The Working Environment in Primary Healthcare Outpatient Facilities: Assessment of Physical Factors and Health Professionals' Perceptions of Working Environment Conditions.

The objectives of this study were to assess the adequacy of physical parameters/factors (temperature, relative humidity, noise, and illuminance levels) of the work environment in PHC facilities, to evaluate the association between the adequacy of these measured physical parameters and the physical characteristics of the PHC facilities and their surroundings and to assess the association between health professionals' perceptions about exposure to physical risks in the PHC work environment and the adequacy of physical parameters measured in the same facilities. The study monitored 23 PHC facilities in southern Brazil and interviewed 210 health professionals. Data analysis involved Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Spearman's correlation, and multivariate linear regression analysis was used to control for confounding factors.

Association between hearing impairment, school performance and cognitive function in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.

Objective: To investigate the association among hearing impairment, school performance, and cognitive function in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease.

Methods: Thirty-one participants with sickle cell disease (SCD) and 31 healthy participants in the control-comparison group (CG), both aged 8-17 years underwent auditory system evaluation (pure tone audiometry and acoustic reflex), were screened for the risks of (central) auditory processing disorder and dysfunction of cognitive function using the Scale of Auditory Behaviors (SAB) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively, and were interviewed to obtain clinical data and data on school performance.

Results: In the SCD group, eight (25.

Dysfunction of the auditory system in sickle cell anaemia: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objectives: To describe the occurrence of both peripheral and central auditory system dysfunction in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients and discuss the different mechanisms hypothesised to be responsible for these alterations.

Methods: An electronic search was conducted using PubMed Central (MEDLINE), LILACS and Scopus databases. This systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

Treating chronic hepatitis delta: The need for surrogate markers of treatment efficacy.

Chronic hepatitis delta represents the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. The current treatment of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection consists of the use of interferons and is largely unsatisfactory. Several new compounds are currently in development for the treatment of HDV infection.

Hidden hearing loss in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia.

Objective: To evaluate the auditory system for hidden hearing loss (HHL) and its association with clinical variables and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA).

Methods: Participants included 37 patients with stable SCA and 44 healthy controls (HC group) (aged 6-18 years) with hearing thresholds ≤ 20 dB (dB) were evaluated for pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex, otoacoustic emission, and auditory evoked potentials. Laboratory analysis of the lipid profile, and C-reactive protein levels and endothelial function using ultrasonographic imaging of the brachial artery to assess flow-mediated dilation were performed.

Sensorineural hearing loss in children with sickle cell anemia and its association with endothelial dysfunction.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and its association with endothelial dysfunction (ED).

Methods: Fifty-two participants with stable SCA and 44 apparently healthy (AA genotype) participants aged 6-18 years were evaluated for pure tone audiometry and endothelial function using ultrasonographic imaging of the brachial artery to assess flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Laboratory analysis of the lipid profile and C-reactive protein levels was performed.

Clinical and virological heterogeneity of hepatitis delta in different regions world-wide: The Hepatitis Delta International Network (HDIN).

Background & Aims: Chronic hepatitis D (delta) is a major global health burden. Clinical and virological characteristics of patients with hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and treatment approaches in different regions world-wide are poorly defined.

Methods: The Hepatitis Delta International Network (HDIN) registry was established in 2011 with centres in Europe, Asia, North- and South America.

Metagenomic alkaline protease from mangrove sediment.

Functional screening of metagenomic libraries is an important tool for the discovery of new molecules. The metabolic diversity of microorganisms enables survival in harsh environments and is related to the production of enzymes. In this study, we identified a protease-producing clone from a metagenomic library derived from mangrove sediment.

Association between endothelial dysfunction and otoneurological symptoms in children with sickle cell disease.

Objective: To evaluate the association between endothelial dysfunction and otoneurological symptoms and vaso-occlusive phenomena in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods: Cross-sectional study with 54 children, aged between 6 and19 years of age, of whom 28 had genotype SS and 26 apparently healthy (AA genotype) whose parents or guardians, or the children themselves, filled out a questionnaire designed to assess their otoneurological symptoms. All the individuals were submitted assessment of endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) percentage with reactive hyperemia of brachial artery Doppler.

HCV/HTLV coinfection: Does HTLV-1 interfere in the natural history of HCV-related diseases?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) coinfection occurs in many regions. However, few studies have focused on the natural history of HCV-induced liver disease in coinfected patients. To describe the clinical, epidemiological, and histopathological aspects of HTLV-1/HCV coinfection in Brazil.

Tr-1-like CD4+CD25-CD127-/lowFOXP3- cells are the main source of interleukin 10 in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania braziliensis.

CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells have long been shown to mediate susceptibility to Leishmania infection, mainly via interleukin 10 production. In this work, we showed that the main sources of interleukin 10 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania braziliensis are CD4(+)CD25(-)CD127(-/low)FOXP3(-) cells. Compared with uninfected controls, patients with CL had increased frequencies of circulating interleukin 10-producing CD4(+)CD25(-)CD127(-/low) cells, which efficiently suppressed tumor necrosis factor α production by the total PBMC population.

Energy expenditure during gait in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate energy expenditure in gait by mucopolysaccharidosis affected patients by means of a simple and adequate to the clinical environment methodology.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out comparing energy expenditure during gait in 19 patients suffering from mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS Group) with 19 asymptomatic control individuals (Control Group). Energy expenditure was measured in calories (cal) using a Polar telemetric watch (model FT7) during a 50 meter walk.

Removing nasal packing in epistaxis: what to do in the case of an undeflatable foley catheter balloon.

Introduction Undeflatable Foley catheter balloons adapted for use as nasal packing in epistaxis represent a possible complication. Case Reports We report on three cases in which Foley catheter balloons adapted for use as posterior nasal packing in epistaxis failed to deflate. In one patient, deflation was achieved by simply using the fingertips to massage the segment of the catheter collapsed by the fixation device.

Infection with the Mycobacterium avium complex in patients without predisposing conditions: a case report and literature review.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM), especially Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC), has been considered responsible for human disease, especially in HIV patients. Nevertheless, it has been diagnosed in immunocompetent elderly men, frequently with previous pulmonary disease: chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), complications of tuberculosis, pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis. We relate the case of a female patient, 51 years old, with continuously acid fast bacilli (AFB) smears and with three previous treatments, which were conducted at the multiresistant tuberculosis (MRTB) service.

High prevalence of giardiasis and stronglyloidiasis among HIV-infected patients in Bahia, Brazil.

Diarrhea due to intestinal microbial infections is a frequent manifestation among HIV-infected patients. It has been postulated that HIV-infected patients may have special types of intestinal infections, and that immune activation from such parasites may affect the progression of HIV disease. To evaluate these associations, the frequency of infections was examined in HIV-infected patients in Bahia, Brazil.