Recent Articles

The impacts of graywater irrigation on soil properties and vegetable yields were assessed through a three-year field experiment for Bell Pepper, Chile, and Tomato in El Paso, Texas in the United States. Two irrigation treatments including freshwater (well water and sand filter effluent) and graywater (laundry water) with three replications were utilized in the study. Duncan’s multiple range test at the significance level of 0.05 was used to test changes in soil properties including soil pH, salinity, and sodicity, and mean differences in vegetable growth and yields in terms of fruit height, fruit count, weight, and fruit sizes under freshwater and graywater irrigation treatments. The statistical analysis suggests that no evident salt accumulations or changes in salinity and sodicity were observed at the soil surface in the depth of 0-15cm, while soil pH is increased significantly with graywater irrigation. The growth and yield of Bell pepper and Chile under graywater irrigation tend to increase as compared to freshwater irrigation although the results for the third year were not significant. No yield decreases regarding fruit weight, fruit counts and fruit sizes were observed for all vegetables. It can be concluded from the experimental research that the graywater has shown promising potential as an alternative water supply for vegetable production in the El Paso region, Texas.

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic and progressive disease. Objectives: To verify the nursing behavior in patients with COPD in the literature Methodology: Integrative review of the literature in the Latin American Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO). We included studies referring to the conduct of nursing to the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, published in national and international journals. Results and Discussion: After crossing the descriptors, 392 articles were identified in the different databases, of which 12 were repeated, 262 were rejected by the title, due to the fact that they were not performed in a hospital environment or because they were related to other disciplines. Of the remaining articles, 68 articles were rejected by reading the abstract and 44 articles were rejected by the full reading. These articles were rejected because they were not: randomized clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, systematic reviews of the literature or meta-analysis study. In summary, 6 articles were included in the final analysis of the sample. Conclusion: It is verified that for the control of the disease it is essential to develop the patient’s capacity for self-care.

Introduction: Cancer is a disease where cell proliferation occurs abnormally, ignoring signs of growth regulation. The child with cancer needs the help of the caregiver, their greatest support. Objective: to unveil the feelings faced by caregivers of children with cancer at a University Hospital. Methodology: descriptive, exploratory, qualitative study, carried out at the Pediatric Oncology Center of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital in Recife / PE. The population was constituted by the main caregivers of hospitalized children with cancer. Survey conducted in June 2017, through an interview, with a population of 10 caregivers. The data were submitted to Bardin content analysis. Results and Discussion: as results, four thematic categories emerged: Caregiver perception about Cancer; Family relations in the context of the disease; Changes faced after the discovery of the diagnosis; Feelings in the context of the disease. The caregiver’s understanding and understanding of the illness allows him to optimize his suffering and encourages him to face the obstacles encountered during treatment. Conclusion: caregivers experience a long process of diagnosis at the end of treatment. They present feelings that blend between guilt, fear, sadness, exhaustion, hope, faith and tranquility.

The analysis in this paper compares types of Internet use as reported in two places, North Carolina, U.S., North America, and Tolima, Colombia, South America. The Internet has changed the world and some basic functions of social life have become intricately linked to having access to and the ability to use the Internet. Yet, access to this important resource is not universal. Both of the places examined in this study have documented disparities in Internet access that produces a digital divide. With globalization, it is increasingly important to understand the advantages, and by default the disadvantages, that accompany the proliferation of the Internet. Using survey data collected from a random sample of citizens in each place, we compare types of Internet use and activities. Given the known differences of the digital divide, we select those with Internet access and focus on their types of use to understand the ways this resource is used by those who have it. This study contributes to the broader literature by focusing on Internet activities that transcend place and describes the most common ways people engage with the Internet.

Background: Diabetes mellitus and cancer share common modifiable and non- modifiable risk factors. Both conditions have a great impact on social and economic status of an individual and their families. Diabetes is rapidly becoming a common metabolic problem in rural populations. At the same time, the incidence of oral cancer has not decreased over the years despite exhaustive research and has become the most common cause of death. Oral cancer accounts for approximately 4-5% of all cancers in the world. Recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong link between diabetes and cancer. Objective: To Estimate the concentration of Oxidative stress markers among Diabetic persons with Squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity .Materials and Methods: A Case Control study, conducted at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College attached to Sri R.L. Jalappa Hospital a constituent of Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar. A total of 60 subjects were included in the study and categorised into equal number of cases and controls. Diabetic and lipid profiles were estimated by enzymatic methods in Dry chemistry Autoanalyser, Vitros 5.1FS, HbA1c analysed by HPLC (BioRad D10 USA), Nitric Oxide, Malondialdehyde, and Vitamin C by spectrophotometer Perkin Elmer UV/ VIS Lambda-35 methods respectively. Results: Our patients were in the age group of 30- 80 years with a mean age of 52.62± 12.67. Diabetic profile and oxidant markers were significantly elevated in cases compared to controls. However, mean values of lipid profile and antioxidants were significantly reduced in cases with an exception of LDL cholesterol, when comparing with controls Conclusion: Observations that has been made with lipid profile and antioxidant variables in diabetes with SCC was reduced might be due to their increased utilization by neoplastic cells for new membrane biogenesis. These findings strongly suggest, evaluation of these variables may help better patient care…

Background: Immunotherapy has revolutionised the management of metastatic melanoma, however, immune-related adverse events remain an important complication of therapy. We hypothesise pyrexia is a rare presentation that may herald the development immune-related toxicities and identify a potential role for fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG -PET) in the earlier diagnosis of these toxicities. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 54-year-old man with metastatic melanoma, on combination immunotherapy with ipilumimab and nivolumab, where several days of fever heralded the development of clinical enterocolitis. He ultimately required treatment with infliximab with quick resolution of his symptoms. FDG- PET imaging performed as a work up for his pyrexia demonstrated extensive entero-proctocolitis and a follow up FDG-PET 3 months post infliximab demonstrated complete resolution of the entero-proctocolitis and ongoing complete extracranial response of the melanoma. Conclusion: Early FDG-PET in patients with unexplained pyrexia on immunotherapy may help in an earlier diagnosis of immune-related toxicities allowing prompt initiation of therapy and a reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with these treatments.

Introduction: The processes of acquisition, construction of knowledge and evaluation of student learning in undergraduate courses are constantly discussed in order to propose improvements in teaching and learning. The portfolio is a self-reflective educational resource, developing skills and expanding learning. Objective: report the experience of using the portfolio as a resource for follow-up of compulsory curricular traineeship in a specialized health college. Method: Experience report. Results and Discussion: When they enter the last year of the Psychology course, students are guided on the construction of the reflective portfolio, being an active and fundamental participant in their assembly, developing decision-making skills, analytical and critical in writing their experiences of stages, in the theoretical basis of its activities, which allow it to evaluate its investment, autonomy, possibilities and difficulties in the stage. Conclusion: The use of the portfolio allowed the development of critical thinking, reinventing and innovating the teaching and learning process in the compulsory curricular stage.

Introduction: Chronic noncommunicable diseases are the major cause of death in developed countries. The uses of plants in ethnopharmacological studies have been carried out in order to find biologically active compounds for the development of new pharmacological agents that minimize the toxic effects caused by the available drugs. Petiveria alliacea L., a family species of Phitolacaceae, is commonly used by folk medicine in the therapy of various disorders, including chronic diseases. Objective: This study aimed to carry out an ethnobotanical study on P. alliacea L. in the Milagres-CE community, relating preparation methods and indications for the treatment of chronic disorders by traditional communities. Methodology: Study period was from February to April 2016. A questionnaire was applied to a sample of 30 random residents from the region. Results: Parts most used by the interviewees are the leaves, whole plant, the root associated with the leaf and only the root. Regarding the therapeutic indications, 50% reported using the plant in the treatment of rheumatism, 30% in the treatment of arthritis and 20% in the treatment of non-chronic diseases. Conclusion: Results of this study provide a basis for the use of P. aliacea in folk medicine in the treatment of chronic diseases.

Introduction: Serious cardiac diseases interfere considerably in patients’ quality of life. In these cases, heart transplantation has been increasingly indicated as a treatment. It is a process marked by intense experiences for the patient and his relatives, often emerging ambivalent feelings, as they deal with issues of finitude and of life restarting simultaneously. In view of this situation, the importance of the presence of the psychologist in the heart transplant team is evident. Objective: To report the performance of a psychologist in the cardiac transplantation process in a General Hospital. Methodology: Experience report. Results and discussion: Given the complexity and diversity of demands, the practice of the psychologist in the Cardiac Transplantation Sector in General Hospital can happen throughout the different phases of the treatment, from the identification of the need for surgery, with psychological evaluation, preparation and support to patients and relatives, to follow-up after hospital discharge, with psychotherapeutic follow-up, when necessary. Conclusion: Psychological repercussions on the patient and his relatives in heart transplantation are evident, which reinforces the need for the psychologist to work on different fronts, aiming at better psychological conditions to confront the stages of that process, which favors adherence to the treatment.

Nasal cavity of primates and other animals has been reported in many research works. Lots of the previous studies focused on the nasal airflow but few of them considered the internal nasal air-conditioning phenomena. In this study, we investigated the air-conditioning modality within an anatomically accurate computer nasal airways model of a healthy female adult chimpanzee. The finite volumes method was used to compute a steady laminar inspiratory flow with physiological flow rate of 1.4 m/s, mimicking breathing at rest state. Detailed distributions of air-conditioning in lower, middle and upper airways of the left and right nasal cavities were investigated. The numerical simulation revealed that air-conditioning pattern inside the chimpanzee nasal cavity varies depending to the nasal topology.