Barrjoseph6080

Working memory deficits are common in youth with epilepsy and consistently associated with long-term negative outcomes. Existing research on the neural basis of working memory disruptions in pediatric epilepsy is limited. The question of whether differences in the functional connectivity of neural networks underlie working memory disruptions in pediatric patients with epilepsy remains unanswered. A total of 49 adolescents between the ages of 13-17 years participated in this study. Twenty-nine adolescents had confirmed epilepsy (n = 17 generalized epilepsy, n = 6 localization-related, n = 6 unclassified). The control group included 20 healthy adolescents. A total of 10-min resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained for all participants. NeuroSynth-derived regions of interest were used as nodes that comprise working memory neural networks. Group differences in resting state functional connectivity were examined between adolescents with epilepsy and controls. read more Functional connectivity was computed as the temporal correlation of functional magnetic resonance imaging signal fluctuations between any two regions of interest. Compared to controls, adolescents in the epilepsy group demonstrated both hypoconnectivity and hyperconnectivity in cortical areas that map onto fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular networks, as well as cerebellar regions. Functional connectivity between pairs of regions of interest was also significantly associated with behavioral measures of working memory across epilepsy and control groups. This study demonstrates that the presence of abnormal patterns in resting state neural network connectivity may underlie the working memory disruptions that frequently characterize the neurocognitive profile of youth with epilepsy.Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) after heart transplantation is a rare, but serious complication, because of a high risk for permanent neurological deficits or allograft rejection. A 48-year-old female who underwent orthotropic heart transplantation presented with a sudden severe headache 10 days after transplantation. Although magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) findings at initial symptom onset were normal, MRA finding at the next day revealed multifocal vasoconstriction of cerebral arteries. Tacrolimus-induced RCVS was strongly suspected, and tacrolimus was immediately discontinued and basiliximab was added as an alternative immunosuppressant. Notably, neurological symptoms occurred at the time of sharp increase in serum tacrolimus levels and resolved when it decreased to low levels. Follow-up MRA showed complete remission and she recovered without any neurological symptom or allograft rejection. Our case suggests that prompt diagnosis with repeated MRA and immediate discontinuation of tacrolimus are essential to avoid severe neurological sequelae of RCVS.OBJECTIVES A cancer lesion sheds tumor cells into the circulating blood as circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Since cluster CTCs have been considered as precursor lesions of metastasis, their clinical implication was investigated in this study according to the preoperative status of cluster CTC detection in surgical cases of clinically early-stage lung cancer. METHODS Among 104 surgical patients of early-stage lung cancer, CTCs were extracted from the peripheral blood before surgery using a micro-pore size selection method (ScreenCell®) and diagnosed microscopically. Implications of detecting cluster CTC were assessed according to the prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics. RESULTS The status of CTC detection was not detected in 77 cases (74.0%), single CTC only detection in 7 cases (6.7%), and cluster CTC detected in 20 cases (19.2%). Patients with cluster CTCs exhibited significantly lower recurrence-free survival and overall survival than did patients of other groups. In addition, in hazard ratio analysis, the hazard ratios were independent of other predictors of poor prognosis, and detection of cluster CTCs was associated with predictors of poor prognosis. CONCLUSION Cluster CTCs were detected in cases where the original lung cancer lesion had clinical predictors of poor prognosis and were independent negative predictors of survival.BACKGROUND People with chronic diseases in France frequently incur out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE) related to their medical care. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate OOPE incurred by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) with respect to direct non-medical and medical expenditure. METHODS Data were collected through a web-based survey using an online patient community platform (Carenity). The survey questionnaire contained 87 questions (numerical response or Likert scale) and took less than 30 min to complete. Participants rated their disability on a ten-point scale. RESULTS In total, 376 patients, with a mean age of 48.3 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 47.2-49.5), participated in the survey. Participants estimated that they spent an average of €127 each month on OOPE for their MS, principally on physician consultations (mean annual expenditure of €75 by 183 participants), non-physician consultations (€358 by 135 participants) and non-prescription medication (mean expense of €67 per pharmacy visit by 234 patients). In total, 77% of participants who needed adaptations to their home or vehicle because of their MS contributed to the cost. No obvious relationship between OOPE and self-rated disability was observed. A total of 61.4% of participants reported that they had to choose between spending money on MS care or on their family and social life. CONCLUSIONS Most patients with MS incurred significant OOPE linked to consultations, non-prescription medications or home equipment and medical equipment. These outlays could lead to dilemmas when choosing between spending on MS care or family or social life.The consumption of loquat fruits is highly appreciated for their carotenoid content and valuable sensory notes, but it is limited due to the low shelf-life. An on-line temperature controlled microwave system based on infrared thermography was used to dry three different loquat cultivar at 60 °C. The time to reach the target value of 23% moisture content was about 105 min in Claudia fruits and 162 min in Virticchiara and Peluche. Seven carotenoids were identified in loquat fruits, among these the major were all-trans-β-carotene in Virticchiara and Claudia. Virticchiara had the major total carotenoid content (206 μg/g dry basis), followed by Peluche (158 μg/g d.b.) and Claudia (41 μg/g d.b.). The loss of carotenoids after drying ranged between 24% (Peluche) and 41% (Claudia). Carotenoids that showed a higher loss were on average lutein (70%) and zeaxhantin (51%). Thirty-five volatile compounds were identified in fresh and dried loquats the aldehydes were the most abundant class. After drying, aldehydes declined slightly, with alcohols falling more sharply.