Methods and measures for the description of epidemiologic contact networks.

This article describes new methods to characterize epidemiologic contact networks that involve links that are being dynamically formed and dissolved. The new social network measures are designed with an epidemiologic interpretation in mind. These methods are intended to capture dynamic aspects of networks related to their potential to spread infection. This differs from many social network measures that are based on static networks. The networks are formulated as transmission graphs (TGs), in which nodes represent relationships between two individuals and directed edges (links) represent the potential of an individual in one relationship to carry infection to an individual in another relationship. Network measures derived from transmission graphs include "source counts," which are defined as the number of prior relationships that could potentially transmit infection to a particular node or individual.

Modeling contact networks and infection transmission in geographic and social space using GERMS.

BACKGROUND: Stochastic models of discrete individuals and deterministic models of continuous populations may give different answers to questions about infectious diseases. GOAL: Discrete individual model formulations are sought that extend deterministic models of infection transmission systems so that both model forms contribute cooperatively to model-based decision making. STUDY DESIGN: GERMS models are defined as stochastic processes in continuous time with parameters analogous to those in deterministic models. A GERMS model simulator was developed that insured that the rate of events depended only on the current state of model. RESULTS: The confidence intervals of long-term averages of infection level in simulated GERMS models were shown to contain the deterministic model means. CONCLUSION: GERMS models provide a convenient framework for testing the sensitivity of model-based decisions to a variety of unrealistic assumptions that are characteristic of differential equation models. GERMS especially facilitates making more realistic assumptions about contact patterns in geographic and social space.

Peri- and postoperative pain valutation in carpal tunnel release of median nerve compression.

We analysed 108 patients, operated on day surgery, for carpal tunnel release of median nerve compression, to evaluate peri- and postoperative pain. We made in all cases a short intertenarian incision (25 mm) with microsurgical technique and local anaesthesia using mepivacaine 2% without vasoconstrictor. We evaluated pain for local anaesthetic infiltration as VRS (Verbal Rating Scale) 6,3 median-time to the first possible analgesic assumption (in all cases paracetamol 500 mg), total analgesic assumption, pressure algometry (to evaluate "allodiny") after the first 48 hours and subjective pain intensity by a numerical pain scale. Pain intensity on first drug assumption (after a mean time of 7 hours from the end of surgery) had a mean VAS value of 2,15; while after a second assumption of analgesic (after a mean time of 15 hours from surgery) had a mean VAS value of 2. Mean total analgesic assumption was 1,64 tablets of paracetamol 500 mg. From these data we may deduce that peri- and postoperative pain following median nerve decompression with this technique and anaesthesia, has a moderate intense peak of brief duration, for local anaesthetic infiltration (that seems to be the most painful event) and modest and not constant pain in the postoperative time (more evident 7 and 15 hours from the end of surgery). It may be useful association with mepivacaine bicarbonate solutions or injecting less painful local anaesthetic.

Spectrophotometric investigation of the reaction of CU(II) and Cu(I) with 1-isonitroso-(1,2,3,4)-tetrahydrophenazine.

The reactions of Cu(II) and Cu(I) with 1-isonitroso-(1,2,3,4)-tetrahydrophenazine (HITF) have been studied spectrophotometrically. Both ions form complexes with metal/ligand ratio 1:2. The complex of Cu(I) and ITF can be used for copper determination in the range 2-50 x 10(-6)M, and has been separated as the perchlorate in crystalline form. The spectrophotometric characteristics and the equilibrium constants for the ligand and for the complexes are reported.