ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective To investigate associations of maternal and cord blood cytokine patterns with newborn size and body composition. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 70 pregnant women and their healthy newborns selected from the "Araraquara Cohort Study". Newborn anthropometric measurements were recorded at birth. Body composition was evaluated by air displacement plethysmography. Maternal blood samples were collected from pregnant women between 30 and 36 weeks of gestation, and umbilical cord blood samples were collected immediately after placenta discharge. The concentrations of the cytokines were determined in plasma by ELISA. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess associations between maternal and cord blood cytokine concentrations and newborn anthropometry and body composition measurements. Results Maternal plasma TGF-β1 concentration was inversely associated with newborn weight (β= -43.0; p= 0.012), length (β= -0.16, p= 0.028), head circumference (β= -0.13, p= 0.004), ponderal index (β= -0.32, p= 0.011) and fat-free mass (β= -0.05, p= 0.005). However, the association persisted just for head circumference (β= -0.26; p= 0.030) and ponderal index (β= - 0.28; p= 0.028), after adjusting for pre-gestational BMI, gestational weight gain, gestational age, hours after delivery, newborn sex, smoking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions Maternal plasma TGF-β1 concentration may be involved in the regulation of newborn size, mainly head circumference and ponderal index. Further cohort studies are necessary to investigate the role of TGF-β1 in different trimesters of pregnancy and its effect during the early stages of fetal development.
ABSTRACT
Objective: COVID-19 is presently the most serious public health concern and diagnosis is a principal tool for controlling and monitoring the spread of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of direct RT-PCR (dRT-PCR) for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Twenty-seven nasopharyngeal swabs from symptomatic individuals were evaluated. Standard RT-PCR was conducted, and for dRT-PCR the samples were preheated before amplification. Results: Positive agreement was 63.2% and negative agreement was 100%, being moderately in accord. Conclusion: dRT-PCR may be an alternative for screening symptomatic patients and a reliable option during an eventual shortage of viral RNA purification kits.
Objetivo: A COVID-19 é atualmente um sério problema de saúde pública e o diagnóstico é a principal ferramenta para controlar e monitorar a propagação da doença. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência da RT-PCR direta (dRT-PCR) para detecção do SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: Vinte e sete amostras de swab nasofaríngeo de indivíduos sintomáticos foram avaliados. A RT-PCR padrão foi realizada e para a dRT-PCR as amostras foram pré-aquecidas antes da amplificação. Resultados: A concordância positiva foi de 63,2% e a concordância negativa foi de 100%, sendo moderadamente concordante. Conclusão: A dRT-PCR pode ser uma alternativa para a triagem de pacientes sintomáticos e uma opção confiável durante uma eventual escassez de kits de purificação de RNA viral.