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BackgroundDeafness-dystonia-optic neuronopathy (DDON) syndrome, a condition that predominantly affects males, is caused by mutations in translocase of mitochondrial inner membrane 8A (TIMM8A)/deafness dystonia protein 1 (DDP1) gene and characterized by progressive deafness coupled with other neurological abnormalities. In a previous study, we demonstrated the phenotype of male mice carrying the hemizygous mutation of Timm8a1-I23fs49X. In a follow-up to that study, this study aimed to observe the behavioral changes in the female mutant (MUT) mice with homologous mutation of Timm8a1 and to elucidate the underlying mechanism for the behavioral changes.Materials and methodsHistological analysis, transmission electron microscopy (EM), Western blotting, hearing measurement by auditory brainstem response (ABR), and behavioral observation were compared between the MUT mice and wild-type (WT) littermates.ResultsThe weight of the female MUT mice was less than that of the WT mice. Among MUT mice, both male and female mice showed hearing impairment, anxiety-like behavior by the elevated plus maze test, and cognitive deficit by the Morris water maze test. Furthermore, the female MUT mice exhibited coordination problems in the balance beam test. Although the general neuronal loss was not found in the hippocampus of the MUT genotype, EM assessment indicated that the mitochondrial size showing as aspect ratio and form factor in the hippocampus of the MUT strain was significantly reduced compared to that in the WT genotype. More importantly, this phenomenon was correlated with the upregulation of translation of mitochondrial fission process protein 1(Mtfp1)/mitochondrial 18 kDa protein (Mtp18), a key fission factor that is a positive regulator of mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial size. Interestingly, significant reductions in the size of the uterus and ovaries were noted in the female MUT mice, which contributed to significantly lower fertility in the MUT mice.ConclusionTogether, a homologous mutation in the Timm8a1 gene caused the hearing impairment and psychiatric behavioral changes in the MUT mice; the latter phenotype might be related to a reduction in mitochondrial size regulated by MTP18.

The use of illicit drug represents a growing danger to social, physical, emotional and job and institutional related problems affecting the well-being of Ivorian youth today. The purpose of this study was to investigated and evaluated the existing knowledge of illegal types of drug usage among youth groups and its associated behavioral disorders and effects in Grand-Bassam district (Côte d'Ivoire). Urine samples were collected from each participant, amongst targeted youth populations for analysis, participants (n=442), age (≥14 years), both genders were randomly selected. Basic information, economic status, and drug usage history were collected using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Python and GraphPad (Prism 8.4.2). Our results finding show that people age 20-35 years with highest illicit drug consumption (57.7%), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was the most consumed illicit product, followed by benzodiazepines (BZO) with 92.09% and 24.05%, respectively. The common effects associated with THC use include hallucination, while use of morphine seems to be on steady increase with aggressiveness disorder observed among its users who come more than one illicit drug combinations. Keywords: Behavioral disorders, illegal substances, drug consumption, health risks, mental health, drug-related harms.

Deafness-dystonia-optic neuronopathy (DDON) syndrome, a condition that predominantly affects males, is caused by mutations inHistological analysis, transmission electron microscopy (EM), Western blotting, hearing measurement by auditory brainstem response (ABR), and behavioral observation were compared between the MUT mice and wild-type (WT) littermates.The weight of the female MUT mice was less than that of the WT mice. Among MUT mice, both male and female mice showed hearing impairment, anxiety-like behavior by the elevated plus maze test, and cognitive deficit by the Morris water maze test. Furthermore, the female MUT mice exhibited coordination problems in the balance beam test. Although the general neuronal loss was not found in the hippocampus of the MUT genotype, EM assessment indicated that the mitochondrial size showing as aspect ratio and form factor in the hippocampus of the MUT strain was significantly reduced compared to that in the WT genotype. More importantly, this phenomenon was correlated with the upregulation of translation of mitochondrial fission process protein 1(Mtfp1)/mitochondrial 18 kDa protein (Mtp18), a key fission factor that is a positive regulator of mitochondrial fission and mitochondrial size. Interestingly, significant reductions in the size of the uterus and ovaries were noted in the female MUT mice, which contributed to significantly lower fertility in the MUT mice.Together, a homologous mutation in the

La consommation d’alcool par les mères gestantes ou allaitantes est un problème de santé publique qui a un impact chez la mère et le nourrisson. Les dommages causés chez le nouveau-né peuvent affecter la mémoire. L’objectif de cette étude est de comparer les effets de la prise d’alcool par des rattes durant les périodes de la gestation et/ou de la lactation sur les performances mnésiques des ratons. De ce fait, treize (13) lots de six (6) rattes nullipares sont accouplés avec des rats mâles à raison de deux femelles pour un mâle. Elles ont ensuite reçu quotidiennement de l’eau distillée (lot 0) ou différentes doses d’alcool (0,1 ; 0,3 ; 0,5 et 0,8 g/L de sang) durant les périodes de gestation (groupes 1-4), de lactation (groupes 5-8) et du début de la gestation jusqu’à la fin de la lactation (groupes 9-12). Les performances mnésiques des ratons issus de chaque lot sont évaluées grâce à un labyrinthe en T. Les résultats ont montré que l’alcool a favorisé une baisse significative des pourcentages d’alternance spontanée des ratons (P < 0,05). Cependant, les doses de 0,5 et 0,8 g/L de sang ont les plus fortes baisses avec 26 et 30% durant la gestation, et 10 et 8% pendant l’allaitement (P < 0,0001). En conclusion, l’alcool a des effets délétères plus prononcés sur la mémoire lorsqu’il est consommé durant la période de la gestation.Mots clés : Performances mnésiques, Labyrinthe en T, Alternance spontanée. English Title: Comparative effects of alcohol treatment of pregnant and lactating rats on the memory performance of their offspring Alcohol consumption by pregnant and lactating mothers is a public health problem that has an impact on mothers and newborn. Damage to the newborn can affect memory. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of alcohol consumption by rats during gestation and / or lactation on the memory performance of pups. Therefore, thirteen (13) lots of six (6) nulliparous rats are mated with male rats, two females for one male. They received daily distilled water (lot 0) or different doses of alcohol (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 g / L of blood) during gestation periods (groups 1 -4), lactation (groups 5-8) and from the start of gestation until the end of lactation (groups 9-12). The memory performance of each pup is evaluated using a T-maze. The results showed that the alcohol favored a significant drop in the percentages of spontaneous alternation of the pups (P