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Introduction: In Kampala, Uganda, there is a strong cultural practice for patients to have designated caregivers for the duration of hospitalization. At the same time, nursing support is limited. This quality improvement project aimed to standardize caregiver and nursing perioperative care on the gynecologic oncology wards at the Uganda Cancer Institute and Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital., Methods: We developed, implemented, and evaluated a multidisciplinary intervention involving standardization of nursing care, patient education, and family member integration from October 2019 - July 2020. Data were abstracted from medical records and patient interviews pertaining to the following outcomes: 1) pain control; 2) post-operative surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia; 3) nursing documentation of medication administration, pain quality, and vital sign assessments, and 4) patient and caregiver education. Descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact test, and independent samples t -test were applied., Results: Data were collected from 25 patients undergoing major gynecologic procedures. Pre- (N = 14) and post- (N = 11) intervention comparison demonstrated significant increases in preoperative patient education (0% to 80%, p = 0.001) and utilization of a comprehensive postoperative order form (0% to 45.5%, p = 0.009). Increased frequency in nursing documentation of patient checks (3 to 8, p = 0.266) and intraoperative antibiotic administration (9 to 10, p = 0.180) in patient charts did not reach significance. There was no change in infection rate, pain score utilization, caregiver documentation, or preoperative medication acquisition., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that patient- and family-centered perioperative care can be improved through standardization of nursing care, improved education, and integration of caregivers in a nursing-limited setting., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Introduction: The prevalence of rhinosinusitis is quite high. Despite the widespread use of antibiotics for rhinosinusitis, there are other forms of treatment, including phytotherapy. One of the most widely used herbal medicines for treatment of rhinosinusitis is Luffa operculata., Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical nasal solution of the aqueous extract of L. operculata, determining the toxicity to its use and identifying the active principles presented in the aqueous extract. The secondary objective was to evaluate the action of active principles on bacteria commonly involved in acute rhino sinusitis., Methods: The study was conducted in experimental model of sinusitis. Three different concentrations of L. operculata were used as local treatment of rhino sinusitis. The results were compared with those observed in control groups that received nasal saline solution. Histological examination of the liver, kidney, spleen, myocardium, brain and lungs of all animals evaluated the toxicity of L. operculata. The aqueous extract used was subjected to chromatographic analysis and an active principle was isolated and tested for in vitro inhibition of bacterial colonies usually found in rhino sinusitis., Results: Intranasal treatment of sinusitis with L. operculata showed better clinical evolution than control group. Statistically significant difference (p>0.10) between the treated group and the control group was observed in the histologic evaluation for inflammatory pattern. The aqueous extract of L. operculata used presented a predominance of 2,3-dicafeoilglicaric acid, a substance not yet described in the literature. There was a significant difference in bacterial growth of Streptococcus pyogenes on blood-agar plates when under the influence of both the aqueous extract and the active substance., Conclusion: Topical nasal solution of the aqueous extract of L. operculata is effective compared to the application of saline solution for the treatment of bacterial rhinosinusitis in an experimental model. L. operculata determined in vitro inhibition of growth of S. pyogenes., (Copyright © 2016 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Objectives  To evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of the aqueous extract of the bark of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi against the strains of the genus Candida . Methods  By using the disk diffusion method, 50 samples of the genus Candida ( Candida albicans ; Candida krusei ; Candida glabrata ; and Candida tropicalis ), isolated from patients receiving treatment at Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, and 1 American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) sample of each species were tested against: the isolated aqueous extract of the bark of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, isolated nystatin, and the association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Results  There were no significant differences regarding the different strains of Candida tested. In the presence of the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, no inhibition halo was visible. Isolated nystatin formed an inhibition halo measuring respectively 18.50 mm and 19.50 mm for the Candida albicans species and the others referred to as non- Candida albicans ( Candida krusei ; Candida glabrata ; and Candida tropicalis ). The association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi resulted in inhibition halos measuring 14.25 mm and 16.50 mm respectively. The comparisons of these results are statistically significant ( p  < 0,001). Conclusion  The aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed no antifungal activity in vitro against the strains tested, whereas the association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi caused a decrease in the inhibition halo when compared with isolated nystatin., (Thieme-Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Introduction: Luffa operculata is probably one of the most popular herbal medicines used in the treatment of rhinitis and rhinosinusitis. However, its specific mechanism of action is still unknown., Objective: To evaluate in vitro antibacterial activity of L. operculata against three ordinary agents of upper respiratory tract infection: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes., Methods: Different concentrations of L. operculata alcoholic extract were applied to bacterial broth containing reference and community strains of the three described agents. After a 24-h incubation period, the bacterial culture turbidity was measured. The samples were then inoculated onto Mueller-Hinton and human blood agar plates. Bacterial growth was analyzed after 24- and 48-h incubation period. The test was considered negative when there was no environmental turbidity, confirmed by the absence of bacterial growth into the inoculated plates. Tests were considered positive when either turbidity changes were observed on the bacterial broth or when bacterial growth was detected on inoculated plates. Appropriate statistical analysis of the data was performed., Results: L. operculata extracts showed antibacterial activity mainly to S. pyogenes followed by S. pneumoniae and S. aureus., Conclusions: L. operculata extract showed promising antibacterial activity in vitro against the studied agents., (Copyright © 2014 Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Background: Biofield therapies are approaches that harness energy fields to influence the human body. These therapies encompass Reiki, Qigong, Therapeutic Touch, Johrei and Spiritist "passe", among others. The aim of this study was to evaluate bacterial growth in two groups of cultures subjected to biofield therapy (Spiritist "passe" and laying on of hands (LOH)) in four situations (no intention, intention to inhibit bacterial growth, intention to promote growth, and influence of a negative factor) and compare them with a "no LOH/no treatment" group., Methods: Bacterial cultures (Escherichia coli ATCC) were randomized and allocated into three groups: Spiritist "passe", "LOH", and "no LOH". Bacterial growth was assessed using the McFarland Nephelometer Scale. A One-way ANOVA was performed to determine group differences in bacterial growth at 48h, and at 1 week after each situation., Results: A total of 11 Spiritist "passe" healers, 10 LOH laymen and "no LOH" tubes were assessed. Under the intention to inhibit bacterial growth condition, statistically significant differences were found between the Spiritist "passe" and "no LOH" Groups (p=0.002 after 48h, and p=0.008 after one week) and also between the Spiritist "passe" and "LOH" Groups (p=0.005 after 48h, and p=0.009 after one week). No statistically significant difference was detected for the other situations tested (no intention, intention to promote growth and influence of a negative factor)., Conclusions: We concluded that Spiritist "passe" effectively inhibited growth in bacterial cultures compared to LOH with intention or no LOH. Further studies comparing different intentions and types of LOH in cultures of cells and microorganisms are warranted., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study analyzed the factors that predicted the hospitalization of children with asthma following standardized treatment in emergency care unit (ECU)., Methods: This retrospective study examined data collected from the clinical records of children, 14 years or younger, who were diagnosed with asthma (often with bronchopneumonia, pneumonia, or other illnesses) and treated at the ECU of Santo André from January 2005 to December 2009. The following data were analyzed: month and year of care, child's age and sex, period of observation, and need for hospitalization. A pediatrician confirmed the clinical diagnoses of all participants. The children were first given clinical treatments and were then admitted to ECU for follow-up assessment., Results: The number of hospital admissions was analyzed, and correlations were found with regard to this variable and child age (χ(2) = 166.9; P = 0.00001), the presence of associated illnesses (χ(2) = 63.8; P < 0.00001), and the observation period length (χ(2) = 11.4; P = 0.009). The number of hospital admissions was not correlated with child sex (χ(2) = 0.013; P = 0.9) or time of year (χ(2) = 15.8; P = 0.1). The 3-day observation period was not significant (P = 0.4) with regard to the remainder of the variables in the multiple logistic regression analysis., Conclusions: Age, mainly children younger than 1 year, the presence of associated illnesses, and the observation period length predicted the hospitalization of children with asthma following treatment in ECU. Sex and seasonality did not affect the need for hospitalization.

Background and Objectives: To analyze the utilization and hospital charges associated with robotic (RS) versus laparoscopic (LS) versus open surgery (OS) in endometrial cancer patients., Methods: Hospital discharge data were extracted from Florida Agency for Health Care Administration between October 2008 and December 2009., Results: Of 2,247 patients (median age: 64 years), 29% had RS, 10% had LS, and 61% had OS. The mean length of hospital stay was 1.6, 1.8, and 3.9 days for RS, LS, and OS, respectively (P < 0.001). The median hospital charge was $51,569, $37,202, and $36,492, for RS, LS, and OS (P < 0.001), with operating room charges ($22,600, $13,684, and $11,272) accounting for the major difference. Robotic surgery utilization increased by 11% (23-34%) over time., Conclusions: In this statewide analysis of endometrial cancer patients, the utilization of robotic surgery increased and is associated with higher hospital charges compared to laparoscopic and open procedures., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To determine the rate and factors associated with publication of plenary abstract presentations from the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists annual meeting., Methods: Plenary presentations were reviewed from 2000 to 2005. A PubMed search was performed to identify subsequent peer-reviewed publication of these presentations. Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses., Results: Of 378 main, focused or express plenary presentations, 173 (45.8%) involved multiple and 205 (54.2%) single institutions. The types of study include: chart review (29.4%), cohort study (28.0%), translational (23.5%), and randomized clinical trial (6.9%). 309 (81.7%) of presentations were subsequently published. The median time from presentation to publication was 14months (range: 1-85). Studies from multiple vs. single institutions were more likely to be published (87.9% vs. 76.6%; p=0.005). In addition, randomized controlled trials were more likely to be published compared with chart review, cohort, and translation research (92.3% vs. 83.8%, 77.4%, and 74.2%; p<0.01). On multivariate analysis, multi-institutional studies (OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.28-4.04; p=0.005) and type of study (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.19-2.26; p=0.002) were independent factors associated with publication. In addition, multi-institutional studies had longer times from presentation to publication compared with their counterparts., Conclusions: A high percentage of plenary presentations at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists annual meeting resulted in subsequent publication. Multi-institutional studies and randomized clinical trials were more likely to be published., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if comprehensive surgical staging is a better predictor of outcome than incomplete staging for women with stage I noninvasive or minimally invasive (≤3 mm) uterine serous carcinoma (USC)., Methods: Retrospective chart review was used to identify patients undergoing hysterectomy at the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1989 to 2010. Relevant clinical and pathologic data were extracted. Patients with noninvasive and minimally invasive (≤3-mm myometrial invasion) USC were identified. Stage was assigned based on the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics endometrial cancer criteria. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method., Results: We identified 63 patients with noninvasive or minimally invasive (≤3 mm) USC. Stages I, II, III, and IV disease were noted in 65% (41/63), 6% (4/63), 14% (9/63), and 14% (9/63) of the patients, respectively. Lower stage was associated with a significantly improved disease-specific survival (P = 0.001). Comprehensive staging, including total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, omentectomy, and peritoneal biopsies, was completed in 29% (12/41) of the patients with stage I disease. There were no disease-specific deaths in the comprehensive staging group. Compared with incomplete staging, comprehensive staging was associated with a significantly improved disease-specific survival (P = 0.039)., Conclusions: Patients with stage I noninvasive and minimally invasive USC on comprehensive staging have an excellent prognosis. Adjuvant therapy may not benefit this patient population.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of postoperative complications related to HA-CMC use in patients undergoing optimal cytoreductive surgery for primary and recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers., Methods: A single institution retrospective review identified all patients undergoing optimal (≤1 cm) cytoreductive surgery for primary or recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers between 1/95 and 12/08. Operative details and post-operative complications (<30 days) were extracted from the medical record. Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney-U, and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors, including HA-CMC use, associated with post-operative complications., Results: Three hundred seventy-five cases were analyzed: HA-CMC was utilized in 168 debulking procedures. There was no difference in the incidence of overall morbidity for patients with HA-CMC compared to those without HA-CMC (OR 1.07; 95% CI: 0.68-1.67). On univariate analysis, application of HA-CMC increased the risk of pelvic abscess (OR 2.66; 95% CI: 1.21-5.86), particularly in the primary surgery setting (OR 4.65; 95% CI: 1.67-12.98) and in patients undergoing hysterectomy (OR 3.36; 95% CI: 1.18-9.53). After controlling for confounding factors using multiple linear regression, HA-CMC use approached statistical significance in predicting an increased risk of pelvic abscess but not major postoperative morbidity., Conclusions: HA-CMC adhesion barrier placement at the time of optimal cytoreductive surgery for ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancer is not associated with major postoperative complications but may be associated with increased risk of pelvic abscess., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The ozone is effective against most microorganisms due to its high oxidant power. Low concentrations and short-term contact are sufficient to inactivate bacteria, mold, yeast, parasites, seaweeds, protozoa and fungi. Microsporum canis is an important agent of dermatophitosis in human and animal. The aim of the current study was to assess the efficacy of ozonized oil over Microsporum canis in rabbits. Eighteen male New Zealand white rabbits, weight ranging from 2 to 3.2 kg were depilated in the cranial dorso-lateral and right caudal, and cranial and left caudal regions. The regions were inoculated with Microsporum canis, excepting the right caudal region, and were denominated TM, O, OM and M, respectively. After seven days, the treatment of lesions in TM began with 0.12g of terbinaphine 1% cream; in OM and O with 0.12g of ozonized oil; all animals were treated once a day for 28 days. Region M was not treated. Material was collected from those regions for cultivation in Sabouraud agar at day 28 of treatment. In the evolution of the treatment with terbinaphine, of 14 contaminated regions with Microsporum canis ten evolved to cure. With the ozonized oil, of 15 contaminations, four were cured. Clinically, that is, the macroscopic evaluation of lesions showed improvement in the TM and OM treated regions. We can conclude that there was statistical evidence of the protection action of the oil against the dermatophyte.

Objective: Early detection of uterine papillary serous (UPSC), clear cell (CCC), and grade 3 endometrioid carcinomas (G3EC) - all poor prognostic variants of endometrial carcinoma (EC) - is of particular clinical relevance. The study objective was to assess the utility of liquid-based cytology (Pap) in the detection of high-grade EC., Study Design: A retrospective, two-institution analysis of patients diagnosed with UPSC, CCC, or G3EC with a preoperative Pap from 1999 to 2010 was conducted., Results: One hundred and one patients were evaluated; 51.5% had UPSC, 27.7% had CCC, and 20.8% had G3EC. Stage I/II disease was found in 69.3% of patients, and 46/101 patients (45.5%) had abnormal Paps. Significantly more patients with UPSC had abnormal Paps (65.7%) than those with CCC (25%) or G3EC (23.8%; p < 0.001). An abnormal Pap was the only presenting clinical finding in a significant number of asymptomatic UPSC patients (26.9%) compared with 4% of patients with CCC and G3EC (p = 0.005). On multivariate analysis, UPSC histology was the only variable associated with an abnormal Pap., Conclusions: A high incidence of abnormal cervical cytology was observed in women with high-grade EC, particularly in UPSC patients. Although hypothesis generating, a proportion of asymptomatic UPSC patients had abnormal cytology, signifying that Pap smear screening may help detect the disease before the patient develops symptoms., (Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Our previous reports demonstrated that NAC1, a BTB/POZ domain-containing nuclear protein, upregulates in recurrent ovarian serous carcinoma and participates in developing drug resistance in cancer cells. The current study applies quantitative proteomics to identify the proteins controlled by NAC1 by comparing the proteomes of SKOV3 cells with and without expression of a dominant negative NAC1 construct, N130. From the proteins that are downregulated by N130 (upregulated by NAC1), we chose to further characterize fatty acid synthase (FASN). Similar to change in protein level, the FASN transcript level in SKOV3 cells was significantly reduced by N130 induction or by NAC1 knockdown. Immunohistochemistry showed that NAC1 and FASN immunointensities in ovarian serous carcinoma tissues had a highly significant correlation (P < .0001). Moreover, we found that recurrent serous carcinomas exhibited higher FASN immunointensities than their matched primary tumors (P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that an FASN staining score of >1 in serous carcinomas was associated with a worse overall survival time (P < .01). Finally, C93, a new FASN inhibitor, induced massive apoptosis in carboplatin/paclitaxel resistant ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, we show that NAC1 is essential for FASN expression in ovarian serous carcinomas and the expression of FASN significantly correlates with tumor recurrence and disease aggressiveness. The dependence of drug resistant tumor cells on FASN suggests a potential application of FASN-based therapeutics for recurrent ovarian cancer patients.

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is an emerging tumor-associated marker and a promising antitumor therapeutic target. In this study, we analyzed the expression of FASN in normal and molar placentas, as well as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, and assessed the effects of a new FASN inhibitor, C93, on cellular proliferation and apoptosis in choriocarcinoma cells. Using a FASN-specific monoclonal antibody, we found that FASN immunoreactivity was detected in the cytotrophoblast and intermediate (extravillous) trophoblast of normal and molar placentas, as well as in placental site nodules. All choriocarcinomas (n = 33), 90% of epithelioid trophoblastic tumors (n = 20), and 60% of placental site trophoblastic tumors (n = 10) exhibited FASN positivity. FASN expression was further confirmed in vitro by Western blot and real-time PCR. Treatment of JEG3 and JAR cells with C93 induced significant apoptosis through the caspase-3/caspase-9/poly(ADP)ribose polymerase pathway. Cell cycle progression was not affected by the inhibitor. In summary, the data indicate that FASN is expressed in the majority of gestational trophoblastic neoplasias, and is essential for choriocarcinoma cells to survive and escape from apoptosis. FASN inhibitors such as C93 warrant further investigation as targeted therapeutic agents for metastatic and chemoresistant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

There is no standard approach to managing women with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer; however, there is increasing evidence to support a role for cytoreductive surgery in these women to improve survival outcome. The existing literature is limited by the inherent biases of retrospective studies, as well as small numbers of patients in individual studies; however, the association between optimal or complete cytoreductive surgery in patients with advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer and improved overall survival has been consistent. Furthermore, there is also a strong association between the size of postoperative residual disease and survival; as such, maximal cytoreduction should be the goal in carefully selected patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer who are candidates for surgical management. Additional prospective research is needed in order to further define the role of cytoreductive surgery in advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer, and to develop effective adjuvant therapy to be used postoperatively in order to improve the prognosis in these women.

Purpose: To evaluate in vitro the antimicrobial influence of the corneal storage media containing antibiotics using a closed chamber study model under the closest simulated environment of corneal preservation process., Materials and Methods: Samples of cornea storage media containing streptomycin and gentamicin (Optisol-GS) were analyzed at different moments after its contamination with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923). Samples were analyzed at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24, 48, 72 hours; 7 days; and 14 days after contamination. The samples were analyzed using a new study model system that consists of two closed coupled chambers. The upper chamber contained two culture media (chocolate agar and Sabouraud agar) and CO(2) indicator (indication of bacterial aerobic activity). The inferior chamber contained supplemented solution with an antimicrobial inhibitor. The bacterial growth parameters were analyzed by the presence or absence of bacteria in chocolate agar and by color change of CO(2) indicator when positive. First reading was performed after 24 hours, and, in the absence of bacterial growth, a second reading was carried out after 48 hours., Results: Color change in CO(2) indicator was found in samples contaminated after 1, 2, and 3 hours on the first reading. On the second reading, we observed color change in all remaining samples, except for samples contaminated after 14 days., Conclusion: Samples of cornea storage media containing gentamicin sulphate and streptomycin sulphate in vitro showed viable Staphylococcus aureus for up to 7 days of contamination.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine factors responsible for the increasing number of deaths from corpus cancer over three time periods., Study Design: Data were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database from 1988-2001. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed., Results: Of 48,510 women with corpus cancer, there was an increase in the proportion of patients dying from advanced cancers (52.1% to 56.0% to 68.8%; P < .001), grade 3 disease (47.5% to 53.3% to 60.6%; P < .001), serous tumors (14.3% to 18.4% to 16.6%; P < .001), and sarcomas (19.1% to 20.4% to 27.2%; P < .001) over time. On multivariate analysis, older age, African American race, lack of primary staging procedures, advanced-stage, high-grade, and non-endometrioid histology were independent prognostic factors for worse survival., Conclusion: Our data suggest that the increase in mortality in women with corpus cancer over the last 14 years may be related to an increased rate of advanced-stage cancers and high-risk histologies.

Purpose: To compare the microbiological profile of normal microbiota of healthy people obtained from conjunctival smear using dry swab in Stuart's transport medium and wet swab transported in test tube sealed with cotton., Methods: A prospective study with random samples, performed at the Departments of Ophthalmology and Pathology of Santa Casa Misericórdia de São Paulo, in August of 2006. Eighty normal eyes of 40 healthy individuals were analyzed. Samples were collected in the right eye with a dry swab and stored in Stuart's medium, where all microbiological material is kept immersed in the medium and the tube is hermetically sealed. In the left eye, the conjunctival material was collected using a swab embedded in saline solution 0.9%, and stored in dry and sterile test tubes sealed with cotton. The samples were analyzed within 2 hours at most after collection., Results: Out of 40 samples collected with wet swab and transported in dry tube, bacteria were observed in 10 (25%), whereas of 40 samples collected with dry swab and transported in Stuart's medium, 12 (30%) had bacteria., Conclusion: The results of the microbiological profile of normal conjunctival microbiota using dry swab in Stuart's medium were statistically similar (p=0.85) to those obtained in wet swab in dry tube for spreading performed within 2 hours after collection of conjunctival specimen.

The survival of 90% of a tumor-bearing population treated with the complex Rh(2) (CF(3)CONH)(4) was examined and the pharmacological parameter Surv(90) determined. Histopathological alterations raised for this drug in several tissues were studied in Balb-c mice. A Surv(90) dose of 3.8x 10(-5) mol/kg was found.