Attention and cognitive load modulate motor resonance during action observation

Observation of others\u2019 actions evokes a motor resonant (MR) response, in the parieto-frontal Action Observation Network (AON, comprising BA40, BA6, BA4). In order to investigate the effect of cognitive processes on the AON we manipulated attention and cognitive load during central and peripheral observation of hand grasping actions with three experiments. Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) were elicited in the opponent of the thumb (OP) and abductor of the little finger (ADM) by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) of the primary motor cortex. First, we investigated the role of selective attention by asking subjects to focus their attention on the thumb of the moving hand in central vision. A selective facilitation of OP MEPs was recorded, without the expected ADM MEPs modulation. Second, a \u201ccovert attention\u201d paradigm was used to investigate the role of attention in peripheral vision. Surprisingly, MEP modulation was virtually abolished. In the third experiment we tested the hypothesis that the higher cognitive load introduced by the covert attention instruction had interfered with MR. We allowed subjects to view the action before its peripheral presentation with covert attention, thereby decreasing the cognitive effort necessary to decode the grasping action. The accuracy of motor resonant response was restored

mycosis fungoides in childhood description and study of two siblings

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are exceedingly rare in children and adolescents. However, mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most frequent primary cutaneous lymphoma diagnosed in childhood. Two cases of MF in siblings (a 14-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister) are reported. On the basis of clinical features (histopathological and immunophenotypical findings) a diagnosis of MF patch lesions was made in both siblings. Since recent data in the literature have underlined a high frequency of the HLA-DQB1*03 allele in patients with familial MF (including child patients), the HLA profile of the patients was analysed, indicating the presence of a haplotype (HLA-DQB1*03,*03 in the girl, HLA-DQB1*02,*03 in the boy) corresponding with that described in recent literature. Two rare and exceptional cases of MF in siblings are reported, highlighting the presence of a peculiar haplotype

Further studies on the gangliosidic nature of the cholinergic-specific antigen, Chol-1.

The antigen designated as Chol-1 beta, detected by an antiserum specific for cholinergic neurons, has been purified to homogeneity from ganglioside mixtures extracted from Torpedo electric organ and pig brain. The final products from the two sources behaved identically in a wide range of tests and gave coincident immunopositive and Ehrlich-positive spots after thin layer chromatography in seven different solvent systems; they were thus considered to be identical and to constitute a single, pure chemical species. Gas-chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of long-chain bases, glucose, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and sialic acid in integral molar ratios of 1:1:2:1:3; the compound's reactivity to cholera toxin after Vibrio cholerae sialidase treatment on thin layer chromatography and the recovery of GM1 as sole product of exhaustive sialidase treatment identified it as a member of the gangliotetrahexosyl series. From the products of partial enzymatic desialylation and treatment with beta-galactosidase and a comparison of the compound's immunoreactivity to anti-Chol-1 antisera with that of other trisialogangliosides of defined molecular structure, we were able to assign a disialosyl residue alpha-Neu5Ac-(2----8)-alpha-Neu5Ac-(2----3)- to the inner galactose, and we suggest GalNAc as a possible site of linkage of the third sialic acid

Do radiolucent lines and stress shielding of the humeral shaft really matter in shoulder arthroplasty?

The purpose of this study is to evaluate at a mid-term follow up, the radiological survival of an uncemented humeral stem in shoulder arthroplasty. One hundred and twenty-six replacements including hemi (HA), total (TSA) and reverse (RSA) implanted from 1999 to 2008 were reviewed at a mean follow up of 7.2 years (48-144 months). The same uncemented triconical stem (SMR, Lima Corporate) was implanted. There were: 23 HSA, 43 TSA, 60 RSA. An independent observer evaluated all the patients with Constant Score. A radiologic analysis by an expert radiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon was performed: humeral component-bone interface was divided in seven zones. They judged a mobilisation if a migration or tilt of the humeral implant or if≥ 2 mm radiolucent line in at least three zones was present. Chi-squared test, Fisher test and analysis of variance were performed and a p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. No major radiological signs of loosening and no tilt or migration of the humeral component were found. Only 23 (18.2%) patients had no RL around the humeral implant. In the remaining 103 (81.7%) implants: 96 (76.1%) presented RL less than 2 mm, particularly 75 (59.5%) in less than 3 zones and 21 (16.6%) in more than 3 zones. Of the remaining 7 (5.5%) implants the presence of RL of 2 mm or greater in only one zone was seen. Apart from sepsis no revision was performed for humeral component loosening. Although a high rate of RL, uncemented humeral stem has an excellent survivorship at a mid-term follow up. Relationship between presence, position and depth of RL and internal stress shielding is commonly observed but does not appear t

A previously unreported function of beta1B integrin isoform in caspase-8-dependent integrin-mediated keratinocyte death

Integrins regulate adhesive cell-matrix interactions and mediate survival signals. On the other hand, unligated or free cytoplasmic fragments of integrins induce apoptosis in many cell types (integrin-mediated death). We have previously shown that b1 integrins expression protects keratinocyte stem cells from anoikis, while the role of the b1B integrin isoform has never been clarified. Here we report that suspended keratinocytes undergo apoptosis via the activation of caspase-8, independently of Fas/Fas Ligand system. Indeed, anti-b1 integrin neutralizing antibodies induced apoptosis in short-hairpin-RNA-Fas-Associated-Death-Domain treated cells. Moreover, before and during suspension, caspase-8 directly associated with b1 integrin, that in turn internalized and progressively degraded, shedding the cytoplasmic domain. b1B was expressed only in the cytoplasm in a perinuclear fashion and remained unaltered during suspension. At 24 hrs, as b1A located close to the nucleus, b1B co-localized with b1A and co-immunoprecipitated with caspase-8. Caspase-8 was activated earlier in b1B integrin transfected keratinocytes, and these cells underwent a higher rate of apoptosis than mock cells. By contrast, caspase-8 was not activated in siRNA b1B transfected cells. These results indicate that when b1A is unligated, b1B is responsible for “integrin-mediated death” in human keratinocytes

NORMALIZING EFFECT OF GAMMA-LINOLENIC ACID ON ETRETINATE-INDUCED HYPERTRIGLY- CERIDEMIA IN PSORIATIC PATIENTS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

_________________ Synopsis Retinoids are a group of. synthesis compounds having vitamin A as their precursor. Among retino i d s, etretin ate i s commonly used, al o n e or in combi n ati o n with PUVA (8-methoxypsoralen+UYA), for diffuse and resistant psoriasis. However, eretrinate may induce locai (severe ski n dryness, flaking, cheilitis and fiss ures) and systemic side-effects. Among the systemic side-effects of etretinate, increased triglycerides, VLDLs, and cholesterol are freq ue ntly detected, whic h may cause treatment discontinuation. In the present paper 41 psoriatic patients undergoing Re-PUVA (Etretinate+PUVA) were considered. One month after the beginning of the therapy, 27 of them were additionally treated with gamma-linolenic acid, because of the dryness and itch induced by etretinate. During Re-PUVA treatment 11 out of these 27 patients showed increased triglyceride and cholesterol levels. A 2 month-treatment with gamma-linolenic acid induced an improvement of the cutaneous side-effects of eretrinate. Moreover, a statisticall y significant decrease of triglyceridemia (p<O.O I) and cholestero lemia (p<O.O I ) was detected followi ng the treatment with gamma-linolenic acid. These results demonstrate that association of gamma-linolenic acid is useful in contolling dyslipidemia if Re-PUVA treatment has to be continued to achieve clearing of psoriasis. ------------------Riassunto I retinoidi sono una famiglia di composti di sintesi che hanno il loro precursore nella Yit. A. I più diffusi in ambito terapeutico dermatologico sono l'etretinato, l'isotretinoina e l'acitretina. Questi farmaci agiscono promuovendo la differenziazione cheratinocitaria ed esercitano un effetto immunomodulatore. In particolare, l'etretinato trova indicazione, da solo o in associazione con PUVA-terapia (8-metossipsoralene+UYA), nel trattamento delle forme più estese e resistenti di psoriasi. L'etretinato, tuttavia, può indutTe effetti collaterali sia locali (secchezza cutanea marcata, desquamazione, cheilite e ragadi) che generali. Tra gl i effetti sistemici collaterali c he l'etretrinato può indun-e si ri leva più frequentemente un innalzamento dei trigliceridi, delle VLDL e del colesterolo che possono indun-e a sospendere la terapia prima del conseguimento di una risposta clinica soddisfacente. Nel presente lavoro vengono riportati i dati relativi al contollo dell' iperlipemia indotta da etretinato me- 107 Norma/1zmg effect of gamma-linolenic acid on etretinate-finduced hypertriglyceridemia in. .. diante l'impiego di acido gamma-linolenico per via generale. Tale acido grasso essenziale è stato impiegato in epoca recente per il controllo del prurito e della secchezza cutanea nei soggetti affetti da dermatite atopica; per questo motivo abbiamo ritenuto di utilizzarl o (480 mg/os/die) in un gruppo di 27 pazienti ps oriasici che, in cor so di tra ttame nto co n Etretinato (Etretinato 0,5 mg/Kg/os/die)+PUVA (Re-PUVA), avevano manifestato marcata secchezza cutanea e prurito, imputabili al retinoide. Ad un mese dall'inizio della terapia, 11 dei 27 pazienti affetti da secchezza cutanea e prurito avevano presentato anche anomalie del quadro lipidico, imputabili al trattamento con etretinato. II trattamento con acido gamma-linolenico per 2 mesi, o ltre a determ inare un miglioramento degli effetti collaterali cutanei, ha indotto anche una ridu zione statisticamente significativa della trigl iceridemia (p<0,01) e della colesterolemi a (p<0,0 1). Pertanto anche se gli innalzamenti di colesterolo e trigliceridi nella nostra casistica sono risultati, durante al terapia con etretinato, di moderata entità, l'util izzo d i acido gamma-linolenico ci ha permesso di continuare la terapia Re-PUVA con una certa sicurezza per il paziente. Come noto, infa tti , la popolazione psoriasica risu lta esposta ad un aumentato rischio di accidenti cardiovascolari, in associazione a diabete ed obesità, e l'ipertrig liceridemia iatrogena costituirebbe quindi un ulteriore fattore di ri schio

Alternativas para el aprovechamiento integral del alperujo

El proceso de producción de aceite de oliva mediante el sistema de dos fases genera aceite y un residuo semisólido con un alto porcentaje de humedad (65-70%) llamado alperujo. La mayoría de los tratamientos que se han propuesto para bajar la carga tóxica de los residuos derivados de la industria olivícola, no contemplan la recuperación de compuestos bioactivos.EEA San JuanFil: Borroni, V. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Monetta, Pablo Miguel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Juan; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez Gutierrez, G. Instituto de la Grasa-CSIC; Españ

Analytical and clinical validation of a blood progranulin ELISA in frontotemporal dementias

Heterozygous mutations in the granulin (GRN) gene may result in haploinsufficiency of progranulin (PGRN), which might lead to frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In this study, we aimed to perform analytical and clinical validation of a commercial progranulin kit for clinical use. Analytical validation parameters including assay precision, selectivity, measurement range, dilution linearity, interferences and sample stability were tested according to previously described procedures. For clinical validation, PGRN levels were measured in plasma from 32 cognitively healthy individuals, 52 confirmed GRN mutation carriers, 25 C9orf72 mutation carriers and 216 patients with different neurodegenerative diseases of which 70 were confirmed as non-mutation carriers. Among the analytical validation parameters, assay precision and repeatability were very stable (coefficients of variation <7 %). Spike recovery was 96 %, the measurement range was 6.25-400 μg/L and dilution linearity ranged from 1:50-1:200. Hemolysis did not interfere with progranulin levels, and these were resistant to freeze/thaw cycles and storage at different temperatures. For the clinical validation, the assay was capable of distinguishing GRN mutation carriers from controls and non-GRN mutation carriers with very good sensitivity and specificity at a cut-off of 57 μg/L (97 %, 100 %, respectively). In this study, we demonstrate robust analytical and diagnostic performance of this commercial progranulin kit for implementation in clinical laboratory practice. This easy-to-use test allows identification of potential GRN mutation carriers, which may guide further evaluation of the patient. This assay might also be used to evaluate the effect of novel PGRN-targeting drugs and therapies

A Genome-Wide Screening and SNPs-to-Genes Approach to Identify Novel Genetic Risk Factors Associated with Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most prevalent form of early onset dementia after Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We performed a case-control association study in an Italian FTD cohort (n = 530) followed by the novel SNPs-to-genes approach and functional annotation analysis. We identified two novel potential loci for FTD. Suggestive SNPs reached p-values ~10-7 and OR > 2.5 (2p16.3) and 1.5 (17q25.3). Suggestive alleles at 17q25.3 identified a disease-associated haplotype causing decreased expression of -cis genes such as RFNG and AATK involved in neuronal genesis and differentiation, and axon outgrowth, respectively. We replicated this locus through the SNPs-to-genes approach. Our functional annotation analysis indicated significant enrichment for functions of the brain (neuronal genesis, differentiation and maturation), the synapse (neurotransmission and synapse plasticity), and elements of the immune system, the latter supporting our recent international FTD-GWAS. This is the largest genome-wide study in Italian FTD to date. Although our results are not conclusive, we set the basis for future replication studies and identification of susceptible molecular mechanisms involved in FTD pathogenesis