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Symptoms of depressive disorders such as anhedonia and despair can be a product of an aberrant adaptation to stress conditions. Chronic unpredictable stress model (CUS) can generate an increase in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and induce a reduction of neurotrophin signaling and the proliferation of neural progenitors in the adult dentate gyrus, together with increased oxidative stress. Levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) seem to affect these depression-by-stress-related features and could be modulated by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). We aimed to evaluate the effects of FAAH inhibitor, URB597, on depressive-like behavior and neural proliferation of mice subjected to a model of CUS. URB597 was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg for 14 days after CUS. Depressive-like behaviors, anhedonia, and despair were evaluated in the splash and forced swimming tests, respectively. Alterations at the HPA axis level were analyzed using the relative weight of adrenal glands and serum corticosterone levels. Oxidative stress and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also evaluated. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry tests were performed for the immunoreactivity of BrdU and Sox2 colabeling for comparison of neural precursors. The administration of URB597 was able to reverse the depressive-like behavior generated in mice after the model. Likewise, other physiological responses associated with CUS were reduced in the treated group, among them, increase in the relative weight of the adrenal glands, increased oxidative stress, and decreased BDNF and number of neural precursors. Most of these auspicious responses to enzyme inhibitor administration were blocked by employing a cannabinoid receptor antagonist. In conclusion, the chronic inhibition of FAAH generated an antidepressant effect, promoting neural progenitor proliferation and BDNF expression, while reducing adrenal gland weight and oxidative stress in mice under the CUS model.

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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, caused by the selective death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. ß-caryophyllene (BCP) is a phytocannabinoid with several pharmacological properties, producing anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive effects. In addition, BCP protects dopaminergic neurons from neuronal death induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), yet it remains unclear if this effect is due to its antioxidant activity. To assess whether this is the case, the effect of BCP on the expression and activity of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) was evaluated in mice after the administration of MPTP. Male C57BL/6 J mice were divided into four groups, the first of which received saline solution i.p. in equivalent volume and served as a control group. The second group received MPTP. The second group received MPTP hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for seven consecutive days. The third group received BCP (10 mg/kg) for seven days, administered orally and finally, the fourth group received MPTP as described above and BCP for 7 days from the fourth day of MPTP administration. The results showed that BCP inhibits oxidative stress-induced cell death of dopaminergic neurons exposed to MPTP at the same time as it enhances the expression and enzymatic activity of NQO1. Also, the BCP treatment ameliorated motor dysfunction and protected the dopaminergic cells of the SNpc from damage induced by MPTP. Hence, BCP appears to achieve at least some of its antioxidant effects by augmenting NQO1 activity, which protects cells from MPTP toxicity. Accordingly, this phytocannabinoid may represent a promising pharmacological option to safeguard dopaminergic neurons and prevent the progression of PD.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neurological manifestations have been identified in the context of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Previous case reports highlighted the association between AIH and sensory neuronopathy (SN). Despite that, little is known about the frequency of AIH-related SN and its clinical/neurophysiological profile. Moreover, it is not clear whether SN is an AIH-specific manifestation or related to chronic liver damage. METHODS: Seventy consecutive AIH patients were enrolled and their characteristics were compared with 52 consecutive patients with chronic active hepatitis B. All subjects underwent clinical and neurophysiological evaluation. Further comparisons were performed between AIH SN and AIH non-SN patients. RESULTS: Mean ages and male:female proportions in the AIH and chronic active hepatitis B groups were 42.2 ± 16.3/51.7 ± 13.6 years and 14:56/29:23, respectively. The frequencies of carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy and polyneuropathy were similar between groups. In contrast, SN was identified only in AIH patients (5/70 vs. 0/52, P = 0.04); the overall prevalence of AIH-related SN was 7% with an average profile of a woman in her 40s with asymmetric onset of sensory deficits that chronically evolved to disabling proprioceptive ataxia associated with marked dysautonomia. Neurological disability and hepatocellular damage did not follow in parallel. Anti-fibroblast growth factor receptor type 3 antibodies were found in 3/5 (60%) of the patients with AIH-related SN. Clinical or demographic predictors of SN in the context of AIH could not be identified. CONCLUSION: Sensory neuronopathy, but not other peripheral nervous system diseases, is a specific AIH neurological manifestation. It is often disabling and, in contrast to hepatocellular injury, does not respond to immunosuppression.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: SPAST mutations are the most common cause of hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG4-HSP), which is characterized by progressive lower limb weakness, spasticity and hyperreflexia. There are few studies about non-motor manifestations in this disease and none about autonomic involvement. Therefore, the aim was to determine the frequency and pattern of autonomic complaints in patients with SPG4-HSP, as well as to determine the clinical relevance and the possible factors associated with these manifestations. METHODS: Thirty-four molecularly confirmed SPG4 patients were recruited in a multicenter cross-sectional study, of whom 26 underwent detailed neurophysiological testing (heart rate variability, sympathetic skin response and the Quantitative Sudomotor Axonal Reflex Test). The Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease - Autonomic Questionnaire (SCOPA-AUT) was applied to quantify the severity of autonomic symptoms. Results were compared with 44 age- and gender-matched healthy controls using non-parametric tests. P values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: In the SPG4-HSP group, there were 18 men with a mean age of 47.7 ± 12.6 years. SCOPA-AUT scores were similar between patients and controls (P = 0.238). Only the urinary domain subscore was significantly higher amongst patients (4 vs. 2.5, P = 0.05). Absent sympathetic skin response in the hands and feet was more frequent amongst patients (20% vs. 0%, P < 0.001, and 64% vs. 0%, P = 0.006, respectively). Quantitative Sudomotor Axonal Reflex Test responses were also smaller throughout all recording regions in the SPG4-HSP group. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that SPG4-HSP patients have sudomotor dysfunction caused by damaged small post-ganglionic cholinergic fibers. Damage in SPG4-HSP extends to the peripheral nervous system.

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Currently, nanomaterials had been used for several applications; one of them is as bio-markers. These nanomaterials contain fluorescent compounds as effective indicators for imaging and other applications in Biotechnology. In previous studies, we proposed a functionalized nanomaterial-based biomarker from silica and Eysenhardtia Polystachia, a medicinal tree known in Mexico as "palo azul" (Kidneywood). Our previous results showed the feasibility of the nanomaterial obtained as bio-marker. In this article, our purpose is to evaluate the effects of extraction solvents on fluorescence of that biomarker. The photoluminescence (PL) effect was evaluated at different pH (4, 7.4 and 8); four extraction solvents, ethanol, methanol, methanol-ethanol and methanol-ethanol-water were evaluated. A molecular dynamics simulation was performed to recognize molecular interaction between the compounds of the extracts with solvent molecules and to investigate the solvent molecules effect on photoluminescence spectra. The results were also compared with rhodamine 6G and we found that, at physiological pH (7.4), the fluorescent-coated silica nanoparticles obtained were also stable. We found that extraction solvents could be used for obtaining different nanomaterials for specific applications, and also found the best extraction solvent for obtaining EP nanomaterials for health care applications, specifically for imaging techniques.

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Despite the significant advances in the meniscus tissue engineering field, it is difficult to recreate the complex structure and organization of the collagenous matrix of the meniscus. In this work, we developed a meniscus prototype to be used as substitute or scaffold for the regeneration of the meniscal matrix, recreating the differential morphology of the meniscus by electrospinning. Synthetic biocompatible polymers were combined with the extracellular matrix component, collagen and used to replicate the meniscus. We studied the correlation between mechanical and structural properties of the polymer blend as a function of collagen concentration. Fibers were collected on a surface of a rapidly rotating precast mold, to accurately replicate each sectional morphology of the meniscus; different electro-tissues were produced. Detailed XRD analyses exhibited structural changes developed by electrospinning. We achieved to integrate all these electro-tissues to form a complete synthetic meniscus. Vascularization tests were performed to assess the potential use of our novel polymeric blend for promising meniscus regeneration.

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La neumonía herpética es una rara enfermedad que afecta casi con exclusividad a personas con un déficit de inmunidad. Con frecuencia tiene un desenlace fatal. Su aparición está descrita en los primeros 2 meses luego del trasplante pulmonar, pero en nuestra experiencia se evidenció después de los 10 meses, 1 año y medio, 8 y 19 años. Describimos los hallazgos tomográficos detectados en 4 pacientes con trasplantes pulmonares que cursaron neumonía herpética. Presentaban fiebre, tos, expectoración y disnea, con empeoramiento progresivo de su clase funcional, y todos fallecieron tras la aparición de la enfermedad. El diagnóstico histológico se realiza mediante lavado bronquioalveolar o biopsia transbronquial, con posterior tinción con hematoxilina-eosina y/o marcación inmunohistoquímica. Los hallazgos tomográficos destacados fueron: opacidades en vidrio esmerilado de distribución parcheada, consolidación del espacio aéreo, derrame pleural y bronquiectasias. Debido a su baja frecuencia y mal pronóstico, es importante conocer y tener presente esta entidad en personas trasplantadas de pulmón para no demorar el diagnóstico y actuar lo más rápidamente posible.(AU)

Pneumonia due to herpes simplex virus type 1: A difficult to diagnose condition with a poor prognosis in lung transplants Abstract Herpetic pneumonia is a rare disease that mostly affects people with immune deficiency whose outcome is frequently fatal. Its appearance is described in the first two months after surgery. In our experience it was evidenced in the post transplant apart since 10 months, 1 ¢ years, 8 years and 19 years after the transplant. We described the CT findings detected in 4 lung transplant recipient that had evolved with herpetic pneumonia. Patients presented fever, cough, sputum and dyspnea with progressive worsening of functional class, four died after the disease. The histological diagnosis is made by bronchoalveolar lavage or transbronchial biopsy with subsequent staining with hematoxylin - eosin and / or immunohistochemistry procedure. The highlighted CT findings were ground-glass opacities patchy distribution, airspace consolidation, pleural effusion and bronchiectasis. Due to its low frequency and poor prognosis is important to know this entity in lung transplant recipients to avoid a delayed diagnosis and treatment.(AU)

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La neumonía herpética es una rara enfermedad que afecta casi con exclusividad apersonas con un déficit de inmunidad. Con frecuencia tiene un desenlace fatal. Su aparición está descrita en los primeros 2 meses luego del trasplante pulmonar, pero en nuestra experiencia se evidenció después de los 10 meses, 1 año y medio, 8 y 19 años. Describimos los hallazgos tomográficos detectados en 4 pacientes con trasplantes pulmonares que cursaron neumonía herpética. Presentaban fiebre, tos, expectoración y disnea, con empeoramiento progresivo de su clase funcional, y todos fallecieron tras la aparición de la enfermedad. El diagnóstico histológico se realiza mediante lavado bronquioalveolar o biopsia transbronquial,con posterior tinción con hematoxilina-eosina y/o marcación inmunohistoquímica. Los hallazgos tomográficos destacados fueron: opacidades en vidrio esmerilado de distribución parcheada, consolidación del espacio aéreo, derrame pleural y bronquiectasias. Debido a su baja frecuencia y mal pronóstico, es importante conocer y tener presente esta entidad en personas trasplantadas de pulmón para no demorar el diagnóstico y actuar lo más rápidamente posible...

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Phytophthora infestans causes severe symptoms of wilt disease on potato crops (Solanum tuberosum) in the Toluca Valley (Mexico) despite the use of fungicides. P. infestans oospores produced by sexual reproduction can survive in the soil for many years, resisting harsh environments. In many agroecosystems, oospores germinate in the beginning of a season, which represents the initial inoculum for epidemics. The sexual cycle of the pathogen allows the generation of recombinant genotypes that can be more pathogenic or even resistant to chemicals. This paper presents a study of 20 isolates of P. infestans collected from potato crops in the Toluca Valley within the municipality of Zinacantepec (Mexico State). Isolates were obtained from potato foliar infected tissues. The pathogen was confirmed as P. infestans on the basis of morphological characters (1). Sporangia were caducous, ovoid, limoniform, semipapillate, and were 28.4 ± 1.3 × 17.6 ± 1.2 µm (height × width). Mycelium was coenocytic with hyphal diameter of 5 to 8 µm. Five isolates were collected in 2011, and 15 in 2012. Isolates were transferred by hyphal tip to culture medium plates with V8 juice agar and incubated at 19°C. All the isolates were mated to determine the mating type with the reference isolates J104 (A1) and J204 (A2), which were provided by the Michoacana University of San Nicolás de Hidalgo (Mx). Isolates that produced oospores with both A1 and A2 testers (J104 and J204) and in a single culture were designated homothallic. Results show that two out of the five isolates collected in 2011 were homothallic and the other three were type A1. Regarding the 15 isolates collected in 2012, six were typed as A1, five as A2, and four were homothallic. The heterothallic isolates only produce oospores when mated with the opposite mating type. The homothallic isolates possessed the ability to act as A1 and A2 during heterothallic mating and were found capable of producing sexual structures (oogonia and amphigynous antheridia) in a single culture, a phenomenon not observed in isolates that are strictly A1 or A2. Oospores formed were aplerotic and measured 32.2 ± 3.3 µm in diameter. Single-sporangium progeny were produced from the six homothallic isolates to be analyzed to confirm the occurrence of the self-fertility. Assessment of 48 single-sporangium progeny from the homothallic isolates resulted in 22 homothallic, 12 A1, 10 A2, and four sterile. These results differ from those found by Grünwald et al. (3), who conducted a study with isolates collected from the Toluca Valley region in 1997 and 1998, finding a 1:1 frequency between compatibility types A1 and A2. Fernandez et al. (2) studied a broad population of 27 isolates from potato crops in the state of Michoacán (Mx), and found two homothallic isolates among heterothallic isolates; the ratio was 1:1. Also, homothallic isolates have been found in Spain and China (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of homothallic P. infestans isolates in commercial potato crops (S. tuberosum) in the Toluca Valley, Mexico. References: (1) D. C. Erwin and O. K. Ribeiro, Page 346 in: Phytophthora Diseases Worldwide. The American Phytopathological Society. St. Paul, MN, 1996. (2) S. P. Fernández et al. Rev. Mexicana Fitopatol. 23:191, 2005. (3) N. J. Grünwald et al. Phytopathology 91:883, 2001. (4) M. Han et al. J. Eukaryotic Microbiol. 60:79, 2013.

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With the advent of fast imaging hardware and specialized software, additional non-invasive magnetic resonance characterization of tumors has become available through proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), hemodynamic imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Thus, patterns could be discerned to discriminate different types of tumors and even to infer their possible evolution in time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between MRS, DWI, histopathology and Ki-67 labeling index in a large number of brain tumors. Localized proton spectra were obtained in 47 patients with brain tumors who subsequently underwent surgery (biopsy or tumor removal). We performed MRS with short echo-time (30 ms) and metabolic values in spectra were measured using an external software with 25 peaks. In all patients who had DWI, we measured apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) in the same region of interest (ROI) where the voxel in MRS was located. In most tumors the histological diagnosis and Ki-67 labeling index had been determined on our original surgical specimen. Cho/Cr, (Lip+Mm)/Cr, NAA/(Cho+Cr) and Glx/Cr indexes in MRS allowed discriminating between low- and high-grade gliomas and metastases (MTs). Likewise, absolute ADC values differentiated low- from high-grade gliomas expressed by Ki-67 labeling index. A novel finding was that high Glx/Cr in vivo MRS index (similar to other known indexes) was a good predictor of tumor grading.

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Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PRA) which relies on the amplification of a 439-bp portion of the hsp65 gene present in all mycobacteria, followed by two distinct digestions (with BstEII and HaeIII) of the PCR product, offers a rapid and easy alternative that allows identification of the species without the need for specialized equipment. Wild leprosy in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is characterized by the presence of multiple bacilli in internal organs such as lymph nodes, spleen and liver, as well as in nerves and skin. We could observe this in 9 out of 132 animals captured in Corrientes, Argentina, an area endemic for leprosy in humans. Mycobacterium leprae were recognized in those naturally infected animals through different techniques. Three samples of extracted DNA of the mycobacteria present in the spleen, liver and popliteal lymph node of a naturally infected animal during the Experimental Program in Armadillo (PEA) and three samples of human lepromas were processed by PRA. The patterns of the six samples analyzed were identical and were characteristic of M. leprae. These studies, made for the first time in Argentina, corroborate the initial discoveries in South America made by our investigative group on the detection of armadillos naturally infected with the Hansen bacillus.

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A series of diarylsemicarbazones was synthesized and tested against human neoplastic cell lines. The more active members have a l-naphthyl ring at the carbamidic nitrogen, and chloro, dimethylamino or nitro group substituents at the benzylidene moiety. None of these showed affinity to DNA. One of the more active compounds was tested as a topoisomerase I inhibitor and showed a potent effect. SAR studies demonstrated linear correlation between lypophilicity and activity on the most sensitive lines and a definite conformational shape for antineoplastic action.

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Distinct means have been developed to answer an increasing demand and need for methods that can accurately predict and detect the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle and fit various indications and changing situations of women's reproductive life. Methods based on the detection of direct fertility markers, such as hormonal tests and ultrasound, are more objective and accurate than traditional markers based on indirect markers, but cost and dependence on supplies limit their application. Nevertheless, these methods could be used during a few cycles either as support in the teaching phase or in difficult cases and for specific indications. Likewise, some new devices designed to facilitate recording and calculation of fertility signals could be combined with clinical methods to improve prediction and detection of the fertile phase. Besides the search for new fertility markers and the development of new methods, the possibility of combining already existing methods would certainly improve use-effectiveness and acceptance.

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The occurrence and duration of the fertile period in women are strictly related to the time of ovulation. Since the only positive confirmation of ovulation is the identification of an ovum in the female reproductive tract or the subsequent detection of a pregnancy, the prediction and detection of its occurrence have to be based on markers or indicators that lie at varying physiological distances from ovulation itself. These may be variations in hormones and other substances that can be detected in different body fluids or the evidence of their effects on specific target organs. Recent advances in the knowledge of reproductive physiology have allowed the identification of distinct substances and biological phenomena that accompany the occurrence of the fertile period. This article is intended to update and classify the available fertility markers based on their particular nature and modality of expression and, additionally, consider the temporal relationship between the appearance of their specific signals and the time of ovulation. Consequently, those indicators directly related to changes at the ovarian level were defined as direct markers, including ovarian morphology, the reproductive hormones, and the intraovarian regulatory proteins, whereas those reflecting variations observed in different target organs were considered indirect markers, and were further qualified as biochemical, biophysical, and clinical. Subsequently, fertility markers were classified as prospective, immediate, or retrospective, depending on whether they allow the prediction, detection, or confirmation of the ovulatory event, respectively.

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Kininogen, esterase and kininase activity were measured in the peripheral venous and intervillous placental plasma of women submitted to cesarean section and of women who delivered normally. Kininogen consumption occurred in the intervillous placental plasma during labor. Kininase activity increased in the intervillous placental plasma during labor and was considerably higher than in peripheral venous plasma. Esterase activity was high during labor and decreased after delivery.

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Foi analisada a influencia da temperatura e do tempo de exposicao da bacteria ao liquido amniotico sobre a atividade antibacteriana atribuida a este fluido. A avaliacoa foi realizada utilizando-se amostras (30) de liquido amniotico obtidas de gestantes normais pertencentes ao Servico de Pre-Natal do Hospital das Clinicas de Ribeirao Preto-USP, atraves da amniocentese transabdominal. A bacteria utilizada foi o Staphylococcus epidermidis, por oferecer uma serie de vantagens. O meio de cultura utilizado foi o caldo-soja-tripticase. A atividade antibacteriana do liquido amniotico foi mais evidente quando o fluido incubado a temperatura de 35 graus C. Aquecimentos em temperaturas elevadas (50 e 100 graus C) promovem diminuicao da atividade, podendo tornar deficientes os mecanismos de defesa deste sistema. O tempo de incubacao durou 15 minutos. O tempo de exposicao da bacteria ao liquido amniotico apos oito horas possibilitou uma maior proliferacao bacteriana, diminuindo, portanto, a atividade antibacteriana do liquido amniotico. Acredita-se, pois, que os achados possam contribuir para o estudo da fisiopatologia das infeccoes intraamnioticas

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