Lateralized cognitive functions in Parkinson's patients: A behavioral approach for the early detection of sustained attention deficits.

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been described as a disconnection syndrome. The lateralized motor onset of symptoms indicates asymmetrical dysregulation of the dopamine production in the substantia nigra, in the striatum and, in turns, a dysfunction of the basal ganglia and of the connected cortical areas. However, lateralization of cognitive symptoms is less clear, and it would be important to determine whether lateralized motor deficits are associated with cognitive impairments typically documented following damage to one specific hemisphere. We tested twenty-two PD patients at various stages of the disease on a sustained attention task, namely a multiple object tracking (MOT). This task is particularly sensitive at revealing lateralized deficits, and is often used to diagnose visual field attentional deficits in stroke patients with unilateral parietal lesions. In the present study, PD patients were asked to track four moving discs (two in the left and two in the right hemifield) amidst moving distracters. Left and right visual field tracking accuracy was psychophysically measured and compared to that of age-matched controls. Results revealed distinct behaviors: left (motor deficit) PD patients showed impaired performance in the left, while right (motor deficit) PD patients were impaired in the right hemifield. Data indicate that PD affects motor as well as attentional functions. Interestingly, performance correlated with scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) a measure of cognitive functioning. Crucially, results suggest that cognitive skills might be affected as early as motor functions, and that early evaluation might be key to predicting disease progression and planning interventions.

Arctic systems in the Quaternary: ecological collision, faunal mosaics and the consequences of a wobbling climate.

Climate oscillations and episodic processes interact with evolution, ecology and biogeography to determine the structure and complex mosaic that is the biosphere. Parasites and parasite-host assemblages are key components in a general explanatory paradigm for global biodiversity. We explore faunal assembly in the context of Quaternary time frames of the past 2.6 million years, a period dominated by episodic shifts in climate. Climate drivers cross a continuum from geological to contemporary timescales and serve to determine the structure and distribution of complex biotas. Cycles within cycles are apparent, with drivers that are layered, multifactorial and complex. These cycles influence the dynamics and duration of shifts in environmental structure on varying temporal and spatial scales. An understanding of the dynamics of high-latitude systems, the history of the Beringian nexus (the intermittent land connection linking Eurasia and North America) and downstream patterns of diversity depend on teasing apart the complexity of biotic assembly and persistence. Although climate oscillations have dominated the Quaternary, contemporary dynamics are driven by tipping points and shifting balances emerging from anthropogenic forces that are disrupting ecological structure. Climate change driven by anthropogenic forcing has supplanted a history of episodic variation and is eliminating ecological barriers and constraints on development and distribution for pathogen transmission. A framework to explore interactions of episodic processes on faunal structure and assembly is the Stockholm Paradigm, which appropriately shifts the focus from cospeciation to complexity and contingency in explanations of diversity.

Resource specialization in a phytophagous insect: no evidence for genetically based performance trade-offs across hosts in the field or laboratory.

We present a field test of the genetically based performance trade-off hypothesis for resource specialization in a population of the moth Rothschildia lebeau whose larvae primarily feed on three host plant species. Pairwise correlations between growth vs. growth, survival vs. survival and growth vs. survival across the different hosts were calculated, using families (sibships) as the units of analysis. Of 15 pairwise correlations, 14 were positive, 5 significantly so and none were negative. The same pattern was found using complementary growth and survival data from the laboratory. Overall, we found no evidence of negative genetic correlations in cross-host performance that would be indicative of performance trade-offs in this population. Rather, variation among families in performance appears to reflect 'general vigour' whereby families that perform well on one host perform well across multiple hosts. We discuss the implications of positive genetic correlations in cross-host performance in terms of the ecology and evolution of host range. We argue that this genetic architecture facilitates colonization of novel hosts and recolonization of historical hosts, therefore contributing to host shifts, host range expansions, biological invasions and introductions, and host ranges that are regionally broad but locally narrow.

[Evaluation of the climacteric symptomatology modifications and clinical-instrumental parameters in women in physiological menopause treated with hormone replacement therapy with nomegestrol acetate and in surgical menopause treated with estrogen replacement therapy. Part I]. / Valutazione delle modificazioni della sintomatologia climaterica, dei parametri clinico-strumentali, nelle donne in menopausa fisiologica trattate con terapia ormonale sostitutiva con nomegestrolo acetato e in menopausa chirurgica trattate con terapia sostitutiva con estrogeni. Prima parte.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of nomegestrol acetate in relation to climacteric symptomatology, at clinical, instrumental and hematochemical levels. Regarding patients in physiological menopause treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) compared to patients in surgical menopause treated with hemihydrate estradiol hormone replacement therapy (ERT) administered transdermally. METHODS: Sixty women in menopause for at least 6 months between the ages of 40 and 55 years were enrolled in the study; 30 women were given HRT with nomegestrol acetate and 30 were only given ERT as they had undergone a total hysterectomy with a bilateral adnexectomy. The standards for inclusion were levels of FSH >or= to 30 UI, levels of 17Beta-estradiol

[Evaluation of the hematochemical parameters and bone mineral density of women in physiological menopause treated with hormone replacement therapy with nomegestrol acetate and surgical menopause treated with estrogen replacement. Part II]. / Valutazione dei parametri ematochimici e della densità minerale ossea nelle donne in menopausa fisiologica trattate con terapia ormonale sostitutiva con nomegestrolo acetato e in menopausa chirurgica trattate con terapia sostitutiva con estrogeni. Seconda parte.

AIM: The purpose of this paper was to estimate the effectiveness of the use of acetate nomegestrol in relation to indicator hematochemical parameters and bone mineral density (BMD) regarding patients in physiological menopause treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), compared to patients in surgical menopause treated with HRT by only administering transdermally hemi hydrate estradiol (estrogen replacement therapy, ERT). METHODS: Sixty women in menopause for at least 6 months ago, aged between 40 and 55 years, were recruited. Thirty of them were given HRT with acetate nomegestrol, and 30 were given only ERT, because they were subjected to general hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy. The standards for inclusion were: level of FSH >or= to 30 UI beta-estradiol

[Influence of anthropometric parameters on bone mineral density. Correlations with age and sex]. / Influenza dei parametri antropometrici sulla densità osseo. Correlazioni con età e sesso.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to analyse the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and some anthropometric parameters such as body weight and height, body mass index, age and sex. METHODS: This study has been carried out between January 1997 and March 2000 in 2839 patients, subdivided into 2679 women (mean age 63.2 +/- 11 years; range: 26-86 years) and 160 men (mean age 58.9 +/- 16.1 years; range: 20-95 years), at the Climatric Unit of the University of Catania The assessment of BMD was measured using a DEXA densitometer method (TurboScan p-DXA, NIM, Verona, Italy). In all patients with high risk for osteoporosis and bone fractures, a statistical analysis of the variance (ANOVA), in order to point out the predictivity of these parameters. RESULTS: The results of the measurements have confirmed a strong relationship between BMD values and sex, age and body constitution. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, the importance is stressed of diagnostic, instrumental and laboratory investigations for all patients with and without normal body constitution, in order to analyse the bone mineral status and establish an appropriate preventive therapy.

CO(2) laser vaporization as primary therapy for human papillomavirus lesions. A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus manifestations occur with increased frequency and severity amongst sexually active people. Several therapeutic approaches have been suggested to treat this viral disease. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the effectiveness of CO(2) laser vaporization for human papillomavirus warts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty healthy sexually active women with cytologically, colposcopically and histologically diagnosed human papillomavirus urogenital and perianal warts were enrolled and then treated by CO(2) laser (16-18 W). Male partners were also investigated, and interferon-beta was eventually administered. All patients were then followed up for twelve months consecutively. RESULTS: At twelve-month follow-up, warts clearance was observed in 70 (87.5%) women. Recurrence was reported in ten (12.5%) women with multiple partners and affected by flat or endophytic condiloma of the cervix. Moreover, there were no complaints of pain, scar tissue deformity or other side effects. CONCLUSIONS: CO(2) laser vaporization is an effective, as well as safe and simple therapeutic approach for treatment of human papillomavirus warts. Its use should be encouraged for condyloma acuminata not associated with malignancy, as well as during pregnancy.

[Results of intrauterine insemination after induction of multiple follicular growth]. / Résultats de l'insémination intra-utérine après induction de la croissance multiple des follicules (CFM).

The authors used multiple ovulation induction by CC+hMG+hCG and intrauterine insemination with capacitized sperm in 63 women, aged between 22 and 43 (mean age 32.474 +/- 5.364) with primary or secondary infertility of various origins (tubal problems being excluded) to enhance the chances of pregnancy and evaluate the pregnancy rate. Partners were aged between 26 and 47 (mean age 36.571 +/- 6.709). The following parameters were considered in all patients: mean age of the partners of the couple, parity, seminal fluid characteristics, duration of infertility, dose of each drug administered, mean number of ampuls per patient and mean 17 beta-estradiol level at the time of administration of hCG. There were 189 cycles induced and 26 suspended (13.75%) including 7 (3.70%) because of protocol drop-out, 13 (6.87%) because of the development of slight hyperstimulation and 6 (3.17%) because of marked hyperstimulation. There were 27 pregnancies (42.85%), 4 of which ended in miscarriage between 7 and 10 weeks. There were 4 twin pregnancies, i.e. 14.81%. Of the 27 pregnancies, 13 (48.14%) were obtained during the first cycle, 9 (33.33%) during the second cycle and 5 (18.51%) during the 3rd cycle. The rate of pregnancies per cycle was 14.89%. With regard to 17 beta-estradiol levels at the time of administration of hCG, 18 pregnancies (69.23%) were obtained in patients with a 17 beta-estradiol level > or = to 1300, 7 (25.92%) in patients with a 17 beta-estradiol level > or = to 1000 and < or = to 1300 pg/ml and 3 (11.11%) in those with a 17 beta-estradiol level < or = to 900 pg/ml.

[Results of multiple follicular growth with CC + pure FSH + HCG and intrauterine insemination with washed semen]. / Risultati della crescita follicolare multipla con CC+FSH "puro" + HCG ed inseminazione intrauterina con seme capacitato.

The Authors have treated 40 women affected by primary or secondary infertility due to various etiologies (with the exclusion of the tubal factor as cause of infertility) for 123 cycles with clomiphene citrate (CC) 50 mg/daily/6 days from day cycle IV to/days from day cycle IX+pure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) 75 IU/daly from day cycle VII day cycle IX and 150 IU/d of pure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from day cycle 10th to day cycle XII/XIII. In all patients human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG 5000IU) was administered when the level of 17 B-estradiol was > or = 900 pg/ml and the follicular diameter > or = 19 mm. After 24 hours from the administration of human chorionic gonadotropins (HCG), the patients underwent intrauterine insemination with washed semen and the insemination was repeated in all patients 24 hours after the first-one. This protocol has allowed to obtain 12 pregnancies (30%); the cancelled cycles were 9 (of whom 5, equal to 4.06%, for mild hyperstimulation and 4, equal to 3.25%, for non compliance). Our results confirm the value of the protocol and the low risk of ovarian hyperstimulation following the use of pure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in association with clomiphene citrate (CC).

Frequency of sexual dysfunctions among Roman Catholic women.

The frequency and type of sexual dysfunctions in healthy and sexually active Roman Catholic church-goers was compared with non-church-goers. All the women had had a steady psychosexual relationship with only one partner for at least one year. The sexual dysfunctions investigated were related only to vaginal intercourse. Although there is no significant difference in the frequency and type of sexual dysfunctions, the Roman Catholic church-goers more frequently complained of unsatisfying sexual relationships (P less than 0.05) or were requested by their partner on a change in their own sexual behaviour (P less than 0.05). The possible correlations between religiosity and sexual health are discussed.