RESUMEN
Some cases of recurrent first trimester miscarriage have a thrombotic etiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the most common thrombophilic mutations - factor V (FV) Leiden G1691A (FVL), prothrombin (FII) G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T - in women with recurrent miscarriages. In this case-control study, we included 137 women with two or more consecutive first-trimester miscarriages (£12 weeks of gestation) and 100 healthy women with no history of pregnancy loss, and with at least one living child. DNA was extracted from the patient samples, and the relevant genes (FVL, FII, and MTHFR) were amplified by PCR, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism, to assess the polymorphisms in these genes. The allelic frequencies of polymorphisms were not significantly different between the case and control groups. Polymorphisms in the MTHFR, FVL, and FII genes were not associated with recurrent miscarriage during the first trimester of pregnancy in Brazilian women (P = 0.479; P = 0.491 and P = 0.107, respectively). However, the etiologic identification of genetic factors is important for genetic counseling.
Asunto(s)
Aborto Habitual/genética , Factor V/genética , Metilenotetrahidrofolato Reductasa (NADPH2)/genética , Polimorfismo de Longitud del Fragmento de Restricción , Protrombina/genética , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Femenino , Frecuencia de los Genes , Humanos , EmbarazoRESUMEN
Relatively new techniques can help in determining the occurrence of mineral species and the distribution of contaminants on soil surfaces such as natural minerals and organic matter. The Bt horizon from an Endoleptic Luvisol was chosen because of its well-known sorption capability. The samples were contaminated with Cu(2+) and/or Pb(2+) and both sorption and desorption experiments were performed. The preferential distribution of the contaminant species ((63)Cu and (208)Pb) to the main soil components and their associations were studied together with the effectiveness of the surface sorption and desorption processes. The results obtained were compared with non-contaminated samples as well as with previous results obtained by different analytical techniques and advanced statistical analysis. Pb(2+) competes favorably for the sorption sites in this soil, mainly in oxides and the clay fraction. Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) were mainly associated with hematite, gibbsite, vermiculite and chlorite. This study will serve as a basis for further scientific research on the soil retention of heavy metals. New techniques such as spectroscopic imaging and transmission electron microscopy make it possible to check which soil components retain heavy metals, thereby contributing to propose effective measures for the remediation of contaminated soil.
Asunto(s)
Cobre/química , Plomo/química , Microscopía Electrónica de Transmisión/métodos , Espectrometría de Masa de Ion Secundario/métodos , Propiedades de SuperficieRESUMEN
Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a disorder characterized by a heterogeneous clinical outcome. In the present study, we investigated the associations between Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) -308G>A and Interleukin 8 (IL-8) -251A>T gene polymorphisms, medical history and classical biomarkers in children with steady-state SCA. In total, 210 SCA patients aged 2-21 years and 200 healthy controls were studied. Gene polymorphisms, betaS-globin haplotypes and a 3.7-kb deletion in alpha2-thalassemia (α2-thal3.7 kb) were investigated by PCR/RFLP analysis, and cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. Splenomegaly (p=.032) was more prevalent among children younger than 5 years of age. The A allele of the TNF-alpha -308G>A gene polymorphism and the presence of α2-thal3.7 kb were associated with an increase risk of splenic sequestration events (p=.001; p=.046), while the T allele of the IL-8 -251A>T gene polymorphism was considered to be a protective factor for splenomegaly events (p=.032). Moreover, the A allele of the TNF-alpha -308G>A gene polymorphism was associated with high TNF-alpha levels (p=.021), and the hemoglobin F and hemoglobin S haplotypes were correlated with serum levels of IL-8. The logistic regression analysis showed significant effects of the TNF-alpha and IL-8 gene polymorphisms, beta(S)-globin gene haplotypes and α2-thal3.7 kb on the occurrence of splenic sequestration events. Our study emphasizes that the identification of new genetic and immunological biomarkers and their associations with classical markers is an important strategy to elucidate the underlying causes of different SCA phenotypes and their effects on patient outcome.
Asunto(s)
Anemia de Células Falciformes/sangre , Biomarcadores/sangre , Interleucina-8/sangre , Anamnesis , Polimorfismo Genético , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/sangre , Adolescente , Adulto , Alelos , Anemia de Células Falciformes/genética , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios Transversales , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Haplotipos , Humanos , Interleucina-8/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Polimorfismo de Longitud del Fragmento de Restricción , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/genéticaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata is a common disease and may be associated with autoimmune disease, atopy, Down syndrome, emotional stress, and foci of sepsis. METHODS: Seven cases of alopecia areata were diagnosed among workers in the Water and Effluent Treatment Sector (WETS) of a paper factory, representing a 0.6% incidence, when the value for the population at large is 0.1%. Three of these workers are assigned to the WETS on a permanent basis and four provide maintenance services. One of the latter patients had alopecia areata that fully regressed. Because biologic treatment of water and effluents involves saprophytic bacteria and fungi as well as chemical substances such as acrylamide, a clinical examination and laboratory tests were performed on all workers assigned permanently to the WETS (N = 9) and on 25% of the workers, selected at random providing services to the sector (N = 14). RESULTS: There was no association between alopecia areata and atopy, dermatophytosis, or bacteria isolated. Toxicologic evaluation revealed an acrylamide-like substance in 7 workers with alopecia areata, with a statistically significant correlation. Measures were taken at the workplace to decrease worker contact with the mists (probably containing acrylamide) in the pulp-pressing room; no other cases of alopecia areata had been detected 1 year after the study. CONCLUSIONS: A survey of the literature did not show reports of alopecia areata as an occupational dermatosis, but our conclusion is, that this dermatosis could be due to the professional activities of the workers at the paper factory studied.
Asunto(s)
Alopecia Areata/etiología , Industrias , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Papel , Adulto , Alopecia Areata/diagnóstico , Alopecia Areata/epidemiología , Dermatitis Profesional/diagnóstico , Dermatitis Profesional/epidemiología , Dermatitis Profesional/etiología , Humanos , Incidencia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Profesionales/epidemiología , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
The present study was performed to determine the effect of an intravenous injection of the macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MNCF) (Cunha & Ferreira 1986) on neutrophil migration to rat peritoneal cavities, which were challenged with chemotactic stimuli. Macrophage monolayers stimulated by LPS release a factor (MW greater than 10,000 D) which, when injected intravenously, blocked neutrophil migration in carrageenin-induced peritonitis. This inhibition was dependent on dose and lasted more than 2 h. It was not due to neutropaenia, hypotension or LPS contamination. Neutrophil migration induced by LPS, MNCF, the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also blocked by intravenous administration of the factor. Intravenous injection of recombinant interleukin 1 beta or tumour necrosis factor-alpha, present in the samples of the factor, failed to reproduce the described inhibitory effect on neutrophil migration. The release of this factor by LPS-stimulated macrophage monolayers was inhibited by dexamethasone but not by indomethacin. It is suggested that the failure of neutrophils to migrate during septicaemia may be the result of a continuous release of chemotactic factors in the circulation, particularly of the macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor(s).
Asunto(s)
Factores Quimiotácticos/farmacología , Lipopolisacáridos/farmacología , Macrófagos/fisiología , Neutrófilos/fisiología , Animales , Factores Quimiotácticos/administración & dosificación , Quimiotaxis de Leucocito/efectos de los fármacos , Dexametasona/farmacología , Inyecciones Intravenosas , Interleucina-1/farmacología , Interleucina-8 , Masculino , Polimixina B/farmacología , Ratas , Ratas Endogámicas , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/farmacologíaRESUMEN
Foi analisada a influencia da temperatura e do tempo de exposicao da bacteria ao liquido amniotico sobre a atividade antibacteriana atribuida a este fluido. A avaliacoa foi realizada utilizando-se amostras (30) de liquido amniotico obtidas de gestantes normais pertencentes ao Servico de Pre-Natal do Hospital das Clinicas de Ribeirao Preto-USP, atraves da amniocentese transabdominal. A bacteria utilizada foi o Staphylococcus epidermidis, por oferecer uma serie de vantagens. O meio de cultura utilizado foi o caldo-soja-tripticase. A atividade antibacteriana do liquido amniotico foi mais evidente quando o fluido incubado a temperatura de 35 graus C. Aquecimentos em temperaturas elevadas (50 e 100 graus C) promovem diminuicao da atividade, podendo tornar deficientes os mecanismos de defesa deste sistema. O tempo de incubacao durou 15 minutos. O tempo de exposicao da bacteria ao liquido amniotico apos oito horas possibilitou uma maior proliferacao bacteriana, diminuindo, portanto, a atividade antibacteriana do liquido amniotico. Acredita-se, pois, que os achados possam contribuir para o estudo da fisiopatologia das infeccoes intraamnioticas
Asunto(s)
Embarazo , Humanos , Femenino , Líquido Amniótico , Infecciones Estafilocócicas , Staphylococcus epidermidisRESUMEN
Este trabalho, apresenta o teste microbiologico de um produto quimico utilizado para a esterilizacao de cateteres cardiacos, associado ao metodo fisico de aquecimento em estufa a 100 graus C. Para o teste, foram utilizadas culturas de Bacilus subtilis, Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus/