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To evaluate the hormonal profile in three breast cancer patients who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation in the presence of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In IVF University referral center, a case series of three breast cancer patients who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) with recombinant FSH and letrozole were investigated. Ovulation was induced with hCG (case No. 1) or with GnRH agonist (case No. 2-3). The primary outcome of our study was the detection of progesterone levels in the luteal phase. RESULTS: Very high progesterone values (mean 186.6 ± 43.6 ng/mL) during the luteal phase were recorded in all three cases. CONCLUSIONS: High progesterone levels can be related to the use of letrozole independently of the most commonly used trigger regimen. Although progesterone has long been considered a protective factor against breast cancer, several studies have demonstrated that progesterone could expand a transformation-sensitive stem cell population in the mammary glands. The estrogen negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and the disruption of steroid biosynthesis and could represent an intriguing reason behind this phenomenon. Our results highlight the need to evaluate further the increase in progesterone levels in the luteal phase in women with breast cancer undergoing COS with letrozole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay listens to aurality in conjunction with the visual classification of racialized bodies in neoliberal citizenship through what I term “sonic cultural citizenship.” Through a close listening to the 2010 production of Josefina López’sDetained in the Desertat CASA 0101, the essay amplifies racism as operating through affective performative dimensions, where citizenship is renegotiated and resisted through sonic performance. Detained centers the necessity of unhinging visual and sonic markers of citizenship for Latinx communities. It also evokes how sonic performance needs not only to decenter racial visibility in the Américas, but also to offer non-heteronormative frameworks of belonging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for ovulation triggering has become an intriguing topic in the last few years. As long as adequate luteal phase support is provided, it may be a valuable alternative to standard hCG triggering, associated with a significant reduction in OHSS incidence. Several luteal phase support options have been proposed, but few studies have addressed the issue of the appropriate route for progesterone administration to women triggered with GnRHa. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of GnRHa triggering on IVF/ICSI outcomes, using modified luteal phase support with intramuscular progesterone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out between January 2014 and December 2015, comparing the reproductive outcome in GnRHa triggered women given modified luteal phase support with intramuscular progesterone (Group A) with the outcome in women triggered with standard hCG (Group B) in IVF/ICSI cycles. RESULTS: 200 (Group A n = 100; Group B n = 100) consecutive normoresponder women were included. No differences with respect to Age, BMI, basal FSH, basal Estradiol and infertility diagnosis were observed between groups. Increased numbers of retrieved oocytes (8.1 ± 3.3 versus 6.8 ± 3.5, p = 0.009) and mature oocytes (5.8 ± 2.6 versus 5.1 ± 2.7, p = 0.03) were detected in Group A compared with Group B. Implantation, biochemical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirmed that the GnRHa triggering strategy is associated with increased number of oocytes retrieved and of mature oocytes even in normoresponder women. Moreover, in these patients, the use of intramuscular progesterone during luteal phase support achieved satisfactory IVF outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of vaginal fractional CO2 laser treatment in the relief of Overactive Bladder (OAB) symptoms in post-menopausal women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Post-menopausal women who complained of one or more symptoms related to vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA), who experienced symptoms of OAB and who underwent vaginal treatment with fractional CO2 laser were enrolled in the study. At baseline (T0) and 30 days post-treatment T1), vaginal status (using Vaginal Health Index - VHI), subjective intensity of VVA symptoms (using a visual analog scale - VAS) and micturition diary were evaluated. OAB symptoms were also assessed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled. A statistically significant improvement in VVA symptoms was observed and in VHI at T1 (p < 0.0001). A significant improvement was also identified in the micturition diary, in number of urge episodes and OAB-q (p < 0.0001). Nine of the 30 patients suffered from incontinence episodes and had improved at T1. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that fractionated CO2 laser vaginal treatment has proved to be effective in improving OAB symptoms in post-menopausal women. Moreover, it is a safe and efficacious measure for the relief of VVA related conditions. Further long-term studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Uterine myomas are one of the most common benign tumours, occurring in 20-40% of women of reproductive age. Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a possible option for medical treatment of myomas. It induces amenorrhea and can reduce myoma volume before surgical treatment. Since its introduction in our department, we uncovered an unknown effect: migration of myoma. CLINICAL CASE REPORTS: We describe three clinical case of myoma migration following three months UPA pre-operative treatment. The first woman presented with a FIGO 2 myoma, which migrated in FIGO 3. A previously planned hysteroscopy converted into a laparoscopy. The second woman also presented with a FIGO 2 myoma, which migrated in FIGO 3. Initially, a hysteroscopy was planned, but ultimately surgery was no longer required. The third woman presented with a FIGO 2-5 myoma, which migrated in FIGO 1. The previously planned laparoscopy converted into a vaginal myomectomy. CONCLUSIONS: UPA induces a proapoptotic and anti proliferative effect of leiomyoma cells. It reduces expression of VEGF and reduces collagen deposition in the extracellular matrix. These mechanisms could induce migration of myoma. UPA as pre-operative treatment can induce migration of myoma and, therefore, can lead to perioperative conversion of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]