Assessment of stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in caregivers of children with ASD

Introduction

An infectious disease such as COVID-19 can have a great impact on mental health due to the fear of contracting it as well as the social isolation itself due to the containment measures. Such events are considered stressors, as they can be perceived as threatening or challenging, and can have cumulative effects that are harmful to mental health. Along with this scenario, anxiety can occur in association with stress, and it is defined as extreme concern and somatic symptoms that generate tension, hindering the proper functioning and development of basic life functions. In people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families, such events can occur more intensely, as changing routine and adapting to different activities are usually challenging. The study examined stress, anxiety and coping strategies during the pandemic.

Objectives

To analyze stressful events, anxiety and coping strategies in caregivers of children and adolescents with ASD and typical development.

Methods

Forty caregivers of children and adolescents with ASD and 40 of typically developing participated in the study. The assessment instruments used were: 1. RSQ COVID-19; 2. Semi-structured interview; 3. State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) or chi-square were used.

Results

Caregivers of children and adolescents with ASD showed greater stress and anxiety, in addition to using less adaptive coping strategies.

Conclusions

There is a great need to welcome families of children and adolescents with ASD, helping to develop coping or coping strategies.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Reflex activity of the pubococcygeus muscle is modified throughout the estrous cycle in Wistar rats

Pubococcygeus muscle reflex activity has been reported to be driven by specialized neuronal circuitry, including the participation of spinal cord interneurons. Both the reflex and elements of the circuit are known to be sensitive to gonadal hormones, but studies using female rats have not considered the potential effects of estrous phase. Hence, in the present study we used mechanical stimulation of the clitoris to produce reflex activity, and recorded across the different phases of the estrous cycle, including the dark and light periods during each phase. Afterdischarge activity was observed only during the light and dark periods of proestrus, and during the light period of estrus coincident with the receptivity period in the rat́s reproductive behavior. Moreover, this reflex activity comprises at least five different motor unit groups with different firing patterns that are dependent on gonadal hormones variation.

Children’s mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

In the midst of a global pandemic with a rising death toll, the children´s mental health can be easily overlooked in the country’s response. But this overlook would have devastating consequences for years to come.

Objectives

The objective of this research is to compare children’s physical and mental development before, during and after the situation of social isolation caused by the pandemic of COVID-19.

Methods

The parents/guardians of 100 children aged between 0 and 5 years and 11 months old were asked to answer questions based on the ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaire III), containing questions related to Communication, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Problem Solving, and Personal-Social and ASQ- SE (Ages and Stages Questionnaires Social-Emotional) addressing issues of self-regulation, compliance, social-communication, adaptive functioning, autonomy, and affect. In addition, behavioral issues related to children’s mental health will be included, such as: aggressiveness, insomnia, lack of appetite, apathy, sadness, tiredness, lack of interest, hyperactivity, manias, tantrum, morning among others. Child development data will be collected before and during quarantine / isolation and later, in a second stage, after the end of social isolation.

Results

The data will be analyzed in order to characterize child behavior before, during and after the period of social isolation, correlating the different areas of child development, especially mental health.

Conclusions

As argued, socially isolated children are at increased risk of health problems in adulthood. Furthermore, studies on social isolation have demonstrated that a lack of social relationships negatively impacts the development of the brain’s structure.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

How brazilian parents deal with the development of kids with hearing impairment diagnosis

Introduction

When parents discover that their child has hearing loss, a new reality presents itself with frustration, a huge amount of work as special care, therapies, exams, etc. Adapting to this new situation is a huge challenge to the development of both parents and children who receive this diagnosis.

Objectives

This study investigated how Brazilian parents of children diagnosed with hearing loss dealt with this situation from diagnosis to the present day.

Methods

In this study it was used the Bioecological Theory of Human Development, which considers the development of both parents and children over time. Two meetings were conducted using a focal group technique, with questions related to the diagnosis and how they faced the situation, prejudice, care of other siblings, etc.

Results

Most parents discovered the diagnosis of hearing loss of their children right after birth. Only one mother said she did not care about the diagnosis of hearing loss while most reported having suffered a lot and glimpsed a life of difficulties. Even knowing the limitations imposed by the condition of the children, no one considered hearing loss as a sickness. Parents reported that the child suffered bullying because of difficulties in speaking and most parents say they worry about their children’s school life.

Conclusions

Parenting kids with hearing impairment is challenging, and involves dealing with prejudice, fear of future, long-term therapies and high costs. Nevertheless parents make great efforts to provide a good environment minimizing the risks of having such condition.

Adolescents with cleft lip and palate (CLP): Stressful events and coping

Introduction

Individuals with CLP may present communication disorders, velopharyngeal dysfunction, dento-occlusal changes and hearing losses. Adolescents with CLP usually show greater impairment of communication. Such characteristics combined with the malformed face can impact psychosocial functioning and increase the risk of psychological difficulties. Life-stressing experiences from CLP to life events typical of adolescence, may threaten the well-being of the adolescent, and are linked to mental health and behavioral problems.

Objectives

To verify the coping of adolescents with CLP through a descriptive cross - sectional study.

Methods

Fifteen adolescents with CLP participated in the study. To evaluate them it was used the Coping scale (Lees, 2007), for the verification of coping in the families proposed by Motivational Theory of Coping. The analysis of the coping of adolescents with CLP considered two adverse contexts, namely “birth with fissure” and “have your secret told by a friend ”.

Results

In relation to the evaluation of the psychological needs of relationship, competence and autonomy faced the “birth with fissure” indicates that teens with fissures do not perceive this stressor as a threat to their basic psychological needs.

Conclusions

The adolescents with CLP who participated in the study feel more interested (perception of the challenge) in dealing with the stressor relative to the fissure than in dealing with the betrayal of a friend, who reveals a secret of his to other people.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Impacts of social distancing during the covid19 pandemic on the development of children with autism in Brazil

Introduction

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and its main symptoms are fever, dry cough and difficulty breathing. It spread to several countries, which led the World Health Organization to decree, on March 11, 2020, a pandemic state that deeply affected Brazil. Due to the impossibility of leaving the house, the routine of children with autism was changed. Children in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a qualitative deficit in social interaction. Clinical and daily observations reinforce several scientific studies that defend the importance of maintaining a routine as stable as possible for people with ASD, without this stability they may become emotionally disorganized, feel discomfort or even irritability.

Objectives

Investigate the impact caused by social distancing on the development of children and adolescents with autism.

Methods

An online questionnaire based on the DIR/Floortime basic map of emotional functional capacity development was distributed in Brazil from April to May, 2020. The results were analyzed using SPSS software.

Results

Results obtained from 122 questionnaires showed that after 30 days of quarantine 20% of children no longer had the characteristic of being able to remain calm and organized for at least 2 minutes; 11% no longer initiates interactions with their parents; 27% demonstrated more protests and anger than before the social distancing; 18% demonstrated more emotions such as anger, fear and intimacy, 28% began to understand their limits and 12% of the children are using greater facial expression during the social distancing.

Conclusions

This study brings results that can help to understand the processes in a child with autism.

Study of 18 months of follow up dir floortime intervention in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Introduction

Children in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a qualitative deficit in social interaction. The DIR/Floortime (Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder) is based on the Child’s Functional Development, Individual Differences and Relationships (D for development, I for individuality or individual differences and R for relationship), aiming at building the foundations for social, emotional and intellectual skills of children.

Objectives

To determine the results of 18 months DIR/Floortime™ parent training for an additional benefit in encouraging children with ASD climbing the developmental “ladder”.

Methods

The participants are 15 children with ASD aged between 2 and 6 years-old. The follow-up occurs in two private DIR Floortime Model service centers in Brazil. Protocols: Functional Emotional Assessment Scale – FEAS and Functional Emotional Developmental Questionnaire – FEDQ. The participants were followed-up one on one every four months.

Results

At the first month of assessment the children showed lack of self regulation, social interaction and engagement with their parents in a symbolic, sensory and motor play setting. At the following evaluations, they showed increase of social interaction and engagement in the same play setting. Besides the high affect of the parents during the play time promoted a two way purpose communication and behavioral organization.

Conclusions

Children showed a good development of functional and emotional capacities during the study period, demonstrating the effectiveness of the DIR/Floortime model in the intervention.

Mathematical modeling and quality parameters of Salicornia fruticosa dried by convective drying

The effect of convective drying at 50, 60 and 70 °C on the drying kinetics and quality parameters of Salicornia fruticosa was investigated. To estimate the equilibrium moisture content a desorption isotherm was performed using five empirical models: Halsey, Caurie, Henderson, Smith and Oswin. The experimental data was also fitted to different drying kinetic models (Logarithmic, Two-Terms, Midilli-Kucuk and Exponential Two-Terms). A numerical simulation using the Finite Volume Method allowed us to describe the evolution of temperature and moisture content distributions during drying. The Henderson model was found to be the most suitable for predicting the equilibrium moisture content of S. fruticosa, with values of X _we in the drying process of 1.51; 1.54 and 1.36 g water/g d.m for 50, 60 and 70 °C, respectively. A good agreement was found between the numerical and experimental results of temperature and moisture during Salicornia drying. The Midilli-Kucuk model presented the best fitting to the drying curves. The effects of drying on S. fruticosa were significant in two quality parameters. Antioxidant capacity decreased in ca. 45% and lightness (> L*) significantly increased at a drying temperature of 70 °C, compared to the fresh samples. The optimum drying temperature where drying time and nutrients loss was minimum was 70 °C. These results can be used to estimate the best drying conditions for producing dehydrated Salicornia. The use of halophytes as sustainable crops is promising, and the vision of their commercial production must be evaluated and considered, given water scarcity in many areas of the planet.

The most recurrent monogenic disorders that overlap with the phenotype of Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an early-onset neurodevelopmental disorder that is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene; however, defects in other genes (CDKL5 and FOXG1) can lead to presentations that resemble classic RTT, although they are not completely identical. Here, we attempted to identify other monogenic disorders that share features of RTT. A total of 437 patients with a clinical diagnosis of RTT-like were studied; in 242 patients, a custom panel with 17 genes related to an RTT-like phenotype was run via a HaloPlex-Target-Enrichment-System. In the remaining 195 patients, a commercial TruSight-One-Sequencing-Panel was analysed. A total of 40 patients with clinical features of RTT had variants which affect gene function in six genes associated with other monogenic disorders. Twelve patients had variants in STXBP1, nine in TCF4, six in SCN2A, five in KCNQ2, four in MEF2C and four in SYNGAP1. Genetic studies using next generation sequencing (NGS) allowed us to study a larger number of genes associated with RTT-like simultaneously, providing a genetic diagnosis for a wider group of patients. These new findings provide the clinician with more information and clues that could help in the prevention of future symptoms or in pharmacologic therapy.

Artificial vagino-cervical stimulation modifies the frequency of uterine contractions during the estrous cycle of the female rat

Las contracciones uterinas (CU) pueden participar en importantes procesos reproductivos, como el transporte de espermatozoides y el parto. La evidencia indica que las CU pueden ser inducidas por hormonas y estimulación vaginocervical (EVC) a través de vías neuroendocrinas, incluida la actividad de las glándulas pituitaria y ovarios. Evaluamos la frecuencia de CU después de la EVC en diferentes fases del ciclo estral (CE) en ratas hembras adultas. Treinta y seis ratas hembras fueron anestesiadas, y sus cuernos uterinos fueron expuestos a través de una incisión abdominal. La EVC incluyó intromisiones vaginocervicales (IVC) y distensión vaginal mediante la inserción de un tapón de silicón para imitar los efectos del tapón posteyaculatorio. El número de CU se midió: 1) antes y después de las IVC, 2) durante la distensión vaginal por el tapón de silicón, y después de que se retiró. Comparamos el efecto de la EVC en la cantidad de CU durante las diferentes etapas de la CE de ratas. Los resultados indicaron que la frecuencia de la CU basal fue mayor durante el proestro tardío y menor durante el diestro. Además, las intromisiones dieron como resultado una mayor actividad uterina. La EVC aumentó el número de contracciones durante todas las fases de la CE, excepto durante el diestro. Discutimos el papel de las hormonas y la estimulación sexual en la CU, y su posible implicación en los procesos reproductivos de las hembras.

Simultaneous Bilateral “Malignant Glaucoma” Attack in a Patient with no Antecedent Eye Surgery or Miotics

Malignant glaucoma is a term commonly used to describe a condition characterized by a sudden increase in intraocular pressure, usually occuring after eye surgery. This report describes a case of malignant glaucoma simultaneously presenting in both eyes, with no antecedent eye disease, medication or surgery. As far as we know this is the first report of spontaneous bilateral glaucoma. Both eyes were operated on according to the technique described by Chandler et al. (1), and the condition was solved. We suggest that, despite its rarity in eyes with no antecedent disease or ocular therapy, a surgeon should be aware of this condition.

Spinal cord neuronal components involved in the reflex activity of female rat pubococcygeus motoneurons

Evoked EMG reflex activity from the pubococcygeus muscle of female Wistar rats has been reported, but has not been carefully analyzed. Here, we studied this reflex activity through mechanical stimulation of the clitoris, perigenital skin, caudal vagina and foot, all of which produced bilateral reflex multiunit electromyographic (MEMG) tonic "on" activity and displayed a rapid adaptation. However, deep vagina and cervical stimulation did not modify MEMG baseline activity even if it was combined with clitoris, perigenital skin and foot stimulation. Electrical stimulation of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris produced bilateral MEMG activity that when recorded at fast sweep speed, it was possible to observe that the ipsilateral response had an 8 ms latency, while the contralateral response had a 10 ms latency. These data suggest that bilateral reflex activation of pubococcygeus muscle motoneurons is produced by several sensory sources in which a specialized neural circuitry of afferent and efferent components and several spinal cord interneurons are involved. This is in accordance with the multi functionality of this muscle in reproductive and behavioral processes.

HIV-2 infection is associated with preserved GALT homeostasis and epithelial integrity despite ongoing mucosal viral replication

The mechanisms that enable preservation of gut mucosal integrity during persistent viral replication and inherent inflammation remain unclear. Here, we investigated, for the first time, gut homeostasis in HIV-2 infection, a naturally occurring form of attenuated HIV disease. We found viral replication in both sigmoid and ileum of asymptomatic HIV-2+ patients (range: 240-851 circulating CD4+T-cells per μl) despite their undetectable viremia, accompanied by interferon-γ-producing CD8 T-cell expansion, irrespective of antiretroviral treatment. Nevertheless, there was no CD4 T-cell depletion, and Foxp3+ and IL-17- or IL-22-producing CD4 T-cell numbers were unaffected. Moreover, IL-22-producing innate lymphoid cells and IL-22-induced antimicrobial peptides and mucins were maintained. In agreement, the epithelium histology was preserved, including tight junction protein zonula occludens (ZO-1) levels. Furthermore, in vitro infection of colon epithelia with primary isolates revealed no HIV-2 impact on ZO-1 expression. Notably, sigmoid transcriptional levels of CCL20 and CCL28 were significantly increased, in direct correlation with GM-CSF, indicating a local response able to enhance CD4 T-cell recruitment. In conclusion, maintenance of mucosal integrity in HIV-2 infection was associated with T-cell recruitment responses, potentially counteracting CD4 T-cell depletion due to HIV-2 replication. These data have unique implications for the design of therapies targeting gut homeostasis in HIV-1 infection and other chronic inflammatory settings.

Helicobacter pylori identification: a diagnostic/confirmatory method for evaluation

The Helicobacter pylori extra gastric reservoir is probably the oral cavity. In order to evaluate the presence of this bacterium in patients with periodontitis and suspicious microbial cultures, saliva was collected from these and non-periodontitis subjects. PCRs targeting 16S rRNA gene and a 860 bp specific region were performed, and digested with the restriction enzyme DdeI. We observed that the PCR-RFLP approach augments the accuracy from 26.2 % (16/61), found in the PCR-based results, to 42.6 % (26/61), which is an excellent indicator for the establishment of this low-cost procedure as a diagnostic/confirmatory method for H. pylori evaluation.

Late maternal hypothyroidism alters the expression of Camk4 in neocortical subplate neurons: a comparison with Nurr1 labeling

Maternal thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for normal offspring's neurodevelopment even after onset of fetal thyroid function. This is particularly relevant for preterm children who are deprived of maternal THs following birth, are at risk of suffering hypothyroxinemia, and develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Expression of neocortical Ca(2+)/calmodulin kinase IV (Camk4), a genomic target of thyroid hormone, and nuclear receptor-related 1 protein (Nurr1), a postnatal marker of cortical subplate (SP) cells, was studied in euthyroid fetuses and in pups born to dams thyroidectomized in late gestation (LMH group, a model of prematurity), and compared with control and developmentally hypothyroid pups (C and MMI groups, respectively). In LMH pups, the extinction of heavy Camk4 expression in an SP was 1-2 days delayed postnatally compared with C pups. The heavy Camk4 and Nurr1 expression in the SP was prolonged in MMI pups, whereas heavy Camk4 and Nurr1 expression in layer VIb remains at P60. The abnormal expression of Camk4 in the cortical SP and in layer VIb might cause altered cortical connectivity affecting neocortical function.

[Biological and neural bases of partner preferences in rodents: models to understand human pair bonds]

AIM

To analyse the biological and neural bases of partner preference formation in rodents as models to understand human pair bonding.

DEVELOPMENT

Rodents are social individuals, capable of forming short- or long-lasting partner preferences that develop slowly by stimuli like cohabitation, or rapidly by stimuli like sex and stress. Dopamine, corticosteroids, oxytocin, vasopressin, and opioids form the neurochemical substrate for pair bonding in areas like the nucleus accumbens, the prefrontal cortex, the piriform cortex, the medial preoptic area, the ventral tegmental area and the medial amygdala, among others. Additional areas may participate depending on the nature of the conditioned stimuli by which and individual recognizes a preferred partner.

CONCLUSIONS

Animal models help us understand that the capacity of an individual to display long-lasting and selective preferences depends on neural bases, selected throughout evolution. The challenge in neuroscience is to use this knowledge to create new solutions for mental problems associated with the incapacity of an individual to display a social bond, keep one, or cope with the disruption of a consolidated one.

[Conditioned preferences induced by sex and drugs: a comparison of the neural bases]

AIM

To compare the behavioral and neural bases of conditioned preferences induced by drugs and sex in animal models.

DEVELOPMENT

Sex- and drug-induced preferences have certain commonalities. For example, sex and drug reward can induce the development of new preferences, leading to the idea that the partner preferences that develop after sexual encounters and drug consumption are, in part, consequences of classical conditioning. Both phenomena depend on the activity of mesolimbic areas, and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, opioids and oxytocin. Agonists for these neurotransmitters facilitate conditioned preferences in the absence of sex and drug reward, whereas antagonists disrupt them even after sex or drug consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

This review adds evidence to the idea that conditioned preferences induced by drugs use similar neural systems as those that evolved to sense and learn about natural rewards like sex.

Participation of estradiol and progesterone in the retrograde labeling of pubococcygeus motoneurons of the female rat

Retrograde labeling with horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat germ agglutinin showed that the pubococcygeus muscles of the female rat are innervated by a population of motoneurons located in a column approximately 2 mm in length in the central region of lamina IX of the sixth lumbar-first sacral spinal cord segments. These neurons have a dendritic distribution that projects to the lateral, medial and ventral regions of the gray matter. Values for soma size, primary dendrite length and arborization area obtained from intact animals that were in diestrous-2, were significantly reduced following ovariectomy. After hormone priming of the ovariectomized animals with estradiol benzoate and progesterone, an additional injection of estradiol benzoate alone or followed by progesterone increased the labeled length of the primary dendrites distributed to the lateral, but not to the medial or ventral regions of the gray matter in the spinal cord. However, dendritic labeling was not significantly increased when only progesterone was additionally injected. It therefore seems that pubococcygeus muscle motoneurons of the female rat are sensitive to the effects of gonadal hormones.

Effects of pulp and paper mill effluents on the microplankton and microbial self-purification capabilities of the Biobío River, Chile

Most studies focus on the ecotoxicity of pulp and paper mill effluents, rather than on how they affect the physicochemical and biological structure and the intrinsic ecological capabilities of the receiving watercourses. We investigated the impact of such effluents on the water quality, microplankton system and microbial self-purification capacity (degradation of polymeric organic compounds via extracellular enzymes) of the Biobío River in Chile. The physicochemical impact on the water quality was indicated by raised conductivity, by the pollution of the water body with nitrate, nitrite and soluble reactive phosphorus, by the appearance of tannin and lignin, and by the steady accumulation of inorganic and organic suspended matter (SPM) along the river. From the biological structure of the microplankton system, very low and declining concentrations of chlorophyll a and heterotrophic flagellate densities were determined. The pulp and paper mill effluents introduced high bacterial abundances and biomass concentrations into the river water. This reflects the effective use made of the abundantly available inorganic and organic nutrients within this industrial and municipal process water by bacteria adapted to these extreme environments, additionally supported by concomitant low grazing pressure derivable from low heterotrophic flagellate abundances. Indeed, in one section of the river affected by a pulp mill, the plant was found to significantly contribute to the self-cleaning capacity of the river. However, this elevated degradation capacity was not enough to compensate for the additionally discharged organic material which, together with the toxic effects of the paper plant effluents, significantly interferes with the ecological status of the Biobío River.

[First non-autologous vascular access for hemodialysis: PTFE fistula]

INTRODUCTION

Since 1999 to 2003 we have tried to perform an antebraquial "loop" PTFE fistula (PTFEa) as first vascular access for hemodialysis in patients without suitable superficial venous system.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We have performed a prospective study to analyze the results (permeability and complications) with this approach.

RESULTS

We could perform 44 PTFEa in 46 consecutive patients (in two cases we used the axillary vein as return vessel). Early failure was 0%. One year primary and secondary permeability were 66% and 90% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PTFEa is a good solution as first vascular access in patients without a suitable superficil venous system.

NS-398: cyclooxygenase-2 independent inhibition of leukocyte priming for lipid body formation and enhanced leukotriene generation

Because the induction of new lipid body formation in leukocytes correlates with and likely contributes to their enhanced 'primed' prostaglandin and leukotriene formation, we evaluated two selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors. Three types of stimuli, cis -unsaturated fatty acids, platelet activating factor and protein kinase C activators, stimulate lipid body formation. NS-398 (0.1-10 microM), but not another COX-2 inhibitor, SC58125 (0.1- 10 microM), blocked leukocyte lipid body formation elicited by all three types of stimuli and also blocked priming for enhanced LTB(4) production and PGE(2) production. The effect of NS-398 on lipid body formation was independent of its inhibitory effects on COX-2 since arachidonate-induced lipid body formation in COX-2-deficient mouse leukocytes was also inhibited by NS-398. By means of its ability to inhibit leukocyte lipid body formation, NS-398 may exert actions independent of its COX-2 inhibition and more broadly contribute to the suppression of formation of COX-1 and lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids.

Partitioning and persistence of trichlorfon and chlorpyrifos in a creeping bentgrass putting green

Golf course putting greens typically receive high pesticide applications to meet high quality demands. Research on pesticide fate in turf ecosystems is important to better understand the potential impact of pesticide use on the environment and human health. This research was conducted to evaluate the environmental fate of two commonly used insecticides--trichlorfon (dimethyl 2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethylphosphonate) and chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridylphosphorothioate)--in a creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds.) putting green under customary field management practices at the University of California-Riverside Turf Research Facility during 1996 and 1997. The two insecticides were chosen because of their difference in water solubility, persistence, adsorption, and vapor pressure. Volatilization, clipping removal, and soil residues of the insecticides were quantified and leaching was monitored using lysimeters installed in putting green plots. Results showed trichlorfon volatilization, clipping removal, and leaching loss was insignificant (in the range of 0.0001-0.06% of applied mass) both in 1996 and 1997. No significant difference in clipping removal of trichlorfon and chlorpyrifos was observed in both years (0.06 and 0.05% of applied mass for trichlorfon and 0.15 and 0.19% of applied mass for chlorpyrifos, respectively, in 1996 and 1997), but significantly lower cumulative leaching and lower soil concentration was observed in 1997 than in 1996. Volatilization loss of chlorpyrifos was not significantly different between 1996 (2.05%) and 1997 (2.71%). Volatilization loss of trichlorfon in 1996 (0.01%) was significantly higher than in 1997 (0.008%). This study demonstrated the fraction of applied insecticides leaving the turf putting greens was minimal.

Environmental fate of metalaxyl and chlorothalonil applied to a bentgrass putting green under southern California climatic conditions

Putting greens usually receive high inputs of fertilizers and pesticides to meet the high demand for visual quality and to overcome the stress from close mowing and traffic. In this study, two commonly used fungicides, metalaxyl (methyl N-(methoxyacetyl)-N-(2,6-xylyl)-DL-alaninate) and chlorothalonil (2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3-benzenedicarbonitrile), were evaluated for their partitioning and persistence in a bentgrass (Agrostis palustris Huds) putting green under southern California climatic conditions. The putting green site was constructed according to the US Golf Association (USGA) specifications. Lysimeter assemblies installed at the center of each plot were used to monitor the leachate, flux chambers were used to measure volatilization, clippings were collected to determine the residues on grass, and soil cores were sampled to determine residues in the soil profile. Results showed that cumulative volatilization loss accounted for 0.10 and 0.02%, clipping removal 0.11 and 0.13%, and cumulative leaching 0.71 and 0.002% of the applied metalaxyl and chlorothalonil, respectively. The two fungicides were mainly found in the top 10 cm of the soil profile due to the high organic carbon content in the thatch and mat layers. The dissipation half-life was 1.4 days for metalaxyl and 4.9 days for chlorothalonil on grass, shorter than those found in agricultural fields. This study showed that, under normal turf management practices, the offsite transport of the parent fungicides was minimal. Future research should focus on investigating the fate and mobility of the metabolites of the fungicides.

Neuroendocrine control of urine-marking behavior in male rats

Sexually experienced Wistar male rats were used to investigate (a) urine voiding in the presence of nearby estrous females and the control of such voiding by (b) steroid hormones and (c) peripheral nerves supplying the genitourinary system. The first experiment showed that males always have a low rate of urine voiding that is significantly increased when a receptive female is around. Thus, it is suggested that an airborne scent from the female stimulates the olfactory system of males, triggering urine emission to transmit sex-related messages, i.e., male rats display the well-known urine-marking behavior of mammals. The number of urine marks and sniffing to females decreased after castration, and were restored after exogenous treatment with testosterone or estradiol. The proposed hypothesis is that airborne scents from the female activate the aromatization process in nuclei of the olfactory pathway of the male, evoking a cascade of neuronal responses that finish in urine marking. Peripheral nerves supplying the genitourinary system are the viscerocutaneous branch of the pelvic nerve (Vc) and the hypogastric (Hg). Data showed that both nerves are important for the central control of urine storage and voiding. Transection of Vc almost blocked urine marking, while Hg lesion increased the number of marks. Thus, it is discussed that Vc is the most important nerve in charge of voiding the bladder, and that Hg is important for continence.

First report on chlorinated pesticide deposition in a sediment core from a small lake in central Chile

This paper presents a first report on chlorinated pesticide deposition analyzed through sedimentary records in a small mesotrophic lake (Chica de San Pedro) in central Chile. The sediment core was sliced and dated using 210Pb, 137Cs and pollen analyses. Organochlorine pesticides were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD). From these results, pesticide deposition over the last 50 years was estimated. No pesticides were detected below the 1940 slice of the core. Concentrations were in the range 0.640-1.4 ng/g d.w. for total DDTs, 0.046-0.362 ng/g d.w. for lindane and 0.015-0.310 ng/g d.w. for alpha-hexachlorohexane. Highest concentrations of pp'DDT were found in 1993-1996 and higher concentrations of pp'-DDE and pp'-DDD were found in the seventies (1972-1978). Total organic carbon (TOC) normalized data were used for statistical analysis. Although significant correlation was observed between concentrations of DDE and DDD, no correlation was found for DDT, suggesting that it had a different source. Factorial analysis grouped DDE together with DDD, while DDT was grouped together with gamma- and alpha-HCH. Total DDT fluxes were highest during the 1970s, while those for HCHs have been increasing in the 1990s. In Chile, organochlorine compounds were banned in 1985, and the historical deposition patterns seem to indicate that such measures have been effective. On the other hand, results point out a relatively new occurrence of pp'-DDT in the watershed, but the source remains unknown.

Effects of genitofemoral nerve transection on copulatory behavior and fertility in male rats

Selective transection of peripheral nerves that innervate the pelvic region results in the alteration of some aspects of copulatory behavior, including seminal plug weight. Both branches of the genitofemoral nerve primarily innervate the cremaster muscle although the genital branch has a wide distribution in the cremasteric sac. Thermoregulation of spermatogenesis and the mechanical event of ejaculation largely depend on cremaster contractility. In this study, we analyzed the effects of bilateral transection of the genitofemoral nerve on male copulatory behavior and on fertility. Sexually experienced adult male rats were submitted to sexual behavior tests before and after surgical transection of the genitofemoral nerve. Tests were made four times before and on Days 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 after surgery, and seminal plug weight was also analyzed. In addition, fertility was tested using two different approaches: by allowing the male to ejaculate once in an estrous female or keeping the male with three females during 15 days. Results showed that there were no differences in any of the copulatory parameters, including seminal plug weight. Regarding fertility, both procedures showed that the ability to induce pregnancy was significantly diminished in the neurectomized males tested at different times after surgery. These results support the notion that genitofemoral nerve regulation of fertility via contraction of the male cremaster muscle is an important factor in reproduction in rats.

[Clinical features and response to systemic treatment of primary and secondary episcleritis and scleritis resistant to local treatment]

BACKGROUND

Scleritis and episcleritis may extend to adjacent ocular tissues with blinding consequences and may be associated with potentially lethal systemic disorders.

AIM

To evaluate the ocular complications and systemic disease associations of the different types of scleritis and episcleritis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty six patients with refractory scleritis and episcleritis were studied and treated during the period 1991 to 1998.

RESULTS

Necrotizing type was the most common and severe category in the scleritis group of patients. A decrease in vision occurred in 58.3% of patients with scleritis v/s a 23.5% of patients with epiescleritis (p < 0.05). Uveitis was present in 35.4% of patients with scleritis and scleromalacia was present in 33.3% (p < 0.05). A specific disease association was uncovered in 51% of scleritis and in 38% of episcleritis patients. Rheumatoid arthritis, primary systemic vasculitic disease and Sjögren syndrome with vasculitis were the most common associated systemic diseases. Three patients with scleritis had tuberculosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Scleritis is more severe than episcleritis, and necrotizing scleritis is the most severe type of scleritis. Classification of scleritis and episcleritis provides valuable prognostic information. A meticulous approach for the detection of a specific associated disease must be undertaken. Scleritis associated with vasculitis has a worse ocular prognosis than other non infectious diseases. Cyclophosphamide is the most effective immunosuppressive treatment to control severe ocular involvement.

Nonsense mutations in the human beta-globin gene lead to unexpected levels of cytoplasmic mRNA accumulation

Generally, nonsense codons 50 bp or more upstream of the 3'-most intron of the human beta-globin gene reduce mRNA abundance. In contrast, dominantly inherited beta-thalassemia is frequently associated with nonsense mutations in the last exon. In this work, murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells were stably transfected with human beta-globin genes mutated within each of the 3 exons, namely at codons 15 (TGG-->TGA), 39 (C-->T), or 127 (C-->T). Primer extension analysis after erythroid differentiation induction showed codon 127 (C-->T) mRNA accumulated in the cytoplasm at approximately 20% of the normal mRNA level. Codon 39 (C-->T) mutation did not result in significant mRNA accumulation. Unexpectedly, codon 15 (TGG-->TGA) mRNA accumulated at approximately 90%. Concordant results were obtained when reticulocyte mRNA from 2 carriers for this mutation was studied. High mRNA accumulation of codon 15 nonsense-mutated gene was revealed to be independent of the type of nonsense mutation and the genomic background in which this mutation occurs. To investigate the effects of other nonsense mutations located in the first exon on the mRNA level, nonsense mutations at codons 5, 17, and 26 were also cloned and stably transfected into MEL cells. After erythroid differentiation induction, mRNAs with a mutation at codon 5 or 17 were detected at high levels, whereas the mutation at codon 26 led to low mRNA levels. These findings suggest that nonsense-mediated mRNA decay is not exclusively dependent on the localization of mutations relative to the 3'-most intron. Other factors may also contribute to determine the cytoplasmic nonsense-mutated mRNA level in erythroid cells. (Blood. 2000;96:2895-2901)

Missense mutation R1066C in the second transmembrane domain of CFTR causes a severe cystic fibrosis phenotype: study of 19 heterozygous and 2 homozygous patients

We report the clinical features of 21 unrelated cystic fibrosis (CF) patients from Portugal and Spain, who carry the mutation R1066C in the CFTR gene. The current age of the patients was higher in the R1066C/any mutation group (P < 0.01), as compared to the deltaF508/deltaF508 group. Poor values for lung radiological involvement (Chrispin-Norman) and general status (Shwachman-Kulcycki) were observed in the R1066C/any mutation group (P < 0.005 and P < 0.0004). A slightly, but not significantly worse lung function was found in the R1066C/any mutation group when compared with the deltaF508/deltaF508 patients. No significant differences were detected regarding the age at diagnosis, sweat Cl-values, or percentiles of height and weight between the two groups. Neither were significant differences observed regarding sex, meconium ileus (4.7% vs. 11.1%), dehydration (10.5% vs. 14.7%), or pancreatic insufficiency (PI) (100% vs. 97.8%). The proportion of patients with lung colonization by bacterial pathogens was slightly, but not significantly higher in the R1066C/any mutation group (70.0%), as compared with the deltaF508/deltaF508 group (57.5%). Other clinical complications were significantly more frequent in the R1066C/any mutation patients(P < 0.02) than in the deltaF508/deltaF508 group. The two homozygous R1066C/R1066C patients died at the ages of 3 months and 7 years. The data presented in this study clearly demonstrate that the R1066C mutation is responsible for a severe phenotype similar to that observed in homozygous deltaF508 patients. The poor clinical scores and complications of patients with the R1066C mutation are probably related to their slightly longer survival.

Cystic fibrosis F508del patients have apically localized CFTR in a reduced number of airway cells

Present state of knowledge, mostly based on heterologous expression studies, indicates that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein bearing the F508del mutation is misprocessed and mislocalized in the cytoplasm, unable to reach the cell surface. Recently, however, it was described that protein levels and localization are similar between F508del and wild-type CFTR in airway and intestinal tissues, but not in the sweat glands. In this study, we used immunocytochemistry with three different anti-CFTR antibodies to investigate endogenous CFTR expression and localization in nasal epithelial cells from F508del homozygous patients, F508del carriers, and non-CF individuals. On average, 300 cells were observed per individual. No significant differences were observed for cell type distributions among CF, carrier, and non-CF samples; epithelial cells made up approximately 80% to 95% of all cells present. CFTR was detected mostly in the apical region (AR) of the tall columnar epithelial (TCE) cells, ciliated or nonciliated. By confocal microscopy analysis, we show that the CFTR apical region-staining does not overlap with either anti-calnexin (endoplasmic reticulum), anti-p58 (Golgi), or anti-tubulin (cilia) stainings. The median from results with three antibodies indicate that the apical localization of CFTR happens in 22% of TCE cells from F508del homozygous patients with CF (n = 12), in 42% of cells from F508del carriers (n = 20), and in 56% of cells from healthy individuals (n = 12). Statistical analysis indicates that differences are significant among all groups studied and for the three antibodies (p < 0.05). These results confirm the presence of CFTR in the apical region of airway cells from F508del homozygous patients; however, they also reveal that the number of cells in which this occurs is significantly lower than in F508del carriers and much lower than in healthy individuals. These findings may have an impact on the design of novel pharmacological strategies aimed at circumventing the CF defect caused by the F508del mutation.

Beta-thalassaemia in Cubans: novel allele increases the genetic diversity at the HBB locus in the Caribbean

In order to establish the molecular basis of beta-thalassaemia in Cubans, a total of 75 unrelated individuals, with beta-thalassaemia major (7), Hb S-beta-thalassaemia (28), Hb C-beta-thalassaemia (1), and beta-thalassaemia trait (39) yielding 82 beta-thalassaemia alleles, were analyzed. Seventeen different point mutations were identified accounting for 93% of the beta-thalassaemia alleles studied, revealing a high genetic heterogeneity at the HBB locus in this population. The more prevalent mutations, namely, CD 39 (C --> T) (30.5%), -29 (A --> G) (13.4%), IVS-I-110 (G --> A) (8.5%), and IVS-II-1 (G --> A) (8.5%), reflect the Mediterranean and African predominant ancestry of the extant Cuban population. We also report the identification of a novel allele, IVS-I-108 (T --> C), that possibly activates a cryptic branch site, in a beta-thalassaemia carrier with no other molecular defect within the beta-globin gene and its proximal promoter. This study shows that prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia should be feasible in about 60% of at-risk pregnancies by direct detection of selected point mutations. However, due to the wide spectrum of mutations, and in order to offer fully informative prenatal diagnosis to more than 87% of at-risk couples, the screening for beta-thalassaemia mutations in Cubans should be performed by using a general point mutation detection method, such as DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis).

Fertility ratio in male rats: effects after denervation of two pelvic floor muscles

Fertility ratio is defined here as the proportion of females that a male can impregnate after a constant period of in-polygyny living. This ratio was investigated in male rats after denervation of two pelvic floor muscles, the pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus. Denervation was carried out by transecting the somatomotor branch of the pelvic nerve. The lesion did not modify the sexual behavior of males or their overall fertility, but decreased the weight of the ejaculated seminal plug. Consequently, the number of days living in cohabitation to induce pregnancy was increased in lesioned males (approximately 13 days) compared with intact and sham animals (approximately 5 days). These results showed that the fertility ratio was optimal when intact/sham males cohabited with females for two consecutive estrous cycles, but that lesioned males needed up to four cycles to induce most pregnancies. Two hypotheses are raised by our results. The first is that pelvic floor denervation decreases the forceful tension required to expel the semen from the prostatic urethra to the vagina, then an incomplete seminal plug is expelled. The second is that denervation cut afferent fibers that reflexively promote the continence of the semen deposited in the prostatic urethra during seminal emission, allowing some to leak out before ejaculation. The latter hypothesis can also explain the recovery of the fertility ratio in lesioned males. It could be a compensatory mechanism mediated by the pudendal nerve supply to the coccygeus muscle, the other pelvic floor muscle.

Separate taurine and chloride efflux pathways activated during regulatory volume decrease

Organic osmolyte and halide permeability pathways activated in epithelial HeLa cells by cell swelling were studied by radiotracer efflux techniques and single-cell volume measurements. The replacement of extracellular Cl- by anions that are more permeant through the volume-activated Cl- channel, as indicated by electrophysiological measurements, significantly decreased taurine efflux. In the presence of less-permeant anions, an increase in taurine efflux was observed. Simultaneous measurement of the 125I, used as a tracer for Cl-, and [3H]taurine efflux showed that the time courses for the two effluxes differed. In Cl--rich medium the increase in I- efflux was transient, whereas that for taurine was sustained. Osmosensitive Cl- conductance, assessed by measuring changes in cell volume, increased rapidly after hypotonic shock. The influx of taurine was able to counteract Cl- conductance-dependent cell shrinkage but only approximately 4 min after triggering cell swelling. This taurine-induced effect was blocked by DIDS. Differences in anion sensitivity, the time course of activation, and sensitivity to DIDS suggest that the main cell swelling-activated permeability pathways for taurine and Cl- are separate.

Cystic fibrosis patients with the 3272-26A-->G mutation have mild disease, leaky alternative mRNA splicing, and CFTR protein at the cell membrane

We characterized the 3272-26A-->G mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, creating an alternative acceptor splice site in intron 17a, that competes with the normal one, although we predict from consensus values, with lower efficiency. We analyzed five Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Portuguese patients with the 3272-26A-->G/F508del genotype. Besides clinical and haplotype characterization of those patients, we report here results from CFTR transcript analysis in nasal brushings from all five patients. RT-PCR analysis supports alternative splicing in all patients and carriers, but not in controls. By sequencing, we determined that the alternative transcript includes 25 nucleotides from intron 17a, which predictively cause frameshift and a premature stop codon. The use of this alternative splice site causes a reduction in the levels of normal transcripts from the allele with this mutation and, most probably, of normal protein as well. By immunocytochemistry of both epithelial primary cell cultures and slices from CF polyps, CFTR protein is detected at the cell membrane, with three different antibodies. Ussing chamber analysis of one nasal polyp shows a high sodium absorption, characteristic of CF. Altogether, the results suggest that the main defect caused by the 3272-26A-->G mutation is a reduction in normal CFTR transcripts and protein and therefore this mutation should be included in class V, according to Zielenski and Tsui.