Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease Contains Increased Percentages of Synaptophysin-Bearing Microvesicles

Introduction In Alzheimer’s disease, the severity of symptoms is linked to a loss of synaptic density and the spread of pathologically hyperphosphorylated tau. The established cerebrospinal fluid markers Aβ, tau and phospho-tau reflect the histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease but do not indicate disease progression. Such markers are of special interest, especially for trials of disease modifying drugs. Microvesicles are produced by stressed cells and reflect part of the metabolism of their cells of origin. Therefore, we investigated microvesicles of neuronal origin in cerebrospinal fluid. Materials and Methods We used flow cytometry to analyze microvesicles carrying tau, phospho-tau-Thr181, phospho-tau-Ser202Thr205, synaptophysin, and SNAP-25 in the cerebrospinal fluid of 19 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and 15 non-inflammatory neurological disease controls. Results The percentages of synaptophysin-bearing microvesicles were significantly higher in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer’s disease than in the CSF of non-inflammatory neurological disease controls. Tau, phospho-tau-Thr181, phospho-tau-Ser202Thr205, and SNAP-25 did not differ between the groups. The percentages of synaptophysin-bearing vesicles distinguished patients with Alzheimer’s disease from the controls (AUC = 0.81). Conclusion The loss of synapses in Alzheimer’s disease may be reflected by synaptophysin-bearing microvesicles in the cerebrospinal fluid. Future studies are needed to investigate the possibility of using these MVs as a marker to determine the activity of Alzheimer’s disease

Educação sexual em Portugal e em vários países da América Latina

O aumento das IST’s, da gravidez indesejada e de outros riscos ligados à actividade sexual, faz com que os jovens sejam considerados um grupo de intervenção prioritário em termos de saúde sexual e reprodutiva. A educação sexual tem como objectivo fundamental formar, desenvolver atitudes e competências nos jovens, permitindo que estes se sintam informados e seguros nas suas escolhas (GTES, 2005; 2007; 2007a). Estes dados apontam para uma educação sexual que incida em intervenções do tipo preventivo, de carácter universal, abrangendo toda a população escolar e respectivos contextos de vida: escola, família e grupo de pares; mas também em intervenções mais específicas e intensivas, nos subgrupos identificados como prioritários.Neste trabalho analisam-se as semelhanças e as diferenças entre o contexto de Portugal e o da América Latina, na sequência da licença sabática do primeiro autor. Mais detalhes deste percurso podem ser lidos em www.umaventurasocial.blogspot.com. Analisam-se, também, as suas consequências para as Políticas de Saúde e Educação para e com os adolescentes, nomeadamente na área da educação sexual. Palavras-chave: Comportamentos sexuais, educação sexual, jovens, políticas de saúde e de educação. ------ ABSTRACT ------ The increase in STI’s, unplanned pregnancy and other risks related to sexual activity is responsible for selecting young people as an important target group for intervention in terms of sexual and reproductive health. Sex education aims at developing and training attitudes and skills in young people so as to enable them to make wellinformed and healthy decisions (GTES, 2005; 2007; 2007a). This suggests that sexual education should focus on preventive interventions, both universal, including the subgroups related to school life such as school professionals, family and peers, and selective strategies delivered to the targeted subgroups.This work examines similarities and differences between Portugal and Latin America as a result of the first author’s sabbatical leave. It also gives insight on its consequences in terms of Health and Education Policies regarding adolescents mainly in the area of sexual and reproductive health. Further details of this period may be read in www.umaventurasocial.blogspot.com

International lower limb collaborative (INTELLECT) study: a multicentre, international retrospective audit of lower extremity open fractures

Trauma remains a major cause of mortality and disability across the world1, with a higher burden in developing nations2. Open lower extremity injuries are devastating events from a physical3, mental health4, and socioeconomic5 standpoint. The potential sequelae, including risk of chronic infection and amputation, can lead to delayed recovery and major disability6. This international study aimed to describe global disparities, timely intervention, guideline-directed care, and economic aspects of open lower limb injuries

Managing Complications in Abdominoplasty: A Literature Review

Background Abdominoplasty, with or without liposuction, is among the most frequently performed aesthetic procedures. Its main objective is to improve the body contour by means of excising redundant skin and fat tissue. Although abdominoplasty is considered a safe procedure with high satisfaction rates, intraoperative and postoperative complications can become a challenge for the surgical team. The aim of this article is to offer a synopsis of the most common complications arising after abdominoplasty, along with evidence-based guidelines about how to prevent and treat them. Methods A systematic MEDLINE search strategy was designed using appropriate Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, and references were scanned for further relevant articles. Results According to the published case series, local complications are considerably more common than complications with systemic repercussions. Approximately 10% to 20% of patients suffer a local complication following abdominoplasty, while fewer than 1% suffer a systemic complication. Prevention and management strategies are critically discussed for complications including seroma, haematoma, infection, skin necrosis, suture extrusions, hypertrophic scars, neurological symptoms, umbilical anomalies, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism, respiratory distress, and death. Conclusions The complications of abdominoplasty vary in severity and in the impact they have on the aesthetic outcomes. Recommendations for prevention and management are based on various levels of evidence, with a risk of observer bias. However, most complications can be treated appropriately following the current standards, with satisfactory results

El aborto en la adolescencia: investigación sobre el uso de misoprostol para la interrupción del embarazo en adolescentes

Área de Salud, Economía y Socieda