Caresses, whispers and affective faces: A theoretical framework for a multimodal interoceptive mechanism underlying ASMR and affective touch: An evolutionary and developmental perspective for understanding ASMR and affective touch as complementary processes within affiliative interactions.

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) and affective touch (AT) are two phenomena that have been independently investigated from separate lines of research. In this article, I provide a unified theoretical framework for understanding and studying them as complementary processes. I highlight their shared biological basis and positive effects on emotional and psychophysiological regulation. Drawing from evolutionary and developmental theories, I propose that ASMR results from the development of biological mechanisms associated with early affiliative behaviour and self-regulation, similar to AT. I also propose a multimodal interoceptive mechanism underlying both phenomena, suggesting that different sensory systems could specifically respond to affective stimulation (caresses, whispers and affective faces), where the integration of those inputs occurs in the brain's interoceptive hubs, allowing physiological regulation. The implications of this proposal are discussed with a view to future research that jointly examines ASMR and AT, and their potential impact on improving emotional well-being and mental health.

Autonomous sensory meridian response is associated with a larger heartbeat-evoked potential amplitude without differences in interoceptive awareness.

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) describes the experience of a pleasant body sensation accompanied by a feeling of well-being and relaxation in response to specific audiovisual stimuli, such as whispers and personal attention. Previous work suggests a relationship between this experience with the processing of affective and body states; however, no research has explored differences in interoception between people experiencing ASMR and those who do not. We hypothesized that the ASMR experience is based on interoception processing. To test this, we assessed group differences across different dimensions of interoception: Interoceptive sensibility (IS), measured using the multidimensional assessment of interoceptive awareness (MAIA); Interoceptive accuracy score (IAS), measured by calculating performance in a heartbeat counting task (HCT), and the electrophysiological index of interoception, the heartbeat evoked potential (HEP), which was calculated during the HCT and an ASMR tingle reporting task (ASMR-TRT). Our results showed that IS and IAS, dimensions requiring conscious awareness, showed no differences between groups. However, HEP amplitude was larger in the ASMR group in both tasks. We concluded that the ASMR experience is based on an unconscious interoceptive mechanism, reflected by HEP, where exteroceptive social-affective stimuli are integrated to represent a body state of positive affective feelings and relaxation, as has been described for affective touch. The relevance of this finding relies on that interoceptive function, body regulation, and emotional/affective experiences are fundamental for well-being, and the relationship between ASMR and interoception opens the way to future research exploring the causal relationship between them and their potential clinical applications.

Alternativa factible para la neuroestimulación intraoperatoria durante la cirugía del plexo braquial / Feasible alternative for intraoperative neurostimulation during brachial plexus surgery

Introducción: La neuroestimulación intraoperatoria constituye una técnica esencial durante la cirugía del plexo braquial, pues permite la identificación específica de las estructuras neurales. En determinadas circunstancias, la intensidad precisa de la estimulación nerviosa y la respuesta motora evocada, las cuales son fundamentales para la toma de decisiones críticas durante el acto quirúrgico. Objetivo: Describir la utilización de un neuroestimulador de anestesia regional para la localización neural intraoperatoria durante la cirugía del plexo braquial en dos pacientes. Presentación de casos: Caso 1: paciente con diagnóstico de lesión del fascículo lateral del plexo braquial derecho y lesión alta del nervio radial homolateral. La estimulación neural, con estímulos graduales y progresivos, permite la diferenciación adecuada de los nervios mediano, cubital, musculocutáneo y cutáneo braquial lateral, el fascículo motor del nervio cubital que inerva el músculo cubital anterior, y el fascículo motor del nervio musculocutáneo que inerva el bíceps, lo que posibilita la neurotización entre ambos fascículos. Caso 2: paciente con diagnóstico de lesión total del plexo braquial izquierdo, posganglionar. Luego de la exploración y neurólisis, se identificó el tronco superior, se efectuó la estimulación eléctrica gradual, lo que requirió una elevada intensidad, y se registó, únicamente, como respuesta motora evocada la contracción débil del músculo pectoral mayor ipsilateral. Conclusiones: La utilización de un neuroestimulador de anestesia regional para la localización neural durante la cirugía del plexo braquial, presenta ventajas prácticas relevantes en relación con los neuroestimuladores desechables, así como una relación costo-beneficio apropiada para su implementación en entornos y naciones de recursos limitados(AU)

Introduction: Intraoperative neurostimulation is an essential technique during brachial plexus surgery, as it allows the specific identification of neural structures. In certain circumstances, the precise intensity of nerve stimulation and the evoked motor response are fundamental for making critical decisions during the surgical act. Objective: Describe the use of a neurostimulator of regional anaesthesia for intraoperative neural localization during brachial plexus surgery in two patients. Case presentation: Case 1: patient diagnosed with lesion of the lateral fasciculus of the right brachial plexus and high lesion of the homolateral radial nerve. Neural stimulation, with gradual and progressive stimuli, allows the adequate differentiation of the median, ulnar, musculocutaneous and lateral brachial cutaneous nerves, the motor fasciculus of the ulnar nerve that innervates the anterior ulnar muscle, and the motor fasciculus of the musculocutaneous nerve that innervates the biceps, which enables neurotization between both fascicles. Case 2: patient diagnosed with total lesion of the left brachial plexus, postganglionic. After the exploration and neurolysis, the upper trunk was identified, the gradual electrical stimulation was carried out, which required a high intensity, and the weak contraction of the ipsilateral pectoralis major muscle was recorded only as an evoked motor response. Conclusions: The use of a neurostimulator of regional anesthesia for neural localization during brachial plexus surgery presents relevant practical advantages in relation to disposable neurostimulators, as well as an appropriate cost-benefit ratio for their implementation in environments and nations of limited resources(AU)

Natural deep eutectic solvents for sample preparation prior to elemental analysis by plasma-based techniques.

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) based on xylitol, citric acid, and malic acid were synthesized and were then characterized using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), also density and viscosity were measurements. The deep eutectic solvents were used as solvent in ultrasound-assisted extraction (DES-UAE) of plant samples prior to elemental analysis. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) were employed for the determination of As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn in the extracts. The infrared analyses of the NADES revealed bands characteristic of the initial reagents, with the presence of hydrogen bonds, which confirmed the formation of a NADES. The thermal analyses showed decomposition temperatures of around 170 °C and endothermic events related to degradation of the NADES. The viscosity and density parameters were found to be related to the presence of hydrogen bonds. The extraction recoveries ranged from 80% to 120%, with some analytes presenting poor recoveries. There were no significant differences between the NADES, in terms of the concentrations of the analytes found in the extracts. However, there were differences between the analyte concentrations obtained using the NADES extraction method and the concentrations obtained using microwave-assisted acid digestion (MW-AD), possibly due to the different types of interactions between the solvents and the analytes. Plant tissues are complex matrices containing substantial amounts of silica, so some elements may be tightly bound and consequently difficult to release. The results indicated that UAE using NADES is a promising technique for the elemental extraction of plant samples.

Bacterial cellulose membrane associated with red propolis as phytomodulator: Improved healing effects in experimental models of diabetes mellitus.

Since early times, propolis has been used in folk medicine. The red propolis, collected in the northeast region of Brazil has been highlighted due to its popular use as an antimicrobial, with anti-inflammatory and healing properties, which are associated with its chemical composition. Here, we combine a bacterial membrane with red propolis to treat wounds of diabetic mice. This work aims to evaluate a biocurative from bacterial cellulose associated with red propolis in diabetic mice as wound healing model. Biocuratives from bacterial cellulose membrane and different extracts of red propolis were produced. The qualification and quantification of the presence of propolis chemical compounds in the membrane were investigated through high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Tests in vivo with biocuratives were performed on Swiss male diabetic mice induced by estroptozotocin. The animals were submitted to a surgical procedure and a single lesion was produced in the dorsal region, which was treated with the biocuratives. Macroscopic assessments were performed at 2, 7 and 14 postoperative days, and biopsies were collected on days 0, 7 and 14 for histological analysis, myeloperoxidase enzyme activity (MPO) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and TGF-ß). Altogether, ten compounds were identified in membranes and five were further quantified. The ethyl acetate extract showed more red propolis markers, and the most prevalent compound was Formononetin with 4423.00-2907.00 µg.g-1. Macroscopic analyses demonstrated that the two groups treated with red propolis (GMEBT and GMEAE) showed significantly greater healing capabilities compared to the control groups (GS and GMS). An increase in leukocyte recruitment was observed, confirmed by the activity of the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) in GMEBT and GMEAE groups. The levels of TNF-α were significantly higher in wounds stimulated with red propolis, as well as in TGF-ß (GMEBT and GMEAE) on day 7. This was different from the IL-1ß levels that were higher in the control groups (GS and GMS). In summary, the biocuratives produced in this work were able to accelerate the wound healing process in a diabetic mouse model. In this way, the traditional knowledge of red propolis activity helped to create a biotechnological product, which can be used for diabetic wound healing purpose.

Beta Oscillations Distinguish Between Two Forms of Mental Imagery While Gamma and Theta Activity Reflects Auditory Attention.

Visual sensory processing of external events decreases when attention is internally oriented toward self-generated thoughts and also differences in attenuation have been shown depending on the thought's modality (visual or auditory thought). The present study aims to assess whether such modulations occurs also in auditory modality. In order to investigate auditory sensory modulations, we compared a passive listening condition with two conditions in which attention was internally oriented as a part of a task; a visual imagery condition and an inner speech condition. EEG signal was recorded from 20 participants while they were exposed to auditory probes during these three conditions. ERP results showed no differences in N1 auditory response comparing the three conditions reflecting maintenance of evoked electrophysiological reactivity for auditory modality. Nonetheless, time-frequency analyses showed that gamma and theta power in frontal regions was higher for passive listening than for internal attentional conditions. Specifically, the reduced amplitude in early gamma and theta band during both inward attention conditions may reflect reduced conscious attention of the current auditory stimulation. Finally, different pattern of beta band activity was observed only during visual imagery which can reflect cross-modal integration between visual and auditory modalities and it can distinguish this form of mental imagery from the inner speech. Taken together, these results showed that attentional suppression mechanisms in auditory modality are different from visual modality during mental imagery processes. Our results about oscillatory activity also confirm the important role of gamma oscillations in auditory processing and the differential neural dynamics underlying the visual and auditory/verbal imagery.

The Antioxidant and Safety Properties of Spent Coffee Ground Extracts Impacted by the Combined Hot Pressurized Liquid Extraction-Resin Purification Process.

Hot pressurized liquid extraction has been used to obtain polyphenols; however, its operating conditions can generate hydroxymethylfurfural, a potential human carcinogen. The addition of ethanol can reduce process temperatures and retain extraction efficiencies, but the ethanol may reduce the recovery of polyphenols in the subsequent purification stage, affecting the antioxidant properties of the extracts. This study evaluates a combined hot pressurized liquid extraction-resin purification process to obtain polyphenol extracts from spent ground coffee reduced in hydroxymethylfurfural. A multifactorial design was developed to determine the combined effect of the extraction (ethanol content: 0-16% and temperature: 60-90 °C) and purification (ethanol: 60-80%) conditions on some chemical properties of the extracts. The highest recovery of polyphenols (~8 mg GAE/g dry coffee solids) and reduction of hydroxymethylfurfural (95%) were obtained at 90 °C and 16% of ethanol during extraction and 80% of ethanol during purification. These operating conditions retained the antioxidant capacity of the crude extract between 60% and 88% depending on the determination method and recovered 90, 98, and 100% of 4-feruloylquinic acid, epicatechin, and 5-feruloylquinic acid, respectively after purification. The combined process allows differential polyphenols' recovery and enhances the safety of the extracts. Our computational chemistry results ruled out that the overall selectivity of the integrated process was correlated with the size of the polyphenols.

The impact of an extreme climatic disturbance and different fertilization treatments on plant development, phenology, and yield of two cultivar groups of Solanum betaceum Cav.

Changing climatic conditions impose a challenge both to biodiversity and food security. The effects of climate change affect different aspects of the plant or crop, such as morphological and phenological aspects, as well as yield. The effects of greenhouse conditions might be comparable in some cases to a permanent extreme disturbance in climate and weather, thus, contributing to our knowledge on climate change impacts on plant species. We have investigated the differences for 23 traits in two cultivar groups of an Andean traditional crop, Solanum betaceum, under two different environmental conditions that correspond to the traditional practices in the open field and three cultural managements under greenhouse conditions (no fertilization or control, organic, and mineral). We found that traditional practices in the open field are the less productive. Moreover, in warmer and drier conditions the treatment with organic fertilization was the most productive. Greenhouse conditions, however, delay production. We further identified traits that differentiate both cultivar groups and traits that are linked to either the new climate conditions or the fertilization treatments. Fruit characteristics were quite homogeneous between the two cultivar groups. Overall, our results provide insight on the consequences that climate change effects might exert on crops such as tree tomato, reveal that greenhouses can be a robust alternative for tree tomato production, and highlight the need to understand how different managements are linked to different solutions to fulfil the farmers' demands.

BcIEB1, a Botrytis cinerea secreted protein, elicits a defense response in plants.

BcIEB1 is a very abundant protein in the secretome of Botrytis cinerea but it has no known function and no similarity to any characterized protein family. Previous results suggested that this protein is an elicitor of the plant defense system. In this work we have generated loss-of-function B. cinerea mutants lacking BcIEB1 and we have expressed the protein in yeast to assay its activity on plants. Analysis of the Δbcieb1 mutants did not result in any observable phenotype, including no difference in the virulence on a variety of hosts. However, when BcIEB1 was applied to plant tissues it produced necrosis as well as a whole range of symptoms: inhibition of seedling growth in Arabidopsis and tobacco, ion leakage from tobacco leaf disks, a ROS burst, cell death and autofluorescence in onion epidermis, as well as the expression of defense genes in tobacco. Moreover, tobacco plants treated with BcIEB1 showed an increased systemic resistance to B. cinerea. A small 35-amino acids peptide derived from a conserved region of BcIEB1 is almost as active on plants as the whole protein. These results clearly indicate that BcIEB1 elicits plant defenses, probably as a consequence of its recognition as a pathogen associated molecular pattern.

Data of ERPs and spectral alpha power when attention is engaged on visual or verbal/auditory imagery.

This article provides data from statistical analysis of event-related brain potentials (ERPs) and spectral power from 20 participants during three attentional conditions. Specifically, P1, N1 and P300 amplitude of ERP were compared when participant׳s attention was oriented to an external task, to a visual imagery and to an inner speech. The spectral power from alpha band was also compared in these three attentional conditions. These data are related to the research article where sensory processing of external information was compared during these three conditions entitled "Orienting attention to visual or verbal/auditory imagery differentially impairs the processing of visual stimuli" (Villena-Gonzalez et al., 2016) [1].

Orienting attention to visual or verbal/auditory imagery differentially impairs the processing of visual stimuli.

When attention is oriented toward inner thoughts, as spontaneously occurs during mind wandering, the processing of external information is attenuated. However, the potential effects of thought's content regarding sensory attenuation are still unknown. The present study aims to assess if the representational format of thoughts, such as visual imagery or inner speech, might differentially affect the sensory processing of external stimuli. We recorded the brain activity of 20 participants (12 women) while they were exposed to a probe visual stimulus in three different conditions: executing a task on the visual probe (externally oriented attention), and two conditions involving inward-turned attention i.e. generating inner speech and performing visual imagery. Event-related potentials results showed that the P1 amplitude, related with sensory response, was significantly attenuated during both task involving inward attention compared with external task. When both representational formats were compared, the visual imagery condition showed stronger attenuation in sensory processing than inner speech condition. Alpha power in visual areas was measured as an index of cortical inhibition. Larger alpha amplitude was found when participants engaged in an internal thought contrasted with the external task, with visual imagery showing even more alpha power than inner speech condition. Our results show, for the first time to our knowledge, that visual attentional processing to external stimuli during self-generated thoughts is differentially affected by the representational format of the ongoing train of thoughts.

Intracardiac echocardiography in complex cardiac catheter ablation procedures.

With the availability of catheter ablation for the elimination of complex cardiac arrhythmias, new imaging tools have enhanced the safety and efficacy of procedures performed in the electrophysiology laboratory. We review the use of intracardiac ultrasound (ICE) as the modality that allows real-time monitoring and reconstruction of cardiac anatomy. Practical technical information related to the use of ICE in ablation procedures in general and particular aspects related to ablation of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and arrhythmias in adults with congenital heart disease are discussed in this manuscript.

New antiarrhythmic treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Antiarrhythmic pharmaceutical development for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is moving in several directions. The efficacy of existing drugs, such as carvedilol, for rate control and, possibly, suppression of AF, is more appreciated. Efforts are being made to modify existing agents, such as amiodarone, in an attempt to ameliorate safety and adverse effect concerns. This has resulted in promising data from the deiodinated amiodarone analog, dronedarone, and further work with celivarone and ATI-2042. In an attempt to minimize ventricular proarrhythmia, atrial selective drugs, such as intravenous vernakalant, have demonstrated efficacy in terminating AF in addition to promising data in suppression recurrences when used orally. Several other atrial selective drugs are being developed by multiple manufacturers. Other novel therapeutic mechanisms, such as drugs that enhance GAP junction conduction, are being developed to achieve more effective drug therapy than is offered by existing compounds. Finally, nonantiarrhythmic drugs, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, high-mobility group coenzyme A enzyme inhibitors and omega-3 fatty acids/fish oil, appear to have a role in suppressing AF in certain patient subtypes. Future studies will clarify the role of these drugs in treating AF.

Inhibition of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha: hit to lead optimization.

Compound 1 was previously reported to be a potent inhibitor of cPLA(2)alpha in both artificial monomeric substrate and cell-based assays. However, 1 was inactive in whole blood assays previously used to characterize cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors. The IC(50) of 1 increased dramatically with cell number or lipid/detergent concentration. In an attempt to insert an electrophilic ketone between the indole and benzoic acid moieties, we discovered that increasing the distance between the two moieties gave a compound with activity in the GLU (7-hydroxycoumarinyl-gamma-linolenate) micelle assay, which contains lipid and detergent. Extensive structure-activity relationship work around this lead identified a potent pharmacophore for cPLA(2)alpha inhibition. The IC(50)s between the GLU micelle and rat whole blood assays correlated highly. No correlation was found for other parameters, including lipophilicity or acidity of the required acid functionality. Compounds 25, 39, and 94 emerged as potent, selective inhibitors of cPLA(2)alpha and represent well-validated starting points for further optimization.

Active electrode arrays by chip embedding in a flexible silicone carrier.

Future cochlear implants demand a higher density of stimulation sites (electrodes) and enhanced functionality (e.g. feedback information). The current generation of implanted cochlear prostheses is making use of a completely "passive scheme" and cannot meet these requirements. An "all-silicon" concept integrating active components with passive electrodes in silicon has been proposed but does not offer the flexibility/stretchability of current silicone-based devices. This paper introduces a novel concept based on silicon chip embedding in a flexible silicone carrier. The process and experimental results will be presented. The concept is also applicable to other types of implanted electrodes, e.g. retinal implants.

V-A block during atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: reentry confined to the AV node.

Retrograde block during atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia is considered a rare phenomenon that can potentially occur in the AV node or in the atrium. A patient with slow-fast AV nodal reentrant tachycardia and transient VA block localized in the AV node is presented. Pharmacological and stimulation maneuvers identified the site of block in the AV node and not in the atrium. Thus, AV nodal reentry can be confined to the AV node.

Demonstration of a left atrial input to the atrioventricular node in humans.

BACKGROUND: During right atrial stimulation, the anterior and posterior approaches provide inputs to the atrioventricular (AV) node. The purpose of the present study was to determine how activation proceeding from the left atrium reaches the AV node. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied AV nodal conduction during right and left atrial (coronary sinus) stimulation in 46 patients (27 women and 19 men; mean age, 46+/-4 years) who had structurally normal hearts. At an identical cycle length (600 ms), left atrial stimulation resulted in shorter A-H intervals than right atrial stimulation (73+/-3 ms versus 99+/-3 ms; P<0.05). In addition, atrial electrograms recorded close to the His bundle changed from near to far field potentials when stimulation was shifted to the left atrium. The A-H interval prolonged as the site of pacing was progressively moved from the distal to the proximal coronary sinus. During constant pacing from the distal coronary sinus, atrial activation close to the His bundle could be advanced by late extrastimuli delivered at the anterior and posterior approaches (up to 11+/-2 ms and 9+/-1 ms, respectively), without altering His bundle activation time. In contrast, late extrastimuli delivered at the inferoparaseptal mitral annulus advanced both the A and H electrograms in 19 of 20 patients, which is consistent with a left-sided input to the AV node. Right and left atrial stimulation resulted in similar AV nodal function. CONCLUSION: The mitral annulus provides a left atrial input to the human AV node.

Decline of neural tube defects cases after a folic acid campaign in Nuevo León, México.

BACKGROUND: Nuevo León is a state in northeastern Mexico, near the border of Texas. Mean mortality rate from 1996-98 due to anencephaly cases was 0.6/1,000. In 1999 a surveillance program for the registry and prevention of neural tube defects (NTD) cases was initiated. METHODS: Cases were obtained from hospitals and OB-GYN clinics by immediate notification, death certificates, or fetal death registries. Only isolated cases of NTD were included. In August 1999 a folic acid campaign was initiated with the free distribution of the vitamin to low-income women with a recommendation to take a 5.0-mg pill once a week. Number of cases and rates from 1999 to 2001 were compared (chi(2) test). RESULTS: After 2 years there has been a significant reduction in the number of cases and rates. In 1999 there were 95 NTD cases and in the years 2000 and 2001 there were only 59 and 55 respectively (P < 0.001). NTD rate decreased from 1.04/1,000 in 1999 to 0.58/1,000 in 2001. Anencephaly and spina bifida rates decreased from 0.55/1,000 to 0.29/1,000 and from 0.47/1,000 to 0.22/1,000 respectively, from 1999-2001. Decrease of female cases was higher than male cases for both phenotypes. CONCLUSION: After 2 years there was a 50% decrease in the incidence of anencephaly and spina bifida cases with a significant reduction of infant mortality and disability. These results encourage us to propose the use of a single tablet of 5.0-mg of folic acid per week as an alternative to supplementation on a daily basis.

Use of adenosine as a diagnostic tool for dual atrioventricular nodal pathways: response of control patients to incremental doses of adenosine.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine at low doses preferentially blocks fast over slow pathway conduction in patients with dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal physiology and typical AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). During atrial pacing, this effect is manifested as an abrupt increase in the AH interval with low doses of adenosine. This demonstration of dual AV nodal physiology may be useful as a diagnostic tool during electrophysiologic studies in patients with supraventricular tachycardia who are not easily inducible, as clear demonstration of dual AV nodal pathways may indicate that AVNRT is a likely diagnosis and that further attempts at arrhythmia induction should be tailored in that direction. However, to be a useful test, adenosine should not cause an abrupt increase in AH interval in patients without dual AV nodal physiology. HYPOTHESIS: This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of dual AV nodal pathways with administration of adenosine in patients with no history suggestive of AVNRT. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who had no prior history of AVNRT and were undergoing electrophysiologic study for standard indications were enrolled. Baseline Wenckebach cycle length (WCL) and AV nodal effective refractory periods were measured at atrial pacing cycle lengths of 400 and 600 ms. The atrium was then paced at WCL + 50 ms, and WCL + 100 ms, while incrementally larger doses of intravenous adenosine were administered until AV nodal block occurred. RESULTS: The mean (+/- standard deviation) doses of adenosine required to cause AV nodal block while pacing at WCL + 50 ms and WCL + 100 ms were 7.1 +/- 3.9 and 7.4 +/- 4.5 mg, respectively. In 1 of 37 patients (2.7%, 95% confidence interval 0-8%), an abrupt prolongation of the AH interval was seen with the administration of adenosine during atrial pacing as well as during the atrial refractory period determination. In all other patients, no dual AV nodal physiology was demonstrated during the refractory period determination, and there were only gradual changes in the AH interval with atrial pacing during administration of adenosine. CONCLUSION: Among patients with no history suggestive of AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, only 2.7% have clinically silent dual AV nodal pathways using this method. Incremental adenosine infusion during electrophysiologic study can be used as a highly specific diagnostic tool for patients with dual AV nodal pathways.

Estudio in vitro del efecto bactericida del aguacate / Study in vitro of the bactericided effect of avocado

El aguacate se ha venido utilizando por la población desde hace siglos en el tratamiento local de heridas infectadas o no, de forma totalmente empírica y basándose en las historias y experiencias de las generaciones que nos han precedido. Nuestro equipo de trabajo decidió estudiar las acciones del aguacate y determinar sus verdaderas acciones terapéuticas para reafirmar o refutar las propiedades que se han trasmitido de boca en boca. Una de las etapas de esta investigación consistió en comprobar el efecto bactericida in vitro. Para realizar el estudio decidimos utilizar el método de dilución neutralización propuesto por las Normas AFNOR de Francia. Se realizó por el método a doble ciegas para obtener cepas de gérmenes gram positivos y negativos que en esos momentos afectaban a los pacientes quemados ingresados en nuestro Servicio de Quemados. Se pudo concluir que la solución de aguacate no presentó efecto bactericida ante Estafilococo áureo, pero ante los grams negativos que fueron analizados que son el Proteus mirabilis y la Pseudomona aeruginosa quedó demostrado el efecto bactericida de la solución empleada(AU)