Dietary resveratrol prevents alzheimer's markers and increases life span in SAMP8

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is mainly found in grapes and red wine and has been reported to be a caloric restriction (CR) mimetic driven by Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activation. Resveratrol increases metabolic rate, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial biogenesis and physical endurance, and reduces fat accumulation in mice. In addition, resveratrol may be a powerful agent to prevent age-associated neurodegeneration and to improve cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, different findings support the view that longevity in mice could be promoted by CR. In this study, we examined the role of dietary resveratrol in SAMP8 mice, a model of age-related AD. We found that resveratrol supplements increased mean life expectancy and maximal life span in SAMP8 and in their control, the related strain SAMR1. In addition, we examined the resveratrol-mediated neuroprotective effects on several specific hallmarks of AD. We found that long-term dietary resveratrol activates AMPK pathways and pro-survival routes such as SIRT1 in vivo. It also reduces cognitive impairment and has a neuroprotective role, decreasing the amyloid burden and reducing tau hyperphosphorylation.

Cerebrospinal fluid soluble amyloid-β protein precursor as a potential novel biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease.

In this report, we confirm our previous findings of increased concentrations of soluble amyloid-β protein precursor (sAβPP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a large cohort of patients (n = 314), not overlapping with those of our previous study, and we extend our observations by including a control group of participants with normal cognition. In addition, we investigate the effects of age, the APOEε4 genotype, and the blood-CSF barrier function on the concentrations of sAβPPα and sAβPPβ. The study participants were categorized according to clinical-neuropsychological criteria, supported by CSF neurochemical dementia diagnostics (NDD) analyses. sAβPPα concentrations in the AD group (132.0 ± 44.8) were significantly higher than in the control group (105.3 ± 37.3, p < 0.0005) but did not differ from the MCI-AD group (138.5 ± 39.5, p = 0.91). The MCI-AD group differed significantly from the MCI-O (97.3 ± 34.3, p < 0.05) group. There was no difference between the control and the MCI-O groups (p = 0.94). Similarly, sAβPPβ concentrations in the AD group (160.2 ± 54.3) were significantly higher than in the control group (129.9 ± 44.6, p < 0.005) but did not differ from the MCI-AD group (184.0 ± 56.4, p = 0.20). The MCI-AD group differed significantly from the MCI-O (127.8 ± 46.2, p < 0.05) group. There was no difference between the control and the MCI-O groups (p > 0.99). We observed highly significant correlation of the two sAβPP forms. Age and the CSF-serum albumin ratio were significant albeit weak predictors of the sAβPPα and sAβPPβ concentrations, while carrying the APOEε4 allele did not influenced the levels of the sAβPP forms. Taken together, the results strongly suggest that CSF sAβPP concentrations may be considered as an extension of already available NDD tools.

Cinética de fósforo com modelos matemáticos em ovinos adultos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, por meio de modelos matemáticos, o metabolismo de fósforo (P) em ovinos adultos suplementados com teores crescentes de farinha de ossos calcinados com 0, 1, 2 e 3 g de P por animal por dia. Esses valores representaram diferentes tratamentos, adicionados à dieta basal com 225 g de concentrado e feno ad libitum. Foram utilizados 16 ovinos, Suffolk, com peso vivo de 38,2±4,35 kg e idade média de 18 meses, mantidos em gaiolas individuais. Após 21 dias, 7,4 MBq do radiofósforo (32P) foram injetados em cada ovino, e foram coletados sangue, fezes e urina por oito dias, a fim de determinar o fluxo de P entre três compartimentos: trato gastrintestinal, compartimento central (sangue) e tecidos (moles e ósseo). Houve relação linear positiva entre o P consumido e o P absorvido, excretado nas fezes, urina e retenção. A perda endógena fecal de P foi exponencial com o aumento de P da dieta. A elevação do teor de P da dieta interfere nas trocas do mineral para o trato gastrintestinal e urinário, o que indica que 0,82 g de P por dia são suficientes para mantença dessa categoria animal.

Plan integral de enfermería para la atención domiciliaria de pacientes con enfermedad neuromuscular e insuficiencia respiratoria

Las enfermedades neuromuscualres son enfermedades neurológicas, de naturaleza progresiva, normalmente hereditarias cuya principal característica clínica es la debilidad muscular. Dentro de las enfermedades que causan problemas respiratorios, existen una gran variedad de enfermedades neuromusculares que comprometen la función respiratoria, las cuales pueden dividirse en enfermedades neuromusculares neuropaticas y miopáticas, además de poder clasificarlas según la evolución. Las ENM pueden comprometer el sistema respiratorio condicionando morbilidad respiratoria de intensidad y precocidad variable dependiendo del grado de afección de los músculos respiratorios y deglutorios, así como de otros factores como el estado nutricional o la capacidad de deambulación, todos ellos factores que pueden ser incluidos dentro de un programa de enfermería de atención a domicilio.

Dietary resveratrol prevents alzheimer's markers and increases life span in SAMP8

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is mainly found in grapes and red wine and has been reported to be a caloric restriction (CR) mimetic driven by Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activation. Resveratrol increases metabolic rate, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial biogenesis and physical endurance, and reduces fat accumulation in mice. In addition, resveratrol may be a powerful agent to prevent age-associated neurodegeneration and to improve cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, different findings support the view that longevity in mice could be promoted by CR. In this study, we examined the role of dietary resveratrol in SAMP8 mice, a model of age-related AD. We found that resveratrol supplements increased mean life expectancy and maximal life span in SAMP8 and in their control, the related strain SAMR1. In addition, we examined the resveratrol-mediated neuroprotective effects on several specific hallmarks of AD. We found that long-term dietary resveratrol activates AMPK pathways and pro-survival routes such as SIRT1 in vivo. It also reduces cognitive impairment and has a neuroprotective role, decreasing the amyloid burden and reducing tau hyperphosphorylation.

Dual inhibitors of beta-amyloid aggregation and acetylcholinesterase as multi-target anti-Alzheimer drug candidates

Notwithstanding the functional role that the aggregates of some amyloidogenic proteins can play in different organisms, protein aggregation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of a large number of human diseases. One of such diseases is Alzheimer"s disease (AD), where the overproduction and aggregation of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) are regarded as early critical factors. Another protein that seems to occupy a prominent position within the complex pathological network of AD is the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with classical and non-classical activities involved at the late (cholinergic deficit) and early (Aβ aggregation) phases of the disease. Dual inhibitors of Aβ aggregation and AChE are thus emerging as promising multi-target agents with potential to efficiently modify the natural course of AD. In the initial phases of the drug discovery process of such compounds, in vitro evaluation of the inhibition of Aβ aggregation is rather troublesome, as it is very sensitive to experimental assay conditions, and requires expensive synthetic Aβ peptides, which makes cost-prohibitive the screening of large compound libraries. Herein, we review recently developed multi-target anti-Alzheimer compounds that exhibit both Aβ aggregation and AChE inhibitory activities, and, in some cases also additional valuable activities such as BACE-1 inhibition or antioxidant properties. We also discuss the development of simplified in vivo methods for the rapid, simple, reliable, unexpensive, and high-throughput amenable screening of Aβ aggregation inhibitors that rely on the overexpression of Aβ42 alone or fused with reporter proteins in Escherichia coli.

Noves perspectives en el diagnòstic del deteriorament cognitiu lleu i la malaltia de l'Alzheimer

Els criteris per al diagnòstic clínic de la malaltia d’Alzheimer es van establir el 1984 pel National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS) i la Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association (ADRDA). D’aplicació continuada fins a l’actualitat, aquests criteris estan quedant obsolets i per tant des de diversos àmbits s’ha abogat per una revisió profunda dels mateixos. Tres grups d’experts formats per reconeguts especialistes del National Institute on Aging (NIA) i la Alzheimer’s Association proposen un conjunt de recomanacions per modificar aquests criteris en l’àmbit de la investigació clínica. Dues diferències remarcables s’inclouen en aquests nous criteris: la incorporació de biomarcadors i la formalització de diferents estadis de la malaltia d’Alzheimer. D’aquesta manera, el deteriorament cognitiu lleu s’incorpora al procés diagnòstic com un estadi més de la patologia. Tanmateix, aquests criteris es troben en revisió i, de moment sols son aplicables en l’àmbit de recerca per tal d’arribar a un consens definitiu que permeti la modificació definitiva dels criteris clínics universals a aplicar. En aquest article es presenten els principals avenços en la investigació referents a la malaltia d’Alzheimer i al Deteriorament Cognitiu lleu per tal d’emmarcar els nous criteris de recerca.

Construcción del Cuestionario de Desarrollo Emocional de Adultos (QDE-A).

El propósito de este trabajo es presentar la construcción y aplicación del Questionari de Desarrollo Emocional para Adultos (QDE-A). Se trata de la versión catalana del Cuestionario de Desarrollo Emocional para Adultos (CDE-A). Los instrumentos disponibles para la medición de la competencia emocional son escasos y todos ellos sujetos a criticas centradas fundamentalmente en la falta de un marco teórico claro y de fundamentos empíricos firmes (Pérez, Petrides y Furnham, 2005). El QDE-A, se enmarca en la línea de investigación sobre educación emocional del GROP (Grupo de Investigación en Orientación Psicopedagógica). Se trata de un cuestionario de autoinforme basado en el marco teórico de la educación emocional desarrollado por el GROP (Bisquerra, 2000 y 2007) según el cual la competencia emocional se compone de cinco dimensiones: conciencia emocional, regulación emocional, autonomía emocional competencias sociales y competencias para la vida y el bienestar. El QDE-A ofrece una puntuación global y otra para cada una de estas dimensiones. En este artículo se expone el proceso de elaboración para llegar a la versión definitiva que en su forma extensa consiste en una escala que dispone de 48 ítems. Los datos se basan en una muestra de 1537 adultos. La fiabilidad medida por el alfa de Cronbach es de 0,92, para la escala completa y superior a 0.70 para cada una de las dimensiones. La correlación entre cada una de las dimensiones y la puntuación total es significativa en todos los casos con un nivel de p<0.01. El QDE-A responde a la necesidad de disponer de un instrumento riguroso, adaptado a la población catalana, que permite evaluar el nivel de competencia emocional en adultos y fundamentar las intervenciones en educación emocional.

Óleo de cravo como anestésico em adultos de tilápia-do-nilo

O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar a eficiência do óleo de cravo como anestésico em adultos de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) e avaliar, sensorialmente, o aroma e o sabor do filé, após a anestesia. No primeiro experimento, os peixes foram expostos a banhos anestésicos em diferentes concentrações de óleo de cravo (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 e 350 mg L-1). No segundo experimento, avaliaram-se diferentes tempos (10, 20 e 30 minutos) de exposição à anestesia. Finalmente, o aroma e o sabor dos filés de tilápia foram testados, em diferentes tempos de exposição à concentração adequada de óleo de cravo. A concentração de 250 mg L-1 de óleo de cravo foi adequada para a indução de parada dos batimentos operculares em adultos de tilápia, e para a anestesia voltada para biometria e breve manejo, a concentração recomendada é 100 mg L-1. Os filés de tilápias previamente anestesiadas com óleo de cravo apresentaram diferença moderada no aroma e no sabor logo após a anestesia. O óleo de cravo é um anestésico eficaz no manejo de adultos de tilápia em procedimentos de rotina na piscicultura, porém o abate de tilápias deve ser realizado a partir de 12 horas após a exposição a este anestésico, para não induzir alteração nas características organolépticas dos filés de peixes anestesiados

Evapotranspiração e coeficiente de cultivo de cafeeiros adultos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a evapotranspiração (ET) de cafeeiros adultos, irrigados por aspersão e gotejamento, e não irrigados, bem como os coeficientes de cultivo (Kc) de cafeeiros sob os dois regimes hídricos. O experimento foi realizado em Londrina, PR, com cafeeiros da cultivar Iapar 59, com cinco e seis anos de idade, de setembro de 2006 a agosto de 2008. A evapotranspiração foi medida por cinco lisímetros de pesagem, dos quais dois irrigados por aspersão, um por gotejamento e os outros dois sem irrigação. A irrigação foi aplicada, em média, duas vezes por semana, para manter o solo com umidade próxima à de capacidade de campo. O coeficiente de cultivo foi determinado pela razão entre a ET das plantas dos tratamentos irrigados e a evapotranspiração de referência (ETo). Os cafeeiros adultos apresentaram valor médio de ET mais elevado no tratamento irrigado por aspersão (3,2 mm dia-1), em comparação aos de outros tratamentos, que apresentaram médias equivalentes entre si (2,8 mm dia-1). A mesma tendência foi observada para Kc, em razão da relação ET e ETo, com valor médio maior para o tratamento irrigado por aspersão (1) e menor para o gotejamento (0,88).

Evaluación del programa de mediación penal de adultos del Departamento de Justicia de la Generalitat de Cataluña

Desde 1999, el Departamento de Justicia de la Generalitat de Cataluña aplica el Programa de mediación penal con infractores adultos y víctimas. Este Programa, enmarcado en la perspectiva de la llamada Justicia Restaurativa, busca resolver el conflicto producido por el delito implicando a todas las partes y concediendo un papel clave a la víctima, sobre la restitución de la cual gira el proceso mediador. La investigación que se presenta hace una evaluación del funcionamiento de este Programa con el objetivo de constatar si la mediación penal puede satisfacer algunas de las necesidades de las víctimas de delitos. La valoración que hacen las víctimas que han participado en el estudio de evaluación es positiva. Los principales beneficios que destacan son la reparación material, recibir las disculpas del infractor, poder explicar su vivencia y sentirse escuchadas, y poder participar en la resolución de su propio procedimiento y en la resolución final del conflicto.

Contribution of neural networks to Alzheimer disease's progression.

The neuropathology of Alzheimer disease is characterized by senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and cell death. These hallmarks develop according to the differential vulnerability of brain networks, senile plaques accumulating preferentially in the associative cortical areas and neurofibrillary tangles in the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus. We suggest that the main aetiological hypotheses such as the beta-amyloid cascade hypothesis or its variant, the synaptic beta-amyloid hypothesis, will have to consider neural networks not just as targets of degenerative processes but also as contributors of the disease's progression and of its phenotype. Three domains of research are highlighted in this review. First, the cerebral reserve and the redundancy of the network's elements are related to brain vulnerability. Indeed, an enriched environment appears to increase the cerebral reserve as well as the threshold of disease's onset. Second, disease's progression and memory performance cannot be explained by synaptic or neuronal loss only, but also by the presence of compensatory mechanisms, such as synaptic scaling, at the microcircuit level. Third, some phenotypes of Alzheimer disease, such as hallucinations, appear to be related to progressive dysfunction of neural networks as a result, for instance, of a decreased signal to noise ratio, involving a diminished activity of the cholinergic system. Overall, converging results from studies of biological as well as artificial neural networks lead to the conclusion that changes in neural networks contribute strongly to Alzheimer disease's progression.

Generative FDG-PET and MRI model of aging and disease progression in Alzheimer's disease.

The failure of current strategies to provide an explanation for controversial findings on the pattern of pathophysiological changes in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) motivates the necessity to develop new integrative approaches based on multi-modal neuroimaging data that captures various aspects of disease pathology. Previous studies using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) report controversial results about time-line, spatial extent and magnitude of glucose hypometabolism and atrophy in AD that depend on clinical and demographic characteristics of the studied populations. Here, we provide and validate at a group level a generative anatomical model of glucose hypo-metabolism and atrophy progression in AD based on FDG-PET and sMRI data of 80 patients and 79 healthy controls to describe expected age and symptom severity related changes in AD relative to a baseline provided by healthy aging. We demonstrate a high level of anatomical accuracy for both modalities yielding strongly age- and symptom-severity- dependant glucose hypometabolism in temporal, parietal and precuneal regions and a more extensive network of atrophy in hippocampal, temporal, parietal, occipital and posterior caudate regions. The model suggests greater and more consistent changes in FDG-PET compared to sMRI at earlier and the inversion of this pattern at more advanced AD stages. Our model describes, integrates and predicts characteristic patterns of AD related pathology, uncontaminated by normal age effects, derived from multi-modal data. It further provides an integrative explanation for findings suggesting a dissociation between early- and late-onset AD. The generative model offers a basis for further development of individualized biomarkers allowing accurate early diagnosis and treatment evaluation.