Characterization of HIV risks in a Brazilian sickle cell disease population.

BACKGROUND: A low prevalence of HIV in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients has been reported in the literature though mechanisms for this are not understood. METHODS: HIV risk behaviors were compared between SCD cases and non-SCD controls using a self-administered audio computer-assisted self-interview. SCD cases were recruited from a multi-center SCD cohort established in Brazil; controls were recruited from SCD social contacts. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-Square or Fisher exact test. Continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were 152 SCD cases and 154 age/location matched controls enrolled at three participating Brazilian centers during 2016-17. No significant differences in number of sexual partners (lifetime or previous 12 months), male-to-male sex partners or intravenous drug use were observed. Cases received more transfusions, surgeries, and acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Besides the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV, which is now exceedingly rare, SCD and non-SCD participants demonstrated similar HIV risk behaviors. Causes other than risk behaviors such as factors inherent to SCD pathophysiology may explain the reported low prevalence of HIV in SCD.

Enhancing thermoelectrochemical properties by tethering ferrocene to the anion or cation of ionic liquids: altered thermodynamics and solubility.

Entropic changes inherent within a redox process typically result in significant temperature sensitivity. This can be utilised positively or can be a detrimental process. This study has investigated the thermoelectrochemical properties (temperature-dependant electrochemistry) of the ferrocenium|ferrocene redox couple in an ionic liquid, and in particular the effect of covalently tethering this redox couple to fixed positive or negative charges. As such, the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide was employed to dissolve ferrocene, as well as cationic-tethered ferrocene (the 1-ethyl-3-(methylferrocenyl)imidazolium cation) and anionic-tethered ferrocene (the ferrocenylsulfonyl(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion). These systems were characterised in terms of their voltammetry (apparent formal potentials, diffusion coefficients and electron transfer rate constants) and thermoelectrochemistry (temperature coefficients of the cell potential or 'Seebeck coefficients', short circuit current densities and power density outputs). The oxidised cationic species behaved like a dicationic species and was thus 6-fold more effective at converting waste thermal energy to electrical power within a thermoelectrochemical cell than unmodified ferrocene. This was almost exclusively due to a significant boost in the Seebeck coefficient of this redox couple. Conversely, the oxidised anionic species was formally a zwitterion, but this zwitterionic species behaved thermodynamically like a neutral species. The inverted entropic change upon going from ferrocene to anion-tethered ferrocene allowed development of a largely temperature-insensitive reference potential based upon a mixture of acetylferrocene and ferricenyl(iii)sulfonyl(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.

[Effects of gender and socioeconomic status of older people on the execution of the 6 minute walk test]. / Distancia recorrida y costo fisiológico según el nivel socioeconómico y género durante la prueba de caminata en seis minutos en adultos mayores autovalentes de la ciudad de Talca.

BACKGROUND: The six minute walk test (6MWT) is an important physical performance measure used in older people. AIM: To assess the total distance walked and the physiological cost of the 6MWT in non-disabled older people. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty six females aged 69 ± 5 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 31 ± 4 kg/m² and sixteen males aged 70 ± 7 years with a BIM of 29 ± 4 kg/m² underwent a 6MWT. The total distance walked was registered and the physiological cost (PC) of the test was calculated as the ratio between the difference of heart rate at work and at rest and the walking speed. The socioeconomic status (SES) of participants was determined using a questionnaire designed in Chile. RESULTS: Among participants of middle-lower and middle-upper SES, the PC was 0.43 ± 0.1 and 0.44 ± 0.09 beats/min, respectively, p = NS. Males of middle-upper SES had a significantly higher PC than their middle-lower SES counterparts. The total distance walked was 493 ± 58 and 501 ± 63 m among participants of upper and lower SES. The plateau in reserve heart rate appeared earlier among participants of upper SES of both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Older participants of middle-upper SES had a higher physiological efficiency during the execution of the 6MWT.

Atomic lighthouse effect.

We investigate the deflection of light by a cold atomic cloud when the light-matter interaction is locally tuned via the Zeeman effect using magnetic field gradients. This "lighthouse" effect is strongest in the single-scattering regime, where deviation of the incident field is largest. For optically dense samples, the deviation is reduced by collective effects, as the increase in linewidth leads to a decrease in magnetic field efficiency.

[Theta/beta ratio (NEBA) in the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]. / Cociente theta/beta (NEBA) en el diagnóstico del trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad.

INTRODUCTION: In July 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of NEBA as the first device for the complementary evaluation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is based on quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and includes the standardised theta/beta ratio, the results of which were consistent with both the medical and psychological clinical evaluation. Likewise, it has proved to be a useful tool for determining whether the ADHD is primary, secondary or comorbid to another pathology. Yet, to date no publications have specified whether it is a total theta/beta ratio or theta/beta-1 and theta/beta-2. Additionally, no data are provided to be able to discriminate between diagnostic subtypes of ADHD. AIMS: To quantify the theta/beta ratios, by means of qEEG, in a sample of patients from the Rio de la Plata area with a main confirmed diagnosis of ADHD, in order to compare the neurophysiological patterns according to the diagnostic subtypes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used a randomised stratified sample of 62 subjects of both sexes, with ages between 8 and 17 years, distributed into two groups, depending on the diagnostic subtype: attention deficit subtype of ADHD (n = 31) and the combined subtype of ADHD (n = 31). RESULTS: High theta/beta-1 and theta/beta-2 ratios were confirmed in the Cz region, being higher than the ratios in the C3 and C4 areas. Moderate and statistically significant differences were found between the two subtypes only in the beta-1 band in the occipital regions. The analysis of the interhemispheric coherence suggests an association of the power peak crossed with the diagnostic subtype, which is the fastest peak (10 Hz) for the combined subtype. No important differences are found on analysing the phase spectra or the theta/beta ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Although the scientific literature, especially the NEBA system, highlights the importance of the theta/beta ratio in the differential diagnosis of ADHD in control samples and other neurodevelopmental disorders, a distinction must be made between beta-1 and beta-2.

TITLE: Cociente theta/beta (NEBA) en el diagnostico del trastorno por deficit de atencion/hiperactividad.Introduccion. En julio del año 2013, la Food and Drug Administration estadounidense aprobo el NEBA como el primer dispositivo para la evaluacion complementaria del trastorno por deficit de atencion/hiperactividad (TDAH), basado en el electroencefalograma cuantificado (EEGq) e incluyendo la relacion theta/beta estandarizada, cuyos resultados fueron consistentes con la evaluacion clinica, tanto medica como psicologica, y es una herramienta util para determinar si el TDAH es primario, secundario o comorbido a otro trastorno. Sin embargo, ninguna de las publicaciones, hasta la fecha, especifica si se trata de un cociente theta/beta total, o theta/beta-1 y theta/beta-2, como tampoco se aportan datos para discriminar entre subtipos diagnosticos del TDAH. Objetivo. Cuantificar los cocientes theta/beta, a traves del EEGq, en una muestra de pacientes rioplatenses con diagnostico principal confirmado de TDAH, para comparar el patron neurofisiologico segun el subtipo diagnostico. Pacientes y metodos. Muestra aleatoria estratificada de 62 sujetos de ambos sexos, de 8 a 17 años, distribuidos en dos grupos segun subtipo diagnostico, TDAH subtipo deficit de atencion (n = 31) y TDAH subtipo combinado (n = 31). Resultados. Se confirman cocientes altos theta/beta-1 y theta/beta-2 en la region Cz, mayores a los cocientes en las areas C3 y C4. Se encontraron diferencias moderadas y estadisticamente significativas entre los dos subtipos solo en la banda beta-1 en las regiones occipitales. El analisis de la coherencia interhemisferica sugiere una asociacion del pico de potencia cruzada con el subtipo diagnostico, que para el subtipo combinado es el pico mas rapido (10 Hz). No se encuentran diferencias importantes al analizar los espectros de fase, ni los cocientes theta/alfa. Conclusiones. Si bien la bibliografia cientifica, especificamente el sistema NEBA, plantea la importancia del cociente theta/beta en el diagnostico diferencial del TDAH de muestras controles y otros trastornos del neurodesarrollo, es necesario discriminar entre beta-1 y beta-2.

Cociente theta/beta (NEBA) en el diagnóstico del trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad / Theta/beta ratio (NEBA) in the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introducción. En julio del año 2013, la Food and Drug Administration estadounidense aprobó el NEBA como el primer dispositivo para la evaluación complementaria del trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH), basado en el electroencefalograma cuantificado (EEGq) e incluyendo la relación theta/beta estandarizada, cuyos resultados fueron consistentes con la evaluación clínica, tanto médica como psicológica, y es una herramienta útil para determinar si el TDAH es primario, secundario o comórbido a otro trastorno. Sin embargo, ninguna de las publicaciones, hasta la fecha, especifica si se trata de un cociente theta/beta total, o theta/beta-1 y theta/beta-2, como tampoco se aportan datos para discriminar entre subtipos diagnósticos del TDAH. Objetivo. Cuantificar los cocientes theta/beta, a través del EEGq, en una muestra de pacientes rioplatenses con diagnóstico principal confirmado de TDAH, para comparar el patrón neurofisiológico según el subtipo diagnóstico. Pacientes y métodos. Muestra aleatoria estratificada de 62 sujetos de ambos sexos, de 8 a 17 años, distribuidos en dos grupos según subtipo diagnóstico, TDAH subtipo déficit de atención (n = 31) y TDAH subtipo combinado (n = 31). Resultados. Se confirman cocientes altos theta/beta-1 y theta/beta-2 en la región Cz, mayores a los cocientes en las áreas C3 y C4. Se encontraron diferencias moderadas y estadísticamente significativas entre los dos subtipos sólo en la banda beta-1 en las regiones occipitales. El análisis de la coherencia interhemisférica sugiere una asociación del pico de potencia cruzada con el subtipo diagnóstico, que para el subtipo combinado es el pico más rápido (10 Hz). No se encuentran diferencias importantes al analizar los espectros de fase, ni los cocientes theta/alfa. Conclusiones. Si bien la bibliografía científica, específicamente el sistema NEBA, plantea la importancia del cociente theta/ beta en el diagnóstico diferencial del TDAH de muestras controles y otros trastornos del neurodesarrollo, es necesario discriminar entre beta-1 y beta-2 (AU)

Introduction. In July 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of NEBA as the first device for the complementary evaluation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is based on quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and includes the standardised theta/beta ratio, the results of which were consistent with both the medical and psychological clinical evaluation. Likewise, it has proved to be a useful tool for determining whether the ADHD is primary, secondary or comorbid to another pathology. Yet, to date no publications have specified whether it is a total theta/beta ratio or theta/beta-1 and theta/beta-2. Additionally, no data are provided to be able to discriminate between diagnostic subtypes of ADHD. Aims. To quantify the theta/beta ratios, by means of qEEG, in a sample of patients from the Rio de la Plata area with a main confirmed diagnosis of ADHD, in order to compare the neurophysiological patterns according to the diagnostic subtypes. Patients and methods. We used a randomised stratified sample of 62 subjects of both sexes, with ages between 8 and 17 years, distributed into two groups, depending on the diagnostic subtype: attention deficit subtype of ADHD (n = 31) and the combined subtype of ADHD (n = 31). Results. High theta/beta-1 and theta/beta-2 ratios were confirmed in the Cz region, being higher than the ratios in the C3 and C4 areas. Moderate and statistically significant differences were found between the two subtypes only in the beta-1 band in the occipital regions. The analysis of the interhemispheric coherence suggests an association of the power peak crossed with the diagnostic subtype, which is the fastest peak (10 Hz) for the combined subtype. No important differences are found on analysing the phase spectra or the theta/beta ratios. Conclusions. Although the scientific literature, especially the NEBA system, highlights the importance of the theta/beta ratio in the differential diagnosis of ADHD in control samples and other neurodevelopmental disorders, a distinction must be made between beta-1 and beta-2 (AU)

Trastornos de las funciones ejecutivas. Diagnóstico y tratamiento / Disorders of executive functions. Diagnosis and treatment

Introducción. Los diferentes aportes de la literatura científica ratifican, desde hace un par de décadas, a la corteza prefrontal como base neurobiológica de las funciones ejecutivas. En la actualidad, tanto los protocolos de evaluación para la realización del diagnóstico como la estructuración de los planes de tratamiento y estimulación neurocognitiva deben hacer la lectura de cada uno de los síndromes prefrontales (dorsolateral, medial o del cíngulo anterior, y orbitofrontal) implicados en la etiopatogenia de los diferentes trastornos del neurodesarrollo y del adulto en los que se ven afectadas las funciones ejecutivas. Objetivos. Exponer los últimos avances sobre diagnóstico y tratamiento de las funciones ejecutivas y resaltar la importancia de identificar y comprender en la fase diagnóstica y en la rehabilitación neurocognitiva los tres síndromes de disfunción prefrontal. Desarrollo. Se realiza una revisión bibliográfica sobre los últimos avances neurocientíficos alrededor de las bases neurobiológicas, neuropsicológicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento de las funciones ejecutivas. Conclusión. Cada día la comunidad neurocientífica ratifica la importancia de identificar y comprender en la etapa diagnóstica los circuitos cerebrales, específicamente los síndromes de disfunción prefrontal implicados en los déficits neuropsicológicos de los diferentes trastornos del neurodesarrollo y del adulto para poder establecer protocolos eficaces de estimulación neurocognitiva (AU)

Introduction. Different contributions to the scientific literature made over the last few decades have confirmed the prefrontal cortex as the neurobiological basis of the executive functions. Today, both the evaluation protocols for carrying out diagnoses and the structuring of the treatment and neurocognitive stimulation plans must interpret each of the prefrontal syndromes (dorsolateral, medial or of the anterior cingulate, and orbitofrontal) involved in the aetiopathogenesis of the different neurodevelopmental and adult disorders in which the executive functions are affected. Aims. To report on the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment of the executive functions and to stress the importance of identifying and understanding the three syndromes of prefrontal dysfunction in the phase of diagnosis and in neurocognitive rehabilitation. Development. The authors carry out a review of the literature on the latest advances in neuroscience as regards the neurobiological and neuropsychological foundations of the executive functions and their diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions. Every day, the scientific community confirms the importance of identifying and understanding the brain circuits in the diagnostic stage, especially the prefrontal dysfunction syndromes involved in the neuropsychological deficits of the different neurodevelopmental and adult disorders, so as to be able to establish effective neurocognitive stimulation protocols (AU)

[Disorders of executive functions. Diagnosis and treatment]. / Trastornos de las funciones ejecutivas. Diagnóstico y tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION: Different contributions to the scientific literature made over the last few decades have confirmed the prefrontal cortex as the neurobiological basis of the executive functions. Today, both the evaluation protocols for carrying out diagnoses and the structuring of the treatment and neurocognitive stimulation plans must interpret each of the prefrontal syndromes (dorsolateral, medial or of the anterior cingulate, and orbitofrontal) involved in the aetiopathogenesis of the different neurodevelopmental and adult disorders in which the executive functions are affected. AIMS: To report on the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment of the executive functions and to stress the importance of identifying and understanding the three syndromes of prefrontal dysfunction in the phase of diagnosis and in neurocognitive rehabilitation. DEVELOPMENT: The authors carry out a review of the literature on the latest advances in neuroscience as regards the neurobiological and neuropsychological foundations of the executive functions and their diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Every day, the scientific community confirms the importance of identifying and understanding the brain circuits in the diagnostic stage, especially the prefrontal dysfunction syndromes involved in the neuropsychological deficits of the different neurodevelopmental and adult disorders, so as to be able to establish effective neurocognitive stimulation protocols.

TITLE: Trastornos de las funciones ejecutivas. Diagnostico y tratamiento.Introduccion. Los diferentes aportes de la literatura cientifica ratifican, desde hace un par de decadas, a la corteza prefrontal como base neurobiologica de las funciones ejecutivas. En la actualidad, tanto los protocolos de evaluacion para la realizacion del diagnostico como la estructuracion de los planes de tratamiento y estimulacion neurocognitiva deben hacer la lectura de cada uno de los sindromes prefrontales (dorsolateral, medial o del cingulo anterior, y orbitofrontal) implicados en la etiopatogenia de los diferentes trastornos del neurodesarrollo y del adulto en los que se ven afectadas las funciones ejecutivas. Objetivos. Exponer los ultimos avances sobre diagnostico y tratamiento de las funciones ejecutivas y resaltar la importancia de identificar y comprender en la fase diagnostica y en la rehabilitacion neurocognitiva los tres sindromes de disfuncion prefrontal. Desarrollo. Se realiza una revision bibliografica sobre los ultimos avances neurocientificos alrededor de las bases neurobiologicas, neuropsicologicas, diagnostico y tratamiento de las funciones ejecutivas. Conclusion. Cada dia la comunidad neurocientifica ratifica la importancia de identificar y comprender en la etapa diagnostica los circuitos cerebrales, especificamente los sindromes de disfuncion prefrontal implicados en los deficits neuropsicologicos de los diferentes trastornos del neurodesarrollo y del adulto para poder establecer protocolos eficaces de estimulacion neurocognitiva.

[Pharmacological update in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: models of intervention and new drugs]. / Actualizacion farmacologica en el trastorno por deficit de atencion/hiperactividad: modelos de intervencion y nuevos farmacos.

INTRODUCTION. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most frequent neurodevelopmental problem in childhood, with significant repercussions that continue into adulthood. This means that an appropriate therapeutic intervention is vital to improve its prognosis. AIMS. To identify the ideal pharmacological options according to the characteristics of the patient and to report on the new drugs. DEVELOPMENT. The work analyses how therapeutic interventions can be conditioned by the anatomical substrate of the brain, the biochemical bases, genetics, neurophysiological examinations, neuropsychological studies and the clinical symptoms and subtypes. A significant amount of importance is granted to neuropsychological studies, especially those dealing with the executive functions, including evaluation of attention, impulse control, and interference and cognitive flexibility. Taking into consideration the signal-to-noise characteristics can be useful when it comes to choosing the drug. CONCLUSIONS. The development of the pharmacological therapeutic options in ADHD opens up expectations concerning applicability and greater specificity in daily practice to fit the characteristics of each patient. Psychoeducation must always be included and a thorough study of each particular child is recommended. This should involve analysing the neuropsychological features of his or her brain function in order to be able to reflect on the ideal pharmacological option that allows more favourable progress.

[Executive function training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]. / Entrenamiento de funciones ejecutivas en el trastorno por deficit de atencion/hiperactividad.

INTRODUCTION: A number of different treatments have been proposed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet little material has been published in the literature to improve the performance of the mechanisms behind attention, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility and working memory in these children. We think that a working model that is effective in the treatment of persons with ADHD can only be consolidated by means of a thorough understanding of the syndromes involved in this deficit. DEVELOPMENT: In addition to reviewing the latest and most significant proposals aimed at improving the cognitive under-standing of the disorder, this work also refers to three neurobiological syndromes that are recognised as forming part of ADHD, i.e. medial cingulate syndrome, dorsolateral syndrome and orbitofrontal syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in neuroscientific research and the design of computerised treatment materials offer extremely valuable data that will undoubtedly help to improve the results of psychopedagogical and neuropsychological interventions in ADHD, since they provide information about the temporal and spatial equation.

Síndrome de déficit de atención, del control motor y de la percepción (DAMP): perfil neuropsicológico / Deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP) syndrome: neuropsychological profile

Introducción. El síndrome de déficit de atención, del control motor y de la percepción (DAMP) es un trastorno aún no bien definido, ya que debido a sus particulares características genera confusión al momento de delimitar un diagnóstico diferencial con trastornos del neurodesarrollo, por tal motivo se realiza una descripción del perfil neuropsicológico característico. Pacientes y métodos. Se evaluó a 22 niños (11 niños y 11 niñas) de 9 a 18 años. Criterio de inclusión: diagnóstico de trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad con trastorno de la coordinación motora según el Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales, cuarta edición. Se administró una batería para evaluar la inteligencia, la atención, las funciones ejecutivas, las funciones visuoespaciales y perceptivas, así como también el perfil psicológico. Resultados. El perfil neuropsicológico de este grupo clínico demostró un cociente intelectual dentro del límite inferior de la normalidad y dificultades en la percepción e identificación de la forma, así como tiempos de reacción y ejecución de tareas muy lentos, lo que sumado a la torpeza motriz tiene como resultado producciones deficientes. Alta incidencia de conductas de retraimiento y tendencia depresiva. Conclusiones. Las características fundamentales, además del trastorno de atención y de la coordinación motora, fueron los tiempos de reacción y de procesamiento lento, así como las dificultades perceptivas (AU)

Introduction. Deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP) syndrome is a disorder that has still not been very well defined, since its particular characteristics lead to confusion when it comes to delimiting a differential diagnosis with neurodevelopmental disorders. For this reason, in this work we offer a description of the characteristic neuropsychological profile. Patients and methods. Twenty-two children (11 boys and 11 girls) between 9 and 18 years of age were evaluated. Eligibility criterion: a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with involvement of motor coordination according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. A battery was administered in order to evaluate the intelligence, attention, executive functions, visuospatial and perceptive functions, as well as the psychological profile. Results. The neuropsychological profile of this clinical group showed an intelligence quotient above the lower limit of what can be considered normal and difficulties in the perception and identification of shapes, as well as very slow reaction and task realisation times. When added to motor clumsiness, all this results in deficient productions. There was also a high incidence of withdrawal behaviours and a tendency towards depression. Conclusions. The fundamental features, in addition to the disorders affecting attention and motor coordination, were the slow reaction and processing times, and the perceptive difficulties (AU)

[Controversial aspects of the attention deficit disorder]. / Aspectos controvertidos en el trastorno de déficit de atención.

In the last decades there have been those in favor of recognizing the attention deficit disorder (ADD) as a neurodevelopment entity with a strong neurobiological basis responding to a specific interdisciplinary treatment versus those who think, sustain and defend that the accumulated scientific evidence is not sufficient to justify the disorder as a development anomaly in need of a specific therapeutic outline. The attention model versus the autoregulation model are described. The neurological basis of the disorder is discussed analyzing the use of functional neuroimages such as PET (positron emission tomography), SPECT (single photon emission tomography) and FMR (functional magnetic resonance) neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry of neurotransmitters up to genetics. The importance of an adequate diagnosis is emphasized, analyzing the cognitive areas involved and trying to differentiate the ADD types, and to determine in some cases the phenotype or phenocopy of the disorder. The different treatments advocated are discussed taking into account the interdisciplinary approaches. Finally, a complete analysis of the information available is presented and conclusions are drawn to facilitate the understanding of this disorder.

Aspectos controvertidos en el trastorno de déficit de atención / Controversial aspects of the attention deficit disorder

En las últimas décadas hemos visto como se han ido distanciando quienes están a favor de reconocer al TDAH como un trastorno del neurodesarrollo con fuerte base neurobiológica, que responde a un tratamiento específico de modalidad interdisciplinar y por otro lado, quienes piensan, sostienen y defienden que la evidencia científica acumulada no es suficiente para justificar la presencia de este cuadro como una anormalidad del desarrollo que merecería un abordaje terapéutico propio. Se describen las hipótesis del modelo atencional versus modelo de autorregulación, Se exponen las bases neurobiológicas del trastorno, haciendo un análisis desde las neuroimágenes funcionales, como por ejemplo el PET (tomografía por emisión de positrones), SPECT (tomografía de emisión de fotón único) y la RMF (resonancia magnética funcional), neuroanatomía, neurofisiología, neuroquímica de neurotransmisores hasta la genética. Luego se hace hincapié en las características del abordaje diagnóstico adecuado, analizando las áreas cognitivas involucradas en el trastorno, que nos posibilitará diferenciar los tipos de TDAH y en algunos casos el origen del trastorno, ya sea fenotipo o fenocopia. También se enumera una recopilación sobre la evidencia preexistente con respecto al tratamiento del TDAH y cuales tienen que ser las características de un abordaje completo e interdisciplinar. Por ultimo se hace un análisis de toda la información y se dan conclusiones útiles para la comprensión del trastorno.

In the last decades there have been those in favor of recognizing the attention deficit disorder (ADD) as a neurodevelopment entity with a strong neurobiological basis responding to a specific interdisciplinary treatment versus those who think, sustain and defend that the accumulated scientific evidence is not sufficient to justify the disorder as a development anomaly in need of a specific therapeutic outline. The attention model versus the autoregulation model are described. The neurological basis of the disorder is discussed analyzing the use of functional neuroimages such as PET (positron emission tomography), SPECT (single photon emission tomography) and FMR (functional magnetic resonance) neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry of neurotransmitters up to genetics. The importance of an adequate diagnosis is emphasized, analyzing the cognitive areas involved and trying to differentiate the ADD types, and to determine in some cases the phenotype or phenocopy of the disorder. The different treatments advocated are discussed taking into account the interdisciplinary approaches. Finally, a complete analysis of the information available is presented and conclusions are drawn to facilitate the understanding of this disorder.

Multivessel revascularization on the beating heart by anterolateral left thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass is commonly performed through a full median sternotomy; however, the tendency to reduce surgical trauma has stimulated cardiac surgeons to use less invasive techniques for single-vessel disease. The use of thoracotomy for reoperative and valvular surgery has also been reported, but its application in primary revascularization is still uncommon. We report here a series of consecutive patients who underwent complete myocardial revascularization on the beating heart through anterolateral thoracotomy-coronary artery bypass (ALT-CAB). METHODS: From November 2002 to July 2005, 255 patients (75.7% male, median age 57.9 +/- 10.1 years) underwent complete revascularization using the ALT-CAB approach. Eighty-two patients (32.2%) had low ejection fraction, 145 (56.9%) previous myocardial infarct, and 215 (84.3%) multivessel disease. The mean EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) was 3.8 and the Parsonnet score was 7.8. RESULTS: Complete revascularization was achieved in all patients (mean number of grafts 3.3 +/- 1.0). There were no conversions to cardiopulmonary bypass, and 3 patients died (1.2%). Two hundred thirty-seven patients (93.3%) were extubated in the operating room, and 164 patients (65.1%) were discharged home within 48 hours after surgery. Two patients (0.8%) experienced a stroke and 5 (2%) needed reexploration for bleeding. There was 1 perioperative myocardial infarction (0.4%), and 14 patients (5.5%) experienced postoperative atrial fibrillation. Five patients (2%) required treatment as an outpatient for superficial wound infection, 11 (4.4%) for left pleural effusion, and 11 (4.4%) for transient phrenic nerve palsy, which resolved spontaneously. Follow-up (median, 14.6 +/- 9.7 months) survival was 97.6%. One patient (0.4%), experienced a new myocardial infarction, 9 (3.6%) required new coronary angiography for recurrent of angina, and 3 of these (1.2%) underwent angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Complete revascularization on the beating heart through an anterolateral thoracotomy is safe and feasible in the majority of patients requiring coronary artery surgery.

Shifting-related brain magnetic activity in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: Current theories suggest a role for frontal-striatal circuits in the pathogenesis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure event-related brain activity during a simplified version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in children with DSM-IV combined type ADHD (ADHD-C) or predominantly inattentive type ADHD (ADHD-PI) and in age- and intelligence-matched control children. RESULTS: In control children, set-shifting cues evoked a higher degree of activation in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) between 200 and 300 msec than non-shifting cues, with MTL activation predicting later activity in left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (at 400-500 msec). This MTL-ACC response pattern was diminished in children with ADHD. By contrast, children with ADHD showed early activity in regions barely activated in control children, such as left inferior parietal lobe and posterior superior temporal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data support theories of frontal dysfunction in ADHD but also suggest that deficits in higher-level functions might be secondary to disruptions in earlier limbic processes.

Seminal vesicle cystadenoma: a case report and literature review.

Primary tumors of the seminal vesicle are rare; most reported cases are carcinomas, with occasional reports of primary seminal vesicle sarcoma and an uncommon group of mixed epithelial-stromal tumors. The latter have been variably reported in the literature as cystadenoma, phyllodes tumor, and mullerian adenosarcoma-like tumor. We describe a 37-year-old man who presented with symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction and was found to have a pelvic mass. Resection of the mass yielded a biphasic tumor characterized by cystically dilated glandular spaces admixed with spindle-shaped stromal cells. There was no significant cytologic atypia or mitotic activity. The histologic features are most consistent with the reported cases of cystadenoma. The patient is alive, with no evidence of disease, 6 months after surgery. This case adds to the gradually growing body of literature on mixed epithelial-stromal tumors of the seminal vesicle.

Xylanolytic enzyme production by an Aspergillus niger isolate.

Production of xylanolytic enzymes by an Aspergillus niger CCMI 850 isolate was investigated in batch cultures. The effect of the composition of a fermentation medium that did not include chemical inducers, on beta-xylanase, beta-xylosidase, alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase, and total cellulase activity was studied. With 4% xylan as the carbon source, about 65 U/mL of beta-xylanase was obtained, whereas the total cellulase activity was undetectable, under the specified conditions. This beta-xylanase activity represents the highest reported for a wild-type strain of A. niger. The effect of pH and temperature on the activity of beta-xylanase was studied. Partial characterization of the beta-xylanase showed that with insoluble birchwood as substrate the Km and Vmax were 0.3 mM and 19 mumol/min, respectively. Aspects of using the crude beta-xylanase preparation for applications in the pulp and paper industry were discussed.