The Biochemistry Behind Cognitive Decline: Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia. Pathologically, the disease is marked by neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), which are aberrant accumulations of the tau protein that develop inside neurons, and extracellular plaque deposits of the amyloid ß peptide (Aß). These pathological lesions are present in the brain before the beginning of clinical manifestations. However, despite advancements in the comprehension of AD pathophysiology, timely and accurate clinical diagnosis remains challenging. Therefore, developing biomarkers capable of detecting AD during the preclinical phase holds enormous promise for precise diagnosis since detecting the disease early is crucial because it enables interventions when treatments may be more effective. This article intends to provide a comprehensive review of AD biomarkers, discussing their significance, classification, and recent developments in the field.

Molecular Oscillator Affects Susceptibility of Caterpillars to Insecticides: Studies on the Egyptian Cotton Leaf Worm-Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The molecular oscillator is the core of the biological clock and is formed by genes and proteins whose cyclic expression is regulated in the transcriptional-translational feedback loops (TTFLs). Proteins of the TTFLs are regulators of both their own and executive genes involved in the control of many processes in insects (e.g., rhythmic metabolism of xenobiotics, including insecticides). We disrupted the clock operation in S. littoralis larvae by injecting the dsRNA of clock genes into their body cavity and culturing the larvae under continuous light. As a result, the daily susceptibility of larvae to insecticides was abolished and the susceptibility itself increased (in most cases). In the fat body, midgut, and Malpighian tubules (the main organs metabolizing xenobiotics) of the larvae treated with injected-dsRNA, the daily activity profiles of enzymes involved in detoxification-cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, Glutathione-S-transferase, and esterase-have changed significantly. The presented results prove the role of the molecular oscillator in the regulation of larvae responses to insecticides and provide grounds for rational use of these compounds (at suitable times of the day), and may indicate clock genes as potential targets of molecular manipulation to produce plant protection compounds based on the RNAi method.

Pseudarthrosis of distal radial growth plate treated with Blount clip: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Epiphyseal detachement of distal radius are frequent, the richness of the vascular supply at this level favors rapid consolidation, but with the possibility of long-term complications which vary according to the classification of Salter and Harris. In the literature they are dominated by the epiphysiodesis, however, Pseudarthrosis of the growth plate is exceptional. Through this case presentation, we will explain contributing factors of its occurrence and its care management. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a pseudarthrosis of distal radial growth plate (GP) due to an epiphyseal detachement type I of Salter and Harris in a 16-years-old patient who presented with a right wrist trauma at the age of 8, treated by a traditional immobilization (Moroccan Jbira) and who kept a painful deformity of the right wrist in hand ulnar boot. Face and profile radiography of the right wrist found a pseudarthrosis of distal radial growth plate, the patient had surgery to attach pseudarthrosis spot using a Blount clip, and at the same time, creating a partial epiphysiodesis in the lateral side, resulting in the correction of the wrist malalignment. After 5 years, we had a consolidation of the pseudarthrosis spot, without modification of angular deviation. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: GP's traumas care management is based on an urgent and anatomical reduction because it is a very fragile area and is more affected by mechanical stress, however in our context Patients consult usually after late complications such as deformations and functional abnormalities. Blount clip was our surgical team choice because it is the best way of osteosynthesis in our case, it allows a solid fixation thanks to its biomechanical characteristics. Pseudarthrosis of distal radial growth plate is exceptional in the literature that's why we cannot compare our results. CONCLUSION: This complication would have been prevented with initial adequate care management, prevention about avoiding traditional traitements.

Habilitación pregestacional mediante termoplastia bronquial en paciente con asma grave en tratamiento con omalizumab / Bronchial thermoplasty enabling pregnancy in patient with severe asthma in treatment with omalizumab

El asma grave no controlada (AGNC) supone un porcentaje importante de la morbilidad y del gasto económico asociado a la enfermedad. En pacientes gestantes es imprescindible un correcto control del asma de cara a evitar las agudizaciones y el riesgo que suponen tanto para la madre como para el feto. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 31 años, con AGNC que requirió tratamiento con anticuerpos monoclonales consiguiendo una buena respuesta terapéutica, pero con posterior retirada del mismo dado el deseo gestacional de la paciente. Se plantean peculiaridades del manejo del asma de difícil control en la paciente embarazada, la planificación que se tuvo que realizar para que la paciente estuviese en condiciones óptimas de cara a retirar el monoclonal, el planteamiento que se realizó tras una exacerbación grave durante la gestación y la evolución posterior

Severe uncontrolled asthma entails a significant percentage of morbidity and economic expense associated with the disease. In pregnant patients, a correct control of asthma is essential in order to avoid exacerbations and the risk they suppose to both the mother and the fetus. We report the case of a 31 year old patient with severe uncontrolled asthma that required treatment with monoclonal antibodies, obtaining a good therapeutic response, but with subsequent withdrawal of it given the patient’s gestational desire. Peculiarities of the management of severe uncontrolled asthma in pregnant patients, the planning that had to be done so that the patient was in optimal conditions in order to remove the monoclonal, the approach that was made after a severe exacerbation during pregnancy and the later evolution are summed up

Tratamiento secuencial de reducción de volumen pulmonar endoscópica con válvulas endobronquiales y coils / Sequential endoscopic lung volume reduction treatment with endobronchial valves and coils

En pacientes con enfisema pulmonar, la reducción del volumen pulmonar endoscópica (RVPE) es una terapia válida en estadios avanzados y que puede mejorar la tolerancia al ejercicio, la calidad de vida y la función respiratoria en pacientes seleccionados. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica tipo enfisematoso, quien a pesar de tratamiento farmacológico óptimo evoluciona a empeoramiento de su clase funcional, por lo que se consideró candidato a técnicas de RVPE, tras comprobar que cumplía criterios. El paciente precisó la realización de dos técnicas endoscópicas secuenciadas, primero mediante colocación de válvulas y en una segunda fase de coils, que finalmente permitieron la estabilización de la enfermedad a la espera del trasplante pulmonar

Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) is an accepted treatment option for patients with advanced emphysema and it has been demonstrated to improve exercise tolerance, pulmonary function, and quality of life in selected patients. We present the case of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who, despite optimal pharmacological treatment, persisted with worsening of his functional class, which is why he was considered a candidate for endoscopic lung volume reduction techniques, after ascertaining that he met inclusion criteria. The patient needed to undergo two endoscopic techniques due to the suspicion of ineffectiveness of one of them, which finally allowed the stabilization of the disease while awaiting to receive lung transplantation

[Suboccipital tuberculosis: a case report]. / Tuberculose sous-occipitale. A propos d'un cas.

Suboccipital tuberculosis is an uncommon localization of Pott's disease. The gravity results from the neurological and life threatening risk. We report a case of suboccipital tuberculosis in a 22-year woman who survived. She was given an anti-tuberculosis antibiotic regimen due to pulmonary and pericardal involvement. The patient interrupted her treatment after four months and was admitted six months later for torticolis and spastic tetraplegia without sphincter disorders. Standard x-rays and MRI of the head confirmed suboccipital Pott's disease. Transcranial evacuation was performed and the patient was again given anti-tuberculosis antibiotics. The clinical course was favorable with definitive recovery 45 days later. The patient continued the antibiotic regimen for nine months. An orthopedic supporting device was worn for nine months. The diagnosis of suboccipital tuberculosis can be confirmed on MRI. Appropriate treatment is a subject of debate between exclusive orthopedic or combined orthopedic and surgical treatment. Prognosis depends on the neurological deficit, early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

[Calcified cerebral hydatid cyst. Report of a case]. / Kyste hydatique cérébral calcifié. A propos d'un cas.

The cerebral localization of the hydatid cyst is still rare (1 to 4% of the cases). The calcified cerebral hydatid cyst is exceptional. We report one case collected in our department. It is about a patient of 28 years old, that the case histories consist in convulsive attacks since the age of 8 years old, hospitalized because of a left hemiparesis with progressive installation. The cerebral computerized tomography showed a right parieto-occipital that is largely calcified. During the operation, a calcified hydatid cyst discovered with various daughter vesicles and a cerebral gliosis, the latter has been extracted entirely. The evolution has been favourable with improvement of the left hemiparesis. The calcified hydatid cyst of brain is still exceptional, its symptomatology is the same as the safe CHC, but it poses some diagnostic and therapeutic problems.

[Sphenotemporal aneurysmal bone cyst. A new case and review of the literature]. / Kyste osseux anévrysmal sphénotemporal. Un nouveau cas et revue de la littérature.

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are benign tumors of the bones, formed by multiple cysts filled with blood and eroding the bone. They are rarely located at the skull. We report a case of a right temporal ABC in a 5-year-old girl. On admission, the physical examination showed a tough and fixed tumor, with no inflammatory signs nor vascular characteristics. The neurological examination was normal. Imaging studies showed an heterogeneous extracerebral mass, eroding the temporal bone and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone. The treatment consisted in an extensive tumor resection, associated with reconstructive surgery. The outcome was uneventful (follow-up 27 months). We underline the pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic features of this condition.

[Intracranial meningioma in an infant. Report of a case]. / Méningiome intracrânien du nourrisson. A propos d'une observation.

We report a case of a benign temporal meningioma in 1 month old infant. The diagnosis was revealed by atypical seizure. The physical exam was normal. We underline the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic aspects of this condition.

[Multiple cerebral hydatic cysts of cardiac origin. A case report]. / Hydatidose cérébrale multiple d'origine cardiaque.

The hydatic cyst is a pathology observed in developing countries. Multiple cerebral localizations with a cardiac origin are exceptional and are sometimes diagnosed only after onset of complications. We present the case of a 22-year-old male student: the diagnosis of multiple cerebral hydatic cysts caused by rupture of a cardiac hydatic cyst was established after an episode of ischemia of the limbs with cerebral hemorrhage induced by heparin. One year later, the clinical situation consisted in intracranial hypertension, hemiplegia and convulsive seizures. We observed no cardiac symptoms. The brain CT showed 9 hydatic cysts and echocardiography showed a myxomatous cystic tumor. Abdominal CT detected renal and splenic hydatic cysts. The patient underwent total ablation of the cerebral and abdominal cysts and made a full recovery. After surgical removal of the cardiac cyst, the patient has been lost to follow-up. Cerebral hydatidosis of cardiac origin is highly exceptional and, due to nonspecific symptomatology, may go undiagnosed. In general, prognosis is good in case of a cerebral localization but the cardiac localization is associated with high mortality.

[Cerebral hydatid cyst. Apropos of 48 cases]. / Le kyste hydatique cérébral. A propos de 48 cas.

From a study of 48 cases of intracranial hydatid cysts operated on, we describe the clinical and prognostic aspects of this disease. This localisation is more prominent in children. The clinical picture is dominated by the symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (96%) and the neurological manifestations (77%). The immunological data have little diagnostic value. The brain scanning is for us the most valuable diagnostic tool. The treatment is only surgical and the prognosis is good after the one piece enucleation by the Arana-Iniguez procedure.

[Encephalic tuberculoma. 40 cases]. / Les tuberculomes encéphaliques. 40 cas.

In this retrospective study, the authors analyse 40 cases of encephalic tuberculomas collected between 1973 and 1991. Most of the patients were young and four out of five were less than 30 years old. The intracranial hypertension syndrome was predominant (75% of the cases). Topographic diagnosis of the space-occupying process was established by arteriography in 13 cases, but a more precise approach to the nature of the lesion could only be obtained by CT (27 cases). The supratentorial localization predominated in 70% of the cases. 16% of the lesions were multiple and 7 patients had developing extracranial tuberculosis. All the patients received medical treatment associating 3 antibacillary agents. Twenty-five patients underwent surgery, 23 of these for diagnostic purpose and 2 following the failure of the isolated medical treatment. Five patients (12.5%) died after a prolonged coma. Recovery was achieved in 50% of the patients. Fifteen of these patients (37.5%) still have neuro-ophthalmologic sequelae.

The effects of temperature, humidity, photoperiod and weight of the engorged female on oviposition of Boophilus annulatus (Say, 1821).

At a constant temperature of 25 degrees C and 84% relative humidity the pre-oviposition period of Boophilus annulatus was 2-5 days (mean 2.7 days) and the oviposition lasted 11-17 days (mean 15 days). The peak egg laying occurred 1-6 days (mean 3.5 days) after the start of oviposition. The daily egg output was 135 (range 90-190) and the total egg production was 2004 (range 1432-2664). Light had no significant effect on oviposition. There was a highly significant correlation between the weight of the engorged female and the total egg yield (r = 0.78; P less than 0.01). The pre-oviposition and oviposition periods were not influenced by the weight of the engorged females. The relative humidity (25, 62, 93%) had no effect on the oviposition, but the temperature (16, 25, 35 degrees C) had a significant influence on it. The pre-oviposition and oviposition periods increased with the decrease of temperature. The course of oviposition was similar at 25 and 35 degrees C, with a peak occurring within a few days of the start of egg-laying, followed by a gradual decline. At 16 degrees C, the egg production curve was flat, without a peak. However, the total number of eggs produced was not significantly different at the three temperature regimes.