The therapeutic use of essential oils in the care of cancer patients in chemotherapy: A systematic review

Introducton: Chemotherapy is an important therapy in the treatment of cancer. Nausea, vomiting and worsening quality are some adverse effects of chemotherapy. Aromatherapy is an ancient technique that uses essential oils for physical and psychological/emotional improvement and is able to reduce the symptoms of chemotherapy and can be an excellent complementary technique.Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effects of aromatherapy on the adverse effects of chemotherapy in patients diagnosed with cancer. Methods: A search in three database PubMed, EMBASE and SCOPUS. Five studies that analyzed the use of aromatherapy to evaluate the reduction of the adverse effects of chemotherapy in a cancer patient, published only in English were included. Two reviewers, which independently examined titles and abstracts, identified records through database search and reference screening and irrelevant studies were excluded based in eligibility criteria. Relevant full texts were analyzed for eligibility, and all selected studies were included in this systematic review. Results: Five studies were included in this systematic review. This review suggests that aromatherapy reduces nausea, frequency of vomiting and improves quality of sleep. Conclusion: Aromatherapy is an effective technique to reduce nausea, the frequency of vomiting and improves the quality of sleep of patients diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. However, more randomized clinical trials with a good methodological quality are necessary to confirm the preliminary findings of this systematic review.

Nurses’ performance in COVID-19 pandemic: Integrative review

Introducion: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan (China) in late December 2019. It has rapidly spread worldwide since then and it has become a global pandemic affecting more than 200 countries and territories. Objective: To evaluate the scientific evidence on nurses’ role in health care for COVID-19 patients Methods: Integrative review carried out in BEDENF, LILACS and MEDLINE databases of articles available between December 2019 and June 2020 by adopting PICO strategy. Results: The sample consisted of ten articles addressing nursing experience during COVID-19 pandemic, bringing an analysis of the impact of nursing activities worldwide during the pandemic. Conclusion: The studies addressed nurses’ importance in this pandemic moment; however, it shows various difficulties that these professionals face on a daily basis to keep professional ethics while ensuring the best care. This review realizes the need for new research to call attention to nurses’ role in tackling COVID-19 pandemic.

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Role of aerospace care nursing in Brazil: Integrative review

Introduction: With mandatory “Flight Nurses” during World War II, there was a need to improve aeromedical rescue. Currently, the use of aerospace removal is crucial to rapidly take away trauma patients in large urban centers. In Brazil, ABCDE system is adopted during pre-hospital care (PHC) so that nursing needs constant updating to meet the demand for care. Objective: To identify and describe role and challenges of nursing professionals in aerospace transport. Methodology: Integrative review of indexed articles in the last 10 years (2010 to 2020) with focus on pre-hospital care and nursing role. Inclusion criteria were: country of publication, Brazil was the only one considered, publication of the full text and appropriate descriptors. Exclusion criteria included: publication from other countries, absence of descriptors and duplication of articles in databases. Descriptors were crossed in either pairs or trios. Results: A total of 1306 articles on the theme were found, 16 of which were selected by contemplating the research question. However, only 13 met all requirements in the study as excluded articles (1) did not address the research problem in any aspect or (2) were themselves integrative reviews. Conclusion: More studies on needs and particularities of aerospace removal are essential for nurses in order to fill existing knowledge gaps.

Perspectives of incretin mimetics in cardiovascular diseases

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes (DM2) is a chronic conditionassociated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases,neuropathies, nephropathies and eye diseases. Incretins (GIPand GLP-1) are hormones important to insulin secretion, andtheir actions are compromised in DM2 patients. Objectives:This review considers the opportunities and challenges ofusing incretin mimetics in the treatment of DM2. Methods:Bibliographic review referring to the period from 2000 to2020, in electronic databases such as Scielo, Lilacs, PubMed,Web of Science. Results: Incretins stimulate insulin secretionby the pancreas in response to nutrient intake, with a lowerpotential to cause hypoglycemia. In addition, they have acardioprotective role, reducing blood pressure, improvingendothelial and myocardial function, and their use has beenassociated with a reduction in the risk of cardiovascularevents, including cardiovascular mortality. Clinical trialswith GLP-1R agonists (GLP-1RA) reduced albuminuria, increasednatriuresis, and decreased oxidative stress. In addition,treatment with incretin mimetics reduced the occurrence ofthe main cardiovascular outcomes related to atherosclerosis,promoted weight loss and improved lipid profile. Conclusion:Studies show the important role of incretin mimetics in thepathophysiology and treatment of DM2, with significanteffects in the cardiovascular system. However, its use must beevaluated in relation to its safety and to in which individualsthe benefits outweigh the risks associated with the treatment.Thus, its clinical relevance depends on studies with long-termfollow-up of patients, with analysis of its impact on mortalityand on the development of micro and macrovascularcomplications.

Application of nursing process in community health to patient with pressure injury

Introduction: Nursing is a science whose main objective is the care process. From preventive approach viewpoint as well as in health promotion, nurse’s main task is to guide and execute the care practice as means to reduce the prevalence of pressure injuries (PI). Objective: To report the implementation of the nursing process in the phases of history, nursing diagnoses, planning, and educational interventions towards a patient with pressure injury bedridden and assisted by the primary health care team. Method: This is a clinical case study, using nursing process in the phases of history, nursing diagnosis, planning, intervention, and results evaluation. Patient was chosen during a home visit. Data were collected through data collection and interview phase while forms were filled up via “check list”. Nursing diagnosis was later elaborated using NANDA-1 taxonomy while interventions followed NIC and NOC taxonomies in order to meet human basic needs in line with Wanda Horta. Results: After data collection, NANDA-1 diagnoses were found as follows: pressure ulcer risk, tissue integrity impaired, feeding self-care deficit, infection risk, fall risk and acute pain. Related factors analyses and defining characteristics outlined NOC objectives and interventions (NIC) for patient care and for caregivers guidance. It was observed that well-oriented caregivers can promote injury prevention actions while improving life quality of a bedridden patient with self-care limitations related to aging process. Final considerations: Application of nursing process promotes effectiveness as well as quality in care and guidance towards the patient, while nursing role should be emphasized when guiding, teaching and raising awareness among elderly patients as well as their caregivers in home care.

The effects of using virtual reality in the rehabilitation of stroke patients: Systematic review

Introdution: Stroke causes several alterations, the morefrequent are motor, physical and psychological. Since rehabilitationtakes time and can become monotonous, the useof virtual reality can act as a stimulating way to involve thepatient in the treatment, seeking to develop its functionality.Objective: The objective of this study was to verify in theavailable literature the effects of using virtual reality in thetreatment of the sequelae of the Stroke, to gain functionalityin the upper limbs. Methods: This literature review was basedon the PICO strategy, carried out in the databases Lílacs,Pubmed, Scielo and PEDro, using the keywords “physiotherapyAND virtual reality OR exergame OR exergaming ANDstroke AND upper limbs”. Complete articles were published inEnglish, Portuguese and Spanish, available and dated between2015 and 2020, excluding those that were review articles,incomplete and that did not address the topic. Results: As aresult, the search found 1,035 articles, of which only 14 metthe imposed criteria. Most studies have shown that the useof virtual reality through games has proved to be an efficientresource in the functional rehabilitation of patients withstroke. Presenting itself as a competent complementary tophysiotherapeutic treatment in improving fine motor skills,motor behavior of the limbs and cognitive performance,these gains directly influenced the gain in functionality ofthe samples. Conclusion: The use of virtual reality is useful toassist in the treatment and reduction of sequelae in the upperlimbs of patients with stroke, as it promotes greater functionalgain, range of motion and improves the dexterity of both themost and the least compromised hand.

Influence of gender and age on distal femur shape. Are there any relevant differences?

Objective: Evaluate the possible sex differences in the shapeof the distal femur and the age group influence on morphometry.Methods: Five measurements on 124 knees wereevaluated using magnetic resonance imaging, 62 male and62 female. The age ranged between 40 and 80 years, and thepatients were divided into two age groups. Three factors wereanalyzed, allowing the bone classification regarding its width,shape, and symmetry. Results: The male group showed absolutemeasurements greater than the female, but there wereno sex differences in the shape of the knee. Younger patientshad more trapezoidal knees and a higher rate of asymmetrybetween condyles. After analyzing the factors, regardingtheir width, 31 knees were considered standard, 47 narrow,and 46 wide. As for the shape of the knee, 12 were consideredstandard, 58 rectangular, and 54 trapezoidal. About the condylessymmetry, 23 were classified as symmetrical and 101asymmetrical. There was a great interpersonal variation in theshape of the knee, regardless of the sex. Conclusion: The shapeof the distal femur presents great interpersonal variation,going beyond the simple division between wide or narrow.This variation is influenced by the patients’ age, but not thesex. Level of evidence: 4

Comparative evaluation of the Phoenix®, VITEK® 2, E-test® and microdilution test for vancomycin susceptibility testing in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bloodstream infection

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia causes significant morbidity and mortality, mainly by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Currently, vancomycin is the main choice for the treatment of infections by MRSA. Broth microdilution (BMD) remains the gold standard for measuring vancomycin MIC. However, most clinical laboratories employ practical methods in the routines, but these methods may not determine accurate vancomycin MIC values. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of VITEK®2, Phoenix® and Etest® methods against BMD. Materials and Methods: A total of 78 strains (27 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus and 51 MRSA) were isolated from bloodstream infections. The vancomycin MIC was determined following CLSI and the manufacturers' recommendations. We also performed SCCmec typing, in order to identify their vancomycin MIC ratio values. Results: Most of all isolates showed values of MIC = 1 μg/mL by BMD and Phoenix®, while Etest® and VITEK® 2 determined the majority with MIC = 1.5 and 0.5 μg/mL, respectively. Thus, Etest® and VITEK® 2 tended to overestimate and underestimate, respectively, the MIC values. Three MRSA isolates that were vancomycin susceptible by the BMD were vancomycin-intermediate by Etest®. The SCCmec II (39%) and IV (51%) were the most frequent, and there was no relationship between the type of SCCmec and the MIC values. Conclusions: The results showed that vancomycin MICs vary according to the test method. It is essential that clinicians consider the differences in MIC results determined by different methods, since the MIC value is generally the parameter used by clinicians to select the appropriate therapy.

Stress echocardiography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease: A systematic review

Introduction: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) contributes to the increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, being the main cause of death worldwide. Objectives: This study compares the sensitivity of different methods of execution of Stress Echocardiography (SE) as to the accuracy in determining the presence of CAD, through a Systematic Literature Review (RSL). Methods: The databases of the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs) and the Spanish Bibliographic Index of Health Sciences (IBECS) were searched through the Virtual Health Library (VHL) for articles published until December 2018 and including scientific articles published in journals, in any language, which met the following criteria: (A) Descriptive or analytical studies of primary or secondary basis and (B) Studies whose theme was the SE in adult coronary heart disease. Studies related to: (a) Elderly; (b) Animals; (c) Children and Adolescents; (d) Pregnant women; (e) Articles that alluded to left ventricular function, valvulopathies, aneurysms, endocarditis, arrhythmias, implanted electronic devices and other titles that were outside the scope of this work and (f) Articles published in languages other than English or Neolatin languages. Results: The study has selected 14 articles, which demonstrated that SE was accurate to diagnose CAD with sensitivities ranging from 41 to 100% with studies included within the normality curve, demonstrating that it is an excellent tool for the diagnosis of CAD compared to other methods.