Three-dimensional organization of the framework of the urethral wall in normal human prostates.

Introduction: Knowledge of the prostatic portion of the urethra is essential to the comprehension of urinary continence phenomena. However, there are only a small number of studies that have addressed this relationship and analyzed the ultrastructure of the prostatic urethra.

Material And Methods: A three-dimensional analysis of the fibrous components and the extracellular matrix of the prostatic urethra in 10 normal humans was performed with a scanning electron microscope.

Phase angle measured by electrical bioimpedance and global cardiovascular risk in older adults.

Aim: Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon associated with physiological and metabolic changes that contribute to the increased prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The phase angle (PA) is a variable calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis, interpreted as a direct measure of cell stability. The objective of the present study was to investigate the correlation of PA with the anthropometric measures, metabolic profile and the cardiovascular risk estimated by the Global Cardiovascular Risk Score in the elderly population.

Analysis of effectiveness of a surgical treatment algorithm for basal cell carcinoma.

Background:: Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for basal cell carcinoma and micrographic surgery considered the gold standard, however not yet used routinely worldwide available, as in Brazil. Considering this, a previously developed treatment guideline, which the majority of tumors were treated by conventional technique (not micrographic) was tested.

Objective:: To establish the recurrence rate of basal cell carcinomas treated according to this guideline.

Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetic patients using metformin: a cross-sectional study.

Context And Objective:: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency varies from 5.8% to 30% among patients undergoing long-term treatment with metformin. Because of the paucity of data on Brazilian patients, this study aimed to determine the frequency of B12 deficiency and related factors among Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using metformin.

Risk Factors of Pulmonary Hypertension in Brazilian Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia.

This study was a prospective cross-sectional cohort study of 125 patients with sickle cell anemia (SS) between the ages of 16 to 60 years. Enrolled patients were followed-up prospectively for 15 months. Demographic, clinical, hematological and routine biochemical data were obtained on all patients.

Combined evaluation of adenosine deaminase level and histopathological findings from pleural biopsy with Cope's needle for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.

Introduction: Closed needle pleural biopsy (CNPB) has historically been the gold standard procedure for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an efficient biomarker for tuberculosis that is measurable in pleural fluids.

Objective: We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the pleural ADA (P-ADA) level and histopathological findings of CNPB specimens in patients with pleural tuberculosis.

Surgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma: an algorithm based on the literature.

Although basal cell carcinoma can be effectively managed through surgical excision, the most suitable surgical margins have not yet been fully determined. Furthermore, micrographic surgery is not readily available in many places around the world. A review of the literature regarding the surgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma was conducted in order to develop an algorithm for the surgical treatment of basal cell carcinoma that could help the choice of surgical technique and safety margins, considering the major factors that affect cure rates.

Stereological evaluation of fibronectin in the periurethral region of the transitional zone from normal human prostates compared with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The aim of this study was to assess the volumetric density (Vv) of the fibronectin in the periurethral region of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and compare with a control group. Prostatic periurethral tissue samples were obtained from ten patients (age range 65 to 79 years, mean 66) with clinical symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction who had undergone open prostatectomy. The control group samples (periurethral tissue samples from the transitional zone) were collected from prostates obtained during autopsy of accidental death adults of less than 25 years.

Important prognostic factors for survival in patients with malignant pleural effusion.

Background: The approach to palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) should be individualized because these patients generally have poor survival. Our study aimed to develop a model to identify prognostic factors or survival time in patients diagnosed with MPE.

Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive, observational study to identify prognostic factors related to MPE in patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in elderly and agreement among four diagnostic criteria.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is an aggregation of risk factors that increase the incidence of cardiovascular events and diabetes mellitus (DM). Population aging is accompanied by higher prevalence of MS, which varies depending on the population studied and the diagnostic criteria used.

Objective: To determine prevalence of MS in the elderly using four diagnostic criteria and agreement between them.

Treatment of the acute sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis in the Emergency Department: a Brazilian method of switching from intravenous to oral morphine.

Objectives: Describe the treatment of patients with vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in a Brazilian emergency department (ED) and the successful switch from intravenous to oral morphine.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed records of 315 patients with sickle cell disease using two different protocols for pain: one in March 2010 prescribing intravenous morphine every 4 h throughout their stay, and another in March 2011 and 2012 prescribing one initial dose of intravenous morphine followed by equianalgesic doses of oral morphine every 4 h. Patients were triaged into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe VOC.

Leg amputation for an extensive, severe and intractable sickle cell anemia ulcer in a Brazilian patient.

A 35-year-old African Brazilian patient had sickle cell anemia complicated with recurrent vasoocclusive (VOC) crises and refractory painful leg ulcers for 16 years. The ulcers started over both medial malleoli and expanded gradually. The ulcer on the left leg spread from the foot to the knee circumferentially and was refractory to all forms of therapy within the frame work of multi-disciplinary care.

Newborn screening program for hemoglobinopathies in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background: Newborn screening for hemoglobinopathy in Brazil has been decentralized until 2001 when the Health Ministry of Brazil established the National Newborn Hemoglobinopathy Screening Program. The State of Rio de Janeiro started a program in collaboration with the State Health Department and the Institute of Hematology in Rio (HEMORIO). The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the first 10 years of the Newborn Hemoglobinopathy Screening Program in identifying and managing infants with Sickle cell disease (SCD) in the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Significant decrease of extracellular matrix in prostatic urethra of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) nodules increase urethral resistance, resulting in "pressure" of tissue expansion to the urethra and leads to an increase in outflow resistance, accompanied by characteristic lengthening of the prostatic urethra. The goal of this investigation was to analyze and quantify changes of the histological components in the prostatic urethra of patients with BPH and compare with a control group.

Methods: Prostatic urethra tissue samples were obtained from ten patients (age range 63 to 79 years, mean 66) with clinical symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction who had undergone open prostatectomy.

The effect of hydroxcarbamide therapy on survival of children with sickle cell disease.

Although evidence is accumulating that hydroxycarbamide decreases mortality among adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), there are no published data regarding the effect of hydroxycarbamide on mortality among children. The Paediatric Hydroxycarbamide Program was established to treat children with SCD aged 3-18 years if they met disease severity criteria. Mortality data and clinical/laboratorial effects of hydroxycarbamide were retrospectively collected for the first 9 years of the Program.

Evaluation of adenosine deaminase activity for the diagnosis of pleural TB in lymphocytic pleural effusions.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic value of pleural adenosine deaminase (P-ADA) as a pleural TB-specific biomarker in lymphocytic pleural effusions.

Materials & Methods: Pleural effusions were classified on the basis of definitive diagnosis.

Results: A total of 218 patients (122 tuberculous and 96 nontuberculous) were included in the study.

Maternal malnutrition during lactation in Wistar rats: effects on elastic fibers of the extracellular matrix in the trachea of offspring.

Objective: To investigate the effects of maternal protein malnutrition during lactation on the elastic fibers in the tracheas of Wistar rat pups.

Methods: At delivery, 12 male pups of two Wistar rat dams were equally divided into two groups: control, in which the dam received water and standard rat chow ad libitum during lactation; and protein-restricted (PR), in which the dam received water ad libitum and an isoenergetic PR diet (8% protein). At 21 days of age, the pups were killed and their tracheas were excised.

Intravitreal injection of commercially available ketorolac tromethamine in eyes with diabetic macular edema refractory to laser photocoagulation.

Purpose: To evaluate the short-term effect of a single intravitreal injection of commercially available ketorolac tromethamine (KT) in eyes with diabetic macular edema refractory to laser photocoagulation.

Methods: Prospective interventional case series. Twenty five patients with diabetic macular edema refractory to laser photocoagulation received a single intravitreal injection of commercially available KT (Toradol®), in a dose of 3000 µg.

Ocular pulse amplitude in patients with asymmetric primary open-angle glaucoma.

Aim: To evaluate ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) using the dynamic contour tonometer (DCT) in patients with asymmetric primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and asymmetric intra-ocular pressure (IOP).

Methods: The participants consisted of 48 patients (96 eyes) with asymmetric POAG. Three measurements of IOP and OPA were taken using DCT.

[Intravitreal injection of ketorolac tromethamine in patients with diabetic macular edema refractory to retinal photocoagulation].

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a single dose of intravitreous injection of ketorolac tromethamine (500 µg/0.1 ml) in patients with diabetic macular edema refractory to retinal photocoagulation.

Methods: Prospective study.

The influence of an undergraduate scientific initiation programme on the professional profile of new physicians.

Introduction: This paper studies the influence of a Scientific Initiation Programme (SIP) on the professional profile of new doctors from a Brazilian university.

Aim And Methods: Evaluate fifty-two new doctors divided into two groups matched by sex, age and academic performance and differing only in participation in the SIP. Professional and socioeconomic data were collected, including schooling of parents; average income before, during and after the medical course; current professional situation; results of exams for civil servant recruitment; and titles and degrees obtained after graduation.

Determination of total proteins and lactate dehydrogenase for the diagnosis of pleural transudates and exudates: redefining the classical criterion with a new statistical approach.

Objective: To propose a new classification criterion for the differentiation between pleural exudates and transudates-quantifying total proteins in pleural fluid (TP-PF) and lactate dehydrogenase in pleural fluid (LDH-PF) exclusively-as well as to compare this new criterion with the classical criterion in terms of diagnostic yield.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study with a within-subject design, comprising 181 patients with pleural effusion treated at two university hospitals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2003 and 2006. The diagnostic parameters included in the classical criterion were identified, as were those included in the new criterion.

The Influence of an undergraduate scientific initiation programme onn the professional profile of new physicians.

Introduction: This paper studies the influence of a Scientific Initiation Programme (SIP) on the professional profile of new doctors from a Brazilian university.

Aim And Methods: Evaluate fifty-two new doctors divided into two groups matched by sex, age and academic performance and differing only in participation in the SIP. Professional and socioeconomic data were collected, including schooling of parents; average income before, during and after the medical course; current professional situation; results of exams for civil servant recruitment; and titles and degrees obtained after graduation.

Carotid artery structural and functional evaluation in relatives of type 2 diabetic patients.

Background: In Western countries type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly from cardiovascular causes. Since a family history of diabetes, even in non-diabetic subjects, is regarded as an increased risk of coronary heart disease, the use of approved surrogate markers of early atherosclerosis, specially of ultrasonic measurements of the carotid arteries, is of vital importance.

Objective: To analyze the structural properties (intima-media thickness) and functional properties (distensibility measurement) of the carotid arteries in subjects with (FH+) a family history of type 2 diabetes, in comparison to subjects without (FH-) a family history of type 2 diabetes, both groups with no known cardiovascular risk factors.

The serum D-xylose test as a useful tool to identify malabsorption in rats with antigen specific gut inflammatory reaction.

The inappropriate immune response to foods, such as peanut, wheat and milk may be the basis in the pathogenesis of enteropathies like coeliac and Crohn disease, which present small intestinal malabsorption. A number of recent studies have utilized d-xylose absorption as an investigative tool to study small intestinal function in a variety of clinical settings. Thus, the aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the intestinal absorption of D-xylose in an antigen-specific gut inflammatory reaction rat model.