Comparison between qualitative and semiquantitative catheter-tip cultures: laboratory diagnosis of catheter-related infection in newborns

Este estudo prospectivo avaliou os métodos semiquantitativo e qualitativo de cultura de cateter para o diagnóstico de infecção relacionada a cateter (IRC) em recém-nascidos (RN). Foram incluídas pontas de cateteres provenientes de recém-nascidos internados na Unidade Neonatal do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP. Foram utilizadas as técnicas semiquantitativa e qualitativa de cultura de cateter. Para o diagnóstico de IRC, os microrganismos isolados das culturas de cateteres e de hemoculturas periféricas foram identificados e submetidos ao teste de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos. O padrão ouro correspondeu ao diagnóstico de certeza de IRC, com o isolamento do mesmo microrganismo (espécie e perfil de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos) isolado em hemocultura periférica. Foram estudados 85 cateteres provenientes de 63 RN. A cultura semiquantitativa, embora tenha apresentado menor sensibilidade (90%), apresentou uma maior especificidade (71%) em comparação à sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 60% encontradas na cultura qualitativa. Através da identificação dos microrganismos obtidos nas culturas de cateteres, observou-se uma predominância de espécies de Estafilococos coagulase-negativa (ECN). A espécie Staphylococcus epidermidis foi a prevalente (77,5%) nos cateteres com culturas semiquantitativas positivas. Dos 11 episódios de IRC diagnosticados, 8 (72,7%) foram associados a espécies de ECN, dos quais 6 eram da espécie S. epidermidis. Também foram detectados dois casos de IRC por S. aureus e um caso por Candida parapsilosis. O método de cultura semiquantitativo cateter apresentou vantagens para o diagnóstico de IRC em RN quando comparado com o método qualitativo tradicional.

Caring for organ donors: the intensive care unit physicians' view

This study examined the meanings that the intensive care unit (ICU) physicians attribute to their practice when caring for brain-dead organ donors. It is a phenomenological study, a qualitative method that searches for describing and understanding the experiences lived. Data were collected through recorded individual interviews made with 10 ICU physicians who work in a university hospital in the interior of São Paulo, Brazil. Three categories emerged from data: (1) providing care for brain-dead organ donors; (2) relating to donors and their families; and (3) the ethical concerns and self-awareness of the physicians. There is consensus as to-many aspects: demand of technical qualification and excellence in practice; need of investing in technology of organ transplant; and donors seen as human beings and holders of human rights. Participants understand that family participation is decisive in the donation process, although interactions between the family members and the physicians are difficult because of the sensitive nature of the situation. The physicians often felt ill-prepared to openly discuss the topic of brain death and organ donation. Educational programs for physicians and family members may assist with this difficult process.

Choice of tracers for the evaluation of spray deposits

As substâncias traçadoras são usadas para avaliar a eficácia de pulverizações mas, normalmente, elas modificam a tensão superficial de soluções aquosas. O trabalho objetivou definir um método para avaliar a distribuição e a quantidade de produto depositada em pulverizações, utilizando-se substâncias traçadoras, com a possibilidade de ajustar a tensão superficial da calda. Foram testados os produtos Azul Brilhante a 0,15%, Saturn Yellow a 0,15% suspenso em lignosulfonato Vixilperse a 0,015% e a Fluoresceína Sódica a 0,005%, e as misturas de Azul Brilhante mais Saturn Yellow e Azul Brilhante mais Fluoresceína, nas mesmas concentrações. Para avaliar a degradação as soluções com os produtos foram depositados sobre folhas de citros e avaliados as quantidades através da leitura de unidade de fluorescência e densidade óptica, das soluções sem secar, secas no escuro, exposta ao sol por 2, 4 e 8 horas e comparadas com as leituras obtidas com os depósitos direto em água. A tensão superficial da solução traçadora foi determinada pela passagem de gotas formadas no período entre 20 e 40 segundos. A mistura do Azul Brilhante mais o Saturn Yellow a 0,15%, não apresentou degradação em todas as condições de avaliação, não foi absorvida pelas folhas e manteve a solução na mesma tensão superficial da água, possibilitando ajustá-la aos mesmos níveis das concentrações dos produtos fitossanitários. Isto proporcionou o estabelecimento de um método qualitativo pela avaliação visual sobre luz ultravioleta da distribuição do pigmento e quantitativo com a determinação da quantidade depositada do corante numa mesma solução, em diferentes tensões superficiais na calda de pulverização.

Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. Flaccumfaciens detection in bean seeds using a semi-selective culture medium

The bacterial wilt caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens is currently considered one of the most important bacterial bean disease in Brazil. One of the most effective control methods against this disease is the use of healthy seeds. However, no methods are known that could be routinely used to detect this bacterium in bean seeds under Brazilian condition. The aim of this work was to evaluate qualitative and quantitative detection methods for Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens in naturally-infected bean seeds, and the detection of this pathogen in thirty bean seed samples, by sowing onto a semi- selective culture medium the leachate obtained from soaked bean seeds. Both the qualitative and quantitative methods were effective for detecting the presence of the bacteria in the seeds samples analysed. The qualitative method proved more practical for rotine use; of the thirty bean seed samples analyzed by this method, fifty percent were infected with Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens.

Efeito do raloxifeno sobre a densidade mamográfica em mulheres na pós-menopausa

PURPOSE: to evaluate changes in mammographic breast density in postmenopausal women using raloxifene. METHODS: in this clinical trial, 80 women (mean age=61.1 years) were studied prospectively. Forty patients received 60 mg/day raloxifene, and 40 women comprised the non-treated group (control), paired by age and time of menopause. The treated group was composed of patients with osteoporosis of the lumbar spine. Those with history of breast surgery and users of hormone therapy up to six months prior to the study were excluded. The breast density was assessed qualitatively (subjective) and quantitatively (objective) in two moments, initial and final, after a 6-month follow-up. The 320 mammograms (craniocaudal and oblique) were interpreted qualitatively by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification and quantitatively by digital scanning and computer-assisted segmentation. For statistical analysis t-test, Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney, Spearman correlation and the kappa index were used. RESULTS: on the initial statistical comparison, the groups were considered homogenous for the variables: analyzed age, time of menopause, parity, breast feeding, previous hormonal therapy and body mass index. Baseline breast density, by qualitative and quantitative methods, correlated negatively with the age in both groups (p<0.05). Concerning the other variables, there was no correlation. After six months, no alteration was observed in the mammographic breast density in 38 women of raloxifene group and 38 of the control group, by qualitative method. However, by quantitative method, no alteration was observed in 30 women of the raloxifene group and 27 controls (p>0.05). It was observed a weak agreement rate (kappa=0.25) between the BI-RADS classification and digital scanning/computer-assisted segmentation. CONCLUSIONS: in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis, submitted to raloxifene treatment for six months, no alterations were observed on the mammographic breast density.

O processo de conscientização na sala de aula de língua espanhola

This article discusses the awareness process of students in a Spanish as a foreign language classroom, at a Centre of Language Studies in a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The frame of reference is Paulo Freire's pedagogy (FREIRE, 1980, 1984, 1987, 1999, 2000), Wallerstein (1983) and Schleppegrell (1997)'s investigations which are important to the comprehension of the relation between Freirean's pedagogy and the language teaching. This is a qualitative research and it focuses on action research practice in a Spanish language classroom, in which a syllabus based on Paulo Freire's pedagogy was implemented in order to verify how the target language was used in the classroom (MENEGHINI, 2001). Data analysis and discussion are based on data triangulation and classroom interactions are taken on primary data. The implementation of this research suggests that the problem posing tasks on themes chosen from the student's realities are the way which leads to the awareness.

Caracterização genotípica microrganismos isolados de infecções da corrente sanguína relacionadas a cateteres em recém-nascidos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

O Prazer e o medo nas atividades físicas de aventura na natureza

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

O alinhamento estratégico da tecnologia da informação na administração pública: o caso Araraquara

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estudo de amostras de Staphylococcus coagulase-negativa quanto a formação de biofilme

Pós-graduação em Biociências e Biotecnologia Aplicadas à Farmácia - FCFAR

Conhecimento geográfico do agente de saúde: competências e práticas sociais de promoção e vigilância à saúde na cidade do Recife - PE

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Som e vida após a lata: construção de instrumentos musicais com material alternativo

Pós-graduação em Música - IA

Desafios e oportunidades das incubadoras de empresas para a incorporação de estratégias ambientais

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Humanização da saúde na formação de profissionais da fisioterapia

Introduction: the relationship between professional and patient oriented by humanization standards is a current issue in health research, since this relationship influences the processes of physical recovery, pain reduction and quality of life of individuals. However, this is not observed in most graduate programs in health, which emphasize knowledge and methods in the traditional Cartesian thinking. Objective: to evaluate the importance of contents and practices with a focus on issues of embodiment and alterity, from the perspective of the humanization of health in Physiotherapy courses. Method: we used a qualitative method and data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted by five randomly selected physiotherapists, aged between 23 and 36 years, with professional experience between two and thirteen years. The questions were on: physical therapy, physical therapist and patient relationship, work pace, involvement in trade associations, field and insert content and practices of the humanization of health in undergraduate courses. Result: the Physiotherapy graduate courses do not prepare the professional to take a close bond with patients. The application of techniques and protocols are focused on knowledge and do not apply to skills related to living together. Conclusion: the curriculum of graduating courses in health should be revised to expand the capacity of the students to become a professional who take care of patients and act as mediator between techniques and protocols, from the perspective of humanization of health, which requires contents and procedures based on embodiment and alterity.

A homeopatia no sus

This study is based on the perspective that Homeopathy is a medical practice that seeks the integrative cure of patients where physical, emotional and psychological conditions are all important. Motivations of SUS (Brazilian Public Health System) patients who deliberately engaged in Homeopathy treatments were searched within the structure of UNESP Clinical Hospital of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. The qualitative method of “DSC” to gather information obtained from patients and to proceed analyses was used