Evidence of Increased Muscle Atrophy and Impaired Quality of Life Parameters in Patients with Uremic Restless Legs Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Restless Legs Syndrome is a very common disorder in hemodialysis patients. Restless Legs Syndrome negatively affects quality of life; however it is not clear whether this is due to mental or physical parameters and whether an association exists between the syndrome and parameters affecting survival. METHOD#ENTITYSTARTX003BF;LOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using the Restless Legs Syndrome criteria and the presence of Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS/h >15), 70 clinically stable hemodialysis patients were assessed and divided into the RLS (n = 30) and non-RLS (n = 40) groups. Physical performance was evaluated by a battery of tests: body composition by dual energy X ray absorptiometry, muscle size and composition by computer tomography, while depression symptoms, perception of sleep quality and quality of life were assessed through validated questionnaires. In this cross sectional analysis, the RLS group showed evidence of thigh muscle atrophy compared to the non-RLS group. Sleep quality and depression score were found to be significantly impaired in the RLS group. The mental component of the quality of life questionnaire appeared significantly diminished in the RLS group, reducing thus the overall quality of life score. In contrast, there were no significant differences between groups in any of the physical performance tests, body and muscle composition. CONCLUSIONS: The low level of quality of life reported by the HD patients with Restless Legs Syndrome seems to be due mainly to mental health and sleep related aspects. Increased evidence of muscle atrophy is also observed in the RLS group and possibly can be attributed to the lack of restorative sleep

Attraction of Chrysoperla carnea complex and Chrysopa spp. lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) to aphid sex pheromone components and a synthetic blend of floral compounds in Hungary

BACKGROUND: The deployment of synthetic attractants for the manipulation of lacewing populations as aphid predators is currently used in integrated pest management. This study investigates a synthetic bait comprising floral compounds previously found to attract the Chrysoperla carnea complex, and, for the first time, the aphid sex pheromone components (1R,4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactol and (4aS,7S,7aR)-nepetalactone, in field experiments in Hungary, for their ability to manipulate lacewing populations. RESULTS: The synthetic floral bait attracted both sexes of the Chrysoperla carnea complex, and Chrysopa formosa Brauer showed minimal attraction. The aphid sex pheromone compounds alone attracted males of C. formosa and C. pallens (Rambur). When the two baits were combined, Chrysopa catches were similar to those with aphid sex pheromone baits alone, but carnea complex catches decreased significantly (by 85-88%). CONCLUSION: As the floral bait alone attracted both sexes of the carnea complex, it showed potential to manipulate the location of larval density via altering the site of oviposition. Aphid sex pheromone compounds alone attracted predatory males of Chrysopa spp. and can potentially be used to enhance biological control of aphids. For the carnea complex, however, a combination of both baits is not advantageous because of the decrease in adults attracted. Assumptions of intraguild avoidance underlying this phenomenon are discussed. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industr

Restless legs syndrome does not affect 3-year mortality in hemodialysis patients

Objective: Uremic restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been related to an enhanced mortality of hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the general population studies of this association have yielded inconsistent results. The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate the relationship of RLS and mortality in HD patients. Methods: We recorded the 3-year mortality in 579 HD patients after assessment for RLS symptoms. This population has been previously evaluated for the prevalence of RLS, according to the essential criteria of the International RLS Study Group. Mortality data were acquired from the national end-stage renal disease registry. Survival probability was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed by the log-rank test. For multivariate survival analysis, we implemented a Cox regression model. Results: During the 3-year follow-up, we documented 118 deaths. Mortality was 15.6% in patients with RLS and 22.3% in patients without RLS (p = 0.079). According to the Cox regression analysis, there was no significant association between RLS and 3-year mortality, either in an age-and gender-adjusted model (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.772, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.488-1.219, p = 0.267) or in a multivariate adjusted model (HR = 0.667, 95% CI = 0.417-1.069, p = 0.092). Conclusion: Diagnosis of RLS according to the essential criteria of the International RLS Study Group does not seem to influence the 3-year mortality in HD patients. Our findings are in contrast to those in some previous reports, and reinforce the need for further studies of RLS and mortality in HD. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved