The computerized LASSI-BC Test versus the Standard LASSI-L Paper-and-Pencil Version in Community-Based-Samples.

Proactive Semantic Interference (PSI) and failure to recover from PSI (frPSI), are novel constructs assessed by the LASSI-L. These measures are sensitive to cognitive changes in early Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and preclinical AD determined by Aß load using PET. The goal of this study was to compare a new computerized version of the LASSI-L (LASSI-Brief Computerized) to the standard paper-and-pencil version of the test. In this study, we examined 110 cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults and 79 with amnestic MCI (aMCI) who were administered the paper-and-pencil form of the LASSI-L. Their performance was compared with 62 CU older adults and 52 aMCI participants examined using the LASSI-BC. After adjustment for covariates (degree of initial learning, sex, education, and language of evaluation) both the standard and computerized versions distinguished between aMCI and CU participants. The performance of CU and aMCI groups using either form was relatively commensurate. Importantly, an optimal combination of Cued B2 recall and Cued B1 intrusions on the LASSI-BC yielded an area under the ROC curve of .927, a sensitivity of 92.3% and specificity of 88.1%, relative to an area under the ROC curve of .815, a sensitivity of 72.5%, and a specificity of 79.1% obtained for the paper-and-pencil LASSI-L. Overall, the LASSI-BC was comparable, and in some ways, superior to the paper-and-pencil LASSI-L. Advantages of the LASSI-BC include a more standardized administration, suitability for remote assessment, and an automated scoring mechanism that can be verified by a built-in audio recording of responses.

Different aspects of failing to recover from proactive semantic interference predicts rate of progression from amnestic mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Introduction: This study investigated the role of proactive semantic interference (frPSI) in predicting the progression of amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) to dementia, taking into account various cognitive and biological factors. Methods: The research involved 89 older adults with aMCI who underwent baseline assessments, including amyloid PET and MRI scans, and were followed longitudinally over a period ranging from 12 to 55 months (average 26.05 months). Results: The findings revealed that more than 30% of the participants diagnosed with aMCI progressed to dementia during the observation period. Using Cox Proportional Hazards modeling and adjusting for demographic factors, global cognitive function, hippocampal volume, and amyloid positivity, two distinct aspects of frPSI were identified as significant predictors of a faster decline to dementia. These aspects were fewer correct responses on a frPSI trial and a higher number of semantic intrusion errors on the same trial, with 29.5% and 31.6 % increases in the likelihood of more rapid progression to dementia, respectively. Discussion: These findings after adjustment for demographic and biological markers of Alzheimer's Disease, suggest that assessing frPSI may offer valuable insights into the risk of dementia progression in individuals with aMCI.

Semantic intrusion errors are associated with plasma Ptau-181 among persons with amnestic mild cognitive impairment who are amyloid positive.

Introduction: Semantic intrusion errors (SI) have distinguished between those with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) who are amyloid positive (A+) versus negative (A-) on positron emission tomography (PET). Method: This study examines the association between SI and plasma - based biomarkers. One hundred and twenty-eight participants received SiMoA derived measures of plasma pTau-181, ratio of two amyloid-ß peptide fragments (Aß42/Aß40), Neurofilament Light protein (NfL), Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), ApoE genotyping, and amyloid PET imaging. Results: The aMCI A+ (n = 42) group had a higher percentage of ApoE ɛ4 carriers, and greater levels of pTau-181 and SI, than Cognitively Unimpaired (CU) A- participants (n = 25). CU controls did not differ from aMCI A- (n = 61) on plasma biomarkers or ApoE genotype. Logistic regression indicated that ApoE ɛ4 positivity, pTau-181, and SI were independent differentiating predictors (Correct classification = 82.0%; Sensitivity = 71.4%; Specificity = 90.2%) in identifying A+ from A- aMCI cases. Discussion: A combination of plasma biomarkers, ApoE positivity and SI had high specificity in identifying A+ from A- aMCI cases.

Mujeres de la vida o Vida de las mujeres: sistema de género colonial, estigma y trabajo sexual / Women of life or Life of women: colonial gender system, stigma and sex work

En un contexto de sistema de género colonial, los estudios del trabajo sexual autónomo han sido objeto histórico de discursos polarizados, al considerarse hegemónicamente como una forma de violencia y en menor medida una opción en un contexto restringido, que es necesario reconocer y regular. Partimos del vacío de estudios sobre el impacto emocional y físico del estigma acumulado en torno al trabajo sexual, entendido este como una forma de violencia simbólica. Realizamos un estudio cualitativo a través de entrevistas en profundidad, a cinco mujeres mayores cisgénero y trans* que ejercen el trabajo sexual. El objetivo es indagar la construcción situada por parte de sus protagonistas, de los significados otorgados a su mundo cotidiano y a la actividad que realizan. Los resultados ahondan en la tensión y articulación entre procesos de agenciamiento y de victimización. (AU)

Within the context of a colonial gender system, studies of autonomous sex work have historically been the object of polarized discourses, as they are considered hegemonically as a form of violence or, to a lesser extent, as an option in a restricted context, which needs to be recognized and regulated. Our stating point is the lack of studies on the emotional and physical impact of the stigma accumulated around sex work, understood as a form of symbolic violence. We carried out a qualitative study through in-depth interviews with five older cisgender and trans* women sex workers. The objective is to investigate the situated construction by its protagonists, of the meanings given to their daily world and to the activity they carry out. The results delve into the tension and articulation between processes of agency and victimization. (AU)

Persistent Failure to Recover from Proactive Semantic Interference on the Cognitive Stress Test Differentiates Between Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, Pre-Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Cognitively Unimpaired Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Susceptibility to proactive semantic interference (PSI) and the inability to ameliorate these difficulties with one additional learning trial have repeatedly been implicated as early features of incipient Alzheimer's disease (AD). Unfortunately, persistent failure to recover from PSI (frPSI) after repeated learning trials, are not captured by existing memory measures, or been examined in pre-mild cognitive impairment (PreMCI). OBJECTIVE: A novel Cognitive Stress Test (CST) was employed to measure the impact of PSI, initial failure to recover from PSI and persistent effects of PSI, despite multiple learning trials of the new to-be-remembered material (pfrPSI). We hypothesized that PSI deficits on the CST would persist in both PreMCI and amnestic MCI (aMCI) groups over repeated learning trials when compared to cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults. METHODS: One hundred fifty older adults (69 CU, 31 PreMCI, and 50 aMCI) underwent a standardized clinical and neuropsychological evaluation. The CST was independent of diagnostic classification. RESULTS: Even after adjusting for strength of initial learning, aMCI and PreMCI groups demonstrated greater persistent PSI (pfrPSI) relative to the CU group despite repeated learning trials of List B. Further, the aMCI group made a higher number of semantic intrusion errors relative to the PreMCI and CU groups on all List B Cued Recall trials. CONCLUSION: Persistent PSI appears to be a common feature of aMCI and PreMCI. The possible theoretical mechanisms and empirical implications of these new findings are discussed.

El óxido nítrico y su aplicabilidad clínica / Nitric oxide and its clinical applicability

La molécula de óxido nítrico (NO) es altamente tóxica y se comporta como un radical libre muy reactivo, lo que se demuestra en la circulación al unirse a la hemoglobina y producir metahemoglobina como producto de una reacción de oxidación; de igual modo, al unirse con el oxígeno molecular se produce dióxido nitroso, que es nocivo para los pulmones. Esta molécula en condiciones atmosféricas se encuentra en estado gaseoso. Sin embargo, el óxido nítrico posee características particulares que abren la posibilidad de su utilización en el campo clínico, entre las cuales se destacan: su poder vasodilatador, -su papel como antiagregante plaquetario. –su efecto a nivel paracrino. –su comportamiento como neurotrasmisor. –su aplicabilidad en anestesiología clínica. Este compuesto, además, está presente en el sistema autoinmune, donde es indispensable para la actividad citolítica de los macrófagos y polimorfonucleares. Su utilidad clínica está orientada hacia el manejo de la hipertensión pulmonar y la hipertensión arterial intratable vinculada a estados sépticos...