G-spot: Fact or Fiction?: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The G-spot, a putative erogenous area in the anterior vaginal wall, is a widely accepted concept in the mainstream media, but controversial in medical literature. Aim: Review of the scientific data concerning the existence, location, and size of the G-spot. Methods: Search on Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Cochrane, clinicaltrials.gov and Google Scholar from inception to November 2020 of studies on G-spot's existence, location and nature. Surveys, clinical, physiological, imaging, histological and anatomic studies were included. Main Outcome Measure: Existence, location, and nature of the G-spot. Results: In total, 31 eligible studies were identified: 6 surveys, 5 clinical, 1 neurophysiological, 9 imaging, 8 histological/anatomical, and 2 combined clinical and histological. Most women (62.9%) reported having a G-spot and it was identified in most clinical studies (55.4% of women); in 2 studies it was not identified in any women. Imaging studies had contradictory results in terms of its existence and nature. Some showed a descending of the anterior vaginal wall, that led to the concept of clitourethrovaginal complex. In anatomic studies, one author could systematically identify the G-spot, while another group did not find it. Studies on innervation of the vaginal walls did not systematically identify an area with richer innervation. Conclusion: The different studies did systematically agree on the existence of the G-spot. Among the studies in which it was considered to exist, there was no agreement on its location, size, or nature. The existence of this structure remains unproved.Vieira-Baptista P, Lima-Silva J, Preti M, et al. G-spot: Fact or Fiction?: A Systematic Review. Sex Med 2021;9:100435

Chlamydial and Gonococcal Genital Infections: A Narrative Review

ReviewSexually transmitted infections (STIs) constitute one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide, leading to considerable morbidity, mortality, health expenditures, and stigma. Of note are the most common bacterial STIs, chlamydial and gonococcal infections, whose etiological agents are Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), respectively. Despite being usually asymptomatic, in some cases these infections can be associated with long-term severe complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and increased risk of other STIs acquisition. As the symptoms, when present, are usually similar in both infections, and in most of the cases these infections co-occur, the dual-test strategy, searching for both pathogens, should be preferred. In line with this, herein we focus on the main aspects of CT and NG infections, the clinical symptoms as well as the appropriate state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and treatment. Cost-effective strategies for controlling CT and NG infections worldwide are addressed. The treatment for both infections is based on antibiotics. However, the continuing global rise in the incidence of these infections, concomitantly with the increased risk of antibiotics resistance, leads to difficulties in their control, particularly in the case of NG infections. We also discuss the potential mechanism of tumorigenesis related to CT infections. The molecular bases of CT and NG infections are addressed, as they should provide clues for control or eradication, through the development of new drugs and/or effective vaccines against these pathogens.This work was financed by FEDER—Fundo Europeu de Desenvolimento Regional through the COMPETE 2020—Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, in a framework of the projects in CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UIDB/4255/2020), and within the scope of the project “RISE—LA/P/0053/2020”. N.V. would also like to thank the support from FCT and FEDER (European Union), award number IF/00092/2014/CP1255/CT0004 and CHAIR in Onco-Innovation at FMUP.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Frequency of high-fat and low-fiber diets among adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency and associated factors of high-fat and low-fiber diets among adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in adolescents aged 10-12 years in Pelotas, southern Brazil, in 2004 and 2005. Dietary patterns in the previous 12 months were evaluated using the Block questionnaire comprising 24 food items scored according to the frequency of consumption of high-fat and low-fiber food. In the crude analysis, the prevalence of high-fat and low-fiber diets were compared according to subgroups of independent variables (sex, skin color, socioeconomic condition, maternal schooling and adolescent's nutritional status). In order to adjust for confounders, multivariable analysis using Poisson's regression was carried out for each outcome. RESULTS: There were 4,452 adolescents included in the study, most of them (83.9%) had low-fiber diets and more than one third (36.6%) had high-fat diets. Socioeconomic condition and maternal schooling were directly associated with consumption of high-fat diets. Adolescents from socioeconomic groups A+B and C had lower prevalence of low-fiber diet. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low-fiber and high-fat diets was high in this population of adolescents. Public policies targeting the determinants of dietary habits are necessary and urgent.OBJETIVO: Descrever a freqüência e os fatores associados ao consumo de dietas ricas em gordura e pobres em fibra em adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Estudo de delineamento transversal com adolescentes de 10 a 12 anos, realizado em 2004/2005, em Pelotas, RS. A freqüência alimentar no ano anterior à pesquisa foi avaliada pelo questionário de Block, composto por 24 itens alimentares, pontuados de acordo com a freqüência de consumo de alimentos ricos em fibras e gorduras. Na análise bruta, as prevalências de dietas ricas em gordura e pobres em fibra foram comparadas conforme sub-grupos das variáveis independentes (sexo, cor da pele, nível socioeconômico, escolaridade materna e estado nutricional do adolescente). Para controle de fatores de confusão, uma análise multivariável por regressão de Poisson foi realizada para cada desfecho. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 4.452 adolescentes, representando 87,5% da coorte original. A maioria dos jovens (83,9%) consumia dieta pobre em fibra, e mais de um terço deles (36,6%) consumia dieta rica em gordura. O nível socioeconômico e a escolaridade materna mostraram-se diretamente associados com a prevalência de consumo de dietas ricas em gordura. Jovens dos níveis socioeconômicos A+B e C apresentaram menor freqüência de consumo de dietas pobres em fibra. CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de dietas ricas em gordura e pobres em fibra foi elevada nessa população de adolescentes. Políticas públicas dirigidas aos determinantes dos hábitos alimentares são necessárias e urgentes

ANÁLISE DE TECNOLOGIAS DE TRATAMENTO E DISPOSIÇÃO FINAL DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS URBANOS NO BRASIL

A constante degradação do meio ambiente frente o mundo moderno e globalizado faz com que medidas de remediação sejam buscadas pelos governantes como forma de combater um futuro incerto para as gerações futuras. O crescimento desordenado das cidades a partir do século XX e o consequente aumento da geração de resíduos pela população acarreta uma preocupação em relação a sua forma de descarte. O presente estudo trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica que visa aduzir soluções ambientais e econômicas por meio do aproveitamento de resíduos sólidos urbanos, responsáveis por uma parcela significativa dos danos causados ao meio ambiente. Estes resíduos, quando tratados de maneira correta, contribuem não apenas para a geração de energia renovável, como também no seu reaproveitamento em produtos que possam agregar valor em outros segmentos. Dessa forma, a importância das tecnologias de tratamento de resíduos sólidos urbanos se mostra essencial para o desenvolvimento social e econômico do país. Além disso, será apresentado um estudo de caso sobre o gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos urbanos no Brasil, comparando sua geração com um indicador econômico e analisando suas formas de disposição final, evidenciando dificuldades para implantação efetiva da Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos

Estudios realizados en Portugal en el campo de cateterización venosa periférica: protocolo de scoping review

Background: Despite its ubiquitous nature, the practice of peripheral venous catheterization is not homogeneous among international clinical contexts. In Portugal, the information regarding the practice of peripheral venous catheterization is scattered in the literature, hindering efforts of a comprehensive analysis of its nature and implications. Objective: To map the studies developed in Portugal in the field of peripheral venous catheterization. Review method: Scoping review methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. An adequate protocol was established for each base/repository to identify studies that meet the criteria outlined. The analysis of data relevance, extraction, and synthesis will be performed by independent reviewers. Presentation and interpretation of results: The mapping of the studies carried out in Portugal in this area will contribute to the identification of the main structure, process, and outcome indicators described in national studies. Conclusion: It is expected that this review will support the development of future interventions and systematic reviews that enhance the efficacy/safety of the care provided to patients with a peripheral catheter.Contexto: Apesar da sua natureza ubíqua, a prática de cateterização venosa periférica não é homogénea entre contextos clínicos internacionais. Em Portugal, a informação referente à prática de cateterismo venoso periférico encontra-se dispersa na literatura, impossibilitando uma análise suficientemente compreensiva e abrangente da sua natureza e implicações. Objetivos: Mapear os estudos realizados em Portugal no âmbito do cateterismo venoso periférico. Método de revisão: Metodologia de scoping review proposta pelo Joanna Briggs Institute. Foi definido um protocolo adequado a cada base/repositório, que visa a identificação de estudos que respondam aos critérios delineados. O processo de análise da relevância, extração e síntese dos dados será desenvolvido por revisores independentes. Apresentação e interpretação dos resultados: O mapeamento dos estudos realizados em Portugal neste âmbito contribuirá para a identificação dos principais indicadores de estrutura, processo e resultado descritos em estudos nacionais. Conclusão: Espera-se que esta revisão sustente o desenvolvimento de intervenções e revisões sistemáticas futuras que potenciem a eficácia/segurança dos cuidados prestados ao doente com cateter periférico.Contexto: Apesar de su naturaleza ubicua, la práctica del cateterismo venoso periférico no es homogénea en contextos clínicos internacionales. En Portugal, la información sobre la práctica del cateterismo venoso periférico está dispersa en la literatura, haciéndolo imposible un análisis lo suficientemente completo de su naturaleza e implicaciones. Objetivos: Mapear los estudios realizados en Portugal en el ámbito del cateterismo venoso periférico. Método de revisión: Metodología de scoping review propuesta por Joanna Briggs Institute. Se definió un protocolo adecuado a cada base/repositorio para identificar estudios que respondan a los criterios delineados. El proceso de análisis da relevancia, extracción y síntesis de los datos será desarrollado por revisores independientes. Presentación e interpretación de los resultados: El mapeo de los estudios realizados en Portugal en esta área contribuirá a la identificación de los principales indicadores de estructura, proceso y resultado descritos en estudios nacionales. Conclusión: Se espera que esta revisión contribuya al desarrollo de futuras intervenciones y revisiones sistemáticas que mejoren la eficacia/seguridad de la atención del paciente con catéter periférico.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Climate change vulnerability assessment of the main marine commercial fish and invertebrates of Portugal

This is the first attempt to apply an expert-based ecological vulnerability assessment of the effects of climate change on the main marine resources of Portugal. The vulnerability, exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity, and expected directional effects of 74 species of fish and invertebrates of commercial interest is estimated based on criteria related to their life-history and level of conservation or exploitation. This analysis is performed separately for three regions of Portugal and two scenarios of climate change (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). To do that, the fourth assessment report IPCC framework for vulnerability assessments was coupled to the outputs of a physical-biogeochemical model allowing to weight the exposure of the species by the expected variability of the environmental variables in the future. The highest vulnerabilities were found for some migratory and elasmobranch species, although overall vulnerability scores were low probably due to the high adaptive capacity of species from temperate ecosystems. Among regions, the highest average vulnerability was estimated for the species in the Central region while higher vulnerabilities were identified under climate change scenario RCP 8.5 in the three regions, due to higher expected climatic variability. This work establishes the basis for the assessment of the vulnerability of the human activities relying on marine resources in the context of climate change.FCT: UIDB/04326/2020/ UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020; MAR2020-FEAMP through project CLIMA-PESCA: MAR-01.03.02-FEAMP-0052/ n2/SAICT/2017-SAICT/ SAICT-45-2017-02/ ALG-01-0145-FEDER-028518/ PTDC/ASP-PES/28518/2017info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Proteomics to Identify New Blood Biomarkers for Diagnosing Patients With Acute Stroke

Funding Information: UCIBIO-UID/Multi/04378/2019 also supported by FCT (CEEC Funding Information: This work was financed by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) with PTDC/MEC-NEU/28750/2017 grant, LA/P/0140/2020 funding,iNOVA4Health—UIDB/04462/2020, and UCIBIO-UID/Multi/04378/2019 units. A.S.C. is supported by FCT. R.M. is also supported by FCT (CEEC position, 2019–2025 investigator). Funding Information: This work was financed by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) with PTDC/MEC-NEU/28750/2017 grant, LA/P/0140/2020 funding, Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors.BACKGROUND: Blood biomarkers are a potential tool for early stroke diagnosis. We aimed to perform a pilot and exploratory study on untargeted blood biomarkers in patients with suspected stroke by using mass spectrometry analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a prospective observational study of consecutive patients with suspected stroke admitted within 6 hours of last being seen well. Blood samples were collected at admission. Patients were divided into 3 groups: ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and stroke mimics. Quantitative analysis from mass spectrometry data was performed using a supervised approach. Biomarker-based prediction models were developed to differentiate IS from ICH and ICH+stroke mimics. Models were built aiming to minimize misidentification of patients with ICH as having IS. We included 90 patients, one-third within each subgroup. The median age was 71 years (interquartile range, 57–81 years), and 49 participants (54.4%) were women. In quantitative analysis, C3 (complement component 3), ICAM-2 (intercellular adhesion molecule 2), PLGLA (plasminogen like A), STXBP5 (syntaxin-binding protein 5), and IGHV3-64 (immunoglobulin heavy variable 3-64) were the 5 most significantly dysregulated proteins for both comparisons. Biomarker-based models showed 88% sensitivity and 89% negative predictive value for differentiating IS from ICH, and 75% sensitivity and 95% negative predictive value for differentiating IS from ICH+stroke mimics. ICAM-2, STXBP5, PLGLA, C3, and IGHV3-64 displayed the highest importance score in our models, being the most informative for identifying patients with stroke. CONCLUSIONS: In this proof-of-concept and exploratory study, our biomarker-based prediction models, including ICAM-2, STXBP5, PLGLA, C3, and IGHV3-64, showed 75% to 88% sensitivity for identifying patients with IS, while aiming to minimize misclassification of ICH. Although our methodology provided an internal validation, these results still need validation in other cohorts and with different measurement techniques.publishersversionpublishe

Estructura de stock de sable negro (Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839) en el sur del Atlántico nordeste

Black scabbardfish stock structure is still unknown in European waters where, due to the scarcity of biological information, the ICES considers that there is a single stock unit. This study is the final outcome of a scientific project that applies a holistic approach to research on the population structure of the black scabbardfish and aims to define the most appropriate strategy for the conservation of this resource in southern NE Atlantic waters. The factors studied include life history parameters, otolith shape analysis, parasites, landings-and-effort data and contaminants. Sampling was conducted between 2005 and 2007 in three areas of the southern NE Atlantic: mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores. The mainland and the Azores have an established commercial fishery, whereas the Azores has only an exploratory fishery. The majority of results indicated the existence of different stocks of black scabbardfish in the study area. Of the 8 parameters, 6 were in agreement with separate stocks between the mainland and Madeira, 5 were in agreement with separate stocks between the mainland and the Azores, and 4 were in agreement with separate stocks between Madeira and the Azores.La estructura de la población de sable negro en las aguas europeas es todavía desconocida y, debido a la escasez de la información biológica disponible, ICES ha considerado una sola unidad de stock en la totalidad de dichas aguas. El proyecto que originó este estudio es un trabajo integrado para investigar la estructura poblacional de sable negro y pretende definir la estrategia más apropiada para la conservación de este recurso en aguas del sur del Atlántico nordeste. Para cumplir con el objetivo del proyecto se llevaron a cabo varios estudios: determinación de parámetros que definen el ciclo vital, análisis de forma del otolito, parásitos, datos de desembarques y esfuerzo pesquero, y contaminantes. El muestreo fue realizado entre 2005 y 2007 en tres áreas del sur del Atlántico nordeste: Portugal continental, aguas de Madeira y Azores. Las dos primeras áreas tienen una pesquería comercial establecida, mientras que en Azores existe una pesquería exploratoria. La mayoría de los resultados concluyeron la existencia de diferentes unidades poblacionales del sable negro en el área sur del Atlántico nordeste. Seis de los ocho parámetros confirman la separación entre los individuos del continente y Madeira, mientras que 5 parámetros corroboran la separación entre el continente y Azores. Solamente 4 técnicas corroboran la separación entre Madeira y Azores