Search

Background Lung cancer is a frequent comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the local risk of developing lung cancer related to regional emphysema distribution and clinical outcome has not been investigated. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of regional emphysema score (RES) on tumor location and prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods We enrolled 457 patients who underwent curative surgery for NSCLC at seven hospitals at The Catholic University of Korea from 2014 to 2018. Emphysema was visually assessed for each lobe, with the lingula as a separate lobe. Semi-quantitative emphysema scoring was classified as follows: 0 = none, 0.5 = 1 to 10%, 1 = 11 to 25%, 2 = 26 to 50%, 3 = 51 to 75%, and 4 = 76 to 100%. An RES was given to each of the six lung zone: the upper, middle, and lower lobes in the right and left lungs. Results There were 145 patients in the high RES (≥ 3) group and 312 in the low RES (P P P = 0.04), pathologic stage ≥ III (OR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.28–3.89; P P Conclusions The regional severity of emphysema by visual qualification was associated with the location of lung cancer, and was an independently poor prognostic factor for tumor recurrence in completely resected NSCLC patients.

Objectives: Develop and validate a new and simplified score for evaluating the lower urinary tract symptoms in men. Materials and methods: We modified the existing visual prostate symptom score, including changes in the images, sequence, and new alternatives, resulting in a new visual score (LUTS visual score-LUTS-V). For the validation of the new tool, we used the International Prostatic Symptom Score as the gold-standard and the new LUTS-V to 306 men. The total IPSS score and the total LUTS-V score of each subject were evaluated to determine the agreement between the two instruments. ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and best cut-off of LUTS-V. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios were used to describe the diagnostic properties. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59 [52-87] years. There was a significant correlation between LUTS-V and IPSS. (r=0.72 (p 4 was the best threshold, with a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 78%. Conclusions: LUTS-V is a simple, self-administered tool with a significant discriminatory power to identify subjects with moderate to severe LUTS and may represent a useful instrument for the diagnosis and follow-up of men with urinary symptoms.

Purpose The aim is to implement Utrecht Cranial Shape Quantificator (UCSQ) for quantification of severity of scaphocephaly and compare UCSQ with the most used quantification method, cranial index (CI). Additionally, severity is linked to intracranial volume (ICV). Methods Sinusoid curves of 21 pre-operative children (age Results Mean UCSQ was 22.00 (2.00–42.00). Mean traditional CI was 66.01 (57.36–78.58), and mean visual score was 9.1 (7–12). Correlations between both traditional CI and CI of UCSQ and overall visual scores were moderate and high (r = − 0.59; p = 0.005 vs. r = − 0.81; p r = 0.26; p > 0.05) and between ICV and CI and visual score (r = − 0.30; p > 0.05 and r = 0.17; p > 0.05, respectively). Conclusion Our current advice is to use traditional CI in clinical practice; it is easy to use and minimally invasive. However, UCSQ is more precise and objective and captures whole skull shape. Therefore, UCSQ is preferable for research. Additionally, more severe scaphocephaly does not result in more deviant skull volumes.

Bladder involvement is rare in endometriosis. The prevalence is estimated to be ∼1% in patients with endometriosis. However, this figure seems to be an underestimation. The diagnosis of bladder endometriosis might be missed during laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine an intraoperative visual score of pelvic lesions that help the surgeon suspect bladder endometriosis. Design, Design Classification: A retrospective analysis was performed on the intraoperative photographs and videos of 69 patients with histological confirmation of bladder endometriosis.A tertiary referral center.Sixty-nine patients with bladder endometriosis were operated on in our center over a 9-year period.Evaluation and analysis of intraoperative laparoscopic findings.We found three subtypes of laparoscopic findings that can assist with diagnosing bladder endometriosis. The most prominent sign was named "kissing round ligaments" (Type K), in which the right and left round ligaments appear closer to each other than usual or even touching one another. This sign is strongly associated with full-thickness invasion of the bladder. Other laparoscopic findings that indicated bladder endometriosis were anatomical distortion (Type A) and proximal occlusion of the tubes (Type B). We further define a scoring system for the lesion that correlates with the severity of the bladder endometriosis from superficial lesions to full thickness.Bladder endometriosis is a rare condition and often remains undiagnosed. Indeed, even during surgery, bladder endometriosis can be missed if the operator is not aware of the suggestive signs. Operative laparoscopic findings may help the surgeon to diagnose bladder endometriosis, and these signs correlate with the severity of the disease.

Objective: To evaluate whether a simple semi-quantitative method aided by software enhanced visualization can be reliable enough for the quantification of emphysema during the daily workload. Patients and methods: Thirty patients with COPD were included. Patients had a standard non enhanced MDCT study of the chest using a 16 slice machine. The images were evaluated visually and scored. This scoring was repeated after applying a density mask. Three radiologists evaluated the images on separate occasions. Repeatability was also tested. The CT emphysema index and the mean lung attenuation were calculated. The extent of airway disease was not assessed. Results: Kappa test between the 3 readers revealed slight agreement (k = 0.122, p = 0.001) before the density mask and substantial agreement (k = 0.75, p

Objective The Lund–Mackay system (L–M system) is widely used for computed tomography (CT) evaluation of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, a major drawback of the L–M system is its insufficiency of gradation. To avoid this deficiency, a new staging system proposed by American societies and the Zinreich system were reported as modifications of the L–M system. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of gradation and the accuracy of the visual quantification of these modified staging systems. Methods Preoperative CT scanning was performed on 20 adult patients with CRS. A computer workstation was used to measure the volume of each sinus and the volume of inflammatory disease in each sinus. Then the soft tissue density rate (STDR) and objective scores, which were adapted to each system, were calculated. Visual evaluation of the CT images was performed using these systems. The visual score with each staging system and STDR value were evaluated for a correlation, and the rate of agreement was determined between the visual and objective scores obtained with each staging system. Results The correlation between the visual scores and the STDR values was shown with all staging system including L–M system. The coefficients of correlation between the visual scores and the STDR values with these modified systems were higher than with the L–M system. While the agreement rates with these modified systems were significantly lower than with the L–M system, differences of 2 or greater between the subjective and objective scores were rare. Conclusion We cannot conclude that one of these three staging systems is superior to the other. With this study, the simple grading system such L–M staging score was considered easy and accurate method to use the clinical level. The modified staging systems showed more efficient ability to gradate in evaluating rhinosinusitis inflammation compared with the L–M system and also showed acceptable accuracy.

Purpose To determine the value of cardiac MRI for the monitoring and the prognosis of patients with acute myocarditis. Cardiac MRI plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. However, it is less established as a prognostic tool, which requires specific postprocessing of images. Materials and Methods In a prospective pilot study, we assessed the prognostic value of the evolution in a simplified visual quantitative score (SQS) of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) between initial hospitalization and 3 months later. The prognostic value was assessed at 1 year using a combination of death, heart transplant, and confirmed recurrence as main outcome. Results Twenty-eight patients were included in this study. A significant correlation was found between LGE measured by SQS and planimetry (r = 0.95, P

Justificación: La flebitis es una de las complicaciones mas frecuentes de los Catéteres Centrales de Inserción Periférica. La evidencia científica sobre la utilidad de las escalas de medición para el diagnostico de flebitis es escasa. Objetivos: Comparar la incidencia de flebitis antes y después de la implementación de un protocolo. Material y métodos: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en 159 pacientes ingresados en UCI, a los que se les ha colocado un PICC, en dos periodos equivalentes de dos años consecutivos, Periodo 1 (n=59); frente a un grupo del Periodo 2 (n=100) en el que se aplicó un nuevo protocolo para el diagnóstico y manejo de flebitis (definición de flebitis, aplicación de la Visual Infusion Phlebitis Score y valoración continua). Resultados: El riesgo de ser diagnosticado de flebitis fue significativamente menor en el P2 (OR: 0.09, I.C.95% 0.01-0.52) Conclusiones: La incorporación del protocolo redujo un 90% los diagnósticos de flebitis. ABSTRACT: Phlebitis incidence related to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs): New nursing protocol application. Phlebitis is one of the most common complications of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). The scientific evidence about the utility of measuring scales to phlebitis diagnosis is very limited. Objectives: To compare phlebitis incidence rate before and after the introduction of a new protocol. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study in 159 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for two years. First we assess phlebitis in 59 patients (group 1). After that we apply a new protocol to identify phlebitis with visual score and continuous evaluation to 100 patients (group 2) Results: The probability of being diagnosed of phlebitis is significantly smaller in intervention group (OR: 0.09; 95% C.I.: 0.02-0.57). Conclusions: Protocol application reduced the diagnosis of phlebitis in 90%

Background/aims: The aim is to evaluate, using evaporimetry, the possibility of getting further information supporting clinical reading of allergic, irritant reactions and doubtful patch test reactions. Methods: The investigation was carried out on 204 patients (182 female and 22 male, mean age 31.6 years), patch tested routinely as suspects of allergic contact dermatitis. We evaluated 326 reactions (203 allergic, 123 irritant or doubtful). Results: Mean values pf TEWL were: for the positive allergic reactions, 7.21 (SD, 2.26) at 48 h, 15.77 (SD, 5.50) at 72 h; and for the irritant or doubtful reactions, 7.55 (SD, 1.72) at 48 h, and 5.77 (SD, 1.41) at 72 h. TEWL in the 2 reactions groups at 72 h was significantly different (p

To evaluate the influence of the choice of b values on the diagnostic value of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for detection and grading of prostate cancer (PCa). Forty-one patients with biopsy-proven PCa underwent endorectal 3-T MRI before prostatectomy. Different combinations of b values (0–800 s/mm2) were used to calculate four representative ADC maps. Mean ADCs of tumours and non-malignant tissue were determined. Tumour appearance on different ADC maps was rated by three radiologists as good, fair or poor by assigning a visual score (VS) of 2, 1 or 0, respectively. Differences in the ADC values with the choice of b values were analysed using one-way ANOVA. Choice of b values had a highly (P

Refractive findings are reported in a follow-up study comprising 88 children aged 7-10 years, who were submitted to regular control for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the first months after their pre-term delivery 1982-84 (mean birthweight 1467 g, mean gestational age 31 weeks). The refractive range was -13 to +6.75 D. In four subjects with fully-blown ROP both eyes were left blind and dysmorphic. Twenty-four had had ROP with regression; myopia of prematurity (MOP) appeared in six (25%). At follow-up the myopia frequency in the remaining 60 without ROP was 5%. Out of the 9 subjects with uni- or bilateral myopia of prematurity three had no evidence of early ROP. With a median corrected acuity of 0.5 only, the eyes with MOP had a lower corrected visual score than in the rest of the material (median monocular acuity 0.9). The latter value is even a little lower than what was previously reported in full-terms of a similar age (median acuity above 1.0). Obviously, as a sequel to the pre-term delivery we are dealing not only with early myopia in some subjects; further, the potential for developing full vision appears influenced and reduced. This applies to the total group of ex-prematures, but in particular it is valid for myopia of prematurity.

PURPOSE To analyze computed tomography (CT) characteristics of adrenal adenomas with hypercortisolism on adrenal CT compared to adenomas with hyperaldosteronism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two adrenal adenomas, consisting of group A (hypercortisolism, n = 16) and group B (hyperaldosteronism, n = 16), were evaluated with adrenal CT. Thirty-four patients without adrenal nodule on CT and hormonal abnormality (group C) were selected for comparison. In adenomas, lesion size, attenuation value, and absolute and relative washout were compared between groups A and B. The mean adrenal thickness was compared quantitatively and qualitatively between groups. RESULTS All of adenomas satisfied absolute (≥60%) or relative (≥40%) washout criteria of adrenal CT. The mean adrenal thickness was 1.6 ± 0.3 mm in group A, 2.9 ± 0.5 mm in group B, and 3.0 ± 0.4 mm in group C (group A versus B or C, P < 0.001; group B versus C, P = 0.775). For differentiating group A from B, the area under the curve of quantitative and qualitative analyses for contralateral adrenal thickness was 0.982 and 0.934, respectively. Both sensitivity and specificity with cutoff of 2.0 mm or less in thickness and probably thin or more in visual score were 93.7% and 93.7%, and 87.5% and 93.7%, respectively, for predicting group A. CONCLUSIONS Contralateral adrenal thinning on CT helps predict adrenal adenomas with hypercortisolism.

A 71-year-old African man without history of cardiac disease was referred to our center for dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiogram and cardiac MRI were suggestive of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). The diagnosis of the light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) was made after a first endomyocardial biopsy. Accordingly chemotherapy was started. Systematic 99mTc-HMDP scintigraphy showed moderate cardiac uptake (visual score of 2), unusual for AL-CA, and permitted to rectify the diagnosis. Hereditary transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis was confirmed by a second endomyocardial biopsy with a positive Congo-red and anti-transthyretin antibody stainings, mass spectrometry and genetic analysis (Val122Ile mutation).

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between visual score of emphysema and homology-based emphysema quantification (HEQ) and evaluate whether visual score was accurately predicted by machine learning and HEQ. Materials and methods A total of 115 anonymized computed tomography images from 39 patients were obtained from a public database. Emphysema quantification of these images was performed by measuring the percentage of low-attenuation lung area (LAA%). The following values related to HEQ were obtained: nb0 and nb1. LAA% and HEQ were calculated at various threshold levels ranging from −1000 HU to −700 HU. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between emphysema quantification and visual score were calculated at the various threshold levels. Visual score was predicted by machine learning and emphysema quantification (LAA% or HEQ). Random Forest was used as a machine learning algorithm, and accuracy of prediction was evaluated by leave-one-patient-out cross validation. The difference in the accuracy was assessed using McNemar’s test. Results The correlation coefficients between emphysema quantification and visual score were as follows: LAA% (−950 HU), 0.567; LAA% (−910 HU), 0.654; LAA% (−875 HU), 0.704; nb0 (−950 HU), 0.552; nb0 (−910 HU), 0.629; nb0 (−875 HU), 0.473; nb1 (−950 HU), 0.149; nb1 (−910 HU), 0.519; and nb1 (−875 HU), 0.716. The accuracy of prediction was as follows: LAA%, 55.7% and HEQ, 66.1%. The difference in accuracy was statistically significant (p = 0.0290). Conclusion LAA% and HEQ at −875 HU showed a stronger correlation with visual score than those at −910 or −950 HU. HEQ was more useful than LAA% for predicting visual score.

Background/aims: During the last decade several new bioengineering methods have been proposed for evaluation of patch test reactions in a more objective manner. The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of erythema index (DermaSpectrometer) in a clinical setting, i.e., reading of allergic patch tests. Methods: Twenty patients with known allergy to formaldehyde participated in the study. Each patient had patch tests for 2 days with formaldehyde solutions from 0 to 10,000 p.p.m. applied. Clinical reading of the test sites and measurement of the erythema index by the DermaSpectrometer were done 24 h after removal. A control group of 20 volunteers with no allergy to formaldehyde were tested in a similar way. Results: Erythema indices were significantly higher for visually rated positive patch tests than for negative tests (P

Buffalo meat cuts from shoulder and leg portions were subjected to hot water treatment (70 and 80 °C for 30 and 60 s). Meat cuts dipped in water at ambient temperature served as control. The surface samples were analysed for microbial load, visual score for colour and numerical values of colour parameters (a(∗), b(∗), L(∗), W). Control samples of shoulder and leg meat had a mean total plate count (TPC) of 4.15 log CFU cm(-2) and 3.81 log CFU cm(-2) and enterobacteriaceae counts of 2.33 log CFU cm(-2) and 2.26 log CFU cm(-2), respectively. Treatment of meat cuts with hot water reduced the TPC significantly (p < 0.001)with a highest reduction of 1.60 log in leg meat and 1.80 log in shoulder meat at 80 °C. Hot water treatment of meat eliminated enterobacteriaceae. Although, there was discolouration of meat by hot water treatment, the colour regained during storage of meat at refrigerated temperature (4 ±1 °C). Hot water treatment of meat resulted in loss of redness (a(∗)), increase in lightness (L(∗)) and whiteness (W). After storage, a(∗) increased and L(∗) and W decreased. The results suggested that the dip treatment with hot water reduces the initial bacterial load substantially and improves the microbiological quality of buffalo meat without causing any permanent discolouration.

The aim of this analysis was to evaluate a new visual scoring scale developed to facilitate the qualitative appraisal of lesion uptake on (18)F-fluorothymidine PET ((18)F-FLT-PET).Sixty-two patients with a pulmonary lesion of unknown aetiology who had undergone an F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography (CT) suspicious for malignancy prospectively underwent an (18)F-FLT-PET/CT. Three nuclear medicine physicians independently reviewed each (18)F-FLT-PET/CT scan with knowledge of the location of the pulmonary lesion but blinded to the final diagnosis. They scored the lesion (18)F-FLT uptake as follows: (0) no visible uptake; (1)spleen; (2) ≥ spleen, butboth liver and marrow; (3) between liver and marrow; (4)liver andmarrow. Lesion mean (SUV(mean)) and maximum (SUV(max)) standardized uptake values were measured in a separate session.In all, 35 lesions were malignant and 27 were benign, as assessed on the basis of surgery, biopsy or follow-up of at least 12 months. Visual score, SUV(mean) and SUV(max) were statistically different between benign and malignant lesions. The visual scoring scale showed substantial to almost-perfect interobserver agreement with a weighted κ value of 0.84, 0.67 and 0.65 for each observer pair. The visual score was highly correlated to SUV(mean) and SUV(max) (r=0.83 and 0.87, respectively) and described a logarithmic pattern in relation to SUV(mean) and SUV(max) (r =0.67 and 0.72, respectively). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for the visual score was 0.86 and was statistically different from that for SUV(mean) (0.77; P=0.026) and SUV(max) (0.79; P=0.047).The (18)F-FLT scoring scale we propose is easy to use with high interobserver agreement and a significantly better discriminative capacity compared with SUV measurements. It has the potential to harmonize the qualitative interpretation of (18)F-FLT-PET/CT in lung cancer diagnosis.

The use of computer-assisted diagnosis has become widespread in cardiac nuclear medicine. Quantitative programs are commercially available for ventriculography, phase analysis, and thallium 201 perfusion studies. The goal of these programs is to eliminate interobserver variability by objectively analyzing the studies without causing a loss of accuracy. In addition, by using quantitative data not apparent on visual inspection, some programs attempt to increase sensitivity for disease above that possible by the visual reading of images. Programs that analyze perfusion studies to detect coronary artery disease have received the most interest. Results have varied, but sensitivities as high as 95% have been reported. This review discusses the techniques of computer-assisted diagnosis for thallium 201 myocardial-perfusion studies. The circumferential and washout profile methods are discussed in detail.

Thermographic imaging is a noninvasive diagnostic tool used to document the inflammatory process in many species and may be useful in the detection of subclinical bumblefoot and other inflammatory diseases. Bumblefoot is a chronic inflammation of the plantar metatarsal or digital pads of the foot (pododermatitis), or both. It is one of the major health problems in birds including chickens and is responsible for significant economic losses in commercial poultry operations. Early diagnosis of bumblefoot is essential for the prevention of economical loss and the improvement of animal well-being. The object of this study was to determine the suitability of thermography for the identification of subclinical bumblefoot in chickens. Experiment 1 was designed to validate thermography as a tool for screening avian populations for bumblefoot. The plantar surface of the feet of 150 randomly selected hens was imaged using a thermal camera. The thermal images were identified as suspect, positive, or negative for bumblefoot based on thermal patterns of the plantar surface. Visual inspection of the feet identified as suspect followed 14 d later. A visual score of clinical, mildly clinical, or negative for bumblefoot was assigned, based on gross pathological changes in the plantar surface. A correlation between initial thermal images identified as suspect for bumblefoot and a visual score of positive 14 d later was 83% (P < 0.01). In experiment 2, hens whose feet were free of lesions were inoculated in the metatarsal foot pad with Staphylococcus aureus. Thermal images and visual clinical scores were taken, prechallenge and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 d postchallenge. The correlation between thermal images classified as clinical and a visual score of clinical for bumblefoot was 86.7% (P < 0.001). However, the correlation between the thermal images classified as mild (subclinical) and a visual score of mild was only 26.7%, suggesting that thermography is a more sensitive indicator of subclinical infection than visual appraisal. Thermography may thus provide a useful tool for screening avian populations for signs of bumblefoot, early in the course of the disease, which will improve recovery percentages and bird well-being.

The objective of this study was to determine the worst case levels of organic soil on surgical instruments and whether the commercially available TOSI((R)) provided a clinically relevant organic challenge to an instrument washer. Our data showed that protein and haemoglobin levels (374 and 111microg/cm(2), respectively) from the instruments evaluated correlated with those on a TOSI that had a visual score of 2-3 (267 and 60microg/cm(2), respectively). However, the regular TOSI (without the plastic cover) and the TOSI Lum-Chek do not present difficult cleaning challenges; therefore, a visual TOSI score of 1-5 after processing in an automated washer represents a serious cleaning problem. Our results showed that surgical instruments may have high post-cleaning levels of carbohydrate (up to 352microg/cm(2)) and endotoxin (up to 25 373EU/cm(2)), suggesting unrecognised issues with the quality of water used for the final rinse. The average carbohydrate and endotoxin levels post procedure and before cleaning were 138.9microg/cm(2) and 18.14EU/cm(2), respectively. The average protein and haemoglobin levels both showed >99% reduction in levels post cleaning. Our data support the need to monitor the water quality used in instrument washers. In addition, there is an urgent need for establishment of standardised criteria for rapid cleaning indicators for instrument washers to ensure that they provide a clinically relevant method for monitoring washers used in healthcare facilities.

A new method for assessment of dermal exposure to pesticides in subsistence farmers by use of determinants of dermal exposure is described. The method, called the determinants of dermal exposure ranking method (DERM), is a combination of checklists and expert rating assessment. Thus, determinants are listed in a form, which is used to check their presence and to assess them using a simple algorithm based on two factors, the type of transport process (T value) and the area of body surface exposed (A value). In addition, the type of clothing worn during applications is included as a protection factor. We applied the DERM to real pesticide applications, characterizing dermal exposure and comparing DERM estimates with earlier developed semiquantitative visual scores based on fluorescent tracer, the total visual score (TVS) and contaminated body area (CBA). DERM showed a very good level of agreement with both the TVS (r = 0.69; P = 0.000) and the CBA (r = 0.67; P = 0.000). DERM allowed identification of the determinants that had the highest effect on exposure and the farmers with the highest exposure. In conclusion, DERM provided information on the determinants responsible for dermal exposure in a group of subsistence farmers. This can be useful to design monitoring and preventive programs, define priorities for intervention and prioritize and select most adequate measurement strategies. DERM promises to be a low-cost easy-to-use method to assess dermal exposure to pesticides in developing country conditions.

Background/purpose: The intensity of steroid-induced skin blanching is usually evaluated subjectively by a trained observer using a visual score although a few methods have been described for doing this objectively. In this study we wished to establish whether the effects of topical steroids can be detected by measuring the electrical impedance of the skin. Methods: Ten healthy volunteers were treated with three concentrations of clobetasol propionate (0.005, 0.05, and 0.5 mg/mL) on the forearm covered by a dressing overnight. On the following morning, we assessed dermal blanching using a visual score, laser Doppler flowmetry and electrical impedance. Results: Using the visual score, we found dose–response blanching at all concentrations of clobetasol propionate. The laser Doppler flow values declined significantly after the application of clobetasol propionate (0.005 mg/mL (P

SummaryThis study was to examine the clinical differences between Stage 0 and normal subjects, using low-dose chest computed tomography (CT) and pulmonary function tests. Enrolled subjects performed as a health check for lung cancer screening including low-dose CT and pulmonary function tests. Subjects were divided into Stage 0, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease according to pulmonary function tests, and normal subjects. The severity of emphysema (visual score) was calculated on three low-dose CT slices. Low-dose CT and pulmonary function tests were performed in 1359 men and 888 women. The numbers and percentages of men and women smokers were 1076 (79.2%), and 107 (12.0%), respectively. A total of 722 individuals had one or more respiratory symptoms, such as cough (69.8%), sputum (75.8%), or shortness of breathing (0.83%). Of the 722 subjects, 71 (9.8%) individuals satisfied the criteria of chronic respiratory symptoms. Among the normal subjects, smoking caused differences in airflow limitation as a result of pulmonary function tests. The proportion of smokers and the visual score were significantly higher in Stage 0 than those in the normal subjects. The percentages of the maximal mid-expiratory flow (%MMF) and of the peak expiratory flow rate were significantly lower in Stage 0 than in the normal subjects. %MMF and the proportion of visual score were significantly lower in the smoking Stage 0 than in the nonsmoking Stage 0 subjects. Smoking would indicate early signs of emphysematous change between Stage 0 and normal subjects in comparison of pulmonary function tests and visual score of low-dose CT.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T19:06:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S1516-35982004000800016.pdf: 219036 bytes, checksum: bc8321fcf459f6e817bf922dca15e50a (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T19:06:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S1516-35982004000800016.pdf: 219036 bytes, checksum: bc8321fcf459f6e817bf922dca15e50a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-12-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T20:11:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1516-35982004000800016.pdf: 219036 bytes, checksum: bc8321fcf459f6e817bf922dca15e50a (MD5) S1516-35982004000800016.pdf.txt: 35248 bytes, checksum: 18912b4d43c12838ef50efc048b0f1ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-12-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:18:26Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S1516-35982004000800016.pdf: 219036 bytes, checksum: bc8321fcf459f6e817bf922dca15e50a (MD5) S1516-35982004000800016.pdf.txt: 35248 bytes, checksum: 18912b4d43c12838ef50efc048b0f1ae (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:18:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S1516-35982004000800016.pdf: 219036 bytes, checksum: bc8321fcf459f6e817bf922dca15e50a (MD5) S1516-35982004000800016.pdf.txt: 35248 bytes, checksum: 18912b4d43c12838ef50efc048b0f1ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-12-01 Neste estudo, após a edição dos dados, foram utilizadas 87.372 informações de escores visuais de conformação (C), precocidade (P) e musculatura (M) à desmama de animais Nelore, provenientes de rebanhos comerciais. Os objetivos, neste trabalho, foram estudar os efeitos da idade da vaca ao parto (IDV), data Juliana de nascimento (DJN) e idade à desmama (ID) sobre C, P e M e estimar os fatores de correção para os mesmos. Os modelos utilizados incluíram os efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo (rebanho, retiro, ano e mês de nascimento, sexo e grupo de manejo ao nascimento e à desmama) e, como covariáveis, os efeitos de idade da vaca (para cada sexo do bezerro), de data juliana de nascimento e da idade do bezerro à desmama. Para a idade da vaca, usou-se um polinômio segmentado quadrático-quadrático. Para a data juliana de nascimento, foi utilizado um polinômio segmentado com três segmentos quadráticos, enquanto, para a idade do bezerro à desmama, foi empregado um polinômio ordinário quadrático. Todos os efeitos considerados no modelo influenciaram significativamente os escores visuais. A simples inclusão da estação ou do mês de nascimento no grupo contemporâneo não foi suficiente para corrigir diferenças em escores decorrentes do efeito da data de nascimento. Para avaliação genética dos animais para escores visuais à desmama, os mesmos devem ser ajustados para idade da vaca ao parto, data juliana de nascimento e idade do bezerro à desmama. For this study, after editing the data, 87,372 Nelore cattle visual scores of conformation (C), precocity (P) and musculature (M) at weaning were utilized. The aim of this work were to study the effects of age of dam at calving, Julian date of birth and age of calf at weaning on conformation, precocity and musculature visual scores and to estimate adjustment factors for these effects. The model included fixed effects of contemporary group (herd, paddock, year and month of birth, sex and management group at birth and at weaning), and the effects of age of dam at calving (for each sex), Julian date of birth and age of calf at weaning as covariables. A quadratic quadratic segmented polynomial was utilized for age of dam at calving. For Julian date of birth a segmented polynomial with three quadratic segments was considered, whereas a quadratic ordinary polynomial was used for age of calf at weaning. Every effect included in the model significantly influenced the visual scores. Only including the month or season of birth in the contemporary group definition was not sufficient to adjust for differences in visual scores due to date of birth. For genetic evaluations of animals the visual scores at weaning must be adjusted for age of dam at calving, Julian date of birth and age of calf at weaning. UNESP FCAV UNB FCAV UNESP FCAV departamento de zootecnia UNESP FCAV UNESP FCAV departamento de zootecnia

The severity of psoriasis has been traditionally assessed by measures, such as the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), the psoriasis severity scores, and the lesional severity scores. As a result, even experienced dermatologists show variations when attempting to determine the severity of psoriasis. Therefore, a better non-invasive and objective measurement of clinical signs is needed. In this study, an instrument, a so-called 'stereoimage optical topometer' (SOT), based on a new concept of 'stereoimaging' was used to measure the three-dimensional skin surface. The aim of this study was to compare the results obtained by the SOT with the visual score of psoriasis lesion. Thirty psoriatic patients were enrolled in this study. Initially, the severity of the infiltration and the scale of 134 psoriatic lesions were assessed by using a visual scoring system (0: none, 1: mild, 2: moderate, 3: severe, and 4: very severe), as scored by five dermatologists. The SOT was then used to quantify the severity of each psoriatic lesion using four three-dimensional SOT parameters (Sa, SL, SA, and SV). Secondly, the involved skin-surface area in the psoriasis cases was scored by the naked eye by the five dermatologists and by image analysis. Statistically significant differences were observed between grades 0, 1, 2, and 3 in terms of the severity measurements of the individual psoriatic lesions by SOT when using the parameters Sa, SL, SA, and SV. Therefore, it was concluded that there is a strong correlation between the results measured by visual scoring and by SOT in psoriasis.

Available techniques for diagnosis and evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function are limited. In patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) it is of great importance to assess RV wall motion and function for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Contrast echocardiography and videodensitometry can be used to illustrate regional and global RV hemodynamics. The authors investigated patients with ARVD and healthy volunteers by this method. An off-line analysis system was used for calculation of time intervals and indices of contrast dynamics in different regions of the right ventricle. The data were also color-coded to illustrate, in one single image, the dynamic process of the contrast. The RV wall motion was also assessed by a visual score system. The patient group showed longer time intervals for the processing of the contrast in the right ventricle than the healthy group. The color pattern for the whole process showed regional disturbances in the patient group which corresponded to the wall motion abnormalities as compared to the normals. Color-coded contrast echocardiography with videodensitometry quickly and easily demonstrated disturbances in filling and elimination patterns as signs of abnormal RV function, both regional and global, in patients with ARVD compared to healthy controls.

The effect of a protective cream was tested in a new tandem repeated irritation test with tandem application of 0.5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and undiluted toluene. The irritants were applied twice daily for 30 min to the ventral forearms of 20 volunteers. Irritant cutaneous reactions were quantified by a visual score, transepidermal water loss, chromametry and skin capacitance. Concurrent application of SLS/toluene induced stronger reactions than those caused by twice daily application of each irritant on its own. A protective effect of the protective cream was obtained against all treatment combinations and was significant for SLS/SLS (p < or = 0.01) and SLS/ toluene (p < or = 0.05). Our results indicate that the tandem repetitive irritation test has great potential in the evaluation of skin care products to prevent irritant contact dermatitis.

Skin-compatible hand cleansing is crucial for the prevention of occupational dermatitis. In this article we give an overview of skin-cleansing products and their ingredients and investigate whether solvents or abrasives could be avoided in cleansers for severely soiled skin. Comparison of skin compatibility, cleansing power and effectiveness of different formulations of skin cleansers was performed via Duhring chamber tests [visual score, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL)] and standard hand-wash tests. The results show that, dependent on the grade of contamination, a range of skin cleansers that allow adequate skin cleansing, is necessary. Solvents could be avoided, by the use of powerful cleansing systems based on tenside/oil mixtures. Only for special contaminations may solvents be useful. Powerful cleansing activity could be performed without abrasives. The worker must be able to choose the skin cleanser that is adequate for the contamination that is present. Therefore, information and education of the workers are crucial for skin-compatible skin cleansing.

The mortality from melanoma has increased, especially in white males [1–5] possibly as a result of increased recreational exposure to sunlight. Rather than cumulative sun exposure, intermittent acute exposure, especially in childhood, seems to be an important risk factor, especially in subjects of certain phenotypes [6]. Relevant phenotypic characters include eye colour, hair colour, tanning ability, freckling, naevus number, race, ethnic group, skin phototype and skin colour [7]. In an extensive review of case-control studies, Evans et al. [8] noted that six out of nine studies demonstrated a statistically significant higher relative risk for fair or pale complexions with respect to non fair complexions. Relative risk factors ranged from 1.7 to 18.4, but most were between 2 and 3. However in all these studies, skin colour was evaluated by a visual score and was therefore subjective, non reproducible and non quantifiable.

Exogenous dermatoses can be of allergic or irritant type or a combination of both. Although irritant dermatitis is at least as common as allergic contact dermatitis, relatively little is known about its pathophysiology. In the present study the age dependence and regional anatomical variability of cutaneous irritation was investigated for the model irritant sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in two age groups of human volunteers (25.9± 1.4, mean± SEM, n = 7 and 74.6± 1.9, n = 8).

Five hundred and thirty-one beef carcasses were used to establish if Hennessy Grading Probe (HGP) measurements provided a more accurate assessment of carcass lean content than a visual scoring system or linear carcass measurements. Carcasses were probed at the 5th/6th, 11th/12th, 12th/13th ribs, 2nd/3rd lumbar and sacral crest position (P8). Carcasses were then visually appraised for overall fat cover and muscle thickness. Following 24 h of cooling, the measurements by HGP and visual scores were repeated. Fat thickness and loin eye area were recorded at the 12th rib. Precision for the prediction of carcass lean by HGP was similar in warm or cold carcasses and the lowest error of prediction for the probe was associated with measurements made at the 12th/13th rib (RSD 31.8 g kg−1). A combined visual score for overall fat cover and muscle thickness was more precise (RSD 28.6 g kg−1) than probe measurements for predicting lean yield in warm and cold carcasses. Canada grade had the lowest precision (RSD 34.7 g kg−1) for predicting lean yield, but measurements of average fat thickness and loin eye area at the 12th rib gave the best overall prediction (RSD 27.1 g kg−1) of carcass lean content. It was concluded that the HGP provided a method to classify warm carcasses for lean content, but the improvement in precision over conventional grading procedures was not large. Key words: Beef, carcass, grading, Hennessy grading probe, composition