Health evaluation of gold miners living in a mercury-contaminated village in Serra Pelada, Pará, Brazil.

Serra Pelada is a village in the Amazon region of Brazil where most of the inhabitants are former gold miners. Of 235 individuals evaluated, 219 were males (93.19%), 16 were females (6.

Imaging findings of Ewing's sarcoma in the mandible.

First described by James Ewing in 1921, Ewing's sarcoma (ES) or Ewing's tumor is one of the most aggressive bone tumors known. ES is an uncommon intra-osseous malignant tumor of questionable pathogenesis that occurs in children and young adults. Reports indicate that only 2 to 7% of cases involve the maxillofacial region, usually the mandible ramus, and few reported cases have involved the maxilla.

The effects of stretching on strength performance.

Strength and flexibility are common components of exercise programmes; however, it is not clear how best to include both of these elements in a single training programme. It is common practice among athletes, coaches and recreational exercisers to perform a stretching routine before a strength training session. Stretching exercises are regularly recommended, even in many textbooks, with the claimed purpose of preventing injury and muscle soreness, or even enhancing performance.

[Trans fatty acids: foods and effects on health].

Trans fatty acids can be found in foods derived from ruminant animals and foods that contain partially hydrogenated fat such as fast foods. The consumption of trans fatty acids is larger in the United States, Canada, and some European countries than in Japan and Mediterranean countries. The incidence of coronary heart diseases is higher in countries where the consumption of trans fatty is high.

[Implantation of a videoconferencing system applied to nursing research and teaching environments].

Describes the trajectory followed by a research group at the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing-USP to implant a research/teaching/continuous education project based on videoconferencing technology. The technical characteristics of the available systems are discussed, as well as the technological solution that was adopted in this project to attend to the needs of the academic and research environment as well as in the hospital context.

MIBI scintigraphy, indicators of cell proliferation and histology of parathyroid glands in uraemic patients.

Background: Although scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-sestamibi (MIBI) has been used to localize parathyroid glands prior to surgery for hyperparathyroidism, using it to evaluate parathyroid function remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible association of MIBI uptake with gland weight, histological pattern and proliferative activity of parathyroid cells.

Methods: We studied 18 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP); mean age 38+/-3 years, 55% female, mean time on haemodialysis 7.

In vivo measurements with MOSFET detectors in oropharynx and nasopharynx intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of in vivo measurements with metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimeters for oropharynx and nasopharynx intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Methods And Materials: During a 1-year period, in vivo measurements of the dose delivered to one or two points of the oral cavity by IMRT were obtained with MOSFET dosimeters. Measurements were obtained during each session of 48 treatment plans for 21 patients, all of whom were fitted with a custom-made mouth plate.

An information system for drug prescription and distribution in a public hospital.

With 773 beds and 3696 employees, the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (HCFMRP)-Universidade de São Paulo, is one of the largest medical institutions in Latin America. The complete process of prescribing and distributing medication at HCFMRP involves the following stages: prescribing (physicians); ordering (infirmary); separating and dispensing (main drugstore); verifying and administering (infirmary). This was a manual process, normally taking place in the morning.

Effects of calcitriol on parathyroid function and on bone remodelling in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) develops in chronic renal failure due to disturbances of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism. It is characterized by high turnover bone disease and an altered calcium-parathyroid hormone (PTH) relationship. Calcitriol has been widely used for the treatment of 2HPT.