Voices 2: Improving Prosodic Recognition in Schizophrenia With an Online Rehabilitation Program.

Introduction: Emotion recognition of voices may play an important role in interpersonal communication and patients with schizophrenia present alterations in this regard. Several on-line rehabilitation tools have been developed for treatment in this area. Voices is an on-line prosodic recognition program consisting of identifying different emotional tones in neutral phrases, in different sessions of gradually increasing difficulty. This training tool has previously reported benefits, and a new version has been created called Voices 2. The main aim of this study is to test the capacity of the Voices 2 program to improve emotion recognition through prosody for adults with schizophrenia. Secondly, it seeks to observe durability effects 1 month after intervention. Method: A randomized, single-blind, multicenter clinical trial was conducted with 44 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The intervention group (also called Voices) was treated with Voices 2, whereas the control group was treated with auditory training that was not related to emotions. Sociodemographic and clinical data, clinical state (PANSS), Intelligence Quotient and prosodic recognition (RMV-SV) were measured at baseline. After intervention, RMV-SV and PANSS were assessed. One month later, the RMV-SV measure was repeated. Results: The control group (n = 19) and the Voices group (n = 22) did not differ on χ2, t or U tests in sociodemographic, clinical and psychometric variables at baseline or post-intervention (all p-values > 0.05). In the Voices group, statistically significant differences were observed in the RMV-SV scale applied post-intervention vs. that applied pre-intervention (Z = 2.47, p = 0.013). Similar results were observed in the 1-month follow-up RMV-SV vs. the pre-intervention RMV-SV (Z = 1.97, p = 0.049). PANSS scale was also assessed with no significant differences between pre vs. post measures in both groups. Lastly, Voices 2 was rated relatively higher, based on its ease of understanding, entertainment value, usefulness and the appropriateness of use of its emotional glossary. Discussion: Improvements were observed in prosodic recognition following intervention with Voices 2 in the Voices group. Although these results are similar to other clinical trial rehabilitation programs, specific research on the matter remains scarce. Certain aspects, such as the durability of effects or adherence should be thoroughly studied and clarified. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/G95C4].

Influence of Genotype and Harvest Time on the Cynara cardunculus L. Sesquiterpene Lactone Profile.

The excessive and inappropriate application of herbicides has caused environmental pollution. The use of allelochemicals as bioherbicides could provide a solution to this problem. The allelopathic activity of Cynara cardunculus L. has been studied previously, and sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) were identified as the most relevant allelochemicals. The goal of the study reported here was to investigate the effect of six genotypes and three harvest times on the qualitative and quantitative composition of STLs in C. cardunculus leaves through a new ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis method and, thus, the effect on phytotoxicity. Overall, wild cardoon contained the highest levels of STLs of the three botanical varieties studied. Nevertheless, climatic conditions had a marked influence on the presence of STLs among the six genotypes, which was higher in the April harvest. Cynaropicrin was the most abundant STL detected. A close relationship was found between the STL profiles and the allelopathic activity, expressed as inhibition of wheat coleoptile elongation. The data provide a new and important contribution to our understanding of C. cardunculus allelopathy.

Effect of flavonoids isolated from Tridax procumbens on the growth and toxin production of Microcystis aeruginos.

The excessive proliferation of toxin producing cyanobacteria constitutes a significant health risk to the environment and humans. This is due to the contamination of potable water and accumulation of cyanotoxins in plant and animal tissues. As a means of controlling bloom forming cyanobacteria, secondary metabolites with pro-oxidative activities from plants are used to treat water bodies contaminated with cyanobacterial blooms and their associated toxins. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mechanism of action of extract, fractions and isolated flavonoids of Tridax procumbens L. on Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing. by monitoring changes in growth, oxidative stress, antioxidant response, and cyanatoxin microcystins (MCs) production. The extract, fraction 3 and the isolated flavonoids significantly reduced the cell density of the cyanobacterium. Furthermore, the extract and fraction 3 increased the production of reactive oxygen species, induced lipid peroxidation, and altered antioxidant enzyme activities of M. aeruginosa. The total MCs content of the cyanobacterium was negatively affected by the presence of the extract, fractions and isolated flavonoids. The present study show that T. procumbens has secondary metabolites that are capable of interfering with the physiology and microcystins production of M. aeruginosa. These characteristics are promising for the control of this noxious cyanobacterium in aquatic ecosystems.

Allelopathy of Bracken Fern (Pteridium arachnoideum): New Evidence from Green Fronds, Litter, and Soil.

The neotropical bracken fern Pteridium arachnoideum (Kaulf.) Maxon. (Dennstaedtiaceae) is described as an aggressive pioneer plant species. It invades abandoned or newly burned areas and represents a management challenge at these invaded sites. Native to the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado (Tropical Savanna) Brazilian biomes, P. arachnoideum has nevertheless become very problematic in these conservation hotspots. Despite some reports suggesting a possible role of allelopathy in this plant's dominance, until now there has been little evidence of isolated and individually identified compounds with phytotoxic activities present in its tissues or in the surrounding environment. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the allelopathic potential of P. arachnoideum by isolating and identifying any secondary metabolites with phytotoxic activity in its tissues, litter, and soil. Bioguided phytochemical investigation led to the isolation and identification of the proanthocyanidin selligueain A as the major secondary compound in the green fronds and litter of this fern. It is produced by P. arachnoideum in its green fronds, remains unaltered during the senescence process, and is the major secondary compound present in litter. Selligueain A showed phytotoxic activity against the selected target species sesame (Sesamum indicum) early development. In particular, the compound inhibited root and stem growth, and root metaxylem cell size but did not affect chlorophyll content. This compound can be considered as an allelochemical because it is present in the soil under P. arachnoideum patches as one of the major compounds in the soil solution. This is the first report of the presence of selligueain A in any member of the Dennstaedtiaceae family and the first time an isolated and identified allelochemical produced by members of the Pteridium species complex has been described. This evidence of selligueain A as a putative allelochemical of P. arachnoideum reinforces the role of allelopathy in the dominance processes of this plant in the areas where it occurs.

Estado de la enfermedad de Hansen en Costa Rica / Hansen's disease in Costa Rica

La enfermedad de Hansen, fue traída a América después de su descubrimiento. En Costa Rica los primeros informes de la presencia de la enfermedad datan de 1734. En diciembre de 1984 tenemos en el país una prevalencia de 642 casos, lo que nos da una tasa de 26 por 100.000 hab. La provincia con mayor prevalencia es Guanacaste y la de menor prevalencia es Heredia. La edad más afectada es entre los 30 y 60 años y el sexo que predomina es el masculino, a razón de 1.70. Ha habido un incremento en el diagnóstico de las formas cerradas (L.T. y L.I) en los últimos años. La edad de diagnóstico en la incidencia (últimos 12 años), cuyo predominio se establece en pacientes mayores de 15 años, a partir de 1979 empieza su disminución