Clinical Evaluation of Exercise-Induced Physiological Changes in Military Working Dogs (MWDs) Resulting from the Use or Non-Use of Cooling Vests during Training in Moderately Hot Environments.

Nose work with military working dogs (MWDs) in warmer-than-usual areas has led us to look for new tools to reduce both heat stress and the risk of heat stroke. One of the different strategies to manage heat stress is the use of cooling vests, such as those used in humans. The aim was to assess three cooling conditions (using two different cooling vests during exercise and the non-use of such garments) by measuring core body temperature, systemic blood pressure and pulse rate before and after the exercise (moment: four measurement times) in military dogs of the I Military Police Battalion (in Valencia, Spain). All dogs were evaluated under all three conditions during the three days of the study. Significant differences were observed between condition, moment, and the interaction of these two factors, in relation to core body temperature and pulse rate. Therefore, the use of an evaporative cooling vest may further be useful as a routine thermal control and conditioning measure in MWDs.

Comparative Kinematic Analysis of Hurdle Clearance Technique in Dogs: A Preliminary Report.

Although the jumping characteristics of agility dogs have been examined in recent years, there is currently a lack of data related to the suspension phase. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the biomechanics of the suspension phase of the agility jump and to analyze the kinematic differences in dogs with different jumping abilities. Two groups of dogs of the same height category (large dogs) competing at different skill levels and assessed as excellent jumpers (n = 4) and less-skilled jumpers (n = 3), respectively, were analyzed and statistically compared. Excellent jumpers showed longer and faster jumps with flatter jump trajectories than less-skilled jumpers. In less-skilled jumpers, the distance in front of the hurdle was notably greater than the distance behind it, while the difference between these two distances was less in excellent jumpers. Length and duration of the jump, maximal height of the jumping trajectory, take-off and landing distances to the hurdle, time of occurrence of maximal jump height, and time of change in back orientation essentially defines the suspension phase of the agility jump. This study presents preliminary evidence that the kinematic characteristics of hurdle clearance are different in excellent jumper dogs and in less-skilled jumper dogs.

Maxillary Incisors of the Horse before and at the Beginning of the Teeth Shedding: Radiographic and CT Study.

To gain insight into the radiographic appearance of maxillary deciduous incisors and dental germs of maxillary permanent incisors in the period prior to teeth shedding, radiographs and computed tomography (CT) of 25 horse skulls, with an estimated age of between 12 and 42 months, were studied. Data regarding morphology and development were obtained. Dental germs of first maxillary permanent incisors were identified radiographically as rounded radiolucent areas at the level of the apical parts of the first deciduous incisors, in skulls with an estimated age of twelve months. The first sign of crown mineralization of these dental germs appeared in skulls supposedly a few months older. Before teeth shedding, the unerupted, mineralized crowns of the first permanent incisor could be identified radiographically relatively caudal to the corresponding first deciduous incisors. The results of the present study indicate that radiographic intraoral images are suitable to identify the grade of development of the dental germs of maxillary permanent incisors. A detailed description of the radiographic appearance of deciduous incisors and dental germs of permanent incisors will help clinicians to expand their knowledge for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

Surface Electromyography of the Longissimus and Gluteus Medius Muscles in Greyhounds Walking and Trotting on Ground Flat, Up, and Downhill.

In the field of canine rehabilitation, knowledge of muscle function in the therapeutic exercises prescribed is needed by physical therapists and veterinary surgeons. To gain insight into the function of longissimus dorsi (LD) and gluteus medius (GM) muscles in dogs, five Greyhounds performing leash walking and trotting on the ground flat, up (+7%), and downhill (-7%) were studied by surface electromyography, and the mean and maximum activity was compared. For the same incline, the surface electromyography (sEMG) of LD was higher (p < 0.05) at the trot than at the walk. In LD muscle, trotting uphill showed significantly higher maximum activity than any other exercise. A change of +7% incline or -7% decline affected (increased or decreased, respectively) the mean sEMG of the LD and GM muscles of dogs walking or trotting on the ground. When combined, the influence of gait and incline on electromyographic activity was analyzed, and walking at certain inclines showed no difference with trotting at certain inclines. Walking and trotting up and downhill added separate therapeutic value to flat motion. The results of the present study might contribute to a better understanding of the function of LD and GM muscles in dogs, this being especially useful for the field of canine rehabilitation.

Recomendaciones enfermeras para el paciente con recambio de marcapasos / Nursing recommendations regarding patients with pacemaker replacement

La sustitución del marcapasos se lleva a cabo mediante un procedimiento habitualmente sencillo y más corto que el primer implante, ya que únicamente hay que cambiar el generador, no precisando la hospitalización del paciente, siendo el mismo y la familia los que se hacen cargo del cuidado en su domicilio. Esta práctica ha incrementado la necesidad de que los enfermos y sus allegados reciban la información que les permita asumir con efectividad su atención en el domicilio. Con el propósito de ayudar al paciente y/o familia a comprender y recordarlos cuidados que debe llevar a cabo después del procedimiento quirúrgico y como refuerzo de la información transmitida de forma verbal, se elaboró un documento de recomendaciones enfermeras. En este artículo se describe el proceso llevado a cabo para la elaboración de la herramienta informativa, se muestran sus características de legibilidad determinada mediante la escala INFLESZ y el contenido de la misma, una vez incluidas las sugerencias de los enfermos que participaron en el pilotaje realizado (AU)

Pacemaker replacement is conducted through a typically simple procedure, which is shorter than the primary implantation, because only the generator must be changed, and there is no need for patient hospitalization , because patients themselves and their families are responsible for care at home. This practice has increased the need for patients and relatives to receive information allowing them to conduct this home care efficaciously. With the aim to help patients and/or relatives to understand and remember the care which must be conducted after the surgical procedure, and as reinforcement for verbally transmitted information, a document with nursing recommendations has been prepared. This article describes the process followed for preparing this information tool, its readability characteristics as determined through the INFLESZ scale and its contents are shown, once included all suggestions by those patients who participated in the pilot test (AU)

Necesidad de una competencia en los médicos generales básicos para la atención al adulto mayor / Need for competence in basic general physicians to care for the elderly

Se efectuó una investigación observacional analítica para caracterizar el estado actual de la atención integral al adulto mayor en la disciplina de Medicina General Integral en los policlínicos universitarios "Josué País García", "Camilo Torres Restrepo", "José Martí", "Ramón López Peña" y Municipal de Santiago de Cuba, durante el curso 2009-2010. El universo estuvo constituido por los 454 estudiantes del 5to año de la carrera de medicina en esas instituciones, de los cuales se escogió una muestra al azar de 63 y de manera intencional a 18 profesores de dichas unidades. En el análisis del programa de Medicina General Integral se evidenciaron carencias en el contenido y en el diseño de habilidades por lograr. Se aplicaron encuestas y se observaron los modos de actuación de educandos y docentes en las actividades de Educación en el Trabajo. Se constató poca preparación para garantizar una atención integral y eficaz a los ancianos, así como en la realización y análisis de la situación de salud. Los profesores manifestaron la necesidad de un mayor conocimiento acerca de la formación de competencias profesionales para la atención al adulto mayor, en el proceso formativo atencional, de modo que se orientó aspirar a su perfeccionamiento a través de una estrategia didáctica.

An analytic observational investigation was made to characterize the current state of the comprehensive care for the elderly in the discipline of General Comprehensive Medicine in "Josué País García", "Camilo Torres Restrepo", "José Martí", "Ramón López Peña" and Municipal university polyclinics from Santiago de Cuba, during 2009-2010. The study group was constituted by 454 fifth year-medical students in those institutions, of which a random sample of 63 students was selected and 18 professors of these institutions were intentionally chosen. In the analysis of the General Comprehensive Medicine curriculum deficiencies in the content and in the design of skills to be achieved were evidenced. Surveys were applied and the performances of students and teaching staff in the activities of work education were observed. Little preparation to guarantee a comprehensive and effective care for the elderly was found, as well as in the implementation and analysis of the health situation. Professors manifested the need for more knowledge about the professional competence training to care for the elderly, in the care formative process, thus it was indicated to work for its improvement through a didactic strategy.

Necesidad de una competencia en los médicos generales básicos para la atención al adulto mayor / Need for competence in basic general physicians to care for the elderly

Se efectuó una investigación observacional analítica para caracterizar el estado actual de la atención integral al adulto mayor en la disciplina de Medicina General Integral en los policlínicos universitarios Josué País García, Camilo Torres Restrepo, José Martí, Ramón López Peña y Municipal de Santiago de Cuba, durante el curso 2009-2010. El universo estuvo constituido por los 454 estudiantes del 5to año de la carrera de medicina en esas instituciones, de los cuales se escogió una muestra al azar de 63 y de manera intencional a 18 profesores de dichas unidades. En el análisis del programa de Medicina General Integral se evidenciaron carencias en el contenido y en el diseño de habilidades por lograr. Se aplicaron encuestas y se observaron los modos de actuación de educandos y docentes en las actividades de Educación en el Trabajo. Se constató poca preparación para garantizar una atención integral y eficaz a los ancianos, así como en la realización y análisis de la situación de salud. Los profesores manifestaron la necesidad de un mayor conocimiento acerca de la formación de competencias profesionales para la atención al adulto mayor, en el proceso formativo atencional, de modo que se orientó aspirar a su perfeccionamiento a través de una estrategia didáctica(AU)

An analytic observational investigation was made to characterize the current state of the comprehensive care for the elderly in the discipline of General Comprehensive Medicine in Josué País García, Camilo Torres Restrepo, José Martí, Ramón López Peña and Municipal university polyclinics from Santiago de Cuba, during 2009-2010. The study group was constituted by 454 fifth year-medical students in those institutions, of which a random sample of 63 students was selected and 18 professors of these institutions were intentionally chosen. In the analysis of the General Comprehensive Medicine curriculum deficiencies in the content and in the design of skills to be achieved were evidenced. Surveys were applied and the performances of students and teaching staff in the activities of work education were observed. Little preparation to guarantee a comprehensive and effective care for the elderly was found, as well as in the implementation and analysis of the health situation. Professors manifested the need for more knowledge about the professional competence training to care for the elderly, in the care formative process, thus it was indicated to work for its improvement through a didactic strategy(AU)

Estrategia didáctica para la instrumentación de la competencia gerontológica geriátrica / Teaching strategy for the implementation of the geriatric and gerontologic competence

Se realizó una investigación de desarrollo con el propósito de instrumentar una estrategia didáctica, sustentada en un modelo que contribuya fundamentalmente al perfeccionamiento del proceso formativo de los futuros médicos del proyecto de ley Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) para la atención integral al anciano por la disciplina de medicina general integral en el contexto de los policlínicos universitarios de Santiago de Cuba, cuyos elementos expresen la dinámica del modelo establecido en sus relaciones. Dicha estrategia fue conformada en 3 etapas: la primera, de sensibilización y diagnóstico; la segunda, de planeamiento y capacitación; y la tercera, de ejecución y evaluación (cada una de ellas incluye objetivos, acciones, vías y resultados esperados). Asimismo, constituye un proceso dialéctico que permite concretar las diferentes acciones en la formación de la competencia profesional gerontológica geriátrica.

A research was conducted to implement a teaching strategy based on a pattern that mainly contributes to the improvement of the career training of future physicians of the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) for comprehensive care for the elderly through the specialty of comprehensive general medicine in university polyclinics of Santiago de Cuba, which elements express the dynamics of the established pattern in their relationships. This strategy was divided into 3 stages: awareness and diagnosis; planning and training; and implementation and evaluation (each of them includes objectives, actions, ways and expected results). Furthermore, it is a dialectical process that allows to specify the different actions in developing the geriatric and gerontologic professional competence.

Estrategia didáctica para la instrumentación de la competencia gerontológica geriátrica / Teaching strategy for the implementation of the geriatric and gerontologic competence

Se realizó una investigación de desarrollo con el propósito de instrumentar una estrategia didáctica, sustentada en un modelo que contribuya fundamentalmente al perfeccionamiento del proceso formativo de los futuros médicos del proyecto de ley Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) para la atención integral al anciano por la disciplina de medicina general integral en el contexto de los policlínicos universitarios de Santiago de Cuba, cuyos elementos expresen la dinámica del modelo establecido en sus relaciones. Dicha estrategia fue conformada en 3 etapas: la primera, de sensibilización y diagnóstico; la segunda, de planeamiento y capacitación; y la tercera, de ejecución y evaluación (cada una de ellas incluye objetivos, acciones, vías y resultados esperados). Asimismo, constituye un proceso dialéctico que permite concretar las diferentes acciones en la formación de la competencia profesional gerontológica geriátrica(AU)

A research was conducted to implement a teaching strategy based on a pattern that mainly contributes to the improvement of the career training of future physicians of the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) for comprehensive care for the elderly through the specialty of comprehensive general medicine in university polyclinics of Santiago de Cuba, which elements express the dynamics of the established pattern in their relationships. This strategy was divided into 3 stages: awareness and diagnosis; planning and training; and implementation and evaluation (each of them includes objectives, actions, ways and expected results). Furthermore, it is a dialectical process that allows to specify the different actions in developing the geriatric and gerontologic professional competence(AU)