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Facultad de Ingeniería Civil. Maestría en Infraestructura del Transporte en la Rama de las Vías Terrestres Building a new airport in Mexico City is a fundamental necessity, because the current “Benito Juarez” airport is insufficient for the service demanded by users in addition to the danger represented by having an airport so close of the civilian population. For more than fifteen years the federal government has sought the alternative of building a new airport more modern, with greater capacity and safer. The area designated for this project is in what used to be Texcoco’s lake in the state of Mexico, however this area has high salinity which is a disadvantage for the buildings that are built there. In its first stage schedule for completion in 2020 is the construction of a seventy-four hectares’ terminal with the capacity to serve more than 68,000,000 people annually, 1500 flight operations daily, a control tower and three runways; in its maximum capacity for the year 2060, 120,000,000 people will be served annually and there will be six tracks. The concentration of salts in the soil of the ex-lake of Texcoco represents one of the main parameters for the design of the hydraulic concrete to be used since the durability of such an important project must be guaranteed so, not only must the structure be designed for resistance but also for durability. This involves designing a concrete to the attack of aggressive agents (chlorine ion) in order to guarantee a useful life of at least one-hundred years. Compressive strength has regularly been used as an indicator of concrete durability, however it is becoming increasingly apparent that it does not by itself determine the durability of concrete. Construir un nuevo aeropuerto en la Ciudad de México es una necesidad primordial, debido a que el actual aeropuerto “Benito Juárez” es insuficiente para el servicio que demandan los usuarios, además de la peligrosidad que representa el tener un aeropuerto tan cerca de las viviendas de la población civil. Desde hace más de quince años el gobierno federal ha buscado la alternativa de construir un nuevo aeropuerto, más moderno, con mayor capacidad y más seguro; la zona destinada a este proyecto es en lo que fue el Lago de Texcoco, en el Estado de México. Sin embargo, esta zona presenta alta salinidad, lo que es un inconveniente para las edificaciones que ahí se construyan. En su primera etapa, programada para concluir en el año 2020 está la construcción de una terminal de 74 hectáreas de extensión, con capacidad para atender a más de 68 millones de personas anualmente, 1500 operaciones de vuelo diariamente, una torre de control y 3 pistas. En su capacidad máxima para el año 2060 se atenderán 120 millones de personas anualmente y habrá 6 pistas. La concentración de sales en el suelo del ex-lago de Texcoco representa uno de los parámetros principales para el diseño del concreto hidráulico a utilizar, ya que se debe de garantizar la durabilidad de tan importante proyecto por lo que no solamente se debe de diseñar la estructura por resistencia, sino también por durabilidad. Esto implica diseñar un concreto resistente al ataque de agentes agresivos (ion cloruro) con el fin de garantizar una vida útil de por los menos 100 años. La resistencia a compresión ha sido utilizada por lo regular como un indicador de la durabilidad del concreto; sin embargo, cada día se hace más evidente que por sí misma no determina la durabilidad del concreto.

The biggest growth rate of network traffic in the coming years will be for smartphones and Internet-connected devices, which relentless tend to perform increasingly demanding tasks on continuously increasing amounts of data. Machine Learning and Edge Computing are emerging as effective paradigms for processing huge amounts of data supplied by the Internet of Things and Smart Cities. An osmotic computing architecture for an IoT smart classroom is used for testing a deep learning model for person recognition. A comparative performance study and analysis was made by means of selecting a single deep learning model, that it was tried to be adapted to run over the cloud, a fog microserver and a mobile edge computing device. The results obtained shown some promising results and also limitations for the edge and fog computing side that will need to be addressed in order to minimize latencies and achieve real-time responses for the present IoT application.

Machine Learning over edge computing devices is levering up embedded and IoT intelligence and is expected to grow even more. Today, Machine Learning applications are mainly driven by Cloud Computing, but a recent trend towards on-device ML execution is taken over. We can expect that in coming years there will be smart homes and buildings populated by much more smart devices able to assist human activities more naturally. We present a work in progress, a mobile edge computing prototype built to explore and validate how ready are smartphones for on-device execution of deep neural networks (DNNs) using as a test bed a light control of a smart classroom via object recognition using three pre-trained non-optimized DNN models embedded in one mobile app. The prototype was successfully accomplished for recognition and control tasks using only smartphone's CPU/GPU processing units to run DNN models under 670ms. Finally, on-device DNN inference performance is discussed and some future work issues are presented.

Background Time-lapse monitoring (TLM) technology has been implemented in the clinical setting for the culture and selection of human embryos. Many studies have assessed the association between sperm DNA fragmentation (sDNAf) and clinical outcomes after ART, but little is known about the influence of sDNA on embryo morphokinetics. Objectives The objective of this retrospective study, which includes 971 embryos from 135 consecutive ICSI cycles (56 cases with own oocytes, 79 with oocytes from young and healthy donors), was to assess if sDNAf has an impact on embryo morphokinetics. Materials and methods Samples used to perform ICSI were analyzed by the flow cytometry TUNEL assay, and embryo development was assessed through an EmbyoScope® system. The association between sDNAf and the timings of cell cleavage was analyzed by categorizing the first variable into quartiles: ≤6.50%; 6.51-10.70%; 10.71-20.15%; >20.15%. Results In cases where sDNAf was above 20.15% (the upper quartile), embryos derived from donated oocytes (n = 644) showed significantly slower divisions. Such association was not observed in embryos obtained from the patients' own oocytes (n = 327). The embryo cleavage pattern (either normal, direct from 1 to 3 blastomeres, direct from 1 to 4 blastomeres, incomplete, reversed or asynchronous) was independent of the sDNAf level. Blastocyst arrival rate was 63.0% and the rate of good quality embryos (transferred and frozen embryos divided by the number of zygotes) was 45.49%. Neither parameter was related to the levels of sDNAf. Discussion According to our results, the association between high sDNAf and donated oocytes led to delayed cell division. To our knowledge, this is the first study suggesting that sDNAf can delay human embryo cleavage timings when oocytes from donors are inseminated. Conclusions This finding may indicate that, in the presence of increased DNA damage, time is needed before the first embryonic cell division for the activation of the optimal DNA repairing machinery in higher quality oocytes.

Objective To determine the relationship between serum P levels on the day of hCG administration and ongoing pregnancy rates. Design Retrospective study. Setting University-affiliated private IVF. Patient(s) A total of 2,458 couples undergoing IUI. Intervention(s) Ovarian stimulation with human recombinant FSH. Main Outcome Measure(s) Ongoing pregnancy and miscarriage rates. Result(s) Progesterone concentrations were significantly higher given that the E 2 concentration increased. Ongoing pregnancy rates were significantly decreased in women with P levels higher than 1.1 ng/mL; similar results were obtained in relation to miscarriage rates. Conclusion(s) Significant differences in ongoing pregnancy rates when P levels were elevated on the day of hCG administration may help clinicians to counsel patients about the reduced success rates with IUI and manage the timing of insemination to optimize implantation.

Sources of financing actions on rising energy efficiency are considered and their contents and structure are defined. On the base of economic calculations the conclusion was made about impact of contents and structure of sources of financing on integrating efficiency indicators of projects of energy efficiency.

Neste trabalho foi estudado o impacto ocasionado pela utilização de sistemas de tratamento in situ de esgotos nas águas subterrâneas do bairro de Piratininga. A área localizada na região litoranea do municipio de Niteroi (RJ) não possui rede coletora de esgotos, que é tratado in situ, em cada residência. As águas subterrâneas representam, em 92% dos casos, a principal fonte de abastecimento doméstico. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade das águas subterrâneas, estabelecendo o impacto gerado pelo uso de sistemas de disposição in situ de esgotos e o período em que o consumo da água subterrânea possa representar algum risco para a saúde pública. Na área de baixada se observaram altas concentrações de nitrogênio amoniacal e nitrato, além da presença de coliformes totais e fecais. O principal risco nestes locais e a disseminação de doenças de veiculação hídrica. Na restinga, foram observados valores elevados de nitrogênio amoniacal e em alguns casos, de nitrato. A ingestão da água desses poços pode ocasionar doenças relacionadas com os altos teores de nitrato. Através do monitoramento da qualidade da água subterrânea, observou-se que no período de precipitação pluviométrica, a infiltração de esgotos e a elevação do nível d\'água do aquífero favoreceram a contaminação das águas subterrâneas, que na área de baixada atingem fossas e sumidouros. Recomenda-se o estudo mais aprofundado sobre a utilização do digestor anaeróbico de fluxo ascendente e da fossa séptica mais filtro anaeróbico, como alternativas para o tratamento de esgotos comunitários. Impact of \"in situ\" treatment\'s system of waster in ground-water of Piratininga quarter was studied. This area located in the coastal region of Niterói city, State of Rio de Janeiro, has not sewage net and waste is being treated in each house. On the other side, groundwater is the main source of domestic suplly. The aim of this work was evaluation of groundwater quality, the impact of the use of \"in situ\" domestic systems of waste water and for how long groundwater consumption would not offer risks to public health. In the lower areas high concentrations of ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen, were observed besides the presence of total and faecal coliforms. Main risk in these locations is the dissemination of hydric veiculation diseases. In the sand bar, were observed high values of nitrogen and, in some cases, nitrate. Water ingestion from well have located caused diseases related to high nitrates concentration. During monitoring of groundwater quality, it was observed that in rainy periods, the elevation of water table infiltration of waste water was favoured increasing contamination of groundwater, specially in the lower areas with cesspool. It\'s recommended a deeper study on the use of anaerobic digester of ascendant flux and cesspool septic with anaerobic filter, as an alternative to treatment of community wastewater.

Objetivos: Se determinó que haciendo uso del mapa conceptual utilizando Cmap Tools se favoreció la comprensión lectora de un texto expositivo en estudiantes de odontología, según estilos de aprendizaje. Materiales y Método: Se realizó un estudio cuasi experimental con pre test y pos test en 50 estudiantes de odontología de la Universidad Andina Néstor Caceres Velasquez de Juliaca. Los estilos de aprendizaje fueron clasicados con el cuestionario de Honey-Alonso de Estilos de Aprendizaje (CHAEA), el nivel de comprensión de lectura se determinó con el test de comprensión lectora prediseñado, y la rúbrica semántica de Miller-Cañas 2008 se utilizó para la evaluación del contenido del mapa conceptual. Resultados: Las comparaciones del pre test y pos test de comprensión lectora alcanzaron una puntuación promedio para el total de la muestra de 7,5 incrementándose a 9,3 siendo favorecidos los estilos de aprendizaje teórico y reexivo. La evaluación semántica del mapa conceptual pasó de 4,5 a 9,1 puntos, aquí todos los estilos fueron favorecidos. Conclusiones: La utilización de los mapas conceptuales a nivel de la educación superior es muy importante mejorando de esta manera la comprensión lectora del estudiante en su aprendizaje.

Versión final del artículo publicado en Revista Comunifé 2014;14:15-17 Este texto plantea un acercamiento a la (re)presentación del fenómeno de la violencia y su legitimación mediática. Elabora tres vértices de análisis. En primer lugar, se describe el contexto actual de las prácticas de lo informativo, así como las dimensiones del valor de la información, lo periodístico y sus estrategias de legitimación. En segundo lugar, se presentan las relaciones derivadas del tratamiento periodístico de la violencia y sus implicancias (ligadas con la legitimación del fenómeno en un plano discursivo). Finalmente, y a modo de cierre, se repasan dos denominados «vicios» del funcionamiento de la institución informativa, relacionados profundamente con los fenómenos antes descritos.

To investigate the correlation between total and bioavailable serum 25-OH vitamin D and the pregnancy rate in recipients of donated oocytes.Retrospective study.University-affiliated private IVF center.A total of 267 patients who were referred to our clinic for oocyte donation from June 2013 to December 2013.Serum analysis of vitamin D and bioavailable vitamin D and reproductive outcomes.Pregnancy and implantation rate.Among all patients, 15.3% (n = 41) were vitamin D replete (vitamin D30 ng/mL), 50.2% (n = 134) had vitamin D deficiency (20-30 ng/mL), and 34.4% (n = 92) had insufficient vitamin D (20 ng/mL). Implantation rates were similar among patients with normal, insufficient, or deficient total serum 25-OH vitamin D levels (61%, 63.4%, and 65.2%, respectively). Pregnancy rates did not differ among the three groups (70%, 69.9%, and 73.9%). Ongoing pregnancy rates were also comparable among the three groups (55.9%, 52.7%, and 60.7%). The predictive value of total vitamin D regarding pregnancy rate was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.468. The AUC for bioavailable 25-OH vitamin D was 0.499, showing that the analysis of the AUC for vitamin D or bioavailable vitamin D was not informative.Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are frequent conditions in our southern European infertile population. In contrast to previous studies, patients who are not vitamin D replete do not have a decreased chance of becoming pregnant with egg donation. Bioavailable 25-OH vitamin D, which is a better marker of the status than total 25-OH vitamin D, does not correlate with pregnancy rate in recipients of donated oocytes. Thus, at this stage, there is insufficient evidence to recommend vitamin D screening in patients undergoing egg donation.

236U (T 1/2 = 23 My) is an excellent monitor for nuclear contamination in the environment. Indeed, spent nuclear fuels present isotopic ratios 236U/238U several orders of magnitude higher than natural samples. 236U also provides a useful fingerprint to identify and trace nuclear material for safeguards purposes. Here we describe a new beamline for the discrimination of 236U using the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) technique. This system comprises a Wien velocity filter and a 6.7 m long time-of-flight (ToF) path with a focusing quadrupole. The ToF is determined by a time zero detector and a surface barrier detector, which also provides an energy measurement. The capability of the system to discriminate 236U from the much more abundant isotopes 235U and 238U is shown. While sensitivity values of 236U/238U∼ 10−8 were achieved, ongoing works aim to improve this performance.

El núcleo del tracto solitario comisural (NTSc) es el centro de relevo de las fibras aferentes procedentes de los baro y quimiorreceptores carotídeos, por lo que modula la presión arterial y la glucemia ante los estímulos en dichos receptores. La estimulación anóxica con cianuro de sodio (NaCN) en los cuerpos carotídeos produce una respuesta hiperglucemiante. La somatostatina (SS) inhibe la secreción de la hormona del crecimiento y del glucagón lo que produce un efecto hipoglucemiante. La SS y sus receptores en el NTS tienen un efecto inhibidor. Se postula que la somatostatina modula la respuesta hiperglucemiante después de la estimulación de los quimiorreceptores carotídeos (QRC) con NaCN. En este trabajo, la infunsión de SS en el NTSc 4 min antes del estímulo anóxico de los QRC, disminuyó el reflejo hiperglucemiante y la retención de glucosa cerebral a los 10 min del estímulo anóxico. Se concluye que la SS en el NTSc modula la respuesta hiperglucemiante y la retención de glucosa cerebral post-estimulación anóxica de los cuerpos carotídeos en ratas.The commissural nucleus of the solitary tract (NTSc) is the relay center of the afferents fibers from the carotid baro and chemoreceptors, so that modulates blood pressure and blood sugar to stimuli in these receptors. Anoxic stimulation with sodium cyanide (NaCN) in the carotid bodies produces a hyperglycemic response. Somatostatin (SS) inhibits secretion of growth hormone and glucagon producing a hypoglycemic effect. The SS and its receptors in the NTS have an inhibitory effect. It is postulated that somatostatin modulates the hyperglycaemic response after stimulation of carotid chemoreceptors (QRC) with NaCN. In this work, the SS infusion into NTSc 4 min before the anoxic stimulation of the QRC, decreased the hyperglycemic reflex and cerebral glucose retention after 10 min of anoxic stimulus. We conclude that SS modulates the NTSc hyperglycemic response and brain glucose retention post-anoxic stimulation of the carotid bodies in rats.

Recently, growing interest in vitamin D has emerged from findings that demonstrate a low vitamin D status in populations. Similarly, much interest has been shown in the role that anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) plays in reproductive physiology. Considerable confusion as to whether vitamin D status is related to ovarian function can be found in the literature. Our retrospective study was performed from June 2014 to April 2015. Oocyte donors were recruited and stimulated under the antagonist protocol with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist to trigger ovulation. In 851 stimulation cycles, we determined the association among serum total and bioavailable vitamin D levels, ovarian reserve and response to ovarian stimulation and the reproductive outcome in their recipients. We showed that vitamin D levels were unrelated to ovarian reserve or ovarian response after ovarian stimulation; in oocyte recipients, gestational outcome did not differ according to a donor's vitamin D serum status. No correlation was observed between serum AMH and vitamin D. Bioavailable vitamin D was not related to recipients' ongoing pregnancy rate. Highly prevalent vitamin D insufficiency neither impaired ovarian reserve nor response or oocyte quality in egg donors. No evidence was found for recommending the analysis of vitamin D status in oocyte donors.

Objective To investigate the effect of testosterone and hCG on FSH receptor (FSHR) protein and mRNA expression in human granulosa cells (GC) in vitro. Study design Experimental in vitro cell culture obtained from healthy women undergoing IVF/ICSI due to male factor infertility. Human follicular fluid samples were obtained and after cumulus–oocyte complexes were identified, fluids were pipetted onto Ficoll gradients and centrifuged for 15 min at 400 × g at room temperature. Cells at the interface were removed and plated in 24-well plates for 3 days in M-199 with 10% FBS. Cells were treated with different concentrations of testosterone and hCG. After purification, cells were labeled with specific antibodies and the protein expression of the FSHR was evaluated by flow cytometry in the GC population. Also, total RNA was extracted from confluent GC and the FSHR gene expression was evaluated by RT-PCR. Results FSHR expression was modulated by treating GC in vitro at different testosterone/hCG concentrations. When compared with untreated GC, we observed a significant effect of testosterone and hCG on the expression of the FSHR at the protein level. Time course experiments confirmed that the gene expression of the FSHR peaked at 12–24 h when testosterone or hCG was used as a stimulus. Conclusions Both testosterone and hCG are able to positively modulate FSHR expression at gene and protein level in human GC in vitro.

Objective To study the levels of four markers of oxidative stress in follicular fluid (FF) and plasma of patients with infertility related to endometriosis and controls. Design Experimental study. Setting University-affiliated hospital and infertility center. Patient(s) Ninety-one infertile women were included in the study (23 infertile women with endometriosis and 68 controls including infertile women due to tubal factor, male factor, or healthy egg donors). Intervention(s) Blood was obtained at the time of egg retrieval, and FF from the mature follicles of each ovary was centrifuged and frozen until analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s) Vitamin C and E, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase concentrations in plasma and follicular fluid. Result(s) Women with endometriosis showed a lower vitamin C concentration in FF (12.7 ± 5.9 vs. 9.7 ± 6.9 μg/mL) and lower superoxide dismutase concentration in plasma (0.9 ± 1.4 vs. 0.5 ± 0.7 U/mL) compared with controls. Vitamin E plasma levels were significantly higher in women with endometriosis (8.1 ± 3.8 vs. 5.2 ± 3.2 μg/mL). A nonsignificant trend toward a lower plasma concentration of malondialdehyde was found in women with endometriosis. Conclusion(s) These findings suggest a lower antioxidant capacity in infertile women with endometriosis. Although a certain level of reactive oxygen species is required under physiological conditions, an altered balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities may have an impact on folliculogenesis and adequate embryo development.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a distribuição espacial de um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Montana, bem como de três espécies de grupos sucessionais distintos pertencentes a ela, pela função K de Ripley. Os dados utilizados provêm de um censo realizado em um fragmento localizado no Campus Jardim Botânico da UFPR, Curitiba-PR, onde todas as árvores com DAP acima de 10cm foram georreferenciadas. Foi utilizada uma parcela de 4 ha para a análise da distribuição espacial da floresta bem como das espécies de Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) O. Kuntze (Araucária), Casearia Sylvestris Sw. (Cafezeiro) e Cedrela fissilis Vell. (Cedro). Foi analisada a relação espacial entre as espécies, bem como a relação espacial entre classes diamétricas destas. A floresta apresentou uma distribuição espacial aleatória, entretanto, as três espécies selecionadas apresentaram um padrão espacial agregado, quando analisadas separadamente. O Cafezeiro apresentou relação de atração com a Araucária e com o Cedro; estes, por sua vez, apresentaram relação de repulsão entre si. A relação espacial entre classes de DAP da Araucária foi de atração entre os indivíduos de classes menores com os indivíduos maiores. Este resultado reflete a forma de dispersão de sementes das espécies, em que a regeneração ocorre em proximidade às árvores parentais. Para o cafezeiro e o Cedro, ocorreu agregação apenas entre os indivíduos menores.The objective of this research was to analyze the spatial distribution of a Mixed Ombrophylus Forest fragment, as well as of three species pertaining to distinct successional groups belonging to the same, by the Ripley's K function. The data came from a census carried out in a fragment located in the Campus Botanical Garden, UFPR, Curitiba - PR, Brazil, where all trees with DBH above 10cm were georeferenced. One plot with 4 ha was used for the analysis of the spatial distribution of the forest and individually for the species of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) O. Kuntze, Casearia Sylvestris Sw. and Cedrela fissilis Vell. The spatial relationship between species, as well as the spatial relationship between diameter classes of the same were also analyzed. The forest showed a random spatial distribution, however, the three selected species showed an aggregate spatial distribution when analyzed individually. The Casearia Sylvestris presented an attraction relationship with Araucaria angustifolia and Cedrela fissilis, and these trees in turn, were related to repulsion between them. The spatial relationship between DBH classes of Araucaria angustifolia was attraction between individuals of smaller classes with larger individuals. This result reflects the form of seed dispersal of species, where regeneration occurs in the proximity to the parental trees. For the Casearia Sylvestris and Cedrela fissilis, aggregation occurred only between the smaller individuals.

The objective of this research was to analyze the spatial distribution of a Mixed Ombrophylus Forest fragment, as well as of three species pertaining to distinct successional groups belonging to the same, by the Ripley's K function. The data came from a census carried out in a fragment located in the Campus Botanical Garden, UFPR, Curitiba - PR, Brazil, where all trees with DBH above 10cm were georeferenced. One plot with 4 ha was used for the analysis of the spatial distribution of the forest and individually for the species of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) O. Kuntze, Casearia Sylvestris Sw. and Cedrela fissilis Vell. The spatial relationship between species, as well as the spatial relationship between diameter classes of the same were also analyzed. The forest showed a random spatial distribution, however, the three selected species showed an aggregate spatial distribution when analyzed individually. The Casearia Sylvestris presented an attraction relationship with Araucaria angustifolia and Cedrela fissilis, and these trees in turn, were related to repulsion between them. The spatial relationship between DBH classes of Araucaria angustifolia was attraction between individuals of smaller classes with larger individuals. This result reflects the form of seed dispersal of species, where regeneration occurs in the proximity to the parental trees. For the Casearia Sylvestris and Cedrela fissilis, aggregation occurred only between the smaller individuals.

Human assisted reproduction results have improved dramatically in the last 20 years, with lower complications for the patient as well as for the newborns. This requires a precise clinical diagnosis that will allow us to individualize the best-personalized treatment for each patient or couple. But still today, the basic diagnostic test for the male is a conventional sperm analysis, even though it has been extensively discussed the difficulties that this simple test reveals to discriminate between fertile and infertile individuals.

It remains unclear how GnRH agonist (GnRHa) triggering affects the luteal phase, so we investigated the luteal phase after GnRHa triggering, supported with conventional E(2)/P with or without low-dose hCG. E(2)/P support, compared with low-dose hCG, induced a shorter luteal phase (11.2 ± 1.1 vs. 15.0 ± 1.6 days) and fewer subjective complaints (0 vs. 42%), whereas hCG caused more free fluid accumulation and enlarged ovaries than E(2)/P alone. Steroids and low-dose hCG differentially affected corpus luteum function, ovarian size, free fluid accumulation, and patient comfort.

Resumen En los procesos de reproduccion asistida ya no nos vale con conseguir espermatozoides, debemos conseguir los mejores espermatozoides. Dentro de los parametros que hasta ahora se estudiaban estaba la concentracion, la movilidad y la forma. Se observan diferencias en las tasas de exito reproductivo, a pesar de semenes con parametros clasicos similares, por lo que se buscan otros marcadores de calidad seminal. Uno de ellos es el grado de fragmentacion de ADN espermatico. Se han visto claras relaciones entre valores de ADN elevados y dificultades reproductivas. Tradicionalmente, y de una manera empirica, el uso de vitaminas como la E y la C se han usado para mejorar la calidad espermatica. La relacion entre los grados de fragmentacion de ADN de espermatozoides y el exceso de radicales libres o el deficit de antioxidantes ha planteado que el suplemento de complejos o sustancias antioxidantes en varones infertiles puede mejorar su capacidad reproductiva al reducir los grados de fragmentacion de ADN de los espermatozoides. En este trabajo pretendemos valorar la utilidad de un complejo de antioxidantes (Androferti ® Laboratorio Q-Pharma) para reducir los niveles de fragmentacion de ADN espermatico.

To assess if the luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin present in some gonadotropin formulations may be of benefit in protocols with GnRH antagonists.Open, quasi-experimental, multicenter, prospective, parallel-controlled study compared 136 women undergoing in vitro fertilization--intracytoplasmic sperm injection after stimulation with highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin (hp-hMG) (n = 44), recombinant-follicle stimulating hormone (r-FSH) (n = 46), or a combination of both (r FSH + hp-hMG) (n = 46) following an antagonist protocol. Blood determinations were made on day 6 of stimulation and on the day of ovulation induction, with centralized analysis.No differences were found in the ongoing pregnancy rates between groups [37.0% versus 29.5% (hp-hMG) and 23.9% (r-FSH); p = 0.688]. However, the ratio top-quality embryos/retrieved oocytes (TQE/RO) was higher in the combined therapy group (19.6%)--reaching significance versus the r-FSH group (6.5%) (p = 0.008), but not versus hp-hMG (12.3%) (p = 0.137).An improved TQE/RO ratio was obtained together with a greater percentage of frozen embryos in the patients that incorporated hp-hMG to their stimulation protocol. Despite good results of adding hp-hMG, non statistical differences were found in terms of ongoing pregnancy rate.

Continuation of GnRH analogue after ovum retrieval produces a faster decline in vascular endothelial growth factor levels and ascitis in women at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Introduction Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) has been recently introduced as a new marker of ovarian reserve with a high sensitivity and with the added value of being independent of cycle day. Some authors have claimed that it may also provide information regarding oocyte quality. As endometriosis is a disease that mainly affects the ovary and thus, egg quality, we decided to evaluate AMH follicular fluid concentrations in three clinical groups: a) women with endometriosis and a visible endometrioma at ultrasound in one of the ovaries, b) same women with endometrioma-free contralateral ovary, and c) women without endometriosis. Material and Methods From August to December 2007, 28 women undergoing an IVF/ICSI cycle in whom an endometrioma > 2cm was clearly visible at ultrasound in one of the ovaries and not in the other, and 28 fertile egg donors as controls entered the study. Follicular fluid from the largest follicle of each ovary (with endometrioma and without endometrioma) was individually collected prior to the rest of the follicular aspiration at the time of egg retrieval, and similarly in the control group. After cumulus identification and short centrifugation to remove cells, fluids were stored at -80°C until assayed. AMH was evaluated by a commercially available ELISA. Kolmorov-Smirnov test was performed to test for normality, as well as a one-way ANOVA with Tukey test to evaluate differences among groups. Significance was set at 0.05. Results AMH follicular fluid concentrations were significantly lower in women with endometriosis versus control (4.5 ± 2.6 vs 6.2 ± 3.0 ng/mL, p=0.02). Interestingly, when the three groups were evaluated individually, the concentration of AMH in follicular fluid obtained from the ovaries where a large endometrioma was present was significantly lower than in the other two groups – a) 4.1 ± 2.7 ng/mL in the ovaries with the endometrioma, b) 4.9 ± 2.6 ng/mL in the contralateral ovary in the same patients, and c) 6.2 ± 3.0 ng/mL in control patients; (p=0.039). Conclusions AMH concentration in follicular fluid is diminished in women with endometriosis. The presence of the endometrioma itself may reduce even further AMH concentration in the surrounding follicles. These results may reflect oocyte quality and could be useful when counselling patients regarding their reproductive outcome.

Objective To evaluate whether methotrexate (MTX) compromises ovarian reserve and future reproductive outcome in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), when it is used as first-line treatment for ectopic pregnancy (EP). Design Prospective, observational study. Setting University-affiliated private IVF unit. Patient(s) Twenty-five women undergoing IVF-ICSI who were treated with MTX (1 mg/kg IM) for an EP after ART. Intervention(s) Evaluation of reproductive outcome and serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels. Serum AMH was evaluated before administering MTX and ≥1 week after the resolution of the EP. Reproductive outcome was evaluated by comparing subsequent IVF-ICSI cycles after EP resolution. Main Outcome Measure(s) Serum AMH levels, cycle length, gonadotropin dose required, peak serum E 2 level, oocytes collected, and embryos obtained. Result(s) Serum AMH levels before MTX were not statistically significantly different from those after treatment (3.7 ± 0.3 ng/mL vs. 3.9 ± 0.3 ng/mL). Patients undergoing a subsequent cycle after systemic treatment for EP had similar cycle durations (10.3 vs. 10.8 d), gonadotropin requirements (2,775 vs. 2,630.3 IU), peak E 2 levels (1,884.3 vs. 1,523.6 pg/mL), number of oocytes retrieved (12.1 vs. 10.5), and total number of embryos obtained (7.1 vs. 6.5). Conclusion(s) Single-dose MTX is a safe first-treatment choice that does not compromise future reproductive outcomes in women who are diagnosed with EP after ART.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic complication of ovarian stimulation, and the pathophysiological mechanisms that trigger the syndrome remain unknown. HCG increases serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations, and VEGF modulates transendothelial permeability via endothelial adherens junctions, a downstream target for VEGF signalling. We examined whether women with severe OHSS have altered serum levels of soluble vascular endothelial (sVE)-cadherin. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, casecontrol study of 28 women with severe OHSS and 34 women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for IVF without developing OHSS. We collected serum samples from both groups on the day of ovum retrieval (Day 0), and on Days 3, 6, 9 and 15. Samples were assayed for sVE-cadherin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Women with severe OHSS had significantly higher levels of sVE-cadherin than patients without OHSS (P 5 0.001). sVE-cadherin serum levels decreased with clinical improvement; however, they did not reach normal levels in the resolution phase. A positive correlation was demonstrated between sVE-cadherin and serum estradiol levels at the time of HCG administration (r 5 0.621; P< 0.001). Serum sVE-cadherin levels were more closely chronologically correlated with corpus luteum function than with biological and clinical aspects of severe OHSS. CONCLUSIONS: sVE-cadherin may be involved in the pathogenesis of severe OHSS and may possibly serve as an indicator of corpus luteum function after COH.

Versión final del artículo publicado en Revista de Pensamiento sobre Comunicación, Tecnología y Sociedad 2015;102:4-7 La privacidad se transforma debido a la circulación de la información personal mediante redes. Sin embargo, el uso que el mercado hace de dicha información privada pareciera ser menos problemático que un impulso similar a manos del aparato Estatal.

Objective To evaluate the impact of aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant treatment in IVF cycles on intraovarian androgens and cycle outcome. Design Observational, pilot study. Setting University-affiliated IVF unit. Patient(s) One hundred forty-seven low responder patients with a previous canceled IVF cycle; 71 patients were treated with letrozole 2.5 mg plus a high-dose FSH/hMG-antagonist regimen, and 76 patients were similarly treated but letrozole was not employed. Intervention(s) In vitro fertilization treatment with an antagonist FSH/hMG protocol with or without letrozole was administered during the first 5 days of stimulation; hormones were evaluated in both serum and follicular fluid. Main Outcome Measure(s) Number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, implantation rate, and pregnancy rate; androstenedione, T, E 2 , and P values in serum and follicular fluid. Result(s) Letrozole-treated patients showed significantly higher levels of follicular fluid T and androstenedione (80.3 vs. 43.8 pg/mL and 57.9 vs. 37.4 mg/mL, respectively). Similarly, these patients had a higher number of oocytes retrieved (6.1 vs. 4.3) and a higher implantation rate (25% vs. 9.4%) despite similar doses of FSH/hMG (3,627 vs. 3,804 IU). Conclusion(s) Adding 2.5 mg of letrozole to a high-dose FSH/hMG antagonist protocol increases intraovarian androstenedione and T concentration and improves IVF cycle outcome in poor responder patients.

Two samples of inpatients (493 and 158 subjects, respectively) of a large teaching hospital, collected using the same methodology and with a 20-year time frame, were analyzed aiming at finding information about alcohol consumption, abuse or dependence in the subjects’ medical charts. Items reviewed were: the list of medical problems; hospital intake form; daily nursing review; medical anamnesis; pre-surgery records, and discharge forms. Only 54% and 50% of each sample, respectively, had some type of reference to alcohol consumption; when references were present, they were in most part incomplete, possibly reflecting distortions in the process of gathering information about alcohol consumption that involves the client and the health professionals. The authors discuss potential reasons for this, suggesting that lack of training of medical personnel in the identification of alcoholism, as well as prejudice towards its recovery, may be some of the underlying causes.

Non-echocardiographic studies in healthy high altitude children have shown right ventricle predominance during infancy and childhood, associated to asymptomatic pulmonary hypertension and an increased pulmonary artery pressure. Systematic studies on echocardiography in such children have not been performed. In a cross-sectional study, we measured right and left heart morphologic and functional parameters, through M-mode, two-dimensional Doppler, and color Doppler echocardiographies, in a population of 321 healthy children ranging in age from 2 months to 19 years and living at high altitude (Tintaya, Peru, 4,100 m). Structured ad-hoc interviews were done to obtain information on medical history, patterns of exposure to high altitude of children and their parents and grandparents, place and altitude of pregnancy and birth, and housing conditions. A complete physical examination was performed before echocardiography. Hemoglobin concentration, pulse oximetry, and anthropometry were measured in all participating children. The right and left heart morphologic and functional echocardiographic measurements expressed by age and by body surface area were generally similar to sea-level reference populations. They were not consistently influenced by sex, nutritional status, chest dimensions, pulse oximetry, hemoglobin concentration, ethnicity, length of residence at high altitude, or parental history of exposure to high altitude. Most children had at least some degree of high-altitude ancestry as assessed by ethnicity and history of parental exposure to altitude. The cardiovascular development at high altitude in children with some degree of high-altitude ancestry seems to follow a pattern similar to sea-level children. The results can be used as reference values to interpret individual echocardiographic studies in comparable children living in similar settings.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the mechanisms by which coasting may be effective in decreasing the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). METHODS: A total of 160 women (patients and oocyte donors) undergoing coasting and 116 controls were included in the study. Serum, follicular fluid and granulosa cells were collected on the day of oocyte retrieval. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate VEGF gene expression in granulosa cells. Cell death was studied by flow cytometry using annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and counterstaining by propidium iodide, and double staining with CD45 monoclonal antibody was performed to distinguish the contamination of apoptotic leukocytes. RESULTS: Follicular cells aspirated from coasted patients showed a ratio in favour of apoptosis, especially in smaller follicles (48 versus 26%, P < 0.05). Follicular fluid determinations confirmed that coasting reduces VEGF protein secretion (1413 versus 3538 pg/ml, P < 0.001) and gene expression (2-fold decrease) in granulosa cells. Follicular fluid VEGF protein levels positively correlated with follicular size (r = 0.594, P = 0.001) and estradiol production (r = 0.558, P = 0.038). Women who underwent coasting showed a comparable IVF cycle outcome; however, a higher cancellation rate was found in cycles that were coasted. CONCLUSIONS: Coasting affects all follicles through apoptosis, especially immature follicles, without affecting oocyte/endometrial quality. The significant decrease found in VEGF expression and secretion explains why coasting is clinically effective in reducing the incidence and severity of OHSS.

Coasting, or withholding gonadotrophin administration while maintaining gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue until oestradiol drops to a safe concentration, is an alternative approach to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in high responder patients. However, the length of this procedure has not been precisely studied. This paper is a retrospective study of 132 patients who showed a high response (oestradiol4500 pg/ml and/or more than 20 follicles17 mm) to ovarian stimulation and were coasted due to their high risk of developing OHSS, and evaluated the impact of the duration of coasting on IVF cycle outcome. Additionally, serum LH and progesterone concentrations were studied to investigate whether premature luteinization was present in these cycles and whether it might be related to coasting duration. A significant decrease in implantation rate was found when coasting was required for more than 4 days, together with a trend towards a higher cancellation rate. Premature luteinization was significantly elevated in women undergoing coasting compared with control women (34 versus 15.6%, P0.05). In the majority of patients who showed premature luteinization, coasting lasted/=3 days. To conclude, prolonged coasting may affect the endometrium, anticipating the implantation window. These data may explain why some women undergoing extended coasting show a lower implantation rate compared with controls.

The CD3 subunits of the T cell receptor-CD3 complex (TCR-CD3) help to regulate surface TCR-CD3 expression, and participate in signal transduction leading to intrathymic selection and peripheral antigen recognition by T lymphocytes. Humans who lack individual CD3 chains show impairments in the expression and activation-induced downregulation of TCR-CD3, and the defective immune responses that result may be lethal. We have investigated delivery of a normal CD3 chain to treat disorders of this type. Retroviral transduction of CD3gamma into CD3gamma-deficient peripheral blood T lymphocytes from two unrelated patients selectively corrected the observed TCR-CD3 expression and downregulation defects, but unexpectedly seemed to cause adverse effects that can be explained by an autoreactive recognition mechanism. These data support the feasibility of gene therapy for human CD3 deficiencies, but also suggest that gene transfer into postthymic lymphocytes carrying mutations on T cell recognition or activation pathways may disrupt their intrathymic calibration and become harmful to the host.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi construir curvas de produção e de incremento corrente mensal (ICM), e analisar o efeito de variáveis climáticas no crescimento mensal em diâmetro e altura de Pinus taeda L. e Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze, no período de três anos, em fase juvenil. Para tanto, foram selecionadas 30 árvores de cada espécie, sendo, mensalmente, entre junho de 2006 e julho de 2009, medidas as variáveis diâmetro e altura. As variáveis climáticas são provenientes de duas estações meteorológicas do SIMEPAR, próximas aos plantios monitorados. Para a análise do crescimento, foram desenvolvidas curvas de incremento e produção mensais, bem como análise da matriz de correlação dos dados e regressão pelo processo stepwise. Na análise do crescimento, observaram-se maiores ICMs entre outubro e fevereiro. As matrizes de correlação indicaram forte relação do ICM com temperatura, pressão atmosférica e fotoperíodo. Os modelos ajustados por stepwise, incluindo variáveis climáticas, apresentaram boas estatísticas de ajuste. The objective of this research was to construct curves of yield and current monthly increment (CMI) and analyze the effect of climate variables on the current monthly increment of diameter and height of young Pinus taeda L. and Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze during a three-year period. To this end, 30 trees of each species were selected and had their diameter and height measures taken monthly between June 2006 and July 2009. The climatic variables were obtained from two meteorological stations of SIMEPAR, located near the monitored stands. For growth assessment, curves of current monthly increment and yield were developed. Analysis of correlation matrixes among the studied variables and regression by stepwise process were also carried out. In the growth analysis, higher CMIs were observed between October and February. The correlation matrixes indicated that CMI correlated strongly with temperature, atmospheric pressure and photoperiod. The models adjusted by the stepwise process, including climate variables, showed good fit statistics.

Orientador : Prof. Dr. Sebastião do Amaral Machado Coorientador : Prof. Dr. Franklin Galvão Coorientador : Prof. Dr. Afonso Figueiredo Filho Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Florestal. Defesa: Curitiba, 17/03/2014 Inclui referências Área de concentração : Manejo florestal Resumo: A intensa exploração da Floresta Ombrófila Mista no ultimo século resultou em uma drástica redução de sua área, que antes ocupava aproximadamente 8 milhões de hectares apenas no Estado do Paraná. Desta forma, surgiu nos últimos anos a necessidade de gerar conhecimento acerca da estrutura dos remanescentes dessa formação, a fim de auxiliar na elaboração e planejamento de novas técnicas que permitam conservar e utilizar racionalmente esse recurso. Esta pesquisa foi concebida com o objetivo avaliar a florística e a estrutura de um fragmento de 15,24 ha de Floresta Ombrófila Mista localizado em Curitiba, Paraná, onde foi realizado um inventário a 100% ou censo. Para isto, a área foi dividida em blocos de 50 x 50 m, os quais foram georreferenciados a partir do norte de quadrícula de um mapa da região e materializados em campo com o uso de teodolito. Utilizando faixas de controle de 10 x 50 m nos blocos, cada indivíduo arbóreo com DAP a partir de 10 cm foi medido, numerado, identificado e mapeado. De posse da base de dados, procederam-se as análises de agrupamento e discriminante para formação de grupos florísticos homogêneos, nos quais foram analisados a fitossociologia e a estrutura diamétrica. Das análises de agrupamento e discriminante obteve-se quatro grupos florísticos distintos, onde foram obtidas 10 variáveis (espécies) discriminantes, das quais Schinus terebinthifolius, Gochnatia polymorpha e Symplocos tetrandra foram as espécies com maior poder discriminante. Realizando as análises fitossociológicas dos grupos formados, foram identificados 4 estratos distintos, sendo dois estratos típicos de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Montana, Floresta Ombrófila Mista Aluvial e Floresta Ombrófila Mista Moantana de borda. Nos estratos de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Montana de borda e Floresta Aluvial destacaram-se Gochnatia polymorpha, Schinus terebinthifolius e Sebastiania commersoniana. Nas duas associações de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Montana, as espécies mais importantes foram Araucaria angustifolia, Casearia sylvestris, Symplocos tetrandra, Casearia obliqua, Jacaranda puberula, Luehea divaricata, Myrcia hatschbachii e Ocotea puberula. A distribuição diamétrica de todos os estratos foi decrescente ou em forma de J-invertido. Em cada estrato foi delimitada uma parcela para aplicação da função K de Ripley, a fim de investigar o padrão e a relação espacial das espécies mais importantes de cada grupo florístico, as quais foram analisadas também as suas distribuições diamétricas. A maior parte das espécies estudadas apresentou distribuição diamétrica decrescente e o padrão de distribuição espacial agregado. As espécies com distribuição diamétrica unimodal ou próximas da normal tenderam a apresentar o padrão de distribuição espacial aleatório. A análise da relação espacial entre as espécies demonstrou que as dominantes do dossel e com distribuição diamétrica unimodal como Araucaria angustifolia, Myrcia hatschbachii e Ocotea puberula tendem a ter relação de repulsão ou inibição entre si e as demais espécies, enquanto que espécies com distribuição diamétrica decrescente tendem a formar agregados. Palavras chave: Análise de agrupamento e discriminante. Fitossociologia. Função K de Ripley. Abstract: The intense exploitation of Mixed Ombrophylous Forest in the last century, has resulted in a drastic reduction of its area, which once occupied approximately 20 million hectares only in the State of Paraná. Within this context, emerged in recent years the need to generate knowledge about the structure of these remnants in order to assist in the development and planning of new techniques to conserve and rationally use this resource. This research was designed to evaluate the floristic and structure of a fragment of 15.24 ha of Mixed Ombrophylous Forest located in Curitiba, Paraná, southern Brazil, where a forest census was conducted. The area was divided into blocks of 50 x 50 m, which were georeferenced from the northern grid of a map of the area and materialized on the field with the use of a theodolite. Using bands of 10 x 50 m in the blocks, each tree with DBH above 10 cm was measured, numbered, identified and mapped. Obtained the database, the cluster and discriminant analysis were proceeded in order to form homogeneous floristic groups, in which it analysed the phytossociology and diametric structure. The Cluster and discriminant analysis allowed to obtain four distinct floristic groups, with 10 discriminant variables (species), which Schinus terebinthifolius, Gochnatia polymorpha and Symplocos tetrandra were the species with the highest discriminant score. Performing the phytosociological analysis of the groups, four strata were identified, two typical strata of Mixed Ombrophylous Montane Forest, edge Mixed Ombrophylous Montane Forest and Alluvial Forest. In the strata of edge Mixed Ombrophylous Forest and Alluvial Forest the most important species were Gochnatia polymorpha, Schinus terebinthifolius and Sebastiania commersoniana. In the two associations of Mixed Ombrophylous Forest, the most important species were Araucaria angustifolia, Casearia sylvestris, Symplocos tetrandra, Casearia obliqua, Jacaranda puberula, Luehea divaricata, Myrcia hatschbachii and Ocotea puberula. The diametric distribution of all strata was inverted J or decreasing distribution. In each stratus a parcel for the application of Ripley's K function was defined in order to investigate the pattern and the spatial relationship of the most important species of each floristic group, which were also analyzed their diametric distributions. Most of the studied species presented decreasing diametric distribution and aggregated pattern of distribution. The species with unimodal or near normal diametric distribution tended to show the random pattern of spatial distribution. The analysis of spatial relationship between species showed that canopy species with unimodal diametric distribution as Araucaria angustifolia, Myrcia hatschbachii and Ocotea puberula tend to have repulsion relationship between themselves and the other species, while species with decreasing diametric distribution tend to form aggregates. Key words: Cluster and discriminant analysis. Phytossociology. Ripley's K function.

This study was conducted to establish reference values for percent oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SaO2, %) and heart rate (HR, bpm) in children living at high altitude (4,100 m) and to relate possible differences in the variables with ethnic origin. Healthy children from a mine-located school (Tintaya, n = 417), a nearby school (Marquiri, n = 474), and a rural Andean community (Nunoa, n = 373) were investigated. The samples included different ethnic combinations, with the Nunoa children having a predominant Quechua ancestry. Mean SaO2 for all ages was substantially lower in all high altitude children compared to values considered normal for sea level. Among the three samples, SaO2 was higher (91.3 ± 2.7) and HR was lower (84.8 ± 13.6) in Nunoa than in Tintaya (SaO2, 89.8 ± 2.5; HR, 91.7 ± 14.9) and Marquiri (SaO2, 89.6 ± 3.1; HR, 88.5 ± 12.9) (P < 0.05). There was no sex difference and only a weak age-dependent trend for SaO2. Values considered abnormal at sea level were observed in all healthy high-altitude children. Higher SaO2 and lower HR in Nunoa children may suggest a better degree of acclimatization to altitude. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:761–770, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The growth of children living in two high-altitude communities associated with an active copper mine in southern Peru was examined. In the community directly associated with mining operations, nutritional and health conditions were believed to be relatively favorable as a result of the substantial mine-related infrastructure that had developed over the previous 12 years. In contrast, few such benefits were available in the other community, which provides limited part-time labor at the mine. Anthropometric data, including measurements of height, weight, skinfold thicknesses, upper arm circumference, and chest dimensions, and determination of bone age, were collected from a total of 880 children between the ages of 4 and 18 years. There were significant differences between the two communities, with those in the mining community exhibiting significantly greater height and weight, a higher level of body fat, and more rapid skeletal development. Among children over the age of 12 years, a plateau in height was seen, suggesting that the benefits to growth resulting from mining-related development were more noticeable in younger children. Compared with Peruvian high-altitude populations examined during the 1960s, both samples from the present study were substantially taller and heavier, suggesting that despite local differences in socioeconomic conditions between the communities studied, overall conditions for growth are generally more favorable than those that existed among Peruvian high-altitude populations surveyed in the 1960s.

In the genetic disorder ataxia telangiectasia (AT), humoral (B) and cellular (T) immunological abnormalities are frequently observed. As a consequence, AT patients are predisposed to life-threatening sinopulmonary infections. The pathogenic mechanisms remain unknown, but a role for ATM in signal transduction from membrane receptors has been proposed. We have explored the effects of a defective ATMgene on isolated human T-lineage cells from 13 AT patients with proven T cell dysfunction by transforming their CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes with Herpesvirus saimiri, and analyzing their signaling behavior as compared to normal controls. Several functional parameters were assayed in response to both membrane (anti-CD3 and IL-2) and transmembrane (phorbol myristate acetate plus the calcium ionophore ionomycin) stimuli: (i) calcium mobilization, (ii) induction of activation molecules (CD25, CD40 ligand, CD69 and CD71), (iii) cytokine synthesis (IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and (iv) proliferation. All these early and late activation events were found to be normal in the transformed ATM-/-T cells, indicating that ATM is not necessary for their induction. As expected, ATM-/- transformed T cells showed an increased radiosensitivity by both radioresistant DNA synthesis and cell survival assays. In contrast to an earlier report testing transformed B lymphocytes, our results indicate that transformed mature peripheral T lymphocytes from AT patients do not have intrinsic immune function defects. Rather, the described T-lineage signaling impairments observed in patients may be secondary in vivo to extrinsic ATM-dependent suppressive factors and/or to a developmental defect. These transformed T cells may help to understand the distinct biological role of ATM in different cell types and to develop rational therapies for the immunological dysfunction of AT patients.