Caracterização morfológica do útero e tubas uterinas de fetos bovinos da raça Nelore (Bos primigenius indicus) em diferentes fases de gestação

Para a realização desta pesquisa, foram coletados vinte fetos fêmeas em diferentes fases de gestação da raça Nelore. Os cornos uterinos e as tubas uterinas foram dissecados, mensurados e os fragmentos fixados em paraformaldeído tamponado a 4,00%, processados e incluídos em paraplástico. Os cortes com 5 mm foram corados com hematoxilina e eosina, tricrômio de Masson (para fibras colágenas), Verhoeff (para fibras elásticas) e com reticulina (para fibras reticulares). Os resultados mostraram que não há diferença significativa das mensurações entre os lados direito e esquerdo para os cornos uterinos e tubas uterinas, porém há correlação entre os valores obtidos das mensurações dos órgãos em função da idade dos fetos, ou seja, o crescimento dos órgãos acompanha o crescimento fetal. O epitélio de revestimento do útero não apresenta variações morfológicas evidentes no período analisado. A partir de 23 semanas de gestação, a mucosa uterina apresenta evolução marcante no desenvolvimento das projeções e não há aparecimento de glândulas endometriais na parede uterina no período analisado. A camada muscular apresenta a subcamada circular interna desenvolvida até 23 semanas de gestação e a partir de 24 semanas há presença das duas subcamadas. A camada serosa é típica e não mostra variabilidade no decorrer da gestação. As tubas uterinas apresentam diferenças de crescimento, principalmente dos pregueamentos que a partir de 23 semanas de gestação tornaram-se mais altos e ramificados, porém sem aparecimento de pregas terciárias. Com o desenvolvimento fetal, os cílios epiteliais do pregueamento tubárico são maiores em tamanho e em número. Até 32 semanas de gestação, a camada muscular das tubas uterinas apresenta apenas a subcamada circular interna. A camada serosa e o mesosalpinge são típicos e não apresentam variações importantes. As variações mais marcantes para os órgãos estudados ocorreram a partir de 23 semanas de gestação.

Motivos que influenciam a não-realização do exame de papanicolaou segundo a percepção de mulheres

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os motivos que influenciaram um grupo de mulheres a nunca ter realizado o exame de Papanicolaou mesmo após iniciarem a atividade sexual. É uma pesquisa qualitativa. Utilizou-se a entrevista a partir da questão norteadora: Por que você nunca tinha realizado o exame preventivo anteriormente? A técnica da análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin foi utilizada para a análise das descrições. As mulheres demonstraram desconhecimento do câncer, da técnica e da importância do preventivo. Revelaram ainda medo na realização e resultado do exame. A vergonha e o constrangimento foram sentimentos expressados por elas pela exposição da intimidade a que se submetem. Expressaram ainda possuírem valores culturais que dificultam mudança de atitude. O acesso ao serviço, ter emprego e filhos também foram relatados como impedimento. Os resultados mostram a importância de ações educativas sobre a necessidade do preventivo ao iniciar as atividades sexuais e desmistificar a técnica e resultado.

Ambientes de ocorrência e flora acompanhante do gênero Himatanthus em Alcântara, Maranhão, Brasil

A janaúba (Himatanthus spp.), ocorre em populações naturais em ecossistemas florestais e apresenta amplo espectro de usos na medicina popular que vai desde o tratamento de inflamações uterinas, gastrite, uso veterinário, complemento alimentar, até tratamento de câncer. O extrativismo de látex de janaúba em Alcântara vem adquirindo importância crescente como alternativa de renda. Sendo assim, o estabelecimento de estudos que viabilizem o manejo sustentado em seu ambiente natural é necessário. O objetivo deste trabalho foi de caracterizar os ambientes de ocorrência de Himatanthus no município de Alcântara, Maranhão, Brasil, e identificar a flora acompanhante. As amostragens foram definidas por indicação de informantes, e aparente frequência na comunidade vegetal; os ambientes foram descritos considerando as unidades de paisagem e histórico de uso. Como resultados, a maior área de ocorrência foi a terra firme seguida por várzeas de restinga; a principal tipologia vegetacional foi a mata secundária. O bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.), tucum (Astrocaryum vulgare Mart.) e a murta verdadeira (Myrcia selloi (Spreng.) N. Silveira, foram às principais espécies associadas.

Composição corporal e puberdade de leitoas alimentadas com níveis alto e baixo de proteína na dieta

Com o objetivo de verificar alterarações na composição corporal, diferentes níveis protéicos (12 e 18% PB) foram utilizados na dieta de leitoas de reposição, dos 100 aos 221 dias de idade. Durante esse período foram avaliados o peso corporal, espessura de toucinho (ET), manifestação de estro, características do trato reprodutivo e o balanço nitrogenado. Para a determinação do balanço nitrogenado, as leitoas foram submetidas a dois ensaios de digestibilidade (aos 136 e aos 201 dias de idade). em ambos os ensaios, as leitoas alimentadas com 18% PB apresentaram maior ingestão, retenção e excreção de nitrogênio e maiores níveis de uréia plasmática e urinária (P<0,001). A eficiência da utilização de nitrogênio não foi influenciada pelo nível protéico da dieta (P>0,05). Houve redução de 48% na excreção de nitrogênio com a dieta menos protéica. Leitoas alimentadas com 12% PB apresentaram maior ganho de ET (7,4 mm) em comparação às alimentadas com 18% PB (4,5 mm), dos 100 aos 207 dias de idade (P<0,02). O peso corporal, peso do útero, comprimento dos cornos uterinos e número de corpos lúteos não foram afetados pelo nível de proteína na dieta. A taxa de detecção de estro, até 25 dias após a exposição das leitoas ao cachaço, foi semelhante para as fêmeas recebendo 12% (71%) e 18% PB (75%). Os níveis de proteína da dieta afetaram a composição corporal das fêmeas sem que o peso final, o desencadeamento da puberdade e características do trato reprodutivo fossem afetados, indicando que dietas de baixa proteína podem ser utilizadas como estratégia para aumentar a espessura de toucinho de leitoas de reposição.

Amniocentesis and biochemical evaluation of amniotic fluid in ewes at 70, 100 and 145 days of pregnancy

The objectives of this study were to determine the technical viability of amniocentesis in sheep and to observe biochemical changes in the amniotic fluid components. Amniotic fluid samples were collected by puncture in the greatest curvature of the uterine hum at days 70, 100, and 145 of pregnancy. The surgical procedure for collection of amniotic fluid samples was safe and efficient. For three stages of pregnancy, the following results were obtained: pH values 8.36, 7.34 and 7.37; glucose concentrations, 16.06. 8.58, and 3.79 g/dl; urea values, 42.68, 33.53, and 25.49 mg/dl; creatinine, 0.85, 5.04, and 11.25 g/dl; Gama-GT enzyme, 12.58, 14.20, and 12.30 UI/l; sodium concentrations, 146.60, 129.42, and 103.8 mmol/l: potassium concentrations, 9.79, 6.15, and 8.65 mmol/l; chloride, 96.59, 85.28, and 65.35 mmol/l; total protein, 0.14, 0.23, and 0.24 g/dl, respectively. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

HYPERANDROGENISM DUE TO 3-BETA-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE-DEFICIENCY WITH ACCESSORY ADRENOCORTICAL TISSUE - A HORMONAL AND METABOLIC EVALUATION

1. Adrenal ectopic tissue has been detected in the paragonadal region of normal women. In patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) deficiency, the manifestation of hyperplasia of paragonadal accessory adrenal tissue has been usually reported to occur in males. Probably, this is the first report of a female with 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) deficiency with ectopic adrenal tissue in ovaries. However, the occurrence of hyperplasia of adrenal rests among women with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia may not be rare, especially among patients with a late diagnosis.2. We report a woman with 3beta-HSD deficiency whose definitive diagnosis was made late at 41 years of age immediately before surgery for the removal of a uterine myoma. During surgery, exploration of the abdominal cavity revealed the presence of bilateral accessory adrenal tissue in the ovaries and in the para-aortic region. The patient had extremely high levels of ACTH (137 pmol/l), DHEA (901.0 nmol/l), DHEA-S (55.9 mumol/l), androstenedione (70.2 nmol/l), testosterone (23.0 nmol/l) and 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone (234.4 nmol/l) suggesting 3beta-HSD deficiency.3. In view of these elevated androgen levels, with an absolute predominance of DHEA and DHEA-S, we evaluated the effect of this hormonal profile on carbohydrate tolerance and insulin response to glucose ingestion.4. The patient presented normal glucose tolerance but her insulin response was lower than that of 14 normal women (area under the curve, 3beta-HSD = 17,680 vs 50,034 pmol/l for the control group over a period of 3 h after glucose ingestion).5. These results support recent data suggesting that patients with increased serum DHEA and DHEA-S levels do not present resistance to insulin.

Placentation in the rock cavy, Kerodon rupestris (Wied)

Rock cavies are rodents found in the semi-arid caatinga of Brazil. We studied the structure of the rock cavy placenta by light and transmission electron microscopy. The exchange area of the labyrinth was organized in lobes separated by interlobular areas. The interhaemal barrier was syncytial haemomonochorial. The syncytiotrophoblast had recesses in the basal membrane and some invaginations of the apical membrane, but transtrophoblastic channels could not be found. The interlobular regions comprised syncytiotrophoblast, enclosing maternal venous blood channels, and cytotrophoblast. There was a prominent subplacenta composed of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast. Microvilli projected into spaces between the cytotrophoblasts and into lacunae within the syncytiotrophoblast. The yolk sac epithelium exhibited coated pits, endocytotic vesicles and larger vacuoles, consistent with a role in protein uptake from the uterine lumen. Tight junctions between these cells provided a barrier to diffusion by the intercellular route. The reproductive biology of the rock cavy differs from other members of the family, including the guinea pig, but the architecture of the placenta remains remarkably constant. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Submucous myomas: A new presurgical classification to evaluate the viability of hysteroscopic surgical treatment - Preliminary report

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To develop a new preoperative classification of submucous myomas for evaluating the viability and the degree of difficulty of hysteroscopic myomectomy.DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3)SETTING: University teaching hospitals.PATIENTS: Fifty-five patients who underwent hysteroscopic resection of submucous myomas.INTERVENTION: the possibility of total resection of the myoma, the operating time, the fluid deficit, and the frequency of any complications were considered. The myomas were classified according to the Classification of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) and by our group's new classification (NC), which considers not only the degree of penetration of the myoma into the myometrium, but also adds in such parameters as the distance of the base of the myoma from the uterine wall, the size of the nodule (cm), and the topography of the uterine cavity. The Fisher's exact test, the Student's t test, and the analysis of variance test were used in the statistical analysis. A p value less than .05 in the two-tailed test was considered significant.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In 57 myomas, hysteroscopic surgery was considered complete. There was no significant difference among the three ESGE levels (0, 1, and 2). Using the NC, the difference between the numbers of complete surgeries was significant (p < .001) for the two levels (groups I and H). The difference between the operating times was significant for the two classifications. With respect to the fluid deficit, only the NC showed significant differences between the levels (p = .02).CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the NC gives more clues as to the difficulties of a hysteroscopic myomectomy than the standard ESGE classification. It should be stressed that the number of hysteroscopic myomectomies used in this analysis was low, and it would be interesting to evaluate the performance of the classification in a larger number of patients. (c) 2005 AAGL. All rights reserved.

Perinatal estrogen exposure: Later repercussion on the fertility of rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of perinatal estrogen exposure in the fertility of rats. Thus, rats were treated with estrogen on the 21st or 22nd day of intra-uterine life or treated with estrogen immediately after birth. It was observed that the testicular descent of males and beginning of puberty of females were advanced in all estrogen-treated groups. The females from estrogen-treated groups showed reduced frequency of estrous in 15 consecutive days of study, and there was an increase in estrous duration. Their fertility also were impaired and a reduction in the number of alive fetuses, as well as enhancement of pre- and postimplantation loss, mainly in the group treated with estrogen on the 21st day of intra-uterine life. However, the alterations observed in the fertility of estrogen-treated male rats were slighter and only females mated with male rats from the group treated with estrogen immediately after birth showed enhanced preimplantation loss. We suggest that the reproductive function is impaired by exposure to estrogen in the perinatal life of rats, and that the mechanisms involved in this effect are distinct for males and females. (C) 1997 Elsevier B.V.

Synthesis, characterization and initial biological studies of a new platinum(II) complex with deoxyalliin

A new platinum(II) complex with deoxyalliin was synthesized and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic techniques. Elemental and mass spectrometry analyses of the solid complex fit to the composition [Pt(C6H11NO2S)Cl-2] center dot H2O. C-13 NMR, N-15 NMR and infrared spectra of the complex are consistent with coordination of deoxyalliin to Pt( II) through the nitrogen and sulfur atoms forming a square-planar geometry. The complex is soluble in dimethylsulfoxide. Biological analysis for evaluation of a potential cytotoxic effect of the complex was performed using HeLa cells, a human cervix adenocarcinoma-derived cell line. The results were compared with those of a palladium( II) complex previously described.

Aromatic compounds produced by Periconia atropurpurea, an endophytic fungus associated with Xylopia aromatica

6,8-Dimethoxy-3-(2'-oxo-propyl)-coumarin (1) and 2,4-dihydroxy-6-[(1'E,3'E)-penta-1', 3'-dienyl]-benzaldehyde (2), in addition to the known compound periconicin B (3), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Periconia atropurpurea, an endophytic fungus obtained from the leaves of Xylopia aromatica, a native plant of the Brazilian Cerrado. Their chemical structures were assigned based on analyses of MS, 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopic experiments. Biological analyses were performed using two mammalian cell lines, human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO). The results showed that compound I had no effect when compared to the control group, which was treated with the vehicle (DMSO). Compound 2 was able to induce a slight increase in cell proliferation of HeLa (37% of increase) and CHO (38% of increase) cell lines. Analysis of compound 3 showed that it has potent cytotoxic activity against both cell lines, with an IC50 of 8.0 mu M. Biological analyses using the phytopathogenic fungi Cladosporium sphaerospermum and C. cladosporioides revealed that also 2 showed potent antifungal activity compared to nystatin. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and X-ray structure of the dinuclear platinum(II) complex with saccharin {K[Pt(sac)(3)(H2O)] center dot H2O}(2): Studies on its antiproliferative activity in aqueous solution

Synthesis and X-ray structure of a dinuclear platinum(II) complex with the ligand saccharin(sac) are described. The structure shows two approximately square-planar platinum centers. Each platinum atom is coordinated to one water molecule and three N-bonded saccharinate ligands. The two centers are linked through two potassium atoms. Each potassium atom interacts with six oxygen atoms from hydration and coordinated water molecules and from carbonyl and sulfonate groups of the ligands. It is suggested that, in aqueous solution, the dimeric structure of the complex is dissociated and the monomeric species K[Pt(sac)(3)(H2O)] is formed. The complex was dissolved in water and submitted to in vitro cytotoxic analyses using HeLa cells (human cervix cancer). It was shown that the monomeric complex elicited a potent cytotoxic activity when compared to the vehicle-treated cells. The IC50 value for the monomeric complex is 6.8 mu M, a little bit higher than that obtained for cisplatin. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Protein malnutrition does not impair glucose metabolism adaptations to exercise-training

Malnutrition is a common health problem in developing countries and is associated with alterations in glucose metabolism. In the present study we examine the effects of chronic aerobic exercise on some aspects of glucose metabolism in protein-deficient rats. Two groups of adult rats (90 days old) were used: Normal protein group (17%P)- kept on a normal protein diet during intra-uterine and postnatal life and Low protein group (6%P)- kept on a low protein diet during intrauterine and post natal life. After weaning (21 days old), half of the 17%P and 6%P rats were assigned to a Sedentary (Sed) or an Exercise-trained (Exerc = swimming, 1 hr/day, 5 days/week, supporting an overload of 5% of body weight) subgroup. The area under blood glucose concentration curve (Delta G) after an oral glucose load was higher in 17%P Sed rats (20%) than in other rats and lower in 6%P Exerc (11%) in relation to 6% Sed rats. The post-glucose increase in blood insulin (Delta I) was also higher in 17%P Sed (9%) than in other rats. on the other hand, the glucose disappearance rate after exogenous subcutaneous insulin administration (Kitt) was lower in 17%P Sed rats (66%) than in other rats. Glucose uptake by soleus muscle was higher in Exerc rats (30%) than in Sed rats. Soleus muscle glycogen synthesis was reduced in 6%P Sed rats (41%) compared to 17%P Sed rats but was restored in 6%P Exerc rats. Glycogen concentration was elevated in Exerc (32%) rats in comparison to Sed rats. The present results indicate that glucose-induced insulin release is reduced in rats fed low protein diet. This defect is counteracted by an increase in the sensitivity of the target tissues to insulin and glucose homeostasis is maintained. This adaptation allows protein deficient rats to preserve the ability to appropriately adapt to aerobic physical exercise training. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V.

Placentation in cloned cattle: Structure and microvascular architecture

To elucidate the morphological differences between placentas from normal and cloned cattle pregnancies reaching term, the umbilical cord, placentomes and interplacentomal region of the fetal membranes were examined macroscopically as well as by light and scanning electron microscopy. In pregnancies established by somatic nucleus transfer (NT), the umbilical cord and fetal membranes were edematous. Placentomal fusion was common, resulting in increased size and a decreased number of placentomes. Extensive areas of the chorioallantoic membrane were devoid of placentomes. An increased number of functional or accessory microcotyledons (< 1 cm) were present at the maternally oriented surface of fetal membranes. Extensive areas of extravasated maternal blood were present within the placentomes and in the interplacentomal region. The crypts on the caruncular surface were dilated and accommodated complexes of more than one primary villus, as opposed to a single villus in non-cloned placentae. Scanning electron microscopy of blood vessel casts revealed that there was also more than one stem artery per villous tree and that the ramification of the vessels failed to form dense complexes of capillary loops and sinusoidal dilations as in normal pregnancies. At the materno-fetal interface, however, the trophoblast and uterine epithelium had normal histology. In conclusion, the NT placentas had a range of pathomorphological changes; this was likely associated with the poor clinical outcome of NT pregnancies. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness and safety of a new vaginal misoprostol product specifically labeled for cervical ripening and labor induction

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of misoprostol in two different formulations: vaginal tablets of 25 mu g and one-eighth of a 200-mu g oral tablet, also administered intravaginally, for cervical ripening and labor induction of term pregnancies with an indication for that. Methods. A single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out in 120 pregnant women who randomly received one of the two formulations. The main dependent variables were mode of delivery, need for additional oxytocin, time between beginning of induction and delivery, perinatal results, complications, and maternal side effects. Student's t, Mann-Whitney, chi(2), Fisher's Exact, Wilcoxon and Kolmogorov-Smirnoff tests, as well as survival analysis, were used in the data analysis. Results. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of general characteristics, uterine contractility, and fetal well-being during labor, cesarean section rates, perinatal outcomes, or maternal adverse events. The mean time between the beginning of cervical ripening and delivery was 31.3 h in the vaginal tablet group and 30.1 h in the oral tablet group, a difference that was not statistically significant. Conclusion. The results showed that the 25-mu g vaginal tablets of misoprostol were as effective and safe for cervical ripening and labor induction as the dose-equivalent fraction of 200-mu g oral tablets.