DNA transfer during laundering may yield complete genetic profiles

In a number of child sexual abuse cases, the alleged perpetrator is a member of the nuclear family. In those cases, there is a possibility that the suspect’s DNA was innocently deposited onto the child’s clothing without acts of sexual assault ever occurring, for example via secondary transfer within the washing machine. To assess the quantity and quality of DNA that may be transferred among clothing during laundering, we conducted three series of experiments. First, we evaluated the level of spermatozoa that may be transferred by washing pristine pairs of underwear with bed sheets containing a varying number of ejaculates. Secondly, we explored whether current genetic methods may also detect the transfer of DNA from vaginal secretions during a machine wash. Finally, we analyzed the background levels of DNA on children’s underwear collected from control families where sexual abuse never occurred. For both spermatozoa and vaginal secretions, we revealed that sufficient amounts of DNA may transfer onto laundered clothing to yield complete genetic profiles. Furthermore, DNA from relatives living within the same household was found in most cuttings taken from control children’s underwear. Based on these findings, we present a framework for the handling and interpretation of intrafamilial sexual abuse cases. These suggestions should help determine whether DNA was deposited directly onto a fabric or merely transferred during a wash.     

Partial Cervical Agenesis and Complete Vaginal Atresia

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to report 2 cases of the combined congenital anomalies of complete vaginal atresia and partial cervical agenesis, and highlight the limitations of magnetic resonance imaging for definitive initial diagnosis, and consequently the importance of early definitive management, to avoid life-threatening sepsis. Herein we provide a retrospective case audit of two patients with congenital abnormalities between 2005 and 2013 who were treated in a quaternary statewide pediatric and adolescent gynecology center.CasesTwo patients with the combined congenital anomalies of complete vaginal agenesis and partial cervical agenesis highlight the difficulties encountered with the limitations of magnetic resonance imaging in accuracy of diagnosis, as well as development of life-threatening sepsis that requires hysterectomy. Both patients were initially imaged as having distended endometrial cavities and cervical canals with what was thought to be an obstructive upper vaginal septum and absent lower vagina. Both required initial neovagina creation, however the cervices were never clinically or surgically visualized.Summary and ConclusionPartial cervical agenesis is a relatively rare form of Müllerian abnormality which, if not diagnosed and definitively treated early, can have significant morbidity and mortality. Although magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic imaging gold standard for Müllerian abnormalities, it is important to recognize the limitations of this modality, the potential sequelae of these limitations, and to appreciate the importance of early accurate diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Importantly, if the imaging diagnosis does not completely correlate with the clinical and surgical findings, then a high suspicion of complete or partial cervical agenesis is prudent, because the consequences of nondefinitive early treatment can be life-threatening and potentially fatal.     

Routes of delivery for progesterone and progestins

The trends in postmenopausal hormonal therapy (HT) seem to favor the non-oral delivery routes for both the estrogen and the progestin for women with an intact uterus. Targeting the lowest possible dose of the progestin or of the natural hormone progesterone to be delivered directly to the uterus, the target organ for which it is designed, would avoid the possible drawbacks of systemic effects of progestins on other targets. Several delivery systems are either available or in development including vaginal gels and vaginal rings delivering the physiological hormone progesterone or intrauterine systems delivering very low doses of levonorgestrel. In addition, transdermal gels and spray are under development and can deliver very low doses of Nestorone a 19-norprogesterone derivative, not active orally but with high progestational activity when given via non-oral routes. The assumption that these new delivery systems should lead to an improved risk/benefit ratio in HT will need to be demonstrated in larger randomized controlled studies.     

瘢痕子宫助产策略研究进展

瘢痕子宫是指剖宫产术或子宫肌瘤剔除术、子宫穿孔或破裂修复术、子宫成形术等妇产科手术后的子宫,其中剖宫产术是瘢痕子宫产生的最主要原因。目前,随着临床剖宫产率的不断增加和计生政策的改变,瘢痕子宫再次妊娠的发生率逐渐升高。由于瘢痕子宫再次妊娠发生母儿并发症的风险均增加,分娩时不论是行选择性剖宫产还是阴道试产,都可能出现严重的临床并发症,因此正确处理瘢痕子宫再次分娩的问题,成为围生医学亟待研究的课题之一。本文综述了瘢痕子宫再次妊娠分娩方式选择、阴道分娩现状和产程管理等助产策略,以期为医护人员选择合适的再分娩方式提供依据,不断提高产科质量。     

蜚蠊提取液改善阴道微生态及治疗宫颈持续性高危型人乳头瘤病毒感染的研究

目的观察蜚蠊提取液联合干扰素对宫颈持续性高危型人乳头瘤病毒（high-risk human papillomavirus, HR-HPV）感染的治疗效果,并比较治疗前后阴道微生态及宫颈局部细胞免疫功能变化。方法按病例纳入和排除标准纳入宫颈持续性HR-HPV感染患者80例随机分为2组,每组40例,对照组使用干扰素阴道纳入治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上加用蜚蠊提取液进行阴道冲洗,两组均治疗3个疗程。在治疗前后分别进行宫颈HR-HPV检测、阴道微生态评价及宫颈细胞免疫功能检测。结果治疗后研究组宫颈持续性HR-HPV感染转为阴性24例（61.54%）,对照组转为阴性13例（33.33%）,研究组治疗宫颈持续性HR-HPV感染的效果明显优于对照组（χ2=6.221,P=0.013）;研究组治疗后阴道微生态失衡（χ2=6.642,P=0.010）、乳杆菌分级异常（Ⅱb或Ⅲ级,χ2=6.271,P=0.012）、革兰阴性短杆菌（χ2=7.508,P=0.006）、革兰阳性球菌（χ2=8.419,P=0.004）、pH值异常（χ2=4.198,P=0.040）、H2O2阳性（χ2=5.769,P=0.016）及AV检出（χ2=4.255,P=0.039）等指标较治疗前得到明显改善（P＜0.05）;对照组治疗后仅在pH值异常改善方面与治疗前差异有统计学意义（χ2=7.429,P=0.006）;两组间治疗后比较,研究组对阴道微生态失衡的治疗效果较对照组更明显,具有显著性差异（χ2=4.446,P=0.035）;治疗后研究组宫颈细胞免疫功能改善比对照组更明显,CD4（t=-4.741,P＜0.001）、CD8（t=-4.725,P＜0.001）、CD4/CD8（Z=-5.022,P＜0.001）、TNF-α（t=-4.912,P＜0.001）、IL-4（t=-2.162,P=0.034）差异均具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论蜚蠊提取液清利湿热、活血解毒等功效,与干扰素合用可显著提高宫颈持续性HR-HPV感染的治疗效果,其作用可能与通过纠正阴道微生态失衡及改善宫颈局部细胞免疫功能相关。     

双菱形缝线法阴道紧缩术

目的介绍一种即微创又有效的阴道紧缩手术。方法采用打孔器在会阴处打6个小孔,将2根双向倒齿线经小孔对盆底肌肉行双菱形法缝合,收紧盆底肌肉,缩小阴道口。结果本组20例患者手术时间为30~40 min,平均35 min。出血量较少,无瘢痕形成。获随访6个月,性生活满意度较术前有所提高。结论采用双菱形缝线法阴道紧缩术,设计科学,损伤小,不遗留瘢痕,且并发症较少,是改善阴道松弛及提高患者性生活质量的简单而有效的手术方法。     

胎膜早破对妊娠结局的影响及阴道微生态干预效果

目的探讨胎膜早破对妊娠结局的影响及阴道微生态干预效果。方法选择2010年7月至2012年12月妇产科收治的妊娠期合并细菌性阴道病患者200例,分为干预组和对照组各100例。干预组患者采用口服克林霉素方法进行干预;对照组患者未进行干预,对两组患者临床干预后效果及妊娠结局等进行分析。结果干预组患者干预后白带增多、白带腥臭味、阴道pH≥4.5、线索细胞、氨试验等优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;干预组患者剖宫产、胎膜早破、早产、新生儿窒息等发生情况均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;两组发生胎膜早破患者共计22例,剖宫产18例,早产10例,新生儿窒息4例。结论细菌性阴道病患者应进行及时干预,避免不良妊娠结局胎膜早破的发生,从而减少母体感染和新生儿并发症,提高新生儿存活率,延长孕周。     

Investigating the feasibility of temperature-controlled accelerated drug release testing for an intravaginal ring

The objective of the present study was to investigate if temperature can be utilized to accelerate drug release from Nuvaring®, a reservoir type intravaginal ring based on polyethylene vinyl acetate copolymer that releases a constant dose of contraceptive steroids over a duration of 3 weeks. The reciprocating holder apparatus (USP 7) was utilized to determine real-time and accelerated etonogestrel release from ring segments. It was demonstrated that drug release increased with increasing temperature which can be attributed to enhanced drug diffusion. An Arrhenius relationship of the zero-order release constants was established, indicating that temperature is a valid parameter to accelerate drug release from this dosage form and that the release mechanism is maintained under these accelerated test conditions. Accelerated release tests are particularly useful for routine quality control to assist during batch release of extended release formulations that typically release the active over several weeks, months or even years, since they can increase the product shelf life. The accelerated method should therefore be able to discriminate between formulations with different release characteristics that can result from normal manufacturing variance. In the case of Nuvaring®, it is well known that the process parameters during the extrusion process strongly influence the polymeric structure. These changes in the polymeric structure can affect the permeability which, in turn, is reflected in the release properties. Results from this study indicate that changes in the polymeric structure can lead to a different temperature dependence of the release rate, and as a consequence, the accelerated method can become less sensitive to detect changes in the release properties. When the accelerated method is utilized during batch release, it is therefore important to take this possible restriction into account and to evaluate the accelerated method with samples from non-conforming batches that are explicitly “out of specification” under real-time test conditions.