New modalities and novel emitters were investigated for the production of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). In annihilation ECL, a light-emitting excited state is formed upon reaction of two electrochemically generated species, typically a radical anion and a radical cation. Donor-acceptor (DA) molecules provide a means of generating these two reactive species within the same molecule but where the oxidized and reduced centers are separated; furthermore, they allow one to explore the ECL properties of multiply charged radical ions. Three new efficient ECL-emitting donor-acceptor molecules were investigated. The effects of conjugation in the electrochemistry of diphenylaminospirobifluorenylfumaronitrile (FPhSPFN), which has the structure of D-X-A-A-X-D, where X is a linker, as well as the effects of the stability of its (multiply charged) radical ions on its red ECL emission (λmax= 708 nm) were studied; the molecule shows solvatochromism and different emission yields on both photoluminescence and ECL in benzene:acetonitrle mixtures. The possibility of generating ECL through multiply charged radical ions was further tested with the very efficient 1b emitter (4,7-bis(4-(4-sec-butoxyphenyl)-5-(3,5-di(1-naphthyl)phenyl)thiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole). Two reversible oxidations and one reduction were observed. The more sluggish reduction is proposed to be a consequence of a long distance electron transfer to the buried acceptor center; further confirmation of this effect was pursued by application of the scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) to model systems. 1b emits intense ECL with λmax= 635 nm and with an efficiency 330% of the ECL standard 9, 10-diphenylanthracene and similar intensity to the red emitting standard tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) perchlorate (Rubpy). The generation of asymmetric chronoamperometric ECL pulses upon generation of radical anion-radical dication annihilation events was explained by the use of digital simulation, and proven to be a consequence of asymmetry in the amount of generated charges rather than instability of the electrogenerated species. ECL was also produced from a film of a red fluorophore 1a (4,7-bis(4-(n-hexyl)-5-(3,5-di(1-naphthyl)phenyl)thiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) with a coreactant in PBS buffer solution. The electrochemical synthesis of carbon quantum Dots (C QDs) in inert atmosphere was explored using highly oriented pyrolytic graphite as the starting material, for its later use in the production of ECL in the radical annihilation mode. FT-IR (ATR), mass spectrometry (desorption chemical ionization), Raman and TEM analysis were used to characterize the C QDs. / text

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:13:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FlavioVMP_TESE.pdf: 2484442 bytes, checksum: a01024c65d8fb94c5394db6d7689663e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-23 / Preeclampsia is a spectral disease, with different clinical forms which can evolve with severe multisystemic complications. This present study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with preeclampsia (PE); to validate the existence of aggregation of hypertensive disease in families of women with preeclampsia and verify the existence of association between polymorphisms in the VEGF gene and level of VEGF and its soluble receptor (sFlt1). A case-control study was performed (n = 851). Genotyping of VEGF was performed and serum levels of VEGF and sFlt1 were measured by ELISA. It was observed that 38% of mothers (173, 455) of a case of preeclampsia and 30.8% (78 of 361) of controls had history of hypertension (p <0.0001). Similarly, when examining the history of maternal preeclampsia, we observed that 14.6% (48 of 328) of mothers of women with preeclampsia and 9.6% (12 of 294) of mothers of controls had a history of preeclampsia (p = 0.0001). As for maternal history of preeclampsia, we found that 5.1% (15 of 295) of cases and 3.6% (7 of 314) of controls had a history of preeclampsia (p = 0.0568). Sisters of women with preeclampsia also had a history of hypertensive disease in 9% (41 of 455) versus 6.6% (13 of 361), p = 0.002. Similarly when examining the history of preeclampsia in sisters, it was observed that 22.7% (57 of 251) of a sister of case versus 11.4% (26 of 228) of controls had a history of preeclampsia (P = 0.0011). We observed a decrease in free VEGF in the serum of patients (P <0.05) and increased soluble VEGF receptor. There was no association between polymorphisms in the VEGF gene and preeclampsia. The data obtained in this work validate that hypertensive disease in mothers and sisters with preeclampsia are risk factors for preeclampsia. The risk of illness in the family is higher according to disease severity. High incidence of preeclampsia can be assumed by the high incidence of this disease among the controls. Significant differences between the frequency of preeclampsia in mothers of cases and controls indicate familial factors. Work is being conducted with the to eventually perform genome wide association studies to identify susceptibility loci / A pr?-ecl?mpsia ? uma doen?a espectral, com formas distintas, podendo evoluir com complica??es multissist?micas graves. Este presente trabalho teve como objetivos determinar os fatores de risco envolvidos com a pr?-ecl?mpsia (PE); validar a exist?ncia de agrega??o de doen?a hipertensiva em fam?lias de gestantes com pr?ecl?mpsia; verificar a exist?ncia de associa??o entre polimorfismo no gene do VEGF e determinar os n?veis de VEGF e seu receptor sol?vel (sFlt1). Um estudo caso-controle foi realizado (n=851). A genotipagem do VEGF foi realizada e os n?veis s?ricos de VEGF e sFlt1 foram determinados por ELISA. Foi observado que 38 % das m?es (173 de 455) de um caso de pr?-ecl?mpsia e 30.8% (78 de 361) dos controles apresentavam hist?ria de hipertens?o (p<0.0001). De forma que 14.6% (48 de 328) das m?es das gestantes com pr?-ecl?mpsia e 9.6% (12 de 294) das m?es dos controles tinham hist?ria de pr?-ecl?mspia (p=0.0001). Quanto ? hist?ria materna de ecl?mpsia, observou-se que 5.1% (15 de 295) dos casos e 3.6% (7 de 314) dos controles tinham hist?ria de pr?-ecl?mpsia (p=0.0568). Irm?s das gestantes com pr?-ecl?mpsia tinham tamb?m hist?ria de doen?a hipertensiva em 9% (41 de 455), versus 6.6% (13 de 361) dos controles, p=0.002. Da mesma forma ao ser examinada a hist?ria de pr?-ecl?mpsia em irm?s, observou-se que 22.7% (57 de 251) das irm?s dos casos de pr?-ecl?mpsia, versus 11.4% (26 de 228) dos controles apresentavam hist?ria de pr?-ecl?mpsia (P=0.0011). O VEGF livre estava diminu?do no soro dos casos (P<0.05) enquanto que o receptor sol?vel do VEGF estava aumentado. N?o foi observada associa??o entre polimorfismos nos genes do VEGF e pr?-ecl?mpsia. Os dados obtidos neste trabalho validam que doen?a hipertensiva em m?es e irm?s com pr?-ecl?mpsia s?o fatores de risco para pr?-ecl?mpsia. O risco de doen?a na fam?lia ? maior de acordo com a gravidade da doen?a. A hist?ria de pr?-ecl?mpsia elevada em familiares dos controles respectivamente, 9,6% e 11,4%, em m?es e irm?s dos controles demonstram que a pr?-ecl?mpsia ? uma done?a freq?ente nesta popula??o. Trabalho est? sendo conduzido para realizar estudos de varredura ampla do genoma, para permitir identificar loci de susceptibilidade

The development of wireless DNA microelectrochemical microarray sensors is described. The operational principles of these sensors are based on bipolar electrochemistry. Bipolar electrodes are used to fabricate the wireless microarrays in this work. The systems are configured so that DNA sensing is carried out at the cathodic end of a bipolar electrode (BPE) and the result of the sensing experiment is reported at the anodic end of the BPE. There are two types of reporting platforms developed in this study. The first type relies on the emission of electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). The system is configured so that ECL is emitted at the anodic end of the BPE when the target DNA is hybridized to the capture probe DNA immobilized on the cathodic end of the BPE. However, when there is no hybridization reaction occurs, there is no ECL emission on the electrode surface. The second type of reporting platform developed is based on silver electrodissolution at the anodic end of a BPE. When a reduction reaction occurs at the cathodic end of a BPE, it triggers oxidation and dissolution of silver deposited at the anodic end of the BPE. The loss of silver can easily be detected by the naked eye. This detection principle is used for DNA detection: when the target DNA is hybridized to capture probe DNA on the BPE, the BPE becomes shorter. However, if target DNA does not hybridize to the electrode surface, the length of the BPE remains the same. The BPE microarrays described in this work eliminate the need for complicated microfabrication procedures and instrumentation. For example, as many as 1000 BPEs can be simultaneously controlled using just two driving electrodes and a simple power supply. To fully utilize BPE microarrays for specific sensing tasks, a method based on robotic spotting was developed to modify the cathodic end of each BPE in the array. Because each BPE in a microarray is individually addressable, this development allows each BPE to perform a particular sensing operation. / text

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Applications of electrochemiluminescent conjugated polymers offer promising solutions in addressing the problem of light emitting devices. However, the challenging problems that hamper their application in light emitting devices are loss of signal due to diffusion of the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) reagent out of the detection zone, limited ability to repeatedly cycle an individual luminophore and high reagent consumption. In this work, the main objective was to produce conducting polymers with enhanced electrochemiluminescence by tuning the properties of the polymer itself. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of films of polyaniline (PANI) and poly(8-anilino-1- naphthalene sulfonic acids) (PANSA) synthesized through electro- and chemical polymerization methods were also investigated. The electrosynthesis of PANSA undoped and doped with anthracene sulfonic acid (ASA), 1,2-naphthaquinone-4-sulfonic acid (NSA) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in acid medium was investigated and the cyclic voltammograms (CV) showed the growth of the polymer during polymerization. The CV multiscan characterization displayed that the growth of the polymer was dependent of the scan rate and the three redox couples were observed as indicative of the three redox states of typical polyaniline and its derivatives. The results also showed that the peak currents were diffusion controlled and the electron charge transport coefficient (De) of the electrosynthesized polymers was found to range between 10⁻⁸ and 10⁻⁹ cm² s⁻¹ for PANSA, PANSA-ASA, PANSA-NSA and PANSA-CNT. The De value indicates that the movement of electrons along the polymer chain was averagely fast. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate the electronic morphology of the polymers and the TEM images showed an intertwinement of tubings which aggregate into a ring with a mixture of tubings and plastic sheets. The chemical synthesis of PANI, PANSA and PANI-NSA was carried out by using monomers analine, 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, and aniline with 1,2- naphthaquinone-4-sulfonic acid, respectively, using oxidants. All chemically synthesized polymers exhibited quinoid and benzoid bands typically see in polyaniline FTIR and Raman spectra confirmed the successfully formation of polymers. The CV characterization of these polymers showed distinctive redox peaks. This proved that the polymers were electroactive, conductive and exhibited reversible electrochemistry. The De of the electrosynthesized polymers was found to be ~10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹ for chemically synthesized polymers. The electric conductivity measurement showed to increase from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻² when aniline was polymerized with NSA dopant, this might be related to the process of electron transfer from dopant to polymer. Scanning electron microscopy for external morphology showed that the polymers were made of different nano- rods polymeric structures. Photophysical properties of electro- and chemically synthesized PANSA and PANI were investigated through UV-vis absorption, fluorescence behaviour, and lifetime. The UV-vis absorption spectra of these polymers showed that they exhibited absorption bands corresponding to the polyemeraldine redox state of typical polyaniline. The effect of dopants resulted in the increase in solubility of the polymers with a small shift of absorption bands due to incorporation of dopants in to the backbone of the polymer. The fluorescence emission spectra of the electrochemically synthesized PANSA with and without dopants were observed to be similar and mirror image of the excitation spectra and corresponding to the electronic band of the benzoid ring in the polyemeraldine form confirming that the fluorescing molecule in these polymers were the benzoid rings. However, the emission spectra of the chemically synthesized PANSA and PANI were different to excitation spectra due to loss of symmetry upon excitation. The effects of chemically synthesized PANI, PANSA and PANI-NSA addition on the photophysical properties of [Ru(bpy)₂(picCOOH)]²⁺.(ClO₄⁻)₂) were investigated in order to understand the interaction of polymer and [Ru(bpy)₂(picCOOH)]²⁺.(ClO₄⁻)₂. The analysis revealed that the presence of polyaniline and its derivatives enhanced the [Ru(bpy)₂(picCOOH)]²⁺.(ClO₄⁻)2 absorption band, photoluminescence and fluorescence lifetime. The enhancement observed from interaction of [Ru(bpy)₂(picCOOH)]²⁺.(ClO₄⁻)₂ with polyaniline and its derivatives might be due to the excited state electron transfer from the PANI and PANSA excited state to the [Ru(bpy)₂(picCOOH)]²⁺.(ClO₄⁻)₂. It was further demonstrated in this work that it is possible to form polyaniline and PANSA doped with [Ru(bpy)₂(picCOOH)]²⁺.(ClO₄⁻)₂ films on ITO electrode using potentiostatic growth method to favour ECL production. The results showed that all films generated ECL in the presence of Tripropylamine (TPA) as a co-reactant and their emission properties depend on time used to prepare the film. The enhancement of ECL signal was due to a positive electron transfer from the conducting polymer (PANI and PANSA) to [Ru(bpy)₂(picCOOH)]²⁺.(ClO₄⁻)₂ complex. The results highlighted the potential of these polymeric luminophores usage in the manufacturing of the ECL devices.

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:13:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PatriciaCFMB.pdf: 373126 bytes, checksum: 359c5249b6f868d7e2bf1418acaf9bec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-11-28 / To determine whether there is familiar aggregation of severe preeclampsia in a Brazilian population from Rio Grande do Norte and to characterize the maternal and perinatal outcomes in the studied population. Methods: A case control study was performed with 412 participants who were admitted at Maternidade Escola Janu?rio Cicco (MEJC) for medical care. Of these, 264 subjects presented normal blood pressure and 148 were cases. Cases were composed of eclampsia (n=47), HELLP Syndrome (n=85) and Eclampsia associated with HELLP syndrome (n=16). The diagnosis of these illness were based on the citeria developed by National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working (2000). An interview was performed with each subject and questions related to personal and familiar history of hypertension, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia. Statistical analysis was performed and comparison of median and mean between cases and controls were performed, with the level of significance of 5%. The Odds-Ratio was determined to estimate the risk of preeclampsia within the families. Results: There were no difference in the demographic data between cases and controls. Previous history of chronic hypertension and preeclampsia was more frequent in the case group. Headaches were more frequent in eclampsia and epigastric pain in the HELLP syndrome cases. Bleeding and oliguria were more frequently found in the eclampsia associated with HELLP syndrome cases. Acute Renal insufficiency was a common complication in the case group, but these cases did not evolve to chronic renal insufficiency. The maternal mortality was 0.4% and the perinatal mortality was high, 223 per 1,000 live births. The 111 risk of a woman to develop preeclampsia whose mother has hypertension or had preeclampsia was respectively 2.5 and 3.5. This risk was increased 5 times, when a sibling has hypertension and 6 times when both sibling and mother had previous history of preeclampsia. Conclusions: This study confirms that there is familiar aggregation of preeclampsia in this Brazilian population. The potential for cardiovascular complications due to development of chronic hypertension indicates the need of closely follow up of women who develop preeclampsia / Determinar a agrega??o familiar na pr?-ecl?mpsia severa em popula??o brasileira do Rio Grande do Norte e caracterizar os resultados maternos e perinatais desta popula??o. M?todos: Estudo de caso controle, no qual foram arroladas 412 pacientes internadas na Maternidade Escola Janu?rio Cicco (MEJC). Dessas, 264 pacientes normotensas, grupo controle, e 148 com pr?-ecl?mpsia severa, grupo dos casos. Os casos foram compostos por ecl?mpsia (n=47), s?ndrome HELLP (n=85) e por ambas, ecl?mpsia e s?ndrome HELLP (n=16). O diagn?stico, destas doen?as, foram baseados nos crit?rios adotados pelo National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working (2000). Foi realizado inqu?rito familiar quanto ? agrega??o familiar, sendo questionadas informa??es a respeito de antecedentes de hipertens?o cr?nica, pr?-ecl?mpsia, ecl?mpsia e s?ndrome HELLP. An?lise estat?stica foi realizada para avaliar associa??es e correla??es entre vari?veis, bem como compara??o de m?dias ou medianas, adotando-se um n?vel de signific?ncia de 5%. O Odds-Ratio foi calculado para estimar o risco da pr?-ecl?mpsia severa nas fam?lias. Resultados: N?o houve diferen?a nos par?metros demogr?ficos entre casos e controles. A hist?ria pr?via de hipertens?o cr?nica e pr?-ecl?mpsia foram mais frequentes nas pacientes com pr?-ecl?mpsia severa. A cefal?ia foi o sintoma mais freq?ente na ecl?mpsia e a epigastralgia na s?ndrome HELLP. A hemorragia e a olig?ria foram mais presentes quando associado ecl?mpsia e s?ndrome HELLP. A insufici?ncia renal aguda foi uma complica??o freq?ente, sem, no entanto, evoluir para a insufici?ncia renal cr?nica. A mortalidade xii materna foi baixa 0,4% e a mortalidade perinatal alta de 223 por 1000 nascidos vivos. O risco de uma mulher, cuja m?e teve hipertens?o ou pr?-ecl?mpsia, vir a ter pr?-ecl?mpsia ?, respectivamente, 2,5 e 3,5 vezes. Esse risco aumenta para cinco vezes, quando a irm? tem antecedente de hipertens?o e seis vezes quando, tanto a m?e quanto a irm? t?m antecedentes de pr?-ecl?mpsia. Conclus?es: Este estudo confirma a agrega??o familiar da pr?-ecl?mpsia em popula??o brasileira. O risco aumentado para doen?as cardiovasculares e hipertens?o cr?nica nestas mulheres, indica a necessidade de seguimento das pacientes que desenvolvem pr?-ecl?mpsia

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif l’étude de l’électrochimiluminescence (ECL) et son application pour le développement de nouvelles techniques analytiques. De par son importante sensibilité, l’ECL est une technique performante pour des applications telles que les diagnostics cliniques ou la chimie environnementale (présence d’agents contaminants dans l’eau ou la nourriture). L’immobilisation du luminophore ECL est réalisée généralement sur une phase solide. Cette étape constitue une phase essentielle pour obtenir une méthode d’immobilisation rapide, simple, flexible et efficace de ces luminophores ECL, tout en permettant une utilisation pour des systèmes variés. La première partie de ce travail présente l’optimisation de la déposition électrochimique de films de métallopolymère de ruthénium et son application pour la détection enzymatique. Un film d'épaisseur micrométrique de cet hydrogel redox a été préparé par voltamétrie cyclique. Cet hydrogel immobilisé a permis la détection d’un substrat modèle (le glucose) en utilisant l'enzyme glucose déshydrogénase. La seconde partie se concentre sur le développement d’une nouvelle méthode de photodéposition d’un polymère. Celle-ci permet l’immobilisation de centres actifs sur des régions sélectives. En utilisant les techniques de photolithographie, les figures du masque sont projetées sur la surface des électrodes. Cela permet la réalisation de spots micrométriques dont la taille, forme et épaisseur sont modulables. Les propriétés électrochimiques des films nanométriques obtenus sont comparables à ceux obtenues par électrodéposition. De même, les spectres ECL réalisés avec polymères immobilisés par ces deux stratégies sont identiques. Ces résultats montrent que les états excités induits lors de l’ECL sont identiques avec les deux techniques d’immobilisation. Le développement d'un tel procédé constitue une alternative prometteus pour la réalisation de réseaux de spots ECL différenciés et permettant la détection multipléxée par imagerie ECL. Dans la troisième partie de ce travail, nous avons associé la spectroélectrochimie et l'imagerie ECL pour contribuer à l’étude des mécanismes ECL au niveau d'une bille micrométrique fonctionnalisée par des complexes de ruthénium. En combinant microscopie de fluorescence et imagerie ECL, la distribution des sites électroactifs et des sites ECL a pu être mise en évidence. A partir de cette étude, nous pouvons clarifier les mécanismes conduisant à l'émission ECL au niveau de ces billes fonctionnalisées. / The main goal of this thesis was to study electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) and its application in development of new analytical techniques. Due to its high sensitivity, ECL presents a powerful method for applications in clinical diagnostic and environmental chemistry (presence of contaminants in water or food). The immobilisation of an ECL luminophore is usually performed on a solid phase. This step is an essential point to obtain a technique for fast, simple, flexible and effective immobilisation of ECL luminophores with possibility of applications in various configurations. The first part of this work presents the optimisation of the electrochemical deposition of a ruthenium metallopolymer and its application in enzymatic detection. A redox hydrogel film with micrometric thickness was prepared using cyclic voltammetry. This immobilised hydrogel allows the detection of model substrate (glucose) using enzyme glucose dehydrogenase. The second part of this thesis is focused on the development of a new photodeposition method for the ECL polymer immobilisation. This method allows region-selective immobilisation of active centres. Using photolithographic methods, the figures from the mask are projected on the electrode surface. This allows the formation of micrometric spots which size, shape and thickness is modulated. Electrochemical properties of obtained nanometric films are comparable with those of electrodeposited films. Also, ECL spectra recorded with both immobilisation strategies are identical. It shows that the ECL excited state is the same. The obtained photopatterns were imaged using ECL. The development of such process presents an alternative for realisation of different ECL spot arrays and allows multiplexed detection by ECL imaging. In the third part of this work we have associated spectroelectrochemistry and ECL imaging to study the ECL mechanisms at the level of a single microbead, functionalised with ruthenium complex. Combining fluorescence microscopy and ECL imaging, the distribution of electroactive and ECL sites have been highlighted. From this study we can clarify the mechanism that leads to ECL emission at the level of functionalised beads.

<p>Enterochromaffin-like (ECL) and ghrelin cells, in the human gastric mucosa and in gastric endocrine tumours (GETs), were subclassified with respect to immunohistochemical reaction <i>vs.</i> vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT-2), ghrelin/obestatin, and histidine decarboxylase (HDC). The immunohistochemical expression of ghrelin/obestatin and HDC in GETs was related/correlated to plasma ghrelin/obestatin and urinary methyl imidazole acetic acid (U-MeImAA) excretion respectively, with the intention of identifying markers for these tumour types. </p><p>ECL cells in the gastric mucosa appear either with VMAT-2 only, or with HDC immunoreactivity only, or they can express both proteins; but in GETs the transporter protein and the enzyme were almost always co-expressed in the same cells. Furthermore, ghrelin and obestatin were co-localized in the same cells in the gastric mucosa and in the tumours. In the gastric mucosa, occasional ghrelin/obestatin cells expressed VMAT-2, but in GETs these proteins were always co-localized. Ghrelin expressing cells were non-immunoreactive to HDC. Plasma ghrelin/obestatin concentrations remained low in patients with GETs, irrespective of the relative incidence of these cells in the mucosa and in tumours. The plasma values were not related/correlated to various clinico-pathological parameters. A malignant ghrelinoma was however an exception. The tumour released high total and active ghrelin concentrations into the blood circulation. The patient suffered from diarrhoea, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus, but it is not clear if these conditions were due to hyperghrelinaemia. The excretion U-MeImAA was increased in a few patients with GETs, but this increase was not always related to clinical symptoms.</p><p>In conclusion, ECL cells are an heterogeneous group according to VMAT-2 and HDC immunoreactivity. Ghrelin and obestatin are expressed in the same cells in the gastric mucosa, and a few of these cells display VMAT-2 immunoreactivity. Ghrelinoma is a new gastric tumour entity.</p>

Submitted by Setor de Tratamento da Informa??o - BC/PUCRS (tede2@pucrs.br) on 2015-05-28T11:40:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 469525 - Texto Completo.pdf: 2925199 bytes, checksum: d0ce1f2f0c3cdc1d309d3f09e9a7d239 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-28T11:40:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 469525 - Texto Completo.pdf: 2925199 bytes, checksum: d0ce1f2f0c3cdc1d309d3f09e9a7d239 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-02 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / Introduction: Preeclampsia is a disease characterized as high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, diagnosed only after 20th gestational week, its etiology is not completely understood and healing is placental removal. It has been looking for biomarkers that allow early diagnosis for a better outcome of the disease. The 90 kDa isoform of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE), proposed as a new biomarker for hypertension, has not been studied in the preeclampsia syndrome so far. Objective: To evaluate the gene and protein expression, as well as enzymatic activity of ACE in pregnancy induced hypertension. Material and methods: It were included 69 normotensive and preeclampsia syndrome pregnant women at S?o Lucas Hospital/PUCRS, Porto Alegre/ RS- Brazil. Blood sample was collected to perform ACE genetic polymorphism, and three urine samples (during pregnancy, after delivery and at least 3 months after delivery) were taken to perform ACE protein polymorphism and enzymatic activity. This study was conducted through a partnership between Nephrology Service from PUCRS and Kidneys and Hormones from UNIFESP Laboratories research. Results: Scientific paper was published in Medical Hypotheses journal, entitled ?Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 90 kDa isoform: Biomarker for diagnosis of preeclampsia?? that described the hypotheses of this research. Comparing the participants clinical data among the groups (Normal pregnant, pure preeclampsia, superimposed preeclampsia), statistical significancy was observed between obstetric gestational age, blood pressure, newborn weight (p< 0.001) and placental weight (p= 0.030). Hypertension familial history compared with ACE genotypes (p= 0.017) suggests allele I involvement. Enzymatic activity ZPhe and Hhl ratio was different during the gestational period (p< 0.025), and also in relation to the ACE genotypes (p< 0.001). ZPhe and HhL isolated enzymatic activity also, in relation to the ACE genotypes, was not statistically different (p = 0.83 e p = 0.16, respectively). The protein polymorphism was not performed due to some technique problems, but this activity will be finished as soon as possible. Conclusion: It seems that allele I is associated with the hypertension familial history, and the genotypes that have this allele (ID, II) are predominantly present in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Enzymatic activity of Zphe/Hhl shows different behavior during the gestational period, and it also change according to genotypes classification. The data suggest that the mechanism involved in essential hypertension can be different from those involved in transient and spontaneous hypertension triggered pregnancy induced hypertension. / Introdu??o: Pr?-ecl?mpsia ? uma doen?a de alta morbimortalidade materna e fetal, diagnosticada somente ap?s a 20? semana gestacional, de etiologia n?o totalmente esclarecida e a cura consiste na retirada da placenta. Segue-se na busca de biomarcadores que possibilitem um diagn?stico precoce para um melhor desfecho da doen?a. A isoforma 90 kDa da Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina (ECA), proposta como novo marcador de hipertens?o, ainda n?o foi estudada na s?ndrome de pr?-ecl?mpsia. Objetivos: Avaliar a express?o gen?tica, proteica e enzim?tica da ECA na Doen?a Hipertensiva Gestacional. Materiais e m?todos: Foram inclu?das 69 gestantes normotensas e com S?ndrome de Pr?-ecl?mpsia (Pr?-ecl?mpsia Pura ou Sobreposta) no Hospital S?o Lucas da PUCRS, Porto Alegre/ RS- Brasil. Foram coletadas uma amostra de sangue para realizar o polimorfismo gen?tico da ECA e 3 amostras de urina (durante a gesta??o, ap?s o parto e pelo 3 meses ap?s o parto) para realizar a an?lise do polimorfismo proteico e a atividade enzim?tica da ECA. Este estudo teve parceria entre os laborat?rios de pesquisa de Nefrologia da PUCRS e Rins e Horm?nios da UNIFESP. Resultados: Foi publicado um artigo cient?fico na revista Medical Hypotheses, intitulado em Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 90 kDa isoform: Biomarker for diagnosis of preeclampsia?, descrevendo a hip?tese desta pesquisa. Comparando os dados cl?nicos das participantes entre os grupos analisados (Gestante normal, Pr?- ecl?mpsia Pura e Pr?- eclampsia Sobreposta), houve signific?ncia estat?stica entre idade gestacional obst?trica, n?veis press?ricos, peso do rec?m-nascido (p<0,001) e peso da placenta (p= 0,030). A hist?ria familiar de hipertens?o comparada com os gen?tipos da ECA (p= 0,017) sugere envolvimento do alelo I. A raz?o da atividade enzim?tica de Zphe e Hhl foi diferente durante o per?odo gestacional (p<0,025) e tamb?m em rela??o aos gen?tipos da ECA (p<0,001). Enquanto que a atividade enzim?tica isolada de Zphe e Hhl em rela??o aos gen?tipos da ECA n?o foi significativa (p = 0,83 e p = 0,16, respectivamente). A an?lise do polimorfismo proteico n?o foi realizada devido a problemas na execu??o da t?cnica, mas essa atividade ser? conclu?da assim que poss?vel. Conclus?o: O alelo I parece estar associado com a hist?ria familiar de hipertens?o e os gen?tipos que possuem esse alelo (ID, II) est?o predominantemente mais presentes nas gestantes que apresentam pr?-ecl?mpsia. A atividade enzim?tica de ZPhe/Hhl apresenta comportamento diferente durante o per?odo gestacional e tamb?m se altera conforme a classifica??o genot?pica da gestante. Os dados sugerem que os mecanismos envolvidos na hipertens?o essencial possam ser diferentes dos envolvidos na hipertens?o transit?ria e espont?nea desencadeada nas Doen?as Hipertensivas Gestacionais.