SINDROME POSTPOLIOMIELITICO: What is Post-polio syndrome?

 What is Post-polio syndrome?: Post-polio syndrome Filed under:  Brain & Nervous System Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that some people who had polio at a young.

Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades Codifico al Síndrome de Post Polio con el CódigoG14 Síndrome Postpolio Incluye : Síndrome postpoliomielítico Excluyéndolo del código B91Secuelas de poliomielitis

Noroviruses Affecting Diverse Populations Dr. Hoonmo L. Koo

SAN FRANCISCO – As the availability of more sensitive diagnostic methods such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing become more widespread, noroviruses are increasingly being recognized as important enteric pathogens in diverse populations.

"In the past, much of our knowledge about noroviruses has been hindered because we don’t have a good animal model or method for culturing norovirus," Dr. Hoonmo L. Koo said at the annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. "The majority of our current understanding has come from studying human outbreaks, volunteer challenge studies, and evaluating surrogate caliciviruses such as feline and murine caliciviruses, which don’t cause human infection but can be cultured."

Courtesy CDC/Charles D. Humphrey "Each year, noroviruses [pictured] cause about 21 million cases of infection in the United States."

Noroviruses (NoVs) are classified into five genetic groups based on their RNA capsid sequences, with genogroup I (GI) and genogroup II (GII) NoVs causing the most human NoV infections. GII.4 NoV strains are the predominant circulating genotype in the United States and worldwide, said Dr. Koo of Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. As reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing (RT-PCR) has become more available in recent years, NoVs "are now recognized as the most definable common cause of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis worldwide," he said. "They account for approximately half of all food-borne illness in the United States.

"Each year, NoVs cause about 21 million cases of infection in the United States. They occur throughout the year, but they peak in the winter season."

NoV outbreaks are common in children, travelers, restaurant patrons, military personnel, patients, and health care staff at hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. Dr. Koo and his associates conducted an 8.5-year surveillance study at Texas Children’s Hospital (TCH) investigating NoV, rotavirus (RV), and adenovirus prevalence at the facility before and after introduction of the RV vaccine in 2006. The study evaluated 8,173 stool samples from inpatients and outpatients at TCH from February 2002 to June 2010. The samples were evaluated for RV by antigen detection or electron microscopy and adenoviruses by electron microscopy. In addition, a subset of 3,222 stools were evaluated for NoV by RT-PCR (J. Ped. Infect. Dis. 2012 Aug. 3 [doi:10.1093/jpids/pis070]).

"We found that RV prevalence decreased significantly after the introduction of the RV vaccine in 2006,"

 Dr. Koo said at the meeting, which was sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology. "In more recent years, it decreased from about 9% in 2007 to 3% in 2010." At the same time, he continued, "NoV prevalence increased in 2004 and was consistently between 11% and 17% from 2004 to 2010. There was no significant increase in NoV prevalence after the RV vaccine was introduced in 2006."

The researchers concluded that NoVs have emerged as the most common viral gastroenteritis pathogen at TCH, which is one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the United States. "We believe that as RV prevalence continues to decline with vaccination, NoVs will soon eclipse rotaviruses as the most important cause of pediatric gastroenteritis in the United States and other countries where the RV vaccine is successfully administered," Dr. Koo said. Continue 

By: DOUG BRUNK, Internal Medicine News Digital Network

México a la vanguardia en el Síndrome de Post Polio

United Spinal Joins Largest-Ever Web Expo for People with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses

Events

United Spinal Association’s membership division, National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA), will join the Allsup True Help® Disability Web Expo on Thursday, Sept. 27, from 9 am to 4 pm CST.

NSCIA will share resources to empower people with disabilities and chronic illnesses so that they can achieve greater independence and a more active lifestyle.

This free online event is anticipated to be the largest-ever virtual web experience geared to meeting the needs and interests of people with disabilities and chronic illness. Caregivers, healthcare providers and the general public also are invited to attend.

“At the United Spinal booth, attendees will find community resources available through NSCIA and national network of chapters; accessible travel options; advocacy tools; and tips on choosing the right wheelchair and mobility equipment,” said Marlene Perkins, VP of Corporate and Community Relations at United Spinal.

“We are thrilled that United Spinal will join us in providing an educational, entertaining and easily accessible forum for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers,” said Tai Venuti, Allsup manager of Strategic Alliances.

“People regularly reach out to United Spinal for their expert guidance and support on overcoming the challenges of living with spinal cord injuries and disorders. The Allsup True Help Disability Web Expo provides a dynamic and interactive environment to connect individuals with the valuable programs and resources United Spinal offers,” she added.

The Allsup True Help Disability Web Expo will serve as a one-stop, live exhibition of representatives on numerous topics, videos, resources and more. Participants will be able to:

-Interact with experts through live chats, workshops, Q&A sessions and one-on-one discussions.

-Gather information on accessing benefits, community resources and other services from health and financial organizations.

-Share thoughts, ideas and concerns via surveys, chats and message boards.

-Network with fellow United Spinal members.

-Register for prizes.

United Spinal is joined by more than a dozen leading nonprofit organizations and experts in health and wellness, advocacy, disease treatment and support, Social Security Disability Insurance, veterans’ disability, financial planning, disability employment, Medicare and health insurance.

To register for the Allsup True Help® Disability Web Expo, please visit https://allsup.6connex.com/portal/truehelpexpo/login.

For additional information, contact Tai Venuti, MPH, at t.venuti@allsupinc.com or (618) 236-8573.

México a la vanguardia en el Síndrome de Post Polio

Reaching Out to Polio Survivors

Reaching Out to Polio Survivors

Ziggi Landsman United Spinal

Rancho Los Amigos

Post Polio Syndrome

Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center has been treating polio patients for more than half a century. Extensive clinical experience and research contribute to its international reputation in diagnosis and management of the post-polio syndrome.

Dr. Jacquelin Perry, orthopedic surgeon and Director of the center has nearly 50 years of experience in acute poliomyelitis and the post-polio syndrome. Staffing includes an orthopedic surgeon, physical and occupational therapists, and orthotists, all specially trained in the post-polio syndrome.

The center also uses the Pathokinesiology Laboratory for instrumented diagnosis of complex gait dysfunction and the definition of disability. Consequently, there is a strong factual basis for our therapeutic programs designed to improve function through lifestyle modification guidance, customized orthotic prescriptions, individualized exercise prescriptions and selective reconstructive surgery.

Orthotics and Prosthetics

      

Orthotic and prosthetic services at Rancho are provided by outside contractors.

Prosthetic services (artificial limbs)

Currently provided by Hanger, Inc., a large public corporation with an office near Rancho. For more information see www.Hanger.com. Telephone: (562) 803-3322.

Orthotic services (orthopedic braces)

Provided through a non-profit corporation, the Los Amigos Research & Education Institute, Inc. Their offices are conveniently located on Rancho grounds. Telephone: (562) 940-7655.

The Orthotic Department dates back to the 1950’s when Rancho was primarily a polio treatment center. Several orthoses have been developed at Rancho that are widely used today. These include the HALO spinal immobilization system, the wrist-driven wrist-hand orthosis, which allows patients with hand paralysis to feed themselves and do other activities of daily living, and the Linear Mobile Arm Support, which provides arm support for wheelchair patients with upper limb paralysis.

Today the department provides a full range of orthotic services to the various diagnostic areas served by Rancho. Service is provided to both inpatients and outpatients. Common diagnoses that utilize orthotic management include:

Spinal cord injury

Head trauma

Stroke

Arthritis

Muscle disease

Diabetes

Post polio syndrome

Orthotic devices provide body support and help increase mobility and function. The braces – called orthoses - include leg braces, back supports, hand and wrist supports, and specialized shoes and inserts. Most devices are custom made for each individual client.

Staff Orthotists are part of a multi-disciplinary team that works together to develop an assessment and treatment plan for our clients. Practitioners consult with Rancho therapists and physicians to determine the best design for each patient. The department’s on-site location allows quick response and follow-up to the needs of the medical center, as well as easy access for clinic patients.

Two areas where the department has especially strong involvement are post-polio syndrome and diabetes. Staff understands the unique needs of the post-polio survivor and, when indicated, can provide a light-weight, functional orthosis to help improve gait and function. The diabetic patient often benefits from specialized footwear and custom inserts to redistribute weight-bearing forces to help protect their skin.

Department practitioners, as well as the department itself, are accredited by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics-Prosthetics.

For additional information contact:

Darrell R. Clark, BS, CO

Director

dclark@larei.org

Tel: (562) 940-7655

Los Amigos Research and Education Institute, Inc.

http://maps.google.com/maps

Fundation

Loren Saxton San Francisco 415-476-1167

Stanley Yarnell, MD San Fransisco 415-750-5762

Michael Beverly, MD San Jose 408-885-2000 Rehab

Ethan R. Etnyer, MD San Jose 805-349-1202

Barbara Bammann, MD Sonora 209-532-3161 Ext: 2752

Selma H Calmes, MD Sylmar 818-364-4350

Carol B Vandenakker, MD University Of California 916-734-7041

Glenn H Ham-Rosebrock, CO Van Nuys 818-988-003

                 http://www.rancho.org/ServiceRehab_OPPostPolio.aspx
              http://www.polioassociation.org/polio_film_clips.avi

Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Downey, CA

Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, Downey, CA
Herald Examiner Collection, Los Angeles Public Library

Before the discovery of a vaccine to prevent polio, this paralytic disease was feared across the world. In 1952, Adrian Wilson and Paul R. Williams submitted this drawing for a new post-polio and Respiratory Center unit at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, California. The $1,700,000 structure was completed in 1953 and officially dedicated in February 1955.
(Los Angeles Times. February 18, 1955)
This rehabilitation facility housed 200 polio patients, some ambulatory and others confined to iron lungs. To insure the continued operation of the electric breathing machines during emergencies, the architects included auxiliary power sources. This was an innovative idea for that time. Wilson and Williams incorporated many of the same ideas they used in their home designs in the hospital to let patients continue to enjoy the out-of-doors California life-style. Covered porches adjoining the wards were equipped with electrical outlets for respirators, rocking beds and even portable telephones.  Much of the funding for the new unit was provided by the L.A. March of Dimes and a county bond issue promoted by Citizens for the New Polio-Communicable Diseases Hospital
(Los Angeles Times, October 5 1949)
In his letter of support for Williams' nomination as a Fellow in AIA, County of Los Angeles Supervisor Arthur J. Will described the specialized Los Amigos Hospital and its place in the county's long-range plans for the "care of the indigent sick...or as an addition to already existing hospitals." Though the Wilson and Williams design was the smallest hospital built at that time in the county system, "This particular building is a triumph of beauty and science and is functional to the nth degree." (February 25, 1957)
México a la vanguardia en el Síndrome de Post Polio