Study protocol to investigate biomolecular muscle profile as predictors of long-term urinary incontinence in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and rectus abdominis muscles (RAM) of pregnant diabetic rats exhibit atrophy, co-localization of fast and slow fibers and an increased collagen type I/III ratio. However, the role of similar PFM or RAM hyperglycemic-related myopathy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains poorly investigated. This study aims to assess the frequency of pelvic floor muscle disorders and pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence (PS-UI) 12 months after the Cesarean (C) section in women with GDM. Specifically, differences in PFM/RAM hyperglycemic myopathy will be evaluated. METHODS: The Diamater is an ongoing cohort study of four groups of 59 pregnant women each from the Perinatal Diabetes Research Centre (PDRC), Botucatu Medical School (FMB)-UNESP (São Paulo State University), Brazil. Diagnosis of GDM and PS-UI will be made at 24-26 weeks, with a follow-up at 34-38 weeks of gestation. Inclusion in the study will occur at the time of C-section, and patients will be followed at 24-48 h, 6 weeks and 6 and 12 months postpartum. Study groups will be classified as (1) GDM plus PS-UI; (2) GDM without PS-UI; (3) Non-GDM plus PS-UI; and (4) Non-GDM without PS-UI. We will analyze relationships between GDM, PS-UI and hyperglycemic myopathy at 12 months after C-section. The mediator variables to be evaluated include digital palpation, vaginal squeeze pressure, 3D pelvic floor ultrasound, and 3D RAM ultrasound. RAM samples obtained during C-section will be analyzed for ex-vivo contractility, morphological, molecular and OMICS profiles to further characterize the hyperglycemic myopathy. Additional variables to be evaluated include maternal age, socioeconomic status, educational level, ethnicity, body mass index, weight gain during pregnancy, quality of glycemic control and insulin therapy. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this will be the first study to provide data on the prevalence of PS-UI and RAM and PFM physical and biomolecular muscle profiles after C-section in mothers with GDM. The longitudinal design allows for the assessment of cause-effect relationships between GDM, PS-UI, and PFMs and RAMs myopathy. The findings may reveal previously undetermined consequences of GDM.

Evaluation of peptides release using a natural rubber latex biomembrane as a carrier.

The biomembrane natural (NRL-Natural Rubber Latex), manipulated from the latex obtained from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, has shown great potential for application in biomedicine and biomaterials. Reflecting the biocompatibility and low bounce rate of this material, NRL has been used as a physical barrier to infectious agents and for the controlled release of drugs and extracts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incorporation and release of peptides using a latex biomembrane carrier. After incorporation, the release of material from the membrane was observed using spectrophotometry. Analyses using HPLC and mass spectroscopy did not confirm the release of the antimicrobial peptide [W6]Hylin a1 after 24 h. In addition, analysis of the release solution showed new compounds, indicating the degradation of the peptide by enzymes contained in the latex. Additionally, the release of a peptide with a shorter sequence (Ac-WAAAA) was evaluated, and degradation was not observed. These results showed that the use of NRL as solid matrices as delivery systems of peptide are sequence dependent and could to be evaluated for each sequence.

Porosity effects of natural latex (Hevea brasiliensis) on release of compounds for biomedical applications.

Natural rubber latex biomedical (NRLb) obtained from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis has shown great potential in biomedicine and biomaterial applications. NRLb has been utilized as a physical barrier against infectious agents and in the controlled release of drugs and extracts. In the present work, NRLb was polymerized in a lyophilizer using different volumes of water to control the resultant membrane porosity and characterized regarding the surface morphology, water vapour permeability (WVP), mechanical properties, haemolytic activity and cytotoxicity. The release of bovine serum albumin protein from the latex membranes was evaluated. Drug release rates increased with porosity and membranes were able to control protein release up to 12 h. In addition, WVP increased with the quantity of pores. The cell viability observed for the porous membrane was higher than that noted for conventional membranes. In summary, the porosity control of natural latex membranes can be used to modulate properties and make them suitable for biomedical applications, such as wound dressings, modulated gas-exchange membranes and controlled drug delivery systems.

Recycle of Immobilized Endocellulases in Different Conditions for Cellulose Hydrolysis.

The immobilization of cellulases could be an economical alternative for cost reduction of enzyme application. The derivatives obtained in the immobilization derivatives were evaluated in recycles of paper filter hydrolysis. The immobilization process showed that the enzyme recycles were influenced by the shape (drop or sheet) and type of the mixture. The enzyme was recycled 28 times for sheets E' and 13 times for drops B'. The derivative E' showed the highest stability in the recycle obtaining 0.05 FPU/g, RA of 10%, and FPU Yield of 1.64 times, higher than FPU spent or Net FPU Yield of 5.3 times, saving more active enzymes. The derivative B showed stability in recycles reaching 0.15 FPU/g of derivative, yield of Recovered Activity (RA) of 25%, and FPU Yield of 1.57 times, higher than FPU spent on immobilization or Net PFU Yield of 2.81 times. The latex increased stability and resistance of the drops but did not improve the FPU/gram of derivative.

Liberação de componentes do extrato de Casearia sylvestris Swartz empregando membranas de látex natural como suporte / Analysis of Casearia sylvestris Swartz extract release from natural rubber latex membranes

A membrana de látex natural (NRL - Natural Rubber Latex), manipulada a partir do látex extraído da seringueira Hevea brasiliensis, tem apresentado grande potencial de aplicação no campo da biomedicina e dos biomateriais. Graças a sua biocompatibilidade e baixa taxa de rejeição, ela tem sido utilizada para próteses e enxertos, atuando como estimulante da angiogênese, adesão celular e barreira física a agentes infecciosos. Além dessas aplicações, as membranas são utilizadas como matriz de sistemas de liberação para avaliar o comportamento da liberação de fármacos e extratos de origem vegetal que apresentam propriedades medicinais. O sistema extrato-membrana tem como objeto de estudo uma nova abordagem dessas substâncias no tratamento de feridas visando à cicatrização e regeneração do tecido envolvido. Casearia sylvestris, conhecida popularmente como guaçatonga, pertence à família Salicaceae, conhecida na medicina popular pelos seus efeitos antiulcerogênicos, cicatrizantes, antiofídicos, anti-inflamatórios e antissépticos, propriedades já comprovadas por estudos. Trabalhos recentes demonstraram que a liberação controlada de fármacos e extratos utilizando membranas de látex natural é uma alternativa interessante e promissora para aplicações biomédicas. Assim, o objetivo deste projeto foi estudar a liberação do extrato de Casearia sylvestris incorporado à membrana de látex em soluções com diferentes valores de pH, com o propósito de estudar seu comportamento e sua liberação de forma controlada. A taxa de liberação do extrato do sistema extrato-membrana foi monitorada e analisada utilizando-se o método de espectroscopia ótica (UV). O pH básico age desestabilizando a membrana indicando que o polímero possui a habilidade de proteger o extrato de ser liberado em valores de pH ácidos, direcionando sua aplicação para o sítio de melhor absorção. Além disso, a liberação segue uma função bi-exponencial...

Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) membrane, made from latex extracted from the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, has shown great potential for use in the biomedicine and biomaterials area. Thanks to its biocompatibility and low rejection rate, it has been used for implants and grafts, acting as a stimulant of angiogenesis and cell adhesion and as a barrier against infectious agents. Besides these applications, the membranes are used as model release systems, to assess the release behavior of drugs and plant extracts that exhibit medicinal properties. The extract-membrane system represents a new approach to studying these substances, as aids to wound healing and tissue regeneration. Casearia sylvestris, popularly known as guaçatonga, belongs to the family Salicaceae, known in popular medicine for its anti-ulcerogenic, wound healing, anti-ophidian, antiinflammatory and antiseptic properties, all of which are proven by scientific studies. Recent studies have also shown that the controlled release of drugs and extracts from natural latex membranes is an interesting and promising process for biomedical applications. The objective of this project was thus to study the release of Casearia sylvestris extract incorporated into natural rubber membranes. The main concern was to study and optimize the controlled release of the extract at various pHs. The rate of release was monitored and analyzed by the method of optical spectroscopy (UV). Basic pHacts to destabilize the membrane, indicating that the polymer has the ability to protect the extract from being released at acidic pH values. The controlled release follows a bi-exponential function...

eNOS T-786C polymorphism affects atorvastatin-induced changes in erythrocyte membrane fluidity.

PURPOSE: Statins have pleiotropic effects, including endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) upregulation and increased nitric oxide formation, which can be modulated by a genetic polymorphism in the promoter region of the eNOS gene (T-786C). Here, we report our investigation of whether this polymorphism modulates the effects of atorvastatin on the fluidity of erythrocyte membranes. METHODS: We genotyped 200 healthy subjects (males, 18-60 years of age) and then randomly selected 15 of these with the TT genotype and 15 with the CC genotype to receive placebo or atorvastatin (10 mg/day oral administration) for 14 days. Cell membrane fluidity was evaluated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin-labeling method. The EPR spectra were registered on a VARIAN-E4 spectrometer. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBA-RS) and plasma membrane cholesterol were determined in the erythrocytes. RESULTS: Atorvastatin reduced membrane fluidity in CC subjects (P < 0.05) but not in those with the TT genotype (P > 0.05). While no significant differences were found in plasma membrane cholesterol concentrations, higher TBA-RS concentrations were found in the CC subjects than in the TT subjects (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a short treatment with atorvastatin is disadvantageous to subjects with the CC genotype for the T-786C polymorphism compared to those with TT genotype, at least in terms of the hemorheological properties of erythrocytes.

Hirsch's index: a case study conducted atthe Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo

An analysis of scientific bibliographic productivity using the Hirsch h-index, information from the Institute of Scientific Information database and the Curriculum Lattes (CNPq, Brazil) was performed at the Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP) that has four departments in natural, biological and social sciences. Bibliometric evaluations of undergraduate programs showed a better performance of the departments of Chemistry (P < 0.001) and Biology (P < 0.001) when compared to the departments of Physics and Mathematics and Psychology and Education. We also analyzed the scientific output of the six graduate programs of FFCLRP: Psychology, Psychobiology, Chemistry, Physics Applied to Medicine and Biology, Comparative Biology, and Entomology. The graduate program in Psychology presented a lower h-index (P < 0.001) and had fewer papers indexed by the ISI web of science (P < 0.001) when compared to the other graduate programs. The poorer performance of the Psychology program may be associated with the limited coverage by the Thompson Institute of Scientific Information database.

Hirsch's index: a case study conducted atthe Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo.

An analysis of scientific bibliographic productivity using the Hirsch h-index, information from the Institute of Scientific Information database and the Curriculum Lattes (CNPq, Brazil) was performed at the Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP) that has four departments in natural, biological and social sciences. Bibliometric evaluations of undergraduate programs showed a better performance of the departments of Chemistry (P < 0.001) and Biology (P < 0.001) when compared to the departments of Physics and Mathematics and Psychology and Education. We also analyzed the scientific output of the six graduate programs of FFCLRP: Psychology, Psychobiology, Chemistry, Physics Applied to Medicine and Biology, Comparative Biology, and Entomology. The graduate program in Psychology presented a lower h-index (P < 0.001) and had fewer papers indexed by the ISI web of science (P < 0.001) when compared to the other graduate programs. The poorer performance of the Psychology program may be associated with the limited coverage by the Thompson Institute of Scientific Information database.