Evaluation of the potassium adsorption capacity of a potassium adsorption filter during rapid blood transfusion.

The concentration of extracellular potassium in red blood cell concentrates (RCCs) increases during storage, leading to risk of hyperkalemia. A potassium adsorption filter (PAF) can eliminate the potassium at normal blood transfusion. This study aimed to investigate the potassium adsorption capacity of a PAF during rapid blood transfusion. We tested several different potassium concentrations under a rapid transfusion condition using a pressure bag. The adsorption rates of the 70-mEq/l model were 76·8%. The PAF showed good potassium adsorption capacity, suggesting that this filter may provide a convenient method to prevent hyperkalemia during rapid blood transfusion.

An automated method for detecting architectural distortions on mammograms using direction analysis of linear structures.

Architectural distortion is one of the most important findings when evaluating mammograms for breast cancer. Abnormal breast architecture is characterized by the presence of spicules, which are distorted mammary structures that are not accompanied by an increased density or mass. We have been developing an automated method for detecting spiculated architectural distortions by analyzing linear structures extracted by normal curvature. However, some structures that are possibly related to distorted areas are not extracted using this method. The purpose of this study was to develop a new automated method for direction analysis of linear structures to improve detection performance in mammography. The direction of linear structures in each region of interest (ROI) was first determined using a direction filter and a background filter that can define one of eight directions (0°, 22.5°, 45°, 67.5°, 90°, 112.5°, 135°, and 157.5°). The concentration and isotropic indexes were calculated using the determined direction of the linear structures in order to extract the candidate areas. Discriminant analysis was performed to eliminate false positives results. Our database consisted of 168 abnormal images containing 174 distorted areas and 580 normal images. The sensitivity of the new method was 81%. There were 2.6 and 4.2 false positives per image using the new and previous methods, respectively. These findings show that our new method is effective for detecting spiculated architectural distortions.

Automated segmentation of recuts abdominis muscle using shape model in X-ray CT images.

Our purpose in this study is to segment the rectus abdominis muscle region in X-ray CT images, and we propose a novel recognition method based on the shape model. In this method, three steps are included in the segmentation process. The first is to generate a shape model for the rectus abdominis muscle. The second is to recognize anatomical feature points corresponding to the origin and insertion of the muscle, and the third is to segment the rectus abdominis muscles based on the shape model. We generated the shape model from 20 CT cases and tested the model to recognize the muscle in 20 other CT cases. The average values for the Jaccard similarity coefficient (JSC) and true segmentation coefficient (TSC) were 0.841 and 0.863, respectively. The results suggest the validity of the model-based segmentation for the rectus abdominis muscle.

[Consequences of the premenstrual stress syndrome in women's life]. / Conseqüências da síndrome da tensão pré-menstrual na vida da mulher.

This study has as objective to identify the possible consequences of the Syndrome of the Pre-menstrual Tension in the woman's life. Through the questionnaire, we identified disturb related to physical and emotional discomfort and as consequences the alterations in the relationships involving son, husband/boyfriend and family, as well as in the work atmosphere.

[Students' background in the profession and duties in assistant nursing at the time of entering the course]. / Conhecimento dos alunos que ingressam no curso de auxiliar de enfermagem em relação ao ser profissional e as suas atribuições.

This descriptive and exploratory study focused on verifying how knowledgeable the students of the Auxiliary Nursing Course are regarding their profession and the attributes thereof. Results were that, as far as the students are concerned, being and attendant involves interpersonal relationship, responsibility, theorist-scientific know-how and competence.

[Married couples' experiences at a human reproduction center]. / Experiências de casais que procuram o centro de reprodução humana.

The present study was intended to understand the feeling demonstrated by married couples seeking a Human Reproduction Center for infertility evaluation. Intending to understand the way Assisted Reproduction is experienced from the couple's perspective, a phenomenological approach was adopted and the directing question was: "How do you feel using the Assisted Reproduction as a treatment?"

[The teaching/learning process in uterine palpation and measurement: the effect of practice]. / Processo ensino-aprendizagem da técnica de palpação e mensuração uterina: influência da prática.

The present study related to the teaching-learning process concerning the uterine measurement and palpation technique, it was intended to analyze the influence practice had on the Undergraduation Nursing students' skills acquired knowledge by the use of that technique. Applying a standard instrument previously developed for this study, the students' evaluation was carried out in two phases. The results showed a significant improvement in the students' performance skills and descriptive knowledge. Thus, this study was able to stress the importance of practice for the motor-perceptive skills in the teaching-learning process.

Antigenic analysis of Chlamydia pecorum and mammalian Chlamydia psittaci by use of monoclonal antibodies to the major outer membrane protein and a 56- to 64-kd protein.

Monoclonal antibodies were prepared against 40- and 56- to 64-kd antigens of Chlamydia pecorum strain Maeda, which was isolated from a cow with pneumonia. Using the monoclonal antibodies, 5 strains of C pecorum, 25 strains of mammalian and 19 strains of avian C psittaci, 1 strain of C pneumoniae, and 3 strains of C trachomatis were analyzed for immunologic reactivity by use of the indirect immunofluorescent test. Monoclonal antibody analysis revealed immunologic relatedness between C pecorum and mammalian strains of C psittaci, which were completely differentiated from the other avian strains. Bovine strains were distinguished from ovine strains. Antigenic diversity was observed for bovine and ovine strains. Feline- and guinea pig-derived strains were shown to be immunologically different from bovine and ovine strains. Results provide the basis for typing and epidemiologic study of bovine and ovine strains of C pecorum and C psittaci.