SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THYMIC PEPTIDES IN THE TREATMENT OF HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS IN HONDURAS.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) active cases continue to demand the development of safe and effective treatments. This is the first clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral thymic peptides. ; We conducted a nonrandomized phase 2 trial with a historic control group to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a daily 250-mg oral dose of thymic peptides in the treatment of hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Comparisons based on standard care from registry data were performed after propensity score matching. The primary outcomes were survival, time to recovery, and number of participants with treatment-related adverse events or side effects by day 20. ; A total of 44 patients were analyzed in this study: 22 in the thymic peptide group and 22 in the standard care group. There were no deaths in the intervention group compared to 24% mortality in standard care by day 20 (log-rank P=0.02). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly shorter time to recovery by day 20 in the thymic peptide group than in the standard care group (median, 6 days vs. 12 days; hazard ratio for recovery, 2.75 [95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 5.62]; log-rank P=0.002). No side effects or adverse events were reported. ; In patients hospitalized with Covid-19, the use of thymic peptides resulted in no side effects, adverse events, or deaths by day 20. Compared with the registry data, a significantly shorter time to recovery and mortality reduction were measured.

Histopathological Features of Pendred Syndrome Thyroids Align with Differences in the Expression of Thyroid-Specific Markers, Apical Iodide Transporters, and Ciliogenesis Process.

Pendred syndrome (PDS) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the gene that encodes pendrin. Pendred thyroid tissue is supposedly altered by the absence of functional pendrin, but it is still unknown whether other iodide exchangers could compensate for the loss of the protein. Moreover, we have recently described that primary cilium, a conserved structure present at the apical surface of normal follicular cells, suffers different alterations in functional thyroid diseases. We aimed (1) to better understand the histopathological changes experienced by PDS thyroids, (2) to analyze the expression of different thyroid-specific genes and alternative iodide transporters and, finally, (3) to determine whether those changes may alter the morphological pattern of primary cilia in follicular cells. Thyroid samples from a series of four PDS patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, double immunofluorescence, and morphometry to evaluate changes in primary cilia frequency and length. We found thyroid follicular nodular disease in all PDS thyroids, frequently in association with follicular adenomas. There were only slight changes in the expression of thyroid-specific markers. Although no positivity for pendrin was found, cytoplasmic immunostaining for ANO-1, CLC-5, and CFTR was stronger in diffuse hyperplastic areas when compared to areas with highly cellular follicular nodules (HCFNs). HCFNs and follicular adenomas always showed diminished ciliary frequency and length. Our results suggest a direct relationship between the absence of functional pendrin and the loss of the normal thyroid architecture in PDS patients, which was also accompanied by differences in the expression of specific immunohistochemical markers and altered ciliogenesis. The present data may help the pathologist in screening for PDS.

[Perisylvian magnetoencephalografic impairments in patients with autism spectrum disorders]. / Alteraciones magnetoencefalograficas perisilvianas en pacientes con trastornos del espectro autista.

INTRODUCTION: The perisylvian areas, located around the Sylvian fissure, are constituted by frontal, temporal and parietal brain regions. These are connected forming specialized neural networks and play a primary role in the development of linguistic skills and social cognition. These areas are a possible neuronal substrate of cognitive and behavioral impairments in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). AIM: To locate and quantify epileptiform activity sources through magnetoencephalography in frontal perisylvian areas in children with idiopathic ASD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight children with idiopathic ASD were studied by magnetoencephalography. The children were classified into two groups: a group of 41 children with autistic disorder and a combined group of 27 children with Asperger syndrome and children with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. The sources of magnetoencephalografic epileptiform activity detected in the frontal perisylvian were localized and quantified. RESULTS: The amount of epileptiform activity in frontal perisylvian region was significantly higher in children with autistic disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of epileptiform activity in frontal perisylvian areas differed significantly between children with autistic disorder and those with Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.

TITLE: Alteraciones magnetoencefalograficas perisilvianas en pacientes con trastornos del espectro autista.Introduccion. Las areas perisilvianas se situan alrededor de la cisura de Silvio y estan constituidas por regiones cerebrales frontales, temporales y parietales. Estas regiones estan conectadas formando redes neurales especializadas y desempeñan una funcion elemental en el desarrollo de las habilidades linguisticas y de la cognicion social. Estas areas son un posible sustrato neural de las alteraciones cognitivas y conductuales en los pacientes con trastornos del espectro autista (TEA). Objetivo. Localizar y cuantificar las fuentes de actividad epileptiforme mediante magnetoencefalografia en areas frontales perisilvianas en niños con TEA primario. Pacientes y metodos. Se estudio a 68 niños con TEA idiopatico mediante magnetoencefalografia. Se clasificaron en dos grupos: uno de 41 niños con trastorno autista y un grupo combinado de 27 niños con sindrome de Asperger y niños con trastorno generalizado del desarrollo no especificado. Se localizaron y se cuantificaron las fuentes de actividad epileptiforme magnetoencefalografica detectadas en las areas frontales perisilvianas. Resultados. La actividad epileptiforme en la region perisilviana frontal fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de niños con trastorno autista. Conclusiones. La localizacion y cantidad de actividad epileptiforme en areas frontales perisilvianas difirieron significativamente entre los niños con trastorno autista y aquellos con sindrome de Asperger y trastorno generalizado del desarrollo no especificado.

[Executive neurofunctionality: a comparative study in high intellectual abilities]. / Neurofuncionalidad ejecutiva: estudio comparativo en las altas capacidades.

INTRODUCTION: From a differential perspective, high intellectual ability is an expression of intellectual functioning with characteristic functional correlates and structural correlates of the underlying neural activity that suggests an improved executive capacity as a relevant characteristic, highlighting in it a more effective working memory. DEVELOPMENT: The neuroscientific evidences about the neural mechanisms that can explain the differences are analyzed between the intellectual functioning of the high intellectual ability and the typical intellectual capacity. The possibilities that offer the recording of evoked potentials to capture fundamental mental processes that allow explain the differences between them are put under review. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroscientific evidences through electroencephalography or other mental imagery techniques show that the brain, as a structural correlate of high intellectual abilities, has greater neural efficiency, interconnectivity and differences in the cytoarchitecture. It is a brain that captures, understands and interprets reality in a qualitatively different manner. But the neural differences are structural and the high intellectual capacity emerges from its plasticity functional. That is, it is a brain prepared for better executive regulation that is not always directly related with excellence and the eminent manifestation of its potentiality because it requires other conditioning factors such as motivation, the organization of knowledge, personal traits of temperament or perfectionism, and exogenous conditions.

TITLE: Neurofuncionalidad ejecutiva: estudio comparativo en las altas capacidades.Introduccion. Desde una perspectiva diferencial, la alta capacidad intelectual es una expresion del funcionamiento intelectual con unos correlatos funcionales caracteristicos y unos correlatos estructurales de la actividad neural subyacente que sugieren una capacidad ejecutiva mejorada como caracteristica relevante, destacando en ella una memoria de trabajo mas eficaz. Desarrollo. Se analizan las evidencias neurocientificas sobre los mecanismos neurales que pueden explicar las diferencias entre el funcionamiento intelectual de la alta capacidad intelectual y la capacidad intelectual tipica, y se revisan las posibilidades que ofrece el registro de potenciales evocados para apresar procesos mentales fundamentales que permitan explicar las diferencias entre ellas. Conclusiones. Las evidencias neurocientificas mediante electroencefalografia u otras tecnicas de imagineria mental muestran que el cerebro, como correlato estructural de la alta capacidad intelectual, tiene mayor eficiencia neural, interconectividad y diferencias en la citoarquitectura. Es un cerebro que captura, comprende e interpreta la realidad de forma cualitativamente diferente. Pero las diferencias neurales son estructurales y la alta capacidad intelectual emerge de su plasticidad funcional. Es decir, es un cerebro preparado para una mejor regulacion ejecutiva que no siempre guarda relacion directa con la excelencia y la eminente manifestacion de su potencialidad porque precisa de otros condicionantes como la motivacion, la organizacion del conocimiento, rasgos personales de temperamento o perfeccionismo, y condicionantes exogenos.

Alteraciones magnetoencefalográficas perisilvianas en pacientes con trastornos del espectro autista / Perisylvian magnetoencephalografic impairments in patients with autism spectrum disorders

Introducción. Las áreas perisilvianas se sitúan alrededor de la cisura de Silvio y están constituidas por regiones cerebrales frontales, temporales y parietales. Estas regiones están conectadas formando redes neurales especializadas y desempeñan una función elemental en el desarrollo de las habilidades lingüísticas y de la cognición social. Estas áreas son un posible sustrato neural de las alteraciones cognitivas y conductuales en los pacientes con trastornos del espectro autista (TEA). Objetivo. Localizar y cuantificar las fuentes de actividad epileptiforme mediante magnetoencefalografía en áreas frontales perisilvianas en niños con TEA primario. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudió a 68 niños con TEA idiopático mediante magnetoencefalografía. Se clasificaron en dos grupos: uno de 41 niños con trastorno autista y un grupo combinado de 27 niños con síndrome de Asperger y niños con trastorno generalizado del desarrollo no especificado. Se localizaron y se cuantificaron las fuentes de actividad epileptiforme magnetoencefalográfica detectadas en las áreas frontales perisilvianas. Resultados. La actividad epileptiforme en la región perisilviana frontal fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de niños con trastorno autista. Conclusiones. La localización y cantidad de actividad epileptiforme en áreas frontales perisilvianas difirieron significativamente entre los niños con trastorno autista y aquellos con síndrome de Asperger y trastorno generalizado del desarrollo no especificado (AU)

Introduction. The perisylvian areas, located around the Sylvian fissure, are constituted by frontal, temporal and parietal brain regions. These are connected forming specialized neural networks and play a primary role in the development of linguistic skills and social cognition. These areas are a possible neuronal substrate of cognitive and behavioral impairments in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Aim. To locate and quantify epileptiform activity sources through magnetoencephalography in frontal perisylvian areas in children with idiopathic ASD. Patients and methods. Sixty-eight children with idiopathic ASD were studied by magnetoencephalography. The children were classified into two groups: a group of 41 children with autistic disorder and a combined group of 27 children with Asperger syndrome and children with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. The sources of magnetoencephalografic epileptiform activity detected in the frontal perisylvian were localized and quantified. Results. The amount of epileptiform activity in frontal perisylvian region was significantly higher in children with autistic isorder. Conclusions. The amount of epileptiform activity in frontal perisylvian areas differed significantly between children with autistic disorder and those with Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (AU)

Influence of milking method, disinfection and herd management practices on bulk tank milk somatic cell counts in tropical dairy herds in Colombia.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of milking method, disinfection practices and other management factors on the bulk tank milk somatic cell count (BTSCC) in tropical dairy herds and to examine potential interactions with time. One hundred and thirty farms in the Northern region of Antioquia, Colombia, were visited once per month for 24 months. A two level linear mixed model for repeated measures was used to assess the impact on log transformed BTSCC (lnBTSCC). The geometric mean of the BTSCC for all herds was 262,330 cells/mL. The two-level linear mixed model showed that lnBTSCCs in hand milked herds were significantly higher than in machine milked herds. Fore-stripping corresponded with a 27% increase in lnBTSCC and failing to post-dip corresponded with a 45% increase in lnBTSCC. The two way interactions of sampling month with milking method, singeing udders and pre-dipping were significant. The lowest predicted lnBTSCC was observed in machine milked herds that practised both pre-dipping and singeing of udders. This study suggests that milking procedures and disinfection practices can interact with time and have substantial effects on lnBTSCC.

[The effect of passive tactile stimulation in the brain activity of children with attention deficit]. / Efecto de la estimulacion tactil pasiva en la actividad cerebral de niños con deficit de atencion.

INTRODUCTION: The N200 and P300 evoked potentials have proved a useful tool in monitoring children with attention deficit disorder (ADD). AIM: To assess brain information processing by the N200 and P300 in touch modality in children with ADD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The P300 and N200 components to oddball tactile stimulation paradigm were recorded in an experimental group of 17 children with ADD at the beginning and the end of the daily training tactile stimulation, another 12 children with ADD and 21 control children without ADD who no received tactile stimulation. Three groups aged between 7 and 11 years. RESULTS: Results show a significant decrease in latency of N200 and P300 waves in the experimental group at the study end. N200 significant differences in the experimental group temporal parietal and occipital areas were found, while the differences in the P300 are located in postcentral and parietal areas. CONCLUSION: Systematic, orderly and organized tactile stimulation in children with ADD can be effective to improve N200-P300 latencies providing greater parietal brain plasticity, associated to perceptive attention.

TITLE: Efecto de la estimulacion tactil pasiva en la actividad cerebral de niños con deficit de atencion.Introduccion. Los potenciales evocados N200 y P300 han demostrado ser una herramienta de gran utilidad en el seguimiento de niños con trastorno por deficit de atencion (TDA). Objetivo. Evaluar el procesamiento cerebral de la informacion mediante los componentes N200 y P300 en modalidad tactil en niños con TDA. Sujetos y metodos. Se registraron los componentes N200 y P300 de los potenciales evocados durante una tarea oddball de estimulacion tactil en un grupo experimental de 17 niños con TDA al principio y al final de un entrenamiento mediante estimulacion tactil diaria, en otro de 12 niños con TDA y en 21 niños control sin TDA que no recibieron estimulacion tactil. Los tres grupos tenian edades comprendidas entre 7 y 11 años. Resultados. Los resultados indican una disminucion significativa de la latencia de las ondas N200 y P300 en el grupo experimental al final del estudio. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la N200 en el grupo experimental en areas temporales parietales y occipitales, mientras que, en la P300, las diferencias se localizan en areas poscentrales y parietales. Conclusion. La estimulacion tactil de manera sistematica, ordenada y organizada en niños con TDA puede ser efectiva para la mejora de la latencia de los potenciales evocados N200 y P300, asi como para una mayor plasticidad cerebral parietal, asociada a la atencion perceptiva.

Physical and chemical characteristics of pitaya fruits at physiological maturity.

The aim of this study was to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of the maturation process of pitaya fruit (Hylocereus undatus) to identify indicators that can be used to determine the point of physiological maturity and establish the optimal timing of physiological maturity for harvesting the fruit. A completely randomized experimental design was employed and four biological repeats were performed. Physiological maturity was assessed using various physical characteristics: longitudinal length (LL), equatorial diameter (ED), pericarp thickness (PeT), pulp thickness (PuT), fruit mass (FM), pulp mass (PuM), pericarp mass (PeM), pericarp percentage (%Pe), pulp percentage (%Pu), pulp/pericarp ratio (Pu/Pe), pericarp color index (CI), hue color angle (h°), lightness index (L*), chroma (C*), blue-yellow variation (b*), and green-red variation (a*). Additionally, chemical characteristics such as soluble solid content (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, and pH were screened. The data were statistically analyzed by fitting regression models and computing Pearson's correlation coefficients (P < 0.05). Physiological maturity in pitaya fruits occurred between the 30th and 32nd days after anthesis, and this proved to be the optimal period for harvest. At this time, the fruit was completely red with high SS, and had the recommended values of TA, pH, and SS/TA ratio. During this period, ED, PuT, FM, PuM, %Pu, and Pu/Pe increased while PeT, PeM, and %Pe fell; these changes are considered desirable by producers and/or consumers. PuM was the variable that displayed more strong's association with other variables in the analysis.

Bone mineral density reduction in adolescents with systemic erythematosus lupus: association with lack of vitamin D supplementation.

The aim of this study is to evaluate body composition and the bone mineral density in female adolescents with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus. Body composition (BC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated in an observational cohort study with 35 postmenarcheal adolescent females. The variables studied were as follows: current and cumulative corticosteroid dose, intake of supplements containing calcium and vitamin D, 24-h proteinuria, body mass index (BMI), and height for age (Z-score). BC was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at two time points (median interval of 1.2 years). The fat mass index (FMI = fat mass in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared) and lean mass index (LMI = lean mass in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared) were calculated based on the DXA results. BMD was classified according to the International Society of Clinical Densitometry (low BMD for chronological age < -2.0 standard deviations). .The mean age of the subjects was 15.4 ± 1.8 years. Of patients, 54.3 % were normal weight, 22.8 % were overweight, 22.8 % were obese, and 8.6 % had short stature. Low BMD for chronological age was observed in 42.8 % of patients, and 60 % were not taking vitamin D. There was no significant difference between the two time points with respect to FMI, LMI, or body mass index Z-score (ZBMI); however, BMD has decreased significantly (p = 0.011). There was an association between not taking a vitamin D supplement and decreased BMD (p = 0.027). Almost half of the patients had altered nutritional status. The BMD decrease in adolescents with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) was associated with the lack of vitamin D supplementation, highlighting the importance of well-defined vitamin D supplementation protocols.

Evaluación nutricional e indicadores de grasa visceral y subcutánea en niños con síndrome de Down / Nutrition assessment and indicators of fat visceral and fat subcutaneous in children with Down syndrome

Antecedentes. Existen pocas publicaciones en relación a la composición corporal en niños con síndrome de Down (SD). Objetivos. Evaluar la relación entre los indicadores del estado nutricional (EN) -utilizando referencias catalanas y del CDC/NCHS- y los indicadores de la composición corporal, y comparar la concordancia entre los índices peso/talla (IP/T), índice de masa corporal/edad (IMC/E), y peso/edad (P/E) para evaluar el estado nutricional en niños con SD. Materiales y métodos. Estudio analítico de corte transversal en el que se estudiaron 40 niños con SD, 20 niñas y 20 niños de edades comprendidas entre 3 y 13 años. Se realizaron mediciones antropométricas para obtener indicadores del estado nutricional tales como IP/T, IMC/E y P/E, e indicadores de grasa visceral y subcutánea y del compartimiento muscular. Se evaluaron las pruebas de correlación y el índice de Kappa para establecer relación y concordancia, respectivamente. Resultados. La evaluación nutricional realizada en niños con SD muestra que el 60% presenta sobrepeso y obesidad, según el indicador IMC/E, porcentaje que alcanza el 75% según el índice IP/T. El análisis de correlación indica que la circunferencia de la cintura, el área de grasa braquial, y el % de masa grasa según Slaughter y Weststrate y Deurenberg, muestran una alta correlación positiva con el IMC/E (p < 0,05). Un modelo de regresión logística reflejó que ningún indicador de la masa grasa es clínicamente significativo para predecir el incremento del indicador P/E. Se determinó que los indicadores IMC/E e IP/T tienen una mayor concordancia (Kappa = 0,59; p = 0,0000). Conclusión. Determinamos una alta correlación entre el diagnóstico nutricional (IMC/E e IP/T) y los indicadores de las grasas visceral (circunferencia de la cintura) y subcutánea (porcentaje de masa grasa y de área grasa braquial) en niños con SD. Se encontró una mayor concordancia entre los indicadores de IMC/E e IP/T, lo que sugiere que estos son óptimos para evaluar el estado nutricional (AU)

Background: There are only few publications related to body composition in Down syndrome (DS). Objective: Evaluate the relationship between indicators of nutrition assessment by Catalan references and CDC/NCHS and indicators of body composition, and compare the concordance between weight/height index (IW/H), body mass index/age (BMI/A) and weight/age (W/A) to evaluate nutritional status in children with DS. Materials and methods: Analytical cross-sectional study in which 40 children with DS, 20 girls and 20 boys between 3 and 13 years old were studied. Anthropometric measurements were performed to obtain indicators of nutrition assessment as IW/H, BMI/A and W/A and indicators of subcutaneous and visceral fat and muscular compartment. Correlation tests and Kappa index were evaluated to establish relationship and agreement respectively. Results: The nutrition assessment in children with DS shows that 60% presents overweight and obesity according to BMI/A, and 75% according to IW/H. Correlation analysis indicates that waist circumference, fat brachial area, % fat mass by Slaughter and Weststrate and Deurenberg have a high positive correlation with BMI/A (p-value < 0.05). A logistic regression model showed that no indicator of fat mass is clinically significant in predicting an increase of the indicator W/A. It was determined that the BMI/A and IW/H indicators have a higher concordance (Kappa = 0.59; p =.0000). Conclusions: We determined a high correlation between nutritional diagnosis (BMI/A and IW/A) with indicators of visceral fat (waist circumference) and subcutaneous (% fat mass and fat brachial area) in children with DS. A greater agreement was found between indicators of BMI/A and IW/A suggesting that they are optimal for assessing the nutritional status (AU)

Comparison and improvements of LCMV and MUSIC source localization techniques for use in real clinical environments.

The present work shows some improvements realized on practical aspects of the implementation of Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) methods to localize the sources of neural activity by means of magnetoencephalograph (MEG). Two methods have been improved and compared i.e. a spatial filter, the Linearly Constrained Minimum Variance Beamformer (LCMV) method, and a signal subspace method that is an implementation of the MUSIC (Multiple Signal Classification) method due to Mosher et al. (1992). It also shows the performance of both methods comparing three different averaging procedures. The influence of the correct selection of the noise subspace dimension has been analyzed. Using acoustic stimulus for real patient measurements, we discuss the relevant differences of both methods and propose an adequate strategy for future diagnosis based on correct source localization.

Orbitofrontal dysfunction related to depressive symptomatology in subjects with borderline personality disorder.

OBJECTIVE: In order to explore the relationships of fronto-limbic dysfunction with the clinical features of borderline personality disorder (BPD), the authors investigated brain electrophysiological activity in BPD patients following stimulation with emotionally arousing images. METHODS: Seventeen non-medicated patients with borderline personality disorder were studied with magneto-encephalography. Regional cortical activities were obtained by minimum norm estimate (MNE) of steady-state visual evoked fields (ssVEFs). Linear regression models were conducted to explore clinical correlates of brain activity. RESULTS: Although no interaction group × picture category × brain region was found, a significant interaction group × brain region appeared for orbito-frontal cortex (OFC). BPD patients showed significantly reduced magnetocortical activity in left OFC across all picture categories (F = 26.4; p<.05; F = 31.4). Left OFC activity was inversely correlated with depression score in the BDI (r: -0.48, p < 0.05), with score in the Cornell Dysthymia rating scale (r: -0.52, p < 0.05) and with the number of criteria met for depressive personality disorder (r: -0.44, p < 0.05). Left orbitofrontal activity was also inversely correlated with the global score in the GAF (r-0.63, p < 0.01). No correlations were found between OFC activity and impulsivity or global severity of BPD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal functioning at orbitofrontal areas in BPD could be related to the presence of affective symptomatology and is associated with greater functional deterioration of patients.

[Analysis of brain complexity and mental disorders]. / Análisis de complejidad de la actividadcerebral y trastornos mentales.

The knowledge of the brain processes underlying mental disorders has significantly increased during the last decades, but in spite of this very important research effort a biological marker is not available for such disorders. For example, neurophysiological techniques (EEG and MEG),have been broadly utilized in the investigation of the most important psychiatric syndromes such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder or obsessive/compulsive disorder. The outcomes of some of those neurophysiological studies allowed the building of statistical models with very high sensitivity and specificity, although those models did not reach day-to-day clinical practice. A potential explanation for this situation is an inadequate analysis procedure which might be missing some important quantums of information contained in brain signals. In this vein, new methods of non-linear analysis have been proposed for the investigation of neurophysiological data. Particularly, the analysis of brain signals' complexity has been broadly utilized in the investigation of psychiatric disorders. Parameters of EEG-MEG complexity usually estimate the predictability of brain oscillations and/or the number of independent oscillators underlying the observed signals. More importantly, complexity parameters seem to be sensitive to the temporal components of brain activity, and therefore might reflect the dynamical nature of psychiatric disorders. This paper reviews some of the most relevant studies within this field, especially those focusing on the diagnosis, follow-up and prediction of response to treatment.

Análisis de complejidad de la actividad cerebral y trastornos mentales / Brain Complexity analysis and mental disorders

El conocimiento sobre los procesos cerebrales que subyacentras los trastornos mentales ha incrementado significativamente en las últimas décadas, pero a pesar del importante esfuerzo investigador no disponemos de ningún marcador biológico para estos trastornos. Por ejemplo, las técnicas neurofisiológicas (EEG o MEG) se han utilizado ampliamente en la investigación de los síndromes psiquiátricos más importantes como la esquizofrenia, la depresión mayor, el trastorno bipolar o el trastorno obsesivo/compulsivo. Los resultados de algunos de estos estudios permitieron la construcción de modelos estadísticos con alta sensibilidad y especificidad, aunque estos modelos no han alcanzado la práctica clínica diaria. Una posible explicación para está situación sería la utilización de procedimientos de análisis inadecuados que podrían perder elementos importantes de la información contenida en la señal cerebral. En este sentido se han propuesto nuevos métodos de análisis no lineal para los datos neurofisiológicos. De particular interés resulta el análisis de complejidad de la señal cerebral que se ha utilizado ampliamente en la investigación de trastornos psiquiátricos. Los parámetros de complejidad EEG o MEG generalmente estiman la predictibilidad de las oscilaciones cerebrales y/o el número de osciladores independientes que subyacen tras las señales observadas. Más importante aun, los parámetros de complejidad parecen ser sensibles a los componentes temporales de la actividad cerebral y por tanto podrían reflejar bien la naturaleza dinámica de los trastornos psiquiátricos. Este artículo revisa alguno de los estudios más importantes dentro de este campo, en especial aquellos que se centran en el diagnóstico, el seguimiento y la respuesta al tratamiento (AU)

The knowledge on the brain processes underlying mental disorders has significantly increased during the last decades, but in spite of this very important research effort a biological marker is not available for such disorders. For example, neurophysiological techniques (EEG and MEG), have been broadly utilized in the investigation of the most important psychiatric syndromes such us schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder or obsessive/compulsive disorder. The outcomes of some of those neurophysiological studies allowed the building of statistical models with very high sensitivity and specificity, although those models did not reach a day to day clinical practice. A potential explanation for this situation is an inadequate analysis procedure which might be missing some important quantums of information contained in brain signals. In this vein, new methods of non-linear analysis have been proposed for the investigation of neurophysiological data. Particularly, the analysis of brain signals’ complexity have been broadly utilized in the investigation of psychiatric disorders. Parameters of EEG-MEG complexity usually estimate the predictability of brain oscillations and/or the number of independent oscillators underlying the observed signals. More importantly, complexity parameters seem to be sensitive to the temporal components of brain activity, and therefore might reflect the dynamical nature of psychiatric disorders. This paper reviews some of the most relevant studies within this field, especially those focusing on the diagnosis, follow-up and prediction of response to treatment (AU)

[Brain neuroplasticity in occipital areas in blind teenagers]. / Neuroplasticidad cerebral en áreas occipitales en adolescentes ciegos.

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: Neuroplasticity is a process by which neurons increase their connectivity with other neurons in a stable fashion as a consequence of experience, learning and both sensitive and cognitive stimulation. Different authors have shown a huge process of brain plasticity in blind subjects towards other sensorial areas, mainly auditive and visual ones. From an anatomical standpoint many data show significant differences in blind subjects brains, mainly in visual pathways and structures as a result of lack of activity on those areas. This brings a lesser neuroplasticity and, therefore, a decrease in structural volumes. They have also found differences in subcortical structures volumes related to vision, such as splenium or corpus callosum istmus. METHODOLOGY: An adolescent was administered passive tactile stimulation with an 1,500 taxels stimulator. This was carried out daily for an hour, for three months, and stimulation consisted of vertical, horizontal and oblique lines. The results obtained in an adolescent indicate a clear progression of EEG activity from tactile sensory parietal areas to visual occipital ones as stimulation progresses. CONCLUSION: Therefore one can speculate if systematic and organized repetition of tactile stimuli in blind subjects leads to a greater neuroplasticity which expands towards occipital areas, largely responsible for human vision.

Genetic variability of the SNPforID 52-plex identification-SNP panel in Central West Colombia.

A set of autosomal single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci was analyzed using the 52-plex assay previously described by Sanchez et al. [J.J. Sanchez, C. Phillips, C. Borsting, K. Balogh, M. Bogus, M. Fondevila, C.D. Harrison, E. Musgrave-Brown, A. Salas, D. Syndercombe-Court, P.M. Schneider, A. Carracedo, N. Morling, A multiplex assay with 52 single nucleotide polymorphisms for human identification, Electrophoresis 27 (2006) 1713-1724] in 140 samples of unrelated individuals born in the Colombian regions of, Risaralda, Caldas, Quindio, Antioquia, Tolima and Valle, and 164 samples of unrelated individuals with declared Native American ancestry from Colombia. Allele frequencies and statistical parameters of forensic interest are presented for the 52 SNPs. All loci were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium while comparisons with population samples of Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Mozambique, and Taiwan revealed significant differences in allele frequency distributions.

Avances en el trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad. ¿Qué nos aporta la neuroimagen? / Advances in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. What does neuroimaging provide us with?

El trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) es un trastorno de la conducta fruto de la combinación de diferentes factores, entre los que se encuentran tanto factores ambientales como genéticos y biológicos. Su elevada prevalencia, el alto grado de desadaptación que produce en los niños afectados, así como la elevada comorbilidad con otros trastornos psiquiátricos, han despertado el interés científico sobre este trastorno. En especial, en los últimos años, su estudio mediante técnicas de neuroimagen ha aumentado considerablemente. Estudios de neuroimagen estructural y funcional sugieren que la patofisiología del TDAH estaría condicionada por una disfunción en las vías frontosubcorticales así como por un disbalance en los sistemas dopaminérgicos y noradrenérgicos (AU)

In attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a multifactorial and clinically heterogeneous disorder that is the result of the combination of environmental, genetic and biological factors. Its high prevalence, added to the high level of maladaptation occurring in the children affected and the elevated comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders have lead to new scientific interest in this disorder. Especially in recent years, there has been a considerable increase in its study using neuroimaging techniques. Structural and functional imaging studies suggest that the ADHD pathophysiology would be conditioned by a dysfunction in the fronto-subcortical pathways, as well as imbalances in the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems (AU)

Biomagnetic profiles of verbal memory success in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

The risk of cognitive decline after mesial temporal lobe (MTL) resection in the dominant hemisphere for treatment of epilepsy has been assessed with the intracarotid amytal procedure and functional neuroimaging. In this study we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to analyze memory profiles in patients with left hippocampal sclerosis (HS). Biomagnetic brain activity related to successful memory was compared in nine patients with left HS and nine age-matched controls. Patients manifested a higher number of activity sources over the right inferior parietal lobe in the late portion of the time window, and higher activity in the right than in the left MTL between 400 and 800 ms. This was reinforced by a -0.46 MTL laterality index, which indicates right MTL dominance. Controls showed a higher number of dipoles in the left anterior ventral prefrontal region, between 400 and 600 ms, and in the left MTL across the whole time window. Three patients who underwent a left temporal lobectomy, were seizure free, and who did not exhibit memory impairment after left temporal lobectomy, showed no activity in the left MTL presurgically. These results could support the ability of MEG to describe the time-modulated brain activity related to memory success in patients with epilepsy with left HS.

Estimulación cerebral profunda en los trastornos del humor: ¿tan fácil como parece? / Deep brain stimulation in mood disorders: is it as easy as it seems?

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Learning orthography in adulthood: a magnetoencephalographic study.

Previous work demonstrated that there were differences between literate and comparable illiterate adult subjects. These differences were found in the performance on several tests and on patterns of activation on PET and fMRI. In the present study subjects that learned to read and to write in adulthood (being previously completely illiterate) were compared to controls, that is subjects that learned at school at the proper age. Magnetoencephalography was done while subjects were reading words. Results showed that, although the reading performance was the same in both groups while performing the task, the pattern of source distribution was different between groups. There were more late sources in right temporo-parietal areas of late literates compared to controls and more late sources in left inferior frontal cortex in control subjects. It is concluded that learning to read in adulthood is a process supported by different brain structures from the ones used when learning occurs at the proper age. This may suggest that the same task can be similarly performed by relying on diverse functional brain anatomic networks.