bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A1chieve Program in Russian Federation: a multicenter prospective observational study of insulin analogue treatment efficiency and safety in daily management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who startand intensify insulin treatment having never received it before
Authors: Shestakova Marina Vladimirovna
Published: November 2013

Prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus worldwide and in Russian Federation is epidemic in its nature. Prospective studies have shown thatmaintenance of glycemic target reduces risk of late vascular complications. In turn, strict glycemic control requires modern approach tointensification of glucose lowering therapy. Randomized clinical trials prove capacity of modern insulin analogues to improve glycemiccontrol while decreasing risk of hypoglycemic events and weight gain. Current paper presents initial data on 9342 patients, participatedin multicenter prospective 52-week observational study A1chieve, conducted in order to assess efficiency and safety of treatment withinsulin analogues Levemir?, NovoMix? and NovoRapid? (Novo Nordisk) in daily management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,who never received that treatment before.
The membrane attack complex as an indicator of complement hyperactivation in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Arakelova Elina Alexandrovna , Ovsepyan Meri Robertovna , Boyadzhyan Anna Surenovna , Arakelyan Arsen Artashesovich , Gevorkyan Astkhik Artavazdovna , Mamikonyan Ashot Andreevich
Published: November 2013

Aim. Comparative analysis of the levels of the membrane attack complex (MAC) - an end product of complement activation, and of hemolytic activitiesof C1 and C3 complement components in sera of patients with diabetes mellitus 2 (DM2) and healthy subjects. Materials and methods. 37 DM2 patients (7 men, 26 women, mean age 58?9 years (M?б) and 37 healthy subjects without a family history of hereditarydiabetes (17 men, 20 women, mean age 52?12 years). Serum MAC levels were measured by ELISA, C1 and C3 hemolytic activities by usingrabbit antibody-sensitized ram erythrocytes and C1, C3-deficient sera. Results. Mean values of all measured parameters in DM2 patients were significantly higher than in controls. Conclusion. Pathogenesis of DM2 is characterized by hyperactivation of the complement system including both the classical and terminal cascadesand by hyperproduction of its cytotoxic products.
Physical abilities of patients in the late postoperative period after surgical treatment of complicated diabetic foot syndrome
Authors: Gracheva T V , Mkrtumyan Ashot Musaelovich
Published: November 2013

Aim. To study physical abilities of patients in the late postoperative period after surgical treatment of complicated diabetic foot syndrome. Materials and methods. This questionnaire study included 116 patients operated in the Department of Purulent Surgery, Sverdlovsk Regional ClinicalHospital No 1, between 01.01.2005 and 31.12.2007. Their physical ability to perform simplest indoor actions was compared with that of 84 DMpatients without diabetic foot syndrome. Results. In less than half of the patients the support function of the lower leg recovered within 1-3 years after discharge due to the presence of nonhealingor new wounds, the necessity of unloading, and the absence of prosthetic treatment. Physical abilities were especially poor after above-the-ankleamputations. The operated patients retained the ability to perform simplest indoor actions comparable with that of control subjects depending on DMduration and BMI. Conclusion. The latter parameter should be corrected as appropriate before the discharge of the patients from the hospital.
Assessment of endothelial function and arterial rigidity in patients with type 1 diabetes at different stages of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Kosobyan Evgenia Pavlovna , Yarek-Martynova Ivona Renata , Parfenov Alexander Sergeevich , Bolotskaya Lyubov' Leonidovna , Shestakova Marina Vladimirovna
Published: November 2013

Aim. Assessment of vascular stiffness and endothelial function in patients with type 1 diabetes at different stages of diabetic nephropathy and without it. Materials and methods. We examined 93 patients with DM1 aged 18 to 40 years, and disease duration of more than 5 years. The criterion for forming groups is the stage of diabetic nephropathy. Control group consisted of 23 healthy people. The study included an evaluation of the contour of pulse wave analysis, and conducting tests with reactive hyperemia on the unit Angioskan (LTD Angioskan, Russia). Prior to the study of each patients written informed consent. Results. In conducting the analysis of the pulse wave contour index of aortic stiffness was significantly higher in all groups of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) compared with healthy subjects. However, when comparing patients with T1D without DN and the control group, significant differences of stiffness index (SI) was not been determined. It should be noted that the increase in value of SI is almost independent of the presence of hypertension in the patient groups. In the analysis of reflection index (RI) values of statistically significant relationships were found. In analyzing the test data with reactive hyperemia we showed a reduction in growth of the signal amplitude in a significant number of patients, which is a sign of endothelial dysfunction, and occurs even in patients without clinical and laboratory signs of kidney damage. However, along with a decrease of this index, a large number of patients have paradoxically high its value, which may indicate a high level of basal nitric oxide. Conclusion. Increase in the stiffness of the aorta, the progression of DN may be an early marker of macrovascular lesions even in patients without hypertension. Reduced growth of the amplitude of the signal after occlusion in patients with no signs of kidney disease, indicates the presence of endothelial dysfunction even in the preclinical stage of diabetic nephropathy. Paradoxically high increase of the amplitude of the signal can indicate the presence of abnormally high basal level of nitric oxide, which is a marker of inflammation, high-risk factor of progression of angiopathies and fibrosis.
Quality of life diabetes mellitus: definitions, modern research approaches, tool for evaluation
Authors: Shishkova Yulia Andreevna , Motovilin Oleg Gennad'evich , Surkova Elena Viktorovna , Mayorov Alexander Yur'evich
Published: November 2013

Quality of life (QoL) studies are very important in many chronic diseases. Diabetes srongly impacts on QoL because of complex control and treatmentregiments and multiple somatic symptoms (acute and chronic complications). In turn, QoL has a significant impact on the prognosis of the disease.The paper reviws QoL definitions, evaluation approaches in medicine, list of examination tools.
Glibenclamide therapy: pros and cons
Authors: Vikulova Olga Konstantinovna , Shestakova Marina Vladimirovna
Published: November 2013

The safety of antidiabetic medications has received much attention in the resent past. Although concerns on the safety of glibenclamide therapy iscontroversial, some studies showed an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity (f.e. myocardial infarction) and risk of mortality in subjects usingglibenclamide, but not other SU (gliclazide or glimepiride)
The results of open observational trial DIAMOND
Authors: Shestakova Marina Vladimirovna , Vikulova Olga Konstantinovna
Published: November 2013

Aim. DIAMOND (DIAMicrON in Daily practice) is an open non-randomized observational trial aimed to estimate the efficacy and safety of gliclazide(Diamicron MB) in routine clinical practice. Materials and methods. 394 patients with poor control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2 DM), previously treated with diet or one of oral antidiabeticdrug (OAD), were switched to Diamicron MB. Previous therapy was left unchanged, except for a sulfonylurea or glinide that were canceled. Results. After 6 months of Diamicron MB therapy (30% monotherapy, 70% combined therapy) target HbA1c
Liver transplantation on the occasion biliary cirrhosis in the patient with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Bondar' Irina Arkad'evna , Klimontov Vadim Valer'evich , Migus'kina Elena Ivanovna , Porshennikov Ivan Anatol'evich , Bykov Alexander Yur'evich , Galkina Elena Valer'evna , Bryzgalova Ekaterina Alekseevna
Published: November 2013

We describe the case of Liver transplantation on the occasion biliary cirrhosis in the patient with diabetes mellitus
Predislovie k pervomu nomeru zhurnala “VESTNIK REPRODUKTIVNOGO ZDOROV'Ya”
Authors: Dedov I I
Published: November 2013

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Viroid-induced DNA methylation in plants
Authors: Dalakouras Athanasios , Dadami Elena , Wassenegger Michael
Published: November 2013

In eukaryotes, DNA methylation refers to the addition of a methyl group to the fifth atom in the six-atom ring of cytosine residues. At least in plants, DNA regions that become de novo methylated can be defined by homologous RNA molecules in a process termed RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). RdDM was first discovered in viroid-infected plants. Viroids are pathogenic circular, non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules. Members of the Pospiviroidae family replicate in the nucleus through double-stranded RNA intermediates, attracting the host RNA silencing machinery. The recruitment of this machinery results in the production of viroid-derived small RNAs (vd-sRNAs) that mediate RNA degradation and DNA methylation of cognate sequences. Here, we provide an overview of the cumulative data on the field of viroid-induced RdDM and discuss three possible scenarios concerning the mechanistic details of its establishment.
Separable convolution-elliptic operators with parameters
Authors: Shakhmurov Veli B.
Published: November 2013

The maximal regularity properties of parameter dependent abstract
convolution-elliptic equations are investigated. Here find sufficient
conditions that guarantee the uniform separability of these problems in Lp
spaces. It is established that the corresponding convolution-elliptic
operator is sectorial and is also a generator of an analytic semigroup.
Finally, these results applied to obtain the uniform maximal regularity for
the Cauchy problem for abstract parabolic equation in mixed

L
𝐩

${L_{\mathbf {p}}}$

norms, boundary value problems for anisotropic integro-differential
equations and infinite systems of elliptic integro-differential equations
with parameters.
Synthesis and biological activities of maleated rosin-based dithiourea compounds
Authors: Lin Gui-Shan , Dong Su-Qiu , Duan Wen-Gui , Cen Bo , Xu Xue-Tang , Yang Zhang-Qi
Published: November 2013

In search of new bioactive compounds, a series of maleated rosin-based dithiourea compounds were designed and synthesised with rosin as starting material. All the title compounds were characterised by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C NMR). The preliminary bioassay showed that the target compounds exhibited a certain fungicidal activity against Physalospora piricola at a concentration of 50 μg ml-1 and a certain growth herbicidal activity against the root of rape (Brassica campestris L.) at a concentration of 100 μg ml-1.
On the intersection of certain maximal subgroups of a
finite group
Authors: Ballester-Bolinches Adolfo , Beidleman James C. , Heineken Hermann , Ragland Matthew F. , Schmidt Jack
Published: November 2013

Let

Δ
(
G
)

${\Delta (G)}$

denote the intersection of all
non-normal maximal subgroups of a group G. We introduce
the class of
T
2-groups which are defined as the groups G for
which

G
/
Δ
(
G
)

${G/\Delta (G)}$

is a T-group, that is, a group in
which normality is a transitive relation. Several
results concerning the class T
2 are discussed. In
particular, if G is a
solvable group, then Sylow permutability is a transitive relation in G if and only if every subgroup H of G
is a T
2-group such that the nilpotent residual of
H is a Hall
subgroup of H.
Electrospun cellulosic structure nanofibre based on rice straw
Authors: Mottaghitalab Vahid , Farjad Mona
Published: November 2013

The present investigation compares the diverse methods of cellulose extraction from rice straw. Furthermore, the purified cellulosic material was utilized for the electrospinning of cellulose nanofibers. Based on the differential scanning calorimeter and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses, the new protocol was compared to the other methods showing lower amorphous structure and also lower lignin and hemicellulose in crystalline α-cellulose structure. The protocol, which included ultrasonic mechanical treatment, showed a higher crystallinity of the corresponding cellulose giving microfibers of 2.9±0.2 μm in average diameter based on the scanning electron microscope images. Cellulose nanofiber was prepared from its solution in trifluoroacetic acid using general one-step electrospinning process. The simultaneous effects of four processing variables including solution concentration (C), applied voltage (V), spinning distance (d), and volume flow rate (Q) on mean fiber diameter (MFD) and standard deviation of fiber diameter (StdFD) were investigated quantitatively and qualitatively. A range of MFD between 96±26 nm and 292±35 nm was recorded for further analysis. The response surface methodology was employed to establish quadratic models for MFD and StdFD. was found to be 96.18% and 91.25%, respectively, for the MFD and StdFD models, showing the good prediction ability of the models. The response surface plots showed strong relationship among variables.
Study on crystallization and compatibility of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/polyoxymethlene (POM) blends modified by a polyether polyol
Authors: Luo Jia-Qi , Yang Bin , Xia Ru , Cheng Guo-Jun , Zhang Yu-Chuan , Su Li-Fen , Miao Ji-Bin , Qian Jia-Sheng , Chen Peng
Published: November 2013

Blends of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and polyoxymethlene (POM) were prepared by melt mixing, with a polyether polyol (Model KGF400D) used as the compatibilizer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the cryogenically fractured surfaces of the blends clearly, which showed that the compatibility of NBR/POM blends was significantly enhanced with the addition of KGF400D. Both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and rubber process analysis (RPA) results clearly indicated the mechanism of compatibility improvement. Dual functions of KGF400D within the NBR/POM blends were found: one was the lubrication effect and the other was the hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl of KGF400D and ether oxygen group of POM or lone pair electron in the cyano group of NBR.
Multimodale, berührungslose Interaktion für Next Generation
Media
Authors: Elepfandt Monika , Wegerich Anne , Rötting Matthias
Published: November 2013

Im Bereich Next Generation Media (NGM) muss mit neuen
Interaktionsformen dem Problem der Diskrepanz zwischen verfügbarer
Informationsmenge und den nur wenigen möglichen Anzeigeflächen
begegnet werden. Dazu beschreibt der Artikel vergleichende
Experimente für mögliche Eingabemodalitäten zur natürlichen und
berührungslosen Steuerung der NGM. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass
sich die Kombination aus Zeigegesten und Sprachsteuerung besser
hinsichtlich ihrer Usability eignet als Gesten allein oder die
Kombination aus Blick und Sprachsteuerung.
Multimodale Interaktion auf einer sozialen Roboterplattform
Authors: Blume Jürgen , Rehrl Tobias , Rigoll Gerhard
Published: November 2013

Dieser Beitrag beschreibt die multimodalen
Interaktionsmöglichkeiten mit der Forschungsroboterplattform
ELIAS. Zunächst wird ein Überblick über die Roboterplattform sowie
die entwickelten Verarbeitungskomponenten gegeben, die Einteilung
dieser Komponenten erfolgt nach dem Konzept von wahrnehmenden und
agierenden Modalitäten. Anschließend wird das Zusammenspiel der
Komponenten in einem multimodalen Spieleszenario näher
betrachtet.
Multimodale Interaktion
Authors: Beyerer Jürgen , Peinsipp-Byma Elisabeth , Stiefelhagen Rainer
Published: November 2013

No abstract available
Induktionsfelder mit vorteilhaften Topologien in der Magnetischen-Induktions-Tomografie
Authors: Heidary Dastjerdi Maral , Rüter Dirk , Kanoun Olfa , Himmel Jörg
Published: November 2013

In dieser Veröffentlichung wird ein Konzept vorgestellt, das es
erlaubt die Topologie der Magnetfelder bei der „Magnetischen
Induktionstomografie“ (MIT) durch geometrische
Spulenkonstruktionen und Bestromungsmuster soweit zu verändern, um
eine scharfe Lokalisierung von Objekten innerhalb des Raumes zu
ermöglichen. Ziel ist dabei, die Empfindlichkeit im Messvolumen
gleichmäßiger als in der bekannten MIT zu verteilen, sodass
elektrisch leitfähige Objekte mit größerer Entfernung zwischen
Sender- und Empfängereinheit mit nahezu gleich hoher
Signalintensität detektiert werden können, wie Objekte in Sender-
und Empfängernähe. Dabei soll die maximale Objektgröße, die noch
zu detektieren ist, verkleinert und die Empfindlichkeit des
Systems verbessert werden.
Untersuchung optischer 3D Messsysteme zum Einsatz in der
computerassistierten Chirurgie
Authors: Sahm Stephanie , Kerstein Thomas , Scarpin Dominik , Roth Hubert , Wahrburg Jürgen
Published: November 2013

Optische 3D Messsysteme bilden wesentliche Komponenten, um in
der computerassistierten Chirurgie die räumliche Lage
chirurgischer Instrumente im Bezug auf den Patienten fortlaufend
zu erfassen. In diesem Beitrag wird ein auf diese Anwendung
zugeschnittener Versuchsaufbau vorgestellt, der die Untersuchung
der Genauigkeit optischer, markerbasierter 3D Lokalisiersysteme
ermöglicht. Zur berührungslosen Erfassung der Patientenanatomie
wird außerdem ein robotergeführter Laserscanner beschrieben, bei
dem durch Auswertung der Kamera-Rohdaten des Lokalisiersystems die
Laserlinie detektiert wird.
Faseroptischer chemischer Multisensor zur
medizinischen Patientenüberwachung
Authors: Kempen Lothar U. , Delgado Jesus A.
Published: November 2013

In diesem Beitrag beschreiben wir die ersten Resultate einer
Studie, in der die Möglichkeit der Entwicklung eines
miniaturisierten, hochflexiblen faseroptischen Sensors für mehrere
chemische und physikalische Parameter geprüft wurde. Der Sensor
sollte ausreichend schlank und flexibel sein, um selbst in
empfindlichen Bereichen des menschlichen Körpers längere Zeit ohne
Irritationen eingesetzt werden zu können. Eine mögliche Anwendung
wäre die kontinuierliche, nichtinvasive Messung von Blutgaswerten
zur Überwachung von Patienten in medizinischer Pflege. Das Design
und die Mikrofabrikation des Sensors und des Auslesesystems werden
beschrieben und Messungen von O2 und CO2
Konzentrationen präsentiert.
Workshop Medizinische Messtechnik an der Hochschule
Ruhr West in Mülheim an der Ruhr
Authors: Himmel Jörg , Kanoun Olfa , Thelen Klaus
Published: November 2013

No abstract available
Evidence-based physiotherapy
Authors: Bender Tamás
Published: November 2013

This article on physiotherapy presents some current evidence stating the strengths and weaknesses of the physiotherapeutic procedures. In the area of physiotherapy empirical data obtained during decades were overtaken by evidence from current studies. The author points out the great problem of physiotherapy, namely the heterogeneity of the applied parameters. Knowledge of current evidence may be very important and helpful for the physicians, but the author proposes, from the practical point of view, that physiotherapeutical procedures based on exprience and used for many years should not be entirely neglected. Nowadays physiotherapy plays an important role in the treament of locomotor diseases but its use is increasing in other fields of medicine, as well. Orv. Hetil., 154(48), 1893–1899.
Application of electronic tongue for distinguishing coffee samples and predicting sensory attributes
Authors: Várvölgyi E. , Kozits Sz. , Soós J. , Szöllősi D. , Kovács Z. , Fekete A.
Published: November 2013

Efforts have been made to predict the sensory profile of coffee samples by instrumental measurement results. The objective of the work was to evaluate the most important sensory attributes of coffee samples prepared from ground roasted coffee by electronic tongue and by sensory panel. Further aim was to predict the Arabica concentration and the main sensory attributes of the different coffee blends by electronic tongue and to analyze the sensitivity of the electronic tongue to the detection of poor quality coffee samples. Five coffee blends with known Arabica and Robusta concentration ratio, five commercially available coffee blends and a poor quality coffee were analyzed. The electronic tongue distinguished the coffee samples according to the Arabica and Robusta content. The sensory panel was able to discriminate the samples based on global aroma, bitterness and coffee aroma intensity (p < 0.01). The Arabica concentration was predicted from the electronic tongue results by PLS with close correlation and low prediction error. Models were developed to predict sensory attributes of the tested coffee samples from the results obtained by the electronic instrument.
Enhanced Biocompatibility of GPC by MeV Ion Bombardment
Authors: Zimmerman R. , Gurhan I. , Sarkisov S. , Muntele C. , Ila D. , Rodrigues M.
Published: November 2013

Glassy Polymeric Carbon (GPC) is completely biocompatible and is widely used as a material for artificial heart valves and in other biomedical applications. Although it is ideally suited for fluid flow in the blood stream, collagenous tissue that normally forms around the moving parts of a GPC heart valve sometimes loses adhesion and creates embolisms downstream. We have shown that moderate fluence of MeV ions, especially oxygen ions, increases the surface roughness of GPC on a scale appropriate for enhancing tissue adhesion. Silver ion implantation is shown to inhibit cell growth on GPC. Ion bombardment also increases the surface hardness of GPC, already an extremely hard material. In vitro biocompatibility tests have been carried out with model cell lines to demonstrate that MeV ion bombardment can favorably influence the surface of GPC for biomedical applications.
Comparative study of the prevalence of sepsis in patients admitted to dermatology and internal medicine wards
Authors: Almeida Luiz Mauricio Costa , Diniz Michelle dos Santos , Diniz Lorena dos Santos , Machado-Pinto Jackson , Silva Francisco Chagas Lima
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. The prevalence of this condition has increased significantly in different parts of the world. Patients admitted to dermatology wards often have severe loss of skin barrier and use systemic corticosteroids, which favor the development of sepsis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of sepsis among patients admitted to a dermatology ward compared to that among patients admitted to an internal medicine ward. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional, observational, comparative study that was conducted at Hospital Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte. Data were collected from all patients admitted to four hospital beds at the dermatology and internal medicine wards between July 2008 and July 2009. Medical records were analyzed for the occurrence of sepsis, dermatologic diagnoses, comorbidities, types of pathogens and most commonly used antibiotics. RESULTS: We analyzed 185 medical records. The prevalence of sepsis was 7.6% among patients admitted to the dermatology ward and 2.2% (p = 0.10) among those admitted to the internal medicine ward. Patients with comorbidities, diabetes mellitus and cancer did not show a higher incidence of sepsis. The main agent found was Staphylococcus aureus, and the most commonly used antibiotics were ciprofloxacin and oxacillin. There was a significant association between sepsis and the use of systemic corticosteroids (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: It becomes clear that epidemiological studies on sepsis should be performed more extensively and accurately in Brazil so that efforts to prevent and treat this serious disease can be made more effectively.
Comparative study of actinic keratosis treatment with 3% diclofenac sodium and 5% 5-fluorouracil
Authors: Segatto Majorie Mergen , Dornelles Sergio Ivan Torres , Silveira Vera Bauer , Frantz Gabriela de Oliveira
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis is a frequent lesion which occurs in sunlight exposed areas. Diclofenac sodium and 5-Fluorouracil are effective, non-invasive and easy-to-apply topical treatment options. OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare the effectiveness of 3% diclofenac sodium associated with 2.5% hyaluronic acid and of 5% 5-Fluorouracil for the treatment of actinic keratosis, as well as the patient's degree of satisfaction and tolerability. METHODS: 28 patients with a clinical diagnosis of actinic keratosis were randomized to receive diclofenac sodium or 5-Fluorouracil and were clinically assessed before and after treatment as well as 8 weeks after the end of treatment. Modified versions of the Investigator and Patient Global Improvement Scores were used. RESULTS: The average number of lesions in the diclofenac sodium group before and after treatment was 13.6 and 6.6 (p<0,001), respectively, while it was 17.4 and 3.15 (p<0.001) in the 5-Fluorouracil group. There was a significant reduction in the number of lesions in the 5-Fluorouracil group in relation to the diclofenac sodium group (p<0.001). To the non-blinded physician, there was a higher satisfactory therapeutic response in the 5-Fluorouracil group (p<0.001); to the blinded physician, there was a higher satisfactory response in this same group, although not statistically significant (p=0.09). There was a high degree of satisfaction in both groups (73% in the diclofenac sodium group and 77% in the 5-Fluorouracil group; p=0.827). Regarding adverse effects, the diclofenac sodium group presented a higher degree of satisfaction (93.3% vs 38.4%; p=0.008). Erythema, edema, crusts and itching were significantly higher in the 5-Fluorouracil group. CONCLUSION: We concluded that 5-Fluorouracil was more effective; however, it showed lower tolerability than diclofenac sodium.
Dermoscopy examination of petechial lesions in a patient with Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Authors: Criado Paulo Ricardo , Chiacchio Nilton Gioia Di , Santos Leopoldo Duailibe Nogueira
Published: November 2013

An uncommon skin manifestation of Dermatitis Herpetiformis is palmar and plantar purpura. Dermoscopic examination is useful for any skin condition since it allows recognition of structures that are not discernible to the naked eye. A 22 year-old Caucasian man was admitted with excoriated lesions and pruritus. Petechial lesions could be seen on volar aspect of the digits on the hands and feet. Dermoscopy examination revealed erythematous and violaceous dots and erythematous and brown dots.
Ectopic cutaneous Schistosomiasis
Authors: Vargas Thiago Jeunon de Sousa , Lopes Raquel , Moraes Maria de Lourdes Palermo F. N. , Azevedo Karen Grace Pena de , Sousa Maria Auxiliadora Jeunon
Published: November 2013

The authors report a case of ectopic cutaneous schistosomiasis in a 35 year-old female who presented clustered reddish macules and papules on the left buttock. The diagnosis was not suspected during clinical evaluation and required visualization of Schistosoma mansoni eggs on sections of tissue.
Do you know this syndrome?
Authors: Lima Alexandre Moretti de , Sperandio Vitor Arantes , Rocha Sheila Pereira da , Ribeiro Beatriz Medeiros de , Reis Carmelia Matos Santiago
Published: November 2013

The hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome, or Job's syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent skin abscesses, recurrent respiratory tract infections, and high levels of IgE, eosinophilia, bone and dental changes. We report the case of a fourteen-year-old male patient presenting this disease, with both typical and also some relatively sporadic manifestations. We performed a literature review on the syndrome and its associated clinical findings.
Cytokine detection for the diagnosis of chromium allergy
Authors: Martins Luis Eduardo Agner Machado , Reis Vitor Manoel Silva dos
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND: Patch testing remains the gold standard method for the identification of the etiologic agent of allergic contact dermatitis. However, it is a subjective, time-consuming exam whose technique demands special care and which presents some contraindications, which hamper its use. In a recent study, we showed that the proliferation assay can suitably replace patch testing for the diagnosis of chromium allergy, which had been previously demonstrated only for nickel allergy. In this study, we try to refine the method by reducing the incubation period of cultures for lymphocyte proliferation assays in response to chromium. OBJECTIVE: Develop an alternative or complementary diagnostic test for chromium allergic contact dermatitis. METHODS: We compared the production of 9 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17 and RANTES) between 18 chromium-allergic patients and 19 controls. RESULTS: Chromium increased the production of IFN-y, IL-5, IL-2 and IL-13 in allergic patients, but only IL-2 and especially IL-13 helped discriminate allergic patients from controls. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy found with IL-13 were about 80%. CONCLUSIONS: IL-13 and IL-2 detection may be used to diagnose chromium allergy in 2-day cultures. However, in general, the 6-day cultures seem to be superior for this purpose.
Case for diagnosis
Authors: Pedrosa Ana Filipa , Ferreira Olga , Barros Ana Margarida , Nogueira Ana , Bettencourt Herberto , Azevedo Filomena
Published: November 2013

Ketron-Goodman disease was formerly considered a disseminated type of pagetoid reticulosis. However, according to the new classification consensus, it should be regarded as aggressive epidermotropic CD8 T-cutaneous lymphoma, cutaneous gamma/delta T-lymphoma, or tumor-stage mycosis fungoides, depending on the clinical-histological picture. This case highlights a rare and challenging presentation of Ketron-Goodman disease with an indolent presentation and evolution and good response to a low-grade treatment regimen, not fitting well into the new classification criteria.
Fingertip and nasal tip thermal burn in crack cocaine user
Authors: Bernardes Filho Fred , Silva Ystannyslau Bernardes da , Martins Luiz Gustavo , Sasso Leticia Soares , Abreu Marilda Aparecida Milanez Morgado de
Published: November 2013

Crack cocaine addiction is a public health problem in Brazil. It is an endemic disease that affects rural and urban areas. The Ministry of Health has launched emergency programs for the treatment of dependents and to combat drug trafficking. Recognition of dermatological signs of this disease is important because through them the diagnosis can be suspected and early treatment of patients with crack cocaine addiction be provided.
Social organization and control of tuberculosis: the experience of a Brazilian town
Authors: Bulgarelli Alexandre Favero , Villa Tereza Cristina Scatena , Pinto Ione Carvalho
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE: this study was aimed at analyzing the participation of a committee formed by representatives of the community in tuberculosis control based on a participatory management model. METHOD: this is a Case Study involving a tuberculosis committee with data collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with nine individuals. The data, organized through the Association of Ideas Map technique, were analyzed based on the Social Constructionism perspective. RESULTS: the participation of the Tuberculosis Committee studied was shown to be effective and associated with aspects articulated according to the measures taken by the social parties involved in the committee, culminating with assistances inserted into certain parts of the town's co-management. CONCLUSION: it was concluded that the reality of this case study shows that relationships among civil society can guide the management model in the search for effective processes of tuberculosis control.
Effectiveness of the Comprehensive Childhood Protection System for vulnerable mothers and children
Authors: Arcos Estela , Munoz Luz Angelica , Sanchez Ximena , Vollrath Antonia , Gazmuri Patricia , Baeza Margarita
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVES: to establish the effectiveness of the public benefits and services of the "Chile Grows with You" and "Protect Network" programs for socially vulnerable women and children in an urban community in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. METHOD: Descriptive study employing a questionnaire. The sample consisted of 132 mothers and their 133 infants, all grouped according to social vulnerability. Primary data were collected via a structured interview of the mothers and were complemented with institutional (secondary) data. Descriptive and associative analyses were performed. RESULTS: the perception of social vulnerability by the professionals was low at the time of admission into the program. The effectiveness of the universal and specific benefits was low, with better results for the children than for the mothers. However, no significant differences were observed according to vulnerability. Another finding was the low access to specific benefits for children with psychosocial risk and psychomotor delay, especially in the most vulnerable group. CONCLUSION: the results revealed a gap in the access to the benefits guaranteed by law. To overcome this situation, nurses must strengthen their skills in contextualized health practices and the comprehensive administration of interdisciplinary and intersectoral networks.
Safe pediatric surgery: development and validation of preoperative interventions checklist
Authors: Pires Maria Paula de Oliveira , Pedreira Mavilde da Luz Goncalves , Peterlini Maria Angelica Sorgini
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVES: this study was aimed at developing and validating a checklist of preoperative pediatric interventions related to the safety of surgical patients. METHOD: methodological study concerning the construction and validation of an instrument with safe preoperative care indicators. The checklist was subject to validation through the Delphi technique, establishing a consensus level of 80%. RESULTS: five professional specialists in the area conducted the validation and a consensus on the content and the construct was reached after two applications of the Delphi technique. CONCLUSION: the "Safe Pediatric Surgery Checklist", simulating the preoperative trajectory of children, is an instrument capable of contributing to the preparation and promotion of safe surgery, as it identifies the presence or absence of measures required to promote patient safety.
Working hours and health behaviour among nurses at public hospitals
Authors: Fernandes Juliana da Costa , Portela Luciana Fernandes , Rotenberg Lucia , Griep Rosane Harter
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE: to analyse the differences between genders in the description in the professional, domestic and total work hours and assess its association with health-related behaviour among nurses. METHODS: this is a transversal study carried out in 18 different public hospitals in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The data collection procedure was based on questionnaires. All nurses working with assistance were considered eligible (n=2,279). RESULTS: men and women showed significant differences in relation to working hours. The female group showed longer domestic and total work hours when compared to the group of men. In contrast, the number of hours spent on professional work was higher among men. For the women, both the professional hours and total work hours were often associated with excessive consumption of fried food and also coffee, lack of physical exercise and also the greater occurrence of overweight and obesity. CONCLUSION: both the professional hours and the domestic work hours need to be taken into account in studies about health, self-care and also the care provided within the context of nursing workers, particularly among women. The results add weight to the need for actions for health promotion in this occupational group and the importance of assessing the impact of long working hours on the health of workers.
Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Conditions of Work Effectiveness - Questionnaire-II instrument
Authors: Bernardino Elizabeth , Dyniewicz Ana Maria , Carvalho Kaoana Lima Botto , Kalinowski Luisa Canestraro , Bonat Wagner Hugo
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at translating and validating the content of the instrument Conditions of Work Effectiveness - Questionnaire-II (CWEQ-II), developed by Laschinger, Finegan, Shamian and Wilk, modified from the original CWEQ for the Brazilian culture. METHOD: the methodological procedure consisted of the stages of translation of the instrument into the Portuguese language; back-translation; semantic, idiomatic and cultural equivalence and tests of the final version. The instrument in the Portuguese version was applied to a group of 40 nurses in two hospitals. RESULTS: the data resulted in a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.86 for the first hospital and 0.88 for the second one. The results of the factorial analysis are considered sufficiently satisfactory. CONCLUSION: It is to conclude that the instrument can be used in Brazil.
Identification of the support needs of individuals with severe mental illness using the Supports Intensity Scale
Authors: Cruz Maribel , Perez Ma. del Carmen , Jenaro Cristina , Flores Noelia , Vega Vanessa
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE: to characterize the intensity of the support needs of individuals with severe mental illness. METHODS: quantitative and descriptive study that applied the Supports Intensity Scale to a sample comprising 182 individuals. RESULTS: the supports intensity profile identifies groups, individuals, and areas with different needs of support relative to the domains of home living, health, community living, learning, employment, and social living. As a whole, the intensity level of support needs found was low, and the domains with greater needs were employment and social. CONCLUSIONS: identification of the intensity of support needs is helpful in planning integral care and detecting professional training needs. The support provision-centered approach, associated with the person-related outcomes perspective, has been sparsely applied to individuals with mental illness, and this represents the main contribution of the present study. In addition, this study introduces novel approaches to assessment that are both concordant and an innovation in nursing because they might provide a tool for understanding other disabilities.
Spinning pipe gas lens aberrations along the axis and in the boundary layer
Authors: Mafusire Cosmas , Forbes Andrew
Published: November 2013

When the walls of an open-ended horizontal steel pipe are heated before the pipe is rotated along its axis, the exchange of the expelled heated air with the incoming cooler air, sucked in along the axis, results in a medium capable of focusing a laser beam propagating along the pipe’s axis – a spinning pipe gas lens. However, the interaction of the heated and cooler air generates local density fluctuations which generate aberrations on the laser beam wavefront. We present results for the characterisation of these aberrations using a Shack- Hartmann wavefront sensor. The measurements show that along the axis, rotating the pipe decreases y-tilt as a result of the removal of distortions caused by gravity, although there is an increase in higher-order aberrations. However, in the boundary layer, the dominant aberration is x-astigmatism which increases with rotation speed. The results are confirmed by the measurement of the beam quality factor which increases as a result of the increase in the size of the higher-order aberrations. The spinning pipe gas lens is a device which can be used to focus laser beams using air only, but, in the process, the air introduces distortions which reduce the quality of the beam.
Climate, fire size, and biophysical setting control fire severity and spatial pattern in the northern Cascade Range, USA
Authors: Cansler C. Alina , McKenzie Donald
Published: November 2013

Warmer and drier climate over the past few decades has brought larger fire sizes and increased annual area burned in forested ecosystems of western North America, and continued increases in annual area burned are expected due to climate change. As warming continues, fires may also increase in severity and produce larger contiguous patches of severely burned areas. We used remotely sensed burn‐severity data from 125 fires in the northern Cascade Range of Washington, USA, to explore relationships between fire size, severity, and the spatial pattern of severity. We examined relationships between climate and the annual area burned and the size of wildfires over a 25‐year period. We tested the hypothesis that increased fire size is commensurate with increased burn severity and increased spatial aggregation of severely burned areas. We also asked how local ecological controls might modulate these relationships by comparing results over the whole study area (the northern Cascade Range) to those from four ecological subsections within it. We found significant positive relationships between climate and fire size, and between fire size and the proportion of high severity and spatial‐pattern metrics that quantify the spatial aggregation of high‐severity areas within fires, but the strength and significance of these relationships varied among the four subsections. In areas with more contiguous subalpine forests and less complex topography, the proportion and spatial aggregation of severely burned areas were more strongly correlated with fire size. If fire sizes increase in a warming climate, changes in the extent, severity, and spatial pattern of fire regimes are likely to be more pronounced in higher‐severity fire regimes with less complex topography and more continuous fuels.
Knowledge spillovers, innovation activities, and competitiveness of industries in EU member and candidate countries
Authors: Hashi Iraj , Stojcic Nebojsa
Published: November 2013

The impact of innovation activities on the performance and competitiveness of
firms, industries, and nations has been a matter of considerable interest
over the past few decades. The existing empirical work has widened our
knowledge of the complexity of the innovation process and its impact on the
ability of firms to compete. This study investigates how knowledge spillovers
generated through firms? innovation activities affect the ability of their
industries to compete in terms of quality. The data from the Community
Innovation Survey 2006 for several EU member and candidate countries that
have recently become available are combined with other EU-wide datasets to
create an industry database containing information on innovation activities
and performance at industry level. A simultaneous equations framework is used
to examine the interdependencies between knowledge spillovers, innovation
activities, quality upgrading, and the market share of industries from the
selected countries in the single European market. The results of the
investigation provide support for the relationship between innovation,
quality upgrading, and market share of industries, and point to several types
of spillover which are relevant for the competitiveness of national
industries in EU member states.
The mutual impact of organizational culture and structure
Authors: Janicijevic Nebojsa
Published: November 2013

This paper explores the relationship between the structure and culture of an
organization. The starting assumption is that organizational structure and
organizational culture impact each other, and that there is a causal
relationship due to which the agreement of the two components of organization
leads to better performance. First, the mechanism through which
organizational culture impacts the design of organizational structures and
the manner in which organizational structure affects the maintenance,
strengthening, or changing of organizational culture is explained at the
conceptual level. Then, based on the known classifications of organizational
structure and culture, they are put into a relationship of direct mutual
interdependence. This is done by generating hypotheses about the agreement of
particular types of organizational culture and particular types of
organizational structure.
Lung tumors: Early and delayed ratio of 99mTc-methoxy-2-isobutylisonitrile accumulation
Authors: Nikoletic Katarina , Mihailovic Jasna , Srbovan Dolores , Kolarov Violeta , Zeravica Radmila
Published: November 2013

Background/Aim. Currently used radiopharmaceuticals are nonspecific and most
of them are accumulated by benign tumors as well as inflammatory lesions,
abscess or granulomatous lesions. Some factors such as the choice of
radiopharmaceutical applied, histopathologic type of tumor, its size,
location or previous tumor treatment could influence tumor imaging
sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate accumulation of
99mTc-methoxy-2-isobutylisonitrile (99mTc- MIBI) by counting early/delayed
uptake and release of this radiopharmaceutical inside lung tumors and
evaluating possible factors which could be involved in its accumulation.
Methods. Two-phase 99mTc-methoxy-2-isobutylisonitrile single photon emission
computed tomography scan (early and delayed scan) was performed in 60
patients with lung tumors (the group 1 - 30 benign, and the group 2 - 30
malignant tumors). We calculated the uptake ratio on early (early ratio -
ER), delayed images (delayed ratio - DR) and retention index (RI). Individual
influence of etiology, diameter, localization, and histological type on
uptake/release values was evaluated with regression analysis. Results. The
values of ER and DR were significantly different in both groups (p < 0.01),
showing lower values in benign vs malignant lung tumors (ER 1.36 ? 0.094 and
DR 1.25 ? 0.089 vs ER = 1.93 ? 0.106 and DR = 1.7 ? 0.095 respectively).
Tumor size showed a significant influence on the change of ER and DR values
(p < 0.01), with greater uptake in tumors > 3 cm. RI values showed no
significance between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion. The uptake ratio
of 99mTc-methoxy-2-isobutylisonitrile could be a useful index in
differentiating lung tumors, while RI has no influence on this. Among the
evaluated factors, ER and DR values are significantly influenced only by the
diameter of lung tumor, while localization or different histological types
between the groups has no influence on this.
Collection and characterization of semen from green iguanas (Iguana iguana)
Authors: Zimmerman Dawn M. , Mitchell Mark A. , Perry Brittany Heggem
Published: November 2013

Objective—To determine an efficient method for the collection of semen samples by means of electroejaculation, characterize spermatozoa quality and quantity, and determine the effect of refrigerated storage on motility of spermatozoa obtained from green iguanas (Iguana iguana).

Animals—18 adult green iguanas.

Procedures—Green iguanas were anesthetized, and semen samples were obtained by means of electroejaculation. Up to 3 series of electrostimulations were performed; the procedure was stopped after a semen sample was obtained. Various semen sample variables were evaluated.

Results—Semen samples were obtained from 16 iguanas; most (n = 10) iguanas produced a semen sample after the second series of electrostimulations. Median semen sample volume was 0.05 mL. Mean spermatozoa concentration was 2 69.0 × 106 spermatozoa/mL. Median percentage of motile spermatozoa was 78%. The only morphological abnormality of spermatozoa was bent tails (mean percentage in a semen sample, 5.7%). Spermatozoa motility decreased significantly during refrigeration (4°C); median percentage motility after 24, 48, and 72 hours of refrigeration was 60%, 33%, and 0%, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study suggested electroejaculation can be performed to collect semen samples from green iguanas, characteristics of iguana semen samples are similar to those for semen samples obtained from other reptiles, and motility of iguana spermatozoa decreases during refrigeration within 48 to 72 hours.