Tactile acuity improves during acute experimental pain of the limb.

Introduction: Chronic pain is associated with poor tactile acuity, commonly measured with the 2-point discrimination (TPD) test. Although poor tactile acuity across chronic pain conditions is well established, less is known in acute pain. Objective: Recent conflicting findings in experimentally induced neck and back pain led us to conduct a TPD investigation in experimentally induced limb pain. We hypothesised altered TPD during experimental upper limb pain, but we did not speculate on the direction of the change. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects immersed their dominant hand in a circulating cold-water bath at 7°C (cold pressor test [CPT]). Two-point discrimination was measured at baseline (pre-CPT), during pain (during-CPT), and after withdrawal from the water (post-CPT) in 3 different sites: (1) the dominant forearm, (2) dominant arm and (3) contralateral forearm. Results: Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of time (F(2,56) = 4.45, P = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.14) on TPD; in all 3 sites, TPD values decreased (ie, tactile acuity improved) during pain. Interestingly, the contralateral forearm followed a similar pattern to the dominant (ie, painful) forearm, and furthermore was the only site that exhibited any correlation with pain, albeit in an intriguing direction (r = 0.57, P = 0.001), ie, the greater the pain the worse the tactile acuity. Conclusion: The improvements in tactile acuity during experimentally induced limb pain may reflect a protective response. The changes in the corresponding site in the contralateral limb may reflect a protective spinal cross talk. Such a response, together with the interesting relationship between tactile acuity and pain, warrant further inquiry.

Prevalence of Developmental Dyslexia in Spanish University Students.

A recent concern in the field of dyslexia studies is the lack of awareness and attention to university students suffering from this condition. If this problem is serious in countries where the relative opacity of the writing system allows for an early detection and, therefore, effective interventions, it is most critical in countries where transparent spelling makes such detection difficult, except in the most severe cases. In Spain, the diagnosis of dyslexia is rare among university-level adults. The present study pursues three aims: (a) to put forward a screening instrument for the detection of university students at risk of dyslexia, (b) to determine the ratio of university students that could be at risk of dyslexia by means of two different procedures, and (c) to create awareness for a disorder that causes hitherto unrecognized difficulties for an important subgroup of the college population. Six hundred and eighty-six university students in four different fields of study within the general area of Social Sciences from a public University in Madrid completed a Spanish-adapted version of a protocol including stress assignment, spelling words and nonwords, and timed phonological working memory of reading and writing task. Results showed that between 1.6% and 6.4% of this population could be at risk of suffering dyslexia. Such risk is not evenly distributed across the four fields of study. As for gender, the first criterion used yields 1.8 males at risk for every female, but the second criterion has as many males as females at risk. Women were significantly better than men in word spelling. Spelling was best predicted by the timed phonological working memory task of reading and writing.

Bilateral Forearm Transplantation in Mexico: 2-Year Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with proximal forearm and arm transplantation have obtained and/or maintained function of the elbow joint and full active range of motion of the extrinsic muscles of the hand, but with diminished protective sensibility and a lack of good function of the intrinsic muscles. These patients have improved function, as measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire. METHODS: We report the case of a 52-year-old man who suffered a high-voltage electrical burn requiring amputation of his upper limbs. He underwent bilateral proximal forearm transplantation in Mexico City in May 2012. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, immunosuppressive treatment has not led to metabolic, oncologic, or infectious complications. Keloid scars developed at the graft-recipient interface. There have been 4 acute rejections: the fourth was treated with methylprednisolone, rituximab, and immunoglobulin. Chronic rejection has not been detected. The extrinsic muscles of the wrist and digits have good function. Although the intrinsic muscles demonstrated electrical activity 15 months postoperatively, clinically, they are nonuseful. After 2 years, hand function is sufficient to allow the patient to grasp lightweight and medium-sized objects. The patient's Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire score improved from 50.00 points to 30.83 points, and his Hand Transplantation Score System rating is good, at 69/73 (right/left) of 100. The patient and his family are very satisfied with the functional and aesthetic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Upper arm or proximal forearm transplantation is a reconstructive option for patients who have experienced amputation because of trauma.

Conocimientos y prácticas relacionados a técnicas y procedimientos en la preparación y administración de medicamento del personal de enfermería, Hospital la Trinidad, Estelí. Nicaragua. I semestre 2016 / Knowledge and practices related to techniques and procedures in the preparation and administration of medicines of nursing personnel, Hospital la Trinidad, Estelí. Nicaragua. I semester 2016

Objetivo: Estudio con objetivo de Valorar el cumplimiento de las técnicas y procedimientos en preparación y administración de medicamento, personal de Enfermería, Hospital la Trinidad- Estelí, enero-junio 2016. Diseño: Estudio transversal descriptivo, universo 44 Enfermeras de los servicios asistenciales del Hospital, muestra 40 enfermeras que preparan y administran medicamentos, instrumentos encuesta y guía de observación. Resultados: El 32.5% laboran en sala de emergencia, edad de 41-50 años 42%, el 48% Lic. Enfermería, experiencia laboral de 20 a 30 años 51%, el 50% conoce la definición de asepsia, principios de asepsia 57%, no aplican principios de asepsia 89%, no aplican técnicas de preparación de medicamentos 77.78%, no aplican técnicas de preparación de medicamentos 88.89%, conoce la importancia de asepsia 65%, conocen diez correctos 12.5%, no aplican diez correctos 66.67%, conocen 4 vías de administración de medicamentos 65%, no realizan higiene de manos al preparar y administrar medicamentos 100%, conoce el concepto de bioseguridad 92.5%, no aplican medidas de bioseguridad 100%, no cuentan con equipos de bioseguridad 100%, no cuentan con lugar apropiado para almacenar medicamentos 56%, no reciben educación continua 60%, han recibido temas sobre preparación y administración de medicamentos por estudiantes de enfermería 27%.

Hipotermia terapéutica en la asistencia al neonato con encefalopatía hipóxico isquémica / Therapeutic hypothermia in managing newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

OBJETIVO: analizar la evidencia científica disponible sobre las circunstancias previas al parto que anteceden en el tiempo a la asfixia neonatal y sobre el protocolo de hipotermia corporal total moderada para prevenir o aminorar el daño cerebral asociado a la agresión hipóxico isquémica perinatal. MÉTODO: revisión integrativa en la que se realiza una búsqueda dela literatura en las bases de datos Medline, Cinahl, Cochrane Plus, Cuiden, Cuidatge, Bireme y Enfisp . La búsqueda se limitó a los idiomas español e inglés y no se marcó límite de años. Como criterios de inclusión se seleccionaron las revisiones sistemáticas, metaanálisis, revisiones no sistemáticas y ensayos clínicos sobre el tema, incluyendo estudios originales publicados hasta la actualidad. RESULTADOS: la encefalopatía hipóxico isquémica perinatal esuno de los acontecimientos más dramáticos e inesperados que pueden afectar a un recién nacido (RN) y su familia. Diversos estudios han demostrado que a los 18 meses de edad la terapia con hipotermia ha reducido el número de muertes y discapacidad mayor de forma significativa en relación con la terapia tradicional, así como los beneficios que se producen con el enfriamiento corporal total y con el enfriamiento selectivo del cerebro. CONCLUSIONES: la evidencia disponible apoya la utilización de la hipotermia terapéutica en la asistencia al neonato con encefalopatía hipóxico isquémica

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the scientific evidence available about the circumstances previous to labour which precede neonatal asphyxia in time, and about the protocol for whole-body moderate hypothermia in order to prevent or reduce the brain damage associated with perinatal hypoxic-ischemic aggression. METHOD: an integrative review where a literature search was conducted in the following databases: Medline, Cinahl, Cochrane Plus, Cuiden, Cuidatge, Bireme and Enfispo. The search was limited to the Spanish and English languages, and there was no limitation in years. As inclusion criteria, the following were selected: systematic reviews, meta-analyses, non-systematic reviews, and clinical trials on the subject, including original studies published up to this date. RESULTS: perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is one of the most dramatic and unexpected events that can affect a new born (NB) and his/her family. Different studies have demonstrated that at 18 months of age, therapy with hypothermia has reduced significantly the number of deaths and major disabilities vs. traditional therapy, as well as the benefits offered by whole-body cooling and by selective brain cooling. CONCLUSIONS: the evidence available supports the use of therapeutic hypothermia in managing new-borns with hypoxicischemic encephalopathy

Association of status redox with demographic, clinical and imaging parameters in patients with Huntington's disease.

UNLABELLED: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disorder, caused by an expanded trinucleotide CAG sequence of the huntingtin (Htt) gene, which encodes a stretch of glutamines in the Htt protein. The mechanisms of neurodegeneration associated with the accumulation of Htt aggregates still remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine oxidative stress biomarkers in HD patients and their relationship with clinical, demographic and neuroimaging parameters. DESIGN AND METHODS: Fourteen patients and 39 controls paired by age and sex participated in this study. Oxidative damage was assayed in blood by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidative protein products (AOPPs). Antioxidant status was determined by activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), reduced glutathione (GSH), protein thiols and total antioxidant capacity (FRAP). The Unified Huntington Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) and neuroimaging studies were also employed. RESULTS: MDA, AOPP and GPx were significantly increased in HD patients with respect to the control group, while GR activity was decreased. FRAP correlated with age of disease onset, AOPP with motor severity (UHDRS score), age of patients and age of disease onset. Caudate atrophy was associated with lower plasma concentrations of GSH. CONCLUSIONS: These findings point to a redox imbalance in HD patients. GR activity could be a potential biomarker for symptom onset in asymptomatic gene carriers, while plasmatic GSH could be useful in monitoring the progression of neurodegeneration - as an expression of caudate atrophy - during the course of the disease.

Análisis comparativo de estudios sobre la velocidad de nombrar en español y su relación con la adquisición de la lectura y sus dificultades / Comparative Analysis of Rapid Automatized Naming Studies in Spanish and Reading Acquisition and Reading Difficulties

La relación entre las tareas de Velocidad de Nombrar (VN) y la lectura se estudió por primera vez, en lengua inglesa, en la década de los 70, descubriéndose que los niños con dislexia eran lentos e inconsistentes en estas tareas. Posteriormente, algunos estudios han confirmado que la VN es el mejor predictor de la lectura en lenguas trasparentes, consecuentemente, se convierte en una medida de gran interés para la ortografía española. Acorde con lo expuesto, se analizan las investigaciones publicadas sobre VN y lectura en español, con el objetivo de extraer conclusiones para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de las dificultades de lectura. Los estudios revisados muestran que la VN es un potente indicador para predecir la adquisición posterior de la lectura en edades tempranas y para discriminar entre lectores típicos y aquellos con dificultades. La VN es una medida fácil de administrar, útil tanto para el diagnóstico como para la prevención de las dificultades de lectura en nuestra lengua.

The relationship between Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) tasks and reading proficiency was first studied for English during the 70s, one finding being that children with dyslexia were slow and inconsistent in the RAN tasks. Later on, some studies have confirmed that RAN is the best predictor for transparent ortographies - and so of particular interest for Spanish. The research done so far on RAN and reading in Spanish is therefore reviewed here in order to draw conclusions for the diagnosis and treatment of reading difficulties. Our review shows that RAN is both a powerful early predictor of future reading outcomes and capable of discriminating between typical and poor readers. Being very easy to test, RAN is thus of great use in the diagnosis and prevention of reading disorders in Spanish.

Non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis outcome after reaching clinical remission with anti-TNF-α therapy: a clinical practice observational study of patients who discontinued treatment.

TNF-alpha-blocking agents (anti-TNF) used in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are well established; however, time to withdraw is unclear. Neither prolonged nor tapering treatment seems to influence risk of relapse. Our aim was to assess relapse percentage after anti-TNF withdrawal of our non-systemic JIA patients after reaching clinical remission. A retrospective review of our non-systemic JIA patients in whom anti-TNF had been withdrawn due to inactive disease was achieved, between December 2000 and November 2011. We analyzed percentages of relapse according to JIA categories and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) positivity. n = 18 patients were included. Eighty-two percentage of patients relapsed after treatment withdrawal, and mean time to relapse was 3.04 months (SD 2.03). The percentage of relapse after anti-TNF discontinuation in the main JIA category was 88 % of negative rheumatoid factor polyarticular JIA and 80 % of persistent oligoarticular JIA. We did not find significant statistical differences according to ANA positivity (9 of 14 were ANA positive), and mean time to relapse (days) was 85.0 (SD 69.4) for ANA-positive versus 102.4 (SD 47.7) for ANA-negative patients (p = NS). Relapse percentage following anti-TNF discontinuation was high (82 %) and occurred within the first 3 months after it. No relationship regarding JIA subtype and ANA positivity was found.

Prácticas de estilo de vida saludable en el profesional de enfermería del Servicio de Emergencia del Hospital Carlos Lanfranco La Hoz de Puente Piedra, 2013 / Practice of healthy lifestyle in nursing professional in the Emergency Service at the Hospital Carlos Lanfranco La Hoz of Puente Piedra, 2013

El Objetivo del estudio fue determinar las prácticas de estilos de vida saludable en el profesional de Enfermería en el servicio de Emergencia en el Hospital Carlos LanFranco La Hoz de Puente Piedra. Material y Método: El estudio fue de nivel aplicativo, tipo cuantitativo, método descriptivo simple de corte transversal. La población estuvo conformada por 31 profesionales de Enfermería. La técnica fue la encuesta y el instrumento un formulario tipo cuestionario, el cual fue aplicado previo consentimiento informado. Resultados: De los 100 por ciento (31), 52 por ciento (16) son no saludables y 48 por ciento (15) son saludables. En la dimensión biológica 52 por ciento (16) son no saludables y 48 por ciento (15) son saludables y en la dimensión social 67 por ciento (21) son saludables y 33 por ciento (10) son no saludables. Conclusiones: Respecto a la dimensión biológica según indicadores e ítems el mayor porcentaje tiene estilos de vida no saludables referido a la alimentación; no consume pescado 2 o 3 veces por semana, no consume cantidad adecuada de frutas y verduras; ni consume de 6 a 8 veces de agua al día; referido a la actividad física; no realiza la actividad física 3 o más veces por semana asimismo, el tiempo que invierte en la actividad física no es de 30 a 60 minutos y en cuanto al descanso; no toman un descanso de seis horas al salir de su guardia nocturna. Acerca de los estilos de vida en la dimensión social según indicadores e ítems, en su mayoría tienen estilos de vida saludables referido a que participan de actividades recreativas en su tiempo libre y no tienen conductas adictivas relacionadas con el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y otras sustancias.

The Objective of the study was to determine the practices of styles of healthful life in the professional of Infirmary in the service of Emergency in the Hospital Carlos LanFranco the Sickle of Bridge Stone. Material and Method: The study was of applicative level, quantitative type, and simple descriptive method of cross section. The population was conformed by 31 professionals of Infirmary. The technique was the survey and the instrument a form type questionnaire, which was applied previous informed consent. Results: Of the 100 per cent (31), 52 per cent (16) are no healthful and 48 per cent (15) healthful. In biological dimension 52 per cent (16) they are no healthful and 48 per cent (15) are healthful and in social dimension 67 per cent (21) they are healthful and 33 per cent (10) no healthful. Conclusions: With respect to the biological dimension according to indicators and items the greater percentage has non healthful styles of life referred that; it does not consume fish 2 or 3 times per week, it does not consume suitable amount of fruits and vegetables; nor it consumes of 6 to 8 times of water to the day; referred the physical activity, it does not make physical activity 3 or more times per week also the time that invests in the physical activity it is not of 30 to 60 minutes and as far as the rest they do not take a rest from six hours when leaving its nocturnal guard. About the styles of life in the social dimension according to indicators and items, in its majority they have healthful styles of referred life to that they participate in recreational activities in its free time and they do not have addictive conducts related to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other substances.

Prácticas de estilo de vida saludable en el profesional de enfermería del Servicio de Emergencia del Hospital Carlos Lanfranco La Hoz de Puente Piedra, 2013 / Practice of healthy lifestyle in nursing professional in the Emergency Service at the Hospital Carlos Lanfranco La Hoz of Puente Piedra, 2013

El Objetivo del estudio fue determinar las prácticas de estilos de vida saludable en el profesional de Enfermería en el servicio de Emergencia en el Hospital Carlos LanFranco La Hoz de Puente Piedra. Material y Método: El estudio fue de nivel aplicativo, tipo cuantitativo, método descriptivo simple de corte transversal. La población estuvo conformada por 31 profesionales de Enfermería. La técnica fue la encuesta y el instrumento un formulario tipo cuestionario, el cual fue aplicado previo consentimiento informado. Resultados: De los 100 por ciento (31), 52 por ciento (16) son no saludables y 48 por ciento (15) son saludables. En la dimensión biológica 52 por ciento (16) son no saludables y 48 por ciento (15) son saludables y en la dimensión social 67 por ciento (21) son saludables y 33 por ciento (10) son no saludables. Conclusiones: Respecto a la dimensión biológica según indicadores e ítems el mayor porcentaje tiene estilos de vida no saludables referido a la alimentación; no consume pescado 2 o 3 veces por semana, no consume cantidad adecuada de frutas y verduras; ni consume de 6 a 8 veces de agua al día; referido a la actividad física; no realiza la actividad física 3 o más veces por semana asimismo, el tiempo que invierte en la actividad física no es de 30 a 60 minutos y en cuanto al descanso; no toman un descanso de seis horas al salir de su guardia nocturna. Acerca de los estilos de vida en la dimensión social según indicadores e ítems, en su mayoría tienen estilos de vida saludables referido a que participan de actividades recreativas en su tiempo libre y no tienen conductas adictivas relacionadas con el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y otras sustancias.

The Objective of the study was to determine the practices of styles of healthful life in the professional of Infirmary in the service of Emergency in the Hospital Carlos LanFranco the Sickle of Bridge Stone. Material and Method: The study was of applicative level, quantitative type, and simple descriptive method of cross section. The population was conformed by 31 professionals of Infirmary. The technique was the survey and the instrument a form type questionnaire, which was applied previous informed consent. Results: Of the 100 per cent (31), 52 per cent (16) are no healthful and 48 per cent (15) healthful. In biological dimension 52 per cent (16) they are no healthful and 48 per cent (15) are healthful and in social dimension 67 per cent (21) they are healthful and 33 per cent (10) no healthful. Conclusions: With respect to the biological dimension according to indicators and items the greater percentage has non healthful styles of life referred that; it does not consume fish 2 or 3 times per week, it does not consume suitable amount of fruits and vegetables; nor it consumes of 6 to 8 times of water to the day; referred the physical activity, it does not make physical activity 3 or more times per week also the time that invests in the physical activity it is not of 30 to 60 minutes and as far as the rest they do not take a rest from six hours when leaving its nocturnal guard. About the styles of life in the social dimension according to indicators and items, in its majority they have healthful styles of referred life to that they participate in recreational activities in its free time and they do not have addictive conducts related to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other substances.

Mecanismos moleculares implicados en las enfermedades cardiovasculares aterotrombóticas / Molecular mechanisms involved in atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease

El síndrome coronario agudo es un problema de salud y constituye la primera causa de muerte en el mundo desarrollado y en Cuba. Esta enfermedad, que incluye infarto de miocardio, angina de pecho y muerte súbita, causa más muertes cada año que el resto de las enfermedades combinadas. El factor causal de mayor relevancia del infarto del miocardio, radica en la formación y evolución crónica de un ateroma, o eventos que son favorecidos por el estrés oxidativo, las citocinas proinflamatorias, la trombina y el no control de los factores de riesgo. La presente revisión se realizó con el propósito de explicar los mecanismos moleculares y la influencia de los factores de riesgo implicados en la fisiopatología de estas enfermedades. Se concluyó que las especies reactivas del oxígeno y el estrés oxidativo, desempeñan un papel importante en la fisiopatología de estas afecciones cardiovasculares, de relevancia para el diagnóstico y la terapéutica

Acute coronary syndrome is a health problem and is the leading cause of death in Europe, North America, and Cuba. This disease, which includes heart attack, angina and sudden death, causes more deaths each year than all other diseases combined. The most important causal factor of myocardial infarction lies in the formation and chronic evolution of atheroma, or events that are favored by oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, thrombin and no control of risk factors. This review was conducted in order to explain the molecular mechanisms and the influence of the risk factors involved in the pathophysiology of these diseases. It was concluded that reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathophysiology of such cardiovascular disorders, of relevance for its diagnosis and therapy

Mecanismos moleculares implicados en las enfermedades cardiovasculares aterotrombóticas / Molecular mechanisms involved in atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease

El síndrome coronario agudo es un problema de salud y constituye la primera causa de muerte en el mundo desarrollado y en Cuba. Esta enfermedad, que incluye infarto de miocardio, angina de pecho y muerte súbita, causa más muertes cada año que el resto de las enfermedades combinadas. El factor causal de mayor relevancia del infarto del miocardio, radica en la formación y evolución crónica de un ateroma, o eventos que son favorecidos por el estrés oxidativo, las citocinas proinflamatorias, la trombina y el no control de los factores de riesgo. La presente revisión se realizó con el propósito de explicar los mecanismos moleculares y la influencia de los factores de riesgo implicados en la fisiopatología de estas enfermedades. Se concluyó que las especies reactivas del oxígeno y el estrés oxidativo, desempeñan un papel importante en la fisiopatología de estas afecciones cardiovasculares, de relevancia para el diagnóstico y la terapéutica(AU)

Acute coronary syndrome is a health problem and is the leading cause of death in Europe, North America, and Cuba. This disease, which includes heart attack, angina and sudden death, causes more deaths each year than all other diseases combined. The most important causal factor of myocardial infarction lies in the formation and chronic evolution of atheroma, or events that are favored by oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, thrombin and no control of risk factors. This review was conducted in order to explain the molecular mechanisms and the influence of the risk factors involved in the pathophysiology of these diseases. It was concluded that reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress play an important role in the pathophysiology of such cardiovascular disorders, of relevance for its diagnosis and therapy(AU)

Quantifying the PBAC in a pediatric and adolescent gynecology population.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of the pictorial blood assessment chart (PBAC) for use as a valid screening tool for menorrhagia in adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: To conduct a prospective survey paired with retrospective chart review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine mean PBAC scores among adolescents presenting with menorrhagia versus normal or infrequent cycles. To determine the PBAC scores among adolescents self-identifying as having heavy, normal, or light menses. RESULTS: Seventy-three subjects met criteria. Teens self-identified as having "light," "medium," or "heavy" cycles. Groups were then subdivided: Group 1 "heavy menses," Group 2 "normal menses," and Group 3 "light menses." The mean age of menarche was similar in all groups: 11.59 ± 1.56 years, 11.41 ± 1.51 years, 11.78 ± .83 years in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean PBAC score for the cohort was 195, while the mean PBAC in Group 1 was 362, compared to 136 and 44 for Groups 2 and 3, respectively ( p < .002). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to address the use of the PBAC in an adolescent population. In addition, this study evaluates mean PBAC scores among teens who self-identify as having heavy, normal, or light periods. The incidence of bleeding disorders among those with menorrhagia was 20%, consistent with previously published studies.

[Predatory capacity of Macrobrachium tenellum on Aedes aegypti larvae in lab conditions]. / Capacidad depredadora del langostino Macrobrachium tenellum sobre larvas de Aedes aegypti en condiciones de laboratorio.

INTRODUCTION: in the last few years, a lot of importance has been given to natural predators against Aedes aegypti. Several organisms have been studied both in lab and in the field so as to find out their capacity to devour mosquito larvae. High densities of Macrobrachium tenellum are found in natural conditions, it is not aggressive and may stand wide ranges of temperature, rates of salinity and oxygen concentrations. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the predatory capacity of Macrobrachium tenellum on Aedes aegypti larvae in lab conditions. METHODS: very young Macrobrachium tenellum prawns measuring A(3.0-3.5cm) and B (4.5-5 cm) were used. The mosquito larvae were obtained after hatching of egss from adult females kept in entomological cages. Five, ten, fifteen and twenty Aedes aegypti larvae were placed per treatment per rank, whereas the second bioassays adjusted the number of larvae to 30, 40, 50 and 80 larvae per treatment per rank. RESULTS: Macrobrachium tenellum showed high rate of larval consumption for the two ranks and treatments. In the highest density (80 larvae), the consumption was 95% of larvae at 24 hours for rank A and 100% for rank B. CONCLUSIONS: Macrobrachium tenellum may be considered as a potential biological control agent, due to its abundant presence in natural conditions, its resistance to different environmental conditions and to its voraciousness seen in this study.

The incidence, attitudes and practices of the removal of pubic hair as a body modification.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, attitudes, and practices of the removal of pubic hair as a body modification. DESIGN: A voluntary, anonymous survey was conducted among adolescents and young women 12-20 years of age seen in gynecology clinics in Houston, Texas. RESULTS: There were a total of 171 adolescent participants surveyed, of whom 70.4% of reported routinely shaving or waxing their pubic hair. More traditional body modification methods were evaluated, and 3.5% reported tattoos and 57.1% reported piercings. Sexually active participants were more likely to remove pubic hair routinely. The areas of the body where the participants felt there was "too much" hair included the genital area, upper lip, and abdomen. Of total respondents, 14.7% reported feeling "pressure" from friends or family to participate in body modification such as tattooing, piercing, or removal of pubic hair. The decision to participate in body modification was mostly influenced by friends and family. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, removal of pubic hair as a body modification is common. The results of this study demonstrated that removal of pubic hair was more common in sexually active participants compared to non-sexually active participants. Therefore, providers should additionally be aware that removal of pubic hair may be a warning sign of sexual behaviors or impending sexual activity.

The incidence and surgical management of paratubal cysts in a pediatric and adolescent population.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of paratubal cysts (PTCs) in a pediatric and adolescent population. METHODS: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review was performed between the years of 1998 and 2008 at a single children's hospital. Inclusion criteria were met if pathology reports demonstrated diagnosis of PTC, hydrosalpinx, or hydatid of morgagni. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients had confirmed diagnoses of hydatid of morgagni, hydrosalpinx, or PTC. The incidence of PTCs was 7.3%. Mean age of PTC diagnosis was 13.7 ± 2.82 years, with 12.6% diagnosed premenarchal. Mean age menarche was 11.7 ± 1.34 years among pubertal females. The age of menarche and diagnosis of PTC correlated (Pearson, 0.54) (P < .0001). There was a small correlation between body mass index and size of PTC (r = 0.36; P ≤ .001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of PTCs was 7.3% in this pediatric and adolescent population. In addition, this is the first study to confirm presence of PTCs in prepubertal females. Surgeon should be aware of these benign cysts because they are frequently a source of abdominal pain in young girls. As nonphysiologic cysts, these will not resolve spontaneously and may increase in size and/or be at risk for adnexal torsion. Ultimately, surgical management is required for definitive resolution.

Paratubal cysts, obesity, and hyperandrogenism.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if an association exists between adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or hyperandrogenism (HA), obesity, and paratubal cysts (PTCs). DESIGN: An institutional review board-approved retrospective chart review was performed between the years of 1998 and 2008 at a single children's hospital. Inclusion criteria were met if pathology reports demonstrated diagnosis of PTC. Age of menarche, body mass index, surgical procedure, and findings were correlated with the presence of HA. RESULTS: The incidence of PTCs was 7.3% among 1524 females presenting with adnexal masses. One hundred three patients had a confirmed pathology diagnosis of PTC and underwent surgery for suspected torsion or persistent adnexal mass on imaging studies. Forty-five percent of surgical cases had ovarian or adnexal torsion. Mean age of PTC diagnosis for the entire cohort was 13.7 ± 2.82 years. Mean age of menarche was 11.7 ± 1.34 years among pubertal females. Four patients were premenarchal at the time of PTC diagnosis. Forty percent of pubertal females had a diagnosis of PCOS. Pubertal adolescents with features of HA had a higher body mass index (31.3 vs 26.2 kg/m(2), P = .003) and had a trend toward larger cysts (7.6 vs 6 cm, P = .235). Overall, a significant association existed between obesity and PTC (P = .007), although no definite association could be made about HA or PCOS. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated an association between PTCs and obesity. In addition, HA appears to be associated with a trend toward large PTCs, although results were not significant.

Sex cord tumor with annular tubules in a young adolescent with Von Willebrand's disease.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian sex cord tumor with annular tubules (SCTAT) is a rare form of ovarian neoplasm. CASE: A 12-year-old female presented with menometrorrhagia. During her evaluation, she was both diagnosed with von Willebrand disease (VWD) and found to have an ovarian neoplasm, which was ultimately determined to be an ovarian sex cord tumor with annular tubules (SCTAT). SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: As her diagnosis was temporally associated with her worsening symptoms and the presence of an ovarian mass, this tumor may have played a role in her VWD diagnosis. There are no previously reported cases of SCTAT associated with VWD. This case reminds physicians of the importance of evaluating patients with menometrorrhagia for bleeding conditions, in addition to considering hormone-secreting ovarian neoplasms, including SCTAT.

Adenomyosis in the adolescent population: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: This report presents a rare cause of dysmenorrhea in the adolescent female and the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with T2 weighted sequence in the identification of adenomyosis. CASE: Two adolescents who presented with persistent pelvic pain in the absence of outflow tract obstruction or biopsy confirmed endometriosis had MRI-findings consistent with adenomyosis. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: In the adolescent female presenting with persistent dysmenorrhea, a diagnosis of adenomyosis is rare but should remain a possibility as one considers the differential diagnosis.