ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (CD), caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is the most important endemic anthropozoonosis in Argentina. Since 2010, the World Health Organization has highlighted the urgent need to validate diagnostic systems that allow rapid detection of T. cruzi, infection in primary healthcare centers. Serological rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for T. cruzi, infection could be used to improve case management, as RDTs do not require specialized laboratories or highly trained staff to use them. We aimed to generate unbiased performance data of RDTs in Argentina, to evaluate their usefulness for improving T. cruzi, diagnosis rates. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This is a retrospective, laboratory-based, diagnostic evaluation study to estimate the clinical sensitivity/specificity of four commercially available RDTs for T. cruzi, using the Chagas disease diagnostic algorithm currently used in Argentina as the reference standard. In total, 400 serum samples were tested, 200 from individuals with chronic T. cruzi infection and 200 from individuals not infected with T. cruzi. All results were registered as the agreement of at least two operators who were blinded to the reference standard results. The sensitivity estimates ranged from 92.5-100% (95% confidence interval (CI) lower bound 87.9-98.2%); for specificity, the range was 76-96% (95% CI lower bound 69.5-92.3%). Most RDTs evaluated showed performances comparable with the reference standard method, showing almost perfect concordance (Kappa 0.76-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that, under controlled laboratory conditions, commercially available RDTs for CD have a performance comparable to the Argentinian diagnostic algorithm, which is based on laboratory-based serological tests. For the next stage of our work, the RDTs will be evaluated in real-world settings.
Subject(s)
Chagas Disease , Trypanosoma cruzi , Humans , Argentina/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , Urban Population , Rapid Diagnostic Tests , Chagas Disease/diagnosis , Chagas Disease/epidemiology , Antibodies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Antibodies, ProtozoanABSTRACT
El objetivo de este estudio fue implementar los entornos virtuales (blended learning) en la enseñanza superior de enfermería y describir la adherencia de los alumnos de la cátedra de administración en enfermería a las nuevas estrategias didácticas. Material y Método: trabajo retrospectivo, descriptivo y observacional. Se reviso la base del Centro de innovación tecnología y pedagogía de la UBA (CITEP) de 210 alumnos inscriptos en la cátedra de administración en enfermería distribuidos en 3 comisiones desde marzo a diciembre del 2015. Se describieron los datos sociodemográficos, las experiencias previas en entornos virtuales, articulación de los contenidos (áulicos con los virtuales) y la Organización de la enseñanza. Resultados: La población estudiada 210 usuarios estuvo representada por sexo femenino 80% y 20% masculino. La Edad media fue de 28 años con un rango entre 20-48 años, la edad no constituyó una variable asociada a la no adherencia de los entornos virtuales en un 96% de los usuarios. El 55% n: 114 de los alumnos manifestó trabajar, el trabajo asociado a ámbitos de la salud estuvo presente en un 21% y el 33% manifestó trabajar en ámbitos fuera de la salud. El 63% de los usuarios tuvo alguna experiencia previa con los entornos virtuales durante el desarrollo de la carrera de Enfermería. El 86% de la población en estudio N:(180) refirió que la articulación de los contenidos áulicos con los virtuales les resulto practico N: (136) y muy práctico N: (44). El 90% N: (189) de los usuarios refirió que los contenido ofrecidos por los docentes en la plataforma virtual fueron útiles y muy útiles. El 63% N: (132) de la población incorporó el uso de la plataforma blended learning como herramienta pedagógica para el desarrollo del proceso enseñanza aprendizaje. El 83% de los alumnos recomendaron el espacio virtual a sus compañeros. Se observa el beneficio de las Estrategias didácticas innovadoras en la enseñanza superior de enfermería a través de los espacios virtuales blended learning (AU)
The aim of this study was to develop an online learning environment (blended learning) in postgraduate education for nurses and to describe adherence to the new teaching strategies of the pupils of the course of management in nursing. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was conducted. The data base of the Center for Innovative Technology and Educational Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires (CITEP) of 210 pupils enrolled in the course of management in nursing distributed over 3 classes from March to December 2015 was reviewed. Sociodemographic data, previous experience with online education, content coordination (between face-to-face classroom practices and computer-mediated activities), and the organization of education were evaluated. Results: The study population consisted of 210 pupils of whom 80% were female and 20% male. Mean age was 28 years with a range from 20 to 48 years. The variable of age was not associated with nonadherence to the on-line education in 96% of the users. Overall, 55% N: 114 of the pupils reported to be currently working; 21% was working in health-care-related areas, and 33% was working in areas not related to health care. Of all users, 63% had some previous experience with on-line education during their nursing studies. Of the study population 86% N:(180) considered the content coordination between classroom practices and on-line activities practical N: (136) and very practical N: (44).Overall, 90% N: (189)of the users reported the contents offered by the teachers in the on-line platform to be useful and very useful; 63% N: (132) of the population incorporated the blended learning platform as an educational tool for the development of the learning process. Of all pupils, 83% recommended the on-line education to their colleagues. A clear benefit of the innovating teaching strategies in post-graduate courses in nursing through on-line blended learning was observed (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Adult , Middle Aged , Education, Distance , Education, Nursing, Graduate/methods , Information Technology/statistics & numerical data , Observational Study , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Foram analisadas 10 amostras de vegetais e hortaliças minimamente processadas, comercializadas em hipermercados da cidade de Londrina-PR. As análises microbiológicas realizadas foram a determinação de coliformes totais e fecais, através da técnica do Numero Mais Provável (NMP) e presença de Escherichia coli através de análises bioquímicas de identificação. Os resultados obtidos para bactérias do grupo dos coliformes mostraram que 100 por cento das amostras estavam contaminadas por estes microrganismos, sendo que 80 por cento apresentaram-se fora do padrão estabelecido para coliformes fecais. Foi constatada a presença de E. coli em 80 por cento das amostras analisadas. Proteus e Enterobacter foram detectados em 20 por cento.
Subject(s)
Food Contamination , Food Handling , Plants , Commerce , Enterobacteriaceae , Escherichia coliABSTRACT
A polyantigenic immunomodulator (PAI), previously known as polyantigenic vaccine, which consists of a mixture of antigens of inactivated bacteria with antigens of influenza virus in a peanut-oil-arlacel-A-aluminium monoesterate emulsion, increased tumor resistance and induced tumor regression in tumor bearing mice. This report presents clinical and laboratory data that demonstrate the effect of PAI in long term prolongation of disease free state in HIV positive patients. A total of 40 patients, 35 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 41.1 +/- 10.5 years, ranging from 28 to 68 years, HIV positive by (ELISA and Western Blot), with no restriction on the CD4 + T lymphocytes counts, were included in this open study. The PAI regimen was one subcutaneous injection per week for patients with < 400 CD4 + lymphocytes and one monthly injection for patients with CD4 + count > 400. All patients were monitored at different intervals for lymphocyte counts, clinical condition and treatment toxicity. After a follow up of eight years 81 percent of the patients were alive and 47 percent were free of disease. In patients without AIDS, the weight was 153.9 +/- 28 pounds pre-PAI and 164.6 +/- 27 (P = 1.2 x 10(-4); the CD4 + lymphocyte count was 795 +/- 421 pre-PAI and 585 +/- 279 post PAI (P = 0.08). In patients alive with AIDS, the weight was 159.5 +/- 32 pre-PAI and 163.9 +/- 32 pounds post-PAI (P = 0.8); the CD4 + lymphocyte counts was 491 +/- 255 pre-PAI and 298 +/- 142 post-PAI (P = 0.08); and five AIDS-related infections occurred in five patients. In patients who died the weight was 157.7 +/- 23 pre and 146.8 +/- 30 post (P = 0.10); and the CD4 count was 340.7 +/- 149 pre and 103.4 +/- 88 post (P = 0.0057). All died with infection. No toxicity with the use of PAI was reported. PAI improves disease free survival and quality of life in HIV + patients