Search

Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) is a therapeutic approach involving human-animal interaction aimed at benefiting humans, with the caregiver being a key figure. In addition to ensuring the health and well-being of the caregiver, they must be capable of interpreting the animal's body language. The study was conducted in the Animal Therapists Project (PAT), which assists children with trisomy of chromosome 21, and the Pet Relax Project (PPR), which aims to reduce stress and anxiety to improve academic performance among college students. Through the administration of questionnaires, the objective was to assess the role and perception of caregivers in AAI (whether they are capable of interpreting their animals' body language to identify wellbeing) and to analyze the benefits for volunteer caregivers. It was observed that 100% (13) of the caregivers consider themselves capable of interpreting their animals' body language during the activities. Of these, 93% (12) reported that the animals exhibited comfort and well-being during AAI, 84.61% (11) stated that their animals felt happy during the sessions, with 53.84% (7) noting that the animals displayed motivation, and an additional 38.46% (5) observed that their animals were relaxed during the activities. All caregivers felt benefited (13), with one or more benefits reported: 69.2% (9) felt fulfilled by volunteering, 69.2% (9) felt happy to do good, and 30.76% (4) reported feeling relaxed and with a sense of well-being. In conclusion, AAI developed in these projects brings benefits to both the animals and their caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Crohn's disease is a pathological condition that has different options of treatment, but there are patients who need other therapeutic approach, such as the use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells., Aim: Systematic literature review to determine the different ways of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells administration in humans with luminal refractory and perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease., Methods: It was conducted a search for articles (from 2008 to 2018) on PubMed and ScienceDirect databases using the keywords Crohn's disease, fistulizing Crohn's disease, luminal Crohn's disease and transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells or mesenchymal stem cells or stromal cells. Thirteen publications were selected for analysis., Results: Only one study referred to the luminal Crohn´s disease. The number of cells administered was variable, occurring mainly through subcutaneous adipose tissue by liposuction. It could be highlighted the autologous transplant with exclusive infusion of mesenchymal stem cells. The procedures involved in pre-transplant were mainly curettage, setons placement and stitching with absorbable suture, and conducting tests and drug treatment for luminal Crohn´s disease. During transplant, the injection of mesenchymal stem cells across the fistula path during the transplant was mainly on the intestinal tract wall., Conclusion: Although the use of mesenchymal stem cells is promising, the transplant on the luminal region should be more investigated. The injection of mesenchymal stem cells, exclusively, is more explored when compared to treatment with other products. The preparation of the fistulizing tract and the location of cell transplantation involve standardized health care in most studies.

Researches that developed interdisciplinary actions in schools seeking to modify the arteial pressure levels or salt and/or sodium consumption by children were analyzed. Studies available on the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Lilacs databases, associating the keywords: intervention study, nutrition intervention, schoolchildren, school health, blood pressure, sodium and salt were included. The research included articles from the last 15 years, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, which had preschool or school children as participants. With respect to the change of the blood pressure levels, 7 studies with positive and significant results and 6 without variation were identified. In terms of modification of the ingestion of food with high salt and/or sodium content, 4 studies revealed positive and significant results, and only one was unsuccessful. The conclusions drawn are that the interventions that use nutritional education combined with physical activities prevail in the literature. However, these actions proved to be more effective when implemented over a long period of time.