Glutamine and glutamate as vital metabolites

Glucose is widely accepted as the primary nutrient for the maintenance and promotion of cell function. This metabolite leads to production of ATP, NADPH and precursors for the synthesis of macromolecules such as nucleic acids and phospholipids. We propose that, in addition to glucose, the 5-carbon amino acids glutamine and glutamate should be considered to be equally important for maintenance and promotion of cell function. The functions of glutamine/glutamate are many, i.e., they are substrates for protein synthesis, anabolic precursors for muscle growth, they regulate acid-base balance in the kidney, they are substrates for ureagenesis in the liver and for hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis, they act as an oxidative fuel for the intestine and cells of the immune system, provide inter-organ nitrogen transport, and act as precursors of neurotransmitter synthesis, of nucleotide and nucleic acid synthesis and of glutathione production. Many of these functions are interrelated with glucose metabolism. The specialized aspects of glutamine/glutamate metabolism of different glutamine-utilizing cells are discussed in the context of glucose requirements and cell function

Pensamento crítico: um enfoque na educação de enfermagem Pensamiento crítico: un enfoque en la educación de enfermería Critical thinking: a focus in nursing education

Neste estudo identificamos e analisamos os artigos que apresentavam o termo "pensamento crítico" no título ou no resumo, publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais, de julho/1992 a julho/1997. Essa pesquisa bibliográfica buscou responder os questionamentos dos educadores de como melhorar o ensino da enfermagem. Analisamos cinqüenta e dois artigos publicados nos índices Comprehensive Medline, Lilacs e Cinahl. A análise dos dados confirmou que o desenvolvimento do pensamento crítico é uma opção para a mudança do paradigma do processo ensino-aprendizagem. Precisa ser implementado na educação de enfermagem, mas exige planejamento dos currículos e estratégias de ensino que favoreça a participação ativa do aluno.<br>El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar y analizar los artículos publicados en revistas nacionales e internacionales en los últimos cinco años, de julio/1992 a julio/1997, que contenían la expresión "pensamiento crítico" en el título o en su resumen. Realizamos una Investigación bibliográfica buscando responder a las preguntas de los educadores sobre cómo mejorar la enseñaza de Enfermería. Analizamos 52 artículos publicados en los índices Comprehensive Medline, Lilacs e Cinahl. El análisis de los datos demostró que el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico necesita ser materializado en la educación de Enfermería, lo que exige planeación de los currículos y estrategias de enseñanza que favorezcan la participación activa del alumno.<br>In this study we identify and analyse articles published in national and international journals, that used the term "critical thinking" in the title or summary. The aim of the analysis was to seek answers to educators' queries as to how to improve teaching-learning the process in nursing. We analysed 52 articles published in the indexes Comprehensive Medline, Lilacs and Cinahl, in the last five years, from July, 1992 to July, 1997. Data analysis showed that critical thinking should be implemented in nursing education, what demands syllabus planning and teaching-learning strategies that will favour active participation by both educators and learners

Accelerometry based assessment of gait parameters in children

The objective of this study was to examine if spatio-temporal gait parameters in healthy children can be determined from accelerations measured at the lower trunk as has been demonstrated in adults, previously. Twenty children aged 3-16 years, participated in a protocol that involved repeated walks of different distances in an indoor environment. During walking, accelerations were measured by three orthogonally mounted acceleration sensors in a small wireless device (DynaPort MiniMod) that was attached to the lower back. Based on an inverted pendulum approach, spatio-temporal gait parameters and walking distances were computed from the acceleration signals. Results were compared to video observations and known walking distances and durations. Steps were successfully detected in 99.6+/-0.6% of all observed steps (n=5554). On average, walking distance was accurately estimated (100.6+/-3.3%, range 93-106.7%). No correlation was found between the number of miscounted steps and the total number of steps or the age of the subject. It can be concluded that the use of an inverted pendulum model provides the possibility to estimate spatio-temporal gait parameters in children as well as in adults. The method allows an inexpensive and comfortable assessment of gait parameters in children, is applicable in controlled, indoor environments and could be tested for applicability under free living conditions