The internal medium in diphtheria

The authours expound the results obtained in the study of the distinct modifications which exist, or which are pretended to exist in certain elements (urea, glucose, cholesterin, inorganic phosphorus, calcium, creatinine, pH) which enter into the composition of the blood of the diphtheric patients, arriving at the following conclusions: 1st The blood urea is found to be elevated with most frequency in common diphtheretic anginas, and complicated sub-malignant, and malignant cases. Within the same clinical form, when the figure is more elevated, the more serious is the process, without that one can say that a malignant form with less than one gram is of better prognosis than a common or sub-malignant form with more than this quantity. This is to indicate that the prognosis is conditioned by the clinical form and not by the ureal tenor. It is rare that the urea figure goes over 4 per thousand; and it happens iu the malignant form, and in circunstances in which this element is unnecessary as prognostic index. The other minor figures can normalize themselves, or without that, it signific that the patient will be cured. 2rd The glucose and cholesterin variations in the blood are not constant, nor they are intense or parrail el and they lack any prognostic value. They are the results of functional or organic disturbances of metabolism and not its cause, they do not correct themselves with the incorporation of glucose-insulin, not of cholesterin. 3rd Regarding calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and pH, one observes only small variations of the normal tenor without any prognostic value, the variations of creatinine are null. 4th There is hypochloremia in the acute period without any apparent relation with azotemia, which may be found elevated or not. 5th With all these preceding, it is inferred that only hyper-azotemia is of utility as a prognostic element and it has particular characteristic as in whatlisoever other process, without that of diphtheria.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

The Usefulness of the HIV—CHEK Assay as a Simple, Rapid and Sensitive Screening Test for HIV Infection

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the HIV–CHEK kit for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody testing. A comparison with the Serodia-HIV test was made on 42 fresh serum samples. Both tests accurately identified the 11 true positive serum samples, while there was one false positive with the Serodia-HIV and 3 were difficult to interpret using the HIV–CHEK. To assess the sensitivity of the HIV–CHEK assay, a comparison with other tests was made using serial titrations of stored known HIV-positive frozen serum samples. Here the HIV–CHEK demonstrated a poor sensitivity compared to the others. In conclusion, although we found the HIV–CHEK to be simple and quick, the difficulty with interpretation of some specimens and the apparent poor sensitivity on frozen samples makes it difficult to recommend this kit in its present form as a principal initial screening test for HIV antibody. </jats:p

The internal medium in diphtheria

The authours expound the results obtained in the study of the distinct modifications which exist, or which are pretended to exist in certain elements (urea, glucose, cholesterin, inorganic phosphorus, calcium, creatinine, pH) which enter into the composition of the blood of the diphtheric patients, arriving at the following conclusions: 1st The blood urea is found to be elevated with most frequency in common diphtheretic anginas, and complicated sub-malignant, and malignant cases. Within the same clinical form, when the figure is more elevated, the more serious is the process, without that one can say that a malignant form with less than one gram is of better prognosis than a common or sub-malignant form with more than this quantity. This is to indicate that the prognosis is conditioned by the clinical form and not by the ureal tenor. It is rare that the urea figure goes over 4 per thousand; and it happens iu the malignant form, and in circunstances in which this element is unnecessary as prognostic index. The other minor figures can normalize themselves, or without that, it signific that the patient will be cured. 2rd The glucose and cholesterin variations in the blood are not constant, nor they are intense or parrail el and they lack any prognostic value. They are the results of functional or organic disturbances of metabolism and not its cause, they do not correct themselves with the incorporation of glucose-insulin, not of cholesterin. 3rd Regarding calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and pH, one observes only small variations of the normal tenor without any prognostic value, the variations of creatinine are null. 4th There is hypochloremia in the acute period without any apparent relation with azotemia, which may be found elevated or not. 5th With all these preceding, it is inferred that only hyper-azotemia is of utility as a prognostic element and it has particular characteristic as in whatlisoever other process, without that of diphtheria.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Influenza vaccine uptake and attitudes of healthcare workers in Ireland

Abstract Background Influenza vaccination uptake by Irish healthcare workers remains sub-optimal despite local initiatives to increase it. Aims To investigate hospital workers' attitudes to influenza vaccination and how this influenced their decisions about vaccination. Methods A questionnaire survey of Irish hospital workers, measuring uptake of and attitudes to influenza vaccination. Results There were 747 responders, of whom 361 (48%) reported having received influenza vaccination. Attitudes predicting vaccination uptake included a belief that vaccination would protect family members (P &lt; 0.0005, CI 1.191–1.739), a perception of susceptibility to ’flu (P &lt; 0.0005, CI 1.182–1.685), a belief that all healthcare workers should be vaccinated (P &lt; 0.005, CI 1.153–1.783), perceived ease of getting ’flu vaccination at work (P &lt; 0.0005, CI 1.851–2.842) and encouragement by line managers (P &lt; 0.05, CI 1.018–1.400). Attitudes negatively associated with vaccination uptake included fear of needles (P &lt; 0.05, CI 0.663–0.985) and a belief that vaccination would cause illness (P &lt; 0.0005, CI 0.436–0.647). Medical staff were significantly more likely to be vaccinated. Healthcare students were least likely to be vaccinated (P &lt; 0.0005). Conclusion Addressing specific barriers to influenza vaccination in healthcare workers may improve uptake. </jats:sec

The psychological impact caused by genital warts: has the Department of Health's choice of vaccination missed the opportunity to prevent such morbidity?

This study evaluated the psychological impact caused by genital warts and whether this altered over time. Eighty-four patients with genital warts and a group of 28 appropriately matched volunteers from the local general population were recruited. The patients were divided into three groups of 28 according to the Health Protection Agency classification codes for genital warts. A comprehensive health questionnaire was completed by all participants. Patients with first attack genital warts experienced significantly more distress, anxiety and depression and were less satisfied with their lives than all the other groups. They also reported less satisfaction with the practical support they received. The recurrent episode genital warts group experienced significantly high levels of emotional distress and the re-registered group reported significantly less emotional and practical support according to their needs. While the first attack genital warts group experienced the most psychological effects, it is clear that those effects did not disappear as an individual came to terms with their diagnosis. The choice of vaccine to prevent cervical cancer will not prevent clinical warts occurring and therefore will not help prevent the psychological morbidity associated with this condition. </jats:p

How much interest is the internet to patients?

Objectives: To assess the accessibility of the internet, the level of interest from patients attending genitourinary (GU) medicine clinics, and explore potential concerns about confidentiality. Methods: Questionnaire based survey of patients attending five GU medicine clinics in England. Results: 41% of GU medicine clinic patients in 1999 had access to the internet (range 31%–52%) with access more common in younger age groups, and less common in women and black Caribbean patients. One in 10 patients (with internet access) had used the internet to find out more about the problem with which they had come to the clinic. 60% of patients replied that information on sexual health on the internet was of interest to them and a high proportion of patients said they would use the internet to access information about GU clinics (64%), book an appointment (64%) or get test results (63%). Almost a quarter of patients who made additional suggestions wanted an interactive website. Conclusions: A high proportion of patients attending GU clinics have access to the internet with potential uses for health education and service delivery. Key Words: internet; sexual health; genitourinary medicin