Residual signal auto-correlation to evaluate speech in Parkinson's disease patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maximum residual signal auto-correlation also known as pitch amplitude (PA) values in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. METHOD: The signals of 21 Parkinson's patients were compared with 15 healthy individuals, divided according age and gender. RESULTS: Statistical difference was seen between groups for PA, 0.39 for controls and 0.25 for PD. Normal value threshold was set as 0.3; (p<0.001). In the Parkinson's group 80.77%, and in the control group only 12.28%, had a PA<0.3 demonstrating an association between these variables. The dispersion diagram for age and PA for PD individuals showed p=0.01 and r=0.54. There was no significant difference in relation to gender and PA between groups. CONCLUSION: The significant differences in pitchs amplitude between PD patients and healthy individuals demonstrate the methods specificity. The results showed the need of prospective controlled studies to improve the use and indications of residual signal auto-correlation to evaluate speech in PD patients.     

Long-term results of correction of tetralogy of Fallot in adulthood.

OBJECTIVES: The natural history of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) allows that a minority of patients reach adulthood without any treatment, representing mild forms of the disease. The aim of this study is the long-term evaluation of patients with TOF surgically treated in adulthood, in order to define its real benefit. METHODS: Between November 1982 and January 2001, 39 patients older than 18 years of age with tetralogy of Fallot underwent total correction. Mean age was 26.6 years (range 18-67) and 21 patients (53.8%) were females. A previous modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was performed in four patients (10.3%). Fifteen patients (38.5%) were in NYHA functional class III or IV. Mean hematocrit was 53.6+/-10% and the mean gradient across the right-ventricular outflow tract was 93.9+/-24.8 mmHg. The operation was performed via transatrial/transpulmonary approach in 16 patients (41%) and six patients (15.4%) required transannular patch. Pulmonary valvotomy was necessary in 13 patients (33.3%) and pulmonary valve replacement with bioprosthesis in 3 patients (7.7%). RESULTS: Hospital and late mortality were 5.1 and 7.7%, respectively. The mean follow-up was 45.1 months (range 1-194 months). Actuarial survival was 91.2+/-4.9%, 85.5+/-7.2% and 68.4+/-16.3% at 3, 7 and 15 years, respectively. In the latest follow-up, 27 (79.4%) of the survivals are presently in NYHA functional class I (P<0.001). Echocardiography has shown moderate/severe pulmonary insufficiency in 9 patients (26.5%), moderate pulmonary stenosis in 3 patients (8.8%) and residual ventricular septal defect in 4 patients (11.8%). Arrhythmias were identified in 38.9% of patients with symptoms suspicious of rhythm disturbances. There was impairment of right-ventricular function in 13 patients (38.2%). Three patients were reoperated on to close residual ventricular septal defects in two patients and for pulmonary valve replacement in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The overall survival of surgically treated adult patients with TOF is acceptable. The great benefit of the complete repair at this age is the functional improvement. On the other hand, late complications closely related to chronic hypoxia, such as arrhythmia and ventricular dysfunction might direct for a more careful follow-up after the surgical correction.     

Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary in pregnancy

The ultrasonographic evidence of an irregular mixed mass, cystic and solid, in retrouterine area and the high levels of alpha(1)-FP values in a young pregnant woman, indicated the possibility of an ovarian germ cell neoplasia. Respecting the patient's will, pregnancy was protracted until the 36th week. A cesarian section allowed the releasing of a vital fetus and the removal of a neoplastic mass which proved to be an endodermal sinus tumor (EST) at stage Ia. Then the patient, the 12th case of EST in pregnancy reported in the literature, underwent 5 PVB chemotherapy cycles and, 3 years after the intervention, appears disease-free.     

Supplementation of Jurkat T cells with green tea extract decreases oxidative damage due to iron treatment

Regular tea consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer. As demonstrated in vitro, green tea contains catechins with antioxidant properties. We evaluated the effect of the supplementation of the Jurkat T-cell line with green tea extract on oxidative damage. Cells grown in medium with or without green tea extract (10 mg/L) were treated with Fe(2+) (100 micromol/L) as an oxidative stimulus for 2 h. Cell membrane lipid peroxidation was evaluated by fatty acids pattern analysis and malondialdehyde production in alpha-linolenic acid-loaded cells. Furthermore, oxidative DNA damage (single strand breaks) was detected in cells by the Comet assay and quantified as relative tail moment (RTM). Supplementation with green tea extract significantly decreased malondialdehyde production (1.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.6 +/- 0.1 nmol/mg protein, P < 0.05) and DNA damage (0.32 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.04 RTM, P < 0.05) after Fe(2+) oxidative treatment. In control cells, there was no effect on membrane distribution of (n-3) fatty acids due to Fe(2+) treatment. Cell enrichment with alpha-linolenic acid increased total membrane (n-3) fatty acids. However, the oxidative treatment did not modify the distribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is likely that the observed protective effects can be attributed to epigallocatechin gallate, which is present mainly (670 g/kg) in green tea extract; however, we cannot exclude contributions by other catechins. These data support a protective effect of green tea against oxidative damage.     

Chorioretinopathy and discoid plaque-like lesions of the eyelids as useful indicators of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) progression.

Choroidal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs infrequently. We report a 45-y-old woman with bilateral chorioretinopathy associated with SLE. Diagnosis was performed using indirect ophthalmoscopy, retinal fluorescein angiography (FA) and green indocianin angiography (ICG). In this patient chorioretinopathy and discoid-like plaque of the lids represented the only signs of SLE progression after 15 y of apparent remission of systemic disease.     

A single portion of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L) improves protection against DNA damage but not vascular function in healthy male volunteers

It has been suggested that anthocyanin-rich foods may exert antioxidant effects and improve vascular function as demonstrated mainly in vitro and in the animal model. Blueberries are rich sources of anthocyanins and we hypothesized that their intake could improve cell protection against oxidative stress and affect endothelial function in humans. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of one portion (300 g) of blueberries on selected markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant protection (endogenous and oxidatively induced DNA damage) and of vascular function (changes in peripheral arterial tone and plasma nitric oxide levels) in male subjects. In a randomized cross-over design, separated by a wash out period ten young volunteers received one portion of blueberries ground by blender or one portion of a control jelly. Before and after consumption (at 1, 2, and 24 hours), blood samples were collected and used to evaluate anthocyanin absorption (through mass spectrometry), endogenous and H₂O₂-induced DNA damage in blood mononuclear cells (through the comet assay), and plasma nitric oxide concentrations (through a fluorometric assay). Peripheral arterial function was assessed by means of Endo-PAT 2000. Blueberries significantly reduced (P < .01) H₂O₂-induced DNA damage (−18%) 1 hour after blueberry consumption compared to control. No significant differences were observed for endogenous DNA damage, peripheral arterial function and nitric oxide levels after blueberry intake. In conclusion, one portion of blueberries seems sufficient to improve cell antioxidant defense against DNA damage, but further studies are necessary to understand their role on vascular function.     

Effect of Broccoli Intake on Markers Related to Oxidative Stress and Cancer Risk in Healthy Smokers and Nonsmokers

Cruciferous vegetables (CVs) have been widely studied for their anticarcinogenic properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of broccoli intake in smokers and nonsmokers.

Twenty young healthy males (10 smokers and 10 nonsmokers) were randomized in a cross-over design and received a portion of broccoli (200 g) or maintained a controlled diet for 10 days each. The two periods were separated by a wash out period (20 days). Blood samples were collected at 0, 10, 30, and 40 days and used for the evaluation of DNA damage, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and histone deacetylase (HDAC). Ex vivo protection from H ₂ O ₂ -induced DNA damage and endogenous DNA damage were evaluated in lymphocytes by means of the comet assay. Strand breaks decreased significantly after the broccoli diet in smokers as well as in nonsmokers (?22.2%; P < 0.0001), whereas oxidized purines decreased significantly only in smokers (?51.0%; P < 0.0001). Broccoli intake did not modify HDAC activity and IGF-I serum levels. Our results strengthen the importance of consuming CVs to increase cell protection against DNA damage. Future investigation, with different amount of broccoli and/or different time of exposure, is needed to understand the lack of effect on HDAC activity and IGF-I levels.