Brief communication: a preliminary study on the influence of physical fruit traits on fruit handling and seed fate by white-handed Titi monkeys (Callicebus lugens).

Callicebus and the pitheciins are closely related; however, differences in their diets and dental morphology suggest that they differ in the use of mechanically protected food. We describe physical traits of fruits consumed by white-handed titi monkeys (Callicebus lugens) and determine their influence on fruit part selection and immediate seed fate after fruit handling. We tested two hypotheses about the effects of mechanical fruit traits on fruit part selection and seed fate: (1) fruits selected for seed consumption are harder than fruits selected for their fleshy parts and (2) consumed seeds are softer than seeds with other fates. In addition, we analyzed the influence of other physical fruit traits on fruit part selection and seed fate. C. lugens included 69 species in its diet, from which it mainly consumed their fleshy parts. It also consumed seeds, alone or with fleshy fruit parts, but most of them ended up close to parent trees after being dropped or spat out. The first hypothesis was supported while the second was rejected, indicating that C. lugens tends to rely on hard fruits for obtaining seeds, while seed hardness had no influence on fruit part selection and seed fate, contrasting with the pattern reported for Pithecia and Chiropotes in other studies. Ripeness was the most influential factor for fruit part and seed fate discrimination. Results suggest a tendency to sclerocarpic foraging in C. lugens when feeding on seeds.

Initial Cerebellar Ataxia in Hereditary Adult-Onset Primary Lateral Sclerosis.

Cerebellar ataxia preceding the apparition of primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is reported herein. Three individuals from 2 independent kindreds experienced ataxia before developing clinical signs of PLS. Disease onset was during the sixth decade or later, and an insidious onset, with progression exceeding 11 years, was observed. Pathochrony was homogenous, consisting of initial gait instability, followed by hand dysmetria 2 years later. During a 5-year follow-up, cerebellar ataxia remained the sole clinical manifestation, preceding the appearance of muscle stiffness, which progressed to a paraparesis, and then to a purely spastic quadriparesis, over 4 years; pseudobulbar dysarthria and dysphagia appeared later. At this disease stage, limb spasticity, hyperactive jaw and limb stretch reflexes, extensor plantar responses, and a spastic dysarthria were found on examination; limb dysmetria and an ataxo-spastic gait were also found. No muscle atrophy or fasciculation was observed. Among ancillary tests, electromyographic studies performed 6 years after disease onset revealed normal motor unit action potentials and absence of spontaneous activity, in 2 individuals. MRI revealed normal cerebellum and brainstem in 2 cases. Inheritance was dominant in both kindreds, and extensive genetic testing was negative. It is concluded that cerebellar ataxia preceded the appearance of a purely spastic spinobulbar syndrome (which fulfilled the clinical diagnostic criteria for PLS) during a 5-year period in 3 patients with a hereditary, adult-onset form of PLS; subsequent disease progression was equivalent to that of sporadic PLS. Further studies are needed to fully delineate the clinical and genetic spectra of adult-onset PLS.

A variant of the gene HARS detected in the clinical exome: etiology of a peripheral neuropathy undiagnosed for 20 years.

Objectives: Describe a case with axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 2W, a neurological disease characterized by peripheral neuropathy typically involving the lower limbs and causing gait alterations and distal sensory-motor impairment. Case presentation: We report this case, where the application of massive genetic sequencing (NGS) with clinical exome in a molecular genetics laboratory enabled to detect the presence of candidate variants of the clinic of the patient. Conclusions: The variant detected in HARS gene suggests that this variant could be causative of the symptoms of the patient, who went undiagnosed for 20 years and experienced an exacerbation of symptoms over time.

Calcifying odontogenic cyst associated with complex odontoma: case report and review of the literature.

We report a calcifying odontogenic cyst associated with odontoma (COCaO) and an included permanent canine in the superior maxilla, in a 19 year-old-man. The calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) was first described as a distinct entity by Gorlin et al in 1962. The lesion is a mixed odontogenic benign tumor, and although most of the cases present cystic characteristics, a few are of the solid type (15%), and its rare malignant transformation is well documented. The COC may occur in association with other odontogenic tumors, the most common is the odontoma, occurring in about 24% of the cases. For this association the term Odontocalcifying odontogenic cyst has been suggested. Radiographically is a well defined mixed lesion and histologically consists of a large cyst. In the central area of the cyst enamel and dentin deposits can be found, irregularly distributed in areas and in other parts it takes on a well defined organoid aspect. A thorough review of literature takes place and the pathogenesis is discussed.

Inhibition by wine polyphenols of peroxynitrite-initiated chemiluminescence and NADH oxidation.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) is a powerful oxidant produced by neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes as a signaling and cytotoxic molecule from their primary production of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O(2)(-)). In the vascular space, ONOO(-) will likely oxidize lipoproteins and promote atherogenesis. Pure wine flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, myricetin), hydroxycinnamates (caffeic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid), and plain Argentine red wines were assayed as ONOO(-) scavengers in two assays: (a) ONOO(-)-initiated chemiluminescence and (b) ONOO(-)-dependent oxidation. The assayed polyphenols as well as the red wines were effective inhibitors of the ONOO(-)-driven oxidation reactions. Fifty percent of the pure substances were observed in the range of 30-300 microM and in the case of red wines with the equivalent of 80-120 microM of flavonoids. The amphipatic nature of wine polyphenols will lead to their accumulation at the lipoprotein surface, according to the Gibbs adsorption equation, where they are likely to prevent ONOO(-)-induced tyrosine nitration and LDL modification.

Polyphenols and red wine as peroxynitrite scavengers: a chemiluminescent assay.

A novel chemiluminescent assay for evaluating peroxynitrite (ONOO(-))-scavenging capacity was developed. The experimental protocol ensures sensitivity and reproducibility of measurements. The addition of 0-500 microM ONOO(-) to rat liver homogenate generated a luminous signal that was analyzed by chemiluminescence in a LKB Wallac liquid scintillation counter. The obtained optimal conditions were: 1-2 mg/mL of homogenate protein in 120 mM KCl, 30 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and 220 microM ONOO(-) at 30 degrees C. As polyphenols we used (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, and myricetin. The most efficient of the compounds tested was myricetin with an IC(50) of 20 microM. The effectiveness of this method was verified by evaluating the antioxidant ability of three red wine samples to decrease peroxynitrite-initiated chemiluminescence. The ONOO(-)-scavenging activity of wines measured by this assay was related to the phenolic level of the samples. The quickness and reliability of this assay makes it particularly suitable for a large-scale screening of watery food extracts.

Enzymatic cleaning of inorganic ultrafiltration membranes fouled by whey proteins.

The aim of this work was to study the cleaning of inorganic membranes fouled with whey protein solutions using the enzymatic formulation Alcalase (Novo Nordisk A/S). Hydraulic and chemical methods were considered to characterize the cleanliness of the membranes. Cleaning efficiency was observed to be a function of the operating conditions. The operating conditions tested were the following: recycling versus non-recycling of permeate, pH of the cleaning solution, addition of alkali to regulate the pH, enzymatic agent concentration, and cleaning time. The best conditions to perform the cleaning were related to the best conditions to hydrolyze whey proteins in a discontinuous reactor using the same enzyme preparations. Very high cleaning efficiencies (>90%) were achieved in short operating times (20 min). However, residual matter was observed on the membrane surface.