Predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation after myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Considering the threat imposed by postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the potential benefits of off-pump CABG, the objective of this study was to describe the incidence and identify predictor factors for POAF in patients undergoing CABG without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we enrolled patients undergoing CABG without CPB between December 2008 and December 2011. The independent variables evaluated in this study were major patients' characteristics (age, sex, and ethnia), associated comorbidities (systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, chronic renal failure (CRF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and ischemic stroke), and the revascularization approach (the number of grafts used, the revascularized branch, and the choice of vascular graft (arterial or venous).

The efficacy and safety of mannitol challenge in a workplace setting for assessing asthma prevalence.

Objective: There is no standard definition of asthma for epidemiological purposes; most surveys use symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Few studies tested mannitol challenge test (MCT) in occupational settings. We sought to determine efficacy and safety of MCT in detecting subjects with asthma symptoms in the workplace.

Asthma self-management model: randomized controlled trial.

Information for patients provided by the pharmacist is reflected in adhesion to treatment, clinical results and patient quality of life. The objective of this study was to assess an asthma self-management model for rational medicine use. This was a randomized controlled trial with 60 asthmatic patients assigned to attend five modules presented by a pharmacist (intervention group) and 59 patients in the control group.

Exposure to high endotoxin concentration increases wheezing prevalence among laboratory animal workers: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria are found in different concentrations in dust and on the ground of laboratories dealing with small animals and animal houses.

Methods: Cross-sectional study performed in workplaces of two universities. Dust samples were collected from laboratories and animal facilities housing rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits or hamsters and analyzed by the "Limulus amebocyte lysate" (LAL) method.

Phonological processing deficits as a universal model for dyslexia: evidence from different orthographies.

Purpose: To verify the universal nature of the phonological processing deficit hypothesis for dyslexia, since the most influential studies on the topic were conducted in children or adults speakers of English.

Research Strategy: A systematic review was designed, conducted and analyzed using PubMed, Science Direct, and SciELO databases.

Selection Criteria: The literature search was conducted using the terms "phonological processing" AND "dyslexia" in publications of the last ten years (2004-2014).

Laboratory animals and respiratory allergies: the prevalence of allergies among laboratory animal workers and the need for prophylaxis.

Objective: Subjects exposed to laboratory animals are at a heightened risk of developing respiratory and allergic diseases. These diseases can be prevented by simple measures such as the use of personal protective equipment. We report here the primary findings of the Laboratory Animals and Respiratory Allergies Study regarding the prevalence of allergic diseases among laboratory animal workers, the routine use of preventive measures in laboratories and animal facilities, and the need for prevention programs.

Bronchial provocation tests in clinical practice.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness, which consists of an exaggerated response of the airways to bronchoconstrictor stimuli, is one of the main characteristics of asthma, presented in nearly all asthmatic patients. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness may also be present in other diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, heart failure and respiratory infection, and with some medications, such as β-blockers. Bronchial provocation tests (also known as bronchial challenges) are used to evaluate bronchial responsiveness.

Atopy risk factors at birth and in adulthood.

Objective: To study the association between atopy and variables such as weight, length, and socioeconomic level at birth and in young adulthood.

Methods: A total of 2,063 subjects were investigated in a prospective birth cohort study of individuals born in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, in 1978/1979, and examined at the age of 23-25 years. Skin prick tests (SPT) for eight common allergens in Brazil were performed.

Development and validation of an asthma knowledge questionnaire for use in Brazil.

Objective: To develop and validate an asthma knowledge questionnaire for use in adult asthma patients in Brazil.

Methods: A 34-item self-report questionnaire was constructed and administered to adult asthma patients and adult controls. The maximum total score was 34.

Knowledge of and technique for using inhalation devices among asthma patients and COPD patients.

Objective: To evaluate knowledge of and techniques for using prescribed inhalation devices among patients with asthma or COPD treated at a tertiary teaching hospital.

Methods: Patients were assessed after medical visits, and their physicians were blinded to this fact. Patients were asked to demonstrate their inhaler technique and were then interviewed regarding their knowledge of inhalation devices, control of the disease and instructions received during medical visits.

Influence of nocturnal asthma on chronotype.

Individual differences in circadian rhythm have been studied since the past century. Chronotypes are a chronobiology classification based on the preferential times for beginning and ending activities throughout the day. Chronotypes can be classified as definitely morning, moderately morning, indifferent, moderately evening, and definitely evening.

Investigation of factors associated with difficult-to-control asthma.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of factors associated with difficult-to-control asthma.

Methods: Patients with severe asthma were selected from the outpatient asthma clinic of the Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine Hospital das Clínicas. The patients were divided into two groups: controlled severe asthma and difficult-to-control severe asthma.

Comparison of 4 AM and 4 PM bronchial responsiveness to hypertonic saline in asthma.

Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine or histamine increases at night and may contribute to the mechanisms of nocturnal asthma. Hypertonic saline (HS) is a more clinically relevant stimulus for the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of asthma, but the circadian variation in bronchial responsiveness to hypertonic challenges has not been addressed. The aim of this study was to compare the responsiveness to hypertonic saline at 4:00 AM and at 4:00 PM.