Chlamys touila n. sp. (Pectinidae,Bivalvia) du Langhien de Tunisie centrale

A new species of Pectinids, Chlamys touila, is described from the middle Miocene of central Tunisia (Aïn Grab Formation). Into the group of Chlamys opercularis L., it only has affinities with Chl. gentoni Font., from the Miocene of SE France, and derives probably from this one; as the latter species it lacks all secondary ornementation, but is clearly different by the number and the section of the ribs. It confirms the influence of the occidental bioprovince in this area of the Mediterranean Sea.     

Prevención de las úlceras de talón en un hospital de media estancia. Estudio comparativo de vendaje clásico almohadillado respecto a las taloneras hidrocelulares de poliuretano

Introduction

The aim of the study is to determine the incidence of heel pressure ulcers (UPPT) and to compare the two systems for UPPT prevention: classic padded bandage and polyurethane heel.

Material and methods

Prospective intervention study in a medium-long hospital stay of all people admitted that had no UPPT but had a risk of UPPT according to the Braden Scale or clinical judgment. The patients were randomized to prevention with classic padded bandage or polyurethane heel. The outcome variable was the incidence of UPPT for each study group, which was recorded every 15 days or when there were clinical changes.

Results

Of the 940 patients evaluated, 409 with a mean age of 80.5 years and 59.1% women,were included in the study. Of these, 78% had Barthel score ≤30; 28.6% dementia; delirium 37.6%; 27.6% diabetes; and 19.6% other UPP. The overall incidence was 2.9% UPPT; 2.49% in the classic padded bandage and 3.37% in the polyurethane heel group (p=0.82).

Conclusions

No statistically significant differences were observed between the group with the classical dressing and the group with the polyurethane heel dressing. The use of multiple measures to prevent UPPT achieved a low incidence of these.     

Découverte de nouveaux rongeurs dans la formation Miocène de Bou Hanifia (Algérie occidentale)

A new rodent level has been discovered in the Bou Hanifia formation, well known for its Hipparion and Progonomys levels. The importance of this new locality lies in the presence of a new rodent, Senoussimys hanifiae nov. gen., nov. sp., Dendromuridae, the oldest representative of this group in North West Africa and of a new species of Zramys, Zramys gueltae probable descent of Zramys dubiusJaeger, from the oldest BH.II level.     

Efectos del entrenamiento en estrategias de regulación emocional en el bienestar de cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer

Introduction

The present research shows the results of a psychoeducational intervention programme centered on the regulation of the emotion among Alzheimer patients’ caregivers.

Materials and methods

52 informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients participated. These caregivers were distributed into two groups: the experimental group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 32). All the participants were evaluated before and after the intervention programme through the application of different measurement tools measuring variables related to the care giving process; stressors, modulation variables and care giving consequences.

Results

In the inter group contrast, the experimental group, when compared with the control condition, obtained higher scores in positive affect, subjective well-being, regulation of emotions, and satisfaction with caregiving. However, the experimental group recorded lower values in perceived stress and negative affect. With reference to the intragroup contrast, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in dysfunctional thoughts and emotional attention. The control group registered higher levels of psychosocial support and lower satisfaction with caregiving.

Conclusions

The training programme, that we both developed and conducted, has contributed to a greater feeling of emotional well-being amongst the its participant caregivers, who now take more adequate care of their emotions and suffer fewer dysfunctional thoughts in relation to caregiving. In future studies, the stability of the results presented in this investigation should be established due to the progressive character of the skills learned during the programme, and the changing needs associated with the caregiving process.     

L'utilisation de services de santé et de médicaments par des personnes agées de Montréal qui re?oivent des soins maintien à domicile.

A survey was conducted among 160 persons aged 64 year or more in Montreal who were receiving home care. They answered at home a questionnaire on their use of health care services and drugs, and showed the interviewer all the drugs they were taking. In comparison with similar data from elsewhere, the use of health care services (an average of 8.0 encounters with a physician per person per year) and of drugs (an average of 5.3 per person) by this group seems high. Perhaps this group of people was obviously sicker than others of the same age, but this remains to be shown. Moreover, despite the reported frequency of health problems, it is uncertain whether such use of services and drugs was necessary. The question is raised whether the home care system is doing for the patient what it was intended to do.     

Implantación de una Unidad de Ortogeriatría de Agudos en un hospital de segundo nivel

Background

Patients with hip fracture (HF), due to their characteristics, require a specific support. The Acute Orthogeriatric Unit (OGU) has been shown to be one of the most beneficial.

Objective

To evaluate the main variables of HF patients treated at an OGU and compare them with the previous referral model (RC).

Material and methods

A prospective observational study with retrospective control was conducted on 169 patients, split into two groups. In the RC group, patients were admitted to conventional trauma ward. In the OGU group, an early geriatric assessment was performed, and patients were simultaneously attended daily by the orthopaedic surgeon, nurse and geriatrician, and the surgery times, work load, discharge and destination, were planned in a weekly meeting with the rest of professionals.

Results

A total of 71 patients were included in the RC group and 96 in the OGU group. The preoperative characteristics were similar, except for a slightly higher comorbidity in the OGU group. The OGU patients were operated on earlier (3.82±2.08 vs 4.61±2.5 days; P<.32), and overall hospital stay was reduced by 28% (11.84±4.04 vs 16.46±8.4 days; P<.001). The functional efficiency (Barthel Index at discharge-Barthel Index at admission/overall stay - stay before surgery) was higher in the OGU group (1.56±0.7 vs 2.61±1.1; P<.05). There were no differences in functional status, mortality or discharge location.

Conclusions

The OGU is a level of care that provides effective medical care in HF patients in general hospitals.     

Trichopoliodystrophie,ou la maladie de Menkes.

Trichopoliodystrophy (also known as Menkes'' kinky or steely hair disease), a recessive sex-linked syndrome, is characterized by severely retarded mental and physical development, convulsions, a particular phenotype and abnormalities of the hair, bones and arteries. Very low levels of copper and ceruloplasmin in the serum confirm the diagnosis. This rare disorder is caused by an inborn error of copper metabolism whose nature is not yet clear. Recent hypotheses favour either an abnormality in the transport of copper across the cell membrane or increased affinity for copper of the intracellular binding protein. Because the metabolic abnormality is expressed autonomously and irregularly in various tissues, the distribution of copper within the body is disordered. Up to now none of the many forms of copper therapy has succeeded in modifying the fatal course of the disease in humans. This article presents a new case, the first in Canada, and a review of the other 69 cases described in the literature. The new case illustrates, in addition to the classic picture, less well known features, such as diverticula of the bladder mucosa and serosa, as well as cortical atrophy and malformed cerebral vessels demonstrated by computer-assisted tomography.     

Une espéce nouvelle ďophisaurus (lacertilia,anguidae) de ľoligocène des phosphorites du quercy. révision de la sous-famille des anguinae

Ophisaurus roqueprunensis is a new anguine species (Lacertilia, Anguidae) from the Oligocene of the Phosphorites du Quercy (France). Blade-like teeth are the main feature of the new taxon. Several characters demonstrate the monophyletic nature of the Anguinae subfamily. The Anguinae subfamily is now subdivided into three groups: the genusPseudopus, with enlarged (molariform) teeth at the rear of the dental row; the anguine lizards with blade-like teeth (caniniform) or theAnguis —Ophisaurus harti lineage and the AmericanOphisaurus lizards, a group that shares no derived character and, thus, is a metataxon.Ophisaurus roqueprunensis is placed within theAnguis- Ophisaurus harti lineage. Phyletic relationships within those three taxons are envisaged.     

Efecto de 24 semanas de entrenamiento de fuerza a moderada-alta intensidad en ancianos

Introduction

Strength programs have been seen to be useful in minimizing the effects of sarcopenia, although intervention protocols may vary in their content and characteristics. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the influence of a particular strength protocol for the elderly.

Material ans methods

A total of 35 individuals took part in the study, with 18 in the exercise group (4 men and 14 women), and 17 in the control group (4 men and 13 women). The average age was 73. The exercise group carried out a strength training program at moderate to high intensity over 24 weeks. Strength was evaluated using the chair stand test, 2-minute step and 2 vertical jumps-squat jump (SJ), and countermovement jump (CMJ). Falls in both groups were also compared before and after the intervention, as well as their relationship with the chair stand variable.

Results

A tendency towards improvement was observed in all tests, with the exception of CMJ; while the control group showed a tendency in the opposite direction. Contrast between the two groups at the end of the intervention was notable in all the tests. An inverse relationship between the chair stand strength variable and the number of falls was evident.

Conclusions

According to the results achieved, the training was perceived to exercise a positive influence on both the strength of the elderly people and a reduction of the number of falls. The gap between the two groups widened towards the end of the intervention.     

Cestodes d'oiseaux de Côte-d'Ivoire. II. Parasites de Coraciiformes et Piciformes

Résumé Les cestodes récoltés en Côte d'Ivoire chez deux ordres d'oiseaux, les Coraciiformes et les Piciformes, sont présentés. Un nouveau genre, Thaumasiolepis (Hymenolepididae, Hymenolepidinae), est créé et discuté. Il comprend des cestodes récoltés chez différentes espèces de Capitonidae et caractérisés par des crochets rostraux spiniformes tout à fait originaux. L'espèce T. microarmata est créée pour ce matériel. D'autre part deux nouveaux Raillietina de Picidae, R. (S.) campetherae et R. (P.) yapoensis sont décrits. R. (S.) campetherae est la première espèce de ce sous genre trouvée chez les Piciformes. Biuterina meropina macrancistrota est trouvé chez Merops albicollis. Ce taxon est élevé au rang d'espèce et devient par conséquent B. macrancistrota Fuhrmann, 1908. Skrjabinoporus merops (Woodland, 1928) Spassky & Borgarenko, 1960 est retrouvé. Cette espèce peu commune est redécrite et sa position parmi les Metadilepididae confirmée. Enfin, Raillietina cf (P.) bargetzii Mahon, 1954 est signalé chez Gymnobucco calvus.

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Cestodes collected in the two bird orders, the Coraciiformes and the Piciformes, in the Ivory Coast are presented. The new genus Thaumasiolepis (Hymenolepididae, Hymenolepidinae) is created and discussed. It includes cestodes collected in two species of the Capitonidae. Its main characteristic is the presence of very unusual spiniform hooks. The species T. microarmata is created for this material. We also describe two new species of Raillietina parasitising the Picidae, R. (P.) yapoensis and R. (S.) campetherae, the latter being the first species of this subgenus recorded from the Piciformes. In addition, Biuterina meropina macrancistrota has been found in Merops albicollis. We recognize a full specific status for this taxon which becomes B. macrancistrota Fuhrmann, 1908. Skrjabinoporus merops (Woodland, 1928) Spassky & Borgarenko, 1960 has been rediscovered. This rare species is redescribed and its position among the Metadilepididae is confirmed. Finally, Raillietina cf (P.) bargetzii Mahon, 1954 is recorded from Gymnobucco calvus.

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Ce travail fait partie de la thèse du premier auteur.     

Estudio preliminar de la efectividad de la terapia asistida con perros en personas de la tercera edad

IntroductionAnimal-assisted therapy is increasingly present in several educational and health areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of such interventions in the elderly population living in residential settings.Materials and methodsA 12-week dog-assisted intervention program was designed, with 16 participants from a nursing home divided into an experimental group and a control group.ResultsSeveral physical and psychological variables were assessed before and after the intervention. While there were no significant differences in the control group, the experimental group improved significantly after participating in the program.DiscussionThe results support the hypothesis that animal-assisted interventions may be beneficial for residents in elderly care homes.     

Importance de la qualité du sperme

The semen quality and sperm chromatin alteration have added a new dimension to the evaluation of male factors in repeated spontaneous abortion (RSA). The aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of the sperm quality in RSA conjugal partners. In RSA group, when husbands sperm having more 50% of normal forms and more 50% of native DNA, the paternal lymphocytes injection may lead to a positive immunization. However, no benefit of immunotherapy between conjugal partners if the conventional semen parameters and chromatin quality were altered. Our data indicates that among the vast array of male factors, sperm morphology and chromatin quality seems to be an important criterion to conceive or maintain pregnancy of women with a RSA.     

Lobelia vivaldii (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae), a remarkable new species of sect. Tylomium from Isla de Mona,Puerto rico

A new species ofLobelia (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae) is described from Isla de Mona, a Caribbean island not previously known to harbor the genus. The small woody rosette-plants were collected in 1988 and 1992 at the northeastern corner of the island, where they grew from crevices in the vertical limestone cliffs, approximately 60 m above the sea. The new species,Lobelia vivaldii, belongs to sect.Tylomium, a group of approximately 36 suffruticose and woody species endemic to the Caribbean basin. Within that section, it is most similar to and apparently derived fromL. cirsiifolia, a less woody rain forest species found at higher elevations on several islands in the Lesser Antilles.     

Produits neutres et alcaloides de Myrtopsis macrocarpa,M. myrtoidea,M. novae-caledoniae et M. sellingii

Stems and leaves of Myrtopsis macrocarpa, M. myrtoidea, M. novae-caledoniae and M. sellingii yielded terpenes, sterols, coumarins, alkaloids (furoquinolines and quinolones) and amides. A new quinolone (8-methoxy flindersine) occurs in Myrtopsis macrocarpa, a new amide (N-benzoyltryptamine) in M. myrtoidea, two new coumarins (myrsellin and myrsellinol) and a new dihydrofuroquinoline (myrtopsine) in M. sellingii. Structures of the new compounds are proposed from chemical and spectroscopic evidence.     

Dérives C-glycosyliques : XIII. Nitrones de sucres

Various N-methylnitrones of sugars having a free carbonyl group were prepared by treatment with N-methylhydroxylamine. In each case, only one geometric isomer was obtained, to which the anti (Z) configuration is ascribed on the basis of the n.m.r. spectra, in particular of those obtained in the presence of an europium complex.     

Un Point de Depart pour les Methodes Iteratives de Regression. Application a la Regression Lineaire Robuste

The importance of the starting point for iterative robust regression is well known since the ordinary least square solution often used doesn't always give good results. We suggest a new method called “regression by the sectors” (RPS) as a starting point to an iterative windsorisation of the original data (ITER). We used artificial samples to compare RPS and other quick techniques of fit: regression by median, Hinich-Talwar's method, L₁ norm minimization. Besides RPS-ITER algorithm is tested (examples and simulations) in relation to algorithms using different starting points associated to ITER. The results show the superiority of RPS-ITER.     

Resultado funcional de la artroplastia de hombro en mayores de 65 años

The aim of this study is to describe functional results one year after intervention in a group of patients over 65 years with partial shoulder replacement (PSR).     

Le gisement de Freiria de Rio Maior,Portugal, et sa faune de Mammiferes; Nouvelle espece de Rotundomys,consequences stratigraphiques

A new locality, close to Freiria de Rio Maior, provided a mammalian fauna associated with Charophytes, secds,Ostracods, Gastropods and Urodels. The most abundant remains correspond to a new species: Rotundomys freiriensis. This fauna has been dated as the Upper Vallesian base (MN 10), corresponding to the most recent level with small mammals found in the portuguese Miocene. Thus, the Freiria limestone succession is correlated to Cartaxo, Almoster, etc., limestones which are so developed in the Ribatejo area.