COVID-19 pandemic reduces the negative perception of oral health-related quality of life in adolescents

Quality of Life Research - As people around the world are facing the Covid-19 outbreak, their perception of oral health problems could be changed. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects...     

A spectral framework for sperm shape characterization

A novel methodology for characterization of animal sperm shape involving the use of a spectral approach to multiscale curvature estimation is proposed. By using the derivative property of the Fourier transform, allied to Gaussian smoothing, accurate estimates of the curvature along the sperm contour can be obtained in such a way that the curvature peaks corresponding to the sperm head vertices can be effectively identified. The measurements derived from such a processing, namely the width of the basal region of the head, the centralization of tail implantation, and the multiscale bending energy, provide valuable resources for fertility and phylogenetic studies.     

The use of PTFE graft to correct anomalous drainage of persistent left superior vena cava

A new technique to correct persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) drainage into the left atrium is described in a 14-year-old patient with situs inversus, left atrial isomerism common atrium, and mitral valve regurgitation. During surgery, occlusion of the LSVC markedly increased the venous pressure, precluding its ligation. Because of the malposition of the heart and the unusual atrial anatomy, correction with an intra-atrial baffle was not attempted. After correcting the intra-cardiac anomaly, the LSVC was divided and anastomosed to the "right" atrial appendage using a segment of PTFE graft. The postoperative course was uneventful and an angiogram demonstrated excellent performance of the graft.     

ANIMAL MODELS FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS--ENSURING EXPERIMENTAL VALIDITY

Confounding factors, bias factors and hidden variables affectthe design of experiments involving animal models. In a frequentlyused dog model for osteoarthritis these can arise, for example,because of the influence of age, sex and breed of dog. Controlsare required to investigate the progression of osteoarthritiseven in experiments forming time series. However, there areno true controls in animal models for joint degeneration. Analysisof data collected from experiments involving animal models dependson the number of factors being varied. The number of animalsinfluences the level of confidence associated with a result.Ignoring statistics can invalidate conclusions drawn from theexperiments. Statistical considerations are also important inthe presentation of results KEY WORDS: Joint degeneration, Dogs, Controls, Study design     

妊娠期雌二醇和催乳素与瘦素的关系

目的 研究妊娠期间性激素与瘦素水平之间的关系。方法 在180例不同孕周的妇女中,按孕周分为＜20周组,20－23周组,≥28周组,采用酶联免疫吸附法测定其外周血血清雌二醇（E2）和催乳素（PRL）,放射免疫法测定血清瘦素水平,分析这些激素之间的相互关系。结果 E2和PRL均随妊娠进展而逐步升高（P＜0．0001）,组间均有显著差异（P＜0．05）。各组瘦素水平均高于非妊娠组,但组间差异无显著性。瘦素水平与孕妇体重及体重指数显著相关（P0．01）,与PRL也呈相关（P＜0．05）,而与E2无明显相关。结论 PRL水平与妊娠期瘦素水平升高有一定关系。     

骨折与无骨折史患者的定量超声检查比较

目的：用定量超声方法对有骨折史的骨质疏松症患者进行骨量检查,方法用CUBA Clinical型定量骨密度超声仪对393例被疑为骨质疏松的患者进行检测,并根据病史按有无骨折中进行分组。分析二组患者宽频超声衰减（BUA）、超声速率（VOS）、强度指数（SI）与骨折次数的关系。结果：伴有骨折史的骨质疏松症虱的BUA、VOS、SI值都要比无骨折史的患者明显降低（P＝0．000）。结论定量超声值与骨折的发生次数呈负相关,其测定值越低,骨折的发生次数越多;骨的质量下降是造成骨质疏松骨折的主要原因。     

Varicella vaccine

The varicella vaccine developed by Takahashi and cols. in 1974, in Japan, shows outstanding features. Its development, site and route of administration and final results are reviewed in this article.The varicella vaccine is highly effective in normal children (with almost 100% seroconversion rate), and with good protective responses in immunocompromised children (82% to 90% seroconversion rate). This is the first attenuated live virus vaccine that may be recommended for these patients. Its indications and side effects, along with needed precautions and contraindications are reviewed. Simultaneous administration of varicella vaccine with other vaccines can be done, each vaccine should be injected at different sites. New studies are ongoing for the association of the varicella vaccine with others vaccines. Several countries licensed this vaccine for administration in selected high-risk individuals. Probably, in the future, the varicella vaccine will be included in the preventive immunization schedule.     

The Steatocrit Test: a semiquantitative method to evaluate the fecal fat excretion--method standardization

The main objective of this study was to introduce among us this technique. In a first step, steatocrit was compared to Van de Kamer test for 30 fecal samples. A significant positive correlation was found. In a second step, a steatocrit value was determined for normal children aged 0 to 72 months. In children from 0 to 3 months of age, no influence was found of diet (whether exclusively maternal milk or artificial one) on steatocrit value. However, upto the age of 3 months a significant and negative correlation was found between age and steatocrit value. Finally, three age groups were identified with different steatocrit values, as follows: 0-1 month, 4.04%; 1-3 months, 1.38%, 3-72 months, 0.29%. Thus the steatocrit test for fecal fat excretion was again shown to be not only simple, rapid, painless and inexpensive but also a reliable one.     

Recurrent bronchopneumonia and Morgagni hernia

The Morgagni hernia occurs behind the sternum and is a rare diaphragmatic defect although the late diagnosis may result in important clinic symptoms and poor prognosis. The authors present a case report of a child with 11 months and respiratory symptoms with chronic pulmonary infections and several hospitalizations without etiologic diagnosis. The conclusion was for the early Morgagni hernia diagnosis and the prevention of chronic complications.