Three-Dimensionally Printed Vaginal Rings: Perceptions of Women and Gynecologists in a Cross-Sectional Survey.

Three-dimensional printing technologies can be implemented for the fabrication of personalized vaginal rings (VRs) as an alternative approach to traditional manufacturing. Although several studies have demonstrated the potential of additive manufacturing, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the opinions of patients and clinicians. This study aimed to investigate the perception of women and gynecologists regarding VRs with personalized shapes. The devices were printed with different designs (traditional, "Y", "M", and flat circle) by Fused Deposition Modeling for a cross-sectional survey with 155 participants. Their anticipated opinion was assessed through a questionnaire after a visual/tactile analysis of the VRs. The findings revealed that most women would feel comfortable using some of the 3D-printed VR designs and demonstrated good acceptability for the traditional and two innovative designs. However, women presented multiple preferences when the actual geometry was assessed, which directly related to their age, previous use of the vaginal route, and perception of comfort. In turn, gynecologists favored prescribing traditional and flat circle designs. Overall, although there was a difference in the perception between women and gynecologists, they had a positive opinion of the 3D-printed VRs. Finally, the personalized VRs could lead to an increase in therapeutic adherence, by meeting women's preferences.

Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Endometriosis in a Brazilian Population.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms in candidate genes or candidate regions and the development of endometriosis in Brazilian women. METHODS: A total of 30 women between 25 and 64 years old with a diagnosis of endometriosis participated in the present study, as well as 30 matched control women from the same age group, asymptomatic and without family history of the disease. The patients genotypic and allelic frequencies of polymorphisms in the GREB1 gene (rs13394619) and in the intergenic region at position 7p15.2 (rs12700667) were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the frequency of genotypes for the A > G polymorphism (rs13394619) in the GREB1 gene between the two groups. However, the distribution frequencies of the genotypes for the A > G polymorphism (rs12700667) in an intergenic region on chromosome 7 were different for control patients and for patients with endometriosis, with higher frequency of the AG genotype compared to the GG between patients with the disease (odds ratio [OR] = 3.49; confidence interval [CI] = 1.47-8.26). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the polymorphism in the intergenic region of chromosome 7 is associated with the risk of developing endometriosis in a population of Brazilian women from Juiz de Fora.

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms and endometriosis in a brazilian population / Associação de polimorfismos de único nucleotídeo com a endometriose em uma população brasileira

Abstract Objective To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms in candidate genes or candidate regions and the development of endometriosis in Brazilian women. Methods A total of 30 women between 25 and 64 years old with a diagnosis of endometriosis participated in the present study, as well as 30 matched control women from the same age group, asymptomatic and without family history of the disease. The patients genotypic and allelic frequencies of polymorphisms in the GREB1 gene (rs13394619) and in the intergenic region at position 7p15.2 (rs12700667) were analyzed and compared. Results There was no significant difference in the frequency of genotypes for the A > G polymorphism (rs13394619) in the GREB1 gene between the two groups. However, the distribution frequencies of the genotypes for the A > G polymorphism (rs12700667) in an intergenic region on chromosome 7 were different for control patients and for patients with endometriosis, with higher frequency of the AG genotype compared to the GG between patients with the disease (odds ratio [OR] = 3.49; confidence interval [CI] = 1.47-8.26). Conclusion The present study suggests that the polymorphism in the intergenic region of chromosome 7 is associated with the risk of developing endometriosis in a population of Brazilian women from Juiz de Fora.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar a associação de polimorfismos genéticos em genes candidatos ou regiões candidatas com o desenvolvimento da endometriose em mulheres brasileiras. Métodos Um total de 30 mulheres com diagnóstico de endometriose, com idade entre 25 e 64 anos, participaram da presente pesquisa, bem como 30 mulheres controle, na mesma faixa etária, assintomáticas e sem história familiar da doença. Foram analisadas e comparadas as frequências genotípicas e alélicas de polimorfismos no gene GREB1 (rs13394619) e na região intergênica na posição 7p15.2 (rs12700667) nessas pacientes. Resultados Não houve diferença significativa na frequência dos genótipos para o polimorfismo A > G (rs13394619) no gene GREB1 entre os dois grupos. No entanto, as frequências de distribuição dos genótipos para o polimorfismo A > G (rs12700667) em uma região intergênica no cromossomo 7 foram diferentes entre as pacientes controle e com endometriose, com frequência mais alta do genótipo AG comparado ao GG entre as pacientes com a doença (odds ratio [OR] = 3,49; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95% = 1,47-8,26). Conclusão O presente estudo sugere que o polimorfismo na região intergênica do cromossomo 7 foi associado com o risco do desenvolvimento de endometriose em uma população de mulheres de Juiz de Fora.

Use of radioguided surgery in abdominal wall endometriosis: An innovative approach.

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. The occurrence of endometriosis in the anterior abdominal wall is often associated with previous cesarean section, once the spread of endometrial cells during the surgical procedure is a biologically fact possible. A 43-year-old patient, with cesarean section history and pelvic endometriosis diagnosed for over 10 years, presented with progressive abdominal pain. Tests showed cystic image with 1.6 cm of diameter and debris, located in mid-lower portion of the rectus abdominis left, suggesting abdominal wall endometriosis. This abdominal wall lesion was not identifiable in the clinical examination (impalpable), which is why we opted for the use of preoperative marking technique with radioisotope called Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization (ROLL™). The use of ROLL™ in this case allowed rapid surgical identification of endometriotic lesion and its complete excision.

Does Knowing Someone with Breast Cancer Influence the Prevalence of Adherence to Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of adherence to screening methods for breast and cervical cancer in patients attended at a university hospital and to investigate whether knowing someone with breast cancer, moreover belonging to the patient's family, affects the adherence to the screening recommendations. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional and quantitative study. A structured interview was applied to a sample of 820 women, between 20 and 69 years old, who attended a university hospital in the city of Juiz de for a, MG, Brazil. For the analysis, the chi-square test was used to assess possible associations between the variables, and the significance level was set at p-value ≤ 0.05 for a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. RESULTS: More than 95.0% of the sample performed mammography and cervical cytology exam; 62.9% reported knowing someone who has or had breast cancer, and this group was more likely to perform breast self-examination (64.9%; odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.12-2.00), clinical breast examination (91.5%; OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.37-3.36), breast ultrasound (32.9%; OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.30-2.51), and to have had an appointment with a breast specialist (28.5%; OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.38-2.82). Women with family history of breast cancer showed higher propensity to perform breast self-examination (71.0%; OR 1.53 95% CI 1.04-2.26). CONCLUSION: There was high adherence to the recommended screening practices; knowing someone with breast cancer might make women more sensitive to this issue as they were more likely to undergo methods which are not recommended for the screening of the general population, such as breast ultrasound and specialist consultation; family history is possibly an additional cause of concern.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a prevalência da adesão aos métodos de rastreamento dos cânceres de mama e de colo uterino em pacientes atendidas em um hospital universitário e investigar se conhecer alguém com câncer de mama e, o fato de este pertencer à família, modifica a adesão às recomendações de rastreamento. MéTODOS: Estudo transversal e quantitativo. Uma entrevista estruturada foi aplicada a uma amostra de 820 pacientes do sexo feminino, entre 20 e 69 anos, usuárias de um hospital universitário na cidade de Juiz de Fora, MG. Para a análise, o Teste Qui-quadrado foi usado para avaliar a possibilidade de associação entre as varáveis, e o valor de significância foi determinado em valor-p ≤ 0,05 para um intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. RESULTADOS: Mais de 95,0% da amostra realizava os exames de mamografia e colpocitologia; 62,9% relataram conhecer alguém que teve ou tem câncer de mama, sendo que este grupo realizou, com maior frequência, autoexame (64,9%; razão de prevalência [RP] 1,5; IC 95% 1,12­2,00), exame clínico (91,5%; RP 2,11; IC 95% 1,37­3,36) e ultrassonografia das mamas (32,9%; RP 1,81, IC 95% 1,30­2,51) e consulta ao mastologista (28,5%; RP 1,98, IC 95% 1,38­2,82). Mulheres com história familiar de câncer de mama realizaram com maior prevalência o autoexame das mamas (71,0%; RP 1,53 IC 95% 1,04­2,26). CONCLUSãO: A amostra apresentou elevada adesão aos métodos de rastreamento preconizados; conhecer alguém com câncer de mama pode tornar as mulheres mais sensíveis a essa questão, aumentando a realização de medidas não recomendadas para o rastreamento da população geral, como ultrassonografia das mamas e consulta com médico especialista; a história familiar possivelmente implica em um fator de preocupação adicional.

Does knowing someone with breast cancer influence the prevalence of adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening? / Conhecer alguém com câncer de mama influencia a prevalência da adesão ao rastreamento dos cânceres de mama e colo uterino?

Abstract Objective To evaluate the prevalence of adherence to screening methods for breast and cervical cancer in patients attended at a university hospital and to investigate whether knowing someone with breast cancer, moreover belonging to the patient's family, affects the adherence to the screening recommendations. Methods This was a cross-sectional and quantitative study. A structured interview was applied to a sample of 820 women, between 20 and 69 years old, who attended a university hospital in the city of Juiz de for a, MG, Brazil. For the analysis, the chi-square test was used to assess possible associations between the variables, and the significance level was set at p-value ≤ 0.05 for a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Results More than 95.0% of the sample performed mammography and cervical cytology exam; 62.9% reported knowing someone who has or had breast cancer, and this group was more likely to perform breast self-examination (64.9%; odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.12-2.00), clinical breast examination (91.5%; OR 2.11; 95% CI 1.37-3.36), breast ultrasound (32.9%; OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.30-2.51), and to have had an appointment with a breast specialist (28.5%; OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.38-2.82).Women with family history of breast cancer showed higher propensity to perform breast self-examination (71.0%; OR 1.53 95% CI 1.04-2.26). Conclusion There was high adherence to the recommended screening practices; knowing someone with breast cancer might make women more sensitive to this issue as they were more likely to undergo methods which are not recommended for the screening of the general population, such as breast ultrasound and specialist consultation; family history is possibly an additional cause of concern.

Resumo Objetivos Avaliar a prevalência da adesão aosmétodos de rastreamento dos cânceres de mama e de colo uterino em pacientes atendidas em um hospital universitário e investigar se conhecer alguém com câncer de mama e, o fato de este pertencer à família, modifica a adesão às recomendações de rastreamento. Métodos Estudo transversal e quantitativo. Uma entrevista estruturada foi aplicada a uma amostra de 820 pacientes do sexo feminino, entre 20 e 69 anos, usuárias de um hospital universitário na cidade de Juiz de Fora, MG. Para a análise, o Teste Quiquadrado foi usado para avaliar a possibilidade de associação entre as varáveis, e o valor de significância foi determinado em valor-p ≤ 0,05 para um intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. Resultados Mais de 95,0% da amostra realizava os exames de mamografia e colpocitologia; 62,9% relataram conhecer alguém que teve ou tem câncer de mama, sendo que este grupo realizou, com maior frequência, autoexame (64,9%; razão de prevalência [RP] 1,5; IC 95% 1,12-2,00), exame clínico (91,5%; RP 2,11; IC 95% 1,37- 3,36) e ultrassonografia das mamas (32,9%; RP 1,81, IC 95% 1,30-2,51) e consulta ao mastologista (28,5%; RP 1,98, IC 95% 1,38-2,82). Mulheres com história familiar de câncer de mama realizaramcommaior prevalência o autoexame das mamas (71,0%; RP 1,53 IC 95% 1,04-2,26). Conclusão A amostra apresentou elevada adesão aos métodos de rastreamento preconizados; conhecer alguém com câncer de mama pode tornar as mulheres mais sensíveis a essa questão, aumentando a realização de medidas não recomendadas para o rastreamento da população geral, como ultrassonografia das mamas e consulta com médico especialista; a história familiar possivelmente implica em um fator de preocupação adicional.

Polydimethylsiloxane: a new contrast material for localization of occult breast lesions.

BACKGROUND: The radioguided localization of occult breast lesions (ROLL) technique often utilizes iodinated radiographic contrast to assure that the local injection of (99m)Tc-MAA corresponds to the location of the lesion under investigation. However, for this application, this contrast has several shortcomings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety, effectiveness and technical feasibility of the use of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as radiological contrast and tissue marker in ROLL. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: The safety assessment was performed by the acute toxicity study in Wistar rats (n = 50). The radiological analysis of breast tissue (n = 32) from patients undergoing reductive mammoplasty was used to verify the effectiveness of PDMS as contrast media. The technical feasibility was evaluated through the scintigraphic and histologic analysis. RESULTS: We found no toxic effects of PDMS for this use during the observational period. It has been demonstrated in human breast tissue that the average diameter of the tissue marked by PDMS was lower than when marked by the contrast medium (p <0.001). PDMS did not interfere with the scintigraphic uptake (p = 0.528) and there was no injury in histological processing of samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated not only the superiority of PDMS as radiological contrast in relation to the iodinated contrast, but also the technical feasibility for the same applicability in the ROLL.

Polidimetilsiloxano(PDMS) como contraste radiológico no ROLL / Polydimethilsiloxane (PDMS) as radiological contrast in the ROLL

Na marcação estereotáxica para o ROLL (radioguided occult lesion localisation) utiliza-se contrasteiodado não-iônico para confirmação do posicionamento do MAA-99mTc (tecnécio pertecnetatoassociado à albumina humana) no tecido mamário. A alergia ao iodo constitui um dos fatoreslimitantes deste passo técnico. A informação de posicionamento incorreto, previamente ao atooperatório, também pode impedir retirada cirúrgica inadequada. Em uma paciente sabidamentealérgica ao contraste iodado, utilizou-se PDMS (polidimetilsiloxano) como contraste radiológicono ROLL, o que permitiu a correta retirada da lesão suspeita, sem interferências nos processamentoscintilográfico, histológico e imunohistoquímico.

For stereotactic marking of the ROLL (Radioguided Occult Lesion Localisation), non-ionic iodized contrastis used for confirmation of the MAA-99mTc (Technetium-99m Pertecnetate Human Serum AlbuminMacroaggregated) positioning in the mammary tissue. The allergy to iodine constitutes one ofthe difficulties of this technical step. Pre-surgery incorrect information may lead to inadequate surgicalwithdrawal. In a patient allergic to iodized contrast, PDMS (polydimethilsiloxane) was used as radiologicalcontrast in the ROLL, which enabled to correct lesion withdrawal without interferences in thescintigraphic, histological and imunehistochemical processings.

Mecanismos da açäo embriotóxica do barbatimäo (Stryphnodendron polyphyllum M.) / Mechanism of embryotoxic action of the (Stryphnodendron polyphyllum M.) in rats

Visando esclarecer o mecanismo da açäo embriotóxica do barbatimäo, pesquisaram-se os efeitos da administraçäo de sementes de barbatimäo sobre as principais glândulas endócrinas de ratas grávidas. Encontrou-se diminuiçäo do peso dos ovários e do peso e medidas dos corpos lúteos gravídicos no grupo tratado. Numa segunda etapa, foi feita administraçäo de progesterona em ratas tratadas com sementes de barbatimäo. Näo houve alteraçäo dos índices de reabsorçäo dos embriöes, que permaneceram elevados, indicando que o efeito embriotóxico näo seria devido à déficit dos níveis de progesterona. Propöe-se que o efeito do barbatimäo seja através de alteraçöes da zona basal da placenta, acarretando a morte embrionária e atrofia do corpo lúteo

Gossipol: mecanismo de açäo sobre o sistema reprodutor masculino / Gossypol: mechanism of action on the male reproductive system

Procedeu-se a uma revisäo bibliográfica sobre o efeito do gossipol no sistema reprodutor masculino, analisando-se células da linhagem espermatogênica, espermatozóide, células de Leydig, células de Sertoli, sistema de condutos, glândulas acessórias e eixo hipotálamo-hipofisário. Em conclusäo, quanto ao efeito do gossipol: 1) Sobre as células da linhagem espermatogênica - as espermatogônias seriam pouco ou näo afetadas pelo gossipol; os espermatócitos teriam o processo de citocinese inibido; as espermátides sofreriam alteraçöes morfológicas diversas. Quanto ao espermatozóide, parece ser a célula-alvo do gossipol. Os efeitos observados referem-se à inibiçäo da motilidade e da capacidade de fertilizaçäo. Ambas as alteraçöes estäo relacionadas a modificaçöes morfológicas e enzimáticas, notando-se, entre as últimas, a inibiçäo da LDH-X e da acrosina; 2) Os efeitos sobre a célula de Leydig e de Sertoli säo controversos; 3) Estudos realizados sobre o efeito no epidídimo näo foram conclusivos; o mesmo quanto a ducto deferente e glândulas sexuais acessórias; 4) Com relaçäo ao hipotálamo, as duas referências bibliográficas encontradas referem-se a alteraçöes morfológicas de neurônios do núcleo paraventricular; 5) Näo foram encontrados resultados conclusivos quanto à hipófise e gonadotrofinas hipofisárias

Efeitos do gossipol sobre a morfofisiologia testicular / Effects of gossypol on testicular morphology and physiology

Os autores analisam as informaçöes disponíveis sobre os efeitos de gossipol na morfologia e fisiologia dos principais componentes testiculares: células de Leydig, células de Sertoli e células de linhagem espermatogênica