Conocimiento, actitud y práctica sobre medidas de odontología preventiva en odontólogos: vi Congreso Paraguayo de Endodoncia, 2011 / Knowledge, attitude and practice on preventive measures in dentistry: vi congress Praguayan of Endodontics, 2011

Objetivo: Describir nivel de conocimiento, actitud y práctica de medidas básicas de prevención en salud oral en odontólogos que asistieron al VI Congreso Paraguayo de Endodoncia en el año 2011.Metodología: Estudio transversal, a través de una encuesta autoaplicada validada que contenía preguntas básicas referentes a Odontología Preventiva. Resultados: Participaron del estudio 173 profesionales, con una mediana de 33 años,62,4% con 1 a 12 años de ejercicio en la profesión y 58,4% procedían de universidades públicas.El 57,8% de los encuestados demostró tener muy buenos niveles de conocimiento,de actitud en el 46,8%y38,2%en práctica.La aplicación de medidas de prevención produjo en el 64,2% de los encuestados satisfacción personal. Respecto a las medidas de control de placa, las técnicas más difundidas fueron:cepillado de Bass 80,4%,método del lazo para el hilo dental 53,8% y el flúor se aplica en el 76,9% en su presentación de enjuagues bucales. Se encontró una fuerte asociación entre el conocimiento y la actitud (OR=4,3;p<0,0001) y entre la actitud y la práctica (OR=2,3;p=0,0162) Conclusión: La práctica de la filosofía preventiva se halla condicionada por la actitud y ésta a su vez depende del conocimiento constituyéndose componentes esenciales para la mejora del estado de salud de una población. Palabras claves: Conocimiento, Odontología Preventiva, Odontólogos.

Objective: To describe the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of basic preventive measures in oral health acquired by dentists who attended the VI Paraguayan Congress of Endodontics in 2011. Methods: Cross-sectional study by a validated self-administered survey containing basic questions regarding to Preventive Dentistry. Results: The study comprised 173 professionals, with an average age of 33 years old, 62.4 % with 1-12 years of practice in the profession and almost 58.4 % were from public universities. Whatsmore, 57.8 % of respondents proved to have very good levels of knowledge, 46.8 % of them proved it in attitude and 38.2 % in practice. The application of preventive measures gave to 64.2% of respondents a personal satisfaction. Concerning plaque control measures, the most widely used techniques were: 80.4 % Bass brushing, 53.8 % in a method to tie dental floss and fluoride applies to 76.9% in its presentation of rinses mouth. Furthermore, it has been found a strong association between attitude and practice (OR = 2.3, p = 0.0162) and between knowledge and attitude (p < 0.0001 OR = 4.3) Conclusion: the practice of prevention philosophy is based on the attitude and this in turn depends on knowledge. Therefore, attitude and knowledge are essential components in order to improve the health status of a population. Keywords: Knowledge, Preventive Dentistry, Dental.

Seroprevalence of antibodies against the excreted antigen superoxide dismutase by Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs from the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico).

Numerous studies have shown the role of dogs as a reservoir for the American trypanosomiasis, as the bridge connecting sylvatic and peridomestic cycles. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of American trypanosomiasis in the dog population (630 sera) from seven localities in the Yucatan Peninsula (city of Mérida and the towns of Molas, Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Xcalacoop, Xcalac and Xahuachol). These data are key for developing control measures for the disease. The sera were analysed to detect antibodies against Trypanosoma cruzi, using Fe-SOD excreted as the antigenic fraction by ELISA and Western blot as confirmation. The total prevalence found in the Yucatan Peninsula was some 14.76%, with 10.74% in the state of Yucatan (city of Mérida, towns of Molas and Xcalacoop) and 21.34% in the state of Quintana Roo (towns of Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Xcalac and Xahuachol). However, a more thorough epidemiological study of the dog population, both wild and urban, in the Yucatan Peninsula will be required to design a control strategy for these diseases, paying particular attention to the population affected and even broadening the study to other Mexican states as well as neighbouring countries. These results again confirm that iron-superoxide dismutase excreted by T. cruzi constitutes a good source of antigen for serodiagnosis in epidemiological studies.

Leishmania spp. epidemiology of canine leishmaniasis in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Canine Leishmaniasis is widespread in various Mexican states, where different species of Leishmania have been isolated from dogs. In the present study, we describe the detection of L. braziliensis, L. infantum, and L. mexicana in serum of dogs from the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). A total of 412 sera were analyzed by ELISA using the total extract of the parasite and the iron superoxide dismutase excreted by different trypanosomatids as antigens. We found the prevalence of L. braziliensis to be 7.52%, L. infantum to be 6.07%, and L. mexicana to be 20.63%, in the dog population studied. The results obtained with ELISA using iron superoxide dismutase as the antigen were confirmed by western blot analysis with its greater sensitivity, and the agreement between the two techniques was very high.

Rendimiento aeróbico en niños obesos de 6 a 10 años / Aerobic performance in obese children of 6 to 10 years old

Objective: To study the relationship between aerobic performance and nutritional state in children of 6-10 years old. Method: Observational and cross-sectional design. A sample of 98 children (78 girls) attending school in the Metropolitan Region was taken. Of these, 47 were diagnosed as obese, 51 were used as controls. Aerobic performance was determined by distance walked (DW) in 6 minutes walk test (6MWT). Continuous measures of reserve heart rate (RHR) and subjective sense of fatigue (SSF) were taken. / or Wilcoxon tests were used for comparison between groups, Pearson coefficient for correlations and multiple regression to evaluate control variables. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: DW in 6MWT shows differences according to nutritional state (p < 0.0001), with a mean distance of 627.6 +/- 24.5 m in control children vs 560 +/- 26.8 m in obese children; but these differences are independent of the gender and age variables. Values for RHR and SSF were similar for both groups except for SSF on the first minute. WD and body mass index showed inverse correlation (r = -0,58; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The performance in 6MWT was lower among obese children, showing an independent relationship with nutritional state and limited cardiorespiratory efficiency, restricting functional activities in daily life.

Objetivo: Estudiar la relación entre rendimiento aeróbico y estado nutricional (EN) en escolares de 6 a 10 a±os. Método: Diseño observacional, corte transversal. Muestra: 98 escolares (78 mujeres), 51 controles (C) y 47 obesos (OB), de colegios de la Región Metropolitana. El rendimiento aeróbico se evaluó con distancia recorrida (DR) en el test de marcha en 6 minutos (TM6). Se estimó continuamente frecuencia cardíaca de reserva (FCR) y sensación subjetiva de fatiga (SSF). Para comparar medias, se usó test / o Wilcoxon; como índice de correlación, Pearson y para variables de control, regresión lineal múltiple; nivel de significancia, p < 0,05. Resultados: La DR en el TM6 se relacionó con EN (p < 0,0001), con media de DR 627,6 +/- 24,5 vs 560 +/- 26,8 m, en niños C y OB, respectivamente, asociación que no fue modificada por edad y género. Los valores de por ciento FCR y SSF fueron similares en los grupos, excepto la SSF del minuto 1. DR e IMC mostraron asociación inversa moderada (r = -0,58; p < 0,0001). Conclusión: El rendimiento en el TM6 fue menor en OB, mostrando una relación independiente con EN y limitada eficiencia cardiorrespiratoria, lo cual puede restringir la capacidad funcional en actividades de la vida diaria.

Agentes etiológicos de vulvovaginitis en niñas / Etiologic agents of vulvovaginitis in girls

La vulvovaginitis (VV) es una las causas más frecuentes de consulta ginecológica de niñas, especialmente, en centros hospitalarios públicos. El conocimiento de la frecuencia de los agentes que producen esta patología, las condiciones socio­económicas y hábitos de higiene de las afectadas contribuye al desarrollo de programas de prevención y control epidemiológicos. De las 196 niñas con el diagnóstico clínico de vulvovaginitis (presencia de leucorrea e irritación vulvar) se aislaron 330 microorganismos, siendo los más frecuentemente aislados Gardnerella vaginalis (17%) y Candida sp (13%). La frecuencia de candidiasis fue mayor en el grupo de 6 a 12 años que en las menores. Se encontró reacción inflamatoria (>10 leucocitos por campo) en 103 niñas (52,6%)y en este grupo, el 34% de las niñas presentaba G.vaginalis y 24% Candida sp, en comparación con el grupo sin reacción inflamatoria quienes presentaron G. vaginalis en el 15% y Candida sp en el 17%, pero la diferencia no fue significativa. Debido a que la vulvovaginitis ha sido asociada frecuentemente a falta higiene, sobretodo en las niñas menores de 5 años, es importante resaltar la presencia de gérmenes que provendrían de la flora fecal, tales como enterobacterias (18%) y Enterococcus sp (9%).La vulvovaginitis de origen infeccioso estuvo presente en el 52,6% de las niñas, y el resto estaría relacionado a una falta de higiene, que generalmente responden a tratamientos sintómaticos sin antibióticos.

Vulvovaginitis (VV) is one of the most common causes of gynecological consultation in girls, especially in public hospitals. The knowledge of the frequency of the causative agents of this pathology, socio­economic conditions and hygiene practices of the affected girls will contribute to development of epidemiological control programs. Out of 196 girls with a clinical diagnosis of vulvovaginitis (presence leukorrhea and vulva irritation), 330 microorganisms were isolated being the most frequent microorganisms Gardnerella vaginalis (17%) and Candida sp (13%). The frequency of candidiasis was higher in the age group of 6 to 12 years than in younger girls and inflammatory reaction (>10 leucocytes per field) was found in 103 girls (52.6%). In this group, 34% of the girls presented G. vaginalis and 24% Candida sp. in comparison to the group without inflammatory reaction where 15% presented G. vaginalis and 17% Candida sp.(difference was not significant). Since vulvovaginitis has been frequently associated to the lack of hygiene, especially in girls younger than 5 years old, it is important to remark the presence of germs from the fecal flora such as enterobacteria (18%) and Enterococcus sp (9%). The vulvovaginitis was infectious in 52.6% of the girls while the rest was related to a lack of hygiene and generally responds to symptomatic treatments without antibiotics.

Relationship between soil copper content and copper content of selected crop plants in central Chile.

A survey of copper levels in agricultural soils of central Chile revealed two soil clusters-one with a mean copper level of 162 mg/kg and one with a mean copper level of 751 mg/kg of soil. Samples of soils from both soil clusters were characterized on the basis of physicochemical characteristics, and copper extractability was compared by saturation and CaCl2 extraction as well as an acid-leaching procedure (TCLP). We also measured the copper content of various tissues of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and onion (Allium cepa) crops growing on these soils. Other than copper levels, soils from the two clusters were quite similar, with slightly greater levels of molybdenum and cadmium in the high-copper soils. Within each cluster, extracted copper levels and total soil copper levels were not correlated. However, the three extraction procedures solubilized significantly more copper from the high-Cu soils. Mineralogical characterization of the soil particles and depth profiles of soil metal levels in a subsample of sites suggested that highly insoluble copper ore and mining wastes might account for the high copper levels. Neither total nor extractable copper levels allowed statistical prediction of the levels of copper in plant tissue. The edible tissues of both crops had the same mean copper content, regardless of the copper soil level. However, copper contents of stems and leaves were significantly higher for plants growing on the high-Cu soils. These results show that in these soils, high copper levels are associated with very insoluble copper species and thus low bioavailability of copper to crop plants.

[Influence of respiratory viruses, cold weather and air pollution in the lower respiratory tract infections in infants children]. / Influencia de virus respiratorios, frío y contaminación aérea en la infección respiratoria aguda baja del lactante.

BACKGROUND: All winters, there is an increase in the number of pediatric consultations, associated to three factors: cold weather, air pollution and respiratory virus epidemics. AIM: To study the influence of these three factors in the demand for pediatric consultations between March and September, in an area of Metropolitan Santiago. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The number of consultations between March and September 1998 in the emergency room and the number of hospital discharges due to lower respiratory tract infections, were registered in a public pediatric hospital of Santiago. A respiratory virus surveillance (respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza and parainfluenza virus) was done among children admitted for lower respiratory infections. Atmospheric temperature values and air pollution, measured as the number of particles of 10 microns or more per m3 (MP 10), were obtained from local health services. RESULTS: Two elevation waves of outpatient consultations were detected at weeks 19 and 26, that coincided with the periods of maximal detection of influenza and syncytial respiratory virus, respectively. The epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus coincided with the maximal number of hospital admissions for lower respiratory tract infections at week 27. There was no correlation between air pollution and the number of pediatric consultations. The lower ambient temperatures coincided with the higher detection of respiratory syncytial virus at week 28, moment in which the demand for consultations or hospital admissions was descending. CONCLUSIONS: There is a direct relationship between respiratory virus epidemics and the demand for pediatric consultations. There is also a minor influence of ambient temperature.

Uso de la reacción de Mantoux en el diagnostico de la tuberculosis / Use of the Mantoux reaction for the diagnosis of tuberculosis

Objetivos: El objetivo general de este trabajo es valorar si la Reacción de Mantoux (RM) es útil para el diagnostico de tuberculosis activa en cualquiera de sus formas en nuestro medio. Concomitantemente valorar si la presencia/ausencia de cicatriz por vacuna BCG influyen en la utilidad de esta prueba diagnóstica. Diseño: Es un trabajo prospectivo tipo prueba terapéutica realizado en un mes desde la programación hasta la lectura de los resultados. Lugar: El trabajo se realizo en el Instituto Nacional del Torax (I.N.T.) y en el Hospital de Clínicas de la ciudad de La Paz Bolivia. Pacientes: Se requirió de la colaboración de 49 pacientes con diagnostico de tuberculosis en cualquiera de sus formas y de 30 pacientes internados en ambas instituciones por cualquiera otra patologia distinta a la tuberulosis. Métodos: Se administro 0,1 mL. De tuberulina RT-23/Tween 80 a los 49 pacientes tuberculosos y a los 30 pacientes del grupo de control de forma independiente a la presencia y ausencia de cicatriz por vacuna de BCG, se realizó la lectura de la induración a las 48 horas de 1 a administración, midiendo el tamaño de la induración lograda por la técnica del boligrafo. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos en lo concerniente a la utilidad de la reacciòn de Mantoux en el diagnòstico de la tuberculosis en toda sus formas brindaron una sencibilidad del 85 porciento y una especibidad de 75 porciento. En lo concerniente a la cicatriz por bacuna BCG se encontró una proporción semejante tanto en pacientes tuberculosos como en el grupo de control. Concluciones: La RM es útil en el diagnostico de tuberculosis en cualquiera de sus formas, la presencia de cicatriz producida por la vacunación con BCG no representa un obstáculo en la realización de esta prueba.

Analysis of aflatoxins in poultry and pig feeds and feedstuffs used in Colombia.

Feedstuffs and mixed feeds used for poultry and pig nutrition in Colombia were analyzed for aflatoxins by using a liquid chromatographic technique with a limit of detection of 1 microgram/kg for each aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, and G2). Samples of grain sorghum, maize, processed soybean, rice meal, cottonseed meal, and poultry and pig feeds, representative of Colombian production for the 1995-1996 harvest, were taken from feed-manufacturing plants in various cities. Aflatoxins were detected in 11 of 45 samples of sorghum, 4 of 33 samples of maize, 8 of 22 samples of rice meal, 15 of 17 samples of cottonseed meal, 1 of 12 samples of other feedstuffs, 12 of 30 samples of poultry feed, and 7 of 16 samples of pig feed. Aflatoxins were not detected in soybean. Only 9 of 58 positive samples contained total aflatoxin levels exceeding maximum tolerable limits in Colombia.

Natural occurrence of zeralenone in feeds and feedstuffs used in poultry and pig nutrition in colombia.

A total of 200 samples of feedstuffs and mixed feeds used for poultry and pig nutrition in Colombia were analysed for zearalenone using a LC technique with a limit of detection of 20 µg/kg. Samples of grain sorghum, maize, processed soybean, rice meal, cottonseed meal, and poultry and pig feeds, representative of the Colombian production for the 1995-1996 harvest, were taken at feed manufacturing plants located in different cities of the country. Zearalenone was detected in 25 of 45 samples of sorghum, 2 of 33 samples of maize, 7 of 22 samples of rice meal, 9 of 17 samples of cottonseed meal, 11 of 30 samples of poultry feed and 6 of 16 samples of pig feed. Zearalenone was not detected in soybean or other feedstuff s analysed (wheat by- products, cassava meal, palm). Overall levels of zearalenone ranged from 29 to 3956 µg/kg, with a mean value of 436 µg/kg. Only one of the 6 positive samples of pig feed had a zearalenone concentration above 500 µg/kg, which is normally considered as the safe level for pigs.

[Handedness, cerebral dysfunction and dyslexia]. / Lateralidad manual, disfunción cerebral y dislexia.

A frequency distribution of handedness and its relations with minor signs of neurological dysfunction was studied in a group of 56 dyslexic children and 56 good readers. An unusual frequency of 18% left-handed children in the dyslexic group and the high frequency of soft signs in this lefthanded children, is in concordance with recent hypothesis about the dysgenesic brain origin of dyslexia and lefthandedness, postulated by Galaburda, Geschwind and others. They suggest a distorted cortical development of the brain areas related with linguistic functions, with subsequent expression on verbal language reading ability and handedness.

Granuloma sellar producido por Allescheria Boydii / Sellar granuloma caused by Allescheria Boydii

Se presenta un caso de localización en el sistema nervioso central de la Allescheria Boydii en la región sellar y perisellar, en pacientes masculino de 22 años de edad, siendo el primer caso de esta localizació en Venezuela; el cuarto caso de la literatura mundial en cuanto a localizaciones neurológicas, pero el primero en esta localizacion. Se especula sobre una nueva posible vía de penetración de tipo respiratorio a través del seno esfenoidal con cuadro inicial de meningitis y luego en forma pseudotumoral de granuloma. Se practicá craniotomía con extirpación de lesión y después de evolución satisfactoria, falleció en forma brusca sin lograr la autopsia, a los 8 días de postoperatosio