Travelers With Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Cured Without Systemic Therapy

Guidelines recommend wound care and/or local therapy as first-line treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis. An analysis of a referral treatment program in 135 travelers showed that this approach was feasible in 62% of patients, with positive outcome in 83% of evaluable patient

A Chromosomal Inversion Unique to the Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon

The gibbon family belongs to the superfamily Hominoidea and includes 15 species divided into four genera. Each genus possesses a distinct karyotype with chromosome numbers varying from 38 to 52. This diversity is the result of numerous chromosomal changes that have accumulated during the evolution of the gibbon lineage, a quite unique feature in comparison with other hominoids and most of the other primates. Some gibbon species and subspecies rank among the most endangered primates in the world. Breeding programs can be extremely challenging and hybridization plays an important role within the factors responsible for the decline of captive gibbons. With less than 500 individuals left in the wild, the northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys leucogenys, NLE) is the most endangered primate in a successful captive breeding program. We present here the analysis of an inversion that we show being specific for the northern white-cheeked gibbon and can be used as one of the criteria to distinguish this subspecies from other gibbon taxa. The availability of the sequence spanning for one of the breakpoints of the inversion allows detecting it by a simple PCR test also on low quality DNA. Our results demonstrate the important role of genomics in providing tools for conservation efforts

Investigation of crack origin in hybrid components with twocolor digital Fresnel holography

The paper presents a two-color digital holographic interferometer. The set-up is devoted to the investigation of crack origin in hybrid industrial electronic components. Optical configuration and algorithms to recover the optical phase of two-color digitally encoded holograms are described. The method is based on a spatial-color-multiplexing scheme in which holographic reconstruction is performed using a spectral scanning algorithm. Experimental results exhibit in-plane and out-of-plane non uniform deformations that are the probable cause of the cracking of the component

Pinniped Tuberculosis in Malayan Tapirs (Tapirus Indicus) and Its Transmission to Other Terrestrial Mammals

In the last 7 yr, three different species of terrestrial mammals were diagnosed with Mycobacterium pinnipedii either within one collection or through the introduction of an infected animal from another zoo. The affected species included the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus bactrianus), and crested porcupine (Hystrix cristata). In the first zoo, all of these were living in exhibits adjacent to a group of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) and were cared for by the same keeper. One infected tapir was transferred to a different zoo and transmitted M. pinnipedii infection to three other Malayan tapirs. The tapirs were tested with various diagnostic methods, including comparative intradermal tuberculin test, PCR and culture of sputum samples, Rapid Test (RT), and multiantigen print immunoassay (MAPIA). The M. pinnipedii infection was confirmed at postmortem examination in all animals. RT and MAPIA showed the diagnostic potential for rapid antemortem detection of this important zoonotic diseas

Enhancing students’ preparedness to care for older people: A mixed methods analysis

Background Nursing students’ positive attitudes towards ageing and older people are central to developing person-centred care. Perceptions about older people are influenced by social and generational values and beliefs, including a general understanding that older people need to be cared for. Nursing students often undertake early clinical placements in aged care settings, where residents’ needs are complex, yet the nursing experience is often considered ‘basic’ care. Illustrating that older people have rich personal histories and are valuable contributors to society can balance students’ perceptions and expectations and outcomes of clinical placements. Educational interventions using photo-elicitation and in-depth dialogue may surface students’ assumptions and challenge their misperceptions of older people before the first clinical placement. Aim To examine the impact of the innovative Depth of Field: Exploring Ageing © (DOF) resource as preparation for nursing students’ clinical placement in residential aged care facilities. Methods Mixed methods, block randomised controlled study with first year students. Students attending clinical laboratory groups received either usual preparation (control, n = 108) or DOF plus usual preparation (intervention, n = 99). Pre/post surveys included: Geriatric Attitudes Scale (GAS) and demographics. Eight students from the intervention group participated in focus groups post-clinical. Findings Groups were similar at baseline. There were statistically significant changes following the intervention (p ≤ .05) for 9/13 individual GAS items and difference in overall mean scores (intervention group: M = 0.26; SD = 0.27; control group: M = 0.01; SD = 0.27). Focus group themes included: preconceptions toward older people; feelings of being emotionally unprepared; and perceptions of the DOF intervention in preparing students to connect with the older person. Discussion The DOF vignette provided opportunity for students to preflect on ageing. Translation to practice was evidenced with students seeing beyond residents’ physical care requirements to the value of connecting with the older person’s story to facilitate person-centred care. Conclusions The DOF intervention assisted students to adopt positive attitudes and a broader perspective of older people, as preparation for placement in residential aged care facilities