Volatolome of the Female Genitourinary Area: Toward the Metabolome of Cervical Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Different Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) obtained from several human fluids (volatolome) has been reported as potential biomarkers for a great variety of diseases including cancer. At present, volatolomic profile data of the female genital area is scarce. METHODS: To identify the VOCs related to the female genitourinary area of healthy and Cervical Cancer (CC)-affected women used a pad, as a non-invasive tool for sample gathering was necessary. Used pads were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The data were subjected to Principal Component Analysis looking for a possible spectrum of VOCs that could help identify CC-affected patients. The diagnostic role of the VOCs was validated through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. The area below the curve and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity values were also evaluated. RESULTS: The data showed great differences between female cancer and healthy patients groups; most of these VOCs belonging to the alkanes chemical classes. A group of VOCs were identified as common among CC patients, while others VOCs for healthy females. The ROC curve showed an optimal reach to diagnosis (89%), returning a 93% rate for sensitivity and specificity, indicating the VOCs identified in the samples could differentiate cancer patients from healthy females. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we have detected and identified specific VOCs from healthy women that are not present in CC-affected females and VOCs specific of CC-affected women. We are strengthening our findings to aid in the detection of VOCs that are potential biomarkers for cervical tumors.

Correlation and agreement between depressive symptoms in children and their parent's perception / Correlación y concordancia entre síntomas depresivos en niños y su percepción por los padres

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Childhood depression is a disease that is becoming more frequent. Few reports address parental perception of children depressive symptoms, and these studies have not been carried out in community samples. Objective: To evaluate the correlation and agreement of depressive symptoms in school-age children, and their parent's perception about emotional and conduct abnormalities. Method: A transversal study was performed in 284 children who filled a Children Depression Inventory. One of their parents filled a Strengths and Difficulty Questionnaire, and correlation between scores and subcomponent scores were assessed. Agreement between presence of depressive symptoms in children and their parent's perception of abnormal emotional and/or conduct reports was also obtained. Results: 47 children were identified with depressive symptoms. We found moderate correlation between scores. We did not find agreement between the presence of depressive symptoms in the children and the report of emotional and conduct abnormalities by parents. Discussion and conclusion: There is a modest correlation between depressive symptom severity and parental perception of abnormal emotions and/or behaviors. We found no evidence of agreement between these domains in our study, which suggests that parents fail to perceive negative emotions or conducts as depressive symptoms in their children. Parental reports should be addressed by healthcare workers, and their emotional significance should be interpreted. An intentional search of depressive symptomatology in children should be a priority.

RESUMEN: Introducción: La prevalencia de la depresión infantil está al alza. Pocos estudios han evaluado la percepción parental de los síntomas depresivos en niños, y los que se han realizado no han sido replicados en la comunidad. Objetivo: Evaluar la correlación y la concordancia entre los síntomas depresivos en niños de edad escolar con la percepción de sus padres sobre problemas emocionales y conductas anormales. Método: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 284 niños que contestaron el Inventario de Depresión Infantil y se compararon los puntajes con el Cuestionario de Fortalezas y Dificultades que llenó uno de los padres. Se evaluó la correlación entre los puntajes totales y por sub-escalas, así como la concordancia entre la presencia de puntajes sugestivos de depresión infantil y la percepción parental de emociones y conductas anormales. Resultados: 47 niños fueron identificados con puntajes indicativos de sintomatología depresiva. Encontramos correlación moderada entre los puntajes de las escalas. No encontramos concordancia entre la presencia de síntomas depresivos y el reporte parental de emociones o conductas anormales. Discusión y conclusión: Existe correlación entre la severidad de los síntomas depresivos y la percepción parental de emociones y conductas anormales. No encontramos concordancia entre ambas mediciones, lo cual sugiere que los padres fallan al identificar las conductas y emociones anormales de sus hijos como los síntomas depresivos. Los reportes de los padres deben ser tomados en cuenta y ser interpretados por el personal de salud. La búsqueda intencionada de síntomas depresivos en niños debe ser parte fundamental del proceso de cuidado de esta población.

Metabolic syndrome in Argentine women: ATPIII, IDF, IDF/AHA/NHLBI; what criterion should be used?

INTRODUCTION: The menopause and the metabolic syndrome (MS) are related with the increase of the risk of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the existence of metabolic risk factors and the prevalence of MS in pre- and post-menopausal women. SUBJECTS: 253 women: 120 pre-menopausal and 133 post-menopausal. Anthropometric, arterial pressure and waist circumference measurements were carried out. Glycaemia, lipids, creatinine, hepatogram, uric acid and thyroid-stimulating hormone were dosed. RESULTS: Statistical higher registries of arterial pressure, levels of glycaemia, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides and TG/high-density lipoprotein relation were observed among post-menopausal patients. As regards this group, the MS diagnosis was considerably higher, being the same by all the criteria. CONCLUSIONS: We found more prevalence of cardiometabolic and MS risk factors among the group of post-menopausal patients. The responsible mechanisms would respond to the secondary hypoestrogenaemia at the cease of the ovarian function. Because of this fact, menopausal women should be considered a risk group for the development of MS.