In this monograph, we ask whether various kinds of intellectual, physical, and social activities produce cognitive enrichment effects-that is, whether they improve cognitive performance at different points of the adult life span, with a particular emphasis on old age. We begin with a theoretical framework that emphasizes the potential of behavior to influence levels of cognitive functioning. According to this framework, the undeniable presence of age-related decline in cognition does not invalidate the view that behavior can enhance cognitive functioning. Instead, the course of normal aging shapes a zone of possible functioning, which reflects person-specific endowments and age-related constraints. Individuals influence whether they function in the higher or lower ranges of this zone by engaging in or refraining from beneficial intellectual, physical, and social activities. From this point of view, the potential for positive change, or plasticity, is maintained in adult cognition. It is an argument that is supported by newer research in neuroscience showing neural plasticity in various aspects of central nervous system functioning, neurochemistry, and architecture. This view of human potential contrasts with static conceptions of cognition in old age, according to which decline in abilities is fixed and individuals cannot slow its course. Furthermore, any understanding of cognition as it occurs in everyday life must make a distinction between basic cognitive mechanisms and skills (such as working-memory capacity) and the functional use of cognition to achieve goals in specific situations. In practice, knowledge and expertise are critical for effective functioning, and the available evidence suggests that older adults effectively employ specific knowledge and expertise and can gain new knowledge when it is required. We conclude that, on balance, the available evidence favors the hypothesis that maintaining an intellectually engaged and physically active lifestyle promotes successful cognitive aging. First, cognitive-training studies have demonstrated that older adults can improve cognitive functioning when provided with intensive training in strategies that promote thinking and remembering. The early training literature suggested little transfer of function from specifically trained skills to new cognitive tasks; learning was highly specific to the cognitive processes targeted by training. Recently, however, a new generation of studies suggests that providing structured experience in situations demanding executive coordination of skills-such as complex video games, task-switching paradigms, and divided attention tasks-train strategic control over cognition that does show transfer to different task environments. These studies suggest that there is considerable reserve potential in older adults' cognition that can be enhanced through training. Second, a considerable number of studies indicate that maintaining a lifestyle that is intellectually stimulating predicts better maintenance of cognitive skills and is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in late life. Our review focuses on longitudinal evidence of a connection between an active lifestyle and enhanced cognition, because such evidence admits fewer rival explanations of observed effects (or lack of effects) than does cross-sectional evidence. The longitudinal evidence consistently shows that engaging in intellectually stimulating activities is associated with better cognitive functioning at later points in time. Other studies show that meaningful social engagement is also predictive of better maintenance of cognitive functioning in old age. These longitudinal findings are also open to important rival explanations, but overall, the available evidence suggests that activities can postpone decline, attenuate decline, or provide prosthetic benefit in the face of normative cognitive decline, while at the same time indicating that late-life cognitive changes can result in curtailment of activities. Given the complexity of the dynamic reciprocal relationships between stimulating activities and cognitive function in old age, additional research will be needed to address the extent to which observed effects validate a causal influence of an intellectually engaged lifestyle on cognition. Nevertheless, the hypothesis that an active lifestyle that requires cognitive effort has long-term benefits for older adults' cognition is at least consistent with the available data. Furthermore, new intervention research that involves multimodal interventions focusing on goal-directed action requiring cognition (such as reading to children) and social interaction will help to address whether an active lifestyle enhances cognitive function. Third, there is a parallel literature suggesting that physical activity, and aerobic exercise in particular, enhances older adults' cognitive function. Unlike the literature on an active lifestyle, there is already an impressive array of work with humans and animal populations showing that exercise interventions have substantial benefits for cognitive function, particularly for aspects of fluid intelligence and executive function. Recent neuroscience research on this topic indicates that exercise has substantial effects on brain morphology and function, representing a plausible brain substrate for the observed effects of aerobic exercise and other activities on cognition. Our review identifies a number of areas where additional research is needed to address critical questions. For example, there is considerable epidemiological evidence that stress and chronic psychological distress are negatively associated with changes in cognition. In contrast, less is known about how positive attributes, such as self-efficacy, a sense of control, and a sense of meaning in life, might contribute to preservation of cognitive function in old age. It is well known that certain personality characteristics such as conscientiousness predict adherence to an exercise regimen, but we do not know whether these attributes are also relevant to predicting maintenance of cognitive function or effective compensation for cognitive decline when it occurs. Likewise, more information is needed on the factors that encourage maintenance of an active lifestyle in old age in the face of elevated risk for physiological decline, mechanical wear and tear on the body, and incidence of diseases with disabling consequences, and whether efforts to maintain an active lifestyle are associated with successful aging, both in terms of cognitive function and psychological and emotional well-being. We also discuss briefly some interesting issues for society and public policy regarding cognitive-enrichment effects. For example, should efforts to enhance cognitive function be included as part of a general prevention model for enhancing health and vitality in old age? We also comment on the recent trend of business marketing interventions claimed to build brain power and prevent age-related cognitive decline, and the desirability of direct research evidence to back claims of effectiveness for specific products.

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Enrichment Effects on Adult Cognitive Development: Can the Functional Capacity of Older Adults Be Preserved and Enhanced?

Updated nomogram to predict pathologic stage of prostate cancer given prostate-specific antigen level, clinical stage, and biopsy Gleason score (Partin tables) based on cases from 2000 to 2005.

Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem relapsing inflammatory disorder of unknown cause. In neuro-BD (NBD), the CNS can be involved in one or both of two ways: first, and most commonly, through the development of an immune-mediated meningoencephalitis, which predominantly involves the brainstem, but can also involve the basal ganglia, thalamus, cortex and white matter, spinal cord, or cranial nerves; and second, as a consequence of thrombosis within the dural venous sinuses. Headache is a common symptom in BD and does not necessarily indicate CNS involvement. Peripheral nervous system involvement is rare. New treatment options have recently become available, which have led to an improvement in morbidity after meningoencephalitis. Most of the reported studies on NBD are retrospective. Collaborative prospective studies of the natural history of the disease, particularly the nature and treatment of progressive neurological disease, and evidence-based studies of treatment are needed.

https://www.ophed.net/system/files/2015/07/Behcets%20Lancet%20Review.pdf

Neuro-Behçet's disease: epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and management

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, the risk of renal scarring in children with a urinary tract infection (UTI) has not been systematically studied. OBJECTIVE: To review the prevalence of acute and chronic renal imaging abnormalities in children after an initial UTI. METHODS: We searched Medline and Embase for English-, French-, and Spanish-language articles using the following terms: “Technetium 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA),” “DMSA,” “dimercaptosuccinic,” “scintigra*,” “pyelonephritis,” and “urinary tract infection.” We included articles if they reported data on the prevalence of abnormalities on acute-phase (≤15 days) or follow-up (>5 months) DMSA renal scans in children aged 0 to 18 years after an initial UTI. Two evaluators independently reviewed data from each article. RESULTS: Of 1533 articles found by the search strategy, 325 full-text articles were reviewed; 33 studies met all inclusion criteria. Among children with an initial episode of UTI, 57% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 50–64) had changes consistent with acute pyelonephritis on the acute-phase DMSA renal scan and 15% (95% CI: 11–18) had evidence of renal scarring on the follow-up DMSA scan. Children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) were significantly more likely to develop pyelonephritis (relative risk [RR]: 1.5 [95% CI: 1.1–1.9]) and renal scarring (RR: 2.6 [95% CI: 1.7–3.9]) compared with children with no VUR. Children with VUR grades III or higher were more likely to develop scarring than children with lower grades of VUR (RR: 2.1 [95% CI: 1.4–3.2]). CONCLUSIONS: The pooled prevalence values provided from this study provide a basis for an evidence-based approach to the management of children with this frequently occurring condition.

Risk of Renal Scarring in Children With a First Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review

These parameters were developed by the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters, representing the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) have jointly accepted responsibility for establishing "The diagnosis and management of sinusitis: a practice parameter update." This is a complete and comprehensive document at the current time. The medical environment is a changing environment, and not all recommendations will be appropriate for all patients. Because this document incorporated the efforts of many participants, no single individual, including those who served on the Joint Task force, is authorized to provide an official AAAAI or ACAAI interpretation of these practice parameters. Any request for information about or an interpretation of these practice parameters by the AAAAI or the ACAAI should be directed to the Executive Offices of the AAAAI, the ACAAI, and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. These parameters are not designed for use by pharmaceutical companies in drug promotion.

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The diagnosis and management of sinusitis: A practice parameter update

Objectives
To clarify cerebral perfusion distribution and cognitive functions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to the hypoxia levels and to assess if there is a relationship between cognitive impairment and cerebral perfusion index.

Brain perfusion abnormalities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: comparison with cognitive impairment

87: Resolution of Transient Scintigraphic Lesions in Acute Pyelonephritis: What Should the Optimal time be for Distinguishing Acute Lesion and Scar?

Aim: Pyeloplasty is a widely accepted method for the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Surgery has long been thought to affect postoperative renal function. However, controversies still exist on the functional studies that can be used to indicate which renal units will benefit from surgery. In this study, the correlation between differential renal function (DRF) and other preoperative parameters was examined to determine which parameter more accurately predicts recovery of renal function in adult obstructed kidneys.Materials &Methods: In this study, the authors evaluated 32 patients with UPJO. In all patients, standart diuretic Tc-99m DTPA renal scans were performed preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups according to the preoperative DRF (≥ 30%, n = 22, group I and < 30%, n = 10, group II). Second type classification was made according to the postoperative DRF improvement as improved (group A, n = 13) and not improved (group B, n = 19). These groups were then compared regard to variables which were defined as symptoms, age at operation and ultrasonographic findings. We also evalulated whether preoperative parenchymal function is important to predict improvement in drainage half-time (Tl/2).Results: While preoperative drainage half-time was 39.6 ± 15.9 minutes, postoperative half-time decreased to 16.9 ± 6.8 minutes (p < 0.001). The mean DRF did not improved significantly after surgery compared with preoperative values (32.03 ± 9.42% versus 36.16 ± 9.60%). When comparing the patients with preoperative DRF ≥ 30% (group I, DRF 38 ± 0.8%) to those who had an initial DRF below 30% (group II, DRF 22.8 ± 5.2%), postoperative DRF was 41.22 ± 5.72 in group I and 25.00 ± 6.22 in group II. The difference was significant (p < 0.01 ). The patients in group I and II showed improvement in 50% and 20%, respectively. Age, clinical presentation and ultrasonographic findings did not affect functional outcome after pyeloplasty. We could not find any correlation between preoperative DRF and the degree of improvement in Tl/2.Conclusion: Renal function improves after pyeloplasty with regard to the initial level of split renal function in adult obstructed kidneys. Improvement may not be observed especially in patients with DRF less than 30%.

Differential renal function in the prediction of recovery in adult obstructed kidneys after pyeloplasty

The ideal time for distinguishing a renal scar from acute inflammatory lesions by renal DMSA scintigraphy remains controversial. To determine the time needed for resolution of lesions after acute pyelonephritis. A total of 105 children with acute pyelonephritis underwent renal sonography, voiding cystourethrography and baseline DMSA scintigraphy. Two subsequent scans were performed during the 6th and 12th months in patients with abnormal findings on the previous scan. The baseline DMSA scintigraphy revealed cortical lesions in 37 patients. At 6 months, 13 patients (38.2%) were found to have cortical lesions. At 12 months, 6 patients (17.6%) were found to have persistent renal cortical lesions. The resolution rates for lesions detected on the first scan were 61.8% and 82.4% on the 6- and 12-month scans, respectively. Vesicoureteric reflux, and bilaterality or multifocality were not relevant for resolution of lesions. Female gender seemed to be associated with a higher persistence rate. The renal cortical defects present at 6 months have a high rate of resolution later during follow-up. DMSA scintigraphy performed 12 months after the infection provides more reliable data regarding persistence of renal cortical lesions.

Resolution of cortical lesions on serial renal scans in children with acute pyelonephritis.

Objective: To assess the role of Technetium-99m ( 99m Tc) tetrofosmin scintimammography in the detection of breast cancer and involvement of axillary nodes. Design: Open study. Setting: General hospital, Turkey. Subjects. 128 women who presented with masses in the breast. Interventions. Scintimammography, standard mammography, and either excision or fine-needle aspiration biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Main outcome measures: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of scintimammography compared with mammography. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value (%) of 99m Tc scintimammography were 95, 96, 97 and 92, respectively. The corresponding figures for standard mammography were 87, 26, 68 and 52. Scintimammography changed the 34 false positive mammograms into true negatives, at the expense of four false negatives. The sensitivity of scintimammography in detecting axillary lymph node metastases was 72% and specificity 100%. Conclusion: Scintimammography with 99m Tc tetrofosmin seems to be of value in the detection of breast malignancy and axillary metastases. It may help to avoid unnecessary operations in patients whose mammograms do not give a definite diagnosis.

Role of technetium tetrofosmin scintimammography in the diagnosis of malignant breast masses and axillary lymph node involvement: a comparative study with mammography and histopathology

Seniha Naldoken

Papers

Brain perfusion abnormalities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: comparison with cognitive impairment

87: Resolution of Transient Scintigraphic Lesions in Acute Pyelonephritis: What Should the Optimal time be for Distinguishing Acute Lesion and Scar?

Differential renal function in the prediction of recovery in adult obstructed kidneys after pyeloplasty

Resolution of cortical lesions on serial renal scans in children with acute pyelonephritis.

Role of technetium tetrofosmin scintimammography in the diagnosis of malignant breast masses and axillary lymph node involvement: a comparative study with mammography and histopathology