Interneurons in the CA1 stratum oriens expressing αTTP may play a role in the delayed-ageing Pol µ mouse model.

Neurodegeneration associated with ageing is closely linked to oxidative stress (OS) and disrupted calcium homeostasis. Some areas of the brain, like the hippocampus - particularly the CA1 region - have shown a high susceptibility to age-related changes, displaying early signs of pathology and neuronal loss. Antioxidants such as α-tocopherol (αT) have been effective in mitigating the impact of OS during ageing. αT homeostasis is primarily regulated by the α-tocopherol transfer protein (αTTP), which is widely distributed throughout the brain - where it plays a crucial role in maintaining αT levels within neuronal cells. This study investigates the distribution of αTTP in the hippocampus of 4- and 24-month-old Pol µ knockout mice (Pol µ-/-), a delayed-ageing model, and the wild type (Pol µ+/+). We also examine the colocalisation in the stratum oriens (st.or) of CA1 region with the primary interneuron populations expressing calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) (calbindin (CB), parvalbumin (PV), and calretinin (CR)). Our findings reveal that αTTP immunoreactivity (-IR) in the st.or of Pol µ mice is significantly reduced. The density of PV-expressing interneurons (INs) increased in aged mice in both Pol µ genotypes (Pol µ-/- and Pol µ+/+), although the density of PV-positive INs was lower in the aged Pol µ-/- mice compared to wild-type mice. By contrast, CR- and CB-positive INs in Pol µ mice remained unchanged during ageing. Furthermore, double immunohistochemistry reveals the colocalisation of αTTP with CBPs in INs of the CA1 st.or. Our study also shows that the PV/αTTP-positive IN population remains unchanged in all groups. A significant decrease of CB/αTTP-positive INs in young Pol µ-/- mice has been detected, as well as a significant increase in CR/αTTP-IR in older Pol µ-/- animals. These results suggest that the differential expression of αTTP and CBPs could have a crucial effect in aiding the survival and maintenance of the different IN populations in the CA1 st.or, and their coexpression could contribute to the enhancement of their resistance to OS-related damage and neurodegeneration associated with ageing.

Tobacco Consumption and Mental Health in the Canary Islands: A Quantitative Analysis.

Although the detrimental health effects of tobacco, there has been scant research into determining comprehensive profiles to characterize individuals with a higher risk of smoking. This paper identifies such profiles and probabilistically quantifies the effects of certain traits on the decision to smoke in the Canary Islands. This characterization is approached from a broad and novel point of view for the region studied, given that the analysis not only studies sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and health, but also incorporates mental health. The results show that suffering from some type of psychopathology leads to a higher probability of tobacco consumption. Moreover, just as the promotion of a healthy lifestyle has a direct impact on tobacco consumption, the implementation of public policies that reduce the risks of suffering from a mental illness could also reduce the prevalence of smoking in the region and contribute to the design of more effective prevention strategies.

Developmental study of vitamin C distribution in children's brainstems by immunohistochemistry.

Vitamin C (Vit C) is an important antioxidant, exerts powerful neuroprotective brain effects and plays a role in neuronal development and maturation. Vit C is present in brain tissue at higher concentrations than in other organs, but its detailed distribution in brain is unknown. Immunohistochemical detection of this vitamin has been performed by using a highly specific antibody against Vit C. The aim of the present work was to analyze the distribution of Vit C in children's brainstems during postnatal development, comparing two groups of ages: younger and older than one year of life. In general, the same areas showing neurons with Vit C in young cases are also immunostained at older ages. The distribution of neurons containing Vit C was broader in the brainstems of older children, suggesting that brainstem neurons maintain or even increase their ability to retain Vit C along the life span. Immunohistochemical labeling revealed only cell bodies containing this vitamin, and no immunoreactive fibers were observed. The distribution pattern of Vit C in children's brainstems suggests a possible role of Vit C in brain homeostatic regulation. In addition, the constant presence of Vit C in neurons of locus coeruleus supports the important role of Vit C in noradrenaline synthesis, which seemed to be maintained along postnatal development.

Developmental study of the distribution of hypoxia-induced factor-1 alpha and microtubule-associated protein 2 in children's brainstem: comparison between controls and cases with signs of perinatal hypoxia.

Perinatal asphyxia and hypoxia are common causes of morbidity in neonates. Prenatal birth associated with hypoxemia often results in several disorders because of the lack of oxygen in the brain. Survival rates from perinatal hypoxia have improved, but appropriate treatments for recovery are still limited, with great impact on patients, their families, society in general and health systems. The aim of this work is to contribute to a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying the brainstem responses to hypoxia. For this purpose, distributions of two proteins, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) were analyzed in brainstems of 11 children, four of them showing neuropathological evidence of brain hypoxia. They were included in control or hypoxic groups, and then in several subgroups according to their age. Immunohistochemical labeling for these proteins revealed only cell bodies containing HIF-1α, and both cell bodies and fibers positive for MAP-2 in the children's brainstems. The distribution of HIF-1α was more restricted than that of MAP-2, and it can be suggested that the expression of HIF-1α increased with age. The distribution pattern of MAP-2 in the medulla oblongata could be more due to age-related changes than to a response to hypoxic damage, whereas in the pons several regions, such as the nucleus ambiguus or the solitary nucleus, showed different immunolabeling patterns in controls and hypoxic cases. The distribution patterns of these two proteins suggest that some brainstem regions, such as the reticular formation or the central gray, could be less affected by conditions of hypoxia.

Mapping of tyrosine hydroxylase in the diencephalon of alpaca (Lama pacos) and co-distribution with somatostatin-28 (1-12).

Based on previous work describing the distribution of somatostatin-28 (1-12) in the male alpaca (Lama pacos) diencephalon, and owing to the well known interactions between this peptide and the catecholaminergic system, the aims of this work are (1) to describe the distribution of putative catecholaminergic cell groups in the alpaca diencephalon and (2) to study the possible morphological basis of the interactions between these substances in the diencephalon of the alpaca by using double immunohistochemistry methods. Thus, the distribution of catecholaminergic cell groups in the alpaca diencephalon agrees with that previously described in the diencephalon of other mammalian species of the same order: the A11, A12, A13, A14 and A15d cell groups have been identified; however, we have observed an additional hitherto undescribed cell group containing tyrosine hydroxylase in the medial habenula. In addition, double-labelling procedures did not reveal neurons containing tyrosine hydroxylase and somatostatin, suggesting that the hypothalamic interactions between catecholamines and somatostatin at intra-cellular level must be carried out by a somatostatin molecule other than fragment (1-12). Otherwise, the overlapping distribution patterns of these substances would suggest some interconnections between groups of chemospecific neurons. These results could be the starting point for future studies on hypothalamic functions in alpacas, for example those concerning reproductive control, since other physiological studies have suggested that this species could have different regulatory mechanisms from other mammalian species. Our results support the Manger hypothesis that the same nuclear complement of neural systems exists in the brain of species of the same order.

[Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy]. / Suprarrenalectomía laparoscópica transperitoneal.

OBJECTIVES: To present our results with transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy after completion of 70 procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 2002 and December 2010, transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in 70 patients with the following diagnoses: Conn syndrome (22 cases), nonfunctioning adenomas (18), Cushing syndrome (10), pheochromocytomas (7), myelolipomas (4), metastasis after treatment of primary nonadrenal tumors (6), ganglioneuroma (1), adrenal gland hematoma (1) and adrenal carcinoma (1). We describe the size, surgical and hospitalization times, blood loss, need for transfusion, surgical complications and rate of conversion to open surgery. RESULTS: Of 70 patients, 35 were men and 35 women (1:1) with a mean age of 58.2 years (range, 82.2- 29.1). The most common site was left (58%) compared to right (42%). The mean size of the surgical specimen was 5.11 cm, mean surgical time was 119.2 minutes (50-240) and mean operative bleeding was 140.6 (30-800) cc. Only 3 patients required blood transfusion. The mean time until oral feeding was 17 hours, and the mean hospital stay was 4.3 (2-15) days. Complications included 2 cases of surgical infections, 1 of prolonged paralytic ileus, and 1 of splenic laceration and 1 of intestinal perforation which both which required reconversion to open surgery (4.28%). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe procedure, with a low percentage of complications and a short hospital stay. The choice of this approach will depend on the surgeon's experience with the lesion etiology and size in each case.

[201Thalium SPECT in the detection of recurrent laryngeal carcinoma]. / El SPECT con (201)Talio en la detección de recidiva del carcinoma de laringe.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of (201)Thallium SPECT in the detection of local and/or regional lymph node dissemination of pharyngolaryngeal carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 29 patients who had been diagnosed with pharyngolaryngeal carcinoma were studied (mean age: 60.9 years). These patients had been treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At between 3 to 6 month after finishing the treatment, all of them underwent a planar and SPECT study at one hour after the administration of 148 MBq of (201)Thallium. Uptake was scored on four grades: from 0 (no uptake) to 3 (very intense uptake). The presence or non-presence of lymph nodes with uptake was also evaluated. All the results on the scintigraphy were correlated with long term clinical and radiological follow-up (mean: 2.5 years). The studies were classified as positive for recurrence when the uptake was 2-3 and/or with presence of lymph nodes with uptake. RESULTS: We obtained 9 true positive, 14 true negative, 3 false positive and 3 false negative results. Sensitivity was 75%, specificity was 82.4%, positive predictive value was 75% and negative predictive value was 82.4%. Two out of three false positives corresponded to the surgical bed uptake and one was attributed to the laterocervical lymph nodes. The three false negatives had grade 1 uptakes, two of them corresponding to pulmonary metastasis without evidence of local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The use of (201)Thallium SPECT in the prognostic evaluation in patients with a treated laryngeal carcinoma shows very acceptable results in the detection of local recurrence and/or regional lymph node dissemination.

[Ureterocalicostomy: a forgotten surgical technique?]. / La ureterocalicostomía: ¿una cirugía olvidada?

INTRODUCTION: ureterocalicostomy is a surgical technique that is rarely indicated and that urologists currently apply very occasionally. MATERIALS AND METHOD: a patient with a right pyelical retraction cicatricial process, which resulted in obstructive uropathy of the upper and mid caliceal system, excluding the lower caliceal system is presented. We performed a surgical exploration and ureterocalicostomy with successful result. In the very long term, the patient is cured and has normal kidney functionalism. RESULTS: we present the technical results of the surgery and, from a present-day perspective, we review the indications of this technique and the determining factors required to obtain good results. CONCLUSION: ureterocalicostomy is a technique that present-day urologists have almost forgotten, which still maintains some indications and premises effective. For this reason, urologists dedicated to reconstructive surgery must know this technique and include it in their surgical arsenal.

Intraoperative warming and post-operative cognitive dysfunction after total knee replacement.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) can affect 30% of orthopedic surgery patients. We hypothesized that perioperative temperature has an impact on POCD. METHODS: We included 150 patients over 65 years of age scheduled for total knee replacement under spinal anesthesia. They were randomized to receive standard care (sheet cover) or active warming. Neurocognitive assessment (11 subtests) was performed pre-operatively and at day 4 (three subtests) and 3 months (10 subtests). A control group of 55 nonsurgical patients took the same tests at equivalent times. POCD was defined as an individual score decrease of more than 2 standard deviations (SDs) below the baseline on at least two subtests or 2 SDs in the combined z-score, in both cases using control-adjusted changes. RESULTS: Tympanic temperature declined below 35 °C in 88% of standard-care patients; 25.3% of warmed patients had a temperature ≥36 °C. On day 4, 3.2% of standard-care patients and 19.4% of warmed patients had POCD (P=0.0058). At 3 months, there were no between-group differences (standard care, 14.3%; warmed, 6.5%) (P=0.2440). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative warming was associated with a higher incidence of cognitive dysfunction at 4 days after total knee replacement in patients >65 years of age.

Long-term follow-up of bradycardia in elite athletes.

The aim of the study was to examine the hypothesis that when former high-level athletes retired from competition, bradycardia would vanish. ECG changes and factors possibly related to the persistence of bradycardia were investigated. We performed a longitudinal follow-up study in 157 former elite athletes who had records of bradycardia < 50 bpm when they were active in high-level competition. All had retired from competitive sport for a minimum of five years prior to participation in the follow-up examination. Data on sport modality, hours of weekly training during competition periods, years participating in high-level competition, and years since retirement from competition were abstracted from medical records at two sports medicine centers. ECGs from this time were studied. At the post-retirement follow-up examination, participants underwent a clinical examination that included blood pressure and ECG recordings, and answered a structured questionnaire about their physical exercise since retirement from their sporting career. In the post-retirement period, a total of 65 % of participants had persistent bradycardia, 18 % with bradycardia < 50 bpm. Multivariate analysis showed that persistence of resting bradycardia was associated with regular exercise and number of years in high-level competition, but not with symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness or syncope, or major ECG alterations.

[Quality of life in patients with urinary incontinence]. / Calidad de vida en las pacientes con incontinencia urinaria.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life of female patients with urinary stress incontinence (USI) who were attended at the urology department of the University Hospital at Albacete. METHOD: Between November 2001 and December 2005, 126 patients with USI were surveyed in our hospital using the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ), which is a specific instrument to measure the quality of life among female patients with urinary incontinence (UI). RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 57.09 años (SD: 9.57) and the mean BMI was 28.14 Kg/m2 (SD: 4.66). The mean evolution of UI was 114.48 months, with a median of 96 months. During the last week of the study period, a total of 73 women (57.94%) had more than 10 urine leaks a day. As regards the number of sanitary towels used a day, 82.5% (104 cases) stated they used less than 6. The urodynamic diagnosis was described as normal in 8 cases (6.3%), 16 cases (12.7%) were diagnosed as mixed urinary incontinence and, finally, 102 cases (81%) suffered genuine USI. The best scores were presented in the Personal Relationships scale with a mean score of 26.8, whereas the worse scores were noted in that of Impact of Urinary Incontinence, whose mean score was 82.96. Generally, the lowest scores (better quality of life) were obtained in the youngest age groups. Scores in the scales of General Health, Impact on daily activities, Impact on physical activity, Impact on social activity and Emotions, were significantly higher in patients who had undergone a histerectomy. Patients whose evolution of urinary incontinence was longer presented lower scores in the Personal Relationships scale (r=0.179; p=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of female patients with U.I. is affected, which limits both their physical activity and image. Their quality of life worsens with age, a greater extent of incontinence, greater urinary symptomatology and when episodes of urinary infection are associated.

Sevelamer hydrochloride in peritoneal dialysis patients: results of a multicenter cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sevelamer hydrochloride is a phosphate binder widely employed in hemodialysis patients. Until now, information about its efficacy and safety in peritoneal dialysis patients has been scarce. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In September 2005 a cross-sectional study of demographic, biochemical, and therapeutic data of patients from 10 peritoneal dialysis units in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Spain, was conducted. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 228 patients. At the time of the study, 128 patients (56%) were receiving sevelamer. Patients receiving sevelamer were younger (p < 0.01), showed a longer period of time on dialysis (p < 0.01), and had a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index (p < 0.01). Serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone levels were not different between the two groups, while phosphate levels <5.5 mg/dL were observed more frequently in patients not receiving sevelamer (79% vs 61%, p < 0.01). Serum total cholesterol (167 +/- 41 vs 189 +/- 42 mg/dL, p < 0.01) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (90 +/- 34 vs 109 +/- 34 mg/dL, p < 0.01), but not high density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides, were lower in sevelamer-treated patients. Moreover, sevelamer-treated patients displayed a higher serum albumin (38 +/- 5 vs 36 +/- 4 g/L, p < 0.01) and a lower C-reactive protein (4.9 +/- 12.8 vs 8.8 +/- 15.7 mg/L, p < 0.01). Blood bicarbonate levels <22 mmol/L were observed more frequently in patients receiving sevelamer (22% vs 5%, p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis adjusting by confounding variables confirmed that sevelamer therapy was associated with serum total cholesterol <200 mg/dL [relative risk (RR): 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44 - 5.26, p = 0.002] and blood bicarbonate <22 mmol/L (RR: 8.5, 95% CI: 2.6 - 27.0, p < 0.001), but not with serum phosphate >5.5 mg/dL, calcium-phosphate product >55 mg(2)/dL(2), serum albumin <35 g/L, or C-reactive protein >5 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: This uncontrolled cross-sectional study in peritoneal dialysis patients showed that sevelamer hydrochloride treatment allows an adequate serum phosphate level in about 60% of patients and significantly reduces total and LDL-cholesterol levels. Since this treatment is associated with metabolic acidosis in 22% of patients, we recommend close monitoring of bicarbonate levels in this group of patients until the clinical significance of this result is clarified.