Preparing for Success: Neural Frontal Theta and Posterior Alpha Dynamics during Action Preparation Predict Flexible Resolution of Cognitive Conflicts.

Cognitive conflicts typically arise in situations that call for sudden changes in our behavior. Resolving cognitive conflicts is challenging and prone to errors. Humans can improve their chances to successfully resolve conflicts by mentally preparing for potential behavioral adjustments.

The APOE E4 Allele Confers Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke Among Greek Carriers.

Background: Although several studies in various countries have indicated that the presence of the E4 allele of the apolipoprotein-E (APOE) gene is a risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, the strength of this association still remains a matter of debate.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of the APOE E4 allele and various other gene polymorphisms in in a well-characterized sample of Greek patients and to evaluate the potential associations with the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and coronary heart disease (CHD).

Material And Methods: A total of nine gene variants/polymorphisms - F5 (Leiden - R5 06Q, rs6025), F2 (20210G > A, rs1799963), F13A1 (V34L, rs5985), MTHFR (677C > T - A222V, rs1801133), MTHFR (1298A > C - E429A, rs1801131), FGB (-455G > A -c.

Trigger factors in primary headaches subtypes: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary centre in Greece.

Background: Previous studies have shown that common headache triggers contribute to the onset of headache attacks on predisposed individuals and are considered important in the prevention of headache. The aim of this study was to compare the different characteristics of triggers among the most common primary headache subtypes (migraine without aura, migraine with aura and tension type headache).

Methods: A total of 116 headache patients of the neurology outpatient department of a tertiary hospital in Athens were selected according to the criteria of the International Classification of Headaches-3nd Edition Beta.

PMMA embolization to the left dorsal foot artery during percutaneous vertebroplasty for spinal metastases.

Purpose: Distal arterial embolization to the foot with PMMA during vertebral augmentation has not been previously reported. We report a rare case of distal PMMA embolization to the dorsal foot artery during ipsilateral percutaneous lumbar vertebral augmentation in a patient with spinal osteolytic metastases.

Methods: A 68-year-old woman was admitted because of severe disabling low back pain.

Posterolateral versus circumferential instrumented fusion for monosegmental lumbar degenerative disc disease using an expandable cage.

Background: Theoretically, 360° instrumented fusion has been considered to offer better radiological correction than PLF. Despite numerous publications, this correlation is still weak with several controversies in the relative literature.

Purpose: This prospective randomized study was designed to compare the radiological segmental results, complications and outcome of 360° instrumented fusion with the use of a single diagonal expandable PLIF device versus posterolateral pedicle screw fixation in monosegmental lumbar DDD and to show that the use of an novel expandable cage is associated with low PLIF-related complication rate compared to conventional cages reported previously.

Effect of sagittal spinal balance, levels of posterior instrumentation, and length of follow-up on low back pain in patients undergoing posterior decompression and instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar spine disease: a multifactorial analysis.

Study Design: Prospective controlled clinical study on low back pain (LBP).

Objective: To investigate the possible effects of radiographic and other related parameters on LBP in patients underwent decompression and posterolateral instrumented fusion for degenerative lumbar spine disease.

Summary Of Background Data: Sagittal balance of the spine after spine surgery has gained increasing interest regarding its correlation with LBP and fusion rate.

Beneficial influence of titanium mesh cage on infection healing and spinal reconstruction in hematogenous septic spondylitis: a retrospective analysis of surgical outcome of twenty-five consecutive cases and review of literature.

Study Design: Single institution, single surgeon retrospective review.

Objective: To investigate if the use of titanium mesh cage on the site of infection could be beneficial for successful outcome of the operative treatment for pyogenic spondylitis.

Summary Of Background Data: There is a controversy concerning the optimal treatment for pyogenic spondylitis regarding approach, instrumentation and staging.

Ultrasonography in differentiation between chronic viral hepatitis and compensated early stage cirrhosis.

Aim: To assess the value of gray scale (GS) and colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) in differentiating the progression of chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and compensated liver cirrhosis (CIR).

Methods: Seventy-two patients and 32 normal individuals who were used as controls were studied. Forty-four patients suffered from CVH and 28 from CIR.

Direct reduction of thoracolumbar burst fractures by means of balloon kyphoplasty with calcium phosphate and stabilization with pedicle-screw instrumentation and fusion.

Study Design: Prospective consecutive series.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of the treatment of acute thoracolumbar burst fractures by transpedicular balloon kyphoplasty with calcium phosphate cement and posterior instrumented fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: In the surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fractures, the major problem after posterior correction and transpedicular instrumentation is failure to support the anterior spinal column, leading to the loss of correction and instrumentation failure.

Gray and color Doppler ultrasonography in differentiation between chronic viral hepatitis and compensated early stage cirrhosis.

Aim: To assess the value of Gray scale (GS) and Colour Doppler Ultrasonography (CDU) in differentiating the progression of chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and compensated liver cirrhosis (CIR).

Patients And Methods: Seventy-two patients and 32 normal individuals used as controls were studied. Forty-four patients suffered from CVH and 28 from CIR.

Evolution of anterior chest wall blood supply in female adolescents with progressive right-convex thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.

Breast asymmetry was believed to be related to the asymmetry of anterior chest wall blood supply and subsequently to etiology of idiopathic thoracic scoliosis in female adolescents. Recent investigations on the anterior chest wall blood supply with colour Doppler ultrasonography in such individuals did not show anatomic and hemodynamic abnormalities. The present study investigated the evolution of anterior chest wall blood supply in these individuals over a 2-year period.

Asymmetric evolution of anterior chest wall blood supply in female adolescents with progressive right-convex thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.

Breast asymmetry was believed to be related to asymmetry of anterior chest wall blood supply and subsequently to aetiology of idiopathic thoracic scoliosis in female adolescents. Recent investigations on the anterior chest wall blood supply with Colour Doppler Ultrasonography (CDU) in such individuals did not show anatomical and hemodynamic abnormalities. The present study investigated the evolution of anterior chest wall blood supply in these individuals over a 2-year period.

Anterior surgery with insertion of titanium mesh cage and posterior instrumented fusion performed sequentially on the same day under one anesthesia for septic spondylitis of thoracolumbar spine: is the use of titanium mesh cages safe?

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome on patients with pyogenic spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine following combined anterior and posterior surgery.

Summary And Background Data: Several methods of surgical treatment of pyogenic spondylitis have been reported.

Combined anterior plus posterior stabilization versus posterior short-segment instrumentation and fusion for mid-lumbar (L2-L4) burst fractures.

Study Design: Prospective randomized study. OBJECTIVES.: To compare the results of the combined anterior-posterior surgery (Group A) with posterior "short-segment" transpedicular fixation (SSTF) (Group B) in mid-lumbar burst fractures.

One-stage combined surgery with mesh cages for treatment of septic spondylitis.

Unlabelled: There is a controversy regarding most effective operative method for treatment of pyogenic spondylitis and whether to use metallic implants on the site of infection. This retrospective study reports on the outcome of 17 patients with persistent cervical and lumbar pyogenic spondylitis who had one-stage combined surgery and fusion with use of a titanium mesh cage for intractable pain, kyphosis, and neurologic impairment. All patients tolerated the combined operation and were followed up on for 45 months.

Colour Doppler ultrasonography for evaluation of anterior chest blood supply: the possible role of arterial blood supply to the costosternal junction in the aetiology of idiopathic scoliosis in female adolescents.

This prospective comparative study was carried out to investigate the blood supply to the anterior chest wall by measurement of several anatomical and haemodynamic flow parameters of the internal mammary artery, with the use of colour Doppler ultrasonography, in female scoliotics with idiopathic right convex scoliosis in adolescence. Previous investigations have postulated that asymmetry of the breasts in female adolescents may be linked with the development of right convex thoracic scoliosis. This breast asymmetry is supposed to be linked with anatomical and functional asymmetry of the internal mammary artery that is the main supplier to the mammary gland.

Color Doppler ultrasonography for evaluation of internal mammary artery application in adolescent female patients with right-convex thoracic idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design: Prospective comparative study.

Objective: To establish the use of Color Doppler Ultrasonography to investigate internal mammary artery.

Summary Of Background Data: Breast asymmetry in female adolescents with right convex idiopathic scoliosis was supposed to be linked with anatomic and functional asymmetry of the internal mammary artery that is the main supplier to the mammary gland.

Short-term results with the Zweymueller-SL metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty.

In a prospective study we followed 266 consecutive patients who received 350 Zweymueller-SL uncemented total hip replacements with metal-on-metal articulation for osteoarthritis. Mean follow-up was 52 (range 37-92) months. Patient age at the time of surgery was 55±9 (25-70) years.