Acta Medica Port
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Although classically considered to be involved only in motor coordination, the cerebellum has more recently been implicated also in cognitive control. Anatomical studies have shown the cerebellum to be linked to pre-frontal, occipito-parietal and temporal cortical associative areas, as well as to the limbic system, in a closed loop circuit. Functional studies revealed activation of the cerebellum during performance on cognitive tasks not related to movement. ⋯ Functional imaging studies although useful to investigate directly in the human model and in real time, are not yet able to completely isolate cerebellar cognitive and behavioural functions. Degenerative and developmental disorders are not the most adequate model for studying cerebellar influence on higher mental functions, as they affect other regions besides the cerebellum. Young patients with isolated cerebellar stroke provide a useful clinical model for investigating cerebellar cognitive functions, because they permit to isolate in space and time the specific contribution of the cerebellum to the cognitive deficits.
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The bibliometric analysis of the Portuguese scientific production in the field of breast pathology since 1995 to date (July 2005) provides an overview on the developed scientific activity on this subject and allows the characterisation of some relevant features as well as its evolution along the studied period. ⋯ An increase of the investigation in breast pathology is observed, this being illustrated by the increase in the number of articles published in well-recognized international journals. It is also noticed a trend to publish in journals with a higher impact factor as well as an increasing role of co-authorship and international collaboration.
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Comparative Study
Haemodynamic parameters obtained by transthoracic echocardiography and Swan-Ganz catheter: a comparative study in liver transplant patients.
To compare the haemodynamic measurements of cardiac output (CO), central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (Pw) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), obtained by Swan-Ganz catheter and transthoracic echocardiography. ⋯ The non-invasive determination of CO in critical care post liver transplant patients correlates well with the invasive determinations. Transthoracic echocardiography was not appropriate for calculating filling parameters studied. Although the data was obtained in post liver transplant patients, they could be useful in defining the role of echocardiography in the ICU.