Human brain networks: a graph theoretical analysis of cortical connectivity normative database from EEG data in healthy elderly subjects

GeroScience - Moving from the hypothesis that aging processes modulate brain connectivity networks, 170 healthy elderly volunteers were submitted to EEG recordings in order to define age-related...     

Laparoscopic surgical management of localized recurrent ovarian cancer: a single-institution experience

Background

Optimally, secondary cytoreduction is acknowledged as a valid option in terms of oncologic outcome for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. In cases of localized relapse, a laparoscopic approach has been attempted at various institutions, but studies on its role for this subset of patients still are limited. This report describes the authors’ experience using laparoscopic secondary cytoreduction for patients with localized recurrent ovarian cancer. The results from a retrospective analysis of a prospective case series are reported.

Methods

Between October 2011 and May 2013, 29 patients with localized recurrent ovarian cancer were selected for a laparoscopic cytoreduction. Two conversions to laparotomy occurred. The analyzed outcome variables included stage and site of disease, type of surgical procedure, operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, complications, and oncologic outcome.

Results

The median operating time was 188 min. The median estimated blood loss was 150 mL, and the median hospital stay was 4 days. Complete debulking was achieved for 96.2 % of the patients. No intraoperative complications occurred, and postoperative complications were noted in only one patient. The median disease-free survival time was 14 months.

Conclusions

For selected patients, laparoscopy is a feasible and safe approach to optimal cytoreduction for patients with localized recurrent ovarian cancer.     

The Association between Cognitive Impairment and Diabetic Foot Care: Role of Neuropathy and Glycated Hemoglobin

Diabetes mellitus is associated with impairment in cognitive functions which can complicate adherence to self-care behaviors. We evaluated the incidence of cognitive impairment in patients with diabetes mellitus to determine the strength of the association between diabetic foot (a complication that occurs in about 10% of diabetic patients), adherence to the clinician’s recommendations, glycemic control, and cognitive function. A prospective study was carried out in a probabilistic sample of older patients with diabetic foot living in three nursing homes. Cognitive functions were evaluated by the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), the Trail Making test (TMT), and the Michigan neuropathy screening instrument (MNSI). There were no significant associations between cognitive function and neuropathy or foot alterations, although glycated hemoglobin (HB1Ac > 7%) significantly (p < 0.05) associated with MMSE and adherence to treatment in the 1 month follow-up visit. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that both HB1Ac and the MNSI score significantly (p < 0.05) discriminate subsequent adherence to treatment for foot complication, with a sensitivity of 80.0–73.3% and specificity 70.6–64.7%, respectively. Proper control of foot complications in diabetic patients involves appropriate glycemic control and less severe neuropathy, and seems to be unrelated to cognitive dysfunction, and warrants further studies in order to tailor appropriate treatments to central and peripheral nervous system disorders. Poor glycemic control (Hb1Ac level > 7%) and a neuropathy score of 5.5 in the MNSI are the best-cut off points to discriminate poor adherence to the clinician’s recommendations for self-care behaviors in people with diabetic foot complication. In this study, we observed that foot disorders were associated with impaired global cognitive function in elderly patients (aged ≥ 65). Podiatrists and physicians should consider cognitive dysfunction as an important chronic complication in the management of diabetic foot.     

New synthesis of a highly active δ-MgCl2 for MgCl2/TiCl4/AlEt3 catalytic systems

A good supporting material for Ziegler-Natta type catalysts was obtained by reaction between powdered metallic magnesium and 1-chloro-n-C_mH_2m+1 (m = 3–9). This reaction affords a highly disordered form of MgCl₂ which was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. This MgCl₂ form shows a crystallographic disorder much higher than that exhibited by the products obtained following the commercial activation procedures of α-MgCl₂, either mechanical or chemical. As shown by the XRD spectra, the synthetized MgCl₂ is characterized by the typical structure of the δ-form. Therefore, this MgCl₂ form, in view of its highly disordered structure, appears as a promising material for the preparation of active supported Ziegler-Natta type catalysts. Thus, by titanation of the obtained δ-MgCl₂ we have prepared some supported catalysts which have been tested in the slurry propene polymerizations, showing high activity (136000–138000 gPP/gTi) and good stereoselectivity (82–88% I.I.).     

Cell-based assays for the detection of MOG antibodies: a comparative study

Journal of Neurology - The detection of antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is fundamental for the identification of MOG antibody-associated disorders (MOGAD), and the...     

Differential effects of glucose deprivation on the survival of fetal versus adult neural stem cells-derived oligodendrocyte precursor cells

Impaired myelination is a key feature in neonatal hypoxia/ischemia (HI), the most common perinatal/neonatal cause of death and permanent disabilities, which is triggered by the establishment of an inflammatory and hypoxic environment during the most critical period of myelin development. This process is dependent on oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and their capability to differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes. In this study, we investigated the vulnerability of fetal and adult OPCs derived from neural stem cells (NSCs) to inflammatory and HI insults. The resulting OPCs/astrocytes cultures were exposed to cytokines to mimic inflammation, or to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) to mimic an HI condition. The differentiation of both fetal and adult OPCs is completely abolished following exposure to inflammatory cytokines, while only fetal-derived OPCs degenerate when exposed to OGD. We then investigated possible mechanisms involved in OGD-mediated toxicity: (a) T3-mediated maturation induction; (b) glutamate excitotoxicity; (c) glucose metabolism. We found that while no substantial differences were observed in T3 intracellular content regulation and glutamate-mediated toxicity, glucose deprivation lead to selective OPC cell death and impaired differentiation in fetal cultures only. These results indicate that the biological response of OPCs to inflammation and demyelination is different in fetal and adult cells, and that the glucose metabolism perturbation in fetal central nervous system (CNS) may significantly contribute to neonatal pathologies. An understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism will contribute greatly to differentiating myelination enhancing and neuroprotective therapies for neonatal and adult CNS white matter lesions.     

The effect of food on the absorption of methotrexate sodium tablets in healthy volunteers

Objective. To examine the effect of food on the absorption and bioavailability of low-dose orally administered methotrexate sodium tablets. Methods. In this randomized, 2-way crossover study, a 7.5-mg dose of methotrexate (three 2.5-mg tablets) was administered to 12 healthy male volunteers after an overnight fast or within 10 minutes of consuming a high fat-content breakfast. Serum methotrexate concentrations over the next 24 hours were used to determine the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC), the maximum concentration, the time to maximum concentration (t_max), and the serum half-life for each phase. Results. Food delayed the t_max by approximately 30 minutes, but the extent of absorption, as measured by the AUC, for both phases was similar. Conclusion. These results demonstrate that the bioavailability of low-dose orally administered methotrexate sodium tablets is not influenced by food.