Mapping dynamical properties of cortical microcircuits using robotized TMS and EEG: Towards functional cytoarchitectonics

International audienceBrain dynamics at rest depend on the large-scale interactions between oscillating cortical microcircuits arranged into macrocolumns. Cytoarchitectonic studies have shown that the structure of those microcircuits differs between cortical regions, but very little is known about interregional differences of their intrinsic dynamics at a macro-scale in human. We developed here a new method aiming at mapping the dynamical properties of cortical microcircuits non-invasively using the coupling between robotized transcranial magnetic stimulation and elec-troencephalography. We recorded the responses evoked by the stimulation of 18 cortical targets largely covering the accessible neocortex in 22 healthy volunteers. Specific data processing methods were developed to map the local source activity of each cortical target, which showed interregional differences with very good interhemi-spheric reproducibility. Functional signatures of cortical microcircuits were further studied using spatio-temporal decomposition of local source activities in order to highlight principal brain modes. The identified brain modes revealed that cortical areas with similar intrinsic dynamical properties could be distributed either locally or not, with a spatial signature that was somewhat reminiscent of resting state networks. Our results provide the proof of concept of " functional cytoarchitectonics " , that would guide the parcellation of the human cortex using not only its cytoarchitecture but also its intrinsic responses to local perturbations. This opens new avenues for brain modelling and physiopathology readouts

Evaluación de la eficacia de una reparación para hormigón contaminado con cloruros

This report describes several tests that are being carried out on a viaduct near Madrid City, whose reinforcements have been seriously damaged by corrosion. These tests consist in measuring corrosion potentials and in a time soon to come, they will include the measurement of corrosion rates by means of the apparent Polarization Resistance. A methodology of laboratory tests to evaluate the protective capacity of the repairing system used towards the reinforcements is also included. Tests results have reported that the repairing materials employed do not fit the repassivating and protective function they should satisfy. Finally, it is also recalled to attention the real need in developing suitable test specifications able to provide a characterization of these repairing materials when they are going to be employed in structures damaged by corrosion in reinforcements.En el presente trabajo se describen los ensayos que se están efectuando en un viaducto de las cercanías de Madrid y que tía sufrido importantes daños por corrosión de armaduras. Estos Ensayos consisten en la medida de los potenciales de corrosión y en un próximo futuro, de la velocidad de corrosión (método de la Resistencia de Polarización Aparente). También se presenta la metodología de los ensayos de laboratorio efectuados para caracterizar la capacidad protectora hacia las armaduras del sistema de reparación utilizado en el viaducto. Los resultado de estos ensayos han mostrado que los materiales de reparación no resultan idóneos para la función repasivante y protectora que deberán desempeñar. Se destaca, finalmente, la necesidad de desarrollar una normativa de ensayos adecuada que permita caracterizar a estos materiales de reparación cuando van a ser usados en obras dañadas por corrosión de armaduras

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Phialemoniopsis ocularis successfully treated by voriconazole

International audienceWe report a case of subcutaneous infection in a 67 year-old Cambodian man who presented with a 5-month history of swelling of the right foot. Histopathology was compatible with phaeohyphomycosis and the hyphomycete Phialemoniopsis ocularis was identified by the means of morphological and molecular techniques. The patient responded well to a 6-month oral treatment with voriconazole alone

Evaluación de la eficacia de una reparación para hormigón contaminado con cloruros

En el presente trabajo se describen los ensayos que se están efectuando en un viaducto de las cercanías de Madrid y que tía sufrido importantes daños por corrosión de armaduras. Estos Ensayos consisten en la medida de los potenciales de corrosión y en un próximo futuro, de la velocidad de corrosión (método de la Resistencia de Polarización Aparente). También se presenta la metodología de los ensayos de laboratorio efectuados para caracterizar la capacidad protectora hacia las armaduras del sistema de reparación utilizado en el viaducto. Los resultado de estos ensayos han mostrado que los materiales de reparación no resultan idóneos para la función repasivante y protectora que deberán desempeñar. Se destaca, finalmente, la necesidad de desarrollar una normativa de ensayos adecuada que permita caracterizar a estos materiales de reparación cuando van a ser usados en obras dañadas por corrosión de armaduras.&nbsp

Packmem: a versatile tool to compute and visualize interfacial packing defects in lipid bilayers

The analysis of the structural organization of lipid bilayers is generally performed across the direction normal to the bilayer/water interface, whereas the surface properties of the bilayer at the interface with water are often neglected. Here, we present PackMem, a bioinformatic tool that performs a topographic analysis of the bilayer surface from various molecular dynamics simulations. PackMem unifies and rationalizes previous analyses based on a Cartesian grid. The grid allows identification of surface regions defined as lipid-packing defects where lipids are loosely packed, leading to cavities in which aliphatic carbons are exposed to the solvent, either deep inside or close to the membrane surface. Examples are provided to show that the abundance of lipid-packing defects varies according to the temperature and to the bilayer composition. Because lipid-packing defects control the adsorption of peripheral proteins with hydrophobic insertions, PackMem is instrumental for us to understand and quantify the adhesive properties of biological membranes as well as their response to mechanical perturbations such as membrane deformation

Implementing WHO-Quality Rights Project in Tunisia: Results of an Intervention at Razi Hospital

Background: The aims were: 1) to measure the attitudes of learners (and future trainers) before and after a course on WHO-Quality Rights (QR); 2) to evaluate a psychiatric ward, by previously trained staff on QR, comparing it with a previous evaluation and discussing an improvement plan. Methods: 1) Training sample: 19 subjects (8 males), 41.4±10.6 years, including jurists/lawyers, health professionals, and experts. The QR team developed the 26-item tool to assess the knowledge and attitudes of participants. 2) Evaluation of quality of care and respect for human rights in the ward was carried out on 20 staff representatives, 20 family members and 20 users with QRToolkit. Results: 1) Learning in QR has partially changed the knowledge and attitudes of trained people. 2) The evaluation shows significant delays in the implementation of the rights advocated by the United Nations Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In Themes 1, 3, 4 and 5, the evaluation shows no differences compared to 2014, but in Theme 2, the level was lower than four years before. Conclusion: The scarcity of resources due to the economic crisis that Tunisia is going through, cannot be considered the only cause of the delays highlighted. However, it is likely that in a context of uncertainty for the future, scarcity of resources and a decrease in staff (i.e., professionals dedicated to psychosocial intervention) may have demotivated the team towards recovery. The improvement in knowledge and attitudes of many staff members after the training may open future positive scenarios

Periprosthetic humeral fractures after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Case report

ABSTRACT Periprosthetic fractures is a severe complication after joint replacement. The rapidly increase of reverse shoulder arthroplasty surgeries, periprosthetic humeral fractures, which are described as rare, may increase in the near future. We report the case of displaced humeral fracture bellow the stem of reverse shoulder prosthesis. The patient was an 85-year-old woman who had a total shoulder replacement 6 years previously. The surgical solution consisted of plate osteossynthesis and cerclage. This report describes an unprecedented case in Brazilian literature; and gives an overview of the existing literature including this injury classification.</div