Evaluación de la efectividad de una intervención educativa para disminuir el peso de la mochila escolar en los alumnos de 3. ° y 4. ° de educación primaria / Evaluation of effectiveness of an educational intervention to decrease school backpack weight in 3rd and 4th year primary school children

Introducción El trabajo demuestra que una intervención educativa en las aulas, realizada por un fisioterapeuta, reduce el peso de las mochilas que deben transportar los escolares de 8 a 10 años. Conseguir que el peso de la mochila no supere el 10-15% del peso total del alumno evita la sobrecarga de la columna vertebral y, por tanto, uno de los factores de riesgo de presentar vertebrales. Cargas superiores modifican la curvatura espinal con una percepción de aumento de esfuerzo y aparición de dolor. Material y método Diseño: tipo ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado abierto. Emplazamiento: colegios públicos de Alcobendas y San Sebastián de los Reyes. Participantes: un total de 357 niños entre 8 y 10 años. Mediciones principales: se pesaron los niños y las mochilas escolares antes de la intervención educativa, inmediatamente después y a los 3 meses de la intervención educativa. Resultados Respecto de la variable «peso excesivo en la mochila», observamos que los niños que recibieron la intervención tienen aproximadamente 3 veces más posibilidades, tanto al terminar dicha intervención como a los 3 meses (RR=2,63 y RR=2,96, respectivamente), de conseguir tener mochilas sin peso excesivo. Respecto de la variable principal del estudio, peso medio de la mochila, la diferencia entre los 2 grupos es superior a 1kg (diferencia señalada como relevante) tanto al acabar la intervención (diferencia de medias (DM)=2,28 kg) como a los 3 meses de la misma (DM=2,24kg), (p=<0,001) en ambos casos. Conclusiones El estudio demuestra que una intervención educativa con revisión del material escolar que transportan los estudiantes de 8 a 10 años consigue una disminución de más de 1 kg del peso de sus mochilas con respecto del grupo control (medias de 2,28kg al finalizar la primera intervención). Además, demuestra que estos resultados se mantienen en el tiempo (media de 2,24kg a los 3 meses) (AU)

Introduction This work shows that classroom educational orientation provided by a physiotherapist can lead to reduction in the weight of backpacks carried by 8-10 year old schoolchildren. The purpose was to have them limit backpack weight to no more than 10-15% of the total weight of the student and avoid some of the spinal cord overload and therefore one of the risk factors of suffering back pain. Higher loads can change spinal curvature with a perception of increased effort and onset of pain. Materials and method Design: randomized, open labeled, controlled clinical trial. Location: public schools in Alcobendas and San Sebastian de los Reyes. Participants: a total of 357 children, aged 8 to 10 years. Main measurements: children and their school backpacks were weighed prior to the educational intervention, immediately after and at three months of the educational intervention. Results Regarding the study primary endpoint, average weight of the backpack, the difference between the two groups was greater than 1kg (difference considered relevant) both at the end of the intervention (difference of means (SD)=2.28kg) and at 3 months of it (SD=2.24kg) (P=<.001). Regarding the endpoint “excess weight in the backpack”, it was observed that those children who received the intervention had approximately three times more likelihood both at the end of said intervention and at 3 months (RR=2.63 and RR=2.96, respectively) of carrying backpacks without excessive weight. Conclusions The study shows educational intervention with review of school supplies transported by students aged 8 to 10 achieves a decrease of more than onekg in weight of their backpacks versus the control group (mean 2.28kg at the end of the first intervention). It also shows that these results are maintained over time (mean 2.24kg at 3 months) (AU)

A solid-phase enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies, for the detection of African swine fever virus antigens and antibodies.

An improved solid-phase enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies was developed to detect an African swine fever virus protein (VP73) in pig samples. The use of monoclonal antibodies against VP73 allowed a sensitive and specific sandwich ELISA. This assay detected a limiting antigen concentration of 0.05 microgram/ml of VP73, lower than the detection limit of 0.6 microgram/ml obtained by using polyclonal antibodies by the same ELISA. The whole virus particle was detected with this method to a limit of 2.3 x 10(2) PFU/ml. At the same time, an indirect ELISA was developed to detect ASFV antibodies. The results also indicate that this method may be a useful technique for epidemiological surveys.

EMLA cream for renal extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in ambulatory patients.

The effectiveness of a Eutectic Mixture of Local Anaesthetics (EMLA cream) for pain control during renal extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was evaluated in a group of 20 patients who had not been able to tolerate a previous session without intravenous (i.v.) analgesia. EMLA cream (10 g) was applied on the skin over the area (64-100 cm2) where the shock waves were to be focussed. A second generation lithotriptor Siemens Lithostar was used. The following measurements were made: the shock wave (kV) maximum voltage, the number of successful stone fragmentations (SSF), the visual analogue scale score (0-10) for pain (VAS), and the tolerance scale score (1-4) for the tolerance for the procedure. Significantly higher voltage (17.9 +/- 0.6 kV vs. 16.2 +/- 0.8 kV), lower VAS scores (5.9 +/- 1.1 vs. 8.7 +/- 1.3), lower TS score (2.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.6) and a higher number of SSF (18 vs. 5) were found in those patients for whom EMLA cream was used. Intravenous analgesia was not needed in nine patients. Nine patients received fentanyl 0.05 mg, one 0.10 mg and another 0.15 mg. These favourable results were attributed both to the sequence of gradual voltage increments used and to the cutaneous analgesia produced by EMLA cream.

Comparison of maintenance and recovery characteristics of sevoflurane-nitrous oxide and enflurane-nitrous oxide anaesthesia.

We compared maintenance of anaesthesia and recovery using either sevoflurane or enflurane anaesthesia in ASA I-III patients undergoing surgery with an anticipated minimum duration of 3 h. Serum fluoride concentrations were also measured to assess the potential for renal toxicity. After induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone, patients received, for maintenance, either 1.5% end-tidal sevoflurane (0.73 MAC) with N2O 58% (0.58 MAC) (n = 40) or 1.2% end-tidal enflurane (0.7 MAC) with N2O 57% (0.57 MAC) (n = 40). Other drugs administered during anaesthesia were similar in all groups. Haemodynamic measurements, recovery times, as well as post-operative nausea and vomiting were comparable in both groups. The mean peak plasma inorganic fluoride ion concentrations were reached 4 h after operation in both groups (27.7 microM L-1 for sevoflurane and 16.75 microM L-1 for enflurane, P < 0.05) declining 50% within 24 h in both groups. A positive correlation (P < 0.05) was found between anaesthetic exposure (MAC h) and fluoride concentrations in the two groups. Sevoflurane anaesthesia resulted in similar haemodynamic stability, recovery times and post-operative side effects as enflurane anaesthesia, but produced significantly greater serum fluoride levels.

[Obstetric anesthesia-analgesia in Spain. A review of its historic evolution during the second half of the past century]. / La anestesia-analgesia obstétrica en España. Una revisión de su evolución histórica durante la segunda mitad de la pasada centuria.

To examine the historical development of obstetric anesthesia in Spain during the second half of the nineteenth century. Research was based on in-depth analysis of accounts of anesthesia during the period covered, mainly from original sources, using established methods for studying the history of medicine. We collected a great deal of documentary evidence, much of it unpublished and of clear historical value for tracing the history of obstetric anesthesia in Spain and identifying the main factors that have influenced it. We emphasize that controversy limited to a large extent the use of anesthesia in obstetrics. The controversy seems to have been fed by physicians' uneasiness with anesthesia as well as by certain prejudices of a religious or moral nature that are deeply rooted in Spanish society.

[Importance of the daily and political newspapers in Madrid on the introduction, popularization and awareness of anesthesia]. / Importancia de la prensa diaria y política de Madrid en el proceso de introducción y popularización del descubrimiento de la anestesia.

The introduction of surgical anesthesia in Spain and its spread throughout the country between 1847 and 1848 was facilitated by several medical journals and new daily and political newspapers in existence at the time, particularly in Madrid. This study was undertaken to determine the possible impact of articles reporting the discovery of anesthesia that were published in the contemporary daily press. Research involved a review of the daily press in Madrid, where most newspapers were published. We found 141 references to events surrounding the introduction of anesthesia in Spain in 24 Madrid newspapers. Analysis of the articles revealed how the daily press contributed to the rapid dissemination of information about the discovery. The press provided an important means of spreading news about and popularizing anesthesia and was also an instrument for exchanging scientific opinion for Spanish surgeons of the day.

[Experience with 100 anesthetized patients ventilated with laryngeal mask]. / Experiencia de 100 pacientes anestesiados ventilados con mascarilla laríngea.

We studied 100 adult patients who were anesthetized for different surgical procedures and were ventilated with laryngeal mask either with spontaneous or controlled ventilation. Despite of the inexperience we achieved an appropriate placement of the mask in 99% of cases; 74% at the first attempt, 22% at the second, and 4% at the third. In 87.8% of patients we had an adequate control of the air way. In 12.2% of cases there were problems in relation to the controlled ventilation. In one patient we were unable to correctly place the mask and another anesthetic technique had to be performed. Laryngeal mask is useful in the control of the air way in anesthetized patients with spontaneous ventilation. Some inconvenience may arise when controlled ventilation is used.

[The introduction of chloroform anesthesia in Madrid. Notes for studying its history]. / La introducción de la anestesia clorofórmica en Madrid. Apuntes para el estudio de su historia.

Until present, the introduction of chloroform anesthesia in Madrid has not been specifically studied by any author. Therefore, knowledge of the events related to this happening is lacking. We have studied this chapter of our history by analyzing primary documents and articles published at the daily press, political press, and scientific journals of Madrid during 1847 to 1848. This investigation allowed us to follow the most relevant news dealing with the discovery of the drug and with its first experimental and clinical applications in Madrid. Based on the present bibliographic material we could establish a chronologic report of all surgical interventions using chloroform that were performed in Madrid. We conclude that albeit surgeons in Madrid were not the first to use chloroform in Spain, they were, however, the ones who most extensively used it. Their contribution was of relevance in the settlement of the new anesthetic agent in Spain.