Maternal ingestion of cocoa causes constriction of fetal ductus arteriosus in rats.

Maternal consumption of polyphenol-rich foods has been associated with fetal ductus arteriosus constriction (DAC), but safety of chocolate exposure in fetal life has not been studied. This experimental study tested the hypothesis that maternal cocoa consumption in late pregnancy causes fetal DAC, with possible associated antioxidant effects. Pregnant Wistar rats, at the 21st gestational day, received by orogastric tube cocoa (720 mg/Kg) for 12 h, indomethacin (10 mg/Kg), for 8 h, or only water, before cesaren section. Immediately after withdrawal, every thorax was obtained and tissues were fixed and stained for histological analysis. The ratio of the narrowest part of the pulmonary artery to the fetal ductus inner diameter and increased ductal inner wall thickness characterized ductal constriction. Substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid were quantified. Statistical analysis used ANOVA and Tukey test. Cocoa (n = 33) and indomethacin (n = 7) reduced fetal internal ductus diameter when compared to control (water, n = 25) (p < 0.001) and cocoa alone increased ductus wall thickness (p < 0.001), but no change was noted in enzymes activity. This pharmacological study shows supporting evidences that there is a cause and effect relationship between maternal consumption of cocoa and fetal ductus arteriosus constriction. Habitual widespread use of chocolate during gestation could account for undetected ductus constriction and its potentially severe consequences, such as perinatal pulmonary hypertension, cardiac failure and even death. For this reason, dietary guidance in late pregnancy to avoid high chocolate intake, to prevent fetal ductal constriction, may represent the main translational aspect of this study.

Upper Airway Findings and Markers of Lung Disease Progression in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract Introduction Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that limits the quality of life mainly due to respiratory symptoms. The relationship between findings of the upper airways and CF lung disease is not yet completely understood. Objective The aim of the present study is to describe the most frequent nasal findings and pathogens in patients with CF and investigate the association between the findings of the upper respiratory tract and markers of lung disease progression. Methods Retrospective study in patients with CF from the Pediatric Pulmonology Department who underwent otorhinolaryngological evaluation between 2015 and 2017. Nasal endoscopy and nasal swab collection were part of the evaluation. The severity markers used were: percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1%), body mass index (BMI) and the Shwachman-Kulczycki (SK) clinical score. Results A total of 48 patients with CF were included. The mean of the predicted percentage of FEV1% was 83.36 ± 30.04. The average 14 and SK score 89.11 ± 10.50. The bacteriology of the nasal swab was positive in 27 (54.1%) patients. Staphylococcus aureus was positive in 18 patients, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 5, Pseudomonas cepacea in 3 and Stenotrophomonas maltophila in 1 patient. Nasal polyps were found in nine participants. Nasal polyps were found in nine participants and were associated with lower SK score. Conclusion The pathogens found in the upper airway were, in order: S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, P. cepacea e S. maltophila. The presence of polyps in the nasal cavity showed statistical significance and appears to have association with the prognostic factor measured by the SK score.

Upper Airway Findings and Markers of Lung Disease Progression in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

Introduction Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that limits the quality of life mainly due to respiratory symptoms. The relationship between findings of the upper airways and CF lung disease is not yet completely understood. Objective The aim of the present study is to describe the most frequent nasal findings and pathogens in patients with CF and investigate the association between the findings of the upper respiratory tract and markers of lung disease progression. Methods Retrospective study in patients with CF from the Pediatric Pulmonology Department who underwent otorhinolaryngological evaluation between 2015 and 2017. Nasal endoscopy and nasal swab collection were part of the evaluation. The severity markers used were: percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1%), body mass index (BMI) and the Shwachman-Kulczycki (SK) clinical score. Results A total of 48 patients with CF were included. The mean of the predicted percentage of FEV1% was 83.36 ± 30.04. The average 14 and SK score 89.11 ± 10.50. The bacteriology of the nasal swab was positive in 27 (54.1%) patients. Staphylococcus aureus was positive in 18 patients, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 5, Pseudomonas cepacea in 3 and Stenotrophomonas maltophila in 1 patient. Nasal polyps were found in nine participants. Nasal polyps were found in nine participants and were associated with lower SK score. Conclusion The pathogens found in the upper airway were, in order: S. aureus , P. aeruginosa , P. cepacea e S. maltophila . The presence of polyps in the nasal cavity showed statistical significance and appears to have association with the prognostic factor measured by the SK score.

Pulmonary Vein Flow Impedance: An Early Predictor of Cardiac Dysfunction in Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

INTRODUCTION: In intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), increased uteroplacental vascular impedance contributes to preferential flow to left ventricle (LV), with consequent alteration of its compliance and increased left atrial (LA) pressure. Pulmonary vein pulsatility index (PVPI) reflects the increased impedance to LA filling and could be used as a cardiac monitoring parameter in IUGR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 27 IUGR fetuses (group 1), 28 fetuses with appropriate growth for gestational age from hypertensive mothers (group 2), and 28 controls (group 3) were studied. Pulsatility indices (PIs) of pulmonary veins and ductus venosus were calculated by Doppler echocardiography. Obstetric ultrasound was used to assess the PIs of uterine, umbilical, and middle cerebral arteries. Statistical analysis used analysis of variance, post-hoc Tukey, and Pearson's tests. RESULTS: Mean PVPI was higher in IUGR group (1.27 ± 0.39) when compared to groups 2 (1.02 ± 0.37; p = 0.01) and 3 (0.75 ± 0.12; p < 0.001). In group 2, moderate correlation between PVPI and ductus venosus pulsatility index (DVPI) was found but not between PVPI and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR). DISCUSSION: Higher PVPI in IUGR reflects decreased LV compliance and altered LA dynamics. As LV dysfunction precedes right ventricle, our results suggest that PVPI could be an early echocardiographic parameter of fetal diastolic function in IUGR.

Corrigendum to "Behaviour of the Foramen Ovale Flow in Fetuses with Intrauterine Growth Restriction".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/1496903.].

Behaviour of the Foramen Ovale Flow in Fetuses with Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

Background: Foramen ovale (FO) flow may be altered in IUGR. This study was designed to test this hypothesis. Methods: Forty pregnant women (24-38 weeks) were divided into 3 groups: group I (IUGR), group II (adequate growth and maternal hypertension), and group III (normal controls). Impedance across the FO was assessed by the FO pulsatility index (FOPI): (systolic velocity - presystolic velocity)/mean velocity. Statistical analysis utilized ANOVA, Tukey test, and ROC curves. Results: Mean FOPI in IUGR fetuses (n = 15) was 3.70 ± 0.99 (3.15-4.26); in the group II (n = 12), it was 2.84 ± 0.69 (2.40-3.28), and in the group III (n = 13), it was 2.77 ± 0.44 (2.50-3.04) (p=0.004). FOPI and UtA RI were correlated (r = 0.375, p=0.017), as well as FOPI and UA RI (r = 0.356, p=0.024) and, inversely, FOPI and MCA RI (r = -0.359, p=0.023). Conclusions: The FO flow pulsatility index is increased in fetuses with IUGR, probably as a result of impaired left ventricular diastolic function.