Vocal Load of University Professors: Preliminary Results

Purpose: To describe the acoustic characteristics of a classroom, voice quality, fatigue, and vocal load of university professors. Methods: Exploratory, observational, longitudinal, and descriptive study with a single group of participants, including vocal monitoring data over two weeks. Acoustic characterization of the classroom, perceptual-auditory evaluation, and acoustic analysis of voice samples were conducted before and after classes. Vocal dosimetry was performed during classes, and the Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI) was assessed at the beginning of each week. Descriptive analysis of the findings was conducted, and randomization test was performed to verify the internal reliability of the judge. Results: All participants reported speaking loudly in the classroom, with the majority reporting vocal changes in the past six months, and only one participant reported a current vocal change. The classroom had acoustical measures and estimations that deviated from established standards. The professors used high vocal intensities during classes. After the classes, an increase in the absolute values of the aggregated data for CAPE-V, jitter, and fundamental frequency was found, varying within the range of normality. Furthermore, there was an observed increase in both post-lesson intensity and VFI when comparing the two-week period. Conclusions: Vocal intensities and VFI were possibly impacted by the acoustics of the classroom. The increase in average VFI between the weeks may be attributed to a cumulative fatigue sensation. Further research with a larger number of participants and in acoustically conditioned classrooms is suggested in order to evaluate collective intervention proposals aimed at reducing the vocal load on teachers.

Objetivo: Describir las características acústicas, calidad vocal, fatiga y carga vocal de profesores universitarios. Métodos: Estudio exploratorio, observacional, longitudinal, descriptivo con un solo grupo de participantes y datos de monitoreo vocal durante dos semanas. Se realizó caracterización acústica de la sala, evaluación auditiva-perceptiva y acústica de muestras de voz antes y después de las clases. Se realizó dosimetría vocal durante las clases y se verificó el Índice de Fatiga Vocal (IFV) en dos semanas. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los hallazgos y una prueba de aleatorización para verificar la confiabilidad interna del juez. Resultados: Todos los participantes informaron hablar en voz alta en clase, la mayoría informó cambios vocales en los últimos seis meses y solo uno informó cambios vocales actuales. La sala presentó mediciones y estimaciones acústicas fuera de las normas establecidas. Los profesores utilizaron intensidades vocales altas durante las clases. Hubo un aumento en los valores absolutos de los datos agrupados para CAPE-V, jitter y frecuencia fundamental, variando dentro de los límites normales, después de las clases. La intensidad después de las clases y el IFV, en la comparación entre las dos semanas, mostraron un aumento. Conclusiones: La dosis vocal y el IFV posiblemente se vieron afectados por la acústica del aula. El aumento del IFV medio entre semanas pudo deberse a la sensación de cansancio acumulada. Se sugieren nuevas investigaciones con un mayor número de participantes y que se realicen en la sala acondicionada acústicamente para evaluar propuestas de intervención colectiva, con el objetivo de reducir la carga vocal de los docentes.

Comparative cytogenetics in Tyrannidae (Aves, Passeriformes): High genetic diversity despite conserved karyotype organization.

Introduction Passeriformes has the greatest species diversity among Neoaves, and the Tyrannidae is the richest in this order with about 600 valid species. The diploid number of this family remains constant, ranging from 2n = 76 to 84, but the chromosomal morphology varies, indicating the occurrence of different chromosomal rearrangements. Cytogenetic studies of the Tyrannidae remain limited, with approximately 20 species having been karyotyped thus far. This study aimed to describe the karyotypes of two species from this family, Myiopagis viridicata and Sirystes sibilator. Methods Skin biopsies were taken from each individual to establish fibroblast cell cultures and to obtain chromosomal preparations using the standard methodology. The chromosomal distribution of constitutive heterochromatin was investigated by C-banding, while the location of simple repetitive sequences (SSRs), 18S rDNA, and telomeric sequences were found through fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results The karyotypes of both species are composed of 2n = 80. The 18S rDNA probes hybridized into two pairs of microchromosomes in M. viridicata, but only a single pair in S. sibilator. Only the telomeric portions of each chromosome in both species were hybridized by the telomere sequence probes. Most of the SSRs were found accumulated in the centromeric and telomeric regions of several macro- and microchromosomes in both species, which likely correspond to the heterochromatin-rich regions. Conclusion Although both species analyzed showed a conserved karyotype organization (2n = 80), our study revealed significant differences in their chromosomal architecture, rDNA distribution, and SSR accumulation. These findings were discussed in the context of the evolution of Tyrannidae karyotypes.

Microchromosome BAC-FISH Reveals Different Patterns of Genome Organization in Three Charadriiformes Species.

Microchromosomes, once considered unimportant elements of the genome, represent fundamental building blocks of bird karyotypes. Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) comprise a wide variety of approximately 390 species and are considered a valuable model group for biological studies. Despite this variety, cytogenetic analysis is still very scarce in this bird order. Thus, the aim of this study was to provide insight into the Charadriiformes karyotype, with emphasis on microchromosome evolution in three species of shorebirds-Calidris canutus, Jacana jacana, and Vanellus chilensis-combining classical and molecular approaches. Cross-species FISH mapping applied two BAC probes for each microchromosome, GGA10-28 (except GGA16). The experiments revealed different patterns of microchromosome organization in the species investigated. Hence, while in C. canutus, we found two microchromosomes involved in chromosome fusions, they were present as single pairs in V. chilensis. We also described a new chromosome number for C. canutus (2n = 92). Hence, this study contributed to the understanding of genome organization and evolution of three shorebird species.

Chromosomal Evolution of Suboscines: Karyotype Diversity and Evolutionary Trends in Ovenbirds (Passeriformes, Furnariidae).

Furnariidae (ovenbirds) is one of the most diversified families in the Passeriformes order and Suboscines suborder. Despite the great diversity of species, cytogenetic research is still in its early stages, restricting our knowledge of their karyotype evolution. We combined traditional and molecular cytogenetic analyses in three representative species, Synallaxis frontalis, Syndactyla rufosuperciliata, and Cranioleuca obsoleta, to examine the chromosomal structure and evolution of ovenbirds. Our findings revealed that all the species studied had the same diploid number (2n = 82). Differences in chromosomal morphology of some macrochromosomes indicate the presence of intrachromosomal rearrangements. Although the three species only had the 18S rDNA on one microchromosome pair, chromosomal mapping of six simple short repeats revealed a varied pattern of chromosome distribution among them, suggesting that each species underwent different repetitive DNA accumulation upon their divergence. The interspecific comparative genomic hybridization experiment revealed that the Furnariidae species investigated carry centromeric regions enriched in similar repetitive sequences, bolstering the Furnariidae family's karyotype conservation. Nonetheless, the outgroup species Turdus rufiventris (Turdidae) demonstrated an advanced stage of sequence divergence with hybridization signals that were almost entirely limited to a few microchromosomes. Overall, the findings imply that Furnariidae species have a high degree of chromosomal conservation, and we could also observe a differentiation of repetitive sequences in both Passeriformes suborders (Suboscines and Oscines).

Cytogenetic Evidence Clarifies the Phylogeny of the Family Rhynchocyclidae (Aves: Passeriformes).

The phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of Rhynchocyclidae (Aves: Passeriformes) have been the subject of debate since their first description. In most models, Rhynchocyclidae represents a subfamily-level taxon placed within the Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae). Considering that this classification does not include cytotaxonomic characters, we tested the hypothesis that the chromosome organization of Rhynchocyclidae members differs from that of Tyrannidae. Hence, we selected two species, Tolmomyias sulphurescens, and Pitangus sulphuratus, representing Rhynchocyclidae and Tyrannidae, respectively. Results revealed a diploid number (2n) of 60 in T. sulphurescens and 2n = 80 in P. sulphuratus, indicating significant chromosomal differences. Chromosome mapping of Gallus gallus (GGA) and Taeniopygia guttata bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) corresponding to chromosomes GGA1-28 (except 16) revealed that the genome evolution of T. sulphurescens involved extensive chromosome fusions of macrochromosomes and microchromosomes. On the other hand, P. sulphuratus retained the ancestral pattern of organization of macrochromosomes (except the centric fission involving GGA1) and microchromosomes. In conclusion, comparing our results with previous studies in Tyrant Flycatchers and allies indicates that P. sulphuratus has similar karyotypes to other Tyrannidae members. However, T. sulphurescens does not resemble the Tyrannidae family, reinforcing family status to the clade named Rhynchocyclidae.

Interspecies Chromosome Mapping in Caprimulgiformes, Piciformes, Suliformes, and Trogoniformes (Aves): Cytogenomic Insight into Microchromosome Organization and Karyotype Evolution in Birds.

Interchromosomal rearrangements involving microchromosomes are rare events in birds. To date, they have been found mostly in Psittaciformes, Falconiformes, and Cuculiformes, although only a few orders have been analyzed. Hence, cytogenomic studies focusing on microchromosomes in species belonging to different bird orders are essential to shed more light on the avian chromosome and karyotype evolution. Based on this, we performed a comparative chromosome mapping for chicken microchromosomes 10 to 28 using interspecies BAC-based FISH hybridization in five species, representing four Neoaves orders (Caprimulgiformes, Piciformes, Suliformes, and Trogoniformes). Our results suggest that the ancestral microchromosomal syntenies are conserved in Pteroglossus inscriptus (Piciformes), Ramphastos tucanus tucanus (Piciformes), and Trogon surrucura surrucura (Trogoniformes). On the other hand, chromosome reorganization in Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Suliformes) and Hydropsalis torquata (Caprimulgiformes) included fusions involving both macro- and microchromosomes. Fissions in macrochromosomes were observed in P. brasilianus and H. torquata. Relevant hypothetical Neognathae and Neoaves ancestral karyotypes were reconstructed to trace these rearrangements. We found no interchromosomal rearrangement involving microchromosomes to be shared between avian orders where rearrangements were detected. Our findings suggest that convergent evolution involving microchromosomal change is a rare event in birds and may be appropriate in cytotaxonomic inferences in orders where these rearrangements occurred.

The distribution of 45S rDNA sites in bird chromosomes suggests multiple evolutionary histories.

The distribution of 45S rDNA cluster in avian karyotypes varies in different aspects, such as position, number of bearer chromosomes, and bearers being macro- or microchromosomes. The present study investigated the patterns of variation in the 45S rDNA-bearer chromosomes of birds in order to understand the evolutionary dynamics of the cluster configuration and its contribution to the evolution of bird karyotypes. A total of 73 bird species were analyzed, including both published data and species for which rDNA-FISH was conducted for the first time. In most birds, the 45S rDNA clusters were located in a single pair of microchromosomes. Hence, the location of 45S rDNA in macrochromosomes, observed only in Neognathae species, seems to be a derived state, probably the result of chromosomal fusion between microchromosomes and distinct macrochromosomes. Additionally, the 45S rDNA was observed in multiple microchromosomes in different branches of the bird phylogeny, suggesting recurrence of dispersion processeses, such as duplications and translocations. Overall, this study indicated that the redistribution of the 45S rDNA sites in bird chromosomes followed different evolutionary trajectories with respect to each lineage of the class Aves.

Comparative analyses of three swallow species (Aves, Passeriformes, Hirundinidae): Insights on karyotype evolution and genomic organization.

Despite the richness of species in the Hirudinidae family, little is known about the genome organization of swallows. The Progne tapera species presents genetic and morphological difference when compared to other members of the same genus. Hence, the aims of this study were to analyze the chromosomal evolution of three species Progne tapera, Progne chalybea and Pygochelidon cyanoleuca - by comparative chromosome painting using two sets of probes, Gallus gallus and Zenaida auriculata, in order to determine chromosome homologies and the relationship between these species. All karyotypes exhibited 76 chromosomes with similar morphology, except for the 5th, 6th and 7th chromosome pairs in P. cyanoleuca. Additionally, comparative chromosome painting demonstrated the same hybridization pattern in the two Progne, which was similar to the putative avian ancestral karyotype, except for the centric fission in the first pair, as found in other Passeriformes. Thus, these data display a close relationship between the Progne species. Although P. cyanoleuca demonstrated the same fission in the first pair of the ancestral syntenic (GGA1), it also showed an additional chromosomal rearrangement for this species, namely a fusion with a microchromosome in the seventh pair.

Novel insights into chromosome evolution of Charadriiformes: extensive genomic reshuffling in the wattled jacana (Jacana jacana, Charadriiformes, Jacanidae).

The order Charadriiformes comprises three major clades: Lari and Scolopaci as sister group to Charadrii. Until now, only three Charadriiformes species have been studied by chromosome painting: Larus argentatus (Lari), Burhinus oedicnemus and Vanellus chilensis (Charadrii). Hence, there is a lack of information concerning the third clade, Scolapaci. Based on this, and to gain a better understanding of karyotype evolution in the order Charadriiformes, we applied conventional and molecular cytogenetic approaches in a species belonging to clade Scolopaci - the wattled jacana (Jacana jacana) - using Gallus gallus and Zenaida auriculata chromosome-specific probes. Cross-species evaluation of J. jacana chromosomes shows extensive genomic reshuffling within macrochromosomes during evolution, with multiple fission and fusion events, although the diploid number remains at high level (2n=82). Interestingly, this species does not have the GGA7-8 fusion, which was found in two representatives of Charadrii clade, reinforcing the idea that this fusion may be exclusive to the Charadrii clade. In addition, it is shown that the chromosome evolution in Charadriiformes is complex and resulted in species with typical and atypical karyotypes. The karyotypic features of Scolopaci are very different from those of Charadrii and Lari, indicating that after divergence, each suborder has undergone different chromosome rearrangements.

Polymorphism of Sooty-fronted Spinetail (Synallaxis frontalis Aves: Furnariidae): Evidence of chromosomal rearrangements by pericentric inversion in autosomal macrochromosomes.

The Passeriformes is the most diverse and cytogenetically well-known clade of birds, comprising approximately 5,000 species. The sooty-fronted spinetail (Synallaxis frontalis Aves: Furnariidae) species, which belongs to the order Passeriformes, is typically found in South America, where it is widely distributed. Polymorphisms provide genetic variability, important for several evolutionary processes, including speciation and adaptation to the environment. The aim of this work was to analyze the possible cytotypes and systemic events involved in the species polymorphism. Of the sampled 19 individuals, two thirds were polymorphic, an event supposedly linked to mutations resulting from genomic evolution that can be transmitted hereditarily. A chromosomal polymorphism was detected between the 1st and 3rdpairs of autosomal macrochromosomes. This type of polymorphism is related to a pericentric inversion in regions involving chromosomal rearrangements. Differently from other polymorphism studies that report a link between polymorphic chromosomes and phenotypic changes, S. frontalis did not present any morphological variation in the sampled individuals.

Multidirectional chromosome painting in Synallaxis frontalis (Passeriformes, Furnariidae) reveals high chromosomal reorganization, involving fissions and inversions.

In this work we performed comparative chromosome painting using probes from Gallus gallus (GGA) Linnaeus, 1758 and Leucopternis albicollis (LAL) Latham, 1790 in Synallaxis frontalis Pelzeln, 1859 (Passeriformes, Furnariidae), an exclusively Neotropical species, in order to analyze whether the complex pattern of intrachromosomal rearrangements (paracentric and pericentric inversions) proposed for Oscines and Suboscines is shared with more basal species. S. frontalis has 82 chromosomes, similar to most Avian species, with a large number of microchromosomes and a few pairs of macrochromosomes. We found polymorphisms in pairs 1 and 3, where homologues were submetacentric and acrocentric. Hybridization of GGA probes showed syntenies in the majority of ancestral macrochromosomes, except for GGA1 and GGA2, which hybridized to more than one pair of chromosomes each. LAL probes confirmed the occurrence of intrachromosomal rearrangements in the chromosomes corresponding to GGA1q, as previously proposed for species from the order Passeriformes. In addition, LAL probes suggest that pericentric inversions or centromere repositioning were responsible for variations in the morphology of the heteromorphic pairs 1 and 3. Altogether, the analysis of our data on chromosome painting and the data published in other Passeriformes highlights chromosomal changes that have occurred during the evolution of Passeriformes.

Frequency of copy number abnormalities in common genes associated with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cytogenetic subtypes in Brazilian children.

Copy number alterations (CNAs) in genes committed to B-cell precursors have been associated with poor survival in subgroups of patients with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). We investigated submicroscopic alterations in a series of 274 Brazilian children with BCP-ALL by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and evaluated their correlation with clinical and laboratory features. The relevance of overlapping CNA abnormalities was also explored. Deletions/amplifications in at least one gene were identified in 83% of the total series. In children older than 2 years, there was a predominance of CNAs involving deletions in IKZF1, CDKN2A, and CDKN2B, whereas the pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) had deletions that were found more frequently in infants (P <0.05). Based on the cytogenetic subgroups, favorable cytogenetic subgroups showed more deletions than other subgroups that occurred simultaneously, specifically ETV6 deletions (P <0.05). TCF3-PBX1 was frequently deleted in RB1, and an absence of deletions was observed in IKZF1 and genes localized to the PAR1 region. The results corroborate with previous genome-wide studies and aggregate new markers for risk stratification of BCP-ALL in Brazil.

Tumor de células granulares da mama sincrônico à doença de Castleman retroperitoneal: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Granular Cell Tumor of the Breast Synchronous to Retroperitoneal Castleman’s

Introdução: O tumor de células granulares é uma neoplasia benigna rara que pode ocorrer em qualquer parte do corpo. Na mama, representa 5-6% de todos os tumores de células da granulares. Geralmente são nódulos que podem simular um carcinoma invasivo em exames de imagem. Histologicamente é caracterizado por uma proliferação de células poligonais de aspecto granular que se agrupam em ninhos, cordões ou lençóis e apresentam uma forte marcação imuno-histoquímica para a proteína S-100. A doença de Castleman é um distúrbio linfoproliferativo benigno rarode origem controverso, caracterizada pela proliferação de tecido linfoide em qualquer cadeia linfática. Clinicamente,essa doença é dividida em forma unicêntrica e multicêntrica, a cura na forma unicêntrica é possível por meio daexcisão cirúrgica, enquanto a forma multicêntrica tem um prognóstico mais reservado em longo prazo. Relato docaso: Descreveu-se o caso de uma paciente com um nódulo de mama sugestivo de carcinoma e que teve o diagnóstico de tumor de células da granulares e, em exames de estadiamento, foi encontrada uma massa em retroperitônio que,após ressecção cirúrgica, foi diagnosticada como doença de Castleman. Conclusão: Deve-se ter, como diagnóstico diferencial de tumores malignos de mama, o tumor de células granulares, devido à similaridade ao exame clínico e em exames de imagem. A doença de Castleman deve estar no diagnóstico diferencial de massas retroperitoneais.