Polymorphisms of CYP17A1, CYP19, and androgen in Brazilian women with uterine leiomyomas

Background: Uterine leiomyomas are common, benign, smooth muscle tumors representing a significant public health problem. The aim of this study was to investigate CYP17A1, CYP19, and androgen (AR) polymorphisms, their relative risks for uterine leiomyomas and possible associations with clinical parameters.Methods: Uterine leiomyoma tissues and blood samples were obtained from 87 patients, as were peripheral blood samples from 68 control women. Clinical data were recorded in both groups. The CYP17A1 (rs743572) polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP, and the CYP19 [TTTA](n) repeat and AR [CAG](n) repeat were analyzed using PCR-based GeneScan analysis. AR loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability were also evaluated, while samples exhibiting LOH were analyzed for X inactivation.Results: Clinical parameters related to disease development did not differ between cases and controls. CYP17A1 *A2/*A2 genotype was prevalent in non-white women. CYP17A1, CYP19, and AR genotypes and alleles did not differ between groups. However, alleles presenting [TTTA](7) repeats in intron 4 of CYP19 were more frequent in the control group (p=0.0550). Shorter and longer [CAG]n repeat alleles of AR were exclusive to the leiomyoma group. The LOH assay showed allele losses at AR locus in four informative tumors and X chromosome inactivation analysis revealed that these tumors retained the active allele.Conclusions: The overall lack of association between uterine leiomyomas with polymorphisms involved in steroidogenesis or steroid metabolism is consistent with the hypothesis that these polymorphisms do not substantially contribute to the development of these tumors.

Use of corticosteroid therapy on the modulation of uterine inflammatory response in mares after artificial insemination with frozen semen

In order to modulate uterine inflammatory response and evaluate the effect of corticosteroid therapy on fertility, 90 cycles of 45 mares were used for artificial insemination with frozen semen, using three different protocols: G1 - inseminated with frozen semen (800 x 10(6) viable spermatozoa pre-freezing) + 20 mL of seminal plasma; G2 - inseminated with frozen semen (800 x 10(6) viable spermatozoa pre-freezing) + corticosteroid therapy; G3 - inseminated with frozen semen (800 x 10(6) viable spermatozoa pre-freezing) + 20 mL of seminal plasma + corticosteroid therapy. Corticosteroid therapy consisted on one administration of prednisolone acetate (0.1 mg/Kg - Predef (R)) when mares presented 35mm follicles and uterine edema, concomitantly with the unique dose of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), then repeated each 12 hours until ovulation. on first fertility trial, with normal mares, there was no difference between control and treated groups (p>0.05), using seminal plasma associated with corticosteroid therapy (40 vs. 38%, respectively) or corticosteroid therapy alone (40 vs. 45% respectively). The second fertility trial, performed with mares with previous history of post-insemination endometritis, demonstrated a significant increase of pregnancy rate when mares were submitted to corticosteroid therapy (0.0 vs. 64.5%, respectively; p<0.05). Corticosteroid therapy was shown to be safe, with no physical or reproductive alterations on treated mares, demonstrating to be an adequate option to those animals with history of post-breeding or post-insemination endometritis. Further clinical research is necessary to confirm these results and contribute to the establishment of preventive therapy for cases of post-insemination endometritis.

Effects of uterine cervix constriction on Wistar rats

Purpose: To verify if uterine cerclage can induce craniosynostosis or any cranial deformity in new born Wistar rats. Methods: One pregnant female Wistar rat underwent laparotomy on day 18 of gestation and the uterus cervix was closed with a 3-0 nylon suture to avoid delivery, that occurs normally on the 21 day. The suture was released after 48 hours beyond the normal gestation period. The female rat delivered 11 pups. Six surviving rats from the delivery (group A - constrained group). Two rats were born from another mother and in the same age were used as control group (group B - 2 nonconstrained controls) were allowed to grow. They were sacrificed 1.2 years after their birth all the eight animals. Linear measurement, routine histology and computed tomography of the skull were performed at the time of their death to evaluate the cranial asymmetries by mesurements of the anatomical landmarks of the craniofacial skeleton of the rats on the two groups and compared then. Results: We did not observe statistically significant differences in any of the compared measurements (p>0.05) obtained through the morphologic and radiologic methods. Histologic examinations did not reveal any sign of premature fusion or suture imbrications. Critical decrease in longitudinal body size was noticed as the limbs too in all the animals of group A. Conclusion: Constriction of uterine cervix leads to fetus suffering, even death for a few animals, associated to small body size, but not to craniosynostosis.

Improvement in embryo recovery using double uterine flushing

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of double uterine flushing on the recovery of embryos/ova in cattle. Two hundred and ten embryo recovery procedures were conducted using a double uterine flushing method, and the results were compared with 432 conventional single-flushing procedures. Cyclic Limousin (n = 403) and Guzera (n = 239) donor cows received an intravaginal progesterone releasing device and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate on Day 0. Between Days 5 and 9, donors received decreasing doses of FSH, which ranged from 200 to 300 IU (Bos indicus) and 300 to 500 IU (Bos taut-us). on the afternoon of Day 7, donors received an injection of 500 mu g cloprostenol and progesterone implants were removed 12 It later (morning of Day 8). Artificial insemination was performed between 14 and 26 h after first detection of behavioral estrus. Cows were randomly assigned to have embryos recovered by a double-flushing method (n = 210) or the conventional single-flushing procedure (n = 432). For the double-flushing procedure, after first flushing the whole uterus with 1 L of Dubelco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (DPBS), a Foley catheter was positioned in the uterine body to permit refilling of the uterus with fresh DPBS (80-150 mL). The catheter was closed with the plunger of a disposable 5 mL syringe, and the donors were allowed to rest in a holding area for 30 min. Thereafter, a second flush was performed to recover the solution remaining in the uterus. Animals from the control group were subjected to a single uterine flush. From 2 10 double-flushing procedures, 1409 viable embryos were recovered. In comparison, from 432 cows receiving the single-flushing procedure, 1993 embryos were recovered. Double flushing increased (P < 0.05) the number of embryos recovered per procedure compared to single flushing (6.7 +/- 0.4 versus 4.6 +/- 0.2, respectively; mean +/- S.E.M.). When double flushing was performed, average recovered embryos/ova increased (P < 0.05) from 8.3 +/- 0.4 to 12.7 +/- 0.7 in Limousin and from 7.9 to 11.5 in Guzera. Also, utilization of double flushing increased (P < 0.05) the number of viable embryos from 4.7 +/- 0.3 to 6.9 +/- 0.5 in Limousin and from 4.5 +/- 0.4 to 6.4 +/- 0.7 in Guzera. Mean total embryos/ova was similar (P > 0.05) between the control group and after the first uterine flushing in the double-flushing group; therefore, both flushings were conducted efficiently. In conclusion, double uterine flushing increased embryo recovery in cattle. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inside-out vein graft and inside-out artery graft in rat sciatic nerve repair

Although veins and arteries present similar wall structures, there are differences which may be relevant in peripheral nerve reconstruction. Inside-out vein grafts (IOVG) have been satisfactorily used to repair both motor and sensitive nerves. However, the inside-out artery graft (IOAG) is a new technique and not fully investigated. Our study presents comparative morphological data on nerve regeneration achieved with IOVG and IOAG in the repair of Wistar rat sciatic nerves. Jugular veins and aorta arteries were harvested from donor animals and used inside-out to bridge a 10-mm gap. Animals were sacrificed at 10 weeks to evaluate nerve regeneration. Both techniques presented great variability in nervous tissue, though some animals showed satisfactory results. Different intensities of scarring processes might have interfered with nerve regeneration. Although IOVG and IOAG techniques showed similar morphometric results, in general, IOVG presented a closer-to-normal nerve organization than IOAG.

Respiratory pressures and expiratory peak flow rate of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The unequal influences of the left and right vagi on the control of the heart and pulmonary artery in the rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Detection of Altered Risk Factors in Hospitalized Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess biochemical, anthropometric, and dietary variables considered risk factors for coronary artery disease. METHODS: Using anthropometrics, dietary allowance, and blood biochemistry, we assessed 84 patients [54 males (mean age of 55± 8 years) and 30 females (mean age of 57±7 years)], who had severe ( > or =70% coronary artery obstruction) and nonsevere forms of coronary artery disease determined by cardiac catheterization. The severe form of the disease prevailed in 70% of the males and 64% of the females, and a high frequency of familial antecedents (92% ' 88%) and history of acute myocardial infarction (80% ' 70%) were observed. Smoking predominated among males (65%) and diabetes mellitus among females (43%). RESULTS: Males and females had body mass index and body fat above the normal values. Females with nonsevere lesions had HDL > 35 mg/dL, and this constituted a discriminating intergroup indicator. Regardless of the severity of the disease, hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia were found among females, and cholesterolemia > 200 mg/dL in both sexes, but only males had LDL fraction > 160 mg/dL and homocysteine > 11.7 mmol/L. The male dietary allowance was inadequate in nutrients for homocysteine metabolism and in nutrients with an antioxidant action, such as the vitamins B6, C, and folate. Individuals of both sexes had a higher lipid and cholesterol intake and an inadequate consumption of fiber. The diet was classified as high-protein, high-fat, and low-carbohydrate. CONCLUSION: The alterations found had no association with the severity of lesions, indicating the need for more effective nutritional intervention.

Repercussões hemodinâmicas do posicionamento em litotomia exagerada para histerectomia vaginal em paciente cardiopata: relato de caso

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A técnica de histerectomia vaginal possibilita menor tempo operatório e o uso do bloqueio do neuro-eixo, com os benefícios de melhor analgesia pós-operatória e menor resposta sistêmica ao procedimento cirúrgico. O objetivo deste relato foi descrever as alterações hemodinâmicas decorrentes do posicionamento em litotomia exagerada em paciente cardiopata. RELATO do CASO: Paciente de 33 anos, G0P0A0, com história de sangramento uterino anormal e anemia. A ultra-sonografia evidenciava útero miomatoso com volume estimado de 420 cm³. Ela era portadora de trombofilia e miocardiopatia dilatada, com passado de dois acidentes vasculares encefálicos isquêmicos e dois infartos agudos do miocárdio. Foi monitorizada com pressão arterial invasiva e cateter de artéria pulmonar com medida de débito cardíaco contínuo. Realizada raquianestesia com bupivacaína hiperbárica e morfina. A paciente foi posicionada em litotomia exagerada sendo realizada histerectomia total pela técnica de Heaney e salpingectomia bilateral. Como intercorrência intra-operatória apresentou diminuição do índice cardíaco e aumento das pressões de câmaras direitas após o posicionamento, necessitando do uso de dobutamina. CONCLUSÕES: O posicionamento em litotomia exagerada pode ocasionar alterações hemodinâmicas que devem ser consideradas na escolha da técnica cirúrgica.