The effect of task difficulty on feedback processing in children.

The study evaluated the effect of task difficulty on feedback processing as measured by the feedback related event related potentials (ERPs) in 7-11-years-old children. Children completed two declarative learning tasks that differed in the number of object-name pairs they were required to learn, deeming the task with twice as many pairs as more difficult. EEG was recorded during the tasks, and event related potentials time-locked to the feedback presentation were analyzed. Additionally, Accuracy was measured in test block at the end of each task. Behaviorally, children achieved better accuracy on the easy task than on the difficult task. In line with previous findings in adults, the FRN was not found sensitive to task difficulty. However, a feedback-related P300 and a fronto-central positivity that followed the FRN were found sensitive to task difficulty such that their amplitudes were larger in the easy task. This pattern is opposite to that reported previously in adults and may reflect the effect of motivation on attention allocation in children.

Autotransplantation after primary bone repair of a recipient site with a large periradicular lesion: a case report.

AIM: To describe a case of autotransplantation nine weeks after the extraction of a hopeless tooth with a large periradicular lesion, which enabled the healing of the recipient site. SUMMARY: A 19-year-old male in generally good health was referred for evaluation of tooth 46. Clinically, there were class III mobility and sensitivity to percussion and palpation. There was a mesio-lingual swelling and a single narrow deep pocket of 15 mm at the disto-lingual aspect. CBCT imaging revealed a radiolucent area over 15 mm in diameter that extended from the mesial aspect of the mesial root of tooth 47 to the distal aspect of tooth 45. The radiolucent area was in proximity to the inferior alveolar canal and penetrated the buccal and the lingual cortical plates. The tooth was diagnosed with previously treated tooth, acute apical abscess and vertical root fracture. Tooth 46 was extracted, and a delicate curettage and drainage were performed. Nine weeks afterwards, a second surgery was performed: extraction of the impacted immature third molar (tooth 48). Immediately after the extraction, the tooth was replanted in the healing socket of tooth 46, and sufficient initial stability achieved. At a 1-year follow-up, the tooth had normal mobility, no sensitivity to palpation and percussion, and responded to thermal pulp testing. The soft tissue was normal, probing depths up to 3-mm, without swelling or sinus tract. Radiographically, periapical healing at the recipient site was observed. Compared to the post-operative periapical radiography immediately after the procedure, there was no change in the distal root dimensions. In the mesial root, development of the root length and a closed apex was demonstrated.

Immediate and delayed auditory feedback in declarative learning: An examination of the feedback related event related potentials.

The study examined the effect of feedback timing on the FRN and N170 ERP components in the context of feedback-based learning, by manipulating feedback timing and presenting auditory feedback. Previous studies reported that the FRN was modulated by feedback timing when feedback was visual. Additionally, the N170 ERP component was recently found to be sensitive to the timing of visual feedback (Arbel et al., 2017). The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the extent to which the FRN and N170 are modulated by feedback timing when feedback is auditory. Thirty healthy young adults were tasked with learning the names of 56 novel objects through trial-and-error guided by feedback in a two-choice paired association task. The 56 object-name pairs were divided into four sets, each containing fourteen items presented in five training blocks and a sixth testing block. In two of the sets auditory feedback was given 500 ms following a response, and in the two other sets feedback delivery was delayed by 6500 ms. The FRN was not found sensitive to the timing of the auditory feedback. However, sensitivity to timing was found in the N1-P2 complex preceding the FRN. The N170 was found sensitive to both feedback timing and valence, providing additional evidence to its relevance to feedback processing. Moreover, the elicitation of the N170 by auditory feedback suggests that the system that gives rise to the N170 in the context of processing delayed feedback is not unique to visual input.

[Necrotizing ulcerative diseases in military population].

Necrotizing ulcerative diseases were prevalent in military personnel throughout history. Nowadays, its prevalence declined substantially in industrialized countries. Studies among immunocompromised patients suggest it is still a reason for concern among this population. We present two cases diagnosed and treated at our department. It seems that necrotizing ulcerative diseases are still a relevant entity in the Israeli Defense forces therefore it is of great importance to conduct proper diagnosis, treatment and follow up of the patients.

[Dental care to military dogs].

Oketz is a military special unit that operates different dog species for various missions. The dogs get routine medical and dental treatments in order to maintain their health and function. The dental treatment is based on the principles of contemporary dentistry for small animals. Furthermore, these working dogs need special care due to higher risk to trauma and attrition. The dogs go through routine dental examination and prophylactic dental cleaning. Each dental procedure is performed under general anesthesia; therefore it is well planned ahead including all the pre-operative workup needed. The article presents the current concepts of dental treatment of dogs especially in respect to their activity.

Physical and psychological stressors linked with stress fractures in recruit training.

This study aimed to measure ambulation in infantry army basic training, and to evaluate if covering more distance can explain stress fractures in a stressor-stress model. Forty-four male combat recruits (18.7 ± 0.7 years) participated in a 6-month rigorous high intensity combat training program. Baseline data included anthropometric measurements, VO(2)max, and psychological questionnaires. Actual distance covered was measured using a pedometer over an 11-week training period. Psychological questionnaires were repeated after 2 months. Sixteen recruits were diagnosed with stress fractures by imaging (SFi = 36.4%). Statistical analysis included comparing measured variables between SFi and those without stress fractures (NSF). The recruits covered 796 ± 157 km, twofold the distance planned of 378 km (P < 0.001). The SFi group covered a distance 16.4% greater than that of the NSF group (866 ± 136 and 744 ± 161 km, respectively, P < 0.01), and also demonstrated greater psychological stress. These data reveal the importance of adherence to or enforcement of military training programs. In the light of these data, the Israeli Defense Forces program needs reappraisal. A stressor-stress response might explain the susceptibility of certain recruits for injury. Using advanced technology, monitoring ambulation may prevent stress fracture development by limiting subjects exceeding a certain level. Psychological profile may also play a role in predicting stress fracture development.

Optimizing the P300-based brain-computer interface: current status, limitations and future directions.

This paper summarizes the presentations and discussions at a workshop held during the Fourth International BCI Meeting charged with reviewing and evaluating the current state, limitations and future development of P300-based brain-computer interface (P300-BCI) systems. We reviewed such issues as potential users, recording methods, stimulus presentation paradigms, feature extraction and classification algorithms, and applications. A summary of the discussions and the panel's recommendations for each of these aspects are presented.

Sexual activity and erectile dysfunction in elderly men with angiographically documented coronary artery disease.

We studied the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in elderly men, aged 65 years or above, with coronary artery disease (CAD) documented by coronary angiography. A total of 123 men (112 men with CAD and 11 men without CAD), mean age 74.6+/-5.9 years, was included. To detect ED and assess its severity, all participants were asked to complete the Sexual Health Inventory for Males (SHIM) questionnaire. Lack of sexual activity was more prevalent among men with CAD relative to men without CAD (31.3 vs 0.0%). Among the sexually active men, ED was more prevalent among men with CAD relative to men without CAD (85.7 vs 72.7%). A general linear model showed that age was the only factor associated with SHIM scores among the sexually active men with CAD (P=0.001). Other factors, such as the number of occluded coronary arteries, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, various medications and marital status, were not associated with SHIM scores in elderly men with CAD. We conclude that lack of sexual activity and ED are very common in elderly men with CAD. Among the sexually active men with CAD, ED severity is associated only with age.

Increased erythrocyte aggregation in men with coronary artery disease and erectile dysfunction.

We studied the association between erythrocyte aggregation (EA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with coronary artery disease (CAD). Men with CAD documented by coronary angiography filled the Sexual Health Inventory for Males questionnaire to detect ED and assess its severity. EA was evaluated by filming slides of blood smear. Low percentage of slide field covered by erythrocytes represented increased EA. Overall, 133 men with CAD, mean ages 62.4+/-12.2 years, were included: 100 (75.2%) with ED and 33 (24.8%) without ED. EA was increased among men with ED compared with men without ED (percentage of slide field covered by erythrocytes 66.7+/-14.7 vs 73.1+/-14.5%; P=0.03). After adjustment for age, diabetes mellitus, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, EA was associated with ED severity (r=0.18; P=0.038). We conclude that EA is increased in men with CAD and ED. This finding may be relevant to the pathophysiology of ED in men with CAD.

Lack of difference in the intimal medial thickness between the left and right carotid arteries in the young.

BACKGROUND: Carotid intimal medial thickening (c-IMT) is an established surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. There have been sporadic reports about an increase of c-IMT on the left carotid artery among populations with a mean age of +/-50 years. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is a difference in c-IMT between the two carotid arteries in a group of young healthy adults. METHODS: Ninety-eight healthy adults with a mean age of 28 years underwent blood tests to evaluate various cardiovascular risk factors as well as automated ultrasonic measurements of their c-IMT on both carotid arteries. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted between c-IMT on both sides. In fact, the c-IMT on left carotid artery in men (n = 52) was 0.625 +/- 0.078 mm while on the right carotid it was 0.626 +/- 0.075 mm (P = 0.884). The values for women (n = 46) were 0.615 +/- 0.059 mm and for men 0.622 +/- 0.0618 mm (P = 0.582), respectively. CONCLUSION: As opposed to a noted increase of c-IMT on the left carotid artery in older individuals, we did not find this difference in a group of young and relatively healthy adults. It is possible that if mechanical stress forces contribute to an enhanced left c-IMT, it takes a relatively long time to become evident.

Rheological consequences of acute infections: the rheodifference between viral and bacterial infections.

The aim of the present study was to explore the difference between viral and bacterial infections regarding the intensity of erythrocyte aggregation in the peripheral venous blood. Although a rheodifference in terms of erythrocyte aggregation between viral and bacterial infections has been shown by us in the past, the time from onset of disease was not included. We have presently included the time from the onset of disease in a group of 133 patients with an acute bacterial infection who showed a significantly enhanced erythrocyte aggregation as opposed to a group of 23 with viral ones and no increased erythrocyte aggregation despite of there being no significant difference in the time from onset of disease (55.7+/-55.6 hours in the bacterial group versus 50+/-35.2 in the viral one). In addition, we could match 22 patients with viral infections who presented the same fibrinogen concentrations (338+/-78 mg/dl) as those with acute bacterial ones (338+/-79 mg/dl). Although of borderline (p=0.06) significance, patients with an acute bacterial infection presented enhanced (vacuum radius=12.6+/-6.4 microns) erythrocyte aggregation as opposed to their isofibrinogenemic counterparts (vacuum radius=9.4+/-6.5 microns). Again, both groups presented no difference regarding the time from onset of disease. We conclude therefore that patients with acute bacterial infections present higher levels of erythrocyte aggregation. This is not a result of a shorter time interval from disease onset of the viral group. The known detrimental effects of increased erythrocyte aggregation regarding capillary slow flow, endothelial dysfunction and reduced tissue oxygenation might be therefore relevant in the context of patients with an acute infection, especially the bacterial ones.

Common endometrial decidual reaction in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen and progestogens.

In order to assess endometrial reaction to the combined treatment of tamoxifen and progestogens in asymptomatic postmenopausal breast cancer patients, we evaluated all such patients by vaginal ultrasonography and by histological examination of endometrial samplings. All patients were initially treated with tamoxifen, and progestogens were then added when metastases became evident. Of 12 patients included in the study, eight (66.66%) showed evidence of strong endometrial stromal decidualization, while three (25%) had decidual reactions in endometrial polyps. Overall, 11 (91.66%) of the patients had decidual reactions, and all were treated with progestogens for > or = 3 consecutive months. One patient, treated with progestogens for 1 months, had an inactive endometrium. All but three had thickened endometria (> 10 mm) on ultrasonographic evaluation. These data show that postmenopausal breast cancer patients who received progestogens for < or = 3 months, and who concomitantly took tamoxifen, had a uniform decidual reaction in all uteri.

Antibiotic for cesarean section: the case for 'true' prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess prospectively the efficiency and safety of two extended spectrum cephalosporins used as pre-operative prophylaxis in nonelective cesarean sections, and compare the results to those of a third group of patients that received cefamezine post cord clamping. METHODS: Two hundred and forty one patients undergoing a nonscheduled cesarean section were assigned to receive either cefonicid or ceftriaxone prior to skin incision. These patients were followed prospectively for infectious and fetal complications. The outcome of these patients was also compared with another group of 194 patients that received cefamezine prophylaxis post cord clamping, and whose data were collected retrospectively. Chi-square analysis of variance were performed with P < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the febrile complications among the two groups of patients that received pre-operative prophylaxis. However, these patients had significantly less wound infections (P = 0.008) and a significantly shorter hospital stay (P < 0.001) than the patients who received their prophylactic antibiotics post cord clamping. CONCLUSIONS: Extended-spectrum cephalosporins, when given pre-operatively, are both effective and safe, and may have an advantage over intra-operative first generation cephalosporins in the reduction of post cesarean section infectious morbidity.

Maternal and fetal serum and tissue levels of ceftriaxone following preoperative prophylaxis in emergency cesarean section.

The use of antibiotic prophylaxis in emergency cesarean section has become the standard of care. Concern over fetal exposure has been the reason that antibiotics are traditionally given post cord clamping, but this does not allow adequate antibiotic levels in maternal blood and tissue to be achieved at the stage of incision and during surgery. We evaluated by bioassay maternal and fetal serum and placental ceftriaxone concentrations following the intravenous administration of 1.0 g of ceftriaxone upon the decision to perform cesarean section. The preoperative prophylaxis with ceftriaxone resulted in adequate protective levels in the mother and very low fetal blood levels.

Transvaginal ultrasonographic quantitative assessment of accumulated cul-de-sac fluid.

Preoperative quantitative assessment of pelvic fluid is an important diagnostic tool in clinical decision making. In this study, we used high-frequency transvaginal ultrasonography in 10 healthy women to assess both the correlation between various amounts of fluid installed in the cul-de-sac and ultrasonic imaging and to determine whether correct estimation of fluid volume can be reached. No fluid could be ultrasonically detected when the volume was less than 35 to 40 ml. Between 35 and 100 ml there was a clear image of accumulated fluid in the cul-de-sac with good correlation between volume and image, whereas with larger amounts no clear correlation between the amount of fluid introduced and size of fluid area visualized by ultrasonography was possible. Transvaginal ultrasonography may enable quantitative evaluation of certain volumes of pelvic fluid, although amounts less than 35 ml cannot be visualized.

Effect of Iraqi missile war on incidence of acute myocardial infarction and sudden death in Israeli civilians.

The Iraqi missile attack on Israel provided a unique opportunity to study the effects of fright due to a perceived threat of annihilation on the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and sudden death among the civilian population. During the first days of the Gulf war we noted a sharp rise in the incidence of acute MI and sudden death in our area compared with five control periods. Patient population in the various study periods did not differ significantly in age, sex ratio, hospital mortality, or proportion of patients in whom the acute event was the first presentation of coronary disease. However, during the first period of the war there were more cases of anterior wall MI and more patients received thrombolytic therapy than during control periods. Despite the continuing missile threat, the incidence of acute MI reverted to normal after the initial phase of the Gulf war.