Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: what the neurologist should know

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a wellknown cause of disability among older people. A significant amount of these patients is asymptomatic. Once the symptoms start the worsening may follow a progressive manner. We should suspect of spondylotic myelopathy in any individual over 55 years presenting progressive changes in gait or losing fine motor control of the upper limbs. Despite its frequent prevalence, this condition is still neglected and many times confused with other supratentorial lesions regarding diagnostic. Here we address some of most important aspects of this disease, calling attention to pathophysiology, the natural history. presentation, differential diagnosis, clinical assessment and treatment.Natl Inst Traumatol & Orthoped, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Severino Sombra, Div Neurol, Grad Program Neurol Neurosci, Tavares Macedo St 95-902, BR-24220215 Vassouras, RJ, BrazilUniv Severino Sombra, Masters Program Urgencia & Emergencia Med, Vassouras, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Estado Rio de Janeiro, Sch Med, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BrazilNeurology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP , São Paulo, SP. BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Div Neurosurg, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilNeurology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP , São Paulo, SP. BrazilWeb of Scienc

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Triazole N-acylhydrazone Hybrids for Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder that involves different pathogenic mechanisms. In this regard, the goal of this study was the design and synthesis of new compounds with multifunctional pharmacological activity by molecular hybridization of structural fragments of curcumin and resveratrol connected by an N-acyl-hydrazone function linked to a 1,4-disubstituted triazole system. Among these hybrid compounds, derivative 3e showed the ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity, the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species as well as the neurotoxicity elicited by Aβ42 oligomers in neuronal SH-SY5Y cells. In parallel, compound 3e showed a good profile of safety and ADME parameters. Taken together, these results suggest that 3e could be considered a lead compound for the further development of AD therapeutics

Currents issues in cardiorespiratory care of patients with post-polio syndrome

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. Most often, polio survivors experience a gradual new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. The actual incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in individuals suffering from PPS is not known. However, there is a reason to suspect that individuals with PPS might be at increased risk. Method: A search for papers was made in the databases Bireme, Scielo and Pubmed with the following keywords: post polio syndrome, cardiorespiratory and rehabilitation in English, French and Spanish languages. Although we targeted only seek current studies on the topic in question, only the relevant (double-blind, randomized-controlled and consensus articles) were considered. Results and Discussion: Certain features of PPS such as generalized fatigue, generalized and specific muscle weakness, joint and/or muscle pain may result in physical inactivity deconditioning obesity and dyslipidemia. Respiratory difficulties are common and may result in hypoxemia. Conclusion: Only when evaluated and treated promptly, somE patients can obtain the full benefits of the use of respiratory muscles aids as far as quality of life is concerned.Ctr Univ Augusto Motta, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Reabilitacao, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Severino Sombra, Fac Med, Vassouras, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Psiquiatria, Lab Mapeamento Cerebral & EEG, BR-22290140 Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Hosp Univ Antonio Pedro, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilInst Fed Educ Ciencia & Tecnol Rio de Janeiro, Curso Fisioterapia, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Piaui, Parnaiba, PI, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Neurol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and rehabilitation: a perfect match

Reabilitação e doença de Charcot-Marie-Tooth: um casamento perfeit

Improved Canine and Human Visceral Leishmaniasis Immunodiagnosis Using Combinations of Synthetic Peptides in Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in many areas of tropical and subtropical America where it constitutes a significant public health problem. It is usually diagnosed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using crude Leishmania antigens, but a variety of other immunological methods may also be applied. Although these approaches are useful, historically their sensitivity and specificity have often been compromised by the use of complex mixtures of antigens. In this context, the use of combinations of purified, well-characterized antigens appears preferable and may yield better results. In the present study, combinations of peptides derived from the previously described Leishmania diagnostic antigens A2, NH, LACK and K39 were used in ELISA against sera from 106 dogs and 44 human patients. Improved sensitivities and specificities, close to 100%, for both sera of patients and dogs was observed for ELISA using some combinations of the peptides, including the detection of VL in dogs with low anti-Leishmania antibody titers and asymptomatic infection. So, the use of combinations of B cell predicted synthetic peptides derived from antigens A2, NH, LACK and K39 may provide an alternative for improved sensitivities and specificities for immunodiagnostic assays of VL