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Based on the data from PISA 2018, the study investigates the relationship between gender and immigration status on exposure and attitudes towards bullying and students' perception of teachers' intercultural attitudes in Spanish high schools. While boys and first‐generation immigrants experience significantly more bullying, girls and students without immigration background showed overall stronger negative attitudes towards bullying. Finally, boys and children with an immigration background perceived higher degrees of teachers' cultural biases. These findings provide new insights into the importance of addressing gender and ethnic biases in anti‐bullying programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections have proven effective in clinical trials for plantar fasciitis treatment but have not been directly compared. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PRP or BTX-A injections. We performed a randomised controlled trial (59 patients; 1-year follow-up) to assess efficacy, using pain and functional scales (VAS, AOFAS Hindfoot-scale and FAAM questionnaire) and fascia thickness reduction, in control and single ultrasound-guided BTX-A or PRP injection groups. The BTX-A group showed better results at 1-month after treatment. Conversely, the PRP injection was more effective in the long-term, with significant pain reduction and functional improvement. Plantar fascia thickness significantly reduced from months 1 and 3 in the PRP and BTX-A groups, respectively. PRP and BTX-A injections are effective in patients with plantar fasciitis with BTX-A achieving better short-term pain reduction and PRP better long-term results. Level I; Randomised Controlled Trial [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores integration and linguistic acculturation in Catalonia (Spain), a multilingual setting where a state and a regional language coexist with those of immigration. Using qualitative content analysis, we examined the linguistic acculturation profiles of 13 high-school students of immigrant background and the linguistic acculturation expectations of 15 autochthonous students, considering Spanish, Catalan and heritage languages. Then, we explored their understanding of what integration means and its relation to language. Public use of heritage languages was the main source of friction. Participants of immigrant origin with assimilation profiles only used heritage languages with family, while those in multilingual profiles also used them in the public domain. Autochthonous students condemned their use in public, although they supported their use at home. Students from immigrant backgrounds advocated for a more inclusive understanding of integration, particularly those in multilingual profiles, but autochthonous students equated integration to assimilation. Educational implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the language attitudes that high-school students of immigrant origin hold toward Catalan, Spanish, and the heritage languages of immigrant communities, focusing on linguistic acculturation profiles at school and geographic origin of these students. It takes place in Catalonia (Spain), a multilingual setting where Spanish and Catalan have official status.Using a 5-point Likert-type scale, 198 students of immigrant background were asked about their attitudes regarding these three languages, as well as questions regarding their linguistic acculturation profiles at school.A K-means cluster analysis was conducted to create identity groups based on linguistic acculturation profiles at school. Then, a series of analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were run: first to analyze the relationship between linguistic acculturation profiles and attitudes toward heritage languages, such as Catalan and Spanish, and second between linguistic acculturation profiles and continent of origin. A two-factor ANOVA was conducted to test the interaction effects between linguistic acculturation and geographic origin regarding language attitudes.Those in the acculturation profile that incorporates all three languages at school have significantly lower attitudes toward Catalan, suggesting that heritage language maintenance is perceived as incompatible with Catalan at school. As for geographic origin, the European origin group is more commonly placed in the Catalan assimilation acculturation profile than the African and Latin American groups. There is also a significant interaction effect between origin and the acculturation profile, with the European multilingual group showing significantly less positive attitudes toward Catalan.While other studies have explored immigrant attitudes toward Catalan and Spanish, very few have incorporated the wide range of unofficial languages present in the territory, like Arabic, Amazigh, or Romanian.These results complement previous general acculturation research showing that, for linguistic acculturation as well, racialized ethnic hierarchies affect the acculturation options available to different linguistic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to provide a concrete list of non-isomorphic commutative power-associative superalgebras up to dimension 4 over an algebraically closed field of characteristic prime to 30. As a byproduct, we exhibit an example of a simple non-Jordan power-associative superalgebra whose even part is not semisimple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain has become a hospital priority, and a parameter of quality of care, even being considered the fifth vital sign. The most frequent prototype of pain is postoperative pain, if it is not treated properly it may have important repercussions. Making the patient understand that the scale that we are going to evaluate is the responsibility of the nurse. A correct assessment and adequate treatment of pain will help patients to have a more comfortable postoperative period, with less pain and in this way help them to regain, as far as possible, their autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High school teachers associate the languages of immigrant students with misbehavior. • Immigrant students' heritage languages get banned at Catalan high schools. • Discourse on integration in Catalan schools shows pressure towards assimilation. • Public displays of the heritage language make immigrant students appear "unintegrated". This study explores high-school teachers' discourse on heritage language use regarding their students of immigrant background in Catalonia, Spain, where both Catalan and Spanish are official languages. For this purpose, 10 high-school teachers from 5 schools with a high ratio of foreign students were interviewed. These interviews were analysed using membership categorization analysis. The results show that the perceived appropriateness of heritage language use depends on whether the students are integrated enough in the eyes of locals. Additionally, heritage language use in public is judged from the perspective of a Catalan listener and is deemed disrespectful. This is particularly salient in students of Moroccan background, where language maintenance is associated with overly strict adherence to Islam. The need for training teachers on how to properly address the linguistic and cultural diversity of their classrooms is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To attain a synthesis of the evidence on the effectiveness of invasive techniques in patients with fibromyalgia, through systematic review and meta-analysis and by assessing the methodological quality of the studies considered. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out as defined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The bibliographic research was carried out in the PEDro, Cochrane, PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Google Academics, Dialnet, and Scielo databases from September through December of 2018. Results Results show that invasive techniques produce a significant decrease in the pain, the impact of fibromyalgia and in the pain pressure threshold (standardized mean difference [95% confidence interval]: -0.94 [-1.44, -0.44], P of global effect= 0.0002; -0.99 [-1.69, -0.29], P of global effect= 0.006; and 0.31 [0.02, 0.61], P of global effect = 0.04, respectively). Lastly, a significant increase was observed in the quality-of-life variable after intervention (0.84 [0.30, 1.38], P of global effect = 0.002). Conclusions Invasive techniques are considered effective for pain relief, as well as for producing a short-term increase in the pain pressure threshold, an improvement in quality of life, and a decrease in the impact of fibromyalgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research aims to contribute to the description of the communicative behaviour of children with Asperger syndrome (AS). This condition, which is included among autism spectrum disorders, is conceived, from a linguistic point of view, as a primary pragmatic deficit. The study questions the one-sidedness in communication that is usually attributed to these speakers comparing 40 oral samples of children with and without AS. Thus, two categories are quantitatively analysed: turn-taking agility and participation index. The results suggest that both indices do not show significant differences and are therefore consistent with the standardised values. Despite the contextual constraints, it is concluded that the characteristic of one-sidedness should not be generalised when the communicative style of children with AS is described. One of the main factors that will condition the one-sidedness of these speakers in oral communicative exchanges will be related to the interest on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the varieties of nilpotent Lie superalgebras of dimension ≤ 5. We provide the algebraic classification of these superalgebras and obtain the irreducible components in every variety. As a byproduct, we construct rigid nilpotent Lie superalgebras of arbitrary dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give necessary conditions for the existence of degenerations between two complex Lie superalgebras of dimension (m , n). As an application, we study the variety L S (2 , 2) of complex Lie superalgebras of dimension (2 , 2). First we give the algebraic classification and then obtain that L S (2 , 2) is the union of seven irreducible components, three of which are the Zariski closures of rigid Lie superalgebras. As a byproduct, we obtain an example of a nilpotent rigid Lie superalgebra, in contrast to the classical case where no example is known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe degenerations of three-dimensional Jordan superalgebras over C . In particular, we describe all irreducible components in the corresponding varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate Central Nervous System, is involved in almost every aspect of brain physiology, and its signaling properties are severely affected in most neurodegenerative diseases. This neurotransmitter has to be efficiently removed from the synaptic cleft in order to prevent an over-stimulation of glutamate receptors that leads to neuronal death. Specific sodium-dependent membrane transporters, highly enriched in glial cells, elicit the clearance of glutamate. Once internalized, it is metabolized to glutamine by the glia-enriched enzyme Glutamine synthetase. Accumulated glutamine is released into the extracellular space for its uptake into pre-synaptic neurons and its conversion to glutamate that is packed into synaptic vesicles completing the glutamate/glutamine cycle. Diverse chemical compounds, like organophosphates, directly affect brain chemistry by altering levels of neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft. Organophosphate compounds are widely used as pesticides, and all living organisms are continuously exposed to these substances, either in a direct or indirect manner. Its metabolites, like the diethyl dithiophosphate, are capable of causing brain damage through diverse mechanisms including perturbation of neuronal-glial cell interactions and have been associated with attention-deficit disorders and other mental illness. In order to characterize the neurotoxic mechanisms of diethyl dithiophosphate, we took advantage of the well characterized model of chick cerebellar Bergmann glia cultures. A significant impairment of [3H] d -Aspartate transport was found upon exposure to the metabolite. These results indicate that glia cells are targets of neurotoxic substances such as pesticides and that these cells might be critically involved in the associated neuronal death. Highlights • Glia cells are targets of neurotoxic substances, like DEDTP. • DEDTP reduces [3H]- d -Aspartate uptake. • DEDTP toxic effects are Ca2+-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gewiss spielen auch die Briefe der Eltern eine Rolle, indem sie Bezug auf die vorangehenden Pamelas nehmen, aber der Bezug ist im Interesse des Romans unwichtig, denn die Antworten der Eltern erweitern nicht die Darstellung ihrer Umwelt bzw. ihrer Deutung der Geschehnisse. Aber auch wenn die Grundform der Briefwechsel zwischen Amalie und Fanny ist, lässt sich die Entwicklung von Amalies Charakter sowie der Prozess ihrer Bildung wie in jedem späteren Bildungsroman verfolgen, denn der Brief erweist sich als die optimale Form, das Innere der Figuren auf der Basis ihrer Reflexionen bzw. der Beschreibungen der Geschehnisse zu offenbaren. Diejenigen, die um die Förderung der Briefschreibefähigkeit der Frau bemüht waren, empfahlen allen bildungsbeflissenen Frauen die Lektüre der zahlreichen englischen Muster, die in England große Erfolge feierten. Von Bedeutung für die zukünftige Entwicklung der neuen Prosaform des Bildungsromans ist aber die Tatsache, dass Werther gegen die Wertvorstellungen der bürgerlichen Gesellschaft, zu der er gehört, rebelliert, und gerade diese Rebellion bzw. diese Grenzüberschreitung wird von einer Frau weiterentwickelt, die zu einer nicht sehr großen Gruppe von Frauen gehörte, welche ihre Texte zur Veröffentlichung freigaben, ohne sich dabei zu scheuen, ihre persönlichen Eindrücke und Gefühle einer breiten Öffentlichkeit preiszugeben: Marianne Ehrmann. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines the context of branding by multinational companies in the Mexico - US border, his analysis is directed to companies that agree transnational and transboundary context. In this sense the approach is based on indicators Interbrands, database listing them considered major firms like the valuable trademarks, because it corresponds to those that generate higher returns over a period of stay of more than two consecutive years. This database of companies was used of 2005 to 2010 with enterprise features of industrial type, no basic consumer products, financial services, products frequently consumed, telecommunications, services and health. Under this view, the method focuses on those multinational companies which follow two clusters that are in the course of interaction in the border area through seven distinct brands. With the database networks are formed by maping of business grid in the transboundary context by using the UCINET software and define the network in the border area and interconnections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of familiar small and medium enterprises (SME's) in a country's economy suggests the importance of being organizationally sustainable for this kind of business. The objective of the present article is to identify the manifestations of organizational sustainability in the leader's capability, as the main stakeholder, to generate resources. A study was performed with thirteen restaurateur familiar SME's of the city of La Jonquera, Cataluña, by the means of a questionnaire applied to 50 stakeholders and by nine profound interviews with leaders of the businesses part of the sample. The results shown, on the ANOVA quantitative analysis test as well on the qualitative analysis of the profound interviews, organizational sustainability is manifested in the stakeholder's thinking. These findings could be useful for businessmen, confirming the necessity to generate resources at the business in order to achieve organizational sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmembrane Protein 106B SNP rs1990622 was recently shown to modify the risk of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 inclusions (FTD-TDP). An independent replication study of this genetic variant was performed in 381 individuals from Catalonia (Spain). By applying a recessive model, a tendency toward an association with FTD risk was observed in our case-control study (age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio = 0.57; p = 0.082). Importantly, meta-analysis of available studies also supports a recessive effect for rs1990622 CC genotype (OR = 0.70; CI 95% [0.57-0.85]; p = 0.0003) and demonstrates the existence of statistical heterogeneity due to an inherent pathological heterogeneity between series (p = 0.00014). We conclude that TMEM106B is associated with FTD, although the extent of this effect is difficult to be estimated by using clinical FTD series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging studies have suggested several chromosomal regions as potential host genetic factors involved in the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease outcome. We nested a COVID-19 genome-wide association study using the GR@ACE/DEGESCO study, searching for susceptibility factors associated with COVID-19 disease. To this end, we compared 221 COVID-19 confirmed cases with 17,035 individuals in whom the COVID-19 disease status was unknown. Then, we performed a meta-analysis with the publicly available data from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. Because the APOE locus has been suggested as a potential modifier of COVID-19 disease, we added sensitivity analyses stratifying by dementia status or by disease severity. We confirmed the existence of the 3p21.31 region (LZTFL1, SLC6A20) implicated in the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and TYK2 gene might be involved in COVID-19 severity. Nevertheless, no statistically significant association was observed in the COVID-19 fatal outcome or in the stratified analyses (dementia-only and non-dementia strata) for the APOE locus not supporting its involvement in SARS-CoV-2 pathobiology or COVID-19 prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) is of interest given its potential relationship with several important clinical conditions including Alzheimer's disease. The inactivation of the APOE locus in mouse models supports the idea that it is involved in determining the CEC. With that in mind, we examine the impact of the plasma metabolome profile and the APOE genotype on the CEC in cognitively healthy elderly subjects. The study subjects were 144 unrelated healthy individuals. The plasma CEC was determined by exposing cultured mouse macrophages treated with BODIPY-cholesterol to human plasma. The metabolome profile was determined using NMR techniques. Multiple regression was performed to identify the most important predictors of CEC, as well as the NMR features most strongly associated with the APOE genotype. Plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate was the variable most strongly correlated with the CEC (r = 0.365; p = 7.3 × 10−6). Male sex was associated with a stronger CEC (r = −0.326, p = 6.8 × 10−5). Most of the NMR particles associated with the CEC did not correlate with the APOE genotype. The NMR metabolomics results confirmed the APOE genotype to have a huge effect on the concentration of plasma lipoprotein particles as well as those of other molecules including omega-3 fatty acids. In conclusion, the CEC of human plasma was associated with ketone body concentration, sex, and (to a lesser extent) the other features of the plasma lipoprotein profile. The APOE genotype exerted only a weak effect on the CEC via the modulation of the lipoprotein profile. The APOE locus was associated with omega-3 fatty acid levels independent of the plasma cholesterol level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the inclusion of symbolic branding hybridization in the Mexico-United States of America border from the perspective of an open and poly significant binational region where complex processes and sometimes conflicting groups of interest and stakeholders become articulated. Using hybridization as a tool, it's possible to establish a common starting point conceiving branding within the dichotomy, as the attribute of a product that leaves a lasting impression on the minds of consumers and which turns the brand into a cultural icon directly impacting the thoughts and attitudes of people. This paper thrives to approach common knowledge of the major commercial brands that have taken root in the region of Ciudad Juarez-El Paso by contrasting the commercial culture from the perspective of boundary and crossborder conditions. The investigation presents a quantitative methodology divided in three stages: The 1st stage is office work by reviewing the literature; stage 2, approaching the phenomenon through network theory (ARS), linking the EGR Theory Alderfer on resource dependency; and a stage .3 with the implementation, under the EGR (Existence, Value and Growth) criteria, of 105 surveys, where 18 items where considered for evaluation. Instrumentation is done through the snowball method and the main results of hybridization are: Office Depot, Coca Cola and Colgate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IndiesemSinneerwies sichderdunkle Konfliktpolitisch-religiçsenCharakters,dersichzwischenKçnigHeinrich II.undseinemErzbischofThomasBecketentwickelte,wiegeschaffenf r die Handlung eines literarischen Werks, denn der Charakter und die Verwandlung Beckets stellte eine tiefe, innere Problematik dar 15, ein menschlicherKonflikt,dernichtausdenGeschichtsb cherngelçstwurde, so dass er als Schriftsteller freie Hand hatte, ber die psychologische Entwicklung der Figuren zu schreiben - das Einzige, was ihn wirklich interessierte: Aus[Thierrys]HistoiredelaconquThtedel Angleterrewarmirdier tselhafte Figur des Thomas Becket entgegengetreten, und ich habe so lange an ihr herumgebildet,bis siemirfast qu lendvordenAugenstand. EliotundBecket 1 DieseneueInterpretation gehtvondenbeidenbisherverçffentlichtenArbeiten aus, in denen eine mçgliche Verbindung zwischen den Werken von C. F. Meyer und W. Scott untersucht wird: der Dissertation von Margaret Wright, A Comparative Study of The Historical Prose Fiction of Sir Walter Scott and Conrad Ferdinand Meyer. Im Gegensatz zu Scott stellt Meyer die Handlung all seiner historischen Romane innerhalb eines Rahmens dar, dessen Geschehen immer zu einem sp terenZeitpunktstattfindetalsdieEreignisse,dieinihmerz hltwerden. Es besteht kein Zweifel, dass es sich - wie zu sehen war - um eine historische Persçnlichkeit handelt und dass Meyer einen akribischen Umgang mithistorischenQuellenpflegte,Tatsacheaberist,dassderLesernachder Lekt re der Novelle erkennt, dass die Historie nur als Ger st dient, als Rahmen,indemdieEreignisseeingefasstundentwickeltwerdenunddass die von Meyer gestaltete Figur wenig Historisches an sich hat. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: This paper is devoted to show and explain some applications of Lie Theory to solve some problems in Economics and Mathematical Finance. So we put forward and discuss mathematical aspects and approaches for several economic problems which have been previously considered in the literature. Besides we also show our advances on this topic, mentioning some open problems for future research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The CUIDA questionnaire was projected as an instrument to evaluate the adoption applicants, by the IVAI, a group of psychologists working in this area. During the development of the questionnaire, the results have offered great possibilities in other fields as juridical, clinical and social, allowing the evaluation of adoptive parents, guardians and mediators. The questionnaire contents the following primary scales:, Altruism, opening, assertion, self-esteem, capacity to solve problems, empathy, emotional balance, independence, flexibility, reflection, sociability, tolerance to frustration, attachment and bereavement and the following factors of second order: Responsible care, sensibility toward the other ones and affective care and an additional factor: aggressiveness. It is a reliable and valid instrument that is being applied in the different fields and their use is endorsed by the Community of Madrid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathological and biochemical findings are reported in a patient who had suffered from frontotemporal dementia associated with a P310L mutation in the tau gene and included in the H1 haplotype. tau accumulation, as revealed with phospho-specific anti-tau antibodies Thr181, Ser199, Ser202, Ser214, Ser262, Ser396, Ser422 and AT8 (Ser202 and Thr205), was found in neurons with pre-tangles, and astrocytes and oligodendrocytes through the brain. The most characteristic feature was tau immunoreactivity decorating the perinuclear region and small cytoplasmic aggregates designed as mini-Pick-like bodies, mainly in the dentate gyrus. Inclusions were not stained with anti-ubiquitin antibodies and did not recruit tubulins. Tau accumulation in individual cells was associated with increased expression of kinases linked with tau phosphorylation, mainly active (phosphorylated) stress kinases SAPK/JNK and p38 (SAPK/JNK-P and p38-P). Phosphorylated GSK-3β at Ser9 (GSK-3β-P), that inactivates the kinase, was particularly abundant in mini-Pick-like bodies, thus suggesting alternative roles of GSK-3 probably involved in cell survival. Western blots of sarkosyl-insoluble fractions revealed a double band pattern of phospho-tau of 68/66 kDa and 64 kDa in the hippocampus and white matter in the P310L mutation. Sarkosyl-insoluble fractions of the hippocampus were enriched in p38-P and GSK-3β-P in Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases, processed in parallel for comparative purposes, but not in the P310L mutation. In addition, no bands of high molecular weight were found in P310L in contrast with AD in these fractions. These findings indicate that the major sites of tau phosphorylation, and the expression of kinases involved in tau phosphorylation are active in P310L mutation as in AD and other tauopathies. Yet the P310L mutation has particular phospho-tau inclusions that are not tag with ubiquitin and appear to be rather soluble when compared with AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isoprostanes and prostaglandins are biomarkers for oxidative stress and inflammation. Their role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology is yet unknown. In the current study, we aim to identify the association of isoprostanes and prostaglandins with the Amyloid, Tau, Neurodegeneration (ATN) biomarkers (Aβ-42, p-tau, and t-tau) of AD pathophysiology in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects. Methods: Targeted metabolomics profiling was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) in 147 paired plasma-CSF samples from the Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona and 58 CSF samples of MCI patients from the Mannheim/Heidelberg cohort. Linear regression was used to evaluate the association of metabolites with CSF levels of ATN biomarkers in the overall sample and stratified by Aβ-42 pathology and APOE genotype. We further evaluated the role of metabolites in MCI to AD dementia progression. Results: Increased CSF levels of PGF2α, 8,12-iso-iPF2α VI, and 5-iPF2α VI were significantly associated (False discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05) with higher p-tau levels. Additionally, 8,12-iso-iPF2α VI was associated with increased total tau levels in CSF. In MCI due to AD, PGF2α was associated with both p-tau and total tau, whereases 8,12-iso-iPF2α VI was specifically associated with p-tau levels. In APOE stratified analysis, association of PGF2α with p-tau and t-tau was observed in only APOE ε4 carriers while 5-iPF2α VI showed association with both p-tau and t-tau in APOE ε33 carriers. CSF levels of 8,12- iso-iPF2α VI showed association with p-tau and t-tau in APOE ε33/APOE ε4 carriers and with t-tau in APOE ε3 carriers. None of the metabolites showed evidence of association with MCI to AD progression. Conclusions: Oxidative stress (8,12-iso-iPF2α VI) and inflammatory (PGF2α) biomarkers are correlated with biomarkers of AD pathology during the prodromal stage of AD and relation of PGF2α with tau pathology markers may be influenced by APOE genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By the middle of 2021, we are still immersed in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The concurrence of this new pandemic in regions where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) infections possess the same epidemiological consideration, has arisen concerns about the prognosis, clinical management, symptomatology, and treatment of patients with triple infection. At the same time, healthcare services previously devoted to diagnosis and treatment of TB and HIV are being jeopardized by the urgent need of resources and attention for COVID-19 patients. The aim of this review was to collect any article considering the three conditions (HIV, TB, and SARS-CoV-2), included in PubMed/Medline and published in the English language since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We focused on detailed descriptions of the unusual cases describing the three co-infections. Eighty-four out of 184 publications retrieved met our inclusion criteria, but only three of them reported cases (five in total) with the three concomitant infections. The clinical evolution, management, and therapy of all of them were not different from mild/severe cases with exclusive COVID-19; the outcome was not worse either, with recovery for the five patients. Cases of patients with COVID-19 besides HIV and TB infections are scarce in literature, but studies deliberately embracing the triple infection as a priori inclusion criterion should be carried out in order to provide a complete understanding of joint influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study for exploring the role of ubiquilin-2 (UBQLN2), a protein that is coded by the UBQLN2 gene, mutations in familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In this study 77 FTD index patients with a positive family history of dementia were examined. The study employed an automated DNA sequencing method for scanning the specific UBQLN2 genomic region and polymerase chain reactions (PCR).

Introduction Sexually transmitted infections (STI) like Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) have been associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition []. It has been also described as a high prevalence of asymptomatic CT and NG infections in men who have sex with men (MSM) []. The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of CT and/or NG infections in asymptomatic HIV-MSM and the related factors. Materials and Methods Prospective study of a cohort of asymptomatic HIV-MSM with follow-up in Malaga (southern Spain) during October 2012-May 2014. Patients with an opportunistic event or who received active antibiotic therapy for CT and/or NG in the previous month were excluded. All of them completed a questionnaire about sexual behaviour, barrier methods and recreational drugs use. Demographical, epidemiological, clinical, analytical and therapeutic data were also collected. Pharyngeal and rectal swabs, and urine samples were collected to be tested for CT and NG by nucleic acid amplification test (c4800 CT/NG. Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) []. Statistics analysis: SPSS 17.0. Results 255 patients were asked to participate and 248 of them accepted. Median age was 37.7 (30.6-46.3) years, median time since HIV diagnosis was 47.7 (10.5-104.1) months, and median CD4 cells count was 607 (440-824) cell/µL. There were 195 (78.6%) patients on antiretroviral therapy; 81.5% of them had undetectable viral load. 80.5% of the patients had a past history of STI. Infection by CT and/or NG was diagnosed in 24 (9.7%) patients. Overall four urine samples, two pharyngeal, and 15 rectal ones were positive for CT, and five pharyngeal and five rectal swabs were positive for NG. Two patients were co-infected by CT and NG: one with CT in urine and both in rectum, another with CT in urine and rectum and NG in pharynx. One patient presented CT in pharynx and rectum, and two patients NG in pharynx and rectum. Positive CT and/or NG tests were only related with detectable HIV viral load (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.2-7.4; p=0.01). It was not related with sexual behaviour, nor with alcohol or recreational drugs use. Conclusions STI screening had a great acceptance in this population. There was a high prevalence of asymptomatic CT and/or NG infections. Rectum sample was the most effective one. Viral suppression could protect from these STI. Screening should be recommended in HIV-MSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Rilpivirine (RPV) has a better lipid profile than efavirenz (EFV) in naïve patients []. Switching to RPV may be convenient for many patients, while maintaining a good immunovirological control []. The aim of this study was to analyze lipid changes in HIV-patients at 24 weeks after switching to Eviplera® (emtricitabine/RPV/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [FTC/RPV/TDF]). Materials and Methods Retrospective, multicentre study of a cohort of asymptomatic HIV-patients who switched from a regimen based on 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI)+protease inhibitor (PI)/non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or ritonavir boosted PI monotherapy to Eviplera® during February-December, 2013; all had undetectable HIV viral load for ≥3 months prior to switching. Patients with previous failures on antiretroviral therapy (ART) including TDF and/or FTC/3TC, with genotype tests showing resistance to components of Eviplera®, or who had changed the third drug of the ART during the study period were excluded. Changes in lipid profile and cardiovascular risk (CVR), and efficacy and safety at 24 weeks were analyzed. Results Among 305 patients included in the study, 298 were analyzed (7 cases were excluded due to lack of data). Men 81.2%, mean age 44.5 years, 75.8% of HIV sexually transmitted. 233 (78.2%) patients switched from a regimen based on 2 NRTI+NNRTI (90.5% EFV/FTC/TDF). The most frequent reasons for switching were central nervous system (CNS) adverse events (31.0%), convenience (27.6%) and metabolic disorders (23.2%). At this time, 293 patients have reached 24 weeks: 281 (95.9%) have continued Eviplera®, 6 stopped it (3 adverse events, 2 virologic failures, 1 discontinuation) and 6 have been lost to follow up. Lipid profiles of 283 cases were available at 24 weeks and mean (mg/dL) baseline vs 24 weeks are: total cholesterol (193 vs 169; p=0.0001), HDL-c (49 vs 45; p=0.0001), LDL-c (114 vs 103; p=0.001), tryglycerides (158 vs 115; p=0.0001), total cholesterol to HDL-c ratio (4.2 vs 4.1; p=0.3). CVR decreased (8.7 vs 7.5%; p= 0.0001). CD4 counts were similar to baseline (653 vs 674 cells/µL; p=0.08), and 274 (96.8%) patients maintained viral suppression. Conclusions At 24 weeks after switching to Eviplera®, lipid profile and CVR improved while maintaining a good immunovirological control. Most subjects switched to Eviplera® from a regimen based on NNRTI, mainly EFV/FTC/TDF. CNS adverse events, convenience and metabolic disorders were the most frequent reasons for switching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The relationships between genome wide association study-identified and replicated genetic variants associated with Alzheimer''s disease (AD) risk and disease progression or therapeutic responses in AD patients are almost unexplored. Seven hundred and one AD patients with at least 3 different cognitive evaluations and genotypic information for APOE and 6 genome wide association study-significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms were selected for this study. Mean differences in Global Deterioration Score and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were evaluated using nonparametric tests, general linear model and mixed models for repeated measurements. Each chart was also reviewed for evidence of treatment with any cholinesterase inhibitor, memantine, or both. Relationships between therapeutic protocols, genetic markers, and progression were explored using stratified analysis looking for specific effects on progression in each therapeutic category separately. Neither calculation rendered a Bonferroni-corrected statistically significant difference in any genetic marker. Mixed model results suggested differences in the average point in MMSE test for patients carrying PICALM GA or AA genotype compared with GG carriers at the end of the follow-up (MMSE mean difference = −0.57; 95% confidence interval, −1.145 to 0.009; p = 0.047). This observation remained unaltered after covariate adjustments although it did not achieve predefined multiple testing significance threshold. The PICALM single-nucleotide polymorphism also displayed a significant effect protecting against rapid progression during pharmacogenetic assays although its observed effect displayed heterogeneity among AD therapeutic protocols (p = 0.039). None of the studied genetic markers were convincingly linked to AD progression or drug response. However, by using different statistical approaches, the PICALM rs3851179 marker displayed consistent but weak effects on disease progression phenotypes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Few studies have addressed the impact of the association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers and NPSs in the conversion to dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and no studies have been conducted on the interaction effect of these two risk factors. AT(N) profiles were created using AD-core biomarkers quantified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (normal, brain amyloidosis, suspected non-Alzheimer pathology (SNAP) and prodromal AD). NPSs were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q). A total of 500 individuals with MCI were followed-up yearly in a memory unit. Cox regression analysis was used to determine risk of conversion, considering additive and multiplicative interactions between AT(N) profile and NPSs on the conversion to dementia. A total of 224 participants (44.8%) converted to dementia during the 2-year follow-up study. Pathologic AT(N) groups (brain amyloidosis, prodromal AD and SNAP) and the presence of depression and apathy were associated with a higher risk of conversion to dementia. The additive combination of the AT(N) profile with depression exacerbates the risk of conversion to dementia. A synergic effect of prodromal AD profile with depressive symptoms is evidenced, identifying the most exposed individuals to conversion among MCI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) allows the detection of retinal vessel density (VD) loss, which is a reflection of brain vascular pathology. We aimed to investigate differences in macular VD in the superficial plexus in a large cohort of individuals cognitively unimpaired (CU), with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer´s disease (MCI-AD), MCI due to cerebrovascular pathology (MCI-Va), probable Alzheimer´s disease dementia (ADD) and Vascular Dementia (VaD). Clinical, demographical, ophthalmological and OCT-A data from the Neuro-ophthalmology Research at Fundació ACE (NORFACE) project were analyzed. Differences of macular VD in four quadrants (superior, nasal, inferior and temporal) among the five diagnostic groups were assessed in a multivariate regression model, adjusted by age, sex, education, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and stroke. The study cohort comprised 672 participants: 128 CU, 120 MCI-AD, 111 MCI-Va, 257 ADD and 56 VaD. Regression analysis showed a significantly higher VD in the temporal quadrant in MCI-AD compared to CU participants (49.05 ± 4.91 vs 47.27 ± 4.17, p = 0.02, d = 0.40), and a significantly lower VD in the inferior quadrant in MCI-Va compared to CU participants (48.70 ± 6.57 vs 51.27 ± 6.39, p = 0.02, d = 0.40). Individuals with heart disease presented significantly lower VD in the inferior quadrant than those without (p = 0.01). The interaction of sex and diagnosis had no effect in differentiating VD. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores were not correlated to VD (all r < 0.16; p > 0.07). In conclusion, our study showed that the MCI-AD and MCI-Va groups had significant differences in macular VD in opposite directions in the temporal and inferior quadrants, respectively, compared to CU participants, suggesting that macular VD might be able to differentiate two pathogenic pathways (AD- and cerebrovascular-related) in early stages of cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) increasingly incorporates CSF biomarkers. However, due to the intrinsic variability of the immunodetection techniques used to measure these biomarkers, establishing in-house cutoffs defining the positivity/negativity of CSF biomarkers is recommended. However, the cutoffs currently published are usually reported by using cross-sectional datasets, not providing evidence about its intrinsic prognostic value when applied to real-world memory clinic cases. Methods: We quantified CSF Aβ1-42, Aβ1-40, t-Tau, and p181Tau with standard INNOTEST® ELISA and Lumipulse G® chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) performed on the automated Lumipulse G600II. Determination of cutoffs included patients clinically diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 37) and subjective cognitive decline subjects (SCD, n = 45), cognitively stable for 3 years and with no evidence of brain amyloidosis in 18F-Florbetaben-labeled positron emission tomography (FBB-PET). To compare both methods, a subset of samples for Aβ1-42 (n = 519), t-Tau (n = 399), p181Tau (n = 77), and Aβ1-40 (n = 44) was analyzed. Kappa agreement of single biomarkers and Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 was evaluated in an independent group of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia patients (n = 68). Next, established cutoffs were applied to a large real-world cohort of MCI subjects with follow-up data available (n = 647). Results: Cutoff values of Aβ1-42 and t-Tau were higher for CLEIA than for ELISA and similar for p181Tau. Spearman coefficients ranged between 0.81 for Aβ1-40 and 0.96 for p181TAU. Passing–Bablok analysis showed a systematic and proportional difference for all biomarkers but only systematic for Aβ1-40. Bland–Altman analysis showed an average difference between methods in favor of CLEIA. Kappa agreement for single biomarkers was good but lower for the Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio. Using the calculated cutoffs, we were able to stratify MCI subjects into four AT(N) categories. Kaplan–Meier analyses of AT(N) categories demonstrated gradual and differential dementia conversion rates (p = 9.815−27). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models corroborated these findings, demonstrating that the proposed AT(N) classifier has prognostic value. AT(N) categories are only modestly influenced by other known factors associated with disease progression. Conclusions: We established CLEIA and ELISA internal cutoffs to discriminate AD patients from amyloid-negative SCD individuals. The results obtained by both methods are not interchangeable but show good agreement. CLEIA is a good and faster alternative to manual ELISA for providing AT(N) classification of our patients. AT(N) categories have an impact on disease progression. AT(N) classifiers increase the certainty of the MCI prognosis, which can be instrumental in managing real-world MCI subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: FACEmemory® is the first computerized, self-administered verbal episodic memory test with voice recognition. It can be conducted under minimal supervision and contains an automatic scoring system to avoid administrator errors. Moreover, it is suitable for discriminating between cognitively healthy and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) individuals, and it is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. This study aimed to determine whether FACEmemory scoring is related to performance on classical memory tests and to AD biomarkers of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CSF in patients with early-onset MCI (EOMCI). Methods: Ninety-four patients with EOMCI from the BIOFACE study completed FACEmemory, classical memory tests (the Spanish version of the Word Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test -FCSRT-, the Word List from the Wechsler Memory Scale, third edition, and the Spanish version of the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test), and a brain MRI. Eighty-two individuals also underwent a lumbar puncture. Results: FACEmemory scoring was moderately correlated with FCSRT scoring. With regard to neuroimaging MRI results, worse execution on FACEmemory was associated with lower cortical volume in the right prefrontal and inferior parietal areas, along with the left temporal and associative occipital areas. Moreover, the total FACEmemory score correlated with CSF AD biomarkers (Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio, p181-tau, and Aβ1-42/p181-tau ratio). When performance on FACEmemory was compared among the ATN classification groups, significant differences between the AD group and normal and SNAP groups were found. Conclusions: FACEmemory is a promising tool for detecting memory deficits sensitive to early-onset AD, but it also allows the detection of memory-impaired cases due to other etiologies. Our findings suggest that FACEmemory scoring can detect the AD endophenotype and that it is also associated with AD-related changes in MRI and CSF in patients with EOMCI. The computerized FACEmemory tool might be an opportunity to facilitate early detection of MCI in younger people than 65, who have a growing interest in new technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiway and multiset data analysis extensions of the multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) method are proposed for the investigation of the temporal distribution of the pollution by nitric oxide (NO) and ozone (O) in one sampling station in the urban centre of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain), during the years 2000-2006. Different specific studies were performed considering the annual and pluriannual contamination by these two contaminants, individually or in combination using different data matrix augmentation strategies and multiway and multiset data analysis models. Daily, hourly and annual profiles were estimated describing different patterns and summarising the main contamination processes. The daily and night trends found were mainly attributed to traffic and photochemical processes favoured by light radiation. Moreover, winter-summer seasonal trends were also clearly detected and their changes over different years assessed. The extension MCR-ALS method to multiset data analysis using different constraints like non-negativity, trilinearity and interaction among components is confirmed to be a powerful method to improve the interpretability of the different contamination patterns in atmospheric contamination studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and adrenal androgen levels have been observed during childhood in girls at risk of developing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian function and adrenal steroid levels in prepubertal girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Cross-sectional study. We evaluated hormonal and ultrasonographic characteristics in girls with T1D ( N = 73) and compared them to characteristics found in a control group of healthy girls ( N = 86). Data are reported as geometric means (95% CI). Prepubertal girls with T1D had higher levels of AMH (29·1 pmol/l (23·2-36·3) vs 20·9 pmol/l (16·6-26·1), P = 0·038), inhibin B (arithmetic mean: 16·7 pg/ml (11·6-21·7) vs 11·7 pg/ml (10·0-13·5), P = 0·044) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) (0·3 nmol/l (0·2-0·6) vs 0·2 nmol/l (0·1-0·3)) than controls ( P = 0·045). During puberty, decreasing AMH levels were observed in girls with T1D only ( P < 0·0001). Girls with T1D in Tanner stages 4-5 had lower AMH levels than their paired healthy controls (10·1 pmol/l (7·4-13·9) vs 15·7 pmol/l (11·6-21·3), respectively, P = 0·047). Our observations indicate that prepubertal girls with T1D may exhibit similar endocrine findings to those of other girls at risk of developing PCOS. The elevated levels of AMH and inhibin B suggest that higher numbers of follicles are present in the ovary during childhood in these patients and that insulin treatment may act as a local growth factor. In addition, AMH levels differed in prepubertal and pubertal girls, suggesting that the effect of T1D on ovarian folliculogenesis changes once gonadotrophin levels rise during puberty [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Acute bacterial meningitis remains an important cause of morbidity, neurologic sequelae, and mortality in children in Latin America. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the hospital-based medical records of children diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis, aged 1 month to 18 years, at a large inner city referral Hospital in Mexico City, for a 10-year period (1993–2003). To characterize the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of acute bacterial meningitis, we subdivided our study into two time periods: the period prior to the routine use of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine (1993–1998) and the period after the vaccine became available (1999–2003). Results: A total of 218 cases of acute bacterial meningitis were identified during the study period. The most frequently affected age group was that of children aged between 1 and 6 months. Hib was the most commonly isolated pathogen, found in 50% of cases. However, its incidence declined significantly after the introduction of the combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and conjugated Hib (DTP–HB/Hib) pentavalent vaccine into the universal vaccination schedule for children in 1998. Streptococcus pneumoniae followed as the second most commonly isolated bacterial pathogen. Neisseria meningitidis was isolated in only a few cases, confirming the historically low incidence of this pathogen in Mexico. Identified risk factors for death were found to include the presence of septic shock and intracranial hypertension, but were not attributable to any particular bacterial pathogen. Conclusions: In our hospital, acute bacterial meningitis remains a severe disease with important sequelae and mortality. The incidence of Hib meningitis cases has declined since the introduction of the Hib vaccine. However, S. pneumoniae persists as an important cause of bacterial meningitis, highlighting the need for the implementation of vaccination policies against this pathogen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the antibodies present in blood from Bos taurus immunized with concealed antigens from Stomoxys calcitrans intestine on the adult fly survival or on the oviposition capacity. Five thousand intestines were collected from adult stable flies recently fed on bovine normal blood to prepare an antigenic extract (AgIn-Sc). A bovine was immunized with AgIn-Sc in Freund's incomplete adjuvant on days 0, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 40. Another bovine (control) was inoculated with saline solution on the same dates. At days 40 and 50 peripheral blood was collected from the two animals. Serum was obtained from one part of blood and frozen in aliquots at -70°C until used, the other part of blood was maintained in sodium citrate at 2% and kept at 4°C. Batches of 200 recently emerged S. calcitrans flies/bovine were fed with this blood during one week and maintained under laboratory conditions. During days 40 and 50 post-immunization, three daily observations were practiced to evaluate fl y mortality and number of oviposited eggs (OE). There was no effect on survival of flies fed on blood from the immunized bovine; however, oviposition was reduced. There was a significant reduction in the number of OE, which oscillated between 29% (P < 0.05, blood from day 40) and 65% (P < 0.01, blood from day 50) in relation to the number of OE by flies fed on blood from the control animal. By ELISA, the IgG anti-intestine antibody titers in the serum from the immunized animal were of 1:1280 and 1:2560 for days 40 and 50, respectively; while, on the same days, in the serum from the control bovine was negative to such antibodies. By Western blot, serum of day 50 recognized seven components in the AgIn-Sc with apparent molecular weights which ranged between 35 and 205 kilodaltons. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that the immunization procedure generated the production of IgG anti-intestine antibodies which did not affect fl y survival; however, these antibodies reduced the number of OE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de los anticuerpos presentes en la sangre de Bos taurus inmunizado con antígenos ocultos del intestino de Stomoxys calcitrans sobre la supervivencia de las moscas adultas y sobre la oviposición. Se obtuvieron cinco mil intestinos de S. calcitrans alimentadas con sangre normal de bovino, para preparar un extracto antigénico (AgIn-Sc). Posteriormente, un bovino fue inmunizado con AgIn-Sc en adyuvante incompleto de Freund los días 0, 14, 21, 28, 35 y 40. Otro bovino (testigo) fue inoculado con solución salina en las mismas fechas. A los días 40 y 50 posinmunización se recolectó sangre periférica de los dos animales; una parte se utilizó para obtener suero, que se congeló en alícuotas a -70°C hasta su uso, y la otra se conservó en citrato de sodio al 2% a 4°C. Con esta última se alimentó durante una semana a grupos de 200 moscas S. calcitrans recién emergidas/bovino, las cuales se mantuvieron bajo condiciones de laboratorio. Durante los días 40 y 50 posinmunización se practicaron tres observaciones diarias durante una semana para evaluar la mortalidad de las moscas y contar el número de huevos depositados (HD). Se observó que no hubo un efecto dañino de la sangre del animal inmunizado sobre la supervivencia de las moscas, pero sí sobre la oviposición. Se apreció una disminución significativa en el número total de HD, que osciló entre 29% (P < 0.05, sangre del día 40) y 65% (P < 0.01, sangre del día 50) con respecto al número de HD por las moscas que se alimentaron de sangre del animal testigo. Mediante ELISA se obtuvieron los títulos de anticuerpos IgG antiintestino en el suero del animal inmunizado: 1:1280 y 1:2560 para los días 40 y 50, respectivamente; mientras que en los mismos días, el suero del bovino testigo fue negativo a dichos anticuerpos. Por Western blot, el suero del día 50 reconoció siete componentes en el AgIn-Sc con pesos moleculares aparentes que oscilaron entre 35 y 205 kilodaltones. Con base en estos resultados se concluye que el procedimiento de inmunización utilizado indujo la formación de anticuerpos IgG antiintestino, que no afectaron la supervivencia de la mosca, pero sí su oviposición. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the prevalence of histoplasmosis and paracoccidiomycosis in Upata, a city in Bolívar state, Venezuela.Cutaneous tests on 397 volunteers, 204 with histoplasmine and 193 with paracoccidioidine. Epidemiological data were collected in a protocol sheet. Readings were performed at 24 and 48 h post-injection, by the same observer, and a positive reaction was defined as hardened papule of 5 mm or more.Histoplasmine tests were positive in 19.6% and 34.0% at 24 and 48 h after antigens injection with a significant increase of reactivity (P = 0.0019). Paracoccidiodine tests were positive in 11.3% and 19.7% at 24 and 48 h respectively and this difference was also significant (P = 0.004). Risk factors which could explain these levels of reactivity could not be clearly identified. Cultures and animal inoculation from soil samples for fungus isolation were negative.Paracoccidioidomycoses and histoplasmosis are endemic in Upata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than 40 pathogenic heterozygous PRNP mutations causing inherited prion diseases have been identified to date. Recessive inherited prion disease has not been described to date. Methods: We describe the clinical and neuropathological data of inherited early-onset prion disease caused by the rare PRNP homozygous mutation R136S. In vitro PrPSc propagation studies were performed using recombinant-adapted protein misfolding cyclic amplification technique. Brain material from two R136S homozygous patients was intracranially inoculated in TgMet129 and TgVal129 transgenic mice to assess the transmissibility of this rare inherited form of prion disease. Results: The index case presented symptoms of early-onset dementia beginning at the age of 49 and died at the age of 53. Neuropathological evaluation of the proband revealed abundant multicentric PrP plaques and Western blotting revealed a ~ 8 kDa protease-resistant, unglycosylated PrPSc fragment, consistent with a Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker phenotype. Her youngest sibling suffered from progressive cognitive decline, motor impairment, and myoclonus with onset in her late 30s and died at the age of 48. Genetic analysis revealed the presence of the R136S mutation in homozygosis in the two affected subjects linked to homozygous methionine at codon 129. One sibling carrying the heterozygous R136S mutation, linked to homozygous methionine at codon 129, is still asymptomatic at the age of 74. The inoculation of human brain homogenates from our index case and an independent case from a Portuguese family with the same mutation in transgenic mice expressing human PrP and in vitro propagation of PrPSc studies failed to show disease transmissibility. Conclusion: In conclusion, biallelic R136S substitution is a rare variant that produces inherited early-onset human prion disease with a Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker neuropathological and molecular signature. Even if the R136S variant is predicted to be "probably damaging", heterozygous carriers are protected, at least from an early onset providing evidence for a potentially recessive pattern of inheritance in human prion diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson''s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that produces progressive disability despite symptomatic treatment. Several strategies, including stereotaxic brain lesions, deep brain stimulation, transplants of dopamine cells and administration of neurotrophic factors, have been proposed to improve efficacy and to counteract the progression of the disease. We here report the effects of repetitive intracerebral infusion of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor, up to 1 year, in Cynomolgus monkeys with long standing asymmetric parkinsonism produced by unilateral intracarotid injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The treatment with neurotrophic factors was initiated when the parkinsonian deficits were stable, 6 months after the administration of MPTP. The evaluation of the response to the neurotrophic factors was performed by blind observers using: clinical scales that measured global motor deficit, motor ability in both hands, apomorphine-induced rotation, determination of the levels of monoamine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid, and 6-F18-fluoro-l-DOPA (F-DOPA) uptake in the striatum and histology. Both factors, but bFGF more so, improve motor behavior, dopamine metabolism, striatal F-DOPA uptake, and the number of dopamine neurons. The procedure is well tolerated and provides a strong background for efficacy and safety of this treatment in patients with PD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Over the last decade, teleneuropsychology has increased substantially. There is a need for valid neuropsychological batteries to be administered home-to-home. Since 2006, the neuropsychological battery of Fundació ACE (NBACE) has been administered face-to-face in our clinical settings. Recently, we adapted the NBACE for teleneuropsychology use to be administered home-to-home (NBACEtn).Objective: The aims of the present study are: 1) to determine the home-to-home NBACE equivalence compared to its original face-to-face version; and 2) to examine home-to-home NBACE discriminant capacity by differentiating among cognitively healthy, mild cognitive impairment, or mild dementia subjects and comparing it with the face-to-face version.Methods: Data from 338 individuals assessed home-to-home (NBACEtn) were contrasted with 7,990 participants assessed with its face-to-face version (NBACE). Exploratory and confirmatory factorial structure, and invariance analysis of the two versions of the battery were performed.Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported the four-factor model (attention, memory, executive, and visuospatial/constructional functions). Configural, metric, and scalar measurement invariance was found between home-to-home and face-to-face NBACE versions. Significant differences in most of the neuropsychological variables assessed were observed between the three clinical groups in both versions of administration. No differences were found between the technological devices used by participants (computer or tablet and mobile devices).Conclusion: For the first time, invariance analysis findings were addressed by determining a teleneuropsychological battery's equivalence in comparison with its face-to-face version. This study amplifies the neuropsychological assessment's applicability using a home-to-home format, maintaining the original measure's structure, interpretability, and discriminant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the elderly with a prevalence of 7.1% in women and 3.3% in men. Sex-related patterns have been reported in prognosis, biomarker status, and risk factors. Despite this, the interaction of sex has received limited attention, with AD trials persistently recruiting lower numbers of women than the population distribution and a lack of information on the sex-disaggregated effects of anti-dementia therapies. This is the first study aiming to identify the role of sex in the selection for screening in AD clinical trials. Methods: This cross-sectional study provides a comprehensive analysis of screening eligibility according to a set of pre-selection criteria currently applied at Fundació ACE memory clinic for a more efficient trial screening process. A cohort of 6667 women and 2926 men diagnosed with AD dementia (55%) or mild cognitive impairment (45%) was analyzed. We also assessed the frequencies of men and women effectively screened for trial enrolment over a period of 10 years. Additionally, data from AddNeuroMed study was used to explore trends in eligibility based on the education criteria. Results: Women showed a significantly lower chance of being eligible for screening than men (OR = 1.26; p < 0.01). This imbalance was confirmed by a lower frequency of women screened for enrolment compared to the study population (63.0% vs. 69.5%). Education was revealed as the key criterion contributing to this unbalance, with men showing over twice the chance of being screened compared with women (OR = 2.25, p < 0.01). Education-based differences were greater in earlier born patients, but the gap narrowed and achieved balance with increasing year of birth. This observation was replicated using data from other European populations included in AddNeuroMed study. Comorbidity was the most limiting criterion with sex differences in frequencies and significant discrimination against the selection of men (OR = 0.86, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The large number of low-educated elderly women with AD demands for a sex-focused approach in clinical research. New assessment tools insensitive to education level should be developed to enable a proportional representation of women. Although this gender education gap is mostly inexistent in developed countries, economic or cultural factors may lead to different scenarios in other regions. Overlooking the impact of sex may lead to a handicap in AD research with a direct adverse impact on women's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) have been recently addressed as risk factors of conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementia types in patients diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Our aim was to determine profiles based on the prominent NPS in MCI patients and to explore the predictive value of these profiles on conversion to specific types of dementia. A total of 2137 MCI patients monitored in a memory clinic were included in the study. Four NPS profiles emerged (classes), which were defined by preeminent symptoms: Irritability, Apathy, Anxiety/Depression and Asymptomatic. Irritability and Apathy were predictors of conversion to dementia (HR = 1.43 and 1.56, respectively). Anxiety/depression class showed no risk effect of conversion when compared to Asymptomatic class. Irritability class appeared as the most discriminant neuropsychiatric condition to identify non-AD converters (i.e., frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy Bodies). The findings revealed that consistent subgroups of MCI patients could be identified among comorbid basal NPS. The preeminent NPS showed to behave differentially on conversion to dementia, beyond AD. Therefore, NPS should be used as early diagnosis facilitators, and should also guide clinicians to detect patients with different illness trajectories in the progression of MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There is a paucity of information on cancer among Indigenous populations in Latin America. Methods: Guided by tenets of community engaged research and syndemic theory, we conducted eight focus groups (n = 59) with Kichwa men and women in the province of Imbabura, Ecuador. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis techniques. Results: Cancer emerged as an important health problem and was reported as a growing concern. Kichwa participants in this study attributed the rise in cancer to (1) exposure to chemicals and pesticides, (2) urbanization and development, and (3) the rise of innutritious, westernized diets. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the Kichwa are attuned to the global phenomena in which traditional diet has been replaced by western, processed foods and fast food, which result in higher levels of chronic diseases such as cancer. More research is needed to understand the cancer burden among Indigenous peoples in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]