Variations of the soft tissue thicknesses external to the ribs in Pectus Excavatum patients

Background: Surgical repair of pectus excavatum (PE) has become more popular due to improvements in the minimally invasive Nuss procedure. The pre-surgical assessment of PE patients requires Computerized Tomography (CT), as the malformation characteristics vary from patient to patient. Objective: This work aims to characterize soft tissue thickness (STT) external to the ribs among PE patients. It also presents a comparative analysis between the anterior chest wall surface before and after surgical correction. Methods: Through surrounding tissue segmentation in CT data, STT values were calculated at different lines along the thoracic wall, with a reference point in the intersection of coronal and median planes. The comparative analysis between the two 3D anterior chest surfaces sets a surgical correction influence area (SCIA) and a volume of interest (VOI) based on image processing algorithms, 3D surface algorithms, and registration methods. Results: There are always variations between left and right side STTs (2.54±2.05 mm and 2.95±2.97 mm for female and male patients, respectively). STTs are dependent on age, sex, and body mass index of each patient. On female patients, breast tissue induces additional errors in bar manual

Variations of the soft tissue thicknesses external to the ribs in pectus excavatum patients

Background: Surgical repair of pectus excavatum (PE) has become more popular due to improvements in the minimally invasive Nuss procedure. The pre-surgical assessment of PE patients requires Computerized Tomography (CT), as the malformation characteristics vary from patient to patient. Objective: This work aims to characterize soft tissue thickness (STT) external to the ribs among PE patients. It also presents a comparative analysis between the anterior chest wall surface before and after surgical correction. Methods: Through surrounding tissue segmentation in CT data, STT values were calculated at different lines along the thoracic wall, with a reference point in the intersection of coronal and median planes. The comparative analysis between the two 3D anterior chest surfaces sets a surgical correction influence area (SCIA) and a volume of interest (VOI) based on image processing algorithms, 3D surface algorithms, and registration methods. Results: There are always variations between left and right side STTs (2.54±2.05 mm and 2.95±2.97 mm for female and male patients, respectively). STTs are dependent on age, sex, and body mass index of each patient. On female patients, breast tissue induces additional errors in bar manual

Salpingohysterectomy in a female budgericar (melopsittacus undulatus) due to oviduct impaction

Female breeding tract disease is common in small psittacine clinical practice. The author makes a brief introduction to these issues, followed by a case report. In the latest, it is described the surgical resolution of oviduct impaction in a female budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).

O estresse ocupacional do professor do ensino superior: a relação entre os sintomas de estresse e a atividade docente em duas instituições de ensino superior da cidade de Teresina-pi

RESUMO: Com a globalização e as mudanças provenientes da mesma, o ser humano vem sofrendo com o estresse ao tentar se adaptar e acompanhar tais acontecimentos seja no âmbito familiar, social, afetivo e profissional. Para desempenhar as funções docentes do ensino superior, são exigidas diversas condições, e o professor sofre um desgaste físico e psicológico ao tentar suprir determinadas demandas, o que em muitos casos, ocasiona o estresse ocupacional. Com o propósito de aprofundar conhecimentos sobre a relação existente entre o estresse e a atividade docente, fizemos o seguinte questionamento: quais os sintomas de estresse apresentados em professores do ensino superior? Com Objetivo geral de estudar os sintomas e níveis de estresse, relacionando-os à carreira docente do ensino superior, com as variáveis: regime de trabalho, vínculo institucional, idade, sexo, tempo de trabalho, tipo de IES, em uma população específica pertencente a duas Instituições de Ensino Superior -IES da cidade de Teresina, Estado do Piauí- Brasil, sendo uma pública e uma privada. Visando atingir os objetivos propostos, utilizamos da metodologia de caráter exploratório e descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa dos dados recorrendo à estatística descritiva. O instrumento de coleta de dados utilizado foi o “Inventário de Sintomas de Stress Lipp – ISSL” da autora Marilda Lipp (2000), aplicado em uma amostra de cem (100) professores, com idade entre 22 e 55 anos de idade. Mediante a análise dos dados, pode-se verificar que apesar das diferenças existentes entre IES públicas e privadas, a maioria dos resultados foram semelhantes. Em ambas as IES houve presença de estresse nos docentes, prevalecendo a fase de alerta, logo após a fase de resistência, em seguida a fase de quase-exaustão,Houve um predomínio de sintomas psicológicos, onde na IES privada se destacam: aumento súbito de motivação e entusiasmo súbito. E como sintomas físicos: boca seca e nó no estômago. Na IES públicas os sintomas psicológicos foram: entusiasmo súbito e aumento súbito de motivação. E físicos: tensão muscular e nó no estômago. Em relação as co-variáveis que apresentaram maior relação com o estresse pode-se apresentar na IES privada o sexo masculino e feminino possuem a mesma representatividade, a faixa etária de 31 a 39 anos, estado civil casado, tempo de serviço de 7 a 13 anos, jornada de trabalho integral e vínculo efetivo. Já na IES pública verifica-se relação com o sexo feminino, idade variando de 31 a 39 anos, estado civil solteiro, tempo de serviço de 7 a 13 anos, jornada de trabalho parcial e vínculo substituto. De acordo com o que foi analisado, percebe-se que os docentes do ensino superior, independente do tipo de IES ao qual estão vinculados, estão sujeitos ao estresse e que estes não devem ser responsabilizados pelo mesmo, nem por adoção de medidas preventivas, visto que toda a IES sofre as conseqüências, e tem condições de auxiliar o professor com situações preventivas, de controle a partir do conhecimento, interpretação e mudança de hábitos do professor no ambiente universitário. ABSTRACT: With globalization and its changes, the human being has suffered from stress while trying to adapt and monitor such events, within family, social, emotional or professional scope. To play as teacher in higher education, they are required various conditions and the teacher suffers physical and psychological wear trying to meet certain demands, which in many cases leads to occupational stress.Aiming to deepen knowledge about the relationship between stress and teaching activities, we made the following question: what are the symptoms of stress presented by higher education teachers? With the general objective of study the symptoms and the stress levels, linking them to the teaching career in higher education, using the following variables: working regime, institutional link, age, sex, working time, type of HEI, in a specific population belongs to two Higher Education Institutions HEI - of Teresina, Piauí, Brazil, one public and one private. Aiming to achieve the proposed objectives, we used a exploratory - descriptive study, with quantitative approach of data using graphs and tables. The data collection instrument used was the "Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory - ISSL" by the author Marilda Lipp (2000), applied to a sample of a hundred (100) teachers, between 22 and 55 years of age. Through data analysis, despite the differences between public and private HEIs, we can see that the most results were similar. In both HEIs, the results revealed that the alert phase of stress had prevailed, followed by resistance and almost-exhaustion phases. A small number presented stress in exhaustion phase and another group did not present stress. There was a predominance of psychological symptoms, which in private HEIs stands out: increase of motivation and enthusiasm suddenly. And as physical symptoms: dry mouth and stomached. In public HEI, psychological symptoms were sudden enthusiasm and increse of motivation. And physical symptoms: muscle tension and stomached. In relation to the co-variables that showed a greater relationship with stress, in private HEIs males and females have the same representation, between 31-39 years, married, working time of 7-13 years, full working day and effective link. Already in public HEIs, female, between 31-39 years, unmarried, working time of 7-13 years, partial working day and substitute link had prevailed. According to analysis, we find that teachers in higher education, regardless of the HEI to which they are linked, are subject to stress. And they should not be blamed for the onset of stress, neither by adopting preventive measures, since all the HEI suffers the consequences, and it is able to help teachers with preventive measures based on the knowledge, interpretation and change habits of the teacher in the university environment.

Influence of HIV positive status on sexual behavior among males

OBJECTIVE: To compare HIV seronegative (HIV-) and HIV seropositive (HIV+) males in terms of sexual behavior with female and male partners of different types. METHOD: Cross-sectional study. From August 1994 to February 1995, a sample of 236 respondents (150 HIV- and 86 HIV+) recruited from public health centers in the State of S. Paulo (Brazil), answered a questionnaire, including questions on demographic aspects, HIV and AIDS related knowledge, sexual orientation, use of alcohol and other drugs, sexual behavior with regular and casual female and male partners, and perceived risk of HIV infection. Sexual behavior with regular and casual female and male partners within the previous three months, was investigated. RESULTS: A lower proportion of HIV+ engaged in sexual contact with regular female partners (p < .01) and in vaginal intercourse with this type of partner (p < .01). A lower proportion of HIV+ engaged in overall sexual activity (p < .001) and reported lower frequency of penetrative sexual practices (p < .05). A high level of condom use with female and male partners was identified with no significant differences being found between the two serostatus groups. Some risky sexual behavior was identified, however, especially with regular partners, suggesting that some men were continuing to practice unsafe sex. CONCLUSIONS: The high level of condom use identified suggests that safer sex advice has been taken up. Condom use was not universal, however, and some men continue to place themselves at risk, especially with regular partners. Prevention programs should strive not only to encourage HIV- to practice safer sex, but also to encourage HIV+ to do so in order to prevent further transmission of the virus.

Pediculus capitis infestation according to sex and social factors in Argentina

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intensity of Pediculus capitis infestation (abundance) among Argentinean schoolchildren. Children's sex and social stratum were analyzed as modifiers of the general prevalence and degree of parasitism. METHODS: The study included 1,370 schoolchildren (692 girls, 678 boys) from 26 schools of the province of La Rioja (21 public schools, five private schools). Classic prevalence was obtained as the percentage of children with nits and/or lice. Moreover, five degrees of parasitism were classified: 0) children with no signs of pediculosis; 0+) children with evidence of past infestation; 1) children with a recent infestation and low probability of active parasitism; 2) children with a recent infestation and high probability of active parasitism; 3) children with mobile lice (active pediculosis). RESULTS: The general prevalence was 61.4% (girls: 79%; boys: 44%, p<0.001). Private schools showed lower prevalence than public schools (p=0.02), especially due to the low prevalence in boys. Fifty percent of children were classified in classes 0 and 0+, 22% in class 1; and 28% in grades 2 and 3. The proportion of children in grade 3 was higher in public schools than in private schools. There were significant sexual differences in the intensity of parasitism for grades 2 and 3, where girls' rates exceeded twice those of boys'. CONCLUSIONS: Sex and social stratum are important modifiers of P. capitis general prevalence and degree of infestation. The classification of children by intensity of infestation allowed a more precise delimitation of this condition, which is especially important for disease surveillance and application of control measures.

Género e profissões: uma análise empírica para Portugal

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ciências Económicas e Empresariais, 9 de Janeiro de 2014, Universidade dos Açores.

A Intenção de uso da M-Wallet pelo consumidor português

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Marketing Digital, sob orientação de Mestre António da Silva Vieira.

Perceção dos riscos ocupacionais pelos técnicos de radiologia da Região Autónoma dos Açores

Dissertação de Mestrado, Ambiente, Saúde e Segurança, 23 de Abril de 2013, Universidade dos Açores.

Locus of control and contraceptive knowledge, attitude and practice among university students

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between locus of control and knowledge, attitude and practice regarding pill and condom use among university students. METHODS: The inquiry was developed in Campinas, a city in Southeastern Brazil, in 2006. A total of 295 adolescent newcomers to a public university answered a structured questionnaire and Levenson's multidimensional locus of control scale. The scores of the dimensions of locus of control were calculated and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess their correlation with knowledge and practice concerning pill and condom use. In order to assess the relationship between the dimensions of locus of control and sociodemographic variables and variables related to the individuals' sex life, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used. RESULTS: Male adolescents had higher scores of powerful others externality when compared to female adolescents (p=0.01). Students living alone had lower internality (p=0.01). When locus of control was compared to condom use in the first intercourse, considering only the 102 students who informed the age of the beginning of sexual activity, greater internality was found among male adolescents who did not use condoms (p<0.05). When the locus of control scores were correlated with contraceptive knowledge and practice, it was found that the higher the powerful others externality locus, the lower the adequate use of contraceptive methods (r = -0.22, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The powerful others externality locus influences the practice of contraceptive use in this group of adolescents.

HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men: applying the item response theory

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men in Brazil using the latent trait model estimated by Item Response Theory. METHODS Multicenter, cross-sectional study, carried out in ten Brazilian cities between 2008 and 2009. Adult men who have sex with men were recruited (n = 3,746) through Respondent Driven Sampling. HIV/AIDS knowledge was ascertained through ten statements by face-to-face interview and latent scores were obtained through two-parameter logistic modeling (difficulty and discrimination) using Item Response Theory. Differential item functioning was used to examine each item characteristic curve by age and schooling. RESULTS Overall, the HIV/AIDS knowledge scores using Item Response Theory did not exceed 6.0 (scale 0-10), with mean and median values of 5.0 (SD = 0.9) and 5.3, respectively, with 40.7% of the sample with knowledge levels below the average. Some beliefs still exist in this population regarding the transmission of the virus by insect bites, by using public restrooms, and by sharing utensils during meals. With regard to the difficulty and discrimination parameters, eight items were located below the mean of the scale and were considered very easy, and four items presented very low discrimination parameter (< 0.34). The absence of difficult items contributed to the inaccuracy of the measurement of knowledge among those with median level and above. CONCLUSIONS Item Response Theory analysis, which focuses on the individual properties of each item, allows measures to be obtained that do not vary or depend on the questionnaire, which provides better ascertainment and accuracy of knowledge scores. Valid and reliable scales are essential for monitoring HIV/AIDS knowledge among the men who have sex with men population over time and in different geographic regions, and this psychometric model brings this advantage.

Resistance of Aedes aegypti to temephos and adaptive disadvantages

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the resistance of Aedes aegypti to temephos Fersol 1G (temephos 1% w/w) associated with the adaptive disadvantage of insect populations in the absence of selection pressure. METHODS A diagnostic dose of 0.28 mg a.i./L and doses between 0.28 mg a.i./L and 1.40 mg a.i./L were used. Vector populations collected between 2007 and 2008 in the city of Campina Grande, state of Paraíba, were evaluated. To evaluate competition in the absence of selection pressure, insect populations with initial frequencies of 20.0%, 40.0%, 60.0%, and 80.0% resistant individuals were produced and subjected to the diagnostic dose for two months. Evaluation of the development of aquatic and adult stages allowed comparison of the life cycles in susceptible and resistant populations and construction of fertility life tables. RESULTS No mortality was observed in Ae. aegypti populations subjected to the diagnostic dose of 0.28 mg a.i./L. The decreased mortality observed in populations containing 20.0%, 40.0%, 60.0%, and 80.0% resistant insects indicates that temephos resistance is unstable in the absence of selection pressure. A comparison of the life cycles indicated differences in the duration and viability of the larval phase, but no differences were observed in embryo development, sex ratio, adult longevity, and number of eggs per female. CONCLUSIONS The fertility life table results indicated that some populations had reproductive disadvantages compared with the susceptible population in the absence of selection pressure, indicating the presence of a fitness cost in populations resistant to temephos.

Metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers

OBJECTIVE To analyze if metabolic syndrome and its altered components are associated with demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors in fixed-shift workers.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 902 shift workers of both sexes in a poultry processing plant in Southern Brazil in 2010. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was determined according to the recommendations from Harmonizing the Metabolic Syndrome. Its frequency was evaluated according to the demographic (sex, skin color, age and marital status), socioeconomic (educational level, income and work shift), and behavioral characteristics (smoking, alcohol intake, leisure time physical activity, number of meals and sleep duration) of the sample. The multivariate analysis followed a theoretical framework for identifying metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers.RESULTS The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the sample was 9.3% (95%CI 7.4;11.2). The most frequently altered component was waist circumference (PR 48.4%; 95%CI 45.5;51.2), followed by high-density lipoprotein. Work shift was not associated with metabolic syndrome and its altered components. After adjustment, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was positively associated with women (PR 2.16; 95%CI 1.28;3.64), workers aged over 40 years (PR 3.90; 95%CI 1.78;8.93) and those who reported sleeping five hours or less per day (PR 1.70; 95%CI 1.09;2.24). On the other hand, metabolic syndrome was inversely associated with educational level and having more than three meals per day (PR 0.43; 95%CI 0.26;0.73).CONCLUSIONS Being female, older and deprived of sleep are probable risk factors for metabolic syndrome, whereas higher educational level and higher number of meals per day are protective factors for metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers.

Gender in the allocation of organs in kidney transplants: meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE To analyze whether gender influence survival results of kidney transplant grafts and patients.METHODS Systematic review with meta-analysis of cohort studies available on Medline (PubMed), LILACS, CENTRAL, and Embase databases, including manual searching and in the grey literature. The selection of studies and the collection of data were conducted twice by independent reviewers, and disagreements were settled by a third reviewer. Graft and patient survival rates were evaluated as effectiveness measurements. Meta-analysis was conducted with the Review Manager® 5.2 software, through the application of a random effects model. Recipient, donor, and donor-recipient gender comparisons were evaluated.RESULTS : Twenty-nine studies involving 765,753 patients were included. Regarding graft survival, those from male donors were observed to have longer survival rates as compared to the ones from female donors, only regarding a 10-year follow-up period. Comparison between recipient genders was not found to have significant differences on any evaluated follow-up periods. In the evaluation between donor-recipient genders, male donor-male recipient transplants were favored in a statistically significant way. No statistically significant differences were observed in regards to patient survival for gender comparisons in all follow-up periods evaluated.CONCLUSIONS The quantitative analysis of the studies suggests that donor or recipient genders, when evaluated isolatedly, do not influence patient or graft survival rates. However, the combination between donor-recipient genders may be a determining factor for graft survival.

ERICA: prevalence of healthy eating habits among Brazilian adolescents

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the prevalence of eating habits considered healthy in adolescents according to sex, age, education level of the mother, school type, session of study, and geographic region. METHODS The assessed data come from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a cross-sectional, national and school-based study. Adolescents of 1,247 schools of 124 Brazilian municipalities were evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire with a section on aspects related to eating behaviors. The following eating behaviors were considered healthy: consuming breakfast, drinking water, and having meals accompanied by parents or legal guardians. All prevalence estimates were presented proportionally, with their respective 95% confidence intervals. The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the differences in healthy eating habits prevalences according to other variables. The module survey of the Stata program version 13.0 was used to analyze complex data. RESULTS We evaluated 74,589 adolescents (72.9% of the eligible students). Of these, 55.2% were female, average age being 14.6 years (SD = 1.6). Among Brazilian adolescents, approximately half of them showed healthy eating habits when consuming breakfast, drinking five or more glasses of water a day, and having meals with parents or legal guardians. All analyzed healthy eating habits showed statistically significant differences by sex, age, type of school, session of study, or geographic region. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that specific actions of intersectoral approach are implemented for the dissemination of the benefits of healthy eating habits. Older female adolescents (15 to 17 years old) who studied in public schools, resided in the Southeast region, and whose mothers had lower education levels, should be the focus of these actions since they present lower frequencies concerning the evaluated healthy habits.