Diagnostic validity of specific immunoglobulin E levels to alpha-gal in alpha-gal syndrome: a cross-sectional analysis.

Background: The diagnosis of Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is based on the presence of symptoms after being exposed to potential sources of alpha-gal together with values ​​of specific IgE (sIgE) to alpha-gal ≥ 0.1 kUA/L or ≥ 0.35 kUA/L.

[How to select and change a dressing].

To minimize pain when changing dressing for peripheral venous catheters, to select the adequate dressing in functions of the circumstances presented by each patient, and to utilize as references the recommendations by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) form the fundamental bases for this article.

[Pain in vascular canals].

Vascular canalization is a habitual, daily practice for nurses and one which is not exempt from complications such as pain. Therefore, it is necessary that nurses know the factors which bear an influence on the degree of pain patients experience, methods to evaluate pain, as well as how to use clinical guidelines to improve or reduce the variability of pain when employing this technique on patients.

[Combined polyurethane foam and hydrogel dressing. Outcome in lesions of diverse etiology].

The authors present an observational evaluation on the effectiveness of a dressing included in the Indafoam brand for treatment of skin lesions due to different etiology which have an acute or chronic diagnosis; the authors include some very valuable information for professionals who use combined polyurethane foam and hydrogel dressings in their daily practice. Due to their composition, these dressings may be considered combined dressings having only one structure which maintains a stable temperature at the lesion site; these dressings have a high absorption capacity which prevents maceration of the skin surrounding lesions and protects lesions from contamination by exogenous germs.

[A device for feminine urinary incontinence].

Urinary incontinence is grave health problem which causes severe repercussions in the quality of life of those patients which suffer it and it is a serious risk factor in the development of pressure sores or ulcers. Urinary collecting sacks provide an option to deal with this problem even though up to present time these collecting sacks were only available for male patients. In this instrument usage article, the authors introduce a new device, VILUC, commercialized by Lauclar Laboratories in Spain, for feminine urinary incontinence as a possible alternate treatment for women affected by this problem who are incapable of maintaining a progressive and complete vesicle reeducation.

[Non-irritating skin protector].

In this article, the authors describe the multiple uses a non irritating cutaneous protector has as an effective tool against the aggressions which peri-lesion skin and other at risk skins suffer when they are subject to constant and direct contact with secretions and liquids resulting from the use of dressings based on wet cures, or systems of continence related to ostomias, or in those patients who suffer mixed incontinence where diaper rash makes it difficult to maintain and care for the skin.