Reference Values for the 6-min Walk Distance in Healthy Children Age 7 to 12 Years in Brazil: Main Results of the TC6minBrasil Multi-Center Study.

Introduction: Brazil is a country with great climatic, socioeconomic, and cultural differences that does not yet have a reference value for the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in healthy children. To avoid misinterpretation, the use of equations to predict the maximum walk distance should be established in each country.

Objectives: We sought to establish reference values and to develop an equation to predict the 6-min walk distance for healthy children in Brazil.

Thermographic analysis and autonomic response in the hands of patients with leprosy.

Background: Low temperatures and slow blood flow may result from peripheral neuropathy caused by leprosy, and the simple detection of cold fingers could already be a preliminary classification for these patients.

Objective: To investigate whether infrared thermography would be able to measure this change in temperature in the hands of people with leprosy.

Method: The study assessed 17 leprosy patients who were under treatment at the National Reference Center for Sanitary Dermatology and Leprosy, Uberlândia/MG, and 15 people without leprosy for the control group.

Mechanical behaviors of Flutter VRP1, Shaker, and Acapella devices.

Background: Flutter VRP1, Shaker, and Acapella are devices that combine positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and oscillations.

Objectives: To compare the mechanical performance of the Flutter VRP1, Shaker, and Acapella devices.

Methods: An experimental platform and a ventilator, used a flow generator at 5, 10, 15, 20, 26, and 32 L/min, were employed at angles of -30°, 0°, and +30° to evaluate Flutter VRP1 and Shaker, whereas Acapella was adjusted at intermediate, higher, and lower levels of resistance, including positive expiratory pressures (PEP) along with air outflow rates and oscillation frequencies.

Comparative study of etiological diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia.

Nosocomial pneumonia is a common complication in patients on mechanical ventilation and results in significant mortality. Diagnosis of pneumonia in patients who are intubated and under mechanical ventilation is difficult, even with the aid of clinical, laboratory, and endoscopic tests. The objective of this study was to compare three methods of tracheal sputum collection in patients with a clinical and radiological diagnosis of pneumonia.

Randomized trial comparing pulmonary alterations after conventional with venovenous bypass versus piggyback liver transplantation.

During the anhepatic phase of conventional liver transplantation (LT), the inferior vena cava (IVC) is cross-clamped and venovenous bypass (VVB) is usually indicated for diversion of IVC and portal blood flow. VVB can theoretically lead to pulmonary complications due to the contact of the blood with the surfaces of the circuit. In the piggyback method, preservation of the IVC avoids VVB.