Cytology and cytophotometry in thyroid diseases.

The authors studied the cytological and cytophotometrical aspects in imprints from freshly surgically removed thyroids with the following diseases: nodular goiter, Graves' disease, lymphofibrous chronic thyroiditis, folliculo-papillary cancer, medullary carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma. In all the cases the cytological aspects were confirmed by the histopathological diagnosis in paraffin sections. The dextrodeviation and the plurimodal irregular aspects of nucleic acid content and nuclear volumes histograms were in agreement with the cytological features. In addition the linear regression analysis disclosed a diminished correlation between nuclear volumes and the content of nucleic acids paralleling the cellular dedifferentiation.     

Reference ranges for haematology, biochemical profile and electrophoresis in a single herd of Ragusana donkeys from Sicily (Italy)

Donkeys, an endangered species, have recently gained a new application with the use of their milk to feed humans with allergic processes. The Ragusana donkey breed from Sicily is used to produce milk for humans with allergic diseases. In order to evaluate the hygienic, nutritional and management measures on a farm of Ragusana donkeys, complete blood counts, extended biochemical profiles and serum protein electrophoresis, as part of metabolic profile test (MPT), were performed in Ragusana donkeys. Fifty-four donkeys were studied and grouped according to their age, (1) 29 females and a single stallion (n=30), (2) young females, 1 – 3 years old (n=10) and (3) young of both sexes under 1 year old (n=14). The RBC count, RDW value, Lymp, and Mono counts, and PDW values were statistically greater in donkeys under one year old than in adult donkeys, while the Seg Neu count was lower. The CPK, ALP, iPhos, and HCO₃, values were statistically higher in the group of donkeys under 1 year of age than adult donkeys while Cl and LDH values were statistically lower in donkeys under 1 year than adult donkeys. Additionally, statistically significant increased values for CPK, ALP, Alb, Chol, iPhos, HCO₃, and UIBC in young donkeys under 1 year when compared with young donkeys, 1 – 3 years were observed. A statistically significant decreased value for Urea and an increased value for Crea in young donkeys, 1 – 3 years old were found as compared to adults. The serum protein fractions recognised by electrophoresis were: albumin, alpha globulin (subdivided into alpha-1 and alpha-2-globulins), beta globulin, and gamma globulin. In the alpha-1-globulin region three small peaks were constantly noticed, and alpha-2-globulins were statistically different between the three groups being greater in young donkeys under 1 year of age. The results obtained were used both to establish reference ranges and a data bank for the farm of Ragusana donkeys for future needs in assessing the metabolic status and health of the animals.     

Selected pool of peptides from ESAT-6 and CFP-10 proteins for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

We have validated a new test for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. A pool of synthetic peptides derived from ESAT-6 and CFP-10 proteins was used to detect the number of specific gamma interferon-producing T cells by means of an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Sixty-eight individuals positive for M. tuberculosis infection, either human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive or -seronegative, were studied. The test results were highly specific (87.5%) and sensitive (93.1%), more so than a classical lymphoproliferative assay (specificity and sensitivity of 77.27%), opening new possibilities for diagnosis and screening of tuberculosis. Moreover, the test allowed us to distinguish individuals infected with M. tuberculosis from those vaccinated with BCG.     

Dust Mite Species and Allergen Concentrations in Beds of Individuals Belonging to Different Urban Socioeconomic Groups in Brazil

Background. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis dust mites are among the most important agents of hypersensitivity reactions in human beings. However, a role of other mites in the etiology of these reactions has not yet been excluded.

Objectives. To investigate the nature of the dust mite fauna and the presence of Der p 1 (allergen 1 of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and Blo t 5 (allergen 5 of Blomia tropicalis) on beds used by individuals with different socioeconomic backgrounds in Salvador, a major Brazilian city and to investigate possible associations of mite frequencies and allergen levels with (a) season of the year, (b) housing characteristics, (c) bed cleaning behaviors that could affect mite densities, and (d) allergy history.

Methods. Dust samples were collected from 459 beds of 101 residences from two groups with different socioeconomic levels (hereafter called wealthy and poor groups) in the city of Salvador, Brazil, for the identification of mite species and determination of Der p 1 and Blo t 5 levels. History of allergy was collected using the ISAAC phase I questionnaire.

Results. Eighty nine percent of the beds analyzed harbored at least one mite species. B. tropicalis was found in 71.8%, D. pteronyssinus in 39.9%, Cheyletus sp. in 33.9%, and Gohieria fusca in 21.1% of the beds. B. tropicalis was found with a similar frequency in beds of the two socioeconomic groups; D. pteronyssinus was found more frequently in the beds of the wealthy than of the poor group, whereas the reverse was observed with G. fusca. The concentrations of Der p 1 and Blo t 5 allergens exceeded the cut-off for sensitization of 2 μg/g of dust in 94.0% and 69.3% of the wealthy and poor group beds, respectively. No associations were found between history of allergy and mite species or between history of allergy and the concentrations of mite allergens.

Conclusions. The observation of B. tropicalis and D. pteronyssinus as the most frequently found mites is consistent with previous reports from tropical regions. The higher frequency of G. fusca in beds of individuals from the poor group than those from the wealthy group could be a consequence of different bed cleaning behaviors between the two groups.     

Fructose:Glucose Ratios—A Study of Sugar Self-Administration and Associated Neural and Physiological Responses in the Rat

This study explored whether different ratios of fructose (F) and glucose (G) in sugar can engender significant differences in self-administration and associated neurobiological and physiological responses in male Sprague-Dawley rats. In Experiment 1, animals self-administered pellets containing 55% F + 45% G or 30% F + 70% G, and Fos immunoreactivity was assessed in hypothalamic regions regulating food intake and reward. In Experiment 2, rats self-administered solutions of 55% F + 42% G (high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)), 50% F + 50% G (sucrose) or saccharin, and mRNA of the dopamine 2 (D2R) and mu-opioid (MOR) receptor genes were assessed in striatal regions involved in addictive behaviors. Finally, in Experiment 3, rats self-administered HFCS and sucrose in their home cages, and hepatic fatty acids were quantified. It was found that higher fructose ratios engendered lower self-administration, lower Fos expression in the lateral hypothalamus/arcuate nucleus, reduced D2R and increased MOR mRNA in the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens core, respectively, as well as elevated omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver. These data indicate that a higher ratio of fructose may enhance the reinforcing effects of sugar and possibly lead to neurobiological and physiological alterations associated with addictive and metabolic disorders.     

Attachment comes of age: adolescents’ narrative coherence and reflective functioning predict well-being in emerging adulthood

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of adolescents’ attachment security and reflective functioning (RF) (assessed by the adult attachment interview [AAI]) in the prediction of well-being in adulthood. Adolescents (N = 79; M = 14.6 years old; SD = 3.5 years) completed the AAI at Time 1 (T1), which was subsequently coded for inferred attachment experiences, narrative coherence, and RF by three nonoverlapping teams of raters. Participants completed the Psychological General Well-being Index at T1 and 8 years later (Time 2, T2). Analyses showed that (a) both adolescent narrative coherence and RF were significant predictors of almost all indices of well-being at T2 in adulthood; (b) both narrative coherence and RF indirectly linked inferred loving parental care and T2 well-being; (c) when included in the same model, RF was a significant indirect effect linking inferred loving parental care and T2 well-being. These findings contribute to theory in suggesting that both RF and narrative coherence are predictive of subsequent psychological well-being and operate as links between inferred parental care and subsequent adjustment. Possible mechanisms underlying these findings are discussed.