EEG signal analysis via a cleaning procedure based on multivariate empirical mode decomposition

Artifacts are present in most of the electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, making it difficult to interpret or analyze the data. In this paper a cleaning procedure based on a multivariate extension of empirical mode decomposition is used to improve the quality of the data. This is achieved by applying the cleaning method to raw EEG data. Then, a synchrony measure is applied on the raw and the clean data in order to compare the improvement of the classification rate. Two classifiers are used, linear discriminant analysis and neural networks. For both cases, the classification rate is improved about 20%.

Qualitat de vida del cuidador informal davant la demència

Les cures que requereix una persona malalta amb demència, al prolongar-se tant en el temps, no son assumides completament per un sistema de seguretat social, ja que hi ha altres prioritats pressupostàries. Per això el cuidador familiar és qui assumeix la major part d’aquestes tasques en el seu domicili, utilitzant recursos i serveis privats o concertats, resultant ser prioritàriament, un tema de voluntat política L’estudi realitzat a la Fundació del Vallès Amics de la Neurologia (AVAN), ens ha permès conèixer com és la qualitat de vida d’aquests cuidadors informals, que actualment es fan càrrec d’una persona afectada per una demència, un cop utilitzen els serveis de l’Hospital de Dia. Tant la persona afecta, com el cuidador, van conformant un binomi inseparable en el que la qualitat de vida disminueix significativament. En el cas del malalt, degut a les limitacions que imposa la malaltia i a la gravetat del símptomes; en el cas del cuidador, que és aquell que emergeix de l’entorn més proper del malalt, per ocupar-se crònicament i al llarg de les etapes de la malaltia de manera exigent, es produeix per la sobrecàrrega i el desgast que suposa cuidar, a la vegada que vol continuar amb el propi projecte de vida. Tot i les avantatges associades al manteniment de les persones dependents en el domicili, i encara que aquestes es decantin per les cures informals, “la revolució de la longevitat” i altres transformacions socials en l’àmbit familiar, plantegen un desafiament per l’actual i per les futures generacions. L’exigència i el dret a donar i rebre cura es situa, en el centre del debat social, ètic i sobre els drets de ciutadania.

Abacus: eina de reforç al càlcul mental

Abacus, és una eina de reforç al càlcul mental.Aquesta eina té dos propòsits, enfocats a dues situacions prou diferents: per una banda ajudar als nens que comencen a estudiar càlcul, per a qui aquesta eina servirà per a millorar la seva facilitat en el càlcul; per una altra banda gent a qui han detectat alguna malaltia degenerativa, a qui l¿exercici mental podria ajudar.

Depression-like behavior is dependent on age in male SAMP8 mice

Aging is associated with an increased risk of depression in humans. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of depression and its dependence on aging, here we study signs of depression in male SAMP8 mice. For this purpose, we used the forced swimming test (FST). The total floating time in the FST was greater in SAMP8 than in SAMR1 mice at 9 months of age; however, this difference was not observed in 12-month-old mice, when both strains are considered elderly. Of the two strains, only the SAMP8 animals responded to imipramine treatment. We also applied the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and studied changes in the dopamine and serotonin (5-HT) uptake systems, the 5-HT2a/2c receptor density in the cortex, and levels of TPH2. The DST showed a significant difference between SAMR1 and SAMP8 mice at old age. SAMP8 exhibits an increase in 5-HT transporter density, with slight changes in 5-HT2a/2c receptor density. In conclusion, SAMP8 mice presented depression-like behavior that is dependent on senescence process, because it differs from SAMR1, senescence resistant strain.

Dietary resveratrol prevents alzheimer's markers and increases life span in SAMP8

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is mainly found in grapes and red wine and has been reported to be a caloric restriction (CR) mimetic driven by Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activation. Resveratrol increases metabolic rate, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial biogenesis and physical endurance, and reduces fat accumulation in mice. In addition, resveratrol may be a powerful agent to prevent age-associated neurodegeneration and to improve cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, different findings support the view that longevity in mice could be promoted by CR. In this study, we examined the role of dietary resveratrol in SAMP8 mice, a model of age-related AD. We found that resveratrol supplements increased mean life expectancy and maximal life span in SAMP8 and in their control, the related strain SAMR1. In addition, we examined the resveratrol-mediated neuroprotective effects on several specific hallmarks of AD. We found that long-term dietary resveratrol activates AMPK pathways and pro-survival routes such as SIRT1 in vivo. It also reduces cognitive impairment and has a neuroprotective role, decreasing the amyloid burden and reducing tau hyperphosphorylation.

Dietary resveratrol prevents alzheimer's markers and increases life span in SAMP8

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is mainly found in grapes and red wine and has been reported to be a caloric restriction (CR) mimetic driven by Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activation. Resveratrol increases metabolic rate, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial biogenesis and physical endurance, and reduces fat accumulation in mice. In addition, resveratrol may be a powerful agent to prevent age-associated neurodegeneration and to improve cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, different findings support the view that longevity in mice could be promoted by CR. In this study, we examined the role of dietary resveratrol in SAMP8 mice, a model of age-related AD. We found that resveratrol supplements increased mean life expectancy and maximal life span in SAMP8 and in their control, the related strain SAMR1. In addition, we examined the resveratrol-mediated neuroprotective effects on several specific hallmarks of AD. We found that long-term dietary resveratrol activates AMPK pathways and pro-survival routes such as SIRT1 in vivo. It also reduces cognitive impairment and has a neuroprotective role, decreasing the amyloid burden and reducing tau hyperphosphorylation.

El Cáncer de mama en la prensa española : la cobertura informativa del cáncer de mama en ABC, El País, El Mundo, La Vanguardia y El Periódico de Catalunya, de 2006 a 2010

Los medios de comunicación tienen un papel muy importante en la divulgación de la información sobre la salud. Una información de calidad sobre el cáncer de mama puede ayudar a miles de mujeres a prevenir y a detectar precozmente esta enfermedad, mejorando su pronóstico y su calidad de vida. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la cobertura informativa sobre el cáncer de mama en los cinco diarios de mayor difusión en España: “El País”, “El Mundo”, “ABC”, “La Vanguardia” y “El Periódico de Catalunya”, de 2006 a 2010. La metodología utilizada es el análisis de contenido.

Protocol pel correcte manteniment de la via subcutànea en cures pal·liatives aplicades a domicili

La medicina al llarg de la història ha anat evolucionant a mesura que també ho anava fent la societat. És per això que en el darrer segle existeix una medicina que no està orientada a la curació de la patologia, sinó que tracta d’aconseguir la major qualitat de vida del pacient ancià o jove, amb patologies cròniques, en estadi de final de la malaltia i també en pacients oncològics i no oncològics, és a dir, s’intenta prestar una atenció sanitària, no curativa, als que tenen una malaltia avançada, progressiva i incurable que precisen una sèrie d’intervencions que no només es basen en procediments mèdics, sinó també en socials i psicològics. És per la necessitat que la medicina s’adaptés a les demandes de la societat que al 1990 es crea a Catalunya el Pla de Cures Pal·liatives de Catalunya com a programa pilot de l’Organització Mundial de la Salut (OMS). Aquest programa ha esdevingut tot un referent de les cures pal·liatives (CP) a España, és el Programa d’Atenció Domiciliària i Equips de Suport (PADES) on un equip interdisciplinari (metge, infermer, treballador social, fisioterapeuta i psicòleg) treballen per tenir una cura holística del pacient al seu domicili. Així, doncs, l’objectiu del PADES és alleugerir el patiment i millorar, tant com es pugui, la qualitat de vida i acompanyar-los en el procés de mort al seu domicili.

Enfermos de Alzheimer: La sobrecarga del cuidador

El presente trabajo se refiere al tema de la sobrecarga del cuidador de enfermos de Alzheimer. La sobrecarga es el resultado de la combinación de estrés psicológico, tensión física y la presión emocional en relación con la carga objetiva de la asistencia. La sobrecarga que supone cuidar puede provocar en el cuidador estados de ansiedad, estrés y depresión, además la existencia de un aumento en los gastos derivados de la enfermedad es un factor que se asocia a la sobrecarga personal y que influye en el papel del cuidador dificultando su actividad. Para analizar esta problemática es necesario mencionar las principales causas de la sobrecarga del cuidador. Estas son el impacto del cuidado del enfermo al cuidador, es decir, la falta de tiempo libre del cuidador, falta de intimidad, deterioro de la vida social, sensación de pérdida de control sobre la vida, deterioro de la salud…(prevalencia de 32,9%). La calidad de la relación interpersonal entre el enfermo y el cuidador ya que comporta situaciones de estrés (9,1%), de presión (5,9) y de dependencia del enfermo hacia el cuidador (5,3%).

Abacus : Eina de reforç al càlcul mental

Abacus és una eina de reforç al càlcul mental. Aquesta eina té dos propòsits, enfocats a dues situacions prou diferents: per una banda, ajudar els nens que comencen a estudiar càlcul, per a qui aquesta eina servirà per millorar la seva facilitat en el càlcul; per una altra banda, està pensada per a gent a qui han detectat alguna malaltia degenerativa, a qui l'exercici mental podria ajudar.

Dietary resveratrol prevents alzheimer's markers and increases life span in SAMP8

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is mainly found in grapes and red wine and has been reported to be a caloric restriction (CR) mimetic driven by Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activation. Resveratrol increases metabolic rate, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial biogenesis and physical endurance, and reduces fat accumulation in mice. In addition, resveratrol may be a powerful agent to prevent age-associated neurodegeneration and to improve cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, different findings support the view that longevity in mice could be promoted by CR. In this study, we examined the role of dietary resveratrol in SAMP8 mice, a model of age-related AD. We found that resveratrol supplements increased mean life expectancy and maximal life span in SAMP8 and in their control, the related strain SAMR1. In addition, we examined the resveratrol-mediated neuroprotective effects on several specific hallmarks of AD. We found that long-term dietary resveratrol activates AMPK pathways and pro-survival routes such as SIRT1 in vivo. It also reduces cognitive impairment and has a neuroprotective role, decreasing the amyloid burden and reducing tau hyperphosphorylation.

Depression-like behavior is dependent on age in male SAMP8 mice

Aging is associated with an increased risk of depression in humans. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of depression and its dependence on aging, here we study signs of depression in male SAMP8 mice. For this purpose, we used the forced swimming test (FST). The total floating time in the FST was greater in SAMP8 than in SAMR1 mice at 9 months of age; however, this difference was not observed in 12-month-old mice, when both strains are considered elderly. Of the two strains, only the SAMP8 animals responded to imipramine treatment. We also applied the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and studied changes in the dopamine and serotonin (5-HT) uptake systems, the 5-HT2a/2c receptor density in the cortex, and levels of TPH2. The DST showed a significant difference between SAMR1 and SAMP8 mice at old age. SAMP8 exhibits an increase in 5-HT transporter density, with slight changes in 5-HT2a/2c receptor density. In conclusion, SAMP8 mice presented depression-like behavior that is dependent on senescence process, because it differs from SAMR1, senescence resistant strain.

Dual inhibitors of beta-amyloid aggregation and acetylcholinesterase as multi-target anti-Alzheimer drug candidates

Notwithstanding the functional role that the aggregates of some amyloidogenic proteins can play in different organisms, protein aggregation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of a large number of human diseases. One of such diseases is Alzheimer"s disease (AD), where the overproduction and aggregation of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) are regarded as early critical factors. Another protein that seems to occupy a prominent position within the complex pathological network of AD is the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with classical and non-classical activities involved at the late (cholinergic deficit) and early (Aβ aggregation) phases of the disease. Dual inhibitors of Aβ aggregation and AChE are thus emerging as promising multi-target agents with potential to efficiently modify the natural course of AD. In the initial phases of the drug discovery process of such compounds, in vitro evaluation of the inhibition of Aβ aggregation is rather troublesome, as it is very sensitive to experimental assay conditions, and requires expensive synthetic Aβ peptides, which makes cost-prohibitive the screening of large compound libraries. Herein, we review recently developed multi-target anti-Alzheimer compounds that exhibit both Aβ aggregation and AChE inhibitory activities, and, in some cases also additional valuable activities such as BACE-1 inhibition or antioxidant properties. We also discuss the development of simplified in vivo methods for the rapid, simple, reliable, unexpensive, and high-throughput amenable screening of Aβ aggregation inhibitors that rely on the overexpression of Aβ42 alone or fused with reporter proteins in Escherichia coli.

Models teòrics i programació d'activitat física en l'envelliment

L’envelliment és un procés personal, multidimensional i de canvi constant que té lloc al llarg de tota la nostra vida. Amb independència de l’existència de malaltia, amb l’edat el nostre organisme experimenta canvis en els diferents sistemes, que suposen el seu deteriorament. L’adquisició d’un estil de vida saludable, és determinant per mantenir un envelliment òptim. L’activitat física esdevé un instrument útil per minimitzar els efectes de la progressiva pèrdua de funcionalitat, fins i tot en persones de més edat i més fràgils. Per aquest motiu, en les persones grans es recomana participar en programes d’activitat física, i la seva pràctica. Per al disseny i desenvolupament d’aquestes pràctiques cal tenir en compte l’estat biològic de la gent gran, les recomanacions de prescripció d'exercici físic, les barreres i factors d’èxit de les intervencions en aquest col·lectiu. A Catalunya, les pràctiques físiques i esportives vinculades a les persones grans han experimentat una ràpida evolució durant els darrers anys, convertint-se en un important instrument a considerar entre els professionals encarregats de les polítiques de salut. Dia a dia augmenta la consciència entre aquest col·lectiu de la importància que té la pràctica d’activitat física en la prevenció de malalties cròniques i l’augment de l’esperança de vida.

Differences based on fine motor behaviour in Parkinson's patients compared to an age matched control group in proprioceptive and visuo-proprioceptive test conditions

Personality differences based on fine motor precision performance were studied in early stage Parkinson's patients and an age-matched control group under two different test conditions: proprioceptive + visual information and proprioceptive information alone. A comparative data analysis for deviations of three measured movement types (transversal, frontal and sagittal) was done for both hands (dominant and non-dominant) with relation to personality dimensions. There were found significant differences between the two groups in decision making dimension and emotionality. After splitting the data for gender subgroups, some significant differences were found for men but not for women. The differences in fine motor task performance varied, being better in some directions for the Parkinson"s patients and worse in others. The findings may suggest that medication has both positive and negative effects on motor performance and provoke personality changes, being more pronounced in men.