A cross-cultural comparison of the relation between children's moral standards of honesty and their lie-telling behavior.

This study examined the relation between children's moral standards of honesty and their lie-telling behavior and the role that culture plays in this relation. In the study, 6- to 12-year-old Chinese and Northern American (Canadian and American) children underwent a behavioral paradigm where they had the opportunity to tell a lie about their performance to gain a benefit. The children then read vignettes where a character told lies to conceal a transgression committed to satisfy either a need or a desire and evaluated those lies. Northern American children were less likely to lie with age, but Chinese children did not demonstrate this trend. Lie-telling rates were higher for Chinese children than for Northern American children, but children were overall unlikely to tell a lie about their performance. Chinese children evaluated the lies in the vignettes more negatively than Northern American children. Children's moral standards of honesty were related to their lie-telling behavior, and the relation between children's moral standards and behavior did not differ by age in either culture. Overall, results suggest that culture influences how children make moral evaluations and decisions related to lie-telling and support the notion that children's moral standards and behavior are related. These findings suggest that socialization plays a central role in children's moral decision making related to honesty through helping children to develop moral standards related to honesty.

Ultrasound phantom with solids mimicking cancerous tissue for needle breast biopsy.

This study aimed at synthesizing hydrogels to simulate opaque breast tissue (BT) and coloured cancerous tissues (CT) at different densities of the designed phantom to improve the biopsy-related skills along with ultrasonography. Both tissues are tear-resistant and therefore, the phantom can be trained multiple times in order to lower the price and improve the eye-hand coordination of users. For this purpose, self-healing (SH) polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels (SH hydrogel) obtained by free-radical polymerization of AAm, in the presence of chemical cross-linker, BAAm, physical cross-linker stearyl methacrylate, C18, and ammonium persulfate APS as initiator were used in the design of phantoms. Psyllium was added to the BT to differentiate density and obtain human skin color and it could be distinguished from the CT which was also colored with methyl violet. BT and CTs were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, mechanical, swelling, and refractive index measurements. Designing phantoms from BT and CT were characterized by ultrasonography, mechanical tests, observation of needle track after biopsy, and stabilization tests to follow the self-healing behaviours of tissues with time. As a result of this study, self-healing, low-cost, and suitable for multi-usage ultrasonographic phantom for needle breast biopsy was designed and cancerous tissue was successfully detected.

Evaluating the accuracy of functional biomarkers for detecting histological changes in chronic allograft nephropathy.

The most common cause of late kidney transplant failure is chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). Much research has focused on identifying biomarkers (or correlates) that would predict subsequent CAN and allow timely intervention. Functional biomarkers such as serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) have been widely adopted, even though they have not been rigorously evaluated as surrogate markers. This study evaluated serum creatinine and eGFR for predicting the early histopathological changes seen in transplant protocol biopsies (TPB). We prospectively followed 289 kidney transplant patients in the Southern Alberta Transplant Program who had TPB at 6-12 months post-transplant. Tissue samples (n = 280) were independently examined by renal pathologists. The ability of serum creatinine or eGFR to predict the threshold level for abnormal histopathology was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve. Serum creatinine and eGFR had poor predictive value (most confidence intervals included 0.5, indicating no predictive ability) for ten individual histological measurements (Banff 97 scores), and the Chronic Allograft Damage Index. We conclude that serum creatinine and eGFR have a limited clinical role in predicting the early histopathological changes that precede CAN and should not be used for this purpose.

Light and electron microscope examination of the effects of methotrexate on the endosalpinx.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of increasing doses of methotrexate (Mtx) on the fallopian tubes. STUDY DESIGN: The study was carried out on 24 female rats (Albino Wistar type, 250-300 g). The rats were randomly divided into four groups of six. Different doses of Mtx were given to the rats by i.p. injection: 1mg/kg to those in group 1, 5mg/kg in group 2 and 10 mg/kg in group 3. Rats in group 4 received injections of physiological serum only and were treated as the control group. Ten days after the injection, the fallopian tubes of the rats were removed for examination separately by light and electron microscopy (EM) for comparison. RESULTS: Light microscopy showed that in group 1 the surface epithelial cells were normal and the lamina propria was infiltrated by numerous inflammatory cells with a prevalence of polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Findings in groups 2 and 3 were similar: the lamina propria was infiltrated with granulocytes in one specimen from each of the two groups, and granulocytes were also observed among epithelial cells. In the control group all surface structures were found to be in a normal condition. Electron microscopy showed cilial loss in the epithelial cells and central crystolysis in mitochondria in all group 1 specimens. Findings in groups 2 and 3 were similar. The cytoplasm of the epithelial cells seemed to be dense, there was prominent crystolysis (crystalloid formation) in the mitochondria, and vacuolisation (vacuole formation) in the cytoplasm seemed to be augmented. Cilial loss was prominent, and the basal membrane was irregular. Epithelial cell nuclei were in disorder. Lipid granules were observed extensively in epithelial cells. Eosinophils seemed to be dominant in connective tissues below the epithelium. In all control group specimens the epithelium seemed to be normal with all organelles in place; the condition of intercellular junctions, ciliated epithelium and all mitochondria also seemed to be normal, and the basal membrane was observed to be in order. CONCLUSION: In view of these findings, we conclude that the ultrastructural derangements resulting from administration of Mtx in doses in excess of 1mg/kg can cause a reduction in the surface epithelium's ability to make rhythmic lashing movements and can impair the patency of the fallopian tubes. All these disturbances could be involved to some degree in the causation of infertility and recurrent ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, the dosage of Mtx should be limited to use of the lowest effective dose to avoid these adverse effects.

Expression of steroid receptors in intact rat uterus, mammary gland, and liver treated with selective estrogen receptor modulators and conjugated equine estrogens.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) (tamoxifen [TAM] and raloxifene [RAL]) on the expression of steroid receptors-estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR)-in intact rat uterus, mammary gland, and liver. A total of 24 female rats weighing 250 to 300 g were randomized into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were respectively given conjugated equine estrogen, tamoxifen, raloxifene, and vehicle for a 28-day period. ER and PR expression was detected in tissues of the uterus, mammary gland, and liver. Uterine wet weight and serum estradiol levels were established for all groups. No statistical difference was observed between groups in the ER expression of mammary gland and liver and in the PR expression of uterus, mammary gland, and liver, but differences were noted in serum estradiol levels and uterine ER expression. Serum estradiol levels were lower in the TAM-treated group; differences between the TAM-treated group and the other groups were statistically important (P<.05). Uterine ER expression was greater in the CEE-treated group; differences between the CEE-treated group and the TAM- and RAL-treated groups were statistically important (P<.05). CEE or SERM versus vehicle treatment in controls did not seem to result in statistically important differences in ER and PR expression in intact rat uterus, mammary gland, and liver. Only ER expression in the uterus was found to be greater in the CEE-treated group than in SERM-treated groups.

A childhood case of intrascrotal neurofibroma with a brief review of the literature.

Solitary neurofibroma unassociated with neurofibromatosis type I (NFI) arising within the scrotum is an extremely rare benign tumor. There are 8 cases reported in the literature with only 1 that occurred in childhood. In the current report the authors describe an additional adolescent patient, the second case encountered in childhood and the ninth case reported in the literature, together with a review of the related articles.

The fate of hydroxyapatite cement used for cranial contouring: histological evaluation of a case.

Craniofacial contouring is a commonly performed procedure applied for traumatic and postsurgical cranial vault or facial skeleton irregularities. Hydroxyapatite cement is an alloplastic material composed of tetracalcium phospate and dicalcium phospate anhydrous that transforms into a paste-like substance when these two compounds placed in an aqueous environment. This mixture, which is a nonceramic microporous calcium phosphate combination, is another alternative for refining the craniofacial contour. There are not enough data regarding bone formation within this material after its use in human beings, however. A case requiring secondary craniofacial contouring after a motor vehicle accident is presented. Hydroxyapatite cement was used for reconstruction, and a second look was carried out for further correction during which secondary contouring of the cement was made and a sample of the previously implanted material was histologically evaluated. It was observed in this case that hydroxyapatite cement is incorporated within the surrounding bony structures and permits secondary contouring procedures. New bone and vessel formation was also detected within the implanted material, but this was limited and thus was not convincing for significant osteoconversion as seen in animal studies.

Reconstruction of orbital floor fracture using solvent-preserved bone graft.

The orbital floor is one of the most frequently damaged parts of the maxillofacial skeleton during facial trauma. Unfavorable aesthetic and functional outcomes are frequent when it is treated inadequately. The treatment consists of spanning the floor defect with a material that can provide structural support and restore the orbital volume. This material should also be biocompatible with the surrounding tissues and easily reshaped to fit the orbital floor. Although various autografts or synthetic materials have been used, there is still no consensus on the ideal reconstruction method of orbital floor defects. This study evaluated the applicability of solvent-preserved cadaveric cranial bone graft and its preliminary results in the reconstruction of the orbital floor fractures. Twenty-five orbital floor fractures of 21 patients who underwent surgical repair with cadaveric bone graft during a 2-year period were included in this study. Pure blowout fractures were determined in nine patients, whereas 12 patients had other accompanying maxillofacial fractures. Of the 21 patients, 14 had clinically evident diplopia (66.7 percent), 12 of them had enophthalmos (57.1 percent), and two of them had gaze restriction preoperatively. Reconstruction of the floor of the orbit was performed following either the subciliary or the transconjunctival approach. A cranial allograft was placed over the defect after sufficient exposure. The mean follow-up period was 9 months. Postoperative diplopia, enophthalmos, eye motility, cosmetic appearance, and complications were documented. None of the patients had any evidence of diplopia, limited eye movement, inflammatory reactions in soft tissues, infection, or graft extrusion in the postoperative period. Providing sufficient orbital volume, no graft resorption was detected in computed tomography scan controls. None of the implants required removal for any reason. Enophthalmos was seen in one patient, and temporary scleral show lasting up to 3 to 6 weeks was detected in another three patients. Satisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all patients. This study showed that solvent-preserved bone, which is a nonsynthetic, human-originated, processed bioimplant, can be safely used in orbital floor repair and can be considered as another reliable treatment alternative.

Atypical presentation of pilomatricoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Malherbe tumors, also known as pilomatricomas, are benign cutaneous tumors of hair matrix origin. OBJECTIVE: To discuss a rare case of multiple pilomatricoma of the head and neck region in a very young patient. METHODS: A 14-month-old baby presented with two lesions, one appearing on the preauricular region and the other on the nasolabial fold. One of the lesions showed significant ulceration. RESULTS: Excisional biopsy was performed for both of the lesions. Although the histopathologic examination suggested pilomatricoma as the diagnosis, the lesion with ulcerations exhibited increased mitosis which made us consider pilomatrix carcinoma in its differential diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Increased mitoses, an uncommon unexpected feature for pilomatricoma, can be a marker for more aggressive biologic behavior.

Gastric heterotopia in the gallbladder: a case report.

A case of incidentally identified ectopic gastric mucosa in the gallbladder of a 26-year-old man with a three year history of recurrent abdominal pain is presented. The aberrant gastric tissue consisted of gastric pyloric glands and fundic glands. Focal intestinal metaplasia characterized by goblet cells containing sialomucin was seen in the surrounding gallbladder mucosa but no metaplastic change was seen in the heterotopic tissue.