Polymorphism in genes of the progesterone receptor (PROGINS) in women with breast cancer: a case-control study

PURPOSE: to analyze the correlation between PROGINS polymorphism and breast cancer. METHODS: a case-control study was carried out from April to October 2004. The genotypes of 50 women with breast cancer and 49 healthy women were analyzed. The 306-base pair Alu insertion polymorphism in the G intron of progesterone receptor gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed on 2% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. The control and experimental groups were compared regarding genotypes using the statistical Epi-Info 6.0 program and for frequencies the exact Fisher test or chi2 test were used. p value smaller p than 5% was considered to be significant. RESULTS: in relation to PROGINS we found in the studied population a prevalence of 62 (62.6%) wild homozygous, 35 (35.3%) heterozygous individuals and two (2.1%) cases with the presence of the mutation. Regarding PROGINS polymorphism, significance was not evidenced when cases and controls were compared, as related to homozygosis (62 vs 65.3%), heterozygosis (36 vs 34,6%) or the mutation (2.0 vs 2.1%), with p=0.920 (OR=1.01), 0.891 (OR=1.06), and 0.988 (OR=1.10), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: the results show that single-gene PROGINS polymorphism does not confer a substantial risk of breast cancer to its carriers.OBJETIVOS: analisar a correlação entre o polimorfismo PROGINS e o câncer de mama. MÉTODOS: estudo caso-controle desenvolvido entre abril e outubro de 2004 com o pareamento de 50 mulheres com diagnóstico histopatológico de carcinoma de mama e 49 mulheres saudáveis. A inserção Alu de 306 pares de base no intron G do gene do receptor da progesterona denominada PROGINS foi detectada por meio de reação em cadeia da polimerase e analisada em gel de agarose 2% corado com brometo de etídio. Os grupos controle e experimental foram comparados, por meio de programa estatístico Epi-Info 6.0, quanto aos genótipos e às freqüências alélicas, utilizando-se o teste do chi2. RESULTADOS: em relação ao PROGINS encontramos uma prevalência na população estudada de 62 (62,6%) indivíduos homozigotos selvagens, 35 (35,3%) de heterozigotos e dois (2,1%) casos com a presença da mutação. Não foi evidenciada diferença significante em relação ao polimorfismo PROGINS, quando comparados os casos e controles, seja com relação à homozigose (62 vs 65,3%), heterozigose (36 vs 34,6%) ou à presença de mutação (2,0 vs 2,1%), com p de 0,920 (OR=1,01), 0,891 (OR=1,06) e 0,988 (OR=1,10), respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: os resultados mostraram que o polimorfismo PROGINS não conferiu risco substancial de câncer de mama em seus portadores.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal do Ceará Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Ginecologia Laboratório de Ginecologia MolecularUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de GinecologiaHospital do Servidor Público Estadual Laboratório de ImunologiaHospital do Servidor Público Estadual Seção de MastologiaHospital do Servidor Público Estadual Serviço de Ginecologia e ObstetríciaUNIFESP, Depto. de Ginecologia Laboratório de Ginecologia MolecularUNIFESP, Depto. de GinecologiaSciEL

Epidemiology of vulvar lichen sclerosus and its correlation with other conditions

OBJECTIVES: To investigate some epidemiological data of lichensclerosus patients; to verify its association with other conditionsand compare these data with the literature. METHODS:Retrospective analysis of medical records of patients submitted to12,724 vaginal/cervical examinations and vulvoscopies, at Hospitaldo Servidor Público Estadual “Francisco Morato de Oliveira” – SãoPaulo, from August 1998 to August 2001. RESULTS: The frequencyof lichen sclerosus confirmed by pathological examination was0.73% among these patients. Mean age was 63.6 years. Mostpatients presenting the condition were aged over 50 years (81/93), and the difference was statistically significant as comparedwith younger subjects (12/93). Caucasian women represented91.4% of the sample and black, 8.6%. Smokers accounted for 8.6%of the cases. Autoimmune diseases were detected in 31.2%,psychiatric disorders in 17.2%, and neoplasms in 11.8% of thosesuffering from lichen sclerosus. The colpocytology of one patientwas classified as Papanicolaou class V. CONCLUSION: These datashow the population studied presented findings similar to thosereported in the literature

Association of the ABCB1 C3435T gene polymorphism (SNPs) with the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer in northeastern Brazil

Introduction: breast cancer (BC) is the most common tumor and the leading cause of cancer-related death among the female population worldwide. Polymorphisms genetics of ABCB1 gene contributed to breast cancer susceptibility and interindividual differences in chemotherapy response. Objectives: to evaluate the association between the ABCB1 C3435T gene polymorphism (SNPs) with the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer. Methodology: this study included 32 female patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The polymorphisms were genotyped through real-time allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher’s exact test or Pearson’s chi-square test in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 software. Results: the genotypes found for the C3435T polymorphism were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and their genotypic distributions were CC= 10 (31.1%), CT= 14 (43.8%), and TT= 08 (25.0%) with χ2: 0.86 and p-value > 0.05. Allele frequencies were C = 0.54 and T = 0.46. There were no significant statistical differences between genotypes considering the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immunohistochemistry; the presence of the T allele was associated with worsen axillarystatus response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: no definite association between the presence of C3435T polymorphism and the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was observed. Further studies in Brazil involving larger samples will contribute to validating the results of this study

Quais os benefícios da atividade física em pacientes com câncer de mama sobre a saúde física e psicológica? Uma revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados

Introdução: O câncer de mama (CM) é um problema de saúde pública mundial, que afeta a imagem corporal e sexualidade da mulher. O exercício físico tem sido considerado uma das estratégias não farmacológicas significativas e eficazes para minimizar as consequências físicas e psicológicas. Objetivo: Identificar e descrever as evidências científicas sobre as intervenções de exercícios físicos na saúde física e psicológica de indivíduos com CM. Materiais e Métodos: Uma revisão sistemática foi realizada de forma cega e independente, de dezembro de 2022 a janeiro de 2023, de acordo com as diretrizes PRISMA. Os resultados foram obtidos por acesso direto online por meio das bases de dados: PubMed, Science Direct e Capes, empregando a combinação dos seguintes descritores em inglês: Breast Neoplasms, Physical activity, e Physical exercise. Resultados e Discussão: Foram selecionados um total de 17 estudos, com uma amostragem de 2.091 participantes com idade média de 53 anos. Os estudos incluíram exercícios aeróbicos, resistência, alongamento e fortalecimento. Apesar de exercícios combinados resultarem em melhores índices gerais da qualidade de vida, ansiedade, depressão e força muscular, os exercícios resistidos de forma isolada também promovem bons resultados para essa população. Conclusão: Os pacientes com CM podem se beneficiar sobre a prática de exercícios físicos, melhorando  aspectos relacionado a saúde física e psicológica geral. Este estudo ainda pode contribuir com novos trabalhos considerando as informações minimamente descritas sobre quais os tipos de intervenções podem ser aplicados para um resultado efetivo. Recomenda-se que mais ensaios clínicos randomizados sejam realizados para obter resultados mais concisos

Apresentação não usual de dois casos de uso de dispositivo Intrauterino hormonal - Mirena®

RESUMO: Os contraceptivos intrauterinos contendo levonorgestrel, Mirena®, amplamente utilizados na ginecologia contemporânea como método eficaz de contracepção e controle de distúrbios menstruais, mostrou reduzir as taxas de câncer de endométrio. Além disso, complicações como perfuração e migração são raras, exigindo intervenção rápida. Descrição: Dois casos atípicos acerca do uso de dispositivo intrauterino hormonal, o primeiro trata de migração do dispositivo para a cavidade abdominal, após 1 ano e 8 meses da inserção, sem perfuração, com retirada videolaparoscópica. O segundo é um caso de câncer primário de endométrio em paciente com 3 anos de uso de Mirena®. Discussão: A migração do dispositivo intrauterino é uma complicação rara, pouco relatada na literatura, a abordagem videolaparoscópica é a preferencial e foi realizada no caso em questão. O dispositivo intrauterino hormonal também está relacionado à diminuição das taxas de câncer de endométrio e, inclusive, é usado como método preventivo em mulheres de alto risco. Após revisão de literatura, apenas seis casos similares foram descritos. Conclusão: O dispositivo hormonal intrauterino, apesar de seguro, pode implicar apresentações raras, como migração e perfuração, que exigem conhecimento e agilidade da equipe profissional. O segundo caso apresentado é um evento raro, que faz atentar para mulheres com padrão hemorrágico incomum em uso do Mirena®.ABSTRACT:  Intrauterine contraceptives containing levonorgestrel, Mirena®, widely used in contemporary gynecology as an effective method of contraception and control of menstrual disorders, have shown to reduce rates of endometrial cancer. In addition, complications such as perforation and migration are rare, requiring rapid intervention. Description: Two atypical cases about the use of intrauterine hormonal device, the first deals with migration of the device to the abdominal cavity, after 1 year and 8 months of insertion, without perforation, with videolaparoscopic withdrawal. The second is a case of primary endometrial cancer in a patient with 3 years of use of Mirena®. Discussion: Migration of the intrauterine device is a rare complication, little reported in the literature, the videolaparoscopic approach is the preferred one and was performed in the case in question. The hormonal intrauterine device is also related to the decreased rates of endometrial cancer and is also used as a preventive method in high-risk women. After reviewing the literature, only six similar cases were described. Conclusion: The intrauterine hormonal device, although safe, may imply rare presentations, such as migration and perforation, which require knowledge and agility of the professional team. The second case presented is a rare event, which makes it aware for women with an unusual hemorrhagic pattern to use Mirena®

Comprimento cervical como preditor do período de latência e de infecção na rotura prematura pré-termo de membranas Cervical length as a predictor of the latent period and infection in preterm premature membranes rupture

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o comprimento cervical, por ultrassonografia transvaginal, em pacientes entre 28 e 34 semanas de idade gestacional, correlacionando com o período de latência e o risco de infecção materna e neonatal. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 39 pacientes divididas em relação ao comprimento cervical nos pontos de corte de 15, 20 e 25 mm. Em relação ao período de latência, foram avaliados os parâmetros de 72 horas. Foram incluídas gestantes com feto vivo e idade gestacional entre 28 e 34 semanas, com diagnóstico confirmado na admissão de rotura prematura de membranas. Pacientes com corioamnionite, gestação múltipla, malformações fetais, malformações uterinas (útero bicorno, septado e didelfo), antecedentes de cirurgia prévia no colo uterino (conização e cerclagem) e dilatação do colo maior de 2 cm nas nulíparas e 3 cm nas multíparas foram excluídas no estudo. RESULTADOS: O comprimento do colo PURPOSE: To verify cervical length using transvaginal ultrasonography in pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation, correlating it with the latent period and the risk of maternal and neonatal infections. METHODS: 39 pregnant women were evaluated and divided into groups based on their cervical length, using 15, 20 and 25 mm as cut-off points. The latency periods evaluated were three and seven days. Included were pregnant women with live fetuses and gestational age between 28 and 34 weeks, with a confirmed diagnosis on admission of premature rupture of membranes. Patients with chorioamnionitis, multiple gestation, fetal abnormalities, uterine malformations (bicornus septate and didelphic uterus), history of previous surgery on the cervix (conization and cerclage) and cervical dilation greater than 2 cm in nulliparous women and 3 cm in multiparae were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A <15 mm cervical length was found to be highly related to a latency period of up to 72 hours (p=0.008). A <20 mm cervical length was also associated with a less than 72 hour latency period (p=0.04). A <25 mm cervical length was not found to be statistically associated with a 72 hour latency period (p=0,12). There was also no significant correlation between cervical length and latency period and maternal and neonatal infection. CONCLUSION: The presence of a short cervix (<15 mm) was found to be related to a latency period of less than 72 hours, but not to maternal or neonatal infections

High risk pregnancy referrals adequacy in the Basic Health Services of Sobral, Ceará, Brazil

Objective: To describe the appropriateness of referrals of high-risk pregnancies in the basic healthcare network of Sobral, in Ceará, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive quantitative study. The medical files of 173 pregnant patients referred to the high-risk outpatient clinic of Centro de Especialidades Médicas of Sobral, during the period from July 2006 to April 2007, were analyzed. Variables analyzed were correctness of the referrals, professionals who made them, causes and origins of the referrals, and age bracket of the patients referred. The referrals were divided into “appropriate” and “inappropriate”, according to the classification of risk established by the technical manual of the Ministry of Health. Rresults: Of the 173 cases, 102 (59%) were considered appropriate/correct, and 71 (41%) referrals were considered inappropriate/incorrect. The referrals were divided according to the professional class of the referring individuals: physicians or nurses. Of the 173 referrals, 49 (28.3%) were made by physicians, and 124 (71.7%) by nurses. Of the 49 patients referred by physicians, 39 (79.6%) were considered correct. Of the 124 referrals made by nurses, 63 (50.8%) were considered incorrect, revealing a significant difference between the groups (p < 0.00001). The most common causes of referrals of pregnant patients were hypertensive syndromes (23.6%), physiological modifications of pregnancy (22.6%), prolonged pregnancy (15.1%), and diabetes (12.3%). Cconclusions: There was a low rate of appropriate/correct referrals. There is a need for training in the basic healthcare network for quality prenatal care, with special emphasis on referring nurses