Expectations of hospitalized patients as to their relationship with the nursing team

This research has been made in infectious-parasitary disease sector of a public university hospital in Rio de Janeiro on the first semester of 1995. The logbook research has been introduced to 5 adult clients, from both sexes, who had been interned in the construction of two categories, which are: a) Category I: Feelings and expectations of the client and; b) Category II: Communication and relationship between client and nurse. The results found in the first category were: 1) Lack of affection; 2) Affection, fear and anxiety; 3) Loneliness and depression; 4) Reflection; 5) Insecurity; 6) Worry about the equipment, to be cut, to be impersonally treated, lose self-control and physical dependence. The results found in the second category were: 1) Doubts and interests in information about their disease, its evolution and how long they will stay in hospital: 2) Opportunity to express feelings and ideas; 3) Comprehension of the message given by the nurse. We emphasize the increase of interchange of information, ideas, beliefs, feelings and acts in nurse-client interaction to develop the therapeutic relationship aiming at helping the client to fulfill his basic needs.     

Characterization of a human papillomavirus type 16 variant-dependent neutralizing epitope

We have determined that three type-specific and conformationally dependent monoclonal antibodies, H16.E70, H16.U4, and H16.V5, neutralize pseudotype human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) virions in vitro. H16.U4 and H16.V5 neutralized pseudotype virions derived from the German HPV16 variant 114K and the Zairian variant Z-1194 with equal efficiency. In contrast, neutralization of Z-1194 pseudotype virions by H16.E70 was two orders of magnitude weaker than neutralization of 114K pseudotype virions. This difference correlated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reactivity of H16.E70 to L1 virus-like particles of the two variants. A substitution at residue 282 of L1 was responsible for this differential reactivity, suggesting that this residue constitutes part of the H16.E70 epitope.     

Tooth structure loss apical to preparations for fixed partial dentures when using self-limiting burs

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms is a relatively new method, since only a few animal models and data are available. The present experimental study was performed in order to establish an appropriate aneurysm animal model, to determine the rate of permanent occlusion, and to correlate radiologic and morphologic findings. METHODS: End-to-side anastomoses of both common carotid arteries were performed microsurgically in 53 chinchilla rabbits. Venous pouches were adapted into the newly created bifurcation, resulting in berry-shaped aneurysms comparable to those in humans with regard to size and hemodynamics. Platinum and tungsten coils were used for endovascular embolization. The embolized aneurysms were investigated radiologically and morphologically. RESULTS: Twenty-three carotid bifurcation aneurysms remained for testing endovascular therapeutic approaches. The morphologic examinations of 13 embolized aneurysms revealed in no instance a complete obliteration, even in the three cases that were considered completely embolized according to angiographic criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The present animal model is an optimal tool for endovascular research. Analysis of the results of coil obliteration revealed a considerable discrepancy between radiologic and pathologic findings. The radiologic degree of aneurysm occlusion was overestimated.     

Relationship of the meniscofemoral ligaments of the knee to lateral meniscus tears: magnetic resonance imaging evaluation

This study sought to determine if the presence or absence of meniscofemoral ligaments exerts an influence on the prevalence of tears of the lateral meniscus. We reviewed the sagittal and coronal magnetic resonance images of 173 knees for lateral meniscus tears and the presence of the meniscofemoral ligaments. One or both meniscofemoral ligaments were present in 142 of 173 knees (82%). Fifty-four knees had lateral meniscus tears, 27 of which involved the posterior horn. Thirty-three percent of knees with meniscofemoral ligaments had a lateral meniscus tear, and 23% of knees without meniscofemoral ligaments had a lateral meniscus tear (no significant difference). We found no association between the presence of the meniscofemoral ligaments and tears of the lateral meniscus. Our study questions the importance of preserving or reconstructing these ligaments in instances of meniscal transplantation.     

Redistribution of NMDA receptors in the cochlear nucleus following cochleotomy

The major input to neurons of the cochlear nucleus comes from the glutamatergic cells of the spiral ganglion. We have studied the effect of unilateral destruction of the inner ear, including the spiral ganglion, with two antibodies against different types of NMDA receptor subunits, NMDAR1 and NMDAR2A/B, in the cochlear nucleus of the rat. Following cochleotomy, a dramatic redistribution of the receptor subunits was observed from a mostly perikaryal to a predominantly dendritic localization. Moreover, distinct changes in the composition of NMDA receptor complexes occurred. These effects were interpreted as compensatory responses to the massive loss of presynaptic release of the transmitter glutamate.     

The use of E-mail by otolaryngologists

Electronic mail (e-mail) is an extremely powerful form of communication and the most frequently used application on the Internet. While e-mail is not the appropriate mode of communication for every situation, there are many instances where its use is invaluable.     

Syntheses of amino nitrones. Potential intramolecular traps for radical intermediates in monoamine oxidase-catalyzed reactions

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is a flavin-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the oxidative deamination of a variety of amine neurotransmitters and toxic amines. Although there have been several studies that support the intermediacy of an amine radical cation and an alpha-radical during enzyme catalysis, there is no direct, i.e. EPR, evidence for these species as they are formed. Amino nitrones have been designed which, upon radical formation would produce an intermediate that is a resonance structure of the corresponding nitroxyl radical, which should be observable by EPR spectroscopy. Syntheses of seven different amino nitrones, three acyclic, and four cyclic analogues were attempted. The protected amino nitrones were stable, but all three of the acyclic amino nitrones were unstable. One of the cyclic analogues was very stable (39), one was stable only in organic solvents (40), one was stable only in aqueous medium below pH 6.5 (41), and the other (42) was stable for just a short time at room temperature, decomposing to a stable free radical. None of these analogues produced a MAO-catalyzed radical, yet 41 is a poor substrate (Km=0.2mM; k(cat) = 0.034 min-1) and 39 is a mixed inhibitor (Ki = 26.5 mM). Although this approach does not appear to be applicable to amino nitrones, it should be a valuable approach for other enzymes where radical intermediates are suspected and nonamine nitrones can be utilized.     

Etiology of corneal striae accompanying hydrogel lens wear

Vertical striae in the posterior cornea were produced experimentally in ten human subjects by depriving the anterior corneal surface of its normal oxygen supply and inducing corneal edema. These striae were similar in appearance and time of occurrence to those observed in gel lens wearers. Three subjects also wore gel lenses and developed vertical striae while wearing their lenses. These striae were eliminated by increasing the oxygen concentration at the anterior lens surface. The data confirm many clinical observations which have suggested that verical striae are caused by corneal edema accompanying gel lens wear.     

Further studies on the role of the adrenal hormones in responses of rats to meal-feeding

The importance of the adrenal hormones in the lipogenic responses to meal-feeding or starvation-refeeding was studied. In experiment 1, intact or adrenalectomized (ADX) rats were either ad libitum-fed or meal-fed a 65% glucose diet for 21 days or until moribund (ADX rats only). Serum glucose and electrolytes (Ca++, Mg++, Na+, K+), hepatic glycogen and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme (ME) were determined. ADX rats died within 10 days after the initiation of meal-feeding and were hypoglycemic with low liver glycogen levels and low enzyme activities. No differences in serum electrolytes were observed. In the second experiment, ADX and intact rats of varying initial weights were weight paired and meal-fed. When the ADX rat died, his intact control was killed and both carcasses assayed for fat content. Heavier rats with presumably more carcass fat survived meal-feeding longer than the lighter rats. Rats died when they had lost all but 2 to 3 g carcass lipid. In experiments 3 and 4, ADX and intact rats were subjected to starvation-refeeding. In experiment 4, additional ADX groups were given supplemental doses of cortisol (0.75 mg/kg, subcutaneous, 2 times daily) during either the starvation period, the refeeding period or during both periods. The activities of hepatic G6PD and ME were determined as well as the levels of liver lipid in experiment 4. Intact starved-refed rats had the usual enzyme overshoot, whereas ADX starved-refed rats did not. Cortisol-treated ADX starved-refed rats had as great an enzyme overshoot as the intact rats and as great an increase in liver lipid. These results suggest that ADX rats die when meal-fed the glucose diet, because they are unable to store sufficient metabolic fuel for use during the starvation phase of the meal-feeding cycle. Further, the results show that glucocorticoids are required for the induction of de novo enzyme synthesis.