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Abstract Liver transplantation has come a long way and is now regarded as the gold standard treatment for end-stage liver failure. The great majority of livers utilized in transplantation come from brain-dead donors. A broad inflammatory response characterizes BD, resulting in multiorgan damage. This process is primarily mediated by cytokines, which increase the immunogenicity of the graft. In male Lewis rats, we evaluated the immune response in a BD liver donor and compared it to that of a control group. We studied two groups: Control and BD (rats subjected to BD by increasing intracranial pressure). After the induction of BD, there was an intense rise in blood pressure followed by a fall. There were no significant differences observed between the groups. Blood tissue and hepatic tissue analyzes showed an increase in plasma concentrations of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, LDH and ALP), in addition to pro-inflammatory cytokines and macrophages in liver tissue in animals submitted to BD. The current study found that BD is a multifaceted process that elicits both a systemic immune response and a local inflammatory response in liver tissue. Our findings strongly suggested that the immunogenicity of plasma and liver increased with time following BD.

Abstract For decades, one of the main targets in the management of severe acute brain injury (ABI) has been intracranial hypertension (IH) control. However, the determination of IH has suffered variations in its thresholds over time without clear evidence for it. Meanwhile, progress in the understanding of intracranial content (brain, blood and cerebrospinal fluid) dynamics and recent development in monitoring techniques suggest that targeting intracranial compliance (ICC) could be a more reliable approach rather than guiding actions by predetermined intracranial pressure values. It is known that ICC impairment forecasts IH, as intracranial volume may rapidly increase inside the skull, a closed bony box with derisory expansibility. Therefore, an intracranial compartmental syndrome (ICCS) can occur with deleterious brain effects, precipitating a reduction in brain perfusion, thereby inducing brain ischemia. The present perspective review aims to discuss the ICCS concept and suggest an integrative model for the combination of modern invasive and noninvasive techniques for IH and ICC assessment. The theory and logic suggest that the combination of multiple ancillary methods may enhance ICC impairment prediction, pointing proactive actions and improving patient outcomes.

Abstract Objective Multiple factors have been identified as causes of intracranial compliance impairment (ICCI) among patients with obesity. On the other hand, obesity has been linked with worst outcomes in COVID‐19. Thus, the hypothesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) conducing to cerebral hemodynamic disorders (CHD) able to worsen ICCI and play an additional role on prognosis determination for COVID‐19 among obese patients becomes suitable. Methods 50 cases of SARS by COVID‐19 were evaluated, for the presence of ICCI and cerebrovascular circulatory disturbances in correspondence with whether unfavorable outcomes (death or impossibility for mechanical ventilation weaning [MVW]) within 7 days after evaluation. The objective was to observe whether obese patients (BMI ≥ 30) disclosed worse outcomes and tests results compared with lean subjects with same clinical background. Results 23 (46%) patients among 50 had obesity. ICCI was verified in 18 (78%) obese, whereas in 13 (48%) of 27 non‐obese (p = 0,029). CHD were not significantly different between groups, despite being high prevalent in both. 69% unfavorable outcomes were observed among obese and 44% for lean subjects (p = 0,075). Conclusion In the present study, intracranial compliance impairment was significantly more observed among obese subjects and may have contributed for SARS COVID‐19 worsen prognosis.

Background: Due to the importance of not mistaking when determining the brain death (BD) diagnostic, reliable confirmatory exams should be performed to enhance its security. This study aims to evaluate the intracranial pressure (ICP) pulse morphology behavior in brain-dead patients through a noninvasive monitoring system. Methods: A pilot case-control study was conducted in adults that met the BD national protocol criteria. Quantitative parameters from the ICP waveforms, such as the P2/P1 ratio, time-to-peak (TTP) and pulse amplitude (AMP) were extracted and analyzed comparing BD patients and health subjects. Results: Fifteen patients were included, and 6172 waveforms were analyzed. ICP waveforms presented substantial differences amidst BD patients when compared to the control group, especially AMP, which had lower values in patients diagnosed with BD (p < 0.0001) and the TTP median (p < 0.00001), but no significance was found for the P2/P1 ratio (p = 0.8). The area under curve for combination of parameters on the BD prediction was 0.77. Conclusions: In this exploratory study, noninvasive ICP waveforms have shown potential as a screening method in patients with suspected brain death. Future studies should be carried out in a larger population.

ABSTRACT Background: Transcranial Doppler has been tested in the evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics as a non-invasive assessment of intracranial pressure (ICP), but there is controversy in the literature about its actual benefit and usefulness in this situation. Objective: To investigate cerebral blood flow assessed by Doppler technique and correlate with the variations of the ICP in the acute phase of intracranial hypertension in an animal model. Methods: An experimental animal model of intracranial hypertension was used. The experiment consisted of two groups of animals in which intracranial balloons were implanted and inflated with 4 mL (A) and 7 mL (B) for controlled simulation of different volumes of hematoma. The values of ICP and Doppler parameters (systolic [FVs], diastolic [FVd], and mean [FVm] cerebral blood flow velocities and pulsatility index [PI]) were collected during the entire procedure (before and during hematoma simulations and venous hypertonic saline infusion intervention). Comparisons between Doppler parameters and ICP monitoring were performed. Results: Twenty pigs were studied, 10 in group A and 10 in group B. A significant correlation between PI and ICP was obtained, especially shortly after abrupt elevation of ICP. There was no correlation between ICP and FVs, FVd or FVm separately. There was also no significant change in ICP after intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline solution. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the potential of PI as a parameter for the evaluation of patients with suspected ICP elevation.

Background: Intracranial compliance (ICC) has been studied to complement the interpretation of intracranial pressure (ICP) in neurocritical care and help predict brain function deterioration. It has been reported that ICC is related to maintaining ICP stability despite changes in intracranial volume. However, this has not been properly translated to clinical practice. Therefore, the main objective of this scoping review was to map the key concepts of ICC in the literature. This review also aimed to characterize the relationship between ICC and ICP and systematically describe the outcomes used to assess ICC using both invasive and non-invasive measurement methods.Methods: This review included the following: (1) population: animal and humans, (2) concept of compliance or its inverse “elastance,” and (3) context: neurocritical care. Therefore, literature searches without a time frame were conducted on several databases using a combination of keywords and descriptors.Results and Discussion: 43,339 articles were identified, and 297 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria after the selection process. One hundred and five studies defined ICC. The concept was organized into three main components: physiological definition, clinical interpretation, and localization of the phenomena. Most of the studies reported the concept of compliance related to variations in volume and pressure or its inverse (elastance), primarily in the intracranial compartment. In addition, terms like “accommodation,” “compensation,” “reserve capacity,” and “buffering ability” were used to describe the clinical interpretation. The second part of this review describes the techniques (invasive and non-invasive) and outcomes used to measure ICC. A total of 297 studies were included. The most common method used was invasive, representing 57–88% of the studies. The most commonly assessed variables were related to ICP, especially the absolute values or pulse amplitude. ICP waveforms should be better explored, along with the potential of non-invasive methods once the different aspects of ICC can be measured.Conclusion: ICC monitoring could be considered a complementary resource for ICP monitoring and clinical examination. The combination and validation of invasive/non-invasive or non-invasive measurement methods are required.

Background: We validated a new noninvasive tool (B4C) to assess intracranial pressure waveform (ICPW) morphology in a set of neurocritical patients, correlating the data with ICPW obtained from invasive catheter monitoring. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring were consecutively evaluated using the B4C sensor. Ultrasound-guided manual internal jugular vein (IJV) compression was performed to elevate ICP from the baseline. ICP values, amplitudes, and time intervals (P2/P1 ratio and time-to-peak [TTP]) between the ICP and B4C waveform peaks were analyzed. Results: Among 41 patients, the main causes for ICP monitoring included traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke. Bland–Altman’s plot indicated agreement between the ICPW parameters obtained using both techniques. The strongest Pearson’s correlation for P2/P1 and TTP was observed among patients with no cranial damage (r = 0.72 and 0.85, respectively) to the detriment of those who have undergone craniotomies or craniectomies. P2/P1 values of 1 were equivalent between the two techniques (area under the receiver operator curve [AUROC], 0.9) whereas B4C cut-off 1.2 was predictive of intracranial hypertension (AUROC 0.9, p < 000.1 for ICP > 20 mmHg). Conclusion: B4C provided biometric amplitude ratios correlated with ICPW variation morphology and is useful for noninvasive critical care monitoring.

Background: Morphological alterations in intracranial pressure (ICP) pulse waveform (ICPW) secondary to intracranial hypertension (ICP >20 mmHg) and a reduction in intracranial compliance (ICC) are well known indicators of neurological severity. The exclusive exploration of modifications in ICPW after either the loss of skull integrity or surgical procedures for intracranial hypertension resolution is not a common approach studied. The present study aimed to assess the morphological alterations in ICPW among neurocritical care patients with skull defects and decompressive craniectomy (DC) by comparing the variations in ICPW features according to elevations in mean ICP values. Methods: Patients requiring ICP monitoring because of acute brain injury were included. A continuous record of 10 min-length for the beat-by-beat analysis of ICPW was performed, with ICP elevation produced by means of ultrasound-guided manual internal jugular vein compression at the end of the record. ICPW features (peak amplitude ratio (P2/P1), time interval to pulse peak (TTP) and pulse amplitude) were counterweighed between baseline and compression periods. Results were distributed for three groups: intact skull (exclusive burr hole for ICP monitoring), craniotomy/large fractures (group 2) or DC (group 3). Results: 57 patients were analyzed. A total of 21 (36%) presented no skull defects, 21 (36%) belonged to group 2, whereas 15 (26%) had DC. ICP was not significantly different between groups: ±15.11 for intact, 15.33 for group 2 and ±20.81 mmHg for group 3, with ICP-induced elevation also similar between groups (p = 0.56). Significant elevation was observed for the P2/P1 ratio for groups 1 and 2, whereas a reduction was observed in group 3 (elevation of ±0.09 for groups 1 and 2, but a reduction of 0.03 for group 3, p = 0.01), and no significant results were obtained for TTP and pulse amplitudes. Conclusion: In the present study, intracranial pressure pulse waveform analysis indicated that intracranial compliance was significantly more impaired among decompressive craniectomy patients, although ICPW indicated DC to be protective for further influences of ICP elevations over the brain. The analysis of ICPW seems to be an alternative to real-time ICC assessment.

Introduction: One of the possible mechanisms by which the new coronavirus (SARS-Cov2) could induce brain damage is the impairment of cerebrovascular hemodynamics (CVH) and intracranial compliance (ICC) due to the elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP). The main objective of this study was to assess the presence of CVH and ICC alterations in patients with COVID-19 and evaluate their association with short-term clinical outcomes. Methods: Fifty consecutive critically ill COVID-19 patients were studied with transcranial Doppler (TCD) and non-invasive monitoring of ICC. Subjects were included upon ICU admission; CVH was evaluated using mean flow velocities in the middle cerebral arteries (mCBFV), pulsatility index (PI), and estimated cerebral perfusion pressure (eCPP), while ICC was assessed by using the P2/P1 ratio of the non-invasive ICP curve. A CVH/ICC score was computed using all these variables. The primary composite outcome was unsuccessful in weaning from respiratory support or death on day 7 (defined as UO). Results: At the first assessment (n = 50), only the P2/P1 ratio (median 1.20 [IQRs 1.00–1.28] vs. 1.00 [0.88–1.16]; p = 0.03) and eICP (14 [11–25] vs. 11 [7–15] mmHg; p = 0.01) were significantly higher among patients with an unfavorable outcome (UO) than others. Patients with UO had a significantly higher CVH/ICC score (9 [8–12] vs. 6 [5–7]; p < 0.001) than those with a favorable outcome; the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) for CVH/ICC score to predict UO was 0.86 (95% CIs 0.75–0.97); a score > 8.5 had 63 (46–77)% sensitivity and 87 (62–97)% specificity to predict UO. For those patients undergoing a second assessment (n = 29), after a median of 11 (5–31) days, all measured variables were similar between the two time-points. No differences in the measured variables between ICU non-survivors (n = 30) and survivors were observed. Conclusions: ICC impairment and CVH disturbances are often present in COVID-19 severe illness and could accurately predict an early poor outcome.

A gestão escolar democrática – garantida pela Constituição Federal e pela Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional (BRASIL, 1996) – é considerada, pelos autores/professores da área da educação, o modelo de gestão mais adequado a ser praticado nas escolas públicas brasileiras. No entanto, implantar a gestão democrática nas escolas tem sido um desafio para a maioria dos gestores educacionais e escolares. Para transformar essa utopia em realidade, avulta em importância a construção coletiva do projeto político-pedagógico (PPP) como estratégia para afirmar a gestão democrática e garantir ensino de qualidade nas escolas. Explicitar esses aspectos fomentou a elaboração deste estudo que tem por objetivo analisar as atuais formas de construção dos projetos político-pedagógicos nas escolas estaduais localizadas no município de Santa Maria-RS. Através de uma abordagem qualitativa, adotou-se o estudo de caso como método de pesquisa. A partir de concepções sobre gestão democrática, aborda-se a (re)elaboração coletiva do PPP, além de estratégias e/ou alternativas (projetos/atividades/ações) desenvolvidas, atualmente, pelas escolas e que podem ampliar a participação da comunidade escolar na (re)construção e execução do projeto. No entanto, no dia a dia das escolas públicas percebe-se que a democracia ainda não se estabeleceu, pelo menos, no que se refere à construção coletiva dos PPP.

A descrição é um dos principais modos de organização do discurso, pois é por intermédio dela que se adquire a base fundamental para bem utilizar outras formas de organizar a redação de um texto. A descrição viabiliza a possibilidade de as pessoas terem a noção particular e individual sobre si mesmas e sobre tudo o que as envolve. Enfatiza-se que a construção das imagens que constituem o mundo em que vivemos ocorre através dos cinco sentidos (visão, audição, olfato, paladar e tato) e da imaginação criadora do ser humano. Explicitar todos esses aspectos fomentou a elaboração deste estudo que tem por objetivo demonstrar a importância da descrição como ferramenta fundamental para uma boa comunicação. Para isso, utilizou-se a pesquisa bibliográfica de natureza qualitativa como metodologia neste trabalho que se caracteriza como um estudo exploratório. Do referencial teórico que embasou o trabalho, cabe ressaltar que a descrição é a forma mais natural no ser humano de produzir um texto porque os instrumentos do descrever, ou seja, os sentidos humanos, já estão em nós e constituem os elementos vitais da nossa sensibilidade (AMARAL; ANTÔNIO; PATROCÍNIO, 2001). Neste estudo, por meio da análise de diversos tipos de texto, são identificadas técnicas descritivas e formas de influência exercidas pela descrição nos modos de organização do discurso narrativo e argumentativo. Em síntese, é preciso priorizar o estudo da descrição como modo de organização do discurso essencial para a obtenção de conhecimento de mundo e para a realização de uma comunicação precisa e eficaz.

A gestão escolar democrática – garantida pela Constituição Federal e pela Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional (BRASIL, 1996) – é considerada, pelos autores/professores da área da educação, o modelo de gestão mais adequado a ser praticado nas escolas públicas brasileiras. No entanto, implantar a gestão democrática nas escolas tem sido um desafio para a maioria dos gestores educacionais e escolares. Para transformar essa utopia em realidade, avulta em importância a construção coletiva do projeto político-pedagógico (PPP) como estratégia para afirmar a gestão democrática e garantir ensino de qualidade nas escolas. Explicitar esses aspectos fomentou a elaboração deste estudo que tem por objetivo analisar as atuais formas de construção dos projetos político-pedagógicos nas escolas estaduais localizadas no município de Santa Maria-RS. Através de uma abordagem qualitativa, adotou-se o estudo de caso como método de pesquisa. A partir de concepções sobre gestão democrática, aborda-se a (re)elaboração coletiva do PPP, além de estratégias e/ou alternativas (projetos/atividades/ações) desenvolvidas, atualmente, pelas escolas e que podem ampliar a participação da comunidade escolar na (re)construção e execução do projeto. No entanto, no dia a dia das escolas públicas percebe-se que a democracia ainda não se estabeleceu, pelo menos, no que se refere à construção coletiva dos PPP.

CONTEXT: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas are most commonly found in the stomach, lungs, orbital soft tissue, salivary glands and thyroid. Involvement of the trachea is extremely rare. CASE REPORT: This report describes a rare case of MALT lymphoma of the trachea in a 71-year-old woman who presented with a one-year history of coughing, dyspnea, hoarseness and weight loss. There was an infiltrative lesion in the mid-trachea. The anatomopathological diagnosis was only made from the fifth endoscopic biopsy attempt. Immunochemotherapy consisting of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone (R-COP) induced complete remission of the symptoms and endoscopic lesion. CONCLUSIONS: MALT lymphoma of the trachea is extremely rare and indolent disease. It has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of airway lesions. It is crucial to obtain an anatomopathological diagnosis from a specialized pathologist. Immunochemotherapy with R-COP induced complete remission of the disease.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of the surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in stages III and IV by sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) or uterosacral ligament suspension (USLS) by comparing anatomical and subjective cure rates and quality-of-life parameters (through the version validated for the Portuguese language of the Prolapse Quality of Life [P-QoL] questionnaire) under two definitions: genital prolapse Ba, Bp, and C< −1 (stage I) and Ba, Bp, and C ≤ 0 (stage II). Materials and Methods After we obtained approval from the Ethics Committee (under CAAE 0833/06) and registered the study in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 01347021), 51 patients were randomized into two groups: the USLS group (N = 26) and the SSLF group (N = 25), with follow-up 6 and 12 months after the procedures. Results There was a significant improvement in the P-QoL score and anatomical measurements of all compartments in both groups after 12 months (p< 0.001). The anatomical cure rates in the USLS and SSLF groups, considering stage 1, were of 34.6% and 40% (anterior) respectively; of 100% both for groups (apical); and of 73.1% and 92% (posterior) respectively. The rates of adverse outcomes were of 42% (N = 11) and 36% (N = 11) for the USLS and SSLF groups respectively (p= 0.654), and those outcomes were excessive bleeding, bladder perforation (intraoperative) or gluteal pain, and urinary infection (postoperative), among others, without differences between the groups. Conclusion High cure rates in all compartments were observed according to the anatomical criterion (stage I), without differences in P-QoL scores and complications either with USLS or SSLF for the surgical treatment of accentuated POP.

Objective: T-cell Brazil project started in April 2017 an ambispective study focusing to collecting epidemiological and clinical data from the most frequent subtypes of PTCL, among them the ATL. As of July 2022 T-cell Brazil database contained 81 (16%) ATL out of 520 registered cases. Our goals are to describe demographic and clinical features, analyze the overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS), and try to identify factors that could influence outcome. Methodology: Brazilian Registry using REDcap Platform by Vanderbilt realized descriptive and bivariate analyses, then it was applied Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test to obtain survival estimates, and besides that, it was used the Cox Regression to identify any factor that could influence the OS and PFS. Results: The median age was 52 years (24-91); 32 (39%) male; the majority of clinical subtypes were 52% lymphoma type; 81% received chemotherapy. The best response assessment after first-line treatment was: progression or no response in 31%; 26% complete response; 21% partial response, 21% not available (NA) due to death or on treatment; 34% of patients were alive and the 24-month OS and PFS was 33% and 21%, respectively. As predictors for PFS and OS were B symptom and elevated LDH values. Conclusion: This study, even recognizing a limited sample size, highlights the poor prognosis associated with ATL, mainly acute and lymphoma type, with high mortality rates. Hence, apparently, a good shot, it would be one of the bases for the prevention of ATL to establish a disease entity of “chronic active HTLV-1 infection” that defines high-risk carriers for ATL development, and then, enables preventive intervention.

Abstract Brain death is characterized by a generalized inflammatory response that results in multiorgan damage. This process is mainly mediated through cytokines, which amplify graft immunogenicity. We investigated the immunological response in a brain death liver donor model and analysed the effects of thalidomide, a drug with powerful immunomodulatory properties. Brain death was induced in male Lewis rats. We studied three groups: Control (sham-operated rats in which trepanation was performed without inserting the balloon catheter), BD (rats subjected to brain death by increasing intracranial pressure) and BD + Thalid (BD rats receiving thalidomide after brain death). After 6 h, serum levels of AST, ALT, LDH, and ALP as well as systemic and hepatic levels of TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-6, and IL-10 were analysed. We also determined the mRNA expression of MHC Class I and Class II, NF-κB, and macrophage infiltration. NF-κB was also examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Thalidomide treatment significantly reduced serum levels of hepatic enzymes and TNF-α, IL-1-β, and IL-6. These cytokines were evaluated at either the mRNA expression or protein level in liver tissue. In addition, thalidomide administration resulted in a significant reduction in macrophages, MHC Class I and Class II, and NF-κB activation. This study reveals that thalidomide significantly inhibited the immunologic response and graft immunogenicity, possibly through suppression of NF-κB activation.

Objective: T-cell Brazil Project was designed as an ambispective data collection from January 2015 to December 2022 of previously untreated patients diagnosed with Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) or NK/T-cell lymphoma according to the revised WHO 2017 classification in Brazil. The primary and secondary end points were 2-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Clinical, treatment and survival data were also correlated. Methodology: Twenty centers got approved for the study from the local and national institutional review board and registered their cases only online. OS was calculated from diagnosis date until last seen or death date, whereas PFS until first event, progression / relapse, date of death or last seen. Kaplan-Meier method was applied and a Log-rank test to compare their curves. P-value less than 5% was considered. From a total of 416 patients with PTCL, 46 (11%) were diagnosed as AITL. Results: The median age was 65 years (31-82), with 63% males, 94% had advanced-stage disease. All patients received 61% CHOEP, 28% CHOP and 11% CT without anthracycline. 20% of pts were consolidated with autologous transplant (HSCT). There were 19 (41%) deaths, 10 by lymphoma, 8 infections, 1 new neoplasia. With 8-mo median f/u (1-36), OS at 24-mo was 27% and 2-year PFS was 21%. As consolidation, OS was 71% HSCT group vs. 16% no HSCT (P= 0.06) and PFS was 71% vs. 8%, respectively (P= 0.01). Conclusion: These analyses are preliminaries but show a poor outcome of AITL in our population. Most patients were treated with anthracycline-containing combination chemotherapy and just 20% received autologous HSCT. A dismal survival was shown for those who did not receive HSCT.

This study aims to investigate anthropometric measures and their effectiveness as screening method for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in each gender. We also evaluated which measures were associated with OSA in the adult population of a large metropolitan city, Sao Paulo, Brazil. 552 women and 450 men were submitted to polysomnography (PSG), and the anthropometric measurements as body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio, neck and waist circumference were collected. The measurements were then compared with the OSA classification established by the PSG. In women, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were found to be the best predictor, while in men, the factors with great potential for identification varied according to severity of the disease, highlighting waist-to-height ratio, neck circumference and BMI had strongest association. The accuracy of the classification in relation to mild-to-severe OSA based on cut-off values of 92.5cm for waist circumference was greater than 72.9% in men, and 78.9% in women based on cut off values of 95cm. Regarding severe OSA, cut-off values of 116.1cm were greater than 91.3% accurate in the male population, and 95.1% in the female population with a cut-off value of 126.5cm. The study found waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio to be the best measure to assess sleep-disordered breathing in women. Waist-to-height ratio and neck circumferences were the best measures in men with mild OSA, but BMI was more closely associated with severe OSA. The present study identified the anthropometric variables with the highest risk for OSA and their respective cutoff value, according to gender.

Abstract Objective To compare surgical treatments for stress urinary incontinence in terms of efficiency and complications. Data Sources We searched the MEDLINE and COCHRANE databases using the terms stress urinary incontinence, surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence and sling. Selection of Studies Forty-eight studies were selected, which amounted to a total of 6,881 patients with scores equal to or higher than 3 in the Jadad scale. Data Collection Each study was read by one of the authors, added to a standardized table and checked by a second author. We extracted data on intervention details, follow-up time, the results of treatment and adverse events. Data Synthesis Comparing retropubic versus transobturator slings, the former was superior for both objective (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.54) and subjective (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.02-1.48) cures. Between minislings versus other slings, there was a difference favoring other slings for subjective cure (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39- 0.86). Between pubovaginal sling versus Burch surgery, there was a difference for both objective (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.50-2.77) and subjective (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.10-2.44) cures, favoring pubovaginal sling. Therewas no difference in the groups: midurethral slings versus Burch, pubovaginal sling versus midurethral slings, transobturator slings, minislings versus other slings (objective cure). Retropubic and pubovaginal slings are more retentionist. Retropubic slings have more bladder perforation, and transobturator slings, more leg and groin pain, neurological lesion and vaginal perforation. Conclusion Pubovaginal slings are superior to Burch colposuspension surgery but exhibit more retention. Retropubic slings are superior to transobturator slings, with more adverse events. Other slings are superior to minislings in the subjective aspect. There was no difference in the comparisons between midurethral slings versus Burch colposuspension surgery, pubovaginal versus midurethral slings, and inside-out versus outside-in transobturator slings.

Neste artigo, abordam-se contradições entre as políticas públicas que abrangem a alfabetização, particularmente entre o Plano Nacional de Educação – PNE e a Base Nacional Comum Curricular – BNCC. Ressalta-se a importância da alfabetização como suporte para que o cidadão possa desenvolver-se plenamente, exerça a cidadania e qualifique-se para o trabalho. Evidencia-se que o PNE estabelece que a alfabetização das crianças deve ocorrer até o final do 3º (terceiro) ano do Ensino Fundamental – EF, enquanto a BNCC determina que os alunos devem estar alfabetizados até o 2º (segundo) ano do EF. Essa desconexão demonstra um conflito entre normas jurídicas que são hierarquicamente diferentes, porque o PNE trata-se de uma Lei, enquanto a BNCC é uma Resolução. Por fim, enfatiza-se que a alfabetização se mantém como um dos graves problemas da educação brasileira e que sua resolução passa, em grande parte, pelo trabalho efetivo da comunidade escolar (equipes diretivas, professores, alunos, pais e mães, etc.) nos educandários.

Resumo: A gestão escolar democrática é vislumbrada como modelo ideal de gestão para as escolas públicas brasileiras. Essa idealização fomentou a elaboração deste estudo, com o qual se objetivou analisar, a partir de uma abordagem qualitativa, do tipo estudo de caso, os modelos de gestão utilizados nas escolas da rede estadual localizadas em Santa Maria, RS. Neste trabalho, abordam-se concepções sobre gestão democrática, enfatizando-se a importância de priorizar-se uma consistente participação da comunidade escolar nos aspectos atinentes à gestão administrativa, pedagógica e financeira das escolas, e a necessidade de expressar todos esses aspectos em um projeto político-pedagógico (re)construído coletivamente. Palavras-chave: Gestão escolar democrática. Participação. Comunidade escolar. Projeto político-pedagógico. DEMOCRATIC SCHOOL MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES Abstract: The democratic school management is viewed as an ideal model management to Brazilian public schools. This idealization stimulated the elaboration of this study in which it was aimed to analyze, from a qualitative approach, study-case kind, the management models used in state schools localized in Santa Maria, RS. In this work, the conceptions about democratic management are approached, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing a consistent participation of school community in aspects related to the administrative, pedagogical and financial management of schools, and the need to express all these aspects in a political-pedagogical project (re)built collectively. Keywords: Democratic school management. Participation. School community. Political-pedagogical project. GESTIÓN ESCOLAR DEMOCRÁTICA: DESAFÍOS Y PERSPECTIVAS Resumen: La gestión escolar democrática es vislumbrada como modelo de gestión ideal para las escuelas públicas brasileñas. Esta idealización fomentó el desarrollo de este estudio, cuyo objetivo es analizar, desde un enfoque cualitativo, del tipo estudio de caso, los modelos de gestión utilizados en las escuelas de la red provincial ubicadas en Santa Maria, RS. En este trabajo, se desarrollan conceptos de gestión democrática, enfatizando la importancia de priorizar la participación consistente de la comunidad escolar en los aspectos referentes a la gestión administrativa, pedagógica y financiera de las escuelas; y la necesidad de expresar todos estos aspectos en un proyecto político-pedagógico (re)construido colectivamente. Palabras clave: Gestión escolar democrática. Participación. Comunidad escolar. Proyecto político-pedagógico.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare female sexual function after surgical treatment of anterior vaginal prolapse with either small intestine submucosa grafting or traditional colporrhaphy. METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned, preoperatively, to the small intestine submucosa graft (n = 29) or traditional colporrhaphy (n = 27) treatment group. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed at 12 months. The Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire was used to assess sexual function. Data were compared with independent samples or a paired Student's t-test. RESULTS: In the small intestine submucosa group, the total mean Female Sexual Function Index score increased from 15.5±7.2 to 24.4±7.5 (p

Objetivos: avaliar a concordância entre os diagnósticos urodinâmico e ultra-sonográfico de incontinência urinária, bem como correlacionar as variáveis de ambos os exames. Metodologia: Foram selecionadas 381 pacientes com perda de urina, entre as atendidas no Setor de Uroginecologia e Cirurgia Vaginal da Disciplina de Ginecologia da Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Todas foram submetidas a estudo urodinâmico, seguindo a padronização da Sociedade Internacional de Continência, e ultra-sonografia do colo vesical, com transdutor endovaginal de 6 MHz. No estudo urodinâmico, medimos a pressão máxima de fechamento uretral (PMFU) e obtivemos o diagnóstico etiológico da perda de urina. As mulheres foram agrupadas segundo o diagnóstico urodinâmico em incontinência urinária de esforço, instabilidade do detrusor e incontinência urinária mista. Na ultra-sonografia, foram avaliados a posição do colo vesical em relação à borda inferior da sínfise púbica e sua mobilidade e os diâmetros da uretra e do colo vesical. Resultados: 1) o colo vesical, quando em repouso, esteve mais freqüentemente acima da borda inferior da sínfise púbica e, durante o esforço, abaixo ou na sua altura nos três grupos; 2) a mobilidade do colo vesical foi semelhante nos grupos; 3) não houve correlação significante entre PMFU e diâmetro da uretra e do colo vesical, tanto em repouso quanto ao esforço. Conclusão: a ultra-sonografia do colo vesical é sempre complementar à avaliação clínica e ao estudo urodinâmico.Purpose: to evaluate the agreement between the urodynamic and ultrasonography diagnoses of urinary incontinence, as well as to correlate the variables of both examinations. Methodology: three hundred eighty-one patients with urine loss were selected, from the Sectior of Urogynecology and Vaginal Surgery of the Division of Gynecology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Federal University of São Paulo. All of them were submitted to urodynamic study, according to the standardization of the International Society of Continence, and to ultrasonography of the bladder neck, with a 6 MHz trasvaginal transducer. We analyzed the maximum closing urethral pressure (MCUP) and the etiological diagnosis of the urine loss. In the ultrasonography, the position of the bladder neck was evaluated in relation to the inferior border of the pubic symphysis, and its mobility as well as the diameter of the urethra and bladder neck. The women were categoriaed according to the urodynamic study in to stress urinary incontinence, detrusor instability and mixed urinary incontinence. Results: 1) the bladder neck, at rest was most frequently above the inferior border of the pubic symphysis and, during effort, below or at the height of the bony reference, in the three groups; 2) the mobility of the bladder neck was similar in the groups; 3) there was no significant correlation between MCUP and the diameter of the urethra and of the bladder neck. Conclusion: we deem that ultrasonography of the bladder neck is always a complement to the clinical evaluation and the urodymanic study.

Abstract Objective: To describe an unusual clinical presentation of intra-abdominal extralobar pulmonary sequestration in a 2-year, 9 month-old patient and assess diagnostic and treatment aspects of this pathology. Case description: An undefined intra-abdominal mass was identified in the right adrenal region in a male fetus. Postnatal evaluation with ultrasound images, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and laboratory testing was insufficient to determine the nature of the lesion. After two years, laparoscopic resection of the mass and histopathological examination of the surgical specimen allowed to establish the diagnosis of intra-abdominal extralobar pulmonary sequestration. Comments: This malformation can be monitored clinically; however, surgical excision is often performed, probably due to the impossibility of attaining diagnosis with non-invasive methods, such as in the present case, in which the lesion appeared in an unusual position for intra-abdominal extralobar pulmonary sequestration. Therefore, the surgical approach seems to be the key to attain the diagnosis and establish the conduct for this type of congenital malformation.

Pacientes na fase crônica da doença de Chagas foram tratados com corticóide em virtude de afecções associadas e, a fim de tentar coibir reativação da infecção pelo Trypanosoma cruzi, houve uso concomitante do nifurtimox. Levando em conta o verificado em pesquisa anterior, quando corticóide de fato promoveu aumento da parasitemia detectada pelo xenodiagnóstico, pôde ser notado que o nifurtimox mostrou-se apto a evitar a citada acentuação parasitária, podendo tal constatação ser útil em procedimentos assistenciais, quando circunstancialmente estiverem presentes doença de Chagas e imunodepressão.

Indivíduos acometidos de doença de Chagas em fase crônica foram tratados com corticóide, em virtude de afecções concomitantes. A fim de avaliar repercussões sobre a infecção devida ao Trypanosoma cruzi, houve adoção de procedimentos de várias ordens, representados por métodos referentes à parasitose, exames inespecíficos e subsídios clínico, eletrocardiográfico e radiológico, tendo também sido mantido, para comparação, grupo controle. Através do xenodiagnóstico ficou constatada acentuação da parasitemia, diretamente relacionada com a dose de corticóide, sem influência na evolução da enfermidade parasitária, pelo menos durante o período no qual ocorreu a investigação.