Promotor hypermethylation of the CpG Islands of human Ras Association Domain Family 1A gene (RASSF1A) in adenocarcinoma of lung in Hong Kong Chinese - a comparison between smokers and non-smokers

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Contribution of discourse and morphosyntax skills to reading comprehension in Chinese dyslexic and typically developing children

This study aimed at identifying important skills for reading comprehension in Chinese dyslexic children and their typically developing counterparts matched on age (CA controls) or reading level (RL controls). The children were assessed on Chinese reading comprehension, cognitive, and reading-related skills. Results showed that the dyslexic children performed significantly less well than the CA controls but similarly to RL controls in most measures. Results of multiple regression analyses showed that word-level reading-related skills like oral vocabulary and word semantics were found to be strong predictors of reading comprehension among typically developing junior graders and dyslexic readers of senior grades, whereas morphosyntax, a text-level skill, was most predictive for typically developing senior graders. It was concluded that discourse and morphosyntax skills are particularly important for reading comprehension in the non-inflectional and topic-prominent Chinese system. © 2010 The Author(s).published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

Syntactic skills in sentence reading comprehension among Chinese elementary school children

The present study examined the role of syntactic skills for reading comprehension in Chinese. Two hundred and seventy-two Chinese children were tested on their phonological processing, orthographic, morphological, syntactic, and literacy skills at Grades 1 and 2. Hierarchical multiple regression results showed that syntactic skills, in terms of word order, connective usage, and knowledge of morphosyntactic structure (measured by an oral cloze task) in Grade 1, significantly predicted sentence reading comprehension in Grade 2 after controlling for the children's age, IQ, and word level reading-related cognitive skills in Grade 1, and word reading in Grade 2. As in alphabetic languages, syntactic skills are essential for reading comprehension in Chinese. The unique roles of individual syntactic skills for understanding sentences in Chinese are discussed. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.postprin

Qualidade de vida no trabalho nivel de estresse dos profissionais das UBS do Distrito Leste do Município de Foz do Iguaçu-PR

Trabalho de conclusão de Residência apresentado ao Programa Multiprofissional em Saúde da Família da Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana, como requisito para obtenção do título de Especialista em Saúde da Família na modalidade de Residência. Orientador: Prof. Dr Thiago Luis de Andrade Barbosa Co-orientador: Prof. Ms. Gilberto Garcia da RochaObjetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT) e nível de estresse dos trabalhadores da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) do distrito leste de Foz do Iguaçu-PR. Metodologia: Trata-se de estudo transversal no qual participaram 120 profissionais da APS pertencentes a 06 UBS do referido distrito. Os profissionais responderam questionários sociodemográfico, de QVT abreviado (QWLQ-Bref) e Escala do Estresse Percebido (PSS 13). Verificou-se associação da QVT e dos níveis de estresse com variáveis sociodemográficas com uso do teste t de Student, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis. Nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: A avaliação da QVT dos profissionais foi 62,8±10,0 e associou-se com sexo (p=0,016), idade (p=0,042), presença de dor (p=0,029) e satisfação com trabalho (p=0,002). Em relação aos domínios avaliados da QVT, houve associação com presença de dor e satisfação laboral. O escore total médio de estresse percebido dos participantes foi 24,5±6,0. Notou-se relação com as variáveis percepção quanto à alimentação saudável (p=0,013), presença de dor (p=0,002), dor relacionada ao trabalho (p=0,004) e satisfação com trabalho (p=0,001). Conclusão: Constatou-se satisfatória QVT e níveis médios de estresse dos profissionais o que demanda ações preventivas que melhorem esse panorama na APS do municípioObjective: To evaluate the quality of working life (QWL) and stress level of workers at Primary Health Care (PHC) in the east district of Foz do Iguaçu-PR. Methodology: Cross- sectional study with 120 PHC professionals from 06 basic health units of this district. Professionals answered sociodemographic questionnaire, abbreviated QLW (QWLQ-Bref) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 13). We verified the association of QWL and stress levels with sociodemographic variables using Student's t-test, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis. Level of significance was 5%. Results: The professional QWL assessment was 62.8 ± 10.0 and was associated with gender (p=0.016), age (p=0.042), presence of pain (p = 0.029) and work satisfaction (p=0.002). In relation to the evaluated domains of QWL, there was an association with presence of pain and job satisfaction. The mean total perceived stress score of the participants was 24.5 ± 6.0. There was a relationship with the variables of perception regarding healthy eating (p=0.013), presence of pain (p=0.002), pain related to work (p=0.004) and satisfaction with work (p=0.001). Conclusion: We observed satisfactory QWL and mean levels of stress of PHC workers that demand improvement of this situationObjetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida en el trabajo (QVT) y nivel de estrés de los trabajadores de la Atención Primaria a la Salud (APS) del distrito este de Foz do Iguaçu-PR. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio transversal en el que participaron 120 profesionales de la APS pertenecientes a 06 UBS de dicho distrito. Los profesionales respondieron cuestionarios sociodemográficos, de QVT abreviado (QWLQ-Bref) y Escala del estrés percibido (PSS 13). Se verificó asociación de QVT y de los niveles de estrés con variables sociodemográficas con el uso del test t de Student, ANOVA, Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis. El nivel de significancia adoptado fue del 5%. Resultados: La evaluación de la QVT de los profesionales fue de 62,8 ± 10,0 y se asoció con sexo (p=0,016), edad (p=0,042), presencia de dolor (p=0,029) y satisfacción con el trabajo (p=0,029) 0,002). En relación a los ámbitos evaluados de la QVT, hubo asociación con presencia de dolor y satisfacción laboral. La puntuación total promedio de estrés percibido de los participantes fue de 24,5 ± 6,0. Se observó relación con las variables percepción en cuanto a la alimentación sana (p=0,013), presencia de dolor (p=0,002), dolor relacionado al trabajo (p=0,004) y satisfacción con el trabajo (p=0,001). Conclusión: Se constató satisfactoria QVT y niveles medios de estrés de los profesionales lo que demanda acciones preventivas que mejoren ese panorama en la APS del municipi

Photodynamic therapy and tumor imaging of hypericin-treated squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Conventional cancer therapy including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often are physically debilitating and largely ineffective in previously treated patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A natural photochemical, hypericin, could be a less invasive method for laser photodynamic therapy (PDT) of these recurrent head and neck malignancies. Hypericin has powerful photo-oxidizing ability, tumor localization properties, and fluorescent imaging capabilities as well as minimal dark toxicity. The current study defined hypericin PDT in vitro with human SCC cells before the cells were grown as tumor transplants in nude mice and tested as a model for hypericin induced tumor fluorescence and PDT via laser fiberoptics. METHODS: SNU squamous carcinoma cells were grown in tissue culture, detached from monolayers with trypsin, and incubated with 0.1 μg to 10 μg/ml of hypericin before exposure to laser light at 514, 550, or 593 nm to define optimal dose, time, and wavelength for PDT of tumor cells. The SCC cells also were injected subcutaneously in nude mice and grown for 6–8 weeks to form tumors before hypericin injection and insertion of fiberoptics from a KTP532 surgical laser to assess the feasibility of this operating room instrument in stimulating fluorescence and PDT of tumors. RESULTS: In vitro testing revealed a hypericin dose of 0.2–0.5 μg/ml was needed for PDT of the SCC cells with an optimal tumoricidal response seen at the 593 nm light absorption maximum. In vivo tumor retention of injected hypericin was seen for 7 to10 days using KTP532 laser induced fluorescence and biweekly PDT via laser fiberoptics led to regression of SCC tumor transplants under 0.4 cm(2 )diameter, but resulted in progression of larger size tumors in the nude mice. CONCLUSION: In this preclinical study, hypericin was tested for 514–593 nm dye laser PDT of human SCC cells in vitro and for KTP532 surgical laser targeting of SCC tumors in mice. The results suggest hypericin is a potent tumor imaging agent using this surgical laser that may prove useful in defining tumor margins and possibly in sterilizing post-resection margins. Deeply penetrating pulsed infrared laser emissions will be needed for PDT of larger and more inaccessible tumors

Linear brain atrophy measures in multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndromes: A 30-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To determine 30-year brain atrophy rates following clinically isolated syndromes and the relationship of atrophy in the first 5 years and clinical outcomes 25 years later. METHODS: A cohort of 132 people who presented with a clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) were recruited between 1984–1987. Clinical and MRI data were collected prospectively over 30 years. Widths of the third ventricle and the medulla oblongata were used as linear atrophy measures. RESULTS: At 30 years, 27 participants remained classified as having had a clinically isolated syndrome, 34 converted to relapsing remitting MS, 26 to secondary progressive MS and 16 had died due to MS. The mean age at baseline was 31.7 years (SD 7.5) and the mean disease duration was 30.8 years (SD 0.9). Change in medullary and third ventricular width within the first 5 years, allowing for white matter lesion accrual and Expanded Disability Status Scale increases over the same period, predicted clinical outcome measures at 30 years. 1 mm of medullary atrophy within the first 5 years increased the risk for secondary progressive MS or MS related death by 30 years by 583% (OR 5.83, 95% CI 1.74 to 19.61, p<0.005), using logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that brain regional atrophy within 5 years of a clinically isolated syndrome predicts progressive MS or a related death, and disability 25 years later

The impact of scaling up cervical cancer screening and treatment services among women living with HIV in Kenya: a modelling study

Introduction: We aimed to quantify health outcomes and programmatic implications of scaling up cervical cancer (CC) screening and treatment options for women living with HIV in care aged 18–65 in Kenya. Methods: Mathematical model comparing from 2020 to 2040: (1) visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cryotherapy (Cryo); (2) VIA and Cryo or loop excision electrical procedure (LEEP), as indicated; (3) human papillomavirus (HPV)-DNA testing and Cryo or LEEP; and (4) enhanced screening technologies (either same-day HPV-DNA testing or digitally enhanced VIA) and Cryo or LEEP. Outcomes measured were annual number of CC cases, deaths, screening and treatment interventions, and engaged in care (numbers screened, treated and cured) and five yearly age-standardised incidence. Results: All options will reduce CC cases and deaths compared with no scale-up. Options 1–3 will perform similarly, averting approximately 28 000 (33%) CC cases and 7700 (27%) deaths. That is, VIA screening would yield minimal losses to follow-up (LTFU). Conversely, LTFU associated with HPV-DNA testing will yield a lower care engagement, despite better diagnostic performance. In contrast, option 4 would maximise health outcomes, averting 43 200 (50%) CC cases and 11 800 (40%) deaths, given greater care engagement. Yearly rescreening with either option will impose a substantial burden on the health system, which could be reduced by spacing out frequency to three yearly without undermining health gains. Conclusions: Beyond the specific choice of technologies to scale up, efficiently using available options will drive programmatic success. Addressing practical constraints around diagnostics’ performance and LTFU will be key to effectively avert CC cases and deaths

A thirty year clinical and MRI observational study of multiple sclerosis and clinically isolated syndromes

OBJECTIVE: Clinical outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) are highly variable. We aim to determine the long-term clinical outcomes in MS, and to identify early prognostic features of these outcomes. METHODS: 132 people presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) were prospectively recruited between 1984-87, and followed up clinically and radiologically 1, 5, 10, 14, 20 and now 30 years later. All available notes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were reviewed, and MS was defined according to the 2010 McDonald criteria. RESULTS: Clinical outcome data was obtained in 120 participants at 30 years. Eighty were known to have developed MS by 30 years. Expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores were available in 107 participants, of whom 77 had MS: thirty-two (42%) remained fully ambulatory (EDSS ≤3.5) all of whom had relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), three (4%) had RRMS and EDSS >3.5, 26 (34%) had secondary progressive MS (all had EDSS >3.5), and MS contributed to death in 16 (20%). Of those with MS, 11 have been treated with a DMT. The strongest early predictors (within 5 years of presentation) of secondary progressive MS (SPMS) at 30 years were presence of baseline infratentorial lesions and deep white matter lesions at one year. INTERPRETATION: Thirty years after onset, in a largely untreated cohort, there was a divergence of MS outcomes; some people accrued substantial disability early on, while others ran a more favourable long-term course. These outcomes could, in part, be predicted by radiological findings from within a year of first presentation