Biological and chemical characterization in relation to the yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) nourished with humus from plant residues.

The increase in prices of fertilizers, energy and other materials necessary for the industry triggered a global economic crisis. Reason that was investigated on the biological and chemical characteristics in relation to the yield of radish nourished with humus from plant residue. The objective was to determine the appropriate dose of humus to obtain greater yield and its relationship with the chemical and biological characteristics of the radish. It is based on applied methodology with an experimental approach; Therefore, the Completely Random Block Design model was used, which consisted of 3 blocks and 5 treatments that were T1 with 0, T2 with 4, T3 with 6, T4 with 8 and T5 with 10 t/ha of humus and They applied 15 days after sowing. The physical characteristics of the radish were evaluated and processed using analysis of variance and Duncan. Concentration of elements in leaves and stomatal density were also analyzed. It was determined that T5 stood out in total plant length with 28.95 cm, plant weight with 76.87 g, equatorial diameter with 4,404 cm and commercial yield with 20,296 t/ha. Nitrogen consumption in relation to yield with 247.44 kg/ha. Stomatal density 459 stomata/mm2 and profitability with 150% and nutrient concentration in leaves highlighted T4 with N, K, Ca, Mg, Mo and Zn. It concludes that T5 stood out with 20,296 t/ha, which differed by 26.04% in relation to the control (T1) with 15,011 t/ha. Therefore, this dose added nutrients to the soil that improved the availability for plant absorption and this influenced the concentration of nutrients in leaves such as N, P and Fe and stomatal density with 459 stomata/mm2, which had a response in good development, strengthening against environmental stress and therefore greater performance.

Comparison between lung ultrasonography and chest X-ray in the evaluation of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

PURPOSE: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), also known as hyaline membrane disease, is the most common clinical syndrome encountered among preterm infants, and the complications of the disease account for substantial mortality. Diagnosis of RDS is based on the clinical status of patients in correlation with laboratory parameters and chest X-ray. Lung ultrasound despite its wide use still is not incorporated into diagnostic algorithms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic ability of lung ultrasound in diagnosing respiratory distress syndrome as well as in the monitoring of the response to treatment. A secondary aim was to propose a modified ultrasound grading scale. METHODS: The prospective study included 150 neonates with clinical and radiographic signs of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome within the first 24 h of life, with different gestational age (≤ 35 weeks). Lung ultrasound was performed by two radiologists and correlated with a chest X-ray. Two gradation scales (ultrasound and X-ray) were compared and each scale was correlated with the patient's clinical data. RESULTS: In comparison between ultrasound findings and X-ray results showed a statistically significant difference in a favor of ultrasound. Based on the presence of subpleural consolidations, further differentiation of ultrasound profiles were made into subgroups and new ultrasound classification have been proposed. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that lung ultrasound enables the diagnosing of respiratory distress syndrome in premature neonates and also shows a significant correlation with chest X-ray, which is considered as a radiological method of choice for the diagnosis of RDS.

Morphological variations to a ptychographic algorithm.

Ptychography is a technique widely used in microscopy for achieving high-resolution imaging. This method relies on computational processing of images gathered from diffraction patterns produced by several partial illuminations of a sample. We numerically studied the effect of using different shapes for illuminating the aforementioned sample: convex shapes, such as circles and regular polygons, and unconnected shapes that resemble a QR code. Our results suggest that the use of unconnected shapes seems to outperform convex shapes in terms of convergence and, in some cases, accuracy.

Specific features of amoxicillin-associated Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms syndrome: a nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence indicates that amoxicillin induces herpesvirus replication in vitro. As these play a central pathophysiological role in Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms syndrome (DRESS), amoxicillin could present with specific DRESS features. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the onset patterns of amoxicillin-associated DRESS. METHODS: All cases of DRESS (Kardaun score ≥4) involving amoxicillin and reported in the French Pharmacovigilance Database between January 1, 2004 and November 30, 2019 were included. Onset circumstances for these cases were categorized considering the onset delay from amoxicillin initiation, and the presence of concomitant medications with a compatible time to onset. RESULTS: A total of 146 probable cases or definite cases of DRESS were included. Three onset circumstances were identified: (i) 'amoxicillin clear culprit' where amoxicillin was the sole suspect drug or when concomitant drugs of compatible time to onset were not reported to cause DRESS (n = 62); (ii) 'amoxicillin possible culprit' in the presence of other potentially culprit drugs in addition to amoxicillin (n = 44) and (iii) 'flare' where amoxicillin, used after DRESS onset, induced flare-up reactions (n = 40). The median time to onset was 5 days (IQR 2-11) in 'clear culprit', and 18 days (IQR 7-26) in 'possible culprit' cases. In 'flare' cases, the median latency between amoxicillin initiation and flare-up reactions was 3 days (IQR 2-5). CONCLUSIONS: Amoxicillin can induce DRESS with a specific early onset and exacerbate DRESS from another drug.

A novel single nucleotide polymorphism assay for the detection of N501Y SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The N501Y mutation in SARS-CoV-2 variants found in several strains from the UK, South Africa and Brazil has been linked to increased transmission. In order to discriminate N501Y variants quickly, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discrimination assay was designed and validated. It was then deployed prospectively in 757 nasopharyngeal swabs. Validation of the novel variant discrimination assay corroborated the results in all validation panel samples (n = 63) through sequencing. This novel variant discrimination assay was then deployed prospectively in 757 clinical nasopharyngeal swabs during the last week of January 2021. N501Y was found in 206 (27.4 %) of the samples: 94 (28.2 %) men and 112 (26.85 %) women (p = 0.73). The patients in whom it was identified had a mean age of 47.8 ± 25.8 (0-96) years, similar to that of patients without this variant: 51.7 ± 25.9 (0-104) years (p = 0.06). 501Y variant was confirmed in 34 samples by sequence method and 501 N wild type was confirmed in 67. This method is sensitive, specific, and simple to apply in any microbiology lab.

Rehabilitación respiratoria para pacientes con distrofia muscular de Duchenne en etapas de pérdida de la marcha / Respiratory rehabilitation for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in stages of loss of gait

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common neuromuscular diseases. Its evolution with well-defined stages related to motor and functional alterations, allows easily establishing relationships with respiratory function through a simple laboratory assessment including vital capacity (VC) measurements as well as peak cough flows. Without any treatment with respiratory rehabilitation, the main cause of morbidity and mortality is ventilatory failure, secondary to respiratory pump muscles weakness and inefficient cough. The VC plateau is reached during the non-ambulatory stages, generally after 13 years old. Respiratory rehabilitation protocols, including air stacking techniques, manual and mechanical assisted coughing and non-invasive ventilatory support, can effectively addressed the VC decline as well as the decrease in peak cough flows, despite advancing to stages with practically non-existent lung capacity. Non-invasive ventilatory support may be applied after 19 years old, initially at night and then extending it during the day. In this way, survival is prolonged, with good quality of life, avoiding ventilatory failure, endotracheal intubation and tracheostomy. This article proposes staggered interventions for respiratory rehabilitation based on the functional stages expected in the patient with DMD who has lost ambulation.

La distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD) es una de las enfermedades neuromusculares más frecuentes. Su curso evolutivo con etapas de declinación en la funcionalidad motora bien definidas, permite fácilmente establecer relaciones con la función respiratoria a través de un laboratorio de evaluación sencilla, básicamente de la capacidad vital (CV) y la capacidad tusígena. Sin intervenciones en rehabilitación respiratoria, la principal causa de morbimortalidad es la insuficiencia ventilatoria secundaria a debilidad de músculos de la bomba respiratoria e ineficiencia de la tos. En las etapas no ambulantes, se alcanza la meseta de la CV, generalmente después de los 13 años, su declinación junto con la disminución de la capacidad tusígena puede ser enfrentada efectivamente con la utilización de protocolos de rehabilitación respiratoria. Estos deben considerar la restitución de la CV con técnicas de insuflación activa o apilamiento de aire, tos asistida manual y mecánica, más soporte ventilatorio no invasivo, inicialmente nocturno después de los 19 años y luego diurno, pese a avanzar a etapas con capacidad pulmonar prácticamente inexistente. De esta manera, se prolonga la sobrevida, con buena calidad de vida, evitando el fallo ventilatorio, eventos de intubación endotraqueal y traqueostomía. Este artículo, hace propuestas escalonadas de intervención en rehabilitación respiratoria basadas en las etapas funcionales esperables en el paciente con DMD que ha perdido la capacidad de marcha.

Cuidados respiratorios de los pacientes con atrofia muscular espinal / Respiratory care approach for patients with spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a disease of the anterior horn of the spinal cord, which causes muscle weakness that leads to a progressive decrease in vital capacity and diminished cough flows. Respiratory morbidity and mortality are a function of the degree of respiratory and bulbar-innervated muscle. The former can be quantitated by the sequential evaluation of vital capacity to determine the lifetime maximum (plateau) and its subsequent rate of decline, progressing to ventilatory failure. SMA types 1 and 2 benefit from non-invasive respiratory care in early childhood and school age, improving quality and life expectancy. This document synthesizes these recommendations with special reference to interventions guided by stages that include air stacking, assisted cough protocols, preparation for spinal arthrodesis and non-invasive ventilatory support, even in those patients with loss of respiratory autonomy, minimizing the risk tracheostomy. Failure to consider these recommendations in the regular assessment of patients reduces the offer of timely treatments.

La Atrofia Muscular Espinal (AME) es una enfermedad genética del asta anterior de la medula espinal, que cursa con debilidad muscular progresiva. La intensidad y precocidad de la debilidad muscular presenta diferentes grados de afectación de los grupos musculares respiratorios, determinando la meseta en la capacidad vital y progresión a la insuficiencia ventilatoria, como también el compromiso de los músculos inervados bulbares. Los AME tipo 1 y 2, se benefician con cuidados respiratorios no invasivos en la infancia temprana y edad escolar, mejorando la calidad y esperanza de vida. Este documento sintetiza dichas recomendaciones, con especial referencia a intervenciones guiadas por etapas, que incluyan apilamiento de aire, protocolos de tos asistida, preparación para la artrodesis de columna y soporte ventilatorio no invasivo, incluso en aquellos pacientes con pérdida de la autonomía respiratoria, minimizando el riesgo de traqueostomía. La no consideración de estas recomendaciones en la valoración regular de los pacientes resta la oferta de tratamientos oportunos.

Resultados del primer registro nacional de fibrosis pulmonar idiopática en Chile / Results of the first national register of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Chile

INTRODUCCIÓN: La FPI es la neumonía intersticial idiopática más común, con cifras de incidencia y prevalencia que varían en el mundo por la poco uniforme manera de recolectar casos en los diferentes estudios. No hay cifras publicadas sobre la epidemiología de la FPI en Chile ni Latinoamérica. Se hace relevante conocerlas por la carga sanitaria que representan los pacientes con FPI y por la aprobación reciente de drogas antifibróticas de alto costo. El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar un registro de pacientes con FPI atendidos por neumólogos chilenos de diversos regiones del país, con los medios diagnósticos que habitualmente utilizan en la vida real. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizó una encuesta electrónica en línea diseñada por el grupo de enfermedades pulmonares difusas del Instituto Nacional del Tórax para registro de pacientes con diagnóstico de FPI según criterios ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT desde junio de 2015 a junio de 2017. RESULTADOS: 40 de los 200 neumólogos invitados enviaron casos de FPI de las 13 regiones del país, completando un total de 700 pacientes. 2/3 eran casos antiguos, un número similar de hombres y mujeres, 73% tienen patrón definitivo de UIP (Usual Interstitial Pneumonia) en tomografía axial computarizada, la mayoría eran pacientes sobre 60 años y en solo 16% se solicitó biopsia para diagnóstico. CONCLUSIONES: Un registro de 700 casos representa un número muy importante de pacientes con FPI en Chile que nos permite acercarnos a la caracterización de la cohorte y a fortalecer una red de especialistas dedicados al cuidado de estos pacientes y sus familias.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, with incidence and prevalence figures varying worldwide because of the inconsistent way of collecting cases in different studies. There are no published figures on the epidemiology of IPF in Chile or Latin America. It is relevant to know them because of the health burden of patients with IPF and the recent approval for treatment purposes of high cost antifibrotic drugs. The objective of this study was to develop a clinical registry of patients with IPF treated by Chilean pulmonologists from different regions of the country, using the diagnostic means they usually use in real life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An online electronic survey was designed by the group of diffuse pulmonary diseases of the "Instituto Nacional del Tórax" to register patients with diagnosis of IPF from June 2015 to June 2017 according to ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT criteria. RESULTS: 40 of the 200 invited pulmonologists sent IPF cases from the country's 13 regions, completing a total of 700 patients. 2/3 were old cases, a similar number of men and women, 73% had definitive UIP pattern in CT, the majority were patients over 60 years old and in only 16% biopsy was requested for diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: A register of 700 cases represents a very important number of patients with IPF in Chile that allows us to approach the characterization of the cohort and to strengthen a network of specialists dedicated to the care of these patients and their families.

Sobre las revisiones sistemáticas y narrativas de la literatura en Medicina / On systematic and narrative literature reviews in medicine

Las revisiones de la literatura son cada día más frecuentes en el ámbito biomédico, ya sea de tipo narrativo, revisiones sistemáticas o meta-análisis. En este artículo se revisan y describen las características de cada una de ellas, con sus ventajas y desventajas. Además, se presentan los principales elementos a tener en consideración en el análisis de los meta-análisis, incluyendo análisis de sensibilidad, búsqueda de heterogeneidad y sesgos de publicación.

Reviews are becoming more common in the biomedical field, whether it be a narrative type, systematic review, or meta-analysis. In this article, I review and describe the characteristics of each of them, with their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, I discuss main elements to considerer when you read meta-analyzes, including sensitivity analysis, search for heterogeneity and, publication biases.

Detection of Natural Infection by Leishmania sp. in Bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia) that Inhabit the City of Corrientes, Argentina.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease of importance in Argentina. It is important to be acquainted with its possible natural hosts and reservoirs. Bats have several reservoir attributes, which means they could fulfill these roles. The aim of this work was to investigate the presence of Leishmania sp. in bats that inhabit the city of Corrientes. Bats were captured and identified. From the captured specimens, spleen samples were taken and Leishmania sp. detection techniques were applied, including both optical microscopy and PCR. It was possible to capture 95 bat specimens belonging to 10 species. Using cytological preparations, a prevalence of 1.29% was detected and using PCR a prevalence of 32% was found. Our results confirm the presence of natural infection by Leishmania sp. in bats of the city of Corrientes which reveals the possibility of these animal species fulfilling a reservoir role for this disease.

La leishmaniose est une zoonose importante en Argentine. La connaissance de ses réservoirs possibles est essentielle. Les chauves-souris ont plusieurs attributs pour remplir ce rôle. L'objectif de ce travail était d'étudier la présence de Leishmania sp. chez les chauves-souris qui habitent la ville de Corrientes. Des captures de chauves-souris ont été faites et celles-ci ont été identifiées. Des échantillons de rates ont été prélevés sur ces spécimens pour rechercher Leishmania sp. en utilisant la microscopie optique et la PCR. Il a été possible de capturer 95 spécimens de chauves-souris appartenant à dix espèces. En utilisant des préparations cytologiques, une prévalence de 1,29 % a été détectée et en utilisant la PCR, une prévalence de 32 % a été trouvée. Nos résultats confirment la présence d'une infection naturelle par Leishmania sp. chez les chauves-souris de la ville de Corrientes, ce qui révèle la possibilité que ces espèces animales jouent un rôle de réservoir pour cette maladie.

Diagnóstico diferencial de la fibrosis pulmonar idiopática / Differential diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Para el diagnóstico certero de fibrosis pulmonar idiopática (FPI) es de vital importancia la presencia de un patrón tomográfico definitivo de neumonía intersticial usual (NIU), en un contexto clínico adecuado. El interrogatorio dirigido, el uso de cuestionarios validados, una evaluación reumatológica acuciosa y exámenes complementarios son importantes para descartar causas secundarias de fibrosis pulmonar como neumonitis por hipersensibilidad (NHS), enfermedades del tejido conectivo (ETC), toxicidad por drogas y algunas neumoconiosis que pueden imitar el patrón radiológico y muchas veces dificultar un diagnóstico adecuado de FPI.

For the accurate diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the presence of a definitive tomographic pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is of vital importance, in an appropriate clinical context. Targeted interrogation, the use of valid questionnaires, an acute rheumatologic evaluation and complementary examinations are important to rule out secondary causes such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), connective tissue diseases (CTD), drug toxicity and some pneumoconiosis that can mimic the radiological pattern and often hinder a clear diagnosis of IPF.

Trasplante pulmonar en pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar: experiencia del Instituto Nacional del Tórax / Lung transplantation in pulmonary fibrosis: an experience from National Institute of Thorax, Chile

Resumen La fibrosis pulmonar es una enfermedad progresiva y de mal pronóstico por lo que el trasplante pulmonar sigue siendo una opción para pacientes bien seleccionados. Objetivo: Evaluar resultados y sobrevida de pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar trasplantados a 8 años de inicio del programa de trasplante. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de trasplantados de pulmón por fibrosis pulmonar desde agosto de 2010 a julio de 2018. Resultados: De un total de 76 trasplantes, un 68,4% han sido en pacientes con fibrosis pulmonar. La principal indicación fue fibrosis pulmonar idiopática (75%). El puntaje de priorización pulmonar (LAS) promedio fue de 53 y un 32% cumplía con criterios de urgencia. La edad promedio fue 55 años, y se usó técnica unipulmonar en un 98%. La principal complicación quirúrgica fue la estenosis bronquial (7,6%). De las complicaciones médicas precoces destacaron 26 episodios infecciosos y 6 rechazos celulares agudos. La principal complicación tardía fue la disfunción crónica de injerto. Los resultados funcionales promedio pre trasplante, a 1 y 3 años fueron: CVF de 49%, 71% y 70% del valor teórico. Un 40% ha fallecido en el período de seguimiento. La principal causa de mortalidad el primer año post trasplante fueron las infecciones. La sobrevida a 1, 3 y 5 años fue de 86,2%, 65,2% y 59,8% respectivamente. Conclusiones: En trasplante monopulmonar es una opción de tratamiento en estos pacientes, con una sobrevida de 59% a 5 años. Un tercio se trasplanta con criterios de urgencia, siendo las infecciones la principal complicación precoz y la disfunción crónica de injerto la complicación tardía más frecuente.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease with a bad prognosis. This situation makes rise lung transplant as a therapeutic option among carefully selected patients. Objective: Evaluate the results and survival rates of patients with pulmonary fibrosis that were transplanted through an 8 years period of follow-up, from the beginning of our transplant program. Methods: Descriptive study of the transplanted patients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis from august 2010 to july 2018. Results: Out of 76 transplants, 68.4% were due to pulmonary fibrosis, among these, the main diagnosis was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (75%). The average lung allocation score (LAS) was 53 and 32% of them had urgency criteria. Patients ' age averaged 55 years-old and 98% of them underwent a single lung transplant. Early medical complications were seen in 26 patients with infectious episodes and 6 with acute rejection. The main late complication was chronic allograft dysfunction. The main surgical complication was bronchial stenosis (7.6%). In comparison to its base line reference values FVC means pre transplant and 1 and 3 years post-transplant were 49%, 70% and 71% respectively. A 40% of patients died during follow up period. Infections were the main cause of mortality during the first year. Survival rates at 1st 3rd and 5th year were 86,2%; 65.2% and 59.8% respectively. Conclusions: Single lung transplant is a therapeutic option for patients with interstitial lung disease with a 59% survival rate in 5 years, 1/3 fulfilled urgency criteria at the transplant time. The infections were the main early complication and chronic graft dysfunction was the main late complication.

The endocannabinoid 2-AG enhances spontaneous remyelination by targeting microglia.

Remyelination is an endogenous process by which functional recovery of damaged neurons is achieved by reinstating the myelin sheath around axons. Remyelination has been documented in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions and experimental models, although it is often incomplete or fails to affect the integrity of the axon, thereby leading to progressive disability. Microglia play a crucial role in the clearance of the myelin debris produced by demyelination and in inflammation-dependent OPC activation, two processes necessary for remyelination to occur. We show here that following corpus callosum demyelination in the TMEV-IDD viral murine model of MS, there is spontaneous and partial remyelination that involves a temporal discordance between OPC mobilization and microglia activation. Pharmacological treatment with the endocannabinoid 2-AG enhances the clearance of myelin debris by microglia and OPC differentiation, resulting in complete remyelination and a thickening of the myelin sheath. These results highlight the importance of targeting microglia during the repair processes in order to enhance remyelination.

Gut microbiota, cannabinoid system and neuroimmune interactions: New perspectives in multiple sclerosis.

The gut microbiota plays a fundamental role on the education and function of the host immune system. Immunological dysregulation is the cause of numerous human disorders such as autoimmune diseases and metabolic disorders frequently associated with inflammatory processes therefore is critical to explore novel mechanisms involved in maintaining the immune system homeostasis. The cannabinoid system and related bioactive lipids participate in multiple central and peripheral physiological processes that affect metabolic, gastrointestinal and neuroimmune regulatory mechanisms displaying a modulatory role and contributing to the maintenance of the organism's homeostasis. In this review, we gather the knowledge on the gut microbiota-endocannabinoids interactions and their impact on autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and particularly, multiple sclerosis (MS) as the best example of a CNS autoimmune disorder. Furthermore, we contribute to this field with new data on changes in many elements of the cannabinoid system in a viral model of MS after gut microbiota manipulation by both antibiotics and probiotics. Finally, we highlight new therapeutic opportunities, under an integrative view, targeting the eCBS and the commensal microbiota in the context of neuroinflammation and MS.

High-frequency burst vagal nerve simulation therapy in a natural primate model of genetic generalized epilepsy.

PURPOSE: Since the approval of Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy for medically refractory focal epilepsies in 1997, it has been also reported to be effective for a wide range of generalized seizures types and epilepsy syndromes. Instead of conventional VNS Therapy delivered at 20-30Hz signal frequencies, this study evaluates efficacy and tolerability of high-frequency burst VNS in a natural animal model for genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE), the epileptic baboon. METHODS: Two female baboons (B1 P.h. Hamadryas and B2 P.h. Anubis x Cynocephalus) were selected because of frequently witnessed generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) for VNS implantation. High-frequency burst VNS Therapy was initiated after a 4-5 week baseline; different VNS settings (0.25, 2 or 2.5mA, 300Hz, 4 vs 7 pulses, 0.5-2.5s interburst interval, and intermittent stimulation for 1-2 vs for 24h per day) were tested over the subsequent 19 weeks, which included a 4-6 week wash-out period. GTCS frequencies were quantified for each setting, while seizure duration and postictal recovery times were compared to baseline. Scalp EEG studies were performed at almost every setting, including intermittent light stimulation (ILS) to evaluate photosensitivity. Pre-ILS ictal and interictal discharge rates, as well as ILS responses were compared between trials. The Novel Object test was used to assess potential treatment effects on behavior. RESULTS: High-frequency burst VNS Therapy reduced GTCS frequencies at all treatment settings in both baboons, except when output currents were reduced (0.25mA) or intermittent stimulation was restricted (to 1-2h/day). Seizure duration and postictal recovery times were unchanged. Scalp EEG studies did not demonstrate treatment-related decrease of ictal or interictal epileptic discharges or photosensitivity, but continuous treatment for 120-180s during ILS appeared to reduce photoparoxysmal responses. High-frequency burst VNS Therapy was well-tolerated by both baboons, without cardiac or behavioral changes. Repetitive muscle contractions involving the neck and left shoulder girdle were observed intermittently, most commonly at 0.5 interburst intervals, but these were transient, resolving with a few cycles of stimulation and not noted in wakefulness. CONCLUSIONS: This preclinical pilot study demonstrates efficacy and tolerability of high-frequency burst VNS Therapy in the baboon model of GGE. The muscle contractions may be due to aberrant propagation of the stimulus along the vagal nerve or to the ansa cervicalis, but can be reduced by minimal adjustment of current output or stimulus duration.