Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have limited facilities and professionals trained to diagnose, treat, and support people with dementia and other forms of cognitive impairment. The situation for people with dementia is poor, and worsening as the proportion of elderly in the general population is rapidly expanding. We reviewed existing initiatives and provided examples of actions taken to build capacity and improve the effectiveness of individuals, organizations, and national systems that provide treatment and support for people with dementia and their caregivers. Regional barriers to capacity building and the importance of public engagement are highlighted. Existing programs need to disseminate their objectives, accomplishments, limitations, and overall lessons learned in order to gain greater recognition of the need for capacity-building programs.

A 9-year-old patient with the classical clinical picture of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria (HGP) is described. The karyotype shows a 46,XY,del(1)(q23) constitution. Our findings suggest that the interval 1q23 may play a roll in the etiology of HGP. A perturbation in glycosylation in connective tissue has been demonstrated in patients with this condition. This abnormality may be due to a defect in the UDP-galactose:beta-N-acetylglucosamina-beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 3 (B4GALT3) gene that has been mapped in the interval 1q21-23. The cytogenetical analyses of this patient suggest that the B4GALT3 gene could be involved in the pathogenesis of HGP.

Purpose: Globally, osteoarthritis (OA) is the third most rapidly rising condition associated with disability. Science holds the key to finding better treatments and one day a cure. Still it is essential we learn what's important to patients from the patients themselves in order to optimize implementation of better healthcare options for most effective global management of OA. Integrated people-centred health services, as defined by the World Health Organization, implies putting the comprehensive needs of people and communities, not only diseases, at the centre of health systems, and empowering people to have a more active role in their own health. Based on this definition, the International Osteoarthritis Task Force, an initiative of the Osteoarthritis Foundation International (Barcelona, Spain) and the Arthritis Foundation (Atlanta, United States) with participation from member organizations in additional countries created the Global Osteoarthritis (OA) Patient Perception Survey GOAPPS)-the first global survey of its kind to directly compare quality of life & patient perceptions of care in the same OA patient survey across languages and cultures. The goal of the survey was to help all stakeholders in OA healthcare develop a better understanding of patients' perceptions and how they may differ between cultures by collecting data on adult OA patient perceptions regarding their OA care. The survey will also collect data on patient demographics, OA symptomology, and impact of OA on daily functioning and quality of life. Understanding patients' needs and perceptions of care is the first step in optimizing global OA management. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study involving data collection through an online survey. Survey administration in each country was managed by a local Survey Coordinator who collaborated with local organizations to promote access to the registration webpage through social media promotions and by distributing brochures and other promotional materials. The original version of the survey was composed in English; the local Survey Coordinator oversaw translation into the predominant local language. Using the Limited Data Set, we used descriptive statistics to characterize responses to questions on patient perceptions regarding their OA care. The Task Force used data collected on patient demographics, OA symptomology, and impact of OA on daily functioning and quality of life to (1) segment patient perception data and (2) conduct preliminary investigation into the relationship between patient perceptions of their OA care, OA symptoms and impacts, and osteoarthritis-related QoL. Responses were collected in each participating country. The final questionnaire was divided into 4 sections. The first includes questions to measure clinical characteristics of the patient and the relationship with physicians and treatment. This was followed by a section on personal perception of attention, treatment and information received. In the last session patients were asked to evaluate their quality of life. Inc...

PDGF and VEGF are two of the most potent mitogen for connective tissue, its secretion appears to be particularly important when the source is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), hence the latter leading role in tissue regeneration. ELISA PDGFBB levels in PRP, Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) and exudates, were determined in 32 healthy subjects before and 24 hours after ingestion of Aspirin (ASA) and Clopidogrel (CLO). Results: PDGFBB baseline levels were 10.6 ± 1.9 ng / ml (PPP), 12.12 ± 2.5 ng / ml (PRP) and 10.84 ± 1.68 ng / ml (exudate) While after treatment with PDGFBB ASA concentrations were at 8.96 ± 1.4 ng / ml (PPP), 11.36 ± 1.48 ng / ml (PRP), 11.11 ± 1.14 ng / ml (exudate) and the Clopidogrel were 8.53 ± 0.59 ng / ml (PPP), 9.65 ± 1.17 ng / ml (PRP) and 8.51 ± 0.75 ng / ml (exudate). VEGF basal values were 973.9 ± 590.3 pg / ml (PPP), 1184.2 ± 288.4 pg / ml (PRP), 1069.3 ± 192.3 pg / ml (exudate). After treatment with ASA VEGF values were at 1439.5 ± 117.4 pg / ml (PPP), 1802.3 ± 123.9 pg / ml (PRP), 1745.6 ± 171.6 pg / ml (exudate) and the Clopidogrel were 577.8 ± 150.6 pg / ml (PPP), 668.7 ± 100.6 pg / ml (PRP), 624.9 ± 106.7 pg / ml (exudate). Conclusions: It was noted that after administration of antiplatelet drugs PDGFBB and VEGF values decreased statistically significantly, especially for the group of Clopidogrel. The ASA lesser extent appear to affect the concentrations of both factors, which may be attributable to the pharmacological action mechanism between the ASA and Clopidogrel.

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