Abstract Objective Currently, uteroplacental vascular disorders are considered one of the main mechanisms of spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD). Low-dose aspirin is used to prevent pre-eclampsia, which has a similar mechanism; hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of low-dose aspirin on the prevention of PTD in women with a history of spontaneous PTD. Methods The present pilot randomized clinical trial was conducted on 54 pregnant women in the aspirin group (taking 80 mg daily until the 36th week and classic treatment) and 53 patients in the control group (only receiving classic treatment). Results Forty-three patients (40%) presented before 37 weeks due to symptoms of PTL. Preterm delivery (< 37 weeks) occurred in 28 patients (26%), and there was no significant difference between the aspirin and control groups (10 patients [19%] and 18 patients [34%], respectively; p = 0.069). The time of preterm delivery was early (< 34 weeks) in 6 patients (21%), and its cause was spontaneous labor in 23 patients (82%) which was not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). Out of 40 patients with spontaneous labor, 25 patients (63%) had a PTD, which was significantly lower in the aspirin group than in the control group (9 patients [45%] versus 16 patients [80%], respectively; p = 0.022). Conclusion The findings of the present study demonstrated that despite the reduction in the incidence of PTD using low-dose aspirin, the reduction rate was not statistically significant. On the other hand, in patients with spontaneous labor prone to PTD, aspirin was effective in reducing the incidence of PTD.

Resumo Objetivo Atualmente, os distúrbios vasculares uteroplacentários são considerados um dos principais mecanismos de parto prematuro espontâneo (PTD). A aspirina em baixa dose é usada para prevenir a pré-eclâmpsia, que tem um mecanismo semelhante; portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar o efeito da aspirina em baixa dosagem na prevenção de PTD em mulheres com história de PTD espontâneo. Métodos O presente ensaio clínico piloto randomizado foi realizado em 54 gestantes do grupo aspirina (tomando 80 mg diários até a 36ª semana e tratamento clássico) e 53 pacientes do grupo controle (somente tratamento clássico). Resultados Quarenta e três pacientes (40%) apresentaram-se antes de 37 semanas devido a sintomas de PTL. O parto prematuro (< 37 semanas) ocorreu em 28 pacientes (26%) e não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos aspirina e controle (10 pacientes [19%] e 18 pacientes [34%], respectivamente; p = 0,069). O tempo de parto prematuro foi precoce (< 34 semanas) em 6 pacientes (21%) e sua causa foi trabalho de parto espontâneo em 23 pacientes (82%) que não foi significativamente diferente entre os dois grupos (p > 0,05). Das 40 pacientes com trabalho de parto espontâneo, 25 pacientes (63%) tiveram PTD, que foi significativamente menor no grupo aspirina do que no grupo controle (9 pacientes [45%] versus 16 pacientes [80%], respectivamente; p = 0,022). Conclusão Os achados do presente estudo demonstraram que, apesar da redução na incidência de DPT com o uso de aspirina em baixa dosagem, a taxa de redução não foi estatisticamente significativa. Por outro lado, em pacientes com trabalho de parto espontâneo propensas a PTD, a aspirina foi eficaz na redução da incidência de PTD.

Cathepsin B, an abundant expressed cysteine peptidase, plays a key role in cancer cell proliferation, tumor metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and migration. Therefore, development of cathepsin B inhibitors to treat cancer is of great significance. In this study, dihydronaphthalenone chalconoid derivatives containing different benzyliden moieties were synthesized via an efficient route in microwave condition that resulted in the desired compounds in high yields compared to acid- or base-catalyzed refluxing conditions. Cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated against K562, HT-29 and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines by MTT assay. P1, P3 and P9 (containing 4-OCH3, 3-NO2 and 4-CN moieties on phenyl ring, respectively) exhibited good cytotoxic activity with an IC50 range of 7.1-28.9 μM. Molecular docking analysis was carried out to investigate the possible interactions and binding modes of all compounds with cathepsin B. The most promising compounds, P1, P3 and P9 were well accommodated within the active site and had the least estimated free binding energies. It was concluded from both MTT assay and docking studies that some dihydronaphthalenone chalconoid derivatives could be suggested as effective cytotoxic agents and potential cathepsin B inhibitors

O presente estudo examina a possibilidade de imobilização do ácido esteárico em naftaleno microcristalino para a preparação de microcoluna e avalia seu potencial para adsorção e pré-concentração de quantidades traço de íons metálicos. Esse sorvente apresentou alta afinidade para chumbo. Conseqüentemente, foi elaborada uma rápida estratégia de pré-concentração empregando sistema de injeção em fluxo para determinação de chumbo por Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica com chama. A pré-concentração foi baseada no acúmulo do analito na microcoluna de ácido esteárico imobilizado e subseqüente eluição por injeção de pequeno volume de solução de ácido nítrico 1 mol L-1 (250 µL). Um volume de amostra de 20 mL resultou em um fator de pré-concentração de 84 vezes e o desvio padrão relativo para soluções contendo 40 e 200 µg L-1 foi 5,1 e 1,2%, respectivamente. O procedimento foi aplicado para água de torneira, de rio e de mar, suco de maçã, folha de beterraba, urina e aço inoxidável certificado. A exatidão foi comprovada por experimentos de recuperação, por Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica com Forno de Grafite e análise de um material de referência certificado composto por aço inoxidável.

The present study examines the possibility of immobilization of stearic acid on microcrystalline naphthalene for preparation of microcolumn and evaluation of its potential for adsorption and preconcentration of trace amounts of metal ions. It was found that this sorbent has high affinity for lead. Consequently, a rapid on-line preconcentration technique for the determination of lead by Flow Injection Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry had been devised. Preconcentration was based on accumulation of analyte on immobilized stearic acid microcolumn and subsequent elution by injection of a small volume of nitric acid (250 µL of 1 mol L-1). A sample volume of 20 mL resulted in a preconcentration factor of 84, and relative standard deviations for solutions containing 40 and 200 µg L-1 were 5.1 and 1.2%, respectively. The procedure was applied to tap water, river water, sea water, apple juice, beet leaf, urine, and certified stainless steel. The accuracy was proved by performing recovery experiments, Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry measurements, and analysis of a stainless steel certified reference material.