miRNA-195 expression in the tumor tissues of female Brazilian breast cancer patients with operable disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess miRNA-195 expression in the tumor tissues from a cohort of Brazilian female breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and evaluate its correlation with various clinicopathological markers. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate the miRNA-195 expression in tumor tissues from a cohort of female breast cancer patients undergoing NAC. This expression was then correlated with the occurrence of several distinct breast cancer molecular subtypes and other clinicopathological variables. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were included in this study, 28 (50.9%) of whom were treated using NAC. Tumor miRNA-195 expression was suppressed in breast cancer patients, regardless of their exposure to systemic treatments, histological grade, size, nodal status, and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging. This was more pronounced in luminal and triple-negative patients, and patient's response to NAC was correlated with an increase in miRNA-195 expression. CONCLUSION: miRNA-195 is downregulated in the tumor tissues of Brazilian breast cancer patients regardless of NAC exposure; this reinforces its role as a tumor suppressor and a potential biomarker for chemotherapy response.

Validação de conteúdo para um instrumento para avaliação de estudantes de Medicina em sessões tutoriais / Validation of content for an instrument to assess medical students in tutorial sessions

Resumo: Introdução: O perfil do médico esperado no Brasil compreende um profissional com visão holística do ser humano. Para alcançar esse perfil, as metodologias ativas de ensino, como a aprendizagem baseada em problemas (ABP), vêm ganhando espaço. Para que a ABP atinja todos os seus objetivos na formação do profissional, uma boa avaliação é indispensável. A disponibilidade de instrumentos de avaliação validados representa um avanço na tentativa de mensurar e direcionar o aprendizado. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivos desenvolver e validar o conteúdo para um instrumento de avaliação de estudantes em sessões tutoriais para uso em cursos de Medicina que utilizem a metodologia ABP. Método: Para a construção da versão preliminar do conteúdo destinado ao instrumento, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática rápida nas bases de dados PubMed, Ebsco e BVS. Com a revisão, desenvolveu-se a versão preliminar, que contou com 24 itens agrupados em três domínios (utilização de recursos de aprendizagem, compreensão e raciocínio - D1, profissionalismo e trabalho em equipe - D2 e resolução de problemas e efetividade no grupo - D3), cada um com oito itens. Essa versão foi encaminhada a um painel de especialistas composto por tutores com pelo menos cinco anos de experiência em ABP da Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde (FPS), por meio da metodologia Delphi. Resultados: Dos 32 membros inicialmente previstos no painel, 17 foram incluídos na análise dos dados, por terem respondido ao questionário completamente. Na primeira rodada, alcançou-se um valor de concordância parcial ou total superior a 70%, valor inicialmente previsto para todos os 24 itens do instrumento, o que dispensou a necessidade de uma segunda rodada. Para diminuir o número final de itens, optou-se por manter apenas os itens com pelo menos 70% de concordância total, tendo a versão final do instrumento quatro itens no D1, cinco no D2 e quatro no D3. Conclusões: O instrumento foi validado com um total de 13 itens. O conteúdo para o instrumento apresentou componentes com várias semelhanças em relação aos encontrados nos instrumentos publicados na literatura e já validados, que, por sua vez, estão de acordo com os objetivos de aprendizagem propostos pela ABP.

Abstract: Introduction: The expected doctor profile in Brazil comprises a professional with a holistic view of the human being. To achieve this profile, active teaching methodologies, such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL), are gaining ground. For PBL to achieve all its objectives in the training of professionals, good assessment is essential. The availability of validated assessment instruments represents an advance in the attempt to measure and direct learning. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate the content for an instrument for assessing students in tutorial sessions for use in medical courses that use PBL methodology. Method: For the construction of the preliminary version of the content for the instrument, a Rapid Systematic Review was carried out in the PUBMED, EBSCO and BVS databases. The preliminary version was thus developed with 24 items grouped in three domains (use of learning, understanding and reasoning resources - D1, Professionalism and teamwork - D2, and Problem-solving and group effectiveness - D3), each with eight items. This version was sent to a panel of experts made up of tutors with at least five years' experience in PBL at the Faculdade Pernambucana de Saúde (FPS), using the Delphi methodology. Results: Of the 32 members initially earmarked for the panel, 17 were included in the data analysis, for having fully answered the questionnaire. In the first round, a partial or total agreement value greater than 70 percent was reached, which was initially expected, for all 24 items of the instrument, which dispensed with the need for a second round. To reduce the final number of items, only those with at least 70 percent total agreement were maintained, with the final version of the instrument containing four items on D1, five on D2 and four on D3. Conclusions: The instrument was validated with a total of thirteen items. The content for the instrument brought components with several similarities to those that make up the instruments published in the literature that have already been validated, which in turn are in accordance with the learning objectives proposed by PBL.

miRNA-195 expression in the tumor tissues of female Brazilian breast cancer patients with operable disease

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess miRNA-195 expression in the tumor tissues from a cohort of Brazilian female breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and evaluate its correlation with various clinicopathological markers. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate the miRNA-195 expression in tumor tissues from a cohort of female breast cancer patients undergoing NAC. This expression was then correlated with the occurrence of several distinct breast cancer molecular subtypes and other clinicopathological variables. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were included in this study, 28 (50.9%) of whom were treated using NAC. Tumor miRNA-195 expression was suppressed in breast cancer patients, regardless of their exposure to systemic treatments, histological grade, size, nodal status, and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging. This was more pronounced in luminal and triple-negative patients, and patient's response to NAC was correlated with an increase in miRNA-195 expression. CONCLUSION: miRNA-195 is downregulated in the tumor tissues of Brazilian breast cancer patients regardless of NAC exposure; this reinforces its role as a tumor suppressor and a potential biomarker for chemotherapy response.

Mirna21 Expression in the Breast Cancer Tumor Tissue is Independent of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: MicroRNA-21 (miRNA-21) has been described as one of the most significantly upregulated miRNAs in human breast cancer. However, limited knowledge exists on miRNA-21 expression in breast cancer tissue after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess miRNA-21 expression in the tumor tissues of Brazilian patients with breast cancer who underwent NAC and its correlation with clinicopathological variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Utilizing qRT-PCR, miRNA-21 expression in tumor tissue was measured in a cohort of female patients with breast cancer who underwent NAC. The correlation of miRNA-21 expression with breast cancer molecular subtypes and other clinicopathological variables was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were included in the study, and 28 (50.9%) underwent NAC. miRNA-21 was upregulated in patients with breast cancer, regardless of previous exposure to chemotherapy, molecular subtypes, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging and lymph node status of the axilla. miRNA-21 expression did not differ between patients with breast cancer who achieved a pathologic complete response after NAC and healthy controls. CONCLUSION: miRNA-21 was upregulated in the tumor tissue of Brazilian patients with breast cancer regardless of NAC treatment, which reinforces its role as an "oncomiR" and a potential biomarker.