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The present study reports the first record of Dryinus garcetei Olmi, 2012 (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) for Northeast Brazil. This research is very relevant given the scarcity of data regarding the Dryinidae family and the Dryinus Latreille, 1804 genus for this region. Furthermore, illustrations and an updated geographic distribution map of D. garcetei are presented.

Apresentamos uma revisão atualizada da literatura científica sobre a utilização da eletroestimulação pélvica no tratamento das formas mais freqüentes de incontinência urinária feminina. Em 2001, no Ambulatório de Ginecologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), realizamos um ensaio clínico controlado comparando a estimulação elétrica transvaginal com placebo no tratamento da incontinência urinária de esforço, de urgência e mista. Nossos resultados foram semelhantes aos de estudos científicos disponíveis, demonstrando que a estimulação elétrica é uma opção terapêutica efetiva para o tratamento da incontinência urinária feminina.

OBJETIVO: A hipertensão arterial é uma das principais causas de morbimortalidade materna e perinatal no Rio Grande do Sul. A maioria dos estudos que avaliaram a excreção urinária de cálcio durante a gestação detectaram uma excreção significativamente menor deste íon nas pacientes com pré-eclâmpsia, quando comparadas com gestantes normotensas ou com hipertensão arterial crônica sem préeclâmpsia sobreposta. O objetivo principal deste estudo foi avaliar a excreção urinária de cálcio em pacientes com distúrbios hipertensivos da gestação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Todas as gestantes que internaram no Centro Obstétrico do Hospital de Clínicas por aumento de pressão arterial, no período de dezembro de1998 a setembro de 1999, foram submetidas a um protocolo para coleta de dados demográficos, pressóricos e de exames laboratoriais (proteinúria, calciúria e creatinúria de 24 horas, relação proteinúria/calciúria e ácido úrico sérico). Estabeleceu-se como hipocalciúria a excreção urinária de cálcio < 100 mg/24h e como proteinúria alterada a excreção > 300 mg/24h. RESULTADOS: As 71 pacientes estudadas tinham, em média, 26 anos, idade gestacional de 34 semanas e pressão arterial sistólica/diastólica de 151/98 mmHg. Quanto à evolução clínica, 35,2% apresentaram pré-eclâmpsia, 8,5% hipertensão crônica, 2,8% eclâmpsia, 15,5% pré-eclâmpsia sobreposta, 2,8% síndrome de HELLP e 35,2% evoluiram com normalização da pressão arterial. As pacientes com préeclâmpsia ou eclâmpsia apresentaram uma calciúria/24 horas média (132,8 mg) significativamente menor que as pacientes com aumento transitório de pressão arterial (199,3 mg). Quando comparadas com as hipertensas crônicas (174,3 mg), as pacientes com pré-eclâmpsia ou eclâmpsia (132,8 mg) também mostraram menor calciúria/24 horas, mas sem significância estatística. CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados sugerem que a simples mensuração da excreção urinária de cálcio pode auxiliar no diagnóstico dos distúrbios hipertensivos na gestação.

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer o nível da relação proteína/ creatinina urinária com melhor predição para o diagnóstico de proteinúria significativa em gestantes com hipertensão arterial sistêmica. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Uma revisão de literatura, que compara coeficientes de correlação entre a proteinúria de 24 horas e o índice proteína/creatinina urinária, busca cumprir o objetivo do presente trabalho. RESULTADOS: O coeficiente de correlação entre a proteinúria de 24 horas e o índice proteína/creatinina urinária encontrado foi de 0,94 (0,53-0,98). Não foi achada diferença significativa entre as medidas do índice pelos períodos variados do dia. É demonstrada uma curva ROC através da análise da sensibilidade e especificidade do índice para o diagnóstico de proteinúria significativa (> 300 mg/24 horas). A especificidade e o valor preditivo positivo foram de 100% para um índice > 0,8. Os melhores valores de sensibilidade (0,96), especificidade (0,96) e valores preditivos positivo (0,96) e negativo (0,96) para o diagnóstico de proteinúria > 300 mg/24 horas ocorreram quando o índice proteína/creatinina foi de 0,5 mg/mg. CONCLUSÕES: O índice proteinúria/creatininúria, em amostra aleatória de urina de gestantes com hipertensão arterial, apresenta boa sensibilidade e especificidade para o diagnóstico de proteinúria > 300 mg/24 horas e uma forte correlação com a proteinúria de 24 horas. Um índice de 0,5 mg/mg apresenta uma predição de proteinúria significativa, podendo ser utilizado para o diagnóstico em gestantes com hipertensão arterial.

OBJETIVO: Os distúrbios hipertensivos da gestação são importante fator causal de morbimortalidade materna, fetal e neonatal. É inquestionável a necessidade de um diagnóstico preciso e simplificado para uso em emergência obstétrica. O uso de fita reagente de imersão em urina (dipstick) é utilizado amplamente como método de detecção de proteína na urina. Este estudo tem como objetivo principal comparar os resultados do dipstick em amostra urinária ao resultado da proteinúria de 24 horas que é considerado o teste padrão-ouro na detecção de proteínas na urina. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Realizamos um estudo retrospectivo dos prontuários das pacientes que internaram no centro obstétrico do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre no ano de 1998 com algum distúrbio hipertensivo na gestação. Na análise dos dados, utilizou-se o teste c2. Este estudo foi aprovado pela Comissão de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 175 prontuários de pacientes com algum distúrbio hipertensivo, com idade média de 28 anos. Trinta e quatro por cento eram primigestas e 54% apresentavam idade gestacional inferior a 36 semanas. Quanto ao diagnóstico definitivo, 21% apresentaram pré-eclampsia leve, 20,4% pré-clampsia grave, 9,2% pré-eclampsia sobreposta, 37% hipertensão transitória e 10% hipertensão arterial sistêmica crônica. A sensibilidade do dipstick, quando comparado à proteinúria de 24 horas maior que 300 mg, foi de 78%; a especificidade, de 64%; o valor preditivo positivo, de 59%, e negativo, de 81%. CONCLUSÕES: Esses resultados nos levam a concluir que este teste deve ser visto com restrições como único teste de rastreamento da pré-eclampsia (PE) e que nas emergências obstétricas devemos dar prioridade à apresentação clínica da paciente. Outros métodos de rastreamento de proteinúria devem ser avaliados, com o objetivo de diminuir o número de falso-negativo.

ABSTRACT: In forensic toxicology, the detection of toxic chemicals from human bone marrow is often used in cases with an extended post mortem interval; however, in veterinary medicine, this practice is not used. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the suitability of bone marrow for toxicological analysis in dogs and cats. Six animals with suspected poisoning were selected; the carcasses were sent for necropsy, and the organs were collected and preserved in buffered formalin and processed routinely for histological examination. In addition, bone marrow samples from the femur, humerus, and tibia were collected for toxicological analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS). This analysis confirmed the presence of aldicarb, aldicarb sulfone, asulam, carbendazim, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, thifensulfuron methyl and trifloxysulfuron-sodium and associated with clinical symptoms and anatomo-histopathological alterations it was recognized the poisonings. It is expected that this study will promote the toxicological investigation of bone marrow and open avenues for the use of this tissue as an option for the detection of toxic chemicals in cases of forensic pathology.

La producción de petróleo con alta relación agua-petróleo (RAP) en yacimientos con fuerte empuje de agua de fondo, generalmente se manifiesta en los pozos productores de petróleo y gas como un mecanismo de conificación. Principalmente, el avance del contacto agua-petróleo (CAP) se mueve hacia los intervalos abiertos a producción en el tope de la arena productora. Este tipo de mecanismo o problema es difícil de diagnosticar y corregir. Un diagnóstico limitado y desconocimiento de la ventana de aplicación de tecnologías para mitigar dicho mecanismo, han demostrado ser un factor importante de la baja tasa de éxito para solucionar dicho problema. En este artículo se presentan ciertas consideraciones o criterios con base a la experticia de los autores, para el adecuado diagnóstico del mecanismo de conificación de agua, así como, se revisan y sugieren las soluciones químicas, mecánicas e híbridas más prospectivas, a la fecha.

O estudo trata do projeto, fabricação e validação de um banco de ensaio de desgaste do tipo pin-on-disc. Estudos de atrito e desgaste de deslizamento de cerâmicas geralmente tem utilizado equipamentos do tipo pin-on-disc. Este tipo de equipamento tem sido referenciado como um dos que melhor representa o estudo de desgaste e que apresenta melhor reprodutibilidade dos resultados em diversos laboratórios. O presente trabalho, no cumprimento da normalização vigente e no atendimento de interesses dos diversos usuários, pesquisadores ou técnicos, objetiva o projeto e a fabricação de banco de ensaio de desgaste do tipo pin-on-disc para ensaio de amostras com variadas dimensões obtidas por diversas técnicas de manufatura. As premissas do projeto visam um equipamento que garanta a manutenção do torque e velocidade de deslizamento ao longo do experimento, calibragem da carga no próprio equipamento, medição de coeficiente de atrito ao longo do ensaio, possibilidade de ensaio à seco ou com fluídos e amortecimento das vibrações. Um protótipo compacto foi construído e validado no desgaste do par tribológico de alumina. Foi obtido um equipamento de fabricação accessível e reprodutível baseado em acionamento por servo motor, mesa de granito sintético, suspensão por coxins para amortecimento das vibrações e contínua medição de força de atrito durante o experimento. Para analise de validação foi aplicada carga de 30 N e velocidade de deslizamento de 0,5 m/s obtendo taxa de desgaste média de 15x10-6 mm³/N.m e volume de desgaste de 1,2 mm³ após 4000 m de deslizamento gerando força de atrito média de 23 N, resultados estes compatíveis com ensaios similares.

In the department of Córdoba, 8,000 agricultural jobs are taken by people who work in the informal economy, most of them without any social security, deriving their livelihood on farms. The objective of the research was to analyze the working conditions of farmworkers, of the rural area of Monteria, Cordoba (Colombia). It’s a quantitative non-experimental, cross-sectional research, whose sample consisted of 100 agricultural workers selected by a simple random sampling per housing. The data were obtained by applying a survey which was divided into three sections relating to: socio demographic conditions, labor conditions and the capabilities and opportunities of the population; the interpretation technique referred to the multiple triangulation. The survey results shows that 92% of the workers have precarious working conditions, such as: low pay, job insecurity, lack of pension and professional risks membership, failing to provide personal protective equipment and in their workplaces they don’t have drinking water for consumption despite the ethical, social and legal responsibilities that employers have to protect workers in their workplaces. The research shows that the working conditions of these workers do not provide minimal opportunities to protect their integrity and to develop their skills, making it necessary to reorient public policy in a way that provides the necessary options to improve their working conditions and human development.

Modelo do estudo: Estudo baseado em coleta de informações por meio de Questionário Estruturado. Objetivo do estudo: Verificar indicadores da situação econômica e cultural das famílias de alunos do segundo grau que pleiteiam o ingresso em cursos destinados a formar profissionais da saúde. Metodologia: Questionários auto-administrados foram respondidos por 256 estudantes do segundo grau, visitantes de Feira das Profissões da USP (FPUSP-interior). Esses questionários continham perguntas relativas ao tipo de escola que frequentavam e as atividades laborais de seus genitores. Os 108 estudantes de Escolas Públicas constituíram o Grupo 1 e os 148 alunos de Escolas Particulares formaram o Grupo 2. Resultados: A atividade profissional paterna mais frequente no Grupo 1 foi a de “Técnico Manual”(42,15%) e no Grupo 2 a de “Profissional de Nível Universitário” (24,11%). O maior grupo de mães do Grupo 1 foi composto por “Donas de Casa” (22,33%) seguido pelo das que exerciam “Outras Profissões Manuais”( 21,36%). No Grupo 2 a categoria mais frequente para as mães foi “Profissionais de Nível Universitário” (23,18%) seguida por “Professores e Diretores de Escolas” (19,56%). Cinco participantes do Grupo 1 e 27 do Grupo 2 eram filhos de Profissionais da Saúde. Conclusões: Apesar das diferenças das atividades laborais predominantes em cada um dos grupos estudados, os resultados confirmam que aspiração de se tornar um Profissional da Saúde independe da formação ou das profissões dos pais.

Pelvic endometriosis affects 5 to 10% of all menstruating women, and of these 3% to 34% have intestinal involvement. Commonly, intestinal endometrial lesion affects only the serosa. Although the invading endometrial tissue may extend into the intestinal wall, it does not usually reach the mucosa. The majority of the patients are asymptomatic. The most common symptom is lower recurrent abdominal pain. It has been estimated that 0,9% of women with intestinal endometriosis have obstructive symptoms. Occasionally deeper and more extensive intestinal wall involvement results in cyclic menstrual rectal bleeding. The authors describe a case with obstructive symptoms associated to rectal bleeding. This is an uncommon finding. Histological confirmation of deep muscular and mucosal involvement was obtained. This case led us to some considerations about the diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic possibilities in the present.

Halogenated compounds are valuable substrates for the field of organic synthesis and more specifically as reagents for coupling reactions. Environmental friendly procedures for regioselective iodination is the aim of this study, using four different methods previously described in the literature, that embrace green chemistry concepts, to obtain the 6- and 8-iodo-isomers of 3,7,3’,4’-tetramethoxy-quercetin. As traditional column chromatography does not resolve the mixture of isomers, the regioselectivity for iodination was quantified by use of HPLC. The use of a protic polar solvent improves selectivity for formation of the 8-iodo- isomers (tipically, I2, LiOH, MeOH, 3 h, 54% yield), while the use of a polar aprotic solvent or in the absence of a solvent favors formation of the 6-iodo- isomer (typically, I2, K2CO3, without solvent, 5 min, 60% yield). Twenty-one reaction procedures were investigated, five of which selectively gave the 6,8-diiodo-derivative. To the best of our knowledge, selective methods for the synthesis of this compound have not been described in the literature. The best condition was the neat reaction with N-iodo-succinimide with 68% yield in just a few minutes. All product yields are after column chromatography using silica gel, and characterized by usual methods, including 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and MS-TOF.

ABSTRACT Introduction: bonded fixed retainers are often used to stabilize the results obtained with the orthodontic treatment. It is important that they do not prejudice dental health, as they will be used for a long period. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare periodontal indexes between two types of bonded fixed retainers, conventional 3 x 3 plain retainer (0.8-mm orthodontic wire, bonded to the canines only) and a manufactured braided retainer (0.2 x 0.7-mm stainless steel wire, bonded to all anterior teeth) after use. Methods: a test group of 15 volunteers (aged from 18 to 25 years) used both the conventional retainer and braided retainer for six months. A randomized longitudinal study design, with a two week washout interval, was applied. The dental plaque index, gingival index and dental calculus index were evaluated. Furthermore, the calculus accumulated along the retainer wire was measured and all patients answered a questionnaire about the use, acceptance and comfort of both types of retainers. Results: the scores for plaque and gingival indexes were higher for the braided retainer (p< 0.05) on the lingual and proximal surfaces. The same occurred with the calculus index on the lingual surfaces (p< 0.05). The calculus index along wire was higher for the braided retainer (p< 0.05). All patients preferred the conventional retainer, and said that it was also more comfortable to use. Conclusion: it was concluded that the conventional retainer showed better periodontal indexes than the braided type.

A medida que disminuye el agua de riego, la transpiración del cultivo disminuye, resultando en un incremento de la temperatura foliar y un aumento del índice de estrés hídrico del cultivo (IEHC). Por ello, en el estudio, se evaluó la respuesta del Capsicum a diferentes regímenes de riego, con mediciones periódicas de la temperatura de la hoja, la conductancia estomática y la estimación del IEHC. Los tratamientos consistieron en un riego por goteo completo (RO) y riego con déficit (RD-78 y RD-58) que recibieron el 78% y 58% del riego completo, aplicándose un volumen total de agua de 3363, 2618 y 1956 m3 ha-1 para RO, RD-78 y RD-58, respectivamente; and obteniéndose rendimientos máximos de 30,2, 13,9 y 12,9 t ha-1 con IEHC de 0,50, 0,62 y 0,54 en C. bacatum, C. annumm y C. chinense, respectivamente. Los mayores valores de conductancia estomática variaron de 724 a 887 mmol s-1 m-2, con IEHC de 0,1 a 0,3. El valor IEHC de 0,3 (humedad del suelo del 25% al 33%), resulta en un buen indicador del momento del riego, criterio a incorporar con la finalidad de ahorrar agua y mejorar la gestión de programas de riego del Capsicum.

The first record of Ravinia almeidai (Lopes, 1946) is reported for the state of Bahia, northeast region of Brazil. The record of this fly species significantly contributes to the knowledge of sarcophagids from the northeast, as well as to the mapping of its distribution in the Brazilian territory.

Forensic Entomology can be defined as an area of Biological Sciences that uses the knowledge about insects and other Arthropods in criminal investigations, since decomposing corpses are sources of resources for arthropods, including insects belonging to the Coleoptera order. The objective of this work was to carry out a rapid assessment inventory of beetles of forensic importance in an urban fragment of the Atlantic Forest (Parque Metropolitano de Pituaçu) located in the city of Salvador, State of Bahia, Brazil. We conducted a collection in the dry period (January 2013) and another collection in the rainy period (July 2013). The capture of coleopterans took place through the use of “Pitfall” traps, stocked with a mixed bait (chicken gizzard and sardines). A total of 239 were collected, distributed in three families: Scarabaeidae (96.1%), Staphylinidae (3.0%) and Histeridae (0.9%). The morphospecies Dicothomius sp. 1 (Scarabaeidae), was more abundant with 94.1% of the specimens sampled. The dry period was more representative for both richness and abundance. All species/morphospecies sampled already have previous records as belonging to forensic importance according to previous studies.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the thickness of the zygomatic-maxillary cortical bone using computed tomography in different skeletal patterns. Methods: A total of 54 patients of both sexes, divided into three groups according to the vertical skeletal pattern, were evaluated for cortical bone thickness of the anterior slope of the zygomatic process of the maxilla, using cone beam computed tomography. Measurements were made at 2mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm and 10mm above from first molar mesial root apex. Vertical skeletal pattern was determined by Frankfurt mandibular angle (FMA). Results: The hyperdivergent pattern had the lowest cortical thickness value, nevertheless, no patient in the hyperdivergent group presented cortical thickness exceeding 2mm, and no patient in the hypodivergent group presented cortical thickness less than 1mm. However, the correlation between cortical thickness and mandibular plane angle was weak and not significant. Conclusion: Although higher prevalence of thick cortical was observed in the hypodivergent patients, and thin cortical groups in the hyperdivergent group, the vertical skeletal pattern could not be used as determinant of the zygomatic-maxillary cortical thickness.

Foi objetivo desta pesquisa estudar se as prioridades axiológicas do empregado e o tempo de serviço influenciam o comprometimento afetivo com a organização. Esta relação foi estudada com uma amostra de 200 empregados. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Inventário de Valores de Schwartz e a Escala de Mowday de comprometimento afetivo organizacional. A análise de regressão múltipla, utilizada para testar o poder preditivo dos dez tipos motivacionais de valores, revelou que Tradição, Poder, Estimulação e Universalismo foram os preditores axiológicos mais relevantes do comprometimento organizacional. A relação do comprometimento organizacional foi negativa com Estimulação (beta = - 0,26) e positiva com os outros três tipos motivacionais de valores. Quando foi verificado o poder preditivo dos quatros fatores de ordem superior somente Conservação surgiu como antecedente do comprometimento organizacional. Concluiu-se que, do ponto de vista das motivações axiológicas, o comprometimento é um comportamento complexo.

Background: Patients aged over 50 years require four times more surgical interventions than younger groups. Many guidelines recommend the performance of preoperative electrocardiogram (ECG) in this population., Objectives: To determine the value of preoperative ECG in patients aged over 50 years and classified as ASA I-II (surgical risk)., Methods: Patients older than 50 years, without comorbidities, who underwent surgical intervention and general anesthesia were included in the study. Patients were randomized to undergo ECG (group A, n=214) or not (group B, n=213) in the preoperative period. The following variables were analyzed: sex, age, ECG, chest x-ray and laboratory tests results, surgical risk, surgery duration, adverse events and in-hospital mortality. The level of significance was set at 5%., Results: Adverse outcomes were reported in 23 (5.4%) patients, with a significant number of adverse events in male patients (OR=7.91 95%CI 3.3-18.90, p<0.001) and in those undergoing major surgeries (OR=30.02 95%CI 4.01-224.92, p<0.001). No differences were observed between patients who underwent ECG and those who did not (OR=1.59, 95%CI, 0.67-3.75, p=0.289). No significant differences were found in the other variables. In multivariate logistic regression, male sex (OR = 6.49; 95%CI 2.42-17.42, p<0.001) and major surgery (OR=22.62; 95%CI 2.95-173.41, p=0.002) were independent predictors of adverse outcomes, whereas undergoing (or not) ECG (OR=1.09; IC95% 0.41-2.90, p=0.867) remained without statistical significance., Conclusion: Our findings suggest that preoperative ECG could not predict an increased risk of adverse outcomes in our study population during the hospital phase.

Ingestion of high doses of nutmeg causes potentially serious and disabling medical and psychiatric consequences. No isolated component of nutmeg has been identified as responsible for all symptoms observed during intoxication, however myristicin, one of the essential oil's components of this spice, is believed to be responsible for most psychoactive effects, although the exact mechanism is not known. Other constituents, such as elemicin, may also be involved. Symptoms of intoxication begin three to six hours after ingestion, resolve within the first 48 hours, and usually leave no sequelae. In this paper we present the case of a patient who after consuming 18 to 28 g of nutmeg developed a severe psychotic episode, with disorganized speech, psychomotor agitation and mystical/grandiose delusional ideation. The symptoms resolved quickly, and after one year of clinical stability without therapy, was discharged from the specialist consultation.

Heart failure is a disease with high direct and indirect costs. Current treatment includes drugs that alter disease progression and drugs that to improve symptoms. Loop diuretics are the cornerstone of congestion relief for acute management, as well as for chronic stabilization. In heart failure patients, maximal diuretic response is reduced by many individual factors. Diuretic resistance is defined as failure to achieve effective congestion relief despite appropriate or escalating diuretic doses. Its causes include impaired delivery of the diuretic to its luminal site of action, neurohormonal activation, tubular compensatory adaptation and drug interactions. Several strategies can be employed to aid decongestion of patients with impaired diuretic response. These include salt restriction, a higher effective single dose or higher dose frequency of loop diuretics, continuous infusion of diuretics and/or sequential nephron blockade through a synergistic combination of two or more diuretics from different classes. Ultrafiltration has also been found to be another effective and safe therapeutic option and should be considered in patients with refractory diuretic resistance. Overall, there is a lack of high-quality clinical data to guide the choice of treatment strategy and therapy should be tailored on a case-by-case basis., (Copyright © 2018 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: To investigate susceptibility to leprosy reactions, three polymorphisms of the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP1) gene were determined in 201 individuals who were attended at two reference centers in Recife, between 2007 and 2008. Of these, 100 were paucibacillary and 101 were multibacillary., Methods: The 274C/T, D543N and 1729+55del4 polymorphisms of the NRAMP1 gene were determined using the technique of restriction fragment polymorphism on DNA extracted from peripheral blood. Allelic and genotypic frequencies were estimated by direct counting., Results: The predominant genotypes were: CC (51.8%) for 274C/T; GG (86.6%) for D543N; and +-TGTG (59.9%) for 1729+55del4. The mutant genotype 274 TT predominated in negativity of the reverse reaction (p = 0.03) and in positivity of erythema nodosum leprosum (p = 0.04)., Conclusions: Our results suggest that 274 C/T polymorphism of the NRAMP1 gene may aid in determining the susceptibility to type II reactions among leprosy patients.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), defined by the Impotence-NIH Consensus Conference as the "persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity" affect more than 100 million men worldwide, at particular severity levels. The global prevalence of ED is estimated to affect about 10%, but has been found to increase significantly with age (39% in men 40 years of age and 67% at 70 years of age). In men aged 40 to 70 years, the severe ED prevalence increased of three folds, 5 to 15%. In order to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of sildenafil, it was conducted a national open, multicentre study on a portuguese population affected by ED. Subjects under ambulatory treatment were recruited in Psychiatry/Sexology Clinical units and Urology/Andrology. The results of the study carried out on a group of 62 men with ED, demonstrate that sildenafil was effective in the recovering of erectile function, increasing the number of attempts to sexual activity and improving their success rates (mainly in severe dysfunction). Fifty one patients treated with sildenafil, at the end of the study referred a global improvement in their erections (92.2%). Doses of 50 mg and 100 mg sildenafil were used and were well tolerated and also effective in the treatment of this pathology (70% and 69% respectively). Being this study a flexible dose one and taking into consideration that the final dose used was found the more suitable to the patients, can be concluded that 43.1% of the patients elected dose of 50 mg whereas 56.9% elected the maximum prescribed dose of 100 mg. Over and above global efficacy experimented by patients, a significant improvement in the sexual activity with partners was occurred. These results make possible a final conclusion--in the studied patients group affected by Erectile Dysfunction, aside from associated somatic pathology, sildenafil use provided a remarkable clinical profit, in what concerns global efficacy, by erectile function mechanisms improvement, concerning patients sensitivity of improvement, occurring in the major part of them, being these of high importance to the lifting up of their self-esteem.

Background: evaluate the results of Pap smear in women attended at a gynecology preventive ambulatory (University of São Paulo Medical School Clinical Hospital)., Methods: 6821 women were submitted to a medical interview, clinical and gynecologic exam. Cervical and vaginal cytology (Pap smear) were analyzed according to the Papanicolaou method and classification. All women were grouped according to their age into three categories:under 40 years old, between 41 and 60 years and over 60 years., Results: most of them, and mainly the younger ones, had been submitted to a previous Pap smear in a period shorter than 1 year (44.2%). The majority of women recognized the usefulness of the exam and knew its interval; the group that best knew its importance and interval was the one with ages between 41 and 60 years, while most women over 60 years did not know both its importance and interval. Cytological material was considered insufficient for analysis in 15,1% and inadequate in 1.1%, and for those with adequate material results were classes I (21.7%), II (59.9%), III (2.0%), IV (0.1%) and V (0.1%). Distribution of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were similar in the three groups. The main microbiologic findings was Gardnerella sp. (8,6%) and Human papillomavirus (HPV) incidence was significantly lower among women over 60 years., Conclusion: Cytological diagnoses of neoplastic modifications were performed in 2,2% and Gardnerella sp. was the most prevalent microbiologic agent. Distribution of HPV showed a decrease with age. Older women had lower knowledge on the importance of regular Pap smear examination.

The objective of the present investigation was to study the evolution of untreated inflammatory disease of the colon as compared to disease treated with an elemental diet plus glutamine, with 5-ASA and with a combination of the three. A total of 120 female Wistar-Tecpar rats aged 180 days and weighing on average 290 g were studied. Inflammatory disease of the colon was induced with 10% acetic acid and the animals were divided at random into four groups of 30 rats each. Group A, which received a standard diet and no type of treatment, was used as control. Group B received an elemental diet supplemented with glutamine. Group C received a standard diet and daily 5-ASA enemas, 15 mg/ml. Group D received an elemental diet supplemented with glutamine plus daily 5-ASA enemas. Ten animals were picked at random from each group and sacrificed on the 7th, 14th and 21st days of treatment after intravenous injection of Evans blue for visualization of the damaged areas. Changes in weight and the macroscopic aspects of the abdominal cavity and the colon were evaluated and the involved segment was resected for macroscopic and microscopic analysis. The highest weight loss occurred in group D animals on the 14th and 21st days. The number of complications was larger in group A animals, with intestinal perforation, peritonitis and death (P = 0.0053). Complications were of equal intensity in groups B and C and no complications were detected in group D. Macroscopic evaluation showed a lower frequency of ulcers on the 7th day in group B (P = 0.0113) and D (P = 0.0294). Group D animals showed a significantly reduced frequency of ulcers on the 14th day (P = 0.0140). Microscopic examination showed a better evolution in groups B (P = 0.0113) and D (P = 0.0294) on the 7th day and in group D on 14th day (P = 0.0105) compared to A. We conclude that the combination of an elemental diet containing glutamine and treatment with 5-ASA leads to more rapid healing of the colon lesions induced by 10% acetic acid in rats.