La respuesta a las epidemias en los siglos XIX y XX: un estudio comparado entre Portugal y Chile / [The response to epidemics in the 19th and 20th centuries: a comparative study between Portugal and Chile]

En tiempos de crisis sanitarias como las que ocurrieron en Portugal en 1854-56, 1899 y 1918, especialmente en Oporto, donde el cólera morbus, la peste bubónica, el tifo exantemático, la gripe neumónica y la viruela mataron a un alto porcentaje de la población, las imágenes de las epidemias en los periódicos y en la literatura científica de la época nos permiten conocer el estado de la ciencia y las respuestas de las autoridades para controlar su difusión. La comparación de estas epidemias en Portugal con las de Chile —cólera 1886-88, peste en Valparaíso y Iquique en 1903 y gripe en 1918— en la bibliografía y en algunos periódicos de época nos muestran las semejanzas del conocimiento científico y de las medidas sanitarias aplicadas. Esto nos confirma la circulación del conocimiento médico y farmacéutico y el alto nivel de especialización de los médicos y científicos. (AU)

Percepciones sobre el retorno presencial a clases en el marco del prácticum profesional en educación física / Perceptions of face-to-face return to class in the framework of professional practicum in physical education / Percepções sobre o retorno ao ensino presencial no marco do estágio profissional em Educação Física

El objetivo de la investigación fue conocer las percepciones de los estudiantes en Práctica de Síntesis Profesional (PSP) de la carrera de Educación Física de una universidad chilena respecto al retorno a la presencialidad tras dos años de confinamiento. Para el desarrollo de este estudio piloto se utilizó un enfoque cuantitativo, no experimental transversal con alcance descriptivo de tipo exploratorio La muestra se compuso de 45 estudiantes en PSP dentro de la región del Maule, Chile, con cursos que van desde Pre Básica hasta enseñanza media en establecimientos municipales, particulares y particulares subvencionados. Los resultados indican que los docentes en formación perciben el retorno a la presencialidad como un proceso complejo por el contexto vivido en la actualidad, experimentando desafíos educativos, adaptaciones y medidas sanitarias en el desarrollo de sus clases. Se concluye que existen diversos factores que han afectado el proceso de prácticas, generando la necesidad de reorientar las metodologías de trabajo de los docentes y reorganizando la realización de las clases, sin embargo, esto no significó que fuese un proceso negativo, donde a pesar de las dificultades, fue favorable y significativo volver a interactuar con los estudiantes presencialmente.

The present study aims to know the perception of students in Professional Synthesis Practice (PSP) from the Physical Education major, at a Chilean university, in regard to returning to in person teaching after two years of confinement where people were affected worldwide, leaving their daily lives behind, and education was no exception. The sample was comprised of 45 students who are carrying out their PSP in the Maule Region, Chile, taking courses that range from pre-basic to high school in public, private, and partly subsidized schools. The results indicate that teachers in training perceive returning to in-person teaching as a complex process due to the current context, as well as the experience of educational challenges, adaptations, and health measures in the development of their classes. It is concluded that several factors affected the internship process, generating the need to reorient the teachers' work methodologies, and reorganizing the way classes are conducted. However, this did not mean that it was a negative process, despite the difficulties; it was favorable and meaningful to interact with the students in person.

O objetivo foi conhecer as percepções dos estudantes em estágio profissional de síntese (PSP) do curso de Educação Física de uma universidade chilena sobre o retorno ao ensino presencial após dois anos de confinamento. Para o desenvolvimento deste estudo piloto, utilizou-se uma abordagem quantitativa, não experimental, transversal, com escopo descritivo exploratório. A amostra foi composta por 45 estudiantes de PSP da região de Maule, Chile, com cursos de pré-básico a ensino médio em estabelecimentos municipais, privados e privados subsidiados. Os resultados indicam que os professores em formação percebem o retorno ao ensino presencial como um processo complexo devido ao contexto atual, vivenciando desafios educacionais, adaptações e medidas de saúde no desenvolvimento de suas aulas. Conclui-se que são vários os fatores que afetaram o processo de estágio, gerando a necessidade de reorientar as metodologias de trabalho dos professores e reorganizar a condução das aulas, no entanto, isso não significa que tenha sido um processo negativo, onde apesar das dificuldades, foi favorável e significativo para interagir novamente com os alunos pessoalmente.

Adoption of scientifically recommended artificial insemination practices by paravets: a depiction of current scenario of four states in India.

The present investigation was done to assess the different practices followed by the AI technicians (paravets) while performing artificial insemination (AI). A total of 160 paravets were selected for the study having equal representation from 4 different states of India (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Odisha). Questionnaire and telephonic survey were used for collecting data. Several practices followed by paravets were assessed under three sub-groups, viz., practices followed prior to, during, and post-artificial insemination. In as many as seven practices, viz., gathering pre-AI information, storage of semen straw, time of performing AI, thawing container, wiping of semen straw, cutting of semen straw, and record keeping, the adoption gap was found to be nil. Maximum adoption gap (30.60%) was seen in "adopting basic sanitary measures," whereas about 13% of adoption gap was found in the case of "monitoring of heat post calving" followed by "checking of heat prior to AI" (8.00%). Hence, along with provision of necessary measures for water bath, apron, and gumboots by State Department of Animal Husbandry (SDAH), the paravets should be made aware about the importance of basic sanitary measures. Crystoscope availability should also be ensured as it is easy to use by paravets and farmers for heat detection.

Sanitary measures in piggeries, awareness, and risk factors of African swine fever in Benue State, Nigeria.

The present study describes assessment of sanitary measures in piggeries of Benue State, Nigeria, to identify the risk factors of African swine fever. Questionnaires were distributed to 74 respondents consisting of piggery owners and attendants in different piggeries across 12 local government areas (LGAs) to collect data for this study. Sanitary measures in piggeries were observed to be generally very poor, though respondents admitted being aware of ASF. Piggeries located within 1-km radius of a slaughter slab (OR = 9.2, 95% CI 3.0-28.8; p < 0.0001) and piggeries near refuse dump sites (OR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.0-9.5; p < 0.05) showed higher chances of African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection, while piggeries where farm workers wear their work clothes outside of the piggery premises (OR = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.7; p < 0.01) indicate less chances of infection but had a significantly associated p value thus were identified as potential risk factors. The study concluded that pigs in Benue State are still at risk of an ASF outbreak. Proper sanitary and hygienic practices are advocated and emphasized in piggeries, while routine surveillance for African swine fever virus antibodies in pigs in Benue State is strongly recommended to provide a reliable reference database to plan for the prevention of any devastating ASF outbreak.

[The environment as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance : A growing problem for public health?] / Die Umwelt als Reservoir für Antibiotikaresistenzen : Ein wachsendes Problem für die öffentliche Gesundheit?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to public and animal health on the global scale. The origin of the genes associated with resistance has long been unknown. Recently, there is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that environmental bacteria are resistant to a multitude of antibiotic substances and that this environmental reservoir of AMR is still growing. The analysis of the genomes of bacterial pathogens indicates that they have acquired their resistance profiles by incorporating different genetic elements through horizontal gene transfer. The ancestors of pathogenic bacteria, as well as the origin of resistance determinants, lay most likely in the environmental microbiota. Indeed, there is some evidence that at least some clinically relevant resistance genes have originated in environmental bacterial species. Thus, feasible measures are required to reduce the risks posed by AMR genes and resistant bacteria that occur in the environment. It has been shown that a concurrence of factors, such as high concentrations of antibiotics or heavy metals used as biocides and high bacterial densities, promote development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. For this purpose, it is essential to restrict the use of antibiotics for the treatment of livestock and humans to medical necessity, as well as to reduce the application of biocides and heavy metals in animal husbandry. Moreover, it is important to further develop sanitary measures at the interface between the environment and clinical settings or livestock farming.

Hepatitis A and E Outbreak Surveillance during 2015-2017 in Kashmir, India: Is the Water to Blame?

Waterborne diseases, such as hepatitis A and E, are a major public health concern in most developing countries, indicating the need for proper outbreak prevention, surveillance, and timely management. This study presents data regarding the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis A and E outbreaks as well as water quality in Kashmir, India, during 2015-2017. Hepatitis outbreaks were initially investigated by rapid response teams, under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. Suspected cases were further evaluated by blood sampling to confirm the disease along with water sampling evaluation. Between 2015 and 2017, 23 disease outbreaks were recorded; among these, four outbreaks occurred in 2015, 12 in 2016, and seven in 2017. Specifically, 12 of the total outbreaks were concerned with hepatitis A infection, 10 concerned hepatitis E infection, and one involved eight cases of jaundice with neither hepatitis A virus nor hepatitis A virus detected in blood sampling. Overall, during the aforementioned period, 393 cases of hepatitis A or E were detected. Regarding water quality, which was evaluated using the most probable number method for counting coliform, 38 of 50 water samples were found to be unfit for human consumption and one source was found to be suspicious. This study of prevalence and epidemiology of hepatitis A and E along with its relationship with water quality and socioeconomic factors, such as poor hygiene and lack of access to safe water, aids toward the implementation of effective preventive sanitary measures and public health actions.

Quinto Tiberio Angelerio and new measures for controlling plague in 16th-century Alghero, Sardinia.

Plague, a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, has been responsible for at least 3 pandemics. During 1582-1583, a plague outbreak devastated the seaport of Alghero in Sardinia. By analyzing contemporary medical texts and local documentation, we uncovered the pivotal role played by the Protomedicus of Alghero, Quinto Tiberio Angelerio (1532-1617), in controlling the epidemic. Angelerio imposed rules and antiepidemic measures new to the 16th-century sanitary system of Sardinia. Those measures undoubtedly spared the surrounding districts from the spread of the contagion. Angelerio seems to have been an extremely successful public health officer in the history of plague epidemics in Sardinia.

Aproximación a la historia de la medicina en Cuba 1899-1925 / An approach to the history of the medicine in Cuba 1899-1925

Como resultado de una revisión bibliográfica realizada con el objetivo de resaltar los hitos más importantes que influyeron y marcaron el desarrollo de la Historia de la Medicina en el período que abarca, desde la primera ocupación militar de los Estados Unidos, en la Isla de Cuba, en enero de 1899 hasta 1925, se hace una síntesis de los momentos trascendentales de la organización de la salud pública y su evolución en estos años. Se enfatiza en las primeras medidas higiénico-sanitarias adoptadas por el mando militar estadounidense, su implementación y continuidad en la República, así como la mejoría de las condiciones ambientales y epidemiológicas del país. Se hace mención al desarrollo de las especialidades médicas y los estudios de enfermería, así como los avances en la docencia, la investigación y la incorporación del uso de las técnicas de la época para los diagnósticos clínicos. Se hace referencia a las personalidades más significativas y sus aportes al desarrollo de la Medicina y la salud pública de la nación dentro de esta etapa.

The most important events that influenced and marked the development of the history of medicine in the period that goes from the first U.S military occupation of Cuba in January, 1889 up to 1925 as well as the most significant moments of the organization of public health and its evolution in all these years are synthesized through this bibliographic review. It has been emphasized about the first hygienic-sanitary measures adopted by the American military command, their implementation and continuity in the republic as well as the improvement of the environmental and epidemiological conditions in the country. It is mentioned the development of the medical specialities and the nursing training and the advances in teaching and research. The inclusions of the existing techniques for clinical diagnosis at that time are also explained. There are references to the most outstanding personalities and their contribution to the progress of medicine and public health in Cuba.