Intracranial Recordings Demonstrate Both Cortical and Medial Temporal Lobe Engagement in Visual Search in Humans.

Visual search is a fundamental human behavior, providing a gateway to understanding other sensory domains as well as the role of search in higher-order cognition. Search has been proposed to include two component processes: inefficient search (Search) and efficient search (Pop-out). According to extant research, these two processes map onto two separable neural systems located in the frontal and parietal association cortices. In this study, we use intracranial recordings from 23 participants to delineate the neural correlates of Search and Pop-out with an unprecedented combination of spatiotemporal resolution and coverage across cortical and subcortical structures. First, we demonstrate a role for the medial temporal lobe in visual search, on par with engagement in frontal and parietal association cortex. Second, we show a gradient of increasing engagement over anatomical space from dorsal to ventral lateral frontal cortex. Third, we confirm previous intracranial work demonstrating nearly complete overlap in neural engagement across cortical regions in Search and Pop-out. We further demonstrate Pop-out selectivity, manifesting as activity increase in Pop-out as compared to Search, in a distributed set of sites including frontal cortex. This result is at odds with the view that Pop-out is implemented in low-level visual cortex or parietal cortex alone. Finally, we affirm a central role for the right lateral frontal cortex in Search.

Supersolid Properties of a Bose-Einstein Condensate in a Ring Resonator.

We investigate the dynamics of a Bose-Einstein condensate interacting with two noninterfering and counterpropagating modes of a ring resonator. Superfluid, supersolid, and dynamic phases are identified experimentally and theoretically. The supersolid phase is obtained for sufficiently equal pump strengths for the two modes. In this regime we observe the emergence of a steady state with crystalline order, which spontaneously breaks the continuous translational symmetry of the system. The supersolidity of this state is demonstrated by the conservation of global phase coherence at the superfluid to supersolid phase transition. Above a critical pump asymmetry the system evolves into a dynamic runaway instability commonly known as collective atomic recoil lasing. We present a phase diagram and characterize the individual phases by comparing theoretical predictions with experimental observations.

Pinning Transition of Bose-Einstein Condensates in Optical Ring Resonators.

We experimentally investigate the dynamic instability of Bose-Einstein condensates in an optical ring resonator that is asymmetrically pumped in both directions. We find that, beyond a critical resonator-pump detuning, the system becomes stable regardless of the pump strength. Phase diagrams and quenching curves are presented and described by numerical simulations. We discuss a physical explanation based on a geometric interpretation of the underlying nonlinear equations of motion.

Observation of Subradiant Atomic Momentum States with Bose-Einstein Condensates in a Recoil Resolving Optical Ring Resonator.

We experimentally investigate the formation of subradiant atomic momentum states in Bose-Einstein condensates inside a recoil resolving optical ring resonator according to the theoretical proposal of Cola, Bigerni, and Piovella. The atoms are pumped from the side with laser light that contains two frequency components. They resonantly drive cavity assisted Raman transitions between three discreet atomic momentum states. Within a few hundred microseconds, the system evolves into a stationary subradiant state. In this state, the condensate develops two density gratings suitable to diffract the two frequency components of the pump field into the resonator. Both components destructively interfere such that scattering is efficiently suppressed. A series of subradiant states for various amplitude ratios of the two pump components between 0 and 2.1 have been observed. The results are well explained with a three state quantum model in mean field approximation.

Suicide and self-injury-related implicit cognition: A large-scale examination and replication.

Suicide and self-injury are difficult to predict because at-risk individuals are often unable or unwilling to report their intentions. Therefore, tools to reliably assess risk without reliance on self-report are critically needed. Prior research suggests that people who engage in suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) often implicitly (i.e., outside conscious control) associate themselves with self-harm and death, indicating that self-harm-related implicit cognition may serve as a useful behavioral marker for suicide risk. However, earlier studies left several critical questions about the robustness, sensitivity, and specificity of self-harm-related implicit associations unaddressed. We recruited a large sample of participants (N = 7,015) via a public web-based platform called Project Implicit Mental Health (PIMH) to test several hypotheses about self-harm-related implicit associations using the Implicit Association Test (IAT). Participants were randomly assigned to complete 1 of 3 self-harm IATs (Self + Cutting using picture stimuli, Self + Suicide using word stimuli, Self + Death using word stimuli). Results replicated prior studies demonstrating that self-harm-related implicit associations were stronger among individuals with (vs. without) a history of suicide attempt and NSSI. Results also suggested that self-harm-related implicit associations are robust (based on internal replication), are sensitive to recency and severity of self-harm history (e.g., stronger associations for more recent and more lethal prior suicide attempts), and correlate with specific types of self-harm behaviors. These findings clarify the nature of self-harm-related implicit cognition and highlight the IAT's potential to track current risk for specific types of self-harm in ways that more fixed risk factors cannot. (PsycINFO Database Record

Nodular hyperplasia of the gastrointestinal tract after liver transplantation: role of immunosuppressive therapy? A case report.

Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare disease usually reported in patients with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency and chronic gastrointestinal infections. However, no case of NLH in a patient receiving immunosuppressive therapy has been reported to date. We describe the case of a woman who developed chronic diarrhea related to NLH 9 years after liver transplantation. Other causes of diarrhea and NLH were excluded. Her immunosuppressive regimen consisted on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus. Reduction of MMF dose improved symptoms but led to a rising aminotransferase level. Given the risk of graft rejection, MMF at full dose was resumed and she was started on symptomatic treatment for diarrhea. The role of immunosuppressive drugs in the pathogenesis of NLH may be related to the reduction of T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation and decreasing antibody production. NLH will further develop to compensate functionally inadequate lymphoid tissue, as reported in congenital immunodeficiency states.

Dynamical instability of a Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical ring resonator.

We experimentally investigate the dynamical instability of a Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical ring resonator for various cavity detuning and pump powers. The resulting stability diagram is asymmetric with respect to the cavity detuning and can be described by the coupling of two atomic modes with one optical mode. We compare the experimental data to a numerical simulation and to an analytic expression of the phase boundary. For positive and negative pump cavity detuning, different coupling mechanisms are identified explaining the asymmetry of the stability diagram. We present a physical interpretation and discuss the connection to the Dicke quantum phase transition.

Sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary: two case reports.

Sclerosing stromal tumours are rare benign ovarian neoplasms of the sex cord stromal that occur predominantly in the second and third decades of life. Herein, we report two cases of sclerosing stromal tumour of the ovary. The two patients were 16 and 45 years old and both presented with pelvic pain. Ultrasonography demonstrated a heterogeneous solid mass of the left and right ovary, respectively, with some cystic foci in the second tumour. Laboratory tests including tumour markers and serum hormonal assays were normal in both cases. The two patients underwent left and right salpingo-oophrectomy, respectively. Microscopically, the tumours showed a pseudolobular pattern with cellular areas separated by oedematous and collagenous areas. The cellular areas were richly vascularized, with a hemangiopericytic pattern, and were composed of an admixture of theca-like and spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the tumour cells were positive for smooth muscle actin, inhibin and vimentin, but negative for cytokeratin. The final pathological diagnosis was sclerosing stromal tumour. Postoperative course was uneventful for both patients.

Coexistence of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis and gallbladder adenocarcinoma: a fortuitous association?

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is a relatively uncommon variant of chronic cholecystitis, characterized by marked thickening of the gallbladder wall and dense local adhesions. Not only does xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis mimic malignancy, it can also be infrequently associated with gallbladder carcinoma in 0.2% to 35.4% of cases. Herein, the authors report a new case of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis concomitant with gallbladder adenocarcinoma in a 65-year-old female patient. Because of its overlapping clinical, radiological and macroscopic findings with gallbladder cancer, definitive diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis relies on extensive sampling and thorough microscopic examination of the surgical specimen to exclude the possibility of coexisting tumour. It is still a matter of debate whether xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is truly a precursor of gallbladder carcinoma or if it is just an incidental finding. This aspect needs to be explored in the future with further studies.

[The rational preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors - imaging techniques and tumor biomarkers (review)]. / Racionální predoperacní diagnostika benigních a maligních ovariálních nádoru - zobrazovací metody, nádorové markery.

The majority of patients who suffer from an early-stage or advanced-stage of ovarian cancer complain about symptoms, mainly gastrointestinal ones. The pelvic examination in ovarian cancer detection is limited by the adnexal position in the pelvis and frequent extraovarian spread of disease. Recently, any reliable tumor biomarker (CA 125 and/or HE4), which can be used in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ovarian tumors, does not exist. According the results of the largest multicenter International Ovarian Trial Analysis (IOTA), ultrasound if performed by an experienced sonologist is an ideal diagnostic method in differential diagnosis between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. The experienced examiner is also able to detect extraovarian tumor spread and to assess tumor operability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used only to complement ultrasound in cases when high tissue resolution is needed. Computed tomography (CT) is a useful method for detection of extraovarian spread, especially in cases when an ultrasound examiner experienced in abdominal scanning is not available. Similarly, fusion of positron emission tomography with CT (PET/CT) is a highly accurate method for the detection of abdominal and extraabdominal tumor spread, but its use is limited by cost and the low availability of this method. On the other hand, PET/CT is not recommended for primary ovarian cancer detection because of its lower sensitivity in comparison to ultrasound and its high false positive rates as well.

Localized ileal giant pseudopolyposis in Crohn's disease: a case report.

Localized giant pseudopolyposis is a rare complication in inflammatory bowel disease defined as a pseudopolyp (isolated or clustered) larger than 1.5 cm in size. Giant pseudopolyps are more commonly found in ulcerative colitis compared to Crohn's disease and mainly involve the left colon. A 26-year-old male patient with a two-year history of Crohn's disease was admitted with increasing abdominal pain, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss and fever. On physical examination, the abdomen was diffusely tender. Computed tomography showed diffuse irregular thickening of the ileal wall and stenosis of the terminal ileum. The patient underwent ileo-cecal resection with re-anastomosis. The ileal portion of the resected specimen harboured multiple finger-like pedunculated polyps, with the smallest measuring 0.5 cm and the largest measuring 1.8 cm. Histologically, the polyps were consistent with granulation tissue. No evidence of dysplasia or malignancy was found. The post-operative course was uneventful considering one month follow-up. This report illustrates an unusual case of giant pseudopolyposis involving the ileum in a patient with Crohn's disease. The natural history of these lesions, as well as their optimal management, remain uncertain.

Direct measurement of intermediate-range Casimir-Polder potentials.

We present the first direct measurements of Casimir-Polder forces between solid surfaces and atomic gases in the transition regime between the electrostatic short-distance and the retarded long-distance limit. The experimental method is based on ultracold ground-state Rb atoms that are reflected from evanescent wave barriers at the surface of a dielectric glass prism. Our novel approach does not require assumptions about the potential shape. The experimental data are compared to the theoretical predictions valid in the different regimes. They agree best with a full QED calculation.

[Acceptance and long-term compliance to continuous positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnea. A prospective study on 72 patients treated between 2004 and 2007]. / Evaluation de l'observance et de l'acceptation du traitement du syndrome d'apnées obstructives du sommeil par pression positive continue. Etude prospective de 72 patients appareillés entre 2004 et 2007.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) treated by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) need to use long-term CPAP to prevent cardiovascular disease. The method of survival analysis was used to allow for long-term CPAP use in 72 patients who were prescribed a CPAP. During a mean follow-up of 22+/-15 months, one patient died and 17 patients stopped their treatment, 29% of them in the first 6 months. In compliant patients, the median value of daily CPAP use was 4.5hours. Kaplan Meier analysis showed that 92% of patients were still using CPAP at 6 months, 83% at 12 months and 59.9% at 3 years. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was identified as a predictor factor of long-term CPAP use (OR=4.53, p=0.01). CPAP is a well-accepted long-term therapy for OSAHS with 60% of patients continuing to be compliant with treatment at 3 years.

[Varicella pneumonia: a serious complication of varicella in adults]. / La pneumonie varicelleuse: une complication grave de la varicelle chez l'adulte.

Pneumonia caused by varicella infection is a serious and severe complication of the disease when it occurs in adults. The authors report two cases of a varicella pneumonia in a 36 and a 41 year-old non-immunocompromised man. They were admitted to hospital for acute respiratory failure, not requiring intensive care, associated with exanthema. High resolution CT revealed well-defined diffuse nodules throughout both lungs, nodules with a surrounding halo of ground-glass opacity. Thrombocytopenia, hepatic cytolysis and an increase in lacticodeshydrogenase were noted. The patients made a full recovery with anti-viral therapy and oxygen therapy. Varicella pneumonia is the most common complication of varicella in adults. Anti-viral treatment is usually successful.

[Results of primary repair of injuries to the median and ulnar nerves at the wrist]. / Résultats de la réparation primaire des plaies du nerf médian et du nerf ulnaire au poignet.

INTRODUCTION: Wounds on the palmar side of the wrist affecting the median or ulnar nerves are responsible for motor and sensory sequelae, severe pain and cold intolerance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with 40 nerve sections were retrospectively reviewed with a mean follow up of 23 months. The median nerve alone was affected 20 times, the ulnar nerve seven times and both nerves simultaneously 13 times. In 75% of the cases, there was an associated vascular injury (radial artery and/or ulnar artery). The average number of tendons cut was 4.25. RESULTS: After repair of the median nerve, 71% of patients recovered antepulsion and opposition that was normal or possible against resistance. The strength was approximately 70% of the opposite side. The sensitive recovery was good (S3 in>or=50% of cases) but it was accompanied by cold intolerance one out of two patients. After repair of the ulnar nerve, 29% of the cases had an ulnar claw hand, 71% of patients recovered sensitivity greater or equal to S3 but with cold intolerance in 42% of the cases. The combined median and ulnar sections had a poorer sensory-motor prognosis. Revision surgery was necessary in 12 of these cases. CONCLUSION: Sensory recovery after an isolated ulnar nerve lesion at the wrist is better than after an isolated median nerve lesion but there is no difference in the motor recovery. Combined median and ulnar lesions have an especially bad prognosis and may require secondary palliative surgery. The existence of nerve contusion and a high number of tendon injuries were factors associated with a poorer prognosis.

[Fibrous dysplasia of the rib. Ten case reports]. / Dysplasie fibreuse costale. A propos de dix cas.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Fibrous dyplasia is a rare sporadic disease accounting for 0.8% of primary bone tumors. This benign pseudotumor results from proliferation of fibrous tissue in bone and the production of immature bone tissue without an osteoblastic crown. The disease can involve one or more bones, ribs are rarely involved. We report a series of 10 cases of costal fibrous dysplasia. CASE REPORTS: This series of 10 cases was collected over a period of 10 years (1996-2005). There were five men and five women, mean age 38.4 years, range 27-52 years. One rib was involved in eight patients, two ribs in two. Pain was the most frequent symptom. Plain X-rays showed signs suggestive of fibrous dysplasia. To confirm the diagnosis, rib resection was performed in all ten patients. Pathology examination provided the diagnosis. The postoperative period was uneventful in all patients and all are recurrence free at mean 50 months follow-up. DISCUSSION: Management of fibrous dysplasia can be simple surveillance in the majority of patients. Nevertheless, in the event of a single focus, particularly in a rib, fibrous dysplasia can raise a difficult problem of differential diagnosis with malignant tumors. Surgical resection is therefore required in selected cases.

[Prison health services: opening an access to the community healthcare network]. / Médecine pénitentiaire: une porte d'accès au réseau de soins communautaires.

Prisoners often have had no regular contact with health care services before their detention. Thus, prison health services have a role to play in offering access to the community healthcare network for underserved populations. Teaching health professionals the characteristics of working with prisoners and underserved populations may help overcome some of the remaining barriers to health care for these populations.