A melanoma malignum korai felismerését befolyásoló tényezők | Factors influencing early detection of malignant melanoma

Absztrakt: Bevezetés és célkitűzés: A melanoma malignum igen agresszív, sokszor kiszámíthatatlan kórlefolyású daganat. Vizsgálatunk során arra kerestünk választ, hogy milyen tényezők befolyásolják a betegség korai felismerését. Módszer: 139 melanomával diagnosztizált beteg kérdőíveit elemeztük. Eredmények: Megállapítottuk, hogy betegeink a cardiovascularis betegségek terén egészségtudatosak, daganatok miatt végzett szűrővizsgálatokon behívásra részt vesznek, azonban melanomával kapcsolatos ismereteik hiányosak. Önvizsgálatot a betegek nagy része végez, de nem tudják mit kell figyelni a bőrön. A melanomát általában maguk a betegek észlelik először, azonban sokszor több mint egy év telik el, míg orvoshoz fordulnak. A korai felismerést egyértelműen befolyásoló tényezőként a betegek attitűdjét azonosítottuk. Akik számára fontos a gyanús bőrelváltozások figyelése, azoknál korai stádiumban kerül felismerésre a melanoma. Megállapítottuk továbbá, hogy a betegek levetkőztetése és a bőrrák prevenciójával kapcsolatos kommunikáció nem része a rutin egészségügyi ellátásnak. Következtetések: Fontos a népesség és az egészségügyi személyzet melanomával kapcsolatos ismereteinek bővítése és annak a tudatosítása, hogy a korai felismerés életet menthet. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(51), 2028–2033. | Abstract: Introduction and aim: Melanoma is a highly aggressive tumour with often unpredictable outcome. Our aim with this study was to determine factors influencing early detection of melanoma. Method: We analyzed 139 questionnaires completed by patients diagnosed with melanoma. Results: We found that our patients are health-conscious regarding cardiovascular diseases and attend cancer screenings on recall. However, their knowledge about melanoma is insufficient. Most of them perform skin self-examination, but they do not know what to check. Melanoma is detected mostly by the patients themselves, but it takes more than one year to consult a doctor. Our study confirmed that patients’ attitude toward melanoma is an important factor influencing early detection. We found that physical examination and communication about skin cancer prevention is not part of the routine medical care. Conclusions: It is important to improve knowledge about melanoma among the general population and health care providers and to emphasize that early detection can save lives. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(51), 2028–2033

Life style and structure differences between species of freshwater fish

It has been recommended that people eat fish rich in unsaturated fats at least twice a week to reduce the risk of heart disease. Fish consumption is significant, mainly from fish living in ocean saltwater. However, in countries without sea like Hungary, the richness of freshwater fish has developed a wide range of cooking techniques for fish with different nutrition. We suspect that muscle structure differences have not yet been investigated. The difference in fatty acid composition of African catfish and Siberian sturgeon is known, but no morphological studies have been performed on their muscle structure. The aim of this study was to compare the structure differences between freshwater fish with different lifestyles. The organization of muscle structure was monitored in meat by means of cytochemistry combined with scanning electron microscopic studies on tissues of two different species, and the techno-functional parameters measured. The filleted muscles of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) were compared after fresh and fast freeze. The associated complex structure of muscle in both species appeared different. One is a tightly closed muscle mass, while the other is a soft structure, which shows a different degree of softness of the meat after baking. In both species, the right muscle structure is beneficial under extreme environmental conditions. The different skeletal structure in fish needs altered processing, which we wish to continue with further testing and to prepare tasty food for consumers and use in dietetics

Power factor improvement

This project investigates power factor improving equipment for the following buildings on UBC campus: Life Science, Biology West, Chemistry Physics, Forest Science and Michael Smith. My objective throughout this project was to write a Microsoft Excel program that would be able to calculate the capacitor values needed to improve the power factor, and increase the life span of the transformer due to the addition of the equipment. Additionally, the program enables users to calculate the amount of yearly savings, based on the installation of the capacitors and the savings resulting by the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, given the real power as well as the power factor. This report will discuss the different aspects of the project, such as the equipment and methodology, and the calculations and results. In the end, I was able to complete my goal of creating a Microsoft Excel file that will calculate all the necessary information for future projects as well as recommending corrective equipment for each building. The Microsoft Excel program can easily be extended to include calculations of value of money and the possible repair cost. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Applied Science, Faculty ofElectrical and Computer Engineering, Department ofUnreviewedUndergraduat

An investigation into the implementation of a brewpub at the new Student Union Building

The new AMS Student Union Building will include a brewpub operation that aims to be environmentally sustainable, economically feasible and socially acceptable in the context of the UBC campus. This paper performs a triple-bottom line assessment looking at possible options in achieving all three goals. In regards to environmental sustainability, this paper presents three major negative environmental impacts in the brewing process: wastewater output, waste grain byproducts and energy consumption. The paper looks at possible solutions in the treatment of wastewater, processes and partnerships to recycle the brewpub’s waste grain and possible resolutions to the problem of energy consumption. Assessment of the brewpub’s economic feasibility falls into two categories: assessment of the brewpub’s operating cost and projection of the brewpub’s likely operating revenue. In the assessment of the brewpub’s operating cost the paper discusses the cost of: initial equipment investment, periodic ingredient purchases, heat and power costs and employee salaries. Assessment of the brewpub’s operating revenue includes: pricing of beer and a brief break-even analysis. This paper assesses the brewpub’s possible social impact by discussing the health and safety in regards to alcohol consumption, the community benefits in having an on-campus brewpub and opportunities for on-campus learning. Based on this paper’s research the following recommendations arise: 1. A GEA Westfalia Separator should be used for the treatment of the brewpub’s wastewater as it offers incredible reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. 2. Waste grain byproducts of the brewing process can be fed to animals and/or used as fertilizer in the UBC Farm. The byproducts can also be used in the biofuel production process, perhaps working in conjunction with the UBC Biofuel initiative. 3. The brewpub could use biofuel to fuel the stoves heating the mash in the brewing process. Biofuels, in addition to being sustainable, also produces CO₂ offset of up to 85%. 4. The brewpub operating cost (given the proposed scope and objectives) will be: $200,000 initial investment for the brewing equipment,$14,000 annually in ingredients, $2,500 annually in energy and$375,000 annually in employee salaries. 5. The brewpub operating revenue will be $466,200 annually. The brewpub will profit after the third year with a projected 10 year net profit of$540,600. 6. By using organic ingredients in conjunction with a controlled drinking environment the brewpub could promote health and safety in the student community. 7. The brewpub could promote seasonal beers and events to relieve students of stress and in general endorse student wellness. 8. The brewpub could open its doors to students in Applied Biology and/or Chemical Engineering providing students with experience and information in working in a professional brewing environment. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Applied Science, Faculty ofUnreviewedUndergraduat

Pulmonary embolism in an adolescent girl with negative ACLA systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a case report

Pulmonary involvement is a common manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), whereas pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is rarely seen in SLE. PTE related to anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is also a rare disease. We have reported a 13-year-old female diagnosed with SLE Two years ago, who is being treated with hydroxychloroquine and prednisolone. She presented with shortness of breath, dry cough, and fever about two weeks prior to admission. She was initially admitted with the diagnosis of pneumonia, but no clinical improvement was seen she was given antibiotics. Hemoptysis was added to her symptoms, so spiral high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs was requested, and it indicated patchy consolidations bilaterally. With suspicion of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), spiral computed tomography angiography of pulmonary vessels was done, revealing PTE. After initiation of anti-coagulants, her clinical condition and respiratory status improved significantly. We present a rare case of SLE where only lupus anti-coagulant test was abnormal while other tests, such as anti-cardiolipin antibody and anti-phospholipid antibody were normal. Therefore, we can conclude that clinical suspicion had the main role in diagnosis in our case, as it has in medicine

Vaccine hesitancy decreases, long term concerns remain in myositis, rheumatic disease patients: A comparative analysis of the COVAD surveys

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 vaccines have a favorable safety profile in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) such as idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), however hesitancy continues to persist among these patients.Therefore, we studied the prevalence, predictors, and reasons for hesitancy in patients with IIMs, other AIRDs, non-rheumatic autoimmune diseases (nrAIDs) and healthy controls (HCs), using data from the two international COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) e-surveys. METHODS: The 1st and 2nd COVAD patient self-reported e-surveys were circulated from March to December 2021, and February to June 2022 (ongoing). We collected data on demographics, comorbidities, COVID-19 infection and vaccination history, reasons for hesitancy, and patient reported outcomes. Predictors of hesitancy were analyzed using regression models in different groups. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 18,882 (COVAD-1) and 7666 (COVAD-2) respondents. Reassuringly, hesitancy decreased from 2021 (16.5%) to 2022 (5.1%) [OR 0.26; 95%CI: 0.24-0.30, p < 0.001]. However, concerns/fear over long-term safety had increased [OR 3.6;95% CI:2.9-4.6, p < 0.01].We noted with concern greater skepticism over vaccine science among patients with IIMs than AIRDs [OR:1.8; 95%CI: 1.08-3.2, p = 0.023] and HCs [OR: 4; 95%CI: 1.9-8.1, p < 0.001], as well as more long-term safety concerns/fear [IIMs vs AIRDs; OR: 1.9; 95%CI: 1.2-2.9, p = 0.001; IIMs vs HCs; OR: 5.4 95%CI: 3-9.6), p < 0.001].Caucasians [OR 4.2 (1.7-10.3)] were likely to be more hesitant, while those with better PROMIS physical health score were less hesitant [OR 0.9 (0.8-0.97)]. CONCLUSION: Vaccine hesitancy has decreased from 2021 to 2022, long-term safety concerns remain among patients with IIMs, particularly in Caucasians and those with poor physical function