Determinants and impact of alexithymia on quality of life in Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Alexithymia is a neuropsychiatric symptom conceptualized as difficulty identifying and describing feelings. Although associated with other non-motor symptoms, mainly neuropsychiatric, alexithymia may present as an isolated symptom in persons with Parkinson's Disease (PwP). The objective of the study is to identify determinants of alexithymia and its association with quality of life (QoL) in Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Subjects with Parkinson's disease were recruited. The following instruments were applied: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8). Matched healthy controls were screened using TAS-20. Clinical and demographical variables were compared between alexithymic and non-alexithymic. Regression models were used to find determinants of alexithymia. Impact of alexithymia on QoL was estimated with a linear regression model. RESULTS: 98 patients were included. 56.1% PwP and 28.8% controls were alexithymic (p<0.001). Education level (OR 0.86) and NMSS urinary score (OR 1.09) determined alexithymia as well as TAS-20 score. Alexithymia was an independent determinant of QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Alexithymia is a prevalent independent non-motor symptom in PwP with impact on QoL. Low education level and urinary symptoms are important determinants of alexithymia.

Determinants and impact of alexithymia on quality of life in Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Alexithymia is a neuropsychiatric symptom conceptualized as difficulty identifying and describing feelings. Although associated with other non-motor symptoms, mainly neuropsychiatric, alexithymia may present as an isolated symptom in persons with Parkinson's Disease (PwP). The objective of the study is to identify determinants of alexithymia and its association with quality of life (QoL) in Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Subjects with Parkinson's disease were recruited. The following instruments were applied: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8). Matched healthy controls were screened using TAS-20. Clinical and demographical variables were compared between alexithymic and non-alexithymic. Regression models were used to find determinants of alexithymia. Impact of alexithymia on QoL was estimated with a linear regression model. RESULTS: 98 patients were included. 56.1% PwP and 28.8% controls were alexithymic (p<0.001). Education level (OR 0.86) and NMSS urinary score (OR 1.09) determined alexithymia as well as TAS-20 score. Alexithymia was an independent determinant of QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Alexithymia is a prevalent independent non-motor symptom in PwP with impact on QoL. Low education level and urinary symptoms are important determinants of alexithymia.

Functional restructured meat: applications of ingredients derived from plants / Reestructurados cárnicos funcionales: aplicación de ingredientes derivados de plantas

Background: Meat is an important source of nutrients. However, in recent years their consumption is associated with chronic-degenerative diseases giving it the perception of "unhealthy food" Given that meat is an affordable source of quality protein; its improvement entails a huge challenge for the industry and science. Methods: The search and structured review of the literature in the last ten years in the scientific databases of articles related to the elaboration of restructured meat products with functional ingredients derived from plants. Objective: This work presents a general overview, as well as the most representative studies on the elaboration of restructured meat with ingredients from plants considered functional. Conclusions: The present review is intended to emphasize the use of plant natural ingredients in the elaboration of functional restructured meat products as an alternative for consumers allowing the inclusion of functional compounds beneficial to human health in their daily diet

Antecedentes: La carne es una fuente importante de nutrientes. Sin embargo, en los últimos años su consumo se asocia a enfermedades crónico-degenerativas dando la percepción de alimento poco saludable. Dado a que es una fuente accesible de proteína de calidad, su mejoramiento implica un enorme desafío para la industria y la ciencia de la carne. Método: La revisión estructurada de diversos artículos de investigación encontrados en bases de datos científicas, durante los últimos 10 años, relacionados a la elaboración de reestructurados cárnicos con derivados de plantas considerados funcionales. Objetivo: Este trabajo presenta una revisión general, de los estudios más representativos sobre la elaboración reestructurados cárnicos elaborados con derivados de plantas considerados como funcionales. Conclusión: La elaboración de productos reestructurados cárnicos funcionales con la utilización de derivados vegetales, puede considerarse una alternativa para los consumidores a fin de incluir compuestos funcionales beneficiosos para la salud humana en la dieta diaria

Clinical, imaging, and molecular findings in a sample of Mexican families with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by iron accumulation in the brain, because of mutations in the PANK2 gene. Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of 11 patients from five Mexican families with PKAN disease are reported. Sequencing of PANK2 confirmed the diagnosis. The 11 patients had dysarthria associated with dystonia and Parkinsonism in six. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the 'eye-of-the-tiger' sign in all patients. Three different mutations were identified, a novel one (p.A469P) and two (p.G219V and p.N404I) very rare. Homozygous sibs for the p.G219V mutation had a severe disease progression with early death. Dystonia predominated in the p.A469P/p.N404I compound heterozygous patients. Homozygous for p.N404I showed Parkinsonism, tics and personality and speech disorders. Early and late disease onset and variable expression was present in carriers of the different identified mutations. The 'eye-of-the-tiger' is an excellent neuroimaging hallmark to predict PANK2 mutations. We detected a 'cluster' of patients harboring the p.N404I mutation, strongly suggesting a founder effect for this mutation. This is the first familial clinical-genetic PKAN disease study accomplished in Mexico.

Tephrosia toxicaria†Pers. reduces temporomandibular joint inflammatory hypernociception: the involvement of the HO-1 pathway.

BACKGROUND: We investigated both the efficacy and the sub-chronic toxicity of Tephrosia toxicaria Pers. in the zymosan-induced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammatory hypernociception in rats evaluating the possible role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). METHODS: Rats were pretreated with T. toxicaria (0.2, 2.0 or 20 mg/kg) 60 min before the intra-articular injection of zymosan (2 mg, 40 µL) in the left TMJ. In another series of experiments, rats were treated with ZnPP-IX (3 mg/kg), a specific HO-1 inhibitor, before T. toxicaria (20 mg/kg). Von Frey test was used to evaluate inflammatory hypernociception (g) 4 h after zymosan injection. Six hours after zymosan injection, the synovial lavage was collected for total cell count and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and joint tissue for histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry for HO-1. To evaluate the sub-chronic toxicity, mice received T. toxicaria (20 mg/kg) or saline once a day for 14 days to analyse body mass, organ weight and biochemical parameters. RESULTS: T. toxicaria partially reversed the zymosan-induced head withdrawal threshold, the number of cells and the MPO activity. T. toxicaria reduced the inflammatory cell influx in the synovial membrane. TMJ immunohistochemical analyses treated with T. toxicaria showed increased HO-1 expression. These effects of T. toxicaria were not observed in the presence of ZnPP-IX. T. toxicaria treatment for 14 days did not show significant signs of toxicity when administrated to mice. CONCLUSIONS: T. toxicaria did not produce any signs of toxicity and effectively decreased zymosan-induced TMJ inflammatory hypernociception dependent, at least in part, upon the HO-1 pathway integrity.

Citología bucal como método auxiliar de diagnóstico en pacientes con diabetes tipo II / Oral citology as an auxiliary diagnostic method in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo actualizar los conocimientos sobre las alteraciones morfológicas sobre las alteraciones morfológicas de las células epiteliales de la mucosa bucal de pacientes con diabetes tipo II, detectables con microscopía óptica y citología exfoliativa, con la finalidad de aportar datos que podrían ser útiles para el médico u odontólogo, junto a los análisis clínicos, para el diagnóstico precoz de esta enfermedad. Para una mejor comprensión y por la importancia de esta patología sistémica, se abordan los siguientes ítems: 1- diabetes mellitus tipo II y su impacto social, 2- diabetes mellitus tipo II y sus manifestaciones bucales, 3- citología bucal como método auxiliar del diagnóstico clínico. Los investigadores coinciden en que la diabetes causa alteraciones estructurales, morfológicas y morfométricas en las células bucales, fácilmente detectables por citología exfoliativa, por lo que esta técnica es viable para complementar el diagnóstico clínico y seguir la evolución de esta enfermedad.

Citología bucal como método auxiliar de diagnóstico en pacientes con diabetes tipo II / Oral citology as an auxiliary diagnostic method in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo actualizar los conocimientos sobre las alteraciones morfológicas sobre las alteraciones morfológicas de las células epiteliales de la mucosa bucal de pacientes con diabetes tipo II, detectables con microscopía óptica y citología exfoliativa, con la finalidad de aportar datos que podrían ser útiles para el médico u odontólogo, junto a los análisis clínicos, para el diagnóstico precoz de esta enfermedad. Para una mejor comprensión y por la importancia de esta patología sistémica, se abordan los siguientes ítems: 1- diabetes mellitus tipo II y su impacto social, 2- diabetes mellitus tipo II y sus manifestaciones bucales, 3- citología bucal como método auxiliar del diagnóstico clínico. Los investigadores coinciden en que la diabetes causa alteraciones estructurales, morfológicas y morfométricas en las células bucales, fácilmente detectables por citología exfoliativa, por lo que esta técnica es viable para complementar el diagnóstico clínico y seguir la evolución de esta enfermedad.(AU)

Unequivocal assignments of flavonoids from Tephrosia sp. (Fabaceae).

(1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of praecansone B, pongaflavone and dehydrorotenone isolated from Tephrosia egregia Sandw and obovatin from T. toxicaria Pers. were unambiguously assigned by 1D and 2D NMR experiments including (1)H, (1)H COSY, gHMQC and gHMBC, allowing the correction of literature assignments.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumor in childhood: a case report.

Buschke-Löwenstein tumor or giant condyloma is a warty verrucous lesion, characterized by slow growth, locally infiltrating and disfiguring lesions. Despite its benign histological appearance and low risk of metastasis, Buschke-Löwenstein tumor is an intermediate lesion between condyloma acuminatum and verrucous carcinoma. It has been linked to human papilloma virus, mainly subtypes 6 and 11. Other factors implicated in this disease include poor hygiene, chronic irritation, promiscuity, and cellular immunocompromised states. It rarely occurs in children. The first line of treatment is radical surgical excision with or without adjuvant chemotherapy. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl with a giant perianal condyloma that was treated with surgical excision and a 6-week course of 5-fluorouracil beginning 6 weeks after surgery, with excellent functional and cosmetic results.

Avaliação da atividade larvicida de saponinas triterpênicas isoladas de Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze (Fabaceae) e Cordia piauhiensis Fresen (Boraginaceae) sobre Aedes aegypti / Evaluation of larvicidal activity of triterpenoid saponins isolated of Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze (Fabaceae) and Cordia piauhiensis Fresen (Boraginaceae) against Aedes aegypti

A atividade larvicida de quatro saponinas monodesmosídicas (1-4) isoladas de Pentaclethra macroloba e de uma saponina bidesmosídica (5) isolada de Cordia piauhiensis foi avaliada sobre larvas de estágio 3 de Aedes aegypti. As larvas foram expostas a várias concentrações (500, 250, 100, 50, 25 e 12,5 mg/mL) das saponinas por um período de 24 h. Os resultados indicam que somente as saponinas 1-3 mostraram alta atividade larvicida, com CL50 variando de 18,6 a 27,9 mg/mL. Estes resultados ressaltam as potencialidades destas saponinas como possíveis agentes larvicidas naturais.

The larvicidal activity of the four monodesmoside saponins (1-4) isolated from Pentaclethra macroloba and one bidesmoside saponin (5) from Cordia piauhiensis was evaluated on 3rd instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. The larvae were exposed to serial concentrations (500, 250, 100, 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/mL) saponins for a period of 24 h. The results indicate that, only the saponins 1-3 showed high larvicidal activity, with LC50 ranging of 18,6-27,9 mg/mL. These results suggest that these can be used as natural larvicidal agents.

Molecular basis of thermosensing: a two-component signal transduction thermometer in Bacillus subtilis.

Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes respond to a decrease in temperature with the expression of a specific subset of proteins. Although a large body of information concerning cold shock-induced genes has been gathered, studies on temperature regulation have not clearly identified the key regulatory factor(s) responsible for thermosensing and signal transduction at low temperatures. Here we identified a two-component signal transduction system composed of a sensor kinase, DesK, and a response regulator, DesR, responsible for cold induction of the des gene coding for the Delta5-lipid desaturase from Bacillus subtilis. We found that DesR binds to a DNA sequence extending from position -28 to -77 relative to the start site of the temperature-regulated des gene. We show further that unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), the products of the Delta5-desaturase, act as negative signalling molecules of des transcription. Thus, a regulatory loop composed of the DesK-DesR two-component signal transduction system and UFAs provides a novel mechanism for the control of gene expression at low temperatures.

Constituents of Bowdichia virgilioides.

The isolation and (13)C-NMR data of flavone derivatives from Bowdichia virgilioides roots are reported.

A structural and immunocytochemical study of palatine and labial salivary glands from chronic alcoholics.

In the present study we investigated tissue changes in palatine (PG) and labial (LG) minor salivary glands from individuals who had died of alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis, to characterize histopathological parameters of alcoholic sialosis, that may be used for differential diagnosis. Samples obtained from autopsies were processed using cytochemical techniques for mucosubstances and immunocytochemical labelling for cytokeratines, PS 100 and T-cells. Both PG and LG showed dilated excretory ducts with atrophic epithelium, which contained PAS+ metachromatic material and detached cells. Intra and interlobular ductal hyperplasia was present in some areas, mainly in PG. CK expression was heterogeneous in ductal cells, and negative in acinar cells. Most of the acinar cell nuclei were normal, but some of them were atypical in shape and distribution. Myoepithelial cells, serous demilunes and the basal region of the cells of the striated ducts expressed PS 100. In PG, 85% of the mononuclear infiltrates expressed T-cell markers, whereas in LG only 40% of these cells were T-cells. These findings, in addition to other histopathological parameters seen in previous studies, may be used as indicators for differential diagnosis with other gland pathologies.

A structural and immunocytochemical study of palatine and labial salivary glands from chronic alcoholics.

In the present study we investigated tissue changes in palatine (PG) and labial (LG) minor salivary glands from individuals who had died of alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis, to characterize histopathological parameters of alcoholic sialosis, that may be used for differential diagnosis. Samples obtained from autopsies were processed using cytochemical techniques for mucosubstances and immunocytochemical labelling for cytokeratines, PS 100 and T-cells. Both PG and LG showed dilated excretory ducts with atrophic epithelium, which contained PAS+ metachromatic material and detached cells. Intra and interlobular ductal hyperplasia was present in some areas, mainly in PG. CK expression was heterogeneous in ductal cells, and negative in acinar cells. Most of the acinar cell nuclei were normal, but some of them were atypical in shape and distribution. Myoepithelial cells, serous demilunes and the basal region of the cells of the striated ducts expressed PS 100. In PG, 85

of the mononuclear infiltrates expressed T-cell markers, whereas in LG only 40

of these cells were T-cells. These findings, in addition to other histopathological parameters seen in previous studies, may be used as indicators for differential diagnosis with other gland pathologies.

A structural and immunocytochemical study of palatine and labial salivary glands from chronic alcoholics

In the present study we investigated tissue changes in palatine (PG) and labial (LG) minor salivary glands from individuals who had died of alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis, to characterize histopathological parameters of alcoholic sialosis, that may be used for differential diagnosis. Samples obtained from autopsies were processed using cytochemical techniques for mucosubstances and immunocytochemical labelling for cytokeratines, PS 100 and T-cells. Both PG and LG showed dilated excretory ducts with atrophic epithelium, which contained PAS+ metachromatic material and detached cells. Intra and interlobular ductal hyperplasia was present in some areas, mainly in PG. CK expression was heterogeneous in ductal cells, and negative in acinar cells. Most of the acinar cell nuclei were normal, but some of them were atypical in shape and distribution. Myoepithelial cells, serous demilunes and the basal region of the cells of the striated ducts expressed PS 100. In PG, 85

of the mononuclear infiltrates expressed T-cell markers, whereas in LG only 40

of these cells were T-cells. These findings, in addition to other histopathological parameters seen in previous studies, may be used as indicators for differential diagnosis with other gland pathologies.

Histological study of parotid, submaxillary and von Ebner salivary glands in chronic alcoholics.

Samples from parotid, submaxillary, and von Ebner salivary glands of six chronic alcoholic individuals who had died of alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis were analyzed by topographic and histochemical routine stains and marked for cytokeratins; two normal adult individuals were used as control. Modifications in the acinar cells were found, but the most evident changes were observed in the ductal system: enlargement of major ducts, heterogeneous expression of cytokeratins and athrophy in epithelial cells, desquamated cells and stasis of content, and ductal hyperplasia in von Ebner glands. The lymphoplasmocytic infiltration does not represent the typical lymphocytic focus on Sjögren's syndrome or other connective tissue pathologies. Our findings indicate that functional and structural variations are produced both in serous acini and ducts parotid, submaxilar and von Ebner glands affected by alcoholic sialosis.

Assessment of therapeutic response of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in an area of low malaria transmission in Colombia.

Although chloroquine (CQ) resistance was first reported in Colombia in 1961 and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance in 1981, the frequency of treatment failures to these drugs in Colombia is unclear. A modified World Health Organization 14-day in vivo drug efficacy test for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in areas with intense malaria transmission was adapted to reflect the clinical and epidemiologic features of a low-intensity malaria transmission area in the Pacific Coast Region of Colombia. Patients > or =1 year of age with a parasite density > or =1,000 asexual parasites per microliter were enrolled in this study. Forty-four percent (24 of 54) of the CQ-treated patients were therapeutic failures, including 7 early treatment failures (ETFs) and 17 late treatment failures (LTFs). Four (6%) of 67 SP-treated patients were therapeutic failures (2 ETFs and 2 LTFs). Therapeutic failure in the CQ-treated group was associated with an age <15 years old (P < 0.01), but was not associated with initial parasite density, the presence of CQ or sulfa-containing drugs in urine, or a history of malaria. The high level of therapeutic failures to CQ detected in this study underscores the need and importance of drug efficacy evaluation in the development of a rational national antimalarial drug policy. The relatively low level of therapeutic failures to SP compared with other South American countries raises further questions regarding factors that might have prevented the rapid development of in vivo resistance to this drug combination.

Histological study of parotid, submaxillary and von Ebner salivary glands in chronic alcoholics.

Samples from parotid, submaxillary, and von Ebner salivary glands of six chronic alcoholic individuals who had died of alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis were analyzed by topographic and histochemical routine stains and marked for cytokeratins; two normal adult individuals were used as control. Modifications in the acinar cells were found, but the most evident changes were observed in the ductal system: enlargement of major ducts, heterogeneous expression of cytokeratins and athrophy in epithelial cells, desquamated cells and stasis of content, and ductal hyperplasia in von Ebner glands. The lymphoplasmocytic infiltration does not represent the typical lymphocytic focus on Sj÷grens syndrome or other connective tissue pathologies. Our findings indicate that functional and structural variations are produced both in serous acini and ducts parotid, submaxilar and von Ebner glands affected by alcoholic sialosis.

Histological study of parotid, submaxillary and von Ebner salivary glands in chronic alcoholics

Samples from parotid, submaxillary, and von Ebner salivary glands of six chronic alcoholic individuals who had died of alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis were analyzed by topographic and histochemical routine stains and marked for cytokeratins; two normal adult individuals were used as control. Modifications in the acinar cells were found, but the most evident changes were observed in the ductal system: enlargement of major ducts, heterogeneous expression of cytokeratins and athrophy in epithelial cells, desquamated cells and stasis of content, and ductal hyperplasia in von Ebner glands. The lymphoplasmocytic infiltration does not represent the typical lymphocytic focus on Sj÷gren’s syndrome or other connective tissue pathologies. Our findings indicate that functional and structural variations are produced both in serous acini and ducts parotid, submaxilar and von Ebner glands affected by alcoholic sialosis.

[Changes in world population policies]. / Cambios en las politicas de poblacion en el mundo.

PIP: National population policies have become broader and richer in the past 3 decades, as population growth is increasingly perceived as outpacing the possibilities for development and the carrying capacity of different regions. In the mid-1990s, slightly over 50% of the developing countries had comprehensive and explicit population policies (EPPs). Developed countries preferred policies and programs specific to different aspects of population, without a population policy per se. 77% of countries with EPPs formulated them in the 1980s or later. Significant changes have occurred in EPPs adopted for the major demographic components. The proportion of countries considering their growth too rapid increased from 28% in 1974 to 40.5% in 1995, and the proportion considering their growth rates very low decreased from 25% to 12% in the same period. By the late 1980s, around 37% of countries had undertaken actions to reduce their growth rates. The proportion of countries with policies of nonintervention in demographic growth exceeded 40% for the entire period. The proportion of countries providing direct support for access to family planning increased from 55% in 1974 to 80.5% in 1995. The proportion of governments satisfied with their spatial distribution of population to those desiring no change increased from 12% in 1974 to 26% in 1995. The proportion with policy objectives to modify internal migration trends declined from 75% in 1974 to 26% in 1995. Recent trends in demographic policies suggest they are being partially consolidated as elements of public action, even though many countries are reluctant to construct population policies integrated with social and economic development. The emphasis is currently on more delimited and focused programs.^ieng