Co-expression network of neural-differentiation genes shows specific pattern in schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis, although the mechanism is unknown due to the difficulties in accessing diseased tissue during human neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to find neuronal differentiation genes disrupted in schizophrenia and to evaluate those genes in post-mortem brain tissues from schizophrenia cases and controls. Methods: We analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEG), copy number variation (CNV) and differential methylation in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) derived from fibroblasts from one control and one schizophrenia patient and further differentiated into neuron (NPC). Expression of the DEG were analyzed with microarrays of post-mortem brain tissue (frontal cortex) cohort of 29 schizophrenia cases and 30 controls. A Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) using the DEG was used to detect clusters of co-expressed genes that werenon-conserved between adult cases and controls brain samples. Results: We identified methylation alterations potentially involved with neuronal differentiation in schizophrenia, which displayed an over-representation of genes related to chromatin remodeling complex (adjP = 0.04). We found 228 DEG associated with neuronal differentiation. These genes were involved with metabolic processes, signal transduction, nervous system development, regulation of neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation. Between adult brain samples from cases and controls there were 233 DEG, with only four genes overlapping with the 228 DEG, probably because we compared single cell to tissue bulks and more importantly, the cells were at different stages of development. The comparison of the co-expressed network of the 228 genes in adult brain samples between cases and controls revealed a less conserved module enriched for genes associated with oxidative stress and negative regulation of cell differentiation. Conclusion: This study supports the relevance of using cellular approaches to dissect molecular aspects of neurogenesis with impact in the schizophrenic brain. We showed that, although generated by different approaches, both sets of DEG associated to schizophrenia were involved with neocortical development. The results add to the hypothesis that critical metabolic changes may be occurring during early neurodevelopment influencing faulty development of the brain and potentially contributing to further vulnerability to the illness.We thank the patients, doctors and nurses involved with sample collection and the Stanley Medical Research Institute. This research was supported by either Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq #17/2008) and Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ). MM (CNPq 304429/2014-7), ACT (FAPESP 2014/00041-1), LL (CAPES 10682/13-9) HV (CAPES) and BP (PPSUS 137270) were supported by their fellowshipsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mothers'health in Brazil and recovering the training of midwives for care in the birth process El cuidado de la salud materna en Brasil y el rescate de la enseñanza de obstetras para asistencia al parto O cuidado a saúde materna no Brasil e o resgate do ensino de obstetrizes para assistência ao parto

The authors briefly analyze the situation of maternal health care in Brazil and, based on their findings, they comment that there have been transformations in the health care model for women and families and propose some measures, including recovery of the work of the obstetric nurse or midwife (obstetriz, in Portuguese). They comment that women care tendencies in the delivery process presuppose incorporation of the paradigm of improving the physiology of valuing women's experience, the approach to the family, health advice that prioritizes prevention, education and relationships, without ignoring safety. They appoint that building this health care model, which includes the work of the midwife, may improve maternal health indicators.<br>Los autores hacen un breve análisis de la situación del cuidado de la salud materna en Brasil, y con base en sus hallazgos, sugieren transformar el modelo de atención a la mujer y a sus familiares; proponen algunas medidas que incluyen la inserción del trabajo de la enfermera obstétrica y de la obstetra en el contexto actual. Comentan sobre la tendencia actual del cuidado materno en el proceso del nacimiento, el cual presupone la incorporación del paradigma que favorece la fisiología y la valorización de la experiencia femenina, el abordaje centrado en la familia con énfasis en la prevención, educación y relación interpersonal sin dejar de lado la seguridad. Consideran que el modelo del cuidado de la salud que incluye el trabajo de la obstetra, puede mejorar los indicadores de salud materna.<br>Os autores fazem uma breve análise da situação do cuidado a saúde materna no Brasil, e com base nesses dados, apontam as transformações no modelo de assistência à mulher e às famílias e propõem algumas medidas, as quais inclui a inserção do trabalho da enfermeira obstétrica ou obstetriz no contexto atual. Comentam que a tendência atual do processo de nascimento pressupõe a incorporação do paradigma que favorece a fisiologia e a valorização da experiência feminina, a abordagem centrada na família, com ênfase na prevenção, educação e relacionamento interpessoal, sem deixar de lado a segurança. Consideram que o modelo de cuidado à saúde, que inclui o trabalho da obstetriz, pode melhorar os indicadores de saúde materna

A prática do auxiliar de enfermagem do programa saúde da família La práctica del auxiliar de enfermería del programa salud de la familia The practice of nursing auxiliaries in the family health program

Este trabalho tem como objetivo conhecer a prática do auxiliar de enfermagem que atua no Programa Saúde da Família, identificando suas atividades cotidianas, bem como facilidades e dificuldades encontradas no seu trabalho. Optou-se pela abordagem qualitativa, utilizando-se a técnica de grupo focal, com participação de 34 auxiliares de enfermagem do Distrito Federal. Constatou-se que os auxiliares desenvolvem uma série de atividades, tanto de caráter individual como coletivo, com forte influência do modelo clínico de atenção e diferentes graus de complexidade, tais como: cadastramento das famílias, avaliação clínica sumária, atividades de grupo, procedimentos técnicos, visitas domiciliares, vigilância sanitária e epidemiológica. Os profissionais relatam que encontram facilidade na formação de vínculo com a clientela, porém se queixam da escassez de cursos de educação continuada, indefinição quanto as suas reais atribuições e falta de coordenação local. Conclui-se que o programa precisa redimensionar o papel desse profissional, resgatando sua função educativa junto à comunidade.<br>La finalidad de este trabajo es conocer la práctica del auxiliar de enfermería que actúa en el Programa Salud de la Familia, identificando sus actividades cotidianas, así como facilidades y dificultades encontradas en su trabajo. Fue adoptada una aproximación cualitativa, utilizándose la técnica de grupo focal, con participación de 34 auxiliares de enfermería del Districto Federal, Brasil. Se constata que los auxiliares desarrollan una serie de actividades, tanto en carácter personal como en colectivo, con fuerte influencia del modelo clínico de atención y diferentes grados de complejidad, tales como: catastro de las familias, evaluación clínica sumaria, actividades de grupo, procedimientos técnicos, visitas domiciliares, vigilancia sanitaria y epidemiológica. Los profesionales dicen que encuentran facilidad en la formación de vínculo con la clientela, pero se quejan de la falta de cursos de educación continuada, indefinición de sus reales atribuciones y falta de coordinación local. La conclusión es que el programa necesita redimensionar el papel de este profesional, rescatando su función educativa delante de la comunidad.<br>This study aims to evaluate the practice of nursing auxiliaries in the Family Health Program, identifying their daily activities, as well as factors that facilitate or hinder their work. A qualitative approach was chosen, using the focal group technique, with the participation of 34 nursing auxiliaries from the Federal District, Brazil. It was found that the nursing auxiliaries carry out a variety of activities, both of individual and collective nature, heavily influenced by the clinical model and with different degrees of complexity, such as: family registration, brief clinical evaluation, group activities, technical procedures, home visits, sanitary and epidemiological vigilance in day care centers. The participants related that they found it easy to bond with the clientele, but complained of the shortage of continuing education courses and imprecision as to their true assignments and lack of local coordination. The authors conclude that the program must reassess the role of this professional, reemphasizing his educational function in the community