Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2005. / Bibliography: leaves 115-122.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the risk factors for cellulitis infection, the median time to onset of low volume swelling (5 to 10% relative volume change (RVC) and breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) (≥10% RVC) after an incidence of cellulitis, and the impact of common risk factors of both cellulitis and lymphedema on low volume swelling and BCRL. METHODS: We reviewed electronic medical records of 98 patients who underwent unilateral breast cancer (BC) surgery in the year 2011, who had a presurgical baseline perometry measurement and at least two postsurgical follow-up measurements. Clinicopathologic data, edema, and cellulitis incidence were obtained by medical record review. RESULTS: 18.37% of patients (18/98) experienced at least one incidence of cellulitis at a median of 1.03 years postoperatively. Of those 18 patients, 44.44% (eight out of 18) developed low volume swelling and 11.11% (two out of 18) developed BCRL at a median of 1.08 years and 2.33 years postoperatively, respectively. The median time to cellulitis incidence was 0.94 years and 2.91 years after the onset of low volume swelling and BCLR, respectively. Univariate logistic regression revealed that regional lymph node radiation (RLNR) (OR 4.4; p = 0.032) and low volume swelling (OR 6.56; p = 0.004) are significant risk factors for BCRL. RLNR remained a significant risk factor for the development of BCRL by multivariate logistic regression (OR 9.43; p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Cellulitis may not incite or worsen pre-existing BCRL or affect the median time to BCRL development. However, lymphedema may put patients at risk of cellulitis infection. Sample size may have precluded statistical significance and further research is required to definitively identify the effect of cellulitis infection on lymphedema risk. / 2022-06-04T00:00:00Z

The objective of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of using Bowenwork as a complementary intervention for symptom management of breast cancer treatment-related lymphedema in women breast cancer survivors. The aims of the investigation were to 1) determine recruitment and retention rates 2) determine adherence to the intervention, 3) assess the safety and comfort level of the intervention 4) describe the effects of the six week intervention on lymphedema symptoms. A quasi-experimental, repeated measure design was chosen for this pilot study. Twenty-one community-dwelling women breast cancer survivors were recruited from three cities in Arizona, United States. The intervention was delivered in four consecutive sessions five to ten days apart. Baseline and post-intervention questionnaires were completed by the participants. Quality of life was measured with the SF-36 and the FACT-B questionnaires. The FACT-B was also used to measure functional status. Pain was measured with the Brief Pain Inventory. A paired t-test analysis was performed on the baseline and post intervention data. An ANOVA was performed on repeated physical measures (arm circumference and range of motion).Ninety-five percent of the women who enrolled completed the study. Adherence to the intervention and home exercises was high, at 100% and 95% respectively. The intervention was evaluated as safe without any reported major changes in medical condition or level of discomfort that required discontinuation from the study. A paired t-test analysis on the scores from SF-36 (mental health) and the FACT-B (quality of life and functional status) improved significantly following the Bowenwork intervention (p<.05). An ANOVA revealed a statistical significantly improvement in arm circumference and range of motion (p<.05).Bowenwork was shown to be an effective management strategy that improved mental health, increased quality of life and daily functional status, in addition to reducing arm circumference and increasing range of motion in women breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. A future full-scale study is needed to further explore these findings.

Venous valves (VVs) are critical for unidirectional blood flow from superficial and deep veins towards the heart. Congenital valve aplasia or agenesis may, in some cases, be a direct cause of vascular disease, motivating an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of VVs. Three gap junction proteins (Connexins), Cx37, Cx43, and Cx47, are specifically expressed at VVs in a highly polarized fashion. VVs are absent from adult mice lacking Cx37; however it is not known if Cx37 is required for the initial formation of valves. In addition, the requirement of Cx43 and Cx47 for VV development has not been studied. Here, we provide a detailed description of Cx37, Cx43, and Cx47 expression during mouse vein development and show by gene knockout that each Cx is necessary for normal valve development. The valve phenotypes in the knockout lines exhibit Cx-specific differences, however, including whether peripheral or central VVs are affected by gene inactivation. In addition, we show that a Cx47 null mutation impairs peripheral VV development but does not affect lymphatic valve formation, a finding of significance for understanding how some CX47 mutations cause inherited lymphedema in humans. Finally, we demonstrate a striking segregation of Foxc2 and NFATc1 transcription factor expression between the downstream and upstream faces, respectively, of developing VV leaflets and show that this segregation is closely associated with the highly polarized expression of Cx37, Cx43, and Cx47. The partition of Foxc2 and NFATc1 expression at VV leaflets makes it unlikely that these factors directly cooperate during the leaflet elongation stage of VV development. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Estudo qualitativo que buscou, à luz do Interacionismo Simbólico, compreender o significado do linfedema na vida de mulheres com câncer de mama, na relação consigo mesmas, com os outros e com o mundo. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas e prontuários de 14 mulheres com linfedema de braço pós- cirurgia por câncer de mama, que freqüentam um serviço especializado em reabilitação pós-mastectomia. Procurou-se identificar unidades temáticas pela Análise de Conteúdo, nas seguintes categorias: 1- significado do linfedema, na relação consigo mesmas e 2- na relação com os outros e com o mundo. Na relação consigo mesmas, o linfedema significou preocupação com o aumento do volume do braço e complicações, mudança de hábitos, dificuldades diversas, alterações emocionais e busca de justificativas para a presença do linfedema, concluindo que ele é um problema estigmatizante. Na relação com os outros e com o mundo, elas indicaram instituições como a ciência, o trabalho, a família, os serviços de saúde e a sociedade, na construção do significado do linfedema, e reconheceram-se como tendo um corpo diferente pelo aumento do volume do braço, o que as torna pessoas estigmatizadas. Porém, revelam sinalizações de possibilidades de ações dos outros e inscrevem a criação de novos instrumentos sociais, o que evidencia sinais de mobilização para a construção de um mundo simbólico mais positivo e rico em contribuições. / This qualitative study aimed at, in the light of Symbolic Interactionism, understanding the meaning of lymphedema to women with breast cancer, observing their relations with themselves, with others and with the world. Data were obtained through interviews and record analysis with 14 women with lymphedema in the arm after the breast cancer surgery who attended a service specialized in post-mastectomy rehabilitation. The author searched to identify thematic units through Content Analysis in the selected categories: 1- the meaning of lymphedema in relation to themselves and 2- in relation to others and to the world. With respect to themselves, the lymphedema meant concern with the arm increasing volume and complications, habit changes, several difficulties, emotional alterations and the search for justifications about the presence of the lymphedema, concluding that it is a stigmatizing problem. Regarding the others and the world, they indicated institutions such as science, work, family, health services and society, in the construction of knowledge on lymphedema, and recognized themselves as having a different body due to the increase in arm volume, transforming them in stigmatized people. However, they revealed signs for possibilities of others’ actions and for the creation of new social instruments, evidencing signs of mobilization for the construction of a symbolic world more positive and rich in contributions.

Submitted by Fabíola Silva (fabiola.silva@famerp.br) on 2016-09-14T17:46:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 taniadiasguimaraes_dissert.pdf: 2221794 bytes, checksum: 31be5c6999f747328bca96563ba514ba (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-14T17:46:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 taniadiasguimaraes_dissert.pdf: 2221794 bytes, checksum: 31be5c6999f747328bca96563ba514ba (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-30 / Introduction: With difficulties to associate different therapies, a compression mechanism is the best choice of monotherapy in the treatment of lymphedema. Objective: The aim of the current study was to assess over one month the effectiveness of a compression mechanism as monotherapy to reduce the volume of leg lymphedema using a cotton-polyester (grosgrain) stocking.Patients and Method: In 2013, 26 consecutive patients with one-sided or bilateral lower leg lymphedema were assessed in a prospective clinical trial in the Clinica Godoy, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil. Six participants were male and 20 were female with ages ranging from 26 to 72 years (mean: 49 years). All patients with clinical diagnosis of grade II lower leg lymphedema regardless of the cause were included. Patients with a history of allergies, intolerance of compression mechanisms and those with infections, joint immobility and other conditions that might interfere with edema were excluded. All patients were evaluated by volumetry using the water displacement technique, at the beginning of treatment and weekly thereafter. The mechanism of compression was explained to all participants and they were advised about the need of frequent adjustments, how to adjust the stockings and the necessary care. At each consultation, volumetric variations, the patient’s tolerance to treatment, adverse events, correct usage and the need for adjustments were assessed. Major adjustments were made by a seamstress after evaluation by the treatment team. The data was input on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee and all patients signed informed consent forms. Quantitative variables are reported as means and standard deviation when the distribution was normal or medians and interquartile range when the data was asymmetric. The relationships of these variables in respect to the outcomes were compared using the Wilcoxon test with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable. Results: Forty-nine legs of the 26 participants with lymphedema were assessed. From week to week, both positive and negative variations were detected during the treatment using grosgrain stockings. In the first week, fifteen (30.61%) limbs increased in volume and 34 (69.38%) reduced in size. In the second week, five (10.20%) continued to increase and 44 (89.79%) reduced; in the third week four (8.16%) had further increases and 45 (91.83%) reduced and in the fourth week only three limbs (6.12%) continued to increase and 46 (93.87%) reduced in size. As a total, the reductions were statistically significant (p-value < 0.001) in all evaluations when the baseline is compared with the other weeks, the first week with the others and the second week with the others, but there was no significant difference between the third and fourth weeks (p-value = 0.07). Conclusion: The grosgrain stocking as monotherapy is effective in reducing swelling in the treatment of grade II lower leg lymphedema. Patients should receive guidance and be trained in respect to the correct usage of compression stockings. / Introdução: Na dificuldade de associação de terapias, o mecanismo de contenção é preferencialmente uma das escolhas como terapia única no tratamento do linfedema. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da monoterapia por um mês na redução do volume do linfedema de membros inferiores, usando a meia de gorgurão com avaliação semanal. Casuística e Método: Foram avaliados em ensaio clínico, prospectivo, consecutivo 26 pacientes com linfedema de membros inferiores localizados abaixo do joelho uni ou bilateral, sendo seis do sexo masculino e 20 do sexo feminino. As idades variaram entre 26 a 72 anos e a média de idade 49 anos, na Clinica Godoy- São Jose do Rio Preto, em 2013. Foram inclusos pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de linfedema, grau II de membros inferiores, independente da causa, porém localizado abaixo do joelho. Exclusos pacientes com história de alergias e intolerância a mecanismos de contenção, processos infecciosos ativos, imobilidade articular e outras causas que pudessem interferir nos edemas em geral. Todos pacientes assinaram termo de consentimento informado e foram avaliados pela volumetria, por técnica de deslocamento d’água, no início do tratamento e semanalmente. Tiveram orientação sobre a meia, da necessidade de ajustes constantes, de como ajustá-la e de seus cuidados. Nos retornos eram avaliadas as variações volumétricas dos membros, a tolerância das meias, intercorrências, seu uso correto e a necessidade de ajustes que era realizada pela costureira, após a avaliação e orientação da equipe. Os dados foram catalogados numa planilha Excel. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Variáveis quantitativas foram descritas por média e desvio - padrão na presença de distribuição normal ou mediana e a amplitude interquartil na presença de distribuição assimétrica. A relação destas variáveis com a presença dos desfechos foi comparada utilizando-se o teste de Wilcoxon’s, considerando-se erro alfa de 5%. Resultados: Foram avaliados 49 membros inferiores em 26 pacientes com linfedema de membros inferiores e detectadas as variações positivas e negativas durante o tratamento com meia de gorgurão. Na primeira semana foi observado que em 15 membros (30,61%) houve aumento de volume e em 34 reduções de volume (69,38%); na segunda semana cinco (10,20 %) mantiveram o aumento e 44 (89,79%) tiveram redução; na terceira semana quatro (8,16%) manteve o aumento e 45 (91,83%) com redução e na quarta semana apenas três (6,12%) dos membros mantiveram aumento e 46 (93,87%) reduziram. As reduções foram significante estatisticamente valor p < 0,001 em todas as avaliações quando se comparou o início do tratamento com as demais semanas; a primeira semana com as demais; a segunda com as demais, porém a terceira comparada com a quarta não houve diferença significativa, valor p < 0,07. Conclusão: A meia de gorgurão como monoterapia é eficaz na redução do edema no tratamento do linfedema grau II localizado abaixo do joelho. Porém os pacientes devem ser orientados e treinados para o uso correto desta meia.

Uma das principais complicações do tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de mama é o linfedema do membro superior homolateral à linfonodectomia, que pode levar a sérias conseqüências físicas e emocionais às mulheres que o apresentam. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia de um protocolo que inclui a utilização da estimulação elétrica de alta voltagem, no tratamento do linfedema, em um grupo de mulheres submetidas à cirurgia para o câncer de mama. O protocolo de tratamento constituiu-se de aplicações da estimulação elétrica de altavoltagem, duas vezes por semana, num total de catorze sessões, em dias de atendimento de um núcleo de reabilitação, complementadas por orientações quanto ao autocuidado, automassagem e exercícios físicos, no domicílio. Os instrumentos de avaliação foram: a perimetria em sete pontos; o cálculo da diferença de volume (DV) entre os membros e do percentual de aumento do volume (PAV) do membro com linfedema, em relação ao contralateral; um formulário com dados sociodemográficos e pessoais, acerca do tratamento do câncer de mama, e outro acerca dos sinais e sintomas do linfedema. Participaram 17 voluntárias, com uma diferença de perimetria de 2 a 5 centímetros entre os membros superiores. Os resultados analisados por meio do método estatístico T pareado para variáveis dependentes revelaram redução significativa de 14,13% (p = 0,0067) do PAV e de 13,8% (p = 0,0089) da DV. A perimetria apresentou redução significativa em 3 pontos: sete cm acima do cotovelo (p = 0,0138), sete cm abaixo do cotovelo (p = 0,0282) e no punho (p = 0,0476). A análise das variáveis subjetivas, sobre a avaliação do aspecto do membro com linfedema, por meio do teste de McNemar para dois grupos emparelhados, também revelou melhora significativa de alguns sinais e sintomas. Houve melhora na sensação de membro volumoso (p = 0,0265), na sensação de aumento de temperatura (p = 0,0003), melhora da dor (p = 0,0442), da ADM (p = 0,0098), da consistência do linfedema (p = 0,0002) e do sinal de cacifo (p = 0,0023). Pôde-se concluir que a utilização da estimulação elétrica de alta-voltagem associada a exercícios e orientações foi eficaz na redução do linfedema. / One of the main complications of surgical breast cancer treatment is the lymphedema in the upper limb on the same side where the lymphadenectomy was performed, which can cause severe physical and emotional consequences for women with this complication. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a lymphedema treatment protocol that includes the use of high voltage electrical stimulation in a group of women submitted to breast cancer surgery. The treatment protocol consisted of high-voltage electrical stimulation applications, twice a week, totaling fourteen sessions, held during meetings of a rehabilitation group, in addition to selfcare, self-massage and physical exercise orientations at home. The assessment instruments were: anthropometrics in seven points; calculation of the volume difference (VD) between the limbs and the volume increase percentage (VIP) of the limb with lymphedema as opposed to the other side; a form with sociodemographic and personal data about the breast cancer treatment, and another about the signs and symptoms of the lymphedema. Participants were 17 volunteers, with a perimeter difference ranging from 2 to 5 centimeters between the upper limbs. The results, analyzed through the statistical paired T method for dependent variables, revealed a significant reduction by 14.13% (p = 0.0067) in VIP and 13.8% (p = 0.0089) in VD. The anthropometrics presented a significant three-point reduction: seven cm above the elbow (p = 0.0138), seven cm below the elbow (p = 0.0282) and at the wrist (p = 0.0476). The analysis of the subjective variables, about the aspect evaluation of the limb with lymphedema, using McNemars test for two paired groups, also revealed a significant improvement in some signs and symptoms. Improvements were found in the feeling of a bulky limb (p = 0.0265), in the feeling of increased temperature (p = 0.0003), pain (p = 0.0442), movement range (p = 0.0098), consistency of the lymphedema (p = 0.0002) and the Godet sign (p = 0.0023). It was concluded that the use of high voltage electrical stimulation in combination with exercises and orientations, was effective to reduce the lymphedema.

Resumo: O linfedema de Membro Superior (MS) e a principal complicacao decorrente da cirurgia e tratamento do cancer (CA) de mama e e causado pela destruicao dos canais de drenagem axilar em virtude da cirurgia, radioterapia ou pela progressao regional da doenca. Esta pesquisa teve o intuito de verificar a influencia da ingestao de triglicerideos de cadeia media (TCM) associada ao tratamento fisioterapeutico em mulheres portadoras de linfedema de MS pos-cirurgia de CA de mama. Para tanto, teve a participacao de 14 mulheres mastectomizadas que apresentavam linfedema de MS homolateral a cirurgia, com idade media de 64}12 anos e Indice de Massa Corporea (IMC) de 27}4,1 kg/m2. Apos avaliacao nutricional foram divididas, aleatoriamente, em dois grupos: Grupo Controle (n=7), submetido ao tratamento fisioterapeutico constando da terapia complexa descongestiva (massagem classica, drenagem linfatica manual, bandagem compressiva e cuidados com a pele), 3 vezes na semana, durante 8 semanas e automassagem nas 2 semanas seguintes; Grupo TCM (n=7), submetido ao mesmo protocolo fisioterapeutico somado ao tratamento dietetico diario com ingestao de TCM, por 10 semanas. O linfedema foi avaliado atraves da cirtometria, da volumetria, das pregas cutaneas e pela quantidade de agua corporal total. As sensacoes de desconforto, peso e dor no MS acometido foram coletadas por escalas visuais analogas (EVA). Ao final da intervencao, a cirtometria, a volumetria e as pregas cutaneas tricipital e bicipital mostraram diferencas significativas entre os grupos (p.0,05), com uma maior reducao do linfedema no grupo TCM. As sensacoes de desconforto e peso no membro foram significativamente menores na comparacao inicial e final no grupo TCM. Nao houve diferencas na quantidade de agua corporal total. / Abstract: The lymphedema of upper-extremity (UE) is the main complication due to the surgery and treatment of the breast cancer and it is caused by the destruction of the channels of axillary drainage because of the surgery, radiation therapy or by the local progression of the disease. This research had the intention of verifying the influence of the intakes of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) associated to the physiotherapeutic treatment in the lymphedema of the upper-extremity of postmastectomy women. For this research, it counted with the participation of 14 postmastectomy women who presented lymphedema of upper-extremity at the same side to the surgery, with medium age 64}12 years old and Body Mass Index (BMI) of 27}4,1 kg/m2. After nutritional evaluation they were divided, at ramdom, in two groups: Control Group (n=7), submitted to the physiotherapeutic treatment consisting of the complex decongestive therapy (classic massage, manual lymphatic drainage, compression bandage and cares with the skin), three times a week, during eight weeks and self-massage in the two following weeks; MCT Group (n=7), submitted to the same physiotherapeutic protocol in addition to the daily dietotherapy with intakes of MCT, during ten weeks. The lymphedema was evaluated by the circumferential and volumetric measures, by skin folds of arm with lymphedema and by the amount of total body water. The sensations of discomfort, pain and weight in the UE were collected by visual analogue scales (VAS). At the end of the intervention, the circumferential and volumetric measures, and the tricipital and bicipital skin folds showed significant differences among the groups (p.0,05), with a larger reduction of the lymphedema in the MCT Group. The sensations of discomfort and weight in the UE were significantly smaller in the final comparison related to the initial in the MCT Group. / Orientador: Thais Borges César / Coorientador: João Bosco Faria / Banca: Luciana Maria Malosa Sampaio Jorge / Banca: Flávia Berwert Bellarde / Mestre

Characterization of multiaxial mechanical properties of cardiovascular soft tissue is essential in order to better understand their growth and remodeling in homeostatic conditions and in response to injury or pathological conditions. Though numerous phenomenological models have been proposed to characterize such multiaxial mechanical behavior, the approach has certain drawbacks regarding experimental determination of the model coefficients. We propose a method that aims to overcome these drawbacks. The approach makes use of orthogonal polynomials to fit the biaxial test data and suggests a way to derive the strain energy function from these analytical fits by way of minimizing the deviation of the behavior from hyperelastic ideal. Using the proposed method, a strain energy function for a lymphatic vessel is derived and the method is compared with traditional ones that used non-orthogonal polynomials as independent variables in the functional form for strain energy. The unique coefficient values obtained using the proposed method, for the first time gives us an opportunity to attribute a physical characteristic of the material to the coefficient values. The method also provides a way to assess two different material behaviors by way of comparing their deviation from the hyperelastic behavior when a similar test protocol is used to collect the data, over a similar deformation range and the order of polynomial function is chosen so as to give a similar error of fit. The behavior of mesenteric lymph vessels from normal cows, cows subjected to sham surgery and those subjected to 3 days of edematous conditions by venous occlusion are compared using this method. To be able to better understand the changes in mechanical behavior, morphological analysis of the vessels was carried out and the geometric and structural changes in these vessels were studied. We found that the behavior of bovine mesenteric lymph vessels subjected to a high flow condition shows a small difference in their mechanical behavior as compared to the vessels from normal a cow and a cow subjected to sham surgery. The geometry and structure of these vessels also showed marked differences from the other two. The thickness to radius ratio increased and a rise in percentage of area occupied by smooth muscle cells and medial collagen was observed. Though not all the differences were statistically significant, we conclude that the behavior and the morphology are suggestive of the remodeling of the vessel in response to altered hemodynamic conditions and require further investigation.

To maintain human health, the lymphatic system requires a structurally and functionally sound network of lymph vessels to absorb lipid-based nutrients, preserve extracellular fluid homeostasis, and mediate immune responses. Aside from lymphedema, investigations in the past few decades have found that impairment of the lymphatic vasculature is also involved in processes such as inflammation, tumor metastasis, fat metabolism, and obesity. However, despite a long history of study and rekindled vigor in the field of lymphatic vascular research, our knowledge of lymph vessel development and physiology is still quite limited. Recently, mutations in a protein family known as connexins (Cxs) were identified as the cause of lymphatic dysfunction in some cases of inherited lymphedema. This dissertation explores the role of primarily two specific connexins, Cx37 and Cx43, and the transcription factor Foxc2 in the morphogenesis and function of the lymphatic vasculature in mice. To accomplish this, phenotypic characterization of mice with genetic deficiencies (knockout mice) in Cx37, Cx43, and/or Foxc2 was performed principally via necropsy, histological techniques (immuno-fluorescence microscopy and H&E staining), and Evans blue dye (EBD) injections. Developmental abnormalities were found in lymphatic vascular growth, patterning, and remodeling in mice lacking Cx37, Cx43, Foxc2 or a combined deficiency of these proteins. Reductions or complete loss of lymphatic valves were a common finding in mice lacking one or more of these proteins. These valve deficits underlay lymphatic insufficiencies that resulted in lymphedema and chylothorax in some genotypes. Foxc2 was found to be a regulator of Cx37 expression. Moreover, Foxc2 was also dependent on Cx37 function for proper morphogenesis of lymph vessels. These findings pertaining to the expression of connexins in the lymphatic vasculature, their role in lymphatic valvulogenesis, and the interdependence of Cx37 and Foxc2 during lymph-vascular development represent my original contributions to human knowledge.