Conditions for Quantum Interference in Cognitive Sciences

We present a general classification of the conditions under which cognitive science, concerned, e.g. with decision making, requires the use of quantum theoretical notions. The analysis is done in the frame of the mathematical approach based on the theory of quantum measurements. We stress that quantum effects in cognition can arise only when decisions are made under uncertainty. Conditions for the appearance of quantum interference in cognitive sciences and the conditions when interference cannot arise are formulated.     

Stereotactic clipping of arteriovenous malformations of the brain

The authors have developed a new technique for the stereotactic clipping of the feeding vessels of deep-seated arteriovenous malformations (AVM), for use when direct attack may be very dangerous or impossible. A special clipping device and the technique for its application are described. The instrument is introduced through a burr hole using the stereotactic apparatus designed by the authors. The clipping is monitored by intraoperative angiography. The method was used in 32 patients with supratentorial AVMs. It is concluded that in selected cases the method is effective, is less traumatic and gives successful results.     

Bedside Lung Ultrasound: A Case of Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema

Background

Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is an acute life-threatening complication associated with many forms of central nervous system injury. NPE usually appears within minutes to hours after injury and has a high mortality rate if not recognized and treated appropriately. Lung ultrasound quickly provides at the bedside relevant information on the state of aeration and ventilation of the lung.

Methods

We describe a case report of acute respiratory insufficiency after posterior cranial fossa surgery.

Results

The patient underwent a subtotal meningiomectomy. Postoperative course was complicated by respiratory failure with unstable hemodynamic parameters. The pulmonary edema was suspected, and sonography examination was performed. Lung ultrasound showed typical signs for non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Transthoracic echocardiography showed preserved left ventricle systolic function, but signs of the severe hypovolemia were found. We corrected for the preload and ventilator support settings. Within 24 h, her respiratory status improved with a resolution of the pulmonary edema.

Conclusions

Lung ultrasound at the bedside can provide accurate information on lung status in neurocritically ill patients with acute respiratory failure. The addition of transthoracic echocardiography to lung sonography provides an additive insight on the eventual pulmonary involvement. Lung ultrasound has the potential to become a reference tool for bedside dynamic respiratory monitoring in the Neuro ICU.     

Monocytes give rise to mucosal, but not splenic, conventional dendritic cells

The mononuclear phagocyte (MP) system is a body-wide macrophage (MPhi) and dendritic cell (DC) network, which contributes to tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and immune defense. The in vivo origins of MPs remain poorly understood. Here, we use an adoptive precursor cell transfer strategy into MP-depleted mice to establish the in vivo differentiation sequence from a recently identified MPhi/DC-restricted bone marrow (BM) precursor (MDP) via BM and blood intermediates to peripheral MPhis and DCs. We show that MDPs are in vivo precursors of BM and blood monocytes. Interestingly, grafted Gr1high "inflammatory" blood monocytes shuttle back to the BM in the absence of inflammation, convert into Gr1low monocytes, and contribute further to MP generation. The grafted monocytes give rise to DCs in the intestinal lamina propria and lung, but not to conventional CD11chigh DCs in the spleen, which develop during homeostasis from MDPs without a monocytic intermediate.     

Reperfusion injury after critical intestinal ischemia and its correction with perfluorochemical emulsion ＂perftoran＂

AIM: To investigate the anti-ischemic properties of perfluorochemical emulsion "perftoran" in mesenteric region. METHODS: Experiments were conducted on 146 nonlinear white male rats weighing 200-350 g. Partial critical intestinal ischemia was induced by thorough atraumatic strangulation of 5-6 cm jejunal loop with its mesentery for 90 min. Global critical intestinal ischemia was made by atraumatic occlusion of the cranial mesenteric artery (CMA) for 90 min also. Perftoran (PF, 0.8-1.0 mL per 100 g) in experimental groups or 0.9% sodium chloride in control groups was injected at 75 min of ischemic period. Mean systemic arterial blood pressure (BPM) registration, intravital microscopy and morphological examination of ischemic intestine and its mesentery were performed in both groups. RESULTS: During 90 min of reperfusion, BPM progressively decreased to 27.3±7.4% after PF administration vs 38.6±8.0% in the control group of rats with partial intestinal ischemia (NS) and to 50.3±6.9% vs 53.1±5.8% in rats after global ischemia (NS). During the reperfusion period, full restoration of microcirculation was never registered; parts with restored blood flow had leukocyte and erythrocyte stasis and intra-vascular clotting, a typical "non-reflow" phenomenon. The reduction of mesenteric 50-400 μm feeding artery diameter was significantly less in the PF group than in the control group (24±5.5% vs 45.2±3.6%, P<0.05) 5 min after partial intestinal ischemia. This decrease progressed but differences between groups minimized at the 90th min of reperfusion (41.5±4.2% and 50.3±2.8%, respectively). In reperfusion of rat's intestine, a significant mucosal alteration was registered. Villous height decreased 2.5-3 times and the quantity of crypts decreased more than twice. In the group of rats administered PF, intestinal mucosal layer was protected from irreversible post-ischemic derangement during reperfusion. Saved cryptal epithelial cells were the source of regeneration of the epithelium, which began to cover renewing intestinal villi after 24 h of blood flow restoration. View of morphological alterations was more heterogeneous in CMA groups. CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of perftoran promotes earlier and more complete structural regeneration during reperfusion in rats after partial and global critical intestinal ischemia.     

Improving the Conductivity of the PEDOT:PSS Layers in Photovoltaic Cells Based on Organometallic Halide Perovskites

Among conductive polymers, PEDOT films find the widest application in electronics. For photovoltaic applications, studies of their optical properties, stability, and electrical conductivity are of greatest interest. However, the PEDOT:PSS transport layers, when used in photovoltaic cells, have a high electrical resistance, which prevents solar cells from increasing their efficiency. One of the promising ways to improve their electrical properties is the use of composite materials based on them, in which the conductivity can be increased by introducing various additives. In this work, conductive polymer films PEDOT:PSS (poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate acid) doped with a number of amines (Pentylamine, Octylamine, Diethylamine, Aniline with carbon nanotubes) were obtained and studied. It is shown that, depending on the concentration of dopants, the electrical conductivity of PEDOT:PSS films can be significantly improved. In this case, the light transmission of the films practically does not change. The process of improving the conductivity by treating the surface of the finished film with amines, followed by heat treatment, was studied. It is assumed that the improvement in conductivity is the result of the self-assembly of monolayers of organic molecules on the surface of the PEDOT:PSS film leading to its p-doping due to intermolecular interaction.     

GPIa/GPIIa gene polymorphism and bleeding after cardiac surgery

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie -     

The Flow Path of Alcian Blue From the Acupoint BL23 to the Surface of Abdominal Organs

Two hours after Alcian Blue (AB) dye was injected at the rat acupoint BL23, the abdominal cavity was examined and AB-stained threadlike structures were observed on the right abdominal cavity. Those threadlike structures were mainly distributed on the surfaces of the duodenum, colon and cecum. These threadlike structures were thin (about 50 μm) and moved freely, and were connected to corpuscles that were about 500 × 200 μm wide and also stained with AB. On analyzing the histology of the threadlike structures, rod-shaped nuclei, bundles of collagen fibers, reticulofibers, and squamous-like epithelial cells were observed. Immune cells and some sinuses were inside the threadlike structures. These characteristics describe those of Bonghan ducts. The flow paths from the acupoint to internal organs can possibly be used as paths for drug delivery.