Detection of equine herpesvirus infection: conventional versus molecular approaches

Equineherpes virus(EHV)are the highly contagious pathogens that infect both domestic and wild equine populations causing a major impact on equine industry worldwide. The methods for diagnosis of EHV have shown a vast improvement in the last decade. Although some conventional techniques are still applicable in certain cases, most of the clinical testing now focusing on rapid diagnosis by using the nucleic acid amplification-based techniquesas major advances for the detection of EHV. The diagnosis of EHV does not only depend on clinical situation alone, but the suitability of diagnostic test is also vital for equine clinicians to make a decision regarding the specific treatments and control measures to be taken. Therefore, crucial understanding of the strengths and limitations of each assay are needed in order to interpret the results. Realizing the issue, this review intends to outline the clinical application of conventional approaches and the progress of the new molecular approaches. Relative advantages and limitations of each method have also been discussed

Organic Superconductors: when correlations and magnetism walk in

This survey provides a brief account for the start of organic superconductivity motivated by the quest for high Tc superconductors and its development since the eighties'. Besides superconductivity found in 1D organics in 1980, progresses in this field of research have contributed to better understand the physics of low dimensional conductors highlighted by the wealth of new remarkable properties. Correlations conspire to govern the low temperature properties of the metallic phase. The contribution of antiferromagnetic fluctuations to the interchain Cooper pairing proposed by the theory is borne out by experimental investigations and supports supercondutivity emerging from a non Fermi liquid background. Quasi one dimensional organic superconductors can therefore be considered as simple prototype systems for the more complex high Tc materials.Comment: 41 pages, 21 figures to be published in Journal of Superconductivity and Novel Magnetis

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training In Female Sexual Dysfunctions [treinamento Dos Músculos Do Assoalho Pélvico Nas Disfunções Sexuais Femininas]

PURPOSE: to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on female sexual dysfunctions. METHODS: twentysix women with a diagnosis of sexual dysfunction (sexual desire, arousal, orgasmic disorders and/or dyspareunia) were included in a clinical trial with a before/after approach. The assessment was carried out before, during (after five sessions) and at the end of the treatment (after ten sessions) by two-digit palpation (assessment of pelvic floor muscle, PFM, strength), intravaginal electromyography (EMG) (capture of PFM contraction amplitudes) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI, a questionnaire for the evaluation of sexual function). The women underwent PFMT in different positions for ten sessions (once or twice a week). For statistical analysis, absolute and relative frequencies were used for clinical characteristics and PFM strength. The Friedman test was used to compare the FSFI domain scores and EMG values, the Student's t-test was used to determine the association between these values and the characteristics of the women, and the Wilcoxon test for percent modification of the EMG. The Mann-Whitney test permitted us to compare these values with clinical characteristics. The Spearman correlation test was used to correlate the EMG values with mean total score. Results were considered statistically significant if p<0.05. RESULTS: a significant improvement (p<0.0001) of FSFI scores was observed at the end of treatment compared to the values observed before and in the middle of treatment. Regarding the EMG, the amplitudes of tonic and phasic contractions increased significantly during treatment (p<0.0001). Pelvic floor strength increased, which 69% of the women presenting grade 4 or 5 at the end of treatment, with a total improvement of sexual complaints. CONCLUSIONS: the PFMT improved muscle strength and electromyography contraction amplitudes, with improved sexual function, indicating that this physiotherapy approach may be successfully used for the treatment of female sexual dysfunctions.325234240Laumann, E.O., Paik, A., Rosen, R.C., Sexual dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and predictors (1999) JAMA, 281 (6), pp. 537-544Abdo, C.H., (2004) Estudo da vida sexual do brasileiro, , São Paulo: BregantiniAbdo, C.H., Oliveira Jr., W.M., Moreira Jr., E.D., Fittipaldi, J.A., Prevalence of sexual dysfunctions and correlated conditions in a sample of Brazilian women - results of the Brazilian Study On Sexual Behavior (BSSB) (2004) Int J Impot Res, 16 (2), pp. 160-166Moreira Junior, E.D., Glasser, D., Santos, D.B., Gingell, C., Prevalence of sexual problems and related help-seeking behaviors among mature adults in Brazil: Data from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (2005) Sao Paulo Med J, 123 (5), pp. 234-241Weber, A.M., Walters, M.D., Schover, L.R., Mitchinson, A., Vaginal anatomy and sexual function (1995) Obstet Gynecol, 86 (6), pp. 946-949Lemack, G.E., Zimmern, P.E., Sexual function after vaginal surgery for stress incontinence: Results of a mailed questionnaire (2000) Urology, 56 (2), pp. 233-237Artiles Pérez, V., Gutiérrez Sigler, M.D., Sanfélix Genovés, J., Female sexual function and related factors (2006) Aten Primaria, 38 (6), pp. 339-344Masters, W.H., Johnson, V.E., (1979) A Conduta Sexual Humana, , [Costa D, tradutor]. 3a ed. Rio de Janeiro: Civilização BrasileiraKegel, A., Sexual functions of the pubococcygeus muscle (1952) West J Surg Obstet Gynecol, 60 (10), pp. 521-524Chambless, D.L., Sultan, F.E., Stern, T.E., O'Neill, C., Garrison, S., Jackson, A., Effect of pubococcygeal exercise on coital orgasm in women (1984) J Consult Clin Psychol, 52 (1), pp. 114-118Shafik, A., The role of the levator ani muscle in evacuation, sexual performance, and pelvic floor disorders (2000) Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct, 11 (6), pp. 361-376Graber, B., Kline-Graber, G., Female orgasm: Role of pubococcygeus muscle (1979) J Clin Psychiatry, 40 (8), pp. 348-351Rosenbaum, T.Y., Pelvic floor involvement in male and female sexual dysfunction and the role of pelvic rehabilitation in treatment: A literature review (2007) J Sex Med, 4 (1), pp. 4-13Ma, Y., Qin, H., Pelvic floor muscle exercises may improve female sexual function (2009) Med Hypotheses, 72 (2), p. 223Kaplan, H.S., (1974) A nova terapia do sexo, , 4a ed. Rio de Janeiro: Nova FronteiraBo, K., Talseth, T., Vinsnes, A., Randomized controlled trial on the effect of pelvic floor muscle training on quality of life and sexual problems in genuine stress incontinence women (2000) Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 79 (7), pp. 598-603Bo, K., Finckenhagen, H.B., Vaginal palpation of pelvic floor muscle strength: Inter-test reproducibility and comparison between palpation and vaginal squeeze pressure (2001) Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 80 (10), pp. 883-887Beji, N.K., Yalcin, O., Erkan, H.A., The effect of pelvic floor 18. training on sexual function of treated patients (2003) Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct, 14 (4), pp. 234-238Nappi, R.E., Ferdeghini, F., Abbiati, I., Vercesi, C., Farina, C., Polatti, F., Electrical stimulation (ES) in the management of sexual pain disorders (2003) J Sex Marital Ther, 29 (SUPPL 1), pp. 103-110Etienne, M.A., Waitman, M.C., (2006) Disfunções sexuais femininas: A fisioterapia como recurso terapêutico, , São Paulo: LPM(2008) Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde: CID-10, , Organização Mundial de Saúde, [Centro Colaborador da OMS para Classificação de Doenças em Português-CBCD, tradutor]. Genebra: Organização Mundial de SaúdeThiel, R.R.C., Dambros, M., Palma, P.C.R., Thiel, M., Riccetto, C.L.Z., Ramos, M.F., Tradução para português, adaptação cultural e validação do Female Sexual Function Index (2008) Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet, 30 (10), pp. 504-510Rosen, R., Brown, C., Heiman, J., Leiblum, S., Meston, C., Shabsigh, R., et al, The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): A multidimensional self-report instrument for the assessment of female sexual function (2000) J Sex Marital Ther, 26 (2), pp. 191-208Laycok, J., Jerwood, D., Pelvic floor muscle assessment: The PERFECT scheme (2001) Physiotherapy, 87 (12), pp. 631-642Romanzi, L.J., Polaneczky, M., Glazer, H.I., Simple test of pelvic muscle contraction during pelvic examination: Correlation to surface electromyography (1999) Neurourol Urodyn, 18 (6), pp. 603-612Isherwood, P.J., Rane, A., Comparative assessment of pelvic floor strength using a perineometer and digital examination (2000) BJOG, 107 (8), pp. 1007-1011Rett, M.T., Simões, J.A., Herrmann, V., Pinto, C.L., Marques, A.A., Morais, S.S., Management of stress urinary incontinence with surface electromyography-assisted biofeedback in women of reproductive age (2007) Phys Ther, 87 (2), pp. 136-142Blümel, M.J.E., Binfa, E.L., Cataldo, A.P., Carrasco, V.A., Izaguirre, L.H., Sarrá, C.S., et al, Índice de función sexual femenina: Un test para evaluar la sexualidad de la mujer (2004) Rev Chil Obstet Ginecol, 69 (2), pp. 118-125Dean, N., Wilson, D., Herbison, P., Glazener, C., Aung, T., Macarthur, C., Sexual function, delivery mode history, pelvic floor muscle exercises and incontinence: A cross-sectional study six years post-partum (2008) Aus N Z J Obstet Gynaecol, 48 (3), pp. 302-311Prior, B.M., Yang, H.T., Terjung, R.L., What makes vessels grow with exercise training? (2004) J Appl Physiol, 97 (3), pp. 1119-1128Rosenbaum, T.Y., Physiotherapy treatment of sexual pain disorders (2005) J Sex Marital Ther, 31 (4), pp. 329-34