The Effects of γ-rays on Fecundity and Mutagenesis in Oregon-R Males of Drosophila

Summary

Oregon-R males were tested in day-by-day sperm samples for dominant visible and hemizygous sex-linked mutations, fecundity (number of offspring produced), and crossing-over after exposure to cobalt-60 γ in the 100 r to 10 kr range. Tests totalled 42 184 X-chromosomes and 210 111 flies. Mutations were most frequent after irradiation during meiosis and spermiogenesis in low doses. Only sperm and gonial cells subsequently produced adult flies after exposure to 5 kr and 10 kr. After 500 r fecundity was reduced chiefly in cells in late mitosis, and in earlier and later stages with increasing doses. Reduced fecundity may not be due to the kind of mutation detected here, but both effects may combine to influence the frequency of mutations recovered, particularly from irradiated meiotic and spermiogenic cells. Males receiving 500 r might contribute more mutations to a population's gene pool than competing males after a substantially higher dose.     

Assessment of fatigue in a large series of 1492 Brazilian patients with Spondyloarthritis

Abstract

Background. The aim of the present study was to analyze the score of fatigue in a large cohort of Brazilian patients with SpA, comparing different disease patterns and its association with demographic and disease-specific variables.

Methods. A common protocol of investigation was prospectively applied to 1492 Brazilian patients classified as SpA according to the European Spondyloarthropathies Study Group (ESSG) criteria, attended at 29 reference centers. Clinical and demographic variables were recorded. Fatigue was evaluated using the first item of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) questionnaire.

Results. The mean BASDAI fatigue score was 4.20 ± 2.99. There was no significant difference in the fatigue score between the different SpA. Fatigue was higher in female patients (p < 0.001), with mixed (axial + peripheral) involvement (p < 0.001) and in those who did not practice exercises (p < 0.001). Higher scores of fatigue were significantly associated with inflammatory low back pain (p = 0.013), alternating buttock pain (p = 0.001), cervical pain (p = 0.001), and hip involvement (p = 0.005). Fatigue presented a moderate positive statistical correlation with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) (0.469; p < 0.001) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (0.462; p < 0.001).

Conclusion. In this large series of Brazilian SpA patients, higher fatigue scores were associated with female gender, sedentary, worse functionality, and quality of life.     

The importance of the mesofascial interface in complete mesocolic excision

Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with Central Vascular Ligation (CVL) is progressively gaining acceptance as the most updated surgical treatment in the multimodal management of colonic cancer. The concept is based on excision of the affected organ with its related primitive dorsal mesenterium as an intact package to maximize local clearance, and high tie ligation to boost regional control, translating the original concept of Total Mesorectal Excision proposed by Heald for rectal cancer. Aim of this review is to analyze the modern concept of the mesenteric organ, with particular regard to the interfaces between its single components and the importance of the meso-fascial interface as the correct plane of separation.The integrity of the mesocolon excised along the meso-fascial interface (meso-fascial separation) prevents any breach of its surface and underlying structures, preserving the radial margin and the complex network of the meso-structure, avoiding any spillage of neoplastic cells within the surgical field. Central Vascular ligation allows for the most effective harvesting of lymph nodes, particularly of the apical ones, whose removal appears to be crucial in optimizing regional control.A surgical plane developed along the meso-fascial interface, coupled with high tie ligation, yields higher quality of surgical specimen, with better oncologic outcome in terms of local recurrence rate, disease-free and overall survival.     

Abnormal motor surround inhibition associated with cortical and deep grey matter involvement in multiple sclerosis

ObjectiveMotor surround inhibition (mSI) is a physiological mechanism that contributes to hand movement control by focusing voluntary movement. Growing evidence suggests that hand movement control is impaired in multiple sclerosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate mSI in MS and to investigate the brain structures involved in mSI in multiple sclerosis.MethodsWe recruited 33 patients and 23 controls. To investigate mSI, we delivered transcranial magnetic single pulses during index finger flexion. Motor evoked potentials were recorded and first dorsal interosseous (“active muscle”) and from the abductor digiti minimi (“surround muscle”). mSI was expressed as the ratio between Motor evoked potentials recorded from the surround muscle during movement and at rest. Participants underwent a magnetic resonance study.ResultsPatients had impaired mSI as compared with controls. Magnetic resonance showed that basal ganglia had smaller volumes and higher mean diffusivity than controls. Impaired mSI correlated with primary motor cortex and basal ganglia involvement in multiple sclerosis.ConclusionAltered mSI in multiple sclerosis is related to cortical and subcortical grey matter involvement.SignificanceOur study provides the first demonstration of a pathophysiological mechanism underlying hand movement control dysfunction in multiple sclerosis. mSI represents a new therapeutic target of multiple sclerosis rehabilitative approaches.     

Altered REM sleep architecture in patients with Myotonic dystrophy type 1: is related to sleep apnea?

ObjectiveTo determine the sleep architecture and sleep respiratory abnormalities and to correlate with sleep symptoms in patients with Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).MethodsWe recruited a cohort of genetically confirmed patients with DM1, who attended the Neuromuscular clinic between July 2016 and December 2019. Clinical, sleep and whole night polysomnography data were collected. The analysis of sleep architecture, sleep respiratory parameters and comparison with healthy controls (HC) was performed in our sleep laboratory.ResultsA total of 59 patients with DM1 underwent sleep evaluation. Hypersomnolence in 42 (77.8%), ESS>10 in 23 (39%), and PSQI>5 in 18 (30.5%) were found in patients with DM1. Thirty-one (68.89%) patients with DM1 and 22 (95.65%) HC had more than 4-h of total sleep time (TST). More than 4 h of TST was taken to compare respiratory and sleep architecture parameters. Patients with DM1 had reduced sleep efficiency, reduced N2 sleep, and increase in N1 sleep, wake index, stage shift index, nocturnal sleep-onset REM periods compared to HC. AHI>15 was found in 16 (51.61%) DM1 and in 3 HC (13.64%). AHI had positive correlation with BMI, but not with age, ESS or disease progression (MIRS). All DM1 with AHI>15; 8(80%) and 1(33.33%) in AHI5to15, and AHI<5 groups, respectively had hypersomnolence.ConclusionIn this first study on Indian cohort, daytime hypersomnolence, poor nocturnal sleep quality, sleep architecture irregularities are identified to be common in patients with DM1. These abnormalities may be explained by sleep-related breathing disorders that are highly prevalent in these patients.     

喹硫平替换氯氮平治疗精神分裂症临床疗效观察

目的探讨分析喹硫平替换氯氮平治疗精神分裂症临床疗效及对患者血清胰岛素、泌乳素与生活质量的影响。方法选取我院在2017年5~11月期间收治的120例经氯氮平治疗出现代谢异常的精神分裂症患者为研究对象,按照随机数字表法分为观察组(n=60)与对照组(n=60)。对照组患者给予单一的氯氮平治疗,治疗后首日将氯氮平日量减少1/4~1/3,此后每周氯氮平日量减1/2,治疗3个月;观察组患者在替换用喹硫平片0.2~0.4 g,分2次服用,一般每隔3 d调整剂量1次,4周加至0.6 g,最大日量不超过1.2 g,疗程为3个月。采用临床总体印象量表(CGI)病情严重程度(SI)进行评分和生活质量量表(SF-12),包括锥体外系副反应量表(RSESE)评定临床疗效,对比分析两组患者血清胰岛素及血糖与泌乳素的变化情况。结果从第2周开始,观察组CGI-SI评分与基线比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),第6周末与第2周末比较,第12周末与第6周末比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),而对照组各时间段无明显变化(P0.05);随着治疗时间越长,观察组社会功能改善越明显(P0.05),而对照组各时间段无明显变化(P0.05);两组血清胰岛素、血糖及泌乳素第12周末与基线时比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),且观察组血清胰岛素从第2周末开始升高比对照组快,血糖从第2周末开始降低比对照组快,泌乳素从第6周末开始与对照组有差异(P0.05);治疗后,两组患者失眠、焦虑激越比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),头痛、头晕、便秘、肝功能异常差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论对氯氮平治疗出现代谢异常的精神分裂症患者,运用喹硫平替换治疗能改善患者的精神病性症状,且提高了社会功能,更具有安全性,值得推广。     

系统性红斑狼疮患者的家庭护理指导

目的:探讨家庭护理指导对系统性红斑狼疮患者康复效果的影响。方法:将2010年1月~2014年1月我院收治的88例系统性红斑狼疮患者等分为对照组和观察组,观察组家庭护理指导小组每周去患者家中进行护理指导,对照组患者每两周接受责任护士电话随访1次。结果:观察组的用药正确度、生活质量及对医院满意度均优于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:对系统性红斑狼疮患者进行家庭护理指导,有助于满足患者及其家属对疾病相关知识的需求,提升家庭护理水平,促进患者康复,提高患者生活质量。