Efecto de la psicoeducación en el afrontamiento y adaptación al rol de cuidador familiar del adulto mayor / Effect of psychoeducation in the support of the older adult family caregiver adaptation and coping role / Efeito da psicoeducação no enfrentamento e adaptação ao papel de cuidador familiar do idoso

Resumen Introducción: La transición demográfica y epidemiológica mundial, aunado a los avances en la ciencia y tecnología aplicados en mejorar la calidad de vida de la población, han influido en la longevidad; los individuos viven más, pero con un bienestar deficiente debido a las limitaciones y comorbilidades inherentes al envejecimiento, con las que a menudo necesitan el cuidado de alguien. Actualmente, uno de cada cuatro adultos mayores requiere de ayuda para realizar sus actividades de la vida diaria. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de una intervención de enfermería por medio de la psicoeducación para facilitar el proceso de afrontamiento y adaptación al rol de cuidador familiar del adulto mayor. Material y Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, cuasi experimental, realizado en una unidad de medicina familiar, con un grupo de 70 cuidadores familiares de adultos mayores, los criterios de inclusión: adultos de 20 a 59 años que supieran leer y escribir. La intervención psicoeducativa consistió en 10 sesiones, los instrumentos aplicados pre y post intervención fueron la escala sobre el proceso de afrontamiento y adaptación, así como la que evalúa habilidad de cuidado. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados: La edad de los cuidadores familiares tuvo una media de 50.6, femeninos 92.8%. La intervención fue efectiva, pues se obtuvieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el pre y post en afrontamiento y adaptación (X2 Mc nemar p=0.00001), así como para la habilidad de cuidado (X2 p=0.01), lo que sugiere un efecto positivo y sostenido de la intervención. Conclusiones: Los cuidadores familiares de los adultos mayores que participaron en la intervención, mostraron un efecto positivo en la adaptación a su rol de cuidador familiar.

Abstract Introduction: The present demographic transition, influenced by science and technology advances aimed at improving the quality of life, features a greater longevity; however, older adults sometimes suffer from limitations and comorbidities which are related to their aging process and which make them require caring assistance. Currently, around 25% of older adults require some kind of aid in order to perform their daily living activities. Objective: To assess the effect of a nursing intervention using psychoeducation to support the older adult family caregiver adaptation and coping role. Methods and materials: This is a quantitative quasi-experimental study carried out in a unit of family medicine with 70 family caregivers of older adults. The inclusion criteria was: adults aged 20 to 59 who could read and write. The intervention included 10 sessions. The pre and post applied instruments were the Coping Adaptation Processing Scale, and a scale to assess the ability to provide care. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Results: The mean age of the family caregivers was 50.6 years. 65 were female. The intervention turned out to be effective as statistically significant differences in coping and adaptation measures (X2 Mc Nemar p=0.00001), as well as caregiving abilities (X2 p=0.01) measures, were obtained at the post intervention assessment. Conclusion: The older adult family caregivers who participated in this nursing intervention showed a positive effect in their role.

Resumo Introdução: A transição demográfica e epidemiológica mundial, os avanços na ciência e tecnologia aplicados em melhorar a qualidade de vida da população, influenciam a longevidade; os indivíduos vivem mais, no entanto com um bem-estar deficiente, devido às limitações e comorbilidades inerentes ao envelhecimento, regularmente necessitam o cuidado de alguém. Atualmente, um de cada quatro idosos requerem de ajuda para realizar suas atividades da vida diária. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de uma intervenção de enfermagem através da psicoeducação para facilitar o processo de enfrentamento e adaptação no papel de cuidador familiar do idoso. Material e Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, quase experimental, realizado na unidade de medicina familiar, com um grupo de 70 cuidadores familiares de idosos, os critérios de inclusão: adultos de 20 a 59 anos, que soubessem ler e escrever. A intervenção psicoeducativa consistiu em 10 sessões, os instrumentos aplicados pre e post intervenção foram a escala sobre o processo de enfrentamento e adaptação, assim como a que avalia habilidade de cuidado. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: A idade dos cuidadores familiares teve una média de 50.6, femininos 92.8%. A intervenção foi efetiva, pois se obtiveram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre o pre e post em enfrentamento e adaptação (X2 Mc nemar p=0.00001), assim como, para a habilidade de cuidado (X2 p=0.01), o que sugere um efeito positivo e sustenido da intervenção. Conclusões: Os cuidadores familiares dos idosos que participaram na intervenção mostraram um efeito positivo na adaptação do seu papel de cuidador familiar.

Pharmacokinetics of vitamin C: insights into the oral and intravenous administration of ascorbate

There is a strong advocacy movement for large doses of vitamin C. Some authors argue that the biological half-life for vitamin C at high plasma levels is about 30 minutes, but these reports are the subject of some controversy. NIH researchers established the current RDA based upon tests conducted 12 hours (24 half lives) after consumption. The dynamic flow model refutes the current low-dose recommendations for dietary intakes and links Pauling's mega-dose suggestions with other reported effects of massive doses of ascorbate for the treatment of disease. Although, a couple of controlled clinical studies conducted at The Mayo Clinic did not support a significant benefit for terminal cancer patients after 10 grams of once-a-day oral vitamin C, other clinical trials have demonstrated that ascorbate may indeed be effective against tumors when administered intravenously. Recent studies confirmed that plasma vitamin C concentrations vary substantially with the route of administration. Only by intravenous administration, the necessary ascorbate levels to kill cancer cells are reached in both plasma and urine. Because the efficacy of vitamin C treatment cannot be judged from clinical trials that use only oral dosing, the role of vitamin C in cancer treatment should be reevaluated. One limitation of current studies is that pharmacokinetic data at high intravenous doses of vitamin C are sparse, particularly in cancer patients. This fact needs prompt attention to understand the significance of intravenous vitamin C administration. This review describes the current state-of-the-art in oral and intravenous vitamin C pharmacokinetics. In addition, the governmental recommendations of dose and frequency of vitamin C intake will also be addressed.

Tumor growth parameters of in-vivo human breast carcinoma: a proposed mathematical model for tumor growth kinetics

Many mathematical models have been proposed to study tumor growth parameters in vivo. Nevertheless most of the medical models have given variable results even when experimental conditions are exactly the same. There are multiple factors that are capable of affecting tumor growth that should be taken into account when proposing a mathematical model for tumor growth in vivo. We discuss here own proposed model for tumor growth kinetics utilizing a modified Gompertz function that better responds to the growth characteristic of in [quot ]vivo[quot ] tumors.

Supraphysiological cyclic dosing of sustained release T3 in order to reset low basal body temperature

The use of sustained release tri-iodothyronine (SR-T3) in clinical practice, has gained popularity in the complementary and alternative medical community in the treatment of chronic fatigue with a protocol (WT3) pioneered by Dr. Denis Wilson. The WT3 protocol involves the use of SR-T3 taken orally by the patient every 12 hours according to a cyclic dose schedule determined by patient response. The patient is then weaned once a body temperature of 98.6 degrees F has been maintained for 3 consecutive weeks. The symptoms associated with this protocol have been given the name Wilson's Temperature Syndrome (WTS). There have been clinical studies using T3 in patients who are euthyroid based on normal TSH values. However, this treatment has created a controversy in the conventional medical community, especially with the American Thyroid Association, because it is not based on a measured deficiency of thyroid hormone. However, just as estrogen and progesterone are prescribed to regulate menstrual cycles in patients who have normal serum hormone levels, the WT3 therapy can be used to regulate metabolism despite normal serum thyroid hormone levels. SR-T3 prescription is based exclusively on low body temperature and presentation of symptoms. Decreased T3 function exerts widespread effects throughout the body. It can decrease serotonin and growth hormone levels and increase the number of adrenal hormone receptor sites. These effects may explain some of the symptoms observed in WTS. The dysregulation of neuroendocrine function may begin to explain such symptoms as alpha intrusion into slow wave sleep, decrease in blood flow to the brain, alterations in carbohydrate metabolism, fatigue, myalgia and arthralgia, depression and cognitive dysfunction. Despite all thermoregulatory control mechanisms of the body and the complex metabolic processes involved, WT3 therapy seems a valuable tool to re-establish normal body functions. We report the results of 11 patients who underwent the WT3 protocol for the treatment of CFS. All the patients improved in the five symptoms measured. All patients increased their basal temperature. The recovery time varied from 3 weeks to 12 months.

A pilot clinical study of continuous intravenous ascorbate in terminal cancer patients

Case studies suggest that vitamin C, given intravenously at doses of 10-100 grams/day can improve patient well being and in some cases, reduce tumor size. While ascorbate is generally considered safe, clinical data on high intravenous doses is limited. Twenty-four late stage terminal cancer patients were given continuous infusions of 150 to 710 mg/kg/day for up to eight weeks. Blood chemistry and blood count profiles were obtained at roughly one-week intervals while patient health, adverse events and tumor progression were monitored. The majority of patients were vitamin C deficient prior to treatment. Intravenous infusions increased plasma ascorbate concentrations to a mean of 1.1 mM. The most common adverse events reported were nausea, edema, and dry mouth or skin; and these were generally minor. Two Grade 3 adverse events 'possibly related' to the agent were reported: one patient with a history of renal calculi developed a kidney stone after thirteen days of treatment and another patient experienced hypokalemia after six weeks of treatment. White blood cell counts were stable while hemoglobin and hematocrit levels dropped slightly during treatment, consistent with trends observed prior to therapy. Blood creatinine, BUN, glucose, and uric acid concentrations decreased or remained stable during therapy, suggesting that ascorbate infusions did not adversely affect renal function. One patient had stable disease and continued the treatment for forty-eight weeks. These data suggest that intravenous vitamin C therapy for cancer is relatively safe, provided the patient does not have a history of kidney stone formation.

Effect of a dietary supplement combination on weight management, adipose tissue, cholesterol and triglycerides in obese children

A dietary supplement combination consisting of vitamins, minerals and fibers was studied to determine its safety and efficacy on weight/fat loss, cholesterol and triglycerides in children between ages 7-13. This open label trial measured total body weight, body fat percentage, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglycerides before and after 6 weeks of treatment. The study population consisted of 25 mildly to moderate obese, otherwise healthy children of both sexes. After 6 weeks of treatment, the combination supplement had a statistically significant (p < 0.05) weight reducing effect. This weight reduction was associated with a corresponding statistically significant (p < 0.0001l) decrease in body fat percentage. In addition, significant decreases in total cholesterol (p < 0.0001) and triglycerides (p < 0.0001) were obtained, plus reductions in waist measurements. We conclude that the combination supplement studied herein is a safe and effective way to assist children in weight, fat percentage, cholesterol and triglyceride reduction.

Effects of high dose ascorbate administration on L-10 tumor growth in guinea pigs

Sodium ascorbate is preferentially toxic to tumor cells at high concentrations. It has not been established, however, whether sufficient intra-tumor ascorbate concentrations are safely achievable in vivo. We administered sodium ascorbate subcutaneously or orally for eighteen days to Sewall-Wright strain-2 guinea pigs bearing intradermal L-10 hepatocarcinoma tumors. Tumor masses and intra-tumor ascorbate concentrations were determined at necropsy. L-10 cells formed tumors that metastasized to the lymph nodes, with tumor burdens reaching nearly 50 grams in untreated animals. Subcutaneous injections of ascorbate (500 mg/kg/day) inhibited tumor growth by as much as sixty-five percent, with oral supplementation reducing it by roughly fifty percent. Tumor growth correlated inversely with intra-tumor ascorbate concentration, the latter exceeding 2 mM in some cases. Ascorbate concentrations sufficient to kill tumor cells can be safely achieved in solid tumors in vivo, suggesting a possible role for high dose intravenous ascorbate in treating cancer.

Intravenous ascorbic acid as a treatment for severe jellyfish stings

We report a case of jellyfish envenomation in a 39 year old male. He was stung extensively on both lower limbs by an unidentified jellyfish. This occurred in shallow waters of a beach in the vicinity of Labuan Island, Malaysia. The patient received ambulatory treatment with parenteral and oral ascorbate with remarkable recovery

Effect of a dietary supplement combination on weight management, adipose tissue, cholesterol and triglycerides in obese subjects

A combination dietary supplement containing vitamins, minerals, herbs, fibers and amino acids was studied to determine its safety and efficacy on weight/ fat loss, cholesterol and triglycerides in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trail. Total body weight, body fat %, waist and hip measurements, total cholesterol and triglycerides were evaluated before and after 6 weeks treatment with combination supplement or placebo. The study population consisted in 27 mildly to moderately obese, otherwise healthy, volunteers. After 6 weeks of treatment, the combination supplement had a statistically significant (p<0.001, mu=0.05) positive weight reducing effect (-8.59Lb vs. +2.14 Lb). This weight reduction was associated with a corresponding statistically significant (p<0.001, mu=0.05) decrease in body fat % in the treatment group (-2.88%) vs. the placebo (+0.86%). In addition, significant decreases in total cholesterol (-22.94 mg/dL) and triglycerides (-39.29 mg/dL) were obtained plus reductions in waist and hip measurements. These positive results lead us to conclude, that the combination supplement studied herein is a safe and effective way to assist in weight/fat reduction and decreases in total cholesterol and triglycerides in relatively short time (6 weeks)

A vitamin, mineral, herb dietary supplement effect on blood glucose in uncontrolled type II diabetic subjects

We tested a dietary supplement formulated with a synergistic combination of vitamins, minerals, herbals in a group of 15 patients with uncontrolled diabetes type II. The supplement was given for 30 days. Fasting blood glucose was measured prior to the supplementation and at the end of the 30 days treatment period. Blood glucose was significantly reduced in all patients with no adverse effects. This orthomolecular correction of faulty glucose metabolism with a combination of nontoxic, safe and fairly inexpensive nutraceuticals needs to be further substantiated. Nervertheless the idea of correcting metabolism with micronutrients is a new concept of genetic nutritioneering that seems appealing and cost effective

Intravenous vitamin C as a chemotherapy agent: a report on clinical cases

A series of seven cases are presented in which intravenous vitamin C has been used as antineoplastic agent in the treatment of different types of cancers. The cancers cases reviewed are the following: Renal cell carcinoma (2), Colorectal cancer (1), Pancreatic cancer (1), Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (2) and breast cancer (1). Toxic reactions were not observed at these high doses of intravenous Vitamin C. All patients were prescreened for Glucose 6--phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency before administering intravenous Vitamin C in order to prevent hemolysis

Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition in cancer patients

Essential fatty acids (EFA) have an important role in complex metabolic reactions. The metabolism of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) appears to be one of the critical targets in the complex metabolic stages that lead to, or are associated with cancer. The goal of our research was to analyze the erythrocyte specific types of membrane fatty acid content, level and distribution in cancer patients as compared to non-cancer patients. Changes in fatty acid composition may affect different aspects of cell structure and function, including proliferation. Analyses of RBCs membrane fatty acids were performed for 255 patients with different types of cancer (breast, prostate, liver, pancreas, colon, and lung), 2,800 non-cancer patients and 34 healthy volunteers. Our research study demonstrated a lower level of stearic acid and an increased content of oleic acid in RBC of cancer patients in comparison with control and non-cancer patients. According to the results of this investigation, the ratio of Eicosa pentaenoic acid (EPA) and Decosa hexaenoic acid (DHA) to Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) may be useful to estimate PUFA imbalances in cancer patients. EPA and DHA acid may be recommended as supplementation and in addition to current therapy during cancer treatment

Cell membrane fatty acid composition differs between normal and malignant cell lines

Twenty-eight fatty acids (C8:0 to C24:l n-9) were measured by gas chromatography in four normal cell lines (C3H / 10T1 / 2, CCD-18Co, CCD-25SK and CCD-37Lu) and seven cancer cell lines (C-41, Caov-3, LS-180, PC-3, SK-MEL-28, SK-MES-1 and U-87 MG). Results show differences in the content and proportions of fatty acids when comparing cancer cell lines with their normal counterparts. Cancer cell lines showed lower C20: 4 n-6, C24:1 n-9, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's) and ratios of C20:4 n-6 to C20:5 n-3 and C16:0 to C18:1 n-9 and stearic to oleic (SA/OA) than their normal counterparts. All cancer cell lines had SA/OA ratios lower than 7.0 while normal cell lines had ratios greater than 0.7 (p<0.05). In addition, the ratios of total saturated fatty acids (SFA) to PUFA'S and the concentration of C18:1 n-9, C18:2 n-6, C20:5 n-3 were higher in cancer cell lines as compared to normal cell lines. A positive correlation was detected between C16:0 and longer SFA'S (r = +0.511, p<0.05) in normal cell lines whereas a negative correlation (r=0.608, p<0.05) was obtained for malignant cell lines. Moreover, cancerous cell lines exhibited a particular desaturation defect and an abnormal incorporation of C18:2 n-6 and C20-4 n-6 fatty acids

Efectos adversos e interacciones de productos botánicos medicinales / Adverse effects and interactions of medicinal herbal products

The use of medicinal products derived from plants (phytomedicinals) has been increasing dramatically in the past years this has forced the health professional to increase their knowledge in the risks and benefits in the use of such products. This article reviews the most important adverse effects and interactions from the phytomedicinals and presents this information in the perspective of a responsible Integrative Medicine practice focused in achieving optimal therapeutic goals

Intravenous ascorbic acid: protocol for its application and use

High dose intravenous(i.v.) ascorbic acid (AA) has been used as therapy for infectious disease from bacterial and viral origin and adjuvant therapy for cancer. In this publication we describe a clinical protocol that has been developed over the past twenty years utilizing high dose i.v. AA as therapy for cancer. This includes principles of treatment, rationale, baseline workup, infusion protocol, precautions and side effects.

Effects of a high molecular mass Convolvulus arvensis extract on tumor growth and angiogenesis

BACKGROUND: Plant materials represent promising sources of anti-cancer agents. We developed and tested a novel extract from the ubiquitous plant Convolvulus arvensis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Convolvulus arvensis components were extracted in boiling water, and small molecules were removed by high-pressure filtration. The extract's biological activity was assessed by measuring its effects on S-180 fibrosarcoma growth in Kun Ming mice and on heparin-induced angiogenesis in chick embryos. We also examined the extract's effects on lymphocytes ex vivo and tumor cell growth in vitro. RESULTS: The extract (primarily proteins and polysaccharides) inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent fashion when administered orally. At the highest dose tested, 200 mg/kg/day, tumor growth was inhibited by roughly seventy percent. Subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration at 50 mg/kg/day also inhibited tumor growth by over seventy percent. The extract's acute LD50 in Kun Ming mice was 500 mg/kg/day when injected, indicating that tumor growth inhibition occurred at non-toxic doses. It inhibited angiogenesis in chick embryos, improved lymphocyte survival ex vivo, and enhanced yeast phagocytosis, but did not kill tumor cells in culture. CONCLUSION: High molecular mass extract deserves further study as an anti-cancer agent.

Anticuerpos a proteínas recombinantes Ro60 Kd, Ro52 Kd y La48 Kd, en el síndrome de Sjögren primario. Utilidad de la combinación de métodos analíticos para detectar anticuerpos anti Ro y anti La / Antibodies against recombinant Ro 60 Kd, Ro 52 and La 48 Kd proteins in primary Sjogren's Syndrome. Utility of analytic methods combination to detect antibodies anti Ro and La

BACKGROUND: The use of new recombinant antigens may increase the sensitivity and specificity of the detection of anti Ro and anti La antibodies in Sjögren's syndrome. AIM: To determine the immune reactivity of sera from patients with Sjögren's syndrome, against fusion recombinant proteins (prf) Ro60 Kd, Ro52 Kd and La48 Kd expressed in E coli and recombinant protein Ro52 Kd, expressed in baculovirus (prb). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples from 46 patients with a diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome, according to the European criteria of 1997, were studied. Using conventional ELISA assays, 32 patients had positive anti Ro antibodies (group A) and 16 patients had negative anti Ro and anti La antibodies, but had positive antinuclear antibodies or rheumatoid factors (group B). Antibodies against recombinant proteins were measured by ELISA or Western Blot. RESULTS: Reactivity against prf Ro60 was present in 69 per cent of samples from group A patients and in 36 per cent of samples from group B. Reactivity against prf Ro52 was present in 94 per cent of samples from group A and 50 per cent of samples from group B. Reactivity against prb Ro52 was present in 75 per cent of samples from group A and 40 per cent of samples from group B. Reactivity against prf La was present in 78 per cent of samples by ELISA and 97 per cent of samples by Western Blot. In 10 of 14 serum samples from group B patients, there was reactivity against at least one recombinant protein. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of reactivity against recombinant Ro and La proteins was detected in serum samples from patients with Sjögren syndrome.

Indicadores de ansiedad y depresión en sujetos con diferentes tipos de alimentación: vegetarianos y omnívoros / Indicators of anxiety and depression in subjects with different kinds of diet: vegetarians and omnivores

The following study, one of the first done in Puerto Rico, investigate the different kinds of diet and the level of anxiety and depression that the subjects present. The sample consists of 80 subjects between 25 and 70 years age divided into two main groups (vegetarian versus no vegetarian) depending their diet consumption. The basic findings in the three psychological tests given (IDARE-1, IDARE-2 and CES-D) to the subjects demonstrate significant differences in anxiety and depression between groups. More anxiety and depression where reported in the no vegetarian groups in comparison with the vegetarian groups. In addition, diet analysis found more nutritional antioxidant agents levels in the vegetarian group in comparison with the no-vegetarian group

Lactancia natural exclusiva y algunos factores asociados en consultorio periferico 1981. / Exclusive natural lactation and some associated factors in a peripheral clinic

Se estudia el total de ninos ingresados a un consultorio periferico en el curso de un ano, desde su nacimiento hasta los dos anos de vida. Se mide la duracion de la lactancia natural exclusiva en esta poblacion y se analiza la relacion entre duracion de lactancia y algunas variables socioeconomicas, biologicas y de atencion medica. Se encuentra una duracion de lactancia natural exclusiva superior a la de otros estudios. Se concluye que las siguientes variables influyen favorablemente en la duracion de la lactancia: edad de la madre de 20-24 anos; escolaridad materna baja;trabajo de la madre fuera del hogar;antecedentes de parto normal o por cesarea; ser segundo hijo