To identify pregnancy as a causative factor of sexual dysfunction among expectant women. A prospective study with 225 expectant mothers seen in the prenatal clinic of a federal university. Sexual function was evaluated by means of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and all domains were analyzed (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain). Initially, a univariate analysis of the sample was done. The averages for each domain according to the risk of sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤ 26.5) were compared using the Student's-test for independent samples. The strength of the correlation between sexual dysfunction and all sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral variables was measured by the Chi-Square (χ) test. Then, odds ratios (ORs) and their confidence intervals were assigned to perform a bivariate analysis. Any values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Approximately two-thirds of the women (66.7%) showed signs of risk of sexual dysfunction (FSFI ≤ 26.5). Within these cases, all sexual dysfunction domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) were found to be statistically significant ( < 0.001). The domains most affected were desire (2.67), satisfaction (2.71) and arousal (2.78). Pregnancy appears to be an important causative factor of sexual dysfunction among pregnant women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 100% rapid review (100%-RR) as an effective tool for internal quality control (IQC) in gynecological cytopathology services. Study Design: A total of 8,677 swabs were analyzed; the negative results were submitted to 100%-RR. Divergent cases were discussed in a consensus meeting to reach a conclusion on the final diagnosis. The data were entered into SAS statistical software, and the agreement of the 100%-RR results with the final diagnosis was tested with the weighted kappa statistic. Results: Of the 8,155 smears characterized as negative, 255 (3.13%) were abnormal smears, and 552 (6.77%) unsatisfactory smears were deemed negative. Regarding the results on the 8,155 smears subjected to 100%-RR when compared with the final diagnosis, there was agreement in 7,063 (86.60%) of them, and there were 1,092 (13.40%) discordant results (65.6%, unsatisfactory; 5.47%, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [ASC-US]). The κ index had an agreement of 0.867, with κ = 0.734 (p < 0.0001). Compared with the final diagnosis, the sensitivity of 100%-RR was 99.91% and its specificity was 99.4% for severe abnormalities. The sensitivity for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions was 88.2%, with a specificity of 100.00%. For abnormalities considered borderline, such as ASC-US, the sensitivity was 94.50% and the specificity was 99.5%. Conclusion: The 100%-RR was considered efficient when used as an IQC method.

Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate 100% rapid review (100% RR) as a useful tool to detect false negative (FN) results. Study Design: A sample of 8,677 swabs was investigated; the unsatisfactory and negative results were referred to 100% RR, concordant results were taken as the final diagnosis, while the discordant results were debated in a consensus meeting to reach a conclusion. The positive results were examined by 2 cytologists. The data were entered into SAS statistical software, and the agreement of the 100% RR results with the final diagnosis was tested with the weighted kappa statistic. Results: There was a significant increase in unsatisfactory results from 348 to 1,927, and of positive results from 174 to 349. On the other hand, there was a substantial decrease in negative results from 8,155 to 6,401. Assessing the relative risk of FN results in smears that were not referred to quality control (100% RR) revealed the following results: atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), 2.93; low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 2.72; high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/atypical squamous cells – cannot exclude HSIL (HSIL/ASC-H), 2.25. Evaluating by age group, a higher risk for LSIL (4.90) and ASC-US (3.85) was observed in patients aged under 25 years, whereas patients between 25 and 64 years and those over 64 years presented a higher risk for HSIL and ASC-H: 2.46 and 2.75, respectively. Conclusion: 100% RR is an effective screening tool for FN results in countries where molecular tests for DNA-HPV and prophylactic vaccines are not available in cervical cancer screening programs.

ResumoOBJETIVO: Quantificar o número de células de defesa e os níveis de imunoglobulina E (IgE) no sangue periférico em amostra de mulheres com candidíase vaginal recorrente. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal com 60 mulheres, 40 com candidíase vulvovaginal e 20 do grupo controle (sem doença). As células de defesa foram identificadas utilizando um sistema de impedância combinada com a citometria de fluxo, os níveis de IgE total e específica foram medidos por meio de técnicas de quimiluminescência, o teste de Mann-Whitney foi utilizado para variáveis nominais e do teste de Spearman para correlações das concentrações de IgE e de eosinófilos no sangue periférico. RESULTADOS: O número de eosinófilos no sangue periférico de pacientes com candidíase vulvovaginal, 302,60 (±253,07), foi significativamente maior do que o grupo controle, 175,75 (±109,24) (p=0,037). Os níveis séricos de IgE total e específica foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos de mulheres com e sem candidíase vulvovaginal recorrente (p=0,361). Entretanto, observou-se uma correlação positiva moderada entre eosinofilia e níveis de IgE total no sangue periférico de mulheres com candidíase vaginal recorrente (r=0,25). CONCLUSÃO: Mulheres com candidíase vaginal recorrente parecem ter maior concentração de eosinófilos no sangue periférico que as assintomáticas. Abstract PURPOSE:To quantify the number of defense cells and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in peripheral blood sampled from women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 women, 40 with vulvovaginal candidiasis and 20 controls. The defense cells were identified using an impedance system combined with flow cytometry and total and specific IgE was measured by chemiluminescence. The Mann-Whitney test was used for nominal variables and the Spearman test was used to determine the correlation of IgE concentration and eosinophils in peripheral blood. RESULTS: The number of eosinophils in peripheral blood from patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, 302.60 (±253.07), was significantly higher compared to control, 175.75 (±109.24) (p=0.037). Serum levels of total and specific IgE were similar in the groups of women with and without recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (p=0.361). However, there was a moderate positive correlation between eosinophils and total serum IgE in the candidiasis group (r=0.25). CONCLUSION: Women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis are more likely to have eosinophils in peripheral blood.Trabalho realizado no programa de pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte -UFRN -Natal (RN), Brasil.

To collect data capable of pointing out the effects of the ultracavitation treatment on the liver of rabbits after adipose tissue application, by means of histological analyses of the liver and hematological and biochemical exams. Methods: This is an experimental study with 12 albino rabbits as sample, which were divided into 3 groups and submitted to a hypercaloric diet for one month. Subsequently, subjects underwent UCV treatment: 3 minutes, 30 W, continuous mode at 100%, every 2 ERAS = 441.02 J/cm 2 , intensity of 10w/cm 2. They were then euthanized and underwent biopsy after 24 hours. Results: After 48 hours from the ultracavitation treatment, the animals' livers presented greater amount of fat infiltration if compared to the amount presented 96 hours after the treatment. However, laboratory tests showed no alterations. Values were maintained within normal parameters of cholesterol, triglycerides, liver enzymes, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Conclusions: This study has identified that infiltrates may appear on livers after the treatment, despite high hematological and biochemical tests results. The fat infiltrates reduction 96 h after treatment suggests lower risks to animal health, if the period between applications is respected.

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> To evaluate the association between abnormal vaginal flora and cytological evidence of HPV with prematurity in high-risk pregnant women. <br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Study design:</strong> A prospective cohort study was designed with high-risk pregnant women who delivered singletons between 20-42 gestational weeks between January to November 2018. Vaginal specimens were collected to obtain material from the upper lateral vaginal vault and cervix for direct microscopic examination of vaginal contents and preparation of Gram-stained and pap smear slides. Potential determinants of infection were assessed using the chi-square test. Poisson regression was used to determine the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval of the association between the vaginal flora and cytology with prematurity and a p &lt;0.05 was considered as statistical significance. <br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 68 pap smear and high vaginal swab samples were collected from high-risk pregnant women with a mean age of 30.3 years. There were 26 (38.2%) cases of abnormal vaginal flora and 6 (8.8%) of HPV-induced cytological abnormalities. The preterm delivery rate was comparable between women with normal and abnormal vaginal flora (11.9% vs. 11.5%, prevalence ratio 1.0 [95% confidence interval: 0.8-1.2], aPR 1.0 [95% confidence interval: 0.8-1.2]) and between women with and without abnormal cytology (16.7% vs. 11.3%, prevalence ratio 0.9 [95% confidence interval: 0.6-1.4], aPR 0.9 [95% confidence interval: 0.6-1.4]). <br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> We determined no association between abnormal cytology or altered vaginal flora in high-risk pregnancy in terms of overall preterm birth rate.</p>

O Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) impacta diretamente na mortalidade das mulheres quando associado ao câncer de colo uterino. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, analisar o que se tem publicado a respeito dos conhecimentos das pessoas sobre a infecção pelo Papilomavírus Humano e vacinação, entender o motivo da não adesão à vacinação contribuindo, assim, através de uma revisão de literatura atualizada, para o delineamento de novas estratégias a serem empregadas na mobilização da população alvo a aderir às campanhas futuras. Trata-se de um estudo de revisão de literatura com abordagem descritiva, utilizando as bases de dados Medline (Literatura Internacional em Ciências da Saúde) e Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) com recorte temporal de cinco anos, recuperando documentos a partir de 2014 até 2018, visando publicações recentes. Dos 24 trabalhos analisados, foi constatada que a falta de conhecimento e a necessidade de uma intervenção mais direcionada, levam as pessoas a obterem pensamentos errôneos sobre a vacinação. Com isso, observou-se que a ação educativa teve papel modificador de conduta, desmistificando conclusões incorretas.

RESUMOA candidíase vulvovaginal (CVV) é uma doença onde se encontra uma infeção da vulva e da vagina, causada pelo gênero Candida spp.. Possui mais de 200 tipos de diferentes microrganismos, dos quais a Candida albicans se destaca mais em função de sua taxa de prevalência em condições normais e de infecção. Nessa perspectiva, este estudo buscou realizar uma revisão de literatura sobre os fatores de virulência de candidíase em mulheres grávidas. O presente estudo se caracteriza como um tipo de revisão bibliográfica, exploratória e descritiva. Os trabalhos selecionados foram incluídos a partir de base de dados Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO) e no PubMed, o período de busca foram os anos de 2015 a 2021. Os descritores utilizados para a busca de estudos foram: "candidíase", "Candida", "Candida albicans", "candidíase vulvovaginal", "gravidez", "vulvovaginal candidiasis", "pregnancy and predisposing factors". Observou-se que a candidíase vaginal é das maiores ocorrências relacionadas a infeções genitais e, na maioria das vezes, é uma doença primária, ou seja, surge em função de algum desequilíbrio da microbiota vaginal normal da paciente ou até mesmo alterações no seu estado imunológico. Desse modo, em função da diversidade de formas e métodos de resistência é preciso uma atualização dos tratamentos, realização de campanhas para conscientização e esclarecimentos, na busca por novos alvos terapêuticos, e estratégias de prevenção e diagnóstico destas infeções principalmente ao que se refere a mulheres gestantes.