Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra syndrome in bitches: identification of hemodynamic, inflammatory, and cell proliferation changes.

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH)-pyometra syndrome is one of the most common diseases of noncastrated female dogs. However, determination of etiological mechanisms and differential diagnosis of CEH-pyometra syndrome are undefined. The aim of this study is to compare immunohistochemically the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inflammatory mediator, Ki-67 antigen proliferation marker, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) angiogenesis mediator and its FLT-1 and KDR receptors, and correlate with Doppler velocimetry of uterine artery and endometrial vascularization in bitches with CEH-pyometra syndrome. Bitches were allocated into CEH-mucometra Group (n = 13), Pyometra Group (n = 11), and Control Group (n = 8). Pyometra Group presented cytoplasmatic staining intensity for COX-2, VEGF-A, and FLT-1 and KDR receptors in luminal epithelium cells significantly higher compared to CEH-mucometra and Control groups. For the glandular epithelium, Pyometra Group had higher immunostaining score for VEGF-A and its receptors (FLT-1 and KDR). Hemodynamic indexes showed negative correlation with VEGF-A and its receptors as well as with COX-2. On the other hand, uterine vascularization score showed positive correlation in relation to immunostaining of COX-2, VEGF-A, and receptors in the endometrium luminal epithelium. In conclusion, uterus of bitches with CEH-pyometra syndrome show inflammatory process characterized by COX-2 expression, resulting in greater expression of proliferative Ki-67 marker as tissue response against the infectious agent. Furthermore, the increased VEGF-A expression and its receptors in CEH-pyometra reflect the increased blood flow and lower vascular resistance. Therefore, canine pyometra is characterized by an inflammatory, proliferative, and vascular disorder.

MC3T3-E1 Cells Behavior on Surfaces Bombarded by Argon Ions in Planar Cathode Discharge.

To evaluate the effect of topography in nanoscale, titanium surfaces were bombarded by argon ions (a chemically inert gas), in an atmosphere of plasma. The effects of surface parameters on morphology, adhesion, proliferation, and MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts differentiation were analyzed. Nontreated (smooth) surfaces were used as a control. The levels of average roughness (Ra) observed in bombarded and smooth titanium surfaces were of 95 and 14 nm, respectively. The wettability increased on treated surfaces. The number of attached cells (30 and 60 min) was significantly higher on the bombarded surface. The cell proliferation after 3 and 7 days was also significantly higher on the ion-bombarded surface. In addition, the ALP activity and expression of osteocalcin were higher in cells grown on the treated surface. The results showed that bombardment with argon ions increased the roughness and the wettability of the Ti surface, promoting a significant increase in the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of preosteoblasts.

Quantificação do interferon-tau durante o reconhecimento materno da gestação em fêmeas bovinas Bos taurus indicus / Quantification of interferon-tau during the maternal recognition of pregnancy in Bos taurus indicus cows

Durante o período crítico do reconhecimento materno, compreendido entre o 15º e 19º dias da gestação, o concepto deve sintetizar competentemente moléculas capazes de bloquear a síntese de prostaglandina F2α (PGF2α) e a luteólise. Em bovinos, a principal macromolécula protéica envolvida em tal bloqueio é o interferon-tau(IFN-τ). Durante o período crítico, falhas neste reconhecimento determinam à mortalidade embrionária em até 40% das fêmeas inseminadas. Informações sobre o IFN-τ em animais Bos taurus indicus,ainda são restritas. Este estudo objetivou uma avaliação quantitativado IFN-τ durante o período crítico do reconhecimento materno, em lavados uterinos obtidos por sonda de Foley (dias 14, 16 e 18 pós estro)ou post-mortem (dia 18 pós-estro). Para tanto, foram utilizadas fêmeas multíparas azebuadas (Bos taurus indicus), cíclicas ou prenhes, nos dias 14, 16 e 18 pós-estro. Para a obtenção dos lavados, os úteros foram infundidos com solução de Ringer Simples. Os lavados foram concentrados por ultra-filtração e liofilizados. As macromoléculas protéicas foram separadas por Eletroforese Unidimensional SDSPAGE, em gel com 15% de poliacrilamida. A quantificação doIFN-τ nos...

During the critical period of the maternal recognition, which occurs between days 15 and 19 of pregnancy, the conceptus must competently synthesize molecules capable of blocking the synthesis of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and luteolysis. In cattle, the major macromolecule involved in suck blockage is the protein interferontau(IFN-τ). During the critical period, failures in the recognition of pregnancy determine embryonic mortality on up to 40% of inseminated cows. Data about IFN-τ in Bos taurus indicus are stills carce. Objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the presenceof IFN-τ during the critical period for maternal recognition of pregnancy in uterine flushings obtained in vivo by Foley catheter (Days14, 16 and 18 post estrus) or post-mortem (Day 18 post estrus). Multiparous, cyclic or pregnant zebu cows (Bos taurus indicus) on days 14, 16 and 18 post estrus were used for in vivo or post mortem uterine flushing collection. In both cases, a Ringer solution was used to wash the uterus of cows...