Determinación de la dimensión vertical oclusal en desdentados totales: comparación de métodos convencionales con el craneómetro de Knebelman / Determination of oclusal vertical dimension in edentulous: comparison of conventional methods with Knebelman craneometer

Objetivo: Se realizó una investigación cuyo propósito fue comparar la DVO determinada mediante métodos convencionales y la determinada por el craneómetro de Knebelman en el mismo paciente. Método: Se consideró como metodología convencional la DVO medida estando el paciente con sus prótesis en máxima intercuspidación. El estudio se realizo en una muestra de 45 individuos desdentados totales y parciales sin referencia oclusiva, rehabilitados con prótesis removible en la en la Clínica Integral del Adulto I y II. Los resultados fueron analizados empleando el test t pareado expresado en mm. de la DVO determinada con cada metodología. Resultado: Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambas mediciones y se empleó el test Chi-Cuadrado para analizar la influencia en la magnitud de la DVO observada cuando se emplea una o más referencias en su determinación, donde no se encontraron diferencias significativas. El rango de diferencias entre ambas metodologías de determinación en promedio fue de 2.93 mm considerado no relevante desde el punto de vista clínico. Conclusión: En este contexto el craneómetro de Knebelman puede ser un valioso instrumento que permita simplificar la determinación de la DVO en pacientes desdentados.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the OVD obtained with the conventional methods and the one that is obtained with the Knebelman craniometric system in the same patient. Methods: The OVD considered as "conventional" was the one obtained with the patient using his/her dental prosthesis in maximum intercuspidation. This study was made using a sample of 45 edentulous and partially edentulous subjects, all treated with full removable denture and RPD in "Odontologia Integral del Adulto I & II". The results were analyzed using pair comparison system for the different OVD obtained with both methods (all expressed in millimeters). Results: Significant differences were found between both methods. The Chi-Square test to analyze de influence in the OVD when one or more references are used, didn´t show any significant differences. The average discrepancy between the two methods was 2.93 mm, which is considered as not clinically significant. Conclusion: In this context the Knebelman craneometer can be considered as an important instrument to simplify the determination of the OVD in edentulous patients.

Histopathological and Histometrical Assessment of Boron Exposure Effects on Mouse Spermatogenesis / Evaluación Histopatológica e Histométrica del Efecto en la Espermatogénesis por Exposición a Boro

Boron is a chemical element widely used in many industrial activities. Exposure to it affects many organs in mammals, mainly reproductive male organs. This work evaluates boron effect in testis. For this purpose, 12mg Boron/L of drinking water, equivalent to Arica tap water, was given for 42 days to 85 days old CFl male mice (experimental group). Another group (control group) drunk tap water of Santiago (0.6mg Boron/L) was used. Testicular histopathology and morphometric analysis was done. These studies showed that Borum induces alterations such as epithelial vacuolization, blockage of the tubular lumen and atrophy. Morphometrical data showed that Borom induces also enlargement of tubular diameter, epithelial height and tubular lumen. Therefore, it is concluded that Boron acts as testicular toxicant and that further studies are needed to establish its mechanism of action upon spermatogenesis.

El Boro es un elemento químico ampliamente usado en variadas actividades industriales. La exposición a éste afecta a varios órganos en mamíferos, principalmente órganos reproductivos. Este trabajo evaluó los efectos del Boro en testículo. Para este propósito, 12mg Boro/Ide agua potable, equivalente al agua bebestible de Arica, se administró por 42 días a ratones machos CF1 de 85 días de edad (grupo experimental). Otro grupo (grupo control) bebió agua de Santiago (0.6mg Boro/L). Se realizaron estudios histopatológicos y morfométricos del testículo. Estos estudios mostraron que el Boro induce alteraciones como vacuolización epitelial, taponamiento y atrofia del lumen testicular. Los estudios morfométricos mostraron que el Boro también induce aumento del diámetro tubular, altura del epitelio y del lumen tubular. En consecuencia, se concluye que el Boro actúa como un tóxico testicular y que futuros estudios son necesarios para establecer su mecanismo de acción sobre la espermatogénesis.

[Primary health care and community participation: strategic approaches]. / Atención primaria y participación comunitaria en salud: orientaciones estrategicas.

This article gives technical orientation to health institutions for the promotion of community participation and sets forth the challenge of constructing a health system for Chile, according to the needs and problems of the country and based on the principles of solidarity, equity and social participation. It presents the governmental objectives and actions towards the development of social participation as an axis of Primary Care. The adoption of this concept requires a change in health teams internal management and relationship with the local community. The formation of interdisciplinary work groups, the formulation of a community health program, a work based in specific projects and the establishment of an operational sequence are suggested as requirements to start this process.

[Primary care. General principles and specific tasks]. / Atencion primaria. Principios y tareas

PIP: The initial rationale for primary health care (PHC) was that it was a necessary strategy for health maintenance, preventing disease, early detection of health problems and providing a diagnosis for a cure. This definition along with modern epidemiology served as the basis for introducing a new concept of "focalization" extending the definition to that of primary family oriented health care to the community. This has cleared the role of the community or population as the denominator rather than the cases in all PHC activities. PHC also refers to intersectorial activities that in addition to including the traditional activities of prevention, curative care, entrance to the health care system, comprehensiveness and equipment, also includes the objectives of equality, humanity, human rights, participation, intersectorial participation and decentralization. These principles and objectives establish a national health model that can be replicated in each community. Each community would have 3 types of dispensaries: 1) a 24 hour primary health care emergency services; 2) a dispensary from 5-8:00 p.m. providing a 3rd rotation; and 3) dispensaries that provide comprehensive health care during regular working hours.^ieng

Mercury poisoning in Nicaragua: a case study of the export of environmental and occupational health hazards by a multinational corporation.

Pennwalt Inc., a multinational chemical and pharmaceutical firm based in the United States, operates a chloralkali plant in Managua, Nicaragua. This plant utilizes elemental mercury in the production of chlorine and caustic soda for markets throughout Central America. The plant was recently found to be contaminating the waters of Lake Managua (on which the plant is located) with 2 to 4 tons of inorganic mercury effluent per year-over 40 tons in the 13-year history of the plant. Examination of the 152 workers employed in the plant showed that 56(37 percent) were suffering symptoms and signs of mercury poisoning, including tremors (in 45), memory and attention deficits (in 45) and paresthesias (in 52). Levels of airborne mercury vapor in the plant were found to range as high as 600 microgram/m3. (The airborne standard set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is 100 microgram/m3.) Workers in the plant had never been alerted to the hazards of mercury. The plant was found to be in deteriorated condition, with no recent investments in maintenance or modern safety equipment. It is reported that the parent corporation, Pennwalt, has been withdrawing capital from the operation (and from Nicaragua) since the fall of the Somoza regime.

An international perspective on strikes and strike threats by physicians: the case of Chile.

The program for health services developed by the government of Dr. Salvador Allende Gossens in Chile is outlined, as well as its early effects. A review of this development is necessary to an understanding of the systematic opposition of the organized medical profession to this program in particular, and to the broad socialist goals of the government in general. Three periods of activity by the medical profession are traced, beginning in September 1970 and culminating in September 1973 with the military coup and overthrow of the democratically elected government of Chile and the murder of its president, a physician. While the medical profession was opposed to the government program for community participation in health care and to changes in the models for delivery of care, and feared a changed status for the physician, clearly there were broader political links between the organized medical profession and the political opponents of the government which sought its overthrow.