The Neuroprotective Disease-Modifying Potential of Psychotropics in Parkinson's Disease

Neuroprotective treatments in Parkinson's disease (PD) have remained elusive. Psychotropics are commonly prescribed in PD without regard to their pathobiological effects. The authors investigated the effects of psychotropics on pathobiological proteins, proteasomal activity, mitochondrial functions, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, trophic factors, stem cells, and neurogenesis. Only findings replicated in at least 2 studies were considered for these actions. Additionally, PD-related gene transcription, animal model, and human neuroprotective clinical trial data were reviewed. Results indicate that, from a PD pathobiology perspective, the safest drugs (i.e., drugs least likely to promote cellular neurodegenerative mechanisms balanced against their likelihood of promoting neuroprotective mechanisms) include pramipexole, valproate, lithium, desipramine, escitalopram, and dextromethorphan. Fluoxetine favorably affects transcription of multiple genes (e.g., MAPT, GBA, CCDC62, HIP1R), although it and desipramine reduced MPTP mouse survival. Haloperidol is best avoided. The most promising neuroprotective investigative priorities will involve disease-modifying trials of the safest agents alone or in combination to capture salutary effects on H3 histone deacetylase, gene transcription, glycogen synthase kinase-3, α-synuclein, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), apoptosis, inflammation, and trophic factors including GDNF and BDNF

Idade e crescimento do boca-negra, Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809) dos Açores

A idade e o crescimento de boca-negra, Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809), foram estudadas pela observação dos otólitos (sagittae) esquerdos inteiros (n = 401) obtidos de exemplares (14-47 cm de comprimento total) capturados em águas Açoreanas. Enumeraram-se os anéis opacos observados na face anti-sulcal dos otólitos. Os intervalos de idades foram 3-14 anos para machos e 3-12 anos para fêmeas. Estimaram-se e compararam-se os parâmetros da equação de crescimento de von Bertalanffy, entre sexos e entre métodos (leitura directa de otólitos, retrocálculo e análise de distribuições de frequências de comprimentos). Não se verificaram diferenças importantes. Os resultados são diferentes da literatura publicada para a região. Discutem-se as causas e implicações dos resultados obtidos.ABSTRACT: Bluemouth, Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Delaroche, 1809), age and growth were studied by whole-view examination of left sagittae (n = 401) obtained from specimens (14-47 cm in total length) caught off the Azores. Opaque rings observed on the anti-sulcal surface of sagittae were enumerated as age estimates. Ages ranged from 3 to 14 years in males and 3 to 12 years in females. The von Bertalanffy growth equation was fitted to average length at age data, and compared between sexes and methods (direct examination of otoliths, backcalculation and length-frequency analysis). No important differences in growth between sexes were found. Results are different from published literature for the region. The causes and implications of the results are discussed

Early psychiatric morbidity in a Brazilian sample of acute ischemic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE: Stroke is a major public health problem worldwide, and its neuropsychiatric sequelae are frequent and disabling. Furthermore, there is evidence that these sequelae impair recovery. Brazil has the highest stroke rates in Latin America, but data on the frequency of neuropsychiatric disorders in these patients are scarce. This study aimed to identify mental disorders among in-hospital patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus (MINI-Plus) was applied to 60 patients during the first week of hospitalization. RESULTS: Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in 55% of the patients. A wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders have been identified, mainly mood and anxiety disorders. Specifically, we identified major depression (26.7%), alcohol abuse or dependence (11.7%), specific phobia (8.3%), generalized anxiety disorder (6.7%), psychosis (5.0%), social phobia (3.3%), adjustment disorder (3.3%) and panic disorder (1.7%). CONCLUSION: Psychiatric comorbidity should be evaluated as part of the rehabilitation of stroke patients and should be carefully examined by physicians

Piolhos hematófagos podem disseminar infecção pelo Trypanosoma cruzi em babuínos

Trypanosoma cruzi (Schyzotrypanum, Chagas, 1909), and Chagas disease are endemic in captive-reared baboons at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, Texas. We obtained PCR amplification products from DNA extracted from sucking lice collected from the hair and skin of T. cruzi-infected baboons, with specific nested sets of primers for the protozoan kinetoplast DNA, and nuclear DNA. These products were hybridized to their complementary internal sequences. Selected sequences were cloned and sequencing established the presence of T. cruzi nuclear DNA, and minicircle kDNA. Competitive PCR with a kDNA set of primers determined the quantity of approximately 23.9 ± 18.2 T. cruzi per louse. This finding suggests that the louse may be a vector incidentally contributing to the dissemination of T. cruzi infection in the baboon colony.As infecções pelo Trypanosoma cruzi e a doença de Chagas são endêmicas em babuínos (Papio hamadryas) reproduzidos em cativeiro na Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, em Santo Antonio, Texas. Nós obtivemos produtos de amplificação por PCR do DNA extraído de piolhos colhidos do cabelo e da pele de babuínos chagásicos, com primers aneladores específicos para DNAs nuclear e de cinetoplasto do protozoário. Esses produtos foram hibridizados com suas respectivas seqüências internas complementares. Seqüências selecionadas foram clonadas e o sequenciamento demonstrou a presença de DNA nuclear de T. cruzi, e de minicírculo de kDNA. A PCR competitiva com primers de kDNA determinou a quantidade de aproximadamente 23.9 ± 18.2 T. cruzi por piolho. Este achado sugere que o piolho pode ser um vetor contribuindo para a disseminação de T. cruzi na colônia de babuínos

Antibacterial activity of crude methanolic extract and fractions obtained from Larrea tridentata leaves

Larrea tridentata (Zygophyllaceae), commonly known as creosote bush, is a plant that grows in semiarid areas of Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico and was traditionally used for medicinal purposes. This plantis a notable source of natural compounds with approximately 50% of the leaves (dry weight) being extractable matter. This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the crude methanolic extract (CME) and fractions [hexane (H), dicloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA) and ethanol (Et)] obtained from Larrea tridentata leaves. A preliminary study of the antibacterial activity was performed using the agar diffusion method against six strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The micro-dilution method was applied for the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of selected bacteria strains. HPLC analyses of tested samples were also carried out. The antibacterial activity of the tested samples was noticeable more effective inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive bacteria comparing with Gram-negative bacteria, by the CME, DCM and EA fractions. EA fraction showed the highest antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from secretion; with a MIC value (31.3 μg/mL) lower than the reference antibiotic tetracycline (64 μg/mL). Low MIC values (62.5 μg/mL) were also obtained for crude methanolic extract and DCM fraction compared to tetracycline. The highest concentrations of quercetin, kaempferol and nordihydroguaiaretic acid were observed in CME (8.67, 21.52 and 35.75 mg/g, respectively); nevertheless, EA fraction also showed considerable levels of these compounds compared with the remaining fractions. Other compounds were observed in the HPLC chromatograms and further studies are needed in order to identify them. The antibacterial activity of the samples studied might be explained by the synergistic or additive effects of several components rather than arising from a single compound. In conclusion, EA fraction showed the most promising results against the bacterial strain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which represents an important step for the search and development of a new antibacterial agent. Nevertheless, further toxicological and pharmacological studies are needed in order to confirm the hypothesis of using phytochemicals from Larrea tridentata leaves

Crenças populares relativas à doença de Chagas em uma comunidade de área endêmica do Brasil

A doença de Chagas persiste como importante problema de saúde pública em grande parte da América Latina. No Brasil, vários segmentos da população apresentam taxas de infecção pelo Trypanosoma cruzi que chegam até 65%, sugerindo que os programas de controle ainda são necessários. Há poucos dados disponíveis sobre as crenças populares relativas à doença de Chagas entre comunidades com altas taxas de infecção. Tais crenças podem ter um impacto significativo sobre a eficácia das intervenções. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as crenças relativas à doença de Chagas numa população com altas taxas de infecção pelo agente etiológico da doença. A população-alvo do estudo foi composta de moradores da Posse, uma comunidade rural no Estado de Goiás. Os resultados indicam que a maioria da população tinha um alto grau de conhecimento quanto à doença de Chagas e seu vetor. Os achados apontam para a eficácia dos componentes educativos dos programas de controle implementados pelo Ministério da Saúde.Chagas’ disease remains a major public health concern throughout much of Latin America. In Brazil, segments of the population experience Trypanosoma cruzi infection rates as high as 65%, indicating that control programs are still needed. Few data are available concerning people’s health beliefs related to Chagas’ disease in heavily infected populations. Such health beliefs may significantly impact the effectiveness of intervention schemes. The purpose of this study was to assess health beliefs related to Chagas’ disease in a population experiencing high infection rates with the causal parasite. The focal population for the study consisted of the residents of Posse, a rural community in the State of Goiás. The results indicate that a majority of the population had a high degree of knowledge about Chagas’ disease and the vector involved in its transmission. These findings indicate that control programs conducted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health have included effective educational components