Recent advances in the treatment of pain in endometriosis: A bibliometric analysis of experimental models

Background and Aim

Treatment of endometriosis involves pain relief which is achieved through the administration of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, with or without the addition of hormone therapy. At present, studies investigating endometriosis pain management using experimental rat models and the use of medications are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically evaluate research trends and critical points in the field of endometriosis pain management using experimental models.

Materials and Methods

A total of 30 publications related to this topic that were published from 2012 to 2022 were retrieved from various databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL, using appropriate English keywords. The quality of the publications was evaluated using impact metrics, productivity, term density mapping, and author network.

Results

The average publication rate was three articles per year, reaching its peak in 2021 at five articles per year. The United States and China were found to be the most productive countries, with 12 and 10 publications per year, respectively. The field of medicine (37.0%) was the most abundant, although the H-index was relatively low (13:13). Term density mapping involved the search of 542 keywords, of which 35 were selected, with only 8 exhibiting significant density.

Conclusion

In the past decade, there has been a shortage of publications that have addressed pain in endometriosis in experimental models and, within this context the majority of the production and publication in this field has been performed by the United States and China. After performing this bibliometric review, it can be inferred that more research is required in this field, to develop new approaches and treatments for endometriotic pain.

Potencial Antimicrobiano de Cimentos de Ionômero de Vidro Modificados: uma Revisão de Literatura

O Cimento de Ionômero de Vidro (CIV) é um material amplamente utilizado em odontologia devido suas propriedades de adesão química à estrutura dentária, adequado coeficiente de expansão térmica, compatibilidade biológica e ação anticárie por liberação de fluoreto. Este trabalho objetivou revisar a literatura sobre o efeito da incorporação de agentes nas propriedades antimicrobianas do CIV. A revisão foi realizada utilizando como critérios de inclusão artigos publicados entre março/2007 a março/2017 na base de dados PubMed, obtidos após a utilização da palavra-chave “glass ionomer cement antibacterial”. A aplicação dos critérios de inclusão obteve 114 artigos e excluídos os artigos não escritos na língua inglesa, oriundos de estudos secundários, artigos do tipo relato de caso, estudos não-experimentais, artigos cujo objetivo do estudo não foi a análise antibacteriana e os que não realizaram a incorporação de um agente antimicrobiano ao CIV. Após a aplicação dos critérios de exclusão e a leitura do título e Resumo, foram obtidos 33 artigos. Como resultados, verificou-se que 30 artigos eram estudos laboratoriais e a maioria utilizou o modelo microbiológico de suspensão bacteriana (18 artigos). CIV para restauração foi o material escolhido em 22 artigos e a clorexidina foi o agente antimicrobiano incorporado em 13 artigos. Conclui-se que na maioria dos estudos a incorporação de agentes antimicrobianos no CIV foi eficiente para torná-lo antibacteriano, porém mais estudos in vivo são necessários para comprovar a eficácia da incorporação destes agentes ao CIV. Palavras-chave: Glass Ionomer Cements. Literature Review. Anti-Bacterial Agents.

Motor competence and cardiorespiratory fitness have greater influence on body fatness than physical activity across time

We investigated the longitudinal associations among physical activity (PA), motor competence (MC), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO_2peak ), and body fatness across 7 years, and also analyzed the possible mediation effects of PA, MC, and VO_2peak on the relationships with body fatness. This was a seven-year longitudinal study with three measuring points (mean ages [in years] and respective sample size: 6.75±0.37, n=696; 9.59±1.07, n=617; 13.35±0.34, n=513). PA (moderate-to-vigorous PA-MVPA and vigorous PA-VPA) was monitored using accelerometers. MC was assessed by the "Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder-KTK" test battery. VO_2peak was evaluated using a continuous running protocol until exhaustion. Body fatness was determined by the sum of four skinfolds. Structural equation modeling was performed to evaluate the longitudinal associations among PA, MC, VO_2peak, and body fatness and the potential mediation effects of PA, MC, and VO_2peak . All coefficients presented were standardized (z-scores). MC and VO_2peak directly influenced the development of body fatness, and VO_2peak mediated the associations between MVPA, VPA, MC, and body fatness. MC also mediated the associations between MVPA, VPA, and body fatness. In addition, VO_2peak had the largest total association with body fatness (β=-0.431; P<.05), followed by MC (β=-0.369; P<.05) and VPA (β=-0.112; P<.05). As PA, MC, and VO_2peak exhibited longitudinal association with body fatness, it seems logical that interventions should strive to promote the development of fitness and MC through developmentally appropriate physical activities, as the synergistic interactions of all three variables impacted body fatness.

Prediction of the metabolizable energy requirements of free-range laying hens

This experiment was conducted with the aim of estimating the ME requirements of free-range laying hens for maintenance, weight gain, and egg production. These experiments were performed to develop an energy requirement prediction equation by using the comparative slaughter technique and the total excreta collection method. Regression equations were used to relate the energy intake, the energy retained in the body and eggs, and the heat production of the hens. These relationships were used to determine the daily ME requirement for maintenance, the efficiency energy utilization above the requirements for maintenance, and the NE requirement for maintenance. The requirement for weight gain was estimated from the energy content of the carcass, and the diet's efficiency energy utilization was determined from the weight gain, which was measured during weekly slaughter. The requirement for egg production was estimated by considering the energy content of the eggs and the efficiency of energy deposition in the eggs. The requirement and efficiency energy utilization for maintenance were 121.8 kcal ME/(kg∙d)and 0.68, respectively. Similarly, the NE requirement for maintenance was 82.4 kcal ME/(kg∙d), and the efficiency energy utilization above maintenance was 0.61. Because the carcass body weight and energy did not increase during the trial, the weight gain could not be estimated. The requirements for egg production requirement and efficiency energy utilization for egg production were 2.48 kcal/g and 0.61, respectively. The following energy prediction equation for free-range laying hens (without weight gain) was developed: ME /(hen ∙ d) = 121.8 × W + 2.48 × EM, in which W = body weight (kg) and EM = egg mass (g/[hen ∙ d]).

Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and ultraconservative caries removal linked for management of deep caries lesions

BACKGROUND

Ultraconservative removal of carious tissue is becoming increasingly highlighted for management of deep caries lesions, and combined with an antimicrobial photochemistry-based treatment modality (PACT), this approach can be enhanced favoring dental tissue repair and preservation. The aim was to investigate the effectiveness of PACT using a light emitting diode (LED) associated with a photosensitizer toluidine blue ortho (TBO) on deep caries lesions.

METHODS

For that, a single blind, randomized, controlled, split-mouth clinical trial where 45 patients with at least two deep carious lesions on permanent posterior teeth was performed. The primary intervention was deep caries lesion management with disinfection of remaining dentin tissue using PACT. Bacterial counts were measured following treatments as the main outcome. The remaining dentinal samples of each lesion were treated with either non-PACT-control or PACT. The PACT procedure were characterized by 100 μg mL(-1) TBO followed by 94J cm(-2) LED irradiation. Samples of dentin were collected before and immediately after treatments for microbiological analysis of total viable bacteria, mutans streptococci and Lactobacillus spp. counts. Microbial reduction was data were submitted to unpaired t test (α=5%).

RESULTS

PACT led to statistically significant reductions in mutans streptococci (1.08 ± 1.20 log), Lactobacillus spp. (1.69 ± 1.37 log), and total viable bacteria (1.07 ± 1.01 log) compared to the control, which showed log reductions respectively of 0.05 ± 0.49, 0.52 ± 0.89, and 0.47 ± 0.77 for the same microorganisms.

CONCLUSION

Dentin from deep carious lesions treated with PACT showed a decrease in cariogenic microbial load.

Anterior Vocal Commissure Invasion in Laryngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Laryngeal carcinoma involving anterior vocal commissure (AVC) represents a great challenge for staging and treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To compare laryngoscopy and computed tomography (CT) scan efficiency in staging tumors extending to the AVC. We also analyzed the helicoidal axial CT scan accuracy in recognizing this larynx subregion invasion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-two glottic and supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients with tumoral extension to the AVC were prospectively studied from August 2001 to August 2003 at the National Cancer Institute (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). All patients underwent videolaryngoscopic examination and direct laryngoscopy for lesion extension analysis and biopsy. After AVC helicoidal axial CT scan with sagittal and coronal 1.0 mm thick reconstruction, patients were submitted to surgical treatment. The same pathologist analyzed all surgical specimens.

RESULTS

When compared with pathologic stage, clinical endoscopic classification was correct in 40.38% of cases (40% for T1, 29.41% for T2, 46.43% for T3, and 50% in T4). Helicoidal axial CT scan accuracy for AVC tumors was 75% (P = .0001), being more important for T2 (62.50%), T3 (73.91%), and T4 (88.24%) lesions. Identification of radiologic signs described as gross radiologic anterior commissure involvement (GRACI) increased radiologic image staging accuracy to over 96%.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic evaluation understaged tumors in all clinical stages but really T1. Helicoidal axial CT scan reformatted to 1.0 mm thick played an important role in correctly staging more advanced AVC laryngeal tumors. Radiologic signs, here identified as GRACI, may be very helpful for tomographic staging and patient treatment.

Evaluation of white water reuse in the bleaching process for reducing fresh water consumption

The main objective of this work is to study the technical viability of using the effluent generated in paper machines (white water) in the wash presses of the bleaching stage, reducing fresh water consumption. As a case study, the industrial process of Ripasa S.A. Celulose e Papel was evaluated. White water rate is about 700 m3/h and it is not possible to reuse all this volume in the bleaching stage without causing operational problems (fouling in tubes and clogging in the screens). A mass balance of the bleaching unit was developed in an electronic spreadsheet in order to evaluate the possibility of reducing fresh water consumption, using only a fraction of the available white water in the wash presses. To achieve this objective some physical-chemistry properties of the white water stream and of other streams of the process were determined. The maximum concentration of some non-process elements (Si, Ca, Mn and Fe), which could accumulate in the process, were determined in order to establish some parameters to allow process integration of the streams involved, considering operational constraints. The results obtained have shown that it is possible to reduce approximately by 13% the consumption of fresh water and this methodology has been satisfactory.

Elective neck dissection versus observation in stage I squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue and floor of the mouth

A retrospective study was undertaken of patients with T1N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue and floor of the mouth who underwent surgical treatment between 1985 and 1995. Evaluation of two groups of patients (neck dissection versus observation) was made according to the management of the neck. Results were obtained regarding the presence of occult metastases, recurrence in the neck, treatment failure, results of salvage treatment, and disease-free survival. Forty-nine patients underwent surgical treatment: 25 resection of primary and 24 resection plus neck dissection. Overall incidence of regional metastases was 24.5%. Eight patients (16%) developed recurrence of the disease. Seven (14%) had regional recurrences (including 1 with distant metastases) and 1(2%) had local recurrence. Twenty-four percent of patients from the resection of primary group developed neck recurrences in comparison with 4% of the resection plus neck dissection group (P = 0.05). Overall salvage rate was 37.5%. Second primary tumors developed in 16% of patients. Patients who underwent elective neck dissection had a 23% higher disease-free survival rate compared with those who underwent resection of the tumor alone (P = 0.03). The findings of this study stress the importance of control of the neck in early oral cancer. Elective neck dissection significantly improved regional control of the disease.

Supracricoid laryngectomy with CHEP: functional results and outcome

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohiodoepiglottopexy could successfully reach the cure and preserve the voice in glottic laryngeal cancer, we studied 27 patients with T2/T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated in our institution with cricohiodoepiglottopexy.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective analysis has been carried out between 1995 through 1997. We classified 11 patients as T2N0M0 and 16 patients as T3N0M0. Nineteen patients had bilateral selective lateral neck dissection, 3 patients had unilateral lateral neck dissection, and 5 patients had undissected neck. Survival was analyzed under the Kaplan-Meyer method.

RESULTS

Five patients had postoperative complications, 2 were treated with a total laryngectomy. The remaining 25 patients kept the normal airway, swallowing, and speech. None of the patients in the neck dissection group had neck metastasis. Two patients had recurrences, 1 with local recurrence was treated with a total laryngectomy and is alive without disease; the other patient had neck recurrence, was treated with radical neck dissection plus radiotherapy, and is dead of the disease. One patient had a second tumor in oropharynx treated with palliative radiotherapy and is dead of the disease. Three years disease-free survival was 75% for T2 and 79% for T3.

CONCLUSIONS

This technique is useful in the treatment of selected cases of T3/T2 glottic cancer regarding the extent of disease. The incidence of complications in need of a complete laryngectomy does not compromise the functionality of this technique. The survival is comparable to patients who submitted to total laryngectomy and near-total laryngectomy, regarding the extent of the lesion.

[The problem of suffering: perception by adolescents with cancer]

Adolescents with cancer undergo suffering resulting from diagnosis, therapy and changes in their routine and family life. The objective of this study was to identify the chief causes of their suffering, identified in interviews with those patients themselves. The study population were 12 adolescents admitted to the Paediatric Clinic of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School Clinical Hospital, University of São Paulo, from the 13th. November, 1997 to 16th. December, 1997. Data were analysed by means of qualitative approach. The chief causes of suffering reported by the studied adolescents were: hospitalization, restrictions in routine activities, aggressive therapy, modification of self-image and fear of dying. The adolescents not only talked about their suffering but also offered some suggestions to lessen it, as for instance, use of central venous catheter, liberation of visiting time, reducing number of hospitalization events, efficient communication and good rapport with the attending team.

[Playing in hospital: addition to nursing care]

Playing is one of the essential activities for the physical, emotional and social development to the child. Although the recognized importance of this activity, during the hospitalization process it is little value, so it is not find out between the foreseen therapeutic actions that are preview. The goal of this paper is discuss the theory and practice principles to subsidize the utilization of play in the aid to the hospitalization children. The empiric data collection was realized through the participant observation of 11 children who were intern in a pediatric unit of a teaching hospital of State of São Paulo up country. We identify that the act to play has repercussions in the child, nurse and hospital. To the child it is not obstruct the development; help it in the understanding about what is occurring with itself and discharge fear, tension, anxiety and frustration; promote satisfaction, funny and spontaneity and allows it transforms experiences that should support inactive in active discharge. To the nurse it is a tool of intervention and a way of communication, that allows detect the uniqueness of each child. Related to the hospital, change the current view that is only a pain and suffering place.

Near-total laryngectomy for treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer

BACKGROUND

In order to assess whether near-total laryngectomy (NTL) could successfully reach the cure and preserve the voice in advanced laryngeal cancer, we studied 28 patients with T3/T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treated with NTL in our institution.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis has been carried out from 1990 through 1994. We classified 24 patients as Stage III and 4 patients as Stage IV. All patients had lateral neck dissection. Survival was analyzed under the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients achieved voice preservation. Two patients in the bilateral neck dissection group had a metastatic lymph node on the opposite side. No patient had local recurrence. Three patients died of the disease, and 1 patient was salvaged with neck dissection. Three-year disease-free survival was 85%.

CONCLUSION

This technique is useful in the treatment of selected cases of advanced laryngeal cancer and achieves local control of the lesion in all cases. The survival is comparable with that of patients submitted to total laryngectomy, regarding the extent of lesion. Voice preservation can be achieved in most cases.

Prognostic factors and outcome in craniofacial surgery for malignant cutaneous tumors involving the anterior skull base

BACKGROUND

We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 57 patients with advanced malignant cutaneous tumors involving the anterior skull base who underwent combined craniofacial resection in our department from January 1, 1981, to December 31, 1994.

METHODS

The data regarding histological results, demographic aspects, clinical presentation, previous treatment, extent of the disease, extent of surgical procedure, type of reconstruction, complications, and follow-up were analyzed using the chi 2 method. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

We found prevalence of the male sex (60%) and white race (86%), with a mean age of 62 years. Thirty-five patients (61%) showed extensive lesions directly invading the anterior skull base (type II); 46 patients (81%) had been treated previously; 10 patients (18%) had dural invasion; 29 patients (51%) could not have the eyeball preserved; 32 patients (56%) underwent microsurgical reconstruction; and 45 patients (79%) underwent pericranial or galeal-pericranial flap reconstruction for the anterior skull base defect. Postoperative complications occurred in 29 patients (51%). The most common complication was postoperative infection (17 patients [59%]). Thirty-two patients (56%) were free of disease, and 4 (7%) were alive with disease at the time of our study.

CONCLUSIONS

The extent of facial disease (P = .005) and the type of facial reconstruction (P = .01) were the most important risk factors in the development of infectious complications. Invasion of the dura and the type of reconstruction of the anterior skull base were the most important factors related to cerebrospinal fluid leakage (P = .003) and meningoencephalitis (P = .06). Invasion of the dura mater significantly affected survival (P = .005).

[Care of children with cancer: analysis of the work process]

This study tries to analyse some principle of the working process in the assistance of children with cancer, based on the Model of the Technological Organization of Work. It started from a theoretical principle that nursing is a social practice and so is historically structured, socially articulated, and so nursing is part of the collective process of work. We pointed out toward the fact that the process of the nursing work in assisting a hospitalized child, that it is under a transformation phase, going through the exclusively clinic model to another one, which has some characteristics of amplification to the theoretical reference and a new instrumentalization.

Elective neck dissection in the treatment of T3/T4 N0 squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

BACKGROUND

This study analyzed pathologic findings of clinically occult cervical lymph nodes of T3/T4 N0 squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma and their impact on locoregional failures and overall survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 76 patients with T3/T4 N0 laryngeal carcinoma was carried out between 1981 and 1989. Sixty-seven patients had transglottic tumor, 31 patients had extralaryngeal spread, 56 patients were T3 N0, and 20 patients were T4 N0. Seventy-five patients had total laryngectomy and 1 had near total laryngectomy. All patients had bilateral elective neck dissection. The chi-square test was applied to factors related to neck metastasis and locoregional failure. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier actuarial method; differences were tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients had positive surgical margins. Occult neck metastasis was observed in 30%. Univariate analysis showed that cancer stage and cartilage status were not significant to predict neck metastasis. Locoregional recurrence was observed in 28% of patients. Surgical margins, cervical metastasis, lesion extension, and cartilage invasion had significant impact on disease-free survival. The 5-year overall survival was 52%; disease-free survival was 57%.

CONCLUSION

The elective bilateral neck dissection performed in T3/T4 N0 patients yielded a 30% incidence of occult neck metastasis. Classification of transglottic carcinomas into endolaryngeal and exolaryngeal provides a better parameter for predicting neck metastasis than does T status. Disease-free and overall survival were significantly affected by neck metastasis, T stage, exolaryngeal tumor, cartilage infiltration, and surgical margins.

Supraomohyoid neck dissection in the treatment of T1/T2 squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity

BACKGROUND

Recent studies in patients with previously untreated T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue and floor of the mouth have shown a relationship between tumor thickness, neck metastasis, and survival. Our study was conducted to determine the indication of elective neck dissection in patients with early oral cavity SCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-seven patients were stratified by stage (T1 and T2 NO), and those in each stage were randomized to receive one of two types of treatment; resection alone (RA) or resection plus elective supraomohyoid neck dissection (RSOND). Fifty-two patients (78%) were men and 15 (22%) were women. The median age was 57 years old (range 34 to 95).

RESULTS

Twenty-six (39%) patients had tumor in the floor of the mouth and 41 (61%), in the tongue. Using the criteria of the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC), 1987, we classified 31 tumors (46%) as T1 lesions and 36 (54%) as T2 lesions. Thirty patients had a tumor thickness < or = 4 mm and 37 had a tumor thickness > 4 mm. Thirty-three (49%) patients were treated with RA, and 34 patients (51%) were treated with RSOND. Seven (21%) patients of the RSOND group had occult cervical metastasis. There were recurrences in 14 (42%) patients of the RA group and 8 (24%) patients of the RSOND group. The disease-free survival rates at 3.5 years for RA and RSOND patients were 49%, and 72%, respectively. The impact of sex, age, site, cancer stage, and tumor thickness was assessed by the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square procedure. Later stage (P = 0.05) and increased tumor thickness (P = 0.005) were significantly associated with treatment failures.

CONCLUSION

Neck dissection remains mandatory in the early stage of oral SCC, because of better survival rates compared to RA and the poor salvage rate. In particular, patients with tumor thickness > 4 mm treated with RSOND had significant benefit on disease-free survival.

[Non-cholera vibrios in enterobacteriologic routine]

Of 3250 diarrheal stools received for microbiologic diagnosis at a private clinical laboratory in Recife, Brazil, strains of Vibrio were isolated from 55 (1.7%). The study was carried out from May 1989 through May 1991. For recovering Vibrio, fecal samples were enriched in alkaline peptone water supplemented with 2% NaCl and subcultured on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose agar (TCBS). Of the recovered species, V. parahaemolyticus was most commonly found (24 strains), followed by V. furnissii (15 strains), V. cholerae non-01 (6 strains), V. alginolyticus (4 strains), V. fluvialis (2 strains), and Vibrio sp. (1 strain). The low isolation rate of Vibrio raises doubts about the cost-effectiveness of the use of TCBS in the routine enterobacteriologic workup of clinical laboratories.

[Human gastroenteritis associated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Recife, Brazil]

A study was carried out on the occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in 1,100 diarrheal feces, routinely sent to a private clinical laboratory for microbiologic diagnosis, in Recife. V. parahaemolyticus was isolated from 14 (1.3%) fecal samples. However, if we considered only the specimens from adult patients, the isolation rate of V. parahaemolyticus rose to 7.1%. In most cases (92.86%), V. parahaemolyticus was the only enteropathogen recognized. Among the isolates, seven K antigen serovars were demonstrated, and three were untypable. Only two human isolates, both ureolytic, did not produce the thermostable direct hemolysin. We concluded that V. parahaemolyticus is an important cause of sea food linked diarrhea among adults in Recife.

[Human gastroenteritis associated with Vibrio fluvialis in Recife]

Due to the low number of reports about vibrio gastroenteritis in Brazil, it was decided to report one case of human gastroenteritis from who only Vibrio fluvialis has been found in patient stools. The main clinical epidemiological and microbiological aspects related to that microorganism are discussed. Probably, this is the first report of gastroenteritis caused by Vibrio fluvialis in the country.

[Medullary paracoccidioidomycosis: report of a case]

Paracoccidioidomycosis of the central nervous system presents either as meningeal or pseudotumoral lesions. Although occurring more frequently in the brain and meninges, they can occasionally involve the spinal cord. A case of paracoccidioidomycosis in the cervical spinal cord is reported in this paper. Difficulties in establishing the etiologic diagnosis, the importance of radiologic examination of the thorax, and the treatment of the patient are commented. In an extensive review of the literature on the subject, only three other cases have been found, which are also discussed.