Toll-like receptors and NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pathways in Parkinson’s disease: mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Journal of Neurology - Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor disturbances as a result of a complex and not fully...     

Gender differences in the effects of methylphenidate on energy intake in young adults: a preliminary study

The present study examined gender differences in response to methylphenidate (MPH) on energy intake and macronutrient preference. Twelve adults (6 men, 6 women) were given placebo or short-acting MPH (0.5 mg/kg) in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover fashion. One hour after drug administration, appetite sensations and the relative reinforcing value of energy-dense snack food were measured, followed immediately by energy intake and macronutrient preference during a buffet lunch. Relative to placebo, men exhibited a significantly greater reduction in energy intake, fat intake, and carbohydrate intake after MPH administration compared with women. Future research is needed to verify these initial findings.     

Pancreatic enzyme therapy in childhood celiac disease

The validity of pancreatic enzyme substitution therapy in the two months following diagnosis of celiac disease was investigated. Twenty patients (8 males, 12 females), mean age 14.2 months (group A) received an enzyme substitution preparation. The control group (group B) included 20 patients (9 males, 11 females), mean age 14.5 months, treated with placebo. Before starting treatment, we performed a stratification for age, weight-for-age at diagnosis, and degree of pancreatic insufficiency. The therapies were then administered randomly in double-blind fashion. On diagnosis and 30 and 60 days after commencement of a gluten-free diet with identical calorie intake in both groups, a series of anthropometric variables were determined. After 30 days weight increase in group A patients was significantly higher (in grams) than in group B: 1131±461 vs 732±399 (P<0.006). Weight-for-age increase also was greater in group A than in group B: 9.2±5.1% vs 5.0±4.0% (P<0.002). The increase in height Z score, weight-for-height, arm circumference, and subscapular and tricipital fold measurements were greater in group A patients than those in group B, but the difference was not significant. After 60 days of therapy none of the parameters considered were significantly different in the two groups. We concluded that pancreatic enzyme therapy is certainly useful in the first 30 days after diagnosis of celiac disease.     

Pancreatic enzymes in chronic renal failure and transplant patients.

The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency and degree of elevated serum levels of Total Amylase (TA), Pancreatic Amylase (PA), and Lipase (L) activity in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on conservative therapy; CRF on periodical hemodialysis (HD); in renal transplant (RT) and in a control Group (C). Mean values were significantly higher in all groups than Group C for TA (p < 0.005), PA (p < 0.0001) and L (p < 0.0001). A statistically significant correlation was found between TA and L vs creatininemia values in CRF patients, but only up to a certain level (creatininemia < 6 mg %) (p < 0.03 and p < 0.05), above which there was no correlation. The enzyme most frequently over the maximum normal limit was PA, both in the total CRF group (51%), in the hemodialysis patients (65%), and in the RT patients (55%); but only a few patients had values two times higher than the normal limits: 15% in the total CRF, 14% is the hemodialysis, and 10% in the RT groups, respectively. These results suggest that the increase in serum pancreatic enzyme during chronic renal pathology is slight but frequently occurs. It is possible that in these patients together with the renal excretion impairment there could also be some subclinical pancreatic damage; its genesis could also depend on the pharmacological treatment used (diuretics, immunosuppressive drugs) commonly adopted in these pathologies.     

Scapular angular positioning at end range internal rotation in cases of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. OBJECTIVES: Investigate the relationship between glenohumeral internal rotation range-of-motion deficit and 3-dimensional scapular angular positioning during active arm movements in participants with recent participation in overhead sports activity. BACKGROUND: Subacromial impingement is one of the most common shoulder pathologies and is multifactorial in etiology. Posterior glenohumeral joint capsule tightness has been theorized to contribute to one potential causal factor: abnormal scapular positioning. METHODS AND MEASURES: Twenty-three subjects, who had participated in competitive sports involving overhead activity within the last 5 years, were categorized into 2 groups based on the degree of glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (20% deficit threshold). Scapular angular positioning of subjects performing shoulder internal rotation from 90 degrees flexion and abduction shoulder positions was evaluated using 3-dimensional electromagnetic surface tracking. Additional sensors monitored trunk and humeral motion. Scapular position data at end range glenohumeral internal rotation, along with glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion measurements, were used to analyze the relationship between glenohumeral internal rotation deficit and scapular position using 2-way ANOVA and regression analyses. RESULTS: The internal rotation deficit group had significantly greater scapular anterior tilt (9.2 degrees difference, P = .04) across positions, as compared to the control group. Regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between glenohumeral internal rotation deficit and scapular position (tilting) during flexed internal rotation (r(2) = 0.37, P = .03) and for scapular position (anterior tilting and upward rotation) during abducted internal rotation (r = 0.35, P = .036). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate a significant relationship between glenohumeral internal rotation deficit and abnormal scapular positioning, particularly increased anterior tilt. This relationship identifies a possible mechanism for development of excessive scapular anterior tilt.