Score Of Component Research Articles

Impact of nickel mining in New Caledonia assessed by compositional data analysis of lichens.

The aim of this study is to explore the use of lichens as biomonitors of the impact of nickel mining and ore treatment on the atmosphere in the New Caledonian archipelago (South Pacific Ocean); both activities emitting also Co, Cr and possibly Fe. Metal contents were analysed in thirty-four epiphytic lichens, collected in the vicinity of the potential sources, and in places free from known historical mining. The highest Ni, Co, and Cr concentrations were, as expected, observed in lichens collected near ore deposits or treatment areas. The elemental composition in the lichens was explored by multivariate analysis, after appropriately transforming the variables (i.e. using compositional data analysis). The sample score of the first principal component (PC1) makes the largest (positive) multiplicative contribution to the log-ratios of metals originating from mining activities (Ni, Cr, Co) divided by Ti. The PC1 scores are used here as a surrogate of pollution levels related to mining and metallurgical activity. They can be viewed as synthetic indicators mapped to provide valuable information for the management and protection of ecosystems or, as a first step, to select locations where air filtration units could be installed, in the future, for air quality monitoring. However, as this approach drastically simplifies the problem, supplying a broadly efficient picture but little detail, recognizing the different sources of contamination may be difficult, more particularly when their chemical differences are subtle. It conveys only relative information: about ratios, not levels, and is therefore recommended as a preliminary step, in combination with close examination of raw concentration levels of lichens. Further validation using conventional air-monitoring by filter units should also prove beneficial.

Applying the support vector machine with optimal parameter design into an automatic inspection system for classifying micro-defects on surfaces of light-emitting diode chips

This study discusses the optimal design of an automatic inspection system for processing light-emitting diode (LED) chips. Based on support vector machine (SVM) with optimal theory, the classifications of micro-defects in light area and electrode area on the chip surface, and develop a robust classification module will be analyzed. In order to design the SVM-based defect classification system effectively, the multiple quality characteristics parameter design. The Taguchi method is used to improve the classifier design, and meanwhile, PCA is used for analysis of multiple quality characteristics on influence of characteristics on multi-class intelligent classifier, to regularly select effective features, and reduce classification data. Aim to reduce the classification data and dimensions, and with features containing higher score of principal component as decision tree support vector machine classification module training basis, the optimal multi-class support vector machine model was established for subdivision of micro-defects of electrode area and light area. The comparison of traditional binary structure support vector machine and neural network classifier was conducted. The overall recognition rate of the inspection system herein was more than 96%, and the classification speed for 500 micro-defects was only 3 s. It is clear that we have effectively established an inspection process, which is highly effective even under disturbance. The process can realize the subdivision of micro-defects, and with quick classification, high accuracy, and high stability. It is applicable to precise LED detection and can be used for accurate inspection of LED of mass production effectively to replace visual inspection, economizing on labor cost.

Insomnia in patients on hemodialysis for a short versus long duration.

BackgroundMany studies have investigated insomnia and the factors associated with this condition in hemodialysis (HD) patients, although the influence of HD duration has not been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, we investigated the factors, especially the duration of HD, associated with insomnia in HD patients.Patients and methodsA total of 138 patients undergoing HD were recruited, and the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the quality of sleep. Subjects with a total PSQI score up to 4 and those with a score of at least 5 were identified as normal subjects and subjects with insomnia, respectively. Additionally, we assessed restless legs syndrome, depression using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and health-related quality of life (QOL) using the Short Form 8 Health Survey. We divided the subjects into two groups according to the median HD duration.ResultsThe prevalence rate of insomnia was 54.3% among all the subjects. Twenty-one subjects (15.2%) had depression, 26 (18.8%) had restless legs syndrome, and 75 (54.3%) had insomnia. The median HD duration was 4 years. The scores of components 1 and 4 of the PSQI, subjective sleep quality and habitual sleep efficiency, did not show a significant difference between the normal and insomnia groups. The score of component 7, daytime dysfunction, showed a significant difference between the short and long HD duration groups. In multiple regression analysis, the score of the Short Form 8 Health Survey showed a significant association with the PSQI score in the long HD duration group, but no variable showed a significant association in the short HD duration group.ConclusionPatients with a longer duration of HD indicated that insomnia has an influence on their daily activities, with a significant association between insomnia and QOL. Greater attention should be paid to poor QOL and troubles in daily activities caused by insomnia in patients with a longer HD duration.

Obesity is Associated with More Sick Leave and Lower Quality of Life Among Malay Male Security Officers

Obesity is a risk factor for chronic diseases which can affect work productivity and physical function of employees particularly among those in security sector. The study aimed to determine the association between obesity with total days of sick leave and health related quality of life (HRQoL) among Malay male security officers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Malay male security officers working in a Malaysian higher learning institution. Subjects were evaluated using anthropometric measurements, quality of life and number of sick leave taken within two months prior to the study. A total of 194 subjects (mean age 40.12 ± 11.41 years) were recruited. A total of 30.4% were obese, 39.7% were pre-obese and only 29.9% had normal body weight or underweight. Central obesity was observed in 57.7% of them and 87.1% shown excessive body fat percentage. Number of sick leave days was positively correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI) (r = 0.162, p = 0.024) and waist circumference (r = 0.181, p = 0.012). Score of the general health component was negatively correlated with BMI (r = -0.161, p = 0.025), waist circumference (r = -0.194, p = 0.007) and body fat percentage (r = -0.191, p = 0.008). Physical functioning score was lowest in obese subjects than normal and pre-obese subjects (p = 0.046). Score of the bodily pain component was positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.156, p = 0.030). Obesity is associated with number of sick leave days and quality of life in the studied group. Hence, body weight of the security staff should be monitored and appropriate intervention should be conducted to improve their work attendance and quality of life. DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2016-1402-04

Cognitive characteristics of navigational map use by mountaineers

ABSTRACTThis study examined the cognitive characteristics of navigational map use by mountaineers. Questionnaires regarding navigation skill and behavior were completed by 362 mountaineers and contour tasks by 155 mountaineers, who participated in a practical course on mountaineering skills. A confirmatory factor analysis of the questionnaire confirmed three cognitive components of map use: Carrying and reference to map and compass; Symbol understanding and Solution of navigational tasks. The score of each cognitive component and the contour tasks differently improved with map-use experience. Gender difference was obtained only in the Line-of-sight task. Another confirmatory factor analysis of questionnaire and contour tasks showed good fit. Contour interpretation skills strongly explained the Navigational map use, which was the second factor from the above three components. The results suggest: (a) contour interpretation is a multifaceted cognitive task consisting of two-dimensional pattern recognition and three-dimensional transformation, (b) map-use skills consist of problem-solving of navigation in addition to basic understanding of map symbols and (c) even the mountaineers with long experience do not necessarily acquire full skills of contour interpretation but solve navigational problems with available cognitive skills, which were acquired in the constraint of the environment.

THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN GREECE.

Quality of Life (QoL) is often poor in people undergoing dialysis and this sometimes contributes to the high rate of morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study is to assess the QoL of patients on haemodialysis in Greece and discuss the socio-demographic factors that affect QoL in this period of financial crisis. Patients with CKD not on dialysis, plus those undergoing Haemodialysis (HD) and Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) were invited to complete the SF-36 questionnaire electronically, supervised by a trained nurse. Patients were asked about their marital status, education level and monthly household income. Additionally, patients were requested to comment on their subjective financial difficulties. A total of 172 patients were enrolled in the study, 39 of them were undergoing PD, 90 on HD and 43 had CKD. Among those with CKD, on HD and PD, 9.3%, 17.8% and 23.1%, respectively, had 'some/a lot' difficulties in copying with financial problems. The physical component summary score was significant lower in HD, while the summary score of the mental component showed no differences between the groups. In multiple linear regression analysis, age and dialysis had significantly negative correlations with physical functioning scores. Those who were divorced or widowed tended to perform worse in physical scores compared with those who were married. Mental scores were affected only by coping with financial difficulties. In general terms, people with CKD patients present with a poor QoL. Apart from the burden of the renal disease per se, social and economic factors (divorce, financial difficulties) seem to aggravate their status, especially in this period of financial crisis.

Pectus Carinatum Evaluation Questionnaire (PCEQ): a novel tool to improve the follow-up in patients treated with brace compression.

A questionnaire (Pectus Carinatum Evaluation Questionnaire, PCEQ) was developed to be applied in follow-up of patients with Pectus Carinatum (PC). After validation of the PCEQ, we aimed to quantify the compliance to brace compression and to assess factors that could influence this treatment in patients with PC. From July 2008 to July 2014, 56 patients with PC were treated with the Calgary Protocol of compressive bracing at Paediatric Surgery Department of Hospital São João. Forty patients (71%) completed the questionnaire. The PCEQ was divided into four sections: (i) compliance; (ii) symptoms; (iii) social influence; (iv) activities. For the validation process of the PCEQ, principal components analysis (PCA), orthogonal varimax or oblimin rotation and Cronbach's α coefficient were used. To evaluate the association between compliance and other sections of the questionnaire, we estimated the Pearson's correlation between compliance factor scores ('Compliance Days' and 'Compliance Hours') and the final score of each new questionnaire component identified by PCA ('Chest Pain', 'Dyspnoea', 'Back Pain', 'Parents' Influence', 'Friends' Influence', 'Activities', 'Time To Compliance'). For the sections 'Symptoms', 'Social Influence' and 'Activities', we estimated final scores as the sum of the questions that constitute each component. For the section 'Compliance', the factor scores were estimated by the regression method. After PCA analysis, the PCEQ found nine different components with high reliability. When analysing the compliance of our study group, the final score for 'Activities' revealed a significant correlation with the factor score for 'Compliance Hours' (r = 0.382, P = 0.015). The final score for 'Time To Compliance' showed a significant correlation with both factor scores for 'Compliance Hours' (r = -0.765, P < 0.001) and 'Compliance Days' (r = -0.345, P < 0.029). The PCEQ seems to be an important tool to follow up patients with PC treated by brace compression. Practical steps, such as developing a tight schedule in the early follow-up period or applying the PCEQ in first visits after initiating brace therapy, can be taken in order to increase compliance with brace therapy and improve the quality of life.

Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on the Quality of Life of Menopausal Women

Background: Evaluating health-related quality of life is knowing the impact a disease has on patients’ perception of their well-being. Health perception worsens with age and an increasing number of chronic diseases, which occurs with metabolic syndrome, whose prevalence reaches 40-50% after menopause. Thus, knowing the repercussion of this disease on life´s quality will permit to adopt strategies to improve the health results. Objective: Determining the health perception of menopausal women with metabolic syndrome and the factors implicated. Methods: Cross-sectional study in Primary Health Care in the province of Cuenca (Spain). By random sampling, 400 menopausal women aged ≥45 years with metabolic syndrome (NCEP-ATP III) were selected. Survey SF-12 was used to evaluate physical and mental health´s general aspects. Results: Health perception was regular for 52% but good for 40.5%. The mean score of the physical summary component was below the mean for the Spanish population, while the mental component was over the mean for patients over 65 years. ANOVA showed significant differences for the physical summary component for age (p<0.001). Women in the 45-54 age groups obtained a better result for this component than those aged over 65. No differences were found for age groups in the mental component. Conclusions: Menopausal women with metabolic syndrome have a regular health perception being the physical health worse than the mental one. Physical health is better in younger women with studies, without obesity, diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or bronchial pathology. Mental health is better in women without hypertriglyceridaemia or psychic disease.

Relationship between joint motion and acceleration during single-leg standing in healthy male adults.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between acceleration and joint movement by synchronizing accelerometers and a three-dimensional motion analysis system, and to show the utility of an accelerometer as a postural control assessment tool. [Subjects and Methods] Head, lumbar, shank accelerations and various joint angles during single-leg standing were measured of 20 healthy males. Root mean squares of acceleration and joint angle were calculated. Fast Fourier transform analysis was performed for head, lumbar, and shank accelerations, and the median frequencies were calculated. Then, principal component analysis was performed for the median frequency of each acceleration. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was also used to examine the relationship between joint angle and acceleration. [Results] The score of the first principal component was highest for shank acceleration, while that of the second principal component was highest for lumbar and head accelerations. In multiple regression analysis, hip flexion/extension and adduction/abduction were identified as variables associated with head acceleration. [Conclusion] We were able to confirm the aggregation of acceleration into two components, which we interpreted as postural control strategies using primarily the ankle and hip joints. Furthermore, though multiple regression analysis, we were able to clarify the joint movement indicated by acceleration of each segment.

Towards patient-oriented diabetes care: results from two KORA surveys in southern Germany.

Objective. This study aims to examine the relationship of diabetes care processes and patient outcomes with an expanded set of indicators regarding patient-oriented care delivery, such as treatment satisfaction, the quality of patient-physician relationship, and a wider range of patient outcomes such as self-management, health behaviour, disease-related burden, and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Methods. The study population consisted of 486 participants with type 2 diabetes in two population-based follow-up surveys, conducted in 2003 to 2005 and 2006 to 2008 in Southern Germany. Data were self-reported and questionnaire-based, including the SF-12 for HRQL. Multiple regression models were used to identify associations between care processes and outcomes with adjustment for confounders. Results. Frequent medical examinations increased the likelihood of self-monitoring activities, such as foot care. A positive patient experienced relationship with their physician is associated with higher adherence to medical recommendations, such as medication intake, and the score of the SF-12 mental component. Participants with diabetes-related complications reported higher levels of medical examinations and multiprofessional care. Conclusions. Indicators of patient-oriented care should become an indispensable part of diabetes clinical practice guidelines with the aim of striving for more effective support of patients.

Exploring the Ethnic Identity of Youth from Ethnic Minority and Majority Groups in Viet Nam

This paper aims to examine and compare the ethnic identity of youth from the ethnic minority and majoritygroups in Viet Nam. Students’ ethnic identity was assessed by applying Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure(MEIM) (Phinney, 1992). The participants were conveniently selected from a total of 800 students in twocolleges and two high schools. The results indicated that for youth from ethnic minority groups, the level ofethnic identity search component (a developmental and cognitive component) was higher compared toaffirmation, belonging, and commitment component (an affective component). No significant difference wasfound between male and female students in these two components otherwise there was significant difference onthe ethnic identity search component between college and high school students. In contrast, the score of ethnicidentity search component of the majority group was lower compared to the score of affirmation, belonging, andcommitment component. Significant differences were found between genders for the affirmation, belonging, andcommitment component as well as between high school and college students for the ethnic identity searchcomponent. Overall, the scores of youth from ethnic minority and majority groups were high and similar, andthere was only one significant difference found in the ethnic identity search component between these twogroups.

Outcomes of Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury in Adolescents

Blunt traumatic aortic injury (BTAI) is of very rare occurrence in adolescents. The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes of BTAI in this subset of patients. We reviewed prospective data of 18 patients who were 20 years or younger with BTAI among 28,000 trauma patients from January 1993 to December 2011. Outcomes of interest were the trends on the type of repair (nonoperative [NOP], open repair [OR], or endovascular treatment [ET]) and the impact of concomitant injuries using the Injury Severity Score (ISS) on early morbidity and mortality. Thirteen (72%) patients with BTAI were male with a cohort median age of 16 ± 3 years. The mechanism of trauma was car accident in 12 patients, pedestrian struck by car in 5, and motorcycle crash in 1. The total ISS was 46.2 ± 15.3 being the highest score of the thoracic component (4.6 ± 0.6) followed by the head score (4 ± 1.2). Two (11%) patients were pronounced dead in the emergency department and other 2 succumbed within 24 hr from admission. Of those 14 (78%) patients who survived longer than 24 hr, the ISS was significantly lower compared with those pronounced dead earlier (37.8 ± 10.7 vs. 59.6 ± 11.6; P = 0.0009). Ten patients (71%) underwent OR, 3 (17%) ET, and other 2 (28%) patients were treated nonoperatively. The ISS was similar among all 3 treatment groups (OR: 33 ± 8 vs. ET: 53 ± 9 vs. NOP: 51 ± 6; P = nonsignificant). No paraplegia or renal failure was noted in either ET or OR group. In-hospital and overall mortality were 21% and 39%. Of those who survived hospitalization, 8 (73%) patients were discharged home and 3 (27%) to a rehabilitation center. The incidence of BTAI is very low in adolescents. Mortality rate is considerable even in young patients and it is associated with high ISS and degree of aortic wall disruption. Young patients with BTAI who survive hospitalization have a lower ISS and are often discharged home rather than to a rehabilitation facility.

Psychometric properties of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument: a systematic review

BackgroundThe choice of measure for use as a primary outcome in geriatric research is contingent upon the construct of interest and evidence for its psychometric properties. The Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) has been widely used to assess functional limitations and disability in studies with older adults. The primary aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current available evidence for the psychometric properties of the LLFDI.MethodsPublished studies of any design reporting results based on administration of the original version of the LLFDI in community-dwelling older adults were identified after searches of 9 electronic databases. Data related to construct validity (convergent/divergent and known-groups validity), test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change were extracted. Effect sizes were calculated for within-group changes and summarized graphically.ResultsSeventy-one studies including 17,301 older adults met inclusion criteria. Data supporting the convergent/divergent and known-groups validity for both the Function and Disability components were extracted from 30 and 18 studies, respectively. High test-retest reliability was found for the Function component, while results for the Disability component were more variable. Sensitivity to change of the LLFDI was confirmed based on findings from 25 studies. The basic lower extremity subscale and overall summary score of the Function component and limitation dimension of the Disability component were associated with the strongest relative effect sizes.ConclusionsThere is extensive evidence to support the construct validity and sensitivity to change of the LLFDI among various clinical populations of community-dwelling older adults. Further work is needed on predictive validity and values for clinically important change. Findings from this review can be used to guide the selection of the most appropriate LLFDI subscale for use an outcome measure in geriatric research and practice.

Spatial distribution characteristics of water quality pollution in the Lake Taihu basin, Jiangsu Province

基于SPSS 20.0统计软件,对太湖流域(江苏省)9个三级生态功能分区和湖体28项水质指标数据分别进行处理,从原始监测数据中提取出5个主成分,计算其贡献率和主成分得分值,研究主要污染因子的组合,并对相应污染源进行分析.结果表明第一主成分主要体现了水体中氮、磷等导致富营养化的关键因子,而第二个主成分主要反映水体重金属水平,整个江苏省太湖流域污染情况空间分布略有不同,水环境质量也大体表现为北高南低、西高东低的趋势,湖体也存在对应的空间特征,反映了流域外源输入是导致湖体水质污染的主要原因之一,为太湖流域的环境监测及污染治理提供重要的信息和依据.;Using principal component analysis method in SPSS 20.0 statistical software, the data of 28 water quality indexes in 9 level Ⅲ aquatic ecological function zones in the Lake Taihu basin as well as in each lake region were separately processed. Five principal components from the original monitoring data were derived. According to the contribution rate and score of each principal component, the combination of main pollution factors and relative pollution sources were analyzed finally. The first principal component reflected the key factors of the water eutrophication including N and P. The second principal component reflected the heavy metal matter level. There existed a significant spatial pattern in pollution source characteristics, and water quality both in basin and lake deteriorated not only from the south to the north, but also from the east to the west. The results indicated that exogenous source was a key factor causing water pollution in Lake Taihu. This study provides important information and foundation for the environmental monitoring and pollution treatment.

Prognostic significance of patterns of seminal vesicle invasion in prostate cancer

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of histopathological patterns of seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) after radical prostatectomy. Seminal vesicles of 1050 radical prostatectomy specimens from the Karolinska Hospital, from 1998 to 2005, were reviewed. Extraprostatic SVI was found in 60 cases (5.7%). Associations between histopathological characteristics of SVI and biochemical recurrence were analysed. The SVI component of the tumour always had a Gleason score of 7 or higher. Invasion of seminal vesicle (SV) mucosa was seen in 68.3%, and was always accompanied by muscle wall invasion. SVI was associated with biochemical recurrence [HR 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.6), P = 0.015], while intraprostatic SVI was not. SV mucosal invasion was associated with adverse outcome [HR 4.2 (95% CI 1.2-14.2), P = 0.021], while only 15.8% of tumours with muscle wall invasion alone recurred. Other features of SVI such as the Gleason score of the SV component, laterality, invasion route, measures of extent and local margin status in the SV did not predict outcome. The prognosis of patients with SVI is not uniformly poor. Invasion of the SV mucosa portends a higher risk of recurrence than invasion of the muscle wall alone. There is no evidence that other histopathological features of SVI need to be reported.

The influence of personality traits and basic values on the acceptance of the advertising messages of female consumers

The investigation of the influence of personality traits and basic values on cceptance of advertising messages, was conducted on the two-phased, random sample of 1878 women aged between 18 and 60 years. Block of indepenent variables consisted of six personality traits varables ( Big five and Cattel's superego strenght) and of three basic value orientation (authoritarianism, conservativeness and conformism). Dependent variable was the 'effectiveness of advertising', measured on the bases of questionnaire's response, scaled from 1 to 5, ( where 1 meant a very small degree of respect for advertising, and the number 5 was very high degree of respect of advertizing and taking it into accout in purchase decision making). As a measure of effectiveness of advertising, score of first main component has got from factorial, i.e. component analysis of five variables that effectiveness of advertising was explored. The data were processed by multiple regression analysis. Analysis of these results has shown significante influence of four personality traits: extraversion, openness, antagonism (v:s. agreeableness) and super- ego strength and one value orientation: conformity, but that influence has been of limited intensity.

Comparative study of physicochemical, functional, antinutritional and pasting properties of taro (Colocasia esculenta), rice (Oryza sativa) flour, pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) flour and their blends

Physicochemical, functional, antinutritional and pasting properties of taro, rice, pigeonpea flours and their blends were determined and related to each other using Pearson correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Taro flour was significantly (P < 0.05) different from other flours due to its highest ash, crude fiber, lower fat and protein content and exhibited lowest L∗, ΔE, foaming capacity (FC) and highest WSI (water solubility index), WAC (water absorption capacity) and OAC (oil absorption capacity) as compared to rice and pigeonpea flour. Different blends were prepared incorporating the ratio of taro flour at 20 g/100 g, 30 g/100 g, 40 g/100 g, 50 g/100 g, 60 g/100 g levels with the blends consisting of equal proportions of rice and pigeonpea flour. Increased concentration of taro flour in the blends resulted in shifting of the blends towards the right positive score of first principal component (PC1) thereby indicating the detection of blends containing 40 g/100 g taro flour with an ease in the admixture of different flours. Taro flour contained higher oxalate, pasting temperatures (PT), peak viscosity (PV), trough viscosity and polyphenol content while lesser amount of phytate and lower setback viscosity than other flours.

Foamy gland adenocarcinoma of the prostate: incidence, Gleason grade, and early clinical outcome

Foamy gland carcinoma is a variant of prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma characterized by abundant foamy cytoplasm and often pyknotic nuclei. Limited data exist regarding outcome and the clinicopathologic attributes of this variant. We screened 477 radical prostatectomies for foamy gland carcinoma to determine the incidence, amount, and Gleason grade/score of foamy gland carcinoma within the prostate. Time until prostate-specific antigen biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy was compared for both foamy and control/nonfoamy cases. For validation of incidence, Gleason grade, and pathologic stage, a second series of 100 consecutive radical prostatectomies was screened for foamy gland carcinoma. Foamy gland carcinoma was found in 69 (14.5%) of 477 cases. The median Gleason score of the foamy component was 7, which was not significantly different from the Gleason score of the nonfoamy component within those cases or the 408 nonfoamy cases. The most common Gleason score was 7 (44/69). There was no difference between foamy gland and nonfoamy gland cases in recurrence rate (23% versus 22%) or the average time to prostate-specific antigen recurrence (130 versus 151 months). In the second series, foamy gland carcinoma was found in 23% of cases and had a median Gleason score of 7; and the most common Gleason score was 7 (11/23). Foamy gland carcinoma exists in a significant subset of prostatic carcinomas. This variant does not appear to harbor a different prognosis compared with usual acinar adenocarcinoma, but diagnostic recognition of foamy gland carcinoma is important because there is a Gleason grade 4 element in the majority of cases.

The Initial Anatomical Severity in Patients With Hand Injuries Predicts Future Health-Related Quality of Life

There have been no rigorous studies exploring whether the severity of hand injury can predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of our study is to examine the relationship between the initial anatomic severity of hand injuries (evaluated by the Hand Injury Severity Scoring [HISS] system) and HRQoL in patients with hand injuries. Patients with hand injuries hospitalized for surgery between 2004 and 2008 were recruited and HISS scores were calculated by a hand surgeon. One hundred seventy-three patients were interviewed for demographic information and HRQoL status. The physical and mental component summaries of HRQoL were compared with the initial HISS scores by multiple regression models. The greater the HISS score, the lower the score of the physical component of HRQoL. Trend tests showed a significant correlation between the physical component of HRQoL in the dominant hand injured group (p = 0.04), but not in the nondominant hand injured group (p = 0.49). With regard to age, trend tests showed a significant correlation between the physical component of HRQoL in older patients (p < 0.01) but not in younger patients (p = 0.40). For all outcomes of mental component scores, we found no significant relationship with HISS severity in neither main effects nor stratified analyses. HISS is able to predict the physical HRQoL with useful levels of accuracy. It is strongly recommended that surgical therapy departments provide more detailed physiotherapy programs for the high-risk groups, such as dominant hand injury and age of ≥40, to improve their physical HRQoL.

Prostatic carcinomas with neuroendocrine differentiation diagnosed in needle biopsies, a morphologic study of 7 cases among 465 sequential biopsies in a tertiary cancer center

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) of the prostate are rare, with only a few series hitherto reported. The objective of this study was to assess in a single institution the clinical and morphologic characteristics of neuroendocrine carcinomas diagnosed in needle core biopsies. The current study analyses seven cases diagnosed in needle biopsies at a large tertiary regional cancer center from Northeastern Brazil. Two pathologists reviewed specimens retrospectively, and demographic and morphologic characteristics were compared to 458 acinar tumors diagnosed in the same period. There were five small cell carcinomas and two low-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (carcinoid). NEC were associated with an acinar component in 5/7 cases and the Gleason score of the acinar component was always > 6. The number of cores involved in prostates with NEC was greater (65% compared to 24% of acinar tumors, p < 0.05). The mean PSA at diagnosis was 417.7 (range 5.7-1593, SD 218.3), compared to 100.5 (p = 0.1) of acinar tumors (range 0.3-8545, SD 22.7). Prostates harboring NEC were bigger (p < 0.001, mean volume 240 mL vs. 53 mL of acinar tumors). Treatment of NEC included palliative surgery, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. NEC of the prostate is rare and often associated with a high-grade acinar component. Prostates with NEC tend to be larger and involve a greater number of cores than acinar tumors. PSA at diagnosis does not seem to predict the presence of NE tumors in needle biopsy.