Two new Culicoides of the paraensis species group (Diptera:Ceratopogonidae) from the Amazonian region of Peru

Two new species of the Culicoides paraensis species group, C. diversus Felippe-Bauer and C. peruvianus Felippe-Bauer, are described and illustrated based on female specimens from Amazonian region of Peru. A systematic key, table with numerical characters of females, and distribution of species of the C. paraensis group are given.

Simple steps to a healthy heart

The number of deaths from coronary heart disease in Northern Ireland has dropped significantly, according to recent figures. However, the Public Health Agency is urging everyone to take steps to protect their heart and reduce their chances of developing the disease during National Heart Month (February).Despite the number of deaths dropping significantly in recent years, coronary heart disease is still the number one killer across the country. Over 2,200 people died in Northern Ireland from coronary heart disease in 2010 compared to just over 2,300 people in 2009 - an overall reduction of 100 province-wide. The latest figure reveals the positive downward trend is continuing - in 2008, there were 2,410 deaths, 2,493 in 2007 and 2,554 in 2006, while in 1979 there were nearly 5,000 deaths. Throughout National Heart Month in February, the PHA is calling for people to follow a number of steps in a bid to reduce their chances of developing the disease.Smoking is a major risk factor and, the more cigarettes you smoke, the higher the risk, according to Dr Christine McMaster, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, with responsibility for cardiovascular disease in the PHA."The reduction in smoking over the past number of years through public education, stop smoking programmes and smoke free legislation has had a major impact on reducing deaths from heart disease. However, 24% of the population in Northern Ireland still smoke, putting them at risk of developing the disease."People who suffer from high blood pressure also run an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. High blood pressure is a silent, but treatable condition. In order to minimise the risk, I would urge everyone over the age of 45 to have their blood pressure measured every five years by their GP," said Dr McMaster.Simple lifestyle changes will also reduce the risk of heart disease, including eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day, avoiding saturated fats, limiting alcohol intake and taking at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days a week.Dr McMaster described the reduction in deaths from coronary heart disease over the past few years as "a big success story". "It shows that people can take very positive steps to reduce their risk of heart disease by getting their blood pressure checked and adopting a healthier lifestyle; in particular by not smoking," he added. "The message is clear during National Heart Month - you only have one heart and you can take steps to keep it healthy."

La chirurgie combinée phacoémulsification/pelage de membrane épirétinienne et oedème maculaire [Combined phacoemulsification/membrane resection and macular edema].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the occurrence of macular edema (ME) after epiretinal membrane resection, managed either with simple vitrectomy or with combined vitrectomy and phacoemulsification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of 12 patients had a vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane associated or not to a phacoemulsification. A fundus fluorescein angiography was performed pre and postoperatively and at least 3 months after the surgery. RESULTS: In the group of patients who had a simple vitrectomy, a ME was observed in 50% of the cases preoperatively and in 25% of the cases at the end of follow-up. In 3 cases, preoperative ME was worsened after the surgery. In the group of patients who were treated by a combined vitrectomy and phacoemulsification, a ME was observed in 25% of the cases preoperatively and in 50% of the cases at the end of follow-up. A de novo ME was observed in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery could allow a rapid recovery of visual acuity but might increase the occurrence of ME.

Using group role-playing games with gifted children and adolescents: A psychosocial intervention model

Gifted children develop asynchronously, often advanced for their age cognitively, but at or between their chronological and mental ages socially and emotionally (Robinson, 2008). In order to help gifted children and adolescents develop and practice social and emotional self-regulation skills, we investigated the use of an Adlerian play therapy approach during pen-and-paper role-playing games. Additionally, we used Goffman's (1961, 1974) social role identification and distance to encourage participants to experiment with new identities. Herein, we propose a psychosocial model of interactions during role-playing games based on Goffman's theory and Adlerian play therapy techniques, and suggest that role-playing games are an effective way of intervening with gifted children and adolescents to improve their intra- and interpersonal skills. We specifically targeted intrapersonal skills of exercising creativity, becoming self-aware, and setting individual goals by raising participants' awareness of their privately logical reasons for making decisions and their levels of social interest. We also targeted their needs and means of seeking significance in the group to promote collaboration and interaction skills with other gifted peers through role analysis, embracement, and distancing. We report results from a case study and conclude that role-playing games deserve more attention, both from researchers and clinical practitioners, because they encourage change while improving young clients' social and emotional development.

Virulence markers and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria of the Bacteroides fragilis group isolated from stool of children with diarrhea in São Paulo, Brazil

Bacteroides fragilis has been isolated from several human and non-human monomicrobial and mixed infections. In this study, some virulence markers and the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria of the B. fragilis group isolated from children's stools were evaluated. All the 64 isolates showed the following characteristics: capsulated, beta-hemolytic, hydrophilic, and serum-resistant. Only, 24 (37.5%) strains were resistant at 60ºC, for 30 min, and among them, 12 (18.75%) were resistant at 60ºC, for 60 min. Also, none strain was resistant at 100ºC. Four strains were able to hemagglutinate erythrocytes and D-mannose, D-galactose, D-arabinose, and D-xylose inhibited hemagglutination in 2 B. fragilis strains (p76a, p76b). The hemagglutination in the strain B. uniformis p3-2 was inhibited by D-xylose and D-galactose. The bft gene detection and the enterotoxin production were observed only in 13 EF-enterotoxigenic species. Fragilysin activity was confirmed on HT-29 cells. The antimicrobial determination confirmed that both imipenem and metronidazole were efficient against B. fragilis species; all the strains were resistant to lead and nickel. Plasmids of 2.9, 4.4, 4.8, and 8.9 kb were observed in 6 tested strains. These results show the values of the species identification from clinical infections, as well as of the periodic evaluation of the resistance patterns of the B. fragilis group at Brazilian medical institutions.

Survey of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the bacteria of the Bacteroides fragilis group isolated from the intestinal tract of children

The bacteria of the Bacteroides fragilis group are considered important clinical pathogens and they are the most common anaerobes isolated from human endogenous infections. In this study, the susceptibility patterns to antibiotics and metals of 114 species of the B. fragilis group isolated from children with and without diarrhea were determined. Susceptibility was assayed by using an agar dilution method with Wilkins-Chalgren agar. All B. fragilis strains were resistant to lead and nickel, but susceptible to metronidazole and imipenem. beta-lactamase production was detected by using biological and nitrocefin methods, respectively, in 50% and 90.6% of the isolates of children with diarrhea and in 60% and 90% of the isolates of children without diarrhea. Our results show an increase of antibiotics and metals resistance in this microbial group, and a periodic evaluation of the antimicrobial susceptibility is needed. In Brazil, the contamination for antibiotics or metal ions is often observed, and it is suggested an increase the antimicrobial resistance surveillance of this microbial group, mainly those isolated from children's diarrhea.

How they measure up: A simple guide to food labelling

The aim of this leaflet is to help you pick out the information you need when you're trying to choose between food products. Labels may appear to be very different in shape and size, colour and design and in what they tell us about the food or drink inside.

CHIP-Community Health Improvement Programme (Group-Based)

This intervention aims to: - Increase fruit and vegetable intake - Increase activity levelsInitiate weight loss - Reduce health risks - Provide effective weight loss tools - Increase participant behaviour change skills

A vision for change: Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy (2006)

This report, the first comprehensive review of mental health policy since 'Planning for the Future' was published in 1984, makes a series of recommendations for the mental health services, including the closure of all psychiatric hospitals and re-investment of the resources into a community-based mental health service.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Effective services for substance misuse & homelessness in Scotland: The recommendations of the Advisory Group on Homelessness and Substance Misuse

The Group makes 12 recommendations for actions covering the two key themes of strategic and organisational responses, and service design and delivery. It calls for: * A joint strategic response at national level to be developed * A joint strategic response at a local level to be developed (responsibility sitting with Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) * Recognition of the importance of investing to save over the long term * A joint operational response at local level to be developed * More flexible approaches in rural and island areas * Service development and commissioning to be based on evidence of good practice * An individual’s priorities to be the starting point for the design and delivery of services and support * Ongoing evaluation of services in this field to be managed through the ADP planning and monitoring processes * Targeted service user participation and involvement to be supported * Training across homelessness, housing, alcohol and drug fields to be supported in statutory and commissioned services * The stigmatisation of these populations to be addressed at a local and national level.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

The mental health of young people in Ireland:a report of the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research across the Lifespan (PERL) Group Dublin.

There has been a dearth of epidemiological research on rates of mental disorder among Irish people and little is known about the numbers of young people in Ireland who are experiencing diagnosable mental disorders. In the context of such limited epidemiological research in the field of mental health, the PERL Group in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland has conducted two studies on mental disorders and psychopathology among young Irish people. This report is the first research report from these two studies by the PERL Group. It provides data on the prevalence rates of mental disorder, substance use, deliberate self-harm and suicidality among young Irish people aged 11-24 years.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

A simple way to decompress the left ventricle during venoarterial bypass

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to improve the hemodynamics during venoarterial bypass by remote decompression of the left ventricle (LV). METHODS: Venoarterial bypass was established in 5 bovine experiments (69+/-10 kg) by the transjugular insertion of a self-expanding cannula (smartcanula) with return through a carotid artery. Cardiogenic shock was simulated with ventricular fibrillation induced by an external stimulator. Left ventricular decompression was achieved by switching to transfemoral drainage of the pulmonary artery (PA) with a long self-expanding cannula. RESULTS: Initial pump flow was 4.7+/-0.9 l/min and the aortic pressure accounted for 75+/-21 mmHg. After induction of ventricular fibrillation, the pump flow dropped after 11+/-8 min to 2.5+/-0.1 l/min. Transfemoral decompression increased the pump flow to 5.6+/-0.7 l/min, while the RV pressure decreased from 27+/-9 to 3+/-5 mmHg, the PA pressure decreased from 29+/-7 to 5+/-4 mmHg, the LV pressure decreased from 29+/-6 to 7+/-2 mmHg, and the aortic pressure increased from 31+/-3 to 47+/-11 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: Remote drainage of the pulmonary artery during venoarterial bypass allows for effective decompression of the left ventricle and provides superior hemodynamics.

A follow up study of cytomegalovirus infection in a group of Turkish renal transplant recipients using molecular assays

The clinical value of an in-house cytomegalovirus nested polymerase chain reaction (CMV-PCR) and a commercial molecular assay hybrid capture CMV DNA assay (HCA) was evaluated in monitoring a group of renal transplant patients for six months follow up. In this study, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of nested CMV DNA PCR assay and HCA at the beginning of the study were 70, 42.9, 46.7, 66.7, and 60, 78.6, 66.7, and 73.3% respectively. After six months, they were 80, 66.7, 80, 66.7 for CMV PCR and 73.3, 88.9, 91.7, 66.7% for HCA respectively. These results indicate that in monitoring and predicting CMV infections in renal transplant recipients, not only qualitative but also quantitative assays must be used together in order to decide the preemptive strategies.

Etre le frère ou la soeur d'un enfan atteint d'un cancer: un groupe de parole [Being the sibling of a child suffering from cancer: a support group].

This paper offers a reflection on the family life and that of the siblings of a child with cancer. We will present our intervention model developed jointly by the pediatric oncology and the pediatric psychiatry units at the University Hospital CHUV in Lausanne. It is known that siblings show difficulties in dealing with the ambivalent emotions triggered by the sickness of a brother or sister. Their defence mechanisms can be heavy and may have consequences on the child's psycho-affective development and on the dynamics of the whole family. Speech groups allow the siblings to unfold an experience which is often irrepresentable. They also permit remobilization of affects frozen by the illness. This model used since 2006 in our unit responds to the wish to improve the quality of care of heavily sick children.