Telerehabilitation in the Finnish Outpatient Rehabilitation Setting from the Perspective of the Socio-Technical Systems Theory.

Background: In the development of effective telerehabilitation (TR) interventions, understanding the various characteristics affecting its practice is essential. Remote connection creates a new technically shaped environment for therapy and, therefore, previous therapy methods do not work the same way as before.

Objective: The objective of this survey was to describe the practice of TR through the socio-technical theory approach.

Central Nervous System and Ocular Manifestations in Puumala Hantavirus Infection.

Puumala hantavirus (PUUV), carried and spread by the bank vole (), causes a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) called nephropathia epidemica (NE). Acute high fever, acute kidney injury (AKI), thrombocytopenia, and hematuria are typical features of this syndrome. In addition, headache, blurred vision, insomnia, vertigo, and nausea are commonly associated with the disease.

Real-world efficacy of bezlotoxumab for prevention of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection: a retrospective study of 46 patients in five university hospitals in Finland.

Reports on real-world experience on efficacy of bezlotoxumab (BEZ) has been lacking thus far. We retrospectively studied the efficacy and safety of BEZ in preventing the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in five university hospitals in Finland. Seventy-three percent of our 46 patients remained free of recurrence in the following 3 months and the performance remained as 71% effective also among immunocompromised patients.

Correction: Adipocytes as a Link Between Gut Microbiota-Derived Flagellin and Hepatocyte Fat Accumulation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Improved sensory recovery with a novel dual neurorrhaphy technique for breast reconstruction with free muscle sparing TRAM flap technique.

Background: We describe a new dual neurorrhaphy method for a free abdominal-based flap and compare sensory recovery with this novel technique to that with conventional neurorrhaphy technique for breast reconstruction.

Methods: 70 breast cancer patients underwent muscle sparing innervated transversal rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (neuro ms-TRAM) breast reconstruction with either a novel dual neurorrhaphy technique (N = 41) or single (N = 29) neurorrhaphy only. Dual neurorrhaphy was performed on both sides and single neurorrhaphy on one side of the flap, using the end-to-end or end-to-side technique.

Adipocytes as a Link Between Gut Microbiota-Derived Flagellin and Hepatocyte Fat Accumulation.

While the role of both elevated levels of circulating bacterial cell wall components and adipose tissue in hepatic fat accumulation has been recognized, it has not been considered that the bacterial components-recognizing adipose tissue receptors contribute to the hepatic fat content. In this study we found that the expression of adipose tissue bacterial flagellin (FLG)-recognizing Toll-like receptor (TLR) 5 associated with liver fat content (r = 0.699, p = 0.

Long-term hormonal follow-up after human Puumala hantavirus infection.

Objective: Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Puumala hantavirus (PUUV). Pituitary haemorrhage and hypopituitarism may complicate recovery from acute NE.

Design: Forty-seven of our recent cohort of 58 NE patients volunteered to be re-examined in order to estimate the burden of hormonal deficiency 4 to 8 years after the acute illness.

HbA1c method evaluation for postmortem samples.

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is used for diagnosis of diabetes and evaluation of the glycemic control of diabetics in clinical medicine. It is also a useful biomarker for analyzing postmortem samples, since it is relatively stable and correlates well with clinical samples. We wanted to evaluate the information provided by HbA1c analysis of postmortem blood samples using a HPLC based, fully automated analyzer.

Assessment of Traub formula and ketone bodies in cause of death investigations.

Diabetes and alcohol abuse may cause severe metabolic disturbances that can be fatal. These may be difficult to diagnose in autopsies based solely on macroscopical and histological findings. In such cases, metabolic markers, such as postmortem glucose and ketone levels, can provide supporting information.

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid neopterin concentration is associated with disease severity in acute Puumala hantavirus infection.

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) caused by Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) is the most common hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe. The infection activates immunological mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis and characteristics of the illness. In this study we measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neopterin concentration from 23 acute-phase NE patients.

Neuropilin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 are up-regulated in human vascular malformations.

Despite multiple previous studies in the field of vascular anomalies, the mechanism(s) leading to their development, progression and maintenance has remained unclear. In this study, we have characterized the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factors and their receptors in 33 human vascular anomalies. Analysis with quantitative real-time PCR and gene-specific assays showed higher expression of neuropilin-2 (NRP2) and VEGF-receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) mRNAs in vascular malformations (VascM) as compared to infantile hemangiomas (Hem).

A microneurovascular TRAM flap does not compromise abdominal sensibility more than a conventional one.

Background: Classic abdominoplasty for a transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction impairs abdominal somatosensory function at the donor site. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the type of surgical procedure has an effect on somatosensory alterations of abdominal skin after TRAM flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: Sixty patients (mean ± SD age, 50 ± 6.

CAREX Nicaragua and Panama: Worker exposures to carcinogenic substances and pesticides.

This study provides data on numbers of workers exposed at work to selected carcinogens and pesticides in Nicaragua (35 substances) and Panama (31), based on a modification of the CAREX data system. Population censuses provided industry- and sex-specific workforce numbers. The activity- and sex-specific proportions of exposed workers were estimated by experts from governmental agencies, workers' organizations, and employers' representatives.

Registration of fatal occupational injuries in Costa Rica, 2005-2006.

Data on fatal occupational injuries (FOIs) for Latin America are controversial. Costa Rican national rates are inconsistent with estimates extrapolated from other countries. We reviewed the files for all possible FOIs in Costa Rica for 2005-2006 at the National Insurance Institute and at the Center of Forensic Sciences by formality/informality of work, sex, age, economic activity, occupation, and cause of death.

Fatal occupational injuries in Nicaragua, 2005.

We attempt to estimate the rate of fatal occupational injuries (FOI) in Nicaragua for 2005, using 10 incomplete data sources. Based on the 173 identified FOIs, the crude empirical FOI rate estimate was 8.3 per 100,000 employed (12.

Social determinants of workers' health in Central America.

This communication summarizes the available data on work-related determinants of health in Central America. The Central American working population is young and moving from agriculture toward industry and services. Ethnicity, gender, migration, subemployment and precarious work, informality, rural conditions, low-level educational, poverty, ubiquitous worksite health hazards, insufficient occupational health services, low labor inspection density, and weak unions define the constellation of social determinants of workers' health in Central America.

SALTRA: a regional program for workers' health and sustainable development in Central America.

In 2003, the university-based Program on Work and Health in Central America, SALTRA, was launched to build national and regional capacities in occupational safety and health with the goal of preventing and reducing poverty in Central America. SALTRA has implemented 20 projects including action projects in priority sectors (e.g.

[Influenza A(H1N1)v-patients treated in Oulu University hospital].

Background: In Finland, the pandemic A(H1N1)v-influenza was experienced in late 2009.

Material And Methods: A(H1N1)v-patients hospitalized in Oulu University Hospital were evaluated.

Results: Altogether, 159 A(H1N1)v-patients, including 37 children, were hospitalized.

A program for the reduction of occupational injuries and changes in safety culture among stevedores at Port of Havana, Cuba.

This study describes the structure, process, and impact of a comprehensive sixteen-month safety enhancement program among stevedores at the Port of Havana, Cuba. Our objective was to reduce occupational injury risk and improve safety conditions by enhancing hazard knowledge and identification as well as improving safety behavior. The target group for the training program consisted of 185 male stevedores in one port terminal.

A new approach to microneurovascular TRAM-flap breast reconstruction--a pilot study.

Background: The aims of the present study were to investigate whether microneurovascular breast reconstruction with a free transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap and nerve repair with nerves other than ThIV and ThXI improve sensory recovery of the breast compared to traditional free TRAM flap without nerve repair, and which nerve is optimal for the neural anastomosis of the flap.

Methods: Twenty breast cancer patients underwent breast reconstruction with a free TRAM flap and nerve repair (neuro-TRAM) with the best available nerve from the axillary area and 20 control patients had traditional free TRAM flap without nerve repair (standard-TRAM). Neurorrhaphy was done by end-to-end or end-to-side techniques.

Constructing and negotiating 'change' in follow-up meetings for intimately violent men.

This study reports on follow-up meetings of a group treatment program for intimately violent men. The focus is on the construction of change narratives; on how indicators of 'successful change' are negotiated and produced in the conversations. We describe in detail five discursive strategies used by client and therapist participants, e.

Outcome after injections of crushed tablets in intravenous drug abusers in the Helsinki University Central Hospital.

Objective: To retrospectively analyse injection drug users (IDUs) with complications after intra- or extra-vasal administration of dissolved tablets.

Design: A retrospective study.

Methods: The hospital discharge registers were used to identify the patients admitted in different clinics in Helsinki University Central Hospital during 2000-2005.

Insecticide residues on hands: assessment and modeling with video observations of determinants of exposure--a study among subsistence farmers in nicaragua.

This investigation quantitatively assessed hand residues of chlorpyrifos and methamidophos in a field setting and sought to explain the residues through application volume and determinants of exposure using application data for 28 subsistence farmers in the Pacific Region of Nicaragua. Hand residues were estimated by recovery of the pesticides by standardized wipe sampling for both hands, analyzed with solvent extraction and gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Application volumes were based on data on individual spraying rates and mixing volumes.