Electroencephalography Signal Analysis for Human Activities Classification: A Solution Based on Machine Learning and Motor Imagery.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a fundamental tool for understanding the brain's electrical activity related to human motor activities. Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) uses such electrical activity to develop assistive technologies, especially those directed at people with physical disabilities. However, extracting signal features and patterns is still complex, sometimes delegated to machine learning (ML) algorithms. Therefore, this work aims to develop a ML based on the Random Forest algorithm to classify EEG signals from subjects performing real and imagery motor activities. The interpretation and correct classification of EEG signals allow the development of tools controlled by cognitive processes. We evaluated our ML Random Forest algorithm using a consumer and a research-grade EEG system. Random Forest efficiently distinguishes imagery and real activities and defines the related body part, even with consumer-grade EEG. However, interpersonal variability of the EEG signals negatively affects the classification process.

Prospective Pilot study of Quality of Life in patients with severe late-radiation-toxicity treated by Low hyperbaric-oxigen-therapy.

Background/purpose: The aim of this study is to assess for the first time the immediate and long term impact on quality-of-life of HBO treatments(HBOT) at 1.45 ATA (Absolute Atmospheric Pressure) Medical Hyperbaric chamber. Methods: Patients over 18 years-old, suffering of grade 3 Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) 4.0 radiation induced late toxicity and progressing to standard support therapy were included in this prospective study. HBOT was given daily, sixty minutes per session by a Medical Hyperbaric Chamber Biobarica System at 1.45 ATA at 100% O2. Forty sessions were prescribed for all patients given in 8 weeks. Patients reported outcomes (PROs) was assessed by the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, before starting, in the last week of the treatment, as well as during follow up. Results: Between February-2018/June-2021, 48 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 37 patients (77%) completed the treatment prescribed HBOT sessions. Patients with anal fibrosis (9/37) and brain necrosis (7/37) were the most frequently treated. The most common symptoms were pain (65%) and bleeding (54%). In addition, thirty out of the 37 patients who completed the pre- and post-treatment Patients Reported Outcomes (PROs) assessment also completed the follow up European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30), and were evaluated in the present study. Mean follow up was 22,10 (6-39) months.The Median score of the EORTC-QLQ-C30, at the end of HBOT and during follow-up, was improved in all assessed domains, except in the cognitive aspect (p = 0.106). Conclusions: HBOT at 1.45 ATA is a feasible and well tolerated treatment, improving long term quality of life in terms of physical function, daily activities and general health subjective state of patients suffering severe late radiation-induced toxicity.

Clinical Unmet Needs and Treatment Patterns of Paediatric Psoriasis Patients: A Real-World Evidence Study in Spain. / [Artículo traducido] Necesidades clínicas no satisfechas y patrones de tratamiento de los pacientes pediátricos con psoriasis: estudio de evidencia en el mundo real en España.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Real-world evidence of paediatric psoriasis (PsO) is lacking in Spain. The purpose of this study was to identify physician-reported disease burden and current treatment patterns in a real-world paediatric PsO patient cohort in Spain. This will enhance our understanding of the disease and contribute to the development of regional guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective analysis of a cross-sectional market research survey assessed the clinical unmet needs and treatment patterns in patients with paediatric PsO in Spain, as reported by their primary care and specialist physicians, using data collected as part of the Adelphi Real World Paediatric PsO Disease-Specific Program (DSP™) between February and October 2020. RESULTS: Survey data from 57 treating physicians were included (71.9% [N = 41] dermatologists, 17.6% [N = 10] general practitioners/primary care physicians, and 10.5% [N = 6] paediatricians); the final analysis included 378 patients. At sampling, 84.1% (318/378) of patients had mild disease, 15.3% (58/378) had moderate disease and 0.5% (2/378) had severe disease. Retrospectively reported physician-judged severity at the time of PsO diagnosis recorded 41.8% (158/378) of patients with mild disease, 51.3% (194/378) with moderate disease and 6.9% (26/378) with severe disease. Overall, 89.3% (335/375) of patients were currently receiving topical PsO therapy, while 8.8% (33/375), 10.4% (39/375) and 14.9% (56/375) of patients were currently receiving phototherapy, conventional systemics and biologics, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These real-world data reflect the current burden and treatment landscape of paediatric PsO in Spain. The management of patients with paediatric PsO could be improved by further educating healthcare professionals and developing regional guidelines.

Clinical Unmet Needs and Treatment Patterns of Paediatric Psoriasis Patients: A Real-World Evidence Study in Spain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Real-world evidence of paediatric psoriasis (PsO) is lacking in Spain. The purpose of this study was to identify physician-reported disease burden and current treatment patterns in a real-world paediatric PsO patient cohort in Spain. This will enhance our understanding of the disease and contribute to the development of regional guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective analysis of a cross-sectional market research survey assessed the clinical unmet needs and treatment patterns in patients with paediatric PsO in Spain, as reported by their primary care and specialist physicians, using data collected as part of the Adelphi Real World Paediatric PsO Disease-Specific Program (DSP™) between February and October 2020. RESULTS: Survey data from 57 treating physicians were included (71.9% [N=41] dermatologists, 17.6% [N=10] general practitioners/primary care physicians, and 10.5% [N=6] paediatricians); the final analysis included 378 patients. At sampling, 84.1% (318/378) of patients had mild disease, 15.3% (58/378) had moderate disease and 0.5% (2/378) had severe disease. Retrospectively reported physician-judged severity at the time of PsO diagnosis recorded 41.8% (158/378) of patients with mild disease, 51.3% (194/378) with moderate disease and 6.9% (26/378) with severe disease. Overall, 89.3% (335/375) of patients were currently receiving topical PsO therapy, while 8.8% (33/375), 10.4% (39/375) and 14.9% (56/375) of patients were currently receiving phototherapy, conventional systemics and biologics, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These real-world data reflect the current burden and treatment landscape of paediatric PsO in Spain. The management of patients with paediatric PsO could be improved by further educating healthcare professionals and developing regional guidelines.

Motor Imagery Analysis from Extensive EEG Data Representations Using Convolutional Neural Networks.

Motor imagery is a complex mental task that represents muscular movement without the execution of muscular action, involving cognitive processes of motor planning and sensorimotor proprioception of the body. Since the mental task has similar behavior to that of the motor execution process, it can be used to create rehabilitation routines for patients with some motor skill impairment. However, due to the nature of this mental task, its execution is complicated. Hence, the classification of these signals in scenarios such as brain-computer interface systems tends to have a poor performance. In this work, we study in depth different forms of data representation of motor imagery EEG signals for distinct CNN-based models as well as novel EEG data representations including spectrograms and multidimensional raw data. With the aid of transfer learning, we achieve results up to 93% accuracy, exceeding the current state of the art. However, although these results are strong, they entail the use of high computational resources to generate the samples, since they are based on spectrograms. Thus, we searched further for alternative forms of EEG representations, based on 1D, 2D, and 3D variations of the raw data, leading to promising results for motor imagery classification that still exceed the state of the art. Hence, in this work, we focus on exploring alternative methods to process and improve the classification of motor imagery features with few preprocessing techniques.

Consumption of Herbal Supplements or Homeopathic Remedies to Prevent COVID-19 and Intention of Vaccination for COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Users of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have a lower intention to receive vaccines. Furthermore, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region are among the most affected areas by the COVID-19 pandemics and present a high proportion of CAM users. Therefore, this study evaluates the association between the consumption of herbal supplements or homeopathic remedies to prevent COVID-19 and the intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 in the LAC region. We conducted a secondary data analysis of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) survey with Facebook to assess COVID-19 beliefs, behaviours, and norms. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using generalized linear models of the Poisson family with the log link function. The prevalence of the use of products to prevent COVID-19 was the following: consumption of herbal supplements (7.2%), use of homeopathic remedies (4.8%), and consumption of garlic, ginger, and lemon (11.8%). An association was found between using herbal supplements (19.0% vs. 12.8%; aPR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.30-1.58), the use of homeopathic remedies (20.3% vs. 12.3%; aPR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.25-1.98), and the consumption of garlic, ginger, and lemon (18.9% vs. 11.9%; aPR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.50-1.61) and non-intention to vaccinate against COVID-19. In the LAC population, there is an association between using herbal supplements, using homeopathic remedies and consuming garlic, ginger, and lemon to prevent infection by COVID-19 and non-intention to vaccinate against this disease. Therefore, it is necessary to design targeted strategies for groups that consume these products as preventive measures against COVID-19 to increase vaccination coverage and expand the information regarding transmission and prevention strategies for SARS-CoV-2.

Factors Associated with Home Remedy Use by Adults Who Do Not Attend Health Care Facilities: Evidence from Peruvian Population-based Survey, 2019.

We estimated home remedy use (HRU) prevalence and associated factors in adults who present symptoms, disease, or accidents using the National Household Survey 2019. The estimation was performed in a population that did not access a health care facility. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in adults over 18 years of age. The dependent variable was HRU (Yes/No) as the main reason for not going to health care facilities. We collected these variables: age, sex, education, marital status, ethnicity, region of residence, chronic diseases or disability, and health insurance. The HRU prevalence was associated with older participants, who lived in the highlands or the jungle, belonged to Quechua or Aymara ethnic groups, and had comprehensive health insurance. In contrast, there was a lower HRU prevalence for those enrolled in private insurance. The HRU was associated with various socio-demographic factors in adults with any symptoms, illness, or accidents not attending health centers.

Una mezcla láctea fortificada con hierro y zinc mejora los niveles de hemoglobina en niños de 2 a 10 años en una comunidad andina en Perú: Ensayo controlado aleatorizado, doble ciego / A dairy mixture fortified with iron and zinc improves hemoglobin levels in children aged 2 to 10 years in an andean community in Peru: Randomized, double-blind controlled trial

Introducción: Investigaciones anteriores coinciden en que el enriquecimiento de alimentos es la mejor estrategia a largo plazo en la prevención de la deficiencia de hierro. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar el efecto de una mezcla láctea fortificada con hierro y zinc sobre los niveles de hemoglobina en niños de 2 a 10 años. Material y métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado, doble ciego, controlado en una comunidad ubicada a 2,590 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Se incluyeron niños con niveles en el límite inferior de los rangos de normalidad o anemia leve. Asignamos a los participantes de manera aleatoria que recibieran la mezcla láctea fortificada con hierro y zinc o una mezcla láctea no fortificada. La mezcla láctea se administró cinco días a la semana durante 24 semanas. Nuestro resultado principal fue el nivel de hemoglobina corregida tomando en cuenta la altura sobre el nivel del mar y los índices antropométricos se evaluaron como resultado secundario. La magnitud de la diferencia observada entre los grupos se estimó mediante la prueba t de Student. Todos los análisis se realizaron por intención de tratar. Resultados: Se asignaron al azar 67 niños, intervención: n=32 y control: n=35. La edad media fue de 5,8 años; 30 eran mujeres. La hemoglobina al final del seguimiento fue 13,1 gr/dL (0,9) en el grupo experimental mientras que, en el grupo control, fue de 12,1 gr/dL (0,8); p <0,001. Asimismo, se evidenció una diferencia positiva en los indicadores antropométricos en el grupo experimental. Conclusión: La mezcla láctea fortificada con hierro y zinc aumenta los niveles de hemoglobina y los índices antropométricos en niños de 2 a 10 años.

Objetive:Previous research agrees tha tfood fortification is the best long-term strategy for preventing iron deficiency. Our goal is to evaluate the effect of a dairy mixture fortified with iron and zinc on hemoglobin levels in children aged 2 to 10 years. Material and methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted in a community located 2,590 meters above sea level. Children with normal levels of hemoglobin or mild anemia were included. We assign participants to receive the iron-zinc-fortified dairy mixture or an unfortified dairy mixture. The supplement was administered five days a week for 24 weeks. Our main result was the corrected hemoglobin level taking into account the height above sea level and anthropometric indices were evaluated as a secondary result. The magnitude of the difference observed between the groups was estimated by the Student t-test. All analyzes were done with the intention to treat. Results: 67 children were randomly assigned, intervention: n=32 and control: n=35. The mean age was 5.8 years; 30 were women. Hemoglobin at the end of the follow-up was 13.1 g/dL(0.9) in the experimental group, while, in the control group, it was 12.1 g/dL(0.8); p <0.001. Likewise, a positive difference was evidenced in the anthropometric indicators in the experimental group. Conclusion: Dairy mixture fortified with iron and zinc increases hemoglobin levels and anthropometric indices in children from 2 to 10 years old.

Efficacy of omega-3 supplementation on sertraline continuous therapy to reduce depression or anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to synthesize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that determined the efficacy of adding omega-3 supplementation to the continuous sertraline therapy in adults with depression. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects. We used the Revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials version 2.0. to assess the risk of bias. Four RCTs were included. The follow-up ranged from eight to 12 weeks. Regarding the Beck Depression Inventory, the pooled SMD was 0.50 (95% CI: -0.51, 1.50; I2: 94.1%). A subgroup analysis was performed regarding the presence of coronary disease: SMD -0.17 (95% CI: -0.41, 0.07; I2: 0.0%). Regarding the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the pooled MD was 0.03 (95% CI: -2.22, 2.28; I2: 0.0%). Regarding the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the pooled MD was 0.42 (95% CI: -1.44, 2.29; I2: 35.7%). All pooled outcomes presented a very low certainty of the evidence. Three RCTs presented a low risk of bias in all domains; however, one study presented some concerns in two domains. No essential reductions in the outcomes were found. A subgroup analysis suggested that may be better not to provide the supplementation in patients with coronary disease. The evidence is not enough to make recommendations.

3-Mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase supports endothelial cell angiogenesis and bioenergetics.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: During angiogenesis, quiescent endothelial cells (ECs) are activated by various stimuli to form new blood vessels from pre-existing ones in physiological and pathological conditions. Many research groups have shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), the newest member of the gasotransmitter family, acts as a proangiogenic factor. To date, very little is known about the regulatory role of 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), an important H2 S-producing enzyme in ECs. The aim of our study was to explore the potential role of 3-MST in human EC bioenergetics, metabolism, and angiogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: To assess in vitro angiogenic responses, we used EA.hy926 human vascular ECs subjected to shRNA-mediated 3-MST attenuation and pharmacological inhibition of proliferation, migration, and tube-like network formation. To evaluate bioenergetic parameters, cell respiration, glycolysis, glucose uptake, and mitochondrial/glycolytic ATP production were measured. Finally, global metabolomic profiling was performed to determine the level of 669 metabolic compounds. KEY RESULTS: 3-MST-attenuated ECs subjected to shRNA or pharmacological inhibition of 3-MST significantly reduced EC proliferation, migration, and tube-like network formation. 3-MST silencing also suppressed VEGF-induced EC migration. From bioenergetic and metabolic standpoints, 3-MST attenuation decreased mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial ATP production, increased glucose uptake, and perturbed the entire EC metabolome. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: 3-MST regulates bioenergetics and morphological angiogenic functions in human ECs. The data presented in the current report support the view that 3-MST pathway may be a potential candidate for therapeutic modulation of angiogenesis. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Hydrogen Sulfide in Biology & Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.4/issuetoc.

Banana starch nanocomposite with cellulose nanofibers isolated from banana peel by enzymatic treatment: In vitro cytotoxicity assessment.

The potential use of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as a reinforcing agent in banana starch-based nanocomposite films was investigated. CNFs were isolated from banana peel (Musa paradisiaca) by enzymatic hydrolysis. Banana starch-based nanocomposite films were prepared with CNFs using the casting method. CNFs effect on cell viability and on nanocomposite films properties' was investigated. The cytotoxicity of CNFs was assessed on Caco-2 cell line. CNFs were not cytotoxic at 50-2000 µg/mL. However, CNFs above 2000 µg/mL significantly decreased cell viability. Topography analysis showed that the incorporation of CNFs modified the film structure. The nanocomposites exhibited a complex structure due to strong interactions between CNFs and starch matrix, promoting a remarkable improvement on mechanical and water barrier properties, opacity and UV light barrier compared to the control film. CNFs can offer a great potential as reinforcing material for starch-based nanocomposite films, producing a value-added food packaging from a waste material.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a Trauma Population: Does Decolonization Prevent Infection?

The purpose of this study was to determine if a decolonization regimen reduces the frequency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and if colonization isolates are genetically related to subsequent infectious strains. Trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit with positive MRSA nasal swabs were randomized to either daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) baths and mupirocin (MUP) ointment to the nares or soap and water baths and placebo ointment for five days. Nasal swabs performed at the end of treatment and invasive MRSA infections during the remaining hospitalization were compared with the original nasal isolate via polymerase chain reaction for genetic relatedness as well as CHG and MUP resistance genes. Six hundred and seventy-eight intensive care unit admissions were screened, and 92 (13.6%) had positive (+) MRSA nasal swabs over a 22-month period ending in 3/2014. After the five day treatment period, there were 13 (59.1%) +MRSA second nasal swabs for CHG + MUP and 9 (90%) for soap and water baths and placebo, P = 0.114. No isolates tested positive for the MUP or CHG resistance genes mupA and qacA/B but 7 of 20 (35%) contained smr. There were seven (31.8%) MRSA infections in the CHG group and six (60%) for soap, P = 0.244. All 13 patients with MRSA infections had the same MRSA isolate present in the original nasal swab. There was no difference in all-cause Gram-negative or positive infections for CHG versus soap, 12 (54.5%) versus 7 (70%), P = 0.467. CHG + MUP are ineffective in eradicating MRSA from the anterior nares but may reduce the incidence of infection. Subsequent invasive MRSA infections are typically caused by the endogenous colonization strain.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on obstetric outcomes and birth variables. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Pregnant women and neonates. INTERVENTION(S): PubMed and 5 other research databases were searched through March 2014 for RCTs evaluating vitamin D supplementation ± calcium/vitamins/ferrous sulfate vs. a control (placebo or active) during pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Measures were: circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight, preterm birth, birth weight, birth length, cesarean section. Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects models were used, owing to expected scarcity of outcomes. Effects were reported as relative risks and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULT(S): Thirteen RCTs (n = 2,299) were selected. Circulating 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher at term, compared with the control group (mean difference: 66.5 nmol/L, 95% CI 66.2-66.7). Birth weight and birth length were significantly greater for neonates in the vitamin D group; mean difference: 107.6 g (95% CI 59.9-155.3 g) and 0.3 cm (95% CI 0.10-0.41 cm), respectively. Incidence of preeclampsia, GDM, SGA, low birth weight, preterm birth, and cesarean section were not influenced by vitamin D supplementation. Across RCTs, the doses and types of vitamin D supplements, gestational age at first administration, and outcomes were heterogeneous. CONCLUSION(S): Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with increased circulating 25(OH)D levels, birth weight, and birth length, and was not associated with other maternal and neonatal outcomes. Larger, better-designed RCTs evaluating clinically relevant outcomes are necessary to reach a definitive conclusion.

Phytochemical content, antioxidants and cell wall metabolism of two loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) cultivars under different storage regimes.

Changes in quality, phytochemical content and cell wall metabolism of two loquat cultivars (Eriobotrya japonica cvs. 'Morphitiki', 'Karantoki') under different storage regimes were studied. The fruit were harvested at commercial maturity stage and analyzed after 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11 days maintenance at room temperature (RT, ∼ 20°C) or after cold storage (14 days at 4°C) and additional ripening at RT for 1, 3 and 5 days, respectively. Compositional analysis revealed substantial cultivar differences; the 'Morphitiki' fruit was more acidic and showed higher contents of total phenolics, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid-derivatives as well as greater antioxidant potency. Although firmness did not change markedly during storage, the cell wall exhibited extensive remodeling. Greater changes were observed in the pectin backbones than in polyuronide side chains and cross-linking glycans. Polygalacturonase (PG) showed better association with cell wall solubilization at RT than the enzymes involved in arabinan or galactan disassembly. During postharvest ripening after harvest, 'Karantoki' showed more extensive pectin solubilization than 'Morphitiki'. Interestingly, cold storage inhibited the cell wall disassembly in 'Karantoki' but not in 'Morphitiki', suggesting that the cultivars may differ in their susceptibility to chilling-related wall disorders. Low temperature-induced alterations in wall disassembly may impact juice and phytochemical release upon consumption.

Analgesic efficacy of continuous intravenous magnesium infusion as an adjuvant to morphine for postoperative analgesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of perioperative intravenous magnesium administration on postoperative opioid use, opioid-related side effects (e.g., nausea and vomiting) and pain are uncertain, as randomized controlled trials on this topic have reported disparate results. The objective of this systematic review is to determine if perioperative magnesium reduces opioid use, opioid-related side effects, and postoperative pain. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted using the Library of Medicine's PubMed and EMBASE databases. Included studies consisted of randomized controlled trials in an adult population with a clearly defined comparison of perioperative intravenous magnesium administration to a control with a documented assessment of opioid usage and postoperative pain. Relevant data was abstracted from included studies. Pooled estimates for weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained for our primary outcome (opioid usage) using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan version 4.2.7 (Cochrane Collaboration; Oxford, United Kingdom). WMD and odds ratios (OR) were calculated using a random effects model. RESULTS: The literature search ultimately yielded 22 trials, enrolling 1177 (599 magnesium, 578 control) patients, who were included in the analysis. A significant decrease in morphine usage by those patients who received magnesium was noted (WMD = -7.40; 95% CI: -9.40 to -5.41, p < 0.00001). Perioperative magnesium administration was not associated with a difference in postoperative nausea or vomiting (RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.09, p = 0.14). The pooled visual analog scores for pain at 4-6 hours after surgery were significantly less in those patients who received magnesium surgery (WMD = -0.67; 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.23, p = 0.003); however, there was no difference in pain scores at 20-24 hours after surgery (WMD = -0.25; 95% CI: -0.62 to 0.71, p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this systematic review, perioperative intravenous magnesium may be a useful adjuvant for the management of postoperative pain providing analgesia through a different mechanism of action than that of opioids and would make a potential addition to a multimodal anlgesic treatment plan; however, the decrease in opioid use with perioperative magnesium infusion does not appear to be associated with a decresea in opioid-related side effects.

Commanding a robotic wheelchair with a high-frequency steady-state visual evoked potential based brain-computer interface.

This work presents a brain-computer interface (BCI) used to operate a robotic wheelchair. The experiments were performed on 15 subjects (13 of them healthy). The BCI is based on steady-state visual-evoked potentials (SSVEP) and the stimuli flickering are performed at high frequency (37, 38, 39 and 40 Hz). This high frequency stimulation scheme can reduce or even eliminate visual fatigue, allowing the user to achieve a stable performance for long term BCI operation. The BCI system uses power-spectral density analysis associated to three bipolar electroencephalographic channels. As the results show, 2 subjects were reported as SSVEP-BCI illiterates (not able to use the BCI), and, consequently, 13 subjects (12 of them healthy) could navigate the wheelchair in a room with obstacles arranged in four distinct configurations. Volunteers expressed neither discomfort nor fatigue due to flickering stimulation. A transmission rate of up to 72.5 bits/min was obtained, with an average of 44.6 bits/min in four trials. These results show that people could effectively navigate a robotic wheelchair using a SSVEP-based BCI with high frequency flickering stimulation.

Asynchronous BCI control using high-frequency SSVEP.

BACKGROUND: Steady-State Visual Evoked Potential (SSVEP) is a visual cortical response evoked by repetitive stimuli with a light source flickering at frequencies above 4 Hz and could be classified into three ranges: low (up to 12 Hz), medium (12-30) and high frequency (> 30 Hz). SSVEP-based Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) are principally focused on the low and medium range of frequencies whereas there are only a few projects in the high-frequency range. However, they only evaluate the performance of different methods to extract SSVEP. METHODS: This research proposed a high-frequency SSVEP-based asynchronous BCI in order to control the navigation of a mobile object on the screen through a scenario and to reach its final destination. This could help impaired people to navigate a robotic wheelchair. There were three different scenarios with different difficulty levels (easy, medium and difficult). The signal processing method is based on Fourier transform and three EEG measurement channels. RESULTS: The research obtained accuracies ranging in classification from 65% to 100% with Information Transfer Rate varying from 9.4 to 45 bits/min. CONCLUSIONS: Our proposed method allows all subjects participating in the study to control the mobile object and to reach a final target without prior training.

WITHDRAWN: Apoptosis of human tumor cell lines by a lectin (futalin) of Artocarpus incisa seeds.

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Vasodilator and antioxidant effect of xanthones isolated from Brazilian medicinal plants.

Vasorelaxant and antioxidant activities are important in the therapy for cardiovascular diseases. We aimed at investigating the vasorelaxant and antioxidant activities of six xanthones isolated from Brazilian medicinal plants. Xanthone ( 1), 1-hydroxyxanthone ( 2), 4-hydroxyxanthone ( 3), 1-hydroxy-8-methoxyxanthone ( 4), 1,3-dihydroxy-7-methoxyxanthone ( 5) and 2,6,8-trihydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone ( 6) induced concentration-dependent vasorelaxant effects in endothelium-intact mice aortic rings. The presence of a hydroxy group in position 1 seemed to decrease the vasodilator effect while a hydroxy in position 4 and an increased number of hydroxy groups improved the vasorelaxatory potential of xanthones. All xanthones showed antioxidant activity but their potencies did not correlate with the vasodilator effect. Our results suggest that the tested xanthones are potentially vasorelaxant and antioxidant compounds but the two activities are not interrelated.