Evaluation of Sexual Function of Transgender Individuals.

Purpose: The current study sought to evaluate the sexual function of transgender men and women and to identify associated factors.

Methods: Trans individuals who were outpatients at our gender incongruence (GI) center for follow-up of gender-affirming hormone therapy with age ranging 27 to 50 years were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Clinical data were collected from the medical records.

Characteristics of a Population with Gender Incongruence Assisted at a Specialized Outpatient Service in the City of Ribeirão Preto.

Objective:  To identify the age when individuals first perceive gender incongruence (GI) and to compare sociodemographic data of female-to-male (FtM) and male-to-female (MtF) transgender individuals assisted at an outpatient service.

Methods:  The present cross-sectional study was conducted through a review of the medical records of individuals diagnosed with GI at a single specialized outpatient service in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Results:  A total of 193 medical records from 2010 to 2018 were evaluated, and 109 (56.

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.

Unwanted pregnancy is a major public health problem both in developed and developing countries. Although the reduction in the rates of these pregnancies requires multifactorial approaches, increasing access to long-acting contraceptive methods can contribute significantly to change this scenario. In Brazil, gynecologists and obstetricians play a key role in contraceptive counseling, being decisive in the choice of long-acting reversible methods, characterized by intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the contraceptive implant.

Does the Access to Sun Exposure Ensure Adequate Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D?

 To assess the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, altered arterial blood pressure, and serum levels of glucose and lipids in community-dwelling women in the city of Ribeirão Preto, in the southeast of Brazil.  This was a cross-sectional study of women aged 40-70 years old. Calcium intake and level of sun exposure were assessed by means of a questionnaire.

Effects of combined oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel or chlormadinone on the endothelium.

Background: Although the use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) is associated with an increased risk of arterial and venous thromboembolic events, less is known about the impact of COCs on endothelial function. The present study evaluated the effects on the endothelium of healthy women of combinations of 30 mcg ethinylestradiol (EE)/2 mg chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and 30 mcg EE/150 mcg levonorgestrel (LNG).

Study Design: Sixty-four healthy women were evaluated, 21 using a nonhormonal contraceptive method (control) and 43 using COCs, randomized to EE 30 mcg /CMA 2 mg or to EE 30 mcg/LNG 150 mcg.

Drospirenone and levonorgestrel in combination with either 30 or 20 mcg ethinylestradiol reduce soluble adhesion molecules in Brazilian women; cross-sectional study.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of three contraceptive pills containing ethinylestradiol (EE) (20 or 30 mcg) in combination with drospirenone (DRSP) and levonorgestrel (LNG) on plasma concentration of adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule -1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 participants (18-30 years old) distributed into three groups that used oral contraceptives containing EE 20 or 30 mcg combined with DRSP 3 mg or EE 30 mcg/LNG 150 mcg for at least 6 months. The control group was comprised of nonusers of contraceptives.

Effect of isoflavone extracts from Glycine max on human endothelial cell damage and on nitric oxide production.

Objective: In this study, we determined the protective effect of isoflavones from Glycine max on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (ECV304) damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and on nitric oxide (NO) production.

Methods: We studied the regulation of NO synthesis in cultured human endothelial cells by phytoestrogens contained in soy extracts in the presence or absence of ICI 182,780 or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther and determined the protective effect of these isoflavones on ECV304 damage induced by H2O2.

Results: We show that soy extracts activate NO synthesis in endothelial cells and protect against cell damage.

Increased arterial stiffness in nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) without comorbidities: one more characteristic inherent to the syndrome?

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with adverse metabolic effects. Some cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk markers are increased in women with PCOS. However, early markers of atherosclerosis are also associated with obesity and insulin resistance, which are related to PCOS.

Both a combined oral contraceptive and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate impair endothelial function in young women.

Background: The study was conducted to determine whether the use of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) or depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) interferes with endothelial function.

Study Design: The study was conducted on 100 women between the ages of 18 and 30 years. Fifty women had not used hormonal contraception (control group) for at least 12 months, 25 were current users of a COC (ethinylestradiol 30 mcg+levonorgestrel 150 mcg) and 25 were current users of DMPA (150 mg) for at least a 6-month period.

Performance of selective and differential media in the primary isolation of yeasts from different biological samples.

In view of the increase in yeast infections, especially polymicrobial ones, differential culture media have acquired increasing importance. The present study evaluated the Sabouraud chloramphenicol, Biggy agar, Pagano Levin agar and CHROMagar Candida media in terms of isolation, number of yeast colony forming units per plate, and inhibition of bacteria and filamentous fungi. To this end, we used 223 biological samples, including feces, and oral, vaginal and anal mucosae from 86 patients presenting or not symptoms of fungal infections.