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Background: It has been suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs; short non-protein-coding RNA molecules that mediate post-transcriptional regulation), including mir-9 and mir-34 families, are important for brain development. Current data suggest that mir-9 and mir-34 may have shared effects across psychiatric disorders. This study aims to explore the role of genetic polymorphisms in the MIR9-2 (rs4916723) and MIR34B/C (rs4938723) genes on the susceptibility of psychiatric disorders in children from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort. Methods: Psychiatric disorders were assessed in 3585 individuals using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), criteria through the application of standard semi-structured interviews (using the Development and Well-Being Assessment, DAWBA) at the six-years-of-age follow-up. The outcome was defined as the presence of any mental disorder. We also considered two broad groups of internalizing and externalizing disorders to further investigate the role of these variants in mental health. Results: We observed an association between rs4916723 (MIR9-2) and the presence of any psychiatric disorder (odds ratios (OR) = 0.820; 95% CI = 0.7130–0.944; p = 0.006) and a suggestive effect on internalizing disorders (OR = 0.830; 95% CI = 0.698–0.987; p = 0.035). rs4938723 (MIR34B/C) was not associated with any evaluated outcome. Conclusion: The study suggests that MIR9-2 may have an important role on a broad susceptibility for psychiatric disorders and may be important mainly for internalization problems.

Background-—Emotional disorders are risk factors for atherosclerosis and consequent cardiovascular disease. However, it is not clear whether emotional symptoms (ESs) have direct effects on cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of early ESs on carotid atherosclerosis in young adults. Methods and Results-—We tested the association between expression of ESs at 11 and 15 years of age and carotid intima-media thickness at 18 years of age in the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort (N=5249, n=4336 with complete mental health data). ESs were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Propensity score weighting procedure was run using generalized boosted regression model to adjust for potential confounding between exposure and outcome. We also tested whether traditional cardiovascular risk factors could mediate this relationship. Adjusted high expression of ESs, both at 11 and 15 years of age, led to mean increases in carotid intima-media thickness of 1.84 and 2.58 lm, respectively, at 18 years of age (both P

Androgens are the main hormonal regulators of human hair growth and they are related to clinical conditions such as hirsutism. The aim of this study was to analyze the gene expression of androgen receptor (AR), type 1 and type 2 5a-reductase isoenzymes (5a R1 and 2) and type 2 17b hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17b-HSD 2) in plucked scalp hairs from hirsute patients and normal subjects. We studied 33 women with hirsutism [20 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 13 with idiopathic hirsutism (IH)]; 15 control women; and 10 control men. Hirsutism was assessed by a modified Ferriman-Gallwey method. Hormonal status was assessed between days 2 and 10 of the menstrual cycle or on any day when the patients were amenorrheic. AR and enzymes mRNA levels were estimated by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). AR expression was similar in all groups. The gene expression of 5a R2 was not detected in any hair samples analyzed in this study. No differences were found on 5a R1 mRNA levels between men and normal women (0.78 ± 0.05 vs. 0.74 ± 0.06, respectively). 5a R1 gene expression in the plucked hair cells from scalp of normal women (0.85 ± 0.04), PCOS (0.78 ± 0.05) and IH (0.80 ± 0.06) was also similar. 17b-HSD2 gene expression in hirsute patients was lower (2.2±0.13 and 2.0±0.15, for PCOS and IH, respectively) than in normal women (3.1±0.17, p

The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of the genes for type 1 (SDR5A1) and type 2 (SDR5A2) 5α-reductase isoenzymes in scalp hairs plucked from 33 hirsute patients (20 with polycystic ovary syndrome and 13 with idiopathic hirsutism) and compare it with that of 10 men and 15 normal women. SDR5A1 and SDR5A2 expression was estimated by RT-PCR using the gene of the ubiquitously expressed protein ß2-microglobulin as an internal control. The results are expressed as arbitrary units in relation to ß2- microglobulin absorbance (mean ± SEM). SDR5A2 expression was not detected in any hair samples analyzed in this study. No differences were found in SDR5A1 mRNA levels between men and normal women (0.78 ± 0.05 vs 0.74 ± 0.06, respectively). SDR5A1 gene expression in the cells of hair plucked from the scalp of normal women (0.85 ± 0.04) and of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (0.78 ± 0.05) and idiopathic hirsutism (0.80 ± 0.06) was also similar. These results indicate that SDR5A1 gene expression in the follicular keratinocytes from the vertex area of the scalp seems not to be related to the differences in hair growth observed between normal men and women and hirsute patients. Further studies are needed to investigate the expression of the 5α-reductase genes in other scalp follicular compartments such as dermal papillae, and also in hair follicles from other body sites, in order to elucidate the mechanism of androgen action on the hair growth process and related diseases.

Submitted by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2018-05-18T21:39:46Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_Mauren_Ritta.pdf: 1714370 bytes, checksum: c3b75a7b6066c70fa02e7b57631677d6 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2018-05-18T22:43:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_Mauren_Ritta.pdf: 1714370 bytes, checksum: c3b75a7b6066c70fa02e7b57631677d6 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2018-05-18T22:43:26Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_Mauren_Ritta.pdf: 1714370 bytes, checksum: c3b75a7b6066c70fa02e7b57631677d6 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-18T22:43:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_Mauren_Ritta.pdf: 1714370 bytes, checksum: c3b75a7b6066c70fa02e7b57631677d6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-04 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES As doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) representam a principal causa de morte no mundo. No Brasil, assim como em outros países, as doenças cardiovasculares (DCV’s) representam um terço dos óbitos em adultos. Em estudo que investigou a prevalência de DCV foi demonstrada que esta se apresentava igual entre os sexos quando as mulheres estavam no período pós-menopausa. A deficiência de estrógeno decorrente desse período está associada a alterações no perfil lipídico, distribuição e composição corporal, que levam a uma modificação oxidativa importante na etiologia da aterosclerose, pois a ação da lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL-c) estará diminuída. A paraoxonase 1 (PON1) circula ligada ao HDL-c sendo a responsável pela ação ateroprotetora. O gene que codifica a PON1 tem diversos polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNP do inglês, single nucleotide polymorphism), sendo aquele localizado na região promotora C(-107)T o que exerce efeito sobre a atividade sérica e expressão gênica. A atividade da PON1 sofre influencias genéticas, ambientais e fisiológicas que estimulam ou inibem sua ação e expressão. A dieta atua tanto na prevenção de DCV assim como na atividade da PON1. Diante deste contexto, em que diversos fatores contribuem para o risco de DCV’s e de poucos relatos científicos relacionando menopausa, dieta, genótipo e atividade da PON1, percebe-se a necessidade de ampliar os conhecimentos sobre a prevenção de comorbidades associadas a esta fase da vida da mulher. Este estudo foi proposto com o objetivo de relacionar o nível de atividade da PON1 no soro de mulheres em períodos pré e pós-menopausa com a presença do polimorfismo C(-107)T do gene da PON1 e consumo alimentar, visando identificar fatores de risco para DCV. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 91 mulheres entre 20 e 59 anos, atendidas em serviço de nutrição, divididas em dois grupos, sendo 55 na pré-menopausa e 36 na pós-menopausa. Das participantes foram coletados dados antropométricos,amostra de sangue, aplicado questionário de frequência alimentar (QFA) e questionário geral sobre condições de saúde e hábitos de vida. Foi observada diferença significativa na população com o genótipo TT em relação à baixa atividade da PON1, predomínio de excesso de peso em ambos os grupos, perfil lipídico e glicêmico alterado com diferença significativa para o nível de colesterol total e glicemia de jejum, sendo evidenciada uma tendência ao aumento da lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-c) e hemoglobina glicada (HbA1C) e diminuição no consumo de calorias e carboidratos nas pós-menopausa. A atividade da PON1 não apresentou interação com a menopausa, consumo de lipídios, alimentos processados e in natura. Concluindo estes resultados reforçam a importância de intervenções preventivas e promotoras de estilo de vida saudável, afim de contribuir para o controle de fatores de risco modificáveis, visto que população apresenta uma predisposição para o desenvolvimento de DCV. Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in the world. In Brazil, as in other countries, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for a third of deaths in adults. In a study investigating the prevalence of CVD, the same prevalence was found between sexes when the women were in the postmenopausal period. The estrogen deficiency during this period is associated with alterations in lipid profile, distribution of body fat and body composition. These changes lead to oxidative modifications, important in the etiology of atherosclerosis, since the action of high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) will be reduced. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) circulates along HDL-c and is responsible for the atheroprotective action. The gene encoding PON1 has several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and the one located in the C (-107) T promoter region has an effect on PON1 serum activity and gene expression. The activity of PON1 undergoes genetic, environmental and physiological influences that stimulate or inhibit its action and expression. The diet works both in the prevention of CVD as well as in the activity of PON1. In this context, several factors contribute to the risk of CVDs and there are few scientific reports associating menopause, diet, genotype and PON1 activity, it is necessary to increase the knowledge about the prevention of comorbidities associated with this stage of life of the woman. The aim of this study was to correlate the level of PON1 activity in the serum of pre and post menopausal women with the presence of the C (-107) T polymorphism of the PON1 gene and food consumption, aiming to identify risk factors for CVD. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 91 women between 20 and 59 years of age, that attended at a nutrition service, divided into two groups: 55 premenopausal women and 36 postmenopausal women. Anthropometric data was collected from the patients, as well as blood sample, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and general questionnaire on health conditions and life habits were applied. A significant difference was observed in the population with the TT genotype, having lower PON1 activity, predominance of overweight in both groups, altered lipid and glycemic profile with significant difference for total cholesterol and fasting glycemia levels. A tendency to increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and decrease post-menopausal calorie and carbohydrate intake was observed. The activity of PON1 did not show interaction with menopause, lipid consumption, and ingestion of processed foods or in natura. Concluding these results reinforce the importance of preventive and healthy lifestyle interventions in order to contribute to the control of modifiable risk factors, since the population presents a predisposition for the development of CVD.