Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the American Skindex-29 quality of life index

BACKGROUND:Measuring the quality of life measure of patients with dermatologic diseases is an important concern. The instruments to evaluate it are commonly originally written in English and need to be translated and validated to be used in different cultures.OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this paper is to translate and validate the Skindex-29 questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese to be used in our country as a quality of life assessment instrument in dermatologic patients.METHODS:The first step was the translation from English to Brazilian Portuguese and the back-translation by two native speakers. The translated version was then used for the second step, when three questionnaires were applied to 75 patients (43 of whom were classified as lightly affected and 32 as heavily affected by their dermatologic conditions): an identification questionnaire, the translated version of Skindex-29, and the Brazilian Portuguese version of Dermatologic Life Quality Index (DLQI). Additionally, the generic questionnaire Short Form 36 (SF-36) was applied to 41 of these patients. The last step to evaluate reproducibility was repeating the Skindex-29 questionnaire by the same researcher one week later in 44 patients.RESULTS:Reliability was observed in global Skindex-29 scale (α=0.934), and its domains emotions (α=0.926), symptoms (α=0,702), and psycosocial functioning (α=0.860). The reproducibility showed high intraclass correlations. High intra class correlations was observed, thus validating reliability.CONCLUSIONS:The Skindex-29 quality of life questionnaire was properly translated and validated to Brazilian Portuguese.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São PauloUNIFESPSciEL

Portuguese translation and validation of the Braden Q scale for predicting pressure ulcer risk in pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE: To translate and culturally adapt the Braden Q scale into a Portuguese version and to test its properties (reliability and validity). METHODS: The Braden Q scale was translated and adapted according to internationally accepted methodology. The instrument was forward and back translated, and the translations were reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee. In the cultural adaptation process, three groups of ten nurses each interpreted the Brazilian version of the Braden Q scale until they fully understood the instrument. In order to evaluate the reliability of the Brazilian version, two other nurses administered the tool to pediatric ICU patients at different time points; the first nurse administered the instrument also in a second time. Statistical analysis was performed using Cronbach's α to evaluate the internal consistency of the scale, and the Spearman and intra-class correlation coefficients were calculated as a measure of reliability. RESULTS: There were no differences between scales translated by different translators during the forward and back translation process. All items of the scale culturally adapted by the 30 nurses were considered relevant. Cronbach's α for internal consistency was 0.936; intra-class correlation coefficient for intra-rater reliability was 0.995 and for inter-rater reliability was 0.998, both indicating high reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The Braden Q scale was successfully translated and adapted, and demonstrated validity and reliability.OBJETIVO: Traduzir para a língua portuguesa, adaptar ao contexto cultural brasileiro e testar as propriedades de medidas, reprodutibilidade e validade da escala de Braden Q. MÉTODOS: A escala de Braden Q foi traduzida e adaptada de acordo com metodologia aceita internacionalmente. Realizou-se tradução e tradução reversa do instrumento, intercaladas de revisões feitas por comitê multisciplinar. Na fase de adaptação cultural, três grupos de dez enfermeiras avaliaram a versão brasileira da escala de Braden Q até obter seu entendimento integral. Na validação da reprodutividade, outras duas enfermeiras aplicaram a versão brasileira em crianças internadas na UTI em tempos diferentes, sendo que a primeira enfermeira avaliou também em um segundo momento. Na análise estatística, para testar a consistência interna da escala, foi calculado o α de Crombach e, para testar a reprodutividade, o teste intraclasse e a correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: No processo de tradução e retrotradução, não houve diferença nas escalas feitas pelos diferentes tradutores. Na adaptação cultural realizada pelas 30 enfermeiras, todos os itens da escala foram considerados relevantes. A consistência interna testada pelo α de Crombach foi de 0,936; a correlação intraclasse da reprodutividade intraobservador foi de 0,995 e da reprodutividade interobservador foi de 0,998, ambas apontadas como excelentes. CONCLUSÕES: A escala de Braden Q foi traduzida e adaptada com sucesso, demonstrando ser válida e reprodutível.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Improving FEM crash simulation accuracy through local thickness estimation based on CAD data

ManuscriptIn this paper, we present a method for estimating local thickness distribution in finite element models, applied to injection molded and cast engineering parts. This method features considerable improved performance compared to two previously proposed approaches, and has been validated against thickness measured by different human operators. We also demonstrate that the use of this method for assigning a distribution of local thickness in FEM crash simulations results in a much more accurate prediction of the real part performance, thus increasing the benefits of computer simulations in engineering design by enabling zero-prototyping and thus reducing product development costs. The simulation results have been compared to experimental tests, evidencing the advantage of the proposed method. Thus, the proposed approach to consider local thickness distribution in FEM crash simulations has high potential on the product development process of complex and highly demanding injection molded and cast parts and is currently being used by Ford Motor Company.FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) through projects PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2013 and PEst-OE/EEI/UI0752/201

Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire for screening children and adolescents for plastic surgery: cross-cultural validation study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Patient-reported outcome measurements assessing the emotional state of children and adolescents who seek plastic surgery are important for determining whether the intervention is indicated or not. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (child/adolescent and parent versions) for Brazilian Portuguese, test its psychometric properties and assess the emotional state of children and adolescents who seek plastic surgery. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-cultural validation study conducted in a plastic surgery outpatient clinic at a public university hospital. METHODS: A total of 124 consecutive patients of both sexes were selected between September 2013 and February 2014. Forty-seven patients participated in the cultural adaptation of the questionnaire. The final version was tested for reliability on 20 patients. Construct validity was tested on 57 patients by correlating the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (child/adolescent and parent versions) with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale. RESULTS: The child/adolescent and parent versions of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire showed Cronbach's alpha of 0.768 and 0.874, respectively, and had good inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.757 and ICC = 0.853, respectively) and intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.738 and ICC = 0.796, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire is a reproducible instrument with face, content and construct validity. The mood state and feelings among children and adolescents seeking cosmetic surgery were healthy.Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Surg, Div Plast Surg, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Postgrad Program Translat Surg, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilInst Fed Educ Ciencia & Tecnol Sul Minas IFSuldeM, Pouso Alegre, MG, BrazilUniv Vale do Sapucai UNIVAS, Coll Hlth Sci, Pouso Alegre, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Surg, Div Plast Surg, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Postgrad Program Translat Surg, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Breast augmentation via the abdominoplasty incision approach: a prospective study of 100 cases

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy and obesity cause distension of the abdominal wall and produce changes in the shape and size of the breasts. Thus, the need of aesthetic improvement of the abdominal area is not uncommon, coinciding with the desire for breast augmentation. Performing mammoplasty via the abdominoplasty incision approach was first described in 1976. Because of the lack of prospective studies using this approach, we performed a series of dermolipectomy procedures using the abdominal incision to insert a pair of silicone gel breast implants. METHODS: In total, 100 consecutive patients were selected, with a mean age of 33 ± 2 years. Classic abdominoplasty was performed, and 2 tunnels were then made in the right and left hypochondria. After implant placement, the mammary fold was reconstructed using simple sutures with absorbable threads to attach the subcutaneous tissue to the aponeurosis. RESULTS: None of the following complications were observed: deep-vein thrombosis, cardiorespiratory or anesthetic complications, skin necrosis, visible bleeding, hematoma, or clinically detectable infection. The volume of the implants ranged from 280 to 450 mL (median, 350 mL). The mean operation time was 116 minutes. Reoperation was not necessary in any of the cases. The monitoring period ranged from 9 to 84 months (mean, 36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Breast augmentation via the abdominoplasty incision approach was demonstrated to be a reliable and simple technique, providing a new, scar-free alternative to mammary surgical procedures.INTRODUÇÃO: A gravidez e a obesidade causam distensão da parede abdominal e também produzem mudanças na forma e no tamanho das mamas. Assim, não é incomum a necessidade de melhoria estética da área abdominal, coincidindo com o desejo de aumento de mama. A mamoplastia utilizando a mesma incisão da abdominoplastia foi descrita pela primeira vez em 1976. Em decorrência da falta de estudos prospectivos empregando essa abordagem, os autores realizaram uma série de dermolipectomias usando a incisão abdominal para inserir o par de implantes mamários de silicone gel. MÉTODO: Cem pacientes consecutivas foram selecionadas, com média de idade de 33 ± 2 anos. A abdominoplastia clássica foi realizada e, em seguida, confeccionados 2 túneis sobre os hipocôndrios direito e esquerdo. Após colocação dos implantes, foi realizada reconstrução do sulco mamário com pontos simples usando fios absorvíveis, fixando o subcutâneo à aponeurose. RESULTADOS: Não houve nenhuma das seguintes complicações: trombose venosa profunda, complicações cardiorrespiratórias ou anestésicas, necrose de pele, sangramento visível, e hematoma ou infecção detectáveis clinicamente. O volume dos implantes variou de 280 ml a 450 ml (mediana de 350 ml). O tempo médio de operação foi de 116 minutos. Em nenhum caso foi necessária reoperação. O período de acompanhamento mínimo foi de 9 meses e máximo, de 84 meses (média de 36 meses). CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de aumento mamário por meio da incisão da abdominoplastia se mostrou confiável e simples, constituindo uma nova opção para a cirurgia mamária sem cicatriz nas mamas.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP-EPMUniversidade Cidade de São PauloUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Predictors of Fabry disease in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: how to guide the diagnostic strategy?

Fabry disease (FD) is a treatable cause of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We aimed to determine the independent predictors of FD and to define a clinically useful strategy to discriminate FD among HCM.Shire Human Genetic Therapies, Inc.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Salt intake and gastric cancer risk according to Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, tumour site and histological type

Background:Although salt intake is considered a probable risk factor for gastric cancer, relevant studies have provided heterogeneous results, and the magnitude of the association has not been accurately quantified.Methods:To quantify gastric cancer risk in relation to dietary salt exposure according to Helicobacter pylori infection status and virulence, smoking, tumour site, and histological type, we evaluated 422 gastric cancer cases and 649 community controls. Salt exposure was estimated in the year before the onset of symptoms through: sodium intake (estimated by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)); main food items/groups contributing to dietary sodium intake; visual analogical scale for salt intake preference; use of table salt; and duration of refrigerator ownership.Results:Comparing subjects with the highest with those with the lowest salt exposure (3rd vs 1st third), sodium intake (OR2.01, 95% CI: 1.16-3.46), consumption of food items with high contribution to sodium intake (OR2.54, 95% CI: 1.56-4.14) and salt intake evaluated by visual analogical scale (OR1.83, 95% CI: 1.28-2.63) were associated with an increased gastric cancer risk. Subjects owning a refrigerator for 50 years had a lower risk for gastric cancer (OR0.28, 95% CI: 0.14-0.57). These associations were observed regardless of H. pylori infection status and virulence, smoking, tumour site or histological type.Conclusion:Our results support the view that salt intake is an important dietary risk factor for gastric cancer, and confirms the evidence of no differences in risk according to H. pylori infection and virulence, smoking, tumour site and histological type. © 2011 Cancer Research UK All rights reserved.This work was performed using grants from Fundac¸ão para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (POCTI/SAU-ESP/56126/2004, POCTI/ SAU-ESP/61685/2004, PTDC/SAU-ESA/71517/2006) and Agência Portuguesa de Seguranc¸a Alimentar. This work, presented at the GRELL Meeting 2010 in Toledo, was awarded the ‘Enrico Anglesio’ Prize, offered by the ‘Anglesio Moroni Foundation’, Turin, Italy

Mathematical model of plant-virus interactions mediated by RNA interference

Cross-protection, which refers to a process whereby artificially inoculating a plant with a mild strain provides protection against a more aggressive isolate of the virus, is known to be an effective tool of disease control in plants. In this paper we derive and analyse a new mathematical model of the interactions between two competing viruses with particular account for RNA interference. Our results show that co-infection of the host can either increase or decrease the potency of individual infections depending on the levels of cross-protection or cross-enhancement between different viruses. Analytical and numerical bifurcation analyses are employed to investigate the stability of all steady states of the model in order to identify parameter regions where the system exhibits synergistic or antagonistic behaviour between viral strains, as well as different types of host recovery. We show that not only viral attributes but also the propagating component of RNA-interference in plants can play an important role in determining the dynamics