Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second Quotient (FEV1Q) as a Prognostic Factor in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients: Comparing Its Predictive Value to Other Lung Function Measurements.

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the first and second motor neurons. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) have conventionally served as indicators of respiratory muscle strength. Recently, FEV1Q (FEV1 divided by the sex-specific first percentile values of absolute FEV1 in adults with lung disease) has been suggested as a predictor of mortality.

Medical masks' and respirators' pattern of use, adverse effects and errors among Portuguese health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of surgical masks (Mask) and respirators (Resp) was experienced worldwide. We aimed to assess its pattern of use, adverse effects and user errors by Portuguese health care professionals (HCP).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through snowball convenience sample, collected by email/ social media to health care organizations.

Usefulness of the HACOR score in predicting success of CPAP in COVID-19-related hypoxemia.

Introduction: In COVID-19 associated hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF) without mandatory indication for urgent endotracheal intubation, a trial of CPAP may be considered. We aimed to evaluate HACOR (heart rate, acidosis, consciousness, oxygenation, respiratory rate) score performance in these patients as predictor of CPAP failure.

Methods: Prospective observational multicentric study (three centers in different countries), including adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia admitted to a respiratory intermediate care unit, presenting PaO/FiO < 300 and PaCO < 45 mmHg, who received CPAP.

Recommendations for interventional pulmonology during COVID-19 outbreak: a consensus statement from the Portuguese Pulmonology Society.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. Its capacity for human-to-human transmission through respiratory droplets, coupled with a high-level of population mobility, has resulted in a rapid dissemination worldwide. Healthcare workers have been particularly exposed to the risk of infection and represent a significant proportion of COVID-19 cases in the worst affected regions of Europe.

[Respiratory and Facial Protection: Current Perspectives in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic].

The new SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an example of an international public health emergency, which is associated with considerable social and economic challenges. At the healthcare level there is the risk that nosocomial outbreaks can be local amplifiers. Adequate infection control practices are of critical importance, which include proper use of personal protective equipment.

Consensus Document on Medical Faculty Education on the Treatment of Smoking.

We report the results of a consensus reached by an expert group of representatives from different medical societies in Latin America on the objectives, competencies (knowledge, and skills), content, and duration of smoking cessation education in Latin American medical schools. The document discusses the following aspects: epidemiology, nicotine dependence, factors for initiation and maintenance of tobacco use, smoking-related disorders, diagnosis, minimal intervention, non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation, and prevention of smoking.

COPD and Cardiovascular Disease.

COPD is one of the major public health problems in people aged 40 years or above. It is currently the 4th leading cause of death in the world and projected to be the 3rd leading cause of death by 2020. COPD and cardiac comorbidities are frequently associated.

Understanding COPD: A vision on phenotypes, comorbidities and treatment approach.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) phenotypes have become increasingly recognized as important for grouping patients with similar presentation and/or behavior, within the heterogeneity of the disease. The primary aim of identifying phenotypes is to provide patients with the best health care possible, tailoring the therapeutic approach to each patient. However, the identification of specific phenotypes has been hindered by several factors such as which specific attributes are relevant, which discriminant features should be used for assigning patients to specific phenotypes, and how relevant are they to the therapeutic approach, prognostic and clinical outcome.

[Ethical dilemmas in health].

It is difficult to speak of ethic dilemmas in a society that has relativism as the oficial philosophical and political doctrine, i.e., stable values and behavior references, are denied, both in health care and in any other area of human knowledge.

Impact of heated humidification with automatic positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnea therapy.

Objective: To study the impact that heated humidification instituted in the beginning of automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) therapy has on compliance with and the side effects of the treatment.

Methods: Thirty-nine treatment-naïve patients with obstructive sleep apnea were randomized into two groups to receive APAP using one of two modalities: with heated humidification (APAPwith group); and without heated humidification (APAPw/o group).Patients were evaluated at 7 and 30 days after APAP initiation.

[Lung disease and pregnancy].

The presence of underlying respiratory disease in the pregnant woman may implicate complications for the mother and the foetus which are potentially fatal. Pregnancy may also alter the course of the disease, making it fundamental to recognise and prevent its progression. It is important to know the respiratory physiology during pregnancy, in order to better preview the behaviour of these illnesses.

[Medical oath and the notion of human dignity].

Considering the recent commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Proclamation of Human Rights, the author attempts to establish a parallel between the notion of human dignity as we read in the Hippocratic Oath, and the prevailing concept within the societies that either preceded, were contemporary or succeeded it. With that goal in mind, three ancient civilizations are focussed--Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece--showing the differences in behaviour towards the human being, far different from the perspective of the Oath. The new view of human dignity and its due respect, in any circumstance, was only completely understood with the appearance and acceptance of Christianity.

Saddle nose: our approach to the problem.

Saddle nose is usually caused by a trauma or by excessive resection of the septal cartilage. Nevertheless, there are other, less frequent causes of injury, such as congenital, syphilis, leishmaniosis, and leprosy. Within this context, it is very likely to see widening of the bony bridge and dropping of the tip of the nose.

Some ideas on relapse after remodeling of prognathism: aesthetic and functional results.

The efficiency of a surgical treatment is evaluated, mainly, by the stability of the results achieved, whether they are functional, aesthetic, or psychological. Relapse is the greatest problem in prognathism surgery. Among the probable causes of relapse, muscular actions are the main one.

[Topography of facial aging].

The Author studies the ageing process of human tissues, pointing out the main histologic features and functional decrements of the human skin, and some exogenous factors. The topographical study of the aging face is presented in accordance with the aesthetic division of the face into three thirds, plus the anterior cervical region. In each one of these sectors, from a clinical point of view, the Author describes the stigma and changes produced by ageing on the skin, fatty tissue, muscles and bones.

[History of the treatment of fractures of the face].

Throughout most of recorded human history, facial fractures have received either no treatment what so ever or only rudimentary surgical attention. The treatment of facial fractures has made more progress over the past two decades than in the entire two millenia before that. The authors describe how facial fractures have been treated since the New Kingdom in Ancient Egypt until today, with the methods of Stable Internal Fixation.