Changes in lower urinary tract function after minimally invasive nerve-sparing for complete excision of endometriosis: An observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this paper is to evaluate changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), severity of pain and urodynamic parameters after minimally invasive nerve-sparing surgery for patients with endometriosis. METHODS: We analyzed 143 patients undergoing minimally invasive nerve-sparing surgery for endometriosis excision (laparoscopy/robot-assisted). The endometriosis was confirmed by preoperative clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing at least one lesion deeper than 5 mm, and histological confirmation after laparoscopy. We evaluated three points prior and after surgery: LUTS parameters according to the International Urogynecological Association; urodynamic measures of storage and voiding and the severity of the dyspareunia, dyschezia and dysmenorrhea assessed on a self-reported 11-point numeric rating scale. The Wilcoxon signed rank and McNemar tests were used for statistical analyses (p < 0.05). RESULTS: We observed significant improvements in LUTS after the surgery with postoperative symptom-free probabilities in urgency (64.5%), daytime frequency (38.5%), and dysuria (87.1%). However, slow stream prevalence increased significantly postsurgery (p = 0.022), with a 20.5% risk of asymptomatic patients developing this symptom. Urodynamic responses varied; for instance, maximum cystometric capacity improved significantly (p = 0.004), while postvoiding residual worsened (p = 0.006). Significant worsening in postvoiding residual occurred in women with normal preoperative values (p = 0.002), with a 17.7% risk of normal values becoming abnormal. Compliance or maximum cystometric capacity not considered normal preoperatively showed significant improvements (p < 0.001), but the risk of normal values becoming abnormal after surgery was 14.5%. CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive nerve-sparing surgery for endometriosis excision shows improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms, urodynamics parameters and severity of pain. The majority of patients became asymptomatic in the postoperative period. When compared to the benefits of the patients' surgical treatment, particularly when considering the reduction of pain, the risks of the lower urinary tract treatment seem to be acceptable. The surgical intervention seems to be a safe alternative in patients with endometriosis, although studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.

Urological knowledge and tools applied to diagnosis and surgery in deep infiltrating endometriosis - a narrative review

ABSTRACT Objectives: This review discusses deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) diagnosis and surgery using current urological knowledge and technologies. Materials and Methods: Narrative review of deep infiltrating endometriosis that result in urological issues. We examined manuscripts from Pubmed, Embase, and Scielo's database using the following MeSH terms: ('endometriosis') AND ('urology' OR 'urological' OR 'urologist') AND ('bladder' OR'vesical') AND ('ureteral' OR 'ureter'). Selection followed PRISMA guidelines. Sample images from our records were brought to endorse the findings. Results: Thirty four related articles were chosen from 105. DIE may affect the urinary system in 52.6% of patients. Lower urinary tract symptoms may require urodynamic examination. Ultrasonography offers strong statistical yields for detecting urinary tract lesions or distortions, but magnetic resonance will confirm the diagnosis. Cystoscopy can detect active lesions, although any macroscopic visual appeal is pathognomonic. Endourology is utilized intraoperatively for bladder and ureteral assessment, however transurethral endoscopic excision of bladder lesions had higher recurrence rates. Laparoscopy is the route of choice for treatment; partial cystectomy, and bladder shaving were the most prevalent surgical treatments for bladder endometriosis. Regarding the ureteral treatment, the simple ureterolysis and complex reconstructive techniques were described in most papers. Using anatomical landmarks or neuronavigation, pelvic surgical systematization allows intraoperative neural structure identification. Conclusions: DIE in the urinary system is common, however the number of publications with high level of evidence is limited. The initial tools for diagnosis are ultrasonography and cystoscopy, but magnetic resonance is the most reliable tool. When the patient has voiding symptoms, the urodynamic examination is crucial. Laparoscopy improves lesion detection and anatomical understanding. This approach must be carried out by professionals with high expertise, since the surgery goes beyond the resection of lesions and includes the preservation of nerve structures and urinary tract reconstruction techniques.

Diazotrophic bacteria improve Hymenaea courbaril seedlings growth and survival in iron mine tailings.

One of the largest accidents with mine tailings happened in Brazil in 2015, with the rupture of the Fundão dam, and the physical characteristics of these tailings make it difficult to recover degraded areas. Hymenaea courbaril is a tree species native to Brazil that has low nutritional and water requirements, besides its capacity for survival in contaminated environments. In this study we hypothesized that inoculation with diazotrophs would improve the growth and physiology of H. courbaril in tailings, favoring the reforestation process aiming the recovery of the accident site. Every 20 days for 60 days, we investigated the morphophysiology of H. courbaril grown in iron mine tailings or soil, with the addition of nitrate (N-positive control), non-inoculation (negative control) or inoculation with native diazotrophic bacteria previously isolated from the tailings (UNIFENAS100-569; UNIFENAS100-654 and UNIFENAS100-638). We found that H. courbaril has survival capacity under mine tailings, with no growth alteration in the tailings, although there were signs of reduced ability for photoprotective responses. Inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria improved physiological aspects of H. courbaril and strain UNIFENAS100-638 was the most effective in favoring total growth of plants, net photosynthetic rate and root morphology under mine tailings. The survival capacity and growth of H. courbaril indicates the possibility of its use for reforestation in areas degraded by mine tailings. Further studies are necessary in field conditions and with a larger experimental period to more thoroughly understand H. courbaril tolerance.

Neural tube defects and uterus development in human fetuses.

One of the most common malformations of the central nervous system is related to embryonic neural tube alterations. We hypothesized that anencephaly affects the development of the uterus during the human second trimester of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to study the biometric parameters of the uterus in fetuses with anencephaly and compare them with normocephalic fetuses at that important. In our study, 34 female fetuses were analyzed, 22 normal and 12 anencephalic, aged between 12 and 22 weeks post-conception (WPC). After dissection of the pelvis and individualization of the genital tract, we evaluated the length and width of the uterus using the Image J software. We compared the means statistically using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and performed linear regression. We identify significant differences between the uterus length (mm)/weight (g) × 100 (p = 0.0046) and uterus width (mm)/weight (g) × 100 (p = 0.0013) when we compared the control with the anencephalic group. The linear regression analysis indicated that 80% significance was found in the correlations in normocephalic fetuses (12.9 to 22.6 WPC) and 40% significance in anencephalic fetuses (12.3 to 18.6 WPC). The measurements of the uterus were greater in anencephalic group but there are no difference in the uterine width and length growth curves during the period studied. Further studies are required to support the hypothesis suggesting that anencephaly may affect uterine development during the human fetal period.

Study of the renal Parenchymal volume during the human fetal period.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the renal parenchymal area in human fetuses, providing a descriptive analysis on the renal area development by demographic factors during the second gestational trimester. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 84 fetuses (44 males and 40 females), for a total of 168 renal units evaluated in terms of longitudinal length, superior pole width, inferior pole width and thickness. Renal volume was calculated by ellipsoid formula. After renal pelvis dissection, length and width were evaluated; as pelvis is free of urine, we considered thickness as 1mm. Renal pelvis volume was also calculated by ellipsoid formula. Renal parenchymal area was assessed by excluding the volume of the renal pelvis from the total renal volume. We performed the statistical analysis by simple linear regression assessing the association between the variables analyzed with the fetal age. RESULTS: Gestational age ranged from 12 to 23 weeks post conception. Mean renal parenchymal area of the right kidney was 666.22mm3 (45.86 to 2375.35mm3) and for the left kidney was 606.76mm3 (68.63 to 2402.57mm3). No statistical difference was observed between the sides (p-value = 0.3456) or genders (p-value = 0.07429). Linear regression between renal parenchymal volume and gestational age was positive for right kidney (y = 133.74x-1479.94 / r² = 0.4009) and left kidney (y = 149.53x-1761.59 / r² = 0.4591). CONCLUSIONS: The linear regression analysis indicated that renal parenchymal area correlated significantly and positively with fetal age, weight and crown-rump length with no statistical differences between gender or laterality. These growth curves provide a reference for functional volume of the kidney during fetal period.

Study of the renal parenchymal volume during the human fetal period

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the renal parenchymal area in human fetuses, providing a descriptive analysis on the renal area development by demographic factors during the second gestational trimester. Material and Methods: We analyzed 84 fetuses (44 males and 40 females), for a total of 168 renal units evaluated in terms of longitudinal length, superior pole width, inferior pole width and thickness. Renal volume was calculated by ellipsoid formula. After renal pelvis dissection, length and width were evaluated; as pelvis is free of urine, we considered thickness as 1mm. Renal pelvis volume was also calculated by ellipsoid formula. Renal parenchymal area was assessed by excluding the volume of the renal pelvis from the total renal volume. We performed the statistical analysis by simple linear regression assessing the association between the variables analyzed with the fetal age. Results: Gestational age ranged from 12 to 23 weeks post conception. Mean renal parenchymal area of the right kidney was 666.22mm3 (45.86 to 2375.35mm3) and for the left kidney was 606.76mm3 (68.63 to 2402.57mm3). No statistical difference was observed between the sides (p-value = 0.3456) or genders (p-value = 0.07429). Linear regression between renal parenchymal volume and gestational age was positive for right kidney (y = 133.74x-1479.94 / r2 = 0.4009) and left kidney (y = 149.53x-1761.59 / r2 = 0.4591). Conclusions: The linear regression analysis indicated that renal parenchymal area correlated significantly and positively with fetal age, weight and crown-rump length with no statistical differences between gender or laterality. These growth curves provide a reference for functional volume of the kidney during fetal period.

Oftalmia simpática / Sympathetic ophthalmia

Resumo Relatar um caso de um paciente portador de Oftalmia Simpática (OS), com descolamento seroso da retina documentado através de tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio spectral (SD OCT), indocianina verde (ICG) e angiofluoreceinografia (AGF), que o diagnóstico foi realizado em uma consulta de rotina e iniciado tratamento clínico .

Abstract To report the case of a patient with sympathetic ophthalmia (OS), with serous detachment of retinal documented by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), indocyanine green (ICG) and angiofluorecephography (AGF). The diagnosis was made in a routine consultation and clinical treatment was initiated.

Comparisons of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness changes after macular hole surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare postoperative changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with macular holes treated with vitrectomy with Brilliant Blue-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling. METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 20 patients with macular holes were studied. Each eye was selected to undergo Brilliant Blue-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling. The circumferential retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was determined using spectral domain optical coherence tomography preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively. Mean overall and sectoral retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses were obtained for each patient. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p≥0.05) between the pre- and post-treatment measurements in relation to each CFN variable, i.e., on average, pre-treatment measures were the same as post-treatment measures. Furthermore, despite the differences between the pre- and post-treatment measures always being positive (pre-post >0), they are not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed no significant decrease in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements after macular holes surgery, regardless of age or sex.

Comparisons of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness changes after macular hole surgery / Comparação nas alterações da espessura da camada de fibras nervosas retinianas após cirurgia de buraco macular

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare postoperative changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with macular holes treated with vitrectomy with Brilliant Blue-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling. Methods: Twenty-two eyes of 20 patients with macular holes were studied. Each eye was selected to undergo Brilliant Blue-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling. The circumferential retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was determined using spectral domain optical coherence tomography preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively. Mean overall and sectoral retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses were obtained for each patient. Results: There was no statistically significant difference (p≥0.05) between the pre- and post-treatment measurements in relation to each CFN variable, i.e., on average, pre-treatment measures were the same as post-treatment measures. Furthermore, despite the differences between the pre- and post-treatment measures always being positive (pre-post >0), they are not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study showed no significant decrease in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements after macular holes surgery, regardless of age or sex.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar as alterações pós-operatórias na espessura da camada de fibras nervosas da retina em pacientes com buracos maculares submetidos à vitrectomia via pars-plana associada à remoção de membrana limitante interna. Métodos: Foram estudados 22 olhos de 20 pacientes consecutivos diagnosticados com buraco macular. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à vitrectomia via pars-plana e remoção de membrana limitante interna corada com azul brilhante. A espessura da camada de fibras nervosas da retina em região peripapilar foi determinada por tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral antes e 2 meses após a cirurgia. As espessuras totais e espessuras setoriais da camada de fibras nervosas da retina foram obtidas para cada paciente. Resultados: Os resultados mostram que não existe diferença estatisticamente significativa (p≥0,05) entre as medidas pré e pós-operatórias em relação a cada uma das variáveis. Conclusão: Este estudo não demonstrou diminuição significativa nas medidas da espessura da camada de fibras nervosas retinianas após a cirurgia de buraco macular, independente da faixa etária ou sexo.

Notas sobre autonomia e desqualificação social de mulheres prostitutas / Notas sobre la autonomía y la descalificación social de mujeres prostitutas / Notes on autonomy and social disqualification of women prostitutes

Resumo Os discursos que concebem as prostitutas como vítimas são tensionados, por elas, pela recorrente afirmação de suas autonomias. A pesquisa aqui apresentada se deu a partir de imersão na Zona Boêmia da Rua Guaicurus, na cidade de Belo Horizonte, e de entrevistas com oito mulheres prostitutas. Apresentamos alguns mecanismos psicossociais que impedem o acesso das prostitutas ao circuito instituído de reconhecimento social, analisando a associação desses mecanismos com experiências de enfrentamento e resistência a dinâmicas de desqualificação social. As narrativas das prostitutas entrevistadas nos dão pistas de que suas trajetórias se constroem entre sujeição e resistência à sujeição, heteronomia e afirmação de autonomia. A ambiguidade das dinâmicas sociais lhes permite interpelar os efeitos destrutivos da subalternidade e, como efeito disso, elas disseminam no tecido social outros saberes sobre suas condições de vida.

Resumen Los discursos que conciben a las prostitutas como víctimas son tensados por ellas por la demandante afirmación de sus autonomías. La investigación aquí presentada se dio a partir de inmersión en la Zona Bohemia de la calle Guaicurus, en la ciudad de Belo Horizonte, y de entrevistas con ocho mujeres prostitutas. Presentamos algunos mecanismos psicosociales que impiden el acceso de las prostitutas al circuito instituido de reconocimiento social, analizando la asociación de esos mecanismos con experiencias de enfrentamiento y resistencia a dinámicas de descalificación social. Las narrativas de las prostitutas entrevistadas nos dan pistas de que sus trayectorias se construyen entre sujeción y resistencia a la sujeción, heteronomía y afirmación de autonomía. La ambigüedad de las dinámicas sociales les permite interpelar los efectos destructivos de la subalternidad y, como efecto, diseminan en el tejido social otros saberes sobre sus condiciones de vida.

Abstract The discourses that conceive prostitutes as victims are strained by them by through the recurrent affirmation of their autonomies. The research presented here came from immersion in the Bohemian Zone of Guaicurus Street, in the city of Belo Horizonte, and from interviews with eight female prostitutes. We present some psychosocial mechanisms that prevent the access of prostitutes to the established circuit of social recognition, analyzing the association of these mechanisms with experiences of coping and resistance to dynamics of social disqualification. The narratives of the interviewed prostitutes give us clues that their trajectories are built between subjection and resistance to subjection, heteronomy and affirmation of autonomy. The ambiguity of social dynamics allows them to question the destructive effects of subalternity and, as a result, they disseminate in the social fabric other knowledge about their living conditions.

Can renal stone size and the use of the nephrolithometric system increase the efficacy of predicting the risk of failure of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy?

OBJECTIVE: to verify the association of success rate of percutaneous lithotripsy, Guy score and size of the stone. METHODS: one hundred patients submitted to percutaneous nephrolithotripsy were evaluated. All stones were classified according to Guy Score. Patient free of stone was considered when residual fragments were ≤2mm. RESULTS: according to guy Score, 54% were score 1 (Group 1), 18% score 2 (Group 2), 15% score 3 (Group 3), and 13% score 4 (Group 4). Success was observed in 77.77% in Group 1, 27.77% in group 2, 26.6% in Group 3, and 7.69% in Group 4. In patients with Guy score 1, there was statistical significance of prediction of free stone rate when evaluated according to the size of the stone. Among groups 2, 3 and 4 there was no statistical significance, but it was observed a trend in relation to stone size, the bigger the higher the chance of residual fragments. CONCLUSION: nephrolithometry by Guy Score and size of the stone are single predictors of success of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Stone size may influence success rate of patients with Guy Score 1.

Can renal stone size and the use of the nephrolithometric system increase the efficacy of predicting the risk of failure of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy? / O tamanho do cálculo renal e o uso do sistema nefrolitométrico podem aumentar a eficácia de predizer o risco de falha de nefrolitotripsia percutânea?

ABSTRACT Objective : to verify the association of success rate of percutaneous lithotripsy, Guy score and size of the stone. Methods: one hundred patients submitted to percutaneous nephrolithotripsy were evaluated. All stones were classified according to Guy Score. Patient free of stone was considered when residual fragments were ≤2mm. Results: according to guy Score, 54% were score 1 (Group 1), 18% score 2 (Group 2), 15% score 3 (Group 3), and 13% score 4 (Group 4). Success was observed in 77.77% in Group 1, 27.77% in group 2, 26.6% in Group 3, and 7.69% in Group 4. In patients with Guy score 1, there was statistical significance of prediction of free stone rate when evaluated according to the size of the stone. Among groups 2, 3 and 4 there was no statistical significance, but it was observed a trend in relation to stone size, the bigger the higher the chance of residual fragments. Conclusion: nephrolithometry by Guy Score and size of the stone are single predictors of success of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Stone size may influence success rate of patients with Guy Score 1.

RESUMO Objetivo: verificar a associação entre taxa de sucesso de nefrolitotripsia percutânea, escore de Guy e tamanho do cálculo. Métodos: foram avaliados 100 pacientes submetidos à nefrolitotripsia percutânea. Todos os cálculos foram classificados de acordo com o escore de Guy. Consideramos o paciente livre de cálculos quando os fragmentos residuais fossem menores ou iguais a 2mm. Resultados: de acordo com o escore de Guy, 54% tinham escore 1 (Grupo 1), 18% escore 2 (Grupo 2), 15% escore 3 (Grupo 3) e 13% escore 4 (Grupo 4) . Houve resolução de 77,77% no grupo 1, de 27,77% no grupo 2, de 26,6% no grupo 3 e de 7,69% no grupo 4. Houve significância estatística para predição de taxa livre de cálculos entre os pacientes com escore de Guy 1 quando avaliados de acordo com o tamanho do cálculo. Entre os grupos 2, 3 e 4 não houve significância estatística, porém observamos tendência de que quanto maior o tamanho do cálculo, maior a chance de cálculo residual. Conclusão: a nefrolitometria pelo Escore de Guy e o tamanho do cálculo são preditores isolados para avaliação de sucesso da nefrolitotripsia percutânea. O tamanho do cálculo pode influenciar a taxa de sucesso de pacientes com Escore de Guy 1.

Fulminant proliferative vitreoretinopathy in syphilitic uveitis.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis is a reemerging sexually transmitted disease that can lead to any type of intraocular inflammation. Prognosis of syphilitic uveitis after appropriate therapy is classically regarded as favorable. However, visual threatening complications may develop, rarely including rhegmatogenous/tractional retinal detachment (R/T RD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. FINDINGS: We report 4 patients presenting with complex R/T RD and fulminant proliferative vitreoretinopathy despite treatment among 19 patients with syphilitic posterior uveitis consecutively seen at our uveitis service. Most of these complications occurred during or shortly after antibiotic therapy. All patients presented with significant intraocular inflammation, including vitritis, occlusive retinal vasculitis, and retinal infiltrates (necrotizing retinochoroiditis in six eyes of four patients). Two patients (50 %) tested HIV positive, and the same proportion had inadvertently received high dose oral ± intravenous corticosteroids prior to diagnosis of syphilis. Two patients (three eyes) underwent RD surgical repair. Histopathology of an excised epiretinal membrane disclosed fibroglial tissue, with immature glial cells and metaplastic retinal pigment epithelium, admixed with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilitic uveitis may be complicated by complex RD/fulminant fibroglial proliferation, occurring during/after treatment. Predisposing factors are currently unknown but may include prior use of corticosteroid, necrotizing retinitis and/or high spirochaetal load. A significant inflammatory component may underlie this fulminant fibroglial proliferation, being possibly amenable to modulation by aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy delivered concurrently with parenteral antibiotics.