Predictive significance of standardized uptake value parameters of FDG-PET in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma

18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is widely used to diagnose and stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the predictive ability of different FDG standardized uptake values (SUVs) in 74 patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC. 18F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed and different SUV parameters (SUVmax, SUVavg, SUVT/L, and SUVT/A) obtained, and their relationship with clinical characteristics were investigated. Meanwhile, correlation and multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to determine the primary predictor of SUVs for NSCLC. Age, gender, and tumor size significantly affected SUV parameters. The mean SUVs of squamous cell carcinoma were higher than those of adenocarcinoma. Poorly differentiated tumors exhibited higher SUVs than well-differentiated ones. Further analyses based on the pathologic type revealed that the SUVmax, SUVavg, and SUVT/L of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma tumors were higher than those of moderately or well-differentiated tumors. Among these four SUV parameters, SUVT/L was the primary predictor for tumor differentiation. However, in adenocarcinoma, SUVmax was the determining factor for tumor differentiation. Our results showed that these four SUV parameters had predictive significance related to NSCLC tumor differentiation; SUVT/L appeared to be most useful overall, but SUVmax was the best index for adenocarcinoma tumor differentiation.

Significance of clay art therapy for psychiatric patients admitted in a day hospital / Significado de la arteterapia con arcilla para los pacientes psiquiátricos en un hospital de día / Significado da arteterapia com argila para os pacientes psiquiátricos num hospital de dia

Objective. To understand the significance of clay art therapy for psychiatric patients admitted in a day hospital. Methodology. Qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research, undertaken with 16 patients in a day hospital in Londrina, in the state of Parana, Brazil, who participated in seven clay therapy sessions. Data collection took place from January to July 2012 through interviews guided by a semi structured questionnaire and the data were submitted to content analysis. Results. Three themes emerged: Becoming familiar with clay art therapy; Feeling clay therapy; and Realizing the effect of clay therapy. Conclusion. The use of clay as a therapeutic method by psychiatric patients promoted creativity, self-consciousness, and benefited those who sought anxiety relief.

Objetivo. Comprender el significado de la arteterapia con arcilla para pacientes psiquiátricos en un hospital de día. Metodología. Estudio descriptivo y exploratorio, cualitativo, realizado con 16 pacientes en un hospital de día en Londrina - PR, Brasil, quienes asistieron a 7 sesiones de arteterapia con arcilla. Los datos fueron recolectados de enero a julio de 2012 mediante entrevistas guiadas por cuestionario semiestructurado cuyos datos fueron sometidos a análisis de contenido. Resultados. Emergieron tres temas: acercarse a la arte-terapia con arcilla, sintiendo la terapia con arcilla y percibir el efecto del tratamiento con arcilla. Conclusión. El uso de la arcilla como medio terapéutico en estos pacientes psiquiátricos promovió la creatividad y la conciencia de sí mismo; también brindó beneficios a aquellos que buscaban alivio de la ansiedad.

Objetivo. Compreender o significado da arteterapia com argila para pacientes psiquiátricos num hospital de dia. Metodologia. Estudo descritivo e exploratório, qualitativo, realizado com 16 pacientes num hospital de dia em Londrina - PR, Brasil, que assistiram a 7 sessões de arteterapia com argila. Os dados foram coletados de janeiro a julho de 2012 através de entrevistas guiadas por questionário semiestruturado e os dados foram submetidos a análises de conteúdo. Resultados. Emergiram três temas: acercar-se à arte-terapia com argila, sentindo a terapia com argila, e perceber o efeito do tratamento com argila. Conclusão. O uso da argila como meio terapêutico nestes pacientes psiquiátricos promoveu a criatividade, a consciência de si mesmo e teve benefício naqueles que procuravam alívio da ansiedade.