Spatial control of astrogenesis progression by cortical arealization genes.

Sizes of neuronal, astroglial and oligodendroglial complements forming the neonatal cerebral cortex largely depend on rates at which pallial stem cells give rise to lineage-committed progenitors and the latter ones progress to mature cell types. Here, we investigated the spatial articulation of pallial stem cells' (SCs) commitment to astrogenesis as well as the progression of committed astroglial progenitors (APs) to differentiated astrocytes, by clonal and kinetic profiling of pallial precursors. We found that caudal-medial (CM) SCs are more prone to astrogenesis than rostro-lateral (RL) ones, while RL-committed APs are more keen to proliferate than CM ones. Next, we assessed the control of these phenomena by 2 key transcription factor genes mastering regionalization of the early cortical primordium, Emx2 and Foxg1, via lentiviral somatic transgenesis, epistasis assays, and ad hoc rescue assays. We demonstrated that preferential CM SCs progression to astrogenesis is promoted by Emx2, mainly via Couptf1, Nfia, and Sox9 upregulation, while Foxg1 antagonizes such progression to some extent, likely via repression of Zbtb20. Finally, we showed that Foxg1 and Emx2 may be implicated-asymmetrically and antithetically-in shaping distinctive proliferative/differentiative behaviors displayed by APs in hippocampus and neocortex.

Autolesão na adolescência sob a perspectiva bioecológica de desenvolvimento humano / Self-injury in adolescence from a bioecological perspective of human development / La autolesión en la adolescencia desde una perspectiva bioecológica del desarrollo humano

Este estudo qualitativo exploratório analisou as características do comportamento autolesivo e da rede de apoio de quatro adolescentes, entre 13 e 17 anos, atendidos em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial. Os dados foram coletados do prontuário, de uma entrevista semiestruturada e aplicação do Mapa dos Cinco Campos. A partir de uma perspectiva bioecológica, identificaram-se fatores de risco distais: doença mental familiar, histórico de violência intrafamiliar pregressa e ambiente familiar invalidante; fatores de risco intrapessoais: sentimentos de culpa, vergonha, desesperança e vazio; fatores de vulnerabilidade interpessoais: isolamento social e dificuldade de expressão emocional; e fatores estressores: vitimização por pares, conflitos familiares, transição de gênero e morte de familiares. Os fatores de proteção identificados foram os contextos escolar, serviço de saúde e família extensa, além da internet e amizades. Sugere-se que estudos futuros analisem o papel mediador e moderador dos fatores de proteção na autolesão, subsidiando ações de prevenção.

This exploratory qualitative study analyzed the characteristics of the self-injury behavior of four ado-lescents, between 13 and 17 years sold, served in a Center for Psychosocial Attention and their support networks. Data were collected from the care center records, a semi-structured interview and applica-tion of the Map of the Five Fields. From a bioecological perspective, distal risk factors were identified: family mental illness, history of intrafamily violence and invalidating family environment; intraperson-al risk factors: feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness and emptiness; interpersonal vulnerability factors: social isolation and difficulty of emotional expression; and stressful factors: victimization by peers, conflicts with the family, gender transition and death of family members. The protection factors iden-tified were school, health service and extended family contexts, in addition to the internet and friend-ships. Future studies can analyze the mediating and moderating role of protective factors in self-inju-ry, subsidizing preventive actions

Este estudio cualitativo exploratorio analizó las características del comportamiento de autolesión y de redes de apoyo de cuatro adolescentes, entre 13 y 17 años, atendidos en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial. Los datos se recogieron de los registros del centro de atención, una entrevista semiestructurada y aplicación del Mapa de los Cinco Campos. Desde una perspectiva bioecológica, se identificaron factores de riesgo distales: enfermedades mentales familiares, violencia intrafamiliar y entorno familiar invalidante; factores de riesgo intrapersonal: sentimientos de culpa, vergüenza, desesperanza y vacío; factores de vulnerabilidad interpersonal: aislamiento social y dificultad de expresión emocional; y factores de estrés: bullying, conflictos familiares, transición de género y muerte de parientes. Los factores de protección identificados fueron los contextos escolar, servicio de salud y familia extendida, así como la internet y las amistades. Futuros estudios pueden analizar el papel mediador y moderador de los factores de protección en la autolesión, subvencionando acciones preventivas.

Entre o risco e a proteção: uma análise bioecológica do processo de resiliência em crianças vítimas de violência sexual / Between risk and protection: a bioecological analysis of the resilience process in children victims of sexual violence

RESUMO Este artigo investigou a interação dos fatores de risco e de proteção nos processos de resiliência de meninas vítimas de violência sexual, pela perspectiva bioecológica do desenvolvimento humano. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, de cunho exploratório, com estudo de casos múltiplos. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com duas meninas de 11 a 12 anos, e seus respectivos responsáveis, que se encontravam em atendimento em um centro de referência a situações de violência sexual da rede de proteção de Porto Alegre/RS. Foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo das entrevistas. Os resultados indicaram que, mesmo na presença de fatores de risco como a violência sexual, a existência de fatores de proteção a nível familiar, contextual e individual, contribuiu para a construção dos processos de resiliência. Ressalta-se a importância de fomentar uma maior integração da rede de assistência e proteção à criança para contribuir com os processos de resiliência em contextos de risco.

ABSTRACT This article investigated the interaction of risk and protective factors in the processes of resilience of girls victims of sexual violence, from the bioecological perspective of human development. It is a qualitative, exploratory research, with multiple case studies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two girls aged 11 to 12, and their respective guardians, who were attending a reference centre for sexual violence situations in the Porto Alegre/RS protection network. An analysis of the content of the interviews was carried out. The results indicated that, even in the presence of risk factors such as sexual violence, the existence of protective factors at the family, contextual and individual level contributed to the construction of the processes of resilience. The importance of promoting greater integration of the child care and protection network to contribute to the processes of resilience in at-risk contexts should be highlighted.

Self-injurious behavior and factors related to suicidal intent among adolescents: a documentary study / Comportamento autolesivo e fatores relacionados à intenção suicida entre adolescentes: estudo documental / Comportamiento autolesivo y factores relacionados con la intención suicida entre los adolescentes: estudio documental

It is a type of quantitative documentary research of descriptive and exploratory content in which studied the profile of adolescents with self-injurious behavior and the variables of risk and protection regarding the suicidal intent, reported in a Children and Youth Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS IJ) from a metropolitan region in the south of Brazil. Data from 139 assisted adolescents, admitted for self-injury, reported that self-injuries occurred predominantly at home (M=14,36 years; SD=1,63), with multiple episodes, using sharp objects with suicidal intent. The hierarchical binary logistic regression results point out that experiencing abuse in the present -using non-sharps objects- having severe injuries and practicing them in different places are risk variables. Whereas the existence of community and school social support networks are protective factors. There is a necessity of investment in the studies that explore the etiology of self-injuries and that provide support for cases of prevention, detection, and treatment. (AU)

Esta pesquisa documental quantitativa, de caráter descritivo e exploratório, investigou o perfil de adolescentes com comportamento autolesivo e variáveis de risco e proteção relacionadas à intenção suicida relatada em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantojuvenil (CAPS IJ) de uma região metropolitana do sul do país. Dados de 139 adolescentes (M = 14,36 anos; DP = 1,63), atendidos por autolesão, indicaram que estas ocorriam predominantemente em ambiente doméstico, com episódios múltiplos, utilização de objetos perfurocortantes e com intenção suicida. Os resultados da regressão logística binária hierárquica indicaram que sofrer violência no presente, utilizar outros objetos que não os perfurocortantes, apresentar lesões graves e praticá-las em locais diferentes são variáveis de risco, enquanto possuir redes de apoio comunitária e escolar são fatores de proteção. É necessário investir em estudos que investiguem a etiologia da autolesão e subsidiem ações de prevenção, detecção e tratamento. (AU)

Esta investigación documental cuantitativa, de carácter descriptivo y exploratorio, investigó el perfil de los adolescentes con conductas autolesivas y variables de riesgo y protección relacionadas con la intención suicida reportada, en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial Infantil y Juvenil (CAPS IJ) de una región metropolitana al sur de Brasil. Los datos de 139 adolescentes (M=14,36 años; DS=1,63), atendidos por autolesión, indicaron que las autolesiones se produjeron en un entorno doméstico, con múltiples episodios, uso de objetos punzantes y con intención suicida. Resultados de la regresión logística binaria jerárquica indicaron que sufrir violencia en el presente, utilizar objetos distintos de los punzantes, presentar lesiones graves y practicarlas en diferentes lugares son variables de riesgo, mientras que tener una red de apoyo comunitario y escolar son factores de protección. Es necesario invertir en estudios que investiguen la etiología de la autolesión y subvencionar acciones de prevención, detección y tratamiento. (AU)

Multidimensional Functional Profiling of Human Neuropathogenic FOXG1 Alleles in Primary Cultures of Murine Pallial Precursors.

FOXG1 is an ancient transcription factor gene mastering telencephalic development. A number of distinct structural FOXG1 mutations lead to the "FOXG1 syndrome", a complex and heterogeneous neuropathological entity, for which no cure is presently available. Reconstruction of primary neurodevelopmental/physiological anomalies evoked by these mutations is an obvious pre-requisite for future, precision therapy of such syndrome. Here, as a proof-of-principle, we functionally scored three FOXG1 neuropathogenic alleles, FOXG1G224S, FOXG1W308X, and FOXG1N232S, against their healthy counterpart. Specifically, we delivered transgenes encoding for them to dedicated preparations of murine pallial precursors and quantified their impact on selected neurodevelopmental and physiological processes mastered by Foxg1: pallial stem cell fate choice, proliferation of neural committed progenitors, neuronal architecture, neuronal activity, and their molecular correlates. Briefly, we found that FOXG1G224S and FOXG1W308X generally performed as a gain- and a loss-of-function-allele, respectively, while FOXG1N232S acted as a mild loss-of-function-allele or phenocopied FOXG1WT. These results provide valuable hints about processes misregulated in patients heterozygous for these mutations, to be re-addressed more stringently in patient iPSC-derivative neuro-organoids. Moreover, they suggest that murine pallial cultures may be employed for fast multidimensional profiling of novel, human neuropathogenic FOXG1 alleles, namely a step propedeutic to timely delivery of therapeutic precision treatments.

The prolyl-isomerase PIN1 is essential for nuclear Lamin-B structure and function and protects heterochromatin under mechanical stress.

Chromatin organization plays a crucial role in tissue homeostasis. Heterochromatin relaxation and consequent unscheduled mobilization of transposable elements (TEs) are emerging as key contributors of aging and aging-related pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer. However, the mechanisms governing heterochromatin maintenance or its relaxation in pathological conditions remain poorly understood. Here we show that PIN1, the only phosphorylation-specific cis/trans prolyl isomerase, whose loss is associated with premature aging and AD, is essential to preserve heterochromatin. We demonstrate that this PIN1 function is conserved from Drosophila to humans and prevents TE mobilization-dependent neurodegeneration and cognitive defects. Mechanistically, PIN1 maintains nuclear type-B Lamin structure and anchoring function for heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α). This mechanism prevents nuclear envelope alterations and heterochromatin relaxation under mechanical stress, which is a key contributor to aging-related pathologies.

COVID-19 and Brazilian's mental health: risk factors and related symptoms / COVID-19 e saúde mental de brasileiros: fatores de risco e sintomas associados / COVID-19 y salud mental de brasileños: factores de riesgo y síntomas asociados

In a pandemic, it is necessary to understand who is at higher risk for psychological difficulties. Thus, we aim to investigate psychological symptoms in a Brazilian sample during the COVID-19 pandemic and their associations with sociodemographic, health, and pandemic-related variables. We included 1358 individuals assessed via an online survey through a questionnaire that included sociodemographic and other questions related to the pandemic and the SRQ-20. The results showed that younger adults and women were at a higher risk for minor mental disorders. An investigation about subgroups revealed three clusters representing symptom's severity. The cluster with most symptoms was younger people, had their income most impacted by the pandemic, and had more frequent diagnoses of mental disorders. The subgroups were discriminated mostly due to cognitive-emotional symptoms. We discussed the determinants that can contribute to mental health vulnerability and highlighted the need for state actions for those more vulnerable.

Em uma pandemia, é necessário entender quem possui maior risco de dificuldades psicológicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os sintomas psicológicos mais prevalentes em uma amostra brasileira, durante a pandemia da COVID-19 e associações com variáveis sociodemográficas, de saúde e pandêmicas. 1.358 indivíduos responderam a um survey online por meio de questionário, que incluiu questões sociodemográficas e relacionadas à pandemia, e o SRQ-20. Os resultados mostraram que mais jovens e mulheres estão em maior risco de transtornos mentais menores (MMD). Uma investigação sobre subgrupos revelou três grupos que representam a gravidade dos sintomas. O cluster com mais sintomas era mais jovem, teve sua renda mais impactada pela pandemia e tinha diagnósticos de transtornos mentais mais frequentemente. Os subgrupos foram discriminados principalmente devido a sintomas cognitivo-emocionais. Discutimos os determinantes que podem contribuir para a vulnerabilidade em saúde mental e destacamos a necessidade de ações estatais para os mais vulneráveis.

En una pandemia, es necesario comprender quién está en mayor riesgo de tener dificultades psicológicas. El objetivo fue investigar los síntomas psicológicos más prevalentes en una muestra brasileña, durante la pandemia de COVID-19, y las asociaciones con variables sociodemográficas, de salud y pandémicas. 1358 personas que fueron evaluadas a través de un cuestionario que incluía aspectos sociodemográficos y relacionados con la pandemia y el SRQ-20. Los resultados mostraron que más jóvenes y mujeres tienen un mayor riesgo de trastornos mentales menores. Una investigación en subgrupos reveló tres grupos que representan la gravedad de los síntomas. El grupo con más síntomas era más joven, sus ingresos se vieron más afectados por la pandemia y tenían más diagnósticos de trastornos mentales. Los subgrupos fueron discriminados principalmente por síntomas cognitivo-emocionales. Discutimos los determinantes que pueden contribuir a la vulnerabilidad en salud mental y resaltamos la necesidad de acciones estatales para los más vulnerables.

Emerging Lysosomal Functions for Photoreceptor Cell Homeostasis and Survival.

Lysosomes are membrane-bound cell organelles that respond to nutrient changes and are implicated in cell homeostasis and clearance mechanisms, allowing effective adaptation to specific cellular needs. The relevance of the lysosome has been elucidated in a number of different contexts. Of these, the retina represents an interesting scenario to appreciate the various functions of this organelle in both physiological and pathological conditions. Growing evidence suggests a role for lysosome-related mechanisms in retinal degeneration. Abnormal lysosomal activation or inhibition has dramatic consequences on photoreceptor cell homeostasis and impacts extensive cellular function, which in turn affects vision. Based on these findings, a series of therapeutic methods targeting lysosomal processes could offer treatment for blindness conditions. Here, we review the recent findings on membrane trafficking, subcellular organization, mechanisms by which lysosome/autophagy pathway impairment affects photoreceptor cell homeostasis and the recent advances on developing efficient lysosomal-based therapies for retinal disorders.

Bem-estar como fator moderador de transtornos mentais na pandemia / Well-being as a moderating factor of mental desorders in the pandemic

Em março de 2020 a Organização Mundial da Saúde declarou a pandemia do novo coronavírus. Além do adoecimento pelo vírus, sabe-se que epidemias e pandemias podem provocar também adoecimento psíquico das populações, devido às mudanças necessárias no perído. O Brasil tem sido vastamente criticado pela gestão ineficiente da pandemia. Atualmente, figura entre os países com maiores índices de infecções e óbitos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença de riscos à saúde mental da população brasileira durante o período da pandemia do coronavírus e qual possível fator mediador para o desenvolvimento de transtornos mentais. Participaram deste estudo 738 pessoas com idade entre 18 e 80 anos (M = 32,9, DP = 10,9), 71,4% mulheres. Foi um estudo transversal e os instrumentos utilizados foram um questionário sociodemográfico, o Self Report Questionnaire-20 e a Personal Wellbeing Index. Para as análises de moderação foi utilizado o pacote PROCESS para SPSS. Os resultados encontrados indicam que o bem-estar tem papel moderador no adoecimento mental, independentemente da presença ou não de diagnóstico prévio de transtorno mental. O bem-estar reduziu significativamente os sinais e sintomas de transtornos mentais nessa amostra, mostrando-se um importante fator de promoção de saúde mental. As limitações do estudo dizem respeito às diferenças culturais entre as regiões do país e à predominância de respondentes gaúchos na amostra. Discute-se a necessidade de investir em intervenções de promoção do bem-estar durante a pandemia para mitigar os riscos de adoecimento mental da população.(AU)

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a New Coronavirus pandemic. Besides getting sick from the virus, it is known that epidemics and pandemics can also cause psychological illness in the population, due to the necessary changes during the period. Brazil has been widely criticized for its inefficient management of the pandemic. Currently, it ranks among the countries with the highest rates of infections and deaths. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of mental health risks of the Brazilian population during the period of the coronavirus pandemic and what possible mediating factor of mental illness. Participated in this study 738 people aged between 18 and 80 years (M = 32.9, SD = 10.9), 71.4% women. It was a cross-sectional study and the instruments used were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Self Report Questionnaire-20 and Personal Wellbeing Index. The PROCESS package for SPSS was used for the moderation analyses. The results found indicate that well-being has a moderating role in mental illness, regardless of the presence or absence of a previous diagnosis of mental disorder. Well-being significantly reduced the signs and symptoms of mental illness in this sample, proving to be an important factor in promoting mental health. The limitations of the study concern the cultural differences between the regions of the country and the predominance of respondents from Rio Grande do Sul in the sample. The need to invest in wellness promotion interventions during the pandemic to mitigate the risks of mental illness in the population is discussed.(AU)

En marzo de 2020, la Organización Mundial de la Salud declaró una Nueva Pandemia de Coronavirus. Además de la enfermedad por el virus, se sabe que las epidemias y pandemias también pueden causar enfermedades psicológicas en las poblaciones, debido a los cambios necesarios en el periodo de la epidemia. Brasil ha sido ampliamente criticado por su ineficiente gestión de la pandemia. En la actualidad, se encuentra entre los países con mayores tasas de infecciones y muertes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la presencia de riesgos para la salud mental de la población brasileña durante el período de la pandemia de coronavirus y cuál es el posible factor mediador de la enfermedad mental. Participaron en este estudio 738 personas con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y los 80 años (M = 32,9, DT = 10,9), 71,4% mujeres. Fue un estudio transversal y los instrumentos utilizados fueron un cuestionario sociodemográfico, el Self Report Questionnaire-20 y Personal Wellbeing Index. Para los análisis de moderación se utilizó el paquete PROCESS para SPSS. Los resultados encontrados indican que el bienestar tiene un papel moderador en el deterioro mental, independientemente de la presencia o no de un diagnóstico previo de trastorno mental. El bienestar redujo significativamente los signos y síntomas de la enfermedad mental en esta muestra, demostrando ser un factor importante para la promoción de la salud mental. Las limitaciones del estudio se refieren a las diferencias culturales entre las regiones del país y al predominio de encuestados de Rio Grande do Sul en la muestra. Se discute la necesidad de invertir en intervenciones para promover el bienestar durante la pandemia para mitigar los riesgos de enfermedad mental de la población.(AU)

Triaje telefónico en el marco de la estrategia de salud durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Telephone Triaje within the Framework of the Health Strategy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

RESUMEN. INTRODUCCIÓN: En el marco de la pandemia de la enfermedad por el coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19, por su sigla en inglés), y frente a la necesidad de ordenar la demanda de atención en el municipio de Bahía Blanca, Argentina, se implementó un dispositivo basado en tecnologías de la información y comunicación. Se introdujo un sistema de triaje telefónico dirigido a personas con síntomas compatibles con COVID-19, en el que se brindaba información y asesoramiento. El objetivo de este artículo es describir este servicio de aplicación no compleja y reproducible. MÉTODOS: Los operadores recibieron capacitación para atender las consultas telefónicas realizadas al número 147, completar una base de datos con software propio y llevar a cabo un triaje, con asistencia de un profesional de salud. Los usuarios (ciudadanos con cobertura de salud pública o privada) fueron clasificados según las definiciones de caso y gravedad, y se consignó la conducta posterior. RESULTADOS: Se recibieron 2811 llamados entre el 1 de julio y el 20 de octubre de 2020; 81,6% eran de código verde, 9% de código amarillo y 1,3% de código rojo. Se diagnosticó y se indicó aislamiento a 605 personas por vía telefónica, sin necesidad de acudir al sistema de salud. Este grupo estaba formado por el 17,3% del total de los casos positivos de Bahía Blanca, el 9% de los casos confirmados por laboratorio y el 38% de quienes fueron diagnosticados por criterios clínicos y epidemiológicos. DISCUSIÓN: El triaje telefónico es un dispositivo versátil y asequible que contribuyó al buen funcionamiento de los efectores de salud en el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19.

Covid-19 and the impacts on mental health: a sample from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. / COVID-19 e os impactos na saúde mental: uma amostra do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Pandemics such as that of COVID-19 affect a relatively large number of people and impose new rules and social habits on the world population. Information about the pandemic is constant in the media. Moreover, social distancing has been adopted in Brazil to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which may have economic and psychosocial consequences. This study aimed to verify the factors associated with indicators of mental disorders symptoms in residents of Rio Grande do Sul during the initial period of the social distancing policy. The study was approved by CONEP. There were 799 participants, aged between 18 and 75 years (M = 36.56; SD = 12.88); 82.7% were women, who answered a sociodemographic questionnaire of social distancing and the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). The results indicated that having decreased income in the period, being part of the risk group and being more exposed to information about deaths and infected, are factors that can significantly harm mental health in this pandemic period. Investigating social determinants that contribute to greater vulnerability to the mental illness of the population is vital in the field of collective health for the planning of public actions and policies.

Foxg1 Upregulation Enhances Neocortical Activity.

Foxg1 is an ancient transcription factor gene orchestrating a number of neurodevelopmental processes taking place in the rostral brain. In this study, we investigated its impact on neocortical activity. We found that mice overexpressing Foxg1 in neocortical pyramidal cells displayed an electroencephalography (EEG) with increased spike frequency and were more prone to kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. Consistently, primary cultures of neocortical neurons gain-of-function for Foxg1 were hyperactive and hypersynchronized. That reflected an unbalanced expression of key genes encoding for ion channels, gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamate receptors, and was likely exacerbated by a pronounced interneuron depletion. We also detected a transient Foxg1 upregulation ignited in turn by neuronal activity and mediated by immediate early genes. Based on this, we propose that even small changes of Foxg1 levels may result in a profound impact on pyramidal cell activity, an issue relevant to neuronal physiology and neurological aberrancies associated to FOXG1 copy number variations.

COVID-19 e os impactos na saúde mental: uma amostra do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Covid-19 and the impacts on mental health: a sample from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Resumo As pandemias, como a da COVID-19, afetam uma quantidade relativamente grande de pessoas e impõem novas regras e hábitos sociais para a população mundial. As informações sobre a pandemia são constantes na mídia. Além disso, o distanciamento social foi adotado no Brasil como medida de prevenção da disseminação da COVID-19, o que pode ter consequências econômicas e psicossociais. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os fatores associados a indicadores de sintomas de transtornos mentais em residentes do Rio Grande do Sul, durante o período inicial da política de distanciamento social decorrente da pandemia da COVID-19. O estudo foi aprovado pelo CONEP. Participaram 799 pessoas, com idades entre 18 e 75 anos (M = 36,56; DP = 12,88), 82,7% mulheres, que responderam um questionário sociodemográfico, de distanciamento social e ao Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Os resultados indicaram que ter renda diminuída no período, fazer parte do grupo de risco e estar mais exposto a informações sobre mortos e infectados, são fatores que podem provocar maior prejuízo na saúde mental nesse período pandemia. Investigar determinantes sociais que contribuem para maior vulnerabilidade ao adoecimento mental da população é importante no campo da saúde coletiva para o planejamento de ações e políticas públicas.

Abstract Pandemics such as that of COVID-19 affect a relatively large number of people and impose new rules and social habits on the world population. Information about the pandemic is constant in the media. Moreover, social distancing has been adopted in Brazil to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which may have economic and psychosocial consequences. This study aimed to verify the factors associated with indicators of mental disorders symptoms in residents of Rio Grande do Sul during the initial period of the social distancing policy. The study was approved by CONEP. There were 799 participants, aged between 18 and 75 years (M = 36.56; SD = 12.88); 82.7% were women, who answered a sociodemographic questionnaire of social distancing and the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). The results indicated that having decreased income in the period, being part of the risk group and being more exposed to information about deaths and infected, are factors that can significantly harm mental health in this pandemic period. Investigating social determinants that contribute to greater vulnerability to the mental illness of the population is vital in the field of collective health for the planning of public actions and policies.

Intraventricular Transplantation of Engineered Neuronal Precursors for In Vivo Neuroarchitecture Studies.

Gene control of neuronal cytoarchitecture is currently the subject of intensive investigation. Described here is a simple method developed to study in vivo gene control of neocortical projection neuron morphology. This method is based on (1) in vitro lentiviral engineering of neuronal precursors as "test" and "control" cells, (2) their co-transplantation into wild-type brains, and (3) paired morphometric evaluation of their neuronal derivatives. Specifically, E12.5 pallial precursors from panneuronal, genetically labeled donors, are employed for this purpose. They are engineered to take advantage of selected promoters and tetON/OFF technology, and they are free-hand transplanted into neonatal lateral ventricles. Later, upon immunofluorescence profiling of recipient brains, silhouettes of transplanted neurons are fed into NeurphologyJ open source software, their morphometric parameters are extracted, and average length and branching index are calculated. Compared to other methods, this one offers three main advantages: it permits achieving of fine control of transgene expression at affordable costs, it only requires basic surgical skills, and it provides statistically reliable results upon analysis of a limited number of animals. Because of its design, however, it is not adequate to address non cell-autonomous control of neuroarchitecture. Moreover, it should be preferably used to investigate neurite morphology control after completion of neuronal migration. In its present formulation, this method is exquisitely tuned to investigate gene control of glutamatergic neocortical neuron architecture. Taking advantage of transgenic lines expressing EGFP in other specific neural cell types, it can be re-purposed to address gene control of their architecture.

Foxg1 Antagonizes Neocortical Stem Cell Progression to Astrogenesis.

Neocortical astrogenesis follows neuronogenesis and precedes oligogenesis. Among key factors dictating its temporal articulation, there are progression rates of pallial stem cells (SCs) towards astroglial lineages as well as activation rates of astrocyte differentiation programs in response to extrinsic gliogenic cues. In this study, we showed that high Foxg1 SC expression antagonizes astrocyte generation, while stimulating SC self-renewal and committing SCs to neuronogenesis. We found that mechanisms underlying this activity are mainly cell autonomous and highly pleiotropic. They include a concerted downregulation of 4 key effectors channeling neural SCs to astroglial fates, as well as defective activation of core molecular machineries implementing astroglial differentiation programs. Next, we found that SC Foxg1 levels specifically decline during the neuronogenic-to-gliogenic transition, pointing to a pivotal Foxg1 role in temporal modulation of astrogenesis. Finally, we showed that Foxg1 inhibits astrogenesis from human neocortical precursors, suggesting that this is an evolutionarily ancient trait.

Glomerulonephritis after recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.

Renal complications after vaccination with hepatitis B recombinant vaccine are rare; very few cases are reported without a histopathologic definition. We describe a case of glomerulonephritis in a 12-year-old girl, beginning after the inoculation of hepatitis B vaccine. The immunohistochemical examination of her renal biopsy, with the use of monoclonal antibodies, shows the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen in renal tissue. After 2 years chronic glomerulonephritis persisted and was treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. After 3 years of follow-up, the renal disease was in remission, and treatment was stopped.