Opioid receptor binding in parahippocampus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy: its association with the antiepileptic effects of subacute electrical stimulation.

Opioid receptor binding was evaluated in parahippocampal cortex (PHC) obtained from patients with intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) with and without subacute high frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) in this brain area. Mu, delta and nociceptin receptor binding was determined by autoradiography in PHC of five patients (ESAE group) with MTLE history of 14.8 +/- 2.5 years and seizure frequency of 11 +/- 2.9 per month, two of them (40%) with mesial sclerosis. This group demonstrated antiepileptic effects following subacute HFS (130 Hz, 450 micros, 200-400 microA), applied continuously during 16-20 days in PHC. Values were compared with those obtained from patients with severe MTLE (history of 21.7 +/- 2.8 years and seizure frequency of 28.2 +/- 14 per month) in whom electrical stimulation did not induce antiepileptic effects (ESWAE group, n = 4), patients with MTLE in whom no electrical stimulation was applied (MTLE group, n = 4) and autopsy material acquired from subjects without epilepsy (n = 4 obtained from three subjects). Enhanced 3H-DAMGO (MTLE, 755%; ESAE, 375%; ESWAE, 693%), 3H-DPDPE (MTLE, 242%; ESAE, 80%; ESWAE, 346%) and 3H-nociceptin (MTLE, 424%; ESAE, 217%; ESWAE, 451%) binding was detected in the PHC of all epileptic groups. However, tissue obtained from ESAE group demonstrated lower opioid receptor binding (3H-DAMGO, 44.5%, p < 0.05; 3H-DPDPE, 47%, p < 0.05; 3H-nociceptin, 39.3%, p < 0.5) when compared with MTLE group. The present results indicate that a high effectiveness to the antiepileptic effects induced by HFS is associated with reduced opioid peptide binding.     

Synapse-Binding Subpopulations of Aβ Oligomers Sensitive to Peptide Assembly Blockers and scFv Antibodies

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Characterising the KMP-11 and HSP-70 recombinant antigens' humoral immune response profile in chagasic patients

Background  

Antigen specificity and IgG subclass could be significant in the natural history of Chagas' disease. The relationship between the different stages of human Chagas' disease and the profiles of total IgG and its subclasses were thus analysed here; they were directed against a crude T. cruzi extract and three recombinant antigens: the T. cruzi kinetoplastid membrane protein-11 (rKMP-11), an internal fragment of the T. cruzi HSP-70 protein_192-433, and the entire Trypanosoma rangeli HSP-70 protein.     

Protophormia terraenovae. A new allergenic species in amateur fishermen of Caceres,Spain

BackgroundAsticot maggot (Blowfly, Calliphoridae family) is the most important live bait used for angling in our country. Prevalence of allergy to live fish bait in occupationally exposed workers has been described. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of asticot allergy in amateur fishermen and the identification of marketed asticot species in Cáceres, Spain.Materials and MethodsSeventy-two randomised selected patients (Angler's Society of Cáceres) completed a questionnaire about fishing habits and allergic symptoms related with live bait handling. Skin prick test (SPT) with local asticot and common earthworm extracts were performed. Serum IgE levels to imported species (Protophormia terraenovae, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lumbricus terrestris) were measured. Local asticot and common earthworm samples were obtained for taxonomic identification. Data were analysed using the SPSS 12.0 software.ResultsFive patients (7 %) reported allergic symptoms caused by asticot maggots. All of them were positive for SPT to asticot and specific IgE to P. terraenovae. Sensitisation to P. terraenovae was found in 40 patients (58.8 %). No associated factors for asticot allergy were observed. Larvae and adult flies of local asticot samples were identified as P. terraenovae.ConclusionsCommercially available asticot, in Cáceres, is composed by P. terraenovae larvae (Diptera. Calliphoridae). A 7 % prevalence of P. terraenovae allergy in amateur fishermen of Cáceres was obtained. The allergenic potential of P. terraenovae seems to be greater than that of other blowflies and L. terrestris. The SPT with P. terraenovae extract is a very sensitive and specific technique in the diagnosis of live bait allergy in fishermen.     

High prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in urban Latin America: the CARMELA Study

Aims Cardiovascular risk is increased with glucose metabolism abnormalities. Prevalence data can support public health initiatives required to address this risk. The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and related risk factors in seven urban Latin American populations. Methods CARMELA was a cross‐sectional, population‐based study of 11 550 adults 25–64 years of age. With a multi‐stage sample design of a probabilistic nature, approximately 1600 subjects were randomly selected in each city. Results Overall, the prevalence of diabetes was 7.0% (95% confidence intervals 6.5–7.6%). The prevalence of individuals with diabetes or impaired fasting glucose increased with increasing age. In the oldest age category, 55–64 years of age, prevalence of diabetes ranged from 9 to 22% and prevalence of impaired fasting glucose ranged from 3 to 6%. Only 16.3% of people with prior diagnosis of diabetes and who were receiving pharmacologic treatment, were in good glycaemic control (fasting glucose < 6.1 mmol/l). The prevalence of diabetes in individuals with abdominal obesity was approximately twofold higher. Participants with hypertension, elevated serum triglycerides and increased common carotid artery intima‐media thickness were also more likely to have diabetes. Conclusions The prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose is high in seven major Latin American cities; intervention is needed to avoid substantial medical and socio‐economic consequences. CARMELA supports the associations of abdominal obesity, hypertension, elevated serum triglycerides and carotid intima‐media thickness with diabetes.