Magnetic resonance imaging in the preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as an important imaging modality in the evaluation of the extension of endometrial carcinoma which is essential in planning treatment and predicting prognosis. This study aimed to assess the value of MRI in the preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: We included in this study 162 patients with a histological diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma who underwent MRI pelvic imaging and surgical staging. MRI images were compared with pathological findings to measure MRI's sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy in what concerns myometrial, cervical and lymph node invasion. RESULTS: MRI differentiation of deep myometrial invasion from superficial disease agreed with pathological findings in 77% of cases, with a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 72% and a diagnostic accuracy of 77%. Concerning cervical invasion, MRI had a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 42%, 92%, 81% respectively. In assessing lymph node invasion, MRI presented a sensitivity of just 17%, a specificity of 99% and a diagnostic accuracy of 89%. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the high accuracy of MRI imaging in assessing myometrial and cervical invasion in endometrial carcinoma. When evaluating lymph node invasion, micrometastases are responsible for the low sensitivy of MRI.     

Extended administration of the association of zidovudine plus ritonavir during rat pregnancy: maternal and fetal effects

The purpose of the study was to evaluate at term, the effects of the association of zidovudine/ritonavir administered during the entire period of rat pregnancy. Forty pregnant EPM-1 Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: one control (drug vehicle control, n=10) and three experimental treated with an oral solution of zidovudine/ritonavir (Exp 1 = 10/20 mg/kg bw, n = 10; Exp 2 = 30/60 mg/kg bw, n=10; Exp 3 = 90/180 mg/kg bw, n=10) from day 0 up to day 20 of pregnancy. Maternal body weights were recorded at the start of the experiment and at the 7th, 14th and the 20th day thereafter. At term (20th day) the rats were anesthetized and, upon laparotomy and hysterotomy, the number of implantations, resorptions, living fetuses, placentae and intrauterine deaths were recorded. The collected fetuses and placentae were weighed, and the concepts were examined under a stereoscopic microscope for external malformations. The maternal body gain and the mean fetal weight at term were both significantly lower (p < 0.01 and p < 0.0001, respectively) in the experimental groups compared to the control. The recorded resorptions were higher in Exp 2 and Exp 3 groups than in the control group. The other parameters were not affected. The exposure of pregnant rats at term to a 1:2 association of zidovudine plus ritonavir resulted in a significant reduction in maternal body weight gain and increased rate of fetal resorption.     

Die endokrine Kontrolle der Motilität der männlichen akzessorischen Genitalorgane. Vergleichende Pharmakologie in vitro der Samenleiter und Samenblasen von normalen,kastrierten und mit Sexualhormonen behandelten Rhesusaffen

Zusammenfassung Die Kontraktilität und Reaktivität auf Drogen invitro von Samenleiter und Samenblase normaler, kastrierter und kastrierter, vorhergehend mit Testosteron-Propionat oder Oestradiol-Benzoat behandelter Rhesus-Affen, wurde untersucht.Spontane, automatische Kontraktionen wurden nur bei Organen, die von Kastraten oder mit Oestradiol-Benzoat behandelten Kastraten herrührten, beobachtet.Auch die Reaktivität auf die verschiedenen untersuchten Drogen zeigt sehr deutliche Variationen.Adrenalin, Acetylcholin und Nicotin wirken auf alle untersuchten Organe erregend. Jedoch Bariumchlorid, Ephedrin, Histamin, Hydrastinin und Yohimbin rufen, in den untersuchten Dosen, nur bei Organen von kastrierten oder mit Oestradiol-Benzoat behandelten Tieren Kontraktionen hervor.Wir schließen daraus, daß, wie wir schon an der Ratte und der Katze zeigten, die Sexualhormone eine bedeutende Rolle bei der Regulierung der Motilität der akzessorischen Genitalien des Rhesus-Affen spielen; Testosteron hemmt und Oestradiol stimuliert.Die Kontraktilität und die erwähnten Unterschiede im Verhalten zeigen sich noch nach Aufbewahren der Organe während mehrerer Tage bei 3 bis 6°C, wenn man den Versuch bei 36–38°C wiederholt. Eine Reaktion auf Adrenalin konnte bei Samenleitern, die bis zu 40 Tagen, und bei Samenblasen, die bis zu 8 Tagen unter jenen Bedingungen aufbewahrt wurden, festgestellt werden.Einige vorläufige Versuche mit Nebenhoden und Prostata von Rhesus-Affen scheinen zu zeigen, daß diese Organe auch einer hormonalen Kontrolle, ebenso wie die Samenleiter und Samenblasen, unterliegen.Die Übertragung dieser Daten für die Erklärung einiger Fragen der normalen und pathologischen Sexualphysiologie und Pharmakologie wird angezeigt.     

The Impact of Omega-3 Supplements on Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review

Aim: This systematic review examined the additional effect of taking omega-3 supplements on periodontal therapy. Methods: The focused question was “What is the possible effect of omega-3 supplementation concomitant to non-surgical periodontal therapy on clinical periodontal parameters?” Databases Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science (January-July 2021) were searched to identify appropriate studies. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) about non-surgical therapy with omega-3 supplementation, with at least 3 months of supplementation period were included. Cochrane risk of bias tool version 2 and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation were used. Results: A total of 1556 studies were found, of which eight studies met the inclusion criteria. All eight studies evaluated periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss; plaque and gingival inflammation were evaluated in seven studies. High variety of omega-3 dosage, different study lengths, questionable results from periodontal therapy (including test and control groups), high risk of bias and moderate quality of evidence prevented a satisfactory conclusion regarding the benefits of omega-3 supplementation. The studies’ high heterogeneity avoided meta-analysis. Conclusion: Notwithstanding all limitations, the promising effects of omega-3 supplementation presented in two six-month studies encourage performing RCT with better-defined treatment protocols and greater methodological rigor.