The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening test for cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis

This study investigates the utility of the Portuguese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a screening-method for identifying cognitive dysfunction (CD) in multiple sclerosis (MS). The 118 participants with comprehensive neuropsychological assessment were divided into two subgroups: (I) MS group (n = 59) and (II) control group (n = 59). The MS patients were classified as cognitively intact (n = 26) or impaired (n = 33, 56%). The results indicated that the MoCA is a psychometrically valid instrument in assessment of MS patients. The Multiple Linear Regression analyses highlighted the significant influence of Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and Irregular Word Reading Test on MoCA performance. The MoCA total score showed a good discriminative capacity between cognitively impaired and cognitively intact subjects. In addition, there were significant differences in MoCA cognitive domain scores between groups. The MoCA total score cut-off point for identifying CD in MS patients was a score below 26 points (AUC = 0.837, CI = 0.736-0.937). A proposed EM-MoCA-Subscore for identifying the MS-related cognitive impairment (max. score = 19 points, cut-off <17 points, AUC = 0.871, CI = 0.784-0.958), can reduce administration time for cognitive screening in clinical settings. The MoCA is a useful and sensitive instrument to identify the MS-related cognitive impairment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CSF Tau proteins reduce misdiagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease suspected cases with inconclusive 14-3-3 result

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3 protein supports sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob (sCJD) diagnosis, but often leads to weak-positive results and lacks standardization. In this study, we explored the added diagnostic value of Total Tau (t-Tau) and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) in sCJD diagnosis, particularly in the cases with inconclusive 14-3-3 result. 95 definite sCJD and 287 patients without prion disease (non-CJD) were included in this study. CSF samples were collected in routine clinical diagnosis and analysed for 14-3-3 detection by Western blot (WB). CSF t-Tau and p-Tau were quantified by commercial ELISA kits and PRNP and APOE genotyping assessed by PCR-RFLP. In a regression analysis of the whole cohort, 14-3-3 protein revealed an overall accuracy of 82 % (sensitivity = 96.7 %; specificity = 75.6 %) for sCJD. Regarding 14-3-3 clear positive results, we observed no added value either of t-Tau alone or p-Tau/t-Tau ratio in the model. On the other hand, considering 14-3-3 weak-positive cases, t-Tau protein increased the overall accuracy of 14-3-3 alone from 91 to 94 % and specificity from 74 to 93 % (p < 0.05), with no sensitivity improvement. However, inclusion of p-Tau/t-Tau ratio did not significantly improve the first model (p = 0.0595). Globally, t-Tau protein allowed a further discrimination of 65 % within 14-3-3 inconclusive results. Furthermore, PRNP MV genotype showed a trend to decrease 14-3-3 sensitivity (p = 0.051), but such effect was not seen on t-Tau protein. In light of these results, we suggest that t-Tau protein assay is of significant importance as a second marker in identifying 14-3-3 false-positive results among sCJD probable cases

EXPANDED BED ADSORPTION OF BROMELAIN (EC 3.4.22.33) FROM Ananas comosus CRUDE EXTRACT

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)This work focuses on the adsorption of Bromelain in expanded bed conditions, such as the adsorption kinetics parameters. The adsorption kinetics parameters showed that after 40 minutes equilibrium was achieved and maximum adsorption capacity was 6.11 U per resin mL. However, the maximum adsorption capacity was only determined by measuring the adsorption isotherm. Only by the Langmuir model the maximum adsorption capacity, Qm, and dissociation constant, kd, values could be estimated as 9.18 U/mL and 0.591, respectively, at 25 degrees C and 0.1 mol/L phosphate buffer pH 7.5. A column made of glass with an inner diameter of 1 cm was used for the expanded bed adsorption (EBA). The residence time was reduced 10 fold by increasing the expansion degree 2.5 times; nonetheless, the plate number (N) value was reduced only 2 fold. After adsorption, the bromelain was eluted in packed bed mode, with a downward flow. The purification factor was about 13 fold and the total protein was reduced 4 fold. EBA showed to be feasible for purification of bromelain.261149157Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Effects of a Peripheral Enamel Margin on the Long-term Bond Strength and Nanoleakage of Composite/Dentin Interfaces Produced by Self-adhesive and Conventional Resin Cements

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of peripheral enamel margins on the long-term bond strength (mu TBS) and nanoleakage in resin/dentin interfaces produced by self-adhesive and conventional resin cements. Materials and Methods: Five self-adhesive [RelyX-Unicem (UN), RelyX-U100 (UC), GCem (GC), Maxcem (MC), Set (SET)] and 2 conventional resin cements [RelyX-ARC(RX), Panavia F(PF)] were used. An additional group included the use of a two-step self-etching adhesive (SE Bond) with Panavia F (PS). One hundred ninety-two molars were assigned to 8 groups according to luting material. Five-mm-thick composite disks were cemented and assigned to 3 subgroups according to water-exposure condition (n = 6): 24-h peripheral exposure (24h-PE-enamel margins), or 1 year of peripheral (1yr-PE) or direct exposure (1yr-DE-dentin margin). Restored teeth were sectioned into beams and tested in tension at 1 mm/min. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Two additional specimens in each group were prepared for nanoleakage evaluation. Nanoleakage patterns were observed under SEM/TEM. Results: Except for RX, no significant reduction in mu TBS was observed between 24h-PE and 1yr-PE. 1yr-DE reduced mu TBS for RX, PF, GC, MC, and SET. No significant reduction in mu TBS was observed for PS, UC, and UN after 1 year. After 1yr-DE, RX and PS presented the highest mu TBS, and SET and MC the lowest. Nanoleakage was reduced when there was a peripheral enamel margin. SET and MC presented more silver deposition than other groups. Conclusion: The presence of a peripheral enamel margin reduced the degradation rate in resin/dentin interfaces for most materials. The mu TBS values produced by the multi-step luting agents RX and PS were significantly higher than those observed for self-adhesive cement143251263Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESP [2007/06083-4, 2007/06447-6

What Does It Drive the Relationship Between Suicides and Economic Conditions? New Evidence from Spain

In this paper we analyse suicides across the 17 Spanish regions over the period 2002?2013. In doing so, we estimate count panel data models considering gender differences taking into account before and during economic crisis periods. A range of aggregate socioeconomic regional-level factors have been considered. Our empirical results show that: (1) a socioeconomic urban?rural suicide differentials exist, (2) there exists a Mediterranean suicide pattern; and (3) unemployment levels have a marked importance during the crisis period. The results of this study may have usefulness for suicide prevention in Spain