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Biomedical subjects

R A Rodrigues

Publications and source records attributed to R A Rodrigues.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Diel vertical migration of copepods in a Brazilian lake: a mechanism for decreasing risk of Chaoborus predation?

A comparison between two studies on diel vertical migration of two cyclopoid copepod species, in Lake Monte Alegre, undertaken in 1985/86 and 1999, revealed a change in their migratory behavior. In summer, during a period of marked stratification with low dissolved oxygen near the bottom, the organisms avoided the deepest layers, and migration was nocturnal or undetectable, in both periods. On other occasions, with partial or total circulation in the lake, a weak twilight migration of copepodites and adults in 1985 was replaced by the reverse in 1999. Differences were found among stages, with the weakest or undetectable migration being observed for nauplii. The migratory pattern change for copepodites and adults might be related with a recent predation pressure increase by Chaoborus larvae on copepods, after the virtual disappearance of their main cladoceran prey.

Animal Migration↗
PubMed2001

Prognosis in patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular systolic function.

BACKGROUND: It is recognized that heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function have better prognosis; nevertheless, there are some studies with conflicting results. Also, there is a paucity of data concerning the prognostic factors in this group of patients. OBJECTIVES: To determine possible variables with prognostic relevance in heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction > 40%). METHODS: 157 consecutive ambulatory patients with heart failure were assessed; those patients with ejection fraction > 40% were included in the study (n = 46). All patients were evaluated by clinical interview and physical examination, ECG, echocardiogram (M-mode, 2D and pulsed Doppler of mitral flow), biochemical study and determination of type B natriuretic peptide (BNP). The patients were grouped according to the rhythm presented on ECG: Group I--patients with atrial fibrillation; Group II--patients in sinus rhythm Group II was further subdivided in two groups according to the presence or absence of restrictive left ventricular filling pattern. All patients had a clinical follow-up, with recording of events (death or hospitalization from cardiac cause). The mean follow-up time was 682.2 +/- 55 days. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 70.4 +/- 1.2 years; 54.3% were women; mean ejection fraction was 49.6 +/- 1%; mean BNP levels were 202.9 +/- 41.3 pg/ml. Mortality was 19.6% and the combined event death or hospitalization from cardiac cause) occurred in 26.1% of the patients. Among the clinical, demographic, biochemical, echocardiographic and neurohumoral parameters, only BNP levels had prognostic significance in the whole population. In Group II patients, BNP levels, heart rate and restrictive left ventricular filling pattern were identified as having prognostic significance. Kaplan-Meyer curve analysis showed that both BNP and restrictive left ventricular filling pattern seemed to be important prognostic markers. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests thar neurohumoral activity (determined by plasma BNP levels) and a restrictive ventricular filling pattern may be important factors in prognostic stratification of heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Echocardiographic patterns and prognosis in heart failure.

BACKGROUND: There are many variables with prognostic value in patients with heart failure (HF). Those related to left ventricular function are among the most important. Recently, the evaluation of the patterns of ventricular filling by pulsed Doppler echocardiography has been studied as a variable with prognostic value. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prognostic value of echocardiography variables (diastolic and systolic) in patients with HF. These variables were analysed in respect to hospital admission for cardiovascular reasons or death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 157 consecutive patients with HF and included 110 patients who were in sinus rhythm. The mean age was 68.2 +/- 0.9 years. HF was ischemic in 52.7%. Patients underwent echocardiography examination within the week of reference. The patients were grouped according to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction < 40%). We also classified patients in two groups according to the presence of a restrictive pattern in diastolic transmitral flow profile. Finally, we classified all patients in four groups according to their systolic function and diastolic pattern: Group I--systolic dysfunction and restrictive ventricular filling pattern. Group II--systolic dysfunction without restrictive ventricular filling pattern. Group III--without systolic dysfunction with restrictive ventricular filling pattern. Group IV--without systolic dysfunction without restrictive ventricular filling pattern. The events were death or hospital admission. The mean follow up time was 625 +/- 55 days. We did a statistical analysis and for all tests a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We found impaired LV systolic function (systolic HF) in 73.6% and restrictive ventricular filling pattern in 45.5%. During the follow-up 41.8% died or were admitted to hospital. Patients with systolic HF had lower admission free survival rate. Patients with restrictive ventricular filling pattern had lower admission free survival rate than those without. Group I had lower admission free survival rate than Group II and Group IV. Group IV had a higher admission free survival than all other Groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results support and expand previous observations that diastolic function variables, such as the pattern of ventricular filling (namely the restrictive) have independent prognostic value in patients with HF.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Family care for elderly patients with cerebrovascular accident sequelae].

This study had as objectives to identify the nature of the family care given to the elderly with sequels of Cerebral Vascular Accident (AVC); to understand its major problems; and to discuss its meaning from the caregiver's vision. It was developed through a qualitative/descriptive methodology. The subjects, five caregivers of elderly with sequels of Cerebral Vascular Accident, were interviewed at their homes. Semi-structured interviews and the projective technique (story drawing with a theme proposed by Trinca) were used. The data analysis was done through thematic analysis (the first phase of the Enunciation Analysis recommended by d'Unrug, in Bardin, 1994) which rose the following categories: "nature of the family care"; "social-economic changes of the caregiver"; "emotional and physical burnout of the caregiver"; and "the meaning of the family care". The results allowed a characterization of the caregivers group and the identification of total care to the elderly.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Problem-posing in education: transformation of the practice of the health professional.

This study was developed by a group of professionals from different areas (nurses and educators) concerned with health education. It proposes the use of a problem-posing model for the transformation of professional practice. The concept and functions of the model and their relationships with the educative practice of health professionals are discussed. The model of problem-posing education is presented (compared to traditional, "banking" education), and four innovative experiences of teaching-learning are reported based on this model. These experiences, carried out in areas of environmental and occupational health and patient education have shown the applicability of the problem-posing model to the practice of the health professional, allowing transformation.

Health Education↗
PubMed1997

[Experiences of a group of retired elderly: action research].

The present study aims at comprehending the retired people through a group experience as well as allowing them to reflect about their condition. The authors utilized the research-action methodology, with 25 retired subjects who worked in the University, aging from 51 to 79 years old. The narratives related to their experiences were obtained through verbal interaction, group discussions and interviews. From the analysis of the experiences emerged questions associated to the retired-elderly interests, their physical and mental health, relationship, learning process, social environment and leisure.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

[Transition described by an adult woman. Assistance from the Schlossberg Human Adaptation Model].

The case study of a forty two years old woman expressed the transition and crisis experienced by an adult woman. The speech content is presented in this article according to the human adaptation model of SCHLOSSBERG and attempting to acquire informations about crisis and transitions. The authors assumed a position of non-normative interviewers applying a psychological model in nursing and used the content analysis technic. They verified that the adult woman crises were solved using her own personal resources.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

[Evaluation of a computer system by nursing students].

This study was undertaken to investigate the opinion of nursing undergraduate students of the first year about the discipline "Informatic applied to health". Data were collected using a questionnaire with open and closed questions applied through three consecutive years (1989, 1990, 1991). The results showed that undergraduate students considered this course important. Student's expectations were related to the necessity to get familiar with computers. The mentioned critiques were related to the necessity of more time and equipments to support a better learning process.

Attitude to Computers↗
PubMed1994

[Urinary incontinence in the elderly: a proposal for nursing behavior].

The authors make it evident the Urinary Incontinence in elderly people showing up the prevalence, their motives and types. It is subsidize the evaluation of the historical, the physical exam, registry of the incontinence and also the exercises for the training of the bladder, the musculature, hygiene habits and also the manipulation of the catheters and the aspects of the environment looking for the restoration of the continence and/or to treat and to live with in the urinary incontinence. They distinguish that the nursing conduct is done interrelated with the medical team with homely cares and elderly investing in the self care for to improve the urinary incontinence and favouring the continence.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Culture and perspectives of university extension in Brazilian nursing schools].

The present study focused the development of activities or cultural proposals and university extension in 14 Brazilian Nursing Schools, utilizing an instrument with six open questions, that were analyzed in a descriptive way. Data showed that Nursing Schools develop several cultural and university extension activities. However, these activities are not considered priority in relation to teaching and research.

Brazil↗
PubMed1992

[The elderly person and retirement].

The present aimed at characterizing the retired old population (members of the retired people and pensioners Association of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo) who live in this town. The study was carried out from 01/01/89 through 31/12/89. This population was composed of 38 retired and old age pensioners: 30 (78.9%) males and 8 (21.1%) females. It was used the method for data collecting which was the questionnaire with close and open questions; the used technique was the recorded interview. As in our country the retired benefit is inferior to be work's remunerations in the period of activity, the retired person is obliged to look for other ways of income to complement that benefit, and the medical assistance, where it was not expected by the population.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1991

[Urinary incontinence in the elderly: nursing care].

Causes and types of urinary incontinence in the elderly are reviewed. The central role of the nurse is emphasized, aiming the detection, evaluation and management of the incontinent elderly. In this way, nursing care contributes towards promoting urinary continence of the older persons living in the community.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The introduction of informatics in teaching institutions: the experience of the School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto-University of São Paulo].

This study broaches something about the utilization of the computer in a school institution and about the implantation of the informatics and also the formation of the human resources in the Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto, from the São Paulo University. Besides this, some commentaries are related to the advantages and the precautions that have to be considered in the use of the applied informatics to the general teaching and specially to the nursing teaching.

Brazil↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Women and health: their concerns].

This investigation is part of a transcultural research project on women and health, which has as its conceptual framework women's life experiences. This research is qualitative in nature, and the methodology utilized is a content analysis of the documented discourses of a group of lower class women in Ribeirão Preto (SP). The results demonstrate that for these women, health is much more than the absence of disease". Their health concerns are biological, interpersonal, social and economic in nature, and are based more upon their personal experiences and social perceptions than on the concept of health and disease. The importance of this research is its relevance for quality nursing care which takes into consideration the many aspects of being a woman.

Adolescent↗