Perioperative, Oncological, and Functional Outcomes Between Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy and Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Limited high-quality studies have compared robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) vs open retropubic radical prostatectomy. We sought to compare their postoperative outcomes in a randomized setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single center, 354 men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were assessed for eligibility; 342 were randomized (1:1). The primary outcome was 90-day complication rates. Functional outcomes and quality of life were assessed over 18 months, and oncological outcomes, biochemical recurrence-free survival, and additional treatment over 36 months. RESULTS: From 2014 to 18, 327 patients underwent surgery (retropubic radical prostatectomy = 156, RALP = 171). Complications occurred in 27 (17.3%) vs 19 (11.1%; P = .107). Patients undergoing RALP experienced lower median bleeding (250.0 vs 719.5 mL; P < .001) and shorter hospitalization time. Urinary EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite) median scores were better for RALP over 18 months, with higher continence rate at 3 months (80.5% vs 64.7%; P = .002), 6 months (90.1% vs 81.6%; P = .036) and 18 months (95.4% vs 78.8%; P < .001). Sexual EPIC and Sexual Health Inventory for Men median scores were higher with RALP up to 12 months, while the potency rate was superior at 3 months (23.9% vs 5.3%; P = .001) and 6 months (30.6% vs 6.9%; P < .001). Quality of life over the 18 months and oncological outcomes over 36 months were not significantly different between arms. CONCLUSIONS: Complications at 90 days were similar. RALP showed superior sexual outcomes at 1 year, improved urinary outcomes at 18 months, and comparable oncological outcomes at 36 months. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospective Analysis of Robot-Assisted Surgery; NCT02292914. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02292914?cond=NCT02292914&draw=2&rank=1.

Predictive models-assisted diagnosis of AIDS-associated Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in the emergency room, based on clinical, laboratory, and radiological data.

We assessed predictive models (PMs) for diagnosing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) in AIDS patients seen in the emergency room (ER), aiming to guide empirical treatment decisions. Data from suspected PCP cases among AIDS patients were gathered prospectively at a reference hospital's ER, with diagnoses later confirmed through sputum PCR analysis. We compared clinical, laboratory, and radiological data between PCP and non-PCP groups, using the Boruta algorithm to confirm significant differences. We evaluated ten PMs tailored for various ERs resource levels to diagnose PCP. Four scenarios were created, two based on X-ray findings (diffuse interstitial infiltrate) and two on CT scans ("ground-glass"), incorporating mandatory variables: lactate dehydrogenase, O2sat, C-reactive protein, respiratory rate (> 24 bpm), and dry cough. We also assessed HIV viral load and CD4 cell count. Among the 86 patients in the study, each model considered either 6 or 8 parameters, depending on the scenario. Many models performed well, with accuracy, precision, recall, and AUC scores > 0.8. Notably, nearest neighbor and naïve Bayes excelled (scores > 0.9) in specific scenarios. Surprisingly, HIV viral load and CD4 cell count did not improve model performance. In conclusion, ER-based PMs using readily available data can significantly aid PCP treatment decisions in AIDS patients.

Immunothrombosis and COVID-19 ‒ a nested post-hoc analysis from a 3186 patient cohort in a Latin American public reference hospital.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 is associated with an elevated risk of thromboembolism and excess mortality. Difficulties with best anticoagulation practices and their implementation motivated the current analysis of COVID-19 patients who developed Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). METHOD: This is a post-hoc analysis of a COVID-19 cohort, described in an economic study already published. The authors analyzed a subset of patients with confirmed VTE. We described the characteristics of the cohort, such as demographics, clinical status, and laboratory results. We tested differences amid two subgroups of patients, those with VTE or not, with the competitive risk Fine and Gray model. RESULTS: Out of 3186 adult patients with COVID-19, 245 (7.7%) were diagnosed with VTE, 174 (5.4%) of them during admission to the hospital. Four (2.3% of these 174) did not receive prophylactic anticoagulation and 19 (11%) discontinued anticoagulation for at least 3 days, resulting in 170 analyzed. During the first week of hospitalization, the laboratory most altered results were C-reactive protein and D-dimer. Patients with VTE were more critical, had a higher mortality rate, worse SOFA score, and, on average, 50% longer hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Proven VTE incidence in this severe COVID-19 cohort was 7.7%, despite 87% of them complying completely with VTE prophylaxis. The clinician must be aware of the diagnosis of VTE in COVID-19, even in patients receiving proper prophylaxis.

Synchronous jawbone diseases: a multicenter retrospective study.

The aim of this study is to report an original case series of synchronous jawbone diseases. Data of patients seen over 13 years were extracted from the files of three Oral Radiology and Pathology diagnostic centers in Brazil. The clinical, radiographic, and laboratory characteristics were tabulated and analyzed by the authors; the patients were described according to lesion type. Seventy-two synchronous jawbone diseases were included in this study. Florid osseous dysplasia, Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, and cherubism were the most frequent disorders reported in this case series. In addition, the posterior mandible area was the main site of manifestation. Florid osseous dysplasia and Gorlin-Goltz syndrome represented two-thirds of our samples. With the utilization of adequate demographic, clinical, and radiologic information, it is possible to diagnose most of the synchronous lesions of jawbones. Sometimes, however, we need complementary exams, such as histopathologic and biochemical analysis or dosing of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase.

Summary of the first Brazilian Symposium on Human Biometeorology.

This brief background highlights Brazil as a 'climate-health hotspot', i.e. a country where climate affects local populations negatively through multiple pathways (Di Napoli et al. BMC Public Health 22(1):1-8, 2022). Knowledge gaps still need to be filled concerning the various climaterelated dimensions of tourism, vector-borne diseases, mortality and morbidity in urban centers in the country (Krüger et al. Int J Biometeorol 66(7):1297-1315, 2022). Motivated by this, the first Brazilian Symposium on Human Biometeorology (Simpósio Brasileiro de Biometeorologia Humana 2022) was organized and held at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) in Natal, northeastern Brazil, between July 4 and 8, 2022. The symposium was organized as a hybrid event by a committee composed of researchers acting in different regions of the country, and who had an ongoing research collaboration on matters related to human biometeorology. The event was partly sponsored by the ISB and partly self-supported by the organizers and institutions involved. The symposium aimed to promote the development of the research area on human biometeorology in Brazil in facing challenges imposed by a globally and locally changing climate. To achieve this, the symposium focused on five main topics of discussion: a) climate-driven diseases; b) thermal comfort, urban and architectural biometeorology; c) atmospheric pollution and health; d) climate change; e) climate, health and climate change. This summary highlights the main findings, future research directions, and policy implications in each topic from the presentations and panel discussions.

Tratamento farmacológico e não farmacológico de pacientes com oncológica: revisão integrativa acerca da importância do manejo / Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of cancer patients: integrative review on the importance of management

INTRODUÇÃO: A dor constitui o principal sintoma do paciente com câncer em progressão, conforme o Instituto Nacional do Câncer, conduzindo sofrimento e incapacidades para aqueles acometidos. Torna-se fundamental compreender que a avaliação da dor deve levar em consideração o seu impacto no sono e no desempenho das atividades do cotidiano. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica integrativa, método que proporciona a síntese do manejo farmacológico e não farmacológico em pacientes em seguimento oncológico, com ênfase no tratamento da dor causada pelo quadro de base dos pacientes. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a produção de artigos publicados em bases cientificas acerca da importância do manejo farmacológico e não farmacológico em pacientes com dor oncológica. RESULTADOS: A escada analgésica da Organização Mundial de Saúde é a mais utilizada para realizar a graduação de dor dos pacientes na maioria dos casos. A dor oncológica pode ser controlada com tratamentos simples em mais de 80% dos casos. Nos outros 20%, entretanto, faz-se necessário adotar uma abordagem multidisciplinar, com reavaliação cuidadosa da dor e do uso de fármacos adjuvantes e/ou de intervenções não farmacológicas para o seu controle. CONCLUSÃO: Reconhecer e tratar precocemente o processo álgico oncológico, por meio do manejo farmacológico e não farmacológico, é fundamental para o alcance de desfechos favoráveis para o paciente, família e equipe multiprofissional, repercutindo inclusive na diminuição de custos hospitalares.

Immunothrombosis and COVID-19 ‒ a nested post-hoc analysis from a 3186 patient cohort in a Latin American public reference hospital

Abstract Objective COVID-19 is associated with an elevated risk of thromboembolism and excess mortality. Difficulties with best anticoagulation practices and their implementation motivated the current analysis of COVID-19 patients who developed Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). Method This is a post-hoc analysis of a COVID-19 cohort, described in an economic study already published. The authors analyzed a subset of patients with confirmed VTE. We described the characteristics of the cohort, such as demographics, clinical status, and laboratory results. We tested differences amid two subgroups of patients, those with VTE or not, with the competitive risk Fine and Gray model. Results Out of 3186 adult patients with COVID-19, 245 (7.7%) were diagnosed with VTE, 174 (5.4%) of them during admission to the hospital. Four (2.3% of these 174) did not receive prophylactic anticoagulation and 19 (11%) discontinued anticoagulation for at least 3 days, resulting in 170 analyzed. During the first week of hospitalization, the laboratory most altered results were C-reactive protein and D-dimer. Patients with VTE were more critical, had a higher mortality rate, worse SOFA score, and, on average, 50% longer hospital stay. Conclusion Proven VTE incidence in this severe COVID-19 cohort was 7.7%, despite 87% of them complying completely with VTE prophylaxis. The clinician must be aware of the diagnosis of VTE in COVID-19, even in patients receiving proper prophylaxis.

Synchronous jawbone diseases: a multicenter retrospective study

Abstract The aim of this study is to report an original case series of synchronous jawbone diseases. Data of patients seen over 13 years were extracted from the files of three Oral Radiology and Pathology diagnostic centers in Brazil. The clinical, radiographic, and laboratory characteristics were tabulated and analyzed by the authors; the patients were described according to lesion type. Seventy-two synchronous jawbone diseases were included in this study. Florid osseous dysplasia, Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, and cherubism were the most frequent disorders reported in this case series. In addition, the posterior mandible area was the main site of manifestation. Florid osseous dysplasia and Gorlin-Goltz syndrome represented two-thirds of our samples. With the utilization of adequate demographic, clinical, and radiologic information, it is possible to diagnose most of the synchronous lesions of jawbones. Sometimes, however, we need complementary exams, such as histopathologic and biochemical analysis or dosing of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase.

Clinical, sociodemographic and environmental factors impact post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Background: Sociodemographic and environmental factors are associated with incidence, severity, and mortality of COVID-19. However, little is known about the role of such factors in persisting symptoms among recovering patients. We designed a cohort study of hospitalized COVID-19 survivors to describe persistent symptoms and identify factors associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: We included patients hospitalized between March to August 2020 who were alive six months after hospitalization. We collected individual and clinical characteristics during hospitalization and at follow-up assessed ten symptoms with standardized scales, 19 yes/no symptoms, a functional status and a quality-of-life scale and performed four clinical tests. We examined individual exposure to greenspace and air pollution and considered neighbourhood´s population density and socioeconomic conditions as contextual factors in multilevel regression analysis. Results: We included 749 patients with a median follow-up of 200 (IQR = 185-235) days, and 618 (83%) had at least one of the ten symptoms measured with scales. Pain (41%), fatigue (38%) and posttraumatic stress disorder (35%) were the most frequent. COVID-19 severity, comorbidities, BMI, female sex, younger age, and low socioeconomic position were associated with different symptoms. Exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with higher dyspnoea and fatigue scores and lower functional status. Conclusions: We identified a high frequency of persistent symptoms among COVID-19 survivors that were associated with clinical, sociodemographic, and environmental variables. These findings indicate that most patients recovering from COVID-19 will need post-discharge care, and an additional burden to health care systems, especially in LMICs, should be expected.

[Does the pharmaceutical industry interfere in the sustainability of the public health system in Brazil? A reflection on the pressure for the incorporation of medicines]. / A indústria farmacêutica interfere na sustentabilidade do sistema de saúde pública no Brasil? Uma reflexão sobre a pressão por incorporação de medicamentos.

The objective is to analyze the contribution of the pharmaceutical industry to the sustainability of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), based on the pressure for the incorporation of medicines. For this purpose, a descriptive study was conducted on requests for the incorporation of medicines sent to Commission for Incorporation of Technologies in the SUS (CONITEC) from 2012 to 2020. Characteristics such as technology indication, economic evaluation, financing component, public consultation, and CONITEC decision were analyzed. The results were compared according to the type of solicitor using statistical tests. 514 requests were analyzed, of which 438 related to incorporation. The pharmaceutical industry accounted for 37% of the requests and 33.5% of the incorporations. Differences were observed between the solicitors regarding the type of economic evaluation and incremental cost-utility ratio value, with half of the industry's demands above the threshold of 3 PIB per capita/QALY. The pharmaceutical industry obtained more contributions in public consultations of its requests and presented concentration of requests for antineoplastic and immunomodulatory agents and for anti-infectious, especially for hepatitis C and HIV. There was also a lower number of demands from the pharmaceutical industry in the Basic and Strategic Components of Pharmaceutical Assistance. Our findings point to the tension between the significant participation of the industry as an applicant, the high mobilization of public consultations, the emphasis on Specialized Component drugs, and CONITEC's resistance to this pressure, with a tendency of greater refusal and greater participation of other solicitors in requests for expansion of use, exclusion, and incorporation of drugs that are less requested by the pharmaceutical industry.

O objetivo foi analisar a contribuição da indústria farmacêutica na sustentabilidade do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), a partir da pressão pela incorporação de medicamentos. Para tanto, foi realizado estudo descritivo das solicitações de incorporação de medicamentos enviadas à Comissão Nacional de Incorporação de Tecnologias no SUS (CONITEC) entre 2012 e 2020. Foram analisadas características como a indicação da tecnologia, avaliação econômica, componente de financiamento, consulta pública e decisão da CONITEC. Os resultados foram comparados segundo o tipo de demandante por teste estatístico. Foram analisadas 514 solicitações, sendo 438 referentes à incorporação. A indústria farmacêutica foi responsável por 37% das solicitações e 33,5% das incorporações. Foram observadas diferenças entre os demandantes quanto ao tipo de avaliação econômica e ao valor de razão custo-utilidade incremental, com metade das demandas da indústria acima do limiar de 3 PIB per capita/QALY. A indústria farmacêutica obteve mais contribuições nas consultas públicas de suas solicitações e apresentou concentração das solicitações em agentes antineoplásicos e imunomoduladores e em anti-infecciosos, sobretudo, para hepatite C e HIV. Também notou-se menor quantidade de demandas da indústria farmacêutica nos Componentes Básico e Estratégico da Assistência Farmacêutica. Os achados apontam o tensionamento entre a expressiva participação da indústria como solicitante, alta mobilização em consultas públicas e ênfase em medicamentos do Componente Especializado e a resistência da CONITEC a essa pressão, com tendência de maior recusa e maior participação de outros solicitantes nos pedidos de ampliação de uso, exclusão e incorporação de medicamentos menos requisitados pela indústria farmacêutica.

El objetivo fue analizar la contribución de la industria farmacéutica a la sostenibilidad del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), con base en la presión por la incorporación de medicamentos. Para ello, se realizó un estudio descriptivo de las solicitudes de incorporación de medicamentos enviadas a Comisión de Incorporación de Tecnologías en el SUS (CONITEC) entre el 2012 y el 2020. Se analizaron características como la indicación de tecnología, evaluación económica, componente de financiación, consulta pública y decisión de la CONITEC. Los resultados se compararon según el tipo de demandante por prueba estadística. Se analizaron 514 solicitudes, de las cuales 438 se refieren a la incorporación. La industria farmacéutica fue responsable del 37% de las solicitudes y del 33,5% de las incorporaciones. Se observaron diferencias entre los demandantes en cuanto al tipo de evaluación económica y al valor de la relación costo-utilidad incremental, con la mitad de las demandas de la industria por encima del umbral de 3 PIB per cápita/QALY. La industria farmacéutica obtuvo más contribuciones en las consultas públicas de sus solicitudes y presentó una concentración de solicitudes en agentes antineoplásicos e inmunomoduladores y en antiinfecciosos, especialmente para hepatitis C y VIH. También se constató una menor cantidad de demandas de la industria farmacéutica en los Componentes Básicos y Estratégicos de la Asistencia Farmacéutica. Los hallazgos apuntan a la tensión entre la expresiva participación de la industria como solicitante, alta movilización en las consultas públicas y énfasis en los medicamentos del Componente Especializado y la resistencia de CONITEC a esta presión, con una tendencia de mayor negativa y mayor participación de otros solicitantes en las solicitudes de ampliación del uso, exclusión e incorporación de medicamentos menos requeridos por la industria farmacéutica.

A first approach to human biometeorology research in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review aims to give an overview of the diversity of research areas related to human biometeorology in Brazil. The main focus of this paper addresses research trends, represented by published papers with national and international authorship, main contributions and shortcomings, as well as challenges and prospects of research in this area of study. An extensive literature search was conducted in the Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases so as to identify relevant publication output up to July 2021 related to the research area. The screening resulted in 96 studies chosen for full-text reading. Overall, results indicated a reduced amount of articles on the subject matter published internationally, with noticeable gaps in research in some regions of the country, such as the Amazon region and in the Brazilian Midwest region. Research gaps in relevant areas have been identified with limited output in the climate dimensions of tourism, vector-borne diseases, mortality and morbidity in urban centers. Such gaps should further encourage researchers to engage in research focused on those areas.

A Rare Case of Desmoplastic Fibroma. Spontaneous Mandibular Regeneration with 3 Years Follow up - Case Report.

Desmoplastic fibroma is a benign, rare, but locally aggressive lesion. The intraosseous type rarely presents in the jaws. Desmoplastic fibroma represents the intraosseous counterpart of the soft tissue fibromatoses or desmoid tumor, affects predominantly young people with an affinity for the mandible. The aim of this article is to describe a rare case of spontaneous bone regeneration after resection of intraosseous type of Desmoplastic fibroma. We report a case of intraosseous Desmoplastic fibroma involving right body and ramus of the mandible of a 17 years old, male patient, that underwent surgical procedure by Risdon access to remove all lesion with 1 cm free margins and reconstructed with 2.4 mm plate. After 3 years follow up, spontaneous bone regeneration was found with no signs of recurrence of the lesion. In conclusion, cases of spontaneous bone regeneration after mandibular resection is rare and there are few studies and case report in the literature.

A indústria farmacêutica interfere na sustentabilidade do sistema de saúde pública no Brasil? Uma reflexão sobre a pressão por incorporação de medicamentos / Does the pharmaceutical industry interfere in the sustainability of the public health system in Brazil? A reflection on the pressure for the incorporation of medicines / ¿La industria farmacéutica interfiere en la sostenibilidad del sistema público de salud en Brasil? Una reflexión sobre la presión por la incorporación de medicamentos

O objetivo foi analisar a contribuição da indústria farmacêutica na sustentabilidade do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), a partir da pressão pela incorporação de medicamentos. Para tanto, foi realizado estudo descritivo das solicitações de incorporação de medicamentos enviadas à Comissão Nacional de Incorporação de Tecnologias no SUS (CONITEC) entre 2012 e 2020. Foram analisadas características como a indicação da tecnologia, avaliação econômica, componente de financiamento, consulta pública e decisão da CONITEC. Os resultados foram comparados segundo o tipo de demandante por teste estatístico. Foram analisadas 514 solicitações, sendo 438 referentes à incorporação. A indústria farmacêutica foi responsável por 37% das solicitações e 33,5% das incorporações. Foram observadas diferenças entre os demandantes quanto ao tipo de avaliação econômica e ao valor de razão custo-utilidade incremental, com metade das demandas da indústria acima do limiar de 3 PIB per capita/QALY. A indústria farmacêutica obteve mais contribuições nas consultas públicas de suas solicitações e apresentou concentração das solicitações em agentes antineoplásicos e imunomoduladores e em anti-infecciosos, sobretudo, para hepatite C e HIV. Também notou-se menor quantidade de demandas da indústria farmacêutica nos Componentes Básico e Estratégico da Assistência Farmacêutica. Os achados apontam o tensionamento entre a expressiva participação da indústria como solicitante, alta mobilização em consultas públicas e ênfase em medicamentos do Componente Especializado e a resistência da CONITEC a essa pressão, com tendência de maior recusa e maior participação de outros solicitantes nos pedidos de ampliação de uso, exclusão e incorporação de medicamentos menos requisitados pela indústria farmacêutica.

The objective is to analyze the contribution of the pharmaceutical industry to the sustainability of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS), based on the pressure for the incorporation of medicines. For this purpose, a descriptive study was conducted on requests for the incorporation of medicines sent to Commission for Incorporation of Technologies in the SUS (CONITEC) from 2012 to 2020. Characteristics such as technology indication, economic evaluation, financing component, public consultation, and CONITEC decision were analyzed. The results were compared according to the type of solicitor using statistical tests. 514 requests were analyzed, of which 438 related to incorporation. The pharmaceutical industry accounted for 37% of the requests and 33.5% of the incorporations. Differences were observed between the solicitors regarding the type of economic evaluation and incremental cost-utility ratio value, with half of the industry's demands above the threshold of 3 PIB per capita/QALY. The pharmaceutical industry obtained more contributions in public consultations of its requests and presented concentration of requests for antineoplastic and immunomodulatory agents and for anti-infectious, especially for hepatitis C and HIV. There was also a lower number of demands from the pharmaceutical industry in the Basic and Strategic Components of Pharmaceutical Assistance. Our findings point to the tension between the significant participation of the industry as an applicant, the high mobilization of public consultations, the emphasis on Specialized Component drugs, and CONITEC's resistance to this pressure, with a tendency of greater refusal and greater participation of other solicitors in requests for expansion of use, exclusion, and incorporation of drugs that are less requested by the pharmaceutical industry.

El objetivo fue analizar la contribución de la industria farmacéutica a la sostenibilidad del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), con base en la presión por la incorporación de medicamentos. Para ello, se realizó un estudio descriptivo de las solicitudes de incorporación de medicamentos enviadas a Comisión de Incorporación de Tecnologías en el SUS (CONITEC) entre el 2012 y el 2020. Se analizaron características como la indicación de tecnología, evaluación económica, componente de financiación, consulta pública y decisión de la CONITEC. Los resultados se compararon según el tipo de demandante por prueba estadística. Se analizaron 514 solicitudes, de las cuales 438 se refieren a la incorporación. La industria farmacéutica fue responsable del 37% de las solicitudes y del 33,5% de las incorporaciones. Se observaron diferencias entre los demandantes en cuanto al tipo de evaluación económica y al valor de la relación costo-utilidad incremental, con la mitad de las demandas de la industria por encima del umbral de 3 PIB per cápita/QALY. La industria farmacéutica obtuvo más contribuciones en las consultas públicas de sus solicitudes y presentó una concentración de solicitudes en agentes antineoplásicos e inmunomoduladores y en antiinfecciosos, especialmente para hepatitis C y VIH. También se constató una menor cantidad de demandas de la industria farmacéutica en los Componentes Básicos y Estratégicos de la Asistencia Farmacéutica. Los hallazgos apuntan a la tensión entre la expresiva participación de la industria como solicitante, alta movilización en las consultas públicas y énfasis en los medicamentos del Componente Especializado y la resistencia de CONITEC a esta presión, con una tendencia de mayor negativa y mayor participación de otros solicitantes en las solicitudes de ampliación del uso, exclusión e incorporación de medicamentos menos requeridos por la industria farmacéutica.

Use and misuse of biomarkers and the role of D-dimer and C-reactive protein in the management of COVID-19: A post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality among hospitalized patients and incurs high costs. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection can trigger both inflammatory and thrombotic processes, and these complications can lead to a poorer prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association and temporal trends of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), hospital mortality, and costs among inpatients with COVID-19. METHODS: Data were extracted from electronic patient records and laboratory databases. Crude and adjusted associations for age, sex, number of comorbidities, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at admission, and D-dimer or CRP logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations. RESULTS: Between March and June 2020, COVID-19 was documented in 3,254 inpatients. The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL fibrinogen equivalent unit (FEU) mortality odds ratio (OR) was 4.48 (adjusted OR: 1.97). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for death was 7.73 (adjusted OR: 3.93). The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL FEU VTE OR was 3.96 (adjusted OR: 3.26). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for VTE was 2.71 (adjusted OR: 1.92). All these analyses were statistically significant (p<0.001). Stratified hospital costs demonstrated a dose-response pattern. Adjusted D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher mortality and doubled hospital costs. In the first week, elevated D-dimer levels predicted VTE occurrence and systemic inflammatory harm, while CRP was a hospital mortality predictor. CONCLUSION: D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher hospital mortality and a higher incidence of VTE. D-dimer was more strongly associated with VTE, although its discriminative ability was poor, while CRP was a stronger predictor of hospital mortality. Their use outside the usual indications should not be modified and should be discouraged.

Reading Comprehension Predictors in European Portuguese Adults.

Research on the predictors of reading comprehension has been largely focused on school-aged children and mainly in opaque orthographies, hindering the generalization of the results to adult populations and more transparent orthographies. In the present study, we aim to test two versions of the Simple View of Reading (SVR): the original model and an extended version, including reading fluency and vocabulary. Additional mediation models were analyzed to verify if other reading comprehension predictors (rapid automatized naming, phonological decoding, phonological awareness, morphological awareness, and working memory) have direct effects or if they are mediated through word reading and reading fluency. A sample of 67 typical adult Portuguese readers participated in this study. The SVR model accounted for 27% of the variance in reading comprehension, with oral language comprehension displaying a larger contribution than word reading. In the extended SVR model, reading fluency and vocabulary provided an additional and significant contribution of 7% to the explained variance. Moreover, vocabulary influenced reading comprehension directly and indirectly, via oral language comprehension. In the final mediation model, the total mediation hypothesis was rejected, and only morphological awareness showed a direct effect on reading comprehension. These results provide preliminary evidence that the SVR (with the possible addition of vocabulary) might be a reliable model to explain reading comprehension in adult typical readers in a semitransparent orthography. Furthermore, oral language comprehension and vocabulary were the best predictors in the study, suggesting that remediation programs addressing reading comprehension in adults should promote these abilities.

Tratamento conservador de osteomielite em mandibula: relato de caso / Conservative treatment osteomyelitis in jaw: case report / Tratamiento conservador de osteomielita en mandible: reporte de caso

Introdução: As infecções nos ossos de face podem acometer os maxilares, geralmente a mandíbula, apresentando diversos fatores etiológicos, além de seu potencial multibacteriano. Embora tratamentos mais radicais possam ser uma escolha preferencial, meios conservadores podem surgir como alternativa afim de evitar tratamento mais agressivo aos pacientes. Relato de caso: Paciente do sexo feminino, 17 anos de idade, vítima de acidente náutico foi submetido a tratamento cirúrgico para osteossíntese de fratura complexa de mandíbula e após um período de 30 dias houve evolução de um quadro de osteomielite em região mandibular no qual foi preconizado tratamento conservador com antibioticoterapia e orientações de restrição de dieta líquida e pastosa. No período de proservação de 06 meses observou se melhora e regressão considerável do quadro infeccioso onde houve continuidade do acompanhamento de 01 ano sem sinais sugestivos de recidiva. Considerações Finais: O tratamento conservador deve ser considerado como importante alternativa nos casos de osteomielite nas complicações pós-operatórias de fixação de fraturas do complexo maxilo-mandibular... (AU)

Introduction: Infections is commonly affect in jaws and usually the mandibular bone present several etiological factors and in addition to their multibacterial potential. Although radical treatments may be preferred choices another treatments can be emerge as a new way to prevent treatment from becoming more aggressive to pacients. Case Report: A 17-year-old female patient victim of a nautical accident, underwent surgery treatment for complex fracture osteosynthesis and after a while appear osteomyelitis in mandibular bone in which conservative treatment was recommended with antibiotherapy and guidelines for restricting liquid and pasty diet. During 06 months improvement and considerable regression of the infect condition was observed with 01 year of preservation without signs of reccurrence. Final considerations: Conservative treatment should be considered na important alternative in cases of osteomyelitis in post operative complications of fixation of fractures in jaws... (AU)

Las infecciones en los huesos faciales pueden afectar el maxilar, generalmente la mandíbula, presentando varios factores etiológicos, además de su potencial multibacteriano. Aunque los tratamientos más radicales pueden ser una opción preferida, los medios conservadores pueden surgir como una alternativa para evitar un tratamiento más agresivo para los pacientes Caso clínico: Paciente de sexo femenino de 17 años, víctima de accidente náutico, sometida a tratamiento quirúrgico por osteosíntesis de una fractura compleja de mandíbula y al cabo de 30 días evolucionó una osteomielitis en la región mandibular en la que se Fue un tratamiento conservador con antibioticoterapia y se recomendaron pautas para restringir las dietas líquidas y pastosas. En el período de seguimiento de 06 meses, hubo una mejoría considerable y regresión de la condición infecciosa, donde hubo una continuación del seguimiento de 01 año sin signos sugestivos de recurrencia. Consideraciones finales: El tratamiento conservador debe considerarse como una alternativa importante en casos de osteomielitis en complicaciones postoperatorias de fijación de fracturas del complejo maxilomandibular... (AU)

COVID-19-related hospital cost-outcome analysis: The impact of clinical and demographic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Although patients' clinical conditions have been shown to be associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severity and outcome, their impact on hospital costs are not known. This economic evaluation of COVID-19 admissions aimed to assess direct and fixed hospital costs and describe their particularities in different clinical and demographic conditions and outcomes in the largest public hospital in Latin America, located in São Paulo, Brazil, where a whole institute was exclusively dedicated to COVID-19 patients in response to the pandemic. METHODS: This is a partial economic evaluation performed from the hospital´s perspective and is a prospective, observational cohort study to assess hospitalization costs of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted between March 30 and June 30, 2020, to Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School (HCFMUSP) and followed until discharge, death, or external transfer. Micro- and macro-costing methodologies were used to describe and analyze the total cost associated with each patient's underlying medical conditions, itinerary and outcomes as well as the cost components of different hospital sectors. RESULTS: The average cost of the 3254 admissions (51.7% of which involved intensive care unit stays) was US$12,637.42. The overhead cost was its main component. Sex, age and underlying hypertension (US$14,746.77), diabetes (US$15,002.12), obesity (US$18,941.55), chronic renal failure (US$15,377.84), and rheumatic (US$17,764.61), hematologic (US$15,908.25) and neurologic (US$15,257.95) diseases were associated with higher costs. Age strata >69 years, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19, comorbidities, use of mechanical ventilation or dialysis, surgery and outcomes remained associated with higher costs. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of COVID-19 hospital costs can aid in the development of a comprehensive approach for decision-making and planning for future risk management.

Mapping of suspended sediment transport using acoustic methods in a Pantanal tributary.

Generally, fluvial systems are used for different objectives including energy production, water supply, recreation, and navigation. Thus, many impacts must be considered with their use. An understanding of sediment dynamics in fluvial systems is often of value for a variety of objectives, given that erosion and depositional processes can change the fluvial system morphology and can substantially alter the fluvial environment. In this sense, sediment monitoring is important because it helps to explain and quantify sediment dynamics in the environment. Hence, this study presents an innovative sediment monitoring technique: the use of the acoustic Doppler current profiler, commonly used to obtain discharge measurements, to obtain suspended sediment concentration (SSC). This paper aims to describe the application of additional corrections to the ADP-M9 signal to obtain SSC from measurement campaigns that used the ADP only for discharge measurements. The analyses were based on traditional sediment sampling methods and discharge measurements, with the ADP-M9, from 7 field campaigns at the Taquari River, a major tributary from the Alto Paraguay Basin, in the Pantanal Biome, known as the largest freshwater wetland system in the world. The correlation was assessed considering the following: (a) the equipment frequency operation mode (Smart Pulse or Fixed Frequency) and (b) by checking the influence of the sediment attenuation coefficient. Furthermore, extrapolation was conducted in filtered and unmeasured areas of the ADP to map the suspended sediment concentration over the entire cross section. Results indicate that ADP correlations can be an effective tool for estimating SSC in the Taquari River when samples cannot be collected. Correlations could be applied to past and future ADP measurements made at the location where the correlation was created, as long as similar environmental conditions are present as when the correlation was developed. The described technique can expand the amount of sediment data available at a monitoring site even with reduced traditional sampling and by leveraging instruments used for other monitoring purposes.

Use and misuse of biomarkers and the role of D-dimer and C-reactive protein in the management of COVID-19: A post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with high mortality among hospitalized patients and incurs high costs. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection can trigger both inflammatory and thrombotic processes, and these complications can lead to a poorer prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the association and temporal trends of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), hospital mortality, and costs among inpatients with COVID-19. METHODS: Data were extracted from electronic patient records and laboratory databases. Crude and adjusted associations for age, sex, number of comorbidities, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at admission, and D-dimer or CRP logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations. RESULTS: Between March and June 2020, COVID-19 was documented in 3,254 inpatients. The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL fibrinogen equivalent unit (FEU) mortality odds ratio (OR) was 4.48 (adjusted OR: 1.97). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for death was 7.73 (adjusted OR: 3.93). The D-dimer level ≥4,000 ng/mL FEU VTE OR was 3.96 (adjusted OR: 3.26). The CRP level ≥220 mg/dL OR for VTE was 2.71 (adjusted OR: 1.92). All these analyses were statistically significant (p<0.001). Stratified hospital costs demonstrated a dose-response pattern. Adjusted D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher mortality and doubled hospital costs. In the first week, elevated D-dimer levels predicted VTE occurrence and systemic inflammatory harm, while CRP was a hospital mortality predictor. CONCLUSION: D-dimer and CRP levels were associated with higher hospital mortality and a higher incidence of VTE. D-dimer was more strongly associated with VTE, although its discriminative ability was poor, while CRP was a stronger predictor of hospital mortality. Their use outside the usual indications should not be modified and should be discouraged.

COVID-19-related hospital cost-outcome analysis: The impact of clinical and demographic factors

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although patients' clinical conditions have been shown to be associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severity and outcome, their impact on hospital costs are not known. This economic evaluation of COVID-19 admissions aimed to assess direct and fixed hospital costs and describe their particularities in different clinical and demographic conditions and outcomes in the largest public hospital in Latin America, located in São Paulo, Brazil, where a whole institute was exclusively dedicated to COVID-19 patients in response to the pandemic. Methods: This is a partial economic evaluation performed from the hospitaĺs perspective and is a prospective, observational cohort study to assess hospitalization costs of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted between March 30 and June 30, 2020, to Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School (HCFMUSP) and followed until discharge, death, or external transfer. Microand macro-costing methodologies were used to describe and analyze the total cost associated with each patient's underlying medical conditions, itinerary and outcomes as well as the cost components of different hospital sectors. Results: The average cost of the 3254 admissions (51.7% of which involved intensive care unit stays) was US$12,637.42. The overhead cost was its main component. Sex, age and underlying hypertension (US$14,746.77), diabetes (US$15,002.12), obesity (US$18,941.55), chronic renal failure (US$15,377.84), and rheumatic (US$17,764.61), hematologic (US $15,908.25) and neurologic (US$15,257.95) diseases were associated with higher costs. Age strata >69 years, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19, comorbidities, use of mechanical ventilation or dialysis, surgery and outcomes remained associated with higher costs. Conclusion: Knowledge of COVID-19 hospital costs can aid in the development of a comprehensive approach for decision-making and planning for future risk management.