Synchronization during an internally directed cognitive state in healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment: a MEG study

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a stage between healthy aging and dementia. It is known that in this condition the connectivity patterns are altered in the resting state and during cognitive tasks, where an extra effort seems to be necessary to overcome cognitive decline. We aimed to determine the functional connectivity pattern required to deal with an internally directed cognitive state (IDICS) in healthy aging and MCI. This task differs from the most commonly employed ones in neurophysiology, since inhibition from external stimuli is needed, allowing the study of this control mechanism. To this end, magnetoencephalographic (MEG) signals were acquired from 32 healthy individuals and 38 MCI patients, both in resting state and while performing a subtraction task of two levels of difficulty. Functional connectivity was assessed with phase locking value (PLV) in five frequency bands. Compared to controls, MCIs showed higher PLV values in delta, theta, and gamma bands and an opposite pattern in alpha, beta, and gamma bands in resting state. These changes were associated with poorer neuropsychological performance. During the task, this group exhibited a hypersynchronization in delta, theta, beta, and gamma bands, which was also related to a lower cognitive performance, suggesting an abnormal functioning in this group. Contrary to controls, MCIs presented a lack of synchronization in the alpha band which may denote an inhibition deficit. Additionally, the magnitude of connectivity changes rose with the task difficulty in controls but not in MCIs, in line with the compensation-related utilization of neural circuits hypothesis (CRUNCH) model.     

Taquiarritmias supraventriculares neonatales,aproximación y tratamiento desde la fisiopatología

Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias of the neonatal period are alterations in the heart rhythm that produce an abnormal increase in the heart rate of the newborn, with possible deleterious effects on cardiac output, in a heart with a limited myocardial reserve and that carries a higher risk of fatal outcomes in special populations, such as patients with congenital or acquired heart disease. We present here a review of the literature, with the aim of achieving a timely recognition and management of neonatal supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, based on the diagnostic and therapeutic options available to date.     

Benign senile pyometra: case report

Pyometra is a pus accumulation in the endometrium cavity, with an incidence from 0.02% to 1.5%. The benign senile pyometra is a disease mainly reported in elder women, with an average age of 74 years. We present the case of a 59-year-old woman with the diagnosis of benign senile pyometra. The patient came to our service presenting purulent vaginal discharge, in bad condition with pelvic pain and altered hematic cytology. In the physical examination a pelvic mass was found, in the vaginal examination, the cervix was found estenotic, and the hysterometer could not be introduced. The image studies revealed an increased size of the uterus was liquid collection in its interior, compatible with blood or pus. We performed exploratory laparotomy, founding two abscecess in the uterin fundus which suffered rupture during the procedure. Abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpigooforectomy was performed, there were not other complications. Post surgical period was managed with antibiotics and close surveillance. The patient was discharged four days later with good response to the treatment. In the anatomophatological study no evidence of cervical or endometrial neoplasia was found.     

Translumbar retroperitoneal endoscopy: an alternative in the follow-up and management of drained infected pancreatic necrosis

BACKGROUND: The follow-up of drained infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is usually done with data on the patient's clinical evolution and information obtained from serial helical computed tomographic scans. Management often requires necrosectomies and periodic debridements. HYPOTHESIS: Translumbar retroperitoneal endoscopy is effective in the management of drained IPN. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: University tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: A series of 11 consecutive patients with drained IPN undergoing postoperative follow-up with translumbar retroperitoneal endoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Initially, the IPN was drained via the posterior extraperitoneal translumbar approach; then, a superficial necrosectomy was performed during the same surgical intervention by flushing and endoscopic aspiration; and, finally, a lavage and drainage system was fitted. In the immediate postoperative period, for management of the IPN, we removed the drainage tube and inserted a flexible endoscope as far as the pancreatic area to eliminate the infected necrotic material by flushing and aspiration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: In these patients, we studied control of the infection of the pancreatic area, quantification variables of the necrosectomy, technique-related morbidity and mortality, and the need for subsequent operations. RESULTS: The 11 patients studied showed good results regarding the control and complete elimination of the infected necrosis. There was no technique-related morbidity or mortality or need for subsequent operations. CONCLUSION: Translumbar retroperitoneal endoscopy allows exploration of the retroperitoneal space under direct visual guidance, facilitates lavage and aspiration, avoids subsequent surgical operations for debridement, decreases the need for repeated computed tomographic scans to evaluate the evolution of the IPN, and has no added morbidity or mortality.     

Estudio de las funciones ejecutivas en diabetes tipo 1 mediante el test de evaluación neuropsicológica de las funciones ejecutivas en niños (ENFEN)

IntroductionNeurocognitive executive function in the paediatric diabetic population is a rarely studied field. To investigate and improve this aspect could help these patients to reach their full academic potential. This led us to study the impact that variables such as age at diagnosis and adequacy of metabolic control of diabetes may have on the executive cognitive functions of this population.Patients and methodsWe studied 74 children: 37 with type 1 diabetes (group A) and 37 without diabetes (group B). Group A was divided into two subgroups, depending on age at diagnosis: early, before 5 years, (group A₁) and late, after 5 years, (group A₂). We compared group A and B and A₁ and A₂ groups using the test Neuropsychological assessment of executive functions in children (NAEFC). Diabetes metabolic control was performed by measuring HbA_1c and capillary blood glucose before the test. Previous severe hypoglycaemic episodes were recorded.ResultsDifferences were found among groups A and B in the test of interference. Among the A₁ and A₂ groups only differences in the scales of phonological fluency and grey trail trace were found. The scores were higher in both cases in the early diabetic group. We did not found any correlation between HbA_1c and blood glucose with the different tests of ENFEN results. None of the patients had previous severe hypoglycaemic episodes.Conclusions1) Children with diabetes performed better in activities that require resistance to interference, sustained attention and attentional control. 2) Diabetic children with early diagnoses achieved high scores in phonological fluency tasks, and cognitive flexibility. 3) Response to ENFEN was not influenced by HbA_1c and blood glucose levels before the test.