Memory specificity is linked to repetition effects in event-related potentials across the lifespan

The specificity with which past experiences can be remembered varies across the lifespan, possibly due to differences in how precisely information is encoded. Memory formation can be investigated through repetition effects, the common finding that neural activity is altered when stimuli are repeated. However, whether differences in this indirect measure of memory formation relate to lifespan differences in memory specificity has not yet been established. In the present study, we examined repetition effects in event-related potentials and their relation to recognition. During incidental encoding, children (aged 7–9 years), young adults (18–30 years), and older adults (65–76 years) viewed repeated object images from different categories. During subsequent recognition, we distinguished memory for the specific items versus the general categories. We identified repetition suppression in all age groups, and repetition enhancement for adults. Furthermore, individual item recognition performance comprising lure discrimination was positively associated with the magnitude of the neural repetition effects, which did not differ between groups, indicating common neural mechanisms of memory formation. Our findings demonstrate that neural repetition effects reflect the formation of highly specific memory representations and highlight their significance as a neural indicator of individual differences in episodic memory encoding across the lifespan.     

工勤员主管与护士长协作对手术室管理质量的影响

目的探讨手术室工勤员主管和护士长协作管理模式在手术室工勤员管理中的应用效果。方法于2019年开始设置工勤员主管1名,协作护士长进行工勤员管理。评价实施前后管理效果。结果实施协作管理模式后,工勤员月质量考核分、手术室环境卫生检查得分、医护人员及工勤员满意度评分显著高于管理前(均P<0.01),工作缺陷减少。结论工勤员主管和护士长协作管理模式有利于提高手术室工勤员工作质量,提高工勤员和医护人员满意度。     

香萱益神方对血管性痴呆模型大鼠神经元凋亡机制研究

目的:探讨香萱益神方治疗血管性痴呆(VD)模型大鼠认知功能作用及其对神经元凋亡机制的研究。方法:两血管阻断法建立VD大鼠模型,给予中药方香萱益神方灌胃治疗6周,分别于造模后、中药喂养6周后进行Morris水迷宫行为学检测,测试大鼠认知行为能力改变,行为学测试结束后,检测VD模型大鼠海马中海马组织脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)表达水平的变化。结果:香萱益神方治疗6周后,血管性痴呆大鼠模型学习记忆能力得到改善,上调脑内海马组织神经营养因子水平,海马神经元凋亡率下降。结论:香萱益神方是治疗血管性痴呆的有效方剂,可以有效改善VD大鼠模型认知行为功能的障碍情况,起到减少海马神经元细胞凋亡,诱导海马神经元细胞修复的作用。香萱益神方可能是通过激活BDNF相关通路,起到保护海马神经元的作用。     

Primary vaccination in adult patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation – A single center retrospective efficacy analysis

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) results in a loss of humoral immunity and subsequent risk for severe infections. Thus, re-vaccination is required but may fail due to incomplete immune reconstitution. We retrospectively analyzed predictors of immune response to primary vaccination applied according to the EBMT (European Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group) recommendations. Serologic response to vaccination against diphtheria (D), tetanus (T), Bordetella pertussis (aP) and Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) (administrated as combined DTaP-Hib-IPV vaccination) was studied in 84 alloHSCT patients transplanted between 2008 and 2015 (age at alloHSCT: 18.6–70.6 years). All patients with a relapse-free survival of ≥9 months, at least 3 consecutive vaccinations and absence of intravenous immunoglobulin administration within 3 months before and after vaccination met the primary inclusion criteria. Additionally, immunological response to a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was analyzed in a subgroup of 67 patients. Patients’ characteristics at the time of first vaccination were recorded. Responses were measured as vaccine-specific antibody titers. Regarding DTaP-Hib-IPV vaccination, 89.3% (n = 75) of all patients achieved protective titers to at least 3 of the 4 vaccine components and were thus considered responders. 10.7% (n = 9) of the patients were classified as non-responders with positive immune response to less than 3 components. Highest response was observed for Hib (97.4%), tetanus (95.2%) and pneumococcal vaccination (83.6%) while only 68.3% responded to vaccination against Bordetella pertussis. Significant risk factors for failure of vaccination response included low B cell counts (p < 0.001; cut-off: 0.05 B cells/nl) and low IgG levels (p = 0.026; mean IgG of responders 816 mg/dl vs. 475 mg/dl of non-responders). Further, a trend was observed that prior cGvHD impairs vaccination response as 88.9% of the non-responders but only 54.7% of the responders had prior cGvHD (p = 0.073). The results demonstrate, that the currently proposed vaccination strategy leads to seroprotection in the majority of alloHSCT patients.     

Reporting radiographer academy training model; an evaluation of the impact for trainees and clinical service

IntroductionDemand on imaging services continues to increase on a background of complex issues and barriers to care. Collaborative cross organisational working through the development of imaging networks is recommended to address these issues including managing reporting workloads. Standardisation of reporting practices and collaborative cross region reporting radiographer training has been recommended to be supported by a regional reporting radiographer academy model to achieve these aims. This research explores the perceptions of trainees and their managers/mentor who undertook radiographer academy training model with a view to integrated imaging network formalisation in the region.MethodsAn online questionnaire was designed to capture qualitative and quantitative data with three phases; 1) trainees perception of the academy model, 2) trainees perception of the differences in training models and 3) the perceptions of the managers/mentors related to the academy model.ResultsThere were overwhelmingly positive opinions of the academy training model from both cohorts in this study, with the two main benefits emerging being the protected study time away from clinical departments and minimal disruption to clinical services due to reduced onus on the local mentors. Peer support was also highlighted as a positive aspect of the model which would facilitate future integrated imaging network working.ConclusionThe academy model has been well received by both cohorts in this study with positive outcomes highlighted and the model being seen as promoting and facilitating integrated imaging network working between departments. The small sample size of the study requires consideration when extrapolating the results to wider academy models, however some themes may be applicable.Implications for practiceInvestment in the reporting radiographer academy model is justified and provides a practical alternative to the traditional model.     

Implementation of Nurse-Led Cognitive Screening During Medicare Annual Wellness Visits

Dementia is a serious and costly illness. Early identification of cognitive impairment provides opportunity for earlier intervention, and there is growing evidence suggesting that early intervention may help delay the onset of dementia. There is limited concensus and standardized recommendations for when and how cognitive screening should occur. This quality improvement project implemented a standardized nurse-led cognitive screening workflow during the Medicare annual wellness visit. Statistically significant differences were found between the baseline and implementation groups for Mini-Cog screening rates and referral for follow-up for further neurocognitive evaluation. A structured nurse-led workflow improved the cognitive screening process, providing opportunity for further evaluation and intervention.     

Increased alpha suppression with age during involuntary memory retrieval

Recent work suggests that while voluntary episodic memory declines with age, involuntary episodic memory, which comes to mind spontaneously without intention, remains relatively intact. However, the neurophysiology underlying these differences has yet to be established. The current study used electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate voluntary and involuntary retrieval in older and younger adults. Participants first encoded sounds, half of which were paired with pictures, the other half unpaired. EEG was then recorded as they listened to the sounds, with participants in the involuntary group performing a sound localization cover task, and those in the voluntary group additionally attempting to recall the associated pictures. Participants later reported which sounds brought the paired picture to mind during the localization task. Reaction times on the localization task were slower for voluntary than involuntary retrieval and for paired than unpaired sounds, possibly reflecting increased attentional demands of voluntary retrieval and interference from reactivation of the associated pictures respectively. For the EEG analyses, young adults showed greater alpha event-related desynchronization (ERD) during voluntary than involuntary retrieval at frontal and occipital sites, while older adults showed pronounced alpha ERD regardless of intention. Additionally, older adults showed greater ERD for paired than unpaired sounds at occipital sites, likely reflecting visual reactivation of the associated pictures. Young adults did not show this alpha ERD memory effect. Taken together, these data suggest that involuntary memory is largely preserved with age, but this may be due to older adults' greater recruitment of top-down control even when demand for such control is limited.     

Vaccines and autoimmunity during the COVID-19 pandemic

To control the pandemic, efficient vaccines must be applied to the population, including patients with autoimmune diseases. Therefore, one can expect that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines may influence the underlying autoimmune processes in these patients. Additionally, it is essential to understand whether COVID-19 vaccines would be effective, safe, and provide long-lasting immunological protection and memory. However, the currently available and approved COVID-19 vaccines turned out to be safe, effective, and reliable in patients with autoimmune inflammatory and rheumatic diseases. Furthermore, most patients said they felt safer after getting vaccinations for COVID-19 and reported enhanced overall quality of life and psychological wellbeing. In general, the COVID-19 vaccines have been highly tolerated by autoimmune patients. Such findings might comfort patients who are reluctant to use COVID-19 vaccines and assist doctors in guiding their patients into receiving vaccinations more easily and quickly.