Desmodus rotundus and Artibeus spp. bats might present distinct rabies virus lineages

In Brazil, bats have been assigned an increasing importance in public health as they are important rabies reservoirs. Phylogenetic studies have shown that rabies virus (RABV) strains from frugivorous bats Artibeus spp. are closely associated to those from the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus, but little is known about the molecular diversity of RABV in Artibeus spp. The N and G genes of RABV isolated from Artibeus spp. and cattle infected by D. rotundus were sequenced, and phylogenetic trees were constructed. The N gene nucleotides tree showed three clusters: one for D. rotundus and two for Artibeus spp. Regarding putative N amino acid-trees, two clusters were formed, one for D. rotundus and another for Artibeus spp. RABV G gene phylogeny supported the distinction between D. rotundus and Artibeus spp. strains. These results show the intricate host relationship of RABV's evolutionary history, and are invaluable for the determination of RABV infection sources.     

Double dissociation of letter and category fluency following left frontal and temporal lobe lesions

Background: A number of studies have suggested that temporal cortex is critical for the ability to generate exemplars belonging to a particular semantic category (i.e., category fluency), while frontal cortex is critical for generating words beginning with a particular letter (i.e., letter or phonemic fluency). However, previous studies have often focused on relative, quantitative differences in performance across groups of patients and primarily in the oral domain.

Aims: The current study analysed verbal fluency data from two individuals with chronic aphasia, one with a large left temporal lobe lesion and a severe Wernicke's aphasia, and a second individual with a large left frontal lobe lesion and a moderately severe non-fluent aphasia. The goal of the study was to do both qualitative and quantitative analyses of letter and category fluency performance in these two individuals across oral and written fluency domains.

Methods & Procedures: Participants were administered both oral and written versions of letter fluency (FAS) and category fluency conditions (fruits, animals, and supermarket items). Participants were given 90 seconds to generate as many items as possible, and their responses were scored for both overall output, as well as qualitative structure using a clustering analysis.

Outcomes & Results: The individual with an extensive temporal lobe lesion generated a large number of exemplars on the letter fluency task. Some of these items were neologisms (e.g., frest, anth, and swink), but remarkably all adhered to the phonological constraints of the task. However, this individual was very poor at generating items belonging to semantic categories. In contrast, the individual with a large frontal lesion generated many exemplars on the category fluency task but only two items on the letter fluency task. The same pattern was replicated in the written domain in both individuals, and results from the clustering analysis paralleled these quantitative findings.

Conclusions: This report describes two individuals with aphasia who exhibited a double dissociation between letter and category fluency performance in both oral and written domains. The current findings provide further evidence for the notion that left frontal cortex is critical for word retrieval based on phonology, while left temporal cortex is critical for word retrieval based on semantics. The findings have implications for the types of strategies that may be most effective in individuals with lesions to these brain regions critical for word retrieval.     

Motor profile of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,combined type

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the motor profile of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), combined type.MethodThe case group consisted of 34 treatment-naive, male patients, aged 7–11 years, who had been diagnosed with ADHD, combined type, without comorbidities (except oppositional defiant disorder). The control group was composed of 32 age- and gender-matched, typically developing children. The evaluation was made using the Motor Development Scale, which assessed global and fine motricity, balance, body scheme, and spatial and temporal organization.ResultsThe results showed that the motor quotients in all areas studied were lower in the ADHD group than in the control group, although in most cases they represent normal values relative to the scale (53% were classified as having “normal medium” motor development, 29% “normal low”, 9% “very low”, 6% “normal high” and 3% as “lower”). Statistically significant differences between groups were observed in general motor age, general motor quotient, balance, spatial organization, and fine and global motricity.ConclusionDifficulties in motor performance were observed in the children with ADHD, combined type. The identification of such deficits may assist in the design of therapeutic protocols for the treatment of children with this type of ADHD.     

Comparison of different ultrasonic vibration modes for post removal

This in vitro study compared different ultrasonic vibration modes for intraradicular cast post removal. The crowns of 24 maxillary canines were removed, the roots were embedded in acrylic resin blocks, and the canals were treated endodontically. The post holes were prepared and root canal impressions were taken with self-cured resin acrylic. After casting, the posts were cemented with zinc phosphate cement. The samples were randomly distributed into 3 groups (n=8): G1: no ultrasonic vibration (control); G2: tip of the ultrasonic device positioned perpendicularly to core surface and close to the incisal edge; and G3: tip of the ultrasonic device positioned perpendicularly to core surface at cervical region, close to the line of cementation. An Enac OE-5 ultrasound unit with an ST-09 tip was used. All samples were submitted to the tensile test using an universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests (α=0.05). Mean values of the load to dislodge the posts (MPa) were: G1 = 4.6 (± 1.4) A; G2 = 2.8 (± 0.9) B, and G3= 0.9 (± 0.3) C. Therefore, the ultrasonic vibration applied with the tip of device close to the core's cervical area showed higher ability to reduce the retention of cast post to root canal.     

Increased vascular function and superoxide dismutase activity in physically active vs inactive adults living with HIV

This study compared macro‐ and microvascular endothelial function and redox status in active vs inactive HIV‐infected patients (HIVP) under antiretroviral therapy. Using a cross‐sectional design, macro‐ and microvascular reactivity, systemic microvascular density, and oxidative stress were compared between 19 HIVP (53.1 ± 6.1 year) enrolled in a multimodal training program (aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises) for at least 12 months (60‐minutes sessions performed 3 times/wk with moderate intensity) vs 25 sedentary HIVP (51.2 ± 6.3 year). Forearm blood flow during reactive hyperemia (521.7 ± 241.9 vs 361.4% ± 125.0%; P = 0.04) and systemic microvascular density (120.8 ± 21.1 vs 105.6 ± 25.0 capillaries/mm²; P = 0.03) was greater in active than inactive patients. No significant difference between groups was detected for endothelium‐dependent and independent skin microvascular vasodilation (P > 0.05). As for redox status, carbonyl groups (P = 0.22), lipid peroxidation (P = 0.86), catalase activity (P = 0.99), and nitric oxide levels (P = 0.72) were similar across groups. However, superoxide dismutase activity was greater in active vs inactive HIVP (0.118 ± 0.013 vs 0.111 ± 0.007 U/mL; P = 0.05). Immune function reflected by total T CD4 and T CD8 counts (cell/mm³) did not differ between active and inactive groups (P > 0.82). In conclusion, physically active HIVP exhibited similar immune function, but greater macrovascular reactivity, systemic microvascular density, and superoxide dismutase activity than inactive patients of similar age.