Holistic approach to the term "person" in an empirical study: a critical analysis

The study analyzes the semantic and the structure of the term "person" (women with HIV), by means of an holistic approach based on the Roy Adaptation Model (Veritivity) and on Heidegger's Phenomenology (Dasein). This research was extracted of Nursing Science and Philosophy of Science literature, through the technique of indirect documentation, using the model of theoretical analysis developed by Chinn & Kramer, through which the following aspects were analyzed: objectivity, simplicity, generality, accessibility and importance of person and holism concepts in the empirical study Nutritional adaptation of women living with HIV: a pilot study, published in the journal Holistic Nursing Practice, in 1997. Critically, the interpretation of the term "person" was a result of the understanding of "being" as an ontical-ontological being, as a form of true perception of the sense of being (person), as an alive universal structure in an anthropological and social world, in which women with HIV can adapt to the new lifestyle and receive integral care provided by nursing, mainly with respect to the nutritional aspect.     

Neonatal screening for hemoglobinopathies: a pilot study in Porto Alegre,Rio Grande do Sul,Brazil

This study was conducted to establish the frequency of hemoglobinopathies among newborns undergoing screening tests for metabolic diseases at the University Hospital (Hospital de Clínicas) in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Testing for abnormal hemoglobins was performed by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis on agarose gel with blood obtained by heel stick and applied to filter paper. For confirmatory testing of abnormal neonatal screening, a venopuncture blood sample was obtained from the infant and parents and then submitted to hemoglobin electrophoresis on cellulose acetate at pH 8.6 and citrate agar at pH 6.2. A total of 1,615 subjects were studied: 20 samples showed the Hb S pattern and six samples showed Hb C. Thus, frequency of the sickle cell gene was 1.2% and that of the Hb C gene was 0.4%, regardless of race or origin. These data suggest that the inclusion of universal neonatal screening for hemoglobinopathies in the ongoing projects for the detection of phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism has many advantages and should be considered in health programs.     

Efficacy, acceptability, and clinical effects of a low-dose injectable contraceptive combination of dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide and estradiol enanthate

A total of 1,904 women, aged 15-38, used an injectable contraceptive combination of 90 mg dihydroxyprogesterone acetophenide with 6 mg estradiol enanthate, given once during each menstrual cycle between the 7th and 10th day, and preferably on the 8th day of the cycle, for a total of 17,576 cycles. Of these 1,904 women, 1,197 completed 12 cycles of use of the injectable combination. One subject became pregnant during the trial, resulting in a cumulative pregnancy rate of 0.07%. Principal reasons for discontinuation were personal, non-medical reasons, such as lost to follow-up, no longer wished to continue, protocol violation, desire to change to another contraceptive method, moved away, or other personal reasons. Mean weight of 1,901 subjects at admission to the trial was 53.5 +/- 0.2 kg and this increased to 54.3 +/- 0.3 kg after 12 cycles of use. Approximately 50% of subjects experienced menstrual bleeding similar to normal throughout the study period. The most frequent menstrual abnormality was irregular bleeding, experienced by approximately one-third of subjects.     

Determination of HIV protein 24 in feces of Triatoma infestans fed with blood from AIDS patients

OBJECTIVE: To verify any possibility of the elimination of p24 in feces of Triatoma infestans, p24 being an antigen and one of the markers of HIV infection. The purpose of the study was the evaluation of any risk of contamination by laboratory staff who work with activities related to this particular insect, and also investigate any mechanism that might thus lead to the dissemination of HIV. METHOD: Triatoma infestans were fed with p24-marked blood from 23 AIDS patients. Twenty-four and 48 hours later, their feces were examined in order to verify the presence of the antigen. The search for p24 was performed by means of the immunoenzymatic technique. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: No protein 24 was detected in any of the samples. In accordance with the applied methodology, the purpose of showing that the elimination of p24 does not occur, was obtained. Were this question approached in other ways different results might reveal new information in terms of risks of HIV dissemination.     

Transient neonatal tyrosinemia: a frequent abnormality

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of transient neonatal tyrosinemia, with or without secondary hyperphenylalaninemia,observed through neonatal screening for metabolic disorders, andthe need of monitoration and intervention with drugs and/or specialdiet in selected cases. METHODS: 457.870 dried blood samples obtained by heel stickfrom 3 to 20 days old babies were qualitatively evaluated by aminoacid thin-layer chromatography. Positive cases were quantitativelyconfirmed in serum samples by fluorimetric measurement of tyrosineand phenylalanine. RESULTS: 1.231 dried blood samples displayed positive resultsfor tyrosine in the cromatographic evaluation. The fluorimetricserum analysis disclosed normal levels of tyrosine and phenylalaninein 822 patients. The remained 409 patients showed hightyrosine levels and were placed in three groups according to thetyrosine concentration. In 118 of these cases serum phenylalaninewas also increased. CONCLUCIONS: Transient neonatal tyrosinemia is a very frequentdisorder in neonates (1/372); in some cases very high levels werefound, not only of tyrosine but also phenylalanine. As this findingis not yet accepted as absolutely harmless, the monitoration of thissituation and the use of measures to lower the tyrosine and phenylalaninelevels should be considered by the pediatrician.     

Challenges in the approach to adolescents: confidentiality and contraceptive orientation

OBJECTIVE: The article has the purpose of presenting some questions related to professional ethics and juridical aspects of the approach to sexuality in adolescence, as well as of offering a practical review of the approach and contraceptive methods used by adolescents.METHODS: The bibliographic review encloses national and international literature, as well as juridical orientation in specific questions related to Child and Adolescent Statute and Brazilian Penal Code.RESULTS: Among the aspects of the approach to adolescents, confidentiality is distinguished as one of the most important strategies, mainly when the topic is associated to questions related to sexuality. In Brazil, although adolescents have been contributing in an effective way to the increase in the fecundity rate, there is, legally speaking, a hiatus concerning the guarantee of the rights of adolescents and professionals in exercise of contraceptive practice.CONCLUSIONS: The challenge for the health professionals, particularly the pediatricians who deal with adolescents, is to collaborate on the consolidation of rules which regulate the orientation in reproductive health for adolescents, once Brazilian Penal Code is anachronous concerning the reality of sexual behavior and its possible consequences.     

Cryptosporidiosis and persistent diarrhea

OBJECTIVE: The association between cryptosporidiosis and persistent diarrhea has been studied in many countries. The aim of this study was to verify the incidence of this parasite in children with persistent diarrhea. Children infected or not with protozoan cryptosporidium were compared in relation to laboratory and clinic analysis.METHODS: Retrospective study in 70 inmate suckling at pediatrics hospital due persistent diarrhea, younger than 2 year, negative HIV, and other causes of diarrhea were ruled out. The duration of diarrhea, hospitalization, clinic modifications, preceding history of diarrhea, nutrition, d-xilosis and diet management were appraised.RESULTS: Criptosporidium sp was founded in 14 (20%) sucking and it was more frequent between children younger than 3 months (13/57, 23%). The duration of hospitalization and diarrhea were similar in both. Malnutrition was been present in 91.5% of patients, 13/14 of infected cryptosporidium children and 51/56 of not infected. The diet management was similar in both. There was a tendency to underdose xilosis of infected patients; mainly at the first year of life (15.9 +/- 8.2 and 33.8 +/- 19.9 p=0.007). CONCLUSION: Cryptosporidiosis is frequent in children with persistent diarrhea. Nevertheless, the infected patients did not differ of others if we consider theirs clinics, prognosis and therapeutics characteristics.