Propuesta de un índice que resume las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas adoptadas frente al SARS-CoV-2 en las empresas: el caso del Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona) / A proposal for a summary index of nonpharmacological preventive measures adopted against SARS-CoV-2 in companies: the case of Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona)

Introducción: Proponer la construcción de un índice numérico con las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas frente a SARS-CoV-2 a partir de la experiencia de una institución sanita-ria en Barcelona, el Parc de Salut Mar (PSMar).Método: La construcción del índice se ha realizado en tres fases. La identificación y selec-ción de las variables a incluir a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas a informantes clave y la revisión documental. La definición de las dimensiones (constituidas a partir de una o más variables) y, finalmente la operatividad del índice a partir de dichas dimensiones. Se ha estimado el índice en el PSMar, y en sus dos principales centros, el Hospital del Mar y el Hospital de la Esperanza.Resultados: Se identificaron y categorizaron 21 variables, clasificadas en 5 dimensiones: equipos de protección individual, medidas organizativas individuales, medidas organizati-vas colectivas, medidas de vigilancia epidemiológica y actividades formativas. Además, De forma complementaria se añadió si existía un protocolo de actuación. Durante la primera ola, el índice en el Hospital del Mar se mantuvo por encima del valor obtenido en el Hos-pital de la Esperanza, mientras que en la segunda ola ambos índices presentaron valores similares hasta la semana 36, cuando el del hospital del Mar comenzó a presentar valores superiores. Estas oscilaciones se debieron principalmente a las dimensiones equipos de protección individual y actividades formativas.Conclusiones: El índice propuesto pone de manifiesto las dificultades para aplicar las diver-sas medidas preventivas no farmacológicas en las primeras semanas de la pandemia. Esta herramienta puede ser útil para evaluar las actividades desarrolladas frente a la pandemia por parte de los Servicios de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales, con las oportunas adapta-ciones a la realidad de cada empresa (AU)

Introduction: We propose the construction of a numerical index of nonpharmacological preventive measures against SARS-CoV-2 based on the experience of Parc de Salut Mar (PSMar), a healthcare institution in Barcelona.Method: The construction of the index was carried out in three phases. First, we identified and selected the variables to be included based on semi-structured interviews with key in-formants and a review of relevant documents. Second, we defined the dimensions (consist-ing of one or more variables) and, as a final step, operationalised the index based on these dimensions. The index was then applied to generate estimates for the PSMar, and in its two main centres, the Hospital del Mar and the Hospital de la Esperanza.Results: Twenty-one variables were identified and categorised into five dimensions: person-al protective equipment, individual organisational measures, collective organisational mea-sures, epidemiological surveillance measures, and training activities. We also developed an action protocol. During the first SARS-CoV-2 wave, the index at the Hospital del Mar re-mained above that estimated for the Hospital de la Esperanza, whereas in the second wave both indices showed similar values until week 36, when the Hospital del Mar index began o show higher values. These oscillations were mainly due to the dimensions of personal protective equipment and training activities.Conclusions: The proposed index identified the difficulties in implementing the various non-pharmacological preventive measures during the first weeks of the pandemic. This tool can be useful for evaluating the activities carried out by the occupational risk prevention services during the pandemic, followed by appropriate adaptations to the realities of each individual company (AU)

Dietary Assesment of Free-Living Elderly Spanish People with Disabilities.

Nutritional research in elderly disabled is difficult in noninstitutionalized people. The dietary intake of a noninstitutionalized disabled population of the eastern region of Spain was evaluated to detect possible nutritional deviations. A total of 329 participants aged 65 and over were recruited. Most participants were overweight. Carbohydrates did not reach 50% of total Kcal/day. Insufficient micronutrient intakes and high consumption of simple carbohydrates and saturated fats (SFA) were found. A decreasing trend of water intake (p < .05) as well as an increasing trend of alcohol consumption (p < .05) with increasing age was found. The area of residence had a relevant impact on nutritional, dietary, and anthropometric characteristics of our population.

Physiological, morphological, and immunochemical parameters used for the characterization of clinical and environmental isolates of Acanthamoeba.

The factors that characterize Acanthamoeba strains as harmless or potentially pathogenic have not been elucidated. Analysing the in vitro and in vivo parameters of Acanthamoeba samples, including heat tolerance at temperatures close to that of the human body, cytopathic effects, and their ability to cause infections in animals, has been proposed to identify their pathogenic potential. Another promising criterion for differentiating strains is the analysis of their biochemical and immunochemical properties. In this study, a comparative evaluation between clinical and environmental Acanthamoeba isolates was performed on the basis of physiological, morphological, and immunochemical criteria. Crude antigens were used to characterize the protein profiles by electrophoresis and immunize mice to produce polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. The antibodies were characterized using ELISA, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence techniques. The results obtained with polyclonal antibodies suggest the presence of specific proteins for each studied isolate and co-reactive immunochemical profiles among conserved components. Ten monoclonal antibody clones were obtained; mAb3 recognized 3 out of 4 samples studied. The results of this study may help standardize criteria for identifying and characterizing Acanthamoeba strains. Taken together, our results support the view that a set of features may help differentiate Acanthamoeba species and isolates.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: manifestations at computed tomography.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare condition that consists of multiple venous malformations involving several organ systems, particularly the skin and the gastrointestinal tract, but any part of the body may be affected. Less than 250 cases have been reported in the literature. The authors describe the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic imaging characteristics at computed tomography (CT) in a 50-year-old man with BRBNS.

Leishmaniasis in Portugal: enzyme polymorphism of Leishmania infantum based on the identification of 213 strains.

This study reports isoenzyme polymorphism of Leishmania strains isolated in different regions of Portugal between 1982 and 2005. A total of 213 strains were obtained from cases of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis isolated from immunocompetent patients (adults and children) and immunocompromised adults, as well as from dogs and sandflies. Four zymodemes were identified: MON-1, MON-24, MON-29 and MON-80. Zymodeme MON-1 was identified in 96.7% of the strains, predominating in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised human patients, and it was the only zymodeme isolated from dogs. Isoenzyme diversity in HIV-infected patients was higher than in the immunocompetent group, in which all the strains from visceral leishmaniasis were MON-1. The domestic dog was confirmed as the reservoir host of zoonotic leishmaniasis in Portugal and Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus ariasi as vectors. The overall low enzyme polymorphism observed in the Portuguese foci contrasts with the neighbouring foci in Spain.

PCR as a rapid and sensitive tool in the diagnosis of human and canine leishmaniasis using Leishmania donovani s.l.-specific kinetoplastid primers.

This study was performed in order to test the efficacy of a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the diagnosis of both human and canine leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum. The new primers were developed on the basis of a complete DNA sequence of the L. infantum kinetoplast minicircle. Specificity and sensitivity were evaluated by testing bone marrow spots on filter paper and skin biopsy samples, and the PCR results were compared to data from in vitro cultures. Leishmania strains from different foci, as well as other trypanosomatids and opportunistic pathogenic micro-organisms, were also included in this study. The results show that the primers are highly specific, detecting only L. donovani s.l. DNA, and sensitive for the detection of parasite DNA in biological samples from three different geographical regions of Portugal (north, centre and south) and from Brazil.

[Neuropsychiatric and vascular manifestations of disseminated lupus erythematosus]. / Manifestações neuropsiquiãtricas e vasculares no lúpus eritematoso disseminado.

Disseminated lupus erythematous is an auto-immune disease with systemic manifestations that develops by outbreaks. It's pathogenesis is unknown. The physiopathology jeopardizes auto-immune phenomenon whose most important biological effect is the polyclonal activation of B Lymphocytes. The tissue's lesions are due to several mechanisms, being, perhaps, the deposition of immune complexes of a great value. On account of a young woman with recurrent deep venous thrombosis and neuropsychiatric manifestations the bibliographic data are reviewed, especially those that concern with the etiopathogenesis, treatment and prognosis.