Evaluation of the antigenotoxic and antioxidant activity induced by Croton antisyphiliticus.

This study aimed to investigate antigenotoxicity and antioxidant potential of extract, fractions and vitexin from C. antisyphiliticus. Methanolic extract was fractionated through solvents of increasing polarity. The composition of extracts and fractions were evaluated through phytochemical screening. Micronucleus test was performed in mice to evaluate the antigenotoxicity. Antioxidant activity was measured using the assay 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), iron ion chelating, thiobarbituric acid assay and nitric oxide scavenging. Treatment with extract, fractions and vitexin did not produce an increase in Micronucleus mean values. However, Micronucleus (MN) mean values decreased in relation to control. methanolic extract presented antioxidant potential for DPPH (81%), iron ion chelating (77.8%), Thiobarbituric Acid (TBARS) (32.49%) and Nitric Oxide (NO) (80.97%). Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest antioxidant activity (65.46%). The vitexin showed a Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) of DPPH value smaller in relation to control. Vitexin flavonoid was detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), infrared spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. It can be inferred that methanolic extract, fraction ethyl acetate and vitexin isolated from C. antisyphiliticus is endowed with antigenotoxic and antioxidant potential.

Routine Coagulation Tests in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Under Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban Therapy: An Affordable and Reliable Strategy?

Dabigatran and rivaroxaban, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), affect coagulation tests, and knowledge of their effects is important for therapeutic monitoring. Our aim was to examine the association between DOAC levels and routine coagulation tests in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Samples from patients receiving dabigatran (150 mg) and patients receiving rivaroxaban (20 mg) were collected 2 hours after drug intake. Direct oral anticoagulant concentrations were determined using direct Hemoclot thrombin inhibitor (HTI) assay (HTI test) and a direct Xa inhibitor (Anti Xa-Riva). The routine coagulation measured included activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). The median plasmatic dabigatran was 128.3 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 93.7-222.6 ng/mL). The HTI exhibited a good correlation with aPTT ( R2 = 0.74; P < .0001). The median plasmatic rivaroxaban was 223.9 ng/mL (95% CI: 212.3-238.9 ng/mL). Anti-Xa-Riva correlated with PT ( R2 = 0.69, P< .0001) and aPTT (R2 = 0.36, P < .001), but prolonged PT results were obtained, even below the rivaroxaban therapeutic range (20%). The routine coagulation tests were able to identify out of therapeutic range concentrations for dabigatran and rivaroxaban. We suggest the use of these screening tests to better understand and monitor the subtherapeutic concentrations of these DOACs.

Resultados del Programa Nacional de Prevención de la Ceguera en la Infancia por Retinopatía del Prematuro en Argentina (2004-2016) / Results of the National Program for the Prevention of Blindness in Childhood by Retinopathy of Prematurity in Argentina (2004-2016)

Introducción. El Grupo ROP Argentina,a cargo del "Programa Nacional para la Prevención de la Ceguera en la Infancia por Retinopatía del Prematuro" (ROP), se creó en 2003. Objetivos. Describir la implementación y resultados alcanzados por el programa en la efectividad, acceso y calidad en la atención de la ROP (2004-2016). Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de una cohorte dinámica, en instituciones adheridas al registro. Población elegible: la totalidad de recién nacidos prematuros con factores de riesgo para desarrollar ROP. Resultados. Los servicios incorporados aumentaron de 14 a 98; cubrieron 24 provincias. Los niños < 1500 g registrados en 2004fueron 956, y 2739 en 2016. El 22,7 % de estos presentó algún grado de ROP y el 7,8 % requirió tratamiento (ROP grave). La pesquisa superó el 90 % y aumentaron los tratamientos en el lugar de origen (57 %-92 %). La incidencia de casos inusuales sigue siendo elevada (17,3 % de los tratados) y aún se registran oportunidades perdidas. El uso de drogas antiangiogénicas se triplicó desde su inicio en 2011. Conclusiones. Se observan logros significativos en términos de representatividad, alcance y adherencia al programa, también en el acceso a la pesquisa y tratamiento en el lugar de origen; sin embargo, la incidencia de ROP es aún elevada. La subraya la necesidad de fortalecer aún más las acciones del programa en cuanto a servicios.

Introduction. The ROP Argentina Group was created in 2003 and is responsible for the National Program for the Prevention of Blindness in Childhood by Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Argentina. Objectives. To describe the program implementation and results achieved in relation to ROP care in terms of effectiveness, access, and quality (2004-2016). Population and methods. Descriptive, retrospective study with a dynamic cohort carried out in facilities that are part of the registry. Eligible population: All preterm newborn infants with risk factors for ROP. Results. Participating health care services increased from 14 to 98 and covered the 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. A total of 956 infants were born with < 1500 g in 2004 and 2739, in 2016. Of these, 22.7 % had some degree of ROP and 7.8 % required treatment (severe ROP). Vision screening exceeded 90 %, and treatments at the place of origin increased (57 %-92 %). The incidence of unusual cases is still high (17.3 % of treated cases), and missed opportunities are still recorded. The use of anti-angiogenic drugs trebled since 2011, when they started to be used. Conclusions. Significant achievements were observed in terms of program representativeness, scope, and adherence, and also in relation to screening access and treatment at the place of origin; however, the incidence of ROP is still high. The persistence of unusual cases and missed opportunities evidences deficiencies in the quality of health care and outpatient followup and underlines the need to strengthen the program actions in relation to services.

Results of the National Program for the Prevention of Blindness in Childhood by Retinopathy of Prematurity in Argentina (2004-2016). / Resultados del Programa Nacional de Prevención de la Ceguera en la Infancia por Retinopatía del Prematuro en Argentina (2004-2016).

INTRODUCTION: The ROP Argentina Group was created in 2003 and is responsible for the National Program for the Prevention of Blindness in Childhood by Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Argentina. OBJETIVES: To describe the program implementation and results achieved in relation to ROP care in terms of effectiveness, access, and quality (2004-2016). POPULATION AND METHODS: Descriptive, retrospective study with a dynamic cohort carried out in facilities that are part of the registry. Eligible population: All preterm newborn infants with risk factors for ROP. RESULTS: Participating health care services increased from 14 to 98 and covered the 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. A total of 956 infants were born with < 1500 g in 2004 and 2739, in 2016. Of these, 22.7 % had some degree of ROP and 7.8 % required treatment (severe ROP). Vision screening exceeded 90 %, and treatments at the place of origin increased (57 %-92 %). The incidence of unusual cases is still high (17.3 % of treated cases), and missed opportunities are still recorded. The use of anti-angiogenic drugs trebled since 2011, when they started to be used. CONCLUSIONS: Significant achievements were observed in terms of program representativeness, scope, and adherence, and also in relation to screening access and treatment at the place of origin; however, the incidence of ROP is still high. The persistence of unusual cases and missed opportunities evidences deficiencies in the quality of health care and outpatient followup and underlines the need to strengthen the program actions in relation to services.

Introducción. El Grupo ROP Argentina,a cargo del "Programa Nacional para la Prevención de la Ceguera en la Infancia por Retinopatía del Prematuro" (ROP), se creó en 2003. Objetivos. Describir la implementación y resultados alcanzados por el programa en la efectividad, acceso y calidad en la atención de la ROP (2004-2016). Población y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de una cohorte dinámica, en instituciones adheridas al registro. Población elegible: la totalidad de recién nacidos prematuros con factores de riesgo para desarrollar ROP. Resultados. Los servicios incorporados aumentaron de 14 a 98; cubrieron 24 provincias. Los niños < 1500 g registrados en 2004fueron 956, y 2739 en 2016. El 22,7 % de estos presentó algún grado de ROP y el 7,8 % requirió tratamiento (ROP grave). La pesquisa superó el 90 % y aumentaron los tratamientos en el lugar de origen (57 %-92 %). La incidencia de casos inusuales sigue siendo elevada (17,3 % de los tratados) y aún se registran oportunidades perdidas. El uso de drogas antiangiogénicas se triplicó desde su inicio en 2011. Conclusiones. Se observan logros significativos en términos de representatividad, alcance y adherencia al programa, también en el acceso a la pesquisa y tratamiento en el lugar de origen; sin embargo, la incidencia de ROP es aún elevada. La subraya la necesidad de fortalecer aún más las acciones del programa en cuanto a servicios.

The Striatum Organizes 3D Behavior via Moment-to-Moment Action Selection.

Many naturalistic behaviors are built from modular components that are expressed sequentially. Although striatal circuits have been implicated in action selection and implementation, the neural mechanisms that compose behavior in unrestrained animals are not well understood. Here, we record bulk and cellular neural activity in the direct and indirect pathways of dorsolateral striatum (DLS) as mice spontaneously express action sequences. These experiments reveal that DLS neurons systematically encode information about the identity and ordering of sub-second 3D behavioral motifs; this encoding is facilitated by fast-timescale decorrelations between the direct and indirect pathways. Furthermore, lesioning the DLS prevents appropriate sequence assembly during exploratory or odor-evoked behaviors. By characterizing naturalistic behavior at neural timescales, these experiments identify a code for elemental 3D pose dynamics built from complementary pathway dynamics, support a role for DLS in constructing meaningful behavioral sequences, and suggest models for how actions are sculpted over time.

A Longitudinal Analysis of Factors Associated with Therapeutic Alliances.

This study examined the impact, on therapeutic alliances, made by client motivation to change, insight, mistrust, and other factors; as well as therapist's clinical experience. This secondary data analysis used a sample of 212 client respondents extracted from the Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program's data set. Results of generalized least squares random-effects modeling showed a significant impact exerted by client social-adjustment difficulties, insight, alcohol use, and gender; and client-therapist matching gender. Also, four elements of therapeutic alliances-regard, empathic understanding, unconditionality, and congruence-had four unique patterns of significant factors. To foster therapeutic alliances, therapists need to help clients develop awareness of and insight into the clients' social-adjustment difficulties; therapists should also be particularly sensitive to expectations of clients of the opposite sex. Implications for future research are suggested.

Effect of pre- and post-weaning dietary supplementation with Digestarom® herbal formulation on rabbit carcass traits and meat quality.

This study evaluated effects of Digestarom® (D) dietary inclusion before weaning (0-5weeks old; BW) and/or after weaning (5-12weeks old; AW) on growing rabbit carcass traits and meat quality. During BW, Pannon-Ka rabbits (does, kits) received two diets: a control diet (C) and one supplemented with 300mg Digestarom®/kg (D). At weaning, each group was divided into 3 dietary sub-groups: CC and DD received C and D diets from 5 to 12weeks of age, whereas DC was fed D from 5 to 8weeks and C from 8 to 12weeks of age (54 rabbits/group; AW). Rabbits were slaughtered at 12weeks of age. Digestarom® supplementation improved carcass yield and body mid part proportion only when administered BW. Rabbits fed D BW had higher hind leg meat cooking losses. Loin meat spiciness and rancidity increased with D both BW and AW. In conclusion, Digestarom(®) herbal formulation was ineffective in improving growing rabbit carcass traits or meat quality.

Additive effect of linseed oil supplementation on the lipid profiles of older adults.

BACKGROUND: Linseed oil has been investigated as a rich source of n-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids, which mainly produce a non-atherogenic lipid profile. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of linseed oil supplementation associated with nutritional guidelines on the lipid profiles of older adults, according to the intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA). METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 110 older adults randomized in two groups: placebo and linseed oil. The linseed oil group received supplementation with 3 g of linseed oil. Both groups received nutritional guidance and were supplemented for 90 days with monthly blood collection for biochemical analysis. The dietary intake of saturated fat was subdivided into low (<7% SFA/day of the total energy value) and high consumption groups (>7% SFA/day of the total energy value). RESULTS: Low SFA (<7% SFA/day of total energy value) consumption was associated with lower total cholesterol concentrations. However, we observed that the linseed oil group, including older adults who consumed >7% SFA/day, had a greater reduction in total cholesterol than the placebo group (P=0.020). The same was observed for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P<0.050), suggesting an additive effect of linseed oil and diet. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were increased significantly in only the linseed group, suggesting that the nutritional intervention alone did not improve HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the nutritional intervention was effective, but linseed oil showed notable effects by increasing the HDL cholesterol concentration. In addition, consumption of <7% SFA/day of the total energy value increased the effect of linseed oil, demonstrating the importance of reducing the consumption of saturated fat.

Racial differences in co-occurring substance use and serious psychological distress: the roles of marriage and religiosity.

The study examined how marriage and religiosity can protect members of certain racial/ethnic groups against co-occurring substance use and serious psychological distress. Using the national dataset 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we analyzed data via multinomial logistic regression, observing several important results. Our findings generally support the deprivation-compensation thesis, in that religiosity elevates the mental health of racial/ethnic minority individuals more than that of Whites. We also found, however, that race/ethnicity moderates effects of education and poverty on the co-occurring behaviors, with Whites' mental health benefiting more from wealth and education than Blacks' or Hispanics' mental health did.

Brazil nut ingestion increased plasma selenium but had minimal effects on lipids, apolipoproteins, and high-density lipoprotein function in human subjects.

The Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) of the Amazon region is consumed worldwide. It is rich in both monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids and is known for its high selenium content. This study tested the hypothesis whether the consumption of this nut could affect the plasma lipids and apolipoproteins and some functional properties of the antiatherogenic high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Fifteen normolipidemic subjects aged 27.3 +/- 3.9 years and with body mass index of 23.8 +/- 2.8 kg/m(2) consumed 45 g of Brazil nuts per day during a 15-day period. On days 0 and 15, blood was collected for biochemical analysis, determination of HDL particle size, paraoxonase 1 activity, and lipid transfer from a lipoprotein-like nanoparticle to the HDL fraction. Brazil nut ingestion did not alter HDL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerols, apolipoprotein A-I, or apolipoprotein B concentrations. HDL particle diameter and the activity of antioxidative paraoxonase 1, mostly found in the HDL fraction, were also unaffected. Supplementation increased the reception of cholesteryl esters (P < .05) by the HDL yet did not alter the reception of phospholipids, free cholesterol, or triacylglycerols. As expected, plasma selenium was significantly increased. However, the consumption of Brazil nuts for short duration by normolipidemic subjects in comparable amounts to those tested for other nuts did not alter serum lipid profile. The only alteration in HDL function was the increase in cholesteryl ester transfer. This latter finding may be beneficial because it would improve the nonatherogenic reverse cholesterol transport pathway.

Arrestees' perceived needs for substance-specific treatment: exploring urban-rural differences.

An interview study among a group of arrestees in seven county jails was conducted in the state of Ohio between June 1999 and September 2001, examining the prevalence of alcohol and drug dependence within the group and assessing the need for substance-abuse treatment. Four of the county jails where interviews were conducted are in urban areas, and three are in rural areas. The present study focused on demographic variables, situation-related factors, current drug dependence diagnoses, past treatment experience, and jail location-rural or urban. It sought to assess whether these factors predicted arrestees' perceived needs for substance-specific treatment (for alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and/or opiate addiction); and, further, whether any predictors of a perceived need for treatment would be identical for arrestees housed in rural jails and those housed in urban jails. The results show that some of the factors assessed do exert differential effects on rural and urban arrestees' perceived needs for substance-specific treatment. Future treatment policy within the criminal justice system should perhaps take into account inmates' individual characteristics and the rural or urban location of the jail initiating their processing. It may be possible, by paying attention to these variables, to enhance inmates' motivation to enter treatment programs, leading ultimately to drug-use cessation.