Clinical and single-photon emission computed tomography study of pure akinesia with freezing of gait

The clinical syndrome of pure akinesia (PA) is considered the third phenotype of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and is characterized by freezing of gait and prominent speech disturbance without rigidity or tremor. It is frequently considered one of the dopamine resistant motor syndromes, and its pathophysiology remains unclear. We report a patient followed in the Department of Neurology of Razi Hospital, Tunisia, with PA with gait freezing (PAGF) with a frontal hypoperfusion on single photon emission CT and non-responsive dopa therapy. We discuss the clinical features of PAGF and efficiency of treatment options.     

Correlation between heart rate and performance during Olympic windsurfing competition

The aim of this study was to examine the heart rate (HR) response to Olympic windsurfing competition and to check if there was any correlation between racing HR, performance, and the variables measured during laboratory maximal exercise. Ten elite windsurfers [age: 20.93 (3.46) years; height: 178.10 (6.34) cm; body mass: 66.79 (5.90) kg] performed a laboratory maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) trial and national windsurf competitions wearing a HR monitor. One hundred and forty-three individual races were examined. Racing HR was expressed as a percentage of (1) HR_max (maximal treadmill HR) and (2) HR_reserve (HR_max−HR_rest). The performance (racing classification: RC, which is inversely proportional to performance) was significantly correlated to the racing HR response in both light wind (LW): LW−RC=−0.12(%HR_reserve)+13.03; r=−0.71, r ²=0.50, p<0.001, and medium wind (MW): MW−RC=−0.11(%HR_reserve)+10.99; r=−0.66, r ²=0.43, p<0.001. The results showed similar correlations between performance and %HR_max. Post racing lactate concentration was higher in LW compared to MW [7.14 (0.21) and 5.18 (2.02) mmol·l⁻¹, respectively]. There was a negative correlation between the highest racing HR (%HR_reserve) of each athlete and the second ventilatory threshold expressed as a percentage of VO˙_2max (r=–0.71, p<0.05). To summarize, this study showed that light and medium wind Olympic windsurfing performances are highly dependent on the capacity of the athlete to maintain a high HR for long periods of time. Furthermore, windsurfing is highly dependent on the athlete's physical fitness level as shown by the correlations between racing HRs and laboratory physiological variables. Electronic Publication     

CpG methylation of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) and P53 mutation pattern in sporadic colorectal cancer

Tumor Biology - The ubiquitin-proteasome system plays an essential regulatory role in various cellular processes. Besides its involvement in normal cellular functions, the alteration of proteasomal...     

Genoprotective and neuroprotective effects of Daphne gnidium leaf methanol extract,tested on male mice

Methanol extract of Daphne gnidium leaves was assessed for its antigenotoxic and neuroprotective effects through antioxidant and antibutyrylcholinesterase activities. Antigenotoxic activity was evaluated against methyl methanesulfonate injected intraperitoneally to mice, using the comet assay. The protective effect of D. gnidium reached 99.12%, at the lowest tested dose (44?mg/kg b.w.) in kidney cells, and 92.16% at the dose of 88?mg/kg b.w. in blood cells. The extract was dissolved in water and administrated to mice by intraperitoneal injection. Antioxidant activity was tested against DPPH radicals. It reached a maximum of 74.52% with an IC₅₀ value of 45?µg/ml. Anticholinesterase activity was determined against butyrylcholinesterase, an enzyme linked to Alzheimer disease. The extract exhibited antibutyrylcholinestrase effect with an inhibition percentage of 35.82% at the lowest tested dose (44?mg/kg b.w.).