Search

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can cause anaemia and neurological disorders. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is used to manage anaemia in CKD. However, there is little evidence on the effects of rHuEPO on behaviour and cognitive function in CKD. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of rHuEPO in sensorimotor and cognitive functions in a CKD model., Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: control and CKD, with and without rHuEPO treatment (1050 IU per kg body weight, once weekly for 4 weeks). The Morris water maze, open field, and adhesive removal tests were performed simultaneously to kidney damage induction and treatment. Markers of anaemia and renal function were measured at the end of the study., Results: Treatment with rHuEPO reduced kidney damage and corrected anaemia in rats with CKD. We observed reduced sensorimotor dysfunction in animals with CKD and treated with rHuEPO. These rats also completed the water maze test in a shorter time than the control groups., Conclusions: rHuEPO reduces kidney damage, corrects anemia, and reduces sensorimotor and cognitive dysfunction in animals with CKD., (Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common primary brain tumour, with the least favourable prognosis. Despite numerous studies and medical advances, it continues to be lethal, with an average life expectancy of 15 months after chemo-radiotherapy., Development: Recent research has addressed several factors associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of glioblastoma; one significant factor is tumour localisation, particularly the subventricular zone, which represents one of the most active neurogenic niches of the adult human brain. Glioblastomas in this area are generally more aggressive, resulting in unfavourable prognosis and a shorter life expectancy. Currently, the research into microRNAs (miRNA) has intensified, revealing different expression patterns under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. It has been reported that the expression levels of certain miRNAs, mainly those related to neurogenic processes, are dysregulated in oncogenic events, thus favouring gliomagenesis and greater tumour aggressiveness. This review discusses some of the most important miRNAs involved in subventricular neurogenic processes and their association with glioblastoma aggressiveness., Conclusions: MiRNA regulation and function play an important role in the development and progression of glioblastoma; understanding the alterations of certain miRNAs involved in both differentiation and neural and glial maturation could help us to better understand the malignant characteristics of glioblastoma., (Copyright © 2019 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which results in a significant decrease in dopamine levels and consequent functional motor impairment., Development: Although its aetiology is not fully understood, several pathogenic mechanisms, including oxidative stress, have been proposed. Current therapeutic approaches are based on dopamine replacement drugs; these agents, however, are not able to stop or even slow disease progression. Novel therapeutic approaches aimed at acting on the pathways leading to neuronal dysfunction and death are under investigation., Conclusions: In recent years, such natural molecules as polyphenols, alkaloids, and saponins have been shown to have a neuroprotective effect due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of our review is to analyse the most relevant studies worldwide addressing the benefits of some phytochemicals used in in vitro models of Parkinson's disease., (Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Liver fibrosis and its end stage, cirrhosis, is an enormous worldwide health problem. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) or portal-systemic encephalopathy continues to be a major clinical problem of long-term cirrhosis. In this review we emphasise the molecular basis of HE and the involvement of oxidative stress in the development of this disease., Background: Several studies suggest that the pathogenesis of HE could be multifactorial and have implicated different factors, such as alterations in blood brain barrier, substances; such as ammonia and manganese, neurotransmission disorders such as dopamine, glutamate and GABA., Development: HE is a severe complication of both acute and chronic liver failure. Neuropathologically, it is characterized by astrocyte changes known as Alzheimer type II astrocytosis. In addition, astrocytes manifest altered expression of astrocyte-specific proteins, such as, glial fibrillary acidic protein, glutamine synthetase, monoamine oxidase and peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors., Conclusions: HE is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome associated with liver failure. These alterations are products of increases in oxidative stress in brain due to neurotoxin activity. The main strategy for HE treatment is directed at ammonia reduction, which can be achieved either by decreasing its absorption/production or increasing its removal.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of levels of self esteem and alcohol consumption in adolescents, by carrying out a transversal, descriptive study, in a college of nursing of Queretaro in Mexico, in the month of July 2008, with a sample of 109 adolescents, between 17 and 20 years old. For attainment of the data two instruments were applied: AUDIT and the Rosemberg self esteem scale. The majority of the participating adolescents had high self esteem (94.5%) and none presented low self esteem. Of the adolescents in the study 80.7% did not consume alcohol hazardously. It was concluded that the adolescents presented high self esteem and low alcohol consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to implement preventive programs related to alcohol consumption and to identify the protective factors to guarantee the maintenance of healthy habits for the adolescents.

Objective: To compare the analgesic effectiveness of breastfeeding when taking blood by the heel-lance procedure in healthy newborns, as opposed to other procedures., Patients and Methods: We studied 228 term infants from the Maternity Unit of our Hospital. The study was developed in two consecutive phases. In the first stage, 150 newborns were distributed into three randomised groups, the first group (50 newborns) did not receive any specific analgesic intervention; the second and third groups (50 newborns) received non-nutritive sucking-placebo or non-nutritive sucking-24% sucrose respectively. In the second phase, 78 newborns participated, and the blood was taken during breast-feeding. The results on a discomfort scale were compared with those obtained in the rest of examined analgesic procedures., Results: The group that received analgesia with breast-feeding showed a score on the discomfort scale of 0'62 and an average time of crying of 0'19s. The comparative analysis of the results obtained during breastfeeding, as opposed to the rest of procedures, showed that breast-feeding is the best analgesic option, with a reduction in the discomfort of 51% and of 98% in the time of crying (P<0,001)., Conclusions: Breast-feeding during the blood test by heel-prick procedure represents the most effective analgesic method. A containment procedure along with non-nutritive sucking is the analgesic method of choice in the newborn that does not receive maternal lactation.