Role of the hippocampus in remembering the past and imagining the future

It has been proposed that a core network of brain regions, including the hippocampus, supports both past remembering and future imagining. We investigated the importance of the hippocampus for these functions. Five patients with bilateral hippocampal damage and one patient with large medial temporal lobe lesions were tested for their ability to recount autobiographical episodes from the remote past, the recent past, and to imagine plausible episodes in the near future. The patients with hippocampal damage had intact remote autobiographical memory, modestly impaired recent memory, and an intact ability to imagine the future. The patient with large medial temporal lobe lesions had intact remote memory, markedly impaired recent memory, and also had an intact ability to imagine the future. The findings suggest that the capacity for imagining the future, like the capacity for remembering the remote past, is independent of the hippocampus.     

Satellite-based global-ocean mass balance estimates of interannual variability and emerging trends in continental freshwater discharge

Freshwater discharge from the continents is a key component of Earth’s water cycle that sustains human life and ecosystem health. Surprisingly, owing to a number of socioeconomic and political obstacles, a comprehensive global river discharge observing system does not yet exist. Here we use 13 years (1994–2006) of satellite precipitation, evaporation, and sea level data in an ocean mass balance to estimate freshwater discharge into the global ocean. Results indicate that global freshwater discharge averaged 36,055 km³/y for the study period while exhibiting significant interannual variability driven primarily by El Niño Southern Oscillation cycles. The method described here can ultimately be used to estimate long-term global discharge trends as the records of sea level rise and ocean temperature lengthen. For the relatively short 13-year period studied here, global discharge increased by 540 km³/y², which was largely attributed to an increase of global-ocean evaporation (768 km³/y²). Sustained growth of these flux rates into long-term trends would provide evidence for increasing intensity of the hydrologic cycle.     

A seven‐year retrospective analysis of students entering medicine via a Rural Student Recruitment program in Western Australia

Objective: This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rural Student Recruitment (RSR) program. This program was an initiative to address the low number of rural students enrolled in medicine at the University of Western Australia. RSR identifies students throughout rural and remote areas of Australia interested in pursuing a career in medicine. The program provides support to these students through the various stages of the selection process and subsequently through the course. Setting: Medical School, the University of Western Australia. Participants: Rural students enrolled in medicine at the University of Western Australia. Results: Of the 1591 participants in the RSR program, 11.6% have been successful in being offered a place. Participation was consistently higher for women, although men were proportionately more successful at gaining entry (14.5% versus 10.4%). It was found that the distribution of successful students in the RSR program generally reflects population density across rural Western Australia, with the majority of students coming from the South West, and the minority from the Pilbara and Kimberley. However, over the last three years (2006–2008) an increase in access from very remote regions was noted. This has been associated with a modification to the entry process that now includes a remoteness weighting for the secondary school attended. Conclusions: The conclusion from this analysis was that the RSR program in concert with refinements in entry criteria has been effective in increasing the number of medical students from a rural background.     

Assessing the suitability of host communities for secondary palliative care hubs: A location analysis model

An increased need for palliative care has been acknowledged world-wide. However, recent Canadian end-of-life care frameworks have largely failed to consider the unique challenges of delivery in rural and remote regions. In the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC), urban areas are well-served for specialized palliative care; however, rural and remote regions are not. This study presents a location analysis model designed to determine appropriate locations to allocate palliative care services. Secondary palliative care hubs (PCH) are introduced as an option for delivering these services in rural and remote regions. Results suggest that several BC communities may be appropriate locations for secondary PCHs. This model could be applied to the allocation of palliative care resources in other jurisdictions with similar rural and remote regions.     

生活垃圾收运和处置中环境远程监测系统的应用

根据上海市生活垃圾处理现状,建立生活垃圾收运、处置过程的环境远程监测系统,并以老港生活垃圾填埋场为试点进行试验,结果表明环境远程监测系统应用于生活垃圾填埋场是可行的。     

远程医疗会诊成功案例总结分析

回顾本单位建站后首次和第二次与解放军总医院远程医疗会诊情况,按时间顺序,从患者会诊前病史、会诊情况及病情转归、两次会诊好的方面、不足之处进行总结,对远程医疗有了深刻的体会,并提出了下一步工作打算和对远程医学的展望。     

规范远程医疗会诊工作流程

目的规范全军远程医疗会诊工作流程。方法从成功申请会诊6例中,总结医院远程会诊流程经验,及设计医院远程会诊步骤和方法与远程会诊注意事项两个方面共计21项做简要介绍。结果该方法简明扼要,有条理。结论远程医疗会诊在国内正处在迅速发展的阶段,全军远程医疗会诊走在全国前列,规范全军远程医疗会诊工作流程将有力促进全军各级医院远程会诊工作顺利展开。     

Going the distance--experiences of women with gynaecological cancer residing in rural remote north Queensland

Women who are diagnosed with gynaecological cancer face a difficult journey. For women residing in areas geographically removed from major health providers the journey can be much more difficult. While they 'make do' and 'struggle on', their lived experiences can provide valuable insight into the complex issues surrounding a cancer diagnosis in rural areas. This study aimed to understand their experiences through the women's stories and sought to identify the major themes impacting on these stories. This qualitative phenomenological study undertook interviews with seven women with gynaecological cancer who reside in rural and remote north Queensland. Analysis of the data collected revealed three themes: seeking answers at a distance; sharing information within a small community; and experiences of navigating the health system. The results show the inherent difficulties in accessing support in rural areas and the difficulties associated with travelling considerable distances to undergo treatment.     

Correlation of exit sites of inducible ventricular tachycardia post-ST elevation myocardial infarction on electrophysiology study,with region of infarct

Background

Ventricular arrhythmia (VA) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death post-ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Ventricular tachycardia (VT) may be inducible in electrophysiology studies (EPS) early (<40 days) post-STEMI. Whether it originates from the infarct site remains unknown. We examined the correlation between inducible VT and infarct location post-STEMI.

Aims

To investigate the correlation between inducible VT and infarct location post-STEMI.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 46 patients from 2005 to 2017 with STEMI who underwent early programmed ventricular stimulation through EPS (>48 h post-STEMI and <40 days from admission). Gated heart pool scans were used to visualise infarct scar regions, and VT exit sites were derived from induction 12-lead electrocardiography. Patients were followed up for primary outcomes of recurrent VA and all-cause mortality.

Results

Forty-six patients were included for analysis, with 50 uniquely induced VT exit sites. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 30 ± 8.7% and 22% had impaired right ventricular ejection fraction. Mean time from presentation to EPS was 16 ± 31.3 days. Of the induced VT, 44 (88%) were from within scar and scar-border regions, whereas 6 (12%) of the induced VT were found to be remote to imaging-derived scar. Over a median follow-up period of 75 months, 6 (13%) patients died, and 7 (15%) patients had recurrent VA. No deaths occurred in patients with remote VT.

Conclusion

The majority of early inducible post-infarct VT arises from acute myocardial scar; however, a small portion arises from sites remote from scars with a possible focal aetiology.