Influencia del diseño de alta flexión, con conservación del LCP, en el rango de movimiento tras la implantación de una prótesis total de rodilla

Els nous implants de genoll pretenen millorar la flexió màxima aconseguida amb els implants convencionals. El nostre estudi pretén demostrar que els pacients intervinguts quirúrgicament, per a la implantació d’una artroplàstia total de genoll d’alta flexió, són capaços d’aconseguir un balanç articular i una flexió màxima superior a l’aconseguida pels pacients tractats amb el model convencional. La flexió màxima post-operatòria, a l’any de la intervenció, va ser 13º major en el grup de pacients portadors d’un implant d’alta flexió, respecte al grup de pacients portadors d’un implant convencional. (P & 0,05).

Chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen in an endemic area for schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil

Data on the association of schistosomiasis and hepatitis B in field-based studies are scarce. Two areas have been selected for this study: i) Queixadinha, endemic for schistosomiasis, with a population of 693 individuals, and ii) Capão, a control non-endemic area, with 515 inhabitants. Sera of all individuals in both areas were tested for hepatitis B infection, yearly, from 1994 to 1997. In the first area hepatitis B was found in 32.1% of children up to one year old and reached a peak of 68.7% in the age range of 15 to 19 years. In the control area the prevalence of hepatitis B was under 5% up to 19 years of age and the highest prevalence was observed in adults over 45. HBsAg was detected in 9.4% of the individuals living in the endemic area for schistosomiasis and in 1.4% of the controls (OR=4.98; 95%CI=3.7-6.7). The index of chronicity of HBsAg was not statistically different in the studied areas (8.1% x 7.3%; OR = 1.09; 95%CI= 0.42-3.03), nor was it different for people with and without schistosomiasis in Queixadinha (8.7% x 7.0%). We conclude that the Schistosoma mansoni infection has not altered the course of hepatitis B in the studied area.

A comparative study on IgG-ELISA, IgM-IFT and Kato-Katz methods for epidemiological purposes in a low endemic area for schistosomiasis

The high sensitivity and the possibility of automation of the enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (ELISA) has indicated this technique as one of the most useful serological test for epidemiological studies. In the present study, an ELISA for detection of IgG antibodies against adult worm antigens (IgG-ELISA) was investigated for epidemiological purposes, in a rural area of the municipality of Itariri (São Paulo, Brazil). Blood on filter paper (1,180 samples) from about 650 schoolchildren were submitted to ELISA and the data compared to the results of the parasitological method of Kato-Katz and also to the IgM-IFT (immunofluorescence test for IgM antibodies to gut associated antigens). The prevalence rates respectively of 8.5%, 43.0%, and 56.2% by the Kato-Katz, IgG-ELISA, and IgM-IFT methods suggest the poor sensitivity of the parasitological method for detection of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in individuals with low worm burden, situation commonly observed in low endemic areas. These results can partially explain the poor degree of agreement between the IgG-ELISA and the Kato-Katz, as suggested by the Kappa index of 0.170. Otherwise, the Kappa index of 0.675 showed substantial agreement between the two serological tests. Some discrepancy of results between the two serological techniques must be better investigated.

Comparative Analysis by Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplified Minicircles of Kinetoplast DNA of a Stable Strain of Trypanosoma cruzi from São Felipe, Bahia, its Clones and Subclones: Possibility of Predominance of a Principal Clone in this Area

Molecular characterization of one stable strain of Trypanosoma cruzi, the 21 SF, representative of the pattern of strains isolated from the endemic area of São Felipe, State of Bahia, Brazil, maintained for 15 years in laboratory by serial passages in mice and classified as biodeme Type II and zymodeme 2 has been investigated. The kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) of parental strain, 5 clones and 14 subclones were analyzed. Schizodeme was established by comparative study of the fragments obtained from digestion of the 330-bp fragments amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from the variable regions of the minicicles, and digested by restriction endonucleases Rsa I and Hinf I. Our results show a high percentual of similarity between the restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (RFLP) for the parental strain and its clones and among these individual clones and their subclones at a level of 80 to 100%.This homology indicates a predominance of the same "principal clone" in the 21SF strain and confirms the homogeneity previously observed at biological and isozymic analysis. These results suggest the possibility that the T. cruzi strains with similar biological and isoenzymic patterns, circulating in this endemic area, are representative of one dominant clone. The presence of "principal clones" could be responsible for a predominant tropism of the parasites for specific organs and tissues and this could contribute to the pattern of clinico-pathological manifestations of Chagas's disease in one geographical area.

Distribution of Sandflies (Diptera:Psychodidae) on Tree-trunks in a Non-flooded Area of the Ducke Forest Reserve, Manaus, AM, Brazil

Sandflies were collected in the base of tree-trunks in the seasons of high and least rainfall in the Ducke Forest Reserve, near Manaus in the State of Amazonas. Lutzomyia umbratilis was the most abundant sandfly species. Caryocar villosum, Chrysophyllum amazonicum, Dinizia excelsa, Eschweilera atropetiolata and Parkia multijuga were the tree species on which most sandflies were collected and relative abundance were related to trunk characteristics. Seasonal patterns of sandfly distribution in the forest were observed.

Density of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Domestic and Wild Animal Shelters in an Area of Visceral Leishmaniasis in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

The objective of the present study was to determine the association of sand flies with the presence of domestic and wild animals in the peridomiciliary area. The sand flies were collected using direct aspiration and CDC light traps placed in animal shelters. The results suggest that different sand flies species have different behavioral characteristics in an apparent preference for animal baits and that Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lu. evandroi were the most eclectic species regarding their biotope choice. Lu. longipalpis showed a distinct preference for horses and Lu. evandroi for armadillos.

Sensitivity of a Vacuum Aspiratory Culture Technique for Diagnosis of Localized Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in an Endemic Area of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Transmission

Sixty eight patients with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis from an area with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis transmission had cultures performed with a modified Marzochi´s vacuum aspiratory puncture technique to establish sensitivity and contamination rate with this new method. Overall sensitivity of three aspirates was 47.1%; (CI95% 39.4; 59.4) significantly greater than the sensitivity of a single one aspirate. Fungal contamination was observed in 6/204 (2.9%) inoculated culture tubes. We recommend that this useful technique should be adopted as routine for primary isolation of L. (V.) braziliensis from localized cutaneous ulcers.

Validación de modificaciones en maniquí “Ambú®” para entrenamiento en el manejo de la vía aérea difícil mediante estudio comparativo con maniquí “Airsim®”

Per la pràctica del maneig de la via aèria s’utilitzen maniquins i simuladors. La dificultat de la intubació orotraqueal és poc habitual però pot comportar greus conseqüències. Vuit anestesiòlegs (cinc adjunts i tres residents) avaluem les diferències entre el maniquí Airsim®, dissenyat per situacions de via aèria difícil i el maniquí Ambú® modificat per reproduir situacions que dificulten la intubació orotraqueal. Les variacions en el maniquí Ambú® poden ser igual d’útils per la pràctica de la vía aèria difícil que el maniquí Airsim®, tot i que tècnicament és més difícil la intubació en el maniquí modificat.

West Tyrone Area Plan 2019 Health Impact Assessment (2008)

IPH was commissioned by Western Investing for Health to conduct a HIA of the West Tyrone Area Plan 2019. Stage 1 of the HIA was submitted to the Department of the Environment, Planning Office in 2008 and part of this work involved developing a community profile. HIA seeks to inform the decision making process in favour of health by gathering evidence to identify the potential positive and negative health impacts of a proposal. A series of recommendations are then produced to maximize the positive health impacts and mitigate the potential negative health impacts of an identified proposal. West Tyrone Community A community profile provides an overview of the population structures and particular services in an identified area. This community profile provides an overview of West Tyrone and has been developed as part of a Health Impact Assessment which is currently being conducted on the West Tyrone Area Plan. This resource provides access to up-to-date information which community and voluntary groups in the West Tyrone area will find useful to support their work. Contact: Seamus Mullen, Public Health Agency Tel: +44 (0) 2871860086 Email: seamus.mullen@hscni.org

Screening for health impacts in Local Area Planning in Donegal County Council (2004)

In 2004 an interagency team consisting of members the North Western Health Board and Donegal County Council commissioned the IPH to conduct a HIA screening exercise on planning policy in Donegal. This involved an overview of literature, analysis of policy documents, contact with Planning Officers and observation of public consultation meetings. Following completion of the final report, the intention is to produce a user-friendly template to enable planners to incorporate a health dimension into their decision making.

IPH response to the National Transport Authority on the Greater Dublin Area Draft Transport Strategy 2011-2030

The remit of the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) is to promote cooperation for public health between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the areas of research and information, capacity building and policy advice. Our approach is to support Departments of Health and their agencies in both jurisdictions, and maximise the benefits of all-island cooperation to achieve practical benefits for people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.IPH has a keen interest in the interactions between transport and health. IPH has produced two papers in the recent past on this topic, the most recent being Active travel – healthy lives published in January 2011 which built on the 2005 publication Health impacts of transport. The IPH welcomes the draft transport strategy in terms of addressing each of the key messages outlined in the Active travel – healthy lives paper.IPH is interested in this area not only in terms of increasing ‘active travel’ for healthier lives, but also in terms of the environmental and social impacts of inequitable access to forms of private and public transport.

IPH response to Draft Regional Planning Guidelines for the Greater Dublin Area 2010-2022

The Regional Planning Guidelines (RPG) for the Greater Dublin Area 2010-2022 (draft) is a policy document which aims to direct the future growth of the Greater Dublin Area over the medium to long term and works to implement the strategic planning framework set out in the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) published in 2002.  A series of recommendations have been made to Local Authorities clearly linked to and supporting the national investment in transport, particularly public transport, under Transport 21.  The draft was prepared and agreed for public consultation. The IPH response  to the consultation reports on how the RPG may impact on health and makes recommendations to maximise opportunities for health gain and minimise health loss.

Bioaccumulation of 210Pb and 210Po in fish tissues in a radioactive naturally enhanced area: the Peníscola marsh (Castelló, Spain)

210Pb and 210Po concentration in fish tissues from Peníscola marsh were analyzed, being this area a radioactive naturally enhanced marsh located in the East coast of Spain. Results showed that 210Po accumulation in tissues could reach values ranging from 28±8 Bq kg-1 in muscle of Cyprinus carpio, to 8558±6378 Bq kg-1 in gut content of Chelon labrosus. On the other hand, 210Pb concentrations ranged from 8±4 Bq kg-1 in muscle of Cyprinus carpio, to 475±481 Bq kg-1 in gut content of Chelon labrosus. Bioaccumulation pattern is generally 210Po&210Pb, except in spine, where more 210Pb than 210Po is accumulated. When comparing our samples to those collected as blanks, individuals from Peníscola marsh showed an enrichment in 210Po and 210Pb in their tissues compared to the blanks. Bioaccumulation factors showed that feeding is the major input route of 210Pb and 210Po into the fish body. Highest values of 210Pb and 210Po concentration in tissues were found on Chelon labrosus and Carassius auratus, being Cyprinus carpio the species with the lowest average values of 210Pb and 210Po accumulation.