Development and validation of the MARA scale in Spanish to assess knowledge and perceived risks and barriers relating to breast cancer prevention

Cancer Causes & Control - The aim of this study was to develop a measurement instrument for assessing knowledge of breast cancer and perceived risk of developing the disease (MARA). 641 women...     

Private demand for cholera vaccines in Beira, Mozambique

In the summer of 2005, we interviewed 996 randomly selected respondents in Beira, Mozambique concerning their willingness and ability to pay for cholera vaccine for themselves and for other household members. Respondents were told that two doses of the vaccine would be required 2 weeks apart, and that the cholera vaccine would offer excellent protection against infection for the first year following vaccination, and some protection during the second and third year after a person is vaccinated. This research was carried out in order to learn more about private demand for vaccines in a cholera-endemic area. We asked two types of valuation questions: (1) a discrete-price offer for a vaccine that could be purchased for household members and (2) a payment card designed to assess uncertainty in the respondent's demand for a vaccine for self-protection. We estimate average household willingness to pay (WTP) for cholera vaccines in Beira to be 2005 US$ 8.45. This estimate of household WTP represents the perceived private economic benefits to a household--six persons on average--of giving all members free cholera vaccines.     

Duodenal ulcer healing rates in a one-year follow-up study with ranitidine bismuth citrate and antibiotics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the one-year outcome of an eradication therapy with ranitidine bismuth citrate and antibiotics in Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcer patients in respect to ulcer and Helicobacter pylori relapse rates. METHODOLOGY: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind study involved 648 duodenal ulcer patients and had been carried out to compare the following regimens: ranitidine bismuth citrate b.i.d. co-prescribed with either clarithromycin 250 mg q.i.d. or clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. or clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. plus metronidazole 400 mg b.i.d. for 2 weeks, followed by a further 14 days of treatment with ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.i.d. to facilitate ulcer healing. H. pylori eradication was assessed by 13C-urea breath test and histology at least 4 weeks, 26 weeks and 52 weeks after the end of treatment. Ulcer relapse and H. pylori status were assessed 4 weeks, 26 weeks and 52 weeks post-treatment or if ulcer symptoms recurred. For the remainder of the follow-up period only serious adverse events were collected. RESULTS: At 12 months data of 438 (69%) patients were evaluable. The observed H. pylori eradication rates were 88-91%. H. pylori relapse rates were 2.1% after 26 weeks and 3.9% after 52 weeks. At the week 26 visit 26 patients (5.6%) and at the week 52 visit 25 patients (5.7%) had documented gastroesophageal reflux disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the reduction of duodenal ulcer relapses after the cure of Helicobacter pylori infection.     

A new anti-loxoscelic serum produced against recombinant sphingomyelinase D: results of preclinical trials

Envenomation by Loxosceles species (brown spider) can lead to local dermonecrosis and to serious systemic effects. The main toxic component in the venom of these spiders is sphingomyelinase D (SMase D) and various isoforms of this toxin are present in Loxosceles venoms. We have produced a new anti-loxoscelic serum by immunizing horses with recombinant SMase D. In the present study, we compared the neutralization efficacy of the new anti-loxoscelic serum and anti-arachnidic serum (the latter serum is used for therapy for loxoscelism in Brazil) against the toxic effects of venoms from spiders of the genus Loxosceles. Neutralization tests showed that anti-SMase D serum has a higher activity against toxic effects of L. intermedia and L. laeta venoms and similar or slightly weaker activity against toxic effects of L. gaucho than that of Arachnidic serum. These results demonstrate that recombinant SMase D can replace venom for anti-venom production and therapy.     

Kinematic Gait Analysis Using Inertial Sensors with Subjects after Stroke in Two Different Arteries

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was described the kinematic characteristics of gait in stroke patients with two different arteries involved. [Subjects and Methods] Two patients who had suffered a basilar (A) or middle (B) cerebral artery ischemic stroke were compared with a control (C). Seventeen inertial sensors were used with acquisition rate of 120 Hz. The participants walked 3 times on a 10 meter walkway. From the raw data, the three gait cycles from the middle of each trial were chosen and analyzed. [Results] During the stance phase, patients A and B had a lower hip angle at initial contact and maximum flexion angle during load response than the control. Patient A and the control subject had similar knee angle values at initial contact, and patient B presented a flexed position in the initial phase of the gait cycle. The maximum flexion angles during loading response were also higher for patient B. The sagittal plane excursion for the ankle joint was lower for patient B in comparison with the other subjects. [Conclusion] Differences during walking between patients who had stroke in different arteries may be related to an alternative compensatory strategy. Patient A and the control subject had similar gait cycle curves at all joints, while patient B showed a rigid synergic pattern.Key words: Stroke, Gait, Kinematic     

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon

Two cases of primary adenosquamous carcinomas of the sigmoid colon and rectum are presented. Clinical features and pathologic findings of both primary and metastatic lesions are reported (including immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy). We emphasize that the presence of a metastatic squamous tumor in a patient with an unknown primary does not exclude the possibility of colonic carcinoma. Comparison with other reports in the American medical literature indicates that these are very aggressive tumors that may have a worse prognosis than the more common form of colonic adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, the squamous component, in particular, may have a greater potential for metastasizing and can do so as an undifferentiated-appearing carcinoma. In view of this, the authors suggest that very poorly differentiated areas within colonic adenocarcinomas should be very carefully evaluated by means of immunoperoxidase stains and/or electron microscopy in an attempt to identify squamous features.