Knowledge, attitude and practices of biomedicine students on the papanicolaou exam

Cervical cancer is the second type of cancer that most affects women, considered a serious public health problem, however it can be detected and treated early through the Pap smear. This research aimed to analyze the knowledge, attitude and practices of biomedicine students on the Pap smear. A cross-sectional study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP), applied with 108 students, was carried out at a Higher Education Institution in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil. The data were collected through the months of February and March of 2018 with the application of a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was descriptive in terms of absolute and relative frequencies. Knowledge 72 (66.6%) and attitude 76 (70.3%) presented adequate levels regarding the examination. As for the practice, the percentage of suitability was of 37 academics (34.2%) relatively not adequate. It was concluded that the students had adequate knowledge and attitude, but an inadequate practice, and the Papanicolaou test is required for the early screening and prevention of cervical cancer.

Survey on the risk factors for cervical cancer known by biomedicine students

The development of cervical cancer is related with human papillomavirus infection with greater intensity the subtypes 16 and 18. Considering that the lifestyle of women influences the development of this cancer, this study aimed to perform a survey on the risk factors for cervical cancer known by biomedicine students. Descriptive and exploratory research, with a quantitative approach was performed with 101 biomedical undergraduates. Data were collected from February to March 2018 through a questionnaire and analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Science program. Students in the age group of 18 to 24 years old (89.11%), single (93.07%), with family income between two and three minimum wages prevailed (43.56%). It also showed that participants started their sexual life early (average 16 years old), had more than one sexual partner throughout their lives, had no relation to smoking (100%), most were not alcohol consumers (66%), did not take the Papanicolaou preventive exam (61.39%), did not practice physical activity (55.45%) and had a low frequency in the use of condoms during sexual intercourse (22.08%). It is concluded that there is a need for educational campaigns in Higher Education Institutions, which provide more information about the prevention of Cervical Cancer and the prevention of associated risk factors.

Knowledge and practice related to the pap smear test among cytopathologists

Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer amongst women, compared to other neoplasms, with a higher potential for prevention, slow evolution, and has a simple and effective screening test in its detection, cure when diagnosed early. The routine examination in Brazil for the prevention of this type of cancer is the Pap smear test. This study aimed to reveal the knowledge and practice regarding the Pap smear test among cytopathologists. A descriptive and exploratory research, a qualitative approach, performed with 21 cytopathologists, by e-mailing a data collection instrument, from March to April 2018. Data were treated using the Hierarchical Descending Classification in IraMuTeQ software and analyzed by the Discourse of the Collective Subject. The construction of the results was carried out based on aspects of the knowledge of the cytopathologists about the Pap smear, related to the importance of the completion of the post-graduation for its accomplishment, and aspects of cytopathologists practice regarding the relevance of performing the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. We conclude on the need to reorganize the activities in the work process of the health professionals involved in the Pap smear.

Pharmacological Effects and Toxicogenetic Impacts of Omeprazole: Genomic Instability and Cancer.

Omeprazole (OME) is commonly used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. However, long-term use of OME can increase the risk of gastric cancer. We aimed to characterize the pharmacological effects of OME and to correlate its adverse effects and toxicogenetic risks to the genomic instability mechanisms and cancer-based on database reports. Thus, a search (till Aug 2019) was made in the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect with relevant keywords. Based on the study objective, we included 80 clinical reports, forty-six in vitro, and 76 in vivo studies. While controversial, the findings suggest that long-term use of OME (5 to 40 mg/kg) can induce genomic instability. On the other hand, OME-mediated protective effects are well reported and related to proton pump blockade and anti-inflammatory activity through an increase in gastric flow, anti-inflammatory markers (COX-2 and interleukins) and antiapoptotic markers (caspases and BCL-2), glycoprotein expression, and neutrophil infiltration reduction. The reported adverse and toxic effects, especially in clinical studies, were atrophic gastritis, cobalamin deficiencies, homeostasis disorders, polyp development, hepatotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity. This study highlights that OME may induce genomic instability and increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Therefore, adequate precautions should be taken, especially in its long-term therapeutic strategies and self-medication practices.

Effect of Diets, Familial History, and Alternative Therapies on Genomic Instability of Breast Cancer Patients.

This study evaluates a correlation between family history, micronutrients intake, and alternative therapies with genetic instability, before and during breast cancer treatment. For this study, a total of 150 women were selected. Among those, 50 women were breast cancer patients on chemotherapy, while 50 breast cancer patients were on radiotherapy, and 50 were healthy females. All the participants signed the informed consent form and answered the public health questionnaire. Samples of buccal epithelial and peripheral blood cells were collected and analyzed through micronucleus and comet assays. The cells were evaluated for apoptosis and DNA damage. Results showed the association of patients' family history with an increase in toxicogenetic damage before and during cancer therapy. On the other hand, patients with late-onset cancer also presented genetic instability before and during therapy, along with those who did not take sufficient vegetables and alternative therapies. A positive correlation was observed between the genetic instability and alternative therapies, while inverse correlation was recorded with the vegetable consumption. Results clearly explain that the nutritional aspects and alternative therapies influence the genetic instability before and during cancer therapies especially in radiotherapy treated patients. Our data could be used for the monitoring therapies and management of breast cancer patients.

Anxiolytic effect of anacardic acids from cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell in mice.

Antianxiety drugs currently in use are associated with a number of serious side effects. Present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of anacardic acids (AAs) isolated from cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) shell liquid (CNSL) to treat anxiety as well as its role in oxidative stress in mice model. Anxiolytic effect of AA was evaluated using rota-rod and a set of behavioral tests in male Swiss albino mice at the doses of 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg. Flumazenil was used to evaluate the possible involvement of GABAergic system in the mechanism of action of AA. The effect of AA on oxidative stress in mice was evaluated by determining the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, and catalase (CAT) activity. The detection of DNA damage of the treated animals was performed using alkaline comet test in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of the animals. The results demonstrated that AA did not produce myorelaxant and sedative effects, nor did it cause a decrease in locomotor activity. The anxiolytic effect of AA was well-evident in all tests, especially at higher dose levels (25 and 50 mg/mg). Flumazenil reversed the anxiolytic effect of AA at all doses. In addition, AA reduced oxidative stress by decreasing the concentration of MDA and increasing the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and CAT activity. Statistical analysis by Pearson's correlation indicated a positive correlation between anxiolytic effect of AA to its antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. Furthermore, increased CAT activity and GSH concentrations in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of mice was also complementary to the reduced genotoxic damage observed in the study. In comet assay, AA did not increase in DNA damage. In conclusion, the results supported that AA possesses GABAA receptor mediated anxiolytic activity with the lack of myorelaxation and genotoxicity. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(5):420-431, 2018.

Correlations between Risk Factors for Breast Cancer and Genetic Instability in Cancer Patients-A Clinical Perspective Study.

Molecular epidemiological studies have identified several risk factors linking to the genes and external factors in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. In this sense, genetic instability caused by DNA damage and DNA repair inefficiencies are important molecular events for the diagnosis and prognosis of therapies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze correlation between sociocultural, occupational, and lifestyle risk factors with levels of genetic instability in non-neoplastic cells of breast cancer patients. Total 150 individuals were included in the study that included 50 breast cancer patients submitted to chemotherapy (QT), 50 breast cancer patients submitted to radiotherapy (RT), and 50 healthy women without any cancer. Cytogenetic biomarkers for apoptosis and DNA damage were evaluated in samples of buccal epithelial and peripheral blood cells through micronuclei and comet assay tests. Elder age patients (61-80 years) had higher levels of apoptosis (catriolysis by karyolysis) and DNA damage at the diagnosis (baseline damage) with increased cell damage during QT and especially during RT. We also reported the increased frequencies of cytogenetic biomarkers in patients who were exposed to ionizing radiation as well as for alcoholism and smoking. QT and RT induced high levels of fragmentation (karyorrhexis) and nuclear dissolution (karyolysis) and DNA damage. Correlations were observed between age and karyorrhexis at diagnosis; smoking and karyolysis during RT; and radiation and karyolysis during QT. These correlations indicate that risk factors may also influence the genetic instability in non-neoplastic cells caused to the patients during cancer therapies.

Serum Oxidative Stress Markers and Genotoxic Profile Induced by Chemotherapy in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative parameters of erythrocytes and genotoxicity in leukocytes of patients with breast cancer. Oxidative parameters were detected by spectrophotometry and genotoxic damage by single cell gel electrophoresis. Twenty-eight women with breast cancer were monitored before chemotherapy and after the second and fourth cycles of therapy with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin. After the fourth cycle, increases (P < 0.05) in the reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid levels, nitrite content, and superoxide dismutase activity and high rates of DNA damage in leukocytes were observed when compared with healthy women group and baseline levels. Similarly, after the second cycle, the same parameters were increased (P < 0.05) when compared with baseline levels. Increase in catalase activity was detected only after the fourth cycle and reduced glutathione levels and glutathione peroxidase activity were decreased in all cycles when compared with healthy women, as well as after the second and fourth chemotherapy cycles compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Patients with breast cancer presented an indicative of oxidative stress before, during, and after chemotherapy, as well as increased genotoxic damage in all stages of treatment, demonstrating the clinical applicability of this investigation.