A hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) é a doença na qual a próstata demonstra um crescimento anormal e sua prevalência aumenta com o envelhecimento. Leptina, a adipocina mais notável, tem um importante papel na regulação do sistema reprodutivo. Esse trabalho tem por fim avaliar o papel da leptina no tecido prostático humano, utilizando a cultura de tecido in vitro, avaliando a proliferação celular e a expressão dos genes do fator de crescimento do fibroblasto 2 (FGF2), da enzima aromatase e dos genes apoptóticos. De 2009 a 2011, amostras de tecido hiperplásico humano foram obtidas pela prostatectomia transvesical em quinze pacientes com próstatas de volume aumentadas. Cada amostra foi dividida em quatro partes simétricas, mantidas no meio RPMI suplementado com soro fetal bovino a 10%, e 1ng/mL de gentamicina, adicionados a 16 ng/mL de leptina (Leptina) ou não (Controle). Após três horas a expressão dos genes de FGF2, aromatase, Bax, Bcl-x e Bcl-2 foram avaliados por RT-PCR em tempo real. A proliferação celular foi avaliada por imunohistoquímica para PCNA. O tratamento com leptina levou a um aumento na expressão de Bax (C=0.40.1; L=0.90.2; p<0.05), enquanto as expressões de Bcl-2 (C=19.95.6; L=5.61.8; p< 0.05) e Bcl-x (C=0.20.06; L=0.070.02; p<0.05) foram significativamente reduzidas. Não houve alteração significativa na expressão de FGF2, enquanto a expressão da aromatase foi significativamente (C=1.90.6; L=0.40.1; p<0.04) reduzida. A leptina também levou a um aumento na proliferação celular (C=21.80.5; L=64.80.9; p<0.0001). Dessa forma, concluímos que a leptina tem um importante papel na manutenção do crescimento fisiológico da próstata, desde que estimula tanto a proliferação celular como a apoptose, com diminuição na expressão do gene da aromatase. / The benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is the disease in which the prostate shows an abnormal growth and its prevalence rise up with aging. Leptin, the most well characterized adipokine, has an important role regulating the reproductive system. This paper aimed to evaluate the leptin role in the human prostate tissue, using an in vitro tissue culture system, on the cellular proliferation and the expression of fibroblast growth factor 2, aromatase enzyme and apoptotic genes. From 2009 to 2011, hyperplasic prostate tissue samples obtained by transvesical prostatectomy in fifteen patients with enlarged prostates were used. Each sample was divided in four symmetric parts which were maintained in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1 ng/mL of gentamicin and added with 16 ng/mL leptin (L) or not (C). After 3 hours gene expression of FGF2, aromatase, Bax, Bcl-x and Bcl-2 were evaluated by Real Time RT-PCR. Cellular proliferation was evaluated by imunohistochemistry for PCNA. The leptin treatment led to an increase in the expression of Bax (C=0.40.1; L=0.90.2; p<0.05) while Bcl-2 (C=19.95.6; L=5.61.8; p< 0.05) and Bcl-x (C=0.20.06; L=0.070.02; p<0.05) expressions were significantly reduced. There was no significant alteration in the FGF2 expression, while the aromatase expression was significantly (C=1.90.6; L=0.40.1; p<0.04) reduced. Leptin also resulted in an increase in cellular proliferation (C=21.80.5; L=64.80.9; p<0.0001). The conclusion is that leptin has an important role in maintaining the physiological growth of the prostate since it stimulates both cellular proliferation and apoptosis, with the decrement in the aromatase gene expression

Solanum cernuum Vell. (Solanaceae), popularmente conhecida como \"panacéia\", é uma planta nativa do sul e sudeste do Brasil. Seu nome \"panacéia\" provavelmente é devido à grande amplitude de aplicações que possui na medicina popular: tratamento de úlceras, lesões hepáticas, infecções de pele, como antitumoral, diurético, depurativo, anti-hemorrágico, bem como para o tratamento da gonorreia e da hiperplasia benigna da prostática (HBP). Considerando os usos de S. cernuum na medicina popular brasileira e a escassez de estudos que os corroborrem, propomos neste trabalho, a partir da obtenção de diferentes extratos, frações e compostos isolados, testar as atividades biológicas gastroprotetora, citotóxica e antimicrobiana relatadas na medicina popular. Para tanto, folhas da espécie Solanum cernuum Vell. (Solanaceae) foram coletadas no município de Teresópolis/ RJ. O extrato hidroetanólico (ESC) e em acetato de etila foram obtidos a partir de folhas secas e trituradas. Frações em hexano (FHex), diclorometano (FDCM), acetato de etila (FAcOEt), n-butanol (FBuOH) e água (FAq) foram obtidas a partir do extrato ESC. A partir dos diversos fracionamentos do extrato ESC isolaram-se e identificaram-se quatro compostos: ácido trans-isoferulico, cernumidina, quercitrina e afzelina, sendo encontrados no extrato nas concentrações de 1,5%, 4,8%, 1,3% e 1,6%, respectivamente. Da fração em heptano, obtida da partição do extrato em acetato, isolaram-se ?-sitsterol e friedelina. No ensaio antimicrobiano, apenas as frações FHex, FDCM e FAq, oriundas da partição do extrato ESC, apresentaram atividade, em diferentes concentrações, frente a determinadas linhagens de bactérias e fungos testadas. Quanto aos compostos voláteis, na extração por hidrodestilação, não houve rendimento suficiente, mas a partir do hidrolato, por partição com diclorometano, foi possível determinar a composição dos voláteis por CG/EM. Os tricomas de S. cernuum são majoritariamente estrelados, do tipo tectores. No ensaio do XTT apenas a FDCM e o composto friedelina foram seletivos para células MCF-7 (carcinoma mamário) na concentração de 16,6 ?g/mL e 124,9 ?g/mL, respectivamente. O extrato ESC apresentou atividade gastroprotetora nos ensaios de indução de úlcera por etanol/HCl e por anti-inflamatório não esteroidal (AINE), bem como foi curativo no ensaio de úlcera crônica induzida por ácido acético na dose de 250 mg/kg. Os compostos isolados, exceto o alcaloide cernumidina, apresentaram atividade gastroprotetora pelo ensaio de indução de úlcera por etanol/HCl na dose de 30 mg/kg. Ainda sobre a gastroproteção, na avaliação de pH utilizando o ensaio de ligadura de piloro, todos os grupos de animais tratados com extrato ESC não apresentaram diminuição da acidez estomacal. Porém, houve diminuição da concentração de íons hidrogênio ([H+] mEq.g-1/L) na secreção gástrica nos grupos tratados. A produção de muco na mucosa gástrica também não foi aumentada nos grupos tratados com o extrato ESC. A avaliação da ação gastroprotetora por inibição da enzima iNOS e alquilação de grupos sulfidrilas evidenciou que a produção de óxido nítrico e de grupos sulfidrilas podem estar envolvidos na atividade gastroprotetora do ESC. Diferentes concentrações de ii extrato ESC e alcaloide cernumidina foram testadas nos tempos de 48, 72 e 96 h em cultura primária de células de músculo liso relacionadas a hiperplasia benigna da próstata (HPB), sendo possível observar inibição do crescimento celular de 60% na concentração de 3 mg/mL para o extrato e de 62% para o alcaloide na concentração de 1 mg/mL (3,3 x 10-6 M) no tempo de exposição de 96 h. Com o intuito de avaliar o potencial efeito indutor de apoptose, foi realizado o ensaio de anexina V Cy5 por citometria de fluxo. Tanto para o extrato ESC como para o acaloide cernumidina observou-se que a morte celular ocorreu mais por apoptose. Apenas para o alcaloide, na concentração de 1 mg/mL, houve significativa morte por necrose. Na atividade de inibição da angiogenese, avaliada em células HUVEC, a FBuOH (50 ?g/mL) e o alcaloide cernumidina (160 nM) inibiram a formação de vasos endoteliais em 62,75% e 77,73%. Na secagem do extrato por spray dryer o rendimento, a densidade aparente, a densidade compacta, o tamanho das partículas (D50) e o teor de cernumidina foram influenciados por alguns dos fatores avaliados: temperatura, vazão e porcentagem de adjuvante, linearmente ou na forma quadrática. Na otimização da secagem por spray dryer, utilizando a função desejabilidade, observou-se a proximidade dos valores preditos para rendimento do pó e teor de cernumidina com os valores reais, evidenciando a confiabilidade desse método matemático. Assim, os resultados obtidos corroboram alguns dos usos populares abrindo novas possibilidades para o desenvolvimento de fitoterápico a partir S. cernuum. / Solanum cernuum Vell. (Solanaceae), popularly known as \"panacéia\", is a native tree from Southern and Southeastern Brazil. Its traditional name is due to the wide range of uses in folk medicine including the treatment of ulcers, liver damage, skin infections, as diuretic, antitumor, depurative, anti-hemorrhagic, as well as to treat gonorrhoea and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Considering the importance of S. cernuum in folk medicine and the lack of research supporting its use, the aims of this project were to obtain different extracts, fractions and isolated compounds this plant to be tested for gastroprotective, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities. Leaves S. cernuum were collected in Teresópolis/RJ. The hydroethanolic (ESC) and ethyl acetate extracts were obtained from the dried and grinded leaves. Fractions in hexane (FHex), dichloromethane (FDCM), ethyl acetate (FAcOEt), n-butanol (FBuOH) and water (FAQ) were obtained from the ESC extract. The ESC extract was fractionated using different chromatographic techniques furnishing four isolated compounds: trans-isoferulic acid, cernumidine, quercitrin and afzelin. The content of these four compounds were quantified to be 1.5%, 4.8%, 1.3% and 1.6%, respectively, in the extract. ?-sitosterol and the friedelin were isolated by partitioning the ethyl acetate extract with heptane. In the antimicrobial assay, only FHex, FDCM and FAq fractions showed activity at different concentrations against the tested strains of bacteria and fungi. The hydrodistillation of the leaves of S. cernuum did not fusrnish essential oils, but the partition of the hydrolate with dichloromethane allowed the determination of its composition by GC/MS. The trichomes of S. cernuum are majority kind of stellate tector. Only FDCM fraction and friedelin compound showed activity in XTT assay against MCF-7 cells (breast carcinoma) at the concentration of 16.6 ?g/mL and 124.9 ?g/mL, respectively. The ESC extract showed gastroprotective effects in the acute gastric ulcer assay, which is induced by HCl/EtOH and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Also, in the chronic ulcer assay, induced by acetic acid, the oral administration of ESC extract (250 mg/kg) reduced the ulcerated area, suggesting that it has a curative potential. The isolated compounds (30 mg/kg) exhibited gastroprotective activity in acute gastric ulcer assay, except cernumidine. The results indicated that the ESC extract was able to reduce the concentration of H+ ions in comparison with the control group. However, ESC extract did not modify the pH of the gastric juice acid and there was no significant increment in the amount of gastric adherent mucus in pretreated group. Further, it was evaluated the role of nitric oxide (NO) and sulfhydryl (SH) groups on the gastroprotective effect elicited by ESC extract. The results showed that gastroprotection induced by the ESC extract is correlated with the presence of endogenous NO and SH groups which were responsible for gastroprotective activity. In the anti-angiogenic activity assay evaluated in HUVEC cells, the FBuOH fraction (50 ?g/mL) and the cernumidine alkaloid (160 nM) inhibited the the formation of endothelial vessels by 62.75% and 77.73%, respectively. Different concentrations of the ESC extract and cernumidine alkaloid were further tested in primary culture of iv smooth muscle HPB for 48, 72 and 96 h. ESC extract (3 mg/mL) and the alkaloid (1 mg/mL; 3.3 x 10-6 M) treatment for 96 h inhibited the cell growth by 60% and 62%, respectively. In addition, it was assessed the potential effect of extract and its constituents to induce apoptosis by performing the annexin Cy5 assay by flow cytometry. Treatment with ESC extract and cernumidine alkaloid led to cell death by apoptosis. Only cernumidine at 1 mg/mL showed significant cells death by necrosis compared to control. Considering the spray dryer technique to dry the extract, the yield, bulk and tapped densities, particle size (D50) and the content of the cernumidine are influenced by some of the evaluated factors: temperature, flow and excipient percentage, linearly or quadratic form. To optimize the drying by spray dryer, it was used the desirability function. It was observed that the proximity of the predicted values of the yield and cernumidine content with the real values were found, showing the reliability of this mathematical method. Therefore, the obtained results corroborate the folk use and open new opportunities for the development of a phytotherapic from S. cernuum.

INTRODUÇÃO: A HPB é a neoplasia benigna mais comum no homem. Embora amplamente estudada, a patogênese da HPB não foi totalmente elucidada. Fatores de crescimento são proteínas que regulam o crescimento, a diferenciação e morte celular programada. Estudos têm demonstrado que eles interagem com marcadores de inflamação e angiogênese na próstata e simulam a resposta que ocorre no processo de cicatrização de tecidos. Avaliamos o perfil de expressão de FC e marcadores de inflamação e angiogênese no tecido prostático de pacientes com próstata aumentada em relação ao grupo controle com próstata de tamanho normal. MÉTODO: Foram analisados tecidos prostáticos congelados de 62 pacientes submetidos à ressecção transuretral da próstata ou cirurgia aberta para tratamento da HPB. O grupo controle foi composto por amostras de tecido de 8 pacientes com próstata de pequeno volume (menor do que 40 gramas) obtidas por ressecção transuretral. Os níveis de expressão dos FC (EGF, FGF2, PDF, TGFbeta1, IGF1), de angiogênese (VEGF, CD105) e de inflamação (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 e IL-17) foram avaliados por reação de cadeia da polimerase em tempo real quantitativo (qRT-PCR). A análise de subgrupo de pacientes com e sem uso de sonda vesical de demora antes da cirurgia bem como a correlação da expressão com variáveis clínico-demográficas (volume prostático, PSA, presença de prostatite, idade e tempo de sintoma) foram realizadas. RESULTADOS: Encontramos superexpressão de todos os fatores de crescimento, marcadores de inflamação e angiogênese nos 62 pacientes com HPB em relação ao grupo controle. Verificamos na análise de subgrupo que a presença da sonda vesical parece induzir o aumento da expressão de FGF2, IGF1, TGFbeta1, IL-8 e VEGF. Estes dois últimos apresentaram-se ainda mais superexpressos em pacientes com prostatite associada a HPB. Pacientes com expressão de IGF1 acima da média também apresentaram expressão aumentada de outros fatores de crescimento (FGF2, TGFbeta1, CD105 e IL-2). E, também, o nível de expressão de IGF1 foi maior em pacientes com idade superior a 65 anos em relação aos mais jovens. VEGF apresentou maior superexpressão em pacientes com menos de 1 ano de sintomas do trato inferior e a IL-6 mostrou maiores níveis de expressão em pacientes com tempo de sintoma acima de 1 ano. A IL-2 mostrou-se ainda mais superexpressa no subgrupo de pacientes com sonda vesical e próstata maior do que 60g. CONCLUSÃO: Encontramos uma superexpressão geral de todos os FC, marcadores de angiogênese e inflamação nos pacientes com HPB e próstatas maiores do que 40g comparado ao grupo controle. Além disso demonstramos pioneiramente que o uso da sonda vesical pode aumentar a expressão dos FC (FGF2, IGF1 e TGFbeta1) de VEGF e também da IL-8 / INTRODUCTION: BPH is the most common benign tumor in men. Although widely studied, the pathogenesis of BPH has not been fully elucidated. Growth factors (GF) are proteins that regulate growth, differentiation, and programmed cell death. Studies have shown that they interact with markers of inflammation and angiogenesis in prostate and simulate the response that occurs in the tissue healing process. We evaluate the FC expression profile and inflammation and angiogenesis markers in prostate tissue from patients with enlarged prostate compared to the control group with normal sized prostate. METHOD: Frozen prostate tissues were analyzed from 62 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate or open surgery for treating BPH. The control group was composed of tissue samples from 8 patients with small prostate volume (less than 40 grams) obtained by transurethral resection. The expression levels of GF (EGF, FGF2, PDF, TGFbeta1, IGF1), angiogenesis (VEGF, CD105) and inflammatory (IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-17) were evaluated by reaction Polymerase chain quantitative real-time (qRT-PCR). The subgroup analysis of patients with and without use of indwelling urinary catheter before surgery as well as the correlation of expression with clinical and demographic variables (prostate volume, PSA, presence of prostatitis, age and symptom of time) were performed. RESULTSs: We found overexpression of all growth factors, inflammation and angiogenesis markers in the 62 patients with BPH compared to the control group. We found in subgroup analysis that the presence of urinary catheter seems to induce increased FGF2, IGF1, TGF?1, IL-8 and VEGF expression. These latter had become even more overexpressed in patients with BPH associated with prostatitis. Patients with IGF1 expression above the average also showed increased expression of other GF (FGF2, TGFbeta1, IL-2 and CD105). And also, the level of IGF1 expression was higher in patients older than 65 years compared to younger patients. VEGF overexpression was higher in patients with less than 1 year of lower tract symptoms and IL-6 showed higher expression levels in patients with symptoms over 1 year of length. IL-2 was shown to be overexpressed in further subgroup of patients with bladder catheter and prostate greater than 60g size. CONCLUSION: We found a general overexpression of all GF, markers of angiogenesis and inflammation in patients with BPH and prostates larger than 40g compared to the control group. Also demonstrated pioneered that the use of indwelling catheter can increase the expression of GF (FGF2, IGF1 and TGFbeta1), VEGF and IL-8 as well

Abstract This study utilized normal and defective epithelial cell cultures and epidermal skin samples to examine intra- and intercellular calcium signaling. The main interests of this thesis were Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD), Darier disease (DD), neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). HHD and DD diseases are rare autosomal dominant skin disorders characterized by dissociation of epidermal keratinocytes (acantholysis) at the suprabasal layer of the epidermis. HHD and DD diseases are caused by mutations in the genes encoding the calcium pumps in the Golgi apparatus (hSPCA1) and endoplasmic reticulum (SERCA2b), respectively. Due to these mutations calcium uptake into the Golgi apparatus or ER is diminished, which is believed to cause abnormal cell junction protein processing and dissociation of keratinocytes. This study utilized electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and demonstrated for the first time that lesional areas of HHD and DD and non-lesional areas of DD epidermis display abnormally low calcium content in the basal cell layer. Furthermore, ATP mediated calcium signaling was impaired in cultured HHD and DD keratinocytes and epidermal ATP receptor localization was disrupted. In conclusion, these results suggest that the low calcium content in the basal cell layer is the reason for suprabasal ruptures in HHD but not necessarily in DD lesions, and that abnormal ATP receptor localization contributes to the calcium signaling defects. NF1 deficient keratinocytes display abnormally low resting cytosolic calcium levels and it has been suggested that the calcium concentration in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum is decreased. This study demonstrated that NF1 keratinocytes rely mostly on ATP mediated calcium signaling while normal keratinocytes rely mostly on gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Studies with TCC cells have demonstrated that gap junctions participate in intercellular calcium wave propagation. This thesis demonstrated that the ATP mediated pathway was also operational in calcium wave propagation in normal uroepithelial and TCC cell cultures. Furthermore, impaired calcium wave propagation in the TCC cell culture could be improved through PKC α/βI –isoenzyme inhibition with Gö6976. Gö6976 treatment increased connexin 26 clustering at plasma membrane but did not alter expression level of the protein. This thesis contains a wide repertoire of calcium detection techniques including a new cutting-edge technology for elemental calcium detection of epidermal samples. These techniques can be used for molecular specific analysis of calcium signaling in epithelial cells.

Background: To compare the clinical value of the measurement of complex and total PSA in the discrimination between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Methods: In serum samples collected from 166 men with histopathologically proven clinically localized prostate cancer and of 97 men with BPH, total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), complexed PSA and the free to total PSA ratio were determined. The statistical analysis was done by the comparison of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The areas under the ROC curves were 0.776 for total PSA, 0.799 for complexed PSA (total PSA vs. cPSA: p < 0.0001) and 0.812 for the free to total PSA ratio. With a cut-off of 3.0 ng/ml for complexed PSA, the sensitivity was 90%, the specificity 58%, the positive and the negative predictive values 79 and 78%, respectively. With a cut-off of 4.0 ng/ml for total PSA, the sensitivity was 87%, the specificity 59%, the positive and the negative predictive values were 78 and 72%, respectively. Conclusions: There was a statistically significant advantage for complexed PSA compared to total PSA in the discrimination between BPH and prostate cancer. The difference was, however, small and its clinical relevance is questionable. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Evidence-based practice, whose roots emanate from the mid-1960s, aims to provide fair, high-quality, and soundly researched health care with patients' best interests as a priority. Clinical practice guidelines are evidence-based and designed to assist clinicians with sound decision making. Despite the importance of evidence-based practice and the efforts invested into its development and dissemination, its uptake and implementation are poor. The disconnect between evidence-based practice and its translation into clinical practice was previously reported in low-to-middle income countries. This study investigated South African audiologists' and otorhinolaryngologists' (ear, nose and throat specialists') self-reported orientation to evidence-based practice. Second, adherence to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines was assessed with reference to the diagnosis and management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a common vestibular condition for which a firm evidence base supporting treatment exists. A two-part quantitative approach was adopted. Part one surveyed South African audiologists and otorhinolaryngologists with the Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire and an additional researcher-developed questionnaire pertaining to the diagnosis and management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. A total of 130 survey responses were included in this study. Independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVAs and Fisher's Exact tests were used to analyse the survey data. Part two used a retrospective record review at a tertiary academic hospital in the Western Cape of South Africa. Medical folders of patients diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, between 2010 – 2018 (n = 80), were analysed. The diagnosis and management strategies were recorded and compared against a gold standard evidence based guideline for congruence. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse and understand the data. Survey scores showed a positive association between increased years of experience and healthcare professionals' knowledge (p = .008) and confidence (p = .003) in evidence-based practice. Otorhinolaryngologists might be more knowledgeable than audiologists in evidence-based practice due to their increased training and exposure to evidence-based practice in their specialising years. Findings from the retrospective record review suggested adherence to the clinical practice guidelines in the diagnosis and management of posterior semi circular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The study outcomes propose that evidence-based clinical practice guidelines developed in the Global North may not be appropriate for the different health contexts that exist in low-to-middle income South Africa (e.g., rural settings). However, the benign paroxysmal positional vertigo clinical practice guidelines were adhered to at a tertiary, academic hospital in Cape Town. The results also support the notion that increased exposure to evidence-based practice reinforces its approach. Outcomes from this study raise implications for the development and dissemination of context-appropriate, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.

Detta kandidatexamensarbete som utförts på uppdrag av ST-läkare i urologi Per Nordlund hade målet att bygga en urinflödesmätare. Eftersökta mätvärden att registrera var tidpunkt för miktionstillfället, mängden urin per tidsenhet (ml/s), flödesmönster, total mikterad volym (ml) samt miktionstid (sek). Urinflödesmätaren syftar till att förbättra initial bedömning samt uppföljning av personer med vattenkastningssvårigheter, en vanlig orsak till sjukvårdskontakt hos svenska män. För utvärdering av patienters vattenkastning ombeds patienten idag själv registrera och mäta urinvolym, en metod som ofta innebär besvär för patienten och kan innehålla inkomplett och felaktig data. Vid urologmottagningar ges möjligheten att elektroniskt mäta urinflöde och volym. Då en stor variation över dygn och miktionstillfälle föreligger kan en felaktig bild över symtom presenteras. Detta har gett upphov till idén att skapa en urinflödesmätare vars uppgift är att automatisera mätningsprocessen i hemmet.  Arbetet utfördes genom att programmera en Arduino mikrokontroller samt användning av en flödessensor. Flödessensorns konstruktion bestod av en magnet, halleffektsensor samt en turbin. Halleffektsensorns uppgift var att mäta det elektriska fältet som uppstår då magneten som sitter på flödessensorns turbin roterar. Genom att utnyttja turbinrotationen kan bland annat volym beräknas. Arbetet har även inneburit användning av Python med syftet att spara det mätvärde från mikrokontrollern i en CSV fil som kan öppnas av en vårdgivare med applikationer som Excel. / This bachelor's degree project which was carried out on behalf of Per Nordlund, urology resident, had the goal of building a urine flow meter. The sought-after values to register each time of the micturition; the amount of urine per unit time (ml/ s), flow pattern, total micturized volume (ml) and micturition time (sec). The urine flow meter aims to improve initial assessment and follow-up of people with urination difficulties, a common cause of medical contact in Swedish men. Today, when evaluating patients urination, the patient is asked to register and measure urine volume themselves, a method that often causes problems for the patient and may contain incomplete and incorrect data. At urology clinics, individuals are given the opportunity to electronically measure urine flow and volume. When there is a large variation over day and occasion of micturition, an incorrect picture of symptoms can be presented. This has given rise to the idea of creating a urine flow meter whose task is to automate the measurement process in the home.  The work was performed by programming an Arduino microcontroller and using a flow sensor. The design of the flow sensor consisted of a magnet, a hall-effect sensor and a turbine. The task of the hall-effect sensor was to measure the electric field that arises when the magnet attached on the flow sensor's turbine rotates. By utilizing the turbine rotation, volume can be calculated. The work has also involved the use of Python with the aim of saving the output values from the microcontroller in a CSV file that can be opened by a healthcare provider with applications such as Excel.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / CHAPTER I - Prostate cancer is a common disease in the world and in some countries it is one of the main causes of male population mortality. Some molecular markers have been associated with prostate carcinogenesis. To observe changes in transcript levels of the AR, SRD5A2, KLK2, PSMA and PCA3 genes, the mRNA was analyzed in tissues with prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa, N= 48) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, N= 25), performed through a differential multiplex RT-PCR assay. Significant differences were observed in the relative expression of these genes between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. The optical density ratio of the cDNA amplicons between PCa and BPH for the AR gene was 1.6-fold higher for the prostatic adenocarcinoma. On the other hand, the SRD5A2 mRNA levels were associated with BPH and were 1.4-fold higher than that of PCa. For KLK2, PSMA and PCA3, the transcriptional levels were respectively, 1.9-, 1.9- and 5-fold higher in PCa than those in BPH tissues. Of the diagnostics tests carried through individually, the PCA3 gene was that presented higher sensitivity and accuracy, and the inclusion of the serum PSA improved the sensitivity (of 76 to 92%), positive preditive value (of 85 to 94%), negative preditive value (of 60 to 62%) and accuracy (of 74 to 78%). The results suggest that the higher AR, KLK2, PSMA, and PCA3 and/or reduced SRD5A2 genes expression in prostatic tissues may indicate the occurrence of prostate adenocarcinoma; however the PCA3 and serum PSA analysis together are highly promising as auxiliary method in the diagnosis of this cancer. CHAPTER II - Purpose: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men, and it consists of multifactorial and multifocal events. Due to the complexity of the disease process, which includes genome alterations, local invasion, micrometastatic cell extravasations to circulation, invasion of secondary organ tissues, and resistance to hormonal blockage, many markers must be used to represent the multiple and variable events that lead to cancer development. The low specificity of the unique serum marker for prostate cancer diagnostics, PSA, has leaded us to investigate four potential markers in the peripheral blood of patients by detecting their mRNA levels and associating them to clinical parameters. Methods: The expression levels of the KLK2, KLK3, PCA3 and PSMA transcripts were determined by Nested RT-PCR. Patients with PCa (99) and with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, 36), and healthy volunteers (104) were investigated. Results: Significant differences for the RNA relative levels have been found for the KLK2, PCA3 and PSMA transcripts between PCa and BPH patients or healthy volunteers. The KLK2 and PSMA levels also presented a positive association (P<0.05) with extra-prostatic disease (pT3). The combined positive RT-PCR Nested for the KLK2, PCA3, PSMA genes with serum PSA higher than 4ng/mL presented a 10-fold higher chance of cancer occurrence than healthy controls, with sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of 57%, 89% and 93%, respectively. Conclusions: The combined analysis of KLK2, PCA3 and PSMA transcripts may become a useful tool for the discrimination of PCa patients from those with benign disease or healthy individuals. Additionally, the KLK2 and PSMA transcripts may also be used as prognostic markers for the presence of extra-capsular disease and assisting in the prediction of the post-operative outcome. CHAPTER III - Purpose: Transcripts of PCA3/DD3 gene are at the moment the most specific molecule found in prostate cancer specimens. This mRNA can be detected in important sample targets for clinical analyses, such as prostatic tissues, urine after prostatic massage, and the peripheral blood. Methods: The present study evaluated the PCA3 gene expression in prostatic tissues and in peripheral blood of BPH and PCa patients, by RT-PCR assays, and based on its detection together with other clinical parameters, we proposed a model for molecular monitoring in order to improve diagnosis as an auxiliary technology. Results: The concomitant use of PCA3 transcript detection in the peripheral blood and in prostate tissues has improved diagnosis, with sensitivity and an accuracy of 77%. For the molecular staging, patients have been classified as: localized disease (PBL-; negative PCA3) and circulating tumors cells disease (PBL+; positive PCA3). The higher frequencies of PBL- had been observed in T1-T2 stages (75%); on the other hand, the higher PCA3 positivity was observed for the T3-T4 staging (43%), while the T1-T2 stages presented 25% positivity. A correlation was found between the molecular staging and serum PSA < 10ng/mL before surgery, and approximately 60% of patients with T3-T4 stages that presented biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy presented a positive PCA3 result (P= 0.05), with an odds ratio of 16-fold higher for the possibility of disease recurrence in relation to the T1-T2 patients, and an accuracy of 82%. Conclusion: These data demonstrated the importance of the PCA3 gene as an auxiliary method in prostate cancer diagnosis, by distinguishing PCa from BPH patients, and also demonstrated its prognostic value in recurrent disease for post-operative patients. CHAPTER IV - Approximately 98% of all the products transcribed in the human genome correspond to non coding RNAs (ncRNA). Many ncRNA functions are attributed to this structural particularity given mainly for the secondary structures formed from its linear sequence of bases. Among the ncRNA types are tRNA, rRNA, small nuclear RNA, small nucleolar RNA, small interference RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA) and catalytic RNAs (ribozymes). The bioinformatics has supplied useful tools in the prediction of optimal or suboptimal secondary structures allowing the design of interference RNA as miRNAs or siRNAs. In human, miRNAs have been associated with the development of diverse complex diseases as cancer. The PCA3 (DD3) gene was molecularly characterized as cancer and prostate specific, and its transcripts are non-coding, once no peptide products have been found. Due to its structural characteristics, the PCA3 gene belongs thus to the increasing family of ncRNA. In the present work, four new variant molecules of the PCA3 gene have been sequence characterized and their frequencies demonstrated in prostate cancer and in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients, as well as in healthy individuals. We have also investigated and predicted the putative secondary structures formed in order to elucidate its role in prostate cancer biology. No association has been found between the frequency of these molecules and prostate pathologies (PCa or BPH). On the other hand, PCA3 variants were found in 10% (12/115) of cases in the general population. Similar analyses of the possible polypeptides of these molecules demonstrated that it remains as a non-coding RNA, and introns presents in the first, second and fourth variants suggesting a possible role as a miRNA with intracellular activity to these molecules to the PCA3 gene. In prostatic tissues, 100% of the prostate cancer cases presented the RNA molecule with an exon 2 splicing. However, further investigation must be carried out to demonstrate the true role of these splicing variants in prostate tumors and in other pathologies, once these molecules have been preferentially found in the peripheral blood. / CAPÍTULO I - O câncer de próstata é uma doença comum no mundo e já assumiu em alguns países uma das principais causas de mortalidade da população masculina. Vários marcadores moleculares têm sido associados à gênese do câncer de próstata. A fim de demonstrar a expressão diferencial dos níveis transcricionais dos genes AR, SRD5A2, KLK2, PSMA e PCA3 em doenças prostáticas, o RNAm foi analisado em tecidos com adenocarcinoma prostático (CaP, N= 48) e hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB, N= 25) por meio da técnica RT-PCR multiplex semi-quantitativa. Foram observadas diferenças significativas na expressão relativa desses genes entre os tecidos cancerosos e nãocancerosos. A taxa de densidade ótica entre os amplicons para cDNA provenientes do gene AR foi 1.6 vezes maior no adenocarcinoma prostático. Por outro lado, os níveis de RNAm do gene SRD5A2 foi associado com a HPB e foi 1.4 vezes maior do que no CaP. Para os genes KLK2, PSMA e PCA3, os níveis transcricionais foram respectivamente, 1.9, 1.9 e 5 vezes maior no câncer comparado a tecidos benignos. Dos testes diagnósticos realizados, o gene PCA3 individualmente foi o que apresentou as melhores sensibilidade e acurácia, sendo que a inclusão das medidas de PSA sérico melhorou a sensibilidade (de 76 para 92%), o valor preditivo positivo (de 85 para 94%), o valor preditivo negativo (de 60 para 62%) e a acurácia (de 74 para 78%). Os dados sugerem que a maior expressão dos genes AR, KLK2, PSMA e PCA3 ou expressão reduzida do gene SRD5A2 em tecidos prostáticos podem indicar a ocorrência do adenocarcinoma da próstata, sendo que as análises do gene PCA3 juntamente aos do PSA sérico são altamente promissores como método auxiliar no diagnóstico desse tipo de câncer. CAPÍTULO II - O câncer de próstata (CaP) e o mais comumente diagnosticado na população masculina e consiste de eventos multifatoriais e multifocais. Devido a complexidade da doença, a qual inclui alterações genômicas, invasão local, liberação de células micrometastáticas para a circulação, invasão secundaria de tecidos de outros órgãos, e resistência ao bloqueio hormonal, muitos marcadores podem ser usados para representar os eventos múltiplos e variáveis que levam ao desenvolvimento do câncer. A baixa especificidade do único marcador para diagnostico do câncer de próstata, PSA, tem nos levado a investigar quatro potenciais marcadores no sangue periférico de pacientes pela detecção de seus níveis de RNAm e associá-los a parâmetros clínicos. Os níveis de expressão dos transcritos do KLK2, KLK3, PCA3 e PSMA foram avaliados pela RT-PCR Nested, em pacientes com CaP (99), com hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB, 36) e voluntários saudáveis (104). Diferenças significativas foram encontradas para a expressão dos genes KLK2, PSMA e PCA3 entre os pacientes com CaP e os pacientes com HPB ou voluntários saudáveis. Os níveis do KLK2 e PSMA também apresentaram associação positiva (P<0.05) com doença extra-prostática (pT3). A RT-PCR Nested positiva combinada para os genes KLK2, PCA3 e PSMA com PSA sérico maior que 4ng/mL apresentou uma chance 10 vezes maior de ocorrência do câncer comparado aos controles saudáveis, com sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia de 57%, 89% e 93%, respectivamente. A análise combinada dos genes KLK2, PCA3 e PSMA pode ser uma ferramenta útil na distinção de pacientes com CaP daqueles com doença benigna ou de indivíduos saudáveis. Ainda, a analise dos transcritos KLK2 e PSMA podem ser usados como marcadores prognósticos para a presença de doença extra-capsular e auxiliando na predição de recidiva da doença no pós-operatório. CAPÍTULO III - Os transcritos do gene PCA3/DD3 são até o momento as moléculas mais específicas encontradas em espécimes de câncer de próstata. Esses RNAm podem ser detectados em importantes alvos para a análise clínica como tecidos prostáticos, na urina após massagem prostática e em sangue periférico. O presente estudo avaliou a expressão do gene PCA3 em tecidos prostáticos e em sangue periférico de pacientes com HPB e CaP, por técnicas de RT-PCR, e baseado na sua detecção juntamente com os parâmetros clínicos, foi proposto um modelo de estadiamento molecular como técnica assessória para melhor o diagnóstico da doença. O uso concomitante da detecção dos transcritos do gene PCA3 no sangue periférico e no tecido prostático melhorou o diagnóstico, com sensibilidade e acurácia de 77%. Para o estadiamento molecular, os pacientes foram classificados como contendo a doença localizada (PBL-) e em doença com células tumorais circulantes (PBL +). Maiores freqüências de tumor localizado pelo estadiamento molecular foram observadas nos estadios T1-T2 (75%), enquanto que 25 e 43% dos cânceres T1-T2 e T3-T4, respectivamente, apresentaram PCA3 positivo (células circulantes). Uma correlação foi encontrada para o estadiamento molecular para doença localizada e PSA sérico pré-cirúrgico < 10ng/mL, e aproximadamente 60% dos pacientes TNM T3-T4 que apresentaram falha bioquímica após a cirurgia radical apresentaram RTPCR positiva do PCA3 (P= 0.05), com um Odds Ratio 16 vezes maior para a possibilidade de recorrência da doença em relação aos pacientes T1-T2 e uma acurácia de 82%. Esses dados demonstram a importância da detecção do gene PCA3 como método no diagnóstico do câncer de próstata, por distinguir pacientes com CaP daqueles com HPB, e também demonstrando seu valor prognóstico na doença recorrente no pósoperatório dos pacientes. CAPÍTULO IV - Aproximadamente 98% de todos os produtos transcritos do genoma humano correspondem a RNAs não codificantes (RNAnc). Muitas funções dos RNAnc são atribuídas a suas particularidades estruturais dadas principalmente pelas estruturas secundárias formadas a partir da sua sequência linear de bases. Dentre os tipos de RNAnc estão os RNAt, RNAr, small nuclear RNA, small nucleolar RNA, small interference RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA) e RNAs catalíticos (ribozimas). A bioinformática tem fornecido ferramentas úteis na predição de estruturas secundárias ótimas ou subótimas permitindo o design de RNAs de interferência como os miRNAs ou siRNAs. Em humanos, os miRNAs tem sido associados ao desenvolvimento de diversas doenças complexas como o câncer. O gene PCA3 (DD3) foi molecularmente caracterizado como câncer- e próstata- específico e os seus RNAs são os responsáveis por essa característica, isso porque nenhum produto protéico tem sido encontrado para esse gene. Devido às suas características estruturais, o gene PCA3, pertence assim à crescente família de RNAnc. No presente trabalho foi analisado as freqüências de quatro moléculas variantes do gene PCA3, além das anteriormente reportadas, como também foram preditas as suas estruturas secundárias na tentativa de elucidar o seu papel na biologia do câncer de próstata. Nenhuma associação foi encontrada entre a freqüência dessas moléculas e as patologias da próstata como hiperplasia benigna ou câncer, sendo que na população geral analisada essas variantes foram encontradas em apenas 10% (12/115) dos casos. As análises de homologia de possíveis polipeptídeos para essas moléculas demonstram que permanece o papel de RNA não-codificante para o gene PCA3. Ainda, a presença de introns nas variantes 1, 2 e 4 podem sugerir um papel intracelular de miRNA para essas moléculas do gene PCA3. Nos tecidos prostáticos, 100% dos casos de câncer foi representando pela molécula com splicing do exon 2. Contudo, para as variantes de splicing, novas pesquisas deverão ser realizadas incluindo outras patologias além das doenças prostáticas e outros tipos tumorais para verificar o real impacto dessas moléculas, uma vez que foram encontradas preferencialmente no sangue periférico. / Doutor em Genética e Bioquímica

No description available.

Prostate carcinoma is considered to be one of the main medical problem in male population. Prostate carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men and the death rate has the second position within all diagnosed malignancies in Czech Republic (ÚZIS). There is only one reliable diagnostic tool: PSA (prostate specific antigen). Level of PSA is often elevated in men with prostate carcinoma. This diploma thesis is focused on study of changes in gene expression in prostate carcinoma. Three candidate genes were analyzed: VCL (vinculin), SHB (Src homology 2 binding protein) and OCT3 (organic cation transporter 3). According to recent publications, these genes are related to tumor progression and they could have prognostic significance. In this thesis the following methodological approaches were used: 82 prostatic specimens were collected from patients and mRNA was isolated from these specimens; then RT-PCR was used to obtain cDNA, fragments were detected by electrophoresis. At the end statistical methods were used for evaluation. Relative expression of the genes in prostate carcinoma tissue was compared to relative expression of the genes in BPH (benign prostatic neoplasia) tissue. Results showed higher expression of genes SHB and OCT3 in prostate carcinoma tissue in compariscon to BPH...