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As doencas ginecologicas causam impactos fisicos, psicologicos, sexuais e reprodutivos na saude da mulher. Estudos sugerem que a falta de acesso a informacoes e cuidados padrao sao fatores de risco que podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de desordens de cunho ginecologico na saude das mulheres. Diante desse contexto, os sistemas m-Health propoem cuidados de saude aos pacientes nos mais variados locais e horarios. O presente estudo trata-se de uma prospeccao tecnologica realizada utilizando metodologia sistematica. A busca eletronica foi conduzida nos seguintes bancos de patentes: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), European Patent Office (EPO), Google Patents e Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial (INPI). As pesquisas nas bases de dados por meio das palavras-chave resultaram em 402 patentes, destas, 95 eram duplicadas. Com a retirada das duplicatas restaram 307 patentes. Em seguida foram analisados os titulos e resumos das patentes, sendo excluidas 179, obedecendo aos criterios de exclusao, resultando assim em 128 patentes. Nesta prospeccao tecnologica foram apresentados aplicativos moveis referentes a saude em geral. Nao foram encontradas patentes de aplicativos moveis relacionadas ao monitoramento da saude da mulher. Portanto, identificou-se a necessidade de desenvolvimento de aplicativos moveis de monitoramento nesta area, para oferta de suporte ao paciente, assim como a necessidade de protecao dos produtos obtidos.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is an important biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer. This work aimed to develop an aptasensor to detect HER2 in human serum. HER2 aptamer was immobilized by electrostatic adsorption on the surface of a homemade screen-printed electrode modified with poly-L-lysine. Measurements were made by differential pulse voltammetry using methylene blue as a redox indicator. A calibration curve was constructed (R2 = 0.997) using different concentrations of HER2 protein (10-60 ng/mL) in PBS buffer (pH 7.4), with a detection limit of 3.0 ng/mL. The aptasensor showed good reproducibility with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3% and remained stable for 3 days with an RSD around 2%. When the tests were performed with serum from a healthy woman, a peak of 6.72 μA was found without the addition of the protein. When we tested the serum of a woman with HER2+ breast cancer, we obtained a signal of 2.65 μA; the same pattern was found when adding to protein in serum control, i.e., the higher the concentration of protein, the lower the signal. The aptasensor was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), showing excellent interaction between aptamer and target protein. The results revealed a promising and sensitive tool capable of detecting HER2 protein in human serum with albumin depletion, aiding in the molecular diagnosis of breast cancer. Graphical abstract.

Objective: This study sought to identify the presence of HPV infection and the risk factors related to susceptibility to cervical cancer in asymptomatic women. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study with 428 users attended Basic Health Units, in Arapiraca, Alagoas, Brazil. Sociodemographic, behavioral variables, and cytopathological reports were collected. Molecular detection of the HPV virus was performed by Nested-PCR. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS version 22.0. Results: A total of 428 women were studied, HPV DNA detected in 39.2% (n = 168), with a mean age of 41 years old. There was an association of HPV with use of oral contraceptives (p

DNA methylation is one of the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation and is observed in mammals to maintain a normal expression pattern of the genes. Aberrant profiles of DNA methylation have already been associated with cardiovascular diseases. We evaluated 190 patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and 75 patients without ACS (non-ACS). Patient severity was assessed by the TIMI risk score, and both levels of global DNA methylation (ACS = 190; non-ACS = 75), stratified in expected group (male ≥ 65 years; female ≥ 55 years) and early group (male

Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulate several functions through neurodevelopment including synaptic plasticity mechanisms. The interplay between n-3PUFA and the ECS during the early stages of development, however, is not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of maternal n-3PUFA supplementation (n-3Sup) or deficiency (n-3Def) on ECS and synaptic markers in postnatal offspring. Female rats were fed with a control, n-3Def, or n-3Sup diet from 15 days before mating and during pregnancy. The cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mothers and postnatal 1-2 days offspring were analyzed. In the mothers, a n-3 deficiency reduced CB1 receptor (CB1R) protein levels in the cortex and increased CB2 receptor (CB2R) in both cortex and hippocampus. In neonates, a maternal n-3 deficiency reduced the hippocampal CB1R amount while it increased CB2R. Additionally, total GFAP isoform expression was increased in both cortex and hippocampus in neonates of the n-3Def group. Otherwise, maternal n-3 supplementation increased the levels of n-3-derived endocannabinoids, DHEA and EPEA, in the cortex and hippocampus and reduced 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) concentrations in the cortex of the offspring. Furthermore, maternal n-3 supplementation also increased PKA phosphorylation in the cortex and ERK phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Synaptophysin immunocontent in both regions was also increased. In vitro assays showed that the increase of synaptophysin in the n-3Sup group was independent of CB1R activation. The findings show that variations in maternal dietary omega-3 PUFA levels may impact differently on the ECS and molecular markers in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the progeny.

Background Patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD) are at increased risk of infections, including significant morbidity and high mortality. Considering the potential for unfavorable outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with IMRD, several questions were released regarding the impact of COVID-19 in the beginning of the pandemic. Objective To evaluate prospectively patients with IMRD and a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, according to the Brazilian Ministry of Health criteria. Methods Prospective, observational cohort, with a comparison group, with a follow-up time of 6 months. The primary outcomes will be the IMRD disease activity changes after COVID-19, at four time points: (1) At baseline; (2) Within 4-6 weeks after infection by SARS-CoV-2; (3) 3 months after the second assessment (±15 days); (4) 6 months after (±15 days). The secondary outcomes will be the progression rate to moderate-severe forms of COVID-19, need for intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, death and therapeutic changes related to the IMRD. Two outcomes are of particular interest considering the COVID-19 in IMRD patients, namely pulmonary and the thromboembolic events, and they will be monitored with more attention and details (clinical, lab, function tests and imaging). Results Recruitment opened in May, 2020, with 1000 participants recruited and 43 sites opened as of september 2020. Patient recruitment will be closed on October, 2020, with follow-up occurring until April, 2021. Data analysis is scheduled to start after all inclusion data have been collected, with an aim to publish a peer-reviewed article in October, 2020. Conclusions We believe this study will provide many clinically relevant data on the general impact of COVID-19 on IMRD patients. Clinicaltrial This protocol was approved by the Brazilian Committee of Ethics in Human Research (CONEP) in April 5th, 2020 (CAAE 30186820.2.1001.8807; Number: 3.933.204) and registered on the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - REBEC (RBR-33YTQC) in June, 1st 2020.

The NOS3 gene polymorphisms T-786C, G894T and VNTR 4b/a are associated with a predisposition to the development of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The NOS3 gene contributes to a normal pregnancy and fetal development. According to their birthweight, newborns can be classified as: small (SGA), adequate (AGA) or large (LGA) for gestational age. The SGA and LGA present a higher risk of developing disorders related to MetS, both during childhood and adulthood. Therefore, the aim of this work is to relate the incidence of G894T, T-786C and VNTR 4b/a on SGA and LGA newborns and their mothers. 204 blood samples were collected from mothers (102) and the umbilical cords of 102 newborns (SGA = 12; AGA = 47; LGA = 43). The genotyping was performed through PCR–RFLP to evaluate presence of the G894T, T-786C and VNTR 4b/a polymorphisms. A significant difference was found between the groups of newborns in the genotypic frequency of T-786C, but without Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The VNTR 4b/a and the G894T polymorphisms showed no significance between the groups. The haplotype analysis showed that the SGA newborns presented the higher frequency of 4aGT (9.8%) and of the 4aTT combination (25.4%), while LGA newborns presented the higher frequency of the 4bTT haplotype (23%). Only the SGA newborns and their mothers presented the 4aTC haplotype. In conclusion, the NOS3 polymorphisms do not appear to be a factor to inadequate birth weight. However, the G894T and VNTR 4b/a polymorphisms, and the haplotype 4aTC, seem to influence the occurrence of SGA.

Kruppel-like Factors (KLF) are responsible for regulating many genes involved in physiological and pathological processes. They are characterized by three conserved zinc-fingers in the DNA-binding domain, wherein mutations could affect the binding efficiency and transcription regulation. This study aimed to perform bioinformatics analysis to determine the most deleterious non-synonymous variants in KLFs involved in cardiac development and diseases, and their effects over the protein structure and stability. Eight hundred and fifty non-synonymous variants were found in seven KLFs related to cardiac diseases. Seventeen algorithms were used to predict the effect of selected variants over the structure and function of seven KLFs. The Top3 variants were selected in each category of conserved and non-conserved residues in the zinc-finger (ZF) domain. KLF5 p.Cys410Phe was the only variant predicted as deleterious in all algorithms, occurring in a conserved residue of zinc ion interaction. KLF15 p.Arg364Pro was the only variant predicted to affect the DNA-binding, and also occurs in a conserved ZF-domain. Our bioinformatics analysis determined potential variants that may lead to development of cardiac diseases, as well as reinforced the importance of KLF analysis in vitro and in vivo.

Papillomaviridae is a non-enveloped virus family capable of infecting at least 40 animal species. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes classified as Low-Risk HPV (LR-HPV) are associated with the de...

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in intensive care units (ICUs), despite increased research on inflammation and the use of new therapies. APACHE II and SOFA prognostic scores, serum levels of certain cytokines, and IL6 (-634 C>G) polymorphisms were evaluated, in association with sepsis and mortality. Overall, 120 patients (70 septic and 50 non-septic) admitted to the ICU of a cardiology hospital were included in this study. Serum cytokine levels were determined by cytometric bead array and IL6 polymorphisms were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Among the 120 patients and in the group of patients with sepsis, interleukin (IL) 6 demonstrated the highest serum levels. Patients with sepsis showed higher APACHE II and SOFA and greatly elevated IL6 levels. Additionally, both scores were associated with mortality. IL6 polymorphism did not influence the serum levels of this cytokine, prognostic scores, or the risk of sepsis. IL6 levels were associated with sepsis, but a polymorphism minimally investigated in this context, IL6 (-634 C>G), did not influence the serum levels of this interleukin or the clinical outcomes of patients with sepsis. However, as this gene is extremely polymorphic, a broader association study of prognostic scores is needed, considering other polymorphisms.

Opuntia ficus-indica é uma cactácea utilizada na produção de bioprodutos, sendo rica em carboidratos e reconhecida como fonte alternativa de alimento para agricultura de subsistência. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a utilização do extrato líquido de O. ficus-indica como substrato para o crescimento de leveduras de interesse biotecnológico. Candida utilis, C. lipolytica, Saccharomyces cerevisiae e Kluyveromyces marxianus foram cultivadas no extrato obtido após tratamento da cactácea. Alíquotas do cultivo microbiano foram coletadas para análise de biomassa, açúcares redutores, pH e parâmetros cinéticos. K. marxianus apresentou maior taxa de crescimento (µmax= 0,25h-1) e maior porcentagem de consumo de açúcar (95,68%). C. utilis obteve melhor rendimento de biomassa em relação ao substrato consumido (Yx/s=2,69). C. lipolytica se destacou por exibir melhor perfil cinético uma vez que apresentou maiores valores de produção de biomassa (∆Xmax=10,93 g/L) e produtividade (P= 0,58 g/L.h-1) em 24 horas de cultivo. A influência de diferentes concentrações salinas no crescimento de C. lipolytica cultivada em extrato de O. ficus-indica foi testada com NaCl e KCl (0,1M, 0,25M, 0,50M, 1M, 2M e 4M). No crescimento sob estresse a levedura foi tolerante às concentrações salinas (até 1M de NaCl e a 0,5M para KCl). As concentrações maiores inibiram o crescimento celular. A concentração de 4M foi considerada letal para ambas as células leveduriformes e a 2M sub-letal. As células de C. lipolytica expressaram adaptação contra estresse osmótico até a concentração de 1M. Os resultados sugerem a utilização desta cactácea como substrato alternativo para a produção de biomassa microbiana.

Dengue fever is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the world, with nearly 100 million people infected every year. Early diagnosis and identification of the pathogen are crucial steps for the treatment and for prevention of the disease, mainly in areas where the co-circulation of different serotypes is common, increasing the outcome of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Due to the lack of fast and inexpensive methods available for the identification of dengue serotypes, herein we report the development of an electrochemical DNA biosensor for the detection of sequences of dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3). DENV-3 probe was designed using bioinformatics software and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used for electrochemical analysis. The results showed that a 22-m sequence was the best DNA probe for the identification of DENV-3. The optimum concentration of the DNA probe immobilized onto the electrode surface is 500 nM and a low detection limit of the system (3.09 nM). Moreover, this system allows selective detection of DENV-3 sequences in buffer and human serum solutions. Therefore, the application of DNA biosensors for diagnostics at the molecular level may contribute to future advances in the implementation of specific, effective and rapid detection methods for the diagnosis dengue viruses.

Breast and cervical cancer are the first and fourth cancer types with the highest prevalence in women, respectively. The developmental profiles of cancer in women can vary by genetic markers and cellular events. In turn, age and lifestyle influence in the cellular response and also on the cancer progression and relapse. The human DEK protein, a histone chaperone, belongs to a specific subclass of chromatin topology modulators, being involved in the regulation of DNA-dependent processes. These epigenetic mechanisms have dynamic and reversible nature, have been proposed as targets for different treatment approaches, especially in tumor therapy. The expression patterns of DEK vary between healthy and cancer cells. High expression of DEK is associated with poor prognosis in many cancer types, suggesting that DEK takes part in oncogenic activities via different molecular pathways, including inhibition of senescence and apoptosis. The focus of this review was to highlight the role of the DEK protein in these two female cancers.

We investigated the association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Papanicolaou smears in a Brazilian population. Cross-sectional analysis was performed on 673 samples collected from women attending public health centers in Olinda (PE, Brazil) by conventional cytology methodology and molecular analysis, PCR tests (GP5+/6+ and MY09/11). Cytological abnormalities, BV, and HPV-DNA were detected in 23 (3.4%) samples, 189 samples (28.1%), and 210 samples (31.2%), respectively. GP5+/6+ primers resulted in higher detection performance than MY09/11 primers, with 81% concordance between both primers (P < 0.0001). The occurrence of HPV-DNA and BV had ORs of 8.59 (P < 0.0001) and 2.91 (P = 0.0089) for abnormal cytology, respectively, whereas the concomitant presence of both infections showed an OR equal to 3.82 (P = 0.0054). Therefore, we observed an association between abnormal cervical cytology and HPV infection, BV, or both HPV infection and BV. These results highlight the necessity of monitoring patients presenting not only HPV, but also BV, as risk factors for cervical lesion development.

The recent outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKV) disease caused an enormous number of infections in Central and South America, and the unusual increase in the number of infants born with microcephaly associated with ZIKV infection aroused global concern. Here, we developed a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay using a portable device for the detection of ZIKV. The assay specifically detected ZIKV strains of both Asian and African genotypes without cross-reactivity with other arboviruses, including Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. The assay detected viral RNA at 14.5 TCID50/mL in virus-spiked serum or urine samples within 15?min, although it was slightly less sensitive than reference real time RT-PCR assay. We then evaluated the utility of this assay as a molecular diagnostic test using 90 plasma or serum samples and 99 urine samples collected from 120 suspected cases of arbovirus infection in the states of Paraiba and Pernambuco, Brazil in 2016. The results of this assay were consistent with those of the reference RT-PCR test. This portable RT-LAMP assay was highly specific for ZIKV, and enable rapid diagnosis of the virus infection. Our results provide new insights into ZIKV molecular diagnostics and may improve preparedness for future outbreaks., Scientific Reports, 7, 13503; 2017

Cervical cancer is primarily caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, but other factors such as smoking habits, co-infections and genetic background, can also contribute to its development. Although this cancer is avoidable, it is the fourth most frequent type of cancer in females worldwide and can only be treated with chemotherapy and radical surgery. There is a need for biomarkers that will enable early diagnosis and targeted therapy for this type of cancer. Therefore, a systems biology pipeline was applied in order to identify potential biomarkers for cervical cancer, which show significant reports in three molecular aspects: DNA sequence variants, DNA methylation pattern and alterations in mRNA/protein expression levels. CDH1, CDKN2A, RB1 and TP53 genes were selected as putative biomarkers, being involved in metastasis, cell cycle regulation and tumour suppression. The other ten genes (CDH13, FHIT, PTEN, MLH1, TP73, CDKN1A, CACNA2D2, TERT, WIF1, APC) seemed to play a role in cervical cancer, but the lack of studies prevented their inclusion as possible biomarkers. Our results highlight the importance of these genes. However, further studies should be performed to elucidate the impact of DNA sequence variants and/or epigenetic deregulation and altered expression of these genes in cervical carcinogenesis and their potential as biomarkers for cervical cancer diagnosis and prognosis., This work was funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology of the state of Pernambuco (FACEPE). The authors are grateful to Vinicius Albertin Tigre da Costa for his contributions to the construction of the figures., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Several studies have been directed to development of reactors for chemical–biological reactions have been carried out successfully. “Dead zones” are areas where the substrate has non-contact with catalyst, and this situation in reactors has been seen as inconvenience in relation to productivity. Moreover, a catalyst immobilized in porous support also must be difficult. We have been obtained preliminary results in batch system of invertase immobilized on glass–ceramic support (GCS) (1000 °C/3 h), were the optimum pH and temperature of free and immobilized enzyme was similar, 5.0 and 45 °C. The apparent K m for free invertase was 13.53 times higher than the free invertase. Aiming the work using packed bed reactors to study the activity of invertase in different flow systems, was obtained sigmoid curves using reactors 1 and 2, with the best result 4.75 U/g GCS and 3.09 U/g GCS, respectively. The lab-scale setups from flow system continuous, down-flow, up-flow and alternate-flow were studied. Alternate-flow is the alternation of down-flow and up-flow in previous time mentioned. This innovative flow system has facilitated contact among sucrose solution and immobilized enzyme to obtain the invert sugar production 24 h faster, due elimination of “dead zones” in the reactor in comparison to others flow systems.

The infection caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) in the anogenital area is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Although anal cancer is relatively uncommon in the general population, there has been a significant increase in incidence in recent years. In this review, we focused on research on anal lesions in women.Research on HPV and precancerous lesions of the anal canal was examined by a systematic literature review in the Cochrane Centre of Brazil, where 1,734 publications were identified in the databases Scielo Brazil, Pubmed, Lilac, Medline, and Old Medline, for the period 1966 to 2010. We selected two papers, published in 1994 and 2009, based on the inclusion-exclusion criteria.The first paper refers to the study of the anal canal in HIV-negative women with previous genital pathology and its relationship to the presence of HPV, and the other compares two groups of women who are HIV+ and HIV- and its relationship with anal disease and HPV.The existence of previous genital neoplasia associated with HPV promotes the development of anal lesions, especially in younger patients, and a poor immune status contributes to the appearance of this pathologic finding.

OBJETIVO: analisar, em mulheres com HPV em colo do útero, as características da infecção viral e os fatores de risco para lesão intraepitelial de alto grau e carcinoma cervical. MÉTODOS: realizou-se um estudo caso-controle com mulheres com HPV em colo do útero atendidas em serviço de Ginecologia de referência vinculado ao SUS, em Recife, Nordeste do Brasil. No grupo de casos (72 mulheres com lesão intraepitelial de alto grau ou carcinoma cervical) e de controles (176 mulheres com colpocitologia normal ou com alterações benignas), foram pesquisados seis genótipos virais (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 6 e 11) em material da ecto- e endocérvice com primers MY09/MY11. As variáveis independentes foram hierarquizadas em três níveis de determinação: distal (sociodemográficas), intermediário (comportamentais) e proximal (realização anterior de colpocitologia). A homogeneidade das proporções foi testada (χ2). Obtiveram-se ORs não ajustadas e, na modelagem final, realizou-se regressão logística hierarquizada com o ajuste do efeito de cada variável sobre o desfecho pelas variáveis do mesmo nível e de níveis anteriores de causalidade. RESULTADOS: em 76,6% das 248 mulheres participantes do estudo, o genótipo viral da infecção cervical foi identificado. Predominaram genótipos de alto risco oncogênico (83,4% nos casos e 67,1% nos controles), principalmente HPV 16 e 31. Foram identificados como fatores de risco (a) distais: residir em zona rural (OR=2,7; IC95%: 1,1-6,2), menos de três anos de estudo (OR=3,9; IC95%: 2,0-7,5) e renda familiar inferior a dois salários mínimos (OR=3,3; IC95%: 1,0-10,5); (b) intermediário: número de gestações igual ou superior a quatro (OR=2,0; IC95%: 1,0-3,7); (c) proximal: ausência de colpocitologia anterior (OR=9,7; IC95%: 2,4-38,2). CONCLUSÕES: em mulheres usuárias do SUS do Nordeste do Brasil predominam os genótipos virais 16 e 31 em infecções cervicais por HPV, sendo que fatores socioeconômicos, reprodutivos e relacionados à ausência de rastreamento citológico representam risco para lesão intraepitelial de alto grau e câncer cervical.

In this paper we report on the effect of different concentrations of lactose and galactose in the production of beta-galactosidase by Kluyveromyces marxianus CBS6556. The results clearly demonstrate a decrease in enzyme specific activity during cultivation at high concentrations of L-lactose or D-galactose, despite the fact that these carbohydrates are normally used for induction of the beta-galactosidase activity. Therefore, maximum induction of beta-galactosidase in K. marxianus batch cultures was obtained at low concentrations of the inducer carbohydrates, in the range between 0.5 to 15 mM. Those informations can help to design low cost medium with higher beta-galactosidase productivity by K. marxianus cells.

Background Cervical cancer is one of the most common female cancers and is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Viral infection leads to cell cycle deregulation by inactivating p53 and retinoblastoma protein by viral oncoproteins E6 and E7, respectively. Then, nuclear proteins such as DNA topoisomerase type IIa (TOP2A) and Ki-67 show increased expression because of increased cell division. These molecules are used as biomarkers for immunohistochemistry analysis of cervical tissue. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 110 women receiving regular gynecological surveillance at public health centers in Olinda – PE, Brazil. Cervicovaginal cells were collected to determine the presence of cytological abnormalities and HPV infection. Pap smear slides were used to evaluate the expression of TOP2A and Ki-67 using immunocytochemistry techniques. Results Of the 110 women, 75.4 % showed HPV-DNA+ infection (83/110) and 29.1 % showed cellular abnormalities (32/110). Two atypical cells of undetermined significance, one low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and one high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion samples showed no HPV-DNA. TOP2A was positive in 71.9 % of samples, while Ki-67 was positive in 81.2 %. Immunocytochemistry results were positive in 4 of 5 atypical cells of undetermined significance samples. In HPV-DNA+ samples with cytological abnormalities, immunocytochemistry results were positive 96.4 % of samples (p

Background: H19 is a strong candidate gene for influencing birth weight variation and is exclusively imprinted maternally. In an attempt to understand the relationship of this gene polymorphism with low birth weight children, we investigated association of H19/RsaI polymorphism with low birth weight and normal birth weight in children and their mothers. Objectives: The aim of our study was to establish the association between H19 gene polymorphism and LW in children born in Pernambuco, state of Brazil. Patients and Methods: It were selected 89 children, 40 low birth weight (LW) and 49 normal birth weight (NW) and 71 mothers (40 mothers of newborns NW and 31 mothers of newborns LW) attended at Dom Malan Hospital, Petrolina, Pernambuco - Brazil. Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients and genomic DNA was extracted and detected by electrophoresis agarose gel, stained by Blue Green Loading Dye. DNA PCR amplification was done using the primers H1 (sense) and H3 (antisense). PCR products were digested with RsaI and electrophoresed on agarose gel stained by ethidium bromide. Statistical analyses were performed using the program BioEstat version 5.0. Results: The RsaI polymorphism in the H19 gene showed that genotype frequencies did not differ statistically between low birth weight (AA = 12.5%, AB = 45%, BB = 42.5%) and control (AA = 8.6% AB = 36.73%, BB= 55.10% groups) and the allele frequencies were not significantly different (P = 0.2897). We also did not observe any association between maternal H19 allele polymorphism and low birth weight newborns (P =0.7799) or normal birth weight children (P = 0.8976). Conclusions: The small size of sample may be the explanation for these results; future studies with more patients are needed to confirm the effect of H19/RsaI polymorphism on birth weight of LW newborns.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for developing cancers, among them cervical cancer, which is the second cancer responsible for female mortality. The polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase (GST) is closely linked to an increased risk of cervical lesions and HPV infection. This enzyme is involved in phase II of xenobiotic metabolism, which can eliminate potential toxic carcinogenic compounds from the body. In this study, it was analysed the association between GSTM1 and/or GSTT1 polymorphism and susceptibility to HPV infection or development of cervical lesions. It was also analysed the correlation of these polymorphisms with external factors such as number of sexual partners, parity, smoking and alcohol consumption. Women who had more than one sexual partner presented 2.35 times more chances of being infected by HPV, but it could not be associated to the development of cervical lesions. However, more than three pregnancies leads to high risk (OR=3.2) of developing cervical lesions. Considering the genotypes analyzed in this study, only GSTT1 null showed significant influence on the risk of HPV infection among consumers of alcohol (OR=6.6) and none of them showed influence on the risk of developing cervical lesions (P

The hereditary deficiency of antioxidant enzymes when associated with sickle cell anemia (SCA) further contributes to the oxidation of hemoglobin S, which increases the formation of degradation products of this hemoglobin. The glutathione S transferases play an important role in the conjugation of glutathione to endogenous products of peroxidation of lipids and protect cells from the deleterious effects of oxidative stress. We analyzed genomic DNA from 278 patients with sickle cell anemia to correlate the genotypes GSTT1 and/or GSTM1 null (determined by multiplex PCR technique) and the clinical manifestations of the disease. 27% of patients showed absence of the GSTM1 gene and 15% had absence of GSTT1. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were found in 11% of the population. The risk of individuals with the GSTT1 null genotype developing acute chest syndrome and aseptic necrosis of the femoral head were, respectively, 10 and 6.3 times higher when compared with those individuals who had of this gene. Patients with GSTM1 null showed a risk 3.9 times higher to develop stroke and high risk for malleolar ulcers and acute chest syndrome (OR = 6.9 and 4.2, respectively). The individuals with the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes showed a higher chance of developing acute chest syndrome, malleolar ulcer and aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. The absence of GSTT1 and/or GSTM1 was an important risk factor for increasing the morbidity of SCA, especially in regard to acute chest syndrome.

To assess the detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical biopsies, and its association with clinical response and survival of patients with cervical cancer. The presence of HPV was determined by polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) of material from 183 paraffin blocks containing biopsies of patients with cervical cancer. Directives of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) were used for the clinical staging of all cases. Survival analysis was conducted with the Kaplan–Meier method and differences between the curves were calculated by the log-rank test. Amplification was positive in 78 cases, negative in 96 cases and indeterminate in 9. The detection of HPV had no statistically significant effect on the survival of patients. From amongst the variables analyzed, only HPV positivity and clinical staging influenced a complete response after completing treatment. However, clinical staging was the only factor associated with progression of the disease, with patients in the early stages presenting better overall survival rates (p

A biosensor that relies on the adsorption immobilization of the 18-mer single-stranded nucleic acid related to dengue virus gene 1 on activated pencil graphite was developed. Hybridization between the probe and its complementary oligonucleotides (the target) was investigated by monitoring guanine oxidation by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The pencil graphite electrode was made of ordinary pencil lead (type 4B). The polished surface of the working electrode was activated by applying a potential of 1.8 V for 5 min. Afterward, the dengue oligonucleotides probe was immobilized on the activated electrode by applying 0.5 V to the electrode in 0.5 M acetate buffer (pH 5.0) for 5 min. The hybridization process was carried out by incubating at the annealing temperature of the oligonucleotides. A time of five minutes and concentration of 1 μM were found to be the optimal conditions for probe immobilization. The electrochemical detection of annealing between the DNA probe (TS-1P) immobilized on the modified electrode, and the target (TS-1T) was achieved. The target could be quantified in a range from 1 to 40 nM with good linearity and a detection limit of 0.92 nM. The specificity of the electrochemical biosensor was tested using non-complementary sequences of dengue virus 2 and 3.

to analyze the characteristics of viral infection and the risk factors for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and cervical carcinoma in women with cervical HPV infection.a case-control study was conducted on women with cervical HPV at a Gynecology reference service enrolled at the Public Health System, located in Recife, Northeastern Brazil. The groups of cases (72 women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or cervical cancer) and controls (176 women with normal Pap smear or benign alterations) were investigated for six viral genotypes (HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 6, 11) in ecto- and endocervical material using MY09/MY11 primers. The independent variables were ranked in three levels of determination: distal (sociodemographic), intermediate (behavioral) and proximal (previous Pap smear). The homogeneity of proportions was tested (χ2), unadjusted Odds Ratios (OR) were obtained and hierarchical logistic regression was applied to the final model, with adjustment of the effect of each variable to the outcome based on the variables in the same and previous levels of causality.the viral genotype of cervical infection was identified in 76.6% of the 248 women participating in the study. High-risk HPV genotypes (83.4% of cases and 67.1% of controls) were predominant, especially HPV 16 and 31. The distal risk factors identified were: living in a rural area (OR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.18-6.23), less than three years of study (OR=3.97, 95%CI: 2.09-7.54) and family income below two minimum wages (OR=3.30, 95%CI: 1.04-10.51); intermediate: four or more pregnancies (OR=2.00, 95%CI: 1.06-3.76); and proximal: absence of a previous Pap smear (OR=9.74, 95%CI: 2.48-38.28).genotypes 16 and 31 of cervical HPV infection are predominant among women assisted by the Public Health System in Northeastern Brazil. Socioeconomic and reproductive factors, as well as the absence of cytological screening, represent risk factors for the progression of infection to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and cervical cancer.

Spermadhesins are the major proteins of boar seminal plasma and form a group of polypeptides probably involved in reproduction. In previous work, a member of the spermadhesin family from buck seminal plasma, called BSFP, was characterized by mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequencing. The present study aimed to clone and characterize the BSFP gene and investigate its expression along the genital tract using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The cDNAs of the seminal vesicle, testis, epididymis, bulbourethral gland, and ductus deferens were prepared from a buck. Following 3'- and 5'-end amplifications using seminal vesicle cDNA, we cloned and sequenced four highly similar (97-98%) nucleotide sequences encoding spermadhesins, which were named Bodhesin-1(Bdh-1), Bdh-2, Bdh-3, and Bdh-4. All deduced amino acid sequences contained the CUB domain signature and were 49-52% similar to boar AWN. Among the four Bdh amino acid sequences, Bdh-2 was the most similar to the BSFP N-terminal fragment. By using real-time PCR, it was verified specific amplifications for all Bdh in the seminal vesicle, testis, epididymis, and bulbourethral gland, with the exception of Bdh-2 in epididymis. The amplicons had a melting temperature and size of approximately 78 degrees C and 130 bp, respectively. Bdh expression was higher in the seminal vesicle when compared to the other tissues. The present work confirms that goat is the fifth mammalian species, after pig, cattle, horse, and sheep, in which spermadhesin molecules are found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on buck spermadhesin genes using molecular cloning and expression profile.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene has an important role in fetal growth. It was investigated association of the IGF2/ApaI polymorphism with low birth weight and normal birth weight (as control) in children attended in Hospital Dom Malan Petrolina, PE-Brazil. The genotype frequencies did not differ statistically between low birth weight (AA = 16.22%, AG = 43.24%, GG = 40.54%) and control (AA = 20% AG = 35%, GG= 45% groups) and the allele frequencies were not significantly different (p > 0.05).The observed genotype frequencies in both groups did not deviate significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Then, no significant correlation was found for this polymorphism in the population studied.