The CD44std and CD44v9 subpopulations in non-tumorigenic invasive SNU-423 cells present different features of cancer stem cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a type of liver cancer, in which CD44 isoforms have been proposed as markers to identify cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, it is unclear what characteristics are associated with CSCs that exclusively express CD44 isoforms. The objective of the present study was to determine the expression of CD44 isoforms and their properties in CSCs. Analysis of transcriptomic data from HCC patient samples identified CD44v8-10 as a potential marker in HCC. In SNU-423 cells, CD44 expression was detected in over 99% of cells, and two CD44 isoforms, namely, CD44std and CD44v9, were identified in this cell line. CD44 subpopulations, including both CD44v9+ (CD44v9) and CD44v9- (CD44std) cells, were obtained by purification using a magnetic cell separation kit for human CD44v9+ cancer stem cells. CD44v9 cells showed greater potential for colony and spheroid formation, whereas CD44std cells demonstrated significant migration and invasion capabilities. These findings suggested that CD44std and CD44v9 may be used to identify features in CSC populations and provide insights into their roles in HCC.

Personality traits and dimensions of mental health.

Individuals are different in a relatively constant pattern of thoughts, feeling, and behaviors, which are called personality traits. Mental health is a condition of well-being in which people may reach their full potential and deal effectively with stress, work efficiently, and contribute to their communities. Indeed, the link between personality and mental health as indicated by the 12-item version of the general health questionnaires (GHQ-12) has been well-established according to evidence found by decades of research. However, the GHQ-12 comprises many questions asking about different dimensions of mental health. It is unclear how personality traits relate to these dimensions of mental health. In this paper, we try to address this question. We analyzed data from 12,007 participants from the British Household Panel Study (BHPS) using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and generalized linear models. We replicated the factor structure of GHQ-12 labeled as GHQ-12A (social dysfunction & anhedonia; 6 items), GHQ-12B (depression & anxiety; 4 items), and GHQ-12C (loss of confidence; 2 items). Moreover, Neuroticism was positively related to all dimensions of mental health issues, Extraversion was negatively related to GHQ-12A (social dysfunction & anhedonia) and GHQ-12B (depression & anxiety), Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were negatively related to GHQ-12A (social dysfunction & anhedonia) and GHQ-12C (loss of confidence), and Openness was negatively related to GHQ-12B (depression & anxiety). These results contribute to theories including the predisposition/vulnerability model, complication/scar model, pathoplasty/exacerbation model, and the spectrum model, which propose that personality traits are linked to mental health and explained possible reasons. Psychologists may use results from this study to identify individuals who may be at high risk of developing various non-psychiatric mental health issues and intervene to avoid negative outcomes.

Conocimientos y actitudes sobre la transmisión de la tuberculosis en estudiantes de odontología y terapia respiratoria

Introducción. La tuberculosis sigue siendo un problema importante de salud pública, que afecta tanto a trabajadores como estudiantes de la salud, quienes deben tener unos conocimientos adecuados y sólidos para asegurar una adecuada prevención y control de la enfermedad. Objetivo. Evaluar los conocimientos y actitudes sobre la transmisión de la tuberculosis en estudiantes de odontología y terapia respiratoria. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo realizado con 291 estudiantes de los programas de odontología y terapia respiratoria de una institución de educación superior de la ciudad de Medellín, quienes se encontraban en práctica clínica al momento del estudio. Ellos respondieron una encuesta que contenía información sociodemográfica, conocimientos y actitudes frente a la transmisión de la tuberculosis. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y bivariado. Resultados. El 57,7% de los estudiantes de odontología y el 42,3% de los estudiantes de terapia respiratoria consideran que la tuberculosis es trasmitida por una bacteria, y respecto a si la tos es considerada un mecanismo de transmisión, el 89,2% de los estudiantes de odontología dijo que sí y el 10,8% de los estudiantes de terapia respondieron que no. Conclusiones. La mayoría de los estudiantes respondieron que el factor etiológico de la tuberculosis es una bacteria y en cuanto a la vacunación, la mayoría considera que es importante para la protección.

Introduction. Tuberculosis continues to be a major public health issue, affecting both workers and students of health, who must have adequate and solid knowledge to ensure adequate prevention and control of the disease. Objective. To evaluate the knowledge and attitudes on the transmission of tuberculosis in students of dentistry and respiratory therapy. Methods. A descriptive study was carried out with 291 students from the dentistry and respiratory therapy programs of a higher education institution in the city of Medellín, who were in clinical practice at the time of the study. They answered a survey based on sociodemographic information, knowledge and attitudes regarding the transmission of tuberculosis. A descriptive and bivariate analysis was carried out. Results. 57.7% of dentistry students and 42.3% of respiratory therapy students consider that tuberculosis is transmitted by a bacterium, and if cough is considered a transmission mechanism, 89.2% of dentistry students said that it was and 10.8% of the therapy students answered no. Conclusions. The majority of the students answered that the etiological factor of tuberculosis is a bacterium and regarding to vaccination, most of them consider it is important for protection.

Introdução. A tuberculose continua sendo um grande problema de saúde pública, afetando tanto os trabalhadores quanto os estudantes de saúde, que devem ter conhecimentos adequados e sólidos para garantir a prevenção e o controle adequados da doença. Objetivo. Avaliar os conhecimentos e atitudes sobre a transmissão da tuberculose em estudantes de odontologia e fisioterapia respiratória. Métodos. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo com 291 estudantes dos cursos de odontologia e fisioterapia respiratória de uma instituição de ensino superior da cidade de Medellín, que estavam em prática clínica na época do estudo. Eles responderam a uma pesquisa que continha informações sociodemográficas, conhecimentos e atitudes em relação à transmissão da tuberculose. Uma análise descritiva e bi-variada foi realizada. Resultados. 57,7% dos estudantes de odontologia e 42,3% dos estudantes de fisioterapia respiratória consideram que a tuberculose é transmitida por bactérias; com respeito a se a tosse é considerada um mecanismo de transmissão, 89 2% dos estudantes de odontologia disseram que sim e 10,8% dos estudantes de terapia responderam que não. Conclusões. A maioria dos estudantes respondeu que o fator etiológico da tuberculose é uma bactéria e a maioria considera a vacinação importante para a proteção.

Further evaluation of the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale: correlation with curve pattern and radiological deformity.

BACKGROUND: The Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS) was designed to measure physical deformity as perceived by patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Previous studies have shown that the instrument has excellent internal consistency and a high correlation with the radiological magnitude of scoliotic curves. Nonetheless, it is not known whether the scale can discriminate between the various curve patterns of the deformity, or whether the deformities represented in the scale's drawings relate to the corresponding radiological deformities. METHODS: This study included 101 patients (86 women and 15 men; mean age 19.4 years) with idiopathic scoliosis. In a single visit, patients underwent standing PA radiography of the spine and completed the WRVAS. X-ray measurements included: 1) magnitude (Cobb angle) of the proximal thoracic curve (PT), main thoracic curve (MT), and thoracolumbar/lumbar curve (TL/L); 2) difference in shoulder level; 3) T1 offset from the central sacral line (T1-CSL); 4) apical vertebra (apV) rotation at the MT and TL/L curves and 5) apical vertebra offset of the MT and TL/L curves from the central sacral line. A variable designated Cobbmax was defined as the largest angle of the three curves (PT, MT or TL/L). Patients were grouped onto three patterns: Thoracic (TH Group)(n = 30, mean MT 42.1 degrees , TL/L 20.9 degrees ); double major (DM Group) (n = 39, mean MT 38.6 degrees , TL/L 34.4 degrees ) and thoracolumbar (TL Group)(n = 32, mean MT 14.3 degrees , TL/L 25.5 degrees ). The magnitude of the curves in the TL Group was significantly smaller than in the other groups (P < 0.05). The Spearman partial correlation coefficient was determined between the score for each WRVAS question and the curve pattern, adjusting for the Cobbmax variable. The Spearman correlation coefficient was determined between the WRVAS items and shoulder imbalance, T1-CSL offset, MT Cobb angle, MT apV rotation, MT apV offset, PT Cobb, TL/L Cobb, TL/L apV rotation and TL/L apV offset. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) of the total WRVAS score was 14 (IQR 6). No correlation was found between the curve pattern and the various scores on the scale (partial correlation coefficients ranged from -0.16 to 0.12). WRVAS drawings for items 1, 2, 4 and 7 correlated satisfactorily with the corresponding radiological measurements (correlation coefficients, 0.62, 0.3, 0.48 and 0.53, respectively). Items 3, 5 and 6 did not correlate with the radiological measurements (correlation coefficients -0.06, -0.07 and 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The profile of the individual WRVAS scores does not differentiate among specific curve patterns (thoracic, double major and thoracolumbar/lumbar). Moreover, some of the drawings (items 3, 5 and 6) do not correlate with the radiological deformity they were designed to measure.

Validity of the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale to measure subjective perception of spine deformity in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: The Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS) was designed to allow idiopathic scoliosis patients to describe their perception of their deformity. In a previous stduy, the scale has shown good correlation with magnitude of the curve METHODS: The study included 70 patients (60 women and 10 men), mean age 19.4 years (range 12-40), with idiopathic scoliosis. Each patient filled out the WRVAS and the SRS-22 questionnaire. Thoracic and lumbar curve angles were determined in standing X-rays and the largest was named Cobbmax. WRVAS internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. Correlation coefficients were calculated between Cobbmax and the various WRVAS questions, and Cobbmax and the SRS-22 scales. The correlation between the WRVAS and SRS-22 was also determined RESULTS: Mean magnitudes were thoracic curve, 36.6 degrees and lumbar curve, 33.2 degrees; average Cobbmax was 37.9 degrees. The mean total WRVAS score was 15.6. Mean scores for the various SRS-22 scales were function 4.6, pain 4.3, self-image 3.7, mental health 4.2, and total score 84.1. Internal consistency for the WRVAS was excellent (Cronbach's alpha, 0.9), and there were no signs of collinearity among the seven questions (tolerance range 0.2-0.5). All the items on the WRVAS correlated significantly with Cobbmax (correlation coefficients, 0.4 to 0.7). The correlation between the total WRVAS and total SRS-22 score was -0.54 (P = .0001) and between WRVAS total score and SRS-22 image domain score was -0.57 (p = 0.0001) CONCLUSION: The WRVAS showed excellent internal consistency and absence of collinearity. There was a highly significant correlation between the results of the test and the magnitude of the deformity. The WRVAS correlated significantly with the SRS-22 image scale. The WRVAS is a valid instrument to assess scoliosis patients perception of their deformity.

Dermatofitosis por E. floccosum en la zona del pañal: comunicación de 6 casos / Dermatophytosis by E. floccosum in the diaper zone: report of 6 cases

Se publican y comentan 6 casos de niños con dermatofitosis en el área del pañal en los que se demostró la participación de E. floccosum hongo que apenas aparece como causante de dermatofitosis en el 2% según estadísticas del Centro Dermatológico Pascua en 24 años. En los últimos 4 años de 38 casos en que se aisló este agente, 7 correspondieron a la zona del pañal. Se comparan estos resultados con los publicados en la literatura mundial