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Summary: Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a user friendly performance based knee outcome score for use in active patients undergoing TKA surgery. Design: We prospectively studied a cohort of 50 subjects without any knee symptoms, and 50 patients who underwent TKA for osteoarthritis (OA). The patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively. SF-36 and WOMAC were concurrently administered for comparison. Patients completed seven physical tasks of the finalised outcome instrument which were objectively assessed and scored. Results: The mean functional score was 31.7 in the normal subjects. The mean functional score improved postoperatively from 10.0 to 17.7 (P < 0.001) in the TKA group. Our results confirm that the performance based score has a high test–retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.89), internal consistency (Cronbach''s alpha 0.84) and construct validity showing expected correlations with relevant components of the WOMAC and SF-36 scores. The responsiveness as measured by the effect size compared favourably with the same relevant components of the SF-36 and WOMAC. Conclusions: Our performance based knee function score is a reliable dimension specific tool to detect change in musculoskeletal function after TKA. It complements existing self-reported outcome tools in facilitating a comprehensive assessment of patients following TKA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An integrated biological–chemical survey of organotin compounds was carried out in Guanabara Bay, the second most important Brazilian harbor complex. The biological survey revealed high levels of imposex in Stramonita haemastoma populations. Inside the bay values of relative penis length index from 42.7 to 107.6 and vas deferens sequence index from III to VI were found, while organisms collected outside the bay had values ranging from <0.1 to 35.2 and from 0 to II. None of the females sampled inside the bay were normal and imposex was found in all stations. Surface sediments in the bay are contaminated by tributyltin (10–522 ng/g d.w.) and triphenyltin (<3.9–39.4 ng/g d.w.) with greater concentrations close to shipyards and marinas. The observed predominance of parent compounds (TBT and TPT) is commonly found when recent inputs occur, but may also indicate slow degradation processes in the anoxic conditions of these sediments. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a combined imposex-sediment approach to evaluate organotin contamination in marine environments of South America, and also the first report of TPT detection in environmental matrices in this region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is an uncommon, benign, chronic inflammatory breast disease of unknown etiology, unpredictable duration, and unclear therapy. A 41-year-old woman presented with pathological nipple discharge for which ductoscopy was performed. Post-ductoscopy, the patient developed abscesses in her breast with histopathological confirmation of granulomatous mastitis (GM). IGM has an unknown etiology and atypical presentation. This is the only case described in which IGM occurred after ductoscopy. This can be related to trauma-induced GM or underlying IGM aggravated by ductoscopy. • Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) has an atypical presentation. • Radiological findings are non-specific in diagnosing IGM. • GM can occur after ductoscopy. Whether this is trauma-induced GM or underlying IGM aggravated by ductoscopy remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the rising demand in cross-sectional thoracic imaging, anterior mediastinal lesions are being identified with increasing frequency. Following iterative and multidisciplinary discussions, the BTOG Thymic Malignancies Special Interest Group have developed an algorithm to standardise the diagnostic approach for these relatively uncommon but important conditions which span from benign (thymic remnant, thymic hyperplasia and thymic cysts) to suspected localised thymomas to suspected more aggressive malignancy (thymic carcinoma, lymphoma and germ cell tumours). For each condition, we provide a brief description, an overview of the key radiological findings and a description of the proposed algorithm including the rationale behind the recommendations. We also highlight the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the characterisation of anterior mediastinal masses in specific indications when the necessary local resources and expertise exist. In addition, we hope this provides the rationale for service development in MR of the anterior mediastinum where current resource and expertise requires development. Through this standardised pathway, we hope to drive improvements in patient care by rationalising surveillance schedules, avoiding unnecessary resections of benign entities with their associated morbidity and optimising the diagnostic work-up prior to the appropriate treatment of anterior mediastinal malignancies. • Incidental anterior mediastinal lesions are rare but increasingly identified. • Developing mediastinal MRI expertise is encouraged for optimal characterisation. • A standardised imaging pathway should lead to improvements in patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Generally, reinforced concrete columns are subjected to a non-uniform moment diagram due to unequal eccentricities at the two ends of the columns or to transverse loads along the columns. Most building codes and material specific codes allow the design of columns with the factor C m , in order to simplify the general analysis of the column to approximate a column with equivalent uniform moment diagram. This paper presents expressions for C m according to the type of load that is applied along the column. Two C m expressions are proposed: the first one approaches the solution using a differential equation based on the elastic behavior of the columns; the second one is based on results obtained through a numerical simulation. This study is valid for hinged reinforced high and normal strength concrete columns, subjected to a sustained and short time load with compression and uniaxial bending. The proposed method can be used both to design and analyze RC columns with enough accuracy for engineering practice and involves higher precision and safety factor in comparison with current codes (Eurocode-2 (2004) [European Committee for Standardization. Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures—Part 1: General rules and rules for buildings. EN 1992-1-1:2004] ACI-318 (08) [ACI Committee 318. Building code requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318–08). Detroit: American Concrete Institute; 2008]). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper proposes a simplified method to design slender rectangular reinforced concrete columns with doubly symmetric reinforcement subjected to combined axial loads and biaxial bending, which is valid for short-time and sustained loads and for both normal and high strength concretes. The method is based on the so-called moment magnifier method (ACI-318-02) and EuroCode-2 (draft for stage 49) and it is only suitable for columns with equal effective buckling lengths in the two principal bending planes. A new equation of the column stiffness EI is proposed with which to obtain the moment magnification factor for single and double curvature. The method was compared with 371 experimental tests from the literature and a good degree of accuracy was obtained. Precision for sustained loads was improved in comparison with the method proposed by the American ACI-318 (02) and the European EC-2 (September 2003). The method allows slender reinforced concrete columns to be both checked and designed with enough accuracy for practice engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The antibacterial activity of essential oils of Pimenta racemosa var. terebinthina and P. racemosa var. grisea was determined against Gram (+) and Gram (−) bacteria. P. racemosa var. grisea demonstrated a more pronounced activity. These data would indicate the potential usefulness of the variety grisea as a microbiostatic, antiseptic or disinfectant agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper deals with the implementation of two integration procedures for arbitrary geometry reinforced concrete cross-sections with axial forces and biaxial bending, from service load to ultimate load. Two methods are proposed: the first method is suitable for a general stress field, and the second method is applicable in sections in which the stress field is uniform at least in one direction. Both methods decompose the integration area into thick layers parallel to the most tensile stressed fiber, whose definition depends on the constitutive equation of the concrete. The integration of the stress field of each thick layer is transformed into a double integral or a path integral over the perimeter of this layer. They are evaluated by a Gauss quadrature. The methods have been tested in different section types by modifying the depth and the inclination angle of the neutral axis. The results obtained for the different alternatives are compared in accuracy and in speed with the results obtained from the classical fiber decomposition method and also with those from an alternative method proposed by a different author. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]