Space for thought: Representation of body boundaries and intellectual efficiency in children

Aim: The psychoanalytic theories of Bion, Anzieu, Berger and Gibello postulate that the development of thinking depends upon the formation of a psychic space. This thinking space has its origin in the body and in our interpersonal relations. This study aims to validate this psychodynamic hypothesis. Method: A group of 8- to 14-year-old children participated in this research. The presence of a thinking space was operationalized by the "barrier" and "penetration" scores on the Rorschach's Fisher and Cleveland scales and intellectual efficiency was measured using a short version of the WISC-IV. Results: Results show that extreme scores on the "barrier" and "penetration" variables predict a lower intellectual level than average scores on the same variables. Conclusion: The development of thinking and personality are undoubtedly linked and the "barrier" and "penetration" variables are useful measures when evaluating the development of a space for thought.

Terapias alternativas / complementares a visão do graduando de enfermagem

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar se os graduandos de Enfermagem conhecem Terapias Alternativas/Complementares (TA), se esse conhecimento é adquirido, durante a graduação, e se utilizam ou recomendam seu uso.Os dados foram coletados de 96 alunos, dos 4 anos de graduação distribuídos eqüitativamente, de maneira que equivalessem a 30% dos alunos de cada ano. Verificou-se que 93,73% conhecem as T.A., que tal conhecimentonãoé adquirido durante a graduação,mas principalmente por meio do senso popular e que, embora a maioria (86,46%) recomende seu uso, sobretudo por acreditar na sua eficácia, apenas cerca de um terço as utilizam.

Functional analysis: evaluation of response intensities--tailoring ANOVA for lists of expression subsets.

Background: Microarray data is frequently used to characterize the expression profile of a whole genome and to compare the characteristics of that genome under several conditions. Geneset analysis methods have been described previously to analyze the expression values of several genes related by known biological criteria (metabolic pathway, pathology signature, co-regulation by a common factor, etc.) at the same time and the cost of these methods allows for the use of more values to help discover the underlying biological mechanisms. Results: As several methods assume different null hypotheses, we propose to reformulate the main question that biologists seek to answer. To determine which genesets are associated with expression values that differ between two experiments, we focused on three ad hoc criteria: expression levels, the direction of individual gene expression changes (up or down regulation), and correlations between genes. We introduce the FAERI methodology, tailored from a two-way ANOVA to examine these criteria. The significance of the results was evaluated according to the self-contained null hypothesis, using label sampling or by inferring the null distribution from normally distributed random data. Evaluations performed on simulated data revealed that FAERI outperforms currently available methods for each type of set tested. We then applied the FAERI method to analyze three real-world datasets on hypoxia response. FAERI was able to detect more genesets than other methodologies, and the genesets selected were coherent with current knowledge of cellular response to hypoxia. Moreover, the genesets selected by FAERI were confirmed when the analysis was repeated on two additional related datasets. Conclusions: The expression values of genesets are associated with several biological effects. The underlying mathematical structure of the genesets allows for analysis of data from several genes at the same time. Focusing on expression levels, the direction of the expression changes, and correlations, we showed that two-step data reduction allowed us to significantly improve the performance of geneset analysis using a modified two-way ANOVA procedure, and to detect genesets that current methods fail to detect.

Point Mutations in the Monocarboxylate Transporter SLC16A12 Lead to Juvenile and Age-Related Cataract

Purpose: Previously we reported on a premature termination mutation in SLC16A12 that leads to dominant juvenile cataract and renal glucosuria. To assess the mutation rate and genotype-phenotype correlations of SLC16A12 in juvenile or age-related forms of cataract, we performed a mutation screen in cataract patients. Methods: Clinical data of approximately 660 patients were collected, genomic DNA was isolated and analyzed. Exons 3 to 8 including flanking intron sequences of SLC16A12 were PCR amplified and DNA sequence was determined. Selected mutations were tested by cell culture assays, in silico analysis and RT-PCR. Results: We found sequence alterations at a rate of approximately 1/75 patients. None of them was found in 360 control alleles. Alterations affect splice site and regulatory region but most mutations caused an amino acid substitution. The majority of the coding region mutations maps to trans-membrane domains. One mutation located to the 5'UTR. It affects translational efficiency of SLC16A12. In addition, we identified a cataract-predisposing SNP in the non-coding region that causes allele-specific splicing of the 5'UTR region. Conclusions: Altered translational efficiency of the solute carrier SLC16A12 and its allele-specific splicing strongly support a model of challenged homeostasis to cause various forms of cataract. In addition, the pathogenic property of the here reported sequence alterations is supported by the lack of known sequence variations within the coding region of SLC16A12. Due to the relatively high mutation rate, we suggest to include SLC16A12 in diagnostic cataract screening. Generally, our data recommend the assessment of regulatory sequences for diagnostic purposes.

A comunicação não-verbal enquanto fator iatrogênico

O estudo teve como objetivo verificar se os enfermeiros identificam situações nas quais os aspectos não-verbais da comunicação interpessoal entre profissionais de saúde e pacientes constituem fator iatrogênico. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada com oito enfermeiros e analisados segundo a metodologia de análise de conteúdo. Do discurso dos profissionais emergiram três categorias, que evidenciam a percepção da iatrogenia, suas conseqüências e características e a interrelação entre a linguagem não-verbal e o cuidado.

Traitement nutritionnel du grand brûlé [Nutritional therapy in major burns]

Résumé Les brûlures graves (> 20 % surface corporelle [SC]) entraînent un stress oxydatif intense, des perturbations métaboliques et une réponse inflammatoire caractérisées par leur intensité et par leur durée, sans comparaison avec celles observées dans les autres pathologies. La modulation de ces réponses est devenue un objectif thérapeutique. Le brûlé nécessite des apports élevés en énergie (35-50 kcal/kg par jour), en glucides et en protéines (1,5-2,5 g/kg par jour) et faibles en lipides (idéalement moins de 20 % de l'apport calorique). La supplémentation en glutamine contribue à normaliser la réponse immunitaire et accélère la cicatrisation. La voie entérale (gastrique ou postpylorique) est la voie de choix et doit être utilisée dès le jour de l'accident. Les déficits aigus et précoces de micronutriments sont causés par des pertes exudatives par la peau lésée : la substitution est bénéfique sur le plan biologique et clinique. Les doses nécessaires sont de l'ordre de cinq à dix fois celles utilisées dans d'autres indications de nutrition parentérale pendant sept à 30 jours selon la SC brûlée. L'insuline qui favorise l'anabolisme et le propranolol qui réduit le catabolisme font partie de l'arsenal thérapeutique standard. Le suivi nutritionnel (poids et préalbumine hebdomadaire) est essentiel pour vérifier la réponse au support nutritionnel.

A comunicação com o paciente em cuidados paliativos: valorizando a alegria e o otimismo

Este estudo objetivou conhecer as expectativas de pacientes em cuidados paliativos em relação à comunicação com as pessoas da equipe de enfermagem. Os dados foram coletados no primeiro semestre de 2005, por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas, junto a 39 pacientes oncológicos sem prognóstico de cura, submetidos à quimioterapia paliativa em uma instituição hospitalar privada da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. Após transcrição das falas, os dados foram analisados segundo a metodologia de análise do conteúdo. Dos discursos dos entrevistados emergiram quatro categorias. A comunicação interpessoal comprovou ser importante atributo do cuidado paliativo, evidenciando a atenção dada aos sinais não-verbais do profissional para o estabelecimento do vínculo de confiança, a necessidade da presença compassiva, o desejo de não focar a interação e o relacionamento apenas na doença e morte e a valorização da comunicação verbal alegre, que privilegia o otimismo e o bom humor.

Avaliação de uma cartilha educativa de promoção ao cuidado da criança a partir da percepção da família sobre temas de saúde e cidadania

Este estudo avalia o instrumento de promoção ao cuidado infantil, a cartilha educativa Toda Hora é Hora de Cuidar, através da análise da percepção dos cuidadores sobre os temas por ela discutidos. Estudo descritivo, utilizando-se das abordagens quantitativa e qualitativa como complementaridade, realizado com 89 cuidadores familiares, usuários do Programa de Saúde da Família, na cidade de São Paulo. Observou-se uma predominância de mães, com ensino fundamental incompleto que relataram compreensão e interesse pelos conteúdos da cartilha. O conceito sobre o cuidado com a criança aparece enquanto ação afetiva e de labor. A Unidade Básica de Saúde se destaca como importante apoio social em detrimento de outras instituições. Conclui-se que existem evidências de efetividade da cartilha como instrumento promotor de habilidades e potenciais da comunidade, família e indivíduos, sendo importante o uso de instrumentos facilitadores do processo de aprendizado com enfoque na promoção da saúde e do empowerment das comunidades.

A Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia outbreak in a single kidney-transplant center: role of cytomegalovirus co-infection.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represent possible complications of medical immunosuppression. Between 2005 and 2010, non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) PCP patients admitted to a nephrology unit were analyzed for outcome, CMV comorbidity, and patient-to-patient contacts prior to PCP. In contrast to 2002-2004 (no cases) and 2008-2010 (10 cases), a PCP outbreak of 29 kidney-transplant recipients and one patient with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease occurred between 2005 and 2007. None of the patients were on PCP chemoprophylaxis. In four PCP patients, the genotyping data of bronchoalveolar lavage specimen showed an identical Pneumocystis strain. PCP cases had a higher incidence of CMV infection (12 of 30 PCP patients) and CMV disease (four patients) when compared to matched PCP-free controls (p < 0.05). Cotrimoxazole and, if applicable, ganciclovir were started 2.0 ± 4.0 days following admission, and immunosuppressive medication was reduced. In-hospital mortality was 10% and the three-year mortality was 20%. CMV co-infection did not affect mortality. CMV co-infection more frequently occurred during a cluster outbreak of non-HIV PCP in comparison to PCP-free controls. Here, CMV awareness and specific therapy of both CMV infection and PCP led to a comparatively favorable patient outcome. The role of patient isolation should be further investigated in incident non-HIV PCP.