Using Matched Samples to Look for Sex Differences

The reasons for observed differences in physics performance between men and women have yet to be clearly determined. This study asks the question: if men and women have a similar background at the start of an introductory physics course, will there be differences in how much physics they learn by the end of the course? To answer the question, a matched sample of men and women was studied. Statistical analysis of the post-tests reveals no significant differences between the men and women in the matched sample

Les mots du marché : l’inscription de la francophonie canadienne dans la nouvelle économie

Cet article sert d’introduction à l’ensemble des articles de ce numéro. Il met l’accent sur les processus généraux de transformation sociale en cours au Canada francophone, notamment la manière dont le changement économique (crise des industries traditionnelles, émergence de la nouvelle économie mondialisée) et social (urbanisation, mobilité) remet en question les idéologies dominantes à propos du lien entre la langue, l’identité et la nation. Il touche aussi aux méthodologies d’enquête développées pour tenir compte d’une réalité de mouvance et de réseautage, pour remplacer celle axée sur l’idée de communautés fixes et stables.This text serves as a general introduction to the collection in this issue. It focusses on the processes of economic and social change common to francophone Canada (notably the crises of traditional industries, the emergence of the globalized new economy, urbanization and mobility) and the ways in which they call into question dominant ideologies of the relationship among language, identity and nation. We also discuss the methodological innovations we developed in order to better apprehend movement and networking, as opposed to more traditional methods focussed on the idea of fixed and stable communities

Human Papillomavirus Typing in HIV-Positive Women

Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major cause of cervical carcinoma and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia worldwide. Certain HPV types have a strong association with and probably a causative role in the pathogenesis of premalignant cervical lesions. Epidemiologic studies in women infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have shown an increased incidence of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs), whichwere predominantly high-grade. Six to 30 per cent of women diagnosed with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) on a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear harbor SIL in normal screening populations. This study was undertaken to determine the presence of low- and high-risk HPV types in women infected by HIV and to correlate the results to those of the Pap smear. Study design: HPV DNA typing (low- and high-risk) by Digene™ (Digene Corporation, Gathesburg, MD) hybrid capture methodology was performed on cervical swabs from 209 HIV-positive women. The results of HPV typing were correlated with those of the Pap smear in a retrospective analysis. Results: One hundred and one women (48%) tested positive for HPV subtypes by DNA typing by the hybrid capture method. Of these, 64 patients (63%) had Pap smears whichwere read as being normal, having benign cellular changes, or having ASCUS (favor reactive process). Of these, 19 patients tested positive for both high-risk and low-risk subtypes, 32 patients tested positive only for high-risk subtypes, and 13 patients tested positive only for low-risk subtypes. Conclusion: HPV subtyping identifies a significant group of HIV-positive women who are at risk for developing cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, although they may not show significant abnormalities on their Pap smears

Phoebe: A preliminary control network and rotational elements

A preliminary control network for the Saturnian satellite Phoebe was determined based upon 6 distinct albedo features mapped on 16 Voyager 2 images. Using an existing map and an analytical triangulation program which minimized the measurement error, the north pole of Phoebe was calculated to be alpha sub 0 = 355.0 deg + or - 9.6 deg, delta sub 0 = 68.7 deg + or - 7.9 deg, where alpha sub 0, delta sub 0 are standard equatorial coordinates with equinox J2000 at epoch J2000. The prime meridian of Phoebe was computed to be W = 304.7 deg + 930.833872d, where d is the interval in days from JD 2451545.0 TDB

Facilitation of attention to number and conservation of number

This study examined the relation between number conservation and attention to number, density, and length or area in kindergarteners (age 5 years, 8 months) and third graders (age 8 years, 11 months). Attention was assessed by the dimensional preference technique, using triads. Both the attention and conservation tasks included stimulus factors known to facilitate or hinder conservation: small or large numbers of objects, nonlinear or linear arrays, and trials ordered from easiest to hardest, hardest to easiest, or randomly. The number of objects and type of array affected both tasks similarly and there was an order effect in the attention task. There was an increase in attention to number from kindergarten nonconservers to kindergarten conservers to third-graders. Possible developmental interactions between attention and conservation were suggested.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/21631/1/0000012.pd

FISIOTERAPIA EM ONCOLOGIA: A IMPLANTAÇÃO DE UM SERVIÇO AMBULATORIAL

O câncer é considerado um problema de saúde pública, visto que é uma patologia com alta incidência e mortalidade. O diagnóstico precoce da doença possibilita um tratamento menos agressivo e proporciona mais chance de cura e sobrevida, além de melhor qualidade de vida. Entretanto, em grande parte das vezes os tumores são diagnosticados em estágios mais avançados, o que torna necessário o uso de tratamentos mais invasivos e agressivos. As sequelas e complicações decorrentes dos diversos tipos de câncer e de algumas modalidades terapêuticas instituídas nos tratamentos de diagnósticos tardios estão diretamente relacionadas com a necessidade de intervenção multiprofissional. A assistência prestada pela fisioterapia oncológica atende às disfunções causadas pela doença e pelos tipos de tratamento adotados, abordando, assim, necessidades específicas de cada paciente, com medidas que visam à restauração anatômica e funcional, o suporte físico e a paliação de sintomas. Joaçaba tem se tornado referência em oncologia na região do Meio-oeste de Santa Catarina pelos serviços prestados e disponibilizados por meio do Sistema Único de Saúde, junto ao Hospital Universitário Santa Terezinha, e já dispõe de atendimento fisioterápico nesse local. Por meio do levantamento da demanda de pacientes que necessitariam do atendimento ambulatorial e da triagem, que confirmam a carência econômica, o colegiado do Curso de Fisioterapia aventou a possibilidade de organizar dentro de um dos estágios obrigatórios a possibilidade de contemplar também essa área de atuação profissional. Mediante discussões realizadas com o núcleo docente estruturante do Curso e também com os professores supervisores de estágio, foram reorganizados e readequados os estágios para que os pacientes oncológicos pudessem também ser beneficiados com o atendimento da fisioterapia gratuitamente. Além dos procedimentos operacionais e pedagógicos para disponibilizar o atendimento, foram realizadas parcerias com a Rede Feminina de Combate ao Câncer (RFCC), órgão nacional sem fins lucrativos, e também com o setor de oncologia do Hospital Universitário Santa Terezinha. Desde a implantação do serviço, o que data de um período de oito meses, a Clínica Escola de Pesquisa e Atendimento em Fisioterapia realizou aproximadamente 1.300 sessões de fisioterapia em pacientes oncológicos. O trabalho integrado entre médicos, enfermagem, psicologia, RFCC e fisioterapia facilita o restabelecimento do potencial remanescente e garante uma rápida integração social por intermédio de tratamento completo e efetivo a esses pacientes, já tão fragilizados pela doença. Palavras-chave: Câncer. Fisioterapia. Atuação multiprofissional

FREQUÊNCIA DO USO DO FILTRO SOLAR EM ALUNOS DO ENSINO MÉDIO DE UMA ESCOLA DO INTERIOR DA SERRA CATARINENSE

A pele é um órgão que reveste o corpo e separa os meios interno e externo. A exposição prolongada aos raios ultravioleta (RUV) estimula a proliferação epidérmica por irritação química da camada germinativa, produzindo um espessamento do estrato córneo. O uso de fotoprotetores de forma regular pode prevenir os efeitos deletérios da radiação. O objetivo com este estudo foi descrever a frequência do uso do filtro solar em alunos do ensino médio de uma escola do interior da Serra catarinense. É um estudo transversal quantitativo, realizado em uma escola do ensino médio, em que 80 alunos responderam ao questionário com perguntas objetivas indagando tempo de permanência à exposição solar, uso do filtro solar, frequência do uso do filtro solar, local de aplicação do filtro, conhecimento e riscos sobre os RUV. A média de idade dos participantes foi de 16 ± 1,4 anos. Quanto ao sexo, 56,25% feminino e 43,75% masculino. Averiguou-se que 78,75% se expõem ao sol constantemente e 21,25% não. Constatou-se que 22,5% permanecem mais expostos no período da manhã, 56,25% à tarde e 21,25% não responderam. Sobre o uso do filtro solar, 43,75% responderam que usam e 56,25% que não usam. Sobre a frequência do uso do filtro solar, 32,51% usam uma vez por dia, 8,75% duas vezes por dia, 2,5% três vezes por dia e 56,25% não responderam. Ainda, 23,15% aplicam o filtro solar apenas no rosto, 47,5% aplicam no rosto e nos braços e 28,75% não responderam. Quanto ao conhecimento dos RUV, 83,75% conhecem e/ou já ouviram falar e 16,25% negam conhecimento do assunto. Também, 73,75% conhecem os riscos dos RUV e 26,25% desconhecem. Mais da metade da amostra não faz uso do filtro solar, conhece os RUV e seus riscos, aplica apenas uma vez por dia, sendo mais prevalente a aplicação no rosto e nos braços. Estratégias de atenção primária podem atuar planejando e implementando programas de incentivo ao uso do filtro solar como prevenção ao câncer de pele.                                                                                                                                                                                 Palavras-chave: Filtro solar. Raios ultravioleta. Fisioterapia.

Increased levels of plasma interleukin-6 soluble receptor in patients with essential thrombocythemia

Background and Objectives. The pathogenesis of essential thrombocythemia (ET), a disease characterized by megakaryocyte hyperplasia and persistent thrombocytosis, is not completely clarified. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), one of the cytokines related to megakaryocytic development, exerts its effect through binding to a cell surface receptor, IL-6Ra, and a signal transducing unit, gp130. Interestingly, the soluble form of the IL-6Ra, IL-6sR, is an agonist for IL-6 activity. In order to evaluate the possible participation of IL-6sR in ET we measured its levels in plasma, platelets and in the supernatant of a mononuclear cell culture. We also evaluated IL-6R on leukocyte membrane and IL-6R/IL-6sR mRNA expression in mononuclear cells. Design and Methods. Fifty-five patients with ET were evaluated. IL-6sR and IL-6 were measured by an ELISA technique. Mononuclear cells were cultured for 48 hr and IL-6sR released into the supernatant was measured. IL-6R on leukocyte surfaces was evaluated by flow cytometry. IL-6R and IL-6sR mRNA levels were assessed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results. Plasma IL-6sR levels were increased while intraplatelet levels were low in untreated ET patients. Plasma levels decreased during treatment. Non-stimulated mononuclear cells from ET patients released greater amounts of IL-6sR than did cells from normal controls in 48-hour culture. No abnormality was found in IL-6R or IL-6sR mRNA expression by mononuclear ET cells. IL-6R on leukocyte surfaces was normal. Interpretations and Conclusions. Increased plasma IL-6sR levels might have a role in the abnormal megakaryocytic proliferation seen in ET patients, while platelets and mononuclear cells could be the source of the above-mentioned high levels of plasma IL6sR.Fil: Marta, Rosana Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Goette, Nora Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Lev, Paola Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Heller, Paula Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Kornblihtt, Laura Inés. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Vassallu, Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Glembotski, Ana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Pirola, Carlos José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Molinas, Felisa Concepción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; Argentin

Increased levels of plasma interleukin-6 soluble receptor in patients with essential thrombocythemia

Background and Objectives. The pathogenesis of essential thrombocythemia (ET), a disease characterized by megakaryocyte hyperplasia and persistent thrombocytosis, is not completely clarified. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), one of the cytokines related to megakaryocytic development, exerts its effect through binding to a cell surface receptor, IL-6Ra, and a signal transducing unit, gp130. Interestingly, the soluble form of the IL-6Ra, IL-6sR, is an agonist for IL-6 activity. In order to evaluate the possible participation of IL-6sR in ET we measured its levels in plasma, platelets and in the supernatant of a mononuclear cell culture. We also evaluated IL-6R on leukocyte membrane and IL-6R/IL-6sR mRNA expression in mononuclear cells. Design and Methods. Fifty-five patients with ET were evaluated. IL-6sR and IL-6 were measured by an ELISA technique. Mononuclear cells were cultured for 48 hr and IL-6sR released into the supernatant was measured. IL-6R on leukocyte surfaces was evaluated by flow cytometry. IL-6R and IL-6sR mRNA levels were assessed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results. Plasma IL-6sR levels were increased while intraplatelet levels were low in untreated ET patients. Plasma levels decreased during treatment. Non-stimulated mononuclear cells from ET patients released greater amounts of IL-6sR than did cells from normal controls in 48-hour culture. No abnormality was found in IL-6R or IL-6sR mRNA expression by mononuclear ET cells. IL-6R on leukocyte surfaces was normal. Interpretations and Conclusions. Increased plasma IL-6sR levels might have a role in the abnormal megakaryocytic proliferation seen in ET patients, while platelets and mononuclear cells could be the source of the above-mentioned high levels of plasma IL6sR.Fil: Marta, Rosana Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Goette, Nora Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Lev, Paola Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Heller, Paula Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Kornblihtt, Laura Inés. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Vassallu, Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Glembotski, Ana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Pirola, Carlos José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Molinas, Felisa Concepción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; Argentin

The pacing stress test: Thallium-201 myocardial imaging after atrial pacing. Diagnostic value in detecting coronary artery disease compared with exercise testing

Many patients suspected of having coronary artery disease are unable to undergo adequate exercise testing. An alternate stress, pacing tachycardia, has been shown to produce electrocardiographic changes that are as sensitive and specific as those observed during exercise testing. To compare thallium-201 imaging after atrial pacing stress with thallium imaging after exercise stress, 22 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were studied with both standard exercise thallium imaging and pacing thallium imaging.Positive ischemic electrocardiographic changes (> 1 mm ST segment depression) were noted in 11 of 16 patients with coronary artery disease during exercise, and in 15 of the 16 patients during atrial pacing. One of six patients with normal or trivial coronary artery disease had a positive electrocardiogram with each test. Exercise thallium imaging was positive in 13 of 16 patients with coronary artery disease compared with 15 of 16 patients during atrial pacing. Three of six patients without coronary artery disease had a positive scan with exercise testing, and two of these same patients developed a positive scan with atrial pacing. Of those patients with coronary artery disease and an abnormal scan, 85% showed redistribution with exercise testing compared with 87% during atrial pacing. Segment by segment comparison of thallium imaging after either atrial pacing or exercise showed that there was a good correlation of the location and severity of the thallium defects (r = 0.83, p = 0.0001, Spearman rank correlation).It is concluded that the location and presence of both fixed and transient thallium defects after atrial pacing are closely correlated with the findings after exercise testing. Thus, atrial pacing may be used as a stress for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in patients unable to complete a satisfactory exercise test