Does differential visual exploration contribute to visual memory impairments in 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic syndrome characterised by a unique cognitive profile. Individuals with the syndrome present several non-verbal deficits, including visual memory impairments and atypical exploration of visual information. In this study, we seek to understand how visual attention may contribute to memory difficulties in 22q11.2DS by tracking eye movements during the encoding phase of a visual short-term memory task. METHOD: Eye movements were recorded during a computerised version of the multiple-choice Benton Visual Retention Test, which consisted of exploring and then recognising complex visual stimuli. Seventy-four participants affected by 22q11.2DS were compared with 70 typically developing participants. RESULTS: Participants with 22q11.2DS performed less well than healthy controls on the task and spent more time and fixations on the principal (larger central) figures and less time and fixations on the smaller peripheral figures within the stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to investigate visual attention in 22q11.2DS during a memory task. The results delineate impaired processes during encoding that affect visual memory performance. The findings may be especially useful for informing interventions intended to boost visual learning in patients with 22q11.2DS.

CHOICE OF THE ADD-ON THERAPY TO METFORMIN IN TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE. INITIAL RESULTS FROM A NON-INTERVENTIONAL MULTICENTER STUDY IN ROMANIA (REALITY).

Metformin, a biguanide, remains the most widely used first-line type 2 diabetes drug. It is generally considered weight-neutral with chronic use and does not increase the risk of hypoglycaemia. Most patients eventually require more than one antihyperglycemic agent to achieve target blood glucose levels. The primary objective of this non-interventional study was to describe and compare the main criteria used by physicians from regular outpatient setting in selecting the add-on therapy in patients with inadequately metformin-controlled type 2 diabetes in 2 time points at 1-year distance by assessment of patient, and/or agent characteristics and/or physician decision. At the end of phase one of the study, the mean duration of type 2 diabetes was 6.8 years. The majority of patients included in the study were overweight (32%) and obese (62%), and presented diabetes complications (59.6%). In 50% of the cases, the major reason for selecting the second-line therapy was related to patient characteristics, while agent characteristics and physician decision were the main categories in 38% and 12%, respectively. Importance to achieve glycemic control and estimated treatment efficacy were selected in 73.9% and 82.4% of patients, calculated as percentage in the respective categories.

New organophilic kaolin clays based on single-point grafted 3-aminopropyl dimethylethoxysilane.

In this study, the organophilization procedure of kaolin rocks with a monofunctional ethoxysilane- 3 aminopropyl dimethyl ethoxysilane (APMS) is depicted for the first time. The two-step organophilization procedure, including dimethyl sulfoxide intercalation and APMS grafting onto the inner hydroxyl surface of kaolinite (the mineral) layers was tested for three sources of kaolin rocks (KR, KC and KD) with various morphologies and kaolinite compositions. The load of APMS in the kaolinite interlayer space was higher than that of 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTS) due to the single-point grafting nature of the organophilization reaction. A higher long-distance order of kaolinite layers with low staking was obtained for the APMS, due to a more controllable organiphilization reaction. Last but not least, the solid state (29)Si-NMR tests confirmed the single-point grafting mechanism of APMS, corroborating monodentate fixation on the kaolinite hydroxyl facets, with no contribution to the bidentate or tridentate fixation as observed for APTS.

Recommendations for fungal opportunistic infections prevention in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Fungal infections have become important causes of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts, including those with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although significant therapeutic advances are being made in the field of antiretroviral therapy, parallel advances must be attained in the management of secondary infections, including those due to fungi. As increasing numbers of people with HIV infection come in to medical attention, the problem of fungal infections will also increase, requiring innovative approaches toward understanding the pathogenesis of these infections and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. A better understanding is required for the immunopathogenesis of fungal infections. Improved understanding of new and established antifungal agents in conjunction with ART agents as well as immune modulators, should yield important advances in prevention, control and treatment of fungal infections of HIV infected people.

Incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in some areas of Romania.

The incidence of HBsAg in several areas of Romania was studied by 253,460 routine determinations performed from 1973 to 1975. HBsAg incidence was of 1.5% in blood donors and reached the highest value in acute viral hepatitis patients undifferentiated according to the clinical form. The values obtained were in agreement with the results of other studies covering more limited zones of the country. Considerable differences in HBsAg incidence depending on geographic area were observed.