Evaluation of sperm integrin α5ß1 as a potential marker of fertility in humans.

Sperm selection for assisted reproduction techniques is generally based on basic parameters, while key aspects of sperm competence and its journey from the deposition site to the fertilization site are overlooked. Consequently, identifying molecular markers in spermatozoa that can efficiently predict the fertility of a semen sample could be of great interest, particularly in cases of idiopathic male infertility. When spermatozoa reach the female reproductive tract, it provides to them the cellular and molecular microenvironment needed to acquire fertilizing ability. In this sense, considering the role that integrin α5ß1 of spermatozoa plays in reproduction-related events, we investigated the correlation between the subcellular localization of sperm integrin α5ß1 and early embryo development outcome after in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures in human. Twenty-four semen samples from normozoospermic men and metaphase II (MII) oocytes from healthy women aged under 38 years, from couples who underwent IVF cycles, were used in this work. Sperm α5ß1 localization was evaluated by immunofluorescence assay using an antibody against integrin α5 subunit. Integrin α5ß1 was mainly localized in the sperm acrosomal region (45.33±7.89%) or the equatorial segment (30.12±7.43%). The early embryo development rate (data obtained from the Fertility Center) correlated positively with the localization of α5ß1 in the acrosomal region (number of usable embryos / inseminated oocytes: ρ = 0.75; p<0.01 and number of usable embryos/total number of two pronuclear zygotes: ρ = 0.80; p<0.01). However, this correlation was not significant when the equatorial segment mark was evaluated. In addition, human sperm released from co-culture with bovine oviductal epithelial cells (BOEC) showed a significant enrichment in the acrosomal localization pattern of α5ß1 compared to those sperm that were not co-cultured with BOEC (85.20±5.35% vs 35.00±17.09%, respectively, p<0.05). In conclusion, the evaluation of sperm integrin α5ß1 immunolocalization could be a useful tool to select sperm with fertilizing ability from human semen samples before IVF procedures.

Effects of lipoproteins on endothelial cells and macrophages function and its possible implications on fetal adverse outcomes associated to maternal hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy.

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the main risk factors associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. During pregnancy, maternal hypercholesterolemia develops, and it can occur in a physiological (MPH) or supraphysiological (MSPH) manner, where MSPH is associated with endothelial dysfunction and early atherosclerotic lesions in the fetoplacental vasculature. In the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, endothelial activation and endothelial dysfunction, characterized by an imbalance in the bioavailability of nitric oxide, contribute to the early stages of this disease. Macrophages conversion to foam cells, cholesterol efflux from these cells and its differentiation into a pro- or anti-inflammatory phenotype are also important processes that contribute to atherosclerosis. In adults it has been reported that native and modified HDL and LDL play an important role in endothelial and macrophage function. In this review it is proposed that fetal lipoproteins could be also relevant factors involved in the detrimental vascular effects described in MSPH. Changes in the composition and function of neonatal lipoproteins compared to adults has been reported and, although in MSPH pregnancies the fetal lipid profile does not differ from MPH, differences in the lipidomic profiles of umbilical venous blood have been reported, which could have implications in the vascular function. In this review we summarize the available information regarding the effects of lipoproteins on endothelial and macrophage function, emphasizing its possible implications on fetal adverse outcomes associated to maternal hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy.

Percepciones y emociones ante la pandemia: recogiendo las voces de niños y niñas de una institución de educación inicial pública del Uruguay / Perceptions and emotions in light of a pandemic: gathering the voices of boys and girls from a public early childhood institution in Uruguay / Percepções e emoções frente à pandemia: recolhendo as vozes de crianças de uma instituição pública de educação infantil do Uruguay

Resumen: Este artículo muestra los resultados preliminares de un estudio realizado desde la metodología de investigación-acción educativa, enmarcada en una actividad de extensión universitaria realizada por el Programa Primera Infancia y Educación Inicial, de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de la República, en un Centro de educación inicial, ubicado en la ciudad de Montevideo. En respuesta a la situación de la pandemia por COVID 19, el equipo desplegó un dispositivo de investigación-acción, al reintegro de la presencialidad en los centros educativos que tuvo como objetivo general, identificar las percepciones que los niños y las niñas le atribuyeron al confinamiento por COVID-19. Permitió además describir y analizar las emociones que les generó el confinamiento, así como también, analizar los efectos que niñas y niños reportan en relación al tiempo de confinamiento y no asistencia al Centro Educativo. Las principales conclusiones marcan la relación directamente proporcional que tuvo el acceso a la información, acorde a la etapa evolutiva, por parte de los niños y niñas, con la posibilidad de generar una saludable adaptación a la nueva realidad producida por el confinamiento. Esta situación generó en niños y niñas emociones ambivalentes, fundamentalmente de alegría por el tiempo compartido en familia y en menor proporción, de enojo y miedo, por el aislamiento y la posibilidad de enfermar. También fue concluyente la necesidad, expresada por la mayoría de niños y niñas de añoranza de las instancias de socialización, juego y aprendizaje en el centro educativo.

Abstract: This article shows the preliminary results of an educational action-research activity framed in a university extension practice carried out by the Early Childhood and Initial Education Program of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of the Republic in an initial education center located in the city of Montevideo. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the team deployed an action-research device during the return to face-to-face attendance at educational centers that aimed to identify the perceptions that boys and girls attributed to the COVID-19 confinement. It also allowed to describe and analyze the emotions that confinement generated in them, as well as analyze the effects that girls and boys report in relation to the time of confinement and not attending the Educational Center. The main conclusions mark the directly proportional relationship that access to information by boys and girls had -according to their evolutionary stage- with the possibility of generating a healthy adaptation to the new reality produced by confinement. This situation generated ambivalent emotions in boys and girls, mainly of joy about the time shared with the family and, to a lesser extent, of anger and fear due to isolation and the possibility of getting sick. The need that the majority of boys and girls expressed about longing the instances of socialization, play and learning in the educational center was also conclusive.

Resumo: Este artigo mostra os resultados preliminares de uma pesquisa ação educativa, enquadrada numa atividade de extensão universitária realizada pelo Programa Primera Infancia y Educación Inicial da Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidad de la República, num centro de educação infantil, localizado na cidade de Montevidéu. Em resposta à situação de pandemia por COVID-19, a equipe realizou um dispositivo de pesquisa ação, sobre a reintegração da forma presencial nos centros educacionais, que teve como objetivos identificar as percepções que os meninos e meninas atribuíram ao confinamento pelo COVID-19. Permitiu ainda descrever e analisar as emoções que gerou neles o confinamento, assim como também analisar os efeitos que meninas e meninos reportam em relação ao tempo de confinamento e não comparecimento no centro educacional. As principais conclusões marcam a relação diretamente proporcional que teve o acesso à informação por parte dos meninos e meninas, concordante com a etapa evolutiva, com a possibilidade de gerar uma saudável adaptação à nova realidade produzida pelo confinamento. Esta situação gerou em meninos e meninas emoções ambivalentes, basicamente de alegria pelo tempo compartilhado em família e, em menor proporção, de aborrecimento e medo pelo isolamento e a possibilidade de adoecer. Também foi conclusiva a necessidade que a maioria de meninos e meninas expressou de sentir saudades das instâncias de socialização, jogo e aprendizagem no centro educacional.

Healthy girl born after cryopreservation of gametes and ICSI in a patient with seminoma.

This study reports birth in a case of intracytoplasmic sperm injection with cryopreserved oocytes and spermatozoa banked after radiotherapy and prior to chemotherapy due the occurrence of two non-synchronous seminomas. A 30-year-old male with a diagnosis of seminoma cryopreserved six vials of spermatozoa. After oncological treatment was completed, his partner, a 24-year-old woman, underwent ovarian stimulation. Seventeen oocytes were retrieved; one was at the germinal vesicle stage and two were injected, resulting in two embryos. Fourteen metaphase II oocytes were frozen. The woman presented moderated ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and embryo cryopreservation was indicated. After endometrial preparation, two embryos were transferred and a pregnancy was achieved. The woman suffered eclampsia during week 28 of gestation. Caesarean section was performed and a preterm girl weighing 1000 g was born, but died 2 weeks after delivery. A year later, a second procedure was begun. Frozen oocytes and one vial of semen were thawed. Eight of the 14 oocytes survived and were microinjected; two became fertilized and one good quality cleaved embryo was transferred. Pregnancy was achieved and a healthy girl was born with a birth weight of 2800 g. Oocyte cryopreservation associated with sperm banking in cancer patients is a useful tool for couples seeking deferred parenthood.