Exclusion criteria were age >70 years, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary disease, ischemic cardiac disease or medical therapy with beta-blockers, cardiac arrhythmia, neurologic deficits, carotid restenosis, and previous neck or chest surgery or irradiation. Young and aged-matched healthy individuals were recruited as controls. All patients underwent standard cardiovascular selleck inhibitor reflex tests, including lying-to-standing, orthostatic hypotension, deep breathing, and Valsalva maneuver. Autonomic cardiovascular modulation was indirectly evaluated by spectral analysis

of heart rate variability and systolic arterial pressure variability. The chemoreflex sensitivity to hypoxia was obtained during classic rebreathing tests from the slopes of the linear regression of minute ventilation (V-E) vs arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO(2)%) and partial pressure of end-tidal oxygen (PetO(2)).\n\nResults: Patients (16 men; age, 62.4 +/- 8.0 years) were enrolled after a mean interval of 24 +/- 17 months from the Combretastatin A4 last CEA. All were asymptomatic, and results of standard tests were negative. Residual baroreflex performance was documented in both patient groups, although reduced, compared with young controls. Notably, baroreflex

sensitivity (msec/mm Hg) was better maintained after e-CEA than after s-CEA at rest (young controls, 19.93 +/- 9.50; age-matched controls, 7.75 +/- 5.68; e-CEA, 13.85 +/- 14.54; and s-CEA, 3.83 +/- 1.15; analysis of variance[ANOVA], P = .001); and at standing (young controls, 7.83 +/- 2.55; age-matched

controls, 3.71 +/- 1.59; e-CEA, 7.04 +/- 5.62; and s-CEA 3.57 +/- 3.80; ANOVA, P = .001). Similarly, chemoreflex sensitivity to hypoxia was maintained in both patient groups, which did not differ from each other, and was reduced compared with controls (controls vs patient groups Delta V-E/Delta SpO(2): -1.37 +/- 0.33 vs -0.33 +/- 0.08 and SpO(2)% -0.29 +/- 0.13 L/min; P = .002; Delta V-E/DPetO(2): -0.20 +/- 0.1 vs -0.01 +/- 0.0 and -0.07 +/- 0.02 L/min/mm Hg; P = .04, ANOVA with least significant difference correction for multiple comparisons).\n\nConclusions: ACY-1215 solubility dmso Our data show that e-CEA, even when performed on both sides, preserves baroreflexes and chemoreflexes and, therefore, does not confer permanent carotid sinus denervation. Also, e-CEA does not increase long-term arterial pressure variability, and this suggests that perioperative hemodynamic derangements can be attributed to the temporary effects of surgical trauma.”
“Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease driven by the activation of lymphocytes against pancreatic beta-cells. Among beta-cell autoantigens, preproinsulin has been ascribed a key role in the T1D process. The successive steps that control the activation of autoreactive lymphocytes have been extensively studied in animal models of T1D, but remains ill defined in man.

In addition, neuroblastoma SK-N-BE cells were used as positive https://www.selleckchem.com/products/nvp-bsk805.html control. Surprisingly, E2 also induced NGB up-regulation, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, in DLD-1 cells. The ER beta-mediated activation of p38/MAPK was necessary for this E2 effect. E2 induced NGB re-allocation in mitochondria where, subsequently to an oxidative stress injury (i.e., 100 mu M H2O2), NGB interacted with cytochrome c preventing its release into the cytosol and the activation of an apoptotic cascade. As a whole, these results demonstrate that E2-induced NGB up-regulation could act as an oxidative stress sensor,

which does not oppose to the pro-apoptotic E2 effect in ER beta-containing colon cancer cells unless a rise of oxidative stress occurs. These results support the concept that oxidative stress plays a critical role in E2-induced carcinogenesis and further open an important scenario to develop novel therapeutic strategies that target NGB against E2-related cancers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The

aquaglyceroporins of Escherichia coil, EcGlpF, and of Plasmodium falciparum, PfAQP, are probably the best characterized members of the solute-conducting aquaporin (AQP) subfamily. Their crystal structures have been elucidated and numerous experimental and theoretical analyses have been conducted. selleck chemical However, opposing reports on their rates of water permeability require clarification. Hence, we expressed EcGlpF and PfAQP in yeast, prepared protoplasts, and compared water and glycerol permeability of both aquaglyceroporins in the presence of different osmolytes, i.e. sucrose, sorbitol, PEG300, and glycerol. We found that water permeability of PfAQP strongly depends on the external osmolyte, with full inhibition by sorbitol, and increasing water permeability when glycerol, PEG300, and

sucrose were used. EcGlpF expression did not enhance water permeability over that of non-expressing control protoplasts regardless of the osmolyte. Glycerol permeability of PfAQP was also inhibited by sorbitol, but to a smaller extent, whereas EcGlpF conducted glycerol independently of the osmolyte. Mixtures of glycerol and urea passed PfAQP equally well under isosmotic conditions, VX-661 manufacturer whereas under hypertonic conditions in a countercurrent with water, glycerol was clearly preferred over urea. We conclude that PfAQP has high and EcGlpF low water permeability, and explain the inhibiting effect of sorbitol on PfAQP by its binding to the extracellular vestibule. The preference for glycerol under hypertonic conditions implies that in a physiological setting, PfAQP mainly acts as a water/glycerol channel rather than a urea facilitator. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Glioblastoma shows poor response to current therapies and warrants new therapeutic strategies.

The formulation and performance of the proposed measure are compared with other similarity measures using synthetic data. A method of piecewise approximation is also implemented

to facilitate application of the proposed measure to large samples. Example applications of the proposed similarity measure are presented using mass spectrometry imaging data and gene expression microarray data. Results from synthetic and biological data indicate that the proposed measure is capable of providing meaningful discrimination between samples, and Selleckchem SB525334 that it can be a useful tool for identifying potentially related samples in large-scale biological data sets.”
“Purpose. To measure macular choroidat thickness (CT) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in high myopic eyes with primary

angle-open glaucoma (POAG), and to investigate whether the choroid is thinner in these eyes compared to high myopic eyes without glaucoma. Patients and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study of forty-eight eyes with high myopic glaucoma matched with 48 highly myopic eyes without glaucoma by age, central corneal thickness and axial length (AL). OCT scans were performed with the spectral domain OCT (Topcon 2000). The subfoveal this website CT was measured between the Bruch membrane and the internal aspect of the sclera. Results. In the subgroup without glaucoma, matched with the subgroup

with glaucoma (P=0.57), by age, central corneal thickness (P=0.33) and AL (P=0.10), the mean subfoveal CT was 96.32 ti.m + 39.56 p.M. In the subgroup with glaucoma, the mean subfoveal CT was 50.44 p.ril 16.36 vim. The comparison between the two subgroups found a statistically significant difference in subfoveal CT (P smaller than 10(-4)). Conclusions. Foveal choroidal thickness is reduced in highly myopic eyes with glaucoma. The choroidal thinning can be a useful parameter for the diagnosis and the follow-up of highly myopic patients with glaucoma. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“In holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum transmission areas, severe malaria primarily occurs in children aged <48 months and manifests check details as severe malarial anemia [SMA; hemoglobin (Hb) < 6.0 g/dL]. Induction of high levels of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) through inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an important host-defense mechanism against invading pathogens. We have previously shown that COX-2-derived PGE2 levels are reduced in children residing in hyperendemic transmission regions with cerebral malaria and in those with mixed sequelae of anemia and hyperparasitemia. Our in vitro studies further demonstrated that reduced PGE2 was due to downregulation of COX-2 gene products following phagocytosis of malarial pigment (hemozoin, PfHz).

The uncertainty of locating the 3-D space points using subset-based pattern matching is estimated by using theoretical formulae developed in Part I and the experimentally defined confidence margins for image locations. Finally,

the uncertainty in strains is predicted using formulae that involves both the variance and covariance of intermediate variables during the strain calculation process. Results from both theoretical predictions and the experimental work show the feasibility and accuracy of the predictive formulae for estimating the uncertainty in the stereo-based deformation measurements.”
“Cholangiocarcinoma is a highly fatal primary cancer of the bile ducts which HIF inhibitor arises from malignant transformation of bile duct epithelium. While being an uncommon malignancy with an annual incidence in the United States of

5000 new cases, the incidence has been increasing over the past 30 years and comprises 3% of all gastrointestinal cancers. Cholangiocarcinoma can be classified into intrahepatic (ICC) and extrahepatic (including hilar and distal bile duct) according to its anatomic location within the biliary tree with respect to the liver. This paper reviews the management of ICC, focusing on the epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and surgical and nonsurgical management.”
“The aim of this study is to produce the relation between cognitive selleck compound library and functional performance and some biochemical parameters in elderly population. So, we searched for the correlation between the activities of daily living (ADL), mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and body weight, age, hemoglobin, albumin, 17DMAG serum sodium level of 180 elderly people in five nursing homes. Face-to-face interviews and questionnaires

were applied to evaluate ADL To evaluate the cognitive function we used the MMSE. The average age of 180 people contacted was 71.5 +/- 5.1 ( S.D.). ranging 65-91 years; 112 of them were women (62.2%),68 were men (37.8%). Of these elderly people, 25% had no medically diagnosed illnesses, whereas 17 of them (9.4%) were bedridden. There was a positive correlation between ADL and hemoglobin, albumin, body weight, cognitive function parameters and a negative one with age and serum sodium. There was a positive correlation between cognitive functions and hemoglobin, body weight, ADL and a negative one with serum sodium. Hemoglobin concentrations indicating anemia were observed in 30% of subjects. 3.9% of them had hyponatremia and 26.7% displayed a hypernatremia. There was a positive correlation between cognitive and physical function scores and hemoglobin. albumin levels in elderly patients. These results suggest that restoration of hemoglobin and albumin levels could improve cognitive and physical functional status in the elderly population. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Of the 5 patients who did not return to preinjury level, only 2 were unable to do so secondary to pain.\n\nConclusion: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction based on a hybrid fixation technique results in a low complication rate and allows full recovery to preinjury level of performance in the majority (85%) of patients.”
“Environmental concerns of nitrate pollution coupled with the cost of N fertilizers have led to increased interest in assessing plant N status. Our objective was to

use a digital camera and image-analysis software to assess leaf N concentration in corn (Zea mays L.) leaves from the association between leaf N and green color of chlorophyll. In greenhouse experiments conducted at Fayetteville, AR, in 2008 and 2009, digital photographs of the uppermost collared leaf of 3- to 5-leaf corn plants grown over a range of soil N treatments were processed into a dark green color index (DGCI), which combines Elacridar the hue, saturation, and brightness into one composite number. Soil plant analysis KPT-8602 concentration development (SPAD) and DGCI values agreed closely across both years with r(2) >= 0.91. There was a close relationship (r(2) ranged from 0.80 to 0.89) between DGCI and leaf N concentration. Yellow and green disks of known DGCI values were successfully used as internal standards to correct for differences in color sensitivity among cameras. Similarly, DGCI standard disks were able to correct for differences in lighting conditions

for corn grown in the field. Determination of leaf N concentration in corn by digital image analysis offers a potential new tool for assessing corn N status.”
“Aim: To investigate the barriers to and motivators for learning infection prevention and control as identified by midwifery students.\n\nMethods: Semi-structured interviews LY333531 were undertaken with 15 undergraduate

midwifery students within one large university. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis.\n\nResults: Barriers to good clinical practice were identified by students which were concordant with previous literature related to reasons for non-compliance with infection control precautions. Issues such as competing demands specific to midwifery were also identified. Factors which act as barriers to learning good practice in placements included conflicting information and practices from different staff and placement areas and staff attitudes towards students who tried to comply with precautions. Motivators to good practice included the perceived vulnerability of infants to infection, the role modelling of good practice to new mothers and the monitoring of practice.\n\nConclusions: This study demonstrated that midwifery students perceive barriers and motivators to learning infection prevention and control in their clinical placements. Many of the barriers identified are related to the attitudes and practices of qualified staff. Some of the motivators are related specifically to midwifery practice.

We generated Cx39 deficient mice by replacing the coding region of the Gjd4 gene by DNA coding for the enhanced green fluorescent protein eGFP. Adult Cx39 deficient mice exhibit no obvious phenotypic alterations of skeletal muscle compared to wild type mice in the resting state. However, myogenesis in Cx39 deficient embryos is accelerated as indicated by increased myogenin expression

on ED13.5 and ED16.5 and increased expression of Cx43 in developing skeletal muscle. In addition, the regeneration process of skeletal muscle in Cx39 deficient mice is accelerated as shown by a 2 day earlier onset of MyoD and myogenin expression, relative to wild type littermates. Interestingly, Cx43 expression was also upregulated in Cx39 deficient mice during regeneration of skeletal muscle. We hypothesize that Cx43 may compensate for R406 chemical structure the loss of Cx39 during myogenesis and regeneration. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“A wide variety of bacteria are recognized by the complement system through the early components that trigger the three pathways of complernent activation, leading to the release of biologically active products involved in opsonization, check details recruitment of phagocytes and bacterial killing. Deficiencies of complement

components and regulators provide a model to understand the in vivo role of complement as a defense system against bacterial infections. An increased susceptibility to these types of infections is frequently seen in individuals with C2, C3, late component, properdin and factor I deficiencies. The identification of these deficiencies is essential for the adoption of preventive measures aimed to reduce the risk of bacterial infections. Vaccination represents the treatment of choice to protect these subjects, although further studies on a large number of C-deficient individuals are needed to prove the protective effect of vaccines. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All

rights reserved.”
“Asymmetrical cranial vaults resulting from external forces on an infant’s head can be caused by abnormal sutural development (synostotic selleckchem plagiocephaly) or abnormal external forces acting on an intrinsically normal, developing cranium (deformational plagiocephaly).\n\nThe incidence of posterior plagiocephaly has increased dramatically since the initiation of the “Back to Sleep” campaign against sudden infant death syndrome. The majority of cases are due to deformational plagiocephaly, but rigorous diagnostic evaluation including physical examination and radiological imaging must be undertaken to rule out lambdoid synostosis in extreme or refractory cases.\n\nUnique clinical features and radiological examination using computed tomography technology are helpful in confirming the correct cause of posterior plagiocephaly.

Wound healing was assessed by gross evaluation and by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The survival, differentiation and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor of the ASCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.\n\nResults:

The ASCs and ASCs + LLLT groups stimulated wound closure and histological skin regeneration. The ASCs + LLLT group enhanced the wound healing, including neovascularization and regeneration of skin appendages, compared with the ASCs group. The ASCs contributed skin regeneration via differentiation and secretion of growth factors. In the ASCs + LLLT group, the survival of ASCs was increased by the decreased apoptosis of ASCs in the wound bed. The secretion of growth factors was stimulated in the ASCs + LLLT group compared with the ASCs group. Conclusion: GS-1101 purchase These data suggest that LLLT is an effective biostimulator of ASCs in wound healing that enhances the survival of ASCs and stimulates the secretion of growth factors in the wound bed. (C) 2012 Japanese

Society for Investigative Dermatology. BLZ945 concentration Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) mortality. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic implication of AF in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).\n\nMethods: The International Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry included 23,542 outpatients in Europe with established coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease (CVD), PAD and/or >= 3 risk factors. Of these, 3753 patients had symptomatic PAD. CV risk factors were determined at baseline. Study end point was a combination of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke (CV events) during 2 years of follow-up. Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, gender and other risk factors (i.e., congestive heart failure, coronary artery re-vascularisation, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), MI, hypertension, stroke, current smoking and diabetes) was used.\n\nResults: Of 3753 PAD patients, 392 (10%) were known to have AF. Patients with AF were older and had a higher

prevalence of CVD, diabetes and selleck chemical hypertension. Long-term CV mortality occurred in 5.6% of patients with AF and in 1.6% of those without AF (p < 0.001). Multivariable analyses showed that AF was an independent predictor of late CV events (hazard ratio (HR): 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-2.0).\n\nConclusion: AF is common in European patients with symptomatic PAD and is independently associated with a worse 2-year CV outcome. (C) 2010 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Chemical characterization of organic aerosol (OA) was conducted using an aerosol mass spectrometer CAMS) in urban Gwangju, Korea, during the fall (8/30/2011-9/19/2011), winter (12/19/2011-12/30/2011), spring (5/15/2012-5/24/2012), and summer (7/23/2012-8/6/2012).

The kinetic studies of adsorption

for lead and cadmium ions were found to obey a pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption of both ions was found to fit the Langmuir isotherm. The grafted fishbone was effectively used as a sorbent for the removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solution. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The grape has been classified as a non-climacteric fruit with a relatively low physiological activity. However, some studies report that transient increase selleck of endogenous ethylene production occurs just before verasion. Major problems after harvest include stem browning, berry shattering, wilting of berry, and gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea. The grape is stored at -1 to 0 degrees C with 90 to 95% RH. Constant low temperature and high RH are important to control water loss and decay. Selleckchem Captisol Preharvest applications

of chitosan, abscisic acid, ethephon, or ethanol improve grape quality (skin color, decay, and weight loss) and shelf-life. Chitosan, UV irradiation, eugenol or thymol, sulfur dioxide, and chlorine dioxide gas are treated on grape after harvest in order to extend shelf-life and preserve quality. Controlled atmosphere or modified atmosphere packaging can be used as supplemental treatments to extend postharvest-life. 2-5% O(2) + 1-3% CO(2) is currently recommended for table grapes. SO(2) is used for decay control. 10-15% CO(2) in air can be used to control gray mold. Optimum range of temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric composition depends on the cultivar.”
“In the present study, to enhance the tensile and fracture toughnesses of epoxy/clay composites without compromising the strength, a modifying copolymer in-situ synthesized for clay modification during epoxy curing was incorporated to form an interpenetrating network (IPN) structure within epoxy network, leading to a double IPN structure. The IPN structure PF2341066 formed between

the clay and the modifying copolymer via ionic interaction was reversible and flexible, and expected to dissipate energy more efficiently than those involving covalent bonding or other physical interactions in polymer intercalated composites. The advantage of this double IPN structure lies in itself, which is that the two IPNs are topological interlocking within each other to make the matrix strong and tough. And our results showed that a balanced improvement in both strength and toughness of the epoxy/clay nanocomposite could be obtained by this design. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Microbial communities have the potential to control the biogeochemical fate of some radionuclides in contaminated land scenarios or in the vicinity of a geological repository for radioactive waste. However, there have been few studies of ionizing radiation effects on microbial communities in sediment systems.

The d-spacing ratios estimated from XRD Vorinostat price analysis of OXD derivatives possessing longer alkyl chains show that the molecules are arranged in a columnar fashion in the mesogens and the self-assembled nanofibers formed in the gelation process.”
“BackgroundWomen with bipolar disorder (BD) are at high risk for postpartum affective episodes and psychosis. Although validated screening tools are available for postpartum unipolar depression,

few screening tools for hypomania/mania exist. Screening tools for BD in the postpartum period are essential for improving detection and planning appropriate treatment. We evaluated whether adding the Mood Disorders Questionnaire (MDQ) to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) increased the identification of BD in the early postpartum

period. MethodsWomen (N = 1,279) who delivered a live infant and screened positive on the EPDS and/or MDQ at 4-6 weeks postbirth were invited to undergo an in-home Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). ResultsPositive EPDS and/or MDQ screens occurred in 12% of the sample (n = 155). In home SCID diagnostic interviews were completed in 93 (60%) of the mothers with positive screens. BD was the primary diagnosis in 37% (n = 34). Women with BD screened positive on the EPDS and/or MDQ as follows: EPDS+/MDQ+ (n = 14), EPDS+/MDQ- (n = 17), and EPDS-/MDQ+ (n = 3). The MDQ identified 50% (17/34) of the women with BD and 6 additional cases of BD when the MDQ question regarding how impaired the mother perceived herself was excluded from the screen criterion. ConclusionAddition Buparlisib purchase of the MDQ to the EPDS improved the distinction of unipolar depression from bipolar depression at the level of screening in 50% of women with traditional MDQ scoring and by nearly 70% when the MDQ was

scored without the impairment criterion. (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.”
“Somite boundary formation is crucial for segmentation LY3023414 concentration of vertebrate somites and vertebrae and skeletal muscle morphogenesis. Previously, we developed a Tol2 transposon-mediated gene trap method in zebrafish. In the present study, we aimed to isolate transposon insertions that trap maternally-expressed genes. We found that homozygous female fish carrying a transposon insertion within a maternally-expressed gene misty somites (mys) produced embryos that showed obscure somite boundaries at the early segmentation stage (12-13 hpf). The somite boundaries became clear and distinct after this period and the embryos survived to adulthood. This phenotype was rescued by expression of mys cDNA in the homozygous adults, confirming that it was caused by a decreased mys activity. We analyzed a role of the mys gene by using morpholino oligonucleotides (MOs). The MO-injected embryo exhibited severer phenotypes than the insertional mutant probably because the mys gene was partially active in the insertional mutant. The MO-injected embryo also showed the obscure somite boundary phenotype.

A control group (n = 47) consisted of age-and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy subjects SN-38 nmr with a normal OGTT. Circulating concentrations of lipids, insulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured. HOMA index was calculated. Results. Subclinical inflammation markers were elevated in patients with diabetes and IFG/IGT compared to healthy

controls and also IFG patients (diabetes vs. control: p < 0.05 for hsCRP, IL-8, and IL-6; IFG/IGT vs. control: p < 0.05 for hsCRP, and IL-6; diabetes vs. IFG: p < 0.05 for hsCRP, and IL-6; IFG/IGT vs. IFG: p < 0.05 for hsCRP, and IL-6). In multiple

regression analysis, postload glucose concentration was independently associated with circulating hsCRP and IL-6 concentrations when the data was controlled for age, gender, BMI and lipid concentrations (p < 0.05 for hsCRP, and IL-6). Conclusion. Our results suggest that patients with prediabetes, independent of underlying obesity, have increased concentrations of subclinical inflammation https://www.selleckchem.com/products/oligomycin-a.html which is mostly driven by postload glucose concentrations.”
“Several studies in schizophrenia found a positive association between cognitive performance and work status, and it has been reported that good cognitive performance at the outset does 4 predict the success of vocational interventions. However little has been done to investigate whether vocational interventions itself benefit cognitive performance. To test this hypothesis we performed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to investigate in remitted schizophrenic patients the effect of a 6-months vocational rehabilitation program on cognitive performance. We recruited 112 remitted and clinically stable schizophrenic patients

who aimed to enter a vocational rehabilitation program. From these, 57 immediately entered Cl-amidine in vivo a 6-months vocational rehabilitation program, whereas the remaining 55 were allocated to a waiting-list; the latter formed our control group, which received during the 6 months out-clinic follow-up treatment. Before and after the 6-months period we assessed changes in cognitive performance through a neuropsychological test battery, as well as changes in the psychopathological status and in quality of life. We found that vocational rehabilitation significantly improved patients’ performance in cognitive measures that assess executive functions (concept formation, shifting ability, flexibility, inhibitory control, and judgment and critics abilities). Moreover, after 6 months the vocational group improved significantly in the negative symptoms and in quality of life, as compared to controls.