MRI of Breast Lesions

In Magnetic Resonance Mammography (MRM) high spatial as well as temporal resolution is of utmost importance for differentiating between malignant and benign lesions. Therefore, a so‐called dynamic technique (i.e., the repetitive imaging of the same slices before and in short time intervals after the injection of contrast medium) is essential to detect the differences in initial enhancements between malignant and benign lesions which are reflected by the tumorangiogenetic vascular network of malignant lesions. This unit presents a basic protocol and several alternate protocols for dynamic MRM.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145284/1/cpmia2101.pd

Nutritional problems and information needs of patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Nutritional status is a major factor in determining the successful outcome of treatment for cancer. The combined effect of cancer, and the treatment for cancer, has the potential to severely impair nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and severity of treatment-related side-effects which affect nutritional status in cancer patients and to determine the sources and helpfulness of information about nutrition which had been utilised by patients. A descriptive study was used to investigate two groups of patients, one group who was receiving chemotherapy, and the other, radiation therapy. A questionnaire developed by the researcher sought information about the occurrence and severity of problems, as rated by patients\u27 self-reports. This study was structured on the theoretical basis of Lazarus and Folkman\u27s theory of stress, appraisal and coping (1984). The diagnosis and treatment for cancer is usually regarded as a stressful event, and this theory posits that patients may use either problem focussed or emotion-focussed coping styles to cope with the situation. The results of this study indicate that nutritional depletion is a serious problem for this group of patients. Weight loss, which is the principal marker of nutritional status, was experienced by more than 85% of the patients. Patients showed evidence of using emotion focussed coping styles, where they often did not seek information about nutrition, and considered they had “no real problems” Information from this study may assist healthcare teams who care for patients who are receiving treatment for cancer to focus more on nutrition, and develop educational programmes which meet the needs of these patients more effectively. This information, including patients1 self reports and recommendations, may also assist the Cancer Foundation of Western Australia to develop a booklet which is specifically designed for cancer patients who are receiving treatment and who experience nutritional problems

Do Spirituality and Faith Make a Difference? Report from the Southern European Psycho-Oncology Study Group

OBJECTIVE: In the last decade, some attention has been given to spirituality and faith and their role in cancer patients' coping. Few data are available about spirituality among cancer patients in Southern European countries, which have a big tradition of spirituality, namely, the Catholic religion. As part of a more general investigation (Southern European Psycho-Oncology Study--SEPOS), the aim of this study was to examine the effect of spirituality in molding psychosocial implications in Southern European cancer patients. METHOD: A convenience sample of 323 outpatients with a diagnosis of cancer between 6 to 18 months, a good performance status (Karnofsky Performance Status > 80), and no cognitive deficits or central nervous system (CNS) involvement by disease were approached in university and affiliated cancer centers in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland (Italian speaking area). Each patient was evaluated for spirituality (Visual Analog Scale 0-10), psychological morbidity (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale--HADS), coping strategies (Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer--Mini-MAC) and concerns about illness (Cancer Worries Inventory--CWI). RESULTS. The majority of patients (79.3%) referred to being supported by their spirituality/faith throughout their illness. Significant differences were found between the spirituality and non-spirituality groups (p ≤ 0.01) in terms of education, coping styles, and psychological morbidity. Spirituality was significantly correlated with fighting spirit (r = -0.27), fatalism (r = 0.50), and avoidance (r = 0.23) coping styles and negatively correlated with education (r = -0.25), depression (r = -0.22) and HAD total (r = -0.17). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Spirituality is frequent among Southern European cancer patients with lower education and seems to play some protective role towards psychological morbidity, specifically depression. Further studies should examine this trend in Southern European cancer patients

Suporte nutricional pediátrico

O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar os efeitos do suporte nutricional sobre o estado nutricional de pacientes pediátricos hipercatabólicos, e analisar os efeitos da utilização de produtos de suporte enteral de adultos em pacientes pediátricos. Foram avaliados dois pacientes pediátricos, ambos do sexo masculino com 4 e 5 anos. Apesar de suporte nutricional empregado haver permitido a manutenção dos pacientes em Balanço Nitrogenado Positivo, garantindo-lhes, uma evolução favorável que se reflete na melhora da concentração de proteínas séricas, o que só foi possível com a identificação da Taxa de Catabolismo Protéico, não recomendamos dietas enterais de adulto para crianças imunodeprimidas face ao risco de contaminação das formulas, o que pode proporcionar infecções oportunistas

Analisis Hematologi Kelinci setelah Implantasi Ultra High Molecular Weight Poliethylene (UHMWPE) pada Sendi Lutut

 Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis respon fisiologi tubuh kelinci terhadap implantasi Ultra High Molecular Weight Poliethylene (UHMWPE) dilihat dari aspek jumlah eritrosit, jumlah leukosit dan kadar hemoglobin sebagai salah satu data pendukung untuk dasar penelitian lebih lanjut dalam rangka pembuatan sendi buatan yang sesuai dengan anatomi tubuh orang Indonesia. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok menggunakan 6 ekor kelinci jenis Lop umur 2,5 bulan  yang dibagi dalam dua (2) perlakuan yaitu membandingkan kelinci yang tidak diberikan implantasi UHMWPE (kontrol) (P0) dengan kelinci yang diberikan perlakuan implantasi UHMWPE (P1). Parameter utama adalah jumlah eritrosit, jumlah leukosit dan kadar hemoglobin, serta parameter pendukung adalah konsumsi pakan dan bobot tubuh kemudian dianalisis dengan Uji T Sampel Independen dengan bantuan perangkat lunak SPSS pada taraf kepercayaan 95%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jumlah eritrosit, jumlah leukosit dan kadar hemoglobin berbeda tidak nyata (p>0,05) antara kontrol dengan perlakuan. Penggunaan implantasi UHMWPE selama 2,5 bulan tidak menyebabkan perubahan pada jumlah eritrosit, jumlah leukosit dan kadar hemoglobin dalam tubuh hewan model. Hal ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa material UHMWPE merupakan material implan yang dapat digunakan pada tubuh manusia. Kata Kunci : Ultra High Molecular Weight Poliethylene (UHMWPE); Kelinci; hematolog

N-Acetylation of Amines in Continuous-Flow with Acetonitrile-No Need for Hazardous and Toxic Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

A continuous-flow acetylation reaction was developed, applying cheap and safe reagent, acetonitrile as acetylation agent and alumina as catalyst. The method developed utilizes milder reagent than those used conventionally. The reaction was tested on various aromatic and aliphatic amines with good conversion. The catalyst showed excellent reusability and a scale-up was also carried out. Furthermore, a drug substance (paracetamol) was also synthesized with good conversion and yield