Prevalence of headache in patients with Parkinson's disease and its association with the side of motor symptom onset.

We compared the lifetime prevalence and the prevalence of headache during the previous year in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and control subjects. We also investigated the association between the side of PD symptom onset and the side of the headache. We interviewed 98 consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of PD between December 2010 and January 2012. The control group consisted of the 98 oldest sex-matched individuals from the nationwide Brazilian headache database. PD patients showed a significantly lower prevalence (40.8%) of headache in the previous year than controls (69.4%) (adjusted OR 0.5, CI 95% 0.2-0.9, p = 0.03). PD patients also showed a lower prevalence of headache throughout life (74.5%) than controls (93.9%) (adjusted OR 0.2, CI 95% 0.1-0.6, p = 0.01). Considering only patients who presented headache during the previous year, PD patients showed a higher association with occurrence of migraine than tension-type headache compared with controls (adjusted OR 3.3, CI 95% 1.2-8.9, p = 0.02). The headache side was ipsilateral to the side of PD onset in 21 patients (84%), with a concordance of 85.7% on the left side and 81.8% on the right side (p < 0.01). The prevalence of primary headache was significantly lower in patients with PD than controls. The predominant side of headache was ipsilateral to the side of initial motor signs of PD.

A nationwide population-based study of migraine in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to estimate the 1-year prevalence of migraine and the degree of the association of migraine with some sociodemographic characteristics of a representative sample of the adult population of Brazil. This was a cross-sectional, population-based study. Telephone interviews were conducted on 3848 people, aged 18-79 years, randomly selected from the 27 States of Brazil. The estimated 1-year gender- and age-adjusted prevalence of migraine was 15.2%. Migraine was 2.2 times more prevalent in women, 1.5 times more in subjects with > 11 years of education, 1.59 times more in subjects with income of < 5 Brazilian Minimum Wages per month, and 1.43 times more in those who do not do any physical exercise. The overall prevalence of migraine in Brazil is 15.2%. Migraine is significantly more prevalent in women, subjects with higher education, with lower income, and those who do not exercise regularly, independently of their body mass index.

Chronic daily headache in Brazil: a nationwide population-based study.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the 1-year prevalence of chronic daily headache (CDH) and the degree of the association of CDH with some sociodemographic characteristics of the adult population of Brazil. This was a cross-sectional, population-based study. We conducted telephone interviews with 3848 people, aged 18-79 years, randomly selected from the 27 States of Brazil. The degree of the association was calculated through prevalence ratios, adjusted with Poisson regression by gender, age and some sociodemographic factors. The estimated 1-year gender- and age-adjusted prevalence of CDH was 6.9%. CDH was 2.4 times more prevalent in women, 1.72 times more in unemployed, 1.63 times more in subjects with high household income and two times greater in those who did not exercise. The overall prevalence of CDH in Brazil is high. CDH is significantly more prevalent in women, the unemployed, subjects with higher income, and in those who do not exercise.

The triterpenoid lupeol attenuates allergic airway inflammation in a murine model.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways associated with a Th2 immune response. Despite their side effects, corticosteroids are the most used and effective drugs for treatment of asthma. In this work we investigated the efficacy of lupeol, a triterpenoid isolated from Lonchocarpus araripensis [corrected] Benth. (Fabaceae), in the treatment of bronchial asthma in BALB/c mice immunized with ovalbumin. Administration of lupeol caused the reduction of cellularity and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Treatment with lupeol also reduced the production of mucus and overall inflammation in the lung. Levels of Type II cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 were significantly reduced in mice treated with lupeol, an effect that was similar to that observed in dexamethasone-treated mice. In contrast, IgE production was not significantly altered after treatment with lupeol. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that lupeol attenuates the alterations' characteristics of allergic airway inflammation. The investigation of the mechanisms of action of this molecule may contribute for the development of new drugs for the treatment of asthma.

An epidemiological study of headache in Florianopolis, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to estimate the 1-year prevalence of headache, migraine, tension-type headache (TTH) and chronic daily headache (CDH), and the degree of association of migraine with some sociodemographic characteristics of the population of Florianopolis, Brazil. This is a cross-sectional, door-to-door, population-based study. In 300 randomly selected households, 625 subjects, aged 15-64 years, responded to a structured questionnaire. The 1-year prevalence of headache was 80.8%, of migraine 22.1%, of TTH 22.9%, and of CDH 6.4%. Migraine and CDH were significantly more prevalent in females than in males. Migraine was significantly associated with the following variables: low household income, low electricity consumption, and divorced or widowed marital status. We have shown high prevalences of migraine and CDH in Florianopolis, close to the higher rates of previous studies. There was a preponderance of migraine in females, divorced or widowed, with a low socioeconomic level.

Atividade antibacteriana em alguns extratos de vegetais do semi-árido brasileiro

Espécies nativas ou endêmicas do semi-árido brasileiro foram investigadas com o intuito de se descobrir novas drogas antimicrobianas. Os ensaios foram realizados contra cepas padrões de Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli através do método de difusão em disco. Dos 137 extratos de vegetais avaliados, sete apresentaram atividade significativa contra o Staphylococcus aureus. Os extratos ativos foram preparados a partir de espécies pertencentes às famílias Leguminosae e Rutaceae e serão futuramente fracionados com o intuito de se chegar às moléculas ativas.

Species native or endemic of the Brazilian semi-arid were investigated with the intention of discovering new antibacterial drugs. The rehearsals were accomplished against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli through the diffusion method in disk. Of the 137 extracts of appraised vegetables, seven presented significant activity against the Staphylococcus aureus. The active extracts were prepared starting from species belonging to the Leguminosae and Rutaceae families and they will be fractional hereafter with the intention of arriving to the active molecules.

Atividade antioxidante de substâncias presentes em Dioclea violacea e Erythroxylum nummularia

This work describes the evaluation of the antioxidant activity in the system b-carotene / linoleic acid and radical scavenging effects of the substances 2',4'-dihydroxychalcone, 2',3,4,4'-tetrahydroxychalcone (butein), 4-methoxy-2',3,4'-trihydroxychalcone, 7-hydroxyflavanone, 3',4',7-trihydroxyflavanone (butin), 7,4'-dihydroxyflavanone (liquiritigenin), 6-methoxy-7- hydroxydihydroflavonol and lasiodiplodin isolated of the extract CHCl3 of the stem of Dioclea violacea and 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavanol (quercetin), 4',7- dimethoxy-3',5-dihydroxyflavanol and epicatechin isolated of the Erythroxylum nummularia leaves. These compounds were evaluated and compared with the antioxidant standards n-propyl gallate, BHT and á α-tocoferol.

Symptoms and therapies: exertional and sexual headaches.

This article discusses the headache disorders associated with physical and sexual activity, highlighting their differences and similarities. The place of exertional and sexual headaches in the classification of the International Headache Society and in the proposed classification of Indomethacin-Responsive Headache Disorders is addressed here. The Valsalva's maneuver as a shared pathophysiologic mechanism is mentioned as well. Exertional headaches are divided into two subtypes, according to the pattern of physical exercises. Sexual headaches are divided into three subtypes, based on the onset time, related to orgasm. The clinical characteristics of each type are presented, and their etiologies pointed out. The diagnostic approach is discussed, as well as the nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options.

A-type proanthocyanidin antioxidant from Dioclea lasiophylla.

The A-type proanthocyanidin, epigallocatechin-(2beta-->7,4beta-->8)-epicatechin, together with the known epicatechin, luteolin 3'beta-D-glucopyranoside, chrysoeriol 7beta-D-glucopyranoside and 2-methylpentan-2,4-diol, were isolated from leaves of Dioclea lasiophilla. The structures were established on the basis of their spectral data. Antioxidant activities of isolates were measured using the autooxidation of beta-carotene in a linolenic acid suspension method.

[Clinical characteristics of migraine without aura]. / Características clínicas da enxaqueca sem aura.

A detailed study of the clinical characteristics of migraine without aura (MOA) reveals some interesting data. A questionnaire was returned by 200 patients who met the International Headache Society criteria for MOA. The peak of onset of migraine was between 10 and 19 years of age. The headache was side-locked in 19%. It was exclusively bilateral in 9%. The majority (86.2%) of the patients who described headaches in only one site located them in the fronto-temporal area. Neck pain was associated with migraine attacks in 70.5% and face pain in 73.5%. A pounding quality was noted by 81%. Every patient described the headache as moderate to severe. Only 55% stated that it was aggravated by routine physical activity. Nausea occurred in 91%, photo and phonophobia in 77%, and vomiting in 50%. This close look at MOA uncovers a great complexity of symptoms.

[HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis: report of 2 cases diagnosed in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil]. / Paraparesia espástica tropical/mielopatia associada ao HTLV-I. Relato de dois casos diagnosticados em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina.

We describe two cases of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-I associated myelopathy, according to the criteria of World Health Organization-1989. These are the first cases diagnosed in Florianópolis (Santa Catarina State-Brazil). One of them had a good response with the treatment with methylprednisolone.

Characteristics of migraine visual aura.

Visual auras (VAs) of 100 patients with migraine with aura were studied by questionnaire. Visual auras accompanied the patients' first headache (HA) in 39% of patients. Only 19% had VAs with every attack. Patients with VAs over the entire HA history had a high frequency (greater than 50%) of attacks with VA; patients with VA during only part of the HA history had a low frequency (less than 50%) of attacks with VA. The auras occurred exclusively prior to the HA in 57%. The free interval between the end of the VA and the start of the HA was usually (75%) shorter than 30 minutes. Most (59%) patients had VAs that lasted from 1 to 30 minutes. They started in the periphery of the visual fields in 56%. The most common phenomena described were: small bright dots (42%), flashes of light (39%), "blind spots" (32%), and "foggy vision" (27%). Fortification spectra was reported by only 20%. Although most (65%) patients had a combination of phenomena, the majority (72%) had only one uniform constellation of manifestations. There was no clear-cut relationship between side of VA and side of HA. Migraine VA is a pleomorphic and complex symptom. Many patients not qualifying for the diagnostic criteria of migraine with aura, as proposed by the International Headache Society (IHS), unequivocally present with visual phenomena that strongly suggest this diagnosis.

Early and transient side effects of repetitive intravenous dihydroergotamine.

Side effects associated with administration of repetitive intravenous dihydroergotamine (DHE) were prospectively studied in 72 patients with chronic daily headache who were hospitalized in a dedicated inpatient headache treatment program. All patients received 11 consecutive doses of DHE, starting with 0.25 mg and increasing by 0.25 mg up to a maximum dose of 1.25 mg, depending on side effects and/or headache relief. The adverse events were recorded after each dose administered. The great majority of patients (91.6%) reported at least one side effect. The most common were: nausea (72.2%), increase in previous headache (47.2%), lightheadedness (33.3%), "new" headache (27.8%), and leg cramps (23.6%). The overall number of side effect complaints did not increase proportionally with the strength of the dose of DHE administered. These complaints declined from the earlier to the later doses of DHE, except for leg cramps, which were more common with the later doses. Side effects determined the strength of subsequent doses of DHE in only 18.1% of patients. Only four patients had to have a decrease in dosage and none required termination of DHE due to side effects. Although repetitive intravenous DHE causes frequent side effects, they are usually mild and transient and decrease with subsequent doses, even at higher doses.

[Comparative study of the use of nifedipine and captopril in hypertensive emergencies]. / Estudo comparativo do uso da nifedipina e do captopril em urgências hipertensivas.

Forty patients with hypertensive crises, whose pressure levels had not satisfactorily decreased after intravenous furosemide 20 mg, were selected in the Emergency Ward. These patients were divided in two groups. The ones in group A received sublingual nifedipine 10 mg and the others in group B received oral captopril 50 mg. These drugs were repeated after 30 minutes to the maximum of three doses or until obtaining diastolic blood pressure less than 115 mmHg. Most patients (77.5%) had their blood pressure reduced to the proposed values after the first dose, and the remaining ones (22.5%) reacted to the therapy only after the administration of the subsequent doses. No side effects were observed. All patients were discharged from the emergency unit and were sent for follow-up in the outpatient service. The use of nifedipine and captopril has proved to be an effective treatment for hypertensive crises.