<Emphasis Type="Italic">Susuks</Emphasis> (charm needles) in the craniofacial region

Objectives  We conducted a study to determine the numbers of susuks (charm needles) and their distribution in the craniofacial region of susuk wearers, and the sex, racial affiliation, and age of the wearers. In addition, we sought to determine whether the presence of susuks posed any potential hazard to patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods  We studied various radiographs of 33 susuk wearers (age range, 33–69 years) and investigated the most common sites of insertion in the craniofacial region. A susuk was also suspended inside a 1.5-T MRI machine to determined whether it was attracted by the machine’s magnet. Results  The largest number of susuks that we observed in the craniofacial region was 39 pins, and susuks were particularly numerous in Malay Muslim women. Other sites with susuks were the maxillofacial region (except the temporomandibular region) and the forehead. The susuks showed no ferromagnetic characteristics. Conclusions  As susuks are made from gold, they are generally biocompatible with human tissue and do not cause problems to their wearers. Gold and the other minor metal constituents found in susuks have no ferromagnetic characteristics and therefore pose no hazard to patients undergoing MRI.     

Distinctive regional-specific PROS1 mutation spectrum in Southern China

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis -     

Flexural properties of eight flowable light-cured restorative materials, in immediate vs 24-hour water storage

This study evaluated the flexural strength, flexural modulus, modulus of resilience and water sorption of eight flowable light-cured restorative materials compared with two conventional restoratives (as control). Forty specimens of each material were made. Twenty specimens were immediately flexural tested, while the remaining 20 were weight-measured and immersed in distilled water in a 37 degrees C incubator. After 24 hours, the samples were weight-measured again to identify water sorption and they were flexural tested. The findings were statistically analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Tukey test and Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation. The results of the flexural strength test were also analyzed using Weibull statistic. All flowable light-cured restorative materials except Palfique Estelite Low Flow exhibited immediate flexural strength values between the conventional ones. All flowable light-cured restorative materials showed 24-hour flexural strength values between the conventional ones. The Weibull modulus for immediate flexural strength of the materials varied from 6.37 to 15.23, while for 24-hour flexural strength, the strength varied from 8.10 to 14.30. In both conditions, all flowable light-cured resin composites showed lower flexural moduli but higher modulus of resilience than the conventional ones. The water sorption of all resin composites was lower than the flowable light-cured compomer. There was a distinct relation (r=-0.84, p<0.01) between the increasing ratio in modulus of resilience and the amount of water sorption.     

Marginal gap formation and fluoride release of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement: effect of silanized spherical silica filler addition

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of silanized spherical silica fillers (SF) on the immediate and 24-hour marginal gaps of resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC) in tooth cavities. In correlation with marginal gap formation in the tooth cavity, these influencing factors were also examined: marginal gap and setting shrinkage of cement in the Teflon mold, as well as the shear bond strength to tooth substrate. Moreover in correlation with caries prevention, fluoride release was examined too. In this investigation, the fillers were mixed into the RMGIC powder (Fuji II LC EM). Untreated spherical silica filler (UF)-added RMGIC was used as a comparison. When compared with the control (i.e., original RMGIC), the addition of SF significantly decreased immediate marginal gap in tooth cavities and setting shrinkage in Teflon mold up to 63% and 66% respectively. Fluoride release was significantly reduced too. Apart from these results, this study showed that addition of 5 wt% SF increased the shear bond strength to human enamel and dentin.     

Isolation of microsatellite loci in the Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichlhys pardalis (Castelneau, 1855) (Teleostei: Loricariidae)

Pterygoplichlhys pardalis is an important freshwater ornamental fish in the Amazon Basin. Studies involving populations of P. pardalis are of great importance for the conservation and management of this species. We developed nine microsatellite loci and applied them to investigate the genetic variation of 20 wild individuals from floodplain lakes of the Solim?es river. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 12, with an average of 6.6. The observed and expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.400 to 0.923 (average 0.706) and from 0.358 to 0.895 (average 0.692), respectively. The value of f ranged from ?0.532 to 0.467 (average 0.032). One locus (Pp07) significantly deviated from Hardy?CWeinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (P: (5?%)?<?0.006). No significant linkage disequilibrium was detected. These microsatellite loci will contribute towards studies of genetic diversity and conservation of P. pardalis.     

Reliability and validity of uterine cancer death certificates in the municipality of Belém, Pará, Brazil

Belém, Pará State, Brazil, presents high mortality rates for uterine cervical cancer, thus justifying an analysis of the reliability and validity of data on this underlying cause of death. Death certificates for Belém residents who died in 1998-1999 from neoplasms of the uterine cervix, uterine body, or unspecified uterine site, or with mention of such a neoplasm on any line in the death certificate, were selected, amounting to 188 death certificates (DCs). All DCs were submitted to new coding, and reliability analysis was performed by simple agreement and Cohen's kappa. The underlying cause of death, established after review of medical records and/or histopathological findings, was considered the gold standard for analysis of criteria validity, based on the positive predictive value. We observed a simple agreement of 94.0% and kappa of 0.87, suggesting high reliability of the official system's coding of uterine cancer as the underlying cause of death. In the validity analysis, 120 of the 127 deaths originally considered as caused by cancer of the uterine cervix and 3 of the 4 coded as cancer of the uterine body were confirmed. An 11.2% increase in uterine cervical tumors and a reduction of 62.5% in unspecified uterine tumors were observed.     

Falls among older adults seen at a São Paulo State public hospital: causes and consequences

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the history of accidental falls reported by older adults, identifying possibly related factors, as well as place of occurrence, causes, and consequences. METHODS: The sample investigated included 50 older adults, of both sexes, ages 60 years or older, living in the city of Ribeir?o Preto, Southeastern Brazil, who had been seen at two inpatient units of a public hospital. Patient records were examined and household visits carried out for the application of a structured questionnaire including open, closed, and mixed questions related to the fall. RESULTS: Data obtained show a reality not substantially different from that observed in other countries. Most events occurred among older women (66%), with mean age 76 years, and at home. Causes were mainly related to physical environment (54%), and brought serious consequences to the subjects, fractures being the most common outcome (64%). Falls had a great impact on subjects' lives in terms of activities such as: lying down/getting up, walking on plain surfaces, cutting toenails, bathing/showering, walking outside home, taking care of financial issues, shopping, using public transportation, and climbing stairs. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that falls occurred among older adults have serious physical, psychological, and social consequences, reinforcing the need for fall prevention, in order to ensure greater quality of life, autonomy, and independence for the elderly.