Methods for Improving Brain-Computer Interface: Using A Brain-Directed Adjuvant and A Second-Generation Artificial Intelligence System to Enhance Information Streaming and Effectiveness of Stimuli

Background: The brain-computer interface (BCI) is gaining much attention to treat neurological disorders and improve brain-dependent functions. Significant achievements over the last decade have focused on engineering and computation technology to enhance the recording of signals and the generation of output stimuli. Nevertheless, many challenges remain for the translation of BCIs to clinical applications. Methods: We review the relevant data on the four significant gaps in enhancing BCI's clinical implementation and effectiveness. Results: The paper describes three methods to bridge the current gaps in the clinical application of BCI. The first is using a brain-directed adjuvant with a high safety profile, which can improve the accuracy of brain signaling, summing of information, and production of stimuli. The second is implementing a second-generation artificial intelligence system that is outcome-oriented for improving data streaming, recording individualized brain-variability patterns into the algorithm, and improving closed-loop learning at the level of the brain and with the target organ. The system overcomes the compensatory mechanisms that underlie the loss of stimuli' effectiveness for ensuring sustainable effects. Finally, we use inherent brain parameters relevant to consciousness and brain function to bridge some of the described gaps. Conclusions: Combined with the currently developed techniques for enhancing effectiveness and ensuring a sustainable response, these methods can potentially improve the clinical outcome of BCI techniques.

Aplicação da escala Full Outline of Unresponsiveness na avaliação do nível de consciência: revisão integrativa / Application of the escale Full Outline of Unresponsiveness in the assessment of the level of consciousness: integrative review / Aplicación de la escala Full Outline of Unresponsiveness en la evaluación del nivel de conciencia: revisión integradora

Conclusão: A escalamencionada demonstrou ser aplicável em pacientes adultos e idosos com alteração do nível de consciência, por apresentar confiabilidade interobservador, avaliar o padrão respiratório e reflexos do tronco encefálico e por prever desfechos desfavoráveis como o óbito.

Conclusion: We showed that this scale can predict the mortality of adult and older adult patients' with altered level of consciousness, offering interobserver reliability and assessing their respiratory pattern and brainstem reflexes

Conclusión: la escala mostró ser útil para aplicarse a pacientes adultos y ancianos con alteración del nivel de conciencia por presentar la fiabilidad interevaluador, evaluar el patrón respiratorio y los reflejos del tronco cerebral y por estimar los desenlaces desfavorables como la muerte

Metacognición desde las bases del pensamiento complejo / Metacognition from the bases of complex knowlegde

Introducción: La metacognición es el proceso mediante el cual el estudiante toma conciencia de lo que aprende, pero como podemos ampliar este concepto desde el paradigma emergente de la complejidad, si religamos la conciencia a la aplicación del pensamiento complejo. La metacognición aplicada con elementos de pensamiento complejo le llamamos metacomplejidad, que es un proceso superior donde tomamos conciencia desde la complejidad para aprender y enseñar, implicara niveles de realidad y formas de aplicar la complejidad en los procesos educativos. Objetivo: Revisar teóricamente el concepto de metacognición a fin de profundizar en el tema tomando en consideración el concepto de aula mente social en la Educación. Método: Revisión teórica de publicaciones del autor, es un estudio transversal, retro-prospectivo no experimental Discusiones: El proceso de continuidad de la metacomplejidad será pues el aula mente social como el proceso más creativo que puede desarrollar un estudiante para poder resolver problemas educativos o de la vida cotidiana. Conclusión: La metacognición es el proceso mental más sensible en el proceso educativo que trasciende aplicando el pensamiento complejo.

Introduction: Metacognition is the process through which the student becomes aware of what he learns, but how can we expand this concept from the emerging paradigm of complexity, if we relink awareness to the application of complex thinking. Metacognition applied with elements of complex thinking is called metacomplexity, which is a superior process where we become aware of complexity to learn and teach, it will imply levels of reality and ways of applying complexity in educational processes. Objective: To theoretically review the concept of metacognition in order to deepen the subject taking into consideration the concept of classroom social mind in Education. Method: Theoretical review of the author's publications, it is a cross-sectional, retro-prospective, non-experimental study. Discussions: The process of continuity of metacomplexity will therefore be the social mind classroom as the most creative process that a student can develop in order to solve educational or daily life problems. Conclusion: Metacognition is the most sensitive mental process in the educational process that transcends by applying complex thinking.

Efecto de los anestésicos en la electroencefalografía. Parte 2 / Effect of anesthetics on electroencephalography. Part 2

Resumen: La anestesiología cuenta con una nueva generación de monitores de la profundidad anestésica como Narcotrend, SedLine y el índice biespectral; con un procesador del electroencefalograma llamado espectrograma o espectrografía. Tras la obtención del electroencefalograma, se procesa para graficar en tres dimensiones: la frecuencia, el tiempo y la potencia en una escala de colores, con lo que se obtiene la matriz de densidad espectral (DSA, por sus siglas en inglés). El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa es ilustrar los efectos de los anestésicos más comunes en el espectrograma y hacer una breve revisión de su huella en el electroencefalograma.

Abstract: Anesthesiology has a new generation of anesthetic depth monitors such as Narcotrend, SedLine and Bispectral Index; with an electroencephalogram processor called a spectrogram or spectrograph. After obtaining the electroencephalogram, it is processed to graph three dimensions: frequency, time, and power on a color scale, obtaining the DSA (density spectral array). The objective of this narrative review is to illustrate the effects of the most common anesthetics on the spectrogram and to briefly review their signature on the electroencephalogram.

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF WOMEN IN MANJU KAPUR'S NOVELS

The contemporary world's highlight is women and their harrowing experiences. Times gone by there are a perceptible unwillingness to acknowledge the reality of suffering. After independent India when a woman's life started altering owing to spread in education, the modern attitude woman started emerging. Women aware of their rights and when they started becoming economically independent, there was a striving for the realization of their own ambitions. Now, the new woman is a obsessive appearance out of the Indian existing ethos and not just a blind replication. Even in modern India, women are still caught between cultural values and traditional style of life and fast approaching new life. Caught among the burden of the administrative center, residence, childbearing, mothering, and struggling with principles; women's ?rst step to survive with equality is a far weep. The wide-ranging image of women in literature identi?es the real position according to woman in society – as daughter, mother, and wife in a familial setting.

Effect of essential balm K-piont stimulation on the swallowing rehabilitation of patients with minimally consciousness state / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore applications of essential balm K-point stimulation on the swallowing rehabilitation in patients with minimally consciousness state, so as to provide reference for patients rehabilitation.Methods:This was a prospective randomized controlled study. A total of 60 minimally consciousness state patients were enrolled by convenience sampling method from Henan Provincial People Hospital from January to December 2021, who were divided into experimental group and control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. Both groups received routine rehabilitation therapy, based on this, the control group was given routine K-point stimulation, the experimental group implemented essential balm K-point stimulation. Before and after 4 weeks of intervention, the Kubota water swallowing test and Coma Recovery Scale-revised (CRS-R) was used for assessment.Results:Before intervention, there was no significant difference in Kubota water swallowing test grade and CRS-R scores between two groups (both P>0.05). After 4-week intervention, Kubota water swallowing test Ⅰ-Ⅴ grade were 1, 6, 13, 7 and 3 cases in the control group, while 4, 12, 8, 3 and 3 cases in the experimental group, the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 2.09, P<0.05); the scores of oral motor/verbal function scale were (2.60 ± 1.16) in the experimental group, higher than in the control group (1.90 ± 0.32), the difference was statistically significant ( t = 2.18, P<0.05). Conclusions:Essential balm K-point stimulation can effectively promote swallowing function of patients with minimally consciousness state, and improve patient′s oral motor function.

Establishment of a mouse model of acute systemic cold injury induced by hypothermia / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To establish an animal model of acute systemic cold injury in mice.Methods:There were 98 C57BL/6 mice, half male and half female, with body weight of 22-27 g and age of 10 weeks. The mice were randomly divided into 7 groups ( n=14) according to the changes of anal temperature in cold environment, namely, group A (38.5 ± 1) ℃, group B (35 ± 1) ℃, group C (30 ± 1) ℃, group D (25 ± 1) ℃, group E (20 ± 1) ℃, group F (15 ± 1) ℃, and group G (10 ± 1) ℃, among which, group A was the blank control group, and the rest groups were the experimental group. The mice in the blank control group were placed in the normal environment (20 ± 5) ℃, and the mice in the experimental group were placed in the low temperature artificial climate box at - 20℃. The anal temperature of the mice was measured intermittently (as the core temperature), and the time required for the core temperature of the mice to drop to groups B, C, D, E, F and G was recorded. The righting reflex was used to evaluate the consciousness state, the action ability and the general state of each organ of mice were observed, and the blood routine and HE staining of each organ were detected. Results:The lower the core temperature of the experimental group, the longer the time required. The consciousness state, action ability, general state of organs, blood routine, and HE staining of organs in groups B, C, and D were basically the same as those in group A, and there was no acute systemic cold injury. Therefore, the blood routine, general observation of organs, and HE staining of organs in groups B, C, and D were no longer displayed compared with those in group A. Compared with group A, mice in group E began to suffer from disturbance of consciousness and action ability. With the decrease of core body temperature, the damage was aggravated, and mice in group G died. Compared with group A, the indices of blood routine test (WBC, RBC, HGB, PLT) of mice in group E began to decrease, and the univariate variance calculation showed that only WBC changes had statistical significance ( P<0.05). Compared with groups A and E, the indices of blood routine test (WBC, RBC, HGB, PLT) of mice in group F were further reduced, and the changes of each index in univariate variance calculation were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The general observation results showed that compared with group A, the lung, liver and spleen surfaces of mice in group E began to darken, and compared with groups A and E, the lung, liver, spleen, kidney and heart of mice in group F were further deepened and darkened, with irregular edges. HE staining results of various organs showed that compared with group A, the mice in group E began to have partial alveolar structure destruction and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration, the central vein of the liver was slightly congested, and the red and white pulp of the spleen were indistinct. Compared with groups A and E, the pathological structure damage of the lung, liver, spleen, kidney, heart and brain tissues of the mice in group F was further aggravated. Conclusions:Detection of consciousness state, action ability, general state of organs, blood routine and HE staining indices of organs in mice under low temperature can simulate the progress of clinical acute cold injury, and the animal model of acute systemic cold injury was successfully prepared.

Brain network mechanism of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture treatment for stroke / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture treatment on brain network reorganization for the patients with stroke recovery, and therefore understand the neural mechanism underlying Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture treatment.Methods:Prospective case series study. Thirteen acute ischemia stroke patients were recruited from the Department of Neurology, Shanghai Minhang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from Aug 2018 to Oct 2019. They were treated with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture once a day for 10 consecutive days in addition to routine treatments, and received clinical assessments before treatment and 14 days after treatment onset. EEG signals were recorded during the first acupuncture treatment, from before inserting the needles (the baseline), during needle retention, to after removal of the needles. The brain network was constructed using phase locking index, and its clustering coefficient (CC), characteristic path length (PL) and small-worldness (S) were analyzed using one-way repeated ANOVA.Results:Compared with the baseline, the CC of delta-band network (sparsity=0.10: t=3.306, P=0.006; 0.12: t=2.909, P=0.013; 0.14: t=2.331, P=0.038) and the PL of delta-band (sparsity=0.12: t=3.236, P=0.007; 0.14: t=2.754, P=0.017, 0.18: t=2.878, P=0.014) and alpha-band (sparsity=0.10: t=2.432, P=0.032) networks were significantly decreased during the needle retention stage. Clinical assessments demonstrated a significant treatment efficacy of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture, and its efficacy which was indicated by improved NIHSS score, was significantly correlated with the CC changes in the delta band network from baseline to needle retention. The correlation was strongest when the network sparsity was 0.12 ( r=0.78, P=0.002). Conclusion:Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture can regulate the brain network of stroke patients in real time, and this immediate regulation maybe associated with its treatment effect.

Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture on promoting wake-up of consciousness disorder in children with early severe traumatic brain injury / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the awakening effect and safety of Xingnao Kaiqiao (regaining consciousness and opening orifices) acupuncture on consciousness disorder in children with early severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) based on western medicine treatment.@*METHODS@#A total of 62 children with STBI were randomly divided into an observation group (31 cases,1 case dropped off) and a control group (31 cases, 1 case dropped off). The control group was treated with routine rehabilitation therapy (6 times a week for 30 days), and intravenous drip of cattle encephalon glycoside and ignotin injection (once a day for 28 days). On the basis of the treatment in the control group, the observation group was treated with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), Yintang (GV 24+), Baihui (GV 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), etc., and supplementary acupoints according to clinical symptoms, once a day, 6 times a week for 30 days. The scores of Glasgow coma scale (GCS), coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R) and modified Barthel index (MBI) were observed before treatment and 10, 20 and 30 d into treatment. Electroencephalogram (EEG) grading before and after treatment was observed in the two groups, and safety was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#After 10, 20 and 30 days of treatment, the scores of GCS, CRS-R and MBI in the two groups were increased compared before treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, EEG grading of both groups was improved compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group was better than the control group (P<0.05). There were no adverse events or adverse reactions in the two groups during treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#On the basis of western medicine treatment, Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture plays a remarkable role in wakening the early STBI children, can improve the level of consciousness disorder and daily living ability, and it is safe and effective.

Poder, crise e insurgência no Brasil e o direito a ter direitos / Power, crisis, and insurgency in Brazil and the right to have rights / Pouvoir, crise et insurrection au Brésil et le droit d'avoir des droits / Poder, crisis e insurgencia en Brasil y el derecho a tener derechos

Resumo Este ensaio reflete as condicionantes do poder em uma sociedade marcada pela emergência do conservadorismo que põe em risco a dignidade e os direitos humanos conquistados no período pós-ditadura militar brasileira. A partir do pensamento de autores críticos, tecemos considerações sobre como enfrentar essa nova configuração social e garantir a proteção dos direitos humanos. Para tanto, pensar o papel da universidade numa perspectiva praxiológica de ação política comprometida com a mudança social pressupõem buscar alternativas, saídas psicopolíticas, para uma sociedade capitalista submergida numa crise civilizatória. Como parte dessa análise, abordamos casos como o do assassinato de Marielle Franco, decorrente do avanço do conservadorismo e da violência política que o acompanha.

Abstract This essay reflects on the conditions of power in a society marked by the emergence of conservatism that puts at risk the dignity and human rights achieved in the post-military dictatorship period in Brazil. Based on the thought of critical authors, we make considerations about how to face this new social configuration and guarantee the protection of human rights. To this end, thinking about the role of the university in a praxeological perspective of political action committed to social change presupposes the search for alternatives, psycho-political ways out, for a capitalist society submerged in a crisis of civilization. As part of this analysis, we address cases such as the assassination of Marielle Franco, due to the advance of conservatism and of the political violence that accompanies it.

Résumé Cet essai réfléchit sur les conditions du pouvoir dans une société marquée par l'émergence d'un conservatisme qui met en danger la dignité et les droits de l'homme gagnés dans la période post-dictature militaire brésilienne. Basés sur la pensée d'auteurs critiques, nous formulons des considérations sur la manière de faire face à cette nouvelle configuration sociale et de garantir la protection des droits de l'homme. Pour ce faire, penser le rôle de l'université dans une perspective praxéologique d'action politique engagée dans le changement social présuppose la recherche d'alternatives, d'issues psycho-politiques, pour une société capitaliste submergée dans une crise civilisatrice. Dans le cadre de cette analyse, nous abordons des cas tels que l'assassinat de Marielle Franco, découlant de l'avancée du conservatisme et de la violence politique qui l'accompagne.

Resumen Este ensayo reflexiona sobre las condiciones del poder en una sociedad marcada por el surgimiento de un conservadurismo que pone en peligro la dignidad y los derechos humanos conquistados en el período de la dictadura militar brasileña. A partir del pensamiento de autores críticos se hacen consideraciones sobre cómo afrontar esta nueva configuración social y garantizar la protección de los derechos humanos. Para ello, pensar el papel de la universidad en una perspectiva praxeológica de acción política comprometida con el cambio social presupone la búsqueda de alternativas y de salidas psicopolíticas para una sociedad capitalista inmersa en una crisis civilizatoria. En este análisis se abordan casos como el asesinato de Marielle Franco como consecuencia del avance del conservadurismo y la violencia política que lo acompaña.

Analysis on the Current Situation and Influencing Factors of Ethical KAP among Clinical Researchers / 中国医学伦理学

【Objective:】 To understand the current situation and influencing factors of ethical knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among clinical researchers, enhance their ethical awareness, and improve the quality of clinical researches. 【Methods:】 A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct a convenient sampling survey of medical staff who have participated in clinical study. 【Results:】 A total of 6,021 subjects were investigated, with males accounting for 28.46% and females accounting for 71.53%. The average age of them was (37.47±11.46) years old. The total score of ethics and the mean scores of the three dimensions of knowledge, attitude and practice were (70.62±12.99), (59.63±12.50), (79.55±19.62) and (74.92±18.29), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that researchers with male, tertiary hospitals, doctors, ethics-related part-time jobs, postgraduate education, associate senior title or above, and training experience scored higher (P<0.05). 【Conclusion:】 Ethical attitudes have a significant mediating effect between knowledge and practice, accounting for 62.72% of the total effect. Researchers recognize the importance of ethics, but it is urgent to strengthen their knowledge learning and practical application.

Efficacy of autologous ozoneized blood transfusion in improving motor function in convalescent stroke patients / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the efficacy of autologous ozoneized blood transfusion(AOBT) in improving consciousness and motor function in convalescent stroke patients. 【Methods】 A total of 44 patients who were diagnosed as convalescent cerebral apoplexy and received treatment in Rehabilitation Department of our hospital from August 2016 to September 2021 were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group by blind method. The experimental group (n=22) received general rehabilitation training (such as exercises, occupational therapy, acupuncture and transcranial magnetic stimulation) plus AOBT (200 mL venous phlebotomy at the median elbow), once every 2 to 3 days and 12 occasions as a course of treatment; the control group solely recieved general rehabilitation training. The consciousness (GCS score) and ability of daily living (Barthel index score) score of the two groups before and after treatment were statistically compared, and Ueda motor function grade, Brunnstrom stage and muscle tone grade were observed and evaluated. 【Results】 After the treatment, the experimental group and the control were compared as follows: 1) the GCS score and Barthel score was 14.82±0.39 vs 12.41±2.52, 61.14±12.24 vs 52.05±11.72(P<0.05); 2) The recovery rate of motor function was 95.45% (21/22) vs 63.64% (14/22) (P<0.05); 3) The total recovery rate of muscle tone was 90.91% (20/22) vs 63.64% (14/22) (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 AOBT, with somewhat high safety and effectiveness, can improve the state of consciousness, motor function and muscle tone in convalescent patients with stroke.

Effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with median nerve electrical stimulation on patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness in different age / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of combination with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and median nerve electrical stimulation (MNS) on patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC) in different age. MethodsFrom January, 2021 to May, 2023, 93 patients with pDOC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were divided into young group (≤ 45 years old), middle-aged group (46 to 60 years old) and elderly group (> 60 years old). All the groups were treated with rTMS and MNS for four weeks. The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and Full Outline of Unresponsiveness Scale (FOUR) were used to evaluate the efficiency of awakening after treatment and the awakening ratios were compared among three groups weekly. Four weeks after treatment, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured with CT perfusion imaging. The score of Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOS-E) was compared six months after treatment. ResultsFrom three weeks after treatment, the scores of CRS-R, GCS and FOUR increased in all groups (P < 0.05). After weekly treatment, there was no significant difference in the composition ratio of consciousness level and the awakening ratio among three groups (χ2 < 11.057, P > 0.05). After four weeks of treatment, rCBF improved in three groups (|t| > 2.495, P < 0.05), however, there was no difference among three groups (F < 1.887, P > 0.05). There was no difference in the score of GOS-E at six months after treatment (F = 3.083, P = 0.055). ConclusionrTMS combined with MNS is effective on pDOC patients in different ages, and elderly patients could also benefit from it.

Treatments for prolonged disorder of consciousness in recent five years: a visualized analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo investigate the current landscape and hotspots on researches about treatment of prolonged disorder of consciousness (pDOC) in the recent five years, and forecast the trends. MethodsLiterature about treatment of pDOC was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, from January 1st, 2019, to June 7th, 2023. The data were analyzed with CiteSpace 5.8.R3 to create knowledge maps for authors, countries, institutions, keywords, references, co-cited authors and co-cited literature. ResultsA total of 411 articles were included. Aurore Thibaut was the most influential author, Belgium was the most influential country, and Harvard Medical School was the institution with the most publications. The researches focused on neuromodulation, prognostic assessment and care, and management of swallowing function. The neuromodulation techniques mainly included transcranial direct current stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, deep brain stimulation and transcutaneous auricular vague nerve stimulation. In the coming years, the researches trended to explore neuromodulation and mechanisms of consciousness recovery, and the main neuromodulation techniques might be deep brain stimulation and transcutaneous auricular vague nerve stimulation. ConclusionThe researches about treatment of pDOC are increasing, mainly focusing on neuromodulation, prognostic evaluation, nursing care, and training for swallowing function. More researches would focus on neuromodulation and mechanisms for restoring consciousness.

Genetic analysis of unexplained neonatal encephalopathy / 中华围产医学杂志

Objective:To explore the potential genetic causes of unexplained neonatal encephalopathy.Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 113 infants diagnosed with unexplained neonatal encephalopathy and underwent genetic testing in the Children's Hospital of Hunan Province from January 2019 to May 2021. Perinatal data, clinical manifestations, electroencephalograph, brain MRI findings, genetic information, and prognosis of those patients were analyzed. T-test or Chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results:Of the 113 infants enrolled, 74 (65.5%) were males. The gestational age at birth was (38.6±1.5) weeks, and the birth weight was (2 957±561) g. The most common clinical manifestation was the disturbance of consciousness (83/113, 73.5%), followed by seizures (39/113, 34.5%). There were 38.2% (34/89) of the patients with abnormal brain MRI, and 80.4% (74/92) presented abnormal electroencephalography. Among the 113 infants, 60 (53.1%) had genetic abnormalities, including 48 with single nucleotide variations, eight with copy number variations, and four with chromosome abnormalities. Single nucleotide variations in the 48 patients were classified into syndromic ( n=18, 37.5%), metabolic ( n=16, 33.3%), epileptic ( n=11, 22.9%) and mitochondrial-related genes ( n=3, 6.3%), of which 14 were not included in any database. Among the 103 cases which were successfully followed up until December 31, 2021, 75 (72.8%) had a poor prognosis, including 52 (50.5%) death cases and 23 (22.3%) cases of development retardation. Birth weight and the incidence of seizures in the poor prognosis group were both lower than those in the non-poor prognosis group [(2 876±536) vs (3 254±554) g, t=3.15; 29.3% (22/75) vs 53.6% (15/28), χ2=5.20; both P<0.05], while the incidence of disturbance of consciousness was higher [80.0% (60/75) vs 53.6% (15/28), χ2=7.19, P<0.05]. The proportion of infants with genetic abnormalities in the poor prognosis group was higher than that in the non-poor prognosis group, but the difference was not statistically significant [53.3% (40/75) vs 46.4% (13/28), χ2=0.39, P=0.533]. Conclusions:Genetic abnormality is one of the leading causes of unexplained neonatal encephalopathy. Nucleotide variation is the most common genetic type. Syndromic, metabolic, and epileptic variants are frequently detected in these patients.

Factors affecting postoperative short-term improvement of consciousness level in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness after severe traumatic brain injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate the factors affecting postoperative short-term improvement of consciousness level in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness after severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).Methods:A case-control study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 55 patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness after sTBI admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University and Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from September 2021 to September 2022. There were 33 males and 22 females, with the age range of 13-68 years [(43.0±15.5)years]. All patients were assessed for the consciousness level using the coma recovery scale-revision (CRS-R) preoperatively and within 48 hours postoperatively. A total of 33 patients were observed in vegetative state and 22 in minimally conscious state preoperatively. The consciousness level was found to be improved in 26 patients (consciousness- improved group), but not improved in the remaining 29 patients (consciousness-unimproved group). Indicators were documented including gender, age, cause of injury, Glasgow coma score (GCS) on admission, course of injury, preoperative consciousness level, operation mode, operation time, intraoperative fluid replenishment, intraoperative urine volume, intraoperative bleeding volume, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, analgesic regimen and sedation maintenance drugs. A univariate analysis was conducted first to assess those indicators′ correlation with postoperative short-term improvement of consciousness level in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness after sTBI. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was then used to determine the independent risk factors for their postoperative short-term improvement of consciousness level.Results:Univariate analysis showed that GCS on admission, course of injury, preoperative consciousness level and analgesic regimen were correlated with short-term improvement of postoperative consciousness level in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness after sTBI (all P<0.05), whereas gender, age, cause of injury, operation mode, operation time, intraoperative fluid replenishment, intraoperative urine volume, intraoperative bleeding volume, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade and sedation maintenance drugs showed no relation to the improvement of postoperative consciousness level (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the GCS ≥7 points on admission ( OR=0.06, 95% CI 0.01, 0.36, P<0.01), preoperative minimally conscious state ( OR=0.09, 95% CI 0.02, 0.40, P<0.01) and intraoperative use of Sufentanil combined with Remifentanil ( OR=0.07, 95% CI 0.01, 0.43, P<0.01) were significantly correlated with postoperative improvement of consciousness level. Conclusion:The GCS on admission (≥7 points), preoperative minimally conscious state and intraoperative use of Sufentanil combined with Remifentanil are independent risk factors affecting short-term postoperative improvement of consciousness level in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness after sTBI.

Clinical Decision on Disorders of Consciousness After Acquired Brain Injury: Stepping Forward / 神经科学通报·英文版

Major advances have been made over the past few decades in identifying and managing disorders of consciousness (DOC) in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI), bringing the transformation from a conceptualized definition to a complex clinical scenario worthy of scientific exploration. Given the continuously-evolving framework of precision medicine that integrates valuable behavioral assessment tools, sophisticated neuroimaging, and electrophysiological techniques, a considerably higher diagnostic accuracy rate of DOC may now be reached. During the treatment of patients with DOC, a variety of intervention methods are available, including amantadine and transcranial direct current stimulation, which have both provided class II evidence, zolpidem, which is also of high quality, and non-invasive stimulation, which appears to be more encouraging than pharmacological therapy. However, heterogeneity is profoundly ingrained in study designs, and only rare schemes have been recommended by authoritative institutions. There is still a lack of an effective clinical protocol for managing patients with DOC following ABI. To advance future clinical studies on DOC, we present a comprehensive review of the progress in clinical identification and management as well as some challenges in the pathophysiology of DOC. We propose a preliminary clinical decision protocol, which could serve as an ideal reference tool for many medical institutions.

Conciencia de la consciencia durante la anestesia / Awareness of consciousness during anesthesia

Resumen: La definición de consciencia en sí encierra una gran dificultad por su esencia y la inmensa complejidad de los numerosos componentes y procesos que la conforman. La consciencia como característica inherente al ser humano ha sido objeto de numerosos estudios y tratados, no sólo científicos, sino además filosóficos, religiosos, éticos, etcétera. Esto también incluye la diferencia entre consciencia y conciencia. La dificultad para poder establecer el principio que da origen a la consciencia, representa, por lo tanto, un gran reto para poder dilucidar con certeza lo que sucede con ésta durante el evento anestésico. Gracias al entendimiento que se va logrando a través de las investigaciones concernientes a las funciones de diferentes y complejas estructuras, tales como la substancia activadora reticular ascendente, el tálamo, partes del cuerpo estriado y la corteza cerebral, entre otras, que se relacionan gracias a la existencia de redes neuronales, integradas a su vez por nodos con funciones específicas y a la vez variadas, capaces de intercomunicar estas estructuras encefálicas, aun estando distantes, se tiene ahora nociones sólidas de dónde, cómo y cuánto se puede ver afectada la integración de la consciencia como consecuencia del efecto de los diferentes anestésicos.

Abstract: To define consciousness per se, involves a great difficulty because of its essence and the huge complexity regarding the great number of its components and the processes within. Consciousness, as a human characteristic, has been matter of large researching not only through a scientific approach, but also from the perspective of philosophic, religious, ethics investigations among others, including the distinction between consciousness and awareness. The trouble to define the foundation of consciousness implies a great challenge to get to know, what is happening during the anesthesia period. Through the understanding that has been accomplished by way of investigations concerning the different and complex functions of diverse neural structures such as the brain stem reticular formation, the thalamus, some parts of the striatum and the cerebral cortex among others, how they become connected by the neuronal nets who are compounded by nodes that have not only specific but a wide array of functions, capable of interconnect all these encephalic structures, even though they are far away, we know now with a good amount of certainty, where, how and how much the integrity of consciousness can be affected as a consequence of the different anesthetics effect.

Representación social de la muerte en un grupo de médicos / Social representation of death in a group of physicians

RESUMEN Introducción: En la relación de los médicos con la muerte en el escenario de lucha que es el hospital se manifiestan procesos psicológicos que legitiman sus conductas de rol. Objetivo: Caracterizar la representación social de la muerte en un grupo de médicos del Hospital Universitario "General Calixto García". Método: Investigación mixta, explicativa y de corte transversal realizada entre junio y septiembre del 2019 en una muestra de 35 médicos. En la etapa cuantitativa se aplicó el instrumento Asociación libre de palabras y para la etapa cualitativa la entrevista semiestructurada. Resultados: El núcleo central está integrado por la categoría Impacto afectivo (FR= 60; M= 3.5), en tanto que los contenidos del sistema periférico que se encuentra más próximos al núcleo en orden estructural son las categorías Concepción racional (FR=20; M= 2.8) y Estado postmorten (FR= 22; M= 4.4); esto en el contexto del Escenario del proceso morir donde ellos interactúan. Discusión: La representación social de la muerte se caracteriza por tener un núcleo central que refleja la diversidad de emociones que se vivencian. En tanto que el sistema periférico da cuenta de los aspectos cognoscitivos que se emplean para una Concepción de la Muerte y que se organizan en torno a la racionalidad biológica como parte del contexto de las características del Escenario del proceso de morir con el que se relacionan.

ABSTRACT Introduction: In the relationship of physicians with death in the scene of struggle that is the hospital, inter and intrasubjective processes are manifested that legimitize their role behaviors. Objective: Characterize the social representation of death in a group of physicians from a clinical-surgical hospital in Havana. Method: Mixed, explanatory and cross-sectional research carried out between June and September 2019 in a non-probabilistic simple of 35 physicians. In the quantitative stage, the Free association of words was applied and for the Qualitative stage, the semi-structured interview Results: The central nucleus is made up of the Affective Impact (FR= 60; M= 3.5) category; while the contents of the peripheral system that are closest to the nucleus in structural order are the categories Rational Conception (FR=20; M= 2.8) and Post-mortem State (FR= 22; M= 4.4). Discussion: The social representation of death is characterized by having a central nucleus that reflects the diversity of emotions that are experienced. While the peripheral system accounts for the cognitive aspects that are used for a conception of death and that are organized around biological rationality. This in the context of the characteristics of the Dying Process Scenario with which they related.