Annexin A1-derived peptide Ac in a pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus model: anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

Background: The inflammatory process has been described as a crucial mechanism in the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epilepsy. The anti-inflammatory protein annexin A1 (ANXA1) represents an interesting target in the regulation of neuroinflammation through the inhibition of leukocyte transmigration and the release of proinflammatory mediators. In this study, the role of the ANXA1-derived peptide Ac in an experimental model of status epilepticus (SE) was evaluated.

Analysis of the concordance rates between core needle biopsy and surgical excision in patients with breast cancer.

Objective: To evaluate whether immunohistochemical marker studies performed on core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens accurately reflect the marker status of the tumor obtained from final surgical specimen.

Methods: This was a retrospective study that used the database of the Division of Mastology of the Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, Brazil. Sixty-nine patients submitted to ultrasound-guided CNB diagnosed with breast cancer were retrospectively analyzed.

Sexual behavior and knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among university students in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Objective: To investigate the sexual behavior and knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among undergraduate students in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: Self-reported questionnaires were used.

Results: Most of the 447 students in the study were single (97.

Monophasic estrogen-progestogen therapy and sexuality in postmenopausal women.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of monophasic estrogen-progestogen therapy on the sexuality and climacteric symptoms of postmenopausal women.

Patients And Methods: A prospective, randomised, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled, single-centre study was carried out over a total of 12 consecutive months in 40 postmenopausal women with an intact uterus who had no contraindications to hormone therapy. Patients received 17beta-estradiol 2mg in combination with norethisterone acetate 1mg (Cliane) daily for 6 months or one placebo tablet daily for 6 months.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer and risk reduction: oncologic or technical problem?

Background: We evaluated the risks and benefits of nipple-sparing mastectomy in a multiinstitutional experience in the settings of risk-reducing surgery and breast cancer treatment.

Study Design: We analyzed data on 123 patients who had undergone nipple-sparing mastectomy with breast reconstruction for prophylaxis (n=55), treatment of breast cancer (n=41), or both (n=27) at four large centers.

Results: Median patient age was 45 years (range 22 to 70 years).

Organization of cervical cancer screening in Campinas and surrounding region, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Cervical cancer screening remains a challenge in developing countries due to a complex array of problems. This paper aimed to describe the experience with organization of cervical cancer screening in three districts of Campinas and the surrounding region in São Paulo State, Brazil, and to report the resulting data. The program was organized in a pyramid format, and the health care hierarchy was defined according to the complexity and total number of medical procedures.

The influence of reduction mammaplasty techniques in synchronous breast cancer diagnosis and metachronous breast cancer prevention.

Background: Although reduction mammaplasty (RM) is a well-described technique for cosmetic objectives, there are few reports regarding its bilateral application combined with oncologic breast surgery in patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of RM in the contralateral breast (CB) synchronous cancer (SBC) incidence, the impact in risk reduction for metachronous breast cancer (MBC), the disease-free period, and overall survival

Methods: Patients were divided into 2 groups; group I: 114 pts submitted to oncologic surgery associated with immediate CB RM. Group II: 135 pts without CB RM.

The safe association of intraoperative evaluation of surgical margins and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer larger than 3 centimeters.

Objectives And Background: The objective of the present study was to determine whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women with breast cancer larger than 3 cm associated with breast-conserving surgery plus intraoperative evaluation of surgical margins is safe.

Methods: A total of 164 patients with breast cancer larger than 3 cm in diameter were submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 1992 and 1998 and followed until 2003. We used neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pulses at 21-day intervals with 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m2), epirubicin (50 mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2) (FEC).

Pattern of prolactin secretion after administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist at the preovulatory phase of intrauterine insemination cycles.

Context And Objective: Administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist at the preovulatory phase is an option for triggering ovulation in assisted reproductive technology cycles. The aim of this work was to investigate the pattern of prolactin secretion after the administration of a single dose of GnRH-agonist at the preovulatory phase.

Design And Setting: Descriptive study at a tertiary referral center.

Effects of conjugated equine estrogens or raloxifene on lipid profile, coagulation and fibrinolysis factors in postmenopausal women.

Objectives: To compare the effect of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) and raloxifene on lipid profile and hemostasis.

Materials And Methods: A double-blind, randomized and parallel study was performed with 90 healthy postmenopausal women, aged 54 +/- 5 years, divided into three groups and submitted to daily therapy with either CEE 0.625 mg, raloxifene 60 mg or placebo for 4 months.

Outcome analysis of patients with early infiltrating breast carcinoma treated by surgery with intraoperative evaluation of surgical margins.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intraoperative evaluation of surgical margins (IESM) on the local recurrence rate, the occurrence of distant metastases and survival in invasive breast carcinoma (T1-2).

Methods: Two groups of patients were compared: a control group of 149 patients treated by classical quadrantectomy without IESM, and an IESM study group of 102 patients submitted to surgical treatment guided by this procedure. In the IESM group 64 quandrantectomies, 33 enlarged quadrantectomies and five mastectomies were performed.

Comparative study of different dosages of goserelin in size reduction of myomatous uteri.

Study Objective: To compare uterine size reduction obtained with three monthly subcutaneous injections of 3.6 mg of goserelin versus a single subcutaneous injection of 10.8 mg.

Induction of experimental mammary carcinogenesis in rats with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene.

Purpose: To test an experimental model of chemical mammary carcinogenesis induction in rats.

Methods: Twenty young virgin Sprague-Dawley female rats, aged 47 days, received 20 mg of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) intragastrically by gavage. Afterwards, at 8 and 13 weeks, their mammary glands were examined.

Effect of oxidative stress in follicular fluid on the outcome of assisted reproductive procedures.

Objective(s): To measure levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the follicular fluid from patients undergoing IVF and to examine the association among LPO and TAC and oocyte maturity, embryo quality, fertilization, cleavage, and pregnancy rates.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care medical center.

Sexuality in healthy postmenopausal women.

Objective: To assess the influence of psychosocial factors, behavior and hormones on postmenopausal sexuality.

Methods: Nine hundred and ninety-nine women (age range 41-60 years) underwent physical and supplementary tests and answered questionnaires regarding sexual behavior. Sixty healthy women with 1 or more years of amenorrhea, without hormone replacement therapy and with a partner capable of intercourse were chosen from this group.

HPV prevalence among partners of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to find HPV DNA incidence in women with CIN and normal women and in their respective partners, as well as the relation between the virus groups found in women with CIN or normal women and in their respective partners.

Methods: Partners of 30 women with CIN at several grades and of 60 normal women were prospectively assessed. In men, HPV search was performed by collecting samples through penile scraping for Hybrid Capture, followed by peniscopic evaluation and biopsy of acetowhite lesions.

Laparoscopic tubal anastomosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the pregnancy outcome after laparoscopic tubal anastomosis.

Methods: From December 1998 to December 2001, 26 patients with bilateral tubal ligation who underwent laparoscopic tubal anastomosis were prospectively evaluated. Patients' age varied from 28 to 37 years.

Color Doppler sonography with contrast in the differentiation of ovarian tumors.

Unlabelled: The objective of this study was to differentiate benign ovarian tumors from malignant ones before surgery using color and pulsed Doppler sonography, and to compare results obtained before and after use of contrast medium, thereby verifying whether contrast results in an improvement in the diagnostic sensitivity.

Methods: Sixty two women (mean age 49.9 years) with ovarian tumors were studied, 45 with benign and 17 with malignant tumors.

A randomized study of total abdominal, vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Objectives: To evaluate operative time, blood loss and inflammatory response in patients submitted to hysterectomy.

Methods: Sixty patients referred for hysterectomy were prospectively randomized to total abdominal hysterectomy (n=20), vaginal hysterectomy (n=20), or laparoscopic hysterectomy (n=20). The operative time, blood loss (variation in erythrocyte and hemoglobin) and inflammatory answer (CRP and interleukin-6 dosages) were compared by using Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn non-parametric test and variance analysis with repeated measurements.

Histological classification of endometriosis as a predictor of response to treatment.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of the histological classification of endometriosis in predicting responses to treatment.

Methods: We evaluated 412 biopsy specimens from 241 patients with pelvic endometriosis. Pain and infertility were evaluated before surgery.

Primary chemotherapy effect in sentinel node detection in breast cancer.

Purpose: Sentinel node (SN) biopsy is a reliable method for improved staging of breast cancer, offering an alternative to routine axillary dissection. Perhaps preoperative chemotherapy could increase the rate of false-negative SN because of induced lymphatic changes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of lymphoscintigraphy and of hand-held probe detection in the SN approach after chemotherapy, correlating it with histologic analysis of the axilla.

Breast cancer metastatic to uterine leiomyosarcoma. A case report and review of the literature.

An unusual case of breast cancer metastatic to leiomyosarcoma of the uterus is reported. The patient had multiple metastases from the breast carcinoma and presented a pelvic mass in its evolution. A laparotomy with total hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy was performed to give pain relief.