Experimental study of an asymmetric valveless pump to elucidate insights into strategies for pediatric extravascular flow augmentation.

Asymmetric pumping is a sub-category of valveless pumping in which a flexible tube is rhythmically compressed in the transverse symmetry plane. Due to the resulting asymmetry between the suction and discharge pipes, a net pumping head is achieved. Asymmetric pumping is regarded as one of the main mechanisms responsible for the Liebau effect in addition to impedance pumping. However, there remains a paucity of research surrounding the governing parameters of asymmetric pumping. Here, we conducted an experimental study of the performance of an asymmetric pump, with an aim to assess its potential for extravascular flow augmentation. A custom flexible latex tube and experimental platform were developed for this purpose. We tested various tube thicknesses and pinching frequencies. Our results demonstrate that the performance is within the range of physiological requirements for pediatric circulatory devices (~ 1 L/min and < 30 mmHg). We conclude that due to the absence of reverse flow and its mechanical simplicity, pure asymmetric pumping is promising for selected cardiovascular applications with less complexity than other valveless techniques.

Usefulness of thoracic ultrasound for diagnosis and follow-up of pneumonia.

Classically the diagnosis of both bacterial and viral pneumonias was made with chest radiology, later the use of chest CT was implemented, however in recent years lung ultrasound has become very important in the diagnosis of pulmonary pathology and increased in pandemic by SARS-CoV-2, due to the practicality of being done at the patient's bedside, the ability to be reproducible, and the decrease in radiation exposure to patients.

Effects of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation in addition to multicomponent exercise in adults older than 70 years living in nursing homes, a cluster randomized placebo-controlled trial: the HEAL study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supports the fact that multicomponent exercise and HMB supplementation are, separately, effective in improving older adult's health and palliate functional metabolic diseases in older people. However, the true effect of HMB supplementation combined with a tailored exercise program in frail older adults is still unknown. Thus, the aim of the HEAL (HMB + Exercise = Adults Living longer) study is to assess the effects of the combination of a daily multicomponent exercise and resistance training (VIVIFRAIL program) intervention in addition to HMB supplementation on older adults' health. METHODS/DESIGN: A 24-week cluster randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will be conducted on 104 adults ≥70 years. Nursing homes will be randomized to either of four groups: Ex-HMB (exercise intervention with HMB), Ex-Plac (exercise intervention with placebo), NoEx-HMB (no exercise intervention with HMB), and Controls (No exercise and no HMB). Intervention groups which include exercise will complete the individualized multicomponent (strength, balance and cardiovascular exercises) training program VIVIFRAIL. Intervention groups which include HMB supplementation will receive a 3 g/daily dose of free acid HMB in powder form. The primary outcome measure is the functional capacity. Secondary outcome measures are muscle strength and power, frailty and fall risk, body composition, biochemical analyses and cardiometabolic risk factor, disability and comorbidity, cognitive function and depression. DISCUSSION: The findings of the HEAL study will help professionals from public health systems to identify cost-effective and innovative actions to improve older people's health and quality of life, and endorse exercise practice in older adults and people living in nursing homes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03827499 ; Date of registration: 01/02/2019.

Antimicrobial Stewardship Opportunities in Patients with Bacteremia Not Identified by BioFire FilmArray.

A subset of bacteremia cases are caused by organisms not detected by a rapid-diagnostics platform, BioFire blood culture identification (BCID), with unknown clinical characteristics and outcomes. Patients with ≥1 positive blood culture over a 15-month period were grouped by negative (NB-PC) versus positive (PB-PC) BioFire BCID results and compared with respect to demographics, infection characteristics, antibiotic therapy, and outcomes (length of hospital stay [LOS] and in-hospital mortality). Six percent of 1,044 positive blood cultures were NB-PC. The overall mean age was 65 ± 22 years, 54% of the patients were male, and most were admitted from home; fewer NB-PC had diabetes (19% versus 31%, P = 0.0469), although the intensive care unit admission data were similar. Anaerobes were identified in 57% of the bacteremia cases from the NB-PC group by conventional methods: Bacteroides spp. (30%), Clostridium (11%), and Fusobacterium spp. (8%). Final identification of the NB-PC pathogen was delayed by 2 days (P < 0.01) versus the PB-PC group. The sources of bacteremia were more frequently unknown for the NB-PC group (32% versus 11%, P < 0.01) and of pelvic origin (5% versus 0.1%, P < 0.01) compared to urine (31% versus 9%, P < 0.01) for the PB-PC patients. Fewer NB-PC patients received effective treatment before (68% versus 84%, P = 0.017) and after BCID results (82% versus 96%, P = 0.0048). The median LOS was similar (7 days), but more NB-PC patients died from infection (26% versus 8%, P < 0.01). Our findings affirm the need for the inclusion of anaerobes in BioFire BCID or other rapid diagnostic platforms to facilitate the prompt initiation of effective therapy for bacteremia.

Benchmark for Numerical Models of Stented Coronary Bifurcation Flow.

In-stent restenosis ails many patients who have undergone stenting. When the stented artery is a bifurcation, the intervention is particularly critical because of the complex stent geometry involved in these structures. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been shown to be an effective approach when modeling blood flow behavior and understanding the mechanisms that underlie in-stent restenosis. However, these CFD models require validation through experimental data in order to be reliable. It is with this purpose in mind that we performed particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of velocity fields within flows through a simplified coronary bifurcation. Although the flow in this simplified bifurcation differs from the actual blood flow, it emulates the main fluid dynamic mechanisms found in hemodynamic flow. Experimental measurements were performed for several stenting techniques in both steady and unsteady flow conditions. The test conditions were strictly controlled, and uncertainty was accurately predicted. The results obtained in this research represent readily accessible, easy to emulate, detailed velocity fields and geometry, and they have been successfully used to validate our numerical model. These data can be used as a benchmark for further development of numerical CFD modeling in terms of comparison of the main flow pattern characteristics.

Aerobic interval training reduces vascular resistances during submaximal exercise in obese metabolic syndrome individuals.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of high-intensity aerobic interval training (AIT) on exercise hemodynamics in metabolic syndrome (MetS) volunteers. METHODS: Thirty-eight, MetS participants were randomly assigned to a training (TRAIN) or to a non-training control (CONT) group. TRAIN consisted of stationary interval cycling alternating bouts at 70-90% of maximal heart rate during 45 min day-1 for 6 months. RESULTS: CONT maintained baseline physical activity and no changes in cardiovascular function or MetS factors were detected. In contrast, TRAIN increased cardiorespiratory fitness (14% in VO2PEAK; 95% CI 9-18%) and improved metabolic syndrome (-42% in Z score; 95% CI 83-1%). After TRAIN, the workload that elicited a VO2 of 1500 ml min-1 increased 15% (95% CI 5-25%; P < 0.001). After TRAIN when subjects pedaled at an identical submaximal rate of oxygen consumption, cardiac output increased by 8% (95% CI 4-11%; P < 0.01) and stroke volume by 10% (95% CI, 6-14%; P < 0.005) being above the CONT group values at that time point. TRAIN reduced submaximal exercise heart rate (109 ± 15-106 ± 13 beats min-1; P < 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (83 ± 8-75 ± 8 mmHg; P < 0.001) and systemic vascular resistances (P < 0.01) below CONT values. Double product was reduced only after TRAIN (18.2 ± 3.2-17.4 ± 2.4 bt min-1 mmHg 10-3; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that intense aerobic interval training improves hemodynamics during submaximal exercise in MetS patients. Specifically, it reduces diastolic blood pressure, systemic vascular resistances, and the double product. The reduction in double product, suggests decreased myocardial oxygen demands which could prevent the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events during exercise in this population. CLINICALTRIALS. GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT03019796.

Laser capture microdissection protocol for gene expression analysis in the brain.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) allows the isolation of specific cell populations from complex tissues that can be then used for gene expression studies. However, there are no reproducible protocols to study RNA in the brain and, particularly, in the substantia nigra. RNA is a very labile biomolecule that is easily degraded during manipulation. LCM studies use low amounts of material and special precautions must be taken to preserve RNA yield and integrity, which are decisive for PCR analysis. The RNA yield and/or integrity can be affected negatively by tissue manipulation, LCM process and RNA extraction. We have optimized these three critical steps using nigral tissue sections, and developed a LCM protocol to obtain high-quality RNA for gene expression analysis. The optimal LCM protocol requires the use of 20 µm-thick tissue sections mounted on glass slides and processed for rapid tyrosine hydroxylase immunofluorescence. Additionally, a total microdissected tissue area of 1 mm2 and a column-based RNA extraction method were used to obtain a high RNA yield and integrity. In the rat substantia nigra, we demonstrated the expression of RNA for the angiotensin type 1 and type 2 receptors using this optimized LCM protocol. In conclusion, the LCM protocol reported here can be used to study the expression of both scarcely or abundantly expressed genes in the different brain regions of mammals under both physiological and pathological conditions.

Ambulatory blood pressure response to a bout of HIIT in metabolic syndrome patients.

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of exercise to lower blood pressure may depend on the type and intensity of exercise. We study the short-term (i.e., 14-h) effects of a bout of high-intensity aerobic interval training (HIIT) on blood pressure in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. METHODS: Nineteen MetS patients (55.2 ± 7.3 years, 6 women) entered the study. Eight of them were normotensive and eleven hypertensive according to MetS threshold (≥130 mmHg for SBP and/or ≥85 mmHg for DBP). In the morning of 3 separated days, they underwent a cycling exercise bout of HIIT (>90% of maximal heart rate, ~85% VO2max), or a bout of isocaloric moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT; ~70% of maximal heart rate, ~60% VO2max), or a control no-exercise trial (REST). After exercise, ambulatory blood pressure (ABP; 14 h) was monitored, while subjects continued their habitual daily activities wearing a wrist-band activity monitor. RESULTS: No ABP differences were found for normotensive subjects. In hypertensive subjects, systolic ABP was reduced by 6.1 ± 2.2 mmHg after HIIT compared to MICT and REST (130.8 ± 3.9 vs. 137.4 ± 5.1 and 136.4 ± 3.8 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.05). However, diastolic ABP was similar in all three trials (77.2 ± 2.6 vs. 78.0 ± 2.6 and 78.9 ± 2.8 mmHg, respectively). Motion analysis revealed no differences among trials during the 14-h. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the blood pressure reducing effect of a bout of exercise is influence by the intensity of exercise. A HIIT exercise bout is superior to an equivalent bout of continuous exercise when used as a non-pharmacological aid in the treatment of hypertension in MetS.

[Deconstructing Kanner]. / Deconstruyendo a Kanner.

Kanner, in 1943, and Asperger, in 1944, published papers that have been considered the first descriptions of autism. Kanner is acknowledged as having been the first to recognise this condition, while Asperger is attributed with the identification of a milder form of autism which has been denominated Asperger's syndrome. Kanner's paper played an important role in the development of the conceptualisation of autism due to its being published in the United States, where it became popular in the field of child psychiatry. In contrast, Asperger's work, written in German during the period dominated by Nazism, was practically ignored until almost four decades later. A review of the historical data, mostly collected by Silberman, reveals that Kanner had first-hand knowledge of the work on autism that Asperger had begun ten years earlier. Moreover, on re-reading and analysing the pioneering publications it becomes clear that the contributions made by Asperger are still fully valid today, to the point of having intuited a complex polygenic aetiology and that it would fit in perfectly with autism spectrum disorder in the DSM-5.

TITLE: Deconstruyendo a Kanner.Kanner, en 1943, y Asperger, en 1944, publicaron sendos articulos que se han considerado las primeras descripciones del autismo. A Kanner se le atribuye el merito de haber sido el primero en reconocer dicha entidad y a Asperger se le asigna la identificacion de una forma de autismo, mas leve, que se ha denominado sindrome de Asperger. La publicacion de Kanner tuvo una relevancia importante en el desarrollo de la conceptualizacion del autismo por el hecho de haberse editado en Estados Unidos, donde alcanzo una gran difusion en el campo de la psiquiatria infantil. Por el contrario, el trabajo de Asperger, escrito en aleman durante la epoca del nazismo, fue practicamente ignorado hasta pasadas casi cuatro decadas. La recopilacion de datos historicos, en gran parte recogidos por Silberman, revela que Kanner conocia de primera mano el trabajo sobre el autismo que Asperger habia iniciado diez años antes. Por otro lado, una relectura y analisis de las publicaciones pioneras pone en evidencia que las aportaciones de Asperger son plenamente vigentes, hasta el punto de haber intuido una etiologia poligenica compleja y de encajar plenamente con el trastorno del espectro autista del DSM-5.

Numerical Study of Blood Clots Influence on the Flow Pattern and Platelet Activation on a Stented Bifurcation Model.

Stent implantation is a common procedure followed in arteries affected by atherosclerosis. This procedure can lead to other stenting-related problems. One of these is the deposition and accumulation of blood clots over stent struts. This process can have further consequences, in so far as it can introduce modifications to the flow pattern. This problem is especially critical in stented bifurcations, where resulting stent geometry is more complex. In this regard, a numerical study is presented of the effect on the flow pattern and platelet activation of blood clot depositions on the stent struts of a stented coronary bifurcation. The numerical model is first validated with experimental measurements performed for this purpose. Experiments considered a flow with suspended artificial thrombi, which naturally deposited on stent struts. The location and shape observed were used to create numerical thrombi. Following this, numerical simulations were performed to analyze the influence of the presence of thrombi depositions on parameters such as Time Averaged Wall Shear Stress, Oscillatory Shear Index or Relative Residence Time. Finally, a study was also carried out of the effect of different geometrical configurations, from a straight tube to a stented bifurcation model with thrombus depositions, on platelet activation.

Distinct Neurophysiological Mechanisms Support the Online Formation of Individual and Across-Episode Memory Representations.

Individual experiences often overlap in their content, presenting opportunities for rapid generalization across them. In this study, we show in 2 independent experiments that integrative encoding-the ability to form individual and across memory representations during online encoding-is supported by 2 distinct neurophysiological responses. Brain potential is increased gradually during encoding and fit to a trial level memory measure for individual episodes, whereas neural oscillations in the theta range (4-6 Hz) emerge later during learning and predict participants' generalization performance in a subsequent test. These results suggest that integrative encoding requires the recruitment of 2 separate neural mechanisms that, despite their co-occurrence in time, differ in their underlying neural dynamics, reflect different brain learning rates and are supportive of the formation of opposed memory representations, individual versus across-event episodes.

Muscle contraction velocity, strength and power output changes following different degrees of hypohydration in competitive olympic combat sports.

BACKGROUND: It is habitual for combat sports athletes to lose weight rapidly to get into a lower weight class. Fluid restriction, dehydration by sweating (sauna or exercise) and the use of diuretics are among the most recurrent means of weight cutting. Although it is difficult to dissuade athletes from this practice due to the possible negative effect of severe dehydration on their health, athletes may be receptive to avoid weight cutting if there is evidence that it could affect their muscle performance. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate if hypohydration, to reach a weight category, affects neuromuscular performance and combat sports competition results. METHODS: We tested 163 (124 men and 39 woman) combat sports athletes during the 2013 senior Spanish National Championships. Body mass and urine osmolality (UOSM) were measured at the official weigh-in (PRE) and 13-18 h later, right before competing (POST). Athletes were divided according to their USOM at PRE in euhydrated (EUH; UOSM 250-700 mOsm · kgH2O(-1)), hypohydrated (HYP; UOSM 701-1080 mOsm · kgH2O(-1)) and severely hypohydrated (S-HYP; UOSM 1081-1500 mOsm · kgH2O(-1)). Athletes' muscle strength, power output and contraction velocity were measured in upper (bench press and grip) and lower body (countermovement jump - CMJ) muscle actions at PRE and POST time-points. RESULTS: At weigh-in 84 % of the participants were hypohydrated. Before competition (POST) UOSM in S-HYP and HYP decreased but did not reach euhydration levels. However, this partial rehydration increased bench press contraction velocity (2.8-7.3 %; p < 0.05) and CMJ power (2.8 %; p < 0.05) in S-HYP. Sixty-three percent of the participants competed with a body mass above their previous day's weight category and 70 of them (69 % of that sample) obtained a medal. CONCLUSIONS: Hypohydration is highly prevalent among combat sports athletes at weigh-in and not fully reversed in the 13-18 h from weigh-in to competition. Nonetheless, partial rehydration recovers upper and lower body neuromuscular performance in the severely hypohydrated participants. Our data suggest that the advantage of competing in a lower weight category could compensate the declines in neuromuscular performance at the onset of competition, since 69 % of medal winners underwent marked hypohydration.

[Vulnerability to self-harm in autism]. / Vulnerabilidad a la autolesion en el autismo.

INTRODUCTION: The reasons underlying self-harm in persons with autism do not appear to have a single, straightforward and simple explanation. Biological predisposition, certain psychological states involving stress, atypical sensory processing, communication disorders, medical problems, and limited emotional regulation, among others, can lead persons with autism to harm themselves. AIMS: In this article a distinction is drawn, first of all, between self-harm related to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, and self-harm linked to other psychiatric conditions. Second, a preliminary approach to an integrated model for the understanding of self-harm in autism is proposed. DEVELOPMENT: Some of the hypotheses put forward to account for self-harm in autism are focused on atypical sensory processing, on communication disorders and medical problems, and on emotional dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS: The limited number of studies conducted in this area and the inconsistency of the data resulting from them have led to great efforts being made to separate the facts from the suppositions in this subject. This modest initial proposal makes it possible to draw up a roadmap to guide and help persons with autism, their families and professionals in the process of reducing or eliminating this behaviour. It is suggested that self-harm should no longer be considered a disruptive behaviour and that it should be interpreted instead as an (inadequate) self-regulatory response to stress.

TITLE: Vulnerabilidad a la autolesion en el autismo.Introduccion. El porque de la autolesion en las personas con autismo no parece tener una explicacion simple, sencilla y unica. La predisposicion biologica, determinados estados psicologicos de estres, un procesamiento sensorial atipico, alteraciones en la comunicacion, problemas medicos, limitaciones en la regulacion emocional, entre otros, pueden llevan a la persona con autismo a dañarse. Objetivo. En este articulo se diferencia, en primer lugar, la autolesion relacionada con alteraciones del neurodesarrollo, como el autismo y la autolesion vinculada a otras condiciones psiquiatricas; y en segundo lugar, se propone una primera aproximacion a un modelo integral de comprension de la autolesion en el autismo. Desarrollo. Algunas de las hipotesis explicativas de la autolesion en el autismo estan centradas en el procesamiento sensorial atipico, en alteraciones de la comunicacion y problemas medicos, y en la desregulacion emocional. Conclusiones. La limitada investigacion al respecto y la confusion de los datos que se arrojan ha generado un especial esfuerzo por separar los hechos de las suposiciones en todo lo relativo a este tema. Esta modesta propuesta inicial permite elaborar una hoja de ruta que oriente y ayude a las personas con autismo, a sus familias y a los profesionales en el proceso de disminuir o eliminar este comportamiento. Se sugiere dejar de hablar de la autolesion como comportamiento disruptivo y mas bien interpretarla como una (inadecuada) respuesta autorregulatoria al estres.

[Autisms that 'cure themselves']. / Autismos que se 'curan'.

INTRODUCTION: Research into autism, based mainly on the categorical model in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, has focused above all on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, cognitive mechanisms and the biological-environmental determining factors. Yet, little attention has been paid to the developmental trajectories, which play a decisive role when it comes to establishing a medium- and long-term prognosis. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to review the developmental course of children diagnosed with autism who, despite preserving behavioural traits consistent with the initial profile in the medium- and long-term, accomplish a satisfactory social and occupational adaptation, and additionally no longer meet the criteria that gave rise to the initial diagnosis. DEVELOPMENT: A review was conducted of the bibliography on autism focused on the analysis of the development of the clinical manifestations and their repercussions from the earliest ages to adulthood. Likewise, we have also taken into consideration conceptual aspects about autism that facilitate the comprehension and the meaning of the developmental patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Around 20% of the children diagnosed with autism cease to meet the criteria on which their diagnosis was based and, furthermore, achieve a satisfactory social and occupational adjustment. The following were identified as favouring factors: normal intelligence, good level of language and low incidence of 'comorbidities'; conversely, in the series that were reported, early and intensive therapeutic interventions were not shown to be determining factors. Lastly, mention is made of the concept of neurodiversity, where recovery is centred on the optimal development of each individual's capacities within a facilitating environment.

TITLE: Autismos que se 'curan'.Introduccion. La investigacion sobre el autismo, basada principalmente en el modelo categorico del Manual diagnostico y estadistico de los trastornos mentales, se ha centrado de forma preferente en la epidemiologia, las manifestaciones clinicas, los mecanismos cognitivos y los determinantes biologicos y ambientales; sin embargo, se ha prestado escaso interes a las trayectorias evolutivas, las cuales son decisivas de cara al pronostico a medio y largo plazo. Objetivo. Revisar el curso evolutivo de niños diagnosticados de autismo que, aun conservando a medio o largo plazo rasgos conductuales acordes con el perfil inicial, alcanzan una adaptacion social y laboral satisfactorias, y ademas dejan de cumplir los criterios que dieron lugar al diagnostico inicial. Desarrollo. Se ha revisado la bibliografia sobre el autismo centrada en el analisis de la evolucion de las manifestaciones clinicas y de su repercusion desde las primeras edades hasta la edad adulta. Asimismo, se han tomado en consideracion aspectos conceptuales sobre el autismo que facilitan la comprension y el significado de los patrones evolutivos. Conclusiones. Alrededor del 20% de los niños diagnosticados dejan de cumplir los criterios en los que se baso el diagnostico y, ademas, alcanzan un ajuste social y laboral satisfactorio. Como factores favorecedores se identifica: inteligencia normal, buen nivel de lenguaje y baja incidencia de 'comorbilidades'; por el contrario, en las series notificadas no se señalan como factores determinantes las intervenciones terapeuticas precoces e intensivas. Por ultimo, se menciona el concepto de neurodiversidad, donde la recuperacion se centra en el desarrollo optimo de las capacidades de cada individuo en un entorno facilitador.

Preventive Analgesia with Pregabalin in Neuropathic Pain from "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome": Assessment of Sleep Quality and Disability.

OBJECTIVE: Pregabalin group (PGB) is an antiepileptic used to treat neuropathic pain. We evaluated analgesic efficacy and safety for postoperative/chronic pain, disability, and sleep quality in patients who underwent spine surgery administered with PGB, or not, during the presurgical and postsurgical periods. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 60 patients (two groups with 30 patients) with full information on 50 (29 with PGB and 21 without PGB). Ten patients were dismissed as information was lacking. The PGB group (P) (29 patients) received 75 mg/12 hours before surgery, 150 mg 10 hours after surgery, and 150 mg/12 hours 3 days after surgery. The control group (C; 21 patients) took no PGB. METHODS: Neuropathic pain was assessed before surgery, and 2 and 6 months later using visual analog scales (VAS), DN4, disability (Oswestry), and sleep quality. No serious adverse events occurred with PGB. RESULTS: The median VAS pain score at rest was lower in the PGB group at 2 months postsurgery (1 vs 2, P = 0.032), as was the median DN4 score (0 vs 3, P = 0.032) and the median Oswestry disability index (ODI: 12 vs 18, P = 0.001). At 6 months postsurgery, pain scores were also lower in the PGB group for VAS (0 vs 4, P = 0.001), DN4 score (0 vs 4, P = 0.001) and the ODI (10 vs 24, P = 0.001). Improvement in the functionality and sleep quality of the PGB group was noteworthy (P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: PGB has analgesic/antihyperalgesic effects on postoperative neuropathic pain after surgery for lumbar disc hernia. Our findings show that this benefit increases with time.

Music supported therapy promotes motor plasticity in individuals with chronic stroke.

Novel rehabilitation interventions have improved motor recovery by induction of neural plasticity in individuals with stroke. Of these, Music-supported therapy (MST) is based on music training designed to restore motor deficits. Music training requires multimodal processing, involving the integration and co-operation of visual, motor, auditory, affective and cognitive systems. The main objective of this study was to assess, in a group of 20 individuals suffering from chronic stroke, the motor, cognitive, emotional and neuroplastic effects of MST. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we observed a clear restitution of both activity and connectivity among auditory-motor regions of the affected hemisphere. Importantly, no differences were observed in this functional network in a healthy control group, ruling out possible confounds such as repeated imaging testing. Moreover, this increase in activity and connectivity between auditory and motor regions was accompanied by a functional improvement of the paretic hand. The present results confirm MST as a viable intervention to improve motor function in chronic stroke individuals.

Accuracy and reproducibility of patient-specific hemodynamic models of stented intracranial aneurysms: report on the Virtual Intracranial Stenting Challenge 2011.

Validation studies are prerequisites for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to be accepted as part of clinical decision-making. This paper reports on the 2011 edition of the Virtual Intracranial Stenting Challenge. The challenge aimed to assess the reproducibility with which research groups can simulate the velocity field in an intracranial aneurysm, both untreated and treated with five different configurations of high-porosity stents. Particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) measurements were obtained to validate the untreated velocity field. Six participants, totaling three CFD solvers, were provided with surface meshes of the vascular geometry and the deployed stent geometries, and flow rate boundary conditions for all inlets and outlets. As output, they were invited to submit an abstract to the 8th International Interdisciplinary Cerebrovascular Symposium 2011 (ICS'11), outlining their methods and giving their interpretation of the performance of each stent configuration. After the challenge, all CFD solutions were collected and analyzed. To quantitatively analyze the data, we calculated the root-mean-square error (RMSE) over uniformly distributed nodes on a plane slicing the main flow jet along its axis and normalized it with the maximum velocity on the slice of the untreated case (NRMSE). Good agreement was found between CFD and PIV with a NRMSE of 7.28%. Excellent agreement was found between CFD solutions, both untreated and treated. The maximum difference between any two groups (along a line perpendicular to the main flow jet) was 4.0 mm/s, i.e. 4.1% of the maximum velocity of the untreated case, and the average NRMSE was 0.47% (range 0.28-1.03%). In conclusion, given geometry and flow rates, research groups can accurately simulate the velocity field inside an intracranial aneurysm-as assessed by comparison with in vitro measurements-and find excellent agreement on the hemodynamic effect of different stent configurations.

Higher insulin-sensitizing response after sprint interval compared to continuous exercise.

This study investigated which exercise mode (continuous or sprint interval) is more effective for improving insulin sensitivity. Ten young, healthy men underwent a non-exercise trial (CON) and 3 exercise trials in a cross-over, randomized design that included 1 sprint interval exercise trial (SIE; 4 all-out 30-s sprints) and 2 continuous exercise trials at 46% VO2peak (CELOW) and 77% VO2peak (CEHIGH). Insulin sensitivity was assessed using intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) 30 min, 24 h and 48 h post-exercise. Energy expenditure was measured during exercise. Glycogen in vastus lateralis was measured once in a resting condition (CON) and immediately post-exercise in all trials. Plasma lipids were measured before each IVGTT. Only after CEHIGH did muscle glycogen concentration fall below CON (P<0.01). All exercise treatments improved insulin sensitivity compared with CON, and this effect persisted for 48-h. However, 30-min post-exercise, insulin sensitivity was higher in SIE than in CELOW and CEHIGH (11.5±4.6, 8.6±5.4, and 8.1±2.9 respectively; P<0.05). Insulin sensitivity did not correlate with energy expenditure, glycogen content, or plasma fatty acids concentration (P>0.05). After a single exercise bout, SIE acutely improves insulin sensitivity above continuous exercise. The higher post-exercise hyperinsulinemia and the inhibition of lipolysis could be behind the marked insulin sensitivity improvement after SIE.

Effect of pore diameter in nanoporous anodic alumina optical biosensors.

The influence of pore diameter over the optical response of nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) films is analyzed by reflectance interference spectroscopy. NAA films manufactured by a two-step anodization procedure in oxalic acid exhibiting three well-defined pore diameter distributions with pores of 32 ± 4, 50 ± 3, and 73 ± 2 nm are studied. The optical detection of biomolecules is investigated by serially dosing protein A, human IgG and anti-human IgG into a nanoporous matrix using a custom-made flow cell. The results demonstrate that the transduction signal, the variation of effective optical thickness upon IgG binding to protein A (ΔEOT), depends on the nanopore diameter: for small pore diameter (32 nm) no significant differences in signals are observed for different protein concentrations whereas for larger pore diameters (50 nm and 73 nm) the signals increase for increasing concentrations from 10 to 100 µg mL(-1). Our experiments also show that this signal can be further enhanced by amplification with anti-human IgG due to the multiple binding events between the antigen and the antibody. These results will enable the development of more sensitive interferometric biosensors based on NAA.