Default Mode Network alterations in alexithymia: An EEG power spectra and connectivity study

Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that alexithymia is characterized by functional alterations in different brain areas [e.g., posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)], during emotional/social tasks. However, only few data are available about alexithymic cortical networking features during resting state (RS). We have investigated the modifications of electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectra and EEG functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) in subjects with alexithymia. Eighteen subjects with alexithymia and eighteen subjects without alexithymia matched for age and gender were enrolled. EEG was recorded during 5 min of RS. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the exact Low Resolution Electric Tomography software (eLORETA). Compared to controls, alexithymic subjects showed a decrease of alpha power in the right PCC. In the connectivity analysis, compared to controls, alexithymic subjects showed a decrease of alpha connectivity between: (i) right anterior cingulate cortex and right PCC, (ii) right frontal lobe and right PCC, and (iii) right parietal lobe and right temporal lobe. Finally, mediation models showed that the association between alexithymia and EEG connectivity values was directed and was not mediated by psychopathology severity. Taken together, our results could reflect the neurophysiological substrate of some core features of alexithymia, such as the impairment in emotional awareness

Short-term one-lung ventilation does not influence local inflammatory cytokine response after lung resection

Background: One-lung ventilation (OLV) is a ventilation procedure used for pulmonary resection which may results in lung injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local inflammatory cytokine response from the dependent lung after OLV and its correlation to VT. The secondary aim was to evaluate the clinical outcome of each patient. Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive patients were enrolled. Ventilation was delivered in volume-controlled mode with a VT based on predicted body weight (PBW). 5 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and FiO20.5 were applied. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed in the dependent lung before and after OLV. The levels of pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10) and interferon (IFN-γ), were evaluated. Subgroup analysis: to analyze the VT setting during OLV, all patients were ventilated within a range of 5-10 mL/kg. Thirteen patients, classified as a conventional ventilation (CV) subgroup, received 8-10 mL/kg, while 15 patients, classified as a protective ventilation (PV) subgroup, received 5-7 mL/kg. Results: Cytokine BAL levels after surgery showed no significant increase after OLV, and no significant differences were recorded between the two subgroups. The mean duration of OLV was 64.44±21.68 minutes. No postoperative respiratory complications were recorded. The mean length of stay was for 4.00±1.41 days in the PV subgroup and 4.45±2.07 days in the CV group; no statistically significant differences were recorded between the two subgroups (P=0.511). Conclusions: Localized inflammatory cytokine response after OLV was not influenced by the use of different VT. Potentially, the application of PEEP in both ventilation strategies and the short duration of OLV could prevent postoperative complications

Environmental Sensitivity and Paranormal Experiences

The physical environment affects every individual differently, however past research suggests that certain individuals exhibit a greater susceptibility to environmental factors than the general population (Jawer, 2006). According to Jawer (2006) these environmentally sensitive individuals are also significantly more likely to report paranormal experiences than non-sensitives. The current study set out to test the hypothesis that environmentally sensitive individuals will report more past paranormal experiences as well as more haunt-type experiences in a natural setting. The study also looked at whether subtle differences in electromagnetic fields (EMFs) led to an increase in reported haunt-type experiences among sensitives. Methods: Participants (N=251) completed a questionnaire which categorized them as either environmentally sensitive or non-sensitive and were then led on a guided tour of an allegedly haunted location where they reported any unusual phenomena that they experienced. EMF readings were taken of the rooms visited on the tour and based on those readings the rooms were either designated as ‘High EMF’ rooms or ‘Low EMF’ rooms. Results: Sensitives reported significantly more past paranormal experiences and haunt-type experiences in a natural setting. Overall there were significantly more haunt-type experiences in ‘High EMF’ rooms than ‘Low EMF’ rooms suggesting an association between increased EMFs and reports of haunt-type experiences. Further analysis showed that sensitives reported significantly more haunt-type experiences in ‘High EMF’ rooms than ‘Low EMF’ rooms; however there was no significant difference in reported experiences between rooms among non-sensitives which suggests that sensitives could be picking up on subtle EMF differences leading to an increase in reports of haunt-type experiences

Essere accesi per cambiare il mondo: L’educazione poetica come via per intensificare la presenza nel tempo della grande distrazione

The ‘great distraction’, which we propose as a pedagogical and existential category, seems to represent a dangerous new paradigm of our times: it is the assiduousness of diversion from the self, the continuous being moved elsewhere, the pervasive inducement to evade the here and now, the retreat of the finest human energies towards stasis. It is then necessary and urgent to ask: how can full presence be fostered, in everyday life and particularly in educational contexts? In the present study, through the reflections of classical authors and Edgar Morin\u27s Complex Thought, we highlight how a poetic education (i.e. one that cultivates and enhances the mimetic faculty and aesthetic participation to reality) enables an intensification of the quality of being there and being together, and thus of presence. An example of poetic education is given at the end of the study by recounting the experience of the educational project ‘The Stone in the Pond. In movement between words and stories’, an experiment carried out in a number of Italian high schools in which expressive reading was the main way of encouraging students’ full presence and helping them to manifest it.La “grande distrazione”, che proponiamo come categoria pedagogica ed esistenziale, ci sembra rappresentare un rischioso nuovo paradigma dell’oggi: è l’assiduità del distoglimento da sé, il continuo essere spostati altrove, la pervasiva induzione a eludere il qui e ora, il ripiegamento delle più belle energie umane verso la stasi. È allora necessario e urgente chiederci: come si può favorire la presenza piena, nella vita quotidiana e in particolare nei contesti educativi? Nel presente studio, attraverso le riflessioni di autori classici e il pensiero complesso di Edgar Morin, mettiamo in luce come un’educazione poetica (ossia che coltivi e valorizzi la capacità mimesica e la partecipazione estetica alla realtà) consenta un’intensificazione della qualità dell’esserci e dell’essere insieme, e quindi della presenza. Riportiamo infine un esempio di educazione poetica raccontando l’esperienza del progetto educativo “Il sasso nello stagno. In movimento tra parole e storie”, una sperimentazione svolta in alcuni licei italiani in cui la lettura espressiva ha costituito la via privilegiata per accendere e aiutare a manifestare la presenza piena degli studenti

Managing benign tracheal stenosis during COVID-19 outbreak

If elective surgery has been recommended to be postponed some diseases could potentially become life-threatening and cannot be delayed. Among these conditions, tracheal idiopathic stenosis, primary caused by endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy, usually become symptomatic when reach 50% obstruction. Endoscopic procedures could be considered as frst treatment in selected patients after stenosis evaluation, such as non-complex stenosis with low grade of cartilage involvement or tracheomalaci

Intraoperative cardiac function assessment by transesophageal echocardiography versus FloTrac/VigileoTM system during pectus excavatum surgical repair

Background: Pectus excavatum (PE), a congenital deformity of the chest wall, can lead to cardiac compression and related symptoms. PE surgical repair can improve cardiac function. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been successfully employed to assess intraoperative hemodynamic variations in patients undergoing PE repair. FloTrac/VigileoTM system (Edwards Life-sciences Irvine, CA) (FT/V) is a minimally invasive cardiac output monitoring system. This retrospective study aimed to assess hemodynamic changes in surgical repair of PE using FT/V and concordance with parameters measured by TEE. Results: N=19 patients submitted to PE repair via Ravitch or Nuss technique were enrolled. Intraoperative cardiac assessments simultaneously obtained via TEE and FT/V system were investigated. The agreement between TEE- derived cardiac output (CO-TEE) and FT/V system parameter (COAP) was evaluated. The relationship between COTEE and COAP was analyzed for all data using linear regression analysis. A significant correlation between COAP and COTEE values (R = 0.65, p < 0.001) was found. Bland-Altman analysis of COAP and COTEE showed a bias of 0.13 L/min and a limit of agreement of − 2.33 to 2.58 L/min, with a percentage error of 48%. Intraoperative measurements by TEE and FT/V both showed a significant increase in CO after surgical correction of PE (p < 0.005). Conclusions: FT/V system compared to TEE in hemodynamic monitoring during PE surgery yielded clinically unacceptable results due to a high percentage error. After surgical correction of PE, CO, measured by TEE and FT/V, significantly improved

Through the lens of Henry Viollet: an undisclosed photographic and paper archive on Islamic monuments (1904-1913)

A pioneer in the study of Islamic architecture, Henry Viollet (1880-1955) travelled from Egypt to Central Asia between 1904 and 1913. From his missions, the French architect and archaeologist brought back more than 4,500 written and photographic documents, today kept at the Bibliothèque universitaire des langues et civilisations orientales in Paris. These archives document Viollet’s excavations at Samarra and his surveys of Islamic monuments, particularly in Iraq and Iran. In 2021-2022 a scientific project funded by the GIS CollEx-Persée and co-partnered with BULAC and CeRMI has been set up to study part of the iconographic materials stored in these archives (EpiPOM project). In the frame of this project, an international conference was organized in Paris on 23 June 2022 to bring together a network of researchers in the arts of Islam into a collaborative study of this partly undisclosed archival material

The influence of propofol, remifentanil and lidocaine on the tone of human bronchial smooth muscle.

Bronchoscopy is generally a safe procedure, but the induction of anaesthesia can induce bronchospasm. Consequently we investigated the influence of propofol, remifentanil and lidocaine on the tone of the human bronchial smooth muscle. Materials and methods: The influence of propofol, remifentanil and lidocaine on the contractile response of human bronchial smooth muscle to electrical field stimulation (EFS) has been evaluated. The role of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves and of inducible nitric oxide synthase has also been assessed. Furthermore, the interaction between these three dugs has been measured by Bliss Independence (BI) theory. Statistical significance (P < 0.05) was assessed by Student's t test or ANOVA. Results: Propofol (1.3 μg ml-1) and lidocaine (1 mg ml-1) reduced the baseline tone of bronchial rings (-14.45 ± 4.53% and -33.40 ± 1.07%, respectively, P < 0.05), whereas remifentanil had not such effect. Aminoguanidine prevented the relaxant effect of propofol. Propofol did not alter the bronchial contractile response to EFS following 30 min of treatment, whereas remifentanil enhanced the bronchial tension (133.83 ± 9.38%, control 101.93 ± 6.82%, P < 0.05 P < 0.05) and lidocaine completely abolished the contractility at 1 mg ml-1 (P < 0.05). The desensitization of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves normalized the hyperresponsiveness induced by remifentanil (-26.77 ± 1.68%, P < 0.05). Significant BI antagonism (P < 0.001) was detected for propofol and lidocaine on the bronchial hyperresponsiveness induced by remifentanil. Conclusion: Propofol and remifentanil may be used safely for bronchoscopy, although remifentanil should be associated with propofol or lidocaine to prevent the potential opioid-mediated bronchospasm

FORMAÇÃO PEDAGÓGICA EM APRENDIZAGEM DIALÓGICA: CONTRIBUIÇÕES PARA A FORMAÇÃO DE PROFESSORES/AS EM TEMPOS DE DISTANCIAMENTO SOCIAL

This article presents results of research developed from the training course in Dialogic Learning offered remotely, during the period of social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on teacher education. The research was carried out through an electronic form filled in by the course participants, reports and a communicative focus group, carried out after the end of the course. The objective was to understand the impact of the training course in Dialogic Learning on the theoretical and practical knowledge of teachers and its relationship with coping with social isolation. Based on the framework of Communicative Methodology, the responses obtained were systematized in transforming and excluding elements in relation to the course's contributions to teacher training and to fighting the pandemic. As results, we highlight the instrumental dimension, the need for teacher training combined with scientific evidence, and the creation of meaning as transforming elements. The data also revealed that the lack of dialogue and the vertical structure of education systems are elements that distance teachers' pedagogical practices from better educational results. The elements identified as transforming provided support for the participants to seek answers to the problems faced in their professional and personal daily lives. We hope that this article contributes to the field of teacher education, promoting reflection on the need to align this training with studies produced by the international scientific community.En este artículo se presentan resultados de la investigación desarrollada a partir del curso de formación en Aprendizaje Dialógico ofrecido de forma remota, durante el período de distanciamiento social provocado por la pandemia COVID-19, con un enfoque específico en la formación docente. La investigación se llevó a cabo a través de un formulario electrónico cumplimentado por los participantes del curso, informes y un grupo de enfoque comunicativo, realizado una vez finalizado el curso. El objetivo fue comprender el impacto del curso de formación en Aprendizaje Dialógico sobre los conocimientos teóricos y prácticos de los docentes y su relación con el afrontamiento del aislamiento social. Con base en el marco de la Metodología Comunicativa, las respuestas obtenidas fueron sistematizadas en elementos transformadores y excluyentes en relación a los aportes del curso a la formación docente y al combate a la pandemia. Como resultados, destacamos la dimensión instrumental, la necesidad de formación docente combinada con evidencia científica y la creación de sentido como elementos transformadores. Los datos también revelaron que la falta de diálogo y la estructura vertical de los sistemas educativos son elementos que distancian las prácticas pedagógicas de los docentes de mejores resultados educativos. Los elementos identificados como transformadores brindaron apoyo a los participantes en la búsqueda de respuestas a los problemas que enfrentan en su día a día profesional y personal. Esperamos que este artículo contribuya al campo de la formación docente, promoviendo la reflexión sobre la necesidad de alinear esta formación con los estudios producidos por la comunidad científica internacional.Este artigo apresenta resultados de pesquisa desenvolvida a partir do curso de formação em Aprendizagem Dialógica ofertado remotamente, durante o período de distanciamento social ocasionado pela pandemia da COVID-19, com recorte específico sobre a formação de professores/as. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de formulário eletrônico preenchido pelos/as cursistas, relatos e grupo focal comunicativo, realizados após o término do curso. O objetivo foi compreender qual o impacto do curso de formação em Aprendizagem Dialógica sobre o conhecimento teórico e prático de professores/as e sua relação com o enfrentamento do isolamento social. Pautados no referencial da Metodologia Comunicativa, as respostas obtidas foram sistematizadas em elementos transformadores e excludentes em relação às contribuições do curso para a formação de professores/as e para o enfrentamento da pandemia. Como resultados destacamos a dimensão instrumental, a necessidade da formação de professores/as aliada às evidências científicas, e a criação de sentido como elementos transformadores. Os dados também revelaram que a falta de diálogo e a estrutura verticalizada dos sistemas de ensino são elementos que distanciam as práticas pedagógicas dos/as professores/as de melhores resultados educacionais. Os elementos apontados como transformadores deram suporte para que os/as participantes buscassem respostas para os problemas enfrentados em seus cotidianos profissionais e pessoais. Esperamos que este artigo contribua com o campo da formação de professores/as, promovendo reflexão sobre a necessidade de alinhar essa formação com os estudos produzidos pela comunidade científica internacional

Low-dose buprenorphine infusion to prevent postoperative hyperalgesia in patients undergoing major lung surgery and remifentanil infusion: a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled trial

Abstract Background Postoperative secondary hyperalgesia arises from central sensitization due to pain pathways facilitation and/or acute opioid exposure. The latter is also known as opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). Remifentanil, a potent μ-opioid agonist, reportedly induces postoperative hyperalgesia and increases postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption. The pathophysiology underlying secondary hyperalgesia involves N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated pain pathways. In this study, we investigated whether perioperatively infusing low-dose buprenorphine, an opioid with anti-NMDA activity, in patients receiving remifentanil infusion prevents postoperative secondary hyperalgesia. Methods Sixty-four patients, undergoing remifentanil infusion during general anaesthesia and major lung surgery, were randomly assigned to receive either buprenorphine i.v. infusion (25 μg h −1 for 24 h) or morphine (equianalgesic dose) perioperatively. The presence and extent of punctuate hyperalgesia were assessed one day postoperatively. Secondary outcome variables included postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption and postoperative neuropathic pain assessed one and three months postoperatively. Results A distinct area of hyperalgesia or allodynia around the surgical incision was found in more patients in the control group than in the treated group. Mean time from extubation to first morphine rescue dose was twice as long in the buprenorphine-treated group than in the morphine-treated group: 18 vs 9 min ( P =0.002). At 30 min postoperatively, patients receiving morphine had a higher hazard ratio for the first analgesic rescue dose than those treated with buprenorphine ( P =0.009). At three months, no differences between groups were noted. Conclusions Low-dose buprenorphine infusion prevents the development of secondary hyperalgesia around the surgical incision but shows no long-term efficacy at three months follow-up