Lactancia y transmisión madre-hijo del VIH en niños nacidos en las Maternidades Municipales de Rosario de 1999 a 2010 / Breastfeeding and mother-child transmission of HIV in infants born in maternity hospitals of Rosario Municipal 1999 to 2010

Se revisaron los casos de infección por VIH-1 ocurridos entre niños nacidos en maternidades municipales de Rosario, de 1999 a 2010 notificados al 30 de noviembre de 2011 para identificar el rol jugado por la lactancia materna. Se hallaron 12 casos entre 71.283 partos, de los cuales 479 fueron parturientas VIH positivas. hubo 6 mujeres con serología/s negativas previas o al momento del parto, diagnosticadas como VIH positivas meintras amamantaban sus hijos que resultaron infectados. Se proponen criterios para definir la posibilidad de la asociación. Nombramos estas madres como seroconvertidoras al VIH perinatales con diagnóstico intralactancia. Diez casos mostraron asociación con uso de drogas. La Tasa de Transmisión Vertical hallada fue 2,47 %, y podría reducirse aún más con el diagnóstico de VIH precoz durante la lactancia materna. Proponemos comunicar este problema y promover pruebas de VIH asesoradas ofrecidas regularmente desde los servicios a mujeres que amamantan y sus parejas.

Lactancia y transmisión madre-hijo del VIH en niños nacidos en las Maternidades Municipales de Rosario de 1999 a 2010 / Breastfeeding and mother-child transmission of HIV in infants born in maternity hospitals of Rosario Municipal 1999 to 2010

Se revisaron los casos de infección por VIH-1 ocurridos entre niños nacidos en maternidades municipales de Rosario, de 1999 a 2010 notificados al 30 de noviembre de 2011 para identificar el rol jugado por la lactancia materna. Se hallaron 12 casos entre 71.283 partos, de los cuales 479 fueron parturientas VIH positivas. hubo 6 mujeres con serología/s negativas previas o al momento del parto, diagnosticadas como VIH positivas meintras amamantaban sus hijos que resultaron infectados. Se proponen criterios para definir la posibilidad de la asociación. Nombramos estas madres como seroconvertidoras al VIH perinatales con diagnóstico intralactancia. Diez casos mostraron asociación con uso de drogas. La Tasa de Transmisión Vertical hallada fue 2,47 %, y podría reducirse aún más con el diagnóstico de VIH precoz durante la lactancia materna. Proponemos comunicar este problema y promover pruebas de VIH asesoradas ofrecidas regularmente desde los servicios a mujeres que amamantan y sus parejas.(AU)

Lactancia y transmisión madre-hijo del VIH en niños nacidos en las Maternidades Municipales de Rosario de 1999 a 2010 / Breastfeeding and mother-child transmission of HIV in infants born in maternity hospitals of Rosario Municipal 1999 to 2010

Se revisaron los casos de infección por VIH-1 ocurridos entre niños nacidos en maternidades municipales de Rosario, de 1999 a 2010 notificados al 30 de noviembre de 2011 para identificar el rol jugado por la lactancia materna. Se hallaron 12 casos entre 71.283 partos, de los cuales 479 fueron parturientas VIH positivas. hubo 6 mujeres con serología/s negativas previas o al momento del parto, diagnosticadas como VIH positivas meintras amamantaban sus hijos que resultaron infectados. Se proponen criterios para definir la posibilidad de la asociación. Nombramos estas madres como seroconvertidoras al VIH perinatales con diagnóstico intralactancia. Diez casos mostraron asociación con uso de drogas. La Tasa de Transmisión Vertical hallada fue 2,47 %, y podría reducirse aún más con el diagnóstico de VIH precoz durante la lactancia materna. Proponemos comunicar este problema y promover pruebas de VIH asesoradas ofrecidas regularmente desde los servicios a mujeres que amamantan y sus parejas.(AU)

New approach in vaginal prolapse repair: mini-invasive surgery associated with application of platelet-rich fibrin.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) matrix is an autologous leukocyte and PRF biomaterial. PRF is a fibrin matrix polymerized in a tetramolecular structure with the incorporation of platelets, leukocytes, cytokines, and circulating stem cells. The three-dimensional structure of PRF is optimal for migration of endothelial cells and fibroblasts. It permits rapid angiogenesis and easier remodeling of fibrin in a more resistant connective matrix. In vaginal surgery, PRF may act as a graft material with better healing and better functional outcome. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study on ten consecutive women requiring surgery for prolapse recurrence (stage II or higher). These women had high risks for recurrence, erosion with graft materials, and intraoperative and postoperative complications with traditional pelvic reconstructive surgical procedures. ICS score and P-QoL Questionnaire results were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Surgery consisted of anterior, posterior, or apical repair plus PRF. Follow-up was performed at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. RESULTS: Anatomically, the success rate was 80%. Prolapse symptoms improved by 100%. Sexual activity increased by 20% without dyspareunia. The surgical time was satisfactory (mean, 38.5 min). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PRF for site-specific prolapse repair is associated with a good functional outcome because of the healing and mechanical properties of PRF.

Hysterectomy and women satisfaction: total versus subtotal technique.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of different surgical procedures on women's satisfaction after hysterectomy is a topical issue. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sub-total and total hysterectomy on women's satisfaction, evaluated with questionnaire assessment of sexual activity, body image, and health status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized, non-blind study was conducted. In the study period of 3 years, 105 women were enrolled and completed the questionnaires [EuroQol (EQ-5D), body image scale (BIS), sexual activity questionnaire] 2 weeks before and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: Both total and sub-total hysterectomy resulted with improvements in the women's sexual satisfaction (1 year after surgery), but no statistically significant differences were reached between the two groups. A highly significant difference (P < 0.001) in the perception of the body image between total and sub-total hysterectomy, at 1 year after surgery, was underlined. The health-related quality of life resulted significantly better in the "sub-total hysterectomy" group 1 year after surgery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering these results, why should a total hysterectomy be performed, if the women's satisfaction seems to be higher using the sub-total technique? In our opinion, the woman undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions must be counseled regarding the differences between the two techniques and, when possible, a choice must be offered to the woman.

Penetration of prulifloxacin into gynaecological tissues after single and repeated oral administrations.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the penetration into gynaecological tissues of ulifloxacin, the active metabolite of prulifloxacin, a once-daily fluoroquinolone administered once or in repeated doses. METHODS: This was an open-label, randomised study that included 20 consenting female inpatients (age range 40-65 years) requiring total simple hysterectomy as a result of benign disease. Three groups of patients were enrolled: group A (four patients whose gynaecological tissue samples were used to set up the bioanalytical method); group B (eight patients treated 3 hours before surgery with one 600 mg tablet of prulifloxacin); group C (eight patients treated with prulifloxacin 600 mg once daily for 3 days and undergoing surgery 3 hours after the last dose). Patients to be treated with prulifloxacin were randomly allocated to group B or C. During surgery, samples of blood were collected jointly with healthy tissue removed from the endometrium, proximal fallopian tube, vaginal posterior fornix and portio vaginalis. Ulifloxacin concentrations in plasma and gynaecological tissues were determined by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) bioanalytical method. An intrastudy assessment of the bioanalytical method performance was also conducted for plasma and tissues using calibration and quality control data (spiked samples). RESULTS: Ulifloxacin mean concentrations were always higher in group C than in group B patients, both in plasma (0.76 vs 0.53 microg/mL) and in gynaecological tissues, namely fallopian tube (1.38 vs 0.81 microg/g), posterior fornix (1.48 vs 1.05 microg/g), portio vaginalis (1.46 vs 1.45 microg/g) and endometrium (2.20 vs 1.39 microg/g), as expected after repeated drug administrations. Tissue concentrations observed after repeated administrations were generally higher than the ulifloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations for pathogens more frequently involved in gynaecological bacterial infections. The mean tissue/plasma ratios ranged between 1.5 and almost 3. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are promising but not fully predictive of clinical or microbiological efficacy for prulifloxacin. There is a need for appropriate clinical trials confirming that prulifloxacin is a useful therapeutic tool in patients with gynaecological bacterial infections.

A new technique to obtain endometrial directed biopsy during sonohysterography: the NiGo device.

The primary goal of the clinical evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding is to establish a specific diagnosis in the most efficient and least invasive manner possible. Hysteroscopy (HS) allows physicians to obtain directed biopsy in addition to direct visualization of the uterine cavity and lesions, but often requires ambulatory surgery centers and some anesthesia, or can potentially result in significant patient discomfort. Sonohysterography (SHG) is less invasive than HS but does not allow a histologic sample. A new technique, called the Nicoletti-Gorlero (NiGo) device, was developed and evaluated to obtain histologic results during SHG. This study is a prospective, observational evaluation between the NiGo device technique and standard HS to obtain endometrial samples. The NiGo device was used to obtain an endometrial sample during SHG in 18 women. In a subsequent session, HS was performed to verify the results. From January 2005 through November 2005 both procedures (SHG + biopsy and HS) were performed on 18 patients. The SHG procedures using the NiGo forcep were performed successfully on 15 out of 18 women, and the endometrial sample was obtained in 14 out of 15 patients. In one patient, the endometrial biopsy obtained provided too little tissue to accomplish histologic evaluation. All 13 pathologic results obtained with the NiGo device were identical with those subsequently obtained with HS. The office-based HS procedure was not successful in two women; in these women, an HS procedure performed in the operating room was necessary. The NiGo device technique allows the physician to obtain sonographic-guided biopsies of the entire endometrium during SHG. The technique is less invasive compared with HS. In our small series, there were no complications during the procedure.

HER2/neu oncoprotein overexpression in epithelial ovarian cancer: evaluation of its prevalence and prognostic significance. Clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: The HER2/neu proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane receptor protein involved in the development and progression of the majority of cancers. Prior studies have shown that HER2/neu oncogene is overexpressed in approximately 15-30% of ovarian carcinomas. However findings regarding the overexpression and prognosis are still conflicting. METHODS: Our retrospective study was performed on 194 ovarian carcinoma tissues obtained at the time of first surgery. The staining procedure for HER2/neu overexpression was performed using a polyclonal antibody. RESULTS: HER2/neu overexpression was found in 53 out of 194 (27.3%) investigated cases of which 26 (13.4%) carcinomas were weakly positive (score 1+) and 27 (13.9%) moderately (score 2+) to intensely positive (score 3+). No significant relationship was found between HER2/neu score and main clinical and pathological features. Significant difference in overall survival was evident between negative women (0/1+) and positive women (2+/3+): 48 and 29 months, respectively (p = 0.04). In multivariate analysis HER2/neu overexpression appeared to be the only variable significantly correlated with progression and death. CA125 normalization at 3 and 6 months appeared a strong predictor of progression and survival. CONCLUSION: In this study HER2/neu overexpression was associated with an increased risk of progression and death, especially among women with FIGO Stage I and II ovarian carcinoma.

Overexpression of cyclin D1 is associated with poor survival in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: In order to assess the prognostic role of the cell-cycle regulator cyclin D1 in epithelial ovarian cancer, 70 patients have been studied during an observation period of 8 years. METHODS: The cyclin D1 protein content was analyzed by Western blotting, and classed as negative, positive and highly positive by densitometric scanning. The relationship between cyclin D1 expression and clinicopathological variables was determined. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were also carried out. RESULTS: Patients with highly positive cyclin D1 tumors had shorter overall survival than patients with positive cyclin D1 (median survival 31 vs. 49 months; p = 0.058). Furthermore, in patients with stage III/IV tumors and residual disease greater than 2 cm, cyclin D1 expression significantly influenced clinical outcome (p = 0.047 and 0.040, respectively). In the Cox's regression model, cyclin D1 expression and residual disease were identified as the most important predictors of survival (p = 0.016 and 0.002, respectively). In patients with high cyclin D1 expression and residual disease after debulking surgery greater than 2 cm, the relative risks of death were to 2.48 and 3.7, respectively, compared to their correspondent counterparts. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of cyclin D1 is significantly related to a more aggressive tumor phenotype and poor prognosis in ovarian carcinoma.

Five-year follow-up of placental involution after abdominal pregnancy.

A 29-year-old woman with an abdominal pregnancy was admitted to the hospital at 29 weeks' menstrual age. At 30 weeks, laparotomy was performed, and a live fetus, wrapped in membrane remnants, was taken from the abdominal cavity. The placenta, inserted in the right hemipelvis, was left in situ. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful, and she was monitored periodically as follow-up. At her 5-year follow-up visit, we assessed placental involution by measuring serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin and by using color and pulsed Doppler sonography. The dynamics of the regression of placental volume yielded a bimodal curve: a phase of decrease over the first 2 months, coincident with a reduction in vascularization, followed by stability that lasted 6-8 months, and a second phase of gradual volume reduction. At 5 years, the placenta appeared as a small residual echogenic mass with no vascularity. The use of MRI in this case provided no additional information to what we found using sonography.