Publications by authors named "Maria C Mendes"

Body composition abnormalities are prognostic markers in several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Using our data distribution on body composition assessments and classifications could improve clinical evaluations and support population-specific opportune interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of body composition from computed tomography and assess the associations with overall survival among patients with CRC.

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The inclusion of hollow channels in tissue-engineered hydrogels is crucial for mimicking the natural physiological conditions and facilitating the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to cells. Although bio-fabrication techniques provide diverse strategies to create these channels, many require sophisticated equipment and time-consuming protocols. Herein, collagenase, a degrading agent for methacrylated gelatin hydrogels, and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are combined and processed into enzymatically active spherical structures using a straightforward oil bath emulsion methodology.

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Objective: To evaluate the impact of possible maternal and paternal prognostic factors and ovarian stimulation protocols on clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of 341 IUI cycles performed from January 2016 to November 2020 at the Assisted Reproduction Service of the Clinics Hospital of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo. Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and their potential prognostic factors were evaluated.

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The optimized physical adhesion between bees' leg hairs and pollen grains-whereby the latter's diameter aligns with the spacing between the hairs-has previously inspired the development of a biomimetic drug dressing. Combining this optimized process with the improved natural mussels' adhesion in wet environments in a dual biomimetic process, it is herein proposed the fabrication of a natural-derived micropatterned hydrogel patch of methacrylated laminarin (LAM-MET), with enriched drug content and improved adhesiveness, suitable for applications like wound healing. Enhanced adhesion is accomplished by modifying LAM-MET with hydroxypyridinone groups, following the patch microfabrication by soft lithography and UV/vis-irradiation, resulting in a membrane with micropillars with a high aspect ratio.

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Objective: This study aimed to determine the differences in body fat distribution and central obesity indicators using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), adiposity indices, and anthropometric indices between women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Materials And Methods: Clinical and laboratory examination history, including transvaginal ultrasound, fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, and DXA scans were conducted in 179 women with PCOS (PCOS group) and 100 without PCOS (non-PCOS group). The volunteers were grouped by body mass index (BMI): normal (18-24.

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The purpose of this study to assess the effects of different protocols of physical exercise on the domains of the quality of life (QoL), sexual function, anxiety, and depression scores in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Data of 112 women with PCOS were extracted from 2 trials with different protocols of physical exercise: continuous aerobic training (ContinuousAT, n = 23), intermittent aerobic training (IntermittentAT, n = 22), and progressive resistance training (ResistanceT, n = 43) alongside a control group (CG, n = 24). Volunteers who completed self-report questionnaires-Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for QoL-preprotocol and postprotocol of physical exercise were included.

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Objective: To assess the utility of bioimpedance (BIA) and skinfolds thickness (SF) in body fat percentage measuring (%BF) compared to the reference method dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in Brazilian reproductive age women, as well as to estimate of inter- and intra-observer precision for SF.

Subjects And Methods: 170 women aged 18-37 years with BMI between 18 and 39.9 kg/m2 were selected for this cross-sectional study.

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The lack of effective strategies to produce vascularized 3D bone transplants in vitro, hampers the development of thick-constructed bone, limiting the translational of lab-based engineered system to clinical practices. Cell sheet (CS) engineering techniques provide an excellent microenvironment for vascularization since the technique can maintain the intact cell matrix, crucial for angiogenesis. In an attempt to develop hierarchical vascularized 3D cellular constructs, we herein propose the construction of stratified magnetic responsive heterotypic CSs by making use of iron oxide nanoparticles previously internalized within cells.

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Background: Both physical and mental health care for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) require a multidisciplinary approach. We evaluated the effects of continuous (CAT) and intermittent (IAT) aerobic training in different protocols that measure body image, anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction in women with PCOS.

Methods: In this controlled clinical trial, women with PCOS were randomly allocated for 16 weeks to 1 out of 3 groups: CAT (n = 28), IAT (n = 29), or control group (CG, n = 30).

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Polycystic ovary syndrome predisposes alterations which contribute to the reduction of quality of life. This randomized controlled clinical trial study was to evaluate the effect of two protocols of aerobic exercise on quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Women were allocated to three groups: continuous aerobic training ( = 28), intermittent aerobic training ( = 29), and control group (no training;  = 30).

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 To evaluate the effects of nutritional counseling on the dietary habits and anthropometric parameters of overweight and obese adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  This was a prospective, longitudinal and auto-controlled study. Thirty adolescents aged 13-19 years-old, diagnosed with PCOS received nutritional counseling and were followed-up for 6 months.

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Introduction: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world, and the most frequent cancer among women. Moreover, there are factors that influence the risk for breast cancer including the age, genetic and endocrine factors, and lifestyle.

Objectives: To evaluate the consumption of fatty acids; compare the fatty acids composition in the breast adipose tissue of women with breast cancer and benign breast disease as well as potential risk factors; and describe the genotypic frequency of the Pro12Ala PPARγ polymorphism.

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Cancer and its morbidities, such as cancer cachexia, constitute a major public health problem. Although cancer cachexia has afflicted humanity for centuries, its underlying multifactorial and complex physiopathology has hindered the understanding of its mechanism. During the last few decades we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the understanding of cancer cachexia pathophysiology.

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Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor for sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) that has a role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. Here we show that the S1P/S1PR1 signalling pathway in hypothalamic neurons regulates energy homeostasis in rodents. We demonstrate that S1PR1 protein is highly enriched in hypothalamic POMC neurons of rats.

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We compared the relationships among percentage of body fat (%BF) and physical activity with breast cancer (BC) and benign breast diseases (BBD) in low-income Brazilian women. A case-control study including 106 incident BC cases, 178 incident BBD cases, and 181 control women recruited from a public hospital-based screening center was conducted. Logistic regression models showed that sedentary women have a higher odds of developing BC in the age adjusted model [odds ratio (OR) = 2.

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A case-control study was conducted to assess the levels of α-tocopherol, retinol, and β-carotene in different tissues and the genetic expression of inflammatory mediators in women with breast cancer. The study included 51 women divided into two groups: case (n = 25) and benign breast disease (n = 26). We evaluated the dietary intake of α-tocopherol, retinol, and β-carotene and measured plasma and tissue concentrations of these compounds and the inflammatory mediators IL-8, IL-10, and IFNγ.

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Purpose: To evaluate the preventive effect of sodium butyrate in the appearance of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats after induction with the carcinogen 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH).

Methods: Forty Wistar rats were separated into four groups (n=10) distributed as follows: control 1, control 2, butyrate 1 and butyrate 2. The groups control 1 and butyrate 1 remained under experimentation for 4 weeks, while the groups control 2 and butyrate 2 remained for 8 weeks.

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Purpose: to analyze the differential diagnosis, follow-up and therapeutic approach in five cases of primary cardiac tumors diagnosed during the prenatal period.

Methods: during the period from January 1997 to December 2008, 7989 pregnant women were submitted to morphological ultrasound due to the presence of risk factors for fetal malformations. Fetuses with hyperechogenic intracardiac masses larger than 1 mm diagnosed by ultrasound evaluation of the fetal heart, were selected for study.

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Objective: To develop a method to assist in the design and assessment of animal rabies control campaigns.

Methods: A methodology was developed based on geographic information systems to estimate the animal (canine and feline) population and density per census tract and per subregion (known as "Subprefeituras") in the city of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil) in 2002. The number of vaccination units in a given region was estimated to achieve a certain proportion of vaccination coverage.

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Objectives: To determine the effects of low-dose transdermal hormone therapy (HT) on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (BP) evaluated by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

Methods: The study was conducted on 24 hypertensive postmenopausal women aged, on average, 54 years and under treatment with enalapril maleate (10-20 mg/day) combined or not with hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/day). Thirteen women used a transdermal adhesive containing estradiol and norethisterone (25 and 125 mug active substance/day, respectively) and 11 did not receive HT.

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Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility of performing a complete fetal echocardiographic study during the first trimester of pregnancy, to establish the best week to accomplish a complete evaluation, and to find a relationship between the diameters of the cardiac valves and gestational age.

Methods: 46 fetuses with normal nuchal translucency and venous duct Doppler velocimetry were submitted to echocardiographic studies by the transvaginal approach between the 11 + 0 and 14 + 6 weeks of gestation. A complete echocardiographic evaluation was defined as an examination in which the three basic planes, four-chamber, longitudinal and short-axis views, were obtained.

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