Defining suffering : African American young men and conduct disorder

This paper will discuss the disproportionate overrepresentation of African American young men among those diagnosed with Conduct Disorder. Existing research attributes this disproportionality to a variety of factors but does not incorporate historical or social analysis. This project will endeavor to consider how the historical and enduring stereotype of black men as criminal impacts this diagnosing pattern, and explores alternate ways to define and treat behavioral symptomology among young black men. This paper will discuss how stereotypes as well as the fear of being stereotyped impact both client and clinician and affect their interaction, thereby influencing psychological assessment and diagnosis. This paper will also argue that in general clinicians may not adequately account for the environment with which African American young men contend, and that historical and ongoing oppression must be considered in the assessing and diagnosing process. The way in which a client\u27s problem is defined leads to specific treatment, and thus it is necessary to explore varying ways to define the problem that manifests in behavioral symptoms for African American young men. This analysis will aim to examine the ways in which slavery and its legacy impact psychological assessment and diagnosis today, and how diagnosing clinicians may inadvertently contribute to the criminalization of young African American men when assigning Conduct Disorder diagnoses. The purpose of this project is to encourage social workers to critically consider the ways in which they define the healing and suffering of their clients

The burden of cutaneous melanoma and status of preventive measures in Central and South America

Rationale and objective Very little is known about the burden of cutaneous melanoma in Central and South America, despite the existence of a reasonable amount of population-based data. We present data on melanoma incidence calculated in a standardized way for Central and South America, as well as an overview of primary and secondary prevention issues in the region. Methods Cancer registry data on all incident cases reported in the different registries present in Central and South America were combined to provide registry-based country estimates of age-standardized, sex-specific cutaneous melanoma incidence overall, and by histological subtype and anatomical site. A literature search provided additional information. Results Age-standardized incidence rates were between 1 and 5 per 100,000 and tended to be higher further away from the equator. Cutaneous melanomas of the acral type, mostly occurring on the lower limbs, are a distinguishing feature of melanoma in Central and South America in comparison with high-incidence areas. Several preventive measures, both primary and secondary, are in place, albeit largely without evaluation. Conclusion Due to incomplete registration and different registration practices, reliable and comparable data on melanoma were difficult to obtain; thus it is likely that the true burden of melanoma in Central and South America has been underestimated. The different characteristics of the cutaneous melanoma patient population in terms of anatomical site and histological type distribution imply a need for adapted primary and secondary prevention measures. The generally high ambient ultraviolet radiation levels require sufficient sun protection measures

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica linn.) and Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.Moench): their Potential Utilization in Phytotherapy

The use of botanical extracts and essential oil in skin care has been increasing due to greater demand on the part of consumers to use natural ingredients. Tamarind and Sweet Sorghum really have   big potentials  for reaching the public and showcasing its benefits , thus this study could encourage growers to raise more Tamarind and Sweet Sorghum in their areas not only as  food but as a raw material in the production of natural products which are for health and wellness. Both Tamarind and Sweet Sorghum possess skin healing effect which may be attributed to their biologically active components. Tamarind  possess to have bioflavonoids and alkaloids which occur in its leaves, pulp and bark. The bark contains  tannin which are recommended for treatments of inflammation, ulceration and skin disease. Tamarind has  Tartaric acid that makes it possible for tamarind to works wonders on oily skin with pimples and on sun-damaged.  Sweet Sorghum on the other hand contains emulsion, a substance that can give a moisturizing effect on the skin. the majestic phytochemistry of Tamarind and Sweet Sorghum encouraged the researcher  to produce and test  the acceptability, efficacy and safety of different skin care products that are commonly needed by the community. The Tamarind Leaves soap was proven to be highly acceptable in terms of its color, odor, texture, hardness and overall appearance. Both the Tamarind soap and the Sweet Sorghum soap were safe and free from insoluble soap and fatty acid soap. The percent reduction of acne in using Tamarind soap, Sweet Sorghum and Commercial soap have similar effect on the tenth and twelve days of use. The initial means of the treatments ranges from 10.00 pustule to 2.00 pustule. After 12 days of treatment the mean decrease is zero or equivalent to 100% decrease in the number of acne. The result of this study maybe explained with the result on antibacterial property test ( against Staphylococcus A.) of Tamarind soap and Sweet Sorghum Soap. Tamarind soap with 8% extract was found to be most effective in reduction of pimples. The Tamarind shower gel and Sweet Sorghum shower gels were effective against Staphylococcus Aurous. Tamarind Bark Ointment was an effective anti – inflammatory agent particularly on swelling and redness as well as for wound healing. Tamarind scrub salt, shower gel  and liniment  were also highly acceptable and found to be safe and effective. Result on the acceptability of Sweet Sorghum natural products are comparable to the acceptability of Tamarind natural products.  The development of technology for the Production of Natural  Products from Tamarind and Sweet Sorghum is timely, considering the growing consciousness of consumers on safe, organic and healthy natural products. Likewise, this product diversification scheme can promote multi-uses and competitive of the Tamarind and Sweet Sorghum

Leptin system in obese dog skin: A pilot study

Obesity predisposes to several health problems including skin diseases. However, information on the relationship between obesity and skin disorders in pets is very scarce. Leptin (LEP) is mainly produced by adipose tissue and has a prominent role in skin biology. This study evaluated the LEP system in the skin of obese dogs compared to normal-weight animals. The investigation was carried out on 10 obese (Obese group) and 10 normal-weight (Normal-weight group) dogs through Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Cells of skin associated immune system were also evaluated. No differences were evidenced between the two groups as well as skin inflammation. LEP differences were no significant, while LEPR transcript appeared 10-fold higher in obesedogs than in normal-weight ones. Immunostaining for both molecules was observed in several skin structures such as the epidermis, hair follicles, and glands. No differences appeared in the skin associated immune system composition. This study is a preliminary report showing that LEP system changes in obese dog skin. The increased LEPR expression observed in the obese group suggests that the receptor plays a modulating role in the system control. However, the exact role of LEPin the skin under obesity conditions needs further elucidation

VNTR analysis reveals unexpected genetic diversity within Mycoplasma agalactiae, the main causative agent of contagious agalactia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Mycoplasma agalactiae </it>is the main cause of contagious agalactia, a serious disease of sheep and goats, which has major clinical and economic impacts. Previous studies of <it>M. agalactiae </it>have shown it to be unusually homogeneous and there are currently no available epidemiological techniques which enable a high degree of strain differentiation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have developed variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis using the sequenced genome of the <it>M. agalactiae </it>type strain PG2. The PG2 genome was found to be replete with tandem repeat sequences and 4 were chosen for further analysis. VNTR 5 was located within the hypothetical protein MAG6170 a predicted lipoprotein. VNTR 14 was intergenic between the hypothetical protein MAG3350 and the hypothetical protein MAG3340. VNTR 17 was intergenic between the hypothetical protein MAG4060 and the hypothetical protein MAG4070 and VNTR 19 spanned the 5' end of the pseudogene for a lipoprotein MAG4310 and the 3' end of the hypothetical lipoprotein MAG4320.</p> <p>We have investigated the genetic diversity of 88 <it>M. agalactiae </it>isolates of wide geographic origin using VNTR analysis and compared it with pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Simpson's index of diversity was calculated to be 0.324 for PFGE and 0.574 for VNTR analysis. VNTR analysis revealed unexpected diversity within <it>M. agalactiae </it>with 9 different VNTR types discovered. Some correlation was found between geographical origin and the VNTR type of the isolates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>VNTR analysis represents a useful, rapid first-line test for use in molecular epidemiological analysis of <it>M. agalactiae </it>for outbreak tracing and control.</p

Perception about the importance of feeding in a group of hematologic cancer patients

Introducción: Los pacientes oncohematológicos presentan habitualmente déficits nutricionales derivados de su enfermedad, sus tratamientos y efectos secundarios, etc. Sin embargo, apenas existen datos descriptivos del empleo de recomendaciones dietéticas, y de la auto-percepción del paciente de su utilidad en su enfermedad. Objetivos: Evaluar la percepción de la importancia de la alimentación en un grupo de pacientes con cáncer hematológico. Materiales y métodos: 111 pacientes oncohematológicos auto-registraron un cuestionario con preguntas sociosanitarias y de percepción personal de la importancia de la alimentación en su enfermedad. Resultados: La edad media fue 40,0 ± 12,8 años (64,86% mujeres). El diagnóstico y el tratamiento más frecuente fue linfoma (83,78%) y quimioterapia (92,80%). Un 75% consideró “muy importante” la relación entre enfermedad oncohematológica y estado nutricional. Sólo un 54,1% recibió consejo dietético. Y un 53,2% y 50,5% consideró que el consumo de suplementos nutricionales mejoraría su calidad de vida y/o enfermedad respectivamente. Conclusiones: Un porcentaje importante de pacientes presentaron estados avanzados de su enfermedad. Sin embargo, la mitad del colectivo no había recibido pautas dietéticas a pesar del elevado interés por recibir atención nutricional. Por tanto, la valoración nutricional del paciente oncohematológico así como la implementación de un soporte nutricional personalizado deberían formar parte de la práctica clínica habitualIntroduction: Oncohematologic patients usually present nutritional deficits associated with the disease, the treatments and side effects, etc. However, there are hardly any descriptive data about the dietary recommendations used and the patient’s self-perception of its usefulness in their disease. Aim: To assess the self-perception of the nutritional importance in a group of oncohematologic patients. Materials and methods: 111 oncohematologic patients self-reported a questionnaire containing items about socio-sanitary data and self-perception of the nutritional importance in their disease. Results: The mean age was 40.0 ± 12.8 years (64.86% women). The most frequent diagnosis and treatment was lymphoma (83.78%) and chemoteraphy (92.80%). 75% considered “very important” relationship between oncohematologic disease and nutritional status. Only 54.1% received dietary advice. And 53.2% and 50.5% considered that the use of nutritional supplements improve quality of life and/or disease respectively. Conclusions: A significant percentage of patients had advanced stages of their disease. However, half the group had not received dietary advice despite high interest in receiving nutritional care. Therefore, the nutritional assessment and the personalized nutritional support implementation of the patient should be included in routine clinical practic

Total Degree Formula for the Generic Offset to a Parametric Surface

We provide a resultant-based formula for the total degree w.r.t. the spatial variables of the generic offset to a parametric surface. The parametrization of the surface is not assumed to be proper.Comment: Preprint of an article to be published at the International Journal of Algebra and Computation, World Scientific Publishing, DOI:10.1142/S021819671100680

Plasmonic lenses for ultrafast electron nanoemission

We show the capability of plasmonic lenses for next-generation ultrafast electron sources. Using electromagnetic simulations, we design structures capable of femtosecond, nanoscale electron pulses. Plasmonic properties of template-stripped gold prototypes are characterized using cathodoluminescence spectromicroscopy