An international HIV pharmacology specialty laboratory (PSL) was established at the University of Zimbabwe to increase bioanalytical and investigator capacities. Quantitation of plasma nevirapine in samples from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol 5279 was compared between the University of Nebraska Medical Center PSL and the University of Zimbabwe PSL. Both PSLs employed internally developed methods utilising reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Eighty-seven percent of the cross-validation results exhibited ± 20% difference.

INTRODUCTION: Professionalism in the healthcare setting refers to the standards a patient can expect from his/her healthcare practitioner (HCP). Appearance, behaviour, attitude and communication skills are all attributes of professionalism AIM: To assess the perceptions of patients of the professionalism of oral health students at an South African Tertiary Oral Health Care Centre (SA-OHC METHODS: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Photographs depicting various dress codes were included in the questionnaire given to patients RESULTS: A total of 118 patients with a mean age of 44 years (sd-18.16) were interviewed. The majority (n=76; 65%) were previously booked patients; 72% female; 53% black; and 85% in the earning category of up to R3000 p/m. The Cronbach alpha score was good at 0.7. 96% of patients agreed that the students looked professional in lab coats (79.5%), then surgical gowns (55.9%) and thirdly scrubs (50.9%) although not in formal wear (66%. In terms of communication skills and behaviour, students were highly rated (91%-99%). Payment classification, education level and gender influenced patient perceptions (p<0.05 CONCLUSION: Students were highly regarded by patients generally, and patients perceived lab coats and surgical gowns to be more professional than formal garb

ABSTRACT Costus spiralis is a Brazilian native plant used in popular medicine, but the safety of this therapeutic use needs investigation. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cytogenotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of C. spiralis leaves or stems aqueous extracts on Allium cepa root cells. Moreover, a phytochemical screening and an antioxidant and antifungal activities evaluation were performed. C. spiralis aqueous extracts presented cytotoxicity, but no mutagenicity was observed. When the antigenotoxicity was evaluated, C. spiralis leaves aqueous extract presented preventive and modulatory effects on A. cepa root cells, reducing the sodium azide cytogenotoxic effects. In contrast, C. spiralis stems aqueous extract enhanced the sodium azide cytogenotoxicity in some conditions. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolic compounds in C. spiralis. When total phenolic content was determined, the leaves presented 73% more phenolic content than stems. Corroborating this data, C. spiralis leaves antioxidant potential was 30% higher than C. spiralis stems. However, these extracts did not present antifungal activity against Candida spp. In conclusion, empirical utilization of C. spiralis aqueous extracts should be avoided. Moreover, the cytotoxic effect of C. spiralis leaves and stems can play an important role in anticancer therapy and must be deeply studied.

Basal ganglia have complex functional connections with the cerebral cortex and are involved in motor control, executive functions of the forebrain, such as the planning of movement, and cognitive behaviors based on their connections. The aim of this study was to provide detailed functional correlation patterns between the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex by conducting an interregional correlation analysis of the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) data based on precise structural information. Fifteen participants were scanned with 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and high resolution research tomography (HRRT)-PET fusion system using 18F-FDG. For detailed interregional correlation analysis, 24 subregions of the basal ganglia including pre-commissural dorsal caudate, post-commissural caudate, pre-commissural dorsal putamen, post-commissural putamen, internal globus pallidus, and external globus pallidus and 80 cerebral regions were selected as regions of interest on the MRI image and their glucose metabolism were calculated from the PET images. Pearson's product-moment correlation analysis was conducted for the interregional correlation analysis of the basal ganglia. Functional correlation patterns between the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex were not only consistent with the findings of previous studies, but also showed new functional correlation between the dorsal striatum (i.e., caudate nucleus and putamen) and insula. In this study, we established the detailed basal ganglia subregional functional correlation patterns using 18F-FDG PET/MRI fusion imaging. Our methods and results could potentially be an important resource for investigating basal ganglia dysfunction as well as for conducting functional studies in the context of movement and psychiatric disorders.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of a pure reduction in the dietary crude protein (CP) and metabolic energy (ME) contents on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, faecal microflora and odour gas emission in weaned pigs. A total of 80 weaned piglets ((Landrace x Yorkshire) x Duroc) with a mean initial bodyweight (BW) of 6.8 ± 0.5 kg were randomly allotted to four treatments with four replicate pens of five piglets per pen (based on average BW) for 45 days. The dietary treatments consisted of i) CON: basal diet; ii) LME: reduction of 10% of ME in basal diet; iii) LCP: reduction of 10% of CP in basal diet; iv) MECP: reduction of 10% of CP and 10% of ME in basal diet. During the experimental period, average daily feed intake (ADFI) improved in piglets fed the LME and LCP diets, compared with those fed the CON diets. Average daily gain (adG) and gain to feed (G : F) ratio decreased in piglets fed LCP, LME, and MECP diet, when compared with those fed the CON diet. However, during the total experimental period, ADG and G : F ratio were not affected by dietary treatment. With regard to nutrient digestibility, apparent total track digestibility (ATTD) of CP was not affected by experimental diets. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in blood decreased more in piglets fed LME, LCP, and MECP than those fed the CON diet. The emissions of ammonia (NH3), hydrogen sufide (H2S), and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were lower in piglets fed LME, LCP, and MECP diet than those fed the CON diet. In conclusion, these results indicate that reduction in dietary CP and ME content did not decrease growth performance and nutrient digestibility, and they increased positive effects such as BUN and gas emission reduction.

Experiment 1 was a feeding trial in which 75 (Landrace x Yorkshire) x Duroc pigs with average initial bodyweight (BW) of 26 ±1 kg were used. It was assigned to three pigs/pen and five pens/treatment. Experiment 2 was a metabolic trial in which 25 (Landrace x Yorkshire) x Duroc pigs with average initial bodyweight (BW) of 36 ± 1 kg were used. The basal diet consisted of maize (57.71 %), soybean meal (32.45 %), and wheat bran (5 %). Treatments consisted of i) CON (control diet); ii) OE (organic acid + essential oils) (Aviplus-S®), that is, CON + 0.05 % OE; iii) OC (organic charcoal) (Olga Black®), that is, CON + 0.1 % OC; iv) AE (anise extracts) (RESQ®), that is, CON + 0.015 % AE; and v) PB (probiotics) (Bonvital®), that is, CON + 0.1 % PB. Average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed ratio (G : F) were significantly higher in the OE and AE groups than in the others. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) for OE, OC, and AE treatments was significantly higher than that for CON and PB treatments. Dry matter (DM) digestibility was significantly higher in AE than CON. Crude protein (CP) was significantly higher in OE, AE, and PB than CON. CON and other treatments did not cause significant differences in blood l-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glucose. NH3emissions were significantly lower in all treated groups than in CON. Among the treatments, NH3emissions were lowest in OE and AE. H2S emissions were significantly lower in OE, AE, and PB than in CON. Among the treatments, OE and AE were most effective at reducing H2S emissions. The emissions of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) showed no significant difference between treatments and CON. In conclusion, this experiment was shown to be more effective on growth performance, malodour emission, blood profiles, and nutrient digestibility in OE and AE than other additives.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding diets with fermented whole crop wheat (FWW) and fermented whole crop barley (FWB) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood constituents, faecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) emission and faecal microbiota in growing pigs. A total of 200 growing pigs were randomly allotted to five treatments with eight replicates per treatment and five pigs per replicate. Dietary treatments consisted of i) CON (basal diet), ii) 0.5% FWW (CON + 0.5% fermented whole crop wheat), iii) 1.0% FWW (CON + 1.0% fermented whole crop wheat), iv) 0.5% FWB (CON + 0.5% fermented whole crop barley), and v) 1.0% FWB (CON + 1.0% fermented whole crop barley). The digestibility of total dietary fibre was significantly higher in pigs fed FWW diets. The faecal emissions of VFA of pigs fed the fermented treatments was increased significantly compared with CON. Concentrations of cortisol and triglyceride in blood of pigs fed 1.0% FWW were significantly lower than pigs fed CON diets. The pigs fed 1.0% FWB diets had a significantly decreased level of total cholesterol in blood compared with CON. In conclusion, the current results indicated that diets supplemented with FWW and FWB could increase faecal VFA emission and reduce concentration of triglyceride and cortisol, while 0.5% and 1.0% FWW had no negative effects on growth performance, and could increase digestibility of dietary fibre in growing pigs.

BACKGROUND: Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is often required to perform dental procedures in children. Serious adverse outcomes, while rare, are usually preventable OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of dental practitioners making use of paediatric dental chair PSA in Gauteng Province, South Africa, describe their PSA practice, and determine compliance with recommended safety standards METHOD: A prospective, contextual, descriptive study design was used, with 222 randomly selected dental practitioners contacted to determine whether they offered paediatric dental chair PSA. Practitioners offering PSA were then asked to complete a web-based questionnaire assessing their practice RESULTS: Of the 213 dental practitioners contacted, 94 (44.1%; 95% confidence interval 37 - 51) provided PSA to children. Most patients were 1 - 5 years old, although there were practices that offered PSA to infants. While most procedures were performed under minimal to moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anaesthesia were also administered in dental rooms. Midazolam was the most frequently used sedative agent, often in conjunction with inhaled nitrous oxide; 28.1% of PSA providers administered a combination of three or more agents. Presedation patient assessment was documented in 83.0% of cases, and informed consent for sedation was obtained in 75.6%. The survey raised several areas of concern regarding patient safety: 41.3% of dental practices did not use any monitoring equipment during sedation; the operator was responsible for the sedation and monitoring of the patient in 41.3%; 43.2% did not keep any recommended emergency drugs; and 19.6% did not have any emergency or resuscitation equipment available. Most respondents (81.8%) indicated an interest in sedation training CONCLUSION: Paediatric dental chair PSA was offered by 44.1% of dental practitioners interviewed in Gauteng. Modalities of PSA provided varied between practices, with a number of safety concerns being raised.

Justificativa e objetivo: a dor é a principal queixa e também o motivo principal de recuperação prolongada pós-colecistectomia laparoscópica. A nossa hipótese foi que os pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia laparoscópica apresentariam menos dor quatro horas após a cirurgia se recebessem manutenção anestésica com propofol em comparação com isoflurano, desflurano ou sevoflurano. Métodos: neste estudo prospectivo e randômico, 80 pacientes agendados para colecistectomia laparoscópica foram designados para receber propofol, isoflurano, desflurano ou sevoflurano para manutenção da anestesia. Nosso desfecho primário foi dor mensurada em escala analógica numérica quatro horas após a cirurgia. Também registramos o uso intraoperatório de opiáceos, bem como o consumo de analgésicos durante as primeiras 24 horas pós-cirúrgicas. Resultados: não houve diferença estatisticamente significante nos escores de dor quatro horas após a cirurgia (p = 0,72). Também não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa nos escores de dor entre os grupos de tratamento durante as 24 horas pós-cirúrgicas (p = 0,45). O uso intraoperatório de fentanil e morfina não variou significativamente entre os grupos (p = 0,21 e 0,24, respectivamente). Não houve diferença no consumo total de morfina e hidrocodona/APAP durante as primeiras 24 horas (p = 0,61 e 0,53, respectivamente). Conclusão: os pacientes que receberam propofol para manutenção da anestesia geral não apresentaram menos dor pós-colecistectomia videolaparoscópica em comparação com os que receberam isoflurano, desflurano ou sevoflurano.

Background: Pain is the primary complaint and the main reason for prolonged recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The authors hypothesized that patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy will have less pain four hours after surgery when receiving maintenance of anesthesia with propofol when compared to isoflurane, desflurane, or sevoflurane. Methods: In this prospective, randomized trial, 80 patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were assigned to propofol, isoflurane, desflurane, or sevoflurane for the maintenance of anesthesia. Our primary outcome was pain measured on the numeric analog scale four hours after surgery. We also recorded intraoperative use of opioids as well as analgesic consumption during the first 24 h after surgery. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in pain scores four hours after surgery (p = 0.72). There were also no statistically significant differences in pain scores between treatment groups during the 24 h after surgery (p = 0.45). Intraoperative use of fentanyl and morphine did not vary significantly among the groups (p = 0.21 and 0.24, respectively). There were no differences in total morphine and hydrocodone/APAP use during the first 24 h (p = 0.61 and 0.53, respectively). Conclusion: Patients receiving maintenance of general anesthesia with propofol do not have less pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared to isoflurane, desflurane, or sevoflurane.

Justificación y objetivo: el dolor es el principal motivo de queja y también la principal razón de una prolongada recuperación tras una colecistectomía laparoscópica. Nuestra hipótesis fue que los pacientes sometidos a colecistectomía laparoscópica tenían menos dolor 4 h después de la cirugía cuando recibían propofol para la anestesia en comparación con isoflurano, desflurano o sevoflurano. Métodos: en este estudio prospectivo y aleatorizado, 80 pacientes programados para colecistectomía laparoscópica fueron designados para recibir propofol, isoflurano, desflurano o sevoflurano para el mantenimiento de la anestesia. Nuestro primer resultado fue el dolor medido en escala analógica numérica 4 h después de la cirugía. También registramos el uso intraoperatorio de opiáceos y el consumo de analgésicos durante las primeras 24 h del postoperatorio. Resultados: no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las puntuaciones del dolor 4 h después de la cirugía (p = 0,72). Tampoco hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las puntuaciones del dolor entre los grupos de tratamiento durante las 24 h del postoperatorio (p = 0,45). El uso intraoperatorio de fentanilo y morfina no varió significativamente entre los grupos (p = 0,21 y 0,24 respectivamente). No hubo una diferencia en el consumo total de morfina e hidrocodona/APAP durante las primeras 24 h (p = 0,61 y 0,53 respectivamente). Conclusiones: los pacientes que recibieron propofol para el mantenimiento de la anestesia general no tenían menos dolor poscolecistectomía videolaparoscópica en comparación con los que recibieron isoflurano, desflurano o sevoflurano.

Introduction: Although clear guidelines for breast cancer management have been developed and widespread, there are many variations between centers and even among breast cancer surgeons, with impact in clinical outcomes. Use of quality indicators to assess surgical care allows comparison with standards and with other centers and monitoring changes post intervention. Objective: To apply quality indicators to breast cancer surgery and evaluate usefulness. Material and Methods: Selected indicators obtained from EUSOMA 2008 workshop were applied to 213 consecutive surgical treatment breast cancer patients from Hospital Militar de Santiago de Chile between 2006 and 2011, comparing results with previously defined standards. Results: Benign/malignant index in surgical biopsies: 1: 2.27 (minimum standard: 1/2; Optimum: 1/4), patients with complete pathologic report percentage: 99,2% (minimum: 95%, optimum: 98%), breast conserving surgery percentage: 80.20% (minimum: 70%, optimum: 80%), patients with sufficient axillary sampling percentage: 92.4% (minimum: 95%, optimum: 98%), correct axillary dissection indication percentage: 100% (minimum: 95%, optimum: 98%) and patients who underwent single surgery percentage: 90.40% (minimum: 80%, optimum: 90%), most of them ranged between established standards. Conclusion: The use of quality indicators allows breast cancer surgery result evaluation, enabling comparison between centers and established standards, giving objective and reproducible information, helpful to plan process optimization. These or similar indicators are useful in all breast cancer treatment steps and for breast cancer unit accreditation processes. Our indicator values that are under the standard reveal that some specific local indicators are required.

Introducción: Aunque existen guías clínicas ampliamente difundidas para el manejo del cáncer de mama, las variaciones entre centros impactan en los resultados. El uso de indicadores de calidad, permite compararse con estándares, con otros centros y evaluar los cambios posteriores a una intervención. Objetivos: Aplicar indicadores de calidad al tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de mama evaluando su utilidad. Material y Métodos: Se aplicó indicadores de calidad a 213 pacientes consecutivos sometidos a cirugía por cáncer de mama en el Hospital Militar de Santiago entre mayo/2006 y abril/2011, comparando los resultados con estándares. Resultados: Se calculó: índice benignidad/malignidad en biopsias quirúrgicas: 1:2,27 (mínimo 1:2; óptimo 1:4), porcentaje pacientes con informe patológico completo 99,2% (mínimo: 95%, óptimo: 98%), porcentaje cirugía conservadora 68,42% (mínimo: 70%, óptimo: 80%), porcentaje pacientes con muestreo axilar suficiente 92,40% (mínimo: 95%, óptimo: 98%), porcentaje pacientes con indicación adecuada de disección axilar 100% y porcentaje pacientes que requirió una sola cirugía 90,40% (mínimo: 80%, óptimo: 90%). La mayoría cumplió los estándares establecidos. Conclusión: La utilización de indicadores de calidad permite evaluar resultados a través del tiempo, compararse con otros centros, y con los estándares establecidos. Proporciona información objetiva y reproducible que permite evidenciar los puntos críticos en los procesos y focalizarse en ellos. El uso de indicadores de calidad puede ampliarse a todas las etapas del tratamiento del cáncer de mama y servir para unificar criterios en acreditación. El análisis de los valores que resultaron bajo el estándar reveló la necesidad de proponer nuevos indicadores útiles a nivel local.

In this study we isolated and characterized some culturable bacteria from tropical coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia. We obtained between 0.23 and 1.85 x 10³ cfu mL-1 in the Zobell 2216E medium, and cultured 0.04% to 0.12% of total bacterial counts. Different bacterial strains were then selected by 16S rDNA RFLP using four restriction enzymes (Ddel, Hhal, Rsal, and Sau3AI), of which Hhal gave the most RFLP patterns. A total of 54 unique strains were obtained and these were identified by their 16S rDNA gene sequence. These bacterial strains could be divided into five classes: 38 strains of γ-Proteobacteria (61.1%); 3 strains of α-Proteobacteria (5.5%); 2 strains of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides group (3.7%); 3 strains of high GC, Gram-positive bacteria (5.5%); and 13 strains of low GC, Gram-positive bacteria (24.1%). These isolates have good potential for further biotechnological studies since about 56% of the isolates exhibited amylase activity, whereas 36% and 18% of the isolates had protease and lipase, respectively. Most (>70%) of the isolates also produced poly-B-hydroxybutyrate.

En este estudio se aislaron y caracterizaron algunas bacterias cultivables de las aguas costeras tropicales de Malasia Peninsular. Se obtuvieron entre 0.23 y 1.85 x 10³ ufc mL-1 en medio de cultivo Zobell 2216E, y se cultivaron 0.04% a 0.12% de los conteos totales de bacterias. Se seleccionaron diferentes cepas bacterianas mediante RFLP del gen 16S rDNA usando cuatro enzimas de restricción (Ddel, Hhal, Rsal y Sau3AI), de las cuales Hhal produjo más patrones de RFLP. Se obtuvieron un total de 54 cepas singulares, las cuales fueron identificadas por su secuencia 16S rDNA. Estas cepas bacterianas fueron divididas en cinco clases: 38 cepas de γ-proteobacterias (61.1%), 3 cepas de α-proteobacterias (5.5%), 2 cepas del grupo Cytophaga-Flavobacter-Bacteroides (3.7%), 3 cepas de bacterias Gram positivas con alto contenido de GC (5.5%) y 13 cepas de bacterias Gram positivas con bajo contenido de GC (24.1%). Estos aislados tienen un buen potencial para futuros estudios biotecnológicos ya que 56% de ellos presentaron actividad de la enzima amilasa, mientras que 36% y 18% presentaron actividad de las enzimas proteasa y lipasa, respectivamente. La mayoría (>70%) de los aislados produjeron poli-B-hidroxibutirato.

PURPOSE: We present a single institutional experience over 6 years of intra and postoperative complications following urethral reconstructive surgery, and the impact of these complications on overall results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2000 through May 2006, 153 consecutive urethral reconstructive procedures were performed on 128 patients by one surgeon (CMG). Complication rates were determined, and subgroups were categorized based on stricture etiology, patient age, length of stricture, location of stricture, type of repair, and presence of various co-morbid conditions. RESULTS: Overall, 23 of 153 cases (15%) had an intra or postoperative complication with a mean follow-up time of 28.3 months (range 3 to 74). The most common complications were related to infection (n = 9). Other complications included repair breakdown (n = 4), bleeding (n = 4), fistulae (n = 3), thromboembolic (n = 2), positioning-related (n = 2), and Foley catheter malfunction (n = 1). Complication rates for anastomotic and substitution urethroplasty were 9.1% (4/44) and 17% (19/109), respectively. The number of patients with at least one year of follow-up who had a complication and eventual stricture recurrence was 20% (4/20), while only 7.4% (7/95) of those who did not have a complication recurred (p = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Complications following reconstructive surgery for urethral stricture disease were mostly related to infection or repair breakdown in the immediate postoperative period. It does not appear that an intra or postoperative complication following urethral reconstructive surgery impacts the chance of eventual stricture recurrence at intermediate follow-up.

O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é uma doença tipicamente multigênica e multifatorial, com grande complexidade clínica e fisiopatológica. As causas do LES não são totalmente conhecidas, mas sabe-se que fatores ambientais e genéticos estão envolvidos. Dentre as várias manifestações clínicas observadas em pacientes com LES, as anemias chamam a atenção principalmente quando se observa nesse estudo uma prevalência de 52,5% dos pacientes com índices hematimétricos sugestivos de anemias. Embora a anemia geralmente já seja observada em pacientes com LES, estudos sobre a prevalência de anemias hereditárias, especialmente as hemoglobinopatias na população com LES, não têm sido conduzidos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de avaliar a prevalência das hemoglobinopatias e talassemia em pacientes portadores de LES. Para isso, foram estudadas 80 amostras de sangue de pacientes portadores de lúpus atendidos no ambulatório do Hospital das Clínicas de Goiânia. Foram utilizados testes laboratoriais não moleculares para a detecção das hemoglobinopatias. A freqüência das alterações da hemoglobina foi de 10,0%, encontradas em oito pacientes. Dessas alterações, a mais prevalente foi a talassemia alfa, encontrada em quatro pacientes, correspondendo a uma freqüência de 5,0% da população estudada. Depois, foi o heterozigoto para a hemoglobina S, encontrada em dois pacientes, correspondendo a 2,5% da população, e também outro heterozigoto para a hemoglobina C, encontrada em um paciente, correspondendo a 1,25%, e um paciente com beta talassemia menor, correspondendo a 1,25%. Nenhum caso de homozigose foi encontrado no presente estudo. Este trabalho demonstrou que não houve diferença na prevalência dos distúrbios da hemoglobina entre a população em geral e os portadores de LES.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a typically multigenic and multifatorial disease with remarkable clinical and pathogenic complexities. The causes of SLE are not totally known, but It is known that environmental and genetic factors are involved. Among various clinical manifestations observed in lupus patients, anemia calls the attention because of a prevalence of 52.5% of the patients with RBC indices suggestive of anemia identified in this study. Although anemia is usually seen in patients with SLE, studies of the prevalence of hereditary anemias, particularly hemoglobinopathies, have not been carried out in populations. The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of hemoglobinophaties in patients with SLE. We studied 80 blood samples of patients with SLE in Hospital das Clínicas in Goiania, Brazil. The frequency of alterations of the hemoglobin was 10.0% (8 patients). Among these alterations, the most prevalent was alpha thalassemia in 4 patients (5.0% of the studied population). The heterozygosity for hemoglobin S was seen in 2 patients (2.5%), hemoglobin C in one patient (1.25%) and one patient was identified with beta thalassemia minor. No homozygous cases were found in the present study. According to this work no difference in the prevalence of hemoglobin disorders was observed between general population and patients with SLE.

We have studied the collective magneto-optical response of layers of semiconductor quantum dots and nano-rings. Expressions for both the polarizability of the individual nano-objects have been used to determine the magneto-optical response on square two-dimensional lattices on those nano-objects as a function on frequency, magnetic field and angle of incidence. The magnetic field dependence of the response for layers of rings gives rise to the Aharonov-Bohm type oscillatory behavior in the reflectance and absorbance that can be measurable. Layers of dots do not display any remarkable magnetic field dependence.