[Restless legs syndrome in patients diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]

INTRODUCTION

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disease. RLS has been linked to various psychiatric disorders, especially with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

AIMS

The main objective was to describe the frequency of RLS in pediatric patients diagnosed with ADHD. Secondary objectives of the study were describe other sleep disorders in ADHD patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A multicentre prospective study was conducted in nine Spanish centers. We included children aged 6-18 years diagnosed with ADHD between January and June 2015. Data were collected by 13 researchers doctors through an interview with the parent/caregiver and with the child. To assess the degree of functioning of patients with ADHD we used the Children's Global Assessment Scale. The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children was applied to screening sleep disorders in childhood.

RESULTS

A sample of 73 patients was collected. Five patients (6.8%) met diagnostic criteria for RLS: four of them definitive and one probable.

CONCLUSIONS

RLS is a frequent condition in adulthood but also in adolescence and childhood. ADHD patients have an increased risk of an RLS.

Isolation and properties of free and immobilized beta-galactosidase from the psychorotrophic enterobacterium Buttiauxella agrestis (strain NC4)

A study of the beta-galactosidase produced by the psychrotrophic bacterium Buttiauxella agrestis has been carried out. This micro-organism was isolated from raw milk and the enzyme isolated using standard methods. Molecular mass was estimated to be 515 kDa. The isoelectric point was close to 4.45. Optimum pH was 7.25. Maximal activity was observed at 50 degrees C and activation energy was estimated to be 39.1 kJ mol-1. Lactose enhanced thermal stability. Using p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside as the substrate, the Km was 11 mumol l-1 and Vmax was 85 U mg-1 protein. beta-Mercaptoethanol and ethanol were inhibitors; glycerol acted as a complex effector. The enzyme required divalent cations for activity while it was inhibited by EDTA. When the enzyme was immobilized in diethyl aminoethylcellulose the optimum pH of activity was 8. Km was 47 mumol l-1 and Vmax was 96 U mg-1 protein.

Fatty acid composition of liver lipids during ontogeny of the chick embryo: effect of a single dose of triiodothyronine

Fatty acid composition of chick liver was determined throughout embryo development. Fourteen, seventeen and twenty day old chick embryos as well as newborn chicks were studied. Chromatograms show that in all cases the same fatty acids were presented, even when lipid fractions such as phospholipids, cholesterol and triacylglycerol were studied separately. The lack of poly-unsaturated fatty acids is in contrast with the results obtained in previous investigations on rats. A slight increase in the unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio as the embryo grew older was observed. The effect of a single dose of 3-3'-5-Triiodothyronine (T3) on composition of fatty acids throughout the embryonary period was also studied. The hormone only affects fatty acid levels in the 20th and 21st days of incubation.

A study of the hepatic lipids during chick embryo development. Effect of triiodothyronine

The content of hepatic phospholipids, cholesterol and triglycerides was studied in 14, 17 and 20 day old chick embryos and newborn chicks (21 incubation days). An increase in the total lipid content and in the other lipidic fractions throughout embryo development is observed, mainly between 17 and 20 days of incubation, remaining practically constant until the hatchability day. Nevertheless a sharp depletion of triglycerides in broken eggshell day is revealed. Effect of a single dose of 3-3'-5-Triiodothyronine (T3) on hepatic lipid levels was determined. Throughout embryonary period, the hormone only affects triglyceride levels enhancing its biosynthesis in the 20th incubation day. All the other variations are described in newborn animals.