Randomized trial of individual reminiscence therapy for older adults with cognitive impairment: a 3-month responder analysis. / Ensayo aleatorio de terapia de reminiscencia individual para adultos mayores con deterioro cognitivo: un análisis de respuesta de tres meses.

INTRODUCTION: Non-pharmacological intervention options, including individual reminiscence therapy (iRT), have been effective in improving cognitive functioning, mood, and quality of life (QoL) in persons with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). OBJECTIVES: A 13-week randomized trial intervention utilizing iRT was conducted on older adults with NCD. We explored predictors of participants with positive and non-positive intervention responses using responder analysis, an analytic strategy that focuses on contributors to intervention response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Re-analysis of a published single-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial on 251 older adult residents with NCD from residential facilities across Portugal. Participants received 13 weeks of biweekly iRT (26 sessions) or treatment/programming as usual. Outcomes included global cognition (Minimental State Examination), memory (MAT), executive functioning (FAB), depressive symptoms (GDS-15), and QoL (QoL-AD). RESULTS: There were more responders in the intervention than the control group on all five criteria, with significant differences for cognition (p = 0.001; f = 0.202; NNT = 5) and memory (p = 0.004; f = 0.184; NNT = 6). At baseline, intervention responders vs non-responders had: higher QoL-AD scores (30.23 vs 25.57; p < 0.001; d = -0.774) for cognition; lower FAB scores (1.41 vs -2.12; p < 0.001; d = 0.928) for executive functioning; higher GDS-15 scores for the depressive symptoms (7.57 vs 4.91; p < 0.001; d = -0.845), and for QoL (6.81 vs 5.33; p = 0.013; d = -0.443). CONCLUSIONS: The iRT intervention showed high response rates for cognition and memory. Those with worse executive dysfunction, mood, and QoL, benefitted most from the intervention for those respective outcomes. Therefore, the presented iRT has beneficial effects for people with NCD, with mood and QoL as important influential factors.

TITLE: Ensayo aleatorio de terapia de reminiscencia individual para adultos mayores con deterioro cognitivo: un análisis de respuesta de tres meses.Introducción. La terapia de reminiscencia individual (iTR) ha demostrado mejorar la cognición, el estado de ánimo y la calidad de vida (CdV) de personas con trastornos neurocognitivos (TNC). Objetivo. Se exploraron los predictores de la respuesta positiva a la iTR utilizando el análisis de respuesta, una estrategia analítica de los factores que contribuyen a una respuesta a la intervención. Pacientes y métodos. Reanálisis de un ensayo controlado aleatorizado de 251 adultos mayores portugueses con TNC. Los participantes recibieron dos sesiones de iTR durante 13 semanas (26 sesiones) o el tratamiento habitual. Las variables analizadas fueron la cognición global (Minimental State Examination), la memoria (test de alteración de la memoria), el funcionamiento ejecutivo ­batería de evaluación frontal (FAB)­, los síntomas depresivos ­escala de depresión geriátrica-15 (GDS-15)­ y la CdV ­escala de calidad de vida en la enfermedad de Alzheimer (QOL-AD)­. Resultados. Hubo más respondedores en el grupo de intervención que en el de control en los cinco criterios, con diferencias significativas para cognición (p = 0,001; f = 0,202; número necesario para tratar = 5) y memoria (p = 0,004; f = 0,184; número necesario para tratar = 6). En la línea de base, los respondedores tenían: puntuaciones más altas de QOL-AD (30,23 frente a 25,57; p menor de 0,001; d = ­0,774) para la cognición; puntuaciones FAB más bajas (1,41 frente a ­2,12; p menor de 0,001; d = 0,928) para el funcionamiento ejecutivo; y mayores puntuaciones en la GDS-15 para los síntomas depresivos (7,57 frente a 4,91; p menor de 0,001; d = ­0,845) y para la CdV (6,81 frente a 5,33; p = 0,013; d = ­0,443). Conclusiones. La iTR mostró altas tasas de respuesta para la cognición y la memoria. Los que tienen peor función ejecutiva, estado de ánimo y CdV se beneficiaron más de la intervención para esas respectivas variables. La iTR tiene efectos beneficiosos en los TNC, con el estado de ánimo y la CdV como factores influyentes.

Ensayo aleatorio de terapia de reminiscencia individual para adultos mayores con deterioro cognitivo: un análisis de respuesta de tres meses / Randomized trial of individual reminiscence therapy for older adults with cognitive impairment: a 3-month responder analysis

Introducción: La terapia de reminiscencia individual (iTR) ha demostrado mejorar la cognición, el estado de ánimo y la calidad de vida (CdV) de personas con trastornos neurocognitivos (TNC). Objetivo: Se exploraron los predictores de la respuesta positiva a la iTR utilizando el análisis de respuesta, una estrategia analítica de los factores que contribuyen a una respuesta a la intervención. Pacientes y métodos: Reanálisis de un ensayo controlado aleatorizado de 251 adultos mayores portugueses con TNC. Los participantes recibieron dos sesiones de iTR durante 13 semanas (26 sesiones) o el tratamiento habitual. Las variables analizadas fueron la cognición global (Minimental State Examination), la memoria (test de alteración de la memoria), el funcionamiento ejecutivo –batería de evaluación frontal (FAB)–, los síntomas depresivos –escala de depresión geriátrica-15 (GDS-15)– y la CdV –escala de calidad de vida en la enfermedad de Alzheimer (QOL-AD)–. Resultados: Hubo más respondedores en el grupo de intervención que en el de control en los cinco criterios, con diferencias significativas para cognición (p = 0,001; f = 0,202; número necesario para tratar = 5) y memoria (p = 0,004; f = 0,184; número necesario para tratar = 6). En la línea de base, los respondedores tenían: puntuaciones más altas de QOL-AD (30,23 frente a 25,57; p < 0,001; d = –0,774) para la cognición; puntuaciones FAB más bajas (1,41 frente a –2,12; p < 0,001; d = 0,928) para el funcionamiento ejecutivo; y mayores puntuaciones en la GDS-15 para los síntomas depresivos (7,57 frente a 4,91; p < 0,001; d = –0,845) y para la CdV (6,81 frente a 5,33; p = 0,013; d = –0,443). Conclusiones: La iTR mostró altas tasas de respuesta para la cognición y la memoria. Los que tienen peor función ejecutiva, estado de ánimo y CdV se beneficiaron más de la intervención para esas respectivas variables. La iTR tiene efectos beneficiosos en los TNC, con el estado de ánimo y la CdV como factores influyentes.(AU)

Introduction: Non-pharmacological intervention options, including individual reminiscence therapy (iRT), have been effective in improving cognitive functioning, mood, and quality of life (QoL) in persons with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). Objectives: A 13-week randomized trial intervention utilizing iRT was conducted on older adults with NCD. We explored predictors of participants with positive and non-positive intervention responses using responder analysis, an analytic strategy that focuses on contributors to intervention response. Patients and methods: Re-analysis of a published single-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial on 251 older adult residents with NCD from residential facilities across Portugal. Participants received 13 weeks of biweekly iRT (26 sessions) or treatment/programming as usual. Outcomes included global cognition (Minimental State Examination), memory (MAT), executive functioning (FAB), depressive symptoms (GDS-15), and QoL (QoL-AD). Results: There were more responders in the intervention than the control group on all five criteria, with significant differences for cognition (p = 0.001; f = 0.202; NNT = 5) and memory (p = 0.004; f = 0.184; NNT = 6). At baseline, intervention responders vs non-responders had: higher QoL-AD scores (30.23 vs 25.57; p < 0.001; d = –0.774) for cognition; lower FAB scores (1.41 vs –2.12; p < 0.001; d = 0.928) for executive functioning; higher GDS-15 scores for the depressive symptoms (7.57 vs 4.91; p < 0.001; d = –0.845), and for QoL (6.81 vs 5.33; p = 0.013; d = –0.443). Conclusions: The iRT intervention showed high response rates for cognition and memory. Those with worse executive dysfunction, mood, and QoL, benefitted most from the intervention for those respective outcomes. Therefore, the presented iRT has beneficial effects for people with NCD, with mood and QoL as important influential factors.(AU)

Efecto de la intervención de estimulación cognitiva individual de larga duración para personas con trastorno neurocognitivo leve / Effect of long-term individual cognitive stimulation intervention for people with mild neurocognitive disorder

Introducción: La estimulación cognitiva puede ser beneficiosa para ralentizar la progresión del trastorno neurocognitivo (TNC) leve, pero los resultados de las investigaciones existentes son inconsistentes. Además, no existen intervenciones a largo plazo ni intervenciones individuales (uno a uno) aplicadas por profesionales. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de una intervención de estimulación cognitiva individual de larga duración para personas con TNC leve. Pacientes y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un diseño pretest-postest con un grupo control no equivalente. Un total de 82 participantes con TNC leve fueron asignados a un grupo de intervención de estimulación cognitiva o a un grupo control. La intervención consistió en 88 sesiones de formato individual de aproximadamente 45 minutos, dos veces por semana. Evaluadores independientes evaluaron la cognición, la sintomatología depresiva y el nivel de autonomía en las actividades de la vida diaria en la preintervención (línea base), la intraintervención (seis meses) y la postintervención (12 meses). Resultados: En la intra- y la postintervención, se encontró una mejora significativa en la cognición y la sintomatología depresiva en el grupo de intervención en comparación con el grupo control. Los participantes más jóvenes y los que tenían una mejor función y estado cognitivo en la preintervención obtuvieron mejores resultados. La adhesión a la intervención fue alta. Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren la eficacia de una intervención cognitiva individual de larga duración para personas con TNC leve, que podría retrasar la progresión hacia un TNC mayor.(AU)

Introduction: Cognitive stimulation may be beneficial in slowing the progression of mild neurocognitive disorder (NCD), but the results of existing research are inconsistent. Furthermore, there are no long-term interventions nor individual (one-on-one) interventions applied by professionals. Objetive: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a long-term individual cognitive stimulation intervention on people with mild NCD. Patients and methods: A pre-post test design with a non-equivalent control group was conducted. A total of 82 participants with mild NCD were assigned to a cognitive stimulation intervention group or to a control group. The intervention consisted of 88 individual format sessions of approximately 45 minutes, twice per week. Independent evaluators assessed cognition, depressive symptomatology and autonomy level in activities of daily living at pre-intervention, intra-intervention (6 months) and post-intervention (12 months). Results: At intra- and post-intervention, significant improvement on cognition and depressive symptomatology in the intervention group compared to the control group were found. Younger participants and those with better cognitive function and status in pre-intervention achieved better results. Adherence to the intervention was high. Conclusions: Results suggest the efficacy of long-term individual cognitive intervention in people with mild NCD, which could delay the progression towards a major NCD.(AU)

Effect of long-term individual cognitive stimulation intervention for people with mild neurocognitive disorder. / Efecto de la intervención de estimulación cognitiva individual de larga duración para personas con trastorno neurocognitivo leve.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive stimulation may be beneficial in slowing the progression of mild neurocognitive disorder (NCD), but the results of existing research are inconsistent. Furthermore, there are no long-term interventions nor individual (one-on-one) interventions applied by professionals. Objetive. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a long-term individual cognitive stimulation intervention on people with mild NCD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A pre-post test design with a non-equivalent control group was conducted. A total of 82 participants with mild NCD were assigned to a cognitive stimulation intervention group or to a control group. The intervention consisted of 88 individual format sessions of approximately 45 minutes, twice per week. Independent evaluators assessed cognition, depressive symptomatology and autonomy level in activities of daily living at pre-intervention, intra-intervention (6 months) and post-intervention (12 months). RESULTS: At intra- and post-intervention, significant improvement on cognition and depressive symptomatology in the intervention group compared to the control group were found. Younger participants and those with better cognitive function and status in pre-intervention achieved better results. Adherence to the intervention was high. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the efficacy of long-term individual cognitive intervention in people with mild NCD, which could delay the progression towards a major NCD.

TITLE: Efecto de la intervención de estimulación cognitiva individual de larga duración para personas con trastorno neurocognitivo leve.Introducción. La estimulación cognitiva puede ser beneficiosa para ralentizar la progresión del trastorno neurocognitivo (TNC) leve, pero los resultados de las investigaciones existentes son inconsistentes. Además, no existen intervenciones a largo plazo ni intervenciones individuales (uno a uno) aplicadas por profesionales. Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de una intervención de estimulación cognitiva individual de larga duración para personas con TNC leve. Pacientes y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un diseño pretest-postest con un grupo control no equivalente. Un total de 82 participantes con TNC leve fueron asignados a un grupo de intervención de estimulación cognitiva o a un grupo control. La intervención consistió en 88 sesiones de formato individual de aproximadamente 45 minutos, dos veces por semana. Evaluadores independientes evaluaron la cognición, la sintomatología depresiva y el nivel de autonomía en las actividades de la vida diaria en la preintervención (línea base), la intraintervención (seis meses) y la postintervención (12 meses). Resultados. En la intra- y la postintervención, se encontró una mejora significativa en la cognición y la sintomatología depresiva en el grupo de intervención en comparación con el grupo control. Los participantes más jóvenes y los que tenían una mejor función y estado cognitivo en la preintervención obtuvieron mejores resultados. La adhesión a la intervención fue alta. Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren la eficacia de una intervención cognitiva individual de larga duración para personas con TNC leve, que podría retrasar la progresión hacia un TNC mayor.

Role of family history and clinical screening in the identification of families with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Johannesburg, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Familial disease is implicated in 20 - 50% of cases of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) worldwide. The contribution of familial factors to IDCM in the Johannesburg area, South Africa, is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To describe the demographic details of patients with IDCM who presented at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), and to determine if there is evidence of familial disease through family history assessment and clinical screening of relatives. METHODS: This was a single-centre, cohort study performed at a quaternary care centre at CMJAH. Fifty unrelated probands diagnosed with IDCM and available first- and second-degree relatives were included in the study. A three-generation family pedigree was drawn up for all 50 probands. The pedigrees were analysed to identify the presence or absence of familial disease and categorised as positive, intermediate, negative or unreliable according to the family history obtained. From the 50 proband cases, there were 21 family members available for screening for features of IDCM. Eighty-two family members (55 first-degree and 27 second-degree relatives) were screened clinically. Screening included a personal history, full physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis of IDCM in the probands was 41.7 (standard deviation (SD) 12.4) years. The majority of probands were males (n=38; 76%). Of 50 pedigrees analysed, 14 (28%) were positive and likely to be indicative of familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and 9 (18%) patients were at intermediate risk of familial disease. Eighty-two asymptomatic family members were screened, with a median age of 33 (range 11 - 76) years. No asymptomatic family members were identified with features of DCM or presymptomatic DCM. Eleven of the 21 families screened had relatives with possible presymptomatic DCM identified by abnormalities on the echocardiogram in 3 families (14.3%) (4 individuals; all first-degree relatives of the index case) or identified on the basis of a conduction defect (an arrhythmia or first-/ second-/third-degree heart block) in 8 families (72.7%) (11 individuals; 9 first-degree and 2 second-degree relatives). CONCLUSIONS: Screening for IDCM should include a three-generation family history and clinical screening of all first-degree family members. As IDCM has an age-related penetrance, at-risk family members should receive follow-up for screening to assess symptoms and signs of IDCM. Genetic testing would potentially identify family members at high risk, who would benefit from screening; this might be a less expensive option.

Assessment of metal and metalloid contamination in soils trough compositional data: the old Mortórios uranium mine area, central Portugal.

Soils from the old Mortórios uranium mine area were studied to look for contamination, as they are close to two villages, up to 3 km away, and used for agriculture. They are mainly contaminated in U and As and constitute an ecological threat. This study attempts to outline the degree to which soils have been affected by the old mining activities through the computation of significant hot clusters, Traditional geostatistical approaches commonly use raw data (concentrations) accepting that the analyzed elements represent the soil's entirety. However, in geochemical studies these elements are just a fraction of the total soil composition. Thus, considering compositional data is pivotal. The spatial characterization, considering raw and compositional data together, allowed a broad discussion about not only the concentrations' spatial distribution, but also a better understanding on the possibility of trends of "relative enrichment" and, furthermore an insight in U and As fate. The highest proportions (compositional data) on U (up to 33%), As (up to 35%) and Th (up to 13%) are reached in the south-southeast segment. However, the highest concentrations (raw data) occur in north and northwest of the studied area, pointing out to a "relative enrichment" toward the south-southeast zone. The Mondego Sul area is mainly contaminated in U and As, but also in Co, Cu, Pb and Sb. The Mortórios area is less contaminated than the Mondego Sul area.

[Long-term individual cognitive stimulation program in patients with mild neurocognitive disorder: a pilot study]. / Programa de estimulacion cognitiva individual de larga duracion para personas con trastorno neurocognitivo leve: estudio piloto.

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence to suggest that cognitive stimulation produces cognitive benefits in people with mild neurocognitive disorder. However, the effect has been previously demonstrated to be minimal to moderate and the effect of long-term individual interventions, namely on specific cognitive domains, is unknown. AIM: To assess the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of a long-term individual cognitive stimulation intervention for patients with mild neurocognitive disorder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 30) with mild neurocognitive disorder were assigned to a cognitive stimulation intervention group (n = 15) or to a control group (n = 15). The intervention consisted of 88 individual sessions, approximately 45 minutes long, with two sessions per week. External evaluators assessed the level of alteration in cognitive performance, depressive symptoms and the level of independence in the performance of basic activities of daily living. RESULTS: After the intervention, a significant improvement was found in the intervention group compared to the control group in overall cognitive performance (d = 0.83), specifically in the language domain (d until 1.50). There were also lower depressive symptoms in the intervention group compared to the control group (d = 0.93). Only 6.7% of the participants dropped out the study, with participants attending a mean of 83 ± 12.1 sessions. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of the intervention for mild neurocognitive disorder and justify a randomized controlled trial of the program with a larger sample.

TITLE: Programa de estimulacion cognitiva individual de larga duracion para personas con trastorno neurocognitivo leve: estudio piloto.Introduccion. Existen evidencias que sugieren que la estimulacion cognitiva produce beneficios cognitivos en personas con trastorno neurocognitivo leve. Sin embargo, el tamaño del efecto encontrado es de pequeño a moderado, y se desconoce el efecto de las intervenciones individuales de larga duracion y, mas concretamente, sobre dominios cognitivos especificos. Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia, viabilidad y aceptabilidad de una intervencion de estimulacion cognitiva individual de larga duracion para personas con trastorno neurocognitivo leve. Pacientes y metodos. Un total de 30 personas con trastorno neurocognitivo leve fueron asignadas a un grupo de intervencion de estimulacion cognitiva (n = 15) o a un grupo control (n = 15). La intervencion consistio en 88 sesiones individuales de unos 45 minutos, con una periodicidad de dos veces por semana. Evaluadores independientes valoraron el nivel de rendimiento cognitivo, los sintomas depresivos y el nivel de autonomia en la realizacion de actividades basicas de la vida diaria. Resultados. Tras la intervencion, se encontro una mejoria significativa en el grupo de intervencion en comparacion con el grupo control en el rendimiento cognitivo global (d = 0,83), concretamente en el dominio del lenguaje (d hasta 1,50), y una menor sintomatologia depresiva en el grupo de intervencion en comparacion con el control (d = 0,93). Solo un 6,7% de los participantes abandono el estudio, asistiendo a un promedio de 83 ± 12,1 sesiones. Conclusiones. Los resultados apoyan la eficacia, viabilidad y aceptabilidad de la intervencion, y justifican la realizacion de un ensayo controlado aleatorizado aplicado a una muestra mayor.

Role of family history and clinical screening in the identification of families with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Johannesburg, South Africa

Background. Familial disease is implicated in 20 - 50% of cases of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) worldwide. The contribution of familial factors to IDCM in the Johannesburg area, South Africa, is unknown.Objectives. To describe the demographic details of patients with IDCM who presented at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), and to determine if there is evidence of familial disease through family history assessment and clinical screening of relatives.Methods. This was a single-centre, cohort study performed at a quaternary care centre at CMJAH. Fifty unrelated probands diagnosed with IDCM and available first- and second-degree relatives were included in the study. A three-generation family pedigree was drawn up for all 50 probands. The pedigrees were analysed to identify the presence or absence of familial disease and categorised as positive, intermediate, negative or unreliable according to the family history obtained. From the 50 proband cases, there were 21 family members available for screening for features of IDCM. Eighty-two family members (55 first-degree and 27 second-degree relatives) were screened clinically. Screening included a personal history, full physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram.Results. The mean age at diagnosis of IDCM in the probands was 41.7 (standard deviation (SD) 12.4) years. The majority of probands were males (n=38; 76%). Of 50 pedigrees analysed, 14 (28%) were positive and likely to be indicative of familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and 9 (18%) patients were at intermediate risk of familial disease. Eighty-two asymptomatic family members were screened, with a median age of 33 (range 11 - 76) years. No asymptomatic family members were identified with features of DCM or presymptomatic DCM. Eleven of the 21 families screened had relatives with possible presymptomatic DCM identified by abnormalities on the echocardiogram in 3 families (14.3%) (4 individuals; all first-degree relatives of the index case) or identified on the basis of a conduction defect (an arrhythmia or first-/ second-/third-degree heart block) in 8 families (72.7%) (11 individuals; 9 first-degree and 2 second-degree relatives).Conclusions. Screening for IDCM should include a three-generation family history and clinical screening of all first-degree family members. As IDCM has an age-related penetrance, at-risk family members should receive follow-up for screening to assess symptoms and signs of IDCM. Genetic testing would potentially identify family members at high risk, who would benefit from screening; this might be a less expensive option

Adenosine A2A receptor regulation of microglia morphological remodeling-gender bias in physiology and in a model of chronic anxiety.

Developmental risk factors, such as the exposure to stress or high levels of glucocorticoids (GCs), may contribute to the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders. The immunomodulatory role of GCs and the immunological fingerprint found in animals prenatally exposed to GCs point towards an interplay between the immune and the nervous systems in the etiology of these disorders. Microglia are immune cells of the brain, responsive to GCs and morphologically altered in stress-related disorders. These cells are regulated by adenosine A2A receptors, which are also involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety. We now compare animal behavior and microglia morphology in males and females prenatally exposed to the GC dexamethasone. We report that prenatal exposure to dexamethasone is associated with a gender-specific remodeling of microglial cell processes in the prefrontal cortex: males show a hyper-ramification and increased length whereas females exhibit a decrease in the number and in the length of microglia processes. Microglial cells re-organization responded in a gender-specific manner to the chronic treatment with a selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, which was able to ameliorate microglial processes alterations and anxiety behavior in males, but not in females.

Oestrous cycle-dependent expression of Fas and Bcl2 family gene products in normal canine endometrium.

During the oestrous cycle canine endometrium undergoes cyclical cellular proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. To study the regulation of endometrial apoptosis and proliferation events the expression of apoptosis-related genes was analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and cellular expression of their proteins was identified through immunohistochemistry. Cellular apoptosis and proliferation events were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and proliferation marker Ki67 immunostaining, respectively. The highest proliferative index was observed in the follicular phase (all endometrial cellular components) and at early dioestrus (basal glands). This was associated with a low apoptotic index and a strong expression of anti- (Bcl2) and pro-apoptotic proteins (Fas, FasL, Bax). Subsequently (Days 11-45 of dioestrus), basal glandular epithelium experienced the highest apoptotic index, coincidental with a decrease of Bcl2 expression and a low ratio of Bcl2/Bax transcription. An increase in the apoptotic index of crypts, stromal and endothelial cells was observed at late dioestrus and the beginning of anoestrus. These results indicate that pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins regulate the balance between cell proliferation and death in the canine endometrium during the oestrous cycle. High Bcl2 expression in both the follicular and early dioestrous phases stimulate glandular proliferation and prevent apoptosis but, in the non-pregnant uterus, a decrease in Bcl2 expression together with an increase in pro-apoptotic proteins induces apoptosis of basal glandular epithelium cells.

Oestrous cycle-related changes in production of Toll-like receptors and prostaglandins in the canine endometrium.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the following events in the canine endometrium over the course of the oestrous cycle: (i) the transcriptional profiles of genes encoding the Toll-like receptors (TLR1-TLR7 and TLR9); (ii) the transcription and protein expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4; (iii) the gene transcription profile of prostaglandin synthesis enzymes (PTGS2, PGES and PGFS); (iv) the response pattern of PGF(2α) and PGE(2) following exposure of endometrial explants to LPS and LTA. TLR1-TLR7 and TLR9 genes were transcribed in the endometrium of bitches throughout the oestrous cycle, which indicates that TLR-mediated immune surveillance is an important component of the defence mechanisms within the uterus. Canine endometrial mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was up-regulated at the late dioestrus and anoestrus and was the lowest in the follicular phase and early dioestrus. The decreased mRNA and protein levels observed at early dioestrus may favour implantation, but may also be linked to the high prevalence of pyometra at this stage of the oestrous cycle. After LPS and LTA stimulation, endometrial explants produced more PGF(2α) than PGE(2), which may be related to the early demise of the corpus luteum observed in vivo in canine pyometra cases. Overall, these results indicate that TLRs are involved in the activation of the inflammatory response associated with pyometra in the bitch. TLRs may therefore be therapeutic targets for the control of uterine bacterial infections in the bitch and potentially in other species.

Synaptic vesicles studied by dynamic light scattering.

The size polydispersity distribution of synaptic vesicles (SVs) is characterized under quasi-physiological conditions by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Highly purified fractions of SVs obtained from rat brain still contain a small amount of larger contaminant structures, which can be quantified by DLS and further reduced by asymmetric-flow field-flow (AFFF) fractionation. The intensity autocorrelation functions g (2)(τ) recorded from these samples are analyzed by a constrained regularization method as well as by an alternative direct modeling approach. The results are in quantitative agreement with the polydispersity obtained from cryogenic electron microscopy of vitrified SVs. Next, different vesicle fusion assays based on samples composed of SVs and small unilamellar proteoliposomes with the fusion proteins syntaxin 1 and SNAP-25A are characterized by DLS. The size increase of the proteoliposomes due to SNARE-dependent fusion with SVs is quantified by DLS under quasi-physiological conditions.

Gene transcription of TLR2, TLR4, LPS ligands and prostaglandin synthesis enzymes are up-regulated in canine uteri with cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most frequent bacterium isolated in cases of cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex, the most frequent endometrial disorder in the bitch. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an essential role in the innate immune system. The aim of this study was to compare transcription of genes encoding TLR2, TLR4 and LPS ligands (CD14, MD-2, LBP), prostaglandin synthesis enzymes (COX1, COX2, PGES1 and PGFS), and to compare COX1 and COX2 protein expression and PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) endometrial content in the endometrium of canine diestrous uteri with (n=7) or without (n=7) pyometra. All cases of pyometra were hyperplastic and E. coli was the only isolated bacteria, while diestrous normal uteri did not present signs of cystic endometrial hyperplasia and were negative for bacteriology. Except for COX1, transcription of all genes was significantly higher in pyometra than in normal endometria. COX1 protein was observed in both normal and pyometra uteri, but COX2 protein was only present in pyometra cases. Endometrial PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) content were significantly higher in pyometra than in normal diestrous endometria. In conclusion, data obtained in this study provides evidence that pyometra-isolated E. coli induces the up-regulation of TLR2 and TLR4 genes in the canine diestrous endometrium. This up-regulation, which is probably the result of the stimulation by LPS and lipoprotein E. coli constituents, leads to the endometrial up-regulation of PG synthesis genes. This, in turn, results in a higher endometrial concentration of PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha), which may further regulate the local inflammatory response.

Adenocarcinoma produtor de mucina primário do apêndice: relato de caso e revisäo da literatura / Mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendix: report of case and literature review

Os autores descrevem caso clínico de pacientes com diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma primário de apêncie e revisäo bibliográfica, dando ênfase aos aspectos clínicos, terapêuticos e prognósticos

Schistosoma mansoni: identification of a 46KDa antigen of the schistosomular surface by monoclonal antibody

Um anticorpo monoclonal da subclasse IgG2a, designado C6G9, foi obtido pela imunizacao de camundongos BALB/c com antigenos de ovo de Schistosoma mansoni. Esse anticorpo monoclonal possibilitou a identificacao de um antigeno de peso molecular aproximado de 46 quilodaltons (KDa), cuja expressao foi avaliada atraves da reacao de imunofluorescencia indireta. O referido antigeno persistiu no tegumento do esquistossomulo em desenvolvimento pelo menos ate 96 horas pos-transformacao. O anticorpo monoclonal reagiu tambem com a superficie de cercarias, mas nao com a de vermes adultos. O C6G9, em presenca de complemento, foi tambem capaz de mediar niveis significativos de citoxicidade para esquistossomulos recem-transformados.

Schistosoma mansoni: identification of a 46KDa antigen of the schistosomular surface by monoclonal antibody.

An IgG2a subclass monoclonal antibody, C6G9, was obtained by immunization of BALB/c mice with Schistosoma mansoni egg antigens. With this monoclonal antibody, it was possible to identify a schistosomular antigen with a molecular weight of 46 kilodaltons (KDa), and its expression being evaluated by means of indirect immunofluorescence. The antigen persisted in the integument of the developing schistosomulum, for at least 96 hours post-transformation. The monoclonal antibody also reacted with the cercaria surface, but not with that of adult worm. The C6G9 was also able to mediate significant levels of cytotoxicity in the presence of complement for newly transformed schistosomula.

Comparison of the Lowry and Coomassie Blue methods for the determination of protein concentration.

1. The Lowry and Coomassie Blue methods were compared for precision when applied to Schistosoma mansoni proteins, using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as standard. 2. The absorbance of five different concentrations was measured and the experiments were run in parallel to reduce bias in the comparison. Thus, for a given technique, all photometric data were obtained from reaction mixtures (BSA and test solutions) prepared and analyzed as simultaneously as possible. 3. To interpret the results, polynomial functions of different degrees--up to the third--were calculated to fit the absorbance values to the respective protein concentrations of BSA or worm protein present in the reaction mixtures, and the standard errors of all slopes were also calculated. 4. The protein concentration of worm extracts was calculated by two methods: 1) the ratio of the first-degree slopes of the polynomials applied to absorbance = f(x), with x being either mg BSA or ml worm extract, and 2) the utilization of the BSA function parameters to convert any worm absorbance value to protein concentration. 5. The results obtained with the slope ratio method were variable. However, the function method seemed to be reliable, especially when applied to Coomassie Blue data. When the results were derived from the BSA cubic function the concentration of soluble worm protein was calculated with a coefficient of variation of 1.20%.