Prediction of the relationship of cesarean section scar niche and postmenstrual spotting: is there any relation?

Background Postmenstrual spotting has recently been related to a discontinuation of the myometrium at the site of a previous cesarean section called "CS scar niche". There was no consensus regarding the gold standard method for the assessment of the niche. Recently, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown promise in the evaluation of the niche. Our study aims to assess the role of MRI in the evaluation of the CS scar niche characters and its association with post-menstrual spotting. Results A total of 65 patients with CS niche were prospectively included in this study and subdivided into two groups, according to presence or absence of postmenstrual spotting (Group A; 34 patients with postmenstrual spotting and Group B; 31 patients without spotting). All patients were examined using a 1.5 T MRI unit. CS scar niche volume was significantly higher among women with post-menstrual spotting (0.57 ± 0.07 vs. 0.07 ± 0.05 (cm3); P < 0.001). Also, women with post-menstrual spotting have significantly higher scar length (9.38 ± 3.06 vs. 5.02 ± 2.10 (mm); P < 0.001), scar depth (6.95 ± 3.16 vs. 3.23 ± 0.99 (mm); P < 0.001), scar width (15.78 ± 3.94 vs. 9.87 ± 1.84 (mm); P < 0.001) in comparison to those without post-menstrual spotting. Scar depth (> 7.4 mm) had 81% sensitivity and 97% specificity for prediction of post-menstrual spotting with overall accuracy was 88.7%. While scar width (> 12.8 mm) had 71% sensitivity and 97% specificity for prediction of post-menstrual spotting with overall accuracy was 83.3%. Scar volume (> 0.15 cm3) had 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity for prediction of post-menstrual spotting with overall accuracy was 98.4%. Conclusion MRI measures (CS scar volume, depth, and width) are predictors for postmenstrual spotting in patients with CS scar niche, and scar volume is the most powerful predictor.

Daily alcohol use covaries with daily concentration problems across the lifespan: Findings from the MIDUS Refresher

Alcohol use is typically associated with impaired cognitive functioning on tasks related to attention and concentration. However, it remains unclear whether these impairments persist across days in ways that are noticeable to the individual. We examined this using the daily diary project of the Midlife in the United States Refresher cohort. Participants (n=710; Mage=50.5; range 25-75) completed 8 nights of telephone-based diaries (Mdiaries=6.87) that included questions about daily alcohol use (“how many drinks did you have today?”) and five items assessing concentration (e.g., “today, did you have difficulty concentrating?”) rated on a scale (1=none of the time to 5=all of the time). Using autoregressive multilevel models, we examined how same and previous day alcohol use related to perceived difficulties with concentration. Greater total alcohol use over the diary period was related to reports of concentration problems (b=.31, SE=.10, p=.002) though current day (b=-.03, SE=.04, p=.49) and previous day alcohol use (b=.05, SE=.04, p=.23) were not. The association between previous day use and concentration problems was qualified by an interaction with total alcohol use (b=-.07, SE=.03, p=.002). Individuals who drank less alcohol in general, experienced greater perceived concentration problems following the days on which they did drink (b=.14, SE=.07, p=.03) relative to those who drank more alcohol across the diary period (b=-.04, SE=.04, p=.36). This relationship did not vary based on age, sex, or education. These results suggest that daily alcohol use could impair concentration across days, particularly for those adults who tend to consume less alcohol.

Study of Growth and Survival of Mud Crab (Scylla serrata, Forskal) with Different Salinity Levels in culture media

The aim of this study to find out the optimal level of salinity for the growth and survival of the mud crab (Scylla serrata). The weight of crab seeds were about 47.65-51.32 grams and the carapace length ranged from 64.35-71.30 mm, then put into 12 tanks (1 m x 1 m x 0.4 m) with a density of 4 crab seed per tank. During the maintenance of this test, mangrove crab was fed with fresh chicken intestines as much as 10% of its body weight per day. Water changes are carried out more than 150% per week. At the beginning of the experiment, each tank was conditioned to the same water salinity in all experimental units, namely 33 ppt. To see the effect of differences in salinity levels on the growth and survival of mud crabs, 4 treatments were made consisting of (A) 33 ppt salt content, (B) 31 ppt salt content, (C). The salt content is 29 ppt, and (D) the salt content is 27 ppt. From the results of this experiment, it is known that a decrease in the salt content of 4 ppt is the best treatment for the growth of mud crabs, but has no effect on the survival value.

ASSESSMENT OF THE CONDITION OF THE ROCK MASSIVE ABOVE THE SUBMERGED SALT MINE ON THE SALT DEPOSIT IN TUZLA IN THE POST-EXPLOITATION PERIOD

This paper assesses the condition of the "rock massiv" above the closed Tušanj salt mine based on the results of monitoring in the post-exploitation period of the salt deposit in Tuzla. The results of individual monitoring segments realized from 2002 until today, geodetic, hydrogeological, engineering-geological, chemical and geophysical, were analyzed in order to assess the condition of rocks above the mining premises of Tušanj mine, in the rock collapse zone above mine well B-31. The results will be used to assess the condition of the massiv in the post-exploitation period in the Tušanj district and will be the basis for conducting additional research.

EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH CIR-RHOSIS AFTER SURGICAL PREVENTION OF BLEEDING FROM VARI-COSEVEINS OF THE ESOPHAGUS

The scientific work is based on the experience of endoscopic ligation of varicose veins of the esophagus (EVV) in 65 patients with liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension syndrome. The degree of ERVP was established in accordance with the classification of K.J. Paquet (1982). Varicose veins of the esophagus of III and IV degrees were recorded in 58 (89.2%) patients. For a comprehensive assessment of the degree of liver failure, the Child-Pugh scale was used (1973). 11 (16.9%) patients were assigned to class A, 23 (35.4%) to class B, 31 (47.7%) patients to class C. The effectiveness of endoscopic ligation in the prevention of bleeding was 92.2%. Recurrence of esophageal-gastric bleeding in the immediate period occurred in 3 patients. Hospital mortality was 4.6%. In the long-term period after endoscopic eradication, recurrence of esophageal varicose veins was diagnosed in 27.8% of patients. Endoscopic ligation of varicose veins of the esophagus is an effective method for stopping and preventing bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Mastectomia subcutánea con reconstruccion inmediata del complejo areolo-mamilar en transexuales masculinos

Introducción: Se presenta experiencia realizada en Servicio de Salud Talcahuano, de masculinización mamaria en el proceso de reasignación sexual, de transexuales masculinos. En Chile se estima que habrían 754 mujeres transexuales. Metodología: Estudio de 47 individuos, intervenidos en Hospital Las Higueras de Talcahuano, entre 2006 y 2019, sometidos a masculinización mamaria mediante mastectomía subcutánea y reconstrucción del complejo areolomamilar. Resultados: Se intervinieron pacientes de todo el país; 59% corresponde a octava región; 42,5 % operados entre los años 2017 y 2018. Un 36% rango de edad de 18 a 22 años. Un 68% IMC entre 24 y 30. Según el tamaño de las mamas, 57 % copa B, 31% C, 12% D y 12 % de gigantomastia. Un 29 %, peso promedio de la mastectomía fue de 600 gramos; un 29% de 300 gramos y en 9 % mas de 800 gramos por lado. En 68% se utilizó abordaje submamario e injerto de piel total del complejo areola pezon (CAP); otras tecnicas fueron periareolar, incisión en T y liposucción. La complicación mas frecuente fue la colección. Biopsia normal en un 100 % . Discusión: Experiencia pionera en Chile, realizada en un Hospital Público, en el difícil proceso de reasignación de género, en la problación transexual de Chile. Individuos muy estigmatizados de parte de la comunidad, que encontraron en el Servicio de Salud de Talcahuano, una mano amiga, que les extendió su apoyo desinteresado y calificado, logrando excelentes resultados finales.

Comparison of gut microbiota in exclusively breast-fed and formula-fed babies: a study of 91 term infants

To compare gut microbiota of healthy infants that were exclusively breast-fed or formula-fed, we recruited 91 infants, who were assigned into three different groups and fed by breast milk (30 babies), formula A (30 babies) or formula B (31 babies) exclusively for more than 4 months after birth. Faecal bacterial composition was tested. Among different groups, α diversity was lower in breast-fed group than formula-fed groups in 40 days of age, but increased significantly in 6 months of age. The Bifidobacterium represented the most predominant genus and Enterobacteriaceae the second in all groups. In 40 days of age, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides were significantly higher, while Streptococcus and Enterococcus were significantly lower in breast-fed group than they were in formula A-fed group. Lachnospiraceae was lower in breast-fed than formula B-fed group. Veillonella and Clostridioides were lower in breast-fed than formula-fed groups. In 3 months of age there were less Lachnospiraceae and Clostridioides in breast-fed group than formula-fed groups. There were also significant differences of microbiota between formula A-fed and formula B-fed groups. Those differences may have impacts on their long-term health.

Validation of the NSABP/NRG Oncology 8-Gene Trastuzumab-benefit Signature in Alliance/NCCTG N9831

Our objective was to validate the NSABP 8-gene trastuzumab-benefit signature, developed and initially validated in NRG Oncology/NSABP B-31 in Alliance/NCCTG N9831. The B-31 and N9831 trials demonstrated the benefit of adding trastuzumab to chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting for HER2+ breast cancer patients. NSABP investigators utilized gene expression profiles of N9831 patients (N = 892) to blindly assign patients to large-, moderate-, or no-trastuzumab benefit groups and then NCCTG investigators assessed the degree of trastuzumab benefit using Cox models adjusted for age, nodes, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status, tumor size, and grade. Hazard ratios and 2-sided P values for recurrence-free survival of the predicted large- (n = 387), moderate- (n = 401), and no-benefit (n = 104) groups, based on the 8-gene signature were 0.47 (95% CI = 0.31 to 0.73, P &lt; .001), 0.60 (95% CI = 0.39 to 0.92, P = .02), and 1.54 (95% CI = 0.59 to 4.02, P = .38), respectively (Pinteraction = .02), providing validation of the 8-gene signature in an independent study.

Grain Yield Stability of Rice Genotypes

Stability analysis identifies the adaptation of a crop genotype in different environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate promising rice genotypes for yield stability at different mid-hill environments of Nepal. The multilocation trials were conducted in 2017 and 2018 at three locations viz Lumle, Kaski; Pakhribas, Dhankuta; and Kabre, Dolakha. Seven rice genotypes namely NR11115-B-B-31-3, NR11139-B-B-B-13-3, NR10676-B-5-3, NR11011-B-B-B-B-29, NR11105-B-B-27, 08FAN10, and Khumal-4 were evaluated in each location. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The rice genotype NR10676-B-5-3 produced the highest grain yield (6.72 t/ha) among all genotypes. The growing environmental factors (climate and soil conditions) affect the grain yield performance of rice genotypes. The variation in climatic factors greatly contributed to the variation in grain yield. Polygon view of genotypic main effect plus genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplot showed that the genotypes NR10676-B-53 and NR11105-B-B-27 were suitable for Lumle; NR11115-B-B-31-3 and NR11139-B-B-B-13-3 for Pakhribas; and 08FAN10 and NR11011-B-B-B-B-29 for Kabre. The GGE biplot showed that genotype NR10676-B-5-3 was stable hence it was near to the point of ideal genotype. This study suggests that NR10676-B-5-3 can be grown for higher grain yield production in mid-hills of Nepal.