E-learning module for cytopathology education based on virtual microscopy.

INTRODUCTION: In cytopathology education, Virtual Microscopy e-learning modules (VM-eLM) have achieved remarkable results in the improvement and personalization of learning. However, it remains to be determined whether these modules can significantly contribute to improving the accuracy of cytological diagnosis. The aim of this work was to create a VM-eLM for gynecologic cytopathology education designed to improve screening and interpretation skills in two groups of cytologists: experienced and nonexperienced. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The module was designed in Moodle with both Whole Slide Images and Static Images taken from Papanicolaou smears that were diagnosed as: negative for intraepithelial lesion, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, squamous cell carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma. We assessed the effectiveness of the module using 1) clinical quality indicators to measure skill development and 2) a user survey. RESULTS: After training, participants significantly improved their cytological screening skills, decreasing their false negative diagnosis by 78% in the non-experienced group and eliminating them entirely in the experienced group. Nonexperienced participants also significantly increased their recognition of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion by 31% and 50%, respectively. Participants positively evaluated the module, highlighting its novelty, the possibility to train remotely, the immediate feedback and the quality of the Whole Slide Images. CONCLUSIONS: We designed, implemented and tested a VM-eLM for Gynecologic Cytopathology Education that improved cytological screening skills for both non-experienced and experienced cytologists, also increasing the diagnostic accuracy of preinvasive lesions by less experienced cytologists. The module was positively evaluated by participants, who perceived an improvement in their interpretive skills.

Pain and Anxiety Levels of Patients Undergoing Tissue Expansion After Mastectomies: A Case Series Study.

The tissue expansion process is done after mastectomies to increase the submuscular space in preparation for the placement of permanent breast implant. The process is often believed to be painful by patients who are often intimidated by the prospect of mechanically stretching out their skin and muscle. This study aims to quantify the pain experienced by patients and determine the different pain management techniques used. We used a case series approach, in which patients who were undergoing serial tissue expansion process were asked to rate their pain and anxiety on a scale from 1 to 10, using a questionnaire and the visual analog scale. Pain was rated during and after the expansion procedure, and patients were also surveyed to find the most commonly used and most effective pain management technique. Patients typically reported very little pain during and after the procedure, with an average of 0.4 to 2.5 pain experienced out of 10. The pain did not last, on average, longer than 1 day. Furthermore, the most widely used and most helpful pain medication was ibuprofen. During the tissue expansion procedure, the mean anxiety level was 0.64 (1.3). The findings show that tissue expansion process is a relatively low pain procedure and is not a contraindication for undergoing breast reconstruction. Ibuprofen, a mild treatment with few side effects, was efficacious in pain relief though most patients required no pain relief.

Role of Human Papillomavirus in Penile Carcinomas Worldwide.

BACKGROUND: Invasive penile cancer is a rare disease with an approximately 22 000 cases per year. The incidence is higher in less developed countries, where penile cancer can account for up to 10% of cancers among men in some parts of Africa, South America, and Asia. OBJECTIVE: To describe the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA prevalence, HPV type distribution, and detection of markers of viral activity (ie, E6*I mRNA and p16(INK4a)) in a series of invasive penile cancers and penile high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSILs) from 25 countries. A total of 85 penile HGSILs and 1010 penile invasive cancers diagnosed from 1983 to 2011 were included. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: After histopathologic evaluation of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples, HPV DNA detection and genotyping were performed using the SPF-10/DEIA/LiPA25 system, v.1 (Laboratory Biomedical Products, Rijswijk, The Netherlands). HPV DNA-positive cases were additionally tested for oncogene E6*I mRNA and all cases for p16(INK4a) expression, a surrogate marker of oncogenic HPV activity. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: HPV DNA prevalence and type distributions were estimated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: HPV DNA was detected in 33.1% of penile cancers (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.2-36.1) and in 87.1% of HGSILs (95% CI, 78.0-93.4). The warty-basaloid histologic subtype showed the highest HPV DNA prevalence. Among cancers, statistically significant differences in prevalence were observed only by geographic region and not by period or by age at diagnosis. HPV16 was the most frequent HPV type detected in both HPV-positive cancers (68.7%) and HGSILs (79.6%). HPV6 was the second most common type in invasive cancers (3.7%). The p16(INK4a) upregulation and mRNA detection in addition to HPV DNA positivity were observed in 69.3% of HGSILs, and at least one of these HPV activity markers was detected in 85.3% of cases. In penile cancers, these figures were 22.0% and 27.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: About a third to a fourth of penile cancers were related to HPV when considering HPV DNA detection alone or adding an HPV activity marker, respectively. The observed HPV type distribution reinforces the potential benefit of current and new HPV vaccines in the reduction of HPV-related penile neoplastic lesions. PATIENT SUMMARY: About one-third to one-quarter of penile cancers were related to human papillomavirus (HPV). The observed HPV type distribution reinforces the potential benefit of current and new HPV vaccines to prevent HPV-related penile neoplastic lesions.

Perspectivas actuales sobre el uso terapéutico del veneno de serpientes / Current perspectives on the therapeutic use of snake venom

Durante años los venenos de serpiente han sido empleados con ciertos fnes terapéuticos los cuales han sido relativamente poco estudiados. La mayoría de los venenos de serpientes poseen un sin número de moléculas con actividad concreta sobre proteínas y receptores específcos del cuerpo humano. Estas características convierten a los venenos en fuentes de inspiración para diseñar nuevas moléculas con actividad farmacológica, que de cierta forma contribuyen a proponer tratamientos médicos nuevos para el cáncer, la trombosis, la esclerosis múltiple, los trastornos neuromusculares o algunos trastornos cardiovasculares. En este artículo se revisa las principales proyecciones terapéuticas de los distintos venenos de serpientes que actualmente se están considerando para la industria farmacéutica como herramientas terapéuticas innovadoras para el desarrollo de nuevos fármacos

Historically, snake venoms have been used as a therapeutic option to treat several pathologies worldwide. These activities have been studied due to the presence of several proteins and molecules that have important molecular activity with human receptors. These features are currently been considered as one important source of inspiration to design new molecules with pharmacological activity, specially in diseases like cancer, thrombosis, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders and cardiovascular disorders. In this article we review the principal therapeutic projections that are currently being considered for the pharmaceutical industry as an innovative and therapeutic tool for the development of new drugs

Time trends of human papillomavirus types in invasive cervical cancer, from 1940 to 2007.

Contribution over time of human papillomavirus (HPV) types in human cancers has been poorly documented. Such data is fundamental to measure current HPV vaccines impact in the years to come. We estimated the HPV type-specific distribution in a large international series of invasive cervical cancer (ICC) over 70 years prior to vaccination. Paraffin embedded ICC cases diagnosed between 1940 and 2007 were retrieved from eleven countries in Central-South America, Asia and Europe. Included countries reported to have low-medium cervical cancer screening uptake. Information on age at and year of diagnosis was collected from medical records. After histological confirmation, HPV DNA detection was performed by SPF-10/DEIA/LiPA25 (version1). Logistic regression models were used for estimating the adjusted relative contributions (RC) of HPV16 and of HPV18 over time. Among 4,771 HPV DNA positive ICC cases, HPV16 and HPV18 were the two most common HPVs in all the decades with no statistically significant variations of their adjusted-RC from 1940-59 to 2000-07 (HPV16-from 61.5 to 62.1%, and HPV18-from 6.9 to 7.2%). As well, the RC of other HPV types did not varied over time. In the stratified analysis by histology, HPV16 adjusted-RC significantly increased across decades in adenocarcinomas. Regarding age, cases associated to either HPV16, 18 or 45 were younger than those with other HPV types in all the evaluated decades. The observed stability on the HPV type distribution predicts a high and stable impact of HPV vaccination in reducing the cervical cancer burden in future vaccinated generations.

Worldwide human papillomavirus genotype attribution in over 2000 cases of intraepithelial and invasive lesions of the vulva.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) contribution in vulvar intraepithelial lesions (VIN) and invasive vulvar cancer (IVC) is not clearly established. This study provides novel data on HPV markers in a large series of VIN and IVC lesions. METHODS: Histologically confirmed VIN and IVC from 39 countries were assembled at the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO). HPV-DNA detection was done by polymerase chain reaction using SPF-10 broad-spectrum primers and genotyping by reverse hybridisation line probe assay (LiPA25) (version 1). IVC cases were tested for p16(INK4a) by immunohistochemistry (CINtec histology kit, ROCHE). An IVC was considered HPV driven if both HPV-DNA and p16(INK4a) overexpression were observed simultaneously. Data analyses included algorithms allocating multiple infections to calculate type-specific contribution and logistic regression models to estimate adjusted prevalence (AP) and its 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Of 2296 cases, 587 were VIN and 1709 IVC. HPV-DNA was detected in 86.7% and 28.6% of the cases respectively. Amongst IVC cases, 25.1% were both HPV-DNA and p16(INK4a) positive. IVC cases were largely keratinising squamous cell carcinoma (KSCC) (N=1234). Overall prevalence of HPV related IVC cases was highest in younger women for any histological subtype. SCC with warty or basaloid features (SCC_WB) (N=326) were more likely to be HPV and p16(INK4a) positive (AP=69.5%, CI=63.6-74.8) versus KSCC (AP=11.5%, CI=9.7-13.5). HPV 16 was the commonest type (72.5%) followed by HPV 33 (6.5%) and HPV 18 (4.6%). Enrichment from VIN to IVC was significantly high for HPV 45 (8.5-fold). CONCLUSION: Combined data from HPV-DNA and p16(INK4a) testing are likely to represent a closer estimate of the real fraction of IVC induced by HPV. Our results indicate that HPV contribution in invasive vulvar cancer has probably been overestimated. HPV 16 remains the major player worldwide.

Implantação do programa de controle da tuberculose na Unidade Básica de Saúde HCPA/ Santa Cecília / Implantation of the tuberculosis control program in the Basic Health Unit HCPA/Santa Cecília / Implantación del programa de control de tuberculosis en Unidad Básica de Salud HCPA/Santa Cecília

Introdução: a regionalização do controle da tuberculose (TB) é uma das metas da Vigilância (CGVS) buscando reduzir os casos de abandono do tratamento e aumentar a taxa de diagnóstico. A análise dos resultados prévios das áreas a serem regionalizadas é importante para manter e ampliar a qualidade do controle da tuberculose, além de ser uma das etapas iniciais do planejamento da atenção à saúde. Objetivo: a regionalização do atendimento à TB na área da UBS HCPA visa: (1) descentralizar a estratégia de diagnóstico e tratamento da TB; (2) implantar um sistema coordenado de atenção com foco na atenção primária; (3) georreferenciar os pacientes para otimizar a vigilância local; (4) contribuir para o treinamento dos médicos residentes em medicina de família HCPA na área de gestão dos programas da atenção primária; e (5) contribuir na redução das taxas de abandono ao tratamento. Materiais e Métodos: Fase 1 - realizou-se a estimativa do número de casos, georreferenciamento dos casos notificados e a análise da coorte utilizando os dados históricos da região de abrangência da UBS HCPA no período de janeiro de 2004 até julho de 2008, data da implantação do serviço regionalizado buscando os indicadores de atenção deste período. Fase 2 ­ Foram criados fluxogramas de rastreamento, diagnóstico e tratamento e foi iniciado o atendimento sob supervisão. Resultados: a incidência média de TB nessa região é de aproximadamente 0,5/100.000hab/ano. Foram realizados mapas georeferenciados dos casos. Foram notificados 88 pacientes entre 1/2004 a 7/2008, sendo 55,7% da forma pulmonar (idade 39,6 ±16,8 anos), 37,5% extra-pulmonar (idade 48,2 ±17,5 anos) e o restante, formas mistas. Quanto ao local de diagnóstico: 1% na atenção primária, 89% na atenção secundária e os demais na atenção terciária. Nos casos de TB pulmonar, a baciloscopia foi positiva em 57,1% e não realizada em 18% dos casos. Com relação ao tratamento as taxas foram 75,1%, para cura e 8,5% de abandono. Os dados do início da implantação (3 meses) mostram a pesquisa de 25 sintomáticos respiratórios por mês, o diagnóstico de um caso novo e a busca ativa de 100% dos faltosos. Conclusões: os resultados prévios da área mostram taxas de sucesso e de abandono abaixo das metas estabelecidas. A taxa de diagnóstico na atenção primária é baixa. Em função disso a descentralização deve ser acompanhada por um aumento do rastreamento dos sintomáticos respiratórios e busca ativa dos contatos, visando aumentar o diagnóstico e o desenvolvimento de tratamento supervisionado (ADOT) buscando reduzir o abandono.

Introduction: The regionalization of control of tuberculosis (TB) is one of the aims of the vigilance (CGVS) seeking to reduce the cases of treatment abandonment and to raise the diagnostic rate. The analysis of previous results of the areas yet to be regionalized is important to maintain and amplify the quality of TB control, besides being one of the first steps of the attention to health plan. Objective: the regionalization of TB treatment in the USB HCPA area aims to: decentralize the diagnostic strategy and TB treatment; implant a system attention coordinated with focus on the primary attention; georeference the patients in order to optimize the local vigilance; contribute to the training of the resident doctors in HCPA family medicine in the management area of the primary attention programs; and contribute in the reduction of the treatment abandonment rate. Materials and Methods: Phase 1 ­ an estimate of the number of cases was done, notified cases were georeferenced and an analysis of the cohort was carried out, using the regional historic data on the UBS HCPA reach in the period from January 2004 to July 2008, implantation date of the regionalization service searching for the attention indicators of this period. Phase 2 ­ tracking, diagnosis and treatment fluxograms were created, and attendance under supervision was initialized. Results: The average incidence of TB in this region is of approximately 0.5/100,000 inhabitants/year. Georeferenced maps of the cases were made. Eightyeight patients were notified between 1/2004 to 7/2008, being 55.7% pulmonary (age 39.6 ±16.8 years), 37.5% extra pulmonary (age 48.2 ±17.5 years) and the rest, mixed forms. As for the location of diagnostic: 1% in primary attention, 89% in secondary attention and the remainder in the tertiary attention. In the cases of pulmonary TB, the smear was positive in 57.1% and not done in 18% of the cases. Regarding the treatment, the rates were 75.1% of cure and 8.5% of abandonment. The data from the start of implantation (3 months) show the research of 25 respiratory symptomatic per month, the diagnosis of one new case and the active search by 100% of the absent subjects. Conclusions: The previous results of the area show rates of success and of abandonment below the established goals. The ratio of diagnosis in primary attention is low. Because of that, the decentralization should be accompanied with a raise on tracking of respiratory symptomatic patients and active search of contacts, aimimg to raise the diagnosis and development of supervised treatment (ADOT), seeking to reduce abandonment.

Introducción: La regionalización del control de la tuberculosis (TB) es una de las metas de la vigilancia (CGVS), buscando reducir los casos de abandono del tratamiento y aumentar la tasa de diagnóstico. El análisis de los resultados previos de las áreas regionales es importante para mantener y ampliar la cantidad del control de la tuberculosis, además de ser una de las etapas iníciales del planeamiento de la atención a la salud. Objetivo: La regionalización del atendimiento a la TB en área da UBS HCPA visa: (1) descentralizar la estrategia del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la TB; (2) implantar un sistema coordinado de atención focalizado en atención primaria, (3) analizar los pacientes para optimizar la vigilancia local; (4) contribuir para o entrenamiento de los médicos residentes en medicina familiar HCPA en área de gestión de los programas de atención primaria; (5) contribuir en la reducción de las tasas de abandono al tratamiento. Materiales y Métodos: Fase 1- se realizó la estimativa del número de los casos, localización de los casos notificados y el análisis da coorte utilizando los datos históricos de la región de cobertura de la UBS HCPA en período de enero de 2004 hasta Julio de 2008, dada la implantación del servicio regionalizado buscando los indicadores de atención de este período.Fase2- Han sido creados fluxogramas de rastreamento, diagnósticos y tratamiento, y ha sido indicado en atendimiento bajo supervisión. Resultados: La incidencia media de TB en esta región es próximamente 0,5/100.000 hab/año. Han sido realizados mapas pesquisa de los casos. Se notificaron 88 pacientes entre 1/2004 a 7/2008, siendo 55,7% de la forma pulmonar (edad 39,6 a 16,8 años), 37,5% extra pulmonar (edad 48,2 a 17,5 años) y el restante, formas mistas. En cuanto al local de diagnóstico: 1% en la atención primaria, 89% en la atención secundaria y los además en la atención terciaria. En los casos de TB pulmonar, la baciloscopia ha sido positiva en 57,1% y no realizadas en 18% de los casos. En relación al tratamiento las tasas son de 75,1% para cura y 8,5% de abandono. Los datos del inicio de la implantación (3meses) indican la pesquisa de 25 sintomáticos respiratorios al mes, el diagnostico de un caso nuevo y la búsqueda activa de 100% de los faltosos. Conclusiones: Los resultados previos del área indican tasas de suceso y de abandono abajo de las metas establecidas. La tasa de diagnósticos en la atención primaria es baja. Así, la descentralización debe ser acompañada por un aumento del rastreamento de los sintomáticos respiratorios y la búsqueda activa de los contactos, visando aumentar el diagnóstico y el desarrollo del tratamiento supervisionado (ADOT) buscando reducir el abandono

Envolvimento de usuários: associação e o posto de saúde Jardim Leupoldina II / Users involvement: association and health unit Jardim Leopoldina II

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo principal reconstruir a historia do envolvimento de usuários na Unidade de Saúde Jardim Leopoldina II, integrante do Serviço de Saúde Comunitária do Grupo Hospitalar Conceição.