Effects of combined Transcranial direct current stimulation with cognitive training in girls with Rett syndrome

Background: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) combined with traditional rehabilitative techniques has not been widely applied to Rett Syndrome (RTT). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of combined cognitive traditional training with tDCS applied to attention and language measures in subjects with RTT. Methods: 31 subjects with RTT were randomly allocated into two groups: Non-sham tDCS (n = 18) and sham tDCS (n = 13). The former received the integrated intervention non-sham tDCS plus cognitive empowerment during the treatment phase. The latter received sham stimulation plus cognitive empowerment. All participants underwent neurological and cognitive assessment to evaluate attention and language measures: Before integrated treatment (pre-test phase), at the conclusion of the treatment (post-test phase), and at 1 month after the conclusion of the treatment (follow-up phase). Results: The results indicated longer attention time in the non-sham tDCS group compared to the sham tDCS group with a stable trend also in the follow-up phase; an increase of the number of vowel/phoneme sounds in the non-sham tDCS group; and an improvement in the neurophysiological parameters in the non-sham tDCS group. Conclusions: This study supports the use of tDCS as a promising and alternative approach in the RTT rehabilitation field

Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation in neurological disease

Several studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with neurological diseases, including dementia, epilepsy, post-stroke dysfunctions, movement disorders, and other pathological conditions. Because of this technique's ability to modify cerebellar excitability without significant side effects, cerebellar tDCS is a new, interesting, and powerful tool to induce plastic modifications in the cerebellum. In this report, we review a number of interesting studies on the application of cerebellar tDCS for various neurological conditions (ataxia, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, essential tremor) and the possible mechanism by which the stimulation acts on the cerebellum. Study findings indicate that cerebellar tDCS is a promising therapeutic tool in treating several neurological disorders; however, this method's efficacy appears to be limited, given the current data

Caracterização molecular de variedades crioulas de pimentas (Capsicum baccatum) com marcadores microssatélites.

Atualmente, muitas variedades crioulas de Capsicum baccatum são cultivadas pelos agricultores no Brasil. Essas populações são fontes de genes para tolerância ou resistência aos estresses bióticos e abióticos. Porém, grande parte dessas variedades está sendo perdida devido à erosão genética causada pela substituição de cultivares. A fim de conservar e caracterizar as variedades crioulas, a Embrapa Clima Temperados mantém, desde 2002, um Banco ativo de Germoplasma de Capsicum. Com objetivo de caracterizar variedades de C. baccatum com marcadores meleculares de microssatélites, foram analisados vinte acessos que integram o acervo do Banco Ativo Germoplasma de Capsicum da Embrapa Clima Temperado

Carotenoides totais em acessos de Cucurbita maxima do banco ativo de germoplasma de cucurbitáceas da embrapa clima temperado.

Os agricultores do Sul do Brasil cultivam uma grande diversidade de variedades crioulas de abóboras (Cucurbita moschata, C. maxima, C. pepo, C. ficifolia e C. argyrosperma).Os frutos de Cucurbita maxima são uma rica fonte de nutrientes importantes para a saúde humana, dentre os quais se destacam os carotenoides. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o teor de carotenoides totais em acessos de Cucurbita maxima do Banco Ativo de Germoplasma (BAG) de Cucurbitáceas da Embrapa Clima Temperado. Foram analisados nove acessos de variedades crioulas procedentes do Sul do Brasil. Para a determinação do teor de carotenoides totais foi utilizado o método de Talcott e Howard com modificações. Os resultados foram calculados através de uma curva padrão de ?-caroteno e expressos em ?g de ?-caroteno por gramas de amostra fresca. As médias obtidas para cada uma das determinações foram comparadas entre si pelo teste de Duncan a 5% de probabilidade. O acesso com maior valor médio de carotenoides totais apresentou 221,92 ?g/g, enquanto que o menor valor de carotenoides totais encontrado foi de 22,64 ?g/g. O BAG da Embrapa Clima Temperado conserva acessos de C. maxima com variabilidade genética para teores de carotenoides totais na polpa de frutos maduros