Semantic memory and depressive symptoms in patients with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Semantic memory may be impaired in clinically recognized states of cognitive impairment. We investigated the relationship between semantic memory and depressive symptoms (DS) in patients with cognitive impairment. METHODS: 323 cognitively healthy controls and 848 patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia were included. Semantic knowledge for famous faces, world capitals, and word vocabulary was investigated. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, we found a statistically significant difference of semantic knowledge in the MCI groups and the AD group, respectively. Results of the SCD group were mixed. However, two of the three semantic memory measures (world capitals and word vocabulary) showed a significant association with DS. CONCLUSIONS: We found a difference in semantic memory performance in MCI and AD as well as an association with DS. Results suggest that the difference in semantic memory is due to a storage loss rather than to a retrieval problem.

Anxiety and depression in parents of a Brazilian non-clinical sample of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) students

Higher prevalence rates of anxiety and depression have been reported in parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The interaction between the burden of ADHD in offspring, a higher prevalence rate of this highly inherited disorder in parents, and comorbidities may explain this finding. Our objective was to investigate levels of ADHD, anxious and depressive symptomatology, and their relationship in parents of ADHD children from a non-clinical sample using a dimensional approach. The sample included 396 students enrolled in all eight grades of a public school who were screened for ADHD using the SNAP IV rating scale. Positive cases were confirmed through a semi-structured interview. Parents of all 26 ADHD students and 31 paired controls were enrolled. A sample of 36 parents of ADHD children (21 mothers, 15 fathers) and 30 parents of control children (18 mothers, 12 fathers) completed the Adult Self Report Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory in order to investigate anxious and depressive symptomatology. Probands' mothers presented a higher level of ADHD symptomatology (with only inattention being a significant cluster). Again, mothers of ADHD children presented higher depressive and anxiety levels; however, these did not correlate with their own ADHD symptomatology. Only trait-anxiety levels were higher in ADHD mothers. Our findings suggest that: 1) anxious and depressive symptoms might be more prevalent in mothers of ADHD students; 2) anxious and depressive symptomatology might be independent of impairment associated with ADHD symptoms; 3) anxious and depressive symptoms are independent of the presence of ADHD.

Anxiety and depression in parents of a Brazilian non-clinical sample of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) students.

Higher prevalence rates of anxiety and depression have been reported in parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The interaction between the burden of ADHD in offspring, a higher prevalence rate of this highly inherited disorder in parents, and comorbidities may explain this finding. Our objective was to investigate levels of ADHD, anxious and depressive symptomatology, and their relationship in parents of ADHD children from a non-clinical sample using a dimensional approach. The sample included 396 students enrolled in all eight grades of a public school who were screened for ADHD using the SNAP IV rating scale. Positive cases were confirmed through a semi-structured interview. Parents of all 26 ADHD students and 31 paired controls were enrolled. A sample of 36 parents of ADHD children (21 mothers, 15 fathers) and 30 parents of control children (18 mothers, 12 fathers) completed the Adult Self Report Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory in order to investigate anxious and depressive symptomatology. Probands' mothers presented a higher level of ADHD symptomatology (with only inattention being a significant cluster). Again, mothers of ADHD children presented higher depressive and anxiety levels; however, these did not correlate with their own ADHD symptomatology. Only trait-anxiety levels were higher in ADHD mothers. Our findings suggest that: 1) anxious and depressive symptoms might be more prevalent in mothers of ADHD students; 2) anxious and depressive symptomatology might be independent of impairment associated with ADHD symptoms; 3) anxious and depressive symptoms are independent of the presence of ADHD.

Avaliação ultra-sonográfica da dinâmica folicular e lútea em vacas da raça Guzerá / Ultrasonographic evaluation of follicular dynamics and luteal function in Guzerá cows

Caracterizaram-se o padrão de crescimento folicular e a função lútea ao longo do ciclo estral em vacas da raça Guzerá (n=5), multíparas, não-lactantes. Os animais utilizados apresentavam idade e condição corporal semelhantes e peso corporal médio de 518± 48.5kg. A dinâmica folicular foi monitorada diariamente a partir do dia da ovulação, durante dois ciclos consecutivos, utilizando-se um aparelho de ultra-sonografia equipado com uma probe linear retal de 5MHz. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas a cada 48h, a partir do momento da ovulação, durante os dois ciclos. O primeiro ciclo foi sincronizado pela administração de um luteolítico (cloprostenol), e o segundo foi natural. Os folículos foram identificados e mensurados; e os dados obtidos, registrados em função do dia do ciclo. O comprimento do ciclo estral foi de 19,10± 1,86 dias. Observou-se maior incidência de ciclos com três ondas de crescimento folicular (50 por cento), mas ciclos com duas (37,5 por cento) ou quatro ondas (12,5 por cento) também foram identificados. O diâmetro máximo dos folículos dominantes não ovulatórios foi de 11,60± 2,37 mm, e dos folículos ovulatórios de 14,4± 0,5 mm. A taxa de crescimento dos folículos dominantes da primeira, segunda, terceira e quarta onda foi de 1,48± 0,60; 0,81± 0,13; 1,10± 0,27 e 1,33mm/dia, respectivamente. A concentração máxima de progesterona no diestro foi de 5,50± 0,92ng/ml. A raça Guzerá apresenta características da dinâmica folicular semelhantes àquelas observadas em outras raças zebuínas, como a tendência ao maior número de ondas de crescimento associadas à menor taxa de crescimento, diâmetro máximo e persistência dos folículos dominantes das ondas intermediárias

The follicular growth pattern and luteal function during the estrous cycle were studied using multiparous, non-lactating Guzerá cows (n=5). The animals presented similar age, body score condition, and mean body weight of 518 ± 48.5kg. Follicular dynamics was daily monitored between ovulations during two consecutive estrous cycles, using an ultrasound device equipped with a linear rectal 5MHz transducer. Blood samples were collected each 48h after ovulation, during the evaluated cycles. The first cycle was synchronized using a luteolytic agent (cloprostenol), and the second estrous cycle was natural. Follicles were identified and measured, and data were individually recorded according to the day of the cycle. The mean length of the cycles was 19.10 ± 1.86 days. There was a higher incidence of cycles presenting three follicular growth waves (50 percent), but cycles presenting two (37.5 percent) or three (12.5 percent) waves were also observed. The maximum diameter of non-ovulatory follicles was 11.60± 2.37mm, and that of ovulatory follicles was 14.40± 0.50mm. The growth rate of dominant follicles during the first, second, third and fourth waves were 1.48 ± 0.60; 0.81 ± 0.13; 1.10 ± 0.27 and 1.33mm/day, respectively. Progesterone maximum concentration during diestrus was 5.50± 0.92ng/ml. These results show that the Guzera breed presents characteristics of the follicular dynamics similar to those observed in other Zebu breeds, like the trend to a higher number of follicular waves associated with lower growth rate, maximum diameter and persistence of the dominant follicles emerging during non-ovulatory waves

Cellular competition modulates survival and selection of CD8+ T cells.

In this investigation we compare the repopulation of the CD8+ T cell compartments of bone marrow (BM) chimeras by either normal nontransgenic or T cell receptor (TcR) alpha beta-transgenic (TG) CD8+ T cells, the fate of TG and non-TG CD8+ T cells in different parabionts and the survival of TG and non-TG peripheral CD8+ T cells after transfer into athymic hosts. We found that cellular competition among CD8 T cells occurs at several steps of T cell differentiation including a) during the DN to DP transition, b) positive selection in the thymus, c) export from the thymus and d) in the periphery. Comparison of the results obtained in the BM chimeras and in the parabionts shows that an important step of T cell selection occurs during seeding of peripheral lymphoid tissues. Once established, peripheral T cells resist replacement by recent thymus migrants, i.e. in the periphery, selection of T cell repertoires follows the rule "first come, first served". Peripheral dominance correlates with T cell activation and division. Cell cycling and CD44 expression are more frequent among non-TG CD8 T cells than TG CD8 T cells and within the latter, more frequent among P14 TG CD8 T cells than anti-HYTG CD8 T cells. Thus, in the absence of intentional immunization, the frequencies of CD8+ T cells follow a hierarchy of selection in which non-TG > or = P14 TG > anti-HY TG. We also show that the equilibrium size and the fate of one CD8 T cell population differs according to the presence or absence of other CD8 T cell populations. Under these circumstances, selection of T cell repertoires and T cell survival and memory rely not only on the interactions of each T cell with their respective ligands, but also on the nature and number of other competing cells.

The ontogeny of class-regulation of CD4+ T lymphocyte populations.

The differential class-regulation of CD4+ T lymphocyte populations is believed to play a major role in determining the qualitative behaviour of the immune system, and in the fate of immune responses in particular. In this article we propose a model for the dynamics of the Th1 and Th2 subpopulations. We put forward the concept of an 'antigenic niche' which allows us to postulate that the key feature underlying the regulation of Th differentiation pathways is the population dynamics of the lymphocytes themselves. Using this model we are able to account for a number of well established experimental observations which were hitherto apparently unrelated and poorly understood. This suggests that our simplified model might be capturing some essential features of the immune system.

Developmental shift in the patterns of interleukin production in early post-natal life.

In mice, immunological tolerance to self is established in the perinatal period, when tolerance susceptibility to allogenic tissues is higher than in adults. We have now investigated whether this could result from developmental regulation of effector functions of T cells exposed to specific antigens, by studying the "natural" or T cell receptor-induced expression of several interleukin genes. We used qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods to study interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and interferon-gamma mRNA expression by splenic cells at different ages. The results show that newborn peripheral cells (up to day 7), in contrast to the T lymphocytes of adult mice, express high levels of IL-4 and interferon-gamma, and very low levels of IL-2 messenger spontaneously and upon specific T cell activation. This characteristic phenotype depends on intrinsic T cell properties, as it is not due to the newborn environment.

Differential contribution of thymic outputs and peripheral expansion in the development of peripheral T cell pools.

The number of peripheral T cells in mice increases up to 100-fold in the first few weeks of life. We have followed the fate of Thy-1 congenic T cells transferred into newborn recipients, to evaluate the relative contribution of thymic output versus peripheral expansion in the constitution of peripheral T cell pools during post-natal development. The results show that in normal animals there is essentially no peripheral expansion of T cells, which show slow turnover rates (1 to 2 months) along that time period. The rates of cell accumulation in the periphery require, therefore, an average of 1 x 10(6)-2 x 10(6) mature thymic emigrants/day for the first 3 weeks of life.

Differential cytokine expression in maternal blood and placenta during murine gestation.

To evaluate the influence of gestation on peripheral blood T cells, we measured the mRNA production of several cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-gamma) and the p55 subunit of IL-2R at different time points in the blood of pregnant mice and in the placenta. This was made possible by the use of a new PCR technique that is precise and quantitative. Our results show that pregnancy induces profound changes in the expression of these genes in peripheral blood cells. During the first week of gestation, there is an increase in the levels of all the cytokines, followed by a state of immunodepression characterized by levels of cytokines below normal (nonpregnant mice). In the placenta low levels of IL-2 and IL-10 are detected. IFN-gamma mRNA production is higher than the blood IFN-gamma mRNA in the last week of pregnancy. However, the main difference is found for IL-4 mRNA expression where the placenta levels are 5- to 10-fold higher than the blood mRNA expression. We discuss these results in the context of the placenta as a privileged immune site, where IL-4, being the main cytokine, may play a major regulatory role.

Catecholamines stimulate the IFN-gamma-induced class II MHC expression on bovine brain capillary endothelial cells.

The brain has been considered for a long time as an immunologically privileged site because of the lack of a true lymphatic system and the existence of several barriers that isolate it from the periphery. In the last few years, it became evident that cells in the central nervous system (astrocytes, microglial cells, and brain capillary endothelial cells) can be induced to express class II MHC and present Ag to T lymphocytes. The brain capillary endothelial cells, which are strategically located at the interface between blood and brain, could be involved in the initiation of immune responses within the brain parenchyma. We have previously characterized bovine brain capillary endothelial cells in culture and shown that they maintain in vitro a fully differentiated phenotype associated with the blood-brain barrier endothelium. In order to assess the role of these cells in the development of immune responses in the brain, we initiated the present study on the regulation of their class II MHC surface expression. Our data indicate that this expression on bovine brain capillary endothelial cells is inducible by IFN-gamma and further stimulated by catecholamines through activation of beta-adrenergic receptors. However, this latter effect is not mimicked by forskolin, theophylline, or dibutyryl-cAMP, suggesting the involvement of a cAMP-independent mechanism.

[Unusual form of presentation of acute monocytic leukemia. Report of a clinical case that developed endocarditis]. / Forma pouco habitual de apresentação de leucemia monocítica aguda. A propósito de um caso clínico que evoluiu com endocardite.

The authors describe an acute monocytic leukemia (M5) developed in a 16-year-old boy with febril syndrome, aortic valve vegetations, bicytopenia and dismyelopoieses.

Carcinoma ductal in situ de la mama / In situ ductal carcinoma of the breast

Se presenta un trabajo retrospectivo del Carcinoma Ductal In Situ de la Mama, analizando 21 casos, tratados en el Hospital Oncológico Padre Machado, desde los años de 1975 a 1985. La frecuencia de CDIS en nuestro Hospital es de 1.98% y se comenta ampliamente, la literatura revisada, en cuanto a la sintomatología, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Se insiste en practicar los estudios rutinarios en las afecciones mamarias: Mamografía, Galactografía y Citología, tanto por punción, como de la secreción por el pezón. Se revisa la casuística presentada por diferentes autores y se discute las posibilidades en este cáncer no invasivo, de los focos ocultos de invasión, mt. axilares, multicentricidad y bilateralidad. Se recomienda como tratamiento la cirugía preservadora de la mama. La mastectomía radical modificada, estaría indicada solamente en los casos donde se reporte infiltración mayor de 3 cms. Tomar muestra para receptores de estrógenos del tumor, siempre que sea posible y quimioterapia post-operatoria, cuando se informen de metástasis axilares

O hematocrito do recem-nascido na posicao tradicional e sobre o abdome materno. / Hematocrit of the newborn infant in traditional position and upon the maternal abdomen

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se o hematocrito de um grupo de recem-nascidos colocados sobre o abdome materno e diferente do de um grupo de neonatos mantidos na posicao tradicional. Estudamos 62 recem-nascidos de termo, com peso adequado para a idade gestacional, parto normal, feito unico, apresentacao cefalica, vigorosos, sem medicacao, sadios e sem patologia materna. Ligamos o cordao umbilical de todas as criancas aos cinco minutos de vida sendo que 31 neonatos permaneceram sobre o abdome materno e 31 na posicao tradicional. Medimos o hematocrito no sangue capilar arterializado aos 180 minutos e com 24 horas de vida. A media de hematocrito, aos 180 minutos, do grupo de neonatos na posicao tradicional (68,9%) nao foi significativamente diferente dos recem-nascidos colocados sobre o abdome materno (66,6%). Nao encontramos, tambem, diferenca significativa as 24 horas de vida. Os resultados mostram que nos partos normais a posicao de neonato nos primeiros minutos de vida nao interfere no hematocrito