Volitional modification of brain activity in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Bayesian analysis of Slow Cortical Potential neurofeedback.

Autism spectrum disorder is (ASD) characterized by a persisting triad of impairments of social interaction, language as well as inflexible, stereotyped and ritualistic behaviors. Increasingly, scientific evidence suggests a neurobiological basis of these emotional, social and cognitive deficits in individuals with ASD. The aim of this randomized controlled brain self-regulation intervention study was to investigate whether the core symptomatology of ASD could be reduced via an electroencephalography (EEG) based brain self-regulation training of Slow Cortical Potentials (SCP). 41 male adolescents with ASD were recruited and allocated to a) an experimental group undergoing 24 sessions of EEG-based brain training (n1 = 21), or to b) an active control group undergoing conventional treatment (n2 = 20), that is, clinical counseling during a 3-months intervention period. We employed real-time neurofeedback training recorded from a fronto-central electrode intended to enable participants to volitionally regulate their brain activity. Core autistic symptomatology was measured at six time points during the intervention and analyzed with Bayesian multilevel approach to characterize changes in core symptomatology. Additional Bayesian models were formulated to describe the neural dynamics of the training process as indexed by SCP (time-domain) and power density (PSD, frequency-domain) measures. The analysis revealed a substantial improvement in the core symptomatology of ASD in the experimental group (reduction of 21.38 points on the Social Responsiveness Scale, SD = 5.29), which was slightly superior to that observed in the control group (evidence Ratio = 5.79). Changes in SCP manifested themselves as different trajectories depending on the different feedback conditions and tasks. Further, the model of PSD revealed a continuous decrease in delta power, parallel to an increase in alpha power. Most notably, a non-linear (quadratic) model turned out to be better at predicting the data than a linear model across all analyses. Taken together, our analyses suggest that behavioral and neural processes of change related to neurofeedback training are complex and non-linear. Moreover, they have implications for the design of future trials and training protocols.

[The effect of an extract of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on the healing of experimental skin wounds in rats]. / Vliianie na ekstrakt ot rakitnik (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.) vurkhu zazdraviavaneto na eksperimentalni kozhni rani u plukhove.

The effect exerted by Hippophaë rhamnoides L. extract on the healing of experimental wounds in rats is studied histomorphologically in dynamics. The animals are divided up in three groups, as follows: group one--controls, group two--controls treated with indifferent carrier (carbopol gel), and group three--experimental, treated with carbopol gel containing extract of Hippophaë rhamnoides L. The wounds induced are standard, oval to elliptic with diameter about 3 cm. In groups I and II they are subjected to daily daubing over a 10-day period. The study of cytologic smears at 8, 24 and 48 hours, and biopsy performed on the 10th day show that in group three the epithelization is more intensive and occurs earlier, and granulation tissue differentiation (mature collagen fibers, profuse vascularity) is quicker, by comparison with groups one and two. The markedly expressed stimulating effect on the healing process is explained with the rich content of vitamins (A, C, E etc.) and microelements (sulfur, selenium, zinc, copper etc.) in the extract used.

[Evolutionary features of dermatophytes]. / Svoistva dermatofitov v évoliutsionnom aspekte.

The authors analyze the findings of physiologic and morphologic studies of dermatophytes and other fungi and the evolution of their characteristics. The studies have shown that the proteolytic activity of the fungi in nutrient medium, as well as azocasein, leucinamide, and leucine beta-naphthylamide assimilation depend on the position of these fungi at the stage of their transition to parasitism. The findings evidence a stringent correlation between the amino acid nitrogen assimilation by the fungi, free amino acid composition in the mycelium, mineral salt assimilation, glucose utilization, and introduction of amino acid nitrogen into the mycelium. The significance of the medium pH for the growth of the fungi has been under study in order to reveal the localization of the fungi in humans and animals. Morphologic changes of the fungi during their evolution have been examined. A genotypical and phenotypical heterogeneity of dermatophyte populations has been revealed.

[Tinea pedis in young sailors]. / Tinea pedis bei jungen Seeleuten.

Results of a 3 year long-term study concerning tinea pedis in 240 18 year-old males are reported. Clinical monitoring revealed tinea pedis in 25% of the rural population (dermatologically manifest in 7%) and 66.6% of the examined seamen (manifest in 45%). The presence of Trichophyton interdigitale outweighted T. rubrum by 3-4:1. During the sailors' 1st year the relationship of the foregoing is 1:1-1.35; in the 2nd and 3rd years frequencies of 1:2.3, or rather 1:3.5, are observed. Epidemio-genetic factors of dermatophyte-host-environment are discussed for seafaring and non-seafaring conditions. The relationship between atopic dermatitis and athlete's foot is also considered.