Shannon entropy of brain functional complex networks under the influence of the psychedelic Ayahuasca.

The entropic brain hypothesis holds that the key facts concerning psychedelics are partially explained in terms of increased entropy of the brain's functional connectivity. Ayahuasca is a psychedelic beverage of Amazonian indigenous origin with legal status in Brazil in religious and scientific settings. In this context, we use tools and concepts from the theory of complex networks to analyze resting state fMRI data of the brains of human subjects under two distinct conditions: (i) under ordinary waking state and (ii) in an altered state of consciousness induced by ingestion of Ayahuasca. We report an increase in the Shannon entropy of the degree distribution of the networks subsequent to Ayahuasca ingestion. We also find increased local and decreased global network integration. Our results are broadly consistent with the entropic brain hypothesis. Finally, we discuss our findings in the context of descriptions of "mind-expansion" frequently seen in self-reports of users of psychedelic drugs.

[Thoracic wall defect reconstruction and dead space obliteration with an intra-/extrathoracic free flap]. / Thoraxwandrekonstruktion und Totraumobliteration. Einsatz einer intra-/extrathorakalen freien Lappenplastik.

Presented is the case of a 61-year-old male patient with a chronic thoracic wall defect, including a bronchopleural fistula, after multiple resections of a desmoid tumor. After partial lung resection to remove the bronchopleural fistula, dead space was partially obliterated and the thoracic wall reconstructed with a free combined intra- and extrathoracic rectus abdominis muscle flap.