Cerebrospinal and blood levels of amino acids as potential biomarkers for Parkinson's disease: review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to establish the possible value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum/plasma levels of amino acids as markers of Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: This is a review of four databases (PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science - Core Collection) from 1966 to 14 March 2020, with identification of references of interest for the topic. The meta-analysis of eligible studies was done using R software package meta, following the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. RESULTS: Compared with age- and sex-matched controls, PD patients showed decreased CSF levels of glutamate and taurine and increased CSF levels of tyrosine; decreased serum/plasma levels of aspartate, serine, tryptophan and lysine, and increased serum/plasma proline and homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of this study due to the important variability of results between different series, our findings suggest the value of CSF or serum/plasma levels of several amino acids in the discrimination of PD patients from healthy subjects, related to the levels of some amino acids.

Improving the Josephson energy in high-Tc superconducting junctions for ultra-fast electronics.

We report the electrical transport of thin vertically-stacked Josephson tunnel junctions. The devices were fabricated using 16 nm thick GdBa2Cu3O7-δ electrodes and 1-4 nm SrTiO3 as an insulating barrier. The results show Josephson coupling for junctions with SrTiO3 barriers of 1 and 2 nm. Subtracting the residual current in the Fraunhofer patterns, energies of 3.1 mV and 5.7 mV at 12 K are obtained for STO barriers of 1 nm and 2 nm, respectively. The residual current may be related to the contribution of pinholes and thickness fluctuations in the STO barrier. These values are promising for reducing the influence of thermal noise and increasing the frequency operation rate in superconducting devices using high-temperature superconductors.

[The opinion of teachers about tutorial problem based learning]. / Aspectos relevantes en el desarrollo del tutorial en aprendizaje basado en problemas desde la perspectiva de los tutores de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de La Frontera.

BACKGROUND: In 2004 the Faculty of Medicine of Universidad de La Frontera in Chile implemented curricular changes, incorporating small group problem based learning in different carriers. AIM: To explore aspects that hamper or facilitate tutorial problem based learning from the perspective of tutors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six in depth interviews and a focus group with tutors were carried out in 2010 and 2011. Data were analyzed through constant comparisons using the program ATLAS ti, guaranteeing credibility, reliance, validation and transferability. RESULTS: Five hundred and twenty eight (528) significance units were identified and 25 descriptive categories emerged. The categories of tutor motivation, methodological domain, tutor responsibility, tutor critical capacity, disciplinary domain, student participation and tutor-student interaction were emphasized. Three qualitative domains were generated, namely tutor skills, transformation of student roles and institutional commitment. CONCLUSIONS: Tutorial teaching is favored by teachers when the institutions train them in the subject, when there is administrative support and an adequate infrastructure and coordination.

Collateral urethral duplication in an adult.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital anomalies or malformations of the urethra that involve number are extremely rare and only 7 cases of trifurcation of the urethra and under 500 cases of urethral duplication have been described. METHODS: In the case we present, urethral duplication was diagnosed in adulthood, even though glans malformation with 2 urethral orifices was clearly evident and only 1 was functional. RESULTS: The condition is usually diagnosed in childhood due to the presence of 2 urethral meatus or from double stream if both are functional; at other times, the condition is diagnosed from complications that trigger infections or obstruction or if it is associated with more extensive malformations. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral duplication is an extremely rare birth defect, and diagnosis in adulthood is even more uncommon. No single embryologic argument explains all the anatomic variants of urethral duplication. The treatment of the urethral duplication should be individualized according to the type of duplication and the clinical symtoms.

Update on genetics of essential tremor.

Despite the research, few advances in the etiopathogenesis on essential tremor (ET) have been made to date. The high frequency of positive family history of ET and the observed high concordance rates in monozygotic compared with dizygotic twins support a major role of genetic factors in the development of ET. In addition, a possible role of environmental factors has been suggested in the etiology of ET (at least in non-familial forms). Although several gene variants in the LINGO1 gene may increase the risk of ET, to date no causative mutated genes have been identified. In this review, we summarize the studies performed on families with tremor, twin studies, linkage studies, case-control association studies, and exome sequencing in familial ET.

High-resolution far-field integral-imaging camera by double snapshot.

In multi-view three-dimensional imaging, to capture the elemental images of distant objects, the use of a field-like lens that projects the reference plane onto the microlens array is necessary. In this case, the spatial resolution of reconstructed images is equal to the spatial density of microlenses in the array. In this paper we report a simple method, based on the realization of double snapshots, to double the 2D pixel density of reconstructed scenes. Experiments are reported to support the proposed approach.

Unusual Magnetic Hysteresis and Transition between Vortex and Double Pole States Arising from Interlayer Coupling in Diamond-Shaped Nanostructures.

Controlling the magnetic ground states at the nanoscale is a long-standing basic research problem and an important issue in magnetic storage technologies. Here, we designed a nanostructured material that exhibits very unusual hysteresis loops due to a transition between vortex and double pole states. Arrays of 700 nm diamond-shaped nanodots consisting of Py(30 nm)/Ru(tRu)/Py(30 nm) (Py, permalloy (Ni80Fe20)) trilayers were fabricated by interference lithography and e-beam evaporation. We show that varying the Ru interlayer spacer thickness (tRu) governs the interaction between the Py layers. We found this interaction mainly mediated by two mechanisms: magnetostatic interaction that favors antiparallel (antiferromagnetic, AFM) alignment of the Py layers and exchange interaction that oscillates between ferromagnetic (FM) and AFM couplings. For a certain range of Ru thicknesses, FM coupling dominates and forms magnetic vortices in the upper and lower Py layers. For Ru thicknesses at which AFM coupling dominates, the magnetic state in remanence is a double pole structure. Our results showed that the interlayer exchange coupling interaction remains finite even at 4 nm Ru thickness. The magnetic states in remanence, observed by magnetic force microscopy (MFM), are in good agreement with corresponding hysteresis loops obtained by the magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) and micromagnetic simulations.

Lack of association of LINGO1 rs9652490 and rs11856808 SNPs with familial essential tremor.

BACKGROUND: Essential tremor (ET) is a frequent movement disorder with a substantial family aggregation. A genome-wide association study has recently shown that LINGO1 gene variants are associated with increased risk of ET. METHODS: We intended to replicate these findings by genotyping rs9652490 and rs11856808 in a series of 226 familial ET subjects and 1117 healthy controls from referral movement disorder clinics in Spain. RESULTS: We were unable to replicate the association between LINGO1 variants and familial ET. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the LINGO1 variants analyzed are not a major risk factor for developing familial ET in our population, which suggests the existence of other unknown genetic risk factors responsible for familial ET in the Spanish population.

3D integral imaging display by smart pseudoscopic-to-orthoscopic conversion (SPOC).

Previously, we reported a digital technique for formation of real, non-distorted, orthoscopic integral images by direct pickup. However the technique was constrained to the case of symmetric image capture and display systems. Here, we report a more general algorithm which allows the pseudoscopic to orthoscopic transformation with full control over the display parameters so that one can generate a set of synthetic elemental images that suits the characteristics of the Integral-Imaging monitor and permits control over the depth and size of the reconstructed 3D scene.

Dopamine receptor 3 (DRD3) polymorphism and risk for migraine.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dopamine has been implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. We investigated the possible association between the polymorphism 312G>A (rs6280) in the DRD3 gene(essential tremor 1-ETM1- locus, chromosome 3q13) and the risk for migraine and for triggering migraine attacks by alcohol. METHODS: We studied the frequency of the DRD3 genotypes and allelic variants in 197 patients with migraine and 282 healthy controls using a polymerase chain reaction and MlsI-restriction fragment length polymorphisms method. RESULTS: The frequencies of the DRD3 genotypes and DRD3Gly9 were similar in patients with migraine and controls and were unrelated to the age of onset of migraine, gender, family history of migraine and triggering of migraine attacks by alcohol. The frequency of the genotype DRD3Gly9Gly9 was significantly higher in patients with migraine with aura when compared with patients with migraine without aura, but not with controls. CONCLUSION: DRD3 genotype and allelic variants were not related to the risk for migraine in Caucasian Spanish people.

Histamine-N-methyl transferase polymorphism and risk for multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) is the main metabolizing enzyme of histamine (a mediator of inflammation implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis-MS) in the CNS. We have investigated the possible association between a single nucleotide polymorphism of the HNMT (chromosome 2q22.1), that causes the amino acid substitution Thr105Ile (decreasing enzyme activity) and the risk for MS. METHODS: We studied the frequency of the HNMT genotypes and allelic variants in 228 MS patients and 295 healthy controls using a PCR-RLFP method. RESULTS: The frequencies of the HNMT genotypes and allelic variants did not differ significantly between MS patients and controls, and were unrelated with the age of onset of MS, gender, and course of MS. CONCLUSION: The HNMT polymorphism is not related with the risk for MS.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) polymorphisms and risk for essential tremor.

BACKGROUND: The polymorphic enzyme human serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1), encoded by the gene PON1 (chromosome 7q21.3), plays a major role in the metabolism of organophosphorus compounds. We investigated the possible association between the PON1 genotype and allelic variants of the polymorphisms Leu55Met and Glu192Arg, and the risk for essential tremor (ET). METHODS: We studied the frequency of the PON1 genotypes and allelic variants in 201 patients with ET and 220 healthy controls using a PCR-RLFP method. RESULTS: The frequencies of the PON1 genotypes and allelic variants of the polymorphisms Leu55Met and Gln192Arg did not differ significantly between patients with ET and controls. These polymorphisms were unrelated with the age of onset of ET. CONCLUSIONS: PON1 polymorphisms are not related with the risk for ET.

Impairment of rapid repetitive finger movements and visual reaction time in patients with essential tremor.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The question whether patients with essential tremor (ET) have slowed movements as part of their clinical manifestations is still a matter of controversy. We analyzed basic motor function in patients with ET and in healthy matched controls. METHODS: We studied 61 patients with ET and 122 age- and sex-matched controls. Evaluation included four timed tests (pronation-supination, finger tapping and movement between two points, all with both hands, and walking test); and three tests performed on a personal computer (speed for pressing repetitively a key - frequency, visual reaction time and movement time, all with both hands). RESULTS: Essential tremor patients showed higher mean values for right and left finger tapping, left movement between two points; and with right and left frequency and reaction time. In the logistic regression study, ET patients showed significantly higher values than controls for right and left finger tapping; mean, SD, maximum and rank values of right and left frequency; and mean, SD, minimum, maximum and rank values of right and left visual reaction time. Tremor severity was not correlated with the altered values. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ET showed impaired motor performance, at least in some tasks, such as rapid repetitive finger movements (finger tapping and frequency) and visual reaction time (impairment was not related with tremor severity). This probably means that patients with ET have some degree of bradykinesia.

Penile foreign bodies.

OBJECTIVE: To describe 8 cases of penile foreign bodies. METHODS/RESULTS: We provide an essentially visual overview of various objects or foreign bodies affecting the penis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of penile foreign bodies is rarely due to an accident. These objects are placed for a wide variety of reasons, but primarily for erotic or self-arousal purposes. The consequences of penile foreign bodies can be mild or very severe, resulting in penile amputation.

Digital slicing of 3D scenes by Fourier filtering of integral images.

We present a novel technique to extract depth information from 3D scenes recorded using an Integral Imaging system. The technique exploits the periodic structure of the recorded integral image to implement a Fourier-domain filtering algorithm. A proper projection of the filtered integral image permits reconstruction of different planes that constitute the 3D scene. The main feature of our method is that the Fourier-domain filtering allows the reduction of out-of-focus information, providing the InI system with real optical sectioning capacity.

Glutathione-S-transferase P1 polymorphism and risk for essential tremor.

Glutathione-S-transferases (GST) are polymorphic enzymes that participate in the metabolism of carcinogens (including those of tobacco smoke) and pesticides. We investigated the possible association between the GSTP1 genotype and allelic variants and the risk for essential tremor (ET). We studied the frequency of the GSTP1 genotypes and allelic variants in 200 patients with ET and 220 healthy controls using PCR-RFLP method. The association between GSTP1 polymorphism and the exposure to some environmental factors (agricultural work, pesticides, well-water and smoking-cigarettes habit) was also studied in a subgroup of patients. The frequencies of the GSTP1 genotypes and allelic variants did not differ significantly between patients with ET and controls or between patients with ET exposed to agricultural work, well water and cigarette smoking versus those non-exposed. Mutated allelic variants were significantly more frequent in patients with ET exposed to pesticides versus those non-exposed. GSTP1 polymorphism was unrelated with the age of onset of ET. GSTP1 genotypes and allelic variants were not related with the risk for ET with the possible exception of those patients exposed to pesticides.

[Fracture of the penis: a case series]. / Fractura de cuerpos cavernosos. Serie de casos.

Penile fracture is an uncommon urological emergency with a typical presentation, which needs early surgery to avoid aesthetic and functional sequelaes. We have analyzed all the patients with a discharge diagnosis of fractures penis among 1997 to 2007, attended in the emergency service of Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete, showing its clinical features, attributed mechanism of injury, treatment and main complications.

[Saturation biopsy in prostate cancer diagnosis]. / Biopsia por saturación en el diagnóstico de cáncer de próstata.

AIMS: To analyze the results obtained after doing saturation prostate biopsy to a series of patients with high level of PSA. SUBJECTS, MATERIAL AND METHOD: Among 2006 and 2007 saturation biopsies have been realized in our Service to 32 patients with high PSA, previous biopsies without diagnosis of prostate cancer and high suspicion of malignant disease. RESULTS: The mean age was 65.81 years, with an average of previous biopsies of 2.41 (range: 1 to 5). Mean of PSA was 15.45 ng/dl (range: 5.63 to 35.47 ng/ml). The mean number of cores obtained in the saturation biopsies was of 20.78 (range: 16-26). 13 were diagnosed prostate adenocarcinomas (40.63%), of which 10 had previous diagnosis of PIN or atipia. 8 patients underwent radical prostatectomy, 3 cases were treated with radiotherapy, 1 case was treated with hormonetherapy and the remaining one is kept in watchful waiting. Concordance of Gleason grade was in 6 of 8 patients treated surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Saturation biopsy is an effective method for the diagnosis of prostate cancer after several negative biopsies and a strong clinical suspicion of malignant pathology. Saturation biopsy is not a first choice procedure for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Enhanced viewing-angle integral imaging by multiple-axis telecentric relay system.

One of the main limitations of integral imaging is the narrow viewing angle. This drawback comes from the limited field of view of microlenses during the pickup and display. We propose a novel all-optical technique which allows the substantial increase of the field of view of any microlens and therefore of the viewing angle of integral-imaging displays.