Search

Lameness affects animal mobility, causing pain and discomfort. Lameness in early stages often goes undetected due to a lack of observation, precision, and reliability. Automated and non-invasive systems offer precision and detection ease and may improve animal welfare. This study was conducted to create a repository of images and videos of sows with different locomotion scores. Our goal is to develop a computer vision model for automatically identifying specific points on the sow's body. The automatic identification and ability to track specific body areas, will allow us to conduct kinematic studies with the aim of facilitating the detection of lameness using deep learning. The video database was collected on a pig farm with a scenario built to allow filming of sows in locomotion with different lameness scores. Two stereo cameras were used to record 2D videos images. Thirteen locomotion experts assessed the videos using the Locomotion Score System developed by Zinpro Corporation. From this annotated repository, computational models were trained and tested using the open-source deep learning-based animal pose tracking framework SLEAP (Social LEAP Estimates Animal Poses). The top-performing models were constructed using the LEAP architecture to accurately track 6 (lateral view) and 10 (dorsal view) skeleton keypoints. The architecture achieved average precisions values of 0.90 and 0.72, average distances of 6.83 and 11.37 in pixel, and similarities of 0.94 and 0.86 for the lateral and dorsal views, respectively. These computational models are proposed as a Precision Livestock Farming tool and method for identifying and estimating postures in pigs automatically and objectively. The 2D video image repository with different pig locomotion scores can be used as a tool for teaching and research. Based on our skeleton keypoint classification results, an automatic system could be developed. This could contribute to the objective assessment of locomotion scores in sows, improving their welfare., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The study focused on examining the relationship between well-being and various psychological factors such as loneliness, anxiety, depression, and stress, whilst also considering changes in lifestyle. A total of 108 elderly participants, with an average age of 70.38 years, were enrolled in this quantitative cross-sectional study. The research employed a battery of assessment tools including a Sociodemographic Data Questionnaire, Mini-Mental State Examination, Positive Mental Health Scale, Stress Perception Scale, Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale (reduced version), Loneliness Scale, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was conducted in order to understand the distribution of scores across these variables, followed by the categorization of participants based on the reported alterations in eating and physical activity behaviors. Correlations between variables were assessed using Spearman correlation and an EBIC-LASSO network analysis. The findings indicated a potential detriment to the well-being of elderly individuals practicing social distancing, evidenced by heightened symptoms of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress, alongside the reported changes in dietary patterns and physical activity. The study underscores the importance of understanding the pandemic's impact on the well-being of older adults and advocates for longitudinal investigations to delineate the evolving effects of social distancing measures across different phases of the pandemic.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) levels on performance characteristics (feed intake, FI; body weight gain, BWG; and feed efficiency, FE), energy balance (retained energy, RE; metabolizable energy ingested, MEI; heat production, HP; and energy retention efficiency, ERE), and the expression of genes related to acid-base balance, nutrient absorption, and transport in broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 245 male Cobb chickens were used in a completely randomized design with five DEB levels (110, 175, 240, 305, and 370 mEq/kg) and seven replicates of seven birds each. The inclusion of DEB levels influenced FE; 110 mEq/kg provided the better values for this characteristic both in the pre-initial phase and in the initial phase but was different only concerning 175 mEq/kg (1-7 days) and 240 mEq/kg (1-21 days). Birds that ingested diets with a level of 240 mEq/kg of DEB had a higher MEI and HP. This DEB level caused a lesser and greater expression of the SLC12A2 gene in the liver and the ATP1A1 gene in the intestine, respectively. On the other hand, the ATP1A1 gene was less expressed in the liver and kidney of broilers supplemented with 370 mEq/kg compared to a level of 110 mEq/kg. In general, a level of 110 mEq/kg DEB in the ration seems to be the most suitable for good performance, energy balance, and gene expression of broilers from 1 to 21 days of age., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

1. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ), potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ), and ammonium chloride (NH 4 Cl) are commonly used to correct dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) in birds. However, there are many gaps in the knowledge of their effects when used simultaneously. This study investigated the effect of DEB levels on performance, femur bone characteristics and the expression of genes related to the balance of ionic concentrations in broilers at 21 days of age.2. Male Cobb broiler chickens (n = 245), aged 1-21 d, were divided into groups based on a completely randomised design with five DEB levels (110 mEq/kg, 175 mEq/kg, 240 mEq/kg, 305 mEq/kg, and 370 mEq/kg).3. The performance characteristics measured included body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion (FCR) and body weight birds slaughtered (BWS).4. The bone variables assessed in the femur were weight (WE), relative bone weight (RBWE), length (L), width (WI), maximum load supported (MLS), bone-breaking resistance (BR), and Seedor index (SI). In addition, the expression of CHP1, SLC9A1 , and SLC24A3 in the livers, intestines and kidneys of birds was evaluated.5. The DEB level of 370 mEq/kg, at Na + content of 0.48%, resulted in the highest averages for L, MLS, and BR of the femur. This DEB level increased the expression of SLC9A1 in the liver and SLC24A3 in the intestine. A 240 mEq/kg DEB level decreased the expression of CHP1 in the liver, while supplementation with 110 mEq/kg increased the expression of SLC24A3 in the kidney.6. In conclusion, 370 mEq/kg DEB improved FCR and increased the mean bone characteristics of the femur (L, MLS, and BR) and the expression of SLC9A1 and SLC24A3 in the liver and intestine, respectively. These findings should be considered in future assessments of the effects of DEB levels on broilers.

Ceramic fragments can provide an insight into the ancient culture and practices of groups of humans and their way of life (technology, cultural identity, social organization, habitation and economy). Scientific analysis can be used to obtain information on the ceramic production process, as well as the specificities of the material employed. In this research, all samples of archaeological potsherd from the Tupi-Guarani tradition were analyzed in order to identify and to characterize the structures, morphologies and the elemental composition by using by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and multivariate statistical methods (PCA and HCA). FTIR spectroscopy revealed the presence of an organic residue in three samples along with carbonates, clay minerals, quartz and hematite. In addition, the presence of the stretching attributed to water molecules in crystalline systems was observed. Also, the presence of TiO2 in the anatase polymorphic form was detected using μ-Raman spectroscopy. These results indicate a firing temperature of between 800 and 1000 °C. In relation to the morphology, all samples revealed amorphous structures presenting isolated and heterogenic particles of different forms and sizes, and the EDS spectrum confirmed the elements present in the molecular structures elucidated by vibrational spectroscopy. The multivariate analysis has confirmed the correlation between the elemental compositions of ceramics collected from two different sites: a mountain region and a coastal area in Santa Catarina State, Brazil., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To review the main physiological and pharmacological changes related to prematurity, to promote the evidence-based clinical practice., Methods: This is a narrative review whose research was carried out in the ScienceDirect and Medline databases via PubMed, searching for articles in any language from January 2000 to February 2020., Results: Premature newborns are born before completing the maturation process that prepares them for extrauterine life, which occurs especially in the last weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, they have their own characteristics in development. Several physiological peculiarities stand out, such as disturbances in glucose regulation, adrenal function, thermoregulation, immunity, in addition to changes in liver, renal and respiratory functions. Pharmacological aspects were also highlighted, involving pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics., Conclusions: Despite the recent advances in prematurity, it is still an area with many uncertainties, since several changes occur quickly and there are ethical issues that make studies difficult. Thus, it is clear that the therapeutic management of premature infants is still very much based on clinical practice.

Past human societies have left persistent marks on forests worldwide. However, the degree to which pre-colonial Amerindian societies have affected forest structure is still not fully understood, especially in southern Brazil. This study investigated the influence of two distinct Amerindian groups (Southern-Jê and Guarani) over tree composition of forest fragments in the State of Santa Catarina. Vegetation data was obtained from the Santa Catarina Forest and Floristic Inventory (SCFFI): a statewide systematic vegetation sampling project. Archaeological data was collated from literature reviews as well as existing databases for archaeological sites occupied by Guarani and Southern-Jê groups. Using these sites of known Amerindian occupation, and corresponding environmental variables, ecological niche models were developed for each Amerindian group, predicting potential archaeological sites occupied by these groups across southern Brazil. Maps of these potential occupation sites of pre-colonial Amerindian groups were compared with 417 corresponding floristic inventory plots. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to identify floristic composition patterns linked to areas with a high probability of Southern-Jê or Guarani presence. Southern-Jê and Guarani pre-colonial occupations overlapped near main rivers; however, Southern-Jê groups generally occupied elevated areas whereas Guarani occupied mostly coastal areas. We observed differences in forest composition associated with the predicted occurrence of these pre-colonial Amerindian groups. Based on these results, we argue there is a relationship between tree species distribution and pre-colonial human occupation by these two Amerindian groups., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Objective: To assess the behavior as well as the comparison between maternal circulating level of biochemical markers (matrix metalloproteinases - MMP-9 and MMP-2) and maternal-fetal Doppler parameters in all three trimesters of pregnancy., Methods: We performed a prospective longitudinal study with 33 healthy pregnant women in three periods of pregnancy: A1 (12w0-14w6d), A2 (22w0d-24w6d) and A3 (34w0d and 36w6d). The following maternal Doppler parameters were assessed: mean pulsatility index (PI) uterine artery, resistance index (RI) umbilical artery and RI middle cerebral artery. The maternal plasma concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were determined by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). To compare two (A2 and A3) and three assessments (A1, A2 and A3), we used the paired Student t test and linear regression, respectively. To compare the biomechanical markers and maternal-fetal Doppler parameter, we used the Spearman correlation coefficient (ρ)., Results: We observed a significant decrease of PI uterine artery Doppler over the three trimesters of pregnancy (p < 0.01) and RI umbilical artery Doppler overt second to three trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.05). We did not observe significant difference in the maternal plasma level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 between the three trimesters. We did not also observe significant correlation between biochemical markers and maternal-fetal Doppler parameters., Conclusion: Maternal circulating level of MMPs did not modify throughout pregnancy and it did not show correlation with maternal-fetal Doppler parameters.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate and compare the whole blood nitrite concentration in the three trimesters of pregnancy. Additionally, we investigate whether there is any relation between nitrite concentrations and Doppler ultrasound analysis of some maternal and fetal vessels., Methods: Thirty-three healthy pregnant women were examined at the first (11-14 weeks), second (20-24 weeks) and third trimester (34-36 weeks) of pregnancy. In the three exams, we determined the maternal whole blood nitrite concentration and uterine arteries Doppler analysis to determine pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI). In the second and third trimester we also performed fetal umbilical and middle cerebral arteries PI and RI. We compared the concentrations of nitrite in three trimesters and correlated with Doppler parameters., Results: No difference was observed in the whole blood nitrite concentrations across trimesters: 151.70 ± 77.90 nmol/ml, 142.10 ± 73.50 nmol/ml and 147.10 ± 87.30 nmol/ml; first, second and third trimesters, respectively. We found no difference in correlation between whole blood nitrite concentration and Doppler parameters from the evaluated vessels., Conclusions: In healthy pregnant women, the nitrite concentrations did not change across gestational trimesters and there was also no strong correlation with Doppler impedance indices from maternal uterine arteries and fetal umbilical and middle cerebral arteries.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish a method for determining administered activities for (68)Ga-labelled peptides. Dose calculations were based on the weight-independent effective dose model proposed by the EANM paediatric dosage card for use in paediatric nuclear medicine., Methods: Previously published time-integrated activity coefficients for (68)Ga-DOTATATE, (68)Ga-DOTATOC and (68)Ga-pentixafor were used to calculate age-independent effective doses. Consequently, the corresponding weight-dependent effective dose coefficients were rescaled according to the formalism of the EANM dosage card to determine the radiopharmaceutical class of  (68)Ga-labelled peptides ("multiples") and to calculate the baseline activities based on an upper limit for administered activity (185 MBq) in an adult., Results: All calculated normalization factors suggest that the (68)Ga-labelled peptides are class "B" radiopharmaceuticals. The baseline activity for all compounds is 12.8 MBq. In analogy to (18)F-fluoride, we recommend a minimum activity of 14 MBq., Conclusion: For paediatric nuclear medicine applications involving (68)Ga-labelled peptides, we suggest determining administered activities based on the formalism proposed in this work. The corresponding effective doses from these procedures will remain age-independent.

The study of adipokines and oxidative stress has aided in understanding pre-eclampsia physiopathology. Therefore, our group aimed to evaluate the correlation between the adipokines (adiponectin and leptin) and the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (MDA-TBARS) and antioxidant activity of plasma [ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP)] in healthy pregnant women and patients with gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. We found a significant negative correlation between MDA-TBARS and adiponectin (r = -0.40, p = 0.0042), suggesting a relationship between antioxidant levels and this adipokine in healthy pregnancies which is altered in patients with gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia.

Objective: The aims of the present study were to compare plasma concentrations of the adiponectin, leptin, metalloproteinases (MMP9 and MMP2) and its tissue inhibitors (TIMP1 and TIMP2) in preeclamptic (PE) and healthy pregnant (HP) groups and correlate them., Methods: A total of 105 pregnant women with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) values ⩽ 30 kg/m(2) were enrolled for this study (59 PE and 46 HP). Biomarkers were measured using ELISAs., Results: Adiponectin (32%), leptin (45%), MMP2 (20%), TIMP1 (31%) and TIMP2 (23%) levels were higher in PE compared to HP (all P < 0.05). In addition there were positive correlations between adiponectin and MMP2 (r = 0.33; P = 0.03) and adiponectin and TIMP2 (r = 0.33; P = 0.03) in PE group, but not in HP., Conclusion: Our findings show that adiponectin, leptin, MMP2, TIMP1 and TIMP2 levels are increased in PE and adiponectin may contribute to higher levels of MMP2 and TIMP2 in this disease., (Copyright © 2015 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Examine the attitudes of nursing students with the suicidal behavior before and after a training course on the subject., Methodology: Performed quantitative, cross-sectional study, with 58 nursing students from a public university in Minas Gerais (Brazil) who participated in training on the theme. For data collection were used the Questionnaire of Attitudes Before Suicidal Behavior. The questionnaire was applied just before the start and the end of the training measuring attitudes toward suicidal behavior., Results: Were found statistically significant differences in negative feelings factors on the patient and perception of professional competence (p <0.05). The right factor to suicide was not significantly different among nursing students., Conclusion: The academic training may have influenced positively the desired changes regarding the attitudes of nursing students across the suicidal behavior.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 is a major endogenous inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, which may affect the responsiveness to therapy in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We examined whether TIMP-1 polymorphism (g.-9830T>G, rs2070584) modifies plasma MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels and the response to antihypertensive therapy in 596 pregnant: 206 patients with preeclampsia (PE), 183 patients with gestational hypertension (GH) and 207 healthy pregnant controls. We also studied the TIMP-3 polymorphism (g.-1296T>C, rs9619311). Plasma MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were measured by ELISA. GH patients with the GG genotype for the TIMP-1 polymorphism had lower MMP-9 levels and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios than those with the TT genotype. PE patients with the TG genotype had higher TIMP-1 levels. The G allele and the GG genotype were associated with PE and responsiveness to antihypertensive therapy in PE, but not in GH. Our results suggest that the TIMP-1 g.-9830T>G polymorphism not only promotes PE but also decreases the responses to antihypertensive therapy.

Adiponectin is a hormone involved in energy homeostasis by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. In addition, the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) has polymorphisms that can modulate the circulating concentration of adiponectin. Abnormal adiponectin levels have been associated with pre-eclampsia (PE); however, the influence of genetic polymorphisms on the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine whether ADIPOQ polymorphisms are associated with gestational hypertension (GH) and/or PE. We studied 401 pregnant women: 161 healthy pregnant (HP), 113 pregnant with GH and 127 pregnant with PE. ADIPOQ polymorphisms -11391G>A (rs17300539), -11377C>G (rs266729), 45T>G (rs2241766) and 276G>T (rs1501299) were genotyped by allelic discrimination assays using real-time PCR. Haplotypes were inferred using the PHASE 2.1 program. We observed that the genotypic frequencies of the -11377C>G polymorphism were different in PE compared with HP (P<0.0125), with the CT genotype being more commonly found in PE patients than in HP women (P<0.0125). However, allelic frequencies of this single-nucleotide polymorphism were similar between PE and HP (P>0.0125). No difference was observed when GH and HP groups were compared (both P>0.0125). In addition, we found no difference in genotype or allele distributions for the -11391G>A, 45T>G and 276G>T polymorphisms when we compared GH or PE with HP (all P>0.0125). In conclusion, we found a modest association between the CG genotype of the -11377C>G polymorphism and PE.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disease, directly related to high rates of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Upregulation of anti-angiogenic factors (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1; sFLT-1 and soluble endoglin; sENG) have been suggested to trigger the maternal endothelial dysfunction observed in PE. Studies focusing on the role of adiponectin and leptin, in normal pregnancy as well as in complicated pregnancies, have revelated interesting findings due to the vascular actions of such adipokines. The aims of this study were to compare plasma concentrations of the adiponectin, leptin, sENG and sFLT-1 in preeclamptic (PE, n = 27) and healthy pregnant (HP, n = 36) and to evaluate possible correlations among these adipokines and anti-angiogenic factors. There were significant increases in all biomarkers in PE compared to HP (all p < 0.05). In PE group, there were positive strong correlations among adiponectin and leptin with sFLT-1 (r = 0.85 and r = 0.47, respectively) and sEng (r = 0.74 and r = 0.56, respectively). Moreover, we observed significantly correlation among body mass index (BMI) with adiponectin (r = -0.40) and with leptin (r = 0.51) in HP, but not in PE. Moreover, while a negative correlation between sFLT-1 and BMI (r = -0.60) was found in PE, no correlation was observed regarding sEng and BMI. In summary, our findings suggest the existence of a compensatory mechanism that occurs in an attempt to correct this angiogenic imbalance in order to restore the fetal development.

Background: Controversial results have been reported regarding plasma adiponectin levels in preeclampsia (PE) compared to healthy pregnancies (HP). Adiponectin activates eNOS, increasing the levels of the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO). PE reduces the levels of nitrite (an NO marker) and induces higher levels of ADMA (an endogenous eNOS inhibitor) compared to HP. No previous study has examined whether a positive correlation exists between adiponectin and nitrite in HP and PE and how ADMA may interfere with this correlation., Methods: We measured plasma nitrite concentrations using an ozone-based chemiluminescence assay, and plasma ADMA and adiponectin levels using enzyme immunoassays in 117 pregnant women (70 healthy and 47 preeclamptic)., Results: We found higher adiponectin levels (23.6±13.0 vs. 17.8±5.6µg/ml; P<0.05) and lower plasma nitrite levels (104.5±84.3 vs. 177.2±151.3 nM; P<0.05) in PE compared to HP. We found a significant positive correlation between these markers in HP (r=0.3; P<0.05), but no correlation in PE. However, when we grouped PE women regarding ADMA levels (low and high levels), a strong positive correlation was found in the group with lower ADMA levels (r=0.67; P<0.05), suggesting that high ADMA concentrations may interfere with the physiological activation of eNOS by adiponectin in PE., Conclusions: Our findings showed higher levels of adiponectin and lower nitrite levels in PE compared to HP, and these levels were positively correlated in HP and in PE presenting lower concentrations of ADMA., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To compare maternal flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery and nitrite concentration between third trimester of pregnancy (3rdT) and postpartum (PP) period. Additionally, we will evaluate whether FMD correlates with nitrite concentration in both periods., Methods: Eligibility criteria was healthy women with singleton pregnancy, gestational age >28 weeks, nonsmokers, and no personal or family history of vascular disease. Each women was examined during 3rdT and between 8 and 12 weeks PP to evaluate FMD and nitrite concentration in whole blood. Women not examined in both periods were excluded. Values between both periods were compared using paired t tests. Correlation between FMD and nitrite was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient. Significance level set as p < 0.05., Results: We invited 42 pregnant women. Among them, 35 were eligible and 7 of them were excluded for not attending the PP evaluation resulting in 28 participants analyzed. We found no significant change in FMD (10.39 ± 5.57% vs. 8.42 ± 4.21%; p = 0.11; 3rdT vs. PP, respectively) and no significant change in nitrite concentration (257.41 ± 122.95 nmol/L vs. 237.16 ± 90.01 nmol/L; p = 0.28). Baseline brachial artery diameter had a significant reduction (3.11 ± 0.30 to 2.75 ± 0.34 mm; p < 0.01). No significant correlation between FMD and nitrite during 3rdT (r = -0.13; p = 0.50) or PP (r = 0.14; p = 0.48) was found., Conclusions: We did not observe significant changes in both FMD and nitrite concentration between third trimester and the PP period. FMD did not correlate with nitrite in both periods. More studies are needed to confirm our findings.

The systemic oxidative status in hypertensives disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and its association with endothelial dysfunction is controversial. In the present study, we evaluated systemic plasma levels of oxidative stress markers (TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) and carbonyl) and total antioxidant status (FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma (ferric reducing/antioxidant power) and reduction of MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide))), as well as assessed the impact these markers have on nitric oxide (NO) status in healthy pregnant (HP, n=38), gestational hypertensive (GH, n=33) and preeclamptic pregnant women (PE, n=28). We found similar values of TBARS among all groups, and reduced carbonyl levels in HDP between the PE and GH. Conversely, significant increases in plasma activity of antioxidant status were observed in the GH and PE groups compared to the HP group (using both MTT or FRAP method). Importantly, HDP present significantly lower nitrite levels compared to HP women. In Conclusion, our findings show a compensatory antioxidant mechanism against reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HDP, which is not associated with nitrite levels restoration.

Abnormal matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels may have a role in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We examined whether MMP-9 genetic polymorphisms (g.-1562C >T and g.-90(CA)13-25) modify plasma MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 levels and the responses to antihypertensive therapy in 214 patients with preeclampsia (PE), 185 patients with gestational hypertension (GH) and a control group of 214 healthy pregnant (HP). Alleles for the g.-90(CA)13-25 polymorphism were grouped L (low) (< 21 CA repeats) or H (high) (≥ 21 CA repeats). Plasma MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma MMP-9 concentrations were not affected by genotypes or haplotypes in HP and PE groups, except for the g.-90(CA)13-25 polymorphism: GH patients with the LH genotype for this polymorphism have higher MMP-9 levels than those with other genotypes. The T allele for the g.-1562C > T polymorphism and the H4 haplotype (combining T and H alleles) are associated with GH and lack of responsiveness to antihypertensive therapy in GH. The H2 haplotype (combining C and H alleles) was associated with lack of responsiveness to antihypertensive therapy in PE, but not in GH. In conclusion, our results show that MMP-9 genetic variants are associated with GH and suggest that MMP-9 haplotypes affect the responsiveness to antihypertensive therapy in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Imbalanced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, including MMP-2, has been demonstrated in pre-eclampsia. However, little is known about the effect of polymorphisms in MMP-2 gene on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We examined whether two functional MMP-2 polymorphisms (g.-1306C>T and g.-735C>T) are associated with pre-eclampsia and/or gestational hypertension and whether these polymorphisms affect therapeutic responses in women with these conditions. We studied 216 healthy pregnant women (HP), 185 patients with gestational hypertension (GH) and 216 patients with pre-eclampsia (PE). They were stratified as responsive or non-responsive to antihypertensive therapy according to clinical and laboratorial parameters of therapeutic responsiveness. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and genotypes for g-1306C>T and g.-735C>T polymorphisms were determined by real-time PCR using Taqman allele discrimination assays. Haplotype frequencies were inferred using the PHASE 2.1 program. The distributions of MMP-2 genotypes and haplotypes were similar in HP, GH and PE patients (p > 0.05). In addition, we found no significant differences in MMP-2 genotype or haplotype frequencies when GH or PE patients were classified as responsive or non-responsive to antihypertensive therapy (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that MMP-2 polymorphisms do not affect the susceptibility to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In parallel, MMP-2 polymorphisms apparently do not affect the responsiveness to antihypertensive therapy of women with these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy., (© 2012 The Authors Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology © 2012 Nordic Pharmacological Society.)

Introduction: The Doppler method is extensively applied today for the evaluation of pregnancies with involvement of the uteroplacental blood flow. Although increased nitric oxide (NO) formation plays an important role in regulation of systemic vascular resistance during pregnancy, growing evidence indicates that reduced NO formation is associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, especially preeclampsia., Objectives: The studies were to assess the maternal and fetal Doppler parameters and to determine the whole blood nitrite levels during pregnancy., Methods: Thirty-three healthy pregnant women were evaluated during the first (11-14 weeks), second (20-24 weeks) and third trimesters (34-36 weeks) of pregnancy. The maternal (uterine arteries) and fetal (cerebral and umbilical arteries) vessels were evaluated by Doppler velocimetry. venous blood was collected(15mL) for the determination of plasma nitrite by chemiluminescence., Results: Regarding the Doppler parameters of the uterine arteries the mean pulsatility index was 1.73, 1.06 and 0.73 in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Fetal Doppler showed a mean resistance index of 0.82 and 0.81 for the middle cerebral artery, 0.73 and 0.60 for the umbilical artery in the second and third trimesters, respectively. The mean plasma nitrite concentration was 189.10, 178.28 and 199.57 nmol/ml in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively., Conclusion: The study demonstrated that a fall in flow resistance occurs in the uteroplacental vessels without changes in plasma nitrite concentrations during pregnancy., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Adiponectin is involved in energy homeostasis by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. Additionally, it presents anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic functions. Polymorphisms in adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) can modulate the concentrations of adiponectin. The influence of these polymorphisms on the development of gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE) is unknown., Objectives: The aim of this work was to examine the influence of polymorphisms in the gene ADIPOQ on the development of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia., Patients and Methods: We studied 401 pregnant women: 161 healthy pregnant (HP), 113 pregnant with gestational hypertension (GH) and 127 pregnant with preeclampsia (PE). Polymorphisms ADIPOQ -11391G>A (rs17300539), -11377C>G (rs266729), 45T>G (rs2241766) and 276G>T (rs1501299) were genotyped by allelic discrimination by PCR in real time. Haplotypes were inferred using the PHASE 2.1 program., Results: There were no statistically significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of the polymorphisms studied. In the analysis of haplotypes, we observed small differences in haplotype frequencies between groups, however, none of these differences was statistically significant (P>0.05)., Conclusion: We found no association between the genotypic and allelic variants of the ADIPOQ gene polymorphisms with the development of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia., (Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: The vascular endothelium is thought to be responsible for cardiovascular adaptations in gestation, such as the decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and the decrease in arterial pressure. There is an increase of nitric oxide (NO) serum levels in normal gestation due to an increment in the activity of the enzyme endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)., Objectives: To compare maternal flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery (FMD) and the nitrite concentration between the third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum period. Additionally we want to evaluate whether FMD correlates with nitrite concentration., Methods: Eligibility criteria were healthy pregnant women with single fetus, gestational age greater than 28 weeks, nonsmokers, and without personal or family history of vascular disease. Each pregnant woman was examined in the third trimester of pregnancy (3(rd)T) and between 8 and 12 weeks postpartum (PP) to evaluate FMD and nitrite concentrations in the whole blood. We excluded women who were not examined in both periods. We compared the values between the two periods using paired t tests. The correlation between FMD and nitrite concentration was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient. Significance level was set at p<0.05., Results: 42 pregnant women were invited for the study. 35 healthy women were elected and 7 of them were excluded for not attending the postpartum evaluation. We found a trend of decreased FMD in the PP period (10.39±5.57 % vs. 8.42±4.21 %, p=0.11; 3(rd)T vs. PP respectively). No significant change was observed in the nitrite concentration (257.41±122.95nmol/L vs.237.16±90.01nmol/L, p=0.28). We did not observe significant correlation between FMD and nitrite during 3(rd)T (r=-0.13, p=0.50) or PP (r=0.14, p=0.48)., Conclusion: Although our sample size did not permit sufficient precision, FMD seems to decrease between the third trimester and postpartum period. Nitrite concentration did not change between the third trimester of pregnancy and the postpartum period, and it was not correlated to FMD. Studies evaluating larger samples are necessary to confirm these findings., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

We examined whether two functional polymorphisms (g.-1306C>T and g.-735C>T) in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 gene are associated with preeclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension (GH), and whether they modify MMP-2 or tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 plasma concentrations in these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We studied 130 healthy pregnant (HP), 130 pregnant with GH, and 133 pregnant with PE. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood and genotypes for g.-1306C>T and g.-735C>T polymorphisms were determined by Real Time-PCR, using Taqman allele discrimination assays. Haplotypes were inferred using the PHASE program. Plasma MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations were measured by ELISA. The main findings were that pregnant with PE have higher plasma MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations than HP (P<0.05), although the MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios were similar (P>0.05). Moreover, pregnant with GH have elevated plasma MMP-2 levels and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios compared to HP (P<0.05). While MMP-2 genotypes and haplotypes are not linked with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, MMP-2 genotypes and haplotypes are associated with significant alterations in plasma MMP-2 and TIMP-2 concentrations in preeclampsia (P<0.05). Our findings may help to understand the relevance of MMP-2 and its genetic polymorphisms to the pathophysiology of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It is possible that patients with PE and the MMP-2 haplotype combining the C and T alleles for the g.-1306C>T and g.-735C>T polymorphisms may benefit from the use of MMPs inhibitors such as doxycycline. However, this possibility remains to be determined., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate the association between oral low-dose contraceptives and color vision alterations., Methods: Were included in the study 30 women, sixteen used oral contraceptive for less than five years (Group I) and 14 used it for more than five years (Group II). The Ishihara, City University Color Vision Test, and the D 15 desaturated tests were used., Results: No characteristic alterations in the chromatic perception were found in any of the groups., Conclusion: In the studied sample, low-dose oral contraceptive has not influenced color vision, independent of the time of use.

This study evaluated the surface microhardness of four glass ionomer cements and a composite resin (Fuji IX, Ketac Molar, Vidrion R, Vitromolar and Z 250). Ten specimens of each glass ionomer cement with 8.0 mm diameter and 5.0 mm high dimensions were made and Vicker's microhardness measurements were taken at 1 day and 1 week after initial setting reaction. The results were analyzed using Student's T test and Tukey test (p < 0.05) and demonstrated that the values of microhardness increased after 1 week, with the exception of Fuji IX. Resin composite Z250 presented the greatest values for microhardness.

To investigate the role of NO in the inhibition of neutrophil migration by circulating endotoxin, mice were pretreated with NO synthase inhibitors or with a free radical scavenger (D-penicillamine), before intravenous LPS injection. LPS dose-dependently inhibited the thioglycollate-induced neutrophil migration into the peritoneal cavities. Aminoguanidine, a selective inducible NO synthase inhibitor, abolished the inhibition of neutrophil migration and the increase in serum nitrate levels induced by a nonlethal dose of LPS. During lethal endotoxemia aminoguanidine partially abolished the neutrophil migration inhibition. Additionally, D-penicillamine prevented the inhibition of neutrophil migration caused by LPS. However, Nitro-L-Arginine, a selective constitutive NO synthase inhibitor, did not prevent neutrophil migration inhibition. Aminoguanidine treatment did not affect the systemic increased levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-10, suggesting that NO is the final mediator involved in the inhibition of neutrophil migration. Our results suggest that NO released by the inducible NO synthase mediates the inhibition of neutrophil migration mediated by circulating LPS.

Aims: This brief review focuses on the current understanding of the complex relationship of tumor-associated mononuclear cells (TAMs) with neoplastic cells, summarizing their immunological efficiency, cytokine profile and production of nitric oxide (NO) in the tumor microenvironment, with current insights on how this might affect tumor growth., Data Source: Data was obtained through Medline from articles indexed during the last 10 years. The main key words used in the research were: cancer, ovarian cancer, cytokine, nitric oxide (NO), mononuclear cell, lymphocyte, macrophage. SELECTION OF STUDIES AND DATA COLLECTION: 30 studies were reviewed, which contained data regarding the production of cytokines and NO by TAMs or malignant cells, and tried to establish a correlation between these mediators and tumor growth, especially in ovarian carcinoma., Data Summary: TAMs consist mainly of macrophages and T lymphocytes which present lower proliferative indices and cytotoxicity compared to autologous blood monocytes, although they are able to release various cytokines. The profile of cytokine expression could help to explain both the immunological impairment observed in patients with advanced carcinoma diseases and the potential of TAMs to exert antitumor activity, which makes these cells an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. NO is also produced in the tumor microenvironment. Several reports in animals suggest a tumoricidal role for NO, but in human tumors its role has not been well-established and may change during tumor progression.

Several intra-arterial embolization techniques with polimerization substances, particles, thrombogenic coils and silicone and latex balloons have been used in the endovascular therapy of arteriovenous fistulas in different vascular territories. Using the Seldinger technique by femural route and with a coaxial system including a microcatheter with a latex Debrun type balloon, the authors describe the selective occlusion of an iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula of the left kidney.