Assessment of Executive Functions in Children and Adolescents with acquired brain injury (ABI) using a novel complex multi-tasking computerized task – the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions for Children (JEF-C©)

Objectives: The Jansari assessment of Executive Functions for Children (JEF-C©) is a new non-immersive computerized assessment of executive functions. The objectives of the study were to test the feasibility and validity of JEF-C© in children and adolescents with acquired brain injury (ABI). Methods: Twenty-nine patients with ABI aged 10-18 years and 30 age-and gender-matched controls were tested. Participants performed JEF-C©, Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) and the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children (BADS-C), while parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) questionnaire. Results: JEF-C© task proved feasible in patients with ABI. The internal consistency was medium (Cronbach's alpha =0.62 and significant inter-correlations between individual JEF-C© constructs). Patients performed significantly worse than controls on most of the JEF-C© subscales and total score, with 41.4 % of participants with ABI classified as having severe executive dysfunction. No significant correlations were found between JEF-C© total score, the BRIEF indices and the BADS-C. Significant correlations were found between JEF-C© and demographic characteristics of the sample and intellectual ability, but not with severity/medical variables. Conclusion: JEF-C© is a playful complex task that appears to be a sensitive and ecologically valid assessment tool, especially for relatively high-functioning individuals

Heterogeneity of pollen food allergy syndrome in seven Southern European countries: The @IT.2020 multicenter study

Background Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is a frequently underdiagnosed disease due to diverse triggers, clinical presentations, and test results. This is especially relevant in geographic areas with a broad spectrum of pollen sensitization, such as Southern Europe. Objectives To elucidate similarities and differences of PFAS in nine Southern European centers and identify associated characteristics and unique markers of PFAS. Methods As part of the @IT.2020 Multicenter Study, 815 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), aged 10-60 years, were recruited in seven countries. They completed questionnaires regarding SAR, comorbidities, family history, and PFAS, and underwent skin prick testing (SPT) and serum IgE testing. Results Of the 815 patients, 167 (20.5%) reported PFAS reactions. Most commonly, eliciting foods were kiwi (58, 34.7%), peach (43, 25.7%), and melon (26, 15.6%). Reported reactions were mostly local (216/319, 67.7%), occurring within 5 min of contact with elicitors (209/319, 65.5%). Associated characteristics included positive IgE to at least one panallergen (profilin, PR-10, or nsLTP) (p = 0.007), maternal PFAS (OR: 3.716, p = 0.026), and asthma (OR: 1.752, p = 0.073). Between centers, heterogeneity in prevalence (Marseille: 7.5% vs. Rome: 41.4%, p < 0.001) and of clinical characteristics was apparent. Cypress played a limited role, with only 1/22 SPT mono-sensitized patients reporting a food reaction (p < 0.073). Conclusions PFAS is a frequent comorbidity in Southern European SAR patients. Significant heterogeneity of clinical characteristics in PFAS patients among the centers was observed and may be related to the different pollen sensitization patterns in each geographic area. IgE to panallergen(s), maternal PFAS, and asthma could be PFAS-associated characteristics

“Whole” vs. “fragmented” approach to EAACI pollen season definitions: A multicenter study in six Southern European cities

Background: The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice, and outcome assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe. Objective: To test the pollen season definitions proposed by EAACI in six Mediterranean cities for seven pollen taxa. Methods: As part of the @IT.2020 multi-center study, pollen counts for Poaceae, Oleaceae, Fagales, Cupressaceae, Urticaceae (Parietaria spp.), and Compositae (Ambrosia spp., Artemisia spp.) were collected from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Based on these data, pollen seasons were identified according to EAACI criteria. A unified monitoring period for patients in AIT trials was created and assessed for feasibility. Results: The analysis revealed a great heterogeneity between the different locations in terms of pattern and length of the examined pollen seasons. Further, we found a fragmentation of pollen seasons in several segments (max. 8) separated by periods of low pollen counts (intercurrent periods). Potential monitoring periods included often many recording days with low pollen exposure (max. 341 days). Conclusion: The Mediterranean climate leads to challenging pollen exposure times. Monitoring periods for AIT trials based on existing definitions may include many intermittent days with low pollen concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to find an adapted pollen season definition as individual solution for each pollen and geographical area

A História da Alimentação: balizas historiográficas

Os M. pretenderam traçar um quadro da História da Alimentação, não como um novo ramo epistemológico da disciplina, mas como um campo em desenvolvimento de práticas e atividades especializadas, incluindo pesquisa, formação, publicações, associações, encontros acadêmicos, etc. Um breve relato das condições em que tal campo se assentou faz-se preceder de um panorama dos estudos de alimentação e temas correia tos, em geral, segundo cinco abardagens Ia biológica, a econômica, a social, a cultural e a filosófica!, assim como da identificação das contribuições mais relevantes da Antropologia, Arqueologia, Sociologia e Geografia. A fim de comentar a multiforme e volumosa bibliografia histórica, foi ela organizada segundo critérios morfológicos. A seguir, alguns tópicos importantes mereceram tratamento à parte: a fome, o alimento e o domínio religioso, as descobertas européias e a difusão mundial de alimentos, gosto e gastronomia. O artigo se encerra com um rápido balanço crítico da historiografia brasileira sobre o tema

The �atom-splitting� moment of synthetic biology: Nuclear physics and synthetic biology share common features

NatuurwetenskappePlant- en DierkundePlease help us populate SUNScholar with the post print version of this article. It can be e-mailed to: [email protected]

The 'atom-splitting' moment of synthetic biology

Synthetic biology and nuclear physics share many commonalities in terms of public perception and funding. Synthetic biologists could learn valuable lessons from the history of the atomic bomb and nuclear powe

A recombinant live attenuated tetravalent vaccine for the prevention of dengue

Introduction: Dengue is an important and still growing public health problem associated with substantial morbidity, as well as significant social and economic impact. The present review describes the main features and development of the first dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV, Dengvaxia®), which has been licensed by several dengue-endemic countries in Asia and Latin America for use in populations above 9 years of age. Areas covered: The review focuses on the large clinical development of CYD-TDV, which includes in particular two pivotal phase III efficacy trials conducted in Asia and Latin America and supported vaccine licensure. Based on these clinical data, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization recommended considering introduction of the vaccine in geographic settings (national or subnational) with high burden of disease. Long-term safety follow-up studies of the efficacy trials are currently ongoing, and post-licensure studies will evaluate the vaccine effectiveness and safety in ‘real-life’ following vaccine introduction. Expert commentary: During vaccine development, a number of complexities were tackled, innovation pursued, and risk managed. These aspects, as well as the potential impact of CYD-TDV on public health are also discussed

Prasugrel versus ticagrelor in acute coronary syndrome: A randomized comparison

International audienceDual antiplatelet therapy with Aspirin and Clopidogrel has been considered as a cornerstone therapy after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) [1] before new P2Y12 blockers demonstrated their clinical benefit in large randomized controlled trials [2,3]. European guidelines [4] recommended the use of Prasugrel or Ticagrelor in ACS patients as first choice. Prasugrel is the more recent available thienopyridine drug, and Ticagrelor, a direct and reversible P2Y12 blocker, is preferred with a higher level of evidence than Clopidogrel (level B for both versus C)

Impact of Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome on Response to Clopidogrel or Prasugrel and Bleeding Risk in Patients Treated After Coronary Stenting

International audienceThis study aimed to analyze the impact of body mass index (BMI) and the metabolic syndrome (MS) on responses to clopidogrel or prasugrel and bleeding risk after acute coronary syndrome. The study included 1,542 consecutive patients who underwent coronary stenting (287 clopidogrel 75 mg, 868 clopidogrel 150 mg, and 387 prasugrel 10 mg). Platelet reactivity was assessed 1 month after discharge using platelet reactivity index vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (PRI VASP). Three hundred thirty-six patients (21.8%) were obese (BMI 30), and we observed higher platelet reactivity associated with higher BMI across thienopyridine regimens. Incidence of high on-treatment platelet reactivity (PRI VASP >50%) was higher in obese than nonobese patients (p<0.05 for all regimens). Conversely, incidence of low on-treatment platelet reactivity with prasugrel therapy (PRI VASP <20%) was lower in obese than nonobese patients: 13% (12 of 93) versus 33% (97 of 294); odds ratio 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.58; p<0.001. Accordingly, incidence of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium bleeding complications was higher in nonobese than in obese patients: 10% (119 of 1,206) versus 6% (20 of 336); odds ratio 1.7,95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.8; p = 0.03. This impaired response was only observed in obese patients with the MS, and obese with the MS had significantly higher platelet reactivity than other obese patients with all regimens (p<0.01). Obese patients without the MS had no significant difference in platelet reactivity compared with nonobese patients. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that BMI has a strong impact on response to clopidogrel and prasugrel with higher incidence of high on-treatment platelet reactivity, lower incidence of low on-treatment platelet reactivity, and lower bleeding complication in obese patients. However, among obese patients, the presence of the MS strongly affects response to antiplatelet agents, indicating that the metabolic status might be a better predictor of platelet inhibition than BMI. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved