Using genetic diversity information to establish core collections of Stylosanthes capitata and Stylosanthes macrocephala.

Stylosanthes species are important forage legumes in tropical and subtropical areas. S. macrocephala and S.

Chronic effects of carbamazepine on life-history strategies of Ceriodaphnia dubia in three successive generations.

Trace quantities of pharmaceuticals are continuously being discharged into the environment through domestic and industrial wastewater effluents, causing concern among scientists and regulators regarding potential long-term impacts on aquatic ecosystems. These compounds and their metabolites are constantly interacting with organisms at various life-cycle stages and may differentially influence the development of embryonic, larval, juvenile, and adult stages. To understand the possible cumulative effects of exposure to carbamazepine (CBZ), a multigenerational approach was taken in which survival, reproduction, respiration, growth, brood size, and biomass of Ceriodaphnia dubia were assessed at sublethal concentrations over the course of three successive generations.

[Levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease: myths and realties].

In recent years we have witnessed a growing tendency to opt for the use of dopamine agonists (DA) as treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), with the aim of delaying as far as possible the development of fluctuations and dyskinesias. Yet, levodopa continues to be the most effective antiparkinson drug and is probably the one that improves the greatest number of symptoms of the disease. This article reports on the results of a comprehensive review of the literature dealing with the benefits and risks of levodopa treatment in patients with PD which was conducted by a group of expert neurologists and members of the Spanish Neurology Society's Movement Disorder Group.

Complete genome sequence of "Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum" BT-QVLC, an obligate symbiont that supplies amino acids and carotenoids to Bemisia tabaci.

The genome of "Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum," the primary endosymbiont of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Mediterranean species), is reported. It presents a reduced genome (357 kb) encoding the capability to synthetize, or participate in the synthesis of, several amino acids and carotenoids, being the first insect endosymbiont capable of supplying carotenoids.

The effects of auditory startle and nonstartle stimuli on step initiation in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Auditory external cues enhance step initiation in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. We wanted to explore whether a startle reaction has a comparable effect on step initiation in PD.

Methods: Thirteen PD patients and 13 aged-matched controls participated in this study.

Field and laboratory fish tissue accumulation of the anti-convulsant drug carbamazepine.

Understanding the potential for human and veterinary pharmaceuticals to accumulate in the tissues of biota is a topic of increasing importance in the pharmaceutical risk assessment process. However, few data are available in the literature that compare the ability of laboratory bioconcentration studies to predict field tissue concentrations. To begin to address this data gap, bioconcentration factors (BCF) for carbamazepine (CBZ), a human anticonvulsant that modulates Na+ channels, were determined using laboratory experiments with Pimephales notatus and Ictalurus punctatus.

Frequency and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella serotypes on beef carcasses at small abattoirs in Jalisco State, Mexico.

The prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella serotypes on beef carcasses from four small abattoirs in Jalisco State, Mexico, were investigated during a 10-month period. Following U.S.

Levodopa dosage determines adherence to long-acting dopamine agonists in Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To test whether adherence to non-ergot, once-daily dopamine agonist (ODDA) therapy depends upon concomitant levodopa daily dose in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: Consecutive levodopa-treated PD patients on ODDA therapy were invited to participate in the study. ODDA adherence was measured using subjective (Morisky-Green test, MGT) and objective (electronic monitoring of refill compliance, IANUS) methods.

Identification of Stylosanthes guianensis varieties using molecular genetic analysis.

Background And Aims: The botanical classification of Stylosanthes guianensis is controversial, and few studies have used molecular markers to analyse this species. We used microsatellite markers to study the genetic diversity and population structure of S. guianensis and compare our results with the current infraspecific botanical classification.

Extracts of edible and medicinal plants in inhibition of growth, adherence, and cytotoxin production of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli.

Unlabelled: Campylobacter spp. is recognized as one of the most common cause of food-borne bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Campylobacter infection causes campylobacteriosis, which can range from asymptomatic to dysentery-type illnesses with severe complications, such as Guillian-Barre syndrome.

Efficacy of two different stretch training programs (passive vs. proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) on shoulder and hip range of motion in older people.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of 2 methods of stretch training (passive and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation [PNF]) on range of motion (ROM) in older people between the age of 60 and 70 years over a period of 13 weeks. Fifty-four participants (39 women and 15 men) were divided into 3 groups: passive (n = 17; 66.5 ± 6.

Coenzyme Q10 in salivary cells correlate with blood cells in Fibromyalgia: improvement in clinical and biochemical parameter after oral treatment.

Objective: We have determined Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) levels in salivary cells (SCs) and mononuclear blood cells (BMCs) from Fibromyalgia (FM), and we study the influence of oral CoQ(10) supplementation on cells levels and clinical symptoms.

Methods: CoQ(10) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ten patients were supplemented daily with 300 mg of CoQ(10) during 3 months.

Utility of Periodontal exploration in patients with Fibromyalgia.

Objective: [corrected] Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome with unknown etiology, which affects predominantly women. Mitochondrial alteration could have a role in the pathophysilogical mechanisms of inflammatory conditions as FM and periodontitis. The aim of the present study was assay the relationship between both diseases and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Polyneuropathy while on duodenal levodopa infusion in Parkinson's disease patients: we must be alert.

Some reports have emerged describing the occurrence of Guillain-Barré syndrome and polyneuropathy related to vitamin B(12) deficiency in some patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated with continuous duodenal levodopa infusion. We describe five PD patients who developed axonal polyneuropathy and vitamin B(12) deficiency while on treatment with duodenal levodopa infusion, review other cases reported in the literature, discuss potential etiologic factors, and suggest a possible algorithm for the management and prevention of this complication. One case of Guillain-Barré syndrome and at least 12 cases of polyneuropathy related to vitamin B(12) deficiency have been reported in PD patients treated with duodenal levodopa infusion.

Duodenal levodopa/carbidopa infusion therapy in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease leads to improvement in caregivers' stress and burden.

Background: Continuous duodenal levodopa infusion (DLI) is an effective therapy that improves quality of life (QoL) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the impact of DLI on caregivers' stress and burden has not been reported.

Methods: We evaluated prospectively open-label seven advanced PD patients (65.

Detection and characterization of Wolbachia infections in natural populations of aphids: is the hidden diversity fully unraveled?

Aphids are a serious threat to agriculture, despite being a rather small group of insects. The about 4,000 species worldwide engage in highly interesting and complex relationships with their microbial fauna. One of the key symbionts in arthropods is Wolbachia, an α-Proteobacterium implicated in many important biological processes and believed to be a potential tool for biological control.

[Brachial arterial flow mediated dilation: utility in clinical and experimental practice].

Brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) is a validated, noninvasive physiological measure widely used as a research tool to quantify endothelial function. FMD is diminished in patients with several coronary risk factors, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. FMD represents a useful method for identify asymptomatic atherosclerotic subjects with raised risk of developing atherothrombotic complications and improves with risk-reduction therapy such as antihypertensive or antidiabetic drugs, antiplatelet agents and statins.

Impaired brachial flow-mediated dilation is a predictor of a new-onset vascular event after stroke.

Background And Objective: Brachial arterial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is associated with an increased risk of vascular events. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between FMD measured in the acute phase of ischemic stroke and a new major adverse vascular event in a consecutive cohort of patients followed up for 48 months after an acute first-ever stroke.

Methods: We measured FMD in 120 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke using high-resolution ultrasonography.

Long-term exposure to duodenal levodopa/carbidopa infusion therapy improves quality of life in relation especially to mobility, activities of daily living, and emotional well-being.

Background: Continuous duodenal levodopa infusion (DLI) is an effective therapy that improves quality of life (QoL) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, in which aspects improve the patients their QoL has been poorly documented.

Methods: We evaluated 39-item Parkinson's disease Quality of Life Questionnaire Summary Index score (PDQ-39SI) changes analyzing its different domains in nine patients with advanced PD treated with DLI.

Equimolar nitrous oxide/oxygen versus placebo for procedural pain in children: a randomized trial.

Objective: This randomized, single-dose, double-blind, Phase III study was designed to compare the level of procedural pain after use of premixed equimolar mixture of 50% oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO) or placebo (premixed 50% nitrogen and oxygen).

Methods: Patients aged 1 to 18 years were randomly assigned to receive EMONO (n = 52) or placebo (n = 48) delivered by inhalation through a facial mask 3 minutes before cutaneous, muscle, or bone/joint procedures. Pain was evaluated (on a scale from 0-10) using a self-reported Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) or a Spanish observational pain scale (LLANTO).

[Pain in Parkinson's disease: prevalence, characteristics, associated factors, and relation with other non motor symptoms, quality of life, autonomy, and caregiver burden].

Introduction: Pain is one of the most common non motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it is underrecognized. We examine the prevalence of pain, characteristics, associated factors, and relation with quality of life and autonomy in a consecutive series of PD patients.

[Analysis of care in cardiorespiratory arrest in an emergency medical unit].

Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of cardiac arrests and to determine factors associated with successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Design: Retrospective descriptive observational study. SITES: Badajoz city (Spain) and population attended by the Medical Emergency Unit of the Public Health System in that city.

A charcoal- and blood-free enrichment broth for isolation and PCR detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in chicken.

The microaerophilic nature of Campylobacter and its requirement of ∼5% O(2) for growth have complicated its recovery from foods. The addition to the enrichment media of oxygen quenchers such as charcoal or blood could interfere with PCR for its detection. In this study, a two-step simple aerobic method for Campylobacter detection is proposed.

Adherence, invasion, toxigenic, and chemotactic properties of Mexican campylobacter strains.

To determine the virulence factors of Mexican wild-type strains of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli, 31 wild-type strains were isolated from food and from humans. The production of cytolethal distending toxin and the adherence and invasion capabilities of these strains were assayed in Vero cells. Hard agar plugs with repellents and attractants were used to examine chemotaxis.

[Experience with continuous levodopa enteral infusion (Duodopa(®)) in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease in a secondary level hospital].

Introduction: Continuous levodopa delivery by enteral infusion (Duodopa(®)) is an alternative to deep brain stimulation and subcutaneous apomorphine to control motor fluctuations and dyskinesias in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). We report our experience with Duodopa(®) therapy in 11 patients with advanced PD.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed clinical and quality of life changes in all patients with PD with severe motor fluctuations and dyskinesias who started continuous daily levodopa duodenal infusion through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy from September 2006 (Duodopa(®) was approved for advanced PD treatment in Spain at that date) until April 2010 at the A.