Functional network dynamics revealed by EEG microstates reflect cognitive decline in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Recent electroencephalography (EEG) studies have shown that patterns of brain activity can be used to differentiate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and control groups. These differences can be interrogated by examining EEG microstates, which are distinct, reoccurring topographies of the scalp's electrical potentials. Quantifying the temporal properties of the four canonical microstates can elucidate how the dynamics of functional brain networks are altered in neurological conditions.

Hepatitis B mass immunization of adolescents: a pilot study in a community.

The National Type Specific Hepatitis Surveillance System (SEIEVA) and seroepidemiological studies have shown that in addition to newborns from mothers who are carriers for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), adolescents are at high risk of acquiring type B hepatitis virus because of increasing importance of the heterosexual transmission of this virus. In order to evaluate logistic problems and acceptance rate of adolescents to mass vaccination against hepatitis B, a pilot study was carried out among all 7th grade children registered in the 9 schools of an hepatitis B endemic area located in the suburbs of Naples. After meetings held by the local health department with school teachers and parents, 1219 out of 1250 (97.