Microablative fractional radiofrequency for sexual dysfunction and vaginal Trophism: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate Microablative Fractional Radiofrequency (MAFRF) as a possible option in treating vaginal atrophy. Methods: This was a randomized, controlled clinical trial with postmenopausal women diagnosed with vaginal atrophy. The treatment consisted of three sessions of MAFRF, compared to vaginal estrogen administration and an untreated control group. Assessments occurred at baseline and 90 days. The primary endpoints were sexual function, evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and vaginal health, assessed by the Vaginal Health Index (VHI). Secondary outcomes included vaginal microbiota composition (Nugent score) and epithelial cell maturation (Maturation Value ‒ MV). Results: One hundred and twenty women (40 in each group) were included. Concerning the FSFI, both groups, MAFRF (median 4.8 [3.6‒6.0]) and vaginal estrogen (mean 4.7 ± 1.1), experienced improved sexual desire when compared to the control group (median 3.6 [2.4‒4.8]). Regarding the total score of VHI, the authors observed an improvement in the mean of the MAFRF (23.7 ± 2.0) and vaginal estrogen groups (23.5 ± 1.9) when compared to the control (14.8 ± 2.9). The Nugent score was reduced in the MAFRF and estrogen groups (p < 0.01) compared to the control group. Lastly, the MV was modified after treatment with MAFRF (p < 0.01) and vaginal estrogen (p < 0.001). No differences existed between the MAFRF and vaginal estrogen groups in the studied variables. No adverse effects were reported following the MAFRF protocol. Conclusions: Radiofrequency was comparable in efficacy to estrogen administration for treating vulvovaginal atrophy. It deserves consideration as a viable option in managing this condition.

Spectrochemical differentiation in gestational diabetes mellitus based on attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and multivariate analysis.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a hyperglycaemic imbalance first recognized during pregnancy, and affects up to 22% of pregnancies worldwide, bringing negative maternal-fetal consequences in the short- and long-term. In order to better characterize GDM in pregnant women, 100 blood plasma samples (50 GDM and 50 healthy pregnant control group) were submitted Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, using chemometric approaches, including feature selection algorithms associated with discriminant analysis, such as Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA) and Support Vector Machines (SVM), analyzed in the biofingerprint region between 1800 and 900 cm-1 followed by Savitzky-Golay smoothing, baseline correction and normalization to Amide-I band (~ 1650 cm-1). An initial exploratory analysis of the data by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed a separation tendency between the two groups, which were then classified by supervised algorithms. Overall, the results obtained by Genetic Algorithm Linear Discriminant Analysis (GA-LDA) were the most satisfactory, with an accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The spectral features responsible for group differentiation were attributed mainly to the lipid/protein regions (1462-1747 cm-1). These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis as a screening tool for fast and low-cost GDM detection.

Tityus serrulatus Scorpion Venom Induces Apoptosis in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines.

Cervical cancer (CC) is classified as the fourth most common type of cancer in women worldwide and remains a serious public health problem in many underdeveloped countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly types 16 and 18, has been established as a precursory etiologic agent for this type of cancer. Several therapeutic attempts have been studied and applied, aiming at its control. However, not only do classical treatments such as chemotherapies and radiotherapies target tumor cells, but also they cause damage to several healthy cells. For these reasons, the search for new biologically active chemotherapeutic components is of great importance. In this study, we investigated the effect of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (TsV) on CC lines. There are very few studies exploring venom of scorpions, and, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted using the venom of the scorpion TsV for treatment of cervical cancer lines. After challenge with TsV, the MTT assay demonstrated cytotoxic effect on HeLa line. Similarly, the cell death process in HeLa analyzed by flow cytometry suggests death via caspase, since the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly reduced the apoptotic response to the treatment. These results suggest that venom of TsV can be a potential source for the isolation of effective antiproliferative and apoptotic molecules in the treatment of CC.

Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom induces apoptosis in cervical cancer cell lines

Cervical cancer (CC) is classified as the fourth most common type of cancer in women worldwide and remains a serious public health problem in many underdeveloped countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly types 16 and 18, has been established as a precursory etiologic agent for this type of cancer. Several therapeutic attempts have been studied and applied, aiming at its control. However, not only do classical treatments such as chemotherapies and radiotherapies target tumor cells, but also they cause damage to several healthy cells. For these reasons, the search for new biologically active chemotherapeutic components is of great importance. In this study, we investigated the effect of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (TsV) on CC lines. There are very few studies exploring venom of scorpions, and, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted using the venom of the scorpion TsV for treatment of cervical cancer lines. After challenge with TsV, the MTT assay demonstrated cytotoxic effect on HeLa line. Similarly, the cell death process in HeLa analyzed by flow cytometry suggests death via caspase, since the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly reduced the apoptotic response to the treatment. These results suggest that venom of TsV can be a potential source for the isolation of effective antiproliferative and apoptotic molecules in the treatment of CC.

Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom induces apoptosis in cervical cancer cell lines

Cervical cancer (CC) is classified as the fourth most common type of cancer in women worldwide and remains a serious public health problem in many underdeveloped countries. Human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly types 16 and 18, has been established as a precursory etiologic agent for this type of cancer. Several therapeutic attempts have been studied and applied, aiming at its control. However, not only do classical treatments such as chemotherapies and radiotherapies target tumor cells, but also they cause damage to several healthy cells. For these reasons, the search for new biologically active chemotherapeutic components is of great importance. In this study, we investigated the effect of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (TsV) on CC lines. There are very few studies exploring venom of scorpions, and, to our knowledge, no study has been conducted using the venom of the scorpion TsV for treatment of cervical cancer lines. After challenge with TsV, the MTT assay demonstrated cytotoxic effect on HeLa line. Similarly, the cell death process in HeLa analyzed by flow cytometry suggests death via caspase, since the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly reduced the apoptotic response to the treatment. These results suggest that venom of TsV can be a potential source for the isolation of effective antiproliferative and apoptotic molecules in the treatment of CC.

Bothrops jararaca and Bothrops erythromelas Snake Venoms Promote Cell Cycle Arrest and Induce Apoptosis via the Mitochondrial Depolarization of Cervical Cancer Cells.

Bothrops jararaca (BJ) and Bothrops erythromelas (BE) are viper snakes found in South-Southeast and Northeast regions of Brazil, respectively. Snake venoms are bioactive neurotoxic substances synthesized and stored by venom glands, with different physiological and pharmacological effects, recently suggesting a possible preference for targets in cancer cells; however, mechanisms of snakes have been little studied. Here, we investigated the mechanism responsible for snake crude venoms toxicity in cultured cervical cancer cells SiHa and HeLa. We show that BJ and BE snake crude venoms exert cytotoxic effects to these cells. The percentage of apoptotic cells and cell cycle analysis and cell proliferation were assessed by flow cytometry and MTT assay. Detection of mitochondrial membrane potential (Rhodamine-123), nuclei morphological change, and DNA fragmentation were examined by staining with DAPI. The results showed that both the BJ and BE venoms were capable of inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting cytotoxicity and death by apoptosis of target SiHa and HeLa cells when treated with BJ and BE venoms. Furthermore, data revealed that both BJ venoms in SiHa cell promoted nuclear condensation, fragmentation, and formation of apoptotic bodies by DAPI assay, mitochondrial damage by Rhodamine-123, and cell cycle block in the G1-G0 phase. BJ and BE venoms present anticancer potential, suggesting that both Bothrops venoms could be used as prototypes for the development of new therapies.

Importância da detecção de anticorpos antinucleares pela técnica de imunofluorescência indireta HEp-2 em pacientes com Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico / The importance of antinuclear-antibodies detection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus by indirect immunofluorescence HEp-2 technic

Anticorpos antinucleares (ANA) constituem um grupo de auto-anticorpos dirigidos contra ácidos nucleicos e nucleoproteínas, encontrados nas colagenoses. A detecção desses auto-anticorpos é feita através de uma metodologia sorológica simples e sensível denominada técnica de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) com células epiteliais humanas (HEp-2). Esses auto-anticorpos podem ser específicos de determinados órgãos ou sistêmicos, como ocorre em várias doenças das quais o lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é o protótipo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a pesquisa de ANA em pacientes provenientes do Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes (HUOL) UFRN com indicação clínica de LES e outras doenças auto-imunes, como também a realização de testes sorológicos complementares (VDRL, PCR e FR). Dos 75 pacientes estudados, 22 (29,3%) obtiveram ANA pisitivo, sendo que 11 (50%) receberam diagnóstico final de LES.Em relação aos exames complementares foi observado que 18,2% dos pacientes apresentaram VDRL reativo, 81,8% PCR positiva e 18,2% FR positivo. A detecção do ANA pela IFI-HEp-2 consistiu de um método sensível para paciente com suspeita de LES e outras doenças auto-imunes.

Importância do Fator Antinuclear (FAN) em pacientes com Artrite Reumatóide Juvenil (ARJ) / Significance of Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)

Amostras de soro de 24 pacientes com Artrite Reumatoíde Juvenil (ARJ) foram utilizadas para avaliar a presença do fator antinuclear pela técnica de imunofluorescência indireta-Help-2. A presença ou näo desse auto-anticorpo foi associada com as classificaçöes existentes (pauciarticular, poliarticular ou sistêmica) contribuindo par melhor seguimento da fisiopatologia.

Avaliação imunológica da leucemia mielóide aguda através da citometria de fluxo / Immunological evaluation of the acute myeloid leukemia by flow cytometry

Embora a citomorfologia ainda seja importante no diagnóstico das leucemias agudas (MA), a imunofenotipagem têm se tornado essencial no diagnóstico e acompanhamento destas deoplasias. Dentre estes métodos a citometria de fluxo tem se destacado na metodologia moderna, apresentando caracteristicas de análise multiparamétrica e quantitativa de células sanguíneas normais e leucêmicas. O objetivo deste trabalho foio de realizar estudo retrospectivo de imunofenotipagem em 38 casos de LMA. A imunofenotipagem foi realizada em constituido de CD13, CD33, CD34, CD45, CD14, CD7, CD3, CD4, CD19, CD10, HLADR e IgM. Os parâmetros hematológicos foram obtidos em contadores hematológicos e a citomorfologia em distensões sanguíneas e de medula óssea coradas peloLeishmann. Paralelamente também foram obtidas informações referentes aos doentes tais como idade e sexo, bem como dados clínicos relacionados à doença. Dos 38 individuos analisados, 23 casos eram do sexo masculino e 15 do sexo feminino. Em relação a faixa etária constatou-se um maior número de casos adultos. Com relação aos dados clínicos, observou-se que a hepatomegalia e a esplenomegalia estiveram presentes na maioria dos casos com 87,5% e 50% dos casos respectivamente.A imunofenotipagem demonstrou um perfil caracteristico de LMA com expressão de CD 13/CD33 em todos os casos, o CD34 na maioria dos casos. O CD14 foi reativo nas leucemias monociticas, tendo sido também observado negatividade aos atigenos linfóides como o CD19, CD10 e CD3 com exceção do CD7 que esteve presente em 5 casos. Em relação a citomorfologia, observou-se uma correlação direta entre a citomorfologia e a classificação FAB, havendo um predominio do tipo de mielo monocitico LMA M4 que correspondeu a 41,7% dos casos. Estes dados demonstram a importância da imunofenotipagem no diagnóstico diferencial das LMA, bem como, no acompanhamento das neoplasias.