High rates of (treated) hypothyroidism among chronic migraine patients consulting a specialized headache clinic: are we missing something?

Background: Roughly three percent of episodic migraine patients evolve into the most burdensome chronic form of this condition every year. While some of the determinants behind this transformation are well established, others are still ill defined. Hypothyroidism is a prevalent endocrinological disorder that can both produce a secondary headache or aggravate a pre-existing primary headache disorder such as migraine.

In vitro safety evaluation of rare earth-lean alloys for permanent magnets manufacturing.

Due to their exceptional physico-chemical and magnetic characteristics, rare earth (RE) permanent magnets are applied in multiple critical technologies. However, several environmental and economic difficulties arising from obtaining RE elements have prompted the search of alternatives with acceptable magnetic properties but containing a lower percentage of these elements in their composition. The aim of this work was to perform a preliminary toxicological evaluation of three forms of newly developed RE-lean alloys (one NdFeTi and two NdFeSi alloys) applying different in vitro assays, using as a benchmark a commercial NdFeB alloy.

Integration of expert knowledge in the definition of Swiss pear core collection.

Core collections (CCs) constitute a key tool for the characterization and management of genetic resources (GR). When the institutions involved in GR preservation decide to define a CC, they frequently prefer to select accessions based not only on strictly objective criteria, but also to add others following expert knowledge considerations (popularity, prestige, role in breeding history, or presence of phenotypic features of interest). The aim of this study was to evaluate the implications of approaches that combine formal analytical procedures and expert knowledge on the efficiency of CC definition through a case study to establish a pear CC from the Swiss National Pear Inventory.

Frequency of a natural truncated allele of in the germplasm of .

is the causal agent of powdery mildew (PM) in apple. To reduce the amount of fungicides required to control this pathogen, the development of resistant apple cultivars should become a priority. Resistance to PM was achieved in various crops by knocking out specific members of the gene family that are responsible for PM susceptibility (S-genes).

[ELDERLY ADULTS IN NURSING HOMES IN THE PROVINCE OF CORDOBA: OBJECTS OF CARE OR LEGAL SUBJECTS?].

Argentina is among the Ibero-American countries with the greatest old age population, and is going through a process of advanced demographic transition. Elderly adults have long been considered a vulnerable group in need of care. The purpose of this work was to problematize the conceptions underlying the care given to the elderly in nursing homes, and the possible slides this involves from a human rights stance.

Cognitive processing styles of children and adolescents with headache and back pain: a longitudinal epidemiological study.

Background: Previous research has shown positive relationships between dysfunctional cognitive styles and different aspects of pain (eg, pain frequency). One goal of our longitudinal study was to investigate potential risk factors for the incidence of headache (HA) and back pain (BP).

Methods: In the first wave (2003), questionnaires were sent to 6,400 children between the ages of 9 and 14 years.

Prospective Comparison of Loop Excision under Colposcopic Guidance versus Vitom Guidance.

Aim of the study was to compare the quality of loop excision using a colposcope with results using the VITOM system. Results compared included cervical volume removed, intra- and postoperative complications, and positive resection margins. A total of 200 patients with histologically confirmed high-grade cervical premalignant lesions, persistent atypical cytological results and/or suspicious colposcopic findings, and cytological and histological discrepancies were included in the study.

Sex-specific predictor analyses for the incidence of recurrent headaches in German schoolchildren.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify psychosocial risk factors for the incidence of recurrent headache (HA) in children/adolescents (8-15 years).

Method: In 2003 (Wave 1) a representative, population-based sample of 8800 parents was mailed a questionnaire. Those who took part were asked to participate again one year later (Wave 2).

Headache disorders in children and adolescents: their association with psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental factors.

Objective: This cross-sectional study on a randomly drawn population sample of children and adolescents (n = 3399; aged 9 to 15) aimed at the assessment of patterns of associations between psychosocial variables and primary headache disorders like migraine (MIG) or tension-type headache. A headache-free group served as a control.

Methods: Data on headache and psychological trait variables (eg, internalizing symptoms), behavioral factors (eg, physical activities), and socio-environmental factors (eg, life events) were gathered by questionnaire.

The effects of sex and gender role on responses to pressure pain.

Background: Several studies on experimental mechanical pain suggested a strong influence of sex demonstrating females to be more sensitive. We examined the hypothesis that not only sex but also gender role affects pain responsiveness and looked for mediators of this effect.

Method: As indicators of pain the threshold the intensity and the unpleasantness of pressure stimuli were measured, as well as sensory and affective quality of pain.

Multiple pains in children and adolescents: a risk factor analysis in a longitudinal study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of multiple pains (MPs) and detect psychosocial risk factors assessed 1 year previously.

Method: MPs were defined by the number of sites where pain was reported to occur at least "sometimes" in a general population sample of 2,219 German youths.

Results: Two or more sites of recurrent pain were reported by 54% of the participants, whereas 27% reported no pains.

Children in pain: recurrent back pain, abdominal pain, and headache in children and adolescents in a four-year-period.

Objective: To analyze the development of recurrent pain in 3 body locations in children and adolescents (baseline age, 9 to 14 years) in a 4-year period.

Study Design: In a large population-based longitudinal epidemiological study data was collected through annual postal questionnaires (longitudinal, n = 2025). Descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations were used.

Risk factors for headache in children.

Background: 10% to 30% of all children worldwide suffer from headaches at least once a week, potentially constituting a serious health problem that may lead to impairment in multiple areas. Therefore, one aim of the epidemiological longitudinal study "Children, Adolescents, and Headache" (KiJuKo) is the study of potential risk factors for the development of recurrent headaches.

Methods: In the first survey (2003), questionnaires were sent to 8800 households with a child between 7 and 14 years of age.

Agreement of parents and children on characteristics of pediatric headache, other pains, somatic symptoms, and depressive symptoms in an epidemiologic study.

Background: The objective of the present study was to assess the concordance between parent and child report regarding different domains of pediatric health, headache in particular. In addition, the influence of potential moderator variables on the agreement between parents and children was examined.

Methodology: In an epidemiologic study on a randomly drawn sample of households with at least 1 child in the family between 7 and 14 years of age (community registries), various pediatric health disturbances (headache, other pains, somatic symptoms, and depression/anxiety) were assessed via both child (from the age of 9 y on) and parent report (n=3461).

One-year course of paediatric headache in children and adolescents aged 8-15 years.

The aims of the present study were the assessment of headache (HA) prevalence in German children and adolescents in the second year of a 4-year longitudinal study and the analysis of headache status change from year 1 to year 2. The original sample consisted of 8800 households with a child aged 7-14 years. A total of 4159 households responded in both year 1 and year 2, yielding 3984 valid parent questionnaires.

[Miniature assistance module for robot-assisted heart surgery].

During the robotic enhanced minimally invasive cardiac surgery the approach to and the space for handling instruments in the operating field are usually reduced, compared to the conventional surgery. Additional well knewn problems are the restricted capability available for accessories into and out of the closed chest and the limited assistance during the cardiac procedure. This paper is presenting two solutions of Miniature Modules for supporting the surgeon inside the closed chest.