Modulation of membrane physical properties by natural insecticidal ketones.

The insecticidal activity of Mentha oil and its main components has been tested and established for various insects/pests. Several mint ketones have demonstrated to act on GABAA receptors (GABAA-R), a transmembrane channel target of several important insecticides whose activity can be modulated by surface-active compounds and by changes in the physical properties of the lipid membrane. In the present work, we analyze the capacity of monoterpenic ketones most commonly found in Mentha species, pulegone and menthone, to interact with DPPC membranes by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and Langmuir monolayers. The experimental results indicate that the presence of menthone and pulegone in the subphase modify the interfacial characteristics of DPPC isotherms. The changes were reflected as expansion of the isotherms and disappearance or bringing forward of DPPC phase transition. MD simulation corroborate these results and indicate that both ketones are located at the region of the carbonyl group, at the interface with the acyl chains. Ketone intercalation between lipid molecules would induce an increasing intermolecular interaction, diminishing the film elasticity and causing an ordering effect. Our results suggest that the insecticidal activity of both ketones could involve their interaction with lipid molecules causing disturbance of the cell membrane as postulated for several larvicide compounds, or at least modulating the receptor surrounding.

Informe de campaña "Lucha contra el cáncer bucal": Diciembre 2018. CABA / Campaign report "Fight against oral cancer": December 2018. CABA

Desde la Subgerencia Operativa Red de Odontología en Hospitales, dependiente de la Dirección General de Hospitales del Ministerio de Salud del GCABA, conjuntamente con la Dirección Nacional de Salud Bucodental de la Secretaria de Salud de la Nación, y la Facultad de Odontología de la UBA, se realizaron diversas actividades de Promoción y Prevención del Cáncer Bucal promoviendo el diagnóstico precoz, las medidas de prevención y de control de esta patología. Se informa sobre los resultados de población encuestada, factores de riesgo y género, uso de protección solar, y consumo de bebidas.

GABAergic pharmacological activity of propofol related compounds as possible enhancers of general anesthetics and interaction with membranes.

Phenol compounds, such as propofol and thymol, have been shown to act on the GABAA receptor through interaction with specific sites of this receptor. In addition, considering the high lipophilicity of phenols, it is possible that their pharmacological activity may also be the result of the interaction of phenol molecules with the surrounding lipid molecules, modulating the supramolecular organization of the receptor environment. Thus, in the present study, we study the pharmacological activity of some propofol- and thymol-related phenols on the native GABAA receptor using primary cultures of cortical neurons and investigate the effects of these compounds on the micro viscosity of artificial membranes by means of fluorescence anisotropy. The phenol compounds analyzed in this article are carvacrol, chlorothymol, and eugenol. All compounds were able to enhance the binding of [(3)H]flunitrazepam with EC50 values in the micromolar range and to increase the GABA-evoked Cl(-) influx in a concentration-dependent manner, both effects being inhibited by the competitive GABAA antagonist bicuculline. These results strongly suggest that the phenols studied are positive allosteric modulators of this receptor. Chlorothymol showed a bell-type effect, reducing its positive effect at concentrations >100 µM. The concentrations necessary to induce positive allosteric modulation of GABAA receptor were not cytotoxic. Although all compounds were able to decrease the micro viscosity of artificial membranes, chlorothymol displayed a larger effect which could explain its effects on [(3)H]flunitrazepam binding and on cell viability at high concentrations. Finally, it is suggested that these compounds may exert depressant activity on the central nervous system and potentiate the effects of general anesthetics.

Cauda equina metastasis from ovarian malignancy.

SUMMARY: A case of cauda equina metastasis from ovarian serous papillary adenocarcinoma in a 51-year-old patient is reported. The clinical significance and different hypotheses on the metastatic route to the spine are discussed.

Typical interhemispheric subdural haematomas and falx syndrome: four cases and a review of the literature.

Typical Interhemispheric Subdural Haematomas (ISDHs) are located along the whole interhemispheric fissure. In the four cases of our series, three of which surgically treated, and in the 29 cases reported in literature ISDH has been usually encountered in elderly age (mean age 56) in most of cases following head injury. Anticoagulant therapy was a favouring factor. The source of bleeding was never demonstrated at surgery, nevertheless some authors report a parafalcic bridging-veins laceration due to a brain linear acceleration during trauma, as cause. Clinically, immediate loss of consciousness was usually absent. Focal symptoms arose within 8-48 hours after trauma. In the majority of cases with ISDH, focal symptoms have been characterized by controlateral motor palsy with crural dominance as it has been observed in the "falx syndrome". Facial palsy was absent in all cases but one. Skull fractures were rare. On CT scan ISDH was shown as a spontaneously high density parafalcic area in a flat-convex lenticular shape. In the only case studied with MRI, the site where the ISDH emerged at brain convexity from the interhemispheric fissure, has been clearly localized by means of multiplanarity reconstructions, allowed us a target surgical approach. The majority of patients underwent surgery. The overall mortality rate was 24%: 14% among the 7 cases conservatively treated and 27% among the 26 operated ones. These last patients had a good recovery in 58% and an improvement in 15%. Surgical treatment must be promt as much as possible because of the possible sudden worsening of patient clinical conditions. Craniotomy is the surgical treatment that achieved the best results, nevertheless in our opinion the additional data offered by MRI may repropose the use of target cranial burr holes.

Acute traumatic posterior fossa subdural haematomas.

Acute Posterior Fossa Subdural Haematoma (PFSDH) caused by trauma is a clinical rarity: only 13 cases have been encountered in the literature. Three consecutive personal cases of PFSDH are presented. Two of them are respectively the sixth and the seventh surgically treated cases with success. Among the 16 cases 60% had a sudden clinical worsening within 24 hours. Seven cases had an occipital fracture. Of the thirteen cases operated upon 11 (85%) were in a state of deep coma. The surgical mortality was 46%. One patient had a good recovery (Grade 5) and six a moderate disability (Grade 4) on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. We conclude that surgical treatment must always be carried out even in patients presenting in an agonal state.

Pure subdural haematomas of arteriolar origin.

Fifteen consecutive cases of subdural haematomas (SDHs) of arteriolar origin operated on during the last twenty years in the Neurosurgical Clinic of the University of Genoa are reported. These SDHs are rare and form as a result of a rupture of a cortical arteriolar branch typically on the vicinity of the Sylvian fissure. They are always in a pure form and never associated with parenchymal lesions. Their aetiology is spontaneous, as in the 40% of our series, or more frequently related to minor traumas. These SDHs are often encountered in elderly patients generally presenting with severe clinical conditions (in the 60% of our patients GCS on admission was < 8). Prompt surgical treatment is required in all cases before further worsening of their neurological condition, even if CT scanning does not reveal parenchymal lesions. The mortality rate is over 50% and mainly relates to the pre-operative GC score. Clinical features, neuroradiological aspects and treatment are discussed and literature reviewed.

Giant fusiform aneurysm in middle cerebral artery branches: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.

Giant fusiform aneurysm (2.5 cm in length or more) is an unusual pathological entity typically described involving the main trunks of cerebral arteries and, rarely, cerebral artery branches. We are presenting two cases of middle cerebral artery branch giant fusiform aneurysm, one surgically and the other conservatively treated. We were unable to find in the literature reports of similar aneurysms at the same location. Clinical and pathological aspects, radiological findings, and treatment are discussed.

Traumatic posterior fossa extradural hematomas. A report of 22 new cases surgically treated and a review of the literature.

This study reports and discusses clinical and neuroradiological findings in 22 new cases of posterior fossa epidural hematomas (PFEDHs), all of whom underwent surgical treatment after having suffered an occipital head trauma. The authors emphasize the importance of serial CT scans in establishing prompt diagnosis and treatment and in reducing the rates of morbidity (15.7%) and mortality (13.6%).

Acute traumatic vertex epidural haematomas surgically treated.

Eleven consecutive cases of acute traumatic vertex epidural haematomas (VEDHs) among 416 epidural haematomas (EDHs) operated on during the same period in the Neurosurgical Clinic of the University of Genoa, are reported. Clinical features, neuroradiological aspects (X-ray, angiography and CT scan) and results are discussed, in order to point out the problems encountered in the diagnosis, expecially due to the mystifying clinical picture and the unsuitability of the axial CT scan in the detection of these lesions. In this series mortality rate was 18%, against 50% reported in the literature.

Penetrating cranio-cerebral injury at the vertex. Report of an unusual case.

An unusual case is reported in which a nail was driven into the head with suicidal intention. Neuroradiological examination, surgical treatment and results are discussed.

Interhemispheric subdural hematoma. Case report.

A case of interhemispheric subdural hematoma following head injury is presented and discussed, and the literature reviewed. Clinical and neuroradiological features are described together with the surgical treatment and results.

Bilateral brain abscesses. Report of 2 cases.

This is a report about two cases with bilateral brain abscesses, who will be extirpated with success. The preoperative treatment with antibiotics was without success. CT-control demonstrated the complete removal of both abscesses. The surgical treatment may be indicated in patients affected by supratentorial bilateral cerebral abscesses.

Traumatic subdural hygromas: a report of 70 surgically treated cases.

The Authors present 70 cases of traumatic subdural hygromas, classified into acute, subacute and chronic, according to the interval between injury and the appearance of symptoms. The acute cases were 22.9% of our series. Criteria for surgical treatment were established by means of CT scan serial investigations. Pathogenesis, clinical aspects and results are discussed. Mortality rate was 17.1%.

The value and limitations of the CO2 laser in neurosurgery.

A report is made of 42 patients operated on by the 100 W CO2 laser from May 1979 to May 1980 and the effects of the continuous and pulsed emission of the beam are discussed. The usefulness of the Laser-microscope coupling is also reported. One estimates the average amount of blood transfused during and soon after the operation and this is compared with blood transfused in 42 patients operated by a 50 W CO2 laser and 42 patients operated by traditional techniques. The authors have been using the CO2 laser routinely since May 1977. Its use has been sometimes useful, sometimes very useful or indispensable, sometimes useless and/or dangerous.

Bone dust and adhesive material for closing bony breaches of the skull. A new method.

Thirty one cases of patients affected by skull lesions are reported: 25 fractures of the frontal sinus, two fractures of ethmoidal bone, two fractures of the floor of the anterior cranial fossa, one fracture of the petrous bone, one opening of the mastoid cells. Five of these patients presented a cerebrospinal fluid fistula. All the patients were surgically treated with a mixture of autogenous sawdust and butyl-2-cyanoacrylate with favorable results in thirty cases. It was necessary to repeat the treatment only in one case and the patient recovered completely.