Anethole supplementation during in vitro maturation increases in vitro goat embryo production in a concentration-dependent manner.

During in vitro maturation (IVM) cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are exposed to conditions that can trigger oxidative stress, thus, reducing oocyte maturation and viability. Aiming to mitigate these detrimental conditions, the effects of IVM medium supplementation with anethole have been tested. Anethole, also known as trans-anethole (1-methoxy-4 [1-propenyl]-benzene), is a naturally occurring phenylpropanoid with various pharmacological properties, including antioxidant effects. However, no study has examined anethole effect on goat COCs during IVM. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different anethole concentrations on oocyte maturation, oxidative stress, and in vitro development of caprine embryos after parthenogenetic activation. Goat COCs were selected and randomly distributed into the following treatments: TCM-199+ medium (control), or TCM-199+ medium supplemented with 30 µg/mL (AN30); 300 µg/mL (AN300) or 2000 µg/mL (AN2000) of anethole. After IVM, part of the COCs was chosen for oocyte viability and chromatin configuration, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential assessment. Another part of COCs was parthenogenetically activated, and presumptive zygotes were cultured for 7 days. Results demonstrated that anethole at 30 µg/mL increased oocyte maturation and cleavage rates when compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05), as well as oocyte viability and in vitro embryo production when compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, treatment with anethole at 2000 µg/mL decreased oocyte nuclear maturation and cleavage rates when compared to other treatments (P < 0.05) and embryo production if compared to control and AN30 treatments (P < 0.05). Moreover, anethole at 2000 µg/mL increased mitochondrial membrane potential when compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). In conclusion, anethole exerts a concentration-dependent effect during goat COCs IVM. For a more desirable outcome of oocyte viability and maturation, and in vitro embryo production, the use of anethole at 30 µg/mL is recommended.

Assessment of neurocognitive decline in cancer patients, except brain cancer, under long-term treatment with bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: We performed a cross-sectional study of neurocognitive function in non-brain cancer patients treated with long-term bevacizumab. METHODS/PATIENTS: From 2015 to 2017, we included patients with different types of cancer treated with bevacizumab with or without chemotherapy (BEV; N = 20) or only chemotherapy (ChT; N = 19) for at least 34 weeks, patients who received non-brain radiotherapy (RxT; N = 19), and healthy controls (HC; N = 19) were assessed once at week 34 of treatment (BEV and ChT) or at completion of radiotherapy. Neurocognition was evaluated with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R) total and delayed recall, the Trail Making Test A and B, and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test in the four groups. Non-parametric tests were used to assess differences between groups. RESULTS: The BEV, ChT, and RxT groups scored significantly lower than the HC group on all tests and especially on the HVLT-R total recall. In no case were the mean scores of the BEV group significantly lower than those of the ChT or RxT groups. CONCLUSIONS: Neurocognitive impairment was seen even in patients treated with local non-brain radiotherapy. Treatment with bevacizumab for a long period of time does not seem to worsen neurocognitive function to a greater extent than chemotherapy.

Delay in starting radiotherapy due to neoadjuvant therapy does not worsen survival in unresected glioblastoma patients.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively examined the potential effect on overall survival (OS) of delaying radiotherapy to administer neoadjuvant therapy in unresected glioblastoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared OS in 119 patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy followed by standard treatment (NA group) and 96 patients receiving standard treatment without neoadjuvant therapy (NoNA group). The MaxStat package of R identified the optimal cut-off point for waiting time to radiotherapy. RESULTS: OS was similar in the NA and NoNA groups. Median waiting time to radiotherapy after surgery was 13 weeks for the NA group and 4.2 weeks for the NoNA group. The longest OS was attained by patients who started radiotherapy after 12 weeks and the shortest by patients who started radiotherapy within 4 weeks (12.3 vs 6.6 months) (P = 0.05). OS was 6.6 months for patients who started radiotherapy before the optimal cutoff of 6.43 weeks and 19.1 months for those who started after this time (P = 0.005). Patients who completed radiotherapy had longer OS than those who did not, in all 215 patients and in the NA and NoNA groups (P = 0.000). In several multivariate analyses, completing radiotherapy was a universally favorable prognostic factor, while neoadjuvant therapy was never identified as a negative prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: In our series of unresected patients receiving neoadjuvant treatment, in spite of the delay in starting radiotherapy, OS was not inferior to that of a similar group of patients with no delay in starting radiotherapy.

Use of aqueous extract of noni in extender for sheep semen freezing / Utilização do extrato aquoso de noni em diluente para congelação de sêmen ovino

The study aimed to evaluate the action of aqueous extract of noni in an extender for sheep semen freezing. Treatments differed in inclusion of aqueous extract of noni in the extender: T1 ˗ no addition; T2 ˗ 24µg/mL; T3 ˗ 72µg/mL; and T4 ˗ 120µg/mL. Ejaculates were collected, diluted in the four treatments, and frozen. After thawing, the semen was subjected to a thermoresistance test and evaluated for subjective motility, vigor, membrane integrity assessment by hypo-osmotic swelling test, live-dead assay, computer-assisted sperm analysis and the status of sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. Data were subjected to ANOVA, and then to Student Newman Keuls's test at 5% significance level. In the thermoresistance test after two hours of incubation, motility in T4 (120µg/mL) was lower than in the other treatments, with no differences in the HoS test in either diluted semen or in the semen evaluated immediately post-thawing, while for the other times, treatments showed similar responses. Regarding the motility parameters, a difference was observed for progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement. As to the sperm capacitation status, a difference was observed between treatments for the sperm capacitated with intact acrosome.(AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ação do extrato aquoso de noni em diluente para congelação de sêmen de carneiro. Os tratamentos diferiram quanto à inclusão de extrato aquoso de noni ao meio diluidor em: T1˗ sem adição de extrato; T2˗ 24µg/mL ; T3- 72µg/mL e 120µg/mL. Por meio de vagina artificial, 16 ejaculados foram coletados, diluídos entre os quatro tratamentos e congelados. Após o descongelamento, o sêmen foi submetido ao teste de termorresistência e avaliado quanto à motilidade subjetiva, ao vigor espermático, à integridade de membrana pelo teste hiposmótico, bem como ao teste supravital, à análise de sêmen assistida por computador (CASA) e ao status de capacitação espermática e de reação acrossomal. Os dados foram submetidos a uma análise de variância, seguida pelo teste de Student-Newman-Keuls com 5% de significância. No teste de termorresistência, após duas horas de incubação, a motilidade do T4 (120µg/mL) apresentou-se inferior aos demais tratamentos. Não houve diferença significativa no teste HOS tanto para o sêmen diluído quanto para o sêmen avaliado imediatamente pós-descongelação; para as demais horas, os tratamentos apresentaram comportamento semelhante. Para os parâmetros de cinética, foi observada diferença estatística para motilidade progressiva, velocidade curvilinear, velocidade do percurso médio e amplitude de deslocamento lateral da cabeça. Quanto ao estado de capacitação espermática, observou-se diferença entre os tratamentos para espermatozoide capacitado com acrossomo intacto.(AU)

Expression of myostatin in the spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus during larval and juvenile development under cultured conditions.

In this study, the developmental expression pattern of myostatin (mstn) in the spotted rose snapper Lutjanus guttatus under culture conditions is presented. The full coding sequence of mstn from L. guttatus was isolated from muscle tissue, obtaining 1134 nucleotides which encode a peptide of 377 amino acids. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that this sequence corresponds to mstn-1. mstn expression was detected in embryonic stages, and maintained at low levels until 28 days post-hatch, when it showed a significant increase, coinciding with the onset of metamorphosis. After that, expression was fluctuating, coinciding probably with periods of rapid and slow muscle growth or individual growth rates. mstn expression was also analysed by body mass with higher levels detected in smaller animals, irrespective of age. mstn was also expressed in other tissues from L. guttatus, presenting higher levels in brain, eye and gill. In brain for instance, two variants of mstn were isolated, both coding sequences were identical to muscle, except that one of them contained a 75 nucleotide deletion in exon 1, maintaining the reading frame but deleting two conserved cysteine residues. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this brain variant was also mstn-1. The function of this variant is not clear and needs further investigation. These results indicate that mstn-1 participates in different physiological processes other than muscle growth in fishes.

[Surgical solution to vitreous floaters visual problem]. / Solución quirúrgica al problema visual de los cuerpos vítreos flotantes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of 25 gauge pars-plana vitrectomy (25G-PPV), after a careful patient selection, when we find highly annoying vitreous floaters and to question if this is an ethical therapeutic option. METHODS: A retrospective study of eight eyes (seven patients) aged 58+/-14 years old (range 42-78) high myopes and pseudophakes who underwent 25G-PPV. Clinical data and visual acuity were studied at six to twelve months follow-up. Health-related functioning and quality of life was measured with the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-39). RESULTS: No complications were observed. All patients were satisfied. Safety at third month was 100% and 37.5% improved one or more lines of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Vitreous floaters can be often undervaluated by ophthalmologists, resulting in no intervention. Conventional 20 gauge PPV after a carefully examination can be an effective option for some authors. 25G-PPV incorporates also advantages as the early recovery, with little complications in pseudophakic eyes.

Clostridium difficile y citomegalovirus relacionados a un caso de colitis pseudomembranosa / Clostridium difficile and cytomegalovirus related to a case of pseudomembranous colitis

Este es el reporte de un caso inusual de colitis pseudomembranosa con un desenlace fatal en el que se demostró la coexistencia de C. difficile y citomegalovirus en un paciente peruano con Sida y compromiso gastrointestinal por una micobacteria.

We report an unusual case of pseudomembranous colitis with fatal outcome where C. difficile and cytomegalovirus coexistense in a Peruvian patient with AIDS and gastrointestinal compromise by a mycobacterium.

[Corneal graft data collection: evaluation of results 1995-2000]. / Los registros en el trasplante de córnea: evaluación de resultados 1995-2000.

PURPOSE: To examine the collection of data from the corneal grafts performed between 1995 and 2000, thus providing a long term follow-up. METHODS: Records of corneal grafts were made according to the following design and divided into three basic groups: 1a) donor data: age, storage time, endothelial density, ABO group; 1b) recipient data: age, ABO group, sight threatening pathology, diagnosis, visual acuity, corneal oedema, inflammation, vascularisation; 2) surgery data: surgery type, graft size, suture, intraocular lens, vitrectomy, complications; 3) data at first month and at each year follow-up: visual acuity, astigmatism, endothelial density, graft rejection and complications. A retrospective study of data collection percentage was performed. RESULTS: Although 100% of data from donors and recipients was collected, some data such as ABO group was not available in all cases. First indication was keratoconus and bullous keratopathy. Mean visual acuity at first year was 0.31, collected in 60% and endothelial density, 2,223 cls/mm2, available in 26.6 percent. CONCLUSIONS: A good basic data collection improves the long-term follow-up for corneal grafts. Further analysis in the future of this data will be helpful for clinical audit.

[Optimization of an individualized LASIK surgery. Geometric ray tracing model]. / Optimización de una intervención de cirugía LASIK individualizada. Modelo óptico de trazado de rayos.

PURPOSE: To develop an objective calculation method that is able to provide a customized surgical correction that allows the patient to reach the emmetropia and the maximum visual acuity after the surgery. METHODS: The study included 187 eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism that underwent LASIK. The optical characterization of each eye was developed by a complete theoretical model based in Le Grand eye, in which the measured values of radii and thicknesses of the different surfaces have been substituted. By means of a geometric ray tracing, the surgery has been simulated by changing the anterior corneal radius and the corneal thickness within the optical zone to obtain its influence in the ocular image and the visual acuity. We considered the surgery to be <> when the residual equivalent refraction was between 0 and +0.5 D. RESULTS: An interval for the final corneal radius is proposed for each eye in order to reach the best visual acuity (optimal interval). The position of the post-surgical radius in this interval has been related with the success of the surgical process. CONCLUSIONS: An objective method for LASIK has been proposed: i) it calculates a personalized surgical plan that allows the patient to reach the best visual quality, and ii) it can be used as a reference by the surgeon to design his nomogram and to decrease his learning curve.

Geometric ray tracing analysis of visual acuity after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: Using a geometric ray tracing model, we explain the increase in visual acuity observed in myopic patients after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: This study included 37 eyes of 23 patients who underwent LASIK. All patients had myopia and a spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 0.95 or worse. Clinical tests included biometry, corneal topography, pachymetry, and refraction (with and without cycloplegia). Calculations were made by tracing rays through all the refractive surfaces of the eye based on a Le Grand-type theoretical model of the whole eye. RESULTS: Comparison of spectacle-corrected visual acuity of the eye before surgery, the size of the blur circle calculated by ray tracing, and the magnification for the ocular system facilitated a numerical criterion to assess visual acuity by geometric calculation. This criterion was applied to myopic eyes that underwent LASIK, and the maximum increase in spectacle-corrected visual acuity was predicted. An actual increase in visual acuity of approximately 40% of the predicted maximum was observed in patients. CONCLUSIONS: With geometric ray tracing, it was possible not only to obtain an estimate of the visual acuity before LASIK but also to assess the value of the maximum and probable increases in visual acuity after LASIK.

[Segmental motor paralysis caused by the varicella zoster virus. Clinical study and functional prognosis]. / Parálisis motora segmentaria por virus varicela-zoster. Estudio clínico y pronóstico funcional.

INTRODUCTION: Segmental motor paralysis of the limbs (SMP) complicates 2-3% of the cases of cutaneous herpes zoster. Viral invasion and inflammation of the motor neurons of the anterior horn cells by the varicella-zoster virus (VVZ) causes clinical weakness at the same time and site as the cutaneous eruption. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical findings, complementary investigations and functional prognosis of patients with SMP at brachial plexus and lumbosacral levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a retrospective study of 10 patients with SMP admitted to the Hospital Universitario Gregorio Maranon de Madrid during 1989-1999, aged between 38 and 84 years (6 women, 4 men). Neurological examination was done, including muscle balance, complementary studies including microbiology (serum and CSF serology, viral PCR-ADN), neurophysiology using MNR of the spine and plexuses and functional prognosis on the NDS, NSS and RANKIN scales. RESULTS: There is a close relationship between dermatome and myotome involvement (90%). The brachial and lumbosacral plexuses were equally affected (50%). Plasma and CSF VVZ serology was positive in 50% of the cases, permitting diagnosis of a patient with no cutaneous lesions (zoster sine herpete). Denervation of the myotomes involved and the paraspinal muscles was shown on neurophysiological studies. In most cases there was functional improvement, with complete functional recovery in 80% of the cases after 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: VVZ should be considered amongst the aetiologies of SMP, even in the absence of cutaneous lesions (zoster sine herpete). The SMP coincides in time and place with the dermatome lesions. In most patients there is complete functional recovery within 12 months.

Intraocular lens implantation and laser in situ keratomileusis (bioptics) to correct high myopia and hyperopia with astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To analyze the refractive outcome of moderate to high myopic and hyperopic patients with astigmatism who underwent programmed refractive surgery; first lens phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and 3 months later, laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: Four men and eight women (22 eyes) with a mean age 47.3 years (range, 38 to 75 yr), and an average spherical equivalent refraction of -11.76 D and +5.22 D and (range, -17.50 to +8.50 D) underwent two refractive procedures. First, phacoemulsification of the lens with a self-sealing incision through clear cornea on the steepest topographic axis and implant of a monofocal intraocular lens in the bag was performed by two experienced surgeons. Second, LASIK was performed with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser and the Moria LSK-One microkeratome, by one surgeon. Eyes were divided into two different groups. In the first group, the IOL implanted was calculated to leave the eye slightly myopic, with final correction to be achieved with LASIK. In the second group, the IOL implanted was calculated to achieve emmetropia, correcting any residual refractive error with the laser. RESULTS: After surgery, mean spherical equivalent refraction was +0.26 D (range, -0.375 to +1.50 D). Predictability of refractive outcome: 0 to -1.00 D, 63.63%; +0.25 to +1.00 D, 31.80%; +1.25 to +2.00 D, 4.54%. Mean residual refractive astigmatism was 0.30 D (range, 0 to 1.50 D). Uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better was achieved in 18.3% of eyes; 20/40 or better in 81.8%. No eyes lost two or more Snellen lines of visual acuity and no adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Bioptics (phacoemulsification with IOL implantation followed 3 months later by LASIK with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser) for correction of moderate to high myopia and hyperopia, with astigmatism, enabled us to treat the total refractive error and adjust final outcomes.

[Study of inpatient consultation for the neurological services]. / Estudio de la interconsulta intrahospitalaria a un servicio de neurología.

INTRODUCTION: Intrahospitalary interconsultation (IC) to a neurology department is an infrastudied task within daily neurologic health care. AIMS: To evaluate the IC to a neurology department. METHODS: A one-year retrospective study was performed on the IC received in the Department of Neurology in the Hospital General Universitario "Gregorio Marañón" (Spain), to evaluate the reasons for consultation, the urgency of the request, concordance between initial clinical suspicion and final diagnosis, specialties involved, final diagnosis and management/deviation to the IC. RESULTS: A total of 432 IC were analyzed. The most frequent reasons for consultation were cerebrovascular disease (19%) and control of already diagnosed neurological diseases (17%). The most frequent final diagnoses were cerebrovascular disease and acute metabolic encephalopathy (16% in both cases). With regard to management, three percent of the cases were admitted to the ward and 14% were sent to out patients for completing studies and/or follow up. CONCLUSIONS: This study underlines the importance of intrahospitalary IC within the daily tasks and health care carried out in a neurology department in relation to the number of IC undertaken during the study period. It is also an excellent method to evaluate the neurologic manifestations observed in systemic diseases and neurologically study patients with diverse pluripathy.

[Intracranial hypertension as the first clinical manifestation of gliomatosis cerebri]. / Hipertensión intracraneal como primera manifestación clínica de gliomatosis cerebri.

A case of gliomatosis cerebri which clinically presented with a syndrome of intracranial hypertension (ICH), involvement of bilateral sixth cranial nerves, and oppressive holocranial headache of one week of evolution. Cranial MR and CT were performed demonstrating diffuse hypodense cortical-subcortical lesions on tomography and in T1 sequences and hyperdense lesions in T2 sequences with irregular contrast enhancement. Intracranial pressure was measured by ventricular catheter with the appearance of high, maintained pressure waves (Lundberg A waves). Ventricular LCR study and cerebral angiography did not provide additional data. Meningeal and cerebral biopsies showed infiltration by pleomorphous glioma leading to the diagnosis of gliomatosis cerebri. The patient was treated with steroids, hyperosmolar agents, external LCR derivation and tumoral radiotherapy. Nonetheless, the patient dies at six months of initiation of the symptoms. Gliomatosis cerebri should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of clinical pictures presenting with ICH.