Myosin Va is developmentally regulated and expressed in the human cerebellum from birth to old age.

Myosin Va functions as a processive, actin-based motor molecule highly enriched in the nervous system, which transports and/or tethers organelles, vesicles, and mRNA and protein translation machinery. Mutation of myosin Va leads to Griscelli disease that is associated with severe neurological deficits and a short life span. Despite playing a critical role in development, the expression of myosin Va in the central nervous system throughout the human life span has not been reported. To address this issue, the cerebellar expression of myosin Va from newborns to elderly humans was studied by immunohistochemistry using an affinity-purified anti-myosin Va antibody. Myosin Va was expressed at all ages from the 10th postnatal day to the 98 th year of life, in molecular, Purkinje and granular cerebellar layers. Cerebellar myosin Va expression did not differ essentially in localization or intensity from childhood to old age, except during the postnatal developmental period. Structures resembling granules and climbing fibers in Purkinje cells were deeply stained. In dentate neurons, long processes were deeply stained by anti-myosin Va, as were punctate nuclear structures. During the first postnatal year, myosin Va was differentially expressed in the external granular layer (EGL). In the EGL, proliferating prospective granule cells were not stained by anti-myosin Va antibody. In contrast, premigratory granule cells in the EGL stained moderately. Granule cells exhibiting a migratory profile in the molecular layer were also moderately stained. In conclusion, neuronal myosin Va is developmentally regulated, and appears to be required for cerebellar function from early postnatal life to senescence.

Myosin Va is developmentally regulated and expressed in the human cerebellum from birth to old age

Myosin Va functions as a processive, actin-based motor molecule highly enriched in the nervous system, which transports and/or tethers organelles, vesicles, and mRNA and protein translation machinery. Mutation of myosin Va leads to Griscelli disease that is associated with severe neurological deficits and a short life span. Despite playing a critical role in development, the expression of myosin Va in the central nervous system throughout the human life span has not been reported. To address this issue, the cerebellar expression of myosin Va from newborns to elderly humans was studied by immunohistochemistry using an affinity-purified anti-myosin Va antibody. Myosin Va was expressed at all ages from the 10th postnatal day to the 98th year of life, in molecular, Purkinje and granular cerebellar layers. Cerebellar myosin Va expression did not differ essentially in localization or intensity from childhood to old age, except during the postnatal developmental period. Structures resembling granules and climbing fibers in Purkinje cells were deeply stained. In dentate neurons, long processes were deeply stained by anti-myosin Va, as were punctate nuclear structures. During the first postnatal year, myosin Va was differentially expressed in the external granular layer (EGL). In the EGL, proliferating prospective granule cells were not stained by anti-myosin Va antibody. In contrast, premigratory granule cells in the EGL stained moderately. Granule cells exhibiting a migratory profile in the molecular layer were also moderately stained. In conclusion, neuronal myosin Va is developmentally regulated, and appears to be required for cerebellar function from early postnatal life to senescence.

"Familias fuertes" taller de fortalecimienmto para adolescentes: satisfacción con la educación recibida / "Strong families": a workshop to strengthen adolescent families. Outcome satisfaction

Objective: This study examined family satisfaction with the education they received in the Strong Families Workshop, whose purpose is risk behavior prevention in adolescents aged 10 to 14. Patients and Method: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 100 families (parents or guardians and adolescents) from five high schools in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile. The workshop consisted of seven sessions for parents, adolescents and families. An instrument was used on participants at 6 months post intervention. It included aspects relating to the structure, process and results of the workshop. Results: 100 percent of the families attended the complete workshop. The degree of satisfaction with the family sessions in both groups was greater than 90 percent, and greater than 80 percent with respect to the schedule, frequency, quality of videos, written program material, teacher quality and content completion achievements. Conclusions: There is great interest on the part of parents and adolescents to jointly participate in family strengthening workshops. This may justify the implementation of such at the school level, considering the role of educators as promoters of health and the family as a protective factor in healthy adolescent development.

Objetivo: Este trabajo estudió la satisfacción en familias con la educación recibida en el Taller Familias Fuertes, cuyo propósito es la prevención de conductas de riesgo en adolescentes de 10 a 14 años. Pacientes y Método: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, en 100 familias (padres o tutores y adolescentes) de cinco colegios de la Región Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile. El taller, constó de siete sesiones para padres, adolescentes y familia. Se aplicó un instrumento a los participantes a los 6 meses post intervención, que consideró aspectos de la estructura, proceso y resultados del taller. Resultados: El 100 por ciento de las familias asistió a la totalidad del taller. El grado de satisfacción en ambos grupos con la sesiones en familia fue mayor al 90 por ciento y mayor al 80 por ciento respecto del horario, frecuencia, vídeos, material escrito del programa, calidad docente y logros del cumplimiento de los contenidos. Conclusiones: Existe un gran interés de padres y adolescentes en participar en forma conjunta en talleres de fortalecimiento familiar, por lo tanto se justifica ampliar su implementación a nivel escolar considerando el rol de los educadores como agentes promotores de la salud y a la familia como un factor protector del desarrollo sano del adolescente.

Rabbit retinal neovascularization induced by latex angiogenic-derived fraction: an experimental model.

PURPOSE: To create a retinal neovascularization experimental model using intravitreal injection of microspheres loaded with latex-derived angiogenic fraction. METHODS: Thirty-two albino New Zealand rabbits, divided in 4 groups of 8 animals, were enrolled in this study. Rabbits in groups I, II, and III received one intravitreal injection of PLGA (L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres with 10, 30, and 50 microg of latex-derived angiogenic fraction into their right eyes, respectively, and group IV received 0.1 ml of microspheres without the angiogenic fraction. Weekly follow-up with ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography was performed; the rabbits were sacrificed in the 4th week and their eyes processed for light microscopy. RESULTS: All eyes from group I demonstrated increased retinal vascular tortuosity, observed from 14 days after injection and maintained for 28 days, otherwise without new vessels detection. All group II eyes showed vascular changes similar to group I. Fifty percent of the eyes from group II rabbits developed retinal neovascularization 21 days after injection. All eyes from group III demonstrated significant vascular tortuosity and retinal new vessels 2 weeks after injection, progressing to fibrovascular proliferation and tractional retinal detachment. No vascular changes or retinal new vessels were observed in group IV eyes. Light microscopy confirmed the existence of new vessels previously seen on fluorescein angiography, in retinal sections adjacent to the optic disc, not observed in sections at the same area in the control group. CONCLUSION: Thirty- and 50-microg microspheres containing latex-derived angiogenic fraction injected into the vitreous cavity induced retinal neovascularization in rabbits.

Detection of antibodies and risk factors for infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus-3 in beef cattle of Yucatan, Mexico.

We collected blood samples from 756 > or =2-year-old cattle in 54 herds in Yucatan, Mexico, and used all of those to determine the antibody seroprevalences (in an indirect enzyme-linked inmunosorbance assay) to bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and risk factors for animal-level seropositivity. We used 728 of the same samples (from 52 of the same herds) to do the same for parainfluenza virus-3 (PIV3). Cattle were selected by two-stage cluster sampling. Herd-level and animal-level risk factors were obtained through a personal interview. We analyzed the data by using a random-effects multivariable logistic regression model for clustered observations. All herds had at least 3 (BRSV) or 5 (PIV3) seropositive animals. The animal-level true seroprevalences were: 90.8% (86.5, 95.2%) and 85.6% (80.9, 90.4%) for BRSV and PIV3, respectively. Animals in large herds and old animals had the highest odds of being seropositives to BRSV, and those risk factors plus animals born on the farm for PIV3 infection.

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus in beef cattle herds of Yucatan, Mexico: seroprevalence and risk factors.

A survey of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection was carried out from June 2001 to July 2002 in a non-vaccinated beef cattle population from the livestock region of Yucatan, Mexico, to assess seroprevalence and identify risk factors related to seroprevalence. The aim was also to estimate the intra-herd correlation (r(e)) and design effect (D) of BVDV seropositivity. Cattle were selected by a two-stage cluster sampling. Blood samples were collected from 560 animals originating from 40 herds. Sera were tested for antibodies against BVDV using an indirect ELISA test. The sensitivity and specificity of the test was 97.9 and 99.7%, respectively. Risk factors regarding the herd and each animal sampled were recorded through a personal interview at the time of blood sampling. Twenty-four of the 40 herds had at least one seropositive animal. The animal true seroprevalence was estimated as 14%. The marginal logistic regression model used to describe the data found a significant (p<0.05) association of herd size-cow-origin interaction. The interaction was due to a higher risk of seropositivity in the category of herds with 196 animals. The r(e) and D values were 0.17+/-0.05 and 3.16+/-0.57, respectively.

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for leptospiral antibodies among cattle in the state of Yucatan, Mexico.

Sera obtained from cattle in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, were screened using the microscopic agglutination test against 13 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. A total of 62.8% (461/734) cows were positive for one or more serovars. This seroprevalence probably reflects infection because vaccination against leptospirosis has not been practised in Yucatan. The most common antibodies detected were those against antigens of serovars hardjo (54.1%) and tarassovi (53.3%). Region was the only risk factor associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis (p < 0.05).

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in beef cattle herds of Yucatan, Mexico.

The main objective of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the seroprevalence of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in a population of non-vaccinated beef cattle in the livestock region of Yucatan, Mexico and to determine potential risk factors related to the seroprevalence. Also, we estimated the intraherd correlation (r(e)) and design effect (D) of IBR seropositivity. Cattle were selected by two-stage cluster sampling. Blood samples were collected from 564 animals from 35 herds. Sera were tested for antibodies against IBR using the serum-neutralisation test. Information regarding the herd and each animal sampled were recorded through a personal interview with the farmer or farm manager. The data were analysed using fixed-effects logistic multiple regression. Thirty-four of the 35 herds had at least one seropositive animal. The animal true seroprevalence was 54.4%. Animals in large herds or in production had higher odds of seropositivity than those in small herds or growing. The r(e) and D were 0.17 and 3.62, respectively.

[Computerized tomography of the skull in the diagnosis of meningiomas. Report of 16 cases]. / Tomografia computadorizada do crânio no diagnóstico dos meningiomas.

The authors report the usefulness of the skull's computerized tomography for the exact diagnosis of the meningiomas. The 16 cases reported were comproved surgical and histologically. The average was 52.1 years. They dealt out 10 females and 6 males. According to their localization, there are 5 on the orbital cavity and/or sphenoid ridge (31.2%), 3 of the falx (18.7%), 3 parasagitals (18.7%), 2 suprasellars (12.5%), 2 of the convexity (12.5%) and 1 of the tentorium (6.2%). The authors concluded that the computerized tomography of the skull is of high positiveness (95-98%), without damages for the patient, and nowadays it allows precocity in diagnosis, and, consequently, with better therapeutic results.

Tomografia computadorizada do cranio no diagnostico dos meningiomas:registro de 16 casos. / Computerized tomography of the skull in the diagnosis of meningiomas. Report of 16 cases

Os autores se referem a importancia do emprego da tomografia computadorizada do cranio para o preciso diagnostico dos meningiomas. Constam da experiencia 16 casos comprovados cirurgica e histologicamente. A media de idade foi de 52,1 anos, sendo 10 pacientes do sexo feminino e 6 masculino. Quando a localizacao, 5 eram da cavidade orbitraria e/ou asa do esfenoide, 3 parasagitais, 3 da foice, 2 supra-selares, 2 de convexidade e 1 do tentorio. Concluem tratar-se de exame de grande positividade (95-98%), praticamente inocuo e que permite, na atualidade o diagnostico precoce conduzindo, consequentemente, a melhores resultados terapeuticos.