Limits and possibilities experienced by nurses in the treatment of women with chronic venous ulcers / Límites y posibilidades vividas por enfermeras en el tratamiento de mujeres con úlcera venosa crónica / Limites e possibilidades vivenciados por enfermeiras no tratamento de mulheres com úlcera venosa crônica

Objective To understand the experiences and expectations of nurses in the treatment of women with chronic venous ulcers. Method Phenomenological research was based on Alfred Schütz, whose statements were obtained in January, 2012, through semi-structured interviews with seven nurses. Results The nurse reveals the difficulties presented by the woman in performing self-care, the perceived limitations in the treatment anchored in motivation, and the values and beliefs of women. It showed professional frustration because venous leg ulcer recurrence, lack of inputs, interdisciplinary work and training of nursing staff. There was an expected adherence to the treatment of women, and it emphasized the need for ongoing care, supported self-care and standard practices in treatment. Conclusion That treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers constitutes a challenge that requires collective investment, involving women, professionals, managers and health institutions. .

Objetivo Comprender las experiencias y expectativas de enfermeras en el tratamiento de mujeres con úlcera venosa crónica. Método Investigación fenomenológica fundamentada en Alfred Schutz, que buscó Se realizó entrevista semiestructurada con siete enfermeras, en enero del 2012. Resultados La enfermera revela dificultades presentadas por la mujer para realizar el autocuidado, percibe limitaciones en el tratamiento relacionadas con la desmotivación, los valores y las creencias de las mujeres. Refiere frustración profesional debido a la recidiva de la lesión, a la falta de insumos, al deficiente trabajo interdisciplinar y a la limitada capacitación del equipo de enfermeras. Espera la adhesión de la mujer al tratamiento y resalta la necesidad del cuidado continuo, del autocuidado apoyado y de estandarizar conductas de tratamiento. Conclusión El tratamiento de la úlcera venosa crónica es un desafío que requiere contribución colectiva, involucrando a las mujeres, a los profesionales, a los gestores y a las instituciones de salud. .

Objetivo Compreender as experiências e expectativas de enfermeiras no tratamento de mulheres com úlcera venosa crônica na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método Pesquisa fundamentada na fenomenologia social de Alfred Schütz, com depoimentos obtidos em janeiro de 2012, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada com sete enfermeiras. Resultados As enfermeiras revelam dificuldades apresentadas pelas mulheres com úlcera venosa crônica para realizar o autocuidado, percebem limitações na terapêutica ancoradas na desmotivação e nos valores e crenças das mulheres. Referem frustração profissional em razão da recidiva da lesão, falta de insumos e tecnologia, de trabalho interdisciplinar e da capacitação da equipe de enfermagem. Esperam a adesão das mulheres ao tratamento e ressaltam a necessidade do cuidado contínuo, do autocuidado apoiado e da padronização de condutas no tratamento. Conclusão O tratamento da úlcera venosa crônica constitui-se em um desafio que requer investimento coletivo, envolvendo a mulher, os profissionais, os gestores e as instituições de saúde. .

Effect of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor on Corneal Sensitivity after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis in Rabbit

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) on corneal sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. A hinged corneal flap (160-microm thick) was created with a microkeratome, and -3.0 diopter excimer laser ablation was performed. Expressions of MIF mRNA in the corneal epithelial cells and surrounding inflammatory cells were analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction at 48 hours after LASIK. After LASIK surgery, the rabbits were topically given either 1) a balanced salt solution (BSS), 2) MIF (100 ng/mL) alone, or 3) a combination of nerve growth factor (NGF, 100 ug/mL), neurotrophine-3 (NT-3, 100 ng/mL), interleukin-6 (IL-6, 5 ng/mL), and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF, 5 ng/mL) four times a day for three days. Preoperative and postoperative corneal sensitivity at two weeks and at 10 weeks were assessed using the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. RESULTS: Expression of MIF mRNA was 2.5-fold upregulated in the corneal epithelium and 1.5-fold upregulated in the surrounding inflammatory cells as compared with the control eyes. Preoperative baseline corneal sensitivity was 40.56 +/- 2.36 mm. At two weeks after LASIK, corneal sensitivity was 9.17 +/- 5.57 mm in the BSS treated group, 21.92 +/- 2.44 mm in the MIF treated group, and 22.42 +/- 1.59 mm in the neuronal growth factors-treated group (MIF vs. BSS, p < 0.0001; neuronal growth factors vs. BSS, p < 0.0001; MIF vs. neuronal growth factors, p = 0.815). At 10 weeks after LASIK, corneal sensitivity was 15.00 +/- 9.65, 35.00 +/- 5.48, and 29.58 +/- 4.31 mm respectively (MIF vs. BSS, p = 0.0001; neuronal growth factors vs. BSS, p = 0.002; MIF vs. neuronal growth factors, p = 0.192). Treatment with MIF alone could achieve as much of an effect on recovery of corneal sensation as treatment with combination of NGF, NT-3, IL-6, and LIF. CONCLUSIONS: Topically administered MIF plays a significant role in the early recovery of corneal sensitivity after LASIK in the experimental animal model.

Bem-estar subjetivo e qualidade de vida em adeptos de ayahuasca / Bienestar subjetivo y calidad de vida de los seguidores de la ayahuasca / Subjective well-being and quality of life for followers of ayahuasca

O artigo estuda o bem-estar subjetivo dos adeptos de ayahuasca, a partir dos conceitos de qualidade de vida e bem-estar subjetivo. Discute os estudos que tratam da beberagem do chá nos rituais religiosos e a percepção desses sujeitos em relação a esses elementos psicossociais. Metodologicamente, o artigo relata os resultados de uma pesquisa qualitativa, de revisão bibliográfica e dados coletados em campo, com quatro sujeitos. Como resultados, destaca-se a existência de um bem-estar subjetivo a partir das seguintes categorias: desenvolvimento do autoconhecimento, favorecimento à prevenção ao uso/abuso de drogas, um maior domínio de si e do ambiente, além de uma melhoria no relacionamento social. Defende-se, finalmente, a relevância científica de estudos sobre este tema contemporâneo a fim de enriquecer o conhecimento de novos processos de subjetivação, de fen™menos socioculturais e de territórios com interfaces com a Psicologia.

Estudiamos el bienestar subjetivo de los adeptos a la ayahuasca, a partir de los conceptos de la calidad de vida y el bienestar subjetivo; se discutió los estudios que tienen que ver con el brebaje del té en los rituales religiosos y la percepción de estos sujetos en relación a los elementos psicosociales. Metodológicamente, se trata de una investigación cualitativa, de revisión y de campo, a partir de una muestra de 04 sujetos. Los resultados enfatizan la existencia de un bienestar subjetivo basado en las siguientes categorías: desarrollo del auto-conocimiento, favorecimiento la prevención de utilización /abuso de drogas, un mayor dominio de sí mismo y del ambiente, así como una mejoría en la relación social. Se afirma, por último, la relevancia científica de los estudios sobre el tema contemporáneo, que proporcionan el conocimiento de nuevos procesos de subjetivación, de fenómenos socioculturales y territorios para interfaces con la psicología, sobre todo relacionados con el tema.

This paper studies the subjective well-being of the ayahuasca's adherents from the concepts of quality of life and subjective well-being. It also discusses the findings of some studies that deal with the brew of this tea in religious rituals and the perception of these subjects in relation to these psychosocial elements. Methodologically, the paper reports the results of a qualitative research that combined a bibliographical review and data collection in the field, with four subjects. As a result, it was found the existence of subjective well-being in the following categories: development of self-awareness, fostering prevention of drug / drug abuse, mastery of oneself and of environment, as well as an improvement in social relationships. It is argued for the scientific relevance of contemporary studies on this issue in order to enrich the knowledge of new processes of subjectivity, of sociocultural phenomena and territories with Psychology's interfaces .

Ganglioside GM1 (porcine) ameliorates paclitaxel-induced neuropathy in rats.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel, an anti-neoplastic agent effective against several solid tumors, has several side effects including peripheral neuropathy. So far, there are no effective treatments for this complication. Monosialic acid ganglioside (GM1) has been shown to protect neurons against injuries and degeneration. However, its efficacy in the treatment of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy has not been verified. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of porcine GM1 on neurophysiological abnormalities in rats receiving paclitaxel. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty-four Wistar rats were divided into control, vehicle for paclitaxel (Cremophor EL), paclitaxel, and paclitaxel + GM1 groups. Paclitaxel 16 mg/kg/week for five consecutive weeks was given intraperitoneally. Treatment with 30 mg/kg 5 days per week of GM1 was started 3 days prior to the first dose and continued until 3 days after the last dose of paclitaxel. Tail and hind paw thermal thresholds including tail motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were measured prior to and after the start of treatments. Histopathology of the sciatic nerve was also examined. RESULTS: Paclitaxel alone induced thermal hypoalgesia and reduced tail MNCV Less severe abnormalities were also found with the vehicle. GM1 appeared to prevent the development of hypoalgesia and ameliorated the decreased MNCV without any evidence of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Mild endoneurial edema and axonal degeneration in the sciatic nerve sections were seen in paclitaxel treated rats. Microtubule accumulation and activated Schwann cell were also presented in the paclitaxel treated groups. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that porcine GM1 may be useful in the prevention and treatment of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy. However the adverse effect of Cremophor EL should be of concern.

Effects of ganglioside on paclitaxel (Taxol) induced neuropathy in rats.

The effects of ganglioside on paclitaxel induced neuropathy were studied in 15 female Wistar rats. The animals were equally divided into 3 groups based on the type of administrated drug. The first (C-group) received an intraperitoneal weekly injection of 1 ml of NSS for five weeks. The second (P-group) received 9 mg/kg of a paclitaxel intraperitoneal weekly injection for five weeks. The third (PG-group) received both ganglioside and paclitaxel. Sensory evaluation and electrophysiologic studies of the tail nerve were performed before the administration of the first dose and at the end of the experiment. Morphological evaluation of the sciatic nerve was also studied. The results revealed the mean reaction time of the tail flick test, latency, amplitude and nerve conduction velocity of the P-group in the first and seventh week were of significant difference. However, there was no significant difference detected in those of the C-group and the PG-group. There was significant difference in all parameters between the PG and P-groups but not between the PG and C-groups. Cross sections of the sciatic nerve in the P-group showed mild endoneurium edema and some degenerated axons. Small myelinated nerve fibers in the PG-group were prominent. The results of this study indicated that ganglioside treatment could produce some beneficial effects in an animal model of paclitaxel induced neuropathy.

Effect of methyl prednisolone on sensory motor functions in tuberculous meningitis.

A prospective hospital based study was undertaken to study the effect of methyl prednisolone therapy on sensory and motor functions in tuberculous meningitis (TBM). The patients with TB meningitis seen during 1994-1998 were studied. CT scan, motor evoked potential (MEP) to upper and lower limbs; and median and tibial somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were carried out in all the patients. Outcome was defined at the end of 3 months into poor, partial or complete recovery on the basis of Barthel index score. Inj methyl prednisolone (MPS) 500 mg IV was given to 21 patients followed by oral tapering dose of prednisolone over one month in addition to 4 drug anti-tubercular treatment. The control group comprised of 16 patients who received 4 drugs anti-tubercular therapy without any corticosteroid. These groups were comparable with respect to their age, stage of meningitis, Glasgow coma scale score and radiological findings. In MPS group, CMCT was abnormal in 9 and SEPs in 7 patients. In the control group, these were abnormal in 9 and 5 patients respectively. Three months after the therapy the frequency of improvement, deterioration and stationary evoked potential (EP) changes were also noted in both the groups. Diversity of evoked potential changes were also noted. Evoked potential changes were neither significantly different between the groups nor there was any beneficial effect shown in MPS group at 3 months. On the contrary, the control group fared significantly better than the MPS group. Initial MEP and SEP abnormalities were however related to 3 months outcome (p<0.01).