Leaf anatomy of seven endemic species of Glicophyllum (Malpighiaceae) in Brazil.

Glicophyllum is well supported, presenting four homoplasies, easily differentiated from the other genera of the clade due to characteristics related to the reproductive organs, which can make the identification of their species difficult when they are not in the reproductive phase. Therefore, there are provided the leaf anatomical and morphological description of the leaf glands of seven species of Glicophyllum to assist in the identification of their species. The samples for the study were obtained from several national and international herbaria, sectioned freehand, stained with basic fuchsin - astra blue and compared through a binary matrix using the Sorensen's coefficient in the MVSP software. Among the leaf anatomical characters found, the following stand out: presence/absence of trichomes; petiole contour; contour of the main vein; organization of the mesophyll, presence/absence of bundle sheath extension and the surface of the glands. In this study, an identification key with leaf anatomical data is presented for the first time, demonstrating the applicability of leaf anatomy for the taxonomy of Glicophyllum. In the multivariate analysis, it is observed that the characteristics of leaf venation and topology of the glands are more representative to differentiate the taxa. Therefore, the data obtained can support future taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of the genus.

Perceived stress modulates the activity between the amygdala and the cortex.

The significant link between stress and psychiatric disorders has prompted research on stress's impact on the brain. Interestingly, previous studies on healthy subjects have demonstrated an association between perceived stress and amygdala volume, although the mechanisms by which perceived stress can affect brain function remain unknown. To better understand what this association entails at a functional level, herein, we explore the association of perceived stress, measured by the PSS10 questionnaire, with disseminated functional connectivity between brain areas. Using resting-state fMRI from 252 healthy subjects spanning a broad age range, we performed both a seed-based amygdala connectivity analysis (static connectivity, with spatial resolution but no temporal definition) and a whole-brain data-driven approach to detect altered patterns of phase interactions between brain areas (dynamic connectivity with spatiotemporal information). Results show that increased perceived stress is directly associated with increased amygdala connectivity with frontal cortical regions, which is driven by a reduced occurrence of an activity pattern where the signals in the amygdala and the hippocampus evolve in opposite directions with respect to the rest of the brain. Overall, these results not only reinforce the pathological effect of in-phase synchronicity between subcortical and cortical brain areas but also demonstrate the protective effect of counterbalanced (i.e., phase-shifted) activity between brain subsystems, which are otherwise missed with correlation-based functional connectivity analysis.

Association of amygdala size with stress perception: Findings of a transversal study across the lifespan.

Daily routines are getting increasingly stressful. Interestingly, associations between stress perception and amygdala volume, a brain region implicated in emotional behaviour, have been observed in both younger and older adults. Life stress, on the other hand, has become pervasive and is no longer restricted to a specific age group or life stage. As a result, it is vital to consider stress as a continuum across the lifespan. In this study, we investigated the relationship between perceived stress and amygdala size in 272 healthy participants with a broad age range. Participants were submitted to a structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to extract amygdala volume, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores were used as the independent variable in volumetric regressions. We found that perceived stress is positively associated with the right amygdala volume throughout life.

Elevated levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin among OCD patients: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric disease that is characterized by its clinical heterogeneity and complex pathophysiology. This complexity comes from the diversity of pathophysiological factors that have been proposed to be involved in the natural history of the disorder. Many theories on OCD pathology support inflammation as a pathophysiological factor, although studies are not consistent on the presence of a pro-inflammatory state among OCD patients. However, some pre-clinical animal studies suggest lipocalin-2 (LCN2), an analogous form of the acute-phase pro-inflammatory protein neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), may be involved in in the regulation of the stress response, which is thought to be disrupted in OCD. METHODS: Twenty-one OCD patients and 19 healthy subjects participated in this exploratory study. Levels of NGAL were assessed in the peripherous blood of all participants. Severity of disease was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). RESULTS: OCD patients exhibited significantly higher levels of NGAL when compared to healthy control subjects. No correlation was found between elevated levels of NGAL and severity of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report elevated levels of NGAL among OCD patients, adding evidence for a possible role of immune dysregulation in the pathophysiology of OCD.

A FT-NIR spectroscopy methodology to estimate firing distance based on the direct analysis of the bullet impact surface.

A new methodology to estimate firing distance based on the direct analysis of organic components of gunshot residues (GSRs) on the bullet impact surface using Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy is proposed. Mathematical models relating firing distance with spectral information were developed using data obtained from a series of shots performed with a Glock model 17C (114 mm barrel length and 9 × 19 mm cartridges) at different distances, from 20 to 90 cm, against a white 40 × 40 cm square cloth (70% polyester/30% cotton) target. The study was repeated with two different types of ammunition. Spectra were obtained around the bullet entrance hole at 4 perpendicular directions and at 5 radial distances in diffuse reflectance mode with the assistance of a fiber optic probe. Principal component analysis showed that FT-NIRS displayed sensitivity in the recognition of the differences between the GSRs from the two different types of ammunition. Partial least squares regression models allowed the estimation of firing distance for both types of ammunition. Prediction errors lower than 11 cm were obtained for shots up to 90 cm.

Stress, anxiety, and depression trajectories during the "first wave" of the COVID-19 pandemic: what drives resilient, adaptive and maladaptive responses in the Portuguese population?

Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak and the community mitigation strategies implemented to reduce new SARS-CoV-2 infections can be regarded as powerful stressors with negative consequences on people's mental health. Although it has been shown that negative emotional symptoms subside during lockdown, it is likely the existence of inter-individual differences in stress, anxiety and depression trajectories throughout lockdown. Objectives: We aimed to cluster participants' according to their trajectories of stress, anxiety and depression scores throughout lockdown, and identify the sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors that may distinguish the subjects included in the different clusters. Methods: From March 23, 2020, to May 31, 2020, participants completed weekly online questionnaires on sociodemographic information (age, sex, education level, and employment status), psychological functioning (DASS-21, NEO-FFI-20), and clinical data (psychiatric disorders, psychiatric medication, physical disorders). Data regarding smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and time spent daily looking for COVID-19-related information were also collected. Stress, anxiety and depression trajectories were determined using latent class mixed models. Results: A total of 2040 participants answered the survey at baseline and 603 participants answered all surveys. Three groups ("Resilient," "Recovered," and "Maladaptive") with distinct mental health trajectories were identified. Younger participants, women, participants with lower education level, not working, studying, diagnosed with a mental disorder, taking psychiatric medication, smokers, those who spent more time consuming COVID-19-related information and those with higher neuroticism tended to cluster in the "Maladaptive" group, placing them at higher risk of persistent negative emotional symptoms during compulsory confinement. Conclusion: Accordingly, a tailored approach to emotional suffering for vulnerable subjects during the COVID-19 and future pandemics must be devised.

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum as a rare presentation of gastric lesions: Two case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous hemoperitoneum is a rare but life-threatening condition. Clinical presentation is usually nonspecific. The aim of this report is to document a rare clinical presentation of two different intramural stomach tumors. CLINICAL CASES: A 40-year-old patient with 24 h epigastric pain was admitted to the emergency, pale, with signs of peritoneal irritation. Computed tomography showed an hemoperitoneum with active bleeding in the posterior wall of the stomach. A wedge resection was performed. Histological report revealed a plexiform fibromyxoma (PF). The second case presents a 79-year-old patient with 24 h abdominal pain, fullness and dizziness, pale and with signs of peritoneal irritation. A voluminous exophytic lesion on gastric wall with active bleeding was diagnosed. Wedge resection was performed and histological report demonstrated a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). DISCUSSION: Imaging plays a role in the diagnosis of spontaneous hemoperitoneum, in elucidating a cause and detecting active hemorrhage. Tumor hemorrhage may be the first presentation of an underlying mass. The presence of a bleeding gastric mass of uncertain nature may result in a challenging situation for the surgeon, who is forced to perform a gastric resection without knowing the exact nature of the tumor and hence the extent of gastric resection required. To our knowledge, our case is the first of PF presenting as hemoperitoneum. Hemoperitoneum is rare as first presentation of GIST, with few cases reported in literature. CONCLUSION: We report two extremely rare cases of spontaneous hemoperitoneum as first presentation of gastric tumor. For the diagnosis a high level of suspicion is required.

Differential patterns of association between resting-state functional connectivity networks and stress in OCD patients.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that is characterized by its complex pathophysiology and heterogenous presentation. Multiple studies to date have identified a variety of factors that are involved in the development of symptoms, but little is known about how these affect brain function. In this study, we have tried to understand how stress, one of the most studied risk factors for OCD, may influence resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) by comparing resting brain activity of OCD patients with healthy control subjects, while assessing self-reported levels of perceived stress using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). Seventy-five OCD patients and seventy-one healthy matched control subjects were enrolled in this study, where we used a data-driven, independent component analysis approach. Our results show differences in connectivity between patients and healthy controls involving the dorsal attention (DAN) and lateral visual networks, with patients presenting increased rsFC within the DAN and decreased rsFC within the lateral visual network. Moreover, connectivity in the anterior default mode (aDMN), dorsal attention and basal ganglia networks was associated with PSS scores in OCD patients. Specifically, rsFC within the DAN and aDMN was positively correlated with PSS scores, while the opposite was observed for the basal ganglia network. This study is the first to report such association between rsFC alterations and self-reported stress levels. Our findings are relevant in the context of OCD pathophysiology given evidence of functional dysconnectivity involving the same networks in previous OCD studies and the possible involvement of these changes in the generation of obsessions.

Two New Species of Backusella (Mucorales, Mucoromycota) from Soil in an Upland Forest in Northeastern Brazil with an Identification Key of Backusella from the Americas.

During a survey of Mucorales from a forest located in Pernambuco state, Brazil, two new Backusella species were discovered and described based on morphological and molecular data (internal transcribed spacer and large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences). Both species were characterized as unbranched sporangiophores and sporangia with columellae of varied shapes forming. Multispored sporangiola were frequent, whereas unispored sporangiola were rare. URM 8395 forms sporangiophores that may support hyaline, slightly curved or circinate pedicels with multispored sporangiola at their apical portion, and abundant giant cells and chlamydospores. Columellae of sporangia are hyaline, conical (majority), or ellipsoidal with a truncate base, globose to subglobose or subglobose to conical, and, rarely, with slight medial constriction. URM 8427 does not form sporangiola from pedicels, giant cells are not observed, and columellae of sporangia are globose to subglobose, cylindrical with a truncate base, some with a slight constriction, applanate, obovoid, ellipsoidal, or, rarely, conical. Some columellae may have one side more swollen than the other and some are arranged obliquely on the sporangiophores. Sterile sporangia may or may not be formed on short sporophores. The detailed description and illustration of both novel species as well as an identification key for Backusella from the Americas are provided.

Sociodemographic and lifestyle predictors of mental health adaptability during COVID-19 compulsory confinement: A longitudinal study in the Portuguese population.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of COVID-19 and the physical isolation measures taken by the governments to reduce its propagation might have negative psychological consequences on the population. In this study, we aimed to explore, for the first time, how mental health status fluctuated along the weeks of the emergency state in Portugal, and to identify which factors may shape these changes in mental health outcomes. METHODS: To this end, we conducted an online survey to evaluate demographic, lifestyle and mental health variables (DASS-21 and quality of life) in the Portuguese population at three different time-points. 748 participants (mean age = 39.52, % females = 79.95) provided data at all time-points. RESULTS: We observed that depression, anxiety and stress symptoms seemed to improve as the weeks passed during the state of emergency, while the perception of quality of life and sleep got worse. In particular, being female, younger, actively working, and extroverted appear to be protective factors of mental health adaptability during this particular period. On the contrary, having a psychiatric diagnosis or physical illness, and higher neuroticism seem to be risk factors for mental health worsening. LIMITATIONS: The lack of a more diverse sample could limit the generalizability of our results, and other factors that were not considered in our analysis might also have a significant impact on mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide relevant and novel insights about the course of mental health changes and its predictors during the outbreak of COVID-19, which may help identify potential vulnerability groups.

Acute Effects of Lung Expansion Maneuvers in Comatose Subjects With Prolonged Bed Rest.

BACKGROUND: Patients with decreased consciousness are prone to prolonged bed rest and respiratory complications. If effective in reducing atelectasis, lung expansion maneuvers could be used to prevent these complications. In comatose, bedridden subjects, we aimed to assess the acute effect on regional lung aeration of 2 lung expansion techniques: expiratory positive airway pressure and the breath-stacking maneuver. Our secondary aim was to evaluate the influence of these lung expansion techniques on regional ventilation distribution, regional ventilation kinetics, respiratory pattern, and cardiovascular system. METHODS: We enrolled 10 subjects status post neurosurgery, unable to follow commands, and with prolonged bed rest. All subjects were submitted to both expansion techniques in a randomized order. Regional lung aeration, ventilation distribution, and regional ventilation kinetics were measured with electrical impedance tomography. RESULTS: Lung aeration increased significantly during the application of both expiratory positive airway pressure and breath-stacking (P < .001) but returned to baseline values seconds afterwards. The posterior lung regions had the largest volume increase (P < .001 for groups). Both maneuvers induced asynchronous inflation and deflation between anterior and posterior lung regions. There were no significant differences in cardiovascular variables. CONCLUSIONS: In comatose subjects with prolonged bed rest, expiratory positive airway pressure and breath-stacking promoted brief increases in lung aeration. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02613832.).

Protective Elements of Mental Health Status during the COVID-19 Outbreak in the Portuguese Population.

The outbreak of COVID-19 might produce dramatic psychological effects on individuals' lives. In this study, we aimed to explore the elements that may reduce the negative effects on mental health of the quarantine period imposed by most governments during this worldwide crisis. We conducted an online survey to evaluate demographic, lifestyle and mental health variables in a sample of 1280 Portuguese individuals (79.8% females) with an average age of 37 years. We observed that factors related to living conditions, maintaining work either online or in the workplace, frequency of exercise and absence of previous psychological or physic disorders are protective features of psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, stress and obsessive-compulsive symptoms). Finally, the individuals previously receiving psychotherapeutic support exhibited better psychological indicators if they did not interrupt the process as a consequence of the outbreak. Our results indicate that the practice of physical exercise, reduced consumption of COVID-19 information and the implementation of remote mental healthcare measures might prevent larger impacts on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Role of Stress in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Narrative Review.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a worldwide prevalence of 2%-3%. Characterized by the presence of either one or two core symptoms-obsessions and compulsions-it generally runs a chronic course and may cause serious functional impairment. Though previously thought to be of psychogenic origin, the pathophysiology of OCD is now understood to be more complex. A multitude of environmental factors have been shown to contribute to the development of OCD, including infection, neonatal complications, childhood trauma, occurrence of stressful events, and brain injury. It has also been proposed that genetic vulnerability may play a role in OCD pathology, although candidate genes have yet to be identified. Likewise, although it is widely accepted that stress plays a role in OCD pathophysiology, the mechanisms remain unclear. Observations from the clinics indicate that stress may serve as both a triggering and aggravating factor, meaning it can prompt symptoms to appear while also contributing to their exacerbation. Additionally, dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and impaired stress response have been identified in OCD patients. In this review, we analyze the role of stress in the pathophysiology of OCD, complemented by relevant findings from recent animal studies.

Relationship between obsessive compulsive disorder and cortisol: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Altered stress response and consequent elevated levels of circulating glucocorticoids have been found in neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders and proposed to also play a role in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite the observation that stressful events may precede the disease onset or even exacerbate its symptoms, studies in this field do not always report consistent results regarding the cortisol profile of OCD patients. As such, a systematic review and meta-analysis was developed to clarify this issue. This systematic review and meta-analysis was elaborated according to the PRISMA method. The analytical procedures were implemented using Metafor package in R software. Nineteen studies were included in the systematic review and 18 were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analytic results demonstrated that OCD patients had significantly higher cortisol levels compared to controls (d = 0.76, SE = 0.146, p < 0.001). For studies using the average of multiple assessments, the standardized coefficient was significantly higher when compared to studies focusing on single measurements. Both the systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that cortisol levels are significantly higher in OCD patients than healthy individuals.

Expression of defensin, cecropin, and transferrin in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) infected with Wuchereria bancrofti (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), and the abnormal development of nematodes in the mosquito.

The temporal expression of defensin, cecropin and transferrin was assessed in Aedes aegypti naturally refractory to Wuchereria bancrofti upon infection with this worm, in parallel to analysis of filarial development in the insect. Compared to controls, transcription of defensin and cecropin was higher in infected mosquitoes as soon as 2h post infection and peaked before 48h. Transferrin transcription was higher in infected mosquitoes at 24h, and at 48h was almost leveled to controls. At 72h and 7 days post infection, levels of all transcripts in infected insects decreased gradually and were similar to controls in most cases. Worm development in A. aegypti was visually abnormal from the beginning of infection. Here, we report, for the first time, the up-regulation of endogenous immune molecules in A. aegypti infected with W. bancrofti and provide a description of the worm development inside the insect. The specificities of A. aegypti-W. bancrofti model compared to other mosquito-filaria systems are discussed.

Effects of indirect vocal therapy via telehealth in speech-language therapy on self-assessment and vocal quality of physical education professionals / Efeitos da terapia vocal indireta via telefonoaudiologia na autoavaliação e qualidade vocal de profissionais da educação física

ABSTRACT Purpose: this study aimed to verify the effects of indirect vocal therapy (IVT), via telehealth, in physical education professionals in voice self-assessment, as well as vocal quality. Methods: 16 physical education professionals, aged between 18 and 50 years, both sexes, participated in the study. All participants were submitted to eight IVT sessions twice a week, 30 minutes each, remotely. The assessments happened remotely, too. Vocal health was explained to modify vocal habits and general health, coping strategies, stress management, and therapeutic interaction. The following protocols were applied: Vocal Disorders Screening Index, Voice Symptoms Scale (VoiSS), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and vocal recording (/a/ and counting) was performed, evaluating the general degree of vocal quality, pre and post-IVT. The Wilcoxon Test (p<0.05) was applied to verify the findings. Results: there was a significant decrease in the values of the VoiSS protocol (total p=0.041; limitation p=0.032), and VHI (total p=0.012; p=0.005), and in the general degree of vocal quality in vowel /a/ (p=0.011). Conclusion: IVT applied through telehealth in physical education professionals, has positive effects on vocal and laryngopharyngeal symptoms, improving the self-perception of voice handicaps. IVT significantly improved the general degree of vocal quality, only in the emission of the sustained vowel.

RESUMO Objetivo: este estudo objetivou verificar os efeitos da terapia vocal indireta (TVI), aplicada via telefonoaudiologia, em profissionais da educação física na autoavaliação e qualidade vocal. Métodos: 16 profissionais da Educação Física, com idades entre 18 e 50 anos, de ambos os sexos, participaram do estudo. Foram submetidos a oito sessões de TVI, duas vezes/semana, 30 minutos cada. As sessões e avaliações foram ministradas à distância. Foram trabalhados conhecimento sobre saúde vocal, para modificar hábitos vocais e de saúde geral, estratégias de enfrentamento, gerenciamento de estresse e interação terapêutica. Aplicaram-se protocolos: Índice de Triagem de Distúrbios Vocais, Escala de Sintomas Vocais (ESV), Índice de Desvantagem Vocal (IDV) e gravação vocal (/a/ e contagem), avaliando-se o grau geral da qualidade vocal, pré e pós TVI. Utilizou-se o Teste de Wilcoxon (p<0,05) nas comparações. Resultados: houve diminuição significante nos valores dos protocolos ESV (total p=0,041; limitação p=0,032), IDV (total p=0,012 e orgânico p=0,005), e no grau geral da qualidade vocal na vogal (p=0,011). Conclusão: a TVI aplicada por meio da telefonoaudiologia, em profissionais da Educação Física, tem efeitos positivos nos sintomas vocais/laringofaríngeos, melhorando a autopercepção da desvantagem vocal. A TVI melhorou significantemente o grau geral da qualidade vocal, apenas na emissão da vogal sustentada.

Trait determinants of impulsive behavior: a comprehensive analysis of 188 rats.

Impulsivity is a naturally occurring behavior that, when accentuated, can be found in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. The expression of trait impulsivity has been shown to change with a variety of factors, such as age and sex, but the existing literature does not reflect widespread consensus regarding the influence of modulating effects. We designed the present study to investigate, in a cohort of significant size (188 rats), the impact of four specific parameters, namely sex, age, strain and phase of estrous cycle, using the variable delay-to-signal (VDS) task. This cohort included (i) control animals from previous experiments; (ii) animals specifically raised for this study; and (iii) animals previously used for breeding purposes. Aging was associated with a general decrease in action impulsivity and an increase in delay tolerance. Females generally performed more impulsive actions than males but no differences were observed regarding delay intolerance. In terms of estrous cycle, no differences in impulsive behavior were observed and regarding strain, Wistar Han animals were, in general, more impulsive than Sprague-Dawley. In addition to further confirming, in a substantial study cohort, the decrease in impulsivity with age, we have demonstrated that both the strain and sex influences modulate different aspects of impulsive behavior manifestations.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics, staging, and outcomes of individuals with AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma at an university hospital.

BACKGROUND:: Kaposi's sarcoma continues to be the most common human immunodeficiency virus - associated neoplasm with considerable morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE:: To describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics, initial staging, and outcomes of aids patients with Kaposi's sarcoma at an university hospital of Recife, Pernambuco. METHODS:: This is a descriptive study with analytic character, retrospective, of a case series between 2004 and 2014. RESULTS:: Of the 22 patients included in the study, 20 were aged <40 years (72.7%). The majority had CD4+ T lymphocyte counts of <200 cells/mm3 (77.3%) and human immunodeficiency virus loads of <100,000 copies/mL (78.9%). Lesions were most commonly observed on the skin (90%), and internal organs were affected in 11 of the 22 patients. Only 7 (31.8%) of the 22 patients were undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the time of Kaposis sarcoma diagnosis, and the initial disease staging classification was high risk (Aids Clinical Trials Group Oncology Committee) in 19 of the 22 patients (86.4%). Regarding Kaposi's sarcoma treatment, 17 of 22 patients (77.3%) underwent systemic chemotherapy + ART and 5 were treated exclusively with ART. Eight of the 22 patients died (36.5%); of these, 87.5% had died within one year of Kaposi's sarcoma diagnosis. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY:: Without a control group, this study cannot be used to generate hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS:: Despite the association between aids and late Kaposi's sarcoma diagnosis in the study population, including an unfavorable risk at the time of staging, a lower mortality rate was observed relative to other studies; this might be related to access to a specialized health service.

Identification of erythrocyte biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of the motor system. It has been hypothesised that red blood cells (RBCs) may be involved in the disease process by the release of damaging molecules. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this ex vivo study is to compare RBCs biochemical and hemorheological parameters between ALS patients and healthy donors to identify novel biomarkers of the ALS disease. METHODS: We included 82 ALS patients and 40 gender age-matched healthy donors. We performed quantification of erythrocyte aggregation and deformability, nitric oxide (NO) efflux from RBCs, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity and intraerythrocytic concentration of nitrite, nitrate and S-nitrosogluthatione (GSNO). RESULTS: Erythrocyte deformability and AChE activity were increased in patients with ALS in comparison to healthy donors. NO efflux from RBCs and concentration of intraerythrocytic nitrite were lower in ALS patients. In patients, we found that for higher NO range of values the respiratory function is worse and that for higher AChE range of values the RBCs nitrite content increase. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that NO efflux from RBCs and RBCs AChE should be further explored as potential biomarkers for ALS.

SCRATCH THAT!­Two case reports of scratch-card gambling disorder.

Gambling disorder is a common, clinically relevant condition that impacts significantly one's life. Given that approved pharmacological interventions are lacking, it is crucial to readily identify these cases to provide available interventions in psychiatric care services. Here, we present two uncommon cases of unique scratch-card gambling disorder, a specific type of pathological gambling that could be increasing as availability of these games are growing.