La animación científica en atención primaria

The scientific method is capable of being applied in primary care. In this article we defend the role of the “scientific entertainer “as strategic and necessary in achieving this goal. The task has to include playful and light-hearted content. We explore some words in English that may help us to understand the concept of “scientific entertainer” from a semantic point of view (showman, master of ceremonies, entrepreneur, go-between) also in Spanish language (counsellor, mediator, methodologist) and finally in Latin and Greek (tripalium, negotium, chronos, kairos). We define the clinical, manager or research health-worker who is skilled in primary care as a “primarylogist”.     

Distribution and hydrolytic enzyme characteristics of Candida albicans strains isolated from diabetic patients and their non-diabetic consorts

Introduction:  The aim of this study was to investigate the oral colonization profile of Candida albicans strains isolated from diabetic patients and their non-diabetic consorts. In addition hydrolytic enzyme activity of these isolates was analysed.
Methods:  The genetic diversity of C. albicans oral isolates from 52 couples was established using isoenzyme marker and cluster analysis. Hydrolytic enzyme characteristics, namely secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAPs) and phospholipases (PLs) were also analysed.
Results:  Simultaneous colonization by C. albicans was observed in the consorts of 12 couples (23.1%). Patterns of monoclonal and polyclonal oral colonization by C. albicans strains were identified and the coexistence of identical or highly related strains was observed in both members of eight couples. The genetic diversity observed in the total yeast population revealed four large, genetically distinct groups (A to D) and the coexistence of strains in couples or consorts conjugally unrelated. SAP and PL activity was observed in the majority of C. albicans isolates without any association to particular strain, strain clusters (highly related isolates), or clinical characteristics of the consorts (diabetic, non-diabetic, and gender).
Conclusion:  Possible sources of transmission and oral propagation of groups (clusters) of strains of C. albicans can occur between diabetic and non-diabetic consorts. A conjugal genotypic identity exists in most C. albicans -positive couples, that is, both consorts share identical or highly related strains; however, this identity is not couple-specific as seen by the coexistence of clusters in couples and unrelated consorts.     

Liposarcoma retrofaríngeo: a propósito de un caso de apneas-hipopneas durante el sueño

Liposarcomas rarely occur in the head and neck. We report a case of myxoid liposarcoma occurring in the retropharyngeal space in a middle-aged male with clinical symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea.     

Effect of pasteurisation and freezing method on bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of strawberry pulp

This study evaluated the stability of strawberry pulp subjected to three factors, pasteurisation (pasteurised and unpasteurised), freezing method (static air and forced air) and storage time (0, 2, 4 and 6 months). Pasteurisation favoured vitamin C retention during storage but enhanced the total loss of phenolics without affecting anthocyanin levels. Freezing by forced air was more effective in retaining phenolics during the first 4 months of storage, although the freezing method did not affect the anthocyanin levels. Processing and storage reduced the levels of individual phenolics. Freezing by forced air was more effective than static air in retaining antioxidant activity of the pulp. Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase enzyme levels were relatively stable and independent of pasteurisation, freezing and storage time. Even after 6 months of frozen storage, strawberry pulp is a significant source of nutrients and bioactive compounds and retains high antioxidant capacity independent of pasteurisation and freezing method.     

Randomized trial of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation to treat urge urinary incontinence in older women

Introduction  

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) to treat urge urinary incontinence (UUI) in older women.     

The life cycle of Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa (Digenea: Heterophyidae), a causative agent of fish-borne trematodosis

The complete life cycle of the trematode Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa (Digenea: Heterophyidae) is elucidated by natural observation validated by experimental infections. The natural first intermediate host of A. (P.) longa, an agent of human heterophyiasis in Brazil, is the cochliopid snail Heleobia australis (new first intermediate host). Metacercariae were found encysted in the body musculature, heart, stomach, liver, kidney, spleen, gonads and mesentery of mullets Mugil liza. Hamsters Mesocricetus auratus were experimentally infected with metacercariae of A. (P.) longa obtained from the mullets, and the adults recovered were used to infect the snails H. australis. Rediae and cercariae of A. (P.) longa are described for the first time. The ultrastructure of the tegument of A. (P.) longa shows a change in spination pattern from the cercaria with single-pointed spines to the metacercaria and adult with multipointed, brush-shaped spines. The life cycle of A. (P.) longa is related to estuaries and coastal lagoons where the recruitment of mugilid juveniles occurs. The high prevalence (100%) of A. (P.) longa encysted in the mullets examined within the urban area of Rio de Janeiro indicates the potentially great public health impact of the consumption of raw mullets.     

Effects of estrogen deficiency and low bone mineral density on healthy knee cartilage in rabbits

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of estrogen deficiency and bone mass loss on normal knee cartilage in mature rabbits. Bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) was performed in 13 rabbits, 6 of which also received systemic glucocorticoid for 4 weeks. Seven additional healthy rabbits were used as controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry in lumbar spine, knee, and subchondral bone of the knee at baseline and 22 weeks after OVX. After sacrifice, the knees were dissected, macroscopy was assessed, and histological cartilage abnormalities were evaluated according to the Mankin score. Correlations of Mankin with BMD at different regions were also performed. When compared to baseline, differences in BMD were only found in spine and knee of the animals receiving glucocorticoids. All the animals subjected to OVX had a significantly higher Mankin score than controls. Mankin was upper in OVX animals receiving glucocorticoids, but differences were not significant. The Mankin score was inversely related with BMD in lumbar spine (r = ?0.67; p < 0.01). Although low bone mineral density contributes to the minor osteoarthritic alterations observed in our model, estrogen deficiency itself seems to act directly to induce the main pathogenic effects in healthy cartilage of the rabbit. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:812–818, 2010