The creatine kinase system and pleiotropic effects of creatine

The pleiotropic effects of creatine (Cr) are based mostly on the functions of the enzyme creatine kinase (CK) and its high-energy product phosphocreatine (PCr). Multidisciplinary studies have established molecular, cellular, organ and somatic functions of the CK/PCr system, in particular for cells and tissues with high and intermittent energy fluctuations. These studies include tissue-specific expression and subcellular localization of CK isoforms, high-resolution molecular structures and structure–function relationships, transgenic CK abrogation and reverse genetic approaches. Three energy-related physiological principles emerge, namely that the CK/PCr systems functions as (a) an immediately available temporal energy buffer, (b) a spatial energy buffer or intracellular energy transport system (the CK/PCr energy shuttle or circuit) and (c) a metabolic regulator. The CK/PCr energy shuttle connects sites of ATP production (glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation) with subcellular sites of ATP utilization (ATPases). Thus, diffusion limitations of ADP and ATP are overcome by PCr/Cr shuttling, as most clearly seen in polar cells such as spermatozoa, retina photoreceptor cells and sensory hair bundles of the inner ear. The CK/PCr system relies on the close exchange of substrates and products between CK isoforms and ATP-generating or -consuming processes. Mitochondrial CK in the mitochondrial outer compartment, for example, is tightly coupled to ATP export via adenine nucleotide transporter or carrier (ANT) and thus ATP-synthesis and respiratory chain activity, releasing PCr into the cytosol. This coupling also reduces formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition, an early event in apoptosis. Cr itself may also act as a direct and/or indirect anti-oxidant, while PCr can interact with and protect cellular membranes. Collectively, these factors may well explain the beneficial effects of Cr supplementation. The stimulating effects of Cr for muscle and bone growth and maintenance, and especially in neuroprotection, are now recognized and the first clinical studies are underway. Novel socio-economically relevant applications of Cr supplementation are emerging, e.g. for senior people, intensive care units and dialysis patients, who are notoriously Cr-depleted. Also, Cr will likely be beneficial for the healthy development of premature infants, who after separation from the placenta depend on external Cr. Cr supplementation of pregnant and lactating women, as well as of babies and infants are likely to be of benefit for child development. Last but not least, Cr harbours a global ecological potential as an additive for animal feed, replacing meat- and fish meal for animal (poultry and swine) and fish aqua farming. This may help to alleviate human starvation and at the same time prevent over-fishing of oceans

Actas de las V Jornadas ScienCity 2022. Fomento de la Cultura Científica, Tecnológica y de Innovación en Ciudades Inteligentes

ScienCity es una actividad que viene siendo continuada desde 2018 con el objetivo de dar a conocer los conocimientos y tecnologías emergentes siendo investigados en las universidades, informar de experiencias, servicios e iniciativas puestas ya en marcha por instituciones y empresas, llegar hasta decisores políticos que podrían crear sinergias, incentivar la creación de ideas y posibilidades de desarrollo conjuntas, implicar y provocar la participación ciudadana, así como gestar una red internacional multidisciplinar de investigadores que garantice la continuación de futuras ediciones. En 2022 se recibieron un total de 48 trabajos repartidos en 25 ponencias y 24 pósteres pertenecientes a 98 autores de 14 instituciones distintas de España, Portugal, Polonia y Países Bajos.Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología-Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; Consejería de la Presidencia, Administración Pública e Interior de la Junta de Andalucía; Estrategia de Política de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Huelva; Cátedra de Innovación Social de Aguas de Huelva; Cátedra de la Provincia; Grupo de investigación TEP-192 de Control y Robótica; Centro de Investigación en Tecnología, Energía y Sostenibilidad (CITES

Patrones de bloqueo anestésico de nervios pericraneales en el paciente con cefalea.

Anaesthetic blocks, whether used alone or combined with other treatments, are a therapeutic resource for many patients with headaches. However, usage patterns by different professionals show significant heterogeneity. The Headache Study Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology (GECSEN) designed a self-administered cross-sectional survey and sent it to all group members through the SEN's scientific area web platform in February 2016. The objective was to ascertain the main technical and formal aspects of this procedure and compare them with data obtained in a similar survey conducted in 2012. A total of 39 neurologists (mean age 41.74 years; SD: 9.73), 23 men (43.7 years; SD: 9.92) and 16 women (38.94 years; SD: 9.01) participated in this survey. Of these respondents, 76.9% used anaesthetic block in their clinical practice (79.16% in a tertiary-care hospital). The main indications were diagnosis and treatment of neuralgia (100%), prevention of chronic migraine (61.7%), episodic cluster headache (51.3%), and chronic cluster headache (66.7%). AB was used by 31% of the respondents to block only the lateral occipital complex, 13% also infiltrated the supraorbital nerve, and another 13% infiltrated the auriculotemporal nerve as well. The indications for anaesthetic blocks and the territories most frequently infiltrated are similar to those cited in the earlier survey. However, we observed increased participation in this latest survey and a higher percentage of young neurologists (35.89% aged 35 or younger), indicating that use of this technique has entered mainstream clinical practice

Burning mouth syndrome: clinical description, pathophysiological approach, and a new therapeutic option

Introduction: Burning mouth syndrome is defined as scorching sensation in the mouth in the absence of any local lesions or systemic disease that would explain that complaint. The condition responds poorly to commonly used treatments and it may become very disabling. Methods: We prospectively analysed the clinical and demographic characteristics and response to treatment in 6 cases of burning mouth syndrome, diagnosed at 2 tertiary hospital headache units. Results: Six female patients between the ages of 34 and 82 years reported symptoms compatible with burning mouth syndrome. In 5 of them, burning worsened at the end of the day; 4 reported symptom relief with tongue movements. Neurological examinations and laboratory findings were normal in all patients and their dental examinations revealed no buccal lesions. Each patient had previously received conventional treatments without amelioration. Pramipexol was initiated in doses between 0.36 mg and 1.05 mg per day, resulting in clear improvement of symptoms in all cases, a situation which continues after a 4-year follow up period. Conclusions: Burning mouth syndrome is a condition of unknown aetiology that shares certain clinical patterns and treatment responses with restless leg syndrome. Dopamine agonists should be regarded as first line treatment for this entity. Resumen: Introducción: El síndrome de la boca ardiente se define como sensación de ardor intrabucal, en ausencia de lesiones locales o patología sistémica que lo justifique. Se trata de una entidad con pobre respuesta a los tratamientos comúnmente utilizados, que puede resultar muy discapacitante. Métodos: Analizamos prospectivamente las características clínicas, demográficas y la respuesta a tratamiento de 6 casos de síndrome de la boca ardiente diagnosticados en las consultas de cefaleas de 2 hospitales de tercer nivel. Resultados: Se trata de 6 pacientes de sexo femenino, con edades entre 34 y 82 años, que referían síntomas compatibles con síndrome de la boca ardiente. En 5 pacientes, las molestias empeoraban a última hora del día y 4 referían mejoría de los síntomas con los movimientos linguales. En todos los casos la exploración neurológica fue normal, los estudios analíticos no mostraron alteraciones que justificaran los síntomas y en el examen odontológico no se evidenciaron lesiones intrabucales. Todas las pacientes habían sido tratadas previamente con los tratamientos convencionales, sin mejoría. Se instauró pramipexol a dosis entre 0,36 mg y 1,05 mg al día, con lo que se consiguió mejoría evidente en todos los casos, que persiste tras una media de 4 años de seguimiento. Conclusiones: El síndrome de la boca ardiente sigue siendo una entidad de etiología desconocida, que comparte ciertos patrones clínicos y respuesta al tratamiento con el síndrome de piernas inquietas. Los agonistas dopaminérgicos deberían considerarse como tratamiento de primera línea en esta entidad. Keywords: Burning mouth, Glossopyrosis, Disabling, Treatment, Dopamine agonists, Palabras clave: Boca ardiente, Glosopirosis, Discapacitante, Tratamiento, Agonistas dopaminérgico

Síndrome de boca ardiente: descripción clínica, planteamiento fisiopatológico y una nueva opción terapéutica

Resumen: Introducción: El síndrome de la boca ardiente se define como sensación de ardor intrabucal, en ausencia de lesiones locales o patología sistémica que lo justifique. Se trata de una entidad con pobre respuesta a los tratamientos comúnmente utilizados, que puede resultar muy discapacitante. Métodos: Analizamos prospectivamente las características clínicas, demográficas y la respuesta a tratamiento de 6 casos de síndrome de la boca ardiente diagnosticados en las consultas de cefaleas de 2 hospitales de tercer nivel. Resultados: Se trata de 6 pacientes de sexo femenino, con edades entre 34 y 82 años, que referían síntomas compatibles con síndrome de la boca ardiente. En 5 pacientes, las molestias empeoraban a última hora del día y 4 referían mejoría de los síntomas con los movimientos linguales. En todos los casos la exploración neurológica fue normal, los estudios analíticos no mostraron alteraciones que justificaran los síntomas y en el examen odontológico no se evidenciaron lesiones intrabucales. Todas las pacientes habían sido tratadas previamente con los tratamientos convencionales, sin mejoría. Se instauró pramipexol a dosis entre 0,36 mg y 1,05 mg al día, con lo que se consiguió mejoría evidente en todos los casos, que persiste tras una media de 4 años de seguimiento. Conclusiones: El síndrome de la boca ardiente sigue siendo una entidad de etiología desconocida, que comparte ciertos patrones clínicos y respuesta al tratamiento con el síndrome de piernas inquietas. Los agonistas dopaminérgicos deberían considerarse como tratamiento de primera línea en esta entidad. Abstract: Introduction: Burning mouth syndrome is defined as scorching sensation in the mouth in the absence of any local lesions or systemic disease that would explain that complaint. The condition responds poorly to commonly used treatments and it may become very disabling. Methods: We prospectively analysed the clinical and demographic characteristics and response to treatment in 6 cases of burning mouth syndrome, diagnosed at 2 tertiary hospital headache units. Results: Six female patients between the ages of 34 and 82 years reported symptoms compatible with burning mouth syndrome. In 5 of them, burning worsened at the end of the day; 4 reported symptom relief with tongue movements. Neurological examinations and laboratory findings were normal in all patients and their dental examinations revealed no buccal lesions. Each patient had previously received conventional treatments without amelioration. Pramipexol was initiated in doses between 0.36 mg and 1.05 mg per day, resulting in clear improvement of symptoms in all cases, a situation which continues after a 4-year follow up period. Conclusions: Burning mouth syndrome is a condition of unknown aetiology that shares certain clinical patterns and treatment responses with restless leg syndrome. Dopamine agonists should be regarded as first line treatment for this entity. Palabras clave: Boca ardiente, Glosopirosis, Discapacitante, Tratamiento, Agonistas dopaminérgicos, Keywords: Burning mouth, Glossopyrosis, Disabling, Treatment, Dopamine agonist

Dynamic and static mechanical pain sensitivity is associated in women with migraine

Abstract Aims To explore the association between static (hyperalgesia) and dynamic (allodynia) pressure algometry for assessing muscle pain hypersensitivity in women with migraine. Methods One hundred and twenty women with migraine (42% chronic, 58% episodic) participated. Dynamic muscle allodynia was assessed with a dynamic pressure algometry set (Aalborg University, Denmark©) consisting of 11 rollers with fixed pressure levels from 500 g to 5300 g. Each roller was moved at a speed of 0.5 cm/s over a 60 mm horizontal line covering the temporalis muscle. Dynamic pain threshold (DPT-pressure level of the first painful roller) was calculated on each side of the head. Migraine pain features were collected on a headache-diary. As golden standard, static pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed over the temporalis muscle, C5/C6 joint, second metacarpal and tibialis anterior to assess widespread pressure hyperalgesia. Results Side-to-side consistency between DPT (r = 0.769, P &lt; 0.001) was found. DPT was moderately associated with widespread PPTs (0.364 &gt; r &gt; 0.769, all P &lt; 0.001). No significant association with migraine pain features (frequency, intensity or duration of migraine attack) were observed (all, P &gt; 0.129). Associations were similar in women with episodic or chronic migraine. Conclusions Dynamic pressure algometry was valid for assessing dynamic mechanical muscle allodynia in migraine. DPT was associated with widespread static muscle hyperalgesia independently of migraine frequency supporting that dynamic muscle allodynia in the trigeminal area is consistent with generalized pressure pain hyperalgesia. Assessing dynamic deep somatic tissue sensitivity may provide a new tool for assessing treatment effects. </jats:sec

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on headache management in Spain: an analysis of the current situation and future perspectives

[ES] Introducción La infección por SARS-CoV-2 ha tenido un enorme impacto en los sistemas sanitarios. España, donde la cefalea constituye el motivo principal de consulta ambulatoria en Neurología, es uno de los países con más casos notificados. Objetivo Conocer el impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en las Unidades de Cefaleas en España y evaluar cómo imaginan el futuro de estas estructuras los neurólogos responsables. Métodos Estudio transversal mediante encuesta online distribuida a los responsables de las Unidades, realizada durante la sexta semana del estado de alarma. Resultados La tasa de respuesta fue del 74%, con participación de centros de diferentes características y de todas las Comunidades Autónomas. El 95,8% describió limitaciones en la actividad presencial, un 60,4% mantuvo la consulta presencial preferente y el 45,8% los procedimientos urgentes. En el 91,7% de los centros la actividad presencial cancelada se sustituyó por consulta telefónica. El 95,8% de los encuestados afirmó que empleará material de protección personal en el futuro y el 86% pretende incorporar en mayor medida la telemedicina. La mayoría prevé un incremento en las listas de espera (93,8% en primeras visitas, 89,6% en revisiones y 89,4% en procedimientos) y una peor situación clínica de los pacientes, pero solo un 15% cree que su estructura asistencial se verá debilitada. Conclusiones Como consecuencia de la pandemia, la actividad asistencial e investigadora en cefaleas se ha reducido de manera notable. Esto pone de manifiesto la necesidad de un incremento de la oferta de telemedicina en nuestros centros en un futuro cercano.[EN] Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact on healthcare systems. Spain, where headache is the main reason for outpatient neurology consultation, is one of the countries with the most reported cases of the disease. Objective This study aimed to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on headache units in Spain and to evaluate how neurologists see the future of these units. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of headache units during the sixth week of the state of alarm declared in Spain in response to the pandemic. Results The response rate was 74%, with the participation of centres with different characteristics and from all Autonomous Communities of Spain. Limitations in face-to-face activity were reported by 95.8% of centres, with preferential face-to-face consultation being maintained in 60.4%, and urgent procedures in 45.8%. In 91.7% of centres, the cancelled face-to-face activity was replaced by telephone consultation. 95.8% of respondents stated that they would use personal protection equipment in the future, and 86% intended to increase the use of telemedicine. The majority foresaw an increase in waiting lists (93.8% for initial consultations, 89.6% for follow-up, and 89.4% for procedures) and a worse clinical situation for patients, but only 15% believed that their healthcare structures would be negatively affected in the future. Conclusions As a consequence of the pandemic, headache care and research activity has reduced considerably. This demonstrates the need for an increase in the availability of telemedicine in our centres in the near future

Prediction of patient's response to OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment for migraine

Migraine affects the daily life of millions of people around the world. The most well-known disabling symptom associated with this illness is the intense headache. Nowadays, there are treatments that can diminish the level of pain. OnabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-A) has become a very popular medication for treating migraine headaches in those cases in which other medication is not working, typically in chronic migraines. Currently, the positive response to Botox treatment is not clearly understood, yet understanding the mechanisms that determine the effectiveness of the treatment could help with the development of more effective treatments.To solve this problem, this paper sets up a realistic scenario of electronic medical records of migraineurs under BoNT-A treatment where some clinical features from real patients are labeled by doctors. Medical registers have been preprocessed. A label encoding method based on simulated annealing has been proposed. Two methodologies for predicting the results of the first and the second infiltration of the BoNT-A based treatment are contempled. Firstly, a strategy based on the medical HIT6 metric is described, which achieves an accuracy over 91%. Secondly, when this value is not available, several classifiers and clustering methods have been performed in order to predict the reduction and adverse effects, obtaining an accuracy of 85%. Some clinical features as Greater occipital nerves (GON), chronic migraine time evolution and others have been detected as relevant features when examining the prediction models. The GON and the retroocular component have also been described as important features according to doctors