Effects of add-on ultramicronized n-palmitol ethanol amide in patients suffering of migraine with aura. a pilot study

Background: Palmitoyl ethanol amide (PEA) is an endogenously produced substance showing anti-nociceptive effect through both receptor and non-receptor mediated effects at the level of different cellular and tissue sites. This study showed the results of a single blind study that was conducted to evaluate both the safety and the efficacy of ultramicronized PEA (umPEA; 1,200 mg/day) for up 90 days in patients suffering of Migraine with Aura (MA) treated with NSAIDs. Methods: A total of 20 patients, 8 male (33-56-years, average 41.4 ± 7.8) and 12 female (19-61-years, average 38.5 ± 11.9) with MA were admitted to our observation and diagnosed according to ICHD-3 criteria, they received umPEA (1,200 mg/day) in combination with NSAIDs for up to 90 days. They were revaluated at 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment. Results: umPEA administration induced a statistically significant and time dependent pain relief. In particular, these effects were evident at 60 days (male P = 0.01189; female P = < 0.01) and they lasted until the end of the study (male P = 0.0066; female P = 0.01473). Conclusion: Although further studies are needed, our findings indicate that in patients suffering of MA treatment with umPEA had good efficacy and safety which candidate this compound as a therapeutic tool in pain migraine management

Strength training in elderly: An useful tool against sarcopenia

The loss of muscle mass and strength in elderly population (especially after the age of 65-70) represents a public health problem. Due to the high prevalence of frailty in older adults, cardiovascular or low-intensity exercise is implemented as first choice option. Although beneficial these training schemes are not as effective as strength-based resistance training for increasing muscle strength and hypertrophy. In fact, when performed progressively and under professional supervision, strength-based training has been proposed as an important and valid methodology to reduce sarcopenia-related problems. In this mini-review, we not only summarize the benefits of weight resistance training but also highlight practical recommendations and other non-conventional methods (e.g., suspension training) as part of an integral anti-sarcopenia strategy. Future directions including cluster set configurations and high-speed resistance training are also outlined

Hallazgo de tiburones cretácicos (Chondrichthyes) en la provincia de Mendoza (Argentina): aspectos estratigráficos y paleoambientales

Se comunica el hallazgo de dientes de tiburones cretácicos en la provincia de Mendoza, región septentrional de la Cuenca Neuquina, Argentina. Los restos, colectados entre los años 2001-2009, provienen de los niveles basales de la Formación Jagüel aflorantes en el anticlinal de Ranquil-Có, Sierra de Palauco, sur del Departamento de Malargüe. En ese sector los estratos cretácicos de los Grupos Neuquén y Malargüe afloran completos desde su base a techo y se encuentran plegados formando un anticlinal asimétrico. Desde la base de la Formación Loncoche (Campaniano superior-?Maastrichtiano inferior) hasta los niveles superiores de la suprayente Formación Jagüel (Maastrichtiano superior), el registro de vertebrados e invertebrados fósiles, como así también los análisis sedimentológicos, muestran una progresiva influencia marina vinculada con una ingresión procedente del Atlántico. Los dientes encontrados se asignan a los géneros Squalicorax Whitley y Serratolamna Landemaine (Elasmobranchii, Lamniformes). El género Squalicorax es típico del Cretácico Superior y no se conoce en el Cenozoico. Las facies portadoras de los dientes son margas y pelitas gris amarillentas. El estudio palinológico de cinco niveles de estas facies dio como resultado una asociación dominada casi exclusivamente por ficomas de algas prasinofíceas principalmente pertenecientes a los géneros: Pterospermella Eisenack, Cymatiosphaera Wetzel ex Deflandre y Tasmanites Newton, junto a escasos quistes de dinoflagelados y ausencia de palinomorfos terrestres. Estas algas son más frecuentes en ambientes marinos de reducida salinidad, como la zona proximal de plataforma y son abundantes en aguas preferentemente frías. El hallazgo aquí descripto amplía el escaso registro de condrictios del Cretácico de América del Sur austral y confirma el carácter marino de estas facies, lo que es congruente con el registro palinológico.Sesiones libresFacultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Metabolic remodeling of the tumor microenvironment: migration stimulating factor (MSF) reprograms myofibroblasts toward lactate production, fueling anabolic tumor growth.

Migration stimulating factor (MSF) is a genetically truncated N-terminal isoform of fibronectin that is highly expressed during mammalian development in fetal fibroblasts, and during tumor formation in human cancer-associated myofibroblasts. However, its potential functional role in regulating tumor metabolism remains unexplored. Here, we generated an immortalized fibroblast cell line that recombinantly overexpresses MSF and studied their properties relative to vector-alone control fibroblasts. Our results indicate that overexpression of MSF is sufficient to confer myofibroblastic differentiation, likely via increased TGF-b signaling. In addition, MSF activates the inflammation-associated transcription factor NFκB, resulting in the onset of autophagy/mitophagy, thereby driving glycolytic metabolism (L-lactate production) in the tumor microenvironment. Consistent with the idea that glycolytic fibroblasts fuel tumor growth (via L-lactate, a high-energy mitochondrial fuel), MSF fibroblasts significantly increased tumor growth, by up to 4-fold. Mechanistic dissection of the MSF signaling pathway indicated that Cdc42 lies downstream of MSF and fibroblast activation. In accordance with this notion, Cdc42 overexpression in immortalized fibroblasts was sufficient to drive myofibroblast differentiation, to provoke a shift towards glycolytic metabolism and to promote tumor growth by up to 2-fold. In conclusion, the MSF/Cdc42/NFκB signaling cascade may be a critical druggable target in preventing Warburg-like cancer metabolism in tumor-associated fibroblasts. Thus, MSF functions in the metabolic remodeling of the tumor microenvironment by metabolically reprogramming cancer-associated fibroblasts toward glycolytic metabolism

Nutraceuticals for peripheral vestibular pathology: Properties, usefulness, future perspectives and medico-legal aspects

Vestibular disorders may generate complex signs and symptoms, which may alter pa-tients’ balance and the quality of life. Dizziness and vertigo can strongly affect daily activities and relations. Despite the presence of conventional drugs, maneuvers, and surgery, another interesting therapeutic opportunity is offered by nutraceuticals. These molecules are often used in the treatment of dizziness and vertigo, but the rationale of their application is not always solidly demon-strated by the scientific evidence. Several substances have shown a variable level of efficacy/useful-ness in this field, but there is lack of important evidence for most of them. From a medico-legal point of view, specific information must be provided to the patient regarding the efficacy and possibilities that the use of these preparations can allow. Administering the right nutraceutical to the proper patient is a fundamental clinical skill. Integrating conventional drug treatment with nutraceutical administration seems to be easy, but it may be difficult considering the (in part unexplored) phar-macodynamics and pharmacokinetics of nutraceuticals. The aim of the scientific community should be to elevate nutraceuticals to the same law and technical dignity of conventional drugs

Effect of Soy Protein Supplementation on Muscle Adaptations, Metabolic and Antioxidant Status, Hormonal Response, and Exercise Performance of Active Individuals and Athletes: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer via the DOI in this recordAvailability of data and material: Not applicable.Background Protein supplements are important to maintain optimum health and physical performance, particularly in athletes and active individuals to repair and rebuild their skeletal muscles and connective tissues. Soy protein (SP) has gained popularity in recent years as an alternative to animal proteins. Objectives This systematic review evaluates the evidence from randomised controlled clinical trials of the effects of SP supplementation in active individuals and athletes in terms of muscle adaptations, metabolic and antioxidant status, hormonal response and exercise performance. It also explores the differences in SP supplementation effects in comparison to whey protein. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, as well as a manual search in Google Scholar and EBSCO, on 27 June 2023. Randomised controlled trials that evaluated the applications of SPs supplementation on sports and athletic-related outcomes that are linked with exercise performance, adaptations and biomarkers in athletes and physically active adolescents and young adults (14 to 39 years old) were included, otherwise, studies were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed according to Cochrane’s revised risk of bias tool. Results A total of 19 eligible original research articles were included that investigated the effect of SP supplementation on muscle adaptations (n = 9), metabolic and antioxidant status (n = 6), hormonal response (n = 6) and exercise performance (n = 6). Some studies investigated more than one effect. SP was found to provide identical increases in lean mass compared to whey in some studies. SP consumption promoted the reduction of exercise-induced metabolic/blood circulating biomarkers such as triglycerides, uric acid and lactate. Better antioxidant capacity against oxidative stress has been seen with respect to whey protein in long-term studies. Some studies reported testosterone and cortisol fluctuations related to SP; however, more research is required. All studies on SP and endurance performance suggested the potential beneficial effects of SP supplementation (10–53.3 g) on exercise performance by improving high-intensity and high-speed running performance, enhancing maximal cardiac output, delaying fatigue and improving isometric muscle strength, improving endurance in recreational cyclists, increasing running velocity and decreasing accumulated lactate levels; however, studies determining the efficacy of soy protein on VO2max provided conflicted results. Conclusion It is possible to recommend SP to athletes and active individuals in place of conventional protein supplements by assessing their dosage and effectiveness in relation to different types of training. SP may enhance lean mass compared with other protein sources, enhance the antioxidant status, and reduce oxidative stress. SP supplementation had an inconsistent effect on testosterone and cortisol levels. SP supplementation may be beneficial, especially after muscle damage, high-intensity/high-speed or repeated bouts of strenuous exercise

Autonomous and Lagrangian ocean observations for Atlantic tropical cyclone studies and forecasts

Author Posting. © The Oceanography Society, 2017. This article is posted here by permission of The Oceanography Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Oceanography 30, no. 2 (2017): 92–103, doi:10.5670/oceanog.2017.227.The tropical Atlantic basin is one of seven global regions where tropical cyclones (TCs) commonly originate, intensify, and affect highly populated coastal areas. Under appropriate atmospheric conditions, TC intensification can be linked to upper-ocean properties. Errors in Atlantic TC intensification forecasts have not been significantly reduced during the last 25 years. The combined use of in situ and satellite observations, particularly of temperature and salinity ahead of TCs, has the potential to improve the representation of the ocean, more accurately initialize hurricane intensity forecast models, and identify areas where TCs may intensify. However, a sustained in situ ocean observing system in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea dedicated to measuring subsurface temperature, salinity, and density fields in support of TC intensity studies and forecasts has yet to be designed and implemented. Autonomous and Lagrangian platforms and sensors offer cost-effective opportunities to accomplish this objective. Here, we highlight recent efforts to use autonomous platforms and sensors, including surface drifters, profiling floats, underwater gliders, and dropsondes, to better understand air-sea processes during high-wind events, particularly those geared toward improving hurricane intensity forecasts. Real-time data availability is key for assimilation into numerical weather forecast models.The NOAA/AOML component of this work was originally funded by the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, also known as the Sandy Supplemental, and is currently funded through NOAA research grant NA14OAR4830103 by AOML and CARICOOS, as well as NOAA’s Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). The TEMPESTS component of this work is supported by NOAA through the Cooperative Institute for the North Atlantic Region (NA13OAR4830233) with additional analysis support from the WHOI Summer Student Fellowship Program, Nortek Student Equipment Grant, and the Rutgers University Teledyne Webb Graduate Student Fellowship Program. The drifter component of this work is funded through NOAA grant NA15OAR4320071(11.432) in support of the Global Drifter Program

Actualistic taphonomic study of the rodents digested by the Achala culpeo fox (Lycalopex culpaeus smithersi) in the highlands of central Argentina

We present the first actualistic study of the rodents consumed by the South American foxLycalopex culpaeus smithersi (Achala culpeo fox), a subspecies of the culpeo fox that is endemicto the highlands of central Argentina. We provide a taphonomic characterization of this canidbased on digested micromammal bones, and compare it to other carnivores. We studied over 1000bones derived from 83 scats collected in Quebrada del Condorito National Park, Córdobaprovince, Argentina, corresponding to caviomorph and myomorph rodents. Galea leucoblepharawas the main prey (59.8% MNI, 93.1% biomass). Average relative abundance for the totalassemblage was 26.7. Cranial and, to a lesser extent, proximal limb bones were the most abundantelements. A high degree of breakage was observed in cranial elements and, to a lesser extent, inlimb bones. A high proportion of heavy and extreme digestion was inferred, while some elementsbear light or no digestion traces at all. Overall, the Achala culpeo fox fits best with othermammalian carnivores in the category of extreme modification, and shows types and proportionsof taphonomic attributes similar to other South American mammalian predators. These resultscontribute to the understanding of regional taphonomic processes and of digestivemodifications by Lycalopex foxes generally, and are thus relevant to interpreting the presence of micromammal remains in the archaeological and palaeontological recordsand the impact of these foxes in their formation.Fil: Coll, Daiana Geraldine. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Montalvo, Claudia Inés. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Fernando Julián. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pia, Monica Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa; ArgentinaFil: Mondini, Nora Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentin