Direct electrical stimulation of the optic radiation in patients with covered eyes

Direct electrical stimulation (DES) of the optic radiation (OR) during an awake tumor resection has been repeatedly reported. In all cases, visual function monitoring was performed in patients with open eyes which were looking at a picture. We report a new modification of the standard method, OR stimulation in patient with closed and covered eyes. To the best of our knowledge, this method was not presented before. According to our first experience, this methodology may be in some cases a potentially more sensitive form of neuromonitoring than the OR stimulation in patients with open eyes, as the phosphenes elicited by DES may be more distinct in patients with covered eyes. The technique is discussed, and a literature review on intraoperative identification of the OR is presented as well. However, a future prospective study is needed to confirm the relevance of our finding.     

Efficacy of intralesional recombinant human epidermal growth factor in diabetic foot ulcers in Mexican patients: A randomized double‐blinded controlled trial

The healing process in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is hindered by factors such as chronic inflammation, defects in fibroblast function, poor angiogenesis, and lack of cell migration. Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) has been shown to enhance extracellular matrix formation, cellular proliferation, and angiogenesis. Therefore, intralesional application of rhEGF in DFU could accelerate wound healing. Our objective was to determine the efficacy and safety of rhEGF in patients with DFU. A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study was conducted comparing a thrice‐per‐week intralesional application of rhEGF (75 μg) or placebo in patients with DFU for 8 weeks. The number of completely healed ulcers, size, and wound bed characteristics were evaluated to determine the efficacy of rhEGF. Adverse events were recorded and analyzed to establish its safety. A total of 34 patients were recruited for the study. After three dropouts, we were able to follow and analyze 16 patients in the placebo group and 15 patients in the rhEGF study to the end of the trial. Baseline testing showed that both groups were similar. Compared to the placebo group, more ulcers achieved complete healing in the rhEGF group (rhEGF, n = 4; placebo, n = 0; p = 0.033); ulcers in the rhEGF group decreased in area size (12.5 cm2 [rhEGF] vs. 5.2 cm2 [placebo]; p = 0.049); and more epithelial islands in the wound bed were present (28% vs. 3%; p = 0.025). Mild transitory dizziness was the only side effect that was more frequently noted in the rhEGF group. Our results showed that in patients with DFU who received standard care, intralesional rhEGF application resulted in complete healing in more patients, promoted the epithelialization of the wound bed, and significantly reduced the area of the DFU treated. Therefore, rhEGF resulted in better outcomes for patients suffering from DFU.     

Deep neural network for automatic characterization of lesions on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging - This study proposes an automated prostate cancer (PC) lesion characterization method based on the deep neural network to determine tumor...     

Point prevalence of pressure ulcers in three second‐level hospitals in Mexico

Pressure ulcers (PU) are the source of multiple complications and even death. To our knowledge, there is no available data about PU prevalence in Mexico. The objective of this study was to determine the point prevalence of PU in three second‐level hospitals in Mexico. Every adult hospitalised patient was included in each hospital. Age, gender, hospitalisation ward, Braden score, and the number, location and stage of the ulcers encountered were recorded, as well as any pressure relief measures. In total, 294 patients were examined (127 were male); of these, 63 were considered to be at risk. The average age was 48·6 years. The overall prevalence of the PU was 17%. The service with the highest prevalence was the ICU. The most frequent stage was II (32%) and they were most commonly found in the sacrum (74%). The average Braden score of the patients with ulcers was 10, and 21·4% of the patients obtained moderate‐ to high‐risk Braden scores. Of them, 60·3% had ulcers and only 46% had any preventive measures. The prevalence of PU in three hospitals in Mexico is 17%. The most common stage is II and the most commonly affected site is the sacrum. Only 46% of patients with PU had at least one pressure release measure.     

Neighborhood ethnic density and psychotic disorders among ethnic minority groups in Utrecht City

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology - Recent studies have shown increased incidence of non-affective psychotic disorders (NAPD) among ethnic minorities compared to the native population,...