Premature chromatid separation and altered proliferation of human leukocytes treated with vanadium (III) oxide

Vanadium is a widely distributed metal in the Earth’s surface and is released into the environment by either natural or anthropogenic causes. Vanadium (III) oxide (V₂O₃) is present in the environment, and many organisms are exposed to this compound; however, its effects at the cellular and genetic levels are still unknown. Therefore, in this study, the ability of V₂O₃ to induce chromosomal damage and impair cell proliferation was tested on human leukocytes in vitro. The cultures cells were treated for 48?h with different concentrations 2, 4, 8 or 16?μg/mL of V₂O₃, and we use the sister chromatid exchange’s (SCE) test and the viability assay to evaluate the effects.

In the results, no change was observed in either the viability or the frequency of SCE; however, a significant increase was observed in the incidence of premature chromatid separation (PCS), and a decrease was observed in both the mitotic index (MI) and the replication index (RI). Therefore, it can be suggested that V₂O₃ induces a genotoxic effect at the centromere level, indicating that it is a cause of aneuploidy that is capable of altering cell cycle progression.     

A multicenter study of levonorgestrel—Estradiol contraceptive vaginal rings II — Subjective and objective measures of effects: An international comparative trial

Comparative clinical trials of 2 sizes of contraceptive vaginal rings and of an oral contraceptive were undertaken at 8 investigational sites (9 clinics). More than 500 women enrolled on each of the 3 study regimens. Side effects of the rings and of Nordette,¹ the oral contraceptive, were evaluated by noting spontaneous complaints, by recording medications taken and by physical examination. Inquiries about changes in the frequency of specific conditions were made at the end of the subjects' participation in the first year of the study. The incidence of spontaneous complaints was similar among users of the 2 different-sized rings and of the pill. Vaginal and menstrual complaints were significantly more frequent among ring users. Headaches, dizziness and nausea were reported significantly more frequently by users of Nordette. All the regimens were associated with weight gain and increased hemoglobin levels. Nordette was associated with small but significant increases in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure.     

Endometriosis recto-sigmoidea: a propósito de un caso

Intestinal endometriosis is often asymptomatic and is diagnosed incidentally during laparotomy or laparoscopy performed for other reasons. When this entity is symptomatic, the clinical manifestations are usually nonspecific and identical to those of other gastrointestinal disorders. Intestinal endometriosis is not usually suspected preoperatively, except in patients with a history of endometriosis or cyclical manifestations coinciding with menstruation. Intestinal endometriosis may mimic various gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, ischemic colitis or even neoplasia. Diagnostic tests usually provide little information, but colonoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, echoendoscopy and especially biopsy may be useful for diagnosis and to rule out malignancy, mainly in rectosigmoidal lesions.     

Hydroxyl radical production in the substantia nigra after 6-hydroxydopamine and hypoxia-reoxygenation

To study the involvement of oxidative stress in 6-OHDA neurotoxicity, we investigated the production of the hydroxyl free radical (OH) in the substantia nigra (SN) and the striatum (CS) several moments after intranigral injection of the neurotoxin, with or without an added episode of hypoxia (30 min, 95% N₂, 5% O₂). We utilized the hydroxylation of salicylate to 2,3 dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3 DHBA) as indication of OH production. When 2.3 DHBA levels were not modified, the levels of 2,5 DHBA were taken as an indication of cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) metabolism. 6-OHDA alone did not increase the production of 2,3 DHBA in the SN. 2,5 DHBA increased significantly after 120 min and was high up to 24 h. An episode of hypoxia (60 min after 6-OHDA injection) significantly worsened the decrease of dopamine (DA) in the striatum assessed 8 days after injection of 6-OHDA in the SN. Hypoxia performed 60 min and 24 h before or 24 h after 6-OHDA did not show any additional effect on striatal DA levels. Contrary to results obtained after 6-OHDA alone, 2,3 DHBA increased significantly 120 min after the injection, when the hypoxia-reoxygenation was added to the 6-OHDA treatment. Our data are showing a relationship between the increase in OH production and a concomitant worsening of neuronal degeneration. As a whole, the results support the idea that neurons undergoing 6-OHDA neurotoxicity have their antioxidant defences affected and that oxidative stress is actually an important eliciting factor in 6-OHDA dependant neurodegeneration. However, OH may not be the main radical species involved in this process. Additionally, 6-OHDA also appeared to provoke a long-term increase in CYP 450 activity.     

José Barzelatto lecture: Vision on unsafe abortion

José Barzelatto first distinguished himself as a leader with a vision in his years as a medical student. Later, principally as Director of the Reproductive Health Program at the World Health Organization and of the Ford Foundation program for women's sexual and reproductive rights, he contributed immensely toward the recognition of women's sexual and reproductive rights as part of their basic human rights. José Barzelatto's vision on abortion reflects his drive to promote social justice and respect individual rights, respect diversity, and promote a social consensus for a peaceful society. He believed that the fetus has moral value and did not accept abortion as a method of fertility control, but understood that abortion is a social phenomenon that cannot be changed with legal or moral condemnation. He accepted that condemning women who abort does not prevent abortion, is unfair, and causes great human suffering at a high social cost. José proposed nine points to form the basis for an overlapping consensus on abortion, on which to base a practical consensus that would allow societies to reduce the number of abortions and minimize their consequences. If we can agree on all or most of those points we would achieve the common objectives of: fewer women confronting the dilemma of how to deal with an unwanted pregnancy; fewer induced abortions; and fewer women suffering the consequences of unsafe abortion.     

Vaginal safety after use of a bioadhesive, acid-buffering, microbicidal contraceptive gel (ACIDFORM) and a 2% nonoxynol-9 product

BACKGROUND: ACIDFORM is a microbicidal and contraceptive candidate with strong buffering capacity. METHODS: This was a Phase I blinded, randomized and crossover clinical study on two products, ACIDFORM and a commercial nonoxynol-9 (N-9) product (2%), evaluating their vaginal safety in 20 couples aged between 19 and 45 years. The women had regular menses, underwent previous tubal ligation, were not breast-feeding, had no vaginal sign and symptom and were in a stable partnership; both partners had no previous STI. Colposcopy, vaginal microbiology, inflammation markers and subject complaints were studied after coitus. Women were randomly assigned sequentially to receive ACIDFORM 0-30 min (0-30 min before intercourse), ACIDFORM 8-10 h (8-10 h before intercourse) or N-9 0-30 min after a control cycle. RESULTS: Mild/moderate vulvar irritation was observed in five postcoital test colposcopies, burning and pruritus were reported in six treated cycles and non-irritation-related symptoms were found in five cycles with different treatments. No difference in vaginal pH, Nugent scores, H2O2-producing lactobacillus or leukocytes and interleukin 6 in the cervicovaginal lavage was found between the treatment and control cycles. CONCLUSIONS: ACIDFORM appears to be safe for clinical use once a day. There is a potential spermicidal-microbicidal role for ACIDFORM as a vaginal flora helper or as a vehicle for products, except N-9.     

Construction of an Integrated Surgical Suite in a Military Treatment Facility

The OR has long existed as a highly specialized and distinct entity within a hospital. Recent technological advances have allowed the OR to be seamlessly integrated with the larger hospital and, in a virtual sense, with the world.The modern, integrated OR can enhance patients' surgical experiences, improve surgeons' control of OR technology, and increase OR efficiency by reducing surgical times.The Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California, is one of the first military health care systems in the southwest to build a fully integrated, voice-controlled OR. The renovation project transformed 12 ORs into fully integrated surgical suites. AORN J 89 (January 2009) 151-159. © AORN, Inc, 2009.     

Factors associated with safe sex among public school students in Minas Gerais, Brazil

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate factors associated with safe sex among sexually active public school students in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The study focused on correlations between the variables gender, age, schooling, current grade, ethnicity, religion, importance attributed to religion, mothers' education, prior exposure to any sex education, promotion of juvenile protagonism, and participation by health professionals in school activities and consistent condom use with casual or stable partners and with use of other modern contraceptive methods. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. Male gender and participation by health professionals in school activities were positively associated with all indicators of safe sex, and maternal schooling of more than eight years was positively associated with consistent condom use with casual and stable partners. Secondary (versus elementary) schooling and age (older) were inversely associated with consistent condom use with casual and stable partners, respectively. Ascribing greater importance to religion and Evangelical religion were negatively associated with use of modern contraceptives in the last sexual intercourse.