Chronic exposure to fine particulate matter emitted by traffic affects reproductive and fetal outcomes in mice

Air pollution is an important environmental health risk factor that can result in many different gestational and reproductive negative outcomes. In this study, we have investigated the effects of two different times of exposure (before conception and during pregnancy) to urban ambient particulate matter on reproductive and pregnancy outcomes in mice. Using exposure chambers receiving filtered (F) and non-filtered (NF) air, we observed that exposed females exhibited changes in the length of estrus cycle and extended estrus and, therefore, a reduction in the number of cycles during the studied period (F2.6 +/- 0.22 and NF 1.2 +/- 0.29, p = 0.03). The mean number of antral follicles declined by 36% (p = 0.04) in NF mice (75 +/- 35.2) compared to F mice (118.6 +/- 18.4). our results further indicate a significant increase in time necessary for mating and decreased fertility and pregnancy indices (p = 0.003) in NF couples. Mean post-implantation loss rates were increased by 70% (p <= 0.005) in the NF2 group (exposed before and during pregnancy to NF air) compared to the F1 group (exposed before and during pregnancy to F air) and were influenced by both pre-gestational (p < 0.004) and gestational (p < 0.01) period exposure. Fetal weight was significantly higher in the F1 group when compared with the other groups (p < 0.001), at a 20% higher weight in the F1 group (0.86 +/- 0.18 g) than in the NF2 group (0.68 +/- 0.10g). Furthermore, fetal weight was influenced by both pre-gestational and gestational period exposure, and a significant interaction between these two factors was found (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that exposure to ambient levels of urban traffic-generated particulate matter negatively affects different functions and stages of the reproductive process. Our results also reinforce the idea that maternal exposure to air pollution is linked to negative pregnancy outcomes, even if the exposure occurs only before conception. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PYK2/PDZ-RhoGEF Links Ca(2+) Signaling to RhoA

Objective-Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA)/Rho-kinase-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization is a critical component of constrictor responses. The present study investigates how angiotensin II activates RhoA. Methods and Results-Adenoviral vectors were used to manipulate the expression of regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) domain containing Rho-specific guanine exchange factors (RhoGEFs) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2), a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, in primary rat vascular smooth muscle cells. As an evidence of RhoA activation, RhoA translocation and MYPT1 (the regulatory subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase) phosphorylation were analyzed by Western blot. Results showed that overexpression of PDZ-RhoGEF, but not p115-RhoGEF or leukemia-associated RhoGEF (LARG), enhanced RhoA activation by angiotensin II. Knockdown of PDZ-RhoGEF decreased RhoA activation by angiotensin II. PDZ-RhoGEF was phosphorylated and activated by PYK2 in vitro, and knockdown of PDZ-RhoGEF reduced RhoA activation by constitutively active PYK2, indicating that PDZ-RhoGEF links PYK2 to RhoA. Knockdown of PYK2 or PDZ-RhoGEF markedly decreased RhoA activation by A23187, a Ca(2+) ionophore, demonstrating that PYK2/PDZ-RhoGEF couples RhoA activation to Ca(2+). Conclusions-PYK2 and PDZ-RhoGEF are necessary for angiotensin II-induced RhoA activation and for Ca(2+) signaling to RhoA. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2009;29:1657-1663.)

Ovarian reserve evaluation: state of the art

Purpose Revise role of hormonal basal and dynamic tests, as well as ultrasonographic measures as ovarian reserve markers, in order to provide better counseling to subfertile couples. Methods Review of publications on the topic, with an emphasis on recent well designed articles. Results Currently available ovarian reserve tests do not provide sufficient evidence to be solely considered ideal, even for premature ovarian senescence patients who do not present subfertility complaints. However, these markers occupy important place in initial approach to treatment of subfertile couples, predicting unsatisfactory results that could be improved by differentiated induction schemes and reducing excessive psychological and financial burdens, and adverse effects. Conclusions In order to remedy the limitations due to the scarcity of strong evidence about this topic, future studies should try to clarify predictive value of markers in groups of specific diseases-related subfertility and pay special attention to propaedeutic multivariate models including anti-Mullerian hormone and antral follicle count.

A QCD sum rule calculation for the Y(4140) narrow structure

We use the QCD sum rules to evaluate the mass of a possible scalar mesonic state that couples to a molecular D(s)*(D) over bar (s)* current. We find a mass m(Ds)*(Ds)* = (4.14 +/- 0.09) GeV, which is in an excellent agreement with the recently observed Y(4140) charmonium state. We consider the contributions of condensates up to dimension-eight, we work at leading order in alpha(s) and we keep terms which are linear in the strange quark mass m(s). We also consider a molecular D*(D) over bar* current and we obtain m m(D)*(D)* = (4.13 +/- 0.10), around 200 MeV above the mass of the Y(3930) charmonium state. We conclude that it is possible to describe the Y(4140) structure as a D(s)*(D) over bar (s)* molecular state or even as a mixture of D(s)*(D) over bar (s)* and D*(D) over bar* molecular states. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Functionalization of PAMAM dendrimers with [Ru-III(edta)(H2O)](-)

The anchoring of K[Ru-III(edta)(Cl)] on poly(amidoamine) dendrimers (PAMAM of three generations G(x)/Ru (x = 0, 2 and 3)) through a peptide type bond yielded the aquo species, [Ru-III(edta)(H2O)] on dendrimer surface, and upon NO exposure, yielded their nitrosyl analogues, Gx/RuNO. Characterization of these compounds by elemental analysis, and a UV-vis, IR and C-13 NMR spectroscopies indicated the immobilization of 4,12 and 29 molecules of [Ru-III(edta)(H2O)](-) or of the nitrosyl complex [Ru(II)edta)NO] on the dendrimer surface for G(X) = 0, 2 and 3, respectively. For each complex the electrochemical spectrum presented only one redox process with redox potential values of -0.20 and -0.32 V(vs SCE) attributed to the Ru/Run and NO+/NO0 couples in G(x)/Ru and G./RuNO, respectively. The one-electron reduction of Gx/RuNO` generates Gx/RuNOo, which undergoes aquation with a k(-NO) of 2.1 +/- 0.7 x 10(-3) s(-1) (pH 1.0, mu = 0.2 mol/L, CF3COOH/NaCF3COO, 25 degrees C). The Gx/RuNO species induced a relaxing effect in aortic rings denuded of endothelium and exhibited in vitro assay trypanocidal activity. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.