Estabilidad de la actividad eléctrica no lineal durante condiciones basales con los ojos cerrados / Nonlinear electrical activity stability in basal, eyes closed conditions

Introducción: El electroencefalograma permite registrar la actividad eléctrica cerebral en estado de reposo y durante la ejecución de tareas cognitivas. Objetivo: Evaluar si la actividad cerebral, analizada como dinámica no lineal, se mantiene estable durante diferentes ventanas temporales en una condición basal con ojos cerrados. Métodos: Se realizaron registros con electroencefalograma durante dos minutos a 14 estudiantes universitarios varones. Posteriormente, se compararon las medias de índices de Hurst (H) en ventanas temporales de 60, 30 y 10 segundos. Resultados: Las medias de los índices H son estables a través de diferentes ventanas temporales en las regiones prefrontales, temporales y occipitales. Conclusiones: Los registros de electroencefalograma en condiciones basales con los ojos cerrados son válidos para comparar protocolos experimentales de resolución de problemas cognitivos utilizando el exponente de Hurst en los sujetos de la muestra y en otros con características similares(AU)

Introduction: Electroencephalography makes it possible to record brain electrical activity at rest and during the performance of cognitive tasks. Objective: Determine whether brain activity analyzed as nonlinear dynamics remains stable during various time windows in basal, eyes closed conditions. Methods: Electroencephalographic records of 14 male university students were taken during two minutes. Hurst's index means (H) were then compared in time windows of 60, 30 and 10 seconds. Results: H index means are stable throughout the various time windows in the prefrontal, temporal and occipital regions. Conclusions: Electroencephalographic records in basal, eyes closed conditions are valid to compare experimental protocols for cognitive problem solving using the Hurst exponent in subjects from the sample as well as others of similar characteristics(AU)

Correlation of anorectal electromanometry and anorectal three-dimensional ultrasound findings in patients with fecal incontinence / Correlação dos achados da eletromanometria anorretal e ultrassonografia anorretal tridimensional nos pacientes portadores de incontinência fecal

Objective: To show the correlation of anorectal electromanometry and three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography in patients with fecal incontinence. Method: Prospective study involving 34 women (mean age: 55 years) with a diagnosis of fecal incontinence. The samples were submitted to three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonogra- phy/Echodefecography and anorectal electromanometry. Results: Based on anorectal electromanometry data, 70.5% of 34 patients had hypotonia at rest, 64.7% had hypotonic contraction, 52.9% had both hypotonia at rest and hypotonic contraction, and 44.1% had anismus. By three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography, 32.3% had internal anal sphincter injury, 79.4% had external anal sphincter injures, and 26.4% had both internal and external anal sphincter injuries. In 38.2%, anismus was suggested and 50% showed rectocele. Overall, only 5.8% had normal results for anorectal electromanometry combined with three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography. Kappa index was 0.297 and the presence of anismus through anorectal electromanometry and three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography was compared by Student's t test application, with p<0.0001. Conclusion: We conclude that there was a reasonable agreement in the comparison of sphincter hypotonia by anorectal manometry and sphincter injury by anorectal three-dimensional ultrasonography in a group of patients with fecal incontinence. The incidence of anismus in patients with fecal incontinence is considerable, and the therapeutic approach in these patients should be modified. (AU)

RESUMO Objetivo: Demonstrar a correlação entre eletromanometria anorretal (EMAR) e ultrassonografia tridimensional anorretal (3D-US) em pacientes com incontinência fecal. Método: Estudo prospectivo envolvendo 34 mulheres (média de idade: 55 anos) com diagnóstico de incontinência fecal. As amostras foram submetidas à 3D-US/Ecodefecografia e EMAR. Resultados: Com base nos dados de EMAR, 70,5% das 34 pacientes exibiam hipotonia em repouso, 64,7% exibiam contração hipotônica, 52,9% hipotonia em repouso e contração hipotônica, e 44,1% exibiam anismus. Com base nos achados de 3D-US, 32,3% exibiam lesão no esfíncter anal interno, 79,4% exibiam lesão no esfíncter anal externo, e 26,4% em ambos os esfíncteres anais interno e externo. Pela 3D-US, em 38,2% das pacientes houve indício de anismus, e em 50%, retocele. No total, apenas 5,8% obtiveram resultados normais combina- dos para EMAR e 3D-US. Foi constatado um índice Kappa = 0,297 e, no teste t de Student, a comparação de anismus por EMAR e por 3D-US obteve significância de p<0,0001. Conclusão: Concluímos ter havido concordância razoável ao ser comparada a manomatria anorretal para hipotonia esfinctérica e a ultrassonografia tridimensional anorretal para lesão esfinctérica em um grupo de pacientes com incontinência fecal. A incidência de anismus em pacientes com incontinência fecal é considerável, e a abordagem terapêutica para esses pacientes deve ser modificada. (AU)

The Effect of the Kampo-Formula without Shakuyaku on the Palpitation at Rest Due to Imbalance of Ki-distribution / 日本東洋医学雑誌

We treated five patients with palpitation at rest due to imbalance of Ki-distribution, a concept of traditional Chinese medicine in which there is abnormal upward flowing of “Ki, ” who showed rapid improvement after Shakuyaku was excluded from their original regimen or after initiation of treatment with Shakuyaku-free regimens. All these patients shared in common two findings before the initiation of the Shakuyaku-free treatment: first, the absence of strain of the rectus abdominas muscle in the whole abdomen between the hypochondrium and the upper margin of the pubic bones, and secondly, the presence of abdominal pulsation diagnosed as pericardiac, infra-umbilical or sub-umbilical pulsation. We also treated patients who developed palpitation at rest only after Shakuyaku-free regimens were replaced with regimens including Shakuyaku. These findings suggest that there may be many patients in whom Shakuyaku-free regimens may improve palpitation when they have an imbalance of Ki-distribution as an underlying condition.