Role of indigenous microbial communities in the mobilization of potentially toxic elements and rare-earth elements from alkaline mine waste.

This study aims to evaluate the role of indigenous microorganisms in the mobilization of potentially toxic elements (PTE) and rare-earth elements (REE), the influence of the bioavailability of carbon sources that might boost microbial leaching, and the generation of neutral/alkaline mine drainage from alkaline tailings. These tailings, with significant concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), were mainly colonized by bacteria belonging to the genera Sphingomonas, Novosphingobium and Solirubrobacter, and fungi of the genera Alternaria, Sarocladium and Aspergillus. Functionality analysis suggests the capability of these microorganisms to leach PTE and REE.

British doctors' work-life balance and home-life satisfaction: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To assess British doctors' work-life balance, home-life satisfaction and associated barriers.

Study Design: We designed an online survey using Google Forms and distributed this via a closed social media group with 7031 members, exclusively run for British doctors. No identifiable data were collected and all respondents provided consent for their responses to be used anonymously.

Bacterial communities shift and influence in an acid mine drainage treatment using barium carbonate disperse alkaline substrate system.

Chemical passive treatment systems used to remediate acid mine drainage has been evaluated based mainly on the reactivity of the chemical alkaline reagents, overlooking the activity of the microorganisms that proliferate in these artificial ecosystems. In this study, the bacterial communities of a unique passive treatment system known as BDAS (Barium carbonate Dispersed Alkaline Substrate) were investigated using 16S rRNA gene metagenomic sequencing combined with hydrochemical characterization of the AMD and phenotypic characterization of biogenic precipitates. According to the hydrochemical characterization, the water quality improved as the water progressed through the system, with a drastic increase in the pH (up to alkaline conditions) and total organic carbon, as well as the removal of main contaminants such as Ca, SO, Fe, Al, and Mn.

Presenilin 1 Modulates Acetylcholinesterase Trafficking and Maturation.

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the reduction in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymatic activity is not paralleled with changes in its protein levels, suggesting the presence of a considerable enzymatically inactive pool in the brain. In the present study, we validated previous findings, and, since inactive forms could result from post-translational modifications, we analyzed the glycosylation of AChE by lectin binding in brain samples from sporadic and familial AD (sAD and fAD). Most of the enzymatically active AChE was bound to lectins (Con A) and (LCA) that recognize terminal mannoses, whereas Western blot assays showed a very low percentage of AChE protein being recognized by the lectin.

British doctors' work-life balance and home-life satisfaction: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To assess British doctors' work-life balance, home-life satisfaction and associated barriers.

Study Design: We designed an online survey using Google Forms and distributed this via a closed social media group with 7031 members, exclusively run for British doctors. No identifiable data were collected and all respondents provided consent for their responses to be used anonymously.

Microplastic particles in the aquatic environment: A systematic review.

Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become one of the most severe environmental concerns today. MPs persist in the environment and cause adverse effects in organisms. This review aims to present a state-of-the-art overview of MPs in the aquatic environment.

COVID-19-associated encephalitis successfully treated with combination therapy.

Background: Acute encephalitis can occur in different viral diseases due to infection of the brain or by an immune mechanism. Severe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a major immune inflammatory response with cytokine upregulation including interleukin 6 (IL-6). We report a case presenting with acute encephalitis that was diagnosed as having severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with hyperinflammatory systemic response and recovered after therapy with immunoglobulins and cytokine blockade.

Tau phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 3β modulates enzyme acetylcholinesterase expression.

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) co-localizes with hyperphosphorylated tau (P-tau) within neurofibrillary tangles. Having demonstrated that AChE expression is increased in the transgenic mouse model of tau Tg-VLW, here we examined whether modulating phosphorylated tau levels by over-expressing wild-type human tau and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) influences AChE expression. In SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells expressing higher levels of P-tau, AChE activity and protein increased by (20% ± 2%) and (440% ± 150%), respectively.

Levels of ADAM10 are reduced in Alzheimer's disease CSF.

Background: The disintegrin metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) is the main α-secretase acting in the non-amyloidogenic processing of the amyloid precursor protein. This study assesses whether ADAM10 is present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and whether it has potential as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: ADAM10 was characterized in human CSF samples by immunoprecipitation and western blotting using antibodies specific for different domains of the protein and by ultracentrifugation in sucrose density gradients.

CSF Presenilin-1 complexes are increased in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Presenilin-1 (PS1) is the active component of the amyloid precursor protein cleaving γ-secretase complex. PS1 protein is a transmembrane protein containing multiple hydrophobic regions which presence in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has not been measured to date. This study assesses whether PS1 and other components of the γ-secretase complex are present in CSF.

Oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment with high sensitivity and specificity.

Some studies have determined that oxidative stress is a decisive factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and even suggested that it is present in the initial phase of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of our study was to investigate the process of oxidative stress by measuring the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), the specific activity of two peripheral antioxidant defenses (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ceruloplasmin), and the level of copper in AD and MCI patients and compare those results with healthy subjects. The sample group consisted of 36 patients with AD, 18 patients with MCI, and 33 healthy aged subjects.

Clinical Approach to Diagnosis of Pre-Dementia Alzheimer's Disease (CAD-PAD).

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate clinical and neuropsychological features to identify pre-dementia Alzheimer's disease (PAD) among mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients.

Methods: A longitudinal prospective study of 89 consecutive patients affected with MCI was conducted. Clinical evaluation consisted of a clinical interview protocol, neuropsychological evaluation, standard laboratory tests, and CT scan.

Nutritional status of under-five children in Bangladesh: a multilevel analysis.

The nutritional status of under-five children is a sensitive sign of a country's health status as well as economic condition. This study investigated the differential impact of some demographic, socioeconomic, environmental and health-related factors on the nutritional status among under-five children in Bangladesh using Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2007 data. Two-level random intercept binary logistic regression models were used to identify the determinants of under-five malnutrition.

A new lectin from the tuberous rhizome of Kaempferia rotunda: isolation, characterization, antibacterial and antiproliferative activities.

A lectin (designated as KRL) was purified from the extracts of Kaempferia rotunda Linn. tuberous rhizome by glucose-sepharose affinity chromatography. KRL was determined to be a 29.

Altered levels of acetylcholinesterase in Alzheimer plasma.

Background: Many studies have been conducted in an extensive effort to identify alterations in blood cholinesterase levels as a consequence of disease, including the analysis of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in plasma. Conventional assays using selective cholinesterase inhibitors have not been particularly successful as excess amounts of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) pose a major problem.

Principal Findings: Here we have estimated the levels of AChE activity in human plasma by first immunoprecipitating BuChE and measuring AChE activity in the immunodepleted plasma.

Relationship between the efficacy of rivastigmine and apolipoprotein E (epsilon4) in patients with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer disease.

Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia in Western countries and the leading cause of disability in the over-65 population. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a multifunctional protein implied in lipid metabolism and neurobiology. Polymorphisms of the APOE gene have been associated with a variety of medical disorders, from arteriosclerosis to AD.

[Proposal of criteria for clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease].

The most widely accepted criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis (NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV) do not allow to differentiate accurately between AD and other degenerative dementias which have recently formulated criteria for its clinical diagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to bring AD diagnostic criteria up to date in order to optimise their specificity, by assessing its most specific clinical manifestations, its most representative markers and those features typical of other diseases which are usually taken into account for a differential diagnosis. According to the latest reports on the subject, the disturbances suffered by memory, behaviour and the rest of cognitive and executive functions must be equally considered when establishing the syndromic diagnosis of dementia; this will always require the coexistence of an evident functional impairment.

[Multicenter register of index cases of dementia. A study by the Spanish Neurological Society's dementia group].

We report the objectives and case registration methods used by neurologists belonging to the Spanish Neurological Society's dementia group (GERMICIDE). Forerunners of the present project are also described. The group's principal aim, which is to determine the distribution of dementia in the "neurological" environment is pursued by enrolling consecutive index cases (new presentations) arriving at 18 Spanish neurological units over a period of 2 years.

[Study of neurological and cognitive changes in patients in stage III and initial phases of stage IV of infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1].

Background: To evaluate the prevalence of neurological and cognitive disorders in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

Methods: A transversal prospective study was carried out in 56 patients with HIV-1 and in 18 seronegative subjects by a protocolized neurological and cognitive examination.

Results: Twenty-seven patients were intravenous drug users (IVDU) and 29 were male homosexuals.

Subacute cerebellar syndrome as the first manifestation of AIDS dementia complex.

A patient presented with a subacute cerebellar syndrome in absence of cognitive impairment or other symptoms. He became demented several months after the onset of the disease. Necropsy demonstrated the typical features of the AIDS dementia complex and severe loss of Purkinje cells of the cerebellum.