Sexual function in female business leaders: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to provide a golden opportunity to access sexual function in women who act as leaders in companies through the use of an instrument validated for this purpose (the Female Sexual Function Index). The number of women in leadership positions has been gradually increasing, which shows the need for women to prepare themselves to reorganize the different aspects of life, including social, family, and personal factors as well as sexuality.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving female executives employed in private companies who answered the Female Sexual Function Index.

Assessment of amino acids and metabolites in the supernatant of stored concentrates blood from sickle cell trait (SCT) and reference (non-SCT) donors.

Background And Objectives: Sickle cell trait (SCT) persons are significant donors, and discarding these blood units reduces their supplies, mainly in the third-world countries. This work focused on 12 metabolites associated with the red blood cell (RBC) storage lesion and 23 amino acids in the supernatants of packed RBC units from SCT and reference (non-SCT) donors stored in the same conditions.

Materials And Methods: All samples of RBC concentrates were collected and separated from the storage of Colsan (Beneficient Association of Blood Collection), where they were routinely processed and separated as packed RBC units and stored in the refrigerator (2°-6°C).

Efficacy of Sacrospinous Fixation or Uterosacral Ligament Suspension for Pelvic Organ Prolapse in Stages III and IV: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective:  To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of the surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in stages III and IV by sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) or uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) by comparing anatomical and subjective cure rates and quality-of-life parameters (through the version validated for the Portuguese language of the Prolapse Quality of Life [P-QoL] questionnaire) under two definitions: genital prolapse Ba, Bp, and C < -1 (stage I) and Ba, Bp, and C ≤ 0 (stage II).

Materials And Methods:  After we obtained approval from the Ethics Committee (under CAAE 0833/06) and registered the study in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01347021), 51 patients were randomized into two groups: the USLS group (N = 26) and the SSLF group (N = 25), with follow-up 6 and 12 months after the procedures.

Three-dimensional Printer Molds for Vaginal Agenesis: An Individualized Approach as Conservative Treatment.

Objective:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of vaginal molds, made with three-dimensional (3D) printing, for conservative treatment through vaginal dilation in patients with vaginal agenesis (VA).

Methods:  A total of 16 patients with a diagnosis of VA (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, total androgen insensitivity syndrome, and cervicovaginal agenesis) from the Federal University of São Paulo were selected. Device production was performed in a 3D printer, and the polymeric filament of the lactic polyacid (PLA) was used as raw material.

Metabolomic Profiling of Peripheral Plasma by GC-MS and Correlation With Size of Uterine Leiomyomas.

Background: Uterine leiomyomas are benign monoclonal tumors originating from the myometrium. Little information exists concerning metabolomics and the presence of leiomyomas.

Objective: The present study evaluated circulating metabolites in the plasma and their correlation with the presence and size of leiomyomas.

CO Laser and radiofrequency compared to a sham control group in treatment of stress urinary incontinence (LARF study arm 3). A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a prevalent condition, and conservative treatment options are needed. Were evaluated CO laser and radiofrequency as treatment for SUI.

Methods: One hundred thirty-nine women with SUI were eligible and randomized in a three-arm double-blind randomized controlled trial into radiofrequency (RF), laser (LS) and sham control (SCT) groups, with 3-monthly outpatient treatment sessions.

Rehabilitation of People With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Using a Laparoscopically Implanted Neurostimulator: Impact on Mobility and Urinary, Anorectal, and Sexual Functions.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of the laparoscopic implantation of neuromodulation electrodes (Possover-LION procedure) on mobility and on sexual, urinary, and anorectal functions of people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Material And Methods: Longitudinal analysis of 30 patients with chronic SCI (21 ASIA impairment scale (AIS) A, eight AIS B, and one AIS C) submitted to the Possover-LION procedure for bilateral neuromodulation of femoral, sciatic, and pudendal nerves. Assessments were performed before the surgical procedure and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and quality of life in women submitted to total hip replacement.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Hip osteoarthritis (OA) compromises functioning. Total hip replacement (THR) is the indicated treatment and may improve urinary incontinence (UI) and symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).

Objectives: Assess UI, OAB symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) impact in preoperative and postoperative periods of women submitted to THR and investigate associated factors.

Fecal incontinence: incidence and risk factors from the SABE (Health, Wellbeing and Aging) study.

Introduction And Hypothesis: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of fecal incontinence (FI) and identify risk factors in a cohort of older individuals.

Methods: In 2006, individuals aged ≥ 60 years were selected from the SABE study. The dependent variable was FI in 2010.

Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in CrossFit Practitioners before and during the COVID-19 Quarantine and its Relationship with Training Level: An Observational Study.

Objective:  To compare the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) before and during the COVID-19 quarantine in CrossFit women and their relationship with training level.

Methods:  A cross-sectional study was performed among 197 women practicing CrossFit. The inclusion criteria were nulliparous women, between 18 and 45 years old, who had trained, before quarantine, in accredited gyms.

A Single Dose of a Hybrid hAdV5-Based Anti-COVID-19 Vaccine Induces a Long-Lasting Immune Response and Broad Coverage against VOC.

Most approved vaccines against COVID-19 have to be administered in a prime/boost regimen. We engineered a novel vaccine based on a chimeric human adenovirus 5 (hAdV5) vector. The vaccine (named CoroVaxG.

Willingness to pay for short- and long-acting contraceptives among female adolescents and their parents in Brazil:a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate willingness to pay for short- and long-acting reversible contraceptive methods among female Brazilian adolescents and their parents, as well as their perspective on using such methods.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of female adolescents aged 13 to 19 years and their parents. We surveyed to estimate their willingness to pay for contraceptive methods.

Treatment for vaginal agenesis: A prospective and comparative study between vaginal dilation and surgical neovaginoplasty.

Objective: To compare, in terms of anatomical, functional, and sexual aspects, two types of treatment for women with vaginal agenesis: progressive dilation or surgical neovaginoplasty.

Methods: Women with vaginal agenesis underwent either dilation treatment using the Frank method or surgical treatment using the modified Abbé-McIndoe technique with oxidized cellulose. Patients were evaluated 3-6 months after treatment for a follow-up including medical history, physical examination, general satisfaction, clinical aspect of the vagina, Female Sexual Function Index, and three-dimensional pelvic floor ultrasound.

Antibody indexes in COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors: Unanswered questions.

Objective: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is characterized by high contagiousness, as well as variable clinical manifestations and immune responses. The antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 is directly related to viral clearance and the antibodies' ability to neutralize the virus and confer long-term immunity. Nevertheless, the response can also be associated with disease severity and evolution.

Pooled incidence of continuation and pregnancy rates of four contraceptive methods in young women: a meta-analysis.

Background: Continuation rates of contraceptive methods in young women vary among studies, and there is scarce data regarding the pregnancy rate in this population.

Methods: Four independently systematic searches were performed in PUBMED, EMBASE, LILACS, and Cochrane databases from inception until January 2021 for oral contraceptive pill (OCP), copper IUD, levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), and subdermal implant. Inclusion criteria were observational or RCT studies that reported continuation for at least 12 months and/or pregnancy rate of these contraceptives methods in girls aged 22 years old or younger.

Lumbosacral plexus MR tractography: A novel diagnostic tool for extraspinal sciatica and pudendal neuralgia?

Background: Diagnosing extraspinal sciatica and pudendal neuralgia remains a clinical challenge. MRI and MR Neurography (MRN) are currently the standard techniques used to support the diagnosis of extraspinal lumbosacral plexus entrapments; however, for the intrapelvic portions of the lumbosacral plexus their accuracy is still limited. MR Tractography (MRT) feasibility to image the lumbosacral plexus has been demosntrated, but its clinical applications have yet to be determined.

Antigen matching for transfusion support in Brazilian female patients with sickle cell disease to reduce RBC alloimmunization.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization is a complication of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and it has a greater impact on pregnancy, leading to a risk of hemolytic disease of the newborn and reducing blood availability for pregnant women. This study proposed to evaluate antigen matching transfusion protocols, aiming to reduce RBC alloimmunization in Brazilian female patients with SCD.

Methods: Samples from female patients with SCD (153) and self-declared Afro-Brazilian donors (307) were genotyped for RBC antigens and RH variants were investigated.

Hypericin in photobiological assays: An overview.

Hypericin is considered a potent photosensitizer for use in antitumor and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT). This review presents the primary biological results obtained with hypericin in photodynamic therapy applications, such as photodynamic cancer treatment, photoinactivation of microorganisms (PDI), tissue scarring, and photo diagnosis. We present a compilation of in vitro results that have been published thus far; for these studies, we highlight the hypericin concentration, light dose, and other experimental conditions to evaluate the efficiency of photodynamic treatment like cell death, cell viability, or cell proliferation.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase expression in endometrial tissue after arterial embolization of myomas.

Objectives: Arterial embolization of myomas (AEM) is controversial because of the changes that occur in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the endometrium and its effect on gestational success in infertile patients desiring reproductive capability. Therefore, we performed this study on the expression of genes in the ECM of the endometrium, such as those coding metalloproteinases (MMP), before and 6 months after embolization of the uterine arteries.

Methods: Seven women with leiomyomas were evaluated, and MMP3 and MMP10 levels were measured.

Action of hormonal therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease characterized by muscle weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, and decreased reflexes due to upper and lower motor neurons death. It can be present in both sexes (55-65 years), but with predominance in males. However, in female patients, ALS presents its first symptoms when they are already postmenopausal, when then the incidence ratio of the disease is practically equal between the sexes, which leads to a probable involvement of sex hormones in the development and protection against ALS.

In silico investigation of heparanase-correlated genes in breast cancer subtypes.

Objective: To investigate the possible genes that may be related to the mechanisms that modulate heparanase-1.

Methods: The analysis was conducted at Universidade Federal de São Paulo, on the data provided by: The Cancer Genome Atlas, University of California Santa Cruz Genome Browser, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway Database, Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery Bioinformatics Database and the softwares cBioPortal and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis.

Results: Using messenger RNA expression pattern of different molecular subtypes of breast cancer, we proposed that heparinase-1 was co-related with its progression.

Biotech-Educated Platelets: Beyond Tissue Regeneration 2.0.

The increasing discoveries regarding the biology and functions of platelets in the last decade undoubtedly show that these cells are one of the most biotechnological human cells. This review summarizes new advances in platelet biology, functions, and new concepts of biotech-educated platelets that connect advanced biomimetic science to platelet-based additive manufacturing for tissue regeneration. As highly responsive and secretory cells, platelets could be explored to develop solutions that alter injured microenvironments through platelet-based synthetic biomaterials with instructive extracellular cues for morphogenesis in tissue engineering beyond tissue regeneration 2.

Preoperative Fasting Abbreviation and its Effects on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Incidence in Gynecological Surgery Patients.

Objective:  To investigate the effects of preoperative fasting abbreviation with a carbohydrate and protein-enriched solution, on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) incidence in gynecological surgery patients, a population naturally at risk for such unpleasant episodes.

Methods:  The present prospective double-blind randomized study was performed at The Hospital Municipal e Maternidade Dr. Odelmo Leão Carneiro (HMMOLC, in the Portuguese acronym), in Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in partnership with the Gynecology Department of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of UNIFESP and the board of HMMOLC, and included in the Brazil Platform and in the Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry.