Antiviral activity of curcumin-nanoemulsion associated with photodynamic therapy in vulvar cell lines transducing different variants of HPV-16.

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Curcumin is a natural bioactive compound with antineoplastic properties. The use of nanoparticles containing curcumin could allow a better performance of this compound in therapies. So, VIN biopsies were collected and HPV DNA detection was performed by PCR, positive samples were genotyped by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and HPV-16 variants were determined by sequencing. HPV-16 positive vulva carcinoma cells (A431) were transduced with E-P and E-350G HPV-16 E6 variants. The viability of the transduced cells treated with nanoemulsions was determined by MTT assay. Besides, apoptosis was evaluated by enzymatic activity of Caspase-3/7. The cell viability assay showed that both the empty nanoemulsion (NE-V) and the nanoemulsion of curcumin (NE-CUR) had little effect on cell viability as compared to control cells. Additionally, we observed that cells irradiated in the presence of NE-CUR presented 90% of cell death. The apoptosis assay further revealed a significant increase in the activity of caspases 3 and 7 in A431 cells expressing both HPV-16 E6 variants after treatment with NE-CUR. Finally, we submitted the HPV transduced A431 cells to organotypic cultures and observed that the combination of treatments affected tissue architecture with evident signals of tissue damage. We concluded that nanoemulsions attain good biocompatibility, since no cytotoxicity was observed and NE-CUR associated with photoactivation showed promising results, leading to death only in cells subjected to irradiation. This drug delivery system associated with photodynamic therapy may become promising in the treatment of vulva lesions.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) reduces pain and postpones the need for pharmacological analgesia during labour: a randomised trial.

QUESTIONS: In the active phase of the first stage of labour, does transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) relieve pain or change its location? Does TENS delay the request for neuraxial analgesia during labour? Does TENS produce any harmful effects in the mother or the foetus? Are women in labour satisfied with the care provided? DESIGN: Randomised trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding for some outcomes, and intention-to-treat analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six low-risk, primigravida parturients with a gestational age > 37 weeks, cervical dilation of 4cm, and without the use of any medications from hospital admission until randomisation. INTERVENTION: The principal investigator applied TENS to the experimental group for 30minutes starting at the beginning of the active phase of labour. A second investigator assessed the outcomes in both the control and experimental groups. Both groups received routine perinatal care. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was pain severity after the intervention period, which was assessed using the 100-mm visual analogue scale. Secondary outcomes included: pain location, duration of the active phase of labour, time to pharmacological labour analgesia, mode of birth, neonatal outcomes, and the participant's satisfaction with the care provided. RESULTS: After the intervention, a significant mean difference in change in pain of 15mm was observed favouring the experimental group (95% CI 2 to 27). The application of TENS did not alter the location or distribution of the pain. The mean time to pharmacological analgesia after the intervention was 5.0hours (95% CI 4.1 to 5.9) longer in the experimental group. The intervention did not significantly impact the other maternal and neonatal outcomes. Participants in both groups were satisfied with the care provided during labour. CONCLUSION: TENS produces a significant decrease in pain during labour and postpones the need for pharmacological analgesia for pain relief. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01600495.

Massage reduced severity of pain during labour: a randomised trial.

QUESTION: Does massage relieve pain in the active phase of labour? DESIGN: Randomised trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding for some outcomes, and intention-to-treat analysis. PARTICIPANTS: 46 women pregnant at ≥ 37 weeks gestation with a single fetus, with spontaneous onset of labour, 4-5cm of cervical dilation, intact ovular membranes, and no use of medication after admission to hospital. INTERVENTION: Experimental group participants received a 30-min lumbar massage by a physiotherapist during the active phase of labour. A physiotherapist attended control group participants for the same period but only answered questions. Both groups received routine perinatal care. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was pain severity measured on a 100mm visual analogue scale. Secondary outcomes included the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, pain location, and time to analgesic medication use. After labour, a blinded researcher also recorded duration of labour, route of delivery, neonatal outcomes, and the participant's satisfaction with the physiotherapist during labour. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention, pain severity was 52mm (SD 20) in the experimental group and 72mm (SD 15) in control group, which was significantly different with a mean difference of 20mm (95% CI 10 to 31). The groups did not differ significantly on the other pain-related outcome measures. Obstetric outcomes were also similar between the groups except the duration of labour, which was 6.8hr (SD 1.6) in the experimental group and 5.7hr (SD 1.5) in the control group, mean difference 1.1hr (95% CI 0.2 to 2.0). Patients in both groups were satisfied with the care provided by the physiotherapist. CONCLUSION: Massage reduced the severity of pain in labour, despite not changing its characteristics and location.

Utilização dos recursos fisioterapêuticos no puerpério: revisão da literatura / Use of physical therapeutical resources in the puerperium: a literature review

A atenção à mulher no puerpério é fundamental para a saúde materna e neonatal. Os recursos fisioterapêuticos utilizados nesse momento têm a finalidade de promover alívio dos desconfortos próprios dessa fase, reduzindo assim os custos hospitalares, uma vez que diminui o tempo de internação e a utilização de fármacos pelas pacientes. O objetivo desse trabalho foi realizar uma revisão sobre os recursos não farmacológicos disponíveis para serem utilizados no pós-parto. Trata-se de uma revisão da literatura pertinente presente nas bases de dados Pubmed, PEDro e Cochrane. Foram selecionados 43 trabalhos, mas apenas 22 artigos apresentaram relevância para serem discutidos nesta revisão, sendo 6 deles relacionados aos sinais e sintomas presentes no puerpério, 4 revisões e 12 relacionados a modalidades de tratamento. Após análise dos mesmos, pôde-se concluir que a atuação da fisioterapia no puerpério tem sido eficaz no auxílio do controle da dor e na prevenção e tratamento das diversas disfunções, variando desde a reeducação das funções de órgãos internos até orientações posturais. Os recursos não farmacológicos utilizados no alívio dos desconfortos puerperais proporcionam uma melhor adaptação da paciente à nova realidade corporal existente após o parto.

The attention to the woman in the postpartum is essential for maternal and newborn health. The physiotherapy resources currently used are designed to promote the relief of the discomforts typical of this phase, thus reducing hospital costs since it shortens the length of hospitalization and use of drugs by patients. The objective of this study was to review the available non-pharmacological resources for use in the postpartum. This is a review of the literature regarding the subject in the databases of Pubmed, PEDro, and Cochrane. We selected 43 articles, but only 22 articles had relevance to be discussed in this review, 6 of them related to the signs and symptoms in the postpartum period, four reviews and 12 related to treatment modalities. After the analysis, it could be concluded that the role of physiotherapy in the puerperium has been effective in helping control pain and the prevention and treatment of various disorders, ranging from the rehabilitation of the functions of internal organs to posture guidance. The non-pharmacological resources used for the relief of puerperal discomforts provide a better adaptation of the patient to the new physical reality afterbirth.

Recursos não-farmacológicos no trabalho de parto: protocolo assistencial / Non-pharmacological resources in labor: care protocol

As ações voltadas à humanização do parto e nascimento proporcionam reflexão sobre a assistência obstétrica adotada no passado, quando um menor número de intervenções era realizado. A literatura tem registrado avanços notáveis no conhecimento sobre os recursos não-farmacológicos para o alívio da dor durante o trabalho de parto, proporcionando melhor evolução desta fase, que é um reflexo do maior conforto para a parturiente. O objetivo deste artigo foi propor um protocolo para utilização dos recursos não-farmacológicos para alívio da dor e auxílio na condução do trabalho de parto, com base em evidência científica obtida a partir de revisão da literatura. Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dasos Scielo, PubMed, PEDro, MedLine, Bireme e Biblioteca Cochrane, e 25 artigos randomizados, controlados e de revisão da literatura foram incluídos. Embasado na avaliação destes estudos, foi elaborado um protocolo assistencial para utilização dos recursos não-farmacológicos no trabalho de parto, ressaltando a importância da atuação interdisciplinar na promoção do parto humanizado.

Actions directed to humanizing delivery and childbirth provide a reflection on the obstetric care adopted in the past, when a smaller number of interventions occurred in those moments. Literature has reported a remarkable progress on the knowledge of non-pharmacological reseources in pain relief during labor, providing a better outcome of this phase, which is a reflection of a bigger comfort for the parturient. The aim of this paper was to propose a care protocol for the use of the various non-pharmacological resources available to relieve pain and to aid in the conduction of labor based on scientific evidences, obtained from a literature review. It was performed a search in the databases of SciELO, PubMed, PEDro, MedLine, Bireme, Cochrane, and 25 randomized, controlled and revision articles were included. Based on the evaluation of these studies, a care protocol was developed to use non-pharmacological resources in labor, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary work in the promotion of humanizing delivery.