Overview. Preterm labour: mechanisms and management

Preterm birth remains a major cause of perinatal mortality and long term handicap in surviving infants. This is one of the most important clinical problems in Europe and across the world. While some preterm births are iatrogenic, associated with severe complications of pregnancy (e.g. hypertensive disorders, antepartum haemorrhage, infection), or the result of multiple pregnancies following assisted reproduction, a high proportion of preterm births occur following spontaneous preterm labour of unknown cause. Early intervention in this group of women would have a significant impact on neonatal mortality and morbidity figures. However, the endocrine changes preceding parturition in women remain elusive and this makes it difficult to predict spontaneous labour at term, let alone preterm labour. Moreover our understanding of myometrial physiology remains rudimentary, limiting our options to devise improved pharmacological strategies to control uterine contractility when this is indicated. There is a need for concerted European and international research efforts to improve our knowledge of the mechanism of labour in women, to identify diagnostic markers to predict preterm labour and to develop uterine selective drugs to inhibit uterine contractions in a safe and efficient manner. This aim will be achieved by multidisciplinary research efforts from academics and industry, using traditional laboratory and clinical research methods, as well as novel technologies

Prostaglandin pathway gene expression in human placenta, amnion and choriodecidua is differentially affected by preterm and term labour and by uterine inflammation

BACKGROUND: Elucidation of the biochemical pathways involved in activation of preterm and term human labour would facilitate the development of effective management and inform judgements regarding the necessity for preterm tocolysis and post-term induction. Prostaglandins act at all stages of human reproduction, and are potentially activators of labour. METHODS: Expression of 15 genes involved in prostaglandin synthesis, transport and degradation was measured by qPCR using tissue samples from human placenta, amnion and choriodecidua at preterm and full-term vaginal and caesarean delivery. Cellular localisation of eight prostaglandin pathway proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Expression of prostaglandin pathway genes was differentially affected by factors including gestational age at delivery, and the incidence and duration of labour. Chorioamnionitis/deciduitis was associated with upregulation of PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (prostaglandin G/H synthase and cyclooxygenase)), along with the inflammatory genes IL8 (interleukin 8), S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8) and TLR2 (toll-like receptor 2), in amnion and choriodecidua, and with downregulation of CBR1 (carbonyl reductase 1) and HPGD (hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase 15-(NAD)) in choriodecidua. Protein localisation differed greatly between the various maternal and fetal cell types. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm and term labour are associated with distinct prostaglandin pathway expression profiles; inflammation provokes specific changes, unrelated to the presence of labour; spontaneous and induced term labour are indistinguishable

Synthesis and characterization of a bioartificial polymeric system with potential antibacterial activity: Chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol-ampicillin

Bio-artificial polymeric systems are a new class of polymeric constituents based on blends of synthetic and natural polymers, designed with the purpose of producing new materials that exhibit enhanced properties with respect to the individual components. In this frame, a combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan, blended with a widely used antibiotic, sodium ampicillin, has been developed showing a moderate behavior in terms of antibacterial properties. Thus, aqueous solutions of PVA at 1 wt.% were mixed with acid solutions of chitosan at 1 wt.%, followed by adding ampicillin ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 wt.% related to the total amount of the polymers. The prepared bio-artificial polymeric system was characterized by FTIR, SEM, DSC, contact angle measurements, antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and antibiotic release studies. The statistical significance of the antibacterial activity was determined using a multifactorial analysis of variance with ρ < 0.05 (ANOVA). The characterization techniques did not show alterations in the ampicillin structure and the interactions with polymers were limited to intermolecular forces. Therefore, the antibiotic was efficiently released from the matrix and its antibacterial activity was preserved. The system disclosed moderate antibacterial activity against bacterial strains without adding a high antibiotic concentration. The findings of this study suggest that the system may be effective against healthcare-associated infections, a promising view in the design of novel antimicrobial biomaterials potentially suitable for tissue engineering applications. © 2018 by the authors.Czech Science Foundation [17-10813S

A further analysis for galactic dark matter halos with pressure

Spherically symmetric and static dark matter halos in hydrostatic equilibrium demand that dark matter should have an effective pressure that compensates the gravitational force of the mass of the halo. An effective equation of state can be obtained for each rotational velocity profile of the stars in galaxies. In this work, we study one of this dark matter equation of state obtained for the Universal Velocity Profile and analyze the properties of the self-gravitating structures that emerges from this equation of state. The resulting configurations explaining the observed rotational speeds are found to be unstable. We conclude that either the halo is not in hydrostatic equilibrium,or it is non spherically symmetric, or it is not static if the Universal Velocity profile should be valid to fit the rotational velocity curve of the galaxies.Fil: Aceña, Andrés Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas. - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Barranco, Juan. Universidad de Guanajuato; MéxicoFil: Bernal, Argelia. Universidad de Guanajuato; MéxicoFil: López, Ericson. Escuela Politécnica Nacional; EcuadorFil: Llerena, Mario. Universidad de La Serena; Chil

Plan de mercadeo estratégico para incrementar las ventas del Centro de Estética Silueta & Stylo

Silueta & Stylo, es un centro de estética creado el 01 de abril de 1999 para la prestación de servicios estéticos como: tratamientos para adelgazar, tratamientos pre y post quirúrgicos, masajes relajantes, eliminación de líneas de expresión, maquillaje permanente, todo lo relacionado con tratamientos corporales; se implemento el servicio de peluquería como oportunidad de diversificar en otros servicios relacionados con la belleza el 01 de junio de 2004. Silueta & Stylo, es el nuevo concepto de bienestar y belleza de un centro de estética, que presta servicios de peluquería, estética y spa, con 9 años de experiencia en el mercado. Se cuenta con instalaciones aptas y totalmente limpias pues todas camillas y equipos son esterilizadas antes y después de cada tratamiento para una total asepsia e higiene. Todo el personal esteticista está altamente calificado, en ellos se encontrará un trato amable con el objetivo de que la permanencia en el centro de estética sea un verdadero placer. El servicio consiste en atender a aquellas personas que desean realizarse tratamientos de belleza, ya sean estéticos o de peluquería, este grupo de personas refieren más clientes y de esta manera es que Silueta & Stylo ha ido ampliado su número de clientes, logrando así consolidarse y mantenerse. Un diverso número de servicios, la calidad de los mismos e inversiones en publicidad (revista IMAGEN, páginas amarillas) mantienen en funcionamiento el negocio. El centro de estética se encuentra legalmente constituido ante cámara de comercio de Cali hace 4 años, cuenta con los permisos de sanidad necesarios, uso de suelo y los otorgados por la secretaria de Salud para operar a nivel de Cali. En este momento el centro de estética se encuentra ubicado en el sur de Cali, en el barrio Junín donde esta adecuado para atender a sus clientes en peluquería, estética facial, corporal y servicios de spa. Cuenta en sus instalaciones con los diferentes equipos y productos apropiados para la prestación de estos servicios. En cuanto al espacio físico, funciona en un inmueble de dos plantas, con cinco salas, equipadas para los diferentes masajes terapéuticos; Una sala de belleza donde se atienden los requerimientos de los clientes en cuanto a la peluquería, además de estas instalaciones, los servicios del centro son brindados por un grupo de profesionales en belleza que consta de cuatro esteticistas, un estilista, una manicurista, además del personal administrativo que también labora con la empresa. Actualmente es un centro de estética que pauta en la revista IMAGEN donde se publica todo lo relacionado con la belleza, cirugías y tratamientos que estén a la vanguardia de lo estético interna y externamente tanto para la mujer como para el hombre. Silueta & Stylo es un centro de estética pequeño en comparación con los que actualmente mandan la parada en el mercado pero aun así, este se ha dado a conocer por la ardua labor que durante nueve años de funcionamiento ha realizado su dueña Gloria Constanza DíazPasantía (Mercadeo y Negocios Internacionales)-- Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, 2008PregradoProfesional en Mercadeo y Negocios Internacionale