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Introduction: Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease, involves motor and nonmotor components. Vision, a nonmotor component, has been studied by the analysis of the retinal layers by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and the main finding is the thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). The aim of this study was to verify the influence of age on the thickness of retinal nerve fiber in patients with mild-to-moderate stages of Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods: Healthy individuals and patients with Parkinson’s disease were included in this prospective, cross-sectional, and observational study. The patients were recruited according to the clinical criteria from the neurology clinic of two major hospitals, with the description of the Hoehn and Yahr scale score. Healthy subjects were recruited from the general clinic and hospital staff. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed previously on the spectral-domain OCT. Results: There was a significant effect of age in the thickness of the RNFL in patients with Parkinson’s disease, in the right eye in the lower quadrant (P = 0.026) and in the left eye in the upper (P = 0.029) and temporal (P = 0.037) quadrants, as well in the control group in the upper (P = 0.003) and lower quadrant (P = 0.024). Conclusions: This case series could demonstrate that in mild-to-moderate stages of the Hoehn and Yahr Scale, there is an asymmetric correlation between aging and the decrease in superior, inferior, and temporal RNFL between the eyes of patients with Parkinson’s disease, and this finding precedes the decrease in visual acuity.

Agricultural soil degradation is occurring at unprecedented rates, not only as an indirect effect of climate change (CC) but also due to intensified agricultural practices which affect soil properties and biodiversity. Therefore, understanding the impacts of CC and soil degradation on plant physiology is crucial for the sustainable development of mitigation strategies to prevent crop productivity losses. The amino acid proline has long been recognized for playing distinct roles in plant cells undergoing osmotic stress. Due to its osmoprotectant and redox-buffering ability, a positive correlation between proline accumulation and plants’ tolerance to abiotic stress has been pointed out in numerous reviews. Indeed, proline quantification is used systematically by plant physiologists as an indicator of the degree of tolerance and a measurement of the antioxidant potential in plants under stressful conditions. Moreover, the exogenous application of proline has been shown to increase resilience to several stress factors, including those related to soil degradation such as salinity and exposure to metals and xenobiotics. However, recent data from several studies often refer to proline accumulation as a signal of stress sensitivity with no clear correlation with improved antioxidant activity or higher stress tolerance, including when proline is used exogenously as a stress reliever. Nevertheless, endogenous proline levels are strongly modified by these stresses, proving its involvement in plant responses. Hence, one main question arises—is proline augmentation always a sign of improved stress resilience? From this perspective, the present review aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the implications of proline accumulation in plants under abiotic stress induced by soil degradation factors, reinforcing the idea that proline quantification should not be employed as a sole indicator of stress sensitivity or resilience but rather complemented with further biochemical and physiological endpoints.

Given the widespread use of glyphosate (GLY), this agrochemical is becoming a source of contamination in agricultural soils, affecting non-target plants. Therefore, sustainable strategies to increase crop tolerance to GLY are needed. From this perspective and recalling silicon (Si)’s role in alleviating different abiotic stresses, the main goal of this study was to assess if the foliar application of Si, either as bulk or nano forms, is capable of enhancing Solanum lycopersicum L. tolerance to GLY (10 mg kg−1). After 28 day(s), GLY-treated plants exhibited growth-related disorders in both shoots and roots, accompanied by an overproduction of superoxide anion (O2•−) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in shoots. Although plants solely exposed to GLY have activated non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms (proline, ascorbate and glutathione), a generalized inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes was found, suggesting the occurrence of great redox disturbances. In response to Si or nano-SiO2 co-application, most of GLY phytotoxic effects on growth were prevented, accompanied with a better ROS removal, especially by an upregulation of the main antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Overall, results pointed towards the potential of both sources of Si to reduce GLY-induced oxidative stress, without major differences between their efficacy.

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Tuberous sclerosis (also referred to as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous syndrome that can involve multiple organs such as the brain, heart, kidney, lung, liver, skin and eye. The diagnosis is clinical and most patients are identified during childhood, in the context of a severe epileptic or neuropsychiatric disorder. Here we report a case of TSC diagnosed in an adult woman with dermatological and vascular involvement that were only recognized as manifestations of TSC after the diagnosis of her infant daughter. This case highlights how important it is that physicians recognize the full spectrum of manifestations of TSC, including the most unusual, so not to miss the diagnosis

Nos tempos pós-modernos, a velocidade marca passo, tanto nas atividades como nas relações pessoais, num ambiente de hiper-realidade potenciado pelas novas tecnologias. A virtualidade ganha importância numa época marcada por incertezas e como forma de saciar a necessidade de experiências de tensão e excitação, orientadas para uma lógica de consumo e de prazer, onde o risco, os limites e a tolerância podem sempre ser discutidos. É neste ambiente que crescem mercados, que pretendem ser resposta a esta procura de extremos e limites, com interesses controversos com tónica carnal. Neste trabalho apresentam-se lazeres hedonistas, e discute-se a forma como a sociedade entende e lida com o sexo e o erotismo, o uso do corpo, a norma, o desvio e a tolerância.

OBJETIVO: correlacionar espessamento endometrial diagnosticado por ultra-sonografia com os achados histeroscópicos, em mulheres na pós-menopausa. MÉTODOS: foi realizado estudo transversal com avaliação histeroscópica em 121 mulheres na pós-menopausa, com diagnóstico de espessamento do endométrio por ultra-sonografia transvaginal. Das pacientes incluídas, 23 (19%) recebiam diferentes esquemas de hormonioterapia e 98 não referiam uso de reposição hormnonal.; 55 pacientes queixavam-se de sangramento por via vaginal e as restantes apresentavam-se sem esta condição. Os exames endoscópicos foram realizados ambulatorialmente, utilizando-se histeroscópio rígido de 4 mm. Para a distensão da cavidade uterina empregou-se gás carbônico (CO2). Biópsia foi praticada em todas as pacientes, com auxílio de cureta tipo Novak, de 3 mm, e o material obtido submetido a estudo histopatológico. RESULTADOS: a espessura do endométrio variou entre 6 e 38 mm, com média de 10,7 ± 5,3 mm. Os achados histeroscópicos foram: lesão polipóide, em 51 pacientes (42,1%); endométrio atrófico, em 15 (12,4%); sinéquia senil, em 15 (12,4%); espessamento focal, em 13 (10,7%); lesão cerebróide, em 6 (5,0%); endométrio proliferativo, em 5 (4,1%); muco, em 5 (4,1%); mioma, em 4 (3,3%); endométrio secretor, em 3 (2,5%); hiperplasia endometrial, em 3 (2,5%) e atrofia cística, em 1 (0,8%). Observou-se correlação entre os achados histeroscópicos e os resultados da histopatologia em 30 dos 51 casos de pólipo, em 12 dos 15 de endométrio atrófico e na totalidade dos casos sugestivos de hiperplasia endometrial e de adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSÃO: na maioria das pacientes, o exame histeroscópico revelou que não se tratava de real espessamento endometrial, mas sim de outras variedades de lesão da cavidade uterina.PURPOSE: to correlate endometrial thickening diagnosed by ultrasonography with hysteroscopic findings in postmenopausal women. METHODS: a transversal study with hysteroscopic evaluation was performed in 121 postmenopausal women, with endometrial thickening diagnosed through transvaginal ultrasonography. In 98 women there was no history of hormonal replacement therapy, while the remaining 23 received different types of hormone; 55 patients complained of vaginal bleeding and the remaining did not present this condition. The endoscopic examinations were performed in the outpatient clinic, using a 4 mm rigid hysteroscope. For uterine cavity distention carbon dioxide (CO2) was used. Biopsy was performed in all patients, with a 3 mm Novak type curette, and the collected material was submitted to a histopathological study. RESULTS: endometrial thickening varied from 6 to 38 mm, with a mean of 10.7 ± 5.3 mm. The hysteroscopic findings were: polypoid lesion in 51 patients (42.1%); atrophic endometrium in 15 patients (12.4%); senile synechia in 15 patients (12.4%), focal thickening in 13 patients (10.7%); cerebroid lesion in 6 patients (5.0%); proliferative endometrium in 5 patients (4.1%); mucus in 5 patients (4.1%); myoma in 4 patients (3.3%); secreting endometrium in 3 patients (2.5%); endometrial hyperplasia in 3 patients (2.5%); and cystic atrophy in 1 patient (0.8%). Correlation between hysteroscopic findings and cytopathology was observed in 30 of 51 cases of polypoid lesion, in 12 of 15 cases of atrophic endometrium and in all cases in which the diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma was suspected. CONCLUSION: in the majority of the patients, the hysteroscopic examinations revealed that there was no genuine endometrial thickening but rather other types of lesion in the uterine cavity.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a citorredução de intervalo em pacientes com carcinoma avançado do ovário. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo com 25 pacientes portadoras de carcinoma avançado do ovário (IIIC ou IV) submetidas à citorredução de intervalo. Os critérios de irresecabilidade foram baseados nos do Instituto Gustave-Rousy. Após quimioterapia de indução e reabordagem avaliamos as taxas de cirurgia ótima e a morbi-mortalidade do procedimento além da sobrevida global em dois anos. RESULTADOS: Foi possível citorreduçao ótima em 17 pacientes (68%) com morbidade de 8% e mortalidade de 4%. A sobrevida global em dois anos foi de 68%. CONCLUSÃO: A citorredução de intervalo constitui alternativa terapêutica no carcinoma avançado do ovário possibilitando oportunidade de citoredução ótima a pacientes outrora portadoras de doença irressecável, com morbi-mortalidade aceitável.

Vasculitic neuropathy corresponds to the occurrence of vasculitis at the level of vasa nervorum, resulting in ischemic damage of the peripheral nerve and axonal degeneration. Vasculitic neuropathy commonly occurs in association with systemic diseases and may be the initial manifestation or arise in the course of established disease. Although rare, vasculitis can be confined to the peripheral nervous system -- non-systemic vasculitic neuropathy. This paper aims to review the classification, diagnosis and treatment of vasculitic neuropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE.: Compare the numerical densities of intraepithelial Langerhans cells of uterine cervix of women affected by cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN 3) with their smoking habits. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: A total of 71 conization specimens of women affected by CIN 3 were separated in 3 groups according to their smoking habits (smokers, nonsmokers, and former smokers). The identification of the Langerhans cells was performed by immunohistochemical analysis using antibodies to S100 protein. The number of intraepithelial Langerhans cells was counted at x400 magnification under a light microscope, and a 10-field count was performed in areas of CIN 3 of each section. Results were expressed as number of cells per square millimeter of epithelium. RESULTS.: There was no significant difference in the number of Langerhans cells per square millimeter of epithelium in areas affected by CIN 3 among the 3 groups (p = .5). There was also no significant difference in the number of cigarettes smoked per day (p = .09), duration of consumption (p = .34), total amount of cigarettes smoked during the whole life (p = .18), and duration of abstention (p = .2). CONCLUSIONS.: It was not shown that smoking reduces the number of intraepithelial Langerhans cells in the cervix of women affected by CIN 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate (GLY), the most widely used herbicide, has been regarded as an emergent environmental contaminant due to its constant and cumulative use, with potential harm to non-target organisms, such as crops, disrupting cells' redox balance. Therefore, plants need to fine-tune their antioxidant (AOX) mechanisms to thrive under GLY-contaminated environments. Proline overaccumulation is a common response in plants exposed to GLY, yet its role in GLY-induced toxicity remains unclear. Thus, this study explores whether Pro overaccumulation in response to GLY is perceived as a downstream tolerance mechanism or an early-warning stress signal. To investigate this, Arabidopsis thaliana T-DNA mutant lines for Pro biosynthetic (P5CS1) and catabolic genes (ProDH) were used and screened for their GLY susceptibility. Upon seedlings' exposure to GLY (0.75 mg L -1 ) for 14 days, the herbicide led to reduced biomass in all genotypes, accompanied by Pro overaccumulation. Mutants with heightened Pro levels (prodh) exhibited the greatest biomass reduction, increased lipid peroxidation (LP), and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) levels, accompanied by a compromised performance of the AOX system. Conversely, p5cs1-4, mutants with lower Pro levels, demonstrated an enhanced AOX system activation, not only with increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (AsA), but also with increased activity of both ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT). These findings suggest that Pro overaccumulation under GLY exposure is associated with stress sensitivity rather than tolerance, highlighting its potential as an early-warning signal for GLY toxicity in non-target plants and for detecting weed resistance., (© 2024 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.)

Agricultural soil degradation is occurring at unprecedented rates, not only as an indirect effect of climate change (CC) but also due to intensified agricultural practices which affect soil properties and biodiversity. Therefore, understanding the impacts of CC and soil degradation on plant physiology is crucial for the sustainable development of mitigation strategies to prevent crop productivity losses. The amino acid proline has long been recognized for playing distinct roles in plant cells undergoing osmotic stress. Due to its osmoprotectant and redox-buffering ability, a positive correlation between proline accumulation and plants' tolerance to abiotic stress has been pointed out in numerous reviews. Indeed, proline quantification is used systematically by plant physiologists as an indicator of the degree of tolerance and a measurement of the antioxidant potential in plants under stressful conditions. Moreover, the exogenous application of proline has been shown to increase resilience to several stress factors, including those related to soil degradation such as salinity and exposure to metals and xenobiotics. However, recent data from several studies often refer to proline accumulation as a signal of stress sensitivity with no clear correlation with improved antioxidant activity or higher stress tolerance, including when proline is used exogenously as a stress reliever. Nevertheless, endogenous proline levels are strongly modified by these stresses, proving its involvement in plant responses. Hence, one main question arises-is proline augmentation always a sign of improved stress resilience? From this perspective, the present review aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the implications of proline accumulation in plants under abiotic stress induced by soil degradation factors, reinforcing the idea that proline quantification should not be employed as a sole indicator of stress sensitivity or resilience but rather complemented with further biochemical and physiological endpoints.

Given the widespread use of glyphosate (GLY), this agrochemical is becoming a source of contamination in agricultural soils, affecting non-target plants. Therefore, sustainable strategies to increase crop tolerance to GLY are needed. From this perspective and recalling silicon (Si)'s role in alleviating different abiotic stresses, the main goal of this study was to assess if the foliar application of Si, either as bulk or nano forms, is capable of enhancing Solanum lycopersicum L. tolerance to GLY (10 mg kg -1 ). After 28 day(s), GLY-treated plants exhibited growth-related disorders in both shoots and roots, accompanied by an overproduction of superoxide anion (O 2 •- ) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in shoots. Although plants solely exposed to GLY have activated non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms (proline, ascorbate and glutathione), a generalized inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes was found, suggesting the occurrence of great redox disturbances. In response to Si or nano-SiO 2 co-application, most of GLY phytotoxic effects on growth were prevented, accompanied with a better ROS removal, especially by an upregulation of the main antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Overall, results pointed towards the potential of both sources of Si to reduce GLY-induced oxidative stress, without major differences between their efficacy.