Children’s participative citizenship within the context of integral care and daily life

The concept of participation was reviewed as a component of children's citizenship in order to promote a programme for Integral Development. A narrative revision of the literature was carried out as well as a group discussion was organized along with the staff of an Integral Care Programme, in order to identify notions of democracy and child citizenship related to care and rearing. Some elements that favoured the child participation and some parenting skills were identified. Among the elements that must be encouraged in children are: the development of emotional, cognitive and communicative skills and promotion of decision-making; among the parent skills development included are: sensitivity and responsivity; establishing routines and participation experiences. It is important to stand out that the identified elements to promote child participation and parental competences should be adapted to every specific cultural context.     

Tear mucus crystallization in children with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is characterized by an abnormally high electrolyte concentration in exocrine secretions. The authors performed the tear mucus ferning test in 26 eyes of children with cystic fibrosis and compared the results to those in an equal number of age-matched normals. The results suggest that the increased electrolyte concentration could be responsible for the increased hyperviscosity of mucus. The tear mucus ferning test appears to be a suitable diagnostic test for the assessment of cystic fibrosis.     

Synthesis and thermodynamic studies of two new polymers carrying amido and amino groups in the side chains

Two linear vinyl polymers carrying amido and primary amino groups in the side chains were synthesized and characterized. Their behaviour in aqueous solution was investigated by potentiometric, viscometric and calorimetric techniques. In both cases, the basicity constants show a linear dependence on the degree of protonation α, while the enthalpy values of protonation do not. The thermodynamic results demonstrate the important role of hydrophobic interactions on the protonation process.     

A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Contrast Baths

Study DesignSystematic review.IntroductionContrast baths are used as an intervention in hand therapy, yet it is unclear which patients, if any, benefit from this intervention.Purpose of the StudyTo examine the nature and quality of the evidence regarding the use of contrast baths using a systematic review process.MethodsOf a total of 28 clinical research articles on contrast baths, from 1938 forward, ten met the inclusion criteria set by the authors.ResultsThese studies addressed the physiological changes of hot and cold on blood flow, intramuscular temperature, subcutaneous temperature, and the influence of room temperature and age. The subjects included normal/healthy volunteers and patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or foot/ankle injuries. The diversity of conditions, protocols, and outcomes limited the ability to make definitive conclusions on efficacy.ConclusionsThe contrast bath procedure may increase superficial blood flow and skin temperature, though the evidence on the impact on edema is conflicting. No relationship between physiologic effects and functional outcomes has been established.Level of Evidence: 2A     

二甲双胍在多囊卵巢综合征的作用

生殖及代谢异常是多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)的特征性表现。已证实高胰岛素血症及胰岛素抵抗,导致血中雄激素水平过高,是PCOS的重要发病机制。二甲双胍(metformin)称为胰岛素增敏剂,用于治疗PCOS后,可减轻高雄激素血症,使月经周期规律,改善卵巢对诱导排卵的反应,提高妊娠率,降低早孕流产率,且能减低发展为II型糖尿病及心血管疾病的危险性。本文就国外近年有关metformin运用于PCOS的进展作一综述。     

Chronic parasite infection in mice induces brain granulomas and differentially alters brain nerve growth factor levels and thermal responses in paws

Schistosoma mansoni infection, both in humans and in animal models, is known to induce granulomas in the liver and intestine. It has also been reported that in humans the eggs of this parasite can reach the brain, causing psychiatric and neuropathological disorders. Whether this also occurs in rodents is unknown. To answer this question, mice were infected with this parasite and the central nervous system (CNS) examined at various time intervals. The results show that schistosomiasis induced granulomas in several regions of the CNS and increased nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in the cortex, hypothalamus and brain stem, but not in the hippocampus. The infection also caused paw hyperalgesia, as determined by the hot-plate test, and a local increase in NGF, but not in substance P. These findings indicate that the murine model of infection can be used for studying mechanisms leading to human neuroschistosomiasis and suggest that the neuropathological disorders and the sensory deficits observed in human schistosomiasis are associated with impaired levels of NGF in the peripheral and central nervous system. Received: 18 January 1996 / Revised, accepted: 16 April 1996     

The Role of Donor Bone Marrow Infusions in Withdrawal of Immunosuppression in Adult Liver Allotransplantation

We investigated the role of donor bone marrow cell (DBMC) infusions in immunosuppression withdrawal in adult liver transplantation. Patients enrolled were at least 3 years post-transplantation, with stable graft function. Forty-five (study group: G1) received DBMC, and 59 (control group: G2) did not. Immunosuppression was reduced by one third upon enrollment, by another third the second year of the study and was completely withdrawn the third year. Patient and graft survival were similar between the two groups. Although rejection episodes were significantly less in G1 the first 2 years of the study (35% vs. 57%, p = 0.016), there was no significant difference overall (74% vs. 81%, p = 0.14). Until February 2004, 20 patients, 10 in each group, were immunosuppression free for 1-3 years. Approximately 20% of long-term survivors of liver transplantation can successfully discontinue their immunosuppression. DBMC infusions, do not increase this likelihood.     

PCR assays for identification of Coccidioides posadasii based on the nucleotide sequence of the antigen 2/proline-rich antigen

A conventional nested PCR and a real-time LightCycler PCR assay for detection of Coccidioides posadasii DNA were designed and tested in 120 clinical strains. These had been isolated from 114 patients within 10 years in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, known to be endemic for coccidioidomycosis. The gene encoding the specific antigen 2/proline-rich antigen (Ag2/PRA) was used as a target. All strains were correctly identified, whereas DNA from related members of the family Onygenaceae remained negative. Melting curve analysis by LightCycler and sequencing of the 526-bp product of the first PCR demonstrated either 100% identity to the GenBank sequence of the Silveira strain, now known to be C. posadasii (accession number AF013256), or a single silent mutation at position 1228. Length determination of two microsatellite-containing loci (GAC and 621) identified all 120 isolates as C. posadasii. Specific DNA was amplified by conventional nested PCR from three microscopically spherule-positive paraffin-embedded tissue samples, whereas 20 human tissue samples positive for other dimorphic fungi remained negative. Additionally, the safety of each step of a modified commercially available DNA extraction procedure was evaluated by using 10 strains. At least three steps of the protocol were demonstrated to sufficiently kill arthroconidia. This safe procedure is applicable to cultures and to clinical specimens.