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Selected AbstractsFine-needle aspiration cytology to distinguish dysplasia from hepatocellular carcinoma with different gradesJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 7pt2 2008Chen-Chun Lin Abstract Background:, Distinguishing dysplasia from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is difficult. The aim of this study was to diagnose HCC and the distinction of liver cell dysplasia from HCC with different grades by interpreting and scoring the cyto-morphological features. Methods:, Eighty-three cirrhotic patients undertook a sonography-guided FNA and subsequent needle biopsy for the tumor. HCC was confirmed in 68 cases and cirrhosis with dysplasia in 15 cases by pathology and follow-up for longer than 2 years. Eighteen cytological features were scored as degree of one, two or three according to their presence or prominence. Results:, Two cases of well-differentiated HCC were diagnosed as negative for HCC initially. The sensitivity, specificity, false positive, false negative and accuracy were 97%, 100%, 0%, 3% and 97.6% for FNA cytology in the diagnosis of HCC, respectively. The score of dysplasia was 20.8 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD) and lower than 26.2 ± 3.4 in Edmondson's grade I HCC (P < 0.01), 28.9 ± 2.9 in grade II HCC (P < 0.01), and 34.9 ± 4.3 in grade III/IV HCC (P < 0.01). The score was also significantly lower in grade II HCC than in grade III/IV HCC (P < 0.01). Conclusions:, FNA yielded a high accuracy in the distinction of dysplasia from HCC with different grades. There is a good correlation in cyto-morphological scores of liver cell dysplasia and HCC with different grades. Dysplasia displayed the lowest score and the score increased in order from dysplasia to grade III/IV HCC. [source] Food patterns and socioeconomic indicators of food consumption amongst Inuvialuit in the Canadian ArcticJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 2010E. Erber Abstract Background:, Inuvialuit in the Canadian Arctic have been experiencing a nutrition transition resulting in a decrease in nutrient-dense food consumption, which may, in part, explain this population's increasing chronic disease rates. Because the available literature is limited, the present study aimed to document the extent of this transition by examining current dietary patterns and socioeconomic factors affecting food group consumption. Methods:, This cross-sectional study was conducted in three Inuvialuit communities in the Northwest Territories between 2007 and 2008. A validated food frequency questionnaire determined intake frequency of fruit and vegetables (FV), traditional foods (TF) and non-nutrient-dense foods (NNDF). Socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed by questions on education, ownership of items in working condition used to create a Material Style of Life (MSL) scale and residents in household employed/on income support. Daily intake frequencies were compared by gender and age group using Wilcoxon rank sum test. SES association with food group intake was determined using logistic regression. Results:, The response rate was 65,85%. One hundred and seventy-five participants were female and 55 were male, aged 19,84 years [mean (SD) 44 (14)]. Mean frequencies of FV and TF consumption were 1.6 (1.5) and 1.6 (1.7) times per day, respectively. NNDF were reported 9.2 (3.0) times per day. The highest MSL score (>12) was significantly associated with higher fruit (,0.7 times per day) and higher TF intake (,1.1 times per day) compared with the lowest score (,7). An intermediate MSL score (8,12) was related to higher vegetable consumption (,0.4 times per day). Conclusions:, NNDF were consumed approximately seven times more frequently than TF in the present study, indicating that the dietary transition is well underway amongst Inuvialuit. Participants with higher SES were more likely to consume nutrient-dense foods, suggesting possible cost barriers. [source] The relationship between levels of mood, interest and pleasure and ,challenging behaviour' in adults with severe and profound intellectual disabilityJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2002E. Ross Abstract Background Research on affective disorders in adults with intellectual disability (ID) suggests that depression may not present a ,classic picture' in individuals with severe and profound ID, but may include challenging behaviours, which are referred to as ,atypical symptoms', such as self-injury, aggression and irritability. The aim of the present study was to explore whether there is an association between constructs relating closely to the core symptoms of depression and challenging behaviours in adults with severe and profound ID. Method Mood and levels of interest and pleasure were measured in 53 adults with severe or pro-found ID using the Mood, Interest and Pleasure Questionnaire (MIPQ). Results Two groups of adults were identified based on MIPQ scores: (1) a ,low mood' group (lowest score = 12); and (2) a comparison group (highest scoring = 12). The groups were clearly differentiated on the MIPQ (P < 0.0001), but were comparable on age, gender and medication use. The Challenging Behaviour Interview showed no difference between the two groups in self-injury, aggression or disrupting the environment. A secondary analysis revealed that participants who showed challenging behaviour scored significantly lower on the MIPQ than those who did not show challenging behaviour. Conclusions Possible reasons for these results and considerations for future studies are discussed. [source] Social Environments and Physical Aggression Among 21,107 Students in the United States and CanadaJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 4 2009William Pickett PhD ABSTRACT Background:, Physical aggression is an important issue in North American populations. The importance of students' social environments in the occurrence of physical aggression requires focused study. In this study, reports of physical aggression were examined in relation to social environment factors among national samples of students from Canada and the United States. Methods:, Students in grades 6-10 from the United States (n = 14,049) and Canada (n = 7058) who had participated in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Survey (HBSC) were studied. Rates of students' physical aggression were compared between the 2 countries. School, family, socioeconomic, and peer-related factors were considered as potential risk factors. A simple social environment risk score was developed using the US data and was subsequently tested in the Canadian sample. Results:, Risks for physical aggression were consistently higher among United States versus Canadian students, but the magnitude of these differences was modest. The relative odds of physical aggression increased with reported environmental risk. To illustrate, US boys in grades 6-8 reporting the highest social environment risk score (5+) experienced a relative odds of physical aggression 4.02 (95% CI 2.7-5.9) times higher than those reporting the lowest score (adjusted OR for risk scores 0 through 5+ was 1.00, 1.19, 2.10, 2.01, 3.71, and 4.02, respectively, ptrend < .001). Conclusions:, Unexpectedly, rates of physical aggression and associations between social environments and students' aggression were remarkably similar in Canada and the United States. Family, peer, and school social environments serve as risk or protective factors, with significant cumulative impact on physical aggression in both countries. Given the observed high rates and the many negative effects of aggression on long-term health, school policies aimed at the reduction of such behavior remain a clear priority. [source] Application of agglomerative hierarchical clustering to identify consumer tomato preferences: influence of physicochemical and sensory characteristics on consumer responseJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 4 2006Marta Serrano-Megías Abstract A multiple regression model was developed to predict the acceptability of the four tomato varieties studied (Aranka, Cherry, Beef and Pitenza). Agglomerative hierarchical clustering showed the presence of four consumer clusters. One cluster preferred small tomatoes (Aranka and Cherry) and another cluster the larger tomatoes (Beef and Pitenza). In the sensorial analysis Aranka was the preferred variety, scoring more highly in taste, odour, acidity, sweetness and hardness. In the physicochemical analysis Aranka also obtained the highest values for titratable acidity (TA) and sugars (SSC), confirming that these parameters are important in tomato flavour. Lower values for both sets of parameters were reflected by lower consumer acceptability, with Beef and Pitenza receiving the lowest score for these flavours attributes (except odour). A significant correlation between the sensorial and physicochemical parameters was also observed: odour was positively correlated with calibre, while taste, acidity, hardness and acceptability were negatively correlated with calibre, pH and SSC/TA and positively correlated with SSC and TA. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Electrical stimulation as an adjunct to spinal fusion: A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trialsBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 7 2002Masami Akai Abstract This study was a meta-analysis to examine whether electrical stimulation has a specific effect on spinal fusion. Little evidence exists on the efficacy of electrical stimulation for improving fusion rate of spinal fusion surgery. Using MEDLINE (1966,2000) and EMBASE (1985,1999), a search for articles was carried out using the Medical Subject Headings: (1) electric stimulation or electromagnetic fields, (2) spinal fusion, (3) controlled or clinical trial, and (4) human. Data were extracted from all the hit articles and additionally collected from appropriate journal lists. A total of five randomized controlled trials (RCT) on bones assessing healing of spinal fusion were identified and scored on methodological quality. All the identified studies reported positive findings, but the quality score of each trial showed wide flaws. Because of relatively homogenous subjects who had spine fusion and radiographic assessment from these studies, pooling of the data was able to be performed. Excluding one trial with the lowest score, the combined results of four trials, whose major endpoints were the success rate of the fusion, revealed a statistically significant effect of electrical stimulation with various techniques, but the selected trials still showed wide variation in view of stimulation modalities and treatment protocol. The pooled result of the studies in this review revealed the efficacy of electrical stimulation based on proved methodological quality. As problems on therapeutic modality and protocol remain, there is a further need for improvement in design to constitute acceptable proof and to establish treatment programs that better demonstrate electrical stimulation effects on spinal fusion. Bioelectromagnetics 23:496,504, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] When home is in jail: child development in Spanish penitentiary unitsINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2003Jesús M. Jiménez Abstract The quality of the educational family context of children who live with their mothers in prison (N=127, age M=16.3 months) as well as how this situation affects their level of development are analysed. The assessment of these contexts was carried out using the HOME scale. The evaluation of the children's development was carried out using the Brunet,Lézine scale. The data shows that the quality of this context is extremely low, with one of the most striking features being the low score obtained in the subscales of provision of play materials and variety of experiences. Moreover, there are significant differences in the scores that are related to the mother's level of education, ethnic origins and the type of prison where they are serving their sentences. As for the scores obtained by the children in the Brunet,Lézine scale, the data shows that their level of development is similar to that of the infant population in general although we also found that the development quotients of the children in the group with the lowest scores in the HOME scale tend to drop significantly after 18 months of age. The results are discussed taking into account the interaction of context and development under the light of the canalization hypothesis, and making some suggestions about possible ways to improve these children's life conditions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A comparison of pain and health-related quality of life between two groups of cancer patients with differing average levels of painJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5 2003Barbro Boström MNSc Summary ,,A study was performed to describe and compare pain and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in two groups of cancer patients in palliative care as well as to describe the correlation between pain and HRQOL. ,,Forty-seven patients with mild average pain [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) , 3] and 28 patients with moderate to severe average pain (VAS > 3) were included. Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) was used to evaluate HRQOL, pain intensity levels were measured with the VAS on Pain-O-Meter. ,,Compared to patients with mild pain, patients with moderate to severe pain had statistically significant, higher pain intensity for the items ,pain at time of interview', ,worst pain in the past 24 hours' and ,pain interrupting sleep.' They also had the lowest scores of the SF-36 dimensions: physical functioning, role-physical, and bodily pain. Patients with moderate to severe pain had statistically significant, fewer months of survival. There were statistically significant positive correlations between pain items and negative correlation between pain and SF-36 dimensions. ,,The conclusion is that pain has a negative impact on HRQOL, especially on physical health and that pain increases towards the final stages of life. Even if patients have to endure symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety during their short survival time, dealing with pain is an unnecessary burden, which can be prevented. [source] SENSORY DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS, SENSORY ACCEPTABILITY AND EXPECTATION STUDIES ON BISCUITS WITH REDUCED ADDED SALT AND INCREASED FIBERJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 4 2009MARISA BEATRIZ VÁZQUEZ ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to formulate biscuits with 50% more fiber and 50% less added salt than classic formulations, to describe their sensory characteristics, to measure expectation/sensory acceptability, and to investigate if sensory acceptability for these biscuits was related to the interest in consuming food products with less salt and/or more fiber content. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to develop four formulations: conventional fiber/conventional salt; conventional fiber/reduced salt; increased fiber/conventional salt; and increased fiber/reduced salt. Differences in the sensory profiles measured by a trained panel were of low magnitude, except for presence and taste of bran. Adolescent and adult consumers evaluated acceptability in three stages: blind with three-digit codes; expectation of the label only; and biscuit + label. The low salt formulations received the lowest scores in the expectation stage, but in the blind and biscuit + label stages acceptability of all formulations was similar. The variables that explained overall acceptance were: measurement stage; formulation salt level; interest in reducing consumption of high salt foods; and interest in consuming bakery products with fiber. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Increasing fiber content of biscuits by 40 to 50% helps achieve recommendations to increase fiber intake in daily diets. Also, as biscuits currently on the Argentine and other world markets present two extreme varieties , with or without added salt , formulating a biscuit with 50% less added salt facilitate sodium reduction. In our research we have found that these goals can be achieved without seriously affecting sensory acceptability. We propose the articulation of the necessary strategies with the food industry to market biscuits with less added salt and more fiber for the general population; and the use of these healthier biscuits by institutional food services. [source] Effects of a Supplemental Vocabulary Intervention on the Word Knowledge of Kindergarten Students At Risk for Language and Literacy DifficultiesLEARNING DISABILITIES RESEARCH & PRACTICE, Issue 3 2010Susan M. Loftus The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a vocabulary intervention designed to supplement research-based classroom vocabulary instruction, implemented with students who may be at risk for language and learning difficulties. Participants included 43 kindergarten students who received research-based classroom vocabulary instruction. Students with the 20 lowest scores on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III administered at pretest received additional small-group supplemental vocabulary intervention. Results of within-subjects comparisons indicated that, overall, at-risk students made greater gains in word knowledge on target words that received the supplemental intervention as compared to words that received only classroom-based instruction. In addition, at-risk students who received the supplemental intervention demonstrated word-learning gains that approached those of their peers who received classroom instruction alone. Implications along with limitations of the current study and directions for future research are discussed. [source] Assessing fear of falling: Can a short version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale be useful?MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 12 2006Chava Peretz PhD Abstract We present the process of further validation of the 16-item Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (ABC-16) and a short version (ABC-6) derived by us, to assess balance confidence and fear of falling (FOF). The ABC-16 was administrated to three groups who were anticipated to have a range of balance confidence: 70 patients with higher level gait disorders (HLGDs), 68 healthy controls, and 19 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Item reduction was based on identifying items with the lowest scores (high FOF) among the patients. Internal consistency and discriminative validity were assessed using Cronbach's alpha and logistic regression, respectively. The intraclass correlation (ICC) between the short and long versions was assessed using a mixed model approach, accounting for the difference between the scores of the two versions. Six items were found to reflect the most frightening conditions, especially in the patient groups, and to form the short version (ABC-6). Internal consistency of the ABC-16 and ABC-6 were high in the three groups: Cronbach's alpha was between 0.83 and 0.91 and 0.81 and 0.90, respectively. Compared to the control group, the sensitivity of the ABC-16 was 96% for identification of patients with HLGDs (greatest FOF) and 58% for identification of PDs (moderate FOF), based only on the ABC scores. Similar values were obtained for the short version, i.e., 91% for HLGDs and 53% for PDs. ICCs between the short and the long versions was 0.88 (HLGDs), 0.83 (PDs), and 0.78 (Controls). To conclude, the short version of the ABC has properties analogous to the parent questionnaire and is apparently useful in assessing FOF. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society [source] Assessment of prognosis with the total illness burden index for prostate cancer,CANCER, Issue 9 2007Aiding clinicians in treatment choice Abstract BACKGROUND. Among the most pressing challenges that face physicians who care for men with prostate cancer is evaluating the patient's potential for benefiting from treatment. Because prostate cancer often follows an indolent course, the presence and severity of comorbidities may influence the decision to treat the patient aggressively. The authors adapted the Total Illness Burden Index (TIBI) for use in decision-making among men with prostate cancer at the time of the visit. METHODS. An observational study was performed of 2894 participants in the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urologic Research Endeavor, a national disease registry of men with prostate cancer, to examine how well the adapted TIBI for prostate cancer (TIBI-CaP) predicted mortality over the subsequent 3.5 years and health-related quality of life over the subsequent 6 months. RESULTS. The men who had the highest global TIBI-CaP scores were 13 times more likely to die of causes other than prostate cancer over a 3.5-year period than the men who had the lowest scores (hazard ratio, 13.1, 95% confidence interval, 6.3,27.4) after controlling for age, education, income, and race/ethnicity. Patients who had the highest TIBI-CaP scores had 44% mortality compared with 4.9% mortality for patients who had the lowest scores. Demographic variables explained 16% of the variance in future physical function; TIBI-CaP scores explained an additional 19% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS. The TIBI-CaP, a patient-reported measure of comorbidity, identified patients at high risk for nonprostate cancer mortality. It predicted both mortality and future quality of life. The TIBI-CaP may aid physicians and patients in making appropriate treatment decisions. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society. [source] Effects of stimulation rates on Cantonese lexical tone perception by cochlear implant users in Hong KongCLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 6 2003D.K.K. Au Effects of stimulation rates on Cantonese lexical tone perception by cochlear implant users in Hong Kong High, moderate and low stimulation rates of 1800, 800 and 400 pulse per second (pps)/channel, respectively, were used to test the effects of stimulation rates on the discrimination and identification of Cantonese lexical tones in 11 Chinese post-lingually deafened adults with cochlear implants (CIs). The subjects were implanted with the MED-EL Combi 40+ CI system. They were randomly assigned to each of the stimulation rate conditions according to an ABC design. In both the Cantonese lexical tone perception tests, the subjects reached the highest scores in the high-stimulation-rate condition, and the lowest scores in the low-stimulation-rate condition (P < 0.01). Post hoc comparisons between different stimulation rates did not yield consistent results. This study demonstrated that the maximum stimulation rate of 1800 pps/channel could be an ,optimal' stimulation rate and an informed choice of parameter for the benefit of Cantonese-speaking CI users in lexical tone perception. [source] | |||||||||||||