Influence of Lactic Acid on Endogenous and Viral RNA-Induced Immune Mediator Production by Vaginal Epithelial Cells

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of lactic acid on immune mediator release from vaginal epithelial cells. METHODS: The human vaginal epithelial cell line, VK2/E6E7, was cultured in the presence or absence of physiological concentrations of lactic acid, and in the presence or absence of the viral Toll-like receptor 3 agonist, poly (inosinic acid: cytidylic acid). Supernatants were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-23, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. RESULTS: Vaginal epithelial cells spontaneously released IL-1 beta (25.9 pg/mL), IL-8 (1.0 ng/mL), TGF-beta (175 pg/mL), and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (33.8 ng/mL). Only TGF-beta production was marginally enhanced (49%) by addition of lactic acid alone. Poly (inosinic acid: cytidylic acid) by itself stimulated the release of IL-6 (305 pg/mL) and enhanced IL-8 production (2.8 ng/mL). The combination of poly (inosinic acid: cytidylic acid) and lactic acid markedly increased IL-8 production (5.0 ng/mL) and induced the release of IL-1 beta (96.2 pg/mL). The poly (inosinic acid: cytidylic acid)-mediated lactic acid effect on IL-1 beta and IL-8 release was abrogated when the lactic acid was neutralized or if acetic acid was substituted for lactic acid. CONCLUSION: Lactic acid enhances the release of selective mediators from vaginal epithelial cells and stimulates antiviral immune responses. (Obstet Gynecol 2011;118:840-6) DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31822da9e9

Comparison of pelvic floor muscle strength between women undergoing vaginal delivery, cesarean section, and nulliparae using a perineometer and digital palpation

Objectives. To compare pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength between women undergoing vaginal delivery, cesarean section, and nulliparae, investigating the factors associated with PFM strength, and observing the correlation between vaginal digital palpation and use of a perineometer. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 31 women following vaginal delivery, 30 women following cesarean section, and 30 nulliparous women. PFM strength was measured by vaginal digital palpation and use of a perineometer. Multiple linear regression analysis with adjustment for covariables was used to compare the mean PFM strength and identify its associated factors. Results. The mean PFM strength of women undergoing vaginal delivery and cesarean section was 25.6 +/- 14.5 cmH(2)O and 39.6 +/- 22.0 cmH(2)O (p < 0.01, adjusted for covariables), respectively. A correlation was observed between measurements of PFM strength obtained by vaginal digital palpation and use of a perineometer (tau = 0.82; p < 0.01). The non-white race/ethnicity was negatively associated with PFM strength (coefficient: -10.2424; p = 0.02). Conclusions. A lower PFM strength was observed in women with a history of vaginal delivery compared to those undergoing cesarean section. Non-white race/ethnicity negatively affected PFM strength. Our data suggest that vaginal digital palpation may be used in clinical practice because of its expressive correlation with use of a perineometer.

Detection of Leptospira spp. in semen and vaginal fluids of goats and sheep by polymerase chain reaction

Thirteen goat herds and seven sheep flocks in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were screened for leptospirosis. From the three herds and three flocks with greatest seroreactivity, 19 goats (16 females and three bucks) and 40 sheep (26 ewes and 14 rams) that were seropositive (specific anti-Leptospira titres >= 400, based on a microscopic agglutination test), were selected for more detailed studies. From those animals, samples of vaginal fluids or semen were collected for bacteriological and molecular assays. For both species of animals, the most prevalent reactions were to serovars Hardjo, Shermani, and Grippotyphosa. Although leptospires were detected by darkfield microscopy in three vaginal fluid samples (from two goats and one ewe), pure isolates were not obtained by bacteriological culture of vaginal fluids or semen. However, seven vaginal fluid samples (from four goats and three ewes) and six semen samples (all from rams) were positive on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Based on these findings, in addition to analogous findings in cattle, we inferred that there is potential for venereal transmission of leptospirosis in small ruminants. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Tracking the Ovarian Cycle in Black-and-Gold Howlers (Alouatta caraya) by Measuring Fecal Steroids and Observing Vaginal Bleeding

A better understanding of a species` reproductive physiology can help conservation programs to manage primates in the wild and develop assisted reproductive technologies in captivity. We investigated whether measurements of fecal progestin and estrogen metabolites obtained by a radioimmunoassay could be used to monitor the ovarian cycle of Alouatta caraya. We also compared the occurrence of vaginal bleeding with the hormone profiles. We collected fecal samples from 3 adult and 1 subadult captive female over 5 mo and performed vaginal cytology for the adults. The interval between fecal progestin surges in the adult females was 19.11 +/- 2.14 d (n = 18 cycles). Fecal progestin concentrations remained at basal values for 9.83 +/- 2.21 d (n = 18) and rose to elevated values for 9.47 +/- 0.72 d (n = 19). The subadult female showed basal levels of fecal estrogen and progestin concentrations throughout the study, suggesting that our hormone measurements are valid to monitor the ovarian cycle. Bleeding periods coincided with basal levels of fecal estrogens and progestin at intervals of 19.8 +/- 0.9 d and lasted for 4.1 +/- 1.0 d. Although we obtained these data from only 3 individuals, the results indicate that this species likely has a menstrual-type ovarian cycle. These data provide the first endocrine profile for the Alouatta caraya ovarian cycle and are similar to results obtained for other howler species. This similarity is important for comparative studies of howlers, allowing for a better understanding of their reproductive physiology and contributing to a critical information base for managing Alouatta species.

Neonatal Clinical Evaluation, Blood Gas and Radiographic Assessment After Normal Birth, Vaginal Dystocia or Caesarean Section in Dogs

This study aimed to standardize signs and diagnostic criteria of respiratory function in newborn puppies delivered normally or after dystocia and caesarean operation. A total of 48 neonates were allocated into groups: eutocia (n = 20), dystocia (n = 8), caesarean (c)-section (n = 20). Neonatal health was assessed using the Apgar score and body temperature was determined at 0, 5 and 60 min after delivery. Venous blood gases (pO(2) and SO(2)) was measured immediately and 60 min after delivery, and a thoracic radiograph was made between 0 and 5 min of life. The c-section group had significantly lower Apgar scores at birth and 5 min. Hypothermia was present at 5 min in the eutocia and c-section groups, and at 60 min in all groups. The eutocia group had an irregular respiratory pattern in 78% of puppies at birth, 27.7% at 5 min and 21% at 60 min compared with 87.5%, 62.5% and 12.5% of the pups in the dystocia group where there was irregular respiratory rhythm, moderate to intense respiratory sounds with agonic episodes. The c-section group had respiratory alterations in 70%, 45% and 16% of puppies at 0, 5 and 60 min, respectively. Radiographic abnormalities were present in 17% of the pups in the eutocia group, 25% of the pups in the dystocia group and 30% of the pups in the c-section group, respectively. The c-section group had significantly lower SO(2) values at 60 min than at birth. All puppies had hypoxaemia, but a significant decrease was observed in the c-section group. Newborn puppies had tissue hypoxia and irregular respiratory pattern at birth. Caesarean-section puppies had lower vitality; however, all developed satisfactory Apgar scores at 5 min of life, regardless of the obstetric condition.

Irritative symptoms after colposuspension: Are they due to distortion or overelevation of the anterior vaginal wall and trigone?

Symptoms of bladder irritability are common after incontinence surgery but their cause is unknown. This study tests the hypothesis that irritative symptoms after colposuspension are due to distortion of the trigone. As part of longitudinal follow-up studies, 175 women were examined 6 months to 12 years after either an open or a laparoscopic Burch colposuspension. The main outcome measures were symptoms of bladder irritability (frequency, nocturia and urge incontinence) and ultrasound findings (bladder neck position at rest and on Valsalva, the presence of a colposuspension ridge, ridge depth and ridge distance, and trigonal angle). Two positive associations between ultrasound parameters and symptoms of bladder irritability were observed: urge incontinence was more likely in the presence of bladder neck funneling, and women with nocturia had a higher trigonal angle. Increased distortion of the trigone was associated with a reduced incidence of urge incontinence in the subgroup of patients after laparoscopic colposuspension. The data presented in this study do not support the hypothesis that symptoms of bladder irritability are due to trigonal distortion or overelevation.

Postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy for node-negative Stage II (occult) endometrial carcinoma

Objective. The aim of this study is to look at the efficacy of extended surgical staging and postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy in patients with Stage II (occult) endometrial carcinoma. Methods. Between January 1989 and December 1997, there were 30 patients with Stage II (occult) endometrial carcinoma who received postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy as the only adjuvant treatment. The study group consisted of 15 of these patients who had extended surgical staging (including lymphadenectomy). Results. At a median follow-up of 36 months (range 17 to 113 months), there has been no recurrence. There were no major complications from surgery. Only 1 patient had mild rectal bleeding following vaginal vault brachytherapy and there were no grade 3 or 4 bowel toxicities. Conclusions. Extended surgical staging and postoperative vaginal vault brachytherapy for Stage II (occult) endometrial carcinoma is associated with minimal morbidity and excellent survival. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

Flora vaginal e correlação com aspectos citológicos

Com a finalidade de esclarecer a patogenicidade de microorganismos que compõem a microflora vaginal, particularmente nas chamadas vaginites inespecíficas e de determinar o valor da citologia como método para identificação da flora vaginal, foram estudadas 97 pacientes, realizando cultura, exame direto a fresco, Gram e citologia do material cérvico-vaginal. Entre os microorganismos de importância clínica reconhecida, Gardnerella vaginalis foi o mais freqüentemente isolado, 48,4%, seguido de Trichomonas vaginalis, 10,3%, Candida albicans, 7,2% e Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 1,1%. Alterações citológicas indicativas de cervicite e/ou vaginite estiveram presentes na maioria dos casos de G.vaginalis, C.albicans e em todos os casos de T.vaginalis. Foi ressaltada a importância da avaliação semi-quantitativa dos microorganismos nos meios de cultura. Na avaliação da citologia como método diagnóstico para a microflora vaginal, foi observada que este foi o melhor dos métodos utilizados na identificação de T.vaginalis, tendo sido detectado cerca de 50% dos casos de C.albicans. No diagnóstico de G.vaginalis a citologia foi positiva em 48,9% dos casos, destacando-se que dos 31 casos positivos ao exame citológico, oito tiveram culturas negativas para G.vaginalis, embora tenham sido isolados nestes últimos: Haemophilus sp. ou Corynebacterium sp.

Risk factors for the increasing trend in low birth weight among live births born by vaginal delivery, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for low birth weight (LBW) among live births by vaginal delivery and to determine if the disappearance of the association between LBW and socioeconomic factors was due to confounding by cesarean section. METHODS: Data were obtained from two population-based cohorts of singleton live births in Ribeirão Preto, Southeastern Brazil. The first one comprised 4,698 newborns from June 1978 to May 1979 and the second included 1,399 infants born from May to August 1994. The risks for LBW were tested in a logistic model, including the interaction of the year of survey and all independent variables under analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of LBW among vaginal deliveries increased from 7.8% in 1978--79 to 10% in 1994. The risk was higher for: female or preterm infants; newborns of non-cohabiting mothers; newborns whose mothers had fewer prenatal visits or few years of education; first-born infants; and those who had smoking mothers. The interaction of the year of survey with gestational age indicated that the risk of LBW among preterm infants fell from 17.75 to 8.71 in 15 years. The mean birth weight decreased more significantly among newborns from qualified families, who also had the highest increase in preterm birth and non-cohabitation. CONCLUSIONS: LBW among vaginal deliveries increased mainly due to a rise in the proportion of preterm births and non-cohabiting mothers. The association between cesarean section and LBW tended to cover up socioeconomic differences in the likelihood of LBW. When vaginal deliveries were analyzed independently, these socioeconomic differences come up again.

Citologia da cúpula vaginal com suspeita de lesão intraepitelial de grau indeterminado: estudo de caso

No presente artigo é relatado um caso de uma paciente de 42 anos, diagnosticada em 2011 com Adenocarcinoma in situ e displasia grave do epitélio de revestimento pavimentoso, que foi tratada por traquelectomia. Em Novembro de 2013, a paciente realizou uma citologia da cúpula vaginal, onde se observaram achados citológicos compatíveis com lesão intraepitelial de baixo grau mas também a presença de células que favorecem o diagnóstico de lesão intraepitelial de alto grau. Não sendo possível classificar a lesão intraepitelial como sendo claramente baixo ou alto grau, atribuiu-se a interpretação de lesão intraepitelial de grau indeterminado. Para confirmação e esclarecimento do diagnóstico foi efetuada biopsia com resultado de displasia grave do epitélio de revestimento pavimentoso vaginal sem evidência de invasão do estroma. Por fim foi indicada a pesquisa e tipificação de vírus do papiloma humano, com resultado positivo para o tipo 16. Diagnósticos citológicos de lesão intraepitelial de grau indeterminado apresentam um follow-up histológico estatisticamente diferente das lesões intraepiteliais de alto e baixo grau, e estão na sua maioria associadas a infeção por vírus do papiloma humano de alto risco. Os achados citológicos do presente estudo apoiam a necessidade de se estabelecer esta lesão como categoria de diagnóstico no Sistema de Bethesda, com um follow-up definido.

Isolamento, identificação e sorotipagem de candida albicans a partir de secreção vaginal

Foram estudadas 104 amostras de secreção vaginal de mulheres com suspeita de candidiase segundo observações clinicas, na cidade de Alfenas-MG. Encontrou-se 55,7% de positividade para Candida albicans .prevalecendo maior índice na raça negra (64% de 25 amostras), sendo de 53,1% (79 amostras), a positividade na raça branca. Em 14 gestantes, a pesquisa da levedura mostrou-se positiva na totalidade dos casos. A maioria das amostras positivas (93,1%) procedia de mulheres com idade compreendida entre 20 40 anos. O uso de anticoncepcionais, antibióticos e presença de displasias cervicais mostraram-se como fatores que contribuiram para maior incidência do fungo. Das 58 amostras de C. albicans isoladas, 50 (86,2%) pertenciam ao sorotipo "A", sendo 37 (74%) isoladas de mulheres da raça branca e 13 (26%) da raça negra. Apenas 08 amostras (13,8%) pertenciam ao sorotipo "B", sendo 05 (11,9%) isoladas a partir de mulheres da raça branca e 03 (18,75%) da raça negra.

Identification of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in fecal smears stained with Heidenhain's iron hematoxylin

There is no paucity of methods for diagnosing Cryptosporidium spp. infection. The merits of immunoassays notwithstanding, microscopic identification of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in fecal samples remains an important diagnostic procedure. It owes the persistence of its use to such characteristics as dispensing with expensive equipment and kits, requiring only basic laboratory facilities, and having a low probability of false positive results when permanent slides are prepared, which can be re-examined in case of doubt. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts can be readily identified in fecal smears prepared according to a regressive iron hematoxylin staining technique. The number of steps and their duration, as well as costs, were reduced to a minimum without loss of image quality and permanence of the preparations.

Misoprostol na Indução do Trabalho de Parto: Oral ou Vaginal?

Algumas complicações maternas ou fetais no decorrer da gravidez tornam necessária a indução do trabalho de parto. O misoprostol é um análogo sintético da prostaglandina Eı que mimetiza a acção endógena destas substâncias na maturação do colo do útero. A dose ideal, via e frequência de administração continuam sob investigação. O objectivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia do misoprostol na indução do trabalho de parto e a morbilidade associada à sua administração oral e vaginal. Foi efectuada uma avaliação retrospectiva das grávidas internadas para indução do trabalho de parto durante o ano de 2002, no serviço de Medicina Materno Fetal da Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa. Foram seleccionadas as grávidas que efectuaram misoprostol oral (100 mg) e vaginal (50 mg). Foi avaliado o intervalo de tempo até à fase activa, ao parto, a necessidade de perfusão com occitocina, a via de parto e a morbilidade materna e fetal. Consideraram-se 238 grávidas, 194 efectuaram misoprostol oral e 44 vaginal. O intervalo da indução ao parto vaginal foi 24,3 horas na via oral e 16,9 horas na via vaginal (p=0.01), a dose total administrada foi significativamente inferior na via vaginal (p=0.00), a paridade foi um factor importante na via de parto (p=0.01). Não se verificaram diferenças entre os dois grupos em relação às complicações maternas e fetais. A administração vaginal de misoprostol, quando comparada com a oral, mostrou-se mais eficaz.