Nanotechnology in reproduction: Vitamin E nanoemulsions for reducing oxidative stress in sperm cells.

Vitamin E is considered a powerful biological antioxidant; however, its characteristics such as high hydrophobicity and low stability limit its application. We propose to use nanotechnology as an innovative tool in spermatology, formulating nanoemulsions (NE) that accommodate vitamin E, protecting it from oxidation and promoting its release into the medium. The protective effect of the NE against oxidative stress was assessed in red deer epididymal sperm incubated at 37 °C. Cryopreserved sperm from eleven stags were thawed and extended to 400 × 106 sperm/ml in Bovine Gamete Medium (BGM). Once aliquoted, the samples were supplemented with the NE at different concentrations (0, 6 and 12 mM), with or without induced oxidative stress (100 µM Fe2+/ascorbate). The samples were evaluated after 0, 2 and 4 h of incubation at 37 °C. Motility (CASA), viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosomal status, lipoperoxidation (C11 BODIPY 581/591), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA status (SCSA®) were assessed. After 2 and 4 h of incubation, the NE were able to prevent the deleterious effects of oxidative stress, thus improving total and progression motility (P ˂0.05). Moreover, the highest concentration tested (12 mM) improved almost every sperm kinematic variable (P ˂0.05) and preserved sperm viability in samples subjected to oxidative stress. In addition, 12 mM of NE protected the acrosomes integrity, maintained and protected mitochondrial activity, prevented sperm lipoperoxidation and reduced ROS production (P ˂0.05) in samples subjected to oxidative stress. This work indicates for the first time that vitamin E formulated in NE could be a new approach against sperm oxidative damage. This could be highly relevant for sperm physiology preservation in the context of assisted reproduction techniques.

Distinct gene alterations between Fos-expressing striatal and thalamic neurons after withdrawal from methamphetamine self-administration.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine (Meth) seeking progressively increases after withdrawal (incubation of Meth craving). We previously demonstrated a role of anterior intralaminar nucleus of thalamus (AIT) to dorsomedial striatum (DMS) projections in this incubation. Here, we examined molecular alterations in DMS and AIT neurons activated (identified by neuronal activity marker Fos) during "incubated" Meth-seeking relapse test after prolonged withdrawal. METHODS: We trained male rats to self-administer Meth or saline (control condition) for 10 days (6 hr/day). Using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, we examined gene expression in Fos-positive (activated during a 2-hr relapse test) and Fos-negative (nonactivated) DMS and AIT neurons. RESULTS: In DMS, we found increased mRNA expressions of immediate early genes (IEGs) (Arc, Egr1, Npas4, Fosb), Trkb, glutamate receptors subunits (Gria3, Grin1, Grin2b, Grm1), and epigenetic enzymes (Hdac3, Hdac5, Crebbp) in Fos-positive neurons, compared with Fos-negative neurons. In AIT, we found that fewer genes (Egr1, Fosb, TrkB, Grin1, and Hdac5) exhibited increased mRNA expression in Fos-positive neurons. Unexpectedly, in both brain regions, gene alterations described above also occurred in drug-naïve saline self-administration control rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that transcriptional regulations in Fos-positive neurons activated during the relapse tests are brain region-specific but are not uniquely associated with drug exposure during the self-administration training.

Music supported therapy promotes motor plasticity in individuals with chronic stroke.

Novel rehabilitation interventions have improved motor recovery by induction of neural plasticity in individuals with stroke. Of these, Music-supported therapy (MST) is based on music training designed to restore motor deficits. Music training requires multimodal processing, involving the integration and co-operation of visual, motor, auditory, affective and cognitive systems. The main objective of this study was to assess, in a group of 20 individuals suffering from chronic stroke, the motor, cognitive, emotional and neuroplastic effects of MST. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we observed a clear restitution of both activity and connectivity among auditory-motor regions of the affected hemisphere. Importantly, no differences were observed in this functional network in a healthy control group, ruling out possible confounds such as repeated imaging testing. Moreover, this increase in activity and connectivity between auditory and motor regions was accompanied by a functional improvement of the paretic hand. The present results confirm MST as a viable intervention to improve motor function in chronic stroke individuals.

Clinical management guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage. Diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To update the Spanish Society of Neurology's guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review and analysis of the existing literature. Recommendations are given based on the level of evidence for each study reviewed. RESULTS: The most common cause of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is cerebral aneurysm rupture. Its estimated incidence in Spain is 9/100 000 inhabitants/year with a relative frequency of approximately 5% of all strokes. Hypertension and smoking are the main risk factors. Stroke patients require treatment in a specialised centre. Admission to a stroke unit should be considered for SAH patients whose initial clinical condition is good (Grades I or II on the Hunt and Hess scale). We recommend early exclusion of aneurysms from the circulation. The diagnostic study of choice for SAH is brain CT (computed tomography) without contrast. If the test is negative and SAH is still suspected, a lumbar puncture should then be performed. The diagnostic tests recommended in order to determine the source of the haemorrhage are MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and angiography. Doppler ultrasonography studies are very useful for diagnosing and monitoring vasospasm. Nimodipine is recommended for preventing delayed cerebral ischaemia. Blood pressure treatment and neurovascular intervention may be considered in treating refractory vasospasm. CONCLUSIONS: SAH is a severe and complex disease which must be managed in specialised centres by professionals with ample experience in relevant diagnostic and therapeutic processes.

[Facilitators in the implantation of telemedicine services. Perspective of professionals involved in its design and implementation]. / Elementos facilitadores en la implantación de servicios de telemedicina. Perspectiva de los profesionales implicados en su diseño y puesta en marcha.

BACKGROUND: Given the difficulties encountered by Telemedicine for final incorporation into clinical practice and given the lack of scientific evidence regarding the most appropriate implementation strategies, it is necessary to collect and disseminate lessons gained from experience in its introduction and diffusion in our health system. The aim of this study is to identify the facilitators perceived by professionals who actively participate in the design and implementation of telemedicine projects in the health care system. METHODS: Qualitative study of data from semi-structured interviews with 17 key informants belonging to different Catalan health organizations. RESULTS: The identified facilitators are grouped in four broad areas: a TM service that meets a need clearly perceived by practitioners; a core leadership with a clinical profile, managing an open, participatory and flexible model that takes into account the needs of professionals; the ability to establish partnerships with different stakeholders beyond the customer-supplier relationship; and the inclusion in the initial design of a strategy for sustainability and normalization. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the facilitators and barriers that appear in the process of implementing TM experiences in health care organizations becomes an item of high value for its final introduction. An approach combining the evidence on clinical effectiveness and cost-benefit with lessons learned about the dynamics of implementation and normalization will allow for a holistic understanding of the adoption of the TM and provide guidance for improving its organizational management.

Chronic fluoxetine treatment induces structural plasticity and selective changes in glutamate receptor subunits in the rat cerebral cortex.

It has been postulated that chronic administration of antidepressant drugs induces delayed structural and molecular adaptations at glutamatergic forebrain synapses that might underlie mood improvement. To gain further insight into these changes in the cerebral cortex, rats were treated with fluoxetine (flx) for 4 weeks. These animals showed decreased anxiety and learned helplessness. N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor subunit levels (NR1, NR2A, NR2B, GluR1 and GluR2) were analysed in the forebrain by both western blot of homogenates and immunohistochemistry. Both methods demonstrated an upregulation of NR2A, GluR1 and GluR2 that was especially significant in the retrosplenial granular b cortex (RSGb). However, when analysing subunit content in postsynaptic densities and synaptic membranes, we found increases of NR2A and GluR2 but not GluR1. Instead, GluR1 was augmented in a microsomal fraction containing intracellular membranes. NR1 and GluR2 were co-immunoprecipitated from postsynaptic densities and synaptic membranes. In the immunoprecipitates, NR2A was increased while GluR1 was decreased supporting a change in receptor stoichiometry. The changes of subunit levels were associated with an upregulation of dendritic spine density and of large, mushroom-type spines. These molecular and structural adaptations might be involved in neuronal network stabilization following long-term flx treatment.

Acroqueratoelastoidosis de Costa / Acrokeratoelastoidosis

La acroqueratoelastoidosis (AKE) de Costa es una forma de queratodermia palmopalmar poco frecuente que puede aparecer de forma esporádica o tener un patrón autosómico dominante. Rara vez está presente en el nacimiento; en la mayoría de las ocasiones lo hace a partir de la adolescencia en forma de pápulas translúcidas, amarillentas o del color de la piel normal. Tienen una localización típica en las eminencias tenar e hipotenar, pudiendo también afectar las palmas de las manos y las zonas laterales de los dedos. La asociación de hiperhidrosis es un hecho habitual. Histológicamente, los datos más característicos son hiperqueratosis, discreta acantosis, fragmentación y desestructuración de las fibras elásticas de la dermis reticular. Los tratamientos son pocos eficaces. Comentamos el caso de una niña de 10 años afectada por esta enfermedad y revisamos el diagnóstico diferencial con el grupo de las llamadas acroqueratodermias papulares marginales (AU)

Cloning of two genes encoding potassium transporters in Neurospora crassa and expression of the corresponding cDNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Two Neurospora crassa genes, trk-1 and hak-1, encode K+ transporters that show sequence similarities to the TRK transporters described in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and to the HAK transporters described in Schwanniomyces occidentalis and barley. The N. crassa TRK1 and HAK1 transporters expressed by the corresponding cDNAs in a trk1 delta trk2 delta mutant of S. cerevisiae exhibited a high affinity for Rb+ and K+. Northern blot analysis and comparison of the kinetic characteristics of the two transporters in the trk1 delta trk2 delta mutant with the kinetic characteristics of K+ uptake in N. crassa cells allowed TRK1 to be identified as the dominant K+ transporter and HAK1 as a transporter that is only expressed when the cells are K+ starved. The HAK1 transporter showed a high concentrative capacity and is identified as the K(+)-H+ symporter described in N. crassa, whereas TRK1 might be a K+ uniporter. Although the co-existence of K+ transporters of the TRK and HAK types in the same species had not been reported formerly, we discuss whether this co-existence may be the normal situation in soil fungi.

The HAK1 gene of barley is a member of a large gene family and encodes a high-affinity potassium transporter.

The high-affinity K+ uptake system of plants plays a crucial role in nutrition and has been the subject of extensive kinetic studies. However, major components of this system remain to be identified. We isolated a cDNA from barley roots, HvHAK1, whose translated sequence shows homology to the Escherichia coli Kup and Schwanniomyces occidentalis HAK1 K+ transporters. HvHAK1 conferred high-affinity K+ uptake to a K(+)-uptake-deficient yeast mutant exhibiting the hallmark characteristics of the high-affinity K+ uptake described for barley roots. HvHAK1 also mediated low-affinity Na+ uptake. Another cDNA (HvHAK2) encoding a polypeptide 42% identical to HvHAK1 was also isolated. Analysis of several genomes of Triticeae indicates that HvHAK1 belongs to a multigene family. Translated sequences from bacterial DNAs and Arabidopsis, rice, and possibly human cDNAs show homology to the Kup-HAK1-HvHAK1 family of K+ transporters.

Peduncular hallucinosis associated with posterior thalamic infarction.

Peduncular hallucinations are generally associated with lesions of the midbrain. We describe a 68-year-old man who developed left hemiparesis, paraesthesias on the left side and vivid visual hallucinations, suggesting peduncular hallucinosis. MRI demonstrated a right posterior thalamic infarct as the sole lesion.