THE SOCIOECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHO STUDY AND WORK OUTSIDE THEIR HOME

The objective of this study was to identify the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of children and adolescents who study and work outside their home. This non-experimental, correlational, cross-sectional study was performed using questionnaires applied to primary education students, enrolled in public schools in Ribeirao Preto (Brazil). Two schools were selected through a draw. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 14.0. Of the 133 students who answered the questionnaire, 36 (27.7%) reported working outside their home, 20.6% were between 11 and 13 years of age, and 66.7% were male (p=0.000) and had started working early to help with the family income (p=0.003). The salary they received helped comprise the family income, and it was found that as the family income increased, the need for the youngsters to work was reduced. It was found that many factors contribute to these subjects' early start at work, including family size, structure and poverty.

Depression, fatigue, and health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer patients: a prospective pilot study

To assess the prevalence of depression and fatigue symptoms in head and neck cancer patients during radiotherapy treatment and relate them symptoms with these patients' quality of life. This is a prospective study. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Piper Fatigue Scale-revised and Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy Head and Neck (FACT-H&N) were applied to 41 head and neck cancer patients at three times: at the start of treatment (T1), approximately 15 days after the start of treatment (T2) and at the end of treatment (T3), approximately 30 days after the start of the radiotherapy. The mean BDI and PIPER increased during the radiotherapy treatment. BDI scores did not demonstrate the presence of depression, although the number of symptoms increased, and the presence of fatigue rose as treatment advanced. The mean FACT H&N decreased in the middle and at the end of treatment, indicating worsening in these patients' Quality of Life. Depression and fatigue symptoms increased during radiotherapy treatment, while QoL levels decreased. This demonstrates that these symptoms are strongly correlated and that their presence negatively influenced QoL. At the start of treatment, nurses need to advise patients and plan care, offering interventions to decrease these symptoms and improve QoL.

Maturation of mononuclear phagocytes in the lungs of young calves-In vitro study

The influences of age in calves' immune system are described in their first phase of life. We hypothesized that variations that occur in the main mechanisms of lung innate response can help to identify periods of greater susceptibility to the respiratory diseases that affect calves in the first stage of their life. This study aimed to evaluate the innate immune system. Nine healthy calves were monitored for 3 mo and 8 immunologic evaluations were performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage samples were recovered by bronchoscopy. The alveolar macrophages in samples were identified by protein expression of cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and underwent functional evaluation of phagocytosis (Staphylococcus aureus stained with propidium iodide and Escherichia coli). Data was assessed by one-way ANOVA (unstacked and parametric) and the Mann-Whitney test (nonparametric). Functional alterations in CD14-positive phagocytes were observed, with punctual higher intensity of phagocytosis in the third week and its decrease starting at 45 d of life. A gradual increase in phagocytosis rate was observed starting at this date. It is concluded that from 45 d of life on, alveolar macrophages have less phagocytic capacity but more cells perform this function. We suggest that this occurs because lung macrophages of calves start to maintain their immune response without passive immunity influence. Until 90 d of life, calves did not achieve the stability to conclude the maturation of local innate immune response.