A atuação da área de recreação no ano de 2012

Objetivo: O HRAC conta com o Serviço de Educação e Terapia Ocupacional, no qual está incluída a área de Recreação que atende pacientes e acompanhantes. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar a experiência deste serviço, por meio de números de atendimentos e atividades realizados pela equipe, no ano de 2012. RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA: A Recreação tem por objetivo tornar o ambiente hospitalar menos hostil e estressante, por meio de atividades recreativas, expressivas e educacionais, tais quais: dinâmica de grupo, expressão plástica, dramática, corporal, musical, jogos, brincadeiras, histórias, entre outras, sob a orientação do terapeuta ocupacional, de forma que haja aprendizagem, desenvolvimento psíquico, motor, cognitivo, interações sociais e que favoreçam ao paciente melhor aceitação das intervenções médicas e das demais especialidades. Aos acompanhantes, a participação nestas atividades faz com que se sintam acolhidos, promovendo o bem estar e maior tranquilidade para enfrentar momentos estressantes em relação ao tratamento. As atividades e o número de atendimentos realizados são registrados, diariamente pela equipe, em formulário próprio e, mensalmente, são tabulados para elaboração de Relatório Interno, o qual é enviado para o Relatório Geral do HRAC. Conclusão: Foram desenvolvidas no ano de 2012, 10081 atividades com os pacientes e acompanhantes. Os atendimentos somaram 12721, sendo 8751 com pacientes internados (infantil, adolescentes e adultos) e 3970 de ambulatórios. Para os acompanhantes foram feitos 14861 atendimentos no setor e ambulatórios. Os números, bastante expressivos, demonstram que o trabalho proposto pela Recreação é intenso tanto em relação às atividades, quanto em atendimentos, seja para o público infantil, adolescentes, adultos ou seus acompanhantes

Ageing exacerbates damage of systemic and salivary neutrophils from patients presenting Candida-related denture stomatitis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ageing leads to a decline in the function of the immune system, increasing the body's susceptibility to infections through the impairment of T-cells, macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells Denture stomatitis is a primary oral disease affecting elderly denture wearers. The major etiologic factor involved in this pathology is the infection by <it>Candida albicans</it>, an opportunistic pathogen that causes local and disseminated diseases in immunosuppressed humans. Neutrophils play a critical role in the immune response against <it>C. albicans </it>and are continually present in the salivary fluid and in the blood. The aim of this study was to determine ageing-related changes in salivary and blood neutrophils and their potential implications in <it>Candida</it>-related denture stomatitis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results showed a lower number of neutrophils in the saliva from patients presenting <it>Candida</it>-related denture stomatitis in comparison to their matched controls. Furthermore, fewer neutrophils were isolated from the saliva of aged control individuals in comparison to matched younger subjects. CXCR1, CD62L and CD11b expression were significantly greater on systemic neutrophils from younger control individuals. Elderly individuals showed more apoptotic salivary neutrophils and lower GM-CSF levels than younger ones, regardless of the occurrence of <it>Candida </it>infection. On the other hand, CXCL-8 concentrations were higher in the saliva from elderly individuals. Besides, TNF-α was detected at elevated levels in the saliva from infected elderly subjects. Salivary neutrophils from elderly and young patients presented impaired phagocytic activity against <it>C. albicans</it>. However, just systemic neutrophils from elderly showed decreased phagocytosis when compared to the younger ones, regardless of the occurrence of infection. In addition, neutrophils from aged individuals and young patients presented low fungicidal activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data suggests that the <it>Candida </it>related-denture stomatitis is associated to neutrophils function deficiency, and ageing drastically appears to alter important characteristics of such cells, facilitating the establishment of this infection.</p

Mancha areolada causada por Thanatephorus cucumeris em mogno africano.

O mogno africano (Khaya ivorensis) foi introduzido no Brasil para substituir o mogno brasileiro (Swietenia macrophylla) devido a sua alta resistência ao microlepidóptero Hypsiphylla grandella, a principal praga do mogno brasileiro. Em 1999, observou-se alta incidência da mancha areolada, causada por Thanatephorus cucumeris em viveiros e áreas de plantios definitivos de mogno africano nos Estados do Amazonas e Pará, causando lesões em folhas maduras e 100% de queda das folhas jovens. Nas folhas jovens surgem pequenas lesões marrons circundadas por uma margem púrpura e em folhas maduras as manchas são marrom-claras, exibindo anéis concêntricos

Inflammatory events during murine squamous cell carcinoma development

Abstract Background Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common human cancers worldwide. In SCC, tumour development is accompanied by an immune response that leads to massive tumour infiltration by inflammatory cells, and consequently, local and systemic production of cytokines, chemokines and other mediators. Studies in both humans and animal models indicate that imbalances in these inflammatory mediators are associated with cancer development. Methods We used a multistage model of SCC to examine the involvement of elastase (ELA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, TGF-β and TNF-α), and neutrophils and macrophages in tumour development. ELA and MPO activity and NO, IL-10, IL −17, TNF-α and TGF-β levels were increased in the precancerous microenvironment. Results ELA and MPO activity and NO, IL-10, IL −17, TNF-α and TGF-β levels were increased in the precancerous microenvironment. Significantly higher levels of IL-6 and lower levels of IL-10 were detected at 4 weeks following 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) treatment. Similar levels of IL-13 were detected in the precancerous microenvironment compared with control tissue. We identified significant increases in the number of GR-1+ neutrophils and F4/80+/GR-1- infiltrating cells in tissues at 4 and 8 weeks following treatment and a higher percentage of tumour-associated macrophages (TAM) expressing both GR-1 and F4/80, an activated phenotype, at 16 weeks. We found a significant correlation between levels of IL-10, IL-17, ELA, and activated TAMs and the lesions. Additionally, neutrophil infiltrate was positively correlated with MPO and NO levels in the lesions. Conclusion Our results indicate an imbalance of inflammatory mediators in precancerous SCC caused by neutrophils and macrophages and culminating in pro-tumour local tissue alterations