The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT2) for evaluating civilian mild traumatic brain injury. A pilot normative study.

Self-report measures, particularly symptom inventories, are critical tools for identifying patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms and their follow-up. Unlike in military or sports-related assessment, in general civilian settings pre-injury levels of concussion-like symptoms are lacking. Normative data are available in adolescent and college populations, but no reference data exist to guide clinical adult explorations. The purpose of this study was to use the second edition of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT2) to profile a cohort of 60 healthy community volunteers who had not sustained a head injury. Participating volunteers underwent MRI scanning and were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Participants reported a median of 3 concussion-like symptoms and the 97.5 percentile score was found at 10.5 symptoms, out of a total of 22. The median severity score was 4.9 points, and 28.9 was the upper limit of the reference interval. Only 10 participants (16.7%) did not endorse any symptom. The most frequently endorsed symptom was feeling difficulty in concentrating, with 41.7% of the sample reporting it. Age, sex and general distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms were not associated with concussion-like symptoms. Our data yielded elevated cut-offs scores for both the number of symptoms and the symptom severity. In conclusion, postconcussive-like symptoms are frequent in the general non-concussed adult population and it should be taken into account in any future models developed for screening patients at risk of developing physical, cognitive, and psychological complaints following mild traumatic injury.

Kir6.2, the Pore-Forming Subunit of ATP-Sensitive K+ Channels, Is Overexpressed in Human Posttraumatic Brain Contusions.

Brain contusions (BCs) are one of the most frequent lesions in patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). BCs increase their volume due to peri-lesional edema formation and/or hemorrhagic transformation. This may have deleterious consequences and its mechanisms are still poorly understood. We previously identified de novo upregulation sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) 1, the regulatory subunit of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and other channels, in human BCs. Our aim here was to study the expression of the pore-forming subunit of KATP, Kir6.2, in human BCs, and identify its localization in different cell types. Protein levels of Kir6.2 were detected by western blot (WB) from 33 contusion specimens obtained from 32 TBI patients aged 14-74 years. The evaluation of Kir6.2 expression in different cell types was performed by immunofluorescence in 29 contusion samples obtained from 28 patients with a median age of 42 years. Control samples were obtained from limited brain resections performed to access extra-axial skull base tumors or intraventricular lesions. Contusion specimens showed an increase of Kir6.2 expression in comparison with controls. Regarding cellular location of Kir6.2, there was no expression of this channel subunit in blood vessels, either in control samples or in contusions. The expression of Kir6.2 in neurons and microglia was also analyzed, but the observed differences were not statistically significant. However, a significant increase of Kir6.2 was found in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells in contusion specimens. Our data suggest that further research on SUR1-regulated ionic channels may lead to a better understanding of key mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of BCs, and may identify novel targeted therapeutic strategies.

Does Normobaric Hyperoxia Cause Oxidative Stress in the Injured Brain? A Microdialysis Study Using 8-Iso-Prostaglandin F2α as a Biomarker.

Significant controversy exists regarding the potential clinical benefit of normobaric hyperoxia (NBO) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study consisted of two aims: 1) to assess whether NBO improves brain oxygenation and metabolism and 2) to determine whether this therapy may increase the risk of oxidative stress (OxS), using 8-iso-Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) as a biomarker. Thirty-one patients with a median admission Glasgow Coma Scale score of 4 (min: 3, max: 12) were monitored with cerebral microdialysis and brain tissue oxygen sensors and treated with fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of 1.0 for 4 h. Patients were divided into two groups according to the area monitored by the probes: normal injured brain and traumatic penumbra/traumatic core. NBO maintained for 4 h did not induce OxS in patients without preOxS at baseline, except in one case. However, for patients in whom OxS was detected at baseline, NBO induced a significant increase in 8-iso-PGF2α. The results of our study showed that NBO did not change energy metabolism in the whole group of patients. In the five patients with brain lactate concentration ([Lac]brain) > 3.5 mmol/L at baseline, NBO induced a marked reduction in both [Lac]brain and lactate-to-pyruvate ratio. Although these differences were not statistically significant, together with the results of our previous study, they suggest that TBI patients would benefit from receiving NBO when they show indications of disturbed brain metabolism. These findings, in combination with increasing evidence that TBI metabolic crises are common without brain ischemia, open new possibilities for the use of this accessible therapeutic strategy in TBI patients.

Malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery in a porcine model. A pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Interspecies variability and poor clinical translation from rodent studies indicate that large gyrencephalic animal stroke models are urgently needed. We present a proof-of-principle study describing an alternative animal model of malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in the common pig and illustrate some of its potential applications. We report on metabolic patterns, ionic profile, brain partial pressure of oxygen (PtiO2), expression of sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1), and the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4). METHODS: A 5-hour ischemic infarct of the MCA territory was performed in 5 2.5-to-3-month-old female hybrid pigs (Large White x Landrace) using a frontotemporal approach. The core and penumbra areas were intraoperatively monitored to determine the metabolic and ionic profiles. To determine the infarct volume, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and immunohistochemistry analysis was performed to determine SUR1 and TRPM4 expression. RESULTS: PtiO2 monitoring showed an abrupt reduction in values close to 0 mmHg after MCA occlusion in the core area. Hourly cerebral microdialysis showed that the infarcted tissue was characterized by reduced concentrations of glucose (0.03 mM) and pyruvate (0.003 mM) and increases in lactate levels (8.87mM), lactate-pyruvate ratio (4202), glycerol levels (588 µM), and potassium concentration (27.9 mmol/L). Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased expression of SUR1-TRPM4 channels. CONCLUSIONS: The aim of the present proof-of-principle study was to document the feasibility of a large animal model of malignant MCA infarction by performing transcranial occlusion of the MCA in the common pig, as an alternative to lisencephalic animals. This model may be useful for detailed studies of cerebral ischemia mechanisms and the development of neuroprotective strategies.

Characterization of the Ionic Profile of the Extracellular Space of the Injured and Ischemic Brain: A Microdialysis Study.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ischemic stroke cause a variable disruption of ionic homeostasis and massive ionic fluxes with subsequent osmotic water movement across the cells that causes edema, brain swelling, and deformation of the damaged tissue. Although cerebral microdialysis (CMD) has been used to study the brain neurochemistry, the ionic profiles of brain interstitial space fluid have rarely been reported in humans. We studied the ionic profile in injured areas of the brain by using CMD. As a control group, we included seven patients who had undergone surgical treatment of posterior fossa lesions, without abnormalities in the supratentorial compartment. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for ion determination. No significant differences were found in the [Na+]o, [K+]o, and [Cl-]o between normal injured brains and controls. The ionic profile of the ischemic core was characterized by very high [K+]o and an increase in [Na+]o, whereas [Cl-]o was linearly related to [Na+]o. In the traumatic core (TC), significantly higher levels of [Na+]o, [Cl-]o, and [K+]o were found. The main finding in the penumbra was a completely normal ionic profile for [Na+]o and [K+]o in 60% of the samples. ICP-MS coupled to ionic assays creates a powerful tool for a better understanding of the complex ionic disturbances that occur after severe TBI and ischemic stroke.

[The Impact of Electronic Monitoring on Healthcare Associated Infections: The Role of the HViTAL Platform]. / O Impacto da Monitorização Eletrónica nas Infeções Associadas aos Cuidados de Saúde: O Papel da Plataforma HViTAL.

INTRODUCTION: In Portugal, 9.8% of patients admitted were inflicted with healthcare associated infections, corresponding to a prevalence of 11.7%. The Hospital de São João has developed a business intelligence platform able to supervise (the patients), monitor (the clinical condition) and notify (the healthcare personnel): HViTAL. This study aims to assess the impact of electronic monitoring on healthcare associated infections since the year of HViTAL implementation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated data since January 2008 (moment from which computerized records exist) until December 2011, comparing them with subsequent data, those corresponding to January 2012 (implementation date of HViTAL) until 19 October 2015. RESULTS: There was an upward trend of infection parameters in the 2008 - 2011 period. Since January 2012 and October 2015, all parameters of the infection indicator showed a negative linear trend. DISCUSSION: The results are very suggestive that the HVITAL may have had an impact on improving parameters associated to healthcare associated infections. Basic measures of infection control were highlighted since 2005, with an increasing number of health professional awareness campaigns, a fact which, although not analyzed in this report, may also have contributed to the observed improvement. Our study did not include other variables such as investment in human capital. CONCLUSION: There was a clear improvement in all areas characterizing the healthcare associated infections, with obvious positive impact with the introduction of HViTAL.

Introdução: Em Portugal, 9,8% dos doentes internados adquiriram infeções associadas aos cuidados de saúde, correspondendo a uma prevalência de cerca 11,7%. O Centro Hospitalar de São João desenvolveu uma plataforma de business intelligence capaz de VIgiar (os utentes), moniTorizar (o estado clínico) e ALertar (o profissional de saúde): HViTAL. Este estudo tem como objectivo avaliar o impacto da monitorização eletrónica nas infeções associadas aos cuidados de saúde desde o ano da implementação do HViTAL. Material e Métodos: Avaliaram-se os dados relativos a janeiro 2008 (data a partir da qual há registos informatizados) até dezembro de 2011, comparando-os com os dados posteriores, aqueles correspondentes a janeiro de 2012 (data de implementação do HViTAL) até 19 de outubro de 2015. Resultados: Observou-se uma tendência para o aumento dos parâmetros de infecção no período 2008 - 2011. No período correspondente a janeiro de 2012 e outubro de 2015, todos os parâmetros que constituem o indicador de infeção (previsto na contratualização) revelaram uma evolução linear negativa. Discussão: Os resultados são muito sugestivos de que o HVITAL poderá ter tido impacto na melhoria dos parâmetros associados às infeções associadas aos cuidados de saúde. Houve uma tendência crescente na aplicação de medidas básicas de controlo de infecção desde 2005, com ações de sensibilização dos profissionais de saúde, facto que, embora não analisado neste report, poderá também ter contribuído para a melhoria observada. O nosso estudo não incluiu outras variáveis tais como investimento em capital humano. Conclusão: Houve uma inequívoca melhoria em todos os domínios que caracterizam as infeções associadas aos cuidados de saúde, sugerindo um impacto positivo da introdução do HVITAL.

Sulfonylurea Receptor 1 in Humans with Post-Traumatic Brain Contusions.

Post-traumatic brain contusions (PTBCs) are traditionally considered primary injuries and can increase in size, generate perilesional edema, cause mass effect, induce neurological deterioration, and cause death. Most patients experience a progressive increase in pericontusional edema, and nearly half, an increase in the hemorrhagic component itself. The underlying molecular pathophysiology of contusion-induced brain edema and hemorrhagic progression remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate sulfonylurea 1/transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (SUR1-TRPM4) ion channel SUR1 expression in various cell types (neurons, astrocytes, endothelial cells, microglia, macrophages, and neutrophils) of human brain contusions and whether SUR1 up-regulation was related to time postinjury. Double immunolabeling of SUR1 and cell-type- specific proteins was performed in 26 specimens from traumatic brain injury patients whose lesions were surgically evacuated. Three samples from limited brain resections performed for accessing extra-axial skull-base tumors or intraventricular lesions were controls. We found SUR1 was significantly overexpresed in all cell types and was especially prominent in neurons and endothelial cells (ECs). The temporal pattern depended on cell type: 1) In neurons, SUR1 increased within 48 h of injury and stabilized thereafter; 2) in ECs, there was no trend; 3) in glial cells and microglia/macrophages, a moderate increase was observed over time; and 4) in neutrophils, it decreased with time. Our results suggest that up-regulation of SUR1 in humans point to this channel as one of the important molecular players in the pathophysiology of PTBCs. Our findings reveal opportunities to act therapeutically on the mechanisms of growth of traumatic contusions and therefore reduce the number of patients with neurological deterioration and poor neurological outcomes.

A compreensão psicológica de ex-casais periciados em processos de disputa de guarda e regulamentação de visitas / The psychological understanding of ex-couples investigated in lawsuits disputing

A perícia psicológica nas Varas da Família é um assunto pouco conhecido. Os estudos existentes sobre o tema dizem respeito à problemática afetiva dos periciados, mas são generalizações tal como são separações mal sucedidas, ou então, os periciados buscam a Justiça apenas para continuarem unidos através de brigas, generalizações que dados empíricos refutam com certa facilidade. Em nosso estudo, além de considerações gerais sobre a prática do trabalho de perito e a especificidade do psicodiagnóstico nesta prática, realizamos três estudos de caso, que mostramos em detalhe, escolhidos aleatoriamente. Para a análise dos casos utilizamo-nos do referencial teórico psicanalítico, bem como das técnicas projetivas de Rorschach - conforme o método de Chabert - e do T.A.T. - conforme o método de Shentoub. Um dos resultados deste estudo procura evidenciar que os distúrbios próprios à paternidade são no mínimo tão importantes quanto aqueles únicos levantados pelos estudos existentes, ou seja, distúrbios entre os membros do ex-casal que disputam a guarda e regulamentação de visitas. A partir de nossas descobertas elaboramos sugestões em relação ao trabalho do psicólogo nas Varas da Família, que atendam à demanda do maior número de problemáticas encontradas pelas pessoas que buscam a Justiça (AU)

A compreensäo psicológica de ex-casais periciados em processos de disputa de guarda e regulamentaçäo de visitas / The psychological understanding of ex-couples investigated in lawsuits disputing custody and visiting schedules

A perícia psicológica nas Varas da Família é um assunto pouco conhecido. Os estudos existentes sobre o tema dizem respeito à problemática afetiva dos periciados, mas säo generalizaçöes tal como säo separaçöes mal sucedidas, ou entäo, os periciados buscam a Justiça apenas para continuarem unidos através de brigas, generalizaçöes que dados empíricos refutam com certa facilidade. Em nosso estudo, além de consideraçöes gerais sobre a prática do trabalho de perito e a especificidade do psicodiagnóstico nesta prática, realizamos três estudos de caso, que mostramos em detalhe, escolhidos aleatoriamente. Para a análise dos casos utilizamo-nos do referencial teórico psicanalítico, bem como das técnicas projetivas de Rorschach - conforme o método de Chabert - e do T.A.T. - conforme o método de Shentoub. Um dos resultados deste estudo procura evidenciar que os distúrbios próprios à paternidade säo no mínimo täo importantes quanto aqueles únicos levantados pelos estudos existentes, ou seja, distúrbios entre os membros do ex-casal que disputam a guarda e regulamentaçäo de visitas. A partir de nossas descobertas elaboramos sugestöes em relaçäo ao trabalho do psicólogo nas Varas da Família, que atendam à demanda do maior número de problemáticas encontradas pelas pessoas que buscam a Justiça

Determinações psicológicas da inibição no trabalho escolar em crianças

Verifica a hipótese segundo a qual a inibição no trabalho escolar é derivada de um distúrbio no processo de individuação do ego, que teria como ponto central a fase anal. Analisa a problemática de crianças ociosas, com problemas disciplinares, dificuldades de organização e passivas, mas que apresentam índices de normalidade no teste de inteligência, sem inibições intelectuais quanto as matérias escolares. Os Ss são 15 escolares, da segunda à quarta séries do primeiro grau, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 8 anos e 1 mês e 10 anos e 10 meses, pertencentes à classe média. Divide os Ss em 2 grupos: Grupo O, composto de 10 crianças com problemas de inibição no trabalho e Grupo NO, composto por 5 crianças que não apresentam inibição no trabalho. Realiza entrevistas com professores e mães das crianças, além da observação direta para caracterização dos Ss. Submete cada grupo aos testes W.I.S.C; C.A.T., Desenho da Família e Ludodiagnóstico. Conclui que os escolares do Grupo O apresentam nível de estruturação do ego menos desenvolvido e estável, e que a educação esfincteriana foi vivenciada de forma mais rígida e punitiva por esses Ss se comparados aos escolares do Grupo NO, o que confirma a hipótese levantada inicialmente (AU)