Association of lesion area measured by colposcopy and cervical neoplasia.

Studies have demonstrated that the size of lesion in colposcopic imaging can be associated with the grade of CIN. We evaluated 36 patients and at the time of colposcopy, the images were recorded and analysed for lesion area measurement. A ROC curve was used to obtain the area under the curve and to determine the best cut-off values between area lesion (pixels2) and biopsy result. Fisher's exact test was performed (p < .05). Half of the sample had a cervical biopsy showing HPV or LSIL, and 18 (50%)a biopsy showing HSIL or invasive cancer. HSIL and invasive cancer were associated with a lesion area greater than 30,337.03 pixels2 (cut off) with p = .04. Thus the area of the colposcopic lesion is related to the severity of that; so small lesions can be more conservatively followed.IMPACT STATEMENT:What is already known on this subject? Studies have proposed that the size of lesion in colposcopic imaging can be associated with the grade of CIN, and the size of CIN lesions may be a factor in determining the risk of progression.What do the results of this study add? This is the first study in the literature that uses the measurement of the lesion area in pixels2 in comparison with the severity of the lesion, which provides greater accuracy of the lesion area than the mere measurement of its diameter.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The size of the lesion should be considered in the management of cervical intraepithelial lesions. This approach also leads to lower cost and is less invasive. Small lesions will have the best prognosis and would be treated in the way more conservative, bringing to the patients more comfort and less complications with the treatment.

Body Mass Index, waist circumference or sagittal abdominal diameter: Which parameter is better correlated with body fat changes in postmenopausal women after combined training protocol?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to verify whether exercise-induced changes in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) are correlated with changes in body fat (BF) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Seventeen postmenopausal women performed combined training three times a week, for 12 weeks. Correlations of delta (Δ) BMI, Δ WC, and Δ SAD with Δ total BF, Δ android and Δ gynoid fats were performed. RESULTS: Weight, BMI and android fat decreased over time. A tendency of reductions in gynoid fat was found (p = 0.070). Delta BMI was positively correlated with Δ total BF (r = 0.56; p < 0.05), Δ android fat (r = 0.64; p < 0.05), and Δ gynoid fat (r = 0.72; p < 0.05). The Δ WC was only correlated with Δ gynoid fat (r = 0.55; p < 0.05). The Δ SAD was not correlated with all the Δ body fat parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION: We conclude that changes in BMI were better associated with body fat changes induced by combined training when compared to WC and SAD in postmenopausal women. The patients were part of a 12-week training study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03200639).

Comparative effects of high-intensity interval training with combined training on physical function markers in obese postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with effects of combined training (CT) on physical function, body composition, and muscle strength in obese postmenopausal women (PW) (trial registration: NCT03200639). METHODS: PW were randomized to CT (n = 12) and HIIT (n = 12). The CT group performed 30 minutes of moderate walking at 70% of maximum heart rate (MHR) and five resistance exercises at 70% of one repetition maximum (1RM) for 12 weeks. The HIIT group performed 10 sets of vigorous exercises (30 seconds (s) of stair climbing and 30 s of body weight squats) at >80% MHR interspersed by a light walk (recovery period at 60% MHR). RESULTS: Both groups reduced body fat percentage (0.5%), chair stand (3 s) and increased leg lean mass (0.3 kg). Only the CT, however, increased muscle strength (29%) and fast walking speed (5%) compared with HIIT. The fast walking speed changes were partially explained by the muscle strength changes (36%, r = 0.60, P = 0.027) in the CT group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that HIIT is an alternative time-efficient protocol for improving chair stand and body composition when compared with CT, whereas only CT is an efficient protocol for improving muscular strength and fast walking speed in obese PW. Thus, CT must be prioritized when the increase of muscular strength and fast walking speed are the goals of training. : Video Summary: Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/MENO/A443.

Interleukin-12 in patients with cancer is synthesized by peripheral helper T lymphocytes.

The production of cytokines by helper T lymphocytes is a critical event in the immune response, as alterations in the regulation of this process may result in an appropriate immune response, persistent infection or the development of autoimmune disease. Previously, this group has used flow cytometry to demonstrate the expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes from patients and mice with advanced cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether CD4+ T lymphocytes from the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with cancer produce IL-12, using molecular approaches, flow cytometry and cellular imaging techniques. CD3+ and CD4+ cells, and cells producing IL-12, were isolated from the PB obtained from patients with cancer, using a cell sorting flow cytometry technique. The positivity of cells for CD3, CD4 and IL-12, which were identified by cell sorting, was visualized using immunofluorescent cellular imaging. Total RNA was extracted from the CD3+CD4+IL-12+ cells, obtained by cell sorting, for confirmation of the presence of IL-12 mRNA, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of IL-12 mRNA in all patients (n=14), in contrast to the control group, in whom IL-12 expression was not detected. Immunofluorescent analysis of CD4+ T lymphocytes showed positive intracytoplasmatic IL-12 staining. These results demonstrated that CD3+CD4+ T lymphocytes in the PB of patients with cancer have the capacity to synthesize and express IL-12.

Early diagnosis and predictors of malignancy of adnexal masses.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ovarian cancer is an important cause of death among women with a malignant gynecological tumor. Cure rates for the disease at an early stage are around 80-90%, but survival is only 50% as the majority of women already show advanced disease upon diagnosis. The combination of gynecological examination, ultrasonography, and systemic tumor marker assay is considered to be a good strategy for the early diagnosis of ovarian neoplasia. RECENT FINDINGS: Today, new technologies such as ultrasonography and tumor marker assay have increased the diagnosis rate for adnexal masses. These non-invasive methods, however, frequently do not distinguish benign conditions from malignant ones, which results in unnecessary surgery. Transvaginal ultrasonography is useful for diagnosing adnexal masses, but benign and malignant adnexal masses can present similar morphological characteristics. Combination with color Doppler ultrasonography and/or tumor markers may improve the accuracy of the method. Gene-expression array, proteomics and mathematical models form new approaches, but proper prospective studies are needed to validate them. SUMMARY: The techniques of pelvic examination, ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasonography, and tumor markers can be indicated for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian tumor is, however, a clinical challenge. Until better diagnostic methods become available, patients and their physicians can use these techniques to decide on management.