Perception of caregivers of persons with schizophrenia about a health education program

The mental health policy of Brazil has been guided by the search for citizenship, social equality and autonomy of the individuals with mental disorders and it started with the deinstitutionalization process. On the other hand, this paradigm shift contributed to making the patients stay in the family environment and thus the need for family members to play the role of caregivers. The attributions of these care functions have contributed to a physical and emotional overload. Using a psychoeducational approach focused on the family member/caregiver of people with schizophrenia, this study proposed to check the caregivers' perception about the importance of the practice of relaxation activities for the promotion of selfcare. The intervention was performed during a six-month period. Participants were 31 family caregivers of mental health cohabitation centers in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Using the relatives’ reports about the perception of the intervention, categories were listed and treated with the support of the software webQDA. The results revealed through the family members' perception, that the intervention program provided them with contributions such as wellbeing, self-control over impulses, increased self-esteem, and encouragement for self-care. The literature reinforces that the educational practice in health is composed of educational activities aimed at the development of individual and collective capacities aimed at improving the health and quality of life of people. The intervention program with relaxation exercises contributed to an improved physical and mental health for family caregivers, awakening them to self-careinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rationality, Parapsychology, and Artificial Intelligence in Military and Intelligence Research by the United States Government in the Cold War

A study analyzing the roles of rationality, parapsychology, and artificial intelligence in military and intelligence research by the United States Government in the Cold War. An examination of the methodology behind the decisions to pursue research in two fields that were initially considered irrational

A educação para a saúde: o familiar cuidador da pessoa com esquizofrenia e a importância da atividade física

O papel da família no que respeita aos cuidados continuados das pessoas com esquizofrenia, a partir dos anos 70 do século XX, no contexto brasileiro, passou a ter um novo enfoque devido à desinstitucionalização dos doentes mentais. O familiar, que passou a exercer a função de cuidador informal, assumiu uma responsabilidade de acompanhamento, que pode ser exercida com mais ou menos esforços, consoante a sua rede de apoio social e de saúde. Uma das questões a considerar é que o cuidador informal, em parte, não detém informação necessária para assumir a tarefa de cuidar, por falta de conhecimentos técnicos, e alterações na sua vida profissional, pessoal e social, quando assume a tarefa dos cuidados da pessoa com doença mental. Tendo em conta esta problemática, procedeu-se a uma investigação no Brasil, que abrangeu de julho a dezembro de 2015, e em que foram abordados 31 familiares cuidadores de pessoas com esquizofrenia, atendidos em Centros de Convivência e Cultura, do município de Belo Horizonte, estado de Minas Gerais. Elaborou-se um programa de intervenção psicoeducativa orientado por exercícios de alongamento e relaxamento, o qual foi aplicado aos familicares cuidadores, em 24 sessões de 60 minutos cada, durante o período de seis meses. A intervenção pretendeu promover o autocuidado com vistas a diminuir a sobrecarga e stress nos familiares cuidadores. A metodologia da investigação incluiu o método misto. Recorreu a um questionário sociodemográfico, à Escala de Sobrecarga Familiar (FBIS-BR) validada transculturalmente para o Brasil por Bandeira, Calzavara, & Castro (2008), para verificar o nível de sobrecarga dos familiares cuidadores, e à Escala de percepção de Stress (EPS-10), validada para o Brasil por Reis, Hino, & Rodrigues-Añez (2010). Verificou-se a presença de stress e sobrecarga nos familiares cuidadores, embora em nível não elevado. A intervenção psicoeducativa proporcionou aos familiares contributos relacionados com o seu bem-estar físico e mental, além da autovalorização, autocontrolo do impulso, e percepção da importância do autocuidado. Conclui-se que intervenções de caráter psicoeducativo, apoiadas em atividade física sustentada em exercícios de alongamento e relaxamento aplicados em familiares cuidadores, podem contribuir para uma melhor condição de saúde destes.The role of the family in regard to continued care of people with schizophrenia, starting in the 1970s in the Brazilian context, began to take a new approach due to the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill. The family member, who started to work as an informal caregiver, assumed a responsibility of followingup, which can be exercised with more or less effort, according to their network of social and health support. One of the issues to be considered is that the informal caregiver, in part, does not hold information necessary to take on the task of caring, due to lack of technical knowledge and to changes in their professional, personal and social life when they assume the task of caring for the person with mental illness. Taking into account this problem, an investigation was carried out in Brazil, which covered from July to December 2015, in which 31 family caregivers of people with schizophrenia, attended at the Coexistence and Culture Centers of the city of Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais. A program of psychoeducational intervention, guided by stretching and relaxation exercises, was developed and applied to the family caregivers in 24 sessions of 60 minutes each, during a six-month period. The intervention aimed to promote self-care and relief of stress and burden on family caregivers. The methodology adopted for the research was a mixed method. To collect data we used a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Family Overload Scale (FBIS-BR), transculturally validated for Brazil by Bandeira, Calzavara, & Castro (2008), to verify the level of burden of family caregivers, and also used the Stress Perception Scale (EPS-10), validated for Brazil by Reis, Hino, & Rodrigues-Añez (2010). The presence of stress and burden on family caregivers was verified, although at a not high level. Psychoeducational intervention provided family members with contributions related to their physical and mental well-being, as well as provided them with self-evaluation, self-control of the impulse, and perception of self-care importance. It is concluded that educational interventions, supported by physical activity, and the combination of stretching and relaxation exercises applied to family caregivers, can contribute to their better health condition.Programa Doutoral em Educaçã

Benign Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Soft Palate Metastasizing to the Sphenoid Sinus

A benign pleomorphic adenoma is the most common tumor of the salivary glands. This tumor has the potential to metastasize to bone, the head and neck region, visceral organs and skin. Although there a few reports about a benign pleomorphic adenoma metastasizing to the maxillary sinus in the paranasal sinuses, there are no reports about a metastatic benign pleomorphic adenoma in the sphenoid sinus. We report here on a case of a benign pleomorphic adenoma of the soft palate that metastasized to the sphenoid sinus, and we briefly review the relevant clinical literature

The use of nano-technological devices in degenerative cerebral pathologies - Perspective study on 28 patients with multiple sclerosis

Le but de cette étude est d’évaluer l’utilisation des dispositifs nanotechnologiques dans le contrôle postural, la gamme des mouvements articulaires et le bien-être global des patients atteints de sclérose en plaques (SP). Nous avons étudié 28 patients consécutifs auxquels nous avons appliqué deux Taopatch® suivant un protocole rigoureux avec utilisation du test SF36 (questionnaire sur l’état de la santé du patient), calcul de l’EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale : Échelle d’évaluation de l’invalidité utilisée pour les patients atteints de Sclérose en Plaques) et test avec accéléromètre. À trois mois, nous avons enregistré des améliorations significatives qui se sont maintenues lors des contrôles à un an avec tous les tests utilisés. Cette étude a démontré que le recours à cette technologie améliore le mouvement, la proprioception et l’équilibre et peut donc s’avérer extrêmement utile pour les patients atteints de sclérose en plaques.The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of nanotechnological devices for posture control, range of motion of the joints and general well-being on patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We studied 28 consecutive patients to whom we applied two Taopatch® devices (Tao Technologies, Italy) by means of a rigid protocol using self-evaluating test SF 36 (a questionnaire concerning the patient’s state of health), the calculation of the international index EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale used for patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis) and an accelerometer test. Significant improvements were recorded at three 3 months in all the tests and these were maintained in a follow-up after a year. This study has shown, in our opinion, that the use of a technology which improves movement, proprioception and balance can be extremely useful for patients affected by Multiple Sclerosis

A Geant4 simulation code for simulating optical photons in SPECT scintillation detectors

Geant4 is an object oriented toolkit created for the simulation of High-Energy Physics detectors. Geant4 allows an accurate modeling of radiation sources and detector devices, with easy configuration and friendly interface and at the same time with great accuracy in the simulation of physical processes. While most Monte Carlo codes do not allow the simulation of the transport and boundary characteristics for optical photons transport generated by scintillating crystal, Geant4 allows the simulation of the optical photons. In this paper we present an application of the Geant4 program for simulating optical photons in SPECT cameras. We aim to study the light transport within scintillators, photomultiplier tubes and coupling devices. To this end, we simulated a detector based on a scintillator, coupled to a photomultiplier tube through a glass window. We compared simulated results with experimental data and theoretical models, in order to verify the good matching with our simulations. We simulated a pencil beam of 140 keV photons impinging the crystal at different locations. For each condition, we calculated the value of the Pulse Height Centroid and the spread of the charge distribution, as read out by the anode array of the photomultiplier. Finally, the spatial and the energy resolutions of the camera have been estimated by simulated data. In all cases, we found that simulations agree very well with experimental data

Shoulder function after breast reconstruction with the latissimus dorsi flap: A prospective cohort study - Combining DASH score and objective evaluation.

Abstract Objectives The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is well-known in breast reconstruction especially in previously-irradiated patients, in order to have a low capsular contraction rate whenever an implant is associated. The aim of this study is to closely evaluate the effect of LD flap harvesting on shoulder function as well as specific movements related to the LD, both objectively and subjectively. Materials and methods We retrospectively collected data on 86 patients who underwent pedicled LD muscle flap for breast reconstruction at the European Institute of Oncology between September 1995 until March 2011. Results The majority of patients showed a joint recovery superior to 80% in all joint movements examined. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire revealed minimal disability similar to normal range and furthermore it appears to decrease in all sports and in particular in those who practice with LD involvement. Conclusion Focusing this data, a growing, "disability-free" percentage changes depending on whether or not the patients have practiced sport could be appreciate

Inclusão no ensino superior: perceções dos estudantes com Necessidades Educativas Especiais sobre o ingresso à universidade

A educação inclusiva no Ensino Superior representa atualmente um desafio de âmbito social, educacional e político, que nos move a uma reflexão sobre o ingresso de estudantes com Necessidades Educativas Especiais (NEE) no Ensino Superior em Portugal. A fim de conhecer os principais suportes referenciados como essenciais para a inclusão optou-se pelo paradigma da investigação interpretativa com cariz qualitativo, sendo a recolha de dados através de entrevista semiestruturada. Foi verificada a importância de vários suportes, em especial o da família. O contingente especial para acesso ao Ensino Superior foi referenciado por todos os estudantes como um importante apoio. A forma como a universidade se organiza na fase de ingresso foi considerada satisfatória; no entanto, apresenta aspetos pontuais a serem modificados. As acessibilidades físicas/estruturais e culturais/atitudinais são citadas como fundamentais para a permanência destes estudantes na Universidade de Aveiro; porém, a falta de respaldo legal e de políticas inclusivas nacionais ainda dificultam esse processo.Nowadays inclusive education in Higher Education is considered to be a challenge in social, educational and political domains, that moves us towards a reflection regarding the entrance of students with Special Educational Needs in the Portuguese Higher Education sector. To obtain knowledge about the main support considered to be important in inclusion, the investigation was conducted according to a qualitative method, collecting data through a semi- structured interview. This data concludes that support measures are extremely important, especially the family. The Special Contingency to access the Higher Education was considered by students as an important support. The University’s organization in the entrance process was considered to be satisfactory, which justifies why some aspects need to be modified. Despite the fact that inclusive politics in Portugal difficult the process of permanency of these students in the University of Aveiro, the physical, structural, cultural and attitudinal accessibilities are pointed as fundamental elements in their permanency.La educación inclusiva en la Educación Superior representa, en la actualidad, un desafío de carácter social, educacional y político, lo que nos mueve para una reflexión acerca del ingreso de los estudiantes con Necesidades Educativas Especiales en la Educación Superior en Portugal. Para conocer los suportes principales referidos como esenciales para la inclusión hemos optado por una investigación cualitativa, recogiéndose los datos a través de una entrevista semiestructurada. La importancia de los varios suportes fue comprobada, especialmente de la familia. El contingente especial para el acceso a la Educación Superior fue referido por los estudiantes como un importante apoyo. La organización de la universidad en la fase del ingreso fue considerada satisfactoria, aunque presente algunos aspectos que deben ser cambiados. Las accesibilidades físicas/estructurales y culturales/actitudinales son consideradas como fundamentales para la permanencia de estos estudiantes en la Universidad de Aveiro, aunque la ausencia de políticas inclusivas nacionales dificulte muchísimo ese proceso