Streptococcus pneumoniae, le pneumocoque, est un pathogène majeur causant plus d'un million de morts par an dans le monde. De plus en plus de souches de pneumocoques sont résistants aux antibiotiques, en faisant un problème majeur de santé publique dans le monde. Une partie des ces antibiotiques sont les peptides anti-microbiens (AMP), qui sont produit aussi bien par l'hôte que des bactéries pathogènes en tant que premier système de défense. On trouve dans le pneumocoque un transporteur ABC (ATP-Binding Cassette) lié à un système de deux composants (TCS) – la kinase d'histidine (HK) et le régulateur de réponse (RR), qui cible les AMP. Récemment, il a été démontré, que l'absence du transporteur ABC augmente la sensibilité à la bacitracine. Dans ce projet, nous avons essayé à comprendre le mécanisme fonctionnel entre le transporteur ABC et TCS en utilisant des outils in vivo et in vitro. / Streptococcus pneumoniae, the pneumococcus, is a major human pathogen causing over a million deaths each year. Many pneumococcal strains display resistance towards antibiotics causing world-wide health concern. Some of these antibiotics are antimicrobial peptides (AMP), which are produced as a primary defense by hosts as well as pathogens. The pneumococcus harbors a system comprised of an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter and a two-component system (TCS) composed of a histidine kinase (HK) and a response regulator (RR), which targets these molecules. It has been shown recently that the removal of this ABC transporter increases the sensitivity of the bacteria towards bacitracin. In this project, we tried to understand the functioning mechanism of the ABC transporter and the co-operation with the TCS using both in vivo and in vitro techniques.

ABCB10, or ATP binding cassette sub-family B member 10, is a protein localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane. It belongs to the ABC transporter family whose members are proteins that facilitate substrate transport across various biological membranes. It has been found that ABCB10 is required for normal heme biosynthesis during erythroid differentiation and also plays a role in protection against the damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. This protective effect exists both in the erythrocyte development and in the heart recovery after the ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, as an ABC transporter, its transported substrates are not known, neither is the mechanism by which ABCB10 plays a role in protection against ROS damage. In this dissertation an 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system is established to study the ATP binding and hydrolysis properties of ABCB10. Using this approach, it is found that the conserved amino acid residues Gly497 and Lys498 in the Walker A motif of the nucleotide binding domain of ABCB10 are required for ATP binding. On the other hand, Gly602 in the C-loop motif and Glu624 in the end of the Walker B motif are necessary for ATP hydrolysis. In addition, most ABC transporters increase ATP hydrolysis in the presence of their substrates. Therefore, the 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system can be utilized to test potential substrates of ABCB10. Substances related to the heme biosynthesis such as δ-aminolevulinic acid (dALA) and the mitochondrial redox state such as oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and reduced glutathione (GSH) are tested for this purpose. The 8-azido-ATP photolabeling system shows that GSSG stimulates ATP hydrolysis without affecting ATP binding, whereas GSH decreases ATP binding. Further study shows that the nucleotide binding domain of ABCB10 is glutathionylated at the cysteine residue on the position 547 (Cys547), suggesting that GSH may modulate ABCB10 activity via the glutathionylation-regulated ATP binding. This is a first insight into the molecular mechanism by which the mitochondrial redox state, through the regulation by GSH and GSSG, can modulate ABCB10 activity. / 2016-09-01T00:00:00Z

abstract: Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter involved in attention, goal oriented behavior, movement, reward learning, and short term and working memory. For the past four decades, mathematical and computational modeling approaches have been useful in DA research, and although every modeling approach has limitations, a model is an efficient way to generate and explore hypotheses. This work develops a model of DA dynamics in a representative, single DA neuron by integrating previous experimental, theoretical and computational research. The model consists of three compartments: the cytosol, the vesicles, and the extracellular space and forms the basis of a new mathematical paradigm for examining the dynamics of DA synthesis, storage, release and reuptake. The model can be driven by action potentials generated by any model of excitable membrane potential or even from experimentally induced depolarization voltage recordings. Here the model is forced by a previously published model of the excitable membrane of a mesencephalic DA neuron in order to study the biochemical processes involved in extracellular DA production. After demonstrating that the model exhibits realistic dynamics resembling those observed experimentally, the model is used to examine the functional changes in presynaptic mechanisms due to application of cocaine. Sensitivity analysis and numerical studies that focus on various possible mechanisms for the inhibition of DAT by cocaine provide insight for the complex interactions involved in DA dynamics. In particular, comparing numerical results for a mixed inhibition mechanism to those for competitive, non-competitive and uncompetitive inhibition mechanisms reveals many behavioral similarities for these different types of inhibition that depend on inhibition parameters and levels of cocaine. Placing experimental results within this context of mixed inhibition provides a possible explanation for the conflicting views of uptake inhibition mechanisms found in experimental neuroscience literature. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Applied Mathematics for the Life and Social Sciences 2012

Bakgrund: Intrahospitala transporter innebär att lämna tryggheten på intensivvårdsavdelningen och möta farorna i sjukhusets korridorer. Syfte: Denna studie har syftat till att öka förståelsen för patientsäkerhetsarbete i samband med intrahospitala transporter genom att belysa effekten av en checklista i ett före-efter förhållande utifrån tre perspektiv, kommunikation mellan professionerna, patientsäkerhet och arbetsflöde. Metod: Intervjuer utfördes på en intensivvårdsavdelning på ett universitetssjukhus i Mellansverige. Intervjuerna analyserades sedan med kvalitativ innehållsanalys i enlighet med Elo och Kyngäs (2008). De nio informanterna inkluderades från samtliga professioner som använder checklistan. Resultat: Patientsäkerheten har stärkts av att checklistan förbättrar förutsättningarna till dialog mellan intensivvårdsläkare och intensivvårdssjuksköterska kring patientens tillstånd inför transport. Den har även ökat riskmedvetenheten vid intrahospitala transporter. Slutsats: Studien visar att checklistan fungerat tydliggörande i ansvars- och rollfördelning vid transporter. Brist på resurser utgör det största hindret till att efterleva checklistans höga ambitioner. / Background: The process of intrahospital transports is one of leaving the safety of the intensive care unit and venturing out into the relative danger zone of the hospital corridors. Aim: This study aims to increase the understanding of patient safety and the effects of the use of a checklist from three different perspectives; communication between professions, patient safety and workflow. Method: Interviews were conducted in an intensive care unit situated in a university hospital in the middle of Sweden. The Elo and Kyngäs (2008) method of qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the interviews. The nine participants were from three different professions of the workforce in the ward were included. Results: Patient safety increased using the checklists by improving the possibilities for communication between doctors and nurses about the patient’s condition before transportation. The checklist also increased hazard awareness during intrahospital transports. Conclusion: The study shows that the checklist improves cooperation and division of responsibility during transport. The lack of resources is the main obstacle hindering full implementation of the checklist.

År 2014 utfärdades Lag om energikartläggning i stora företag(SFS 2014:266). Lagen syftar till att minska stora företags miljöpåverkan genom att främja minskat energianvändande. PostNord Sverige omfattas av lagen och ville med den här studien få hjälp att identifiera och utvärdera åtgärder som kan minska energianvändning för transport av brev- och paketflöden. Studien utfördes på PostNord Sveriges transporter inom DO Norrköping, då PostNord Sverige ansåg DO Norrköping som ett representativt område för hela verksamheten. Området innefattar såväl stadsmiljö som landsbygd. Studiens syfte var att “identifiera logistiska åtgärder som ämnar minska energianvändandet för PostNord Sveriges transporter i Norrköping. Vidare syftar arbetet till att utvärdera åtgärderna med hänsyn till energiförändring och kostnad”. Åtgärderna identifierades genom litteratursökning där tre olika typer av studier granskades; kurslitteratur inom hållbar logistik, litteraturstudie av miljöåtgärder för transporter och intervjustudie med logistikföretag. Åtgärderna som utvärderas var Byte av drivmedel, byte till drivmedel med lägre energiinnehåll; Eco-driving, smart körning för minskad bränsleförbrukning; Däck, upprätthålla korrekt lufttryck alternativt byta till bränslesnålare däck; Samlastning, sammanslagning av brev- och paketflöden; Ruttoptimering, optimering av rutter med hänseende på energianvändning.   Åtgärderna utvärderades genom att tillämpa teorier från litteratur på ett verkligt fall. Genom intervjuer med personer på PostNord Sverige med kompetenser kopplade till åtgärdernas område gavs en bild över verksamheten. Litteraturens teorier om hur åtgärderna skulle påverka systemet tillämpades på verksamheten och gav genom analys uppskattade effekter på energianvändning och transportkostnader. För samtliga åtgärder identifierades hinder som kunde påverka eller försvåra effekterna av åtgärderna. Hindren kunde ge en uppskattning om hur troligt det beräknade resultatet är och hur troligt det är att åtgärderna uppnår det beräknade resultatet. Samtliga undersökta åtgärder kan ge en minskad energianvändning för PostNord Sveriges transporter i DO Norrköping. Byte av drivmedel, Eco-driving och Däck anses alla vara åtgärder som kan ge relativt stora energibesparingar samtidigt som de är ekonomiskt hållbara och det inte kunnat identifierats några större hinder mot att genomföra åtgärderna. Var och en av dessa åtgärder uppskattas kunna ge energibesparingar inom intervallet 0,74 % - 3,40 %. För Samlastning och Ruttoptimering erhålls ingen konkret energibesparing men analyserna tyder på att det finns potential för att dessa åtgärder kan leda till energibesparingar för DO Norrköping. För både Samlastning och Ruttoptimering har flertalet hinder identifierats samtidigt som de kräver stora investeringar, men analyser av teori och det studerade systemet tyder på att det kan leda till stora energibesparingar.

Kyoto University (京都大学) / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(工学) / 乙第12200号 / 論工博第3989号 / 新制||工||1438(附属図書館) / 26272 / UT51-2008-C970 / (主査)教授 今中 忠行, 教授 青山 安宏, 教授 森 泰生 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当

L’opéron métabolique frz code les sous-unités d’un transporteur PTS de la sous-famille du fructose, un activateur transcriptionnel des systèmes PTS de la famille MgA (FrzR), deux cétoses-1,6-bisphosphate aldolases de type II, une kinase spécifique des sucres (famille ROK) et une protéine de la superfamille des cupines. Il est fortement associé aux souches d’Escherichia coli à virulence extra-intestinale. Nous avons montré qu’il procure un avantage aux bactéries lors de conditions de stress (peu d’oxygène, phase stationnaire de croissance, croissance dans le sérum et l’intestin) et qu’il est impliqué dans l’adhérence et l’internalisation de la bactérie dans diverses cellules eucaryotes, en régulant l’expression des fimbriae de type 1. L’activateur (FrzR) est impliqué dans ces phénotypes. A l’aide de microarrays, une série de gènes sous la dépendance du système Frz ont été identifiés. Nos données suggèrent que frz code un senseur de l’environnement permettant à E. coli de s’adapter à un environnement fluctuant en régulant notamment certains gènes de virulence et d’adaptation à l’hôte. Un modèle de régulation est présenté. / The metabolic frz operon codes for three subunits of a PTS transporter of the fructose sub-family, for a transcriptional activator of PTS systems of the MgA family (FrzR), for two type II ketose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolases, for a sugar specific kinase (ROK family) and for a protein of the cupin superfamily. It is highly associated with Extra-intestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. We proved that frz promotes bacterial fitness under stressful conditions, (such as oxygen restriction, late stationary phase of growth or growth in serum or in the intestinal tract). Furthermore, we showed that frz is involved in adherence to and internalization of E. coli in several eukaryotic cells by regulating the expression of type 1 fimbriae. The FrzR activator is involved in these phenotypes. Microarrays, experiments allowed the identification of several genes under the dependence of the frz system. Our data suggest that frz codes for a sensor of the environment allowing E. coli to adapt to a fluctuating environment by regulating some virulence and host adaptation genes. A regulation model is presented.

A depressão pós-parto (DPP) é um importante problema de saúde pública podendo provocar uma ruptura do vínculo entre a mãe e o bebê e até estar associada com respostas trágicas, como suicídio materno e infanticídio. A DPP é multifatorial e o seu surgimento pode ser favorecido por componentes hormonais, genéticos e ambientais. O ciclo gravídico-puerperal é considerado um período de risco, pois algumas mulheres possuem uma sensibilidade particular as alterações hormonais. O risco de DPP é aumentado em mulheres que possuem histórico de depressão na família, logo, um componente genético determina maior suscetibilidade. Segundo o DMS-IV, existe uma relação entre a sintomatologia depressiva e as alterações na concentração cerebral de neurotransmissores, com destaque para serotonina. O transportador de serotonina (SERT) controla a intensidade e duração da re-captação da serotonina nas sinapses serotonérgicas. Diversos trabalhos associam os polimorfismos do SERT com transtornos mentais, como unipolar, bipolar, depressão e esquizofrenia. Nosso objetivo foi analisar as concentrações salivares de cortisol (CORT), as freqüências alélicas e genotípicas dos polimorfismos 5-HTTVNTR e 5- HTTLPR no gene SLC6A4 entre mulheres que desenvolveram ou não DPP. A amostra foi constituída por 128 mulheres brancas da cidade de Pelotas/RS, triadas em ambulatórios do SUS. A avaliação diagnóstica foi realizada através de entrevista psiquiátrica e diagnóstica usando como instrumento o Beck Depression Inventory entre 30 a 45 dias após o nascimento das crianças. A coleta de material biológico (leucócitos e saliva) foi realizada no turno da manhã, respeitando o período de duas horas de jejum. A região promotora do gene contendo o polimorfismo 5-HTTLPR (inserção/deleção) e a região do segundo íntron contendo o polimorfismo 5- HTTVNTR (repetições em tandem) foram amplificadas através da reação em cadeia da polimerase. A dosagem do CORT foi realizada a partir da saliva por técnica de ELISA utilizando kit específico. A mediana e o intervalo interquartil das concentrações salivares do CORT entre os portadores dos diferentes genótipos foram comparados entre os grupos estudados usando o teste de Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney. A comparação das freqüências alélicas e genotípicas dos polimorfismos estudados entre as mulheres que apresentarem ou não DPP foram feitas pelo teste do Qui-quadrado com correção de Yates (p£ 0,05). A análise da distribuição das freqüências genotípicas dos polimorfismos 5-HTTLPR e 5- HTTVNTR do SERT permitiu verificar que a população está sob Equilíbrio Hardy– Weinberg. Quando os polimorfismos foram analisados isoladamente, não foi observada associação entre os polimorfismos 5-HTTLPR (p=0,48) e 5-HTTVNTR (p=0,77) e o diagnóstico para DPP. Porém, a análise combinada dos haplótipos dos polimorfismos 5-HTTLPR e 5-HTTVNTR demonstraram que mulheres portadoras do diplótipo L-12/L-12 apresentaram escores menores de sintomas depressivos (mediana: 0,5; intervalo inter-quartil: 0,00-4,00, p=0,04) quando comparadas com mulheres portadoras de outros diplótipos (mediana: 4,0; intervalo inter-quartil: 1,00- 10,00). O polimorfismo 5-HTTVNTR foi associado com as concentrações salivares de CORT (p=0,03), já o polimorfismo 5-HTTLPR não foi associado (p=0,41). Nossos achados são inovadores, visto que até a presente data a associação dos genótipos 5-HTTLPR e 5-HTTVNTR com DPP e concentrações salivares de CORT ainda não haviam sido investigados. / The postpartum depression (PPD) is an important public health problem that may cause a rupture of the bond between the mother and the baby and may even be associated with tragic responses such as maternal suicide and infanticide. The DPP is multifactorial and its appearance can be favored by hormonal components, genetic and environmental factors. The pregnancy and childbirth is considered a risk period, because some women have a particular sensitivity to hormonal changes. The rate of DPP is increased in women who have a record of depression in the family, so a genetic component determines higher susceptibility. According to the DSM-IV, there is a relationship between depressive symptoms and brain concentration changes of neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin. The serotonin transporter (SERT) controls the intensity and duration of re-uptake of serotonin in serotonergic synapses. Several studies linking polymorphisms of SERT with mental disorders such as unipolar, bipolar, depression, and schizophrenia. Our objective was to analyze the concentrations of salivary cortisol (CORT), the allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphisms 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR SLC6A4 gene in women who developed or not DPP. The sample consisted of 128 white women from Pelotas, RS, sorted out from public health clinics. The diagnostic evaluation was conducted through interviews and psychiatric diagnostic instrument as using the Beck Depression Inventory among 30 to 45 days after the birth of children. The collection of biological materials (leukocytes and saliva) was performed in the morning, observing the twohour period of fasting. The promoter region of the gene containing the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (insertion/deletion) and the region containing the second intron polymorphism 5-HTTVNTR (tandem repeats) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The dose of CORT was performed from the saliva by ELISA using the specific kit. The median and interquartile interval of salivary concentrations of CORT among patients of different genotypes were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney. The comparison of allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphisms among women who developed or not DPP were made by chi-square test with Yates correction (p <0.05). The analysis of the distribution of genotype frequencies of polymorphisms 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR SERT showed that the population is under Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. When the polymorphisms were analyzed alone, no association was observed between the 5-HTTLPR (p=0.48) and 5-HTTVNTR (p=0.77) polymorphisms and the PPD diagnosis. But, the information from these analyses combined with information regarding the haplotypes of the 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR polymorphisms demonstrated that women carriers of diplotype L-12/L-12 have a lower depression symptoms score (median: 0.5; interquartile range: 0.00-4.00; p=0.04) than women with other diplotypes (median: 4.0; inter-quartile range: 1.00-10.00). The 5-HTTVNTR polymorphism was associated with the salivary concentrations of CORT (p=0.03), whereas the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was not associated (p=0.41). Our findings are innovative since the association of 5- HTTLPR genotypes and 5-HTTVNTR with DPP and salivary concentrations of CORT had not been investigated before.

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Student: Alice Mlčochová Supervisor: PharmDr. Martina Čečková, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: In vitro transport of abacavir across the monolayer of Caco-2 cells; interaction with etravirine and rilpivirine. Abacavir belongs among nucleoside reverse transciptase inhibitors (NRTIs) representing a basic component of combined antiretroviral therapy used in treatment of HIV-positive patients [1]. Etravirine and rilpivirine are newer non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) combined in cART together with NRTI. ATP-dependent transporters, so called ABC transporters, are able to affect pharmacokinetic properties of drugs, thus they are important site of drug-drug interactions affecting absorption, distribution and excretion level. P-glycoprotein (Pgp, ABCB1) and BCRP (ABCG2) belong among the most clinically important ABC transporters able to cause drug-drug interactions. The aim of this thesis was to introduce and optimize the method for evaluation of drug absorption using monolayers of Caco-2human intestine cell lines, whose integrity was verified by evaluating TEER (transepithelial electrical resistance). This model was also used for abacavir transport studies. Significant...

A depressão pós-parto (DPP) é um importante problema de saúde pública podendo provocar uma ruptura do vínculo entre a mãe e o bebê e até estar associada com respostas trágicas, como suicídio materno e infanticídio. A DPP é multifatorial e o seu surgimento pode ser favorecido por componentes hormonais, genéticos e ambientais. O ciclo gravídico-puerperal é considerado um período de risco, pois algumas mulheres possuem uma sensibilidade particular as alterações hormonais. O risco de DPP é aumentado em mulheres que possuem histórico de depressão na família, logo, um componente genético determina maior suscetibilidade. Segundo o DMS-IV, existe uma relação entre a sintomatologia depressiva e as alterações na concentração cerebral de neurotransmissores, com destaque para serotonina. O transportador de serotonina (SERT) controla a intensidade e duração da re-captação da serotonina nas sinapses serotonérgicas. Diversos trabalhos associam os polimorfismos do SERT com transtornos mentais, como unipolar, bipolar, depressão e esquizofrenia. Nosso objetivo foi analisar as concentrações salivares de cortisol (CORT), as freqüências alélicas e genotípicas dos polimorfismos 5-HTTVNTR e 5- HTTLPR no gene SLC6A4 entre mulheres que desenvolveram ou não DPP. A amostra foi constituída por 128 mulheres brancas da cidade de Pelotas/RS, triadas em ambulatórios do SUS. A avaliação diagnóstica foi realizada através de entrevista psiquiátrica e diagnóstica usando como instrumento o Beck Depression Inventory entre 30 a 45 dias após o nascimento das crianças. A coleta de material biológico (leucócitos e saliva) foi realizada no turno da manhã, respeitando o período de duas horas de jejum. A região promotora do gene contendo o polimorfismo 5-HTTLPR (inserção/deleção) e a região do segundo íntron contendo o polimorfismo 5- HTTVNTR (repetições em tandem) foram amplificadas através da reação em cadeia da polimerase. A dosagem do CORT foi realizada a partir da saliva por técnica de ELISA utilizando kit específico. A mediana e o intervalo interquartil das concentrações salivares do CORT entre os portadores dos diferentes genótipos foram comparados entre os grupos estudados usando o teste de Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney. A comparação das freqüências alélicas e genotípicas dos polimorfismos estudados entre as mulheres que apresentarem ou não DPP foram feitas pelo teste do Qui-quadrado com correção de Yates (p£ 0,05). A análise da distribuição das freqüências genotípicas dos polimorfismos 5-HTTLPR e 5- HTTVNTR do SERT permitiu verificar que a população está sob Equilíbrio Hardy– Weinberg. Quando os polimorfismos foram analisados isoladamente, não foi observada associação entre os polimorfismos 5-HTTLPR (p=0,48) e 5-HTTVNTR (p=0,77) e o diagnóstico para DPP. Porém, a análise combinada dos haplótipos dos polimorfismos 5-HTTLPR e 5-HTTVNTR demonstraram que mulheres portadoras do diplótipo L-12/L-12 apresentaram escores menores de sintomas depressivos (mediana: 0,5; intervalo inter-quartil: 0,00-4,00, p=0,04) quando comparadas com mulheres portadoras de outros diplótipos (mediana: 4,0; intervalo inter-quartil: 1,00- 10,00). O polimorfismo 5-HTTVNTR foi associado com as concentrações salivares de CORT (p=0,03), já o polimorfismo 5-HTTLPR não foi associado (p=0,41). Nossos achados são inovadores, visto que até a presente data a associação dos genótipos 5-HTTLPR e 5-HTTVNTR com DPP e concentrações salivares de CORT ainda não haviam sido investigados. / The postpartum depression (PPD) is an important public health problem that may cause a rupture of the bond between the mother and the baby and may even be associated with tragic responses such as maternal suicide and infanticide. The DPP is multifactorial and its appearance can be favored by hormonal components, genetic and environmental factors. The pregnancy and childbirth is considered a risk period, because some women have a particular sensitivity to hormonal changes. The rate of DPP is increased in women who have a record of depression in the family, so a genetic component determines higher susceptibility. According to the DSM-IV, there is a relationship between depressive symptoms and brain concentration changes of neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin. The serotonin transporter (SERT) controls the intensity and duration of re-uptake of serotonin in serotonergic synapses. Several studies linking polymorphisms of SERT with mental disorders such as unipolar, bipolar, depression, and schizophrenia. Our objective was to analyze the concentrations of salivary cortisol (CORT), the allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphisms 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR SLC6A4 gene in women who developed or not DPP. The sample consisted of 128 white women from Pelotas, RS, sorted out from public health clinics. The diagnostic evaluation was conducted through interviews and psychiatric diagnostic instrument as using the Beck Depression Inventory among 30 to 45 days after the birth of children. The collection of biological materials (leukocytes and saliva) was performed in the morning, observing the twohour period of fasting. The promoter region of the gene containing the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (insertion/deletion) and the region containing the second intron polymorphism 5-HTTVNTR (tandem repeats) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The dose of CORT was performed from the saliva by ELISA using the specific kit. The median and interquartile interval of salivary concentrations of CORT among patients of different genotypes were compared between groups using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney. The comparison of allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphisms among women who developed or not DPP were made by chi-square test with Yates correction (p <0.05). The analysis of the distribution of genotype frequencies of polymorphisms 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR SERT showed that the population is under Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. When the polymorphisms were analyzed alone, no association was observed between the 5-HTTLPR (p=0.48) and 5-HTTVNTR (p=0.77) polymorphisms and the PPD diagnosis. But, the information from these analyses combined with information regarding the haplotypes of the 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR polymorphisms demonstrated that women carriers of diplotype L-12/L-12 have a lower depression symptoms score (median: 0.5; interquartile range: 0.00-4.00; p=0.04) than women with other diplotypes (median: 4.0; inter-quartile range: 1.00-10.00). The 5-HTTVNTR polymorphism was associated with the salivary concentrations of CORT (p=0.03), whereas the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was not associated (p=0.41). Our findings are innovative since the association of 5- HTTLPR genotypes and 5-HTTVNTR with DPP and salivary concentrations of CORT had not been investigated before.