Nutrient intakes of individuals from food-insufficient households in the United States

OBJECTIVES

Understanding the nutritional consequences of food insufficiency is important for informed policy-making that addresses the problem of domestic hunger. This study estimated the extent to which individuals from food-insufficient households were likely to have low intakes of energy and 14 other nutrients.

METHODS

The diets of pre-schoolers, adult women, and the elderly were analyzed with 24-hour recall data from the 1989 through 1991 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the association of self-reported household food insufficiency with nutrient intakes below 50% of the recommended daily allowance.

RESULTS

For adult women, food insufficiency was significantly associated with low intakes of eight nutrients, including energy, magnesium, and vitamins A, E, C, and B6. Elderly individuals in the food-insufficient group were also more likely to have low intakes of eight nutrients, including protein, calcium, and vitamins A and B6. Household food insufficiency was not significantly associated with low intakes among preschoolers.

CONCLUSIONS

The results validate the use of self-reported hunger measures in nutritional surveillance and highlight nutrients of concern for food assistance and nutrition education efforts targeted at individuals from food-insufficient households.

Does SARS-Cov-2 invade the brain? Translational lessons from animal models

The current coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) outbreak, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), has raised the possibility of potential neurotropic properties of this virus. Indeed, neurological sequelae of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection have already been reported and highlight the relevance of considering the neurological impact of coronavirus (CoV) from a translational perspective. Animal models of SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome, caused by structurally similar CoVs during the 2002 and 2012 epidemics, have provided valuable data on nervous system involvement by CoVs and the potential for central nervous system spread of SARS‐CoV‐2. One key finding that may unify these pathogens is that all require angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 as a cell entry receptor. The CoV spike glycoprotein, by which SARS‐CoV‐2 binds to cell membranes, binds angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 with a higher affinity compared with SARS‐CoV. The expression of this receptor in neurons and endothelial cells hints that SARS‐CoV‐2 may have higher neuroinvasive potential compared with previous CoVs. However, it remains to be determined how such invasiveness might contribute to respiratory failure or cause direct neurological damage. Both direct and indirect mechanisms may be of relevance. Clinical heterogeneity potentially driven by differential host immune‐mediated responses will require extensive investigation. Development of disease models to anticipate emerging neurological complications and to explore mechanisms of direct or immune‐mediated pathogenicity in the short and medium term is therefore of great importance. In this brief review, we describe the current knowledge from models of previous CoV infections and discuss their potential relevance to COVID‐19.

Diagnosis of transient ischemic attack by the nonneurologist. A validation study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interobserver reliability of the diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) is low, and diagnosis of TIA made by nonneurologists is often erroneous. We sought to validate the diagnosis of TIA made by general practitioners (GPs) and by hospital emergency service physicians (emergency MDs).

METHODS

A list of 20 neurological symptoms was distributed to 20 GPs and 22 neurologists who graded the compatibility of each symptom with the TIA diagnosis. At least two neurologists validated TIA diagnoses made by GPs for patients under their care or by emergency MDs.

RESULTS

Compared with neurologists, GPs considered "confusion" and "unexplained fall" more often compatible with TIA and "lower facial palsy" and "monocular blindness" less often compatible with TIA. Validation of diagnosis by GP was confirmed in 10 patients (19%); 26 patients had strokes, and 16 (31%) had a noncerebrovascular disorder. Validation of diagnosis by emergency MD was confirmed in 4 patients (13%); 10 patients had strokes, and 17 (55%) had noncerebrovascular disorders. The most frequent conditions misdiagnosed as TIAs were transient disturbances of consciousness, mental status, and balance.

CONCLUSIONS

The TIA concept is understood differently by neurologists and nonneurologists. GPs and emergency MDs often label minor strokes and several nonvascular transient neurological disturbances as TIAs. Until this misconception of TIA is changed, the term TIA should probably be avoided in the communication between referring physicians and neurologists. If not referred to a neurologist, one third to one half of patients labeled with a diagnosis of TIA will be inappropriately managed.

Diets Containing α-Linolenic (ω3) or Oleic (ω9) Fatty Acids Rescues Obese Mice From Insulin Resistance

Subclinical systemic inflammation is a hallmark of obesity and insulin resistance. The results obtained from a number of experimental studies suggest that targeting different components of the inflammatory machinery may result in the improvement of the metabolic phenotype. Unsaturated fatty acids exert antiinflammatory activity through several distinct mechanisms. Here, we tested the capacity of ω3 and ω9 fatty acids, directly from their food matrix, to exert antiinflammatory activity through the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR)120 and GPR40 pathways. GPR120 was activated in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissues, reverting inflammation and insulin resistance in obese mice. Part of this action was also mediated by GPR40 on muscle, as a novel mechanism described. Pair-feeding and immunoneutralization experiments reinforced the pivotal role of GPR120 as a mediator in the response to the nutrients. The improvement in insulin sensitivity in the high-fat substituted diets was associated with a marked reduction in tissue inflammation, decreased macrophage infiltration, and increased IL-10 levels. Furthermore, improved glucose homeostasis was accompanied by the reduced expression of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes and reduced body mass. Thus, our data indicate that GPR120 and GPR40 play a critical role as mediators of the beneficial effects of dietary unsaturated fatty acids in the context of obesity-induced insulin resistance.

Cytotoxicity and expression of genes involved in the cellular stress response and apoptosis in mammalian fibroblast exposed to cotton cellulose nanofibers

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) have mechanical properties that make them very attractive for applications in the construction of polymeric matrices, drug delivery and tissue engineering. However, little is known about their impact on mammalian cells. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of CNF and their effect on gene expression of fibroblasts cultured in vitro. The morphology of CNF was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and the surface charge by Zeta potential. Cell viability was analyzed by flow cytometry assay and gene expression of biomarkers focused on cell stress response such as Heat shock protein 70.1 (HSP70.1) and Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) and apoptosis as B-cell leukemia (BCL-2) and BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX) by RT-PCR assay. Low concentrations of CNF (0.02-100 μg ml(-1)) did not cause cell death; however, at concentrations above 200 μg ml(-1), the nanofibers significantly decreased cell viability (86.41 ± 5.37%). The exposure to high concentrations of CNF (2000 and 5000 μg ml(-1)) resulted in increased HSP70.1, PRDX1 and BAX gene expression. The current study concludes that, under the conditions tested, high concentrations (2000 and 5000 μg ml(-1)) of CNF cause decreased cell viability and affect the expression of stress- and apoptosis-associated molecular markers.

Substrate specificity characterization of recombinant metallo oligo-peptidases thimet oligopeptidase and neurolysin

We report a systematic and detailed analysis of recombinant neurolysin (EC 3.4.24.16) specificity in parallel with thimet oligopeptidase (TOP, EC 3.4.24.15) using Bk sequence and its C- and N-terminal extensions as in human kininogen as motif for synthesis of internally quenched fluorescent substrates. The influence of the substrate size was investigated, and the longest peptide susceptible to TOP and neurolysin contains 17 amino acids. The specificities of both oligopeptidases to substrate sites P(4) to P(3)' were also characterized in great detail using seven series of peptides based on Abz-GFSPFRQ-EDDnp taken as reference substrate. Most of the peptides were hydrolyzed at the bond corresponding to P(4)-F(5) in the reference substrate and some of them were hydrolyzed at this bond or at F(2)-S(3) bond. No restricted specificity was found for P(1)' as found in thermolysin as well for P(1) substrate position, however the modifications at this position (P(1)) showed to have large influence on the catalytic constant and the best substrates for TOP contained at P(1), Phe, Ala, or Arg and for neurolysin Asn or Arg. Some amino acid residues have large influence on the K(m) constants independently of its position. On the basis of these results, we are hypothesizing that some amino acids of the substrates can bind to different sub-sites of the enzyme fitting P-F or F-S bond, which requires rapid interchange for the different forms of interaction and convenient conformations of the substrate in order to expose and fit the cleavage bonds in correct position for an efficient hydrolysis. Finally, this plasticity of interaction with the substrates can be an essential property for a class of cytosolic oligopeptidases that are candidates to participate in the selection of the peptides to be presented by the MHC class I.

A multivariate study of headache associated with ischemic stroke

Thirty-four percent of 182 ischemic stroke patients registered during 1 year in a prospective hospital stroke data base complained of headache within a 72-hour interval of stroke onset. Headache was more common in patients under 70 years of age, in nonsmokers, in those with a past history of migraine, and in subjects presenting transient loss of consciousness, nausea/vomiting, or visual field defects. Headache was more frequent in vertebrobasilar (57%) than in carotid (20%) territory strokes, more so in posterior cerebral artery (90%) and cerebellar infarcts (80%), and was infrequent in subcortical infarcts (7%) and lacunes due to single perforator disease (9%). In multiple regression analysis, vertebrobasilar stroke (odds ratio 6.9), lacuanr stroke (odds ratio 0.06), and past history of migraine (odds ratio 6.7) were significant independent predictors of headache, suggesting that ischemic stroke location is the major determinant of stroke-associated headache, most probably related to activation of the trigeminovascular system, whose threshold may be modified by individual susceptibility.

Diagnosis of stroke by the nonneurologist. A validation study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The first medical contact of an acute stroke victim is often a nonneurologist. Validation of stroke diagnosis made by these medical doctors is poorly known. The present study seeks to validate the stroke diagnoses made by general practitioners (GPs) and hospital emergency service physicians (ESPs).

METHODS

Validation through direct interview and examination by a neurologist was performed for diagnoses of stroke made by GPs in patients under their care and doctors working at the emergency departments of 3 hospitals.

RESULTS

Validation of the GP diagnosis was confirmed in 44 cases (85%); 3 patients (6%) had transient ischemic attacks and 5 (9%) suffered from noncerebrovascular disorders. Validation of the ESP diagnosis was confirmed in 169 patients (91%); 16 (9%) had a noncerebrovascular diagnosis. Overall, the most frequent conditions misdiagnosed as stroke were neurological in nature (cerebral tumor, 3; subdural hematoma, 1; seizure, 1; benign paroxysmal postural vertigo, 1; peripheral facial palsy, 2; psychiatric condition, 6; and other medical disorders, 7).

CONCLUSIONS

In the majority of cases, nonneurologists (either GPs or ESPs) can make a correct diagnosis of acute stroke. Treatment of acute stroke with drugs that do not cause serious side effects can be started before evaluation by a neurologist and CT scan.

Hospital food waste and environmental and economic indicators--A Portuguese case study

This study presents a comprehensive characterization of plate waste (food served but not eaten) at an acute care hospital in Portugal and elaborates on possible waste reduction measures. Even though waste prevention is a priority in Europe, large amounts of food are still being wasted every day, with hospitals giving rise to two to three times more food waste than other foodservice sectors. For this work the plate waste arising at the ward level was audited during 8 weeks, covering almost 8000 meals, using a general hospital as case study. Weighing the food served to patients and that returned after the meal allowed calculating plate waste for the average meal, as well as for individual meal items. Comparison of food waste arising showed that differences exist among wards, with some generating more waste than others. On average each patient throws away 953 g of food each day, representing 35% of the food served. This equates to 8.7 thousand tonnes of food waste being thrown away each year at hospitals across Portugal. These tonnes of food transformed into waste represent economic losses and environmental impacts, being estimated that 16.4 thousand tonnes of CO2 (equivalent) and 35.3 million euros are the annual national indicators in Portugal. This means that 0.5% of the Portuguese National Health budget gets thrown away as food waste. Given the magnitude of the food problem five measures were suggested to reduce food waste, and their potential impact and ease of implementation were discussed. Even though food waste is unavoidable the results obtained in this work highlight the potential financial and environmental savings for Portuguese hospitals, providing a basis to establish future strategies to tackle food waste.

High irisin levels in overweight/obese children and its positive correlation with metabolic profile, blood pressure, and endothelial progenitor cells

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Irisin is involved in the compensatory mechanisms for metabolic regulation and appears to be associated with glucose homeostasis and lipid profile. However, it's possible implications on obesity-associated cardiometabolic complications have not been completely elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between irisin level and anthropometric data, metabolic parameters, blood pressure, and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) level among children with overweight/obesity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study included 24 children with overweight/obesity (9 girls and 15 boys) and 63 children with normal weight (25 girls and 38 boys). The anthropometric data, blood pressure, blood biochemistry, EPCs and irisin levels were evaluated. Children with overweight/obesity had significantly higher circulating irisin and EPCs levels than those with normal weight (P < 0.001). Additionally, we found that irisin level was positively correlated with BMI (rho = 0.407), waist circumference (rho = 0.449), triglycerides (rho = .334), glucose (rho = 0.226), insulin (rho = 0.533), HOMA (rho = 0.545), and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol level (rho = -0.218). Importantly, we also found that irisin levels were significantly correlated with systolic (rho = 0.420), diastolic (rho = 0.331) blood pressure and circulating EPCs level (rho = 0.391).

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence that overweight/obese children had elevated circulating levels of both irisin and EPCs and address the gap in the literature with regard to the understanding of the implications of irisin on obesity-related cardiometabolic complications among these children and also highlight the possible involvement of irisin regulation on insulin resistance and endothelial function in childhood overweight and obesity.

Selective Neurotensin-Derived Internally Quenched Fluorogenic Substrates for Neurolysin (EC 3.4.24.16): Comparison with Thimet Oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) and Neprilysin (EC 3.4.24.11)

Internally quenched fluorescent peptides derived from neurotensin (pELYENKPRRPYIL) sequence were synthesized and assayed as substrates for neurolysin (EC 3.4.24.16), thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15 or TOP), and neprilysin (EC 3.4.24.11 or NEP). Abz-LYENKPRRPYILQ-EDDnp (where EDDnp is N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)ethylenediamine and Abz is ortho-aminobenzoic acid) was derived from neurotensin by the introduction of Q-EDDnp at the C-terminal end of peptide and by the substitution of the pyroglutamic (pE) residue at N-terminus for Abz and a series of shorter peptides was obtained by deletion of amino acids residues from C-terminal, N-terminal, or both sides. Neurolysin and TOP hydrolyzed the substrates at P--Y or Y--I or R--R bonds depending on the sequence and size of the peptides, while NEP cleaved P-Y or Y-I bonds according to its S'(1) specificity. One of these substrates, Abz-NKPRRPQ-EDDnp was a specific and sensitive substrate for neurolysin (k(cat) = 7.0 s(-1), K(m) = 1.19 microM and k(cat)/K(m) = 5882 mM(-1). s(-1)), while it was completely resistant to NEP and poorly hydrolyzed by TOP and also by prolyl oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.21.26). Neurolysin concentrations as low as 1 pM were detected using this substrate under our conditions and its analogue Abz-NKPRAPQ-EDDnp was hydrolyzed by neurolysin with k(cat) = 14.03 s(-1), K(m) = 0.82 microM, and k(cat)/K(m) = 17,110 mM(-1). s(-1), being the best substrate so far described for this peptidase.

Convergent evidences from human and animal studies implicate angiotensin I-converting enzyme activity in cognitive performance in schizophrenia

In schizophrenia (SCZ), higher angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) levels have been reported in patient's blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Hereby, we propose to explore whether the ACE activity levels are associated to cognitive performance in SCZ. Seventy-two patients with SCZ or schizoaffective disorder diagnosis, and 69 healthy controls (HCs) underwent a cognitive battery with parallel collection of peripheral blood samples to measure ACE activity. Significant higher ACE activity levels were confirmed in the plasma of SCZ patients compared with HCs (Student's t=-5.216; P<0.001). ACE activity significantly correlated to Hopkins delayed recall measures (r=-0.247; P=0.004) and Hopkins total (r=-0.214; P=0.012). Subjects grouped as high ACE activity (above average) had worse performance compared with low ACE activity level group for Hopkins delayed recall measure, even after correction for clinical condition, age, gender and years of education (P=0.029). The adjusted R squared for this final model was 0.343. This result was evident only comparing extreme groups for ACE activity, when splitting the sample in three groups with similar number of subjects. To clarify this finding, we performed an evaluation of the cognitive performance of transgenic mice with three copies of ACE gene in novel object recognition (NOR) test, which showed that such animals presented impairment in NOR (P<0.05) compared with two copies of wild-type animals. The results observed in SCZ patients and animal model suggest both the association of ACE to cognitive deficits in SCZ. This finding may support the evaluation of novel treatment protocols and/or of innovative drugs for specific intervention of cognitive deficits in SCZ envisioning concomitant ACE activity and behavior evaluations.

Translocation (8;17;15;21)(q22;q23;q15;q22) in acute myeloid leukemia (M2). a four-way variant of t(8;21)

We report the results of cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular analyses in a 15-year-old boy diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia subtype M2 (AML-M2). Cytogenetic and FISH analyses, the latter with whole chromosome painting probes, revealed a complex translocation involving four chromosomes: t(8;17;15;21)(q22;q23;q15;q22). The observation of breakpoints at 8q22 and 21q22 suggested a rearrangement of the ETO and AML1 genes, respectively. Using a dual-color FISH test with ETO and AML1 probes, we demonstrated an AML1/ETO fusion signal on the derivative chromosome 8. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed the presence of AML1/ETO fusion transcripts identical to those found in classical t(8;21). The present case highlights the relevant role of the rearranged chromosome 8, which encodes the AML1/ETO fusion product in the pathogenesis of AML-M2.

Headache associated with transient ischemic attacks

Sixty (29%) of 205 consecutive patients with transient ischemic attacks registered in a hospital stroke data base had headache within 72 hours of onset. Headache was significantly more common in nonsmokers (odds ratio = 2.8; 95% confidence interval = 6.7 to 1.2). Headache was infrequent in patients with amaurosis fugax, and was not significantly associated with any other particular clinical presentation of transient ischemic attack. Headache was more common in vertebrobasilar (33%) than in carotid distribution (24%) episodes, and was not rare in transient ischemic attacks presenting as lacunar syndromes (29%). Headache was less frequent in patients whose computerized tomograms showed an infarct appropriate to the symptoms (odds ratio = 0.2; 95% confidence interval = 0.02 to 1.4). A diffuse headache was more common in patients with lacunar events than in patients with cortical attacks (odds ratio = 3.0; 95% confidence interval = 13 to 0.07). No other association was found between headache location and the presumed involved vascular territory. Headache in patients with transient ischemic attacks is poorly related/explained by the clinical characteristics of the ischemic event.

Quantification of maceration changes using post mortem MRI in fetuses

BACKGROUND

Post mortem imaging is playing an increasingly important role in perinatal autopsy, and correct interpretation of imaging changes is paramount. This is particularly important following intra-uterine fetal death, where there may be fetal maceration. The aim of this study was to investigate whether any changes seen on a whole body fetal post mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMR) correspond to maceration at conventional autopsy.

METHODS

We performed pre-autopsy PMMR in 75 fetuses using a 1.5 Tesla Siemens Avanto MR scanner (Erlangen, Germany). PMMR images were reported blinded to the clinical history and autopsy data using a numerical severity scale (0 = no maceration changes to 2 = severe maceration changes) for 6 different visceral organs (total 12). The degree of maceration at autopsy was categorized according to severity on a numerical scale (1 = no maceration to 4 = severe maceration). We also generated quantitative maps to measure the liver and lung T2.

RESULTS

The mean PMMR maceration score correlated well with the autopsy maceration score (R(2) = 0.93). A PMMR score of ≥4.5 had a sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 64%, for detecting moderate or severe maceration at autopsy. Liver and lung T2 were increased in fetuses with maceration scores of 3-4 in comparison to those with 1-2 (liver p = 0.03, lung p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a good correlation between PMMR maceration score and the extent of maceration seen at conventional autopsy. This score may be useful in interpretation of fetal PMMR.

The detection of microembolic signals in patients at risk of recurrent cardioembolic stroke: possible therapeutic relevance

The clinical predictors and potential therapeutic implications of microembolic signals (MES) were investigated in 104 patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack associated with high-risk (n = 60) or low-risk (n = 44) cardiac emboligenic conditions. Patients with artificial valves and carotid stenosis were excluded. MES counts were based on 30-min bilateral middle cerebral artery transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring recordings. MES were detected in 15 subjects (14%). The mean number of MES per hour was 1.9. MES prevalence and counts were influenced neither by age, gender or type of cerebral event, nor by cardiac disease. MES were more frequently detected and greater in number in patients with multiple cerebral ischemic events and in subjects monitored within 1 month of the last event. By multiple logistic regression, TCD recording within 1 month of the last event [Odds ratio (OD) = 13.5; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 3.3-54.3] and multiple cerebral events (OD = 4.7; 95% CI = 1.3-17.3) were the best MES predictors. MES were detected in 40% (4/10) of patients on heparin, 5% (2/4) of untreated subjects and 13% (5/39) of those on antiplatelet drugs. For patients on warfarin, MES counts and prevalence were similar in subjects with international normalized ratios (INR) below and within/above the therapeutic range. MES were detected in only 2 out of 16 subjects with INR <2 and in 1 with INR >2. MES detection can be potentially relevant to the selection of antithrombotic treatment in acute stroke associated with cardioembolic disease, but further studies are necessary to assess its effectiveness as an additional guide to monitor oral anticoagulant intensity.

Substrate phosphorylation affects degradation and interaction to endopeptidase 24.15, neurolysin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme

Recent findings from our laboratory suggest that intracellular peptides containing putative post-translational modification sites (i.e., phosphorylation) could regulate specific protein interactions. Here, we extend our previous observations showing that peptide phosphorylation changes the kinetic parameters of structurally related endopeptidase EP24.15 (EC 3.4.24.15), neurolysin (EC 3.4.24.16), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1). Phosphorylation of peptides that are degraded by these enzymes leads to reduced degradation, whereas phosphorylation of peptides that interacted as competitive inhibitors of these enzymes alters only the K(i)'s. These data suggest that substrate phosphorylation could be one of the mechanisms whereby some intracellular peptides would escape degradation and could be regulating protein interactions within cells.

Cerebrospinal fluid and therapy of isolated angiitis of the central nervous system

BACKGROUND

Serial cerebral angiograms, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging are among the proposed methods for monitoring disease activity and response to therapy in isolated angiitis of the central nervous system. Cerebrospinal fluid has not proved to be useful in monitoring clinical course.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We describe a 45-year-old man with histological diagnosis of isolated angiitis of the central nervous system that was treated with prednisone plus azathioprine and monitored for 2 years. Samples of the cerebrospinal fluid were obtained for cytological and routine chemical examination, as well as albumin and immunoglobulin content. Before treatment, cerebrospinal fluid showed marked plasmatic transudation of albumin and intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins. During the first year of immunosuppression no events were noticed, and the previously abnormal aspects of the cerebrospinal fluid showed improvement. During the weaning of azathioprine, a new stroke occurred in conjunction with a marked deterioration of cerebrospinal fluid parameters. Immunosuppression was resumed at previous levels, and during the following year no further events occurred. Once again, abnormal cerebrospinal fluid values improved significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a case of isolated angiitis of the central nervous system in which the serial cerebrospinal fluid examinations (albumin and immunoglobulin content) showed a close correlation with clinical course. This method may be useful in monitoring response to therapy.

HITS in internal carotid dissections

Carotid dissections can cause neurological deficits either by hemodynamic or embolic mechanisms. Anticoagulants are often used in this setting to prevent neurological deterioration and stroke recurrence. High-intensity transient signals (HITS) detected by transcranial Doppler may be due to microembolism. We investigated the presence and number of HITS in a series of 27 patients with carotid dissection. HITS were detected in 14 (52%) patients and only in cases with a less than 7-day evolution. No association was found between HITS and clinical or imagiological features of the dissection nor with neurological aggravation or treatment type. We failed to demonstrate any relevant clinical significance of HITS in carotid dissection.

Model for the separate collection of packaging waste in Portuguese low-performing recycling regions

Separate collection of packaging waste (glass; plastic/metals; paper/cardboard), is currently a widespread practice throughout Europe. It enables the recovery of good quality recyclable materials. However, separate collection performance are quite heterogeneous, with some countries reaching higher levels than others. In the present work, separate collection of packaging waste has been evaluated in a low-performance recycling region in Portugal in order to investigate which factors are most affecting the performance in bring-bank collection system. The variability of separate collection yields (kg per inhabitant per year) among 42 municipalities was scrutinized for the year 2015 against possible explanatory factors. A total of 14 possible explanatory factors were analysed, falling into two groups: socio-economic/demographic and waste collection service related. Regression models were built in an attempt to evaluate the individual effect of each factor on separate collection yields and predict changes on the collection yields by acting on those factors. The best model obtained is capable to explain 73% of the variation found in the separate collection yields. The model includes the following statistically significant indicators affecting the success of separate collection yields: i) inhabitants per bring-bank; ii) relative accessibility to bring-banks; iii) degree of urbanization; iv) number of school years attended; and v) area. The model presented in this work was developed specifically for the bring-bank system, has an explanatory power and quantifies the impact of each factor on separate collection yields. It can therefore be used as a support tool by local and regional waste management authorities in the definition of future strategies to increase collection of recyclables of good quality and to achieve national and regional targets.

Hydrolysis by cathepsin B of fluorescent peptides derived from human prorenin

Cathepsin B is a lysosomal thiolprotease that, because of its colocalization with renin and its ability to activate prorenin, has been proposed as a prorenin processing enzyme. To characterize the biochemical aspect of this potential cathepsin B activity in more detail, we synthesized and assayed with human cathepsin B the internally quenched fluorescent peptide Abz-FSQPMKRLTLGNTTQ-EDDnp (Abz, ortho-aminobenzoic acid fluorescent group and EDDnp, N-¿2, 4-dinitrophenyl-ethylenediamine quencher group) that contains 7 amino acids for each side of the R-L bond that is the processing site of human prorenin. Human cathepsin B hydrolyzed this peptide at the correct site (R-L bond), with k(cat)/K(m)=75 mmol/L(-1) s(-1). Analogues of this peptide obtained by Ala scanning at positions P(5) to P(5)' were also synthesized and assayed as substrates for human cathepsin B. The obtained specificity constant (k(cat)/K(m)) values have a significant parallel with the previous data of prorenin activation by AtT-20 cells and in vitro by cathepsin B. In addition, we demonstrated the presence of cathepsin B-like activity in rat mesangial cells and the ability of its whole soluble fraction lysates, as well as that of purified cloned rat cathepsin B, to hydrolyze Abz-IKKSSF-EDDnp at the K-S bond, which contains 6 amino acids of rat prorenin processing site. The specificity data of cathepsin B toward peptides derived from prorenin processing site support the view that human or rodent cathepsin B could be involved in the intracellular processing of prorenin that is locally synthesized or taken up from the extracellular compartment.

Absence of mutagenicity of acid pyrogallol-containing hair gels

In the present work, three commercial acid (pH 3.5-4) pyrogallol-containing hair gels, SunSet Alizador Negro (two formulations) and Embelleze Henê Gel, were tested for mutagenicity using two well-established assays. In the Salmonella mutagenicity assay using 648-5000 microg/plate of cosmetic samples, none of the samples reached a 2-fold increase in revertants relative to the controls. Both in the absence and in the presence of S9, the dose-response relation in strains TA98, TA100, TA102, TA1535, and TA1537 was not significant (p>0.01). In the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay, 10 Swiss male mice were orally administered 2000 mg/kg of sample per body weight/day. The ratio between polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes as well as the presence of micronuclei in bone marrow cells were determined. Equal numbers of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were detected between the cells of each treated group and the negative control, using ANOVA and chi-square analyses. Thus, none of the products induced mutagenesis in either assay. Previous studies have shown pyrogallol is mutagenic in various test systems, including Salmonella. However studies have also shown that acidic conditions may repress the reactive-oxygen species (ROS) produced by pyrogallol, and ROS is considered the primary mechanism for the mutagenicity of pyrogallol. Consistent with this are our results, which show that acidic, commercially available pyrogallol-containing hair gels are neither mutagenic in Salmonella nor induce micronuclei in mouse bone marrow in vivo.

Kluver-Bucy syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus

The Kluver-Bucy syndrome has not been previously reported as a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 48-year-old female is described who sustained several cerebral infarcts, some of which were bitemporal, due to SLE vasculopathy. She developed a complex behavioural picture consisting of global aphasia, left-side neglect, hyperorality, hypermetamorphosis and hypersexuality. She displayed appropriate emotional reaction to visually presented objects, indicating that her Kluver-Bucy syndrome could not be explained by lack of visual recognition.

Influence of tubule orientation on cone-shaped texture development in laser-ablated dentin

In the present paper, the influence of tubule orientation on surface texture development was studied. Specimens of dentin with a wide range of tubule orientations were extracted from caries-free human teeth, processed using KrF laser radiation, and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. When a transverse cross section of dentin cut perpendicularly to the tooth axis is processed with KrF laser radiation, a cone-like topography develops in the inner dentin where tubules are parallel to the laser beam. When laser processing is carried out in the outer dentin, because tubules are significantly tilted with respect to the laser beam, flat surfaces are achieved. The surface texture after laser processing depends effectively on the angle between the tubules and the laser beam. The dependency of cone growth on tubule orientation was confirmed using a simple differential ablation model.