Factores socioeducativos asociados al no uso de métodos anticonceptivos en universitarias de cuatro países de Latinoamérica / Socio-educational factors associated with the non-use of contraceptive methods in university students from four Latin American countries

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cuidado anticonceptivo es importante una vez que se inicia la vida sexual, pero esto no ha sido medido en distintas realidades de Latinoamérica. OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores socio-educativos asociados al no uso de métodos anticonceptivos en universitarias de cuatro países de Latinoamérica. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio transversal analítico, se encuestó a estudiantes mujeres que ya habían iniciado su vida sexual, se le preguntó por el uso de condón (preservativo), método del ritmo, anticoncepción oral y anticoncepción oral de emergencia. Estas fueron descritas y asociadas a variables socio-educativas. RESULTADOS: El 7% (47) no usaba ninguno de los 4 métodos anticonceptivos; al realizar el análisis multivariado, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas según el país, el año de estudios o si eran católicas/cristianas (todos los valores p>0,05), en cambio, las de universidades particulares tuvieron un mayor porcentaje de ausencia de uso de los 4 métodos anticonceptivos (RPa: 2,52; IC95%: 1,24-5,14; valor p=0,010). Según el uso de alguno de los 4 métodos, el país donde se encuestó tuvo muchas diferencias entre el uso de uno u otro método; el año de la carrera no estuvo asociado al no uso de alguno de los cuatro métodos; las que fueron católicas o cristianas usaron menos la anticoncepción oral (p<0,001) y las que estudiaban en universidades particulares usaron más el método del ritmo (p<0,05). CONCLUSIONES: Un porcentaje importante no usó ninguno de los cuatro métodos anticonceptivos más comunes, estando esto asociado al tipo de universidad.

INTRODUCTION: The care of contraception is important once you start the sex lives, but this hasn't been measured in different realities of Latin-America. OBJECTIVE: To determine the socio-educational factors associated with non-use of contraceptive methods in universities in four Latin American countries. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study. Surveyed women students, who have started their sexual lives. They were asked about the use of condoms, rhythm method, birth control pills and next day pill. These're described and associated to variables socio-educational. RESULTS: 7% (47) did not use any of the 4 contraceptive methods; when performing the multivariate analysis, there were no statistically significant differences by country, the year of study or if they were Catholic/Christian (all values p>0.05), on the other hand, those of particular universities had a higher percentage of non- take care of yourself with one of the 4 methods (RPa: 2,52; IC95%: 1,24-5,14; value p=0,010). According to the use of one of the 4 methods, the country where it was surveyed had many differences between the use of one or the other method; the year of the degree was not associated with the non-use of any of the four methods; those who were Catholic or Christian used less oral contraception (p <0.001) and those who studied at private universities used the rhythm method more (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage did not use any of the four most common contraceptive methods, this being associated with the type of university.

Awareness and attitude of mothers of primary school children towards child sexual abuse in Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Child sexual abuse leads to several adverse impacts in the affected children. A study on awareness and attitude of mothers towards child sexual abuse will help to formulate better techniques to improve awareness and prevent child sexual abuse. The objective is to study the awareness and attitude of mothers of primary school students towards child sexual abuse.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was done in the state of Tamil Nadu, India among 186 mothers of primary school children. Data were collected from the mothers using a predesigned questionnaire and analyzed.Results: Only 12.9% of the mothers were aware of the POCSO Act and 32.8% were aware of the child helpline 1098. 76.9% of the mothers were aware of unexplained genital injury as a physical indicator of child sexual abuse. Acute traumatic response (83.9%) and regression in behavior (82.8%) were the commonly aware behavioral indicators of child sexual abuse. Only 25.3% of the mothers believed that boys can be sexually abused. 75.3% of the mothers believed that the offenders were usually unknown persons. 88.7% of the mothers believed that unaccompanied children were a risk factor. 88.2 % of the mother believed that physical and mental disability in children was a risk factor. Majority of the mothers believed that streets (88.7%) and institutions (80.1%) were the common environment for child sexual abuse. Only 23.7% of the mothers had taught regarding good touch and bad touch to their children. 50.5 % of the mothers believed that the major role in preventing child sexual abuse is played by the parents.Conclusions: Awareness regarding child sexual abuse was low among the mothers of primary school children.

A study on correlation between screen time duration and school performance among primary school children at Tamil Nadu, India

Background: In recent times, one of the factors implied in poor school performance in children is increasing screen time. Objective of the study was to find the association of screen time duration with school performance among primary school children in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 134 primary school students at the state of Tamil Nadu, India from June 2019 to August 2019. Data regarding screen time were collected from the parents and school performance from teachers using a predesigned questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed with suitable statistical methods using SPSS 25 software.Results: Of the 134 children, 72(53.7%) were male and 62(46.3%) female children. 52(38.8%) were in the age group of 6 to 7 years, 47(35.1%) in the age group of 8 to 9 years and 35(26.1%) in the age group of 10 to 11 years. Majority of the children (56.7%) had an average daily screen time of >120 minutes followed by 61 to 120 minutes (29.1%) and ?60 minutes (14.2%). Based on composite academic performance, 23(17.2%) children were categorized as having poor academic performance, 71(52.9%) as average and 40(29.9%) as good academic performance. There was no statistically significant correlation of screen time duration with composite academic performance and academic performance in mathematics, science and language. (p Value >0.05).Conclusions: There was no significant correlation between screen time duration and school performance in primary school children in this study. Further studies are required to find the influence of screen time on various domains of learning and on long term cognition and educational achievement.

Awareness and attitude among parents of primary school students towards screen time in children

Background: Screen time behavior in young children is highly influenced by parental attitude towards screen time.The objective of this study is to assess the awareness and attitude among parents of primary school students in the state of Tamil Nadu, India towards screen time in children.'Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the state of Tamil Nadu, India among 134 parents of primary school children. Data collected using a predesigned questionnaire were analyzed using suitable statistical methods.Results: Of the 134 participants, 48.5% were fathers and 51.5% mothers. Majority (77.6%) were in the age group of 24 to 35 years. Only 3.7% of the participants were aware of the exact screen time guidelines in children. 93.3% of the participants felt that it was important to limit screen time in children. 84.3% of the participants believed that the content of screen time should be controlled in children. 82.1% of parents felt that they should co view media with their children. 65.7% of the participants believed that the ideal screen time in children per day is 1 to 2 hours. 82.1% of the participants believed that using screen time as a replacement for caretaker was an important reason for increasing screen time. The awareness of adverse effects of increased screen time was high among the participants. 91.8% of the participants believed that establishing limits for screen time in children was the most efficient way to limit screen time in children. 89.6 % believed that increasing awareness among children was important.Conclusions: In this study, we conclude that majority of the parents were aware of the adverse effects of increasing screen time and want to establish healthy screen time behaviours in children.

Association of screen time with physical activity and BMI in middle school children at Tamil Nadu, India

Background: The objective of this study was to find the association of screen time with physical activity and BMI in middle school children in the age group of 11 to 13 years in Tamil Nadu, India.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 139 middle school children aged 11 to 13 years at the state of Tamil Nadu, India from June 2019 to August 2019. Data regarding screen time and physical activity were collected from the children using a predesigned questionnaire and anthropometric measurements done. The data collected were analyzed with suitable statistical methods using SPSS 25 software.Results: Of the 139 children, 46(33.1%) were 11 years, 48(34.5%) were 12 years and 45(32.4%) were 13 years old. 74(53.2%) were male and 65(46.8%) were female. Majority of the study subjects (52.5%) had an average daily screen time of >120 minutes followed by 61 to 120 minutes (28.8%) and ?60 minutes (18.7%). Of the 139 children studied, only 31.7% (44 children) followed the WHO recommendations of moderate to vigorous physical activity of at least 60 minutes per day, 57.5% of the children had normal BMI, 10.8 % had thinness, 25.2% were overweight and 6.5% were obese. Physical activity was found to decrease with increasing screen time, and this was found to be statistically significant. No statistically significant correlation between screen time and BMI was found. There was statistically significant correlation between physical activity and BMI.Conclusions: There is a significant correlation of screen time with physical activity in this study. Urgent measures need to be taken to decrease screen time and promote a healthy lifestyle.

A study on screen time use in children between 24 to 60 months of age in Tamil Nadu, India

Background: This study was done with the objective of finding the average daily duration and pattern of screen time use in children in the age group of 24 to 60 months in the state of Tamilnadu, India and to find the correlation between screen time and demographic parameters.Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the state of Tamilnadu, India from June 2019 to August 2019 among 148 children in play school and kindergarten classes in the age group of 24 to 60 months fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Details regarding screen time use were collected from the parents using a predesigned questionnaire and analyzed using suitable statistical methods.Results: A total of 148 children (77(52.0%) male and 71(48.0%) female) were studied. The average daily screen time in the study group was 139.4 minutes (SD: 1.6). Majority of the children had a screen time duration between 61 to 120 minutes (48.6%). Only 14.2% had a screen time of ?60 minutes as per AAP and WHO recommendations. Majority of the screen time was used to watch children's entertainment programs and play games (67.6%). 83.1% of the children were using 2 or more screen types. Television and smart phones were the commonest screen types used by children in this age group. The percentage of children with average daily screen time ? 60 minutes was found to be more in joint families (16.3%) compared to nuclear families (10%). But this difference was not statistically significant. No statistically significant correlation was found between screen time duration in children and age, gender, parent's socioeconomic status, education and occupation.Conclusions: Increasing screen time activity in early childhood is an emerging problem of the digital age which requires interventions at family, social and healthcare levels.

Radiographic adenoid evaluation - suggestion of referral parameters / Avaliação radiográfica da adenoide - sugestão de parâmetros de referência

OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of current radiographic measurements, which were originally conceived to evaluate adenoid hypertrophy, as potential referral parameters. METHODS: children aged from 4 to 14 years, of both genders, who presented nasal obstruction complaints, were subjected to cavum radiography. Radiographic examinations (n = 120) were evaluated according to categorical and quantitative parameters, and data were compared to gold-standard videonasopharyngoscopic examination, regarding accuracy (sensitivity, negative predictive value, specificity, and positive predictive value). RESULTS: radiographic grading systems presented low sensitivity for the identification of patients with two-thirds choanal space obstruction. However, some of these parameters presented relatively high specificity rates when three-quarters adenoid obstruction was the threshold of interest. Amongst the quantitative variables, a mathematical model was found to be more suitable for identifying patients with more than two-thirds obstruction. CONCLUSION: this model was shown to be potentially useful as a screening tool to include patients with, at least, two-thirds adenoid obstruction. Moreover, one of the categorical parameters was demonstrated to be relatively more useful, as well as a potentially safer assessment tool to exclude patients with less than three-quarters obstruction, to be indicated for adenoidectomy. .

OBJETIVO: o objetivo deste estudo foi de investigar a utilidade de medidas radiográficas destinadas à avaliação da tonsila faríngea a serem utilizadas como potenciais parâmetros de encaminhamento. MÉTODOS: crianças de quatro a 14 anos, de ambos os gêneros, que apresentavam queixas referentes à obstrução nasal foram submetidas à radiografia do cavum. Os registros radiográficos (n = 120) foram avaliados de acordo com parâmetros categóricos e quantitativos, e dados resultantes foram comparados ao exame padrão-ouro de videonasofaringoscopia, em relação às suas taxas de acurácia (sensibilidade, valor preditivo negativo, especificidade e valor preditivo positivo). RESULTADOS: os parâmetros radiográficos categóricos apresentaram baixa sensibilidade para a identificação de pacientes portadores de 2/3 de obstrução do espaço coanal. No entanto, alguns destes parâmetros apresentaram especificidades relativamente altas quando 3/4 de obstrução coanal era o ponto de corte de interesse. Dentre as variáveis quantitativas, um modelo matemático se mostrou mais adequado para identificar pacientes com mais de 2/3 de obstrução coanal. CONCLUSÃO: este modelo demonstrou, assim, ser potencialmente útil como método de rastreamento para identificação de pacientes com pelo menos 2/3 de obstrução adenoidiana. Além disso, um dos parâmetros categóricos analisados demonstrou ser relativamente mais útil e potencialmente seguro para eliminar pacientes queixosos com menos de 3/4 de obstrução a serem indicados à adenoidectomia. .

Crianças e adolescentes vítimas de queimaduras: caracterização de situações de risco ao desenvolvimento / Children and adolescents victims of burns: characterization of risk situations to the development

No Brasil acontece um milhão de casos de queimadura a cada ano, dos quais 40 mil demandam hospitalização. Ainda que o prognóstico para o tratamento da queimadura tenha melhorado nos últimos anos, ela ainda configura importante causa de mortalidade, além de resultar em morbidade pelo desenvolvimento de seqüelas. Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar a clientela pediátrica vítima de queimadura, atendida no Hospital Metropolitano de Urgência e Emergência, PA, no período de um ano, e descrever os contextos em que os acidentes ocorreram, identificando situações de risco ao desenvolvimento do paciente. Participaram 164 acompanhantes de crianças/adolescentes vítimas de queimaduras. Utilizou-se: (a) roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturado com perguntas sobre dados sociodemográficos e questões referentes ao acidente que ocasionou a queimadura, e (b) roteiro de análise de prontuário. Os resultados apontam que a maioria das crianças/adolescentes vítimas de queimaduras era do sexo masculino (68 por cento). A maioria permaneceu hospitalizada por um período igual ou inferior a 10 dias (n=53). O agente causador que apresentou maior freqüência foi líquido quente (56,71 por cento), em crianças na faixa de 1 a 4 anos de idade. Os demais incluíam líquido inflamável, eletricidade, cinza e incêndio. Evidenciou-se a falta de conhecimento dos cuidadores acerca de características do desenvolvimento infantil, expondo a criança a condições de risco. Discute-se a possibilidade de programas de prevenção, tanto em nível primário (educação de pais sobre prevenção de acidentes domésticos), quanto em nível secundário e terciário (minimização das seqüelas resultantes da queimadura).

Aplicação local de cidofovir como tratamento adjuvante na papilomatose laríngea recorrente em crianças / Local application of cidofovir as adjuvant therapy in recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis in children

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia da aplicação local de cidofovir em associação com o tratamento cirúrgico na papilomatose laríngea recorrente (PLR) em crianças. Desenho do estudo: Prospectivo. MÉTODOS: Quatorze pacientes, com idade média de 4.7 anos e com duas ou mais recidivas após tratamento cirúrgico, foram submetidos à ressecção dos papilomas e injeção de 22.5 mg de cidofovir (7,5 mg/ml) no tecido de onde as lesões foram removidas. Após intervalos de 2-3 semanas, a mesma dose de cidofovir foi repetida duas ou três vezes. Em caso de recidiva, um novo ciclo de cirurgia seguido de aplicações locais de cidofovir era reiniciado. Cinco crianças apresentavam HPV-6 e cinco HPV-11; em quatro casos a tipagem não foi realizada. RESULTADOS: Antes do início do estudo, os pacientes eram submetidos, em média, a duas cirurgias por ano para o controle das recidivas; após o tratamento com cidofovir, a taxa anual de cirurgia diminuiu para 1,1 (p = 0,013). O intervalo médio entre as recidivas antes do início do estudo era de 1.6 meses; ao final do estudo, o intervalo aumentou para 4,4 meses (p = 0,014). Os pacientes com HPV-6 não apresentaram alteração significante nos intervalos entre as recidivas após o tratamento com cidofovir, enquanto 60 por cento das crianças com HPV-11 encontravam-se livres de doença ao final do estudo. CONCLUSÃO: O cidofovir é um adjuvante eficaz no tratamento da PLR em crianças, quando utilizado sob a forma de aplicações locais em associação com a ressecção cirúrgica das lesões. O HPV-11 pode ser mais susceptível aos efeitos benéficos do cidofovir.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy of local application of cidofovir in association with surgical treatment of recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis in children. Study design: Prospective. METHODS: Fourteen patients, with an average age of 4.7 years and with two or more relapses after surgical treatment, were submitted to resection of the papillomas and injection of 22.5 mg of cidofovir (7.5 mg/ml) in the tissue where the lesions had been removed. After 2 to 3 week intervals, the same dose of cidofovir was repeated two or three times. In the case of relapse, a new cycle of surgery followed by local applications of cidofovir was repeated. Five children presented HPV-6 and five HPV-11, while in four, the type was not determined. RESULTS: Before beginning of the study, patients were submitted, on the average, to 2 operations a year for control of relapses. After treatment with cidofovir, the annual rate for surgery dropped to 1.1 (p = 0.013). The average interval between relapses before beginning of the study was 1.4 months; at the end of the study, the interval reached 4.4 months (p = 0.014). Patients with HPV-6 did not show a significant change in the intervals between relapses after treatment with cidofovir, while 60 percent of the children with HPV-11 were disease free at the study end. CONCLUSION: Cidofovir was found to be an effective adjuvant in the treatment of recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis in children, when used in the form of local applications in association with surgical resection of the lesions. HPV-11 may be more susceptible to the beneficial effects of cidofovir.

Relação entre a excursão do músculo diafragma e as curvaturas da coluna vertebral em crianças respiradoras bucais / The relationship between excursion of the diaphragm and curvatures of the spinal column in mouth breathing children

OBJETIVO: Verificar a relação entre a excursão do músculo diafragma e as curvaturas da coluna vertebral em crianças respiradoras bucais. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 52 crianças de 5 a 12 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos. Por meio de avaliação otorrinolaringológica, foram divididas em dois grupos: respiradores bucais e respiradores nasais. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a exame de videofluoroscopia do músculo diafragma e a avaliação postural. A excursão do diafragma foi analisada pelo programa Adobe Photoshop®, e a avaliação postural através de fotografias em norma lateral esquerda, sendo analisadas pelo Software de Avaliação Postural. RESULTADOS: Os grupos estudados apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante quanto ao comportamento das curvaturas da coluna vertebral (lordose cervical: p = 0,003; lordose lombar: p = 0,001; cifose torácica: p = 0,002; posição da pelve: p = 0,001) e da excursão do músculo diafragma (diafragma lado direito: p = 0,001; diafragma lado esquerdo: p = 0,001). O grupo respirador bucal apresentou diminuição da lordose cervical, aumento da cifose torácica, aumento da lordose lombar e anteversão da posição da pelve. A distância excursionada pelo músculo diafragma em crianças respiradoras bucais é menor que em crianças respiradoras nasais. Não houve significância estatística ao relacionar o comportamento das curvaturas da coluna vertebral com a excursão do músculo diafragma. CONCLUSÃO: Não há relação entre as curvaturas da coluna vertebral com a excursão do músculo diafragma nos grupos estudados.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between excursion of the diaphragm muscle and spinal curvatures in mouth breathing children. METHODS: A total of 52 children of both sexes, aged from 5 to 12 years, were studied. After otorhinolaryngological assessment, the children were divided into two groups: mouth breathers and nose breathers. All of the children underwent videofluoroscopic examination of the diaphragm muscle and postural assessment. Diaphragm excursion was analyzed using Adobe Photoshop® software, and postural assessment was recorded using photographs in left lateral view, which were then analyzed using SAPO postural assessment software. RESULTS: The groups studied exhibited statistically significant differences in terms of spinal curvatures (cervical lordosis: p = 0.003; lumbar lordosis: p = 0.001; thoracic kyphosis: p = 0.002; position of the pelvis: p = 0.001) and diaphragm excursion (right side diaphragm: p = 0.001; left side diaphragm: p = 0.001). The mouth breathing group exhibited reduced cervical lordosis, increased thoracic kyphosis, increased lumbar lordosis and the position of the pelvis was tilted forward. The distance traveled outwards by the diaphragm muscles of mouth breathing children was shorter than that traveled by the muscles of nose breathing children. The relationship between the behavior of spinal curvatures and diaphragm excursion had no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between spinal curvatures and diaphragm excursion in the groups studied here.

Evidências do efeito Moran na sincronia populacional: uma demonstração em microcosmo experimental / Evidences of Moran effect in the population synchrony: a demonstration in experimental microcosm

São propostas três causas principais para sincronia de populações: fatores exógenos, dispersão e interações interespecíficas. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo testar a influência dos fatores exógenos na sincronia de populações de Sitophilus zeamais (Mots.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), isoladas espacialmente (sem dispersão), em microcosmos com diferentes condições ambientais (umidade e temperatura). Doze populações com 20 indivíduos cada, foram divididas, aleatoriamente, em dois tratamentos: com lâmpada e sem lâmpada. O censo dos indivíduos adultos foi realizado semanalmente, durante sete meses. A tendência de crescimento da abundância ao longo do tempo foi eliminada através do ajuste de modelos autoregressivos. A sincronia entre as populações, detectada por meio dos coeficientes de correlação de Pearson e Spearman, foi maior dentro do que entre tratamentos, embora as populações mantidas sem lâmpada tenham sido mais sincrônicas do que as populações com lâmpada. Além de evidenciarem a influência do ambiente nas flutuações populacionais, esses resultados sugerem que o metabolismo e as interações intraespecíficas são fatores importantes na dinâmica populacional. Organismos em ambientes desfavoráveis podem apresentar taxas metabólicas anormais, contribuindo pouco para o crescimento populacional. Logo, populações pequenas sofrem maior influência da estocasticidade demográfica, reduzindo a probabilidade de sincronia entre elas. Nos ambientes mais favoráveis, espera-se que os indivíduos desenvolvam funções metabólicas normais, levando as populações a apresentar taxas de crescimento mais elevadas. Nesse caso, a estocasticidade demográfica tem menor influência, levando as populações sem lâmpada a flutuar de forma mais sincrônica.

Three main causes to population synchrony are proposed: exogenous factors, dispersal and inter-specific interactions. This paper had as main goal to test the influence of the exogenous factors in the synchrony in spatially isolated (i.e., no dispersal) populations of Sitophilus zeamais (Mots.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in microcosms with different environmental conditions (humidity, temperature and light intensity). Twelve populations of 20 individuals each, were randomly assigned between two treatment conditions: with or without light. Population size and environmental factors (temperature and relative humidity) were weekly assessed for seven months. Temporal trend in populations increase was eliminated adjusting autoregressive models. Population synchrony, detected by means of Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients, was higher within than between treatments, although the populations kept without lamp were more synchronized than populations with lamp. Besides demonstrating the influence of environment on population fluctuations, these results suggest that metabolism and intra-specific interactions are important factors in population dynamic. Organisms exposed to unsuitable environmental conditions may have abnormal metabolic rates, which negatively influences the population grow. Thus, small populations are more likely to suffer from demographic stochasticity, decreasing the probability of the synchrony among populations. On the other hand, in more suitable environments, individuals are expected to have normal metabolic functions, and so, to achieve higher rates of population grow. In this case, the demographic stochasticity has smaller influence, leading populations without lamp to fluctuate synchronously.

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of oral cavity: report of 2 cases.

We report 2 cases of Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcomas of Oral Cavity in two elderly patients. The patients presented with oral cavity tumors. Initial tru-cut biopsies in both cases revealed spindle cell neoplasms. One of them was of low grade malignancy and showed positivity for of Vimentin. Few cells showed positivity for keratin and were negative for S-100 protein, CD 34, CD 68, EMA, SMA, HMB-45. A possible diagnosis of low grade fibrohistiocytic tumor was made. He underwent Lt total maxillectomy. Three years later he presented back with regional nodal metastasis. The regional lymph nodes showed features of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma. The second case revealed high grade spindle cell neoplasm and showed positivity for vimentin and S100 protein and was negative for EMA, keratin, CD-34, desmin, muscle actin and HMB-45. He was offered initial radio-therapy followed by hemifacial resection. The histology along with immuno histochemistry favoured a diagnosis of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma. He presented with local recurrence two months later. Both the cases are discussed in detail.

Detection of human papilloma virus in the tonsils of children undergoing tonsillectomy

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is related to respiratory mucosal diseases, such as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, as well as to upper-respiratory-tract malignancies. There are few reports concerning the prevalence of HPV in the upper respiratory tract of non-affected individuals. We examined the prevalence of HPV in the tonsils of children of the general population scheduled for tonsillectomy. Samples were taken from the tonsils of 100 children undergoing tonsillectomy and were then tested for HPV with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, utilizing the generic primers MY09 and MY 11. The study excluded children known to have HPV and HIV-related diseases. Parents and legal guardians completed a standardized socio-demographic questionnaire. The questionnaire revealed that 84 percent of the mothers had at least one risk factor for genital HPV. None of the tonsil samples were positive for HPV. Apparently HPV does not commonly colonize the tonsils of children undergoing routine tonsillectomy.

Associação de Constrictotermes cyphergaster Silvestri ( Isoptera: Termitidae ) com espécies arbóreas do Cerrado brasileiro / Association of Constrictotermes cyphergaster Silvestri ( Isoptera: Termitidae ) with trees in the Brazilian Cerrado

Os cupins normalmente constroem ninhos que apresentam formas e características diferenciadas de acordo com a espécie, oferecendo-lhes proteção, além de manter a coesão da sociedade. Algumas espécies constroem seus ninhos sobre a superfície do solo, enquanto outras preferem a subsuperfície, troncos e galhos de árvores como suporte ou madeira para construção das galerias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a relação entre a ocorrência de colônias do cupim arborícola Constrictotermes cyphergaster Silvestri e as espécies vegetais suporte em um Cerrado sentido restrito na Serra de Caldas Novas, GO. Os dados sugerem forte associação entre C. cyphergaster e algumas espécies vegetais de porte arbóreo, como Qualea grandiflora Mart., Annona crassiflora Mart., Caryocar brasiliense Camb. e Plathymenia reticulata Benth., evidenciado pelo alto valor do Qui-quadrado (chi2 = 214,986, gl. = 20, P < 0,001). Essa relação é verificada entre outras espécies de cupins e plantas, inclusive na região dos cerrados, e pode estar associada a vários fatores. Por um lado pode ser influenciada pela presença de inimigos naturais (competidores e predadores), e pela produção de substâncias tóxicas por essas plantas, ou por outro lado, pode haver benefício entre as espécies associadas, neste caso indicando relações ecológicas de mutualismo facultativo ou facilitação.

Type 1 (11;22)(q24:q12) translocation is common in Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumour in south Indian patients.

The Ewing's sarcoma family can present diagnostic difficulties. In the past the basis of diagnosis has been a exclusion. Identification of a specific translocation especially t(11;22) (EWS-FLI 1 fusion gene), which is seen in nearly 85 percent of Ewing's sarcoma cases can help in precise diagnosis. We have carried out a study on twenty patient samples diagnosed to have Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumour (PNET)/small round cell malignant tumour. The study involved RT-PCR analysis for the fusion transcript, followed by sequencing to identify the specific type of fusion. Ninety percent (18/20) of the samples tested were found to be t(11;22) translocations involving EWS-FLI 1 genes. Sixty-one percent (11/18) were found to be type 1 fusion and seven were type 2 (39 percentage). This is the first study in India with quantitative information about the types of EWS-FLI 1 translocations present in Ewing's family of tumours in south Indian patients.

Pyoderma gangrenosum associated with osteomyelitis in a paediatric patient: a case report / Pioderma Gangrenoso Asociado con Osteomielitis en un Paciente Pediátrico Reporte de Caso

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare ulcerative skin disorder mainly occurring in adults. It is seen less frequently in children. The cause is unknown but it may occur in association with several disorders. Osteomyelitis is a very rare association. We report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum associated with osteomyelitis in a two-year-old girl

El pioderma gangrenoso es un raro trastorno cutáneo ulcerativo que se produce principalmente en adultos. Se observa con menos frecuencia en los niños. La causa es desconocida, pero puede ocurrir en asociación con varios desórdenes. Su asociación con la osteomielitis es rara. Reportamos un caso de pioderma gangrenoso asociado con osteomielitis en una niña de dos años de edad.

Estudo microbiológico do core e superfície das amígdalas palatinas em crianças portadoras de faringoamigdalites de repetiçäo e hipertrofia adenoamigdaliana / Microbiologic study of the core and surface of the tonsils in children with recurrent and hypertrophic tonsillitis

OBJETIVO: As faringoamigdalites bacterianas, assim como a hipertrofia das amígdalas palatinas, säo extremamente freqüentes na populaçäo infantil. Este estudo visa a pesquisa e identificaçäo da flora bacteriana que coloniza as amígdalas palatinas nas crianças portadoras destas afecçöes. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Clínico prospectivo. CASUíSTICA E MÉTODO: Neste estudo, os autores avaliam 90 pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 2 e 6 anos (Pré-escolares) e 6 e 12 anos (Escolares) com indicaçäo de adenoamigdalectomia; 27 com histórico de faringoamigdalites de repetiçäo (AR), e 63 portadores de hipertrofia adenoamigdaliana obstrutiva (AO), assistidos na Disciplina de Otorrinolaringologia Pediátrica da Universidade Federal de S Paulo, no período de abril de 1999 a 2002. Foram colhidos swabs da superfície das amígdalas palatinas no momento da cirurgia, e após sua remoçäo cirúrgica, realizados esfregaços do core amigdaliano. O material obtido foi analisado em relaçäo ao crescimento bacteriano. RESULTADOS: De uma forma geral, independentemente da faixa etária e do grupo, as bactérias consideradas patogênicas mais prevalentes foram o Haemophilus sp, 50,5 por cento no grupo AO e 59,2 por cento no grupo AR; Staphilococcus aureus (S. aureus), 50,7 por cento no grupo AO e 33,3 por cento no grupo AR; Streptococcus pyogenes (S.pyogenes), 9,5 por cento no grupo AO e 7,4 por cento no grupo AR; Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), 4,7 por cento no grupo AO e 0 por cento no grupo AR; e Moraxella sp, 6,3 por cento no grupo AO e 11,1 por cento no grupo AR, näo ocorrendo diferença significativa entre a superfície e o core. Tanto nos pré-escolares como nos escolares, o S. aureus foi mais freqüente nas crianças com hipertrofia (AO) em relaçäo às que apresentavam infecçöes de repetiçäo (AR). Nos escolares, o S. pyogenes foi mais prevalente no grupo AR, e embora presente em pré-escolares do grupo AO, näo foi isolado nas crianças com infecçäo de repetiçäo. O S. pneumoniae só foi isolado em crianças com hipertrofia adenoamigdaliana. CONCLUSÄO: Os resultados do nosso estudo sugerem que a flora bacteriana que coloniza a superfície amigdaliana é semelhante à do core amigdaliano; que a prevalência de S. pyogenes colonizante na orofaringe de crianças é alta, em torno de 10 por cento, e que o S. aureus é mais prevalente em crianças portadoras de hipertrofia adenoamigdaliana

Utility of rapid staining of fine needle aspiration smears at the University Hospital of the West Indies

In a prospective study at the University Hospital of the West Indies, 187 fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) specimens, comprising 100 breast, 75 head and neck, and 12 miscellaneous specimens, were subjected to rapid Papanicolaou staining and immediate assessment. Inadequate aspirates were repeated, and all cases were also evaluated after routine Papanicolaou staining. Histologic and clinical follow-up data were obtained. The overall concordance between rapid and routine cytologic diagnoses ranged from 79 to 87 for the three specimen cohorts. Sensitivity and specificity values were similar for rapid and routine-stained slides and ranged from 80 to 100. There were no false positive or false negative diagnoses in the cases for which the outcome was known. Rapid staining of cytologic smears is a useful adjunct to the evaluation of aspirated material, improving adequacy rates and overall performance of the FNAC service, and should also result in significant savings in time and cost to patients

Angiomatosis of the breast in a male child. A case report with immunohistochemical analysis

Angiomatosis is a benign vascular lesion that has been described rarely in the breast. We describe a case in a seven-year-old boy of African descent who presented with progressively increasing, unilateral breast enlargement, the first such report in a male child. The patient underwent excisional biopsy of the breast mass followed by mastectomy. Pathologic examination revealed a diffuse proliferation of variably-sized, thin-walled vascular channels lined by flattened endothelium that showed negative immunohistochemical staining for von Willebrand factor, factor VIII-related antigen, CD34 and S-100 protein. There is no evidence of recurrence after 24 months of follow-up