Extreme prematurity and intra uterine growth restriction effects in brain network topology at school age

Higher risk for long-term behavioral and emotional sequelae, with attentional problems (with or without hyperactivity) is now becoming one of the hallmarks of extreme premature (EP) birth and birth after pregancy conditions leading to poor intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) [1,2]. However, little is know so far about the neurostructural basis of these complexe brain functional abnormalities that seem to have their origins in early critical periods of brain development. The development of cortical axonal pathways happens in a series of sequential events. The preterm phase (24-36 post conecptional weeks PCW) is known for being crucial for growth of the thalamocortical fiber bundles as well as for the development of long projectional, commisural and projectional fibers [3]. Is it logical to expect, thus, that being exposed to altered intrauterine environment (altered nutrition) or to extrauterine environment earlier that expected, lead to alterations in the structural organization and, consequently, alter the underlying white matter (WM) structure. Understanding rate and variability of normal brain development, and detect differences from typical development may offer insight into the neurodevelopmental anomalies that can be imaged at later stages. Due to its unique ability to non-invasively visualize and quantify in vivo white matter tracts in the brain, in this study we used diffusion MRI (dMRI) tractography to derive brain graphs [4,5,6]. This relatively simple way of modeling the brain enable us to use graph theory to study topological properties of brain graphs in order to study the effects of EP and IUGR on childrens brain connectivity at age 6 years old.

Impact of medical practice guidelines on the assessment of patients with acute coronary syndrome without persistent ST segment elevation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of introducing clinical practice guidelines on acute coronary syndrome without persistent ST segment elevation (ACS) on patient initial assessment. DESIGN: Prospective before-after evaluation over a 3-month period. SETTING: The emergency ward of a tertiary teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All consecutive patients with ACS evaluated in the emergency ward over the two 3-month periods. INTERVENTION: Implementation of the practice guidelines, and the addition of a cardiology consultant to the emergency team. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis, electrocardiogram interpretation, and risk stratification after the initial evaluation. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics of the 328 and 364 patients evaluated in the emergency ward for suspicion of ACS before and after guideline implementation were similar. Significantly more patients were classified as suffering from atypical chest pain (39.6% versus 47.0%; P = 0.006) after guideline implementation. Guidelines availability was associated with significantly more formal diagnoses (79.9% versus 92.9%; P < 0.0001) and risk stratification (53.7% versus 65.4%, P < 0.0001) at the end of initial assessment. CONCLUSION: Guidelines implementation, along with availability of a cardiology consultant in the emergency room had a positive impact on initial assessment of patients evaluated for suspicion of ACS. It led to increased confidence in diagnosis and stratification by risk, which are the first steps in initiating effective treatment for this common condition.

Avoiding epigenetic variations in transgene expression with genetic insulators

Gene transfer that relies on integrating vectors often suffers from epigenetic or regulatory effects that influence the expression of the therapeutic gene and=or of cellular genes located near the vector integration site in the chromosome. Insulator elements act to block gene activation by enhancers, while chromatin domain boundary or barrier sequences prevent gene-silencing effects. At present, the modes of action of insulator and barriers are poorly understood, and their use in the context of gene therapies remains to be documented. Using combinations of reporter genes coding for indicator fluorescent proteins, we constructed assay systems that allow the quantification of the insulator or of the barrier activities of genetic elements in individual cells. This presentation will illustrate how these assay systems were used to identify short DNA elements that can insulate nearby genes from activation by viral vector enhancer elements, and=or that can block the propagation of a silent chromatin structure that leads to gene silencing. We will show that small elements of the order of 100-400 nucleotides can be designed to achieve both insulator and boundary function, as needed for safer integrating viral vectors.

Norberto Bobbio: el dubte, entre la malenconia i el compromís

At the occasion of the recent death of the Italian philosopher Norberto Bobbio, the author approaches to the main lines of his analytical reflection about politics, state theory and cultural history. The Bobbio's biography is also presented as a significant example of the Italian Twentieth Century intellectual experience.

El llegat intel·lectual de Miquel Batllori

The Catalan historian Miquel Batllori (1909-2003), had developed an important performance in many aspects of intellectual activities. He developed an extensive studies in many historical subjects. The author considers mainly the Batllori works connected with cultural history.

Deporte y modernización en el ámbito mediterráneo. Reflexiones para una historia comparada (1870-1925)

The authors point out the main lines of the development of sportive practices on Mediterranean countries, during XX th century. They also expose some methodological issues as a contribute to the making of a social and cultural history of sports.

Norberto Bobbio: el dubte, entre la malenconia i el compromís

At the occasion of the recent death of the Italian philosopher Norberto Bobbio, the author approaches to the main lines of his analytical reflection about politics, state theory and cultural history. The Bobbio's biography is also presented as a significant example of the Italian Twentieth Century intellectual experience.

Deporte y modernización en el ámbito mediterráneo. Reflexiones para una historia comparada (1870-1925)

The authors point out the main lines of the development of sportive practices on Mediterranean countries, during XX th century. They also expose some methodological issues as a contribute to the making of a social and cultural history of sports.

El llegat intel·lectual de Miquel Batllori

The Catalan historian Miquel Batllori (1909-2003), had developed an important performance in many aspects of intellectual activities. He developed an extensive studies in many historical subjects. The author considers mainly the Batllori works connected with cultural history.

L'educació permanent: la història d'una idea

El fet de viure i de formar part d'una comunitat suposa, per a les persones que la integren, un procés de socialització i d'aprenentatge continuat. La creació i la transmissió de la cultura d'una generació a l'altra implica unes modalitats d'aprenentatge que transcendeixen el temps i l'espai limitats de l'educació formal, per comprendre pràcticament qualsevol moment i situació de la vida. Així doncs, el concepte de l'educació permanent no és un descobriment pedagògic modern, esta present en la practica de la humanitat des deis seus orígens, i podem trobar referencies sobre aquest tema en les antigues civilitzacions xinesa, índia, grega, al cristianisme, a l'humanisme, al Renaixement, etc. Però és durant el període il·lustrat quan la idea d'una educació per a tothom més enllà de la infància i de l'adolescència s'expressa amb més claredat que en èpoques anteriors.