Cross‐sector emergency planning for water supply utilities and healthcare facilities

The purpose of this article is to outline the criticality of water supply in sustained operations of healthcare facilities, particularly during community emergencies, and to advocate for enhanced cross‐sector support from the water utilities in meeting this need. Information and ideas presented here were developed in the course of a regional project sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) for development of emergency water supply operations plans for critical water uses in the Washington, DC, area.     

Longitudinal Prediction of Suicide Attempts for a Diverse Adolescent Sample of Native Hawaiians,Pacific Peoples,and Asian Americans

The objective of this study was to determine the longitudinal predictors of past-6-month suicide attempts for a diverse adolescent sample of Native Hawaiians, Pacific peoples, and Asian Americans. The study used longitudinal data from the Hawaiian High Schools Health Survey (N?=?2,083, 9th to 11th graders, 1992–1993 and 1993–1994 school years). A stepwise multiple logistic regression was conducted. The final model consisted of three statistically significant predictors: (1) Time 1 suicide attempt, odds ratio?=?30.6; (2) state anxiety, odds ratio?=?4.9; and (3) parent expectations, odds ratio?=?1.9. Past suicide attempt was by far the strongest predictor of future suicide attempts. Implications are discussed, including the need for screening of prior suicide attempts and focused interventions after suicide attempts.     

Effect of low-level laser therapy on repair of the bone compromised by radiotherapy

Radiotherapy (RDT) is commonly used for cancer treatment, but high doses of ionizing radiation can directly affect healthy tissues. Positive biological effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone repair have been demonstrated; however, this effect on surgical defects of bone previously compromised by radiotherapy has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of LLLT (λ?=?830 nm) in femur repair after ionizing radiation. Twenty Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group (GC, n?=?5) creation of bone defects (BDs) only; laser group (GL), with BD and LLLT (n?=?5); radiotherapy group (GR), submitted to RDT and BD (n?=?5); and radiotherapy and laser group (GRL), submitted to RDT, BD, and LLLT (n?=?5). GL and GRL received punctual laser application (DE?=?210 J/cm², P?=?50 mW, t?=?120 s, and beam diameter of 0.04 cm²) immediately after surgery, with 48-h interval during 7 days. Animals were euthanized at 7 days after surgery, and bone sections were evaluated morphometrically with conventional microscopy. Bone repair was only observed in nonirradiated bone, with significant improvement in GL in comparison to GC. GR and GRL did not present any bone neoformation. The result demonstrated a positive local biostimulative effect of LLLT in normal bone. However, LLLT was not able to revert the bone metabolic damage due to ionizing radiation.     

Case for diagnosis

Idiopathic Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (IAPP) is a rare, exclusively cutaneous disease. It is more frequent in females, with incidence peak in the second and third decades of life. The etiopathogenesis remains unknown. IAPP most commonly affects the back, abdomen and proximal regions of the limbs. Lesions may be rounded, oval or circular; single or multiple. The evolution is variable and the course is initially progressive. Collagen changes such as atrophy, thinning, condensation and sclerosis may be observed in the papillary dermis. This paper describes a case of Idiopathic Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini with histopathologic findings.     

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SMOKING,CRACK COCAINE ABUSE AND THE DISCONTINUATION OF COMBINATION ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY IN RECIFE,PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL

Despite the effectiveness of combination antiretroviral therapy in the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), nonadherence to medication has become a major threat to its effectiveness. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of self-reported irregular use of antiretroviral therapy and the factors associated with such an irregularity in PLWHA. A cross-sectional study of PLWHA who attended two referral centers in the city of Recife, in Northeastern Brazil, between June 2007 and October 2009 was carried out. The study analyzed socioeconomic factors, social service support and personal habits associated with nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy, adjusted by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of PLWHA who reported irregular use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was 25.7%. In the final multivariate model, the irregular use of cART was associated with the following variables: being aged less than 40 years (OR = 1.66, 95%-CI: 1.29-2.13), current smokers (OR = 1.76, 95%-CI: 1.31-2.37) or former smokers (OR = 1.43, 95%-CI: 1.05-1.95), and crack cocaine users (OR = 2.79, 95%-CI: 1.24-6.32). Special measures should be directed towards each of the following groups: individuals aged less than 40 years, smokers, former smokers and crack cocaine users. Measures for giving up smoking and crack cocaine should be incorporated into HIV-control programs in order to promote greater adherence to antiretroviral drugs and thus improve the quality of life and prolong life expectancy.     

In Vitro Susceptibility of Equine-Obtained Isolates of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis to Gallium Maltolate and 20 Other Antimicrobial Agents

This study''s objective was to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activities of gallium maltolate (GaM) and 20 other antimicrobial agents against clinical equine isolates of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The growth of cultured isolates was not inhibited by any concentration of GaM. MIC data revealed susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobials.