Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in red blood cell membrane are associated with xerostomia and taste loss in patients with breast cancer.

Chemosensory and physical complaints are common disorders in cancer patients under chemotherapy treatments that may affect the food intake, leading to a decreased quality of life. Lipid metabolism is a major pathway of cancer proliferation, where erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and their fatty acid composition are promising tools for monitoring metabolic pathways. Relationship between lipid profile in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and chemosensory alterations in 44 newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer was here investigated. Smell changes and xerostomia were the most common complaints, with xerostomia as the main influencing factor on the development of other taste disorders. Lipid profiles revealed significant negative correlation between diminution of linoleic acid levels and xerostomia as well as positive correlation between increased arachidonic acid and salty taste. The involvement of these polyunsaturated lipids suggests the importance of oxidative and nutritional conditions of cancer patients, which can affect the molecular status for taste signals.

Five cases of primary amebic meningoencephalitis in Mexicali, Mexico: study of the isolates.

Five Naegleria strains isolated from patients with primary amebic meningoencephalitis and one strain isolated from the water of an artificial canal were investigated. All strains were pathogenic for mice when instilled intranasally and showed cytopathic effects in Vero cell cultures. Their growth characteristics (isolation and subculture at 45 degrees C), serological results, and isoenzyme patterns permitted us to identify the six strains as Naegleria fowleri. This is the first time that Naegleria fowleri has been isolated from patients with primary amebic meningoencephalitis in Mexico.