PARENTAL ATTITUDE, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND PARENTAL STRESS AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Parental stress has been linked with negative aspects of parental and family functioning in both families of children with and without disabilities. Child-rearing adds a number of responsibilities and stressors to most parents. However, parents of children with autism faced a different set of challenges and exhibit a higher level of stress due to the pervasive nature of child problems. The aims of this study were to determine the relationships between parental attitude, social support, and parental stress among parents of children with autism in Selangor and also to determine the predictor of stress among parental attitude and social support. This study was guided by the bioecological theory of human development that highlighted the importance of the proximal process and the person biopsychological characteristics in determining the development outcomes. Eighty parents with autistic children were recruited through cluster sampling. Parents completed a set of questionnaires consist of demographic data sheet, Family Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ), and Autism Parenting Stress Index (APSI). Significant correlation was found between parental attitude and parental stress (r= .76, p < 0.01), and between social support and parental stress (r= -.59, p < 0.01). These findings suggest that social support and positive parental attitude towards parenting a child with autism is the critical factor in reducing parental stress. Meanwhile, results of multiple regression showed parental attitude emerged as a significant predictor of parental stress (β = .622, p < 0.001). However, there was no evidence of the role of demographic variables in the adjustment of parental stress. It is concluded that parents with supportive social networks and positive attitudes are more likely to engage in an active proximal process that will lead to effective coping and stress reduction

Topographic and anatomical features of the sulci structure of the brain's occipital lobe medial surface

The complex of macromicroscopic methods has revealed the features of the sulci structure of the brain’s occipital lobe medial surface. Macromicroscopic, morphometric, topographic and anatomical, statistical and mathematical analysis were used. The sulci of the medial surface of the brain's occipital lobe are classified into permanent, typical and non-permanent. The complex of anatomical structures of the medial surface of the brain's occipital lobe includes the parietooccipital sulcus, calcarine sulcus, cuneus, calcarine spur, additional sulci. The parietooccipital and calcarine sulci are divided into segments: posterior (distal process), anterior (proximal process), common (common area). The parietooccipital sulcus is connected to the anterior end of the calcarine sulcus at 98,5 %. The length of the parietooccipital sulcus is min 16,0 mm and max 58 mm, M=35,8 mm, depth is min 9,0 mm and max 43,0 mm, M=24,3 mm. It was found that in 35 % of cases, the posterior end of the calcarine sulcus does not reach the apex (angle) of the occipital lobe of the brain by min 2,0 mm and max 14,0 mm, M=7,8 mm. In 43 % the posterior end of the calcarine sulcus bifurcates. The distance between the posterior end of the calcarine sulcus and the upper end of the parietooccipital sulcus is min 18,0 mm and max 64,0 mm, M=39,8 mm. The length of the calcarine sulcus is min 37 mm and max 79 mm, M=54 mm. The depth of the anterior part of the calcarine sulcus is min 8,0 mm and max 36,0 mm, M=20,7 mm; the depth of the posterior part is min 5,0 mm and max 22,0 mm, M=12,8 mm.

Two new species of the genus Irepacma Moriuti, Saito & Lewvanich (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) from Guizhou Province, China

Irepacma was established by Moriuti, Saito & Lewvanich in 1985, with Irepacma pakiensis Moriuti, Saito & Lewvanich, 1985 as the type species. It shared the two-segmented labial palpus in male with the closely related genera Periacma Meyrick, 1894, Ripeacma Moriuti, Saito & Lewvanich, 1985 and Epiracma Wang, 2005. The typical character to distinguish Irepacma from its allies is the absence of the apophyses anteriores in the female genitalia. In the male genitalia it is closer to Periacma Meyrick, but can be distinguished mostly by the absence of the dorso-proximal process of the valva, or by having a dorso-proximal process that often far exceeds half the length of the valva.

Redescriptions of two morphologically confusing sea lice Caligus aesopus Wilson, 1921 and C. spinosus Yamaguti, 1939 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Caligidae) parasitic on amberjacks (Seriola spp.) from Korea

The taxonomically confusing species of sea lice Caligus aesopus Wilson, 1921 and C. spinosus Yamaguti, 1939 are redescribed based on material taken from gills of amberjacks (Seriola spp.) from Korean seas. These two sea lice can be distinguished from each other by the following major differences: (1) the female abdomen of C. aesopus has a lateral constriction in the distal third, but that of C. spinosus is fusiform, without a constriction; (2) the proximal process on the first antennal segment is subcircular distally in C. aesopus, but tapered in C. spinosus; (3) the basis of leg 1 has a small tubercle in C. aesopus, but none in C. spinosus; (4) the protopod (apron) of leg 3 of C. aesopus has an inner patch of less than 15 large spinules, but that of C. spinosus has a patch of more than 25 small spinules; (5) the innermost spine on the third exopodal segment of leg 4 is distinctly longer than the nearby middle spine in C. aesopus, but subequal to the middle spine in C. spinosus; (6) the inner margin of the first maxillipedal segment of the male has four processes in C. aesopus, but three in C. spinosus; and (7) the first maxillipedal segment of the female has a tubercle on the myxal area in C. aesopus, but absent in C. spinosus.

Regulation of potassium levels by Müller cells in the vertebrate retina

The membrane properties of Müller ceils, the principal glial cells of the vertebrate retina, have been characterized in a series of physiological experiments on freshly dissociated cells. In species lacking a retinal circulation (tiger salamander, rabbit, guinea pig), the end-foot of the Müller cell has a much higher K+ conductance than do other cell regions. In species with retinal circulation (mouse, cat, owl monkey) the K+ conductance of the end-foot is greater than the conductance of the proximal process of the cell. In these species, however, the K+ conductance of the soma and distal process is equal to, or greater than, the end-foot conductance. Müller cells also possess four voltage-dependent ion channels, including an inward rectifying K+ channel. These membrane specializations may aid in the regulation of extracellular K+ levels by Müller cells in the retina. High end-foot conductance shunts excess K+ out through the end-foot, where it diffuses into the vitreous humor. In vascularized retinae, excess K+ may also be transferred to the ablumenal wall of capillaries, where it could be transported into the blood.

Spike Potentials Recorded from the Insect Photoreceptor

Slow and spike potentials were recorded from single cells in the receptor layer of the compound eye of the drone of the honeybee. From electron microscopic observation of the drone ommatidium, it was concluded that the response had been recorded from the retinula cell. The following hypothesis is suggested for the initiation of spike potentials in the drone compound eye: Photic stimulation results in a decrease in the resistance of all or part of the retinula cell membrane, giving rise to the retinal action potential. The retinal action potential causes outflow of the current through the proximal process of the cell. This depolarizing current initiates spike potentials in the proximal process or axon of the retinula cell which are recorded across the soma membrane of the retinula cell.