Adipsin, MIP-1b, and IL-8 as CSF Biomarker Panels for ALS Diagnosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive neurodegenerative disorder that selectively attacks motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Despite important advances in the knowledge of the etiology and progression of the disease, there are still no solid grounds in which a clinician could make an early objective and reliable diagnosis from which patients could benefit. Diagnosis is difficult and basically made by clinical rating scales (ALSRs and El Escorial). The possible finding of biomarkers to aid in the early diagnosis and rate of disease progression could serve for future innovative therapeutic approaches. Recently, it has been suggested that ALS has an important immune component that could represent either the cause or the consequence of the disease. In this report, we analyzed 19 different cytokines and growth factors in the cerebrospinal fluid of 77 ALS patients and 13 controls by decision tree and PanelomiX program. Results showed an increase of Adipsin, MIP-1b, and IL-6, associated with a decrease of IL-8 thresholds, related with ALS patients. This biomarker panel analysis could represent an important aid for diagnosis of ALS alongside the clinical and neurophysiological criteria.

[Frequency of fecal incontinence and its impact on the quality of life of the hospitalized geriatric patient]. / Frecuencia de incontinencia fecal y su impacto en la calidad de vida del paciente geriátrico hospitalizado.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of fecal incontinence and the impact on the quality of life of hospitalized geriatric patients in a sample from a level two hospital in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospitalized patients over 60 years of age or their caregivers were questioned about the presence of fecal incontinence. Those who responded affirmatively and could respond were given the following questionnaires and scales: Mini-Mental, Rockwood quality of life for fecal incontinence and Wexner scale modified for severity of incontinence; in addition to clinical data. The frequency was calculated based on a sample and associations were determined between degree of incontinence and quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 234 patients were questioned, of whom 135 (57.69%) were women and 99 (42.31%) men. A total of 34 patients with fecal incontinence were documented, this represents a frequency of 14.53% (95% CI, 10.28-19.71%) in this population. A positive correlation of the severity of incontinence was found with the lifestyle dimension (relation (r) = -0.61, p = 0.04), shame (r = -0.70, p = 0.01), behavior (r = -0.73, p = 0.001) and the average of the four dimensions (r = -0.67, p = 0.02) but not with the depression dimension of the quality of life questionnaire in fecal incontinence. CONCLUSION: When compared with other national and international studies, the frequency of fecal incontinence found was lower than that documented in other series. The quality of life of hospitalized elderly patients with fecal incontinence in this sample was diminished and its impact on quality of life correlated with the severity of fecal incontinence.

Comparing stemness gene expression between stem cell subpopulations from peripheral blood and adipose tissue.

Cell therapy presents a promising alternative for the treatment of degenerative diseases. The main sources of adult stem cells are bone marrow, adipose tissue and peripheral blood. Within those tissues, there are cell subpopulations that share pluripotential characteristics. Nevertheless, there is insufficient data to determine which of these stem cell subtypes would have a better possibility to differentiate to a specific tissue. The objective of this research was to analyze and compare the stemness genes expression from peripheral blood and adipose tissue of plastic adherent cells, and those immune-selected by the CD133+ and CD271+ membrane markers. On all cell subpopulation groups, self-renew capacity, the membranes markers CD73, CD90 and CD105, as well as the stemness genes NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, REX1, NOTCH1 and, NESTIN expression were analyzed. Results showed that all samples presented the minimal criteria to define them as human stem cells. All cell subpopulation were capable of self-renewal. Nevertheless, the subpopulation cell types showed differences on the time needed to reach confluence. The slowest doubling times were for those cells bearing the CD133 marker from both sources. Surface markers determined by flow cytometry were positive for CD73, CD90 and, CD105, and negative for CD45. The stemness gene expression was positive in all subpopulation. However, there were significant differences in the amount and pattern of expression among them. Those differences could be advantageous in finding the best option for their application on cell therapy. Cells with high expression of OCT4 gene could be a better opportunity for neuron differentiation like CD133+ blood cells. On the other hand, lowest expression of NOTCH1 on CD271+ cells from the same source could be a better possibility for myoblast differentiation. The observed differences could be used as an advantage to find which cell type and from the different source; this represents the best option for its application on cell therapy. Experiments focused on the best response to specific differentiation, are conducted in order to confirm those possibilities.

Frecuencia de incontinencia fecal y su impacto en la calidad de vida del paciente geriátrico hospitalizado / Frequency of fecal incontinence and its impact on the quality of life of the hospitalized geriatric patient

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de incontinencia fecal y el impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes geriátricos hospitalizados en una muestra de un hospital de segundo nivel de Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. Material y métodos: Se interrogó a los pacientes mayores de 60 años hospitalizados o sus cuidadores acerca de incontinencia fecal. A los que respondieran afirmativamente y pudieran responder se les realizaron los siguientes cuestionarios y escalas: Minimental, calidad de vida de Rockwood para incontinencia fecal y escala de Wexner modificada para severidad de incontinencia; además de datos clínicos. Se calculó la frecuencia en base a una muestra y se determinaron asociaciones entre grado de incontinencia y calidad de vida. Resultados: Se interrogaron un total de 234 pacientes, de los cuales 135 (57,69%) eran mujeres y 99 (42,31%) hombres. Se documentó un total de 34 pacientes con incontinencia fecal, esto representa una frecuencia de 14,53% (IC95%, 10,2819,71%) en esta población. Se encontró una correlación positiva de la severidad de la incontinencia con la dimensión de estilo de vida (relación (r) = -0,61, p=0,04), vergüenza (r=-0,70, p=0,01), conducta (r=-0,73, p=0,001) y el promedio de las cuatro dimensiones (r=-0,67, p=0,02) pero no con la dimensión de depresión del cuestionario de calidad de vida en incontinencia fecal. Conclusión: Al comparar con otros estudios nacionales e internacionales, la frecuencia de incontinencia fecal encontrada es menor a lo documentado en otras series. La calidad de vida de los pacientes ancianos hospitalizados con incontinencia fecal en esta muestra se encuentra disminuida y su impacto en la calidad de vida se correlaciona con la severidad de la incontinencia fecal.

Objective: To determine the frequency of fecal incontinence and the impact on the quality of life of hospitalized geriatric patients in a sample from a level two hospital in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Materials and methods: Hospitalized patients over 60 years of age or their caregivers were questioned about the presence of fecal incontinence. Those who responded affirmatively and could respond were given the following questionnaires and scales: Mini-Mental, Rockwood quality of life for fecal incontinence and Wexner scale modified for severity of incontinence; in addition to clinical data. The frequency was calculated based on a sample and associations were determined between degree of incontinence and quality of life. Results: A total of 234 patients were questioned, of whom 135 (57.69%) were women and 99 (42.31%) men. A total of 34 patients with fecal incontinence were documented, this represents a frequency of 14.53% (95% CI, 10.28-19.71%) in this population. A positive correlation of the severity of incontinence was found with the lifestyle dimension (relation (r) = -0.61, p = 0.04), shame (r = -0.70, p = 0.01), behavior (r = -0.73, p = 0.001) and the average of the four dimensions (r = -0.67, p = 0.02) but not with the depression dimension of the quality of life questionnaire in fecal incontinence. Conclusion: When compared with other national and international studies, the frequency of fecal incontinence found was lower than that documented in other series. The quality of life of hospitalized elderly patients with fecal incontinence in this sample was diminished and its impact on quality of life correlated with the severity of fecal incontinence.

Prevalence of high-grade perineal tear during labor in Mexican adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: There is a high rate of deliveries in adolescents in Mexico. This age group is vulnerable to obstetric complications, including lacerations of the anal sphincter. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of third and fourth degree perineal tears in adolescents during childbirth, and to evaluate risk factors in comparison with deliveries with lacerations of adult women. METHODS: All obstetric care episodes were reviewed from a public tertiary hospital data in Monterrey, Mexico in 2014. Age, primiparity, delivery instrumentation, episiotomy, body mass index, product weight and tear´s degree were documented at the deliveries with tears of third and fourth degree. RESULTS: The prevalence of third and fourth degree tears of 2.0% was found in the general population, being adolescents the most affected with 2.5%. The unadjusted odds ratio of high-grade tears in adolescent females at delivery, compared to adult females, was 1.36 (95% CI = 0.99-1.86, p= 0.05). No difference was found when comparing risk factors among high-grade tear deliveries in adolescents versus adults. CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence than previous reported for high grade tears during delivery was found. The data suggest adolescence as a risk factor for high-grade tears during delivery.

INTRODUCCIÓN: En México hay una elevada tasa de partos en adolescentes. Este grupo es vulnerable para complicaciones obstétricas, entre ellas laceración del esfínter anal. OBJETIVO: Conocer la prevalencia de desgarros perineales de tercer y cuarto grado en adolescentes durante el parto y evaluar factores de riesgo en comparación con partos con laceración de mujeres adultas. MÉTODOS: Se revisaron todas las atenciones obstétricas en un hospital publico de tercer nivel en Monterrey, Nuevo León, México en el año 2014. Se documentó edad, primiparidad, instrumentación del parto, realización de episiotomía, índice de masa corporal, peso del producto y grado del desgarro en los partos que presentaron desgarros de tercer y cuarto grado. RESULTADOS: Se encontró una prevalencia general de 2.0% de desgarros de tercer y cuarto grado y en adolescentes de 2.5%. La razón de momios sin ajustar de desgarros de alto grado en mujeres adolescentes en comparación con mujeres adultas fue de 1.36 (IC 95%= 0.99-1.86, p= 0.05). No se encontró diferencia al comparar factores de riesgo entre los partos con desgarro de alto grado en adolescentes contra adultas. CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró una prevalencia mayor a lo reportado de desgarros de alto grado durante el parto. Los datos sugieren a la adolescencia como factor de riesgo para desgarros de alto grado.

Regenerative capacity of autologous stem cell transplantation in elderly: a report of biomedical outcomes.

The occurrence of chronic diseases such as neurological, metabolic and cardiovascular degenerative disorders increases with age. Cell therapy is an emerging approach to the treatment of these conditions. Of particular interest is the application of autologous stem cells because it eliminates post-transplantation immune rejection and there are less ethical concerns associated with their use. The regenerative capacity of stem cells harvested from elderly people is however controversial. In this review, we analyze if self-renewal potential, differentiation capability and expression of stemness genes in stem cells collected from elderly patients validate their application in clinical trials and examine the results.

Induction of Nestin Early Expression as a Hallmark for Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expression of PDX-1 as a Pre-disposing Factor for Their Conversion into Insulin Producing Cells.

Diabetes constitutes a worldwide epidemic that affects all ethnic groups. Cell therapy is one of the best alternatives of treatment, by providing an effective way to regenerate insulin-producing cells lost during the course of the disease, but many issues remain to be solved. Several groups have been working in the development of a protocol capable of differentiating Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) into physiologically sound Insulin Producing Cells (IPCs). In order to obtain a simple, fast and direct method, we propose in this manuscript the induction of MSCs to express NESTIN in a short time period (2 h), proceeded by incubation in a low glucose induced medium (24 h) and lastly by incubation in a high glucose medium. Samples from cell cultures incubated in high glucose medium from 12 to 168 h were obtained to detect the expression of INSULIN-1, INSULIN -2, PDX-1 and GLUT-2 genes. Induced cells were exposed to a glucose challenge, in order to assess the production of insulin. This method allowed us to obtain cells expressing PDX-1, which resembles a progenitor insulin-producing cell.

Altered CSF cytokine network in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: A pathway-based statistical analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Increased cytokine expression is a prominent finding in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Due to their interdependence and pleiotropism, interpretation of CSF concentrations of a single cytokine is challenging. We describe a cytokine analysis in ALS patients using a pathway-based statistical method to identify changes in the whole cytokine network. METHODS: We analyzed 19 cytokines in CSF of ALS patients and controls. An equality of concentration matrices was conducted that allowed us to evaluate disturbances in the relationship of cytokines between controls and ALS patients with less and more than 12months of disease length. MANOVA assessed differences in cytokines and interdependence was compared by partial correlations among specific pairs of cytokines. RESULTS: Seventy-seven ALS patients and 13 control subjects were included. Significant differences were identified in the cytokine pathway between controls and ALS patients with less (p<0.0001) and more than 12months of disease length (p<0.0001), and between ALS patients with less than 12months and those with more than 12months (p=0.0058). In ALS patients with a shorter disease length, IL4 and IL6 were negatively correlated (-0.3571), whereas in ALS>12months, a positive correlation was detected (0.4080). CONCLUSIONS: The pathway-based statistical method revealed remarkable variations in the whole cytokine pathway in ALS patients and controls. Cytokine-network changes and the positive correlation between IL4 and IL6 were related to disease length; these variations might explain the deleterious immunological effects on motor neurons. A further analysis using this method is needed to confirm the exact interaction among cytokines in ALS.

Detection of Autoantibodies to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 in Bile Duct Ligated Rats and Correlations with a Panel of Traditional Markers of Liver Diseases.

There is a need for new noninvasive biomarkers (NIBMs) able to assess cholestasis and fibrosis in chronic cholestatic liver diseases (CCLDs). Tumorigenesis can arise from CCLDs. Therefore, autoantibodies to tumor-associated antigens (TAA) may be early produced in response to abnormal self-antigen expression caused by cholestatic injury. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) has TAA potential since it is involved in cholangiocytes and lymphatic vessels proliferations during CCLDs. This study aims to detect autoantibodies directed at VEGFR-3 during bile duct ligation- (BDL-) induced cholestatic injury in rat sera and investigate whether they could be associated with traditional markers of liver damage, cholestasis, and fibrosis. An ELISA was performed to detect anti-VEGFR-3 autoantibodies in sera of rats with different degree of liver injury and results were correlated with aminotransferases, total bilirubin, and the relative fibrotic area. Mean absorbances of anti-VEGFR-3 autoantibodies were significantly increased from week one to week five after BDL. The highest correlation was observed with total bilirubin (R (2) = 0.8450, P = 3.04e - 12). In conclusion, anti-VEGFR-3 autoantibodies are early produced during BDL-induced cholestatic injury, and they are closely related to cholestasis, suggesting the potential of anti-VEGFR-3 autoantibodies as NIBMs of cholestasis in CCLDs and justifying the need for further investigations in patients with CCLD.

Metal-Induced Production of a Novel Bioadsorbent Exopolysaccharide in a Native Rhodotorula mucilaginosa from the Mexican Northeastern Region.

There is a current need to develop low-cost strategies to degrade and eliminate industrially used colorants discharged into the environment. Colorants discharged into natural water streams pose various threats, including: toxicity, degradation of aesthetics and inhibiting sunlight penetration into aquatic ecosystems. Dyes and colorants usually have complex aromatic molecular structures, which make them very stable and difficult to degrade and eliminate by conventional water treatment systems. The results in this work demonstrated that heavy metal-resistant Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain UANL-001L isolated from the northeast region of Mexico produce an exopolysaccharide (EPS), during growth, which has colorant adsorption potential. The EPS produced was purified by precipitation and dialysis and was then physically and chemically characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and chemical elemental analysis. Here, the ability of the purified EPS produced to adsorb methylene blue (MB), which served as a model colorant, is studied. MB adsorption by the EPS is found to follow Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm kinetics at 25°C. Further, by calculating the Langmuir constant the adsorption capabilities of the EPS produced by the Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain UANL-001L is compared to that of other adsorbents, both, microbially produced and from agroindustrial waste. The total adsorption capacity of the EPS, from the Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain UANL-001L, was found to be two-fold greater than the best bioadsorbents reported in the literature. Finally, apart from determining which heavy metals stimulated EPS production in the strain, the optimal conditions of pH, heavy metal concentration, and rate of agitation of the growing culture for EPS production, was determined. The EPS reported here has the potential of aiding in the efficient removal of colorants both in water treatment plants and in situ in natural water streams.

Liver fibrosis and mechanisms of the protective action of medicinal plants targeting inflammation and the immune response.

Inflammation is a central feature of liver fibrosis as suggested by its role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells leading to extracellular matrix deposition. During liver injury, inflammatory cells are recruited in the injurious site through chemokines attraction. Thus, inflammation could be a target to reduce liver fibrosis. The pandemic trend of obesity, combined with the high incidence of alcohol intake and viral hepatitis infections, highlights the urgent need to find accessible antifibrotic therapies. Medicinal plants are achieving popularity as antifibrotic agents, supported by their safety, cost-effectiveness, and versatility. The aim of this review is to describe the role of inflammation and the immune response in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and detail the mechanisms of inhibition of both events by medicinal plants in order to reduce liver fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis and protection mechanisms action of medicinal plants targeting apoptosis of hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells.

Following chronic liver injury, hepatocytes undergo apoptosis leading to activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Consequently, activated HSC proliferate and produce excessive extracellular matrix, responsible for the scar formation. The pandemic trend of obesity, combined with the high incidence of alcohol intake and viral hepatitis infections, highlights the urgent need to find accessible antifibrotic therapies. Treatment strategies should take into account the versatility of its pathogenesis and act on all the cell lines involved to reduce liver fibrosis. Medicinal plants are achieving popularity as antifibrotic agents, supported by their safety, cost-effectiveness, and versatility. This review will describe the role of hepatocytes and HSC in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and detail the mechanisms of modulation of apoptosis of both cell lines by twelve known hepatoprotective plants in order to reduce liver fibrosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in pregnancy: clinical outcome during the post-partum period after stem cell transplantation into the frontal motor cortex.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is rare in pregnant patients. Stem cell therapy has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS. METHODS: We describe a young woman with sporadic ALS that started during the second trimester of pregnancy with a rapid progression after delivery and severe motor impairment. Several drugs and stem cell injection by lumbar puncture were performed without changes before the patient was referred to our institution. RESULTS: After bilateral autologous stem cell transplantation into the frontal motor cortices, we observed stabilization in ALS functional rating scale, significant delay of ALS progression and an extension in her life expectancy. CONCLUSIONS: Stem cell transplantation may alter the clinical course of ALS and improve quality of life in pre-menopausal women.

Protective mechanisms of medicinal plants targeting hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition in liver fibrosis.

During chronic liver injury, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated and proliferate, which causes excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, leading to scar formation and fibrosis. Medicinal plants are gaining popularity as antifibrotic agents, and are often safe, cost-effective, and versatile. This review aims to describe the protective role and mechanisms of medicinal plants in the inhibition of HSC activation and ECM deposition during the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. A systematic literature review on the anti-fibrotic mechanisms of hepatoprotective plants was performed in PubMed, which yielded articles about twelve relevant plants. Many of these plants act via disruption of the transforming growth factor beta 1 signaling pathway, possibly through reduction in oxidative stress. This reduction could explain the inhibition of HSC activation and reduction in ECM deposition. Medicinal plants could be a source of anti-liver fibrosis compounds.

Age-related yield of adipose-derived stem cells bearing the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a heterogeneous cell population that may be enriched by positive selection with antibodies against the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (LNGFR or CD271), yielding a selective cell universe with higher proliferation and differentiation potential. This paper addresses the need for determining the quantity of ADSCs positive for the CD271 receptor and its correlation with donor's age. Mononuclear cells were harvested from the lower backs of 35 female donors and purified using magnetic beads. Multipotency capacity was tested by the expression of stemness genes and through differentiation into preosteoblasts and adipocytes. A significant statistical difference was found in CD271(+) concentrations between defined age intervals. The highest yield was found within women on the 30-40-year-old age range. CD271(+) ADSCs from all age groups showed differentiation capabilities as well as expression of typical multipotent stem cell genes. Our data suggest that the amount of CD271(+) cells correlates inversely with age. However, the ability to obtain these cells was maintained through all age ranges with a yield higher than what has been reported from bone marrow. Our findings propose CD271(+) ADSCs as the primary choice for tissue regeneration and autologous stem cell therapies in older subjects.

Differentiation of CD133+ stem cells from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients into preneuron cells.

Improvements in quality of life and life expectancy have been observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients transplanted with CD133(+) stem cells into their frontal motor cortices. However, questions have emerged about the capacity of cells from these patients to engraft and differentiate into neurons. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitro capacity of CD133(+) stem cells from 13 ALS patients to differentiate into neuron lineage. Stem cells were obtained through leukapheresis and cultured in a control medium or a neuroinduction medium for 2-48 hours. Expression of neuronal genes was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical techniques. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that CD133(+) stem cells from ALS patients incubated for 48 hours in a neuroinduction medium increased the detection of neuronal proteins such as nestin, ß-tubulin III, neuronal-specific enolase, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. RT-PCR assays demonstrated an increase in the expression of ß-tubulin III, nestin, Olig2, Islet-1, Hb9, and Nkx6.1. No correlation was found between age, sex, or ALS functional scale and the CD133(+) stem cell response to the neuroinduction medium. We conclude that CD133(+) stem cells from ALS patients, like the stem cells of healthy subjects, are capable of differentiating into preneuron cells.

Stem cell transplantation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: methodological approach, safety, and feasibility.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is characterized by the selective death of motor neurons. Stem cells have been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy. The safety of stem cell transplantation into the frontal motor cortex to improve upper motor neuron function is described. Sixty-seven patients with definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were included. After giving their informed consent, the patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging, functional rating, pulmonary function test, and laboratory tests. Their bone marrow was stimulated with daily filgrastim (300 µg) given subcutaneously for 3 days. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained by leukapheresis. Isolated CD133(+) stem cells were suspended in 300 µl of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid and implanted into the motor cortex. Adverse events were recorded at each step of the procedure and were classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0. The survival at 1 year was 90% after transplantation. with a mean long-term survival rate of 40.17 months from diagnosis. The most common adverse events were in grades I-II and involved transient skin pain (19.5% of patients) attributed to the insertion of the Mahurkar catheter into the subclavian vein, minor scalp pain (15.9%), and headache (12.2%) from the surgical procedure. Several patients (1.5 - 4.5%) reported diverse grade I adverse events. There were two deaths, one considered to be associated with the procedure (1.5%) and the other associated with the disease. Autologous stem cell transplantation into the frontal motor cortex is safe and tolerated well by patients. Further controlled studies are required to define the efficacy of this procedure.

Survival and clinical features in Hispanic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

The demography, survival, and motor phenotypes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients have been rarely described in Hispanic countries. The clinical characteristics and survival of a series of Mexican ALS patients are described. Mexican patients with definite ALS were included in a five-year retrospective longitudinal study. Their demographic and clinical features, cumulative survival rates, and independent predictive factors for survival were analysed. Sixty-one definite ALS patients were included. The median follow-up period was 35 months (range 12-108 months). Males were predominant (1.8: 1), the mean age at onset was 47.5 ± 10.5 years, and the median interval from onset to diagnosis was 12 months. Spinal onset occurred in 66% of patients. Upper motor neuron phenotype was predominant in 53% of patients. The overall mean survival from onset was 68.6 months, and from diagnosis was 57.8 months. Longer survival was determined in patients aged ≤ 40 years (54.7 months) compared with other age groups (p = 0.006). In conclusion, the clinical heterogeneity, male predominance, and survival rates in our sample are consistent with those of other studies. Patients in this series had a younger age at onset and a clear trend toward longer survival compared with those of other population studies.

Antimycobacterial activity of Juglans regia, Juglans mollis, Carya illinoensis and Bocconia frutescens.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a serious worldwide health threat, killing almost 2 million people per year. Alternative antimycobacterial drugs are urgently needed; studies have shown that medicinal plants traditionally used to treat respiratory diseases are a potential source of compounds to treat tuberculosis. This paper studied the antimycobacterial activity of 28 extracts from four different plant species that have been used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat tuberculosis. Bark and leaf crude extracts of Juglans regia L., Juglans mollis Engelm., Carya illinoensis (Wangenh) K. Koch and Bocconia frutescens showed in vitro anti-M. tuberculosis activity. Hexane bark extracts from C. illinoensis, J. mollis and J. regia were the most active with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 31, 50 and 100 microg/mL, respectively. Ethanol bark extracts from C. illinoensis and J. mollis showed activity at 100 and 125 microg/mL, respectively. Leaf extracts had the lowest activity. Methanol and hexane leaves extracts from B. frutescens had a MIC of 125 microg/mL. None of the aqueous extracts showed antimycobacterial activity.