Effects of dietary supplementation with organic selenium-enriched yeast on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of finishing lambs.

This study was aimed to assess the impact-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae with organic selenium addition in finishing lambs on fatty acid composition and physicochemical meat characteristics. Eighteen five-month-old Pelibuey female lambs were fed the same diet for 60 days. Animals were assigned a completely random design of three treatments, control (Se0) without the addition of selenium-yeast or supplemented with 0.35 ppm of selenium-yeast (Se35) and with 0.60 ppm of selenium-yeast (Se60). Lambs were slaughtered at an average weight of 39.5 ± 4.41 kg. Feed intake and meat water holding capacity were decreased (P = 0.001) in Se35 lambs, whereas meat moisture and fat were decreased (P = 0.002) in Se60 lambs. However, meat carbohydrates were increased (P = 0.001) in Se60 lambs. It is concluded that consumption of selenium-yeast in lambs did not alter the productive variables nor the fatty acid composition, though, the fat content is lower, and the carbohydrates are higher in physicochemical meat characteristics.

[Vitamin D for daily practice]. / Vitamina D para la práctica diaria.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which has the regulation of calcium-phosphorus metabolism in the body as its main function. Vitamin D receptor is present in most of the nucleated cells of the body, and its role in multiple body processes is being discovered. The 3 main sources of vitamin D are ultraviolet sun radiation, diet, and supplementation. The skin, through solar radiation, provides 90% of the bodýs vitamin D needs. In cases of low vitamin D, sun exposure habits and diet must be reviewed, and pharmacological supplementation must be assessed. Measurement in the body is performed by determining 25-hydroxycholecalciferol with values below 20ng/ml being considered insufficient. Universal screening of vitamin D is not currently recommended, only in situations where a deficiency is suspected.

Decomposing neural responses to melodic surprise in musicians and non-musicians: Evidence for a hierarchy of predictions in the auditory system.

Neural responses to auditory surprise are typically studied with highly unexpected, disruptive sounds. Consequently, little is known about auditory prediction in everyday contexts that are characterized by fine-grained, non-disruptive fluctuations of auditory surprise. To address this issue, we used IDyOM, a computational model of auditory expectation, to obtain continuous surprise estimates for a set of newly composed melodies. Our main goal was to assess whether the neural correlates of non-disruptive surprising sounds in a musical context are affected by musical expertise. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), auditory responses were recorded from musicians and non-musicians while they listened to the melodies. Consistent with a previous study, the amplitude of the N1m component increased with higher levels of computationally estimated surprise. This effect, however, was not different between the two groups. Further analyses offered an explanation for this finding: Pitch interval size itself, rather than probabilistic prediction, was responsible for the modulation of the N1m, thus pointing to low-level sensory adaptation as the underlying mechanism. In turn, the formation of auditory regularities and proper probabilistic prediction were reflected in later components: The mismatch negativity (MMNm) and the P3am, respectively. Overall, our findings reveal a hierarchy of expectations in the auditory system and highlight the need to properly account for sensory adaptation in research addressing statistical learning.

Amygdala stimulation promotes recovery of behavioral performance in a spatial memory task and increases GAP-43 and MAP-2 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of male rats.

The relationships between affective and cognitive processes are an important issue of present neuroscience. The amygdala, the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex appear as main players in these mechanisms. We have shown that post-training electrical stimulation of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) speeds the acquisition of a motor skill, and produces a recovery in behavioral performance related to spatial memory in fimbria-fornix (FF) lesioned animals. BLA electrical stimulation rises bdnf RNA expression, BDNF protein levels, and arc RNA expression in the hippocampus. In the present paper we have measured the levels of one presynaptic protein (GAP-43) and one postsynaptic protein (MAP-2) both involved in synaptogenesis to assess whether structural neuroplastic mechanisms are involved in the memory enhancing effects of BLA stimulation. A single train of BLA stimulation produced in healthy animals an increase in the levels of GAP-43 and MAP-2 that lasted days in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. In FF-lesioned rats, daily post-training stimulation of the BLA ameliorates the memory deficit of the animals and induces an increase in the level of both proteins. These results support the hypothesis that the effects of amygdala stimulation on memory recovery are sustained by an enhanced formation of new synapses.

Melaleuca alternifolia nanoparticles against Candida species biofilms.

Candida infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality on immunosuppressed patients. This growing trend has been associated with resistance to the antimicrobial therapy and the ability of microorganism to form biofilms. TTO oil is used as antimicrobial which shows antibiofilm activity against Candida species. However, it presents problems due to its poor solubility and high volatility. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro antibiofilm activity of TTO nanoparticles against many Candida species. It was performed the characterization of the oil and nanoparticles. The levels of exopolysaccharides, proteins, and the biomass of biofilms were measured. The chromatographic profile demonstrated that the TTO oil is in accordance with ISO 4730 with major constituents of 41.9% Terpinen-4-ol, 20.1% of γ-Terpinene, 9,8% of α-Terpinene, and 6,0% of 1,8-Cineole. The TTO nanoparticles showed pH of 6.3, mean diameter of 158.2 ± 2 nm, polydispersion index of 0.213 ± 0.017, and zeta potential of -8.69 ± 0.80 mV. The addition of TTO and its nanoparticles represented a significant reduction of biofilm formed by all Candida species, as well as a reduction of proteins and exopolysaccharides levels. It was possible to visualize the reduction of biofilm in presence of TTO nanoparticles by Calcofluor White method.

[Sociodemographic characteristics and geographic variability associated with patient satisfaction in Primary Care]. / Características sociodemográficas y variabilidad geográfica relacionada con la satisfacción del paciente en Atención Primaria.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction with health services plays an important role in programs to improve the quality of care from the point of view of users. The objectives of this study were: To identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with patient satisfaction in the care provided by family doctors in Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, and describe the geographical variability of this phenomenon in the Spanish National Health Service. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data come from the European Health Survey (2009). Prevalence ratios (crude and adjusted) of the characteristics associated with both excellent satisfaction and dissatisfaction using Poisson regression, and their geographical variability are discussed. RESULTS: About one in every 3 users of the PHC believes that the care provided was excellent, while 6.7% were dissatisfied. There is a wide variability in the perception of satisfaction among the various regional health services, with prevalence ranging between 10.9% and 55.2%. Moreover, this assessment is closely related to age, level of self-perceived health, mental health, previous hospitalisation, chronic disease status, and limitations in daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfaction with the care provided by the PHC physician is relatively high. However, the distribution between regions and socio-demographic characteristics and health status of the user is heterogeneous.

Pilot study of the efficacy of empowering patients through coaching as a complementary therapy in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most frequent neurodevelopmental disorder and must be considered a public health priority because of its functional repercussions in school, family, and social settings. Health empowerment is an innovative model of care for patients with chronic diseases based on self-management education. Our goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of empowerment using coaching within a multimodal treatment plan in paediatric patients with ADHD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive open prospective study. We included children between 6 and 12 years old belonging to patient association in a suburban area of the Region of Madrid. We evaluated the situation before and after 5 cost-free coaching sessions using the Conners Questionnaire, Dundee difficult times of day scale, and satisfaction scales. RESULTS: We included 49 patients (73.5% males) with an average age of 8.5 years. The ADHD hyperactive-impulsive subtype was present in 63.3% and 77.6% had some type of comorbidity. All were treated with methylphenidate and their clinical course was poor. Clinical improvements were observed in 79.6% with a 34.6% mean reduction in symptoms (SD 11.1), and improvements remained stable at 6 months follow-up after coaching. We reached a satisfaction level of 7.8 out of 10 (SD 1.7), and 95.9% of the participants recommended this treatment to other families. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide information on the potential benefits of coaching as complementary treatment for ADHD.

Fractura radicular en piezas primarias / Root fracture in primary teeth

Los traumatismos dentarios constituyen uno de los motivos más frecuentes en la consulta odontopediátrica. Si bien las fracturas radiculares en dentición primaria son las lesiones traumáticas menos prevalentes (2-4 por ciento), son de difícil resolución y ocasionan la pérdida de dichas piezas en la mayoría de los casos. Objetivo: describir la resolución del traumatismo con fractura radicular en ambos incisivos centrales superiores primarios. Diagnóstico de la situación inicial: paciente masculino de 4 años que acude con su madre a la Cátedra de Odontología Integral Niños de la FOUBA presentando un traumatismo dental de 2 horas de evolución. Diagnóstico clínico-radiográfico: fractura radicular horizontal de tercio medio del 5.1 y 6.1 (sin reabsorción fisiológica radicular), sin desplazamiento del fragmento coronario, con laceración de labio superior y encía marginal. Secuencia de procedimientos operatorios: historia clínica con consentimiento informado; anamnesis médica y odontológica; examen clínico y radiográfico de 5.1 y 6.1 y antagonistas; limpieza de tejidos blandos con clorhexidina; impresión con alginato; confección de placa posicionadora para ferulización; prueba e instalación de la placa; indicaciones al paciente y a su madre: uso permanente durante 45 días y uso nocturno, para comer y hacer deportes 45 días más. Recomendaciones de higiene; controles inmediatos: 30 y 45 días y 3 y 6 meses. Resolución del caso: en todos los controles, ambas piezas se presentaron asintomáticas. A los 6 meses se observa la correcta cicatrización radicular y la presencia de vitalidad en ambos incisivos. Conclusiones: el tratamiento temprano y los controles posteriores son fundamentales para preservar la salud pulpar y conseguir la reparación de los tejidos duros afectados.

Renin-angiotensin system dual blockade using angiotensin receptor plus aliskiren decreases severe proteinuria in kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade has cardioprotective and renoprotective effects in the general population; however, whether dual blockade using angiotensin-receptor blockade (ARB) plus a renin inhibitor, aliskiren, can minimize severe proteinuria in kidney transplant recipients remains undetermined. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and safety of dual blockade of the RAS with an ARB and aliskiren in kidney transplant recipients with severe proteinuria and creatinine concentration 2.5 mg/dL or less. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 16 patients (mean age 56 years; 10 men [62%] who had undergone cadaveric renal transplantation between 1992 and 2004. Immunosuppression therapy included a calcineurin inhibitor in 9 patients (56%) or mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor in 7 (44%), and mycophenolate mofetil in 15 (94%). All received high-dose ARB II (1.0-3.5 g/24 h) because of marked proteinuria, with poor response. Accordingly, 11 patients also received aliskiren, and in 5 who were receiving an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, therapy was changed to aliskiren. Mean (range) follow-up was 11 (3-18) months. RESULTS: At 3 months, proteinuria decreased by 40%, and at 6 months by 60%. In addition, mean blood pressure was decreased significantly. Renal function remained stable, as did the serum potassium concentration. A slight but significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration was observed, with no clinical repercussions. CONCLUSIONS: Dual blockade of the RAS with ARB II plus aliskiren therapy demonstrated an additive effect to decrease severe proteinuria and blood pressure in kidney transplant recipients. Neither relevant adverse effects in renal function nor anemia or hyperkalemia were observed. These findings might contribute to prolonging long-term kidney graft survival.

Microalgae response to petroleum spill: an experimental model analysing physiological and genetic response of Dunaliella tertiolecta (Chlorophyceae) to oil samples from the tanker Prestige.

In November 2002, the oil tanker Prestige sank off the northwestern coast of Spain, spilling more than 50,000 tons of petroleum with disastrous ecological and economical consequences. In order to analyse the harmful consequences of the oil spill on marine microalgae, short- and long-term effects of oil samples from the Prestige spill were studied using laboratory cultures of Dunaliella tertiolecta (strain Dt1Lwt). Significant inhibition of photosynthesis (assessed by F(v)/F(m), ETR(max) and alpha estimations) was observed after only 1h of oil exposure with clear concentration dependency. Three days later, photosynthetic activity remained inhibited although cell survival was only slightly effected. In cultures exposed to the lowest oil concentration, mitotic rates and percentage of motile cells were 17-33% and 12-42% of the controls, respectively. After 1 month, neither dividing nor motile cells were observed at the highest oil concentrations. However, after further incubation, occasionally the growth of rare cells resistant to oil was found. A fluctuation analysis was carried out to distinguish between resistant cells arising from rare spontaneous mutations and resistant cells arising from physiological or other mechanisms of adaptation. The existence of rapid evolution as result of preselective mutations from petroleum sensitivity to petroleum resistance was observed. Resistant cells arose by rare spontaneous mutations prior to the addition of oil, with a mutation rate of 2.76x10(-5) oil-resistant mutants per cell division. Apparently, rare spontaneous preselective mutations are able to assure the survival of microalgae in oil-polluted environments.

Management in the emergency room of patients requiring hospital treatment of community-acquired pneumonia / Manejo en la sala de urgencias de pacientes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad que requieren tratamiento hospitalario

Introduction. To identify factors influencing decisions ininitial management of community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) admitted to hospital through Emergency departments.Methods. Records of CAP adult patients admitted to 24Spanish hospitals in January-Mars 2003 were reviewed. Patientssent for ambulatory treatment were excluded.Results. 341 patients (67.0 ± 24.6 years; 65.3 % males)were included; 39 % were taking antibiotics at attendance.PSI was (% patients): I-II (19.7 %), III (14.7 %), and IV-V(65.6 %). Comorbidities were: COPD (37.2 %), heart disease(24.6 %), hypertension (17 %), diabetes mellitus (10.8 %),and malignancies (10 %). Pneumococcal/Legionella urinaryantigens were performed in 34.0 %/42.2 % patients. Fewer(p ≤ 0.006) rapid tests were performed in class IV-V(p = 0.001), with higher (p ≤ 0.01) pneumococcal positiveresults in class V. Initial treatment was fluoroquinolone(37.5 %), beta-lactam + macrolide (26.4 %), beta-lactam(22.9 %), macrolide (4.7 %), and others (8.5 %). Patients referredto Internal Medicine had higher heart disease(p = 0.06) and hypertension (p = 0.001) as comorbidity thanthose at Short-Stay Units or Pneumology. COPD patientswere equally distributed between Internal Medicine andPneumology, with differences vs. Short-Stay Units.Conclusions. Rapid diagnostic tests were underused,maybe due to broad empirical treatments covering drug-resistantpneumococci and L. pneumophila (regardless PSI andcomorbidity). Presence of comorbidities or positive resultsin rapid diagnostic tests seems to influence the medicalward to which the patient is referred to, but not initialtreatment (AU)

Introducción. Identificación de los factores que influyenen el manejo inicial de los pacientes con neumoníaadquirida en la comunidad (NAC) ingresados en el hospitala través de los Servicios de Urgencias.Material y métodos. Se revisaron los registros de pacientesadultos con NAC admitidos en 24 hospitales españolesen el período comprendido entre los meses deenero-marzo de 2003. Los pacientes remitidos para tratamientoambulatorio fueron excluidos.Resultados. Se incluyeron 341 pacientes (67,0 ± 24,6años; 65,3 % varones). El 39 % estaba tomando antibióticosen el momento de atención en Urgencias. El grado deFine de los pacientes fue (% pacientes): I-II (19,7 %),III (14,7 %), y IV-V (65,6 %). Las comorbilidades fueron:EPOC (37,2 %), enfermedad coronaria (24,6 %), hipertensión(17 %), diabetes mellitus (10,8 %) y neoplasia (10 %). Lostests de antígenos urinarios de neumococo y Legionellafueron realizados en 34,0 % y 42,2 % pacientes respectivamente.En las clases IV-V (p ≤ 0,006) se realizaron menostests rápidos, con mayor número de resultados positivospara neumococos (p ≤ 0,01) en la clase V. El tratamientoinicial fue fluoroquinolonas (37,5 %), betalactámico +macrólido(26,4 %), betalactámico (22,9 %), macrólido (4,7 %),y otros (8,5 %). Los pacientes ingresados en Medicina Internatenían una mayor incidencia de enfermedad cardiaca(p = 0,06) e hipertensión (p = 0,001) como comorbilidadque aquellos ingresados en Neumología o en Unidades deCorta Estancia. Los pacientes con EPOC fueron igualmentedistribuidos entre Medicina Interna y Neumología, con diferenciasrespecto a las Unidades de Corta Estancia.Conclusiones. Los tests diagnósticos rápidos fueron infrautilizados,debido posiblemente a la amplia cobertura delos tratamientos empíricos cubriendo neumococo resistente yL. pneumophila (independientemente del Fine y la comorbilidad) (AU)

Los límites conceptuales de la esquizofrenia / No disponible

El concepto de esquizofrenia ha sufrido variaciones alo largo de la historia y, actualmente, se discute la necesidadde su propia existencia. A pesar del desarrollo delos sistemas diagnósticos operacionales y del aumentode la confiabilidad interjuicios en el diagnóstico psiquiátrico,la validez de la esquizofrenia continúa siendocuestionada. Las propuestas de reemplazar la esquizofreniay otras psicosis por un síndrome psicótico generalo por nosologías no categoriales (dimensiones) están ala vanguardia de las discusiones vinculadas a la edicióndel DSM-V. En el presente trabajo, se revisa el problemanosológico de la esquizofrenia y sus consecuenciasy se aportan propuestas alternativas para mejorar lavalidez del trastorno(AU)

The concept of schizophrenia had variations alonghistory and the existence of the illness is currently indoubt. Although operational diagnostic systemsimproved interrater reliability, schizophrenia validity isquestioned. In this paper the proposal to change schizophreniaand other disorders for a general psychotic syndromeor a dimensional nosology in DSM-V is discussedand put forward other ideas to improvedisorder’s validity(AU)

Anomalía de Pelger-Huet: reporte de un caso / Pelger-huet anomaly: a case report

La anomalía de Pelger-Huet se observa una limitación de la segmentación nuclear de los granulocitos. La anomalía fue descrita por primera vez por Pelger en 1928, quien consideró que constituía una manifestación de tuberculosis. Huet consideró que la anomalía sería hereditaria y se transmitiría en forma autonómica dominante. Los individuos afectados rara vez presentan neutrófilos o eosinófilos con más de dos lóbulos. En los heterocigotos, el núcleo de los neutrófilos es no segmentado, con forma de pesa o bilobulado. En los homocigotos, la gran mayoría de los neutrófilos presentan núcleos redondos. Esta anomalía afecta aproximadamente a uno de cada 6000 individuos. La migración celular puede estar levemente alterada, pero la función de los granulocitos es normal y los individuos con esta anomalía hereditaria no padecen efectos adversos. Se trata de Rn masculino quien a las pocas horas de vida presenta ictericia neonatal y dificultad respiratoria y hepatoesplenomegalia. Hallazgos paraclínicos incompatibilidad de grupo sanguíneo, reacción leucemoide 98000 globulos blancos, PCR (-), e hiperbilirrubinemia a predominio de la indirecta. Se indica fototerapia, Oxigeno, y antibioticoterapia a base de PNC, Amikacina y vancomicina, Se realiza serología para TORCHS la cual reporta negativa y valoración por hematología la cual reporta anomalía de Pelger-Huet. Se presenta este caso para dar a conocer la existencia de esta anomalía como causa de errores frecuenctes al momento de valorar la hematología en procesos infecciosos y no infecciosos, que reportan reacciones leucemoides. Es importante que tanto el médico tratante como el paciente, esten en conocimiento de esta anomalía sanguínea, para valorar de forma adecuada el hemograma en posteriores oportunidades.

Tocopherol fate in plasma and liver of streptozotocin-treated rats that orally received antioxidants and Spirulina extracts.

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats constitute a model of oxidative stress, and vitamin E continues to be a topic of speculation in this area. On the other hand, marine extracts, particularly microalgae extracts obtained with environmentally clean technologies and which demonstrate antioxidant activity in vitro, are a potential source of in vivo antioxidant defense. We have studied the alpha-tocopherol content in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats after 7 and 14 days under the condition, and before and after the treatment with vitamin E and C, as well as with different Spirulina extracts, as compared with the corresponding controls. The improvement of analytical methodology related to the determination of alpha-tocopherol in the plasma and liver of rats was also considered. To do this, a method previously developed for plasma, employing a single extraction step, was adapted and validated for liver after minor modifications. Moreover, stability of alpha-tocopherol in plasma of diabetic and control animals was compared in different storage conditions. Results showed that diabetic plasma strongly influences stability of alpha-tocopherol, even at -20 degrees C, but samples are stable for at least one year at -80 degrees C. Finally, regarding supplementation, results indicate that supplementation with alpha-tocopherol increases stored alpha-tocopherol in liver, but not in plasma, but this availability is strongly dependent on the stage of diabetes of the animal. Extracts of Spirulina platensis, despite showing antioxidant activity in vitro, increased alpha-tocopherol concentration in neither plasma nor liver.

Treatment and follow-up of HIV-negative multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in an infectious diseases reference hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

SETTING: An Argentinean reference hospital specialising in infectious diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients referred to or diagnosed at Hospital Muñiz. DESIGN: Clinical study for the period 1996-1999, with follow-up until June 2002. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-one adult patients (52.5% female) with resistance to two to seven drugs were studied. Fifty patients (35.5%) had not been treated previously. The most frequently used second-line drugs were 5-F-quinolones, cycloserine and ethionamide in susceptibility based individually tailored three- to five-drug regimens. Hospital admission was associated with treatment success. Forty-five episodes of severe toxicity occurred. Treatment was successful in 51.8% of cases, but follow-up of 73 patients yielded 11.9% relapse. The mortality rate was 19.1% and default was 19.9%. Logistic regression analysis was statistically significant for treatment success in relation to patient admission, residence and resistance pattern. CONCLUSION: The burden of MDR-TB in this setting--prolonged infection, treatment cost and difficulties, low rates of cure and treatment adherence and high rates of fatality and relapse--can be improved by strengthening TB control programme activities and fighting against poverty and HIV/AIDS.

NEVIL del adulto con hiperplasia papilomatosa multifocal / Adult onset ILVEN with multifocal papillomatous hyperplasia

Los nervios epidérmicos verrugosos son lesiones hamartomatosas que se diferencian esencialmente hacia queratinocitos epidérmicos. Ciertas características clínicas e histopatológicas han permitido la individualización del llamado nevo epidérmico verrugoso inflamatorio lineal (NEVIL). Un varón de 42 años presentaba en la extremidad inferior derecha una dermatosis eritematosa y queratósica que se extendía longitudinalmente siguiendo el trayecto de las líneas de Blaschko. En el seno de la previa dermatosis desarrolló en los últimos años varias lesiones tumorales exofíticas cuyo estudio histológico reveló únicamente una intensa papilomatosis de naturaleza benigna. Describimos el ejemplo de un nevo epidérmico verrugoso inflamatorio lineal que en la edad adulta desarrolló múltiples proliferaciones vegetantes de carácter puramente hiperplásico (AU)

Acute nicotine poisoning associated with a traditional remedy for eczema.

We present a case of severe acute nicotine poisoning in an 8 year old boy with moderate eczema after topical application of a traditional remedy from a book published in Bangladesh. Symptoms consistent with nicotine poisoning developed within 30 minutes of application of the remedy. The child subsequently improved with supportive care and was discharged after five days with no neurological sequelae. Diagnosis of nicotine poisoning was not initially made due to difficulty in obtaining an accurate history via an interpreter from the parents who did not speak English. Samples taken 12 hours after application of the remedy showed a serum nicotine of 89 microgram/l, serum cotinine of 1430 microgram/l, urine nicotine of 1120 microgram/l, and a urine cotinine of 6960 microgram/l confirming acute nicotine poisoning.

Differential expression of three different prepro-GnRH (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone) messengers in the brain of the european sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

The expression sites of three prepro-gonadotrophin-releasing hormones (GnRHs), corresponding to seabream GnRH (sbGnRH: Ser(8)-mGnRH, mammalian GnRH), salmon GnRH (sGnRH: Trp(7)Leu(8)-mGnRH), and chicken GnRH-II (cGnRH-II: His(5)Trp(7)Tyr(8)-mGnRH) forms were studied in the brain of a perciform fish, the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) by means of in situ hybridization. The riboprobes used in this study correspond to the three GnRH-associated peptide (GAP)-coding regions of the prepro-GnRH cDNAs cloned from the same species (salmon GAP: sGAP; seabream GAP: sbGAP; chicken GAP-II: cIIGAP), which show little oligonucleotide sequence identity (sGAP versus sbGAP: 42%; cIIGAP versus sbGAP: 36%; sGAP versus cIIGAP: 41%). Adjacent paraffin sections (6 mm) throughout the entire brain were treated in parallel with each of the three anti-sense probes and the corresponding sense probes, demonstrating the high specificity of the hybridization signal. The results showed that both sGAP and sbGAP mRNAs had a broader expression in the olfactory bulbs, ventral telencephalon, and preoptic region, whereas cIIGAP mRNA expression was confined to large cells of the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle. In the olfactory bulbs, both the signal intensity and the number of positive cells were higher with the sGAP probe, whereas sbGAP mRNA-expressing cells were more numerous and intensely stained in the preoptic region. Additional isolated sbGAP-positive cells were detected in the ventrolateral hypothalamus. These results demonstrate a clear overlapping of sGAP- and sbGAP-expressing cells in the forebrain of the European sea bass, in contrast to previous reports in other perciforms showing a clear segregation of these two cell populations.

[Reversible dementia in neurology outpatient clinics]. / Demencias reversibles en la consulta neurológica extrahospitalaria.

INTRODUCTION: The dementias are one of the commonest conditions seen in Neurology Clinics. Potentially reversible causes are described amongst the various aetiologies although there are doubts as to whether the use of indiscriminate testing to detect them is worthwhile. OBJECTIVE: In a group of demented persons to determine how many had a potentially reversible condition and how many improved, in a prospective, descriptive study in a Neurology Outpatient Clinic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the Mini-Mental State Examination of Folstein and the DSM-III-R criteria for dementia, 121 demented patients were selected. An ordinary biochemical study was made (vitamin B12, thyroid hormones), serology (lues) and neuroimaging (cerebral CT), and when a potentially reversible condition was found, each case was treated. The patients treated were followed-up periodically for an average of 9.6 months (range 2 to 24 months). RESULTS: A potentially reversible condition was seen in 19.8% of the patients. On prospective evaluation only 3.3% had reversible symptoms and in no case were these completely reversed. Improvement was seen in conditions of depressive pseudo-dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Since some causes of dementia are reversible, the neurologist is obliged to investigate and seek these possible aetiologies. This study should be individualized according to clinical criteria to improve profitability of the complementary tests. Our results suggest that there are doubts as to the usefulness of indiscriminate investigation of possible reversible causes of the cases of dementia referred to Outpatient neurologists.