Brain correlates of verbal fluency in subthreshold psychosis assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

The prevalence of subthreshold psychotic symptoms in the general population has gained increasing interest as a possible precursor of psychotic disorders. The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether neurobiological features of subthreshold psychotic symptoms can be detected using verbal fluency tasks and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). A large data set was obtained from the Zurich Program for Sustainable Development of Mental Health Services (ZInEP). Based on the SCL-90-R subscales 'Paranoid Ideation' and 'Psychoticism' a total sample of 188 subjects was assigned to four groups with different levels of subthreshold psychotic symptoms. All subjects completed a phonemic and semantic verbal fluency task while fNIRS was recorded over the prefrontal and temporal cortices. Results revealed larger hemodynamic (oxy-hemoglobin) responses to the phonemic and semantic conditions compared to the control condition over prefrontal and temporal cortices. Subjects with high subthreshold psychotic symptoms exhibited significantly reduced hemodynamic responses in both conditions compared to the control group. Further, connectivity between prefrontal and temporal cortices revealed significantly weaker patterns in subjects with high subthreshold psychotic symptoms compared to the control group, possibly indicating less incisive network connections associated with subthreshold psychotic symptoms. The present findings provide evidence that subthreshold forms of psychotic symptoms are associated with reduced hemodynamic responses and connectivity in prefrontal and temporal cortices during verbal fluency that can be identified using fNIRS.

Mobile noncontact monitoring of heart and lung activity.

This paper describes two methods for noncontact monitoring of heart and lung activity, namely magnetic bioimpedance monitoring and capacitive electrocardiogram (ECG) recording. In principle, both methods bear the potential for mobile application in a personal healthcare scenario. To illustrate their performance, prototypes for both methods have been developed and first results are presented. Finally, the fundamental drawbacks and limitations of these methods are discussed, including a detailed stability analysis of the capacitively coupled ldquoright legrdquo in capacitive ECG measurements with mismatching electrode capacities and the development of an adaptive noise canceller for magnetic bioimpedance monitoring based on a nonlinear signal coupling model.

[The extent of imposture]. / A extensão da impostura.

This paper comments on Sokal and Bricmont's stance towards interdisciplinary approaches between the human and natural sciences, as stated in their controversial book Impostures Intellectuelles (Fashionable Nonsense) (1999). It happens that interdisciplinary is a subject of major importance to "new paradigms" in Public Health. First, the paper identifies different types of interaction between these "two cultures", such as transdisciplinary trends and the "Science Wars", and emphasizes their unproductive aspects. Second, it proposes a re-evaluation of pragmatism as a suitable way of including philosophical considerations in interdisciplinary Public Health research, exemplified by a correlation between the ideas of Henri Atlan (1991) and notions of risk theory (or model).

[Actinomycosis of the genital organs as a complication of intrauterine devices]. / Promienica narzadu rodnego u kobiety stosujacej wewnatrzmaciczna wkladke antykoncepcyjna.

PIP: A case of actinomycosis of the genitals is described. It occurred in a woman after insertion of an IUD. The paper presents the diagnostic difficulties resulting from the rarity of such complication, and the noncharacteristic signs and symptoms of the disease, leading to initial therapeutic failure. In the described case, the signs of inflammation of the genital organs were accompanied by a hard infiltration of the bladder wall. Results of ultrasonographic and microscopic examinations permitted finally to pose the correct diagnosis. Full recovery was observed after a 28 day curative period including injections of 22 million units of penicillin and 4 grams of ampicillin per day. (Author's modified)^ieng