Partial Bell-State Measurement with Type-II Parametric Down Conversion: Extracting Phase Information from the Zeropoint Field (I).

In this paper, the nexus between the Bell-state measurement and extracting phase information from the zeropoint field is investigated. For this purpose, the Wigner representation in the Heisenberg picture is applied in a Bell-type experiment in which the polarisation-entangled photon pairs generated in a type-II parametric down-conversion do not overlap. The signal intensities at the detectors are calculated in a four-mode approximation, being expressed as functions of the modules and phases of the four zeropoint amplitudes entering the crystal. A general criterion for identifying the correlated detectors is proposed based on the equality of the signal intensities, and without involving the calculation of the joint detection probabilities. In addition, from the analyses in the rectilinear and diagonal basis, it is shown that the distinguishability of the polarisation Bell states, which is in direct correspondence with the joint detection events in each experiment, can be related to the knowledge of the phases of the vacuum field entering the entanglement source, and giving rise to correlated detections. To this purpose, it is conjectured that a detection event is associated with a maximum value of the signal intensity averaged in the modules of the zeropoint amplitudes, as a function of the vacuum phases.

Implantable brain-computer interface for neuroprosthetic-enabled volitional hand grasp restoration in spinal cord injury.

Loss of hand function after cervical spinal cord injury severely impairs functional independence. We describe a method for restoring volitional control of hand grasp in one 21-year-old male subject with complete cervical quadriplegia (C5 American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A) using a portable fully implanted brain-computer interface within the home environment. The brain-computer interface consists of subdural surface electrodes placed over the dominant-hand motor cortex and connects to a transmitter implanted subcutaneously below the clavicle, which allows continuous reading of the electrocorticographic activity. Movement-intent was used to trigger functional electrical stimulation of the dominant hand during an initial 29-weeks laboratory study and subsequently via a mechanical hand orthosis during in-home use. Movement-intent information could be decoded consistently throughout the 29-weeks in-laboratory study with a mean accuracy of 89.0% (range 78-93.3%). Improvements were observed in both the speed and accuracy of various upper extremity tasks, including lifting small objects and transferring objects to specific targets. At-home decoding accuracy during open-loop trials reached an accuracy of 91.3% (range 80-98.95%) and an accuracy of 88.3% (range 77.6-95.5%) during closed-loop trials. Importantly, the temporal stability of both the functional outcomes and decoder metrics were not explored in this study. A fully implanted brain-computer interface can be safely used to reliably decode movement-intent from motor cortex, allowing for accurate volitional control of hand grasp.

Abordaje nutricional en pacientes con parálisis cerebral, espectro autista, síndrome de Down: un enfoque integral / Nutritional approach in patients with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorders, and Down syndrome: a comprehensive approach

RESUMEN Las enfermedades mentales abarcan un grupo de patologías relacionadas con factores fisiológicos, genéticos, psicológicos, sociales y medioambientales. Dentro de estas enfermedades se encuentran la parálisis cerebral, la discapacidad mental, la enfermedad del espectro autista y el síndrome de Down, las cuales son abordadas en la presente revisión. El abordaje integral del paciente por parte del equipo de salud es imprescindible. Se destaca el rol del nutricionista dietista, ya que su atención oportuna y regular permite evitar el deterioro del estado nutricional, el compromiso de la talla en caso de niños, o adquirir comorbilidades prevenibles en adultos, como sucede cuando está presente una de las complicaciones comunes como el reflujo gastroesofágico y la disfagia, permitiendo mejorar la calidad de vida de pacientes, cuidadores y familia. A pesar de esto, los sistemas de salud sólo autorizan la atención nutricional cada dos o tres meses; adicional a esto, se suman el tiempo prolongado que tardan los trámites para la consulta y las autorizaciones, pudiendo desencadenarse complicaciones que ponen en riesgo la vida del paciente. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica en bases de datos Scielo, Dialnet, PubMed, para soportar la importancia del papel del nutricionista dietista en todos los estados de las patologías relacionadas con las enfermedades mentales.

ABSTRACT Mental illnesses encompass a group of pathologies concerning physical, genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors. These diseases include cerebral palsy, mental handicap, autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome, which will be addressed in the present review. A comprehensive approach is essential, which includes the role of the nutritionist-dietitian, since prompt and regular attention allows avoiding the deterioration of nutritional status, compromised length, in the case of children, or acquiring preventable comorbidities in adults, such as gastroesophageal reflux and dysphagia. This approach improves the quality of life of patients, caregivers and families. In spite of this, health systems only authorize nutritional care every two or three months. In addition, there is often prolonged wait times to access treatment and obtain authorization, which may put the patient's life at risk. A systematic review was carried out using Scielo, Dialnet, and Pubmed to support the importance of the role of the nutritionist-dietitian in mental illness conditions.

Predictive modeling of brain tumor laser ablation dynamics.

INTRODUCTION: Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a novel MR thermometry-guided thermoablative tool revolutionizing the clinical management of brain tumors. A limitation of LITT is our inability to estimate a priori how tissues will respond to thermal energy, which hinders treatment planning and delivery. The aim of this study was to determine whether brain tumor LITT ablation dynamics may be predicted by features of the preoperative MRI and the relevance of these data, if any, to the recurrence of metastases after LITT. METHODS: Intraoperative thermal damage estimate (TDE) map pixels representative of irreversible damage were retrospectively quantified relative to ablation onset for 101 LITT procedures. Raw TDE pixel counts and TDE pixel counts modelled with first order dynamics were related to eleven independent variables derived from the preoperative MRI, demographics, laser settings, and tumor pathology. Stepwise regression analysis generated predictive models of LITT dynamics, and leave-one-out cross validation evaluated the accuracy of these models at predicting TDE pixel counts solely from the independent variables. Using a deformable atlas, TDE maps were co-registered to the immediate post-ablation MRI, allowing comparison of predicted and actual ablation sizes. RESULTS: Brain tumor TDE pixel counts modelled with first order dynamics, but not raw pixel counts, are correlated with the independent variables. Independent variables showing strong relations to the TDE pixel measures include T1 gadolinium and T2 signal, perfusion, and laser power. Associations with tissue histopathology are minimal. Leave-one-out analysis demonstrates that predictive models using these independent variables account for 77% of the variance observed in TDE pixel counts. Analysis of metastases treated revealed a trend towards the over-estimation of LITT effects by TDE maps during rapid ablations, which was associated with tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Features of the preoperative MRI are predictive of LITT ablation dynamics and could eventually be used to improve the clinical efficacy with which LITT is delivered to brain tumors.

Ablation dynamics during laser interstitial thermal therapy for mesiotemporal epilepsy.

INTRODUCTION: The recent emergence of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) as a frontline surgical tool in the management of brain tumors and epilepsy is a result of advances in MRI thermal imaging. A limitation to further improving LITT is the diversity of brain tissue thermoablative properties, which hinders our ability to predict LITT treatment-related effects. Utilizing the mesiotemporal lobe as a consistent anatomic model system, the goal of this study was to use intraoperative thermal damage estimate (TDE) maps to study short- and long-term effects of LITT and to identify preoperative variables that could be helpful in predicting tissue responses to thermal energy. METHODS: For 30 patients with mesiotemporal epilepsy treated with LITT at a single institution, intraoperative TDE maps and pre-, intra- and post-operative MRIs were co-registered in a common reference space using a deformable atlas. The spatial overlap of TDE maps with manually-traced immediate (post-ablation) and delayed (6-month) ablation zones was measured using the dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Then, motivated by simple heat-transfer models, ablation dynamics were quantified at amygdala and hippocampal head from TDE pixel time series fit by first order linear dynamics, permitting analysis of the thermal time constant (τ). The relationships of these measures to 16 independent variables derived from patient demographics, mesiotemporal anatomy, preoperative imaging characteristics and the surgical procedure were examined. RESULTS: TDE maps closely overlapped immediate ablation borders but were significantly larger than the ablation cavities seen on delayed imaging, particularly at the amygdala and hippocampal head. The TDEs more accurately predicted delayed LITT effects in patients with smaller perihippocampal CSF spaces. Analyses of ablation dynamics from intraoperative TDE videos showed variable patterns of lesion progression after laser activation. Ablations tended to be slower for targets with increased preoperative T2 MRI signal and in close proximity to large, surrounding CSF spaces. In addition, greater laser energy was required to ablate mesial versus lateral mesiotemporal structures, an effect associated with laser trajectory and target contrast-enhanced T1 MRI signal. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-specific variations in mesiotemporal anatomy and pathology may influence the thermal coagulation of these tissues. We speculate that by incorporating demographic and imaging data into predictive models we may eventually enhance the accuracy and precision with which LITT is delivered, improving outcomes and accelerating adoption of this novel tool.

Evaluación del suplemento de vitaminas C y E en el tratamiento antibiótico contra Helicobacter pylori: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis / Assessment of the use of vitamin C and E supplements concomitantly to antibiotic treatment against Helicobacter pylori: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introducción: La prevalencia de la infección por Helicobacter pylori afecta casi al 50% de la población mundial, siendo un factor de riesgo para enfermedades benignas y malignas gastrointestinales. El aumento de la resistencia al tratamiento antibiótico contra esta infección ha presentado un dilema en el abordaje de otras alternativas en la terapéutica. Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia del suplemento de vitaminasC y E añadido al tratamiento antibiótico en la erradicación de la infección por H. pylori. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos de MedLine, Embase y Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), para estudios que evaluaran la eficacia del suplemento de vitaminasC y/o E en el tratamiento antibiótico de infección por H. pylori. El resultado principal fue erradicación de la infección y el secundario fueron efectos adversos. El metaanálisis fue elaborado mediante el método de efectos aleatorios. Resultados: Se incluyeron 10 estudios y se hicieron 2 grupos. El primero comparó el uso de suplemento de vitaminasC y E incluyendo 973 pacientes, en el cual sin discriminar el número de antibióticos no se obtuvo una relación con la erradicación de la infección (OR: 1,98 [IC95%: 0,92-4,29], p=0,08). La terapia triple o cuádruple antibiótica no tuvo un efecto sobre la erradicación (OR: 1,80 [IC95%: 0,64-5,08], p=0,26, y OR: 2,84 [IC95%: 0,51-15,56], p=0,22, respectivamente). En el grupo en que solo se evaluó el uso de vitaminaC se incluyeron 702pacientes, pero no se obtuvo un efecto sobre la erradicación (OR: 1,17 [IC95%: 0,58-2,31], p=0,65). Los efectos adversos solo fueron reportados en 4 estudios, siendo el más frecuente las náuseas. Conclusiones: El suplemento de vitaminasC y E en la terapia antibiótica contra H. pylori no tuvo ningún efecto. Sin embargo, los estudios presentaron bastantes sesgos y diferencias en la posología de los suplementos y antibióticos

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infections affect almost 50% of the world population, constituting a risk factor for benign and malignant gastrointestinal diseases. The increased resistance to antibiotic treatment against this infection represents a dilemma in the search of other therapeutic alternatives. Objective: To determine the efficacy of the use of vitaminC and E supplements concomitantly to antibiotic treatment against H. pylori infections. Methods: We performed a systematic review on the MedLine (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL) databases, searching for studies evaluating the efficacy of vitaminC and/or E supplements in the antibiotic treatment of H. pylori infections. The primary outcome was eradication of the infection. The secondary outcome was the adverse effects. The meta-analysis was conducted using the random effects method. Results: Ten studies were included and analyzed in two groups. The first group, which was comprised by 973patients, compared the use of supplementation with vitaminC and E, showing that, without discriminating the number of antibiotics used, there was no relationship with the eradication of the infection (OR: 1.98 [95%CI: 0.92-4.29] P=.08). The triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy had no effect on eradication rates either (OR 1.80 [95%CI: 0.64-5.08] P=.26 and OR: 2.84 [95%CI: 0.51-15.56] P=.22, respectively). No effect on the eradication rates was observed either in the group that only assessed the use of vitaminC, comprised by 702patients (OR: 1.17 [95%CI: 0.58-2.31] P=.65). Only four studies reported adverse effects, the most common one being nausea. Conclusions: Supplementation with vitaminC and E in the antibiotic treatment against H. pylori has no effect. However, the reviewed studies had several biases and differences in the dosage of the supplements and antibiotics administered

Assessment of the use of vitamin C and E supplements concomitantly to antibiotic treatment against Helicobacter pylori: A systematic review and meta-analysis. / Evaluación del suplemento de vitaminas C y E en el tratamiento antibiótico contra Helicobacter pylori: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

INTRODUCTION: Helicobacter pylori infections affect almost 50% of the world population, constituting a risk factor for benign and malignant gastrointestinal diseases. The increased resistance to antibiotic treatment against this infection represents a dilemma in the search of other therapeutic alternatives. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of the use of vitaminC and E supplements concomitantly to antibiotic treatment against H. pylori infections. METHODS: We performed a systematic review on the MedLine (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL) databases, searching for studies evaluating the efficacy of vitaminC and/or E supplements in the antibiotic treatment of H. pylori infections. The primary outcome was eradication of the infection. The secondary outcome was the adverse effects. The meta-analysis was conducted using the random effects method. RESULTS: Ten studies were included and analyzed in two groups. The first group, which was comprised by 973patients, compared the use of supplementation with vitaminC and E, showing that, without discriminating the number of antibiotics used, there was no relationship with the eradication of the infection (OR: 1.98 [95%CI: 0.92-4.29] P=.08). The triple or quadruple antibiotic therapy had no effect on eradication rates either (OR 1.80 [95%CI: 0.64-5.08] P=.26 and OR: 2.84 [95%CI: 0.51-15.56] P=.22, respectively). No effect on the eradication rates was observed either in the group that only assessed the use of vitaminC, comprised by 702patients (OR: 1.17 [95%CI: 0.58-2.31] P=.65). Only four studies reported adverse effects, the most common one being nausea. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with vitaminC and E in the antibiotic treatment against H. pylori has no effect. However, the reviewed studies had several biases and differences in the dosage of the supplements and antibiotics administered.

Tratamiento de la bacteriemia por enterococo resistente a vancomicina con daptomicina versus linezolid: revisión sistemática y metanálisis / Treatment of bacteremia by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus with daptomycin versus linezolid: asystematic review and meta-analysese / Tratamento da bacteriemia por enterococus resistentea vancomicina com daptomicina versus linezolida: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Introducción: Para el tratamiento de las infecciones por Enterococcus resistente a vancomicina (ERV) se emplean fármacos de segunda línea como daptomicina y linezolid. Objetivo: hacer una revisión sistemática para evaluar el tratamiento de la bacteriemia por ERV, con daptomicina o linezolid. Metodología: búsqueda electrónica en las bases de datos de Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, CENTRAL, Lilacs y Google Académico, para identificar estudios anteriores a julio de 2015 que hayan comparado los tratamientos con daptomicina o linezolid de pacientes infectados por ERV. Resultados: se incluyeron 15 estudios de 1307 registros. No hubo diferencias entre daptomicina y linezolid con respecto a la mortalidad a 30 días. Con la daptomicina se logró más tempranamente el control microbiológico (OR: 0,64; IC95 %: 0,45-0,92). No hubo diferencias entre los dos antibióticos en cuanto a la mejoría clínica, la necesidad de admisión a la UCI o la aparición de efectos adversos como trombocitopenia, neutropenia e insuficiencia renal. Conclusiones: no encontramos diferencias entre daptomicina y linezolid en cuanto a la mortalidad de pacientes infectados por ERV, aunque con la daptomicina se logró una cura microbiológica más rápida.

Introduction: Second-line drugs such as linezolid and daptomycin are used for treatment of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections. Objective: A systematic review to evaluate treatment of VRE bacteremia with linezolid versus daptomycin. Methods: A search was done in the databases of Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, CENTRAL, Lilacs and Google Scholar to identify studies comparing treatment with daptomycin or linezolid of patients infected by VRE up to July 2015. Result: Only 15 studies were included of a total of 1.307 records. There were no differences between daptomycin and linezolid with respect to mortality at 30 days. Microbiological cure was better with daptomycin (OR: 0.64; 95 % CI: 0.45-0.92), whereas there was no difference between the two antibiotics with respect to clinical cure, need to ICU admission, and the occurrence of adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and renal failure. Conclusions: No significant differences were observed between daptomycin and linezolid in reference to mortality of patients infected with VRE, although daptomycin treatment produced a faster microbiological cure.

Introdução: Para o tratamento das infecções por Enterococcusresistente a vancomicina (ERV) se empregam fármacos de segunda linha como daptomicina e linezolida. Objetivo: fazer uma revisão sistemática para avaliar o tratamento da bacteriemia por ERV, com daptomicina o linezolida. Metodologia: busca eletrônica nas bases de dados de Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, CENTRAL, Lilacs e Google Acadêmico, para identificar estudos anteriores a julho de 2015 que foram comparados os tratamentos com daptomicina ou linezolida de pacientes infectados por ERV. Resultados: se incluíram 15 estudos de 1.307 registros. Não houve diferenças entre daptomicina e linezolida com respeito à mortalidade a 30 dias. Com a daptomicina se conseguiu mais precoce o controle microbiológico (OR: 0,64; IC95 %: 0,45-0,92). Não houve diferenças entre os dois antibióticos em quanto à melhoria clínica, a necessidade de admissão à UTI ou a aparição de efeitos adversos como trombocitopenia, neutropenia e insuficiência renal. Conclusões: não encontramos diferenças entre daptomicina e linezolida em quanto à mortalidade de pacientes infectados por ERV, embora com a daptomicina se conseguiu uma cura microbiológica mais rápida.

Caracterización clínica de infecciones de vías urinarias producidas por enterobacterias productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en Duitama (Colombia), durante 2010-2015 / Clinical characterisation of urinary tract infections produced by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteria in Duitama (Colombia) from 2010-2015

Objetivo: Caracterizar las infecciones de vías urinarias (IVU) producidas por enterobacterias productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) en Duitama (Colombia) durante 2010-2015. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en 2 instituciones prestadoras de salud a partir de los aislamientos de patógenos BLEE asociados a IVU. Se tomaron variables sociodemográficas, comorbilidades, hospitalizaciones por IVU en el último año, agentes aislados, tratamiento empírico y dirigido, y respuesta clínica. Resultados: Se obtuvo un registro de 169 pacientes, con edad promedio de 66,01 ± 19,19; el 55,62% eran mayores de 65 años; el 59,2% eran de género femenino y el 73,6% provenían del área urbana. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (26%), diabetes (24,9%) y enfermedad renal crónica (16%), con un índice de Charlson de 4,43 ± 2,61. El 61,6% había sido hospitalizado en el último año a causa de IVU. Los agentes aislados más comunes fueron Escherichia coli (94,7%) y Klebsiella spp. (2,4%). Los tratamientos empíricos usados fueron ampicilina/sulbactam (15%), ciprofloxacino (29,6%) y nitrofurantoína (10,7%). Frente al tratamiento dirigido, el 36,7% no recibió ningún escalonamiento, el 32% fue tratado con ertapenem y el 8,9% con piperacilina/tazobactam. La mortalidad fue del 5,9% y la estancia hospitalaria fue en promedio de 7,24 ± 7,43 días. Conclusión: Los datos regionales son similares a los datos mundiales. Frente al tratamiento empírico se debe realizar una revaloración, ya que las guías actuales no recomiendan el uso de ciprofloxacino. También se debe hacer mejor seguimiento a las BLEE, ya que hay fallas en cuanto al tratamiento dirigido en gran porcentaje de las cepas.

Objective: To characterise epidemiologically urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by extended-spectrum betalactamase producing (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Duitama (Colombia) from 2010-2015. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted on ESBL isolates of pathogens associated with UTI in 2 health institutions. Sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, hospitalisations in the last year for UTI, isolated agents, empirical and directed treatment, and clinical response were recorded. Results: A total of 169 patients were included, with an average age of 66.01 ± 19.19; 55.62% were over 65; 59.2% were female and 73.6% were from an urban area. The most frequent comorbidities were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 26%; 24.9% had diabetes and 16% had chronic kidney disease, with a Charlson index of 4.43 ± 2.61. Some 61.6% had been hospitalised in the last year due to UTIs. The most common isolated agents were Escherichia coli in 94.7% and Klebsiella spp. in 2.4%. The empirical treatments used were ampicillin/sulbactam in 15%, ciprofloxacin in 29.6% and nitrofurantoin in 10.7%. Regarding directed treatment, 36.7% do not have des-escalation, 32% of patients were treated with ertapenem and 8.9% were treated with piperacillin/tazobactam. Mortality was 5.9% and the average hospital stay was 7.24 ± 7.43 days. Conclusion: Regional data are similar to global data. Empirical treatment should be revaluated, since current guidelines do not recommend the use of ciprofloxacin. In addition, better tracking of ESLB is needed due to flaws in empirical treatment for a large percentage of the strains.

[Multiple brain histoplasmomas: autopsy study of a case]. / Histoplasmomas encefálicos múltiplos. Estudo autópsico de um caso.

Report of the case of a 28-years-old black woman who developed changes in behavior followed by neurological alterations. The CT scans of the brain revealed multiple calcified granulomas. The patient died and the autopsy showed granulomatous lesions with central caseation in the brain. Microscopical examination disclosed numerous Histoplasma capsulatum. This is the first case of histoplasmoma of the brain described in Brazil.