Motor function in children with congenital Zika syndrome.

AIM: To evaluate gross motor function and associated factors in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). METHOD: Fifty-nine children (30 males, 29 females) with CZS at a mean (SD) age of 14.7 (3.9), months (range 5-29mo) were evaluated using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Neurological damage was evaluated by neuroimaging. The mothers' sociodemographic characteristics and general data on the children were obtained from interviews with the mothers and from the children's medical records. Correlational and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with these children's motor function. RESULTS: In 81% of the children, motor function impairment was severe, classified as GMFCS level V. The overall GMFM score ranged from 5 to 210 (median 18; interquartile range 11), with only four children receiving scores in the D and E dimensions. The factors found to affect motor function were the presence of severe malformations of cortical development and small head circumference at birth. INTERPRETATION: Although motor impairment may be mild in some children, it is generally severe. Severe malformations of cortical development and small head circumference at birth were factors associated with poorer motor function, reflecting the greater severity of brain damage. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Motor impairment is severe in most children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Motor skills are adequate or close to adequate for age in 7% of children with CZS. Severe malformations of cortical development are associated with poor motor control. Small head circumference at birth is also associated with poor motor control.

FUNCIÓN MOTORA EN NIÑOS CON SÍNDROME DE ZIKA CONGÉNITO: OBJETIVO: Evaluar la función motora gruesa y los factores asociados en niños con síndrome de Zika congénito (CZS). MÉTODO: Cincuenta y nueve niños (30 varones, 29 mujeres) con CZS a una edad media (DE) de 14,7 (3,9), meses (rango 5-29 meses) se evaluaron utilizando la Medida de la función motora gruesa (GMFM) y se clasificaron de acuerdo con el Sistema de Clasificación de la Función Motora Gruesa (GMFCS). El impacto estructural neurológico se evaluó mediante neuroimagen. Las características sociodemográficas de las madres y los datos generales de los niños se obtuvieron en entrevistas con las madres y de los registros médicos de los niños. Se realizaron análisis de regresión correlacional y múltiple para identificar los factores asociados con la función motora de estos niños. RESULTADOS: En el 81% de los niños, el deterioro de la función motora fue grave, clasificado como nivel V de GMFCS. El puntaje general de GMFM varió de 5 a 210 (mediana 18; rango intercuartil 11), y solo cuatro niños recibieron puntajes en las dimensiones D y E. Los factores que afectaron la función motora fueron la presencia de malformaciones graves del desarrollo cortical y la circunferencia de la cabeza (microcefalia) al nacer. INTERPRETACIÓN: Aunque el deterioro motor puede ser leve en algunos niños, generalmente el impacto de CZS es grave. Las malformaciones graves del desarrollo cortical y la microcefalia al nacer fueron factores asociados con una función motora más limitada, lo que refleja la mayor gravedad del daño cerebral.

FUNÇÃO MOTORA EM CRIANÇAS COM SÍNDROME CONGÊNITA DE ZIKA: OBJETIVO: Avaliar a função motora grossa e fatores associados em crianças com síndrome congênita de Zika (SCZ). MÉTODO: Cinquenta e nove crianas (30 do sexo masculino, 29 do sexo feminino) com SCZ com uma média (DP) de idade de 14,7 (3,9) meses (variação 5-29m) foram avaliadas usando a Medida da Função Motora Grossa (GMFM) e classificadas de acordo com o Sistema de Classificação da Função Motora Grossa (GMFCS). O dano neurológico foi avaliado por neuroimagem. As características sócio-demográficas da mãe e dados gerais sobre as crianças foram obtidos em entrevistas com as mães e a partir dos prontuários medicos. Análises de correlação e de regressão múltipla foram realizadas para identificar fatores associados com a função motora destas crianças. RESULTADOS: Em 81% das crianças, o comprometimento da função motora era severo, classificao como nível GMFCS V. O escore geral da GMFM various de 5 a 210 (mediana 18; intervalo interquartil 11), com apenas quatro crianças recebendo pontuações nas dimensões D e E. Os fatores que afetaram a função motora grossa foram a presença de malformações severas no desenvolvimento cortical, e o pequeno perímetro cefálico ao nascimento. INTERPRETAÇÃO: Embora a deficiência motora possa ser leve em algumas crianças, em geral ela é severa. Malformações severas no desenvolvimento cortical e o pequeno perímetro cefálico foram fatores associados com pior função motora, refletindo a maior severidade do dano cerebral.

Gene and protein expression in the reproductive tract of Brazilian Somalis rams.

Brazilian Somalis is a locally-adapted breed of rams raised in tropical climate and native pastures. The present study was conducted to evaluate gene expression and proteome of the reproductive tract of such rams. Samples were collected from testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands of four rams. Expression of clusterin (CLU), osteopontin (OPN) and prostaglandin D2 synthase (PGDS) genes were evaluated in all samples by real-time PCR. Shotgun proteomic analysis was performed using samples from the head, corpus and cauda epididymides and from all other structures as well. Gene ontology terms and protein interactions were obtained from UniProtKB databases and MetaCore v.6.8 platform. CLU trasncripts were detected in the testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands of the Somalis rams. The initial region and body of the epididymis had the greatest CLU expression. OPN mRNA was localized in all tissues of the ram reproductive tract. PGDS mRNA was detected in the testes and epididymides. Lable-free mass spectrometry allowed the identification of 137 proteins in all samples. Proteins of the epididymis head mainly participate in cellular processes and response to stimulus, participating in catalityc activity and binding. Proteins of epididymis body acted as regulatory proteins and in cellular processes, with binding and catalytic activity. Cauda epididymis molecules were associated with cellular processes and regulation, with binding function and catalytic activity as well. Testis proteins were mainly linked to cell processes and response to stimuli, and had catalytic function. Seminal vesicle proteins were involved in regulation and mainly with binding functions. Most bulbourethral gland proteins participated in cellular processes. The present study is the first to evaluate the proteome and gene expressions in the reproductive tract of Brazilian Somalis rams. Such pieces of information bring significant cointribution for the understanding of the reproductive physiology of locally-adapted livestock.

Analytical modeling of the thermomechanical behavior of ASTM F-1586 high nitrogen austenitic stainless steel used as a biomaterial under multipass deformation.

Precipitation-recrystallization interactions in ASTM F-1586 austenitic stainless steel were studied by means of hot torsion tests with multipass deformation under continuous cooling, simulating an industrial laminating process. Samples were deformed at 0.2 and 0.3 at a strain rate of 1.0s(-1), in a temperature range of 900 to 1200°C and interpass times varying from 5 to 80s. The tests indicate that the stress level depends on deformation temperature and the slope of the equivalent mean stress (EMS) vs. 1/T presents two distinct behaviors, with a transition at around 1100°C, the non-recrystallization temperature (Tnr). Below the Tnr, strain-induced precipitation of Z-phase (NbCrN) occurs in short interpass times (tpass<30s), inhibiting recrystallization and promoting stepwise stress build-up with strong recovery, which is responsible for increasing the Tnr. At interpass times longer than 30s, the coalescence and dissolution of precipitates promote a decrease in the Tnr and favor the formation of recrystallized grains. Based on this evidence, the physical simulation of controlled processing allows for a domain refined grain with better mechanical properties.

L-arginine treatment early in life influences NADPH-diaphorase neurons in visual cortex of normal and early-malnourished adult rats.

This study investigated the effects of repeated l-arginine administration during lactation, combined with different suckling conditions, on morphometric parameters of primary visual cortex NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons. Wistar rat pups reared in "normal-size litters" or "large litters" (N- and L-conditions; litters formed by 6 and 12 pups, respectively) received, from postnatal day 7 to 28, either arginine (300 mg/kg/day, per gavage) or distilled water (control). At 90-120 days of life, they were perfused with saline + formaldehyde, and their brains were processed for histochemical reaction to reveal NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons (malic enzyme indirect method). Compared to the normal-size litters, L-rats had lower body weights (P < 0.05), confirming the effectiveness of the L-condition in affecting pup development. Concerning NADPH-d histochemistry, arginine treatment was associated with increased (P < 0.05) density of dendrite varicosities and of dendrite branching frequency, suggesting a plastic response of the developing brain to that treatment, even in previously malnourished rats. No difference was seen, however, in dendrite orientation, total number of neurons, soma area and perimeter, as well as dendrite bifurcation points, fractal dimension, and area and volume of dendrite field, suggesting that NADPH-d cells are resistant to arginine and nutritional changes, regarding these features. Data are considered of interest for studies of synaptic plasticity during neural development and its relationships to aggressive agents like malnutrition.