóstico más frecuente en adultos fue “oncológico paliativo” (22, 0%), seguido de “otros”. En niños fue la enfermedad de Hirschsprung junto con la enterocolitis necrotizante, con cuatro casos (17, 4%). El primer motivo de indicación fue síndrome de intestino corto tanto en niños (60, 9%) como en adultos (35, 7%). El tipo de catéter más utilizado fue el tunelizado tanto en niños (81, 0%) como en adultos (41, 1%). Finalizaron 75 episodios, la causa más frecuente fue el fallecimiento (52, 0%) y el paso a vía oral (33, 3%). Conclusiones: el número de centros y profesionales colaboradores en el registro de pacientes que reciben NPD se mantiene estable, así como las principales indicaciones y los motivos de finalización de la NPD. Aim: To communicate home parenteral nutrition (HPN) data obtained from the HPN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group (www.nadya-senpe.  com) for the year 2018. Material and methods: Descriptive analysis of the data collected from adult and pediatric patients with HPN in the NADYA-SENPE group registry from January 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018.  Results: There were 278 patients from 45 Spanish hospitals (54.7% women), 23 children and 255 adults, which represent a prevalence rate of 5.95 patients/million inhabitants/year 2018. The most frequent diagnosis in adults was “palliative cancer” (22.0%), followed by “others”. In children it was Hirschsprung’s disease together with necrotizing enterocolitis, with four cases (17.4%). The first indication was short bowel syndrome in both children (60.9%) and adults (35.7%). The most frequently used type of catheter was tunneled in both children (81.0%) and adults (41.1%). Ending 75 episodes, the most frequent cause was death (52.0%) and change to oral feeding (33.3%). Conclusions: The number of centers and collaborating professionals in the registry of patients receiving HPN remains stable, as well as the main indications and reasons for termination of HPN

Estudio de la Autonomía uniprovincial de Madrid y su Estatuto, para alumnos de quinto a octavo de EGB

Experiencia didáctica en la asignatura de Sociales en quinto, sexto, séptimo y octavo de EGB que fomente un mejor conocimiento del entorno, la familiarización con el Estado Autonómico y el conocimiento de la Comunidad de Madrid (Estatuto, composición, etc.), que fomente su interés y participación a través de la interdisciplinariedad y el trabajo de investigación en equipo, enseñandole a manejar las técnicas más idóneas para realizarlo. Dos grupos de quinto, dos de sexto, uno de séptimo y dos de octavo de EGB del CP. Virgen de los Remedios de Colmenar Viejo (Madrid). No hay datos del número de alumnos, no es representativa para el trabajo sobre la población de Colmenar. No representativa. Variables independientes: exposiciones en clase sobre Autonomía, Estado Autonómico y Comunidad de Madrid; trabajo en grupo, en quinto sobre los pueblos de la Comunidad (análisis de los formularios enviados a ayuntamientos y sus carácteres físicos y socioeconómicos) en sexto, sobre movimientos de población (datos extraidos del censo y de encuesta), en séptimo, sobre iconografía del Estatuto (confección de carteles murales), en octavo, sobre problemas socieconómicos y políticos de la comunidad (análisis de noticias de prensa, elaboración de mapas y monografías) y sobre la función ejecutiva de algunas competencias de la Comunidad (entrevistas a responsables de las áreas elegidas, visita a la Asamblea de Madrid). 1) En quinto, positivos, generar el interés (conocimiento del entorno y participación del alumno mediante actividades lúdicas); negativos en la redacción de la encuesta a los ayuntamientos, pues primaron más los intereses del profesor que los del alumno. En sexto, positivos, desarrollar un tema fundamental del área de Sociales, la población, mediante el estudio del entorno, aprender a trabajar en equipo; negativos por falta de planificación, horarios, se ha provocado cierta discontinuidad en el trabajo. En séptimo, positivo, fomentar el trabajo en equipo, la comprensión y la capacidad crítica ante los mensajes publicitarios (carteles); negativos, al no cubrirse todo el trabajo proyectado, se descuidó el desarrollo plástico (creatividad e imaginación). En octavo, positivos, adquisición de conocimientos sobre problemas de la comunidad, trabajo en grupo, adquisición de técnicas de documentacion hemerográfica, periodísticas y de técnicas de trabajo no memorísticas; negativos, discontinuidad en el trabajo. Se han cumplido los objetivos: acercar a los alumnos a la realidad autonómica de España y a su Comunidad Autónoma, y fomentar el interés, la participación y la adquisición de técnicas de trabajo que potencien su formacion integral. Se detectan algunos fallos en la planificación de actividades, es preferible emplear todas las clases disponibles en un corto espacio de tiempo que dilatar la experiencia a lo largo del curso y perder así la continuidad necesaria. Sería conveniente acercar más el objeto de estudio a los intereses del alumno haciendoles participes de la programación.MadridBiblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; Calle San Agustín, 5 - 3 Planta; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; Fax +34917748026; [email protected]

Tailoring cognitive behavioral therapy for depression and anxiety symptoms in Mexican terminal cancer patients: A multiple baseline study

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of tailored cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on depression and anxiety symptoms present in Mexican terminal cancer patients. A non-concurrent multiple baseline design was used across individuals. Nine patients participated in the study, each receiving four to six therapy sessions. The effect size of the intervention range (NAP and Tau indexes) in the nine patients indicates that CBT intervention resulted in weak to moderate impact for anxiety and depression symptoms in this population. The overall standardized mean difference is also moderate, with a reduction of 0.54 and 0.76 standard deviations in depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. This study provides initial evidence to support a positive effect from CBT on patients with terminal cancer and with mood disorders when facing their impending death

Biomarkers expression in benign breast diseases and risk of subsequent breast cancer : a case-control study

Women with benign breast diseases (BBD) have a high risk of breast cancer. However, no biomarkers have been clearly established to predict cancer in these women. Our aim was to explore whether estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and Ki67 expression stratify risk of breast cancer in screened women with BBD. We conducted a nested case-control study. Women with breast cancer and prior BBDs (86 cases) were matched to women with prior BBDs who were free from breast cancer (172 controls). The matching factors were age at BBD diagnosis, type of BBD, and follow-up time since BBD diagnosis. ER, PR, and Ki67 expression were obtained from BBDs' specimens. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of breast cancer risk according to ER, PR, and Ki67 expression. Women wit