Is it safe to use ovarian follicular fluid from cows seropositive for brucellosis in the production of in vitro embryos?

Animal reproduction biotechniques are important tools for the technological advancement of livestock, as they allow the selection of the reproductive potential of superior quality females and males; however, infectious diseases that have a predilection for the reproductive system can be a hindrance for the use of these technologies. Therefore, the present study aimed to detect Brucella spp. in the ovarian follicular fluid of brucellosis-positive bovine cows. A total of 47 bovine ovarian follicular fluid aspirates from cows, positive in tests for brucellosis and from Brucella-positive herd, were submitted to PCR. The primers used in the PCR were specific to the genus Brucella (bcsp31 gene). All 47 bovine aspirates were negative for Brucella spp. 0.00% (95% CI: 0.00-4.00%). Our results demonstrated that Brucella spp. was absent in the ovarian follicular fluid from seropositive cows, which indicates that Brucella spp.-infected cows could be used for reproductive biotechnologies carried out with follicular aspirates. Future studies are needed to more precisely evaluate the feasibility and safety of using these oocytes from brucellosis-seropositive cows to transfer embryos to heifers/cows not infected by Brucella, aiming to produce calves free of the infection.

Psychometric Validation of a Hearing Screening Questionnaire for Preschoolers Based on Language Development Evaluation by Caregivers.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to validate three age-adjusted versions of a Hearing Screening Questionnaire for Preschoolers, in Brazilian Portuguese, based on parents' perception of their children's hearing and oral language. METHODS: Psychometric validation was conducted on three questionnaires, each comprising nine items with yes/no responses. Three items focused on hearing screening at birth, and six assessed hearing and oral language. The study included 152 parents and their children, who attended daycare centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The children were categorized into three age bands: 12-18 months, 19-35 months, and 36-48 months. Audiological assessments, including tympanometry, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), and pure-tone audiometry (when applicable), were performed on the children. In case of abnormal findings in the previous exams, auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing was conducted. Descriptive data, false alarm, and false-negative analyses were carried out. RESULTS: Considering any type of hearing loss, whether unilateral or bilateral, the questionnaires showed a false-negative rate of 41.17% (7/17 children). However, when considering only bilateral hearing loss, the questionnaire showed a false alarm rate of 31.69% (45/142) and a false-negative rate of 30.0% (3/10). When focusing exclusively on sensorineural hearing loss, the questionnaire identified two children (1.31%), with a false-negative rate of 0% but a false-positive rate of 33.33%. CONCLUSION: Language-development-oriented questionnaires allowed quick screening of potential hearing loss in preschoolers. This study found a robust hit rate with these questionnaires. Their validation signifies a promising and cost-effective tool for conducting hearing screenings in preschool children, especially in nations lacking a comprehensive school screening policy. The validated questionnaire affords an easy-to-apply, low-cost, and effective instrument for preschool hearing screening.

Child malnutrition in Brazil: Public health issue that needs awareness.

In developing countries, child malnutrition is a serious public health problem. Brazil is a country that has several projects to combat hunger and malnutrition in early childhood, but 2021 was a year with the highest number of hospitalizations of children up to 60 months of life in the last 13 years. Factors such as social disparities and the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to this scenario.

High-Dose Convalescent Plasma for Treatment of Severe COVID-19.

To assess whether high-dose coronavirus disease (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) transfusion may benefit patients with severe COVID-19, we conducted a multicenter randomized trial in Brazil. Patients with severe COVID-19 who were within 10 days of initial symptom onset were eligible. Patients in the CCP group received 3 daily doses of CCP (600 mL/d) in addition to standard treatment; control patients received standard treatment only. Primary outcomes were death rates at days 30 and 60 of study randomization. Secondary outcomes were ventilator-free days and hospital-free days. We enrolled 107 patients: 36 CCP and 71 control. At day 30, death rates were 22% for CCP and 25% for the control group; at day 60, rates were 31% for CCP and 35% for control. Needs for invasive mechanical ventilation and durations of hospital stay were similar between groups. We conclude that high-dose CCP transfused within 10 days of symptom onset provided no benefit for patients with severe COVID-19.

Comparative toxicological evaluation of carvacrol, acetylcarvacrol anda fipronil-based pesticide in human blood cells.

Plant-derived chemicals are promising substances to control arthropod pests, although synthetic ones are still the most frequently used. Thus, comparative toxicological studies are needed to determine if natural substances are safe alternatives to replace the use of synthetic chemicals. This study aimed to compare the toxicity of carvacrol (natural origin), acetylcarvacrol (semi-synthetic) and a fipronil-based pesticide (synthetic). We assessed the effects of these chemicals on hemolytic activity, erythrocytes morphology and leucocyte viability using whole blood from human subjects. Additionally, DNA damage was evaluated through comet and DNA fragmentation assays. Fipronil and carvacrol caused hemolysis at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2.0%, whereas acetylcarvacrol did not cause hemolysis at 0.5 and 0.75%. Fipronil and carvacrol caused severe alterations in erythrocytes' morphology at 2%, such as ghost erythrocytes, elliptocyte-like shape and rouleau-like shape, presenting only 3.3 and 8.3% normal cells, respectively, at this concentration. However, 73.3% erythrocytes incubated with 2% acetylcarvacrol exhibited normal morphology. Fipronil considerably reduced leucocytes viability, decreasing it to 78% at 2%. Carvacrol and acetylcarvacrol showed no differences in leucocyte viability for 0.5 to 1.0%, but a decrease was observed for 2% carvacrol. The comet assay showed similar DNA damage for fipronil and carvacrol, but it was significantly lower for 1 and 2% acetylcarvacrol. Incubation with genomic DNA showed that only fipronil caused fragmentation of this molecule. Thus, we conclude that carvacrol and fipronil can present similar toxicity at higher concentrations. However, acetylation of carvacrol significantly reduced its toxicity to human blood cells compared with the other chemicals.

Vaccination for COVID-19 in children: Denialism or misinformation?

In the current pandemic scenario, vaccines for children have been scientifically approved; however, there is a challenge faced globally: parents' hesitation about vaccinating their children for COVID-19, which can hamper adherence to vaccine campaigns. This issue is due to the lack of information or access to fake news that affects the parents' power of judgment. The experience of the vaccine process with Pfizer's immunizer in several countries successfully reduced the number of hospitalized and prevented hundreds of child deaths from COVID-19. All health professionals must encourage the vaccination of children from the age of 5, sharing reliable scientific data, thus reducing the spread of fake news.

"Between the cross and the sword": Brazilian children face an influenza epidemic while still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal levels; however, influenza A(H3N2) detections continue to increase in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Most of the activity and rising trend of A(H3N2) detections are recorded in Brazil. A bulletin issued by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) reported significant presence of the influenza A virus, both in children and in the adult population, among cases of SARS-Cov-2.This situation is worrying, as vaccination campaigns were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cryopreservation of grey wolf (Canis lupus) testicular tissue.

Development of genomic preservation technologies for canids, especially for seasonally breeding species like the grey wolf (Canis lupus), is needed in advance of growing species conservation concerns. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of two cryopreservation protocols - needle immersion vitrification (NIV) and slow freezing (SF) on grey wolf (n = 7) testicular tissue morphology. NIV samples were equilibrated in a 7.5% v/v dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO or Me2SO) + 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG) solution in minimum essential medium with 20% FBS for 10 min at 4 °C, then exposed to 15% DMSO + 15% EG + 0.5 M sucrose for 10 min at 4 °C before plunging into liquid nitrogen. For slow freezing, we assessed two cryoprotectant (CPA) strategies, DMSO, 15% v/v alone (SF-D) or 7.5% EG + 7.5% DMSO (SF-ED). Following thawing, there were no significant differences in seminiferous tubule area among treatment groups, although all cryopreserved tissues displayed reduced tubule size compared with fresh controls and increased apoptosis, the latter reaching significance for SF-D treated tissues. Slow freezing improved maintenance of testis architecture, with minimal detachment of seminiferous tubule basement membranes post-thaw. Spermatogonia densities were reduced in NIV tissues compared with fresh, with no differences in spermatocyte, spermatid, or Sertoli cell counts, or germ cell marker DDX4+ cell densities among groups. In sum, we conclude that slow freezing better maintained morphology of cryopreserved testicular tissues compared with needle vitrification with 15% each DMSO and EG and 0.5 M sucrose, and that DMSO + EG combination SF supports cell viability. This represents a first step in the development of male gonadal tissue preservation strategies for the grey wolf.

Benefits of Continuous Monitoring of PCO2 Obtained from a System Applied to Membrane Oxygenator Exhaustion of the Cardiopulmonary Bypass Circuit.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impact of the use of capnography system adapted to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). To measure the concordance between values obtained from continuous monitoring of partial pressure of carbon dioxide in membrane oxygenator exhaustion (PeCO2) and the results observed on arterial blood gas test. METHODS: Participated in this study 40 patients submitted to elective cardiovascular surgery with CPB. They were divided into two groups: Group 1, with 20 patients submitted to the surgical procedure using blood gas analysis at intermittent intervals (20 - 30 minutes); Group 2, with 20 patients operated with a capnography system adapted applied to membrane oxygenator exhaustion and blood gas test. A test was used to compare arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) from group 1 and group 2. In group 2, the strength of the correlation between PeCO2 and PaCO2 was evaluated by a linear regression test. The Bland-Altman method was used to determine the degree of agreement between the two variables. RESULTS: Average and standard deviation of Group 1's PaCO2 (34.6 ± 7.44) and Group 2's PaCO2 / PeCO2 (36.5 ± 4.42) / (39.9 ± 3.98). There was no statistically significant difference in PaCO2 between the groups (P = 0.21). In group 2, PeCO2 and PaCO2 analyzed corrected for esophageal temperature obtained a positive linear correlation (r = 0.79, P < 0.001), the degree of agreement presented an average 3.47 ± 2.70 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The continuous PeCO2 monitoring from cardiopulmonary bypass circuit has a positive impact on the result of PaCO2. This instrument confirms and maintains the carbon dioxide (CO2) values into reference parameters.

Influence of Two Types of Connections in Driver-Retention Screw Assembly.

Rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses has reached high success rates. However, mechanical failures are still reported, mainly in retention screws of abutments in single implant-supported crowns; which is designed to be the weakest structure and the first component to fail under overloading. In this sense, the aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of different joint designs (square or hexagonal) on resistance to deformation of driver-retention screw assembly of 3 commercial brands (Neodent, Singular, and Sin). A total of 42 retention screws from 3 commercial brands were used. The samples were divided into 2 joint groups, square (SQU) and hexagonal (HEX), and separated by commercial brands. Several components (implants and abutments) with standard platform (4.1 mm in diameter) were used. The resistance to deformation of the driver-retention screw assembly was measured using an accurate digital torque wrench for all commercial brands (Neodent [NEO], Singular [SGL], and Sin [SIN]) and joint designs (square or hexagonal). It was found no statistically significant difference (P <0.05) among the brands evaluated. On the other hand, square screws showed higher resistance to torsion than hexagonal screws; regardless the commercial brand.

Development and Evaluation of a Nanoemulsion Containing Ursolic Acid: a Promising Trypanocidal Agent : Nanoemulsion with Ursolic Acid Against T. cruzi.

Over a hundred years after the discovery of Chagas disease, this ailment continues to affect thousands of people. For more than 40 years, only two drugs have been available to treat it. Ursolic acid is a naturally occurring terpene that has shown a good trypanocidal action. However, the hydrophobicity of this compound presents a challenge for the development of proper delivery systems. Nanostructured systems are a prominent in delivering lipophilic drugs. Thus, a nanoemulsion containing ursolic acid was developed and had its trypanocidal activity and cytotoxicity evaluated. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) system were used in the development. The system was stable throughout 90 days of testing, as evidenced by turbidimetry analysis and measurements of the droplet size (57.3 nm) and polydispersity index (0.24). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry evidenced drug's integrity in the formulation. An in vitro dissolution profile showed 75% of ursolic acid release after 5 min from the nanoemulsion into the alkaline dissolution medium, while only 20% could be released from a physical mixture after 2 h. Trypanocidal activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated on the CL Brener strain and LLC-MK2 (monkey kidney) fibroblast by chlorophenol red-ß-D-galactoside (CPRG) method. Biological studies showed that the developed formulation was nontoxic and effective against replicant forms of the parasite. A stable and efficient nanoemulsion could be developed to improve the delivery of a promising drug to treat a threatening illness such as Chagas disease.

In type 2 diabetes mellitus glycated albumin alters macrophage gene expression impairing ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux.

Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are elevated in diabetes mellitus (DM) and predict the development of atherosclerosis. AGE-albumin induces oxidative stress, which is linked to a reduction in ABCA-1 and cholesterol efflux. We characterized the glycation level of human serum albumin (HSA) isolated from poorly controlled DM2 (n = 11) patients compared with that of control (C, n = 12) individuals and determined the mechanism by which DM2-HSA can interfere in macrophage lipid accumulation. The HSA glycation level was analyzed by MALDI/MS. Macrophages were treated for 18 h with C- or DM2-HSA to measure the (14) C-cholesterol efflux, the intracellular lipid accumulation and the cellular ABCA-1 protein content. Agilent arrays (44000 probes) were used to analyze gene expression, and the differentially expressed genes were validated by real-time RT-PCR. An increased mean mass was observed in DM2-HSA compared with C-HSA, reflecting the condensation of at least 5 units of glucose. The cholesterol efflux mediated by apo AI, HDL3 , and HDL2 was impaired in DM2-HSA-treated cells, which was related to greater intracellular lipid accumulation. DM2-HSA decreased Abcg1 mRNA expression by 26%. Abca1 mRNA was unchanged, although the final ABCA-1 protein content decreased. Compared with C-HAS-treated cells, NADPH oxidase 4 mRNA expression increased in cells after DM2-HSA treatment. Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1, janus kinase 2, and low density lipoprotein receptor mRNAs were reduced by DM2-HSA. The level of glycation that occurs in vivo in DM2-HSA-treated cells selectively alters macrophage gene expression, impairing cholesterol efflux and eliciting intracellular lipid accumulation, which contribute to atherogenesis, in individuals with DM2.

Monitoring mercury exposure in reproductive aged women inhabiting the Tapajós river basin, Amazon.

Among Amazonian communities, exposure to methylmercury is associated mainly with fish consumption that may affect fetal development in pregnant women. Therefore a temporal assessment was performed to assess the exposure of reproductive aged women to mercury who reside in the riparian communities of São Luís do Tapajós and Barreiras located in the Tapajós basin of the Brazilian Amazon from 1999 to 2012. The total mercury concentration in the 519 hair samples was assessed by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Data analysis showed that the average total mercury concentration decreased from 1.066 to 0.743 µg/g in those years. In 1999 the proportion of volunteers with mercury levels ≥ 10 µg/g was approximately 68 %. In general, exposure to mercury decreased among women of reproductive age, but the potential risks to reproduction and human health is still an issue as 22 % of the woman continued showing high mercury levels (≥ 10 µg/g) in 2012.

Biomechanical properties of the capsule and extracellular matrix play a major role during the Wolffian/epididymal duct development.

BACKGROUND: The epididymis is important for sperm maturation and without its proper development, male infertility will result. Biomechanical properties of tissues/organs play key roles during their morphogenesis, including the Wolffian duct. It is hypothesized that structural/bulk stiffness of the capsule and mesenchyme/extracellular matrix that surround the duct is a major biomechanical property that regulates Wolffian duct morphogenesis. These data will provide key information as to the mechanisms that regulate the development of this important organ. OBJECTIVES: To measure the structural/bulk stiffness in Pascals (force/area) of the capsule and the capsule and mesenchyme together that surrounds the Wolffian duct during the development. To examine the relative membrane tension of mesenchymal cells during the Wolffian duct development. Since Ptk7 was previously shown to regulate ECM integrity and Wolffian duct elongation and coiling, the hypothesis that Ptk7 regulates structural/bulk stiffness and mesenchymal cell membrane tension was tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Atomic force microscopy and a microsquisher compression apparatus were used to measure the structural stiffness. Biomechanical properties within the membranes of cells within the capsule and mesenchyme were examined using a membrane-tension fluorescent probe. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The structural stiffness (Pascals) of the capsule and underlying mesenchyme was relatively constant during development, with a significant increase in the capsule at the later stages. However, this increase may reflect the ECM and associated mesenchyme being close to the capsule because the coiling of the duct pushed or compressed them into that space. Keeping the capsule and mesenchyme/ECM at constant stiffness would ensure that the duct will continue to coil under similar biomechanical forces throughout the development. Cells within the capsule and mesenchyme at different Wolffian duct regions during the development had varying degrees of membrane lipid tension. It is hypothesized that the dynamic changes ensure the duct is kept at a constant stiffness regardless of any external forces. Loss of Ptk7 resulted in an increase in stiffness at E18.5, which was presumable due to the loss of integrity of the ECM within the mesenchyme. CONCLUSION: Biomechanical properties of the capsule and the mesenchyme/extracellular matrix that surround the Wolffian duct play an important role toward Wolffian duct morphogenesis, thereby allowing for the proper development of the epididymis and subsequent male fertility.

Can Diet Alter the Intestinal Barrier Permeability in Healthy People? A Systematic Review.

Dietary factors can modify the function of the intestinal barrier, causing permeability changes. This systematic review analyzed evidence on the link between diet or dietary interventions and changes in intestinal barrier permeability (IBP) in healthy individuals. A systematic search for primary studies was conducted using the virtual databases EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Scopus. This review adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, assessing the methodological quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies and ROB 2.0 for randomized clinical trials. Out of 3725 studies recovered, 12 were eligible for review. Chicory inulin and probiotics reduced IBP in adults with a moderate GRADE level of evidence. The opposite result was obtained with fructose, which increased IBP in adults, with a very low GRADE level of evidence. Only intervention studies with different dietary components were found, and few studies evaluated the effect of specific diets on the IBP. Thus, there was no strong evidence that diet or dietary interventions increase or decrease IBP in healthy individuals. Studies on this topic are necessary, with a low risk of bias and good quality of evidence generated, as there is still little knowledge on healthy populations.

Dual effect of advanced glycation end products in pancreatic islet apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Loss of ß-cell function hastens deterioration of metabolic control in type 2 diabetes patients. Besides amyloid deposit and glucolipotoxicity, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) acting through their receptors (RAGE) seem to contribute to this process by promoting islet apoptosis. In order to investigate the role of AGEs in ß-cell deterioration, we evaluated the temporal and dose effects of AGE compounds on apoptosis rate, reactive oxygen species generation and expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes in cultured islets. METHODS: Rat pancreatic islets were exposed or not for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h to albumin modified by glycoaldehyde. Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species and superoxide content and NADPH oxidase activity were evaluated as well as RNA expression of the genes Ager (codes for RAGE), Bax, Bcl2 and Nfkb1. RESULTS: In 24 and 48 h, glycoaldehyde elicited a decrease in apoptosis rate in comparison with the control condition concomitantly with a reduction in Bax/Bcl2 RNA ratio and in Nfkb1 RNA expression. In contrast, after 72 and 96 h, glycoaldehyde promoted an increase in apoptosis rate concomitantly with an increase in Bax/Bcl2 RNA ratio and in Nfkb1 RNA expression. In 24 h, glycoaldehyde elicited a decrease in the islet content of reactive oxygen species, whereas after 48 and 72 h, it promoted an opposite effect, increasing superoxide generation. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor VAS2870 attenuated superoxide production, implicating NADPH oxidase as an important source of reactive oxygen species in islets exposed to AGEs. CONCLUSIONS: Albumin modified by glycoaldehyde exerted a dual effect in cultured pancreatic islets, being protective against apoptosis after short exposure but pro-apoptotic after prolonged exposure.

Advanced glycated albumin isolated from poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus patients alters macrophage gene expression impairing ABCA-1-mediated reverse cholesterol transport.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effects of albumin isolated from control individuals and from patients with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus on macrophage gene expression and on reverse cholesterol transport. METHODS: Serum albumin was purified from control subjects (n = 12) and from patients with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (n = 13). (14)C-cholesterol-labelled J774 macrophages treated with albumin were employed to measure cholesterol efflux mediated by apo A-I, HDL(3) or HDL(2), the intracellular lipid accumulation and the cellular ABCA-1 protein content. Agilent arrays (44000 probes) were used to analyse gene expression. Several differentially expressed genes were validated by real-time reverse transcription-PCR using TaqMan Two Step RT-PCR. RESULTS: Levels of glycation-modified and (carboxymethyl)lysine-modified albumin were higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects. Apo A-I-mediated and HDL(2)-mediated cellular cholesterol efflux were impaired in macrophages treated with albumin from diabetic patients in comparison with control albumin-treated cells, which was attributed to the reduction in ABCA-1 protein content. Even in the presence of cholesterol acceptors, a higher level of intracellular lipid was observed in macrophages exposed to albumin from diabetic individuals in comparison with the control. The reduction in ABCA-1 content was associated with enhanced expression of stearoyl CoA desaturase 1 and decreased expression of janus kinase 2, which were induced by albumin from patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: (Carboxymethyl)lysine-modified albumin isolated from poorly controlled type 1 diabetic patients impairs ABCA-1-mediated reverse cholesterol transport and elicits intracellular lipid accumulation, possibly contributing to atherosclerosis.

Characteristics of patients with influenza-like illness, severe acture respiratory illness, and laboratory-confirmed influenza at a major children's hospital in Angola, 2009-2011.

There are no published data on influenza trends in Angola, where pneumonia is a leading cause of death among young children. This study aims to describe the seasonal trends, types, and subtypes of influenza virus recovered from patients with respiratory illness who were admitted to the major children's hospital in Angola from May 2009 through April 2011. Nasal and oral swabs were collected from patients seen in the outpatient clinic with influenza-like illness (ILI) or hospitalized with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) and tested for influenza virus by polymerase chain reaction assays. Of 691 samples collected, 334 (48%) were from case patients with ILI, and 357 (52%) were from case patients with SARI. Most (86%) of these children were <5 years of age. Thirty-nine samples (47% SARI, 53% outpatient) tested positive for influenza virus, including 2009 pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (A[H1N1]pdm09; n = 9), influenza A virus subtype H3, likely H3N2 (n = 12), and influenza B virus (n = 18). The proportion of specimens positive for influenza virus was 5% for ILI cases and 6% for SARI cases. After the peak of A(H1N1)pdm09 infection from May through September of 2009, additional peaks of ILI and SARI were seen, especially during February-April 2010. Influenza virus causes a small but preventable number of pneumonia cases among children in Angola.

Analysis of specific risk factors of neurodevelopmental disorder in hearing-impaired infants under ten months of age: "EnTNDre" an opening research stemming from a transdisciplinary partnership.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 20% of children born with severe to profound hearing loss (HL) have an associated disorder that poses a neurodevelopmental risk [1]. The objective of this study is to identify the criteria and profiles of deaf infants at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) to provide early intervention. METHODS: Twenty-two infants aged three to ten months with bilateral congenital deafness were included. Each child attended a consultation with a psychiatrist specializing in the development of hearing-impaired infants as part of their ENT follow-up. The quality of their early development was analyzed using the Olliac grid and well-known postural and sensorimotor criteria. The children were then classified into three groups: normal examination (Group 1), evident NDD (Group 2), and intermediate examination (Group 3). Early medical history, the etiology of deafness, cerebral imaging, and vestibular test results were collected and compared in the different groups. RESULTS: The average age of the children at the time of observation was seven months (3-10 months). All had sensorineural HL, with identified causes in 13 out of 22 cases: five cases of connexin 26 gene mutation, three cases of CHARGE syndrome, two CMV infections, one Usher syndrome, one GATA3 mutation, and one LHPL5 mutation. The average score on the Olliac grid was nine (0-15), and abnormal postural and sensorimotor behaviors were found in 15 cases out of 22 (68%). 27% of the children were classified in Group 1, 45% in Group 2, and 27% in Group 3. Children with non-isolated HL, abnormal brain MRI (8/22), malformations outside the auditory system (10/22), vestibular impairments (9/22), and/or CMV infections (2/22) were distributed as follows: 2/6 in Group 1, 9/10 in Group 2, and 3/6 in Group 3. 8/22 children had suffered perinatal complications (0/6 in Group 1, 6/10 in Group 2, and 2/5 in Group 3). Only one child had a first-degree relative with NDD. He belonged to Group 2. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this paper is the first to describe the development of infants with congenital deafness. It is based on an observation time that had been included in the procedure of multidisciplinary evaluations prior to cochlear implantation (CI), thanks to the partnership between a psychiatric center for deaf children and an ENT-pediatric implantology service. This consultation was aimed at assessing the quality of neurodevelopment and identifying NDD without a specific referral, with good acceptability for families. Using the Olliac grid and postural and sensorimotor criteria developed to be assessed in the routine care consultation, we identified evident early signs of NDD in 45% of infants. This group (Group 2) requires early, targeted, developmental support. Some children in an intermediate zone (Group 3) require further observation and support. CONCLUSION: The very early identification of NDD seems to be relevant in the care of hearing-impaired infants. The use of the Olliac grid and developmental scales seems relevant to identifying infants at risk for NDD.

Clinical-epidemiological profile of the canine population in a shelter, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2019-2020.

The aim of this study was to analyze the demographic, clinical, and hematological aspects of the population in a dog shelter located in the municipality of Lavras, Brazil. All animals were microchipped and evaluated by veterinarians. Whole blood samples were obtained from 329 dogs in the months of July-August 2019 and from 310 dogs in the months of January-February 2020. Most of the dogs were of mixed breed, received anti-rabies and polyvalent vaccines (100%), were dewormed (100%), and were spayed/neutered (98.59%), with a predominance of adult (86.51%), short-hair (67.51%), normal body condition (65.57%), medium-size (62.57%), and female (62.36%). The main clinical alterations detected were enlarged lymph nodes (38.69%), skin lesions (31.50%), overweight (23.32%), obesity (6.07%), elevated temperature (17.05%), and ear secretion (15.72%). Regarding hematological alterations, thrombocytopenia (36.31%), leukopenia (15.92%), anemia with decreased hemoglobin values (10.60%), hematocrit (9.70%), and red blood cells (5.14%) were observed. Most of the shelter dogs were apparently healthy, but specific measures for nutritional, dermatological, otological and disease management should be implemented once the health changes are verified, as they impact the general state of the population and adoptions.