High efficiency of magnetite nanoparticles for the arsenic removal from an aqueous solution and natural water taken from Tambo River in Peru.

Water is an essential compound on earth and necessary for life. The presence of highly toxic contaminants such as arsenic and others, in many cases, represents one of the biggest problems facing the earth´s population. Treatment of contaminated water with magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) can play a crucial role in arsenic removal. In this report, we demonstrate arsenic removal from an aqueous solution and natural water taken from the Peruvian river (Tambo River in Arequipa, Peru) using magnetite NPs synthesized by the coprecipitation method. XRD data analysis of Fe3O4 NPs revealed the formation of the cubic-spinel phase of magnetite with an average crystallite size of ~ 13 nm, which is found in good agreement with the physical size assessed from TEM image analysis. Magnetic results evidence that our NPs show a superparamagnetic-like behavior with a thermal relaxation of magnetic moments mediated by strong particle-particle interactions. FTIR absorption band shows the interactions between arsenate anions and Fe-O and Fe-OH groups through a complex mechanism. The experimental results showed that arsenic adsorption is fast during the first 10 min; while the equilibrium is reached within 60 min, providing an arsenic removal efficiency of ~ 97%. Adsorption kinetics is well modeled using the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, suggesting that the adsorption process is related to the chemisorption model. According to Langmuir's model, the maximum arsenic adsorption capacity of 81.04 mg·g- 1 at pH = 2.5 was estimated, which describes the adsorption process as being monolayer, However, our results suggest that multilayer adsorption can be produced after monolayer saturation in agreement with the Freundlich model. This finding was corroborated by the Sips model, which showed a good correlation to the experimental data. Tests using natural water taken from Tambo River indicate a significant reduction of arsenic concentration from 356 µg L- 1 to 7.38 µg L- 1, the latter is below the limit imposed by World Health Organization (10 µg L- 1), suggesting that magnetite NPs show great potential for the arsenic removal.

Factors associated with ATXN2 CAG/CAA repeat intergenerational instability in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the unstable expansion of a cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG)/cytosine-adenine-adenine (CAA) repeat in the ATXN2 gene, which normally encodes 22 glutamines (Q22). A large study was conducted to characterize the CAG/CAA repeat intergenerational instability in SCA2 families. Large normal alleles (Q24-31) were significantly more unstable upon maternal transmissions. In contrast, expanded alleles (Q32-750) were significantly more unstable during paternal transmissions, in correlation with repeat length. Significant correlations were found between the instability and the age at conception in paternal transmissions. In conclusion, intergenerational instability at ATXN2 locus is influenced by the sex, repeat length and age at conception of the transmitting parent. These results have profound implications for genetic counseling services.

Estimation of the age at onset in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 Cuban patients by survival analysis.

Previous studies have investigated the close association that exists between CAG repeat number and the age at onset in SCA2 = spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. These studies have focused on affected individuals. To further characterize this association and estimate the risk of a carrier developing SCA2 at a particular age as a function of a specific CAG repeat size, we have analyzed a large group of 924 individuals, including 394 presymptomatic and 530 affected individuals with a CAG repeat length of 32-79 units. Using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, we obtained cumulative probability curves for disease manifestation at a particular age for each CAG repeat length in the 34-45 range. These curves were significantly different (p < 0.001) and showed small overlap. All these information may be very valuable in predictive-testing programs, in the planning of studies for the identification of other genetic and environmental factors as modifiers of age at onset, and in the design of clinical trials for people at enlarged risk for SCA2.

Saccade velocity is reduced in presymptomatic spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.

OBJECTIVE: A characteristic feature of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is saccadic slowing at early disease stages. We sought to determine whether this sign is detectable before clinical manifestation and quantifies the disease progression throughout life in linear fashion. METHODS: In a specialized ataxia clinic, 54 presymptomatic carriers of SCA2 polyglutamine expansions and 56 relatives without mutation were documented with regard to their maximal saccade velocity (MSV). RESULTS: Among the control individuals, a significant effect of aging on MSV was observed. After elimination of this age influence through a matched-pair approach, a presymptomatic decrease of MSV could be shown. The MSV reduction was stronger in carriers of large expansions. In the years before calculated disease manifestation, the MSV impairment advanced insidiously. CONCLUSION: Saccade velocity is a sensitive SCA2 endophenotype that reflects early pontine degeneration and may be a useful diagnostic parameter before the onset of ataxia. SIGNIFICANCE: Future neuroprotective therapies of polyglutamine neurodegeneration may be assessed by MSV from earliest to prefinal disease stages.

Saccade velocity is reduced in presymptomatic spinocerebellar ataxia type 2

A characteristic feature of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is saccadic slowing at early disease stages. We sought to determine whether this sign is detectable before clinical manifestation and quantifies the disease progression throughout life in linear fashion. In a specialized ataxia clinic, 54 presymptomatic carriers of SCA2 polyglutamine expansions and 56 relatives without mutation were documented with regard to their maximal saccade velocit Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 Among the control individuals, a significant effect of aging on MSV was observed. After elimination of this age influence through a matched-pair approach, a presymptomatic decrease of MSV could be shown. The MSV reduction was stronger in carriers of large expansions. In the years before calculated disease manifestation, the MSV impairment advanced insidiously.Saccade velocity is a sensitive SCA2 endophenotype that reflects early pontine degenerationPolyglutamine expansion and may be a useful diagnostic parameter before the onset of ataxia. Significance: Future neuroprotective therapies of polyglutamine neurodegeneration may be assessed by MSV from earliest to prefinal disease stages...(AU)

Age dependent risks in genetic counselingfor spinocerebellar ataxia type 2

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2, OMI health, reproductive, financial matters, and183090) belongs to a group of hereditary family planning. Therefore, we undertook a sur-neurodegenerative diseases caused by the expan- vey of the age of onset in a cohort of SCA2sion of a CAG repeat tract in coding regions of patinovel genes. This group includes Huntingtonsdisease (HD), spinal and bulbar muscularatrophy (SBMA), dentatorubral-pallidoluysianatrophy, and the spinocerebellar ataxias type 1,3, 6, 7, and 17 (1). These mutations show a veryhigh penetrance, and they follow an autosomaldominant inheritance pattern with the onlyexception of SBMA (X-linked); each descendantof an affected patient has an a priori risk of 50%.However, it has been proven that the empiric riskof having inherited the mutation causing HD orSCA3 (Machado–Joseph disease) lessens withadvancing age (2, 3). This fact has significantimplications in the genetic counseling of at-riskindividuals. The accuracy and precision that areachieved in the estimate of the risk of developinga certain hereditary illness will have a very...(AU)

Saccade Velocity as a Surrogate DiseaseMarker in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal-dominant disorder mani-festing with gait, limb, and speech incoordination, and with distinctive symptomssuch as early slowing of horizontal eye movements and early neuropathy.1–3 Neuro-pathological analysis has demonstrated severe olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA)early in the course of disease, progressing to involve the anterior horn, substantia ni-gra, thalamus, and somatosensory pathways.4,5 Clinical onset is usually in midlife,but has been observed to range from 1 to 65 years of age, depending on the size ofthe underlying mutation, a CAG (cytosine-adenine-guanine)-trinucleotide repeat ex-pansion in exon 1 of the SCA2 gene...(AU)

Saccade velocity as a surrogate disease marker in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.

We measured in 82 spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) patients and in 80 controls maximal saccade velocity (MSV) and correlated it to polyglutamine expansion size and disease duration. MSV is strongly decreased in SCA2 patients and is influenced mostly by polyglutamine size.

Immune response to Babesia bigemina infection in pregnant cows.

The objective of this study was to characterize the immune response of Babesia bigemina-infected cows during the second trimester of pregnancy. Twelve animals were divided into four groups (I, II, III, IV); groups I and II were pregnant cows, groups III and IV were non-pregnant cows. Groups I and III were infected with a virulent strain of Babesia bigemina, the doses utilized was 1 x 10(7) infected red blood cells IM. Groups II and IV were noninfected control groups. All the infected animals were severely affected; at days 5-7 post-inoculation (DPI) they showed clinical signs: fever (40-41.5 degrees C), packed cell volume reduction, and parasitemia, and specific treatment was required. The immune response was monitored daily from 0-11 DPI. As shown by flow cytometry analysis, in infected animals the distribution in peripheral blood of the T-cells subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+, gammadelta T-cells) was not affected when compared to the control groups. By ELISA, IFN-gamma production showed a trend to increase in plasma between 6-10 DPI; noninfected cows showed the lowest optical density values. By RT-PCR, a Th1 predominant response was observed, TNFalpha, INF-gamma and iNOs were detected. In contrast IL-4 and IL-10 were weak or undetected. The results of this trial will be discussed.

Immune response to Babesia bigemina infection in pregnant cows.

Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease of cattle caused by Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis and is transmitted by the tick vector Boophilus microplus. In this study, we investigate B. bigemina infection regarding the clinical infection, T cell distribution, and cytokine profile during the acute phase of an experimental infection in pregnant cows.

Seroincidence of porcine T. solium infection in the Peruvian highlands.

We performed repeated serological sampling of pigs in an endemic area of the Peruvian highlands (eight villages) to assess the feasibility of detecting incident cases of Taenia solium infection as indicators of ongoing transmission of the parasite. A total of 2245 samples corresponding to 1548 pigs were collected in three sampling rounds (n=716, 926, and 603, respectively). Village-period specific seroprevalences of antibodies by enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) assay varied from 39% (95% CI: 34, 44) to 76% (95% CI: 72, 79). The prevalence of cysticercosis increased with the age of the pigs (similarly for both sexes). Around 40% of pigs were re-sampled at the end of each 4-month period. Crude incidence risks were 48% (57/120, 95% CI: 43-52) and 58% (111/192, 95% CI: 54-61) for each period. A proportion of seropositive animals became seronegative at the end of each period (23 and 15%). Incidence varied by the village, and the exposure period, and was higher in males than females (but did not differ by age).

[Dysautonomic features in patients with Cuban type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia]. / Manifestaciones disautonómicas en pacientes de ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 cubana.

INTRODUCTION: Dysautonomic features are the clinical signs and symptoms derived from anomalous functioning of the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous systems in either the peripheral or central parts. OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical features related to dysautonomia in a patient with spinocerebellar ataxia with severe functional disability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied a series of cases, including 21 patients with severe disability (confirmed to their bed or wheelchair, unable to walk and totally or partly dependent on other people for essential everyday activities). The patients and their families were closely questioned, and full clinical examination included a test for orthostasia. RESULTS: All patients had some signs of peripheral dysautonomia: all had vasomotor disorders (orthostasia, distal pallor and coldness, Raynaud s phenomenon, etc.), 95.2% (constipation, urinary and rectal incontinence, polachuria, palpitations, tachycardia at rest, etc.), exocrine gland disorders in 71.4% (increased lachrymation, reduced sweating, increased or reduced salivation), 87.5% peripheral tissue nutrition disorders. Similarly, in all patients studied there was evidence of central dysautonomic disorder, with a syndrome of cachexia with bulimia, sleep disorders together with dysregulation of thirst and body temperature. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia with severe disability there was involvement of the peripheral and central nervous system regulating autonomic function.

Ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 en Cuba: estudio del fenotipo electrofisiológico y su correlacióncon variables clínicas y moleculares / Spinocerebelar ataxia Type 2 in Cuba: a study of the electrophysicological phenotype

The spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 has a prevalence of 43 per 100,000 inhabitants in Holguín province,which is the highest one reported worldwide. It is due to an intergenerational CAG repeat expansion contained in the first exonof diseasecausinggene, and it is characterized by a high variability in its clinical and electrophysiological presentation, evenintrafamiliarly. Objective. Factors identification, which explains this variability, could lead to the findings of therapeuticalways that may retard the disease onset. Patients and methods. We have done this research in order to contribute to thisphenotypic variability knowledge of the different structures and functions of the nervous system. Results. By means of molecularand electrophysiological studies we have found two groups well differentiated in a 52patientsample. The first one wascharacterized by CAG repeat expansions above 41 units and by the total blockade of the afferent conduction that is, basicelectrophysiological alteration with axonal damage predominance. The second one was characterized by CAG repeat expansionslower or equal to 41 units and showed a high variability in its electrophysiological behavior with myelinic damage predominance.We realized of the existence of statistical significance correlations between the electrophysiological, clinical and molecularvariables considered. Conclusions. These findings suggest that for by CAG repeat expansions lower or equal to 41 unitsshould be affecting other genetics and/or environmental factors that explain the variability found in this group which arenot significant for clinical and electrophysiological presentation in individuals with CAG repeat expansions...(AU)

Estudio del fenotipo electrofisiológico y su correlación con variables clínicas y moleculares / Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 in Cuba. a study of the electrophysiological phenotipe and its correlation with clinical and molecular variables

Introducción. La ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 tiene la mayor prevalencia del mundo en la provincia de Holguín (Cuba). Es causada por la expansión de una secuencia de CAG contenida en el gen SCA2, y se caracteriza por una gran variabilidad en su expresión clínica y electrofisiológica, aun intrafamiliarmente. La identificación de factores que expliquen esta variabilidad podría conducir al descubrimiento de vías terapéuticas que retarden el comienzo de la enfermedad. Objetivo. Con el propósito de contribuir al conocimiento de dicha variabilidad fenotípica hemos desarrollado esta investigación. Pacientes y métodos. Primero determinamos el número exacto de repeticiones de CAG en una muestra de 52 pacientes SCA2, y luego practicamos estudios electrofisiológicos (estudios de conducción nerviosa periférica y sensitiva, PESS de nervio mediano y tibial posterior así como reflejo H). Resultados. Se identificaron dos grupos bien diferenciados entre sí. El primero incluyó a los pacientes con expansiones mayores de 41 unidades de CAG, y se caracterizó por el bloqueo total de la conducción aferente y el predominio de una lesión de tipo axonal. El segundo grupo incluyó a enfermos con expansiones iguales o menores a 41 unidades de CAG, y mostró una gran variabilidad en su comportamiento electrofisiológico además de una lesión predominantemente mielínica. También demostramos la existencia de correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre las variables electrofisiológicas y las clínicas y moleculares consideradas. Conclusiones. Estos hallazgos sugieren que para expansiones menores o iguales a 41 unidades de CAG deben estar influyendo otros factores genéticos o ambientales que provoquen la variabilidad observada y que no son significativos para las manifestaciones clínicas y electrofisiológicas en individuos con expansiones mayores de 41 unidades de CAG (AU)

[Automatic analysis of the alternate movements of the arms in patients with type 2 spino cellular ataxia]. / Análisis automático de los movimientos alternativos de miembros superiores en pacientes con ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2.

INTRODUCTION: A patient with type 2 spino cerebellar ataxia has difficulty in carrying out alternate movements such as pronation and supination. OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the function of an automatized system for measuring disorders of alternate movements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the measurement of diadochokinesia in two groups of healthy patients, a first group (64 persons) to determine the normal intervals and a second group to validate the test (52 persons). We also studied 100 patients for validation of the system. A further 53 patients were evaluated before and after rehabilitation. RESULTS: Analysis of the basic measurements for diagnosis of duodochokinesia showed that the higher the cut off point, the greater the sensitivity of the test, whereas the opposite occurred with the specificity. Thus, regarding a higher cut off, there is a five times greater probability of a positive results in the patients than in healthy persons. However, the probability of a normal result is six times higher in healthy than in affected persons. The results of variant analysis done on patients before and after rehabilitation suggest that the presence of quantitative changes in the second study was due to the positive effect of neuro rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: The technique used is effective for differentiation of affected from healthy persons and its use is justified in the evaluation of co ordination ability after rehabilitation

Manifestaciones disautonómicas en pacientes con ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 cubana / Dysautonomic features in patients with Cuban type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia

Introducción: las manifestaciones disautonómicas son todos aquellos síntomas o signos clínicos que se derivan de un funcionamiento anómalo del sistema nervioso simpático o parasimpático, tanto en sus porciones periféricas como centrales. Objetivo: Identificar las manifestaciones clínicas relacionadas con disautonomías en el paciente de ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 con discapacidad funcional severa. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de serie de casos en 21 enfermos con discapacidad severa (confinados a la cama o silla de ruedas, que no pueden deambular y dependen total o parcialmente de otra persona para realizar las actividades vitales). Se efectuó un minucioso interrogatorio clínico a enfermos y familiares, así como un examen físico exhaustivo que incluyó la prueba de ortostatismo. Resultados: El 100 por ciento de la muestra presentaron alguna manifestación disautonómica periférica: trastornos vasomotores en el 100 por ciento (ortostatismo, frialdad y palidez distal, fenómeno de Raynaud, etc.), trastornos viscerales en el 95,2 por ciento (constipación, incontinencia vesical y rectal, polaquiuria, palpitaciones,taquicardia en reposo, etc.), glandular exocrino en el 71,4 por ciento (aumento lagrimal, sudoración disminuida, aumento o disminución salival), nutritivo tisular periférico en el 87,5 por ciento. Por otro lado, en el 100 por ciento de los enfermos estudiados se detectaron manifestaciones disautonómicas centrales dadas por un síndrome con predominio de caquexia asociada a bulimia, trastornos del sueño, disregulación de la sed y temperatura corporal. Conclusión: en los enfermos de ataxia espinocerebelosa hereditaria tipo 2 con discapacidad grave se detectó afectación del sistema nervioso central y periférico regulador de la función autónoma(AU)

Introducction: Dysautonomic features are the clinical signs and symptoms derived from anomalous functioning of the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous systems in either the peripheral or central parts. Objective: To identify the clinical features related to dysautonomia in a patient with spinocerebellar ataxia with severe functional disability. Patients and methods: We studied a series of cases, including 21 patients with severe disability (confirmed to their bed or wheelchair, unable to walk and totally or partly dependent on other people for essential everyday activities). The patients and their families were closely questioned, and full clinical examination included a test for orthostasia. Results: All patients had some signs of peripheral dysautonomia: all had vasomotor disorders (orthostasia, distal pallor and coldness, Raynaud s phenomenon, etc.), 95,2 percent (constipation, urinary and rectal incontinence, polachuria, palpitations, tachycardia at rest, etc.), exocrine gland disorders in 71,4 percent (increased lachrymation, reduced sweating, increased or reduced salivation), 87,5 percent peripheral tissue nutrition disorders. Similarly, in all patients studied there was evidence of central dysautonomic disorder, with a syndrome of cachexia with bulimia, sleep disorders together with dysregulation of thirst and body temperature. Conclusions: In patients with type 2 hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia with severe disability there was involvement of the peripheral and central nervous system regulating autonomic function(AU)

Manifestaciones disautonómicas en pacientes con ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 cubana / Dysautonomic features in patients with cuban type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia

Introducción. Las manifestaciones disautonómicas son todos aquellos síntomas o signos clínicos que se derivan de un funcionamiento anómalo del sistema nervioso simpático o parasimpático, tanto en sus porciones periféricas como centrales. Objetivo. Identificar las manifestaciones clínicas relacionadas con disautonomías en el paciente de ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 con discapacidad funcional severa. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un estudio de serie de casos en 21 enfermos con discapacidad severa (confinados a la cama o silla de ruedas, que no pueden deambular y dependen total o parcialmente de otra persona para realizar las actividades vitales). Se efectuó un minucioso interrogatorio clínico a enfermos y familiares, así como un examen físico exhaustivo que incluyó la prueba de ortostatismo. Resultados. El 100 por ciento de la muestra presentaron alguna manifestación disautonómica periférica: trastornos vasomotores en el 100 por ciento (ortostatismo, frialdad y palidez distal, fenómeno de Raynaud, etc.), trastornos viscerales en el 95,2 por ciento (constipación, incontinencia vesical y rectal, polaquiuria, palpitaciones, taquicardia en reposo, etc.), glandular exocrino en el 71,4 por ciento (aumento lagrimal, sudoración disminuida, aumento o disminución salival), nutritivo tisular periférico en el 87,5 por ciento. Por otro lado, en el 100 por ciento de los enfermos estudiados se detectaron manifestaciones disautonómicas centrales dadas por un síndrome con predominio de caquexia asociada a bulimia, trastornos del sueño, disregulación de la sed y temperatura corporal. Conclusión. En los enfermos de ataxia espinocerebelosa hereditaria tipo 2 con discapacidad grave se detectó afectación del sistema nervioso central y periférico regulador de la función autónoma (AU)

Protection of pigs with cysticercosis from further infections after treatment with oxfendazole.

Cysticercosis, the infection by the larvae of Taenia solium, is a major cause of acquired epilepsy in the world; it also causes significant economic loss because of contaminated pork. This disease is endemic in most developing countries and no control strategy has yet been proven efficient and sustainable. To further evaluate the full potential of single-dose oxfendazole treatment for pigs as a control measure, 20 pigs with cysticercosis were treated with oxfendazole and later matched with 41 naive pigs and exposed to a natural challenge in a hyperendemic area. New infections were found by serologic testing in 15 of the 32 controls (47%), and by the presence of cysts at necropsy in 12 of them (37%). Only minute residual scars were detected in the carcasses of oxfendazole-treated pigs. Pigs with cysticercosis, once treated with oxfendazole, are protected from new infections for at least three months.

Análisis automático de los movimientos alternativos de miembros superiores en pacientes con ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 / Automatic analysis of the alternate movements of the arms in patients with type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia

Introducción. El paciente con ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2 presenta dificultades en la ejecución de los movimientos alternativos tales como la pronación y la supinación. Objetivos. Evaluar el desempeño del sistema automatizado para la cuantificación de los trastornos de los movimientos alternativos. Pacientes y métodos. Estudiamos la cuantificación de la diadococinesia en dos grupos de sujetos sanos, un primer grupo (64 sujetos) para la determinación de los intervalos de normalidad y el segundo para la validación de la prueba (52 sujetos). Además, fueron incluidos 100 enfermos para realizar la validación del sistema. Otros 53 pacientes se evaluaron antes y después de la rehabilitación. Resultados. El análisis de las medidas básicas para la discriminación diagnóstica de la diadococinesia demostró que la sensibilidad del test era mayor mientras mayor era el punto de corte, y que al analizar la especificidad ocurría un efecto contrario. Así, respecto al punto de corte mayor, la probabilidad de un resultado positivo es aproximadamente cinco veces superior en los enfermos que en los no enfermos, pero la probabilidad de un resultado negativo es seis veces mayor en los no enfermos que en los enfermos.Los resultados del análisis de varianza realizado a pacientes antes y después de la rehabilitación sugirió la existencia de cambios cuantitativos en el segundo estudio como traducción del efecto positivo de la neurorrehabilitación. Conclusión. La técnica empleada es eficaz en la diferenciación de los sujetos enfermos de los sanos y justifica el empleo de las mismas en la evaluación de las capacidades coordinativas tras la rehabilitación (AU)