Add-on soft electronic interfaces for continuous cuffless blood pressure monitoring.

Continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure is clinically important for the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases. Soft electronic devices with skin-like properties show promise in a wide range of applications, including the human-machine interface, the Internet of things, and health monitoring. Here, we report the use of add-on soft electronic interfaces to address the connection challenges between soft electrodes and rigid data acquisition circuitry for bioimpedance monitoring of cardiac signals, including heart rate and cuffless blood pressure. Nanocomposite films in add-on electrodes provide robust electrical and mechanical contact with the skin and the rigid circuitry. We demonstrate bioimpedance sensors composed of add-on electrodes for continuous blood pressure monitoring with high accuracy. Specifically, the bioimpedance collected with add-on nanocomposite electrodes shows a signal-to-noise ratio of 37.0 dB, higher than the ratio of 25.9 dB obtained with standard silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl gel) electrodes. Although the sample set is low, the continuously measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure offer accuracy of -2.0 ± 6.3 mmHg and -4.3 ± 3.9 mmHg, respectively, confirming the grade A performance based on the IEEE standard. These results show promise in bioimpedance measurements with add-on soft electrodes for cuffless blood pressure monitoring.

Consumo de tabaco, alcohol, drogas y su relación con los intentos de suicidio en población asistida en la guardia de un hospital general polivalente / Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs Consumption, and their relationships with suicide attempts in a population assisted in the Ward of a general polyvalent hospital

El problema del consumo de tabaco, alcohol y drogas y los intentos de suicidio son dos afecciones de autodestrucción, la primera con una intencionalidad tal vez inconciente y la otra voluntariamente ejecutada.Objetivo: analizar el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en pacientes que ingresan en la guardia de un Hospital General polivalente con el diagnóstico de intento de suicidio y definir el perfil de la conducta suicidaMaterial y métodos: se realizaron dos fichas epidemiológicas administradas por profesionales de la guardia y por el Servicio de Psiquiatría del Hospital Posadas, contenían datos generales sobre el intento de suicidio y frecuencia del consumo de sustancias inmediatamente antes del intento de suicidio y en el mes anterior, a 200 pacientes ingresados a la guardia entre junio y diciembre de 2009.Resultados: se encontró una asociación entre el consumo de alcohol, marihuana y cocaína en los varones, y de alcohol y sedantes en las mujeres.

The issue of smoking, alcohol and drugs consumption, as well as suicide attempts constitute two self-destructive affections. The first one is related with an intentionality which is probably unconscious, and the second one, with an intentionality deliberately executed. Purpose: to analyze the consumption of psychoactive substances in patients who are admitted to the ward of a General, polyvalent Hospital with a suicide attempt diagnosis, and to define the profile of the suicidal behavior. Material and methods: two epidemiologic forms administered by professionals from the ward and by the Psychiatry Service of Hospital Posadas, containing general information on the suicide attempt and the frequency of consumption of substances immediately before the suicide attempt and in the previous month, to 200 patients admitted to the ward between June and December 2009. Results: a relationship was found between alcohol, marihuana and cocaine consumption in men and between alcohol and sedatives in women.

Trastornos psicopatológicos e intentos de suicidio asistidos en la guardia de un hospital polivalente del conurbano bonaerense / Pychopathological disorders and suicide attempts assited in the ward of a plyclinic in the suburbs of the province of Buenos Aires

La conducta suicida es una situación de múltiples aristas en la que intervienen varios factores y que se enmarca dentro de las conductas agresivas. Este estudio fue efectuado a fin de acercarse a la comprensión de este angustiante cuadro. Objetivo: estudiar la caracterización de la conducta suicida en pacientes de ambos sexos concurrentes a la Guardia del Hospital "Dr. Alejandro Posadas" con motivo de un intento de suicidio. Material y Métodos: fueron examinados en la Guardia y en el Servicio de Psicopatología 230 personas por intento de suicidio, 200 ingresaron al estudio y 30 no pudieron hacerlo por no hallarse en condiciones. Se utilizaron tres formularios, de consentimiento informado, de la Guardia del Hospital y un tercero para ser llenado por el psiquiatra del Servicio. Se realizó una base de datos y el análisis estadístico utilizando el SPSS V 11. Resultados: se encontró una vinculación entre aquellos que realizaron un intento de suicidio y los diagnósticos de trastornos de personalidad borderline, histérica y los trastornos de ansiedad, bipolar y esquizofrenia. Facilitar el acceso a los pacientes a fin de realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento precoces es una forma de evitar la conducta agresiva del intento de suicidio.

Suicide behavior is a disorder of multiple rough edges in which serveral factors are involved, which is framed within aggressive behaviors. This study was performed in order to obtain an insight into this distressing condition. Objective: To study the characterization of suicidal behavior in patients of both sexes attending the Ward of Hospital "Dr. Alejandro Posadas" due to a suicide attempt. Material and Methods: 230 people were examined in the Ward and in the Psychopathological Service due to a suicide attempt, 200 entered the study and 30 could not do so for not being eligible. Three informed consent forms were used, two belonging to the Hospital's Ward and the third one to be completed by the Service's Psychiatrist. A database was created, as well as the statistical analysis, by means of the software apllication, SPSS V 11. Results: a connection was found betweeen those patients who committed suicide and the diagnosos of borderline, histrionic personality disorders, and anxiety, bipolar and schizophrenia disorders. Facilitating access to patients in order to perform an early diagnosis and treatment is a way of avoiding the aggressive bahavior relative to the suicide attempt.

Trastornos psicopatológicos e intentos de suicidio asistidos en la guardia de un hospital polivalente del conurbano bonaerense / Pychopathological disorders and suicide attempts assited in the ward of a plyclinic in the suburbs of the province of Buenos Aires

La conducta suicida es una situación de múltiples aristas en la que intervienen varios factores y que se enmarca dentro de las conductas agresivas. Este estudio fue efectuado a fin de acercarse a la comprensión de este angustiante cuadro. Objetivo: estudiar la caracterización de la conducta suicida en pacientes de ambos sexos concurrentes a la Guardia del Hospital "Dr. Alejandro Posadas" con motivo de un intento de suicidio. Material y Métodos: fueron examinados en la Guardia y en el Servicio de Psicopatología 230 personas por intento de suicidio, 200 ingresaron al estudio y 30 no pudieron hacerlo por no hallarse en condiciones. Se utilizaron tres formularios, de consentimiento informado, de la Guardia del Hospital y un tercero para ser llenado por el psiquiatra del Servicio. Se realizó una base de datos y el análisis estadístico utilizando el SPSS V 11. Resultados: se encontró una vinculación entre aquellos que realizaron un intento de suicidio y los diagnósticos de trastornos de personalidad borderline, histérica y los trastornos de ansiedad, bipolar y esquizofrenia. Facilitar el acceso a los pacientes a fin de realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento precoces es una forma de evitar la conducta agresiva del intento de suicidio.(AU)

Suicide behavior is a disorder of multiple rough edges in which serveral factors are involved, which is framed within aggressive behaviors. This study was performed in order to obtain an insight into this distressing condition. Objective: To study the characterization of suicidal behavior in patients of both sexes attending the Ward of Hospital "Dr. Alejandro Posadas" due to a suicide attempt. Material and Methods: 230 people were examined in the Ward and in the Psychopathological Service due to a suicide attempt, 200 entered the study and 30 could not do so for not being eligible. Three informed consent forms were used, two belonging to the Hospitals Ward and the third one to be completed by the Services Psychiatrist. A database was created, as well as the statistical analysis, by means of the software apllication, SPSS V 11. Results: a connection was found betweeen those patients who committed suicide and the diagnosos of borderline, histrionic personality disorders, and anxiety, bipolar and schizophrenia disorders. Facilitating access to patients in order to perform an early diagnosis and treatment is a way of avoiding the aggressive bahavior relative to the suicide attempt.(AU)

The inhibitory effect of an arginine bicarbonate/calcium carbonate CaviStat-containing dentifrice on the development of dental caries in Venezuelan school children.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effect of an arginine bicarbonate/calcium carbonate (CaviStat)-containing dentifrice on caries development, mainly in 11- to 12-year-old Venezuelan children over a two-year period. METHODOLOGY: Children (726) with a DMFT between 3 and 6 were examined at baseline, six months, and one and two years using a mirror, probe, and DMFS scoring. Subjects who completed the study consisted of two groups; 304 test and 297 control. The test group received a CaviStat-containing dentifrice, and the controls used a commercially available 1100 ppm fluoride toothpaste. All subjects were instructed to brush three times a day for 1 minute followed by swishing for 30 seconds. RESULTS: After six months, the mean DMFS scores increased only slightly from baseline in both groups, 6.93 +/- 0.22 in the control and 6.59 +/- 0.22 in the test subjects. After one year, the mean DMFS score in the control group rose to 8.00 +/- 0.24 and leveled off at 7.92 +/- 0.30 at two years. In contrast, the mean DMFS score in the test group decreased to 5.50 +/- 0.24 after one year before rising to 6.99 +/- 0.28 at two years. DMFS difference between the two groups was highly significant (p < 0.001), but mainly due to the large difference seen at one year. Dissection of the data showed that the erupted first molars dominated the overall DMFS changes. At the beginning of this study, first molar scores started at high values and showed a pattern thereafter like that seen for the total data. In contrast, premolars/molars, which erupt 4-6 years later (and at the start of the study had a mean DMFS score slightly above zero), showed a clear rise in the DMFS score in the control group during the first year of the study, which continued to rise until the end of the investigation. In contrast, the CaviStat group showed no change in the premolar/second molar DMFS score from baseline during the first year (giving the impression of 100% inhibition at one year), but showed a delayed rise thereafter that paralleled that seen in the controls between one and two years (58.3% inhibition at two years). Reversal of the development of early dental caries lesions in the CaviStat subjects and limitations of the diagnosis of very early caries lesions with standard dental explorers was suggested for the interesting first molar, first year data. Inhibition of caries initiation and caries progression in the CaviStat group was also observed and easier to see in the premolar/second molar, second year data where the DMFS scores were very low at baseline and reversals are not a significant issue. The results were subjected to statistical analysis including analysis of covariance. Largely because of the first year and first molar data, the difference between control and experimental groups was highly significant (p < 0.001). Similar comparison with the later-erupting premolar/molar teeth showed the CaviStat effect was also significant but at a lower level (p < 0.05). The differences could not be due to examiner error since the Kappa for 10% of the subjects randomly selected and re-examined was 0.898 overall and 0.914 for the first molar data. The data also suggested CaviStat inhibition of caries progression because of a slower rate of rise of missing+filled teeth in the CaviStat vs. the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A CaviStat-containing toothpaste was more effective both clinically and statistically in inhibiting caries initiation and progression than the fluoride toothpaste control, and manifested its effects differently in the already-erupted first molars than in the later-erupting premolars and second molars.

Psicologia y psicopatologia: ciencia basica de la clinica mental / Psychology and psychopathology: basic science of mental clinic

Se plantea en la práctica de la clínica mental la presencia de diversos modelos psicológicos-psicopatológicos y se retoma la crítica epistemológica que hace Henri Wallon desde la perspectiva dialéctica, para llegar a una Psicología Científica. Partiendo del modelo de organización cerebral expuesto por el autor en trabajos anteriores, se señalan tres subestructuras: impulsiva, sensorio motora y simbólico representacional, y dos funciones: afectiva e intelectual. En ellas se encuentran las subestructuras cerebrales propuestas, la especial diferenciación de los dos hemisferios y sus formas particulares de interacción con el ambiente. La propuesta actualizada, aporta aspectos sobre la naturaleza de la actividad mental y su proceso de desarrollo que sirven como punto de referencia para definir los alcances y límites de los diferentes enfoques en la práctica de la clínica mental, así como para organizar un trabajo interdisciplinario