Biomedical treatment and divine assistance: complementary reproductive itineraries among catholic women users of assisted reproduction technology in Argentina.

This paper explores how Catholic women in Argentina use assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs), and particularly the way in which they resort to biomedicine and religion as complementary sources of knowledge, support and assistance during reproductive treatments. It is concerned about the role of the Catholic religion in local reproductive itineraries, seeing that Catholicism has such significant social, political and cultural influence in the country. Drawing on a qualitative and ethnographic study of Catholic spaces of worship, a maternity hospital and in-depth interviews with former users from three metropolitan areas in Argentina, we examine how reproductive itineraries involve the users' agency in building health resources from religion, with reference to biomedicine. The data reveal that women address religion as an affective, social and therapeutic recourse intertwined with biomedical power. These findings highlight the multiple and complex forms reproduction acquires in specific social, cultural and normative contexts, and contribute to discussing the complementarity between religion and biomedicine in health experiences.

Los sentidos sobre los fetos y embriones: imágenes, discursos y tecnología en las experiencias de usuarias de TRHA en Argentina / Os sentidos de fetos e embriões: imagens, discursos e tecnologia nas experiências de usuárias de TRHA na Argentina / The senses about fetuses and embryos: Images, discourses and technology in the ARTs user's experiences in Argentina

Resumen El presente trabajo analiza los sentidos que las usuarias de TRHA construyen sobre los embriones y fetos de forma situada. Desde un método cualitativo y un enfoque biográfico, se exploran las maneras en que las usuarias dan sentido y subjetivan a los embriones en diferentes momentos: durante la gestación, ante la pérdida de un embarazo, como frente a las tecnologías de visualización y de criopreservación, dando cuenta de diferentes interpretaciones y resignificaciones. Situado en la Provincia de Córdoba, estas experiencias permiten dar cuenta de los sentidos locales de lo reproductivo y comprender las controversias que afrontan las usuarias un campo biomédico poco regulado en Argentina.

Resumo Este documento analisa os significados que as usuárias de TRHA constroem sobre embriões e fetos de uma forma situada. Utilizando um método qualitativo e uma abordagem biográfica, exploramos as formas como as usuárias dão sentido e subjetividade aos embriões em diferentes momentos: durante a gestação, face à perda de gravidez, e face às tecnologias de visualização e criopreservação, dando conta de diferentes interpretações e ressignificações. Situadas na província de Córdoba, estas experiências nos permitem dar conta dos significados locais das questões reprodutivas e compreender as controvérsias enfrentadas pelos utilizadores de um campo biomédico mal regulado na Argentina.

Abstract The present work analyzes the construction-meaning process in ART users about embryos and fetuses in a situated way. From a qualitative method and a biographical approach, it explores the ways that ART users construct and subject ART embryos at different times: during gestation, in the face of pregnancy loss, as well as in front of visualization and cryopreservation technologies, accounting for different interpretations and resignifications. Located in the Province of Córdoba, these experiences allow us to account for the local meanings of reproductive issues and to understand the controversies faced by users of a biomedical field that is not very regulated in Argentina.

[Emotions, concerns and reflections regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina]. / Emociones, preocupaciones y reflexiones frente a la pandemia del COVID-19 en Argentina.

The scope of this work is to explore the feelings and expectations that COVID-19 has generated in Argentina during the first stage of the pandemic. A survey of the World Health Organization adapted to the local context was applied. Open-ended questions were included to study people's feelings about COVID-19, and content analysis was subsequently conducted. In terms of results, it is revealed that the population surveyed feels uncertainty, fear and anguish, albeit a feeling of responsibility and care in the face of COVID-19 also emerges. Moreover, positive feelings regarding society stand out as an achievement of social interdependence. The results obtained show that the impact on mental health differs in accordance with gender, educational level, and perceived comfort in the home. The study concludes that the emotional and bonding dimensions of people are central to confronting the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina. It is recommended that these dimensions, as well as their subjective and differential social impact among the different population groups, should be considered in the planning of policies to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar los sentimientos y expectativas que genera el COVID-19 en Argentina durante la primera etapa de la pandemia. Se aplicó una encuesta de la Organización Mundial de la Salud adaptada al contexto local. Se incluyeron preguntas abiertas para indagar sentimientos de las personas frente al COVID-19, y se realizó un análisis de contenido. Como resultados se advierte que la población encuestada siente incertidumbre, miedo y angustia, pero también emerge un sentimiento de responsabilidad y cuidado frente al COVID-19. Así mismo se destacan sentimientos positivos para la sociedad como una valoración de la interdependencia social. Los resultados arribados señalan que el impacto en la salud mental es desigual según el género, el nivel educativo alcanzado y el confort percibido en el hogar. El estudio permite concluir que las dimensiones emocionales y vinculares de las personas resultan aspectos centrales ante la pandemia del COVID-19 en Argentina. Es recomendable que estas dimensiones, así como y su impacto subjetivo y social diferencial entre los diversos grupos poblacionales, sean consideradas en la planificación de políticas para afrontar el COVID-19.

Emociones, preocupaciones y reflexiones frente a la pandemia del COVID-19 en Argentina / Emotions, concerns and reflections regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar los sentimientos y expectativas que genera el COVID-19 en Argentina durante la primera etapa de la pandemia. Se aplicó una encuesta de la Organización Mundial de la Salud adaptada al contexto local. Se incluyeron preguntas abiertas para indagar sentimientos de las personas frente al COVID-19, y se realizó un análisis de contenido. Como resultados se advierte que la población encuestada siente incertidumbre, miedo y angustia, pero también emerge un sentimiento de responsabilidad y cuidado frente al COVID-19. Así mismo se destacan sentimientos positivos para la sociedad como una valoración de la interdependencia social. Los resultados arribados señalan que el impacto en la salud mental es desigual según el género, el nivel educativo alcanzado y el confort percibido en el hogar. El estudio permite concluir que las dimensiones emocionales y vinculares de las personas resultan aspectos centrales ante la pandemia del COVID-19 en Argentina. Es recomendable que estas dimensiones, así como y su impacto subjetivo y social diferencial entre los diversos grupos poblacionales, sean consideradas en la planificación de políticas para afrontar el COVID-19.

Abstract The scope of this work is to explore the feelings and expectations that COVID-19 has generated in Argentina during the first stage of the pandemic. A survey of the World Health Organization adapted to the local context was applied. Open-ended questions were included to study people's feelings about COVID-19, and content analysis was subsequently conducted. In terms of results, it is revealed that the population surveyed feels uncertainty, fear and anguish, albeit a feeling of responsibility and care in the face of COVID-19 also emerges. Moreover, positive feelings regarding society stand out as an achievement of social interdependence. The results obtained show that the impact on mental health differs in accordance with gender, educational level, and perceived comfort in the home. The study concludes that the emotional and bonding dimensions of people are central to confronting the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina. It is recommended that these dimensions, as well as their subjective and differential social impact among the different population groups, should be considered in the planning of policies to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

[The senses on in vitro embryos and the religious dimension: contributions for debate.] / Los sentidos sobre los embriones in vitro y la dimensión religiosa: aportes para el debate.

Based on a biographical investigation of the experiences of assisted reproduction users in Córdoba, this work seeks contribute on the religious dimension as a category that a priori does not determine the users senses about reproduction and embryos in vitro.

A partir de una investigación biográfica sobre experiencias de usuarias de reproducción asistida en Córdoba, este trabajo busca realizar un aporte sobre la dimensión religiosa como una categoría que a priori no determina los sentidos que las personas usuarias tienen sobre la reproducción y los embriones in vitro.

Efecto de Estradiol y Testosterona sobre la activación de la vía JAK2/STAT5 inducida por hormona de crecimiento / Estradiol and Testosterone effect on the activation of the JAK2/STAT5 pathway induced by growth hormone

Abstract: Sex hormones play a major role during pubertal growth. Estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels progressively increase during puberty and in the presence of growth hormone (GH), growth velocity increases. Understanding the interactions between sex hormones and GH, may optimize the treatment of pubertal children with growth disorders. The aim of our study was to investigate possible molecular mechanisms which might potentiate longitudinal growth during puberty due to E 2or T combined with GH. We evaluated the GH/JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway in the human hepatoma cell line HEPG2. Our results suggest that sex hormones potentiate the GH signaling pathway in a dose dependent fashion. Relatively low concentrations of E 2associated with GH induce a substantial activation of the GH pathway, whereas relatively high concentrations of T associated with GH produce a similar effect. These findings are concordant with the physiology of the pubertal growth spurt, which is an early event in girls (when E 2 circulating levels are low), and a late event in boys (when T circulating levels are high).

Resumen: Las hormonas sexuales, modulan el crecimiento durante la pubertad. Los niveles de estradiol (E2) y testosterona (T) aumentan progresivamente durante la pubertad y en combinación con la hormona de crecimiento (GH), producen un incremento en la velocidad de crecimiento en este período conocido como el "estirón puberal". El estudio de la interacción entre las hormonas sexuales y la GH, es de gran importancia para optimizar el tratamiento de niños(as) con alteraciones del crecimiento durante la pubertad. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue investigar los posibles mecanismos que podrían potenciar el crecimiento longitudinal durante la pubertad, en especial las interacciones entre E 2o T en combinación con GH. Se evaluó la activación de la vía de señalización GH/JAK2/STAT5 frente al estímulo combinado con estas hormonas en cultivos celulares de hepatoma humana HEPG2. Nuestros resultados sugieren que existe un efecto potenciador de las hormonas sexuales sobre la vía de señalización de GH. Observamos que concentraciones relativamente bajas de E2 junto con GH producen una clara activación de la vía de señalización para GH, mientras que concentraciones relativamente altas de T junto con GH producen una activación similar. Estos hallazgos son concordantes con la fisiología del estirón puberal, que es más precoz en niñas (cuando los niveles circulantes de E2 son bajos), y más tardíos en varones (cuando los niveles circulantes de T son altos).

"Ni la pareja, ni la familia, ni la Iglesia deciden por mí": la experiencia del aborto en mujeres Católicas / "Nem o parceiro, nem a família, nem a Igreja decidem por mim": a experiência de mulheres Católicas com o aborto / "Neither the partner, nor the family or the Church can decide for me": the experience of Catholic women with abortion

Resumen La Iglesia Católica es uno de los actores sociales que históricamente ha contribuido al control de los cuerpos, siendo el aborto concebido como un pecado y un crimen. Sin embargo, la diversidad de vivencias sobre lo religioso da cuenta de un espectro plural, que no siempre se traduce en experiencias culpabilizantes sobre la sexualidad. Este artículo analiza, a través de relatos de mujeres católicas que abortaron, las maneras en que ellas negocian esta experiencia con su identidad religiosa. Desde una metodología cualitativa y un enfoque biográfico se realizaron diez entrevistas a mujeres de diferentes edades y sectores sociales. Se exploraron las diversas maneras en que se articula el aborto y la religiosidad en cada biografía, así como también las distintas negociaciones entre la religiosidad y el aborto: quienes politizan la experiencia, así como quienes reelaboran y resignifican su religiosidad.

Resumo A Igreja Católica é um dos atores sociais que historicamente contribuíram para o controle dos corpos, sendo o aborto concebido como pecado e crime. No entanto, a diversidade de experiências sobre religião mostra um espectro plural, que nem sempre se traduz em experiências indutoras de culpa sobre a sexualidade. Este trabalho analisa, através de relatos de mulheres católicas que abortaram, as formas como eles negociam essa experiência com sua identidade religiosa. A partir de uma metodologia qualitativa e de uma abordagem biográfica, foram realizadas dez entrevistas com mulheres de diferentes idades e setores sociais. As diversas formas de articulação do aborto e da religiosidade em cada biografia foram exploradas, assim como as diferentes negociações entre religiosidade e aborto: daquelas que politizam a experiência, bem como daquelas que retrabalham e re-significam sua religiosidade.

Abstract The Catholic Church is one of the social actors that have historically contributed to the control of bodies, conceiving abortion as a sin and a crime. However, the diversity of experiences about religion accounts for a plural spectrum, which does not always translate into guilt-inducing experiences about sexuality. This work analyzes, through narratives of Catholic women who aborted, the ways in which they negotiate this experience with their religious identity. Adopting a qualitative methodology and biographical approach, ten interviews were conducted with women of different ages and social sectors. The diverse ways in which abortion and religiosity are articulated in each biography were explored, as well as the different negotiations between religiosity and abortion: of those who politicize the experience, as well as of those who rework and re-signify their religiosity.

Klotho Gene and Protein in Human Placentas According to Birth Weight and Gestational Age.

Introduction: Fetal growth restriction may be the consequence of maternal, fetal, or placental factors. The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are major determinants of fetal growth, and are expressed in the mother, fetus and placenta in most species. Previously we reported higher placental protein content of IGF-I, IGF-IR, and AKT in small (SGA) compared with those from appropriate for gestational age (AGA) placentas. The protein Klotho, has been reported in placenta and may regulate IGF-I activity. In this study we determined Klotho gene expression and protein immunostaining in term (T-SGA y T-AGA) and preterm (PT-SGA y PT-AGA) human placentas. In addition, we assessed the effect of Klotho on the IGF-IR and AKT activation induced by IGF-I. Methods: Placentas (n = 1 17) from 32 T-SGA (birth weight (BW) = -1.74 ± 0.08 SDS), 37 T-AGA (BW = 0.12 ± 0.12 SDS), 20 PT-SGA (BW = -2.08 ± 0.14 SDS), and 28 PT-AGA (BW = -0.43 ± 0.13 SDS) newborns were collected. mRNA expression by RT-PCR in the chorionic (CP) and basal (BP) plates of the placentas, and the presence of Klotho was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (integral optical density, IOD). In addition, we developed placental explants that were incubated with IGF-I in the presence or absence of Klotho. Results: We found a lower mRNA expression and protein immunoreactivity of Klotho in the CP of SGA (term and preterm) compared with AGA placentas. We also observed a significant reduction in IGF-IR tyrosine activation induced by IGF-I 10 nM when preincubated with 2.0 nM of Klotho (2.4 ± 0.5 arbitrary units vs. 1.3 ± 0.3 AU), and similar results we observed on AKT and ERK42/44 activation. Conclusion: We describe for the first time that Klotho mRNA and protein varies according to fetal growth and gestational age. In addition, Klotho appears to down-regulate the activation induced by IGF-I on IGF-IR and AKT, suggesting that Klotho may be regulating IGF-I activity in human placentas according to intrauterine fetal growth.

Androgen receptor CAG and GGN polymorphisms in boys with isolated hypospadias.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of hypospadias is multifactorial. Abnormal androgenic secretion and/or action during the development of external genitalia may be involved in the etiology of this congenital malformation. This study explored CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, which may affect its transcriptional activity, in patients with isolated hypospadias. METHODS: The length of the CAG/GGN polymorphisms was determined in 44 boys with non-severe (glandular) or severe (penile or penoscrotal) isolated hypospadias and with a normal hormonal evaluation. In addition, 79 healthy men, as controls, were studied. RESULTS: Mean CAG repeats were significantly higher in total and severe cases compared to controls (24.4 +/- 2.8 and 24.7 +/- 3.1 vs. 22.7 +/- 3.3, respectively; p<0.05, Student's t and Bonferroni test). In addition, a frequency of CAG alleles >23 was significantly different in total and severe cases compared to controls (70.5% and 74.1% vs. 39.2%, respectively, p<0.05, chi2 and Bonferroni test). The median number and the distribution of GGN polymorphisms were similar in cases and controls. CONCLUSION: Boys with isolated hypospadias have longer CAG alleles in their AR, which may be related with the development of this congenital malformation.

Sudden infant death syndrome and activating GNAS1 gene mutations.

GNAS1 gene mutations cause the McCune-Albright syndrome. Some patients may develop unusual, severe, nonendocrine manifestations that may lead to death. We postulate that some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) might be caused by GNAS1 gene mutations affecting vital organs. We studied two GNAS1 gene mutations (R201H and R201C) by allele specific PCR and enzymatic digestion in pulmonary, pancreas, liver, kidney, and heart tissue from 29 infants who suffered SIDS. The infants died at age 96 +/- 78 days. At the time of death, children had a height Z score of -0,04 +/- 0,95, a weight Z score of 0,04 +/- 0,91, and a weight for length Z score of 0,1 +/- 0,83. The molecular study by both techniques did not reveal any GNAS1 mutations in the tissues examined. We conclude that GNAS1 gene mutations do not appear to be present in tissues of infants with SIDS.

Evaluation of steroid receptors, coregulators, and molecules associated with uterine receptivity in secretory endometria from untreated women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate gene and protein expression of steroid receptors, nuclear receptor coregulators, and uterine receptivity markers in midsecretory phase endometria from untreated women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Hospital research unit. PATIENT(S): Eight patients with PCOS and eight fertile women of similar age to those with PCOS. INTERVENTION(S): Endometrial samples were obtained from women with PCOS (PCOSE) and normal (NE) women during the midsecretory phase of the menstrual cycle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression studies (immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] and Western blot). RESULT(S): Endometria from PCOS exhibit higher levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein for estrogen receptor alpha and coactivators than NE. Epithelial cells had a greater expression of progesterone receptor in PCOSE, whereas, no differences were observed in gene and protein expression of the nuclear corepressor (NcoR) and the antiadhesion molecule mucin type-1 (MUC-1) between PCOSE and NE. Immunodetection for the coactivator ARA70 was higher in PCOSE than in NE; in contrast, expression of beta3-integrin in epithelia was lower in PCOSE than in control endometria. CONCLUSION(S): The higher response to steroid hormones of endometria from untreated PCOS-women induces diminished expression of beta3 integrin, which partially explain implantation failure in PCOS patients.

Expression of steroid receptors and proteins related to apoptosis in endometria of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of steroid hormone receptors, proteins related to apoptosis, and cell proliferation in endometria from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Hospital research unit. PATIENT(S): Eight women with PCOS and 12 fertile healthy women of similar age to those with PCOS. INTERVENTION(S): Endometrial samples were obtained from women with PCOS (PCOSE) and normal (NE) women during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression studies (immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) and DNA fragmentation [TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)]. RESULT(S): In stroma, protein expression of estrogen receptor alpha, Bcl-2, and Bax was higher in PCOSE than in NE; epithelial cells had a greater expression of androgen receptor in the nucleus and a lower expression in the cytoplasm of PCOSE. Cell proliferation was higher in the epithelia of NE, while the expression of caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation was similar in both groups. The bax mRNA expression was higher in PCOSE, and bcl-2 mRNA expression was similar between groups. A higher bcl-2/bax relative ratio in PCOSE was observed. CONCLUSION(S): An alternating expression of proteins related to cell survival in endometria from PCOSE may potentially be associated with the disruption of their endometrial cell cycle.

Role of nitric oxide and bcl-2 family genes in the regulation of human endometrial apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) and death regulatory genes, bcl-2 and bax, in human endometria apoptosis. DESIGN: Expression of bcl-2, bax, NO synthases (NOS), and the apoptotic effect of L-arginine on endometrial explants in vitro. SETTING: Prospective study. PATIENT(S): Thirty-seven eumenorrheic women. INTERVENTION(S): Endometrial samples were obtained with Pipelle suction curette after women signed institutional informed consent forms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): DNA fragmentation (TUNEL), immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULT(S): Apoptosis was detected in mid and late secretory endometria. L-arginine induced an increase in apoptosis in stroma (threefold), glands (eightfold), and surface epithelia (fourfold) in proliferative but not secretory endometria explants. Immunostaining of Bcl-2 was almost absent in the secretory endometria, whereas Bax increased in the stroma at the end of the menstrual cycle, coincident to the decrease in the bcl-2/bax mRNA relative ratio (P<.05) observed in secretory endometria. CONCLUSION(S): The induction of DNA fragmentation by L-arginine on proliferative endometria suggests that NO may be involved in the endometrial apoptotic process, whose control may be related predominantly to the changes of Bcl-2 expression.