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Fungal conservation is gaining momentum globally, but many challenges remain. To advance further, more data are needed on fungal diversity across space and time. Fundamental information regarding population sizes, trends, and geographic ranges is also critical to accurately assess the extinction risk of individual species. However, obtaining these data is particularly difficult for fungi due to their immense diversity, complex and problematic taxonomy, and cryptic nature. This paper explores how citizen science (CS) projects can be lever-aged to advance fungal conservation efforts. We present several examples of past and ongoing CS-based projects to record and monitor fungal diversity. These include projects that are part of broad collecting schemes, those that provide participants with targeted sampling methods, and those whereby participants collect environmental samples from which fungi can be obtained. We also examine challenges and solutions for how such projects can capture fungal diversity, estimate species absences, broaden participation, improve data curation, and translate resulting data into actionable conservation measures. Finally, we close the paper with a call for professional mycologists to engage with amateurs and local communities, presenting a framework to determine whether a given project would likely benefit from participation by citizen scientists., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

One of the most fundamental abilities required for the sustainability of complex life forms is active cell migration, since it is essential in diverse processes from morphogenesis to leukocyte chemotaxis in immune response. The movement of a cell is the result of intricate mechanisms, that involve the coordination between mechanical forces, biochemical regulatory pathways and environmental cues. In particular, epithelial cancer cells have to employ mechanical strategies in order to migrate through the tissue's basement membrane and infiltrate the bloodstream during the invasion stage of metastasis. In this work we explore how mechanical interactions such as spatial restriction and adhesion affect migration of a self-propelled droplet in dense fibrous media. We have performed a systematic analysis using a phase-field model and we propose a novel approach to simulate cell migration with dissipative particle dynamics modelling. With this purpose we have measured in our simulation the cell's velocity and quantified its morphology as a function of the fibre density and of its adhesiveness to the matrix fibres. Furthermore, we have compared our results to a previous in vitro migration assay of fibrosarcoma cells in fibrous matrices. The results show good agreement between the two methodologies and experiments in the literature, which indicates that these minimalist descriptions are able to capture the main features of the system. Our results indicate that adhesiveness is critical for cell migration, by modulating cell morphology in crowded environments and by enhancing cell velocity. In addition, our analysis suggests that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role as adhesiveness modulators. We propose that new assays should be carried out to address the role of adhesion and the effect of different MMPs in cell migration under confined conditions., (© 2020 IOP Publishing Ltd.)

The aim of this study is to determine the concentrations of lidocaine and its metabolite, monoethylglycine xylidide (MEGX), and of the enantiomers of bupivacaine in maternal and fetal compartments. Ten healthy pregnant women were submitted to epidural anesthesia. Drug concentrations were determined in the maternal vein, fetal umbilical artery and vein, and the placental intervillous space. The highest concentrations of the bupivacaine enantiomers lidocaine and of lidocaine and of its MEGX metabolite were detected in maternal plasma and in the placental intervillous space. The placental transfer was 33% for the (+)-(R)-bupivacaine enantiomer and 31% for the (-)-(S)-bupivacaine enantiomer. For lidocaine and its MEGX metabolite, respective placental transfers were 60% and 43%. Lidocaine concentration in the fetal umbilical vein was 1.46 times higher than in the fetal umbilical artery. The highest concentrations of lidocaine and its metabolite and of the enantiomers of bupivacaine were detected in the placental intervillous space. The higher lidocaine concentrations in the fetal umbilical vein than in the fetal umbilical artery suggest that there was tissue uptake of the drug or drug metabolization by the fetus.

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of gestational diabetes mellitus on the kinetic disposition and stereoselective metabolism of labetalol administered intravenously or orally., Methods: Thirty hypertensive women during the last trimester of pregnancy were divided into four groups: non-diabetic and diabetic women treated with intravenous or oral labetalol., Results: The pharmacokinetics of labetalol was not stereoselective in diabetic or non-diabetic pregnant women receiving the drug intravenously. However, oral administration of labetalol resulted in lower values of the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) for the β-blocker (RR) than for the other enantiomers in both diabetic and non-diabetic women. Gestational diabetes mellitus caused changes in the kinetic disposition of the labetalol stereoisomers when administered orally. The AUC values for the less potent adrenoceptor antagonist (SS) and for the α-blocking (SR) isomers were higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic pregnant women., Conclusions: The approximately 100% higher AUC values obtained for the (SR) isomer in diabetic pregnant women treated with oral labetalol may be of clinical relevance in terms of the α-blocking activity of this isomer.

With the objective of evaluating the efficiency of traps for monitoring dengue and yellow fever vectors in Rio de Janeiro, 12 larvitraps and 12 ovitraps were used simultaneously for 13 weeks. The results indicated that the larvitraps presented greater capacity for positive findings, thereby highlighting it as an important monitoring tool for vector surveillance.

Labetalol is clinically available as a mixture of two racemates (four stereoisomers). The stereoisomer (R,R) has as main activity the beta1-antagonism and the stereoisomer (S,R) is highly selective for the alpha1 adrenoceptor and is responsible for most of the alpha-blocker activity. In the present investigation, a method for the analysis of labetalol stereoisomers in human plasma was developed and applied to pharmacokinetic studies. Plasma samples (0.5 ml) were extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether at pH 9.5. The four labetalol stereoisomers were analyzed by LC-MS/MS on a Chirobiotic V column using a mobile phase consisting of methanol, acetic acid, and diethylamine, with a recovery of more than 90% for all four. The quantitation limit was 0.5 ng/ml and linearity was observed at 250 ng/ml plasma for each stereoisomer. Studies of precision and accuracy presented coefficients of variation and percentage inaccuracy of less than 15%, indicating that the method is precise and accurate. The method was applied to the study of the kinetic disposition of labetalol over a period of 12 h after oral administration of a single 100 mg dose to a hypertensive pregnant woman. The clinical study revealed stereoselectivity in the pharmacokinetics of labetalol, with a lower plasma proportion for the active stereoisomers (R,R)-labetalol and (S,R)-labetalol. The stereoselectivity observed after oral administration is due to the hepatic metabolism and the first pass effect, with an AUC(R,R)/AUC(S,S) ratio of 0.5., (Copyright 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Background: Fentanyl is used in obstetrical practice to promote analgesia and anesthesia during labor and in cesarean delivery, with rapid and short-term effects., Objective: To determine fentanyl concentrations in maternal plasma, in the placental intervillous space, and in the umbilical artery and vein in term pregnant women., Patients and Methods: Ten healthy pregnant women underwent epidural anesthesia with fentanyl plus bupivacaine and lidocaine, and fentanyl concentrations were determined in the various maternal and fetal compartments, including the placental intervillous space, which has not been previously studied in the literature., Results: The ratios of fentanyl concentrations in the various maternal and fetal compartments revealed an 86% rate of placental fentanyl transfer. The highest fentanyl concentrations were detected in the placental intervillous space, being 2.19 times higher than in maternal plasma, 2.8 times higher than in the umbilical vein and 3.6 times higher than in the umbilical artery, with no significant differences between the umbilical vein and artery, demonstrating that there was no drug uptake by fetal tissues nor metabolism of the drug by the fetus despite the high rates of placental transfer., Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the placental intervillous space acted as a site of fentanyl deposit, a fact that may be explained by two hypotheses: (1) the blood collected from the placental intervillous space is arterial and, according to some investigators, the arterial plasma concentrations of the drugs administered to patients undergoing epidural anesthesia are higher than the venous concentrations, and (2) a possible role of P-glycoprotein (P-gp).

Background: Peridural blockade with lidocaine, bupivacaine, and fentanyl is an anesthetic procedure extensively used in obstetrics, justifying the pharmacokinetic study of these drugs during labor., Objective: To investigate the influence of the physiopathological changes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the pharmacokinetics of lidocaine and its metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) in pregnant women subjected to peridural anesthesia., Patients and Methods: Ten normal pregnant women (group 1) and six pregnant women with GDM (group 2) were studied, all of them at term. The patients received 200 mg 2% lidocaine hydrochloride without a vasoconstrictor by the peridural locoregional route. Maternal blood samples were collected at predetermined times for the analysis of lidocaine and MEGX by chromatography and pharmacokinetic analysis., Results: The median pharmacokinetic parameters of lidocaine for groups 1 and 2 (P

Seasonal variation in container productivity and infestation levels by Aedes aegypti were evaluated in two areas with distinct levels of urbanization degrees in Rio de Janeiro, a slum and a suburban neighborhood. The four most productive containers can generate up to 90% of total pupae. Large and open-mouthed containers, such as water tanks and metal drums, located outdoors were the most productive in both areas, with up to 47.49% of total Ae. aegypti pupae collected in the shaded sites in the suburban area. Water-tanks were identified as key containers in both areas during both the dry and rainy seasons. Container productivity varied according to seasons and urbanization degree. However, the mean number of pupae per house was higher in the suburban area, but not varied between seasons within each area (P > 0.05). High infestation indexes were observed for both localities, with a house index of 20.5-21.14 in the suburban and of 9.56-11.22 in the urban area. This report gives potential support to a more focused and cost-effective Ae. aegypti control in Rio de Janeiro.

A method for the determination of pindolol enantiomers in amniotic fluid and breast milk was developed, validated, and applied to the investigation of six pregnant women treated with rac-pindolol (10 mg/12 h). Biological samples were extracted with tert-methyl-butyl ether, and the pindolol enantiomers were resolved on a Chiralpak AD column. Amniotic fluid/plasma and milk/plasma concentrations ratios ranged from 0.4 to 4.5 and from 0.6 to 3.7, respectively, for (+)-R-pindolol and from 0.5 to 3.5 and from 1.1 to 2.8, respectively, for (-)-S-pindolol. Preliminary data suggest that amniotic fluid and breast milk are routes of fetal exposure to pindolol enantiomers.

Objective: To assess the diversity of oviposition containers and buildings where females of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti can be found., Methods: A study was carried out in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southern Brazil, between 2002 and 2003. Larvae in different types of buildings were investigated, and immature forms found were then sent to the laboratory for identification. The larval frequency for both mosquitoes was estimated in the oviposition containers available. The Breteau index and the building infestation index were calculated and differences were tested using the Chi-square test., Results: The types of buildings that were positive for Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti were: dwellings (83.9%); churches, schools, clubs (6.8%); vacant land (6.4%); and businesses (2.8%). Of 9,153 larvae collected, 12.0% were Aedes albopictus and 88.0% were Aedes aegypti. Aedes albopictus were mostly found in drains (25.4%); cans, bottles, empty bottles (23.9%); and plant vases (16.2%). Aedes aegypti was much more frequently found than Aedes albopictus (chi(2)=145.067; p<0.001). Both species were significantly more frequent in artificial than in natural oviposition containers (chi(2)=31.46; p<0.001). The building infestation index and Breteau index for Aedes albopictus were 0.3% and 0.28% in 2002 and 0.4% and 0.5 in 2003, respectively. For Aedes aegypti, they were 1.0%, 1.16 in 2002 and 3.5% and 4.35 in 2003, respectively., Conclusions: The present study assessed the frequencies of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti females in various types of oviposition containers and types of buildings. The abundant availability of artificial containers in dwellings, associated with the capacity of Ae. albopictus to be also found in natural oviposition containers, has greatly contributed for their gradual adaptation to human environment.

The present study investigates the kinetic disposition with focus on the racemization, glucuronidation capacity and the transplacental transfer of lorazepam in term parturients during labor. The study was conducted on 10 healthy parturients aged 18-37 years with a gestational age of 36-40.1 weeks, treated with a single oral dose of 2 mg racemic lorazepam 2-9 h before delivery. Maternal venous blood and urine samples were obtained over a 0-48 h interval and the umbilical cord sample was obtained immediately after clamping. Lorazepam enantiomers were determined in plasma and urine samples by LC-MS/MS using a Chiralcel OD-R column. In vitro racemization of lorazepam required the calculation of the pharmacokinetic parameters as isomeric mixtures. The data were fitted to two-compartment model and the pharmacokinetic parameters are reported as means (95% CI): t(1/2a) 3.2h (2.6-3.7 h), K(a) 0.23 h(-1) (0.19-0.28 h(-1)), t(1/2) 10.4h (9.4-11.3h), beta 0.068 h(-1) (0.061-0.075h(-1)), AUC(0-infinity) 175.3(ngh)/ml (145.7-204.8(ngh)/ml), Cl/F 2.6 ml/(minkg) (2.3-2.9 ml/(minkg)), Vd/F178.8l (146.5-211.1l), Fel 0.3% (0.1-0.5%), and Cl(R) 0.010 ml/(minkg) (0.005-0.015 ml/(minkg)). Placental transfer of lorazepam evaluated as the ratio of vein umbilical/maternal vein plasma concentrations, obtained as an isomeric mixture, was 0.73 (0.52-0.94). Pregnancy changes the pharmacokinetics of lorazepam, with an increase in the apparent distribution volume, an increase in apparent oral clearance, and a reduction of elimination half-life. The increase in oral clearance may indicate an increase in glucuronidation capacity, with a possible reduction in the plasma concentrations of drugs depending on glucuronidation capacity as the major metabolic pathway.

A LC/MS/MS method for the quantitative determination of lorazepam in human plasma and urine samples was developed and validated. The enantioselective assay allowed to separate the enantiomers and to verify the stereochemical instability of lorazepam. The linearity assessed for lorazepam unchanged was 0.2-20 ng of each enantiomer/ml plasma and 0.2-15 ng of each enantiomer/ml urine. The linearity assessed for total lorazepam (after enzymatic hydrolysis) was 1-30 ng of each enantiomer/ml plasma and 10-150 ng of each enantiomer/ml urine. The coefficients of variation obtained for the intra- and interassay precision were less than 15%. The method was applied to the investigation of the kinetic disposition and metabolism of racemic lorazepam administered as a single oral dose of 2 mg to a parturient. The occurrence of racemization required the calculation of the pharmacokinetic parameters as enantiomeric mixtures of lorazepam (t(1/2a) 3.5h; K(a) 0.198 ngh(-1); t(1/2) 11.5h; beta 0.060 h(-1); AUC(0-infinity) 192.1ngh/ml; CLt/f 2.41ml/minkg; Vd/f 173.5l; Fel 0.41%, and Cl(R) 0.0099 ml/minkg) and its metabolite lorazepam-glucuronide (t(1/2f) 1.2h; K(f) 0.578 h(-1); t(1/2) 16.6h; beta 0.042 h(-1); AUC(0-infinity) 207.6 ngh/ml; Fel 51.80%, and Cl(R) 98.32 ml/minkg). However, the determined confidence limits make the method suitable for application to clinical pharmacokinetic studies, even if the quantification of both the enantiomers is required.

Background: Fentanyl is an opioid drug widely used as a co-adjuvant in abdominal delivery, a fact that justifies its pharmacokinetic study under these conditions., Objective: Our objective was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and placental transfer of fentanyl in parturients whose pregnancies were resolved by cesarian section with epidural anesthesia., Patients and Methods: Ten clinically normal parturients who delivered at term received 5 ml of 2% lidocaine hydrochloride without a vasoconstrictor for skin and subcutaneous blockade, followed by epidural injection of 2 ml fentanyl citrate (0.05 mg/ml), 15 ml 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride with 1:200,000 epinephrine, and 10 ml 2% lidocaine hydrochloride without a vasoconstrictor. Maternal blood samples were collected at various times after injection (1--840 min), and the fentanyl plasma concentrations were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using the bi- or tri-compartmental model. The fetal/maternal ratio of the plasma fentanyl was determined at birth., Results: The values of the pharmacokinetic parameters were: t(1/2)alpha=13.5 min, t(1/2)beta=192.5 min, t(1/2)gamma=620 min, AUC(0-infinity)=137.404 ng.min per milliliter, C(l)/f=464.984 ml/min, V(d)/f=299.974 l, C(l)/f/kg=6.875 ml/min per kilogram, and V(d)/f/kg=4.441 l/kg. The latency between drug administration and birth was 28.5 min, with a maternal and fetal plasma concentration of 0.310 and 0.245 ng/ml, respectively, at a median fetal/maternal ratio of 0.892., Conclusion: The study demonstrated a rapid passage of fentanyl from the epidural space to maternal blood and a significant transplacental transfer of maternal fentanyl of about 90%, which should serve as an alert to obstetricians.

Background: Obstetrical analgesia continues to be challenging to science in the search for safe and effective methods that will permit the use of these procedures allied to improved obstetrical and perinatal results., Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics and the placental transfer of lidocaine and its metabolite in parturients whose pregnancies were resolved by the vaginal route under perineal analgesia., Patients and Methods: The study was conducted on 23 pregnant women who received perineal analgesia with 20 ml 2% lidocaine (400 mg) during the expulsive period of labor. Maternal venous blood samples were obtained from 0 min to 360 min after drug administration, and umbilical venous blood was obtained at delivery. Lidocaine and monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The fetal/maternal ratios of the drugs were determined on the basis of maternal and fetal concentrations at delivery., Results: Maximum lidocaine concentrations at the median times of 15 min were 3.22 microg/ml. The pharmacokinetic parameters were: half-life t1/2alpha 24.0 min, area under the curve (AUC)0-infinity 460.2 microg/min per ml, t1/2beta 180.0 min, clearance 12.2 ml/min per kg and volume distribution 3.1 l/kg. The fetal/maternal ratio for lidocaine at delivery was 0.46, with the latency time between drug administration and delivery being 11.0 min. Maximum MEGX concentrations at the median time of 90 min were 229.0 ng/ml. The t1/2 for MEGX was 240 min, and AUC0-infinity was 82.4 microg min/ml., Conclusion: Lidocaine administered by the perineal route presented a tmax of 15 min, significantly lower than when the drug was administered peridurally, revealing that the time between administration and the occurrence of the analgesic effect was shorter. The study demonstrated placental transfer of lidocaine at ratios of about 50% for lidocaine at the time of delivery. The MEGX placental transfer demonstrated fetal concentration higher than the maternal at the time of delivery.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the stereoselectivity in the kinetic disposition and the transplacental distribution of bupivacaine in term parturients during labor. Maternal age ranged from 18-37 years and fetal gestational age from 37.6-41.5 weeks. Healthy parturients (n = 23) received epidural 0.5% racemic bupivacaine alone (group A) or combined with epinephrine (group B). Maternal venous blood was sampled at regular intervals until 8 h after drug administration and umbilical venous blood was obtained at delivery. Bupivacaine enantiomers were determined in plasma samples by HPLC using a Chiralcel(R) OD-R column and a UV detector. One- or two-compartment models were fitted to data and differences between the (+)-(R) and (-)-(S) enantiomers were compared with the paired Wilcoxon test (P< 0.05). The influence of epinephrine was evaluated using the unpaired Mann-Whitney test (P< 0.05). The disposition of bupivacaine in maternal plasma was stereoselective, with higher V(d/f) (140.60 vs. 132.81 L for group A and 197.86 vs. 169.46 L for group B) and C(l/f) (29.00 vs. 25.43 L/h for group A and 33.15 vs. 26.39 L/h for group B) and lower t(1/2)beta (3.24 vs. 3.30 h for group A and 4.36 vs. 4.45 h for group B) being observed for (+)-(R)-bupivacaine. The combined administration of epinephrine resulted in higher V(d/f) (197.86 vs. 140.60 L for (+)-(R) and 169.46 vs. 132.81 L for (-)-(S)) and t(1/2)beta values (4.36 vs. 3.24 h for (+)-(R) and 4.45 vs. 3.30 h for (-)-(S)). The transplacental distribution of bupivacaine was stereoselective only when bupivacaine was administered without epinephrine (group B), with a higher cord blood/maternal blood ratio being observed for (-)-(S)-bupivacaine (0.40 vs. 0.35). Chirality 16:65-71, 2004., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Nine patients taking oral doses of 10 mg/12 h rac-pindolol as part of their treatment for hypertension in pregnancy were recruited for the study. Maternal and fetal gestational age ranged from 20-38 years and 28-41 weeks, respectively. Blood was collected from the umbilical cord vein and from the mother from zero to 12 h after drug administration. Urine was collected for 12 h after rac-pindolol administration at the following intervals: 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 h. Plasma and urine concentrations of the pindolol enantiomers were determined by HPLC using a Chiralpak AD chiral column and fluorescence detection. The data were fitted to a one-compartment model and differences between (+)-R and (-)-S enantiomers were compared by the paired t-test (P < 0.05). Mean results are reported. The disposition of pindolol in maternal plasma was stereoselective, with higher AUC(SS)0-12 (84.34 vs. 95.69 ng.h/ml) and Cl(R) values (9.16 vs. 10.85 L/h) and lower Vd/f (251.38 vs. 225.17 L) and Cl/f (62.48 vs. 55.74 L/h) for the (+)-R pindolol. The transplacental distribution of pindolol was not stereoselective. Cord, plasma, and presumably fetal, concentrations of the pindolol enantiomers were 56% of the maternal plasma concentrations up to 6 h after the last dose., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The frequency of Bromeliaceae and other plant breeding places where Aedes aegypti can be found is reported during two consecutive operational cycles (focal treatment) in the city of Rio de Janeiro. These cycles took place from November 12 2000 to March 9 2001 and from March 12 2001 to June 15 2001. This study concentrates on the epidemiological implications resulting from the growing use of these plants as decorative living objects.

A case of prenatal diagnosis of fetal ovarian hyperstimulation in a pregnancy of 35 weeks is reported. Two large cystic septate ovaries with no internal vegetations were observed in the fetal abdomen. The fetus was macrosomic and the remaining morphology was normal. Polyhydramnios and placental thickening were present, with no other macro- or microscopic alterations. The only significant maternal change detected was elevation of blood beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) levels. Evaluation of the newborn confirmed the prenatal diagnosis, with progressive and spontaneous regression of fetal ovarian volume and of maternal serum beta-hCG occurring after delivery.

Background: Carcinoma of the cervix is the most common malignant tumor associated with pregnancy. The initial stages and premalignant lesions apparently present the same prognosis in pregnant and nonpregnant women; however, there are limited data regarding outcome for locally advanced cervical cancer in pregnancy., Case: A 26-year-old woman, gravida 4, para 3, at 14 weeks and 4 days' gestation, was diagnosed with a FIGO stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, treated by primary chemotherapy with cisplatin and bleomycin, until pregnancy resolution at 38 weeks. The newborn infant is currently 3 years old and presents no evidence of abnormalities in neuropsychomotor development., Conclusion: The present case demonstrates that chemotherapy was harmless for the child up to the present time. However, a longer follow-up is needed to determine the safe outcome of this child.

This is the first report about a successful pregnancy following treatment for advanced cervical cancer., (Copyright 2000 Academic Press.)

Aims and Background: Primary angiosarcoma of the breast is an unusual neoplasm which is generally associated with a dismal prognosis. Given the poor prognosis and the predominance in the third and fourth decades of life when fertility tends to decrease, reports of term pregnancies after treatment of this disease are rare., Methods and Study Design: We report a case of angiosarcoma of the breast in a 17-year-old patient with a recurrent breast nodule treated by local surgery only. After three years of follow-up without evidence of disease recurrence she became pregnant., Results: A girl weighing 2,430 g was delivered at 38 weeks and two days. The patient has been free of disease for five years now., Conclusions: Our experience of the present case shows the lack of full information about this tumor. Pregnancy does not seem to interfere negatively with the course of the disease.

Objectives: To study syncytiotrophoblast apoptosis in the placenta of smoking and non-smoking pregnant women., Methods: Twelve neonates, pregnancies and placentas were available for study. Eight mothers smoked during pregnancy and the remaining four were non-smokers used as control subjects. The main outcome measure was the apoptotic syncytiotrophoblast index for each group. Apoptosis was detected by immunohistochemistry using the TUNEL method and quantitatively measured using a Merz grid. The apoptotic syncytiotrophoblast index was calculated as the ratio of mean apoptotic labeling to percent terminal villus area using high-power field microscopy., Results: Significant differences in apoptotic syncytiotrophoblast index were observed between the control group (15.06+/-3.72) and the smoker group (1.66+/-1.74) (P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney test), but no differences were detected in clinical or morphometric data between groups., Conclusions: The human placental syncytiotrophoblast undergoes apoptosis and this process is associated with inhibition of apoptosis by the smoking habit. The same way as the presence of trophoblast apoptosis is associated with modifications of the maternal-fetal exchange, the inhibitory effect of the smoking habit on syncytiotrophoblast could be responsible for the poor prognosis of pregnancy in the presence of maternal smoking.

Objective: The proposal was to study the presence of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the chorioamniotic membrane of healthy postpartum women with premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane (PROM)., Method: A single radial immunodiffusion technique was used to quantify the IgA in the chorioamniotic membrane tissues., Results: The level of IgA was approximately 10 times higher in patients whose membranes had been ruptured for > 10 h (24.58 mg/dl). These results were compared with those of a previously published study where the mean of amount of IgA was 2.52 mg/dl in membranes of patients with rupture < 10 h. Our results show that IgA began to rise after 10-15 h following rupture., Conclusion: Although more studies need to be performed our data indicate that the increasing IgA in our patients after 10 h of latency probably represents the beginning of an ascending colonization of bacteria which could be the source of future infection.

The umbilical-placental circulation is of vital importance for fetal survival and has a dominant effect on the cardiorespiratory physiology of the fetus. The mechanisms of regulation of umbilical vessels appear to differ from those regulating other vessels. Both clonidine and alpha-methyldopa have been used in the management of hypertensive complications of pregnancy. In contrast to alpha-methyldopa, clonidine does not require previous metabolization but acts directly on the receptors. The action of the two drugs on human umbilical artery was studied in vitro. Forty-eight human umbilical artery segments were dissected and perfused as follows: 9 segments with alpha-methyldopa, 10 with clonidine, 10 with yohimbine, 9 with alpha-methyldopa in combination with yohimbine, and 10 with pure Tyrode's solution. alpha-Methyldopa had a statistically significant vasoconstrictive effect starting at 40 min (p < 0.05) and this effect was blocked by yohimbine (p < 0.05). Clonidine had no vasoconstrictive effect. The present data for clonidine do not confirm the presence of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in the umbilico-placental circulation which had been indicated by the action of methyldopa.

To determine the possible effects of alpha-methyldopa on the motility of human umbilical artery, a total of 53 arterial segments were perfused with different concentrations of the drug as follows: 38 segments with 125, 250 and 500 ng/ml of the drug, 9 segments with 500 ng/ml alpha-methyldopa in combination with 10(-7) M yohimbine, and 6 segments with 10(-7) M yohimbine alone. alpha-Methyldopa had a vasoconstrictor effect at all doses employed, with a clear dose-effect correlation (p less than 0.01). The vasoconstrictor effect of 500 ng/ml alpha-methyldopa was fully inhibited in the presence of 10(-7) M yohimbine. These results suggest that alpha 2-adrenergic receptors are present in the umbilical circulation and that alpha-methyldopa may play a role in the control of this circulation.

Kininogen, esterase and kininase activity were measured in the peripheral venous and intervillous placental plasma of women submitted to cesarean section and of women who delivered normally. Kininogen consumption occurred in the intervillous placental plasma during labor. Kininase activity increased in the intervillous placental plasma during labor and was considerably higher than in peripheral venous plasma. Esterase activity was high during labor and decreased after delivery.

Thirty-eight chorioamniotic membranes were obtained from normal patients divided into three groups according to time of rupture. A protein extract was obtained by destruction and differential centrifugation and immunoglobulin A was measured by the method of Mancini. The authors demonstrated that it is possible to quantitate immunoglobulin A. No statistically significant differences were observed between groups.

The presence of IgA was detected by direct immunofluorescence techniques in the chorion and decidua of eight fragments of chorioamniotic membranes obtained near the rupture edge from eight normal patients. It is suggested that, similar to what occurs in other organic systems, a first barrier against infection of the amniotic chamber exists at this site.