Zygosity Effects on Human Voice: Fundamental Frequency Analysis of Brazilian Twins' Speech.

Voice production can be influenced by interindividual variations related to genetic, physiological, behavioral, and several environmental factors. Here we examined the effect of zygosity on speaking fundamental frequency (F0) statistical descriptors. Our aims were: (1) to determine whether the genetic similarity between monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins affects F0 characteristics, and (2) to quantify the contribution of genetic factors to these characteristics. The study involved 79 same-sex twin pairs of Brazilian Portuguese speakers, comprising 65 MZ and 14 DZ twins, aged 18 to 66 years (31.7 ± 11.6 years), with 21 male and 58 female pairs. Participants were recorded while uttering a greeting phrase and the Brazilian Portuguese version of the 'Happy Birthday to You' song. Speech segments were analyzed using Praat free software, and F0 measures were automatically extracted in both Hertz and semitone scales. Statistical descriptors, including centrality, dispersion, and extreme values of F0 were examined, and the ACE model (i.e., total genetic effects, A; shared environmental influences, C; and nonshared environmental influences, E) was employed to estimate the additive effect;ts of monozygosity. As anticipated, we observed a zygosity effect on several F0 parameters, with more similarity between MZ twins compared to DZ twins. We discuss the genetic influences on F0 parameters and the absence of a monozygosity effect in two of them. Additionally, we briefly address potential biases associated with the selected measurement scale for statistical modeling. Finally, we explore the influence of genetic factors on F0 patterns, as well as environmental, life history and linguistic factors, particularly concerning F0 variation in speech.

Sibling bullying reported by emerging adults: Profiling the prevalence, roles, and forms in a cross-country investigation.

Prevalence estimates of sibling bullying indicate it occurs more frequently and with more negative consequences than peer bullying, yet many countries do not track or investigate the phenomenon. University students from Argentina, Estonia, and the United States were surveyed to investigate their retrospective experiences involving sibling bullying, how often it occurred, the roles held, and the forms communicated. In the aggregated data, roughly 50 % of the sampled emerging adults (N = 3477) reported experience with sibling bullying, with the dual role of bully-victim being the most frequently reported role held by males and females, with the second role being bully for males and victim for females. Verbal forms of bullying were most frequently reported by males and females, with physical, relational, and technological forms occurring less frequently, indicating the importance of studying the messages conveyed during bullying incidents. Variations between biological sex, bullying role and form were detected that indicate siblings experience bullying in ways that are unique from peer bullying. Country comparisons revealed bullying frequencies varied among males and females, suggesting sibling bullying experiences are likely to be culturally influenced. More research is warranted to examine the negative impact bullying has on sibling psycho-social development and the potential transfer to non-familial relationships and contexts. Discussion of these findings and the implications for academics and practitioners alike is provided.

Clinical Health Outcomes of Siblings of Children with Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess clinical mental and physical health outcomes of siblings of children with chronic health condition(s) compared with siblings of healthy children or normative data. STUDY DESIGN: We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, and CINAHL through August 9, 2021. We included English-language studies that reported clinically diagnosable mental or physical health outcomes among siblings of children (<18 years old) with a chronic health condition, included a comparison group, and used an experimental or observational study design. Two reviewers extracted data and independently assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: Of 9899 screened studies, 34 were included; 28 studies reported on mental health, 3 reported on physical health, and 3 reported on mortality. Siblings of children with chronic conditions had greater depression rating scale scores than their comparison groups (standardized mean difference = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.38-0.68; P < .001 [6 studies]), whereas anxiety scores were not substantially increased (standardized mean difference = 0.21; 95% CI = -0.02 to 0.43; P = .07 [7 studies]). The effects for confirmed psychiatric diagnoses (7 studies), mortality (3 studies), or physical health outcomes (3 studies) could not be meta-analyzed given the limited number of studies and between-study heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Siblings of children with chronic health conditions may be at an increased risk of depression. Our findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to support the psychological well-being of siblings of children with chronic health conditions.

Psychometric Properties of the Sibling Attachment Inventory in Mexican Young Adults.

The aim of this work was to adapt and validate the Sibling Attachment Inventory (SAI) in Mexican young adults and analyze its psychometric properties. Using an Internet-based survey, data were collected from 307 (64.5% female) Mexican young adults university students (aged 18-30). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to determine the factor structure of the revised Mexican version of the Sibling Attachment Inventory (SAI-RMx). Convergent and predictive validity were verified by carrying out correlations with the parent form of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA), the Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale (LSRS), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). Results indicated that the SAI-RMx presents good levels of internal consistency and a monodimensional structure, also providing evidence for convergent, predictive, and construct validity. Furthermore, secure attachments were linked with high levels of self-esteem, as well as with high levels of life satisfaction. The SAI-RMx is expected to be a reliable instrument for measuring the global level and the three components of secure attachment between siblings in the young adult's Mexican population.

Madness is other people: alterity/ipseity and the sibling archetype.

The issue of madness, always present in the hot-tempered gods - Ares, Aphrodite, and Dionysus - has to do with what the ancient Greeks referred to as alterity. It was the Greeks who 'invented' this notion. What is otherness? It is, simply said, the extensive category of the Other. Let us examine a few aspects of the way this category is presented in mythical thinking in order to understand its place in psychology and madness. Alterity has to do with the Other, who is outside or inside me; ipseity is the possibility of remaining the same. This recognition has political, historical, ethical and, of course, psychological implications. And yet, it is archetypal, because that is where, as we will see, the issues of the sibling archetype fall. The sibling, as a primordial image in the soul, is present in the psychological evolution of each individual and each culture, and its influence inevitably projects itself into the history and construction of our connections with friends, companions, partners, associates, and colleagues - i.e. with all others, before confirmation is established in the soul that madness is other people.

Le sujet de la folie, toujours présent chez les dieux impétueux - Arès, Aphrodite, et Dionysos - est en lien avec ce que les Grecs anciens ont appelé l'altérité. Ce sont les Grecs qui ont « inventé ¼ cette notion. Qu'est-ce que l'altérité? Pour le dire simplement c'est la vaste catégorie de l'Autre. Examinons quelques aspects de la manière dont cette catégorie est montrée dans la pensée mythique, afin de comprendre sa place dans la psychologie et la folie. L'altérité a à voir avec l'Autre, qui est à l'extérieur ou à l'intérieur de moi. L'ipséité est la possibilité de rester le même. Cette prise de conscience a des conséquences politiques, historiques, éthiques et bien sûr psychologiques. Et pourtant, il s'agit de quelque chose d'archétypal, parce que c'est là que, comme nous le verrons, les questions de l'archétype de la sœur ou du frère se présentent. La sœur/le frère est une image primordiale de l'âme, elle est présente dans l'évolution psychologique de chacun et dans chaque culture. Son influence se projette inévitablement sur l'histoire et la construction de nos liens avec les amis, les compagnons, les conjoints, les associés et les collègues, c'est à dire avec tous les autres, avant que s'établisse dans l'âme la confirmation que la folie c'est les autres.

El tema de la locura, siempre presente en los dioses y diosas temperamentales - Ares, Afrodita y Dionisos - tiene que ver con lo que los griegos antiguos refieren como alteridad. Fueron los griegos quienes 'inventaron' esta noción. ¿Qué es la otredad? Es, dicho simplemente, la categoría extensiva de lo Otro. Examinamos algunos aspectos del modo en que esta categoría es presentada en el pensamiento mítico para poder comprender su lugar en la psicología y la locura. Alteridad tiene que ver con la Otredad, que está afuera o dentro mío; ipseidad es la posibilidad de permanecer lo mismo. Este reconocimiento tiene implicancias políticas, históricas, éticas y por supuesto, psicológicas. Y todavía, es arquetípica, porque es allí donde se encuentran las cuestiones vinculadas al arquetipo fraterno. El hermano, como imagen primordial en el alma, está presente en la evolución psicológica de cada individuo y de cada cultura, y su influencia inevitablemente se proyecta en la historia y construcción de nuestras conexiones con amigos, compañeras, parejas, asociados y colegas - i.e. con todos los otros, antes que en el alma se establezca la confirmación de que la locura es otra persona.

A questão da loucura, sempre presente nos deuses de temperamento quente - Ares, Afrodite e Dionísio - tem a ver com o que os gregos antigos chamavam de alteridade. Foram os gregos que "inventaram" essa noção. O que é alteridade? É, simplesmente dito, a extensa categoria do Outro. Examinemos alguns aspectos da forma como essa categoria é apresentada no pensamento mítico para entender seu lugar na psicologia e na loucura. Alteridade tem a ver com o Outro, que está fora ou dentro de mim; ipseidade é a possibilidade de permanecer o mesmo. Esse reconhecimento tem implicações políticas, históricas, éticas e, é claro, psicológicas. E, no entanto, é arquetípico, porque é aí que, como veremos, as questões do arquétipo irmão incidem. O irmão, como uma imagem primordial na alma, está presente na evolução psicológica de cada indivíduo e de cada cultura, e sua influência inevitavelmente se projeta na história e construção de nossas conexões com amigos, companheiros, parceiros, associados e colegas - ou seja, com todos os outros, antes que a confirmação seja estabelecida na alma de que a loucura é outra pessoa.

Sibling relationships among U.S. citizen children of undocumented Mexican parents.

Current U.S. immigration policies disproportionately impact Mexican-origin mixed-status families, yet few studies examine the consequences of immigration enforcement (e.g., immigration-related arrest and detention) and deportation on sibling dynamics. Given this gap, this study focuses on the experiences and changes within sibling relationships in the aftermath of parental detention and deportation. We analyzed a subsample of 20 citizen children interviews (7 sibling dyads; 2 sibling triads) from a multi-site binational study that examined the psychosocial functioning of U.S. citizen children with undocumented Mexican parents. Using inductive thematic analysis, we explored the roles and functional importance of sibling relationships before and after experiences of parents' detention and deportation. Our findings suggest that prior to detention or deportation experiences, sibling relationships were described as "normal." After these experiences, however, sibling relationships changed and developed protective adaptations, including more open communication about their experiences and the assumption of caregiving roles. In cases where deportation did not occur, there still existed the threat of future immigration-related action, which contributed to fear and an inability to share feelings and experiences among siblings. Our findings suggest that sibling relationships might serve as an important locus of stability and protection. Yet, adaptive communication may not emerge as long as the threat of apprehension, detention, and deportation exists.

Las políticas migratorias actuales de los Estados Unidos afectan de manera desproporcionada a las familias de condición migratoria mixta de origen mexicano, sin embargo, pocos estudios analizan las consecuencias de la aplicación de las leyes de inmigración (por ej.: el arresto y la detención relacionados con la inmigración) y la deportación en la dinámica fraternal. Teniendo en cuenta esta falta de datos, el presente estudio se centra en las experiencias y los cambios dentro de las relaciones fraternales después de la detención y la deportación de los padres. Analizamos una submuestra de 20 entrevistas a niños ciudadanos (7 díadas de hermanos; 2 tríadas de hermanos) de un estudio binacional realizado en varios sitios que analizó el funcionamiento psicosocial de niños ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos con padres mexicanos indocumentados. Utilizando el análisis temático inductivo, analizamos los roles y la importancia funcional de las relaciones fraternales antes y después de las experiencias de detención y deportación de los padres. Nuestros resultados indican que, antes de las experiencias de detención o deportación, las relaciones fraternales se describieron como "normales". Sin embargo, después de estas experiencias, las relaciones fraternales cambiaron y surgieron adaptaciones protectoras, por ejemplo, una comunicación más abierta acerca de sus experiencias y la asunción de roles de cuidado. En los casos donde no hubo deportación, igualmente existió la amenaza de una futura acción relacionada con la inmigración, la cual generó miedo e incapacidad de compartir sentimientos y experiencias entre hermanos. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las relaciones fraternales podrían servir como lugar importante de estabilidad y protección. Sin embargo, es posible que la comunicación adaptativa no surja mientras exista la amenaza de arresto, detención y deportación.

A Semi-Automated SNP-Based Approach for Contaminant Identification in Biparental Polyploid Populations of Tropical Forage Grasses.

Artificial hybridization plays a fundamental role in plant breeding programs since it generates new genotypic combinations that can result in desirable phenotypes. Depending on the species and mode of reproduction, controlled crosses may be challenging, and contaminating individuals can be introduced accidentally. In this context, the identification of such contaminants is important to avoid compromising further selection cycles, as well as genetic and genomic studies. The main objective of this work was to propose an automated multivariate methodology for the detection and classification of putative contaminants, including apomictic clones (ACs), self-fertilized individuals, half-siblings (HSs), and full contaminants (FCs), in biparental polyploid progenies of tropical forage grasses. We established a pipeline to identify contaminants in genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data encoded as allele dosages of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers by integrating principal component analysis (PCA), genotypic analysis (GA) measures based on Mendelian segregation, and clustering analysis (CA). The combination of these methods allowed for the correct identification of all contaminants in all simulated progenies and the detection of putative contaminants in three real progenies of tropical forage grasses, providing an easy and promising methodology for the identification of contaminants in biparental progenies of tetraploid and hexaploid species. The proposed pipeline was made available through the polyCID Shiny app and can be easily coupled with traditional genetic approaches, such as linkage map construction, thereby increasing the efficiency of breeding programs.

Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) tadei: A new species of the Oswaldoi-konderi complex (Diptera, Anophelinae) and its morphological and molecular distinctions from An. konderi sensu stricto.

The Oswaldoi-konderi Complex (Anopheles, Nyssorhynchus) is composed of five species that have been distinguished and delimited using DNA sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear genes. At least two species of the complex have been formally described, namely Anopheles oswaldoi s.s. and An. konderi; however, the identity of An. konderi s.s. is unclear because two morphologically similar species co-exist in the type-locality in the municipality of Coari, Amazonas state, Brazil. Moreover, the study of resurrection and designation of the neotype of An. konderi s.s. included a mixture of both forms. In the present study, mosquitoes were collected in Coari to establish the molecular identity of An. konderi s.s. and describe a new species based on morphological and molecular data. Six females were collected and separated individually for oviposition. The parental progenies were obtained from field collected females, fourth-instar larva, pupa, and female and male were employed for morphological characterization. Genomic DNA from one fourth-instar larva of each progeny was extracted and sequenced for the mtDNA COI barcode region, CAD gene, and the ITS2 rDNA nuclear region to establish the molecular identity of the two morphological forms of An. konderi s.l. The An. konderi neotype was re-examined. The morphological and molecular analyses revealed two distinct groups: the first group was identical to the neotype of An. konderi s.s., whereas the second was found to belong to the group informally referred to as An. sp. near konderi or An. konderi B, herein described as Anopheles tadei n. sp.

Life purpose and sibling care in adolescence: possible associations / Projetos de vida e cuidado entre irmãos na adolescência: possíveis associações

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relations between sibling care level and the areas of interest in adolescents' life purposes. Participants were 113 adolescents. The instruments were a record of socio-demographic data, the household tasks and Sibling Care Questionnaire, and a written testimony on life purpose. We identified 347 life projects, which were grouped into the following categories: career, family, possessions, happiness, and generosity. The results of the Pearson's correlations indicated positive associations between sibling care and generosity and career. Thus, there is a tendency that adolescents who take care of their younger siblings have more life projects related to assisting the family of origin and to professional development. These results suggest that taking care of younger siblings may influence the areas of interest of adolescents' life purposes.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se há relação entre nível de cuidado dos irmãos maiores para com os menores e as áreas de interesse dos projetos de vida de adolescentes. Cento e treze adolescentes participaram do estudo. Para a avaliação foram utilizados uma ficha de dados biossociodemográficos, o Questionário de Tarefas Domésticas e de Cuidado entre Irmãos e um depoimento escrito sobre projetos de vida. Computaram-se 347 projetos de vida, os quais foram agrupados nas categorias: carreira, família, bens materiais, felicidade e generosidade. Os resultados das correlações de Pearson indicaram associações positivas entre cuidado e as áreas generosidade e carreira. Dessa forma constatou-se uma tendência de que os adolescentes que cuidam mais de seus irmãos mais novos elaborem mais projetos de vida relacionados a ajudar a família e ao desenvolvimento profissional. Esses resultados sugerem que cuidar de irmãos menores pode influenciar nas áreas de interesse dos projetos de vida dos adolescentes.

Calidad de vida de los hermanos de pacientes con enfermedad crónica / Quality of life among siblings of patients with chronic conditions

Introducción. La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) es una medida de resultado de salud. Evalúa el impacto subjetivo y global de las enfermedades en la vida cotidiana. Brinda información multidimensional sobre el bienestar físico, relación familiar y sus pares. Los estudios de CVRS de hermanos son limitados.Objetivo. Comparar CVRS de los hermanos de pacientes pediátricos con patologías reumáticas crónicas, trasplante renal o hepático con la de niños sanos con hermanos sin enfermedades crónicas.Resultados. Se compararon hermanos de niños con trasplante renal (n: 65), trasplante hepático (n: 35) y patologías reumáticas crónicas (n: 36) con el grupo control de niños sanos (n: 51). El grupo total de hermanos tuvieron puntuación más baja, estadísticamente significativa, en las dimensiones bienestar físico, amigos-apoyo social y recursos económicos. Los hermanos de trasplante renal tuvieron baja puntuación en las dimensiones de bienestar físico (p < 0,02; tamaño del efecto ­TE­: 0,66) y recursos económicos (p < 0,01; TE: 0,66). Los hermanos de trasplante hepático percibieron menor bienestar físico (p = 0,04), tenían menos amigos y apoyo social (p < 0,01), dificultades en el entorno escolar (p < 0,02) y recursos económicos (p < 0,01). Los hermanos de patologías reumáticas crónicas tuvieron menor bienestar físico (p < 0,05; TE: 0,44) y apoyo social-amigos (p < 0,01; TE: 0,58).Conclusión. La CVRS de niños/as sanos de hermanos con patologías crónicas es menor en bienestar físico, amigos-apoyo social y recursos económicos comparada con el grupo de niños sanos.

Introduction. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a measure of health outcomes. It assesses the subjective and overall impact of diseases on daily life. It also provides multidimensional data about physical well-being, family and peers relations. HRQoL studies on siblings are limited.Objective. To compare HRQoL among siblings of pediatric patients with chronic rheumatic diseases, kidney or liver transplant and healthy children whose siblings had no chronic conditions.Results. The siblings of children with kidney transplant (n: 65), liver transplant (n: 35), and chronic rheumatic diseases (n: 36) were compared to the healthy children group (n: 51). The total siblings group had a lower, statistically significant score in the physical well-being, social support and peers, and financial resources dimensions. The siblings of kidney transplant patients had a low score in the physical well-being (p < 0.02; effect size [ES]: 0.66) and financial resources (p < 0.01; ES: 0.66) dimensions. The siblings of liver transplant patients perceived a lower physical well-being (p = 0.04), less social support and peers(p < 0.01), and difficulties in relation to school environment (p < 0.02) and financial resources (p < 0.01). The siblings of those with chronic rheumatic diseases had a lower score in the physical well-being (p < 0.05; ES: 0.44) and social support and peers (p < 0.01; ES: 0.58) dimensions.Conclusion. HRQoL among healthy children whose siblings have a chronic disease was lower in the physical well-being, social support and peers, and financial resources dimensions compared to the healthy children group.

Quality of life among siblings of patients with chronic conditions. / Calidad de vida de los hermanos de pacientes con enfermedad crónica.

INTRODUCTION: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a measure of health outcomes. It assesses the subjective and overall impact of diseases on daily life. It also provides multidimensional data about physical wellbeing, family and peers relations. HRQoL studies on siblings are limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare HRQoL among siblings of pediatric patients with chronic rheumatic diseases, kidney or liver transplant and healthy children whose siblings had no chronic conditions. RESULTS: The siblings of children with kidney transplant (n: 65), liver transplant (n: 35), and chronic rheumatic diseases (n: 36) were compared to the healthy children group (n: 51). The total siblings group had a lower, statistically significant score in the physical well-being, social support and peers, and financial resources dimensions. The siblings of kidney transplant patients had a low score in the physical wellbeing (p < 0.02; effect size [ES]: 0.66) andfinancial resources (p < 0.01; ES: 0.66) dimensions. The siblings of liver transplant patients perceived a lower physical well-being (p = 0.04), less social support and peers (p < 0.01), and difficulties in relation to school environment (p < 0.02) and financial resources (p <0.01). The siblings of those with chronic rheumatic diseases had a lower score in the physical well-being (p < 0.05; ES: 0.44) and social support and peers (p <0.01; ES: 0.58) dimensions. CONCLUSION: HRQoL among healthy children whose siblings have a chronic disease was lower in the physical well-being, social support and peers, and financial resources dimensions compared to the healthy children group.

Introducción. La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) es una medida de resultado de salud. Evalúa el impacto subjetivo y global de las enfermedades en la vida cotidiana. Brinda información multidimensional sobre el bienestar físico, relación familiar y sus pares. Los estudios de CVRS de hermanos son limitados. Objetivo. Comparar CVRS de los hermanos de pacientes pediátricos con patologías reumáticas crónicas, trasplante renal o hepático con la de niños sanos con hermanos sin enfermedades crónicas. Resultados. Se compararon hermanos de niños con trasplante renal (n: 65), trasplante hepático (n: 35) y patologías reumáticas crónicas (n: 36) con el grupo control de niños sanos (n: 51). El grupo total de hermanos tuvieron puntuación más baj a, estadísticamente significativa, enlas dimensiones bienestar físico, amigos-apoyo social y recursos económicos. Los hermanos de trasplante renal tuvieron baja puntuación en las dimensiones de bienestar físico (p < 0,02; tamaño del efecto -TE-: 0,66) y recursos económicos (p < 0,01; TE: 0,66). Los hermanos de trasplante hepático percibieron menor bienestar físico (p = 0,04), tenían menos amigos y apoyo social (p < 0,01), dificultades en el entorno escolar (p < 0,02) y recursos económicos (p < 0,01). Los hermanos de patologías reumáticas crónicas tuvieron menor bienestar físico (p < 0,05; TE: 0,44) y apoyo social-amigos (p < 0,01; TE: 0,58). Conclusión. La CVRS de niños/as sanos de hermanos con patologías crónicas es menor en bienestar físico, amigos-apoyo social y recursos económicos comparada con el grupo de niños sanos.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation for Diamond Blackfan anemia: A report from the Pediatric Group of the Brazilian Bone Marrow Transplantation Society.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of children with Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) treated in Brazil with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 44 pediatrics patients transplanted between 1990 and 2018. The median age of patients was 5 years, and 57% were male. Twenty-five received their first HCT from an HLA-matched sibling donor (MSD), 12 from a HLA matched unrelated bone marrow donor (MUD 10/10, n = 12) and 7 other HLA mismatched donors (MMD). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 4 years, estimate 5-year overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 70%, 80% for MSD group, 73% for MUD, and 29% for MMD. Thirty-eight out of the 44 evaluable patients engrafted successfully. Primary and secondary graft failure was observed in five and three patients, respectively. Rates of grade II-IV and III-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) were 25% and 18%, respectively. Nine patients developed chronic GVHD (cGVHD). CONCLUSION: Overall survival rates observed after HLA matched donors transplant for DBA were comparable to those reported from higher-income countries and international registries.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplants for Pediatric Severe Aplastic Anemia: Real-world Data comparing Matched Related and Unrelated Donors in a Developing Country. Retrospective study on behalf of the Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Working Group of the Brazilian Bone Marrow Transplantation Society (SBTMO) and the Brazil-Seattle Consortium (Gedeco).

In this study, we report on major MRD or URD BMT outcomes in pediatric patients with SAA in Brazil. This was a retrospective study, which included 106 patients ≤18 years old who received a first BMT for SAA. All patients received bone marrow as graft source from an MRD (n = 69) or a URD (n = 37). Conditioning regimen was non-myeloablative in 73.6% of cases, and GVHD prophylaxis comprised a calcineurin inhibitor plus methotrexate in 89.6% of patients. After a median follow-up of 4.5 years after BMT, 81 patients are alive, with a 4-year OS of 77% and no statistically significant difference between the MRD and URD groups (82% vs. 69%, respectively; P = .08). Grade III-IV aGVHD at 6 months and cGVHD at 2 years were observed in 8% and 14% of cases, respectively, and were not statistically different between the groups. Twenty-five (23%) patients died at a median of 2.9 months after BMT. Our study showed that 4-year OS after BMT was not statistically different between MRD and URD recipients. This study shows that the outcomes of pediatric patients transplanted for SAA with a URD in Brazil are approaching those of MRD transplants. In contrast, OS after MRD BMT was lower than we would expect based on previous reports. The wide range of preparatory regimens used by the study centers highlights the need for standardized protocols for these children. Our findings provide a benchmark for future studies focused on improving BMT outcomes in this setting in Brazil.

Black, White, and Hispanic Children's Health and Function 2-13 Months After Sibling Intensive Care Unit Death.

OBJECTIVE: To describe children's anxiety, depression, behaviors, and school performance at 2-13 months after sibling neonatal/pediatric intensive care unit (NICU/PICU) or emergency department (ED) death and compare these outcomes by child age, sex, race/ethnicity, whether the child saw their sibling in the NICU/PICU/ED, and attended the sibling's funeral. STUDY DESIGN: Children in 71 families were recruited for this longitudinal study from 4 children's hospitals and 14 other Florida hospitals. Children rated anxiety (Spence Children's Anxiety Scale) and depression (Children's Depression Inventory); parents rated child behaviors (Child Behavior Checklist) and reported school performance (detentions, suspensions, requested parent-teacher meetings) at 2, 4, 6, and 13 months post-sibling death. Analyses included repeated measures-ANOVA, t-tests, and 1-way ANOVA. RESULTS: In total, 132 children and 96 parents participated. More children were female (58%), black (50%), and school-age (72%). Of the children, 43% had elevated anxiety and 6% had elevated depression over 13 months post-sibling death. Child-rated anxiety was higher for girls and black vs white children. Child-rated anxiety and depression were lower if they saw their sibling in the NICU/PICU/ED before and/or after the death, and/or attended the funeral. Teens were more withdrawn than school-age children at all time points. Children who did not see their deceased sibling in the NICU/PICU/ED after death had more requests for parent-teacher conferences. CONCLUSIONS: Children's anxiety was more common than depression, especially in girls and black children. Children who saw their siblings in the NICU/PICU/ED before/after death and/or attended funeral services had lower anxiety and depression over the first 13 months after sibling death.

Species of Contracaecum Parasitizing the Magellanic Penguin Spheniscus magellanicus (Spheniscidae) from the Argentinean Coast.

Anisakid nematodes have a worldwide distribution and are associated with fishes, birds, and marine mammals from freshwater, brackish, and marine systems. The aims of this work are to report for the first time Contracaecum mirounga parasitizing the Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus, to report another Contracaecum species in the same host species, and to discuss the validity of Contracaeceum spheniscus. Several dead chicks, juveniles, and adults of S. magellanicus were collected along the Argentinean coast from 2002 to 2009. Nematodes were removed from digestive tracts and studied using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Nematode prevalences were 2.38% for C. mirounga and 12.5% for Contracaecum sp. Contracaecum mirounga was found in 1 penguin from Península Valdés, Chubut. This species is known as a specific parasite of marine mammals such as Pinnipedia, thereby suggesting that this nematode is not as specific as believed. Another species of Contracaecum sp. was found parasitizing 1 penguin from the Río de la Plata coast. It possessed an unusual interlabial morphology and arrangement of male caudal papillae. Despite the low prevalence, the distinct morphological features are convincing and support the presence of a new Contracaecum species. However, a formal description is not presented because sufficient male specimens are lacking. Finally, C. spheniscus is considered a junior synonym of Contracaecum pelagicum. Future molecular studies might be helpful to determine the real diversity of Contracaecum species parasitizing S. magellanicus considering the number of sibling species recognized among the anisakids.

Sibship, physical activity, and sedentary behavior: a longitudinal, observational study among Mexican-heritage sibling dyads.

BACKGROUND: Shared genetic and environmental factors suggest that family relationships are important predictors of obesity-related behaviors, yet little is known about how siblings influence physical activity and sedentary behaviors. This study examined physical activity and sedentary behavior between sibling dyads across summer and fall time points and determined if birth order and gender modify the relationship between sibling behaviors. METHODS: Mexican-heritage families residing in colonias along the United States-Mexico border were recruited using promotoras de salud to participate in summer and school year surveys. Eighty-seven sibling dyads had complete data for the physical activity sub-study: 21 older brother-younger brother, 21 older brother-younger sister, 23 older sister-younger brother, and 22 older sister-younger sister dyads. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured using a validated 7-day recall instrument to create summary measures of weekly active, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) metabolic equivalents (MET), sitting, and screen time minutes. We used linear regression analyses to examine changes over time and the association between older and younger sibling behavior. RESULTS: During summer, older siblings (mean age = 11.2 years) reported 1069 active minutes and 1244 sitting minutes per week; younger siblings (mean age = 8.3 years) reported 1201 active minutes and 1368 sitting minutes per week. Younger brothers reported fewer active minutes (mean = - 459.6; p = 0.01) and fewer MVPA MET-minutes (mean = - 2261.7; p = 0.02) of physical activity during the fall. Within all 87 dyads, older sibling physical activity was significantly associated with younger sibling active minutes (B = 0.45;p = 0.004) and MET-minutes (B = 0.45;p = 0.003) during summer but not fall; older sibling sedentary behavior was significantly associated with younger sibling sitting (B = 0.23;p = 0.01) and screen time minutes (B = 0.23;p = 0.004) during fall but not summer. After stratifying by gender dyad groups, younger brother behavior was strongly associated with older brother behavior at both time points. CONCLUSION: Younger siblings appear to emulate the physical activity behaviors of their older siblings during non-school summer months and sedentary behaviors of older siblings during school-time fall months, especially older brother-younger brother dyads. Family-based interventions to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior are growing in popularity, but more work is needed to understand the role of sibling influences.

Testing aggressive behaviour in a feeding context: Importance of ethologically relevant stimuli.

The choice of stimuli used in tests of animal behaviour can have a critical effect on the outcome. Here we report two experiments showing how different foods influenced aggressive behaviour in competition tests at weaning among littermates of the domestic cat. Whereas in Experiment 1 canned food elicited almost no overt competition, a piece of raw beef rib elicited clearly aggressive behaviour among littermates. In Experiment 2 the food stimuli were chosen to differ from raw beef rib in various combinations of taste/smell, texture and monopolizability. Kittens showed different levels of aggression in response to the five stimuli tested, which suggests that the strong effect of beef rib in eliciting aggressive behaviour was due to a complex combination of features. We suggest that using stimuli approximating the evolved, functional significance to the species concerned is more likely to result in robust, biologically relevant behaviours than more artificial stimuli.

Relação Fraternal e Síndrome de Down: um Estudo Comparativo / Sibling Relationship and Down Syndrome: A Comparative Study / Relación Fraternal y Síndrome de Down: Un Estudio Comparativo

As relações fraternais em famílias com filhos com e sem síndrome de Down (SD) têm sido pouco investigadas no Brasil. Este estudo descreve o funcionamento familiar e compara a relação entre irmãos em dois tipos de famílias, identificando similaridades e diferenças nos relatos dos genitores. Participaram do estudo oito famílias compostas por mãe, pai e dois filhos, sendo que em quatro delas havia somente membros com desenvolvimento típico (DT) e nas demais havia um membro com SD, totalizando oito díades de irmãos, de ambos os sexos com idades entre cinco a 15 anos. Utilizou-se o Questionário de Caracterização do Sistema Familiar, que foi respondido pelas mães, e entrevistas semiestruturadas, cujos genitores responderam. Os resultados indicam similaridades na rotina diária das famílias, sendo as mães as principais responsáveis pelas tarefas domésticas e cuidados com os filhos, em ambos os tipos de famílias. As relações fraternais foram descritas, pelos pais e mães, como Mistas e Amistosas em ambos os tipos de famílias, caracterizando, portanto, como sendo positivas. O filho com DT foi indicado como líder na maioria das famílias com um membro com SD, enquanto nas famílias com as díades com DT, a maioria dos genitores indicou o filho mais velho. Os dados convergem com os da literatura acerca do fato de que a relação entre a díade de irmãos SD-DT tende a ser positiva, com características de amistosidade mais do que conflitos. Os dados encontrados sugerem coerência com os da literatura atual....(AU)

The sibling relationships in families with children with and without Down syndrome (DS) have been poorly investigated in Brazil. This study describes family functioning and compares the relationship between siblings in two types of families, identifying similarities and differences in the reports of the parents. Eight families (n = 8) consisting of mother, father and two children participated on the study. In four of them, there were only typically developing (TD) members and in the others there was a member with DS, with a total amount of eight dyads of siblings of both sexes, ranging from five to 15 years old. The Family System Characteristics Questionnaire was answered by the mothers and semi-structured interviews were responded by the parents. The results indicated similarities in the daily routine of the families, in which mothers are primarily responsible for household chores and child care in both types of families. Sibling relations were described by fathers and mothers as Mixed and Friendly in both types of families, therefore, characterizing them as positive. The child with TD was indicated as a leader in most families with a member with DS, and in families with TD dyads, most parents indicated their eldest son. Data converge with those in the literature about the fact that the relationship between the dyad of DS-TD siblings tends to be positive with characteristics of friendship rather than conflict....(AU)

Las relaciones fraternales en familias con hijos con y sin síndrome de Down (SD) han sido poco investigadas en Brasil. Este estudio describe el funcionamiento familiar y compara la relación entre hermanos en dos tipos de familias, uno compuesto por miembros con y sin SD y el otro con todos los miembros con desarrollo típico (DT), identificando semejanzas y diferencias en los relatos de padres y madres en estos tipos de familias. Participaron del estudio ocho familias compuestas por madre, padre y dos hijos. En cuatro de estas solamente había personas con desarrollo típico (DT) mientras que en las otras había una persona con síndrome de Down, con un total de ocho diadas de hermanos de ambos sexos, con edades entre 5 a 15 años. Se utilizaron el Cuestionario de Caracterización del Sistema Familiar, que fue respondido por las madres; y entrevistas semiestructuradas, respondidas por los progenitores. Los resultados indican semejanzas en la rutina diaria de las familias, siendo las madres las principales responsables por las tareas domésticas y cuidados con los hijos en los dos tipos de familias. Las relaciones fraternales fueron descritas, por padres y madres, como complementarias y de amistad, siendo caracterizadas, por lo tanto, como positivas. El hijo con DT fue caracterizado como líder en la mayoría de las familias con una persona con SD, y en las familias con las diadas con DT, la mayoría de los progenitores caracterizaron al hijo mayor. Los datos se muestran coherentes con los de la literatura sobre el hecho de que la relación entre las diadas de hermanos SD-DT tiende a ser positiva con amistad y con poco conflicto....(AU)

The role of wing geometric morphometrics in the identification of sandflies within the subgenus Lutzomyia.

The Lutzomyia subgenus (Diptera: Psychodidae) includes sibling species with morphologically indistinguishable females. The aims of this study were to analyse variations in the size and shape of wings of species within the Lutzomyia subgenus and to assess whether these analyses might be useful in their identification. Wings (n = 733) of 18 species deposited in Brazilian collections were analysed by geometric morphometrics, using other genera and subgenera as outgroups. Shape variation was summarized in multivariate analyses and differences in wing size among species were tested by analysis of variance. The results showed significant variation in the sizes and shapes of wings of different Lutzomyia species. Two clusters within the Lutzomyia subgenus were distinguished in analyses of both males and females. In Cluster 1 (Lutzomyia ischnacantha, Lutzomyia cavernicola, Lutzomyia almerioi, Lutzomyia forattinii, Lutzomyia renei and Lutzomyia battistinii), scores for correct reclassification were high (females, kappa = 0.91; males, kappa = 0.90), whereas in Cluster 2 (Lutzomyia alencari, Lutzomyia ischyracantha, Lutzomyia cruzi, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Lutzomyia gaminarai and Lutzomyia lichyi), scores for correct reclassification were low (females, kappa = 0.42; males, kappa = 0.48). Wing geometry was useful in the identification of some species of the Lutzomyia subgenus, but did not allow the identification of sibling species such as L. longipalpis and L. cruzi.

A new morphologically cryptic species of Phyllomedusa (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) from Amazonian forests of northern Peru revealed by DNA sequences.

We describe and name Phyllomedusa chaparroi sp. nov., a medium-sized species (snout-vent length in adult males 67.9-77.5 mm) of monkey frog from Amazonian rainforests of northern Peru. Although morphologically most similar to P. boliviana and P. camba (indistinguishable from the latter in external qualitative and quantitative traits), phylogenetic analysis of combined mitochondrial and nuclear markers place the new species sister to a clade containing P. neildi, P. tarsius, and P. trinitatis. Phyllomedusa chaparroi can be readily differentiated from these species by having a dark reddish-brown iris with indistinct tiny orange spots versus an orange iris with marked dark reticulation found in P. neildi, P. tarsius, and P. trinitatis. Furthermore, genetic distances for a 532 bp sequence of the 16S gene between the new species and its sister species are 2.8-4.1 %, whereas distances are 4.5-5.5 % to the morphologically cryptic P. camba. We briefly discuss the importance of DNA sequences in revealing morphologically cryptic species and modify the content of the P. tarsius species group based on phylogenetic analyses and observations on iris coloration.