A comparison between hearing and tone burst electrophysiological thresholds

SummaryStudies have reported compatibility between hearing and electrophysiological thresholds in the auditory brainstem response (ABR) with tone burst stimuli.Aimsto verify waves I, III, V and their latency times for tone bursts at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz and at 80 dB HL, and to compare tone burst electrophysiological thresholds with those obtained from audiological and psychoacoustic evaluations.Methodsaudiological, psychoacoustic and electrophysiological evaluations of 40 male and female normal hearing individuals aged between 18 and 40 years were undertaken.Resultsonly wave V was visualized at 80 dB HL and its latency values decreased with increased frequencies in both genders. At 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz male subjects presented higher electrophysiological thresholds values than females at all frequencies. At 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz, electrophysiological, hearing, and psychoacoustic thresholds were statistically different in both genders.Conclusionalthough ABR with tone burst stimulus is clinically applicable, further research is needed to standardize test techniques and results

Chemical–physical characteristics, polyphenolic content and total antioxidant activity of three Italian-grown pomegranate cultivars

Background In Mediterranean countries, there is an increasing demand for pomegranate fruits due to their antioxidant properties and nutritional values. The large diffusion of new genotypes and cultivars requires the knowledge of all fruit characteristics in connection with the cultivation area, to satisfy the market demand. This study seeks to determine the fruit quality attributes and nutraceutical values of three pomegranate cultivars (Wonderful, Acco and Kamel) grown in the Mediterranean climate. Methods The fruits were evaluated for their main physico-chemical traits (weight, volume, height, width, thickness, total arils number, total arils weight, juiciness, fruit index, peel index and total soluble solids content/titratable acidity ratio), bioactive compounds (total phenolic content and total anthocyanin content) and antioxidant activities (radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing power). Results: The data showed that Acco fruit is bigger, juicier and sweeter when compared with the cultivars Wonderful and Kamel. Wonderful is the smallest, least juicy and least sweet but the reddest among all the studied cultivars. Regarding the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing power), cultivar Wonderful has the highest values and cultivar Acco contains the most anthocyanin content. Conclusions This study showed that pomegranate cultivars grown in the Mediterranean area exhibit an appreciable quality, but there are significant differences in quality properties of the arils and juice

Science and Healthy Meals in the World: Nutritional Epigenomics and Nutrigenetics of the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet (MD), UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has become a scientific topic of high interest due to its health benefits. The aim of this review is to pick up selected studies that report nutrigenomic or nutrigenetic data and recapitulate some of the biochemical/genomic/genetic aspects involved in the positive health effects of the MD. These include (i) the antioxidative potential of its constituents with protective effects against several diseases; (ii) the epigenetic and epigenomic effects exerted by food components, such as Indacaxanthin, Sulforaphane, and 3-Hydroxytyrosol among others, and their involvement in the modulation of miRNA expression; (iii) the existence of predisposing or protective human genotypes due to allelic diversities and the impact of the MD on disease risk. A part of the review is dedicated to the nutrigenomic effects of the main cooking methods used in the MD and also to a comparative analysis of the nutrigenomic properties of the MD and other diet regimens and non-MD-related aliments. Taking all the data into account, the traditional MD emerges as a diet with a high antioxidant and nutrigenomic modulation power, which is an example of the "Environment-Livings-Environment" relationship and an excellent patchwork of interconnected biological actions working toward human health

Interrelación del personal del Área Quirúrgica en pacientes con trastorno del espectro autista en el Sanatorio Anchorena San Martín

En el presente trabajo de investigación se abordó como tema principal el trastorno del espectro autista, como también el conocimiento de distintos tipos de vinculación con respecto a la comunicación, disposición de protocolos dentro del área quirúrgica, manejo del paciente y formación de los profesionales. Aplicado en pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente sea en cirugías de forma programada como en cirugías de urgencia, donde el personal de salud en su mayoría no cuenta con información y no posee capacitación para la contención y vinculación con dichos pacientes, dejando así un vacío entre profesional de salud y cada paciente. Como objetivo principal se planteó la determinación de conocimientos y diversas formas de comunicación del personal quirúrgico del Sanatorio Anchorena San Martín durante el periodo 2022. Dicha investigación siguió un diseño metodológico, cuantitativo y descriptivo. Los datos fueron recolectados mediante una encuesta realizada al personal sanitario quienes fueron tomados como población y muestra para la investigación y los mismos se organizaron en tablas y gráficos. Los resultados obtenidos estadísticamente, demuestran en general un desconocimiento sobre el trastorno del espectro autista, como así también en modos de vinculación, falta de capacitación y empleo de protocolos a seguir para dichos casos

Audiologic and electrophysiologic evaluation in children with psychiatric disorders

Indivíduos com transtornos psiquiátricos podem apresentar distúrbios perceptuais, de atenção e memória, questionando-se a presença de perdas auditivas periféricas e/ou centrais. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é descrever os resultados obtidos nas avaliações audiológica e eletrofisiológica, verificando a ocorrência de alterações auditivas periféricas e/ou centrais nesta população. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 20 indivíduos com autismo e síndrome de Asperger, e 20 indivíduos em desenvolvimento típico, entre oito e 19 anos. RESULTADOS: Todos os indivíduos apresentaram resultados normais na avaliação audiológica. No PEATE, 50% dos indivíduos com autismo e 30% com síndrome de Asperger apresentaram alterações, havendo diferença estatisticamente significante na análise dos dados quantitativos em ambos os grupos. Em todos os grupos verificaram-se alterações no PEAML e P300. No PEAML, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos na análise dos dados quantitativos e qualitativos. No P300, observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante quando comparados os grupos controle e síndrome de Asperger na análise dos dados quantitativos. CONCLUSÃO: Verificou-se grande ocorrência de alterações nos potenciais evocados auditivos em crianças autistas e com síndrome de Asperger, embora em algumas análises realizadas não tenha sido constatada diferença estatisticamente significante. Enfatiza-se a importância da investigação minuciosa da função auditiva em indivíduos com transtornos psiquiátricos.Individuals with psychiatric disorders can present perception, attention and memory deficits, raising doubts about peripheral and/or central hearing loss. Thus, the aim of this study is to describe the audiological and electrophysiological results of individuals with psychiatric disorders, looking for peripheral and/or central auditory disorders. METHODS: 20 individuals with autism and Asperger syndrome and 20 individuals without psychiatric disorders from eight to 19 years of age, were submitted to audiological and electrophysiological evaluation. RESULTS: No alterations were observed on the audiological evaluation in all the individuals. In ABR, 50% of individuals with autism and 30% with Asperger syndrome presented alterations. Significant statistical differences were observed between the groups in the quantitative analysis. All groups presented alterations in AMLR and P300. In AMLR, no significant statistical differences were observed between the groups in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. In the P300, we noticed significant statistical differences between Asperger and control groups in the quantitative analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A high occurrence of alterations in auditory evoked potentials was seen in children with psychiatric disorders, although in some analysis it was observed a non-statistically significant difference when comparing study and control groups. We stress the need for a more careful investigation of the auditory function in this population.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Middle and late latency auditory evoked potentials in adults with AIDS

BACKGROUND: middle and late latency auditory evoked potentials. AIM: to verify the occurrence of middle and late latency auditory evoked potentials disorders in adults with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). METHOD: middle and late latency auditory evoked potentials of 8 individuals with AIDS, with ages ranging from 10 to 51 years, with normal hearing, or with sensoryneural hearing losses up to moderate, and normal results in the Auditory Brainstem Response, comparing the results with the responses obtained for a control group which was composed by 25 individuals, with ages ranging from 19 to 24 years, with no hearing complaints and with normal hearing and normal results in the Auditory Brainstem Response. RESULTS: the Pa wave latency and amplitude averages in the C3/A2 and C4/A1 modalities, and the average of the P300 wave were analyzed. No significant differences were observed in the Pa wave amplitude and latency averages between the groups, although a non-statistically significant increase was observed in the latency and a decrease in the amplitude of such wave for the research group in the C3/A2 modality. The latency of the P300 wave was significantly longer to the left for the research group. It was also observed a longer latency to the right, although this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: adult individuals with AIDS do not present alterations in the middle latency auditory evoked potential and do present alterations in the cognitive potential, indicating a disorder in the cortical regions of the auditory pathway and a deficit in the cognitive processing of auditory information for this population. Such findings stress the importance of a careful investigation of the auditory function of individuals with AIDS, thus favoring the therapeutic planning.TEMA: potenciais evocados auditivos de média e longa latências. OBJETIVO: verificar a ocorrência de alterações nos potenciais evocados auditivos de média e longa latências em indivíduos adultos portadores da síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS). MÉTODO: foram obtidos os potenciais evocados auditivos de média e longa latências em oito indivíduos com AIDS, de 10 a 51 anos de idade, que apresentavam audição normal ou até perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau moderado e resultados normais na Audiometria de Tronco Encefálico, comparando os resultados com os obtidos no grupo controle constituído por 25 indivíduos, de 19 a 24 anos de idade, sem queixas auditivas e com audição dentro da normalidade, bem como com resultados normais na Audiometria de Tronco Encefálico. RESULTADOS: foram analisadas as médias das latências e amplitudes da onda Pa, nas modalidades contralaterais C3/A2 e C4/A1, e da latência da onda P300. Não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes com relação às médias da amplitude e latência da onda Pa entre os grupos, embora tenha sido observado um aumento da latência e diminuição da amplitude de tal onda, ainda que não estatisticamente significante, para o grupo estudo na modalidade C3/A2. A latência da onda P300 mostrou-se significantemente aumentada para o lado esquerdo no grupo estudo, sendo também possível observar um aumento da latência, embora não estatisticamente significante, para o lado direito. CONCLUSÃO: indivíduos adultos com AIDS não apresentam alterações no potencial evocado auditivo de média latência e apresentam alterações no potencial cognitivo sugerindo, desta forma, comprometimento da via auditiva em regiões corticais e déficit no processamento cognitivo das informações auditivas nesta população. Tais achados reforçam a importância de uma investigação minuciosa da função auditiva em indivíduos com AIDS auxiliando, desta forma, no delineamento da conduta terapêutica junto a estes pacientes.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Kinetics of the lipoperoxyl radical-scavenging activity of indicaxanthin in solution and unilamellar liposomes

Abstract The reaction of the phytochemical indicaxanthin with lipoperoxyl radicals generated in methyl linoleate methanol solution by 2,20-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), and in aqueous soybean phosphatidylcholine unilamellar liposomes by 2,20-azobis(2- amidinopropane)hydrochloride, was studied. The molecule acts as a chain-terminating lipoperoxyl radical scavenger in solution, with a calculated inhibition constant of 3.63 £ 105M21 s21, and a stoichiometric factor approaching 2. Indicaxanthin incorporated in liposomes prevented lipid oxidation, inducing clear-cut lag periods and decrease of the propagation rate. Both effects were concentration-dependent, but not linearly related to the phytochemical concentration. The consumption of indicaxanthin during liposome oxidation was remarkably delayed, the lower the concentration the longer the time-interval during which it remained in its native state. Indicaxanthin and a-tocopherol, simultaneously incorporated in liposomes, exhibited cooperative antioxidant effects and reciprocal protective interactions. The extent of synergism decreased at the increase of the ratio (indicaxanthin)/(a-tocopherol). A potential antioxidant mechanism of indicaxanthin is discussed in the context of the chemistry of the molecule, and of the possible reactivity of a short-lived intermediate. Keywords: Indicaxanthin, phytochemical, lipid oxidation, nutritional valu

Phytochemical indicaxanthin suppresses 7-ketocholesterol-induced THP-1 cell apoptosis by preventing cytosolic Ca++ increase and oxidative stress

7-Ketocholesterol (7-KC)-induced apoptosis of macrophages is considered a key event in the development of human atheromas. In the present study, the effect of indicaxanthin (Ind), a bioactive pigment from cactus pear fruit, on 7-KC-induced apoptosis of human monocyte/macrophage THP-1 cells was investigated. A pathophysiological condition was simulated by using amounts of 7-KC that can be reached in human atheromatous plaque. Ind was assayed within a micromolar concentration range, consistent with its plasma level after dietary supplementation with cactus pear fruit. Pro-apoptotic effects of 7-KC were assessed by cell cycle arrest, exposure of phosphatidylserine at the plasma membrane, variation of nuclear morphology, decrease of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, activation of Bcl-2 antagonist of cell death and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 cleavage. Kinetic measurements within 24 h showed early formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species over basal levels, preceding NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX-4) over-expression and elevation of cytosolic Ca2þ, with progressive depletion of total thiols. 7-KC-dependent activation of the redox-sensitive NF-kB was observed. Co-incubation of 2·5mM of Ind completely prevented 7-KC-induced pro-apoptotic events. The effects of Ind may be ascribed to inhibition of NOX-4 basal activity and over-expression, inhibition of NF-kB activation, maintaining cell redox balance and Ca homeostasis, with prevention of mitochondrial damage and consequently apoptosis. The findings suggest that Ind, a highly bioavailable dietary phytochemical, may exert protective effects against atherogenetic toxicity of 7-KC at a concentration of nutritional interest

Auditory disorders and acquisition of the ability to localize sound in children born to HIV-positive mothers

The objective of the present study was to evaluate children born to HIV-infected mothers and to determine whether such children present auditory disorders or poor acquisition of the ability to localize sound. The population studied included 143 children (82 males and 61 females), ranging in age from one month to 30 months. The children were divided into three groups according to the classification system devised in 1994 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: infected; seroreverted; and exposed. The children were then submitted to audiological evaluation, including behavioral audiometry, visual reinforcement audiometry and measurement of acoustic immittance. Statistical analysis showed that the incidence of auditory disorders was significantly higher in the infected group. In the seroreverted and exposed groups, there was a marked absence of auditory disorders. In the infected group as a whole, the findings were suggestive of central auditory disorders. Evolution of the ability to localize sound was found to be poorer among the children in the infected group than among those in the seroreverted and exposed groups.University of São Paulo School Infectious Diseases Division Department of PediatricsFederal University of São Paulo Department of Speech-Language and Hearing ScienceFederal University of São Paulo Department of Pediatric InfectologyUNIFESP, Department of Speech-Language and Hearing ScienceUNIFESP, Department of Pediatric InfectologySciEL

DRUDIT: web-based DRUgs DIscovery Tools to design small molecules as modulators of biological targets.

Abstract Motivation New in silico tools to predict biological affinities for input structures are presented. The tools are implemented in the DRUDIT (DRUgs DIscovery Tools) web service. The DRUDIT biological finder module is based on molecular descriptors that are calculated by the MOLDESTO (MOLecular DEScriptors TOol) software module developed by the same authors, which is able to calculate more than one thousand molecular descriptors. At this stage, DRUDIT includes 250 biological targets, but new external targets can be added. This feature extends the application scope of DRUDIT to several fields. Moreover, two more functions are implemented: the multi- and on/off-target tasks. These tools applied to input structures allow for predicting the polypharmacology and evaluating the collateral effects. Results The applications described in the article show that DRUDIT is able to predict a single biological target, to identify similarities among biological targets, and to discriminate different target isoforms. The main advantages of DRUDIT for the scientific community lie in its ease of use by worldwide scientists and the possibility to be used also without specific, and often expensive, hardware and software. In fact, it is fully accessible through the WWW from any device to perform calculations. Just a click or a tap can start tasks to predict biological properties for new compounds or repurpose drugs, lead compounds, or unsuccessful compounds. To date, DRUDIT is supported by four servers each able to execute 8 jobs simultaneously. Availability and implementation The web service is accessible at the www.drudit.com URL and its use is free of charge. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online