National Health Survey 2019: medication obtainment through the Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program by adults being treated for hypertension and diabetes.

Objective: To describe the proportion of adults with hypertension and diabetes who obtained medication through the Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program (Programa Farmácia Popular).

Method: Population-based descriptive study, using data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. The proportion of individuals who obtained at least one type of medication for hypertension and diabetes in the Program was analysed according to socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, by regions and federative units.

Evidence of Zika virus circulation in asymptomatic pregnant women in Northeast, Brazil.

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus associated with microcephaly and other fetal anormalities. However, evidence of asymptomatic ZIKV infection in pregnant women is still scarce. This study investigated the prevalence of Zika infection in asymptomatic pregnant women attending two public maternities in Maranhão state, Northeast Brazil.

Tendency of use and sources for obtaining oral antidiabetic drugs for treatment of diabetes in Brazil from 2012 to 2018: analysis of the Vigitel survey.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of use of oral medications for the treatment of diabetes, as well as the distribution of sources for obtaining according to sociodemographic variables, in the Brazilian states' capitals and in the Federal District, and their evolution from 2012 to 2018.

Methods: Cross-sectional and population-based study with individuals aged ≥ 20 years who reported a medical diagnosis of diabetes, interviewed through Vigitel from 2012 to 2018. We estimated the prevalence of use and the distribution of sources for obtaining according to sociodemographic variables (95%CI).

Prevalence of use and sources of antihypertensive medicine in Brazil: an analysis of the VIGITEL telephone survey.

Objective: The prevalence of hypertension in Brazil and worldwide has been increasing in recent decades, and drug therapy is one of the strategies used to control this condition. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use and identify the sources for obtaining antihypertensive drugs in Brazil, according to sociodemographic variables, comparing three periods: 2011, 2014 and 2017.

Methods: Data from individuals aged ≥20 years who reported a medical diagnosis of hypertension, interviewed by Vigitel in 2011, 2014 and 2017 were used.

Impact of vulvovaginal atrophy on pelvic floor muscle strength in healthy continent women.

Objectives: To assess the correlation between hormonal status and pelvic floor muscle strength.

Methods: A total of 140 continent women were prospectively evaluated, and divided into four groups according to age: group 1 (n = 34) aged 30-40 years; group 2 (n = 38) aged 41-50 years; group 3 (n = 35) aged 51-60; and group 4 (n = 33) aged >60 years. The following parameters were evaluated: demographic data using clinical questionnaire; hypermobility of the bladder neck using swab test; vaginal trophism by gynecological examination; hormonal status of the vagina by cytology; and pelvic floor muscle strength using a perineometer and electromyography.

Congenital Uterine Malformation by Experts (CUME): better criteria for distinguishing between normal/arcuate and septate uterus?

Objectives: To assess the level of agreement between experts in distinguishing between septate and normal/arcuate uterus using their subjective judgment when reviewing the coronal view of the uterus from three-dimensional ultrasound. Another aim was to determine the interobserver reliability and diagnostic test accuracy of three measurements suggested by recent guidelines, using as reference standard the decision made most often by experts (Congenital Uterine Malformation by Experts (CUME)).

Methods: Images of the coronal plane of the uterus from 100 women with suspected fundal internal indentation were anonymized and provided to 15 experts (five clinicians, five surgeons and five sonologists).

Growth and expression of relevant metabolic genes of Clostridium thermocellum cultured on lignocellulosic residues.

The plant cell wall is a source of fermentable sugars in second-generation bioethanol production. However, cellulosic biomass hydrolysis remains an obstacle to bioethanol production in an efficient and low-cost process. Clostridium thermocellum has been studied as a model organism able to produce enzymatic blends that efficiently degrade lignocellulosic biomass, and also as a fermentative microorganism in a consolidated process for the conversion of lignocellulose to bioethanol.

Trichoderma harzianum Produces a New Thermally Stable Acid Phosphatase, with Potential for Biotechnological Application.

Acid phosphatases (ACPases) are produced by a variety of fungi and have gained attention due their biotechnological potential in industrial, diagnosis and bioremediation processes. These enzymes play a specific role in scavenging, mobilization and acquisition of phosphate, enhancing soil fertility and plant growth. In this study, a new ACPase from Trichoderma harzianum, named ACPase II, was purified and characterized as a glycoprotein belonging to the acid phosphatase family.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: pathophysiology, staging, prediction and prevention.

Objective: To identify, appraise and summarize the current evidence regarding the pathophysiology, staging, prediction and prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Methods: Two comprehensive systematic reviews were carried out: one examined methods of predicting either high ovarian response or OHSS and the other examined interventions aimed at reducing the occurrence of OHSS. Additionally, we describe the related pathophysiology and staging criteria.

Use of the probability of stone formation (PSF) score to assess stone forming risk and treatment response in a cohort of Brazilian stone formers.

Introduction: The aim was to confirm that PSF (probability of stone formation) changed appropriately following medical therapy on recurrent stone formers.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected on 26 Brazilian stone-formers. A baseline 24-hour urine collection was performed prior to treatment.

Influence of clinical therapy and nutritional counseling on the recurrence of urolithiasis.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of combined clinical therapy and nutritional guidance on the recurrence of urolithiasis.

Methods: From our registry of patients with recurrent urolithiasis we selected 57 who had at least 5-years of follow-up. We collected 24h urine samples in order to analyze Ca, Na, uric acid, citrate, oxalate, and Mg concentrations and to assess urine volume.

An update on metabolic assessment in patients with urinary lithiasis.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary metabolic abnormalities in patients with urolithiasis and their potential risk factors.

Methods: A total of 905 stone patients were evaluated in a prospective trial from February 2000 to January 2012. Inclusion criteria were as follows: history and/or imaging tests confirming at least 2 separate or concurrent stone episodes; creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min; and negative proteinuria and urine culture.

Eco-epidemiologic study of emerging fungi related to the work of babaçu coconut breakers in the State of Maranhão, Brazil.

Introduction: There are more than 300,000 extractors using the babaçu coconut as a source of income in the States of Maranhão, Pará, Tocantins and Piauí, and this activity is associated with fungal infections. The objective of this study was to examine the occurrence of emergent fungi in the conjunctiva, nails and surface and subcutaneous injuries of female coconut breakers in Esperantinópolis, Maranhão. Additionally, soil samples and palm structures were collected.

Cabergoline for the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using cabergoline for reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Patients: Women submitted to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for assisted reproduction.

Melatonin supplementation during controlled ovarian stimulation for women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To examine the best evidence available regarding the effect of melatonin supplementation during controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) on the main assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT).

Setting: Not applicable.

Purification and characterization of an acid phosphatase from Trichoderma harzianum.

An acid phosphatase from Trichoderma harzianum was purified in a single step using a phenyl-Sepharose chromatography column. A typical procedure showed 22-fold purification with 56% yield. The purified enzyme showed as a single band on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular weight of 57.

Stone forming risk factors in patients with type Ia glycogen storage disease.

Purpose: Patients with type Ia glycogen storage disease have an increased recurrent nephrolithiasis rate. We identified stone forming risk factors in patients with type Ia glycogen storage disease vs those in stone formers without the disease.

Materials And Methods: Patients with type Ia glycogen storage disease were prospectively enrolled from our metabolic clinic.

Kidney transplant anastomosis: internal or external iliac artery?

Introduction: We compared the best technique for arterial anastomosis in kidney transplantation, end-to-side anastomosis to the external iliac artery or end-to-end anastomosis to the internal iliac artery.

Materials And Methods: A total of 38 patients with end-stage renal disease who received a kidney transplant from a deceased donor were randomized into two groups in order to undergo either end-to-end anastomosis to the internal iliac artery or end-to-side anastomosis to the external iliac artery. Length of arterial anastomosis, cold ischemia time, hospital stay, serum creatinine level, recovery of urinary output, and surgical and clinical complications during hospitalization were evaluated.

Impact of long-term potassium citrate therapy on urinary profiles and recurrent stone formation.

Purpose: Potassium citrate therapy has become one of the cornerstones of medical stone management. We elucidated the long-term effects of potassium citrate on urinary metabolic profiles and its impact on stone formation rates.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients treated at the Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center at our institution between 2000 and 2006.

Assessment of citrate concentrations in citrus fruit-based juices and beverages: implications for management of hypocitraturic nephrolithiasis.

Background And Purpose: Dietary intake of citrate in the form of citrus juices (eg, lemonade, orange juice) will enhance urinary citrate excretion, a valuable benefit for patients with hypocitraturic calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. While information on citrate concentrations in select citrus juices is available, data on citrate concentrations of commercially available beverages (juice and otherwise) are limited. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), we report citrate concentrations of several beverages to help guide dietary recommendations aimed at increasing urinary citrate excretion and correcting hypocitraturia.

Quality of life of neurogenic patients: translation and validation of the Portuguese version of Qualiveen.

Objective: Questionnaires for adequate assessment of the urinary function of neurological patients are not available in Portuguese. The Qualiveen, developed in France for evaluation of general and urinary-related impact on QoL, has been successfully used in neurological patients.

Aim: To translate the Qualiveen, to adapt it crossculturally, and to validate it for Portuguese.

Adjustable continence therapy for the treatment of urinary incontinence after radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder in women.

The management of urinary incontinence after radical cystectomy and orthotopic neobladder reconstruction is a very challenging situation. We report on a patient that developed a neobladder-urethro-vaginal fistula successfully treated but resulting in severe urinary incontinence that was cured after the periurethral insertion of adjustable silicone balloons.

Renal medullary carcinoma. Case report and review of the literature.

Young patients with sickle cell trait or disease present a higher risk for renal medullary carcinoma, an aggressive renal tumor, with dismal prognosis, with a median survival of 4 months from the time of diagnosis. We report a 26-year-old patient with a 2-month history of bone pain at the right iliac crest, loss of weight, recurrent macroscopic hematuria and abdominal mass. Imaging studies demonstrated a 10-cm mass in the right kidney.

Split technique in horseshoe kidney transplantation.

Background/aims: Nowadays, owing to a greater number of patients waiting for a kidney donation and to a shortage of organs donated, more suitable organ acceptance criteria have been formulated. Horseshoe kidney transplantations have become feasible giving good allograft outcomes. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the split technique in horseshoe kidney transplantation and to report long-term results.