Mente Activa® Improves Impaired Spatial Memory in Aging Rats.

OBJECTIVES: Aging is accompanied by a decline in several aspects of the cognitive function, having negative personal and socioeconomic impacts. Dietary supplements could be beneficial for preventing age-related cognitive decline. In this context, we examined whether the nutritional supplement Mente Activa® has beneficial effects on aging-related cognitive deficits without inducing side effects. METHODS: Mente Activa® was administered to old rats (n= 30 treated rats and n= 30 control rats) during 5 months, and the Morris water maze was used to test the learning capacities of the animals. The first assessment was conducted before the nutritional intervention (age of 18-19 months), to determine the baseline of the performance of animals on this test, and the second assessment was performed at the end of the treatment (23-24 moths). In order to examine possible secondary effects of this nutritional supplement, plasma, heart anatomy and liver parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Our data indicate that supplemented rats showed less escape latency, distance swum, higher use of spatial search strategies, and crossed the former platform location with higher frequency than control rats. These effects were specific of the treatment, indicating that this nutritional supplement has a beneficial effect on spatial memory. On the other hand, the regular intake of Mente Activa® did not induce any negative effects in plasma parameters and heart size. CONCLUSIONS: Aged rats under a sustained dietary intake of the nutritional supplement Mente Activa® displayed improved learning and memory abilities compared to the non-treated rats. These results suggest the therapeutic potential and safety of use of Mente Activa® for age-related cognitive deficits, particularly, in the onset of the first cognitive dysfunction symptoms.

Biogeochemical responses to nutrient inputs in a Cuban coastal lagoon: runoff, anthropogenic, and groundwater sources.

Laguna Larga, a coastal lagoon in central Cuba, has been heavily altered by tourism infrastructure construction and sewage disposal. We hypothesize that this has decreased the circulation and caused eutrophication of the lagoon. To assess this, 12 bimonthly samplings were carried out in 2007-2008. Temperature, salinity, oxygen, nutrients and nitrogen, and phosphorous fractions (inorganic, organic, and total) were determined. Water and salt budgets, as well as biogeochemical fluxes of nitrogen and phosphorus were calculated using the LOICZ budget model for the three sections of the lagoon identified by morphological constrains and salinity patterns. Laguna Larga is a choked lagoon with restricted water circulation, low exchange, and high residence times that vary significantly along its sections. Residence time was estimated to be 0.1-0.7 years for the inner section and 1-9 days for the outer one. High levels of total nitrogen (annual means 126-137 µM, peaks up to 475 µM) and phosphorus (2.5-4.4 µM, peaks up to 14.5 µM) are evidence of eutrophication of Laguna Larga. During 2007, an average precipitation year, Laguna Larga exported water (703 m(3) d(-1)) and was a source of nitrogen (9.026 mmol m(-2) d(-1)) and phosphorus (0.112 mmol m(-2) d(-1)) to the adjacent sea. δ(15)N determinations in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum (-1.83 to +3.02 ‰) differed significantly between sites in the lagoon and offshore reference sites located W of the inlet, but were similar to those located E of the inlet. δ(15)N determinations in the seaweed Penicillus dumetosus (+1.02 to +4.2) did not show significant differences.

Muerte encefálica aparente tras sobredosis de baclofén / Apparent brain death after a baclophen overdose

No disponible

Hematoma subdural espontáneo asociado a púrpura fulminante en paciente esplenectomizada / No disponible

No disponible

Sistema de monitoreo electrocardiográfico ambulatorio

El sistema de monitoreo electrocardiográfico ambulatorio está destinado a la realización de pruebas de Holter. Es un equipo diseñado para la adquisición y estudio de la señal electrocardiográfica (ECG) de un paciente realizando su vida normal durante un período prolongado de tiempo (24h). Esto permite la detección de arritmias que se presentan eventualmente y que son muy difíciles dedetectar mediante la realización de un electrocardiograma en reposo. Ha sido concebido para la adquisición de dos canales de señal ECG en forma ambulatoria y su posterior visualización y análisis en una estación de trabajo(AU)

[Evaluation of ventricular synchronization by fourier phase analysis in a radionuclide ventriculography]. / Evaluación de la sincronización ventricular por análisis de fase de Fourier en una ventriculografía radioisotópica.

INTRODUCTION: Radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) evaluates segmental and global ventricular contractility and also detects conduction abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: To assess the temporal parameters of ventricular synchronization in the normal heart by a third harmonic (3H) Fourier phase analysis in a RNV and introduce this technique in our center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty normal subjects (19 men and 11 women) were included. An equilibrium RNV was performed in 35 degree left anterior oblique projection with 10 degree caudal tilt. The onset (T0); mean time (T(m)); total contraction time (T(t)); final time (T(f)) and propagation time (T(p)) for right (RV) and left ventricle (LV); as well as total propagation time (T(TP)); interventricular time (T(RV-LV)) and septum-lateral wall conduction time (T(S-LW)) were measured on the 3H Fourier histogram of the time-activity curve. RESULTS: Right ventricle contraction started 5 ms before that of the left ventricle (T(0RV) = 66 +/- 38 ms; T(OLV) = 71 +/- 30 ms), with a longer total contraction time (T(tVD) = 67 +/- 28 ms vs T(tVI) = 64 +/- 38 ms). Total propagation time (T(TP)) was 69 +/- 37 ms and the interventricular time (T(RV-LV)) was 2 +/- 25 ms. Contraction progressed from septum to lateral wall, with a septum-lateral wall conduction time (T(S-LW)) of 4 +/- 22 ms. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous contraction of right and left ventricles can be quantified by RNV phase analysis, providing a useful tool for ventricular resynchronization assessment in multisite pacing.

Evaluación de la sincronización ventricular por análisis de fase de Fourier en una ventriculografía radioisotópica / Evaluation of ventricular synchronization by Fourier phase analysis in a radionuclide ventriculography

Introducción: La ventriculografía radioisotópica (VRI) permite la evaluación de la contractilidad global y segmentaria, así como la detección de trastornos de conducción. Objetivo: Se realizó el análisis de fase del tercer armónico de Fourier en una VRI con el propósito de evaluar los parámetros temporales de la sincronización ventricular en el corazón normal e introducir esta técnica en nuestro centro. Material y Métodos: Se incluyeron 30 individuos normales (19 hombres y 11 mujeres). A todos se les realizó una VRI en equilibrio en proyección oblicua anterior izquierda de 35 grados con 10 grados de angulación caudal. En el histograma del tercer armónico de Fourier de la curva actividad-tiempo se midieron: el tiempo de inicio (T0); el tiempo medio (Tm); el tiempo total (Tt); el tiempo final (Tf) y el tiempo de propagación (Tp) para cada ventrículo; así como el tiempo total de propagación (TTP); el tiempo de conducción interventricular (TVD-VI) y el tiempo de conducción septum-pared lateral (TS-PL).Resultados: El ventrículo derecho comienza a contraerse 5 ms antes que el izquierdo (T0VD = 66 ñ 38 ms; T0VI = 71 ñ 30 ms), con un tiempo de contracción total ligeramente mayor (TtVD = 67 ñ 28 ms vs TtVI = 64 ñ 38 ms). El tiempo total de propagación (TTP) fue de 69 ñ 37 ms y el tiempo interventricular (TVD-VI) fue 2 ñ 25 ms. La contracción progresó de septum a pared lateral, con un tiempo septum-pared lateral (TS-PL) de 4 ñ 22 ms. Conclusión: A través del análisis de fase en una ventriculografía radioisotópica puede cuantificarse la contracción simultánea de ambos ventrículos, lo que proporciona un instrumento que pudiera resultar de utilidad para la evaluación de la resincronización ventricular en la estimulación multisitio (AU)

Nitric oxide and the control of firefly flashing.

Bioluminescent flashing is essential for firefly reproduction, yet the specific molecular mechanisms that control light production are not well understood. We report that light production by fireflies can be stimulated by nitric oxide (NO) gas in the presence of oxygen and that NO scavengers block bioluminescence induced by the neurotransmitter octopamine. NO synthase is robustly expressed in the firefly lantern in cells interposed between nerve endings and the light-producing photocytes. These results suggest that NO synthesis is a key determinant of flash control in fireflies.

Trombolisis precoz por tromboembolismo pulmonar tardío tras legrado. Monitorización mediante eco-doppler / Early thrombolytic treatment in late pulmonary thromboembolism after gynecological surgery. Continuous Echo-Doppler monitoring

Describimos el caso de una paciente joven que desarrolla un tromboembolismo pulmonar tardío a los 9 días de la realización de un legrado por aborto espontáneo dentro de los dos primeros meses de embarazo. El episodio tiene lugar tras el desarrollo de una trombosis venosa en el territorio popliteo-filio-femoral izquierdo a pesar de una profilaxis y tratamiento antitrombóticos correctos mediante heparina y deambulación precoz.El compromiso hemodinámico fue valorado mediante ecocardiografía-doppler transtorácica previamente y a las dos horas de terminar el protocolo de rt-PA constatándose mediante esta técnica la mejoría del cuadro hemodinámico inicial (AU)

Neurons involved in nitric oxide-mediated cGMP signaling in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.

Recently, both nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive guanylyl cyclase were cloned in Manduca sexta and implicated in several cellular, developmental, and behavioral processes (Nighorn et al. [1998] J Neurosci 18:7244-7255). However, NO is a highly diffusive gas, and little is known about the range and specificity of its actions on neurons. To begin examining the role of NO as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) of larval Manduca, we have mapped potential NO-producing neurons using fixation-resistant NADPH-diaphorase staining and antisera that recognize a NOS-specific epitope. In addition, to detect NO-responsive neurons, we treated the CNS with NO donors and used antibodies that recognize elevated levels of cyclic 3;,5;-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Many potential NO-producing neurons were mapped, including the ventral unpaired median cells and three pairs of lateral cells in each abdominal ganglion. Additional neurons in the dorsal midline of ganglia A5-7 (PM2) appear to express NOS in a segment-specific manner. At the larval-to-pupal transition, this staining pattern changes; the PM2 neurons stain weakly or are undetectable and there is novel expression of NOS in cell 27. In response to NO donors, a small number of neurons produce detectable cGMP accumulation in a segment-specific pattern. These include a pair of posteriodorsally positioned interneurons (IN505) in all the abdominal ganglia, PM2 neurons in A5, and PM1 and PM2 neurons in A7. Hence, PM2 neurons in A5 and A7 are potentially capable of producing and responding to NO. These identified NO-producing and responding neurons provide a tractable model system for studying the dynamics and specificity of NO signaling in the CNS.

[Churg-Strauss syndrome with pericardial and myocardial involvement]. / Síndrome de Churg-Strauss con afectación pericárdica y miocárdica.

We report the case of a 63-year-old female diagnosed with Churg-Strauss syndrome with both pericardial tamponade and myocardial involvement with congestive heart failure. Allergic granulomatosis and angiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome) is classically characterized by hypereosinophilia and systemic necrotizing vasculitis of medium and small arteries in patients with previous allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma. Subsequently the disease has been shown to be associated with cardiac involvement and is responsible for higher morbidity and mortality. The literature for Churg-Strauss syndrome of the heart is reviewed and recent advances in the clinical management of the disease according to appropriate therapeutic strategies are recommended.

Prescription medications: a modifiable contributor to obesity.

BACKGROUND: While usually not the only factor in obese patients, prescription medications, which may increase appetite or body weight, can be important in some individuals. The cause of weight gain in such cases may go unrecognized or lead to cessation of medication with or without the practitioner's knowledge or approval. METHODS: We found illustrative cases among patients treated at the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, searched MEDLINE and the Micromedex Drug Information database, and organized this information by drug mechanism and indications for use. RESULTS: Most reports of medication-induced weight gain are anecdotal or gleaned from clinical trials. Notable offenders include hormones (especially corticosteroids and insulinotropic agents), and psychoactive medications (especially tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, and some antipsychotics). CONCLUSIONS: Medication-related increases in appetite and body weight are under-recognized and cause noncompliance with pharmacotherapy. A high index of awareness of the known mechanisms by which medications can lead to weight gain has the potential to prevent most medication-related contributions to weight gain and obesity.