Nocturnal sleep pattern in Native Brazilian Terena adults.

Social-economic factors influence sleep habits. This research analyzes characteristics of nocturnal sleep in Brazilian Native Terena adults. Sixty-four adults (31 M; 33 F) from 18 to 75 years, with a mean age of 37.0, from the Indian Reservation village of Córrego do Meio, in the central region of Mato Grosso do Sul, an agriculturally oriented group were evaluated. Nocturnal sleep characteristics were evaluated by means of a standard questionnaire applied to each individual. It was observed that reported nocturnal sleep was longer, sleep onset was earlier and wake up time was also earlier than usually described in urban populations. The mean total time in bed was 8.5 h or more, in every age bracket. The seven-day prevalence rate of insomnia was 4.6%, while the seven-day prevalence rate of hypnotic use was 1.5%, both remarkably less than described in urban populations. These findings stress the need to consider ethnic influences on sleep patterns and disorders.

Siestas among Brazilian Native Terena adults : a study of daytime napping.

Regular daytime napping behavior, also known as siesta culture, is influenced by circadian, cultural and environmental factors. This research analyzes characteristics of regular daytime napping in Brazilian Native Terenas. We evaluated 65 adults ( 32 M; 33 F ) from 18 to 75 years, with a mean age of 37.2, from the Indian Reservation village Córrego do Meio, in the central region of Mato Grosso do Sul. Daytime napping characteristics were evaluated by means of a standard questionnaire applied to each individual. It was observed that weekly daytime napping (at least once a week) was present in 72. 3% of the population. There was a tendency to occur in males. The effects of weekends was mild. Mean onset time of daytime sleep was 12.2 h, remarkably earlier than usually described in urban populations. This data stresses the need to consider ethnic influences in order to understand sleep habits.

[Human serum hexosamine. Determination in Brazilian pemphigus foliaceus]. / Hesosaminas do soro humano. determinação no pénfigo foliáceo brasileiro.

The serum hexosamine levels of 39 patients with Pênfigo Foliáceo Brasileiro were determined. The mean value obtained, compared with the mean value found in 30 normal individuals in our laboratory, by Santos et al. (1977), shows that in this disease, the levels of serum glycosamine are higher than in the normal group. The application of Student's test (/t/) indicates a significant difference in the mean values (/t/) = 9,02 P greater than 0,001). Although little is known about the fundamental processes concerned with the increase of serum glycosamines, the authors based on the suggestions of Seibert et al. (1947) reason on the possibility that the essential lesion, i.e., the destruction of the intercellular cement (of glycoprotein nature) is an important factor in the increase of glycoproteins rich in glicosamines.

T and B lymphocytes in South American pemphigus foliaceus.

T and B lymphocytes were quantified in peripheral blood of thirty patients with South American pemphigus foliaceus according to their ability to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E) or sheep erythrocytes sensitized with antibody an complement (EAC). When compared with the counts obtained from thirty normal subjects, a decrease was found in the total T-lymphocyte count (32-33+/-7-7 versus 46-7+/-8-7) and in the T functional lymphocyte count as detected by the active rosette test. The mean percentage of B lymphocytes within the total number of lymphocytes was not significantly different from that of normal subjects (24-0 +/- 8-2 versus 25-3+/-8-0). Lymph node sections from three pemphigus patients examined for E or EAC adherence showed depletion of T cells in the paracortical areas. The low percentage of E cells in the peripheral blood and the depletion of E cells in paracortical areas of lymph nodes from patients with South American pemphigus foliaceus may reflect an impaired cellular immunity.