Negation and social avoidance in language recruits the right inferior frontal gyrus: a tDCS study.

Introduction: In the process of comprehension, linguistic negation induces inhibition of negated scenarios. Numerous studies have highlighted the role of the right Inferior Frontal Gyrus (rIFG) - a key component of the inhibitory network - in negation processing. Social avoidance can be linguistically portrayed using attitudinal verbs such as "exclude" vs. "include", which inherently carry negative connotations. Consequently, we hypothesize that the interplay between explicit negation and the implicit negativity of avoidance verbs can be modulated via transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the rIFG. Methods: In our study, sixty-four participants read approach/avoidance sentences, which were either affirmative or negative, such as "Anne included (did not include) meat in her diet" vs. "Anne excluded (did not exclude) meat in her diet". This reading task followed a 20-minute tDCS session. The sentences were sequentially displayed, and at 1500 ms post-sentence, a verb was shown - either the one previously mentioned or its semantic alternative counterpart (e.g., included vs. excluded). Results: Findings revealed that anodal stimulation intensifies the inhibitory impact of negation during sentence comprehension. Under anodal conditions, negative sentences led to extended reading times for the mentioned verbs compared to their affirmative counterparts, suggesting an increased inhibitory effect on the verb. Furthermore, in avoidance sentences, anodal stimulation resulted in reduced reading times for alternative verbs (e.g. "included") in negative sentences compared to alternative verbs (e.g. "excluded") in negated approach sentences. Discussion: As "avoidance" is semantically equivalent to "non-approach", the inhibitory effect of negation is primarily applied to the implicit negation: NOT EXCLUDED = NOT→NOT (INCLUDED), which consequently activates the representation of the alternative verb making it more available. We further discuss these findings in light of the rIFG's pivotal role in processing attitudinal verbs and linguistic negation. This discussion is framed within the overarching context of the two-step model of negation processing, highlighting its significance in the realm of social communication.

Long-Term Intracoronary Structural and Vasomotor Assessment of the ABSORB Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold.

We systematically categorized the longer-term (≥3 years) structural and functional characteristics of the ABSORB bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) using optical coherence tomography imaging and coronary vasomotor reactivity testing and further compared the functional characteristics of BVS stented versus remote coronary segments. A total of 92 patients (mean age 56.4 ± 9.7 years, 22.8% women) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (76% with acute coronary syndrome) using the ABSORB BVS (112 lesions) were included. Optical coherence tomography analysis (38,790 visible struts) comprised in-segment quantitative lumen/plaque and semiquantitative plaque composition analysis of the neointimal pattern. Epicardial endothelium-dependent and-independent vasomotion was defined as any vasodilatation at low/intermediate intracoronary dose of acetylcholine (ACh) and nitroglycerine, assessed using quantitative coronary angiography. At a median time of 3.2 years follow-up, 79.8% of BVS segments still demonstrated visible struts with a predominant neointimal fibrotic healing pattern in 84% of BVS segments, with 99.5% of struts demonstrating coverage with apposition. Compared with remote segments, BVS segments demonstrated less endothelium-dependent vasodilatation at low (p = 0.06) and intermediate ACh doses (p = 0.04). Hypertension, longer time interval from index percutaneous coronary intervention, and the degree of in-BVS segment neointimal volume (p <0.03 for all) were each independently associated with abnormal BVS endothelium-dependent vasomotor function. Endothelium-independent function was more likely preserved in non-BVS (remote) segments compared with BVS segments (p = 0.06). In conclusion, at 3+ years post-ABSORB BVS insertion, the rate of complete scaffold resorption was low and residual strut presence was high, with a dominant fibrous healing response contributing toward neointimal hyperplasia and endothelium-dependent and-independent vasomotor dysfunction.

The Radiographic Management for Surgical Planning and Implant Placement: a Case of Atypical Antral Artery Position / Avaliação Radiográfica no Planejamento Cirúrgico para Instalaçào de Implante Dentário: um Caso de Posição Atípica da Artéria Antral

O conhecimento do suprimento sanguíneo do seio maxilar, em particular da parede lateral, é de considerável importância devido à possibilidade de rompimento acidental de uma artéria durante os procedimento de elevação do assoalho do seio maxilar. Paciente do sexo feminino, 65 anos de idade, com histórico de complicação pós-operatória, após procedimento de elevação do seio maxilar realizado há três anos. Após avaliação tomográfica, foi observada a presença da artéria antral em posição atípica. Identificar e reconhecer essa estrutura anatômica pelo exame radiográfico pré-operatório, evita possíveis complicações hemorrágicas, durante e após o procedimento cirúrgico.(AU).

It is very important the knowledge of the maxillary sinus blood supply, in particular of the lateral maxillary wall, due to the possibility of accidental rupture of a vessel during the sinus floor augmentation. A case report is described of a 65-year-old female, who reported a postoperative complication after a sinus augmentation that she had had 3 years before. After radiographic evaluation, it was observed the presence of antral artery in atypical position. The identification of this anatomical structure is very important, by preoperative radiographic examination, avoiding possible bleeding complications, during and after the surgical procedures.(AU).