Biomedical subjects

A D Alves

Publications and source records attributed to A D Alves.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Siestas among Brazilian Native Terena adults : a study of daytime napping.

Regular daytime napping behavior, also known as siesta culture, is influenced by circadian, cultural and environmental factors. This research analyzes characteristics of regular daytime napping in Brazilian Native Terenas. We evaluated 65 adults ( 32 M; 33 F ) from 18 to 75 years, with a mean age of 37.2, from the Indian Reservation village Córrego do Meio, in the central region of Mato Grosso do Sul. Daytime napping characteristics were evaluated by means of a standard questionnaire applied to each individual. It was observed that weekly daytime napping (at least once a week) was present in 72. 3% of the population. There was a tendency to occur in males. The effects of weekends was mild. Mean onset time of daytime sleep was 12.2 h, remarkably earlier than usually described in urban populations. This data stresses the need to consider ethnic influences in order to understand sleep habits.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Nocturnal sleep pattern in Native Brazilian Terena adults.

Social-economic factors influence sleep habits. This research analyzes characteristics of nocturnal sleep in Brazilian Native Terena adults. Sixty-four adults (31 M; 33 F) from 18 to 75 years, with a mean age of 37.0, from the Indian Reservation village of Córrego do Meio, in the central region of Mato Grosso do Sul, an agriculturally oriented group were evaluated. Nocturnal sleep characteristics were evaluated by means of a standard questionnaire applied to each individual. It was observed that reported nocturnal sleep was longer, sleep onset was earlier and wake up time was also earlier than usually described in urban populations. The mean total time in bed was 8.5 h or more, in every age bracket. The seven-day prevalence rate of insomnia was 4.6%, while the seven-day prevalence rate of hypnotic use was 1.5%, both remarkably less than described in urban populations. These findings stress the need to consider ethnic influences on sleep patterns and disorders.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Tuberculosis: a forgotten challenge].

Tuberculosis continues to be a serious problem in public health even thought eh causative bacillus was discovered over 100 years ago. The authors present a clinical case that illustrates the current concern regarding the disease. The case concerns a child of emigrant parents, who are drug addicts and whose illness has not been fully ascertained. The child was hospitalised at three and an half months with fever, malnutrition, opisthotonos and hepatosplenomegaly. After the diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis affecting the central nervous system, treatment was started with five antituberculosis drugs and with corticosteroids. Respiration improved favourably, but after 19 days the patient suffered a partial tonic-clonic seizure. Subsequently, hydrocephalus was observed and a shunt was applied. Bacteriological examination of the gastric aspirate showed a strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid and streptomycin. In the eight month of therapeutics, three antituberculosis drugs were still being administered, the shunt was still present and the patient showed a severe psychomotor retardation. The child belonged to a risk group and presented a serious form of tuberculosis with multidrug-resistance, illustrating that this group of children is particularly vulnerable and reflect transmission of this illness among adults.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗