Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Bulbar Dysfunction Index-Remote: Test-Retest and Interrater Reliability of Candidate Items.

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to establish the reliability of candidate items as a step in the development of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Bulbar Dysfunction Index-Remote (ALS-BDI-Remote), a novel tool being developed for the detection and monitoring of bulbar signs and symptoms in remote settings.

Method: The set of candidate items included 40 items covering three domains: cranial nerve examination, auditory-perceptual evaluation, and functional assessment. Forty-eight participants diagnosed with ALS and exhibiting a range of bulbar disease severity were included.

The second point mutation in PREPL: a case report and literature review.

Prolyl endopeptidase-like (PREPL) deficiency (MIM# 616224) is a rare autosomal recessive inherited congenital myasthenic syndrome characterized by neonatal hypotonia, feeding problems, mild dysmorphism, and neuromuscular symptoms, followed by hyperphagia and obesity in later childhood. Some patients also exhibit growth deficits, sexual hormone deficiency, and cognitive impairments. This syndrome is caused by biallelic mutations in PREPL.

Heavy metals in the liver and muscle of Micropogonias manni fish from Budi Lake, Araucania Region, Chile: potential risk for humans.

The concentrations of cadmium, lead, manganese and zinc were determined in the fish species Micropogonias manni captured in Budi Lake, Araucanía Region (Chile). The measurements were made by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the analysis considered the sex, weight and size of the species; the representative samples were taken from the liver and muscle tissue. The method was validated using certified reference material (DOLT-1).

Anatomic outcome of percutaneous release among patients with trigger finger.

Purpose: To investigate the adequacy and safety of percutaneous trigger finger release on symptomatic patients.

Methods: Two orthopedic non-hand surgeons performed percutaneous A1 pulley release on the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers with the use of a 19-gauge needle in 25 fingers of 24 patients. Open inspection was then performed to determine the extent of release and any injury to the surrounding anatomic structures.

Drought-induced oxidative stress in Canarian laurel forest tree species growing under controlled conditions.

We studied photoprotection and antioxidative protection in the three major species of the Canarian laurel forest (Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco, Persea indica (L.) K.