Photon Doppler velocimetry measurements of transverse surface velocities.

The goal of this work was to develop a technique for making transverse surface velocity measures utilizing Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV). Such a task is achieved by transmitting light and collecting Doppler-shifted light at an angle relative to the normal axis, where measured velocities are representative of a component of the transverse velocity. Because surface characteristics have an intrinsic effect on light scatter, different surface preparations were explored to direct reflectivity, including diffusion by means of sandpapering, or increasing retroreflectivity by coating with microspheres, milling v-cuts, and electrochemically etching grooves. Testing of these surface preparations was performed using an experiment featuring a 30 mm diameter aluminum disk rotating at 6000 or 6600 RPM. A single PDV collimator was positioned along the rotational axis of the disk at various angles, resolving the apparent transverse velocity. To characterize surface preparations, light return and velocities were recorded as a function of probe angle ranging from 0° to 51° from the surface normal for each preparation. Polished and electrochemically etched surfaces did not provide enough reflected light to resolve a beat frequency; however, sandpapered surfaces, retroreflective microspheres, and milled v-cuts provided adequate reflected light for incidence angles up to 51°. Applications of the surface preparations were then studied in gas gun experiments. Retroreflective microspheres were studied in a planar impact experiment, and milled v-cuts were studied in an oblique impact experiment. A normal and transverse profile of particle velocity was resolved in the oblique impact experiment.

Laparoscopic vs Open Pyeloplasty in Children: Results of a Randomized, Prospective, Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Open dismembered pyeloplasty is the preferred repair for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Minimally invasive techniques have been applied to the original open approach but no clear advantage has been demonstrated for these technological advances. We evaluate outcomes between transperitoneal laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All children 1 to 18 years old with ureteropelvic junction obstruction requiring operative repair were offered enrollment in the study. Patients were prospectively randomized to either laparoscopic or open pyeloplasty through a flank incision. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients in the laparoscopic group and 48 in the open group were enrolled from 2005 to 2014. Mean followup was similar between the groups (13.7 months in the laparoscopic group vs 12.3 months in the open group, p = 0.54). The only significantly different outcomes were for mean operative time, which was 139.5 minutes (range 94 to 213) in the laparoscopic group and 122.5 minutes (83 to 239) in the open group (p <0.01), and mean length of stay, which was 25.9 hours (18 to 143) in the laparoscopic group and 28.2 hours (16 to 73) in the open group (p = 0.02). Analgesic usage, success rate, total charges and all parameters in children older than 11 years were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Open and laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty are comparable and effective methods for repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Although operative time was statistically shorter in the open group and length of stay was shorter in the laparoscopic group, the clinical significance of these variables is questionable. The approach to repair may best be based on family preference for incision aesthetics and surgeon comfort with either approach, rather than more classically objective outcome measures.

[Description of sexual practices of women who have sex with other women to HIV / AIDS in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)]. / Description des pratiques sexuelles des femmes ayant des rapports sexuels avec d'autres femmes face au VIH/sida à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

The response to HIV must be based on all situations of risk and vulnerability related to sexual behavior. Sexual practices of women who have sex with other women to HIV described in his study come within this framework. This transversal and descriptive study on the sexual practices of 150 women who have sex with other women to HIV was conducted from July to September 2010 in Abidjan. Mean age of the respondents was 26.6 years. Among them, 21.3% was illiterate, 41.4% had no earned income and 57.3% was Christians. At the time of data collection, the majority (70.7%) did not know their HIV status. The analysis of sexual practices has found 13.3% of lesbians, bisexual, 36% and 50.7% of women who say they are lesbian even if they have had sex with men. Women who have sex with other women had sexual risk behavior. It was mostly the non-systematic use of the condom during sexual relation (60%). Among the 26.7% of respondents who had lesbian practices with penetration, 40% took no precaution to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Taking into account these results could help to develop specific strategies to promote responsible sexual practices among women who have sex with other women.

Maternal omega 3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy to a micronutrient-imbalanced diet protects postnatal reduction of brain neurotrophins in the rat offspring.

An altered one carbon cycle (folic acid, vitamin B(12)) and omega 3 fatty acid metabolism during pregnancy can increase the risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring. Our earlier studies have shown that a maternal diet imbalanced with micronutrients like folic acid, vitamin B(12) reduces levels of brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and neurotrophins in the offspring at birth. The present study examines whether these effects can be reversed by a postnatal diet. Pregnant female rats were divided into six treatment groups at two levels of folic acid both in the presence and absence of vitamin B(12). Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation was given to the vitamin B(12)-deficient groups. Following delivery, eight dams from each group were randomly shifted back to control and remaining eight continued on the same treatment diet. Plasma homocysteine levels could be normalized by a postnatal control diet. Brain DHA levels were similar in all the groups irrespective of the diet consumed during lactation. Brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were lower in both the vitamin B(12)-deficient groups even after consuming a diet with normal levels of vitamin B(12) during lactation (p<0.05 for all) indicating that the effects of maternal programing with respect to neurotrophins cannot be reversed by a postnatal diet. Our findings for the first time suggest that omega 3 fatty acid supplementation to a micronutrient-imbalanced diet, during pregnancy and lactation protects the levels of BDNF and NGF. This may have significant implications in the development of psychiatric disorders/cognitive deficits in later life.

Altered brain neurotrophins at birth: consequence of imbalance in maternal folic acid and vitamin B12 metabolism.

Folic acid fortification to pregnant women is suggested to mask vitamin B12 deficiency leading to adverse neurologic consequences. The present study examines the effect of maternal folic acid supplementation at normal and excess levels both in the presence and absence of vitamin B12 on levels and expression of brain neurotrophins in Wistar Albino rats. Pregnant female rats were assigned to six dietary groups with varying levels of folic acid and vitamin B12, that is, (NFB: 2 mg folic acid+B12; NFBD: 2 mg folic acid-B12; EFB: 8 mg folic acid+B12; EFBD: 8 mg folic acid-B12; NFBDO: 2 mg folic acid-B12+DHA and EFBDO: 8 mg folic acid-B12+DHA). On day 20 of gestation pup brain samples were collected to assess protein and mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Brain BDNF protein and mRNA levels were reduced (P<0.01 for both) in the EFBD group as compared to control. However, NGF protein levels were reduced (P<0.05) only in the EFBD group in comparison to EFB and control. Maternal supplementation of DHA improved pup brain NGF protein levels only in the NFBDO (P<0.05) and EFBDO (P<0.05) groups compared to NFBD and EFBD respectively. Our results suggest that maternal micronutrients during pregnancy play an important role in regulating protein and mRNA levels of neurotrophins. Maternal DHA supplementation to a micronutrient imbalanced diet could ameliorate the negative effects only for NGF but not for BDNF.

Willingness to undergo split-dose bowel preparation for colonoscopy and compliance with split-dose instructions.

BACKGROUND: Split-dose bowel preparations for colonoscopy have superior effectiveness compared with giving all the preparation the evening before colonoscopy. Some physicians believe that split-dose preparations would be unpopular with patients scheduled for early morning colonoscopies. AIMS: To determine the willingness of potential patients to undergo split-dose bowel preparation for colonoscopy and the actual adherence of colonoscopy patients to split-dose instructions. METHODS: We performed a survey of esophagogastroduodenoscopy patients and drivers of colonoscopy patients asking whether they would accept split-dose preparations for early morning colonoscopy appointments. We also asked colonoscopy patients scheduled in the early morning if they had complied with the written preparation instructions. RESULTS: Of the 300 individuals surveyed, the majority (85%) stated they would be willing to get up during the night to take the second dose of preparation. Of 107 colonoscopy patients with early morning appointments, 78% actually got up during the night to take the second dose of preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptance of and compliance with split-dose bowel preparations is high and should not be a deterrent to prescribing split-dose preparations for colonoscopy.

Pets, attachment, and well-being across the life cycle.

Using an ethological framework of attachment developed by Bowlby and the social provisions of relationships delineated by Weiss, this article explores the ways in which family pets, in particular dogs and cats, provide certain components of attachment that contribute to emotional and social well-being throughout the life cycle. Pets may supply ongoing comfort and reduce feelings of loneliness during adversity or stressful transitions such as divorce or bereavement. They can also provide an opportunity to nurture others. In clinical practice it helps to be aware of how significant a pet may be to a client. Implications are identified for social policies that will protect and maintain this bond for particular populations, such as elderly people in nursing homes or retirement communities and individuals going through a life transition.

Attachment, anxiety, and loss of a husband.

Using a conceptual framework of attachment, an interview study of 81 women whose spouses had died indicated that anxiety and fear are prevalent throughout the first three years of bereavement. In addition, those women identified as anxiously attached in their relationships reported a more distressful adjustment. Implications of the findings are discussed.