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Haptic devices transmit information to the user, using tactile stimuli to augment or replace sensory input. People with limited sensory abilities, such as vision or hearing can receive supplementary information by relying on them. This review analyses recent developments in haptic devices for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals by extracting the most relevant information from each of the selected papers. The process of finding relevant literature is detailed using the PRISMA guidelines for literature reviews. In this review, the devices are categorized to better understand the review topic. The categorization results have highlighted several areas of future research into haptic devices for hearing-impaired users. We believe this review may be useful to researchers interested in haptic devices, assistive technologies, and human-computer interaction.

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Existing acute febrile illness (AFI) surveillance systems can be leveraged to identify and characterize emerging pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated with ministries of health and implementing partners in Belize, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, and Peru to adapt AFI surveillance systems to generate COVID-19 response information. Staff at sentinel sites collected epidemiologic data from persons meeting AFI criteria and specimens for SARS-CoV-2 testing. A total of 5,501 patients with AFI were enrolled during March 2020-October 2021; >69% underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing. Percentage positivity for SARS-CoV-2 ranged from 4% (87/2,151, Kenya) to 19% (22/115, Ethiopia). We show SARS-CoV-2 testing was successfully integrated into AFI surveillance in 5 low- to middle-income countries to detect COVID-19 within AFI care-seeking populations. AFI surveillance systems can be used to build capacity to detect and respond to both emerging and endemic infectious disease threats.

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The ever-growing and widespread use of touch, face, full-body, and 3D mid-air gesture recognition sensors in domestic and industrial settings is serving to highlight whether interactive gestures are sufficiently inclusive, and whether or not they can be executed by all users. The purpose of this study was to analyze full-body gestures from the point of view of user experience using the Microsoft Kinect sensor, to identify which gestures are easy for individuals living with Down syndrome. With this information, app developers can satisfy Design for All (DfA) requirements by selecting suitable gestures from existing lists of gesture sets. A set of twenty full-body gestures were analyzed in this study; to do so, the research team developed an application to measure the success/failure rates and execution times of each gesture. The results show that the failure rate for gesture execution is greater than the success rate, and that there is no difference between male and female participants in terms of execution times or the successful execution of gestures. Through this study, we conclude that, in general, people living with Down syndrome are not able to perform certain full-body gestures correctly. This is a direct consequence of limitations resulting from characteristic physical and motor impairments. As a consequence, the Microsoft Kinect sensor cannot identify the gestures. It is important to remember this fact when developing gesture-based on Human Computer Interaction (HCI) applications that use the Kinect sensor as an input device when the apps are going to be used by people who have such disabilities.

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BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is postulated as a possible cause of Mesoamerican Nephropathy (MeN) in Central American workers. OBJECTIVES: Investigate job-specific Leptospira seroprevalence and its association with kidney disease biomarkers. METHODS: In 282 sugarcane workers, 47 sugarcane applicants and 160 workers in other industries, we measured anti-leptospiral antibodies, serum creatinine, and urinary injury biomarkers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG). RESULTS: Leptospira seroprevalence differed among job categories and was highest among sugarcane cutters (59%). Seropositive sugarcane workers had higher NGAL concentrations (relative mean: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.94-1.75) compared to those who were seronegative, with similar findings among field and non-field workers. CONCLUSIONS: Leptospira seroprevalence varied by job category. There was some indication that seropositivity was associated with elevated biomarker levels, but results were inconsistent. Additional studies may help establish whether Leptospira infection plays any role in MeN among Central American workers.

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BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal bacterial zoonosis that is endemic throughout the tropics and may be misdiagnosed as dengue. Delayed hospital admission of leptospirosis patients is associated with increased mortality. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: During a concurrent dengue/leptospirosis epidemic in Puerto Rico in 2010, suspected dengue patients that tested dengue-negative were tested for leptospirosis. Fatal and non-fatal hospitalized leptospirosis patients were matched 1:1-3 by age. Records from all medical visits were evaluated for factors associated with fatal outcome. Among 175 leptospirosis patients identified (4.7 per 100,000 residents), 26 (15%) were fatal. Most patients were older males and had illness onset during the rainy season. Fatal case patients first sought medical care earlier than non-fatal control patients (2.5 vs. 5 days post-illness onset [DPO], p < 0.01), but less frequently first sought care at a hospital (52.4% vs. 92.2%, p < 0.01). Although fatal cases were more often diagnosed with leptospirosis at first medical visit (43.9% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.01), they were admitted to the hospital no earlier than non-fatal controls (4.5 vs. 6 DPO, p = 0.31). Cases less often developed fever (p = 0.03), but more often developed jaundice, edema, leg pain, hemoptysis, and had a seizure (p ≤ 0.03). Multivariable analysis of laboratory values from first medical visit associated with fatal outcome included increased white blood cell (WBC) count with increased creatinine (p = 0.001), and decreased bicarbonate with either increased WBC count, increased creatinine, or decreased platelet count (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with fatal leptospirosis sought care earlier, but were not admitted for care any earlier than non-fatal patients. Combinations of routine laboratory values predictive of fatal outcome should be considered in admission decision-making for patients with suspected leptospirosis.

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Se conoce que, entre los 25 y 50 años de edad, el cáncer es más frecuente en mujeres, fundamentalmente por los cánceres ginecológicos. Se decidió describir la situación actual del cáncer en la mujer cubana. Se calcularon las tasas promedio de incidencia y mortalidad (trienio 2000-2002) por 100 000 hab, estandarizadas a la población mundial para las 10 primeras localizaciones según sexo, y las específicas por edad y provincia de residencia. Se observó que las primeras localizaciones en mujeres, excluyendo piel, son: mama (mayor riesgo en occidente), cuello de útero (mayores riesgos en el oriente), pulmón y colon. Entre 20 y 39 años de edad el cáncer más frecuente es el de cuello de útero y en los grupos restantes es el de mama. Se insistió en el papel de la prevención para reducir la magnitud del problema cáncer en la mujer. Las acciones deben concentrarse en disminuir el hábito de fumar, modificar estilos de vida e incrementar la participación en los programas de diagnóstico precoz.

It is known that cancer, mainly the gynecological type, is more frequent in women aged 25-50 years, so it was decided to describe the current situation of cancer affecting the Cuban woman. Average incidence and mortality rates per 100 000 pop (2000-2002),standardized for the ten first locations by sex worldwide and specific by age and province of residence, were estimated. It was observed that the first locations in women, except for skin, were breast (highest incidence in the West), uterine neck (higher risks in the East), lung and colon. Uterine cancer is more common in 20-39 years age group whereas breast cancer predominates in the remaining groups. The role of prevention to reduce the extension of cancer in the female was stressed. Actions to be taken should be focused on reducing smoking, changing lifestyles and increasing the involvement of females in early diagnosis programs.

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Se evaluó la actividad mutagénica de un extracto acuoso de follaje liofilizado de Boerhavia erecta L. Se emplearon 2 pruebas: de Ames e inducción de micronúcleos en médula ósea de ratón. En el ensayo de Ames, los resultados fueron negativos en todas las cepas probadas de Salmonella typhimurium: TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 y TA 100, con un protocolo de incorporación en placa y concentraciones hasta 5 mg de liofilizado/placa. En el ensayo de micronúcleos, se hicieron 2 administraciones orales a razón de 10 mL/kg, separadas 24 h, con sacrificio 24 h después de la última aplicación. Las dosis fueron 500, 1 000 y 2 000 mg de liofilizado/kg. No se observaron variaciones en la relación entre eritrocitos policromáticos y eritrocitos normocromáticos, indicador de toxicidad medular. Tampoco se encontraron alteraciones significativas en la frecuencia de eritrocitos policromáticos micronucleados entre los distintos grupos de tratamiento. Se comprobó que el extracto acuoso de follaje liofilizado de B erecta no parece inducir efectos mutagénicos en los 2 sistemas de ensayo donde se evaluó

The mutagenic activity of an aqueous extract of freeze-dried foliage of Boerhavia erecta L. was evaluated. 2 tests were used: Ames' test and micronucleus induction in mouse bone marrow. In Ames' test, the results were negative in all the tested strains of Salmonella typhimurium : TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100, with a protocol of incorporation to plaque and concentrations up to 5 mg of freeze-dried/plaque. In the micronucleus test, 2 oral doses of 10 mL/kg were administrated separated by 24 hours, with sacrifice 24 hours after the last application. The doses were 500, 1 000 and 2 000 mg of freeze-dried/kg. No variations were observed in the relation between polychromatic erythrocytes and normochromatic erythrocytes, an indicator of medullary toxicity. No significant alterations were observed in the frequency of the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes among the different treatment groups. It was proved that the aqueous extract of freeze-dried foliage of B. Erecta does not seem to induce mutagenic effects in the two assay systems where it was assessed.

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Para determinar el papel de algunos factores genéticos, hormonales, de estilo de vida y ambientales en el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer de próstata clínicamente manifiesto en La Habana, se estudiaron los casos (n = 273) diagnosticados durante 1998-2000, con verificación histológica o citológica de cáncer de próstata, residentes en Ciudad de La Habana y menores de 85 años. Los controles (n = 254) fueron seleccionados pareados por edad, del mismo hospital del caso. La información se obtuvo mediante una entrevista. La estimación del riesgo se obtuvo a través de una regresión logística condicional. No se observó asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el color de la piel y el riesgo de cáncer de próstata (OR = 1,30, IC 95(por ciento): 0,92-1,84) ni con el hábito de fumar (OR = 0,82, IC 95(por ciento): 0,58-1,16). Se observó una asociación positiva del riesgo de cáncer de próstata con las enfermedades venéreas (p = 0,01), así como con la edad de aparición de estas enfermedades (p = 0,06). No se encontraron diferencias en cuanto a la edad de inicio de las relaciones sexuales (p = 0,111) ni en el número de compañeras sexuales (p = 0,48). Se observó una asociación significativa entre el riesgo de padecer cáncer de próstata y el haber padecido de alguna enfermedad venérea, el no realizar ejercicio físico entre los 45 y los 50 años y la frecuencia de relaciones sexuales por encima de 10 veces a la semana

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BACKGROUND: The relationship between the risk of prostate cancer and sexual activity and history of sexually transmitted diseases was investigated in a case-control study conducted in Cuba aimed at assessing the effect of lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as hormonal and genetic factors, on the occurrence of this disease. METHODS: During the period 1998-2000, all men up to 84 yr old with newly diagnosed, cytologically and/or histologically confirmed prostatic cancer who were resident in Havana City were identified in nine major hospitals in the area. Controls were resident in the same city, frequency-matched by age (+/-5 years) and hospital. The study included 273 cases and 254 controls. Information was obtained through an interview. RESULTS: The risk of prostate cancer was increased among men with a history of venereal disease (odds ratio = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5). A higher frequency of cases reported having had sex with prostitutes, although the estimate of relative risk did not reach statistical significance. Similarly, a nonsignificant positive association was found with the number of female sexual partners. A significant increased risk was observed in subjects who reported having sexual intercourse more than 7 times per week compared with those who reported a weekly frequency of 3 times or fewer (odds ratio = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2-3.7). Moreover, a significant trend was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the hypothesis that an infectious factor related to sexual behaviour could be involved in the occurrence of prostate cancer. A role for hormonal factors related to sexual activity cannot be ruled out.

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O polvilho de solanum lycocarpum, usado como hipoglicemiante e hipocolesterolêmico, contém princípios ativos que podem, potencialmente, alterar o leite materno e, conseqüentemente, o desenvolvimento dos recém-nacisdos. Para testar tal hipótese ratas lactando (n=11) foram distribuídas em grupos: Controle de colônia; Tratado (20mg de polvilho de lobeira (SPL) /kg de peso corporal); Veículo (1mL de água destilada/ rata). Variáveis: [a] maternas corporal, consumo de ração e sinais clínicos de intoxicação; [b] crias: peso corporal e indicadores de desenvolvimento físico. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os grupos, o que sugere que a SPL não teve efeito tóxico sobre a mãe e não alterou o desenvolvimento físico das crias.

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La succinilcolina es un agente de bloqueo neuromuscular de tipo despolarizante, ampliamente utilizada en cirugia como relajente muscular. Se expone el desarrollo tecnologico, el estudio de estabilidad y microbiologico del inyectable, asi como las condiciones de almacenamiento y caducidad del producto

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Se expone una breve evolución del desarrollo alcanzado en la formación del personal de enfermería desde la pseudorrepública hasta la actualidad y se destacan los logros obtenidos. Se relacionan los diferentes planes de estudios vigentes en los cursos básicos y posbásicos de especialización, así como los de la Licenciatura en Enfermería. Se destaca la estructura de los niveles del personal de enfermería según su categoría, la integración docencia-servicio y el papel de la enfermera en la investigación

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Se comprueba con la práctica, desde el punto de vista microbiológico, la afectación que sufre la concentración efectiva mínima de los preservos en la fase acuosa de un sistema emulsificado del tipo aceite en agua y se relaciona este estudio con los factores que pueden influir en el fenómeno antes descrito. Además, se da solución al problema a escala experimental e industrial, de manera que se logra eliminar el peligro a la concentración microbiana a que estaba expuesto el producto

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