ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Serological controls for diseases of viral origin in animal production systems and the identification of factors associated with infections are decisive elements to establish prevention and control measures. The aim of this study was to establish the serological status for Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) and Enzootic Bovine Leukemia (EBL) viruses in Blanco Orejinegro (BON) cattle from Colombia, and to identify the factors associated with seropositivity. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 498 animals of all age groups and physiological states of the BON breed were selected, belonging to 14 herds located in 6 states of Colombia, in which a survey with 27 questions was conducted. By means of the chi-square test, possible factors associated with seropositivity against the 2 viruses were identified. A sample of 4 ml of blood was taken from each animal to extract plasma and make indirect Elisa tests to detect antibodies against both pathogens. General seropositivity of 27,1% was obtained for EBL, finding as factors associated with seropositivity the inadequate disposition of placental tissues after delivery of the cows and the non-performance of serological tests on new animals entering the herd. For BVD, seropositivity obtained was 50,6%, and the factors associated with seropositivity identified were having had a history of the disease in the herd, and using semen from bulls that are not known to be free for the infection. We suggest establishing control measures considering the factors associated with each viral infection to limit their expansion in the BON cattle production systems of Colombia.
RESUMO Os controles sorológicos para doenças de origem viral nos sistemas de produção animal e a identificação de fatores associados à infecção são elementos decisivos para estabelecer medidas de prevenção e controle. O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer o status sorológico dos vírus da Diarréia Viral Bovina (BVD) e da Leucemia Bovina Enzoótica (EBL) em bovinos Blanco Orejinegro (BON) da Colômbia e identificar os fatores associados à soropositividade. Foram selecionados 498 animais de todas as faixas etárias e estados fisiológicos da raça BON, de 14 rebanhos localizados em seis regiões da Colômbia, nos quais foi realizada uma pesquisa para identificar possíveis fatores associados à soropositividade contra os dois vírus. Foi retirada uma amostra de 4 ml de sangue de cada animal para extrair plasma e fazer testes ELISA indiretos para detectar anticorpos contra os dois patógenos. Obteve-se soropositividade geral de 27,1% para EBL, encontrando como fatores associados à soropositividade a disposição inadequada dos tecidos placentários após o parto das vacas e a não realização de testes sorológicos em novos animais que entraram no rebanho. Para a BVD, a soropositividade obtida foi de 50,6%, e os fatores associados à soropositividade identificados foram: histórico de doença no rebanho e uso de sêmen de touros que não são reconhecidos como livres da infecção. Sugerimos o estabelecimento de medidas de controle considerando os fatores associados a cada infecção viral para limitar sua expansão nos sistemas de produção de gado BON da Colômbia.
Subject(s)
Virus Diseases , Cattle , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Serologic Tests , Leukemia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Enzootic Bovine Leukosis , Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral , Infections , Semen , Diarrhea , LivestockABSTRACT
In the context of a worldwide obesity epidemic, healthcare providers play a key role in obesity management. Knowledge of current guidelines and attitudes to prevent stigmatization are especially important. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, perception of opportunity for intervention, declared practices and need for training and material of nurses and physicians about obesity in a Swiss University Hospital. A total of 834 physicians and nurses filled an online survey. The questionnaire was based on literature, exploratory interviews and expert committee review. It was pre-tested with 15 physicians and nurses. Participants declared a low level of negative attitudes towards individuals living with obesity. However, the results highlighted a lack of knowledge to diagnose obesity in adults and children, as well as confidence and training to care of patients with obesity. One-third of providers did not know how to calculate body mass index. Half of providers felt it was part of their role to take care of patients with obesity, even if 55% of them had the feeling that they did not have adequate training. Nurses and physicians working in a university hospital showed a low level of negative attitudes but a lack of knowledge and skills on obesity management. Training should be improved in this population to insure adequate and coherent messages and equal access to evidence-based treatment for patients living with obesity.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Health Personnel/education , Health Personnel/psychology , Hospitals, University , Obesity/psychology , Adult , Body Mass Index , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Workforce , Young AdultABSTRACT
Resumen A nivel mundial se registran anualmente alrededor de 3,308 víctimas de minas antipersonal (MAP), de las cuales un 67% corresponde a lesiones de miembros inferiores que requieren rehabilitación. Este artículo presenta un sistema de adquisición de datos para un equipo de rehabilitación de víctimas de MAP, quienes al interactuar con un videojuego de carreras de automóviles realizan la terapia. El sistema permite al terapeuta establecer una velocidad de pedaleo mínima y analizar la fuerza y velocidad del mismo. El desarrollo conceptual incorpora una bicicleta estática comercial, sensores para medir la fuerza de pedaleo, un sensor óptico para medir la velocidad y pulsadores de mando para interactuar con el videojuego. Para evaluar el sistema se caracterizaron y probaron los sensores, y se realizaron encuestas de percepción a 20 fisioterapeutas relacionadas con ergonomía, seguridad y potenciales beneficios del sistema. El 70%, 90% y 80% de los fisioterapeutas valoraron, respectivamente, estas características en un nivel Alto. Adicionalmente, al menos el 85% de ellos están de acuerdo con nueve beneficios potenciales para personas víctimas de MAP, por lo tanto se plantea que el sistema desarrollado puede utilizarse como 'juego serio' para apoyar las terapias de rehabilitación de personas con prótesis por esta causa.
Abstract Worldwide there are approximately 3,308 records of landmine victims during a year. 67% of them suffered injuries which require physical rehabilitation. This paper presents a data acquisition system for landmine victims rehabilitation, interfaced with a videogame, which enables to interact with a racing game. The therapist can set the minimum speed required for the rehabilitation and analyze the forces and speed developed while pedaling. The conceptual development incorporates a commercial static bicycle, sensors to measure the pedaling force, an optic sensor to measure the speed, and command buttons to control the videogame. In order to evaluate the system, the sensors were characterized and tested, and a survey was conducted to 20 physiotherapists in order to evaluate the perception of ergonomics, safety and possible benefits of the data acquisition system for rehabilitation of landmine victims. 70%, 90% and 80% of the physiotherapists, respectively, assessed these characteristics as High level. Moreover, at least 85% of them are agree with nine possible benefits for rehabilitation of landmine explosion victim. Therefore, it is proposed that the data acquisition system can be used as a serious game that supports rehabilitation therapies of people with a prosthesis due to this cause.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To examine the impact of a computerized physician reminder in combination with a mailed patient reminder on the rate of influenza immunizations for older adults in a large family medicine office in Delaware. METHODS: In July of 1998, the Christiana Care Foulk Road Family Medicine Center (FMC) implemented an electronic patient record which included automated physician reminders for when influenza immunizations and other preventive interventions were due. In addition, FMC patients ages 65 years and older were sent a mailing urging them to receive an influenza immunization in 1998. Medical records were reviewed for active FMC patients ages 65 and older. Rates of receipt of influenza immunization were compared for the year before (1997) and after (1998) these two interventions were implemented. A secondary analysis compared influenza immunization rates for three different age groups (65-74 years, 75-85 years, over 85 years). RESULTS: For the 344 patients in the main study population, influenza immunization rates increased from 50.4 percent in 1997 to 61.6 percent in 1998 (p < 0.001). Immunization rates were lowest for persons over age 85 years, and rates increased significantly in the two younger groups but not in those over age 85 years. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the use of a computerized physician reminder and a mailed patient reminder had a positive impact on influenza immunizations for older adults in a large family practice office. This combination strategy resulted in immunization rates that exceed published national goals, although there is still room for improvement, particularly for the oldest age group. These results support the notion that electronic patient records (EPRs) and other computerized reminder systems can significantly improve quality of care in office based settings.
