Search

This study delineates demographic maps of stroke in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Methods: Data of patients from Recife with stroke treated at a tertiary, specialist hospital, which is part of the Brazilian Unified Health System, during the period from December 2011 to June 2014, underwent epidemiological characterization and demographic mapping. Results: Patients from Recife accounted for 20.6% of the visits to the unit. Data from 148 patients were analyzed. Stroke was predominant in patients over 60 years of age, in women, and in the presence of risk factors. In total, only 11.9% of patients were admitted within the acute therapeutic window. The percentage was 9% for ischemic stroke and 27.8% for hemorrhagic stroke. The cases of hemorrhagic stroke exceeded those of ischemic stroke 3-fold, and the young adult population was admitted earlier when compared to older age groups. Although it was less frequent than ischemic stroke, in patients from Recife, hemorrhagic stroke was responsible for almost two thirds of deaths. More than half of the patients treated with ischemic stroke had a history of prior stroke (69.6%). Political-Administrative Regions 4, 5, and 6 had the highest frequencies of stroke. Conclusions: Only part of patients treated were from the municipality where the unit is located, and, in this context, the Hospital Pelópidas Silveira primarily serves the South, West, and Southwest regions of Recife. Optimizing referral flows and implementing strategies to expedite the care of patients within the therapeutic window are necessary. In order to make the most of the unit’s tertiary, specialized characteristics, the implementation of district-based registration of users and electronic cerebrovascular medical records can ensure completeness of information about stroke, in addition to organized attitudes for primary and secondary prevention and rational referral/counter-referral

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes admitidos por COVID-19 em unidade de terapia intensiva em hospital de uma cidade do interior nordestino. Métodos: Estudo observacional e retrospectivo a partir de dados do protocolo eletrônico do serviço dos pacientes com admissão entre 24 de abril de 2020 e 31 de dezembro de 2020. Foram avaliados dados referentes a sexo, faixa etária, convênio, necessidade de intubação orotraqueal e desfecho. Resultados: Um total de 118 pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. Homens foram mais acometidos do que mulheres. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 65,35 anos, sendo a média de idade das mulheres (70,53 anos) maior que a média de idade dos homens (62,37 anos). Em relação à faixa etária, os idosos corresponderam a 66,11% dos pacientes. 48,31% dos pacientes necessitaram de intubação orotraqueal, destes 61,40% eram do sexo masculino, com desfecho para óbito em 75,44% dos pacientes intubados. Do total de pacientes do estudo, 40,68% evoluíram para óbito. Conclusão: Observou-se maior acometimento e letalidade em homens e em idosos. A quantidade de homens adultos admitidos foi o triplo da quantidade de mulheres adultas admitidas.

Acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é uma das principais causas de morte no Brasil e possui prognóstico variável a depender do tempo entre o início do quadro clínico e a intervenção médica. Este trabalho objetivou observar os conhecimentos dos pacientes com AVE sobre o número do Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência (SAMU). Foi feito um estudo transversal realizado por meio de entrevistas e questionários estruturados que avaliaram sexo, faixa etária, escolaridade, renda familiar e conhecimento sobre acionamento do SAMU. A amostra foi composta por 115 pacientes internados e diagnosticados com AVE em um hospital na cidade de Petrolina, Pernambuco. A maioria era do sexo masculino com idade superior a 50 anos. Havia predominância de pacientes sem alfabetização e grande parte apresentava renda familiar de até um salário mínimo. Apenas 41 dos 115 pacientes responderam corretamente o número do SAMU. Esse percentual é aquém do ideal, principalmente ao considerar que essa é uma população predisposta a apresentar recidivas do quadro e necessitar novamente do suporte do SAMU. O correto acionamento do SAMU, por meio do número de telefone 192, é uma etapa fundamental para o atendimento eficaz.

Objetivo: analisar o perfil clínico, radiológico e patológico dos tumores da sela túrcica em um hospital universitário da região do submédio do vale do São Francisco. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo, com análise de exames de tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética de crânio realizados em 21 pacientes portadores de neoplasias da sela túrcica entre os anos de 2011 e 2016. Resultados: Os métodos de imagem foram as principais ferramentas para pesquisa e diagnóstico de tumor selar em 17 (80,9%) casos, com maior prevalência do adenoma hipofisário com 11 (52,4%) casos, com os macroadenomas correspondendo a 9 (42,8%) casos, do total. Compressão do quiasma óptico, extensão suprasselar e infiltração das estruturas adjacentes (parasselares) foram os achados radiológicos mais frequentes com 9 (42,9%), 7 (33,3%) e 5 (23,8%) casos, respectivamente. Conclusão: Os métodos de imagem são fundamentais para a caracterização, planejamento terapêutico e controle pós terapêutico, com elevada concordância clínica e cirúrgica.

Objective: To review the literature, including a clinical case discussion with suspicion of pure neural leprosy and final diagnosis of amyloid neuropathy. Methods: The study was conducted on May 28, 2020. A systematic review of the literature was conducted, with searches in PubMed, Medline, Lilacs and BVS MS using the descriptors: neuritic leprosy, pure neural leprosy, primary neural leprosy, pure neuritic leprosy, amyloid polyneuropathy, amyloid neuropathies, amyloid polyneuropathy. Clinical trials, cohorts, cross-sectional, clinical cases and case studies, published in Portuguese, English or Spanish between 2010 and 2020 were included. Then, a case report with an initial suspicion of pure neural leprosy was presented. Laboratory tests, electroneuromyography, ultrasound and biopsy of the sural nerve were requested. Results: 23 scientific texts were included. No publications with the two themes together were found. Diagnosis of pure neural leprosy and the possibility of using auxiliary resources were the most prominent themes in the studies. In the clinical case, the patient’s electroneuromyography showed sensitive and motor polyneuropathy of lower limbs, symmetrical, of moderate intensity, of the mixed type (axono- demyelinating), sensitive and axonal. Ultrasonography of the sural nerve revealed changes in the contour of the deep fibular nerves and biopsy of the sural nerve demonstrated the accumulation of amorphous eosinophilic material in the nerve path and Congo red staining showed birefringence of the deposit in applegreen under polarized light. The final diagnosis was amyloidotic neuropathy. Conclusion: Clinical diagnosis was amyloidotic neuropathy. Diagnosis of pure neural leprosy in endemic areas of Brazil is a challenge for the health system.

Background: Leprosy is an infectious disease that is associated with functional limitation. Objective: Describe the epidemiological, neurofunctional profile and the prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brazil. Design and setting: Cross-sectional observational study carried out at the reference center Dr. Altino Lemos Santiago, in Juazeiro / Bahia. In 2018, the municipality recorded an annual average of 95 new cases of leprosy. Methods: Study including 50 leprosy patients. Variables analyzed: gender, age, history of leprosy in the family, time to diagnosis, clinical form, operational classification, degree of disability, OMP score, peripheral nerve function, muscle strength and sensitivity. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (chi-square test or Fisher’s exact, Poisson regression with robust estimation and PR-prevalence reason) were used. Significance of 5%. Results: it was verified an equal distribution was found between men and women, economically active age, low education, multibacillary forms in men (64.0%) and paucibacillary forms in women (60.0%). 78% of individuals had some degree of disability. 64.0% had a compromised ulnar nerve. Plantar sensitivity was decreased in 66% of patients. The predictors of disability were: age ≥45 years (PR 1.44; p=0.005), no education (PR 1.21; p=0.013) and OMP score ≥6 (PR 1.29; p

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiological and neurofunctional profile, as well as the prevalence of factors associated with the occurrence of physical disabilities due to leprosy in a reference center in Northeast Brasil. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 50 leprosy patients diagnosed in Juazeiro-Bahia. Variables analyzed: sex, age, history of leprosy in the family, time to diagnosis, clinical form, operational classification, degree of disability, eyes-hand-foot score, peripheral nerve function, muscle strength and sensitivity. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (χ² test or Fisher’s exact, Poisson regression with robust estimation and prevalence reason were used. Significance of 5%). RESULTS: An equal distribution was found between men and women of economically active age and low education; multibacillary forms in men (64%) and paucibacillary forms in women (60%). 78% of individuals had some degree of disability and 64% had a compromised ulnar nerve. Plantar sensitivity was decreased in 66% of patients. The predictors of disability were: age ≥45 years (PR 1.44; p=0.005), no education (PR 1.21; p=0.013) and OMP score ≥6 (PR 1.29; p

No Brasil, houve aumento no número de casos de microcefalia detectados em crianças nascidas no segundo semestre de 2015. Esses casos tiveram incremento significativo no país. Em 2014, foram 162 ocorrências, aumentando, em 2015, para 1.608. Essa condição está associada a vários acometimentos nas funções do organismo, levando a limitações no desenvolvimento infantil. Esta pesquisa objetiva analisar a dinâmica familiar de criança com a síndrome congênita associada ao Zika vírus (SCZV) no Município de Petrolina, Pernambuco. Como instrumento de coleta, utilizou-se a consulta ao prontuário e a realização de entrevista por meio de roteiro semiestruturado. Empregou-se abordagem quali-quantitativa, envolvendo a totalidade das mães e dos familiares que acompanhavam as crianças com a SCZV na unidade de saúde de referência, AME Amália Granja Alencar. Na análise dos discursos, aplicou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados relacionados à categoria mudanças da vida diária de familiares de criança com a SCZV foram agrupados em três subcategorias: atividade da vida diária (AVD); impactos financeiros e no trabalho associados à descoberta da SCZV; e mudança na relação conjugal após a descoberta da SCZV. A pesquisa demonstrou majoritariamente que o cuidado da criança com SCZV está centrado na figura feminina e que o diagnóstico traz significativas mudanças na dinâmica familiar, como maior dependência da criança ao cuidador, aumento de gastos financeiros e absenteísmo no trabalho. Brazil witnessed a significant increase in the number of cases of microcephaly in infants born in the second semester of 2015. There were 162 cases in 2014, increasing to 1,608 in 2015. The condition is associated with impairments in various bodily functions, leading to limitations in infant development. This study aims to analyze the family dynamics of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) in Petrolina, Pernambuco State. Data collection used consultation in patient charts and interviews with parents using a semi-structured script. A qualitative/quantitative approach was used, including all of the mothers and other family members accompanying children with CZS at the referral unit, the Amália Granja Alencar Clinic. Discourse analysis applied the content analysis technique. The results in the category “changes in daily living” for families of children with CZS were grouped into three subcategories: activities of daily living (ADL), financial and occupational impacts associated with the CZS diagnosis, and changes in the marital relationship after the diagnosis. The study showed that care for the child with CZS is mostly concentrated in women in the family, and that the diagnosis leads to significant changes in the family dynamics, with the child’s extensive dependence on the caregiver, increasing expenses, and work absenteeism. En Brasil, se produjo un aumento en el número de casos de microcefalia detectada en niños nacidos en el segundo semestre de 2015. Estos casos sufrieron un incremento significativo en el país. En 2014, fueron 162 incidencias, aumentando, en 2015, hasta 1.608. Esta enfermedad está asociada con varias alteraciones en las funciones del organismo, provocando limitaciones en el desarrollo infantil. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la dinámica familiar de niños con el síndrome congénito asociado al virus Zika (SCZ) en el municipio de Petrolina, Pernambuco. Como instrumento de recogida, se realizaron consultas del historial clínico, así como una entrevista semiestructurada. Se empleó un abordaje cuali-cuantitativo, implicando a la totalidad de las madres y de los familiares que acompañaban a los niños con el SCZ en la unidad de salud de referencia, AME Amália Granja Alencar. En el análisis de los discursos se aplicó la técnica de análisis de contenido. Los resultados relacionados con la categoría cambios de la vida diaria de familiares del niño con el SCZ se agruparon en tres subcategorías: actividad de la vida diaria (AVD), impactos financieros y en el trabajo asociados al descubrimiento del SCZ y cambios en la relación conyugal tras el descubrimiento del SCZ. La investigación demostró que mayoritariamente el cuidado del niño con SCZ está centrado en la figura femenina, y que el diagnóstico conlleva significativos cambios en la dinámica familiar, como una mayor dependencia del niño del cuidador, aumento de gastos financieros y absentismo en el trabajo.

Purpose: to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the development of pneumonia in post-stroke patients hospitalized in a tertiary hospital, located in the Vale do São Francisco, that covers the states of Pernambuco and Bahia, Brazil. Methods: a unicentric, observational, analytical, cross-sectional study, based on the medical records of patients diagnosed with stroke and included in the Stroke Registry (RAVESS study). The statistical analysis was made with the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and the analysis of variance, with the Bonferroni’s post-test, and P≤0.05. Results: data from 69 patients presented with acute stroke were collected, aged 63.2±16.8 years; 37 (53.6%) were females; the prevalence of pneumonia during hospital stay was estimated at 31.9% (95% confidence interval: 21.2-44.2%). In the univariate analysis of predictors for post-stroke pneumonia, the following were identified: older age (72.6±17.9 vs. 58.8±14.5; P = 0.001), lower response signal to the Glasgow Coma Scale at admission (11.3±1.8 vs. 13.3±2.1; P = 0.001), and higher frequency of dysarthria at admission (61.9% vs. 27.9%; P = 0.009). Conclusion: pneumonia was a prevalent complication in post-stroke patients at a Brazilian tertiary hospital. It was related to the patient’s older age and the severity of the cerebral event.

Introdução: No Brasil, o traumatismo raquimedular (TRM) destaca-se como um importante problema de saúde, tanto por causar no individuo incapacidade física como por gerar altos custos para a economia do país. Objetivo: Avaliar epidemiologicamente os casos de TRM ocorridos no Vale do São Francisco. Método: Foram estudados, de forma descritiva e analítica, com abordagem quantitativa, 53 prontuários dos pacientes vitimas de TRM admitidos no Hospital de Urgências e Traumas, entre os meses de julho de 2010 a julho de 2011. Resultados: A etiologia mais frequente de TRM foram os acidentes motociclísticos com 33,96%, seguidos por acidentes automobilísticos com 18,86%. O sexo masculino foi o mais acometido com 75,47%, e a faixa etária mais comumente atingida vai dos 21 aos 30 anos com 30,1% e o segmento da medula mais atingido foi a cervical com 47,17%. Conclusão: Os acidentes de moto são as causas mais frequentes de traumatismo raquimedulares no Sub-médio São Francisco.

Introdução: O traumatismo crânio-encefálico (TCE) constitui a principal causa de óbitos e seqüelas em pacientes politraumatizados. Entre as principais causas estão: quedas, acidentes motociclísticos, acidentes automobilísticos e agressões. Objetivos: Quantificação dos casos de TCE na região do sub-médio do Vale do São Francisco, qualificação dos seus fatores, além de avaliação das influências interfatoriais. Os resultados foram analisados visando uma orientação para prevenção dos TCEs na região do sub-médio do Vale do São Francisco centrada em Petrolina-PE e Juazeiro-BA. Casuística e métodos: Estudo prospectivo, transversal, descritivo, feito através da coleta de dados sobre os principais aspectos do TCE no Hospital Dom Malan, centro de referência no sub-médio São Francisco, localizado no município de Petrolina-PE, no período de 12 de agosto de 2007 a 12 de novembro de 2007. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo comitê de ética da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco sob o protocolo número 195/07. Resultados: Dos 158 casos analisados, tem-se que 70,89% sofreram TCE leve; 18,35%, moderado; e 10,76%, grave. A faixa etária predominante foi de 21 a 30 anos, que apresentou um percentil de 29,11%. Dentre as principais causas de TCE, queda e acidente motociclístico foram as mais prevalentes apresentando, respectivamente, 32,91% e 31,01% dos casos. Conclusão: Os acidentes por queda e por motocicleta são as causas mais freqüentes de TCE no submédio do Vale do São Francisco. O consumo de álcool, o uso do capacete e do cinto de segurança figuram entre os maiores determinantes da extensão da gravidade do trauma.

Introduction: Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Brazil is one of the main endemic countries for the disease, persisting as a public health problem. In addition, it is the main infectious disease that causes physical disabilities. Objectives: To analyze the magnitude and factors associated with activity limitation in new cases of leprosy diagnosed in the reference center in Northeastern Brazil. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 50 people diagnosed with leprosy. Clinical and sociodemographic variables were collected in addition to the application of the SALSA scale for the analysis of functional limitations. Logistic regression was used with the calculation of odds ratio. Results: The presence of functional limitations was registered in 32% (n=16) of the cases analyzed, especially female (56.3%), elderly (37.5%), low education (87.6%), dimorphic form (62.5%), multibacillary classification (75.0%), and degree 2 of physical disability (50.0%). Functional limitation was associated with an age range ≥45 years (OR 3.80; p=0.047), multibacillary classification (OR 4.28; p=0.021), and OMP score ≥6 (OR 4.69; p=0.041). Conclusion: There was a high frequency of people with physical disabilities. The factors associated with functional limitation were age equal to or greater than 45 years, multibacillary classification and OMP score greater than or equal to six.

Due to the current growth of the Brazilian population income and energy consumption and an increase in the population density in urban areas, air quality in the crowded Brazilian cities is being questioned. In searching for a solution we analyzed both the Brazilian and Regional (São Paulo state) public policies of air quality that have been issued since 1981 by confronting them to the air quality official indexes. Following the growth of the national vehicle fleet, 48.8 million in 2012 from 9.3 million in 1980, the total carbon dioxide emissions tripled. At regional level, PM2.5 measurements have been carried out systematically since 1999 in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo city, the largest Brazilian city, with 19.7 million inhabitants, and more than 7 million vehicles powered mainly by fossil fuels. Although the numbers are still above the state standard to be reached (10µg.m-3), there was a decrease on the annual average in 2008-2015 compared with 2001-2007. This was partially due to the limits established for new vehicles by federal programs. The analysis indicated that the reduction of air pollutants emission will be more easily achieved based on strategies that combine policies supported by current laws, government and private sector agreements and the community engagement., Em um cenário de crescimento da renda da população brasileira, de aumento no consumo de energia e deadensamento das áreas urbanas, questiona-se sobre a qualidade do ar nas maiores cidades brasileiras.Na busca por resposta, este trabalho analisou as políticas públicas nacionais e regional (estado de SãoPaulo) afetas à qualidade do ar implantadas a partir de 1981 e as contrapôs aos indicadores oficiaisdessa qualidade. As emissões totais de dióxido de carbono triplicaram entre 1980 e 2012, seguindo ocrescimento da frota veicular nacional que passou de 9,3 milhões para 48,8 milhões, respectivamente.No âmbito regional, MP2.5 é monitorado sistematicamente desde 1999 na Região Metropolitana deSão Paulo (a maior cidade brasileira), com 19,7 milhões de habitantes e mais de 7 milhões de veículospredominantemente movidos a combustíveis de origem fóssil. Observou-se diminuição da média anualdo período 2008-2015 em relação ao período 2001-2007, embora essa média ainda esteja acima dopadrão estadual a ser alcançado (10μg.m-3). Essa diminuição se deve em parte aos limites de emissãoestabelecidos para veículos novos pelos programas federais. A análise indicou que estratégias queenvolvem a aplicação de normativas legais, notadamente aquelas apoiadas pelas políticas já existentes,por acordos que envolvam governo e iniciativa privada e pela participação da sociedade têm chancemaior de levar à redução da emissão de poluentes atmosféricos.

Brazil witnessed a significant increase in the number of cases of microcephaly in infants born in the second semester of 2015. There were 162 cases in 2014, increasing to 1,608 in 2015. The condition is associated with impairments in various bodily functions, leading to limitations in infant development. This study aims to analyze the family dynamics of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) in Petrolina, Pernambuco State. Data collection used consultation in patient charts and interviews with parents using a semi-structured script. A qualitative/quantitative approach was used, including all of the mothers and other family members accompanying children with CZS at the referral unit, the Amália Granja Alencar Clinic. Discourse analysis applied the content analysis technique. The results in the category "changes in daily living" for families of children with CZS were grouped into three subcategories: activities of daily living (ADL), financial and occupational impacts associated with the CZS diagnosis, and changes in the marital relationship after the diagnosis. The study showed that care for the child with CZS is mostly concentrated in women in the family, and that the diagnosis leads to significant changes in the family dynamics, with the child's extensive dependence on the caregiver, increasing expenses, and work absenteeism.No Brasil, houve aumento no número de casos de microcefalia detectados em crianças nascidas no segundo semestre de 2015. Esses casos tiveram incremento significativo no país. Em 2014, foram 162 ocorrências, aumentando, em 2015, para 1.608. Essa condição está associada a vários acometimentos nas funções do organismo, levando a limitações no desenvolvimento infantil. Esta pesquisa objetiva analisar a dinâmica familiar de criança com a síndrome congênita associada ao Zika vírus (SCZV) no Município de Petrolina, Pernambuco. Como instrumento de coleta, utilizou-se a consulta ao prontuário e a realização de entrevista por meio de roteiro semiestruturado. Empregou-se abordagem quali-quantitativa, envolvendo a totalidade das mães e dos familiares que acompanhavam as crianças com a SCZV na unidade de saúde de referência, AME Amália Granja Alencar. Na análise dos discursos, aplicou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Os resultados relacionados à categoria mudanças da vida diária de familiares de criança com a SCZV foram agrupados em três subcategorias: atividade da vida diária (AVD); impactos financeiros e no trabalho associados à descoberta da SCZV; e mudança na relação conjugal após a descoberta da SCZV. A pesquisa demonstrou majoritariamente que o cuidado da criança com SCZV está centrado na figura feminina e que o diagnóstico traz significativas mudanças na dinâmica familiar, como maior dependência da criança ao cuidador, aumento de gastos financeiros e absenteísmo no trabalho.En Brasil, se produjo un aumento en el número de casos de microcefalia detectada en niños nacidos en el segundo semestre de 2015. Estos casos sufrieron un incremento significativo en el país. En 2014, fueron 162 incidencias, aumentando, en 2015, hasta 1.608. Esta enfermedad está asociada con varias alteraciones en las funciones del organismo, provocando limitaciones en el desarrollo infantil. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la dinámica familiar de niños con el síndrome congénito asociado al virus Zika (SCZ) en el municipio de Petrolina, Pernambuco. Como instrumento de recogida, se realizaron consultas del historial clínico, así como una entrevista semiestructurada. Se empleó un abordaje cuali-cuantitativo, implicando a la totalidad de las madres y de los familiares que acompañaban a los niños con el SCZ en la unidad de salud de referencia, AME Amália Granja Alencar. En el análisis de los discursos se aplicó la técnica de análisis de contenido. Los resultados relacionados con la categoría cambios de la vida diaria de familiares del niño con el SCZ se agruparon en tres subcategorías: actividad de la vida diaria (AVD), impactos financieros y en el trabajo asociados al descubrimiento del SCZ y cambios en la relación conyugal tras el descubrimiento del SCZ. La investigación demostró que mayoritariamente el cuidado del niño con SCZ está centrado en la figura femenina, y que el diagnóstico conlleva significativos cambios en la dinámica familiar, como una mayor dependencia del niño del cuidador, aumento de gastos financieros y absentismo en el trabajo.

Loss of containment of industrial facilities and equipment triggered by natural hazards (called na-tech events) has been widely discussed in both the technical and scientific literature at least since the 1980s. Floods and landslides are amongst the most important immediate causes of na-tech events and may increase the risk to people and environment that is posed by facilities that handle hazardous materials. A na-tech event that occurred along the coastline of Sao Paulo state, Brazil, in February 2013, due to a precipitation event with a 1.5-h maximum rainfall of 209 mm, was the impetus for this study. We have investigated the availability of good data in some Brazilian accident databases aiming to support discussion about the increasing frequency and extent of na-tech events and the significance of the risk posed to humans by hazardous industrial facilities located in areas prone to occurrence of these events. The study has demonstrated that Brazil needs information sufficiently organised and accessible to enable evaluations of this risk, especially in coastal regions where there are predisposing factors for the occurrence of na-tech events. We propose both to include these events in the existing Brazilian accident databases and to optimise the databases by unifying or partially sharing the data. The ongoing initiative of the Brazilian National Civil Defence to improve its database can be expanded by recording na-tech events. Complementary research to identify potential sources of quality information on occurrences of na-tech events in the country is proposed in order to strengthen this initiative. Consequently, frequency analysis could be developed based on past incident data and the additional risk posed to humans by na-tech scenarios estimated and incorporated in a traditional quantitative risk assessment. Risk management in areas prone to na-tech events is expected to be improved.

Objetivo Avaliar o perfil epidemiologico, os resultados cirurgicos e os casos de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismatica ocorridos no Hospital de Ensino da Univasf. Metodos Estudo descritivo e analitico, com abordagem quantitativa, baseado no carater nao experimental, documental e retrospectivo, os prontuarios dos pacientes com diagnostico de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismatica nao traumatica admitidos em um hospital de ensino de setembro de 2008 a setembro de 2012. Resultados Verificou-se uma prevalencia de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismatica em Petrolina de 1,8 para cada 10 mil habitantes. Dos 55 prontuarios, o sexo feminino foi o mais acometido (61,81%), com faixa etaria de 41 a 50 anos. Aneurismas multiplos foram encontrados em 23,5%. Com relacao as escalas de Hunt-Hess e Fisher, obtivemos respectivamente 40% com Hunt-Hess grau dois e 35,7% com Fisher grau tres. Nao apresentaram nenhum tipo de deficit neurologico desde a admissao ate a alta hospitalar 54,8% dos pacientes, e somente 1,81% apresentaram deficit neurologico apos o procedimento cirurgico. A reabordagem cirurgica foi necessaria em 3,7% dos casos. A mortalidade cirurgica foi de 3,5%. Conclusao Existe uma prevalencia de hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismatica em Petrolina/PE de 1,8 por 10 mil habitantes.

In the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, public policies regarding the air quality aimed at the welfare of the population are strongly dependent on monitoring conducted by the Sao Paulo State Environmental Company (CETESB), which can be influenced by faulty monitors and equipment support and cuts in power supply, among others. A research conducted from 1998 to 2008 indicated that a significant portion of the air quality automatic stations in the state of Sao Paulo did not meet the criterion of representativeness of measurements of PM10, NO2, O3, CO and SO2 concentrations which resulted in the classification of some municipalities as the nonattainment area, a situation evidenced for PM10 and O3 parameters. The network unavailability for each parameter was estimated and compared with the monitoring networks operated in Canada and the UK. This paper discusses the implications of the lack of representativeness of measurements in the environmental licensing process of pollution sources from 2008, when by the effect of state law, municipalities have been qualified according to their air quality nonattainment level.

Atmospheric pollutant monitoring constitutes a primordial activity in public policies concerning air quality. In Sao Paulo State, Brazil, the Sao Paulo State Environment Company (CETESB) maintains an automatic network which continuously monitors CO, SO2, NO x , O3, and particulate matter concentrations in the air. The monitoring process accuracy is a fundamental condition for the actions to be taken by CETESB. As one of the support systems, a preventive maintenance program for the different analyzers used is part of the data quality strategy. Knowledge of the behavior of analyzer failure times could help optimize the program. To achieve this goal, the failure times of an ozone analyzer—considered a repairable system—were modeled by means of the nonhomogeneous Poisson process. The rate of occurrence of failures (ROCOF) was estimated for the intervals 0–70,800 h and 0–88,320 h, in which six and seven failures were observed, respectively. The results showed that the ROCOF estimate is influenced by the choice of the observation period, t 0 = 70,800 h and t 7 = 88,320 h in the cases analyzed. Identification of preventive maintenance actions, mainly when parts replacement occurs in the last interval of observation, is highlighted, justifying the alteration in the behavior of the inter-arrival times. The performance of a follow-up on each analyzer is recommended in order to record the impact of the performed preventive maintenance program on the enhancement of its useful life.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of partial epilepsy and affects 40% of the patients. Seizures arising from the mesial temporal lobe structures (i.e., amygdala and hippocampus) are common, whereas neocortical seizures are rare. In recent years, many studies aimed to identify the pattern of gene expression of neurotransmitters involved in molecular mechanisms of epilepsy. We used real-time PCR to quantify the expression of GABA(A) (subunits α1, β1, β2) and NMDA (subunits NR1, NR2A, and NR2B) receptor genes in amygdalae of 27 patients with TLE and 14 amygdalae from autopsy controls. The NR1 subunit was increased in patients with epilepsy when compared with controls. No differences were found in expression of NMDA subunits NR2A and NR2B or in α1, β1, and β2 subunits of GABA(A) receptors. Our results suggest that the NR1 subunit of NMDA receptors is involved in the amygdala hyperexcitability in some of the patients with TLE.