Cognitive Functioning in Adults with Phenylketonuria in a Cohort of Spanish Patients.

The early introduction of a low phenylalanine (Phe) diet has been demonstrated to be the most successful treatment in subjects with phenylketonuria (PKU), especially for preventing severe cognitive and neurological damages. However, it still concerns that even if treated in the first months of life with supplements and following a diet, they can show slight scores below people without PKU in neuropsychological assignments. We investigated 20 adults with classical PKU aged 19-48 years (mean age 29 years) and 20 heathy controls matched by age, gender, and years of education. Patients and controls were assessed with an extended neuropsychological battery, as well as psychological aspects and quality of life, also the last Phe level result was obtained. Results showed that the most affected cognitive domains are processing speed, executive functioning, memory, and also theory of mind, but very well-preserved verbal fluency, language, and visuospatial functioning. In quality of life, some significant results were seen specially in anxiety of Phe levels, anxiety of Phe levels during pregnancy, guilt if poor adherence to supplements, and if dietary protein restriction not followed. No significant results were obtained for the psychological variables. In conclusion, it has been shown that a combination of a low Phe diet, supplement intake, and keeping Phe levels in a low range seems appropriate to have the most normal and alike cognitive performance to persons without PKU.

Redefining the therapeutic objective in psoriatic patients candidates for biological therapy.

The advances in psoriasis management currently allow achieving a good control of the disease. In particular, with the latest developed molecules, available evidence suggests that it is possible to pose an ambitious therapeutic goal, such as a Dermatology Life Quality Index 0/1, a Physician Global Assessment 0/1, or a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90/100 response. However, patients often fail to achieve the complete clearance of their cutaneous lesions or the improvement of disease factors that impair their quality of life. To optimize the treatment of psoriasis, it is not enough to define precisely the therapeutic objective, but also to adapt the therapeutic strategy to make the necessary modifications in case of not achieving it at the time point (at the end of the induction phase, or every 3-6 months) to be agreed with the patient (the so-called treat-to-target approach). In the present report, based on the Delphi methodology, 11 dermatologists from the Spanish Psoriasis Group addressed key issues that could be involved in the achievement and maintenance of the therapeutic goals of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The document provides 27 consensus statements intended to support clinical decision-making by healthcare professionals for patients who might be candidates to receive biologic therapy.

Apigenin--strong cytostatic and anti-angiogenic action in vitro contrasted by lack of efficacy in vivo.

The cancer chemopreventive agent apigenin also has strong cytostatic and anti-angiogenic effects in vitro. We now investigated its efficacy against experimental Lewis lung carcinomas (LLC), C-6 gliomas and DHDK 12 colonic cancers in vivo. Tumour bearing mice received 50 mg/kg/day apigenin in three different galenical formulations during 12 days in 8-hourly intervals. Only weak effects of apigenin on the size and the number of new tumour blood vessels of both established and newly transplanted tumours were recorded although the intratumoural necrosis was elevated (45 +/- 15% vs. 20 +/- 7% (control), p < 0.05%). These results contrast sharply with the high in vitro sensitivity of LLC, C-6, DHDK 12 and endothelial cells to apigenin where complete growth suppression occurs at concentrations beyond 30 g/ml. Possible causes are discussed.

[Clinical trial with a preparation based on propolis "propolisina" in human giardiasis]. / Ensayo terapéutico con un preparado a base de propóleo "propolisina" en la giardiasis del humano.

The results of a clinic assay with an extract made out of propolis (bee glue) or "Propolisina" were showed with the aim of showing its effectivity against giardiasis. One hundred and thirty eight patients were studied 48 children and 90 adults, in 2 groups and they selected aleatorily to be treated with "Propolosina" or an imidazole derivate (tinidazole). The method for an exact diagnosis in children was duodenal aspiration and in adults duodenal mucosa frotis by means of duodenoscopy. Similar studies were carried out as a cure criterium in a 5-day term after being through with the treatment. Propolisina was used with different concentrations: in children (concentration at 10%) results showed a 52% cure. In 40 adults (concentration at 20%) it was obtained a similar result to that of tinidazole; and when propolisina concentration was elevated at 30% in the remaining 50 patients there was a higher effectivity (60 of cure Vs 40% with tinidazole). This work shows the success of this natural product, which is very easy to obtain in Cuba and with no side effects in the treatment of this intestinal parasitism, what is of great economical importance for our countries.

Ensayo terapéutico con un preparado a base de propóleo [quot ]propolisina[quot ] en la giardiasis del humano. / [Clinical trial with a preparation based on propolis [quot ]propolisina[quot ] in human giardiasis]

The results of a clinic assay with an extract made out of propolis (bee glue) or [quot ]Propolisina[quot ] were showed with the aim of showing its effectivity against giardiasis. One hundred and thirty eight patients were studied 48 children and 90 adults, in 2 groups and they selected aleatorily to be treated with [quot ]Propolosina[quot ] or an imidazole derivate (tinidazole). The method for an exact diagnosis in children was duodenal aspiration and in adults duodenal mucosa frotis by means of duodenoscopy. Similar studies were carried out as a cure criterium in a 5-day term after being through with the treatment. Propolisina was used with different concentrations: in children (concentration at 10

) results showed a 52

cure. In 40 adults (concentration at 20

) it was obtained a similar result to that of tinidazole; and when propolisina concentration was elevated at 30

in the remaining 50 patients there was a higher effectivity (60 of cure Vs 40

with tinidazole). This work shows the success of this natural product, which is very easy to obtain in Cuba and with no side effects in the treatment of this intestinal parasitism, what is of great economical importance for our countries.