Inter-rater reliability study of the modified Oxford Grading Scale and the Peritron manometer

Objective To evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the modified Oxford Grading Scale and the Peritron manometer. Design All participants were evaluated twice, first by one examiner and 30 days later by a second examiner. Measurements of vaginal squeeze pressure were compared with the results from the palpation test. Participants Nineteen women with a mean age of 23.7 years (range 21 to 28 years). Results Inter-rater reliability for vaginal palpation was fair (kappa = 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.09 to 0.57). Using the Peritron manometer, the difference between examiners was less than 10 cmH(2)O in 11 of the 19 (58%) cases. The palpation test did not differentiate between weak, moderate, good and strong muscle contractions. This study found fair inter-rater reliability for the modified Oxford Grading Scale and moderate inter-rater reliability for the Peritron manometer. Conclusions The inter-rater reliability of vaginal squeeze pressure measurement using the Peritron manometer is acceptable and can be used in re-evaluations performed by different examiners in clinical practice. However, for research purposes, the ideal situation would be for a single examiner to assess and re-assess the subject. Vaginal palpation is important in the clinical assessment of correctness of a pelvic floor muscle contraction, but this study does not support the use of the modified Oxford Grading Scale as a reliable and valid method to measure and differentiate pelvic floor muscle strength. (C) 2010 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Immunohistochemical study of GLUT-1 in oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors

AIM: To investigate the immunoexpression and diagnostic applicability of human erythrocyte-type glucose transporter protein (GLUT-1) in oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Specimens diagnosed as oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors archived in the Oral Pathology Service of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais from 1966 to 2006 were evaluated. Thirty-four lesions were included: 15 traumatic neuromas, 11 neurofibromas, four neurilemmomas, and four malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). One case of neurofibroma was associated with neurofibromatosis type I. Immunohistochemistry for S-100 and GLUT-1 was performed. S-100 was immunopositive in all lesions. RESULTS: Benign lesions were immunopositive for GLUT-1 except in two (18.2%) cases of neurofibromas. In the traumatic neuroma, the perineuriums were immunopositive for GLUT-1. In the neurofibroma, the immunoreactivity was heterogeneous. Immunopositivity was observed at levels of 54.5% in the periphery of the lesion, 9.1% in the center, and 18.2% in both. The neurilemmoma demonstrated immunopositivity in the capsule. One case (25%) of MPNST presented GLUT-1 positive stain in occasional cells distributed homogeneously in all the tumor area. CONCLUSION: GLUT-1 is a useful marker for perineurial cells and should be included in the oral peripheral nerve sheath tumors immunophenotyping thus aiding in the correct diagnosis of these lesions.

Characterization of dimethacrylate polymeric networks: A study of the crosslinked structure formed by monomers used in dental composites

The resin phase of dental composites is mainly composed of combinations of dimethacrylate comonomers, with final polymeric network structure defined by monomer type/reactivity and degree of conversion. This fundamental study evaluates how increasing concentrations of the flexible triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) influences void formation in bisphenol A diglycidyl dimethacrylate (BisGMA) co-polymerizations and correlates this aspect of network structure with reaction kinetic parameters and macroscopic volumetric shrinkage. Photopolymerization kinetics was followed in real-time by a near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic technique, viscosity was assessed with a viscometer, volumetric shrinkage was followed with a linometer, free volume formation was determined by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and the sol-gel composition was determined by extraction with dichloromethane followed by (1)H NMR analysis. Results show that, as expected, volumetric shrinkage increases with TEGDMA concentration and monomer conversion. Extraction/(1)H NMR studies show increasing participation of the more flexible TEGDMA towards the limiting stages of conversion/crosslinking development. As the conversion progresses, either based on longer irradiation times or greater TEGDMA concentrations, the network becomes more dense, which is evidenced by the decrease in free volume and weight loss after extraction in these situations. For the same composition (BisGMA/TEGDMA 60-40 mol%) light-cured for increasing periods of time (from 10 to 600 s), free volume decreased and volumetric shrinkage increased, in a linear relationship with conversion. However, the correlation between free volume and macroscopic volumetric shrinkage was shown to be rather complex for variable compositions exposed for the same time (600 s). The addition of TEGDMA decreases free-volume up to 40 mol% (due to increased conversion), but above that concentration, in spite of the increase in conversion/crosslinking, free volume pore size increases due to the high concentration of the more flexible monomer. In those cases, the increase in volumetric shrinkage was due to higher functional group concentration, in spite of the greater free volume. Therefore, through the application of the PALS model, this study elucidates the network formation in dimethacrylates commonly used in dental materials. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Association of bowel movement frequency and use of laxatives with the occurrence of symptomatic gallstone disease in a prospective study of women

OBJECTIVES: The authors prospectively examined the association between bowel movement frequency (used as a proxy for intestinal transit), laxative use, and the risk of symptomatic gallstone disease. METHODS: A total of 79,829 women, aged 36–61 yr, without a history of symptomatic gallstone disease and free of cancer, responded to a mailed questionnaire in 1982 that assessed bowel movement frequency and use of laxatives. Between 1984 and 1996, 4,443 incident cases of symptomatic gallstone disease were documented. Relative risks (RRs) of symptomatic gallstone disease and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: After controlling for age and established risk factors, the multivariate RRs were, compared to women with daily bowel movements, 0.97 (95% CI 0.86–1.08) for women with bowel movements every third day or less, and 1.00 (95% CI 0.91–1.11) for women with bowel movement more than once daily. No trend was evident. As compared to women who never used laxatives in 1982, a significant modest inverse association was seen for monthly laxative use, with a multivariate RR of 0.84 (95% CI 0.72–0.98), and weekly to daily laxative use was associated with a RR of 0.88 (95% CI 0.78–1.02). CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not support an association between infrequent bowel movements and risk of symptomatic gallstone disease in women, and indicate that simple questions directed at bowel movement frequency are unlikely to enhance our ability to predict risk of symptomatic gallstone disease. The slightly inverse association between use of laxatives and risk of symptomatic gallstone disease may be due to a mechanism that is not related to bowel movement frequency.

In situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of surface oxygen species on Au/ZnO catalyst for low-temperature carbon monoxide oxidation

Some paramagnetic superoxide ions detectable by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) can be generated on Au/ZnO catalyst by oxygen adsorption at room temperature as well as at 553 K. In both the cases, the O-2(-) ions are present on the catalyst surface. The disappearance of the O-2(-) signal by the introduction of carbon monoxide over the catalyst surface implies that the O-2(-) ions are either the active oxygen species or the precursors of the active oxygen species. The CO3- species produced are also detected by EPR. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Primary Bartholin gland carcinoma: a report of seven cases

This study reviews our experience with 7 patients with primary Bartholin gland cancer (BGC) treated at the Queensland Gynaecological Cancer Centre (QCGC) and compares this with previously published data. A retrospective clinicopathologic review of all patients with primary BGC treated at QCGC from 1988 to 2000 was performed. Of the 7 patients treated, all underwent primary surgery and 5 of the 7 patients received radiotherapy postoperatively. All patients presented with a local swelling or a lump. Two had associated discharge and 2 had associated pain. Of the 7 patients, 2, 3 and 2 respectively were classified as having Stage IB, II or III disease. Five of the 7 patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), one had adenoid-cystic carcinoma and 1 had a small-cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland. None of the patients with SCC developed recurrent disease. The patient with adenoid-cystic carcinoma experienced local recurrences at 4 years and again at 5 years and 3 months. Nine years after primary treatment she was diagnosed with pulmonary metastases. The patient with small-cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland was considered tumour-free after operation. Thorough imaging, including a CT scan of her chest, abdomen and pelvis showed no evidence of disease. She died 1 year and three months after diagnosis from disseminated pulmonary disease. We present the first report, of small cell neuroendocrine cancer of the Bartholin gland. Therapeutic principles in the management of vulval cancer at other sites appear to be appropriate for management of BGC.

Melanoma in adolescents: A case-control study of risk factors in Queensland, Australia

The incidence of melanoma increases markedly in the second decade of life but almost nothing is known of the causes of melanoma in this age group. We report on the first population-based case-control study of risk factors for melanoma in adolescents (15-19 years). Data were collected through personal interviews with cases, controls and parents. A single examiner conducted full-body nevus counts and blood samples were collected from cases for analysis of the CDKN2A melanoma predisposition gene. A total of 201 (80%) of the 250 adolescents with melanoma diagnosed between 1987 and 1994 and registered with the Queensland Cancer Registry and 205 (79%) of 258 age-, gender- and location-matched controls who were contacted agreed to participate. The strongest risk factor associated with melanoma in adolescents in a multivariate model was the presence of more than 100 nevi 2 mm or more in diameter (odds ratio [OR] = 46.5, 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 11.4-190.8). Other risk factors were red hair (OR = 5.4, 95%Cl = 1.0-28.4); blue eyes (OR = 4.5, 95%Cl = 1.5- 13.6); inability to tan after prolonged sun exposure (OR = 4.7, 95%Cl = 0.9-24.6); heavy facial freckling (OR = 3.2, 95% Cl = 0.9-12.3); and family history of melanoma (OR = 4.0, 95%Cl = 0.8-18.9). Only 2 of 147 cases tested had germline variants or mutations in CDKN2A. There was no association with sunscreen use overall, however, never/rare use of sunscreen at home under the age of 5 years was associated with increased risk (OR = 2.2, 95%Cl = 0.7-7.1). There was no difference between cases and controls in cumulative sun exposure in this high-exposure environment. Factors indicating genetic susceptibility to melanoma, in particular, the propensity to develop nevi and freckles, red hair, blue eyes, inability to tan and a family history of the disease are the primary determinants of melanoma among adolescents in this high solar radiation environment. Lack of association with reported sun exposure is consistent with the high genetic susceptibility in this group. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A study of "white spotted kidneys" in cattle

A study was performed at an abattoir in Australia, in an attempt to correlate focal chronic interstitial nephritis (FCIN) producing the so-called white spotted kidney, with Leptospira spp. and other pathogens in cattle. Samples of kidneys, urine and blood were collected immediately after slaughter from 46 two-year-old heifers, and 72 cows and bulls with gross lesions consistent with FCIN. The same samples were also collected from nine heifers and 12 cows with no gross kidney lesions. Aqueous humour was also collected from the eye of 17 of the adult animals. The sera were processed by a microscopic agglutination test for leptospira antibodies, while all the other samples were cultured for Leptospira spp. and also processed for routine aerobic and anaerobic culture for other pathogens. Sub-samples from all the kidneys were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed histologically. Antibody titers of 1:400 or higher for Lepstospira borgpeterseni serovar hardjo were found in six adult animals with FCIN and in one adult animal with no gross kidney changes, while antibody titers of 1:400 to L borgpeterseni serovar tarassovi were found in only one animal with FCIN. L. borgpeterseni serovar hardjo was isolated from the urine and kidney of one adult animal and from the urine of another adult animal, both with FCIN. No pathogens were isolated from any of the other samples. The histological lesions were consistent in most cases with FCIN. The results suggest that neither Leptospira spp. nor active infection by other bacteria are associated with c the so-called white spotted kidneys. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Preliminary results of a study of magnetic properties in the Foum-Zguid dyke (Morocco)

This work focuses on the study of flow and propagation of magma using rock magnetic analyses along sections across the thick Jurassic dyke of Foum-Zguid (Southern Morocco). Thermomagnetic data show that Ti-poor titanomagnetite is the main magnetic carrier. Petrographic analysis shows that the main Ti phase (ilmenite) occurs either as lamellae within spinel (center of the dyke) or as isolated grains (dyke margin). Bulk magnetic properties display distinct behavior according to the distance to the dyke margin; grain size of the main magnetic carrier decreases towards the center of the dyke, while the natural remanent magnetization and the bulk magnetic susceptibility increase. Only the magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid close to the dyke margin corresponds to that usually found in thin dykes, with the magnetic foliation sub parallel to dyke margins. Maximum principal axis is in most cases either parallel or perpendicular to the intersection between the planes of magnetic foliation and dyke wall. Moreover, when this axis is perpendicular to the intersection it is associated with a more oblate magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid shape, indicating the presence of complex magnetic fabrics. The studied magnetic properties show that, in this 100 m wide thick dyke, flow structures related with dyke propagation are only preserved close to the quickly cooled dyke margins.

Light pollution and energy efficiency: a case study of the village of Vialonga

Since industrialization and the formation of larger urban centers in the nineteenth century, pollution of the environment was always present in daily life in various ways, namely in the form of light. Light pollution can cause various consequences, both for humans and for their ecosystem, producing effects on environmental, social, economic and scientific level. In Portugal, the lighting is responsible for 3% of total electricity consumption, energy costs are in some cases more than 50% towards the costs incurred by municipalities with energy, checking-in recent years a trend similar to that improvement of illumination levels in the region (about 4 to 5% per year). Proper use of lighting brings many benefits both to the citizen and environment, since greater energy efficiency can contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, energy costs, as well as to decrease the use of resources not-renewable and/or contamination of renewable resources, which can occurs in the process of obtaining electricity. The present study has a main goal to analyze the illuminance levels associated to the public lighting of the village of Vialonga, Vila Franca de Xira (Portugal), to verify if it is efficient. The aim is also to relate the efficiency of street lighting with the existence of light pollution.

Histological and microbiological aspects of actinomycetoma cases in Venezuela

A ten year (1976-1986) review study of cases of Actinomycetoma in Venezuela was made through personal interview and clinical examinations, analysis of medical records of patients with actinomycetoma, histological studies of biopsy samples, as well as microbiological studies of isolates strain, also through out personal interviews with researchers and dermatologists who were sources of information on mycetoma cases. A total of 47 cases were recorded. As etiologic agent Actinomadura madurae was found in 20 cases - (42.5%), Nocardia brasiliensis in 13 cases (27.6%), Nocardia spp 7 cases (14.8%), Streptomyces somaliensis in 4 cases (8.5%), N. asteroides in 2 cases (4.2%) and N. otitidis caviarum, (N. caviae) in 1 case (2.1%). Most of the reported cases involved individuals living and working in rural areas, mostly males who outnumber females 4:1. The patients were 18 to 80 years old. A. madurae was reported as the most frequent etiologic agent. Most of the clinical cases were seen when the disease was well established. Twenty four of the forty seven cases reported were observed in Lara State, which represents a 51.0% of all the cases studied.

Comparison study of procedures for aspiration of biopsy samples

Introduction: The samples obtained from fine needle aspiration in liquid base cytology (FNAC) are often limited by scarce cellularity compared to the amount of colloid and presence of blood. Accordingly, it was important to test alternative technical procedures so as to maximize the cellularity of each sample. Objective: To compare the morphological features and cellularity of the three procedures in the FNAC cytodiagnosis of the thyroid. Methods: A total of 31 cases were each subjected to a cell block and ThinPrep preparation as well as a routine smear. The observation and analysis was performed using an optical microscope. Cytological diagnosis of each cell block case was objectively analysed for cellularity, presence of background and cellular preservation. Each smear and ThinPrep case was analysed for the presence or absence of cells. The data was analysed with Microsoft Excel (Office 2010) and SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Science) version 15.0 for Windows. Results: Of 31 cases, only 20 had thyroid cells in the cell block and ThinPrep preparations, however, all smear cases contained thyroid cells. Some background was found in 30 Cell block cases with only 5 of these containing well preserved cells for cytodiagnosis. Conclusions: As indicated by the results, smear is the most appropriate procedure for FNAC of the thyroid.

Preventing human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation: the need for a bottom-up approach : the case-study of Brazilians trafficked to Portugal

Masters Thesis – Academic Year 2007/2008 - European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratization (E.MA) - European Inter-university Centre for Human Rights and Democratization (EIUC) -Faculdade de Direito, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL)

Pulmonary cavities colonized by actinomycetes: report of six cases

Six cases of a cavitary pulmonary ball formed by Actinomycetes are reported. They were observed in the state of Bahia, Brazil. All patients complained of cough and hemoptysis and the pathological study showed bronchiectasis and small cavities in the lungs. The lesions contained micro-colonies of Actinomyces, identified by morphology, staining properties and culture in two cases (thioglycolate media). In the six patients the disease was limited to the lungs. In one patient grains were found, within micro-abscesses in the surrounding parenchyma. Probably the invasion occurred due to ulceration of bronchial mucosa that was covered by granulation tissue. The author suggests that as in nocardiosis actinomycosys may have an invasive form, a saprophytic one may and colonize pulmonary cavities.

Longitudinal study of acute respiratory diseases in Rio de Janeiro: occurrence of respiratory viruses during four consecutive years

The occurrence of different viruses in nasopharyngeal secretions from children less than 5 years old with acute respiratory infections (ARI) was investigated over a period of 4 years (1982-1985) in Rio de Janeiro. Of the viruses known to be associated with ARI, all but influenza C and parainfluenza types 1, 2 and 4 were found. Viruses were found more frequently in children attending emergency or pediatric wards than in outpatients. This was clearly related to the high incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the more severe cases of ARI. RSV positive specimens appeared mainly during the fall, over four consecutive years, showing a clear seasonal ocurrence of this virus. Emergency wards provide the best source of data for RSV surveillance, showing sharp increase in the number of positive cases coinciding with increased incidence of ARI cases. Adenovirus were the second most frequent viruses isolated and among these serotypes 1,2 and 7 were predominant. Influenza virus and parainfluenza virus type 3 were next in frequency. Influenza A virus were isolated with equal frequency in outpatient departments, emergency and pediatric wards. Influenza B was more frequent among outpatients. Parainfluenza type 3 caused outbreaks in the shanty town population annually during the late winter or spring and were isolated mainly from outpatients. Herpesvirus, enterovi-rus and rhinovirus were found less frequently. Other viruses than RSV and parainfluenza type 3 did not show a clear seasonal incidence.