Antibiotic impregnated catheters and intrathecal antibiotics for CSF shunt infection prevention in children undergoing low-risk CSF shunt surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts allow children with hydrocephalus to survive and avoid brain injury (J Neurosurg 107:345-57, 2007; Childs Nerv Syst 12:192-9, 1996). The Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network implemented non-randomized quality improvement protocols that were shown to decrease infection rates compared to pre-operative prophylactic intravenous antibiotics alone (standard care): initially with intrathecal (IT) antibiotics between 2007-2009 (J Neurosurg Pediatr 8:22-9, 2011), followed by antibiotic impregnated catheters (AIC) in 2012-2013 (J Neurosurg Pediatr 17:391-6, 2016). No large scale studies have compared infection prevention between the techniques in children. Our objectives were to compare the risk of infection following the use of IT antibiotics, AIC, and standard care during low-risk CSF shunt surgery (i.e., initial CSF shunt placement and revisions) in children. METHODS: A retrospective observational cohort study at 6 tertiary care children's hospitals was conducted using Pediatric Health Information System + (PHIS +) data augmented with manual chart review. The study population included children ≤ 18 years who underwent initial shunt placement between 01/2007 and 12/2012. Infection and subsequent CSF shunt surgery data were collected through 12/2015. Propensity score adjustment for regression analysis was developed based on site, procedure type, and year; surgeon was treated as a random effect. RESULTS: A total of 1723 children underwent initial shunt placement between 2007-2012, with 1371 subsequent shunt revisions and 138 shunt infections. Propensity adjusted regression demonstrated no statistically significant difference in odds of shunt infection between IT antibiotics (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.82-1.81, p = 0.3) and AICs (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.56-1.49, p = 0.7) compared to standard care. CONCLUSION: In a large, observational multicenter cohort, IT antibiotics and AICs do not confer a statistically significant risk reduction compared to standard care for pediatric patients undergoing low-risk (i.e., initial or revision) shunt surgeries.

Relative assessment of cloth mask protection against ballistic droplets: A frugal approach.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the relevance of evaluating the effectiveness of face masks-especially those made at home using a variety of materials-has become obvious. However, quantifying mask protection often requires sophisticated equipment. Using a frugal stain technique, here we quantify the "ballistic" droplets reaching a receptor from a jet-emitting source which mimics a coughing, sneezing or talking human-in real life, such droplets may host active SARS-CoV-2 virus able to replicate in the nasopharynx. We demonstrate that materials often used in home-made face masks block most of the droplets. Mimicking situations eventually found in daily life, we also show quantitatively that less liquid carried by ballistic droplets reaches a receptor when a blocking material is deployed near the source than when located near the receptor, which supports the paradigm that your face mask does protect you, but protects others even better than you. Finally, the blocking behavior can be quantitatively explained by a simple mechanical model.

Agencias, agentes y ámbitos de socialización política: exploración a partir de relatos de vida de militantes universitarios/as

Resumen: El presente trabajo se propuso precisar el rol de agencias, agentes y ámbitos en el proceso de socialización política de estudiantes-militantes de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina). Se realizó un estudio cualitativo descriptivo con 18 estudiantes de ambos sexos. Se realizaron entrevistas abiertas y en profundidad, utilizando la perspectiva de los relatos de vida. Se efectuó un análisis de contenido cualitativo temático. Los resultados resaltan la importancia de la familia, la escuela y el grupo de pares en el aprendizaje político. A su vez, se discute el rol de la Universidad pública como agencia y ámbito de socialización política.

Resumo: O presente trabalho procurou especificar o papel de agências, agentes e âmbitos no processo de socialização política de estudantes-militantes da Universidade Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina). Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo descritivo com 18 estudantes de ambos os sexos. Entrevistas abertas e aprofundadas foram realizadas, utilizando a perspectiva das histórias de vida. Foi efetuada uma análise do conteúdo qualitativo temático. Os resultados destacam a importância da família, escola e grupo de pares na aprendizagem política. Por sua vez, é discutido o papel da universidade pública como agência e âmbito da socialização política.

Abstract: The present investigation aimed to determine the role of agents, agencies and contexts in the political socialization process of activists-students from National University of Cordoba (Argentina). A qualitative and descriptive study with 18 students of both sexes was carried out. Open and in-depth interviews, using life narratives approach, were made. A qualitative and thematic content analysis was performed. Results highlight the importance of family, school and pair groups in political learning. At the same time, public university role as agency and sphere of political socialization is discussed.

Trayectorias de militancia y procesos de socialización política de estudiantes universitarios/as de Córdoba (Argentina) / Trajectories of militant and political socialization processes for university students in Córdoba (Argentina) / Trajetórias de Militâncias e processos de socialização política de estudantes universitarios de Córdoba (Argentina)

Resumen (descriptivo): En esta investigación indagamos las características que adquiere el proceso de socialización política entre estudiantes-militantes de tres unidades académicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina. Hicimos un estudio cualitativo de alcance descriptivo. Recuperamos la perspectiva biográfica de los relatos de vida a través de la realización de 18 entrevistas a personas universitarias que participan con más de tres meses de antigüedad en agrupaciones estudiantiles o centros de estudiantes. Estudiamos los datos mediante análisis de contenido cualitativo, considerando los ejes de indagación de las entrevistas. Los resultados nos permitieron reflexionar sobre la articulación de aprendizajes latentes y manifiestos basados en experiencias políticas previas. A su vez, identificamos tres tipos de trayectorias de militancia en la narrativa de estos/as estudiantes, que dan cuenta de la pluralidad y diversidad del fenómeno. Palabras clave autores: trayectorias de militancia, biografías militantes.

Abstract (descriptive): This research investigated the characteristics of a political socialization process in a group of student activists from three academic areas of the National University of Córdoba, Argentina. An empirical and descriptive qualitative study was conducted as part of the research process and the biographical perspective of students' life stories was recovered. 18 interviews were conducted with university students who had been involved in student political organizations or student unions for at least three months. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results led to a reflection on the articulation of latent and evident political learning that was based on previous political experiences. It was also possible to recognize three different types of political activism trajectories in the narratives of these students, accounting for the plurality and diversity of this phenomenon. Authors key words: activism trajectories, activist biography.

Resumo (descritivo): A investigação pesquisou as características que possui o processo de socialização política em estudantes-militantes de três unidades académicas da Universidade Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina. Um estudo empírico qualitativo de alcance descritivo foi feito. Recuperou-se a perspectiva biográfica dos relatos de vida a través da realização de 18 entrevistas a universitários/ as que participam há mais de três meses em agrupações estudantis ou grêmios de estudantes. Os dados foram analisados mediante uma análise de conteúdo qualitativo, considerando os eixos de indagação das entrevistas. Os resultados permitiram refletir sobre a articulação das aprendizagens latentes e manifestas baseadas nas experiências políticas prévias. Ao mesmo tempo, se identificaram três tipos de trajetórias de militância na narrativa dos/as estudantes, que dão conta da pluralidade e diversidade do fenómeno. Palavras-chave autores: trajetórias de militância, biografias militantes.

La descentralizacion y los servicios de salud / Desentralization and health care

La descentralizacion politica y administrativa en el campo de la salud, es considerada hasta el momento como un instrumento adecuado para el logro de la meta "Salud para todos en el ano 2000", debido a que busca mejorar la efiociencia en los servicios y la accesibilidad a toda la poblacion de acuerdo a sus necesidades en salud. La descentralizacion se encuentra intimamente ligada a la valorizacion de la estrategia de atencion primaria y el aumento de cobertura de los programas y los servicios de salud ppresente en los objetivos de las discusiones internacionales en salud.