Amygdala structure and function and its associations with social-emotional outcomes in a low-risk preterm sample.

Amygdala atypical volume development and functional connectivity (FC) at small gestational ages (GA) have been found across childhood. This adult-oriented study assesses whether altered amygdala structure and function is present following low-risk preterm birth. T1-weighted and resting-state functional MRI images of 33 low-risk preterm (30-36 weeks' GA) and 29 full-term (37-42 weeks' GA) young adults of both sexes, aged between 20 and 32 years old, were analyzed using FreeSurfer (v6.0.0) and Coon Toolbox (v21.a). The social-emotional assessment included Happé's Strange Stories Test, the Moral Judgment Test, Delay-Discounting Test, Adult Self Report, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. No differences were found in social-emotional outcomes or amygdala volumes between the groups. Low-risk preterm young adults showed increased FC between the left amygdala, right amygdala and medial frontal cortex (MedFC) (F = 9.89, p-FWE = 0.009) at cluster level compared to their full-term peers. However, significant results at connection level were not observed between left and right amygdala. Lastly, increased FC at cluster level between the right amygdala and MedFC, and left amygdala and MedFC, was related to better social-emotional outcomes only in low-risk preterm young adults (F = 6.60, p-FWE = 0.036) at cluster level. At connection level, in contrast, only right amygdala-MedFC increased FC was significantly associated with better social-emotional outcomes. This study reveals that low-risk prematurity does not have an effect on social-emotional outcomes or structural amygdala volumes during young adulthood. However, individuals who were considered to be at a lower risk of exhibiting neurodevelopmental alterations following preterm birth demonstrated increased FC between the left and right amygdala and MedFC.

UD Interference Test: creation and validation of a new instrument of resistance to interference. Normalisation and standardisation for Spanish population.

INTRODUCTION: The UD Interference Test measures processing speed and attention, and is based on the concept of interference of the Stroop Color and Word Test. The main purpose of the study is to provide an alternative version of the Stroop Color and Word Test that overcomes some of the limitations of previous versions in assessing individuals with daltonism or age-related reading difficulties, and to obtain normative and standardised data for the Spanish population. METHODS: This study is part of the Normacog project. We evaluated 905 individuals (age range, 18-93 years) to analyse the test's reliability and concurrent and construct validity. We evaluated the effect of age, sex, and level of education on UD Interference Test performance and calculated percentiles and age- and education-adjusted scaled scores. RESULTS: The test has good reliability (α = 0.875) and concurrent (r = 0.443-0.725; P < .001) and construct validity (r = 0.472-0.737; P < .001). We observed age and educational level to have a significant effect on UD Interference Test scores, explaining 12% to 40% of variance. Sex only had a significant effect on the resistance to interference index. CONCLUSIONS: We present an alternative version of the Stroop Color and Word Test with some advantages over previous versions. We provide standardised and normalised data for the Spanish population to correct the test according to the subject's age and level of education.

ADENI-UCI study: Analysis of non-income decisions in ICU as a measure of limitation of life support treatments.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the variables associated with ICU refusal decisions as a life support treatment limitation measure. DESIGN: Prospective, multicentrico. SCOPE: 62 ICU from Spain between February 2018 and March 2019. PATIENTS: Over 18 years of age who were denied entry into ICU as a life support treatment limitation measure. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN INTEREST VARIABLES: Patient comorities, functional situation as measured by the KNAUS and Karnosfky scale; predicted scales of Lee and Charlson; severity of the sick person measured by the APACHE II and SOFA scales, which justifies the decision-making, a person to whom the information is transmitted; date of discharge or in-hospital death, destination for hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 2312 non-income decisions were recorded as an LTSV measure of which 2284 were analyzed. The main reason for consultation was respiratory failure (1080 [47.29%]). The poor estimated quality of life of the sick (1417 [62.04%]), the presence of a severe chronic disease (1367 [59.85%]) and the prior functional limitation of patients (1270 [55.60%]) were the main reasons for denying admission. The in-hospital mortality rate was 60.33%. The futility of treatment was found as a risk factor associated with mortality (OR: 3.23; IC95%: 2.62-3.99). CONCLUSIONS: Decisions to limit ICU entry as an LTSV measure are based on the same reasons as decisions made within the ICU. The futility valued by the intensivist is adequately related to the final result of death.

[Brief visuospatial memory test-revised (BVMT-R): normalization and standardization for Spanish population]. / Test breve de memoria visuoespacial-revisado: normalización y estandarización de la prueba en población española.

INTRODUCTION: The brief visuospatial memory test-revised (BVMT-R) assesses visuospatial learning and memory in adults. It has equivalent forms that allow reassessing patients. AIM: To obtain normative and standardized data for the BVMT-R taking into account the sociodemographic characteristics of the Spanish population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study is part of the Normacog Project. Nine hundred three participants (18 to 93 years old) were assessed using the BVMT-R (form 1). The effect of age, level of education and gender was analyzed on the BVMT-R, and percentiles and scalar scores adjusted by age and level of education were created. RESULTS: A significant effect of age and educational level on the analyzed variables was observed (trial 1; total recall; trial 4; discrimination index), explaining from 12% to 40% of the variance. The older and less educated participants obtained lower performance in all the analyzed variables of the BVMT-R. Gender had not a significant effect in the analyzed variables. CONCLUSION: The study provides standardized and normalized data for the BVMT-R taking into account the Spanish sociodemographic characteristics. The results confirm the in?uence of age and level of education in the performance of the test, so normative data are provided to correct the BVMT-R taking into account these characteristics.

TITLE: Test breve de memoria visuoespacial-revisado: normalización y estandarización de la prueba en población española.Introducción. El test breve de memoria visuoespacial-revisado (BVMT-R) evalúa el aprendizaje y la memoria visuoespacial en población adulta. Este test cuenta con versiones paralelas que permiten su readministración. Objetivo. Obtener datos normativos y estandarizados para el BVMT-R adecuados a las características sociodemográficas de la población española. Sujetos y métodos. El estudio se enmarca dentro del proyecto Normacog. Se evaluó a 903 participantes (rango de edad: 18-93 años) con el BVMT-R (versión 1). Se analizaron el efecto de la edad, el nivel educativo y el sexo sobre el BVMT-R, y se crearon los percentiles y las puntuaciones escalares ajustadas por edad y nivel educativo. Resultados. Se observó un efecto significativo de la edad y el nivel educativo sobre todas las variables analizadas (ensayo 1, recuerdo total, ensayo 4 e índice de discriminación), que explica entre el 12 y el 40% de la varianza. Los participantes más mayores y con menor nivel educativo obtuvieron un menor rendimiento en el BVMT-R. El sexo no presentó un efecto significativo en las variables analizadas. Conclusión. Este estudio aporta baremos estandarizados y normalizados para el BVMT-R, teniendo en cuenta las características sociodemográficas de la población española. Los resultados confirman la influencia de la edad y la educación en el rendimiento del test, por lo que aportamos datos que permiten corregir el BVMT-R teniendo en cuenta dichas características.

UD Interference Test: Creation and validation of a new instrument of resistance to interference. Normalization and standardization for Spanish population. / Test UD Interferencia: Creación y validación de un nuevo instrumento de resistencia a la interferencia. Normalización y estandarización en población española.

INTRODUCTION: The UD Interference Test measures processing speed and attention, and is based on the concept of interference of the Stroop Test. The main purpose of the study is to provide an alternative version of the Stroop Test that overcomes some of the limitations of previous versions in assessing individuals with daltonism or age-related reading difficulties, and to obtain normative and standardised data for the Spanish population. METHODS: This study is part of the Normacog project. We evaluated 905 individuals (age range, 18-93 years) to analyse the test's reliability and concurrent and construct validity. We evaluated the effect of age, sex, and level of education on UD Interference Test performance and calculated percentiles and age- and education-adjusted scaled scores. RESULTS: The test has good reliability (α = 0.875) and concurrent (r = 0.443-0.725; p < .001) and construct validity (r = 0.472-0.737; p < .001). We observed age and educational level to have a significant effect on UD Interference Test scores, explaining 12-40% of variance. Sex only had a significant effect on the resistance to interference index. CONCLUSIONS: We present an alternative version of the Stroop Color and Word Test with some advantages over previous versions. We provide standardised and normalised data for the Spanish population to correct the test according to the subject's age and level of education.

[Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-revised: normalization and standardization for Spanish population]. / Test de aprendizaje verbal de Hopkins revisado: normalización y estandarización de la prueba en población española.

INTRODUCTION: The Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-revised (HVLT-R) was originally created with the objective of providing a short verbal memory and learning test with six alternative forms that allow the re-administration. AIM: To obtain normative and standardized data for the HVLT-R taking into account the sociodemographic characteristics of the current Spanish population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study is part of the Normacog Project. Seven hundred participants (18 to 90 years old) were assessed. The effect of age, level of education and gender on the performance of HVLT-R were analyzed, and percentiles and scalar scores adjusted by age and level of education were created. RESULTS: A significant effect of age and educational level on the analyzed variables of the test was observed, explaining from 15% to 29% of the variance (trial 1, total recall, trial 4, discrimination index). As expected, the older and less educated obtained lower performance in all the analyzed variables of the HVLT-R. However, sex only had a significant effect on the variables trial 1, total recall and discrimination index. CONCLUSION: This study provides standardized and normalized data for the HVLT-R for the Spanish population, offering current norms to clinicians and researchers. The results confirm the influence of age and level of education on all the indicators of the test, so normative data are provided to correct the HVLT-R taking into account these characteristics.

TITLE: Test de aprendizaje verbal de Hopkins revisado: normalización y estandarización de la prueba en población española.Introducción. El test de aprendizaje verbal de Hopkins revisado (HVLT-R) se creó originalmente con el objetivo de proporcionar un test de aprendizaje y memoria verbal corto y con seis versiones paralelas que permitieran su readministración. Objetivo. Obtener datos normativos y estandarizados para el HVLT-R adaptado a las características sociodemográficas de la población española actual. Sujetos y métodos. El estudio se enmarca dentro del proyecto Normacog, para el cual se evaluó a 700 participantes (rango de edad: 18-90 años). Se analizó el efecto de la edad, el nivel educativo y el sexo sobre el rendimiento del HVLT-R, y se crearon los percentiles y las puntuaciones escalares ajustadas por edad y nivel educativo. Resultados. Se observó un efecto significativo de la edad y el nivel educativo sobre las variables analizadas del test, que explicaba entre el 15 y el 29% de la varianza (ensayo 1, recuerdo total, ensayo 4, índice de discriminación). Como era de esperar, a mayor edad y menor nivel educativo, el rendimiento en el HVLT-R fue menor en todas las variables analizadas. Sin embargo, el sexo presentó un efecto significativo únicamente en las variables ensayo 1, recuerdo total e índice de discriminación. Conclusión. Este estudio presenta baremos estandarizados y normalizados para el HVLT-R para población española, y ofrece normas actuales para los clínicos e investigadores. Los resultados confirman la influencia de la edad y la educación en todos los indicadores del test, por lo que se aportan datos que permiten corregir el HVLT-R teniendo en cuenta dichas características.

ADENI-UCI Study: Analysis of non-income decisions in ICU as a measure of limitation of life support treatments. / Estudio ADENI-UCI: Análisis de las decisiones de no ingreso en UCI como medida de limitación de los tratamientos de soporte vital.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the variables associated with ICU refusal decisions as a life support treatment limitation measure. DESIGN: Prospective, multicentrico SCOPE: 62 ICU from Spain between February 2018 and March 2019. PATIENTS: Over 18 years of age who were denied entry into ICU as a life support treatment limitation measure. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN INTEREST VARIABLES: Patient comorities, functional situation as measured by the KNAUS and Karnosfky scale; predicted scales of Lee and Charlson; severity of the sick person measured by the APACHE II and SOFA scales, which justifies the decision-making, a person to whom the information is transmitted; date of discharge or in-hospital death, destination for hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 2312 non-income decisions were recorded as an LTSV measure of which 2284 were analyzed. The main reason for consultation was respiratory failure (1080 [47.29%]). The poor estimated quality of life of the sick (1417 [62.04%]), the presence of a severe chronic disease (1367 [59.85%]) and the prior functional limitation of patients (1270 [55.60%]) were the main reasons for denying admission. The in-hospital mortality rate was 60.33%. The futility of treatment was found as a risk factor associated with mortality (OR: 3.23; IC95%: 2.62-3.99). CONCLUSIONS: Decisions to limit ICU entry as an LTSV measure are based on the same reasons as decisions made within the ICU. The futility valued by the intensivist is adequately related to the final result of death.

Mechanisms of functional improvement through cognitive rehabilitation in schizophrenia.

Whereas the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in schizophrenia is widely known, studies examining mechanisms for functional improvement are still scarce. The aim of the study was to examine the mediational mechanisms through which cognitive rehabilitation improves functioning in schizophrenia. One hundred and eleven schizophrenia patients were randomly assigned to either a 4-month cognitive rehabilitation group or an active control group. Patients underwent a neurocognitive battery (including processing speed, verbal memory, working memory and executive functioning) and social cognition assessment (emotion perception, theory of mind and social perception). Functioning was assessed by the combined use of a performance-based instrument, the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment (UPSA) and an observer-rated instrument, the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02796417). Multiple mediational analyses revealed that the effect of cognitive rehabilitation on functional improvement was partially mediated by changes in processing speed and verbal memory, but not by the domains of social cognition and negative symptoms. More specifically, verbal memory partially mediated the treatment's effect on performance-based functioning (UPSA), whereas processing speed acted as a partial mediator for observer-rated functioning (GAF). The effect of rehabilitation on functioning did not take place through all the domains that showed significant improvement. Verbal memory and processing speed emerged as the most crucial factors. However, these complex interactions need further research.

Long-term effects of cognitive rehabilitation on brain, functional outcome and cognition in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cognitive rehabilitation has demonstrated efficacy in producing short-term cognitive and brain changes in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). To date, no study has assessed the long-term effects of cognitive rehabilitation using neuroimaging techniques in PD. The aim was to assess the longitudinal effects of a 3-month cognitive rehabilitation programme evaluating the cognitive, behavioural and neuroimaging changes after 18 months. METHODS: Fifteen patients with PD underwent a cognitive, behavioural and neuroimaging assessment at pre-treatment (T0 ), post-treatment (T1 ) and after 18 months (T2 ). This study examined the long-term effects (from T0 to T2 ) and the maintenance of the changes (from T1 to T2 ). T1-weighted, diffusion-weighted, functional magnetic resonance imaging during both a resting-state and a memory paradigm were acquired. Voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics were used for grey and white matter analyses. A region-of-interest-to-region-of-interest approach was used for resting-state functional connectivity (FC) and a model-based approach was used for brain activation during the memory paradigm. RESULTS: Patients with PD showed increased cognitive performance, decreased functional disability, increased brain FC and activation at T2 compared with T0 (P < 0.05, FDR). Moreover, patients showed maintenance of the improvements in cognition and functionality, and maintenance of the increased brain FC and activation at T2 compared with T1 . However, significant grey matter reduction and alterations of white matter integrity were found at T2 (P < 0.05, FWE). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the improved cognitive performance and increased brain FC and activation after cognitive rehabilitation were significantly maintained after 18 months in patients with PD, despite the structural brain changes, consistent with a progression of neurodegenerative processes.

[Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test: normalization and standardization for Spanish population]. / Test de evaluacion cognitiva de Montreal: normalizacion y estandarizacion de la prueba en poblacion española.

INTRODUCTION: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a brief screening test that assesses the general cognitive state. It has become very popular and useful as an alternative resource for the traditional Mini-Mental State Examination. AIM: To normalize and to standardize the MoCA taking into account the sociodemographic characteristics of the Spanish population (INE data, 2012). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study is part of the Normacog Project. Seven hundred participants were recruited (older than 18 years old). The effect of age, level of education and sex was analyzed on the performance of MoCA and percentiles and scalar score for nine ranges of age and scalar score adjusted by the level of education. RESULTS: Results showed a significant effect of age, level of education and sex on the cognitive performance of MoCA. However, sex was only significant in two domains (attention and delayed recall). Age, education and sex explained from 1.0% to 32.3% of the variance of the performance. The older participants with lower level of formal education obtained the worse performance shown in MoCA. Percentiles and scalar score for each range of age, and scalar score adjusted by the level of education were obtained. CONCLUSION: The normative data of the MoCA is provided taking into account the Spanish sociodemographic characteristics for adults in Spain and the cut-off to distinguish between normal cognitive performance and mild cognitive impairment according to different range of ages have been proposed.

TITLE: Test de evaluacion cognitiva de Montreal: normalizacion y estandarizacion de la prueba en poblacion española.Introduccion. La evaluacion cognitiva de Montreal (MoCA) es un test de cribado breve que evalua el estado cognitivo general, y resulta un recurso alternativo, muy util, al tradicional test minimental. Objetivo. Normalizar y estandarizar el test MoCA, teniendo en cuenta las caracteristicas sociodemograficas de la poblacion española (datos INE, 2012). Sujetos y metodos. El estudio se enmarca dentro del proyecto Normacog, en el que se evaluo a 700 participantes (18-86 años). Se analizaron el efecto de la edad, el nivel educativo y el sexo sobre el rendimiento del test MoCA, y se crearon los percentiles, las puntuaciones escalares para nueve rangos de edad y la puntuacion escalar normalizada ajustada por edad y nivel educativo. Resultados. Los resultados mostraron un efecto significativo de la edad, el nivel educativo y el sexo sobre el rendimiento cognitivo en el test MoCA. Sin embargo, el sexo solo presento un efecto significativo sobre dos dominios cognitivos: atencion y recuerdo diferido. La edad, la educacion y el sexo explicaron entre el 1% y el 32,3% de la varianza en las variables analizadas del test. Los participantes mas mayores con menor nivel de educacion formal obtuvieron peor rendimiento cognitivo. Se obtuvieron los percentiles y las puntuaciones escalares para cada rango de edad y la puntuacion escalar normalizada individual. Conclusion. Se presentan los datos normativos del test MoCA adecuados a las caracteristicas sociodemograficas de la sociedad española y los puntos de corte propuestos para discriminar entre rendimiento cognitivo normal y deterioro cognitivo leve segun los diferentes rangos de edad.

Synthesis and complementary self-association of novel lipophilic π-conjugated nucleoside oligomers.

A series of lipophilic nucleosides comprising natural and non-natural bases that are π-conjugated to a short oligophenylene-ethynylene fragment has been synthesized. These bases comprise guanosine, isoguanosine, and 2-aminoadenosine as purine heterocycles, and cytidine, isocytosine and uridine as complementary pyrimidine bases. The hydrogen-bonding dimerization and association processes between complementary bases were also studied by (1)H NMR and absorption spectroscopy in order to obtain the relevant association constants.

Clinical (but not cognitive) recovery in schizophrenia through the experience of fictional cinema.

INTRODUCTION: One of the criticisms of rehabilitation techniques is their limited application to the patient's daily life. In the past, cinema has been used as a psychiatric rehabilitation tool, with the primary objective of facilitating training in social abilities and communication. In this study, we consider the use of film not only as a clinical recovery tool but also as a novel cognitive recovery tool for additional rehabilitation not only for communication and social abilities but also for all of the basic cognitive and social cognition processes. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 48 patients with schizophrenia were assigned to an experimental or control group. Both of the groups received treatment sessions that included viewing episodes of the television series The Sopranos. Next, the experimental group participated in a structured cognitive training session that featured questions and exercises based on the episodes. The control group participated in an idea-sharing session (of the same duration and frequency) about what the group members saw in the episode. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment, both the positive and negative clinical symptoms of the experimental group improved significantly compared with the control group. However, this improvement was not observed in basic or social cognitive functions. DISCUSSION: A brief intervention based on transforming the activities of daily life can be an effective tool for psychiatric rehabilitation. However, the study's current characteristics and sample did not produce benefits in cognitive parameters.

Hippocampal abnormalities and age in chronic schizophrenia: morphometric study across the adult lifespan.

BACKGROUND: Hippocampal abnormalities have been demonstrated in schizophrenia. It is unclear whether these abnormalities worsen with age, and whether they affect cognition and function. AIMS: To determine whether hippocampal abnormalities in chronic schizophrenia are associated with age, cognition and socio-occupational function. METHOD: Using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging we scanned 100 persons aged 19-82 years: 51 were out-patients with stable schizophrenia at least 2 years after diagnosis and 49 were healthy volunteers matched for age and gender. Automated analysis was used to determine hippocampal volume and shape. RESULTS: There were differential effects of age in the schizophrenia and control samples on total hippocampal volume (group × age interaction: F(1,95) = 6.57, P = 0.012), with steeper age-related reduction in the schizophrenia group. Three-dimensional shape analysis located the age-related deformations predominantly in the mid-body of the hippocampus. In the schizophrenia group similar patterns of morphometric abnormalities were correlated with impaired cognition and poorer socio-occupational function. CONCLUSIONS: Hippocampal abnormalities are associated with age in people with chronic schizophrenia, with a steeper decline than in healthy individuals. These abnormalities are associated with cognitive and functional deficits, suggesting that hippocampal morphometry may be a biomarker for cognitive decline in older patients with schizophrenia.

Determinacion de la sensibilidad in vitro de diferentes cepas de Trypanosoma cruzi al benznidazol y al extracto de hoja de la planta Zanthoxylum chiloperone / Determination of the in vitro sensitivity of different Trypanosoma cruzi strains to benznidazole and the leaf extract of the plant Zanthoxylum chiloperone

Se evaluo la sensibilidad in vitro al benznidazol y al extracto de hojas de la planta Zanthoxylum chiloperone de diez cepas del Trypanosoma cruzi. Se utilizaron formas epimastigotas de las cepas, pertenecientes a diferentes linajes, diferente procedencia geografica, incluidas tres de Paraguay, y aisladas de hospederos distintos, abarcando humanos, triatominos y animales silvestres. El grado de sensibilidad a la droga y al extracto vegetal fue estimado por el porcentaje de lisis de los parasitos a las 24 y 48 horas de exposicion. Se observo un amplio rango de variacion en el porcentaje de lisis entre las cepas, de 22,2% a 90,8% a la concentracion del benznidazol de 200 ug/mL, con el hallazgo de una cepa con sensibilidad nula al mismo. Con respecto al extracto vegetal, tres concentraciones fueron testadas, de 500, 700 y 900 ug/mL, observandose variaciones en los porcentajes de lisis entre las cepas con las dos primeras concentraciones, entre un 2,1% y 100%, con lisis total en todas las cepas a la concentracion de 900 ug/mL. No se observo asociacion entre la diversidad de respuesta a los compuestos y la clasificacion de las cepas ni con su origen geografico y tipo de hospedero. Estas diferencias observadas resaltan la heterogeneidad de las poblaciones naturales del T. cruzi, aspecto importante a tener en cuenta en los estudios de sensibilidad a quimioterapeuticos y en los tamizajes primarios de nuevos antichagasicos. Asi mismo, se destaca la eficacia del extracto vegetal sobre diferentes cepas de este parasito.

Structural correlates of facial emotion recognition deficits in Parkinson's disease patients.

The ability to recognize facial emotion expressions, especially negative ones, is described to be impaired in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Previous neuroimaging work evaluating the neural substrate of facial emotion recognition (FER) in healthy and pathological subjects has mostly focused on functional changes. This study was designed to evaluate gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) correlates of FER in a large sample of PD. Thirty-nine PD patients and 23 healthy controls (HC) were tested with the Ekman 60 test for FER and with magnetic resonance imaging. Effects of associated depressive symptoms were taken into account. In accordance with previous studies, PD patients performed significantly worse in recognizing sadness, anger and disgust. In PD patients, voxel-based morphometry analysis revealed areas of positive correlation between individual emotion recognition and GM volume: in the right orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala and postcentral gyrus and sadness identification; in the right occipital fusiform gyrus, ventral striatum and subgenual cortex and anger identification, and in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and disgust identification. WM analysis through diffusion tensor imaging revealed significant positive correlations between fractional anisotropy levels in the frontal portion of the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and the performance in the identification of sadness. These findings shed light on the structural neural bases of the deficits presented by PD patients in this skill.

Actividad larvicida de extractos vegetales acuosos en larvas de Aedes aegypti (primeros ensayos) / Larvicidal activity of aqueous plants extracts on Aedes aegypti larva (first trials)

El dengue es una enfermedad epidémica muy común en regiones tropicales y sub tropicales. La eliminación de criaderos y el control vectorial se encuentran entre las medidas en la lucha contra la enfermedad. Se han desarrollado diversas estrategias para mantener bajo índice poblacional del mosquito. Diversas investigaciones se han enfocado a la búsqueda de nuevos productos naturales, con actividad insecticida y larvicida, que puedan controlar la población de mosquitos, sin presentar riesgos al humano y animales domésticos. Realizamos una serie de bioensayos con extractos acuosos de plantas paraguayas, Annona muricata (chirimoya); Bulnesia sarmentoi (palo santo); Melia azederach (paraíso); Zanthoxylum chiloperone var. Angustifolium (tembetary hú) y Bixa orellana (urukú), para comprobar en cada planta, su actividad y eficacia como larvicida, contralarvas del mosquito Aedes agypti. Dichas larvas, fueron colectadas de diversas zonas de Asunción y el Gran Asunción, durante la epidemia de fiebre amarilla del año 2007. Las semillas de la Annona mucricata (chirimoya), presentaron una buena actividad larvicida, ya que a la mínima concentración del 5%, han tenido un efecto mortal para las larvas, comparable al observado en los controles positivos (que contenían temefos 1%). En cambio, M. aezsederach (paraíso) y Z. chiloperone (tembetary hú) no mostraron actividad larvicida a esa dosis, ni aún a otras superiores. Por otro lado B. sarmientoi (palo santo) y B. orellana (urukú), presentaron cierto efecto larvicida, eliminando al 18% de larvas a las 72 horas post-exposición. Se observó una marcada diferencia de actividad, entre el extracto de semillas chirimoya con los demás extractos probados

Dengue is an common epidemic disease in tropical and subtropical regions. The elimination of breeding sites and vector control are among the most widely used measures in the fight against the disease. Many strategies have been developed to keep low rates of mosquito populations. Several research studies have been focused on finding natural products with insecticide and larvicide activity that could effectively control these mosquito populations without risks for the human populations and domestic animals. In this work, we have performed a series of bioassays with aqueous extracts of Paraguayan plants: Annona muricata (cherimoya), Bulnesia sarmentoi (palo santo), Melia azederach (paradise), Zanthoxylum chiloperone var. Angustifolium (tembetary hú) and Bixa orellana (uruku) in order to check the effectiveness and activity as larvicide of each plant gainst Aedes aegypti larvae. The larvae were collected in various areas of Asuncion and Great Asuncion during the yellow fever outbreak of 2007. The seeds of A. mucricata (cherimoya or custard apple) showed good larvicidal activity, i.e. at the minimum concentration of 5%, showed lethality against larvae comparable to that observed in positive controls (containing 1% temephos). On the other hand, M. azederach (paradise) and Z. chiloperone (tembetary hú) did not show any larvicidal activity at the same dose and even at higher doses. B. sarmientoi (palo santo) and Bixa orellana (uruku) showed some larvicidal effect killing larva (18%) at 72 hours post-exposure. There was a marked difference in activity between the cherimoya seeds extract and the other extracts tested

Investigaciones sobre la enfermedad de Chagas en el Departamento de Medicina Tropical del Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Ano 1982-2009. A 100 años del Descubrimiento de la Enfermedad de Chagas / Research on Chagas disease in the Department of Tropical Medicine from the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Years 1982-2009. 100 years after the discovery of Chagas disease

El Departamento de Medicina Tropical del Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud se dedicó desde sus inicios (1982) a la investigación de la Enfermedad de Chagas realizando estudios serológicos, búsqueda de un modelo animal y control de la enfermedad a través del mejoramiento de la vivienda. Tiene una colonia de primates, un bioterio de ratones destinado al mantenimiento de cepas de referencia de Trypanosoma cruzi, y un vinchucario. Se han incluido líneas de investigación como la búsqueda de productos naturales con actividad sobre T. cruzi y Leishmania sp. En el área de vectores, se realizaron trabajos sobre ecología y dinámica de distribución de vectores y ensayos en campo para la búsqueda de atractantes eficaces para la detección temprana de reinfestación. En 1995, se aislaron parásitos del primer caso humano de Leishmaniasis visceral, iniciándose luego estudios diagnósticos de Leishmaniasis visceral canina con otros departamentos de la institución alertando sobre la urbanización de esta enfermedad en el Gran Asunción. Cuenta con un banco de cepas, único en Paraguay y mantiene cepas usadas en el diagnostico serológico de la Enfermedad de Chagas y la Leishmaniasis. También ofrece servicios de asistencia para consulta clínica, serológica, radiológica y cardiológica para pacientes chagásicos. El departamento continua trabajando en estas patologías consideradas actualmente como desatendidas, aunando esfuerzos con organismos nacionales e internacionales para identificar compuestos líderes para el tratamiento, contribuir al conocimiento de las mismas, y especialmente con el compromiso de dar una respuesta al siempre relegado paciente chagásico

The Department of Tropical Medicine of the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud has worked since the beginning (1982) in the research of Chagas disease performing serological studies, search of an animal model and control of Chagas disease via housing improvement. The department has an animal care facility, including primates and mice, the latter used in the maintenance of Trypanosoma cruzi reference strains, as well as a colony of triatomine bugs. New research lines have been included such as the search of natural products with activity against T. cruzi and Leishmania sp. In the vectors area, studies about vectors ecology and distribution dynamics have been performed as well as field assays for the search of attractants efficient for the early detection of reinfestation. In 1995, parasites were isolated in the first human case of visceral leishmaniasis in Paraguay since 1903, starting then diagnosis studies of canine visceral leishmaniasis with other departments of the institute giving the alert about the urbanization of the disease in the Great Asunción. The department has a strain bank, unique in Paraguay, and maintains strains for the serological diagnosis of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. It also offers clinical, serological, radiological and cardiologic care services for chagasic patients. The department continues working in these pathologies currently considered as neglected diseases, joining efforts with national and international institutions to identify leader compounds for the treatment, contribute to the knowledge of these diseases and mainly answer to the commitment of providing assistance to the always relegated chagasic patient

Estudio de Fiebre Amarilla en primates en áreas de brote de los departamentos de San Pedro y Central del Paraguay / Study of Yellow Fever in primates in outbreaks areas of the departments of San Pedro and Central in Paraguay

La Fiebre Amarilla (FA) es una de las más importantes zoonosis que afecta a poblaciones humanas. La FA silvestre es imposible de ser erradicada, manteniéndose activa en zonas tropicales en África y Sudamérica. Todas las especies de primates son susceptibles y se consideran reservorios en el medio silvestre. La mortalidad es baja, se desconoce su valor con precisión, sin embargo existen epizootias con alta mortalidad, en humanos varía entre 20-50%. El objetivo de este trabajo fue buscar evidencias de FA en primates capturados en áreas de brote de FA de los departamentos de San Pedro y Central del Paraguay mediante la técnica de Neutralización por reducción de placas para FA cepa vacunal 17 D. Los resultados en los 35 primates estudiados fueron negativos, quizás por lo tardío del momento en la toma de muestras y bajo número de primates capturados.

Yellow Fever (YF) is one of the most important zoonotic diseases affecting human population. It is impossible to eradicate wild YF remaining active in tropical zones of Africa and South America. All species of primates are susceptible and are considered reservoirs in wild regions. Mortality is low and its precise value is unknown though there are epizootics with high mortality rates and in humans varies between 20-50%. The objective of this study was to search for evidence of YF in primates caught in YF outbreaks areas of the departments of San Pedro and Central in Paraguay through the neutralization technique by plates reduction for YF vaccine strain 17 D. The results in the 35 primates studied were negative, perhaps because of the lateness of the time sampling and the low number of captured primates.

Experimental treatment of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice with 2-n-propylquinoline.

It was reported previously that 2-n-propylquinoline was active against the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi. The effects of oral treatments with benznidazole and 2-n-propylquinoline were evaluated in Balb/c mice infected with T. cruzi chronically. The reference drug and 2-n-propylquinoline were administered 60 days post-infection for 30 days at 25 mg/mL. At 35 days post-treatment, the serological tests (ELISA) of the 2-n- propylquinoline-treated mice were significantly different from the controls (p = 0.01) and the benznidazole-treated mice (p = 0.03), while this was not the case at 85 days post-treatment. These results are encouraging for continuing the investigation of other analogues of 2-n-propylquinoline in experimental chronic Chagas' disease.

Efficacy of the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids in acute and chronic Trypanosoma cruzi murine model.

We have shown previously that daphnoline and cepharanthine are active against Trypanosoma cruzi and inhibited trypanothione reductase. The effects of oral treatments with daphnoline, cepharanthine and benznidazole were examined in Balb/c mice infected with T. cruzi acutely and chronically. In acute infections, parasitaemia was significantly reduced in the daphnoline-treated mice compared with controls and benznidazole-treated mice. The parasitological cure rate was increased in mice treated with daphnoline. Fifty days after infection, the negative serological response in both models was significantly different for the three tested drugs. Daphnoline showed the highest negative serological rate (48%). In chronically infected mice treated with daphnoline, we were unable to detect parasites in 70% of mice. The results obtained of oral treatment of daphnoline suggest that this bisbenzylisoquinoline may be useful in the treatment of acute and chronic Chagas' disease. This was not seen with cepharanthine, an excellent trypanothione reductase inhibitor.