Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB-E) and normative values in a representative adult population sample.

BACKGROUND: The Frontal Assessment Battery is a short bedside test used to assess executive functions (EF). The aims of the present study were, first, to evaluate the psychometric proprieties of the Spanish version of the FAB (FAB-E) in a representative sample, and second, to establish cut-off points for impairment in executive function according to age and education level. METHODS: A sample of 798 healthy Spanish adult subjects aged 19 to 91 participated in this study. Neuropsychological assessment of participants was conducted using the FAB-E, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Trail Making Test (TMT). We examined internal consistency, intraclass correlation, test-retest reliability, and concurrent and divergent validity. In addition, we established a cut-off point for detecting executive function impairment based on the 5th percentile by age group and education level. RESULTS: The analysis of the psychometric properties of the FAB-E showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.60), intraclass correlation (0.72), test-retest reliability (0.70) and concurrent and divergent validity between the TMT (r = -0.523), MMSE (r = 0.426) and the FAB-E. The cut-off points for each age group were 16 points for the ≤ 29 group, 15 points for the 30-39 group, 14 points for the 40-49 and 50-59 groups, 12 points for the 60-69 group, and 10 points for the ≥ 70 age group. CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric analysis showed that the FAB-E has good validity and reliability. Thus, FAB-E may be a helpful tool to evaluate EF in a healthy Spanish population. In addition, this study provides information on reference data that will be very valuable for clinicians and researchers.

Clinical and radiological findings for the new multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19.

The World Health Organization defines the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) as a new syndrome reported in patients aged <19 years old who have a history of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The onset of this syndrome is characterized by persistent fever that is associated with lethargy, abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhea, and, less frequently, rash and conjunctivitis. The course and severity of the signs and symptoms vary; in some children, MIS-C worsens rapidly and can lead to hypotension, cariogenic shock, or even damage to multiple organs. The characteristic laboratory findings are elevated markers of inflammation and heart dysfunction. The most common radiological findings are cardiomegaly, pleural effusion, signs of heart failure, ascites, and inflammatory changes in the right iliac fossa. In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, radiologists need to know the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of this syndrome to ensure the correct diagnosis.

[Clinical and radiological findings for the new multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19]. / Revisión de los hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos del nuevo síndrome inflamatorio multisistémico pediátrico vinculado a la COVID-19.

The World Health Organization defines the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) as a new syndrome reported in patients aged < 19 years old who have a history of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The onset of this syndrome is characterized by persistent fever that is associated with lethargy, abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhea, and, less frequently, rash and conjunctivitis. The course and severity of the signs and symptoms vary; in some children, MIS-C worsens rapidly and can lead to hypotension, cariogenic shock, or even damage to multiple organs. The characteristic laboratory findings are elevated markers of inflammation and heart dysfunction. The most common radiological findings are cardiomegaly, pleural effusion, signs of heart failure, ascites, and inflammatory changes in the right iliac fossa. In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, radiologists need to know the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of this syndrome to ensure the correct diagnosis.

A Comparison of Mechanical Properties of Different Hydroxyapatite (HAp) Based Nanocomposites: The Influence of Morphology and Preferential Orientation.

Three different types of hydroxyapatite (HAp) based porous ceramic materials were obtained through the modified gel casting method; one of them was made of commercial HAp particles and used as a reference in the mechanical characterization. Other type of ceramic was elaborated using HAp nanofibers, which were synthesized through the microwave assisted hydrothermal method and they possess a high crystallinity, purity and a preferential crystalline orientation in the [300], such were grown along the [001]. The third type of porous ceramic was elaborated using a combination of HAp nanofibers and particles. The HAp nanofibers and particles were previously analyzed by using X-ray diffraction to study their crystal structure, the topology and morphology of those HAp aggregates were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM); high-resolution transmission electron microscopy was useful to carry out a detailed crystallographic analysis. Afterwards, an organic phase made of gelatin was added to the porous ceramics in order to obtain nanocomposite materials. Two different concentrations of gelatin were used separately, and the combination of three types of porous ceramics and two concentrations of gelatin produced six different nanocomposite materials. All of these composite materials were observed through the SEM to see their topology and porosity and after that, they were probed under compression tests and their corresponding mechanical behavior was analyzed. All the composites showed mechanical properties similar to those observed in cellular materials. The Young modulus and ultimate strength were compared, finally, it was determined the contribution to the mechanical properties of the morphology, crystalline quality and preferential crystalline orientation in the HAp nanofibers. According to such properties, the composite material made of HAp nanofibers has bone tissue implant potential applications.

Coffee consumption and mortality from all causes of death, cardiovascular disease and cancer in an elderly Spanish population.

PURPOSE: The effect of coffee consumption on mortality has been scarcely investigated in the elderly. We assessed the association between coffee consumption and mortality from all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, in an elderly population of Spain. METHODS: We studied 903 individuals (511 women) aged 65 years and older from two population-based studies, the EUREYE-Spain study and the Valencia Nutritional Survey. Coffee consumption and diet were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Information on education, anthropometry, sleeping time, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity and pre-existing disease was collected at baseline. Deaths were ascertained during a 12-year follow-up period, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR). RESULTS: There were 403 deaths during the 12-year period (40% from CVD), 174 of which occurred during the first 6 years. We observed evidence of a lower CVD mortality among coffee drinkers in the first 6 years of follow-up. Drinkers of ≤1 cup of coffee/day and > 1 cup/day showed lower CVD mortality than non-drinkers of coffee, HR 0.82 (95% CI 0.46-1.44) and HR 0.38 (0.15-0.96), respectively (p trend = 0.04). This association of coffee with CVD mortality attenuated after 12 years of follow-up. No significant association was observed with all-cause or cancer mortality, neither for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, coffee consumption was associated with lower CVD mortality in elderly. Although this association should be further investigated, coffee consumption appears to be safe for the elderly since no increased mortality was observed in coffee drinkers.

Interconnected porosity analysis by 3D X-ray microtomography and mechanical behavior of biomimetic organic-inorganic composite materials.

Hydroxyapatite-based materials have been used for dental and biomedical applications. They are commonly studied due to their favorable response presented when used for replacement of bone tissue. Those materials should be porous enough to allow cell penetration, internal tissue growth, vascular incursion and nutrient supply. Furthermore, their morphology should be designed to guide the growth of new bone tissue in anatomically applicable ways. In this work, the mechanical performance and 3D X-ray microtomography (X-ray µCT) study of a biomimetic, organic-inorganic composite material, based on hydroxyapatite, with physicochemical, structural, morphological and mechanical properties very similar to those of natural bone tissue is reported. Ceramic pieces in different shapes and several porous sizes were produced using a Modified Gel Casting Method. Pieces with a controlled and 3D hierarchical interconnected porous structure were molded by adding polymethylmethacrylate microspheres. Subsequently, they were subject to a thermal treatment to remove polymers and to promote a sinterization of the ceramic particles, obtaining a HAp scaffold with controlled porosity. Then, two different organic phases were used to generate an organic-inorganic composite material, so gelatin and collagen, which was extracted from bovine tail, were used. The biomimetic organic-inorganic composite material was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and 3D X-ray microtomography techniques. Mechanical properties were characterized in compression tests, obtaining a dramatic and synergic increment in the mechanical properties due to the chemical and physical interactions between the two phases and to the open-cell cellular behavior of the final composite material; the maximum compressive strength obtained corresponds to about 3 times higher than that reported for natural cancellous bone. The pore size distribution obtained could be capable to allow cell penetration, internal tissue in-growth, vascular incursion and nutrient supply and this material has tremendous potential for use as a replacement of bone tissue or in the manufacture and molding of prosthesis with desired shapes.

Mediterranean dietary pattern in pregnant women and offspring risk of overweight and abdominal obesity in early childhood: the INMA birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Animal models have suggested that maternal diet quality may reduce offspring obesity risk regardless of maternal body weight; however, evidence from human studies is scarce. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy and childhood overweight and abdominal obesity risk at 4 years of age. METHODS: We analysed 1827 mother-child pairs from the Spanish 'Infancia y Medio Ambiente' cohort study, recruited between 2003 and 2008. Diet was assessed during pregnancy using a food frequency questionnaire and MD adherence by the relative Mediterranean diet score (rMED). Overweight (including obesity) was defined as an age-specific and sex-specific body mass index ≥85th percentile (World Health Organization referent), and abdominal obesity as a waist circumference (WC) >90th percentile. Multivariate adjusted linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between pregnancy rMED and offspring overweight and abdominal obesity. RESULT: There was no association between rMED and body mass index z-score, whereas there was a significant association between higher adherence to MD and lower WC (ß of high vs. low rMED: -0.62 cm; 95% confidence interval: -1.10, -0.14 cm, P for trend = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Pregnancy adherence to the MD was not associated with childhood overweight risk, but it was associated with lower WC, a marker of abdominal obesity.

Mediterranean and western dietary patterns are related to markers of testicular function among healthy men.

STUDY QUESTION: Are there any associations of dietary patterns with semen quality, reproductive hormone levels, and testicular volume, as markers of testicular function? SUMMARY ANSWER: These results suggest that traditional Mediterranean diets may have a positive impact on male reproductive potential. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The Mediterranean diet has been related to lower risk of multiple chronic diseases, but its effects on reproduction potential are unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Cross-sectional sample of 215 male university students recruited from October 2010 to November 2011 in Murcia Region (Spain). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Two hundred and nine healthy men aged 18-23 years were finally included in this analysis. Diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis. Linear regression was used to analyze the relation between diet patterns with semen quality parameters, reproductive hormone levels and testicular volume adjusting for potential confounders. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We identified two dietary patterns: a Mediterranean (characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits and seafood) and a Western pattern (characterized by high intakes of processed meats, French fries and snacks). The Mediterranean pattern was positively associated with total sperm count (P, trend = 0.04). The Western pattern was positively related to the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (P, trend = 0.008). We found an inverse association between adherence to the Western pattern and sperm concentration among overweight or obese men (P, trend = 0.04). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: As with all cross-sectional studies, causal inference is limited. However, participants were blinded to the study outcomes thus reducing the potential influenced their report of diet. Although we adjusted for a large number of known and suspected confounders, we cannot exclude the possibility of residual confounding or chance findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study was carried out on healthy and young men, so it is difficult to predict whether and how the observed differences in semen quality translate into reproductive success for men in couples trying to conceive. These results suggest that traditional Mediterranean diets may have a positive impact on male reproductive potential.

Synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanostructures using microwave heating.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoplates and nanofibers have been synthesized using CaNO3, KOH and K2HPO4 as chemical precursors. The concentration of these precursors was kept constant in all experiments. Synthesis reactions were carried out inside of pressurized Teflon vessels. The energy required for the synthesis was supplied by microwaves. Most of the reactions were performed in the presence of glutamic acid. The concentration of this substance was the only difference in the formulation of the reacting mixture, and its effect on the morphology of nanostructures has been evaluated. The use of pressurized vessels and the heating by microwaves in the synthesis reactions made easier the obtaining of HAp crystals. The morphology of nanostructures was influenced through the differences in the concentration of glutamic acid. The variations on the reaction time were useful to obtain nanofibers with an adequate size. The nanoplates and nanofibers obtained will be used to synthesize an organic-inorganic composite which has potential application on medicine and odontology. X-ray diffraction and FTIR were performed to verify the obtaining of a hydroxyapatite phase. High-resolution electron microscopy was carried out for microstructure analyses. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to evaluate the Ca/P ratio in all nanostructures.

Growth of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles on silica gels.

Synthetic, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were grown on the surface of silica gels. The synthesis of those nanoparticles was obtained by immersing silica gels in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 degrees C. The SBF was replaced every week to keep constant the Ca and P ion concentration and subsequent growth of hydroxyapatite was evaluated after 1-6 weeks of total soaking time in SBF. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on the surface of silica gel samples and confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infra Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and powder X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) analysis. These particles show a regular shape and uniform size every week, keeping within the nanoscale always. Both the size and morphology of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles obtained are the result of the use of different chemical additives in the synthesis of silica gels, since they affect the liquid-to-solid interface, and the growth could correspond to a diffusion limited aggregation (DLA) process. A more detailed analysis, with higher magnifications, showed that hydroxyapatite nanoparticles are not solid spheres, showing a branched texture and their size depends on the scale and resolution of the measure instrument.

[Compliance with current dietary recommendations and geographical variability of diet in women participating in 7 screening programs for breast cancer in Spain]. / Cumplimiento de las recomendaciones dietéticas vigentes y variabilidad geográfica de la dieta en mujeres participantes en 7 programas de cribado de cáncer de mama en España.

INTRODUCTION: A healthy diet is especially important during menopause, a period which increases the risk of various health problems. We analyzed the diet of periand postmenopausal Spanish women and the degree of compliance with current recommendations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 3574 women 45-68 years old who attended breast cancer screening programmes in 7 centres (A Coruña, Barcelona, Burgos, Palma de Mallorca, Pamplona, Valencia and Zaragoza). Diet information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire validated for the Spanish population. For the assessment of compliance with current guidelines we used the recommendations by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition for food groups intake and by the Spanish Federation of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics for energy, vitamins and minerals intake. RESULTS: The 29% of women were obese and 42% overweight. The average caloric intake was 2.053 kcal (SD 480). The general energy profile was: 43% of the energy from the carbohydrates, 36% from fats, and 20% from proteins. There was a low vitamin D intake in all centres of the study, with an overall mean intake of 2.14 mg/day. A deficit of vitamin E intake in A Coruña and Burgos was also detected. Intake of dairy products and vegetables was high in all the study centers. The consumption of fruits and vegetables was very heterogeneous, with high intakes observed in Mallorca and Valencia and low for both food groups in A Coruña. The olive oil intake was high in all centers except Burgos with 74.3% of the women studied below the recommended 3 servings per day. CONCLUSIONS: A diet with less fat and protein and a higher consumption of vegetables, nuts and foods rich in carbohydrate might balance the energy intake and improve the quality of the diet correcting the low intakes of vitamins D and E. These recommendations are especially important in cities far from the Mediterranean coast where more breaches have been detected over the current recommendations with a lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

A bibliometric study of scientific literature on obesity research in PubMed (1988-2007).

This article describes a bibliometric review of the publications on obesity research in PubMed over the last 20 years. We used Medline via the PubMed online service of the US National Library of Medicine from 1988 to 2007. The search strategy was: ([obesity] in MesH). A total of 58,325 references were retrieved, 25.5% in 1988-1997, and 74.5% in 1998-2007. The growth in the number of publications showed an exponential increase. The references were published in 3613 different journals, with 20 journals contributing 25% of obesity literature. The two journals contributing most were the International Journal of Obesity (5.1%), Obesity-Obesity Research (2.9%). North America and Europe were the most productive world areas with 44.1% and 37.9% of the literature, respectively. The US was the predominant country in number of publications, followed by the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy. The ranking of production changed when the number of publications was normalized by population, gross domestic product and obesity prevalence by countries. The great increase of publications on obesity during the period 1988-2007 was particularly evident in the second decade of the period which is concordant with the worldwide obesity epidemic. USA and Europe were leaders in the production of scientific articles on obesity.

Hyperthyroidism and production of precocious involution in the mammary glands of lactating rats.

This study investigated the influence of chronic hyperthyroidism on mammary function in lactating rats and the effects on their pups. Thyroxine-treated (10 microg per 100 g body weight per day; hyperthyroid (HT)) or vehicle-treated rats were mated 2 weeks after the start of treatment and killed with their litters on days 7, 14 and 21 of lactation. Serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T(3)) and tetraiodothyronine (T(4)) increased in thyroxine-treated rats. In HT mothers, serum prolactin decreased on day 7 and day 14 of lactation, whereas insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and progesterone concentrations decreased, and corticosterone increased on day 7 of lactation. In HT pups, T(4) concentration increased on day 7 and day 14 of lactation, whereas T(3) increased only on day 14 of lactation, and growth hormone increased on day 7 of lactation. Mammary prolactin binding sites did not vary, but there was an increase in the binding sites in the liver on day 14 of lactation in thyroxine-treated rats. In an acute suckling experiment, thyroxine-treated rats released less oxytocin, growth hormone and prolactin and excreted less milk than did control rats. Mammary casein, lactose and total lipid concentrations in thyroxine-treated rats were similar to those of control rats on day 14 of lactation. Histological studies of the mammary glands showed an increased proportion of alveoli showing reduced or no lumina and cells with condensed nuclei on day 14 and day 21 of lactation; the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) test revealed an increase in apoptosis in alveolar cells on day 21 of lactation in thyroxine-treated rats. Expression of SGP-2, a gene expressed during mammary involution, increased in thyroxine-treated rats on day 14 and day 21 of lactation, whereas expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5, a proapoptotic signal, was unchanged. Bcl-2, which promotes survival of mammary gland epithelial cells was unchanged, whereas expression of IGF-I, which also promotes survival of mammary gland epithelial cells, increased on day 21 of lactation in thyroxine-treated rats. These results indicate that thyroxine treatment produces some milk stasis as a result of impairments in suckling induced release of oxytocin that may initiate the first stage of mammary involution, increasing apoptosis in a gland that is otherwise actively producing and secreting milk.

Ultrastructural and morphometric study of the Sertoli cell of the viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus) during the annual reproductive cycle.

Changes in the morphology of viscacha Sertoli cells were studied during the annual reproductive cycle. Sertoli cells exhibited marked nuclear and cytoplasmic changes. Seasonal variation in nuclear size and shape, chromatin texture, and nucleolus characteristics was observed. The seasonal patterns of the volume densities of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, Golgi complex, dense bodies and lipid inclusions were distinct. Morphometric analysis revealed that the Golgi complex is the organelle most sensitive to seasonal change. It declined drastically in the regressed testes and its recovery was slow. The ER and mitochondria exhibited seasonal variations in their pattern and content, that was minimal during winter. In contrast, an accumulation of lipid and dense bodies, such as primary and secondary lysosomes, accompanied the spermatogenic arrest. The volume densities of both organelles were maximum during the restoration of spermatogenesis. The length and organization of the inter-Sertoli junctions also changed with the reproductive cycle. The Sertoli cell number per tubular cross section decreased significantly during the testicular regression, coincident with the presence of Sertoli cells with marked signs of involution. The degree of regression and recovery exhibited by the viscacha Sertoli cells was closely related to that shown by the associated germ cells. Therefore, seasonal endocrine fluctuations and local factors could be involved in the regulation of the morphological and functional characteristics of the viscacha Sertoli cells. These hormonal fluctuations are synchronized by the photoperiod through the pineal gland and its hormone, melatonin.

Utilidad de la fibrinólisis preoperatoria en las complicaciones tromboembólicas agudas del aneurisma poplíteo / Utility of preoperative thrombolysis in acute thromboembolic complications of popliteal artery aneurysms

Objetivo. Averiguar si el tratamiento fibrinolítico preoperatorio es efectivo en el tratamiento de las complicaciones tromboembólicas agudas por aneurisma poplíteo. Pacientes y métodos. Entre 1991 y 1999 se analizaron retrospectivamente 31 casos de complicaciones tromboembólicas agudas de aneurisma poplíteo. Se crearon dos grupos: uno tratado con fibrinólisis preoperatoria (grupo I, n = 16), y otro tratado con cirugía primaria (grupo II, n = 15). Los criterios de tratamiento fibrinolítico preoperatorio incluyeron la posibilidad técnica de fibrinólisis intratrombo y la ausencia de contraindicaciones generales. El análisis estadístico realizado fue la prueba de la t de Student y el análisis de variancia. Resultados. Ambos grupos eran comparables entre sí. La mortalidad fue de 2 casos en el grupo I. No hubo ningún caso en el grupo II. Las complicaciones mayores incluyeron una trombosis de bypass en el grupo I, y dos en el grupo II, que requirieron reintervenciones. Tras 22,5 h de tratamiento medio con urocinasa se consiguió la repermeabilización de al menos un tronco distal en 13 casos del grupo I (81,2 por ciento). La permeabilidad primaria de los procedimientos fue del 92,8 por ciento (13/14) en el grupo I, y del 81,8 por ciento (9/11) en el grupo II, sin diferencias significativas. La tasa de salvamento de extremidad fue del 85,7 por ciento (14/16) en el grupo I y del 80 por ciento (12/15) en el grupo II, sin diferencias significativas. Conclusiones. La fibrinólisis preoperatoria repermeabiliza al menos un tronco distal en la mayoría de los casos. Sin embargo, los resultados en cuanto a permeabilidad primaria y tasa de salvamento de la extremidad no son significativamente mejores con respecto a la trombectomía quirúrgica. La fibrinólisis preoperatoria nos permite resolver el síndrome isquémico agudo y planificar la cirugía de forma programada (AU)

Stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium of the viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus).

The adult male viscacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus) is a seasonal rodent. It exhibits a short period of testicular regression with partial arrest of spermatogenesis during winter (July-August). The present study provides the first description of the viscacha spermatogenic cycle during the period of maximum gonadal activity (summer-autumn). The testes were processed by using conventional techniques of light and electron microscopy. One-micrometer-thick sections stained with toluidine blue were used to clearly define the different cell associations. Spermatogenesis in this rodent is well organized and synchronized and has been divided into nine stages. The present classification is based on the morphogenesis of the acrosomal system (stages I-V) and the degree of elongation and condensation of the heads of the differentiating spermatids (stages VI-IX). Stage I is principally defined by round spermatids with a well-developed, juxtanuclear Golgi complex and without acrosomal components that are visible under the light microscope. Sperm release from the viscacha seminiferous epithelium occurs either in late stage III or in early stage IV. Stage IX is characterized by diplotene spermatocytes, figures of meiosis I or II, and secondary spermatocytes.

O extrato etanólico da planta tóxica brasileira, Psedocalymma elegans apresenta efeitos estimulantes sobre o sistema nervoso central / The central nervous system stimulant effects of the ethanolic extract from the toxic Brazilian plant Pseudocalymma elegans

Os efeitos do extrato etanólico da planta tóxica Pseudocalymma elegans (Vell.) Kuhlm. sobre o comportamento de camundongos foi estudado. Camundongos que receberam injeçöes intraperitoneais (i.p.), nas doses de 1.6 a 3g/kg de peso corporal, apresentaram convulsöes e morreram com uma latência média de 8 min. A LD50 foi estimada em 1.8g/kg. Os camundongos que receberam 1g/kg (i.p.) do extrato apresentaram um maior número de "rearings" e um maior tempo de "freezing" do que o grupo controle, quando observados em um campo aberto 30 min após a injeçäo. Durante o tempo em que esses animais foram observados no campo aberto näo ocorreram alteraçöes significativas no número de cruzamentos, tempo de "grooming" e número de bolos fecais. Quando esses animais foram colocados em um labirinto em cruz elevado exploraram menos os braços abertos do labirinto que os animais controle: apresentaram uma menor porcentagem de entradas e uma menor porcentagem de tempo de permanência nos braços abertos do labirinto. Esses animais apresentaram também uma menor atividade locomotora medida de forma automatizada e nenhuma alteraçäo no tônus muscular, avaliado pelo tempo de permanência em um arame esticado. Os três primeiros testes sugerem que a administraçäo de doses moderadas do extrato desencadeia um efeito "ansiogênico" contrário ao observado com a administraçäo de ansiolíticos depressores do sistema nervoso central (SNC). Doses maiores do extrato provocam uma super-estimulaçäo do SNC com convulsöes que, eventualmente, podem contribuir para a letalidade do extrato

Effect of vitamin E on red blood cell preservation.

The effect of exogenous vitamin E (2.1 mg/100 ml) was determined on the preservation of red blood cell integrity (PCV and RBC counts) during long-term storage. Cells from healthy human blood donors, normal rats and rats raised on a vitamin E-deficient diet were stored in CE medium at 4 degrees C for 40-60 days. The addition of vitamin E to the CE medium protected normal rat RBC and those from vitamin E-deficient animals to even a larger extent. Neither the PVC nor RBC count in human blood changed during storage for up to 60 days and no effect of exogenous vitamin E was demonstrable.

Effect of vitamin E on red blood cell preservation

The effect of exogenous vitamin E (2.1 mg/100 ml) was determined on the preservation of red blood cell integrity (PCV and RBC counts) during long-term storage. Cells from healthy human blood donors, normal rats and rats raised on a vitamin E-deficient diet were stored in CE medium at 4-C for 40-60 days. The addition of vitamin E to the CE medium protected normal rat RBC and those from vitamin E-deficient animals to even a larger extent. Neither the PVC nor RBC count in human blood changed during storage for up to 60 days and no effect of exogenous vitamin E was demonstrable