Measuring up: results from the National Immunization Coverage Survey, 2002.
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Canada↗
Biomedical subjects
A MacArthur
Publications and source records attributed to A MacArthur.
Characteristics and treatment outcomes of leprosy patients detected during a leprosy elimination campaign in Mozambique compared with routinely detected patients.
The objective of this study is to assess whether the case-finding method is a determinant for diagnostic characteristics and treatment outcome of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Northern Mozambique. This is a retrospective cohort study of 3202 patients on the differences between entrance characteristics and treatment outcome in self-reporting patients and patients detected during a leprosy elimination campaign (LEC) in 1999 in Northern Mozambique. As a consequence of LEC activities, 3 times more patients were found compared with the same period 1 year earlier. After the LEC, case detection remained higher in the years 2000-2002 compared with the years preceding the LEC. More young (<15 years) paucibacillary (PB) cases were diagnosed during LEC activities with, surprisingly, equal percentage of disability grades. No gender imbalance was found in diagnosed LEC patients contrary to self-reporting patient groups. Comparing patients detected during a LEC in 1999 with the passive group of 1998 and 1999 showed a slight but statistically significant better treatment result for the passive group. The classification of leprosy (in favour of PB) and age (in favour of older age groups) were also determinants for favourable treatment outcomes. Volunteers had a significantly better result of treatment compared with trained nurses and regardless of detection method. LEC proved to be a useful addition to the National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Programme in Northern Mozambique. As a result, many new cases were diagnosed and put on treatment and their treatment results were very satisfactory. LEC had a lasting impact on case finding. Volunteers make a valuable contribution to leprosy control in Mozambique because they have consistently better treatment results compared with nurses.
Adolescent↗
Oral colonization and immune responses to Streptococcus gordonii expressing a pertussis toxin S1 fragment in mice.
The ability of a recombinant Streptococcus gordonii RJM4 expressing the N-terminal 179-amino acid fragment of S1 subunit of pertussis toxin (PT) as a SpaP/S1 fusion protein was tested for oral colonization and immunogenicity in BALB/c mice. Following two consecutive oral inoculations, 100% of the mice were colonized by the recombinant strains for up to 9 weeks and >60% of the animals still retained the strains after 19 weeks. RJM4 recovered from the animals continued to express the SpaP/S1 fusion protein indicating the stability of the fusion gene in vivo. Secretory (S) IgA antibody against PT could be detected in saliva from RJM4-colonized mice but not from the control groups of mice. SIgA against SpaP was also detected in saliva from the RJM4-inoculated and the S. gordonii SL3 (control)-inoculated mice. Serum antibodies against PT and SpaP were not detected in these animals. In conclusion, long-term oral colonization of BALB/c mice with our recombinant S. gordonii was established and the colonization elicited mucosal antibodies against PT and SpaP.
Animals↗
Cost containment through productivity improvement.
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Cost Control↗
An approach to measuring nursing care quality.
Some healthcare administrators despair of measuring the often nebulous concept of "quality." But the authors have found measurable components of nursing care that can help analysts better understand how computer technology impacts nursing activities and their contribution to patient care quality.
Computer Systems↗
Does the Wartenberg pendulum test differentiate quantitatively between spasticity and rigidity? A study in elderly stroke and Parkinsonian patients.
The results of applying the Wartenberg pendulum test to the assessment of muscle tone in populations of stroke and Parkinsonian patients are described. The test was able to distinguish between increased muscle tone of the spastic or rigid type. The Parkinsonian patients showed a marked reduction of the maximum velocity of the leg swing, with the relaxation index tending to a value of about one. In contrast the affected limb of stroke patients showed a lesser reduction of the velocity of the swing, the relaxation index tending to a value of less than one.
Aged↗
Surgical approach to the diagnosis of tumours occurring in the superior mediastinum.
The nature of tumours lying in the superior mediastinum can frequently be decided by the radiologist using a range of techniques varying in sophistication from the plain chest radiograph to transvenous biopsy. Histolocical proof of such lesions usually requires surgical exploration and of the methods available it is believed that mediastinotomy is the safest and most rewarding in terms of positive results. Radical excision of tumours and management of tracheal lesions require the greater surgical access afforded by thoracotomy, median sternotomy and the sternal resection of Grillo.
Biopsy↗
Sexuality and the stoma: helping patients to cope.
This paper looks at the possible effects a stoma has on patients' sexuality. The physical and psychological factors that may lead to problems are discussed and the implications for nursing practice described.
Adaptation, Psychological↗