Effect of radiofrequency on patellar ligament repair of Wistar rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of radiofrequency (RF) on patellar ligament repair through the analysis of type I and III collagens and immunostaining for TGF-β3. To evaluate the effect of RF on patellar ligament repair of Wistar rats, cross-sectional incision (60% of the width - grade I) was performed in patellar ligaments of the groups: lesion (L, n = 7), treated with RF on the 5-day (5RF, n = 7) and 7-day (7RF, n = 7) post injury were compared to control group (C, n = 7). Histological evaluation, immunohistochemistry, morphometry and statistical analysis were performed.

Analysis of serum inflammatory mediators in type 2 diabetic patients and their influence on renal function.

Aim: To evaluate the serum concentrations of inflammatory mediators in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with or without renal alteration (RA) function.

Methods: Serum samples from 76 patients with T2DM and 24 healthy individuals were selected. Patients with T2DM were divided into two groups according to eGFR (> or < 60mL/min/1.

Mast cells in the kidney biopsies of pediatric patients with lupus nephritis.

Introduction: Mast cells may be involved in inflammation and contribute to the onset of fibrosis in lupus nephritis (LN).

Objective: This study aimed to correlate the presence of mast cells in kidney biopsy specimens of pediatric patients with LN with activity (AI) and chronicity (CI) indices and assess how effectively mast cells may be used as a prognostic factor.

Method: The study included 40 patients aged 6-18 years diagnosed with LN at the Renal Disease Service of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro between 1996 and 2015.

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Potential of uPAR as a Biomarker in Renal Biopsies of Patients with FSGS.

Minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are primary glomerulopathies leading to proteinuria, known as podocytopathies, which share syndromic and morphological similarities. Morphological similarity occurs in cases of FSGS in which the sclerotic lesion was not sampled in renal biopsy, due to the focal nature of the disease. Differentiating these entities is very important, especially in cases of suspected FSGS but with sclerotic lesion not sampled, as they are diseases that apparently have different pathogenic mechanisms and prognosis.

Podocin and uPAR are good biomarkers in cases of Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in pediatric renal biopsies.

There are controversies whether Minimal Change Disease (MCD) and Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are distinct glomerular lesions or different manifestations within the same spectrum of diseases. The uPAR (urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor) and some slit diaphragm proteins may be altered in FSGS glomeruli and may function as biomarkers of the disease in renal biopsies. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the diagnostic potential of uPAR and glomerular proteins for differentiation between MCD and FSGS in renal pediatric biopsy.

Morphological and histopathological evaluation of autopsied patients with hypertensive cardiopathy.

Background: Physiopathological processes in hypertensive heart disease are controlled by complex interactions between cardiomyocytes, extracellular matrix, microvasculature and other cells present in the myocardium.

Objective: To analyze morphological changes in hypertensive cardiopathy and to describe and compare findings in order to help clarify determinant factors.

Methods: 42 fragments of the left ventricular myocardium and circumflex branch of the left coronary artery were obtained from individuals autopsied at the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM) in the period ranging from 1984 to 2018.

Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Membranous Nephropathy overlapping in a patient with Nephrotic Syndrome: a case report.

Introduction: Some cases of membranous nephropathy (MGN) present focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) typically associated with disease progression. However, we report a case of a patient who seemed to have MGN and FSGS, both primary.

Case Presentation: A 17-year-old female, Caucasian, presenting lower extremity edema associated with episodes of foamy urine and high blood pressure, had physical and laboratorial exams indicating nephrotic syndrome.

Upregulation of Cardiac IL-10 and Downregulation of IFN- in Balb/c IL-4 in Acute Chagasic Myocarditis due to Colombian Strain of .

Inflammatory response in Chagas disease is related to parasite and host factors. However, immune system regulation has not been fully elucidated. Thus, this study is aimed at evaluating IL-4 influence on acute phase of experimental infection through dosage of cytokine levels in cardiac homogenate of infected Balb/c WT and Balb/c IL-4 as well as its histopathological repercussions.

Angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in preeclampsia.

Background: Pre-eclampsia is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder that is triggered by placental insufficiency and that accounts for up to 15% of maternal deaths. In normal pregnancies, this process depends on the balance between the expression of angiogenic factors and antiangiogenic factors, which are responsible for remodeling the spiral arteries, as well as for neoangiogenesis and fetal development.

Purpose: The aim of this review is to discuss the main scientific findings regarding the role of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Intrauterine infection, immune system and premature birth.

Preterm birth accounts for nearly one million deaths among children under five years of age, and although its etiopathogenesis is not fully elucidated, ascending intrauterine infection and fetal inflammatory response seem to be the main triggers. The intense inflammatory response mediated by IL-1β, TNF-α, PAF, IFN-γ and IL-6, PGE and MMP-1 and MMP-9 causes fetal membrane damage and rupture, increased uterine contractions and biochemical and structural changes in the cervix. Furthermore, preterm neonates have deficient innate and adaptive immune responses characterized by reduced levels of IgG, opsonization and phagocytosis, as well as increased activation of Th1 cells in relation to Th2 cells.

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and factor VIII in the gilt placenta and its relation to fetal development.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and von Willebrand factor (Factor VIII) are important components involved in the regulation of vascular development and identification of endothelial cells in many tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of these substances in the placenta of pig fetuses located in different uterine regions and at different gestational ages and correlate them with fetal development. One hundred seventy-five pig fetuses from fifteen gilts slaughtered at 50, 80 and 106 days of pregnancy were used.

Influence of the Expression of Inflammatory Markers on Kidney after Fetal Programming in an Experimental Model of Renal Failure.

To evaluate the expression of inflammatory markers in experimental renal failure after fetal programming. The offspring aged two and five months were divided into four groups: CC (control dams, control offspring); DC (diabetic dams, control offspring); CFA (control dams, folic acid offspring, 250 mg/Kg); and DFA (diabetic dams, folic acid offspring). Gene expression of inflammatory markers MCP-1, IL-1, NOS3, TGF-, TNF-, and VEGF was evaluated by RT-PCR.

An overview of maternal and fetal short and long-term impact of physical activity during pregnancy.

Purpose: To explore information available in the literature about the possible benefits resulting from physical activity (PA) in non-risky pregnant women, repercussion on maternal organism, fetal development, and on long-term offspring health.

Methods: Critical narrative review using online databases.

Results: Through critical discussion of studies focused on PA practiced during pregnancy, it was observed that some of the outcomes investigated on both mother and offspring showed conflicting findings.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pediatric nephropathies.

Introduction: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process in which epithelial cells may express mesenchymal cell markers with subsequent change in their functions, and it may be part of the etiopathogenesis of kidney disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunexpression of some EMT inducers and markers in frequent nephropathies in pediatric patients.

Methods: 59 patients aged 2-18 years old were selected and divided into 6 groups of frequent nephropathies in children and adolescents, as well as one control group.

Diagnosis of congenital and infantile nephrotic syndromes in renal biopsies in Minas Gerais, Brazil: Six case reports.

Congenital or infantile nephrotic syndromes (CNS/INS) correspond to a heterogeneous group of rare diseases in which glomerular renal dysfunction and proteinuria are prominent. The aim of this study is to present six cases of possible CNS/INS with diagnoses based on clinical findings and especially histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical characteristics of renal biopsies. Four cases are presented with diffuse mesangial sclerosis, one of them possibly part of Denys-Drash syndrome and two cases with CNS probably of the Finnish type in patients between 3 months old and 13 years old.

Morphometric evaluation of the aortic root in stillborns.

Objective: To describe the dimensions and amount of collagen in the aortic root of autopsied fetuses at different gestational ages.

Material And Methods: 40 samples of aortic roots were selected from autopsied fetuses with gestational ages ranging between 20 and 40 weeks. The thickness and the area of the aortic wall were analyzed on slides stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and the collagen was quantified on slides stained with Picrosirius, by using an image analyzing system.

Contribution of glomerular morphometry to the diagnosis of pediatric nephropathies.

Only a few studies describe histopathological changes in renal biopsies performed in pediatric patients. This study was conducted to identify an association between morphometric data in renal biopsies and renal function of these patients. Fifty-nine individuals with ages between 2 and 18 years old were selected, who were divided into six groups consisting of frequent nephropathies in children and adolescents and one control group.

Morphological and inflammatory changes in the skin of autopsied fetuses according to the type of stress.

Introduction: The fetal skin acts on the development and activation of the immune response via immune-neuroendocrine communication coordinated by corticotropin-releasing hormone.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the morphological and inflammatory changes in the skin due to acute stress and chronic stress, associated with perinatal asphyxia, ascending infection and congenital malformation.

Methods: We measured dermal and epidermal thickness, the diameter of keratinocytes, and the percentage of collagen and elastic fibers.

Clinical and epidemiological prevalence of glomerulopathies elderly in the city of Uberaba - MG.

Introduction: Currently, the elderly population of Brazil is suffering significant increase. Aging is a physiological process that causes changes in various organs, including the kidney. A kidney biopsy is of paramount importance to clarify the morphological changes of these entities.

Neonatal sepsis and inflammatory mediators.

Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and its signs and symptoms are nonspecific, which makes the diagnosis difficult. The routinely used laboratory tests are not effective methods of analysis, as they are extremely nonspecific and often cause inappropriate use of antibiotics. Sepsis is the result of an infection associated with a systemic inflammatory response with production and release of a wide range of inflammatory mediators.

Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on fetal and placental development in an experimental model of placental insufficiency.

Objective: To elucidate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in pregnancies with placental insufficiency.

Methods: Pregnant rats were subjected to uterine artery ligation and to TENS according to the following groups: ligated stimulated (LS); ligated non-stimulated (LN), control stimulated (CS); and control non-stimulated (CN). Fetal external measurements, such as crown-rump length (CRL), fronto-occipital distance (FOD), thoracic ventral-dorsal (TVDD) and abdominal ventral-dorsal (AVDD) distances were analyzed together with the area occupied by fetal internal organs.

Acute kidney injury and progression of renal failure after fetal programming in the offspring of diabetic rats.

Background: Diseases of adulthood, such as diabetes and hypertension, may be related to changes during pregnancy, particularly in kidney. We hypothesized that acute kidney injury progresses more rapidly in cases of fetal programming.

Methods: Diabetic dams' offspring were divided into: CC (controls, receiving vehicle); DC (diabetics, receiving vehicle); CA (controls receiving folic Acid solution, 250 mg/kg); and DA (diabetics receiving folic acid solution).

Morphological and functional aspects of acute kidney injury after fetal programing in the offspring of diabetic rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of folic acid (FA)-induced renal failure in young offspring of diabetic mothers.

Methods: The offspring of streptozotocin-induced diabetic dams were divided into four groups: CC (controls receiving vehicle); DC (diabetics receiving vehicle); CA (controls receiving FA solution, 250 mg/kg) and DA (diabetics receiving FA solution, 250 mg/kg). Renal function tests and morphometry results were analyzed.

Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein are overexpressed in the liver of perinatal deaths diagnosed with fetal inflammatory response syndrome.

Anatomopathologic studies have failed to define the fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) as a cause of fetal death. Here, liver fragments of perinatal autopsies were collected at a university hospital from 1990 to 2009 and classified according to the cause of death, perinatal stress, and gestational age (GA) of the fetus. IL-6, TNF-α, and C-reactive protein (CRP) expression were immunostained, respectively, with primary antibody.

[Influence of cause of death on body and internal organs weight in perinatal autopsies].

Purpose: To evaluate changes in body and internal organ weight of autopsied children in the perinatal period and their relationship with the cause of death.

Methods: One hundred and fifty three cases of perinatal autopsies performed at a university hospital in Southeastern Brazil ere included. Information about cause of perinatal death, date of autopsy, gestational age, perinatal weight and organ weight was obtained from the autopsy protocols and medical records of the mother and/or the newborn.