Inhibitory serum factor of lymphoproliferative response to allogeneic cells in pregnancy

INTRODUCTION: An inhibitory serum factor of mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) has been associated with successful pregnancy after lymphocyte transfusion in women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA). OBJECTIVE: Investigate whether the inhibitory serum factor of MLC is essential for a successful pregnancy. METHOD: Sera from 33 healthy pregnant women and from 40 women with RSA were assessed by a one-way MLC in which the woman's lymphocytes were stimulated with her partner's lymphocytes or with third party lymphocytes. RESULTS: An inhibitory serum effect (inhibition > 50% as compared to normal serum) was detected in 45% of the pregnant women who had at least 1 previous parity, in 8% of the primigravidea, in 29% of those with one abortion and in 58% of those with more than one abortion. CONCLUSION: MLC inhibitory serum factor does not seem to be an essential factor for pregnancy development. Therefore, it should not be considered as a parameter for the assessment of RSA patients.INTRODUÇÃO: A presença de fator sérico inibidor de cultura mista de linfócitos (CML) tem sido associada ao sucesso gesticional observado em mulheres com história de abortameneto de repetição sem etiologia (AER-SED) submetidas a transfusão de linfócitos. OBJETIVO:Investigar se a presença de fator sérico inibidor de CML é essencial para o sucesso gestional. MÉTODO: Soros de 33 gestantes saudáveis e 40 mulheres com AER-SED foram avaliados em CML unidericional, em que os linfócitos das mulheres foram estimulados por linfócitos de seus parceiros ou de indivíduos não aparentados. RESULTADOS: Um efeito inibidor (inibição > 50% quanto comparado com soro normal) foi detectado em 45% das gestantes a partir da 2ªgestação 8% das primegestas, em 29% das abortadeiras primárias e, em 58% das secundárias. CONCLUSÃO: Este fator não parece ser elemento essencial para o sucesso gestional. Portanto, não deve ser considerado parâmetro para avaliação de pacientes com ARE-SED.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) EPM Pediatrics DepartmentUNIFESP, EPM, Pediatrics DepartmentSciEL

Portrayal of caesarean section in Brazilian women’s magazines: 20 year review

Objective To assess the quality and comprehensiveness of the information on caesarean section provided in Brazilian women’s magazines

Progesterone receptor gene polymorphism and recurrent spontaneous abortion

PURPOSE: to assess a possible association between polymorphism of the progesterone receptor gene (PROGINS) and recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). METHODS: in this case-control study, 85 women with at least three previous spontaneous abortions without an identifiable cause (RSA Group) and 157 women with at least two previous term pregnancies without pathologies and no previous miscarriage (Control Group) were selected. An amount of 10 mL of peripheral blood was collected by venipuncture and genomic DNA was extracted by the DTAB/CTAB method, followed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) under specific conditions for this polymorphism and by amplification by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. The bands were visualized with an ultraviolet light transilluminator and the gels were photographed. Differences in the PROGINS genotype and allele frequencies between groups were analyzed by the χ2 test, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. The Odds Ratio (OR) was also used, with 95% confidence intervals 95%CI. RESULTS: PROGINS genotypic frequencies were 72.3% T1T1 and 27.7% T1T2 for the RSA group and 764% T1T1, 22.3% T1T2 and 1.3% T2T2 for the control group. There were no differecnes between groups when the genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed: respectively p=0.48 (OR: 0.8) and p=0.65 (OR: 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: our results suggest that PROGINS polymorphism is not associated with RSA.OBJETIVO: investigar se polimorfismos dos genes que codificam o receptor de progesterona (PROGINS) estão relacionados à ocorrência de aborto espontâneo de repetição (AER). MÉTODOS: em estudo caso-controle, foram selecionados 85 pacientes com antecedente de pelo menos três abortos precoces sem etiologia definida (Grupo Caso) e 157 mulheres com história de pelo menos duas gestações de termo sem intercorrências e sem passado de abortamento (Grupo Controle). Realizada coleta de 10 mL de sangue por punção venosa periférica e extração de DNA pela técnica DTAB/CTAB. As genotipagens foram feitas por reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR), nas condições de ciclagem específica para o polimorfismo em estudo, seguida de amplificação em gel de agarose a 2%. A visualização das bandas foi feita sob luz ultravioleta e os géis foram fotografados. As diferenças genotípicas e alélicas entre os dois grupos para o polimorfismo PROGINS foram calculadas pelo teste de χ2, adotando-se como nível de significância valores de p<0,05. Calculou-se ainda o Odds Ratio (OR, razão de chances), com intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%). RESULTADOS: As frequências genotípicas encontradas para o polimorfismo PROGINS foram de 72,3% T1/T1 e 27,7% T1/T2 no grupo com AER e 76,4% T1/T1, 22,3% T1/T2 e 1,3% T2/T2 no Grupo Controle. Não houve diferenças entre os grupos, analisando-se as frequências genotípicas e alélicas: respectivamente p=0,4 (OR: 0,8) e p=0,6 (OR: 0,9). CONCLUSÕES: os dados do presente estudo sugerem que o polimorfismo PROGINS do gene dos receptores de progesterona não está relacionado ao AER.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de ObstetríciaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESP, Depto. de ObstetríciaUNIFESPSciEL

Dengue: aplicação do protocolo de atendimento pelos enfermeiros

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/217976929069Aim: to identify the knowledge of nurses in a clinical unit on family care protocol for dengue and to describe the difficulties encountered by nurses in applying the protocol dengue. Method: this is a field research with a descriptive qualitative approach. Data collection was performed on a unit Family Clinic, located in Jardim Novo, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The subjects were 6 nurses who make up the staff of that unit. Results: after collection, the data were grouped and analyzed their content in order to achieve the proposed objectives, defining two categories of analysis: difficulties expressed and contradictory thoughts. Conclusion: confirm existing knowledge of protocols, but the service is often automated, besides the obvious lack of difference between the Ministry of Health and Rio de Janeiro.Objetivos: identificar el conocimiento de los enfermeros de una unidad de Clínica de la Familia sobre el protocolo de atendimiento para el dengue y describir las dificultades encontradas por los enfermeros en aplicar el protocolo del dengue. Método: investigación descriptiva con el abordaje cualitativo. La recolección de datos se realizó en una Unidad de Clínica de la Familia, ubicada en el Estado de Rio de Janeiro. Los sujetos fueron 6 enfermeros que son funcionarios de esa unidad. Resultados: los datos fueron agrupados y analizados en su contenido con el fin de alcanzar los objetivos propuestos, destacando dos categorías de análisis: dificultades expresas y pensamientos contradictorios. Conclusión: confirman existir el conocimiento de los protocolos, pero el servicio es a menudo automatizado, además de la evidente falta de diferencia entre los protocolos y el Ministerio de la Salud y del Rio de Janeiro.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/217976929069Objetivos: identificar o conhecimento dos enfermeiros de uma unidade de clínica da família sobre o protocolo de atendimento para dengue e descrever as dificuldades encontradas pelos enfermeiros em aplicar o protocolo da dengue. Método: pesquisa de campo do tipo descritiva com abordagem qualitativa. Coleta de dados realizada em uma Unidade de Clínica da Família, situada no bairro Jardim Novo, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram seis enfermeiros que compõem o quadro de funcionários da referida Unidade. Resultados: os dados foram agrupados e analisados em seu conteúdo, a fim de alcançar os objetivos propostos, destacando-se duas categorias de análise: pensamentos contraditórios e dificuldades expressas. Conclusão: confirmam existir o conhecimento dos protocolos, mas o atendimento, muitas vezes é automatizado, além do desconhecimento evidente da diferença entre os protocolos do Ministério da Saúde e do Rio de Janeiro

Dengue: aplicação do protocolo de atendimento pelos enfermeiros

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/217976929069Aim: to identify the knowledge of nurses in a clinical unit on family care protocol for dengue and to describe the difficulties encountered by nurses in applying the protocol dengue. Method: this is a field research with a descriptive qualitative approach. Data collection was performed on a unit Family Clinic, located in Jardim Novo, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The subjects were 6 nurses who make up the staff of that unit. Results: after collection, the data were grouped and analyzed their content in order to achieve the proposed objectives, defining two categories of analysis: difficulties expressed and contradictory thoughts. Conclusion: confirm existing knowledge of protocols, but the service is often automated, besides the obvious lack of difference between the Ministry of Health and Rio de Janeiro.Objetivos: identificar el conocimiento de los enfermeros de una unidad de Clínica de la Familia sobre el protocolo de atendimiento para el dengue y describir las dificultades encontradas por los enfermeros en aplicar el protocolo del dengue. Método: investigación descriptiva con el abordaje cualitativo. La recolección de datos se realizó en una Unidad de Clínica de la Familia, ubicada en el Estado de Rio de Janeiro. Los sujetos fueron 6 enfermeros que son funcionarios de esa unidad. Resultados: los datos fueron agrupados y analizados en su contenido con el fin de alcanzar los objetivos propuestos, destacando dos categorías de análisis: dificultades expresas y pensamientos contradictorios. Conclusión: confirman existir el conocimiento de los protocolos, pero el servicio es a menudo automatizado, además de la evidente falta de diferencia entre los protocolos y el Ministerio de la Salud y del Rio de Janeiro.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/217976929069Objetivos: identificar o conhecimento dos enfermeiros de uma unidade de clínica da família sobre o protocolo de atendimento para dengue e descrever as dificuldades encontradas pelos enfermeiros em aplicar o protocolo da dengue. Método: pesquisa de campo do tipo descritiva com abordagem qualitativa. Coleta de dados realizada em uma Unidade de Clínica da Família, situada no bairro Jardim Novo, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram seis enfermeiros que compõem o quadro de funcionários da referida Unidade. Resultados: os dados foram agrupados e analisados em seu conteúdo, a fim de alcançar os objetivos propostos, destacando-se duas categorias de análise: pensamentos contraditórios e dificuldades expressas. Conclusão: confirmam existir o conhecimento dos protocolos, mas o atendimento, muitas vezes é automatizado, além do desconhecimento evidente da diferença entre os protocolos do Ministério da Saúde e do Rio de Janeiro

Immunoregulatory gene polymorphisms in women with preeclampsia

The costimulatory molecules CD28, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4) and inducible costimulator (ICOS) are believed to have a critical modulatory role in the immune response. However, few studies have been performed on the role of these immune regulatory molecules and their polymorphisms in women with preeclampsia (PE). the aim of our study was to evaluate the CTLA4 (+49 A/G) (rs 231775), CD28 (+17 T/C) (rs 3116496) and ICOS (-1564 T/C) (rs 4675378) gene polymorphisms in Brazilian women with PE. This case-control study included 130 patients with PE and 261 control women without any obstetric or systemic disorders. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and the polymorphism genotyping was performed by digesting the PCR products with the restriction endonucleases BbvI (CTLA-4), Afel (CD28) and AluI (ICOS). Data were analyzed by X(2) or Fisher's exact test; a P-value of < 0.05 was considered as significant. There were significant differences in the ICOS genotype and allelic frequencies between the PE and control groups (P=0.01 and P=0.01, respectively). We found a significantly lower frequency of the ICOS (-1564) T allele in women with mild PE compared with the controls. There were no differences in the CTLA-4 (+49 A/G) and CD28 (+17 T/C) genotypes and allelic frequencies between the PE patients and controls. Our data suggest that PE is associated with ICOS, but is not associated with the CTLA-4 or CD28 gene polymorphisms. Hypertension Research (2011) 34, 384-388; doi:10.1038/hr.2010.247; published online 16 December 2010Fundacao de Amparo a PesquisaCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Obstet, BR-01415002 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Obstet, BR-01415002 São Paulo, BrazilFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa: 07/57446-0Web of Scienc

Anatomically realistic ultrasound phantoms using gel wax with 3D printed moulds

Here we describe methods for creating tissue-mimicking ultrasound phantoms based on patient anatomy using a soft material called gel wax. To recreate acoustically realistic tissue properties, two additives to gel wax were considered: paraffin wax to increase acoustic attenuation, and solid glass spheres to increase backscattering. The frequency dependence of ultrasound attenuation was well described with a power law over the measured range of 3 to 10 MHz. With the addition of paraffin wax in concentrations of 0 to 8 w/w%, attenuation varied from 0.72 to 2.91 dB/cm at 3 MHz and from 6.84 to 26.63 dB/cm at 10 MHz. With solid glass sphere concentrations in the range of 0.025 to 0.9 w/w%, acoustic backscattering consistent with a wide range of ultrasonic appearances was achieved. Native gel wax maintained its integrity during compressive deformations up to 60%; its Young's modulus was 17.4 ± 1.4 kPa. The gel wax with additives was shaped by melting and pouring it into 3D printed moulds. Three different phantoms were constructed: a nerve and vessel phantom for peripheral nerve blocks, a heart atrium phantom, and a placental phantom for minimally-invasive fetal interventions. In the first, nerves and vessels were represented as hyperechoic and hypoechoic tubular structures, respectively, in a homogeneous background. The second phantom comprised atria derived from an MRI scan of a patient with an intervening septum and adjoining vena cavae. The third comprised the chorionic surface of a placenta with superficial fetal vessels derived from an image of a post-partum human placenta. Gel wax is a material with widely tuneable ultrasound properties and mechanical characteristics that are well suited for creating patient-specific ultrasound phantoms in several clinical disciplines

Immunodominant antibody responses directed to SARS-CoV-2 hotspot mutation sites and risk of immune escape

IntroductionConsidering the likely need for the development of novel effective vaccines adapted to emerging relevant CoV-2 variants, the increasing knowledge of epitope recognition profile among convalescents and afterwards vaccinated with identification of immunodominant regions may provide important information.MethodsWe used an RBD peptide microarray to identify IgG and IgA binding regions in serum of 71 COVID-19 convalescents and 18 vaccinated individuals. ResultsWe found a set of immunodominant RBD antibody epitopes, each recognized by more than 30% of the tested cohort, that differ among the two different groups and are within conserved regions among betacoronavirus. Of those, only one peptide, P44 (S415-429), recognized by 68% of convalescents, presented IgG and IgA antibody reactivity that positively correlated with nAb titers, suggesting that this is a relevant RBD region and a potential target of IgG/IgA neutralizing activity.DiscussionThis peptide is localized within the area of contact with ACE-2 and harbors the mutation hotspot site K417 present in gamma (K417T), beta (K417N), and omicron (K417N) variants of concern. The epitope profile of vaccinated individuals differed from convalescents, with a more diverse repertoire of immunodominant peptides, recognized by more than 30% of the cohort. Noteworthy, immunodominant regions of recognition by vaccinated coincide with mutation sites at Omicron BA.1, an important variant emerging after massive vaccination. Together, our data show that immune pressure induced by dominant antibody responses may favor hotspot mutation sites and the selection of variants capable of evading humoral response