Smell loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 is not clinically different from other viruses: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of cases with olfactory loss, other respiratory viruses can also cause this condition. We aimed to compare the prevalence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and other respiratory viruses in patients with sudden smell loss, and to assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 viral load and co-infection on olfactory symptoms. METHODS: Patients with sudden smell loss were recruited in a multicenter prospective cohort study in 15 hospitals in Brazil. Clinical questionnaire, Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test and nasopharyngeal swab to perform a PCR-based respiratory viral panel were collected at first visit (day 0) and 30 and 60 days after recruitment. RESULTS: 188 of 213 patients presented positive test result for SARS-CoV-2, among which 65 were co-infected with other respiratory viruses (e.g., rhinovirus, enterovirus, and parainfluenza). 25 had negative test results for SARS-CoV-2. Patients in both SARSCoV-2 and non-SARS-CoV-2 groups had objective anosmia (less than 2 points according to the psychophysical olfactory CCCRC) at day 0, with no significant difference between them. Both groups had significant smell scores improvement after 30 and 60 days, with no difference between them. Co-infection with other respiratory viruses, and SARS-CoV-2 viral load did not impact olfactory scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with sudden smell loss associated with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses had similar presentation, with most participants initiating with anosmia, and total or near total recovery after 60 days. SARS-CoV-2 viral load and co-infections with other respiratory viruses were not associated with poorer olfactory outcomes.

Sex-related macrostructural organization of the deer's brachial plexus.

We describe the morphological organization of the deer brachial plexus in order to supply data to veterinary neuroclinics and anaesthesiology. The deer (Mazama gouazoubira) brachial plexus is composed of four roots: three cervical (C6, C7 and C8) and one thoracic (T1). Within each sex group, no variations are observed between the left and the right brachial plexus, though sex-related differences are seen especially in its origin. The origin of axillary and radial nerves was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 in males and C8-T1 (radial nerve) and C7, C8 and T1 (axillary nerve) in females; musculocutaneous nerve was: C6-C7 (males) and C8-T1 (females); median and ulnar nerves was: C8-T1 (males) and T1 (females); long thoracic nerve was: C7 (males) and T1 (females); lateral thoracic nerve was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 (males) and T1 (females); thoracodorsal nerve was: C6, C7, C8 and T1 (males) and C8-T1 (females); suprascapular nerve was: C6-C7 (males) and C6 (females) and subscapular nerve was: C6-C7 (males) and C7 (females). This study suggests that in male deer the origin of the brachial plexus is more cranial than in females and the origin of the brachial plexus is slightly more complex in males, i.e. there is an additional number of roots (from one to three). This sexual dimorphism may be related to specific biomechanical functions of the thoracic limb and electrophysiological studies may be needed to shed light on this morphological feature.

Ultrastructural study of the coagulating gland epithelium of the rat (Rattus norvegicus) after vasectomy

Las alteraciones morfológicas de la glándula de coagulación de las ratas vasectomizadas, fueron observadas utilizando microscopía de luz y microscopía electrónica de transmisión. Los resultados demostraron disminución en la altura del epitelio secretor. Observaciones ultraestructurales mostraron atrofia de las cisternas del retículo endoplasmático granular

Nerve growth factor gene expression: Involvement of a downstream AP-1 element in basal and modulated transcription.

Regulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) production in neuronal targets is critical for the differentiation and survival of NGF-responsive neurons. A principal cell type that produces NGF in neuronal targets is the fibroblast. Using primary kidney and established L929 cell fibroblast cultures we have studied the regulation of NGF production at the transcriptional level. A reporter gene containing the NGF promoter region including a downstream AP-1 element was efficiently expressed in stably transfected L929 cells. DNase-1 footprinting and gel shift analyses showed that the AP-1 element was bound by L929 cell nuclear factors. Mutation of the AP-1 element prevented nuclear factor binding and severely reduced expression in stably transfected L929 cells. Similarly, a reporter gene lacking the AP-1 element and carried by transgenic mice is not expressed in cultured kidney fibroblasts although the endogenous NGF gene is expressed. In addition to basal transcription, the AP-1 element may also be involved in modulation of NGF production. In support of this role, the phorbol ester TPA was shown to induce NGF mRNA in L929 cells by Northern analysis. The induction was preceded by transient increases in c-fos and jun-B mRNAs. TPA treatment also increased the binding of nuclear proteins immunoreactive with anti-fos and anti-jun antisera to the AP-1 element. A reporter gene containing the AP-1 element was transactivated by c-fos and c-jun in cotransfection experiments. Thus, the NGF promoter region including the AP-1 element is important in basal and modulated NGF gene expression in cells within neuronal targets.