«Management of nurses specialized in the aero-evacuation of highly infectious critical patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Systematic review¼.

INTRODUCTION: Aeromedical evacuation missions to transport highly infectious critical COVID-19 patients involve multiple factors, therefore planning is essential in their preparation. The management of specialist nurses is cross-cutting, as they participate in the planning, organisation and implementation of aero-evacuation protocols, delivery of care and operational safety procedures throughout the operation, with an integrated aeromedical crew working as a team alongside the air crew. OBJECTIVE: To study the management of nurses specialised in the aero-evacuation of highly infectious critical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Through a systematic search of the biomedical literature, this study was conducted according to the standards of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and PRISMA. The literature search included articles published from 2019 to August 2020 and meta-search engines, yielding a total of 142 articles, and a triangulation of information was performed. A total of 11 articles were eventually included in the review, and the validity of each article was determined according to the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute level of evidence. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The systematic review identified 11 studies that use different methodological considerations for conducting an aeromedical evacuation and covering key aspects for a successful operation. CONCLUSION: The management of specialist nurses has a direct impact on the aeromedical evacuation of the critical patient. It covers planning, organisation, and operational safety, applied in the instruction, training, execution and strict monitoring of the work of the aeromedical crew as a solid team. This contributes to the success of the aero-evacuation mission and the infectious patient's high likelihood of survival during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[«Management of nurses specialized in the aero-evacuation of highly infectious critical patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Systematic review¼]. / «Gestión de enfermeras/os especializados en la aeroevacuación de pacientes críticos altamente infecciosos, durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Revisión Sistemática¼.

Introduction: Aeromedical evacuation missions to transport highly infectious critical COVID-19 patients involve multiple factors, therefore planning is essential in their preparation. The management of specialist nurses is cross-cutting, as they participate in the planning, organisation and implementation of aero-evacuation protocols, delivery of care and operational safety procedures throughout the operation, with an integrated aeromedical crew working as a team alongside the air crew. Objective: To study the management of nurses specialised in the aero-evacuation of highly infectious critical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Through a systematic search of the biomedical literature, this study was conducted according to the standards of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and PRISMA. The literature search included articles published from 2019 to August 2020 and meta-search engines, yielding a total of 142 articles, and a triangulation of information was performed. A total of 11 articles were eventually included in the review, and the validity of each article was determined according to the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute level of evidence. Results and discussion: The systematic review identified 11 studies that use different methodological considerations for conducting an aeromedical evacuation and covering key aspects for a successful operation. Conclusion: The management of specialist nurses has a direct impact on the aeromedical evacuation of the critical patient. It covers planning, organisation, and operational safety, applied in the instruction, training, execution and strict monitoring of the work of the aeromedical crew as a solid team. This contributes to the success of the aero-evacuation mission and the infectious patient's high likelihood of survival during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A peptide derived from phage-display limits psoriasis-like lesions in mice.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a pro-inflammatory disease with unknown etiology, that is characterized by skin inflammation and keratinocytes hyperproliferation. Specific inhibition of inflammation has shown positive effects avoiding the progression of the psoriatic lesions in different animal models of the disease, turning this strategy as a remarkable therapeutic alternative. OBJECTIVE: To screen the effectiveness of a novel IFN-α/ß signalling inhibitor in the development reduction of skin lesions in IMQ and TPA mice models of psoriasis. METHODS: We used a Phage-peptide library for the screening of a peptide with inhibitory effects on the development of psoriasis-like lesions in mice. To evaluate the in vivo effect of the phage-peptides (Phpep3D) and the derived peptide (Pep3D), we administered Phpep3D or Pep3D intradermally in mice with imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced psoriasis. We scored the lesions, and we determined the number of neutrophils and the production of some pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lesions. RESULTS: In this work, we describe how the Ph3pepD and Pep3D reduced skin thickness, redness, and acanthosis despite the presence of the psoriasis inducers, IMQ or TPA. We also found that Pep3D reduced the number of GR1+ infiltrated cells and decreased the production of IL-17A and TNFα in the psoriatic skin of mice. In-silico, docking analysis showed that Pep3D may interact with the interferon-alpha receptor, but further analyses should be performed to uncover the mechanism of action of this peptide. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Pep3D could be used as a new treatment for psoriasis.

Construction of a synthetic protein using PCR with a high essential amino acid content for nutritional purposes.

Ovalbumin is considered a protein of high nutritional value because it contains essential amino acids and is highly digestible. Therefore, it has a high biological value. Currently, the high food demand requires worldwide attention because food production is insufficient. Therefore, other alternatives are necessary to satisfy food demands, such as protein engineering. In this work, a protein with a high essential amino acid content similar to ovalbumin was synthesized by protein engineering, expressed, and digested in vitro. The assembly and sequential overlap extension PCR strategy was used to synthesize a 345-bp gene that encodes a high essential amino acid content protein (HEAAP). The 345-bp product was cloned into the vector pBAD TOPO®, and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. PCR reactions and sequencing demonstrated the presence, orientation, and correct sequence of the insert. HEAAP expression was induced by L-arabinose and then purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The expression in E. coli was low and barely detected by Western blot assay. The in vitro multienzyme digestibility of HEAAP was around 79%, which suggests that the protein is potentially nutritious. Virtual analysis classifies the protein as unstable and hydrophilic, with a half-life in E. coli of 10 h. The recombinant HEAAP was successfully synthesized, but it is necessary to improve the digestibility and to optimize expression including selecting other expression models.

Daily supplementation with fresh pomegranate juice increases paraoxonase 1 expression and activity in mice fed a high-fat diet.

PURPOSE: Studies have found that pomegranate juice (PJ) consumption increases the binding of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) to paraoxonase 1 (PON1), thus increasing the catalytic activity of this enzyme. PON1 is an antioxidant arylesterase synthesized in the liver and transported in plasma in association with HDL. Decreased levels of PON1 are associated with higher levels of cholesterol. We determined the effects of PJ on body weight, cholesterol, and triacylglycerols through 5 months of supplementation. In addition, the effect of PJ on pon1 gene expression in the liver was also measured by RT-qPCR as well as the activity in serum by a semiautomated method using paraoxon as a substrate. METHODS: CD-1 mice were either fed a control diet or were fed a high-fat diet 1.25% (wt/wt) cholesterol, 0.5% (wt/wt) sodium cholate, and 15% (wt/wt) saturated fat. 300 µL of PJ containing 0.35 mmol total polyphenols was administered by oral gavage to half of the high fat mice daily. The rest of the high fat mice and the control mice were administered with 300 µL of water. RESULTS: PJ-supplemented animals had significantly higher levels of expression of pon1 compared to the unsupplemented group. PJ-supplemented animals had twice the PON1 activity of the unsupplemented group. In addition, PJ-supplemented animals had the lowest body weight and significantly reduced cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, although the tricylglycerol levels were not consistently decreased. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PJ protects against the effects of a high-fat diet in body weight, and cholesterol levels.

MANUAL PARA LA GESTIÓN DEL MANTENIMIENTO CORRECTIVO DE EQUIPOS BIOMÉDICOS EN LA FUNDACIÓN VALLE DEL LILI / MANUAL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE OF BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN FUNDACIÓN VALLE DEL LILI / MANUAL DE GESTÃO DA MANUTENÇÃO CORRETIVA DE EQUIPAMENTOS BIOMÉDICOS NA FUNDAÇÃO VALLE DEL LILI

El mantenimiento correctivo está orientado a corregir los defectos observados en los equipamientos o instalaciones, localizando las averías y reparándolas. Los costos de reparación de un equipo suelen ser mucho mayores en la etapa correctiva que en la etapa preventiva, y la literatura existente está orientada más hacia la prevención que hacia la corrección. Sin embargo, es inevitable que en una institución hospitalaria, como en cualquier otra, se presenten frecuentemente problemas en los equipos que no pudieron ser previstos o evitados mediante el mantenimiento preventivo o correctivo. Por esta razón, se hace necesario contar con protocolos para el mantenimiento correctivo que contengan criterios y procesos claramente definidos para mejorar la eficiencia y la eficacia en la solución de los problemas y que permitan la máxima disponibilidad en la prestación de los servicios. En este trabajo se presenta, como caso de estudio, el desarrollo e implementación de un Manual para la Gestión del Mantenimiento Correctivo en una de las clínicas de más alto nivel en la ciudad de Cali: La Fundación Valle del Lili.

The corrective maintenance is aimed at correcting the shortcomings in the equipment or facilities, locating faults and repairing them. Repair costs of equipment are usually much higher in the corrective stage than in the preventive stage, and the existing literature is oriented more towards prevention than correction. However, it is inevitable that in a hospital, as elsewhere, problems are often present on computers that could not be foreseen or avoided through preventive or corrective maintenance. For this reason corrective maintenance protocols containing clearly defined criteria and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness in solving problems and ensuring maximum availability in the provision of services, are needed. This paper presents a case study, development and implementation of a Management Manual for corrective maintenance of the highest level clinics in the city of Cali: The Fundación Valle del Lili.

A Manutenção corretiva visa corrigir as deficiências do equipamento ou instalações, localizando falhas e reparálas. Os Custos de reparação de equipamento são geralmente muito maior na fase corretiva que na fase preventiva, e a literatura existente é mais orientada para a prevenção que para a correção. No entanto, é inevitável que em um hospital, como em outros lugares, muitas vezes se apresentam problemas nos equipamentos que não podiam ser previstos ou evitados através da manutenção preventiva ou corretiva. Por esta razão, é necessário ter protocolos de manutenção corretiva que contenham critérios e processos claramente definidos para melhorar a eficiência e eficácia na resolução de problemas e para assegurar a máxima disponibilidade na prestação de serviços. Este trabalho se apresenta como um caso de estudo, o desenvolvimento e a implementação de um Manual de Gestão para manutenção corretiva das clínicas de maior nível na cidade de Cali: a Fundação Valle del Lili.

Papel de la procalcitonina plasmática en el diagnóstico de la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica: revisión sistemática y meta análisis / Role of plasma procalcitonin in the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objetivo. Determinar el papel de los niveles plasmáticos de procalcitonina (PCT) en el diagnóstico de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica. Diseño Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de los trabajos originales que evalúan el papel de PCT en el diagnóstico de neumonía asociadaa ventilación mecánica. La búsqueda detrabajos se llevó a cabo en Medline, Embase, Colaboración Cochrane y MEDION y tras revisiónde las referencias de los artículos obtenidos. Se extrajeron datos que permitieron el cálculo dela sensibilidad, la especificidad, las razones deverosimilitud y la odds ratio diagnóstica...

Construction of a WMR for trajectory tracking control: experimental results.

This paper reports a solution for trajectory tracking control of a differential drive wheeled mobile robot (WMR) based on a hierarchical approach. The general design and construction of the WMR are described. The hierarchical controller proposed has two components: a high-level control and a low-level control. The high-level control law is based on an input-output linearization scheme for the robot kinematic model, which provides the desired angular velocity profiles that the WMR has to track in order to achieve the desired position (x∗, y∗) and orientation (φ∗). Then, a low-level control law, based on a proportional integral (PI) approach, is designed to control the velocity of the WMR wheels to ensure those tracking features. Regarding the trajectories, this paper provides the solution or the following cases: (1) time-varying parametric trajectories such as straight lines and parabolas and (2) smooth curves fitted by cubic splines which are generated by the desired data points {(x1∗, y1∗),..., (x(n)∗, y(n)∗)}. A straightforward algorithm is developed for constructing the cubic splines. Finally, this paper includes an experimental validation of the proposed technique by employing a DS1104 dSPACE electronic board along with MATLAB/Simulink software.

Manejo de las fracturas mandibulares en pacientes pediátricos / Management of mandibular fractures in pediatric patients

Describimos el manejo de las fracturas mandibulares en niños durante tres años en un grupo de pacientes atendidos en la universidad de Thamar en la republica de Yemen entre 2006-09, de acuerdo a nuestras experiencias y a las condiciones del país. Se identificó el lugar de la fractura, mediante estudio clínico y radiográfico, además de analizar los traumas asociados, las causas que las produjeron y el tipo de tratamiento empleado en cada caso. Se encontraron en 21 casos (14 varones y 7 niñas). El tratamiento más utilizado fue la férula de acrílico y los alambres circunmandibulares lográndose excelentes resultados al ser este un método fácil y poco invasivo para los folículos dentales, ayuda a los niños por ser pacientes poco cooperativos y evita las complicaciones nutricionales

We describe a pediatric mandibular fractures management in Thamar University, Yemen Republic, during three years 2006-09, according our experience and conditions in this country. The anatomical site of the mandibular fracture was identified by clinical and radiograph examination, also we analyzed the associated injuries. The treated fractures were separated into those whose fractures were reduced with acrylic splint and circummandibular wires. A total of 24 fracture sites in 21 pediatric patients (14 males and 7 females). We demonstrated that the use of acrylic splint in the stabilization and fixation of a mandibular body fracture is a reliable and noninvasive procedure also the children are uncooperative patients, with this method of treatment can eat without nutritional complications

Mice fed with a high fat diet show a decrease in the expression of "toll like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR6 mRNAs in adipose and hepatic tissues.

INTRODUCTION: Pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), which include Toll-like Receptor (TLRs) and Nacht leucine-rich repeat proteins (NLRP/NALPs), are molecules of innate immunity able to recognize a wide variety of ligands present in microorganisms and human tissues. Adipocytes (fat cells) may play an important role in the physiological regulation of their own immune responses via TLRs. During obesity, the inflammatory pathway is triggered and insulin responsiveness is altered in fat tissue as a result of TLR4 activation by dietary lipids. OBJECTIVE: Here, we investigate if other PRR family members could also participate in the inflammatory processes in the adipose tissue of obese mice. METHODS: The mRNA expression of TLRs, the NLRP3-inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and IL-lbeta), IL-6, and TNFα in the hepatic and adipose tissues of mice fed with a high fat diet (HFD) were studied by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Adipose tissue from mice fed with a HFD had decreased expression levels of TLR2, TLR6 and TLR7 and was similar to the pattern in hepatic tissue HFD mice. IL-6 and TNF-α expression also were decreased in adipose tissue of mice fed with a HFD. NLRP3-inflammasome expression was not modified. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the low expression of TLR2, and TLR6 in the mice fed with a HFD could be regulating the inflammation induced by the diet employed in this study.

Oral ulcers produced by mycophenolate mofetil in two liver transplant patients.

Oral ulcers are a frequent problem in transplant medicine. It is important to consider infectious etiologies, exacerbated by the immunosuppressive treatment, but other etiologies are also possible, like adverse drug reactions. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive medication that has been used in combination with calcineurin inhibitors and steroids. Reports of renal transplant patients with oral ulcers related to MMF have appeared lately and herein we have described 2 cases in liver transplant patients. Their oral ulcers resolved quickly after suspension of the medication. Our 2 cases in liver transplant patients represented a unique setting for this type of complication.

High levels of IgG class antibodies to recombinant HSP60 kDa of Yersinia enterocolitica in sera of patients with uveitis.

AIMS: To determine the levels of IgG class antibodies to recombinant heat shock protein 60 kDa of Yersinia enterocolitica (rHSP60Ye), Klebsiella pneumoniae (rHSP60Kp), Escherichia coli (rHSP60Ec), Shigella flexneri (rHSP60Sf), and Streptococcus pyogenes (rHSP60Sp) in the serum of patients with HLA-B27 associated acute anterior uveitis (HLA-B27 associated AAU), idiopathic acute anterior uveitis (idiopathic AAU), pars planitis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH), and healthy subjects. METHODS: The genes that code for HSP60Ye, HSP60Kp, HSP60Ec, HSP60Sf, and HSP60Sp were cloned by PCR from genomic DNA. The rHSPs were purified by affinity using a Ni-NTA resin. The serum levels of IgG class antibodies to rHSP60s were determined by ELISA in patients with uveitis (n = 42) and in healthy subjects (n = 25). RESULTS: The majority of patients with uveitis had higher levels of IgG class antibodies to rHSP60Ye compared with levels of healthy subjects (p = 0.01), although these differences were only observed in the HLA-B27 associated AAU (p = 0.005) and in pars planitis patients (p = 0.001). The levels of IgG antibodies to the rHSP60Kp, rHSP60Sf, rHSP60Ec, and rHSP60Sp were similar in patients with uveitis and in healthy subjects (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that HSP60Ye could be involved in the aetiology of HLA-B27 associated AAU and pars planitis.

Microstructured polyacrylamide hydrogels made with hydrophobic nanoparticles.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) nanosize particles, made by microemulsion polymerization, were dispersed in an acrylamide aqueous solution, which was polymerized in the presence of a cross-linking agent to yield microstructured hydrogels. The kinetics of swelling and the mechanical properties of these hydrogels were investigated as a function of concentration of particles. The microstructured hydrogels exhibit higher equilibrium swelling and larger Young modulus than conventional (that is, without particles) polyacrylamide hydrogel. The morphology of the microstructured hydrogels was examined by transmission electron microscopy.

Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad que se hospitaliza: estudio etiológico / Community acquired pneumonia in a hospitalized community: etiological study

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) that requires hospitalization, is a common and serious disease. A permanent assessment in specialized centers, to define therapeutic guidelines according to local epidemiological factors, is mandatory. AIM: To study the etiology of CAP requiring hospital admission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult patients with CAP, admitted to the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile between 1999 and 2001 were studied. A clinical, radiological and microbiological assessment was done in all patients. Blood and sputum cultures and serology for Chlamydia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were performed. RESULTS: Thirty one patients aged 62 +/- 18 years, 12 female, met inclusion criteria. An etiologic diagnosis was made in 74 per cent of cases, (52 per cent definitive, 22 per cent probable). Frequency of definitive diagnosis was: 25 per cent Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 19 per cent Chlamydia pneumoniae and 13 per cent Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mixed etiology was found in 16 per cent and a final diagnosis was not obtained in 26 per cent of the cases. No correlation was found between clinical and radiological patterns, and the etiologic agent. C reactive protein and erythrosedimentation rate were significantly higher in CAP due to Chlamydia and Streptococcus pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS: The higher frequency of Mycoplasma and Chlamydia pneumoniae, than previously reported, suggests that atypical agents should be considered in the initial antimicrobial therapy prescribed to these patients.

[Automatic analysis of the alternate movements of the arms in patients with type 2 spino cellular ataxia]. / Análisis automático de los movimientos alternativos de miembros superiores en pacientes con ataxia espinocerebelosa tipo 2.

INTRODUCTION: A patient with type 2 spino cerebellar ataxia has difficulty in carrying out alternate movements such as pronation and supination. OBJECTIVES. To evaluate the function of an automatized system for measuring disorders of alternate movements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the measurement of diadochokinesia in two groups of healthy patients, a first group (64 persons) to determine the normal intervals and a second group to validate the test (52 persons). We also studied 100 patients for validation of the system. A further 53 patients were evaluated before and after rehabilitation. RESULTS: Analysis of the basic measurements for diagnosis of duodochokinesia showed that the higher the cut off point, the greater the sensitivity of the test, whereas the opposite occurred with the specificity. Thus, regarding a higher cut off, there is a five times greater probability of a positive results in the patients than in healthy persons. However, the probability of a normal result is six times higher in healthy than in affected persons. The results of variant analysis done on patients before and after rehabilitation suggest that the presence of quantitative changes in the second study was due to the positive effect of neuro rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: The technique used is effective for differentiation of affected from healthy persons and its use is justified in the evaluation of co ordination ability after rehabilitation

Microstructured Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Prepared Via Inverse Microemulsion Polymerization.

The synthesis by a two-stage polymerization process of microstructured polyacrylamide hydrogels with large swelling capacity and improved mechanical properties is reported. First, crosslinked polyacrylamide particles of nanosize scale are made by inverse microemulsion polymerization. These particles are then dried and redispersed in an aqueous solution of acrylamide and polymerized in the presence of a crosslinking agent. The microstructured hydrogels, in contrast to transparent conventional polyacrylamide hydrogels, are translucid due to the presence of the dispersed particles. The swelling capacity of these hydrogels increases as the particle content increases and their Young and elastic moduli (at equilibrium swelling) diminish only slightly. Mechanical tests disclose that the microstructured hydrogels have larger Young moduli than conventional hydrogels with an identical degree of swelling. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

[Preliminary results of laparoscopic video esophagomyotomy in patients with esophageal achalasia]. / Resultados preliminares de la esofagomiotomía por video laparoscopia en pacientes con acalasia esofágica.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy is becoming a good alternative to pneumatic dilatation, injection of botulinic toxin or classical surgery in the treatment of achalasia. AIM: To report the results of laparoscopic esophagomyotomy in patients with achalasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients with achalasia, nine women, aged 9 to 66 years old, operated between 1996 and 2001 are reported. RESULTS: There was no surgical mortality. One patient had a subphrenic abscess due to an unnoticed tear of the esophageal mucosa. During surgery, esophageal mucosa was perforated in 4 patients, that was sutured in three. One patient with an extensive tear of the mucosa required conversion to classical surgery. Patients were followed for 2 to 48 months. Radiological controls showed a significant increase in the diameter of gastroesophageal junction and a diameter reduction of the mid third esophageal segment. Lower esophageal pressure was significantly reduced. All patients experienced a weight increase and reduction of dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy is a safe an effective therapeutic alternative for achalasia.

[Preliminary results of horizontal gastroplasty with Roux in Y anastomosis in patients with severe and morbid obesity]. / Resultados premilinares de la gastroplastia horizontal con anastomosis en Y de Roux como cirugía bariática en pacientes con obesidad severa y mórbida.

BACKGROUND: Morbidly obese subjects have a high incidence of complications. The poor results of dietary treatments, has prompted the search of new therapies for obesity and among these, surgical procedures. AIM: To report the long term results of horizontal gastroplasty with Roux en Y anastomosis in morbidly obese subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with an initial body mass index of 41.3 +/- 6 kg/m2 have been subjected to a horizontal gastroplasty with Roux en Y anastomosis. During the study period, surgical techniques were modified, reducing the gastric pouch size, adding a truncal vagotomy, cholecystectomy, and increasing the length of the Roux en Y loop from 70 to 100 cm. Twenty five patients have been followed for two years. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality and one patient had an anastomotic leak that required 35 days of hospitalization. During follow up, in one patient, the stapled suture line loosened. After two years of follow up, weight decreased from 112 +/- 19 to 77.2 +/- 14 kg. CONCLUSIONS: Horizontal gastroplasty with Roux en Y anastomosis achieved an adequate weight loss with a low rate of complications in this group of morbidly obese subjects.

[VIGILA: a tool for the epidemiologic surveillance of transmissible diseases]. / VIGILA: un instrumento para la vigilancia epidemiológica de enfermedades transmisibles.

It is described an instrument for the epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases (VIGILA) that is based on the generalization of a modification of the statistical model proposed by Serfling for the prognosis of the endemic levels of the rates of communicable diseases in a period of 52 weeks (1 year). The comparison made between the observed rates and the prognosticated rates allows to detect unusual patterns of this indicator. The observation of rates over the higher limit of the prognosis interval during successive periods is suggested as a signal of alert. The introduction of this method in a computer program allows its application in the epidemiological surveillance units at the different levels of the health system.

Identification of Microthoracius mazzai (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) as an economically important parasite of alpacas.

The hematophagous sucking louse Microthoracius mazzai Werneck, 1932, is redescribed and identified as a parasite of alpacas, Lama pacos L. Specimens were collected on animals 10-14 mo old, located on a large community farm at 4,600 m above sea level in the Peruvian Andes. In total, 26 scanning electron microscope (SEM) figures are included that highlight salient and differential characteristics, especially the unique elongated spindle-shaped head, which is almost as long as its abdomen. Alpacas, 1 of the 4 species of South American camelids, are important for their production of high-quality wool in the Andes Mountain range countries, especially Peru and Bolivia; to a lesser degree Chile; and more recently Argentina, where breeding and disease control programs are receiving increased technical support. Information is given on the prevalence of lice infestations in the flock, clinical signs, and economic losses. We report the efficacy of moxidectin (SC, 200 mcg/kg, b.w.) in a repeated treatment program of 7-10 d, which is currently used for mange control in these ruminants.