Educators' Views on the Needs and Support of HIV/AIDS Orphans in Their Psychosocial Development

Objective Educators' perceptions of the psychosocial needs of HIV/AIDS orphans are important in supporting these children. The objective of this research is to determine the view of educators regarding the psychosocial needs of HIV/AIDS affected children. Method - A questionnaire; based on a thorough literature study was administered to determine the views of teachers. A convenient sample of 120 teachers from different schools; who attended a workshop organised for the primary schools in a particular school district in Tswane was used. Results - Only about half of the educators indicated that their schools provided support for HIV/AIDS orphans. Lack of food and clothing were viewed as the most pressing physical needs of the orphans. The desire for security; acceptance; dealing with stress; managing fears and psychological support services were identified as important psychological needs. Lack of security was seen as the most important factor affecting the psychosocial behaviour of these learners. Depression; sadness and stigmatisation were viewed as primary influences on behaviour. Teaching position; gender and age significantly influenced educators' views of various aspects of the learners' needs and behaviours. Conclusion - These findings have important implications for the training of educators to support learners and caregivers of children affected by the disease

Educators Views on the Needs and Support of HIV/AIDS Orphans in Their Psychosocial Development

Objective Educators' perceptions of the psychosocial needs of HIV/AIDS orphans are important in supporting these children. The objective of this research is to determine the view of educators regarding the psychosocial needs of HIV/AIDS affected children. Method - A questionnaire; based on a thorough literature study was administered to determine the views of teachers. A convenient sample of 120 teachers from different schools; who attended a workshop organised for the primary schools in a particular school district in Tswane was used. Results - Only about half of the educators indicated that their schools provided support for HIV/AIDS orphans. Lack of food and clothing were viewed as the most pressing physical needs of the orphans. The desire for security; acceptance; dealing with stress; managing fears and psychological support services were identified as important psychological needs. Lack of security was seen as the most important factor affecting the psychosocial behaviour of these learners. Depression; sadness and stigmatisation were viewed as primary influences on behaviour. Teaching position; gender and age significantly influenced educators' views of various aspects of the learners' needs and behaviours. Conclusion - These findings have important implications for the training of educators to support learners and caregivers of children affected by the disease

The relationship between adolescent depressive symptomology and substance abuse.

The research aimed to investigate the phenomena of adolescent depressive symptomology, substance abuse and the relationship between the two phenomena in a South African context. The influence of moderator variables was also examined. Another objective was to determine risk factors for the before mentioned. This was done by using a questionnaire with a sample of 1298 conveniently selected adolescents in a South African high school. It was determined that adolescents become progressively unhappier from 13 to 17 years of age. Girls are more depressed than boys. This research also revealed that adolescent depressive symptomology is significantly and positively correlated with earlier age of onset of substance abuse as well as frequency of usage. There appear to be no gender differences in substance abuse but teenagers from different ethnic and language groups differ in their use of substances. Risk factors for depression and substance abuse included a conflict relationship with parents, the experience of major stressful events, dissatisfaction with school grades and friends' use of substances.

Auranofin inactivates phosphofructokinase in human neutrophils, leading to depletion of intracellular ATP and inhibition of superoxide generation and locomotion.

The effects of the oral gold compound auranofin (AF), at concentrations well within the therapeutic range (0.04-1.5 microM), on human neutrophil functions and energy metabolism were investigated in vitro. At the concentrations tested, this agent had minimal effects on neutrophil degranulation and phagocytosis. However, AF caused dose-related inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis and stimulus-activated generation of superoxide, which was evident at concentrations as low as 0.04 microM. Inhibition of superoxide generation by activated neutrophils increased with the time of preincubation of the cells with AF at 37 degrees. At low concentrations of AF (less than 0.75 microM), early events (within 5 min) involved in the transduction, assembly, and activity of the neutrophil superoxide-generating enzyme NADPH oxidase appeared to be normal, but the cells were unable to sustain the level of oxygen consumption, superoxide production, and NADPH oxidase activity of the corresponding drug-free control cells. On a mechanistic level, coincubation of neutrophils with AF was associated with decreased glycolytic activity and depletion of intracellular ATP, apparently due to drug-mediated, dose-related inactivation of the glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase (PFK). Using purified PFK, the triethylphosphine gold (TEPG) moiety of AF, but not AF per se, caused dose-related inactivation of enzyme activity. These data indicate that the potent inhibition of neutrophil migration and reactive oxidant generation observed during treatment of neutrophils with low, therapeutically attainable concentrations of AF is related to TEPG-mediated inactivation of PFK and consequent interference with cellular energy metabolism and functions.

Development of enolase isoenzymes in various regions of the human brain.

Various brain regions from 4 fetuses (21st to 28th gestational week) and from a 3-month-old infant were investigated for the total enolase activity and their isoenzyme distribution. In the brain tissue from a 3-month-old infant, the activity of the so-called neuron-specific enolase amounted to about 50% of the total enolase activity. In various brain regions different developmental patterns emerged for nonneuronal (NNE) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). By the 21st gestational week the medulla, pons and thalamus had already reached a relatively high NSE activity (about 60-90% of that of the 3-month values), whereas the cortex regions had 10-30% only. It is concluded that in phylogenetically old regions, the switch from NNE to NSE-subunits appears before the 21st gestational week, in the phylogenetically young regions between the 21st and 28th gestational week.

[Clinical experience with atracurium--a continuous infusion technic]. / Kliniese ondervinding met atrakurium--'n aanhoudende infusie-tegniek.

A continuous infusion technique for atracurium was investigated. It provided a stable neuromuscular block, with a mean infusion rate of 0.008 mg/kg/min after an initial bolus of 0.5 mg/kg. A wide individual response was found and an arbitrary infusion rate based on mass alone is therefore not possible. The above rate is thus a starting point and should be adjusted according to individual requirements, preferably by using a peripheral nerve stimulator. The technique obviates the need for repeated increments of atracurium during lengthy surgical procedures.

Comparison between atracurium and alcuronium for muscle relaxation during laparoscopy.

Atracurium 0.3 mg/kg was compared with alcuronium 0.25 mg/kg as the sole muscle relaxant for tracheal intubation and abdominal relaxation for gynaecological laparoscopy in 46 patients during nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane anaesthesia. Speed of onset, intubation conditions, effect on blood pressure and pulse rate, and ease of reversal were compared. Alcuronium had a significantly faster onset of action than atracurium; intubation conditions were adequate and abdominal relaxation was satisfactory for both drugs. The effect of atracurium was readily reversible within 10 minutes; in contrast alcuronium was significantly more resistant and mean recovery time was 28.03 minutes. Although alcuronium provided good muscle relaxation, it is not suitable for short procedures because of difficulty in reversing its action. Atracurium allowed earlier and more complete reversal of neuromuscular block.

Apnoeic diving safety--experimental approaches to oxygen augmentation.

A study was undertaken to determine whether a volume of oxygen injected from a 100 ml syringe and inhaled during a 10 m ascent would be exhaled again fully or partially by two experienced male divers. Each performed one apnoeic dive with and another without O2 augmentation. Analyses of mouth gas showed that the injected O2 had disappeared when the divers reached the surface. Any movement of the injected O2 to the alveoli through an open glottis probably resulted from simple diffusion as well as from agitation and mixing of gases by simulated respiratory activity. High-frequency positive-pressure ventilation applied by several authors, whereby sufficient gas exchange is achieved by oscillating small tidal volumes at frequencies of up to 900 per minute, may substantiate this possibility. The injected O2 was found also to have disappeared from the alveolar gas, shown by a comparison of O2 fraction differences between augmented and non-augmented dives. Injection and inhalation of the additional O2 will raise the partial pressure of O2 in the alveoli and increase oxygen transfer across the alveolar membrane into the blood, with more molecules being taken up within seconds during the ascent time. O2 augmentation in larger volumes during apnoeic diving could lead to a burst lung and must be regarded with suspicion. There is evidence that O2 augmentation by means of a small syringe attached to a trained diver's snorkel will help prevent apnoeic blackout.

[Anesthetic aspects of heart tamponade due to amebic liver abscess. A case report]. / Narkose-aspekte van harttamponade na amebiese lewerabses. 'n Gevalbespreking.

The problem of tamponade due to rupture of an amoebic abscess, although rare, is extremely complex, and in the planning of the anaesthetic technique the following factors should receive attention: (i) the low cardiac output in which bradycardia, vasodilation, high inflation pressures and excessive fluid load must be avoided: (ii) pulmonary complications in which a double-lumen endotracheal tube should be considered; and (iii) sepsis.

The influence of cardiopulmonary bypass and autotransfusion on platelet count.

A pilot study was carried out to determine whether autotransfusion increased the platelet count. Although only a small series was involved significant increases were shown.

A simple method of blood collection for autotransfusion in cardiac surgery.

A technique for postoperative autotransfusion in open-heart surgery, involving minimal blood damage and contamination, is described.