Androgen control of cyclooxygenase expression in the rat epididymis

Bradykinin and a number of peptide hormones such as angiotensin, endothelin, and vasopressin stimulate anion secretion in rat epididymis via local formation of PGE 2. These effects are mediated by cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 isozyme. The present study was undertaken to assess the androgen control of COX expression in the epididymis. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally castrated through a scrotal route. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to measure COX-1 and COX-2 mRNAs in the epididymis in normal and castrated rats. Anion secretion in epithelia grown from the epididymides of these rats was studied by the short-circuit current technique. In normal rats, COX-1 and COX-2 mRNAs were detected in the intact epididymis. Elimination of spermatozoa by the technique of efferent duct ligation or flushing out spermatozoa did not affect the expression of either enzyme in the epididymis, indicating that the epithelium, but not spermatozoa, expressed the enzymes. Castration caused a time-dependent decrease in expression of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNAs, which were partially restored upon testosterone replacement. In epithelia cultured from castrated rats, there was a complete loss of bradykinin-induced anion secretion. This effect was reversible upon testosterone replacement. Although epithelia from castrated rats did not respond to bradykinin, they could respond to cAMP, forskolin, and PGE 2 with only 20% loss of response magnitude when compared with epithelia from normal rats. These results suggest that the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 are dependent on androgen. The loss of COX-1 expression after castration correlates with the specific loss of anion secretion induced by bradykinin and possibly other hormones.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Triagem auditiva neonatal: aplicabilidade clínica na rotina dos médicos pediatras neonatologistas Neonatal hearing screening: clinical applicability in the routine of the neonatologists pediatrician doctors

OBJETIVO: identificar a aplicabilidade clínica da triagem auditiva neonatal na rotina dos médicos pediatras neonatologistas no município de Maceió-AL. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico com 36 médicos pediatras neonatologistas por meio da aplicação de um questionário com seis perguntas objetivas. RESULTADOS: observou-se que 88,9% dos pediatras neonatologistas conhecem a triagem auditiva neonatal, no entanto, 11,1% desconhecem. No serviço particular de saúde, 66,1% encaminham todos os recém-nascidos para a triagem em sua rotina. No serviço público, apenas 7,4% encaminham todos os recém-nascidos e 42,8% não encaminham. Em relação à Lei Municipal nº 5.555/06, que obriga a realização da triagem auditiva neonatal universal nas maternidades e estabelecimentos hospitalares congêneres no município de Maceió, 41,7% dos médicos declararam não conhecer. Apenas 36,1% afirmaram conhecer o trabalho fonoaudiológico na prevenção da surdez. CONCLUSÃO: neste estudo, pode-se concluir que a triagem auditiva neonatal está inserida na rotina clínica da maioria dos médicos pediatras neonatologistas que trabalham na rede particular de saúde. No entanto, observa-se carência de recursos para a implantação e continuidade do programa no serviço público e pouco conhecimento do papel do fonoaudiólogo na prevenção da surdez.<br>PURPOSE: to identify the clinical applicability of neonatal hearing screening in the routine of neonatologist pediatrician doctors in the city of Maceió-AL. METHODS: an cross-section analytical study was carried out with 36 neonatologist pediatricians through the application of a questionnaire with six objective questions. RESULTS: it was observed that 88.9% of neonatologist pediatricians know on neonatal hearing screening; however, 11.1% do not know./ In the private health service, 66.1% refer all the newborn babies to the screening in their routine. In the public service, only 7.4% refer all the newborn babies and 42.8% do not. In relation to the Municipal Law number 5.555/06, which makes the neonatal hearing screening compulsory in the maternities and similar establishments in the city of Maceió, 41.7% of the doctors have declared not knowing. Just 36.1% have stated knowing the speech pathology related work in the prevention of deafness. CONCLUSION: in this study, it can be concluded that the neonatal hearing screening is inserted in the clinical routine of the majority of the neonatologist pediatrician doctors that work in the particular health service. However, there is a lack of resources for implementing and continuing the program in the public service and there is very little knowledge on the role of the speech pathologist in preventing deafness