An in vitro study on the antioxidant capacity of usnic acid on human erythrocytes and molecular models of its membrane.

Usnic acid (UA) has been associated with chronic diseases through its antioxidant action. Its main target is the cell membrane; however, its effect on that of human erythrocytes has been scarcely investigated. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between UA and cell membranes human erythrocytes and molecular models of its membrane have been utilized. Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) were chosen as representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer and inner monolayers of the erythrocyte membrane, respectively. Results by X-ray diffraction showed that UA produced structural perturbations on DMPC and DMPE bilayers. DSC studies have indicated that thermotropic behavior of DMPE was most strongly distorted by UA than DMPC, whereas the latter is mainly affected on the pretransition. Scanning electron (SEM) and defocusing microscopy (DM) showed that UA induced alterations to erythrocytes from the normal discoid shape to echinocytes. These results imply that UA molecules were located in the outer monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane. Results of its antioxidant properties showed that UA neutralized the oxidative capacity of HClO on DMPC and DMPE bilayers; SEM, DM and hemolysis assays demonstrated the protective effect of UA against the deleterious oxidant effects of HClO upon human erythrocytes.

In vitro protective effects of resveratrol against oxidative damage in human erythrocytes.

Resveratrol (RV) is a potent antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory agent. Its main target of action is the cell membrane; however, its effect on that of human erythrocytes has been scarcely investigated. With the aim to better understand the molecular mechanisms of the interaction of RV with cell membranes both human erythrocytes and molecular models of its membrane have been utilized. The latter consisted in bilayers of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), representative of phospholipid classes located in the outer and inner monolayers of the erythrocyte membrane, respectively. Results by X-ray diffraction showed that RV produced a significant structural perturbation on DMPC bilayers, but no effects were observed in DMPE. Scanning electron (SEM) and defocusing microscopy (DM) observations showed that RV induced morphological alterations to the red cells from the normal discoid shape to echinocytes. These results imply that RV was located in the outer monolayer of the erythrocyte membrane. Results of its antioxidant properties showed that RV neutralized the oxidative capacity of HClO on DMPC and DMPE bilayers. On the other hand, SEM and DM observations as well as hemolysis assays demonstrated the protective effect of RV against the deleterious effects of HClO upon human erythrocytes.

Patients with advanced Parkinson's disease with and without freezing of gait: a comparative analysis of vascular lesions using brain MRI.

INTRODUCTION: Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most disabling and enigmatic symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Vascular lesions, observed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, may produce or exacerbate this symptom. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study includes 22 patients with Parkinson's disease subjects, 12 with freezing of gait and 10 without. All patients underwent an MRI scan and any vascular lesions were analysed using the modified Fazekas scale. RESULTS: Patients with FOG scored higher on the modified Fazekas scale than the rest of the group. Although the two groups contained the same percentage of patients with vascular lesions (50% in both groups), lesion load was higher in the group of patients with FOG. Vascular lesions in the periventricular area and deep white matter seem to be the most involved in the development of FOG. DISCUSSION: Vascular lesions may contribute to the onset or worsening of FOG in patients with PD. This study suggests that cerebral vascular disease should be considered in patients with FOG.

Simultaneous rotation, orientation and displacement control of birefringent microparticles in holographic optical tweezers.

We report the experimental implementation of a new method for generating multiple dynamical optical tweezers, where each one of them is generated with an independent linear polarization state with arbitrary orientation. This also allows an independent simultaneous polarization-rotation control. The laser beam, both for generating multiple traps and polarization control, has been modulated using a single reflective nematic liquid crystal with parallel alignment. We present experimental results of controlled displacement, orientation and rotation of birefringent particles. In addition, a simple method for estimating and canceling out the primary astigmatism present in the system is presented.

Subacute hemicorporal parkinsonism in 5 patients with infarcts of the basal ganglia.

In 1929, Critchley introduced the term "vascular parkinsonism" (VP), which has been the subject of considerable controversy in neurology. Parkinsonism does not appear to be a frequent consequence of striatal infarcts, although unilateral parkinsonism has been reported as an acute or subacute onset syndrome following strategic infarcts in the striatum. Previous 123-I ioflupane SPECT (DaTSCAN) studies involving radioisotope labeling of the dopamine transporter protein at presynaptic level in patients with IPD (idiopathic Parkinson's disease) have found this technique to be highly sensitive in exploring the nigrostriatal pathway. Previous studies of VP with DatSCAN have been inconclusive. The present study correlates clinical data (unilateral parkinsonism following contralateral lenticular infarction), and radiological (CT/MRI) and functional neuroimaging findings (DatSCAN) in 5 patients with CT/MRI criteria for striatal infarcts. Finally, in 2 of these patients a diagnosis of IPD was made because of the follow-up of clinical signs and pathological DaTSCAN findings not concordant with the size and location of the vascular lesion.

[Influence of socioeconomic factors on the course and monitoring of pregnancy]. / Influencia de factores socioeconómicos en la evolución y seguimiento del embarazo.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse variations in monitoring the pregnancy programme (PP) and in the programme's development in three population groups distinguished by their socio-demographic characteristics. DESIGN: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study. SETTING: "Occidente" Health District, Córdoba. PARTICIPANTS: Women who finalised their pregnancy in 1994 or 1995 (n = 415) and who lived in three zones distinguished geographically and socially: an Urban Area (UA), with an average population socially and economically and urban environment; a Marginal Area (MA) with a low social and economic level, high rates of unemployment and drug addiction, and a mixed population (gypsy and latin); and a Rural Area (RA), which had a rural productive way of life. MEASUREMENTS: The area of residence was related to the socio-demographic variables, history, drug consumption, PP monitoring and identified pathology. RESULTS: PP coverage reached 73.8% (CI 69.2-77.8), Pregnant women living in the MA were younger (p < 0.001), and included more adolescents (p < 0.001) and more single women (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Poorer monitoring and adherence to the PP by the MA population could be confirmed.