Flower cells of tropical descent: a challenging case of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive disease associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infection, with a very high prevalence in tropical areas but exceptionally rare in Europe and Western countries. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a challenging case of ATLL in a young male patient with Brazilian origin and adopted as a child by an Italian family, presenting to our clinic with atypical T-lymphocytosis and life-threatening lung infections. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of ATLL outside of endemic areas can be difficult, requiring a high index of clinical suspicion with careful evaluation of the patient's clinical history. Prognosis is affected by disease stage at presentation and degree of immunosuppression. Few effective treatments are available, although new molecular insights have highlighted the role of host immune response and immune checkpoint blockade inhibitors, given the overexpression of PD-L1 on lymphoma cells and on microenvironment cells.

Oral Glutamine Supplementation Reduces Obesity, Pro-Inflammatory Markers, and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in DIO Wistar Rats and Reduces Waist Circumference in Overweight and Obese Humans.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether chronic oral glutamine (Gln) supplementation may alter metabolic parameters and the inflammatory profile in overweight and obese humans as well as whether Gln may modulate molecular pathways in key tissues linked to the insulin action in rats. Thirty-nine overweight/obese volunteers received 30 g of Gln or alanine (Ala-control) for 14 days. Body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC), hormones, and pro-inflammatory markers were evaluated. To investigate molecular mechanisms, Gln or Ala was given to Wistar rats on a high-fat diet (HFD), and metabolic parameters, euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp with tracers, and Western blot were done. Gln reduced WC and serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in overweight volunteers. In the obese group, Gln diminished WC and serum insulin. There was a positive correlation between the reduction on WC and LPS. In rats on HFD, Gln reduced adiposity, improved insulin action and signaling, and reversed both defects in glucose metabolism in the liver and muscle. Gln supplementation increased muscle glucose uptake and reversed the increased hepatic glucose production, in parallel with a reduced glucose uptake in adipose tissue. This insulin resistance in AT was accompanied by enhanced IRS1 O-linked-glycosamine association in this tissue, but not in the liver and muscle. These data suggest that Gln supplementation leads to insulin resistance specifically in adipose tissue via the hexosamine pathway and reduces adipose mass, which is associated with improvement in the systemic insulin action. Thus, further investigation with Gln supplementation should be performed for longer periods in humans before prescribing as a beneficial therapeutic approach for individuals who are overweight and obese.

Risk of Conversion to Dementia in a Mild Behavioral Impairment Group Compared to a Psychiatric Group and to a Mild Cognitive Impairment Group.

BACKGROUND: There is insufficient available information on behavioral changes in the absence of cognitive impairment as factors increasing the risk of conversion to dementia. OBJECTIVE: To observe and analyze patients with mild behavioral impairment (MBI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and a psychiatry group (PG) to compare the risk of progression to dementia. METHODS: From 677 initially assessed ≥60-year-old patients, a series of 348 patients was studied for a five-year period until censoring or conversion to dementia: 96 with MBI, 87 with MCI, and 165 with general psychiatry disorders, including 4 subgroups: Anxiety, Depression, Psychosis and Others. All patients were assessed with clinical, psychiatric, neurological, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging studies. RESULTS: From 348 patients, 126 evolved to dementia (36.2%). Conversion was significantly higher in MBI (71.5%), followed by the MCI-MBI overlap (59.6%) and MCI (37.8%) groups, compared to PG (13.9%) (Log-rank p < 0.001). MCI patients mostly converted to Alzheimer's dementia, while MBI converted to frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia. Patients in PG converted to Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. CONCLUSION: Conversion to dementia is significantly higher in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. The MBI concept generates a new milestone in the refining of diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and the possibility of creating neuropsychiatric profiles. Its earlier identification will allow new possibilities for therapeutic intervention.

Role of cognitive reserve in progression from mild cognitive Impairment to dementia / Papel da reserva cognitiva na progressão de comprometimento cognitivo leve para demência

Cognitive reserve is the ability to optimize performance through differential recruitment of brain networks, which may reflect the use of alternative cognitive strategies. Objectives: To identify factors related to cognitive reserve associated with progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to degenerative dementia. Methods: A cohort of 239 subjects with MCI (age: 72.2±8.1 years, 58% women, education: 12 years) was assessed and followed for five years (2001 to 2006). Results: In the first year, 13.7% of MCI converted to dementia and 34.7% converted within three years (78.3% converted to Alzheimer dementia). Risk factors for those who converted were education less than 12 years, MMSE score less than 27, Boston naming test score less than 51, IQ (Intelligence Quotient) less than 111, age over 75 years, lack of occupation at retirement, and presence of intrusions in memory recall (all account for 56% of the variability of conversion). Conclusions: MCI patients are a population at high risk for dementia. The study of risk factors (e.g. IQ, education and occupation), particularly those related to cognitive reserve, can contribute important evidence to guide the decision-making process in routine clinical activity and public health policy.

Reserva cognitiva é a habilidade em otimizar o desempenho através do recrutamento de redes neurais, que talvez reflitam o uso de estratégias cognitivas alternativas. Objetivos: Identificar fatores relacionados à reserva cognitiva associados à progressão do comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) para demência degenerativa. Métodos: Uma coorte de 239 indivíduos com CCL (idade: 72.2±8.1 anos, 58% mulheres, educação: 12 anos) foram avaliados e seguidos por cinco anos (2001-2006). Resultados: No primeiro ano 13.7% dos CCL converteram para demência e 34.7% em três anos (78.3% converteram para doença de Alzheimer). Os fatores de risco para aqueles que converteram foram: educação menor do que 12 anos, MMSE menor do que 27, teste de Nomeação de Boston menor do que 51, QI (Quociente de Inteligência) menor do que 111, idade superior a 75 anos, falta de ocupação na aposentadoria, e presença de intrusões na memória de evocação (todos contando para 56% da variabilidade de conversão). Conclusões: Pacientes com CCL são uma população de risco para demência. O estudo dos fatores de risco (como QI, educação e ocupação), principalmente, aqueles relacionados à reserva cognitiva podem contribuir para uma evidência importante para o processo de decisões na atividade clínica e na saúde pública.

Role of cognitive reserve in progression from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Cognitive reserve is the ability to optimize performance through differential recruitment of brain networks, which may reflect the use of alternative cognitive strategies. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors related to cognitive reserve associated with progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to degenerative dementia. METHODS: A cohort of 239 subjects with MCI (age: 72.2±8.1 years, 58% women, education: 12 years) was assessed and followed for five years (2001 to 2006). RESULTS: In the first year, 13.7% of MCI converted to dementia and 34.7% converted within three years (78.3% converted to Alzheimer's dementia). Risk factors for those who converted were education less than 12 years, MMSE score less than 27, Boston naming test score less than 51, IQ (Intelligence Quotient) less than 111, age over 75 years, lack of occupation at retirement, and presence of intrusions in memory recall (all account for 56% of the variability of conversion). CONCLUSIONS: MCI patients are a population at high risk for dementia. The study of risk factors (e.g. IQ, education and occupation), particularly those related to cognitive reserve, can contribute important evidence to guide the decision-making process in routine clinical activity and public health policy.

Reserva cognitiva é a habilidade em otimizar o desempenho através do recrutamento de redes neurais, que talvez reflitam o uso de estratégias cognitivas alternativas. OBJETIVOS: Identificar fatores relacionados à reserva cognitiva associados à progressão do comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) para demência degenerativa. MÉTODOS: Uma coorte de 239 indivíduos com CCL (idade: 72.2±8.1anos, 58% mulheres, educação: 12 anos) foram avaliados e seguidos por cinco anos (2001-2006). RESULTADOS: No primeiro ano 13.7% dos CCL converteram para demência e 34.7% em três anos (78.3% converteram para doença de Alzheimer). Os fatores de risco para aqueles que converteram foram: educação menor do que 12 anos, MMSE menor do que 27, teste de Nomeação de Boston menor do que 51, QI (Quociente de Inteligência) menor do que 111, idade superior a 75 anos, falta de ocupação na aposentadoria, e presença de intrusões na memória de evocação (todos contando para 56% da variabilidade de conversão). CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com CCL são uma população de risco para demência. O estudo dos fatores de risco (como QI, educação e ocupação), principalmente, aqueles relacionados à reserva cognitiva podem contribuir para uma evidência importante para o processo de decisões na atividade clínica e na saúde pública.

Pobreza y desempeño ejecutivo en alumnos preescolares de la ciudad de Buenos Aires (Republica Argentina) / Poverty and executive performance in preschool pupils from Buenos Aires city (República Argentina)

El estudio de los efectos de la pobreza sobre el desempeño cognitivo durante las primeras fases del desarrollo, ha sido efectuado predominantemente en base a la definición de pobreza según el ingreso y el uso de paradigmas de inteligencia basados en la hipótesis de un factor general de funcionamiento cognitivo. En el presente trabajo se utilizó el concepto de Necesidades Básicas Insatisfechas (NBI) como criterio de pobreza y se aplicó un paradigma cognitivo de funcionamiento ejecutivo proveniente de la Neurociencia. El mismo plantea el análisis de componentes de comportamientos inteligentes orientados hacia objetivos y asociados a la activación de circuitos cerebrales que involucran centralmente a la región prefrontal. Se comparó el desempeño ejecutivo de 247 niños escolarizados de 3 a 5 años de edad, provenientes de hogares pobres (NBI) y no pobres o con Necesidades Básicas Satisfechas (NBS), y de jardines de infantes del Distrito Escolar 4 de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (Boca-Barracas) y de distritos escolares de Vicente López y San Isidro del Gran Buenos Aires (Argentina). Se administró una batería de pruebas que evalúan componentes de flexibilidad cognitiva, logro de objetivos y control atencional. Los resultados obtenidos muestran perfiles de desempeño diferentes entre ambos grupos. El perfil de desempeño menos eficiente en términos de las variables estudiadas se observó en el grupo de niños proveniente de hogares pobres. Estos resultados constituyen un aporte significativo de un paradigma neurocientífico para la implementación de estrategias de intervención orientadas a estimular el funcionamiento cognitivo de tipo ejecutivo de niños de edad preescolar

Planificación en niños de edad preescolar: efectos de la pertenencia a hogares con necesidades básicas insatisfechas (NBI) / Planning on preschoolers: effects of belonging to households with unsatisfied basic needs (NBI)

En el presente trabajo se comparó el desempeño de niños provenientes de hogares con (NBS) y sin (NBI) satisfacción de necesidades básicas en una prueba clásica de planificación: Torre de Londres (TOL). Se observó que la muestra de 4 años de niños NBI alcanzó niveles máximos más bajos, un promedio mayor de tiempos de planificación y ejecución, mayor cantidad de ensayos con número insuficiente de movimientos en distintos niveles de dificultad y puntajes más bajos. En la de 5 años se observó la misma tendencia exceptuando el nivel máximo alcanzado y el puntaje. Estos hallazgos sugieren que de la constelación de condiciones ambientales de los hogares NBI (caracterizados predominantemente como habitando viviendas de tipo inconveniente y en condiciones de hacinamiento) resulta una deprivación tal que afectaría las condiciones de desarrollo del desempeño dependendiente de circuitos prefrontales, caracterizable como menos eficiente en el manejo de los recursos de los procesos de memoria de trabajo espacial y planificación...

Planificación en niños de edad preescolar: efectos de la pertenencia a hogares con necesidades básicas insatisfechas (NBI) / Planning in preschool children: effects of belonging to households with unsatisfied basic needs (UBN) and the street: possibilities of facilitating resilient processes

En el presente trabajo se comparó el desempeño de niños provenientes de hogares con (NBS) y sin (NBI) satisfacción de necesidades básicas en una prueba clásica de planificación: Torre de Londres (TOL). Se observó que la muestra de 4 años de niños NBI alcanzó niveles máximos más bajos, un promedio mayor de tiempos de planificación y ejecución, mayor cantidad de ensayos con número insuficiente de movimientos en distintos niveles de dificultad y puntajes más bajos. En la de 5 años se observó la misma tendencia exceptuando el nivel máximo alcanzado y el puntaje. Estos hallazgos sugieren que de la constelación de condiciones ambientales de los hogares NBI (caracterizados predominantemente como habitando viviendas de tipo inconveniente y en condiciones de hacinamiento) resulta una deprivación tal que afectaría las condiciones de desarrollo del desempeño dependendiente de circuitos prefrontales, caracterizable como menos eficiente en el manejo de los recursos de los procesos de memoria de trabajo espacial y planificación.

This study compares performance of preschool children with satisfied (SBN) and unsatisfied basic needs (UBN) (poverty criterion) on a typical cognitive function task: Tower of London (TOL). Compared with SBN children, UBN 4-year-olds reached lower maximum levels, increased thinking- and executive time, more trials with insufficient moves at different levels of difficulty and lower scores. UBN 5-year-olds showed the same tendency except for maximum levels and score. These findings suggest that UBN home environment brings about a condition that affects prefrontal-circuit-dependent performance, which becomes less efficient in the processing of spatial working memory and planning strategies.

Influencias ambientales sobre el desempeño cognitivo en la prueba A no B de una población de niños argentinos de entre 6 y 14 Meses / Environmental effects on cognitive performance in a 6 to 14 month-old child population

En el presente trabajo se plantea la utilización de la prueba A no B de Piaget con retardo como instrumento para diferenciar el desempeño cognitivo dependiente del desarrollo y maduración de sistemas cerebrales en poblaciones infantiles pertenecientes a ambientes de crianza diferenciados por sus características socioeconómicas (INDEC). Luego de la administración de dicha prueba a 250 niños de entre 6 y 14 meses, los resultados indican que el impacto de la insatisfacción de las necesidades básicas, tal como son definidas por el método de medición de pobreza NBI, afecta una medida del procesamiento cognitivo que incluye un componente de memoria de trabajo espacial involucrado con los circuitos ubicados en la corteza prefrontal dorsolateral.