Psychiatric patients' return for HIV/STI test results in mental health centers.

Objective: To assess individual and/or health service factors associated with patients returning for results of HIV or sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests in mental health centers.

Methods: Cross-sectional national multicenter study among 2,080 patients randomly selected from 26 Brazilian mental health centers in 2007. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the effect of individual (level 1) and mental health service characteristics (level 2) on receipt of test results.

CdTe and CdSe quantum dots cytotoxicity: a comparative study on microorganisms.

Quantum dots (QDs) are colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals of a few nanometers in diameter, being their size and shape controlled during the synthesis. They are synthesized from atoms of group II-VI or III-V of the periodic table, such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) or cadmium selenium (CdSe) forming nanoparticles with fluorescent characteristics superior to current fluorophores. The excellent optical characteristics of quantum dots make them applied widely in the field of life sciences.

[Multiple imputation and complete case analysis in logistic regression models: a practical assessment of the impact of incomplete covariate data].

Researchers in the health field often deal with the problem of incomplete databases. Complete Case Analysis (CCA), which restricts the analysis to subjects with complete data, reduces the sample size and may result in biased estimates. Based on statistical grounds, Multiple Imputation (MI) uses all collected data and is recommended as an alternative to CCA.

Self-rated health compared with objectively measured health status as a tool for mortality risk screening in older adults: 10-year follow-up of the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging.

Interest in self-rated health (SRH) as a tool for use in disease and mortality risk screening is increasing. The authors assessed the discriminatory ability of baseline SRH to predict 10-year mortality rates compared with objectively measured health status. Principal component analysis was used to create a health score that included systolic blood pressure, presence of diabetes mellitus, body mass index, electrocardiographic parameters, B-type natriuretic peptide, and other biochemical and hematologic measures.

Household sampling in slums in surveys.

Objective: To identify the advantages and disadvantages of using segments compared to a complete address list, for the selection of households in a multistage cluster sampling in slums.

Methodological Procedures: A qualitative study was performed in four slums selected by the São Paulo Municipal Health Survey of 2008, and the two selection techniques were applied. Focal groups were performed with field researchers, including the persons making the list of addresses and the interviewers.

Preventive practices of cancer screening in women: comparison of estimates from ISA--Capital survey and the telephone-based Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases (VIGITEL--São Paulo).

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare estimates of Pap smear and mammogram screening obtained from household and telephone surveys in women living in São Paulo in 2008, according to sociodemographic characteristics, and to measure the differences observed from those estimates.

Methods: The study compared data from ISA - Capital 2008, a household survey conducted in São Paulo by Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) and the State Health Department with support from the Municipal Health Department, and VIGITEL - São Paulo, a telephone-based Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases. Estimates of Pap smear and mammography, as well as their realization in the year prior to the interview, were compared according to type of survey (household/telephone) by Poisson regression adjusted for age and education.

Validity of data collected by telephone survey: a comparison of VIGITEL 2008 and 'Saúde em Beagá' survey.

Objective: To assess the validity of the estimates obtained through telephone survey and to measure the impact of the post-stratification weighting factor to adjust estimates.

Methods: The same questionnaire was completed by two independent samples of the population living in the municipality of Belo Horizonte city (Barreiro and West regions). One sample (n=440) completed the questionnaire of VIGITEL 2008 (telephone survey), and the other (n=4,048) of Saúde em Beagá (face to face household interview).

Comparison of estimates for the self-reported chronic conditions among household survey and telephone survey--Campinas (SP), Brazil.

Objective: To compare the estimates obtained by different methods of population-based surveys for self-reported chronic conditions among adults living in Campinas in the year 2008.

Methods: Data from ISACamp Survey, conducted by the Faculty of Medical Sciences from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) with support from the County Health Department and VIGITEL (Campinas), a telephone survey conducted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health toward Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic non-communicable Diseases in the adult population (18 years and over) were analyzed. Estimates of self-reported hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and asthma/bronchitis/emphysema were evaluated and compared by the independent (two-sample) Student's t-test.

Universal definition of loss to follow-up in HIV treatment programs: a statistical analysis of 111 facilities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Background: Although patient attrition is recognized as a threat to the long-term success of antiretroviral therapy programs worldwide, there is no universal definition for classifying patients as lost to follow-up (LTFU). We analyzed data from health facilities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to empirically determine a standard LTFU definition.

Methods And Findings: At a set "status classification" date, patients were categorized as either "active" or "LTFU" according to different intervals from time of last clinic encounter.

Hierarchical analysis of anaemia deferral in blood donor candidates: the individual in the population perspective.

Background And Objectives: Deferral due to anaemia is common in blood donor selection, mainly owing to iron deficiency. This study analysed the prevalence of anaemia, its individual and group-associated factors in 335,095 blood donor candidates in the Hemominas Foundation, a public blood centre in Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Materials And Methods: For the hierarchical analysis, gender, self-reported skin colour and age were included as independent variables at the individual level.

[Health survey in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil (ISACamp): comparison of estimates according to ownership of a residential telephone line].

The study assesses differences in socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related characteristics among adults with and without residential telephone lines using data from a health survey in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, (2008-2009), through a population-based cross-sectional survey that included 2,637 adults (18 years and older). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, prevalence, and 95% confidence intervals were used in the analysis. Estimates were also made of the bias associated with non-coverage of the population without telephones before and after adjusting for post-stratification.

Axial force of the tongue in different age groups.

Purpose: To analyze the maximum axial force, the mean axial force, the amount of energy accumulated by the tongue, and the time taken to reach the maximum axial force, in different age ranges.

Methods: The records of 92 individuals - students, staff and visitors at an university -, 29 (32.6%) men and 63 (67.

Spectroscopy of lithium atoms sublimated from isolation matrix of solid Ne.

We have studied, via laser absorption spectroscopy, the velocity distribution of (7)Li atoms released from a solid neon matrix at cryogenic temperatures. The Li atoms are implanted into the Ne matrix by laser ablation of a solid Li precursor. A heat pulse is then applied to the sapphire substrate sublimating the matrix together with the isolated atoms at around 12 K.

Birth cohort differences in anthropometric measures in the older elderly: the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging (1997 and 2008).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of birth cohort on nutritional status among older elderly (71-81 years old) from the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging, conducted in Brazil in 1997 and 2008. We compared the two birth cohorts--1916-1926 (older cohort) and 1927-1937 (recent cohort)--considering body mass index (BMI = weight/height²), waist circumference (WC) and prevalence of overweight (BMI ³ 27 kg/m²). BMI (β = 0.

Satisfaction with the neighborhood environment and health in older elderly: cross-sectional evidence from the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging.

In order to investigate the association between satisfaction with the neighborhood environment and self-rated health among older elderly, data from 814 participants of the eleventh wave of the Bambuí Cohort Study of Aging were analyzed using robust Poisson regression analyses. Those elderly with higher satisfaction with their neighborhoods (PR = 0.75; 95%CI: 0.

[Trends in social and demographic inequalities in the prevalence of chronic diseases in Brazil. PNAD: 2003- 2008].

The aims of this study are: to evaluate the prevalence of chronic diseases in the Brazilian population comparing data of 2008 with those of 2003; to estimate the impact of chronic conditions on the use of health services and on the restriction of daily activities and to measure the differentials in the prevalence of specific diseases according to educational strata and the affiliation to a private health plan. Data were obtained from PNAD 2008 and 2003. The analysis included estimations of crude and adjusted prevalence ratios, using svy commands from Stata 11 software.

Recognition of serous ovarian tumors in human samples by multimodal nonlinear optical microscopy.

We used a multimodal nonlinear optics microscopy, specifically two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF), second and third harmonic generation (SHG∕THG) microscopies, to observe pathological conditions of ovarian tissues obtained from human samples. We show that strong TPEF + SHG + THG signals can be obtained in fixed samples stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stored for a very long time, and that H&E staining enhanced the THG signal. We then used the multimodal TPEF-SHG-THG microscopies in a stored file of H&E stained samples of human ovarian cancer to obtain complementary information about the epithelium∕stromal interface, such as the transformation of epithelium surface (THG) and the overall fibrillary tissue architecture (SHG).

Quality of life of patients in renal replacement therapy in Brazil: comparison of treatment modalities.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze and compare the quality of life of renal replacement therapy patients undergoing hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and those with renal transplantation in Brazil. In addition, we aimed to verify factors associated with patients' quality of life and the relationship between quality of life and treatment modality, socioeconomic and demographic conditions as well as aspects related to the disease and health services.

Methods: A representative sample of the dialysis units and transplant centers was obtained.

Acute retroviral syndrome and high baseline viral load are predictors of rapid HIV progression among untreated Argentinean seroconverters.

Background: Diagnosis of primary HIV infection (PHI) has important clinical and public health implications. HAART initiation at this stage remains controversial.

Methods: Our objective was to identify predictors of disease progression among Argentinean seroconverters during the first year of infection, within a multicentre registry of PHI-patients diagnosed between 1997 and 2008.

Iniquities in the access to renal transplant for patients with end-stage chronic renal disease in Brazil.

The objective of this present study is to analyze individual and contextual factors associated with access to renal transplant in Brazil. An observational, prospective and non-concurrent study was carried out, based on data from the National Database on renal replacement therapies in Brazil. Patients undergoing dialysis between 01/Jan/2000 and 31/Dec/2000 were included and monitored up to the point of transplant, death or until the end of the study period.

Social inequalities in health among the elderly.

The aim of the present study was to assess social inequalities in health status, health behavior and the use of health services based on education level. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out involving 1,518 elderly residents of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. Significant demographic and social differences were found between schooling strata.

[Aging and self-reported hearing loss: a population-based study].

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self-reported hearing loss among elderly people in São Paulo, Brazil, according to socio-demographic characteristics and to identify associated factors. Data were from the São Paulo Health Survey (ISA-Capital 2003), and the subgroup of elderly (n = 872) was analyzed. The χ(2) test was used to verify the association between self-reported hearing loss and socio-demographic characteristics.

[Diabetes mellitus: factors associated with prevalence in the elderly, control measures and practices, and health services utilization in São Paulo, Brazil].

This study analyzes factors associated with diabetes prevalence according to demographic and socioeconomic variables, health status, and lifestyle among 872 elderly living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in addition to health services utilization and control measures and practices. Reported diabetes prevalence among the elderly was 17.9%, a higher rate than in the adult population.