Validation of the cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) program for people with dementia in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is considered a gold-standard, evidence-based and cost-effective approach to improve cognitive function and quality of life of people with mild to moderate dementia. AIMS: To validate CST for the Portuguese population and test its effectiveness. METHODS: A single-blind, multi-center, randomized controlled trial recruited 112 older people with dementia. The primary outcome measure was cognition and secondary measures were quality of life, communication, autonomy, anxiety, depression, and global functioning. We also explored whether CST benefits people differently according to context, gender and level of cognitive reserve. RESULTS: Fifty-five people were randomized to the intervention and 57 to the control group. In the post-test, the intervention group significantly improved relative to controls in cognition (ADAS-Cog, p = 0.013), communication (HCS, p = 0.045), behaviour (CAPE-BRS, p = 0.017) and in global dementia rating (CDR, p = 0.008). Quality of life, depression and anxiety had no significant differences. The estimated number needed to treat was four for one to benefit a cognitive improvement (ADAS-Cog). CONCLUSIONS: Group CST is valid for the Portuguese population with benefits for people with mild to moderate dementia.

Neospora caninum bioassay in gerbils using placental tissues from naturally infected goats.

Neospora caninum is one of the main agents that causes abortions in cattle worldwide. However, little is known about the pathogenesis of neosporosis in small ruminants, especially goats. Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) have been used as a model for neosporosis, and this species is highly susceptible to infection by bovine N. caninum strains. The present study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of gerbils to a N. caninum isolate from goats. The placentas were obtained from naturally infected goats, that presented with mild to severe lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic infiltrate, foci of necrosis, calcification and protozoan-like structures. Immunosuppressed gerbils bioassayed with N. caninum-infected placental tissues showed severe neurological signs. Microscopic lesions in these gerbils were characterized by encephalitis, myocarditis, myositis and pancreatitis. These lesions were often associated with a small to moderate number of N. caninum tachyzoites, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and PCR. This is the first report showing that goat N. caninum strains could infect immunocompetent gerbils and cause severe lesions and clinical signs in immunosuppressed gerbils.

Learning orthography in adulthood: a magnetoencephalographic study.

Previous work demonstrated that there were differences between literate and comparable illiterate adult subjects. These differences were found in the performance on several tests and on patterns of activation on PET and fMRI. In the present study subjects that learned to read and to write in adulthood (being previously completely illiterate) were compared to controls, that is subjects that learned at school at the proper age. Magnetoencephalography was done while subjects were reading words. Results showed that, although the reading performance was the same in both groups while performing the task, the pattern of source distribution was different between groups. There were more late sources in right temporo-parietal areas of late literates compared to controls and more late sources in left inferior frontal cortex in control subjects. It is concluded that learning to read in adulthood is a process supported by different brain structures from the ones used when learning occurs at the proper age. This may suggest that the same task can be similarly performed by relying on diverse functional brain anatomic networks.

[Delayed effects of organochlorine pesticides in man]. / Efeitos tardios dos praguicidas organoclorados no homem.

Available information on organochlorines and the chronic effects of exposure to them are set out. Organochlorinated compounds are the most persistent pesticides and can be found in all ecosystems. Although they are generally efficient in pest control, they are also a potent environment pollutant and can provoke health problems in man. The evidences of the carcinogenic potential of organochlorines are controversial and insufficient, but they have been related to an increase in the incidence of some kinds of tumors, such as leukemia and solid tumors. Reproductive effects, due to anti-androgenic and estrogenic action, on embryonic virilization, the incidence of abortion and the frequency of prematurity, have also been observed. The accumulation of the organochlorines in the adipous tissue is positively correlated to the increase in aging and could be implicated in the development of aging diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. The effects of pesticides on human health have not yet been completely elucidated. Genotoxicity is one of the most serious of the possible harmful effects caused by these compounds and calls for special attention in view of the irreversible nature of the process and to the long latency associated with its manifestation.