Genital chronic graft-versus-host disease: an unmet need that requires trained gynecologists.

OBJECTIVE: Menopause and chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) are the leading causes of morbidity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Genitalia are one of the target organs of cGvHD causing sexual dysfunction and local symptoms, which may impair women's quality of life. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and clinical characteristics of genital cGvHD. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was performed including 85 women with alloHSCT. All women were diagnosed and counseled by a trained gynecologist. Health-related quality of life was assessed by the Cervantes Short-Form Scale and sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index. RESULTS: Seventeen women (20%) included in the study were diagnosed with genital cGvHD. The main complaints were vulvovaginal dryness (42.2%) and dyspareunia (29.4%), the presence of erythema/erythematous plaques (52.9%) being the most frequent sign. Median time from transplant to diagnosis of genital cGvHD was 17 months among those with mild involvement, 25 months for moderate and 42 months for severe forms. Mortality was 29.4% in patients who developed cGvHD with genital involvement versus 8.8% among those without (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Early gynecological evaluation might allow to identify patients with mild forms of genital cGvHD, potentially enabling better management and improved outcomes.

Effects of an Educational Intervention on Breast Self-Examination, Breast Cancer Prevention-Related Knowledge, and Healthy Lifestyles in Scholars from a Low-Income Area in Bogota, Colombia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an educational intervention on breast self-examination, cancer prevention-related knowledge, practices, and behavior change in scholars from a low-income area in Bogota, Colombia. Uncontrolled trial was conducted in 155 scholars. Two educational sessions, 90 min each, were carried out in March 2015 according to the Colombian guidelines for educational communication in the framework of cancer control. All participants completed a self-reported questionnaire at pre- and post-intervention, as well as 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. Breast self-examination was practiced by 78.1% of the scholars, and the overall knowledge of breast cancer risk factors was poor. The educational intervention resulted in significant improvements on breast self-examination practice, the knowledge of the technique, and the knowledge of the main risk factors for breast cancer as well as the practice of physical activity and vegetable intake at 6 months follow-up. An educational intervention according to the Colombian guidelines for educational communication in the framework of cancer control improved the practice of breast self-examination, cancer prevention-related knowledge, as well as the practice of physical activity and vegetable consumption in scholars from a low-income area in Bogota, Colombia. Further randomized controlled studies are warranted.

The role of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and type beta transforming growth factor (TGF-beta 1-beta 2-beta 3) during rat craniofacial development.

Growth factors seem to be part of a complex cellular signalling language, in which individual growth factors are the equivalents of the letters that compose words. According to this analogy, informational content lies, not in an individual growth factor, but in the entire set of growth factors and others signals to which a cell is exposed. The ways in which growth factors exert their combinatorial effects are becoming clearer as the molecular mechanisms of growth factors actions are being investigated. A number of related extracellular signalling molecules that play widespread roles in regulating development in both invertebrates and vertebrates constitute the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and type beta Transforming Growth Factor (TGF beta). The latest research literature about the role and fate of these Growth factors and their influence in the craniofacial bone growth ad development is reviewed.

Passive mechanical properties of the aorta during pregnancy in rats.

The passive mechanical properties of the aorta from rats were investigated on in vitro preparations during pregnancy. At 0 mm Hg, volume was found to be higher in pregnancy than in control series. At the lower pressures of the hysteresis curves, Volumetric Distensibility Modulus was higher in control series than during pregnancy. Hysteresis percentage, and stress relaxation were found to be diminished during pregnancy. The water of the aortic wall was increased from the 14th day of pregnancy. This evidence suggests that during pregnancy there was an increase in volume and vessel turgidity, which could be taken in relationship with the lowering of the fibrous elements folds.