Effects of adiponectin during in vitro maturation of goat oocytes: MEK 1/2 pathway and gene expression pattern.

Recent studies have shown that adiponectin, an adipokine predominantly produced by adipose tissue, regulates several reproductive processes. However, the mechanisms of action of adiponectin on the maturation of goat oocytes remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate whether (a) adiponectin influences the meiotic maturation of goat oocytes; (b) MAPK MEK 1/2 mediates the effects of adiponectin; and 3) adiponectin differentially affects mRNA relative abundance of genes relevant for adiponectin signal transduction in goat oocytes.

Immunoexpression of GADD45β in the myocardium of newborns experiencing perinatal hypoxia.

Aim: Among the several organs affected by perinatal hypoxia, the heart plays a central role, with cell death caused mainly by apoptosis. One of the biomarkers most often linked to hypoxia-derived apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in animals is Gadd45β. From the published literature, Gadd45β is proposed as a biomarker of hypoxia-induced lesion in cardiomyocytes, both in vitro, as well as in animal models.

Zika virus damages the human placental barrier and presents marked fetal neurotropism.

An unusually high incidence of microcephaly in newborns has recently been observed in Brazil. There is a temporal association between the increase in cases of microcephaly and the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic. Viral RNA has been detected in amniotic fluid samples, placental tissues and newborn and fetal brain tissues.

Effect of the bone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells transplantation in the growth, VEGF-R and TNF-alpha expression of endometrial implants in Wistar rats.

Objective: To study the effect of bone marrow derived-mononuclear stem cells transplantation in the growth, VEGF-R and TNF-alpha expression of surgically induced endometriosis in an experimental model.

Study Design: This is an experimental study conducted in the Center for Health and Biological Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, Brazil. Endometriotic implants were surgically induced in 120 female Wistar rats.