Raman scattering and spectroscopic ellipsometry studies of Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3 bulk polycrystals.

Antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) and antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) compounds have attracted considerable attention for applications in different optoelectronic devices due to their notable optical and electrical properties, and due to the strong anisotropy of these properties along different crystallographic directions. However, the efficient use of these promising compounds still requires significant efforts in characterization of their fundamental properties. In the present study, Raman scattering and spectroscopic ellipsometry were used to investigate the vibrational and optical properties of Sb2Se3 and Sb2S3 bulk polycrystals grown by the modified Bridgman method. The first technique proved the presence of the desired Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3 phases in the analyzed ingots and confirmed the absence of any preferential crystallographic orientation at the measured surface of the samples. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was performed using a multi-oscillator Tauc-Lorentz dispersion model, and yielded a complex dielectric function of chalcogenides over the range 1.0-4.6 eV with a three phase model (ambient, surface and bulk materials). Finally, spectral data on the refractive index, the extinction coefficient, the absorption coefficient and the reflectivity at normal incidence, R, were obtained, which serve as a reference for the optical modeling of optoelectronic devices based on polycrystalline Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3 compounds.

Efecto de una intervención estructurada de enfermería en disminución del hábito tabáquico en mujeres fumadoras / Effect of structured nursing intervention on smoking cessation in smoking women

Introducción: El consumo del tabaco está asociado al incremento de la morbilidad y la mortalidad femenina. Este hábito implica además un deterioro en la calidad de vida relacionada con salud. El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar el efecto de una intervención estructurada que motivara a las mujeres a disminuir el consumo diario de cigarrillos y mejorar su calidad de vida. Método: Diseño experimental con preprueba-postprueba y grupo de control con asignación de los grupos al azar. De 120 personas se homologaron los dos grupos con cinco caracteristicas, se homologó nuevamente la muestra porque respondieron la entrevista en domicilio sólo 64 personas. El grupo intervención estuvo constituido por 10 mujeres entre 18 y 65 años de la región del Bio- Bío, y el grupo control por 20 mujeres. Se aplicó un cuestionario semiestructurado de características sociodemográficas, de test, cuestionarios y escalas que midieron las variables asociadas al consumo, y las orientaciones subjetivas y conductuales, previo consentimiento informado. La intervención estructurada estuvo conformada por: métodos activos de aprendizaje, consejería con énfasis en el fortalecimiento de la percepción de autoeficacia. Resultados: La diferencia de medias en el tiempo y la diferencia de medias entre los grupos (grupo tratamiento y grupo control) es de casi 5 cigarrillos (4,8), esta interacción (tiempo-grupo) resulta a un nivel de significación menor al uno por diez mil.Conclusiones: Esta intervención requiere de reforzamiento periódico hasta lograr la deshabituación tabáquica e incidir en la calidad de vida relacionada con salud de las mujeres con hábito tabáquico

Introduction: Tobacco consumption is associated with an increase in female morbidity and mortality. This habit also implies deterioration in the quality of life related to health. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of a structured intervention that motivated women to reduce their daily consumption of cigarettes and improve their quality of life.Method: Experimental design with pre-test-post-test and control group with allocation of the groups at random. Out of 120 people, the two groups were approved with five characteristics. The sample was homologated again because the home interview was answered by only 64 people. The intervention group consisted of 10 women between 18 and 65 years old from the Bio-Bio region, and the control group by 20 women. A semi-structured questionnaire with sociodemographic characteristics, test, questionnaires and scales that measured the variables associated with consumption, and subjective and behavioral guidelines, with prior informed consent, was applied. The structured intervention consisted of: active learning methods, counseling with emphasis on strengthening the perception of self-efficacy. Results: The difference of means in time and the difference of means between the groups (treatment group and control group) is of almost 5 cigarettes (4,8). This interaction (time-group) results has a level of significance less than one in ten thousand. Conclusions: This intervention requires periodic reinforcement to achieve smoking cessation and affect the quality of life related to health of women with smoking

Citarabina liposomal para el tratamiento de la diseminación leptomeníngea en tumores del sistema nervioso central en niños y adolescentes / Liposomal cytarabine for the treatment of leptomeningeal dissemination of central nervous system tumours in children and adolescents

Los tumores pediátricos del sistema nervioso central (SNC) con diseminación leptomeníngea tienen mal pronóstico y es preciso encontrar nuevas alternativas terapéuticas. Una de las principales dificultades en el tratamiento de los tumores del SNC es la penetración de la barrera hematoencefálica, por lo que el tratamiento intratecal ha demostrado su eficacia en múltiples tumores pediátricos. En este artículo se revisa la experiencia disponible sobre la utilización de citarabina liposomal para pacientes pediátricos con tumores del SNC con diseminación leptomeníngea: farmacología, forma de administración, datos de seguridad y estudios de eficacia

Leptomeningeal dissemination in paediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumours is associated with a poor outcome, and new therapeutic strategies are desperately needed. One of the main difficulties in the treatment of CNS tumours is blood brain barrier penetration. Intrathecal therapy has shown to be effective in several paediatric tumours. The aim of this article is to review the data available on the use of liposomal cytarabine for paediatric patients with leptomeningeal dissemination of CNS tumours, including the pharmacology, administration, safety and efficacy data

[Liposomal cytarabine for the treatment of leptomeningeal dissemination of central nervous system tumours in children and adolescents]. / Citarabina liposomal para el tratamiento de la diseminación leptomeníngea en tumores del sistema nervioso central en niños y adolescentes.

Leptomeningeal dissemination in paediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumours is associated with a poor outcome, and new therapeutic strategies are desperately needed. One of the main difficulties in the treatment of CNS tumours is blood brain barrier penetration. Intrathecal therapy has shown to be effective in several paediatric tumours. The aim of this article is to review the data available on the use of liposomal cytarabine for paediatric patients with leptomeningeal dissemination of CNS tumours, including the pharmacology, administration route, safety and efficacy data.

Five-year antibody persistence and safety following a booster dose of combined Haemophilus influenzae type b-Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Booster vaccination with the combined Haemophilus influenza type b-Neisseria meningitides serogroup C-tetanus toxoid vaccine (Hib-MenC-TT) has been reported to induce different MenC antibody responses depending on the priming vaccines, with a possible impact on long-term protection. Here, the five-year persistence of immune responses induced by a booster dose of Hib-MenC-TT was evaluated in toddlers primed with either Hib-MenC-TT or MenC-TT. METHODS: This is the follow-up of a phase III, open, randomized study, in which a Hib-MenC-TT booster dose was given at 13.14 months of age to toddlers primed with either 3 doses of Hib-MenC-TT or 2 doses of MenC-TT in infancy. Children in the control group had received 3 primary doses and a booster dose of MenC-CRM197. Functional antibodies against MenC were measured by a serum bactericidal assay with rabbit complement (rSBA-MenC) and antibodies against Hib polyribosylribitol phosphate by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serious adverse events considered by the investigator to be possibly related to vaccination were to be reported throughout the study. RESULTS: At 66 months postbooster, rSBA-MenC titers ≥8 were retained by 82.6% of children primed with Hib-MenC-TT, 94.1% of children primed with MenC-TT, and 60.9% of children in the control group. All children who received the Hib-MenC-TT booster dose retained anti- polyribosylribitol phosphate concentrations ≥0.15 µg/mL. No serious adverse events considered possibly related to vaccination were reported. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of good antibody persistence against MenC and Hib for more than five years postbooster vaccination with Hib-MenC TT in toddlers primed with Hib-MenC-TT or MenC-TT.

Validación de dos escalas utilizadas en la medición del cuidado humano transpersonal basadas en la Teoría de Jean Watson / Validation of Two Scales Used to Measure Transpersonal Human Caring, Based on Jean Watson's Theory

Objetivo: validar Caring Efficacy Scale y Nyberg's Caring Assessment, elementos basados en la Teoría Transpersonal del Cuidado Humano que se fundamenta en los aspectos humanos y éticos del cuidado. Método: los instrumentos fueron validados en una muestra de 360 enfermeras chilenas. Los coeficientes de alfa de Cronbach fueron de 0,76 para Caring Efficacy Scale, y de 0,82 para el Nyberg's Caring Assessment. En cuanto a la validez de constructo ambos instrumentos se correlacionan positiva y significativamente. Resultados: se pondera divergencia como estrategia de esta validez en ambos instrumentos y se utiliza una subescala que evalúa la falta de empatía con el sufrimiento del otro. Conclusión: la validación de estas escalas es un aporte al cuidado humano transpersonal, para conocer el significado que las enfermeras le otorgan, y cuán eficaces se sienten, así como remediar aspectos deficitarios en la enseñanza y práctica del cuidado.

Objective: Validate the Caring Efficacy Scale and Nyberg's Caring Assessment. Both these elements are based on the Theory of Transpersonal Human Caring, which is founded on the humanistic and ethical aspects of care. Method: These scales were validated in a sample comprised of 360 Chilean nurses. Cronbach's alpha was 0.76 for the Caring Efficacy Scale and 0.82 for Nyberg's Caring Assessment. In terms of construct validity, both instruments are correlated positively and significantly. Results: Divergence is weighted as a strategy or approach to this validity in both instruments, and a subscale was used to evaluate lack of empathy with the suffering of others. Conclusion: The validation of these scales is a contribution to transpersonal human caring in terms of knowing the significance nurses give to it and how effective they feel, as well as to remedy shortcomings in the teaching and practice of human care.

Objetivo: validar Caring Efficacy Scale e Nyberg's Caring Assessment, elementos baseados na Teoria Transpessoal do Cuidado Humano que se fundamenta nos aspectos humanos e éticos do cuidado. Método: os instrumentos foram validados em uma amostra de 360 enfermeiras chilenas. Os coeficientes de alfa de Cronbach foram de 0,76 para Caring Efficacy Scale, e de 0,82 para o Nyberg's Caring Assessment. Quanto à validade de construto, ambos os instrumentos se correlacionam positiva e significativamente. Resultados: considera-se divergência como estratégia desta validade em ambos os instrumentos e se utiliza uma subescala que avalia a falta de empatia com o sofrimento do outro. Conclusão: a validação dessas escalas é uma contribuição para o cuidado humano transpessoal, para conhecer o significado que as enfermeiras lhe outorgam, e quão eficazes se sentem, assim como remediar aspectos deficientes no ensino e prática do cuidado.

Combined Haemophilus Influenzae type B-Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C vaccine is immunogenic and well tolerated in preterm infants when coadministered with other routinely recommended vaccines.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants are at greater risk of morbidity from vaccine-preventable diseases. Therefore, their responses to vaccination are of particular interest. METHODS: In this open, controlled, Spanish multicenter study, we assessed immunogenicity and safety following primary vaccination of 163 preterm infants (n = 56, <31 weeks' gestation; n = 107, 31-36 weeks' gestation) and 150 full-term infants (>36 weeks' gestation), with Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)-MenC-TT, DTaP(diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine)-HepB-IPV, and PCV7 at 2 to 4-6 months of age followed by booster vaccination at 16 to 18 months of age. Serum bactericidal activity (rabbit complement) against MenC, and antibodies to Hib and hepatitis b (anti-HBs) were determined. Local/general symptoms were assessed after each vaccination via diary cards. Serious adverse events were recorded throughout the study. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between preterm and full-term infants in either Hib or MenC seroprotection rates or geometric mean concentrations at 1 month postdose 3, before or 1 month postbooster. Postdose 3, >99% of participants had seroprotective anti-HBs antibody concentrations. Anti-HBs geometric mean concentrations was significantly lower in the <31-week group compared with other groups and this difference persisted until 16 to 18 months of age. Hib-MenC-TT vaccine was well tolerated at all ages. There was one death caused by meningococcal serogroup-B sepsis (full term). No serious adverse events were assessed by the investigator as being vaccine related. CONCLUSIONS: Hib-MenC-TT vaccine had a similar immunogenicity and safety profile in preterm and full-term infants. These results demonstrate that preterm infants can be safely vaccinated with Hib-MenC-TT at the recommended chronologic age without impacting the responses to the Hib and MenC antigens.

Immunization of preterm infants with 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

OBJECTIVE: The safety and immunogenicity of the 10-valent pneumococcal nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) in preterm infants were assessed in this study. METHODS: Three parallel groups of infants received 3-dose primary immunization with PHiD-CV at 2, 4, and 6 months of age and a booster dose at 16 to 18 months: preterm I (gestation period ≥ 27 and <31 weeks, N = 50); preterm II (≥31 and <37 weeks, N = 87); and term (≥37 weeks, N = 149). Solicited symptoms and adverse events were recorded. Immune responses to PHiD-CV and coadministered vaccine antigens were measured. RESULTS: The incidence of solicited general symptoms was similar across groups, and the frequency of grade 3 general symptoms was low. Incidences of redness and swelling were generally lower in preterm infants. PHiD-CV was immunogenic for each of the 10 vaccine pneumococcal serotypes (postprimary, ≥92.7% of infants reached enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody concentrations ≥ 0.2 µg/mL and postbooster, ≥97.6%) and for protein D, with a trend for lower postprimary geometric mean antibody concentrations and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) titers in preterm infants for some pneumococcal serotypes. Postbooster, ≥91.9% of subjects in each group had an OPA titer ≥ 8 for each of the vaccine serotypes. Pneumococcal antibody concentrations and OPA titers after priming and booster vaccination were comparable between the 2 preterm groups. CONCLUSIONS: PHiD-CV was well tolerated and immunogenic in preterm infants when given as a 3-dose primary vaccination, with robust enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody and OPA booster responses in the second year of life.

[Identifying predictive factors for therapy nonadherence among hypertensive, older adults from a community in southern Chile]. / Identificación de factores de predicción del incumplimiento terapéutico en adultos mayores hipertensos de una comunidad del sur de Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the predictive factors associated with therapy nonadherence among hypertensive older adults, based on functional dependency, memory disorders, self-perceived wellbeing, abuse, and depression in an area of southern Chile. METHODS: A quantitative, exploratory study of a sample of 211 hypertensive, older adults (29.1% of those being treated by the cardiovascular program at the Centro de Salud Familiar San Pedro, in the province of Concepción, del Bío Bío region, Chile). Seven instruments were applied: Pfeiffer's short mental status questionnaire, Yesavage's geriatric depression scale, the elder abuse screening scale, the morale scale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center, the health behavior scale, the Lawton assessment of instrumental activities of daily living (ADL), and the Katz ADL index. Following an analysis of the important components, latent variables were identified. RESULTS: Two latent variables were identified: social connectedness-measured by the variables depression, abuse, and social satisfaction-and autonomy-measured by the variables mental health and ability to perform basic and instrumental ADLs. These latent variables accounted for 39.7% and 20.7% of nonadherence to therapy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The latent variables proposed here can be used as predictive factors for therapy nonadherence in elderly adults with arterial hypertension. Causes of nonadherence to therapy cannot be assessed solely at health care centers; but rather, an understanding of the home environment is needed and treatment should be adapted according to the needs that exist there.

Identificación de factores de predicción del incumplimiento terapéutico en adultos mayores hipertensos de una comunidad del sur de Chile / Identifying predictive factors for therapy nonadherence among hypertensive, older adults from a community in southern Chile

Objetivo. Identificar factores de predicción del incumplimiento terapéutico en adultos mayores hipertensos a partir de su dependencia funcional, trastornos de memoria, percepción de bienestar, maltrato y depresión en una región del sur de Chile.Métodos. Estudio cuantitativo exploratorio en una muestra de 211 adultos mayores hipertensos (29,1% de los atendidos en el Programa Cardiovascular del Centro de Salud Familiar San Pedro, en la provincia de Concepción, Región del Bío Bío, Chile). Se aplicaron siete instrumentos: el cuestionario abreviado de Pfeiffer para el estado mental, la escala de Yesavagepara la depresión geriátrica, la escala de maltrato senil, la escala moral del Centro Geriátrico de Filadelfia, la escala de conductas en salud y las escalas de Lawton y Katz para medir la capacidadde realizar actividades instrumentales y básicas de la vida diaria, respectivamente. Mediante el análisis de componentes principales se definieron variables latentes. Resultados. Se determinaron dos variables latentes: vinculación con el medio —medida apartir de las variables depresión, maltrato y satisfacción con el medio— y autonomía —medida a partir de las variables estado mental y capacidad para realizar actividades instrumentales y básicas—. Estas variables latentes explicaron 39,7% y 20,7% del incumplimiento terapéutico, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Las variables latentes propuestas pueden emplearse como factores de prediccióndel incumplimiento terapéutico de los adultos mayores con hipertensión arterial. Las causas del incumplimiento terapéutico no pueden medirse solamente en los establecimientos desalud, es necesario conocer el entorno primario en el hogar y adecuar la atención sanitaria a partir de las necesidades que allí se detecten.

Objective. To identify the predictive factors associated with therapy nonadherence among hypertensive older adults, based on functional dependency, memory disorders, self-perceived wellbeing, abuse, and depression in an area of southern Chile. Methods. A quantitative, exploratory study of a sample of 211 hypertensive, olderadults (29.1% of those being treated by the cardiovascular program at the Centro de Salud Familiar San Pedro, in the province of Concepción, del Bío Bío region, Chile). Seven instruments were applied: Pfeiffer’s short mental status questionnaire, Yesavage’s geriatric depression scale, the elder abuse screening scale, the morale scale of thePhiladelphia Geriatric Center, the health behavior scale, the Lawton assessment of instrumental activities of daily living (ADL), and the Katz ADL index. Following an analysis of the important components, latent variables were identified. Results. Two latent variables were identified: social connectedness—measured by the variables depression, abuse, and social satisfaction—and autonomy—measured by the variables mental health and ability to perform basic and instrumental ADLs. These latent variables accounted for 39.7% and 20.7% of nonadherence to therapy,respectively. Conclusions. The latent variables proposed here can be used as predictive factors for therapy nonadherence in elderly adults with arterial hypertension. Causes of nonadherence to therapy cannot be assessed solely at health care centers; but rather, an understanding of the home environment is needed and treatment should be adapted according to the needs that exist there.

Burnout en profesionales de enfermería que trabajan en centros asistenciales de la Octava Región, Chile / Burnout in nursing professionals working in health centers at the Eighth Region of Chile

Investigación cuantitativa, descriptiva y correlacional cuyo objetivo fue determinar la presencia de estrés laboral crónico o burnout y su probable relación con factores sociales y laborales, en los profesionales de enfermería que trabajan en Unidades de Emergencias (UE) y Servicios de Atención Médica de Urgencia (SAMU) de la Octava Región, Chile. Se trabajó con el universo conformado por 91 enfermeras(os), siendo 57 de UE y 34 de SAMU. Se utilizaron dos instrumentos recolectores de datos; el primero elaborado por la autora, que recogió información sobre variables sociodemográficas y laborales. El segundo correspondió a la Escala de Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI); que midió el desgaste profesional producto del estrés laboral crónico y los tres aspectos del síndrome de Burnout, que corresponden a cansancio emocional, despersonalización y realización profesional. Los resultados más relevantes del estudio mostraron que más del 50 por ciento de estos profesionales corresponden a adultos jóvenes, solteros(as) y sin hijos; presentando menos de 10 años de experiencia laboral, la mayoría realiza cuarto turno. El grupo de profesionales evidenció presentar burnout en una intensidad intermedia, que estaría principalmente influenciado por variables laborales como la percepción de recursos insuficientes y la realización de exceso de turnos, al mismo tiempo el grupo de mayor edad evidenció más cansancio emocional y los viudos o separados presentaron menos despersonalización que el resto de los encuestados.

This cross sectional study is a correlational research whose principal objective was determinating the presence of chronic labour stress or burnout and its probably relationships with labour and social factors of nursing professionals working in Emergency Rooms and UMAS (Urgency Medical Attention Service) at the Eighth Región of Chile. We work with the total universe constituted by ninety-one nursing professionals: fifty-seven nurses or male nurses of emergency unities and thirty-four of UMAS. We utilized two instruments to collect the information. The first one was made by the author, and their purposes were collecting information about socio-demographical, and labors variables. The second questionnaire correspond to the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) that measures emotional tiredness, dispersonalization, and professional fullfiment between nursing professionals as an outcome of stress at the working conditions. The most outstanding results of this study showed that more than 50 percent of nursing professional working in the crash unity are single young-adults, without children, and having not more than 10 years of work experience; most of them often working on night-turn. These ER and UMAS group of nursing professionals displayed middle-intensity burnout; the principal influence acting on this illness coming from work variables, like the perception of insufficient resources in the unities and the excess of night turns; The older group showed more emotional tiredness while separated and widowers professional presented less depersonalization than the rest of these professionals.

[Role of psychosocial variables in the metabolic control of type 2 diabetics]. / Variables psicosociales asociadas a compensación metabólica de pacientes diabéticos de tipo 2.

BACKGROUND: Patients' cultural orientations play an important role in chronic diseases. However, medical education research still does not emphasize these variables. AIM: To measure the influence of psychosocial dimensions on blood glucose control in type 2 diabetic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Case-control design. Data were collected from institutional records and structured interviews. Blood glucose control was tested using glycosylated hemoglobin A1C. Patients with a good metabolic profile defined as a glycosylated hemoglobin of less than 7% were considered cases while those with a glycosylated hemoglobin >7% were labeled as controls. Sixty seven cases and 61 controls were randomly selected at a public health center located in Los Angeles, Chile. Socio-demographic, illness-related, and psychosocial variables were measured and multiple modeling using logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: Seventy per cent of patients were female, mean age was 61 years, 57% were housewives and most had a low income and educational level. The cultural predictors of metabolic control of diabetes were the perception of obstacles for blood glucose control, attribution of health benefits to a good control, family support and bonding quality with the health team. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural variables play a significant role in metabolic control of diabetic patients and must be born in mind in educational campaigns.

Variables psicosociales asociadas a compensación metabólica de pacientes diabéticos de tipo 2 / Role of psychosocial variables in the metabolic control of type 2 diabetics

Background: Patients' cultural oríentations play an important role in chronic diseases. However, medical education research still does not emphasize these variables. Aim: To measure the influence of psychosocial dimensions on blood glucose control in type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects and methods: Case-control design. Data were collected from institutional records and structured interviews. Blood glucose control was tested using glycosylated hemoglobin A1C. Patients with a good metabolic proñle defined as a glycosylated hemoglobin of less than 7 percent were considered cases while those with a glycosylated hemoglobin >7 percent were labeled as controls. Sixty seven cases and 61 controls were randomly selected at a public health center located in Los Angeles, Chile. Socio-demographic, illness-related, and psychosocial variables were measured and múltiple modeling using logistic regression was performed. Results: Seventy per cent of patients were female, mean age was 61 years, 57 percent were housewives and most had a low income and educational level. The cultural predictors of metabolic control of diabetes were the perception of obstacles for blood glucose control, attribution of health benefits to a good control, family support and bonding quality with the health team. Conclusions: Cultural variables play a significant role in metabolic control of diabetic patients and must be born in mind in educational campaigns.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a booster dose of a novel combined Haemophilus influenzae type b-Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine given to toddlers of 13-14 months of age with antibody persistence up to 31 months of age.

BACKGROUND: A combined Haemophilus influenzae type b and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (Hib-MenC-TT) may be a convenient alternative to separate Hib and MenC conjugate vaccines. METHODS: Healthy infants randomized in a previous study for priming at 2, 4, and 6 months: Hib-MenC-TT primed group, 3 doses of Hib-MenC-TT + DTPa-HBV-IPV (N = 87); MenC-TT primed group, 2 doses of MenC-TT (NeisVac-C; Baxter Healthcare SA, Zuürich, Switzerland) + 3 doses of DTPa/Hib containing vaccines (N = 178); MenC-CRM primed group, 3 doses of MenC-CRM197(Meningitec; Wyeth Corporation Delaware, Madison, NJ) + DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib (N = 93). At 13-14 months of age, Hib-MenC-TT and MenC-TT primed groups received a Hib-MenC-TT booster dose and the MenC-CRM primed group a booster dose of DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib. Blood samples were taken before and at 1 and 18 months postbooster. RESULTS: Before the booster dose, persistence of anti-polyribosyl ribitol phosphate (PRP) antibody concentration > or =0.15 microg/mL in the Hib-MenC-TT (96.4%) and MenC-TT (96.1%) primed groups and of MenC bactericidal titers > or =1:8 in the Hib-MenC-TT primed group (96.3%) was statistically significantly higher than in the MenC-CRM primed group (86.4% and 85.4%, respectively). One month after the Hib-MenC-TT booster, 99.2% subjects in the Hib-MenC-TT primed + MenC-TT primed pooled groups had anti-PRP levels > or =1 microg/mL, and 99.6% had SBA-MenC titers > or =1:128. The Hib-MenC-TT booster tended to be less reactogenic than the DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib control and no serious adverse events related to vaccination were reported. Eighteen months after boosting with Hib-MenC-TT, SBA-MenC titers > or =1:8 persisted in 92.7% subjects and anti-PRP > or =0.15 microg/mL persisted in 99.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Primary immunization with 3 doses of Hib-MenC-TT coadministered with DTPa-HBV-IPV induced antibodies that persisted up to the second year of life. The Hib-MenC-TT booster administered to primed toddlers induced robust and persistent antibody responses to both the Hib and MenC components and had an acceptable safety profile.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of primary immunization with a novel combined Haemophilus influenzae Type b and Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup C-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine coadministered with a Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular Pertussis-hepatitis B-inactivated poliovirus vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months.

BACKGROUND: This phase II study evaluated the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of primary vaccination with a novel Hib-MenC conjugate vaccine (GlaxoSmithKline [GSK] Biologicals) coadministered with DTPa-HBV-IPV (GSK Biologicals) at 2, 4 and 6 months. METHODS: Healthy infants were randomized to receive Hib-MenC coadministered with DTPa-HBV-IPV (N = 117) or MenC-CRM (Wyeth) coadministered with DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib (GSK Biologicals; N = 120) at 2, 4 and 6 months. Antibody concentrations were measured before vaccination and after doses 2 and 3. Solicited local and general symptoms, unsolicited symptoms and serious adverse events (SAEs) were recorded. RESULTS: All subjects in the Hib-MenC group had seroprotective titers of anti-PRP antibodies (>or=0.15 microg/mL) and SBA-MenC titers (>or=1:8) 1 month after the third dose. These responses were noninferior to those seen in the control group, in which a 99.1% seroprotection rate was observed for both Hib and MenC. At that time, anti-PRP and SBA-MenC GMTs were significantly higher in the Hib-MenC group (12.8 microg/mL and 2467.1 microg/mL, respectively) than in the control group (3.8 microg/mL and 1833.7 microg/mL). High seroprotection rates were already observed after the second dose of Hib-MenC; 96.4% and 100% of subjects were seroprotected to Hib and MenC, respectively. Immune responses to coadministered antigens were unimpaired; seroprotection/vaccine response rates >or=96.5% were recorded postdose 3 in the Hib-MenC group. No differences in reactogenicity were seen between the 2 study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of a Hib-MenC conjugate vaccine with DTPa-HBV-IPV is well tolerated and immunogenic, and does not impair the immune response to any of the coadministered antigens.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of primary immunization with a hexavalent diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-hepatitis B-inactivated polio-Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine coadministered with two doses of a meningococcal C-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the concurrent use of meningococcal C tetanus conjugate (MenC-TT) vaccine (NeisVac-C) with DTaP-based combinations, according to 2 vaccination schedules, one of which included hepatitis B vaccination at birth (Trial DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib-097). METHODS: Healthy infants were randomized to receive either DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib (Infanrix hexa) at 2, 4, and 6 months (N = 115) or HBV at birth followed by DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib at 2 and 6 months and DTaP-IPV/Hib (Infanrix-IPV Hib) at 4 months (N = 115). In both groups 2 doses of MenC-TT conjugate were coadministered at 2 and 4 months, and compared with 3 doses of MenC-CRM197 conjugate (Meningitec) coadministered at 2, 4, and 6 months with DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib (N = 120). Antibody concentrations were measured at 2, 6 and 7 months. Solicited local and general symptoms, unsolicited symptoms, and serious adverse events (SAEs) were recorded. RESULTS: All MenC-TT recipients had seroprotective concentrations of anti-PRP antibodies (> or = 0.15 microg/mL) 1 month after the third vaccine dose and all had SBA-MenC titers > or = 1:8 after the second dose of MenC-TT. These responses were noninferior to those seen after 3 doses of DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib and MenC-CRM. Anti-PRP antibody GMCs were significantly higher in MenC-TT than MenC-CRM vaccinees (7.9, 7.3, 3.8 microg/mL, respectively). Immune responses to all other coadministered antigens were unimpaired, with seroprotection/seropositivity rates > or = 98.1% in MenC-TT vaccinees. All schedules studied were well tolerated, with no differences in reactogenicity between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of DTaP-HBV-IPV/Hib or DTaP-IPV/Hib with 2 doses of MenC-TT conjugate vaccine is safe, well tolerated, and immunogenic, with no impairment of the response to the coadministered antigens.

[Neighborhood effects influencing reproductive health of Chilean women]. / Efectos-vecindario sobre la salud reproductiva de la mujer chilena.

BACKGROUND: Fecundity rates have decreased considerably in Latin America, due to a higher contraceptive use and better family planning programs. AIM: To determine whether neighborhood level socioeconomic variables have an independent effect on reported modern contraceptive use, over and above the effect of individual level measures of socioeconomic status and reproductive health behavior. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Multilevel logistic models determined the effects of individual and neighborhood dimensions (socioeconomic status, urbanization, quality of public health facilities) on contraceptive use among 509 women aged 15 to 49 years living in 85 neighborhoods within the Region of Bio Bio, Chile. RESULTS: After adjustment for women's individual socioeconomic characteristics and other risk factors, less favorable neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics were significantly associated with lower rates of modern contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the quality of facilities for family planning at the neighborhood level may enhance modern contraceptive use.

Efectos de la educación sobre la paridez / Effects of the education on the parturition

Keywords: Education, parity or number of children, contraceptive methods and ideal number of children A higher degree of education in women diminishes the number of children. Aim:To analyse the ways formal educationinfluences parity on fertile women. Descriptive and transversed design total universe fertile women of eighth region of Chile the Biobío Region. The sample was taken from 509 fertile age women living in urban and rural areas of this region. Aleatory and hierarchical selection of areas then it was determined an individual sample, gathering of information January 2001 according toDemographic and Health Survey Program Conceptual strategy based on Bongaarts model, including demographic socioeconomics and the access predictors together with fertility determinants. Dependant variable of the studywas parity or the total number of children per women Once data base was created on statistical univarying, bivarying and multivarying analysis was done with statistical analysis system (SAS) to know the effects of the variables on dependant. Results: The average scholarity and number of children were 10 and 1.8 respectively. When ordering hierarchically blocks of predictors variables with dependant variable. The best model on child bearing determinant includes education,age, marital status, number of children before using as contraceptive method, use of a modern contraceptive method and ideal number of children. Conclusion: The final model able to explain the percentage of variation is the one that included age and marital status and close determinants, number of children before the method, use ofmodern contraceptive method and ideal number of children. Education is an exogenous variable determining fertility of women.