Restoration of a Vital Tooth With Extensive Crown Destruction Using Glass Fiber and Polyethylene Fiber-reinforced Composite Resin: A Clinical Case.

Conservative restorative dentistry has been evolving in the last 25 years, focusing mainly on the development of direct restorative materials. Resin-based composites remain an excellent conservative alternative for restoration of teeth with extensive caries lesions. Over time, several strategies have been proposed to improve the mechanical properties of these composites so that they can adequately withstand masticatory forces. Glass fiber-reinforced resin-based composites and their use in situations where there is great loss of tooth structure have gained popularity due to their favorable mechanical properties. Combined techniques with polyethylene fibers can further enhance their clinical performance. This study presents a brief review of their most important qualities and potential use in direct restorative procedures. In addition, a clinical case is described where a vital tooth with extensive coronal destruction was restored using polyethylene fibers embedded in glass fiber-reinforced flowable resin under resin-based composite. The reinforcement of both the remaining tooth structure and the restoration with fibers is a valid treatment option since the network structure formed by the fiber reinforcement can increase the longevity of the direct composite restorations. There are few reports in the literature describing the use of a combined technique using polyethylene fibers embedded in glass fiber-reinforced flowable resin under resin-based composite. Thus, clinical follow-up of this case is required.

Neuropsychiatric phenotypes of anti-NMDAR encephalitis: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis (ANMDARE) show a wide range of behavioral abnormalities and are often mistaken for primary psychiatric presentations. We aimed to determine the behavioral hallmarks of ANMDARE with the use of systematic neuropsychiatric and cognitive assessments. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted, with 160 patients admitted to the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, who fulfilled criteria for possible autoimmune encephalitis and/or red flags along a time window of seven years. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) antibodies against the NR1 subunit of the NMDAR were processed with rat brain immunohistochemistry and cell-based assays with NMDA expressing cells. Systematic cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and functional assessments were conducted before knowing NMDAR antibodies results. A multivariate analysis was used to compare patients with and without definite ANMDARE according to antibodies in CSF. RESULTS: After obtaining the CSF antibodies results in 160 consecutive cases, 100 patients were positive and classified as having definite ANMDARE. The most frequent neuropsychiatric patterns were psychosis (81%), delirium (75%), catatonia (69%), anxiety-depression (65%), and mania (27%). Cognition was significantly impaired. A total of 34% of the patients had a predominantly neuropsychiatric presentation without seizures. After multivariate analysis, the clinical hallmarks of ANMDARE consisted of a catatonia-delirium comorbidity, tonic-clonic seizures, and orolingual dyskinesia. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the notion of a neurobehavioral phenotype of ANMDARE characterized by a fluctuating course with psychotic and affective symptoms, catatonic signs, and global cognitive dysfunction, often accompanied by seizures and dyskinesia. The catatonia-delirium comorbidity could be a distinctive neurobehavioral phenotype of ANMDARE.

Neurocognitive function in adult residents of a mining district in Mexico after reducing manganese exposure: Follow-up after 11 years.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the neurotoxic effects of chronic exposure to airborne Mn once exposure has been reduced. The environmentally exposed and the reference adult populations evaluated in 2002 were followed, after an environmental management program (EMP) was implemented to reduce the exposure in a mining district in Mexico. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the association between exposure to Mn and neurocognitive performance in environmentally exposed and reference groups of adults before and after EMP implementation. METHODS: In 2013, the same battery of neurocognitive tests used in the initial study (2002) was applied to 58 adults exposed to airborne Mn and 30 adults from the reference community. A cumulative exposure index (CEI) was estimated for the study population before and after the EMP. Categorical outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression, and the resulting ORs were compared between studies. Continuous outcomes were analyzed using linear regression. All models were adjusted for age, years of education, socioeconomic status and blood lead levels. RESULTS: Exposed adults from the post-EMP study showed an improvement in fine motor and verbal regulation of motor skills (OR < 1) compared to the exposed adults from the pre-EMP study (OR > 1). In both pre- and post-studies, the exposed adults showed a deterioration in their dynamic organization of motor activity compared to the reference group (p < 0.05); however, they showed no significant change in attention and working-memory performance. DISCUSSION: After four years of a significant reduction in airborne Mn levels resulting from EMP implementation, chronically exposed adults showed an improvement in fine motor and verbal regulation of motor skills; however, the remaining areas of their motor and cognitive functions remained impaired.

Limited Etching Time Increases Self-adhesive Resin Cement Adhesion to Enamel.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of different enamel etching times on the bond strength of two self-adhesive resin cements (RCs) with and without thermocycling (TMC). METHODS: One hundred twenty bovine teeth were used. Blocks of enamel (8×4×2mm) were obtained, polished, and randomly divided into two groups, according to the RC used: MaxCem Elite or RelyX U200. Groups were subdivided into four groups (n=16), according to the etching time: Control (0 seconds), 5 seconds, 10 seconds, and 20 seconds. Three RC cylinders (1-mm diameter) were built on each enamel block. The specimens were submitted to two storage conditions: 24 hours in distilled water or TMC (5000 cycles/5°C-55°C). Afterward, the specimens were submitted to the shear bond strength (SBS) test. The failure modes and adhesive interfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were analyzed with three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test (α=0.05). RESULTS: Etching increased the SBS for both the RCs,especially forthe groups etched for 5 and 10 seconds. TMC affected negatively the SBS of the control groups (p<0.05). No resin tags were observed in control groups, and the formation of tags was time dependent. CONCLUSION: The 10 seconds etching time was more effective in increasing the enamel-resin bond strength. TMC negatively affected bond strength in specimens without acid etching.

Bioactive glass ceramic can improve the bond strength of sealant/enamel?

AIM: Evaluate the influence of enamel pre-treatment using Biosilicate, associated or not to other treatments; on the bond strength (BS) of pit-and-fissure sealant, with or without saliva contamination. METHODS: Ninety slices (4 mm × 4 mm) were obtained from 30 bovine incisors. Each slice was embedded in acrylic resin with their buccal surface exposed and polished to obtain a flat enamel surface. Half of them were contaminated with human saliva. All specimens were randomly divided into five groups (n = 9) according to the surface pre-treatment tested: acid etching (AE); AE + Biosilicate (B); AE + B + total-etch adhesive (Ad); Biosilicate; control (no treatment). Then, a 1 mm layer of sealant (Clinpro XT Varnish, 3M ESPE) was applied; and to provide support, a composite resin (Opallis, FGM) block was built up over it. Samples were thermocycled (500 cycles/5-55 °C) and sectioned obtaining sticks (1 × 1 × 10 mm) for microtensile BS testing (0.5 mm/min). Data were analysed with two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni test, p < 0.05. Failure patterns were evaluated using a stereomicroscope. RESULTS: There was no difference among contaminated and non-contaminated groups, and between non-contaminated groups (p > 0.05). When contaminated, AE + B + Ad Group showed the highest BS values, differing (p < 0.05) from B Group and Control; similar between them (p > 0.05). Cohesive fractures were found in AE + B + Ad Group, submitted or not to contamination. CONCLUSIONS: Since a surface pre-treatment was used, whether Biosilicate was applied or not, the sealant/enamel BS was the same in saliva-contaminated or non-contaminated enamel.

Sex-related differences in abdominal obesity impact on ischemic stroke risk.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of our study was to evaluate sex differences in the impact of weight and abdominal obesity on the risk of ischemic stroke. METHODS: We included 388 patients with ischemic stroke (aged <75 years) assessed consecutively in our hospital and 732 controls matched by age and sex. Vascular risk factors and anthropometric data (waist circumference, weight and height) were recorded. The impact of three anthropometric variables [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and waist to height ratio] on ischemic stroke risk was calculated. These variables were divided into quartiles for a comprehensive comparison between cases and controls, stratified by sex and adjusted in logistic regression by age and vascular risk factors. Further logistic regression using dummy variables was performed to evaluate the association between BMI-adjusted abdominal obesity and stroke risk. RESULTS: Increased BMI was not associated with increased stroke risk overall or in women, but was a protective factor in men [P = 0.03; odds ratio (OR), 0.59 (0.37-0.94)]. Abdominal obesity was a risk factor for stroke in women, in both waist circumference [P < 0.001; OR, 5.79 (3.10-10.85)] and waist to height ratio [P < 0.001; OR, 3.61 (1.99-6.54)] analyses, but was not significant in men. When considered independently of BMI, abdominal obesity was a risk factor in both sexes, but the strength of the association was significantly higher in women. CONCLUSIONS: Increased BMI was related to a lower risk of stroke in men. Abdominal obesity was associated with ischemic stroke in women. The impact of abdominal obesity on stroke risk differs by sex.

EEG extreme delta brush: An ictal pattern in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

INTRODUCTION: The anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAr) encephalitis-associated syndrome includes neuropsychiatric symptoms, impaired consciousness, seizures, autonomic instability, and hypoventilation. The electroencephalographic (EEG) activity throughout the course of the disease has still not been well documented. We reviewed electroclinical data of patients with NMDAr encephalitis to characterize their EEG and its clinical correlation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 16 patients with NMDAr encephalitis from 8 Spanish medical centers, 15 of whom underwent video-EEG in the acute phase. RESULTS: In 15 patients (11 females, median age: 37.4, range: 14-87 years), seizures occurred in 9 (60%) and status epilepticus (SE) in 5 (33.3%). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was abnormal in 10 (66.6%), and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) was normal in 3 and abnormal in 12, with positive PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (1/15) and herpes simple virus (1/15). An ovarian teratoma was found in 1 patient and other malignancies (small cell lung carcinoma) in 1 patient. The EEG was abnormal in the acute phase in 14/15 (93.3%). Extreme delta brush (EDB) was observed in 5 (33.3%), and the presence of EDB was associated with SE in all cases. Rhythmic delta activity without EDB was observed in 5 (33.3%), while excessive beta activity was present in 4 (26.6%). Extreme delta brush can follow a pattern of well-characterized electroclinical seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Almost invariably, patients with NMDAr encephalitis had abnormal EEG. The presence of EDB, which can follow a pattern of well-characterized electroclinical seizures, in our patients was associated with seizures and SE. These findings suggest that EDB could be an evolutive pattern of an SE in NMDAr encephalitis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Status Epilepticus".

Estudio postautorización de la eslicarbazepina en el tratamiento de epilepsias farmacorresistentes: resultados preliminares / Post-authorisation study of eslicarbazepine as treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy: Preliminary results

Introducción: La eslicarbazepina (ESL) es un nuevo fármaco antiepileptico (FAE) analogo de la carbamazepina (CBZ) y la oxcarbazepina (OXC). Analizamos su respuesta terapeutica inicial y el paso desde CBZ y OXC. Métodos: Evaluamos en un estudio transversal a 61 pacientes con un amplio espectro de epilepsias farmacorresistentes. El cambio desde CBZ y OXC se realizo en una noche con una equivalencia de 1:1,3 y 1:1 mg. Resultados: La epilepsia mas frecuente fue la de lobulo temporal (62,3%). La etiología más frecuente la esclerosis mesial (26,2%). El seguimiento medio fue de 4,7 ± 3,2 meses. En 40 pacientes con seguimiento mínimo de 3 meses, la frecuencia mediana de crisis se redujo un 63,6% (p < 0,001), siendo en un 30% la reducción ≥ 80%. Los efectos adversos (EA) aparecieron en el 54,3% siempre durante la fase de titulación, siendo mas frecuentes a dosis superiores a 800 mg (73,9% vs. 47,4%; p = 0,042) y el mas importante el mareo (34,4%), siendo mas habitual en asociación con VPA, LTG y/o LCS (19,2% vs. 45,7%; p = 0,031). La tasa de retención temprana a los 3 meses fue del 75,4%. En 25 pacientes se cambio desde CBZ o OXC, siendo los EA transitorios (69,2% y 33%; p = 0,073). Pasados 3 meses del cambio, la frecuencia mediana de crisis había disminuido un 20% (p < 0,075). Conclusiones: La ESL es eficaz en el tratamiento de epilepsias focales, con una tasa de retención temprana > 70%. Los EA tienen lugar durante la fase de titulación y según los fármacos antiepilépticos asociados. El cambio rapido desde CBZ y OXC puede realizarse de forma segura

Introduction: Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a new antiepileptic drug (AED) and an analogue to carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxcarbazepine (OXC). In this study, we evaluate initial therapeutic response to ESL and events in the change from CBZ and OXC. Methods: We evaluated 61 patients with a broad spectrum of drug-resistant epilepsies in a cross-sectional study. The switch from CBZ and OXC to ESL was carried out in a single night at ratios of 1:1.3 and 1:1 mg respectively. Results: The most common form of epilepsy was temporal lobe epilepsy (62.3%). The most common aetiology was mesial temporal sclerosis (26.2%). Mean follow-up time was 4.7±3.2 months. In 40 patients with a minimum follow-up period of 3 months, monthly median seizure frequency dropped by 63.6% (P<.001) and a reduction of 80% or more was recorded in 30%. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 54%; all appeared during the titration phase. They were more frequent at doses in excess of 800 mg (73.9% vs. 47.4%; P=.042). The most common AE was dizziness (34.4%), which was commonly associated with VPA, LTG and/or LCS consumption (19.2% vs. 45.7%; P=.031). The retention rate at 3 months was 75.4%. A total of 25 patients replaced CBZ or OXC treatment with ESL; any AEs were transient (69.2% for CBZ and 33% for OXC; P=.073). At 3 months after the treatment change, median seizure frequency had decreased by 20% (P<.075). Conclusions: ESL is effective in the treatment of focal epilepsies and its early retention rate is > 70%. AEs occurred during the titration phase and corresponded to associated AEDs. A rapid change from CBZ and OXC to ESL treatment can be safely performed

Estudio de seguridad en la monitorización por vídeo-electroencefalograma prolongado / Safety study of long-term video-electroencephalogram monitoring

Introducción: En epilepsia farmacorresistente el incremento asociado de la morbimortalidad y el deterioro de calidad de vida hace necesario el ingreso en Unidades de Monitorización de Epilepsia (UME). En dichas Unidades se practican técnicas que facilitan la aparición de crisis epilépticas, implicando un riesgo de aparición de fenómenos adversos secundarios. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es caracterizar y cuantificar dichos fenómenos adversos en una UME en España. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo de pacientes consecutivos ingresados en nuestra UME. Se excluyó a los pacientes que ingresaron por motivo de status epilepticus, serie de crisis o ensayo clínico. Resultados: Se incluyeron 175 pacientes. Un 92,1% (161) de los pacientes no presentó ningún fenómeno adverso. Un 3,4% (6) presentó status epilepticus, un 1,7% (3) presentó lesión traumática, un 1,7% (3) presentó alteración psiquiátrica inter-postictal, un 1,1% (2) presentó alteración cardiorrespiratoria de riesgo. No se detectaron factores de riesgo asociados a dichos fenómenos adversos. Conclusiones: Los fenómenos adversos detectados con mayor frecuencia fueron el status epilepticus, lesiones traumáticas, alteraciones psiquiátricas inter-postictales y alteraciones cardiorrespiratorias. La frecuencia de aparición de dichos fenómenos adversos fue similar al de series internacionales. Las complicaciones detectadas no contraindican la MVEEG

Introduction: The increased morbidity and mortality and poorer quality of life associated with drug-resistant epilepsy justify admitting patients to epilepsy monitoring units (EMU). These units employ methods that promote the occurrence of seizures, which involves a risk of secondary adverse events. The aim of our study is to characterise and quantify these adverse events in a Spanish EMU. Materials and methods: A descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study of patients admitted consecutively to our EMU. Patients admitted due to status epilepticus, clusters of seizures, or as participants in a clinical trial were excluded. Results: We included 175 patients, of whom 92.1% (161) did not suffer any adverse events. Status epilepticus was present in 3.4% (6); 1.7% (3) had traumatic injury, 1.7% (3) had interictal or postictal psychosis, and 1.1% (2) had cardiorespiratory impairment. There were no risk factors associated with these adverse events. Conclusions: The most frequently-identified adverse events were status epilepticus, traumatic injury, interictal or postictal psychosis, and cardiorespiratory disorders. The frequency of these adverse events was similar to that seen in international literature. The complications detected do not contraindicate VEEGM

Post-authorisation study of eslicarbazepine as treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy: preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a new antiepileptic drug (AED) and an analogue to carbamazepine (CBZ) and oxcarbazepine (OXC). In this study, we evaluate initial therapeutic response to ESL and events in the change from CBZ and OXC. METHODS: We evaluated 61 patients with a broad spectrum of drug-resistant epilepsies in a cross-sectional study. The switch from CBZ and OXC to ESL was carried out in a single night at ratios of 1:1.3 and 1:1mg respectively. RESULTS: The most common form of epilepsy was temporal lobe epilepsy (62.3%). The most common aetiology was mesial temporal sclerosis (26.2%). Mean follow-up time was 4.7±3.2 months. In 40 patients with a minimum follow-up period of 3 months, monthly median seizure frequency dropped by 63.6% (P<.001) and a reduction of 80% or more was recorded in 30%. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 54%; all appeared during the titration phase. They were more frequent at doses in excess of 800mg (73.9% vs. 47.4%; P=.042). The most common AE was dizziness (34.4%), which was commonly associated with VPA, LTG and/or LCS consumption (19.2% vs. 45.7%; P=.031). The retention rate at 3 months was 75.4%. A total of 25 patients replaced CBZ or OXC treatment with ESL; any AEs were transient (69.2% for CBZ and 33% for OXC; P=.073). At 3 months after the treatment change, median seizure frequency had decreased by 20% (P<.075). CONCLUSIONS: ESL is effective in the treatment of focal epilepsies and its early retention rate is > 70%. AEs occurred during the titration phase and corresponded to associated AEDs. A rapid change from CBZ and OXC to ESL treatment can be safely performed.

[Safety study of long-term video-electroencephalogram monitoring]. / Estudio de seguridad en la monitorización por vídeo-electroencefalograma prolongado.

INTRODUCTION: The increased morbidity and mortality and poorer quality of life associated with drug-resistant epilepsy justify admitting patients to epilepsy monitoring units (EMU). These units employ methods that promote the occurrence of seizures, which involves a risk of secondary adverse events. The aim of our study is to characterise and quantify these adverse events in a Spanish EMU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study of patients admitted consecutively to our EMU. Patients admitted due to status epilepticus, clusters of seizures, or as participants in a clinical trial were excluded. RESULTS: We included 175 patients, of whom 92.1% (161) did not suffer any adverse events. Status epilepticus was present in 3.4% (6); 1.7% (3) had traumatic injury, 1.7% (3) had interictal or postictal psychosis, and 1.1% (2) had cardiorespiratory impairment. There were no risk factors associated with these adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently-identified adverse events were status epilepticus, traumatic injury, interictal or postictal psychosis, and cardiorespiratory disorders. The frequency of these adverse events was similar to that seen in international literature. The complications detected do not contraindicate VEEGM.

Effect of environmental manganese exposure on verbal learning and memory in Mexican children.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential metal, but in excess it becomes neurotoxic. Children's developing nervous system may be especially vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of overexposure to this metal. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Mn exposure on verbal memory and learning in 7- to 11-year-old children. We tested 79 children living in the Molango Mn-mining district and 95 children from a non-exposed community in the same State of Mexico. The Children's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (CAVLT) was administered. Blood and hair samples were obtained to determine Mn concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. CAVLT performance was compared between the two groups and multilevel regression models were constructed to estimate the association between biomarkers of Mn exposure and the CAVLT scores. The exposed group presented higher hair and blood Mn (p<0.001) than the non-exposed group (median 12.6 vs. 0.6µg/g, 9.5vs. 8.0µg/L respectively), as well as lower scores (p<0.001) for all the CAVLT subscales. Hair Mn was inversely associated with most CAVLT subscales, mainly those evaluating long-term memory and learning (ß=-0.47, 95% CI -0.84, -0.09). Blood Mn levels showed a negative but non-significant association with the CAVLT scores. These results suggest that Mn exposure has a negative effect on children's memory and learning abilities.

Serum prolactin rises in Mexican school children exposed to airborne manganese.

Early studies on manganese (Mn) exposure have shown that this transition metal affects dopamine neurotransmission. Dopamine serves as a tonic inhibitor of prolactin release in the anterior hypophysis, thus the serum prolactin levels in occupationally Mn exposed workers has been found increased. However, little is known about environmental Mn exposure effect on this hormone. In the present study we assessed serum prolactin in environmentally (mainly through air) exposed children living in the proximity of a rich Mn zone in Mexico and a control group with similar socioeconomic and ethnic characteristics. We also determined Mn levels in blood and hair, hemoglobin and anthropometric variables. Children between 7 and 11 years old were included (77 from Mn exposed and 93 from control communities). Blood Mn was higher in exposed children (median 9.5 µg/L, rank [5.5, 18]) as compared to the control group (median 8 µg/L, rank [5, 14]) (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney). Hair Mn was also increased in the exposed group (median 13.2 µg/g, rank [4.2, 48]) in comparison to the control group (median 0.6 µg/g rank [0.06, 3.6]). Prolactin was found increased in the exposed children (median 12.35 ng/ml, rank [2.90, 33.70]) versus controls (median 7.77 ng/ml, rank [2.7, 23.6]). Positive correlations were found between prolactin and both blood Mn and hair Mn (Rho=0.217 and 0.250, respectively, p<0.05). A linear regression, with prolactin as the dependent variable, showed hair Mn as the determinant variable after adjusting by age, hemoglobin and sex. After a stratification of hair and blood Mn into low, medium and high content, significant associations were also found, confirming the relationship between prolactin and hair Mn. Results suggest that children from these Mn environmentally exposed communities could be at risk of endocrine alterations.

Environmental exposure to manganese and motor function of children in Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: Occupational manganese (Mn) exposure has been associated with motor deficits in adult workers, but data on the potential effects of environmental exposure to Mn on the developing motor function for a children population is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between exposure to Mn and motor function of school aged children. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study selecting 195 children (100 exposed and 95 unexposed) between 7 and 11 years old. The following tests were used to evaluate the motor function: Grooved pegboard, finger tapping, and Santa Ana test. Mn exposure was assessed by blood (MnB) and hair concentrations (MnH). We constructed linear regression models to evaluate the association between exposure to Mn and the different test scores adjusting for age, sex, maternal education, hemoglobin and blood lead. RESULTS: The median concentration of MnH and MnB was significantly higher in exposed (12.6 µg/g and 9.5 µg/L) compared to unexposed children (0.6 µg/g and 8.0 µg/L). The exposed children on average performed the grooved pegboard test faster, but made more errors, although these results did not reach statistical significance with neither one of the Mn exposure biomarkers. MnB showed an inverse association on the execution of the finger tapping test (average in 5 trials ß -0.4, p=0.02), but no association was observed with MnH. CONCLUSIONS: A subtle negative association of Mn exposure on motor speed and coordination was shown. In adults, the main effect of environmental Mn exposure has been associated with motor skills, but these results suggest that such alterations are not the main effect on children.

Eighteen month study of continuous intraduodenal levodopa infusion in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease: impact on control of fluctuations and quality of life.

Symptom control, daily "on" time, and quality of life (QoL) of nine patients with Advanced Parkinson's Disease was assessed following 18-months treatment with Continuous Intraduodenal Levodopa Infusion (CIDLI). Patients had severe motor fluctuations and dyskinesias and had previously received treatment with oral levodopa and dopamine agonists. There were significant improvements in patients' symptoms on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and QoL (Parkinson's Disease QoL Questionnaire; Schwab & England Capacity for Daily Living Scale; p < 0.05). Mean (+/-SD) daily "on" time increased from 6.1 +/- 1.9 to 12.0 +/- 3.4 h (p < 0.05). Improved QoL in APD was associated with CIDLI-related improvements in symptom control and increase in daily "on" time.

Paraplejía aguda y trombosis segmentaria de aorta infrarrenal / Acute paraplegia, and segmental thrombosis of the infrarenal aorta

Introducción. La oclusión aórtica aguda es un evento raro asociado a elevadas cifras de morbimortalidad. Lalesión neurológica directa con paraplejía aguda es muy poco frecuente. Caso clínico. Varón de 72 años de edad, hipertensoe hipercolesterolémico, sufrió dolor súbito de extremidades inferiores y paraplejía completa a la altura de L2. Unatomografía computarizada mostró trombosis segmentaria corta de la aorta infrarrenal, a la altura de L3, donde se situabauna placa calcificada posterior. Realizamos una trombectomía aórtica transfemoral y una angioplastia transluminalde la estenosis aórtica con balón 10 × 40 mm. El paciente recuperó pulsos distales normales y revascularización completade ambas extremidades inferiores (tiempo evento-reperfusión: 8 horas). A pesar del tratamiento intensivo, el pacientedesarrolló un síndrome de reperfusión grave, fracaso multiorgánico, y falleció 48 horas después de la intervención. Laautopsia reveló una placa ateromatosa calcificada y fisurada en la aorta infrarrenal e infarto no hemorrágico de la médulaespinal lumbar. Conclusión. Describimos un caso poco habitual de paraplejía aguda secundaria a una trombosissegmentaria corta de la aorta infrarrenal, que tratamos mediante técnicas endovasculares y discutimos los pocos casossimilares publicados anteriormente

Introduction. Acute aortic occlusion is a rare event associated with high morbidity and mortality rates.Direct neurological lesion with acute paraplegia is very uncommon. Case report. A 72-year-old hypertensive andhypercholesterolemic man suffered sudden lower limb pain and complete paraplegia at L2 level. An abdominal CT scanshowed a short thrombosis of the infrarenal aorta, at the level of L3, where a posterior calcified plaque was located. Weperformed a transfemoral aortic thrombectomy and a PTA of the aortic stenosis with a 10 × 40 mm balloon. The patientrecovered normal distal pulses and complete revascularization of both lower limbs (time event-reperfusion: 8 hours).Despite intensive treatment, the patient developed a severe reperfusion syndrome, multiorgan failure, and he died 48hours after the procedure. The autopsy revealed a fisured and calcified atheromatous plaque in the infrarenal aorta anda non-hemorrhagic infarction of the lumbar spinal cord. Conclusion. We report an unusual case of acute paraplegiasecondary to a short infrarenal aortic thrombosis, treated with an innovative endovascular approach, and we discuss thefew previously published cases

Complicaciones vasculares secundarias a la administración parenteral de drogas de abuso / Vascular complications due to parenteral drug abuse

Introducción. La administración parenteral de drogas de abuso puede generar complicaciones arteriales y venosas,que pueden afectar a la extremidad, e incluso a la vida del paciente. Casos clínicos. Caso 1: varón, 36 años, VIH+,VHC+. Tras inyección intraarterial de benzodiacepinas, refiere dolor brusco, cianosis y disminución de sensibilidad y motilidaden territorio radial de la mano izquierda. Con diagnóstico de necrosis isquémica irreversible, se practica amputaciónen tercio distal de antebrazo. Caso 2: mujer, 24 años, VHC+. Presenta tumoración pulsátil con hemorragia activa enflexura de codo izquierdo secundaria a arteriopunción de heroína. Se realiza exclusión del pseudoaneurisma roto, con ampliodesbridamiento, y reconstrucción de la arteria humeral mediante parche de vena safena interna. Se aísla Staphylococcusaureus en el trombo extraído, y se complementa el tratamiento con antibioterapia específica. Caso 3: varón, 38años, VIH+, VHC+. Refiere cuadro brusco de dolor, cianosis y disminución de sensibilidad y motilidad en territorio radialde mano izquierda, secundario a inyección intraarterial de heroína más cocaína. A pesar de intentar delimitar las lesionescon anticoagulación y prostaglandinas intravenosas, sufre necrosis isquémica irreversible, precisando amputación en terciodistal de antebrazo. Caso 4: varón, 40 años, VIH+, VHC+. Tras venopunción de cocaína, presenta dolor y edema en laextremidad inferior izquierda asociado a fiebre. Se diagnostica trombosis venosa profunda séptica iliofemoral, que se tratacon anticoagulación sistémica y antibioterapia. Conclusiones. La inyección de drogas de abuso produce un espectro variablede afectación vascular, habitualmente en pacientes jóvenes y frecuentemente con infección asociada. Las posibilidadesterapéuticas deben ser individualizadas

Introduction. Parenteral drug administration can cause a variety of arterial and venous complications whichcan even compromise limb viability and the patient’s life. Case reports. Case 1: a 36-years-old, HIV+, HCV+, male,referred sudden pain, cyanosis, anesthesia and paralysis on the radial territory of his left hand, after arterial injectionof benzodiacepine. He developed irreversible necrosis and required distal forearm amputation. Case 2: a 24-years-old,HCV+, female, suffered an acute event of active bleeding from a pulsatile mass on her left elbow, after previous arterialheroin injection. We resected the rupture pseudoaneurysm, performed extensive debridement and repaired the brachialartery with a saphenous vein patch. We isolated Staphylococcus aureus in the thrombus and we completed the surgicaltreatment with specific antibiotics. Case 3: a 38-years-old, HIV+, HCV+, male, referred sudden pain, cyanosis,anesthesia and paralysis on the radial territory of his left hand, after arterial injection of heroin + cocaine. We tried tolimit the tissue damage with anticoagulation and intravenous iloprost but he suffered irreversible necrosis and requireddistal forearm amputation. Case 4: a 40-years-old, HIV+, HCV+, male, was admitted with fever and a painful swollenleft lower limb, after venous injection of cocaine. We diagnosed a septic ilio-femoral deep venous thrombosis, whichwe treated with anticoagulation and antibiotics. Conclusions. Parenteral drug abuse can cause a wide spectrum ofvascular disease, mainly in young patients, and it frequently associates infection. The therapeutic possibilities must beindividualized

Causas de muerte en pacientes con aneurisma de aorta abdominal quirúrgico no tratado de forma electiva / Causes of death in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm that was not treated with elective surgery

Introducción. La evolución natural de los aneurismas de aorta abdominal (AAA) grandes es su rotura si no se resecan en el momento oportuno. Objetivo. Conocer las causas de muerte en los pacientes con un AAA quirúrgico que no han sido operados mediante reparación abierta. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudia de forma retrospectiva a 128 pacientes con un AAA a los que no se realizó reparación abierta de forma electiva, en 38 casos (29,7%) por negativa del paciente a ser intervenido, en 64 (50%) por tener diversos factores de riesgo que aumentaban la mortalidad hospitalaria de forma significativa y en 26 (20,3%) por estar contraindicada la cirugía. Resultados. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 78 años y 107 eran varones (83,6%) (53-96). Se llevó a cabo un seguimiento medio de 32,7 meses (rango: 0,1-146 meses). Fallecieron 107 pacientes (83,6%), de los cuales 27 (25,2%) lo hicieron por causa cardíaca y 19 (17,8%) por rotura del AAA. De los 38 pacientes que rechazaron la cirugía, fallecieron 30 (78,9%), 9 de ellos (30,0%) por rotura del AAA. De los 64 pacientes no operados por riesgo quirúrgico elevado, fallecieron 51 (79,7%), pero sólo en 6 de ellos (9,4%) la causa fue la rotura aórtica. Finalmente, todos los pacientes no operados por contraindicación fallecieron, el 15,4% por rotura del aneurisma. Conclusiones. En este trabajo, la principal causa de muerte en los pacientes que rechazaron la cirugía electiva fue la rotura del AAA, mientras que en el resto, su fallecimiento se debió a la patología de base

Introduction. Large abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) naturally progress towards rupture if they are not excised in time. Aim. To determine the causes of death in patients with a surgical AAA who did not undergo open repair surgery. Patients and methods.We conducted a retrospective study of 128 patients with an AAA in whom open repair was not performed electively, in 38 cases (29.7%) because the patient refused to undergo surgery, in 64 (50%) due to their having a number of risk factors that significantly increased the hospital mortality rate and in 26 (20.3%) because surgery was contraindicated. Results. The mean age of the patients was 78 years and 107 were males (83.6%) (53-96). Mean follow-up time was 32.7 months (range: 0.1-146 months). Altogether 107 patients (83.6%) died, 27 (25.2%) of whom did so due to cardiac causes and 19 (17.8%) because of rupture of the AAA. Of the 38 patients who refused surgery, 30 (78.9%) died, 9 of them (30.0%) due to rupture of the AAA. Of the 64 patients who were not operated on because of a high surgical risk, 51 (79.7%) died but death was caused by aortic rupture in only 6 cases (9.4%). Finally, all the patients who did not undergo surgery because it was contraindicated died, in 15.4% of cases due to rupture of the aneurysm. Conclusions. In this work the main cause of death in the patients who refused elective surgery was rupture of the AAA, whereas in the others their deaths were due to their underlying conditions

A novel, direct spatio-temporal approach for analyzing fMRI experiments.

We introduce a novel approach to couple temporal similarity with spatial neighborhood information. This is achieved by concatenating the K nearest, spatially contiguous neighbors of a pixel time-course (TC) of T time-instances. This produces a new TC of (K+1)T time instances. Depending on how "nearest" is defined, we have various options. Strictly spatial nearness means augmenting a given TC by its K nearest neighbors in some canonical spatial order. A more powerful and flexible option is to order the TCs to be concatenated according to their temporal similarity to the central voxel TC. For this study, we have chosen Pearson's cross-correlation coefficient as the measure of similarity. For more than a single neighbor, two concatenation options are possible. The direct ordering option requires that the TCs to be concatenated be spatially contiguous to the central pixel. The more flexible indirect option merely demands that one of a chain of temporally similar TCs be spatially connected to the central pixel. We also apply the temporal similarity criterion to the more conventional spatial (median) filtering, and show that it gives superior result to a strict spatial filtering. The method is tested and verified on a null fMRI dataset onto which we superposed two types of "activations" with known temporal behavior and spatial location. It is also applied to a real dataset containing visual activation. We also propose a strategy, based on the flexibility of the method, to determine a consensus, "core" set of activations.

EvIdent: a functional magnetic resonance image analysis system.

EvIdent (EVent IDENTification) is a user-friendly, algorithm-rich, exploratory data analysis software for quickly detecting, investigating, and visualizing novel events in a set of images as they evolve in time and/or frequency. For instance, in a series of functional magnetic resonance neuroimages, novelty may manifest itself as neural activations in a time course. The core of the system is an enhanced variant of the fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm. Fuzzy clustering obviates the need for models of the underlying requisite biological function, models that are often statistically suspect.