Determination of amino acid content and its enantiomeric composition in honey samples from Mendoza, Argentina

The amino acid (AA) content in honeys from Mendoza (Argentina) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and the relative quantities of D- and L-AAs were determined by chiral gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The results showed that proline was the most abundant AA in all analyzed samples, followed by phenylalanine. Based on the AA content, different chemometric tools were assessed for provenance differentiation. The unsupervised chemometric methods, however, could not differentiate unquestionably the geographical origin of honey based only on their AA content. Enantiomeric ratio demonstrated that D-proline amount was lower than D-phenylalanine levels in practically all honey samples. In addition, D-enantiomers of alanine, valine, glutamic acid, leucine, and isoleucine were found in most samples. The study demonstrated that certain D-AAs can occur naturally in this foodstuff, probably, as a consequence of the Maillard reaction, which is not dependent on microorganism actions. Novelty impact statement: The amino acid content in honey samples from Mendoza was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Proline and phenylalanine were the more abundant amino acid. Amino acid enantiomeric ratio was assessed by chiral gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. D-amino acids can occur naturally in the honey samples from Mendoza (Argentina). Chemometric tools were applied to discriminate samples from the geographical origin.Fil: Quintas, Pamela Yanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas. - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Keunchkarian, Sonia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Métodos Analíticos. - Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Métodos Analíticos; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Lilian. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Métodos Analíticos. - Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Métodos Analíticos; ArgentinaFil: Canizo, Brenda Vanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas. - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Wuilloud, Rodolfo German. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas. - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Castells, Cecilia Beatriz Marta. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Métodos Analíticos. - Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Métodos Analíticos; Argentin

Cutaneous Allodynia in Migraine: A Narrative Review

Cutaneous allodynia; Risk factors; TreatmentAlodinia cutánea; Factores de riesgo; TratamientoAlodínia cutània; Factors de risc; TractamentObjective: In the present work, we conduct a narrative review of the most relevant literature on cutaneous allodynia (CA) in migraine. Background: CA is regarded as the perception of pain in response to non-noxious skin stimulation. The number of research studies relating to CA and migraine has increased strikingly over the last few decades. Therefore, the clinician treating migraine patients must recognize this common symptom and have up-to-date knowledge of its importance from the pathophysiological, diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic point of view. Methods: We performed a comprehensive narrative review to analyze existing literature regarding CA in migraine, with a special focus on epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment methods, risk for chronification, diagnosis and management. PubMed and the Cochrane databases were used for the literature search. Results: The prevalence of CA in patients with migraine is approximately 60%. The mechanisms underlying CA in migraine are not completely clarified but include a sensitization phenomenon at different levels of the trigemino-talamo-cortical nociceptive pathway and dysfunction of brainstem and cortical areas that modulate thalamocortical inputs. The gold standard for the assessment of CA is quantitative sensory testing (QST), but the validated Allodynia 12-item questionnaire is preferred in clinical setting. The presence of CA is associated with an increased risk of migraine chronification and has therapeutic implications. Conclusions: CA is a marker of central sensitization in patients with migraine that has been associated with an increased risk of chronification and may influence therapeutic decisions

Effectiveness and safety of anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies in patients over 65 years: a real-life multicentre analysis of 162 patients

Background Anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies have shown notable effectiveness and tolerability in migraine patients; however, data on their use in elderly patients is still lacking, as clinical trials have implicit age restrictions and real-world evidence is scarce. In this study, we aimed to describe the safety and effectiveness of erenumab, galcanezumab and fremanezumab in migraine patients over 65 years old in real-life. Methods In this observational real-life study, a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 18 different headache units in Spain was performed. Migraine patients who started treatment with any anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody after the age of 65 years were included. Primary endpoints were reduction in monthly migraine days after 6 months of treatment and the presence of adverse effects. Secondary endpoints were reductions in headache and medication intake frequencies by months 3 and 6, response rates, changes in patient-reported outcomes and reasons for discontinuation. As a subanalysis, reduction in monthly migraine days and proportion of adverse effects were also compared among the three monoclonal antibodies. Results A total of 162 patients were included, median age 68 years (range 65-87), 74.1% women. 42% had dyslipidaemia, 40.3% hypertension, 8% diabetes, and 6.2% previous cardiovascular ischaemic disease. The reduction in monthly migraine days at month 6 was 10.17.3 days. A total of 25.3% of patients presented adverse effects, all of them mild, with only two cases of blood pressure increase. Headache and medication intake frequencies were significantly reduced, and patient-reported outcomes were improved. The proportions of responders were 68%, 57%, 33% and 9% for reductions in monthly migraine days >= 30%,>= 50%,>= 75% and 100%, respectively. A total of 72.8% of patients continued with the treatment after 6 months. The reduction in migraine days was similar for the different anti-CGRP treatments, but fewer adverse effects were detected with fremanezumab (7.7%). Conclusions Anti-CGRP mAbs are safe and effective treatments in migraine patients over 65 years old in real-life clinical practice

Pharmacological Stimulation of Edar Signaling in the Adult Enhances Sebaceous Gland Size and Function

Impaired ectodysplasin A (EDA) receptor (EDAR) signaling affects ectodermally derived structures including teeth, hair follicles, and cutaneous glands. The X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), resulting from EDA deficiency, can be rescued with lifelong benefits in animal models by stimulation of ectodermal appendage development with EDAR agonists. Treatments initiated later in the developmental period restore progressively fewer of the affected structures. It is unknown whether EDAR stimulation in adults with XLHED might have beneficial effects. In adult Eda mutant mice treated for several weeks with agonist anti-EDAR antibodies, we find that sebaceous gland size and function can be restored to wild-type levels. This effect is maintained upon chronic treatment but reverses slowly upon cessation of treatment. Sebaceous glands in all skin regions respond to treatment, although to varying degrees, and this is accompanied in both Eda mutant and wild-type mice by sebum secretion to levels higher than those observed in untreated controls. Edar is expressed at the periphery of the glands, suggesting a direct homeostatic effect of Edar stimulation on the sebaceous gland. Sebaceous gland size and sebum production may serve as biomarkers for EDAR stimulation, and EDAR agonists may improve skin dryness and eczema frequently observed in XLHED

Proyección internacional de la investigación española en comunicación (1970-2008)

Las agencias de evaluación del profesorado otorgan un gran peso a la cantidad y calidad de la difusión de los resultados de la investigación. El ámbito internacional es especialmente significativo en esta valoración. El contexto de construcción del EEES le confiere aún mayor protagonismo. Este trabajo muestra la producción científica española en comunicación entre 1970 y 2008 y la compara con otros países europeos con el fin de conocer nuestra proyección internacional. La metodología se basa en los análisis bibliométricos del CSIC. Se utiliza la Web of Science (WoS), en concreto, el SSCI y el AHCI. Se seleccionan sólo los “ítems citables” (artículos y revisiones) y se cuantifican los artículos publicados en comunicación en el ámbito nacional a través de la base ISOC con el objeto de reforzar las conclusiones del estudio.Teacher rating agencies give great importance to the amount and quality of the diffusion of research results. The international projection of the research is decisive in this rating. The development of the European Space for Higher Education makes this even more relevant. This work surveys the Spanish scientific production in the field of communication between 1970 and 2008 and compares it to that from other European countries so to know our international projection. The applied methodology is based on CSIC’s bibliometric analysis. Web of Science (WoS) is used, specifically SSCI and AHCI databases. Only citable items (articles and reviews) are selected. To reinforce the conclusions of this study, national articles published in communication according to ISOC database were counted

Ongrowing of Artemia for the feeding of the long-snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier 1829 in captivity

4 pages, 1 table, 2 figures.-- XI Congreso Nacional de Acuicultura, Vigo 25-28 de septiembre de 2007[EN] A methodology is described for the ongrowing of Artemia as live food for the long-snouted seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus. Artemia nauplii were hatched and fed for 15 days considering the following variables: initial nauplii density (1, 2 and 3 nauplii/ml) and food level (x1, x2 y x3). Feeding consisted on Isochrysis galbana, dried Spirulina and Prolon, depending on the growing stage. Survival and growth (length and weight) of Artemia specimens were monitored, and harvested biomass was analysed for fatty acid content. The results show that the best overall performances were achieved with an initial density of 2 nauplii ml-1 (50.000 nauplii) and x2 feeding dose. Under such conditions, the biomass of adult specimens of Artemia produced allowed the feeding of 30-60 adult seahorses for 7 days[ES] Se describe una metodología para el engorde de Artemia como alimento para el caballito de mar narizón Hippocampus guttulatus. Los nauplios de Artemia se alimentaron durante 15 días en función de las siguientes variables: densidad inicial de nauplios (1, 2 y 3 nauplios/ml) y dosis de alimento (x1, x2 y x3). La alimentación consistió en Isochrysis galbana, Spirulina seca y Prolon, dependiendo de la fase de crecimiento. Se analizaron la supervivencia de los ejemplares de Artemia hasta su estado adulto, el crecimiento (peso y longitud), la biomasa producida y su composición en ácidos grasos. Los mejores rendimientos se obtuvieron con una densidad inicial de 2 nauplios ml-1 (50.000 nauplios) y una dosis de alimento x2. En esas condiciones es posible producir la biomasa de Artemia adulta necesaria para la alimentación de 30-60 caballitos adultos durante 7 díasEste trabajo ha sido realizado por el Proyecto Hippocampus (Proyecto CGL2005-05927-C03-01, MEC, Plan Nacional I+D+I 2004-2007)N

Ongrowing and enhancement of n-3 HUFA profile in adult Artemia: short vs long-time enrichment

12 páginas, 2 figuras, 7 tablasThe use of adult Artemia is uncommon in aquaculture and limited to feeding adults of species not accepting inert diets. The aim of the present study was the development of a standardized technique for adult Artemia production in small volumes (25–100 L), and the assessment of ongrowing and enrichment diets for enhancement of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) content. We firstly assessed the effect of initial nauplii density (1, 2, and 3 nauplii mL−1) and food dose (x1, x2, and x3 quantities of mixed Tisochrysis lutea, Spirulina, and Prolon) for production of Artemia. Intermediate nauplii densities and food doses yielded the best overall results (44–46% survival; 5.6–5.9-mm length; 365–456 μg Artemia−1). Secondly, four diets (mixtures of Tisochrysis lutea, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Spirulina sp., Prolon, and Red Pepper) were tested for ongrowing. Ten short-time enrichments (STEs; 30 h) and a long-time enrichment (LTE; 9 days) were also assayed for n-3 HUFA (Highly unsaturated fatty acids) enhancement. The improvement in n-3 HUFA was rather limited in STE. However, LTE on a mixture of P. tricornutum, Prolon, and Red Pepper (regardless of further STE) in ongrowing Artemia yielded the highest contents in total fatty acids and in 20:4n-6 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, and 22:6n-3. The quality of LTE Artemia was based on an equilibrated dietary source of protein (Spirulina), 20:5n-3 (P. tricornutum), and 22:6n-3 (Red Pepper). STE Artemia had a quality similar or even higher than that of captured zooplankton, and its use in our laboratory for the feeding of seahorses significantly enhanced breeding and newborn qualityThis study has received funding by the Spanish Ministry Of Science And Technology (Proyecto Hippocampus; CGL2005-05927-C03-01) and the Regional Government of Galicia (Xunta de Galicia; PGIDIT06PXIC402106PN). P. Quintas was supported by a postdoctoral JAE-Doc/JAE-PhD contract from the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), co-financed by the European Social Fund, and C. Silva was granted an Erasmus scholarship (Erasmus 29154-IC-1-2007-1-PT-ERASMUS-EUC-1)Peer reviewe

Inteligencia artificial en migraña y otras cefaleas

La inteligencia artificial (IA) puede ser de gran utilidad en el diagnóstico de los distintos tipos de cefalea gracias a herramientas automatizadas basadas en los actuales criterios diagnósticos que faciliten el cribado de los pacientes hacia niveles de atención médica más o menos especializada. La IA también puede facilitar la detección precoz de las crisis de dolor mediante su uso combinado con dispositivos portátiles. Por último, la IA permite detectar factores predictores de respuesta a tratamientos al identificar patrones y correlaciones. Todo ello hace de la IA una herramienta prometedora y útil para mejorar la atención médica y la calidad de vida de los pacientes con cefalea de forma complementaria al método clínico clásico

Cutaneous Allodynia in Migraine : A Narrative Review

In the present work, we conduct a narrative review of the most relevant literature on cutaneous allodynia (CA) in migraine. CA is regarded as the perception of pain in response to non-noxious skin stimulation. The number of research studies relating to CA and migraine has increased strikingly over the last few decades. Therefore, the clinician treating migraine patients must recognize this common symptom and have up-to-date knowledge of its importance from the pathophysiological, diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic point of view. We performed a comprehensive narrative review to analyze existing literature regarding CA in migraine, with a special focus on epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment methods, risk for chronification, diagnosis and management. PubMed and the Cochrane databases were used for the literature search. The prevalence of CA in patients with migraine is approximately 60%. The mechanisms underlying CA in migraine are not completely clarified but include a sensitization phenomenon at different levels of the trigemino-talamo-cortical nociceptive pathway and dysfunction of brainstem and cortical areas that modulate thalamocortical inputs. The gold standard for the assessment of CA is quantitative sensory testing (QST), but the validated Allodynia 12-item questionnaire is preferred in clinical setting. The presence of CA is associated with an increased risk of migraine chronification and has therapeutic implications. CA is a marker of central sensitization in patients with migraine that has been associated with an increased risk of chronification and may influence therapeutic decisions