TLDc Domain-Containing Genes in Autism Spectrum Disorder: New Players in the Oxidative Stress Response.

Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Recent evidence suggests that the TLDc [Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16 (TBC), lysin motif (LysM), domain catalytic] domain is a highly conserved motif present in proteins that are important players in the OS response and in neuroprotection. Human proteins sharing the TLDc domain include OXR1, TLDC1, NCOA7, TBC1D24, and C20ORF118.

Impact of CytoSorb and CKRT on hemodynamics in pediatric patients with septic shock: the PedCyto study.

Background: There is a lack of data to support the use of hemoadsorption in pediatric septic shock. The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of CytoSorb therapy in this setting.

Methods: Phase II interventional single arm pilot study in which 17 consecutive children admitted with septic shock who required continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) and weighed ≥10 kg were included.

Lipopolysaccharide augments microglial GABA uptake by increasing GABA transporter-1 trafficking and bestrophin-1 expression.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, affects numerous immune cell functions. Microglia, the brain's resident innate immune cells, regulate GABA signaling through GABA receptors and express the complete GABAergic machinery for GABA synthesis, uptake, and release. Here, the use of primary microglial cell cultures and ex vivo brain tissue sections allowed for demonstrating that treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased microglial GABA uptake as well as GABA transporter (GAT)-1 trafficking.

Astrocytes-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Hinder Glioma Growth.

All cells are capable of secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are not a means to eliminate unneeded cellular compounds but represent a process to exchange material (nucleic acids, lipids and proteins) between different cells. This also happens in the brain, where EVs permit the crosstalk between neuronal and non-neuronal cells, functional to homeostatic processes or cellular responses to pathological stimuli. In brain tumors, EVs are responsible for the bidirectional crosstalk between glioblastoma cells and healthy cells, and among them, astrocytes, that assume a pro-tumoral or antitumoral role depending on the stage of the tumor progression.

Microglial Extracellular Vesicles as Modulators of Brain Microenvironment in Glioma.

Microglial cells represent the resident immune elements of the central nervous system, where they exert constant monitoring and contribute to preserving neuronal activity and function. In the context of glioblastoma (GBM), a common type of tumor originating in the brain, microglial cells deeply modify their phenotype, lose their homeostatic functions, invade the tumoral mass and support the growth and further invasion of the tumoral cells into the surrounding brain parenchyma. These modifications are, at least in part, induced by bidirectional communication among microglial and tumoral cells through the release of soluble molecules and extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Evaluation of corneal tomography in children and adolescents without ocular or systemic allergy.

Purpose: To determine normal corneal tomographic parameters in children and adolescents without corneal disease or atopy diagnosis.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluated patients aged 8-16 years who underwent a complete slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination and tomographic corneal evaluation by a dual Scheimpflug analyzer, excluding those with ocular disease (including allergic conjunctivitis) or a positive prick test for systemic atopies.

Results: A total of 170 patients were evaluated, and 34 patients (68 eyes) were analyzed once the exclusion criteria were applied.

Microglia-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Reduce Glioma Growth by Modifying Tumor Cell Metabolism and Enhancing Glutamate Clearance through miR-124.

Brain homeostasis needs continuous exchange of intercellular information among neurons, glial cells, and immune cells, namely microglial cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are active players of this process. All the cells of the body, including the brain, release at least two subtypes of EVs, the medium/large EVs (m/lEVs) and small EVs (sEVs).

Results of intrastromal corneal ring segment implanted alone or combined with same-day corneal crosslinking and their correlation with preoperative corneal biomechanical strain from finite element analysis.

Purpose: To compare the results of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) alone or combined with same-day corneal crosslinking (CXL) and investigate the relationship of preoperative corneal biomechanics data on the outcomes.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology of Federal University of Parana.

Design: Prospective nonrandomized interventional comparative study.

Ophthalmological abnormalities in Down syndrome among Brazilian patients.

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder, affecting 1/700 live births. Among the clinical findings, one constant concern is the high prevalence of visual disorders that, if left untreated, can negatively affect child development. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ophthalmological findings among patients who attended an outpatient clinic for patients with Down syndrome in southern Brazil between 2005 and 2016.

The Experiences of Domestic Violence Shelter Workers and Their Perceptions of Shelter Services: A Preliminary Study.

With domestic violence shelters faced with the persistent and arduous challenge of intimate partner violence, using an online survey, we explored the experiences of 98 shelter workers, including their perceptions of shelter services. Findings revealed that a majority of respondents (94%) indicated that through their work, they have had a positive influence on shelter residents. Moreover, 68% agreed that shelters are successful with providing services that will aid women in becoming self-sufficient, and 94% would like to see shelters have a greater impact on helping women find the pathway to economic independence.

Microglial expression of GAT-1 in the cerebral cortex.

Microglial cells are the immune cells of the brain that, by sensing the microenvironment, permit a correct brain development and function. They communicate with other glial cells and with neurons, releasing and responding to a number of molecules that exert effects on surrounding cells. Among these, neurotransmitters and, in particular, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has recently gained interest in this context.

Faith of Our Sister Soldiers: National Guard Women Share Stories of Their Faith During and After Deployment.

In this qualitative study, we explored the religious and spiritual beliefs of women in the National Guard, the role of religion in their lives, and the effect of deployment and reintegration on women's belief systems. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 39 women service members who had been deployed. Results of the content analysis revealed five themes: (1) Religious Identity/Belief in God, (2) Religion/Spirituality has a Positive Impact, (3) Religious Activities, (4) Religiosity and Deployment, and (5) Religiosity/Spiritual Experiences Change over Time.

Microglia-Derived Microvesicles Affect Microglia Phenotype in Glioma.

Extracellular-released vesicles (EVs), such as microvesicles (MV) and exosomes (Exo) provide a new type of inter-cellular communication, directly transferring a ready to use box of information, consisting of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. In the nervous system, EVs participate to neuron-glial cross-talk, a bidirectional communication important to preserve brain homeostasis and, when dysfunctional, involved in several CNS diseases. We investigated whether microglia-derived EVs could be used to transfer a protective phenotype to dysfunctional microglia in the context of a brain tumor.

The role of a femtosecond laser in congenital cataract associated with aniridia.

A patient with bilateral aniridia and progressive congenital cataract was treated at the age of 7 years through phacoaspiration with femtosecond laser capsulotomy, in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation, and pars plana vitrectomy (combined with posterior capsulotomy). The diameter of the planned anterior capsulotomy was 4.7 mm; however, due to elevated tension in the young capsular bag, the capsulotomy diameter increased (to around 6 mm) shortly after release of the tension by the laser.

The development and psychometric evaluation of the Trans Discrimination Scale: TDS-21.

[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported in Vol 66(1) of (see record 2018-66276-001). In the article "The development and psychometric evaluation of the Trans Discrimination Scale: TDS-21" by Laurel B. Watson, Luke R.

Transgender people of color's experiences of sexual objectification: Locating sexual objectification within a matrix of domination.

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to investigate transgender people of color's (TPOC's) sexual objectification experiences (SOEs). Fifteen TPOC were interviewed about their experiences with sexual objectification. Using intersectionality and objectification theories as our research paradigms, results suggested that participants' SOEs were shaped by the intersections of cissexism, sexism, and racism, and that participants experienced various levels of privilege and oppression based on their specific identities.

Intracorneal Ring Segments Implantation for Corneal Ectasia.

Purpose: To provide an overview of the predictability, safety, and efficacy of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation as a tool to improve visual acuity and its association with other techniques such as corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), addressing biomechanical outcomes, models, surgical planning and technique, indications, contraindications, and complications in ectatic corneas.

Methods: Literature review.

Results: ICRSs have been used to regularize the corneal shape and reduce corneal astigmatism and higher order aberrations, improve visual acuity to acceptable limits, and delay, or eventually prevent, a corneal keratoplasty in keratoconic eyes.

Comparison of keratometric changes after myopic ablation: ray tracing versus simulated keratometry.

Purpose: To compare the changes in corneal power (ΔK) induced by myopic ablations estimated by Placido-disk and total corneal power (TCP) ray tracing methods to the refractive change (ΔSE).

Methods: Manifest refraction, simulated keratometry from a Placido-disk based system, and TCP from a dual-Scheimpflug analyzer were obtained from 35 patients (58 eyes) before and 3 months after a myopic ablation. The change in the manifest refraction that occurred after surgery was then vertex distance corrected and compared to the changes observed in corneal power with the various systems analyzed.

CD4+ T cell-mediated neuroprotection is independent of T cell-derived BDNF in a mouse facial nerve axotomy model.

Background: The production of neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF, has generally been considered an important mechanism of immune-mediated neuroprotection. However, the ability of T cells to produce BDNF remains controversial.

Methods: In the present study, we examined mRNA and protein of BDNF using RT-PCR and western blot, respectively, in purified and reactivated CD4(+) T cells.

IL-10 within the CNS is necessary for CD4+ T cells to mediate neuroprotection.

We have previously shown that immunodeficient mice exhibit significant facial motoneuron (FMN) loss compared to wild-type (WT) mice after a facial nerve axotomy. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is known as a regulatory cytokine that plays an important role in maintaining the anti-inflammatory environment within the central nervous system (CNS). IL-10 is produced by a number of different cells, including Th2 cells, and may exert an anti-apoptotic action on neurons directly.

Phenotype of CD4+ T cell subsets that develop following mouse facial nerve axotomy.

We have previously shown that CD4(+) T helper (Th) 2 cells, but not Th1 cells, participate in the rescue of mouse facial motoneurons (FMN) from axotomy-induced cell death. Recently, a number of other CD4(+) T cell subsets have been identified in addition to the Th1 and Th2 effector subsets, including Th17, inducible T regulatory type 1 (Tr1), and naturally thymus-born Foxp3(+) regulatory (Foxp3(+) Treg) cells. These subsets regulate the nature of a T cell-mediated immune response.

CD4(+) T cell-mediated facial motoneuron survival after injury: Distribution pattern of cell death and rescue throughout the extent of the facial motor nucleus.

We have previously demonstrated that CD4(+) T cells transiently rescue facial motoneurons (FMN) from axotomy-induced death in immunodeficient mice. Three subpopulations of motoneurons have been observed within the facial motor nucleus following axotomy: one that always survives axotomy (50%), one that is amenable to rescue from axotomy-induced death through the addition of neurotrophic factors or CD4(+) T cells (30-40%), and one that always dies after axotomy (10-15%). The objective of this study was to anatomically map the extent of axotomy-induced cell death and immune cell rescue in the facial nucleus to study the differential survival capabilities of each subpopulation.

Immune-mediated neuroprotection of axotomized mouse facial motoneurons is dependent on the IL-4/STAT6 signaling pathway in CD4(+) T cells.

The CD4(+) T lymphocyte has recently been found to promote facial motoneuron (FMN) survival after nerve injury. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT)4 and STAT6 are key proteins involved in the CD4(+) T cell differentiation pathways leading to T helper type (Th)1 and Th2 cell development, respectively. To determine which CD4(+) T cell subset mediates FMN survival, the facial nerve axotomy paradigm was applied to STAT4-deficient (-/-) and STAT6-/- mice.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and CD1-restricted NKT cells do not mediate facial motoneuron survival after axotomy.

CD4+ T cells rescue facial motoneurons (FMN) from axotomy-induced cell death. The objective of this study is to determine if the CD4+ T regulatory subsets, CD4+CD25+ T or CD1d-restricted NKT cells are critical for FMN survival after facial nerve axotomy. Surviving FMN within facial motor nuclei from axotomized and control sides 4 weeks after axotomy were counted to determine percent FMN survival.