Spatial variation in the parasitic isopod load of the Japanese halfbeak in western Japan.

Cymothoid isopods (family Cymothoidae) are commonly found parasitizing diverse fishes, including commercial species. However, the effects of these parasites on host body condition are still poorly known. Here we investigated the spatial variation of the effects of parasite infection on host body condition, using the parasitic load of the cymothoid Mothocya parvostis on the Japanese halfbeak Hyporhamphus sajori at 4 sampling sites in western Japan. M. parvostis prevalence at each site (41.6-74.4%) was higher than that known for other fish host-cymothoid systems (usually less than 30%). The number of isopods in infected hosts, the reproductive status of female isopods (i.e. ovigerous/non-ovigerous), and the body size of female and male isopods relative to the size of their hosts were not significantly different among sites. However, at the site where human activity was most intense, M. parvostis infection had a significantly negative effect on host body condition. These results suggest that the effect of cymothoid infection on host body condition might be benign under natural conditions but becomes detrimental in habitats that are unsuitable for the host, such as highly human-impacted areas.

Wet-chemical synthesis and consolidation of stoichiometric bismuth telluride nanoparticles for improving the thermoelectric figure-of-merit.

Bismuth telluride nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized using a low-temperature wet-chemical approach from bismuth(III) oleate and tri-n-octylphosphine telluride. The size and shape of the NPs can be controlled by adjusting the temperature, reaction time, and nature of the surfactants and solvents. Aromatic hydrocarbons (toluene, xylenes) and ethers (phenyl- and benzyl-ether) favor the formation of stoichiometric Bi2Te3 NPs of platelike morphology, whereas the presence of oleylamine and 1-dodecanethiol yields Bi-rich Bi2Te3 spherical NPs. XRD, IR, SEM, TEM, and SAED techniques have been used to characterize the obtained products. We show that the surfactants can be efficiently removed from the surface of the NPs using a two-step process employing nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate and hydrazine hydrate. The surfactant-free NPs were further consolidated into high density pellets using cold-pressing and field-assisted sintering techniques. The sintered surfactant-free Bi2Te3 showed electrical and thermal properties comparable to Bi2Te3 materials processed through conventional solid state techniques, and greatly improved over other nanostructured Bi2Te3 materials synthesized by wet-chemical approaches.

Linfadenectomía inguinal vídeo endoscópica: resultados quirúrgicos y oncológicos / Video Endoscopic Inguinal Lymphadenectomy: Surgical and oncological results

Introducción: Evaluamos la reproducibilidad de la linfadenectomía inguinal vídeo endoscópica (VEIL) y relatamos nuestra experiencia inicial en el tratamiento del cáncer de pene con ganglios palpables .Material y métodos: De julio de 2006 a noviembre de 2010 fueron realizadas 33 linfadenectomías inguinales vídeo endoscópicas en 20 pacientes, como tratamiento complementario del cáncer de pene, en 2 hospitales de referencia en Latinoamérica. Fueron analizadas las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los pacientes, así como los resultados quirúrgicos y oncológicos. Resultados: De los pacientes incluidos el 55% fueron de estadio clínico N0 y el 45% fueron N+. La VEIL se llevó a cabo de forma bilateral en 13 pacientes y en 7 casos se realizó VEIL unilateral, asociada con la cirugía convencional contralateral. El tiempo operatorio medio de la VEIL fue de 119 min, y la media de adenopatías resecadas fue de 8 por cada linfadenectomía. La tasa global de complicaciones fue del 33,2%. Ningún paciente presentó necrosis cutánea. La tasa de complicaciones linfáticas fue del 27,2%. En los 6 casos en que se preservó la vena safena interna (18,2%) no hubo complicaciones linfáticas (p = 0,2). La tasa de sobrevida global fue del80% y la sobrevida cáncer específica fue del 90%. El seguimiento medio fue de 20 meses. Conclusiones: La VEIL en el tratamiento complementario del cáncer de pene es un procedimiento seguro y reproducible, siendo una alternativa a la linfadenectomía convencional. Los pacientes con adenopatías palpables también se pueden beneficiar con esta técnica. Los resultados oncológicos son adecuados, aunque se necesita más tiempo de seguimiento (AU)

Introduction: We evaluated the reproducibility of video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) and we report our initial experience in the treatment of penile cancer with palpable inguinal lymph nodes. Material and methods: From July 2006 to November 2010 were conducted 33 VEIL in 20 patients as complementary treatment for penile cancer in two referral hospitals in Latin America. We analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients and surgical and oncologic outcomes. Results: Fifty-five percent of the patients included were clinical stage N0 and 45% were N +.Thirteen patients underwent bilateral VEIL and the remaining seven underwent VEIL unilateral and conventional open surgery in the contralateral limb. The average operative time for VEIL was 119 minutes and mean resected lymph nodes was 8 per lymphadenectomy. The overall complication rate was 33.2%. No patient had skin necrosis. The lymphatic complication rate was 27.2%. Of the 6 cases in which the saphenous vein was preserved (18.2%) there were no lymphatic complications (P = 0,2). The overall survival rate was 80% and cancer-specific survival was 90%. Mean follow-up was 20 months. Conclusions: VEIL in the adjunctive treatment of penile cancer is safe, reproducible and maybe an alternative to conventional lymphadenectomy. Patients with palpable lymphadenopathy also may benefit from this technique. Oncological results seem to be adequate however require longer follow-up to be confirmed (AU)

Video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy: surgical and oncological results.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the reproducibility of video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy (VEIL) and we report our initial experience in the treatment of penile cancer with palpable inguinal lymph nodes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From July 2006 to November 2010 were conducted 33 VEIL in 20 patients as complementary treatment for penile cancer in two referral hospitals in Latin America. We analyzed the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients and surgical and oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of the patients included were clinical stage N0 and 45% were N +. Thirteen patients underwent bilateral VEIL and the remaining seven underwent VEIL unilateral and conventional open surgery in the contralateral limb. The average operative time for VEIL was 119 minutes and mean resected lymph nodes was 8 per lymphadenectomy. The overall complication rate was 33.2%. No patient had skin necrosis. The lymphatic complication rate was 27.2%. Of the 6 cases in which the saphenous vein was preserved (18.2%) there were no lymphatic complications (P=,2). The overall survival rate was 80% and cancer-specific survival was 90%. Mean follow-up was 20 months. CONCLUSIONS: VEIL in the adjunctive treatment of penile cancer is safe, reproducible and may be an alternative to conventional lymphadenectomy. Patients with palpable lymphadenopathy also may benefit from this technique. Oncological results seem to be adequate however require longer follow-up to be confirmed.

Coercion and drug treatment for postpartum women.

This research examined the extent to which various indicators of coercion were related to treatment retention in a gender-specific treatment program and a traditional outpatient program for pregnant and postpartum women who were mandated to enter treatment. Women who were given custody of their infant stayed in treatment longer than women who did not have custody. There was an interaction effect with women who had custody and were in the intensive day treatment program completing treatment at a much higher rate than those in the traditional program. Implications for social work professionals and policy makers are discussed.

Who drops out of drug-user treatment research on women?

Attrition or dropping out is an important methodological issue in drug-user treatment research. The purpose of this study was to describe and explain the degree of subject attrition-more specifically, postinclusion attrition-within the context of a research demonstration project which focused on a women's sensitive approach to drug-user treatment. Demographic variables, psychosocial outcome measures, and two treatment variables were examined as possible predictors of attrition from research participation. Findings showed attrition rates increased from admission, peaked at 3-month follow-up, and then declined substantially by the 12-month follow-up period. A logistic regression analysis showed only treatment discharge status to significantly predict subject attrition.

The course of depressive symptoms over time for women who completed drug treatment.

The purpose of the present study was to (a) describe the trend in depressive symptoms in a sample of postpartum women who used cocaine and who completed drug treatment; and (b) to examine possible correlates of those trends including treatment type and selected pretreatment characteristics. Self-reported levels of depressive symptoms improved from treatment entry to discharge and remained relatively stable through three postdischarge follow-up points. Baseline level of depression was the only pretreatment factor that was correlated with the trend in depressive symptoms. And length of time in treatment, previous drug treatment, and baseline severity of drug use were not.

Predicting treatment retention of women dependent on cocaine.

The purpose of this research was (a) to assess differences in retention patterns and discharge status across three program settings; and (b) to examine selected pretreatment characteristics that might help predict treatment retention, which was operationalized as length of time in treatment. Three groups of pretreatment characteristics were examined. They included demographic factors, drug use and treatment history, and psychological status and symptomology. Clients in the intensive day treatment program tended to stay longer and were more likely to successfully complete the program than either clients in the outpatient or the traditional residential programs. In general, pretreatment client characteristics were not helpful in predicting length of time in treatment regardless of program type. Few pretreatment characteristics were related to retention within programs and significant predictors differed across treatment settings.

Social relations, social support and survival among patients with cancer.

This study examined the relationship between social relationships and social support and survival following a first diagnosis of breast, colorectal, or lung cancer. Findings showed different factors related to survival for those with breast vs lung or colorectal cancer and for those with localized vs non-localized cancers. Results provide important evidence that social relations and social support may operate differently depending on cancer site and extent of disease.

Chemotypes ofCyperus rotundus in Pacific Rim and Basin: Distribution and inhibitory activities of their essential oils.

Four major chemotypes ofCyperus rotundus L. (purple nutsedge) have been reported based on the composition of essential oils in mature tubers. Distribution of the H, M, K, and O type in countries of the Pacific Rim and Basin was investigated. In general, the H type dominates on the islands of Japan, and the O type has the widest range of distribution. The O type also dominates the Pacific Basin islands except for Hawaii, where the K-type is dominant. Inhibitory activity of the essential oils fromC. rotundus tubers against the seedling growth of lettuce and oats was in the order of H > M > K > O. Seven major sesquiterpenes were isolated from the oils and their inhibitory activities determined. Results suggest thatC. rotundus of different chemotypes may have different allelopathic activity in the crop-weed interaction.

A service tracking and referral form to monitor the receipt of services in a case management program.

Too often, systematic recording procedures are not developed which describe and assess the delivery of social work--and, more specifically, case management--services. The authors report on the Service Tracking and Referral Form developed by California's Adolescent Family Life Evaluation Project to document the receipt of services by pregnant adolescent clients as a result of case management intervention. The rationale and process underlying the development and use of the project's Service Tracking and Referral Form are discussed. Data are presented to illustrate the kinds of information which can be generated from the form. Finally, the authors discuss the form's utility and the possible uses of these types of data for case management, supervisory, administrative, and evaluative purposes.

A longitudinal analysis of psychological adaptation among survivors of cancer.

This longitudinal study examined the psychological adaptation of newly diagnosed cancer patients. Findings showed a decline in patient's mental health status over time. Initial psychological status and other psychosocial factors, and not illness-related factors, were predictive of subsequent adaptation. Two psychologically vulnerable patient groups were identified: those who remained distressed over time and those whose mental health status declined over time.

Mental health services among ambulatory patients with human immunodeficiency syndrome infections.

A retrospective study of 463 medical and social service records of patients with AIDS, ARC and minimally symptomatic individuals was conducted to examine mental health services delivered by primary medical care providers. A substantial minority of patients in all three groups had a psychiatric diagnosis and were prescribed psychotropic medications. Recognition of psychiatric complications varied by ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Longitudinal analysis of psychological adaptation among family members of patients with cancer.

A growing body of research suggests that a cancer diagnosis reverberates throughout the family system. The majority of studies provide evidence of the psychological distress experienced by family members at the time of diagnosis and during terminal and early bereavement stages. Increasingly, however, patients survive a cancer diagnosis. Therefore, their experience and that of family members more closely approximates living with a chronic illness. In this longitudinal study of 143 pairs of patients and significant others it was found that a substantial minority of significant others experienced psychological distress up to one year after the patient's initial diagnosis. The psychologically vulnerable group of significant others included an initially poor functioning group who remained so over time as well as a group whose mental health status declined over time. Personal and social resources were more important factors in declining mental health than illness-related factors.