Sensitization to cow's milk protein in a dairy worker.

BACKGROUND: Repeated skin exposure and inhalation of milk proteins may lead to IgE-mediated sensitization, normally manifested at the site of contact. Although this is a phenomenon predominantly found in children, it has also been observed in adults. AIMS: To describe a case of a worker who, after being exposed to milk proteins for many years, eventually experienced episodes of anaphylaxis. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old worker experienced severe episodes of anaphylaxis following the intake of dairy products. He had worked in the dairy industry for 17 years, where he was exposed to dried milk every day. CONCLUSIONS: This case report illustrates how continued exposure to milk proteins, either by skin contact or inhalation, may lead to sensitization which could result in severe manifestations of anaphylaxis.

Self-assembled polymeric chelate nanoparticles as potential theranostic agents.

Improvements in cancer diagnostics and therapy have recently attracted the interest of many different branches of science. This study presents one of the new possible approaches in the diagnostics and therapy of cancer by using polymeric chelates as carriers. Graft copolymers with a backbone containing 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid chelating groups and poly(ethylene oxide) hydrophilic grafts are synthesized and characterized. The polymers assemble and form particles after the addition of a biometal cation, such as iron or copper. The obtained nanoparticles exhibit a hydrodynamic diameter of around 25 nm and a stability of at least several hours, which are counted as essential parameters for biomedical purposes. To prove their biodegradability, a model degradation with deferoxamine is performed and, together with high radiolabeling efficiency with copper-64, their possible use for nuclear medicine purposes is demonstrated.

[Opinion of healthcare professionals on patient safety in a primary level hospital]. / Opinión de los profesionales sanitarios sobre seguridad del paciente en un hospital de primer nivel.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the patient safety (PS) culture perceived by health professionals of the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves (HUVN) in Granada. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional study of professionals working in HUVN using the Spanish version of the questionnaire Hospital Survey On Patient Safety Culture (AHRQ), in July-August 2008. The sample size was estimated as 476 surveys (included 60% losses). RESULTS: The response rate was 62.8% (299 questionnaires). In the previous 12 months, 90.2% of professionals had not notified any adverse event (AE). The average perception of PS was 6.57 ± 1.82 (scale 0-10). Teamwork in the unit for PS was the best rated dimension (66.9%). There was a positive correlation (c. Pearson) between the perception of PS and the years that professionals had worked in specialisation (0.21), hospital (0.197) and unit (0.138), respectively (all, p < 0.05). According to category, the physicians have reported an AE with a likelihood 32.26 times greater than the assistants and technicians (p < 0.05). The PS perception dimension was viewed favourably by 34.1%. The management support (3.7%) and staffing (9%) were the main areas for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The perception of PS at HUVN is good, even if the communication of errors is poor. The main area for improvement is a non-punitive communication of errors. It is advisable to promote a campaign to raise public awareness of the problem, to perform training programs for professionals and to implement systems for recording adverse events.