Gait and Equilibrium in Subcortical Vascular Dementia

Subcortical vascular dementia is a clinical entity, widespread, even challenging to diagnose and correctly treat. Patients with this diagnosis are old, frail, often with concomitant pathologies, and therefore, with many drugs in therapy. We tried to diagnose and follow up for three years more than 600 patients. Study subjects were men and women, not bedridden, aged 68–94 years, outpatients, recruited from June, 1st 2007 to June, 1st 2010. We examined them clinically, neurologically, with specific consideration on drug therapies. Our aim has been to define gait and imbalance problem, if eventually coexistent with the pathology of white matter and/or with the worsening of the deterioration. Drug intake interference has been detected and considered

Hypotension in Subcortical Vascular Dementia, a New Risk Factor – Wasn’t It Hypertension?

Age \u2013related cerebral degenerative changes are coupled therefore with decreased perfusion, usually assumed to be secondary to decreased cerebral metabolic demands (Meyer et al., 1999). During ageing declines in cerebral tissue densities in gray (polio-araiosis) and white matter (leuko-araiosis) reflect neuronal degenerative changes, which progress concurrent with cerebral perfusion declines. Rates of polio- and leuko-araiosis accelerate geometrically after age 60, correlating with cortical and subcortical atrophy and ventricular enlargement. In particular, leuko-araiosis correlates with advancing age, cerebral atrophy, hypoperfusion of white matter, and cognitive impairments (Meyer et al., 2000): what is surprising, is that leuko-araiosis is detectable in 9-19% of older \u201cnormal\u201d subjects but is virtually always present in vascular dementia. Of special interest are the data emerging from the study of Meyer et al. (2000): normative subjects destined for later cognitive decline had excessive leuko-araiosis at study entry, suggesting leukoaraiosis is, itself, a risk factor for cognitive decline.We have studied the emerging role of hypotension in SVAD definitio

Apathy as a Key Symptom in Behavior Disorders: Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Subcortical Vascular Dementia

Apathy with special concern to vascular dementia in comapriosn to A

Impact of surfactant polydispersity on the phase and flow behavior in water: the case of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate

This study delves into the impact of molecular polydispersity on the phase behavior of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) surfactant, aiming to deepen understanding of its implications for fundamental science and industrial applications. SLE3S is utilized as a model compound: a comprehensive characterization of molecular polydispersity is conducted using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, juxtaposing the findings with those for SLE1S. Our comprehensive investigative approach entails: (i) employing Time-Lapse dissolution experiments in microchannel geometries to observe the dissolution and phase transitions; (ii) utilizing polarized light microscopy, confocal microscopy, and Small Angle X-ray Scattering for microstructure identification assessments; (iii) conducting rheological evaluations at various concentrations and temperatures to determine their effects on the surfactant properties. The findings reveal that SLE3S, being more polydisperse, demonstrates complex phase behavior not observed in the less polydisperse SLE1S. Notably, SLE3S exhibits a unique concentration domain, corresponding to a concentration of about 60 %wt, where hexagonal (H), cubic, and lamellar (Lα) phases coexist, resulting in highly viscoelastic heterogeneous mixtures. This behavior is attributed to the local segregation of surfactant components with varying polarity, underscoring the crucial role of molecular polydispersity in the phase behavior of SLES surfactants

Clinical, Functional and Structural Studies of Humans and Merino Sheep Corneas from Two Different Regions of Argentina

Objective: The purpose of our work was to study and compare the cornea and tear film of people and sheep inhabiting in a region of Argentinean Patagonia (PATG), and in a geographically and climatically different region in the Argentinean Pampa (CAPT).Methods: Using cross sectional study, corneal examinations were performed in people and Merino sheep inhabiting PATG and CAPT regions, respectively. All people completed a questionnaire related to work activity, diet, and the use of hats or sunglasses during their life. Eyes from all participants were examined with a portable hand- held slit-lamp biomicroscope (BM) to evaluate corneal appearance, epithelium integrity, and transparency. Later on, in a subgroup of participants we studied eye blinking frequency (EBF), ocular surface staining (FS), breakup time (BUT), Schirmer Tear Test (STT), corneal structure using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and light microscopy (LM), and concentrations of serum ascorbate (sAA).Results: BM studies revealed numerous cases of climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) only in people inhabiting the PATG region. CLSM studies confirmed typical punctate deposits at the Bowman ́s layer in CDK patients living in that region. CLSM images from sheep did not show any abnormalities at the Bowman ́s layer but exhibited small hyper reflective dots at the epithelium only in animals pasturing in the PATG region. FS and EBF mean values were significant higher in sheep grazing in the PATG region (p <0.05). No differences were found in surface eye tests when people from both regions were analyzed. Low sAA levels were found only in CDK people living in PATG region.Conclusions: CDK is a multi-factorial disease not only associated to harsh climate. We provide data that low sAA levels can play a role in its genesis in Patagonia patients?... Sheep pasturing in this region with a high prevalence of CDK have high concentration of sAA and did not present any sub epithelial corneal abnormalities.Fil: Suarez, Maria Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Crim, Nicolás. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Monti, Rodolfo. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Esposito, Evangelina. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Serra, Horacio Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentin

Impact of surfactant polydispersity on the phase and flow behaviour in water: the case of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate

This study delves into the impact of molecular polydispersity on the phase behaviour of Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES) surfactant, aiming to deepen understanding of its implications for fundamental science and industrial applications.Comment: 24 pages, 7 figure

Effects of Late Conversion from Twice-Daily to Once-Daily Slow Release Tacrolimus on the Insulin Resistance Indexes in Kidney Transplant Patients

The use of tacrolimus (Tac) may be involved in the development of new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) in a dose-related manner. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a standard twice-daily formulation of Tac (TacBID) vs. the once-daily slow-release formulation (TacOD) on the basal insulin resistance indexes (Homa and McAuley), and related metabolic parameters, in a cohort of kidney transplant patients. We retrospectively evaluated 20 stable renal transplant recipients who were switched from TacBID to TacOD. Blood levels of Tac were analyzed at one-month intervals from 6 months before to 8 months after conversion. Moreover, Homa and McAuley indexes, C-peptide, insulin, HbA1c, uric acid, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol serum levels and their associations with Tac levels were evaluated. We observed a significant decrease in Tac exposure (8.5 ± 2 ng/mL, CV 0.23 vs. 6.1 ± 1.9 ng/mL, CV 0.31, TacBID vs. TacOD periods, p 0.05) and McAuley indexes (7.12 ± 1 vs. 7.58 ± 1.4, p > 0.05). Similarly, blood levels of glucose, insulin, HbA1c, lipids, and uric acid were unchanged between the two periods, while C-peptide resulted significantly lower after conversion to TacOD. These data suggest that in kidney transplant recipients, reduced Tac exposure has no significant effects on basal insulin sensitivity indexes and metabolic parameters

Systemic amyloidosis with bilateral conjunctival involvement: a case report

Conjunctival amyloidosis is a very rare condition, generally unilateral, and presents mostly as an isolated condition without systemic compromise. Our purpose is to present a new case of systemic amyloidosis with a bilateral conjunctival involvement.Fil: Correa, Leandro Javier. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Maccio, J. Pablo. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Esposito, Evangelina. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Monti, Jose Rodolfo. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Castellanos, Maria Eugenia. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; ArgentinaFil: Paradelo, Martin. Centro Medico de Patologia y Citopatologia; ArgentinaFil: Serra, Horacio Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Urrets Zavalía, Julio Alberto. Universidad Catolica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Clinica Universitaria Reina Fabiola; Argentin

Chlamydia Pneumoniae and Acute Aortic Syndrome: A Call for a Multi-Institutional Study

Chlamydia Pneumoniae (CP) infection is strongly associated with coronary artery disease, as well as with atherosclerosis of the carotid and peripheral arteries. However, the role of CP in the pathogenesis of aortic disease remains controversial. Our present experience suggests no correlation between a current infection with C. pneumoniae and acute aortic dissection. Well-designed large prospective studies are needed in order to clarify the pathophysiologic role of CP infection in acute and chronic aortic disease