PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Van de Voorde

Publications and source records attributed to H Van de Voorde.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Relative risk areas in the Louvain region. An ordinal geographical analysis of the health status and the distribution of health care].

The analysis of the absolute figures of 21 socio-economic, hygienic and demographic indicators for the 30 communes of the district of Leuven did not show significant differences. A fourfold ordinal analysis, however, revealed a systematic pattern of differences for wealth, hygienic amenities, migration, birth rate and SMR. Six types of communes with two relative risk areas were described: cities and city-like communes, residential areas, rural villages with high emigration rates, poor economic areas, and transition areas between rural villages and cities and between wealthy and poor economic areas. The same pattern was found, though to a lesser degree, in the distribution of the facilities for health care and social welfare. The more wealthy communes were very well provided by these services, while the relative risk areas were overlooked.

Belgium↗
PubMed1988

Epidemiological aspects of suicide among the young in selected European countries.

Trends in reported suicide rates were analysed for the ages 5-24 years in 21 selected European countries in 1970-74 and 1980-84. In children the precision of the rates was found to be low though there appeared to be a trend to increased suicide in boys. In adolescent and young adult males, however, there was a definite increase in suicide over the period studied, and this was much more marked than in females, in whom the rates had declined in eight countries. The Belgian situation was investigated in detail. Increases were most pronounced in 20-24 year-old males. Around 1981, about half of youth suicides were committed by firearms and medicaments, and these methods showed the largest increases in risk. The estimated under-reporting error diminished with increasing age and over the past ten years. It was larger in females, but did not bias the trends substantially. On the aggregated level, youth suicide was found most strongly associated with indicators of anomie and social isolation. The relevance of these findings in the search for determinants and for preventive strategies is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

The effect of thermal pollution on the distribution of Naegleria fowleri.

The distribution in the environment of Naegleria fowleri, the causal agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis has been investigated in this study. N. fowleri was isolated only from a thermally polluted canal. These amoebaflagellates were not isolated from another thermally polluted canal in the neighbourhood indicating that, apart from high temperature, other factors are involved in the selective proliferation of N. fowleri. This species was absent in all other samples originating from two canals, a stream, two lakes, several reservoirs and slow sandfilters of a water supply service and also a water distribution network. Many other amoebae able to grow at 42 degrees C. were found in different places. Most of the N. fowleri strains isolated were not virulent for mice, although they showed all the characteristics of the pathogenic strains.

Amebiasis↗
PubMed1975

[Critical assessment of methods for testing chemical disinfectants and disinfection procedures (author's transl)].

Since the earliest days of disinfectant testing two different methods have to be distinguished: one group simulating practical circumstances the other one allowing the determination of germ reduction, disregarding any practical conditions. At present the assessment of disinfectant substances is carried out according to the results of several methods, done in different countries. Usually standardised suspension-tests with no correspondance to-in-use conditions are done. These are for example the determination of the Rideal-Walker and the Chick Martin coefficient and the capacity test by Kelsey and Sykes as well. Results obtained by the use-dilution method (A.O.A.C.) are also just of theoretical value. The British Standard-Test 3286:1960 and the suspension-test of the Committee on Phytopharmacy (Netherlands), to be preferred in order to state germ reductions, do not imitate particulars of practice either. After establishing recommendations for the various disinfectant procedures, the unification of the test methods on international level should be the next aim. Besides evaluation of disinfectant substances (as it is done by suspension-tests) the testing of disinfectant procedures under conditions, copying those of real life ought to be required. The results of such in-use model tests should answer all the questions arising, for instance, what the concentrations or the exposure-time should be. We would plead in favour of testing disinfectant substances and procedures in two steps - preliminary testing and main tests under in-use conditions for each new preparation. The base for all these tests is the selection of a suitable inactivator.

Disinfectants↗
PubMed1974

Evaluation of the indirect fluorescent-antibody technique for identification of Naegleria species.

The indirect fluorescent-antibody technique was used to assess a rapid method for identification of amoebae belonging to the genus Naegleria. Thirty-eight Naegleria and eight other limax amoeba strains were examined by using one N. gruberi and two N. fowleri antisera. All pathogenic Naegleriae, most of which originated from fatal cases of primary amoebic meningo-encephalitis, were identified as belonging to the fowleri species. Most of the N. gruberi strains showed irregular fluorescence. Other limax amoebae, such as Vahlkampfia, Acanthamoeba, Hartmannella, and Schizopyrenus sp. gave negative responses with the prepared antisera. The indirect fluorescent-antibody technique allows the identification of N. fowleri in a mixed culture of both N. fowleri and N. gruberi strains. Twenty-two Naegleria isolated from a suspected stream, other surface waters, and muddy soil could be excluded from the fowleri species with the indirect fluorescent-antibody technique. The results obtained demonstrate that this immunological technique is a valid method for the rapid identification of N. fowleri trophozoites.

Animals↗
PubMed1966

[Man and sound].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Hearing↗