Publications by authors named "F J O'Higgins"

Executive function deficits, common in psychiatric disorders, hinder daily activities and may be linked to diminished neural plasticity, affecting treatment and training responsiveness. In this pioneering study, we evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of psilocybin-assisted frontal-midline theta neurofeedback (NF), a neuromodulation technique leveraging neuroplasticity, to improve executive functions (EFs). Thirty-seven eligible participants were randomized into an experimental group ( = 18) and a passive control group ( = 19).

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Aim: To ascertain the rate of successful organ donation (OD) within patients who sustained an out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with initial return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital admission, but whom subsequently do not survive to hospital discharge.

Methods: A retrospective audit of ambulance service and hospital databases from January 2010 to January 2015 was undertaken in a United Kingdom tertiary-referral regional cardiac arrest centre. Crude denominator data for cardiac arrests was obtained from the regional ambulance service; the ICU database was interrogated for OHCA patient admissions and outcomes.

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We present a case of a 31-year-old female patient who developed a supraventricular tachycardia and haemodynamic instability secondary to the use of vaginal prostaglandin E(2)gel for induction of labour. This complication occurred despite the patient's young age, absence of pre-existing ischaemia or coronary artery spasm, and the use of vaginal, rather than intravenous or intramyometrial prostaglandin. Physicians should be aware that serious cardiovascular complications can occur with vaginal prostaglandin E(2)therapy even in the absence of pre-existing risk factors.

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Many nurses successfully complete the Resuscitation Council (UK), European Resuscitation Council, advanced life support (ALS) Provider Course. Acquiring ALS provider status is not necessarily a licence to practice and individual hospital policy determines which skills these nurses can then perform without direct medical supervision. This postal survey aimed to determine which ALS skills are utilised by nurse ALS providers working in a variety of clinical areas within acute hospitals in the UK.

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Background: Thoracic epidural analgesia has become increasingly practised in recent years. Complications are rare but potentially serious and, consequently, careful evaluation is required before undertaking this technique. The practice surrounding this procedure varies widely amongst anaesthetists.

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