Hormonal Approach for Postmenopausal Vulvovaginal Atrophy

Menopause is a physiological and progressive phenomenon secondary to decreased ovarian follicular reserve that significantly affects the genital tract. Although postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy primarily affects postmenopausal women, it is also seen in premenopausal women. The hypoestrogenic condition results in hormonal and anatomical changes, with the main symptoms, are dryness, burning and genital irritation, decreased lubrication, urinary urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. This review aims to update hormone therapy for urogenital atrophy, both local and systemic, and discusses the importance of understanding and the need for active treatment of this condition. The main therapeutic objective is the relief of symptoms, and hormonal therapy (HT) is still the most effective choice for treating clinical manifestations, despite the side effects of its use. HT should be used in an individualized way to the needs of the women and appropriate to the stage in which she is menopausal, perimenopausal, or after menopause.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Use of different electrical stimulations for treating pain in women with temporomandibular disorders

OBJECTIVE: To analyze pain intensity in individuals with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) who were treated with ten sessions of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or high voltage electrical stimulation (HVES). METHODS: Twenty-four women (22.98±1.86 years old) with a diagnosis of TMD in accordance with the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were selected. 60% of the subjects had a diagnosis of TMD classified as group Ia and 40% as Ia and IIa. They were divided into two groups named the TENS group (TG) and the high voltage group (HVG). Each individual received ten applications of either TENS (10Hz, modulated at 50%, 200µs and motor threshold intensity) or HVES (10Hz, twin pulses of 20µs each at intervals of 100µs between the twin pulses, 100volts and positive pole) twice a week for 30 minutes. To measure the pain intensity, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's t test and simple linear regression. RESULTS: Comparison of the pre and post-TENS conditions showed diminished pain intensity (p<0.05) at most sessions except for sessions 6, 7 and 8. In contrast, HVES reduced the pain intensity at all sessions (p<0.05). Evaluation of the pre-application values showed that both treatments decreased the pain intensity uniformly over the ten sessions (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TENS and HVES both promoted reductions in pain intensity in women with TMD. HVES is a therapeutic resource recommended for such patients.OBJETIVO: Analisar a intensidade da dor em indivíduos com disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) tratados com dez sessões de estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) ou estimulação elétrica de Alta Voltagem (EEAV). MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas 24 mulheres (22,98±1,86 anos) com diagnóstico de DTM, segundo o Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD), sendo 60% com diagnóstico de DTM do grupo Ia e 40% Ia e IIa. As voluntárias foram divididas em dois grupos denominados grupo TENS (GT) e Grupo Alta Voltagem (GAV). Em ambos os grupos as voluntárias receberam dez aplicações da TENS (10Hz modulada em 50%, 200 µs e intensidade no limiar motor) ou da EEAV (10Hz, pulsos gêmeos com 20µs cada e intervalo 100µs interpulsos gêmeos, 100Volts e pólo positivo) duas vezes por semana por 30 minutos. Para mensurar a intensidade da dor, foi utilizada a escala visual analógica (EVA). Para análise estatística, utilizou-se teste t de Student e análise de regressão linear simples. RESULTADOS: Comparando-se as condições pré e pós TENS observa-se uma redução na intensidade da dor (p<0,05) na maioria das sessões, exceto na sexta, sétima e oitava, enquanto a EEAV reduziu a intensidade da dor (p<0,05) em todas as sessões. Avaliando-se os valores pré-aplicação, os dois recursos diminuíram a intensidade de dor de forma uniforme ao longo das dez sessões (p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A TENS e a EEAV promoveram redução da intensidade da dor em mulheres com DTM, sendo a EEAV mais um recurso indicado para o tratamento desses pacientes.47648

Erratum: Borges, I., et al. Exposure of Smaller and Oxidized Graphene on Polyurethane Surface Improves Its Antimicrobial Performance. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 349

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: Funding: This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) for Projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274, PTDC/CTM-BIO/4033/2014, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012, and projects UID/BIM/04293/2019—i3S and UIDB/00511/2020—LEPABE, funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC).The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: Funding: This research was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) for Projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274, PTDC/CTM-BIO/4033/2014, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012, and projects UID/BIM/04293/2019—i3S and UIDB/00511/2020—LEPABE, funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). This research was funded by Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) for Projects POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274, PTDC/CTM-BIO/4033/2014, and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012, and projects UID/BIM/04293/2019?i3S and UIDB/00511/2020?LEPABE, funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)

Maternal ability to take care of children exposed to HIV

OBJECTIVE: to assess the ability of mothers to take care of children exposed to HIV, using the Assessment Scale of Care Skills for Children Exposed to HIV at Birth and to check the association between the scale dimensions and maternal characteristics. METHOD: this cross-sectional study involved 62 HIV+ mothers whose children of up to one year old had been exposed to the virus at birth. The Assessment Scale of Care Skills for Children Exposed to HIV at Birth consists of 52 items and five dimensions, indicating high, moderate or low care ability. RESULTS: 72.7% of the mothers appropriately offered zidovudine syrup; 86.0% were highly skilled to prepare and administer milk formula; 44.4% were moderately able to prepare and administer complementary feeding; 76.5% revealed high ability to administer prophylactic treatment against pneumonia and 95.3% demonstrated high abilities for clinical monitoring and immunization. Significant associations were found between some maternal variables and the scale dimensions. CONCLUSION: the scale permits the assessment of maternal care delivery to these children and the accomplishment of specific child health interventions