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Objective: To explore the scientific evidence regarding the leprosy patients quality of life. Method: Scoping review according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, with articles indexed in PubMed, Cochrane, LILACS, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsyINFO, INFOLEP, and Google Scholar databases, published in full in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. Results: Seventy-four studies were identified, with 71 of quantitative approach and 3 with a mixed method. There was a predominance of studies published in Brazil (58.1%), with an adult population, (97.3%) and recruited in reference centers for the treatment of leprosy (52.7%). There was greater use of the WHOQOL-bref (50%) and SF-36 (18.9%) instruments to assess quality of life. The study showed that the greatest impairment in quality of life was related to the delay in the diagnosis of the disease, to leprosy reactions, physical disabilities, neuropathic pain, and stigma. Conclusion: Most studies were developed in endemic countries, with adults, and based on observational studies, and the worst scores obtained were associated with physical domain impairment. RESUMEN Objetivo: Explotar las evidencias científicas con relación a la calidad de vida de pacientes con lepra. Método: revisión de alcance según la metodología del Instituto Joanna Briggs, con artículos indexados en las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane, LILACS, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsyINFO, INFOLEP y Google Scholar, publicados integralmente en portugués, inglés o español. Resultados: se identificaron 74 estudios, entre los cuales 71 fueron de abordaje cualitativo y 3 con método mixto. Predominaron estudios publicados en Brasil (58,1%), con población adulta (97,3%) y convocada en centros de referencia para tratamiento de lepra (52,7%). Se verificó mayor utilización de los instrumentos WHOQOL-bref (50%) y SF-36 (18,9%) para evaluación de la calidad de vida. El estudio mostró que los factores que más afectaron la calidad de vida fueron el retraso en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad, las reacciones leprosas, las discapacidades físicas, el dolor neuropatico y el estigma. Consideraciones Finales: las investigaciones fueron desarrolladas en gran parte en países endémicos, con adultos y a partir de estudios de observación, por lo que los peores resultados obtenidos se asociaron a las complicaciones del dominio físico. RESUMO Objetivo: Explorar as evidências científicas relativas à qualidade de vida de pacientes com hanseníase. Método: revisão de escopo segundo a metodologia do Instituto Joanna Briggs, com artigos indexados nas bases de dados PubMed, Cochrane, LILACS, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsyINFO, INFOLEP e Google Scholar, publicados na íntegra em português, inglês ou espanhol. Resultados: identificaram-se 74 estudos, sendo 71 de abordagem quantitativa e 3 com método misto. Houve predominância de estudos publicados no Brasil (58,1%), com população adulta (97,3%) e recrutada em centros de referência para tratamento de hanseníase (52,7%). Verificou-se maior utilização dos instrumentos WHOQOL-bref (50%) e SF-36 (18,9%) para avaliação da qualidade de vida. O estudo evidenciou que o maior comprometimento da qualidade de vida se relacionou ao atraso no diagnóstico da doença, às reações hansênicas, às incapacidades físicas, à dor neuropática e ao estigma. Conclusão: as pesquisas foram desenvolvidas em sua maioria em países endêmicos, com adultos e a partir de estudos observacionais, sendo que os piores escores obtidos se associaram ao comprometimento do domínio físico.

Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease that leads to a limitation of mobility, which can cause postural deficits and progressive loss of balance. Aquatic exercise improves this health condition. The objetive is to verify the influence of an aquatic exercise program, on balance and functionality, in individuals with AS. Methods Pre-experimental study carried out on 6 individuals with AS. All individuals were assessed at baseline (M0) and 12 weeks after the intervention (M1) using the Bath indices (BASMI, BASFI and BASDAI) and the balance assessment protocol (‘Body Sway’) by the Physiosensing Platform. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Program Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26. Were used descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon test to compare M0 and M1. The significance value was 0.05. Results We verify improvements in BASMI (P = 0.046), BASFI (P = 0.042) and BASDAI (P = 0.027) scores. Through the analysis of the center of pressure variables, there were no statistically significant differences, between moments, in the protocol. However, when assessing balance, in the anteroposterior mean distance in both the protocol (eyes open) and in the protocol (eyes closed), in the root mean square in both protocols and in mediolateral mean velocity, only in the protocol (eyes open), there was a slight decrease in the median value. Conclusions The present study suggests that the specific aquatic exercise program, may influence balance and improve functionality in a population with AS. Therefore, the Bath indices translate improvements in the symptoms and functionalities of these participants.

Conventional lung auscultation is essential in the management of respiratory diseases. However, detecting adventitious sounds outside medical facilities remains challenging. We assessed the feasibility of lung auscultation using the smartphone built-in microphone in real-world clinical practice. We recruited 134 patients (median[interquartile range] 16[11–22.25]y, 54% male, 31% cystic fibrosis, 29% other respiratory diseases, 28% asthma, 12% no respiratory diseases) at the Pediatrics and Pulmonology departments of a tertiary hospital. First, clinicians performed conventional auscultation with analog stethoscopes at 4 locations (trachea, right anterior chest, right and left lung bases), and documented any adventitious sounds. Then, smartphone auscultation was recorded twice in the same four locations. The recordings (n = 1060) were classified by two annotators. Seventy-three percent of recordings had quality (obtained in 92% of the participants), with the quality proportion being higher at the trachea (82%) and in the children’s group (75%). Adventitious sounds were present in only 35% of the participants and 14% of the recordings, which may have contributed to the fair agreement between conventional and smartphone auscultation (85%, k = 0.35(95% CI 0.26–0.44)). Our results show that smartphone auscultation was feasible, but further investigation is required to improve its agreement with conventional auscultation.

Aim To develop a systematic review protocol on the prevalence and/or the incidence of pressure ulcers/injuries in adult patients in emergency services. Materials and methods This protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items Form Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews of prevalence and incidence studies. The inclusion criteria will be based on the CoCoPop mnemonic. The main variables of interest will be the “prevalence” and/or the “incidence” of “pressure ulcers/injuries” (Condition) reported in studies developed in emergency services (Context), with participants aged 18 or more (Population). This Systematic Review Protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CDR42021252906). Results If meta-analysis is not possible, the syntheses of quantitative data will be presented in a narrative form to address the scope and objectives of this systematic review. Tables, graphs and/or figures will be designed to present the results of the prevalence and the incidence of pressure ulcers/injuries, their body locations and the respective categories/stages. The Systematic Review is currently ongoing. Conclusions Prevalence and incidence systematic reviews are an emerging methodology in the field of evidence synthesis. We believe that the systematic review on prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers/injuries in emergency services can provide useful information for healthcare professionals and policy makers about the dimension of this problem in a specific context. The standardized approach outlined in this systematic review protocol offers a rigorous and transparent method to conduct the review.

IgM againstMycobacterium lepraemay be detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on phenolic glycolipid I (PGL-I) or natural disaccharide octyl bovine serum albumin (ND-O-BSA) as antigens, and the IgG response can be detected by an ELISA based on lipid droplet protein 1 (LID-1). The titers of antibodies against these antigens vary with operational classification. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of ELISAs involving PGL-I and ND-O-BSA with that involving LID-1. We included studies that analyze multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy cases and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ELISAs based on LID-1 and/or PGL-I or ND-O-BSA as antigens to measure antibody titers againstM. leprae. Studies were found via PubMed, the Virtual Health Library Regional Portal, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, Índice Bibliográfico Espanhol de Ciências de Saúde, the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Cochrane Library, Embase (the Elsevier database), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies served as a methodological validity tool. Quantitative data were extracted using the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy. Sensitivity, specificity, and a diagnostic odds ratio were calculated, and a hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic curve and forest plots were constructed. The protocol register code for this meta-analysis is PROSPERO 2017: CRD42017055983. Nineteen studies were included. ND-O-BSA showed better overall performance in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio when compared with PGL-I and LID-1. The multibacillary group showed better performance on these parameters (than the paucibacillary group did), at 94%, 99%, 129, 0.05, and 2293, respectively. LID-1 did not provide any advantage regarding the overall estimate of sensitivity in comparison with PGL-I or ND-O-BSA.

BACKGROUND Leprosy contacts are sensitive indicator of the magnitude of severity, and a high risk for infection and disease, especially if the individuals are exposed to the bacillus with multibacillary cases, which reinforces the need for chemoprophylactic measures, such as the use single-dose rifampicin (SDR) combined with BCG vaccine. OBJECTIVE Our study will analyze the serological response of anti-NDO-LID, HO-1/HMOX and serum IFN-γ concentration as a prophylactic measure after the use of single-dose rifampicin (SDR) combined with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) among multibacillary leprosy household contacts. METHODS Intervention study based on a prospective cohort of household contacts of new cases of multibacillary leprosy diagnosed and registered in the Information System on Diseases of Compulsory Declaration (SINAN – Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação) and residents in the municipalities of Cuiabá and Cáceres, Mato Grosso, in the years 2019 and 2020. Contacts with no signs and symptoms compatible with the disease of the intervention group will receive single-dose rifampicin (SDR) combined with BCG vaccine and will be compared to the control group. The follow-up of the cohort will last 12 months. The analyses of the anti-NDO-LID, HO-1/HMOX and serum concentration of IFN-γ tests as immunological markers before, 6 and 12 months after the intervention will be conducted in a reference laboratory (FIOCRUZ). RESULTS The study is still recruiting participants and is expected to be completed in September 2020. CONCLUSIONS Our study seeks to analyze the response of anti-NDO-LID, HO-1/HMOX tests and serum IFN-γ concentration as a prophylactic measure after the use of single-dose rifampicin (SDR) combined with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) in home contacts of multibacillary leprosy cases. CLINICALTRIAL Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC), RBR-6yg2z9. Retrospectively registered on 3 de Out. de 2019.

The effects of the dose and application method of limestone - broadcast or in furrow - and of agricultural gypsum on soil fertility, the control of clubroot, and cauliflower development in mountain farming areas were evaluated. Initially, four doses of broadcast limestone (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 Mg ha-1) and two cauliflower cultivars (Sharon and Piracicaba Precoce) were analyzed. A second experiment evaluated limestone (4.0 Mg ha-1) application treatments: broadcast and in furrow, broadcast limestone + gypsum (3.0 + 1.0 Mg ha-1), and broadcast gypsum (1.0 Mg ha-1). Soil fertility was improved, and significant increases were observed in the total and healthy root volume with increasing doses of limestone. With 4.0 Mg ha-1, a 58 and 85% increase in yield was observed in Sharon and Piracicaba, respectively, compared to the control. Treatments with limestone and limestone + gypsum, regardless of the application method, elevated pH (≥ 10%), base saturation (V%) (≥ 37%), and calcium (Ca) contents (≥ 100%), and reduced the levels of aluminum ions (Al3+) (≥ 60%) and clubroot severity (≥ 64%) and favored biomass accumulation (≥ 27%) and yield (≥ 9.2%). The application of limestone in the furrow yielded results similar to the broadcast application. The effects of the dose and application method of limestone - broadcast or in furrow - and of agricultural gypsum on soil fertility, the control of clubroot, and cauliflower development in mountain farming areas were evaluated. Initially, four doses of broadcast limestone (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 Mg ha-1) and two cauliflower cultivars (Sharon and Piracicaba Precoce) were analyzed. A second experiment evaluated limestone (4.0 Mg ha-1) application treatments: broadcast and in furrow, broadcast limestone + gypsum (3.0 + 1.0 Mg ha-1), and broadcast gypsum (1.0 Mg ha-1). Soil fertility was improved, and significant increases were observed in the total and healthy root volume with increasing doses of limestone. With 4.0 Mg ha-1, a 58 and 85% increase in yield was observed in Sharon and Piracicaba, respectively, compared to the control. Treatments with limestone and limestone + gypsum, regardless of the application method, elevated pH (≥ 10%), base saturation (V%) (≥ 37%), and calcium (Ca) contents (≥ 100%), and reduced the levels of aluminum ions (Al3+) (≥ 60%) and clubroot severity (≥ 64%) and favored biomass accumulation (≥ 27%) and yield (≥ 9.2%). The application of limestone in the furrow yielded results similar to the broadcast application.

Resumo: O objetivo deste artigo foi analisar a aceitabilidade da quimioprofilaxia com rifampicina em dose única (PEP) entre os contatos, casos índices de hanseníase e profissionais da saúde e fatores relacionados que possam influenciar na adesão. Realizou-se um estudo qualitativo de análise de conteúdo após aplicação de entrevistas semiestruturadas segundo protocolo proposto no programa LPEP (2016), realizado em Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brasil, em julho de 2016. Participaram do estudo indivíduos notificados com hanseníase, contatos e profissionais da saúde. Utilizou-se o software QRS NVivo versão 10. Foram contatados 80 indivíduos, sendo 54 (67%) contatos, 11 (14%) casos índices e 15 (19%) profissionais de saúde. Dentre os contatos, 94% (51/54) tomaram PEP. Foram identificadas 3 categorias quanto à PEP: compreensão, aceitação e expectativa da intervenção. A compreensão se mostrou relacionada ao cuidado da equipe de saúde. Aceitar ou não a medicação revelou-se relacionada ao medo, confiança e proteção, operacionalidade da estratégia, autoestima e insegurança quanto à intervenção. A expectativa da intervenção relacionou-se ao bem-estar, prevenção da doença e de sequelas, diminuição de gastos públicos e ampliação do acesso. Houve reconhecimento da relevância da estratégia PEP pela possibilidade de interrupção da cadeia de transmissão, diminuição de casos novos e melhora na qualidade de vida. A insegurança em tomar a medicação e de a doença se manifestar influenciaram negativamente à aceitação da PEP; por outro lado, as informações prévias sobre a estratégia PEP contribuíram para o fortalecimento da confiança nos profissionais de saúde e para a aceitabilidade da medicação.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the major causes of stroke and cardiovascular morbidity in the world [1]. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or non-VKA oral anticoagula...

Background Individuals in contact with patients who have leprosy have an increased risk of disease exposure, which reinforces the need for chemoprophylactic measures, such as the use of rifampicin. Objectives The objective of the review was to synthesize the best available evidence regarding the effectiveness of rifampicin chemoprophylaxis for contacts with patients with leprosy, and to synthesize the best available evidence on the experience and acceptability of rifampicin chemoprophylaxis as reported by the contacts and health professionals involved in the treatment of leprosy or Hansen's disease. Inclusion criteria types of participants In the quantitative component, individuals in contact with leprosy patients were included. In the qualitative component, in addition to contacts, health professionals who were in the practice of treating leprosy were included. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The quantitative component considered as an intervention rifampicin at any dose, frequency and mode of administration, and rifampicin combination regimens.The qualitative component considered as phenomena of interest the experience and acceptability of rifampicin chemoprophylaxis. Types of studies The quantitative component considered experimental and observational studies whereas the qualitative component considered studies that focused on qualitative data, including but not limited to, designs such as phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography and action-research. Outcomes The quantitative component considered studies that reported on outcomes such as the development of clinical leprosy in the contacts of patients who had leprosy, incidence rates, adverse effects and safety/harmful effects of the intervention. Search strategy A three-step strategy for published and unpublished literature was used. The search for published studies included: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature; and Google Scholar and EVIPnet for unpublished studies. Studies published from the time of the respective database inception to January 2016 in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese were considered. Methodological quality Two reviewers independently assessed the studies for methodological quality using standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Data extraction Standardized data extraction tools developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute were used to extract quantitative and qualitative data from papers included in the review. Data synthesis Due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity in the interventions of the included studies, no statistical meta-analysis was possible. Quantitative and qualitative research findings are presented in narrative form. Results Following critical appraisal, eight studies were included in this review, seven quantitative and one qualitative. The reduction in incidence of leprosy, using one dose of rifampicin in the first two years, was 56.5%; in the follow up period of one to four years, the reduction was 34.9%. The combination of rifampicin and the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine showed a preventative effect of 80% against the disease. The only controlled clinical trial using two doses of rifampicin was community-based and did not indicate effectiveness of the intervention. The qualitative findings showed social acceptability of rifampicin. Conclusions Chemoprophylaxis with one dose of rifampicin is found to be effective in preventing contacts of leprosy patients from contracting the disease. Also, there is indication that this strategy is socially accepted.

The research and development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) has been active in Europe and worldwide during recent years. Yet, the number of licensed products remains low. The main expected legal change in the near future in the European Union (EU) concerns the regulation on clinical trials (536/2014), which will come into force in 2018. With this new framework, a more harmonized and swift process for approval of clinical trials is anticipated, which is expected to support the entry of new innovations into the EU market. A survey on ATMPs in clinical trials during 2010-2015 in the EU was conducted in order to study the trends of ATMP development since the earlier survey published in 2012. According to the results, the number of clinical trials using ATMPs is slowly increasing in the EU. Yet, the focus is still in early development, and the projects are mainly carried out by small and medium-sized enterprises, academia, and hospitals. Oncology is the main area of clinical development. Yet, the balance between cell-based products and gene therapy medicinal products in this area may be changing in the future due to the new T-cell technologies. Many limitations and challenges are identified for ATMP development, requiring proportionate regulatory requirements. On the other hand, for such a novel field, the developers should be active in considering possible constraints and actively engage with authorities to look for solutions. This article provides up to-date information on forthcoming regulatory improvements and discusses the main challenges hampering the commercialization of ATMPs in the EU.

American Tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is an infectious disease caused by several species of Leishmania . Even though the direct detection of parasites has low sensitivity, it is still the gold standard for the laboratory diagnosis of ATL. Recent studies have shown promising results of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays ( ELISAs) using recombinant antigens. The aim of this study is to compare the accuracy of ELISAs using novel antigens with the standard ELISA based on soluble antigens of Leishmania (SLA) to diagnose ATL. Studies that analyzed patients with ATL and studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of ELISAs using novel antigens and SLA were included. The Fourteen studies from PubMed, Regional Portal of the Virtual Health Library (BVS), Brazilian Society of Dermatology, Virtual Health Library (IBECS), Literature in the Health Sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean (LILACS), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), Elsevier Embase, Cochrane Library, The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were included. The novel ELISA antigens showed a high sensitivity (93.8%-100%) and specificity (82.5-100%), a better diagnostic performance than SLA-based ELISAs (1-97.4% and 57.5-100%, respectively). Only 10 studies analyzed cross-reactions in serum samples from patients with Chagas disease, and only two studies reported a percentage of cross-reactivity. In this systematic review, the novel ELISA antigens showed better sensitivity and specificity with respect to SLA-based ELISAs. However, a meta-analysis should be performed to confirm this finding.

B ackground : A high prevalence of leprosy among children under 15 years of age indicates the need to implement actions to prevent new cases of the disease. Serological tests have been developed with the aim of helping to control the disease by indicating, through seropositivity, the presence of infection. O bjectives : To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with seropositivity rate for anti-NDO-LID antibodies in children under 15 years of age, contacts of leprosy patients. M ethods : We performed a cross-sectional study with 210 children under 15 years old of age. Of them, 50 were household contacts and 160 were neighborhood contacts living in the municipality of Cuiaba, state of Mato Grosso, in 2016. The data were obtained from interviews and the NDO-LID rapid test during home visits from February to July 2016. For the analysis, we used Poisson regression and prevalence ratio. R esults : Seropositivity in contacts was 6.2%. Variables associated with seropositive tests included sex (PR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01 -1.08), race/skin color (PR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.90 - 0.99), residence area (PR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01 - 1.09), and number of people per household (PR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.08). S tudy limitations : The small sample size, besides leading to wide confidence intervals, may have been a limitation for the identification of associated factors. C onclusion : The prevalence of seropositivity was high. Variables associated with NDO-LID seropositivity included female sex, not to be brown skinned, live in urban areas, and live with five or more people.

Elderly patients pose challenge in clinical practice. Multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are a reality among these patients, and can increase the risk of...

Objetivo: Analisar os fatores associados à mortalidade neonatal de recém-nascidos com baixo peso ao nascer. Métodos: Estudo do tipo coorte retrospectiva, com recém-nascidos de baixo peso que foram a óbito nos primeiros 27 dias de vida, no período de 2011 a 2014. Coletou-se dados no Sistema de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos e Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade. O Linkage determinístico unificou os dados dos dois sistemas. Para a análise no efeito de covariáveis sobre a força da mortalidade neonatal em recém-nascidos de baixo peso aplicou-se a regressão simples. E, posteriormente a regressão logística. As variáveis testadas nos modelos de regressão foram selecionadas quando apresentaram a significância estatística para os valores de p ≤ 0,05, bem como a presença de variáveis de ajuste. Resultados: Mostraram-se como fatores associados à mortalidade neonatal: parto vaginal; realização de 1 a 6 consultas de pré-natal; peso ao nascer entre 500 a 999 gramas; Apgar menor que sete e a presença de anomalia congênita. Conclusão: A ocorrência de óbito neonatal de recém-nascidos com baixo peso se relaciona à qualidade da assistência durante a gestação, ao parto e ao recém-nascido.

Previous studies have shown that high levels of air pollutants may increase activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study is to analyze the association between pollutants originating from the Brazilian Legal Amazon and SLE activity. This is a retrospective longitudinal cohort study with patients with SLE in the General Hospital in Cuiab&aacute, Brazil. The association with SLE activity was measured using the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and data on air quality&mdash, PM2.5 and CO, published on the websites of the State Department of Environment and the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies. To assess the effect of daily concentrations of pollutants on SLEDAI scores, the generalized estimation equation (GEE) model was used. A total of 32 female patients were assessed, in 96 doctor&rsquo, s appointments. The average SLEDAI score was 6 points (&plusmn, 5.05). GEE showed an association of disease activity with both higher rates of wildfires (p = 0.021) and average CO rate (p = 0.013), but there was no statistical association between particulate levels and SLE activity. The results suggest that variations in air pollution are associated with the activity of autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Analisar as principais características dos recém-nascidos de baixo peso ao nascer que foram a óbito em Cuiabá, Mato Grosso. Estudo a partir de uma coorte composta de nascidos vivos com peso ao nascer de 500-2499 gramas que evoluíram ao óbito antes de completarem 28 dias de vida. Os dados foram obtidos do Sistema de Informação sobre Nascidos Vivos e Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade. Dos 3.404 recém-nascidos estudados, 238 evoluíram para o óbito (7,0%). Prevaleceram osóbitos entre os do sexo masculino, com peso entre 500-999 gramas, Apgar < 7 no primeiro e no quinto minuto e com presença de anomalia congênita (p

Background: In Portugal, colorectal cancer is the second most common type of cancer. With the increasing number of cancer survivors, follow-up is perceived as a chronic disease, with a significant impact on hospital care. Objective: To characterize colorectal patients in follow-up at Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, EPE, and to determine the profile of economic resources consumed as well as the consultation workload. Materials and Methods: We characterized colorectal patients in follow-up at Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, EPE, registered from 2008 until 2013 and the profile of economic resources consumed. Results: The Department of Oncology is responsible for 56.2% of colorectal patients’ follow- up. In this study, only 0.4% of cases had follow-up secured in primary care, which translates to a significant impact in terms of resources allocation and consultation management, especially if we consider that 41% of patients are in follow-up for longer than 3 years. The average annual adjusted cost of follow-up per patient is EUR 539.09. Patients who were alive on 31 January 2014 had generated 2,930 follow- up hospital appointments per year, representing 12% of the total number of oncology appointments reported in 2013. Discussion and Conclusions: The follow-up of colorectal cancer patients is associated with significant hospital resource allocation and physicians’ time consumption. Other follow-up models might emerge as an alternative to traditional hospital-centered follow-up, such as the shared-care follow-up, which requires a multidisciplinary and survivorcentered approach, ensuring that information and communication are shared between settings with a clear definition of responsibilities, a survivor care plan, and mechanisms for future referencing when justified. RESUMO - Introdução: Em Portugal o cancro colorretal é o segundo cancro mais frequente. Com o aumento do número de sobreviventes de cancro, o seguimento acaba por ser encarado como uma condição crónica, com impacto significativo nos cuidados assistenciais hospitalares. Objetivo: Caraterizar os doentes com cancro colorretal em seguimento no Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, EPE. e determinar o perfil de recursos económicos consumidos, bem como a carga assistencial. Material e Métodos: Procedeuse à caraterização dos doentes com cancro colorretal em seguimento no Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, EPE. registados de 2008 a 2013 e à determinação do perfil de recursos económicos consumidos. Resultados: A oncologia é responsável pelo seguimento em 56,2% dos doentes com cancro colorretal. Neste estudo, apenas 0,4% dos casos tiveram um seguimento nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários, o que se traduz num impacto significativo em termos dos recursos alocados e gestão de consultas, em especial se considerarmos que 41% dos doentes estão em seguimento há mais de 3 anos. O custo anual ajustado por doente é em média 539,09 €. Os doentes vivos a 31 janeiro de 2014 geraram 2930 consultas de seguimento por ano, equivalentes a 12% do total de consultas reportadas em 2013 pela oncologia. Discussão e Conclusão: O seguimento dos doentes com cancro colorretal está associado a uma alocação significativa de recursos hospitalares e consumo de tempo dos médicos. Outros modelos de seguimento, tais como o seguimento partilhado, poderão emergir como uma alternativa ao seguimento tradicional centrado no hospital, os quais requerem uma abordagem multidisciplinar e centrada no sobrevivente de cancro, assegurando que a informação e comunicação são partilhadas entre níveis de prestação de cuidados, com uma definição clara de responsabilidades, um plano de cuidados para o sobrevivente e mecanismos de referenciação futura se necessária. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

RESUMO: Objetivos: Comparar as características sociodemográficas, clínicas e epidemiológicas de indivíduos menores de 15 anos notificados com hanseníase entre os municípios prioritários e os não prioritários, bem como a distribuição espacial destes casos registrados em tais municípios. Trata-se de um estudo transversal a partir de casos novos de hanseníase em menores de 15 anos (n=429) registrados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação do estado de Mato Grosso, entre 2011 e 2013. Os casos diagnosticados foram comparados quanto aos aspectos sociodemográficos, clínicos e epidemiológico por meio do teste do qui-quadrado ao nível de significância de 5%. A distribuição espacial foi feita por meio do software ArcGis 10.2. Resultados: Dos 141 municípios do estado avaliados segundo a distribuição espacial, 58,1% (n=82) apresentaram coeficiente médio de incidência alto, muito alto e hiperendêmico, sendo que, destes, 34,1% (n=28) contemplam o grupo dos prioritários. Dos casos novos incluídos no estudo, 73,9% (n=317) foram notificados em municípios prioritários. Observou-se diferença na proporção de casos registrados entre os municípios, com maior proporção nos prioritários quanto à idade de 5 a 9 anos (χ²=4,09; p=0,043), raça branca (χ²=7,01; p=0,008) e forma clínica tuberculoide (χ²=3,89; p=0,048), e maior proporção nos não prioritários quanto à zona não urbana (χ²=24,23; p

In the past decade, novel cell-based products have been studied in patients with acute and chronic cardiac disease to assess whether these therapies are efficacious in improving heart function and preventing the development of end-stage heart failure. Cardiac indications studied include acute myocardial infarction (AMI), refractory angina, and chronic heart failure (CHF). Increased clinical activity, experience, and multiple challenges faced by developers have been recognized at the regulatory level. In May 2014, the Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) discussed in an expert meeting various cell-based medicinal products developed for cardiac repair, with a focus on non-manipulated bone marrow cells, sorted bone marrow or apheresis, and expanded cells, applied to patients with AMI or CHF. The intention was to share information, both scientific and regulatory, and to examine the challenges and opportunities in this field. These aspects were considered from the quality, and non-clinical and clinical perspectives, including current imaging techniques, with a focus on AMI and CHF. The scope of this overview is to present the European regulatory viewpoint on cell-based therapies for cardiac repair in the context of scientific observations.

Review question/objective 1. What is the effectiveness of rifampicin chemoprophylaxis in preventing leprosy in contacts of patients with leprosy? 2. What are the experiences and acceptability with the use of rifampin chemoprophylaxis in the prevention of disease from contacts with patients who have leprosy, in patients with leprosy following treatment and in family and health care professionals? Inclusion criteria Types of participants The quantitative and qualitative components of this evaluation will include individuals of both genders of any age who were intra-household or extra-household contacts (contacts from work, social contacts, neighbors or community) of leprosy patients diagnosed as new cases, recurring cases or abandonment of treatment who used rifampicin chemoprophylaxis. Those patients who received other chemoprophylaxis treatments such as dapsone, acedapsone or treatments not associated with rifampicin will be excluded. The qualitative component will also include leprosy patients following treatment, family members and health care professionals who assisted those patients. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The quantitative component will consider studies that evaluated the effectiveness of rifampicin chemoprophylaxis at any dose, frequency, or administration and combination regimens such as single-dose, double-dose, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine combination and ROM combination. Comparison: placebo or chemoprophylactic regimens without rifampicin or no comparison The qualitative component of this review will consider studies that evaluated the experiences and acceptability of contacts of leprosy patients, patients with leprosy following treatment, family and health care professionals with the use of rifampicin such as single-dose, double-dose, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine combination and rifampicin, ofloxacin and minocycline regimen combination. Contexts that may be included but are not limited to consideration include household contact with leprosy and community and health service. Types of outcomes The quantitative component of the review will consider studies that have measured impact on the following outcomes using a range of measures: development of clinical leprosy in contacts of patients with leprosy (primary outcome), incidence rate, adverse effects and safety/harmful effects of rifampicin chemoprophylaxis. The qualitative component of the review will consider studies that related to individual experiences, acceptance, compliance, treatment refusal, medication adherence and satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE To identify the historical trend of leprosy epidemiological indicators in individuals under the age of 15 in the state of Mato Grosso. METHODS Descriptive study with trend analysis of leprosy indicators in individuals under the age of fifteen registered in the Mato Grosso’s System for Notifiable Diseases between 2001 and 2013. We used the Prais-Winsten procedure for analyzing generalized linear regression at a significance level of 5%. We considered as increasing time series when the annual percent change was positive, decreasing when negative and stationary when there was no significant difference between its value and zero. RESULTS We analyzed 2455 cases of leprosy and the average detection rate in individuals under the age of fifteen was 22.7 per 100 thousand inhabitants. The trend of the general coefficient of incidence was decreasing, with an average annual rate of -5.5% (95%CI -7.5–-3.5). Increasing trend was observed with an increase of 6.7% (95%CI 2.7–10.8) in the proportion of multibacillary cases, 9.4% (95%CI 4.4–14.7) of cases diagnosed with dimorphic clinical form and 14% (95%CI 7.9–20.4) of cases with physical disability level 2 at the time of diagnosis. There was an increasing trend in the average proportion of examined contacts, with a growth of 4.1% (95%CI 1.2–7.1) and average proportion of healing was precarious (39.7%), with stationary trend. CONCLUSIONS The historical trend of leprosy cases in individuals under the age of fifteen proved to be decreasing in the period, however the trends of epidemiological indicators such as the proportion of multibacillary cases, physical disability level 2 and healing, indicate late diagnosis with stay sources of transmission and consequent worsening of the disease in the state of Mato Grosso. RESUMO OBJETIVO Identificar a tendência histórica dos indicadores epidemiológicos de hanseníase em menores de 15 anos no estado de Mato Grosso. MÉTODOS Estudo descritivo com análise de tendência dos indicadores de hanseníase em menores de 15 anos registrados no Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação de Mato Grosso, no período de 2001 a 2013. Utilizou-se o procedimento de Prais-Winsten para análise de regressão linear generalizada, adotando-se nível de significância de 5%. Consideraram-se como série temporal crescente quando a annual percent change era positiva, decrescente quando negativa e estacionária quando não havia diferença significante entre seu valor e o zero. RESULTADOS Foram analisados 2.455 casos de hanseníase e o coeficiente médio de incidência em menores de 15 anos foi de 22,7/100 mil habitantes. A tendência geral do coeficiente de incidência foi decrescente, com uma annual percent change de -5,5% (IC95% -7,5–3,5). Observou-se tendência de crescimento, com incremento de 6,7% (IC95% 2,7–10,8) na proporção dos casos multibacilares, de 9,4% (IC95% 4,4–14,7) nos casos com forma clínica dimorfa e de 14% (IC95% 7,9–20,4) nos casos com incapacidade física grau 2 no momento do diagnóstico da doença. Verificou-se crescimento na proporção dos contatos de casos novos examinados, com incremento de 4,1% (IC95% 1,2–7,1) e média da proporção de cura considerada precária (39,7%) com tendência estacionária. CONCLUSÕES A tendência histórica dos casos de hanseníase em menores de 15 anos mostrou-se decrescente no período. Entretanto, as tendências dos indicadores epidemiológicos, como a proporção de casos multibacilares, de incapacidade física grau 2 e de cura, indicam o diagnóstico tardio com permanência de fontes de transmissibilidade e consequente agravo da endemia no estado de Mato Grosso.

Agricultural studies focusing on the development and/or improvement of new varieties of fruits and vegetables usually prioritize the productivity, disease resistance, response to fertilization, and higher nutrient content. However, new product development needs to take into account not only flavour preference, but also consumer preference for appearance since without tasting products, consumers have to make decisions based on the way a product looks. The present study evaluated the sensory characteristics and consumer preference of ten promising accessions of organic cherry tomato for fresh consumption aiming at identifying the sensory attributes related to appearance that contributed to consumer liking/disliking the fruit. More specifically, the objective of the study was to guide producers regarding the target appearance attributes that play a role on consumer acceptance of cherry tomatoes. Ten accessions of organic cherry tomatoes were evaluated by a trained panel using the QDA methodology, and also by 80 tomato consumers for the acceptance of appearance and intention to purchase. The results achieved after integrating these two data sets (from the trained panel and consumers) in a multidimensional map allowed the elucidation of consumer liking of tomatoes in relation to the appearance, i.e. drivers of liking/disliking were identified. Results revealed that tomatoes with round shape and red colour (reddish) (cultivar ENAS 1031, ENAS 1010, ‘Perinha Agua Branca’, Super Sweet, and ‘Joana’) were the most liked cherry tomatoes. Those genotypes were also liked by the smallest segment (17.5% of participants) but for them unusual shapes (oblong and pear), orange-yellow colour, and bigger size were also liked. Despite the small number of participants in this study (80 consumers), new shapes and colours for the organic cherry tomatoes could be considered promising alternatives in the Brazilian market, and can be an opportunity for the producers of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Background An increased production of cherry and gourmet tomato cultivars that are harvested at advanced colour stages and sold at a higher price has been observed in the last 10 years. In this context, producers need information on the sensory characteristics of new cultivars and their perception by potential consumers. The aim of the present work was to obtain a sensory characterisation of nine cherry tomato cultivars produced under Brazilian organic cultivation conditions from a chef and consumer perspective. Nine organic cherry tomato genotypes were evaluated by ten chefs using an open-ended question and by 110 consumers using a check-all-that-apply question. Results Both methodologies provided similar information on the sensory characteristics of the cherry tomato accessions. The superimposed representation of the samples in a multiple factor analysis was similar for consumers' and chefs' descriptions (RV coefficient 0.728), although they used different methodologies. According to both panels, cherry tomatoes were sorted into five groups of samples with similar sensory characteristics. Conclusion Results from the present work may provide information to help organic producers in the selection of the most promising cultivars for cultivation, taking into account consumers' and chefs' perceptions, as well as in the design of communication and marketing strategies. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Conclusions The results provide preliminary evidence that corticosteroids were not effective in all grades of dysfunction and for achieving a rapid remission in the early phase of BP, highlighting the need to define standard and rigorous criteria to prescribe corticosteroids in these patients. Objectives The main aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of corticosteroids better associated than paralleled with neuromuscular training (C + FNT) is more effective than facial neuromuscular training (FNT) applied alone, in terms of recovery degree and facial symmetry during the early phase of Bell's palsy (BP). Patients and methods A prospective single-blinded study involved 73 patients: the C + FNT group (n = 42; median age = 37.5 years) and FNT group (n = 31; median age = 49.0 years). Patients were assessed before and 6 weeks after treatment by House-Brackmann (HB-FGS) and Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SB-FGS). Results Recovery degree and facial symmetry improved significantly in both groups (p 0.001), without differences between groups (p 0.05). However, the C + FNT group displayed better outcomes for cheek (p = 0.004) and mouth (p = 0.022) resting symmetry at SB-FGS, instead of compared to the FNT group. The corticosteroids had no significant effect on all recovery degrees (p = 0.992) and rapid remission (p = 0.952). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the type of intervention was not a significant predictor for recovery degree (p = 0.917).

Background: Physical activity(PA) patterns during pregnancy have not been explored in depth and most previous studies lack assessment of variables such as type, frequency, duration and intensity of activity Objectives: This study had two goals: 1) to analyze PA patterns during pregnancy according to weekly time spent on different types of activity; and 2) to determine women's perception about health care providers regarding PA advisement during pregnancy. Patients and Methods: A longitudinal prospective study was carried out with a 118-pregnant women cohort. Participants were evaluated during all trimesters. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect personal and obstetric data. Type, duration and frequency of PA were evaluated using the pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ) and intensity levels were calculated. Repeated measure analysis of variance was performed to determine differences between trimesters, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed when appropriate. Results: A decrease in values of self-reported PA (MET.h.wk(-1)) was found from the first to the second and the first to the third trimester of pregnancy respectively, total (270.91 vs 22054 vs 210.35; P < 0.01), light (109.45 vs 95.11 vs 92.40; P < 0.01) and moderate intensity (81.99 vs 50.69 vs 62.94; P = 0.002). Time spent on most activities remained fairly stable throughout pregnancy. Women spent most of their weekly time during the entire pregnancy on household and caregiving activities, occupational activities and leisure, except sport activities. Swimming was the most reported organized PA, reaching its highest proportion (12.7%) in the second trimester. Prenatal exercise classes were reported by 39.8% of women during the 3rd trimester. Pregnant women reported that PA was recommended by health professionals: 53.9% in the 1st trimester, 70.4% in the 2nd trimester and 56.8% in the 3rd trimester. Conclusions: Self-reported PA decreased, especially from the first to the second trimester, in total, light and moderate intensity Women spent most of their weekly time on domestic, occupational and leisure activities, except sport activities. There are some health care providers that do not recommend physical activity during pregnancy.

Aim To compare the efficacy of a supervised pelvic floor exercise programme and conventional home-prescribed exercise programme for the treatment of mild-tomoderate stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. Method Thirty four women with SUI were randomly distributed into a group home exercise programme (HEP) or group HEP and supervised exercise programme (HEP+SEP). The HEP group performed eight to ten contractions of the pelvic floor muscles three times a day for six months. The HEP+SEP group also attended a weekly, 45-minute supervised exercise programme. Results Compared to pre- and post-training values, the strength of pelvic floor muscles increased in HEP and HEP+SEP. Similar reductions on pad test were registered in HEP and HEP+SEP. The urinary leakage episodes per week decreased in HEP and HEP+SEP. The rate of women who thought they were cured, almost cured, or feeling better was 100 per cent in HEP+SEP and 64.7 per cent in HEP. Conclusion The home exercise programme was beneficial for women with mild-to-moderate SUI; but the HEP+SEP improvement was more pronounced.

Background: Idiopathic facial palsy (IFP) or Bell’s palsy is a unilateral mononeuropathy of the lower motorneuron of the facial nerve, excluding tumor, infectious or traumatic causes.Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy on the outcome of IFP.Search strategy: The electronic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PEDro and SPORTDiscus, were searched up to December 2009.Selection criteria: Studies included in this review were selected according to the following set of criteria: (1) the design was randomized controlled trial; (2) all participants had an IFP or paresis; (3) the intervention was any modality of physiotherapy (a combination of modalities was possible) except interventions such as acupuncture and osteopathic; (4) the studies were published between January 2000 and December 2009; (5) English language.Methods: The review authors extracted and analyzed the data independently, using the PEDro scale to assess the methodological quality of each eligibly ...

OBJETIVO: Analisar fatores associados à ocorrência de recidiva em hanseníase. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo caso-controle com 159 pacientes maiores de 15 anos diagnosticados com hanseníase em cinco municípios do estado de Mato Grosso, cujas unidades de saúde eram consideradas de referência para o atendimento. O grupo de casos incluiu 53 indivíduos com recidiva de 2005 a 2007 e foi comparado ao grupo controle (106 com alta por cura em 2005), pareados por sexo e classificação operacional. Foram usados dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, prontuários e entrevistas. Utilizou-se regressão logística condicional e abordagem hierárquica. RESULTADOS: Após análise ajustada, mostraram-se associados à ocorrência de recidiva: indivíduos residentes em casas alugadas (OR = 4,1; IC95%:1,43;12,04), em domicílio de madeira/taipa (OR = 3,2; IC95%: 1,16;8,76), que moravam com mais de cinco pessoas (OR = 2,1; IC95% : 1,03;4,36), com transtorno de uso de álcool (OR = 2,8; IC95%: 1,17;6,79), irregularidade do tratamento (OR = 3,8;IC95%: 1,44;10,02), sem esclarecimento sobre a doença/tratamento (OR = 2,6; IC95%: 1,09;6,13), que usavam transporte coletivo para o acesso à unidade de saúde (OR = 5,5; IC95%: 2,36;12,63), forma clínica da doença (OR = 7,1; IC95%: 2,48;20,52) e esquema terapêutico (OR = 3,7; IC95%: 1,49;9,11). CONCLUSÕES: Os fatores preditivos de recidiva relacionam-se com condições de moradia, hábitos de vida, organização dos serviços de saúde, formas clínicas e esquemas terapêuticos. Cabe aos serviços de saúde oferecer orientações adequadas aos pacientes, bem como garantir a regularidade do tratamento.

The physical therapy (PT) associated with standard drug treatment (SDT) in Bell palsy has never been investigated. Randomized controlled trials or quasirandomized controlled trials have compared facial PT (except treatments such as acupuncture and osteopathic) combined with SDT against a control group with SDT alone. Participants included those older than 15 yrs with a clinical diagnosis of Bell palsy, and the primary outcome measure was motor function recovery by the House-Brackmann scale. The methodologic quality of each study was also independently assessed by two reviewers using the PEDro scale. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. Three trials indicate that PT in association with SDT supports higher motor function recovery than SDT alone between 15 days and 1 yr of follow-up. On the other hand, one trial showed that electrical stimulation added to conventional PT with SDT did not influence treatment outcomes. The present review suggests that the current practice of Bell palsy treatment by PT associated with SDT seems to have a positive effect on grade and time recovery compared with SDT alone. However, there is very little quality evidence from randomized controlled trials, and such evidence is insufficient to decide whether combined treatment is beneficial in the management of Bell palsy.

With the release of Regulation 1394/2007, a new framework for gene and cell therapy medicinal products and tissue-engineered products was established in the European Union. For all three product classes, called advanced therapy medicinal products, a centralised marketing authorisation became mandatory. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) together with its Committee for Advanced Therapies, Committee for Human Medicinal Products and the network of national agencies is responsible for scientific evaluation of the marketing authorisation applications. For a new application, data and information relating to manufacturing processes and quality control of the active substance and the final product have to be submitted for evaluation together with data from non-clinical and clinical safety and efficacy studies. Technical requirements for ATMPs are defined in the legislation, and guidance for different products is available through several EMA/CAT guidelines. Due to the diversity of ATMPs, a tailored approach for regulating these products is considered necessary. Thus, a risk-based approach has been introduced for ATMPs allowing flexibility for the regulatory requirements. Since the regulatory framework for ATMPs was established, five products have been licenced in the European Union. However, the pipeline of new ATMPs is much bigger, as seen from the significant numbers of different products discussed by the CAT in scientific advice and classification procedures. In 2013, a public consultation on the ATMP Regulation was conducted by the European Commission, and the results were published in 2014. The report proposes several improvements for the current framework and established procedures for the regulation of ATMPs.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a major staple food crop in the drier parts of the old world, like Africa and India. Recently, its cultivation became more widespread in no-tillage crop farming systems in central Brazil, but it is also being used for cultivation during the dry season in other areas in Brazil. An emerging problem for the wider adoption of this crop in Brazil is the damage caused by the rust Puccinia substriata. This fungal disease is among the worst limitations for this crop worldwide. The rust occurring in Brazil was initially identified as the P. substriata var. penicillariae, but little information on the taxonomy and life-cycle of this rust is available in Brazil. The life-cycle of this rust variety remains somewhat obscure and the connection between the telial stage on pearl millet and the aecial stage on Solanaceae has never been experimentally demonstrated. Natural infection and inoculations under controlled conditions allowed for a complete description of all stages of this rust and the elucidation of its life-cycle, confirming that Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum melongena are aecial hosts. This coincidence for the alternate host and the limited and ambiguous morphological basis for the distinction of the varieties penicillariae and indica support the view that they are synonyms. Var. indica should be regarded as a late synonym of var. penicillariae.

Objective: to verify the effectiveness of the pelvic floor muscles rehabilitation program (PFMRP) in female volleyball athletes, analyzing the amount and frequency of urinary leakage. Methods: experimental study. The sample consisted of 32 female athletes from Famalicão Athletic Volleyball Club (Portugal). The athletes were selected by convenience and distributed randomly into two groups: experimental group (EG = 16 athletes) and the control group (CG = 16 athletes). The EG underwent PFMRP for three months. The PFMRP was the awareness and identification of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM), pre-timed PFM contraction prior to occasions of increased intra-abdominal pressure, and 30 daily contractions of MPP at home. The CG had only access to the pamphlet. The assessment instruments included the questionnaires, the Pad Test (amount of urinary leakage) and frequency record of urinary leakage (7-day diary) before and after PFMRP. Results: the amount of urine leakage decreased in 45.5% of athletes under PFMRP intervention, and in 4.9% of athletes in CG, with statistical differences between the groups (p < 0.001). The reduction in the frequency of urinary leakage was 14.3% in EG, and 0.05% in CG, a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: PFMRP in this study was effective to reduce stress urinary incontinence in female volleyball athletes. The program allowed significant improvement of symptoms of quantity and frequency of urinary leakage. Objetivo: verificar a eficácia do programa de reeducação dos músculos do pavimento pélvico (PRMPP) em atletas femininas de voleibol, analisando a quantidade e a frequência das perdas urinárias. Métodos: estudo experimental. A amostra foi constituída por 32 atletas do sexo feminino do Atlético Voleibol Clube de Famalicão (Portugal). As atletas foram selecionadas por conveniência e distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: o grupo experimental (GE = 16 atletas) e o grupo-controle (GC = 16 atletas). O GE foi submetido ao PRMPP durante 3 meses; o programa consistiu na conscientização e identificação dos músculos do pavimento pélvico (MPP), na pré-contração dos MPP ao aumento da pressão intra-abdominal, e em 30 contrações diárias dos MPP no domicílio. O GC teve acesso unicamente ao panfleto. Os instrumentos de avaliação englobaram os questionários, o pad-test (quantidade de perda urinária) e o PRMPP. Resultados: a quantidade de perda urinária diminuiu 45,5% no GE, com intervenção do PRMPP, e 4,9% nas atletas do GC, verificando-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos (p

Recent in vitro studies suggest that propolis and some of its phenolic components are able to inhibit Helicobacter pylori growth. To date, there are no clinical studies. Aims: To evaluate the effect of Brazilian green propolis on H. pylori-infected individuals. Patients and methods: Eighteen (11 females, 7 males, mean age 47 years) participants were included. Before treatment, all participants were submitted to gastroscopy, and H. pylori infection was confirmed by histology, urease test, and 13C-urea breath test (UBT). Participants with UBT showing a delta over baseline (DOB) value higher than 4‰ were considered positive for H. pylori infection. Twenty drops from an alcoholic preparation of Brazilian green propolis were administered three times a day for 7 days. Clinical evaluation and UBT were performed at 1–3 days and at 40 days after the end of therapy to evaluate H. pylori suppression or eradication, respectively. Results: All participants took all medication and completed the study. Eighty-three percent of the subjects did not succeed in suppressing or eradicating H. pylori. Two participants reached partial suppression after treatment, but became positive again at UBT performed 40 days after treatment. Another participant presented negative at UBT 40 days after treatment, not confirmed by a second UBT performed 100 days after treatment. Conclusions: Brazilian green propolis used in popular dose showed minimal effect on H. pylori infection. Larger studies with longer duration, larger dose, and different frequency of administration of propolis extract should be undertaken to define its role on H. pylori therapy.

Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of Brazilian green propolis in comparison to miconazole gel in the treatment ofCandida-associated denture stomatitis.Methods. Forty-five denture stomatitis patients, with palatal mucosa erythema levels classified according to Newtons’s criteria and with positive culture toCandidaspp., were randomly divided into three treatment groups: 15 received miconazole gel 2%, 15 received propolis gel 2,5%, and 15 received propolis 24% for mouthwash. After four daily use lasting two weeks, they were reexamined for the denture stomatitis degree and for a second culture ofCandida. The Wilcoxon’s test was applied to compare the results of clinical classification of the denture stomatitis and theCandidaspp. colonies numbers, before and after each treatment. The Kruskall-Wallis’s test was used to compare efficacy among the three treatment groups.Results. There were a significant reduction or complete remission of denture stomatitis(P<0.05)and a significant decrease ofCandidacolonies for the three groups(P<0.05).There was no difference in the efficacy among the treatment groups(P>0.05).Conclusion. Brazilian green propolis has a similar effect as miconazole in the treatment ofCandida-associated denture stomatitis being an alternative in the therapeutics of this condition.

This paper estimates the effects of changes in trade policies on trade between the Nordic countries and selected countries in Central and Eastern Europe. First overviewing historical trade patterns, it compares actual and potential trade flows. Estimates for the proportion of actual trade that might be ascribed to trade liberalization are presented. Results for the Nordic countries are compared with those for the EC and EFTA. Trade liberalization appears to have had a sizeable impact on the Nordic countries' trade with the CEECs, particularly on trade with Poland. In this case, the effects of liberalization tended to be larger for the Nordic countries than for the EC and EFTA. More generally, the results suggest that trade policies do matter, as the largest effects were found for those countries that were further along in the liberalization process.

OBJETIVO: Comparar as características clínico-laboratoriais dos doentes de hanseníase durante o tratamento inicial e no retratamento por recidiva diagnosticada em unidades de saúde de referência no Estado de Mato Grosso MÉTODO: Estudo transversal de casos diagnosticados de recidiva em hanseníase em unidades de referência de 2005 a 2007 em cinco municípios do Estado. O tratamento inicial foi considerado t1 e a recidiva t2. Fontes de dados: Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação, prontuários, exames laboratoriais, ficha de notificação individual e de avaliação de incapacidade física. Utilizou-se para a comparação e cálculo de proporções o teste do Qui-quadrado (c²) ao nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se predomínio da forma clínica dimorfa em t2 quando comparada a t1 (39,6% versus 11,3%; p = 0,003); 20,8%, dos casos em recidivas apresentaram índice baciloscópico ≥ 4+ se comparados aqueles em t1 (p = 0,034); aumento (17%) dos casos de recidiva com grau zero de incapacidade quando comparados aos pacientes avaliados no momento do diagnóstico (58,5% versus 41,5%); aumento (7,5%) de recidivas com incapacidades grau 2 quando comparadas a t1 (9,4% versus 1, 9%); predomínio de casos não avaliados quanto a incapacidade física entre t1 (45,3%) e t2 (22,6%); (p = 0,040). CONCLUSÃO: Os casos de recidiva caracterizam o agravamento da doença indicadas pelo aumento do índice baciloscópico e do grau de incapacidade física. Recomenda-se maior atenção à confirmação diagnóstica de recidiva por meio de exames baciloscópicos, em especial nos multibacilares, e da avaliação neurológica sistemática de todos os pacientes de hanseníase. OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical and laboratory data of leprosy patients diagnosed in specialized services in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, during the initial treatment and the retreatment of relapse. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of patients with diagnosis of leprosy relapse was conducted in specialized health services of five cities, between 2005 and 2007. Initial treatment was described as t1 and relapse treatment as t2. DATA SOURCE: Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan - Reportable Diseases Information System), medical records, laboratory tests, and files of individual reports and of physical disability assessments. The chi-square test (c2) was applied at a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The clinical dimorphic form prevailed in t2 when compared with t1 (39.6% versus 11.3%; p = 0.003); 20.8% of relapse cases showed a bacilloscopy index ≥ 4+ in relation to those in t1 (p = 0.034)]; an increase in the number of (17%) cases of relapse with physical disability at level 0 was found, compared to patients evaluated during the diagnosis (58.5% versus 41.5%); an increase (7.5%) in the recurrence of disabilities at level 2 was observed, when compared to t1 (9.4% versus a 9%); and there was a higher prevalence of cases not evaluated for disability between t1 (45.3%) and t2 (22.6%) (p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: Cases of relapse characterized the aggravation of the disease, indicated by the increase in the bacilloscopy index and level of physical disability. Attention should be paid to the diagnostic confirmation of relapse using bacilloscopy tests, especially in multibacillary cases, and systematic neurological assessment of all leprosy patients.

OBJETIVO: Comparar as novas entradas por recidiva de hanseníase em unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) e em unidades especializadas (UE) no estado de Mato Grosso. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com base em todos os registros (N = 323) de recidivas de hanseníase do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (Sinan) de 2004 a 2006, notificados no estado de Mato Grosso. Os casos diagnosticados foram comparados quanto ao sexo, idade, aspectos clínico-laboratoriais e distribuição geográfica nos municípios. Para a comparação e cálculo das proporções das variáveis utilizou-se o teste qui-quadrado ao nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Das novas entradas de recidiva, 20% foi confirmado nas UE e 80% em UBS; entretanto, a maioria dos diagnósticos em UBS tinham baciloscopia negativa (÷² =12,34; p = 0,002). O sexo masculino atingiu 71%, com idade média de 43 anos. Não foi observada diferença nos percentuais das entradas entre as unidades de saúde segundo forma clínica, classificação operacional e grau de incapacidade física. Do total de municípios do estado, 64,7% apresentou recidiva, com percentual entre 6% e 20% de todas as entradas. CONCLUSÕES: As novas entradas de casos de recidiva em Mato Grosso são influenciadas pelos diagnósticos feitos em UBS, sugerindo que há deficiência na rede de serviços de saúde em reconhecer casos de recidiva. OBJECTIVE: To compare new registrations of recurrences of leprosy cases in primary healthcare units (PHUs) and in specialized units in the State of Mato Grosso. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on all new registrations (N = 323) of recurrences of leprosy cases within the Notifiable Disease Information System (SINAN) between 2004 and 2006 that were made in the State of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil. The cases diagnosed were compared regarding sex, age, clinical-laboratory characteristics and geographical distribution among the municipalities. To compare and calculate the proportions of the variables, the chi-square test at the significance level of 5% was used. RESULTS: Among the new registrations of recurrences, 20% were confirmed at specialized units and 80% at PHUs. However, most of the diagnoses at PHUs presented negative bacilloscopy findings (c2 = 12.34; p = 0.002). Seventy-one per cent of the cases were among males; the mean age was 43 years. No differences in the percentages of registrations were observed between the healthcare units with regard to clinical form, operational classification or degree of physical incapacity. Out of the total number of municipalities in the state, 64.7% presented recurrences and these accounted for 6 to 20% of all registrations. CONCLUSIONS: The new registrations of cases of recurrence in Mato Grosso were influenced by the diagnoses made at PHUs, thus suggesting that there is a deficiency within the healthcare services in recognizing cases of recurrence. OBJETIVO: Comparar las nuevas entradas por recurrencia de hanseníasis en unidades básicas de salud (UBS) y en unidades especializadas (UE) en el estado de Mato Grosso, en Centro-Oeste de Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal con base en todos los registros (N=323) de recurrencias de hanseníasis del Sistema de Información de Agravios de Notificación (SINAN) de 2004 a 2006, notificados en el estado de Mato Grosso. Los casos diagnosticados fueron comparados con relación a sexo, edad, aspectos clínicos-laboratoriales y distribución geográfica en los municipios. Para la comparación y cálculo de las proporciones de las variables se utilizó la prueba de Chi-cuadrado con nivel de significancia de 5%. RESULTADOS: De las nuevas entradas de recurrencia, 20% fueron confirmadas en las UE y 80% en UBS; mientras que la mayoría de los diagnósticos en UBS tenían baciloscopia negativa (c2 =12,34; p = 0,002). 71% eran del sexo masculino con edad promedio de 43 años. No fue observada diferencia en los porcentajes de las entradas entre las unidades de salud según forma clínica, clasificación operacional y grado de incapacidad física. Del total de municipios del estado, 64,7% presentaron recurrencias, con porcentaje entre 6% y 20% de todas las entradas. CONCLUSIONES: Las nuevas entradas de casos de recurrencia en Mato Grosso son influenciadas por los diagnósticos hechos en UBS, sugiriendo una deficiencia en la red de servicios de salud en reconocer casos de recurrencia.

Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were measured while supine and following head-up tilt to 45 degrees, in both normal controls and in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy of the Portuguese type. In nine patients systolic blood pressure fell by less than 15 mmHg, while in seven patients it fell by more than 15 mmHg. Plasma noradrenaline rose during tilt in the majority of patients, as in the controls. There was no correlation between levels of catecholamines and fall in blood pressure on head-up tilt. The data excludes widespread sympatho-neural failure as a cause for postural hypotension in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy of the Portuguese type. The results are compatible with either segmental/patchy sympathetic denervation or dysfunction of the receptor/effector mechanisms in target organs such as the heart and blood vessels.

This paper present an analysis, based on Charles Sanders Pierce semiotic, of impress environmental communication used by auto-motive companies from Brazil and Europe to achieve the "green market". The aim is to analyze the implicit structure of adverti-sements, the ecological appeals used in and how depth the eco-logical subject is presented by company. This analyze give us the opportunity to note that the company just act in redesign of its products and it does not collaborate to establish new habits, which really improve the sustainable mobility system, and is not in concern with sustainable development.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os fatores preditivos de abandono do tratamento da tuberculose pulmonar. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte histórica a partir da análise de 481 pacientes bacilíferos, de um total de 529 casos inscritos no Programa de Controle de Tuberculose de Cuiabá (MT), de 1998 a 2000. Os dados foram obtidos do livro de registro do programa e dos prontuários médicos. Para o cálculo das taxas de incidência utilizou-se o método de densidade de incidência. Na análise bivariada utilizou-se o teste do qui-quadrado para razões de taxas de abandono (risco relativo) - Cornfield, ou o exato de Fisher. Foi construído um modelo de regressão logística multivariada visando a identificar as variáveis mais relevantes como preditoras da variável resposta (p < 0,05). RESULTADOS: A incidência global de abandono foi de 27,3%, equivalente a 5,1 abandonos por 100 pessoas/mês, com maior freqüência entre o segundo e o terceiro meses de tratamento. No modelo final, pela regressão logística, foram considerados preditores para o abandono: tratamento não supervisionado (razão de chance: 2,58; intervalo de confiança 95%: 1,64 - 4,06; p < 0,001), ter realizado tratamento em 1998 e 1999 (razão de chance:1,43; intervalo de confiança 95%:1,14 - 1,80; p = 0,002), ser do sexo masculino (razão de chance:1,39; intervalo de confiança 95%:1,10 - 1,76; p = 0,005) e ter abandonado previamente tratamentos anteriores (razão de chance: 1,37; intervalo de confiança 95%:1,06 - 1,78; p = 0,017). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados indicam elevada incidência de abandono, sendo considerados preditores: tratamento não supervisionado, ano de tratamento, sexo masculino e abandono prévio. OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors predictive of noncompliance with pulmonary tuberculosis treatment. METHODS: A historical cohort study involving 481 of the 529 active tuberculosis patients registered with the Tuberculosis Control Program in the city of Cuiabá, located in the state of Mato Grosso, during the 1998-2000 period. Data were obtained by analyzing medical charts and registration records. In the bivariate analysis, the chi-square test was used to calculate noncompliance rate ratios (relative risk), 95% confidence intervals were determined, and Fisher's exact test was used. The choice to estimate the rate of incidence was the method of density and a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed in order to identify the variables that were most predictive of noncompliance, using a level of statistical significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The global rate of incidence was 27.3%, equivalent to 5.1 noncompliant patients/100 patients/month, increasing in the second and third months of treatment. In the final logistic regression model, the following were considered predictors of noncompliance: unsupervised treatment (odds ratio: 2.58; 95% confidence interval: 1.64 - 4.06; p < 0.001); having been treated during the 1998-1999 period (odds ratio: 1.43; 95% confidence interval: 1.14 - 1.80; p = 0.002); being male (odds ratio: 1.39; 95% confidence interval: 1.10 - 1.76; p = 0.005) and having been out of compliance with previous treatment regimes (odds ratio: 1.37; 95% confidence interval: 1.06 - 1.78; p < 0.017). CONCLUSION: The results indicate an elevated incidence of noncompliance and show that unsupervised treatment, year in which treatment was received, male gender and prior noncompliance were predictors of future noncompliance.