Application of the Z-scan technique for the detection of CFCDNA (cell-free circulating DNA) and urine DNA (uDNA) in patients with bladder cancer.

Background: Patients with BC have a higher amount of cell-free circulating DNA (CFCDNA) in the blood and urine than healthy people. We aimed to verify if the Z-Scan method could analyze the concentrations of uDNA (urinary) and pDNA (plasma) in relation to the time of collection during treatment for patients with bladder cancer.

Methods: Peripheral blood and urine samples were obtained from 30 patients with BC at the time of diagnosis, 45, 90 and 180 days after initiating treatment; 5 μL of k-DNA (k = u or p) was added in 250 μL a solution of 1:1000 Ethidium Bromide dye (EtBr) in water.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for evaluating the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser compared with topical estriol in the treatment of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy of fractional CO2 vaginal laser treatment (Laser, L) and compare it to local estrogen therapy (Estriol, E) and the combination of both treatments (Laser + Estriol, LE) in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).

Methods: A total of 45 postmenopausal women meeting inclusion criteria were randomized in L, E, or LE groups. Assessments at baseline, 8 and 20 weeks, were conducted using Vaginal Health Index (VHI), Visual Analog Scale for VVA symptoms (dyspareunia, dryness, and burning), Female Sexual Function Index, and maturation value (MV) of Meisels.